Lighter Accessory for a Cigarette Lighter and Smoking Device Using Same

Abstract

A lighter accessory for a cigarette lighter and a smoking device using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the lighter accessory, a shell includes a side wall and a bottom wall defining an open chamber sized to slidably and frictionally receive the cigarette lighter. The opened chamber has an opening opposite the bottom wall that is configured to accept the cigarette lighter. A housing is coupled to the shell to define an interior chamber configured to accept a supply of fibrous wick. A conduit connects the housing to another opening, a wick opening, and a dispenser advances the fibrous wick from the interior chamber through the conduit to the wick opening. In use, the cigarette lighter may light the wick which in turn is used to ignite tobacco or other smokable herb.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to smoking and, in particular, to a lighter accessory for a cigarette lighter and smoking device using the same for igniting tobacco and other smokable herbs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Butane cigarette lighters are popular choices for igniting tobacco and other smokable herbs. Butane cigarette lighters introduce butane combustion products including methane, ethane, propane, and other combustion products into tobacco and other smokable herbs. These combustion products introduce impurities into the smokable material that degrades the taste of the tobacco or smokable herb. Accordingly, a need exists for improved lighters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to achieve a lighter accessory for a cigarette lighter and smoking device using the same that would compliment an existing butane cigarette lighter. It would also be desirable to enable a mechanical solution that would mitigate or eliminate the taint of combustion products in the taste of tobacco and smokable herbs when a butane lighter is utilized. To better address one or more of these concerns, in one aspect of the invention, a lighter accessory is disclosed that in one embodiment includes a shell having a side wall and a bottom wall defining an open chamber sized to slidably and frictionally receive the cigarette lighter. The open chamber has an opening opposite the bottom wall that is configured to accept the cigarette lighter. A housing is coupled to the shell to define an interior chamber configured to accept a supply of fibrous wick. A conduit connects the housing to the opening and a dispenser advances the fibrous wick from the interior chamber through the conduit to the opening. In use, the cigarette lighter may light the wick which in turn is used to ignite tobacco or other smokable herb. In another aspect, a smoking device is disclosed, which includes an integrated lighter accessory and cigarette lighter. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which:

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a cigarette lighter being used in conjunction with one embodiment of a lighter accessory depicted according to the teachings presented herein, prior to ignition of tobacco or other smokable herbs;

FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of the cigarette lighter and lighter accessory presented in FIG. 1B, during ignition of tobacco or other smokable herbs;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective exploded view of the cigarette lighter and lighter accessory presented in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 3 is a front partial cross-section view of the lighter accessory shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the lighter accessory shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the lighter accessory shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the lighter accessory shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B; and

FIG. 7 is a front partial cross-section view of another embodiment of the lighter accessory depicted according to the teachings presented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, therein is depicted one embodiment of an integrated smoking device 10 including a lighter accessory 12 for use with a butane cigarette lighter 14. In operation, the cigarette lighter 14 is used in a normal manner to ignite the fibrous wick 16 (FIG. 1A) with a flame F, which in turn is utilized to ignite tobacco or other smokable herb (FIG. 1B), which may be a combustible material packed in pipe or other smoking device for enjoyment by an individual. Used in this manner, the lighter accessory 12 presented herein mitigates or eliminates the taint of combustion products in the taste of tobacco and smokable herbs, including the combustible material. The fibrous wick 16 from the lighter accessory 12 may be advanced, as needed, to provide fibrous wick 16 for ignition by the cigarette lighter 14 and, in turn, the ignition of the combustible material by the fibrous wick 16. In this manner, the cigarette lighter 14 is not used to directly ignite the combustible material.

It should be appreciated that as with any type of cigarette lighter 14, the lighter accessory 12 and cigarette lighter 14 or the smoking device embodiment 10 may be used to ignite a variety of combustible materials. For example, in addition to tobacco and smokable herbs, the teachings presented herein may be employed to light candles or other combustible items. Further, in a smoking device embodiment, the cigarette lighter 14 may be integrated with the lighter accessory 12. By way of example, the cigarette lighter 12 may include a body enclosing a supply of fuel chambered under pressure and the supply of fuel may be located in fluid communication with a flint and knurled wheel, jointly 24, for igniting the fuel.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 6, as shown, in one embodiment, the lighter accessory 12 includes an outer plastic shell 30 having a side wall 32 and a bottom wall 34 which, in combination, define an upwardly open chamber 36. The open chamber 36 has an opening 38 and a lip 40 opposite the bottom wall 34 through which the cigarette lighter 14 is accepted at the lip 14. Once the cigarette lighter 14 is fully inserted into the open chamber 36, the cigarette lighter 14 forms a friction fit therein with the flint and knurled wheel 24 of the cigarette lighter 14 being located above or superior to the lip 14 to provide for actuation of the cigarette lighter 14. The shell 30 is depicted as being generally oval in plan to correspond to the shape of a conventional cigarette lighter, such as a BIC® lighter. It should be appreciated, however, that the shell 30 may have any other desired configuration. Further, a skin (not shown) in the form of a design may be applied to the shell 30 or sidewall 32. In one embodiment, a thin rubber sleeve (not shown) lines an inner surface 42 of the open chamber 36 and frictionally grasps the cigarette lighter 14 following insertion. The inner surface of the sleeve is designed to correspond substantially in shape to the outer surface of the cigarette lighter 14 and to have some elasticity in order provide a friction fit with varying sizes of cigarette lighters.

In one implementation, a housing 50 is coupled to the shell 30 and may be integrally connected therewith or integrally formed therefrom. Depending on the application and the sizing specifications of the lighter accessory 12, the housing 50 may have any one of many locations. By way of example, as shown, the housing may be underneath the shell 30. By way of another example, the housing 50 may be attached to the sidewall 32. The housing 50 defines an interior chamber or storage compartment 52 configured to accept a supply of fibrous wick 16. A conduit or passageway 56 connects the housing 50 to an opening 58, which is located a cigarette lighter flame combustible distance away from the opening 38. A dispenser 60, which is located within the housing 50, advances the fibrous wick 16 from the interior chamber 52 through the conduit 56 to the opening 58. In one implementation, the conduit 56 is tubular in shape and may be integrally formed or form a portion of the shell 30 or sidewall 32. A partition 62 may separate the conduit 56 from the upwardly open chamber 36.

In one embodiment, the dispenser 60 includes a spool 64, which may take the form of a low-flanged or unflanged cylinder on which the fibrous wick 16 is wound for distribution or use. The spool 64 is mounted on an axle 66 to enable revolutions. By way of further example, the dispenser 60 may include a bobbin in the form of a cylinder or reel on which a quantity of fibrous wick 16 is wound for use in a particular machine or device. As shown, the housing 50 may include a door 68, which opens and closes in a snap-fit engagement with the housing 50 to define open and closed compartment positions for the storage compartment 52. As shown, the door 68 is coupled to the housing by a hinge 70. A detention tang 72 extends from the housing 50 and mates with a complimentary retaining opening 74 located on the door 68. The door 68 grants access to the dispenser 60 to provide, for example, the ability to refill or replace the supply of fibrous wick 16. In one implementation, the fibrous wick 16 may include hemp, candle-wicking or other fibrous material.

In one embodiment of a dispensing operation, the housing 50 is coupled to the body or is integrally formed therewith and, as discussed before, the housing 50 defines an interior chamber 52 configured to accept a supply of fibrous wick 16. The conduit 56 connects the housing 50 to a position proximate the flint and knurled wheel 24. The dispenser 60 advances the fibrous wick from the interior chamber through the conduit to the opening 58, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 3. The dispenser 60, by way of manual pulling of the portion of the fibrous wick 16 above the opening 58 advances the fibrous wick 16 from the spool 64 through the conduit 56 through which the fibrous wick 16 is threaded to the opening 58 proximate the cigarette lighter 14.

Referring now to FIG. 7, another embodiment of the lighter accessory depicted. As depicted, the housing 50 is coupled to the body or is integrally formed therewith and, similar to the previously discussed embodiment, the housing 50 defines an interior chamber 52 configured to accept a supply of fibrous wick 16. The conduit 56 connects the housing 50 to a position proximate the flint and knurled wheel 24. The dispenser 60 advances the fibrous wick 16 from the interior chamber 52 through the conduit 56 to the opening 58. The dispenser 60, by way of means for advancing the fibrous wick, such as the illustrated feed assembly 80, advances the fibrous wick 56 from the spool 64 through the conduit 56 through which the fibrous wick 16 is threaded to the opening 58 proximate the cigarette lighter 14. The feed assembly 80 is positioned in the conduit by way of an assembly housing 82, which includes an access opening in the shell 30. The feed assembly includes a pawl 84, a drive axle pin 86, a feed drive gear 88, and a rachet gear 90. A lever 92 extends from the feed assembly 80.

The pawl 84 engages the ratchet gear 90 and upon the lever 92 being actuated, the pawl 84 forces the ratchet gear 90 and consequently the drive axle pin 86 and feed drive gear 88 to rotate in the same forward direction, whereby the fibrous wick 16 is pulled from the dispenser 60 and advanced beyond the feed assembly 80. By way of another embodiment, the means for advancing the fibrous wick may include a thumb-sized slot which intersects the conduit to provide access to the fibrous wick therein. By way of manual manipulation by a thumb or finger, the fibrous wick 16 may be advanced from the dispenser 60 to the opening 58.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.

Claims

1. A lighter accessory for a cigarette lighter having a flint and knurled wheel, the lighter accessory comprising: a shell having a side wall and a bottom wall defining an open chamber sized to slidably and frictionally receive the cigarette lighter, the open chamber sized to position the flint and knurled wheel superior to the shell;the open chamber being configured to include a first opening opposite the bottom wall, the first opening configured to accept the cigarette lighter;a housing being coupled to the shell, the housing defining an interior chamber configured to accept a supply of fibrous wick;a door being coupled to the housing by a hinge, the door configured to open and close in a snap-fit engagement with the housing to define open and closed compartment positions for the interior chamber, whereby the supply of fibrous wick is replaceable;a detention tang extending from the housing, the detention tang mating with a complimentary retaining opening located on the door, the detention tang and complimentary retaining opening cooperating to create the snap-fit engagement;a conduit connecting the housing to a second opening, the second opening being adjacent to the first opening, the separation between the first opening and the second opening being a cigarette lighter flame combustible distance; anda dispenser located in the housing, the dispenser configured to advance the fibrous wick from the interior chamber through the conduit to the second opening, the dispenser including an axle sized to accept a spool configured to maintain the supply of fibrous wick in a wound state for distribution.

2. The lighter accessory as recited in claim 1, further comprising a skin applied to the shell.

3. The lighter accessory as recited in claim 1, wherein the fibrous material is selected from the group consisting of hemp and candle-wicking.

4. The lighter accessory as recited in claim 1, wherein the lighter accessory is configured to stand upright.

5. The lighter accessory as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for advancing the fibrous wick from the spool through the conduit through which the fibrous wick is threaded to the second opening.

6. The lighter accessory as recited in claim 1, further comprising a feeder subassembly, the feeder subassembly configured to advance the fibrous wick from the spool through the conduit through which the fibrous wick is threaded to the second opening.

7. The lighter accessory as recited in claim 6, wherein the feeder subassembly further comprises: an assembly housing intersecting the conduit, the assembly housing securing a pawl, a drive axle pin, a feed drive gear, and a rachet gear therein;a lever extending from the feed assembly; andthe pawl engaging the ratchet gear and upon the lever being actuated, the pawl forces the ratchet gear and consequently the drive axle pin and feed drive gear to rotate in the same forward direction, whereby the fibrous wick is pulled from the dispenser and advanced beyond the feed assembly.

8. The lighter accessory as recited in claim 6, wherein the feeder subassembly further comprises a thumb-sized slot which intersects the conduit to provide access to the fibrous wick therein such that by way of manual manipulation, the fibrous wick may be advanced from the dispenser to the second opening.

9. A lighter accessory for a cigarette lighter having a flint and knurled wheel, the lighter accessory comprising: a shell having a side wall and a bottom wall defining an open chamber sized to slidably and frictionally receive the cigarette lighter, the open chamber sized to position the flint and knurled wheel superior to the shell;the open chamber being configured to include a first opening opposite the bottom wall, the first opening configured to accept the cigarette lighter;a housing being coupled to the shell, the housing defining an interior chamber configured to accept a supply of fibrous wick;a conduit connecting the housing to a second opening, the second opening being adjacent to the first opening, the separation between the first opening and the second opening being a cigarette flame combustible distance; anda dispenser located in the housing, the dispenser configured to advance the fibrous wick from the interior chamber through the conduit to the second opening.

10. The smoking device as recited in claim 9, wherein the fibrous material is selected from the group consisting of hemp and candle-wicking.

11. The smoking device as recited in claim 9, further comprising means for advancing the fibrous wick from the spool through the conduit through which the fibrous wick is threaded to the opening.

12. The smoking device as recited in claim 9, further comprising a feeder subassembly, the feeder subassembly configured to advance the fibrous wick from the spool through the conduit through which the fibrous wick is threaded to the opening.

13. A smoking device comprising: a lighter including a body enclosing a supply of fuel chambered under pressure, the supply of fuel located in fluid communication with a flint and knurled wheel for igniting the fuel;a housing being coupled to the body, the housing defining an interior chamber configured to accept a supply of fibrous wick;a door being coupled to the housing by a hinge, the door configured to open and close in a snap-fit engagement with the housing to define open and closed compartment positions for the interior chamber, whereby the supply of fibrous wick is replaceable;a detention tang extending from the housing, the detention tang mating with a complimentary retaining opening located on the door, the detention tang and complimentary retaining opening cooperating to create the snap-fit engagement;a conduit connecting the housing to an opening, the opening being adjacent to the lighter, the separation between the first opening and the lighter being a cigarette flame combustible distance; anda dispenser located in the housing, the dispenser configured to advance the fibrous wick from the interior chamber through the conduit to the opening, the dispenser including an axle sized to accept a spool configured to maintain the supply of fibrous wick in a wound state for distribution.

14. The smoking device as recited in claim 13, further comprising a skin applied to the body.

15. The smoking device as recited in claim 13, wherein the fibrous material is selected from the group consisting of hemp and candle-wicking.

16. The smoking device as recited in claim 13, wherein the smoking device is configured to stand upright.

17. The smoking device as recited in claim 13, further comprising means for advancing the fibrous wick from the spool through the conduit through which the fibrous wick is threaded to the opening.

18. The smoking device as recited in claim 13, further comprising a feeder subassembly, the feeder subassembly configured to advance the fibrous wick from the spool through the conduit through which the fibrous wick is threaded to the opening.

19. The smoking device as recited in claim 18, wherein the feeder subassembly further comprises: an assembly housing intersecting the conduit, the assembly housing securing a pawl, a drive axle pin, a feed drive gear, and a rachet gear therein;a lever extending from the feed assembly; andthe pawl engaging the ratchet gear and upon the lever being actuated, the pawl forces the ratchet gear and consequently the drive axle pin and feed drive gear to rotate in the same forward direction, whereby the fibrous wick is pulled from the dispenser and advanced beyond the feed assembly.

20. The smoking device as recited in claim 18, wherein the feeder subassembly further comprises a thumb-sized slot which intersects the conduit to provide access to the fibrous wick therein such that by way of manual manipulation, the fibrous wick may be advanced from the dispenser to the second opening.