LIGHTER

Abstract

A lighter includes a housing body extending from a forward flame generator to a rearward base along a longitudinal axis and a cover having a forward enclosure and a pair of flaps extending rearwardly from the enclosure. The pair of flaps are slidingly engaged with at least a portion of the housing body. The enclosure is configured to cover the flame generator and seal against the housing body when the cover is in a closed position. The flame generator includes a windscreen with a flame outlet that, when the lighter is in an operation orientation, is directed upwardly and in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Description

BACKGROUND

Refillable lighters are utilized for lighting cigarettes, cigars, for starting campfires and the like. Common refillable lighters utilize butane or liquid lighter fluid, for example naphtha, for the fuel. A disadvantage with butane is that its performance degrades in extreme cold conditions. Most lighters that utilize liquid lighter fluid are not fluid tight and can leak the liquid lighter fluid and/or the lighter fluid evaporates in a relatively short period of time. Any improvements in the performance of lighters would be well received by the lighter-using public.

SUMMARY

A fueled lighter for cigarettes, cigars, and the like having a main fuel containment housing body and a forward lighting end, with a sliding and rotatable cover having a closed seated and sealing position on the housing body covering the forward lighting end. The cover slides along an elongate axis of the lighter to displaced forward position from which it is rotatable 180° about the housing body to a rearward position, and is then slidable along the elongate axis of the lighter toward the housing body to a rearward seated position where the cover is removably secured to the rearward end of housing and the forward lighting end is exposed and ready for generation of a flame. In some examples, the flame generator assembly provides a wind shield with a flame outlet that is perpendicular to the major dimension and elongate axis of the lighter. When the flame generator is actuated, this orients the flame upwardly with the housing body extending generally horizontally or slightly tilted from the horizontal. The flame generator assembly includes a flame generator base with a fuel port positioned into the wind shield and an ignition means adjacent to the fuel port.

In some examples, the disclosure describes a lighter that includes a housing body extending from a forward flame generator to a rearward base along a longitudinal axis; and a cover having a forward enclosure and a pair of flaps extending rearwardly from the enclosure. The pair of flaps are slidingly engaged with at least a portion of the housing body. The enclosure is configured to cover the flame generator and seal against the housing body when the cover is in a closed position.

In some examples, the disclosure describes a lighter that includes a housing body extending from a forward flame generator to a rearward base along a longitudinal axis; and a cover having a forward enclosure and a pair of flaps extending rearwardly from the enclosure. Each pair of flaps defines a plurality of posts extending inwardly from the respective flaps towards the housing body. The housing body defines at least one of a slot or a detent configured to receive therein one or more of the plurality of posts. The pair of flaps are slidingly engaged with at least a portion of the housing body. The enclosure is configured to cover the flame generator and seal against the housing body when the cover is in a closed configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A through 1G are various views of an example lighter in a closed configuration.

FIGS. 2A through 2G are perspective views of the lighter in various operational configurations.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the lighter.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the lighter.

FIGS. 5A through 5F are views of an example lighter in various operational configurations.

FIGS. 6A through 6F are views of an example lighter in various operational configurations.

FIGS. 7A through 7L are conceptual diagrams illustrating an example lighter.

FIGS. 8A through 8I are conceptual diagrams illustrating various views of an example lighter.

FIGS. 9A through 9N are conceptual diagrams illustrating various views of an example lighter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An example lighter includes a housing body extending from a forward flame generator to a rearward base along a longitudinal axis; and a cover having a forward enclosure and a pair of flaps extending rearwardly from the enclosure. The pair of flaps are slidingly engaged with at least a portion of the housing body. The enclosure is configured to cover the flame generator and seal against the housing body when the cover is in a closed position. Commonly owned U.S. Patent Publication No. 2022/0082255, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses flame generation units, fuel ports, windscreen configurations, fuel reservoir, methods of use, and lighter components pertinent to this disclosure.

A feature and advantage of embodiments of the present disclosure is that the wind shield opens generally at a 90-degree angle from the greater dimension of the body. This allows the lighter to be held horizontally with the wind shield open in an upward direction.

A feature and advantage of embodiments of the present disclosure is that the wind shield may have a plurality of outwardly projecting tapered nozzle portions. Such outwardly projection nozzles are believed to be more effective than simple holes in providing wind protection while allowing sufficient air for combustion. As air enters the narrow opening and the opening expands on the inside of the nozzle, the air velocity is reduced more so that with simple aperture in a wall.

