1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to ashtrays, and, more particularly, relates to a covered ashtray having means to suspend the lit end of a cigar or cigarette within an interior of the ashtray.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When smoking a cigar or cigarette, particularly within confined spaces such as inside a building or motor vehicle, the smoke which emanates from the lit end of the cigar or cigarette dissipates, filling the space, and potentially causing discomfort to those who are not smoking
In addition, ashtrays are used to collect the ash material which inevitably falls off of the lit end of the cigar or cigarette.
Any receptacle can be used to collect such ashes. However, no previously proposed ashtray permits the lit end of the cigar or cigarette to be suspended above the ash receptacle, while simultaneously entrapping the smoke emanating from said lit end.
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an ashtray which is capable of securely suspending the lit end of a cigar or cigarette above an ash collecting area while the cigar or cigarette is lit.
It is also an object of this invention to provide an ashtray which entraps discharged smoke from the cigar or cigarette while said lit end is supported by the ashtray.
With these and other objects in mind, there is disclosed herein a covered ashtray having an opening in one sidewall thereof, which permits a lit cigar or cigarette to be suspended within the interior of the ashtray. Securement structure may be provided to securely retain the cigar or cigarette in position in the opening. The housing and cover may be manufactured as a single unit, or separately, and later connected. Preferably, at least a portion of the cover is openable (e.g. hinged or completely removable) to permit emptying the contents of the ashtray.
Additional apparatus and features may be employed in conjunction with the ashtray disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The features of the invention will be better understood with reference to the following drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a novel, smoke-entrapping, ashtray suitable for use under virtually any circumstances. In the preferred embodiment, the ashtray 10 is comprised of a housing 12, which may be of any shape (e.g. rectangular, square, round, triangular, etc.), and which defines an interior space 13 adapted to receive discharged ashes from a cigar or cigarette. In the embodiment shown, the housing 12 is comprised of a floor 16 and four sidewalls 18a-18d. Housing 12 defines an open top area or top opening 19, as well as a cigar/cigarette receiving aperture 20 defined by sidewall 18a.
A cover 24, which may have a shape that corresponds to the shape of top opening 19 of housing 12, is adapted to be placed over top opening 19 to thereby create a substantially sealed interior volume other than the receiving aperture 20.
A cigar/cigarette support 26 may be employed adjacent aperture 20 to support the lit end of a cigar or cigarette (not shown) within the interior space defined by housing 12 and cover 24. Support 26 may be integrally incorporated into sidewall 18a or cover 24, or may be secured thereto by mechanical fastener, such as screws, rivets, adhesive, or the like.
A cigar/cigarette securing or retaining apparatus, such as spring-loaded clip 28, may be associated with support 26 to retain a lit cigar or cigarette in position relative to aperture 20, housing 12 and cover 24. Clip 28 is hingedly connected to support 26, as by way of hinged support posts 31, 33. A pivot pin 35 is used to hingedly connect clip 28 to support posts 31, 33. Pin 35 is placed through apertures in clip 26 as well as corresponding apertures defined by support flanges 37, 39 of clip 28. Clip 28 may employ an arcuate upper member 42 and and a lever 44 with which to open the clip relative to the support 26 so as to permit the insertion or removal of a cigar or cigarette. A biasing means such spring 41 is used in the embodiment shown to releasably retain clip 28 in the closed position shown in FIGS. 1,4-5. By pushing down on lever 44 against the action of spring 41, clip 28 can be opened, as shown in
Support 24 may or may not define a recessed area such as semi-cylindrical cutout 50 therein to cradle a cigar or cigarette when retained through aperture 19.
Cover 20 may have a hingedly supported lid 25 to permit the contents of ashtray 10 to be emptied by inverting ashtray 10 and shaking it. Rather than, or in addition to, an openable feature in cover 24 such as lid 25, an openable structure (not shown) as will occur to those of skill in the art may be employed relative to housing 12 to permit access to the volume defined by housing 12 and cover 24.
Cover 24 may be permanently affixed to housing 12, or be removable therefrom as shown in
Aperture 19 may be sized and shaped in any way, so long as it can accommodate a lit cigar or cigarette therethrough to cause the lit end thereof to remain within the space 13 defined by housing 12 and cover 22. Aperture 19 may take the form of an elongated slot such as that shown in
Optionally, support 24 may be oriented at a slight angle relative to the horizontal so as to urge the cigar or cigarette placed thereon to nestle up against clip 26, providing a greater degree of security, particularly when the ashtray is mounted in a moving vehicle.
Attachment structure, such as fastener 32 (which may be hook and loop material, adhesive, magnet, clip, tongue and groove structure, etc.) for attaching housing 12 to a support surface may optionally be employed to permit removable (or permanent) attachment of the apparatus of this invention to a support surface such as an automobile console, window, dwelling wall, etc.
It is to be appreciated that the ashtray of this invention may be employed in any environment where smoking may occur, including moving vehicles. The enclosed space created by housing 12 and cover 22 entrap the smoke emitted by the lit tip of a cigar or cigarette, greatly reducing, or entirely eliminating, the second-hand smoke in the room/vehicle.
It is also to be appreciated that aperture 19 may be defined by any of the walls of housing 12, or by cover 22, or partially defined by a combination of both. There may be more than one aperture defined by housing 12 and/or cover 22 as well.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments of the present invention. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause or result in such benefits, advantages, or solutions to become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.