Utility lighter
AssigneeBIC Corporation
InventorsGuy Laforest, Paul Adams, Brian Tubby, Richard M. Orazietti, Floyd B. Fairbanks
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.
Claims25
A utility lighter comprising:
- a housing having a main body portion and a rod-like portion extending from the main body portion, the rod-like portion having a nozzle at its end;
- a fuel supply container disposed within the main body portion;
- a conduit for conducting fuel from the fuel supply container to the nozzle;
- a valve mechanism for controlling release of fuel to the nozzle;
- a piezoelectric unit for generating a spark near the nozzle to ignite the fuel;
- a trigger having a first portion that extends from the housing and is accessible by a user, and a second portion operatively associated with the piezoelectric unit;
- a release member exposed to the outside of the housing so that it is actuatable by a user to release fuel to the nozzle;
- and
- a blocking member associated with the release member and movable between a first position where it interferes with movement of the trigger and a second position where it permits the trigger to move sufficiently to operate the piezoelectric unit;
- wherein the blocking member is normally located in the first position, and actuation of the release member to release fuel moves the blocking member to the second position, and when the user releases the release member, the blocking member automatically returns to the first position to interfere with movement of the trigger.
A utility lighter comprising:
- a housing having a main body portion and a rod-like portion extending from the main body portion, the rod-like portion having a nozzle at its end;
- a fuel supply container disposed within the main body portion, the fuel supply container in fluid communication with the nozzle;
- a piezoelectric unit for generating a spark near the nozzle to ignite the fuel;
- a trigger operable by a user's index finger to cause the piezoelectric unit to generate a spark;
- and
- a release member operable by a user's thumb to cause the release of fuel from the
- wherein:
- the release member is normally located in a first position where movement of the trigger is substantially prevented;
- movement of the release member to a second position causes the release of fuel from the nozzle and permits the trigger to move sufficiently to operate the piezoelectric unit;
- and
- the release member automatically returns to the first position such that movement of the trigger is substantially prevented.
A utility lighter comprising:
- a housing having a main body portion and a rod-like portion extending from the main body portion, the rod-like portion having a nozzle at its end;
- a fuel supply container disposed within the main body portion, the fuel supply container in fluid communication with the nozzle;
- a piezoelectric unit for generating a spark near the nozzle to ignite the fuel;
- a trigger movable with respect to the housing to cause the piezoelectric unit to generate a spark;
- and
- a release member slidable along the main body portion to cause the release of fuel from the nozzle;
- wherein:
- the release member is normally located in a first position where movement of the trigger is substantially prevented;
- sliding of the release member to a second position causes the release of fuel from the nozzle and permits the trigger to move sufficiently to operate the piezoelectric unit;
- and
- the release member automatically returns to the first position such that movement of the trigger is substantially prevented.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.