Beverage caddy
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an improved beverage caddy that can support a beverage and a cell phone from a raised edge of a standard gaming table arm rest, preventing spills on the gaming table surface and allowing better visibility of a dealer.
Innovation Solution
A beverage caddy assembly with a collapsible cup holder and an adjustable mounting arm that can be extended or collapsed, featuring a hinge and interlocking racks/pawl system to adapt to varying table rail widths, allowing secure attachment to the table rail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cup holder is extended to support beverages, then beverage support capability is improved, but the device occupies more space and may spill on the table
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder is designed to be collapsible and rotatable, allowing it to transition between extended and folded positions. When not in use, it can be rotated to a folded position against the mounting arm, eliminating the spill hazard while maintaining beverage support capability when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mounting arm has fixed length, then manufacturing is simpler, but it cannot adapt to varying table rail widths
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arm is divided into two segments that can be selectively coupled together. The first mounting arm segment and second mounting arm segment can be connected or disconnected based on the table rail width, allowing adaptation to different table sizes while keeping individual segments relatively simple in structure.
3Ease of operation
If the cup holder is always extended, then beverage support is always available, but the device cannot be compacted for storage or transport
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder incorporates a hinge mechanism allowing it to rotate between an extended position for beverage access and a folded position for compact storage. This dynamic design enables the cup holder to be collapsed against the mounting arm when not in use, significantly reducing the device's overall volume for storage and transport.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the mounting arm is always extended, then it reaches all table sizes, but it cannot be retracted to a compact form
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arm is segmented into two parts that can be selectively connected. When extended, the two segments work together to reach larger table sizes. When retracted, the segments can be disconnected or folded back, allowing the mounting arm to be compacted to a smaller length for storage or transport.
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage caddy assembly includes a collapsible cup holder to minimize space for transport, where the cup holder is hinged for 180° rotation back up against a two-part adjustable mounting arm. The hinge may be formed between a cantilevered and inclined yoke of the cup holder and a forward depending portion on a proximal end of a first mounting arm segment. A second mounting arm segment is releasably and slidingly coupled with the first mounting arm segment, thus providing an adjustable length of the adjustable mounting arm for a varying gaming table rail width. An engagement member on the distal end of the second mounting arm segment of the mounting arm engages an inner edge of the gaming table and a cell phone holder is provided on the distal end of the first mounting arm segment.