Stemware restraint and tabletop weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stemware is prone to tipping and falling due to its high center of gravity and variability in shape, leading to instability on surfaces, and existing solutions either require attachment to the glass, protrude from the table, or embed into the ground, causing issues with usability and potential breakage.
Innovation Solution
A unitary device with stem clearance slots and cavities that accommodate stemware without attachment, providing downward force on the base to resist tipping, and can be modified in shape and size to fit various stemware dimensions, materials, and surface types, also serving as a tabletop weight and accessory holder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a weight device is placed on the base of stemware to move the center of gravity downward, then the stability of stemware is improved, but the device adds undesirable weight to the stemware and may slide up the stem as the user drinks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device that attaches to the tabletop surface rather than directly adding weight to the stemware. This mediator (the restraint device with adhesive or friction attachment) provides the stabilizing function while leaving the stemware's weight characteristics unchanged, thus resolving the contradiction between improving stability and avoiding added weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the stabilization mechanism from the vertical dimension (adding weight to lower center of gravity) to the horizontal dimension (providing lateral restraint and friction at the base-table interface). This dimensional shift allows stability improvement without compromising the weight characteristics of the stemware.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a stem support device is used to hold the stem of the glass, then the stability of stemware is improved, but the stress on the stem increases increasing the chances of breaking the stemware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the stem support function from the stabilization system entirely. Instead of using a stem support that would concentrate stress on the stem, the invention provides stability through base restraint and friction at the tabletop interface, completely removing the harmful stem support element while maintaining the beneficial stability function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the tabletop surface as an intermediary element in the stabilization system. Rather than directly supporting the stem (which concentrates stress), the device uses the tabletop as a mediator to provide friction-based restraint at the base, distributing forces away from the vulnerable stem and reducing breakage risk.
3Manufacturing precision
If a device is designed to fit specific stemware dimensions according to ISO standard, then the precision of fit is improved, but the adaptability to various stemware shapes is reduced due to near infinite variety in dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal restraint device with a large, flexible base platform that can accommodate multiple stemware types simultaneously. The device provides multiple potential restraint points and uses adjustable friction-based restraint rather than fixed geometric constraints, enabling one device to effectively serve multiple functions across diverse stemware geometries without requiring precise ISO-standard dimensional matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs friction-based restraint mechanisms where the restraint force can be adjusted by changing normal force or friction characteristics, rather than relying on fixed geometric parameters. This allows the same device structure to effectively restrain stemware with varying dimensions, shapes, and weights by adjusting the restraint parameters (force, friction coefficient) rather than the physical geometry.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively stabilizes stemware without adding weight or stress to the glass, accommodating shape variability, and offers additional functionality as a tabletop weight and accessory holder, reducing the likelihood of breakage and enhancing usability across different environments.
Implementation Method 1
It may also have contacting feet, pads, brushes, etc. on the underside of said cavity that provide downforce to the stemware base
Implementation Method 2
Said device may attach to the surface it is placed upon using magnets or mechanical means
Data Source
AI summary
A stemware restraining device that rests upon a surface and comprises a body with a top surface, bottom surface, a thickness, and a combination stem clearance slot (20,25,30,31) and underside cavity (21,27). Stemware can be slid into the slot cavity combination trapping said stemware's base while allowing the stem to pass vertically upward. The device does not necessarily contact the stemware until said stemware tips due to an external force. When this occurs the base of the stemware comes into contact with the underside cavity of said device and is restrained due to the resistive tipping moment of the device. The resistive tipping moment is provided either by the weight and width of said device or by its mechanical or magnetic attachment to said surface. The slot and cavity combination in general reflects the profile shape of the base and stem of a piece of stemware.