Item holder having a self-adjusting air bladder system
US10259370B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 9, 2017 |
| Grant date | Apr 16, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2011/008
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An item holder includes a receiving well with a sidewall and an upper opening. One or more air bladders are disposed within the receiving well and are operable between inflated and deflated conditions within the receiving well. The air bladders substantially fill the upper opening when the air bladders are in the inflated condition to provide a filled receiving well appearance. A sensor is configured to sense an item being received in or removed from the receiving well. The air bladders deflate from the inflated condition to the deflated condition as an item is received in the receiving well. The air bladders may include a filler material that is predisposed to an expanded condition which correlates to the air bladders being in the inflated condition to substantially fill the upper opening of the receiving well.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.