CIGARETTE SNUFFERS FOR ASH TRAYS
United States Patent 3586008
A framework for removable frictional entry into an ashtray; said framework rotatably supporting a container or containers for receiving and snuffing out cigarettes, when the lighted end of same are dropped therein; and a handle or lever is provided for manual finger turning of said containers to gravity transfer the cigarettes into the ashtray.
US Patent References:
Cigar and cigarette support
Caldwell - September 1929 - 1727582
Cigarette ash receiver
Soule - November 1954 - 2695619
Cigarette extinguisher
Schlatterer - December 1960 - 2965108
Cigar and cigarette support
Caldwell - September 1929 - 1727582
Cigarette ash receiver
Soule - November 1954 - 2695619
Cigarette extinguisher
Schlatterer - December 1960 - 2965108
Application Number:
04/882109
Publication Date:
06/22/1971
Filing Date:
12/04/1969
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Bertrand, Roland J. (St. Boniface, Manitoba, CA)
Primary Class:
International Classes:
A24F19/14; A24F19/00; A24F19/14
Field of Search:
131/231,235,256
Primary Examiner:
Reich, Joseph S.
Claims:
I claim
1. A cigarette snuffer for an ashtray, having a bottom, side and end walls, comprising: a horizontally disposed V-shaped spring framework having the ends thereof each provided with a bearing; a cup-shaped container pivotally supported on said bearings to receive an upended cigarette, when said framework ends are compressed and frictionally received within the walls of the ashtray; manual means for tipping said container to empty same; and means for returning the container to cigarette receiving position.
2. A cigarette snuffer for an ashtray as defined in claim 1, wherein said U-shaped framework ends are bent upwardly to support the container in an elevated position, and the central part of the V-shaped framework is adapted to contact the ashtray walls to prevent movement of the framework when the container is tipped.
1. A cigarette snuffer for an ashtray, having a bottom, side and end walls, comprising: a horizontally disposed V-shaped spring framework having the ends thereof each provided with a bearing; a cup-shaped container pivotally supported on said bearings to receive an upended cigarette, when said framework ends are compressed and frictionally received within the walls of the ashtray; manual means for tipping said container to empty same; and means for returning the container to cigarette receiving position.
2. A cigarette snuffer for an ashtray as defined in claim 1, wherein said U-shaped framework ends are bent upwardly to support the container in an elevated position, and the central part of the V-shaped framework is adapted to contact the ashtray walls to prevent movement of the framework when the container is tipped.
Description:
The present invention relates to ashtrays, and more particularly to those ashtrays in automobiles which slide out from the dash to receive discarding cigarettes. While such ashtrays are usually provided with means for butting the cigarette before it is dropped in the tray, said butting is often done carelessly, such as when driving, including watching the road, so that hot material oftens falls into the ashtray and ignites the dead tobacco therein, thus causing excessive smoke in the automobile and the possibility of a fire.
It is known to provide small containers in an ashtray for the snuffing out of lighted cigarettes, when the lighted end is deposited therein, but such upended smokes fill the containers and prevent the deposit of subsequent cigarettes, and may also jam the closing of the ashtray back into the dash. Further, these containers, being fixed, interfere with the cleaning of the ashtrays.
The principal object of the present invention is: to provide a framework for reception in an ashtray, which will support one or more small containers for receiving and snuffing out lighted cigarettes, and said framework is held in the ashtray by friction so it can be removed for easy cleaning of both.
A further object of the invention is: to rotatably support said containers on the framework for manual finger rotation to empty out the snuffed cigarettes, and for automatic return of the containers when released.
A still further object of the invention is: to construct the framework and associated parts in a simple, economical and durable manner for simplicity and cheapness of manufacture, including reasonable cost and selling price, and such that they will efficiently operate for a long period of time.
With the above important and other minor objects in view, which will become more apparent as the disclosure proceeds, the invention consists essentially in the design, construction and arrangement of the various parts hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the framework and containers which principally comprise the invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ashtray with the construction of FIG. 1 installed therein.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through one of the containers and taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
The framework of the snuffer, shown in FIG. 1, is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a horizontal U-shaped wire having the ends 11 thereof bent upwardly for a short distance and each end terminating in a bearing 12. The central part of the U-shaped wire is also bent upward in an inverted V-shaped 14. A small cross-shaft 15 has the ends 16 thereof slightly reduced in diameter to fit the bearings 12. It will be noted in FIG. 1 that the sides of the framework 10 are sprung outwardly, so that when said sides are inwardly pressed the bearings will receive the shaft ends 16 and the shaft will be rotatably mounted on the framework. A wire 17 of less diameter than the framework 10 is wound once around the shaft 15 and secured thereto, so that one end thereof projects forwardly, as at 18, for finger contact therewith, while the other end thereof passes downwardly for a short distance, as at 19, and then turns parallel with the shaft 15, as shown at 20.
A series of four cups 21, having upper outer flared open ends 22, are positioned side-by-side along the rear side of the shaft 15, said upper ends adjacent the flares being secured to the shaft, such as by solder 23, or spot welding. The lower closed ends of the cups rest behind and against the part 20 of the wire 17.
An automobile ashtray is generally indicated at 24 in FIG. 2 and presents an ash receiving compartment 25. Such ashtrays vary with different makes of automobiles so the construction has not been detailed, other than reference to the compartment.
From the above described construction it will be seen in FIG. 2 that the framework and accessories shown in FIG. 1 neatly fit into the compartment 25 of the ashtray 24, the sides of the framework 10 being pressed inward by the ashtray sidewalls to hold and support the shaft 15 in the bearings 12, as previously explained, while the frictional pressure of the framework sides against the ashtray walls holds said framework in position in the ashtray. An indent 26 on each of the ashtray walls, just above the framework 10, holds said framework from rising, yet it can be sprung loose when desired. The V-shaped portion 14 of the framework provides the necessary side resiliency to hold the back part of the framework against the walls of the ashtray.
When the ashtray 24 is normally pushed into the dash (not shown) of the automobile the framework 10 is not visible, and when the ashtray is pulled out, said framework and the cups 21 are exposed to view. To snuff out a cigarette, the lighted end of same is dropped into one of the cups and will automatically go out, due to lack of oxygen. If the cups are all full and need emptying, the operator merely finger presses the part 18 of the wire 17 downward, thus rotating the shaft 15 and the turned up cups 21 permit the snuffed-out cigarettes therein to drop into the ashtray. When this finger pressure is released, the cups come back to receiving position under the force of gravity. Accordingly, fire protection from cigarettes is provided for the automobile.
While this device has been principally designed for automobile use, it will be appreciated that the same framework can be provided for entrance into other types of ashtrays and in the same manner to provide the same advantages.
It is known to provide small containers in an ashtray for the snuffing out of lighted cigarettes, when the lighted end is deposited therein, but such upended smokes fill the containers and prevent the deposit of subsequent cigarettes, and may also jam the closing of the ashtray back into the dash. Further, these containers, being fixed, interfere with the cleaning of the ashtrays.
The principal object of the present invention is: to provide a framework for reception in an ashtray, which will support one or more small containers for receiving and snuffing out lighted cigarettes, and said framework is held in the ashtray by friction so it can be removed for easy cleaning of both.
A further object of the invention is: to rotatably support said containers on the framework for manual finger rotation to empty out the snuffed cigarettes, and for automatic return of the containers when released.
A still further object of the invention is: to construct the framework and associated parts in a simple, economical and durable manner for simplicity and cheapness of manufacture, including reasonable cost and selling price, and such that they will efficiently operate for a long period of time.
With the above important and other minor objects in view, which will become more apparent as the disclosure proceeds, the invention consists essentially in the design, construction and arrangement of the various parts hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the framework and containers which principally comprise the invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ashtray with the construction of FIG. 1 installed therein.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through one of the containers and taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
The framework of the snuffer, shown in FIG. 1, is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a horizontal U-shaped wire having the ends 11 thereof bent upwardly for a short distance and each end terminating in a bearing 12. The central part of the U-shaped wire is also bent upward in an inverted V-shaped 14. A small cross-shaft 15 has the ends 16 thereof slightly reduced in diameter to fit the bearings 12. It will be noted in FIG. 1 that the sides of the framework 10 are sprung outwardly, so that when said sides are inwardly pressed the bearings will receive the shaft ends 16 and the shaft will be rotatably mounted on the framework. A wire 17 of less diameter than the framework 10 is wound once around the shaft 15 and secured thereto, so that one end thereof projects forwardly, as at 18, for finger contact therewith, while the other end thereof passes downwardly for a short distance, as at 19, and then turns parallel with the shaft 15, as shown at 20.
A series of four cups 21, having upper outer flared open ends 22, are positioned side-by-side along the rear side of the shaft 15, said upper ends adjacent the flares being secured to the shaft, such as by solder 23, or spot welding. The lower closed ends of the cups rest behind and against the part 20 of the wire 17.
An automobile ashtray is generally indicated at 24 in FIG. 2 and presents an ash receiving compartment 25. Such ashtrays vary with different makes of automobiles so the construction has not been detailed, other than reference to the compartment.
From the above described construction it will be seen in FIG. 2 that the framework and accessories shown in FIG. 1 neatly fit into the compartment 25 of the ashtray 24, the sides of the framework 10 being pressed inward by the ashtray sidewalls to hold and support the shaft 15 in the bearings 12, as previously explained, while the frictional pressure of the framework sides against the ashtray walls holds said framework in position in the ashtray. An indent 26 on each of the ashtray walls, just above the framework 10, holds said framework from rising, yet it can be sprung loose when desired. The V-shaped portion 14 of the framework provides the necessary side resiliency to hold the back part of the framework against the walls of the ashtray.
When the ashtray 24 is normally pushed into the dash (not shown) of the automobile the framework 10 is not visible, and when the ashtray is pulled out, said framework and the cups 21 are exposed to view. To snuff out a cigarette, the lighted end of same is dropped into one of the cups and will automatically go out, due to lack of oxygen. If the cups are all full and need emptying, the operator merely finger presses the part 18 of the wire 17 downward, thus rotating the shaft 15 and the turned up cups 21 permit the snuffed-out cigarettes therein to drop into the ashtray. When this finger pressure is released, the cups come back to receiving position under the force of gravity. Accordingly, fire protection from cigarettes is provided for the automobile.
While this device has been principally designed for automobile use, it will be appreciated that the same framework can be provided for entrance into other types of ashtrays and in the same manner to provide the same advantages.