US3213648A

US3213648A - Gas-fuelled lighter

Info

Publication number: US3213648A
Application number: US339406A
Authority: US
Inventors: Racek Alfred
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-01-25
Filing date: 1964-01-22
Publication date: 1965-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 1982-10-26
Also published as: GB1005309A; US3251202A; CH432098A; NL6400546A; NL6400579A; CH411434A; BE655601A; ES296081A1; GB1025452A; IL22386A; DE1295258B; DE1211011B

Description

Gct. 26, 1965 A. RACEK 3,213,648

GAS-FUELLED LIGHTER Filed Jan. 22, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IIIII IIIIIIIII UH H I I Oct. 26, 1965 A. RACEK 3,213,648

GAS-FUELLED LIGHTER Filed Jan. 22, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 40 445 P47 42446 f/g' Oct. 26, 1965 A. RAcEK 3,213,643

GAS-FUELLED LIGHTER Filed Jan. 22, 1964 4 sheets-sheet s Hummm Oct. 26, 1965 A. RAcEK GAS-FUELLED LIGHTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 22, 1964 United States Patent O 3,213,648 GAS-FUELLED LIGHTER Alfred Racek, Zwerngasse 59, Vienna XVII, Austria Filed Sian. 22, 1964, Ser. No. 339,406 Claims priority, application Austria, Jan. 25, 1963, A 597/63; Nov. 14, 1963, A 9,121/ 63 17 Claims. (Cl. 67-7.1)

This invention relates to a gas-fuelled lighter, which comprises an adjusting member for varying the height of the flame, and a gas tank, the latter and the adjusting member being relatively movable.

In known gas-fuelled lighters of this kind it has been found disadvantageous that the adjusting member can be unintentionally or intentionally adjusted even when the flame is not burning so that the operator of the lighter iinds that the flame has been entirely changed. If the flame has been adjusted to an excessively large size, this may endanger the operator or the person who is given a light because the upsurging llame is entirely unexpected. If the flame is adjusted to an insuicient size, the ignitability of the light-er will be adversely affected.

In order to avoid an unintended adjustment of the size of the flame, it has already been proposed to brake the adjusting wheel mechanically or to cover it with an ornamental sleeve. Whereas these measures can prevent a rotation of the adjusting wheel, e.g., when the lighter is carried in a trouser pocket, they will not prevent an unconscious rotation of the wheel when the user is urged by the human instinct to play.

Lighters have also been disclosed in which the adjusting member is covered by the lighter cover when the same is closed so that the adjusting member cannot be operated unless the cover and the gas valve are open. A separate implement, e.g., a key, is required for the operation of such an adjusting member, therefore the manipulation of these lighters is complicated, particularly because such an implement is easily lost.

It is an object of the invention to provide a lighter in which the ame can be adjusted only when the gas valve is open and in a reliable, simple manner, without need of a special implement. This is substantially achieved by the provision of a locking member, which is operatively connected to the actuating device for the gas valve and enables a relative movement of the gas tank and the adjusting member only when the valve is open so that the height of the llame cannot be adjusted unless the valve is open.

The locking member according to the invention can be used in all gas-fuelled lighters comprising means for varying the height of the flame, irrespective of whether the gas tank is iiXed or rotatably mounted in the lighter housing.

If the gas tank is rotatable from the outside for adjusting the flame, the adjusting member is connected to the housing by the locking member only when the valve is open whereas the gas tank and the adjusting member are freely rotatable when the valve is closed.

If the gas tank is non-rotatably connected to the housing (and with the gas valve closed) the tank is connected by the locking member to the adjusting member, which is operable from the outside.

In the second case, the adjusting member cannot be rotated when the gas valve is closed. In the irst case, When the gas tank is rotated with the gas valve closed the adjusting member participates in this rotation so that a relative rotation is prevented.

In both embodiments, it has been found particularly suitable to use an adjusting member in the form of a disc provided with teeth or the like, and which is rotatable to vary the height of the flame. Whereas, the

ICC

locking member is interengageable with the teeth of the adjusting disc.

In another structure incorporating the locking member according to the invention, the adjusting member is operable from the outside and the -gas tank is rotatably mounted in the lighter housing and is connected by the locking member to the lighter housing when the gas valve is open. In this case too, a relative rotation of the adjusting member and of the gas tank is possible only when the gas valve is open; whereas, the tank rotates with the adjusting member when the valve is closed.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be explained hereinafter with reference to illustrative embodiments shown on the accompanying sectional drawings, in which FIG. l shows a lighter having a gas tank which is rotatable to adjust the flame, and a pressure valve; FIG. 2 shows the upper portion of a gas tank for a lighter as shown in FIG. 1; FIGS. 3 and 4 show a lighter having a gas tank which is rmly connected to the housing, in closed and open positions, respectively; FIGS. 5 and 6 show a squeeze-type lighter comprising a gas tank which is rotatable to adjust the flame, also in closed and open positions, respectively; FIG. 7 shows a squeeze-type lighter comprising an adjusting member which is actuable from the outside, and a rotatable gas tank; and FIGS. 8 and 9 show a lighter which is operable by a push member in closed and open positions, respectively.

According to FIG. l, the gas tank 1 comprises a pot 2 in screw-threaded engagement with a screw-threaded member 3. On its underside, the member 3 is closed, except for a bore 4, and applies pressure to a throttlin-g layer 5. The throttle action varies with the pressure applied. A valve stem 6 is guided inside the member 3 and carries a seal 7, which closes the opening 4. The valve is a pressure valve and is held in its closed position by the cap S of the lighter. This cap engages a plate 9 connected to the stem 6. A spring 10 assists the opening movement of the valve. The outside periphery of the member 3 protrudes over the tank 1 and has splines 11, which mesh with teeth of a disc 12 and teeth of a ring 13. At their outside peripheries, the disc 12 has teeth 14 and the ring 13 has teeth 15.

A spring 16 bears at one end on a peripherally continuous recess 17 of the ring 13 and at the other end on the disc 12 and urges the disc 12 and the ring 13 apart. 'Ihe ring 13 engages the bottom of the tank and the disc 12 engages an abutment disc 18 press-fitted on the meinber 3.

A rotation of the disc 12, which constitutes the adjusting member, will thus etfect a screwing movement of the screw-threaded member 3 so as to vary the height of the llame.

The tank which has been described hereinbefore is inserted from below into the lighter, which has a cover 19, which is connected to the cap 8 and is rotatable together with the friction wheel 20 about a shaft 22, which is mounted on the lighter housing 21. A driver 23 is disposed between the cover 19 and the cap 8 and when the cover 19 is being opened, this driver drives the friction wheel 20 by means of teeth 24 so that sparks are drawn from a flint 26, which is forced by a spring 25 against the friction wheel. The cover 19 is mounted on the housing 21 with the aid of two lugs 27 and two limbs 28, each of which is pivoted to one of the lugs 27.

The limbs 28 form parts of a bent member. A spring 30 bears on the web 29 of this bent member. The other end of the spring 30 bears on a lug 31, which is connected to the housing 21. The bent member having the limbs 28 is urged upwardly by the spring 30 an-d when pivotally moved beyond its neutral position urges the cover 19 into its `closed or open position. Such actuating means are known in gasoline or petrol lighters and do not form a subject matter of the present invention. To lock the disc 12, at least one of the limbs 28 is provided with a nosel 32, which `co-acts with teeth 14 of the disc 12 when the cover and the gas valve are open.

To operate the lighter, the cover 19 is pivotally moved to the 4position shown in FIG. 1, so that the cap S is lifted and the gas valve is opened. At the same time, the nose or noses 32 interengage with the teeth 14 so that the disc 12 is connected to the housing by the teeth, acting as locking means, and is thus locked against rotation. The height of the flame is now variable by a rotation of the gas tank 1, which has a serrated portion 33 protruding from ythe housing 21. When the cover -and valve are closed, the disc 12 Will follow a rotation of the tank 1 so that the height of the llame cannot be adjusted. To define upper and lower limits for the height of the llame, one of the teeth 15, in the example shown the tooth a, is bent down and at least one stop 34 is provided at the tank bottom so that the disc 12 can be rotated only in a limited range relative to the gas tank 1.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative form of a gas tank which can be inserted instead of the tank 1 into the lighter shown in FIG. 1. The tank 35 has again a pot 36, which accommodates in its lower portion the throttling layer 5.

A hollow screw-threaded member 37 is contained in and in threaded engagement with the pot 36 and bears on a pressure plate 38, which is provided with an opening 39. This opening is closed by a seal 41, which is carried by a valve stem 40.

The upper portion of the screw-threaded member 37 is provided with splines 42, which interengage with teeth of a supporting disc 43 disposed at the top of the gas tank 35. The disc 43 is formed with peripherally spaced openings 44 adjacent to its outside periphery. Downwardly bent lugs 45 of an annular disc 46 enter these openings. Another disc 47, which is held by the valve stem 40, is associated with the disc 46. The two discs 46 and 47, which lie loosely one on the other, form together a rocker lever for opening the gas valve. When they are lifted by the noses 32 (FIG. 1) in the direction of the arrow P, the valve stem is lifted against the force of a spring 48 so that the valve is opened.

Like the disc 12 in FIG. 1, the disc 46 is formed at its outside periphery with teeth 49, Which co-act with the noses 32. When the gas valve is open, the adjusting member, forming also the rocker lever, is connected by the noses 32 to the housing so that a rotation of the protruding gas tank 35 will result in aV relative rotation between the gas tank and adjusting member so as to vary the height of the llame.

To limit the height of the llame, the top of the gas tank is provided with a stop hump 50 and the periphery of the supporting disc 43 is toothed. A-t least one of these teeth is bent into the path of the stop 50 to serve as a co-operating stop 43a. Y

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the gas tank 51 is a xed part of the lighter body. A nozzle 52 protrudes from the tank. A disc 53 for adjusting the height of the flame is provided in known manner and can be rotated to vary the pressure applied to a throttling member.

The cover 54 is connected by usual means, such as a toothed disc, to the friction wheel 55 for joint rotation in one direction, and is operated by a push member 56, which is connected to the cover, e.g., by toothed segments 57 and toothed wheels 58. i

The nozzle 52 is closed by a resilient disc 59, Whic .is guided in a sleeve 60 of the cover and forced by a spring 61 onto the outlet opening of the nozzle. A spring 62 is provided -to enforce the closing of the lighter.

A leaf spring 63 secured to the gas tank 51 has a free end extending under the disc 53. That portion of the spring 63 which is under the disc is provided with an extension 64, such as a rivet, which has a pointed top end. The underside of the disc 53 is serrated by the provision of grooves 65 so that the extension 64 is urged by the spring 63 into one of these gr-ooves. The disc 53 cannot be rotated when the lighter is closed because the adjusting disc 53 is connected by the spring 63, acting as a locking member, to the gas tank 51 and the housing. For unlocking, the push member 56 is provided with a nose 66, which forces the spring 63 downwardly when the push member is being depressed (FIG. 4), so that the extension 64 disengages the disc 53 and the latter is rotatable for adjusting the flame. To limit the range of angular movement, the underside of the disc 53 is provided with a hump 67, which co-acts With the spring 63 acting as a stop.

rThe lighter shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 has two

housing parts

71 and 72, which are relatively pivotally movable about a pivot 70. The gas tank 73 is rotatably mounted in part 71. The int -tube 74 is connected to the housing part 72. One leg 76 of an angled leaf spring 75 extends below a stop shoulder 77 of a valve stem 78. The other leg 79 cooperates with a pressure nose 80 of the hint tube 74. The end 81 of the spring 75 engages the gas tank 73 to prevent the same from falling out of the housing part 71. The lighter cover S2 is articulatedly connected by a bent member 33 to the part 71. A driver 84 secured to cover 82 bears on teeth 85 of a friction wheel 86. This is `similar to the arrangement shown in FIG. l. The gas tank 73 is also provided with an adjusting device for varying the height of the llame. The actual adjusting member consists of a toothed disc S7.

When the two housing parts are pivotally urged towards each other, the cover 82 will be Vopened by the bent member 83 and the nose 80 will press on the leg 79 so that the spring is deformed into the configuration shown in FIG. 6 and the leg 76 lifts the stop shoulder 77. The gas which is now flowing out is ignited by the spark which is produced at the same time.

Above the pressure nose 80, the int tube 74 is provided with another nose 88, which interengages with teeth of the adjusting disc 87 during a pivotal movement of the flint tube. Hence, the gas tank 83 can be rotated relative to the disc 87 by a rotation of the notched part 89 of the gas tank when the lighter is open. When the lighter is closed, the disc Will rotate with the tank, as in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 differs from that of FIGS. 5 and 6 essentially in that the gas tank is provided with a pressure valve and an adjusting member which is actuable from the outside. Because the structure of the lighter is the same as that described just before, only the differences will be discussed hereinafter.

A cap 90 is secured to the cover 82. When the lighter is closed, this cap rests on the valve stem 91, which may be designed, e.g., as is shown in FIG. 1. The adjusting member consists of a hexagon 92, which is embraced by a wrench 93. An extension 94 of the wrench extends outwardly through a slot in the housing. The gas tank 95 is freely rotatably mounted in the housing part 71. To facilitate the rotation, the upper portion of the tank is provided with a peripherally continuous bead 96, and a cover 97, which closes the bottom of part 71, is provided with a central projection 98. Hence, the gas tank 95 has only a point contact at the bottom and only a line contact at the top with the housing. When the lighter is closed, the tank 95 will follow a rotation of the extension 94. When the lighter is opened, the nose 88 will engage a notched portion 99 of the gas tank so that the same is connected to the housing by the nose and an operation of the extension 94 will result in a relative rotation of the adjusting member and consequently in a change of the height of the llame.

The lighter which is shown in closed and open positions in FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively, has a housing 100, on which the cover 102 is mounted by a pivot 101. A

forked arm 104 provided with a push piece 103 is linked to the cover 102 so that a depression of the push piece 103 will open the cover 102 and cause a friction wheel 105 to be rotated by a known driver. An extension 106 of the arm 104 bears on a compression spring 107, which automatically closes the cover when the push piece is released.

An actuating lever 109 for the valve is connected by la pivot 108 to the arm 104. The lever 109 is also forked and at its end remote from the pivot 103 engages a stop shoulder 110 of a valve stem 111 from below. The gas valve has a screw-threaded member 112, to which a ring 113 is non-rotatably mounted. This ring 113 is integral with a toothed disc 114, which supports the lever 109, the lever action of which causes the valve to be opened in response to a downward movement of the arm 104.

The adjustment of the throttle valve end of the height of the flame is again effected by a rotation of the gas tank 115 at its serrated end portion 116. When the lighter is closed, the rotation of the tank will not affect the throttle valve because the screw-threaded member 113 follows the rotation. When the lighter is open, the lever 109 interengages with the teeth of the disc 114, as is apparent from FIG. 9, so that a rotation of the tank 115 causes the screw-threaded member 112 to be screwed in o1- out so as to vary the height of the ame.

FIG. 8 shows also the position of the lever 109 when the fuel tank has been pulled out. It is apparent that the range of the pivotal movement of this lever is so large that it can slip out from shoulder 110 when the tank is being pulled out and that the lever slides below this shoulder When the tank is being introduced.

In order to facilitate the insertion of the tank and the supporting action during the opening movement of the valve, the lever 109 is curved -on its underside. The time at which the valve is opened can be varied relative to the movement of the cover by the selection of the curvature. In order to enable even unskilled persons to insert the tank, a spring, not shown, may be provided to urge the lever towards its lower position.

It will be understood that numerous modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. For instance, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the nose 32 could be replaced by a nose provided on the cover` lugs 27 and the valve structure could be entirely different from that which is shown. The locking member could be provided in the form of a nose which is fixed to the housing and the gas tank could be connected to the housing by being displaced towards the locking member when the valve is being opened. Hence, only the locking member for preventing a relative movement of the gas container and the adjusting member is essential for the invention. This locking member can be provided in many forms.

What I claim is:

1. A gas-fuelled lighter, which comprises a gas tank, a gas valve associated with said tank and movable between closed and open positions and arranged to prevent a ow of gas out of said tank in said closed position and to enable a flow of gas out of said tank in said open position; actuating means operable to move said valve between said open and closed positions; an adjusting member associated with said gas valve and movable relative to said tank to control the rate of said fiow of gas, and locking means operatively connected to said adjusting member and to said actuating means such that the said locking means is arranged to effectively resist movement of said adjusting member relative to said tank with said valve in said closed position and to enable such movement with said valve in said open position.

2. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 1, which comprises a housing, said gas tank being rotatably mounted in and protruding from said housing, said adjusting member being frictionally connected to said tank and tending to rotate therewith when said valve is in 6. said closed position, said locking means being arranged to positively connect said adjusting member to said housing only when said valve is in said open position.

3. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 2, which comprises a first stop arranged to rotate with said tank, and a second stop disposed in the path of said iirst stop t-o limit the rotation of said tank relative to said adjusting member.

4. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 3, which comprises a disc connected to said adjusting member for joint rotation therewith and including bendable teeth, one of which is bent into the path of said rst stop to form said second stop.

5. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 1 which comprises a housing, said gas tank being non-rotatably connected to said lighter housing from which said adjusting member protrudes, said locking means being arranged to positively connect said tank to said adjusting member only when said gas valve is in said closed position.

6. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 1 which comprises a housing, said gas tank being rotatably mounted in said housing, from which said adjusting member protrudes, said tank being frictionally connected to said adjusting member and tending to rotate with the same when said valve is in said closed position, said locking means being arranged to positively connect said tank to said housing only when said valve is in said open position.

7. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 6, in which said gas tank is provided with notches and said locking means comprises a nose arranged to move relative to the gas tank and interengage with said notches when said gas valve is moved from said closed to said open position.

8. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 1 which comprises a housing, said gas tank and said adjusting member constituting two members which are movably mounted in said housing, one of said movably mounted members protruding from said housing, said two members being arranged to establish a first resistance to a relative movement of said two movably mounted members, said locking means being arranged to establish a second resistance to a relative movement between the other of said movably mounted members and said housing only when said valve is in said open position, said second resistance exceeding said first resistance.

9. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 1 which comprises a housing, said gas tank and said adjusting member constituting two members which are movably mounted in said housing, one of said movably mounted members protruding from said housing, said two members being frictionally connected, said locking means being arranged to establish a positive connection between the other of said movably mounted members and said housing only when said valve is in said open position.

10. A gas-fuelled valve as claimed in claim 1, in which said adjusting member comprises a disc including teeth and rotatable to control said rate of ow, said locking means comprising a locking member adapted to interengage with said teeth.

11. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 10, in which said locking member is arranged to move relative to said gas tank during a movement of said valve between said open and closed positions and includes a nose adapted to interengage with said teeth.

12. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 10, in which said locking member comprises a lever, which has one end connected to said tank and is provided at its free end with an extension interengageable with said teeth, said actuating means which is operable to move said Valve between said open and closed positions including a nose Which cooperates with said lever, to move said extension away from said teeth.

13. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 10, which comprises a housing, said locking member comprising a lever which is connected at one end to said housing and is provided at its free end with an extension interengageable with said teeth, said actuatingmeans including a nose cooperating with said lever to move said extension away from said teeth.

14. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 10, in which said valve comprises a valve stern, said locking member comprising a rocker lever which is interengageable with said valve stem to move said valve from said closed to said open position, said rocker lever bearing on said disc, and having an end opposite said valve stem which is connected to a push member which is down- Wardly movable.

15. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 14, in which said rocker lever has a portion defining a rolling curve and bearing on said disc, the rocker lever and said valve stem being pivotally connected.

16. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 1, which comprises a housing in which said gas tank is mounted and is adapted for being downwardly withdrawn from said housing, said Valve comprising a valve stem, and a stop shoulder on said stem, said locking member comprising a rocker lever which is interengaged with said valve stern to move said valve from said closed to said open position, said stop shoulder being engageable by said rocker lever to move and hold said valve in said open position, said rocker lever being pivotally movable out of the path of said stop shoulder such that withdrawal of the gas tank` the movement of said valve between said open and closed positions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,743,597 5/56 Newman 67-7.1 3,007,328 11/61 Zahn 67-7.1

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,210,565 9/59 France.

EDWARD I. MICHAEL, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A GAS-FUELLED LIGHTER, WHICH COMPRISES A GAS TANK, A GAS VALVE ASSOCIATED WITH SAID TANK AND MOVABLE BETWEEN CLOSED AND OPEN POSITIONS AND ARRANGED TO PREVENT A FLOW OF GAS OUT OF SAID TANK IN SAID CLOSED POSITION AND TO ENABLE A FLOW OF GAS OUT OF SAID TANK IN SAID OPEN POSITION; ACTUATING MEANS OPERABLE TO MOVE SAID VALVE BETWEEN SAID OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS; AN ADJUSTING MEMBER ASSOCIATED WITH SAID GAS VALVE AND MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID TANK TO CONTROL THE RATE OF SAID FLOW OF GAS, AND LOCKING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID ADJUSTING MEMBER AND TO SAID ACTUATING MEANS SUCH THAT THE SAID LOCKING MEANS IS ARRANGED TO EFFECTIVELY RESIST MOVEMENT OF SAID ADJUSTING MEMBER RELATIVE TO SAID TANK WITH SAID VALVE IN SAID CLOSED POSITION AND TO ENABLE SUCH MOVEMENT WITH SAID VALVE IN SAID OPEN POSITION.