GB1585730A - Gas-fuelled lighter - Google Patents

Abstract

The lighter comprises a cap (12), a single elastic locking system (21) which locks the cap in the open and closed positions and consists of a link (16) hinged to the cap and of a spring (24) pushing against the lighter body, and a valve (34) which opens or closes the circuit of the gas and is acted on directly by said link. <IMAGE>

Description

(54) GAS-FUELLED LIGHTER (71) We, S. T. DUPONT a French Corporate Body of Tour Maine Montparnasse - 33, Avenue du Maine, Paris 15, France, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to gas-fuelled lighters, in particular for use by smokers.

Gas lighters are known which include a cap which is resiliently retained in its closed position and in its open position by a single spring system having two positions, owing to its travelling through a dead point, as described, for example, in French Patent No. 888068.

Gas lighters are also known which have a cap whose position controls the supply of gas to the burner, this regulation being obtained either using the cap, or using the spring system for the cap, acting through an intermediate part which acts on the stem of a valve which is situated in the gas circuit.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a gas lighter comprising a pivoted cap which is resiliently retained in its closed and open positions by a spring acting on the cap through the intermediary of a rocking lever pivotally mounted on the cap, and wherein the said lever acts directly on a valve which controls the flow of gas to the burner of the lighter.

Preferably, with the lighter in a vertical attitude, horizontal movement of the pivotal connection between the cap and the lever is small compared with its vertical movement and the portion of the lever in contact with the valve is so shaped as to engage the valve substantially at its centre line in both the open and the closed positions of the cap.

One form of gas lighter in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a view, partially in section of the lighter with its cap in the closed position; Figure 2 is a view like that of Figure 1, but with the cap open.

The lighter comprises a body 10 of the lighter having a cap 12 pivoting on an axis 14, for movement between the closed position of Figure 1 and the open position of Figure 2.

A small rocking lever 16 is pivoted by means of a pivot 18 on the cap 12. It includes a part 20 having a spiral shape, whose purpose will be explained below, and its end is in contact with a spring locking system 21 consisting of a plunger 22 which is slidably mounted in a passage 26 of the body of the lighter and is subject to the force of a spring 24.

The gas feed device of the lighter consists of a gas pipe 28 which communicates with the inside of the lighter, an expanderevaporator 30, and a seal 32 mounted on a valve 34. A spring 36 abuts against a rollar 38 and against the body of the expander-evaporator and is kept in place by a tubular guiding part 40 which is provided with an orifice 42 connecting the interior of the guiding part 40 with a channel 44 which is connected in turn to the burner, not shown, of the lighter.

Operation of the lighter is as follows: In the closed position of the cap (Figure 1) the spring device 21 ensures that the cap is resiliently retained in position through the intermediary of the lever 16. At the same time, the portion of the lever having the spiral shape 20 ensures that the gas circuit is closed, due to the fact that it rests on the stem of valve 34 which latter keeps the seal 32 in a closing position as a result of the special shape of the part 20. Contact occurs on the centre line of valve 34, so that the force is directed axially and is normal to the surface of abutment of seal 32. When the cap is opened, the pivot 18 passes over centre beyond the deadpoint which is defined by the line which connects the point of pivoting 14 and the point of contact of the small rocker 16 on the part 22.The spring device 21 ensures that the cap is held in the open position (figure 2).

Simultaneously, the valve 34 is raised by its spring 36 to permit gas to pass out from the expander-evaporator in order to reach the burner by passing way of the orifice 42 and channel 44.

Due to the particular spiral shape of part 18 of the small rocker 16, the latter is in contact with the stem of the valve on its centre line. Consequently, at the time when the closing motion of the cap starts, the initial abutment on the stem of valve 34 takes place at its centre, so that any substantial pushing motion which is off centre is avoided.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A gas-fuelled lighter comprising a pivoted cap which is resiliently retained in its closed and open positions by a spring acting on the cap through the intermediary of a rocking lever pivotally mounted on the cap, and wherein the said lever acts directly on a valve which controls the flow of gas to the burner of the lighter.

2. A gas-fuelled lighter according to claim 1, wherein with the lighter in a vertical attitude, horizontal movement of the pivotal connection between the cap and the lever is small compared with its vertical movement and the portion of the lever in contact with the valve is so shaped as to engage the valve substantially at its centre line in both the open and the closed position of the cap.

3. A gas-fuelled lighter substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. spring 36 to permit gas to pass out from the expander-evaporator in order to reach the burner by passing way of the orifice 42 and channel 44. Due to the particular spiral shape of part 18 of the small rocker 16, the latter is in contact with the stem of the valve on its centre line. Consequently, at the time when the closing motion of the cap starts, the initial abutment on the stem of valve 34 takes place at its centre, so that any substantial pushing motion which is off centre is avoided. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A gas-fuelled lighter comprising a pivoted cap which is resiliently retained in its closed and open positions by a spring acting on the cap through the intermediary of a rocking lever pivotally mounted on the cap, and wherein the said lever acts directly on a valve which controls the flow of gas to the burner of the lighter.

2. A gas-fuelled lighter according to claim 1, wherein with the lighter in a vertical attitude, horizontal movement of the pivotal connection between the cap and the lever is small compared with its vertical movement and the portion of the lever in contact with the valve is so shaped as to engage the valve substantially at its centre line in both the open and the closed position of the cap.

3. A gas-fuelled lighter substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.