Improved Automatic Lighting and Ejecting Match Boxes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Sept., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 8th Jan., 1895-Accepted, 2nd Mar., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Automatic Lighting and Ejecting Match Boxes.
I, JOHN BRIERLEY HOWARD of the Firm of Brierley and Howard, Penny Bank
Chambers, Halifax do hereby declare the nature of this invention which has been
communicated to me by Jens Trendel, Merchant and Manufacturer of Nürnberg,
Bavaria, to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in match boxes the object being to
construct a match box which will automatically strike or ignite and eject one match
at a time, and will if desired also form a holder for the lighted match.
According to this invention I employ a box or case down the centre or one side
of which is a channel sufficiently wide to receive only one match. Inside the box or
case or a chamber of same is a rod on which is a block and short finger in the end
of which is a recess and the recessed end of the finger extends into the channel above
mentioned. In the block is also a button which extends through a slot to the
outside of the case or box and on the rod, below the block is coiled a spiral spring
which forces the block towards the top of the box or case.
The channel and part of the box which contains the matches has a small hole at
the top sufficiently large for one match to pass through, and above this hole are two
inclined pads covered with sand paper or having abraiding surfaces, and carried on
blade springs which keep the pads together.
The action is as follows:-When the block is moved down the rod, the button
may be turned into a notch in the slot the spring is thus compressed and the
recessed finger is at the bottom of the channel. A match now falls into the channel
and its bottom end is over the recessed finger by moving the button out of the
notch, the spiral spring forces the block and recessed finger upwards and the
match is forced head first between the abraiding pads, and through a hole in the top
of the box or case. When passing between the abraiding surfaces the match is ignited
and passing through the hole in the box or casing can be removed, or held in the
box or casing.
When the box is held in one hand the button can be operated by the thumb of
the same hand.
The block can be held so that the spring is compressed either by a notch in the
slot, or by turning the block so that the recessed finger is caught beneath a holding
projection.
Dated this 31st day of August 1894.
J. B. HOWARD,
Applicant.
Improved Automatic Lighting and Ejecting match Boxes.
I JOHN BRIERLEY HOWARD of the Firm of Brierley & Howard, Penny Bank
Chambers, Halifax in the County of York Patent Agent, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention which has been communicated to me by Jens Trendel,
Merchant and Manufacturer of Nürnberg, Bavaria and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates to improved automatic self lighting and ejecting match

page_text: boxes, and the annexed drawings represent several modifications of the box
according to the said invention.
The first modification has been illustrated by Figs. 1 to 5.
Figs. 1 and 2 are longitudinal sections shewing two different positions of the
moveable parts.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section, the plans of which form an angle of 90 degrees
with that of the longitudinal sections Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 4 is a cross section and Fig. 5 a side view.
"
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י,
The space 46 a for holding the matches terminates in longitudinal channel "a"
of such shape and size that two matches "S" may be received in it. Through a
slot ""there extends into this channel "a¹" a finger "c1" in such a manner that
the lower end of the nearest match may enter into the way of this finger. This
finger is provided with a sliding piece "c" which 1 name the "striking pin." This
striking pin "c is guided by means of a rod "d" fastened to the casing "f" and
surrounded by a spiral spring "e." The striking pin is also provided with a
knob which passes through a slot "f1" of the casing "." This knob "e" is
to enable the spring to be bent by means of a single finger of the hand
supporting it, as will be seen from the perspective view Fig. 9. After this has
been done, the striking pin C is in the position Fig. 1. and the outer matches
may be caught by the finger "c" As soon as the knob is released, the spring "e"
will push forward the striking pin "c" and the head of the match will be pushed
between and through the two frictional pieces "g." In order to ensure the match
being lighted it must be moved at a very great speed, but in case this speed should
be sustained during too long a period there would be the danger of the match being
thrown out altogether. To obviate this default, the apparatus for driving the
match is arranged in the following manner. The power for driving forward
the match which is exerted by the spring acts only for a certain part of the
working throw of the striking pin "c," while the rest of this throw is effected by
the impetus imparted to it. In accomplishing this purpose by shortening the
spring "e" I allow at the same time for the circumstance that the resistance
offered to the head of the match when passing through the frictional pieces "g
greater than while the match proper is sliding between the frictional pieces "g."
imitate therefore, as much as possible, that process which takes place in case the
match is lighted by hand. That is to say the match is at first caused to move very
quick along the frictional pieces and 18 then brought to the object to be lighted
by moving it slowly.
"
18
The
The certainty of lighting is increased by the following arrangement.
frictional pieces "g" made from any known material can be changed in a very
convenient and ready way and this purpose a number of them are carried in every
frame "." The two frames are pressed one against the other by means of
springs ""manufactured preferably from steel as used for making watch springs.
These frames "" are fastened by means of elongations "," see Figs. 2 and 3.
The casing "" is provided with two doors "ff3" in such a manner that the
frictional pieces "g" may be put into the respective frame or removed, without
any difficulty.
"
As will be seen from Fig. 6, which is a longitudinal section through the
apparatus the finger “c” may be Z shaped in order to diminish the length of the
casing "f."
Instead of arranging the channel "a" symmetrical in relation to the space "a,"
it may be arranged one-sided, as will be seen from Fig. 7, which is a cross-section.
In both cases it is exceedingly important with reference to the manipulation of the
apparatus by a single hand, that the knob "" is arranged rectangular with regard
to the plane, in which the matches move into the channel "a¹." In this way it is
possible to actuate an apparatus of this kind in the manner illustrated by Fig. 9.
That is to say, the apparatus is leaning on the fore finger and the middle finger,
while the ring finger and the little finger support it and the thumb works upon the
knob. It will also be seen from this figure, that the lower end of the slot "f1" for

page_text: taking up the trunk of the knob, may have a recess for the purpose of holding the
knob which can be instantaneously set free by means of the thumb nail and so the
ejecting force is increased. The knob "can be turned partly around (see
Fig. 8.) so that the finger can turn around the guiding rod "d" within certain
limits as shewn by the dotted lines.
The locking of the knob may also be effected in another manner as will be seen
by Figs. 10 to 14 of the annexed drawings Figs. 10 and 11 being sections on the
line of Fig. 14, both figs. showing different positions of the movable parts,
Fig. 12 is a section on the line II-II, Fig. 14; Fig. 13 is a section on the
line III-III, Fig. 14; Fig. 14 is a plan showing the modified apparatus, the cover
being omitted.
In order to arrest the striking pin in the position in which the spring is bent a
feathering stop "" is provided in the interior of the casing "f" which stop is
released by means of a knob "" extending through the wall of the casing see
Figs. 10, 11, 13 and 14.
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A further improvement consists in that the striking pin C " is provided with
elongations "m which partially surround the guiding rod "d." The purpose of
this is to prevent the striking pin froin tilting over under the influence of the
eccentrically acting pressure of the thumb.
66
As will be seen from Figs. 12, 13, 14 and 16 the channel "a" is not confined by
the straight wall "a" which is situated vis-à-vis to the point of entrance of the
match, is V-shaped. Furthermore this wall "a" is provided with a wider
portion or belly "a" in its middle part. In this manner an enlargement of the
channel "a is provided in such a nanner, that a curved or bent match may be
thrown out, for with such an arrangement the curved match is allowed to be
placed in the channel as well as to be advanced without being retarded by any edge
or angle.
Figs. 14 and 15 shew modification of the apparatus to prevent the match from
being blown out in case such an apparatus is made use of in stormy weather. The
striking pin "c" is provided with a shade "k." The latter is, for instance,
U-shaped and must be of such a length, that the match "s" is protected completely
when it has been brought into the position shown by dotted lines Fig. 15. The
shade or protector may also be used for compressing the spring "e."
As will be seen from Fig. 13 the arrangement may also be such a one, that not
both arms "2" for holding the frictional pieces "gg
" are movable as it is found
by practice that the striking effect is increased by only one arm, say "h” is
movable.
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The perspective views Figs. 17 and 18 show, that the arms "" may either
be solid with the dovetailed part "3" serving as a receptacle for the frictional
pieces "gg" or the dovetailed part "" may be fixed to the arms "h2" by means
of soldering rivetting or the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
e
1. Automatic apparatus for lighting and ejecting matches in which by pressing
down a striking pin "e" with finger "e" by means of one finger only a spring
is compressed and set at liberty immediately or held for a time, substantially as set
forth and for the purpose specified.
2. In the automatic apparatus for lighting and ejecting matches claimed under
Claim 1 the arrangement of pieces "g" consisting of frictional material, substan-
tially as set forth and for the purpose specified.
"
3. Automatic apparatus for lighting and ejecting matches in which the striking
pin "e" for pushing forward the match "S" is provided with a shade "k
substantially as set forth and for the purpose specified.
4. Automatic apparatus for lighting and ejecting matches in which the striking

page_text: pin is arrested in its initial position by means of a feathering stop “¿¹” substan-
tially as set forth and for the purpose specified.
5. Automatic apparatus for lighting and ejecting matches in which the striking
pin is provided with prolonging pieces "m" substantially as set forth and for the
purpose specified.
6. Automatic apparatus for lighting and ejecting matches, in which only one of
the arms "h" for supporting the frictional pieces "" is pressed aside by the
match leaving the apparatus, substantially as set forth and for the purpose
specified.
7. Automatic apparatus for lighting and ejecting matches in which the
arms "h" are solid with the dovetailed pieces "3" for supporting the
frictional pieces "g," substantially as set forth and for the purpose specified.
8. Automatic apparatus for lighting and ejecting matches, in which the space
for taking up the match to be thrown out is provided with a wider portion or
"belly" substantially as set forth and for the purpose specified.
h 7th dow of Ton 1805
J. BRIERLEY HOWARD,
Penny Bank Chambers, Halifax, Applicant.
J. BRIERLEY HOWARD,
Penny Bank Chambers, Halifax, Applicant.