Self-Adjusting Base

Abstract

A self-adjusting base for a beverage container is disclosed. A circular flat base having a high-friction surface sits tiltably about an X-horizontal axis within a rigid ring that sits tiltably in a Y-horizontal axis, 90° offset, within the upper edge of a cylindrical mounting. Tilting is achieved by two pairs of pin-structures, each on diametrically opposed positions on the circular base and rigid ring, respectively, and engaging with horizontal cylinders located on the inner face of the upper edge of the cylindrical housing and rigid ring, respectively. Within the cylindrical housing is a quantity of liquid, and affixed to the circular flat base is a weight having a cylrindrical shape with biased lateral walls whose lower edge hangs below the liquid level. A light source is located at the floor of the cylinder.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A self-adjusting base for a beverage container comprising:
 (a) a cylindrical housing;   (b) an inner ring;   (c) a circular base;   (d) said inner ring being rotatably suspended within said cylindrical housing such that said inner ring may be freely rotated about a first horizontal axis;   (e) said circular base being rotatably suspended within said inner ring such that said circular base may be freely rotated about a second horizontal axis;   (f) said second horizontal axis being non-parallel with said first horizontal axis;   (g) a weight; and   (h) said weight being affixed to the lower surface of said circular base;   whereby a said cylindrical housing may be installed in a watercraft tending to heel and said circular base may remain vertical and a beverage container placed upon said circular base will be protected from spillage.   
     
     
         2 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 1  wherein said inner ring is suspending within said cylindrical housing by a first pair of hinges in alignment with said first horizontal axis, and wherein said circular base is suspended within said inner ring by a second pair of hinges in alignment with said second horizontal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 2  wherein each of said hinges comprises an axially aligned tapered pin engaged with an axially aligned cylindrical hole of a diameter larger than that of said tapered pin. 
     
     
         4 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 1  wherein said cylindrical housing contains a liquid, the level of which is above the lower edge of said weight. 
     
     
         5 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 1  wherein the upper surface of said circular base is flat and is affixed to an anti-slip layer. 
     
     
         6 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 1  wherein said weight is shaped as a cylinder having biased lateral walls on its lower portion. 
     
     
         7 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 1  wherein said cylindrical housing is shaped so as to feature a collar around its upper edge. 
     
     
         8 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 1  further comprising a source of light; said source of light being located at the base of said cylindrical housing. 
     
     
         9 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 3  wherein said cylindrical housing contains a liquid, the level of which is above the lower edge of said weight. 
     
     
         10 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 3  wherein the upper surface of said circular base is flat and is affixed to an anti-slip layer. 
     
     
         11 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 3  wherein said weight is shaped as a cylinder having biased lateral walls on its lower portion. 
     
     
         12 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 3  wherein said cylindrical housing is shaped so as to feature a collar around its upper edge. 
     
     
         13 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 3  further comprising a source of light; said source of light being located at the base of said cylindrical housing. 
     
     
         14 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 9  wherein the upper surface of said circular base is flat and is affixed to an anti-slip layer. 
     
     
         15 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 9  wherein said weight is shaped as a cylinder having biased lateral walls on its lower portion. 
     
     
         16 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 9  wherein said cylindrical housing is shaped so as to feature a collar around its upper edge. 
     
     
         17 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 9  further comprising a source of light; said source of light being located at the base of said cylindrical housing. 
     
     
         18 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 14  wherein said weight is shaped as a cylinder having biased lateral walls on its lower portion. 
     
     
         19 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 14  further comprising a source of light; said source of light being located at the base of said cylindrical housing. 
     
     
         20 . The self-adjusting base of  claim 19  wherein said weight is shaped as a cylinder having biased lateral walls on its lower portion, and said cylindrical housing is shaped so as to feature a collar around its upper edge.