US3692976A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical device for lighting cigars and cigarettes
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-02-03
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1991-02-03
Abstract
Abstract An electrical device for lighting cigars and cigarettes, particularly for mounting on the dashboard of motor vehicles, comprising a cylindrical casing, an electrical heating resistance mounted within the casing so as to be engaged by a cigarette or cigar when the latter is introduced into the casing to light it, switch means permitting the feeding of electric current to the heating resistance to make it red-hot, means for mounting the switch means within the casing, said switch means ensuring the automatic interruption of the feed circuit of the electric heating resistance when the cigarette or cigar has been lit, means for giving an audible indication of such interruption of the feed circuit, and an exchangeable holder at one end of the cylindrical casing for holding the cigar or cigarette to be lit.
Inventors
- 👤 Luigi Pramaggiore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:48
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N3/00; B60N3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
An electrical device adapted for mounting on a dashboard of a motor vehicle for lighting smoking elements comprising cigars And cigarettes, said device comprising a cylindrical casing having an open end, an electrical resistance heating element mounted within the casing for engagement by said smoking elements, thermostatically operated switch means mounted within the casing for controlling the supply of current to said heating element, a holder mounted with a portion thereof within said open end of the casing, a movable control knob mounted on that portion of the holder extending outwardly of the open end of the casing, and a return spring mounted in relation to said knob for compression of said spring upon movement of said control knob from a normal to an operative position and for return of said knob to its normal position from its operative position upon release thereof, said spring having one end formed as an elongate control rod extending proximate a movable contact of said switch means, said knob upon movement to its operative position sufficiently compressing said spring to move said control rod directly into engagement with said movable contact of switch means for activation thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
An electrical device adapted for mounting on a dashboard of a motor vehicle for lighting smoking elements comprising cigars And cigarettes, said device comprising a cylindrical casing having an open end, an electrical resistance heating element mounted within the casing for engagement by said smoking elements, thermostatically operated switch means mounted within the casing for controlling the supply of current to said heating element, a holder mounted with a portion thereof within said open end of the casing, a movable control knob mounted on that portion of the holder extending outwardly of the open end of the casing, and a return spring mounted in relation to said knob for compression of said spring upon movement of said control knob from a normal to an operative position and for return of said knob to its normal position from its operative position upon release thereof, said spring having one end formed as an elongate control rod extending proximate a movable contact of said switch means, said knob upon movement to its operative position sufficiently compressing said spring to move said control rod directly into engagement with said movable contact of switch means for activation thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inside of the holder is provided with spring means for softly gripping and holding smoking elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder is internally provided with a tubular sheath of a diameter suitable to hold a cigarette.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control rod is slidably mounted in a suitable seat in said cylindrical casing and is arranged to act upon a pivotally mounted electrical contact of said thermostatic switch to close the electric circuit of said heating element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control knob on said holder is outwardly provided with a mark of phosphorescent material permitting the device to be located and used also when it is dark.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating element has secured thereto a resilient bimetal tongue and the thermostatic switch has a flat electrical contact mounted in the manner of a first class lever for pivotal movement about a pivot pin surrounded by a coil spring arranged to hold said flat electrical contact in the open or inoperative position, said resilient bimetal tongue being provided with a projecting portion adapted to be urged against and engage one end of said flat electrical contact, the other end of said flat electrical contact being engaged by said control rod when the thermostatic switch is actuated by the control knob against the pressure exerted by said resilient bimetal tongue and said coil spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the resilient bimetal tongue is arranged to abruptly release said flat electrical contact to allow the latter to return to an inoperative position when the heating element is sufficiently hot, said abrupt release being caused by expansion and bending of the resilient bimetal tongue upon heating of said heating element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein one end of said coil spring is straightened and carries a striker, said casing defining a bell housing portion surrounding the striker, the latter being arranged to be actuated as a function of the pivotal movement of said flat electrical contact when the latter is being released by said resilient bimetal tongue to give an audible signal related to the de-energization of said heating element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical casing is provided at one end with a bent-round annular flange for mounting the device on the dashboard of a motor vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device according to claim 11, wherein said cooperating means comprises a control knob and a return spring, said spring terminating in a rod-like section extending toward said switch means, said rod like section upon movement of said cooperating means into said operative position thereof engaging the pivotally mounted contact of said switch means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
178 words
An electrical device adapted for mounting on a dashboard of a motor vehIcle for lighting smoking elements comprising cigars and cigarettes, said device comprising a tubular casing having at least one open end, a tubular holder for said smoking elements extending into said casing open end and having a portion fixedly mounted in said casing, an electrical resistance heating element mounted within said casing for engagement by said smoking elements when carried by said holder, switch means within said casing for controlling the energization of said heating element and having a pivotally mounted contact biased into a first open current position from which it is movable into a closed current position in which it engages a fixedly mounted contact of said switch means, and manually operable cooperating means mounted about said holder for movement relative thereto between a normal outward and an operative inward position related to said open end of the casing, said cooperating means in said operative position thereof directly engaging said pivotally mounted contact for pivoting the same into engagement with said fixedly mounted contact.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
178 words
An electrical device adapted for mounting on a dashboard of a motor vehIcle for lighting smoking elements comprising cigars and cigarettes, said device comprising a tubular casing having at least one open end, a tubular holder for said smoking elements extending into said casing open end and having a portion fixedly mounted in said casing, an electrical resistance heating element mounted within said casing for engagement by said smoking elements when carried by said holder, switch means within said casing for controlling the energization of said heating element and having a pivotally mounted contact biased into a first open current position from which it is movable into a closed current position in which it engages a fixedly mounted contact of said switch means, and manually operable cooperating means mounted about said holder for movement relative thereto between a normal outward and an operative inward position related to said open end of the casing, said cooperating means in said operative position thereof directly engaging said pivotally mounted contact for pivoting the same into engagement with said fixedly mounted contact.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein means is included and carried by a movable contact of said switch means for providing an audible signal upon opening of said switch means after closure thereof by said control rod.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |