Refillable gas cigarette lighter

Abstract

A gas operated cigarette lighter having a tubeshaped body of molded plastic that also serves as the liquid fuel reservoir. The top of the body is closed, but carries a valve for the release of gas and a pocket in which a complete and autonomous spark-producing, gas igniting apparatus is housed. The spark-producing apparatus can be easily removed to replace its pyrophoric flint. The other end of the body is closed with a stopper-like air-tight seal which is equipped with an automatic closing valve through which the fuel is injected. This seal or stopper is fastened in such a way to the open end of the tube-shaped body that the union is practically leak proof. A specially designed lever, swivel-mounted in the head of the lighter, is used to open and close the valve which controls the release of gas, and is under constant pressure from a laminated spring which urges said lever and valve to the position at which the gas release is closed. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Non-refillable gas lighters are known. They include a tube-shaped closed body, which receives liquid fuel that is converted to a gaseous state when it is released. The fuel is released through a valve that is installed in the upper closed end of said body. The valve is next to a knurled wheel, which strikes a pyrophoric flint and produces sparks to ignite the gasified fuel as it is released. In one form of these lighters, once the fuel and/or flint has been exhausted, a lighter is no longer useable. It lacks an inlet valve through which the fuel reservoir may be refilled. The flint cannot be replaced since it is permanently installed in a blind pocket located inside the fuel reservoir. There is no way to gain access to that pocket. The only way to replace the flint is by removing the spindle on which the striking knurl spins. But, this is difficult since the ends of the spindle are usually riveted. If the broadened rivet parts are removed, the agents which support the spindle deteriorate, rendering the entire lighter useless. Another form of these lighters is organized around its fuel reservoir and is generally tube-shaped and made of a transparent or translucent, preferably plastic material. The lighter is equipped with a refill valve in the closed bottom through which the fuel reservoir may be refilled. At the top of the lighter are a gas release valve and the mechanical devices which permit adjustment of that valve. The transparency of the reservoir permits continuous viewing of the fuel which remains and permits timely refilling through the refill valve. These lighters also have a stationary ignition device mounted on a tubular rod with a closed lower end. This rod is nonremovably fastened at the upper end of the reservoir and extends down inside same. An expanding spring is installed in said rod, and on top of this is positioned a relatively long pyrophoric flint. Both of these are fastened to the knurled wheel which strikes the flint. This wheel is permanently suspended from a clamped and riveted spindle that is hung between two integral supports which project out vertically from the top of the reservoir. It is also not possible to replace the flint in these lighters. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a liquid fueled, gas emitting lighter without the disadvantages and limitations of prior art lighters. The lighter of the invention is relatively inexpensive and permits both replacement of the pyrophoric flint and refilling of the fuel reservoir. The lighter includes a hollow, projecting, tapering wedge-shaped, thin width ridge which projects out from the main body and makes the lighter easier to handle. The ridge protects the lever that controls the gas release valve, since it covers the extended end of same, and prevents chance opening of the gas release valve when, e.g., the lighter is carried in a pocket. A relatively strong elastic device, like a leaf or laminated spring, places constant pressure on the lever which controls the gas release valve, tending to hold it closed and in place, thus preventing chance gas release. Since the leaf spring automatically closes the release valve, that valve does not need a return spring, normally required by such valves. These springs, due to their small size, are relatively weak, and therefore cannot guarantee a good closure. The autonomous ignition device, including a pyrophoric flint and striking knurl, is fitted into the reservoir by simple insertion, and it may be easily removed by pulling it with the fingers in order to replace the flint. The mounting of the knurled wheel on this device has also been specially designed to provide for simple assembly and disassembly. The traditional processes which the ends of the spindle are riveted or the spindle itself is machined and one of the ends threaded have been done away with. The pyrophoric flint and the spring which works it are installed through a lateral opening in the tube-shaped lighter body. Mounting the flint and spring is a quick and easy operation. The screw which is normally inserted axially to hold the spring in place and provide the pressure which same places on the flint is not used in this device. The closure over the open bottom of the body and reservoir of the lighter seals the reservoir against leakage, and is equipped with a valve which allows for repeated injection of fuel into the reservoir. The close union between this closure piece and the body of the lighter is achieved by means of a special welding process which assures complete solidarization of both parts, and therefore a practically leakproof closure. The lighter of the invention is essentially made up of the following parts: a. A main hollow molded body, around which the lighter is built, and which also serves as a reservoir for the liquid fuel. b. Automatic sealing valve, through which the liquid fuel is injected into the reservoir. c. Valve for the controlled release of fuel, duly converted into its gaseous state for combustion. d. Improved lever for operation of the valve which controls the release of gas necessary for combustion. e. Leaf spring which puts constant pressure on the lever mentioned in d. above to automatically return the gas release valve to the closed position. f. Autonomous ignition mechanism which can be mounted and dismounted in the body of the lighter by simple insertion. g. Special system for installation of the knurled wheel which strikes the pyrophoric flint. h. Stopper-like piece which provides for a practically air-tight seal at the bottom of the deposit, which piece is united to the main body of the lighter by means of a special welding process. i. Case which protects all of the devices placed in the head of the main body. These are essentially the most relevant details of the invention. The lighter also has an optional tubeshaped case or sheath for the top of the lighter with open ends and a pair of aligned notches which are located above the lateral ridge of the main body. In the upper edge there is a rim which is turned inward. The inside is smooth, and at the front there is a groove which holds the knob which regulates the length of the flame. Now that the invention as a whole has been described, other details and features of same will be clarified in the following description of the accompanying drawings. The detailed illustrated embodiment is an example of one possible way that the invention can be produced.

