Improvements in Self-lighting Devices,
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 13th May, 1899-Accepted, 24th June, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Self-lighting Devices,
We, JAMES JOSEPHI MULCONROY, of 62, N 12th Street, Philadelphia, State of
Pennsylvania, ERNEST ARMSTRONG, of 319, Berkley Street, Camden, State of New
Jersey, and JAMES GAW, of 62, N. 12th Street, Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania,
all in the United States of America, Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The invention consists of a self-lighting device, embodying a plunger adapted
to carry a stick to be ignited, a frictional piece adapted to engage ignitable material
on said stick and means for controlling said stick.
Of the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of an automatic or self-lighting device.
Figure 2 represents a tranverse section taken on the line of Figure 5.
Figure represents a longitudinal section thereof.
Figure 4 represents a transverse vertical section taken on the line y-y of
Figure 5.
Figure 5 represents a longitudinal section drawn to an enlarged scale.
Figure represents a longitudinal section of the device in operation.
Figure 7 represents a partial longitudinal sectional view taken on the line z-z
of Figure 1, and drawn to an enlarged scale.
Figure 8 is a view of a detail hereinafter referred to.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
A designates a casing in one end of which is fitted the sleeve B. Passing
through said casing and sleeve is the tubular plunger C, whose outer end has
connected with it the thumb piece ]).
Bearing against proper portions of the sleeve B and thumb piece D is the
spring E, whose tendency is to return said thumb piece and consequently the
plunger to its normal position. A portion of the forward end of the plunger
is cut away as at F, and into the same projects the point of the tongue G, the
latter being secured to the collar H which surrounds, the plunger within the
casing A..
J designates a cap which is fitted to the forward end of the casing A and has an
an opening K in its front wall, said opening being in line with the bore of the
plunger C.
Within the cap J is the striking device L, formed of a plate of metal or other
material, having its rear end secured to the interior of said cap, and its forward
end or nose projecting towards the opening K of said cap.
To limit the forward motion of the sleeve B in the casing A, the plunger C
has a stop M thereon, the same in the present case being formed by cutting the
material of said plunger and drawing up the same as most clearly shown in
Figure 4.
In the plunger there is placed a stick or piece N of wood or other suitable
material having on the face thereof a coating or preparation P. Figure 8 which

page_text: when subject to friction, is liable to be ignited after the manner of a match, said
piece being engaged by the tongue G so as to be advanced with the plunger.
The forward end of said piece is adjacent to the opening K of the cap and the
coated face of said piece is engaged by the striking device as best seen in Figure 5.
The plunger is advanced in the direction of the arrow Figure 5 by pressure
on the thumb piece, and the stick N is carried along by the action of the tongue G,
its forward portion riding under, and being engaged by the striking device L,
which, being in contact with the coating P, rasps the latter and ignites the same
and consequently sets fire to said portion close to the opening K of the stick,
which portion is now thrust-out of the cap in burning condition as will be
apparent on reference to Figure 6, said portion burning if desired to the cap,
when it will be extinguished.
When the thumb piece is released, the parts return to their normal position
owing to the spring E excepting however, the stick which is engaged by the
plate L, after the manner of a check-pawl, so that the forward end of the
unburned-portion of the stick within the casing remains close to the opening K.
As the plunger returns, the tongue G accompanies the same and rides freely rear-
ward over the stick without igniting the same owing to the stick being inclosed
in the casing.
Should the device be carried in the pocket or elsewhere, the motion of the
thumb piece is prevented from igniting the stick by means of a sheath Q which
is removed from the rear end of the casing and placed over the cap as shown in
dotted lines in Figure 3, thus protecting the opening K from direct exposure to
the atmosphere.
In order to prevent rotation of the sleeve B and of the cap J in the casing A
or vice versa in either, said sleeve and cap are formed with studs R which enter
slots S in their respective ends of the casing, thus in a measure coupling the
sleeve and cap with the casing while in no manner interfering with the proper
disconnection of these parts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1st. A casing, a plunger therein, means for advancing said plunger in opposite
directions, and a striking device, said plunger being hollow, and adapted to
receive a prepared stick or piece which is ignitable by the friction of said striking
device which engages the same.
2nd. A casing, a hollow plunger therein, a perforated cap, a thumb piece, a
striking device in said cap, and a returning-spring for said plunger, said cap and
piece being at opposite ends of said casing, the thumb piece being secured to said
plunger, and said striking device being adapted to engage with a prepared stick
or piece which is ignitable by the friction of said device therewith.
3rd. In a lighting device, a plunger, means for operating the same, and a
checking device attached to said plunger and adapted to engage a prepared stick
or piece carried by said plunger.
4th. In a lighting device, a casing, a sleeve and a collar within said casing, a
plunger supported by said sleeve and collar, ignitable material located in said
plunger, a stop on the latter, means for moving said plunger in opposite directions,
a striking or lighting device for said material and means for holding the latter
in position.
5th. A casing, a cap and a sleeve at opposite ends thereof, a thumb piece
movable in said sleeve, a spring for restoring said thumb piece to normal position,
a plunger movable with said thumb piece, a piece of ignitable material, carried
by said plunger, a striking device for said piece and a locking device for said
piece and a stop for said plunger.
6th. In a lighting device of the character described, a plunger for containing
ignitable material, means on said plunger for controlling the motions of said

page_text: material, and a striking or lighting member on the casing of the device adapted
to frictionally engage said material.
7th. In a lighting device of the character described, a casing with a sleeve and
cap at opposite ends, said parts being respectively provided with slots and studs
for removably interlocking the same.
Dated this 6th day of Va 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.