US2502951A - Cigarette holder - Google Patents

Description

April 4, 1950 P. c. HUTTON 2,502,951

- CIGARETTE HOLDER v Filed Nov.- 15, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet. 2

1%; a flay April 4, .1950 .P. c. HUTTON 2,502,951

CIGARETTE HOLDER I Filed Nov; 15, 1945 s Sheets-Sheet s a A 34 Z3 W4 Z46 Zi&

Patented Apr. 4, 1950 UNI TED STATES PATENT OFFICE GIGARETTE HOLDER Paul C. Hutton, WashingtomDlC.

Application November 15, 1945, SerialNo; 628,857

16 Claims. 1,

Mypresent invention relates' to cigarette holders and like smokers appliances, and has particular reference to a cigarette holder including novel means whereby, through a combination of certain extinguishing and ejecting or releasing mechanisms, the partially burned or unccnsumed' cigarette may be extinguished and ejected or released from the holder.

It isold in the art relating to smokers appliances to provide a cigarette. holder: comprising a tubular stem of metal, hard rubber, plastic or other suitable material; intoone end of which acigarette is inserted and is retained during the smoking of the cigarette. Such devices have become quite popular amongcigarette and cigar smokers, as they providea means for. cooling the smoke as it passes through the relatively long stem of the holder. Devices: of this kindalso prevent contact between the fingers of the smoker and the unconsumed portion of the burning cigarette, which contact frequently results in burning, staining or discoloring the smokersfingers. One of'theprincipal difiiculties inherent'in the use of such devices is that of removing the short, unconsumed portionof the cigarette from the holder, especially when the. said portion has been smoked to a point where-the outer end of the cigarette is substantially flush with the end of the holder. This difiiculty has been recognized by numerous patentees, and variousmeans have been provided for ejecting the unconsumed or butt portion of the cigarette from the holder; presentiinvention embodies all the features of the prior art cigarette holders, whether they. be of thenon-ejecting or ejecting type, and represents arealand meritorious advance. in the artof cigaretteholders, in that Iincorp'orate in the. holder of my present invention,,a novelmeansior. snubbing or extinguishing the cigarette prior to or during the processof ejecting the same from the holder. The advantagesof such snubbing or" extinguishing are readily apparent, as it avoids the possibility of the butt setting fire to inflammable surfaces, objects or materials with which it-might come in contact, and it avoids the presence of the highly unpleasant and disagreeable cigarette smoke which emanates from a burning orsmouldering cigarette butt. It also avoids the difilculty and inconvenience experienced in extinguishing a butt when the same is in a conventional holder.

It is an object of my present invention to provide a cigarette holder or like smokersappliance including means for snubbing or extinguishing the unconsumed' or butt portion of the cigarette, and for ejecting the same from the holder either subsequent to or during the process ofsnubbing or extinguishing said butt.

Itis also an object of my present invention to provide acigarette-holder or like smokers appliancei'nclu'ding a tubular casing or body portion,

a stem. axially movable therein, and novel means normally disposed within the: casing or body portion and movable by said stem to a position beyond the end of the" holder and in advance of the burning end of the cigarette, the arrangement being such that continued axial movement of the stem will force: the burning: end; of the cigarette into snubbi'ng; or extinguishing contact with said-means'andlwill then eject or release the extinguished butt from the holder.

It-is a further objector my present invention to provide: a: cigarette holder or. like smokers appliancein. which atubular: casing or body portion has slidably mounted therein a substantially cylindrical member including a plurality of resillent tines or finger-like portions which,. when, projected from the forward end of the holdeizclear the end of the cigarette: and move,. or are moved, toa position. in advance of the; burning end of the. cigarette to. torma/wall: or barrier into which the said burning endimay, be forced so as to snub or extinguish the cigarette. Theibending. or fiexings of the resilient fingers may be effected by preforming, preshaping, tempering, or otherwise treating the same: prior to completion of the holder, or may be efiected by means independent of said fingers and incorporated inthe holder.

It isa. further. object. of my present invention to provideacigarette: holder of the type referred to in the preceding paragraphs, in which the resilient finger-like portions are so formed,

shaped; tempered or otherwise treated that they move out/0i their"snubbing'orextinguishing position after the. butthas been. extinguished to permit the: extinguished buttto be ejected orreleased from the holder; I

It is a still further object of my present invention toprovide a cigarette holder in which the cigarettem'ay-be snubbed or extinguished and then completely ejected or released from the holder, by the simple expedient of moving the stemportion of the holder axially with respect to the casing" or body portion of the holder, all of which maybe readily accomplished in a simple and quick operation by retaining the casing or body of the holder between the" index and middle fingers of one hand and depressing the stem with thethumb".

It is a still further object of my present invention to provide a cigaretteholder ofthe above referred to character; that is strong and durable, consists of a minimum of parts, is cheap and easy to manufacture and assemble; and ishighly efficient in thepurp'ose for Whichdesigned;

In the accompanying drawings, wherein-for the purpose of illustration I'have shown several preferred embodiments" of my present invention,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of my improved cigarette holder showing the positionswhich the component parts of the holder occupy during the smoking of a cigarette,

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 and showing the resilient finger-like portions and other portions of the snubbing or extinguishing means partially projected from the forward -end of the holder,

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l and showing the resilient finger-like portions and other portions of the sunbbing or extinguishing means projected from the forward end of the holder but with the cigarette butt still retained in position within the forward end of the holder.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 and showing the stem moved forward to its maximum extent,-

in which position the cigarete butt has been forced out of the forward end of the holder and the burning end of said butt has been forced into snubbing or extinguishing contact with the wall or barrier formed by the resilient finger-like portions.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the holder shown in Fig. 2, and shows the positions of the parts of the snubbing and extinguishing means when the same is partially projected from the forward end of the holder,

Fig. 6 is an end view of the holder shown in Fig. 3, and shows the position of the parts of the snubbing and extinguishing means when the same is fully projected from the forward end of the holder,

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional view on the line 1-1 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the snubbing and extinguishing means and Fig. 9 is a similar view of the said means rotated on its axis 90 with respect to the showing of Fig. 8,

Fig. 10 is a plan view, on a reduced scale, of the blank from which the snubbing and extinguishing means is formed.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section of a portion of the snubbing and extinguishing means, showing the form to which one of the resilient finger-like portions is bent and the position which said portion would assume when the snubbing and extinguishing means is not restricted .or confined.

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are fragmentary longitudinal sectional views of a second form of cigarette holder, showing, respectively, the position of parts when the snubbing or extinguishing means is retracted, partially projected, and fully projected.

Fig. 15 is an end view of the holder shown in Fig. 14, and shows the positions of the parts of the snubbing andextinguishing means when the same is fully projected from the holder,

Figs. 16 and 17 are, respectively, a side elevation and a plan view, on a reduced scale, of the blank from which the snubber and extinguisher means employed in the form of my invention shown in Figs. 12 through 15, is made,

Figs. 18, 19 and 20 are fragmentary longitudinal sectional views of a third form of cigarette holder, showing, respectively, the position of parts when the snubbing or extinguishing means is retracted, partially projected, and fully projected,

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of the resilient fingers of the snubbing or extinguishing means employed in that form of my invention shown in Figs. 18 through 20, and shows the position to which the finger-like portions are preformed to assume, when the snubbing or extinguishing means is unrestrained,

Fig. 22 is an end view of the holder shown in 4 Fig. 20, and shows the positions of the parts of the snubbing and extinguishing means when the same is fully projected from the holder, and

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary plan view, on a reduced scale, of he blank from whichthe snubbing and extinguishing means employed in the form of my invention shown in Figs 18 through 20, is made.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals have been employed to designate like parts throughout the several views, I will first describe the construction and operation of that form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 through 11. For the purposes of the present specification and claims, I employ the term inner to designate the bit or mouthpiece end of the holder, and the term outer to designate the cigarette-receiving end of the holder, and when I refer to a part or parts as being or as moving inwardly or outwardly, I refer to the position, location, or movement of said part or parts toward the bit or mouthpiece, and toward the cigarette-receiving end, respectively. In Figs. 1 through 11 and in other figures of the accompanying drawings, the numeral I designates the stem portion of the holder, said stem having an axial bore or passage 2 therethrough and terminating at its inner end in a bit or mouth-piece 3. The stem I having an outer end I is provided intermediate the ends thereof with spaced, radially projecting flanges 4 and 5. The stem 1 may be made of metal, hard rubber, plastic or other suitable material.

The casing or body portion 6 of the holder consists of a tubular member having an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the stem I, this portion 6 having a radially-extending flange 1 near its inner end, and having an outwardly-flared or substantially bell-shaped outward end 8. The inner end of the casing or body portion 5 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, axially extending slits whereby it may be bent inwardly to closely, but slidably, engage the stem, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 through 4. The said outward end 8 is adapted to be closed by a substantially disk-like, centrally-apertured member 9 of a diameter corresponding to the internal diameter of the end 8, which member is provided with diametrically opposed arcuate slots l0 and H spaced inwardly from the periphery of the member 9, and with diametrically opposed peripheral notches l2 and H3. The member 9 is rigidly secured within the flared outer end 8 of the casing or body portion 6 by means of two or more tabs or lugs M which are secured to the wall of portion 8, as by welding, soldering or other suitable means. A two-diameter, tubular member I5 is secured to, or formed integrally with, the member 9, and extends from one side of said member in a direction normal to the plane of said member. The internal diameter of the portion of the tubular member I5 adjacent the member 9, corresponds to the external di ameter of a cigarette so that said portion forms a socket [6 into which the end of a cigarette I! may be inserted and retained. The remainder of the tubular member 15, i. e., the portion 18, has an internal diameter corresponding substantially to the external diameter of the stem I so that the said stem is freely slidable within the portion l8. As will be readily apparent from the drawings, the external diameter of the tubular portion I8 is less than the internal diameter of the casing or body portion 6. A coiled compression spring I9 is adapted tobe positioned on, and to surround, the

stem I between the flange. and the inner end of thetubular member 15 fora purpose to be hereinafter described.

The novel snubbing or extinguishing. means of this form of my present invention is made up from a metal blank 20 of thegshapeand configura-' tion shown, on a somewhat reduced" scale, in Fig. of the accompanying drawings. This blank is. preferably cut from relatively thin, high grade steel. plate, so that portions thereof. can be bent, tempered or otherwise treated to impart thedesired form, resiliency, and flexibilityto certain portions thereof. The blank comprises a pair of. spaced longitudinally-extending portions 2 I: and 22, and a pair of spaced longitudinally extending portions 23 and 24, which are of greater length than, and which extend beyond, the portions 2| and Z2, and which terminate in semicircular portions 25 and 26. Attention is particularly directed to the fact. that the portions 2| and 22 have shoulders 21 and 28 thereon which are disposed toward the left end of the blank, as viewed in Fig. 10, with respect to shoulders 29. and 3.0 on members 23 and 24., respectively.

The blank shown in Fig. 10 has rectangular notches 3.! and 32 at. the left-hand end thereof as viewed in said figure. When thus formed, the portions 23 and 24 are bent into the form best shown in Figs. 9 and 11 and are tempered or otherwise treated so that said portions normally assume, when unrestricted or unconfined, the position or form shown in said last-mentioned figures. The. semi-circular portions 25 and 2B are bent to positions substantially normal to their respective portions 23 and. 24;, although it is preferable that said portions- 25 and 26 be. slightly inclined toward the left hand end of the blank as shown in Figs. 9 and. 11. When preformed, preshaped, tempered or otherwise treated so that the portions 23 and 24 assume the form and positions best shown in Figs. 9 and 11, the blank 2!? is then rolled into the cylindrical form best shown. in Figs. 3 and 9, the portion 33- being rolled, bent or otherwiseformed to a portion of reduced diameter with respect to the diameter of the remaining portion of the cylinder 20, the inner diameter ofthe portion 33 substantially conforming tothe outer diameter of the stem I.

When assembling this form of my present invention, the blank Z-flshown in Fig. 10, is bent into cylindrical form about the stem I with the reduced portion 33: disposed between the spaced flanges 4 and 5, the diameter ofsaid reduced portion being such. that it frictionally engages: the surface of thestem between said'flanges'so as to be movable with said stem during portions of the movement of the stem and to be slidable along said stem between the flanges 4 and Sduring other portions of the movement of the stem. After the cylindrical member 20' is so mounted on the stem, the coiled compression spring 19 is placed over the outer end of the stem with the innermost convolution of said spring engaging the flange; 5. The stem I with the cylindrical member 28 and spring. [9 positioned thereon is next, inserted within the inner end of the body portion 6, with the bit or mouthpiece 3 projecting for an appreciable distance. beyond the innor end of said; body portion. The inner end of the said body portion is then bent inwardly so as to slidably engage the inner" portion of the stem inwardly ofthe flange 4. The centrally apertureddisk-like member 9 is then disposed beneath, the semi-cincular portions25 and 2G with thelongitudinally extending. portions 23. and 24'.

disposed; respectively, in. peripheral notches l2 and l.3,. and with the extremities'ofthe.longitudinally extending, arcuate portions. 2i and 22- dis,-

posed, respectively, inthe arcuate slots. I0 and II.

When thus-assembled, the inner end of thetlubular member I5. rests upon or engages the outermost convolutionoi the coiledcompression spring 19. The: member 9 is then. rigidly secured within the flared end 8' of the casingv or body portion 6 of the. holder, by" welding, soldering, or otherwise securing the tabs or lugs 14 to the outer surface of. said flared end. The parts then occupy the positions shown in Fig. 1 with. thesnubbing or extinguishing mechanism having its major; portion housed within the body ofthe. holder and with. the portions 25 and 25 disposed adjacent the outer face of the. outer end of the holder. A cigarette is then inserted within the. socket l6 and is smoked down to a length wherethe burning end closed to. the outer: end of the holder; as is the usual" custom.

Having consumed or smoked the cigarette to the relatively short length indicated in Fig. 1', it now becomes desirablev to extinguish the butt and to elect or release the same from the holder. This is readily accomplished by the simple eX- pedient of grasping the holder betweentheindex and middle finger of one hand with the fingers disposed against the outer face of the flange 1, and by pressing upon the bitor mouthpiece end 3- of the stem. Due to the frictional engagement existing between the reduced portion 33 and the surface of the-stem between flanges 4 and 5,.the; cylindrical member will. be moved toward the outer end of the holder. with the stem as; theand shortly after thesev portions pass beyond the positions shown in Fig. 2; they portions 23 and as will fiex' inwardlytoward each other due to the fact that such portions are no longer; con.-

fined within the holder and thus assume their normal positions, i. e., the. positions to which they were bent, tempered or otherwise preformed (see Fig. 11) This movement of the portions 21, 22, 23 and 24 beyond the outer end of the holder is continued by the continued depression of the stem 5 until the shoulders 29 and 3b: contact the walls defining the notches l2 and I3, which contact limits. further. movement or projection of the portions 23",and 24. The parts then occupy; the positions shown in Fig. 3, it being noted that the; semi-circular portions 25 and 216 cooperate to form a disk-like wall or barrier beyond the burning end of the cigarette; that the notches 2i and 28. on arcuate portions 2! and 22- have: not yet contacted, and, are slightly spaced from,

the inner faceoi the member 9; and that the:

outer ends ofsaid arcuate portions H and 22 are slightly spaced from the inner face of the disk-like wall or barrier formed; by, the semicircular portions 25 and 26. Continued depression of the. stemwill continue to project thepor tions: 2-!- and 2-2. beyond the outer end. of the. holder; until the notches. 27' and; 28 contact the walls defining the arcuate slots Ill. and. H, at which. time the outer: ends of portions: 21- and 22 contact. the disk-like barrierv formed. by som 7 circular portions 25 and 26, it being noted that during this movement the portions 23 and 24 cannot be further projected due to the contact between the shoulders 29 and 30 and the walls defining the notches l2 and I3, which contact causes a bending or buckling of the said portions within the casing or body portion 6 as indicated, in a somewhat exaggerated manner, in Fig. 4. It is to be particularly noted that while notches or shoulders 21 and 28 limit the movement of portions 2| and 22 and notches or shoulders 29 and 36 limit the movement of portions 23 and 24 beyond the outer end of the holder, the arrangement and relative size and proportion of parts are such that the outer ends of portions 2| and 22, when they move into engagement with the slightly inclined semi-circular portions 25 and 25, tend to stretch or straighten the portions 23 and 24, with the result that the portions 25 and 26 firmly engage the outer ends of the portions 2| and 22. Due to the fact that the portions 25 and 26 are inclined slightly inwardly, and due to the fact that the outer ends of portions 2| and 22 are slightly inclined inwardly from their sides toward their centers, this firm engagement between the portions 25 and 26 at the ends of the portions 2| and 22 will prevent lateral movement of the portions 25 and 26 with respect to the ends of portions 2| and 22 during subsequent operation of the device. As the smoker continues to depress the stem the outer end of said stem engages the butt of the cigarette l1 and forces the same out of the socket I6 and into the cylindrical or cup-like space defined by the portions 2|, 22, 23 and 24, the burning end of said butt being forced against the wall or barrier formed by the semi-circular portions 25 and 26 to thus effectively snub or extinguish the butt. Obviously, the coiled compression spring I9 iscontinuously depressed during the movement of the stem as above described, it being noted that when the outer end of the stem engages the but and is moved to eject the same from the socket l and to force the burning end of the but into snubbing or extinguishing contact with the wall or barrier, the said stem slides within, and relative to, the cylindrical member 26, being limited in such sliding movement by contact of the reduced portion 33 of said cylindrical member with the flange 4 on the stem. After the cigarette butt is snubbed or extinguished as above described, the stem is released, whereupon the spring l9, bearing against the flange 5 on the stem, forces the stem and the cylindrical member gripping the stem, toward the inner end of the holder until the portions and 26 again contact he outer face of end closure 9, after which the stem, under continued pressure of the spring, continues its movement toward the inner end of the holder independently of the said cylindrical member, until such movement of the stem is arrested by contact of the flange 5 with the shoulder formed by the reduced portion 33. Hence, the parts are moved progressively from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. during which movement the extinguished butt drops from the holder.

Referring to that form of my invention shown in Figs. 12 through 17, it will be noted that the construction involved rather closely approximates that described above in connection with the preferred form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 through 11. In Figs. 12 through 17 the body or casing portion of the holder is indicated broadly by the numeral I5 and includes an outwardly flared end 8 having an end closure 9* to which is attached, or formed integral therewith, a tubular member |5 including a portion of increased diameter to form a socket I6 and a portion of reduced diameter IS, the inner end of which portion of reduced diameter engages the outermost convolution of a coiled compression spring l9. End closure 9*- is provided with a plurality of straight, relatively short slots l0. arranged in circular series and spaced inwardly from the peripheral edge of said end closure.

The novel snubbing or extinguishing means of this modified form of my present invention is made from a metal blank 20 of the shape and configuration shown, on a somewhat reduced scale, in Fig. 17 of the accompanying drawings. This blank is preferably cut from relatively thin, high grade steel plate, so that portions thereof may be bent, tempered or otherwise formed and treated to impart the desired form, resiliency and flexibility to certain portions thereof. The blank comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending tines 0r finger-like portions 23 which are provided at their outer ends with points 24 and which terminate at their inner ends in shoulders 29 and 36 The tines or finger-like portions 23 are separated by longitudinally extending slots 25 cut through the body portion of the blank. The blank shown in Fig. 17 has rectangular notches 3|"- and 32 at the left-hand end thereof as viewed in said figure. The tines or finger-like portions 23 are bent into the form shown in side elevation in Fig. 16, and are tempered or otherwise treated so that they have the shape or form shown in said figure. It is to be particularly noted that when preforming, preshaping and tempering the tines or finger-like portions 23, the pointed ends 24 thereof will extend in a direction substantially normal to the remainder of said tines or finger-like portion and that the line of bending, while quite rigid, is made sufficiently resilient to permit said pointed portions 2 to be moved from their substantially normal positions with respect to the remainder of said tines or finger-like portions 23*, to positions where said points are coaxial with said tines or fingers. In other words, those portions of the tines 23 at the line of bending of each end portion 24 are substantially rigid and the blank is so tempered or otherwise treated that said fingers will bend or flex on lines of bend located at the innermost ends of portions 24.

When preformed, preshaped, tempered or otherwise formed and treated so that the portions 23 and 24 assume the shape or form shown in Fig. 16, the'blank 2|! is rolled or otherwise shaped into cylindrical form, the portion 33, like the portion 33 of the previously described form of my invention, being of reduced diameter with respect to the diameter of the remaining portion of the cylindrical member formed from blank 20, said reduced diameter being slightly greater than the diameter of the stem When assembling the form of my invention shown in Figs. 12 through 17, the coiled compressor spring I9 is placed over the outer end of the stem and is moved toward the inner end of said stem until its innermost convolution abuts a flange on the stem similar to flange 5 of Figs. 1 through 4. The blank 20 is then rolled or bent into cylindrical form about the stem and over the spring I9 thereon, with the reduced portion 33 disposed between spaced flanges such as flanges 4 and 5 of Figs.'l through 4, the diameter of said reduced portion 33 being such that it frictionally engages the stem between the flanges so as to be movable with said stem during portions of the movement of the stem, and to be slidable along said stem between the flanges during other portions of the movement of the stem. After the cylindrical member formed from blank 26 is so mounted on the stem l and over the spring w the forward end of this assembly is inserted into the inner open end of the body portion 6 and is moved toward the outer end of said body portion. As the pointed portions 24 approach the outer end of the body portion t they are engaged by the tines or fingers of a special tool (not shown), which tines or fingers are inserted through slots III and are directed toward the inner end of the body portion, this special tool being such that its tines or fingers engage beneath the pointed portions 24 and, when pulled outwardly of the outer end of the body portion 6 are eiTective to move said pointed portions to positions where they are in alinement with the remaining portions of the tines or fingers 23 whereupon withdrawal of the tool beyond said outer end will cause the pointed ends 24 to be guided or projected through the slots Ill after which they assume the position shown in Fig. 12. When in this position, it will be noted that the outermost convolution of spring w engages the inner end of the reduced portion [8 ihe inner split end or body portion 6 is then bent toward the stem in the same manner in which the split end of the body portion 6 was bent when assembling that form of my invention.

The parts then occupy the'po'sitions shown in Fig. 12 with the snubbing or extinguishing mechanism housed within the body of the holder with the exception of the pointed ends 2 of the tines or fingers 23 which pointed ends occupy positions on the outer face of the outer end of the holder, it being noted that these ends do not project into the space defined by the socket portion i A cigarette H is then inserted into the socket it and is smoked down to a length where the burning end is close to the outer end of the holder, as is the usual custom.

Having consumed or smoked the cigarette H to the relatively short length indicated in Fig. 12, it now becomes desirable to extinguish the butt This is readily accomplished by the simple ex pedient of grasping the holder between the index and middle fingers of one hand with the fingers disposed against the outer face of a flange corresponding to the flange 1 shown in Figs. 1 through l, and by pressing upon the bit or mouthpiece 3 of the stem. Due to the frictional engagement existing between the reduced portion 33 and the surface of the stem, the cylindrical formed from the blank 2th will move toward the outer end of the holder with the stem and the tines or finger-like portions 23 with their inwardly projecting portions 24, will move toward the outer end of the holder in a direction parallel to the axis of the holder, being guided and confined in this movement by the walls defining the slots it and by the interior surface of the flared end 8 of the holder. The parts assume the positions shown in Fig. 13. Contiued depression of the stem I will continue to project the tines or finger-like portions 23 outwardly beyond the outer end of the holder and finally the peaks or humps 26 will enter the slots it whereupon the tines or finger-like portions 510 23 will be flexed toward each other to positions corresponding to the dotted lines shown in Fig. 16 due to the fact that the slope of peaks or humps 26 are forced into the slots i whereupon the tines or finger-like portions 23 assume the positions shown in Figs. 14 and 15. It will be noted that the pointed portions it constitute sectors of a disk-like wall or barrier positioned beyond the burning end of the cigarette, and that the notches 29 and 30*, which are now in contact with the walls defining the slots Ili prevent further outward movement of the cylindrical member formed from the blank 20. As the smoker continues to depress the stem, the outer end thereof will engage the butt of the cigarette l7 and will, as previously described in connectionwith the preferred form of my invention, force the same out of the socket Hi and into the substantially cylindrical or cup-like space defined by the portions 23* and 24 the burning end of said butt being forced against the wall or barrier formed by the coo erating pointed or sector-like ends 24 to th s effectively snub or extinguish the butt. It will be understood that in the manufacture of the present device, the line of bend of each of the inwardlyproiecting portions 24 is so formed and te er d that each of said points wil effectively resist the normal outward movement of the. butt to a sufiicientv extent to eifectively snub or extinguish the butt. After the butt has been forced into contact with the wall of the barrier defined by the inwardly projecting pointed or sector-like portions 24, continued movement of the stem and butt will cause each of the portions 24 to flex along the line of bend from its position normal tothe tines or finger-like portions 23* to a position in substantial alignment with theremaining portion of the associated tine or finger-like portion 23 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 14. Obviously, the coiled compression spring w is continuously depressed during the movement of the stem 9 toward the outer end of the holder, it being noted that when said stem engages the butt and is moved to eject the same from the socket it and to force the burning end of the cigarette into snubbing or extinguishing contact with the wall or barrier formed by the inwardly pro ectin ends 24 thesaid stem slides within, and relative to, the cylindrical member formed from the blank it being limited in such movement by contact of the reduced portion 33 with a flange on the stem 1 corresponding to the flange 4 shown in Figs. 1- through 4. After the cigarette is snubbed or extinguished in the manner above described, the stem is released, whereupon the spring Q9 bearing against a flange such as the dance 5 of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 through 11, forces the stem and the cylindrical member Ell gripping the same, toward the inner end of the casing or body portion 6* until pointed portions 24* contact the outer face of said closure $3 after which the stem under continued pressure of thespring, continues its movement toward the inner end of the casing independently of said cylindrical member until such movement of the stem is arrested by contact of the fiange- 5 with the shoulder formed by the reduced portion 33. Hence, the parts are moved progressively from the positions shown in Fig. 14 to the positions shown in Fig. 12.

Referring to that form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 18 through 23, it is to be noted that in this form of my invention the casing or body portion S includes a divergent outer end 3 having an end closure 9 provided with tabs or lugs M from which end closure extends a described. The end closure member 9 is pro-- vided with a plurality of straight, relatively short slots lo arranged in circular series.

It will be understood that this form of my invention employs a stem provided with spaced flanges such as flanges 4 and 5, and also includes a coiled compression spring, the inner end of I which bears upon a flange such as the flange 5 on the stem, and the outer end of which bears on the inner end of the tubular member 15.

The novel snubbing and extinguishing means of this form of my present invention is also made from a metal blank 20*, preferably cut from relatively thin, high grade steel plate, so that portions thereof may be bent, tempered or otherwise formed and treated to impart the desired form, resiliency and flexibility to certain portions thereof, a portion of which blank is shown, on a somewhat reduced scale, in Fig. 23. It will be noted that the right end of this blank as viewed in said figure includes a plurality of longitudinally extending, relatively long and narrow tines or finger-like portions 23*, the outer or free ends of which are pointed to constitute sector-like portions 24 The blank 20* of this form of my invention has the tines or finger-like porotherwise formed and treated, the tines or finger-like portions 23' have the form, and assume, when unrestricted or unconfined, the position illustrated in Fig. 21. When the cylindrical member formed from the blank 20 is placed about the stem l and spring l9 and the stem and cylindrical member are housed within the casing or body portion 6 in the manner and by means of the special tool referred to above in the description of the assembling of the form of my invention shown in Figs. 12 through 17, the tines or finger-like portions 23 will assume the position shown in Fig. 18, i. e., the tines or fingers will be restricted or confined so that they assume the position shown in Fig. 18, with the sector-like end portions 24 lying adjacent the.

outer face of the end closure 9* of the holder.

' It is to be particularly noted that the tines or finger-like portions 23' each have a peak or hump 26* intermediate the ends thereof.

In view of the foregoing detailed description of the construction and operation of the forms of my present invention shown in Figs. 1 through 11 and in Figs. 12 through 17, it is believed that the manner of assembling, and the mode of operation of the form of my invention shown in Figs. 18 through 23, will be readily apparent. Suflice it to say that the blank 20 is rolled into cylindrical form about the stem with the spring l9 thereon after the tines or finger-like portions 23* and their end portions 24 are bent, tempered, or otherwise formed and treated, so that said tines, when unconfined or unrestricted, assume the form or position shown in Fig. 21. This cylindrical member assembled on a stem I having a coiled compression spring I9 mounted thereon, is then inserted through the open inner end of the casing or body 5 after which the end closure 9 is aiiixed to the said open end by means of tabs M in the manner described in connection with the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 through 4. The parts then occupy positions shown in Fig. 18 with the outer end portions 24' lying against the outer face of the end closure 9 of the holder. The inner end of the blank 20 is provided with a reduced portion corresponding to the reduced portions 33 and 33 of the previously described forms of my invention, which reduced portion frictionally and slidably engages the stem I provided with spaced flanges such as the flanges 4 and 5.

When the stem of the holder of this form of my invention is depressed toward the outer end of the holder in the manner described in detail in connection with the previously referred to forms of this invention, the tines or finger-like portions 23 are projected from the forward end of the holder so that their ends 24 occupy positions beyond the burning end of the cigarette, durin which projection the said portions 13 diverge outwardly due to the shape or form to which they have been made, and due, further, to the engagement with the interior surface of the diverging walls of the flared end 8 said portions 23' being guided and confined during such projection by the walls which define the outermost edges of the slots lfl and by the inner surface of the flared end 8 of the casing. It will be noted that the tines or finger-like portions 23 will not start to converge toward each other until they are projected from the line of bend immediately in advance of the peak or hump 26* on each tine or finger-like portion. When the projection of the tines or finger-like portions 23 progresses to a point where the peaks or humps 26 strike the uppermost edges of the walls definin the slots In", the members 23 have converged toward each other so that the said members and their respective end portions 24 occupy the positions shown in Figs. 20 and 22, the combined pointed or sector-like portions 24 forming a wall or barrier beyond the burning end of the butt. Continued depression of the stem, which now moves toward the outer end of the holder independently of the cylindrical member 20', further projection of which is temporarily arrested by engagement between the peaks or humps 26 and the walls of slots in, forces the butt out of the socket l6 and forces the burning end of said butt into intimate contact with the wall or barrier formed by end portions 24*, to thus effectively snub or extinguish the butt. The frictional engagement between the peak or hump portion 26 of each tine or finger-like portion 23 and the wall of the slot lo through which the tine or finger-like portions extend is suflicient to permit the butt to be effectively snubbed or extinguished, but as the stem is further depressed by the smoker, the pressure ex erted by the stem and through the butt in advance thereof, is suflicient to pull the peak or hump portions 26 through the slots I0", after which the members 23 will assume the position shown in Fig. 19. As the tines or finger-like portions 23 spread apart from the position shown in Fig. 20 to the position shown in Fig. 19, the extinguished butt drops from the holder. As in the previously described forms of my invention, the coiled compression spring functions, upon release of the stem, to return the parts from the position shown in Fig. 19 to the posi- 13 tion shown in Fig. 18, at which time the snubbing or extinguishing device has its major portion positioned within the body or casing 6 with the end portions 24 lying adjacent the outer face of the outer end of the holder.

It will thus be seen that in the several forms of my present invention disclosed herein, I have provided a cigarette holder in which the unconsumed portion or butt is effectively snubbed or extinguished andejected from the holder. When using these devices, it will be understood that the pressure exerted on the end of the stem by the smoker must be sufiicient to overcome the resistance of the coiled compression spring l9 and that said spring must be sufficiently strong to overcome the friction existing between the reduced portion 33 of the cylindrical member and the stem I. lit is also to be understood that the frictional grip of the reduced portion 33 of the cylindrical member on the stem I should in all cases be sufficient to overcome the resistance to binding of the time or finger-like portions 23 during the projection and retraction of said portions.

To state these relations in other terms, it may be stated that the pressure exerted by the thumb of the smoker upon the stern i must be sufficient to (1) overcome the resistance of the coiled spring l9, (2-) to overcome the resistance or friction of the reduced portion 33 with respect to stem I, (3) to overcome the resistance offered by the engagement between the tines or finger-like portions 23 and the casing 5, including the resistance between said portions and the walls defining the slots l0, and (4) to overcome the resistance offered by the inturned sector-like ends as said ends are flexed from their positions normal to the remainder of their respective tines or finger-like portions to positions where said ends are in axial alignment with the remainder of said tines or finger-like portions. Obviously the strength of the spring it must be sufficient to effect retractionof the cylindrical member within the holder,

While I have illustrated and described herein several forms of my improved cigarette holder, it

is to be understood that such forms are preferred forms only, and that the basic concept of my invention may be incorporated in numerous modifications, or combinations, of the various features illustrated and described herein. It is to be understood, further, that various changes in the shape, size, construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims. Obviously my present invention is directed broadly to a cigarette holder in which means are provided for positioning in advance of the burning end or butt of a cigarette inserted in the holder, a wall or barrier into which the said burning end may be forced to eifectively snub or extinguish the same. More specifically, my present invention is directed to a cigarette holder which utilizes initial movement of the stem toward the outer end of the holder to position a wall or barrier in advance of the burning end or butt of the cigarette positioned within said outer end of the holder, and which tion, means are provided for returning or restoring. the parts to their normal positions following the extinguishing and ejecting operations. As will be readily apparent to anyone skilled in the art, the basic important and essential features of the present invention may be readily embodied in various forms of holders other than the several preferred forms illustrated and described herein.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1', A cigarette holder comprising an elongated body adapted to retain a cigarette in the outer end thereof, a movable member having its major portion normally disposed within said body and including an outer portion adapted to form a wall or barrier in advance of the burning end of a partially consumed cigarette within the outer end oi said body when said outer portion of said. member is moved outwardly of said outer end, and a stem slidably mounted within the body and engaging said member, outer movement of said stem toward the outer end of said body moving said member to position the wall or barrier in advance of said burning end and forcing said burning end into snubbing contact with said wall or barrier.

2. A cigarette holder comprising an elongated body adapted to retain a cigarette in the outer end thereof, a, movable member having its major portion normally disposed within said body and including an outer portion adapted to form a wall or barrier in advance of the burning end of a partially consumed cigarette within the outer end of said body when said outer portion of said member is moved outwardly of said outer end, and a stem slidably mounted within the body and adapted to engage said member and the inner end of the cigarette within the outer end of said body, initial outer movement of said stem toward the outer end of said body moving said member to position the wall or barrier in advance of said burning end and forcing said burning end into snubbing contact with said wall or barrier,

- and further outer movement of said stem toward the outer end of said body ejecting the snubbed cigarette from the outer end of the body.

3. A cigarette holder comprising a tubular body adapted to retain a cigarette in the outer end thereof, a tubular member slidably mounted within and having its major portion normally disposed within said body and including an outer portion adapted to form a wall or barrier in advance of the burning end of a partially consumed cigarette within the outer end of said body when said outer portion of said member is moved outwardly of said outer end, means for moving said member outwardly to position the wall or barrier in advance of said burning end and to force said burning end into snubbing contact with said wall or barrier, and a spring within said body compressed by the movement of said member outwardly and effective to return said member toward the inner end of said body to its normal position with its major portion within the body after the burning end of the cigarette has been forced into snubbing contact with said wall or barrier.

4. A cigarette holder comprising a tubular body adapted to retain a cigarette in the outer end thereof, a tubular member slidably mounted within said body and including an outer portion adapted to form a wall or barrier in advance of the burning end of a partially consumed cigarette within the outer end of said body when said outer portion of said member is moved outwardly of said outer end, a stem slidably mounted within said 75 body and engaging said member, outer movement of said stem toward said outer end moving said member to position the wall or barrier in advance of said burning end and forcing said burning end into snubbing contact with said wall or barrier, and a compression spring within said body for returning said member and stem toward the inner end of said body to their normal positions within the body after the burning end of the cigarette has been forced into snubbing contact with said wall or barrier.

5. A cigarette holder comprising a tubular body adapted to retain a cigarette in the outer end thereof; a stern slidably mounted within said body; a tubular member surrounding said stem and slidably mounted within said body, said tubular member including an outer portion adapted to form a wall or barrier in advance of the burning end of a partially consumed cigarette within the outer end of said body when said outer portion of said member is moved outwardly of said outer end; and an operative connection between said stem and tubular member, initial movement of said stem within said body and toward the outer end thereof moving said member to position the wall or barrier in advance of said burning end, and continued movement of said stem toward the outer end of said body forcing said burning end into snubbing contact with said wall or barrier.

6. A cigarette holder comprising a tubular body adapted to retain a cigarette in the outer end thereof; a stem slidably mounted within said body and having an outer end adapted to engage the inner end of the cigarette within the outer end of said body; a tubular member surrounding said stem and slidably mounted within said body, said tubular member including an outer portion adapted to form a wall or barrier in advance of the burning end of a partially consumed cigarette within the outer end of said body when said outer portion of said member is moved outwardly of said forward end; and an operative connection between said stem and tubular member, initial movement of said stem within said body and toward the outer end thereof moving said member to position the wall or barrier in advance of said burning end and forcing said burning end into snubbing contact with said Wall or barrier, and further movement of said stem toward the outer end of said body ejecting said snubbed cigarette from the outer end of the body.

'7. A cigarette holder as defined in claim 6 wherein the operative connection between the stem and tubular member comprises a frictional connection which permits simultaneous movement of said stem and tubular member outwardly to effect positioning of the wall or barrier in advance of said burning end and permits movement of said stem toward the outer end of said body independently of said tubular member during the snubbing and ejecting operations.

8. A cigarette holder comprising a tubular body adapted to retain a cigarette in the outer end thereof; a tubular member having its major portion slidably mounted within said body and movable from a normal position within said body to a position where the outer end of said member projects outwardly beyond the outer end of the body, said outer end of said member including portions which cooperate to form a wall or barrier in advance of the burning end of a partially consumed cigarette within the outer end of said body when said member is moved outwardly from its normal position therein; and means for moving said tubular member outwardly to position the 16 wall or barrier at the outer end thereof in advance of said burning end and to force said burning end into snubbing contact with said wall or barrier.

9. A cigarette holder comprising a tubular body adapted to retain a cigarette in the outer end thereof; a tubular member having its major portion slidably mounted Within said body and movable from an inner, normal position within said body to a position outwardly where its outer end projects beyond the outer end of said body, said outer end of said tubular member comprising a plurality of axially extending finger-like portions provided at their outer ends with sections which cooperate to form a wall or barrier in advance of the burning end of a partially consumed cigarette within the outer end of said body when the finger-like portions of said member are moved beyond the outer end of said body, and means to move said member outwardly to position said wall or barrier at the outer end thereof in advance of said burning end and to force said burning end into snubbing contact with said wall or barrier.

10. A cigarette holder comprising a tubular body adapted to retain a cigarette in the outer end thereof; a tubular member having its major portion slidably mounted within said body and movable from an inner normal position within the body to a position outwardly where its outer end projects beyond the outer end of said body, said outer end of said tubular member comprising a plurality of spaced, axially extending finger-like portions provided at their outer ends with sectorlike sections which cooperate to form a wall or barrier in advance of the burning end of a partially consumed cigarette within the outer end of said body when the finger-like portions of said member are moved beyond the outer end of said body; and a stem slidably mounted within said body and member and frictionally but slidably engaging said member, initial movement of said stem with respect to said body and toward the outer end of said body effecting simultaneous movement of said stem and member outwardly to position said wall or barrier in advance of said burning end due to the frictional engagement between said stem and member, and continued movement of said stem toward the outer end of said body permitting said stem to move independently of said member and toward the outer end of said body to force said burning end into snubbing contact with said wall or barrier due to the sliding engagement between said stem and member.

11. A cigarette holder comprising a tubular body adapted to retain a cigarette in the outer end thereof; a tubular member having its major portion slidably mounted within said body and movable from an inner normal position within the body to a position outwardly where its outer end projects beyond the outer end of said body, the outer end of said tubular member comprising a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending finger-like portions provided at their outer ends with sector-like sections which cooperate to form a wall or barrier in advance of the burning end of a partially consumed cigarette within the outer end of said body when the finger-like portions are moved beyond the outer end of said body, said tubular member including a portion of reduced diameter; and a stem slidably mounted within said body and member and having spaced flanges thereon, the portion of reduced diameter of said member frictionally but slidably engaging said stem between the spaced flanges thereon, whereby the frictional engagement between the said reduced portion and stem will permit simultaneous movement of said stem and member outwardly to position said wall or barrier in advance of said burning end, and continued movement of said stem toward the outer end of said body will permit said stem to move independently of said member and toward the outer end of said body to force said burning end into snubbing contact with said wall or barrier.

12. A cigarette holder comprising a tubular body adapted to retain a cigarette in the outer end thereof; a tubular member having its major portion slidably mounted within said body and movable from an inner, normal position within the said body to a position outwardly where its outer end projects beyond the outer end of said body, the outer end of said member comprising at least two spaced longitudinally-extending finger-like portions having outer sector-like end sections disposed substantially normal to the plane of said finger-like portions, which sections cooperate to form a wall or barrier in advance of the burning end of a partially consumed cigarette within the outer end of said body when said finger-like portions are moved beyond the outer end of said body, the outer end of said member also including at least two longitudinally-extending sections, one disposed between each of said finger-like portions and of lesser length than said finger-like portions,

said last-mentioned sections cooperating with said finger-like portions and with the end sections thereof when extended beyond the outer end of said body, to form an outer cup-like portion adapted to enclose a partially consumed cigarette within the outer end of the body; and means for moving said member outwardly to position the said cup-like portion beyond the outer endof the body to a position where said wall or barrier is in advance of said burning end and to force the said burning end into snubbing contact with said wall or barrier.

