Support with Slot

Abstract

Supports for cigars and cigarettes that include a slot for insertion of a golf tee.

Claims

1. A support comprising: an upper surface comprising a cradle shaped surface; a bottom surface comprising a slot configured for the top portion of a golf tee to be slid into the slot such the top portion of the golf tee can be secured to the support and the spike portion of the golf tee protrudes outside of the bottom surface.

2. The support of claim 1 wherein the slot is configured such that a top portion a golf tee may be removed from the slot.

3. The support of claim 1 wherein the support has the shape of an animal, further wherein the top surface and bottom surface are incorporated into the animal shape.

4. The support of claim 1 wherein the support is hollow.

5. The support of claim 1 wherein the support comprises a metal.

6. The support of claim 1 wherein the support comprises at least one polymer.

7. The support of claim 1 wherein the support is solid.

8. A support comprising: an upper surface configured to support a cigar or cigarette; a bottom surface comprising a slot configured for the top portion of a golf tee to be slid into the slot such the top portion of the golf tee can be secured to the support and the spike portion of the golf tee protrudes outside of the bottom surface.

9. The support of claim 8 having a support length from about 1.0 to about 3 inches.

10. The support of claim 8 having support height from about 0.25 to about 0.75 inches.

11. The support of claim 8 having a support width of about 0.5 to about 1.25 inches.

12. The support of claim 8 wherein the upper surface is a cradle shaped surface.

13. The support of claim 8 wherein the slot has an upper slot width of about 0.4 inches to about 0.5 inches and a lower slot width of about 0.03125 inches to about 0.6 inches.

14. The support of claim 8 wherein the support has the shape of an animal, further wherein the upper surface and bottom surface are incorporated into the animal shape.

15. The support of claim 14 wherein the top surface comprises a cradle shape.

16. The support of claim 14 wherein the cradle shape has a cradle depth of 0.125 to 0.5 inches.

17. A support comprising: an upper surface configured to support a cigar or cigarette; a bottom surface comprising a slot configured for the top portion of a golf tee to be slid into the slot; a nest that is contiguous with the slot and configured such the top portion of the golf tee can be inserted into the nest and secured to the nest and the spike portion of the golf tee protrudes outside of the bottom surface.

18. The support of claim 17 wherein the nest is cylindrical and has nest diameter of between about 0.375 inches to about 0.75 inches.

19. The support of claim 18 wherein the nest has a nest depth of between about 0.125 inches to about 0.25 inches.

20. The support of claim 17 wherein the support has the shape of an animal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a support.

[0006] FIG. 2 is an end view of an embodiment of a support.

[0007] FIG. 3 is an end view of an embodiment of a support.

[0008] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a support.

[0009] FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of a support.

[0010] FIG. 6 is a partially transparent, perspective view of an embodiment of a support.

[0011] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a support.

[0012] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a support.

[0013] FIG. 9 is a top view of an embodiment of a support.

[0014] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a support.

[0015] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a support.

[0016] FIG. 12 is a partially transparent, perspective view of an embodiment of a support.

[0017] FIG. 13. is an end view of an embodiment of a support.

[0018] FIG. 14A is a diagram of the insertion of a golf tee into the slot and nest of an embodiment of a support.

[0019] FIG. 14B is a perspective view of a support with a golf tee secured in the nest.

[0020] FIG. 15 is a side view of a support with a golf tee secured in the nest and holding a cigar.

[0021] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a support with a golf tee secured in the nest and holding a cigar.

[0022] FIG. 17 is an end view of a support with a golf tee secured in the nest and holding a cigar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a support 100 for a cigar or cigarette. Support 100 comprises an upper surface 101, a bottom surface 102, a first end 103, and second end 104, a first side 105, and a second side 106. In support 100, bottom surface 102 and first end 103 comprise a slot 107 that partially extends lengthwise through support 100 from the first end 103 towards the second end 104. In certain embodiments (not shown in FIG. 1), the slot may extend completely through the support from one end to another end wherein the support comprises a slot in the bottom surface, first end, and second end. In certain embodiments (not shown in FIG. 1), the slot may extend completely through the support from one side to the another side wherein the support comprises a slot in the bottom surface, first side, and second side.

[0024] The slot 107 comprises an upper slot width 108 and a lower slot width 109. Embodiments of the invention, such as e.g. support 100, may include a slot that is configured for a golf tee to be inserted into the slot such the that the top portion (wider) of the golf tee can be secured to the support while the spike portion (narrower) of the golf tee protrudes outside the support. In such embodiments, the golf tee may also be slid out of the slot (i.e., removed) such that it is no longer secured to the support and the support can easily be stored in a user's pocket and the golf tee may be used for teeing a golf ball or slid into the slot for further use. The sizing of the top of a golf tee and spike of a golf tee may vary, accordingly, the slot of embodiments of the invention can be configured to accommodate such different sizing of golf tees by varying the upper slot width, lower slot width, and/or shaping of the slot.

[0025] Certain embodiments of the invention have an upper slot width ranging from about 0.4 inches to about 0.6 inches. Certain embodiments of the invention have a lower slot width ranging from about 0.03125 inches to about 0.5 inches.

