US2594631A - Lighter - Google Patents

Description

April 29, 1952 C, A, FOR-HN 2,594,631

LIGHTER Filed MaICh 29. 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET l W52 :i i 06 MMA/forma @M ma" gi-7;?, M

Alfil 29, 1952 c. A. FORTIN 2,594,631

LIGHTER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed March 29, 1950 Patented Apr. 29, 1952 iiiii'i ST LIGHTER Charles A. Fortin, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, assignor to Paul Pauliot, Cote des Neiges, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Application March 29, 1950, Serial No. 152,665

l Claim. i

I ntroduction This invention relates to automatic pyrophoric lighters for cigarettes or cigars.

There have been many designs proposed for lighters of this type and many patents granted. Many of these lighters are most serviceable, but they possess certain disadvantages in the mechanism, making them dimcult to manufacture and in some cases dilicult to operate.

One of the more common disadvantages of prior designs is that they are diilicult to operate. One type depends on straight downward pressure of the thumb. In this type, the thumb pressure acts directly against the spring pressure. The more you press the greater the resistance of the spring. This means that the lighting movement instead of being accelerated towards the end of the stroke is slowed up by the increasing resistance of the spring.

Other lighters have a diagonal movement which is more horizontal than vertical. In this type, the return spring for the actuating lever is highly subject to breaking or else if the spring is not strong enough it will not return the lever to closed position.

Applicants development The applicant has now developed a lighter which avoids the disadvantages of both types, but possesses their advantages.

Accordingly, the present invention is a pyrophoric lighter having in combination with a fuel reservoir, a wick extending from the reservoir, an abrasive wheel rotatably mounted above the reservoir, and a pyrophoric member resiliently maintained in contact with the abrasive wheel, a pivotally mounted actuating lever adapted to rotate the abrasive wheel, and means whereby the actuating lever is guided downwardly and rearwardly upon depression and is resiliently returned to its original position in a forward and upward movement.

More speciiically, a preferred construction of a lighter in accordance with the invention includes a hollow casing having a base portion and a top portion so as to constitute a fuel reservoir with the lighting mechanism mounted on top or the casing. This lighting mechanism includes a wick tube and a flint tube that extend within the casing body with the wick and flint protruding from the top portion. A substantially U-shaped bridge member is removably mounted on the top portion that includes a base portion and upstanding side walls extending from the base portion and an abrasive wheel and a snufer cap are rotatably mounted on a common horizontal shaft between the upstanding side walls, the abrasive wheel being mounted so as to contact the int extending from the casing.

The actuating lever of the lighter is of a substantially U-shaped form in general cross section and includes a pair of extended side portions at the front end that are pivotally connected at each side to the snuffer cap, this pivotal connection being positioned above and forward of the axis of the abrasive wheel. A pair of spaced apart roller bearings are mounted on a shaft extending horizontally across the actuating lever adjacent the other end, and a cam block mounted on the base of the U-shaped bridge member is adapted to guide the roller bearings ina downward and rearward motion upon depression of the .actuating lever. centrally by a slot and a connecting rod pivotally mounted between the actuating lever roller bearings extends through this slot and is connected to a spring mounted in a recess in the rear of the cam block. With this arrangement the spring is compressed by the downward and rearward movement of theactuating lever so as to bear against the rear of the block and upon release of the lever is adapted to act against the connecting rod so as to raise the roller bearings forwardly and upwardly over the cam surfaces of the block so as to return the actuating lever to its original position. In an alternative arrangement of the actuating lever return means, the connecting lever between the roller bearings and spring is pivotally mounted on the cam block and a spring is inserted in a recess provided in the cam block so that an extended portion of the connecting lever bears against the spring and compresses it within the block when the actuating lever is depressed.

As a further alternative form of construction the double roller bearings are replaced by a single roller and the cam block. is formed so as to have a substantially centrally disposed recess adapted to house a coil spring with the cam block slotted along both sides axially of the recess. The connection between the roller bearing and the spring is made by providing a pair of connecting lever arms that extend along the sides of the cam block. These lever arms are pivotally connected, one at each side to the roller bearing, the other end of the lever arms being connected by a pin extending across and adapted to slidably ride in the cam. block slots soas to engage the end of the spring andcompress it The cam block is divided within the block when the actuating lever is depressed.

Detailed description Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, particular reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lighter constructed according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the lighter shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross section along the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross section view similar to that of Figure 3, showing the lever in intermediate position.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of Figure 2 along the line 5 5.

Figure 6 is a detail view of a portion of the lighter in section corresponding to Figure 3 and illustrating an alternative arrangement of the lever return linkage mechanism.

Figure 7 is a detail of a portion of the lighter in section corresponding to Figure 3 and illustrating a further alternative arrangement of the return linkage mechanism.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of a lighter partially in section and corresponding to Figure 3 illustrating an alternative arrangement ci roller bearing and lever return linkage mechanism in the uppermost or normal position.

Figure 9 is a detail view corresponding to Figure 8 illustrating the mechanism in intermediate operating position.

Figure 10 is a detail view corresponding to Figure S illustrating the mechanism at the end ci the downward and rearward operating stroke.

Figure 1l is a sectional view along the line Ei-lI of Figure 8.

Figure l2 is a sectional view along the line 2--I2 of Figure 9.

Referring more particularly to the drawings illustrating a preferred construction of a lighter in accordance with the invention, the main body of the lighter is made up of a casing I6 having a base l2 and a top portion It press tted into the ends of the casing I as shown so as to provide a reservoir A adapted to contain lighter fluid. The base I2 is bored and tapped to provide a threaded counterbored opening I5 and a threaded closure screw I3 having a suitable vasher it is provided so as to provide a means of nlling the reservoir A. The base i2 is also bored to provide a second opening 2D and a iiint tube 2.2 having one end press fitted in this opening, extends through the reservoir A to a corresponding opening 241 provided in top portion i4. The end of the tube 22 extends slightly beyond the surface of the top portion I4 and is capped by an outstanding ange 2S through which the iiint B protrudes when the lighter is in operative condition. The lower end of the Flint tube 22 is threaded internally and a spring il and threaded screw 32 are provided so as to maintain the flint B in operative position.

rEhe top portion I also includes a tapped opening' 3d and a wick tube 36 having a threaded end 38 is engaged in this opening with the body of the tube 36 extending into the reservoir A. The threaded portion 38 of the tube 36 is slightly larger in diameter than the main body of the tube so that the wick tube can 'be easily inserted or removed from the casing I as required for servicing. The portion cf the tube 3S extending 4 above the top portion I4 is formed to provide a wick holder 40 from which the end of the wick protrudes as indicated at 42.

The operative portion of the lighter is mounted on a substantially U-shapedV bridge portion M that includes a base portion 46 and flanges 4S which extend upwardly at each side from the base portion 4t. Preferably, the nanges i8 are formed so as to accommodate the usual arrangement of an abrasive spark Wheel 5E), a ratchet spring, and a snuier cap these being operatively mounted on a shaft 51 rotatably mounted in the anges 48 so that arcuate movement of the cap rotates the wheel 5G. This portion of the lighter is common and is well known in the art.

The base 45 of the bridge portion lill illustrated is provided with a centrally disposed U-shaped slot which, when the bridge 44 is mounted on the top portion I4, is adapted to slidably iit under the flange 25 of the flint tube 22. If desired the side walls ci the tube 22 can be slotted at each side so as to engage the base portion 45 at each side of the slot SB.

An actuating lever 62, having a substantially U-shaped form in general cross section, is mounted between the anges 5.18 of the bridge and includes extended end portions St which are pivot-ally connected each side to the snuffel` Cap 5E as indicated at Sii. A pair oi spaced apart roller bearings ES are rotatably mounted adjacent the rear end of the lever 62 on a shaft 'Ill which extends across the lever. Between the rollers 68 and connected pivotally to the shaft 'I is a rod which passes through a slot 7d formed in a cam block l.

The cam block lG is formed so as to provide the curved cam surfaces 'I8 adapted to guide the travel of the rollers '38 with the slot lli centrally disposed so as to allow the rod 'l2 to pass between both sides of the block. The end of the rod l2 remote from the shaft l!! is connected to a cone shaped coil spring which bears against a recess 82 provided in the inner surface of the block le. In the embodiment illustrated the end of the rod l2 is split and bifurcated as indicated at 8&3 to retain the rod l2 in engagement with the spring. Alternatively the end of the rod l2 could be screw threaded and provided with a spring retaining nut.

An opening 86 is provided in the base portion of the biock 'h3 and a corresponding opening S3 is provided in the base d5 of the bridge lid. These openings are adapted to register with a tapped opening Si! in the top portion i-l when the U-shaped slot 69 is slidably engaged with the end of flint tube 22 and a screw 92 is inserted through these openings so as to retain the block 'i6 and the bridge portion 44 to the head Zii. This arrangement makes the removal of the entire top portion of the lighter a simple matter. By merely removing the screw 92 and sliding the bridge ill back so as to clear the slot 69 from engagement with the end of the wick tube 22 the whole top including the snuffel cap 56, the lever 62, and the actuating mechanism including the cam block 7B can be lifted from the main body of the lighter.

