US2592835A - Collapsible lighting shield for tobacco pipes - Google Patents

Description

April 15, 1952 UNGAR 2,592,835

' COLLAPSIBLE LIGHTING SHIELD FOR TOBACCO PIPES Filed April 18, 1947 F| G. 3. V WENTOR.

ATTQRMM Patented Apr. 15, 1952 COLLAPSIBLE LIGHTING SHIELD FOR TOBACCO PIPES Jules Ungar, New York, N. Y.

Application April 18, 1947, Serial No. 742,430

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to lighting shields for tobacco pipes. One object of the invention is to provide an improved, simple, and inexpensive, detachable shield to assist the lighting of tobacco in pipe bowls.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved lighting shield which is expansible for engaging a pipe bowl and collapsible so as to be conveniently carried in ones pocket or elsewhere.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a lighting shield adapted to be used in connection with tobacco pipe bowls of many different sizes, with improved means engageable within the pipe bowl so as to mount the shield irrespective of the ilgaryling external size and contour of the pipe Another object of the invention is to furnish a device of the nature set forth having improved means operative to lock the device in collapsed compact position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the type mentioned which is at least partially self-cleaning to eliminate adherent particles of tobacco and the like.-

Another object of the invention is to construct a device of the character described having improved means whereby the device in its collapsed condition is free of protruding or other exposed parts which might catch on ones clothing or the contents of ones pocket, and which presents a neat and decorative appearance.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention comprises the novel features, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated in the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a view in side elevation showinga device embodying the invention as operatively mounted on a fragmentary portion of a tobacco pipe, the bowl whereof is shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a top planview thereof.

Fig. 3 is a View in side elevation of a modification showing the shield of Fig. l furnished with aerating perforations.

Fig.4 'is a view in side elevation of the device in Fig. l in the collapsed position in which it is conveniently carried and initially seated on the arm of the pipe bowl.

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views of the device respectively shown the same in collapsed and in expanded positions.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the shield member showing certain details of'construction.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in elevations of the device corresponding to Fig. 6.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined, but useful embodiments may be produced involving less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several different constructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing a preferred exemplification of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, [0 denotes a device embodying the invention as operatively applied to a tobacco pipe ll having a bowl [2 affording a tobacco chamber I3 and a rim I4 on which the device I0 is seated.

The device It! comprises a lighting shield I5 adapted to form a passage or recess suflioient to protect a flame that is being applied to the tobacco from being blown out by a wind. Within the scope of this definition, shield [5 may be of generally tubular form, suitably interrupted if necessary, but desirably circumferentially closed at least to the extent shown. This shield 15 may have a base portion N5 of sufficient diameter to seat on a rim [4 of pipe bowls of widely varying sizes. While the shield might be outwardly flanged for this purpose, it is preferred to form the same like the frustum of a cone, the upper edge portion ll of which is substantially smaller in diameter to afford proper protection for the flame. I have found that by reason of the tapered construction of the shield, there is substantially less tendency toward the creation of a suc tion such as might cause the flame to be extinguished by a wind. When suitably seated on the rim i 4, the shield I5 is preferably in approximate alinement with the axis of the pipebowl. To support combustion within the shield, the latter may have suitable air inlet openings, for example such as the perforations I8 distributed throughout the wall of modified shield l5a.

Engaged with the, shield I5 is a means telescopically mounted, that is, axially movable therealong to retracted and projected positions,

proof plastic, or the like.

including pins or other means adapted to be projected into the pipe bowl to hold the shield against lateral displacement; desirably such pins are mounted upon a common actuator as presently disclosed. Such actuator is indicated at 2B, and while it may be variously constructed, it is preferred, in conformity with the shape of the tubular shield 15, to make this actuator in the shape of a tube or ring. Carried by this actuator are a plurality of pins 2| or similar elements adapted to easily penetrate the tobacco upon entering the pipe bowl. Desirably there are three equally angularly spaced pins. These pins may or may not directly engage the inner wall surface of the pipe bowl; it suffices that they become embedded within the tobacco, whereby there is no limitation with respect to the diameter of the chamber of difierent pipe bowls. It is preferred to have the pins engage internally instead of externally of the pipe bowl so that the diameter and shape of the latter, which factors may widely vary, shall have no effect upon such engagement. For this reason the pins, which are preferably approximately parallel to the axis of the shield 15, lie in a circle whose diameter is substantially smaller than the base portion is of the shield. While the ring member 20 might be mounted internally of the shield, it is preferred to position the same externally thereof for easy manipulation and for a novel mode of engagement for mounting the ring and its pinson the shield, as hereinafter described.

