US5337766A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Floatable toothpick assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-09-07
•
Granted: 1994-08-16
•
Expires: 2013-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A toothpick assembly which includes a pointed lower end to piercingly connect to a piece of garnish, such as an olive or a cherry, and a buoyant float about the toothpick and adjacent the upper end of the toothpick to float a piece of garnish in a beverage which can be retrieved by grasping the upper end of the toothpick.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry Lane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:53
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G21/00; A47G2200/00; A47G2200/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A toothpick assembly comprising an elongate length segment having a first lower end zone with a pointed tip, a first upper opposite end zone and a main length of generally cylindrical cross-section between the end zone, a buoyant float means with a) an upper surface, b) a lower end, and c) a side surface extending between the upper surface and the lower end, said float means being disposed on said main length adjacent said first upper opposite end zone, and said float means being sufficiently buoyant to float in a beverage with the first upper opposite end zone extending above a top level of the beverage when a garnish is piercingly captivated adjacent the first lower end zone, and said first upper opposite end zone being structured and disposed to provide an accessible finger gripping surface for use in lifting the assembly and the garnish thereon from a floating disposition in the beverage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A toothpick assembly comprising an elongate length segment having a first lower end zone with a pointed tip, a first upper opposite end zone and a main length of generally cylindrical cross-section between the end zone, a buoyant float means with a) an upper surface, b) a lower end, and c) a side surface extending between the upper surface and the lower end, said float means being disposed on said main length adjacent said first upper opposite end zone, and said float means being sufficiently buoyant to float in a beverage with the first upper opposite end zone extending above a top level of the beverage when a garnish is piercingly captivated adjacent the first lower end zone, and said first upper opposite end zone being structured and disposed to provide an accessible finger gripping surface for use in lifting the assembly and the garnish thereon from a floating disposition in the beverage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the float means includes a through bore sized to snugly receive the main length therein for sliding movement of adjustment between the end zones along the main length to a position adjacent the second upper opposite end zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second first upper opposite end zone is tapered to a pointed end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the elongate length segment is of wood.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the elongate length segment is of plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said upper surface of said buoyant float means is of a greater cross-sectional area than the lower end and said side surface, extending between the upper surface and lower end, tapers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongate length segment and said float are integral.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein handle means are provided on the float means extending upwardly from the upper surface thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongate length segment is between 21/2 inches and 41/2 inches in length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional of said main length is between 1/16 of an inch and 1/8 of an inch in diameter and said elongate length segment is of circular cross-section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1253579A
Cited
US1916646A
Cited
US1991871A
Cited
US3078856A
Cited
US3099565A
Cited
US3646628A
Cited
NL7908774A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-15 | 1998-02-14 | 1998-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-15 | 2002-02-14 | 2002-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-15 | 2006-02-14 | 2006-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |