IL43640A - Lighter - Google Patents

Description

L I G H T E R The present invention refers to a lighter, especially-adequate for cigars, cigarettes and the like, and more particularly to a device automatically operated that is especially adequate for gas lighters either of the disposable or renewable charge types.

Among the lighters that have a spark producing mechanism are those that generate same by means of a piezoelectric mechanism operated by impact, an operation combined with the opening of the gas outlet valve. Said mechanisms based on a piezoelectric are totally different from those commonly used, in which the spark is produced by friction between a dentated or superficially ribbed wheel, that constitutes a rotatory rasp* against a stone or flint stretched by a spring against same.

The last two mechanisms are operated by a wheel or pair of knurled ©heels solidary with that operating on the flint by direct action on the latter, or by a mechanism based on levers and/or cams, complete with accessory springs, that response to the displacement of an outer hand operated lever, combined with a cap covering the wick.

Said spark producing means are not easily combined with the gas outlet valve of the wick, which in this case operated by lifting the cap to uncover the wick or by means of a lever placed adjacent to the operation run of the spark wheel to permit the substantially simultaneous movement of both.

On the other hand, the invention obtains a new combin- ation of means that permits to operate the opening of the gas outlet valve and the rotatory rasp which produces the Ignition spark in an autom&tic and simultaneca s manner in response to manual pressure on a key or buttora.

One of the most important advantages of the invention is constituted by a device automatically operated by a key or button that produces the simultaneous outlet of gae and the spark to ignite same, which raaintins the flame while the key or button is depressed.

Another advantage is the simplicity of the operating device, in which the command member for rotating the ignition wheel eliminates the need of using a dentation on same in the mannerof a Jack or sprocket to displace same by means af a lever, as said command member is displaced by a combined movement of translation according to its axle and rotation around same in the operative stage, said rotation causing friction of the stone or flint.

Another very important advantage is the fact that due to the design of the assembly, same is housed in the inner portion of a body of reduced volume, leaving an ample free space for fuel deposit, said deposit being separated from the mechanism. Likewise, the characteristics of the pieces thet compose the device, whose largest portion can be made of plastic,.,make its cost vary much cheaper and reduce the weight of the assembly. For this reason said device is especially applicable to the manufacture of disposable lighters.

It is also pointed out that the starting ley or button, which is supplied with retention means in its assembly position that prevent same from escaping in the return run, has a direct line displaeemen in response to manual pressure nn same, said displacement is guided in the housing on elastic supports distributed in such a manner that the insure the efficiency of its operation.

Furthermore, as the device reckons with simultaneous operatio means of the ignition wheel and the opening of the gas outlet valve, same Eliminates the need of a cap for the wick.

The other advantages and characteristics of the invention may be appreciated through the developrpent of its specification which, for a better understanding, has been illustrated with several figures that represent same in one of the preferred forms of the embodiment, all of same as an example, In which: Figure 1 is an elevation view of the lighter of the invention with its case or housing partially cross-sectioned to show the characteristics of its operation device.

Figure 2 is an elevation view of the piece that constitutes the operating member of the rotatory rasp or ignition wheel.

Figure 3 is a top plan vieiv of the operating member illustrated in the previous figure.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the operation piece that works with the operating member in which its projectin elastic portions that operate as Jacks are shown.

Figure 5 is a similar enlarged view of Figure 1, in which a sec ion view of the oeratin mechanism and the valve Figure 6 is a transversal section view of the lighter according to a plan passing through the VI-VI line, of the previous figure.

In the different figures the same reference numbers indicate equal or corresponding parts, indicating with letters the groups with several elements.

As may be observed in the drawings, the lighter of the or reservoi r invention includes a case a that conforms a deposit/1 containing the fuel charge (liquifed gas) that is closed at the bottom 2 which, in the case of a disposable lighter, can be welded or sealed, or have adequate valve that permits to recharge said deposit 1. side The/opposite side- of said bottom 2 constitutes the housing of the operating device b and valve both arranged on the inner wall 3 that closes said deposit 1. 4 Said inner wall 3 forms a seat & of the device b and opening 6 "~ one 5 of valve , the latter having ansi-ot for the fuel passage.

