US2032094A

US2032094A - Combined cigarette lighter and case

Info

Publication number: US2032094A
Application number: US741364A
Authority: US
Inventors: Voci Frank Le
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1934-08-25
Filing date: 1934-08-25
Publication date: 1936-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 1953-02-25

Description

25, 1936. LE vocl 2,032,094

COMBINED CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND CASE Filed Au 25, 1954 2 SheetsSheet 1 JJJTilI' I (1: 5. I

INVENTOR FRANK LE. V00:

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a combined cigarette lighter and case.

The invention has for an object the construction of a device as mentioned which is characterized by a cigarette case and a lighter arranged in such a fashion that when a cover for the lighter part is opened a cigarette in lighted condition may be taken out from the device.

Still further the invention proposes to so construct the device that the cigarette case has covers which may be opened for the purpose of placing cigarettes within the case, upon a conveyor adapted to deliver the cigarettes one at a time into the lighter part.

Still further the invention also proposes an arrangement wherein the lighter cover is closed (after the lighted cigarette has been taken from the lighter compartment) automatically the conveyor previously mentioned is operated for the purpose of delivering another cigarette into the lighter compartment, and simultaneously energy storing means is operated for storing energy to be subsequently used to operate lighting mechanism when the cover of the lighter is open.

Still further the invention proposes to so construct the device that it may be embodied as a portable article simulating a regular cigarette case and adapted to be carried in ones pocket,

or it may be embodied as a stationary device which may be attached upon the wall of a car or other place as desired.

Still further the invention proposes the construction of a device as mentioned which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the ap-- pended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a mai5 terial part of this disclosure:-

Fig. -1 is a perspective rear view of a combined cigarette lighter and case constructed according to this invention shown in the closed position.

50 Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device illustrated in Fig. l with one of the cigarette compartment doors open.

Fig. 3 is a-perspective view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the device with the cigarettes 35 removed so that the conveyor may be seen.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of Fig. 1 but illustrating the front of the device, with the cover of the lighter compartment open.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1. 5

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of the right hand portion of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device as though taken on the line I-'I of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view 10 of a portion of Fig". '7 illustrating in particular the lower corner of the figure.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view as though taken on the line 9--9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view taken on 15 the line IIl-I0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line II-Il of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one of the cigarettes.

The combined cigarette lighter and case according to this invention comprises a flat hollow casing I0 having a large cigarette holding compartment II and a small lighter compartment I2 in which one cigarette is adapted to be lighted. Two large doors I3 are hingedly connected upon the case I0 and close the front and rear sides of the cigarette holding compartment II. A small door I2 is hingedly mounted upon the case and closes the lighter compartment I2. The covers I3 and the top portion of the case are formed with coacting elements I4 and I4 adapted to hold the covers in the closed positions. The arrangement is such that portions of the case adjacent the portions I4 may be depressed or moved to release the covers as is conventional in the construction of cigarette cases. The cigarette holding compartment II and lighter compartment I2 are separated from each other by a stationary partition II] extending from the rear face of the. case to substantially the center and in line with a front hinged partition Ill hingedly mounted upon the front of the casing ID.

A conveyor is arranged within the cigarette holding compartment I I for the purpose of holding the cigarettes and conveying the cigarettes one at a time into the lighter compartment. This conveyor comprises a support I5 fixedly mounted in the case I0 and having several horizontal arms I5 and vertical sectional end portions I5' of the support are hollow and support spindles I6 which are rotatively engaged therethrough. The arrangement is such that there is a spindle I6 at each end of the cigarette compartment II.

receiving supports for the cigarettes.

Rollers I! are mounted upon the spindles l6 and. between thesections 15 7 Endless chains [8 are engaged over the rollers and arranged to extend across the front of the cigarette holding compartment and around across the rear. These endless chains, two in number,

see particularly Fig. 3, are arranged superimposedand support small vertical arcuate shaped elements [9 which are adapted to form convenient The conveyor belts I8 are also provided with projecting fingers 2| spaced from each other a suflicient distance so that the normal space between adjacent fingers is adapted to receive one cigarette. These projecting fingers serve to move the cigarettes along during the operation of the conveyor. The cigarettes rest upon the bottom of the case and are merely pushed along by the con- I veyor during the operation.

The conveyor is arranged to operate in steps and each advance is sufficient to cause the roller I! at the right to rotate through 180". The arrangement is such that the cigarette'immediately behind the hinged partition lll' will be ejected to the front into the compartment [2.

The partition Ill is formed with openings to allow for the passage of the fingers 2| but the cigarette, since it extends substantially the full height of the casing, will be restrained from passing along and in this manner the cigarette 'will be maintained in the lighter compartment.

The hinged partition I0? is provided with a spring 23 arranged upon the hinge thereoi and having its ends engaging respectively against ;the inner side ofthe casing l0 and the partition Ni so as to normally hold the partition l0 at right angles to the front wall of the casing l0. Thus when a cigarette is forced into the compartment the partition H1 will be moved open to allow such transfer and thereafter will immediately close to divide oif the cigarette holding compartment from the lighter compartment and so prevent the possibility of the other cigarettes becoming ignited when the cigarette in the lighter compartment is ignited as hereinafter explained. The lighter compartment is lined with fireproof material I2 r The lighter compartment I2 is provided with a stationary'partition consisting of a horizontal portion 25 comprising the fioor of'the lighter compartment,'and a vertical portion 25 terminating in a top horizontal portion 25, which divides off an area 26 in which mechanism hereinafter described is located. The cigarettes 20 are of special construction, merely in the fact that one of the ends of each is provided with self igniting substances 26 adapted to be ignited when rubbed with an abrasive or some type of wheel. The substance 26 may be any ignitable'substance combined with a proper oxidizing agent, such as browned manganese peroxide (MnO'z) In other respects the cigarette 20 is substantially identical to the types presently known and consisting of a paper orother type of covering material holding tobacco. V

The lighter device includes an abrasive wheel 21 of circular shape withan oifset side, which is fixed upon a spindle 28'rotatively mounted in the area 26 below the floor 25 The floor 25 is formed with an opening through which the top of the abrasivewheel 21 extends. The arrangement is such that the upper portion of the abrasive wheel 21 will be in intimate contact with the substance 26 of a cigarette 20 ejected into the lighter compartment; J

a the lever 46 button 42 may be depressed for the purpose of A spring motor means is provided for operating the abrasive wheel 21. This means comprises a gear train associated with a spring. More particularly there is a small pinion 29 fixed'upon the spindle 28, said pinion meshing with a gear 30 on a spindle 3| and associated with a pinion 32 meshing with a gear 33 free upon a spindle 34, see Fig. 8. It should be noticed that only the gear 33 is free upon the spindle 34, andthe other gears (29, 30 and 32) just mentioned are fixed upon their spindles... A spring is arranged coaxially upon the spindle 34 and has one of its ends connected with the side of the gear 33. The other end of the spring 35 is fixed upon a disc 36 fixed upon the spindle 34. The spindle 34 is rotative within the compartment 26' and is provided near one end with a ratchet wheel 31 fixed thereon. This ratchet wheel 3'l' is cooperatively associated with a pawl 38 mounted upon the side of a gear 33 which isalso loose upon the spindle 34.

The gear 33 is held star spring 35. The means for holding the gear, 33

stationary comprises a lever 40 having one end 40 engaging through the top. of the partition 25 and engaging against theteeth of the gear 33,. i

The lever 40 extends upwards and is connected with lever 43 at right angles thereto and pivotally mounted intermediately at the point 4| upon the top of the casing. A button42 extends from the casing and is connected withthe one end of The arrangement is such that the moving the lever 40 and causing theportion 41] to move slightly upwards a sufiicient distance to release the gear 33. An expansion spring 43 is interposed between the lever 43 and thecasing and serves tonormally urge the lever into aposition in which the end 43? engages against the gear 33. When the button 42 is completely pressed in the finger presses the materialof the casing to release the door 12 as hereinafter explained. p

It should be noticed that when the spring 35 is in a wound condition and the button 42 is de pressed, the lever 40* will-disconnect with the gear 33 and the gear 33 will then be free to rotate upon the spindle 34. The result will be that the gear 33 will transmit rotationsthru thegears 32,

30 and 29 'to the spindle 28 and so the abrasive wheel 21 will rotate and cause the igniting of the.

cigarette.

l The lighter door i2 is hingedly mounted bya hinge 44 upon a portion of the casing, coacting snap parts on the door 62 and the casing holds.

the door in closed position. A spring 45 is arranged upon the hinged point of the door 12 and has its ends acting respectively between the'casing and the door-|2 so as normally to urge the door into an open position. The door I2 is provided with a latching depression 43 adapted to.

engage a complementary element'4lupon the casing so that the door will be held in the closed position when manually moved so. The. ar-

rangement is also such that, when the button42 is depressed for the purpose of moving the lever 40, thematerial ofthe casing will be depressed to disengage the

coacting elements

41 and 45 so that the door I2 is released and the spring 45 is free to open the door to the position as illustrated in Fig. 4.

The lugs 48 project from the inner side of the door [2 and are formed with curved fronts equipped with holding springs 48 adapted to engage against the side of the cigarette in the lighter compartment for the purpose of holding the cigarette so that the cigarette is held firmly in position against the abrasive wheel 21.

A means is provided for operating the conveyor upon closing the lighter door I2. This means comprises a small gear 49 fixed upon one of the shafts l6, namely that shaft which is adjacent the lighter compartment, and this gear 49 is engaged by a ratchet 50 carried upon the side of a gear 5| rotative on the spindle Iii. This gear 5| meshes with a large gear 52 which is rotative upon the bottom of the casing. An arm 53 is connected near the periphery of the gear 52 and extends through a portion 19 at the bottom of the casing, to the chamber 26'. The inner end of the arm 53 is connected with one end of a bell crank 54 which is pivotally mounted at 55 upon the side of the casing. The other end of the bell crank 54 is arranged immediately below a lug 56 projecting from the door l2.

A spring 5'! acts between a stationary lug 58 upon the casing and the free end of the bell crank 54 so as tonormally urge it upwards. The parts are so proportioned that when the door I2 is closed, the free end of the bell crank 54 is depressed against the action of the spring 51 after the door is nearly closed, for example after it has but a quarter of an inch more to travel to assume the closed position. Depressing the free end of the bell crank 54 causes the gear 52 to be turned which transmits rotation to the gear 5! and causes the spindle [6 to turn through 180 to move the conveyor. When the door [2 is open the lug 56 moves free from the bell crank 54 so that the spring 51 moves the bell crank into its original position, which turns the gear 52 back to its original position, but the pawl 50 then idles over the gear 49 so that the conveyor will not move. It will be readily understood that the conveyor will move in steps only forward in a correct amount to deliver one cigarette at a time .into the ignition compartment. It is pointed out that because the door is substantially closed before the lug 56 engages the bell crank 54 that there is very small possibility of throwing the conveyor out of time in its delivery of one cigarette at a time to the ignition chamber. If it is accidentally thrown out of time it may easily be corrected by proper manipulation of the door [2.

The operation of the device is as follows: The doors l3 may be opened whenever desired to replenish the supply of cigarettes upon the conveyor. Cigarettes should be placed with the igniting substance 26 at the bottom. When it is desired to smoke a cigarette it is merely necessary that the button 42 be depressed and upon slight depression to cause lifting of the bar 40 to free the gear 33 so that the abrasive 21 operates and upon full depression to cause the means which holds the door I 2' closed (parts 45 and 41) to release each other so that the spring opens the door for allowing removal of the lighted cigarette.

The release of the gear 33 causes the spring 35 to discharge its stored energy to rotate the abrasive wheel 2! to cause igniting of the cigarette. In Fig. 4 the cigarette is shown in the igniter compartment and may be lifted out and it will be found that it is lighted. The door l2 may be manually closed and when closed will deliver winding to the spring 35. The reason for this is that the rack 40 acts against the gear 39 and causes turning of the spindle 34 carrying the disc 36 connected with the spring 35. It will be realized that when the button 42 is released the lever 40 will act under the action of the spring 43 to hold the gear 33 against rotation. For this reason the spring 35 is now wound by the turning of the spindle 34.

The closing of the door l2 will also cause the lug 56 to move the bell crank 54 and advance the conveyor. This will result in one of the cigarettes from the holding compartment being moved past the hinged partition I 0 into the lighter compartment. The partition [O will automatically assume the closed position when the cigarette passes. The device is now in its original condi-' tion.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:-

1. A combined cigarette lighter and case, comprising a flat hollow casing having a large cigarette holding compartment, a small lighter compartment for one cigarette to be lighted, a small door for closing said lighter compartment, a conveyor in said cigarette holding compartment for holding cigarettes and conveying one cigarette at a time into said lighter compartment, an abrasive wheel extending into the lighter compartment for engaging against the cigarette therein to cause lighting of this cigarette, spring means for operating said abrasive wheel, means for releasably holding said small door closed, means for releasing said small door, a depressible button for setting said spring means into operation, means for operating said conveyor operable upon closing of said small door, and means for winding said spring means operable upon closing said small door.

