Cup holder arrangement

Abstract

A cup holder arrangement ( 1 ), intended in particular for a dashboard in a vehicle, has a housing ( 2 ) which is provided with an elongate opening ( 3 ) and relative to which a cup holder mechanism ( 4 ) can be displaced between a storage position and a use position. A cup holder device ( 7 ) forming part of the cup holder mechanism ( 4 ) is rotatable about a rotation axis line ( 8 ) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing ( 2 ) and located at one end of the opening ( 3 ). The cup holder device ( 7 ) is arranged so as, in use position, to be located to the side of the opening ( 3 ).

1 . A cup holder arrangement, in particular for a dashboard in a vehicle, with a housing ( 2 ) which is provided with an elongate opening ( 3 ) and relative to which a cup holder mechanism ( 4 ) can be displaced between an inserted storage position and an extended use position, in which latter position a cup holder device ( 7 ) is in use position, wherein the cup holder device ( 7 ) is arranged rotatably about a rotation axis line ( 8 ) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing ( 2 ) and located at one end of the opening and is also arranged so as, in use position, to be located to one side of the opening ( 3 ).  
     
     
         2 . The cup holder arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cup holder mechanism ( 4 ) comprises a piston ( 6 ) which is guided in the housing ( 2 ) and at one end of which the cup holder device ( 7 ) is mounted on a bearing portion ( 23 ) projecting axially from the piston.  
     
     
         3 . The cup holder arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the cup holder device ( 7 ) comprises a first, preferably annular, support element ( 9 ) intended to support an upper part of a cup, and a second support element ( 10 ) intended to support a lower part of a cup.  
     
     
         4 . The cup holder arrangement as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first and second support elements ( 9 ,  10 ) are arranged so as to be rotated in opposite directions during movement between rest position and use position, and vice versa.  
     
     
         5 . The cup holder arrangement as claimed in  claim 3  or  4 , wherein the two support elements ( 9 ,  10 ) are each in rotationally fixed engagement with a respective spindle ( 21 ,  22 ) mounted in the piston, each spindle bearing in a rotationally fixed manner a guide pin ( 19 ,  20 ) for engagement with a respective guide groove ( 15 ,  16 ) in the housing ( 2 ), the guide grooves ( 15 ,  16 ) being designed so as to bring about the intended rotation of the support elements ( 9 ,  10 ).  
     
     
         6 . The cup holder arrangement as claimed in any one of claims  3 - 5 , wherein the spindle ( 22 ) of the second support element ( 10 ) is arranged inside the spindle ( 21 ) of the first support element ( 9 ).  
     
     
         7 . The cup holder arrangement as claimed in any one of claims  1 - 6 , wherein the cup holder device ( 7 ) bears a freely rotatable operating button ( 14 ), by means of which a user can, by pressing, move the cup holder mechanism ( 4 ) between rest position and use position, and vice versa, in the course of which a locking arrangement ( 26 ) between the housing ( 2 ) and the piston ( 6 ) is operated.  
     
     
         8 . The cup holder arrangement as claimed in any one of claims  1 - 7 , wherein the piston ( 6 ) is spring-loaded into use position.  
     
     
         9 . The cup holder arrangement as claimed in any one of claims  1 - 8 , wherein there is a damping arrangement ( 25 ) between the piston ( 6 ) and the housing ( 2 ) in order to damp the extension movement of the piston ( 6 ).  
     
     
         10 . The cup holder arrangement as claimed in any one of claims  1 - 9 , wherein the opening ( 3 ) is intended to have its longitudinal direction essentially horizontal, the cup holder device ( 7 ) being arranged so as, in use position, to be located to the side of one short end of the opening.  
     
     
         11 . The cup holder arrangement as claimed in any one of claims  1 - 9 , wherein the opening ( 3 ) is intended to have its longitudinal direction essentially vertical, the cup holder device ( 7 ) being arranged so as, in use position, to be located to the side of one long side of the opening.