Patent Publication Number: US-4927354-A

Title: Retractable cigarette lighter holder

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts. 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to cigarette lighters, and more particularly, to a retractable cigarette lighter holder. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Cigarette lighters are utilized for a variety of purposes, both by smokers and non-smokers. Many cigarette lighters in use today are disposable, that is, with a fuel reservoir, and ignition mechanism not intended for replacement or refill. Cigarette lighters are normally of relatively small dimensions, and may readily be carried in the pocket of pants or a shirt, or in a purse. In most instances, lighters are not the most easily procured items from pocket or purses, and have a propensity for being misplaced or lost. 
     Various devices have been employed for attachment to lighters, such as chains of the type used for watch fobs. Other devices include cord. Such devices are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,496, entitled &#34;Chain Secured Cigarette Lighter&#34;, issued on Apr. 4, 1978 to Johnson; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,737,036, entitled &#34;Combined Suspension Means and Wind Guard for Cigarette Lighter&#34;, issued on Mar. 6, 1956 to Simpson. An ordinary &#34;Safety Chain&#34; is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,042,808. issued June 2, 1936 to Seebeck. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,789,424, entitled &#34;Cigarette Lighter&#34;, issued to Lorio on Apr. 23, 1957, such patent disclosing a cigarette lighter including an expansion band for wearing on the wrist. 
     Another device is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,169, entitled &#34;Cigarette Lighter Securing Accessory&#34;, such patent issuing to Lewis on Dec. 4, 1984, the patent disclosing a box like housing with a false bottom containing a retractable cord for attachment to a cigarette lighter which can be contained within the housing. Other embodiments are shown, and some of the embodiments include clips for attachment to wearing apparel such as a belt. 
     Retractable reel mechanisms have been used for retaining a variety of devices, such as keys, rosary beads, or clotheslines, and such devices are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,732,148; 2,781,591; 3,021,901; 3,968,670; and 4,502,226. 
     Of the above patents, that most relevant to the instant invention is U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,169 to Lewis. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the invention, it is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a new and improved retractable reel cigarette holding and retaining device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing and other objects of the invention are accomplished by providing a retractable reel mechanism contained within a housing formed of two generally cup-shaped halves secured together and housing a coil spring and retractable take-up spool therein for connection to one end of a cord or the like, the other end being coupled to a fastener configured and adapted for captively and releasably retaining a cigarette lighter. In one embodiment a portion of the circumference of the housing is cut away or contoured to form a lighter receiving cavity or compartment configured and adapted for releasably retaining the cigarette lighter. Cord retaining means is included for retaining the amount of extension of the cord at a selected point, the release of which allows the reel mechanism to retract the lighter. A clip member or the like is attached to a side surface of the housing for enabling attachment of the device to an article of wearing apparel, such as a belt or waistband of trousers. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent from a reading of the specification, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements in the several views. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the retractable cigarette lighter holder, including the lighter compartment, according to one embodiment of the invention with a lighter attached thereto; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of the holder of FIG. 1, with the lighter nestably received therein; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the retractable cigarette lighter holder, without the higher compartment, according to another embodiment of the invention with a lighter attached thereto; and 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of the holder of FIG. 1, illustrating another embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown one embodiment of a cigarette lighter extention and rewinding housing, generally designated 10, for releasably and retractably holding a cigarette lighter 12. A cord 14 extends from an opening 15 in a back wall 16 of a compartment 17 of the housing 10. A suitable fastening means, such as a spring clip 20 is attached to the end of the cord for gripping a portion of the body of the lighter 12. 
     A retractable reel mechanism is contained within the housing 10, which may be formed of any suitable material such as plastic or metal, and formed of two generally cup-shaped halves 10a and 10b, which are secured together for defining a hollow interior, which contains coil spring 22 and a retractable take-up spool therein for connection to the captive end of cord 14. 
     In certain embodiments the reel and spool mechanism may be of any convenient form, such as that normally employed in retractable tape measuring devices, however, embodiments are also described herein wherein specific reel and spool mechanisms are taught. 
     In any event, such retractable mechanisms permit extension of the cord 14 against the force of the coil spring 22, and retraction of the cord 14 under force of the spring 22. 
     Associated with the reel mechanism is means for restraining the cord at selected intervals, or lengths, of the cord. One such means for restraining the cord at selected intervals, or lengths, is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 by cord restraining means 11, which includes knurled button 11a and cord contacting extention 11b, whereby it is provided that upon extention of the lighter to a desired distance, the button 11a is pushed in a first direction to effect frictional contact between extention 11b and cord 14 whereby the cord is restrained at the desired length of the cord. Upon movement of button 11a in the opposite direction the frictional pressure is removed from the cord allowing the force of the spring to retract the lighter. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the circumference of the housing 10 is cut away or contoured to form a lighter receiving cavity or compartment 17, which is configured and adapted for releasably retaining the cigarette lighter 12. Compartment 17 includes a back wall 16 and upper and lower generally edges 25 and 26, which are generally parallel to one another and generally perpendicular to the back wall 16. The size and dimension of compartment 17 is such that the body of lighter 12 is substantially received within the compartment to provide a compact assembly within the overall dimensions of the housing 10. The length of the back wall 16 closely approximates that of the length of the lighter 12, while the depth of the edges 25 and 26 is slightly smaller than the width of the lighter 12, with the thickness of the housing closely approximating that of the thickness of the lighter 12. 
     For the purpose of retaining the lighter 12 within the compartment 17, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the edges 25 and 26 are provide with openings through which extend V-shaped portions of spring members 27 and 28, respectively. Each of the spring members 27 and 28 is formed as a generally V-shaped member with an end thereof suitably secured to the housing on the interior thereof. The V-shaped parts of the spring members 27, 28 are in facing relation to one another and positioned for engaging an existing part of the lighter. For example, the bottom of the lighter includes a recess therein, and the lower spring 28 frictionally engages the surface within this recess. At the top of lighter 12, there is a flame opening, and the V-shaped section of upper spring 27 is configured, dimensioned and positioned for engagement within this opening. It is to be understood that any convenient means may be employed to retain the lighter within the compartment 17, and the means shown is but one preferred arrangement. 
     For enabling carrying of the housing 10, a clip member 29 is attached to a side surface of the housing 10 for enabling attachment of the holder 10 to an article of wearing apparel, such as a belt or waistband of trousers. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown another embodiment of the invention which is essentially the same as the previous embodiment except that the compartment 17 is not included in the housing 30, the lighter 12 thus allowed to be selectively extended from the housing and stored or carried separate from housing 10, such as with a watch fob. In this embodiment, although not shown on the drawing, the cord restraining means 11 of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be located closer to opening 15. In either embodiment, cord 14 can be elastic or inelastic depending upon the desired usage. Further, if desired, especially when the cord 14 is elastic, the restraining means 11 may be omitted. 
     Additional means for restraining cord 14 is shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment cover 10b has extension 40 extending inwardly from cover 10b, extension 40 being of tubular configuration with the tubular opening thereof extending through cover 10b to form an opening generally designated 31 (FIG. 3). Coil spring 22, shown in dotted lins in FIG. 4 under spring cover 42, and contained thereby within spring cover 42, has one end attached to extension 40 and the other end attached to spring cover 42. Spring cover 42 has a center aperture, generally designated 43, for receiving extension 40 therethrough. 
     Cord 14 is attached at one end of spring cover 42 and wound thereabout before extending through opening 15 to attach to lighter 12. Extension of lighter 12 away from housing 10 unreels cord 14 to thereby rotate spring cover 42 to apply tension to spring 22. 
     Release button 41 (FIG. 3) extends through aperture 31 and has cross-piece 44 thereon which is positioned in slot 46 of extension 40 and thereby constrained from rotary movement. Spring cover 42 has protrusions or tabs 45 extending therefrom for engagement with cross-piece 44. Cross-piece 44 has a ramp shaped surface such that the unreeling of cord 14 and corresponding rotation of spring cover 42 allows tabs 45 to ride up and over the ramp of cross-piece 44 but locks spring cover 42 in rotary position after passing over the ramp. If desired, tabs 45 may have corresponding complimentary ramp configured surfaces to facilitate movement of the tabs over the ramps of cross-piece 44. 
     Pressure on release button 31 raises cross-piece 44 over tabs 45 to allow the spring tension to rotate the spring cover 42 to retract cord 14. 
     Cross-piece 44 is shown with protrusions 47 for contacting the inside of cover 10a when button 31 is pushed to thereby selectively limit the extension of cross-piece 44 away from spring cover 42. 
     While there has been shown and described a preferred and one other embodiment, it is to be understood that various other adaptations and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention.