U.S. patent application number 11/183117 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-18 for ash tray movable between a sealed retracted position and an accessible extended postion.
Invention is credited to Todd Kerns.
Application Number | 20070012326 11/183117 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37660564 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070012326 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kerns; Todd |
January 18, 2007 |
Ash tray movable between a sealed retracted position and an
accessible extended postion
Abstract
A cylindrical housing encloses a receptacle for receiving
cigarette ashes. An actuator within the housing supports a mounting
rim which may be moved between an extended position free of the
housing, and a retracted position within the housing. The
receptacle provides a peripheral flange configured and shaped for
engagement with the mounting rim, so that the rim with the
receptacle may be driven fully into the housing, and extended free
of the housing. The receptacle may be lifted away from the rim for
disposing of ashes and then later replaced onto the rim. When the
receptacle is stored within the housing a door is closed to seal
the housing so as to prevent smoke or ash from drifting out of the
receptacle and into the room where the receptacle is located.
Inventors: |
Kerns; Todd; (Ontario,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATENT LAW & VENTURE GROUP
2424 S.E. BRISTOL, SUITE 300
NEWPORT BEACH
CA
92660
US
|
Family ID: |
37660564 |
Appl. No.: |
11/183117 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/231 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 19/0092 20130101;
A24F 19/0085 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/231 |
International
Class: |
A24F 19/00 20060101
A24F019/00 |
Claims
1. An ashtray apparatus comprising: a cylindrical housing defining
an open front end and a closed back end; an ash receptacle for
receiving cigarette ashes, and an actuator providing a mounting
rim, the actuator fixedly mounted within the housing and fixtured
for moving the mounting rim between an extended position free of
the housing, and a retracted position within the housing; the
receptacle providing a peripheral flange configured and shaped for
engagement with the mounting rim, whereby, the rim with the
receptacle may be driven fully into the housing, and whereby the
rim with receptacle may be driven free of the housing so that the
receptacle may be lifted away from the rim for disposing of ashes
and then replaced onto the rim for further collection of ashes.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing provides a
fastening means for mounting the housing under a horizontal surface
wherein a longitudinal axis of the housing is parallel with the
horizontal surface.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing provides a
fastening means for mounting the housing to a vertical surface
wherein a longitudinal axis of the housing is perpendicular to the
vertical surface.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receptacle has a pocket for
receiving the ashes and the rim is attached to a further pocket for
receiving a flame producing device.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the peripheral flange of the
receptacle has a semicircular portion and a linear portion, the
semicircular portion providing at least one recess for receiving a
cigarette.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a hinged door, the
door forced by an attached spring into a closed position covering
and sealing the open front end of the housing when the receptacle
is in the retracted position; the door forced into an open position
by the receptacle as the receptacle moves into the extended
position.
7. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a table, the table
providing the horizontal surface, the open front end of the housing
positioned adjacent an edge of the table such that the receptacle
is accessible when in the extended position.
8. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a wall, the wall
providing the vertical surface, the wall further providing a slot
for receiving the housing, the open front end of the housing
adjacent to the vertical surface such that the receptacle is
accessible when in the extended position.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Present Disclosure
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to cigarette and cigar ask
trays and more specifically to an ash try that is automatic in
operation and may withdraw so that the smell of smoke, smoldering
butts and ash are prevented from becoming airborne.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Bruno et al., U.S. RE36106, discloses an ashtray with a base
and a hinged lid. A filter in the lid accommodates filter
replacement. An air duct in the lid enables a fan in the base to
draw smoke through the filter and out of the base. The fan is
operated in response to raising the lid to an upright position. The
intake to the air duct is far enough from debris in the ashtray to
preclude drawing the debris into the air duct. The lid tends to
seal in odors when it is closed. An area in the base may also
receive a filter in order to provide a compatibility with
preexisting filters. Bird, U.S. Pat. No. 3,708,180, discloses a
cigarette lighter for an automotive vehicle, and wherein when the
cigarette lighter is pressed, the ashtray automatically slides
outward into operational use. An auxiliary electric circuit is
closed by the cigarette lighter to activate a solenoid that pushes
out the ashtray, and a switch that opens the circuit when the ash
tray is again pushed inward. Ritter, U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,544,
discloses a fan-assisted ashtray including a hollow body having a
lid for closing an open top. The device includes: a tray member for
containing ash, a filter member located below the tray member, and
an electric fan located below the filter member for drawing air and
smoke into the filter member and for exhausting air to the exterior
through a vent. Seiji, U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,932, discloses a
container for use in a vehicle which includes a retainer, a box, a
power source for driving the box and a driving force transmission.
The power source is provided on a back portion of the box itself or
a back portion of the retainer as viewed along the direction of
movement of the box. In the device a dead space is effectively
utilized as a location for the power source. Summers, U.S. Pat. No.
4,466,449, discloses a powered ashtray assembly for use in
automobiles. It includes a movable assembly frame slidably mounted
within an assembly housing. A manually operable switch selectively
applies activating signals to a motor which drives a spline
threaded to a fixed shaft. Activation of the motor causes the
spline to be driven along the shaft so as to selectively extend and
retract the assembly frame. The U.S. patent documents described in
this paragraph are hereby incorporated by reference into the
present description. The prior art fails to teach an ash try that
is able to be retracted within a sealed enclosure after use. The
present disclosure distinguishes over the prior art providing
heretofore unknown advantages as described in the following
summary.
SUMMARY
[0005] This disclosure teaches certain benefits in construction and
use which give rise to the objectives described below. A
cylindrical housing encloses a receptacle for receiving cigarette
ashes. An actuator within the housing supports a mounting rim which
may be moved between an extended position free of the housing, and
a retracted position within the housing. The receptacle provides a
peripheral flange configured and shaped for engagement with the
mounting rim, so that the rim with the receptacle may be driven
fully into the housing, and extended free of the housing. The
receptacle may be lifted away from the rim for disposing of ashes
and then later replaced onto the rim. When the receptacle is stored
within the housing a door is closed to seal the receptacle within
its enclosure so as to prevent smoke or ash from drifting out of
the receptacle and into the room where the receptacle is located.
The apparatus may be mounted beneath a table so that it is out of
sight when not in use but may extend outwardly from one edge of the
table upon activation, and also may be mounted within any wall so
that the receptacle is out of sight when not in use, but is made
available as required by extending out of the wall upon
activation.
[0006] A primary objective inherent in the above described
apparatus and method of use is to provide advantages not taught by
the prior art.
[0007] Another objective is to provide a cigarette ash tray that is
easily hidden from view when not in use.
[0008] A further objective is to provide such an ash tray that may
be activated by hand pressure to move between a retracted,
out-of-sight, position, to a extended convenient position for the
deposition of cigarette ashes.
[0009] A still further objective is to provide such an ash tray
that may be lifted from its support to empty ashes deposited within
it.
[0010] A still further objective is to provide such an ash try the
is easily flush mounted under a table or through a slot in a
wall.
[0011] A still further objective is to provide such an ash try that
is sealed within a housing upon retraction.
[0012] Other features and advantages of the described apparatus and
method of use will become apparent from the following more detailed
description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the
presently described apparatus and method of its use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings illustrate at least one of the
best mode embodiments of the present apparatus and method of it
use. In such drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view the apparatus in a retracted
condition;
[0015] FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views thereof in an extended
condition with FIG. 3 showing an ash receptacle of the apparatus in
a removed position;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view thereof showing the apparatus
being positioned for attachment under a table;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view thereof showing the
apparatus as mounted under the table;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view thereof showing the apparatus
being positioned for attachment through a wall; and
[0019] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view thereof showing the
apparatus as mounted on the wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The above described drawing figures illustrate the described
apparatus and its method of use in at least one of its preferred,
best mode embodiment, which is further defined in detail in the
following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may
be able to make alterations and modifications what is described
herein without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it
must be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for
the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as a
limitation in the scope of the present apparatus and method of
use.
[0021] An ashtray apparatus includes a cylindrical housing 10
defining an open front end 12, as shown in FIG. 6. An ash
receptacle 20 for receiving cigarette ashes, is engaged with a
mounting rim 30 which, in turn, is engaged with a linear actuator
40 (FIG. 5), fixedly mounted within the housing 10 and fixtured for
moving the mounting rim 30 between an extended position 50 free of
the housing 10 (FIG. 5), and a retracted position 60 (FIG. 6)
within the housing 10. Arrow "A" in FIG. 1 shows the direction for
extension, while arrow "B" in FIG. 2 shows the direction for
retraction of the receptacle 20. The receptacle 20 provides a
peripheral flange 22 configured and shaped for engagement with the
mounting rim 30, as shown in FIG. 3, whereby, the rim 30 with the
receptacle 20 may be driven fully into the housing 10, as shown in
FIG. 1, or driven free of the housing 10 as shown in FIG. 2. When
in the extended position the receptacle 20 may be lifted away from
the rim 30, as shown by arrow "C" in FIG. 3, for disposing of ashes
that it may have collected, and then replaced onto the rim 30 for
further similar use.
[0022] The linear actuator 40 may be any spring actuated or
electrically actuated device capable of driving the receptacle 20
between its terminal positions. Such linear actuators are well
known in the prior art and several are described in the background
section of this specification.
[0023] The use of the word "cigarette" herein shall also mean
cigars and other smoking materials and igniting materials such as
matches.
[0024] In one embodiment of the present apparatus as shown in FIGS.
4 and 5, the housing 10 provides a fastening means 14, preferably
the opposing ears shown, for mounting the housing 10 to a bottom
horizontal surface 72 of a table 70, wherein a longitudinal axis 15
of the housing 10 is parallel with the horizontal surface 72.
Preferably, the open front end 12 of the housing 10 is positioned
adjacent an edge 74 of the table 70 such that the receptacle 20 is
accessible when in the extended position, as shown in FIG. 5, but
is essentially invisible when retracted.
[0025] In another embodiment of the present apparatus, shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7, the fastening means 14 is positioned for mounting
the housing 10 to a vertical surface 76 wherein the longitudinal
axis 15 of the housing 10 is perpendicular to the vertical surface
76 of a wall. Such a wall preferably provides a slot 78 for
receiving the housing 10, the open front end 12 of the housing 10
thereby placed adjacent to the vertical surface 76 such that the
receptacle 20 is accessible when in the extended position and
virtually invisible when retracted.
[0026] Preferably, the receptacle 20 has a pocket 24 for receiving
the ashes and the rim 30 is mounted on a further pocket structure
32, best seen in FIG. 3, for receiving a flame producing device
such as matches or a lighter (not shown).
[0027] Preferably, the receptacle 20 has a semicircular portion 26
and a linear portion 28; the semicircular portion providing at
least one recess 25 for receiving a cigarette. Clearly, the
semicircular portion 26 provides the best shape for placement of
recess 25.
[0028] Preferably, a hinged door 80 is mounted on the enclosure 10
adjacent the open end 12. This door 80 is forced by attached thin
spring strips 82 into a closed position (FIG. 1) and thereby covers
the open front end 12 of the housing 10 when the receptacle 20 is
in the retracted position. The door 80 is forced into an open
position by the receptacle 20 as the receptacle moves from the
retracted into the extended position, as shown in FIG. 2. The door
80 is tight fitting to the open front end 12 so as to seal the
interior of the housing 10 when the door 80 is closed.
[0029] The enablements described in detail above are considered
novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to
the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its
method of use and to the achievement of the above described
objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the
instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of
their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special
definition in this specification: structure, material or acts
beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an
element can be understood in the context of this specification as
including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as
being generic to all possible meanings supported by the
specification and by the word or words describing the element.
[0030] The definitions of the words or drawing elements described
herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements
which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure,
material or acts for performing substantially the same function in
substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result.
In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent
substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the
elements described and its various embodiments or that a single
element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.
[0031] Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a
person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised,
are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope
intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious
substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the
art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is
specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually
equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what
incorporates the essential ideas.
[0032] The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in
conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here,
that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter
is what is intended to be patented.
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