GB620321A - Improvements in and relating to electric lighters and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

620,321. Electric igniters. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO., Ltd., TURNER, H. C., and RYAN, F. Oct. 18, 1946, No. 31066. [Class 75(iii)] [Also in Group XXXVII] In an electric lighter a gravity operated mercury switch comprising two metallic contacts sealed through an envelope of insulating material partially filled with mercury is connected in series with an electrical heater element and the switch is so arranged that electrical connection is made between its contacts only over a predetermined range of angular positions of the longitudinal axis of the lighter. A mercury switch 6 is housed in the handle 2 of an electric lighter and an electric heater element 4 is secured in a bulbous extension 3 of the handle and covered by an apertured cover 5. A mercury pool 10 is arranged to make contact between two wires 9, 12 sealed into the glass envelope of the mecury switch when the lighter is inclined at about 45 degrees to the vertical with the extension 3 upwards and this contact is maintained until the lighter is nearly horizontal. The body of the lighter is preferably designed so that the switch is open when the lighter is laid on a horizontal table. The lighter may be modified for use as a gas lighter by arranging that the switch is in the operating position when the lighter is within 45 degrees of the vertical with the extension 3 downward. Additional switches one of which operates automatically when the' lighter is taken from a support may be provided. Specification 250,597, [Class 75(iii)], is referred to.