US2180927A - Cigar lighter - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 21, 1939. A. A. JOHNSON CIGAR LIGHTER Filed Dec. 5, 1936 8 F Z a? INVENTOR Patented Nov. 21, 1939 CIGAR LIGHTER Arthur A. Johnson, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to Automatic Devices Corporation, Bridgeport, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application December 5, 1936, Serial No. 114,355

15 Claims.

This invention relates to electric cigar lighters, and particularly to the type of cigar lighter having a removable and transportable igniting unit carrying a heating element which is adapted, when hot, to ignite cigarettes and the like, and which igniting unit is normally carried in a base or on a holding structure.

Cigar lighters of this type, as used for automobiles, commonly comprise a holding device adapted to be mounted on an instrument board or supporting plate and presenting a recess or well into which the removable igniting unit, plug-like in form, is placed and held. In these lighters the igniting unit is movable in the recess to effect energization, by circuit control, of the heating element. Various switching means have been employed to control the heating element circuit in response to movement of the igniting unit, and function with varying degrees of success.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cigar lighter of the kind referred to with an improved switching means for the purpose of controlling the energizing circuit.

In carrying out the invention a novel resilient contact organization is provided which insures a positive closing of the circuit at all times, and yet permits of quick and easy assembly of the various parts, and this organization further functions to control the movement and position of the igniting unit on the holder.

According to this invention, the circuit is closed through the heating element by one or more feelers or pins mounted to move radially of the igniting unit from an open-circuit position to a closed-circuit position as a result of the movement of the igniting unit longitudinally in the holding device. Preferably these pins are spring pressed outwardly and cooperate with the holder to retain the igniting unit in the holder against casual movement in open-circuit position and further cause the return of the igniting unit to that position after the heating element has been brought to incandescence for use.

Cooperating with the contact organization as outlined above there is provided a novel visual signal means in the igniting unit, characterized by a single, elongate, solid, light-conducting member extending from the heating element to the outwardly visible portion of the unit.

The present invention also provides improved means particularly adaptable to the present structure for securing the holding device to the instrument panel.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawing, showing an embodiment and a modification of the invention:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal axial section of the lighter in open-circuit position, the light-conducting member being shown in partial elevation.

Fig. 2 is a similar view but with the lighter in closed-circuit position and the igniting unit partly in elevation and partly in section.

Fig. 3 is a perspective of the contact pins and resilient holder of the lighter.

Fig. 4 is a perspective of the securing ring for the holding device, and

Fig. 5 is a modification, corresponding to the position of Fig. 2, showing a bimetallic clip for holding the igniting unit in energizing position, and for releasing the unit to open-circuit position.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the present lighter comprises a holding device ID supported on an instrument panel I I, and an igniting unit l2 carried by the holding device for energization therein, and for complete removal therefrom for use.

The holder It includes a cylindrical metal shell 13 having a rear wall l3a which is centrally apertured, and insulatedly carries a threaded stud M to which is secured, by means of a connection lug [5, a wire IS connected with a source of electrical energy (not shown).

The stud M secures a metal contact clip I! in the rear portion of the shell l3, said clip being preferably of heavy material so as to be substantially non-resilient. The clip H is likewise insulated from the shell l3, as shown, and serves as an electrical contact to the igniting unit when the latter is in energizing position. The return or ground connection from the igniting unit is effected through the metal shell l3 and panel II on which the shell is supported, said panel being connected to the source of energy serving the wire [6.

The igniting unit 12 includes a tubular body l8 and an integral knob 19, said body and knob being preferably molded of suitable opaque insulating material, such as Bakelite. The body i8 is adapted to slidably fit within the shell 13 so as to be movable therein for actuating a switch to control the heating element circuit, and theend of said body is internally threaded to carry a metal cap 20 on which is insulatedly mounted a heating element 2| and metal contact cup 22..

