US2505326A - Cigar lighter - Google Patents

Description

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A. F. JACKSON CIGAR LIGHTER Filed sept. 30, 1944 illlh Aprii 25, 195o Patented pr. 25, 1950 CIGAR LIGHTER Alfred F. Jackson, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to Automatic Devices Corporation, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application September 30, 1944, Serial No. 556,554

S Claims.

This invention relates to electric cigar lighters, and more particularly to lighters of the removable igniting unit type such as are used in automobiles and the like. The subject matter of the present application is similar to that of applicants copending applications numbered 731,033 and 731,034.

Lighters of this type generally consist of a holder or Well comprising a drawn metal shell adapted to be mounted on an instrument panel and to support for storage and for energization a plug-like igniting unit having a coiled heating element, the latter when heated being applied to a cigar or lcigarette by removing the igniting unit from the holder. In automatically operative lighters, the igniting unit is usually stored in a shallow position in the well, and is manually moved for energization to a deep position wherein it is retained by heat-responsive clips, the latter automatically releasing the unit for return to shallow position when the element is heated.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic cigar lighter of the removable igniting unit type in which the energization and release of the igniting unit is positive and consistently reliable over an extensive period of use so that the lighter will have a long useful life.

This is accomplished by the provision of an improved supporting, contact and detent means associated with the igniting unit and holder whereby when the heat-responsive clips of the lighter are engaged the individual pressures they exert on the coengaging structure are substantially equalized at all times until the clips release the structure, and whereby repeated operation of the clips over an extended period of time consistently follows this performance.

In the illustrated preferred form of the invention the igniting unit body, which ts comparatively loosely in the holder, has a slidably mounted non-expansible sleeve supporting the unit and engaging portions of the holder adjacent its mouth, the mounting for the sleeve permitting the inner end of the unit to move an extent in any lateral direction. This inner end mounts a shallow metal contact and detent cup for engagement with the heat-responsive clips carried by the holder, a heating coil being nested in the cup. By thus mounting the igniting unit, the contact cup may readily assume a centralized position with respect to the clips when grasped by the latter during energization of the element, and the clips may thereby apply equal pressures on the cup, providing for uniform current distribution and consistently uniform release of theta latter in response to heating of the element. Cooperating to accomplish this result is an improved contact means for the heating element, consisting of a contractible ring carried in a peripheral groove in the igniting unit, the ring frictionally engaging the inside of the holder. The ring is so mounted that it may iloat" and at the same time exert pressure on an adjacent metal surface of the unit connected to the heating element, so that an effective electrical contact is established from the heating element to the holder while at the same time the inner end of the igniting unit and Contact cup are not prevented from moving laterally as required for centralization of the cup in the detent clips. If during installation of the lighter on an instrument panel, the drawn shell of the holder should be deformed slightly, the above supporting and detent structure would still provide for centering of the contact cup, and therefore equalization of pressure thereon, and for free movement without sticking of the igniting unit so that the proper functioning of the lighter would be unaffected, and its useful life thereby not shortened.

Contributing to long, useful life of the lighter, a construction is provided on the shell of the holder for cooperation with the floating contractible ring of the igniting unit. This construction iunctions when the igniting unit is replaced in the holder after use, to obviate inadvertent useless reenergization of the heating element due to insertion of the igniting unit too deeply into the holder, as is often done in lighters prior to this invention. Such inadvertent reenergization needlessly reheats the heating element and operates the detent clips with accompanying arcing, thereby shortening the life span of the lighter to this extent.

To prevent such reenergization, in the form of the invention illustrated herein the contractible ring is sized to closely approximate the normal inside diameter of the shell of the holder, so that it exerts little if any pressure on the shell where the normal diameter exists. At a plurality of peripherally spaced points, however, the shell on its inside walls has raised portions arranged to be frictionally engaged by the ring, the raised portions being located so that a restraint is placed on the igniting unit while it is being reinserted, this restraint suddenly being discontinued at the point where the unit reaches its shallow nonenergizing or storage position by the termination of said raised portions. When the contractible ring re-aches this point of termination it expands suddenly and strikes the walls of the shell, procreasing the deeper the unit is moved in the' holder, is thereby placed on the unit at the time that the constant or xed restraint due to the" The shallow position` contractible ring ceases. of the igniting unit is spaced a comparatively substantial amount, by an improved'shapingof the detent clips, from the point Where it begins to be energized by engagement with the latter" and as a result, although a" slight overshooting' of the shallow position of the igniting unit may occur, this is insucient to cause inadvertent re-V energization of the heating element even momentarily.

The.v above'v result is achieved in some measure by` combination oil" the change inforc'es acting on the igniting unitwhen. it reaches its shallow' storage'position: in the holder, and the audible click. of and sensation produced by the contractiblering insuddenly expanding and striking the larger diameter walls ofthe shell.

Providingfor eiectiverelectrical connection betweenithe'. shellA and. contr-aotible ring when the igniting unit ist-moved to deep, energizing position, the. shell is/iormedI With resilient inwardly' biasedfingers. for. yieldably! engaging the ring at. this position, the resiliency of the fingers functioning tory aid; the centering of the contact cup in the detent clipsprovided by the o'ating mountingof the ring.

rEhe combinationoi contractible floating ring, spring-urged'noneexpansible.supporting sleeve onl the' igniting unit,. together' with.. a holder shellf having on; its inside raisedrdetent portions makes the lighter of' the. present invention more convenient to'use, and this is an' important feature of the invention.r In'operatio'n, when the igniting unit is. inserted inthe shell.. ofthe holder, the restraint placed on the unit opposing such insertion isuniform and unvaryingand when theY unit-reaches itsshallow storage position the effect of a1 definite stop is producedby.` the disengageinent of the' ring from the raised. shell po:tionsand by the simultaneously increased restraint placed on they unit by the spring-urged sleeve. While this action is not a positive stop, it has a. definitev stopping effect,A since a. comparativelyv uri-varying restraint is replaced by a stronger restraint which increases if the unit is moved inwardly.` beyond thisishallow position. Thus, reinsertion of the igniting; unit may be quickly and conveniently accomplished without danger of undesired reenergization orv uncertainty as to its position.

- The raised portions ofv the shell, cooperating with the contractible iioating ring or" the igniting unit,.iunction as a yieldable stop when the unit is automatically released from energizing position and automatically returned to shallow position preparatory to being removed` for use. To doubly insure against the igniting unit inadvertently being ejected from the holder during its automatic. release andreturn to shallow position, the raised portions of the shell are provided adj acent' their innermost ends with grooves which provide abutting surfaces for engagement by the contractible ring. Thus, if the restraint placed on the igniting unit by engagement of the ringV With the` innermost e'nds of the' raised portions i oi the shell is insufficient to stop the unit after it has been released and has reached the shallow or storage position, an additional restraint is provided when the walls 01 the grooves are engaged by the floating ring, since an abutting action takes place when this occurs because the ring expands suddenly and strikes the groove Walls.

Reliability oi" operationofthe. lighter is further accomplished bymeansconfiningthe space surrounding the heating element While the latter is being energized. The heat from the element is therefore prevented from being radiated directly into the surrounding atmosphere, and is caused toact onthc heat-'responsive detent clips which grasp the contactcup, thereby causing more reliable* response ci: the clips to heat from the element.y

The invention further provides a construction involving fewer component parts, the parts being intertted to prevent shifting and being arranged tol resist'vibr'ation by an assembly utilizing; welding and riveting',v as distinguished from' an: assembly involvingscrew threads. As a re`- suit, the'parts ofthe lighter are' accurately maintained in their originally placed positions, resulting in more:uniform4 performance over a considerable period of time.

Other-features and advantagesfwillhereinafter appear.

Infthe accompanying drawings:

Figure: I is an axialseotional- View of thepreferred form of lighter of: the present invention, showing the. igniting unit in' shallow nonenergiz'- ing orl storage position.

Fig. 2fis a substantially similarview but show--I ing` the igniting.V unit in deep.- energizing position.

