US453383A - Frank c - Google Patents

Description

4 (No Model.)

F. aamvgs MATCH BOX.

Pager med June 2,1891

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

FRANK G. GRAVES, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT Oh COLUMBIA.

"WMATCH-BOX.

SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 453,383, dated June 2, 1891. Application filed October 26, 1890, Serial No. 369,377. (No model.)

IO to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in match-boxes designed, primarily, for use in cigar-stores,-restaurants,-and the like, where it is desired to I place matches within convenient reach of the customers; or it may be found convenient in other places. I I

The primary object of the invention is to so construct and arrange the parts as to allow but one match to be taken at a time, thus preventing the customary habit of obtaining a handful or more matches, which has been one objection to the use of such devices. I providea receptacle with a discharge'openin g of only sufficient dimensions to permit the passage of but a single match at a time, the discharge-openin g being normally closed, and at each disclosure and at each discharge of a match an alarm is sounded, which will bevery 3o apt to deter one from taking more than one or two matches. The plunger which controls the discharge of the matches may be utilized as a cigar-cutter.

Other objects and advantages of the inven- 5 tion will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined by the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the lot- 0 ters of reference marked thereon, form apart of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of the matchbox complete, the dotted lines representing a match being discharged. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same with portions broken away.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the line a: of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 3 y of Fig. 3 with a portion broken away.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughoutthe several views.

The parts constituting this device may be of wood or metal or a combination of both, as preferred. The size may be varied, and the exterior surface may be made as ornamental as desired.

Referring now to the details of the drawings, in which the preferable form is shown, the letter A designates the box or receptacle into which the matches are placed. It may be made to hold any desired number of matchessay two hundredand is provided with a hinged cover A, which may be held in its closed position in any suitable mannerfor instance, by a lock, as shown in Fig. 1.

The bottom of the box or receptacle A slopes or inclines downward and rearward, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, to guide the matches toward the discharge-opening a, which is located and formed between the rear plate or wall A. of the box and the bottom, as shown best in Fig. 3. This disch. rgo-opening is formed at one or both ends with a cut-away portion or enlarged opening I) to accommodate the heads of the matches, there being preferably an opening at each, as seen in Fig. 2, so as to allow of the passage of the matches, no matter which way they may be arranged.

The rear wall A of the box extends to the bottom of the tray B and practically divides the same into two parts, as seen in Fig. 1. This tray may be integral with the box and rear plate or wall or separate therefrom, as preferred. The tray has a surrounding flange c, as seen in Figs. 1 and 3, and upon the upper face of the bottom of either or both of the compartments, preferably, however, only upon that in front of the box, is provided a roughened or corrugated surface D, designed to serve as a match-sorath. The compartments of the tray may be used to receive burned matches. The device may be permanently or detachably secured to a counter or in any other preferred place.-

On the front of the box (and it may be upon the rear plate or sides, if desired) is reserved a space 0 for advertisement, the name of the owner, or any other matter of this character.

I E is a sliding plate or plunger adapted to move vertically in suitable guides and extended above the top of the box, as scornim the several views, being provided with a su tab e knob or handle and with an opening (I, having a knife-edge to form one partof a cigar-cutter of known construction, the other part being formed in the upper end of the plate 1*, suitably held Within the box. The lower end of this plate E carries a rod G, which is designed to extend at the lower end in or through a hole 6 in the bottom of the tray, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4, a coiled spring H being arranged around this red and acting upon the bottom of the plunger to normally keep it up, so as to close the discharge-opening, as seen in Fig. 3. The lower end of the plate 1 extends to the upper edge of the notch f in the sliding plate E, as shown in Fig. 3, and serves to keep the matches from contact with'the sliding plate, and thus avoid any tendency to ignite the matches in the descent of the plunger.

Projecting rearWai'dly from the sliding plate or plunger is a pin g, which works through a vertical slot 71 in the rear plate or wall A as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, and designed to engage the end of the bell-hammer I at each descent of the plunger, the said bell-hammer being suitably pivoted at j and designed to strike the bell Ii, affixed to the rear plate or wall of the box, as shown. The lower wall of the notch or groove f in the sliding plate is preferably beveled, so as to aid the match in falling out.

The operation will be readily understood, and a detailed description thereof is not deemed necessary.

lVhat I claim as new is e 1. As an improved article of manufacture, a match-box having discharge-opening, combined with a spring-actuated plunger and an alarm arranged in the path of and adapted to be sounded by a projection on the plunger, substantially as specified.

2. The box having discharge-opening, combined with the sliding plunger having transverse groove and spring-actuated guide-rod, the plate extended within the box in front of the plunger, the lateral pin projecting from the plunger through a slot in the rear wall of the box, and a bell-hammer arranged in the path of the said pin, substantially as and for the purpose specified. v

3. The device described, consisting of the combined box and tray, the box having inclined front wall and discharge-opening, the vertically-sliding plunger having transverse groove and sp ring-actuated guide-rod, the discharge-opening being enlarged at the ends thereof, the plate extended within the box in front of the plunger, the lateral pin on the plunger working through a vertical slot in the rear wall of the box, the bell-hammer, and the bell, all arranged and operating substantially as specified. y

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK (l. GRAVES. \Vitnesses:

0-. HUNT, JOHN lI-IAWKINs.

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