US1788544A - Cigar and cigarette lighter - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 13, 1931. J. c. ROMBACH `CIGAR AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER Filed Feb. 15, 19.28 4 Sheets-Sheet.. 1

llllllllllll IA llilllllll IIIIIIII Illini T Jan. 13, 1931. v 1, Q ROMBACH y 1,788,544

CIGAR AND CIGARETTE' LIGHTER Filed Feb. l5, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet..- 2

.lan. 13, 1931. J. c. RoMBAcH CIGAR AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER 4 shets-sneet.. s

Filed Feb. l5, 1928 Jan. 11i,` 1931. J. cf. ROMBACH v 1,788,544

GIGAR AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER Filed Feb. l5, 1928 4 Sheets--Sheet-v 4 Patented Jan. 1 3, 1931 UNlrn STATES 1,'13af54al n Jenn o. ROMBACH, orc-LENnALn, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGN'OR To LAWRENonZnVBnLL,

Y or Los ANGnLns, ,CALIFORNIA oIeAR AND CIGARETTE e LIGHTERv 'Application filed February 15; 1928. Serial No. 254,460. i

i My invention isa cigar or cigarette lighter of the type having a Wick which becomes saturated with a `readily inflammable llquid,

- such as alcohol, and in Whicha spark is made 5 by a friction. or tile typeofwheel actingon a Y flint, the spark igniting thepliquid fuel.

Anl object of my invention in the type of lighter above .specified a..power-inecl1a nisni which, when liberated, actuates the ic friction `Wheel; and in this'connectiona detailed object. ofgthis feature is to have a spring motor type of device which is always under a certain tension, but which manually `may have the'tension increased, and, after '15 such action,the spring is released and mechanically operates 'as a' springv motor to operate the friction Wheel. Y Y

Another object of my invention is having a lighter provided with a cap or covertvhich i encloses the wick. This cap or cover is manually opened by a longitudinal movement of actuating mechanism contained within the lighter and operated by a button or other device extending outwardly Vfrom the lighter.

In this connection a more'detailed object is the tensioning` of .the springy motorto give the operative tensionto Workthe friction wheel. Y f., y I

Another object of my invention is the con- .30 struction of a lighterin the form of ak relai tively long tubular article o r casingivith the exposed wick, friction Wheel` and flint at the `Vtop, and immediately below these elements therein a relatively large chamber'for theV -35 liquid fuel and below ,such chamber, compertinents for theV spring motor andthe mechanism immediately connected thereto.

Relative to these features, a more detailed 'obiect of my invention is to constructlthe .40 lighter in a tubular form somewhat resem-` bling a fountain pen in shapecand appearance," with the exposed part of the Wick, the

. :flint and the friction Wheel housed under a foldingor hinged coveri or closure, and vv/'ith the mainportion of the fluid chamber immet diately below the exposed part of theivick i so `that there Will not be a long Wick through #which thefluid must be conducted by capil-l lary attraction to the exposed part '5o Alerter obje@ of my inveneeain lighter tacles'vvithin the main casing, to house the spring lmotor and the operativegpartscon nectedtherevvith, this arrangement being thereby may be inserted through the bottom `of the tubular casing. And a detail object in this feature is inhavinga removable base casing vcontaining parts of the spring motor and the elements associated therewith, this "PATENT ,QFHCEA 'O f the tyre above described is in the, comme; `7 non 0f liquid-tight Compartments or recep- ,such that the motor and theshaft driven being completely'cut olf'from the liquid ually operated button construction, automat-` icallycloses, and extinguishes the flame, the construction having factors to make for the Y cleanliness thereof Vallowing ready filling With an kinflammable liquid but preventing leakage of such liquid. i y Y* Y AIn constructing fmy44 cigarv I' or cigarette lighter, l preferably use,Y altubular container :or housing Whichhas anvi'nner tubular compartment.' running completely therethrough,

with an enlargement atv the bottom. v The casing has partitions or diaphragmsat the toprand` the bottom, forming a closure, and in the venlargement of the compartment, there is mounteda spring motor-With shaft eXtending to the friction Wheel'abover the upper partition;l Mounted in one side ofthe upper Y part ofthe casing, there is a spring mounted on a'transverse pin, the Vend ofthis spring thrusting on a flint which is slidably mounted, the vflint bearing against the friction Wheel and being positioned to light the eX- Vposed part ofthe Wick extending upwardly throughvthe upper partition from*v thef4 fuel chamber.. n Y Y. f

A second internal tubular passage is formed inthe main casing andthis'houses aliXedi rod *on- Which'is mounteda button type of'device i v'entendingthrough a slot-.inthe outercasing,

`closable vcover which, on releaseof-theimanthis button type of device being connected to a sleeve. Attached to the bottom oi the casing there is a base cap 'por casing structure having a block or nut-like device with opposite helical threads. This block is connected by a ratchet llto 'the spring motor and such block is actuated by an upward movementof the button device, the `sleeve connected thereto operating theyoke-engaging lthe helical threads. 'The upward movement ofthebutton also, by means otra.r rack and pinion connected to the cover at the'top, opens such cover and exposes thewick.`

The spring of the motor is given. an initial tension but, as above mentioned, the move ment of the button causes an vincreased ten 'lio Vshowing in section the the operating button.A

sion oif this, which, onthe full movement of preferably ahalf turn, is releasedsothat the shaft leading'to the friction wheel maybe rotated, this giving the spark, andhaving stop devices which allow the spring to return to its original tension. Onf'release of the button the spring automatically retracts the yoke operating the threaded block 'and also Aretractsthe racks operating the segmental pinfion, thereby closing the cover, thus extinbe app arent las direction of the arrows.

Figure l Vis an elevation similarto Fig. V1

stantially on the line 33 of Fig. 11 in the posed. I

Figure 5 is a plan of the device taken in the directionof thearrow 5 of Fig. 1.

Figure 6 is a horizontal section onthe line 6-6 of Fig. 3 the direction of the arrows through the cap. t U l Figure 7 is a .horizontal section on the line 7-'.7 of in the direction of the .arrows through the upper part of the liquid con tainer. t I f t Figure 8 isa horizontal section on-the line 8,-8of Fig. 3 in the direction ofthe yarrows part slightly above I Figure 9 is a horizontal Vsectionfon the line 9,-9 of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows showing the upper part of the spring motor clutch.'-

'Fi'gure 10 ,is aV horizontal'section.on the line10j-1O of}F ig'.` 3 rinfthe direction of the arrows showing an labutment bl'ocl;l in section with the cover open and interior parts. ex-

'operating the flint.

and thespring motor release and the .yolre for winding the motor in plan. s

Figure 11 is a horizontalsection on the line 11-11 of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows showing a section through the yoke and thethreaded block for winding theY spring motor, anda pawl for controlling the motor shaft, the latter being in plan.

Figure 12 is a horizontal sectienon the line 1212 of Fig. 3 in the directionY of the arrows illustrating the pawl and ratchet for restraining the motion of the motor shaft.

Figure 13 isa section on the line 13 13 of Fig. Sin the direction of the arrows illustrating mainly the body of the liquid chamber with the tubular housings eiitending therethrough.

Figure lelie an elevation of a number of parte utilized in connection with the spring motor, these being'shown' disassembled and in somewhat their relative position. Figure 15 is anunderneath .view of one of 14 on .the'line 15-15 of the clutches of such ligure.

Figure 16 is a plan, view of one of theY clutches of Fig. l111 on the line1616 the direction of the arrows.

Figure 17 is a vertical sectional'view simi` lar to Vthe lower section ofFig. 2 with the parts in another position. 1 p Figure 18 is an underneath view ot the closurecap.M Y Y 'i i Figure 19 is an'elevation of the rack for opening the cover, the cover 'being shown in part section. Y

. Figure 20 is a plan of the rack of Fig. 19 as if taken on the line 2 0-20 in the, direction of the arrows. l

Figure. 21 is an elevation port andthe flint tension spring.

of` the 'Hint sup- Figure 22 is a vview oFig. 271 inthe direc- Y.

tion'of the arrow 22.

My invention utilizes what maybe termed as a main casing 11, which, torth'e most part, t is preferably cylindrical. i

partition 12 rigidly secured thereto and ,aY lower partition V13.A Th'is'casing, with thepartitions, forms a liquid-tight container except -where it has openingshereunder detailed, 1 jiior iilling and for the wick. Tl'iis' casing structure, it will be noted, is connected to thev lupper partition in arecessed port-ion 14 4and 'iitsvagainst an annular v,Shoulder -15 on the .lower lpartition 13. (NotefFig. 3). At the-120 wardly extending walls 16 vand 17'which are joined together and the upper partition has a upper portion this casing has radially insegmental section 18 cut out, conformingto these walls, (note Figs. 7 and 2) this being to of lthe spring for i 1,25'

allow housing and.V action On one side, the casing n p l1 hasanlinwa-rdly i Y, depressed section 19 which is formed concentric with the main outer portion and has shoulders 20`on each side `(note Figs.'7 ad) i130 mesita-4 ln this portion there Vis alsoa recess 21. .which is; formed by" a; pair of* parallelv inwardly extending walls 22, with anV inner wall 23.

These are'connected'to, the outward part of the wall 19 by a shelf-lilre,structure24 and 25 at the top` and bottom ofthe recess (note Figs. `@and 3j). Y Y

VA tubular cover sleeve 3()V fits over the upper part of the casing 11 and this has a. slot 31 formed in one side, there being a ring 32 i threaded on the lower end of the cover sleeve.

The upper part of the sleeve has a lower and an upper bead 33 and 341 pressedtherein, the upper bead extending completely around the sleeveI` the lower bead-'terminating at theslot 31. The upper part of the sleeve .has the cover Li5, this cover havinga diametrically positioned hinge 46 with a lifting coversection 47 connected tothe stationary section 48 by such hinge (notev Figs. 2, 3 and 5.) vThe `space 49 in the cover above thev partition 12 isto accommodate theupper upart of the'iiint carrying device, the friction 'wheel and" the exposed part ofthe wick, as hereunder outlined. V .At the bottom ofvthe device there is afbottom partition 50 which ishel'dto the partition 1-3 byv bolts 51, these bolts being attached into the partition 13 and having lnuts Vbelow the partion 5'0". The boltsare preferably shouldered'to hold the partition 50proper`ly spaced from the partition 13. In the drawings there are three of these bolts illustrated" (noteFi'gs.

2, 3 and 9.) `Apbottom housing 52, preferably..

formedV with'cylindrical side walls, fits over the flange 53 of the partition: 13 and has a closed lower end 54', thisrhonsing preferably being held' in place by ascrew 55 threaded intothe bottoni partition 50. The space56in the Vbottoni housing accommodates various `elernentsxof the spring motor actuating Aand e top thereof, the shaft having an enlargement or a bushing (tforiningl a journal section at the top. The friction wheel fpreferably rests on the .shoulder on theitop ofthe shaft 62 and'bearsA also, if desired, 'on l@he Upper edge of the tube 60 (note Fig), .,'l,`his,shaft extends downwardly and Qurnaled .fat its lower end 65 inthe bottoni partitioiifO.. The enlarged tubular section forms the main housing for the spring motor, hereunder-detailed.

A` second tube fis connected to lower `partition Vlvlandy extends upwardly, `,being @Quimica tothe their 24; Ywhich formsgthe lower wall ofiy the recess y21 (note tone partition 50 and 4at .its upper end to the,

shelf 25 at the top of the recess .21. VA slid` extends through this tube Y ing. sleeve 72 is mounted on the rod 71 tting; n

freely inside Vof the` tube 70 and this sleeve has a button structure, designated generally Vby thefnumeral 73, secured thereto at the top.C

This sleeve extends into the recess21 so that" '1 .the yinner part of the button operates in such recess. ,The` lower -part of the sleeve is conneet-ed to' an operating yoke designated genverally by` thenumeral 74. A longn coiledyo spring; 75fiits outside ofthe sleeve ,72. andI bears at-itsfu-pperend against the shelf 24; and vits lower end against the: yoke 74. The function ofthisspring is set` forth hereunder.

The liquid fuel, which is preferably highlyf,

inflammable, --is filled yinto thel liquid `chain -j berthrough an opening'S'Q-in the vupper part ofthe casing 21between thebeads' and 34. Fitted between these beads there is a clampingspring 81havingka resilient sealing strip, 82 mountedl therein; This clamping "spring lts @111.1583 spaced apart substantially f the y. width ofthe slot 31 so that the button 73 may slide-upwardly between these jends and when this clamping spring isturned so that the endev register-'with the opening 80, the 1 lia id uelfmay be poured" in the Casing l1, andinorder to sea-.l this opening, the clampspring isthen shifted's ofthatfthe vends register with the slot 31. v'The center part'of;v

this Spring lwith the sealing-medium@ then maintains@ liquidi-tight closure at the Ore ma-Q.-

The mechanism forf `'open'ingr the yliftingcoversection 4:7 is substantiallyv as follows r, VThis .is accomplished by thevinanual 'manipul` lation of the button 7 8, such button having ak finger grip lrnurled .portion y55 which has 86at-thebottorn.extending downwardly over theportion of thelcasingll abovethee ring 32; and also has a rib 87 at'the top with afliogllow.,'sectionv 88 behind the finger grip and behind.therijby 87. `There is a shoulder 89 on the back ofthel fingerbutton 3 which,V functions n as hereunder ,mentioned The rib,

`87A in its, upward movement is adapted to extend over the portion 9 0 of thecovler sleeve 30;4v above vthe slot 31. y

yA rack. structure, designated generally by the numeral 91,1is provided withv a pair of raclrbars -93 at the top, joined by a cross bar 9a, and having adownwardly extending web (Note Figs.y 4f

95 with an inwardlyand an outwardly turned "i flange V96 and 97", the inwardly 'turnedflange- .961having an aperture 98 therethrough to slide on the rod 71.rv The flange97 is engaged I by the shoulder 89 on the back ofthe button in the upward movement of the button when `it. is manually pressed upwardly, this` giving-v `Va certain lost motiomthe'nlifting the rack.r

This rack is formed with the cross bar24 and 4the rack armsY 93b'entarcnate, as Yiifidi'cated by the numeral 99. This arcuate-'portion fits between the depressed section 19 ofthe casing 11 an d the upper portin 90 of thesleeve"30,

(Figs. and 8) this'accuratelyfguidingithe rack construction.V f

- rlhel racl; teeth 100 `mesh with the'rack teeth Y 101 on the segmental pinionf102"secured -to l the under side of the'hinged liftingcover sec- -tion 47 so that in the upward Ymoveir'i'e'nt of the racl: bar, the'hmged 'section 1s openand 1V turned completely back on'the stationary section 48.1' 'A small coiled spring103 is placed' on the inside of thecover and has its ends 104 sliding inV on the botto'mpart of the stationary section-4 8 and the lifting section 47of the cover. this action j keeping thecover snugly closed and` giving .positiveY- tension to hold thecoverin closedposition. The downward lis wound on the sleeve 7 2. v The"mounti'ng of the flintlisl substantially 'pull'lto 'automatically' closef the cover onrel spring whichv lea-sine; the button' isy by" the follows A flint holder 105 '(notefparticularlyFigs. 2, 21 and 22)f has ahub n106v at the 'bottom and a shank 107 extending upwardly fromthe hub. l-A cross piece -108'is connecte'dj to the shank and has screw holes 109 for -5 securing same to the top partition'12. .As

above mentioned, there beingthe segmental out-out Y section V18V to accommodate v'the flint l operating mechanism.k An arched cover piece 110 forms a-guide 111 for the'flint 112 which is Apreferably.formed cylindrical and there -isY a- 'slot 113 leading into this guideway tof'accommodatek the upper end of the springl lTheY spring'ha's'a pressing sectionf`114 which extends fthroughthe slot'113 and bears on the back of the flint. There is a coiled section '115V wound `on the hub-.106. A curved section"Y l116 irtends'fupwardly from the Vcoil and is adapted to bear-outwardly against the upper portion of'thesleevel() substantially atth'e portion between the two beads 33-and An inwardly'extendingarm 11.7 hasv at fits end a cross piece 118fwith a 'rearward'bend '1119?this being adapted'to contact with the inner', walll' of thejcasing 11,'itbeing noted lth'at thei wall '17:' together` with the wall7f16`V friction ,wheel 63 inthief operation of such' l; Y. wheel, l f

(noteFig. 7) forms a segmental spaceto accommodate the'flint operating inechanisinin the npper'part of the casingl Y the covervsleeve "30. rlhe flin tion to ,bear against VandY be act is in the .posiedupon'by the vThe spring motor assembly 'is substantlally l as follows, having reference f parti cu- Y larlyto Figsll2, 3. 4519, 11,112,"14,15,16 and 517: An upper clutch element 120 is secured byfa pin/1121er the'lilre to the power shaft 62., this clutch being housed in the enlargement 'shait62 byay pin 137an"d this'fis and inside of` 61 of the tube 60. VThis clutch element-Elias a vsegmental lug 124 on oneside with asocket 125 therein which engages a prong 126 on-the upper end of the spring 127. A- lower clutch element 12S-is rotatably mounted on the'shaft segmentalflug r129` mounted 62 and has-fa k thereon v(Figs. 9, 14,115 and 16). vThe lower end of the clutchvelement'128 has tongue 129. which fits in the jaws 136 of a. sleeve 131;

such sleeve has an upperratch'et element 132 i 'th ratchet teeth 133 and is'provided with a socket 134 to engage the lower 'prong-135 of the spring12i..y This spring is coiled on the outside of the lower clutch element 128' and the sleeve 131. :These are in sepa-rate pieces having the ton'ue andthe jaw .forithe pur- C) poses'offassembly. A I l An abutment ring/1361's. securet to fthe y K ittedin'a recess 138 .inthe upper 'ratchet member 132 (note Band-14)'.`l` f` the shaft 62 and has a. .recess AV141.1 on .the top to accommodate the'abutment `ring136 and` also has ratchetl 'eeth 142 to engage the vthe windingb'locl140, these beingy deep grooves cut therein "on oppositesides and making substantially one-half vof'a complete Y`revolution from :thejbottoin to the top of A winding block 140 is `looselymounted on` the block. Asy above mentioned, an operating Y yeke- 74 is rigidly: secured to the sleeveq72 which ist-.raised .by the thumb operating -button This yokehas; yokefarms`148 with?y studs 149 lfaciriglinwardiy on eachfofthe .arms anden each of the stnds'there isaroller150 (note Figs. 10 and 11);- These rollers fit in the helicalthreadsv147'.

Toce-.operate with theyoke andthe wind-i" ing bloclfthere is a sleeve 151which is rotatably mounted on one ofthe VAbolt-s '51.1' This ha'sa dogt 152 VVmounted on.' the top, suchdog 'having' a 4beveled end 153. At lthe.y bottom the sleeve '.151Qfthere" is:f a pawl Y154 'which vengages .the .teeth ofthe ratchet 145, the pawl` ,being constantly p ressect'f. into f engagement vwith such ratchet wheelbjgfa coiled spring 4woundgonV the sleeve 151,;the'lmverf end 156 .of the spring engaging the `pafwl 154 andthe oppositefend '15T engaging -or being-secured Y to the bottom'hou'sing 52.

The manner ofoperationand functioning ofthe spring motoras' substantially 'as' follcws: The upper clutch element 120, the lower p clutch element t 128V,` thev sleeve '131' with the lspring'12"?"'wound on the two latter elements may be` assembled onthefshaft 62fand'thisV vshaft thrust upwardly V:tin-"ouali the intesi-6o lll() and 61'--beforeattachingfthe bett-0m Yhousing*130 i The friction wheel 16,3 may lthenl lbe sat1 tachedlto thctop alcove the top partition 12.5

In this assembly `may be included thel abutting ring136, the winding block 140 and the ratchet wheel 1,45 with the spring 143( The spring 127 is given an initial tension tothe desireddegree,` The pawl' 154 is constantly forced into engagement .with the'teeth oi' the ratchet wheelY 145,'thus holding the shaft 62 from rotation; and, due .to kthe initial tension of thespring 127, the lugs 'l24and 12S) are in engagement-` It is noted that these lugsare segmental so that'when in engagenient there is substantially a` full semi-circle to allow turningl of one, relative to the other.

