US1709330A - Ash tray and cigar extinguisher - Google Patents

Description

April 16, 1929. r c. TH O MAS- 1,709,330

:ASH TRAY AN]? CIGAR EXTINGUISHER Filed Oct. 16, 1925 W I T134 INVENTOR Beg z'naZd 6227mm wiw z A TTORNEY PATENT OFFICE.

REGINALD O. THOMAS, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

ASH TRAY CIGAR EXTINGUISHER.

Application filed October 16, 1925. Serial No. 62,709.

'to provide a neat, simplified and inexpensive form of receptacle for receiving, holding, extinguishing the lighted end of one or more cigars introduced into the same and which will additionally function as a receptacle for receiving ashes flicked from the cigar while in use and for receiving the ashes and cigar butts after the latter has been extinguished.

In this specification and in the annexed claims the expression cigar is used in a generic sense to indicate the conventional full size cigar, small size cigar, cigarettes and similar preformed smoking products.

With the intent of preventing a lighted cigar from smothering and smoking when removed from the smokers lips, it has been suggested heretofore to extinguish the lighted end by a crushing action usually by inserting the lighted end between powerfully actuated crushing jaws which function withvarying degrees of crushing effect by the act of the operator pressing some form of manually actuated lever or handle controlling the crushing jaws. Any crushing action however obviously destroys not only the burning end but also the adjacent unlit portion of the cigar and in most cases the cigar as an entirety is crushed or so badly distorted as to prevent it from being again used. It frequently happens that a smoker desires to lay the cigar aside for a moment with the intent of relighting it and continuing the smoke. This of course is im ossible with the known form of extinguis ers of the crushing type. I

Accordingly, one of the features of the present disclosure is'to provide for the extinguishing of the lighted end by a gentle, pressing, smothering action which will extinguish the lighted end more by shutting ofi the free access of combustion supporting air than by any mutilating action resembling a crushing efie'ct. It is apparent that any pinching or smothering action which must be gentle in its workin to attain the object herein featured, wou d have to be automatical designed to compensate for the difference 1n slze or diameter of the different types of cigars which it is designed to accommodate. For instance, with a small diametered, frail article like a cigarette, a weak pinching of the lighted end is all that is required, and any greater action-would crush the cigarette while with a larger object such as a full size cigar any weak pinching effect would not be effective in that the large size cigar would resist the light inchlng action of Weak jaws and would of course continue to smoke.

Accordingly, another object of the inven tion is to provide a form of extinguisher mechanism which will be controlled more or less automatically'by the type of cigar introduced thereto and which will function irrespective of the large or small size of the introduced cigar to extinguish the same by smothering action without materially distorting the same.

Another object of the invention is to prov1de an extinguisher which will not be actuated in the intensity of its pinching or squeezing operation by any manual control on the part of the operator, and in this way to avoid any tendency of the operator inadvertently crushing the cigar incidental to extinguishing the same.

This phase of the invention is attained by forming the extinguisher of two smothering plates adapted to receive the cigar therebetween and which plates are moved into their open operative position solely by the introduction of the cigar therebetween, and in which the opening movement of the plates are resisted by the progressive introduction of springs disposed so that with increased angularity of opening a progressively increased degree 0 resistance is introduced to such opening movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide an extinguisher of the type outlined in which the previously extin uished cigar is y discharged t rom the extinguisher and permitted to drop into the ash receptacle therebelow incidental to the "introduction of the next succeeding cigar into the extinguisher.

It is quite common with ash trays of the open to type that when the ashes are flicked or knoc ed off the end of the lighted cigar there is a tendency for the ashes to be scattered about the vicinity;

Another object of the invention herein disclosed is to provide a type of open top ash tray in which there will be a tendency for local draughts to be directed across the same in such way as to carry the ashes to the center of the ash tray and beneath the extinguisher and in this way minimize any tendency for the same to scatter about the room.

Another object of the invent-ion is to provide a structure which will be ornamental and of pleasing appearance and which can be readily constructed with die operations, and which will feature an arrangement of parts so that when demounted ready access is attained to all parts for cleaning and repairing.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious from an inspection of the accompanying drawings and in part will be more fully set forth in the following particular description of one form of device embodying my invention, and the invention also consists in certain new and novel features of construction and comi bination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings 2-- Figure 1 is a, plan view looking down upon a preferred embodiment of the invention with the two parts assembled;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 3 is a similar View taken on the line 33 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figures 4 and 5 are detailed explanatory views showing, in Figure 4 the position of the extinguisher with a small size cigar or cigarette in position and in Figure 5 showing the extinguisher with a large size cigar in position.

In the following description and in the claims, parts will be identified by specific names for convenience of expression but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

There is shown in the several figures a two-part assembly, one part comprising a bottom supported receptacle constituting an ash tray and designed to receive ashes and cigar butts admitted either directly thereto, or received through a centrally disposed combined chute and extinguisher 11 constituting the other part of the completed assembly.