Fig.-3l is aztransverse'seotion ony the line 3 3 ofiFig. l, and;

Fig; 4 is a. transverse section-taken on the line` Thelig-hter 'ofthis-inventioncomprises an igniting unit- |91 and attached heating element Illa slidably` mounted in a holder I-I, w-hiclimay be seouredto aninstrument panel. I2 oi a vehicle or. the. like. The holder. I-I- comprises a drawn metal shell, I3 having. at-itsmouthan outturnedcircular flange. le engaging; the front face of the panel` I2.` IntegralY with the shell I3 is an end WallA or closure: I5 on which is mounted in axialy alignmentwiththe shell I3 aI drawn metal cup I-Sfhaving screw threads I'I.I in itsside Walls. 'iii/ieY shell I3.` may be. formed of brass,l and the cupv I'6.oi`.st`eel,.thebottom Iof thev cup being secure-- ly welded ata plurality of points, preferably six, toA theiendf Wall. I5 of the shelltoprovide rigid4 and. vibration. resistant compositev structure.

In order to secure the. shell I3to the panel I2 a'binding. sleeve I 9. is providedy havingv a. reduced threaded` endZl whereby it may be screwed on the cup` I6 so. that. its large endengages the rear face offthe panel. I2 and. securely holds the shellV I 3 to the panel.`

The heating.. element. Ioaiswound in the formor. a spiralthe outer endof whichis secured to the sid'er wall-24 of. a shallowy metal Contact cup 2'2v carrying the element. the. cup being secured` to the inner endof the ignitingunit I0. An automatic detent and contact. means comprisinga plurality ofY heat-responsive. bimetallic arms or clips-23'` are insulatedlyY mountedon the end wall i5' ofthe shell IB'Wthinthe latter to act as wipertype. contactathe clipsV being arranged to grasp between. them with. wiping engagement the wall 2 I'v of. the cup. 22 when, the. igniting unitl Ill is moved to ad'eep energizing-.positionas shovvnin- Fig. 2.

According to the present invention, the igniting unit I0 is provided with an improved supporting structure for engagement with the shell I3, and an improved contact means for connecting the shell I3 to the heating element Illa whereby current may be brought to the latter, and whereby when the igniting unit is in deep energizing position the cup 22 may be centralized with respect to the clips 23 so that the latter exert substantially equalized pressures on the cup, thereby providing substantially uniform current distribution to the clips.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the igniting unit I0 has a tubular body 24 which may be molded of insulating material, the body adjacent its inner end having a peripherally extending shoulder 24a of a diameter to enable the body to loosely t within the shell I3. At the inner end of the body 24 a shallow cup 25 formed of sheet metal is mounted. The bottom of the cup 25 is apertured and extruded at 25a to provide a sleeve for receiving a stud 23 extending through a central aperture in the bottom of the cup 22 and having a slotted head 23a secured to the inner end of the heating coil Illa., as by pinching and welding, or other suitable means.

As shown in Fig. 1, disks of insulation 2l and 28 are disposed respectively between the heating element Ia and the bottom of the cup 22,

and between the bottoms of the cups 22 and 25.

At the outer end of the tubular body 24 of the igniting unit a sheet metal disk 25 is provided having a cupped central portion 29a extending into a central counterbore of the body 24. The outer end of the stud 26 is threaded and provided with a nut 3u carrying a knob Ib, the nut being screwed tightly on the stud to clamp the tubular body 24 between the disk 29 and cup 25, thereby holding these parts securely together. Preferably after this assembly, the end of the stud 23 is welded to the nut 3E! to prevent inadvertent loosening of the parts.

For supporting the igniting unit I0 in the shell I3 a drawn metal sleeve 3| is provided having an outside diameter enabling the sleeve to loosely iit the inside of the shell, one end of the sleeve 3| having an inturned flange 3Ia provided with a cylindrical edge portion 3Ib forming a bearing sleeve loosely fitting about the outer cylindrical surface of the body 24. Also the disk 23 has a drawn cylindrical edge portion 29h at its periphery to function as a bearing surface for the inside of the sleeve 3| and to permit the latter to slide freely axially of the body 24. The outer end of the sleeve 3| is flared outwardly to provide a flange 3 Ic for engagement with the flange I4 of the holder when the igniting unit is being supported in the latter.