When the linger operated button@ 73 vis thrust upwardly, which action, asabove men tioned, `opens the lifting coverisection .47 by means` of the rack andpinion device, it also lifts theyoke 7 4 through the'vmedium of the sleeve 72. vSuch action on account of the rollers 150 on the yoke arms 148 moving in the helical thread grooves 147 gives a partial rotationof the winding block 140, this being rotated substantially a full semi-circle. On account of the interengagement of the ratchet teeth 133 and 142, the turning of the winding block gives a half turn to the sleeve 131 and the lower lclutchelement 128. rlhis rotates the'lower lug 129 until it engagesthe opposite face of the lug 124 so that it isnormally engaged when at rest and manifestly this gives an increased tensionto the winding of the spring 127.

lVhe'n the'yoke 74 oomesto the upper part of the winding block 140 which isas far as it may travel on account of thelimit ofthe i movement of the finger operating button 73,

this yoke engages the beveled ,end ,153 of thel dog 152, causing a rotation thereofand a rotation of the sleeve 151. Such. actionv releases the dog 154 from the teeth' of the ratchet wheel 145. Therefore the sha'ft`62 is freetov rotate under the influence` of the `'spring 127 a half revolution or until the lugs 124 and 129 can engage. y the friction wheel andthe giving olf of sparksV due to the contact with lthe flint,.thus igniting the liquid-inl thewick. So long as the.

thumb operating button7 3 is` retained in its upper position, `the lifting cover Section 47 is retained open and therwick will v.continue to burn as long as the operator wishes `itfor lightingacigar, cigarette or the like. Imme-V diately, however, on releasing the operating button 73, this is shifted downwardly by the action of thespring 7 5, closing the cover, and at the `Sametime moving the yoke 74 down'- wardly, this action giving a reverse movement to the ratchet teethr142; hence such reverseg ThisY brings the parts intoposition .for vthe next action does not shift-the sleeve 131.

operation.` It is to be noted that the friction at the next movement the rotation is contin- Such action causes the rotation of 4,ned-,so that-,theivvheel acts evenly V012th@flint,, and' being 51151601110 lequel: wear von its whole periphery.` i

Thea/,ick ielexeridslupwadiy airugh a ferrule .161 in the top partition V12 andhas an eXpOSed .end `L62 which becomes ignited, by

the sparksnfrom theflint. The wickniay be made of any suitable material such as asbestos and, following/the 4fi is1i a l practice, the

space inthe liquid chamber is lpreferably packed with cotton or other absorbentlt will be noted that although the device may he made `163 ,mountedon the cover sleeve 30, which maybe utilized to hold the device the pocketsin the manner similar to a fountain pen.,V It will be seen by theconstruction and layout of my Vinvent-ion that, the deviceV is sim-y vcomparatively small, substantially the size ilar in shape to the usual fountain penand it may belmade ofsubstantiallythe same size as the standard pens now on the market.l This vgives aaconstruction which is easily carried andof aldesirable shape to handle. A

,It willihe, noted that a-` charactertistic feature `of my invention is that .the rdevice'may.

be taken from the pocket,.and'nianipulated by the thumb for one of the y fingers, this opening the cover-and givingV the additional tension tothe spring andralso releasing the, spring motor to actuate the spark producing mecha-` nism., Thisfignition. ofthe spark is quite in-v dependent tof` any direct `manual, manipulation not thefintwheel, 'but ity is den entirely- Vthrough the spring. motorfwhich may hema-in-y .tained at a vtension to aotuate the -,friction wheel, at itsbesteiiiciency.All.. l l

Another characteristic featureof my in` ventionjs the closure,oftheicover and eX- tinguisihing of the-flame by such closure. This is doneautolnatically on thefrelease. ofthe button 7 3 by the thumb or finger, as the'spring V75 controls this 'actiongalsothe spring 75 re-sets thethreaded block by, lowering this toV kthe `bottom of the device,whence itis in position for the next operation.

AIt will benoted that the'construction kof my lightenisl ofasuch a character, that the parts maybe readily assembledand disassembled `when desired. As. thef bottom `housing 52, is

removable, it allows for the ready insertion s,

ofthe main parts of theA spring motor andthe inspectionanfd adjusting of `these parts when Y necessary. llherefore,althongh` the various elements Imust Abe madequite small toiit ina structure lofthe size desired, nevertheless, on L" i.

account ofg theefacilities .for assembling, `ad- )usting and repairing theA small size o is no y i particular; disadvantage. ,Various other con` wheel at each operation is partlyrotatedand" veniences and improvements of my invention above description together with the drawings..

l`Some of the' detail-features of my inven-V` tion which are of importance involvejthe factor. that the flint does not require adjust- -inent, but is continually moved against the friction wheel until this'is `practically used up. Also the friction wheel rotates in the same direction with no reverse action.

