US3189216A

US3189216A - Cigarette holder and dispenser

Info

Publication number: US3189216A
Application number: US321119A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence F Pinard
Original assignee: LOUISE ARMSTRONG
Current assignee: LOUISE ARMSTRONG
Priority date: 1963-11-04
Filing date: 1963-11-04
Publication date: 1965-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 1982-06-15

Description

June 15, 1965 c. F. PINARD 3,189,216

CIGARETTE HOLDER AND DISPENSER Filed Nov. 4, 1963 IOC INVENTOR. g CLARENCE l-T P/NARD United States Patent 3,189,216 CIGARETTE HOLDER AND DHEPENSER Clarence F. Pinard, Louise Armstrong, 1549 Sanborn Ave, 52in Jose M, Qalif. Filed Nov. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 321,119 4 Claims, (Cl. 2Z1-24) The present invention relates in general to cigarette holders and more particularly to a cigarette holder and dispenser.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel cigarette holder and dispenser.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved cigarette holder.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that has the appearance of a stuffed animal, which contains therein cigarettes and which ejects the cigarettes contained therein in seriatim.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that has the appearance of a stuffed animal, which contains therein cigarettes and which ejects th cigarettes one at a time by actuating an ear of the device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that has the appearance of a stuffed animal, which holds cigarettes therein and which ejects the cigarettes from an opening below the tail one at a time by actuating an ear of the device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that has the appearance of a stuffed animal, which holds cigarettes therein and which ejects the cigarettes from an opening below the tail one at a time by actuating one ear of the device and is reloaded through the same opening by moving the other car thereof to a reloading position.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cigarette holder and dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical, longitudinal section view of the cigarette holder and dispenser of the present invention with the cigarette cartridge and ejector mechanism shown in right side elevation.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical, longitudinal section view of the cigarette holder and dispenser of the present invention with the cigarette cartridge and ejector mechanism shown in section taken from the right side along a center line. i FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the cigarette cartridge and ejecting mechanism employed in the cigarette holder and dispenser of the present invention.

The cigarette holder and dispensing device ill of the present invention has the configuration and general appearance of a stuffed donkey or burro (FIG. 1). Mounted Within the device is a cigarette cartridge and ejecting mechanism (FIGS. 2 and 3) which holds a plurality of horizontally disposed, vertically aligned cigarettes A (FIGS. 3 and 4). An operator actuating a right ear lila- ('FIG. 1) of the stuffed animal device 10 and moving the same forward causes a cigarette to be ejected through an opening 21 (FIGS. 3 and 4) below a tail liib (FIG. 1) of the stuffed animal device 1%. The right ear Illa upon release by the operator returns automatically to its initial position. For loading the device it with cigarettes A through the aforementioned opening 21, a left ear Ililc (FIG. 1) is moved rearwardly by the operator. When the loading or reloading is completed, the operator releases the left ear 19c and the left ear 10c is returned to its normal position. i

The cigarette cartridge and ejecting mechanism 20 (FIGS. 24) comprises a housing 22 (FIGS. 2 and 3),

3,189,215 Patented June 15, 1965 which is formed from transversely spaced, upstanding side walls 22a and 22b of preferably stainless steel. The transverse space between the side walls 22a and22b is suitable to accommodate the diameter of a conventional and standard regular or king size cigarette. interconnecting the side walls 22a and 22b is a vertical rear wall 220 (FIG. 3) of preferably stainless steel. The rear wall 22c has its upper edge spaced from the upper wall 226; to define the opening 21 (FIG. 3) for ejecting cigarettes seriatim therethrough. A bottom wall 22d (FIGS. 2 and 3) of preferably stainless steel has a channel configuration and interconnects the lower surfaces of the side walls 220 and 22b and extends to the rear wall 220. A top wall 22c of preferably stainless steel interconnects the side walls 22a and 22b and is spaced above the upper surface of the rear Wall 22c to also define the opening 21. The opening 21 is of suitable size to accommodate a horizontally disposed cigarette for advancement therethrough.

A forward wall 22 joins the side walls 22a and 22b and also joins the bottom wall 22d.

'llhe housing 2 2 is divided into two sections. One section, a rear section, is substantially rectangular to accommodate a plurality of horizontally disposed, vertically aligned cigarettes A (FIG. 3). regular or king size. 22 projects from the rectangular section at an angle in a direction forwardly and upwardly to give the general appearance of the neck of an animal shaped device. While individual parts for the housing 2?. have been described, which may be secured together by welding or soldering, it is to be understood that the housing 22, may be integrally formed. 1 i

Disposed within the rectangular section of the housing The cigarettes may be 22 is a movable platform 25 having an inverted U-shape cross-sectional area with a longitudinally extending horizontally disposed fiat supporting surface 25.2. It is on the flat supporting surface 25a. that the lowermost cigarette rests. The movable platform 25 is adapted for descending and rising in a vertical plane.

Supporting the movable platform 25 for movement in a vertical plane are diagonally dispose-d

legs

25 and 27 that engage the lower surface of the platform 25. The legs 26 and 2,7 cross one another and are pivotally connected at the cross-over area by a pivot pin 28. The

legs

26 and 27 at the lowermost extremities thereof engage the bottom 22d of the housing 22. interconnecting the lower extremities of the legs as and 27 is a suitable spring 3% that continuously urges the lower extremities of the

legs

26 and 27 toward one another.

From the foregoing, it is to be observed that the platform 25 is always urged upwardly under the force of the spring 31) acting on the legs 26 and 2.7. Initially, the platform 25 is at its lowest position with a plurality of longitudinally extending, horizontally disposed cigarettes A (FliG. 3) supported thereby, As the uppermost cigarette A is ejected or removed from the housing 22., the platform 25 raises under the urgency of the spring 39 until the succeeding or next adjacent cigarette engages the upper wall 220 of the housing 22.

in order to insert cigarettes A manually within the housing 22 to be supported by the platform 25, it .is necessary to lower the platform 25 to provide a space to receive a cigarette inserted through the opening 21. For this purpose, a lever 31 (FIG. 3) having the general configuration of the left ear of the stuffed animal device 10 is mounted for pivotal movement on the forward section of the housing 22 by a pivot pin or shaft 32 that is supported for rotation by the side walls 2% and 22b. The lever 31 is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the wall'22b and is fixed to the shaft 32 for imparting rotary movement thereto.

A forward section of the housing Depending from the shaft 32 intermediate the walls 22:: and 22b and adjacent the inner surface of the wall 21b is an arm 33 (FIG. 3), The arm is fixed to the shaft 32 for rotation therewith and has a flange 32a disposed over the upper edge of the side wall 221) for guided movement. One end of a cable (FIG. 3) is pivotally attached to the lower extremity of the arm 33 and the other end of the cable is attached to one end of a lever arm 35 by being received through an opening therein and has an enlarged portion to prevent slippage through the opening. The other end of the lever arm 35 is connected to the

legs

26 and 27 at the pivot pin 2.3. A suitable tubular sleeve 4% and a plurality of tubular members 4-8 receive the cable for sliding movement. The tubular members do surround the sleeve 4d and are secured to the inner surface of the side wall 22b. it is desirable that the portion of the cable 34 adjacent the lever arm 35 be perpendicular or upright so that upon imparting movement to the lever arm 35, the end of the lever arm 35 attached thereto is raised in a pivotal movement about the lowermost surface of the forward wall 22 as a fulcrum and in substantially an upright direction, The lever 31 may be returned to its initial position manually by an operator. Should it be desired that the lever 31 return automatically to its initial position upon release by the operator, a spring, not shown, may have one end thereof attached to the lower extremity of the lever E l below the shaft 32 and have the other end thereof anchored to the side wall 22b rearward of the lever 31, thus continuously urging the lever 31 toward its initial or normal position.

in lowering the platform 25 to load or reload cigarettes into the cartridge and ejector mechanism 253 through the opening M, an operator grips the upper extremity of the left ear lever 31 and moves the same in the rearward direction, as shown by an arrow (FIG. 3). This action causes the shaft 32 to rotate with the lever 31. Thereupon, the depending arm 33 rotates with the shaft to impart movement to the cable 34. The cable 34, in turn, raises the portion of the lever arm 35 attached thereto to lower the opposite end of the lever arm 35. An opening in the front wall 22f (FIG, 3) of the housing 22 receives the lever arm 35 and the cylindrical wall surrounding this opening defines the fulcrum for the lever arm 35. The lowering of the rearward portion of the lever arm 35 lowers the pivot pin 23 and the upper extremities of the

legs

26 and 27 to lower tl e platform 25. When the lever 31 is returned to its normal position, the platform 25 is raised or urged in the upward direction under the force of action of the spring 3d acting on the legs 2d and 27. If desired, a stop 46 may be provided to limit the movement of the lever 31 in its return to its normal position.

