US3263690A

US3263690A - Pipe smoking apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3263690A
Application number: US387642A
Authority: US
Inventors: William W Buckley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-08-05
Filing date: 1964-08-05
Publication date: 1966-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 1983-08-02

Description

Aug. 2, `1966 w. w.l BUCKLEY 3,263,690

PIPE SMOKING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 5, 1964 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM w. BUGKLEY .2.2`

3/ 4o 32 Us ArmR/VEY United States Patent O 3,263,690 PIPE SMOKING APPARATUS William W. Buckley, Palo Alto, Calif. (1906 E. 19th St., Santa Ana, Calif.) Filed Aug. 5, 1964, Ser. No. 387,642 8 Claims. (Cl. 131--243) This invention relates to pipe smoking apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus which will provide the functions of lighting a charge of tobacco contained in the bowl of a pipe, poking the tobacco, and tamping the surface of the charge of tobacco in the pipe.

The general object of the invention is to provide apparatus which will add to the enjoyment of pipe smoking. As is well known by those familiar with pipe smoking, there is more to the art than simply lighting a charge of tobacco and smoking it to completion. In order to provide a Well-formed bed of coals that will retain its light, it is necessary to tamp the surface of the charge, and it is also necessary from time to time to provide a poking action.

In the past it has been customary to provide a lighter for lighting the tobacco in a pipe and one or more completely separate `devices for tamping the tobacco and for poking the tobacco.

It is an object of the present invention to provide pipe smoking apparatus in which both the functions of lighting and tamping are integrated into a single structural unit. A further object of the invention is to provide pipe smoking apparatus in which the three functions of lighting,

tamping and poking are all integrated into a single strucp tural unit.

Another obje-ct of the invention is to provide pipe smoking apparatus which is particularly adapted for removable attachment to a particular type of lighter configuration.

A further object of the invention is to provide pipe smoking apparatus which has a tamper that is movable between a retracted and an operating position.

A related object of the invention is to provide pipe smoking apparatus comprising a tamper which swings into an out of the way location when it is moved into its retracted position.

Another object of the invention is to provide pipe smoking apparatus having a poker which is movable between an operating position and an out of the Way retracted position.

These and other objects and features of advantage will become more apparent from the following detailed description wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a cigarette lighter and pipe smoking accessory according to the invention. The cigarette lighter is shown in dot-dash phantom outline in order more clearly to show the attachment means for connecting the accessory to the ligher case. In FIG- URE l the tamperis shown in retracted position, and the poker is shown in operating position;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the cigarette lighter in solid lines. In FIG. 2 the tamper is shown in operating position and the poker is shown in retracted position;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view through the accessory and showing both the tamper and poker in retracted position; and

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the lines 4--4 of FIGURE 3.

Referring in more detail to the drawings a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a conventional cigarette lighter 1 of well known conventional construction and commonly referred to asa Zippo lighter. The lighter comprises a thin wall case having a rectangular ICC hollow bottom portion 2 and a hollow upper portion or cover 3. The upper portion is pivotally connected to the lower portion by means of a hinge 4.

The accessory for adding to the enjoyment of pipe smoking comprises a device 5 having a tubular metal guide member 6 which is adapted for convenient attachment to the lighter 1. The attachment means comprises a clip structure 7 brazed or otherwise bonded along the guide member 6. Clip 7 has a hook portion 8 which hooks over the upper edge of the bottom portion 2 of the lighter as shown in FIG. l. In order that the top 3 can be fully and easily closed .after the hook 8 is in position, the upper edge of the bottom portion 2 is preferably recessed slightly as at 9. The clip 7 also includes a U-shaped portion 11 having three

sides

12, 13 and 14. The clip 7 is preferably made of spring metal and the arms 12 and 14 are bowed toward each other to provide a firm grip against the sides of the lighter.

