US3899285A

US3899285A - Cigarette lighter cover

Info

Publication number: US3899285A
Application number: US444557A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ronald Jack Christmas
Original assignee: Ronson Products Ltd
Current assignee: Ronson Products Ltd
Priority date: 1973-02-23
Filing date: 1974-02-21
Publication date: 1975-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 1992-08-12
Also published as: FR2219386A1; CA1008684A; DE2409249B2; AR199431A1; FR2219386B1; BR7401373D0; DE7406745U; AU6597674A; JPS5047768A; ATA137974A; AT333533B; JPS5135913B2; DE2409249C3; IT1007429B; DE2409249A1; GB1441451A

Abstract

A cigarette-lighter cover, preferably formed of molded plastic material, is provided in a generally planar configuration having an internally formed hinge enabling a portion of the cover to be swung thereabout to expose a portion of the lighter and a protuberance which may be snapped into a recess in the lighter to releasably hold the cover in place.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Christmas CIGARETTE LIGHTER COVER [75] Inventor: Ronald Jack Christmas,

Leatherhead, England [73] Assignee: Ronson Products Limited,

Woodbridge, NJ.

22 Filed: Feb. 21, 1974 211 App]. No.: 444,557

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 23, 1973 United Kingdom 9139/73 [52] US. Cl. 431/152; 220/339; 141/350 [51] Int. Cl. F23Q 25/00 [58] Field of Search 431/146, 152; 215/235,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,106,311 10/1963 Fairchild 220/38.5

[4 1 Aug. 12, 1975 3,295,024 12/1966 Newman 431/143 3,381,916 5/1968 Edgell 220/31 S 3,417,897 12/1968 Johnson.... 220/31 S 3,744,662 7/1973 Zundel 220/38.5

Primary ExaminerCarroll B. Dority, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or F irmToren, McGeady and Stanger [5 7 ABSTRACT 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED AUBI 2 I975 SHEET cicAiRErTE LIGHTER COVER This invention relates to cigarette lighters and in par ticular to a cover for closing recesses formed in the body of the lighter.

Cigarette lighters, whether they be fuelled by liquefied gas or normally liquid fuels, have various adjustment means or service points such as flame height regulators, flint replacement screws, filling valves or refuel]- ing apertures. These can be unsightly and are usually housed in a recess in the lighter body which is provided with a cover. In one form the cover consists of a plug which is retained in position by friction or by means of a screw thread. Both types involve the risk of loss of a small component the plug and in the case of a screw threaded plug a tool may be necessary for its fitment and removal. Among the more expensive methods of concealing adjustment means and service points in lighters the cover consists of a flap which is hinged to the body of the lighter.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cover of this latter type but which is less expensive in manufacture.

The present invention provides an improved cover which comprises a single body formed of a plastic, such as polypropylene, providing a portion of generally planar form connected by an integrally formed hinge to an upstanding spigot which may be secured in a recess formed in the lighter. In use of the improved cover the hinge serves to enable the planar portion of the cover to be swung open to expose the recess normally concealed thereby.

Preferably the lighter body is formed with a shallow recess into which the planar portion of the cover fits.

The spigot of the improved cover may be provided with integral portions which are deformable to provide a snap fit within a suitably shaped recess in the lighter body thereby ensuring that the cover is firmly secured.

One embodiment of the improved cover of this invention will now be described with reference to the aceompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cover according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section through a gas lighter showing the cover secured in position; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the base of the gas lighter showing the cover in its closed position.

FIG. I shows the cover, formed as an integral moulding in plastic, as having a planar portion 1 and a protuberance or spigot 2. An annular rib 3 is formed around the spigot to secure the cover more firmly when positioned on the lighter. The planar portion has a V- shaped recess 4 formed across its width close to the spigot; this provides a weakened area which, providing suitable plastic material such as polypropylene is used, serves as a hinge of very long life.

The edge 5 of the planar portion 1 remote from the spigot is formed with a slight chamfer which enables the cover to be lifted by means or" a finger nail or a thin implement.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of part of a lighter casing showing the cover of H6. 1 in position. The lighter cas ing includes the cover and the lighter body which is shown at 6 as having a deep recess to accommodate an inlet valve 7 for recharging the lighter with liquid gas. Two further recesses are formed in the lighter body, one at 8 which is dimensioned to receive the spigot 2 of the cover and the other one 9 which is shallow to accommodate the planar portion of the cover. The recess 8 is shown as being formed with an internal groove 10 into which the rib 3 snaps as the spigot 2 is pushed home whereby to secure the cover in position.