being suitably connected to the ring 29 at any desired surface thereof. The pins are preferably rigid on the ring. The pins and shield can be constructed in integral manner, of metal, fire- The pins may have some degree of resilience, at least adjacent to their free end portions for a purpose hereinafter apparent. The parts 22 extend through the wall of the shield l5, as seen in Figs. 1, 4, and 6, affording certain advantages. The shield may have longitudinally extending slots 23 closed at one or both ends, there being such a slot for each of the pins. The parts 22 are of such length that the bends 24 are located slightly within the slots 23 at their upper ends to afiord an interlocking action to prevent accidental upward separation of the ring from the shield. In other words, the ring is applied over the shield, with the pins 2| entering the slots 23, and the parts 22 being sprung downwardly to snap them into the slots,

only a slight projection being required to furnish illustrating at least such frictional contact suflis:

cient to make it difficult to thus remove the ring and hence avoid straining of the pins at the transverse sections 22 thereof. The shield 15 may consist of any suitable material such as metal or heat-resisting plastic; if made of metal it can be fabricated of sheet metal 01' tubular stock in any well-known manner. It will be noted that the s ots 23 may constitute ventilation openings for the shield srpplem'ental to or in lieu of the perforations 18. It is preferred that the slots 23 be so narrow as to afford a snug guide for the pin portions 22.

Due to the conical form of the shield 15, it is not possible for the ring 20 to be directly guided thereon as would be the case if the shield were cylindrical. In consequence, the shield is provided with inward extending guide portions or ears 25 for the pins, preferably in individual engagement therewith by the use of perforations 26 through which the pins extend. In the case of a sheet metal structure, each ear may be struck out from the wall of the shield, leaving a cut-out 21 at the extreme bottom region of the latter. This cut-out may be regarded as providing an additional ventilation opening. In forming the ear, sufiicient metal is left at 28 to close the lower end of the slot 23 as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6, thus there is a stop for the pin portion 22 to limit downward movement of the ring 20. By virtue of the guides 25, the ring and pin assembly is maintained in alinement with the shield in course of its movement to the retracted position of Fig. 5, and to the projected position of Fig. 6, the ring-being spaced from the shield in the retracted position. The ears may afford sufficient bearing for their individual pins to permit individual projection of the pins if a sectional ring structure is used, but by the use of a common actuator 20, the several pins form a common shaft having a superior bearing engagement.

Any suitable means is provided to releasably lock the device (0 in its collapsed position shown in Fig. 4.. For this purpose, any desired portion of the pins may be utilized, and while the slots 23 may have angular or irregular portions for rotary or frictional rocking, it is preferred to maintain a perfectly smooth operation which is responsive solely to direct axial movement of the pin and ring assembly. This is accomplished as by forming relatively small or minute head portions 30 in the pins, for instance by so molding or by upsetting the same, these heads having a snap engagement with the ears 25, effective by reason of the resilience of the pins. The perforations 26 of the ears may be suitably enlarged to pass these heads 30. In the retracted position, these heads lie above the ears and they are pushed through the perforations 26 by merely downwardly pressing on the ring 20, whereupon the ring and pin assembly may be projected. Upon a reverse movement, the device 10 is locked in collapsed position. If any one of the heads 30 should fail to engage, a head on another pin will perform the locking. These heads are preferably in radial relation to the device. When in fully retracted position, the free ends 3i of the pins are preferably above the bottom edge of the shield so that there are no projecting parts, and this is accomplished by spacing the ears above the bottom edge of the shield. Accordingly there is ample room to form heads on the lower ends of the pins, in which case the slots 23 may be open at their upper ends, but the instant device shows a more neat and rugged structure.

The device I!) may be assembled by positioning the ring 20 in alinement with the shield l5, with the pins 2| entering the slots 23 near their open ends. The ring 20 is then moved downwardly and the offset portions or arms 22 .of the pins are caused, to snap into the slots 23. at the same time the lower ends of the pins are inserted into the ears v25.