For yieldably holding the sleeve 3| in a predetermined axial position, shown in Fig. 1, on the igniting unit I0, a helical compression spring 32 is provided, one end of the spring engaging the inside of the disk 29 and the other end engaging the flange 3ia of the sleeve 3 I.

According to this construction when the igniting unit I@ is being supported either in its shallow storage position or its deep energizing position in the holder I I, the body 24 will be carried by the bearing surfaces of the portions 3Ib and 29h respectively of the sleeve 3| and disk 29 in a manner that the cup- 22 is permitted a limited movement in all directions laterally of its axis. This limited movement is made possible due to the loose or sliding fits of the aforementioned bearing surfaces between the sleeve 3| and inside of the shell I3 and between the sleeve and body 24, and alsc because of the clearance provided between the periphery of the shoulder 24a of the body and the shell. As a result, When the igniting unit IU is moved to the deep energizing position shown in- Fig. 2 wherein the cup 22 is grasped between the bimetallic clips 23, the cup may be centralized in response to pressure exerted on it by said clips so that each of the latter will exert substantially the same pressure.

As provided by this invention, an improved con tact means is carried by the igniting unit Il) for connecting one end of the heating element IOa to the shell I3 when the unit is in energizing po sition, without materially disturbing or altering the equalized pressures of the bimetallic clips 23. This means comprises, in the embodiment shown, a contractible wire metal spring 33 carried in a groove 33a provided between the shoulder 24a of the body and the lip 25h of the cup 25. As shown in Fig. l, the lip 25h of the cup 25 is folded inwardly back on itself to provide a double thickness, the inner edge of the folded portion engaging the outer surface of the body 24 at its end so that the cup is thereby securely positioned on the body. The contractible ring 33 is preferably formed with a slightly helical shape so that when it is confined in the groove 33a it continually presses against the lip 25h of the cup, forming an efcient electrical connection thereto. Preferably, the sleeve portion 25a of the cup is welded to the stud 2li so that a secure electrical connection is thereby established between the cup 25 and the inner end of the heating element Illa.

Referring to Fig. 2, the shell I3 of the holder is provided with resilient lanced lingers I3a, so that when the igniting unit I0 is in its deep energizing position the said fingers will be engaged by the contractible ring 33, and the inside diameter of the latter is suiciently large so that the ring may loat on the igniting unit I0 or have lateral movement in the groove 33a, substantially without urging or restraint except for the fixed limits placed thereon by the dimensions of ring 33 and groove 33a. As seen in Fig. 1, a clearance exists between the inside diameter of the ring 33 and the outer surface of the body 24, and as a result of this clearance the ring may assume various positions as determined by the pressures exerted on it by the resilient fingers I3a, without disturbing the centering of the contact cup 22 in the bimetallic clips 23 and without introducing any side loads on the igniting unit to upset the force balance between the clips 23.

Thus the automatic release of the igniting unit I il when the clips 23 respond to heat from the heating element Illa will occur consistently within a predetermined comparatively narrow temperature range of the element. The degree of heat of the element I Ila is thereby closely controlled, and its life greatly extended as a result. Also, due to the uniform distribution of current in the bimetallic clips 23 because of the equalized pressure exerted by them on the cup 22, arcing will be reduced at the time of separation of the cup from the clips, and the efficiency of the electrical connection between the clips and cup will be maintained over a considerable period of time. Therefore, the performance of the lighter will generally be improved, and failures due to pitting of the clips or burning out of the heating element will be considerably reduced, if not eliminated entirely.

In some instances when the lighter is installed on an instrument panel and the binding sleeve I3.

s:,screwed up." tightly, azslight deformity? ofzf the:v drawn shellwl 3ziisrproduced-glwhich tends .tozthrowzf outof ^line1 the igniting .unit l pandztheibimetallic c1ips:23. Such deformity however; will ,not :adi verselyi affect `the operationfoi thexlighter. of this; invention: since. substantial` clearancesa are :proi-V vided between the supporting'parts .oftheigniting unit .and holder, andisince: theifloating contact'. ring :33 :carriedby the :ignitin'graunit.permitsseli alignment of the cup 22 without'.undesirable'sidei loads in response to .the pressures. of the Lbimetallic clipsi23.l

