Granted Patent B2

US 7,413,154 · App. 11/387,525 · Granted Aug 19, 2008

Abstract

Claims (11)

1. A holder for receiving and supporting a substantially cylindrical article in a vehicle, the holder comprising:

a main body having a sidewall and a base defining an open top cavity for receiving the article; and

at least one resiliently deformable support member attached to and spaced inwardly from said sidewall, said support member defining a surface adapted to engage and support the article on said base, said support member including an upper portion and a lower portion;

wherein said lower portion defines a convex surface and said upper portion defines either a concave surface or a convex surface having a larger radius of curvature than the radius of curvature of said convex surface defined by said lower portion, said lower portion and said upper portion being outwardly deformable into a concave configuration which closely conforms with the article.

2. The holder of claim 1 wherein said main body includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced resiliently deformable support members.

3. The holder of claim 2 wherein each of said support members is similarly shaped.

4. The holder of claim 1 wherein said support member includes a sloped transition portion connecting said upper portion to said sidewall.

5. The holder of claim 1 wherein said sidewall defines said open top cavity with a substantially cylindrical configuration.

6. The holder of claim 1 wherein said support member is integrally formed with said sidewall.

7. The holder of claim 6 wherein said holder is of a one-piece construction.

8. The holder of claim 7 wherein said holder is made of either a thermoplastic or a thermoset.

Assignments (18)