Adjustable beverage holder

Abstract

An adjustable beverage holder for securely supporting a variety of container shapes, sizes and configurations is disclosed. The beverage holder comprises an insulated base member, a vertical backbone, and a handle assembly that is vertically adjustable with respect to the backbone. The handle assembly supports a pair of curved, symmetrically configured arms, which may be adjusted to accommodate a wide range of beverage container shapes. The base may further contain a removable insert that provides means for accommodating multiple types of containers and absorbing spillage or condensation. In addition, the insert can be utilized to hold a small ice pack or ice cubes. The beverage holder of the present invention securely accommodates cups, cans, bottles and other containers, contains condensation and spillage, provides supplemental cooling, and permits the user to hold a hot or cold beverage container without discomfort.

1 . An adjustable holder for supporting a beverage container comprising a holder base member; a backbone member attached to and extending vertically from an adjacent outer surface of the holder base member; a handle assembly containing means in engagement with said backbone member to vertically adjust the height of the holder; and a pair of curved arms attached to the handle assembly and extending outwardly from the vertical backbone to securely grasp said beverage container near its upper end.  
   
   
       2 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 1 , wherein an interior wall surface of the holder base member is lined with insulating material.  
   
   
       3 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the holder base member further includes an upper rim and a lower rim positioned around the interior wall of the holder base member, said upper rim and lower rim defining a groove.  
   
   
       4 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said upper rim further includes two notches positioned opposite one another.  
   
   
       5 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 1 , further including a removable insert positioned within said holder base member.  
   
   
       6 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said insert includes an insert base, insert side walls attached to said insert base, and an open cavity defined by said insert base and said insert side walls.  
   
   
       7 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said insert base further includes two tabs positioned opposite one another near the outer edge of the external face of the insert base.  
   
   
       8 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said tabs on the insert base engage said notches of said upper rim of said holder base member to lock said insert into a fixed position by a turn of said insert.  
   
   
       9 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 6 , wherein a size and shape of said insert is selected to accommodate a variety of beverage containers.  
   
   
       10 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said insert base further includes means for drainage of condensation and spillage.  
   
   
       11 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said insert further includes a layer of absorptive material affixed to the external surface of said insert base.  
   
   
       12 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said absorptive material is chosen from the group of sponge, cork and sandstone.  
   
   
       13 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said holder base member and said backbone member are molded as a single article.  
   
   
       14 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said backbone member further includes a plurality of apertures spaced along its length.  
   
   
       15 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said handle assembly further includes at least one aperture.  
   
   
       16 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 15 , wherein at least one aperture on said handle assembly aligns with at least one aperture on said backbone member.  
   
   
       17 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said handle assembly and said backbone member are fixed in position relative to one another by fastening means.  
   
   
       18 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said fastening means are selected from the group consisting of pins, screws, dowels and bolts.  
   
   
       19 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said holder further includes means for adjusting at least one curved arm in a horizontal plane.  
   
   
       20 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 19 , wherein both curved arms are adjustable.  
   
   
       21 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said curved arm further includes a sprocket attached at the end of the arm nearest said handle assembly and oriented in a vertical plane.  
   
   
       22 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said handle assembly further includes at least one aperture capable of receiving a sprocket-type appendage.  
   
   
       23 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 22 , wherein said sprocket of at least one curved arm engages at least one said aperture of said handle assembly.  
   
   
       24 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 23 , wherein at least one said curved arm is adjusted to grip a beverage container.  
   
   
       25 . The adjustable holder as recited in  claim 24  wherein a surface of said curved arm includes a non-slip material providing a secure grip upon a beverage container.  
   
   
       26 . An adjustable holder for supporting a beverage container comprising: 
 a. a round holder base member insulated on an interior wall surface and further including a rim with two oppositely positioned notches;    b. an interchangeable, removable insert with an insert base and insert side walls that define a cavity for a beverage container, including means for drainage of spillage and condensation, and further including two tabs positioned opposite one another on an external face of said insert base capable of engaging said notches on said rim of said holder base member to lock said insert in place;    c. an absorbent pad affixed to said external face to absorb spillage and condensation;    d. a backbone member including a plurality of apertures spaced along its length, said backbone member molded to and extending vertically from an adjacent outer surface of said holder base member;    e. a handle assembly including at least one aperture in alignment with at least one aperture on said backbone member, said handle fixed in position relative to said backbone member by fastening means, and further including two apertures capable of receiving a sprocket-type appendage; and    f. two adjustable curved arms extending in a horizontal plane from said handle assembly and including a sprocket oriented in a vertical plane attached at an end of said arm nearest said handle assembly, wherein said sprocket of said curved arm engages said aperture of said handle assembly.