ILLUMINATED COASTER

• US 20040114352A1
• Filed: 12/13/2002
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christopher A. Jensen
• Original Assignee: Christopher A. Jensen
• Inventors: Jensen, Christopher A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,793,363 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/101
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 23/0309 Illuminated

Abstract

An illuminated coaster includes a base with a body having upper and lower ends and a generally frusto-conical configuration enclosing a compartment. A resilient, insulative sleeve comprising foam rubber, polyurethane or some other suitable material is mounted on the body upper end and forms a container receiver adapted to selectively receive the lower end of a container. A lighting system is located generally in the compartment and includes a power source, such as a battery set. A light source is selectively connected to the battery set through a switching component and can comprise a bulb and socket or an LED, either of which can be mounted below the transparent lens for projecting light upwardly into a container in the container receiver. Modified embodiments of the illuminated coaster include horizontal/annular, helical and vertical ribs located on the inside of the sleeve for engaging a container received therein.

Claims

1. An illuminated coaster, which includes:

a base assembly including a sidewall with an exterior surface, said sidewall generally enclosing a compartment;

said base assembly including a container sleeve with a receiver adapted to removably receive a beverage container;

a lighting system generally positioned in said compartment and including a light source oriented outwardly from said base assembly and a power source selectively connected to said light source;

2. The invention according to claim 1, which includes said lighting system having a lens mounted on said base assembly between said compartment and said receiver.

3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said sleeve has a generally tubular configuration with an open upper end adapted to receive said beverage container and a lower end located generally over said lens.

4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said lighting system includes a reflector mounted below said lens and a bulb mounted in said reflector.

5. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said lens provides support for said beverage container.

6. The invention according to claim 1, which includes:

said power source comprising a battery pack selectively electrically connected to said bulb.

7. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said sleeve comprises an insulative foam-type material.

8. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said lighting system includes a switch operably disposed between said light source and said power source.

9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein said switch is mounted on said sidewall and is accessible at said sidewall outer surface.

10. The invention according to claim 8 wherein said switch comprises a momentary contact, pressure-type switch with a closed position when said coaster is placed on a surface and an open position with said coaster separated from the surface.

11. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said sleeve includes multiple ribs projecting into said container receiver and adapted for engaging said vessel.

13. The invention according claim 11 wherein said ribs extend generally vertically in spaced relation along the interior face of said sleeve.

14. The invention according claim 11 wherein said ribs are helical and extend along the interior face of said sleeve between its top and bottom.

15. The invention according claim 1 wherein said light source comprises an LED.

12. The invention according to claim 111 wherein said ribs are generally annular and horizontal, and are positioned in spaced relation in the interior of said sleeve.

16. An illuminated coaster for a transparent/translucent beverage container with a sidewall and a bottom, which coaster includes:

a base assembly including a body with upper and lower ends and a generally frusto-conical sidewall with an exterior surface, said sidewall enclosing a compartment;

said base assembly further including a generally tubular sleeve with upper and lower open ends and a generally tubular configuration forming an upwardly-open container receiver adapted to receive said container bottom and sidewall adjacent to said container bottom, said sleeve comprising an insulative, resilient foam material and including multiple ribs projecting inwardly into said receiver;

said base assembly further including a bottom plate adapted for selectively covering said body lower end;

a bottom plate mounting mechanism including multiple lugs on said body sidewall projecting into said compartment and multiple hooks extending upwardly from said bottom plate and adapted for selectively engaging respective said lugs; and

a lighting system including a power source comprising a battery container mounted in said compartment and including multiple battery receivers each adapted to receive a respective battery, a lens mounted in said body upper end at said sleeve lower end, a reflector mounted in said compartment below said lens, said reflector being oriented generally upwardly, a socket and bulb mounted in said reflector and selectively connected to said power source and a switch mounted on said body sidewall and accessible at the exterior surface thereof, said switch having a closed positioned connecting said power source and said bulb and an open position disconnecting same.

17. The invention according to claim 16 wherein said lighting system includes a programmable controller connected to said power source and said bulb.

18. The invention according to claim 16 wherein said ribs are generally annular and horizontal, and are positioned in spaced relation in the interior of said sleeve.

19. The invention according claim 16 wherein said ribs extend generally vertically in spaced relation along the interior face of said sleeve.

20. The invention according claim 16 wherein said ribs are helical and extend along the interior face of said sleeve between its top and bottom.