Combined Match-box and Automatic Match Lighter.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Feb., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 5th July, 1892-Accepted, 10th Sept., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Combined Match-box and Automatic Match Lighter.
I DAVID JOHN MORGAN of Fitzhamon Embankment Cardiff in the County of
Glamorgan Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has reference to receptacles for containing matches its object being
to arrange with the same, means for ejecting one match at a time therefrom and
automatically to simultaneously light each said match; to attain which I employ
a suitable receptacle or. box and arrange the same so that a single match is fed
over or upon a feeder placed therein at a time, and the said lifter may be raised
at the required time by means of a spring lever or weight. The said spring
lever or weight, being compressed depressed or moved by the pressure of the hand.
Subsequently upon releasing the said spring lever or weight so compressed or
depressed a match is lifted or driven out. of the receptacle or box and the striking
head of said match simultaneously comes in contact with a suitable striker which
is forced into striking position by a spring lever weight or other equivalent device.
After the match is used its unburnt portion may be ejected entirely from
the box or receptacle by means of a thrower or ejector which is arranged to be
operated, by a spring or equivalent device fitted on the box. or receptacle in a
suitable position.
In receptacles or boxes for holding wax vestas 1 preferably arrange each match
to swing from the side of box and in this arrangement 1 fix the striker at one
end of the box and allow each match to fall or be fed by a spring or like
contrivance into a carrier which fits at the end near the fulminate of said vesta
and its lower end in a suitable holder so arranged that by the pressure upon a
small lever the match or vesta is swung out of box or receptacle and in so
doing comes in contact with a striker and is thrown out to right angles with
the side of box for use as a light. Then by pressing said lever in opposite
direction it opens the holder and either ejects or allows the unburnt end of match
or vesta to fall from the holder which latter then returns automatically by lever
weight or spring to position ready for the reception of another match.
"
The before described carrier is worked by an arm and lowers down to the lower
end of match or vesta as the said vesta swings round at the same time the striking
end of said vesta.comes. in contact with a striker. fixed or attached to end of box or
receptacle.
Dated this 27th day of July 1892.
H. F. BOUGHTON, M.I. Mech. E.,
Sheffield and Barnsley, Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Combined Match-box and Automatic Match Lighter.
1, DAVID JOHN MORGAN M. I. Mech. E., M.I.M.A. of 33 Fitzhamon Embank-
Ument Cardiff in the County of Glamorgan 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:-
This invention has reference to receptacles for containing matches or vestas, its
object being to arrange with the same means for ejecting or protruding one match
5 at a time therefrom, and simultaneously lighting, each said match automatically;

page_text: to attain which I employ receptacles constructed and arranged in the manner
illustrated in the accompanying drawings which are to be taken as part of this
Specification and read therewith-
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation, Fig. 2 a plan and Fig. 3 a sectional plan on
line a a of Fig. 1 of one form or construction of my improved match or vesta box
or receptacle.
Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of a modified arrangement of my improved box.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan of striker with holder or retainer combined.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view in detail of an arrangement whereby the
striker may be removed from the box when desired and Fig. 6 is a sectional
elevation of said arrangement showing match lit.
The following figures are also various views of modified forms of my improved
box or receptacle, namely,
Fig. 7 is a plan Fig. 8 a sectional elevation of a third modification.
Fig. 9 is a plan and Fig. 10 a sectional elevation of a fourth modification.
Fig. 11 is a plan and Fig. 12 an end view of a fifth modification.
Fig. 13 is a plan and Fig. 14 a sectional elevation of a sixth modification.
Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation and Fig. 16 a plan of a seventh modification.
Fig. 17 is a sectional plan of an eighth modification.
Fig. 18 is a sectional plan of a ninth modification.
Fig. 19 is a plan and Fig. 20 a cross sectional elevation on line x, a of Fig. 19
and Fig. 20A is an enlarged sectional elevation on line y. y. Fig. 20" an enlarged
cross section on liness and Fig. 20% an enlarged cross section on line 2. z. of Fig. 19
of a tenth modification.