To eject the uppermost cigarette A through the opening 21, the cartridge and ejector mechanism of the present invention includes a lever arm 5@ (FIG. 2), which has the general configuration of the right ear of the stuffed animal device to. The lever 54 is mounted for pivotal movement on the forward section of the housing by the shaft 52 and is freely rotatable relative to the shaft In addition, the lever $3 is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the side walls 22a.

Depending from the lever 59 is an arm 52 that has an opening formed therein to receive freely the shaft 32 and has a flange disposed over the upper edge of the wall 22a in guided sliding movement. ivotal movement of the lever 5d imparts rotary movement to the arm 52 therewith about the shaft 32.

The lower extremity of the arm 52 is pivotally attached by a cotter pin 53 to one end of a rigid arcuate actuating rod 55. At the other end thereof, the actuating rod 55 is pivotally attached by a pin 56 to an angularly disposed lever arm 57. The lower end of the lever arm is pivotally attached by a pin, such as a cotter pin 65', to the bottom wall 22d of the housing 22. At the upper and forward end thereof, the lever arm 57 is pivotally attached by a pin 61 to one end of an arm ea (FIGS. 2 and 4). In turn,

the opposite end of the arm 62 is pivotally connected by a pin as to a sliding, reciprocating ejector or block d5. The reciprocating block 65 includes a flange 65a that engages the other surface of the side wall 221; and is slidable over the upper edge thereof, similar to a rail, in the opneing 22g between the top wall 220 and the side wall 22a of the housing 22.

When the arm 62 is actuated through the lever arm 57, a substantially rectilinear, reciprocating movement is imparted to the slidable block 65 along the upper edge of the side wall 22a parallel with the back of the stuffed animal device it). The block 65 also includes a cigarette engaging member 65b (FE 4) that slides alon the horizontal extension of the side wall 221 when at its forward position and is adapted to engage the forward end of a cigarette disposed within the opening 2g to eject the cigarette through the opening 21. A spring 66 interconnects the lever arm 57 and the rigid actuating rod 55 to continuously urge the block or ejector 65 toward its forwardmost position. The spring as alternatively could be connected to the arm 62 and the actuating rod 55 t accomplish the same result.

For ejecting the uppermost cigarette A (PEG. 3) through the opening 21, the cigarette to be ejected occupies the rearward portion of the space 22g (FIGS. 2 and 3). An operator now grips the upper portion of the lever 5% (FIG, 2) and actuates the same to pivot about the shaft 32 in the direction shown by an arrow 78 (FIG. 2). This action causes the rigid actuating rod 55' to move rearwardly through the movement of the arm 52 with the lever 5d. Thereupon, the lever arm 5'? pivots about the pin as against the action of the spring 6 with the free end thereof moving toward the rearward direction. As a consequence thereof, the block or ejector e5 slides rectilinearly in the direction of an arrow 71 (PEG. 2) to eject the uppermost cigarette A through the opening 21. When the operator releases the lever 5d, the spring 66 returns the ejector mechanism to its normal or initial position. To limit the forward movement of the block 65, the forward portion of the side Wall 2211 which projects at an angle from the rectangular portion thereof may be employed as a stop.

To protect the ejector mechanism, a shelf '75 may be secured to the top wall 22c and extend outwardly from the ejector mechanism and then be secured to the lower portion of the side wall 22a adjacent the bottom wall 22d. A stop, not shown, may be formed on the shelf 75 at the forwardmost and uppermost portion thereof to limit the forward motion of the block or ejector 65.

