US819964A - Match-box. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED MAY 8, 1906.

R'B'. WATSON.

MATCH-BOX.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24. 190s.

P [NVE/WOR rfNiTnn sTATns PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed January 24, 1906. Serial No` 297,667.

Patented May 8, 1906.

To all wtmn it Wray con/cern: f

Be it known that I, FRANCIS B. WATSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Caldwell, in the county of Sumner and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to match-boxes, and has for its object the provision of a device of this character adapted to be secured to a wall and so constructed that but a single match can be removed at a time.

While the proprietors of cigar-stores desire to provide their patrons with matches, it has been found to be ractically impossible to keep a match-box led if the patrons of the place were permitted free access to the matches, this being due to the fact that each person who purchases a cigar would take a dozen or more matches. The match-box forming the present invention is designed to limit the number of matches which may be removed therefrom at one time.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved means for permitting access to be had to the interior of the matchbox when it is desired to fill the same and the provision of a guard to limit the movement of the match-retaining springs, as will be hereinafter set forth.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which now follows.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a match-box constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of said match-box. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of said match-box, showing the parts in position for filling said match-box. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section showing the match box closed, and Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section of the match-box.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all of the figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a rectangular casing comprising side walls 6 and front and rear walls 7 and 8,

the lower portions of the front and rear walls tapering, as at 9, toward each other and terminating upon each side of an opening 10, formed 1n the bottom of the casing 5. Secured to the rear wall 8 are springs 11, the lower free ends of which extend across the opening 10. Secured to the side Walls 6, as

.desired to secure the match-box to a wall.

at 12, and extending across the bottom of the casing below the opening 10 is a guard-bar 13. An opening 14, formed in one of the side walls 6, is adapted to be closed by a slide 15, mounted in ways 16. The slide 15 is provided with a rib 17, said rib serving to limit the upward movement of the slide by contacting with a cross-bar 16, which is looped about said slide and forms a keeper therefor.

Ears 19, secured to the rearwall 8, are perforated, as at 20, to provide openings for screws or other fastening devices when it is A spring-plate 21, having its outer free end 22 curved slightlyv upward, extends from the rear wall 6 and overhangs the top of the box. This spring-plate serves as a keeper for a filling-slide 2 f A knurled or roughenedplate 25 is secured to the front wall 7 and provides a convenient surface upon which to scratch the matches.

The operation of this improved match-box is as follows: The casing 5 having been secured to a wall or other support by means of screws passed through the perforations 20 of ears 19, the operator removes slide 23 from beneath plate 21 and inserts it between the springs 1 1 and the bottom of the casing until it contacts with the rear walll 8, said slide serving to form a support for the matches while the box is being lled. The slide 15 is then raised andthe box filled throughV the opening 14. The slide 15 is then returned to its closed position and the slide 23 withdrawn from above the springs and inserted beneath plate 21, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

If slide 23 were not provided to su 1port the matches while the box was being ed, any pressure upon the top of the body of matches would force some of said matches past the springs 11, When the slide 23 is removed from the box, the matches drop until they contact with the springs 1 1.

The lower portions of the inclined walls 9 are cut away, as at 26, so that the central part of the lowermost match may be engaged by the thumb and forefinger of the person who desires to remove the match from the box. When said match is pulled downwardly, the free ends of the springs 11 give sufliciently to permit the match to be removed from the box, as will be readily understood.

The guard-bar 13 serves to limit the move* ment of said springs and prevent them from being bent out of shape, said bar being pro- IIO vided with a bowed portion 13 to permit of the ready grasping of the match.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that simple and eiiioient means are provided for accomplishing the objects of the invention; but while the elements shown and described are well adapted to serve the purpose for which they are intended it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction set forth, but includes within its purview such changes as may be made within the scope of the appended claims. Y

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. A match-boX comprising` a casing, the lower portions of the walls of which taper toward each other, said walls having cut-away portions, retaining-springs carried by the inclined portion of one of said walls and eX- tending across the bottom of the casing to a point adjacent the bottom ofthe other of said walls, and a guard-bar secured to the casing and extending therebelow in such position as to limit the movement of the retaining springs, said bar having an upwardly-bowed portion.

2. In a match-box the combination with a rece tacle of match-retaining springs normally closing the bottom of said receptacle, and a filling-slide adapted to be inserted between said springs and the base of the receptacle.

3. A match-box comprising a casing having an open bottom, springs spanning the bottom of said open casing, a filling-slide adapted to be inserted between said springs and the bottom of said casing to form a temporary bottom for the boX while the same is being filled, and a retaining spring-plate formed upon the boX and forming a keeper for the slide when said slide is not in use.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

FRANCIS B. WATSON. Witnesses E. L. HoBsoN, F. M. ETTER.

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