초록 ▼

An apparatus for supporting a container includes a plurality of container engaging members or lobes attached to a frame. The container engaging members are pivotally mounted for rotation between fully extended positions and fully retracted positions and are biased into engagement with the container.

An apparatus for supporting a container includes a plurality of container engaging members or lobes attached to a frame. The container engaging members are pivotally mounted for rotation between fully extended positions and fully retracted positions and are biased into engagement with the container. The container engaging members each includes a camming surface configured to maintain line contact with a generally cylindrical container throughout a full range of motion. In the preferred embodiment, the camming surfaces have a variable radius of curvature. A biasing member preferably, but not exclusive, in the form of a continuous elastic band surrounds the frame and serves to bias each of the container engaging members.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for supporting a container, the apparatus comprising:a frame at least partially defining an aperture for receiving the container;a plurality of substantially rigid container engaging members pivotally mounted to said frame, each of said plurality of container

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for supporting a container, the apparatus comprising:a frame at least partially defining an aperture for receiving the container;a plurality of substantially rigid container engaging members pivotally mounted to said frame, each of said plurality of container engaging members including a camming surface for establishing line contact with the container, each of said plurality of container engaging members being deflectable from a fully extended position towards a fully retracted position in response to insertion of the container in said frame, said camming members each being configured to maintain a line of contact on a common circle as said container engaging members are each uniformly rotated through their range of motion, said common circle having a variable diameter ranging from a first value when said container engaging members are in said fully extended positions to a second value when said container engaging members are in said retracted positions; anda biasing arrangement for biasing each of said plurality of container engaging members toward their fully extended positions and into contact with the container.