AU2001238601A1 - Utility lighter - Google Patents

Utility lighter

Info

Publication number
AU2001238601A1
AU2001238601A1 AU2001238601A AU2001238601A AU2001238601A1 AU 2001238601 A1 AU2001238601 A1 AU 2001238601A1 AU 2001238601 A AU2001238601 A AU 2001238601A AU 2001238601 A AU2001238601 A AU 2001238601A AU 2001238601 A1 AU2001238601 A1 AU 2001238601A1
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
lighter
producing apparatus
flame producing
push
button
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
AU2001238601A
Other versions
AU2001238601B2 (en
Inventor
Gerald J. Doiron
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BIC Corp
Original Assignee
BIC Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/510,304 external-priority patent/US6428309B1/en
Application filed by BIC Corp filed Critical BIC Corp
Publication of AU2001238601A1 publication Critical patent/AU2001238601A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU2001238601B2 publication Critical patent/AU2001238601B2/en
Assigned to BIC CORPORATION reassignment BIC CORPORATION Request for Assignment Assignors: BIC CORPORATION
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Description

UTILITY LIGHTER
Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to general purpose utility lighters, such as those used to ignite candles, barbecue grills, fireplaces and campfires.
Background of the Invention
Lighters such as those used for igniting purposes, for example, relying on a fuel container, have developed over a number of years. Typically, these lighters use either a rotary friction element or a piezoelectric ignition device to generate a spark in proximity to a nozzle emitting the fuel. Piezoelectric ignition devices have gained universal acceptance because they are simple to use. One such piezoelectric ignition device is disclosed in U.S. patent No. 5,262,697 (the '697 patent). The disclosure of the '697 patent is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Lighters have also evolved from the small pocket lighters to several forms of extended lighters that are more useful for general purposes, such as lighting candles, barbecue grills, fireplaces and campfires. Earlier attempts at such designs relied simply on extended actuating handles to house a typical lighter at the end. Examples of this design are found in U.S. patent Nos. 4,259,059 and 4,462,791. In addition, many of the general purpose lighters have had some form of shut-off mechanism for resisting undesired operation of the lighter by young children. Often, these mechanisms take the form of on/off switches that may shut off the fuel source or may prevent movement of an actuator, such as a push-button, on the lighter. Moreover, the on/off switches that must be affirmatively moved by the user between the "on" and "off positions have drawbacks. For example, an adult user may forget to move the switch back to the "off position after use, thereby allowing undesired operation.
One solution that overcomes the drawback of a user forgetting to return the on/off switch to the off position is to utilize a biased latch that only allows operation of the lighter when the latch is moved into a position out of interference with the valve actuator. Once the valve actuator is depressed and released, the latch returns to its inoperative or latched position automatically so that subsequent use of the lighter again requires moving the latch out of interference with the valve actuator. Examples of such a device are found in U.S. patent Nos. 5,445,518 and 5,584,682.
Other utility lighters incorporate a pocket lighter only as a fuel source and have an actuating trigger and child-resistant mechanism, in addition to the pocket lighter's actuating mechanism. An example of this design is illustrated in GB 2, 156,499A.
There remains a need for a utility lighter that can directly utilize the fuel, the pushbutton and/or child-resistant mechanism from a pocket lighter.
Summary of the Invention It is one object of this invention is to provide a utility lighter capable of resisting undesired operation.
Another object of the invention is to incorporate a pocket lighter into a housing to form a utility lighter.
Another object of the invention is to utilize the actuating mechanism of the pocket lighter as the actuating mechanism of the utility lighter.
A further object of the invention is to utilize the child-resistant mechanism of the pocket lighter as the child-resistant mechanism of the utility lighter.
Another object of the invention is to utilize the actuating mechanism and the child- resistant mechanism from the pocket lighter as the actuating trigger and the child-resistant mechanism of the utility lighter.
Another advantage of the invention is that the housing of the utility lighter may have any interchangeable aesthetically pleasing shape, so long as the housing is adapted to incorporate the pocket lighter.
These objects and advantages and other objects and advantage are accomplished in a flame producing apparatus comprising a body, which is sized and dimensioned to receive a lighter and is connected to a wand. The lighter comprises a piezoelectric ignition device and a fuel source in fluid communication with a valve movable between a closed position and an open position. The valve and ignition device are actuatable by a push-button to selectively release fuel and to produce a spark. The push-button is sized and dimensioned to extend through a cut-out portion on the body for user manipulation. The flame producing apparatus further comprises an inner tube disposed within the wand and is in fluid communication with the valve of the lighter and a nozzle. The wand and the inner tube are electrically coupled to the ignition device such that the spark is produced proximate the nozzle when the ignition device is actuated.
The lighter is preferably a child-resistant lighter, which may comprise a latch member movable between an inoperative position where the latch member interferes with the actuation of the push-button and an operative position where the latch member does not interfere with the push-button. In the inoperative position, the latch member is positioned between the push-button and the lighter housing to interfere with the actuation of the pushbutton. Furthermore, the body of the flame producing apparatus may also define a second cut-out portion sized and dimensioned to expose the latch member of the child-resistant lighter for user actuation.
Brief Description of the Drawings
To facilitate the understanding of the characteristics of this invention, the following drawing figures have been provided, wherein: Fig. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a utility lighter of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the utility lighter of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the utility lighter of Fig. 1 showing the utility lighter in the inoperative position; Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the utility lighter of Fig. 1 showing the utility lighter in the operative position;
Fig. 5(a) is a front view of a conductive shell, and Fig. 5(b) is a partial top view of the conductive shell;
Fig. 6 is a front view of a second embodiment of a utility lighter of the present invention;
Fig. 7 is a side view of the utility lighter of Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the utility lighter of Fig. 6 showing the lighter in the operative position;
Fig. 9 is an end view of the utility lighter of Fig. 6; and Fig. 10(a) is a front view of another conductive shell and Fig.10(b) is a partial perspective view of an end of the conductive shell. Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Figures 1-5 generally describe the first embodiment of utility lighter 10 in accordance to the present invention. Lighter 10 comprises a housing 12, a conductive wand 14, and a pocket lighter 16. The pocket lighter 16 is sized and dimensioned to be inserted into the housing 12. An end cap 18 is adapted to fit into the back end of housing 12 to retain pocket lighter 16 inside the housing. Alternatively, the housing may be formed from two equal halves.
As illustrated, pocket lighter 16 is substantially a standard piezoelectric lighter, which comprises a housing 20 containing a fuel reservoir, a piezoelectric element 22 and a push-button 24. As used herein, the term lighter refers to any lighter, which has at least a fuel reservoir, a piezoelectric element and a push-button, and is capable of producing a flame. The fuel reservoir is in fluid communication with a gas valve 26, which preferably includes a valve and a movable jet. Valve 26 is movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively release fuel. The piezoelectric element 22 is preferably connected to push-button 24, such that when a user pushes the push-button the piezoelectric element 22 is compressed to produce an electrical charge. In the pocket lighter 16, the electrical charge is conducted to electrode 28 and to valve 26, or a conductive diffuser spring attached to valve 26, to generate a spark therebetween. As the push-button compresses the piezoelectric element 22, the push-button also acts on biased pivotal arm 30, which is operatively connected to valve 26 to lift the valve to selectively release fuel to be ignited by the spark generated across the gap between the valve 26 and the electrode 28. Pocket lighter 16, as described thus far, is substantially similar to the lighter illustrated in the '697 patent and in U.S. patent No. 5,854,530. The disclosures of the '697 patent has previously been incorporated by reference, and the disclosure of the '530 patent is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
As shown in Fig. 2, an elongated fuel conduit 32 is connected to gas valve 26 at one end to communicate the fuel released from pocket lighter 16 to the front end of the wand 14. Conduit 32 can be either rigid or flexible and terminates at a nozzle 34, which may include a diffuser spring, at the opposite end. Furthermore, conduit 32 can have any shape or configuration as long as it communicates the fuel released from valve 26 to nozzle 34, and conducts the electricity from valve 26 or the diffuser spring attached thereto to nozzle 34. For example, conduit 32 may be constructed from an electrically conductive metal or a pliable conductive rubber. Conduit 32 may also comprise a conductive member, such as a metal wire, disposed inside an insulated tube. Alternatively, the conductive member may be embedded within the wall of the insulated tube. The conductive member may also be a portion of the wall of the insulated tube. The conductive member may comprise a plurality of wires disposed either inside the tube or within the wall of the tube. Additionally, the conductive member can also be a mesh or woven wire or a conductive tube disposed concentrically with respect to the insulated tube. These shapes and configurations are known in the art and are illustrated in EP 222 336 Al publication, among other references. Alternatively, an insulated conductive wire may be used, as illustrated in U.S. patent No. 5,934,895. Of course, the insulated wire can be positioned .inside or outside of the conduit. Preferably, the wind guard on the lighter is removed before the conduit is connected to the valve. The pocket lighter and the conduit are then inserted into the housing 12 and electrically conductive wand 14, as illustrated in Figs. 2-4. As shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5(a) and 5(b), wand 14 has extension 36 which is disposed within the housing 12. Electrode 28 of pocket lighter 16 is sized and dimensioned to maintain sliding contact with extension 36 when the piezoelectric element is being compressed, such that the electrical charge from electrode 28 is conducted through wand 14 to front electrode 38. Preferably, electrode 28 is in contact with extension 36 when the electrical charge is generated. On the other hand, as discussed above conduit 32 and nozzle 34 are preferably electrically conductive to communicate the electrical charge from valve 26 to nozzle 34. The spark generated between nozzle 34 and front electrode 38 would ignite the fuel released from nozzle 34 to produce a flame.
Preferably, a hollow insulated sleeve 40, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is disposed between wand 14 and nozzle to prevent the spark from occurring anywhere except between nozzle 34 and front electrode 38. Alternatively, as shown in the '895 patent, the housing 12 may extend to the front end of the lighter and wand 14 can be disposed on the outside of the extended portion of the housing. In this case, the extended portion of the housing electrically insulated the conductive wand from the conduit 32.
Pocket lighter 16 also preferably comprises a child-resistant mechanism, such as a latch 42 disposed between the push-button 24 and housing 20 of the pocket lighter.
Latch 42 is biased by a spring 44 to an inoperative position, where it prevents the actuation of the push-button, as shown in Fig. 3. A user may move latch 42 against the biasing force of spring 44 to an operative position, where actuation of the push-button is allowed. For the exemplary lighter 16 illustrated in Fig. 3, movement of latch 42 in the inward direction, i.e., toward the valve 26, place the lighter 16 in the operative position. Further upward movement of latch 42, i.e., toward push-button 24, temporarily holds latch 42 in the operative position. After the user depresses and releases the push-button, spring 44 biases the latch 42 back to the inoperative position.
The structure and operation of latch 42 as illustrated herein are fully described in U.S. patent Nos. 5,445,518 and 5,584,682. The disclosures of the '518 and '682 patents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Other piezoelectric child-resistant lighters with a child-resistant latch can be used in conjunction with the utility lighter 10 of the present invention. For example, the piezoelectric lighters with child-resistant latch disclosed in, but not limited to, U.S. patent Nos. 5,531,591, 5,458,482, 5,240,408, 5,145,358, 4,904,180, 5,462,432, 5,788,476, 5,839,892, 4,904,180, and 5,228,849 are usable in the present invention. Other child-resistant piezoelectric lighters without a latch, such as U.S. patent Nos. 5,885,069, 5,854,530, 5,833,448 and others can also be used. Other lighters can also be used, as long as it has a piezoelectric mechanism actuatable by a pushbutton. The push-button may also be a single trigger, or the push-button may comprise a gas release member and a separate a spark generating member.
Housing 12 preferably has a first cut-out portion 46 sized and positioned to allow the push-button or the push-button and/or latch to expose therethrough for user manipulation. Housing 12 preferably has a second cut-out portion 48 sized and positioned to allow the latch to expose therethrough. Second cut-out portion 48 is not required when utility lighter 10 is used with a latch-less child-resistant piezoelectric lighter or when the latch is located on the push-button. Cut-outs 46 and 48 are illustrated herein to be proximate to each other. However, cut-outs 46 and 48 can be located anywhere on housing 12 to accommodate the push-button and/or latch on the various pocket lighters.
The operation of the utility lighter 10 of the present invention is substantially identical to the operation of the pocket lighter 16 contained therein, i.e., the user operates the utility lighter the same way that the user would operate the pocket lighter. One of the advantages of the present invention is that the ignition mechanism and/or the child-resistant mechanism of the pocket lighter become the ignition mechanism and/or child-resistant mechanism of the utility lighter. A second embodiment of the utility lighter is shown in Figs. 6-10, where wand 50 is shown. Wand 50 has extension 52 which defines a slot 54, as shown in Fig. 10(b). Electrode 28 of lighter 16 is movably received in slot 54 to maintain electrical contact between electrode 28 and wand 50 when push-button compresses piezoelectric element 22 to generate a spark. A hook 56 is optionally provided.
While it is apparent that the invention herein disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art, and it is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and embodiments as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the lighter 16 is illustrated in Fig. 2 without a wind shield, which normally surrounds valve 26. A wind shield may be incorporated to the lighter 16 without departing from the present invention. Furthermore, while one particular shape of housing 12 is illustrated, it is well within the purview of one of ordinary skills in this art to modify the shape of housing 12 to any aesthetically pleasing shape, as long as the housing is sized and dimensioned to receive a lighter such as lighter 16.

