US20110083660A1

US20110083660A1 - Personal cigarette lighter

Info

Publication number: US20110083660A1
Application number: US12/587,688
Authority: US
Inventors: Carl Allen Barnes, SR.
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-13
Filing date: 2009-10-13
Publication date: 2011-04-14

Abstract

A uniquely constructed cigarette lighter designed to minimize damage and death to individuals and damage to property; includes a battery, electrical conduit and heating element that are interconnected by a pressure activated switch. Effectively eliminating open flames, sparks and volatile liquid fuel, characteristics associated with conventional cigarette lighters. Resulting in substantially minimizing death and damage to humans and destruction of property. Additionally, this new device is useful underwater.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a uniquely configured cigarette lighter particularly suitable for individuals and the military, which is specially designed to eliminate open flames and volatile fuels associated with conventional cigarette lighters and to be useful underwater.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Individuals and military organizations typically use cigarette lighters to start fires, ignite cigarettes and fuses attached to explosives and various other tasks where portable heat is necessary. A conventional cigarette lighter includes a highly volatile, combustible liquid fuel and a flint to create sparks to ignite the fuel, resulting in open flame. The fuel is contained within a plastic container.
Such devices, however, have numerous disadvantages. Open flame has been known to ignite clothing and property resulting in serious injury, even death and significant loss of financial as well as physical assets. Also, open flame is not useful for underwater applications. Additionally the mechanism used to initiate the spark is uncomfortable to operate by those with physical limitations such as arthritis and may cause further damage to those individuals. Each of the above described disadvantages, when combined, result in increased frequency to catastrophe. The unique design of the present invention overcomes the above described disadvantages of conventional cigarette lighters by providing this new device that eliminates open flame, eliminates volatile liquid fuel, is able to be used underwater and minimizes damage to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cigarette lighter for individuals and organizations engaging in activities where a safe heat source is required. The device comprises a battery, connecting wires, a connecting switch and a heating element that is recessed a predetermined distance within its casing. Its function is to minimize damage and death to people and to minimize damage to property. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cigarette lighter that is safe to use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a cigarette lighter that eliminates open flames.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cigarette lighter that eliminates volatile liquid fuel.
It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide a cigarette lighter that can be used underwater.
Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a cigarette lighter that is inexpensive to manufacture and purchase.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of the present invention sitting on its base.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a ceramic heat element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention relates to a cigarette lighter specifically designed for protecting individuals and property against damage.
The cigarette lighter according to the present invention includes a watch type battery 1 which is connected via connecting wire 3 to a connecting switch 4, said switch 4 completing a circuit between the battery 1 and a heating element 2. All these components are enclosed within a case 5, showing the recessed position of the heating element 2 within said case 5.
Turning now to FIG. 2, a ceramic heating element 6 is disclosed, it is connected to the electrical power source by way of connecting wires 3, thereby enabling the present invention to be used underwater.
The above described device is preferably constructed with a thermally protected material or a material that inherently does not conduct heat for its case. The remaining component parts may be purchased from various sources including electronic suppliers or department stores, then configured according to the details of construction enumerated above.
As is readily apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a cigarette lighter that minimizes damage and death to people and destruction of property while also being useful underwater.
Furthermore, the present device is significantly more comfortable to use than conventional lighters.
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.

Claims

1. A cigarette lighter for use wherever a safe source of heat is required, comprising:

a watch type battery for its electrical source;

a heating element for ignition;

a metallic electrical conduit for conducting the flow of electrical current;

and a pressure activated connecting switch for interconnecting the component parts.

2. The embodiment in claim 1 wherein an electrolyte is used for an electrical conduit.

3. The embodiment in claim 2 wherein a ceramic heating element is adapted for underwater usefulness.

4. The embodiment in claim 3 wherein a chemical element is used as fuel, that when mixed with air results in flameless heat being produced.