US3351735A - Cigarette dispenser and lighter - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 7, 1967 pgsg gus 3,351,735

CIGARETTE DISPENSER AND LIGHTER Filed spt; s, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 WM), Lassa/av mmvr may;

Now 7, 1967 Filed Sept "s, 1965 M. DESBIENS CIGARETTE DISPENSER AND LIGHTER 7 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I INVENTOR lggrcelllh ZESB/ENS mravr AGE/V7 ","Fil'ed Se t. 5, 1965 Nov. 7, 1967 v I I M. DESBIENSI 3, 5

CIGARETTE DISPENSER AND LIGHTER v luvwrok v mite/lit) DESB/EMF 6- Sheets-Sheet 4' PATENT AGENT U i d State P n CIGARETTE DISPENSER AND LIGHTER Marcellin Desbiens, 1395 Rachel St. E., Apt. 4,

MontreaL'Quebec, Canada Filed Sept. 3, 1965, Sax-.No. 485,002 Claims. (Cl. 219-261) The present invention relates to apparatus for dispensing and lighting cigarettes or the like and particularly to an arrangement of this character'specially,suitable for mounting on the instrument panel of an automobile.

The general object of the present invention resides in the provision of an apparatus ofthe character described, which is so arranged that the cigarettes are disposed within the apparatus parallel to the long axis of the automobile, whereby the entire apparatus occupies a minimum transversal extent of the instrument panel and, there-fore,

there is left ample space for positioning the remaining instruments onthe panel.

Another important object of the present invention resides in the provision of an apparatus of the character described, in which the lighted cigarette is discharged'from the apparatus into a position to be readily grasped by the user'and in which only, the non-lighted end of the cigarette protrudes from the apparatus whereby the user cannot burn hisfingers.

Another important object of the present invention resides in the, provision oftan apparatus ofthe character described, in which, in accordance with a first embodiment,

cigarettes of at least two different brands or types may be selectively dischargedfrom the apparatus. a

Another object of the. present invention resides in the provision of an apparatus ofthe character described, having, in accordance with a first embodiment, cigarette storage means'which can be removed from the remaining part of the apparatus in order to facilitatefrlling of the same with cigarettes side by side and in parallel relationship with the longitudinal axis of the automobile.

Another important object of the presentinvention resides in the provision of, anapparatus of the character described, which is provided with means to prevent the discharge of more than one cigarette into'cigarette-igniting position, whereby jamming of the apparatus is prevented.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an apparatus ofthe character described, which is readily adaptable to be mounted on all kinds-of instrument panels. I I g I i Yet another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an apparatus ofthe character; described,

which, in accordance with a second embodiment of the.

invention, is mounted in the instrument panel of an auto:

mobile in such a way that it can be loaded from the front of the instrument panel and which can be filled with cigarettes of different lengths, and in which the vacuum produced by the engine of the motor vehicle is used 'for operating some of mechanisms of the apparatus to provide a simplified mechanical construction.

' The. foregoing and other important objects of the present invention will become more apparent during the following disclosure and by refer-rring to the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective. view of oneportion of the mechanism for retaining cigarettes and feeding the same,

One at a time, into cigarette-igniting position;

. 'FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal section of the apparatus;

i FIGURE 3a is a partial longitudinal section on an enlarged scale; Y e

FIGURES 4, 5, and 6 are partial end viewsof the apparatus showing three ditferent positions of the mecha different types or brands.

a cigarette is in igniting position; i

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus in I r p L p g 7 ice nism for locking .the selecting and feeding means, when accordance with the second embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 8 is a longitudinal section of the same; 7

V FIIGURE 9 is a longitudinal section of part of the. mechanism shown in FIGURE. 8, but in another position; 7

FIGURE 10 is aperspective view of the mechanism for retaining cigarettes and feeding the same one at atime into cigarette-igniting position; 1 V

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view'of the mechanism of FIGURE 10, but in cigarette-unloading position FIGURES 12 to 14 inclusive show, in schematic view, the apparatus-in accordance with the second embodiment in different stages of its operation. t I

- Referringnow moreparticularly. to the drawings. in whichlike reference characters indicate like elements throughout, the apparatus 'in accordance with the first embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 to 6, comprisea casing 1 g and a removable magazine 2 for storing the plurality of cigarettes and adapted :to fit within the casing 1. Magazine 2 is in the from of elongated container of substantially rectangular shapein plan section, and having flat parallel front and back walls 3 and 4 respectively and side walls 5. The magazine 2 is open at the top and bottom, the top end being provided with a marginal outwardly extending flange 6 depending fromtheifront, back and side walls.

The lower portion of the magazine 2 is tapered, as shown in FIGURE 1, and the inside of the magazine is provided with a vertical partition 7 extending in thelongitudinal central plane of the'magazine, as shown inFIG- URE 5, thereby defining two cigarette compartments 7:.

'sides of the magazine and are adapted to receive angue la rly disposed outer and lower fingers 11 and 12 respectively of a cigarette-retaining mechanism shown in 9 FIGURE 2.

