US20200340672A1

US20200340672A1 - Gas lighter

Info

Publication number: US20200340672A1
Application number: US16/830,345
Authority: US
Inventors: David Ben Simon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-04-27
Filing date: 2020-03-26
Publication date: 2020-10-29
Also published as: IL266288A

Abstract

A gas lighter for passing a flame from a first fire source to a second fire source including a gas fuel supply system to create a flame, a timer to regulate a time duration of the flame, and an actuation lever to activate the gas fuel supply system and the timer mechanism.

Description

FIELD

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a lighter and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a gas-filled lighter.

BACKGROUND

A lighter is a portable device which may be used to create a flame, and to ignite a variety of combustible materials, such as cigars, cigarettes, gas stoves, fireworks, candles, campfires, among others. It generally includes a metal or plastic housing filled with a flammable fluid or pressurized liquid gas, a means of ignition to produce the flame, and some provision for extinguishing the flame. Alternatively, a lighter may be powered by electricity and may use an electric arc or heating element to ignite the combustible material.
Gas-filled lighters are well known in the art and exist in many shapes and forms. Many include a fuel container filled with a gas and an electric arc generating mechanism which lights up the gas as it flows out of the lighter.
An example of such a gas-filled lighter is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,563 to Huang-his Hsu which discloses; “A gas lighter with dual safety mechanism comprises an actuator mechanism provided between an ignition button and a gas fuel reservoir having a push means protruded from a surface of gas lighter, a first elastic member urged against actuator mechanism, a slidably mounted connecting rod on actuator mechanism, and a second elastic member put on a side of connecting rod. In operation, continuously press push means until connecting rod is aligned with ignition button and gas fuel reservoir. Then press ignition button to urge against connecting rod for pivotably rotating a pivotal member to activate a piston of gas fuel reservoir to open an outlet to discharge gas fuel which in turn flows to a tube member for igniting the gas lighter. An ignition is only made possible through activation of actuator mechanism and ignition button and thus, a mechanism for preventing inadvertent ignition of the gas lighter is obtained”.
Another example of such a lighter is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,287 also to Huang-his Hsu which discloses; “A gas lighter includes a handgrip holding a fuel tank and an electric arc generator, an actuating device pivoted to the inside of the handgrip, an ignition button mounted in an opening on the handgrip and adapted to trigger the electric arc generator in producing an electric arc for burning fuel gas discharged out of a gas nozzle in a cylindrical metal casing at one end of the handgrip and simultaneously to drive the actuating device in opening the fuel tank for enabling fuel gas to flow out of the fuel tank to the gas nozzle for burning, and a spring-supported locking lever assembly mounted in a sector slot on the handgrip and adapted to move the actuating device between the operative position and the non-operative position”.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a gas lighter for passing a flame from a first fire source to a second fire source, the gas lighter including a gas fuel supply system to create a flame, a timer to regulate a time duration of the flame; and an actuation lever to activate the gas fuel supply system and the timer mechanism. Additionally, the gas lighter includes a housing with an optional extender tube to hold the flame.
In some embodiments, the gas fuel supply system includes a gas fuel container including an outlet port. The gas fuel container may be refillable or alternatively, disposable.
In some embodiments, the gas fuel supply system includes a mechanical plunger to control gas flow from the gas fuel container. The plunger may include a seal to close gas flow from the gas fuel container.
In some embodiments, the gas fuel supply system includes a gas fuel conduit to direct gas flow from the gas fuel container.
In some embodiments, the timer includes a piston which may be attached to the actuation lever.
In some embodiments, the timer includes a cylinder to accommodate the piston and may include a spring in the cylinder. The cylinder may additionally include a time regulating mechanism. The time regulating mechanism may include an intake valve which may be adjustable. The time regulating mechanism may additionally or alternatively include an outlet valve.
In some embodiments, the cylinder includes air. Alternatively, the cylinder includes water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Details shown are for exemplary purposes and serve to provide a discussion of embodiments of the invention. The description and the drawings may be apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary gas lighter, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the exemplary gas lighter, according to an embodiment of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.
According to Jewish law, it is forbidden to light a fire during a Jewish religious holiday, but it is possible to light a fire from another fire source that was lit prior to the start of the holiday. For example, it is possible to light a candle before the start of the holiday and during the holiday it is possible to pass the flame, for example, to a gas stove. Furthermore, also according to Jewish law, it is forbidden to extinguish a fire during the holiday.
An aspect of the present invention relates to a gas lighter which may be used to pass a flame from a first fire source to a second fire source and does not include an ignition mechanism to start the flame. The lighter includes a gas fuel supply system which is used to create the flame, and a timer mechanism to regulate the duration of the flame. The lighter additionally includes an actuation lever which, when pressed by a user, activates the gas fuel supply system to allow gas flow from the lighter which may be ignited to create the flame. Pressing of the actuation lever additionally activates the timer mechanism. The timer mechanism may include any suitable mechanism which may regulate the amount of time that gas flows out of the gas fuel supply system, and may include a mechanical timer, a pneumatic piston and cylinder mechanism, a hydraulic mechanism, among others.
In some embodiments, the gas fuel supply system may include a gas fuel container from which gas may flow through a nozzle in the lighter for igniting the flame. The gas fuel container may be refillable, or alternatively, single use and disposable. The gas lighter may additionally include a gas flow control mechanism which opens and closes a valve in the gas fuel container for lighting and extinguishing the flame, respectively. The gas flow control mechanism may be mechanically connected to the actuating lever and may open the gas fuel container valve when then actuating lever is pressed, and may close the valve when the actuating lever is returned to, or is proximal to, its initial position.
