GB2550875A - Lighter - Google Patents

Abstract

A lighter has a housing 10 with a sidewall opening 34, from which extends a tubular channel 30 inwardly along at least a portion of the housing, such that the channel is open and accessible externally of the housing to receive a cigarette or splint for lighting. The lighter also includes a compartment 14 sealed by a vent valve 26 for holding lighter fluid, such as liquid butane, and in use, an ignition assembly which includes an ignition member 48, cause gas leaving the vent valve to be ignited and creates a flame which extends into the channel. The ignition assembly may be mechanically linked to the vent valve so that simultaneous ignition and flammable gas release is achieved. The lighter may have a substantially flat base portion 16 so that the lighter can rest, in a stable manner, on a surface. Operation may be via a button 42 that causes linear movement of an actuating arm 44 and a transmission bar 46 which pivots to open the vent valve 26 and compresses a piezoelectric crystal within the actuating arm to generate an electric spark and ignite the flammable gas as it is released and generate the flame.

Description

LIGHTER

This invention relates generally to a lighter and more particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to a portable lighter device suitable for effective use in adverse weather conditions.

Cigarette lighters and similar portable burners for providing a flame are well known. A typical lighter comprises a tank containing liquid butane and having a valved orifice at one end. An ignition assembly is provided at the valved end, and a spark created by striking metal against a flint, or by pressing a button that compresses a piezoelectric crystal (piezo ignition), generating an electric arc. The striking action is combined with the opening of the valve to release butane gas causing a flame to come out of the lighter which continues until the valve is released.

However, conventional lighters of this type tend to be very sensitive to ambient weather conditions, and the flame is relatively easily extinguished by a light wind. In more adverse weather conditions, such lighters tend to be ineffective. Specialised ‘windproof lighters are known and used in demanding conditions, such as shipboard, at high altitudes and wet climates. However, such devices tend to be relatively complex and expensive, and are often much hotter than conventional lighters, making them unsuitable for many leisure applications, such as camping and outdoor pursuits more generally. Furthermore, the flame produced by most, if not all, such lighters is still liable to be extinguished by strong winds or rain.

It is an object of aspects of the present invention to address at least some of these issues, and provide an improved lighter that can be effectively used in demanding conditions, such as adverse weather conditions.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighter comprising: a housing having an opening in a side wall thereof, from which a generally tubular channel extends inwardly along at least a portion of the inner volume of the housing; a compartment for holding lighter fluid, the compartment having an orifice sealed by a vent valve; an ignition member; and an ignition assembly configured, upon actuation, to cause said valve to open and release flammable gas and, substantially simultaneously, cause a spark to be created at said ignition member to ignite said flammable gas and create a flame that extends into said channel.

The compartment may be located within said housing relative to said channel such that a chamber is defined within said housing between said orifice and an outer wall of said channel.

The channel may have an aperture therein at a location along its length and adjacent said chamber, thereby defining a fluid flow path between said opening in said housing and said chamber.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ignition assembly may be mechanically linked to said vent valve such that operation of said ignition assembly causes said vent valve to open and release flammable gas along said fluid flow path and, substantially simultaneously, causes a spark to be created at said ignition member to ignite said flammable gas and create a flam, said flame, thus created, extending into said channel via said aperture. The ignition member may be mounted within, or extend into, said chamber. The ignition assembly may be located within, but operable externally of, said housing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the housing may be generally spherical. The housing may be formed of a pair of generally hemispherical shells, circumferentially connected together.

Irrespective of the outer shape of the housing, it may comprise a generally flat base portion to allow it to be rested, in a stable manner, on a generally flat surface. The compartment may be defined in a segment or portion of said housing adjacent said base portion. In the case where the housing is generally spherical having a substantially flat base portion, the compartment may be defined in a segment of said housing adjacent said base portion having a plane defined by an upper wall of said compartment.

The compartment and the housing may have concentric corresponding openings in which a fill valve is mounted or otherwise provided for enabling said compartment to be filled with lighter fluid.

The channel may be located within said housing above said vent valve, and said vent valve may then be oriented angularly toward said aperture.

The ignition assembly may comprise a push button mounted in an opening in said housing and an actuator arm coupled to said push button and configured for linear movement when said push button is pressed, the ignition assembly may further comprise a mechanical linkage mounted between said actuator arm and said vent valve and configured to open said vent valve when said push button is pressed. The mechanical linkage may comprise a transmission bar pivotally mounted to said actuator arm. The transmission bar may be configured to bias said push button toward a rest configuration in which said vent valve is closed.

The push button and actuator arm may be mechanically linked to a piezoelectric ignition system, including a piezoelectric crystal arranged and configured such that it is compressed when said push button is pressed.

The lighter may further comprise a strap mounted or affixed to an external wall of said housing. The housing and the compartment may include corresponding transparent or translucent window portions to enable a user to view the contents of the compartment.

