Abstract: An electrical connector receptacle for an automotive electric cigar lighter of the type having at its rear, a socket with a central terminal post and an annular electrically-conductive current-carrying sleeve. The receptacle comprises a slab-like body of molded insulating material having opposite grip surfaces to facilitate its installation, and having a generally U-shaped configuration. Between the two legs of the body is a space which provides clearance for the annular sleeve, one leg having a recess that carries a tubular contact terminal adapted to slip over the central terminal post of the socket, this being the "hot" side of the circuit. The other, outer leg constituting the ground side of the circuit, carries a spring contact finger having a bowed configuration with its center portion being cooperable with and juxtaposed to the sleeve of the socket, so as to having electrical connection thereto when the connector receptacle is installed.

Abstract: A P. C. board bobbin and electrical component assembly or construction consisting of a cylindrical body of molded plastic substance which is adapted to mount one or more coils, and optionally to receive in its bore a reed switch capsule. One end of the body has an apertured wall to receive an eyelet by means of which the body can be readily mounted on end, on the board. As a separate piece, a terminal retainer sleeve can be fitted over an end portion of the body, such sleeve having at least one pair of aligned notches in its ends and at least one internal groove which is aligned with and connects to said notches. At least one terminal wire having a U-shaped portion is disposed in said groove and notches, said cylindrical body retaining the terminal wire in its operative position, and the wire having a projecting end portion adapted to extend through the hole in the P.C. board to effect connections thereto.

Abstract: An electric cigar lighter for automobiles and the like, comprising a holder device presenting an outwardly facing socket, and an ignitor plug receivable in the socket. The plug comprises a manually operable part, and carries a heating element which is electrically connected in circuit with a normally-closed heat-responsive switch that is disposed in the holder device. The socket, in addition to its grounding circuit, has a "hot" contact which is engageable with a cooperable contact on the plug to effect the circuit through the heating element when the manually operable part is depressed. The holder device also carries a bimetallic member which is engageable with one of the parts of the switch. The member normally occupies a closed-circuit position wherein it is separated from the one switch part.

Abstract: An automatic electric cigar lighter for automobiles and the like having a socket and an ignitor plug receivable in the socket. The plug comprises a manually operable part carrying an electric heating element which can be electrically connected to the socket circuit, the latter having a normally open heat-responsive switch that becomes closed normally-open the manually operable part is first pushed to a deep position in the socket. The socket has a grounding circuit and a "hot" contact that is engageable with a cooperable contact on the plug to effect the electrical circuit through the heating element. The socket also carries a bi-stable bimetallic member which is engageable with one of the parts of the noramlly-open switch to control the latter. The bimetallic member normally occupies an open-circuiting position wherein it abuts the one switch part to maintain the switch open.

Abstract: An automatic electric cigar lighter, particularly a cigar lighter igniting unit for automobiles and the like. The cigar lighter comprises a holder device presenting an outwardly facing socket, and a unique ignitor plug receivable in the socket. Disposed at the inner end of the plug is a heating element which is electrically connected in circuit with a heat-responsive switch that is also carried by the plug. The socket in addition to its grounding circuit has a "hot" contact which is engageable with a cooperable contact on the plug to effect the circuit through the heating element. The plug comprises a manually operable part by which the heat-responsive switch can be closed, thereby to complete the heating circuit through the element. A bimetallic member is also carried by the plug, engageable with one of the switch parts and normally lying in a circuit-opening position wherein it maintains the switch parts separated and from which it can be shifted to a closed-circuit position.

Abstract: A manual electric cigar lighter for automobiles and the like, comprising a holder device presenting an outwardly facing socket, and a unique ignitor plug receivable in the socket. Disposed at the inner end of the plug is a heating element which is electrically connected in circuit with a heat-responsive switch that is also carried by the plug. The socket in addition to its grounding circuit has a "hot" contact which is engageable with a cooperable contact on the plug to close the circuit through the heating element. The plug comprises a manually operable part by which the heat-responsive switch can be closed, thereby to complete the heating circuit through the element. A bimetallic member is also carried by the plug, engageable with one of the switch parts and always normally lying in a closed-circuit position when cold.

Abstract: An automatic electric cigar lighter, and especially a cigar lighter igniting unit as used for automobiles and the like. The cigar lighter has a holder which presents an outwardly facing socket, and embraces a unique ignitor plug that is received and stored in the socket. At its inner end the plug has a heating element for electrical connection in the circuit of a heat-responsive switch which is also carried by the plug. The latter comprises a manually operable part by which the heat-responsive switch can be closed to complete the heating circuit through the element. A bimetallic member is also carried by the plug, being engageable with one of the switch parts and normally having a circuit-opening position wherein it maintains the one switch part separated from the other. The member is shifted to a closed-circuit position when the plug is actuated. In both positions it receives radiant heat when the heating element is incandescent.

Abstract: An automatic electric cigar lighter, particularly a cigar lighter igniting unit for automobiles and the like. The cigar lighter comprises a holder device presenting an outwardly facing socket, and a unique ignitor plug receivable in the socket. Disposed at the inner end of the plug is a heating element which is electrically connected in circuit with a heat-responsive switch that is also carried by the plug. The socket in addition to its grounding circuit has a "hot" contact which is engageable with a cooperable contact on the plug to effect the circuit through the heating element. The plug comprises a manually operable part by which the heat-responsive switch can be closed, thereby to complete the heating circuit through the element. A bimetallic member is also carried by the plug, engageable with one of the switch parts and normally lying in a circuit-opening position wherein it maintains the switch parts separated and from which it can be shifted to a closed-circuit position.

Abstract: An electric igniting element as used in automobile cigar lighters, jet engine igniters and like devices, comprising a spirally wound tight coil made of metal heater ribbon which is transversely formed to have a cross-sectional configuration roughly similar to a wide-spread letter "V" but with a flattened bottom portion and two beaded edge surfaces along one side, which greatly facilitate the coil winding process, effect a greater uniformity, extend the range of coil stock that can be handled while at the same time resulting in a nesting and interlocking of the convolutions that not only provide a mutual support of the same but also produce a small coil having a high metal density.

Abstract: An electrical igniting element for use with ignitor devices such as are commonly utilized in electrical cigar lighters, engine ignitor plugs, and the like comprises a heating element, such as a wound spiral of resistance ribbon, carried on an annular metal holder or cup and spanning the mouth or opening thereof. The inner end of the spiral ribbon is secured to a central metal stud as by crimping and/or welding it in a slotted head thereof. The invention provides improved means for securing the outer coil convolution to the rim of the holder or cup by curling inward the rim edge into a tight curl which is laid over on the end portions of the coil convolution whereby a relatively large area of the coil end is tightly and securely pinched under continual pressure, thereby establishing a low-resistance effective mechanical and electrical connection between the cup and the coil throughout the useful life of the latter.