- 9 and the upper fingers 11 are in retracted position, where- This mechanism comprises a bar 13 securedto the side of the magazine 2 and on which are pivoted the fingers 11 and 12 which are arranged in two spaced pairs longitudinally of bar 13; each pair of fingers 11 and 12 forms part of a U-shapedelement straddling the bar 13 and pivotdthereon intermediate its end at 14. The fingers are of angular shapes'uch that the portion of the fingers protruding through slots 10 and passage 9 are superposed, but at rightangles to each other.

actuating rod 15 is pivotally connected at 16 to each pair of fingers 11 and 12. The front end of rod 15' is provided with a head 17 having a circumferential groove 18 made therein; s

7 Referring to FIGURE 2 itwill be noted that longitudinal dis-placement of 'rod 16 will cause pivoting movement of fingers 11 and 12, in accordance with double arrows 19, 20, and 21. In one limit position of the fingers, the lower fingers 12 extend at right angles within passage byrthe cigarettes in the magazine compartment 7-rest on the lower fingers 12. As the distance between the superposed fingers 11 and 12 corresponds to the diameter ofja cigarette, upon pivoting movement of the fingers towards their other limit position the lowermost cigarette Patented Nov. 7,. 1967 within the compartment which is located just below the upper fingers 11, is allowed to be discharged because the lower fingers 12 become retracted, while the other cigarettes are retained on the upper fingers 11, because the latter take a projecting position withinpassage 9'. Upon the further pivoting movement of the fingers, anew cigarette takes a position resting on lower fingers 12".

Casing 1 comprises two spaced parallel'flat front wall and back walls2' and-23; respectively, each. having an enlargedupper'portion' 22' and 23, respectively. These uppcrportionsareconnected by bars 24 and these bars, together with the upper edgesof portions 22; 23', are providedwithan outwardly directed flange 25'.

A pair of spaced parallel longitudinally extending guiding-walls 26 extend between andare, securedto front and back walls22 and23 inthe lower portions thereof. Walls 26 are spaced a distance corresponding to. the diameter of acigarette and have flaring upper marginal portions 27. The magazine 2, togetherwith' the two assembliesof fingers 11,- 12, bar 13, and ro'd'15, is removably fitted between the upper" portions 22' and 23 of'the front wall and-back wall of casing; 1 withthe' flange 6 of the magazine 2-resting on' theflange25oftheicasin-g 1 and with the discharge lower endof the magazine side wallsv engagingthe' flaring marginal portions-27 of the guiding walls -26-of casing 1.

In the fitted position of'the magazine 2', the groove 18 of head'17 of each actuating rod'15removably engages the' upstanding fork 28 at'the. rear end of a. pusher rod 29;

There are-two pusher rods 29; one on each side of the front wall 22=of casing wall, and'each mounted forslid: able longitudinal movement. in a support bracket 30,

securedto said frontwall22'andeach of U shape. Each.

pusher 'rod29 has' an enl'arged'h'ead 31 at its front end, and is surroundedby' a coil spring 32 in the portion thereof within bracket 30, said coil'spring abutting againstone leg of the bracket and attached to the, rod'at the other end, and resiliently urging the pusher. rod-,into. a:

forwardlimit position in which the fingers 11 and. 12,. assume-their pivotal limit position in which the. lower fingers 12-extendacross the passage 9 of the associated.

compartment 7 of magazine 2.

Whena pusher rod 291s depressed;jfingers 11'. and 12 pivot into their other'limit position in. which, the lower fingers 12 are-retracted and the upper fingers" 11 extend.

across-passage 9': Thus, by. pushing either one of'pusher rods-29, one cigarette ofthe associated compartment 7 of-magazine2 is-discharged from the saidmagazine and.

drops between= guidingwalls'26 to take aicigarette lighting position, as shown inFIGURE'3, in which the endlof'thev cigarette to be ignited is. adjacent front wall 22fof'casing Band-rests on-theupper horizontal portion 33of;a-,guide strip 34,- while the other endof the.cigarette rests on.a radial blade*35'of a four-'bladed"ro.tor 36; (see FIGURE. 1), which is secured'to'a' small shaft 37, extends, througha n' opening 38 made in one guiding wall 26', ,shaft 37 being; journalledon saidguidii1g wall. The blade 35 on which-.

the-cigarette rests" extends across the passage defihed betweenthe: two guiding walls"26and.is temporarily. main: tained in said position by'latching .means to. be described hereinafter:

Mounted ina hole made innthe front wall 32' ofzcasing l below'the pusher rods 29 and in thecent'erlof thecasing,

the'front-wall22' and iniwhichis mounted'a sleeve 42, at... one end of' which is secured. an electricallj dnsulated.

electric resistance element 43lconnectedwith. the positive'side of the automobil'ebattery by insulated wire. 44

and having a central contact 45 adapted to make contact with a contact rod 46 secured to a flanged cap 47 slidably mounted Within sleeve 42. It is retained against spring 48 by a bi-metallic element (not shown) and the electric circuit is closed betweenstud 45 and contact rod 46; the elementv 43' heats: up, andiignites the; end. ofi the cigarette in contact therewith and, at the same time, thebimetal element heats upandfinally releases flange cap 47 which takes a projecting positionv limited by a suitable stud member. A threaded stem49is screwed to cap 47 at one end and slidably enters a pusher tube 50, at its other end. A nut 51 isa-djusta'bly screwed onstem49. A coil spring 52 surrounds stem 49 and pusher tube 50 and abuts at one end. against nut 51, and at the other end against a collar 53 secured'to tube 50. Thus, upon pushingon the enlarg edhead'54 of pusher-tube 50, the latter pushes in turn on stem.49 which causes igniting mechanism-39 to take an igniting position.

Collar 53 isv an integral part of the middleof a.U- shaped'element *55, the legs 56" of which extendspacedly alongside casing 1 andprotrude past the back wall 23 of said casing'to be connected and'to actuatethe cigarette suctionmechanism 40. The free end of each leg 56\ is pivoted at57" to one end of a rocker lever 58, the other. end of which is.pivoted at 59 to a. collar 60Twhich is slidable on a vacuum tube 61' coaxial with igniting mech anism 39 and'disposed'at the back wall 23' of easing 1.

A supportbracket' 62 serves to rigidly maintain vacuum tube 61 in its position. Support bracket 62 comprises arms 63 secured to backv wall 23. and supportinga collar 64 in alignment with tube 61'; bracket 62 further includes legs 65 spacedly disposed and parallel to vacuum tube 61" and provided at their outer'end's witha. cross bar 66 having a central opening through which vacuum tube 61 extends and is rigidly securedto'bar 66'.

Rocker levers 58- are. pivoted intermediatev their. ends at67' to the legs 65; A suction'tube 68'is-sli'dably inserted; through collar 64, and'slides' also over vacuum tube 61, being in telescopic engagement'therewith. Suction tube 68" passes through an openingma'de inbackwall 23' andlis provided "at its inner end-with funnel-shaped'element 69' adapted to abut one end'of, a cigarette C in igniting position. The'outerendof suction'tube'681is providedwitha flange -70 to which is attachedjone en'dof a coilspring 71 which surrounds vacuum tube 61' and. abuts at its other. end against the slidable collar"60;.

A- valve member-72 is secured'withinsuction tube 68 and'is' adapted tomake sealing contact with the bevelled end'73 of-vacuumtube 61 when suction tub e*68is. in released position. Valvemem-ber*72is'provided" with aplural ity of holes 74 near its periphery for the passage ofgases when the valve -is open. Upon pushing on -head54 of push-. er tube 50 -to--operate igniting mechanism 39, the legs 56 of U-shaped element 55 cause pivoting movementof rocker levers 58 which, in turn, cause slida-blemovement; of "collar 60i towards the back wall 23 of casing 1. The'coil: spring 71 istherefore compressed-and causes-projecting movement'of suction tube-68-within the casing -1, so'that funnel 69: engages the-end of cigarette-Gin cigaretteigniting. position. Coil spring 71 is calibrated sothat it-' causes only a small pressureton tube 68 and consequently, ontcigaretteli; Spring-71 causes "retracting'movement of tube. 68 upon release of the igniting mechanism 39;

TheShfiftfiTOfi-bltdfid101013611'138' an outer bent extension 75 adapted to be engaged by a finger 76, secured to oneof "the ,legs .56 of U shaped-element 552 In the released position of .ignitingmechanism 39'; the" lowermost radial blade of; rotor 36'a-butsagainst resilient finger, 77 secured-to the edgezof'opening38; thus:rotor 36 is resiliently maintained; in aposition in which one of its: radial, blades 35' extends across Lthe; passage between the two guiding walls 26, .ready; to receive: andfsupportaav cigarette dropped from magazine 2. Upon pushingnontpusher tube 50, funnel 69 is projected=within casing 1 andiengages the. endv of, the. cigarette. C in, cigarette-igniting,positionl and,v meanwhile; finger 76 rides underneath extension, 75 andcauses; clockwise. rotation of rotor 36, so that its bottom blade moves past resilient finger 77, the cigarette C. being, still held by funnel 69.

Upon release of the cigarette C by funnel 69, the weight of said cigarette causes free clockwise. rotation of rotor 36, allowing the cigarette. to drop between guiding walls 26. This movement is obtained because. rotor 36 is mount,- ed' with, a. ratchet mechanism on shaft 37-, which. allows free. clockwise rotation ofthe rotor with respect to. the shaft, but prevents anticlockwise rotation of said rotor. Thus, extension is allowed to return under its. own weight; into, its original position upon release of the igniting; mechanism and movement to the right of the leg 56 on which finger 7.6 is mounted.

The blade. 35 which held the cigarette now takes a lower-most position resting, on finger 77 and the next blade 35. extends across the passage. between guiding walls 26 ready to receive and support the next cigarette. In order to maintain, the, legs, 56 of U-shaped element 55in operative position, that is. towards the. right as shown in FIGURE 1, during the time the cigarette C is being ignited by the igniting mechanism 39; legs 56 are threaded at 78 and, are

each provided: with an adjusted nut 79 adapted; to engage a resilient blade. 18, depending from an car 81 having, a hole through which the legs 56 slidably pass, said car 81 being integral with and projecting laterally from bushing 41. a

When the. bi-metal and spring 48 of theigniting mechanism, 39 cause release, of cap 47,, the combined action 01 said spring 48 with spring 52 causes release of nuts 79 from underneath blades and thus return of the legs 56v to, their original limit position towards the left of FIGURE. 1 This causes retracting movement of the suction tube 68 towards the left, as shown in FIGURE 2,, and because. the. igniting mechanism 39 simultaneously releases the. ignited end of the. cigarette, the latter is. allowed to drop at its non-ignited end, as shown in FIG- URE 3, whereby this latter end engages and slides. down a curved lower guiding strip 82 and the portion of the cigarette adjacent its ignitedend slides also on the other guiding strip 34,; whereby the cigarette makes a complete half turn in a. vertical plane and the non-ignited end slides through a discharge opening 84. at the .bottom of the front wall 22. and comes, to abut against upwardly extend- .ing flange. 85 at the. protruding discharge end of strip82.

In this discharged position, the non-lighted end. of the cigarette can be easily grasped by the user...

It will be. noted that all the cigarettes within the dispenser lie in longitudinal plan-es. parallel to the long axis of the motor vehicle in which the. dispenser is installed.

The dispenser is further provided with a mechanism to; prevent the. feeding. of more than one cigarette at a time tothe cigarette-igniting position. mechanism comprises the. following] elements: each selector rod 29 is provided. with a pair ofnotches 86, 86, facing inwardly. N'otch 86 is spaced. a certain distance from the front end of supportbracket 30, as shown in FIGURE, 1,. when the pusher rod. 29 is in released position while notch 86" is adjacent said bracket 30,. When one pusher rod 29. is pushed to discharge a cigarette from the associated compartment 7" of magazine 2, notch 86 takes a position in alignment with a locking bar 87 and the free outer end of said bar is urged to engage the said notch. One locking bar 87' is associated with each selector. rod 29. The inner ends of the two locking bars are pivoted at 8.8 on an inverted T-shaped element 89 pivoted at 90, between pivot points 88, on support bar 91 extending across and secured to the two brackets 30. A spiral spring 92, having one end secured to the pivot and the other outer end to element 89, urges said element 89 to take an inclined position, as shown in FIGURE 5, in which the locking bars 87 engage the respective notches 86 or 86' of the seieetor rods 2 The lower portion or T-shaped element 89 is provided with. a. hole. 93. adapted to receive the free bent end; 94 of an upright return rod 95, having an L-shape, the vertical leg 96 of which extends through elongated slots 97 oftwo. superposed brackets 98 secured to the front wall 22, of casing 1. Return. rod 95. is urged away from said front wall 22 by means of coil spring 99.. The. lower horizontal leg 100 of rod 95 extends across front wall .23. and. its, iree end is pivotally connected at 101, to a link 102,. itself pivotally connected to. the upper end 103 of. the. arm. of an eye. 1.0.4.v adjustably secured on leg, 56 by means of nuts, 105 screwed on. leg 56. A, transversely extending pusher bar 106, is secured to. return rod, 95 just, above the. upper bracket, 98 by means, of rod 107 secured to. the. center of pusher bar 106.. Each. selector rod .29 is provided with an L-shaped arm 108 rigidly secured thereto and depending: downwardly and inwardly thereof, whereby the outer free end 109 of each arm 108 is di posed in alignment with the associated outer end of pusher bar 106.

In inoperative position, the bent'end 94 of. return rod 95 lies in a plane subsiantially perpendicular to front wall 22, of casing. 1 and engages hole 93. of T-shaped ele,-' meat 89 to maintain same; in upright position, as, shown in 4,, whereby said element 89 maintains the wo locking bars 87 in retracted, position. against action of spiral; spring 92,. Upon depressing either one of selector rods 29 to, discharge a, cigarette into cigarette lighting; position, the associated L -shalped arm 108. pushes against, the corresponding end. 109, of pusher bar 106 which, in turn causes backward movement of return rod 95 towards wall 22, against,v the. action ofcoil spring 99.. whereby the bent, end 94. of ret rn rod 9 disengag the hole 93 of element, 89 and. the. latter is. allowed to pivot in a clockwise diIeGiiOn, as shown in FIGURE 5., under action, or spir l. spring 92, whereby the outer ends of the locking ars. .7 eng ge he notch. 8 f. h Pusher rod which has remained in inoperative position; thus,,the o king bars 87 lock. b th pusher rods 5! against, further movement. I f

To unlatch the pusher rods 29, the igniting mechanism has to be, operated": upon depression of pusher. tube 50, ss- 56' move o ar s, the l s s own in FIG RE thereby rotating return rod 95 in accordance with arrow 110 shown in FIGURE 6, and" the bent end 94 again engages hole 93 ofthe pivoted element 89. When the cigamechanism to its inoperative position, the legs. 56' move to the right, as shown in FIGURE 1,, which causes rotating returnmovement ofreturn, rod 95 which returns element 89 to its upright position shown in FIGURE 4, wherebythelocking bars 87 release the' two pusher rods 29 and the apparatus is ready for the discharge and igniting of anothercigarette.

