Tip-Resistant Cup with Handle

Abstract

A tip-resistant cup with handle having at least three external extended legs that prevent tip-overs. The external legs extend down to the surface the cup being placed on to provide support from three different directions. In addition, any of the legs can be used has a handle. Cups of the present invention can be stacked like other cups by simply rotating the position of the legs. The cup of the present invention can also have a curved lip to further prevent spilling when the user is drinking.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A tip-proof coffee cup comprising:
 a cup body having a lower part, an upper part and a bottom, the upper part being of greater diameter than the lower part;   a plurality of external legs extending outward and downward from the upper part of said cup body, the legs extending downward to a point below the bottom of said cup body.   
     
     
         2 . The tip-proof coffee cup of  claim 1  wherein said coffee cup has three legs. 
     
     
         3 . The tip-proof coffee cup of  claim 1  wherein each of the legs has a cross-section that is curved concave outward away from said cup body. 
     
     
         4 . The tip-proof coffee cup of  claim 1  wherein said cup body has a drinking lip, and each of the legs curves downward away from the upper part of said cup body such that the leg's distil end encounters a resting surface at approximately right angles and its proximal end into said cup body at an acute angle below said drinking lip. 
     
     
         5 . The tip-proof coffee cup of  claim 4  wherein a region of said cup body approaching said drinking lip curves inward so that the drinking lip has a diameter smaller than the upper part of said cup body. 
     
     
         6 . The tip-proof coffee cup of  claim 1  wherein the drinking lip has a diameter larger then the lower part of said cup body. 
     
     
         7 . The tip-proof coffee cup of  claim 1  wherein said cup body has a drinking lip and wherein a region of said cup body approaching the drinking lip curves inward so that the drinking lip has a diameter smaller than the upper part of said cup body. 
     
     
         8 . The tip-proof coffee cup of  claim 1  adapted so that a plurality of similar tip-proof coffee cups can be stacked on top of one-another with the lower part of each cup, except a lowest cup, extending into the cup body of a cup below it. 
     
     
         9 . The tip-proof coffee cup of  claim 1  wherein each of said legs is wider at its distal end than at its proximal end. 
     
     
         10 . The tip-proof coffee cup of  claim 1  wherein each of said legs is adapted to be used as a handle. 
     
     
         11 . A tip-proof coffee cup comprising:
 a cup body having a lower part, an upper part and a bottom, the upper part being of greater diameter than the lower part;   three external legs extending outward and downward from a region near the upper part of said cup body, the legs extending downward to a point equal to or below the bottom of the cup body;   wherein said cup body has a drinking lip, and each of the legs curves downward away from the upper part of said cup body such that its distil end encounters a resting surface at approximately right angles and its proximal end merges into said cup body at an acute angle below said drinking lip;   and wherein a region of said cup body approaching said drinking lip curves inward so that the drinking lip has a diameter smaller than the upper part of said cup body yet larger than the lower part of said cup body.   
     
     
         12 . The tip-proof coffee cup of  claim 11  wherein each of the legs has a cross-section that is curved concave outward away from said cup body. 
     
     
         13 . The tip-proof coffee cup of  claim 11  configured so that a plurality of similar tip-proof coffee cups can be stacked on top of one-another with the lower part of each cup, except a lowest cup, extending into the cup body of a cup below it. 
     
     
         14 . The tip-proof coffee cup of  claim 11  wherein each of said legs is wider at its distal end than at its proximal end. 
     
     
         15 . A cup adapted to hold liquids comprising a cup body with at least three equally-spaced legs protruding outward and downward from said cup body to a point below said cup body, whereby said cup body is resistant to tipping over. 
     
     
         16 . The cup of  claim 15  wherein said legs have a curved cross-section. 
     
     
         17 . The cup of  claim 15  further comprising a drinking lip of smaller diameter than said cup body's upper part, wherein said drinking lip curves inward. 
     
     
         18 . The cup of  claim 15  wherein said legs curve downward from said cup body to meet a resting surface at approximately a right angle.