[0026] In support 100, the upper surface 101 comprises a cradle shaped surface. The cradle shaped surface of the upper surface 101 extends the width of the upper surface 101 from the first side 105 to the second side 106 and also extends the length of the upper surface 101 from the first end 103 to the second end 104.

[0027] In support 100, the first side 105 has a first side height 110 and the second side has a second side height 111. Support 100 has a support length 112 and a support width 113. In support 100, the first side height 110 and the second side height 111 are about the same throughout each point of the support length 112 from the first end 103 to the second end 104. In support 100, the first side height 110 is essentially the same at each point of the support length 112 from the first end 103 to the second end 104. In support 100, the second side height 111 is essentially the same and the first side height 110, extending from the first end 103 to the second end 104. In certain embodiments, the first side height and or second side height may vary (i.e., the height is not continuously the same throughout the support). In certain embodiments the first side height and the second side height are not the same at each point along the support length 112.

[0028] In embodiments of the invention, the support length, support height, first side height, and second side height may vary. Certain embodiments of the invention have a support length from about 1.0 inches to about 3.0 inches. Certain embodiments of the invention have a support width of about 0.5 inches to about 1.25 inches. Certain embodiments of the invention have a first side height of about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches. Certain embodiments of the invention have a second side height of about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a view of the first end 103 of support 100. In FIG. 2, slot end 114 is displayed. In support 100, a golf tee (or similar object with a wide top and narrow spiked bottom) can be inserted into the slot 107 (see FIG. 1) from the first end 103 and can be slid through the slot 107 (see FIG. 1) until it reaches the slot end 114. In certain embodiments where the slot extends completely through the support, the support does not include a slot end. In certain embodiments, the slot end of the support is at about the midpoint of the support length. In other embodiments, the slot end is located at a location other than the midpoint of the support length.

[0030] The support 100 includes a first cradle top 115, second cradle top 116, and cradle trough 117. In support 100, the upper surface 101 between the first cradle top 115, cradle trough 117, and second cradle top 116 is curved in a shape wherein the first cradle top 115 and second cradle top 116 are the highest points of the curve along the support width 113 and the cradle trough 117 is the lowest point of the curve. The first cradle height 118 is the vertical distance (not the circumferential distance) between the first cradle top 115 and the cradle trough 117. The second cradle height 119 is the vertical distance between the second cradle top 116 and the cradle trough 117. In support 100, the first cradle height 118 and the second cradle height 119 are about the same at each point along the support length 112 (see FIG. 1).

[0031] In embodiments of the invention, the first cradle height and second cradle height can be configured to accommodate differently shaped and sized cigars or cigarettes on the upper surface of the support.

[0032] In certain embodiments, the first cradle height and the second cradle height are not the same at each point along the support length. In certain embodiments the first cradle height is greater than the second cradle height at each point along the support length. In certain embodiments, the second cradle height is greater than the first cradle height at each point along the support length. In certain embodiments the first cradle height varies at different points along the support length. In certain embodiments the second cradle height varies at different points along the support length.

[0033] Certain embodiments of the invention have a first cradle height of about 0.125 inches to about 0.5 inches. Certain embodiments of the invention have a second cradle height of about 0.125 inches to about 0.5 inches.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a view of the second end 104 of support 100. FIG. 3 further shows the first cradle top 115, second cradle top 116, cradle trough 117, first cradle height 118, and second cradle height 119.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a view of the bottom surface 102 of support 100. FIG. 4 further shows the slot 107, the upper slot width 108, lower slot width 109, and slot end 114.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a view of the second side 106 of support 100. FIG. 5 further shows the second side height 111 and support length 112.

[0037] Embodiments of the invention include supports wherein the first side and/or second side and bottom surface of the support comprise a slot but the first end and second end do not comprise a slot.

[0038] Embodiments of the invention include supports that are irregular and/or asymmetrical. Certain embodiments of the invention are supports that are shaped like objects, people, places, animals, or any other shape.

[0039] Given the irregularity and/or asymmetry of some support embodiments, certain inventive supports do not have surfaces that can be easily characterized as sides or ends. Regardless of irregularity or asymmetry of the support, each embodiment of the invention comprises an upper surface configured to hold a cigar or cigarette, cradle shaped or otherwise, and a slot and/or a nest configured for a golf tee to be inserted into the slot and/or nest such the that a top portion of the golf tee can be secured to the support and the spike portion of the golf tee protrudes from the support such that the spike portion of the tee may be inserted into the ground/turf/other surface as desired.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a partially transparent view of an embodiment of a support 600 with a slot 601 and upper surface 602. The slot 601 has an upper slot width 603, a lower slot width 604, and slot height 605. Support 600 comprises a nest 606 that is contiguous with slot 601. Nest 606 has a nest depth 607 and a nest width of 608. Nest 606 is an approximately circular area of the support 600 that is contiguous to the slot 601. The nest width 608 of nest 606 is approximately the same as the upper slot width 603. The nest 606 is configured such that when a golf tee reaches the nest 606, which is contiguous with the slot 601, the golf tee can be inserted into the nest 606 by pushing the golf tee in the direction of the upper surface 602, thus securing the golf tee to support 600.