Fig. 21 is a side view and Fig. 22 a cross sectional elevation of an eleventh
modification.
Fig. 23 is a sectional elevation and Fig. 234 is a detailed section showing how
match is held when lit, and Fig. 24 an elevation of a twelfth modification and
Fig. 25 is a part sectional elevation of a thirteenth modification of my said
invention.
Similar letters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 I construct a receptacle C with a magazine
portion and a barrel or feed part c²; the said two portions being joined together
by the covers c³ and c*.
The magazine part c¹ is arranged in cross sectional plan as shown at Fig. 2. so
that a single match or vesta f falls or is fed to a feeder which latter is raised at
the required time by means of a spiral spring h, which is fitted in said barrel
portion c².
The feeder g has a boss portion g' through which passes a spirally grooved or
worm rod or spindle K, the upper end of which bears in the cover c³ and the lower 4
end in the cover c¹.
At the upper end of the spindle K is a striker L which may be secured on to a
square part of said spindle as shown at Figs. 1 and 4 or the said striker L may
be secured to the upper end of spindle K by means of a screw arranged to fasten
the striker L to the spindle K as shown at Figs. and 6^. In the latter arrange-
ment the striker L may be removed when required by simply unscrewing and
removing the set screw . Each striker L has a knob whereby it may be easily
moved to the right or left by the finger and a suitable holder in the form of a spring
is secured to the side of striker L as shown at Fig. 5 for the purpose of holding
the match or vesta when lit and preventing it being entirely ejected from
the box.
The matches
part of the cover
cover c³.
are placed in the magazine c¹ of the box by opening the lid
and they are placed with their striking ends towards the
By moving the knob of the striker L from right to left the feeder y moves a
by means of the spiral groove in spindle K down to position shown at Fig. 1, and

page_text: then in turning the box C sideways a match rolls or falls into position shown
in said Fig. 1, and is then ready to be struck and ejected or protruded from the
box, and this is accomplished by simply moving the striker from left to right
when the spring h forces the feeder g upwards, thus ejecting or protruding the
match through the hole of the box C and simultaneously lighting said match
automatically.
When the match is so extended from the box it may be held in said position
by means of the holder or retainer 12.
Referring to Fig. 4 the feeder y extends through a slot made in the outer side
of the barrel or feed portion c², and the said extended part g³ is arranged with any
suitable kind of spring catch g. By this arrangement the pressing down of the
part causes the spindle K to turn the striker L to the left and to cover up the
hole e; when a match may fall into position shown ready to be ejected or
protruded from the box, and simultaneously lit, which is accomplished in this case
by simply pulling away the spring catch g thereby releasing the spring h.
The latter at once forces up the feeder g, which working in the spiral groove or
worm formed in the spindle K, causes said spindle to revolve so bringing the
striker Lover from left to right thereby striking the match and extending the
same in lit condition from the box.
Referring to Fig. 5 I prefer to arrange the holder 12 in the form of a spring
which is secured to the striker L by being fitted into a cut 1, and a gap is made
in the side of the striker for the match to pass through.
Referring to Figs. 7 and 8 a separate spiral spring M is arranged in the
receptacle C, having its upper end bent in form to suit the holder and in this
arrangement the said holder 12 constantly presses against the striker L so as to
follow the latter's movement. In this modification the striker L and the holder
may be moved independently the said holder having a head extending through
a slot in the opposite side of the box to the side in which the slot is made for the
striker head to extend through. By this arrangement the unburnt part of a
match may be entirely thrown from the box C by simply moving the holder
head from left to right.
In operating this box the striker L is first pulled over from left to right and
the feeder g, which is preferably made with or fitted to a ring 9-is pressed
downwards, thereby depressing the spring until a match falls into position
shown at Fig. 8, where it is held with its striking end pressing on the striker L.
Now by pulling the striker L from left to right the match is struck and
simultaneously forced to extended position out of the hole by the lifting up
of the feeder g, and it may be held in extended position or ejected entirely from
the box.
Referring to Figs. 11 and 12 this modification represents a cheap arrangement
for common use.
The box C is made with a simple spring striker L, which acts also as
a holder at the required time, and the said box has a single feeder g arranged
to work in a slot formed in the corner or side or bottom of box. The head
of the feeder extending through said slot. When the feeder g is in position
shown at Fig. 11 the match will fall onto same, and thereby pressing the
extended part or head of the said feeder from one end of the box to the other,
the head of the match catches the striker L and becomes extended from the
box in lit condition; and it is held in said position by the striker L which in this
case acts also as a holder.
Referring to Figs. 9 and 10 in this modification no feed spring is employed the
feeder ring g' having a button or projection g6 in order the more easily to lift it
up and down. The spring extends to the top of the barrel portion so as in this
arrangement to be used for operating a binged striker L which latter is pivotted
at and has a projecting part in order to bear against said spring so that
as the match fis forced out of the box C by lifting the feeder g the head of said

page_text: match presses against the striker L, by which means the latter is difted up and the
match protrudes from the box C in lit condition, and is held by said striker L
without it being necessary to have a holder.
The striker L may be arranged to ignite safety matches, in which case a safety
match igniting substance is placed on the under portion of the striker L, which
is constructed with a projection for the purpose.
Referring to Figs. 13 and 14 the barrel portion is dispensed with, and the
receptacle C is bent to shape shown at Fig. 13, so that one match can roll round
into position at a time on to the feeder The striker L in this arrangement is
pivotted at 18 and is held to its work by a flat spring 10 which is secured to the
box C as shown.
9.
Referring to Figs. 15 and 16 I arrange a spirit lamp P at one side of box.
The striker L which is pivotted at 18 is pressed to its work by the spring h. By
pulling the feeder g down to the bottom of box, a match will fall into position, then
by forcing the feeder g upwards sharply the match head is struck, and the match is
forced out of the box to position shown where it lights the lamp P.
Referring to Fig. 17 the box is arranged so that a match may be seen when
it has fallen into required position for being forced from the box; that is to say a
space is arranged between the parts and c² of the box and where a separate
spiral spring m is employed for the holder or retainer I case it within the magazine c¹
as shown.
Referring to Fig. 18 I form a number of holes in flanges formed on the part c¹
in the place of a space c° as shown at Fig. 17 and for a similar purpose as will be
well understood.
Referring to Figs. 19, 20, 204, 20 and 20°, I arrange a flat box C so that the
matches or vestas may fall into a chamber or space c where a specially formed
feeder y takes hold of one match at a time. In this arrangement the feeder g is
composed of an arm one end of which is secured to the upper end of the
spindle or shaft K' and its opposite end is made with an enlarged part or head
that it can be easily moved round by the finger. A portion of said arm²
extends through a radial opening c formed through top of box C and is bent to
form shown at Fig. 20" and extends in the space c
so
On the top of the arm is arranged a flat spring 78 one end being secured to
the top of spindle Kand the other end has a bent down portion g¹³ bent as shown
at Fig. 20 so as to form a holder or grip for the match or vesta f
b
The spindle works in a drum 2 and has secured to it a clock spring so.that
when the arm is moved from right to left the said spring is wound up and as
the said arm is pushed far enough the bent parts g" and g¹³ of the arm g' and spring g
respectively grip the match and when said arm is released the spring moves
round the spindle K' which brings with it the arm g' and spring, and match
during which movement the head of match is struck against a striker L.which is
fitted to the lid of box C. The side of arm g' may be bent.over a little sorast to
fit at the back of the box C or a suitable pin or button p may be arranged in
position shown at Fig. 19 which will keep back the arm as will be well understood.