' The element 2| is carried in the cup, and is spiral in form, having its outer end joined to the cup and its inner end secured to a central stud 23 which passes through the cup and through the cap 20 for securing the heating element and cup;

to said cap. The cup 22 is adapted to engage the contact clip ll? when the igniting unit is moved inwardly in the holder, as in Fig. 2, and electrical connection is thus effected from the wire Hi to the outer end of the element 2 l.

According to the present invention there is provided improved switch means for controlling the heating element circuit in response to this axial movement of the igniting unit. This switch means is carried in the body is of the unit and includes a metal contact cylinder 24, preferably of resilient material, having an apertured end wall 25 which is secured under the head of the stud 23 so that the cylinder is electrically connected to the inner end of the heating element 2| and is also firmly supported Within the bore of the body 68.

For electrically connecting the cylinder 2% to the shell E3 in response to movement of the igniting unit therein, the invention provides a pair of contact pins 26, see Figs. 1, 2 and 3, which are secured to resilient arms 2? integral with a metal ring 28 adapted to fit within the bore of the body I8 and against the rear wall of the knob id. The

' pins 26 fit into suitable apertures in the side wall of the body so as to project therethrough as shown, and the resilient arms ii are biased to yieldingly hold the pins 26 in the outward position shown in Fig. 1, the pins being movable in wardly to engage and contact with the forward end of the cylinder 24.

For the purpose of moving the pins radially inwardly in response to inward axial movement of the igniting unit, the shell i3 is provided with a circular cam ridge 2%) connecting with an enlarged neck portion 3i which latter passes through an aperture in the panel ll and has its edge turned outwardly to provide a bead 3| engaging the front face of the panel. The inner cam surface of the ridge 29 causes the pins 26 to move radially inwardly, as guided by the apertures in which said pins are disposed, in response to inward axial movement of the igniting unit in the holder it].

When the igniting unit is moved to the position of Figs. 2 the pins 26 will have moved into contact with the cylinder 2% at substantially the same time that the contact cup 22 engages the clip I1, and thus the circuit through the heating element will be completed. Current will flow as follows: From the source of energy (not shown) current will flow through the wire it, lug l5, stud l4, clip ll, cup 22, heating element 2|, stud 23, cylinder 25, contact pins 29, shell i3, and thence through the panel H.

Preferably the organization is such that the pins 26 will engage and contact with the end of the cylinder 24 slightly before engagement of the cup 22 with the clip ll so that when said cup and clip finally engage each other the pins 26 will have slightly deformed the cylinder 24 so that its end is somewhat egg-shaped, due to the pressure caused by the cam surface of the ridge 29. If desired thecylinder 2 1 may be provided with a plurality of slits 2 3a, see Fig. 2, so that the pressure of the pins 25 will cause the arms thus formed to bend slightly, as shown.

Because of the resiliency of the arms'2'l carrying the pins, these latter will be urged continually toward the outward position of Fig. 1, and this serves to effect return of the igniting unit to the open-circuit position shown in this figure whenever pressure on the knob is released. Thus, to fully heat the heating element the igniting unit must be held inwardly in the position of Fig. 2 for a given length of time.

In order to apprise a user that the heating element is sufficiently incandescent for use, the present invention provides a solid light-conducting member 32 extending from said element to the outer face of the knob IS, the knob being apertured to receive and support said member. The member 32 may be of glass, or other suitable transparent or translucent material, and said member extends into the cylinder 24 to the end wall thereof, directly adjacent the back of the heating element. As seen in Fig. 1 the end of the member is recessed to receive the head of the stud 23. The bottom of the cup 22, the cap 20, and the end of the cylinder 24 are provided with aligned apertures at a plurality of points, as are the insulating washers associated with the heating element, to permit the light from the incandescent element to strike the end of the lightconducting member 32, and the front end of said member is preferably conically enlarged, as shown, to present a large illuminable surface at the front of the knob.

To prevent casual dislodgment of the igniting unit from the holder ll] when in the position of Fig. l the pins 25 are preferably made long enough to engage under slight pressure the inner surface of the neck portion 393. Also, for easy axial movement of the unit in the holder, the body it; is provided with an external flange Ilia adapted to slidably engage the inner surface of the neck portion.

In assembling the igniting unit of the lighter, the contact assembly shown in Fig. 3 may be easily positioned in the body [8 if the pins 25 are depressed as the ring is being placed in the bore. When the pins reach the apertures in the walls of the body they will snap out and thus position the assembly against future displacement.

According to the present invention there is provided a novel securing ring 33, see Figs. 1, 2 and 4, adapted to fit over the shell l3 and engage the rear face of the panel H, said ring being provided at its rear edge with an internal flange having a pair of wedge faces 34 and 35 adapted to engage respectively a pair of tabs 38 and 3'! lanoed from the shell l3 as shown. The internal flange is provided with cut- outs 38 and 38 to permit the ring to pass over the tabs 36 and 31. When it is desired to secure the holder it to the panel H, the holder is placed so that the bead 3i engages the front face of the panel, and the ring is then slipped over the shell l3, past the tabs 36 and 3'8 and is then turned by a handle 33a secured thereto so that the wedge faces en gage said tabs and wedge the ring securely against the rear panel face.

It will be noted that the tabs 36 and 31 present their edges for engagement with the wedge faces of the ring 33, and this provides a particularly stout and rugged securing means, since the force experienced by the tabs is largely that of compression, with but little flexing present.

A modification of the invention is shown in Fig. 5, wherein the stud M of the holder shell cup 22 as shown, and prevents the igniting unit from returning to its initial position under the urging of the pins 26. As the heating element becomes incandescent the heat therefrom will cause the clip 40 to spread and release the cup 22, thereby permitting theigniting unit to return to its initial open-circuit position. Thus the provision of the clip 40 makes the lighter automatic in its operation.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements'may be used Without others.

I claim:

1. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presenting a well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug, supported in the cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being movable from an open-circuit position to a closed-circuit position in said cavity; a cam face on the side wall of the cavity; a pin carried by and radially movable in the igniting unit, for engaging and sliding uponsaid cam face; and means for yieldingly forcing the pin outwardly against said face to yieldingly urge the igniting unit from its closed-circuit position to its opencircuit position. I 1

2. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presenting a well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug, supported in the cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being movable frcm an open-circuit position to a closed circuit position in said cavity; a cam face on the side wall of the cavity; a pin carried by and radially movable in the igniting unit, for engaging and sliding upon said cam face; and means for yieldingly forcing the pin outwardly against said face to yieldingly urge the igniting unit from its closed-circuit position to its open-circuit position, said pin normally engaging th side wall of the cavity to hold the igniting unit therein against casual removal.

3. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presenting a well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug, supported in the cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being movable from an open-circuit position to a closed-circuit position in said cavity; a cam face on the side wall of the cavity; a pin carried by and radially movable in the igniting unit, for engaging and sliding upon said cam face; and means for yieldingly forcing the pin outwardly against said face to yieldingly urge the igniting unit from its closed-circuit position to its opencircuit position, said pin constituting a contact to feed current to the heating element.

4. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presenting a well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug, supported in the cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being movable from an open-circuit position to a closedcircuit position in said cavity; a cam face on the side wall of the cavity; a pin carried by and radially movable in the igniting unit, for engaging and sliding upon said cam face; and means for yieldingly forcing the pin outwardly against said face to yieldingly urge the igniting unit from its closed-circuit position to its opencircuit position, said pin normally engaging the side wall of the cavity to hold the igniting unit therein against casual removal and constituting a contact to feed current to the heating element when the igniting unit is in closed-circuit position. 7

5. An igniting unit for a cigar lighter comprising a body adapted to be removably supported on a holding device, said body having a front face and another face,'and having a channel extending between said faces, the width of the channel increasing progressively toward the front face; a heating element carried by the body at the second-mentioned face; and an elongate solid light-conducting member extending in said channel from the heating element to the front face of the body, said member increasing in cross-sectional area progressively toward its front end, whereby the incandescence of the element is evidenced at said front face.

6. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presenting a well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug supported in the cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being movable to different positions in said cavity; 'a'

heating element carried by theigniting unit; a ridge on the side wall of the cavity; means car ried by the igniting unit and including a member depressed when engaged by said ridge; and means responsive to the depression of said member for controlling a circuit throughthe heating element when the igniting unit is moved in the cavity from one position to another.

7. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presenting a well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug, supported in the cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being movable to different positions in said cavity; a heating element carried by the igniting unit, and having a contact for conducting current thereto; a contact carried by the holding device in the cavity thereof for engagement with the heating element contact when the igniting unit is in a given energizing position in the cavity; a ridge on the side wall of the cavity; and means carried by the igniting unit and including a member depressed when engaged by said ridge; and means responsive to the depression of said member for closing the circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is moved in the cavity to the said position.

8. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presenting a well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug, supported in the cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being movable to different positions in said cavity; a heating element carried by the igniting unit, and having a contact for conducting current thereto; a non-resilient, abutting contact carried by the holding device in the cavity thereof for engagement with the heating element contact when the igniting unit is in a given energizing position in the cavity; a ridge on the side wall of the cavity; means carried by the igniting unit and including a yieldingly displaceable member displaced upon engagement with said ridge; and means responsive to the displacement of said member for completing the circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is moved in the cavity to the said position.

9. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presenting a well-like cavity; an igniting unitin the form of a plug supported in the cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being movable to different positions in said cavity; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; a ridge on the side wall of the cavity; means carried by the igniting unit andincluding a displaoeable member displaced upon engagement with said ridge; means responsive to the displacement of said member for closing a circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is in a given energizing position in the cavity, and means for yieldingly urging the unit from said position; and heat-responsive means in heat-exchanging relation with the heating element for holding the igniting unit in said position and for releasing the igniting unit for movement away from said position when the heating element reaches a predetermined temperature. I

10. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presenting a well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug supported in the cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being movable to different positions in said cavity; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; a ridge on the side wall of the cavity; and means carried by the igniting unit and including a pin movable radially therein to engage said ridge, for controlling a circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is moved in the cavity, said means also including a resilient arm carrying said pin, and a second resilient arm con-- nected with the heating element and engaged by the pin when depressed.

11. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presenting a Well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug supported in the cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being movable to different positions in said cavity; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; a cam ridge on the side wall of the cavity; a pin carried by and radially movable in the igniting unit, for engagement with said cam ridge whereby movement of the igniting unit in the cavity causes movement of the pin; and means responsive to movement of said pin for controlling a circuit through the igniting unit.

12. The invention as defined in claim 11, in which the means for controlling the circuit includes a resilient contact for engaging the pin,

said contact being connected with the heating element.

13. An igniting unit for a cigar lighter comprising a plug-like body having a central longitudinal bore, said body being adapted to be received in a holding cavity; a heating element carried by the body at one end thereof; a contact radially movable in the side wall of the body, and carried thereby substantially intermediate the ends thereof; a slitted contact cylinder concentrically located in the bore of the body so that its one end is adjacent the radially movable contact, said cylinder being mechanically supported at its other end; and an electrical connection from said cylinder to the heating element.

14. Ina cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presenting a well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug supported in the cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being movable to different positions in said cavity; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; a cam ridge on the side wall of the cavity; a pin carried by and radially movable in the igniting unit, for engagement with said cam ridge whereby movement of the igniting unit in the cavity causes movement of the pin; and means responsive to movement of said pin for controlling a circuit through the igniting unit, including means for yieldingly urging the pin against said cam ridge whereby the igniting unit is yieldingly urged to a position wherein the circuit through the igniting unit is open.

15. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presenting a well-like cavity; an

igniting unit in the form of a plug supported in the cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being movable from a shallow to a deep position in said cavity; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; a normally open switch carried by the igniting unit, for controlling the circuit through the heating element, said switch having an actuating member radially movable on the igniting unit; and means on the holding device for actuating said member to close the switch when the memher is moved in the cavity from the shallow position to the deep position.

ARTHUR A. JOHNSON.

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