On the side of the aforesaid wall 3* opposite to the location of valve jc, a portion 7 is projected upward, with an axle substantially parallel to the wall of>housing a, that defines a cavity between same in which the end wall 8 of the key or button 9 for operating the assembly can be displaced; said xtfall of housing a forms an inner depression 10 in wh&hh the extension of said end wall 8 is displaceably adapted Said extension 11 constitutes a limiting return butt of button or key 9.

The spring 12, that constitues the return means of button The aforesaid button 9 is placed covering one part of the end portion of housing a, following same a hollow piece 14 that covers the ignition chamber that defines opening 15 of 15 of the flame passage is nM-arted-. mounted.

Under said piece 14 the stone or flint 16 is placed stretched by spring 17 against the edge of the ignition wheel or rotatory rasp 18, both being arranged on the gas outlet of valve c.

From the middle portion of button 9, an extension 19 projects downwards within housing a, whose terminal rests on the power arm of levei 20, said lever being of the first kind with its opposite forked arm 20' constituting the opening means of valve c.

The bottom inner wall of button 9, opposite projection 13 for housing the inner end of the return spring 12 has conformed therein a slot 21 that holds the head of shaft 22 which constitutes the operating member of wheel 18, said head being connected to the shaft by a neck 23. Shaft member 22 is formed from a rod whose upper portion has a pair of longitudinal grooves 24 guiding its axial displacement, while the opposite portio has threads 25 that determine its angular displacement around its axle.

Said shaft 22 is coaxially and internally mounted on poece 26 in whose upper part shaft rotates. T^e ignition wheel 18 is solidly fixed on the outer face of the bearing upper 26 at its opposite end. The inner surface of said bearing 26 has formed, diametrically opposed, rib like projections 26' (Fig.6) on which the longitudinal grooves 24 of shaft 22 are slidably mounted. The lower portion of said bearing 26 forms a cavity with play in which the lower threaded portion of said shaft 22 is freely housed. Shaft threads 25 may be observed in Fig 5.

The lower end of said shaft member 22 is inserted in the hollow threaded sleeve 27, supported on seat 4 of the inner threaded wall^ 3 below bearing 26. The threads of that sleeve work with threads 25 of shaft 22. The upper part of sleeve 27 forms a widened portion 28 that rests against an annular step of its housing, said portion having curved fingers or extensions 29 that operate as stops, that is to say, they permit the rotation of said sleeve 27 in only one direction and, in the opposite direction, their ends drive in against projections of the housing wall, like a ratchet.

Above bearing 26, between same and the fastening means 21 of shaft member 22, a coil spring 30 is disposed about said member that assists in the return movement of button 9 and member 22.

Valve c corresponds to already known designs. Same is formed by an outwardly threaded principal body 31 adapted on seat 5 of the inner wall 3 (Figure 5) , with a gasket 32 and a flame regulator 33 on the upper part whose operating lever 33* projects towards the outer part of housing a.

The principal body 31 of valve c carries axially diapssed hollow rod 34 that forms the gas outlet aput. Fixed on the upper terminal of said rod 34 is a washer or shoulder 35 under which the forked arm 20' of lever 20 operates.

The opposite end of said rod 34, by means of a resilient seal plate 36, is supported on the outlet slot 6 of the fuel deposit 1. Spring 37 urges rod 34 downwardly which maintains said opening 6 closed by 36. The rod portion 34 housed within body 31 has at least one lateral bore 38. - 4364o/2 The operation of the lighter is easy and efficient.

When the button or key 9 is depressed aechanism b and valve c are displaced operating simultaneously. In its descent, shaft member 22 that has threads 25 which work with of the inner thread sleeve 27, is compelled to rotate by same, as the extensions 29 that form the stops maintain the sleeve at rest. The direction of rotation is coincident with the development of the fingers 29 the ends of which beat against respective projections on the wall of their housing.