The device I0 is in normal collapsed position as in Fig. 4, in which condition it may be conveniently carried or packaged. and it is thus locked by the snap engagement of the heads 30 with the cars 25 as shown in Fig. 5. Now the operator places this collapsed device on the tobacco pipe bowl [2 in general alinement therewith, the base portion of the shield |5 resting on the rim of the pipe bowl. The ring then is pushed downwardly thus causing automatic release of the snap engagement at 30 whereupon the pins 2| are projected to enter the pipe bowl and to become embedded in the tobacco. The operator may now conveniently light his pipe, the shield being anchored against displacement. Then the device I0 is removed, and the ring 20 pushed in the reverse direction to retract the pins 2| and to lock the device in collapsed position by means of the heads 30.

The shield is amply ventilated so that a lighted match may be fully inserted into the shield without becoming snuffed out. By reason of its conoidal form, the shield forms a deflector for the wind to prevent extinguishment of the lighted match. The base portion of the shield is of sufficient diameter to seat on pipes of many difierent'sizes. The pins 2| are arranged along a circle sufficiently small to readily enter pipe chambers of different diameters. It is thus seen that the size and artistic external configuration of the pipe bowl will not interfere with the operation of the device. The only parts of the device which may come in direct contact with the tobacco or ashes are the pins 2|, but these in retracted position are housed within the shield, and consequently will not soil the clothing. To a, substantial degree, the pins are self-cleaning, because any particles adhering to the pins will be removed or scraped off by the ears 25, and thus caused to drop off. The device is neat in appearance, rigid and durable and highly efficient in use, and inexpensive to manufacture.

I claim:

1. A device including a generally tubular lighting shield adapted to seat on the rim of a tobacco pipe bowl, means engaged with the shield for axial movement to projected and retracted positions, including a plurality of angularly spaced pins engaging the pipe bowl in the projected position of said means, the portions of the pins at their lower free ends and portions of the shield adjacent to the lower end thereof having resilient snap engagement with each other transversely of the pins by resilient action of the pins, to maintain said means in retracted position, the snap engagement being opened and closed by axial forcible movement of the said means.

2. A device including a generally tubular lighting shield adapted to seat on the rim of .a pipe bowl, said shield being of conoidal form and having openings, a ring of larger diameter than the shield, a plurality of angularly spaced pins in the shield each having an outward extendin portion connected to the ring through one of said openings in the shield, and ears on the shield for guiding the pins to maintain the rin and pin assembly for axial movement relative to the shield for retraction and projection, with the pins engaging in the pipe bowl in their projected position.

3. A device for assisting in the lighting of tolid bacco in pipe bowls comprising a tubular shield having a base portion for resting on the rim of the pipe bowl, said shield being formed with spaced apart through openings, a ring disposed externally of the shield in coaxial relation to the latter, a plurality of spaced pins corresponding to the number of said openings carried by the ring, each pin extending through one of the openings, said ring with the pins being mounted for movement with respect to the shield from positioning the pins within the shield to an effective projecting position of said pins beyond the shield engaging the interior of the pipe bowl when said base portion rests on the bowl rim to prevent accidental displacement of the device.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said shield openings are each slotted to extend 1ongitudinal the shield, and formed with closed ends adjacent said base portion, said pins each having an angular portion extending through one of said slotted openings to serve as stop engagement means with the closed ends of the slots.

5. A device according to claim 3 wherein the shield is provided with ears at the lower end thereof, the pins having guiding engagement in the ears.

6. A device according to claim 3 wherein the shield is provided with ears at the lower end thereof, the pins being resilient and having.

guiding engagement in the ears and having means for releasable snap engagement with the ears to maintain the pins in retracted position.

7. A device for assisting in the lighting of tobacco in pipe bowls comprising a telescoping structure formed with a tubular shield member having a base portion for seating on rims of the pipe bowls, a ring member coaxially movable along the exterior of the shield member, resilient portions having free ends extending from said ring member movable from a, telescoped position within said shield member to an extended position beyond said base portion for releasably engaging the inner walls of various sizes of pipe bowls upon said coaxial movement of the ring member to retain said shield in an effective seated position, and releasable interengaging locking means between said shield member and the free ends of said resilient portions of the ring member for securing the device in said telescoped position to maintain a compact condition when not in use.

J ULES UNGAR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 499,384 Harper June 13, 1893 521,864 Percy June 26, 1894 626,570 Shuck June 6, 1899 1,490,939 Rogers Apr. 22, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 6,866 Great Britain of 1891 26,042 Great Britain of 1903 21,884 Great Britain of 1910

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