Claims (32)

What is claimed is:
1. A flame producing apparatus comprising: a body connected to a wand, said body defines a cut-out portion thereon, said body portion is sized and dimensioned to receive a lighter, said lighter comprises a piezoelectric ignition device and a fuel source in fluid communication with a valve movable between a closed position and an open position, said valve and ignition device are actuatable by a push-button to selectively release fuel and to produce a spark; said lighter further comprises a latch member movable between an inoperative position where the latch member interferes with the actuation of the push-button and an operative position where the latch member does not interfere with the push-button; wherein the flame producing apparatus further comprises an inner tube disposed within the wand and is in fluid communication with the valve of the lighter and a nozzle, and wherein the wand and the inner tube are electrically coupled to the ignition device such that the spark is produced proximate the nozzle when the ignition device is actuated; wherein the cut-out portion on the body is sized and dimensioned to expose the push-button and the latch member for user actuation when the lighter is received inside the body.
2. The flame producing apparatus of claim 1 further comprises an end cap adapted to fit on to a first end of the body to retain the lighter within the body.
3. The flame producing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the nozzle is located at a second end of the inner tube remote from said first end of the body.
4. The flame producing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric ignition device comprises first and second electrodes, said first electrode is electrically coupled to the wand and the second electrode is electrically coupled to the inner tube.
5. The flame producing apparatus of claim 4 further comprises an extension, which electrically coupled the wand to the first electrode.
6. The flame producing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the extension is integral with the wand.
7. The flame producing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first electrode is slidingly connected to the wand.
8. The flame producing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first electrode is slidingly connected to the extension.
9. The flame producing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first electrode is movably received in a channel defined by the extension.
10. The flame producing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner tube is rigid.
11. The flame producing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner tuble is flexible.
12. A flame producing apparatus comprising: a body connected to a wand, said body defines a cut-out portion thereon, said body portion is sized and dimensioned to receive a lighter, said lighter comprises a piezoelectric ignition device and a fuel source in fluid communication with a valve movable between a closed position and an open position, said valve and ignition device are actuatable by a push-button to selectively release fuel and to produce a spark; wherein the flame producing apparatus further comprises an inner tube disposed within the wand and is in fluid communication with the valve of the lighter and a nozzle, and wherein the wand and the inner tube are electrically coupled to the ignition device such that the spark is produced proximate the nozzle when the ignition device is actuated, wherein the cut-out portion on the body is sized and dimensioned to expose the push-button for user actuation when the lighter is received inside the body.
13. The flame producing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the lighter further comprises a latch member movable between an inoperative position where the latch member interferes with the actuation of the push-button and an operative position where the latch member does not interfere with the push-button.
14. The flame producing apparatus of claim 13, wherein in the inoperative position the latch member is positioned between the push-button and the lighter housing.
15. The flame producing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the body defines a second cutout portion sized and dimensioned to expose the latch member for user actuation.
16. The flame producing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the lighter is a child-resistant lighter.
17. The flame producing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the child-resistant lighter comprises a latch member.
AMENDED CLAIMS
[received by the International Bureau on 26 June 2001 (26.06.01); original claims 1 and 12 amended; new claims 18-32 added (7 pages)]
1. A flame producing apparatus comprising: a body connected to a wand, said body defines a cut-out portion thereon, said body portion containing a lighter, said lighter comprises a piezoelectric ignition device and a fuel source in fluid communication with a valve movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the piezoelectric ignition device, fuel source and valve are preassembled as a unit and said valve and ignition device are actuatable by a push-button to selectively release fuel and to produce a spark; said lighter further comprises a latch member movable between an inoperative position where the latch member interferes with the actuation of the push-button and an operative position where the latch member does not interfere with the push-button; wherein the flame producing apparatus further comprises an inner tube disposed within the wand and is in fluid communication with the valve of the lighter and a nozzle, and wherein the wand and the inner tube are electrically coupled to the ignition device such that the spark is produced proximate the nozzle when the ignition device is actuated; wherein the cut-out portion on the body is sized and dimensioned to expose the push-button and the latch member for user actuation when the lighter is received inside the body.
2. The flame producing apparatus of claim 1 further comprises an end cap adapted to fit on to a first end of the body to retain the lighter within the body.
3. The flame producing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the nozzle is located at a second end of the inner tube remote from said first end of the body.
4. The flame producing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric ignition device comprises first and second electrodes, said first electrode is electrically coupled to the wand and the second electrode is electrically coupled to the inner tube.
5. The flame producing apparatus of claim 4 further comprises an extension, which electrically coupled the wand to the first electrode.
6. The flame producing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the extension is integral with the wand.
7. The flame producing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first electrode is slidingly connected to the wand.
8. The flame producing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first electrode is slidingly connected to the extension.
9. The flame producing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first electrode is movably received in a channel defined by the extension.
10. The flame producing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner tube is rigid.
11. The flame producing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner tuble is flexible.
12. A flame producing apparatus comprising: a body connected to a wand, said body defines a cut-out portion thereon, said body portion containing a lighter, said lighter comprises a piezoelectric ignition device and a fuel source in fluid communication with a valve movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the piezoelectric ignition device, fuel source, and valve are preassembled as a unit and said valve and igmtion device are actuatable by a push-button to selectively release fuel and to produce a spark; wherein the flame producing apparatus further comprises an inner tube disposed within the wand and is in fluid communication with the valve of the lighter and a nozzle, and wherein the wand and the inner tube are electrically coupled to the ignition device such that the spark is produced proximate the nozzle when the ignition device is actuated, wherein the cut-out portion on the body is sized and dimensioned to expose the push-button for user actuation when the lighter is received inside the body.
13. The flame producing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the lighter further comprises a latch member movable between an inoperative position where the latch member interferes with the actuation of the push-button and an operative position where the latch member does not interfere with the push-button.
14. The flame producing apparatus of claim 13, wherein in the inoperative position the latch member is positioned between the push-button and the lighter housing.
15. The flame producing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the body defines a second cutout portion sized and dimensioned to expose the latch member for user actuation.
16. The flame producing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the lighter is a child-resistant lighter.
17. The flame producing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the child-resistant lighter comprises a latch member.
18. The flame producing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the push-button extends through the cut-out.
19. A flame producing apparatus comprising: a body connected to a wand, the body containing a preassembled lighter, the preassembled lighter comprises a housing containing a piezoelectric ignition device and a fuel source in fluid communication with a valve moveable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the valve and ignition device are actuatable by a push-button to selectively release fuel and to produce a spark; wherein the flame producing apparatus further comprises a tube in fluid communication with the valve of the lighter; and a nozzle in the wand, and wherein the ignition device is electrically coupled such that the spark is produced proximate the nozzle when the ignition device is actuated.
10
20. The flame producing apparatus of claim 19, wherein the body defines a cut-out portion that is sized and dimensioned to expose the push-button for user actuation when the preassembled lighter is received inside the body.
15 21. The flame producing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the push-button extends through the cut-out.
22. The flame producing apparatus of claim 19, wherein the preassembled lighter further comprises a latch member movable between an inoperative position where
20 the latch member interferes with the actuation of the push-button and an operative position where the latch member does not interfere with the push-button.
23. The flame producing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the latch member is biased to return to the inoperable position after activation.
25
24. The flame producing apparatus of claim 22, wherein the body defines a cut-out portion that is sized and dimensioned to expose the latch member for user actuation when the lighter is received inside the body.
30 25. A flame producing apparatus comprising: a body connected to a wand, the body containing a lighter, the lighter comprises a housing, which contains a piezoelectric ignition device and a fuel source in fluid communication with a valve moveable between a closed position and an open position, wherein said valve and ignition device are actuatable by a push-button to selectively release fuel and to produce a spark; wherein the flame producing apparatus further comprises a tube in fluid communication with the valve of the lighter; and a nozzle in the wand, and wherein the ignition device is electrically coupled such that the spark is produced proximate the nozzle when the ignition device is actuated.
10
26. The flame producing apparatus of claim 25, wherein the body defines a cut-out portion that is sized and dimensioned to expose the push-button for user actuation when the lighter is received inside the body.
15 27. The flame producing apparatus of claim 25, wherein the lighter further comprises a latch member movable between an inoperative position where the latch member interferes with the actuation of the push-button and an operative position where the latch member does not interfere with the push-button.
20 28. The flame producing apparatus of claim 27, wherein the body defines a cut-out portion that is sized and dimensioned to expose the latch member for user actuation when the lighter is received inside the body.
29. A method of manufacturing a flame producing apparatus, comprising the steps of: 25 (a) providing at least one outer body component, and a wand, the at least one outer body component configured and adapted to form at least a portion of an outer body of the flame producing apparatus, the wand configured and adapted to connect to the outer body;
(b) providing a preassembled lighter, 30 the preassembled lighter comprises a piezoelectric igmtion device and a fuel source in fluid communication with a valve moveable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the piezoelectric ignition device, fuel source, and valve are preassembled as a unit and said valve and ignition device are actuatable by a pushbutton to selectively release fuel and to produce a spark; (c) inserting the preassembled lighter into the at least one outer body component; and
(d) mating the valve of the preassembled lighter so that it is in fluid communication with a nozzle in the wand and electrically coupling the ignition device of the preassembled lighter such that the spark is produced proximate to the nozzle when the ignition device is actuated.
30. The method of manufacturing a flame producing apparatus of claim 29, which further comprises an additional step of forming the outer body with at least one additional outer body component.
31. A flame producing apparatus comprising: a body connected to a wand, the body sized to contain a pocket lighter having a housing containing a fuel reservoir, a valve, a valve actuator, a piezoelectric ignitor and a push-button to activate the valve actuator and piezoelectric ignitor, the body defining a cut-out portion thereon, wherein the cut-out portion is sized and dimensioned to expose the push-button of the pocket lighter and the wand is electrically coupled to the pocket lighter such that a spark is produced proximate a nozzle when the pocket lighter is contained inside the body and actuated by a user.
32. A flame producing apparatus comprising: a body connected to a wand, the body sized to contain a pocket lighter having a housing containing a fuel reservoir, a valve, a valve actuator, a piezoelectric ignitor, a push-button to activate the valve actuator and piezoelectric ignitor, and a latch member movable between an inoperative position where the latch member interferes with the actuation of the push-button and an operative position where the latch member does not interfere with the push-button, the body defining at least one cut-out portion thereon, wherein the at least one cut-out portion is sized and dimensioned to expose at least the latch member of the pocket lighter, and the wand is electrically coupled to the pocket lighter such that a spark is produced proximate a nozzle when the pocket lighter is contained inside the body and actuated by a user.
AU2001238601A 2000-02-22 2001-02-21 Utility lighter Ceased AU2001238601B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/510,304 US6428309B1 (en) 2000-02-22 2000-02-22 Utility lighter
US09/510,304 2000-02-22
PCT/US2001/005538 WO2001063179A1 (en) 2000-02-22 2001-02-21 Utility lighter

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU2001238601A1 true AU2001238601A1 (en) 2001-11-15
AU2001238601B2 AU2001238601B2 (en) 2004-06-03

Family

ID=24030206

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU2001238601A Ceased AU2001238601B2 (en) 2000-02-22 2001-02-21 Utility lighter
AU3860101A Pending AU3860101A (en) 2000-02-22 2001-02-21 Utility lighter

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU3860101A Pending AU3860101A (en) 2000-02-22 2001-02-21 Utility lighter

Country Status (14)

Country Link
US (1) US6428309B1 (en)
EP (1) EP1269081B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3936194B2 (en)
CN (1) CN1218142C (en)
AR (1) AR027954A1 (en)
AU (2) AU2001238601B2 (en)
BR (1) BR0108569B1 (en)
CA (1) CA2400932C (en)
DE (1) DE60129802T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2291299T3 (en)
MX (1) MXPA02008094A (en)
MY (1) MY119971A (en)
TW (1) TWI247088B (en)
WO (1) WO2001063179A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6644958B1 (en) * 2002-05-06 2003-11-11 Kin Chung Li Barbecue lighter with safety arrangement
US6926519B1 (en) * 2003-01-29 2005-08-09 Gregory Lusson Lighter extension assembly
US8653942B2 (en) 2008-08-20 2014-02-18 John Gibson Enterprises, Inc. Portable biometric lighter
US9964305B1 (en) 2016-01-19 2018-05-08 Peter Brady Campfire lighter
EP3929486A1 (en) * 2016-12-13 2021-12-29 Société BIC Flame producing assembly
US11112112B2 (en) * 2016-12-13 2021-09-07 Societe Bic Flame producing assembly and method for manufacturing such a flame producing assembly
US10502419B2 (en) 2017-09-12 2019-12-10 John Gibson Enterprises, Inc. Portable biometric lighter
CN111561708A (en) * 2019-02-14 2020-08-21 约翰吉布森企业有限公司 Igniter system with replaceable combustible fuel tank
US11933493B2 (en) * 2021-01-22 2024-03-19 Pro-Iroda Industries, Inc. Tool with improved ignition efficiency
US11852342B2 (en) * 2021-01-22 2023-12-26 Pro-Iroda Industries, Inc. Tool with improved ignition efficiency

Family Cites Families (62)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2679740A (en) * 1951-09-04 1954-06-01 Constantin C Seletzky Stand for pocket lighters
US3544252A (en) 1968-07-31 1970-12-01 Ronson Corp Combination pocket and table lighter
US3580983A (en) 1969-12-03 1971-05-25 Nat Catheter Corp Conductive line tube
US4133450A (en) * 1977-06-14 1979-01-09 Bic Pen Corporation Table lighter device
FR2399619A1 (en) * 1977-08-03 1979-03-02 Siot Taillefer Paul Cigarette lighter for table use - has lighter unit fitting into body of separate holder with top pushbutton to operate flame action
US4222734A (en) * 1978-09-29 1980-09-16 Nolf Roland S Remote lighting device
US4253820A (en) * 1979-05-10 1981-03-03 Jarreau Donald J Fireplace lighter
US4259059A (en) 1979-08-15 1981-03-31 Roosa Vernon D Extension lighter
US4389187A (en) 1981-03-16 1983-06-21 Sims Michael H Extended holder for a lighter
US4462791A (en) 1982-08-30 1984-07-31 Richard Hayden Fire lighter
DE3332335A1 (en) * 1983-09-08 1985-03-28 Ludwig Dipl.-Ing. Lang Protective cap for a disposable cigarette lighter
GB2156499A (en) 1984-03-28 1985-10-09 Freezinhot Bottle Co Limited Domestic ignitors
CH664208A5 (en) * 1984-05-26 1988-02-15 Attila Janos Tibor Horvath Dr Gas lighter flame-offsetting equipment - comprises small metal tube fitted over nozzle with extension wire for ignition
US4522583A (en) * 1984-05-31 1985-06-11 Kraser Gary S Cigarette lighter
US4640679A (en) * 1984-10-15 1987-02-03 Denis Perrin Flame shield for cigarette lighter and cigarette lighter including said flame shield
DE8436764U1 (en) * 1984-12-15 1985-03-14 Consuma AG, Balzers HAND GAS LIGHTER
JPS6281858U (en) 1985-11-12 1987-05-25
JPH053897Y2 (en) 1988-06-07 1993-01-29
US4799877A (en) 1988-06-13 1989-01-24 Bisbee Jerry L Child-proof adaptor for disposable butane cigarette lighter
US5584682A (en) 1988-09-02 1996-12-17 Bic Corporation Selectively actuatable lighter with anti-defeat latch
US5445518A (en) 1988-09-02 1995-08-29 Bic Corporation Selectively actuatable lighter
US4901848A (en) 1988-11-09 1990-02-20 Parren Joseph R Case for personal accessory items
ES2016143A6 (en) * 1989-06-19 1990-10-16 Laforest Sa Safety mechanisms for lighters
EP0516858B1 (en) * 1990-11-30 1996-01-31 Tokai Corporation Ignition device
JPH0492142U (en) 1990-11-30 1992-08-11
US5082440A (en) 1990-12-27 1992-01-21 Shin Fuji Burner Co., Ltd. Handy compact torch
CH683455A5 (en) 1991-03-13 1994-03-15 Laforest Bic Sa A piezoelectric mechanism for gas lighters.
FR2675885B1 (en) 1991-04-24 1993-07-16 Cricket Sa LIGHTER WITH LIGHTING CONTROL BY SLIDING MEMBER, CHILD-PROOF.
JP2784977B2 (en) 1992-01-13 1998-08-13 株式会社東海 Gas lighter with safety device
US5222889A (en) 1992-08-05 1993-06-29 Chein Sheng Machine Industrial Co., Ltd. Electronic igniter
JPH06307638A (en) * 1993-04-20 1994-11-01 Masayuki Iwabori Extended ignition device for piezoelectric ignition gas lighter
US5304060A (en) 1993-04-30 1994-04-19 Lin Arlo H T Handy torch
EP0660046B1 (en) * 1993-12-22 1999-12-01 Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation Combustor bybass system for a gas turbine
JPH07190355A (en) 1993-12-27 1995-07-28 Fuji Kaken:Kk Pocket lighter
US5531592A (en) 1994-02-28 1996-07-02 Tasi; Chin-Lin Handy gas torch
JP2784145B2 (en) 1994-03-03 1998-08-06 株式会社東海 Gas lighter with safety device
US5462432A (en) 1994-06-17 1995-10-31 Kim; Jin K. Gas lighter with ignition safety device
JP3110951B2 (en) 1994-10-12 2000-11-20 株式会社東海 Ignition rod safety device
US5505614A (en) 1994-08-22 1996-04-09 Lin; Arlo H. T. Handy gas torch
US5460520A (en) 1994-09-28 1995-10-24 Lin; H. T. Arlo Trigger-controlled palm-top gas torch
US5479914A (en) * 1994-12-06 1996-01-02 Tsai; Chin-Lin Internal combustion glue gun
US5513980A (en) 1995-03-03 1996-05-07 Rasmussen; Clair L. Method and apparatus to override the child-resistant mechanism of disposable lighters
US5531591A (en) 1995-03-17 1996-07-02 Tokai Corporation Safety device for use in lighter
US5667377A (en) 1995-07-07 1997-09-16 Lin; Arlo H. T. Gas torch
WO1997006388A1 (en) * 1995-08-04 1997-02-20 Koo Jin Wan Lighter with position-adjustable flame nozzle
JP3516153B2 (en) 1995-11-09 2004-04-05 株式会社東海 Gas igniter
FR2743867B1 (en) 1996-01-24 1998-03-27 Cricket Sa LIGHTER ACTUATED BY A LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE PUSH BUTTON, CHILD-PROOF
US5839892A (en) 1996-03-26 1998-11-24 Hwang; Ing Feng Electronic lighter with a safety device
US5788476A (en) 1996-04-30 1998-08-04 Polycity Industrial Ltd Childproof piezoelectric lighter with sliding mechanism
US5800155A (en) 1996-06-27 1998-09-01 Miyanaga; Tsuneo Flame torch
US5854530A (en) 1996-12-18 1998-12-29 Bic Corporation Piezoelectric lighter which has a higher level of difficulty for operation
US5934895A (en) 1997-01-22 1999-08-10 Bic Corporation Utility lighter
US5741128A (en) 1997-08-21 1998-04-21 Tsai; Chin-Lin Hand gas torch
US5833448A (en) 1997-09-02 1998-11-10 Bic Corporation Child resistant lighter
JP3553773B2 (en) 1997-09-30 2004-08-11 岩堀 雅行 Ignition device
US5921768A (en) * 1997-10-03 1999-07-13 Joncg; T. Flame torch
US5901881A (en) * 1998-02-12 1999-05-11 Chen Chu Li Su Multipurpose glue gun
US5885070A (en) 1998-07-16 1999-03-23 Lin; Arlo H. T. Gas control mechanism
US5996243A (en) * 1998-09-18 1999-12-07 Chang; Chih-Chang Hair dryer
US6010328A (en) * 1999-03-26 2000-01-04 Sung; Kil Yong Double-trigger child-resistant utility lighter
US6077071A (en) * 1999-11-26 2000-06-20 Yeh; Chun Ching Safety apparatus of barbecue lighter
US6086359A (en) * 1999-12-13 2000-07-11 Polycity Enterprise Limited Lighter with a safety system

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6095799A (en) Utility lighter
RU2230990C2 (en) Multi-purpose lighter
US6428309B1 (en) Utility lighter
EP1212568B1 (en) Utility lighter
EP1179160B1 (en) Utility lighter
AU2001238601A1 (en) Utility lighter
EP0975918B1 (en) Utility lighter
JP2003524141A5 (en)
AU2003203484B2 (en) Utility lighter
JPH0412360Y2 (en)
AU756146B2 (en) Utility lighter
CA2467273C (en) Utility lighter
JP2002098331A (en) Gas ignition tool