A preferably galvanized iron coil spring 76 (FIG. 2) having the configuration of a tail is pivotally mounted on the side walls 22a and 22b by a U-shaped bracket 77. The proximal end of the spring 7s is soldered into or otherwise caused to adhere to a cylindrical casing, which receives the bracket 77 through openin s therein for pivotal movement thereabout and has a flange projecting forwardly therefrom. An angular extension 78 on the spring 75 serves to cover the opening 21 when the free end of the coil spring 76 is in its lower position. A spring 843 has one end thereof connected to the flange of the cylindrical casing of the coil spring 76 at the uppermost extremity of the coil spring 76 and has the other end thereof anchored to the side Wall 22b. The portion of the spring 86 anchored to the flange of the cylindrical casing of the coil spring 76 is located at the opposite side of the fulcrum, which is represented by the U-shaped bracket 77, with respect to the extension 78 and is constructed to continuously urge the spring '76 to pivot clockwise about the bracket 77. An operator pivots the coil spring 76 about the bracket 77 to raise the free end of the coil spring 76 from its normal position until the coil spring 76 pivots beyond a predetermined point. Thereupon, the continued movement of the coil spring 76 is under the action of the spring 80 and the free end of the coil spring 76 is in a raised position. The spring 81) continuously urges the coil spring 75 to pivot in a direction to maintain the free end thereof raised. While the free end of the coil spring 76 is in its raised position, the extension 78 is removed from covering the opening 21.

When it is desired to lower the free end of the coil spring '76 to its normal position and have the extension 78 cover the opening 21, an operator pivots the coil spring 76 counterclockwise about the bracket 77 against the urgency of the spring 80 until the extension 78 covers the opening 21.

The above-described cigarette cartridge and ejector mechanism 20 is placed within a plaster-of-Paris form 85 which has the configuration of a donkey or burro. The form 85 is divided into two equal parts 85a and 85b that join along a vertical, longitudinal plane extending along a center line of the device 10, As is well known to taxidermist, the form 85 may be produced by conventional plaster-of-Paris with gauze and wire therein to form a durable cast. -It is within the contemplation of the present invention that the form 85 may be produced from plastic,

The parts $54; and 355 are caused to adhere to one another by suitable adhesive material such as glue to form a hollow configuration of a donkey or burro for containing the cartridge and ejector mechanism 20. Thereupon, a suitable adhesive or glue is placed all along the exterior surface of the form 8-5 and a suitable cloth with bear hair is caused to adhere to the outer surface of the form 85. The bear hair is shaved and dyed to give the appearance of donkeys hide. Portion of the cloth at the donkeys hoofs and mouth area are exposed and wire solder is secured to the boots to give the appearance of shoes. Glass is caused to adhere to the head portion of the form 85 to appear as the donkeys eyes.

In the operation of the stuffed animal device 10, an operator pivots the tail 10b (FIG. 1) to remove the extension 78 from the opening 21. Thercupon, the operator on gages the upper portion of the left car 100 to move the same rearwardly. This action causes the platform 25 (FIG. 3) to be lowered. At this time, the operator inserts horizontally disposed cigarettes A into the opening 21 in a forwardly and longitudinal direction. The cigarettes are loaded into the cartridge and ejecting mechanism until a plurality of horizontally disposed, vertically aligned cigarettes are contained therein. The left ear 100 is now returned to its normal position.

For ejecting cigarettes one at a time through the opening 21, the operator engages the upper portion of the right car No and moves the same toward the forward direction. As a consequence thereof, the rigid actuating rod 55 and the lever arm 57 causes the ejector or block 65 to travel rectilinearly to expel the uppermost cigarette A on the platform 2'5 through the opening 21. When the operator releases the right ear 106:, the spring as (FIG. 2) returns the ejector mechanism and the car 100 to their initial and normal positions. As a cigarette is removed, the platform 25 raises under the urgency of the spring (FIG. 3) until the succeeding cigarette A engages the upper wall 22c.