Description

IN THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the main body in which its cylindrical shape can be appreciated, and the outside ridge which is attached to it and used to hold the laminated spring in place can be seen in profile.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the back part of the main lighter body, in which the ridge is seen face on.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the main body and reservoir.

FIG. 4 is a top view of said body.

FIG. 5 is an elevated diametral cross-section in which the profile and positioning of all the details of the main body and reservoir can be seen.

FIG. 6 shows a bottom and FIG. 6a a cross-sectional view of the reservoir end cap.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view, with a vertical cross-section of the lighter.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the assembled lighter, showing the protruding wedge-shaped ridge which projects laterally from the main body.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8 which shows the above protruding ridge face-on.

FIG. 10 represents the lever which operates the gas release valve in perspective.

FIG. 11 shows a profile, FIG. 11a a side, and FIG. 11b a developed view of the laminated spring which puts constant pressure on the lever described in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows the ignition device in elevation, FIG. 12a shows it in cross-section, and FIG. 12b gives a view of the lower end of same.

FIG. 13 is an elevation cross-section view at a diameter of the bottom stopper which closes the fuel reservoir.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged detail which gives a more complete description of the welding process for mounting the reservoir stopper-bottom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

MAIN BODY

The lighter main body is a molded hollow cylindrically shaped tube 1, preferably made of synthetic plastic material. Body 1 defines interior reservoir 2 for holding liquid fuel. The body may be translucent or transparent so that the amount of fuel left in the reservoir can be seen.

The top 3 of the body 1 is closed, and its bottom 4 is open. The bottom is sealed with a special stopper (FIG. 6) which is attached to the body 1 by a special welding process.

The top 3 has a pair of tubular pockets 5 and 6, which hang down inside reservoir 2. Pocket 5 is open at the top 7 to the outside, and closed at the bottom 8 and is designed to hold and position a special autonomous lighting device (FIGS. 7 and 12). This device can be easily removed to replace the pyrophoric flint when needed.

Pocket 5 has a longitudinal groove 9 along its interior wall which corresponds to a shoulder or rib 9a, located on the lighting device. The device slides into the pocket and is directed to shoot sparks toward the gas release opening in order to ignite the fuel.

Main body 1 has a hollow downwardly inwardly tapering ridge 10 which projects radially outward and extends from the top 3 of the body 1 almost to the bottom 4. This ridge is designed to:

a. support and hold the lower end of the laminated spring which puts constant pressure to raise the lever which closes the gas release valve.

b. protect the lever which operates the gas release valve, since it is of the same size and shape, and limit the size of the opening during gas release. It also prevents chance emptying of the reservoir due to the lever being caught against something in the user's pocket, and gives the lighter an overall better appearance.

c. provide a more efficient means of handling the lighter, making it easier and more convenient to use.

d. reinforce the walls of the pocket which houses the cylindrical body of the lighting device, because the alternating application and release of pressure in the lighting process works on it. It would also allow, if necessary, for increasing the size of said pocket if the circumstances so advised, since this positioning of the body would account for the differences without changing the outside measurements nor the shape of the lighter.

e. provide space for other features, small complementary suspension devices, such as a magnetic inset, for example.

Parallel to pocket 5 is second pocket 6 also integrally formed inside reservoir 2. The diameter of pocket 6 successively decreases through smaller chambers 11, 12, and 13. It has a small hole 14 in the bottom which leads to the reservoir. The upper edge of this pocket where it is connected to the top 3 of body 1, forms a perimeter bevel edge 15. The gas release valve is housed in pocket 6.

Main body 1 has two parallel, facing homologous rises 16, 17 above the top 3 of the body and perpendicular to it. The rises are positioned on the edge of top 3 and form with it an extension such that the external sides 18, 19 have the same curved form, and the internal sides 20, 21 are straight, and parallel to one another, and the separation between them is equal to the width of the outside of hollow ridge 10, to the width of the laminated spring, and to the width of the lighting mechanisms. Each rise is shaped in the form of a right quadrangle. One vertical side 22 of each rise near ridge 10 has a respective angular notch 23, 24 whose upper edge 25 is horizontal and whose lower edge 26 is slanted. On the inside this forms a gradation 27 whose length is equal to the height, the larger side acting as reinforcement.

Underneath the vertices which form the notches and on the outside of the rises, there are the same number of circular recesses 28 into which extend the similarly positioned ribs 28a of the cap or sheath 29 that covers the head of the lighter. On the outside, the lighter may be optionally equipped with vertical grooves which run over the circular recess 28 and hold the metallic cap or sheath 29 of the lighter in place. These grooves serve as guides for the inside pivots or ribs 28a of cap 29 when it is mounted on the body and direct these pivots toward recesses 28 in the body where they are held. Given the smaller diameter at the bottom of said groove, the cap can be installed without forcing. The upper rim 30 of cap 29 rests on the orthogonal seams 31 which have said quadrangular-shaped extensions 16, 17 at the top 3.

The flap of said sheath 29 is set and fixed into place in the section 31a where the perimeter of the body 1 decreases slightly, just below the top 3.

The open bottom 4 of main body 1 is closed off with a stopper 32 which is solidly attached to it, and which bears the refill valve; the inside diameter of said body 1 increases at the bottom, which means that the wall is narrower at that point.

FUEL RELEASE VALVE

The lighter is designed to increase the distance traveled by the gas fuel before being released through the release valve, assuring that when the gas reaches the outside it is in optimum condition for burning.

The lighter also prevents turbulence when the fuel is released, thus providing for greater stability of the flame.

The lighter gas release valve is located in cylindrical pocket 6. It includes a screw-on cap 34 which has a recess 35 approximately half-way up its perimeter. The upper edge 36 of recess 35 and base 37 of cap 34 are bevel-edged so that when cap 34 is mounted on the lighter, it is forced past a circular rib in pocket 6. The upper edge of this pocket rib is also beveled, so that when the valve is pressed downward, the bevel edges slide against one another and distort the material of the cap until cap 34 is positioned with the pocket rib in recess 35 of the cap.

Cap 34 is internally screw threaded to hold valve body 38 which consists of a cylindrical tube open at one end and closed at the other, and in the center of which there is a small hole 39 which is circled on the inside by a wide rim 40 on which a cylindrical elastic piece 41 is placed and either left to lie loosely or held in position by means of an upper cylindrical axial extension 42 which extends into the piston or burner device 43 from underneath, forming the valve with which this hole is opened and closed.

On the outside of the upper edge it has a spread 38a which is vertically grooved around its entire perimeter, in which grooves a flame-regulating bodkin 44 is placed. This bodkin consists of a semi-circular piece whose ends are folded towards the center and in the center of which is perpendicular arm 45 so that it may be handled more easily.

There are three peripheral recesses in the valve body 38; one 46 which separates the grooved zone from the screw-cut zone another 47 which extends from the latter downwards to the bottom, close to which the third 48 is located. In recess 48 is a resilient O-ring 49 which puts pressure on body 38. This O-ring rests on the inside wall of the intermediate gradation 12 of pocket 6, sealing it air-tight to prevent gas leaks but allowing said piece to pivot.

When it is raised or lowered on the screw threads it provides for release of larger or smaller amounts of gas.

The coupling of O-ring 49 to recess 48 of the valve body 38 means that when the latter is removed, it pulls the coupling with it which can be replaced for a new one if necessary. Finally, the angle edge of the lower base is bevel-edged.

A cylindrical piston or burner device 43 is fitted into the smooth inside of the valve body 38 but in such a way that it can move up and down or rotate. This device rests on the resilient piece 41 which closes the hole 39 in said body. Piston 43 has an axial hole 51 which opens at both ends and which branches off in various radial arms 52 which radially open to the outside in an area where the diameter of piston 43 is smaller. Hole 51 decreases in three gradations from bottom to top, the widest area being the bottom in which the resilient seal 41 is held in place.

