STEMWARE HOLDER

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a holder assembly designed to hold one or more stemware articles in an upright or inverted position.

2. Description of Related Art

There are several stemware racks, bottle carriers, service trays and beverage carts known in the art. For example, both Brown U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,953 and Peretz U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,556 hold and store stemware. However, none of the prior art can easily hold and transport stemware that contains liquids, such as beverages. There is a current need for an apparatus that is light and easily transportable and that can hold one or more stemmed articles that contain liquid.

The present invention is a stemware holder that can hold one or more stemware articles, such as, for example, wine glasses in an upright position. The present invention can also easily transport stemware containing liquids and can be set on a solid surface. One embodiment of the present invention is stable enough to hold up to six filled stemware articles without the risk of spilling the contents of the stemware.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention comprises a holder for supporting and transporting stemware comprising a plurality of holders for securing one or more stemware articles; a vertical member comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein said top portion of vertical member is connected to said plurality of holders; a base connected to the bottom portion of said vertical member wherein said base can be placed on a supporting surface; and a handle for transporting said stemware articles.

In a preferred embodiment the holder secure said stemware articles in an upright position, in an inverted position or a combination thereof. In a more preferred embodiment the holders comprise curved ends. In a more preferred embodiment the holders comprise stabilizers to prevent said stemware articles from slipping. In a more preferred embodiment said stabilizers comprise rubber, comprise plastic or a combination thereof.

In a more preferred embodiment said handle comprises a wooden grip.

Objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of how the handle is attached to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention holding an upright wine glass; and

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention holding an inverted wine glass.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a stemware holder that can hold, transport, serve, and store stemware in an upright or inverted position. Preferably, the stemware holder comprises a base, a plurality of stemware holders and a handle. The stemware holder preferably holds one to six stemware articles, each of which can optionally contain liquid. The stemware holder can be easily carried, is stable, and does not become top heavy even when each stemware article is full of liquid.

The terms “stemware” or “stemware articles”, as used throughout the specification and claims, include glass, crystal, pewter, plastic, ceramic, metal, or wooden vessels, such as, for example, wine glasses, champagne glasses, goblets, liquor glasses and the like.

As illustrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5, stemware holder 10 preferably comprises handle 12, which is connected to horizontal member 14. Horizontal member 14 connects and secures holders 16 to stemware holder 10. Holders 16 preferably comprise curved ends 18 to better secure stemware. However, holders 16 can also comprise straight ends. Curved ends 18 preferably curve outward forming an open ring shape for holding the stemware. Horizontal member 14 connects to the top portion of vertical member 20 and base 22 connects to the bottom portion of vertical member. Handle 12, horizontal member 14, holders 16, vertical member 20, and base 22 may be formed of any suitable materials and may be combined or divided to suit manufacturing. Handle 12 can optionally comprise wooden grip 24. Curved ends 18 can optionally comprise stabilizers, preferably rubber or plastic, in order to better secure the stemware to stemware holder 10. The optional stabilizers prevent the stemware from slipping or sliding out of place and also prevent the contents in the stemware from spilling during transport or service. The optional stabilizers are preferably removable.

As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 6, apparatus 10 can hold one or more stemware articles in an upright position. Stemware is easily secured and transported in an upright position. This enables a user to transport and serve stemware containing liquids, such as, for example, beverages. Apparatus 10 remains sturdy and steady and prevents the stemware from slipping or sliding out of place, thus preventing any liquids from being spilled during transport or service. Apparatus 10 is sturdy and not top heavy even when holding a plurality of stemware and can be easily set on a supporting surface without spilling any of the stemware contents. The stemware can also be easily removed from apparatus 10, even when the stemware contains liquid. As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 7, apparatus 10 can optionally carry and/or store one or more stemware articles in an inverted position.

Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. All references disclosed are herein incorporated by reference. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover all such modifications and equivalents. For example the carrier can accommodate fewer than 6 items of stemware or more without deviating from the scope of the claims.