`Therefore at each movement of this wheel, i

it lis* functioning to createV a spark to light" the Wiclr,and there Vis no wear onv the iiint on account of any reverse action.

Another characteristic feature of my in-Y vention 4is 'that the mechanism" for' actually operating the friction wheelis mounted in controlled by the spring and soV designed to he at its maximum efficiency in each operation. y

v Another feature of my invention is that the spring motor arrangement -for controlling the friction wheel is normally in an inoperative condition, that is, when the lighter is ordinarily carried in the pocket yor ina handbag, there is no danger of the device fio 'f operated.

operating and igniting the Wick, as this can onlv be .done when the button ismanually Various changes may be made Vinthe prin ciples of my invention without departing fromthe spirit thereof, as set forth in the description, drawings and claims.

I claim: y 1 f 1. AV lighter comprising in combination al tubular casing structure with a chamber therein for liquid fuel, a wick extending -into said chamber and havinglan ignitiblevend at one end of the casing, a flint and a friction wheel positioned adjacent said ignitible part ofthe wick, aA compartment in the casing below and cutoff from the liquid fuel cham` ber and having a spring motor mountedf therein, a shaft extending from the motor through the fuel chamber to the friction wheel, a slidable device havinga manually; operable element extending outsideof thecasing, said device giving the motor-a tension andreleasing Ysuch motor, and means to limit the operationof themotor. Y

2. A lighter, 'as claimed claim' l, theV manually operable Yelement comprising a finger engaging button mounted to slide in recess in the casing, a sleeve connected to said button slidable on a rod, and means on the sleevel to tension the vsaid spring.

3. A lighter comprising in vcombination an elongated tubular casing structure having a partition at the top Nwith an ignitible wick there being an elongated 'liquid chamber in the said casing, a tubular structure extendL ing throughV the casing from end to end'and having-"a1 shaft mounted therein connected to the friction wheel, aspring motor lmounted in said tubular structure andl connected tothe shaft, a second.Y tubular structure ex- `tending longitudinally through the casing' `75,;

and having a motor tensioning.4 and release device 'operable therethrough, said tension# ing and release device-having a. manually operable element extendingV outwardly through the casing.

di. rilighter coniprising'in combination tubular casing structiurehaving a partitionA at the top and bottom, there being-anupper recess and alower recess inthe-sides of the` casing, a'fimt holder and actuating' spring mounted in the upper recess, a'flint in such holder above the p. tition,a` frictionwheel, a mel; extending tnroughthe upper parti tion, a `manually operabledevice slidably l mountedl in' thelower recess, va first tubular structure extending through-the' casing between-the partitions and housing partof a spring motor, a'shaftidriventhereby, suchshaft being connected tothefriction wheel,

a secondtubular structureextending from the lower partition to the lower recess, and

means forming an operable lconnection from' :the manually operable device to wind and between the manually operable device and the spring motorY mounted therein.

6.' A'lighter, as claimed injclaim'ha coverr casing secured tothe upper-part of the tubu lar casingstructure, a cover securedto trie cover sleeve, and means vto openy and close? part of the cover on the movement ofthel `lmanually operable device. A

j 7. fr lighter comprisingV in combination 'a tubular casing structure having 'a Vpartition attheA top and bottom, there being an upper and a lower recess in the sides of the casing,

a flint holder andan actuating springmount- Ved in the upper recess, a flint in said'holder,

a friction Wheel above the top partition,'ja

`of a' spring motor Vmounted .therein the lower part-,of suchr tube, a second tube exe il tending through the casing 'fromvthe bottoni partition tothe lower recess, a rod extending through the"secondltube and having a sleeve mounted, thereon, a slidingbutton mounted lll meten on the rod and Vsliding in the lowerrecess,`

a drive shaft extending from the bottoni housing through the rst tube and connected to the friction wheel, a threaded block rotatably mounted on said shaft, a yolreconiiected from the sleeve to rotate said block, means actuated by the block to wind the lspring, motor on sliding movement ofthe button,`

and means controlled by the yokev to release theshaft and allow actuationof the friction wheel.

`8. A lighter, as claimed in claim?, the means controlled by the yoke comprising a dog connected to a rotatable sleeve in the bottoni housing, said dog being engaged by the yoke when in its upper position, and a pawl connected tol .the sleeve engaging a ratchet on the shaft, said, pawl beingl disengaged by the movement of the dog.

9. A lighter, as claimed in claim 7, the means controlled by the yoke comprising .a dog connected to a rotatable sleeve in the bottoni housing, said dog being' engaged by the yoke when in V'its upper position, a pawl connected to the sleeve engaging a ratchet on the shaft, saidV pawl being disengaged by the movement of the dog, an upper clutch element mounted on a shaft, a lower clutch element forming part of the spring motor, said clutch elements allowing a predetermined unwinding of the spring on release by the pawl. Y

10. In a lighter, a tubular casing with a liquid fuel chamber therein, a friction wheel, a` flint and the exposed part of a wick at one endv of the casing, a shaft connected to the friction wheel extending through the casing and having an upper clutch element connectedV there- Y to, a lower clutch element rotatably mounted on the shaft, said clutch elements having interengaging lugs to allow relative movement, a ratchet element operatively connected to the lower clutch element, a coiled spring interconnecting the ratchet element and the upper clutch element, a threaded winding bloclr rotatably mountedV on the` shaft` and having' ratchet teeth to engage the teeth of the rachet element, the said spring being under an initial tension, a manually operableL device mounted on the casing to rotate the winding block and increase the tension of the spring, means controlled by the manually operable device to release the shaft and allow rotation thereof, such rotation being limited by the said clutch elements, and a restraining device for the shaft. Y

11. ln a lighter, a tubular casing having a flint, a friction wheel vand the exposed part of a wick at oneend, a cover sleeve over the upper part of the casing and having a'cover, part of such cover being movable and having' segmental gears mounted thereon, a button slidably movable in a slot in the cover sleeve and rack bars connected to the button to slide ;V therewith and actuate the segmental gears to openfaiid``close ythe cover, and rotational` button. l Y l 112. In Va lighter, a-casing having a liquid fuel chamber tlicreima flint, a friction wheel andthe exposed part of awick at one end of the casing, a shaft connected to the friction wheelA a spring motor having one part connected to the shaft and another part rotatably mounted thereon, a winding device mounted rotatably on the shaft to increase the tensionof the spring of themotor, a restraining device for the shaft, means to actua'te the winding device and to release the restraining device and to return such wind-y ing device to such initialpositiom-the said -v-ineans for nthe friction wheel, said means be- `Sing controlled by 'the movement' of the shaft and friction wheel being always drivenV in one direction. f

13. In a lighter, a casing having a liquid fuel chamber, a Hint, a friction device and the exposed part of a wiclr at one end of the casing, said casing having an aperature ad-` jacent the top for filling with liquid fuel, and a stopper device in the form of a split ring, saidring encircling the casing and slidable thcreabout.Y said ring in one position forming a closure for the said opening and in 'another position exposing said opening for filling the casing with liquid fuel.V

14. A lighter comprising in combination a tubular housing structure having a wick at i the top, a flint and a friction wheel, a rotary spring motorloca'ted at the bottom of the housing, a shaft' extending from the motor tothe friction wheel, an intermediate chainber above the spring motor for liquid fuel, the wick extending therein, a manually operable slidable device extending partly outside of the housing to beengaged by the finger, the said device'in one direction of movement winding the spring of the motor and releasing same to operate the'Y friction wheel, and

means to stop the motor after a predetermined movement. i

15. A lighter comprising in combination a tubular housing structure having an' upper partition with a wick extending therethrough, a flint and avfriction wheel above the' partition, a cover 'cap' above the partition, alower partition, a spring motor located mainly below said lower partition, a

connecting the slidable device with the motor totension the motor in one direction of movekUl ' name -to thisrspeciication.

nientof theV slidable device, the moveient of Y 'said slidabie device releasing the motorv for opera-tion, and means to stop the motor afterv a predetermined movement.

In testimony whereof` I Vhave signed iny JOHN o. RoMBAoi.

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