US1513081A - Match box - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 28. 1924.

A. Y. S. ALBUM MATCH BOX Filed Feb. 20.

1923 2 SheetsShee'. 1

Get. 28 1.924.

A. .Y. S. ALBUM MATCH BOX Zinnia-Shea. 2

Filed Feb. 20. 1923 attouwia Patented Oct. 28, 1924a PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLPH Y. S. ALBUIVI, OF MAYWOOD, ILLINOIS.

MATCH BOX.

Application filed February 20, 1923.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, AnoLPH Y. S. ALBUM, a citizen or the United States, residing at Maywood, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Match Box, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention is a match box and relates to that type of match box wherein matches are automatically and. singly delivered. from the box and ignited when the lid of the box is opened the lid being automatically swung open when the latch means is released. In the present invention a portion of the match stem is retained in the box and its ignited end held behind the lid, which provides a wind-shield. After the match has been consumed or permitted to burn as long as desired it can be withdrawn from the box and the lid closed, the matches with-- in the box feeding automatically into position for repeated operation.

The match box of the present invention can be of any shape or design and ornamented as desired, and is to be of such size as can be conveniently carried in a vest pocket or hand-bag.

The object of the present invention is to provide a match box of the above stated character which is simple in construction, having few operating parts which will not readily get out of order thus rendering the device durable and lasting, and one which can be manufactured at a small cost.

The invention resides in the sundry details of construction and combination of parts herein set forth.

Tn this specification. and the annexed drawings the invention is disclosed. in the form in which it is considered to be the best, but the invention is not limited to such form because it is capable being embodied in other forms; and it is to be understood that in and by the claims following the descrip tion herein it is intended to cover the invention in whatever form it may embody within the scope thereof. i

In the drawings which form a part of the specification, wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention, as at present devised, is illustrated- Figure l is a perspective view of the Serial No. 620,302.

match box of the invention, with the lid open and showing the match ignited.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the match box with the lid closed.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the match-box showing the same closed and in position to be opened.

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional view of the lid of thematch-box in open position as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side view showing the lid partially open and the match-box being in striking engagement with the igniter.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectiona view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 4:, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 77 of Fig. at. looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the igniter, and

Fig. 9 is a detail view of the match-holding means.

Like characters of reference refer to similar and like parts throughout the specification and drawings.

In the drawings the match-box is shown as comprising a rectangular-shaped casin but the casing may be of any shape, style or design as may be found desirable.

The upper end of the casing is normally closed by a hinged plate 2, and the bottom end of the casing is closed by a suitable cover or plate 3, removably connected thereto, or mounted in such a manner as to readily permit refilling the same with matches. For convenience the wall a is termed the front wall, and the wall 6, the rear or back wall. To the upper edge of the rear wall is hingedly mounted, as at 4, a lid 5, and the cover plate 2. which is likewise hinged at l. is formed with an opening d therein. at a point adjacent the hinged connection.

The lid 5 is normally held closed by a suitable latch spring 6, in the present instance consisting of a leaf spring secured'at 7 to the casing andhaving a detent 8 at its other endto engage in a suitable recess 9 in the distal end of the lid. This latch'is further provided with an inwardly extending detent 2 which normally lies in path of movement of the cover plate 2 and main tains the latter close. By pressing the latch 6, however, outwardly at its upper end, the detent 2 will be su'tlicient'ly moved to permit the cover plate 2 to be swung open in order that the magazine X may be replenished with matches. Of course, the form of latch means may be varied as desired without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The lid 5 is automatically thrown open to the position indicated in Figures 1 and at, and to this end an arm is pivoted at one end, as at 11, to one of the side walls of the casing and within the same. A. link 12 has its ends pivotally connected, respectively, to the arm 10, as at 13, and to the lid 5, as at 14: the intermediate portion of its length slida'bly extending through a suitable slot 15 in the top of the plate 2. The arm 10 is acted upon by a coil spring 16 within the casing, which normally creates tension upon the arm to throw the lid 5 to the open positions shown in Figs. 1 and 4-. The arm 10 is limited in its upward movement by a suitable stop abutment 17, projecting inwardly from the adjacent wall from the casing The spring 12, preferably consisting of a strand of resilient wire coiled once upon itself, has one end suitably secured, such as by solder, to one wall of the casing, and the other end bearing upon the under side of the arm 10. The end of the spring engaging the arm 10 is held in place against accidental displacement by a guide 18, formed by a strip of metal folded upon itself and. having its opposite legs embracing and secured to the arm 10, thus providing a pocket into which the free end of the spring 16 extends.

From the above, it willbe seen that when the latch 6 is depressed to release it from the recess 9 in the lid, the spring 16 will exert its pressure to move the lid to the open position, as in'the drawings.

The operating mechanism just described is positioned against one side of the wall casing and, on account of its construction and arrangement, occupies little space within the casing, This operating mechanism is covered by a suitable plate or shield 19 to protect the same from interference by the matches which are to be contained also within the casing. Between the plate 19 and the opposite side wall casing 1 is provided a magazine or containing receptacle of the match-box The longitudinal edge of the plate 19 j acent the rear wall Z2 is bent upon itself to form the trough or channel 20, lying within the, magazine, to receive and position the matches with discharge opening (Z. This positioning member 20 is spaced from the rear wall I) to form a passage or slide way for the block 21, carrying the ejector finger 22, and'is also offset inwardly relative to the plate 19 so as to align the channel 20 with the discharge opening (Z in the top plate 2. p p p p The matches are arranged in the magazine w in substantially parallel relation and to extend longitudinally with the casing, with their ignitible ends adjacent the top vall 2 thereof. They are to drop by gravit -x into the channel 20 and to be engaged at their bottom ends and ejected through the opening (Z when the lid 5 is swung open.

To this end the slide 21 has its face op posing the channel 20 recessed correspondingly with the contour of the outer surface of the channel, whereby the latter acts a guide for the slide. The channel member 20 is formed in its bottom with. a longitudinal slot 23 extending a suflicient length throughout the channel to permit a desired degree of ejection of the match, the ejector finger 22 projecting from the slide through the slot into the channel member a distance equal to the diameter of the match.

The slide 21 is further provided with a pocket or recess 24: into which the distal end of the arm 10 extends, this end of the arm being suitably rounded or formed to have a loose rocking engagement with the block. It will thus be seen that when the lid is closed and the arm 10 depressed against the tension of the spring 16, the slide 21 and its ejector 22 will also be moved to its lowermost position in the casing, and when the lid is moved to open position, the slide and its ejector will be moved upwardly in the casing. In otl er words, the slide block 21 is reciprocated synchronously with the. open ing and closing movement of the lid by the spring 16.

The matches within the magazine are fed to the channel or positioning member 20 singly by gravity; and to provide a proper feeding of the matches, suitable guides are provided to prevent crowding or jamming of the matches. To effect this result aguide plate 25 is secured to the plate 19 at a point somewhat remote from the channel 20. This plate is preferably co-extensive with the plate 19 and extends toward the channel 20 at substantially an acute angle relative to the plate19, the other longitudinal edge of the plate 25 being bent longitudinally toward the plate 19 and secured'to it at point ad; jacent, but slightly spaced from. the channel 20, as shown particularly in 6 and T. To the opposite side wall the match-box is secured another guide plate 26, preferably co-eXtensive therewith, curved transversely toward the free edge of the channel or trough .20. Thus, will be seen that the plates 25 and 26 cooperate to form aconverging throat 0, the reduced end of which being substantially the same width as the diameter of an ordinary match, thereby requiring the matches to pass into the positioning member 20 successively.

The guide plate 26 has a pair of spaced slits therein at a medial portion of its free edge adjacent the channel 20, these slits providing a resilient tongue 2?, the distal end of which has a lateral projection 28 lying in the path of the projection 29 on the slide 21. Therefore, as the slide isreciprocated, the resilient tongue 27 is caused to movein and out of the throat, the effect being to move the matches and thereby relieve any jamming or binding therein as they feed tl'u'ough the throat 0. This tongue also acts as a restrictor to prevent the matches from passing through the throat during the reciprocating movements of the slide 21.

The bottom 3 of the casing may be permanently secured to or made integral with the casing, or may be attached thereto so as to be readily opened in order to recharge the magazine it in case the cover 2 is not hinged or otherwise removable. This bottom is shown in the drawings as having inwardly bent lugs 11 on one end which hook in and engage the openings in the lower edge of the rear wall 6, the opposite edge of the bottom being provided with a resilient detent latch 40 to engage a recess in the front wall. The inner face of the bottom 3 supports a false bottom 3 which closes the bottom of the magazine as indicated, but which is cut away under the positioning member 20 for the purpose of peri'nitting the slide 21 to carry the ejector finger 22 below the plane of the false bottom, whereby finger 22 will move underneath the end of the match next to feed into the positioning channel 20.

To prevent the match from falling below the false bottom through opening a, a spring arm 30 is secured at one end, as at 31, to a fixed portion of the casing, preferably to the outer face of the plate19, and has its other end extended around the positioning member, with its extremity ejecting through the slot 23, into the match positioning channel 20. Normally this extremity 32 lies as indicated in the drawing, above the false bottom 1 to keep the lower end of the match out of alignment with the opening a.

The under face of the lid 5 carries a striker holder 33 adapted to retain an igniter of suitable character, according to types or makes of matches the user ma y prefer. This holder 33 is, preferably, curved slightly and is held in position by a flat leaf spring 35 connected to it, and to the under side 5 of the lid, as at 36, thus maintaining theholder in yieldably spaced relation to the lid.

The operation of this device is as follows:

Assuming that there are several matches in the magazine m, and the match-bo xais grasped in the manner illustrated in Figure 3 to depress the latch 6, oneof ,the matches will feed between the guide plates 25 and 26 and rest upon the positioning channel member 20. The lid being closed, the slide 21 is in the position shown in Figure 3, and the ejecting tongue will lie flush with the false bottom end under the lower end of the positioned match. As soon as the latch 6 is depressed, the spring 16, acting upon the arm 10 will move the lid to open position and simultaneously move the slide 21 upwardly, the ignitable end of the match being projected through the discharge opening D into engagement with the igniter 34. As the slide block continues its upward or ejecting movement, the end of the match will. be scraped along the surface of the igniter in a manner which will be readily understood,

since the lid 5 and the slide 21 move in unison. On account of the yieldabilit-y of the igniter holder 33, any undue pressure, is relieved without resulting in the breaking of the match stem.

The match thus ignited may be left in. the position shown in Figures 1 and 1, and the cigarette or cigar can be lighted therefrom without removing the match while burning. the lid 5, forming a windshield to pro test the flame from extinguishing drafts.

If it is desired to light a pipe, or to use the match for other purposes, it can be readily moved from the opening (Z. As soon as the match stem has been moved, the lid 5 may be pressed against the action of the spring 16 to its closed position. Simultaneous with this movement of the lid, the slide 21 ismoved downwardly to the position, shown in Fig. 4, and upon reaching its lowermost position, will engage the spring arm 30, depressing the end 32 thereof to a point below the false bottom with the ejector finger 22 of the slide lying flush with the false bottom, thus permitting the lower end of the next succeeding match to rest thereupon, when the box is positioned. to cause the feeding of the matches onto the, positioning channel 20 by gravity. During the reciprocating movements of the slide 21 the tongue 2.7 will prevent crowding or jamming through the throat c and alsode-finitely restrict feeding of the match during the operation of the slide.

lihen it is desired to have the match burn its full length; while in th casing, moved upwardly in the opening (Z and its lower end grip between the arms of the sprin clip 38. which is U-shaped having its opposite arms lying on opposite sides of the opening (Z.

The above fully describes the invention, and it will be manifest therefrom. that a very simple economic and efiicient automatic match igniting match safe has been provided.

What is claimed as new and upon which. I desireto obtain Letters Patent is:

1. A match-boxhaving a magazine therein, a lid for said box, means for ejecting a match from said magazine when said lid is open, actuating means for operating said ejector, a connection between said actuating means and said lid, whereby the lid maybe opened by the former, and means for maintaining said lid in closed position. I

2. 'A match-box having a magazine therein, a lid for said box, means for ejecting a match from said magazine when said lid is open, an automatic actuator therefor and operablemembers connected with said ejector and said lid and acted upon by said actuator for actuating said ejector, and said lid together, and means for releasably maintaining said lid in. closed position.

7 3. A match-box having amagazi'ne therein, a lid for's'aid'boxnneans for partially ejecting a match from said magazine when said lid. is open, ineans'for actuating said ejector with movement of said lid,and means on the lid with which the head of the match contacts.

4. A match box of the kind set forth in claim 3 furthercharacterized by said lid forming a windshield at one side of the ignited match when the lid is opened.