The ash tray 10 is somewhat H-shaped in plan comprising a central portion 12 and two wing portions 13 and 14. Opposite ends of the wing portions have their tops closed by means of a saddle 15 for supporting the cigars in a horizontal position as is usual. in such constructions. The top portion of the wings between the saddle are open as shown at 16 to provide access to the ash tray when the extinguisher 11 is in position thereon as shown in the several views of the drawing.

The extinguisher 11 has an upper portion 17 constituting a chute rectangular in horizontal cross section. Two opposite walls 18 and 19 of this chute are continued below the upper chute forming portion 18 and have their lower ends turned back upon themselves to form a pair of hollow outstanding feet 20 and 21 substantially square in cross section as shown in Figure 3 and by means of which the extinguisher may be supported independently of the ash tray, and which feet coact with the ash tray to provide a widespreading base for the assembly as a whole. The dependingportion of the walls 18 and 19 have a spring clutching grip on the central portion 12 of the ash tray 10, so that the assembly as a whole may be lifted or moved from place to place by handling the upper chute part.

The other two sides 22 and 23 (see Figure 2) forming the ash chute have their lower ends outwardly and downwardly flared to form a pair of air deflectors 2 1 and 25 disposed, when the two parts are assembled as shown in Figure 2, to be positioned within the corresponding wings and to face the opening 16 at the top of the associated wing. By this construction it is seen that air blowing against the side of the chute will be deflected by the battle on that sideto form a gentle whirl within the ash receiving space therebelow in the associated wing and there will be a resulting tendency of any loose ashes to collect'in the center of the ash tray beneath the superposed extinguisher 11.

The extinguisher is formed of two depending jaw plates 26 and 27 coacting to form the fire extinguishing feature of this disclosure. The plates are pivoted along their upper edges respectively on pivot pins 28 and 29 the ends of which pins are received in recesses 30 in the side walls 18 and 19 as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The upper edges of these jaw plates are lapped back upon themselves to form hinge connections with their associated pivot pins. The upper portions of the plates are curved from their pivotal edges towards each other to form an upper convexed portion 81 and a lower substantially straight vertically depending portion 32. These plates coact to form at their upper portions a V-shaped, or perhaps more accurately described, a Y-shaped passageway 33 for receiving the lighted ends of the cigars. The lower portions of 'these jaw plates coact to form a narrow, vertically disposed choke passageway' Set discharging at its lower end into the ash receptacle. l-Vhen normally disposed each of the plates is in light bearing contact with the free end of a leaf spring 36 and this sprin is backed by a second leaf spring 37, the free end of of the spring 36 and both of which springs are secured at their upper ends by fastening the same to the upper portion of the walls 22 and 23 as indicated at 38. It is noted that these jaw plates are free of any manually actuated control medium and are restored to their normally closed, inoperative position solely by the action of the backing springs.

In operation and assuming first that 1t 15 desired to introduce into the extinguisher a small size cigar or cigarette with its lighted end pointing downwardly as shown in Figure 4, it is appreciated that the cigarette may be gently forced downwardly and vertically between the rounded faces of the jaws forming the extinguishing clamp. As the small size cigar or cigarette illustrated has a relatively; small diameter the jaw forming lates will be moved into open pos tion as s own in Figure 4, this movement being resisted by the tension of the relatively light, frail spring 36. If the operator desires to be especially careful that the cigar be not mutilated he can, in the act of inserting the cigar, cause his fingers to bear on the rounded faces 31 to move them apart, then insert the cigar and gently release the finger pressure on the jaw plates. This will permit the plates to close in gently on the cigar, after which it may be withdrawn either with or without releasing the spring tensionon the jaw plates.

However, should a large size cigar be introduced, as is shown in Figure 5, the jaw plates will be moved to a greater extent of open position and in this way the opening movement of the plates will be resisted by the combined effect of the two springs. It is obviously within the scope of the invention to multiply the number of springs which should oppose the successive stages of opening movements of the jaw so that it may be resisted by the sequential action of springs of progressively greater rigidity.

In either case the cigar is held with that degree of tension which will be sufiicient to pinch and thus extinguish the lighted cigar held therebetween but which will not be so intense in its inching effect as to materially crush the lighted end or in any other way distort the same so that it cannot be relighted or reused.

The long narrow passageway 34 below the lighted end of the cigar apparently forms a choke passageway which does not permit free access of combustion supporting air, and the lighted end is thus extinguished more by the act of shutting oii' the air supply than by crushing the end of the cigar. As noted in Figures 4 and 5 the pinching action is confined to the extreme lighted end and there is no need of introducing the cigar further into the jaw unless it is desired to discard dental ressing oil the cigar in which case'it will be shoved further down between the jaws.

In order to discharge the cigar through the extinguisher into the ash tray it is simply necessary for the operator to push wit or in intro ucin another cigar, the incithe fingers on the curved upper aces of the jaws or the incoming cigar in opening the jaws will permit the previously. inserted cigar positioned therebetween to drop through the chute passageway 34 into the ash tray therebelow.

hen it is desired to empty the device it is most convenient to lift the extinguisher bodily from the ash receptacle separating the two parts against the clamping efiect of the lower end of the sides 18 and 19. \Vhen separated there is provided a wide open top to the receptacle from which the ashes may be readily dumped, all the parts cleaned and the extinguisher reassembled to form the completed article. i i

The squared feet 20 and 21 may be utilized to receive the tubular portion of a conventional form of upstanding cardboard match box as is usual in such constructions and'as suggested in ghost outline in Figure 3.

Having thus described my invention, I claim j 1. An ash tray including a central portion and a pair of wing portions to form the tray H-shape in plan, a cigar extinguisher including an upstanding ash chute including opposed sides fitting across the central portion of the tra and held from movement horizontally o the cross portion of the H-shaped tray by the wing portions, the central part of each wing portion being open at top, and cigar saddles carried by the wing portion at opposite sides of the adjacent opening and acting to close opposite ends of the tops of the wing portions.

2. A combined ash tray and cigar extinguisher comprising an open top base supported ash receptacle, an ash chute supported centrally on top of said receptacle and pro vided with an opening discharging into the receptacle, incompletely closing the top thereof to form an air port on one side of the chute, and an air deflector plate carried by the ash chute extending downwardly, inclined away from the same and disposed in the ash receptacle facing said opening to cause incoming air currents to sweep the ashes towards the central portions of the receptacle.

3. A combined ash tray and cigar extinguisher comprising a base supported ash receptacle, a readily removable unit demountably fitted to the receptacle, constituting an ash chute discharging into the receptacle, and coacting therewith to form the complete ash tray and cigar extinguisher, and a spring pressed cigar holding and his fin ers on the rounded surfaces 31' smothering means adapted to be pressed open at its bottom to discharge its contents through the chute and into the receptacle.

4. A combined ash tray and cigar ex-' tinguisher comprising an ash receptacle, :1 spring controlled means including a pair of plates normally in light bearing contact and coacting to provide an upwardly exposed opening therebetween for engaging the cigars introduced thereto, said means being adapted to smother the cigars by a gentle pressure without materially distorting the configuration of the lighted cigar and said means adapted to be moved into a position releasing the cigars and then acting to guide the same into the receptacle.

5. A cigar extinguisher comprising two pivotally mounted, spring pressed pressure plates coacting to form a choke-channel, normally V-shaped in vertical cross section and adapted to receive the lighted end of a cigarette and reacting gently on the same to smother the light without crushing or otherwise materially distorting the configuration of the lighted end of the cigarette.

6. A cigar extinguisher comprising a vertically extending chute including opposite outlining sides, a pair of pressure plates having their upper edges hinged to the 0pposite sides of the chute and inclined downwardly and towards each other centrally of the chute to forma choke channel substantially V-shaped in cross section and spring disposed in the path of movement of the plates to resist the spring movement of the plates when swinging away from each other.

7. A cigar extinguisher comprisin a pair of jaws coacting to smother a cigar. inserted between the same and r0 ressivel actin i spring means for providing increasing degrees of resistance to the opening movement of the jaws as they are progressively moved to succeedingly greater opening positions.

8. A cigar extinguisher including a pair of plates with their upper edges pivotally mounted and coactin to form a choke channel substantially V- haped in vertical cross section, the upper portion of the plates being curved away pivoted edges to form a wide-spreading funnel and having their lower portions substantially straight and normally extending vertically and parallel to each other to form a narrow throat.

9. A cigar extinguisher including a pair of plates with their upper edges ivotally mounted-and coacting to form a cho e channel substantially V-shaped in vertical cross section, the upper portions of the plates being curved away trom each other towards their pivoted edges to form a wide-spreading funnel and having their lower portions substantially straight and normally extending vertically and parallel to each other to form a narrow throat, and a pair of springs, one for each plate, each disposed in the path of opening movement of its associated plate.

10. A cigar extinguisher including a pair of smothering jaws adapted to receive the lighted end of a cigar therebetween, a spring for resisting the initial opening movement of one of said jaws, and a supplemental spring disposed in rear of the first named spring, adapted to add its resistance to that of the first named spring and coact therewith to resist a succeeding opening movement of the jaw.

Signed-at- New York in the county of New York and State of New of October, A. D. 1925.

REGINALD O. THOMAS.

from each other towards their York this 14th day v

Images