Stand for electrically heated cigarette smoking device

• US 20040261802A1
• Filed: 06/30/2003
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philip Morris USA Incorporated (Altria Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Philip Morris USA Incorporated (Altria Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Griffin, William T., Adams, John M., Higgins, Charles T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,293,565 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 131/194
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/90 Arrangements or methods specially adapted for charging batteries thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

A stand for an electrically heated cigarette smoking device can removably support an electrically heated cigarette smoking device, which includes a rechargeable power supply. The stand is configured to fit in a receptacle, such as a receptacle in a vehicle. Charging electronics controls charging of the rechargeable power supply when the electrically heated cigarette smoking device is supported by the stand, and the electrically heated cigarette smoking device or stand is electrically connected to the external power supply.

Claims

1. A stand for an electrically heated cigarette smoking device, comprising:

an outer surface configured to removably mate with a cup holder; and

an opening configured to removably receive an electrically heated cigarette smoking device including a rechargeable power supply and charging electronics, and a charger for the electrically heated cigarette smoking device.

2. The stand of claim 1, wherein the outer surface includes a peripheral edge configured to contact a surface defining the cup holder when the stand is placed in the cup holder so as to position a portion of the stand external to the cup holder.

3. The stand of claim 1, further comprising one or more fasteners adapted to attach the stand to an external surface.

4. An electrically heated cigarette smoking system, comprising:

the stand according to claim 1;

an electrically heated cigarette smoking device including a rechargeable power supply;

a charger for the electrically heated cigarette smoking device; and

an electrical conductor for electrically connecting the charger to an external power source.

5. The electrically heated cigarette smoking system of claim 4, wherein the electrical conductor includes a plug configured to mate with a socket of an electric cigarette lighter of a vehicle.

6. The electrically heated cigarette smoking system of claim 4, wherein the rechargeable power supply comprises at least one rechargeable battery, and the power source is a 6, 9, 12 or 24 volt direct current power source.

7. A stand for an electrically heated cigarette smoking device, comprising:

a base configured to removably support an electrically heated cigarette smoking device including a rechargeable power supply, the base including electrical contacts which electrically contact electrical contacts on the electrically heated cigarette smoking device to electrically connect the rechargeable power supply to the stand, and a surface configured to fit removably in a receptacle and/or to support the stand on an external surface; and

optional charging electronics provided in the base, the charging electronics being operable to control charging of the rechargeable power supply;

wherein the stand is operable to supply electrical power to the rechargeable power supply and charging electronics when the electrically heated cigarette smoking device is supported on the base and the stand is electrically connected to the external power supply via an electrical conductor.

8. The stand of claim 7, wherein the base is configured to support the electrically heated cigarette smoking device in an upright orientation when the stand is removably received in the receptacle and/or supported on the external surface.

9. The stand of claim 7, wherein the stand includes an opening configured to removably receive the electrically heated cigarette smoking device.

10. The stand of claim 7, further comprising an electrical conductor for electrically connecting the stand to the external power source, the stand providing electrical power to the rechargeable power supply and charging electronics when (i) the electrically heated cigarette smoking device is supported on the stand with the rechargeable power supply electrically connected to the stand and (ii) the stand is electrically connected to the external power supply via the electrical conductor.

11. The stand of claim 7, wherein the electrical conductor includes a plug configured to mate with a socket of an electric cigarette lighter of a vehicle.

12. The electrically heated cigarette smoking system of claim 7, wherein the rechargeable power supply comprises at least one rechargeable battery, and the power source is a 6, 9, 12 or 24 volt direct current power source.

13. The stand of claim 7, wherein:

the rechargeable power supply is a direct current power supply;

the power source is a direct current power source; and

the charging electronics includes electronics adapted to (i) convert direct current supplied by the power source to alternating current, and (ii) convert the alternating current to direct current which charges the rechargeable power supply.

14. The stand of claim 7, wherein the receptacle is a vehicle car cup holder, the stand being sized to mate with the receptacle.

15. The stand of claim 7, wherein the stand includes a peripheral edge configured to contact a surface defining the receptacle when the stand is placed in the receptacle so as to position a portion of the stand external to the receptacle.

16. The stand of claim 7, further comprising one or more fasteners to attach the stand to the external surface.

17. An electrically heated cigarette smoking system, comprising:

the stand according to claim 7;

and

an electrically heated cigarette smoking device including a rechargeable power supply.

18. A stand for an electrically heated cigarette smoking device, comprising:

electrical contacts;

an inner surface configured to removably support an electrically heated cigarette smoking device including a rechargeable power supply with the rechargeable power supply electrically connected to the stand via the electrical contacts;

an outer surface configured to fit removably in a receptacle and/or to support the stand on an external surface;

an electrical conductor for electrically connecting the electrically heated cigarette smoking device or the stand to an external power source; and

optional charging electronics operable to control charging of the rechargeable power supply;

wherein electrical power is supplied to the rechargeable power supply and charging electronics when the electrically heated cigarette smoking device is supported on the stand and the electrical conductor is electrically connected to the external power supply.

19. An electrically heated cigarette smoking system, comprising:

the stand according to claim 18;

and

an electrically heated cigarette smoking device including a rechargeable power supply.