13. A cigarette holder as defined in claim 12 wherein the finger-like portions are preformed, shaped and tempered intermediate their ends to cause them to diverge as they are moved outwardly beyond the outer end of the body so that the sector-like sections on their ends clear the unconsumed portion of the cigarette, after which said finger-like portions converge toward each other to position the wall or barrier formed by said sector-like portions in advance of the burning end of said unconsumed portion.

14. A cigarette holder comprising a tubular body adapted to retain a cigarette in the outer end thereof; a tubular member having its major portion normally disposed within said body and including at its outer end a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending finger-like portions provided at their outer ends with sector-like sections which cooperate to form a wall or barrier in advance of the burning end of a partially consumed cigarette within the outer end of said body when said finger-like portions are moved beyond the outer end of said body, each of said sectorlike sections being bent to positions normal to its associated finger-like portions, with the line of bend of each of said sector-like sections tempered to maintain said sections in positions normal to said finger-like portions but to permit said sections to be moved from their said normal positions to positions in alignment with said finger-like portions when sufiicient force is applied to overcome the resistance of the tempered line of bend; and means for moving said member outwardly and to project said finger-like portions beyond the outer end of the body'so that said portions and their sector-like sections form an outer, cup-like portion surrounding the partially consumed cigarette in the outer'end of the body, with the sectorlilie sections forming an outer wall or barrierin advance of the burning end of saidunconsumed portion, said means forcing said burning end into snubbing contact with said wall or barrier and thus causing each sector-like section to flex about its line of bend from its normal position to a position in axial alignment with its associated fingerlike portion, whereby the snubbed cigarette is ejected from the body.

15. A cigarette holder comprising a tubular body adapted to retain a cigarette in the outer end thereof, said outer end having a plurality'of spaced slots therein; a tubular member having its major portion slidably mounted within said body andprovided at its outer end with a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending fingerlike portions each adapted to pass through; one of said slots and each provided at its outer end with a sector-like section which sections -cooperate to form an outer wall or barrier in advance of the burning endof a partially consumed cigarette within the outer end of said body when said finger-like portions are moved beyond said outer end of said body and through said slots, each of said sector-like sections being bent to a position normal to its associatedfinger-like portion with the line of bend of each of said sector-like sections tempered to maintain said sections in positions normal to said finger-like portions but to permit said sections to be moved from their said normal positions when sufiicient force is applied to overcome the resistance of the term pered line of bend to positions in alignment with said finger-like portions, and each of said fingerlike portions including a hump intermediate its ends and each being preformed, shaped and tempered to permit said portions to be moved outwardly through the slots in substantially, parallel relation beyond the outer end of said body until the humps on the finger-like portions engage the inner surface of the outer end of said body member adjacent the slots therein and to be moved toward each other when said humps pass through said slots; and means for moving said member and its associated finger-like portions from their normal position within the body to position said finger-like portions beyond the outer end or the body, said means initially projecting said finger-like portions outwardly through said slots in substantially parallel relation until the bumps on said fingers engage the inner wall of the outer end of said body whereupon said finger-like portions and their respective sector-like ends are temporarily held against further movement beyond the outer end of said body, continued movement of said means toward the outer end of said body forcing said humps through said slots whereupon the finger-like portions and their sector-like sections move toward each other to form a cup-like portion surrounding said partially consumed cigarette, said means forcing said burning end into snubbing contact with said wall or barrier and then causing each sector-like section to flex about its line of bend from its normal position to a position in axial alignment with its associated finger-like portion, whereby the snubbed cigarette is ejected from the body.

16. A cigarette holder comprising a tubular body portion having divergent walls at the outer end thereof, said outer end including a radially directed flange extending toward the axis of said 19 body portion and provided with a plurality of slots; a tubular member having its major portion slidably mounted within said body and movable from a normal position within the body to a position where its outer end projects beyond the outer end of said body, the said outer end of the member being provided with a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending finger-like portions each adapted to pass through one of said slots and each provided at its outer end with a sectorlike section, which sections cooperate to form an outer wall or barrier in advance of the burning end of a partially consumed cigarette within the outer end of said body when said finger-like portions are moved outwardly through said slots, each of said sector-like sections being bent to a position normal to its associated finger-like :portion, and each of said finger-like portions including a hump intermediate its ends, said fingerlike portions being preformed, shaped and tempered in separate spaced areas on opposite sides of the humps thereon, the outer sections of said finger-like portions extending from the humps toward the outer end of said finger-like portion and constituting sections which tend to converge toward each other when said outer sections are unconfined, and the inner sections of said finger-like portions extending from the humps toward the inner end of said finger-like portions and constituting sections which tend to diverge away from each other when said inner sections are unconfined and to carry said outer sections with them; and means for moving said member and its associated finger-like portions outwardly from their normal positions and for ejecting the partially unconsumed portion of the cigarette from said body, said means initially projecting the outer sections of the finger-like portions outwardly through the slots with the humps in engagement with the inner surface of the divergent Walls at the outer end of the body until said humps engage the walls defining the said slots at which time further movement of the finger-like portions beyond the end of the body is temporarily arrested and said outer sections, being no longer confined within the body, will converge toward each other to a position where the outer sections of said finger-like portions and their sector-like sections form an outer cup-like portion surrounding said partially consumed cigarette, said means then forcing said burning end into snubbing contact with said wall or barrier, and said means, when suflicient force is applied thereto to overcome the engagement between said humps and the walls defining said slots, then forcing the humps through said slots and beyond the outer end of the body, at which time said finger-like portions, due to the inner sections and to the fact that said inner sections are no longer confined within the body, will diverge away from each other carrying with them the outer sections to permit the snubbed cigarette to drop from the holder.

PAUL C. HUTTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,249,913 Quilty July 22, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 8,140 Sweden July 31, 1897 526,604 Great Britain Sept. 23, 1940

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