Cup holder Apparatus and Method of Holding Cups and Other Beverage Containers

Abstract

Cup holders are disclosed that can be attached to the telescoping handle of modern luggage in order to provide a convenient place to set down a beverage during waits in airports, train stations, hotel lobbies and other places. In one form, an adjustable lanyard is provided with an adjustable clamp. The lanyard is placed around the telescoping handle and a portion of the lanyard is pulled through the adjustable clamp until the cup holder is secured to the luggage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cup holder designed for attachment to a suitcase handle, the cup holder comprising;
 a body portion sized and configured to support a beverage container; and   an adjustable loop coupled to the body portion, the adjustable loop configured to surround the suitcase handle and thereby attaching the body to the suitcase, the loop being made from a flexible material.   
     
     
         2 . The cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable loop includes an adjustable clamp through which the material comprising the loop is drawn to adjust the size of the loop on one side of the clamp such that the loop on the one side of the clamp is drawn tight around the suitcase handle. 
     
     
         3 . The cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion includes a base sized and configured to support a beverage container. 
     
     
         4 . The cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion includes a retaining ring defining an opening sized and configured to support a beverage container. 
     
     
         5 . The cup holder of  claim 3 , wherein the body portion further includes a retaining ring defining an opening sized and configured to support a beverage container. 
     
     
         6 . The cup holder of  claim 5 , wherein the body portion further includes:
 a back plate,   a first hinge connecting the base to the back plate, the first hinge causing the base plate to be rotatable between a first position approximately parallel to the back plate and a second position that is approximately horizontal when the cup holder is in use;   a second hinge connecting the retaining ring to the back plate at a position higher up on the back plate than the position on the back plate, the second hinge causing the retaining ring to be rotatable between a first position approximately parallel to the back plate and a second position that is approximately horizontal when the cup holder is in use.   
     
     
         7 . The cup holder of  claim 6 , wherein the base includes a depression forming a retaining wall sized configured to support a beverage container therein. 
     
     
         8 . The cup holder of  claim 7 , wherein the depression further forms a handle on the base. 
     
     
         9 . The cup holder of  claim 6 , wherein the base plate is rotatable approximately 90 degrees between a first position approximately parallel to the back plate and in front of the back plate, and a second position that is approximately horizontal when the cup holder is in use and in front of the back plate. 
     
     
         10 . The cup holder of  claim 6 , wherein the retaining ring is rotatable approximately 270 degrees between a first position approximately parallel to the back plate and behind the back plate, and a second position that is approximately horizontal when the cup holder is in use and in front of the back plate. 
     
     
         11 . The cup holder of  claim 9 , wherein the retaining ring is rotatable approximately 270 degrees between a first position approximately parallel to the back plate and behind the back plate, and a second position that is approximately horizontal when the cup holder is in use and in front of the back plate. 
     
     
         12 . The cup holder of  claim 12 , further comprising a friction inducing portion coupled to the rear face of the backplate, the friction inducing portion configured to create friction with a suitcase when the cup holder is attached to the suitcase. 
     
     
         13 . The cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion includes a flexible base supported by flexible sidewalls. 
     
     
         14 . The cup holder of  claim 13 , wherein the flexible sidewalls are made from a thermally insulating material. 
     
     
         15 . The cup holder of  claim 14 , wherein the flexible base and flexible sidewalls allow the cup holder to be folded flat.