Off table holder for stemmed drinking vessels and utensils

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a growing need for a device to hold stemmed drinking vessels and utensils upright in outdoor settings where table space is limited and prone to spills due to the lack of effective holders that can securely position these items off the table surface.

Innovation Solution

A movable off-table holder secured to the bottom surface of a supporting table, featuring a body with a through hole and fastener system that allows the holder to transition between retracted and extended positions, ensuring stemmed drinking vessels and utensils are retained in an upright orientation, preventing spills and providing additional table space for other items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If stemmed drinking vessels are placed directly on the table surface, then table space is maximized, but the vessels are prone to falling over and spilling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of drinking vesselsVSAvoidtable space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The holder moves the support function from the horizontal table surface to a vertical orientation extending below the table edge. By positioning the holder in a different spatial dimension (hanging below rather than sitting on top), the solution provides vessel stability without consuming valuable table surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The holder acts as an intermediary device between the table and the drinking vessels. It provides the necessary support and stability for the vessels while attaching to the table structure, thereby solving the stability problem without requiring the vessels to directly occupy table space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a fixed holder is installed on the table, then drinking vessels are securely held, but the holder cannot be stored when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding capabilityVSAvoidstorability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The holder transitions from a static fixed installation to a dynamic movable device. It can be attached to the table when needed and detached/stored when not in use, providing both secure holding capability and storability through its movable design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The holder is designed to be pre-positioned or easily attachable to the table before use, allowing quick deployment when needed. This preliminary positioning capability ensures the holder is ready to provide secure holding when required, while also being easily removable for storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the holder extends below the table edge, then stemmed vessels are supported off the table, but the holder structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport capabilityVSAvoidholder structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is divided into distinct functional segments: an attachment portion that interfaces with the table, a body portion that provides structural support, and an open through hole that holds the vessels. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while keeping the overall structure manageable and not overly complex.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11478095B2Off table holder for stemmed drinking vessels and utensils

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 GSI OUTDOORS LLC

AI summary

An off table holder for a stemmed drinking vessel and/or utensil that is movably secured to a bottom surface of a supporting table.