1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to an ashtray system and, more particularly, the invention relates to an ashtray system providing the cigarette, pipe, or cigar smoker with a convenient and good-looking ashtray, but also serving as a table-top clock and an easily accessed storage locker or small-scale cabinet for cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, matches or lighters; and the instruments such as cigar-cutters and pipe-tampers that serve as necessary adjuncts to the smoking of pipes and cigars.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Almost 60 million American adults smoke cigarettes, cigars, or pipes; and that worldwide, about 30 percent of adult males, and an unspecified number of adult females, smoke tobacco. Worldwide, more than 10 million cigarettes are sold every minute.
The present invention is an ashtray system for a cigarette, cigars, and pipes. The ashtray system comprises a base having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, a second side surface substantially opposite the first side surface, a front surface, and a rear surface substantially opposite the front surface. A clock tower having a first end and a second end is provided with the first end secured to the top surface of the base and the clock tower extending in a general direction away from the top surface of the base. A clock is mounted in the clock tower. A pair of ashtrays are formed in the top surface of the base. A plurality of cigarette/cigar holders are formed in the top surface of the base for holding cigarettes/cigars in a substantially vertical position with each holder extending into at least one of the ashtrays. A plurality of apertures are formed in the top surface of the base for holding cigarettes/cigars in a substantially vertical position. At least one storage area is formed between the surfaces with the at least one storage area sized and shaped for holding a pack of cigarettes, a pipe, tobacco, or several cigars. At least one drawer compartment is formed between the surfaces with the at least one drawer compartment sized and shaped for holding a cigar-cutter; a pipe-tamper and cleaner; and lighters.
As illustrated in
The ashtray system 10 of the present invention is preferably fabricated of a glass material and measures approximately three (3″) inches in height by approximately eight (8″) inches in width and approximately four (4″) inches in depth, and the overall impression of the ashtray system 10 is elegant and stately preferably being Victorian in styling, and culminating in a pedestal-style clock 12 with a Roman-numeral face. Solid and stable in construction, the clock 12 appears to rise like an old-fashioned clock tower 14 from the broader, pedestal-style base of the ashtray system 10.
At the base of the ashtray system 10 of the present invention, on either side of the clock 12, are a pair of ashtrays 16 fashioned with a series of cigarette, pipe, or cigar holders 18, i.e., semicircular grooves or notches, around the sides. Additional cylindrical borings 20 in the surface of the ashtray system 10 function as individual holders for fresh cigarettes. Beneath the ashtrays 16, the ashtray system 10 forms a sort of storage cabinet for a smoker's materials and accessories with drawers containing spacious compartments 22 for a pack of cigarettes, a pipe and tobacco, or several cigars. There will also be drawer compartments 24 for the tools and accessories a smoker requires, such as a cigar-cutter 26; a pipe-tamper and cleaner; and lighters 28. Several versions and styles of the ashtray system 10 can be produced. A “standard” or “economy” version, for example, might include merely the compartments for the accessories mentioned; while a “deluxe” or “premium” version might actually include the lighter system 28, pipe tools, and cigar cutter system 26, as well. Additionally, the lighter system 28 and cigar cutter system 26 can be incorporated as integral features built into the ashtray system 10 itself. In a preferred embodiment, the lighter system 28 has a visible fluid level container 30, a fluid refill hole 32, a torch control dial 34, a cigar button 36 for lighting cigars, and a cigarette button 38 for lighting cigarettes. In a preferred embodiment, the cigar cutter system 26 has a cigar cutter blade 40, a paper cutter 42, a flashlight 44, a cigar cutter button 46, a finger holder 48, and a finger rest 50.
Further possibilities for the ashtray system 10 of the present invention include choosing a variety of materials from inexpensive, injection-molded thermoplastic to fine marble for the ashtray; and producing the ashtray in a variety of heights, widths, and styles from ornate and Victorian to art-deco and futuristic. Thus, while the look of the ashtray system 10 can be varied to appeal to the tastes and decors of various users, the function of the ashtray remains the same.
The ashtray system 10 of the present invention is an attractive and highly useful addition to the home of any smoker who enjoys a cigarette, pipe, or cigar. Featuring a classic, battery-powered table-top clock integrated into a single-piece unit containing everything a smoker might need, from his or her own smoking materials of preference to a pair of ashtrays 16, to the tools and accessories that he or she requires, the ashtray system 10 is the perfect complement for any end-table, coffee table, or a bookcase or table beside an easy chair.
The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.
The present application claims the benefit of priority of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/844,270, filed on Jul. 9, 2013, entitled “Ashtray”.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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D68577 | Guinn | Oct 1925 | S |
3566882 | Schroeder | Mar 1971 | A |
4403700 | Manlove | Sep 1983 | A |
4595905 | May | Jun 1986 | A |
D295450 | Iacovelli | Apr 1988 | S |
4996995 | Kojima | Mar 1991 | A |
20030176144 | Fisher | Sep 2003 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20150020820 A1 | Jan 2015 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61844270 | Jul 2013 | US |