The apparatus inaccordance withthe inventioniis preferablymounted withinthe instrumentpanel of a motor vehicle in such a way that the pusher rods 29 and pusher tube 50 face the operator; together withthe discharge opening 84. The long axis of casing is arranged parallel to the long axis of the motor vehicle.

Themagazine 2* protrudes through an opening made in the top ofthe instrument panel and can be bodily removed. Ma-gazine2 may be provided wit-h a pivotal closure- (not shown), if" so desired. Vacuum tube 61 is connected; to. a source of vacuum. such as the air intake of the, internal; combustion engine of the. vehicle. Wire. 44 is onnec ed. o he lec rical circuit. of.- the motor; vehicle in conventional manner.

Magazine. 2 is removable to facilitate insertion. of a plurality of cigarettes in the two compartments 7. Two different brands or types, of cigarettes. may be used.

Upon. depression of the selected pusher rod; 29, a. cigarette. is discharged, into. cigarette-igniting position and, upon subsequent depression of the pusher tube 50, the cigarette in t a ter. position isignited and au omat ca ly drops through the discharge opening 84 with its unlighted end abutting flange 85 in a position ready to be grasped by the user.

Because all the cigarettes are arranged with their long axis parallel to the long axis of the motor vehicle, the apparatus takes a minimum width on the instrument panel, and there is ample space for the other instruments on said panel.

FIGURES 7 to 14 inclusive relate to the second em bodiment of the present invention. In these figures, there is shown a casing 180'consisting of an enlarged top portion 181 and a generally flattened bottom portion 182, which is curved downwardly and forwardly and has the general shape of a pistol grip. The top portion 181 forms a magazine-receiving compartment. It has curved lateral walls 183, a flat top wall 184, and a back wall 185, and its open front is surrounded by a flange 186 for securing the apparatus inside the instrument panel 188 of a motor vehicle with front opening 187 being directed towards the passengers.

Front opening 187 extends downwardly partly between the flat lateral walls 189 of the bottom portion 182 of casing 180. A magazine 190 is slidably inserted within the top portion 181 of casing 180, said magazine 190 having curved lateral walls 191 extended downwardly with flat lateral wall portions 192, a flat back wall 193 adapted to abut against the back wall 185 of casing 180, and a front wall 194 adapted to be flush with flange 186 and with the front wall portion 195 of the bottom casing portion 182, in the position of magazine 190, inserted within casing 180.

A cover 196 is secured to front wall 194 by means of knob 197, which extends at the front of cover 196. Cover 196 is adapted to overlap the marginal portion of the opening 198 made in the instrument panel 188. A horizontally-arranged bar 199, of U-shaped cross-section, extends within magazine 190 and is spaced from the lateral walls thereof. Bar 199 serves to retain to a certain extent the cigarettes on top thereof in the magazine so as to relieve pressure on the cigarettes below bar 199.

Bar 199 is disposed just above the junction between the curved lateral walls 191 and the flat lateral wall portions 192 of the magazine. The latter further includes a trap, generally indicated at 200, for retaining the cigarettes in the magazine and dispensing the same one at a time into cigarette-igniting position.

Trap 200 consists of a tray made of two elongated tray sections 201, each having a cross-sectional shape forming a quarter of a circle, sections 201 being disposed side by side so as to form a half-circle, the inside diameter of which is substantially equal to the outside diameter of a cigarette 202, as shown in FIGURE 10.

Sections 201 are provided with end walls 203, which are pivotally interconnected at 204 at the top inside corners of the end walls 203 at each end of the tray.

The pivot pins 204 are journalled Within the front and back walls of magazine 190, so that trap 200 extends longitudinally of the magazine in the region thereof between the bottom flat lateral wall 192 of said magazine.

The space between the walls 192 and the sections 201 is very small and at least much less than the diameter of .a cigarette 202. Under action of gravity, the sections 201 take a lowermost position, as shown in FIGURE retaining a cigarette 202 therein. However, the two sections 201 may be pivoted upwardly above their pivot pins 204, so as to release the cigarette in the tray and let it drop into cigarette-igniting position. 7

The discharging position of the tray is shown in FIG- URE 11. In order to pivot the sections 201, each one is provided at the back of the magazine with a pin 205 secured thereto near the outer corners of the end walls 203 and freely extending through aperture 206 of magazine 190 and aperture 206 of casing 180 and are lifted by mechanism to be described hereinafter.

Upon removal of magazine 190, the cigarette trap 200, naturally, is removed with the magazine 190. The cigarette released from trap 200 drops into cigarette-igniting position onto a shelf 207 and a retractable finger 208. Shelf 207 is defined by a re-entrant portion of the front wall 194 of casing bottom portion 182, said shelf having an upstanding boss 209, more particularly adapted to em gage the smoking end of the cigarette 202.

