Patent US4432542A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4432542A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Joke cigarette lighter
Assignee: Poynter Products Inc
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Filing: 1981-06-24
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Granted: 1984-02-21
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Expires: 2001-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A novelty device resembling a cigarette lighter in appearance has a bi-stable actuator mounted on the container to expel a foam-like substance from the container whenever a user depresses the actuator.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald B. Poynter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:58
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23Q; F23Q2/00; F23Q2/32; A; A63; A63H; A63H37/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
323 words
A novelty apparatus, comprising: (a) an enclosed fluid container having an opening; (b) valve means associated with said container and movable between open and closed positions, said valve means being operable to selectively establish fluid communication between the interior of the container and the atmosphere, the interior of the container being in fluid communication with the atmosphere when said valve is in the open position; (c) means for expelling fluid in said container whenever fluid communication is established between the interior of the container and the atmosphere; (d) friction means rotatably supported on the exterior of said container, said friction means being adapted to interface with a human finger; (e) a bi-stable actuator mounted on said container, said actuator cooperatively interacting with said valve means to move said valve means between open and closed positions, said actuator having one stable position corresponding to the open position of said valve means and one stable position corresponding to the closed position of said valve means, said bi-stable actuator including a lever arm pivotally mounted on the exterior of said container and a holding member resiliently urged against an end of said lever arm, said holding member cooperating with said lever arm to interface at two stable positions, one of said stable positions corresponding with a closed position of said valve means and the other stable position corresponding to an open position of said valve means, said holding member comprising an integral one-piece resilient clip member having opposed ends, one of said opposed ends of said resilient clip member being secured to said apparatus by being press-fitted into said opening of said container in a manner to cantilever mount the other of said opposed ends, said resilient clip member having an outwardly protruding section intermediate said ends thereof for acting on said end of said lever arm, said protruding section having opposed surfaces respectively engaging said end of said lever arm in said two stable positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
323 words
A novelty apparatus, comprising: (a) an enclosed fluid container having an opening; (b) valve means associated with said container and movable between open and closed positions, said valve means being operable to selectively establish fluid communication between the interior of the container and the atmosphere, the interior of the container being in fluid communication with the atmosphere when said valve is in the open position; (c) means for expelling fluid in said container whenever fluid communication is established between the interior of the container and the atmosphere; (d) friction means rotatably supported on the exterior of said container, said friction means being adapted to interface with a human finger; (e) a bi-stable actuator mounted on said container, said actuator cooperatively interacting with said valve means to move said valve means between open and closed positions, said actuator having one stable position corresponding to the open position of said valve means and one stable position corresponding to the closed position of said valve means, said bi-stable actuator including a lever arm pivotally mounted on the exterior of said container and a holding member resiliently urged against an end of said lever arm, said holding member cooperating with said lever arm to interface at two stable positions, one of said stable positions corresponding with a closed position of said valve means and the other stable position corresponding to an open position of said valve means, said holding member comprising an integral one-piece resilient clip member having opposed ends, one of said opposed ends of said resilient clip member being secured to said apparatus by being press-fitted into said opening of said container in a manner to cantilever mount the other of said opposed ends, said resilient clip member having an outwardly protruding section intermediate said ends thereof for acting on said end of said lever arm, said protruding section having opposed surfaces respectively engaging said end of said lever arm in said two stable positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A novelty apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one end of said resilient clip member is substantially straight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A novelty apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one end of said resilient clip member is substantially U-shaped.
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) | 1987-02-20 | 1987-08-22 | 1988-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-20 | 1991-08-22 | 1992-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-20 | 1995-08-22 | 1996-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |