us: 20 OSAL 0025105. l nna cu») United States cz) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2011/0025105 Al Henke et al. (43) Pub, Date: Feb. 3, 2011 (54) ARM REST WITH DRINKING VESSEL G0) Foreign Application Priority Data HOLDER, Jul.30, 2009 (DE) 102000 035 694.0 (76) Inventors Henke, Grosslangheim (DE); Lr ha idreas Sulzbacher. Volkach, 1) Int. Cl. (DE); Kerstin Weekert, BOON 2/46 (2006.01) Schwarzach (DE) (82) US.Cl 207/188.14 on ABSTRACT An sem rest with a drinkin CComespondenee Address: vessel holder is particu QUARLES & BRADY LLP intended for use.as back center am res for integration inthe 411 E, WISCONSIN AVENUE, SUITE 2040 back rest of a vehicle. The need fora soft back es aed al the MILWAUKEE, WI 53202-4497 (US) sel older is satis- same time for integration of a drink fied by the aspect that the drinking ves a ‘soft material in the bottom region, Mo G1) Appl.Nos — 127893,617 for provision of padding is functionally employed for gene ating the retaining foree required for retaining the drinking (22) Filed Jul. 9, 2010 vesselUS 2011/0025105 AI Sheet 1 of 4 Feb. 3, 2011Patent Application Publication Feb. 3, 2011 Sheet 3 of 4 US 2011/0025105 AIUS 2011/0025105 AI Sheet 4 of 4 Feb. 3, 2011 Fig. 6US 2011/0025105 Al ARM REST WITH DRINKING VESSEL, HOLDER (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED "APPLICATIONS, 10001] This application claims priority to German Patent Application No, 102009 035 694.0 fled Jul, 30,2009, which is fully incorporated herein by reference ‘STATEMENT CONCERNING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 10002] | Not Applicable, FIELD OF THE INVENTION 10003] The present invention relates ton am rest with 9 “drinking vessel holder. The arm rests preferably forarrange~ ‘ment ata seat ora seat bench ina vehicle. The drinking vessel holder extends into the interior ofthe arm es, and includes at least one movable retaining element. BACKGROUND OF Th INVENTION, 10003} From vehicle manufacturing, particularly from automobile construction, arm rests are known which are installed ata sea orelse ata seat bench, Genetic arm rests are also equipped with a drinking vessel holder. Sai drinking vessel holders, frequently also referred toas cup holders, are utlizedin particule forenabling vehicle occupants to deposit drinking vessels, such as cups, bottles or cans ina simple and Ssccure fashion. AS a matter of course, such arm rests with ‘drinking vessel holders can equally be employed in other means of transport, such as airplanes, rail vehicles or ships. [0005] Arm ress with drinking vessel holders known from the state ofthe art exhibit the charaterstie feature tha the “drinking vessel holders joined tothe arm restin the form of ‘mode, Forthe drinking vestl holder. in tara, a plarality of different holder types are known from the sate ofthe art “These holders are generally composed of a base support, 3 circular receptacle, a bottom and retaining elements which serve to fix the drinking vessel to be accommodated aad to ‘ensure secure hold. For this purpose, a spring foree acts ‘upon the holder. 10006] Tn this context, document DE. 100 43.720 A dis- ‘loses a drinking vessel holder with thre retaining elements ‘The retaining elements are joined to the receptacle via a rotational axis, With the aid ofa tension spring, the retaining ‘elements are pushed into the direction of the center of the receptacle via an appropriate kinematic mechanism, thusly ‘obtaining the secure fixation of the beverage container. The ‘complicated kinema ‘men for generating the relevant retaining forees proves to be problematic. [0007] - Document FP 1 426 233 AI, pertaining toa bolder fora beverage container, discloses a comparable approach, ‘wherein appropriate retaining elements ae likewise pushed ‘ant the bottle in response to a spring force. In analogy with the afore-ited document, in this ease a hase suppor is Fequired, ‘which features appropriate spring elements attached thereto, these spring elements in tam having suitable retaining elements attached thereto. [0008] A stateof the art closely associated with the present jnvention is diselosed in document DE. 296 06 S83 Ul ‘wherein it has heen achieved forthe fis time to simplify the eneration process ofthe spring forces to be applied. Here, Feb. 3, 2011 the beverage containers composed of a receptacle which has a plurality of retaining elements attached thereto. These ‘ening elements in tum are mounted ata rotational axisand ‘are pushed into the direction of the center of the container by ‘means of an elastic ring enclosing the receptacle, Henee, 9 comparatively simple construction is available, wherein the spring. forces can be applied ina secure and simple manner: [009] Referring back o the fuetion of the arm ress igi am rests and arm ests being swiveable into different po tions are known frm the sate of heart. Allo Uaese arm rests provide he function of adequately enhanced convenience on {he part ofthe person using the sea [0010} This aspect is of particular relevance inthe case of | ‘svivelable arm resis wick are provided for integration in a ‘backseat bench, wheroin sid arm rests form apart ofthe back rest when in the swiveled-up position, In this regard, iis common practice t9 make provision for an adequate foam padding in ease of suitable arm rests which atthe same tn {uf the funetion of aback rest. In particular inthis case of application, the integration of a suitable drinking vessel hoker proves to be problematic, This results from the fact that the drinking vessel holder hus a larger installation dept for accommodating a suitable drinking vessel and henee pro- Vides less space forthe relevant foam body providing the padding [0011] Inorder to solve this problem, document DE 296 19 478 UL suggests to make provision fora fold-out mechanism including an acldtional bolder. In response to an appropiate fold-out action, the additional holder is positioned above the fam mest, whereas the receptacle having a reduced dep is positioned within the arm rest. Tis solution, in tue, is afflicted with the disadvantage that a complicated Kinematic ‘mechanism is required to realize a stable holder. By the same token, suitable holders are prone to potential damage, because these holders are manifest aise above tbe arm rest stelace and hence constitute an obstacle SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] For this reason, it isan object ofthe present inven- ‘ion to create a generic arm rest with a beverage holder that requires lite space, while a the same time ensuring a secure hho othe vessel to be accommodated. tis another objet of the present invention vo design the bolder in the simplest and ‘most cost-efficient manner. This object is attained in one embodiment by providing an inventive arm rest withan upper Side having an opening. At lest one drinking vessel holder extends from the opening into the interior of the arm rest and ‘which thosly fom a receptacle, The drinking vessel holder includes atleast one movable retaining element, wherein the retaining element can come into abutment against the periph- ery ofa driaking vessel, The retaining element is push into the direction of the drinking vessel in response to an active oree F) generated by an elastic deformation of foam body. [0013] In a prefered embodiment, the inventive arm rest Iistly is characterized by typical features of his arm resttype. The arm rest concerned firstly relates 10 a palded arm rest Hence the arm rest features foam body. Besides, a drinking vessel holder is integrated, which is positioned on the upper side sos to ensure the functionality’ thereof. The base esthre ‘of-a drinking vessel holder is constinted by a receptacle, ‘wherein suitable container can be deposited, In analogy with most embodiments of drinking vessel holders, this recess completely extends within the arm rest. In addition, several retaining elements are lized, which are distbutedUS 2011/0025105 Al song te pvihery and which tain the relevant drinking {eosin eponse fo an ative foe [0014] In contrast to conventional construction types uti Tring an ational component for generating the active fore, for this purpose, the already provide foam body is ste nhs rego, the ivetivefestore is consid hy the cli deformation ofthe foun bd a the back oft ‘eaining elements, resting nthe generation of the corde ingly nossa ate force By means of selecting he spe ofthe foam body is ensured that afore ats upon the ‘eaining elements red intent positon he when no niin ix aecomsmodatd nthe eeepc, a0 tat the tesining elements arehence secured feof clewrance subject toa cern amount of pre-stesing [0015] Padded arm rss are employed in pancularscen- terarm et, which nt form par he ek et ofthe back set hench. Av a conseglence, sd arm ns Inout 0 aso be swivel, resting nthe the am rest finly used asanam restand secondly nay sve asa back rests wel Thos, on the one hand provisions made forthe Sieled-down suport poston, where the eomespoading ‘np side pins into the intro, hence ensiring he wm rst Fietonalty. On the ther hand, provision sme for te ssiveledp rest position, herein te frm si, which has thersevant padding forestring Te rite amnion om the pat of the person wsng th ea, points ato the interior The upper side and the font side hence are inevitably pose tioned on opposite side ofthe rm res [0016] Ta addition, the inventive design of the drinking ‘esse holders ehracteried by the ampect that i tars 8 tomtom, wherein hs Bottom s closed and femurs a periph ral im. This els ina minimized eeving volume which serves collet spilled gui do prevent penetration no the pain [0017 Forthepurposeofextrs comeniene ant provide !mcdiona safe fetre, the boom and the jing are made ofan cite material. This material may bea cone ential TPE or TPU materia, bat other meters ee ‘qui enesivable Inspteof heeded instllaon space reaming between th Boon ofthe drinking vesel older td the ffoat sie, bo a high gsc of eocwenience can thinly be ensure andthe necessary rsone fs provided onthe head burps sasina the ae atthe hack of te Arnking vessel hole {0018} I ill another estore ofthe inventive design hat the retaining elements are inerally joined to the btom, Hence, an inser is formed which on tome and is a Inanufactre and hich onthe other hand provides special tnaniagesintemns of assembly For manafatre pefely {two-component injection molding process maybe con plated In this proces nthe abut eon of th exer one atthe retaining elements, «predominantly said plastic materialist In ths egardsconventiena asic Iateril, sichos PPE, PA, ABS moter orthelixecan be tized, By mean ofthis selection itis guruntsed thatthe boverge container can he edison. neon! hero. theseletion ofa soft plate maria, sch ta TPE or TPL nate, would cate the reining skmeot to. sony thereto the beverge contin, otha he insertion wos ‘be performed in a jerky fashion, In contrast hereto, 2 suitably, Soft materi llzed especialy atthe Bottom ay well as the peripheral reson [0019] Pascoe spe assmbly can be cos in pare cular by the spect that the inser, which features te core= Feb. 3, 2011 sponding retaining elements and the bottom, can be mounted ‘nan inner frame, and an outer frames subsequently sleeved thereon, Hence te inser is fixed in its spatial postion, [0020] For defining the range of clearance ofthe retaining elements, the retaining elements each feature a rotational ‘axis Insofaras the advantageous resilience ofthe bottom can be dispensed with, the inser, asa rule, will be composed of fone material only. In such instances, itis advantagenss to ‘orm the rotational axis with the aid of a film hinge. In the preferred embodiment with soft bottom. itis advantageous fhe rotational axis formed by laterally protruding webs. ln this case, the solid material component extends from the abutment region up tothe webs. Undereath the webs, pro- Visi is accordingly made forthe soft region. Hence, mio\- aby ofthe retaining element relative to the botiom can be ensured. The comesponding webs are advantageously sup- ported between the inner andthe outer fame. Thus, said webs practically form the fxation ofthe inser between the inner andthe outer frame. Inboth variations described, i. an insert ‘made of «material witha film hinge or made ofa solid-sft combination, the integral design resulsin a reduced estoring Torce acting upoa theretining clementsia the direction the inital postion thereof. However, tis the foam body which is essential for ensuring the funetionality of the retaining ele- [024] It is a characterizing feature that the foam body generates the sctveforee acting upon the retaining elements ‘To this end, the foam body in the unmounted state as & portion overlapping with the retaining elements, During assembly, the relevant foam body is pushed back and hence generates the comesponding fore acting upon the retaining elements, In onder to Timi the path ofthe retaining elements into the five volte of the inset, the relevant retaining ele- ‘ature a peripheral narrow frame. This frame in turn rests aginst the inner frame part, [0022] For better distribution of forces of the pushing fetion exerted upon the raining clement, the foam body sreferably is provided with film, [0023] For better and more uniform securing of the bever- age container to be aevommodated, preferably atleast four ‘taining clements are utilized and are uniformly distributed ‘long the periphery. A relevant difference to the available ‘olution using for instance the elastic ring ca be sen in that as a result ofthis design of the drinking vessel hold itis possible to make provision for indentations between the ind vidual retaining elements, in order to be abe for instance 10 ‘accommodate a cup with a handle, Here, the indentation sreferably extends close othe bottom andextends overthree- Tourths ofthe height from the upperside tothe boom, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OP THE DRAWINGS. [0024] An advantageous embostimeat ofthe present inven- tion s schematically lustrated in the following drawings and is explained hereinafter by way’ of example, [025] In the drawings: [0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an arm rest OL with a drinking vessel holder 10 in the swiveled-down support postion in @ perspective top view; [0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of the drinking vessel holder 10 without the outer fame 12; [0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the outer fame 125, [0029] FIG. 4 illustrates «perspective view ofthe inser M4 ‘with retaining elements 15 and bottom 16;,US 2011/0025105 Al 10030] FIG. Sillustates sectional view through the center ‘ofthe retaining clemeats 18: [0031] FIG. 