Finger 208 is secured to a pivot pin 210 extending flat against the outside of lateral wall 189 and journalled in brackets 111 secured to said lateral wall. Finger 208 extends through an opening 112, made in said lateral wall, and is longitudinally curved to conform to the under side of a cigarette. Finger 208 has a cigarette-clearing position, as shown in FIGURE 7, extending downwardly within opening 112, and a cigarette-retaining position, as shown in FIGURE 8, extending transversely across the passage formed between the lateral Walls 189 and engaging with the mouth-engaging end of the cigarette.

In the cigarette-igniting position, the cigarette is disposed in alignment with a lighter assembly 113, mounted at the front of the apparatus, and a suction assembly 114, disposed at the back of the apparatus.

The lighter assembly 113 is of conventional construction, being similar to those found in motor vehicles. It comprises a cylindrical body 115 provided with cut-out resilient tongues 116 and a radial flange 117 at its outer end. Within the body 115, is slidably mounted a stern 118 carrying an operating knob 119 at its end protruding from body 115 on the outside thereof. The inner end of stem 118 carries a head 120 having at its outer face an electric resistance element 121 wound in a flat spiral. Head 120 has a flange 123 engageable with bi-metallic blades 124 which are secured inside a sleeve 125, of cylindrical shape, and protruding from and secured to the front wall 195 and in communication with the interior of the casing.

Sleeve 125 has such a diameter that the body 115 has a sliding fit therein and is frictionally retained by tongues 116. Stem 118 is urged in outward position with respect to body 115 by means of an internal spring, not shown, arranged within body 115 and engaging the stem 118.

The flange 117 of body 115 is adapted to abut against the outer end of sleeve 125, and, upon pressing on knob 119, the stem 118 is displaced inwardly against the action of its spring, so that electric resistance element 121 engages the ignitable end of the cigarette 202 in cigaretteigniting position and displaces the cigarette rearwardly axially of the apparatus.

Upon inward movement of stem 118, the electric circuit is closed for the resistance element 121, switching means being provided by the bi-metal blades 124 engaging the flange 122 of head 120.

The suction assembly 114 comprises a cylinder 126 secured to the back wall 185 of the. casing and opening within said casing. A piston 127 is slidable within cylinder 126 and has a tubular piston rod 128 in telescopic engagement within a short suction tube 129.

Tube 129 has a. radial flange 130 at its outer end and its inner end is secured to a rubber bushing 131 in axial alignment therewith. Tube 129 is guided in the hole of a partition 132 secured to cylinder 126 and closing the inner end of the same.

A main coil spring 133 abuts against partition 132 and against piston 127 to urge the same into retracted position with the bushing 131 retracted from within the casing 180, as shown in FIGURE 9.

A second smaller and weaker spring 134 surrounds tubular piston rod 128, is attached at one end to piston 127 and, at the other end, to flange 130.

Spring 134 serves to retract tube 129 upon retracting movement of piston 127 and to allow rubber bushing 131 to contact the cigarette in cigarette-igniting position, in a gentle manner, upon advancing movement of the piston 127.

9 9 Tubular piston rod 128 has apertures, 1353 adapted to register with apertures 136 madein tube 129 when the lat:

' ter is telescoped over piston rod 128, as shown in FIGURE 8. The cylinder 126 is closed at itsJouterendby. a cover 126' having a hole 126" for the admission ofair behind the piston 127.v V I I p i The spacebetween the piston 127 and partition 132 is in communication with a source ofvacuumby tube 137.

Tube 137 is preferably connected to the intake manifold ofthe internal combustion engine of; the vehicle, or to any other appropriate source ofvacuum, and isprovided-With' a shut-ofii pneumatic valve 128, of conventional construction, andhaving an operating leverarm 139. V 1

.As shown in FIGURE 7, said lever arm 139 is automaticallyactuated by the cigarette lighter assembly 113; more particularly, a link rod 140 is pivotally attached at one end to the outer end of lever arm 139, extends alongside casing 180 and its front portion isjslidable within twospaced brackets 141 and142 secured'to the casing 180 and to sleeve 125 of the lighter assembly.

Sleeve 125 has a longitudinally extendingislotil43, in which is movable a finger 144 slightly projecting within sleeve 125 and secured to link rod 140JA coil spring 145 extends around link rod 140 and abuts against bracket 141jand against finger'144 and serves to'move' said finger forwardly to thereby normally maintain valve 138 in closed position.

be; lighted ;will befidisposed forwardly of the magazine. closest to cover 196. Magazine 190 is re inserted within casing180.

