# US 6,293,783 B1 · Lighter with a through-hole and reinforcing ribs

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- Number: US 6,293,783 B1
- Document ID: US6293783B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 09/598,294
- Filed: 2000-06-21
- Granted: 2001-09-25
- Earliest claimed: 2000-06-21
- Inventors: Jung-Hua Lee
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6293783B1

## CPC

- F23Q 2/32: Lighters characterised by being combined with other objects (combinations with smokers' equipment A24F)
- F23Q 2/36: Casings
- A44B 15/005: {Fobs}
- F23Q: IGNITION (devices or installations peculiar to internal-combustion engines F02P; of cigarettes or tobacco A24F; compositions therefor, chemical igniters C06C); EXTINGUISHING-DEVICES
- A44B: BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE (fastenings specially adapted for footwear A43C)

## Abstract

A lighter includes a housing having a through-hole defined by an annular wall. The annular wall has a thickness smaller than that of the remaining portion of the housing. A ring is attached to the through-hole for attaching keys. The annular wall has a central bulge portion, thereby having a maximum diameter in each of two outer portions of the through-hole and a minimum diameter in a central portion of the through-hole. The maximum diameter of the through-hole is greater than a diameter of a cigarette and the minimum diameter of the through-hole is smaller than the diameter of the cigarette.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A lighter comprising:
a housing comprising a compartment, the compartment provided between at least two sides of the housing;
an igniter element attached to the housing;
at least one through-hole formed at the compartment and extending through at least two sides of the housing;
an annular wall provided around each of the at least one through-hole, the annular wall connected to the housing and being configured to increase the structural strength and rigidity of the housing; and
the annular wall has a thickness smaller than that of any other portion of the housing such that in the event that the lighter explodes, explosive debris is directed toward the at least one through-hole, away from the user of the lighter.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The lighter as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a ring attached to the through-hole for attaching keys thereto.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The lighter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular wall has a central bulge portion, having a maximum diameter in each of two outer portions of the through-hole and a minimum diameter in a central portion of the through-hole.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The lighter as claimed in claim 3, wherein the maximum diameter of the through-hole is greater than a diameter of a cigarette and the minimum diameter of the through-hole is smaller than the diameter of the cigarette whereby when the cigarette is passed through the through-hole, its density is increased.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The lighter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular wall is provided with a weakened portion around the through-hole such that in the event that the lighter explodes, explosive debris is directed toward the at least one through-hole, away from a user of the lighter.

### Claim 6

A lighter comprising:
a housing comprising a plurality of compartments, each of the compartments provided between at least two sides of the housing;
an igniter element attached to the housing;
a plurality of through-holes formed between the compartments and extending through at least two other sides of the housing;
a plurality of annular walls, a one of the annular walls provided around each of the through-holes, the annular walls connected to each other and to the housing and configured to increase the structural strength and rigidity of the housing; and
at least one reinforcing rib for connecting the annular walls of the through-holes.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The lighter as claimed in claim 6, wherein the through-holes have different diameters.