US2248017A

US2248017A - Cigar lighter

Info

Publication number: US2248017A
Application number: US121761A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph H Cohen
Original assignee: Automatic Devices Corp
Current assignee: Automatic Devices Corp
Priority date: 1937-01-22
Filing date: 1937-01-22
Publication date: 1941-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 1958-07-01

Description

Patented July 1, 1941 CIGAR LIGHTER Joseph H. Cohen, Bridgeport, Conn., assigner to Automatic Devices Corporation, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Bridgeport,

Application January 2?., 1937,seia1lN0. 121,761

Claims.

This invention relates to automatic cigar lighters.

The invention is shown as embodied in the type of cigar lighter commonly used in automobiles, and having a holding device attachable to an instrument panel or other support, and a separate igniting unit carrying a heating element, said unit being movable on the holding device to effect energization of the heating element, and kbeing completely removable therefrom for transportation and use.

In lighters of this type it is common practice to carry the igniting unit on the holding device vin a normal, open-circuit position, and to effect energization of the heating element by closing a circuit in response to movement of the igniting unit to a second closed-circuit position.

In these lighters, when the heating element attains a predetermined useful temperature it causes operation of a heat-responsive mechanism to open the circuit through said element, this opening of the circuit being usually effected by return of the igniting unit to its normal opencircuit position.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved means for completing the electric circuit through the heating element in response to movement of a manually operable member, said member, in the lighter embodying the invention, being the igniting unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for opening the heating element circuit when the element attains a predetermined useful temperature, this being accompanied by return of the manually operable member to its original position.

These objects are attained by providing an improved electrical contact assembly and latch assembly, characterized in the main by an elongate deformable heat-responsive snap member in heat-receiving relation with the heating element, by an electrical contact operatively connected with said member, and by means confining and bearing against the edges of said member to cause it to buckle or curve in either of two directions. Normally the snap member is buckled in one of said directions, corresponding to open-circuit position of the contact operatively connected therewith. In response to movement of the manually operable mechanism, said member snaps to its other position, operating the Contact associated therewith to close the circuit through the 'heating element. When said element attains a predetermined temperature the snap member, in respending to heat from the element, will snap to its initial position, thereby opening the heating element circuit, this being accompanied by return o1 the manually operable mechanism to initial position also.

This improved contact and latch means has the advantage of being quick and positive in its action, and of having-denite operative positions, as determined by the buckling of the snap member to either of two positions. Other features andadvantages will hereinafter appear. Y Y.

In .the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is an axial View of the lighter embodying the invention, in open-circuit position, the holding device andpart of the igniting unit being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a similar View ofthe lighter, but in closed-circuit position, and with the holding device and all of the igniting unit except the knob being shown fin section.

Fig. 3 is a View of the lighter showing the automatically operative heat-responsive mechanism in a transitory position just before the .circuit through the heating element is opened.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3, the tubular shell of the holder being omitted.

The lighter shown in the accompanying drawing as embodying the present invention comprises a holding device I0 'secured to a panel I I, anda removable igniting unit I2.

The holding device IU includes a tubular metal shell I3 having an integral rear wall or end closure I4 and having its front end externally .Y threaded to carry va nut .I5 for securing Vthe shell to the panel. The walls of the shell near the front end are provided with a plurality of tongues I6 lanced outwardly therefromk and adapted to engage the back of the panel I I so that Whenthe nut I5 is tightened against the panel the shell I3 will be held securely thereto.

The shell I3 is therefore electrically connected to the panel II, which in turn is connected by the usual ground circuit to a source of energy, and said shell is thus adapted to serve as a contact for engaging the igniting unit I2 to conduct current thereto. The holder I0 carries a second electrical connection in the form of a stud I1 passing through a metal bushing 18 located in the rear wall I4 of the shell. 'Ihe bushing I8 passes through a central aperture in the Wall I4, as shown in Fig. 2, and is headed-over on the outside of said Wall to securely hold it thereto. The stud I1 passes through the bushing and is insulated therefrom by a pair of insulating Washers and an insulating sleeve, as shown, and said stud is secured in place by a hexagonal nut, and has secured thereto an electrical connection lug I9 by a second nut, all in the conventional manner. The lug I9 is connected to the other terminal of the source of energy for the lighter.