To; dispense a lighted cigarette, the lighter knob 119 ispushed in. This'immedi-ately actuatesflink rod 140.

which causes opening of valve 138. l V

' Cylinder 147 being smaller than cylinder 126 is evacuated quicker than" the latter and its ,pistonrod 149 moves upwardly to first cause'raising of finger; 208 and then 'actu'ationof trap;200 to dispense a cigarette which drops immediately onto acigarette-igniting position on finger 208 and on boss 209 of shelf 207.-Further movement of t the lighter body 115 causes its head120 toengage the head 120 reaching its inward limit position, whereby the. resistance 1-21 heats up to light the cigarette. Meanwhile,

Upon pushing on the lighterknob'119, flange 122 of head 120 engages the finger 144and pushes against link rod 140, in order to open-valve 138 A vacuum actuator 146 serves to actuate trap 200 for releasing a cigarette. Actuator 146 consists of a' cylinder 147 and of a piston 148, the pist on rod 149 of which extends downwardly from cylinder 147 and'carries transverse barfl50,.over

the edge of which the pins 2050f sectionsiltlliare adapted Referring to FIGURE 7, a lever 153 is pivoted at 154 intermediate its ends to the casing 180. A link rod'1'55 is' pivotally attached to the forward end of lever 153 and i to the outer end of the'crank arnrportion ofthe pivot pin 210 of finger'108. i i F 3 The rearward end of lever 153 is pivotally connected at 156 to aforwardly extending finger of bar 150. Thus, upon upward movement ofpiston' 148 under the action of vacuum, lever 153 pivots in a clockwise direction, as seen in FIGURE 7, to thereby cause'upward' pivotal movement of finger 208 intoa cigarette-retaining position.

Bar 150 also lifts pins 205Iof'the,sections 201 which release a single cigarette which drops onto the already lifted finger 208 and onto boss 209 of shelf 207.

The bottom portion 182 of casing 180 has a pistol shape and is'terminated by a discharge opening 157, at

its lower end, said discharge opening being adapted to be outside the dashboard or instrument panel 188. Bottom portion 182 of the casing forms a passageway for the lighted cigarette, which has a width slightly wider than the diameter of a cigarette and which is forwardly forward end of the cigarette and-t0 push the latter slight- 131 of which firmly engaging the butt end. o'fthecigarette.

to the source of electricity, not shown, upon the lighter piston rod 128becornesfully telescoped within tube 129 so that apertures 135 and'136 are now in' regis'terand the inside of suction tube 129 is now in communicationtwithf the source of vacuum, whereby air is sucked through the cigarette to further assist in the lighting of said cigarette. Once the cigaretteis lighted, the bi-metal blades 124 lighter head 120,..which immediately retracts under the action of the spring, not shown, contained in body 115.

The flange 123-of head120 releases finger 144, which 9 moves forwardly under the 'action of its spring 145,

twhereby link rod 140 moves forwardly and shuts ofi valve 128. There being no vacuum in the cylinders 126 and V 147, piston 148. of-the latter moves downwardly to thereby cause downward pivoting movement of finger 208,

and'falso downward pivotal movement of the sections 201 of trap 200to receive a new cigarette.

The released cigarette, which is now lighted, drops.

into the bottom portion'182 of the casing 180'after retracting movement of bushing 131. The cigarettemakes a- 180-degree turn while falling down portion 182, as

shown in dot-and-dash lines in FIGURE 8,. so that the. non-lighted end of the cigarette appears in discharge opening'157 ready to begrasped by the user. l

" From the'foregoing, it appears that the single manipulation of the knob 109, namely pressing on said knob} causes the entire op arette. r While preferred embodiments in accordance withithe invention have been illustrated and described, itisunden stood that various modifications may be resortedftoawith from the spirit and scope of the appended out departing claims. Y

What I claim is; 1. A cigarette dispenser and lighter comprising, in combination, a casing having an elongated cross-section and downwardly inclined to allow the cigarette to slide downwardly towards discharge opening 157.

The curved back wall portion 158 of the bottom casing portion 182 merges with the top back wall 185, while end walls and side walls,'a storage magazine in communication with said casing atthe upper portion thereof, igniting means mounted on one end wall of said casing, means to discharge a cigarette from said storage magazine, means to temporarily retain said discharged cigarette into a cigarette-lighting position in alignment with said igniting means, manually-operable means to operatesaid igniting means, cigarette guiding means to turn an ignited cigarette released from said position from end to end in a vertical swinging movement, said end wall having a cigarette dis-' charge opening from which said guiding means protrude, whereby only the non-lighted end of the cigarette protrudes through said opening in the discharge position of said cigarette. v

2. A cigarette dispenser and lighter as claimed in claim 1, wherein'said storage magazine defines at least two seply rearwardly; meanwhile, cylinder 126 continues to be actuated, to therebycause forward movementof piston; rod 128 and-eventually of-tube 129', the rubber bushing The electric? resistance 121 is automatically connected are heated enough to bend outwardly to release the eration of dispensing a lighted .cig

arate compartments-disposed side by side andopening at th'e'lower endof'said magazine,.said casinghaving vertical guiding walls spaced from each other a distance sub sta-ntially-equal to the diameter of one cigarette, said guiding walls flaring at their upper ends for communication with the two compartments of said magazine, said cigarette discharging means including a pusher rod and aretaining and discharge mechanism associatedwith each compartment of said magazine, said'igniting means in-. cluding =an'electric resistance element facing the space between said two guiding walls, said cigarette guiding means being disposed between said two guiding walls and below said" resistance element.

