An Improved Apparatus for Holding Lucifer Matches and for Withdrawing such Matches Singly as required.
Year: 1884

page_text: An Improved Apparatus for Holding Lucifer Matches and for
Withdrawing such Matches Singly as required.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co-Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 35, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of the invention for "AN IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR HOLDING LUCIFER MATCHES AND FOR WITHDRAWING SUCH
MATCHES SINGLY AS REQUIRED to be as follows:-
"
This invention consists of a box or receptacle of any convenient size, and of
metal, china or earthenware, wood, or other suitable material, preferably rectangular
in plan. The top of this box is provided with an opening somewhat longer than
the length of the matches and of such width that the fingers cannot be introduced,
and below the opening is arranged a holder to receive the matches the sides of
which holder incline inwards meeting at an angle at the bottom.
At one side or end of the top of the box is arranged a balanced lever turning
on a horizontal axis and weighted at its outer end, the lever being preferably made
in the form of a bird of such size and shape that when its inner end is depressed
two points or spikes representing the partly open beak of the bird descend through
the opening in the cover to the bottom of the inclined match holder described.
When therefore the lever is depressed a match is held or gripped between the
points, and when the lever is released the match is withdrawn froin the holder and
can be removed and used. In this way the matches can be withdrawn one by one
so long as any remain in the holder, but it is impossible to take them out with the
fingers or to withdraw more than one at a time and waste is in this way prevented.
Part of the lever forming the bird as described may be roughened or otherwise
prepared, so that the matches can be ignited by striking or rubbing them.
The moveable lever may be made in any other desired form instead of in that of
a bird.
The cover of the box may if desired be provided with one or more holes or tubes
to serve as supports for cigars. The entire apparatus may be fitted with wheels or
rollers so that it can readily travel about the counters of tobacconists shops or
of public houses or other places.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co:-Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 35 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of the invention for AN IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR HOLDING LUCIFER MATCHES AND FOR WITHDRAWING SUCH
MATCHES SINGLY AS REQUIRED and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement and
accompanying drawing: :-
"
This invention consists of a box or receptacle of any convenient size, provided
with a holder for lucifer matches and device by which they can be withdrawn
singly as required. Holes or supports are also provided for carrying cigars.
In the accompanying drawing, figure 1 represents the apparatus. Figure 2 is
a plan from above of a holder for inatches and cigars. Figure 3 is a plan from
above of a holder for matches only. Figure 4 is a section through C. D. figure 3.
Figure 5 is a section through A. B. figure 2; and figure 6 shows part of a match
and cigar holder running on wheels.
a in figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 represents the opening into the match holder, and b
in figures 4 and 5 the receptacle in which the matches are contained. c in figures 2
and 5 are openings or tubes for carrying cigars.
It will be seen that in figures 1, 3, and 4 the box is shewn to hold matches only,
whilst by the additions shewn in figures 2 and 5 it serves also to carry cigars.
When the matches are placed in the box or receptacle b it is, quite impossible to
take them with the fingers or to remove more than one at a time.
The withdrawal of each match in succession from the box is effected by means
of a moveable lever, in the form of a bird as shewn in figure 1 or other suitable
animal or other form which is arranged upon the top of the match box as shewn.
By causing it to oscillate upon the centre which carries it the beak of the bird is
plunged into the box through the opening a and when raised it brings with it a
single match held or gripped between the two projecting points of the beak, the
movement given to the bird in order so to withdraw a single match being a simple
oscillation upon its centre.
In figure 1, a represents a flat plane formed upon the bird and suitably grooved,
roughened, or otherwise prepared, so that the matches can be struck upon it.
The apparatus whether used simply as a match holder or as a combined match
and cigar holder, may be made of any suitable material such as metal, earthenware,
or wood, and its dimensions may be varied as desired. Either form of the
apparatus may be fitted with wheels or rollers as shown in figure 6, so that it can
readily travel about the counters of tobacconists' shops, public houses, or other
places.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
The box or receptacle for matches, having an opening through which they are
withdrawn singly by being held or gripped between points upon the inner end of
an oscillating lever in the form of a bird or other device; with or without the
addition of openings or tubes for holding cigars, and wheels upon which the box
runs, substantially as described and shewn in the drawing.
Dated this 2nd day of October 1884.
EDWARDS & Co.,
Agents for the Patentee.