Automated and illuminated cupholding devices and methods of use

Cupholding devices are as ubiquitous as the drinks they are designed to hold. Cupholding devices appear in automobiles, airplanes, strollers, chairs and any other place a person may be likely to spend any significant time. Cupholding devices allow users to keep a container at hand for extended periods so that other activities may proceed unencumbered. In most examples, cupholding devices provide a benign and welcome convenience.

In some examples, however, a cupholding device may provide an unnecessary distraction. For example, in a moving vehicle, an operator may be distracted when attempting to place a container in a cupholding device. In other examples, where visibility is poor such as at night, a cupholding device may not be readily visible. In those examples, additional effort may be required to properly seat a container. In some examples, an operator may be distracted for an unsafe period of time which may lead to unfortunate consequences.

Some conventional solutions may provide cupholding devices which may be adjusted to fit a particular sized container. Other conventional solutions may provide platforms which accommodate two or more fixed sized containers. Conventional solutions may not, however, adequately address all operating safety concerns. As such, automated and illuminated cupholding devices and methods of use are provided herein.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Various embodiments are described hereinbelow, including methods and techniques. It should be kept in mind that the invention might also cover articles of manufacture that includes a computer readable medium on which computer-readable instructions for carrying out embodiments of the inventive technique are stored. The computer readable medium may include, for example, semiconductor, magnetic, opto-magnetic, optical, or other forms of computer readable medium for storing computer readable code. Further, the invention may also cover apparatuses for practicing embodiments of the invention. Such apparatus may include circuits, dedicated and/or programmable, to carry out tasks pertaining to embodiments of the invention. Examples of such apparatus include a general-purpose computer and/or a dedicated computing device when appropriately programmed and may include a combination of a computer/computing device and dedicated/programmable circuits adapted for the various tasks pertaining to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative representation of a cupholding device 100 for holding two containers in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. As may be appreciated, the illustrative representation is only one example embodiment and is not intended to be limiting with respect to the number of containers held. For example, in some embodiments, one or more cupholding devices may be configured to hold one or more containers without departing from the present invention. Cupholding device 100 includes a base 102 for receiving a container of varying diameter. Base 102 provides a stable platform for supporting a container as well as actuating portions of cupholding device 100. Arcuate actuating arm 104 may be pivotally connected with the base at point 106. Arcuate actuating arm 104 actuates in response to a presence signal that indicates whether a container is present on base 102. A presence sensor (not shown) may include any sensor well-known in the art without departing from the present invention including a contact switch sensor, an inductive sensor and a stain gauge sensor. In this manner presence of a container may be in any manner appropriate to a particular operating environment. For example, in harsh environmental conditions, a contact switch sensor may be unduly exposed to damaging elements. In that example, a strain gauge sensor may be utilized.

When a container 108 is placed on base 102, arcuate actuating arm 104 captures container 108 by pivoting at point 106. Arcuate actuating arm 102 may be coupled with a contact sensor (not shown) so that an appropriate amount of gripping force may be applied to a container to adequately capture the container without crushing the container. In some embodiments, a contact sensor may include a strain gauge sensor and a torque sensor. In other embodiments, an arcuate actuating arm may include a clutching mechanism (not shown) which may allow the arcuate actuating arm to slip at a pivot point when sufficient forces have been met, thus providing for sufficient force to capture a container without crushing the container. In some embodiments, a gripping force of approximately less than 1 pound may be applied to a container.