It is to be understood that modifications and variations of the embodiment of the invention disclosed herein may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A cigarette container and dispenser comprising a form having the configuration of an animal, said form being formed with an opening therein, a vertically movable platform in said form for carrying a plurality of cigarettes with one of said cigarettes aligned with said opening, a first movable member projecting from said form, means in said form responsive to the movement of said first member for eje'cting said one cigarette through said opening, means in said form supporting said platform for vertical movement to urge said platform into position 6 whereby a cigarette is aligned with said opening, a second movable member projecting from said form, and means in said form connected to said platform support means and responsive to the movement of said second member to move said platform vertically for loading cigarettes onto said platform through said opening.

2. A cigarette container and dispenser comprising a form having the configuration of an animal, a tail projecting from said form, said form being formed with an opening below and adjacent to said tail, a first ear projecting from said form, a second car projecting from said form, means supported by said form for mounting said ears for respective pivotal movements, a vertically movable platform in said form for carrying a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically aligned cigarettes with one of said cigarettes aligned with said opening, means responsive to the pivotal movement of said first car for ejecting said one cigarette through said opening, means in said form supporting said platform for vertical movement to urge said plat-form into position whereby a cigarette is aligned with said opening, and means in said form connected .to said platform support means and responsive to the pivotal movement of said second car to move said platform vertically for loading cigarettes onto said platform through said opening.

3. A cigarette container and dispenser mechanism comprising a housing formed with an opening therein, a vertically movable platform in said housing for carrying a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically aligned cigarettes with the uppermost cigarette thereof aligned with said opening, an ejector supported by said housing for sliding movementin a rectilinear path and adapted to engage an end of the uppermost cigarette, a first lever mounted on said housing for pivotal movement, a second lever mounted on said housing for pivotal movement, means connected to said ejector and responsive to the pivotal movement of said first lever to actuate said ejector for moving the uppermost cigarette through said opening, support means in said housing below said platform for engaging said platform to urge said platform to raise a cigarette in alignment with said opening and said ejector, and means connected to said support means and responsive to the pivotal movement of said second lever for lowering said platform to load cigarettes onto said platform through said opening.

"4. A cigarette holder com-prising a housing formed 'With an opening, a platform disposed within said housing to carry a cigarette in alignment wit-h said opening, oppositely directed diagonally disposed legs interengaging said platform and said housing, said legs being pivotally connected at the cross-over junction thereof, a spring interengaging said legs for urging said platform to be raised, a lever pivotally mounted on said housing, a cable connected at one end thereof to said lever and. actuated in response to the pivotal movement of said lever, and a lever arm interconnected between s-aid pivotally connected cross-over junction and the other end of said cable for lowering said platform in response to the .actu ation of said cable by the pivotal movement of said lever.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,247,225 11/ 17 Cloova 221-232 1,755,655 4/30 Langenfeld 221-276 1,804,580 5/311 White'sides 221-276 2,426,136 8/47 Agamtaite 221-57 2,506,719 5/50 Gregg 221-24 FOREIGN PATENTS 496,730 i l/50 Belgium.

RA PHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS I. DEMBO, Examiner.

Claims

1. A CIGARETTE CONTAINER AND DISPENSER COMPRISING A FORM HAVING THE CONFIGURATION OF AN ANIMAL, SAID FORM BEING FORMED WITH AN OPENING THEREIN, A VERTICALLY MOVABLE PLATFORM IN SAID FORM FOR CARRYING A PLURALITY OF CIGARETTES WITH ONE OF SAID CIGARETTES ALIGNED WITH SAID OPENING, A FIRST MOVABLE MEMBER PROJECTING FROM SAID FORM, MEANS IN SAID FORM RESPONSIVE TO THE MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST MEMBER FOR EJECTING SAID ONE CIGARETTE THROUGH SAID OPENING, MEANS IN SAID FORM SUPPORTING SAID PLATFORM FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT TO URGE SAID PLATFORM INTO POSITION WHEREBY A CIGARETTE IS ALIGNED WITH SAID OPENING, A SECOND MOVABLE MEMBER PROJECTING FROM SAID FORM, AND MEANS IN SAID FORM CONNECTED TO SAID PLATFORM SUPPORT MEANS AND RESPONSIVE TO THE MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND MEMBER TO MOVE SAID PLATFORM VERTICALLY FOR LOADING CIGARETTES ONTO SAID PLATFORM THROUGH SAID OPENING.