The igniting unit I2 comprises a tubular body 20 of insulating material, externally threaded at its front end to carry a knob 2|, and internally threaded at its rear end to carry a metal cap 22, on which is mounted a heating element 23.

The igniting unit I2 is adapted to be yielding held in open-circuit position in the holder, and for this purpose the knob 2| is provided with a cylindrical portion 2Ia adapted to slidably rit within a metal sleeve 24 which latter is slidably received and held in the shell |3 of the holding device. The front or outer rim of the sleeve 24 is flared outwardly to engage the nut I so that said sleeve is positioned thereby in the holder, and the inner or rear end of the sleeve is turned inwardly to provide a flange 24a adapted to slide on the outer surface of the tubular body 20. Between the flange 24a and the back end of the cylindrical portion 2Ia of the knob there is disposed a helical compression spring 25 which yieldingly urges the knob 2| outwardly and into its normal position, as of Fig. 1, where an external shoulder 20a provided on the body 20 abuts the rear face of the flange 24a of the sleeve 24. Thus, when the igniting unit I2 is inserted in the holder IIJ the parts will have the positions shown in Fig. 1, this being the open-circuit position of the lighter. The igniting unit I2 including the sleeve 24, is held in the holder I0 against casual removal or dropping out therefrom by a resilient tongue |311 lanced from the shell I3 and biased inwardly to engage under slight pressure the sleeve 24.

The heating element 23 comprises an outer metal contact cup 26 enclosing a spiral heating coil 2l, the outer end of which coil is attached to the cup, and the inner end of which is held in the slitted head of a pin 28 passing through the bottom of the cup and through a central aperture in the cap 22, and being headed-over against the cap for holding the heating element thereon. The cup 26 is insulated from the cap 22 and from the pin 28 by suitable washers, as shown in Fig. 2, and the pin 28 effects electrical connection between the inner end of the heating coil 2'I and the cap 22 so that the latter can serve as a ycontact for the heating coil. The other contact for the coil is, of course, the cup 26.

The lighter shown is of the type wherein energization of the heating element is effected by moving the igniting unit from its normal opencircuit position of Fig. 1 to a deep position in the holder, as in Fig, 2.

According to the present invention there is provided improved means for closing the circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is in the closed-circuit position of Fig. 2, and for holding the igniting unit in said position and releasing the unit for return to open-circuit position in response to heating of the coil 21.. The exemplilication of this means comprises a contact and latch assembly carried by the stud 'II and adapted to engage and hold the cup 26 of the heating element, and to release said cup when the element reaches a predetermined useful temperature.

As shown, the stud I'I carries a resilient clip 29 having arms 30 which are adapted to operatively carry a bimetallic snap member 3| having attached to the ends thereof contact fingers 32 for engagement with the cup 26. The arms 30 of the clip 29 are shaped to provide pockets for receiving and confining the ends 0f the snap member 3|, said arms each having a pair of tabs 33a, see Fig. 4, to prevent the member 3| from slipping laterally out of the clip, and said arms are biased inwardly to bear against the member 3| so that the latter buckles or bends either toward the clip or away from the clip. The contact lingers 32 carried by the snap member 3| are so disposed and shaped that when the member is buckled away from the clip the fingers will be in separated position to receive the cup 26 of the heating element, as in Fig. 1.

When the igniting unit I2 is moved to the deep position in the holder, the cup 26 will pass between the contact ngers 32 and press against the snap member 3| to move said member and cause it to snap, because of the pressure on its ends, and bulge toward the clip, this action operating the fingers 32 so that they grasp the cup 26, as in Fig. 2. The igniting unit is therefore held in this deep position.

The circuit through the heating element is completed, when the igniting unit is in this position, by a resilient contact nger 33 lanced inwardly from the shell I3 to engage the rim of the cap 22, and current will flow through the lug I9, stud I1, clip 29, lingers 32, cup 26, heating coil 21, pin 28, cap 22, contact finger 33, shell I3, and through the panel I| to the ground return of the circuit.

The bimetallic snap member 3| is adapted to respond to heat from the element 23 by iiexing outwardly or away from the clip 29. As the heating element becomes hot the member 3| will therefore tend to straighten from its position of Fig. 2, such straightening being shown in Fig. 3, wherein the member 3| is about to snap it to its initial position. When this last occurs, the cup 26 will be released and the igniting unit will return under the urging of the spring 25 to its initial open-circuit position, the circuit through the heating element being thus broken. The igniting unit is then removed for transportation and use, and again replaced in the holder to the position of Fig. l.

It will be noted that an advantage of the present lighter resides in the ability to reenergize the heating element shortly after it has been initially energized, if this is desired. Due to the snap action of the member 3|, a slight cooling of this will permit it to be again snapped to the position of Fig. 2 to hold the igniting unit again in energizing position, should such be desired.

Variations and modications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit having a heating element supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use; a movable contact mounted on the igniting unit for movement into a position in which a circuit is closed to the heating element; and an elongate deformable heat-responsive member having a contact secured thereto normally out of the path of the movable contact, said deformable member being mounted so as to assume a buckled or curved position in either of two directions and actuated, upon movement of the movable contact, into closed-circuit position to buckle and move the contact carried thereby into engagement with the movable contact to establish the energizing circuit to the heating element, the heat-responsive means, upon being heated to a predetermined heat, deforming and buckling in the opposite direction 'to move the contact carried thereby out of engagement with the movable contact to control the circuit to the heating element.

2. In an electric `cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit having a heating element supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use; a contact mounted on kthe igniting unit for movement into a position in which a circuit is established to the heating element; and an elongate deformable heatresponsive member disposed transversely to the path of movement of the movable contact and having a contact secured thereto substantially perpendicular to the surface `of the deformable member facing the movable contact and disposed out of the path of movement of the movable contact, said deformable member being mounted to assume :a buckled or curved position in either of two directions and actuated, upon movement of the movable contact, into predetermined position with relation thereto to buckle and move the contact carried thereby laterally into engagement with the movable contact to establish an energizing circuit to the heating element, said heat-responsive means being heated in accordance with `the heating of the heating element and buckling inthe opposite direction when the heating element reaches a predetermined heat to move the contact carried thereby laterally out of engagement with the movable contact.

3. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit having a heating element and a shoulder movably supported by the holdingy device and completely removable therefrom for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device into aposition in which an energizing circuit to the heating element is closed; and a deformable heat-responsive member mounted on .the holding'device so as to assume a buckled or curved position in either 'of two directions and having latches formed thereon normally out of the path of movement ofthe igniting unit, said deformable member being actuated, upon movement of the igniting unit, into closed-circuit position to buckle and move the latches into' engagement with kthe shoulder on the igniting unit to hold `the igniting unit in closed-circuit position,

said heat-responsive member being heated in ac- ,f

cordance vwith the heating element and deforming yand buckling in the opposite direction when the heating element reaches a predetermined heat -to'release the latches from engagement with the shoulder on the vigniting unit;

4. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit having a heating element thereon mounted on lthe holding device for complete removalfforuse; and a switch disposed in the holding device, said switch comprising a contact carried' by the igniting unit, a deformable heatresponsive member carried by said'holding device, and a contact secured to said member, said contact being normally out of the path of movement of the contact carried by said igniting unit, said deformable member `being mounted so as tol assume a buckled or curved position in either of two positions and actuated, upon movement of the igniting unit, into a position in which a circuit rcan be closed to buckle and move the contact carried thereby into engagement with the contact carried by the igniting unit to close a circuit, said deformable heat-responsive member, upon being heated to a predetermined heat, buckling in the opposite direction and moving the contact carried thereby out of engagement with the contact carried by the igniting unit.

5. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit having a heating element thereon mounted on the holding device for completeremoval for use; and a switch including a contact carried by the igniting unit, a deformable heatresponsive member carried by the holding device and extending transversely of the path of movement of the contact, and a contact secured to said member projecting in the direction of the first-named contact but located normally out of the path of movement of the same, said deformable member being mounted so as to assume a buckled or curved position in either of two directions and actuated, upon movement `of the movable contact, into closed-circuit position to buckle and move the contact carried thereby into engagement with the contact carried by the igniting unit to close the circuit, the deformable heat-responsive member, upon being heated to predetermined heat, deforming and buckling in the opposite direction to move the contact carried thereby out of engagement withv the contact carried by the igniting unit.

6. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, the unit being movable on the holding device from an open-circuit position to a closedcircuit position; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; contact means in the holding device for closing a circuit through the heating element; means including a deformable heatresponsive snap member in heat-receiving relation With the heating element connected to the contact means; and means including a resilient clip carrying said member to conne and bear against the edges thereof to cause the member to buckle or curve in either of two directions, the member being normally curved away from the clip so as to be engaged by a portion ofthe igniting unit when moved to circuit-'closing position, whereby it will be flexed so as to curve toward the clip and move the connectedcontacts to close the circuit `for the heating element, and, upon the heating element attaining a predetermined useful heat, opening the circuit.

rI. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, the unit'being movable on `the holding device from an open circuit position to a closed-circuit position; a heating element carried by the igniting'unit; contacts in the holding device for closing a circuit through the heating element; means lincluding an elongate deformable heat-responsive snap member in heat-receiving relation with the heating element; detents on the member for engaging the igniting unit and holding the same in closed-circuit position; and means including a resilient clip carrying said member to 'confine and bear against the edges thereof to cause lthe member to buckle or curve in either of two directions, the member being normally curved away from the clip so as to be engaged by the igniting unit when moved into circuit-closing position, whereby it will be ilexed so as to curve toward the clip and move the det'ents into holding relation with the igniting unit, and, upon the heating element attaining a predetermined useful heat, releasing the detents.

8. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, the unit being movable on the holding device from an open-circuit position to a closed-circuit position; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; contact means including latching contacts in the holding device for closing a circuit through the heating element; means including an elongate deformable heat-responsive snap member in heat-receiving relation with the heating elementl connected to the contact means; and means including a resilient clip carrying said member to confine and bear against the edges thereof to cause the member to buckle or curve in either of two directions, the member being normally curved away from the clip so as t be engaged by the heating element when moved to circuit-closing position whereby it will be flexed so as to curve toward the clip and connect the contacts in latched circuit-closing relation with the heating element, and, upon the heating element attaining a predetermined useful heat, releasing the latches and opening the circuit.

9. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, the unit being movable on the holding device from an open-circuit to a closed-circuit position; means for yieldingly urging the unit to open-circuit position; a heating element rncunted on the igniting unit; contact means including latches in the holding device for closing a circuit through the heating element and holding the circuit closed; means including an elongate deformable heat-responsive snap member in heat-receiving relation with the heating element connected to the contact means; and means including a resilient clip carried by said member to confine and bear against the edges thereof to cause the member to buckle or curve in either of two directions, the member being normally curved away from the clip so as to be engaged by the igniting unit when moved to circuitclosing position, whereby it will be flexed so as to curve toward the clip and move the contact means to close the circuit for the heating element, and, upon the heating element attaining a predetermined useful heat, releasing the latches whereby the yielding means moves the igniting unit to open-circuit position.

10. In an electric gear lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device and. completely removable therefrom for use, the unit being movable on the holding device from an open-circuit position to a closedcircuit position; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; contact means in the holding device for closing a circuit through the heating element; means including an elongate deformable heat-responsive snap member in heat-receiving relation with the heating element connected to the contact means; and means including a resilient clip having bearings thereon to confine and bear against the edges thereof to cause the member to buckle or curve in either of two directions, the member being normally curved away from the clip so as to be engaged by the igniting unit when moved to circuitclosing position, whereby it will be flexed so as to curve toward the clip and move the connected contacts to close the circuit for the heating element, and, upon the heating element attaining a predetermined useful heat, opening the circuit.

11. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, the unit being movable on the holding device from an open-circuit position to a closed-circuit position; a heating element mounted on the igniting unit; Contact means in the holding device for closing a circuit through the heating element; means including an elongate deformable heat-responsive snap member in heat-receiving relation with the heating element connected to the contact means; and means including a resilient clip having bearings provided with side plates thereon to confine and bear against the edges thereof to cause the member to buckle or curve in either of two directions, the member being normally curved away from the clip so as to be engaged by the igniting unit when moved to circuit-closing position, whereby it will be flexed so as to curve toward the clip and move the connected contacts to close the circuit for the heating element, and, upon the heating element attaining a predetermined useful heat, opening the circuit.

12. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, the unit being movable on the holding device from an open-circuit position to a closedcircuit position; a heating element mounted on the igniting unit; contact means in the holding device for closing a circuit through the heating element; means including an elongate deformable heat-responsive snap member in heat-receiving relation with the heating element and having the contact means secured thereon in spaced relation so as to engage the sides of the heating element; and means including a resilient clip carrying said member to confine and bear against the edges thereof to cause the member to buckle or curve in either of two directions, the member being normally curved away from the clip so as to be engaged by the igniting unit when moved to circuit-closing position, whereby it will be flexed so as to curve toward the clip and move the connected contacts to close the circuit for the heating element, and, upon the heating element attaining a predetermined useful heat, opening the circuit.

13. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, the unit being movable on the holding device from an open-circuit position to a closed-circuit position; a heating element mounted on the igniting unit; contact means in the holding device for closing a circuit through the heating element; means including a deformable heat-responsive snap member extending transversely of the holder and in heat-receiving relation with the heating element and having the contact means mounted thereon in spaced relation so as to engage the sides of the heating element; and means including a resilient clip carrying said member to confine and bear against the edges thereof to cause the member to buckle or curve in either of two directions, the member being normally curved away from the clip so as to be engaged by the igniting unit when moved to circuit-closing position, whereby it will be flexed so as to curve toward the clip and move the connected contacts to close the circuit for the heating element, and, upon the heating element attaining a predetermined useful heat, opening the circuit.

14. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, the unit being movable on the holding device from an open-circuit position to a closed-circuit position; a heating element on the igniting unit; contact means in the holding device for closing a circuit through the heating element; means including an elongate deformable heat-responsive snap member in heat-receiving relation with the heating element and connected with the contact means so that the contacts extend substantially perpendicular to the member; and means including a resilient clip carrying said member to conne and bear against the edges thereof to cause the member to buckle or curve in either of two directions, the member being normally curved away from the clip so as to be engaged by the igniting unit when moved to circuit-closing position, whereby it will be exed so as to curve toward the clip and move the connected contacts to close the circuit for the heating element, and, upon the heating element attaining a predetermined useful heat, opening the circuit. Y

15. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit having a heating element carried thereby and supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use; an elongate deformable heat-responsive snap member; contacts secured to the edges of said member so as to extend substantially perpendicular thereto; and means mounted in the holder including a resilient clip provided with bearings adapted to engage the contacts and to conne and bear against the member to cause the member to buckle or curve in either of two directions, the member being normally curved away from the clip so as to be engaged by the heating element to move to circuit-closing position whereby it will be flexed so as to curve toward the clip and move the contacts about the bearing surfaces as pivots to close the circuit to the heating element, and, upon the heating element attaining predetermined useful heat, moving the contact to open the circuit.

JOSEPH H. COHEN.

y CERTIFICATE oF coRREcTioN. Patent No. 2,2h8,o17. July 1, 19m.

JOSEPH H. COHENs It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring` correction as follows: Page 2s first column, line l-lLL, for the word 7,wfielding read yieldinglyg page l1., first column, line 559 claim lOg {for "gear" read --eigar--g and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record. of the oase in the Patent Office@ Signed and sealed. this 25rd. dayAo September9 A@ 19h11.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner ofA Patents? v CERTIFICATE CE CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,2LI8,017. July 1, 19in;

JOSEPH H. COHEN,

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the abovel numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, first Column, line l-lb., for the word "yielding" read --yieldingly-v-g page li, first Column, line 55, Claim lO, :for "gear" read cgar; and tht the said Letters Patent should be read with this Correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.,

Signed and sealed this 25rd dayof September, A; 1914.1.

l Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of' P atents,