In order to attach the accesso-ry to the lighter it i-s simply necessary to raise the cover 3 ofthe lighter, slip the hook portion 8 in place at the recess 9 and press the U-shaped portion rmly into position. The action is most easily accomplished by holding the accessory tilted slightly clockwise from its position shown in FIG. 1 so that the arms 12 and 14 are just 'barely engaging the sides of the lighter, moving the hook portion 8 downwardly into en gagement with the upper edge of the bottom of the case, and then turning the accessory with a downward and counterclockwise motion into final position. As is well known the Zippo type lighter 1 includes an inner casing, not shown, which forms a uid reservoir and carries the lighting mechanism. Such inner casing is contained within the bottom portion 2 of the outer casing. It is preferable to remove such inner casing prior to attaching the accessory in the manner previously described. It is a simple matter to reinsertthe inner casing after the accessory is attached.

The working elements of the accessory 5 comprise a metal tamper 18 and a metal poker 19. Tamper 18 is a disk-like member shaped to t within. the bowl of any conventional pipe and cover a substantial area of the bed of coals therein. The tamper is preferably circular in shape as shown in the drawings. The poker is simply an elongated relatively thin rod.

In order to support the tamper 18 for movement between its retracted and operating positions as shown respectively in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tamper is brazed or otherwise attached to a plunger 21 which is slidingly guided in the tubular guide member 6. In order to provide the guiding action the tubular member 6 is4 provided with a guide sleeve 22 brazed or otherwise secured in its lower end, and the upper end of the plunger 21 is provided with an oversized portion 23 having `a sliding lit within the guide member 6. An operating spring 24 surrounds the plunger 21 inside the tubular guide member. The lower end of the spring abuts the sleeve 22 and the upper end of the spring abuts the lower shoulder of the enlarged portion 23 on plunger 21.

In order to provide a convenient means for moving the tamper between its operating and retracted positions, an operating tab 25 is formed on the upper end of the plunger 21. Ta'b 25 rides in a slot 26 in the wall of tubular member 6. The slot has an elongated shape and extends in a direction parallel to the axis of tubular member 6. The lower end of slot 26 opens into a cut-out 27 formed in the side of the tubular guide member 6.

As shown in FIGS. l and 3 the tamper 18 is in the inoperative or retracted position in which the upper surface of the tamper is held snuggly against the lower surface of the lighter under the force of spring 24. In order to move the tamper into the operating position shown in FIG. 2 it is simply necessary to push the operating tab 25 downwardly in slot 26. When the tab 25 reaches the cut-out 27 it is then rotated into the cut-out so that the tamper 1S is locked in the operating position shown in FIG. 2. It will be noted that the force asserted in pressing the operating tab downwardly against the force of spring 24 is resisted by the hook 8 to prevent any undesired movement of the accessory relative to the lighter. When the tamper 1S is in the operating position shown in FIG. 2 it is conveniently arranged for tamping the bed of coals in a pipe. During such tamping action the top 3 of the lighter is preferably closed, and it will `be noted that the upward force on the accessory due to such tamping is resisted by engagement between the lower edge of the cover 3 and the upper surface of the hook 8.

As is clearly apparent from the drawings the plunger 21 is connected to the tamper at a position which is offcenter or eccentric with respect to the tamper. The re-ason for this arrangement is to provide a very compact design. More specifically, the off-set attachment is arranged so that when the tamper is raised into the retracted position shown in FIG. 1 the tamper will be automatically swung into a position in which it lies under the lighter 1. Obviously, the tamper is moved from its operating position, shown in FIG. 2, lby simply turning the operating tab 25 back into the vertical slot 26 and allowing it to raise under the force of spring 24.

The poker 19 is carried in the plunger 21 which is hollowed out for that purpose. The poker 19 also fits through the tamper 18 and the design is such that when the poker is in its retracted position it is safely stored within the tamper and the plunger 21. In order to guide the poker and to rigidify it during use in its operating position, the upper end of the poker has an enlarged portion 30 having a sliding fit within the bore in plunger 21. Similarly, the lower end of the poker as shown in FIG. 3 is received in a guide sleeve 31 and is also slidingly received in a guide aperture 32 in the bottom of the tamper.

