US2685051A - Permanent electric match - Google Patents

Description

July 27, 1954 J. STARR 2,685,051

I PERMANENT ELECTRIC MATCH Filed Aug. 22, 1952 E" .4 m .l i 8 INVENTOR. J H u sfi-Amm Patented July 27, 1954 UNITED STAT 1". ATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to electric lighters, and more particularly to an electric lighter of the type wherein the ignition of a torch or match element is eiiected by momentarily engaging the same between two electric contacts, thereby opening and closing an electric circuit to produce a spark, said spark serving to ignite the torch or match element.

The main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved electric lighter which is simple in construction, which is easy to use, and which may be permanently mounted in a convenient location for use whenever it is desired to lgnite the match element thereof, for any purpose, such as for the lighting of cigarettes, and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved electric lighter which involves inexpensive components, which is neat in appearance, which is sturdy in construction, and which is safe to use.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claim, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an improved electric lighter assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse cross sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure l is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 3- 3 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, the electric lighter is designated generally at H and comprises a rectangular front plate 52 of insulating material, a rectangular rear plate it of insulating material, and bolts It at the respective corners of the plates, said bolts extending through said corners and through spacer sleeves i5 interposed between the plates, the bolts being provided at their rear ends with nuts l6 whereby the respective plates i2 and i3 are rigidly secured in parallel spaced relationishp. Secured to the rear plate it in substantially parallel relationship are the opposing spaced serrated metal strips ii and I8, the serrations of the strips being shown respectively at I9 and 29, said serrations opposing each other and being spaced apart in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 2.

The front plate i2 is formed with a slot 2! which is in registry with the serrations i9 and 20, said slot being provided with a metal frame plate 22 on the front surface of the insulating plate l2 which reinforces the edges of the slot 2| and protect said edges against wear.

Secured to the rear plate 13 parallel to and spaced from the serrated strip H is a coil 23, said coil comprising a relatively'large number of turns of wire, sufiicient to provide substantial inductance for the coil, the coil being enclosed in a suitable protective housing, and the housing being clamped to the rear plate [3 by a clamping strap 24, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. One terminal of the coil 23 is connected to the metal strip I! by a wire 25. Connected to the other terminal of the coil 23 is the line wire 25. Connected to the remaining metal strip I8 is the line wire 21. The line wires 26 and 2? are connected, by means of a suitable plug, to an electric outlet.

Secured to the front surface of the front insulating plate I2 is a vertical receptacle 28 which may contain cotton or similar porous material, as shown at 29, said porous material being saturated with a suitable volatile liquid fuel, such as benzine or the like. The container 28 is provided with the neck 30 in which is disposed the metal rod 3 l said metal rod being provided at its top end with the supporting flange 32 adapted to rest on the rim of the neck 30, as shown in Figure 3, and the top end of the rod being provided with the insulating handle 33 of rubber or suitable insulating material. The lower end of the rod 3| is formed with an axial bore 3 3 in which is secured a wick 35 of porous material adapted to absorb the liquid fuel in the receptacle 28. As shown in Figure 3, the wick projects a short distance beyond the lower end of the rod 3|.

In using the device, the rod 3| is extracted from the receptacle 28 and the end thereof is inserted through the slot 2i and is moved vertically along the serrations l9 and 29, the metal portion of the rod 3| adjacent the wick 35 making intermittent contact with the serrations as the rod is moved along said serrations, whereby an electrical circuit is intermittently opened and closed, said circuit containing the coil 23, and therefore having substantial inductance. As the circuit is opened and closed, voltages of substantial magnitude are induced, causing a substantial spark to occur each time the circuit is opened and closed as the metal rod is drawn past the serrations l9 and 211. The spark ignites the wick 35, producing a flame which may be employed for lighting cigarettes, and for similar purposes. To extinguish the flame, it is merely necessary to insert the rod 3| into the vessel 28, whereby the flame is extinguished by being cut off from the source of oxygen in the atmosphere.

The rear plate 3| is provided at its top edges with the apertured angle brackets 36, 36, whereby 3 the device may be attached to a wall in a convenient location so that it is readily accessible for use whenever desired.

While a specific embodiment of an improved electric lighter has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In an electric lighter, a front plate of insulating material, a rear plate of insulating material, and means rigidly connecting said plates in spaced parallel relation, a pair of flat metal strips secured to said rear plate in side by side parallel, coplanar relationship, the inner edges of said strips being formed with serrations, the teeth of the serrations on one edge being staggered relative to the teeth of the serrations on the other edge, said front plate being formed with a slot registering with the serrations of said strips, a coil mounted between said plates, a first circuit wire connected to one of the strips, a second circuit Wire, said coil being connected in series between said second circuit wire and the other strip, said circuit wires being adapted to be connected to a voltage source, a receptacle mounted on said front plate, a metal rod removably supported in said receptacle, said metal rod member being formed with an axial bore at one end, and an inflammable wick secured in said bore and projecting from said one end, said wick being ignited when the rod member is moved through the slot in intermittent contact with the serrations.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,593,978 Cajumi Apr. 22, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 567,210 Great Britain Feb. 2, 1945 786,116 France Aug. 27, 1935

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