Beverage carrier

Abstract

A beverage carrier includes an elongated axial support element extending parallel to a central reference axis between a top end and a bottom end, a pair of resilient clip arms each extending in a substantially arcuate locus about the central axis from the top end of the axial support element, a pair of base arms each extending in a substantially arcuate locus about the central axis from the bottom end of the axial support element, a pair of support struts each extending in a substantially arcuate locus about the central axis from the axial support element at points between the top end and the bottom end to an end joined with the associated base arm, and a bottom support element extending from the bottom end of the axial support element and transverse to the central axis.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for carrying a beverage container, said device comprising: 
 A. an elongated axial support element extending parallel to a central reference axis between a top end and a bottom end;    B. a pair of resilient clip arms, each clip arm extending from points at or near said top end of said axial support element to a distal tip, said arms extending in a substantially arcuate locus about said central axis, wherein said clip arms define a substantially conical inner surface, whereby said distal tips of said clip arms are mutually opposite to and spaced apart from each other;    C. a pair of base arms, each base arm extending from points at or near said bottom end of said axial support element to a distal tip, said base arms extending in a substantially arcuate locus about said central axis, each of said base arms being substantially parallel to an associated one of said clip arms, whereby said distal tips of said base arms are mutually opposite to each other;    D. a pair of support struts, each support strut extending from points between said top end and said bottom end of said axial support element in a substantially arcuate locus to the distal tip of an associated one of said base arms;    E. a bottom support element extending along a plane transverse to said central axis from said bottom end of said axial support element, said bottom support element having a convex surface at points disposed about said central axis.    
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a support clip extending radially outward from said top end of said axial support element.  
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein said support clip is a belt clip.  
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein said support clip is a hook.  
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is a unitary plastic structure.  
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said distal tips of said clip arms are arcuate, said distal tips curving about axes parallel to said central axis.  
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said arcuate loci are substantially circular arches having the same radius.  
     
     
         8 . A device for carrying a beverage container, said device comprising: 
 A. an elongated axial support element extending parallel to a central reference axis, between a top end and a bottom end;    B. a pair of resilient clip arms, each clip arm extending from points at or near said top end of said axial support element to a distal tip, said arms extending in a substantially arcuate locus about said central axis, wherein said clip arms define a substantially conical inner surface, whereby said distal tips of said clip arms are mutually opposite to and spaced apart from each other; and    C. a bottom support element extending along a plane transverse to said central axis from said bottom end of said axial support element.    
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 8 , further comprising a support clip extending radially outward from said top end of said axial support element.  
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein said support clip is a belt clip.  
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein said support clip is a hook.  
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 8 , wherein said device is a unitary plastic structure.  
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 8 , wherein said distal tips of said clip arms are arcuate, said distal tips curving about axes parallel to said central axis.  
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 8 , wherein said arcuate loci are substantially circular arches having the same radius.  
     
     
         15 . A device for carrying a beverage in a cylindrical container extending between a dispensing end and a concave end, said device comprising: 
 A. an elongated axial support element extending paralleled to a central reference axis, between a top end and a bottom end;    B. a clip arm extending from points at or near said top end of said axial support element to a distal tip, said clip arm extending in a substantially circular locus about said central axis, wherein said substantially circular locus is greater than a semicircle, wherein said clip arm defines a substantially conical inner surface; and    C. a bottom support element extending along a plane transverse to said central axis from said bottom end of said axial support element, said bottom support element having a convex surface at points disposed about said central axis.    
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 15 , further comprising a support clip extending radially outward from said top end of said axial support element.  
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 16 , wherein said support clip is a belt clip.  
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 16 , wherein said support clip is a hook.  
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein said device is a unitary plastic structure.  
     
     
         20 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein said distal tip of said clip arm is arcuate, said distal tip curving about an axis parallel to said central axis.  
     
     
         21 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said substantially conical inner surface is oblique with respect to the central reference axis at an angle of about 5 degrees to 7 degrees.  
     
     
         22 . A device according to  claim 8 , wherein said substantially conical inner surface is oblique with respect to the central reference axis at an angle of about 5 degrees to 7 degrees.  
     
     
         23 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein said substantially conical inner surface is oblique with respect to the central reference axis at an angle of about 5 degrees to 7 degrees.