FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure is directed to a drinking vessel with a rotating handle. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to a rotating handle assembly for a drinking vessel.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Many drinking vessels incorporate an external handle. The handle is used to provide a more ergonomic gripping surface than the vessel body (e.g., cooler gripping surface if hot liquids occupy the vessel body and/or an easier to grip surface than the vessel body itself). Although drinking vessels with handles are preferred by many users, the handles of conventional drinking vessels are typically relegated to use in a singular fixed location. Thus, the positioning of the handle in certain circumstances may be undesirable. For example, many cupholders come in various sizes/configurations as well as different positions with respect to the intended user. When attempting to place a drinking vessel in certain cupholders, the handle may prevent a secure placement in the cupholder or otherwise require placement of the vessel in the cupholder such that the positioning of the handle is not desirable for gripping by the user.

[0003] What is needed therefore is a drinking vessel with a rotating handle allowing for placement in a cupholder of varying configurations and positions while still providing an ergonomic positioning of the handle for grasping by the user. Further, the rotating handle should be easy to rotate while also being firm in its intended positions.

SUMMARY

[0004] The above and other needs are met by a drinking vessel having a vessel body configured to receive a liquid and a rotating handle assembly. The vessel body includes a sidewall having an exterior surface. The rotating handle assembly includes an attachment plate secured to the exterior surface of the vessel body. The attachment plate includes a rotation post extending out from a handle engaging surface of the attachment plate, a first plurality of positioning detents positioned in the handle engaging surface of the attachment plate, and a second plurality of positioning detents positioned in the handle engaging surface of the attachment plate. A handle member is rotatably secured to the rotation post and includes a vessel engaging surface positioned adjacent the handle engaging surface of the attachment plate and a plurality of engaging mechanisms disposed adjacent the handle engaging surface. The handle member is configured to be rotated with respect to the vessel body to a first position in which the plurality of engaging mechanisms of the handle member engages the first plurality of positioning detents of the attachment plate and a second position in which the plurality of engaging mechanisms engages the second plurality of positioning detents.

[0005] According to certain embodiments, each of the plurality of engaging mechanisms include an elastic member having a non-compressed configuration in which a distal end of the elastic member extends from the vessel engaging surface and a compressed configuration in which the distal end of the elastic member is compressed back to the vessel engaging surface, and wherein the elastic members are in the non-compressed configuration when the handle member is in the first position and the second position and the plurality of elastic members are in the compressed configuration when the handle member is being rotated between the first position and the second position. According to some embodiments, the elastic members are spring plungers.

[0006] According to certain embodiments, each of the plurality of engaging mechanisms include a magnet and the first plurality of positioning detents and the second plurality of positioning detents include corresponding magnets disposed in the positioning detents.

[0007] According to certain embodiments, the handle member is configured to be rotated with respect to the vessel body to a third position in which the plurality of engaging mechanisms engage the second plurality of positioning detents, and the handle member is operable to be rotated in a first direction with respect to the first position to move the handle member to the second position and the handle member is operable to be rotated in a second direction with respect to the first position to move the handle member to the third position. According to some embodiments, the first plurality of positioning detents is a first pair of positioning detents positioned in the handle engaging surface of the attachment plate at approximately 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock, and the second plurality of positioning detents is a second pair of positioning detents positioned in the handle engaging surface of the attachment plate at approximately 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock.

[0008] According to certain embodiments, the attachment plate includes a protrusion disposed adjacent the rotation post and the handle member includes an aperture for receiving the rotation post, the aperture of the handle member and the protrusion of the attachment plate dimensioned and configured to prevent full rotation of the handle member with respect to the vessel body.

[0009] According to certain embodiments, the rotating handle assembly further includes a bearing positioned within the handle member and a rivet extending through the bearing and secured to a distal end of the rotation post for rotatably securing the handle member to the rotation post. In some embodiments, the distal end of the rotation post includes a threaded opening, and the rivet includes a threaded shaft at its distal end for securing the rivet to the threaded opening of the rotation post.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a rotating handle assembly for a drinking vessel includes an attachment plate and a handle member. The attachment plate is configured to be secured to an exterior surface of the drinking vessel. The attachment plate includes a rotation post extending out from a handle engaging surface of the attachment plate, a first plurality of positioning detents positioned in the handle engaging surface of the attachment plate, and a second plurality of positioning detents positioned in the handle engaging surface of the attachment plate. The handle member is configured to be rotatably secured to the rotation post. The handle member includes a vessel engaging surface configured to be positioned adjacent the handle engaging surface of the attachment plate when the handle member is rotatably secured to the rotation post and a plurality of engaging mechanisms disposed adjacent the handle engaging surface. The handle member is configured to be rotated with respect to the attachment plate to a first position in which the plurality of engaging mechanisms of the handle member engage the first plurality of positioning detents of the attachment plate and a second position in which the plurality of engaging mechanisms engage the second plurality of positioning detents.

[0011] According to certain embodiments, each of the plurality of engaging mechanisms include an elastic member having a non-compressed configuration in which a distal end of the elastic member extends from the vessel engaging surface and a compressed configuration in which the distal end of the elastic member is compressed back to the vessel engaging surface, and wherein the elastic members are in the non-compressed configuration when the handle member is in the first position and the second position and the plurality of elastic members are in the compressed configuration when the handle member is being rotated between the first position and the second position. In some embodiments, the elastic members are spring plungers.

[0012] According to certain embodiments, each of the plurality of engaging mechanisms include a magnet and the first plurality of positioning detents and the second plurality of positioning detents include corresponding magnets disposed in the positioning detents.

[0013] According to certain embodiments, the handle member is configured to be rotated with respect to the vessel body to a third position in which the plurality of engaging mechanisms engage the second plurality of positioning detents, and the handle member is operable to be rotated in a first direction with respect to the first position to move the handle member to the second position and the handle member is operable to be rotated in a second direction with respect to the first position to move the handle member to the third position. In some embodiments, the first plurality of positioning detents is a first pair of positioning detents positioned in the handle engaging surface of the attachment plate at approximately 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock, and the second plurality of positioning detents is a second pair of positioning detents positioned in the handle engaging surface of the attachment plate at approximately 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock.

[0014] According to certain embodiments, the attachment plate includes a protrusion disposed adjacent the rotation post and the handle member includes an aperture for receiving the rotation post, and the aperture of the handle member and the protrusion of the attachment plate are dimensioned and configured to prevent full rotation of the handle member with respect to the vessel body.

[0015] According to certain embodiments, the rotating handle assembly further includes a bearing positioned within the handle member and a rivet extending through the bearing and secured to a distal end of the rotation post for rotatably securing the handle member to the rotation post. In some embodiments, the distal end of the rotation post includes a threaded opening, and the rivet includes a threaded shaft at its distal end for securing the rivet to the threaded opening of the rotation post. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Other embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent by reference to the Detailed Description in conjunction with the figures, wherein elements are not necessarily to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0017] FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of a drinking vessel having a handle member in a neutral first position according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 2 depicts a rear elevational view of a drinking vessel having the handle member in the neutral first position according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 3 depicts a side elevational view of a drinking vessel with the handle member being rotated from the neutral first position to a second position according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 4 depicts the side elevational view of FIG. 3 with the handle member being rotated from the neutral first position to a third position according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 5 depicts an exploded view of a rotating handle assembly according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 6A depicts a front perspective view a vessel engaging surface of a handle member according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 6B depicts a front perspective view of a handle engaging surface of an attachment plate according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 7 depicts an exploded view of a rotating handle assembly according to another embodiment of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present disclosure is directed to a drinking vessel incorporating a rotating handle assembly. The rotating handle assembly includes a handle member that is configured to be stably placed in a plurality of positions. In certain embodiments, the drinking vessel includes a lid. The drinking vessel may be formed from a variety of materials as known in the art. In preferred embodiments, the drinking vessels includes a vessel body that is made from stainless steel with double-wall vacuum insulation as generally known in the art. Single- wall and non-insulated vessel bodies are also contemplated. The vessel body may also be constructed from thermoplastic, alloy, earthen, or other suitable materials.

[0026] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, an exemplary drinking vessel 10 according to the present disclosure is depicted. The drinking vessel 10, includes at least a vessel body 12 and a rotating handle assembly 20. The rotating handle assembly 20 includes a handle member 22 operable to be moved to a plurality of positions. As depicted in FIGS. 1-4, the plurality of positions preferably include (1) a first position (e.g., neutral/ standard position) in which the handle member 22 extends downward in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel body 12 (see FIGS. 1-2); (2) a second position in which the handle member 22 is rotated in a first direction about 90° from the first position (see FIG. 3); and (3) a third position in which the handle member 22 is rotated about 90° from the first position in a second direction that is opposite of the first direction (see FIG. 4).

[0027] The three positions are selected such that the handle member 22 is comfortably rotated by either a right-handed person or a left-handed person. More specifically, when a right-handed user is holding the vessel body 12 in their left hand with the handle member 22 positioned to their right (i.e., natural position for most right-handed users when needing to use their dominant hand for rotating the handle member 22), the user can comfortably pull the handle member towards the user to the third position of FIG. 4. On the other hand, when a left-handed user is holding the vessel body in their right hand with the handle member 22 positioned to their left, the user can comfortably pull the handle member 22 towards the user to the second position of FIG. 3 (the lid 60 would typically be rotated as compared to the lid in FIG. 3 if the mug was being used by a lefthanded user). However, it should be understood any number of different positions of the handle member 22 are possible and within the scope of the present disclosure. The preferences of a user in the direction in which they hold the vessel body 12 and rotate the handle member 22 may also be different.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary rotating handle assembly 20 for the drinking vessel 10 is depicted. The handle assembly 20 includes the handle member 22 having an aperture 23 extending through the top portion of the handle member 22. Contained within handle member 22 is a bearing 24 to aid rotation (e.g., ball bearing) and a rivet 26. As further described below, the rivet 26 operatively attaches the handle member 22 to a rotation post 50 of drinking vessel 10 with the bearing 24 rotatably positioned within the aperture 23 of handle member 22. A cover 28 may be used to cover the bearing 24 and rivet 26 within the handle member 22. In certain embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 5, the cover 28 extends along the length of the handle member 22 to provide users a smooth gripping surface.

[0029] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6A, handle member 22 includes a vessel engaging surface 30. The vessel engaging surface 30 includes a plurality of cavities 31 each for receiving an engaging mechanism 32. In preferred embodiments, the engaging mechanism 32 includes an elastic member such as a springdoaded plunger/pin as generally known in the hardware field. However, many other types of engaging mechanisms 32 are contemplated and intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, according to certain embodiments, the engaging mechanisms 32 could include a magnetic element such as NeFeB magnets inserted into the cavities 31.

[0030] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6B, the handle assembly 20 further includes an attachment plate 40 secured to an exterior surface of the vessel body 12, preferably towards the open top end 14 of the vessel body 12. In certain embodiments, depending on the materials/construction of the vessel body 12, the attachment plate 40 as described herein may be included as part of the actual exterior surface of the vessel body 12. However, in typical embodiments, the attachment plate 40 is secured to the vessel body 12 (e.g., welded to the exterior surface of the vessel body 12) as a separate step as compared to forming the vessel body 12 itself. The rotation post 50 is secured to or otherwise formed as part of the attachment plate 40 such that the rotation post 50 extends substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the vessel body 12. The attachment plate 40 further includes a handle engaging surface 42 that faces outwards from the vessel body 12. According to this embodiment, the handle engaging surface 42 includes a plurality of positioning detents 44 positioned around the rotation post 50.

[0031] According to certain embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 5 and 6B, the rotation post 50 preferably includes a threaded opening 52 at its distal end. According to this embodiment, the rivet 26 is in the form of a set screw having a threaded shaft 25. Thus, to construct the rotating handle assembly 20, the distal end of the threaded shaft 25 of rivet 26 is passed through the interior of the bearing 24 and the aperture 23 of handle member 22 and then screwed to the threaded opening 52 of the rotation post 50. One or more washer(s) 54 may be included as need / desired. Once assembled, the vessel engaging surface 30 of the handle member 22 is positioned firmly against the handle engaging surface 42 of the attachment plate 40.