Since member 22 can slide only axially with respect to bearing 26, the latter having its inner projections 26* in the longitudinal grooves 24 of the former, said bearing 26 turns with said member 22 and the ignition wheel 18, outwardly fixed on piece 26, rotates scraping on flint 16 generating the spark above the gas outlet 34 of valve c.

Simultaneously with the aforesaid action valve opens, igniting the gas in said outlet spount of rod 34, the flame of same rising through opening 15 of cover 14.

Said simultaneous opening of valve c is produced by the thrust of extension 19 of the inner wall under tow of button 9 which, by displacing lever 20, lifts tube 34 with its forked end 20' by means of washer or shoulder 35. The raising of said tube 34 dislodges the seal 36 from its seat, the gas passes through slot 6 outside said rod 34 and laterally enters same through bore 38 and goes out through the spout formed beneath the flint 16 and wheel 18 assembly that originate the spark.

When the manual pressure on botton 9 is released, same is upwardly displaced through the force of springs 12 and 30, The internal extension 19 releases lever 20 and tube 34, moved down by spring 38 acting on its lower terminal that is displaced towards the closing position.

The opening 6 of the gas gas passage is closed and the flame is extinguished when the fuel outflow ceases.

Simultaneously button 9 raises shaft member 22 whose lower portion is threaded on piece 27 of which portion 28 ascens i on forms the ratchet or stop means. The extension of said member 22, axially slidable with respect to bearing 26 on which the ignition wheel 18 is fixed, is effected without said member rotating, as in this return displacement sleeve 27 rotates in its housing ( in an opposite direction to that of retention of ratchet fingers 39), which permits said member 22 to be displaced in a rectilinear ditection on guides 26* of piece 26 while the latter and wheel 18 remain fixed, assisted by the braking effect through the support of flint 16.

The return of the button or key 9 has as security limit the support of extension 11 against the upper edge of cavity 10 in which it is housed.

It is apparent that on putting the present invention into operation modifications may be introduced with reference to certain details of same, without departing from the fundamental principles that are clearly specified in the following claims.

Claims (6)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 43640/2

1. In a lighter comprising a case forming a fuel reservoir having an outlet adjacent a spark producing means the improvement comprising a shaft mounted for rotation and axial movement within said case and having external threads on its inner end, a spark producing rasp wheel coupled to said shaft but axially movable with respect thereto, means for rotating said shaft and rasp wheel when said shaft is moved in one axial direction and for preventing rotation as the shaft moves in the other axial direction, said means comprising an internally threaded sleeve freely rotatable in said case wall and surrounding said shaft, with said threads engaged with the threads on said shaft to rotate said shaft and wheel, ratchet means on the outside of said sleeve cooperating with the wall of said case to prevent rotation of the sleeve when force is applied to said shaft in said other axial direction.

2. The lighter of claim 1 which includes a reciprocatable operating button mounted on said case in contact with the outer end of said shaft for applying axial force thereto, a valve in said outlet, and means connecting said button and said valve to open the valve when the button is moved in said one axial direction and to close the valve when the button is moved in said other axial direction.

3. The lighter of claim 2 which includes spring means to move the shaft and the button in said other axial direction.

4. The lighter of claim 3 which includes a projection on said button and a cooperating stop on said case to limit movement in said other axial direction. 4364o/2

5. The lighter of claim 1 in which the means for coupling said rasp wheel to said shaft comprises a bearing, disposed above said sleeve, the inner surface of which is keyed to said shaft to cause the bearing to rotate with the shaft while permitting axial movement on the shaft, said rasp wheel being locked to the outer surface of said bearing.

6. The lighter of claim 5 in which said key comprises axial slots in the surface of the shaft and cooperating ribs on the surface of the bearing which ribs slide in said slots. \ COHEN ZEDEK & SPISBACH P.O.Box 33116 Tel-Aviv Attorney for Applicant