Refillable gas cigarette lighter

Claim 2

A refillable gas lighter, comprising: a hollow main body; said body supporting the following elements of which the lighter is comprised: two spaced apart upstanding rises extending above and supported on said main body; each said rise having a respective vertical edge, and said rises being shaped and oriented such that said vertical edges face in the same direction as a lever extending out of said body; in each said rise is defined a pocket in the form of an open sided notch extending into said rise from its said vertical edge; said notches being of a width to permit swiveling of lever appendages held therein; a reservoir in said body for holding fuel to be released; a fuel release valve in said body communicating with said reservoir and being operable to control release of fuel; said release valve including a labyrinth through which the fuel passes and which causes gasification of the fuel; said lever engaging said release valve and extending out of said body; said lever extending between and passing between said rises; from opposite sides of said lever project said appendages which extend into and across said rise pockets and said appendages and said pockets being cooperatively shaped to enable said lever to be rocked around said appendages in said pockets; said release valve being shiftable by rocking of said lever to open said release valve; a return spring engaging said lever and applying force thereto for returning said lever and said release valve to the closed position; an ignition mechanism in said body including means which enables said ignition mechanism to be readily mounted in said body; a pyrophoric flint held in said ignition mechanism; a knurled wheel for striking said flint; means for mounting said knurled wheel in said ignition mechanism; means in said body for establishing a leak-proof closing of said reservoir in said body.

Claim 3

A lighter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said lever has an opening passing vertically thereacross and said opening being of dimensions to permit said ignition mechanism to extend therethrough without obstructing rocking motion of said lever; said ignition mechanism extending through said lever opening.

Claim 4

A lighter in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said pocket is in the shape of a notch tapering narrower away from said vertical edge into said rise.

Claim 5

A lighter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said release valve operating lever is comprised of a flat plate having an end with a notch therein; said notch being fitted over said release valve; said spring being positioned and being of a type to normally bias said lever to move said release valve to a closed position; said lever also including a rim which extends down and holds said spring in position beneath said lever.

Claim 6

A lighter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said rises further include means which guide a cap over the upper end of said hollow main body; and a cap for said main body which is placed over the upper end thereof and which is carried by openings in said rises which openings are provided therefor; said body upper end being narrowed about its perimeter for a short distance down from said upper end, and said body having a peripheral ridge at the end of said narrowed portion, with said narrowed portion and said ridge defining a means for receiving said cap.

Claim 7

A lighter in accordance with claim 1, wherein a pocket is provided in said main body for holding said valve; said valve being installed in said pocket; means are provided for supporting said valve in its said pocket; said release valve comprising a body defining a thin cylindrical opening running the length of a hollow valve piece; said valve piece having a concavely shaped lower end and defining a wide, concavely shaped rim about the lower end of said opening in said hollow piece; a groove means provided in said piece for receiving said lever, whereby engagement of said lever in said groove means enables movement of said lever to alternately raise and lower said release valve; sealing means within said pocket for sealing said release valve, permitting movement thereof under the influence of said lever while precluding leakage.

Claim 8

A lighter in accordance with claim 6, wherein said valve piece includes a burner device at the upper end thereof, through which the fuel exits from said hollow piece; passages communicating between said hollow opening of said valve piece and the exterior of said valve piece; said valve pocket including a recess about the perimeter of said valve piece, between the upper end of said valve piece and the seal about said valve piece, providing space for passage of gas moving toward said burner device; said groove in said valve piece cooperating with the pivoting movement of said lever for causing said release valve to move axially through said pocket; a resilient gasket installed in said pocket beneath said valve lower end and positioned such that said valve lower end presses against said gasket when said release valve is closed.

Claim 9

A lighter in accordance with claim 6, wherein there is a wick leading from said reservoir to said opening at the lower end of said gas release valve pocket; within said pocket beneath said hollow piece opening lower end is positioned a conical element which is topped by a rounded bonnet; the opening into said pocket communicates with the lower end of said conical element and there are diametrical openings through said conical element which direct the incoming fuel outwardly around the exterior of said conical elements and then cause the fuel to pass around the exterior of said conical element toward said hollow opening of said valve piece; the space that is around said conical element, beneath said valve piece and is so positioned that the fuel passes therethrough on the way to said hollow piece and is filled with a foam material, so that the liquid fuel which rises through this area is gasified and the turbulence of the gas is deadened to produce a stable flame.

