An Improved Form of Instrument for Cleaning and Removing Obstructions from the Stems of Tobacco Pipes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Mar., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 29th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 5th June, 1897
An Improved Form of Instrument for Cleaning and Removing
Obstructions from the Stems of Tobacco Pipes.
FREDERICK LUCAS BENHAM M.D., 93 Elizabeth Street Eaton Square London, S.W.,
Physician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
The instrument consists of, a slender rod or stout wire, composed of silver (pure or
alloyed), German silver, copper, or other suitable firm but flexible metal; of such
thickness as to permit it to pass along readily within the stem of a tobacco pipe. The
rod is fixed immovably by one end (its base) to the closed end of (inside) the cap of a
cylindrical case, which is preferably of metal such as German silver, and which must
be somewhat larger in diameter than the rod or wire itself. The body of the
cylindrical case contains the free portion of the metallic rod, when it (the case) is.
closed. The cap is fitted to the body of the case by a telescope or bayonet joint.
The length of the case is such as to enable it to be easily carried in the pocket; and
the rod or probe within should be as long as the case will permit.
The length of the rod, thus limited, will be sufficient to enable it to pass along the
stem (excluding the mouth-piece) of an ordinary pipe, into the bowl.
Dated this 17th day of March 1897
An Improved Form of Instrument for Cleaning and Removing
Obstructions from the Stems of Tobacco Pipes.
FREDERICK LUCAS BENHAM, M.D. 93 Elizabeth Street Eaton Square London S.W.
Physician do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:
The instrument consists of a slender rod or probe, composed of silver (pure or
alloyed), German silver, copper, or other suitable firm but flexible metal or metallio
substance; of such thickness as to enable it to pass readily along within the stem of
an ordinary tobacco pipe. The best shape for this rod is to be thicker at the base, gently
tapering towards the free extremity, where again there is a slight bulbous enlargement.
Or it may be made in a simpler way, to answer the purpose tolerably well, out of a
piece of suitable wire of uniform thickness. The rod is immovably fixed (soldered) by
its base to the closed end (inside) of the cap of a cylindrical case, which is preferably
of metal such as German silver, and which is somewhat larger in diameter (e.g. ‡ inch)
than the rod it contains.
The free end of the rod projects out of and beyond the open end of the cap. The
length of the rod is about 4 inches; it may be somewhat less, or may be lengthened.
to suit longer-stemmed pipes. The rod is intended to pass along the bore (excluding
[DO17

page_text: the mouth-piece) of the stem of an ordinary tobacco-pipe, into the bowl. The cap
above mentioned is fitted to the body of the case by a telescope or bayonet joint.
The length of the case, when closed, is just longer than the rod, so as to contain it
easily. Thus, if about 4 inches long, it can be readily carried in the waistcoat
pocket.
MODE OF USE.
Open the case by removing the cap, and therewith drawing the probe out of the
case: then, using the cap as a handle, the rod may be passed down the stem of a
tobacco-pipe (after first removing the mouth-piece) into the bowl. When the pipe is
thus cleared, the rod may be replaced in the case.
It may be cleaned from time to time either by wiping it with a piece of paper, or
by passing it to and fro for a few moments through a flame.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1. represents the case, containing the rod, closed.
Fig. 2. the rod or probe (drawn rather thicker than necessary), soldered to the
inside of the cap. (The cap and solder are shown in section.)
Fig. 3. section of body of case, showing telescope joint.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is-
A slender metallic rod, of suitable length and thickness and sufficient flexibility to
pass along within the stem of a tobacco-pipe, and fixed at one end into the closed end
of the cap of a cylindrical case, which contains it.
Dated this 20th day of Monah 1807
F. LUCAS BENHAM.