5. A match-box having a magazine therein, a lid for said box, means for ejecting a' match from said magazine when said lid is open, a pivoted arm in engagement with said e ector, a spring actuator engaging the arm for moving thesame in one direction,

and a link between said lid and said arm whereby the actuator will move said lid to open position and operate said ejector synchronously, said parts being moved to nor mal position when the lid is closed, and releasable means for maintaining said lid in closed position.

6. A match box oi": the kind set forth in. claim 1 further characterized by said lid having thereon a yieldably mounted igniter means over which the match moves in frictional contact as it is ejected from the box and the lid swung open.

.7. A matchbox having a discharge opening therein, match positioning means in said box for aligning matches successively with relation to said opening, a magazine in said box from which matches feed to said positiojning means, guide means in said. magazine forming a restricted passage for directing the matches therein to said positioning means, an ejector member slidably mounted within the box and extending into the positioning means, and spring means in the box connected with said slide to cause the latter to successively e ect the matches fed to said positioning means, said e ector being adapted to normally lie below the wall of the mag:

azine whereby the lower end'of the matches ted to said positioning means will lie in advance oi the ejector.

8. A match-box as set forth in claim I, further characterized by means for preventing matches from feeding onto said positioning means when said ejector is outrof normal position.

9. A match-box as set forth in claim 7, further characterized by a yieldable guard member positioned below said ejector and adapted to move into said positioning means when the ejector is out of normal position to prevent matches from feeding onto said positioning'means, said guard being depressed below the magazine bottom wall when the ejector is moved to normal position.

10. A match box having a discharge opening therein, match positioning meansin the box for aligning matches successively with relation to said opening, a magazine in said box'from which matches feed to said positioning means, guide means in said magazine forming a restricted passage for direct ing the matches therein to the positioning means, an ejector member slidably mounted in the box and extending into said positioning means, spring means in the box connected with said slide to cause the latter to successively eject the matches fed to said positioning means, and a movable member between said guide means actuated by the movements of said slide, whereby the matches feeding between said guide means are agitated to prevent jamming there between.

11. A match-box having a discharge opening therein, match-positioning means in the box for aligning the matches successively with respect to said opening,a magazine in'the box from which the matches feed 'by gravity onto said positioning means,

guide-plates in said magazine forming a restricted passage for directing the matches therein to the positioning means, a spring tongue mounted to move into and out of said passage between the guide plates,--an ejector member slidably mounted in the box and extending into said positioning means, means for actuating said ejector, said spring tongue being actuated by said ejector.

12. A match-box having a discharge ope-ning in the top wall thereof, magazine in the box to contain matches, a troughrlilie member within the box and aligned with said opening and positioned to receive matches from said magazine fed therefrom by gravity, a slot in saidtroughelike member extending from the lower end of the latter for a distance longitudinally of the same, an ejector member slidably mountedv in the box longitudinally oi: said troughlike member, and having a projection extending into said slot, whereby matches fed to, said trough-like member are ejected through said opening, means for normally urging said lid to opening position, and a connection between said means and said ejector, whereby the latter is moved to ejecting position synchronously to the opening movement of said lid.

13. A match-box as set forth in claim 12, further characterized by guide-plates between said magazine and said trough-like member providing a restricted passage to the latter, and means in said passage operated by the movement of said ejector to prevent jamming of the matches therethrough.

l l, A match-box as set forth in claim 12, further characterized by the ejector means movable to normally lie below the bottom wall of the magazine, whereby the lower end of the matches fed toksaid trough-like member lie in advance of said ejector, and a spring finger arranged below said ejector and adapted to move into said trough-like member above the bottom wall of the magazine when the ejector is moved out of normal position, whereby said spring finger prevents matches feeding onto said trough- 7 like member when the ejector is out of its normal position.

15. A match-box having a discharge opening therein, match-positioning means in the box alined with said opening and onto which matches successively feed, an ejector slidably mounted in the box and extending into said positioning means to successively eject matches therefrom, said ejection being adapted to normally lie at the bottom of said positioning means, whereby the lower end of matches fed to the positioning means will lie in advance of the ejector, and a yieldable guard positioned below the ejector and adapted to move into said positioning means when the ejector is out of normal position toprevent matches from feeding onto said positioning means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ADOLPH Y. S. ALBUM,

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