US3816058A - Lighter with single member valve activator and spark generator support - Google Patents

Lighter with single member valve activator and spark generator support Download PDF

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Publication number
US3816058A
US3816058A US00338991A US33899173A US3816058A US 3816058 A US3816058 A US 3816058A US 00338991 A US00338991 A US 00338991A US 33899173 A US33899173 A US 33899173A US 3816058 A US3816058 A US 3816058A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
lighter
valve
housing
pivot
reservoir
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00338991A
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English (en)
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P Court
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Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US00338991A priority Critical patent/US3816058A/en
Priority to DE2410401A priority patent/DE2410401A1/de
Priority to FR7407695A priority patent/FR2220756A1/fr
Priority to CA194,198A priority patent/CA1001437A/en
Priority to JP49026122A priority patent/JPS49119772A/ja
Priority to GB1036174A priority patent/GB1458616A/en
Priority to FR7407857A priority patent/FR2220757A1/fr
Priority to BR1713/74A priority patent/BR7401713D0/pt
Priority to IT49151/74A priority patent/IT1004358B/it
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3816058A publication Critical patent/US3816058A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23Q—IGNITION; EXTINGUISHING-DEVICES
    • F23Q2/00—Lighters containing fuel, e.g. for cigarettes
    • F23Q2/16—Lighters with gaseous fuel, e.g. the gas being stored in liquid phase
    • F23Q2/167—Lighters with gaseous fuel, e.g. the gas being stored in liquid phase with adjustable flame

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A lighter containing a fuel reservoir, lift type valve means and a pivotally mounted valve activator and sparkwheel combination, the combination characterized by a single molded member comprising the pivot means, the valve activator, the pressure piece. the flint tube and the sparkwheel carrier.
  • This invention relates to improved lighters of the type using a liquid fuel which becomes gaseous at ambient temperatures and pressures, and more particularly to such lighters which are of such low cost to manufacture that they may be thrown away or otherwise disposed of when the fuel supply is exhausted.
  • an object of the present invention to provide an improved lighter of the disposable type which includes a minimum number of parts and which lends itself to ease of manufacture with a minimum of assembly labor.
  • an improved cigarette lighter in which the spark generating means as well as the gas valve activator are primarily incorporated into one basic part which may be molded from any suitable plastic material.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a lighter in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional longitudinal view of the lighter taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a partially sectional and fragmentary view of the lighter along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2 with the lighter in an at-rest" position;
  • FIG. 4 is a partially sectional and fragmentary view of the lighter as shown in FIG. 3 with the lighter in an activated position;
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional transverse view of the lighter along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional transverse view of the lighter along lines 6-6 of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the single molded member which acts as the valve activator, mounts the sparkwheel and holds the spark producing flint.
  • the lighter 10 contains a fuel reservoir 12 in which is stored a liquified fuel F, such as butane, which becomes gaseous at ambient temperatures and pressures.
  • the reservoir 12 has a bottom wall 14 and a continuous sidewall 16 which is advantageously tapered to permit ease of molding.
  • the walls 14 and 16 form the lower half 18 of the lighter housing with the molded piece 20 which is joined to the lower half 18 acting as the upper half of the housing.
  • a threaded recess 22 is provided in that portion 23 of the housing 20 which acts as the top wall of the reservoir 12.
  • a gas valve 24 of the well-known plunger type is threadably fitted into the recess 22.
  • the plunger type valve does not have an internal spring. Instead, the valve is opened and closed by a spring urged valve activator or lifter. Valves of both types are well known in the prior art and may be used with the present invention.
  • An internal spring valve is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,423,160 issued .Ian. 21, 1969 to Genoud and a non-internal spring valve is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,063,276 issued Nov. 13, 1962 to Cassan.
  • An opening 26 is provided in the top wall 23 connecting the valve recess 22 with the reservoir 12 and the fuel F held therein.
  • a wick 28 extends from the reservoir through the opening 26 to insure a supply of fuel to the valve 24.
  • a second recess 30 is provided in the upper housing end 20 to accommodate the lighter spark generator and valve lifter.
  • the spark generator and valve lifter includes a single molded member 32 which serves the functions of mounting a sparkwheel and holding a flint as well as acting as a valve lifter for the valve 24.
  • a pair of spaced apart parallel flanges 34 extend upwardly in the illustrated embodiment from the upper housing half 20 and these flanges support the single molded member 32.
  • a pair of bearing openings 36 are provided in the flanges 34 and a pair of substantially vertically tapered grooves 38 are also molded in the flanges connecting with the openings 36.
  • a set of axle stubs 40 extend from member 32 (as shown in FIG. 7) and these are journaled in the openings 36.
  • the tapered grooves 38 permit the stubs 40 to be easily inserted therein and the resilient supporting flanges 34 yield, allowing the stubs to slide into the openings 36 and then the flanges return to their normal vertical position, thus mounting the member 32 in a fixed, but rotatable position.
  • valve lifter portion 42 Extending from the member 32 is a valve lifter portion 42 which has an opening 44 in its end forming a bifurcated or forked end. While the opening 44 accom-.
  • the burner tube 46 of the valve 24 modates the burner tube 46 of the valve 24, the burner tube is fitted with an upper flange 48 and a lower flange 49 so that the forked end of valve lifter 42 is fitted between these flanges and they in turn limit the vertical movement of the lifter relative to the burner tube.
  • a flint tube 50 is also an integral part of member 32 and into the tube 50 is fitted a spring 52 which holds a flint in position.
  • a pair of spaced apart and parallel sparkwheel supports 56 which carry a pair of inwardly directed axle stubs 58.
  • a sparkwheel 60 having a central opening 61 is snapped into place and rotatably mounted on the stubs 58 so that the wheel is located in an abrading relationship with the flint 54.
  • the member 32 includes a pressure piece 62 which extends in a direction opposite to that of the valve lifter 42.
  • the valve 24 includes a toothed collar 64 which overlies a leaf spring 66.
  • This leaf spring has an opening 68 therein which permits it to surround the valve 24 but it is of a lesser diameter than the extent of the collar 64.
  • the spring 66 is held in position between the outer surface of top wall 23 and collar 64.
  • the opposite end 70 of the spring 66 is unattached and it bears against the underside 72 of the pressure piece 62.
  • the opening recess 30 in the upper housing has a well portion 74 which accommodates a substantial portion of the spring 52 which is acting against the flint 54.
  • the single molded member 32 is moved from its at-rest position as shown in FIG. 3 to an activated position as shown in FIG. 4.
  • the wheel is turned against the flint generating a field of sparks.
  • the thumb of the user comes to rest on the pressure piece 62 causing the member 32 to rotatably move about the axle stubs 40 which are journaled in the openings 36 of the supporting flanges 34.
  • valve 24 In this raised position the valve 24 is opened permitting the fuel F in the reservoir to escape through the burner tube as a gas. Inasmuch as the gaseous fuel is in the path of the sparks generated by the abrading action of the sparkwheel against the flint, the gas is ignited providing a flame. As long as the pressure piece 62 is depressed the valve will remain open causing the flame to burn. When pressure is removed from the pressure piece 62 the action of the leaf spring 66, and particularly the free end 70, will cause the member 32 to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction (as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4) bringing the valve lifter 42 to bear against the lower flange 49 on the burner tube 46. This action closes the valve 24 and shuts off the flow of fuel from the reservoir 12.
  • the wide recess in the upper housing half 20 is of sufficient extent to permit the flint tube 50 to move back and forth while a well 74 holds the spring 52 in a fixed position throughout most of its length.
  • a'cap 76 surrounds the upper portion of the lighter 10. This cap 76 includes s top opening 78 through which the flame from the burner tube 46 may extend.
  • the regulation of the size of the flame depends upon the mechanical pressure adjustment of the valve 24.
  • Such adjustments are well known to those skilled in the art and in the illustrated lighter (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) it includes an adjuster 80 which extends through an opening 81 in cap 76 and meshes with teeth 82 on the collar 64.
  • the means of filling the reservoir 12 with fuel F is well known to those skilled in the art. It may be accomplished by having the valve 24 in an open position and forcing fuel therethrough under pressure; or by placing an opening in the bottom wall 14 of the reservoir, filling therethrough and thereafter plugging the opening.
  • the means of filling is optional with the maker of the lighter.
  • the use of the single molded member 32 serves a multiple number of purposes greatly reducing the cost of the lighter l0 and permitting it to be used as a throwaway.
  • a lighter comprising:
  • a housing having a reservoir therein for storing a supply of liquified fuel which is gaseous at ambient temperatures and pressure;
  • valve means communicating with the reservoir and with the atmosphere, said valve means including a burner tube adapted to be raised whereby fuel passes from the reservoir through said valve means to the atmosphere, escaping as a gas;
  • valve activator and spark generator combination pivotally mounted on support means affixed to said housing and positioned relative to said burner tube whereby a field of sparks generated by said generator contacts gaseous fuel coming from the burner tube;
  • said combination including a single molded member having pivot means for mounting said member on the support means, a lever extending from said pivot means and engaging the burner tube, a pressure piece extending from said pivot means, and a flint tube also extending from said pivot means and swingably positioned within an opening in said housing; and
  • a sparkwheel rotatably mounted on said member and overlying the flint tube in frictional engagement with a flint, whereby the sparkwheel is adapted to be rotated to generate a field of sparks and the pressure piece depressed in a single movement of the user so that the lever allows the burner tube to release gaseous fuel from the reservoir into the field of sparks and the flint tube is free to be swingably moved in the tube opening.
  • a lighter as defined in claim 2 wherein at least one flange has a vertically tapered groove therein to receive one of said pivot stubs whereby the molded member may be depressed along said groove and the flange urged to yield to permit the pivot stubs to be rotatably but fixedly positioned in the means for receiving said stubs.
  • each flange has a vertically tapered groove therein, each groove to receive one of the pivot stubs.
  • a lighter as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing is comprised of two portions; an upper portion carrying the valve means, burner tube and the valve activator and spark generator combination and is adapted to be fitted in sealing engagement with an open top lower portion to form the fuel reservoir.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Lighters Containing Fuel (AREA)
US00338991A 1973-03-07 1973-03-07 Lighter with single member valve activator and spark generator support Expired - Lifetime US3816058A (en)

Priority Applications (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00338991A US3816058A (en) 1973-03-07 1973-03-07 Lighter with single member valve activator and spark generator support
DE2410401A DE2410401A1 (de) 1973-03-07 1974-03-05 Fluessiggasfeuerzeug
CA194,198A CA1001437A (en) 1973-03-07 1974-03-06 Lighter with single member valve activator and spark generator support
JP49026122A JPS49119772A (it) 1973-03-07 1974-03-06
FR7407695A FR2220756A1 (it) 1973-03-07 1974-03-06
GB1036174A GB1458616A (en) 1973-03-07 1974-03-07 Lighters
FR7407857A FR2220757A1 (it) 1973-03-07 1974-03-07
BR1713/74A BR7401713D0 (pt) 1973-03-07 1974-03-07 Isqueiro aperfeicoado
IT49151/74A IT1004358B (it) 1973-03-07 1974-03-07 Perfezionamento negli accendini a gas

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00338991A US3816058A (en) 1973-03-07 1973-03-07 Lighter with single member valve activator and spark generator support

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3816058A true US3816058A (en) 1974-06-11

Family

ID=23326989

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00338991A Expired - Lifetime US3816058A (en) 1973-03-07 1973-03-07 Lighter with single member valve activator and spark generator support

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3816058A (it)
JP (1) JPS49119772A (it)
BR (1) BR7401713D0 (it)
CA (1) CA1001437A (it)
DE (1) DE2410401A1 (it)
FR (2) FR2220756A1 (it)
GB (1) GB1458616A (it)
IT (1) IT1004358B (it)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3895904A (en) * 1974-01-21 1975-07-22 Ronson Corp Butane lighter assembly
US3925004A (en) * 1973-04-06 1975-12-09 Gilles C Lauri Cigar and cigarette lighter
US3938943A (en) * 1973-03-01 1976-02-17 S.T. Dupont Security device for a portable lighter
USD242726S (en) * 1975-08-01 1976-12-14 Kanazawa Industries Co., Ltd. Cigarette Lighter
US4028043A (en) * 1974-07-29 1977-06-07 Genoud & Cie. Cigarette lighter with presale tamper protection
USD245188S (en) * 1975-04-23 1977-07-26 Alfred Racek Gas lighter
FR2598784A1 (fr) * 1986-05-13 1987-11-20 Feudor Sa Mecanisme d'allumage pour briquet a gaz jetable.
WO2012001451A1 (en) * 2010-07-01 2012-01-05 Societe Bic A lighter that includes a pivoting ignition subset

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS52128765A (en) * 1976-04-17 1977-10-28 Seiichi Kitabayashi Igniter for gas lighter
JP2015166672A (ja) * 2015-05-28 2015-09-24 ソシエテ ベ イ セ 回動着火サブセットを有するライター

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3423160A (en) * 1966-08-22 1969-01-21 Genoud & Cie Ets Lighter
US3601517A (en) * 1968-11-19 1971-08-24 Pierre Keller Rocking head for portable lighting devices such as lighters operating on pressurized liquefied gas

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3423160A (en) * 1966-08-22 1969-01-21 Genoud & Cie Ets Lighter
US3601517A (en) * 1968-11-19 1971-08-24 Pierre Keller Rocking head for portable lighting devices such as lighters operating on pressurized liquefied gas

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3938943A (en) * 1973-03-01 1976-02-17 S.T. Dupont Security device for a portable lighter
US3925004A (en) * 1973-04-06 1975-12-09 Gilles C Lauri Cigar and cigarette lighter
US3895904A (en) * 1974-01-21 1975-07-22 Ronson Corp Butane lighter assembly
US4028043A (en) * 1974-07-29 1977-06-07 Genoud & Cie. Cigarette lighter with presale tamper protection
USD245188S (en) * 1975-04-23 1977-07-26 Alfred Racek Gas lighter
USD242726S (en) * 1975-08-01 1976-12-14 Kanazawa Industries Co., Ltd. Cigarette Lighter
FR2598784A1 (fr) * 1986-05-13 1987-11-20 Feudor Sa Mecanisme d'allumage pour briquet a gaz jetable.
WO2012001451A1 (en) * 2010-07-01 2012-01-05 Societe Bic A lighter that includes a pivoting ignition subset
CN103109134A (zh) * 2010-07-01 2013-05-15 毕克有限公司 包含旋转点火器的打火机
US9328921B2 (en) 2010-07-01 2016-05-03 SOCIéTé BIC Lighter that includes a pivoting ignition subset

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS49119772A (it) 1974-11-15
BR7401713D0 (pt) 1974-11-19
FR2220757A1 (it) 1974-10-04
GB1458616A (en) 1976-12-15
FR2220756A1 (it) 1974-10-04
CA1001437A (en) 1976-12-14
IT1004358B (it) 1976-07-10
DE2410401A1 (de) 1974-09-19

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