US20040003821A1

US20040003821A1 - Ashtray with light show

Info

Publication number: US20040003821A1
Application number: US10/192,174
Authority: US
Inventors: Brian Herold
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-08
Filing date: 2002-07-08
Publication date: 2004-01-08

Abstract

A transparent ashtray is supported above a reflector having an illumination source mounted on it. An enclosure provides an open top for receiving the ashtray. The ashtray and the reflector each have downwardly convergent sides with the reflector fitting tightly into an opening in the open top of the enclosure. The ashtray has an outwardly extending peripheral lip adapted for resting in contact with the open top. The downwardly convergent sides of the ashtray rest in contact with the downwardly convergent sides of the reflector. A color wheel may be used to provide a dynamic light display projected upwardly through the ashtray.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE: Applicant(s) hereby incorporate herein by reference, any and all U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other documents and printed matter cited or referred to in this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to ashtrays and more particularly to a lighted ashtray having features for illumination of smoke in various ways.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

The following art defines the present state of this field:

Krystek, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 362,921 describes an illuminated ashtray design.

Skirvin, U.S. Pat. No. 3,368,107 describes illumination with a minimum loss of energy; a tube constructed to provide illumination when periodically energized; first switching means having conductive and nonconductive states and conbtructed to be triggered to the conductive state upon each introduction of a particular voltage to the first switching means; a source of direct voltage; first means operatively coupled to the first switching means and to the tube and to the source of direct voltage for periodically obtaining the introduction of the particular voltage to the first switching means to make the first switching means conductive and to provide for an energising of the tube; second switching means operatively coupled to the first switching means and having conductive and nonconductive states and cooperative with the first means in the nonconductive state for providing for a controlled period of conductivity in the first switching means upon each introduction of the particular voltage to the first switching means to make the first switching means conductive and cooperative with the first means in the conductive state for providing for the nonconductive state in the first switching means after each introduction of the particular voltage to the first switching means; and means operatively coupled to the second switching means for obtaining the production of the conductive state in the second switching means a particular time after the production of the conductive state in the first switching means.

Hess, U.S. Pat. No. 3,711,698 describes a lighting device serving both ornamental and functional purposes having a base, a vertically arranged light passing member extending upwardly from the base, a light and color wheel in the base arranged to direct light of various colors into the light passing member and having forms wherein water vapor, reflective material or incense may be directed into the light passing member to carry the light beam and an additional form wherein the light passing member is filled with fluid and air is bubbled therethrough. The form incorporating the water vapor may include means to pass the water vapor into the air to serve as a humidifying device.

Chuan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,780 describes a simulative candle including a housing receiving therein a battery, an oscillator converting the battery power into an a.c. power, a half-wave-rectifying filtering network changing the a.c. power into an astable high-voltage d.c. electric power, and a neon lamp energized by the astable d.c. power to sparkle like a real candle flame.

Kojima, U.S. Pat. No. 4,996,995 describes an ashtray which has a main body including a tray for receiving ashes and a housing having an opening facing upwardly for housing the tray therein, a lid member for covering the opening of the housing therewith, a hinge assembly for rotatably connecting the lid member to the main body, an air cleaning means disposed at the lid member for removing impurities from the air, the air cleaning means including a fan for exhausting the air, a drive means for driving the fan and an air cleaner for removing impurities from the air and a light means for lighting the main body and the lid member. The ashtray can be used in a dimly-lit-place as well as in a well-lit place, and is able to clean the air by removing impurities, including smoke emitted from cigarettes or other smoking materials.

Chapuis, WO86/02629 describes the inner housing of the bowl with side openings and one central base opening. The body defines by its internal wall the conduction device of which the opening is closed by the filter. The fan is driven by the battery powered motor susceptible of being turned on by means of the switch. The opening is provided with a netting supported by a cross-bar.

The prior art teaches illuminated ashtrays but does not teach the construction of the present invention illuminated ashtray and of the type of color display enable thereby. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method of use of such apparatus that provides advantages not taught by the prior art.

A further objective is to provide such an invention capable of illuminating an ashtray.

Another objective is to provide such an invention capable of providing a dynamic light show through an ashtray.

A still further objective is to provide such an invention capable of supporting incense burning.

Other features and advantages of the present invention 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 invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings: [0018]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention as viewed from above; [0019]
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof as viewed from below; [0020]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view thereof from above; [0021]
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line [0022] 4-4 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4, of an alternate embodiment thereof; and [0023]
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line [0024] 6-6 in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention in at least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further defined in detail in the following description. [0025]
The present invention is an ashtray apparatus having a [0026] transparent tray 10 is adapted for receiving ashes from a burning object such as a cigarette, cigar or incense material (not shown). The tray 10 is supported above a reflector 20 which has a means for illumination 30, such as an electric light bulb mounted adjacent to the reflector 20. Such electric light bulb is preferably a flicker type so as to enable light intensity variations. An enclosure 40 provides an open top surface 42 adapted by its size and shape for receiving the tray 10, reflector 20 and illumination means 30. Preferably, the tray 10 and the reflector 20, each are adapted with downwardly convergent sides 12, 22 respectively. The reflector 20 fits tightly into an aperture lip 44 in the open top surface 42 of the enclosure 40 and is suspended therefrom. This is critical to the inexpensive manufacturing methods used to fabricate the invention. The tray 10 has an outwardly extending peripheral lip 14 adapted by its shape and contour, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, for resting in contact with the open top surface 42 of the enclosure 40. The downwardly convergent sides 12 of the tray 10 rest in contact with the downwardly convergent sides 22 of the reflector 20, as shown in FIG. 5, so that the reflector 20 can support the tray 10 without complex engagement devices. The reflector 20 has a reflective surface 24 so that light from the illumination means 30 is reflected toward the tray 10.
In an alternate embodiment, a [0027] color wheel 50 is mounted on a motor shaft 60 connected to a motor 70 with the color wheel 50 positioned between the illumination means 30 and the tray 10 so that light from the illumination means 30 is transmitted through the color wheel 50 and the tray 10 upwardly to produce a light display.
In a further embodiment, an [0028] incense holder 80 is mounted on a wire 82 supported by the enclosure 40 in a position above the tray 10 so that ashes from burning incense, fall directly into the tray 10. The illumination means 30 may be energized by power from a utility, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, or from a battery source, as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably a finger relief 90 is provided on the open top surface 42 of the enclosure 40 so as to enable the peripheral lip 14 of the tray 10 to be easily pried upwardly with a finger for removing the tray 10 when it is desired to empty ashes therefrom.
While the invention has been described with reference to at least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims. [0029]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An ashtray apparatus comprising: a transparent tray adapted for receiving ashes from a burning object, the tray supported above a reflector having a means for illumination mounted adjacent thereto; and an enclosure having an open top surface adapted for receiving the tray. reflector and illumination means; the tray and the reflector, each adapted with downwardly convergent sides, the reflector fitting tightly into an opening in the open top and suspended therefrom, the tray providing an outwardly extending peripheral lip adapted for resting in contact with the open top surface, the downwardly convergent sides of the tray resting in contact with the downwardly convergent sides of the reflector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a color wheel mounted on a motor shaft, the color wheel positioned between the illumination means and the tray whereby light from the illumination means is transmitted through the color wheel and the tray upwardly.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an incense holder mounted on a wire supported by the enclosure in a position above the tray.