US2639598A - Cigarette lighter case - Google Patents

Description

May 26, 1953 J. L. MCCRACKEN CIGARETTE LIGHTER CASE Filed March 26, 1951 HASv ATTORNEY K Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to shock resisting, waterproof cases for cigarette lighters, and has for one of its objects the production of a simple and eincient case having a full ioating inner member` which is yieldably supported by an inset elastic ring carried by the outer member and engaged by the cover.

A further object of this invention is the production of a simple and efficient shock resisting Water-proof case for cigarette lighters, wherein the inner member is resiliently suspended within the outer member and is suspended from one end of the outer member.

Other objects and -advantages of the present invention will appear throughout the followingV specication and claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the cigarette lighter case;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken at right angles to Figure 1, on line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a modified form of the casing with a circular contour.

By referring to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that I designates the outer member in which is slidably tted the inner member I2. The inner member I2 is of a proper contour to fit within the outer member ID, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The inner member I2 is provided with a closed top I3 and an open bottom I4. An inwardly pressed channel or groove I5 is formed in the exterior surface of the inner member I2 just below the closed top I3. The channel I 5 receives the thick elastic ring II, which ring is cemented in the channel I5, or it may be held in the channel I5 by means of the contracting elasticity of the ring I I. The ring I resiliently and yieldably suspends the inner member I2 within the outer member I0 and constitutes a yieldable seal the outer member I0 and the inner member I2. The ring II is pressed tightly against the upper end of the outer member when the inner member I2 is fitted into the outer member I0.

The outer member I0 is provided with an inwardly pressed portion I6 adjacent the closedv bottom I'I of the member I0, to constitute a rigid abutment for contact with the bottom open end I4 of the member I2 to positively limit the inward movement of the inner member I2 into the outer member I0 While assembling the parts and to hold the open end I4 out of contact with the bottom I1. The inner member I2 is also provided with the vertical inwardly pressed groove I8, extending upwardly from the open bottom I4 for receiving the vertically spaced inwardly protruding lugs I9 and 20, which are carried by the inner face of the outer member Il), near the lower end thereof. 'Ihis structure constitutes a means for properly locating the members I0 and I2, and for preventing rotary twist of the inner member within the outer member when the parts are assembled. It is especially advantageous where the case is circular in cross-section, and in all cases tends to prevent the inner and outer members from abutting against each other at their bottom ends.

A conventional wick 2I and a conventional igniting means 22 are carried by the closed top I3 of the inner member I2, and extend inwardly of the members I0 and I2, as shown in Figure 2. A cap or cover 23 is adapted to snugly fit over the upper ends of the inner and outer members, as shown in iFigures l and 2. The lower edge of the cover or cap 23 rests snugly upon the thick elastic ring I I to dene a sealed pocket above the closed top I3 of the member I2 when the cap or cover 23 is closed. A iiat spring 2d is shaped at a suitable contour to engage the hinge clip 25 which is fixed to theside of the member I below the ring II, and to thereby provide a hinge connection for connecting the cap `23 to the member I. The spring 24 extends over the cap or cover 23, as shown in Figure 1, and is preferably anchored or fixed, as at 216, to the top of the cap or cover 23. The spring 24 is provided with a free end 2 which is apertured and is adapted to engage the latching lug 28 of the latching plate 29 carried by the outer member Il) to releasably hold the cover or cap in a closed and sealed position in engagement With the thick elastic ring I I. When the free end 21 is moved outwardly out of engagement with the latching lug 28, the cap or cover 23 will automatically move to an open position, such as the dotted line position under 'the action of the hinging spring 24, when access may be had to the igniting and lighting means.

It should be understood that the cigarette lighter case II)EL may be circular in cross-section, as shown in Figure 4, or substantially rectangular in cross-section, as shown in. Figures l to 3 inclusive. It is not desired to limit the casing to any one shape, since the shape may be varied to suit the fancy of the manufacturer and the conven1ence of the user.

The inner member I2 is stuffed or filled with absorbent cotton 30 and this cotton extends around the wick 2| and iiint tube of the ignlting means 22, as shown in Figure 2. This absorbent cotton 30 is saturated with lighter uid and any excess fluid is shaken oi before the inner member I2 is inserted into the outer member I0. The inner member I2 is moved inwardly of the outer member until the ring II abuts the upper or outer edge of the outer member to provide a seal therebetween and to also provide a shock absorber when assembling the members. The space between the open end I4 of the member I2 and the bottom I'I provides a chamber for receiving drippings of iiuid which might fall from the absorbent cotton.

When igniting the lighter, and when the operators thumb presses outwardly and down- Wardly around the contour of the wheel 22%, to rotate the Wheel 22a in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2, the resultant pressure upon the top of the inner member I2 will force the inner member I2 into the outer member until the resilient ring II overcomes or balances this downward pressure. This movement of the member I2 into the member l0 creates a compression within the members to force turbulent gas from the luel upwardly and outwardly through the wick aperture .".Ia at vthe time the spark is thrown toward the Wick, causing the ignition of the gas and wick, as a result of the activated supply of gas which is very susceptible to ignition. It should be noted that the Wick is by nature compressible under pressure of the gas within the lighter vcase so that the compressed gas will pass out between the wick 2l and the wick aperture 2 Ia.

It should be understood that certain detail changes may be made in the present invention and fall within the spirit of the invention, so long as these changes fall within the vscope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A cigarette lighter Case comprising an outer member having an open top and a closed bottom. an inner member tted in the outer member, a resilient band carried by the inner member and engaging the outer member to constitute a resilient yieldable and compressible buffer and seal therebetween, the inner member having a closed top and open bottom, a lighter fluid saturated absorbent iiller within said inner member, a compressible wick carried by said inner member and extending into said saturated absorbent ller, an igniter carried by said inner member adjacent the wick for igniting the wick,

said member being movable inwardly within the outer member under pressure counter to and against said resilient band to force compressed gas which is present in the uid out between the Wick and the wick aperture and to thereby facilitate ignition of the Wick as the igniter is actuated, the resilient band being adapted to be cornpressed as the inner member is pressed inwardly of the outer member by an operator, and providing an automatically expanding means to expand when pressure is relieved by an operator to automatically move the inner member outwardly of the outer member to its normal position.

2. IA cigarette lighter case comprising an outer member having an open outer end and a closed bottom, an inner member, a thick elastic resilient and compressible band secured to and surrounding the closed outer end of said inner member,

said inner member having an open bottom and a closed top tted in the outer member and inwardly spaced relative to the outer member, means retaining a lighter fluid within the members, said inner member having a groove formed around the top thereof adjacent the closed top, said band fitting in said groove for attaching and yieldably suspending the inner member for sealing the members together, a wick carried by the top of the inner member, an igniter carried by the top of the inner member, a hinged cover carried by said outer member enclosing the Wick and igniter and the upper end of the inner member and labutting said elastic band to enclose and seal the area adjoining the wick and igniter, a latching means for said cover, and said elastic band constituting a resilient seal between the cover and said outer member and being adapted to expand when said latching means is released to automatically and initially swing said cover to an open position.

JOHN L. MCCRACKEN.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,484,287 Halko Oct. 11, 1949 2,503,640 Speck Mar. 11, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 530,901 France Oct. 12, 1921 944,879 France Nov. 15, 1948

Images