[0041] In embodiments of the invention, a nest is configured to allow a golf tee to be removed from the nest as desired by the user. In other words, the nest is not configured for permanent insertion of a golf teethe nest is configured for insertion of a golf tee and removal of a golf tee, as desired.

[0042] Certain embodiments of the invention may include only a nest in the bottom surface of the support and not have a slot.

[0043] In embodiments of the invention that include a nest, the nest depth and width can be configured to secure the top portion of differently sized golf tees. In embodiments of the invention, the nest is cylindrical and has a circular width (i.e., it has a constant diameter).

[0044] In certain embodiments of the invention, nest width of a support can range from of an inch to of an inch. In embodiments of the invention, the nest depth may range from can range from of an inch to of an inch.

[0045] In certain preferred embodiments of the invention the lower slot width is about 0.177 inches. In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the upper slot width is about 0.44 inches. In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the first cradle height and the second cradle height are about 0.125 inches.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a support 700 that is shaped like an alligator. As shown in FIG. 7, the support 700 is irregular but includes an upper surface 701, a portion of which is cradle shaped (on the back of the alligator), and a bottom surface 702 (the belly of the alligator).

[0047] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the upper surface 701 of support 700. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the upper surface 701 includes a portion which is cradle shaped, in particular the middle portion which includes first cradle top 703 and second cradle top 704 and a cradle trough 705. The upper surface 701, including first cradle top 703, second cradle top 704, and cradle trough 705, is configured to support a cigar or cigarette. In certain embodiments of the invention, the upper surface of the support may be configured only to support a cigarette. In other embodiments of the invention, the upper surface of the support may be configured only to support a cigar. In yet other embodiments of the invention (such as support 700), the upper surface of the support is configured to support a cigar or cigarette.

[0048] FIG. 9 is a top view of upper surface 701 of support 700. FIG. 9 shows the first cradle top 703, second cradle top 704, and cradle trough 705.

[0049] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of support 700 and parts of the bottom surface 702. FIG. 10 shows a slot 706 with lower slot width 707, upper slot width of 708, and slot height 709.

[0050] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of support 700. FIG. 11 further shows slot 706, lower slot width 707, slot end 710, nest 711, and nest width 712. Nest 711 is an approximately circular area of the support 700 that is contiguous to the slot 706. The nest width 712 of nest 711 is approximately the same as the upper slot width 708 (see FIG. 10). The nest 711 is configured such that when a golf tee reaches the nest 711, which is contiguous with the slot 706, the golf tee can be inserted into the nest 711 by pushing the golf tee in the direction of the upper surface 701 (see FIG. 7), thus securing the golf tee to support 700.

[0051] FIG. 12 is a partially transparent, perspective view of support 700. FIG. 12 shows slot end 710, nest 711, nest width 712 and nest depth 713.

[0052] FIG. 13 is an end view of support 700 (from the mouth end of the alligator). FIG. 13 further shows the cradle shape of the upper surface 701, including the first cradle top 703, second cradle top 704, and cradle trough 705.

[0053] FIG. 14A depicts the insertion process for a golf tee 714 into the slot 706 of support 700 and securing of the golf tee 114 in the nest 711 by upward movement of the golf tee 714 while in the slot 706.

[0054] FIG. 14B shows support 700 where golf tee 714 has been inserted into slot 706 (see FIG. 14A) and secured in the nest 711 (see FIG. 14A).

[0055] FIG. 15 shows a side view of support 700 where golf tee 714 has been inserted into slot 706 (see FIG. 14A) and secured in the nest 711 (see FIG. 14A) and holding a cigar 715 on the cradle shaped upper surface 701 (see FIG. 13).

[0056] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of support 700 where a golf tee 714 has been inserted into slot 706 (see FIG. 14A) and secured in the nest 711 (see FIG. 14A) and holding a cigar 715 on the cradle shaped upper surface 701 (see FIG. 13).

[0057] FIG. 17 shows a view of the end of the support 700 (the mouth end of the alligator) where a golf tee 714 has been inserted into slot 706 (see FIG. 14A) and secured in the nest 711 (see FIG. 14A) and holding a cigar 715 on the cradle shaped upper surface 701 (see FIG. 13).

[0058] Embodiments of the invention may comprise variety of materials, including, but not limited to, metal, ceramic, polymer(s), stone, wood, and/or combinations thereof.

[0059] Certain embodiments of a support pursuant to the invention may be completely solid, partially solid, hollow, and/or partially hollow.

[0060] Metals that may be used in inventive supports include, but are not limited to, gold, silver, brass, bronze, copper, zinc, magnesium aluminum, alloys of the preceding metals, and/or combinations thereof.

[0061] While the following describes preferred embodiments to the present invention, it is understood that this description is to be considered only as illustrative of the principles of the inventions described herein and is not to be limitative thereof. Numerous other variations, all within the scope of the claims, will readily occur to those of ordinary skill in the art.