The channel may extend along at least one third of the inner diameter of the housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the channel may extend along between one third and half of the inner diameter of the housing. The channel may extend along substantially all of the inner diameter of the housing.

In an exemplary embodiment, a stop member, such as a rib, may be provided within the channel, adjacent said aperture, to prevent further insertion of an item to be lit into said channel.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specific description, in which embodiments of the invention are described, by way of examples only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1A is a schematic perspective front/side view of a lighter device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figure IB is a schematic perspective rear/side view of the lighter device of Figure 1A;

Figure 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a lighter device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2A is a schematic detailed view of the portion of Figure 2 marked E;

Figure 3 is a perspective exploded view of the various elements of a lighter device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the lighter device of Figure 2 with the upper housing shell removed;

Referring first to Figures 1A and IB of the drawings, a lighter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a generally spherical housing 10, advantageously of a size suitable to be comfortably held in the palm of an average adult’s hand, although the present invention is not necessarily intended to be limited in this regard. A strap member 12 is affixed to the housing 10, to enable the device to be conveniently carried or hung, when not in use.

Referring additionally to figure 2 of the drawings, a compartment 14 is provided within the housing 10 for holding lighter fluid, such as liquid butane. It can be seen in Figure 2 that a portion of the outer wall of the housing 10 has a substantially flat region to define a base 16 on which the device can rest, in a stable manner, on a surface. Referring additionally to Figure 3 of the drawings, the compartment 14 is created within the housing by a generally cup-shaped receptacle 18 that fits into the housing shell 10a defining the base portion 16. An opening 19 is provided in a side wall of the base portion housing shell 10a and a concentric corresponding opening is provided in a side wall of the receptacle 18 through which a fill valve 19 extends, so as to be externally accessible, and to enable a user to re-fill the compartment with lighter fluid as and when required. The bottom of the base portion housing shell 10a and the base of the receptacle 18 are provided with a clear (transparent or translucent) window portion 22 to enable a user to see the inside of the compartment 14 and determine, from the outside, if it needs to be re-filled with lighter fluid.

Above the receptacle 18, there is provided a profiled plate member 24 that fits in the top of the receptacle 18 (to form the compartment 14) and carries a vent valve 26. Thus, in the assembled configuration shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, the receptacle 18 and the plate member 24 form an enclosed compartment with a valved orifice. The vent valve 26 is mounted and oriented on the plate member 24 such that it is directed outwardly at an angle (toward the inner side wall of the housing).

Above the plate member 24 and vent valve 26, there is provided a channel member 28. The channel member 28 comprises a generally tubular pipe 30 having a pair of wing members 32 located on substantially diametrically opposing outer side wall portions thereof, such that, in the assembled configuration (as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings), the wing members 32 rest on the respective adjacent portions of the plate member 24 and support the pipe 30 within the housing. The channel defined by the pipe 30 extends substantially diametrically through the inner volume of the housing, and is provided with a rib 31 a portion of the way along its length. The purpose of the rib 31 is to prevent a user from inserting a cigarette or splint, for example, too far into the device (i.e. it acts as a stop member) but still ensures airflow into the device to maintain a flame once lit. For the purposes of the present description, the rib 31 may be termed the “closed end” of the insertion channel.

The opposing end of the pipe 30 is open and corresponds with an opening 34 in the housing wall, such that the insertion channel is open and accessible externally of the housing to receive a cigarette or splint for lighting.

It can be seen more clearly in Figure 2A of the drawings that, in the assembled configuration, a chamber 36 is defined between the ‘lower’ wall of the pipe 30 and the top of the compartment 14, and the angled vent valve 26 extends into the chamber 36. The pipe 30 has an aperture 38 in the ‘lower’ wall thereof, at or adjacent the ‘closed end’ of the insertion channel (defined at the rib 31). The aperture 38 is substantially in line with, but spaced apart from the distal or outlet end of the vent valve 26.

The upper housing shell 10b houses the ignition assembly 40. The ignition assembly 40 comprises a push button 42 mounted for external operation within an opening 45 in the housing shell 10b. The button 42 has an actuating arm 44 extending from the rear surface thereof, which extends into the housing 10 (in the assembled configuration) at a downward angle. As can be seen more clearly in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, a transmission bar 46 is pivotally mounted at its upper end to the actuating arm 44. The lower end of the transmission bar 46 is affixed to the vent valve 26 mechanism. At rest, the vent valve 26 is normally closed, sealing the orifice. When the push button 42 is pressed by a user, the actuating arm 44 is moved linearly inwardly, causing the transmission bar 46 to pivot (in an anti-clockwise direction in the view shown in Figures 2, 2A and 4) and pull the vent valve 26 open to release flammable gas from the compartment 14 into the chamber 36.

