US2521180A - Cigarette lighter - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 5, 1950 c. P. MORSE ,1

CIGARETTE LIGHTER Filed April 23, 1947 3 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTOR. CHARLESRMORsE Sept. 5, 1950 c. P. MORSE CIGARETTE LIGHTER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 23, 1947 6 m 2 m x m 1%! 1 /1 E u NI 7 6 y 5 1 1 9 a W 5 m m 1 0 8 WM U m 1 9 08 & m M 6 \y n H m 3 0 a a IN V EN TOR.

x m p a CHA RL Sept. 5, 1950 c. P. MORSE CIGARETTE LIGHTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 23, 1947 INVENTOR.

CH/ML ESP/140455 A TTORNE K Patented Sept. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to pyrophoric lighters for igniting cigarettes, cigars, pipes and the like and relates particularly to novel improvements in such lighters utilizing fuel which is stored in liquid form.

.Heretofore lighters have been designed which utilized fuel stored in liquid form but they have been unsatisfactory for numerous reasons. One of the difficulties of such prior lighters was that the wick had one end thereof immersed in the liquid fuel and had the other end thereof at least partially exposed to the atmosphere whereby losses due to evaporation of the fuel were considerable. Attempts have been made to prevent evaporation by providing a cap or snuffer cup for enclosing the exposed end of the wick but such devices do not entirely prevent evaporation over a long period because they do not provide a hermetic seal and permit air to leak therein to cause evaporation. Also, there is a tendency that the wick becomes highly saturated with the fuel whereby the mixture provided by the ambient air and the fuel vapors is too rich to be ignited by a spark from the pyrophoric element. Attempts have also been made to isolate the wick from the fuel supply while the lighters were not in use, but this resulted in drying out of the wick causing a fuel loss and was objectionable because time was required before the dried out wick again absorbed sufficient fuel to enable it to be ignited.

Another difficulty of such prior lighters was that they were dangerous because they consti-' tuted a fire and explosion hazard. This was because the space in a partially filled liquid fuel chamber contained an explosive mixture of air and fuel vapor which could be ignited in the event the flame of the ignited portion of the wick flashed back into the fuel chamber.

A further difficulty was that no provision was made for permitting breathing of the fuel chamber, that is, to permit air to enter the chamber and replace the space formerly occupied by consumed fuel. Also, no such provision was made for breathing of the fuel chamber which enabled a lighter to be safely carried at high altitudes, for example in airplanes, without having a portion of the fuel expelled from the fuel chamber through the wick due to the pressure in the fuel chamber being greater than the pressure of the atmosphere at high altitudes.

Still further difficulties were that of the supply of the pyrophoric element could not be determined without removing the same from the lighter casing and that no satisfactory means have been devised for determining the liquid level of the fuel.

The present invention aims to provide an improved lighter of the foregoing described type which is not subject to the disadvantages enumerated herein.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a lighter adapted to carry liquid fuel without leakage, and which makes unnecessary the use of cotton or other absorption agent.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lighter wherein the evaporation of fuel from the wick is eliminated or is so greatly minimized that evaporation losses are inconsequential.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lighter utilizing liquid fuel wherein the fuel chamber has breathing means for admitting and venting air without loss of fuel.

Another object is to provide a lighter of the foregoing described type having means for preventing the flame of the lighter to flash back into the fuel chamber.

Another object is to provide a pyrophoric lighter having means for visually determining the supply of the pyrophoric element.

Another object is to provide a lighter having improved means for visually determining the liquid level of the fuel in the fuel chamber.

A further object is to provide a lighter embodying the foregoing features which is simple and economical to construct and is dependable in operation.

An advantage of the present lighter is that the wick is properly conditioned when the lighter is not in use to provide a combustible mixture adjacent the wick which will readily ignite when a spark of a pyrophoric element is brought into contact therewith.

Another advantage is that the capacity of the lighter is increased as there is no space wasted by cotton or other absorption agent.

Another advantage is that the exposed portion of the pyrophoric element is not subjected to fuel vapors tending to retard the formation of sparks when the element is abraded by a spark wheel or the like.

Another advantage is that the lighter can be safely carried in airplanes or otherwise subjected to greatly Varying atmospheric pressure conditions without danger of fuel being extruded therefrom.

Another advantage is that a single spring may be utilized to move the cover into an open posi tion, and, simultaneously, to actuate means to prevent fuel from leaking from the wick.

A. further advantage is that the user of the lighter is fully advised of the fuel content and the amount of pyrophoric element remaining in the lighter so that the same may be replenished at convenient times without the fuel or pyrophoric element being exhausted unexpectedly or at a time when replenishing thereof is impossible.

