A TOWED CERAR LAWRED
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to the Honorablo William Talbot, of the Army, and
Navy Club, Pall Mall, in, the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of
"A TOWED CERAR LAWRED"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said the Honorable William
Talbot at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 22nd August 1859.
I, the Honorable WILLIAM TALBOT, of the Army and Navy Club, Pall
Mall, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN IMPROVED CIGAR LIGHTER," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of a small box, in which certain mechanism is
arranged for the purpose of lighting fusees. The novelty of this Invention
consists principally, in enabling such operation to be effected by the use of
one hand only, thus enabling horsemen to light their cigars, without releasing
their bridle. Predestrians also do not require to use both hands to procure
a light, as heretofore practised. I now proceed to describe the construction
of this improved cigar lighter, as follows.-The mechanism consists of a
helical spring, placed in a square chamber formed in the aforesaid box nearly
the entire length thereof. In this chamber, and resting on the top of the said
spring, are placed a series of fusees composed of square pieces of wood or
other combustible or inflammable material, coated on one side with an igniting
composition, which side should be placed uppermost in the chamber, the

page_text: spring being depressed to admit of several of such said pieces. The uppermost
piece is arrested by a stop. Immediately over the chamber containing the
fusees is a spring the width of the box; one end of this spring is fastened to
one of the narrow sides of the box, and other end of said spring which is free
to move is bent downwards, and the end thereof serrated or roughened; this
rests upon an inclined surface, the lower end of which is on a level with the
bottom of the uppermost fusee, and on the opposite side of this fusee there is
a piece of metal or plunger kept back by a spring. The whole is surmounted
by a hinged spring lid in which are holes. The operations of this improved
cigar lighter are as follows:-The operator first pushes forward the plunger,
which forces the uppermost fusee forward, and in its passage, causes it to be
rubbed against the serrated edge of the spring above it, thus causing the
composition thereon to ignite; the plunger then retires, leaving the lighted
fusee behind, the other fusees being protected from ignition by the descent
of the friction spring. The operator then pushes a spring catch by which
the lid flies open, and he proceeds to light his cigar, aud in this manner the
several fusees may be successively lighted with one hand.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said the Honorable William Talbot in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 22nd February 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, the
Honorable WILLIAM TALBOT, of the Army and Navy Club, Pall Mall, in the
County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty, Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-third year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said William Talbot, Her special licence that I, the said William
Talbot, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said William Talbot, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
excrcise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN IMPROVED CIGAR
LIGHTER," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Talbot,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or

page_text: their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Talbot, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say:-
This Invention consists of a small box, in which certain mechanism is
arranged for the purpose of lighting fusees. The novelty of this Invention
consisting principally in enabling such operation to be effected by the use of
one hand only, thus enabling horsemen to light their cigars without releasing
their bridle; pedestrians also do not require to use both hands to procure a
light as heretofore practised. I now proceed to describe the construction
of this improved cigar lighter as follows:-The mechanism consists of a
helical spring placed in a square chamber formed in the aforesaid box nearly
the entire length thereof. In this chamber and resting on the top of the said
spring are placed a series of fusees composed of square pieces of wood or
other combustible or inflammable material, coated on one side with an igniting
composition, which side should be placed uppermost in the chamber, the
spring being depressed to admit of several of such said pieces.
The upper-
most piece is arrested by a stop. Immediately over the chamber containing
the fusees is a spring the width of the box; one end of this spring is fastened
to one of the narrow sides of the box, and other end of said spring, which is
free to move, is bent downwards, and the end thereof serrated or roughened;
this rests upon an inclined surface the lower end of which is on a level with
the bottom of the uppermost fusee, and on the opposite side of this fusee,
there is a piece of metal or plunger kept back by a spring. The whole is
surmounted by a hinged spring lid in which are holes. The operations of
this improved cigar lighter are as follows:-The operator first pushes forward
the plunger, which forces the uppermost fusee forward, and in its passage
causes it to be rubbed against the serrated edge of the spring above it, thus
causing the composition thereon to ignite; the plunger then retires, leaving
the lighted fusee behind, the other fusees being protected from ignition by the
descent of the friction spring. The operator then pushes a spring catch, by
which the lid flies open, and he proceeds to light his cigar, and in this manner
the several fusees may be successively lighted with one hand.
In order to explain this Invention as completely as possible, I now proceed

page_text: practici enect, reference being had to the mustrative accompanying Dutch 1.
Drawings, and to the numeral figures and letters of reference marked thereon
respectively, as follows:-
. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 exhibits an outside elevation of one form of construction of my
improved cigar lighter as it would appear when ready for use; Figure 2, au
edge view thereof; Figure 3, a top plan view of same; Figure 4, a side
elevation of the interior of the cigar lighter, representing the lid or cover
thrown back; Figure 5, a top plan view of Figure 4; Figures 6 to 18,
inclusive, exhibit detached portions herein-after described and referred to;
Figures 14 to 22, inclusive, exhibit several views of another form of con-
struction of my aforesaid improved cigar lighter. Figure 14 exhibits an
outside elevation of this last-mentioned improved cigar lighter; Figure 15, an
edge view thereof; Fig. 16, a top plan view thereof.
Figures 17 to 22, inclusive, exhibit detached portions herein-after described
and referred. to.
At each of the foregoing Figures I employ similar letters of reference to
denote corresponding parts in so far as such parts appear or can be seen at
each of such said Figures respectively.
box; B, a lid, hinged thereto at a;
At Figure 4, D is a receptacle for
pieces of wood or stiff paper, one
At Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, A is a metal
C, a slide, shewn detached at Figure 6.
matches E, formed of thin square-shaped
side of each of which is partially covered with an igniting composition of the
ordinary kind, care being taken in placing the said matches in the receptacle D
to keep the igniting side uppermost; G, a helical spring for pressing the
matches upwards; H, a short slide or pusher, guided in proper position
between the parts b, b; I, a knob, fixed into the piece H, and protruding
through the side of the. case A, as at Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7; K, a sloping
ledge for the match to rest upon after it has been pushed forward by exerting
pressure against the knob I; L, a spring. for drawing back the pusher H;
M, a spring rubber (shewn detached at Figure 10); the flat end of this said
spring is fixed within the case A, as at Figures 4, 5; the opposite and bent
end of the said spring is at liberty to move up and down, and has the edge
thereof serrated or notched, to cause such part to scratch or rub the igniting
composition which is upon the several matches. The lid B has holes c formed
therein for the admission of air to support combustion of the matches; said lid
is also provided with a spring at d, Figures 4 and 5, to throw the lid back.

page_text: The mode of operating with this improved cigar lighter is. as follows:-
Supposing same to be supplied with matches, and the lid to be closed, as at
Figure 1, the operator takes the case in one hand, and with his thumb presses
forward the knob I, the effect of which is to force forward one of the matches,
and in its passage raise the spring M, the igniting composition being rubbed
by the serrated edge thereof, thereby igniting the composition on the match,
and also the material of which said match is made; and when the whole
surface of the match has passed the spring M, said spring descends by its
elasticity, and thus prevents ignition of the matches in the receptacle. The
operator now presses the catch e with his thumb nail, thereby disengaging the
lid B, which flies open and remains so by the action of the spring d; the
lighted match is thus exposed ready for the operator to apply his cigar thereto.
Should any of the burning match remain, it is desirable to throw it away
previous to returning the cigar lighter into the pocket..
I now proceed to describe the construction of the cigar lighter exhibited at
Figures 14 to 22, as follows:-Observing that I prefer this second form of
construction of cigar lighter, as being more certain in its action than that
firstly above described. The principal points of difference consist in making
the match holder or receptacle to revolve. At Figures 17 and 18, N is the
match holder, mounted on an axis n, working in holes in the case O; z, z, are
divisions or compartments formed across the periphery of the piece N, the
depth of said divisions being somewhat less than the thickness of the matches;
P is a ratchet wheel, fixed to the side of the piece N, the points of the teeth
of the said ratchet wheel should coincide with each of the dividing pieces on
the piece N, as exhibited. Qis a pusher for advancing the ratchet one tooth
forward; R, a spring for returning the pusher to its original position; the case
O is formed hinged at one side thereof (see Figures 14, 15, 16, for access to
the wheel or match holder N. A hole at *, Figures 16 and 17, is also formed
at the top of the said case, through which the matches may be passed for
filling the holder N therewith; said hole serves also for introducing the end of
a cigar requiring to be lighted. S is a compartment to contain reserve
matches; T is a friction spring, similar to that marked M, at Figures 4, 5, 10,
before described, and employed for the same purpose. It will appear obvious
that by pushing forward the piece Q the wheel or match holder N will be
moved on its axis a distance equal to the width of the match, the slit at y,
Figure 14, being formed sufficiently long for that purpose; during this move-
ment the match next to the spring as it passes under the same will be rubbed
thereby, and thus ignited, the lighted match being presented opposite to the
hole * in the top of the case. The pressure being removed from the pusher Q,

page_text: the spring R forces same back so as to lock into another tooth of the ratchet
wheel P, ready to be again pushed forward as before, and thus each match
may be lighted in succession.
Having now fully described and set forth the nature and object of my said
Invention of "An Improved Cigar Lighter," together with the best means
I am acquainted with for carrying the same into practical effect, I would
remark, in conclusion, that I hereby declare my Invention to consist in, and
I claim the modes above particularly described, set forth, and represented, of
constructing an improved cigar lighter, whereby it requires only one hand to
use it; observing that I do not intend to limit or confine myself to the precise
details of construction herein set forth and represented, as they may be varied
without departing from the spirit of my said Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Talbot, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
Witness,
SCHOMBERG KERR.
WN, TALBOT, MAJOR. (L.S.)