The poker can be locked in its retracted position and also in its operating position. The means for accomplishing the locking action comprises a spring wire 33. One end of wire 33 is bent to form a finger grip portion 34 and the other end of the wire is brazed or otherwise secured to the tamper as shown at 35 in FIG. 4. In order to accommodate the locking wire 33 the tamper is made in two pieces to provide an internal hollow area 36. More specifically, the tamper comprises an upper at disk portion 37 brazed in a cup-shaped lower disk portion 38. As shown in FIG. 4 the rim of the lower portion 38 is apertured at one location 39 to permit the locking wire 33 to extend out of the tamper. The locking action of wire 33 -is accomplished in cooperation with a groove 40 at the lower end of the poker yand a groove 41 at the upper end of the poker. Locking wire 33 is 'biased into firm engagement with the poker 19 so that it will be automatically in locking position unless forcibly pushed away from the poker.

When the locking wire 33 is engaged with the groove 40 at the lower end of the poker, the poker is locked in its retracted position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In order to move lthe poker to its operating position one needs simply push the locking wire 33 .away from the poker. The poker will then be automatically forced downwardly under the influence of a spring 42 compressed between the enlarged head 30 of the poker and the end of the bore in the plunger 21. Once the poker has `been at least partially ejected from the plunger 21, the projecting portion of the poker can be grasped and pulled outwardly until the locking wire 33 engages the groove 41 in the poker at which time the poker will be locked in its operating position. In order to move the poker back into retracted position one need simple move the locking wire .33 away from the poker and at the same time press the poker upwardly, for example by pressing the poker against a flat surface. The locking wire 33 is then released and will snap into slot 40 to hold the poker in retracted position when the poker is moved upwardly against spring 42 so that its lower end is flush with the bottom of the tamper.

Thus, it will be seen that a complete apparatus is provided for aiding in the enjoyment of pipe smoking. More specifically, the functions of lighting, tamping and poking are provided in single integrated apparatus.

Although specic details of the present invention are shown and described herein it is to be understood that modifications may 'be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, a preferred embodiment has been described in which the tubular guide member 6 is removably attached to a specific type of lighter. It should be understood that the tubular guide member 6 can also be brazed or otherwise permanently secured to a lighter of substantially any design.

What is claimed is:

1. Pipe smoking apparatus comprising a lighter having a case, a tubular guide member attached to said case, a plunger slidably guided in said guide member, a tamper disk attached to said plunger outside said guide member, said guide member having an axially extending slot in the wall thereof and opening to a cut-out in the side of said guide member, an operating tab on said plunger slidably extending through said slot and rotatable into said cut-out, spring means urging said plunger in a direction to place said tamper closely adjacent the bottom of said case, said operating tab being rotatable into locked position in said cut-out when said plunger is moved against the force of said spring to move said tamper into operating position, and said plunger being connected to said tamper disk eccentric of the tamper whereby when said operating tab is in said slot said tamper is positioned with the maximum amount thereof covered by a projection of said casing, said casing comprising a generally rectangular hollow bottom portion and an upper portion pivotally attached to said bottom portion, and the connection between said tubular guide member and casing comprising a hook portion hooked over the top edge of said bottom portion of the casing, and a U-shaped portion fitting around three sides of said bottom portion.

2. Pipe smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a-poker slidingly received in said plunger, and means for selectively holding said poker in an operative position with one end projecting substantially beyond said tamper and in a retracted position substantially entirely within said plunger, said holding means comprising a detent adjacent each end of said poker and a spring wire secured on said tamper and biased into engagement with the side of said poker.

3. Pipe smoking apparatus for use with lighters, said apparatus comprising a tubular guide member, a plunger slidably guided in said guide member, .a tobacco tamper attached to said plunger outside said guide member, an operating tab attached to said plunger and extending through an elongated slot in said guide member, attachment means connected to said tubular guide member for attaching the guide member to a lighter, said attachment means comprising a hook member extending along said guide member, and a U-shaped member arranged with the plane of the U normal to said guide member.

4. Pipe smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further comprising an elongated poker slidingly received in said plunger and extending through said tamper, and means for selectively holding said poker in an operating position with one end projecting substantially beyond said tamper and in a retracted position substantially entirelyA within said plunger.

5. Pipe smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said holding means comprises a detent adjacent each end of said poker and a spring wire secured on said tamper and biased into engagement with the side of said poker.

6. Pipe smoking apparatus for use with lighters, said apparatus comprising a tubular guide member, a plunger slidably guided in said guide member, a tobacco tamper attached to said plunger outside said guide member, an operating tab attached to said plunger and extending through an elongated slot in said guide member, said slot opening into a cut-out in the side of said tubular member, said operating tab being rotatable from said slot into said cut-out, said plunger being connected to said tamper otrcenter of the tamper, attachment means connected to said tubular guide member for attaching the guide member to a lighter and comprising a U-shaped member attached to one side of said tubular guide member, and said off-center connection being arranged so that Whensaid operating tab is turned into said elongated slot said tamper extends on the same side of said tubular member as said U-shaped member.

7. Pipe smoking apparatus for use with lighters, said apparatus comprising a tubular guide member, a plunger slidably guided in said guide member, a tobacco t-amper `attached to said plunger outside said guide member, an elongated tobacco poker slidingly received in said plunger and extending through said tamper, spring means urging said poker out of said plunger, and means for selectively holding said poker in an operating position with one end projecting substantially beyond said tamper and in a retracted position substantially entirely Within said plunger and placing said spring in compression.

8. Pipe smoking apparatus for use With lighters, said apparatus comprising a tubular guide member, a plunger slidably guided in said guide member, a tobacco tamper attached to said plunger outside said guide member, an operating tab attached to said plunger and extending through an elongated slot in said guide member, said operating tab being rotatable into a cut-out in the Wall of said tubular member adjacent one end of said slot, attachment means for connecting said tubular guide member to a lighter, said lattachment means comprising a U-shaped member attached to one side of said tubular member, said plunger being connected to said tamper off-center of said tamper in a direction such that when said operating tab is in said elongated slot said tamper extends lon same side of said tubular member as said 'U-shaped member, an elongated poker slidingly received in said plunger and extending through said tamper, spring means urging said poker out of said plunger, and means for selectively holding said poker in an operating position with one end projecting substantially beyond said tamper and `in a retracted position substantially entirely within said plunger and placing said spring under compression,

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 400,966 4/ 1889 Strachan 131-245 X 2,633,137 3/1953 Narragon 131-243 2,894,515 7/1959 Wismer 131-247 X 3,220,420 11/19625` Genoud 131-247 FOREIGN PATENTS 733,499 7/ 1955 Great Britain. 203,754 8/ 1939 Switzerland.

SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner. JOSEPH S. REICH, Examiner.

Claims

3. PIPE SMOKING APPARATUS FOR USE WITH LIGHTERS, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING A TUBULAR GUIDE MEMBER, A PLUNGER SLIDABLY GUIDED IN SAID GUIDE MEMBER, A TOBACCO TAMPER ATTACHED TO SAID PLUNGER OUTSIDE SAID GUIDE MEMBER, AN OPERATING TAB ATTACHED TO SAID PLUNGER AND EXTENDING THROUGH AN ELONGATED SLOT IN SAID GUIDE MEMBER, ATTACHMENT MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID TUBULAR GUIDE MEMBER FOR ATTACHING THE GUIDE MEMBER TO A LIGHTER, SAID ATTACHMENT MEANS COMPRISING A HOOK MEMBER EXTENDING ALONG SAID GUIDE MEMBER, AND A U-SHAPED MEMBER ARRANGED WITH THE PLANE OF THE U NORMAL TO SAID GUIDE MEMBER.