Other objects and advantages of the inven tion will be apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings which show, by way of examples, two embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a pyrophoric lighter embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view illustrating the interior of the lighter with the cover partly raised to position means for permitting fuel to be absorbed by the exposed end of the wick.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustra'ting the upper portion of the lighter shown in Fig. 2 with the cover closed to position means for preventing the evaporation of fuel.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the" line 55 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 6' is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 on Fig. 5.

Fig.- '7 is an elevatiorial view of a lighter illustrating a modification of the invention.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view illustrating the interior of the lighter shown in Fig. '7 with the cover partly raised to position means for permitting fuel to be absorbed by the exposed end of. the wick.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the upper portion of the lighter shown in Fig. 8 with the cover closed to position means for preventing the evaporation of fuel.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a detail embodied in the lighter shown in Figs. 8- and 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view illustrating a modified form of squeezing tube in the closed position.

Fig; 12 is a plan view taken along the line |2|2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a view corresponding to Fig. 11 showing the tube in the open position.

Fig. 14 is a view taken along the line |4|4 of Fig. 13.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 6 thereof, there is shown a pyrophoric lighter It! generally comprising a casing H, a top wall member i2 secured in the upper end of the casing and a cover 14' pivotally mounted by a hinge l5 secured to the top wall member i2 adjacent the upper end of the casing at one side thereof. The interior of the casing is adapted to serve as a fuel supply chamher for storing liquid fuel therein.

The bottom wall of the casing has a threaded aperture l6 serving as a fuel refilling opening for the fuel chamber and a threaded plug H is removably secured in this aperture to serve as a closure; The inner end of the plug I! may be recessed to receive a clip IQ for holding spare pyrophoric elements. The bottom wall of the casing has a second threaded aperture l9 serving as an opening for replenishing the pyrophoric element and a threaded plug is removably securedtherein. The front and rear walls of the casing each have a pair of vertical openings or slots therein, the slots 2| being longer than the other slots 22 (Fig. 1). The slots 2| serve as sight means for visually ob- 4 serving the liquid fuel level and the slots 22 serve as sight means for visually determining the supply of the pyrophoric element as will be described in detail hereinafter.

The top wall member |2 at one side is formed with a pair of spaced lugs 24 (Figs. 2 and 6) between which a spark wheel 25 is rotatably mounted on a pin 26 supported by the lugs 24. An aperture 21 extends through the top wall member l2 beneath the spark wheel for receiving a pyrophoric element 29 adapted to be engaged by the spark wheel to produce sparks.

The apertures I9 and 2! are in vertical align" ment with each other and are in a vertical plane passing through the slots 22, and are each provided with a recess or enlarged bore 38 for receiving cylindrical portions 3| of a member 32, (Figs. 2 and 4) formed of transparent glass, plastic material or the like.

The member 32 has an outwardly projecting portion 34 at each side thereof conforming to the shape of the slots 22 and disposed therein, and has a passage 35 extending through the cylindrical portions 3| for establishing communication between the apertures l9 and 21. The pyrophoric element is adapted to be inserted through the lower aperture I9 and to pass through the passage 35 to the upper aperture 2?. A follower 36 is positioned in the passage beneath the pyroph'oric element and a spring 3! positioned between the plug 20 and the follower urges the latter upwardly to cause the pyrophoric element frictionally to engage the spark wheel.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the follower and slots 22 are of such dimensions so related that the lower end of the follower is visible through the slots 22 while a portion of the pyrophoric element has not been consumed and disappears when the last portion of the pyrophoric element is about to be consumed, whereby the upper edge of the slots 22 cooperate with the lower end of the follower to serve as index means.

The transparent member 32 is further provided with a tubular or hollow portion 39 adjacent and parallel to the passage 35. This portion is spaced from the top wall member l2 and the bottom wall of the casing and has a passage 48 extending therethrough for receiving liquid fuel stored in the chamber. The portion 39 is in a vertical plane passing through the slots 2| and has an outwardly projecting portion 4| at each side thereof conforming to the shape of the slots 2| and disposed therein, whereby the liquid fuel level in the fuel chamber is indicated in the passage 49 and is visible through the slots 2!.

It will be understood that the side portions 34 and 4| of the member 32 are disposed in the slots 22 and 2| respectively in fluid-tight relation. whereby leakage of the fuel through the slots is prevented.

