US2660042A - Lighter - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 24, 1953 w. F. WAGNER 2,660,042

LIGHTER Filed Aug. 2,` 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l 78 Arro/vfrs Nov. 24, 1953 Filed Aug. 2, 1950 W. F. WAGN ER LIGHTER 5 Sheets-sheet 2 LIGHTER Filed Aug. 2, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 24, 1953 vUMTED STATES PATENT "OFFICE,

LIGHTER Willard F. Wagner, Detroit, Mich., ,assig'nor' of one-half to Charles W. Glenn, Detroit',` Mich:

Application August 2, 1950, Serial N o.. 177,293/

claims. (C1. S7-7.1i"

This invention relates to lighters and particularly to an improved lighter primarily adapted for igniting cigars and cigarettes.

The invention relatesparticularly to. cigar and cigarette lighters of the character having` a fuel receptacle `and a name producing` mechanismsupported on thev upper end of the receptacle. Heretofore, the general practice has been to mount the partsV of the ame producing mechanism in exposed conditionl on top of the receptacle. y

An important object` of the invention is to providean improved lighter having the parts-of the casing and the llame producing mechanism designed and associated together in a novel main-V ner for economical `fabrication and assembly and which inthe normal position of the parts exhibits an artistic contour completely concealing the `name producing mechanism from view. Another important object of the invention is to provide a lighter of this character combining with the desirable exterior contour a highly efficient yet simple mechanical action for operating the flame producing mechanism.

An important feature of the invention is the. design of the major pieces of the lighter such that they may beseparately produced under deepV drawing dies and in assembled position cooperate togetherto form enclosures for the iiame producing mechanism and the combustible material. One'of the exterior parts of the lighter is an inverted generally cup-shaped member constituting a hood or cover for the flame producing mechanism. This cover member is mounted for depressible telescoping movement between an interior body constituting the fuel receptacle and a surrounding exterior casing part. Another important feature of the invention is the provision of a cap member pivoted to the top of the fuel receptacle and functioning as a wick snuffer and as an intermediary driving connection between the. depressible cover member and the friction wheel. The cap member is shaped to intert 'within the depressed cover member and in normal position extends liush therewith. The cap member is designed with side walls which embrace the friction wheel supporting posts and extend between the same and the side walls of the depressible cover member to improve the appearance of the lighter.

Various other objects, advantages and meritorious features of the invention will become more fully apparent from the following specilication, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein:

2 the invention illustrating thesame in the normal closed positionof the parts,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the lighter of Fig. 1

showing the same in` the open` ignitingposition to which it is manipulated bythe hand,

Fig. 3 is a verticallongitudinal. sectional View through the. lighter of Figs. 1l and 2'. showing. the position of the parts inv the normal closed position,

Fig. 4 is a vertical. sectional. view through thev upper portion of the lighter showing the-parts in opening ignitingl position, Y

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectionalview taken along line 5 5 of Fig. 4,.

Fig. 6. is anvertical sectional' view of the upper portion of the lighter from. the side opposite to that shown in Fig. lland taken along line 6``6` of Fig. 5',

Fig. 7 is a lfragmentary sectional view taken along line l-l of Fig. 3,

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic View illustrating the variable drive connection between the nger de` pressible control member and the moving parts of the flame produx'zing` mechanism, e

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of theA parts ofthe lighter,

Figs. 1o, 11 and' 12 are 1pe'rsp'ective` views ofj the lighter in closed', partially opened, and fully opened positions respectively,

Figs. 13 and I4 are perspective views of a modi-` cation of the lighter showing the same in closed and opened positions respectively,

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the linger de'- pressible member of thev modification,

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the cap member of the modification, and Y Fig. 17 is a side View of` the top of the modified casing member or shell l2 whichencloses the receptacle, and a d'epressible cover member f4 which forms part of the casing of the lighter-andA 1n the illustrated construction telesccpingly interts between the fuel receptacle and the casing member and in normal position projects thereabove. Mounted on the upper endof the fuel receptacle' I0 and' normally enclosed by the coverV lmember l'2 is a flame producing mechanism.

rig. 1 is. a side .elevation of an embodiment of 5 The fuel receptacle and the casing. and cover membersv are preferably elongated in horizontal cross-section soas to form a relatively latl'ighter for" convenient portability and handling.

supported in upright position on the end wall I6 and opening into the interior of the fuel receptacle. The upper end section of a wick 32 extends through the wick guide and projects slightly thereabove.

Yieldingly pressed against the underside of the friction wheel 28 is a pyrophoric element or :dint 34. The flint is supported in a guide 36 which is .in Ythe form of an elongated tube opening out bottom opening of the receptacle, the outside casing member or shell I2 is provided with a lower end wall i8 which may be integrally connected to the side wall of the casing member as shown.

In the assembled position of the parts shown in Fig. 3, the bottom wall I8 overlies the opened end of the receptacle completing the enclosure of the saturated absorbent material therein. Y

The upper end portions of the fuel receptacle I8 and the outer casing member I2 are shaped to telescopingly slidingly receive the cover member I4 therebetween. As shown in Figs. 3 to 6, this is preferably accomplished by reducing the upper end of the fuel receptacle on all sides thereof to form an inwardly spaced wall section therearound which Vforms a clearance 22 between the receptacle and the casing shell which is approximately the thickness of the wall portion of the cover member. The cover member is designed and shaped to embrace the upperV assembled position of the parts is under com# portion of the fuel receptacle and to slidingly telescopingly reciprocate in the clearance provided between the casing member and the upper part of the fuel receptacle as shown by comparison of Figs. 4, 5 and 6 with Fig. 3. The cover member I4 exhibits an inverted cup-shaped configuration the side wall portions of which are slidingly received in the clearance 22. In assembled position, the cover member forms a hood for the upper end of the lighter which in theV normal inoperative position of the parts encloses theflame producing mechanism of the device. The upper end of the cover member, which would normally be considered the base of its cup formation, is partially closed by an end wall 24. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention this end wall occupies approximately one half of the cross sectional' area of the upper end of the cover member, the balance being open and forming an aperture 26 for the purpose described hereinafter.

It is evident from the description of the device, thus far made that the three members constitutf ing the major pieces of the lighter, namely the receptacle IIJ, casing I2 and cover I4, are cupshaped in formation. Constructed in this manner, they are able to be economically and rapidly produced under deep drawing dies.

The flame producing mechanism of the present embodiment of the invention comprises certain parts which are conventionally employed on lighters of this character but the organization and relation of these parts to one another and to the major pieces of the device and the manner of actuating the moving parts of the mechanism constitutes a distinct improvement. Supported on the upper end wall I6 of the fuel receptacle is an axially bored friction or abradant wheel 28. The wheel is mounted in line with the opening 26 of the cover member and on a transverse axis 1ocated approximately one third of the distance between the opposite narrow side walls of the.

cover member. Between the friction wheel and the nearest narrow side wall of the receptacle, is a. wick guide 3U. The wick guide is in the form of a short open-ended tube of conventional shape ance to the cap 38.

bottom wall I8 of the casing member. tom wall I8 is provided with an opening in alignnormally closed by a screw threaded cap 38.

through the end wall I6 at its upper end and extending downwardly in the fuel receptacle and terminating in substantial abutment with the The botend of the spring is seated on and secured to the` cap 38. Carried by the opposite end of the spring is a ball shaped member 42 which abuts the inner end of the int. Since the spring in the pression it yieldingly urges the int against the abraded periphery of the wheel. The spring 48 and its associated parts are of conventional de- 1 sign. However, to provide a balanced symmetryY to the lighter the flint tube 36 is curved outwardly from the wheel to bring the lower flint admitting end of the tube closely adjacent to one of the ends of the bottom wall I8 of the fuel receptacle. The opposite end of the bottom wall I8 is provided with an opening through which inflammable liquid is introduced into the receptacle. This opening is closed by a removable screw threaded cap 44 similar in exterior appearing the edge of a coin or the like for loosening and tightening the caps.

The friction wheel 28 is supported and jour-4 one another as best shown in Figs. 5, '7 and 9 and' along the opposite sides of the wheel. Each ear 48 is provided with a circular hole therethrough which aligns with the hole in the other ear and through which the adjacent end of the shaft 46 is received. The shaft is slidingly fitted in the holes of the ears and the axial bore of the wheel 28 and as will be explained more fully hereinafter is capable of being slidably shifted axially for` removal and replacement in order to detach the Wheel and its associated parts and assemble the same on the lighter. The two ears 48-46 are disposed in planes spaced slightly inwardly from` the opposite side walls of the receptacle as shown in Figs. 5, 7 and 9 for the purpose described hereinafter. Preferably the upper ends of the ears are rounded on a radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of the wheel in order to extend flush with the upper peripheral portion of the wheel as shown in Figs. 5 and 12.

As previously described the cover member I4 has its upper end closed by a wall 24, the balance of the upper end being opened and forming the aperture 26. Forming a subsidiary cover for the opening 36 and serving as a` flame or wicksnuffer is a cap 50. In general, the cap is like conven- As in conventional lighter,i designs, the two caps 38 and 44 may be provided with transversely extending key slots for receivtional Wick snufrs ,in @ht it iS Pollstllfied Wi??? a ,hat platef-liketop wall 5j2, opposed parallel side Walls 54f54cnd. grounded Vfrqm elgffwallA 56 which merges. with the .Side Walls- HQWs'Ve' the can 50. issiesieled ansisupprted. in en, improv@ manner to t the aperture 2B ofthe cover member and .in ,theciqsedposiuon Qf theiighter to have its 4ipp `Weill vexterwlef flushfwith the. end Wall. 24 r f he` cover meinberiand its side and end walls rec ivedwithinthe cover member in juxtaposed to thesideiwall portions of the latter as sligwn Figs. 3, 5g 1p1 and l2. In the closed position. @Lthe Cap, the 150D Wall .thereoff @COUPES substantially the Ientire area of the opening 126 and cooperates with the end wall 24 of the cover to form anat surface onthe top of the lighter. M (fya-rri edl onv the underside of the capy at its forwardend isaninverted snuffer cup 58 which in theclosednpo'sition of the lighter isarranged to enclose the, projecting rend of the rwiclg32 and rest Qntheupper end of the wick Vguide 30 as shown in 3. lThe side wall of the snuffer cup is cylindrical and is snugly tted in and secured to the sideand end walls of the Cap as in conventional practice,

gjlfhecapA 50 is mounted for movement from a normalnhorizontally extending closed position to ari upright open position. For this purpose, the .0.3.11 ispreferably rockingly supported on the same axis upon which'the friction wheel is rotated. For this purposethe rear vportions of the two side walls 541-54 of the cup are provided with aligned 4circularholes `of a size to slidingly receive the shaft `4&5. ,y To provide sufficient wall material around all rear portions'of the sides of the shaft, the Aside walls 54,-;54 may be `extended downwardlyfr'elative to the topwall 52 and rounded on a radius of curvature having the axis of the shaft asithe Center. The depending rear portions of the side walls nSII-F54 overlie theouter surfaces of the two earsAS-IIB and extend into the `clearance between the same and the side wallportions of the Y cover member I4 Vas shown in Figs. 5 and 7. The shaftreceiving holes in the side walls, 54-54 are so `located with respect 'to the top plate 52 of the capthat inthe closed position of the cap the top plate extends horizontally and flush with theend Wall 2li of the cover member. In the open position of the cap, its top plate 52 extends vertically." and perpendicular to the end wall 24 off, .t he cover member.'V

, .The cover member I4 is mounted as previously described for telescoping-movement relative to the fu'elj receptacle I 0 andthe surrounding shell or casing I2.

It isf collapsible downwardly toward these -n'aembers and retractible upwardly away therefrom. lThe cover member is urged to its upper'normalvposition by spring means which qifayt'alle"the form shown of a coiled spring 60 xt''ri'd'g the vertical length of the lighter. The 'SIlis-housed in two telesc'oping sleeves 62 k'thlenformer beingdsecured in depending `relation to the upper wall I of the fuel receptacle `thela'tter being secured yto the underside of theI end wall 241ofthe cover member. The sleeve 62, 'closed at it's'low'er end to form a seat for the "coiled spring. The upper end wall 24 ofthe cover "member maybe reinforced by a plate 66 andfif such Vis providedit may beinterposed bev nt'he end wall and the upper end of the eve'ld. Inz's'u'ch' a mounting the-upper end of tif-e contaf spring seats on 'theppiate .se and Since' in )theassemble'd position of theparts the/spring fisiindercompression it exerts acontinuous force tending to raise the cover memberv to its normal pojeotedposition 'shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

The end wall 24 of the cover member serves as a linger engaging surface for depressing the cover member. To improve the frictional engagement of the nger with the cover member andl to quickly indicate how the device should be held, the upper surface of the end Vwall 2t 'may be provided with crossing serrations as best shown in Figs. 9 to 12. The lighter may be held in the hand in any convenient way and Voperated by exerting finger pressure to depress the cover member. One method of holding and operating the `device is shown in Fig. 2. The top and bot-'- tom portions ofthe device on the serrated side of the cover member are grasped between the thumb and either the forefinger or the nextinger of the hand. Upon squeezing the two iingersj'toh gether, the cover member 'is depressed. vTojeliminate a metallic click when the cover memberis depressed and to absorb the shock of its 'contact with the receptacle, there is provided a 'block '68 of resilient material carried on the underside of the plate 66. The "block '58 is of a size to abut the top wall It of` the receptaclejust before'the side walls of the cover member strike the 'shoulder at the bottom oi' the clearance 22. Y

Since'the friction'whee'l 2'8 and itSSUIJDoting posts or ears IIS- '43 are located on the aperture side of the cover member they will upon relative depressible movement of 'the cover'member ,prio-- ject upwardly through the aperture `26 asshown by a comparison of Figs. `3 and 4. Therecipr'ocating movement of the cover'me'mber and the wheel mounting areso' designed that in"the"`ful ly depressed position of'ithecovermember the ends of the shaft l are exposed 'to'l View asshoiwn in Fig. 12. In this postionja `small pointed 'tool may be used toforcibly slide the shaft"out^of the wheel and the supporting ,earsandfpermit separation of the shaft 'carried parts" from' the lighter. 'Contrariwise the'fulli'depression ofthe cover member is utilized' to`asseriibletheshaft 'and the parts carried therebyonthelighter. f-In any other positionexcept the fully' depressed'l position of the cover'me'mber, the side wallsof the cover member overlap upon theends oftheshaft and hold the saniejagainst' axialshiftable move `ment. In the,` fully vdepressed position 'ofjth'e cover member thershaft vwill `not normally' 'shift in its mounting ifor the` reason that the pressure of the spring urged Vflint 34* Will force thevheel against one side of the shaft and in turnV` press the shaft against 'onefside of'its'bearing mounting in the ears IB-IIB. This will frictionallylhol'd the shaft in rpositionuntil "theside wallsof the cover member return to shaft Aoverlappin'g; positi'on.

The depressible movement of the cover member isemployed to swingthe cap 5I! toppenposition and' at the same time rotate the friction' vwheel 28'against `the `intf34.' A one-'way drive "connection is provided between' thecap and the friction causing the Vwheel to rotate during the opening movements ofthe 'cap but remaining .stationary during the return orclosing movementfof th'e cap. The friction 'wheel vS` provided on 'ones'ile vthereof with ratchet `teeth-in accordance .with conventional lighter practice. nte'rpos'ed between the ratchet side of the wheel andthe adjacent supporting Year 48. is a .thin relatively'at plate or washer 70. e Theplateisprovided wtna hole through' which theshaft '4 6 extends fand' fur- Fig. 6. Y In this manner the plate will partake of the same movement as the cap. The washer or plate 'I0 is slit on a line 14 extending radially of the shafts axis and one edge formed by the slit is inturned toward the wheel to form a pawl for engaging the ratchet teeth of the wheel. The pawl is so related to the turning movement of the cap that it will engage one of the ratchet teeth on the upward opening movement of the cap and cause the wheel to rotate in the same direction therewith and on the downward closing movement it will skip past the teeth. It is understood that movement of the abrasive periphery of the wheel over the flint will produce sparks for igniting the projecting end of the wick 32.