In some embodiments, the timer mechanism may include a piston and cylinder arrangement, the piston connected to the actuator lever which when pressed, drives the piston into the cylinder. The cylinder may include a one-way valve through which air may flow out of the cylinder as the piston is driven further into the cylinder. The cylinder may additionally include a spring which may push the piston out of the cylinder in order to return the piston and the actuator lever to their original position prior to pressing of the lever. As a vacuum is substantially formed inside the cylinder when the air flows out of the cylinder through the one-way valve, in order for the piston to be pushed back to its original position, the cylinder may include an intake valve through which air may flow back into the cylinder. Alternatively, the cylinder may be a hydraulic cylinder filled with a fluid, for example, water, instead of air, and may include a fluid tank into which the water flows through the one-way valve when the piston is pushed into the cylinder and from the which the water flows back into the cylinder through the intake valve.
In some embodiments, the intake valve may be adjustable to allow a user to adjust the amount of time the piston and the actuation lever are returned to, or proximal to, their initial position, at which time the flame may be automatically extinguished. For example, the adjustable intake valve may be set for a time duration of 3 seconds of pressing after pressing of the actuator, 5 seconds after pressing, 10 seconds after pressing, 20 seconds after pressing, 30 seconds after pressing, or more or less. Optionally, the user may preset the time duration to return the actuation lever back to its original position prior to pressing the lever. Additionally, the user may adjust the time duration following pressing of the actuation lever and while the flame is lit. Alternatively, the intake valve may not be adjustable, and the time duration is preset by the manufacturer of the gas lighter.
In some embodiments, the lighter may be manufactured in different shapes and sizes, and preferably from a relatively lightweight material such as a plastic or a lightweight metal, or any combination thereof, to allow it to be held in a single hand. Optionally, the lighter may be sized to fit in a shirt pocket or a pants pocket or to be carried inside a handbag. The lighter components may be manufactured from any suitable material, and may include plastic, metal, rubber, among others.
In an exemplary mode of operation, when the user wants to light a second fire source, for example, a cigarette or a gas stove, from a first fire source, for example a candle, the following steps may be carried out:
a. The user presses on the actuator lever.
b. The user places the end of the nozzle of the lighter against the flame of the first fire source.
c. The gas from the lighter ignites and a flame is light at the nozzle's end.
d. The user uses the lighter to light the second fire source.
e. After the predetermined time, the timer system shuts of the gas flow in the lighter and the flame is extinguished.
Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which schematically illustrates an exemplary gas lighter 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lighter 10 may include a housing 11 with an extender tube 12 through which gas fuel may exit from the lighter to light a flame 34, a gas fuel container 30 to store gas fuel, a gas fuel conduit 32 extending from the gas fuel container through the housing towards a distal portion of the extender tube and through which gas fuel may flow to light the flame, an actuator lever 14 to activate gas flow through the gas fuel conduit, and a timer mechanism 15 to control an amount of time gas fuel flows through the gas fuel conduit responsive to a user pressing on the actuator lever.
The lighter 10 may additionally include a plunger 26 which is connected to the actuator lever 14 at a proximal end and extends into the gas fuel container 30. A distal end of the plunger 26 includes a seal 28 which may seal an outlet port 29 in the gas fuel container 30 to which the gas fuel conduit 32 is connected. Responsive to pressing of the actuator lever 14, the plunger 26 is displaced inwardly into the gas fuel container 30 removing the seal 28 from the outlet port 29 to allow gas fuel flow into the gas fuel conduit 32. The plunger 26 may also, responsive to operation of the timer mechanism 15 as described further on below, be displaced outwardly from the gas fuel container 30 so that the seal 28 covers the outlet port 29 and prevents gas fuel from flowing into the gas fuel conduit 32.
The timer mechanism 15 may include a piston 36 which is attached to the actuator lever 14 and a cylinder 18 into which the piston may be displaced inwardly responsive to pressing of the actuator lever. The cylinder 18 may include a spring mechanism 16 which may push the piston 36, once inside the cylinder, outwardly to return the actuator lever 14 to its initial (pre-pressed) position. Pushing the piston 36, and consequently the actuation level 14, results in the plunger 26 being retrieved outwardly from the gas fuel container 30 and the seal 28 covering the outlet port 29 (sealing gas flow to gas fuel conduit 32 and extinguishing flame 34) when the actuation lever is returned to its initial position or proximal to the initial position.
The timer mechanism 15 may additionally include a regulating mechanism 21 which may allow a user to adjust the rate at which the spring mechanism 16 pushes the actuator lever 14 back to its initial position, for example, corresponding with a period of time of 3 seconds, 5 seconds, 7 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, or more, or less. Consequently, the amount of time gas fuel flows through the gas fuel conduit 32 (and the flame 34 is lit) is determined by the regulating mechanism 21.
The regulating mechanism 21 may include a one-way valve 20 on the cylinder 16 which may allow air to flow out of the gas fuel cylinder 30 as the piston 36 is displaced inwardly into the cylinder. The regulating mechanism 21 may additionally include an adjustable intake valve 22 through which air may flow into the cylinder 30 and which may include a calibration screw 24 which may be used to adjust the quantity of air which may flow through the intake valve and thereby adjust the air pressure inside the cylinder. By adjusting the air pressure inside the gas fuel cylinder 30, the rate at which the spring mechanism 16 pushes the piston 36 outwards from the cylinder may be adjusted, and thereby the amount of time the actuation lever 14 is returned to its initial position.
Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which schematically illustrates the exemplary gas lighter 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lighter 10 is shown lighting a candle 36 using a flame from a previous fire source.
The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form.
Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should be interpreted according to this definition.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A gas lighter for passing a flame from a first fire source to a second fire source comprising:

a gas fuel supply system to create a flame;

a timer to regulate a time duration of said flame; and

an actuation lever to activate said gas fuel supply system and said timer mechanism.

2. A lighter according to claim 1 wherein said gas fuel supply system comprises a gas fuel container.

3. A lighter according to claim 2 wherein said gas fuel container is refillable.

4. A lighter according to claim 2 wherein said gas fuel container is disposable.

5. A lighter according to claim 2 wherein said gas fuel supply system comprises a mechanical plunger to control gas flow from said gas fuel container.

6. A lighter according to claim 5 wherein said plunger comprises a seal to close gas flow from said gas fuel container.

7. A lighter according to claim 2 wherein said gas fuel container comprises an outlet port.

8. A lighter according to claim 2 wherein said gas fuel supply system comprises a gas fuel conduit to direct gas flow from said gas fuel container.

9. A lighter according to claim 1 further comprising a housing.

10. A lighter according to claim 9 wherein said housing comprises an extender tube to hold said flame.

11. A lighter according to claim 1 wherein said timer comprises a piston.

12. A lighter according to claim 11 wherein said piston is attached to said actuation lever.

13. A lighter according to claim 11 comprising a cylinder to accommodate said piston.

14. A lighter according to claim 13 wherein said cylinder comprises a spring.

15. A lighter according to claim 13 wherein said cylinder comprises a time regulating mechanism.

16. A lighter according to claim 13 wherein said time regulating mechanism comprises an intake valve.

17. A lighter according to claim 16 wherein said intake valve is adjustable.

18. A lighter according to claim 13 wherein said time regulating mechanism comprises an outlet valve.

19. A lighter according to claim 13 wherein said cylinder comprises air.

20. A lighter according to claim 13 wherein said cylinder comprises water.