According to-.the vpresent invention. the con 1 tractible ,ring..33 uandLth'e supporting `sleeve 3l Iof 5' theigniting unit i IJ are combinedivith a structure I of fthe-shell I 3.' tov provide: an?"v improved'. detent"l means .for holdingthe ignitin'g'unit in its shallow storage: position in',` the holder: while also permitting quick and'.convenientreinsertion. of the unit after use, andalso for preventinginadvertent i' ejection of the'unit .from theholder when, after` energization', itiisxreleased bythe. clips 23 and automatically returned to shallow-lposition.`

Accordingly, aszshown .in Figs. 1, Z'Iand-l," the shell, I3Y is embossed. to .provide a `plurality oi raisedportions l3bl'on itsinside, extending lon-v gitudinally from a :pointfadjacent the ange i4 toward the .inside end of. the shell 'and terrninat`VV ing, as'shown 5inl Fig. 1,'v just short oi `the positionA the contractiblelringLSS-'assumes when the ignit-f in'gunit.' l' is in its .shallow Istorage position.- The outside diameter vof the sleeve:VV 3 l is" suiii'-lv ciently small to Vpermit it to loosely 'rit :inside :of the raisedfportions 13b; andthe diameter oifthe-- contractible: .ring 33 I is` large e enough so that 'the ring is .compressed land friction'ally engages: the.'` raised portions 13b.. during.y passage ofv the ring past said portions at theltimefof reinsertionof the igniting unit" lil; ThisA frictional .engageament yieldablyresistszthe reinser-tion'of thefunit', f

the resistancehowever being comparatively'sli'ght so that a smooth replacingmovement may be had:- During reinsertion of :the -ignitingffunit atrlthef instant that the .contractible ring.Y 33 reaches'th'e# inner terminationpoint ofthe raisedfportions i371.: the ring will'expand quickly and strike the inneri cylindrical wallxoffthe shell :l 3;. producingffa dis s tinctly` audible click.;.. The 1.1'esistanceA offered Lby. the ring lisltherebyceases; but at thisifpointthe.' ange 3100i thesleeve 3|' engages ther ange |43' ofthe holder, thereby againprovidihg. 'a Yyieldingzlr resistance to :further :inserting-movement 'of the-- ignitiing` unit.

The resistance provided byengagementxotthef said flanges-.3 l'c .and-I 4 fisc oi'afdiierentf nature from that voffered byf'the .iring 33,1 since.v irthei. igniting-unit 'l0 iismoved 'further into-the holder?. after. engagement of: the Y fiangesy. therspring 132-2 will be compressed and the y'resista'nces toirnovee ment will correspondingly increase.. As aresult. of: this action the .ignitingfuriit 'is prevented from? overshooting to anyfsubstantial zexte'ntfitszstorage t position at the timeof reinserti'on;V Althoughathei action is notthatota -positive sto'p,. ai definite stopping effect iszl'produced, Sdthatireinsertionpfel the igniting unitimayfbeiouickly and convene# iently eiected withoutuncertainty astoundesiraa.. ble overshooting.

It willbe noted that;` for v'the `storage vpositionA of the .igniting unit, a` substantial. clearance ris.: provided between the ends of .theclips 23 andthe lip-of the cup 22', as shownrin Figxl and slighteun' avoidable overshooting of the unit would .notbel suiicient tofcause' actual;contactib'etweenz the clipsl and .the.cup.1 Therefrearcing .doesnotaoca cury at these Ypoints .duringreinser'tion of .theigniting; unit, and-a cleanrcon'ditionofl' the clips'is' element nl UaAbecomesahot fand. the :clips 323- release` the -.igniting unit, the. spring 32 'will' automatically` snapthe unit; back :tothe shallowpositionshown inr"Fig...1.`. When the .unit reaches' thisposition. the;contractible ring 3ft-will strike thelend-walls.. I3czof .the raised portionsl 3b, therebyreStraining '1 the` unit and! preventing itilironir. being. ejectedV from the holder.