An alternative construction of the cam block 'Z5 and lever return spring means is shown in Figure 6. In this embodiment the cam block I'I is not slotted clear through but is recessed as indicated at vI ill) to provide clearance for the movement of a connecting rod I |32 pivotally connected to the 'block as indicated at IM. The upper end of the rod |02 is provided with a hook portion |99 adapted to engage the shaft 10 centrally of the rollers |58, and the lower end includes an oil'- set extension |90 terminating in a bulbous end i i9. In this form ofthe device the cam block |15 is bored to provide the recess and a spring 22 is mounted within this recess so as to act against the end of the rod. In this construc tion a screw |92 passes through the block |16, and the base t9 of the bridge 44 and is threadably engaged in the top portion i4 as indicated at |20. Figure 7 illustrates an alternative connecting rod H2 in which the rod end ||4 is formed so as to provide an opening through which the shaft 10 passes to form a pivoted connection, this connection being made centrally of the rollers 68 as in the previous constructions.

With particular reference to Figures 8 through 12 of the drawings, a further alternative form or construction is illustrated in which the roller bearings 58 are replaced by a single roller beard ing E98 mounted for rotation on a shaft |10 extending across the actuating lever 62. The cam block |15 used in this form o the device includes av curved cam surface |18 adapted to guide the travel of the roller bearing |68 and a substantially centrally disposed recess |00 adapted to accommodate a coil spring |82. The cam block 15 also includes slots |13 extending along each side axially of the recess |80 and a pair of connecting lever arms |90 disposed at each side or" the block |15 are pivotally connected at one end adjacent the roller bearing |68 with the other ends retained in spaced apart relationship by a pin E92 adapted to extend across and slidably ride in the cam block slots |73 so as to enga-ge the end of the spring |82.

With this arrangement the downward and rearward travel of the roller bearing |68, as caused by the depression of the actuating lever e2, is transmitted through the lever arms |90 sliding the pin |92 along the cam block slots |13 and compressing the spring |82 within the cam block. The cam block |75 is provided with openings l94 and |99 so that it may be removably secured to the bridge portion 44 and top portion ifi of the lighter casing by means of screws |91, 698 in the same manner as previously described.

Operation In use the lighter is operated by pressing the lever 92 downwards causing it to retract in a rearward and downward direction, the cam surraces of the cam block acting as a track on which the rollers 58, or |68 ride, and so guide the lever 92 in its downward and rearward path. As the end portions 64 of the lever 62 are pivotally connected to the pivotally mounted snuffer cap 55, the cap 56 is lifted in an arcuate movement causing rotation of the flint wheel against the int B causing the sparks which light the wick.

Upon release of the lever 62 it is returned to its original position by means of the spring or in the alternative arrangements, the spring ||2 or |82 so that the snuiTer cap 56 descends over the wick extinguishing the lighter.

As will be understood by the preceding explanation and the accompanying drawings, a lighter constructed in accordance with the present invention provides an actuating movement that is positively guided in a downward and rearward movement calculated to give a full stroke to the flint wheel with the minimum of operating pressure, and further provides a structure in which the lever return spring is under levered compression rather than direct compression as is common in prior art lighters of this nature.

I claim:

In a pyrophoric lighter, a casing constituting a fuel reservoir, a U -shaped bridge member mounted on said casing including a base portion and upstanding side a-nges extending from said base portion, an abrasive wheel mounted for rotation in a horizontal axle between said upstanding flanges, a snuier cap pivotally mounted on said abrasive wheel axle, means operatively connecting said snuffer cap with said abrasive wheel, an actuating lever pivotally connected to said snuier cap above and forward of said abrasive wheel axle, a roller bearing mounted for rotation on a shaft extending across said actuating lever adjacent the end remote from said snuffer cap, a cam block having a roller guiding surface and an internal recess mounted on said U-shaped bridge member base, said cam block being p-rovided with elongated slots extending axially at each side of said cam block recess, a coil spring seated in said cam block recess, and a pair of spaced apart elongated links extending along each side of said cam block, each of said links being pivotally connected at one end to said roller bearing shaft, a pin mounted between the other ends of said elongated links remote from said roller bearing shaft said pin slidably fitting in said cam block slots and extending across said cam block recess so as to engage the outer end of said coil spring seated therein.

CHARLES A. FRTIN.

REFERENCES CTC'ED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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