US1664498A - Cigarette case - Google Patents

Description

April 3, 1928.

F. E. wmaflatui CIGARETTE cKsE Filed Marc 7, '1927 Patented Apr. 3, 1928.

UNITED STATES-PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK E. WAKEFIELD, OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ILLINOIS WATCH CASE COMPANY, OF ELGIN,.ILLINOIS; A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CIGARETTE 'cnsE.

Application filed March 7, 1927. Serial N 0. 173,256;

This invention relates to a case suitable for containing small articles such as cigarettes and the like, and is concerned with a special cover construction, together with a release means therefor;

It is an object of my invention to provide a small case, suitable for carrying in the pocket or elsewhere, which will have one open side normally closed by a pair of hinged covers in one of which is a container 'for articles which, when the covers are opened, are presented in a position convenient for withdrawal. In connection with such a case I have aimed to provide spring release means by which both covers may be opened simutaneously in response to pressure manually exerted. The case of this invention is, furthermore, designed with a view to compactness, to beproduced and assembled with a minimum of effort and expense, and'to withstand ordinary usage over a long period of time.

A suggestive embodiment of my invention is set forth in the accompanying drawing in the manner following: x

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the case with the covers in closed position; i

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the covers open;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig.4 is a similar view taken on l of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in plan show ing one corner of the case, thecovers being v partly broken away to expose the release means interiorly thereof.

The case, in the form shown, comprises a generally rectangular body A having a bot tom 6 surrounded by marginal walls 7 with an inturned bezel 8. At its two ends the walls may be extended slightly beyond the bezel so as to lie to the outside of proximate marginal walls 9 which depend from three sides of two complementary covers B and C which together form a closure for the case. These covers are connected to opposite side walls of the case as by means of spring hinges 10 each of which tends normally to move its associated cover to an open position, as shown in Fig. 2. In closed position the cover walls may rest upon the bezel which constitutes a stop therefor.

It is preferred that the two case covers should extend from their hinged edges for inc 454 '19 in the end wall 7.

unequal distances. The cover designated as B is the larger and extends across the major portion of the open face of the case. The remaining portion of this openingis closed by the cover C so that when both covers are shut, a complete closure is provided, as indicated in Fig. 1. The larger of these two covers may be provided with a pair of supports 11 arranged adjacent the end walls 9 and providing means towhich maybe conspace for the reception of such articles as cigarettes D of which four are shown in tiveto the case body so thatwhen the latter -1s rested'upon a horizontal surface, the covnected the opposite ends of a strap or band '12, preferably of elastic material. Between this 'bandand' the body of the cover is a erswill be disposed'vertically, when opened up. Accordingly, whatever contents are carried by the cover B are brought to a vertical position with their ends projected upwardly beyond the cover so as to be convenient for removal from the case.

Both covers, when 1n closed position are releasably held. This is accomplished by latch devices one at each end of the case,

and each, by preference, a duplicate of the other. These devices may include, in each instance, a spring arm .15 having one end. 16 secured fast to'the case wall 7 between its bezel 8 and the case bottom 6. If de sired, a strap 17 connected with the bezel and the case bottom may overlie the spring arm, as shown, at approximately the point where it is required to bend when moved to release position. At its free end the spring arm is connected with a button in the form of a plate 18 which extends through a slot Interiorly of'the case this button carries a pair of upstanding lugs 20 each having a beveled head 21 providing, in effect, a catch which is adapted to engage with a shoulder 22 formed on the inner face of one cover wall 9 preferably by providing a recess therein. The two catches 21 are so positioned relative to the covers B and C that one will engage each cover. Since a duplicate latch mechanism is provided for each end ofthe case, it follows that each of the two covers is held at its opposite ends when moved to closed posi tion, as shown in Fig. 1.

To open the case, pressure is applied simultaneously to the two buttons 18. Thereupon the catches are released from engagement with the covers so that the latter are free to open in response to the pressure of the springs associated with their respective hinges. The cigarettes or other articles which normally occupy the entire space between the opposite side walls of the case are raised with the cover B. By providing two such covers adapted for simultaneous operation, cigarettes longer than the width of one cover can be carried thereby and brought to an elevated position for removal from the case. This is a feature which conduces to convenience.

A case of the kind described may be made very compact in size. Its contents, such as cigarettes, are secured in place by some such simple means as an elastic strap, so that the withdrawal thereof requires only an end- Wise movement, the ends of the cigarettes being otherwise unconfined when the covers are brought to elevated position.

I claim: 7

1.'A case having marginal walls, a pair of covers hinged to opposite walls of the case and having spring means for normally swinging to open position, one of the covers providing a closure for" the major portion for removably supportcase and adapted con ointly to provide a V closure therefor, means for removably supporting in one cover articles which are swung out of the case whenboth covers are opened, and latch means carried by the case for releasably holding either or both of the two covers in closed position upon the case, substantially as described.

3. A case having marginal walls, a pair of covers hinged to opposite walls of the case and providing COIlJ-OllltlY a closure therefor,

a bezel extending inwardly from the case walls providing a stop for the covers when brought to closed p0siti'on, and latch means carried by the case providing a releasable catch by which the two covers are normally held independently-of each other in closed position, substantially as described.

FRANK E. WAKEFIELD.

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