Totfurther-insuref against the :spring 32l-ejecting the ignitinglunitfrom the holder after' release Y ofthe unit,` the .raised portions l l3b-vof lthe shell arefprovded. with=transverse grooves Y l 3d. Thus;- ifwtheforce impartedto the ignitingunit by the:

spring:A `32 should be -A sufcient to overcome the initialv restraint caused-by engagement of the ring SBS-with.' theV walls .13a-when the ringvreaches the grooves i3d, it will? forcibly expand and abut the u wallsof these groovesgproviding added resistance which Aisin all cases suiicient to prevent further expulsion ofthe unit.'-

According tothe present invention-'fan im-` proved and simplified means'iforv insulating thev stud 26 fromv the cup 22-is provided. Referring to-Fig. i the-insulating disk 21 fis preferably made of deformable material such asmica, and theA underside of -the head 26a ofthe studL is-'provided with a taper for 'engaging theporti'onsy of they diskladjacentlthe central 'aperture therein.v

. disk" 2i; whichlatter aperture preferably'close;

ly -t`s the-diameter'ofwthe shank of the stud 26.

t may beJ seen that if the -headf26a of the studisfforced against the insulating disk 2l,l itwill-cause -portionsof 'the latter adjacent the central 4aperture-therein to be deformed and to' enter theaperture in the bottom of the cup 22. This automatically centralizes'the'stud with respect to the cup'y and'alsoinsulates it therefrom.' Aiter'th'e head of thestud has thus been' Aforced against `the -f'disk vv2l Vand seated-the welding of the sleeve portion 25a"of the c up 25 to the stud 26 islperformed, so that a rigid assembly of the cups, vheating element andstud is obtained.v

Theresis thus prevented. the' likelihood of a short circuit occurring between-'the stud 26 and the* cup22,` and the useful life'of theligh'ter is therebyv prolonged.

The-invention also provides a novel and simplirledassembly io'i'flmounting thebimetallic clips :23in'side the shell |3`,`this`assembly comprising comparatively:fewparts rigidly secured together either bygriveting or welding-so thatvibration and usage may not loosen'lormisalign the parts andv adversely aiectthe-operation 'of the lighter.

Referring to Fig.3,thebimetallic clips 23 Yhave baseportions 23d` extending `radially toward the other.

portions ZScJadapted 1to1 abut thelip oi .thecup 221'if "the igniting unitis moved-past -deep energizing position. ThebaseportionsV 23a of the clips are welded,j preferably each'rat two points .indcate'dby the 'ms in Fig. 3, to fthe-sup# f porting plate 2319; the 'latter being in'turn welded f toa stud. 311y extending lthrough the end Wall l5 of the shell-13. VAsseeriin Figs. 1fandf2,'the'stud 34.'.isscentralizediin and insulatedfrom-y the 'endwall I5 by a molded insulating washer 35 hav-- ing ashoulder 35a extending into a central aperture in the end wall.

To provide for accurate assembly of the stud 34, supporting plate 23h and clips 23, the stud is provided with a central projection 34a extending through a central aperture in the plate 23h and projecting slightly beyond the plate. Also, the base portions 23a of the bimetallic clips are cut away along a circle to lt against and abut Vthe projection 34a of the stud. According to this construction, at the time that the supporting plate 23h is welded to the stud, the two pieces Will be accurately positioned, as will also the bimetallic clips at the time they are welded to the supporting plate.

In order to provide a rigid mounting for the stud 34 on the end Wall I5 of the shell, the bottom I8 of the threaded cup i6 is pierced and extruded to provide a sleeve portion I8a through which the stud 34 extends. A shouldered insulating washer 36 is provided on the outer end of the stud 34 and the latter laid over on the Washer so as to securely hold the stud in place.

The shoulder of the washer 36 extends into the sleeve portion I8 r` of the cup I6, thereby centralizing the stud 34 in the cup and insulating it therefrom. Electrical connection is made to the stud 34 by means of a threaded pin 3l screwed into the bore of the stud, which latter is also threaded for this purpose. By this construction the stud 34 is securely rigidly mounted on the end wall I5 and insulated by the washers 35 and 36, and since the end of the stud is laid over on the washer 36, the parts cannot become loosened due to vibration, severe handling and usage. Also, by welding the stud 34, supporting plate 23b and base portions 23a of the clips into a rigid unit, the likelihood of these parts be coming loosened and operating in a defective manner is considerably reduced. Preferably, the projection 34a of the stud 34 is also welded to the base portions 23a of the bimetallic clips to further reinforce the mounting of the latter. It will be noted that the periphery of the supporting plate 23h is cut away to provide clearance for the bimetallic clips 23, so that the latter may have iree movement at all times.