6illostates sectional lateral view through the Fetaining lements 15 in the region of the webs 18; and 0032] "FIG. 7 illustrates «sectional view dough the foam body 08 ina state prior to assembly DBIAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 0033] FIG. 1 illustrates an arm rest 4 whieh i intended or use 38a part ofs back rest ina vehicle. This perspective View illustrates the arm rest OF in a swiveled-dovwn support Postion. Inthis ase, the upper side 02 points into the interior ‘f the vehicle and upwards. The font side 03 ofthe arm rest. 1, which is located! opposite the upper side 02 and hence below the illustration of FIG. 1, not lsat inthe dras= ings. The from side 03 forms apart of the back rest which is wailable in the swiveledsup rest position. The swiveling ‘movement of the arm rest O1 is enabled via an integrated axis 4 0034] ‘The relevant drinking vessel holder 10 js integrated jn the frontal region of the arm rest OL. In tis case, 1Wo inking vessel holders allocated to each other are provided These holders oe intended for accommodation of for instance cans or botles or else cups. The drinking vessel holder tersinates withthe uppe side 02 the arm rest O4 and tly extends into the interior ofthe arm est 1. With the aid ‘of the drinking vessel holder 10, a circular receptacle 11 is thusly rested, whichis losed downwards by a suitable bot- ‘om 16, Between the twodsnking vessel holders 10 provision jsmade foran indentation 20 which intended for providing the required space for the handle ofa up, {0038} _ FIG. 2illostratsthe drinking vessel holder 10, ho- ‘ever, without the outer frame part 12. The cover ofthe upper side 02, which s cut in a rectangular shape forthe drinking ‘vessel holder 10, extends along the outer periphery. Berween the drinking vessel holder 10 andthe caver, the foam body 8 is discemible. This foam body is limited in the region ofthe receptacle 11 by the inner fame 13 and by the insert 14 inthe bottom region, in this way: the inner frame 13 Forms aingand the bottom 16 with the aoining region forms cup. Stating {rom thebottom 16, theretaining elements 1S extend upwards an into the fre volume of the eceptacle 1 10036] FIG. 3 illustrates the outer frame 12 which is ‘mounted into and via the inner fame 13 and the insert 14 ‘This frames opened downwards ane thusly forms an ana receplacle 11 For the retaining clemeats 18 protruding into the fre volume of the receptacle 1, the outer frame 12 is provided with appropriate slots. The upper edge ofthe outer fiame 12 terminates with the upper side 02 ofthe arm rest 1 10037] FIG. 4 shows the inventive insert 14 composed of bottom 16 with an adjoining rim and four retaining elements 15. The illustrated embodiment shows the variation with & solid-soft combination, wherein the abutment region 17 rela- Give to the container is made of solid material, which is erted downwards to the webs 18, and the remainder is made of a soit material. Hence, iis readily discernible that ‘each reisning element 18 is provided with an appropriate rotational axis 19 passing throvgh the webs 18. Asa result, displacement of a retaining element 18 results in an clastic ‘deformation ofthe soft region underneath the rotational axis 19. Due othe design with a bottom 16 having an adjoining rim, small reeiving volume is created which makes it Feb. 3, 2011 possible to collec spilled liquid. Hence, penetration of iguid Into the foam body 08 is prevented [038] FIG. 5 illustrates 2 sectional view through the center ‘of a retaining element 18. Here the elfect of the inventive design is clearly apparent. The foam body 0S is located atthe back of theretaining clement 15 and undemath the insert 14. Ifa beverage container is now inserted into the drinking vessel bolder 10, the relevant retaining elements 15 are pushed to the ouside and the Foam bod’ 05 js consequently compressed. The foam body 0S compressed inthis way in tum. gives rise to a reactive force, which generates the required active force F und thusly the reining fore forthe ‘beverage container. Moreover, the separation between the solid-sof-component in the insert 14 is apparent, The ub ‘ment region 17, which may gt into contaet with the beverage container, is designed as a solid component, whereas the remainder ofthe insert 4 composed ofa soft material. For enhancement ofthe cistbition of forees From the retaining element 15 tothe foam body 08, the foam body 0S is prefer- fahly covered with a thin im 06. [0039] FIG. 6in umillusratesa sectional view through the reisining clemeat 15 in the region of the webs 18, OF the retaining clement 1S merely the section through the web I8 is iscemible, However, here the eonnection of the inner frame 13 which carries the web 18 and the outer frame 12 is di cecnibe, [0040] "InFG.7,the foam body 08 i sketchy ilustrsted in ‘astte prior to ansemibly. 1 is rendered apparent tat the foam body 05 needs to be pushed int its initial positon in the ‘mounted state already inthe assembly, Hence itis ensured thatthe retaining element 15 is always subjected toa sui ciently large pressing force, and thatthe retaining element 1 {shenceamranged in he beverage holder freeof clearance. For volume ofthe receptacle 11, the reisining element 18 has a ‘arrow rim, 38 can be seen in FIG. 4, and wit said rim rests ‘aginst the outer frame 12, as can be seen in FIG. 3, ifthe wees for the retaining element 15s narrower than the im at the retaining element 18, 1. An arm rest for atrangement ata seat ora seat bench in vehicle, said arm rest comprising: anupper side having an openings at least one drinking vessel holder extending from the ‘opening into the interiorof the arm rest and which thusly formsa receptacle, said drinking vesel holder including at least one movable retaining element, wherein the retaining element ean come into abutment against the periphery ofadrinking vessel, and wherein the retaining Clement is pushed into the direction of the drinking ‘vessel in response toan active foree(F), wherein the arm ‘est features at least one foam body forthe provision of pacing, wherein at least a part of the active force (P) ‘acting upon the retaining element is generated by an clastic deformation ofthe foam body 2. The am rest according claim 1, in which the arm rest, is swivelably arranged oa an axis between a swiveled-dow suppor pesition anda swiveled-up rest position, and wherein the arm rest as a padded front side being opposed to the ‘upperside, wherein the padding of the front side is formed srimarly by the foam body wherein the upperside is directed fowards the interior the vehicle when inthe swiveled-down support position, and where the Tron side fom a part of a ‘Seat anea when in the swiveled-yp rest positon and is inected to the interior ofthe vehicleUS 2011/0025105 Al 3. The arm rest aeconling to claim 1, in which the drinking vessel holder has bottom to support the drinking vessel tobe ‘secommodted 4 The arm rest according to claim 3, in whieh the {is closod, has a rim and hence hasa receiving volume 85, Thearm rest according o claim 3, in which theft side ‘ofthe arm rest exhibits a paricularly high resilience which is ‘enhanced by the aspect that the bottom and the adjoining im ate composed of an elastic material, preferably of TPE of ‘DU. 6, The arm rest acconding to claim 3, in which the bottom jis integrally joined vo the retaining clemeat and thusly forms 7. The arm rest according to elim 6,in which the insert is ‘mounted between an outer frame and an inner frame, '8, The arm rest ceording to claim 7, in which a rotational axis is provided for swivelable mounting of the retaining ‘element at the drinking vessel holder. 9. Thearm rest according to clan 8, in which the rotational ‘axis is formed by film hinge. 10. Thearmest according to claim 6, in which the inser is made ofa vo-componett material, wherein a predominantly solid plastic material is inserted at the retaining element inthe ‘abutment region of the beverage container, and an elastic ‘material, preferably made of TPE or TPU, is utilized at last in the region between the abutment region and the bottom. 11. The arm rest aceording to claim 8 in whieh the rota- tional axis is formes by webs laterally protruding from both sides ofthe retaining element 12, Thearm rst aecording to claim 11, in whieh the webs the retaining element rest agtinst the inner frame, and the bs are ixed by the outer frame. Feb. 3, 2011 13. The arm rest seconding fo claim 1, in which the fa body in the mounted state exerts a pressing force upon the retaining clement 14, Thea rest aceonding o claim 1, in which the path of the retaining element into the fre interior is limited by a supporting aeton ofthe retaining element ata frame part 15, Thearm rest according to claim 1 in which the retain- ‘ng element directly abuts agains the foam body, wherein a {lm is provided on te surface ofthe foam body. 16. Thearm rest avcording io claim 1, in which atleast four retaining clements are utilized inthe drinking vessel holder ‘and said retaining elemens sre uniformly distributed slong, the periphery 17. Theam rest acconding to claim 16, in which an inde {ation is provided in the periphery of the receptacle a least between twa retaining elements 18, Anarm rest for arrangement at seat ora seat bench ia vehicle, said arm rest comprising: a padding inthe form ofa foam body: atleastone drinking vessel holder extending into said fo body at least one movable retaining element extending into said at least one drinking vessel bolder for engagement with ‘drinking vessel, and wherein the eaining element is ‘ugd against the drinking vessel by an active force (F), Wherein atleast par of the ative force (F) urging the retaining element against the drinking vessel is gener ated by’ elastic deformation ofthe foam boul.