US1910370A - Lighter - Google Patents

Description

y 1933- H. STEINFIELD LIGHTER Filed Jan. 2, 1930 INVENTOR M17 1' 1 77Z 0 44 ATTQRNEY Patented May 23, 1933 UNITED srAras PATENT OFFICE HARRY STEINFIELD, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF THREE-TENTHS TO EDWARD ERVIN, AND ONE-FIFTH TO CLAIRE TAMAG-Nb, BOTH OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LIGHTER Application filed January 2, 1930. Serial No. 417,978.

My invention relates to a new and improved lighter.

One of the objects of my invention is to produce a compact device, which can be simply and cheaply manufactured.

' Another object of my invention is to pro duce a device in which all the essential parts are enclosed in a casing, from which a single movable part projects. This movable part actuates the device, so that it is not necessary to touch any part which can soil the fingers of the user.

Another object of my invention is to provide a compact device of cylindrical form,

so that it can be provided with a clip, like a fountain pen, or the device can be attached to a watch chain.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device having a stone or pyrophoric member which extends around the exposed end of the wick, in order to reliably ignite the same.

Other objects of my invention will be set forth in the following description and draw- 95 ing, which illustrate preferred embodiments thereof, it being understood'that the above statement of the objects of my invention are intended to generally explain the same, without limiting it in any manner.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view.

Fig. 2 is a vertical central section.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an elevation partially in section showing the parts in the operative position.

Fig. 5 shows a modification.

The device is provided with a casing 1 which is preferably open at its lower end. The bottom of the casing 1 has an external threading by means of which a cap 2 is connected in position. An inner slidable casing 3 fits snugly within the outer casing 1 so that the inner wall of the outer casing 1 serves to guide the sliding movement of the inner casing 3. The inner casing 3 is open at its bottom and a sleeve or ferrule 4 is connected to the bottom of the inner casing 3 .in a liquid-tight manner. This may be done for example, by upsetting the inner end of 50 the ferrule 4. The member 4 can move slidablyin the bottom opening of the cap 2. The mner casing 3 is connected at its top in a liquid-tight manner to an upper ferrule 5 in which the wick W is located. Said wick W also extends into the inner casing 3, which may contain any suitable combustible llquid. A compression spring 6 is provided to normally hold the parts in the inoperative position shown in Fig. 2. The bottom of the member 4 may be provided with affillmg opening and with a suitable cap or other closure, in order to enable the combustible liquid to be conveniently poured into the inner casing 3. The top of the casin 1 is also provided with an external thread y means of which an upper cap 7 can be secured in position. Said cap 7 is provided with a central closure 8, which is connected to the cap 7 by means of a hinge 9. Any suitable spring (not shown in the drawing) may be provided for normally keeping the closure 8 in the position shown in Fig. 2.

The upper end of thecasing 1 is provided with a bracket member 10 by means of which the split ring .R, made of any suitable pyrophoric material, is located. Springs 11 are provided for holding the ring sections in the proper position.

The upper end of the ferrule 5 is provided with an upper perforated member 12, whose periphery is roughened so that this acts as the striking member. The upper end of the ferrule 5 is likewise provided with a pin or projection 14 which is adapted to open the closure 8, when the device is operated.

In order to operate the device, it is merely necessary to upwardly move the ferrule 4. The pin 14 opens the closure 8, and the roughened surface of the member 12 strikes against the inner wall of the split ring R, so as to produce an abundance of sparks all around the exposed end of the wick W so that this is 'reliably ignited. The sections of the split ring R can be provided with extensions 18 in order to limit the inner movement of the sections of the ring R.

However, this feature may be omitted as the frictional hold on the sections of the split ringlt between the inner top wall of the cap 7, and the cooperating portion of the bracket members 10, will be suflicient to permit the same to be held in proper position.

If desired, bracket member 10 may made of springy material so as to lightly hold the sections of the split ring R' in proper position. That is, the bracket or support 10 permits the springs 11 to move the sections inwardly, as the pyrophoric material is worn away.

The pin 14 may have an extension 140., which produces a spark at the height of the top of the wick, or very close thereto. A plurality of such members 14 may be located circumferentially around the exposed end of the wick, so that sparks are produced which can pass between said members 14, to ignite the wick. There may be two of such members 14, or any desired number. If an additional member (or members) 14 is provided, it may be shorter than that shown in Fig. 4, as only one of such members is necessary to open closure 8.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, a washer 100,, and the spring 6, serve to hold the sections of ring R in proper position. The ring B. may be solid instead of being s lit.

I prefer to have the member 14 somewhat springy so that it can yield laterally before it opens closure 8, against the force of the spring which holds said closure 8 in closed position. This causes sparks to be produced before the closure 8 is opened, as well as after the closure 8 is opened.

For convenience, I have shown the device as being held in the vertical position, but of course, it could be held in any position while it is being operated.

The quick upper or outward movement of member 12 causes the sparks to be thrown upwardly, in order to ignite the wick.

The outer casing 1 may be of any desired shape. It may be imperforate, or it may be provided with openings, as long as it guides the movement of inner casing 3. Likewise, the ignition means may be varied, without departing from one .of the important features of the invention, which consists in having the casing in which the wick and combustible liquid are located, movable relative to the outer member.

Likewise, the device could be readily adapted for use with a solid fuel, and it is not restricted to the use of a wick.

The pyrophoric member (or members) and the striker (or strikers), may be designated as the ignition means. Part of said ignition means are located on the inner casingadjacent its outlet. In the embodiment illustrated, in which a wick is used, the wick projects from the outlet.

I have shown a )referrcd embodiment of my invention, but it is clear that numerous changes and omissions could be made without departing from its spirit.

It will be noted that the closure 8 causes a rich mixture to accumulate within casing 1' (if this is imperforate). Hence, since sparks are produced before the closure 8 is opened, and the closure 8 is then quickly opened, the ignition is reliably accomplished. Likewise, the closed casing prevents the evaporation of the fuel. The ring R could have two or more sections. The exposed end of the wick is protected by members 14, if a suflicient number are used, so that the flame cannot be readily blown out by a wind.

I claim:

In a lighter, the combination with a cylindrical easing having ends, each end having a concentric aperture of less area than the end, a cylindrical fuel container slidably fitted within said casing, coaxial therewith and within the ends thereof, a wick neck of less diameter than said container extending from one end of said container and being coaxial therewith and with said casing, said neck being adapted to reciprocate through the said opening in the casing end adjacent said neck as said container is reciprocatcd in said casing, a projection from the opposite end of said container from said neck, said projection being cylindrical, coaxial with said container and said casing and of less diameter than said container, said projection extending through the opening in the casing end opposite that in which the said neck reciprocates, igniting means adjacent the casing aperture through which said neck reciprocates, comprising cooperating elements adaptcd to be operated by relative movement of said container and casing, a spring-pressed closure for the last mentioned casing opening. said closure being adapted to be opened as said neck is pressed outwardly through said opening and a. spring interposed between the end of said container and the end of said casing adjacent said neck, said spring surrounding said neck and adapted to force said container against the casing end adjacent said projection, the container being moved in the opposite direction against pressure of said spring by pressing on said projection.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' HARRY STEINFIELD.

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