Abstract:
An integrated prayer support apparatus that may serve as a Sutrah, or symbolic partition. The apparatus is self-contained, lightweight, and highly mobile. The apparatus includes of a body with an open upper end and a closed lower end. A extendable rod such that the extendable rod may extend away from the lower body and out of the open upper end of the body in telescopic fashion. The extendable rod may have an instrument fixed to it for the purpose of identifying the location towards Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Support legs in a tripod orientation may stabilize the apparatus. The body may have an attachment device, such as a carabineer, keychain or hook. Additionally, the instrument and other elements may glow in the dark by using radioactive materials or may be electronically illuminated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/013,641 filed: Jun. 18, 2014, and entitled Sutrah-Muslim Prayer Item, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     A Sutrah is an object that is used by a person performing Salat as a barrier between himself and one passing in front of him. Salat is the practice of physical prayer for the religion of Islam. The most important obligatory ritual for all Muslims is the Salah, which is the five daily prayers that all Muslims are required to pray each day. Traditionally, a Sutrah is placed in front of a praying individual and serves as a symbolic barrier between that individual and anyone passing in front of that individual. Traditionally, the person praying should be positioned at less than or equal to three forearms&#39; length away from the Sutrah. The Sutrah&#39;s height must be no less than one forearm&#39;s length, whereas its width has no stipulated size. 
     Muslims that carry out the five daily prayers must use a Sutrah while facing Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Muslims are often forced to use inanimate objects around them such as trees, walls, cars etc. as a Sutrah to carry out the five daily prayers. The use of these inanimate objects may be problematic for Muslims that must frequently travel. Because the Sutrah is an obligatory practice of the Muslim religion, which consists of over two billion people worldwide, many individuals would benefit from a travel friendly Sutrah. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, an integrated prayer support apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may include a body with an open upper end and a closed lower end. A extendable rod may be coupled to the lower end of the body such that the extendable rod may extend away from the lower body and out of the open upper end of the body. A stop ring, may be located inside of the body to help stabilize the extendable rod within the body and to stop the sliding leg ring at a pre-determined location. The sliding leg ring may be coupled to at least one leg by a pivotable connection. The sliding leg ring may slide up and down the extendable rod between the supporting ring and the closed portion of the body. When the sliding ring is positioned closest to the closed portion of the body the legs may be deployed outside of the body as stabilizers. When the sliding ring is positioned closest to the open end of the body, the legs may be substantially stored within the body. When deployed the legs extend out from the body and stabilizes the unit. When stored, the legs are contained within the body and are not visible. The stop ring may be temporarily coupled to the leg ring for storage or travel. An instrument nest may be coupled to the extendable rod. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which: 
       Exemplary  FIG. 1  may show a schematic view of the collapsed position of the apparatus; 
       Exemplary  FIG. 2A  may show an exploded view of the extended position of the apparatus; 
       Exemplary  FIG. 2B  may show an alternate exploded view of the extended position; 
       Exemplary  FIG. 3  may show a collapsed view of the apparatus; 
       Exemplary  FIG. 4  may show a profile view of the apparatus when collapsed; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows. 
     As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
     According to at least one exemplary embodiment and referring to the Figures generally, an integrated prayer support apparatus may be disclosed. The apparatus may include; a body with an open upper end  123  and a substantially closed lower end  121  that houses a extendable rod  116 . The extendable rod  116  may be coupled to the lower end of the body by a fastener, such as a screw or similar fastener as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, the extendable rod  116  may be affixed to another portion of the body or a member within the body. The extendable rod may be coupled to the stop ring  130 . Additionally, a stop ring  130  may be located inside of the body and may be attached to the extendable rod. The stop ring  130  may assist with stabilization by bracing against the inside of the body. An instrument nest  112 , or unit to house a compass or other instrument  110 , may be attached to the extendable rod  116  by a secured connection and the instrument nest  112  may be outside of the upper end of the body. The apparatus may be supported by at least one support leg  118  that may extend out of the base of the body. The at least one support leg  118  may be coupled to a leg ring  128  that may slide along the extendable rod between the stop ring  130  and substantially closed end of the body. The at least one support leg  118  may be attached to the leg ring  128  by a pivotable connection such as a pin, ball joint, or similar connection as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. The at least one support leg  118  may optionally have a notch on the tip of the leg, which may slightly stick out from the base of the apparatus. In some exemplary embodiments, the leg ring  128  and at least one support leg  118  may be released by a push button system. In at least one exemplary embodiment, a compass or other instrument may be housed within the instrument nest  112 . Further, the instrument may be capable of glowing in the dark. An instrument may be capable of glowing in the dark through the use of radioactive phosphorescent materials or other materials and mechanisms as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. 
     Referring to the figures generally, and exemplary  FIG. 1  specifically, an integrated prayer support  100  may be provided. An exemplary integrated prayer support may include a body  120 , which may have a substantially closed bottom  121  and an open end  123 . The body may be cylindrical in shape. The closed bottom  121  may have openings for at least one support leg  118 . The body may further have an internal storage compartment  124  for toiletries. Additionally, the body may have an attachment device  125  coupled to it. The attachment device  125  may be attached to the body of the device near the substantially open end of the device. Alternatively an attachment device  125  may be coupled to the body at an alternate location. The attachment device  125  may be schematically shown as a carabineer, but it may be contemplated for the attachment device to encompass a broad variety of elements such as buckles, straps, key rings and other elements generally used for the attachment of portable items. The attachment device  125  may be coupled to the apparatus at any feasible location. The body  120  may include at least one securing portion for affixing an attachment device. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the extendable rod  116  may be coupled to the body at the closed bottom  121 . The extendable rod  116  may be coupled to the closed bottom  121  by a retaining element such that the extendable rod is fixed to the body in at least one location. The extendable rod  116  may be a telescoping rod. Further, the extendable rod  116  may have any desired cross-sectional shape. Further, the extendable rod  116  of a prayer support may come in a variety of lengths, as desired. 