2. A combined cigarette lighter and case, comprising a hollow casing having a large cigarette holding compartment, a small lighter compartment for one cigarette to be lighted, a small door for closing said lighter compartment, a conveyor in said cigarette holding compartment for holding cigarettes and conveying one cigarette at a time into said lighter compartment, an abrasive wheel extending into the lighter compartment for engaging against the cigarette therein to cause lighting of this cigarette, spring means for operating said abrasive wheel, means for releasably holding said small door closed, means for releasing said small door, a depressible button for setting said spring means into operation, means for operating said conveyor operable upon closing of said small door, and means for winding said spring means operable upon closing said small door, a large door being associated with said casing for closing said cigarette holding compartment.

3. A combined cigarette lighter and case, comprising a flat hollow casing having a large cigarette holding compartment, a small lighter compartment for one cigarette to be lighted, a small door for closing said lighter compartment, a CD11? veyor in said cigarette holding compartment for holrhng cigarettes and conveying one cigarette at a time into said lighter compartment, an abrasive wheel extending into the lighter compartment for engaging against the cigarette therein to cause lighting of this cigarette, spring means for operating said abrasive wheel, means for releasably holding said small door closed, means for releasing said small door, a depressible button for settingcsaid spring means into operation;

means for operating said conveyor operable upon closing of said small door, means for winding ment, for engaging against the cigarette therein to cause lighting of this cigarette, spring means for operating said abrasive wheel, means for releasably holding said small door closed, means for releasing said small door, a depressible but- 'ton for setting said spring means into operation,

means for operating said conveyor operable upon closing of said small door, and means for winding said spring means operable upon closing said small door, said conveyor comprising a support mounted upon said casing and rotatively supporting a pair ofparallel spindles located at the ends of the casing, and an endless chain equipped for receiving the cigarettes mounted upon rollers upon said spindles.

5. A combined cigarette lighter and case, comprising a flat hollow casing having a large cigarette holding compartment, a small lighter compartment for one cigarette to be lighted, asmall door for closing said lighter compartment, a conveyor in said cigarette holding compartment for holding cigarettes and conveying one cigarette at a time into said lighter compartment, an abrasive wheel extending into the lighter compartment for engaging against the cigarette therein to cause lighting of this cigarette, spring means for operating said abrasive wheel, means for releasably holding said small door closed, means for releasing said small door, a depressible button for setting said spring means into operation, means for operating said conveyor operable upon, closing of said small door, and means for winding fixed position, and a wound spring connected said spring means operable upon closing said small door, said spring means for operating the abrasive wheel comprising a gear train connected with the abrasive wheel and terminating in a gear engaged with a lever for holding the gear in a with said latter mentioned gear.

6. A' combined cigarette lighter and case, comprising a flat hollow casing having a large cigarette holding compartment, a small lighter compartment for one cigarette to be lighted, a

small door for'closing said lighter compartment,

a conveyor in said cigarette holding compart ment for holding cigarettes and conveying one cigarette at a time into said lighter compartment, an abrasive wheel extending into the lighter compartment for engaging against the. cigarette;

therein to cause lighting of this cigarette, spring means for operating said abrasive wheel, means for releasably holding said small door closed;

means for releasing said small door, a depressible button for setting said spring meansinto operation, means for operating said conveyor operable upon closing of said small door, and

means for winding said spring means operable upon closing said small door, said spring means for operating the abrasive wheel comprising a gear train connectedwith the abrasive wheel and terminating a gear engaged with a lever for holding the gear in a fixed position, and a Wound spring connected with said latter men-V V tioned gear, said means tor releasably holding the door closed. comprising coacting elements upon the door and casing adapted to engage each other disengage upon'pressure on the end-of the casing.