In order to release the unburnt portion of the match from the grip between the
bent parts, and a suitable pin extends through the box C and is arranged
with a head and spring ². By pressing up the head the upper end of pin v
forces up the spring together with bent portion g¹³ and so releases the
match f
Referring to Figs. 21 and 22 the receptacle C is made in the form of a flat box.
having a lid c arranged with a feeder 7 secured to its underside. In this arrange-
ment the feeder g has a spring portion 9. Two or more strips care fitted into
the box C in order to enable the matches to fall into required position. By
pressing the lid down or closing the box a match is secured to the feeder grand
on opening the box or lifting up the .lid c the head of match comes.in contact.
with a striker L'arranged in this case at an inclination within the box.
-

page_text: g
Referring to Figs. 23, 23 and 24 the receptacle C is arranged so that the mere
releasing of the lid of the box, the match extends out lit. In this modification I
arrange the feeder in a barrel portion 2 having a piston and a spindle or rod K
which is attached thereto or made therewith and the said spindle K is preferably
of sufficient width so as to act as a shield to the lit part of the match when the
lid of box C is open as shown at Fig. 24. The lid is held down by a catch c¹¹, on
releasing which the spring forces up the feeder g and spindle K the latter opening
the lid by pressing it upwards. The lid has a suitable striker L fitted to it against
which the striking end of match presses and the match is finally held out in lit
position as shown at Fig. 24 and is retained by the spring which is fastened to
the feeder Fig. 23ª.
Referring to Fig. 25 the receptacle C is arranged in one with a lamp P, and
cach match passes or falls when the box C is turned upside down through the
hole c along the centre part of spring hand through the hole c on to the feeder g
which latter having been pulled down to position shown presses the striking head
of match against the striker. By pulling the striker from left to right the match
is forced out of part clit and automatically lights the lamp P.
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 :
1. In boxes or receptacles for containing matches or vestas the combination of
a barrel or other shaped portion feeder g and spring with the striker L
holder and spirally grooved or worm rod or spindle K operated in the manner
substantially as described and illustrated at Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings
annexed.
2. In boxes or receptacles for containing matches or vestas the combination of
a barrel shaped portion c² feeder g and spring with a striker L spirally formed
screw rod or spindle K and holder all arranged substantially as described and
illustrated at Fig. 4 of the drawings annexed.
3. In boxes or receptacles for containing matches or vestas the combination of
a feeder g having a ring and worked by a spring in a barrel or other shaped
portion with a striker L and holder the latter operated by a spiral spring
substantially as described and illustrated at Figs. 7 and 8 of the accompanying
drawings.
m
4. In boxes or receptacles for containing matches or vestas the combination of
a feeder g working round a barrel portion in combination with a striker L hinged
at 1 and having its end pressing against a spring substantially as described
and illustrated at Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings attached hereto.
5. In boxes or receptacles for containing matches or vestas the combination
offa chamber or partitioned space for a match or vesta to be pressed into a feeder
or carrier g the latter being constructed in the form of a swivel arm g' having a
spring gs and secured to a spindle K' working with a clock spring 6 in a drum k²
with a radial slot formned in said box and a striker L fixed inside the lid sub-
stantially as described and illustrated at Figs. 19, 20, 204, 20", and 20° or any
mere modification of the same.
6. In boxes or receptacles for containing matches or vestas the combination
of a lid having a feeder g to clip one match at a time when closed with a striker L
arranged within said box so that the match is automatically lit by opening the
box substantially as described and illustrated at Figs. 21 and 22 of the drawings
annexed.
7. In boxes or receptacles for containing matches or vestas the combination
of a feeder g working in a barrel or other portion c³ and having a rod or spindle
pressing against a lid with a striker L made with or attached to said lid sub-
stantially as described and illustrated at Figs. 23 and 24 of the attached
drawings.

page_text: 8. In boxes or receptacles for containing matches or vestas the combination
of a feeder g working in a slot in side of box with a striker L secured to said
box substantially as described and shown at Figs. 11 and 12 of the accompanying
drawings.
ly 1892.
H. F. BOUGHTON, M.I. Mech. E.,
16, Commercial Street, Sheffield, Agent.