Patent Publication Number: US-2012023702-A1

Title: Match Handle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/369,701, filed 2010 Jul. 31 by the present inventor. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAMS 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field 
     This application relates to the mechanical holding of a match throughout its use. 
     2. Prior Art 
     The prior art involves a user holding an entirely flammable match while aflame. If the user holds the match long enough there is a risk of being burned. Longer matches help reduce this risk and aid in effective application. However they are costly and wasteful. The majority of such a match is wasted with each use without being used. 
     Several types of match holders are described in U.S. patents. The Wilder U.S. Pat. No. 407,883 and Stegner U.S. Pat. No. 2,822,204 show match holders having coiled wire holders. Both provide a means by which to hold a match while in use; however neither provides an integral means by which to remove the unused portion of the match. 
     The Gibson et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,781,051 describes a match holder that is made of a single sheet of spring steel which has been curved to a split tubular shape. The spring steel holder is attached to an extension rod so that the lighted match can be positioned in an accessible location. The match is wedged in the wider end of the holder. However, no provision is made to easily eject the match from the holder. 
     The Luberacki U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,029 shows a match holder which does integrate an ejection mechanism however the user interface is at the match holding end of the device. This is inherent in the design as Luberacki teaches the use of a solid main handle which restricts the location of the eject mechanism to the match holding end. This is undesirable for multiple reasons, including but not limited to the following:
         this end may be too hot to touch due to its proximity to the flame   there is a risk that the match may be inadvertently ejected while aflame   this end is likely to be dirty with soot and other substances contracted during use   it is not practical for the user to eject the match with one hand       

     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one embodiment my match handle allows for safe application of a match. By utilizing a flame resistant handle a flame is prevented from advancing to the user. It also improves the application by providing additional length to the match being held. It is used by inserting a match into a tubular barrel which holds the match by friction. By using a plastic based or similar material for the barrel it will conform and adhere to the match. It will also elastically bend while striking the match to prevent the match from braking. 
     A push pin is incorporated in the barrel for ejecting the match once used. With the barrel being a continuous tube the push pin can extend to the user held end. This allows the push pin to be activated by one hand without re-gripping. It also prevents the user from touching the match holding end. This end may be hot and covered in soot after each use. 
     My match handle was developed to provide a device that allows for optimized utility of a match. It accomplished this while simultaneously improving safety and reducing waste. Currently matches are conventionally available in both long and short versions, respectively. Longer matches provide the utility of accessing difficult application sites. They also provide a lower risk of burning the user than shorter options. They are however more costly and wasteful. Shorter matches are less costly yet don&#39;t provide the safety and utility of longer options. They are also wasteful as the user held portion cannot be utilized without burning the user. 
     Match holders have been described in prior art, however none provide all the benefits of this disclosure. My match handle provides a means of firmly holding a match throughout its use. It minimizes risk of breaking a match while striking. It provides a means of safely and cleanly ejecting a used match with one hand. These and other benefits are provided with as few as two low cost components. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
       The following Figures are included: 
         FIG. 1 : is a perspective view of a match handle and an exploded match 
         FIG. 2 : is a cross-sectional perspective view of a match handle and an exploded match 
         FIG. 3 : is a mated perspective view of a match handle and a match 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               10  a match handle in full assembly 
               12  a barrel of the match handle 
               16  a push pin used for ejecting a match from the barrel 
               20  a match holding end of the barrel 
               24  a user held end of the barrel 
               26  an eject knob used to advance the push pin forward to eject a match 
               28  an eject slot provided to guide the axial translation of the eject knob 
               32  a conventional wood stick match shown to demonstrate use the match handle 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     First Embodiment 
     FIG.  1 , FIG.  2 , and FIG.  3   
     A match handle  10  is shown in a perspective view with a match  32  exploded in  FIG. 1 . It is shown in a cross-section of this view in  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 3  it is shown with match inserted.  FIG. 2  shows a barrel  12  as an elongated cylindrical tube. It has an eject slot  28  along its axis. It is assembled by inserting a push pin  16  into the eject slot. It is advanced in the barrel toward a match holding end  20 . The push pin has an eject knob  26  at a user held end  24 . The eject knob keeps the push pin within the barrel. It extends out from the eject slot contacting the walls when pushed back and forth. This embodiment demonstrates the eject knob incorporated with the push pin. This allows for the match handle to be comprised of as few as two components. 
     Construction of this embodiment involves the following primary steps:
         1. A piece of standard tube stock is cut to a preferred length to produce the barrel. The tube should have a suitable diameter for frictionally holding a standard stick match. The ends of the barrel are slightly chamfered. For this embodiment it is currently contemplated that a cylindrical tube of acetyl plastic be used. The inside diameter would be approximately 3 mm and an outside diameter of 6 mm. Other dimensions may also be suitable. These dimensions are currently contemplated as they align with standard tube and stick match sizes.   2. A slot is cut in the barrel, oriented parallel to the axis of the barrel. This produces the eject slot. The width of the eject slot should be no greater than the inside diameter of the barrel. The width should be no less than the cross sectional diameter of the push pin. The length of the slot should be slightly longer than the portion of match to be held. For this embodiment a length of approximately 25 mm is currently contemplated. The eject slot should be positioned near the user held end of the barrel.   3. A rod is cut to length to form the push pin. The length being approximately the distance from the tip of the match holding end and the mid-point of the eject slot. The diameter being slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the barrel.   4. One end of the push pin is then bent to form the eject knob. The bend should be approximately 90 degrees to the push pin axis. The length being approximately equal to the diameter of the barrel.   5. The push pin is then inserted into the barrel through the eject slot. It is advanced toward the match holding end. It should be advanced until contacting the end of the eject slot.   6. The push pin may extend out from the match holding end. This portion is cut flush with the end of the device.   7. Upon completion of the preceding steps, the match handle is now ready to be used.       

     Although specific materials, sizes, forms, and other details are currently contemplated in the description of this embodiment, various other materials, sizes, forms, etc. may be applied. 
     Operation 
     First Embodiment 
     FIG.  1 , FIG.  2 , and FIG.  3   
     My match handle is used for holding and applying a match. It supports all stages of match use, from striking to disposal. It is shown in a perspective view in  FIG. 1 . The barrel serves as the handle by which the user holds the device. While the user holds the barrel, the barrel holds a match. A match is held within the inside diameter of the match holding end. To operate, a match is inserted into the match holding end. The match contacts the push pin, causing it to translate toward the user held end. The match is lit and applied as desired. Once the application of the match is complete it can be ejected. The push pin is used to eject the remaining portion of the match. To do this it is advanced forward toward the match holding end. 
     Operation of this embodiment involves the following steps:
         1. A match is inserted into the match holding end of the barrel   2. During insertion the match moves the push pin toward the user held end   3. The match is inserted until the eject knob contacts the end of the eject slot   4. With the user holding the user held end of the barrel the match is struck and lit   5. The match is applied as desired   6. The match is fully extinguished   7. The eject knob is advanced toward the match holding end until the match is ejected   8. The match handle is now ready to be used once again       

     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
     According to the disclosed, I have provided a match holding solution for safe and effective application. While the above description contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment. They serve only as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments. Many ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of this disclosure. For example:
         The barrel and push pin could be composed of shapes other than cylindrical. Including, but are not limited to, a square or hexagonal cross-section. Alternate shapes and configurations could also include means to provide for alternate holding methods.   Various effects could be included at the match holding end. These could account for variations in the barrel material, size, form, etc. They could further account for variations in material, size, form, etc. of matches to be held.   The push pin can be held within the barrel by many other means of shaping with respect to the barrel. Additional components could be included for this purpose as well. These options would be exhaustive to list and would not impact the principle functionality disclosed.   A second barrel or similar component could be included. This could option could be used to transfer additional compressive force or provide rigidity. Such a component could be retractable as desired.   The match holding mechanism could include a lever arm or similar component(s). This could be compressed by the user to provide additional match holding force.   Various means of surface texturing or features could be applied to the internal wall of the barrel. Such options could be employed to contribute to the adhesion properties of the barrel.   The device could have a means by which to extend its length. Such options include, but are not limited to, a telescoping feature or a hinged handle extension. This would allow the overall device length to increase while still allowing it to be conveniently stored.       

     Similar ramifications and variations to the ones listed would be obvious to one skilled in the art. Thus the scope of the disclosed should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.