As will be seen from FIG. 2, the cover fits in the recess 9 in the lighter body flush with the outer surface of the body, thereby neatly closing the recess for the inlet valve and protecting the latter from dust and damage. Also shown in FIG. 2 in dotted lines is the position assumed by the planar portion of the cover when it is swung open about the hinge 4. Such a displacement of the cover exposes the inlet valve permitting the lighter to be easily refilled.

FIG. 3 shows the cover in its closed position and illustrates more clearly the manner in which the recess 9 in the lighter body may be shaped at 11 to enable a finger nail to be applied to open the cover.

What is claimed is:

I. A cigarette lighter casing comprising a body having a first recess and a cover fitted within and displaceably mounted in said first recess, said first recess having a second recess formed therein extending inwardly into said body from said first recess, said cover comprising an integral molded member formed of plastic material and including a flat planar body portion, a hinge integrally formed in said body portion and dividing it into a first part of said body portion and a second part of said body portion, a protuberance formed on said first part of said body portion and spaced from said hinge and extending generally perpendicularly from said planar body portion, said protuberance being configured to extend in closely fitting engagement to said second recess and to be releasably secured therein so that said first part of said body portion can be held in place on said body and said second part of said body can be pivotally displaced relative to said first part about said hinge, a third recess extending from said first recess and inwardly into said body and having a filling valve therein, said second part of said body portion extending over said third recess in a closed position of said cover.

2. A cigarette lighter casing, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second recess has an internal annular groove formed in the internal surface thereof with the grooves being spaced from said first recess, said protuberance includes an annular member extending outwardly from and around its surface, said annular rib being arranged to snap into releasable engagement within said groove in said second recess when saii protuberance is inserted into said second recess.

3. A cigarette lighter casing, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body portion of said cover is shaped for a major portion of its lateral periphery to conform to the shape of said first recess in said body.

4. A cigarette lighter casing, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said hinge comprises a groove-like recess extending across said body portion between said first part and second part of said body portion.

5. A cigarette lighter casing, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said second part of said body portion of said cover is shaped at a position spaced from said hinge to have an edge portion thereof spaced from the juxtaposed edge of said first recess to permit access to said second part of said body portion enabling said second part to be gripped so that it can be pivoted about said hinge out of said first recess.

6. A cigarette lighter casing, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said groove-like recess of said hinge is V- shaped and is formed in the surface of said body portion facing into said first recess.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,899,285 Dated August 12, 1975 Inventor(s) Ronald Jack Christmas It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Item [73] should read A ssignee: Ronson Products Limited Leatherhead, Surrey, England Signed and. Scaled this RUTH c. MASON c. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer I (mnmisxinnvr nj'Parenrx and Trademarks

Claims

1. A cigarette lighter casing comprising a body having a first recess and a cover fitted within and displaceably mounted in said first recess, said first recess having a second recess formed therein extending inwardly into said body from said first recess, said cover comprising an integral molded member formed of plastic material and including a flat planar body portion, a hinge integrally formed in said body portion and dividing it into a first part of said body portion and a second part of said body portion, a protuberance formed on said first part of said body portion and spaced from said hinge and extending generally perpendicularly from said planar body portion, said protuberance being configured to extend in closely fitting engagement to said second recess and to be releasably secured therein so that said first part of said body portion can be held in place on said body and said second part of said body can be pivotally displaced relative to said first part about said hinge, a third recess extending from said first recess and inwardly into said body and having a filling valve therein, said second part of said body portion extending over said third recess in a closed position of said cover.

2. A cigarette lighter casing, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second recess has an internal annular groove formed in the internal surface thereof with the grooves being spaced from said first recess, said protuberance includes an annular member extending outwardly from and around its surface, said annular rib being arranged to snap into releasable engagement within said groove in said second recess when said protuberance is inserted into said second recess.

6. A cigarette lighter casing, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said groove-like recess of said hinge is V-shaped and is formed in the surface of said body portion facing into said first recess.