Portable gas lighter with magnetically operated lid

Claim 2

A smoker''s lighter comprising: an outer casing of such small dimensions that the lighter can be used as a pocket lighter, a lid having at least a part of ferromagnetic material, said lid forming an openable part of said casing and being connected thereto by hinge means, spring means arranged to urge said lid to an open position, a fuel tank mounted in the casing, a gas control valve connected to said fuel tank to control the flow of gas therefrom and arranged to open when the lighter is operated, a burner assembly mounted in the casing so as to be covered by said lid in its closed position and connected to receive gas from the gas control valve, a magnet assembly movably mounted in the casing and arranged to act directly on said lid in its closed position to retain said lid closed against the force exerted by the spring means, cell holder means mounted in the casing and adapted to receive at least one electric cell, a spark ignition circuit electrically connected to said cell holder means, switch means connected in said spark ignition circuit to control the operation thereof, spark ignition electrode means connected to the output of said spark ignition circuit and mounted in the casing so as to cooperate with the burner assembly to ignite gas issuing therefrom, and actuating means having an exterior part adapted for manual operation, said actuating means being coupled to said magnet assembly and said switch means, and being operative upon manual operation of said exterior part to move said magnet assembly away from said lid so as to decrease the force of magnetic attraction thereon to allow the lid to open under the force exerted by said spring means, and to actuate said switch means.

Claim 3

A lighter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the casing is generally rectangular, the lid forms a part of the top face of the casing, and said exterior part of said actuating means is located in a side face of said casing.

Claim 4

A lighter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said burner assembly includes an elongate burner tube, said magnet assembly includes a generally ''''U''''-shaped magnet having a pole-piece on each side of said burner tube, and said magnet assembly is mounted on resilient mounting means biassing said magnet assembly towards said lid in its closed position.

Claim 5

A smoker''s lighter comprising: an outer casing provided with an openable lid, the lid having at least a part of ferromagnetic material, spring means arranged to urge said lid to an open position, a fuel tank mounted in the casing, a burner ssembly including a gas control valve, said assembly being mounted in the casing so as to be covered by said lid in its closed position and being connected to the fuel tank, a sensor rod forming part of the burner assembly, said rod being biassed against the lid in its closed position and adapted to open said gas control valve when said lid is opened and to close said valve when said lid is closed, a magnet assembly movably mounted in said casing, arranged to retain said lid closed by the force of magnetic attraction, cell holder means mounted in the casing and adapted to receive and make electrical connection to at least one electric cell, a circuit for generating a high voltage electric spark connected to said cell holder means, mechanically operable contact means connected in said circuit to actuate said circuit on closure of the contact means, spark electrode menns connected to the output of said circuit and mounted in the casing so as to co-operate with said burner assembly to ignite gas issuing therefrom, and actuating means having a part on the outside of said casing adapted for manual operation, said actuating means being coupled to said magnet assembly and said switch means, and being effective when said manual operation is performed to move said magnet assembly to decrease the magnetic attraction on the lid to allow said lid to open under the influence of said spring means, and to close said contact means, thereby effecting automatic opening and lighting of the lighter.

Claim 6

A smoker''s lighter comprising: an outer casing provided with an openable lid, the lid having at least a part of ferromagnetic material, spring means arranged to urge said lid to an open position, a fuel tank mounted in the casing, a burner ssembly including a gas control valve, said assembly being mounted in the casing so as to be covered by said lid in its closed position and being connected to the fuel tank, a sensor rod forming part of the burner assembly, said rod being biassed against the lid in its closed position and adapted to open said gas control valve when said lid is opened and to close said valve when said lid is closed, a magnet assembly movably mounted in said casing, arranged to retain said lid closed by the force of magnetic attraction, cell holder means mounted in the casing and adapted to receive and make electrical connection to at least one electric cell, a circuit for generating a high voltage electric spark connected to said cell holder means, mechanically operable contact means connected in said circuit to actuate said circuit on closure of the contact means, spark electrode menns connected to the output of said circuit and mounted in the casing so as to co-operate with said burner assembly to ignite gas issuing therefrom, and actuating means having a part on the outside of said casing adapted for manual operation, said actuating means being coupled to said magnet assembly and said switch means, and being effective when said manual operation is performed to move said magnet assembly to decrease the magnetic attraction on the lid to allow said lid to open under the influence of said spring means, and to close said contact means, thereby effecting automatic opening and lighting of the lighter.

Claim 7

A lighter as claimed in claim 4, wherein said burner assembly includes flame adjustment means comprising: wick means located in the path of gas through the burner assembly, a compression member arranged to compress said wick means to increase its resistance to gas flow, and a manually operable flame control coupled to said compression member to adjust the degree of compression of said wick means.