Claim 10

A refillable gas lighter, comprising: a hollow main body; said body supporting the following elements of which the lighteR is comprised: a reservoir in said body for holding fuel to be released; a fuel release valve in said body communicating with said reservoir and being operable to control release of fuel; said release valve including a labyrinth through which the fuel passes and which causes gasification of the fuel; a lever engaging said release valve and extending out of said body; said lever being operable for opening said release valve; a return spring engaging said lever and applying force thereto for returning said lever and the engaged said release valve to the closed position; an ignition mechanism in said body including means which enables said mechanism to be readily mounted in said main body; a pyrophoric flint held in said ignition mechanism; a knurled wheel for striking said flint; means for mounting said knurled wheel in said ignition mechanism; means in said body for establishing a leak-proof closing of said reservoir in said body; said body includes two cylindrical pockets within it extending down from said body upper end; the first of said pockets being closed at all but its upper end which is opened for receiving said ignition mechanism and for holding same in place; said first pocket having a longitudinal groove therein, and said ignition mechanism having a corresponding longitudinal rib on its exterior for meshing with said groove in said first pocket, thereby to properly align said ignition mechanism; the second said pocket gradually decreases in diameter, through stepped gradations, toward the bottom of said main body; an opening is provided in the lower end of said second pocket for communicating with said reservoir; said gas release valve being positioned in said second pocket and communicating with said opening therein, whereby the fuel can pass from said reservoir through said second pocket opening and through said valve.

Claim 11

A refillable gas lighter, comprising: a hollow main body; said body supporting the following elements of which the lighteR is comprised: a reservoir in said body for holding fuel to be released; a fuel release valve in said body communicating with said reservoir and being operable to control release of fuel; said release valve including a labyrinth through which the fuel passes and which causes gasification of the fuel; a lever engaging said release valve and extending out of said body; said lever being operable for opening said release valve; a return spring engaging said lever and applying force thereto for returning said lever and the engaged said release valve to the closed position; an ignition mechanism in said body including means which enables said mechanism to be readily mounted in said main body; a pyrophoric flint held in said ignition mechanism; a knurled wheel for striking said flint; means for mounting said knurled wheel in said ignition mechanism; means in said body for establishing a leak-proof closing of said reservoir in said body; said body includes two cylindrical pockets within it extending down from said body upper end; the first of said pockets being closed at all but its upper end which is opened for receiving said ignition mechanism and for holding same in place; said first pocket having a longitudinal groove therein, and said ignition mechanism having a corresponding longitudinal rib on its exterior for meshing with said groove in said first pocket, thereby to properly align said ignition mechanism; the second said pocket gradually decreases in diameter, through stepped gradations, toward the bottom of said main body; an opening is provided in the lower end of said second pocket for communicating with said reservoir; said gas release valve being positioned in said second pocket and communicating with said opening therein, whereby the fuel can pass from said reservoir through said second pocket opening and through said valve.

Claim 12

A lighter including: a hollow main body; in said body a reservoir for holding liquid fuel, means for releasing the fuel and means for igniting the fuel; a stopper to seal the reservoir; and a refill valve communicating through said stopper with said reservoir and including an automatic seal, provided for refilling said reservoir; said stopper having a tube shaped projection which extends into said body; an interior opening through said projection through which said refill valve passes; said opening including a pocket of greater width than the opening therethrough, and having a surface facing out of said body which is perpendicular to and extends away from said opening through said stopper; a support washer for said refill valve being installed in said stopper and resting in said pocket and against said perpendicular surface; said opening through said stopper narrowing annularly near the outside of said body and out of said narrowed portion of said opening protrudes a cylindrical portion of said refill valve; a gasket in said opening through said stopper above said narrowed portion of said opening; said support washer in the said pocket within said stopper having a cylindrical body with an axial opening extending therethrough for receiving said refill valve; said washer having an exterior profile corresponding to that of said pocket in said tube shaped projection; said washer including a narrowing at the inside end thereof to act as a guide for said refill valve; a rim on the side of said washer facing toward the exterior of said lighter, which said rim forms a collar for receiving a compression spring which normally biases said refill valve closed.

Claim 13

A lighter including: a hollow main body; in said body a reservoir for holding liquid fuel, means for releasing the fuel and means for igniting the fuel; a stopper to seal the reservoir; and a refill valve communicating through said stopper with said reservoir and including an automatic seal, provided for refilling said reservoir; said stopper having a tube shaped projection which extends into said body; an interior opening through said projection through which said refill valve passes; said opening including a pocket of greater width than the opening therethrough, and having a surface facing out of said body which is perpendicular to and extends away from said opening through said stopper; a support washer for said refill valve being installed in said stopper and resting in said pocket and against said perpendicular surface; said opening through said stopper narrowing annularly near the outside of said body and out of said narrowed portion of said opening protrudes a cylindrical portion of said refill valve; a gasket in said opening through said stopper above said narrowed portion of said opening; said support washer in the said pocket within said stopper having a cylindrical body with an axial opening extending therethrough for receiving said refill valve; said washer having an exterior profile corresponding to that of said pocket in said tube shaped projection; said washer including a narrowing at the inside end thereof to act as a guide for said refill valve; a rim on the side of said washer facing toward the exterior of said lighter, which said rim forms a collar for receiving a compression spring which normally biases said refill valve closed.

Claim 14

A lighter having a refill valve in accordance with claim 10, wherein said coil spring presses upon said valve body to normally close said valve; said refill valve including a valve body having an upper part further into said stopper which includes a plurality of longitudinal grooves about the periphery of said valve body; beneath the groove portion of said valve body is a wider cylindrical portion acting as a guide for said valve spring; a base Portion on said valve body including an annular rim upon which said spring presses, whereby said compression spring at the one end presses against said washer and at the other end against said valve body; said gasket being beneath said rim of said valve body for sealing off gas released due to pressure exerted by said spring, said gasket also surrounding a rod at the end of said valve body, which rod extends out of said hollow main body of said lighter and which is contacted and made to move in said valve body when refill is contemplated.

Claim 15

A gas lighter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said stopper comprises a base which fills a correspondingly sized opening in said main body, and also includes a central portion which extends vertically into said main body, which central portion is surrounded by a tube shaped collar; said collar includes a flap which holds a washer in place in said stopper; said washer including an opening through which said refill valve passes in order to hold said refill valve in position.

Claim 16

A gas lighter in accordance with claim 12, wherein said stopper has an annular rim around its bottom edge; said annular rim having an upper side which turns radially inwardly with respect to said stopper and said stopper then having a narrower periphery above said annular rim; said main body surrounding said narrowed annular portion of said stopper, and including a lower edge which rests against said annular rim; a gap between said body and said stoppers is filled with material which has been amalgamated during a welding process by which these pieces have been joined together.

Claim 17

A refillable gas lighter, comprising: a hollow main body; said body supporting the following elements of which the lighter is comprised: a reservoir in said body for holding fuel to be released; a fuel release valve in said body communicating with said reservoir and being operable to control release of fuel; said release valve including a labyrinth through which the fuel passes and which causes gasification of the fuel; said lever engaging said release valve and extending out of said body; said lever being operable for opening said release valve; a return spring engaging said lever and applying force thereto for returning said lever and the engaged said release valve to the closed position; said release valve having a closed position which is determined by operation of said lever; said spring exerting a constant force against said lever to normally bias it to the gas release valve closed position; an ignition mechanism in said body including means which enables said mechanism to be readily mounted in said main body; a pyrophric flint held in said ignition mechanism; a knurled wheel for striking said flint; means for mounting said knurled wheel in said ignition mechanism; means in said body for establishing a leak-proof closing of said reservoir in said body; said spring being comprised of a metallic lamella, bent into a V-shape; at the vertex of the bend, a notch is provided in said spring to create a free space for said ignition mechanism to pass through said spring to its desired position; said main body having a top; said spring being positioned between said main body top and said lever, with a respective arm of said spring resting against each of these elements, with the upper wing of said spring being held by a flap-like rim hanging down from said lever and the lower wing thereof including a locking portion which extends into said main body.

Claim 18

A refillable gas lighter, comprising: a hollow main body; said body supporting the following elements of which the lighter is comprised: a reservoir in said body for holding fuel to be released; a fuel release valve in said body communicating with said reservoir and being operable to control release of fuel; said release valve including a labyrinth through which the fuel passes and which causes gasification of the fuel; said lever engaging said release valve and extending out of said body; said lever being operable for opening said release valve; a return spring engaging said lever and applying force thereto for returning said lever and the engaged said release valve to the closed position; said release valve having a closed position which is determined by operation of said lever; said spring exerting a constant force against said lever to normally bias it to the gas release valve closed position; an ignition mechanism in said body including means which enables said mechanism to be readily mounted in said main body; a pyrophric flint held in said ignition mechanism; a knurled wheel for striking said flint; means for mounting said knurled wheel in said ignition mechanism; means in said body for establishing a leak-proof closing of said reservoir in said body; said spring being comprised of a metallic lamella, bent into a V-shape; at the vertex of the bend, a notch is provided in said spring to create a free space for said ignition mechanism to pass through said spring to its desired position; said main body having a top; said spring being positioned between said main body top and said lever, with a respective arm of said spring resting against each of these elements, with the upper wing of said spring being held by a flap-like rim hanging down from said lever and the lower wing thereof including a locking portion which extends into said main body.

Claim 19

A refillable gas lighter, comprising: a hollow main body; said body supporting the following elements of which the lighter is comprised: a reservoir in said body for holding fuel to be released; a fuel release valve in said body communicating with said reservoir and being operable to control release of fuel; said release valve including a labyrinth through which the fuel passes and which causes gasification of the fuel; said lever engaging said release vAlve and extending out of said body; said lever being operable for opening said release valve; a return spring engaging said lever and applying force thereto for returning said lever and the engaged said release valve to the closed position; a refill valve communicating between the exterior of said body and said reservoir, said refill valve being activatable to permit refilling of said reservoir; an ignition mechanism in said body including means which enables said mechanism to be readily mounted in said main body; a pyrophoric flint held in said ignition mechanism; a knurled wheel for striking said flint; means for mounting said knurled wheel in said ignition mechanism; means in said body for establishing a leak-proof closing of said reservoir in said body; said main body includes an enclosed pocket; said ignition mechanism being mounted in said pocket; said ignition mechanism comprises a tube shaped piece, having an open end from which access is obtained to parallel upstanding extensions between said extensions and from them hang a freely swiveling knurled wheel; a flint is positioned beneath said knurled wheel for being struck thereby to produce sparks; said extensions from said ignition mechanism each include a vertical edge having an angular opening extending therefrom, which angular openings gradually narrow away from their respective said vertical edges and terminate in respective central pockets; said knurled wheel including a spindle extending out therefrom, and the spindle is inserted through said extension angular openings into said central pockets; said central pockets being large enough to permit said spindle and said knurled wheel to rotate; said ignition mechanism tube shaped portion having an opening sufficiently large for receiving said flint and a compression spring which is positioned in said tube shaped element beneath the flint for applying pressure to it to move said flint against said knurled wheel; said tube shaped piece being closed at one end against which said spring presses; said tube shaped piece of said ignition mechanism including a longitudinal external guide rib; said guide pocket of said main body including an aligned longitudinal slot for receiving said longitudinal guide rib of said ignition mechanism.

Claim 20

A refillable gas lighter, comprising: a hollow main body; said body supporting the following elements of which the lighter is comprised: a reservoir in said body for holding fuel to be released; a fuel release valve in said body communicating with said reservoir and being operable to control release of fuel; said release valve including a labyrinth through which the fuel passes and which causes gasification of the fuel; said lever engaging said release vAlve and extending out of said body; said lever being operable for opening said release valve; a return spring engaging said lever and applying force thereto for returning said lever and the engaged said release valve to the closed position; a refill valve communicating between the exterior of said body and said reservoir, said refill valve being activatable to permit refilling of said reservoir; an ignition mechanism in said body including means which enables said mechanism to be readily mounted in said main body; a pyrophoric flint held in said ignition mechanism; a knurled wheel for striking said flint; means for mounting said knurled wheel in said ignition mechanism; means in said body for establishing a leak-proof closing of said reservoir in said body; said main body includes an enclosed pocket; said ignition mechanism being mounted in said pocket; said ignition mechanism comprises a tube shaped piece, having an open end from which access is obtained to parallel upstanding extensions between said extensions and from them hang a freely swiveling knurled wheel; a flint is positioned beneath said knurled wheel for being struck thereby to produce sparks; said extensions from said ignition mechanism each include a vertical edge having an angular opening extending therefrom, which angular openings gradually narrow away from their respective said vertical edges and terminate in respective central pockets; said knurled wheel including a spindle extending out therefrom, and the spindle is inserted through said extension angular openings into said central pockets; said central pockets being large enough to permit said spindle and said knurled wheel to rotate; said ignition mechanism tube shaped portion having an opening sufficiently large for receiving said flint and a compression spring which is positioned in said tube shaped element beneath the flint for applying pressure to it to move said flint against said knurled wheel; said tube shaped piece being closed at one end against which said spring presses; said tube shaped piece of said ignition mechanism including a longitudinal external guide rib; said guide pocket of said main body including an aligned longitudinal slot for receiving said longitudinal guide rib of said ignition mechanism.