Improvements in Smoker's Shield and Match Box.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Aug., 1895-Accepted, 28th Sept., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Smoker's Shield and Match Box.
I, CLARA BRADY GREEN, of Middletown, County of New Castle, and State
of Delaware, United States of America, Gentlewoman 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 relates to an improved device for containing matches and for
shielding the flame thereof when it is desired to light a cigar or pipe in the open
air, and when the wind is liable to extinguish the match.
The object of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive match
box and smoker's shield combined which shall be capable of being folded into
compact shape, adapting it to be carried in the pocket, said device being
constructed in such manner that it may be quickly manipulated for giving access
to the interiorly arranged match receptacle and extended so as to form a shield for
protecting a lighted match.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the
subjoined description.
The invention consists in certain novel features and details of construction and
arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings and
pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings the details of my invention are fully illustrated, and therein-
Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of my invention, showing it open and in
position for use as a shield;
Fig. 2, a similar view showing the device closed and in the position assumed
when at rest;
Fig. 3, a longitudinal section taken through the device when closed or in the
position of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4, a cross-section taken through the device while closed;
Fig. 5, a detail perspective illustrating the hinge connection between the several
parts of my device.
The reference numeral 1 indicates the back or body portion of my improved
match-box and shield, and this is to be formed of any suitable material, such as
sheet metal or wood, and which has the four sides 2, 3, and 4. The back 1 is
rectangular in shape, and the sides 2 and 3 are at the ends thereof; while the
sides 4 are at the sides proper of the back.
Formed integral with or rigidly secured to the upper end of the side 3 is the
plate 5, which extends parallel with the back 1, and inwardly to a point slightly
beyond the center or middle of the back. This plate is of a width equal to
the width of the back 1, and is securely fastened to the upper ends of the
sides 4, for about two-thirds of its length, leaving its inner end disconnected from
the sides.
The inner end of the plate 5 is made capable of swinging, or more properly is
provided with a second plate 6, which is hinged to the plate 5 by means of the
hinges 7, and which is capable of swinging on a horizontal axis for a purpose
hereinafter explained. The inner or free end of the plate 6 is provided with a
downwardly-extending flange 8, which is adapted to engage the back 1 when the
plate 6 is swung downwardly, thereby forming a space inclosed by the plates 5
and 6 and back 1. In this space the matches are to be arranged, and by swinging
the plate 6 on the hinge 7 their outer ends may be exposed, so that they may be
grasped and removed. The plate 5 has its outer side corrugated or fluted, so as to

page_text: form a surface with the necessary roughness for permitting the firing of the
matches. Thus the matches may be withdrawn from the space inclosed by the
plates 5 and 6 and ignited by rubbing them over the plate 5.
9 and 10 indicate, respectively, two swinging plates which are each provided
with hinges 11, by which they are connected to the respective sides 4, so as to be
capable of swinging thereon; and the plates 9 and 10 are of a size equal to the size
of the back 1. The plates 9 and 10 are capable of swinging so as to lie parallel
with the back 1, and so as to cover the space inclosed by the sides of said back and
so as to lie over the plates 5 and 6. The side to which the plate 9 is hinged
is lower than the opposite side, and this construction is provided in order
that the plate 9 may lie under the plate 10 when both are folded over the
back 1.
Hinged to the side 2 is the plate 12, which is of a width equal to the width of
the back 1, and which has at its sides the flanges 13. The flanges 13 are one for
each side of the plate 12, and are of a width equal to the width of the sides 4.
The plate 12 is adapted, when the device is folded, to swing horizontally and
parallel with the back 1, and to lie directly against the outer side of the plate 10,
with its flanges 13 lying against the outer sides of the sides 4.
The extended position of my device is shown in Fig. 1 and there it will be seen
that the plates 9 and 10 are moved so as to lie parallel with the sides 4, and that
the plate 12 is moved so as to extend parallel with the side 2. This places the
flanges 13 in a position which will permit them to overlap the front edges of
the plates 9 and 10, thus making a tight connection and one which will prevent the
passage of air during the use of the appliance. When folded, the plates 9 and 10
lie snugly against each other and parallel with the back 1, and the plate 12 lies
over the plate 10, as shown in Fig. 2 and as has been explained.
In using my invention the space inclosed by the plates 5 and 6 should be filled
with matches, and supposing that it is not desired to use the device immediately,
the plates 9, 10, and 12 should be folded in the position explained. When,
however, it is desired to light a pipe or cigar, the plates 9 and 10 should be moved
to the position shown in Fig. 1, and the plate 12 moved to engage them, all of
which has been explained. It will now be possible to swing the plate 6 so as to
uncover the upper ends of the matches inclosed by the plates 5 and 6, and to with-
draw and ignite a match. The pipe or cigar may now be lighted by raising the
device so that the pipe or cigar may be projected into the space between the
plates 9, 10, and 12. This will enable the lighting to be performed without being
interfered with by the wind, all of which will be understood.
Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction
may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the
advantages of this invention.
Having described the invention, I claim-
1. A combined match box and smoker's shield comprising a rectangular back
portion provided with a surrounding flange forming sides around its four edges, a
plate 5 secured to said flange at one side and extending inwardly to form a match
receptacle, the plates 9 and 10 binged to said flange on opposite sides and capable
of folding upon each other, and the plate 12 hinged to said flange upon the
remaining side and provided with oppositely disposed flanges 13 forming stops for
retaining the sides 9 and 10 when swung into an extended position, substantially as
described.
2. A combined match box and smoker's shield consisting of a rectangular back
plate having sides 2, 3 and 4 extending around its four edges, a plate 5 secured to
one of said sides and projecting inwardly in the plane of the front edges of said
sides to form a match receptacle, the plate 6 hinged to the plate 5 and forming a
swinging door thereof, the plates 9 and 10 hinged to opposite sides of the back
plate and capable of swinging into parallel relation therewith or of assuming an
extended position, and the plate 12 hinged to the remaining side of the back

page_text: portion and provided with inwardly projecting flanges 13 capable of embracing the
sides of the back portion and also forming stops for engaging the edges of the
plates 9 and 10 for limiting the outward movement thereof, substantially as
described.
Dated this 19th day of August 1895.
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38 Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.