The top wall member |2 has an aperture extending therethrough substantially at the middle thereof (Fig. 2) which is slightly enlarged at its lower end or the underside of the top wall member and is provided with an annular recess 46 just above the lower end. A cylindrical member or tube 41 formed of a resilient material, rubberlike in flexing characteristics and resistant to heat and to lighter fluid is mounted in the aperture 45 and has an annular rib 49 positioned in the recess 46 to secure the same in the aperture. The tube 41 has a central bore 50 for receiving the upper end of a wick 5I positioned in the fuel chamber.

As illustrated herein, the upper end of the tube extends above the upper side of the top wall member I2 for the purpose about to be described, and the lower end of the tube is substantially flush with the underside of the top wall member. By sopositioning the lower end of the tube 41, means are provided for the inlet and exit of air to and from the fuel chamber when differences in pressure occur between the interior and exterior air due to changes in temperature, barometric pressure, altitude and. the use of the fluid fuel. Air will enter and exit from the fuel chamber between the wick 5| and the bore 50 of the tube 41 during use of the lighter in upright position, and liquid fuel cannot be forced through the tube.

In order to guard against flash back of the flame at the upper outer end of the wick into the vapor space of the fuel chamber to cause ignition of a mixture of fuel vapor and air, a tubular member 52 formed of a fine screen or gauze surrounds the wick 5| as shown, or at least the upper end of the wick just below the underside of the top wall member I2, and has its upper end secured to the underside of the top wall member by brazing, welding or any other suitable manner.

In accordance with the invention, the lighter is provided with means for compressing the wick to prevent the evaporation of fuel therefrom. Such means includes the tube 41 and means for applying pressure to the tube. As illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the last mentioned means comprises an abutment or stop 55 projecting upwardly from the top wall member I2 adjacent one side of the upwardly extending end of the tube 41, and a slidable member 56 having on its under side a rectangular recess 5'! (Fig. 5) provided with a surface 59 adjacent the other side of the tube 41 and opposite the stop 55 for urging the tube against the stop 55 to constrict the same and effect compression of the wick just below the free end thereof. The side of the recess 51 opposite the surface 59 has a surface 58 for engaging the opposite side of the abutment 55. The slidable member 55 is further provided with an aperture 5! above the recess 51 normally in vertical alignment with the bore 58 of the tube through which the free upper end of the wick extends.

The slidable member 55 is mounted on the top wall member I2 for slidable movement thereon by means of a projection BI having flat front and back guide surfaces 62 and extending upwardly through an elongated slot 64 in the slidable member and. having its upper end peened over the slidable member to retain the same on the top wall member.

In order to effect sliding movement of the slidable member 56, the latter is formed with a projection 55 at its end adjacent the hinge I5 of the cover I4 the outward side of which is engaged by a portion of the cover or the hinge thereof to move the slidable member into wick compressing position when the cover is closed as shown in Fig. 3. Movement of the slidable member in an opposite direction to release the wick is effected by a spring 65 positioned between the projection BI and the inward side of the projection 65 (Fig. 2).

A latch is provided (Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6) for securely locking the cover in closed position to thereby retain the slidable member 56 in wick compressing position, which comprises a slidable spring steel member I having button II at removably secured in this aperture.

one end thereof extending through a slot 12 in the cover to the exterior of the lighter and bent up lips 13 at each side, and spring clips 14 at each interior side of the cover adapted to be engaged by the lips I3. The member TB is slidably positioned by a member I5 fitting into a groove l6 in the base portion of the spark wheel supporting lugs 24 the member I5 having horizontal portions 11 extending over the member I5 (Fig. 6).

When the button II is pushed inwardly the member "H3 is moved to cause the lips E3 to disengage the clips M allowing the cover to fly open through the action of the spring 65 and release the slidable member having the projection 85 bearing against cover adjacent its hinge. When the button is released, a spring 78 returns the slidable member iii to its initial position allowing the clips 14 to again be engaged by the lips I3 upon closing the cover.

A wind guard 23 surrounding the wick is secured to the top wall member I2.

Referring to Figs. 7 to 10 of the drawings, there is shown a modified embodiment of the present invention in which corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1 to 6 with the addition of Hit. In these figures a lighter H0 is shown having a casing III formed of transparent, liquid fuel resisting thermoplastic or thermosetting material or the like adapted to enable the user of the lighter to visually determine the amount of liquid fuel in the casing. The casing has an open end over which the skirt H3 of a sheet metal top wall member I I2 is positioned. A cover I I4 is pivotally mounted by a hinge i I5 on the top wall member at one side thereof.

