US2982454A - Combination device for personal use - Google Patents

Description

y 1961 D. M. WOLBERG 2,982,454

COMBINATION DEVICE FOR PERSONAL USE Filed Sept. 6, 1957 IN VENTOR BY WWW ATTORNEY United States Pate COMBINATION DEVICE FOR PERSONAL USE Donald M. Wolberg, 611 Meadowland Ave", Kingston, Pa.

' Filed Sept. 6, 1957, Ser. No. 682,528

7 Claims. (Cl. 224-) The present invention relates to a combination device '2 the cap of the cigarette lighter and the nail file of the accessory holder being shown in dotted lines in outwardly pivoted positions. 7 v

Fig. 4 is a side elevation view of the present invention showing the spaced position of the cigarette lighter and accessory holder.

designed for personal use. More particularly the present invention relates to a combination cigarette lighter and accessory holder that is adapted to be conveniently attached to the users belt so as to be immediately available for use. It is desirable to have certain personal accessories, such as a cigarette lighter, automobile ignition key, nail file, etc. within convenient reach. Thus the user avoids fumbling in his pocket or purse for the article when it is needed. Furthermore, by incorporating the users per-. sonal articles into a single compact unit which is easily accessible, the usual congestion ofarticles in the users pocket or'purse is eliminated, Prior to the instant invention, there have been some attempts to design a combination article for personal use, but none of these heretofore known deviceshave been practical and in addition, were designed to be carried in the pocketor purse, thereby addingto the congestion therein. Oftentimes it is desirable to have a cigarette lighter within easy reach, particularly while driving, and it is also advantageous to have the automobile ignition key readily accessible, thereby'avoiding the usual search through the pockets or purse.

Accordingly, it is an object ofthe presentinvention to provide 'a combination cigarette lighter and accessory holder that is carried by .the user and is. available for immediate use.

,. vide a combination cigarette lighter and accessory holder wherein theaccessory holder is pivotally mounted on the cover of the cigarette lighter.

Still another object of the present inventlon is to provide a combination cigarettelighter-and accessory holder wherein said accessory holder includes a releasable key retaining means. r v Still another object of the present invention is to pro vide an accessory holder in which opposed jaws are fixed to the side walls of the holder to retain a key therebetween,

' the side walls being movable to release the key from engagement with the jaws.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a combination device which includes an article holder in which various personal articles such as nail files, keys,

- knife blades, bottle opener, etc. are retained.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 in Fig. 3. V Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the accessory holder illustrating the key spring retaining means; and

Fig. 7 is a partial sectional view of the cigarette lighter cover showing the pivotal attachment of the accessory holder to a projection formed'on said cover.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly Figs. 1 and 4, the combination article embodied in the present invention is illustrated and includes a cigarette lighter generally indicated at 10. The cigarette lighter 10 is of the type that includes a housing that is defined by a casing 12 in which the lighter assembly is positioned and a cover member 14 which is pivotally mounted on said casing. In use the cover member 14 is pivoted to an open position exposing the flint wheel and wick (not shown) and the flint wheel is rotated to ignite the wick in the conventional manner.

, Centrally secured to the upper portion of a wall of the cover member 14 is a projection 16. Although the preferred form of the invention shown in Fig. 7 illustrates the projection 16 being formed as an integral extension of the cover member 14, it is understood that the projection 16 may be secured to the cover member 14 in any convenient manner. Secured for pivotal movement to the projection 16 is an accessory holder generally indicated at 18.. The accessory holder 18 is of-the same overall length i as the lighter 10 and is also centered with respect to the lighter so that the lighter 10 and holder 18 are perfectly balanced with respect to each other. As illustrated in *Figs. 1 and 4, the accessory holder 18 includes a casing that is defined by side walls 20 and 22 and a rear wall 24, the rear wall 24 being formed integral with the side of the projection 16 therein, the accessory holder 18 thereby being pivotally secured to the projection 16and the lighter 10. As shown in Fig. 4, the rear wall 24 is i foreshortened to expose the interior of the upper portion of the accessory housing and further provides for 'the exposure of a portion of the head of a key that is posi-- tioned in said holder 18, as'will be more fully described I Since the front of the holder is open, by

hereinafter. foreshortening the rear wall 24, the upper portion ofthe side walls 20, 22 arerthus capable of flexing in a spring Other objects and the nature and advantagesof the instant invention will be apparent from the following de 1 scription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the combination cigarette lighter. and accessory holder embodied in the present in- -vention showing the accessory articles in the extended" position thereof. 7

Fig. 2 is a view of a portion of the waist section of the user of the subject invention, illustrating the manner in which the combination device is carried on-the users belt.

like movement and are thereby utilized to releasably retain a key therebetween as will be describedbelow.

The lower portion of the rear wall 24 is struck from the adjacent side walls to define a resilient extension 26 that enables the accessory tools to be positively moved 1 to the open position thereof. Pivotally mounted on a a rivet 28 that extends through the lower portion of the side walls 20, 22 are a pair of accessory tools, which are illustrated as a nail file 30 and a knife 32 Other accessories, such as a can opener, bottle opener, or the like may also be utilized without departing from'the spirit of the invention. The front edge of the side walls 20 and 22 are formed with concave portions 33 adjacent the upper end thereof, thereby providing access to the finger,

grips of the nail file 30 and knife 32.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation view of the present invention,

Referring to Fig. 5,-the nailfile is shown -pivotally mounted on the rivet 28 adjacentthe side wall 20while the knife is-pivotally secured to the rivet 28 adjacent the i e 2,982,454 r Patented May 2;

side wall 22. Fixed to the rivet 28 and located between the nail file 30 and knife 32 are a pair of spacers 34 that are provided to maintain the nail file 30 and knife 32 in spaced relation so as to receive a third accessory therebetween. The thirdaccessory is illustrated as a key 36 which is adapted to be pivotally and releasably retained within the accessory holder 18.

On frequent occasions, it is desirable to remove the key 36 from the accessory holder 18, particularly if the key 36 is utilized as an ignition key for an automobile. Referring now to Fig. 6 a releasable key retaining means is illustrated and includes a pair of metal strips 38 and 40 which are secured to the side walls 20 and 22 respectively by rivets 42 and 44 respectively. Both of the strips 38, 40 are formed with a jaw 46 adjacent the outer ends thereof, the jaws 46 being adapted to make contact at approximately the center of the accessory housing. The outer ends of the jaws 46 are flared as indicated at 50 and 52 in Figs. 4 and 6 and are so constructed as to guide the head of the key 36 therebetween. As the head of the key 36 is pushed between the flared ends 50 and 52, side walls 20 and 22 are flexed, thereby forcing the holder jaws 46 to part. The key 36 is then moved inwardly until an opening 54, formed in the key head, is aligned with the jaws 46. The jaws 46 then snap into the key head opening 54 under the spring action of the walls 20, 22 and retain the key 36 in position within the accessory holder 18.

In order to positively retain the key 36 within the accessory holder 18, the lower ends of the metal strips 38 and 40 are converged toward each other sufliciently to leave a slight opening for receiving the shank of the key therebetwecn. lower ends of the strips 38, 40 is slightly narrower than the thickness of the key 36 and thereby exerts a retaining force thereon. The key is then prevented from accidentally pivoting out of the holder when the other accessories are in use. It is also contemplated to slightly twist the inwardly extending lower ends of the strips 38, 40 so that a V is formed, the apex of the V being located nearest the foreshortened rear wall 24 and the wider part of the V facing the exposed front of the holder. The wider position of the V thus defines a guide for the shank of the key 36 as it is pivoted from the extended position to the closed position and the key is thereby more firmly retained in position. It is seen that the key 36 is pivotally movable within the accessory holder 18 and when used will be pivotally moved outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1. In the closed position the key 36 is pivoted within the'housing of the accessory holder 18 so that the shank end thereof is located in the space provided between the nail file 30 and knife 32. Since the head of the key 36 is somewhat Wider than the accessory holder 18, the rear wall 24 of the accessory holder is foreshortened, thereby enabling the key head to extend through the opening formed therein when the key 36 is located in the closed position. See Fig. 3. The exposed key head thus provides a convenient finger grip for the user when moving the key to the position of use.

It is also seen that when it is desired to remove the key from the accessory holder 18, such as, for example, when it is necessary to leave an automobile with a parking lot attendant, the key 36 is pivoted to the outermost position and then pulled outwardly until the key head is free of the jaws 46. The key 36 is thus released from engagement with the accmsory holder and is free for independent usage. The nail file 30 and knife 32 are normally permanently retained within the accessory holder housing and are pivoted outwardly to a position of use as desired. It is understood however that the key 36 may be replaced by another accessory if the unit is to be utilized indifferent locales, for example, on fishing or hunting expeditions.

- The combination article embodied in' the present in- The space thus defined between the,

vention is adapted to be conveniently carried on the users belt and for this purpose the accessory holder 18 is mounted on the projection 16 and thereby spaced from the cigarette lighter as described above. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the combination article is easily placed in position on the users belt indicated at 56 by positioning the accessory holder behind the belt 56 and pushing downwardly. The article then slides into place, the projection -16..acting as. a stop when contacted by the upper edge of the belt 56. Since the cigarette lighter is normally of an attractive design and may be monogrammed, jewelled, or otherwise decorated or personalized, it is shown in Fig. 2 located in the outer position on the users belt. However, it is understood that the lighter may occupy the inside position and the accessory holder the outside position if it is so desired, and without departing from the spirit of the invention.

- It is seen that when the combination article is located in the belt as shown in Fig. 2, it may be simply and quickly withdrawn when one of the accessories is to be used. The location of the combination article on the users belt is particularly advantageous when the key retained in the accessory holder is used as an automobile ignition key. Thus, the user avoids needless fumbling in his pockets for the ignition key, which may be used many times a day and furthermore, since several accessories normally carried in the pockets are removed therefrom, congestion and wear of the users pockets is relieved.

In use, the combination article is normally located on the users belt as shown in Fig. 2 and is easily removed therefrom when any of the accessories are to be used. If the cigarette lighter is to be used, the cover 14 together with the attached accessory holder 18 is pivoted to expose the lighter assembly. If the key 36 is to be used, it ispivoted to the position shown in Fig. 1, the accessory holder 13 normally remaining in the position as indicated in Fig. 1. Since the accessory holder 18 is pivotally movable in both directions as shown by the arrows in Fig. 1, the assembly holder may be moved to any desired position when using the accessories retained therein.

The combination article is not only useful and convenient to use but in addition is attractive and may include a variety of designs and colors, depending upon the intended use.

The combination article is particularly useful for those individuals who use an automobile and smoke frequently, and it is seen that the article would be very convenient for hunters and fishermen who constantly need the servicesof a lighter and other accessories at their fingertips.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a combination article for personal use, a housing having a casing and a cover pivotally mounted on said casing, an accessory holder pivotally secured to said cover and extending the length of said housing and spaced therefrom, said accessory holder including a second housing, a first set of accessories pivotally mounted in one end of said second housing and adapted to be pivotally moved into said second housing when not in use, retaining means secured to the other end of said second housing and another accessory releasably secured in said retaining means and adapted to be pivotally moved into said second housing when not in use.

2. In a combination article for personal use, a housing including a casing and a cover pivotally mounted on said casing, a projection joined to said cover and extending outwardly therefrom, and an accessory holder pivotally mounted at oneend thereof on said. projection, said accessory holder thereby being spaced from said casing and cover and being pivotal with respect thereto, said accessory holder including a second housing, a first set of accessories pivotally secured within said second housing at the end opposite said projection, jaw members mounted within said second housing adjacent said projection, and another accessory releasably retained between said jaw members and adapted to be pivotally movable therein, said accessories being pivoted outwardly from said holder housing when in use and being movable into said second housing when not in use.

3. In a combination article for personal use, a housing, an accessory holder mounted on said housing and spaced therefrom, the space between said housing and holder providing for mounting of said article on the belt of the user, said holder including a plurality of accessories mounted for pivotal movement therein and means for releasably retaining at least one of said accessories in said holder, said retaining means including a pair of jaws that coact to engage the associated accessory and thereby retain it in position in said holder.

4. In a combination article for personal use as set forth in claim 3 wherein said jaws are fixed to the adjacent walls of said accessory holder, said walls being movable under tension and adapted to retain said jaws in engaging relation, thereby positively retaining the accessory located therebetween, the outer ends of said jaws being flared for receiving the accessory therein, thereby guiding said accessory between said jaws.

5. In a combination article for personal use, a housing including a casing and a cover pivotally mounted on said casing, a projection joined to the upper portion of a wall of said cover and positioned centrally with respect to the sides of said cover, an accessory holder pivotally secured to said projection, said accessory holder being located centrally of said housing and extending the length thereof, a space defined between said housing and holder and providing for insertion of said article on the belt of the user, said projection contacting said belt and forming a stop when said article is mounted thereon, said accessory holder including a pair of accessories pivotally mounted in one end thereof, spacers positioned between said pair of accessories and providing a space in said holder therebetween, a third accessory pivotally mounted at the other end of said holder and extending into the space between said pair of accessories and means for releasably retaining said third accessory in said holder.

6. In a combination article as set forth in claim 5 wherein said releasable means includes a pair of opposed jaws fixed to the walls of said holder and that are located in engaging relation, said third accessory being releasably retained between said jaws.

7. In a combination article for personal use, a housing having a projection joined thereto, an accessory holder pivotally secured to said projection and spaced from said housing, the space between said housing and accessory holder providing for mounting of said article on the belt of the user, said accessory holder including a plurality of accessories pivotally mounted therein, one of said accessories having an opening formed in one end thereof and means for releasably retaining said last-named accessory in said accessory holder, said retaining means including opposed jaws that are secured to adjacent walls of said accessory holder, said walls being movable when said last-named accessory is inserted between'said jaws, said jaws thereafter extending into the opening formed in the head of said last-named accessory to pivotally secure it in said accessory holder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,783,346 Scully Dec. 2, 1930 1,872,753 Krebs Aug. 23, 1932 1,994,546 Ventura Mar. 19, 1935 2,029,696 Bennett Feb. 4, 1936 2,468,959 Cannon May 3, 1949 2,618,419 Vanish Nov. 18, 1952 2,706,902 Nichols Apr. 26, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 366,790 Italy I an. 9, 1939

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