US3748086A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cigarette lighter
Assignee: Colibri Lighters Ltd
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Filing: 1971-08-30
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1991-08-30
Abstract
Abstract The invention is concerned with a cigarette lighter having an actuating member and means mounting said actuating member for rocking movement to operate said lighter, said actuating member having first and second surfaces meeting at a nose and the arrangement being such that when thumb pressure is applied to said first surface said actuating member is forced to rock with a snap action as said thumb rolls over said nose onto said second surface.
Inventors
- 👤 W Retzler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:13
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23Q; F23Q2/00; F23Q2/16; F23Q2/167
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A cigarette lighter having a casing, a burner in said casing, an actuating member, and means mounting said actuating member on said casing for rocking movement from a first position to a second position to operate said lighter, said actuating member having first and second surfaces lying at an acute angle to each other and meeting at a nose, said first surface being shorter than the terminal phalanx of a human thumb and aligned with a side of said casing when said actuating member is in said first position, and said second surface being nearer said burner than said first surface, said mounting means being so positioned that when the base of the terminal phalanx of the thumb of a hand holding said casing is used to press said first surface inwardly of said lighter and away from said burner, said actuating member is caused to rock away from said burner with a snap action while said phalanx rolls over said nose to press against said second surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A cigarette lighter having a casing, a burner in said casing, an actuating member, and means mounting said actuating member on said casing for rocking movement from a first position to a second position to operate said lighter, said actuating member having first and second surfaces lying at an acute angle to each other and meeting at a nose, said first surface being shorter than the terminal phalanx of a human thumb and aligned with a side of said casing when said actuating member is in said first position, and said second surface being nearer said burner than said first surface, said mounting means being so positioned that when the base of the terminal phalanx of the thumb of a hand holding said casing is used to press said first surface inwardly of said lighter and away from said burner, said actuating member is caused to rock away from said burner with a snap action while said phalanx rolls over said nose to press against said second surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cigarette lighter according to claim 1, wherein said actuating member is pivoted about an axis extending substantially parallel to said nose and lying in the included angle between said first and second surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A cigarette lighter according to claim 2, in which the perpendicular distance between said pivotal axis and the plane of each of said surfaces is at least 6 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A cigarette lighter according to claim 1, in which said actuating member rotates a flint wheel, and a common pivot pin rockably mounts said actuating member and rotatably mounts said flint wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A cigarette lighter according to claim 4, in which said actuating member and said flint wheel are provided with a complementary engagement means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cigarette lighter according to claim 1, in which said actuating member is rockable about an upright axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A cigarette lighter according to claim 6, in which said actuating member is mounted at a side of said lighter, said first and second surfaces both being exposed when said actuating member is in its rest position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cigarette lighter according to claim 1, where said actuating member is let into a corner of a body of said lighter at the intersection of two walls of said body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A gas burning cigarette lighter according to claim 1, comprising a burner valve operatively connected to be opened upon rocking of said actuating member to operate said lighter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
A automatic cigarette lighter according to claim 1, comprising at least one flame extinguishing means connected to be opened by the operative movement of said actuating member and maintained open by holding said actuating member in its second position, and a return spring for returning said actuating member to said first position when the manual pressure is released from said actuating member after operation of said lighter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
111 words
A cigarette lighter having an actuating member and means mounting said actuating member adjacent the top of said lighter for rocking movement about a horizontal axis to operate said lighter, said actuating member having first and second surfaces meeting at a nOse, said first surface being the upper surface of the actuating member and said second surface being the upright front surface of said actuating member nearer to a burner, whereby when thumb pressure is applied to said first surface said actuating member is rockable with a sharp action backwards and downwards away from said burner to operate said lighter as said thumb rolls over said nose onto said second surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
111 words
A cigarette lighter having an actuating member and means mounting said actuating member adjacent the top of said lighter for rocking movement about a horizontal axis to operate said lighter, said actuating member having first and second surfaces meeting at a nOse, said first surface being the upper surface of the actuating member and said second surface being the upright front surface of said actuating member nearer to a burner, whereby when thumb pressure is applied to said first surface said actuating member is rockable with a sharp action backwards and downwards away from said burner to operate said lighter as said thumb rolls over said nose onto said second surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cigarette lighter according to claim 10, in which said return spring is a torsion return spring accommodated within said actuating member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |