Patent Application
20060008753
1. Technical Field
The disclosure relates generally to a lighter and method of use and, in particular, to a pocket lighter that includes a cover that pivots against a high viscosity packing material.
2. Related Art
Many types of lighters have been manufactured to include features that make them more useful and/or attractive to consumers. The patent literature includes examples of lighters that include covers for protecting the nozzle from dust and other materials that might interfere with its operation. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,176,150 discloses a lighter with a manually pivoting cover the retracts at least partially into the body of the lighter. However, covers that require manual opening are sometimes awkward when holding other objects. Other lighters have been designed with spring-biased covers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,616,277 to DeLattre-Deguy discloses a lighter with a spring biased cover. U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,766 to Hu discloses a lighter having a manually actuated L-shaped cover biased by a spring. However, such spring biased covers may be disadvantageous as the snapping action of the cover may break the tip of a cigarette or cigar in close proximity to the cover, or pinch the skin of the user depending on its construction.
The present disclosure is directed to a lighter with a manually actuated cover that is pivotally connected to the body of the lighter. The cover has a free end and a pivoting end which defines a chamber in which a biasing member is disposed, which is preferably a spring. The body of the lighter includes a sliding release device that releasably connects the free end of the cover to the body of the lighter. The sliding fastener is released when a switch is actuated by sliding the switch in a downward direction, allowing the free end of the cover to pivot upwardly to open. The chamber containing the spring contains a packing material having a relatively high viscosity such as petroleum jelly or grease, such that upon actuation of the switch, the sliding fastener is released, and the cover pivots upwardly against the resistance of the packing material. The packing material in the chamber retards the movement of the spring, thereby reducing the speed at which the cover pivots to open. Actuation of the switch also may be used to ignite a flame. The switch may be actuated once to open the cover, and a second time to actuate the spark generating device. Alternatively, actuation of the switch may be used to simultaneously open the cover and actuate the spark generating device.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure. The principles and features of this disclosure may be employed in varied and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
In the drawings:
Referring now to the Figures when taken together, there is indicated generally at 10 a lighter according to the present disclosure. As shown, lighter 10 includes a lower body 12, an upper body 14, and a pivoting cover 15. Lighter 10 includes an interior cavity (not shown) which supports a reservoir (not shown) for storing lighter fuel therein, a spark generating device (not shown), and a fill opening (not illustrated) for accessing the reservoir, each of which are known in the art. Examples of suitable spark generating devices include flint, piezoelectric, turbo, jet, and the like. Lighter 10 also includes houses a gas emitting nozzle 50 for controlling the flow of gas and emitting a flame 60, as is known in the art. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular type of gas emitting nozzle, and those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to contemplate a variety of configurations, many of which are well known in the art.
Fasteners 13 are used to connect or attach the various components described below. In the present embodiment, fasteners 13 are screws. For ease of explanation, fasteners 13 will be referred to hereinafter throughout the description as screws 13. Unless otherwise indicated, fastener 13 may be any suitable fastener such as, for example, rivets, screws, and the like, and those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize fasteners other than those listed here that would be suitable.
Cover 15 is preferably pivotally supported by lighter body 12 such that it can be moved between a non-actuated position (see
When assembled, a packing material 25 may be packed about spring 23 between end caps 19, 21. In operation, packing material 25 retards the movement of spring 23, thereby retarding the speed at which cover 15 opens, i.e. it minimizes the “snap” action opening of cover 15. Suitable packing materials are non-toxic, non-flammable, sufficiently viscous to retard the movement of the cover without the user having to wait more than 2-3 seconds for the cover to reach a fully open position, and sufficiently viscous so that it does not leak from end caps 19, 21. A preferred viscous semisolid packing material is petrolatum, or petroleum jelly. Those of skill in the art will recognize that a variety of packing materials or combinations of packing materials may be suitable, which may be selected based on the foregoing characteristics.
Lower body 12 includes a central section 12a and side sections 12b,c which may be attached or connected to central section 12a using, for example, fasteners 13. Lower body section 12 is adapted to support and connect to upper body section 14 using screws 13.
With reference to
With reference to
Ribs 38 are defined in the sidewalls 22a,b of main section 20 to provide sliding engagement of a insert 36, as described below. Insert 36 includes a bore 18 corresponding to bore 32 of main section 20, from which flame 60 extends when lighter 10 is in use. A portion of nozzle 50 also may extend into bore 18 if necessary or desired. Insert 36 includes at least one groove 40 on each outer side thereof for engagement with corresponding ribs 38 defined in the sidewalls 22a,b of main section 20. Insert 36 may be attached to upper body 14 using screws 13.
Left and right shoulder inserts 28a,b are sized and dimensioned to be received in corresponding left and right sidewall recesses 26a,b of main section 20. Left and right shoulder inserts 28a,b each include a cylindrical post 42a,b sized and dimensioned to be received in cylindrical bores 24a,b of sidewalls 22a,b of main section 20. Post 42a of left shoulder insert 28a includes a central bore 44 extending at least partially therethrough for receiving biasing member 46 therein, the base 54 of which acts as a spring seat. Post 42b of right shoulder insert 28b includes a rib 48 extending perpendicularly from the face thereof for engagement with left cylinder 19 of cover 15. Left and right shoulder inserts 28a,b may be attached to main section 20 using screws 13.
Left cylinder 19a includes posts 19a,b extending from each face thereof Post 19b includes a groove 19c for engagement with spring 23, and post 19a is sized and dimensioned to fit concentrically within the coils of spring 46, with shoulder 19d acting as a seat for spring 46. Right cylinder 21 includes a post 21a extending from one face thereof and defining a shoulder 21d and a groove 21b for engagement with spring 23. The opposite face of right cylinder 21 includes a groove 21c formed in the face thereof for engagement with rib 48 of right shoulder insert 28b.
In use, as shown in
Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of a preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope, spirit and intent of the disclosure.
