US2232893A

US2232893A - Igniter torch

Info

Publication number: US2232893A
Application number: US240690A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward D Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1938-11-16
Filing date: 1938-11-16
Publication date: 1941-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 1958-02-25

Description

Feb. Z5, 1941. E. D. wlLsoN 2,232,893

IGNITER TORCH Filed Nov. 16, 1938 INVENTOR. Fl m 50AM/ARD J/V/SON yme/Smgaea,

ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE" mmm 'roacn sama n. wann, Newport, om.

Application November' i6, 1938, Serial No. 240,6 4t claims. (ci. 6140.1)

This invention relatesto a self lighting torch of the type used for soldering, light brazing and general construction work inmanufacturing and repair shops.

5 ASuch torches are operated by gas, usually acetylene gas mixed with air, the mixing being done by a siphon built into the torch behind the name tube or nozzle, with a main cut-off valve and a modulating valve to regulate the mixture. Lighting such a torch requires enriching the mixture because it is lighted at vthe tip of the llame tube. More air has been mixed with the gas as it leaves the tube andit is too lean to ignite readily. Enriching the mixture connotes opening the modulating valve, thus. disturbing its optimum adjustment, then getting it back, which consumes the workman's time and some .'extra sas. Y y

An object, therefore, is a torch that ignites instantly when the gas is turned on by the cutoff valve, without adjustment of the gas-air mixture, which improves theknown art as above stated.

The foregoing and other objects which will be apparent, constitute the purposes of the present invention, the scope of which is to be ascertained by the claims following this specification. Y

A drawing showing the best form with which I am now acquainted, forms a part hereof and serves to illustrate the invention and also is keyed to the specification by reference numerals indicating the several parts therein described.

In the drawing:

Fig. I is aside view, partly sectioned, showing the torch with ignition device, while the same is in position of use, the arrow representing sustained pressure by the operators nger;

Fig. II is the same structure shown in Fig. I except that the pressure has been relaxed. the

4g torch automatically becoming dormant; and

Fig. III is a section at III-III, Fig. I.

In the drawing, I is the dash-back protector, not detailed because it is well known, here serving also as a handle for the torch.

2 is a modulating valve, likewise well known. 3 is a main cut-oi! valve always used but in this case' it is normally closed under the influence of the spring 4 that acts against the trigger 5, which in -turn is made rigid with the ground key 6, not further detailed because it is old and well known.

The valve 3 serves'as a supporting element for F the mixing tube' 8 which is provided with the usual air inlet openings 8. The mixing tube 8 V5g serves in turn as a support for the llame tube Il. As so far described and lignoring the structure shownv but not yet referred tc, the device does not diiler in any essential from the torches used in great numbers in industry,

but I have added to the old art as follows: 5 Y

I provide a side outlet Ilin the iiame tube j Il and a movable sleeve I2 that covers the opening thus made.A The sleeve I! carries aY ilint holder I3 within which is the spring Il and the ilint I5. The word "nint is conventional and i0 does not refer to the geologic material known as.' flint but to an article of commerce, widely used in cigarV and cigarette lighters and known as T ilint.; hence the word will be used to designate a material that gives a spark when struck4 l5 againststeel. 'I Y The int I5 is kept in resilient contact with the `steel I6, by the spring Il. I have found that a short piece of a rat-tail ille serves admirably as thesteel when it is laid in the ame tube Il 20 loosely, as shown. Y A .As stated, the sleeve I2 is movable and it is indirectly connected to the trigger I by the reachrod Ii and the compression spring Il. A detent spring I9 serves to prevent too quick a V25 movement of the flint against the steel i6, when the trigger 5 is pressed and before gas is present to be ignited.

lWhen the trigger 5 is pressed, moving it from the position shown in Fig. 1I w that shown in 30 Y Fig. I, the spring I8 is firstv compressed and the detent I9 prevents any movement of the sleeve I2 before the ports in the shut-oil valve (not shown) have registered to pass gas to the mixing tube 8 and the llame tube Il.

When thespring Il has all' of its coilstogether as happens when the trigger I is pulled nearly as far back as it will go, the resistance of the detent I 9 is overcome and it slides up on top of the sleeve I2 as shown in Fig. I, where it oifers little resistance to sliding of the sleeve I2; ,hence the latter lrapidly slides back under the influence of the spring Il, the flint II has an ideally rapid frictional contact with the steel I6 producing a strong spark and at the same time thetip of the 5 llame tube III is exposed for works f It will be observed that the spark lights the working mixture which is easily ignitable and the modulating valve may be set to its .optimum position and not afterwards disturbed. 50 Y When a workman desires to use the torch he picks it up. Squeezes the trigger and iinds an optimum llame instantly availablefor his work. ShouldY he lay the torch down or drap it accidentally, it instantly resumes its dormant, un-

lighted condition;` hence accidents are prevented and time is saved, besides improving work done with the tool in its best possible adjustment at all times.

The detailed description given the preferred form is for the purpose of explaining' the principie ot itsoperation and not intended as limiting the invention to the form selected for its disclosure. What I claim as new and desire to secure by LettersPatent is:

1. A torch igniter comprising a gas torch member, a ilame tube for said torch member that is provided with a side opening, a movable sleeve that covers the side opening, friction ignition means carried in part by said sleeve to project through said side opening and a cooperating part oi' said ignition means positioned,A within the flame tube, and detent and spring means for moving the said sleeve abruptly with respect to the tube to generate a spark within the tube.

` 2. In a gas torch, a llame tube, a normally closed gas control valve therefor, an air supply that becomes operative upon iiow of gas, a spark igniter positioned .within the tube, a lever i'or opening said control valve, operative connections between the lever and the igniter eiective to cause the igniter to deliver a spark after the control valve has been opened and a spring opposed lost motion device in series in said operative connections.

3. In a gas torch, a flame tube, a normally closed control valve for said tube, a gas air mixer, a lever for manually opening the valve, a flint and steel igniter positioned within the :dame tube, a connector joining the said lever and the igniter and spring means in series between said lever and said igniter arranged to rst yield upon movement oi' said lever and afterwards to cause an abrupt movement oi' the igniter upon further movement oi' the lever.

4. A ilame tube Afor a gas torch that is pro- 6 vided with a side outlet, a steel within the tube adjacent the outlet, a slidable sleeve over the outlet a flint projecting through the outlet and carried by said sleeve in resilient engagement with the steel an operating rod for said sleeve, a spring in series with said rod and a detent yieldably positioned to hold said sleeve until overcome by resilient action of said spring.

5. In a torch of the character described, a name tube, an igniter therein, a gas control valve for said name tube having an operating lever a sleeve slidably mounted on the flame tube that is effective to operate the igniter, a detent therefor and means yieldably connecting said sleeve to said operating lever said operating lever actuating both the sleeve and the gas control valve means, said detent positioned to prevent the sleeve from moving until the lever has moved to gas supplying position. i

6. In a gas torch, a ilame tube, gas supply means operatively connected to said tube, a modulating valve and a. shut-off valve in series in said supply means and a spark igniter positioned within the flame tube near its operating end, an operating trigger for the shut-off valve, an operator connector between said trigger and said igniter and means interposed in series in the operator connector effective to delay operation of the igniter until after the shut-oil? valve has opened.

EDWARD D. WILSON.