The cap I) is driven from the cover member through a self-variable leverage connection which causes the cap and the wheel to move at a rate differing from that of the cover member. The drive from the cover member to the cap is in the form of a pin and slot connection. As shown in Fig. 7, two short aligned pins 'I5-'I6 are mounted in the opposite side walls of the cover member. Each pin projects inwardly from the side wall in which it is mounted and enters a slot 18 formed in the adjacent side wall 54 of the cap. Since each side wall 54 of the cap and the companion side wall of the cover member have contiguous surfaces, the length of each pin 'IG need not be any longer than the combined thickness of these walls. The axis of the two pins I5-'I5 is disposed in oiset parallel relation to the shaft 46 and in the closed position of the lighter is located near to the top wall 52 of the cap and inwardly and above the shaft as shown in Fig. 3. The slots 18-78 in the side walls 54 54 of the cap member extend in the same plane and open out through the rear edges of the walls in order to admit the pins I6-I6 at the time of assembly and to provide disconnection therefrom when the cap is removed from the device. In so far as the driving relation between the cover member I4 and the cap is concerned the slots may be closed at both ends. The two slots preferably extend on a plane substantially intersecting the axis of the shaft and at an upwardly and inwardly directed angle in the closed position of the parts as shown in Fig. 3. Since the cover member telescopes in a vertical straight-line movement the pins 'I6-I5 likewise travel in a vertical path as shown by the various positions of one of the pins in Fig. 8. As the pins move in their path of travel, the distance separating the axis of the pins from the axis of the shaft varies. This causes the pins to shift along the slots either toward one end or the other end thereof depending on the position of the cap in its swinging movement and its direction of travel. This causes a variable leverage action on the cap and the friction wheel.

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates the drive relation between the depressible cover member and the cap 50. rIhe pins 'I6-I6 travel in a vertical path, the plane of which in the illustrated embodiment of the invention intersects a chord line of the friction wheel 28. One of the pin and slot connections is shown in Fig. 8. In the closed position of the parts, the pin is in the uppermost position and the thumb engaging end wall 24 :and the top wall 52 of the cap extend in the same plane at the positions marked a for each ele- ;ment. Upon depression of the cover member to position b the cap swings upwardly to its posi- -tion 1), the pin in the meantime moving in the slot toward the shaft 46 and progressively reducing its leverage action on the cap. `When the cover member is depressed downwardly from position b to d it moves a comparatively short distance while the cap swings through a comparatively large arc from its position b to` dj In the final depressingjmovement of the cover member from position d to e the pin travels outwardly in the slot, increasing its leverage action on the cap and causing it to swing to its vertical open position e. It is evident that if the cover member is depressed by the thumb at a constant rate it will in its early movement act with greater leverage on the cap and cause the cap to swing at a relatively slower rate. This is desirable in order to start the movement of the parts from a stationary condition. As the cover member is further depressed at this constant rate it decreases its leverage action on the cap but on the other hand the cap swings at a greater rate. In the nal downward movements of the cover member the leverage action on the cap increases but the speed with which it moves the cap to fully opened position decreases. Since the friction wheel is coupled to the cap during the depressible movement of the cover member, it partakes of the same movement as the cap, rotating at an increasing rate during the first half of the depressible movement of the cover and thereafter at a decreasing rate. Such a drive connection improves the feel of the lighter and enables the user to operate the lighter smoothly and with a minimum amount of pressure.

When the cover member is released for upward movement by the spring, the pins 'I6-'I6 travel upwardly and acting through slots cause the cap 56 and snufier cup 58 to swing downwardly to closed horizontal position. In addition to serving as the drive connection between the cover member and the cap, the pin and slot connection also assist in limiting the height to which the cover member may be raised by the spring. The abutment of the snuffer cup with the wick guide 30 stops further closing movement of the cap. This discontinues further swinging movement of the slots 'IS-'I8 beyond the position shown in Fig. 3 and since the pins are restricted to a vertical path of travel their upward movement will stop at the time the cap comes to rest. The pins being fixed to the cover member will hold the latter from any further upward movement beyond the level of the top wall 52 of the cap.

The depressible cover member forms a part of the casing of the lighter and in its raised position a large area of its side walls are exposed to view. To prevent marring or scratching of the exterior side wall surfaces of the cover member as it reciprocates in the clearance 22 between the receptacle II! and casing shell I2, the lower edge of the cover member is turned slightly outwardly to form a projecting bulge or ridge 80. The ridge slidingly bears on the inside surface of the shell I2 preventing direct metal-to-metal contact between the balance of the cover member and the shell. Forlpurpose of clarity, the Width of the clearance 22 and the ridge 8D is shown in slightly exaggerated condition.

Figs. 13 to 17 inclusive illustrate a modification wherein the cover member I4 and the cap 5I) of the previously described embodiment of the invention are shaped differently to provide a greater clearance around the wick and to change the outside appearance of the lighter. The remaining parts of the lighter may be constructed in the manner previously described.

In the modification,` a cover member corresponding in function to the cover I4 of the earlier '9 form of the invention is .indicated .at 82. 4In general, the cover 82 exhibits an inverted .cup-shaped formation including an lupper end .wall .84 and depending side walls v8&5--86 kof similar formation. The cover member is elongated in horizontal cross section yand the opposite ends of the side `walls 86-#86 are rounded or curved inwardly and integrally merged with one another to form opposed narrow side walls at opposite Iends of the member. As in the previously described embodiment of the invention, the lower por-tion .of the cover 82 is telescopingly slidably iitted between the outer casing shell or sleeve 88 and the fuel receptacle, the 1top wall of which is shown at Bil in Fig. 14. The upper end wall 8f3 of the .cover serves .as the thumb engaging portion of the .device for telescopi-ngly depressing the cover from its .normal raised position shown in Fig. 13 to the fully depressed position show-n in Fig. 14. The .downward movement of the `co ver is yieldingly resisted by 'a return spring 92 similar to spring 6i), the upper Aend section `of which vis housed in a .tube .S fined to the underside .of the `end Wall `84.

As .in the previously ydescribed embodiment of the invention, the thumb engaging end wall 84 extends only `part of .the long dimension .of the cover member, leaving an opening for the .flame and the upper portion of the friction wheel. The inner terminating edge of the end .wall .is indicated Iat 98. Projecting inwardly from each side wall 8 of the cover isa pin 96 corresponding in function -to -the .cap operating pins 1.6 .of the previously described embodiment of 'the invention. Slightly .beyond the .pins 93, each side wall 81B is provided with a similar downwardly sloping edge tilwhich as best shown in Fig. 15 terminates short of the .bottom edge of the cover. From the low-er terminus .of each .slanting edge i60, the 'side walls form .a horizontal .edge |02 which .follows the curve of the rounded narrow side wall.

In the nor-mal position of the parts .the opening `in the upper end foi the .cover ,member .8.2 is closed by a cap vIll shown in Fig.. 16 and generally like the previously described cap 15). AThe cap includes .a dat .plate-like top wall IBS and a depending wall iii-S .which rounds Vthe .front end of the cap and extends along each side of the cap in 1parallel spaced apart relationship. 'Fixed in Ithe .rounded end of the cap is .a snuier cup .I-Ii) .which .is similar to cup 5% and functions to enclose the wick projecting out .of the wic'kguide .I I.2. Recessed inwardly from the .side extensions :of theeap wall iii' .areside wall portions `I .I fl-i'I .Il :similar fin for-mation to one another and .arranged in .opposed -parallel relation. These side lwIal-l portions .are spaced apart su'liciently to .straddle the friction .wheel supporting ears JLB-.LIB .on the top .of the fuel .receptacle :and #extend between each of .the ears and the adjacentside wall B6 of the depressible cover member vas .is .evident in Iig. 14. The ears Ile-I I6 .are .spaced inwardly from the opposite longitudinal .edges of `the top wall 99 of the fuel re- .ceptacle in the manner ypreviously described t0 provide the .clearances for the wall portions .IH-4M. Each side wall portion H4 is provided with a substantially centered hole H8 which aligns with the hole in the opposite wall .portionffor the Vpurpose of receiving the ends of the friction wheel supporting shaft IZii.

The 'recessed character of each wall portion AIM to vthe side wall H33 ofthe cap provides a shoulder .I '2,2 .willich lis clearly evident 'in 16.

. 10 clined to lthe plane of the topy wall 4IIN; of the cap ,and are so 'formed that in the closed position of the cap they substantially abut the slanting edges IDU-'IEB of the depressible cover member as shown in 13. 'The lstepped or shouldered formation of the side of the cap may 'be accomplished as .shown in Fig. 14 by making the wall portion .Ist vof a .greater thickness than the wall portions IIl-I It. However, these Iwall portions may be formed from metal stock of the .same thickness and jogged to form the slanting shoulders V12-|22. The cap is so dimensionally proportioned 'with respect to the cover member '32 that in its closed position the slant- 15A ing shoulders 122-122 and the bottom edge of the wallportion isubstantially abut the slanting .edges fIGB-I-il!) and the horizontal edge IM of the cover member. In this position the top wall I-O'S of the cap extends iiush with the vthumb 2.0.

engaging wall 84 of the depressible cover element.