A feature and advantage of embodiments of the present disclosure is a flame generator base that has an O-ring groove for sealing connection to the cover.

A feature and advantage of embodiments of the present disclosure is that the height of the lighter in the use position is significantly less than conventional lighters. First, the lighter has a use position where greatest dimension of the lighter is positioned horizontally. The height then is the second greatest dimension of the lighter. Secondly, the cover rotates to the rearward end of the lighter for the operational position, not increasing the height of the lighter in the use position. This minimal height of the lighter is more conducive to use in camping for example, to extend the lighter into openings in campfire wood piles.

A feature and advantage of embodiments of the present disclosure is that the cover has a one-way rotation. The one-way rotation adds operational stability to the lighter such that during the rotational swing motion of the cover in the cover opening process, a stop is provided for the cover at the 180° position where the user can then slide the cover into the rearward seated position on the housing body.

A feature and advantage of embodiments of the present disclosure includes where the cover of the flame generation end of a lighter rotates to the opposite end of the housing body when the lighter is in an operating mode. In embodiments, the cover provides a stand on which the lighter may be placed. The cover does not impede the use of the lighter when in the operating mode.

Referring to FIGS. 1A through 1G, a lighter 20 is illustrated and has a housing body 22 and a cover 24. The cover 24 having an enclosure portion 26 and a pair flaps 28, 30 each with a slot 34. Pivot members 40 configured as wheels are fixed with respect to the housing body 22 and are seated in the slots 34 and provide motion constraint to the cover 24 with respect to the housing body 22. The lighter 20 generally having an axis a.

Referring to FIGS. 2A through 2G, the motion of the cover 24 with respect to the housing body 22 is depicted. The housing body 22 has a forward flame generation end 44 with a wind screen 46 and ignitor 48. Opposite the flame generation end 44 is a rearward end 50. FIG. 2A illustrates the cover 24 in a closed position. The pivot members 40 cooperating with the flaps 28, 30 at the slots 34 allow the cover 24 to be moved forwardly (as indicated by arrow 200), depicted as upwardly in FIGS. 1A through 1E. In FIG. 2B, the cover 24 has slid forwardly where it is now rotatable as shown in FIG. 2C and can be rotated (indicated by arrows 202 and 204) 180 degrees to the position of FIG. 2D, a rearward position with the enclosure portion 26 displaced from the housing body 22. The enclosure portion 26 may then be moved forwardly (as indicated by arrow 206) to seat on the rearward end of the housing body 22 as depicted in FIG. 2E. With the cover 24 seated on the rearward end 50 the lighter 20 may be operated conveniently in the horizontal position as depicted in FIG. 2F with the wind screen 46 open upwardly and the axis a of the lighter 20 generally horizontal. The lighter 20 may then be lit by way of the ignitor 48. The cover 24 may then be pulled rearwardly (as indicated by arrow 208) and again rotated (as indicated by arrow 210) as illustrated in FIG. 2G to the forward position of FIG. 2B to then be moved (e.g., opposite the direction indicated by arrow 200) to the closed position of FIG. 2A.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an O-ring 60 that is seated in a groove 64 in the forward flame generation end 44 that provides a compliant seal between the housing body 22 and the interior surface 66 of the enclosure portion 26 of the cover 24. Retaining wheels 68 may be secured to opposing sides of the housing body 22 by screws 70 engaged with threaded inserts 72 seated in the housing body 22. Plunger detents 76 may be seated in apertures 78 in the housing body 22 with springs (not shown) biasing the detents outwardly. The housing body 22 may also have a boss 80 projecting therefrom. Recess structure 86 on the interior surface 88 of both or one of the two flaps 28, 30 engage and constrain the boss and/or plunger detents 76 thereby providing motion and positional control of the cover relative to the housing body as described below.

Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5F, the interaction of the boss 80 with a groove 92 on the inside surface of the flap 28 is illustrated thereby providing the motion and positional control of the cover 24 with respect to the housing body 22. In FIG. 5A the forward (upward in this view) motion of the cover with respect to the housing body 22 is constrained by the pivot member 40 and the boss 80, that is, rotation is restricted. As shown in FIG. 5B, the cover 24 may be secured to the housing body by way of a latch 100 configured as tab 102 receiving in a recess 105 in the housing body 22. As shown in FIG. 5C, as the boss 88 leaves the groove 92 as the cover 24 reaches the forward displaced position of FIG. 5C, the cover 24 can than be rotated about the pivot member 40 though the position of FIG. 5D to the 180-degree rotated position of FIG. 5E. Notably, engagement of the groove side wall 109 by the boss 80 as shown in FIG. 5E inhibits any further rotation of the cover with respect to the housing body 22. The cover 24 can then be moved forwardly to the seated position of FIG. 5F with the boss again entering and being constrained by the groove 92.

Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6E illustrate constraint, motion, and positional control of the cover with respect to the housing body by way of plunger detents 76 engaged with a cam surface 114 on the inside surface of the flap. The plunger detents follow the contoured surface of cam surfaces to provide fixation in desired locations and constraint of movement. FIG. 6F illustrates a larger retainer wheel 40 for securing the cover to the housing body.

In embodiments, the lighter 20 is known as a cigarette or cigar lighter, the volumetric space occupied by the lighter is relatively small, from 2 cubic inches to 4 cubic inches. The weight of the lighter 20 is less than 4 ounces.

In embodiments, the ignition means may be electronic, and the fuel may be a gaseous fuel such as butane. See, for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,280,600; 7,654,821; 5,055,034; 3,353,376; 2,424,781; 4,128,393; 3,521,985; 2,867,753; and 3,311,789. The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes.

FIGS. 7A through 7L are conceptual diagrams illustrating an example lighter 720. Lighter 720 may be the same as or substantially similar to lighter 20 described above in reference to FIGS. 1A through 6F, except for the differences described herein. For example, lighter 720 may include a housing body 722 and a cover 724, each extending along a longitudinal axis 721.

Housing body 722 extends from a rearward base 723 to a forward flame generator 744. Base 723 is configured to house and protect a flammable fluid and other internal components of lighter 720. Flame generator 744 is fluidly coupled to at least a portion of the flammable fluid containing internal components housed within base 723 and is configured to, when operated by a user, produce a spark to generate and retain a flame by burning at least a portion of the flammable fluid.

Cover 724 includes an enclosure 726 and a pair of rigid flaps 728 and 730. In some examples, flaps 728 and 730 may be mechanically fastened to enclosure 726 by, for example, one or more of adhesive bonding, friction fit of corresponding features, mechanical fasteners, or combinations thereof. To facilitate adhesive bonding, the contact surfaces of one or both of enclosure 726 and flaps 728 and 730 may define adhesive overflow channels, such as channels 780A and 780B (FIG. 7F), configured to receive therein at least a portion of an excess adhesive during assembly of enclosure 726 and flaps 728 and 730. In other examples, flaps 728 and 730 may be integrally formed with enclosure portion 726 to define a unitary component.

In some examples, enclosure 726 defines one or more registration features, such as registration protrusion 727. Flaps 728 and 730 define one or more corresponding registration features, such as aperture 729. Aperture 729 is configured to receive at least partially therethrough a portion of registration protrusion 727. In other example, the registration features and corresponding registration features may include any suitable features, such as, for example, dimples and corresponding recesses, ridges and corresponding valleys, convex curved surfaces and corresponding concave curved surfaces, or the like. The registration features and corresponding registration features may improve the mechanical coupling of enclosure 726 to flaps 728 and 730 compared to enclosure-flap interfaces without such features.

Each of flaps 728 and 720 include respective pivot members, such as posts 740A and 740B (collectively, posts 740). Posts 740 are configured as protrusions extending inwardly from flaps 728 into at least a portion of housing body 722. In some examples, the at least portion of housing body 722 may include one or more slots or detents defined by housing body 722, as discussed in greater detail below. The interaction of posts 740 with the slots, the detents, or both is configured to provide selectively constrained motion of cover 724 relative to housing body 722.

Posts 740 may be separately formed from and mechanically coupled (e.g., adhesively bonded with or friction fit to) flaps 728 and 730. In some examples, posts 740 may include press-fit pins or pin-nuts received through apertures defined by flaps 728 and 730. In other examples, posts 740 may be integrally formed with flaps 728 and 730. In some examples, posts 740 may include bearings or other features configured to facilitate movement of posts 740 within the slots, the detents, or both.

When housing body 722 and cover 724 are in select relative positions, orientations, or both, posts 740 may be received at least partially within respective slots or detents. Slots may include, for example, slots 734 and 736. Slot 734 includes a linear slot extending substantially parallel to flaps 728 and 730. Slot 736 includes an arcuate portion (e.g., semi-circle shaped volume) extending in a plane substantially parallel to flaps 728 and 730. Each of slots 734 and 736 are sized to receive therein, in sliding engagement, posts 740. In other examples, slots may include other linear or arcuate shapes to constrain movement of housing body 722 relative to cover 724.

In some examples, slots may include ramped sections configured to provide an increasing resistance when housing body 722 is moved in a first direction relative to cover 724 and a decreasing resistance when housing body 722 is moved in a second direction (e.g., opposite the first direction) relative to cover 724. For example, moving housing body 722 relative to cover 724 in a first direction (e.g., from a close configuration to a partially open configuration, as indicated by arrow 710 in FIG. 7C) may require greater force than moving housing body 722 and cover 724 in a second, opposite direction (e.g., from an open configuration to a closed configuration). In this way, lighter 720 may be configured to reduce or prevent accidental opening of lighter 720.

Detents may include, for example, detents 776A, 776B, 776C, 776D, 776E, 776F, 776G, and 776H (collectively, detents 776). Each of detents 776 includes a recessed region of housing body 722 relative to a surrounding region. The recessed region is sized to receive therein at least a portion of a post 740. The interaction of posts 740 with detents 776, slots 734, or both provide at least one of fixation of housing body 722 relative to cover 724 in desired locations, positional control or constraint of movement of housing body 722 relative to cover 724, or both. For example, an upper post, e.g., post 740A may be received in a respective detent 776A which is configured as a pivot point allowing post 740B to travel in an arcuate path through semicircular slot 736 (see, e.g., FIG. 7F). In some examples, protrusion 778 may constrain movement of post 740B (i.e., rotation of cover 724 relative to housing body 722) until post 740A is seated in detent 776A.

In some examples, each of flaps 728 and 730 may extend from a first portion coupled to enclosure 726 toward a second portion configured to engage housing body 722 at an angle extending toward longitudinal axis 721. For example, the angle may be within a range from about 1-degree to about 10-degrees, such as about 5-degrees. By canting flaps 728 and 730 inward toward longitudinal axis 721, when housing body 722 is positioned between both of flaps 728 and 730, flaps 728 and 730 may exert a compressive force on housing body 722. The compressive force may increase a friction between at least a portion of flaps 728 and 730, such as pivots 740, with at least a portion of housing body 722, such as slots 734 or 736 defined by housing body 722. Additionally, or alternatively, the compressive force may enable pivots 740 to seat within one or more detents 776 defined by a portion of housing body 722 when cover 724 is in a selected position and/or orientation relative to housing body 722. In this way, post 740 of flaps 728 and 730 interact with slots 734 and 736, detents 776, or both as a ball-detent mechanisms without additional springs. Thus, the ball-detent mechanism is less susceptible to debris intrusion or wear and manufacturing is simplified.

During use, any operator may manipulate lighter 720 in several configurations. Example configurations of lighter 720 include, but are not limited to, closed, partially open, partially actuated, fully actuated, fully open, and extended configurations. Example techniques of operating lighter 720 include manipulation of lighter 720 in one or more of the configurations described below.

FIG. 7A illustrates lighter 720 in a closed configuration. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of lighter 720 taken along a plane extending along longitudinal axis 721 and perpendicularly through flaps 728 and 730. In the closed configuration, at least a portion of housing body 722 including flame generator 744 is seated within a cavity defined by enclosure 726 of cover 724. When in the closed configuration, at least a portion of housing body 722 and cover 724 are configured to reduce or prevent an evaporation of the flammable fluid within base 723, reduce or prevent ingress of moisture, water, or debris into the flame generator 744, or both. For example, at least one of housing body 722 and cover 724 may include a recessed surface having coupled thereto a polymeric O-ring (e.g., seal 760) that is proud of the recessed surface such that at least a portion of the other of the housing body 722 or cover 724 may contact, at least partially compress, and thereby seal the flame generator 744 from an environment external to the lighter 720. In some examples, an interior leading edge 725 of cover 724 may be rounded, tapered, or otherwise shaped to facilitate engagement with and compression of seal 760 when cover 724 is moved into the close configuration with housing body 722.

FIG. 7C illustrates lighter 720 in a partially open configuration. FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view of lighter 720 in FIG. 7C taken along a plane extending along longitudinal axis 721 and perpendicularly through flaps 728 and 730. In the partially open configuration, housing body 722 is displaced in the direction indicated by arrow 710 a distance D1. The distance D1 may correspond to a length of slot 734. In the partially opened configuration, each of posts 740 may be seated in a respective detent and/or slot. For example, posts 740A and 740C may be seated in respective detents 776A and 776C, and configured to provide a pivot point for posts 740B and 740D to travel in an arcuate path through at least a portion of a slot, such as slot 736. As discussed above, when moved from the closed configuration to the partially open configuration a ramped surface of slot 734 may require a greater force to move cover 724 to the partially open configuration relative to moving cover 724 in the opposite direction. Once in the partially open configuration, housing body 722 may be rotated relative to cover 724 at least about 180-degrees.

FIG. 7E illustrates lighter 720 in a partially actuated configuration, with housing body 722 may be rotated relative to cover 724 about 90-degrees in the direction indicated by arrow 712. FIG. 7F is a cross-sectional view of lighter 720 in FIG. 7E taken along a plane extending along longitudinal axis 719 and parallel to (and internal to) flap 728. In some examples, a predetermine force may be required to unseat posts 740B and 740D from respective detents 776B and 776D. Additionally, or alternatively, slot 736 may define an arcuate ramped surface, requiring a greater force as posts 740B and 740D travel over the accurate path in the direction indicated by arrow 712. In this way, lighter 720 may be configured to prevent accidental movement of cover 724 from the partially open configuration to the partially actuated configuration.

FIG. 7G illustrates lighter 720 in a fully actuated configuration, with housing body 722 may be rotated relative to cover 724 about 180-degrees in the direction indicated by arrow 714. FIG. 7H is a cross-sectional view of lighter 720 in FIG. 7G taken along a plane extending along longitudinal axis 721 and perpendicularly through flaps 728 and 730. In some examples, posts 740B and 740D may seat in respective detents along the arcuate path of slot 736 when rotated the about 180-degrees to retain lighter 720 in the fully actuated configuration. In other examples, a ramped surface of slot 736 may urge cover 724 toward the partially open configuration (e.g., in a direction opposite arrow 714) absent a force (e.g., an operator's hand holding open cover 724) to retain lighter 720 in the fully actuated configuration.

FIG. 7I illustrates lighter 720 in a fully extended configuration, with housing body 722 may be rotated relative to cover 724 about 180-degrees in the direction indicated by arrow 714. FIG. 7H is a cross-sectional view of lighter 720 in FIG. 7G taken along a plane extending along longitudinal axis 721 and perpendicularly through flaps 728 and 730. In the fully extended configuration, housing body 722 is displaced in the direction indicated by arrow 716 a distance D2. The distance D2 may correspond to a length of slot 734. In the fully extended configuration, each of posts 740 may be seated in a respective detent and/or slot. For example, posts 740A, 740B, 740C, and 740D may be seated in respective detents 776E, 776F, 776G, and 776H.

As illustrated in FIG. 7K, once in the fully actuated configuration, lighter 720 may be operated by actuating ignitor 748 of flame generator 744 to produce a flame 745. In some examples, lighter 720 is configured to be held horizontally relative to a horizontal axis 701 such that flame 745 rises substantially perpendicular to horizontal axis 701 and passing through a flame aperture defined by windscreen 746. In some examples, a bottom surface 702 of lighter 720 defined by at least a portion of housing body 722 and cover 724 may be configured to rest on substantially flat surfaces such that lighter 720 may be operated, at least temporarily, in a hand-free mode of operation. A hands-free mode of operation may enable a user to utilize flame 745 while handing one or more objects, such as tinder or kindling while lighting a campfire or wood-burning stove.

In a substantially similar manner, as illustrated in FIG. 7L, lighter 720 may be operated in the fully extended configuration. Operating lighter in the fully extended configuration may enable an operator to reach with flame 745 objects that are not readily reached with lighter 720 in the fully actuated configuration. For example, an operator may more readily reach a pilot light of a furnace or hot-water heater or a center of a tinder or kindling pile of a fire.

FIGS. 8A through 8I are conceptual diagrams illustrating various views of an example lighter 820. Lighter 820 is the same or substantially similar to lighter 720 described above in reference to FIGS. 7A through 7L, except for the differences described herein. For example, lighter 820 may include a housing body 822 and a cover 824, each extending generally along a longitudinal axis 821.

As illustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 8L, housing body 822 includes base 823 having a seal 860 and cover 824 includes enclosure 826, flap 828, and 830. Forward flame generator 844, or firebox, of housing body 822 defines windscreen 846 and fuel body 847. In some examples, fuel body 847 is keyed to the housing body 822 such that fuel body 847 may only be inserted into housing body 822 in one orientation. The orientation of fuel body 847 and housing body 822 may be selected such that cover 824 rotates around a side of lighter 820 that is opposite the flame aperture of windscreen, i.e., opposite the direction a flame would extend from lighter 820 during operation.

Internal fuel body 857 is disposed in fuel body 847. Internal fuel body 857 is configured to retain therein a fuel such as naphtha. In some examples, internal fuel body 857 may include a preformed volume of natural fiber material, such as cotton, or a synthetic fiber material.

Firebox plate 851 and felt pad 853 may be configured to flank the respective top and bottom surfaces of internal fuel body 857 when positioned within fuel body 847. In some examples, firebox plate 851 is configured to substantially seal liquid and/or vapor from leaving fuel body 847, except through a wick.

Wick 855 may include a natural fiber material, such as cotton, or a synthetic fiber material having a metal reinforced weave and defining an arcuate path within internal fuel body 857. The arcuate path of wick 855 may promote saturation of wick 855 with the fuel. In some examples, wick 855 may be configured to extend from the wick aperture of firebox plate 851 at an angle canted toward the flame opening of windscreen 846. The canted angle may be within a range from about 1-degree to about 45-degrees, such as within a range from about 5-degrees to about 20-degrees, relative to an axis extending perpendicular to firebox plate 851. The canted angle of wick 855 may provide a larger flame, a flame less suitable to extinguishing from wind, or both.

Flint tube 849 includes a tube, a flint stone, a pin, a spring, and a spring tension adjustment screw. Flint wheel 850 is rotatable coupled to housing body 822, e.g., at or adjacent windscreen 846, by a pin.

As illustrated in FIG. 8I, a central axis of rotation FW of flint wheel 850 is laterally offset from a central axis FT of flint tube 849. The lateral offset may include any suitable distance D3. In some examples, distance D3 may be within a range from about 1 millimeter (mm) to about 10 mm, such as within a range from about 1 mm to about 5 mm. By offsetting flint tube 849 and flint wheel 850, when in use a contact surface 859 of flint tube 849 with flint wheel 850 may be greater than if the respective central axes were aligned. The greater contact surface may result in a larger spark relative to other configurations.

Additionally, the contact surface may define an angle 852. When flint wheel 850 is turned to abrade a flint of flint tube 849, sparks produced at contact surface 859 may be projected at angle 852 toward a wick. By projecting the sparks at angle 852, the sparks may contact an area of wick 855 further from the fuel source at which a greater portion of fuel is in vapor form. As such, ignitor 848 is configured to ignite wick 855 more easily compared to other configurations. Additionally, or alternatively, the projected sparks may form a broader contact area with wick 855 compared to an ignitor without an offset flint tube and flint wheel. The broader contact area may more easily ignite wick 855 compared to other configurations.

FIGS. 9A through 9N are conceptual diagrams illustrating various views of an example lighter 920. Lighter 920 is the same or substantially similar to lighter 820 described above in reference to FIGS. 8A through 8I, except for the differences described herein. For example, lighter 920 includes a housing body 922 and a cover 924, each extending generally along a longitudinal axis 921. Light 920 may include a flint wheel (not illustrated). Flaps 929 and 930 may be secured to enclosure 926, at least in part, using screws.

In some examples, housing body 922 includes a valve 931 that is configured to substantially equalize a pressure within housing body 922 with a pressure of an environment external to lighter 920. For example, in response to an altitude change, gases or vapor may pass through valve 931 to substantially equalize the pressure within housing body 922 and a pressure of the environment external to the lighter 920. A substantially equalized pressure may include a pressure differential that still enables an operator to open cover 924 by hand (i.e., the break the seal formed between cover 924 and housing body 922). In some examples, valve 931 may include a gas permeable membrane. In other examples, valve 931 may include a pressure release valve, a ball-detent valve, a duckbill valve, or other valves configured to equalize a pressure within an enclosed volume with an environment external to the enclosed area.

The lighter described herein may be manufactured and/or assembled using any suitable techniques.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including the references incorporated by reference, including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including references incorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes.

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects. The above-described aspects embodiments of the invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A lighter comprising: a housing body extending from a forward flame generator to a rearward base along a longitudinal axis; anda cover having a forward enclosure and a pair of flaps extending rearwardly from the enclosure, wherein the pair of flaps are slidingly engaged with at least a portion of the housing body, and wherein the enclosure is configured to cover the flame generator and seal against the housing body when the cover is in a closed position.

2. The lighter of claim 1, wherein each pair of flaps defines an aperture configured to receive therethrough at least a portion of a registration feature defined by the forward enclosure, and wherein at least one of the pair of flaps or the forward enclosure defines an overflow channel configured to receive therein at least a portion of an adhesive bonding the pair of flaps to the forward enclosure.

3. The lighter of claim 1, wherein each pair of flaps defines a plurality of posts extending inwardly from the respective flaps towards the housing body, wherein the housing body defines at least one of a slot or a detent configured to receive therein one or more of the plurality of posts, and wherein the at least one of the slot or the detent constrain a motion of the cover relative to the housing body.

4. The lighter of claim 3, wherein the slot comprises a linear slot extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

5. The lighter of claim 3, wherein the slot comprises an arcuate slot extending in a plane that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the pair of flaps.

6. The lighter of claim 3, wherein the detent comprises a detent defining a pivot point, wherein the cover is configured to rotate in at least one direction relative to the housing body about the pivot point.

7. The lighter of claim 1, wherein each pair of flaps extend from a first portion coupled to the enclosure toward a second portion configured to engage the housing body at an angle extending toward the longitudinal axis, wherein the angle is within a range from about 1-degree to about 10-degrees.

8. The lighter of claim 7, wherein the pair of flaps are configured to exert a compressive force on at least a portion of the housing body.

9. The lighter of claim 1, further comprising a seal coupled to at least a portion of the housing body, wherein the seal is configured to compress in response to contact with at least a portion of the enclosure to seal the forward flame generator from an environment external to the lighter.

10. The lighter of claim 1, wherein the forward flame generator comprises a flint wheel having an axis of rotation centered on a first axis and a flint tube extending along a second axis, wherein the flint tube contacts at least a portion of the flint wheel, and wherein the first axis is laterally offset from the second axis by a distance greater than about 1 millimeter.

11. The lighter of claim 1, wherein the forward flame generator comprises a windscreen defining a flame region that opens in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the lighter and a plurality of dimples.

12. The lighter of claim 1, wherein the housing body defines a cavity configured to receive therein in a selected orientation a fuel body.

13. The lighter of claim 1, wherein the housing body further comprises a valve configured to substantially equalize a pressure within the housing body with a pressure of an environment external to the lighter.

14. The lighter of claim 1, wherein the cover is slidingly and rotatably attached to the housing body at a pair of pivot points on opposing sides of the housing body, wherein the cover is movable forwardly from the closed position to a forwardly displaced position, and wherein the cover may be rotated 180-degrees to a rearward position displaced from the housing body, the cover then slidable to a seated position on the rearward end of the housing body.

15. A lighter comprising: a housing body extending from a forward flame generator to a rearward base along a longitudinal axis; anda cover having a forward enclosure and a pair of flaps extending rearwardly from the enclosure, wherein each pair of flaps defines a plurality of posts extending inwardly from the respective flaps towards the housing body, wherein the housing body defines at least one of a slot or a detent configured to receive therein one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the pair of flaps are slidingly engaged with at least a portion of the housing body, and wherein the enclosure is configured to cover the flame generator and seal against the housing body when the cover is in a closed configuration.

16. The lighter of claim 15, wherein, when in a closed configuration, at least one of the plurality of posts is configured to seat in a respective detent to retain the lighter in the closed configuration.

17. The lighter of claim 15, wherein, when in a partially open configuration, at least one of the plurality of posts is configured to seat in a respective detent to define a pivot point about which the cover may be rotated relative to the housing body.

18. The lighter of claim 15, wherein, when in a partially actuated configuration, at least one of the plurality of posts is positioned in sliding engagement with the slot, wherein the slot defines an arcuate path.

19. The lighter of claim 15, wherein, when in a fully actuated configuration, at least one of the plurality of posts is configured to seat in a respective detent to retain the lighter in the fully actuated configuration.

20. The lighter of claim 15, wherein, when in an extended configuration, at least one of the plurality of posts is configured to seat in a respective detent to retain the lighter in the extended configuration.