Abstract:
A holder for an elongated smoking product comprises a base portion and a cradle portion connected to said base portion; the base portion further comprises a generally vertical recess defined within the base portion; wherein the cradle is capable of receiving and supporting the elongated smoking product; and wherein the recess is capable of receiving therewithin an end of a generally cylindrical drink container such that the holder is releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to smoking product holders, and particularly to a holder that releasably attaches to the top of a beverage container. 
         [0003]    Frequently, individuals that enjoy smoking tobacco products such a cigars, cigarettes, or tobacco vaporizers commonly referred to as e-cigarettes or digital vapor cigarettes smoke their chosen tobacco product while also consuming beverages. For example, some smokers may find that certain beverages—such as scotch, bourbon, or beer—provide a complimentary flavor that enhances the enjoyment of their preferred tobacco products when the beverage and the tobacco products are consumed together. 
         [0004]    Unfortunately, when enjoying a smoking product and a beverage at the same time, the individual may find that both of his or her hands are occupied—one with the beverage, and the other with the smoking product. Additionally, since both the beverage and the smoking product are easily portable, the individual may find himself or herself in a place far from an ashtray but needing to free one or both hands to attend to another task. Since smoking products generate heat and can damage the surfaces of furniture or counter tops if placed directly thereon, it may be advantageous to provide a holder upon which to rest the smoking product such that it is elevated above the surface of furniture or counter tops. 
         [0005]    Additionally, individuals may find themselves in a social setting where others may also be consuming beverages and/or smoking products. If the individual momentarily sets his or her beverage and/or smoking product aside in next to beverages or smoking products belonging to others, the individual may be confused as to which beverage or smoking product belongs to whom. Thus, it may be advantageous to provide a structure that keeps and individual&#39;s beverage and smoking product together in one place, in order to avoid confusion and the dreaded loss of a partially-consumed beverage or smoking product. 
         [0006]    Given the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a structure which addresses these and other deficiencies so that an individual may more thoroughly enjoy his or her beverage and smoking product. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    One object of the invention may comprise providing a holder for an elongated smoking product comprises a base portion and a cradle portion connected to said base portion; the base portion further comprises a generally vertical recess defined within the base portion; wherein the cradle is capable of receiving and supporting the elongated smoking product; and wherein the recess is capable of receiving therewithin an end of a generally cylindrical drink container such that the holder is releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container. 
         [0008]    Another object of the invention may comprise providing a holder for an elongated smoking product, comprising a base portion, and a cradle portion connected to the base portion; the base portion further comprising a generally vertical recess defined within the base portion; the cradle portion further comprising a generally horizontal, upward-opening longitudinal channel; wherein the longitudinal channel is capable of receiving therewithin an elongated smoking product so as to support the elongated smoking product in an elevated position above the base portion; and wherein the recess is capable of receiving therewithin an end of a generally cylindrical drink container such that the holder is releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container. 
         [0009]    Still another object of the invention may comprise providing a holder for an elongated smoking product, comprising a base portion and a cradle portion connected to the base portion; the base portion having a generally cylindrical vertical recess defined within the base portion; the cradle portion further comprising a generally horizontal upward-opening longitudinal channel; wherein the longitudinal channel is capable of receiving therewithin the elongated smoking product so as to support the elongated smoking article in an elevated position above the base portion; and wherein the recess further comprises a generally vertical recess wall, the recess wall further comprising at least one resilient retaining member, wherein the at least one resilient retaining member releasably engages an exterior surface of a generally cylindrical drink container received within the vertical recess such that the holder is releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    In order that the invention may be better understood, embodiments of the beverage container mounted holder for smoking products and methods of use thereof in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of examples. These embodiments are not to limit the scope of the present invention as the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practices or of being carried out in various ways. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a first perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a second perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention being used to hold a smoking product and being attached to a beverage container; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention being attached to a beverage container. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Among other things, the present invention may be embodied as methods or devices. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
         [0016]    It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Throughout the specification and the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrase “in one embodiment” or “in some embodiments” or “in a preferred embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may. Furthermore, the phrase “in another embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments of the invention may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In addition, the phrase “present invention” or “object of the present invention” does not necessarily refer to nor is intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment or feature described. 
         [0017]    In addition, the use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is mean to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
         [0018]    Additionally, as used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the therm “and/or,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the smoking product holder  10  may comprise a base  20  and a cradle  40 . The smoking product holder  10  may be formed of various materials, such as lightweight metallic or lightweight plastimerics or polymerics which should provide some level of stiffness without being so rigid as to break during normal use. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , base  20  and cradle  40  are connected to each other by an intermediate connection  60 . 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, base  20  defines a bottom surface  22  and a top surface  24 , an exterior wall  26  therebetween, and a generally vertical axis AV. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , base  20  is a generally cylindrical; however, it may be any suitable shape such as a rectangular, hexagonal, hemispherical, or the like. 
         [0021]    In a preferred embodiment, Base  20  further defines a vertical recess  30  therewithin, which has a recess opening  32  defined within bottom surface  22 , a recess wall  36  extending generally vertically upward parallel to axis AV towards top surface  24 . In one embodiment, recess wall  36  may optionally terminate at a recess ceiling  34 , located vertically intermediate recess opening  32  and base top surface  24  along axis AV. In another embodiment, recess  30  may extend along the entire height of base  20  such that recess wall  36  originates at bottom surface  22  and terminates at top surface  24 . 
         [0022]    Referring now to both  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in a preferred embodiment cradle  40  defines a floor  42  that is connected to base  20  by connection  60  such that cradle  40  is positioned vertically distal from base bottom surface  22 . In the embodiment shown cradle floor  42  is connected to base top surface  24  by intermediate connection  60  shown as a generally vertical pedestal; however in other embodiments cradle floor  42  and base top surface  24  may be connected integrally, welded, or connected by other means, such as a bendable flex-arm or the like. Additionally, in still other embodiments, cradle  40  may be connected to base exterior wall  26  and extend generally horizontally outward from base  20  or, alternatively, cradle  40  may extend angularly upward from base  20 . 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, cradle  40  defines a generally horizontal longitudinal axis AL ( FIG. 1 ) and may have a longitudinal channel  46  running along axis AL and opening generally vertically upward. Cradle  40  may also have two spaced-apart sidewalls  44 ,  45  that depend generally upward from floor  42 . In this embodiment, Floor  42  and sidewalls  44 ,  45  are preferably all oriented generally parallel to longitudinal axis AL and together define longitudinal channel  46 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , floor  42  and sidewalls  44  and  45  are arranged such that longitudinal channel  46  has a generally U-shaped profile; however, in other embodiments, longitudinal channel  46  may have alternative profile shapes, such as the V-shaped longitudinal channel shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a square profile shape, a semi-circular profile shape, or other appropriate profile shapes. 
         [0024]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , in a preferred embodiment, base  20  is dimensioned such that recess opening  32  and recess wall  36  are sized appropriately to releasably accept an end of a beverage container  70  such that holder  10  is releasably fixed to the beverage container. As shown in the embodiment represented in  FIG. 3 , beverage container  70  is a typical beer bottle; however, it should be understood that in other embodiments base  20 , recess opening  32 , and recess wall  36  may all be sized such that recess  30  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is capable of releasably accepting a variety of different sized beverage containers, including but not limited to aluminum cans, rocks glasses, tumblers, or wine bottles. In yet another embodiment, base  20  may be formed at least in part from a resilient material such as an elastomeric polymer that allows recess opening  32  and recess wall  36  to resiliently deform so as to accommodate a variety of different sized beverage containers. In still another embodiment, base  20  may be adjustable so as to accept a wide variety of different sized beverage containers. 
         [0025]    Additionally, in a preferred embodiment cradle  40  is dimensioned such that longitudinal channel  46  is sized appropriately to releasably receive a generally cylindrical elongated smoking product  80  such that the smoking product&#39;s longitudinal axis AS is oriented generally parallel to longitudinal axis AL of channel  46 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , cradle  40  is sized appropriately to receive a smoking product  80  represented as a cigar having having a large bore diameter D; however, in other embodiments, longitudinal channel  46  may be sized appropriately to receive a cigarette, an e-cigarette, or other smoking product having a smaller bore diameter than the smoking article  80  depicted in  FIG. 3 . In an other embodiment, cradle  40  may be sized appropriately such that channel  46  may receive a variety of different smoking articles having a diverse range of bore diameters. 
         [0026]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , another embodiment of holder  110  is shown, having a recess wall  136  may optionally define a circumferential resilient retaining member  138  positioned vertically intermediate recess opening  132  and recess ceiling  134 . In one embodiment, retaining member  138  may be a resiliently deformable ridge running along a sufficient portion of recess wall  136  such that retaining member  138  releasably engages a lip  72  from finish region  74  of a traditional bottle  70 . As bottle finish region  74  is inserted into vertical recess  130 , lip  72  impinges upon and thereby compresses retaining member  138 . Once finish region is inserted sufficiently far into recess  130  that lip  72  slips past retaining ring  138 , the retaining member resiliently returns to its normal size and shape and thereby forms a compression fit against finish region  74  that releasably secures holder  110  to bottle  70 . While not shown in the figures, it should be apparent that in embodiments in which the holder  110  is sized such that recess  130  may accommodate other kinds of beverage containers, retaining member  138  may releasably secure holder  110  to the flange portion of an aluminum can&#39;s top or form a compression fit against other beverage containers, such as screw-top bottles, tumblers, or rocks glasses. 
         [0027]    The foregoing description of several embodiments and aspects of the invention has been presented for purpose of illustration only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention and all equivalents be defined by the claims appended hereto.