As in the previously described embodiment of the invention the cap IM is `moved to opened position exposing the `wick when the covermember is depressed. "This is accomplished 4in Ia manner similar to that previously described Eby providing the cap Vwith slanting slots 'IAZd--I'Zl into which the pins '98 of the cover extend.

These slots are 'located in the recessed side wall portions I Ill-:IM of the `cap and open out through the corners forme-d by Vthese portions with the inner end of the top wall Ii of the cap. The action 'of the pins in the slots is lsimilar to that previously described lin connection With Fig. 8.

Also, -`as in 1th'eearl'i-er form of the "invention |25 is onlyexposed for removal rand attachment when -t-he cover member is substantially'f-ully depressed. As vshown in Fig. 14 and in the full line position of the parts in Fig. 1"?, 'the itop wall 84 of the -cover :member in its fully depressed position extends onl-a level below the shaft i120. The slanting edges 4Ifiltl--II'IIII of the cover mem-- ber function to expose the ends of the 'shaft as the fcover lmernber reaches Athe lowest :level Aof its depressifble movement. In all other iposifti'ons of the cover "member, .the :side walls :B6-86 overlie the 'ends xvof :the .sha'rt and serve as retaining means therefor yholding the Alsaine from Iany 'axial displacement.

Wha-t I :claim is:

1. Alighter comprising, in combination, ta -fuel receptacle .elongated :in Ahorizontal cross-section, a .fuel :guide and ia pyrophoric velement 'guide arranged to -open I.out through ythe top ofthe receptacle adjacent to one narrow side thereof, a pair of flat post-like 'elements projecting upwardly from the top of the receptacle parallel spaced apart .relation to vone another, an rend- -Wi'se removable fpin bridging the `space between the posts and extending through the Iposts and beyond the outer .faces thereof, a friction wheel .rotatably .journaled on the bridging portion `of the lpin .between the elements, .a .depressible cover of inverted cup-shaped formation and elongated in vhorizontal cross-section, said cover member slidingly telescoping vvthe upper end of the receptacle and movable from a raised `position wherein it forms a hood enclosing the -wheel to a depressed position vbelow vsaid pin wherein the pin may be endwise removed from the friction Wheel, the end wall of the cover member being provided with Van aperture for that 'part of its ex-tent overlying the wheel 11 and being of a size to permit the wheel to project therethrough when the cover member is depressed, spring means carried by the receptacle and projecting thereabove to yieldingly oppose the depressible movement of the cover member, a cap member having depending wall portions arranged to straddle said pair of wheel mounting elements and being pivotally connected to the projecting extremities of said pin to provide swingable movement of the cap member from a closed substantially horizontal position to an open upright position, said cap member in closed position occupying the area of said aperture and extending flush with the end wall of the cover member, a flame snuffer carried on the underside of the cap member, a one-way driving connection between the cap member and the wheel and operable to rotate the wheel when the cap member is swung to open position, and a -driving connection between the cover member and the cap member and operable in response to the depression Yof the cover member to cause the cap member to swing to open position.

2. In a lighter, a hollow body having two relatively at oppositely disposed side walls, a pair of flat-sided posts secured to and rising upwardly from the upper end wall of the body in opposed parallel spaced apart relation to one another, said posts being displaced inwardly from and extending parallel to said side walls of the body and each provided with an aperture aligning with the other, an endwise removable pin bridging the space between the posts and extending through the apertures thereof and having its extremities projecting therebeyond, but not past the planes of said side walls of the body, a friction wheel journaled on said pin between the posts, a depressibl'e cover member of inverted cup-shaped formation having its side walls slidingly telescopingly embracing the upper portion of the body and being movable from a raised position where it forms a hood enclosing the posts and the friction wheel to a depressed position below the level of said wheel journaling pin, the upper transverse wall of the cover member which constitutes the base of its cup-shaped formation having an opening for that part of its extent overlying the wheel and the posts and being of a size to admit the same when the cover member is depressed, a cap member for closing the opening of the cover member, said cap member having a pair of opposed depending side wall portions straddling said posts and interposed between the same and the side walls of the cover member, said depending side Walls of the cap member being pivotally mounted upon the projecting extremities of the Wheel journaling pin, the side walls of the cover member normally overlying the extremities of the wheel journaling pin but when fully depressed exposing the extremities of the wheel journaling pin for endwise removal and assembly.

