Improvements in and relating to Match Friction Surfaces.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Dec., 1889-Accepted, 11th Jan., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Match Friction Surfaces.
We, JOHN HENRY WALDER, Merchant, and JOHN LEISER, Embroidery Manufac-
turer, both of Jersey City, Hudson County, State of New Jersey, United States of
America, 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 object of our invention is to provide a new and improved friction surface for
the ignition of matches.
The Invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which figure 1 is a face view of a match-holder provided with our improved friction
surface, parts being broken out. Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the
same. Figure 3 is a face view of our improved match striking surface, in a frame.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the same on the line 4-4 figure 3. Similar
letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
The friction surface is composed of a series of flat metal strips A which are arranged
side by side and a short distance from each other, the ends being secured and
embedded in solid metal pieces B. This friction surface is inserted or passed into
the grooves in the raised side pieces C of a board or frame D which is provided with
end pieces E made of the same material as the frame and placed in the grooves at
the ends of the friction surface for the purpose of holding the same in place.
If desired, a match safe F may be applied on the same frame that holds the
friction surface, as shewn for example in figures 1 and 2.
The metal strips or bars are arranged in the manner set forth and present a
series of ridges offering considerable resistance to the match rubbed over the same,
thereby causing sufficient friction to ignite the match. The fine particles of
phosphorus or other friction igniting material that are rubbed off the matches, pass
through the interstices between the several strips A and drop down between the back
of the friction surface and the frame backing and can be removed from time to time.
The friction surface cannot become clogged by the accumulation of particles of the
match heads in the manner that sand paper, emery paper, and the ridges produced
on porcelain surfaces, become clogged by rubbing matches over them. As the
friction surface is composed of a series of parallel united strips which have greater or
less elasticity, the strips are vibrated by drawing the match heads over them and this
vibration causes them to shake off the fine particles of phosphorus or igniting substance
that have been rubbed off the match heads.
In case one side of our improved friction surface is worn off, the united strips
can readily be removed from the holder, and reversed and the other side used.
We are aware that it is not broadly new to use friction surfaces composed of a
series of united parallel strips of metal and do not claim the same as our invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is;
The combination, with a suitable holder having side grooves, of a removable friction
surface composed of a series of metal strips placed side by side and having their ends

page_text: embedded in solid metal strips which strips are inserted in the grooves of the holder
and of end pieces for closing the frame or holder after the friction surface has been
inserted, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 2nd day of November 1000
J. H. WALDER.
J. LEISER.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.