The bottom wall of the casing has a threaded aperture IIB serving as a fuel refilling opening for the fuel chamber and a threaded plug Iii is The plug has a bore I05 extending longitudinally therethrough terminating at its lower end in a vent opening IfII for establishing air flow communi cation between the interior and exterior of the lighter. A seat W2 is formed adjacent the inner end of the vent opening for a valve member we seated by a spring I94 positioned in the bore Iiiil and retained therein by constricting the upper end of the plug. This vent arrangement is adapted to provide for breathing of the casing without loss of liquid fuel as previously described herein.

The bottom Wall has a second threaded aperture H9 serving as an opening for replenishing the pyrophoric element and a threaded plug I23 is removably secured therein.

The top wall member H2 has a wind guard i215 secured thereto which is formed with a pair of spaced lugs I24 (Figs. 8 and 9) between which a spark wheel I25 is rotatably mounted on a pin I26. An aperture I2? is formed in the top wall member beneath the spark wheel in which is mounted a tubular member I28 for receiving a pyrophoric element I29 adapted to be engaged by the spark wheel.

The aperture I21 is in vertical alignment with the aperture H9 in the bottom of the casing, and the latter is formed with a recess or bore it!) for receiving the lower end of a transparent tube 335% which has its upper end positioned into the lower end of the tubular member H23. The tube I33 has a passage Q35 extending therethrough for conveying the pyrophoric element from the opening II9 to the spark wheel. A follower I36 positioned in the passage beneath. the pyrophoric elementand a spring [31 positioned. betwen the plug I29 and the follower urges the latter upwardly to cause the. pyrophoric element to frictionall engage the spark wheel. 7

In. the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 7 to 10, the length of the. skirt I-I. 3 of the topwall member and the. length of the follower are such that when the pyrophoric element. isaboutto be. exhausted, the lower end of the follower is in horizontal alignment withthe lower edge of the skirt which serves as index means tov give a visual indication of the supply of the pyrophoric element- The position of the follower. with respect to the skirt can be readily observed through the transparent tube I33 and the liquid fuel may be observed through the transparent casing H9.

The top wall member has an aperture I 35 extending therethrough. substantially at the middlethereof and a thin metallic tubular member I41 (Fig. has its lower end. mounted in this aperture and is secured to the top wall member for receiving the upper end of awick i5I positioned. in the fuel chamber.

In order to guard against flash back of. the flame at the outer end of the wick, a tubular member I52 formed of a. fine screen or gauze has its upper end secured to the underside of the top wall member adjacent the aperture Hi5- and surrounding the upper portion of the wick within the fuel. chamber. Preferably the length of the tubular member I52 is such that it does, not extend. below the skirt H3 and thereby is not readily visible from the exterior of the lighter.

The wick compressing means in this embodiment includes the tubular member (Fig. 1.0) which is rendered substantially resilient by longitudinally slitting the upper end thereof to form spring fingers I53 and a member are having an aperture through which the upper end of the wick extends provided with adownwardl-y facing frusto-conical surface l54- for engaging and constricting the. spring fingers I53. The member IE5 is mounted for tilting movement in: an aperture I63 of a resilient arm I6! having a free end IEE and an end providedwith a slot its for receiving a rivet I19; or the like secured by the top wall member. By reason of the slot IE9 the I81 is slidably mounted to maintain the member H55 in alignment with the wick compressing member I41.

In order to effect compression of the wick for the purposes described herein, the underside of the cover I I4 is provided with a depending leg I80, adapted to engage the free end I68 of the arm I61 and move it downwardly when the cover is closed, whereby the surface I54 constricts the fingers I53 (Fig. 9). When the cover is opened (Fig. 8), the arm- Hi'! and the member I54 carried by the arm are rendered ineffective to cause constriction of the fingers I53 by a leaf spring I8I having one end secured to the top wall member and having a free end extending upwardly and engaging the free end of the arm IE! to raise the same upwardly.

The lighter H0 is provided with latch means comprising a resilient latch element I85 on the cover and a locking projection I86 on the skirt I I 3 of the top wall member adapted to be engaged by the element I85 to lock the cover in closed position. The cover is further provided with an outwardly projecting end portion I81 above the latch element adapted to facilitate manual engagement of the cover to open the same.

Referring to Figs 11 to 13 of the drawings, there is. shown a. modified. embodiment of the invention.

in which corresponding parts are designated by thev same reference. numerals as in Figs. 1 to 6 with the additionof 200.. In these figures a modified wick compressing member is shown formed of an oblong tube 24! having an, oblong wick opening 250. for receiving the upper end of a wick 25I positioned inv the. fuel chamber. Means for compressing. the wick compressing member 241 includes an. abutment or stop 255 having a concave surface 258 adjacent one end of the upwardly extending end of the member 241, and a slidable member 256- having an extension with a concave surface 2.5.9 for urging; the. tube against the concave surface, 253 of the abutmentv 255 effecting the compression of. the wick. The wick is shown in theconipressed position in Figs. 11 and 12. It should be noted that in. this position the wick assumes a shape circular in section at the point of compression. In. Figs. 13 and 14, the wick is shown in the released position. This embodiment isv advantageous in that a somewhat better seal is obtainable in the closed position, while in the released. position better provision is made for air to, enter and exit from. the, fuel chamber between the wick 25I and, the wick opening 250.