[0032] In operation, the handle member 22 is configured to be rotatably secured to the rotation post 50. During rotation, a distal end of each of the engaging mechanisms 32 of the vessel engaging surface 30 engage a corresponding positioning detent 44 of the handle engaging surface 42 to selectively position the handle member 22 with respect to the vessel body 12. For example, when the engaging mechanisms 32 are magnets, the positioning detents 44 include corresponding magnets such that the magnets of the engaging mechanisms 32 are operable to selectively engage corresponding magnets inserted or otherwise incorporated into the positioning detents 44 as the handle member 22 is rotated around the rotation post 50. Similarly, when the engaging mechanisms 32 are elastic, the engaging mechanisms 32 are compressed back towards the vessel engaging surface 30 of the handle member until the engaging mechanisms 32 are aligned with corresponding detents 44 of the handle engaging surface 42 of the attachment plate 40. When aligned with the detents 44, the engaging mechanisms 32 go back to a non-compressed configuration in which the distal end of the engaging mechanisms 32 engage the detents 44. It is noted that the elastic engaging mechanisms 32 may still be somewhat compressed when they engage the detents 44. Thus, for purposes of the present disclosure, “non-compressed configuration” refers to the elastic engaging mechanisms 32 being in an extended/lengthened positioned as compared to the compressed configuration but not necessarily completely free of compression. [0033] To move the handle member 22 between a plurality of positions, the plurality of positioning detents 44 of the attachment plate 40 preferably include a first plurality of positioning detents 44A and a second plurality of positioning detents 44B. The handle member 22 then includes a plurality of engaging mechanisms 32 positioned with respect to the vessel engaging surface 30 such that, when the engaging mechanisms 32 engage the first plurality of positioning detents 44A, the handle member 22 is in a first position. Then, when it is desired to move the handle member 22 from the first position to a second position, sufficient force is applied to the handle member 22 such that the engaging mechanisms 32 are operable to be moved with respect to the first plurality of positioning detents 44A. As noted above, when the engaging mechanisms 32 include elastic members (such as spring plungers), the elastic members are compressed by the handle engaging surface 42 of the attachment plate 40 upon rotational force being applied to the handle member 22. The handle member 22 is then able to be rotated with respect to the first position until the plurality of elastic members engages the second plurality of positioning detents 44B.

[0034] While the number and positioning of detents 44 and corresponding engaging mechanisms 32 may vary to provide any number of positions as desired for the handle member 22, the handle member 22 is preferably configured to be rotated to three positions as shown herein and described above with respect to FIGS. 1-4. Thus, according to this embodiment, the first plurality of positioning detents 44A preferably includes a first pair of positioning detents 44A positioned in the handle engaging surface 42 of the attachment plate 40 at approximately 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock with respect to the rotation post 50 (when looking head on at the attachment plate 40) while the second plurality of positioning detents 44B is a second pair of positioning detents 44B positioned in the handle engaging surface 42 of the attachment plate 40 at approximately 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock. The handle member 22 then includes a pair of corresponding engaging mechanisms 32 positioned at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock with respect to the vessel engaging surface 30 when the handle member 22 is in its neutral position (see FIG. 6A). Accordingly, when the engaging mechanisms 32 engage the first pair of positioning detents 44A, the handle member 22 is in its neutral first position shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Then, when the handle member 22 is rotated counterclockwise from the neutral position, the engaging mechanisms 32 will eventually engage the second pair of positioning detents 44B such that the handle member 22 is in the second position as shown in FIG. 3. Finally, when the handle member 22 is rotated clockwise from the neutral position, the engaging mechanisms 32 will engage the second pair of positioning detents 44B such that the handle member 22 is in the third position as shown in FIG. 4.

[0035] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the attachment plate 50 and the aperture 23 of the handle member 22 are dimensioned and configured to prevent full rotation of the handle member 22. For example, with reference to FIG. 6A and 6B, the attachment plate 50 includes a protrusion 54 as part of or adjacent the rotation post 50, and the opening of aperture 23 of the handle member 22 includes a first portion 21A with a larger diameter and a second portion 21B with a smaller diameter. During rotation of the handle member 22, the protrusion 54 of the attachment plate 40 does not prevent rotation of the handle member 22 with respect to the larger diameter portion 21 A of the aperture 23. However, as the handle member 22 is continued to be rotated in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the protrusion 54 will eventually abut the smaller diameter portion 21B of the aperture 23 to prevent further rotation.

[0036] According to certain embodiments, the positioning of the engaging mechanisms 32 and positioning detents 44 described herein may be reversed. In other words, according to certain embodiments, the positioning detents may be positioned in the vessel engaging surface 30 of the handle member 22 while the engaging mechanisms 32 are positioned in the handle engaging surface 42 of the attachment plate 40.

[0037] According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the interior surface of the vessel body 12 preferably includes one or more threads 16 adjacent the open top end 14 (see FIG. 5). The lid 60 includes corresponding threads (not shown) to provide attachment of the lid 60 to the vessel body 12. Although a threaded lid attachment system is shown, a non-threaded, press-fit type lid may also be used.

[0038] According to another aspect of the disclosure, and with reference to FIG. 1, the lid 60 preferably includes indicia 62A and 62B on opposite sides of the lid to indicate the side in which the handle assembly 20 is intended to be positioned with respect to the mouth opening 64 of the lid 60. Similarly, in embodiments in which the lid 60 is intended to be secured to the vessel body 12 using the treads, the indicia 62A and 62B will assist the user in positioning the mouth opening 64 in the desired position with respect to the handle assembly 20. For example, with threads 16 dimensioned and configured to require a Vi turn to secure the lid 60 to the vessel body 12, a user will learn to position the opposite indicia adjacent the handle assembly 20 before screwing the lid 60 to the vessel body (i.e., a right-handed person will place the “L” indicia 62B adjacent the handle assembly 20 before rotating the lid such that the lid 60 is secured to the vessel body 12 with the handle assembly 20 to the right of mouth opening 64).

[0039] According to another embodiment of the disclosure, and with reference to FIG. 7, a rotating handle assembly 120 for a drinking vessel 112 similarly includes a handle member 122 and an attachment plate 140. The attachment plate 140 is configured to be secured to an exterior surface of the vessel body 112 (a decorative outer cover 141 may be provided for the attachment plate 140 as depicted in FIG. 7). Like the previously described embodiment, the attachment plate 140 includes a rotation post 150 extending from a handle engaging surface 142 of the attachment plate 140. The handle engaging surface 142 further includes one or more engaging mechanisms 132 (such as a spring plunger intended to be disposed within a cavity 144 as depicted in FIG. 7) and a U-shaped guide slot 146.

[0040] According to this embodiment, the rotating handle assembly 120 includes a push button assembly 124 disposed within the aperture 123 of the handle member 122. As shown, the push button assembly 124 includes a push button 126 having a plurality of prongs 125. The prongs 125 are configured to be disposed within apertures 127 of a guide element 128 disposed within the aperture 123 of the handle member 122. Disposed between the push button 126 and the guide element 128 is a spring 130. The guide element 128 further includes a vessel engaging surface (side of the guide element closest to the rotation post 150) having a plurality of positioning detents (i.e., similar to the apertures 127 of the guide element 128 but in the opposite side of the guide element 128). In a particular position, the engaging mechanism 132 of the attachment plate 140 engages one of the positioning detents of the guide element 128. However, when a user pushes on the push button 126, the guide engaging mechanism 132 is compressed such that the handle member 122 may be rotated with respect to the attachment plate 140 until the engaging mechanism 132 engages a different positioning detent of the guide element 128. The U-shaped guide slot 146 and a corresponding guide element on the vessel engaging surface of the guide element 128 prevent over rotation of the handle member 122.

[0041] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by any future claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.