3. A cigarette dispenser and lighter as claimedin claim 2; wherein said means for temporarily retaining a cigarette in cigarette-igniting position include an. abutment member disposed between said'guiding walls adjacent and below saicl resistance element for maintaining one end. of a cigarette in cigarette-igniting position in alignment with said resistance element,-and aretractable member'disposed between said guiding. walls and remote fromsaid' abutment member for supporting theend of' said cigaretteremote from said; resistance element, said guidingmeans. including a curved. guiding strip disposed. between said guiding wallslandextending from one end wall of said'casing to the otherendwallthereof for engaging thenon-lighted end of anignited cigarette released. by said. retractable member;

41 A. cigarette. dispenser and lighter as. claimedin claim 1, further. including locking means associated with said cigarette-discharging means. and with said igniting means and operable; to lock: said. cigarette-discharging means upon a single operation thereofjto discharge one cigarette, and returnable into unlockingv position by operation of. saidsignitingmeans;

5: A cigarette dispenser and lighteras claimed in claim 1,.further including a suction tube slid-ably mounted on theother end wall of .said casing-in alignment withsaid igniting. means; rnechanism connectingsaid suction tube' and said igniting means to. press said said. suction tube:

against the: end of the'cigarette incigarette-igniting position remote. from the'encl in contact. with said. igniting means upon operation ofsaid' ignitingmeans and to movesaid suction tube awayfrom said cigarette uponreturn of said igniting means toa non-operative-position;

6.. A cigarette. dispenser'andv lighter as claimedin claim 1, wherein saidmeans to discharge a cigarette: from said storage" magazine. include a pair. of elongated tray sections, disp'osedzside by. side, and pivotally'interconnected at:.their;ends; andeach havingacurved cross-section forming a quarter of a circle, of an inside diameter correspondingtor'the: outside diameter ofE-acigarette tot retain the same when said. sections. are .innlowered; position abutting.

eaclrother, power: means for. pivotally raising said sec.-

ti'onsf to; allow a; cigarette tofall'therebetween, .randnneansr for controlling the operation of said power means and in.

12 turncontrolled by operation ofsaid manually-operable means.

7. A cigarette dispenser and lighter as claimed in claim 6, wherein. said power means include a vacuum-operated cylinder and'piston unit, pins secured-to said tray sectionsand removably engageable with the piston rod of said unit.

8.- A cigarette dispenser and lighter as claimedin claim 7, wherein said means to temporarily retain said dis charged cigarette include an abutment member disposed adjacent and below saidigniting means for maintaining one end ofa cigarette in-cigarette-igniting position in alignment with said lighting means and a retractable member remote from said abutment member for releasably supporting the end of said cigarette remote fromsaid' igniting means, said'retractable member being pivotally mounted on said casing and mechanically connected to the piston rod of said cylinder and piston unit for movement of said retractable member into a cigarette-retaining position upon movement of said piston.

9. Acigarette lighter and dispenser as claimed in claim 8, further including a tube for'connecting said cylinder to a source of vacuum, a shut-off valve mounted in said tube-and mechanical linkage extending from said shut-01f valve tosaid. igniting means and operated by said'igniting meansuponmanual movement thereof, to open said shutoff valve.

10. A cigarette. dispenser and lighter as claimed in claim 6, further including a suction tube slidably mounted on. the. other end wall of said casing in alignment with said igniting means, a cylinder and piston unit having a piston rod engageable with said suction tube, the cylinder of said unit connected to a source of vacuum by a tube having a shut-oil. valve, mechanical linkage between said shut-01f .valve andsaid igniting means, whereby movement of said igniting means opens said shut-off valve and vacuum in said cylinder causes advancing movement of said piston and suction tube associated therewith to contact the suction end of. a cigarette in cigarette-igniting position,

said. advancing movement establishing vacuum in said suction tube and spring means to retract said piston and suctlontubelupon. cut-01f by saidvalve, to. thereby release the suction end of the cigarette.

1 RICHARD M. WOOD, Primary Examiner.

V. Y. MAYEWSKY, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A CIGARETTE DISPENSER AND LIGHTER COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A CASING HAVING AN ELONGATED CROSS-SECTION AND END WALLS AND SIDE WALLS, A STORAGE MAGAZINE IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID CASING AT THE UPPER PORTION THEREOF, IGNITING MEANS MOUNTED ON ONE END WALL OF SAID CASING, MEANS TO DISCHARGE A CIGARETTE FROM SAID STORAGE MAGAZINE, MEANS TO TEMPORARILY RETAIN SAID DISCHARGED CIGARETTE INTO A CIGARETTE-LIGHTING POSITION IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID IGNITING MEANS, MANUALLY-OPERABLE MEANS TO OPERATE SAID IGNITING MEANS, CIGARETTE GUIDING MEANS TO TURN AN IGNITED CIGARETTE RELEASED FROM SAID POSITION FROM END TO END IN A VERTICAL SWINGING MOVEMENT, SAID END WALL HAVING A CIGARETTE DISCHARGE OPENING FROM WHICH SAID GUIDING MEANS PROTRUDE, WHEREBY ONLY THE NON-LIGHTED END OF THE CIGARETTE PROTRUDES THROUGH SAID OPENING IN THE DISCHARGE POSITION OF SAID CIGARETTE

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