Referring back to Figures 2 and 2A of the drawings, the ignition assembly 40 is also mechanically linked to a piezoelectric ignition system, and a wire 48 associated therewith extends into the chamber 36. When a user presses the button 42 and thereby causes linear movement of the actuating arm 44, the transmission bar 46 pivots to open the vent valve 26 and, substantially simultaneously, compresses a piezoelectric crystal (not shown but contained within the actuating arm 44) to generate an electric arc with the wire 48. A spark is thus created at the end of the wire 48 to ignite the flammable gas as it is released and generate a flame. The fluid flow path of the flammable gas is from the open end of the vent valve 26, through the aperture 38 in the insertion channel (formed by the pipe 30) and toward the open end of the insertion channel. Thus, the flame generated upon ignition follows this fluid flow path and extends into the end of the insertion channel through the aperture 38 to allow, for example, a cigarette or splint inserted therein to be lit.

The push button 42 and actuating arm 44 assembly is biased outwardly (relative to the housing wall) by the relative configuration of the transmission bar 46. Thus, the user pushes against this bias to activate the ignition assembly 40 and generate a flame. The user must hold the push button 42 in to keep the vent val7ve 26 open and maintain the flame. Once released, the push button 42 and actuating arm 44 return to the rest position, causing the transmission bar 46 to pivot back and close the vent valve 26. Cessation of the flow of flammable gas into the chamber 36 causes the flame to be extinguished naturally.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, from the foregoing description, that modifications and variations can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (24)

1. A lighter comprising: a housing having an opening in a side wall thereof, from which a generally tubular channel extends inwardly along at least a portion of the inner volume of the housing; a compartment for holding lighter fluid, the compartment having an orifice sealed by a vent valve; an ignition member; and an ignition assembly configured, upon actuation, to cause said vent valve to open and release flammable gas and, substantially simultaneously, cause a spark to be created at said ignition member to ignite said flammable gas and create a flame that extends into said channel.

2. A lighter according to claim 1, wherein said compartment is located within said housing relative to said channel such that a chamber is defined within said housing between said orifice and an outer wall of said channel.

3. A lighter according to claim 2, wherein said channel has an aperture therein at a location along its length and adjacent said chamber, thereby defining a fluid flow path between said opening in said housing and said chamber.

4. A lighter according to claim 3, wherein said ignition assembly is mechanically linked to said vent valve such that operation of said ignition assembly causes said vent valve to open and release flammable gas along said fluid flow path and, substantially simultaneously, causes a spark to be created at said ignition member to ignite said flammable gas and create a flame, said flame, thus created, extending into said channel via said aperture.

5. A lighter according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein said ignition member is mounted within, or extends into, said chamber.

6. A lighter according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said ignition assembly is located within, but operable externally of, said housing.

7. A lighter according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said housing is generally spherical.

8. A lighter according to claim 7, wherein said housing is formed of a pair of generally hemispherical shells, circumferentially connected together.

9. A lighter according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said housing comprises a generally flat base portion.

10. A lighter according to claim 9, wherein said compartment is defined in a segment or portion of said housing adjacent said base portion.

11. A lighter according to claim 10, wherein said housing is generally spherical having a substantially flat base portion, and wherein said compartment is defined in a segment of said housing adjacent said base portion having a plane defined by an upper wall of said compartment.

12. A lighter according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said compartment and said housing have concentric corresponding openings in which a fill valve is mounted or otherwise provided for enabling said compartment to be filled with lighter fluid.

13. A lighter according to claim 3, wherein said channel is located within said housing above said vent valve, and said vent valve is oriented angularly toward said aperture.

14. A lighter according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said ignition assembly comprises a push button mounted in an opening in said housing and an actuator arm coupled to said push button and configured for linear movement when said push button is pressed, the ignition assembly further comprising a mechanical linkage mounted between said actuator arm and said vent valve and configured to open said vent valve when said push button is pressed.

15. A lighter according to claim 14, wherein said mechanical linkage comprises a transmission bar pivotally mounted to said actuator arm.

16. A lighter according to claim 15, wherein said transmission bar is configured to bias said push button toward a rest configuration in which said vent valve is closed.

17. A lighter according to any of claims 14 to 16, wherein said push button and actuator arm are mechanically linked to a piezoelectric ignition system, including a piezoelectric crystal arranged and configured such that it is compressed when said push button is pressed.

18. A lighter according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a strap mounted or affixed, detachably or otherwise, to an external wall of said housing.

19. A lighter according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said housing and said compartment include corresponding transparent or translucent window portions to enable a user to view the contents of the compartment.

20. A lighter according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said channel extends along at least one third of the inner diameter of the housing.

21. A lighter according to claim 20, wherein said channel extends along between one third and half of the inner diameter of the housing.

22. A lighter according to claim 20, wherein said channel extends along substantially ah of the inner diameter of the housing.

23. A lighter according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a stop member is provided within the channel, adjacent said aperture, to prevent further insertion of an item to be lit into said channel.

24. A lighter substantially as herein described and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.