While thepresent invention has been described in connection with a pocket type lighter, it will be understood that lighters in accordance with the invention may be embodied in or combined with cigarette. cases, desk sets or the like.

From thev foregoing description it will be seen that the present invention provides an improved lighter of the liquid fuelv type which has numerous advantages. The lighter is, adapted to carry liquid, fuel without leakage, and without the use of. cotton or other absorption agents. Evaporation of. liquid fuel is practically eliminated and provisionismade for liquid level indicating means. Also, provision, is made for visually indicating the supply of the pyrophoric element. Flash back of the flame is prevented and breathing of the fuel chamber isv provided for. These and other features of they invention render the lighter more convenient. andserviceable. than existing lighters. Furthermore, the lighter is attractive in appearance, economical. to manufacture, and canreadily withstand any rough usage to which it may be subjected.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference tov specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood. that other embodiments may be resorted to without departing from the invention. Further it is understood that the features of one form of the inventionv may be incorporated in another form thereof if desired. Accordingly, the forms of the invention set out above should be considered as illustrative and not as. limiting the scope. of the following claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a lighter, a casing for fuel having a wall provided withan aperture, a resilient member in said aperture having a bore therethrough, a wick in said casing having one end extending through said bore, an abutment on said wall adjacent the resilient member, a member slidably mounted on said wall having a portion for engaging said resilient member and having an aperture through which said wick extends and being operable in a direction to constrict said resilient member to compress said wick, and spring means for moving said slidably mounted member in. an opposite direction.

2. In a lighter, a. casing for fuel having a wall provided with an aperture, a resilient member in said aperture having a bore therethrough, a wick in said casing having one end extending through said bore, abutment means on said wall adjacent the resilient member, a member slidably mounted on said wall having a portion for engaging said resilient member and having an aperture through which said wick extends and being operable in a direction to constrict said resilient member to compress said wick against the abutment means, spring means for moving said slidably mounted member in an opposite direction, and a cover pivotally mounted on said casing for enclosing said end of said wick and having means for moving said slidably mounted member into wick compressing position upon closing thereof.

3. In a pyrophoric lighter, a casing for liquid fuel having a pair of slots therein, and a transparent member in said casing having a portion for closing one of said slots spaced from opposite ends of said casing and provided with a passage therethrough for receiving fuel to determine the liquid level thereof in said casing, and having a portion for closing the other of said slots provided with a passage therethrough for receiving a pyrophoric element.

4. In a pyrophoric lighter a casing for liquid fuel having a pair of vertical slots in the side wall thereof and having opposed apertures in the top and bottom walls thereof, a transparent member in said casing having a portion for closing one of said slots spaced from the top and bottom walls of said casing and provided with a passage therethrough for receiving fuel, said member having a portion for closing the other of said slots and a passage adjacent said last mentioned portion extending between said apertures for receiving a pyrophoric element, a follower for said element, and index means cooperating with said follower for visually determining the consumption of the pyrophoric element.

5. In a lighter, a casing for fuel having an aperture therein, a resilient member normally of oblong section and having a passage therethrough positioned in the aperture, a wick in said casing having one end extending through the passage,

10 an abutment adjacent the member, and movable means for urging the member against the abutment to compress the wick.

6. In a pyrophoric lighter, a casing for liquid fuel having a slot and an aperture therein, a transparent member in said casing having a portion closing said slot and having a passage for receiving a pyrophoric element, a wick in said casing having a portion extending outwardly through said aperture, resilient means substantially surrounding said outwardly extending portion of the Wick and, means for constricting said resilient means to compress the wick.

7. In a lighter, a casing for liquid fuel having a top wall provided with an aperture and a side wall provided with a slot, a transparent member in said casing having a portion closing said slot, a resilient member of rubber-like material extending through said aperture, a wick having a portion disposed in the casing and a portion extending through the resilient member and means for constricting the resilient member to compress the wick.

CHARLES P. MORSE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Wachtel Aug. 5, 1913 Aronson June 5, 1934 Reilly Aug. 25, 1936 Harris Nov. 30, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Number

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