3. A lighter comprising, in combination, a fuel receptacle having a fuel outlet and a pyrophoric material guide opening out through the upper end thereof, an abradant wheel, a rotatable mounting for the wheel supported on a pair of post-like elements arranged in opposed parallel spaced apart relation, said elements being xed accionesJh to the upper end of the receptacle in upwardly projecting relation thereto and displaced inwardly from and extending parallel to two 0D- posite side walls of the receptacle, a depressible having a flat end wall portion overlying the upper end of the receptacle and depending side wall portions slidingly telescoping the sides of the receptacle, said cover member forming an tions disposed between the side wall portions of.Y the cover member and said wheel mounting elements, means pivoting the side Wall portions of the cap member on the post-like elements for swinging movement about the axis of rotation of the wheel from its flush closed position to a substantially vertical open position, a driving connection between said cap member and the wheel and operable to rotate the Wheel when the member is swung to its open position, and a driving connection between the cover member and the cap member and operable to swing the latter to open position when the cover member is depressed.

4. In a lightery a fuel receptacle having a pair of opposed substantially parallel side walls and a flat top wall, a fuel emission port and a pyro-- phoric element emission port both opening out through the top wall of the receptacle, a pair of.v similar flat-sided elements ixed to the top wall of the receptacle and projecting upwardly there-` from in substantially parallel opposed relation to one another and in planes spaced inwardly of the planes of said side walls of the receptacle, a pivot shaft bridging the space between said elements and having its end sections extending through the elements and projecting therebeyond but short of the planes of said side walls, a friction wheel mounted on the bridging portion of the shaft and rotatable about the axis thereof, a cover member of inverted cup-shaped formation slidingly telescoping the upper end of the receptacle and being reciprocably telescopingly movable from a raised position where it forms a hood for the friction Wheel and said ports to a depressed position below the level of the upper part of the wheel, the upper transverse wall of the cover member which constitutes the base of its cup-shaped formation having an opening overlying the friction wheel and being of a size to permit the wheel to project therethrough when the cover member is depressed, a snuffer cap member so dimensionally proportioned as to substantially fully occupy said opening of the cover member and extend flush with the upper transverse wall thereof in one position of its movement and at the same time close the fuel emission port, said cap member having oppositely disposed depending substantially parallel side walls Vextending between said elements and the adjacent side Wall portions of the cover member and being mounted on said projecting ends of the pivot shaft for swinging movement about the axis thereof, and an operative connection between said cover member and said cap member and operable in response to the depressive movement of the former to swing the latter to a substantially upright open position, and an operative connection between the cap member and the wheel and operable to drive the Wheel when the cap member is swung to open position,

5.V A lighter comprising, in combination, a fuel cover member of inverted cup-shaped formation receptacle having a fuel outlet and a pyrophoric 13 material guide opening out through the upper end thereof, an abradant wheel, a rotatable mounting for the wheel supported on a pair of post-like elements Xed to the upper end of the receptacle and projecting upwardly thereabove in spaced apart parallel relation, said elements being displaced inwardly from and extending parallel to two opposite side walls of the receptacle, a depressible cover member of inverted cup-shaped formation having a flat end wall above the upper end of the receptacle and depending side wall portions slidingly telescoping the sides of the receptacle, said cover member forming a hood over the upper end of the receptacle and completely enclosing the parts thereon except for the provision of an opening in the end wall thereof over the wheel and the fuel outlet, a cap member for said opening having a flat end Wall portion normally extending flush with the end wall portion of the cover member to close the opening and further having depending parallel side wall portions straddling the post-like elements and disposed between the same and the side wall portions of the cover member, means pivoting the depending side wall portions of the cap member on the post-like elements for swinging movement about the axis of rotation of the 14 wheel from its flush closed position to a substantially vertical open position, a driving connection between the cap member and the Wheel and operable to rotate the wheel when the cap member is swung to open position, and one or more transversely extending pins carried by the cover member and engaging the cap member to provide a driving connection between the cover member and the cap member for swinging the latter to open position when the cover member is depressed.

WILLARD F. WAGNER.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,026,571 Dubinski May 14, 1912 2,449,314 Nissen Sept. 14, 1948 2,523,511 Martindell Sept. 26, 1950 2,532,650 Tigges Dec. 5, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 221,577 Germany May 3, 1910 685,360 France Mar. 31, 1930

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