Bottle docking device

Abstract

A bottle docking device, to attach a bottle to an object, such as a garment or a carried personal possession. The bottle docking device includes a base plate, a clasp assembly to grip a bottle, a hinge assembly to pivotably connect the clasp assembly to a distal side of the base plate, and a clip mechanism operatively connected to a proximal side of the base plate, to attach the bottle docking device to an object. A method of attaching a bottle to an object, including the steps of sliding the clip of a bottle docking device over the object, attaching the bottle docking device to the object, pivoting a bottle clasp of the bottle docking device from a resting position against a base plate of the bottle docking device to an open position perpendicular to the base plate, and inserting a bottle into the bottle clasp. A docking device to attach an item to an object, including a base plate, an attachment device for attaching the item, a hinge assembly to pivotably connect the attachment device to a distal side of the base plate, and a clip mechanism operatively connected to a proximal side of the base plate, to attach the docking device to an object.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bottle docking device, including: a rigid base plate, a clasp assembly to grip a bottle, a hinge assembly to pivotably connect said clasp assembly to a distal side of said base plate, and a clip mechanism operatively connected to a proximal side of said base plate, to attach said bottle docking device to an object. 
     
     
         2 . The bottle docking device of  claim 1 , wherein said clasp assembly includes a bottle clasp having two opposing arms defining a clasp space therebetween to accommodate a neck of a bottle. 
     
     
         3 . The bottle docking device of  claim 1 , wherein said bottle clasp additionally includes a hollow clasp core. 
     
     
         4 . The bottle docking device of  claim 2 , wherein said bottle clasp additionally including at least one bump-like projection extending from each of said opposing arms into said clasp space, to stabilize the neck of the bottle and to prevent breakage of said bottle clasp. 
     
     
         5 . The bottle docking device of  claim 2 , wherein said clasp assembly additionally includes an extension member interconnecting said clasp mechanism with said hinge assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The bottle docking device of  claim 1 , wherein said hinge assembly includes a cylindrical hinge barrel connected to said extension member, and at least two retention clips projecting from said distal side of said base plate, to rotatably retain said hinge barrel and to permit said clasp assembly to pivot relative to said base plate. 
     
     
         7 . The bottle docking device of  claim 6 , wherein said hinge barrel additionally includes a hinge stop to limit the pivoting of said clasp mechanism to an arc of ninety degrees, from an open position to a folded position. 
     
     
         8 . The bottle docking device of  claim 6 , wherein said hinge barrel additionally includes a hollow barrel core. 
     
     
         9 . The bottle docking device of  claim 1 , wherein said clip mechanism includes a clip operatively connected to said proximal side of said base plate by a clip connector, said clip being pivotable about said clip connector against a resistant force tending to bias a free end of said clip into a closed condition. 
     
     
         10 . The bottle docking device of  claim 9 , wherein said clip additionally includes a finger grip opposite said free end of said clip, said finger grip being depressible to pivot said clip against the resistant force, to toggle said free end of said clip between said closed condition and an open condition. 
     
     
         11 . The bottle docking device of  claim 9 , wherein said free end of said clip additionally includes a distally projecting flange to aid in gripping an object. 
     
     
         12 . The bottle docking device of  claim 1 , wherein said base plate additionally defines a biner hole to receive a carabiner clip to attach said bottle docking device to an object. 
     
     
         13 . A method of attaching a bottle to a garment or other object, including the steps of:
 sliding the clip of a bottle docking device over a garment or other object;   attaching the bottle docking device to the garment or other object;   pivoting a bottle clasp of the bottle docking device from a resting position against a base plate of the bottle docking device to an open position perpendicular to the base plate;   inserting a bottle into the bottle clasp; and   attaching the bottle to the garment or other object.   
     
     
         14 . A docking device to attach an item to an object, including: a base plate, attachment means for attaching an item, a hinge assembly to pivotably connect said attachment means to a distal side of said base plate, and a clip mechanism operatively connected to a proximal side of said base plate, to attach said docking device to an object. 
     
     
         15 . The docking device of  claim 15 , wherein said attachment means includes a C-clamp, a ring clamp, a spring-loaded clamp, a hook, and a carabiner clip.