US2231776A - Cigarette receptacle and extinguishing device - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 11, 1941. w. J. SEELlNGER CIGARETTE RECEPTACLE AND EXTINGUISHING DEVICE Filed April 13, 1938 jfig.1

figz

INVENTOR. WILLIAM J. SEELINGER ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES CIGARETTE RECEPTACLE AND EXTINGUI'SHING DEVICE William J. Seelinger, Detroit, Mich.

Application April 13, 1938, Serial No. 201,782

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a cigarette receptacle and extinguishing device, one of the principal objects being to provide a receptacle and extinguishing device in which the cigarette is extinguished preparatory to its discharge into the receptacle and in which the receptacle is sealed after the discharge of the cigarette thereinto.

A more specific object is to provide a simple and effective device of this character comprising a tubular cigarette receiving member having a passage therethrough which is slightly larger in diameter than a cigarette and which is disposed so as to receive the cigarette endwise and smother its lighted end, the bottom end of the passage being closed by a suitable trap door which is sufficiently overbalanced and so arranged as to sustain the weight of the cigarette and yet which will open and discharge a cigarette into the receptacle when the cigarette is tapped slightly endwise.

Another object is to provide a device of this character in combination with an automobile dash panel and in which the receptacle is so related to the extinguishing device that the receptacle may readily, be removed without disturbing the extinguishing device.

Other objects and. advantages will become apparent from the following specification wherein reference is made to the drawing, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of an automobile dash panel with the present invention installed;

Figure 2 is an enlarged scale View taken on a plane indicated by the line 2-2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a device embodying a modification ofthe invention; and

Figure 4 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, showing another modification of the invention.

Referring, first to Figures 1 and 2, the device is shown in connection with an automobile dash panel I which is provided with a removable drawer 2, the support for the drawer preferably being in the form of inturned flanges 3 integral with the dash panel. Above the drawer, the panel is provided with a cup-shaped depression 4 having near its center an inwardly extending annular flange 5 which defines a central opening through the bottom of the cup-shaped portion 4. Mounted within the cup-shaped portion 4 and supported by the flange 5 is a tubular member 6 having a flared outer end as indicated at 1 so arranged as to merge generally with the bottom of the cupshaped portion 4 of the dash. The tubular member 6 is open at the outer end to receive a cigarette C, as illustrated in Figure 2. At its inner drawer and, in turn, support the tubular member end the tubular member 6 is cut off on a plane oblique with respect to .the axis of the tubular member so that the inner or lower end of the tubular member 6 is oblique to the axis of the tubular member. Hingedly connected to the tubular member at the lower port-ion of the oblique end is a trap door -8 which normally swings upwardly into closing relation to the oblique end of the tubular member. The door 8 is yieldably urged into position by a suitable overbalance 9 which 10 may be formed integral therewith from a single piece of strip metal. The hinge axis, indicated at I0, is, as stated, at the lower or innermost part of the oblique end of the tubular member, that is, the part which is farthest removed from the outer end of the tubular member, so that the door 8 lies in the plane of the oblique end of the tubular member. Thus the door is engaged by the end of the cigarette and moved a considerable distance toward open position before the end of the cigarette can strike the door near the hinge. Furthermore, the overbalance is such that in whatever operating position the tubular member 6 is disposed, the door supports the cigarette but will open and permit the cigarette to drop out of the tube when the cigarette is tapped lightly on the outer end. By placing the hinge connection at the lower part of the oblique end of the tubular member 6, the danger of jamming of the cigarette in the tube due to pressure between the cigarette and the door is eliminated, whereas in prior structures in which the cigarette may engage the door near the hinge before the door is appreciably open, such jamming is not uncommon. In this form of the invention the extinguishing device is prominently supported by the dash panel itself and only the drawer part of the combination is removable. In Figure 3 a similar structure is shown wherein the extinguishing portion of the device is carried directly in the drawer so that both can be readily removed.

Referring to Figure 3, the panel 20 is provided with a drawer 2|. Transverse supporting members 22 are connected to the side walls of the 23 which corresponds in form and function to the tubular member 6, heretofore described. The tubular member 23 is also provided with a door 24 and overbalance 25 corresponding to the door 8 and overbalance 9 heretofore described.

Referring next to Figure 4, there is illustrated a modification of the invention wherein the re ceptacle may be an exposed container or may be incorporated into the arm of an automobile seat. In this form of the invention the receptacle 3!! is provided with a cover 3| which may be of metal or thermoplastic material. The cover 3| is provided with a peripheral flange 32 which snugly embraces the top of the receptacle 30. The cover also has a central cup-shaped portion 33 which slopes downwardly and inwardly and terminates into an integral tubular portion 34, the walls of the portions 33 and 34 merging in a gradual curve. To the lower end of the portion 34 is secured a sheet metal sleeve 35, the sleeve being secured in place by suitable clamping screws 36. The trap door 31 is overbalanced by a weight 38 which may be integral therewith and is connected by a hinge 39 to the lower end of the sleeve 35. The lower end of the sleeve is also cut on a bias so that the lower end lies in a plane which is oblique to the axis of the sleeve. Likewise the overbalance of the door is such that it will support the full weight of the cigarette without opening it but will open and discharge the cigarette into the receptacle if the cigarette is tapped lightly downwardly at its upper end.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a combined ash receptacle and cigarette extinguishing device, a tube associated therewith in position above the bottom of the receptacle, extending downwardly and having one end arranged to discharge into the receptacle, said end being oblique to the axis of the tube, a door hingedly connected to the tube at the portion of said end of the tube furthest removed from the other end of the tube so that the tube closing portion of the door is adapted to swing past the hinge from an open position into closing relation to said end, said tube being of an internal diameter to fit a cigarette approximately and to smother the same when the door is closed, and means overbalancing the door and normally holding the door in closing position with approximately only sufficient force to sustain the dead weight of the cigarette.

2. In a combined ash receptacle and cigarette extinguishing device, a tubular member associated therewith in position above the bottom of the receptacle and having one end arranged to discharge generally downwardly into the receptacle, said end of the tubular member being oblique to the axis of the member, a door hingedly connected to the member at said end thereof and arranged to swing upwardly into closing relation to said end, the hinge axis of the door being arranged adjacent the portion of the oblique end of the member furthest removed from the other end of the member so that the door swings from an open to a closed position past the hinge axis, and a weight rigid with said door and disposed at the opposite side of the hinge axis therefrom and operative to overbalance the door and hold it lightly in closed position While the cigarette is resting thereon.

WILLIAM J. SEELINGER.

Images