Automatic Self-Adjusting Beverage Container Receptacle

Abstract

An automatic self-adjusting beverage container receptacle has a plurality of handles for the end-user to stabilize the receptacle in operation. The receptacle contains a plurality of parallel rings of flexible fingers inside the receptacle that permit a caregiver to easily and quickly insert a beverage container. The rings also stabilize and grip the container in operation to prevent it from shifting or falling out when the receptacle is lifted and tilted by the end user in consuming the beverage. An accessory mounting system permits the rapid attachment of accessories in a temporary, semi-permanent, or permanent fashion, making each receptacle assembly customizable for individual users.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An automatic self-adjusting beverage container receptacle, the receptacle comprising:
 a shell having an exterior surface, a centerline, and an open end;   a plurality of flexible fingers arranged in a plurality of parallel rings with said flexible fingers facing inwards toward the shell centerline shell, wherein the plurality of flexible fingers are positioned to press against and stabilize said beverage container of a wide variety of sizes and shapes when said beverage container is inserted into the center of said shell, whereby said beverage container is inhibited by said plurality of flexible fingers from shifting, tilting, or falling out of said shell when a user angles the receptacle to consume contents of said beverage container.   
     
     
         2 . A receptacle according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of vertically oriented grips which taper toward the middle of the grips and are attached to and separated from the shell exterior surface, at least one of said grips comprising a hole at a bottom surface thereof, whereby a person who may have reduced motor skills may grasp said grips to stabilize the receptacle with both hands when consuming a beverage contained within said beverage container and without having to directly manipulate said beverage container.   
     
     
         3 . A receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein said shell includes a closed end opposite said open end, and further comprising:
 an accessory mounting assembly at said shell closed end, said accessory mounting assembly comprising at least one slot though which a tab on an accessory can be inserted and rotated, whereby accessories may be temporarily, semi-permanently, or permanently attached to said shell such that said accessories may further assist the user in stabilizing the receptible when in use or at rest, or may assist a caregiver in helping the receptacle user.   
     
     
         4 . A receptacle according to  claim 3 , further comprising said accessory, the accessory comprising:
 said at least one tab, sized and configured to fit within said at least one slot   
     
     
         5 . A receptacle according to  claim 4 , wherein said shell comprises at least one vertically oriented grip attached to and separated from the shell exterior surface, said at least grip comprising a hole at a bottom surface thereof, and said accessory further comprising:
 a locking clip positioned to engage in said hole in said at least one grip.   
     
     
         6 . A receptacle according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one tab and said at least one slot are mutually positioned and configured to form an accessory keying system that permits said accessories to be attached in a specific orientation with respect to shell, whereby the accessory orientation may be specifically defined with respect to the user when necessary. 
     
     
         5 . A receptacle according to  claim 1 , comprising a one-piece flexible tower which comprises said flexible fingers and a semi-flexible base, whereby said flexible fingers may be inserted into said shell in groups and permanently or semi-permanently affixed. 
     
     
         6 . A receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of flexible fingers has a curved triangle shape. 
     
     
         7 . A receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of flexible fingers are arranged in at least two vertically spaced rings on said shell, whereby each of said two vertically spaced rings stabilize different vertical portions of said beverage container when inserted into said shell.