Progressive Games, Inc.

Bruce E Hatton

Larry L Kinder

Neil J Ambrosio

William M Forsythe

Robert Keaton

William E Bratton

Terry Allen Adams

William A Swat

A vacuum filtration system especially adapted for removing smoke in the vicinity of ashtrays includes a vacuum manifold assembly for connecting a plurality of hoods adapted for placement over ashtrays to a common charcoal filter and vacuum blower/motor assembly. The vacuum manifold includes a plurality of flexible tubing segments secured to connectors. A plurality of replaceable disposable first stage filter elements in fluid communication with each of the hoods filter smoke prior to passage into the manifold, thus substantially reducing tar fouling of the system. In a first embodiment of the invention, the hood includes a circular disk shaped member which also functions as a drink coaster disposed in fluid communication with a conduit slidably received in a connector mounted in the table adjacent an ashtray location. The combined hood and coaster may be raised and disposed over an ashtray to collect smoke, or lowered against the table surface for use as a drink coaster. In a second embodiment of the invention, the hood includes a partially cylindrical rear shroud to enhance smoke containment and collection. A control box includes an on/off switch and a power on LED.

Vacuum filtration system especially adapted for removing smoke in the

Combined coaster and hood for removing smoke from ashtrays

Hood for collecting smoke from ashtrays

Ashtray

A smokeless ashtray system includes a vacuum manifold connecting a plurality of ashtrays to a charcoal filter and a vacuum blower/motor assembly. The vacuum manifold includes spiral wound metal flexible metal tubing segments secured to connectors by heat shrink tubing. L connectors connect end most ashtray locations to the manifold, T connectors connect intermediate ashtray locations, and a four-way connector connects a central ashtray location to the manifold and to the charcoal filter and blower/motor assembly. Each ashtray location includes a flue member having a first end threaded into the associated connector and a second end inserted within a recess formed centrally in a bottom surface of a cup-shaped ashtray. A connector mounting bracket includes locating apertures engaging alignment pins extending from a flat upper surface of the connector, and a flange on the flue member clamps the bracket to the connector. Screws secure mounting flanges of the bracket to the underside of a table or other mounting surface. A central chimney in the ashtray includes a shield dome covering an open top end to prevent ashes and other debris from entering the air flow path. A replaceable disposable coalescing filter element in the flue member filters smoke prior to passage into the manifold, thus substantially reducing tar fouling of the system. A control box includes an on/off switch, a power on LED, and a service needed LED activated by monitoring load on the motor to indicate filter clogging.

Smokeless ashtray system

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Bruce E Hatton