To provide for correct positioning of the clips 23 in the shell I3 the end wall I5 of the latter is lanced to provide a projection I5a extending into a recess-35h in the insulating washer 35. Also, a lug 33h is formed on the supporting plate 23h, extending into a recess 35e in the washer 35. Further clearance for the bimetallic arms 23 is provided by punching apertures 53d in the shell I3.

To further provide for more reliable operation of the lighter over an extended period oi time, the invention provides heat-conning means for enclosing the space about the mouth of the cup 22, to cause the bimetallic clips 23 to respond more reliably to heating of the element lila. This means comprises the peripheral portions 23e of the supper-ting plate Z3b, these portions being circularly extended as shown in Figs.A 2

and 3 so that they serve to prevent direct radiation of heat -from the element lila into the surrounding atmosphere. The heat waves striking the portions 23o are reflected and also absorbed and conducted tothe clips 23, resulting in more heat being applied to these latter and thereby causing them to more reliably respond to heating of the element Illa. As a result, there is avoided excessive lag in the response of the arms 23 to heating of the element Illa, so that the latter does not become overheated and suffer shortened life as a result.

Variations and modications may be made vwithin the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. In a cigar lighter, the combination of a plug-type igniting unit having a heating element and a circular contact member at one end; a holder comprising a tubular shell slidably receiving and supporting the igniting unit with a loose sliding fit; a contractible ring floatably mounted on the igniting unit for frictionally engaging the inside of the shell to hold the unit against inadvertent removal from the holder; and

contact clip rigidly carried in said shell, embracing said circular contact member and laterally positioning the igniting unit thereby with the periphery oi the igniting unit in the vicinity of said ring spaced from said shell over at least the major portion of its circumference, said floatable mounting for the ring preventing the latter from interfering with the lateral positioning of the unit by said contact clip.

2. In a cigar lighter, a plug-type igniting unit having a heating element; a holder comprising a tubular shell slidably receiving and supporting the igniting unit in a deep energizing position and in a shallow non-energizing position; and a contractible ring carried by the igniting unit for irictionally engaging the inside of the shell to hold the unit against inadvertent removal from the holder, said shell having on the inside thereof intermediate its ends and extending inwardly to a location short of that occupied by said ring when said unit is in deep position, a nonyielding raised portion for engaging and compressing the contractible ring whereby a yieldable detent action is provided by such engagement, a part of the shell between said location and the location of said ring when the unit is in* deep position having inside cross-dimensions substantially equal in magnitude to the expanded out. side diametric dimensions oi' the ring so that movement of the igniting unit is not restrained when the ring is located in said part of the shell;

3. In a cigar lighter, a plug-type igniting unit having a heating element; a holder comprising a tubular shell slidably receiving, and supporting the igniting unit; heat-responsive detent means comprising a clip rigidly carried in the shell in' heat-receiving relation with the heating element and engaging the igniting unit when the latter is placed in a deep energizing position in the holder, for yieldably embracing and holding the unit in said position, said clip laterally positionl ing the igniting unit; means for conducting current to the heating element when the igniting unit is in said deep energizing position, said heatresponsive means releasing the igniting unit in response to heat from the heating element; means for automatically moving the igniting unit, when released. to a shallow non-energizing position in 5 the holder; and a, contractible ring floatably mounted on the igniting unit for frictional enef gagement with the holder, the inside of the latter having a raised portion for engagement with said ring when the igniting unit is moved to said sha1- low position whereby the unit is yieldablyre-l` strained fromK4 inadvertently leaving the holder; the floating mounting of the ring preventing the latter from interfering with the lateral positioning of the unit by said clip.

4. In a cigar lighter, a plug-type igniting unit

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