RETRACTABLE CIGAR PICK DEVICE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 63/685,741 filed on Aug. 22, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of smoking accessories, and more particularly to a retractable cigar pick device.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Cigars are enjoyed by individuals across the globe and can range in cost from a few cents to several thousand dollars each. Because tobacco is packed along the entire length of the cigar body, most individuals will continue to smoke the lit cigar until the flame reaches their fingers. When this occurs, the individual must extinguish the cigar before the flame begins to burn their fingers. Unfortunately, there is often a significant portion of the cigar body that remains but is unable to be enjoyed by the user.

For this reason, there are known devices which can aid individuals in grasping a cigar to allow it to be fully smoked. In most instances, these devices comprise an elongated spike with a sharpened tip that is designed to pierce the side of the cigar. Although useful, these devices are unpractical for many reasons. For example, by providing a single piercing instrument, the cigar has a tendency to rotate about the central axis, thus falling off of the spear easily. Moreover, these devices are not permitted to be used or carried in non-checked baggage due to their ability to be used as a dangerous weapon. Finally, the large size of these devices makes them impractical to carry.

The present invention, directed to a retractable cigar pick device differs from the conventional art in a number of aspects. The manner by which will become more apparent in the description which follows, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a retractable cigar pick device. One embodiment of the present invention can include a main body having an internally located penetration tool with a pair of elongated spikes along a top end. The tool can be biased by a compression spring located within the main body and the tool can transition between an extended position and a retracted by a knob that extends from the tool through a side opening in the main body.

One embodiment of the present invention can include a magnet that is positioned along the bottom end of the main body, and the elongated spikes can be constructed from a heat-resistant metal.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is an exploded parts view of a cigar pick device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the main body of the cigar pick device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the main body of the cigar pick device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the penetration tool of the cigar pick device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the cigar pick device in the retracted position, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the cigar pick device in the extended position, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cigar pick device in operation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

Definitions

As described herein, a “unit” means a series of identified physical components which are linked together and/or function together to perform a specified function.

As described throughout this document, the term “about” “approximately” “substantially” and “generally” shall be used interchangeably to describe a feature, shape, or measurement of a component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.

As described throughout this document, the term “removably secured” and derivatives thereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow the same objects to be repeatedly joined and separated.

As described throughout this document, the term “complementary shape,” and “complementary dimension,” shall be used to describe a shape and size of a component that is identical to, or substantially identical to the shape and size of another identified component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate one embodiment of a cigar pick device 10 that are useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. In each of the drawings, identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is an exploded parts view of a cigar pick device 10 in accordance with one embodiment. As shown, the tool 10 can include a spring 15, a main body 20, a sliding penetration tool 30, and a removable knob 38.

As described herein, the spring can include any type of compression spring capable of being compressed and automatically returning to an extended state. Although one spring is illustrated, any number of springs or other types of biasing mechanisms may be provided that are suitable for imparting movement onto the sliding tool to permit the device to operate in the manner described herein.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate one embodiment of the main body 20 that includes an elongated, generally cylindrical member having a capped bottom end 21 a hollow central portion 22, and a top end 23 having a central opening 24 therein. The main body can be formed from any number of materials that are relatively strong and stiff for their weight. Several nonlimiting examples include but are not limited to various metals or metal alloys (e.g., aluminum, steel, titanium, or alloys thereof), plastic/polymers (e.g., high-density polyethylene (HDPE), rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC), malleable polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), and/or various natural or composite materials (e.g., wood, carbon fibers in a polymer matrix, etc.).

The main body can function to house the spring 15 and the tool 30 while operating as a handle for the device user. As such, the main body can be manufactured in any number of different shapes and dimensions such as various lengths, widths, and/or thicknesses, for example. Moreover, the main body can be constructed in any number of different colors or textures, and can include any number of decorative elements, markings, logos, or pictures, for example, to appeal to a variety of diverse user interests.

In one embodiment, a side opening 25 can be positioned along the central portion 22 of the main body. As shown, the opening can include a generally “J” shaped member having a top end 25a, and a curved lip section 25b and a bottom end 25c.

In one embodiment, a magnet 26 can be positioned along the outside surface of the bottom end 21. The magnet can function to allow a user to place or store the device against any metallic surface so as to easily find and utilize the same. Although not illustrated, other embodiments contemplate the addition of a pocket clip or other such device that can be positioned along the main body for allowing the device to be clipped onto a user's belt, hat, or other such objects.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the sliding penetration tool 30 that includes a generally cylindrical shaped main body having a bottom end 31, a middle section 32, and a top end 33. The tool body includes a shape and dimension that is suitable for being positioned within the main body 20 and can ideally include an outside diameter that is complementary to the inside diameter of the main body to permit the tool to slide along the length of the body.

In one embodiment, a pair of elongated spikes 35 can extend outward from the top end 33 of the main body. Each of the spikes can ideally be constructed from metal, such as steel or aluminum, for example that are suitable for prolonged exposure to heat and flame without bending or deforming. Additionally, each of the spikes can include sharpened tips 35a that are designed to penetrate the sides of a cigar as will be described below.

The tool is configured to slide within the main body 20, so as to selectively extend and retract the spikes 35 through the top opening 24 of the main body (e.g., slidingly engage). As such, in the preferred embodiment, the tool 30 can include a chamber 36 that is positioned along the bottom end 31. The chamber includes a bottom opening 36a and an upper end 36b for receiving the top end of the spring or other biasing mechanism 15 when the tool is located within the main body.

In one embodiment, a threaded hole 37 can be positioned along the side of the tool body. The threaded hole can function to receive the threaded shaft of a knob 38 or other such device that can be connected through the side opening of the main body to allow a user to transition the tool between the extended and retracted positions.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate one embodiment of the device 10 in operation. As shown, in the assembled orientation, the spring 15 is positioned within the main body so that its bottom end is against the bottom wall 21 and its top end is positioned within the cavity 36 of the tool. The knob 38 extends through the side opening 25 on the main body to engage the threaded opening 37 of the tool. The device can be transitioned between a retracted position and an extended position by movement of the knob which slides along the length of the side opening to define the maximum extensive and retractive movement of the tool body.

As shown at FIG. 4, when the device 10 is in the retracted position, the knob 38 will be positioned against the bottom end 25c of the side opening 25 and each of the spikes 35 will be retracted within the hollow central section of the main body 20. When so oriented, the bottom end 31 of the tool body 30 will be located adjacent to the bottom wall 21 of the main body to fully compress the spring 15 which imparts a biasing force onto the knob, thus retaining the device in the retracted position.

As shown at FIG. 5, when the device 10 is in the extended position, the knob 38 will be positioned against the top end 25a of the side opening 25 and the spikes 35 will extend outward from the top end 23 of the main body 20. When so oriented, the bottom end 31 of the tool body 30 will be separated from the bottom wall 21 of the main body by the spring 15 which will impart an upward biasing force onto the bottom of the tool body to retain the device in the extended position.

As shown at FIG. 6, in operation a user can position the main body 20 of the device 10 perpendicularly to a lit cigar 5 and can pierce the side of the cigar with the spikes 35. When so positioned, the user is able to grasp the main body to keep their fingers away from the lit end 5a of the cigar. Moreover, because two spikes are provided, the device allows the user to fully control the orientation of the cigar at all times, thus ensuring the cigar can be fully controlled and smoked without burning the user's fingers.

As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

As described herein, one or more elements of the above noted device and system can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individually identified elements may be formed together as one or more continuous elements, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Likewise, the term “consisting” shall be used to describe only those components identified. In each instance where a device comprises certain elements, it will inherently consist of each of those identified elements as well.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.