US20070077529A1

US20070077529A1 - Torch

Info

Publication number: US20070077529A1
Application number: US11/163,075
Authority: US
Inventors: Chuan-Chuan Lin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-10-04
Filing date: 2005-10-04
Publication date: 2007-04-05

Abstract

There is disclosed a torch including a reservoir, a head, a base and a refilling device. The head is attached to an end of the reservoir. An igniter is installed on a side of the head. A nozzle is installed on an opposite side of the head. An eccentric aperture is in communication with the nozzle. The base is attached to an opposite end of the reservoir. The refilling device is installed on the base. The reservoir can be refilled with fuel through the refilling device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a torch.
2. Related Prior Art
As disclosed in Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 524304, a refilling device is provided for a torch. The refilling device includes a tube 2, a rod 3, a spring 4, a washer 5, a ring 6 and a C-clip 7. The spring 4, the washer 5, the ring 6 and the C-clip 7 are installed on the rod 3. The rod is put in the tube 2. With this conventional device, the torch can be refilled with fuel. However, there is not control over the amount of the fuel refilled in the torch. If the torch is excessively refilled, the fuel will be spread in the liquid state instead of the gaseous state. The gas goes further in the liquid state than in the gaseous state. The fuel is more dangerous in the liquid state than in the gaseous state. Therefore, this conventional refilling device is dangerous and impractical.
The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a torch. The torch includes a reservoir, a head, a base and a refilling device. The head is attached to an end of the reservoir. An igniter is installed on a side of the head. A nozzle is installed on an opposite side of the head. An eccentric aperture is in communication with the nozzle. The base is attached to an opposite end of the reservoir. The refilling device is installed on the base. The reservoir can be refilled with fuel through the refilling device.
The primary advantage of the torch of the present invention is to provide safety for a user by ensuring the fuel leaves the reservoir only in the gaseous state.
Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description referring to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a torch according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the torch shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the torch shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a partial view of the torch shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 3 but shows the torch inverted.
FIG. 6 is a partial view of the torch shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the torch shown in FIG. 1 in a save working position.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the torch shown in FIG. 1 in another save working position.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the torch shown in FIG. 1 in still another save working position.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the torch shown in FIG. 1 in a dangerous working position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, there is shown a torch including a reservoir 20 in the form of a cylinder, a head 10 attached an end of the reservoir 20, a base 30 attached to an opposite end of the reservoir 20 and a refilling device 40 inserted in the reservoir 20 through the base 30.
The reservoir 20 is used to receive liquid fuel 51 (FIG. 5) through the refilling device 40. In the reservoir 20, a portion of the liquid fuel 51 is transformed into gaseous fuel 52. The reservoir 20 is formed with a thread (not numbered) on the internal side near a first end and another thread (not numbered) on the internal side near an opposite second end.
The head 10 includes an igniter installed on a side and a nozzle 12 installed on an opposite side. A button 111 is provided on the igniter 11. The button 111 can be pushed in order to actuate the igniter 11 and let the gaseous fuel 52 leave the reservoir 20 through the nozzle 12. A knob 112 is put around the button 111. The knob 112 can be turned in order to adjust the rate of the gaseous fuel 52 leaving the nozzle 12 and hence the size of the flame based on the burning of the gaseous fuel 52. In the head 10 is defined an eccentric aperture 14 in communication with the nozzle 12. The eccentric aperture 14 is closer to the igniter 11 than to the nozzle 12.
A tubular neck 13 is extended from the head 10. The hollow neck 13 is formed with a thread (not numbered) on the internal side. The thread of the hollow neck 13 is engaged with the thread near the first end of the reservoir 20 so that the head 10 is connected to the reservoir 20.
The top of the base 30 is given a number “31 ” while the bottom is given a number “32.” A screw hole 33 is defined in the base 30. A thread (not numbered) is formed on the top 31 of the base 30. An expanding tubular portion is formed on the bottom 32 of the base 30. The thread of the base 30 is engaged with the thread near the second end of the reservoir 20 so that the base 30 is connected to the reservoir 20.
The refilling device 40 includes a valve 41. The valve 41 is conventional and will not be described in detail. Normally, the valve 41 is closed. The valve 41 can be pushed open for refilling. The valve 41 is formed with a thread 411. The thread 411 is engaged with the screw hole 33 so that the valve 41 is connected to the base 30. An internal tube 42 is installed around the valve 41. An external tube 43 is installed around the internal tube 42. From the valve 41, the internal tube 42 extends longer than the external tube 43.
A tube 15 includes an upper end fit in the aperture 14 and a lower end put outside of the head 10. The tube 15 extends from the head obliquely. That is, the lower end of the tube 15 is closer to the igniter 11 than to the nozzle 12. The lower end of the tube 15 extends beyond but does not contact an upper end of the internal tube 42.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the torch is inverted for refilling. The liquid fuel 51 is stored in a can 50. The can 50 is pushed against the valve 41, thus opening the valve 41 so that the liquid fuel 51 goes to the valve 41 from the can 50. The liquid fuel 51 goes to the reservoir 20 from the internal tube 42 as indicated in phantom lines in FIG. 6.
The external tube 43 can avoid excessive refilling. If excessive refilling happens, an excessive amount of the liquid fuel 51 will vent from the reservoir 20 through the external tube 43. On seeing the liquid fuel 51 leaving the external tube 43, a user should stop the refilling.
Referring to FIG. 7, the torch is put upright. The gaseous fuel 52 occupies the upper part of the reservoir 20. When the reservoir 20 is adequately filled with the liquid fuel 51 and the gaseous fuel 52, the level of the liquid fuel 51 is still lower than the lower end of the tube 15. On ignition, only the gaseous fuel 52 leaves the nozzle 12. As mentioned in the Related Prior Art, the gaseous fuel 52 goes from the nozzle 12 by a shorter distance than the liquid fuel 51 would. The flame based on the burning of the gaseous fuel 52 is less dangerous than the flame based on the burning of the liquid fuel 51.
Referring to FIG. 8, the torch is inclined. The gaseous fuel 52 occupies the upper left part of the reservoir 20. The lower end of the tube 15 is above the level of the liquid fuel 51. On ignition, only the gaseous fuel 52 goes from the nozzle 12.
Referring to FIG. 9, the torch is put horizontally so that the nozzle 12 is pointed downward. The lower end of the tube 15 is above the level of the liquid fuel 51. On ignition, only the gaseous fuel 52 goes from the nozzle 12.
Referring to FIG. 10, the torch is put in another horizontal position so that the nozzle 12 is pointed upward. The lower end of the tube 15 is lower than the level of the liquid fuel 51. On ignition, the liquid fuel 51 goes from the nozzle 12. The torch is in a dangerous working position that shall not be taken by any person skilled in the art. However, even with a conventional torch, a person skilled in the art will not put the torch horizontally and point the nozzle 12 upward because the fuel will drop and the flame will reach the torch and the user's hand.
The aperture 14 is located eccentrically, i.e., closer to the igniter 11 than to the nozzle 12. The tube 15 tilts toward the igniter 11. Thus, no matter the torch is put upright, obliquely or horizontally, ignition can be done smoothly. On ignition, the gaseous fuel 52 leaves the torch. Moreover, to make sure that only the gaseous fuel 52 leaves the torch on ignition, the internal tube 42 is higher than the external tube 43 so that if the reservoir 20 is excessively refilled, the excessive amount of the liquid fuel 51 vents from the external tube 43.
The torch of the present invention exhibits several advantages. Firstly, the aperture 14 is located eccentrically, i.e., closer to the igniter 11 than to the nozzle 12. Thus, no matter the torch is put upright, obliquely or horizontally, only the gaseous fuel 52 leaves the nozzle 12 on ignition.
Secondly, the tube 15 tilts toward the igniter 11. Thus, no matter the torch is put upright, obliquely or horizontally, only the gaseous fuel 52 leaves the nozzle 12 on ignition.
Thirdly, from the valve 41, the internal tube 42 extends further than the external tube 43. If the reservoir 20 is excessively refilled, the excessive amount of the liquid fuel 51 vents from the external tube 43.
Fourthly, the torch can be fabricated and assembled easily. The torch can be used conveniently.
The present invention has been described via detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Hence, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A torch comprising:

a reservoir;

a head attached to an end of the reservoir, the head comprises an igniter installed on a side, a nozzle installed on an opposite side and an eccentric aperture in communication with the nozzle;

a base attached to an opposite end of the reservoir; and

a refilling device installed on the base, the reservoir can be refilled with fuel through the refilling device.

2. The torch according to claim 1 comprising a tube inserted in the eccentric aperture and tilted toward the igniter.

3. The torch according to claim 1 wherein the refilling device comprises an external tube and an internal tube extending in and further than the external tube from the base, wherein if the reservoir is excessively refilled, an excessive amount of the fuel will be released from the reservoir through the external tube.

4. The torch according to claim 1 wherein the igniter comprises a button that can be pressed in order to actuate the igniter and spray the fuel from the nozzle.

5. The torch according to claim 4 comprising a knob that can be turned in order to adjust the rate at which the fuel is sprayed from the nozzle.

6. A torch comprising:

a reservoir;

a head attached to an end of the reservoir, the head comprises an igniter installed on a side of the head, a nozzle installed on an opposite side of the head and an aperture in communication with the nozzle;

a base attached to an opposite end of the reservoir; and

7. The torch according to claim 6 wherein the igniter comprises a button that can be pressed in order to actuate the igniter and spray the fuel from the nozzle.

8. The torch according to claim 7 comprising a knob that can be turned in order to adjust the rate at which the fuel is sprayed from the nozzle.