Match-box.

Application filed February 16,1917. Serial No. 149,060.

To dll whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Alphonzo Prevost, a citizen of tlie United States, residing at Douglas, in the county of Cochise and State 5 of Arizona, have invented new and useful Improvements in Match-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to match boxes, and the object is to provide in connection with 10 an article of the character described, a toy or the like designed for the. amusement of the individual using the device.

In the accompanying drawing, forming part of the specification;—

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a box partly open.

Fig. 2 is a view in section, showing a plurality of compartments within an outer casing. . .

Fig. 8 illustrates a modification.

The combined article referred to includes an outer casing 10 having within one side thereof a recess 12, and in the other side a similarly formed recess 14, each of these 25 recesses being closed by covers, which are designated respectively 15 and 16. Ihese covers are the usual slides having dovetailed connection with the edges of the box, and having thumb or finger engaging por30 tions indicated by 18. The slides may operate in opposite directions for convenience m handling the article.

In the right hand recess 12 matches may be placed and in the left hand recess 14 35 there will be mounted a toy of any suitable character, in the present instance the head of a snake being shown. This toy member is pivoted at 20 and has suitable connection with slide 16 in order to permit rota40 tion when the slide is operated. The connecting member is designated 20 . lhe parts are so proportioned that the head or the snake or more properly speaking the fang thereof, which is represented by a pm 45 or sharpened point 21, will engage the finger when the latter is in position to open the slide, or the opening movement has just been completed.

In making use of the article it is the. intention that the owner of the box may with- 50 draw a match in the usual manner by opening the slide and may then turn the box to a reverse position so that the opposite side will be within convenient position for operation by a friend, whom the owner de- 55 sires to surprise before offering the match. It is obvious that the slides could be made to operate in the same direction if desired.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a form in which the slides are mounted to. operate in the 60 same direction when opening the box, the slides being connected by means of a transverse member 25 which may have a thumb member 26 near the central portion thereof. In this form of device the owner of the box 65 may turn the latter in such position that the match receptacle may be most accessible to him, and when the person to whom a match is to be offered, by way . of a joke, attempts to open the box, the slide may be 70 operated by member 26 for throwing the toy member outwardly, as above indicated, and for opening the ‘match receptacle proper. The owner of the box then withdraws the match from his side of the box, the oppo- 75 site side (within easy reach of the other individual), containing no matches, but instead thereof the toy mentioned. After the first surprise, the box is turned so that the second person to receive a match may ob- 80 tain it without difficulty.