Improvements in Mechanical Match Boxes and their Igniting Clips.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Dec., 1889-Accepted, 4th Jan., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanical Match Boxes and their Igniting Clips.
I ALFRED JOB LESTER of 59 Murdock Road Handsworth in the County of Stafford
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the class of mechanical match boxes from which a match is
ejected by pushing or pulling a plunger and in which the head of the match has to
pass serrated edges which cause its ignition. The object of my invention is to
construct such match boxes in a better way than heretofore and to arrange the
serrated edges so that the firing may be certain and continuously reliable. I also
improve the construction of the contrivance used to secure the ejection from the box
of one match at a time and to make it impossible to push through two matches. In
constructing a box in accordance with my invention I prefer to use the cylindrical
form and accordingly arrange a metal cylinder with a slot of sufficient length to pass
the matches and to fill the box. From the inner surface of this cylinder depends a
metal plate which is suspended in the centre extending the whole length of the
cylinder and terminating at the centre in a slight trough or groove. In this groove
is fitted a plunger which is actuated from outside; the groove is just large enough to
hold one match and if another falls upon the top of the match lying in it, it could not
lodge but would roll off. At the end of this groove, attached to the circular plate,
forming one end of the cylindrical box are projections with serrated edges. One of
the projecting clip pieces is attached to the end of the cover and is bent in channel
form of just sufficient width to enable the wax portion or the stem of the match to
slide freely; it is not serrated in the trough portion but only on the edges; opposing
this projecting clip there is a plain clip constructed to spring against it but without
serrations and of such width that the bead of the match slides easily in it.
When a match placed in the groove already mentioned, is ejected by means of the
plunger the head is forced against the serrations on one side while it is protected on
the other by the smooth surface; it thus ignites at once and the stem of the match
does not rub against the serrations at all. By this means a great advantage is
obtained. In the case of wax matches, the wax stem does not rub in the serrations at
all and consequently they remain sharp and are not filled with matter taken off the
stem. With wooden stems the advantage is also considerable as the serrations remain
perfectly sharp and keen for a very long time. In using the box I may either put
matches in the groove and eject them by the plunger or I may fill the box and
slip it within an outside cylindrical case to act as a cover.
When it is required
to eject a match I give the case a slight rolling motion or shake up and down
and cause one of the matches to fall into the central groove first withdrawing the
plunger.
I then press in the plunger and the match comes out alight and held by the
clips.
The outer case may be arranged to pull out and to have air holes at the bottom
while the usual hole is left at the top. In this case when the match is alight it
burns within the case and a slight flame projects through the upper hole. This
arrangement is convenient in stormy weather when it is desired to obtain a light out
of doors.
Dated this 28th day of February 1889.
MARKS & CLERK,
Agents for Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanical Match Boxes and their Igniting Clips.
I, ALFRED JOB LESTER of 59 Murdock Road, Handsworth in the County of
Stafford, Engineer, 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:-
My Invention relates to the class of mechanical match boxes from which a match is
ejected by pushing or pulling a plunger and in which the head of the match has to
pass serrated edges which cause its ignition.
The object of my invention is to construct such match boxes in a better way than
heretofore and to arrange the serrated edges so that the firing may be certain and
continuously reliable. I also improve the construction of the contrivance used to
secure the ejection from the box of one match at a time and to make it impossible to
push through two matches.
In
In constructing a box in accordance with my invention I prefer to use the
cylindrical form and accordingly arrange a metal cylinder with a slot of sufficient
length to pass the matches and to fill the box. From the inner surface of this
cylinder depends a metal plate which is suspended in the centre extending the whole
length of the cylinder and terminating at the centre in a slight trough or groove.
this groove is fitted a plunger which is actuated from outside; the groove is just
large enough to hold one match, and if another falls upon the top of the match lying
in it, it could not lodge but would roll off. At the end of this groove attached to the
circular plate, forming one end of the cylindrical box, are projections with serrated
edges. One of the projecting clip pieces is attached to the end of the cover and is
bent in channel form of just sufficient width to enable the wax portion or the stem
of the match to slide freely; it is not serrated in the trough portion but only on the
edges; opposing this projecting clip there is a plain clip constructed to spring against
it but without serrations and of such width that the head of the match slides easily
in it. When a match placed in the groove already mentioned is ejected by means of
the plunger the head is forced against the serrations on one side while it is protected
on the other by the smooth surface; it thus ignites at once and the stein of the match
does not rub against the serrations at all. By this means a great advantage is
obtained. In the case of wax matches the wax stem does not rub in the serrations at
all and consequently they remain sharp and are not filled with matter taken off the
stem. With wooden stems the advantage is also considerable as the serrations remain
perfectly sharp and keen for a very long time. In using the box I may either put
matches in the groove and eject them by the plunger or I may fill the box and slip
it within an outside cylindrical case to act as a cover. When it is required to eject a
match I give the case a slight rolling motion or shake up and down and cause one of
the matches to fall into the centre groove first withdrawing the plunger. I then
press in the plunger and the match comes out alight and held by the clips. The
outer case may be arranged to pull out and to have air holes at the bottom while the
usual hole is left at the top. In this case when the match is alight it burns within
the case and a slight flame projects through the upper hole. This arrangement is
convenient in stormy weather when it is desired to obtain a light out of doors.
And in order that my invention and the manner of performing the same may be
properly understood and readily carried into effect, I append hereunto one sheet of
explanatory drawings to be hereinafter referred to.
Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved match box in circular form showing the
match ejected and held in position while burning.
Figure 2 is a section through the box showing the match in section held upon the
trough or receptacle.
Figure 3 is an elevation of the box with the outer case or cover removed.
Figure 4 is an elevation of the ejecting tube or piston and Figure 5 is the
pricker or cleaner which fits inside the ejecting tube when in use for injecting
purposes.

page_text: Figures 6, 7, and 8 are corresponding views to Figures 1, 2, and 3 but having the
box made in an oval or elliptical form. Figure 9 being an end elevation of the same
box shewing the match igniter.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts throughout.
A is the outer case made either circular, oval, or rectangular as may be required,
B is the inner case or chamber having an opening C formed at the upper surface for
admission of the matches. D is the trough or receptacle for carrying one match,
formed by the metal shelf or stop E being attached to the inner case B, or being
itself continued as a part of the metal of the case. F is the roughened surfaced
spring or striker attached to the front end of the case B, and G is the guide plate or
lip through which the match passes and which serves to hold it in position when
burning. H is the ejecting tube having the pricker or cleaner 1 within it.
The space K around the interior of the inner case B. serves as a magazine or
receptacle for holding the matches which are to be manipulated or jerked one by one
on to the central trough or tube D.
my
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
I. The construction of a match box of a circular oval or rectangular form having
an interior case or magazine which admits of a single match being manipulated into
or jerked on to a central trough or tube within the magazine or case substantially as
herein before described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
II. The construction of a match box having a sliding pin or tube to work through
the central trough of the box for the purpose of ejecting the match lying in the trough
or inner tube.
III. The construction of a match box with an ejecting pin or tube and pricker
combined substantially as illustrated in Figures 4, and Figures 5 of the accompanying
drawings.
IV. The combination and arrangement of parts to form an automatically igniting
match box substantially as herein before described and as illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
Dated this 30th day of November 1889.
MARKS & CLERK,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for Applicant.