7.'A combined cigarette lighter and case, comprising a flat hollow casing having a large. cigarette holding compartments, small lighter com-V partment for one cigarette to belighted, a smalldoor for closing said lighter compartment, a conveyor in said cigarette holding compartment for holding cigarettes and conveying one cigarette at a time into said lighter compartment, an abrasive wheel extending into the lighter compartment for engaging against the cigarette therein to cause lighting of this cigarette, spring means for operating said abrasive wheel, meansfor releasably holding said small door closed, means for releasing said small door, a depressible but-' ton for setting said spring means into operation, means for operatingsaid conveyor operable upon closing of said small door, and means tor winding said spring means operable upon closing said small door, said spring means for operating the abrasive wheel comprising a. gear train connected with the abrasive wheel and terminating in a gear engaged with a lever for holding the gear in a fixed position, and a wound spring connected with said latter mentioned gear, said means for releasably'holding the door closed comprising coacting elements upon the doorand casing adapted to engage each other and disengage upon pressure on the end of the casing,

said depressible button being arranged adjacent a depressible portion of said casing tocause the releasing of the small door, and being connected 1 with a bell crank having a portion engaging said gear for holding the spring mechanism from unwinding. 7 V

8. A combined cigarette lighter and case, com prising a flat hollow casing having a large cigarette holding compartment, a small lighter compartment for one cigarette to be lighted, a small door for closing said lighter compartment, a conveyor in said cigarette holding compartment for holding cigarettes and conveying one cigarette at a time into said lighter compartment;

an abrasive wheel extending into the lighter compartment for engaging against the cigarette therein to cause lighting of this cigarette, spring means for operating said abrasive wheel, means for releasably holding said small door closed, means for releasing said small door, a depressible button forrsetting said spring meansinto 7 operation, means for operating said conveyor operable upon elosingof said small door, and means for winding said spring means operable,

upon closing small door, comprising an ele- V ment up'onsaid door engageable against a 'bell crank when the door is substantially in the closed position, an arm connected with said bell crank and connected with a gear meshing with a pinion connected with a spindle for driving said conveyor with a pawl and ratchet arrangement associated with the parts to transmit rotations in one direction only.

9. A combined cigarette lighter and case, comprising a flat hollow casing having a large cigarette holding compartment, a small lighter compartment for one cigarette to be lighted, a small door for closing said lighter compartment, a conveyor in said cigarette holding compartment for holding cigarettes and conveying one cigarette at a time into said lighter compartment, an abrasive wheel extending into the lighter compartment for engaging against the cigarette therein to cause lighting of this cigarette, spring means for operating said abrasive wheel, means for releasably holding said small door closed, means for releasing said small door, a depressible button for setting said spring means into operation, means for operating said conveyor operable upon closing of said small door, and means for winding said spring means operable upon closing said small door, comprising an arcuate member connected with said small door and meshing with a gear free upon a spindle, a pawl mounted upon said gear and engaging a small gear fixed upon said spindle, a disc fixed upon said spindle, another gear free upon said spindle, and a spring connected between said disc and said free gear.

10. A combined cigarette lighter and case, comprising a fiat hollow casing having a large cigarette holding compartment, a small lighter compartment for one cigarette to be lighted, a small door for closing said lighter compartment, a conveyor in said cigarette holding compartment for holding cigarettes and conveying one cigarette at a time into said lighter compartment, an abrasive Wheel extending into the lighter compartment for engaging against the cigarette therein to cause lighting of this cigarette, spring means for operating said abrasive wheel, means for releasably holding said small door closed, means for releasing said small door, a depressible button for setting said spring means into operation, means for operating said conveyor operable upon 11. A combined cigarette lighter and case;

comprising a casing having a cigarette holding compartment and a compartment for one ciga' rette adapted to be lighted within said latter compartment, a door closing the said lighter compartment, a conveyor in said cigarette holding compartment for holding and conveying the cigarettes one at a time to the lighter compartment, lighter mechanism for lighting the one cigarette within the lighter compartment, means for oper'- ating said lighter mechanism and operative with a spring, means for releasing said lighter door and for setting said spring into operation, means for operating said conveyor operable upon closing of the lighter door, and means for winding said spring operable upon closing of the lighter door.

12. A combined cigarette lighter and case, comprising a casing having a cigarette holding compartment with a compartment for one cigarette adapted to be lighted within said latter compartment, a door closing the said lighter compartment, a conveyor in said cigarette holding compartment for holding and conveying the cigarettes one at a time to the lighter compartment, lighter mechanism for lighting the one cigarette within the lighter compartment, means for operating said lighter mechanism and operative with a spring, means for releasing said lighter door and for setting said spring into operation, means for operating said conveyor operable upon closing of the lighter door, and means for winding said spring operable upon closing of the lighter door, said lighter door being pivotally connected with the casing.

FRANK LE VOCI.