US1998843A - Smoker's automobile lighter - Google Patents

Description

.April 23, 1935. c. H. l., REID 1,998,843

SMOKERS AUTOMOBILE LIGHTER Filed MaIOh 19, 1934 Patented Apr. 23, 19735 UNITED STA-.Tas

PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The invention appertains to lighters for cigars, cigarettes and pipes, and particularly to a lighter permanently iitted to a motor car with which a connection is made to the gasoline feed system and the ignition system for its operation.

A salient object of the invention is to provide a lighter having a receptacle in which is tted an absorbent pad supplied with gasoline from the feed piping of the vehicle, soA that the pad is evenly moistened at all times.

A further object is to provide a removable torch in the receptacle having metal prongs with an associated wick in order that as the torch is removed a spark or arc is established between the prongs by electric contacts connected to the high tension circuit of the ignition system of the Vehicle. This ignites the wick of the torch so as to produce a substantial flame for lighting purposes.

A distinctive feature of the invention is that it is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install upon a motor car.

The invention is herein disclosed in what is deemed a practical application of its features, however it is apprehended that various modifications could be made without departing from its spirit and scope.

Referring to the accompanying drawing; Figure 1 is an elevation of the dash or instrument panelrof a motor car showing the lighter installed upon it.

Figure 2 is a View partly in section of the lighter.

Figure 3 is an elevation atrright angles to Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the torch.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in each of the gures throughout the drawing of the invention.

In carrying out the invention it is proposed to employ a receptacle 5 of bakelite or other material of an electrical insulating character. The receptacle may be of a cylindrical shape and fairly deep with an integral bottom 6 so as to produce a cup-shaped member. This is attached in Suitable manner to a bracket 1 of metal secured to the dash or instrument panel 8 of the motor car as depicted in Figure 1.

The bracket may be composed of a metal stamping of a convenient design with an attaching ear or ears 9 for receiving the fastening elements. If so desired the bracket may be fashioned with an integral nipple l0 for connection to a length of copper tubing II extending to the regular feed line I2 between the carburetor and` fuel tank. A'standard fitting I3 is interposed for this purpose.

A plug or pad lI4 of fibrous material is fitted in the bottom of the receptacle and communicates with the tubing Il' by a duct I4 so as to ab- 5 sorb gasoline therefrom. Asbestos nbre may be employed for the plug or pad and it is suggested that part of the length of tubing could be plugged with an absorbent material so that the gasoline would only feed by capillary attraction. 10

The torch I5 may be composed of an elongated cylindrical member of bakelite having an exposed head I5 knurled or otherwise roughened to afford a convenient grip portion. The body is shown tapered to a pair of spaced metal prongs l5 I I projecting from the lower end I8, and between the prongs is depicted a wick I9 of asbestos fibre. The prongs enter the plug or pad I4 when the torch is inserted in the cylindrical cup and the wick contacts with the plug or pad so as to absorb gasoline from it.

The receptacle has a pair of contacts attached to it and consisting of resilient fingers 20, 20 diametrically opposed and secured to the base portion, and extended upwardly to the vicinity of the top where they are bent inwardly so as to protrude through openings 2 I.

The inwardly bent ends 22 have curled extremities that contact with the body of the torch and are normally held apart by it. The finger 20 has 30 contact with the bracket which in turn is in contact with the instrument panel and thus is grounded for the electric circuit.

The other finger 20' is insulated from its companion by reason of its mounting on the receptacle andhas an electrical conductor 22 attached to it that leads to the high tension circuit of the ignition system between the coil and the distributor.

` It will be readily understood that by this construction the wick of the torch absorbs gasoline from .the pad I4 and upon being withdrawn is automatically ignited by the closing in of the electrical contacts along the tapered portion of the body and their touching the prongs Il. The 4U resultant arc between-the prongs ensures ignition. Y

What I claim is:-

1. The combination with the gasoline feed line of aV motor car, of a receptacle, an absorbent mass therein, a tubing leading from said absorbent mass and connected to said feed line, an absorbent material therein in the nature of a wick for feeding gasoline to said absorbent mass by capillary attraction, a torch removably disposed in the receptacle, a Wick carried thereby and contacting with the aforesaid absorbent mass, and means for ignitng the Wick as the torch is Withdrawn.

2. The combination with the gasoline feed line of a motor car, of a cup-shaped receptacle having a small opening in its bottom, an absorbent mass in the bottom of the receptacle over said opening, a tubing leading from said opening in the receptacle and connected to said feed line, an absorbent mass therein forming a Wick feed to the absorbent mass in the bottom of the receptacle, a torch removably disposed in said receptacle and having an exposed grip portion, a Wick projecting from the torch and contacting with the aforesaid absorbent mass, andmeans attached to the receptacle for igniting the wick as the torch is withdrawn.

3. A lighter of the class described comprising an elongated cup-shaped receptacle of insulating material, said receptacle having openings in its top portion and a hole in its bottom, a plug or pad of fibrous material lodged in its bottom portion, an element at the bottom of the receptacle supplying a duct leading to the hole therein, a tubing fitted to said element for connection to a gasoline supply, a pair of resilient metal ngers rigidly attached to the base portion of the receptacle and extending longitudinally thereof on opposite sides for connection to the ignitioncircuit of a motor car,.said fingers having inwardly bent ends projecting into the openings aforesaid, an

elongated cylindrical torch of insulating material lodged in said receptacle and having an exposed gripping end, the other end being tapered, a wick projecting from the tapered end and contacting With said plug or pad, and a metal prong projecting from the torch on each side of said wick.

CHARLES H. L. REID.

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