     The extendable rod  116  may be supported in place by a stop ring  130 . In some exemplary embodiments, the extendable rod  116  may further be secured by a retaining element or other similar retaining device such as a screw. The stop ring  130  may also serve the function of a physical barrier to stop the slide-able leg ring  128  at a pre-determined location. The stop ring  130  may be a material that braces against the interior walls of the body  120 , and the exterior of the extendable rod  116 . The stop ring  130  may alternately be configured in any shape such that it provides support for the extendable rod by bracing against the interior of the body  120 . 
     The extendable rod  116  may be secured to the instrument nest  112  by a pin or similar connection such that they are effectively coupled together. In an exemplary embodiment, the extendable rod and instrument nest may optionally be pivotably coupled. The instrument nest  112  may serve at least two functions. For example, a first function may nest an instrument, by housing it within its interior such that the instrument face is visible. The instrument  110  may be any desired instrument, such as a compass or watch. Further, the instrument may comprise radioactive materials, such as phosphorescent paints, such that these materials illuminate the instrument in low lighting conditions. A second function of the instrument nest may provide a closure for the upper end of the body. The upper end of the body may be open to allow the extendable rod to extend upwards through the opening. When the extendable rod is fully collapsed the instrument nest  112  and the instrument within the nest  110  may effectively serve as a closure for the open end  123 . 
     The leg ring  128  may slide up and down the extendable rod  116  between the stop ring  130  and the closed end of the body  120 . The leg ring  128  may attach to a leg  118  in at least one location by a pivotable connection  126  such as a pin or ball joint. The pivotable connection may alternately be designed to incorporate a tension spring that may secure the leg  118  to the leg ring  128  when extended. The sliding leg ring  128  may slide towards the closed end of the body  120  thereby allowing the leg  118  to extend away from the body  120 . The leg ring may be held in place by a push button system. The push button may be used to release the leg ring from a pre-determined location. The push button may be a pin system that holds the leg ring in place between the stop ring and the pin system. Alternatively, the push button may be a track system that allows the leg ring to slide up and down, as the button is slid along the track, thereby extending the leg  118  as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. The at least one leg  118  may be used to stabilize the entire unit by providing a secure base position. The at least one leg  118  may be used to set up the device in the shape of a tripod or other alternate configuration such that the at least one leg  118  may assist with the stabilization of the device. The at least one leg  118  may have a notch to assist the user with pulling the at least one leg out. The at least one leg  118  may additionally be released via a pushbutton, located on the base of the apparatus. The body may have an internal storage compartment, such that the internal storage compartment may retain a toiletry item  124  such as a fragrance. The internal storage compartment and the toiletry item  124  may be located at the base of the apparatus. Alternatively, the internal storage compartment and the toiletry item  124  may be located at any convenient location of the apparatus. The toiletry item may be a dram that can house essential oils or fragrances. The prayer support  100  may include metal, wood, plastics, rubber, ceramics, glass, polymers and any other desired material. This device is envisioned to be composed of varying types of materials such that various unique customizations may be created. Further, the device is contemplated for at least one of any of the aforementioned items to be coated or comprise of phosphorescent material. 
     Referring generally to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , the prayer support may be shown in an extended state. The extendable rod  116  may be fully extended, in telescopic fashion. The instrument and nest  112  may be permanently attached to the farthest extremity of the extendable rod  116 . The stop ring  130  may be installed in a pre-determined fixed location. The leg ring  128  may be shown at the farthest extremity away from the stop ring  130 . By extending the leg ring to this position the at least one leg  118  may be able to fully extend and stabilize the device. 
     Referring generally to  FIG. 3 , the base of the body  120  may be shown. There may be small openings within the body that allow for the at least one leg  118  to move freely in and out of the body. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one leg  118  may be pulled from the body or may be ejected as the leg ring slides toward the base. In embodiments having multiple legs, the leg ring may cause the legs to eject from the body in unison. In some exemplary embodiments, the extendable rod, shown in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , may be secured in place by a retaining element, such as a screw  306 . The retaining element may be contemplated to be any element capable of securing the extendable rod to the body  120  of the device. Furthermore, an attachment device  308  may be shown coupled to a securing portion affixed to or integrally formed in the body of the device. The body of the device may be further arranged to allow for various types and styles of attachment devices in various locations. The exemplary attachment device  308  as shown, may be a carabineer and may be a representative, but non-limiting example of an attachment. In some exemplary embodiments, an engravable plate may be affixed to the body. The engravable plate may allow for emergency information or other types of information to be coupled to the body of the device. Additionally, the body may further include an illuminating device, such as a flashlight. 
     Referring generally to  FIG. 4 , an exemplary prayer support may be shown in its fully collapsed state. The at least one leg  118  may be shown in a collapsed state, retracted within the body  120  and may be seen slightly protruding through the small openings on the closed side of the body  120 . The instrument nest  112  may also be shown in the retracted position where it may effectively serve as a closure for the top of the device. The attachment device  308  may additionally be shown on the closed end of the device. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the attachment device  308  may be affixed proximate the open end of the body. This may allow the prayer support to be hung in a substantially upright orientation. 
     The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments, and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.