At the upper end of piston 43, its edge 53 is bevelled along the perimeter. Further down there is section recess 54 and a parallelogram which encircles it, in which the lever bodkin 55 is located. This bodkin moves the piston or burner device 43 vertically, and allows for the release of gas.

Downward closing pressure on device 43 is provided by a laminated leaf spring 65 located below lever 55, which forces the latter to maintain a constant closing pressure by compressing the resilient seal 41 against the lower end of gas release hole 39 of the valve body 43.

At the narrow bottom of the pocket holding the valve is placed piece 66. This piece has a cylindrical shape and is short in length, and its bottom 67 is extended in the shape of a diametrally grooved cone frustrum 68, the ends of which double back orthogonally and continue upward until they reach the top 69. In the center of the top there is a knob 70, also conical in shape and extended into a spherical bonet, where the central groove of the bottom 50 of the valve body 38 is set and fitted into place. Between the body and the special piece there is an element 71 which limits the amount of gas released and which consists of a porous foam, more specifically, it is a polyuretane disc which is compressed between the two, such that the disc pressure is produced exclusively in its center.

The gas rises in liquid form through a wick 72 which is held in hole 14 leading from reservoir 2 to the cavity where the valve is housed, and through the special cylindrical piece 66, which presses the top against the bottom of the cavity.

REFILL VALVE

The refill valve is located in the stopper which seals the bottom of the fuel reservoir 2. Stopper 32 has in its center a tube-shaped projection 73 in which the refill valve is installed. Its upper inside edge is beveled and below it there is a perimeter recess 75 whose upper angle edge 76 is slanted. The lower edge forms a perpendicular gradation which acts as a check for a special piece 77 which penetrates the walls of said recess by pressure, and is thus held in place by a bond.

Special piece 77 consists of a thick washer or support whose external appearance is the reverse of the one described for the frame; it has a hole which is larger at the top and at the bottom becomes a rim or flap 78 rather like a collar.

The spring 79 which keeps the gas opening closed rests on the bottom of this piece around the collar.

The body of the valve consists of a cylindrical piece 80 which has various gradations and ribs, in accordance with their function. The upper part 81 is grooved by longitudinal, parallel and equidistantly spaced grooves in order to allow the gas which enters through the tube-shaped collar 73 to flow in through these grooves and the support-washer into the reservoir 2.

The upper end of this upper part 81 penetrates into and is guided in its vertical upward and downward movements by the opening in the center of washer 77.

Then the diameter of piece 80 is enlarged to nearly the size of the inside diameter of the spring 79, acting as a guide for same and thus preventing the deformations which could come about as a result of compression, due to the force transferred to the other end of the spring by means of an annular rim 82 on which it rests.

Collar 73 has, close to its lower edge, a narrowing of smooth sides and sharp angles, which leaves a center hole, through which a rod 84 protrudes. The valve is extended to this rod, which has various parallel planes 85 making the transfer of gas from the refill bottle to the valve easier. A sealing gasket 86 is placed around the rod 84 and compressed against the upper side of the gradation 83 of said collar and the lower edge of the valve rim 82.

The coil spring 79 is permanently compressed and the sealing gasket 86 is under constant pressure, which keeps the gas opening normally closed.

All of the pieces are installed through the upper hole, the support-washer 77 sealing the entire system off. When pressure is brought to bear on the protruding rod 84, it raises up, frees the sealing gasket 86, and the gas flows through the space between said rod 84 and the tube-shaped collar, into the internal cavity of the latter and through the grooves in the upper part of the valve body to the fuel reservoir 2.

LEVER FOR OPERATION OF THE GAS RELEASE VALVE

This lever is made up of a flat stamped piece 55, preferably rectangular in shape, from whose longest edges aligned appendages 56 and 57 project in opposite directions. Appendages 56 and 57 constitute points of support for movements of the lever to establish the open and closed positions for the gas release valve 43, and act as checks to limit the upward movement of lever 55.

A pair of axial, homologous and reciprocally parallel extensions or rods 16, 17 project upward from the upper part of the body of the lighter for installation of lever 55. Said lever is suspended between the two extensions. Rods 16, 17 each have an angular notch 23, 24 in which the appendages 56, 57 of the lever 55 are placed. Lever 55 is installed in such a way that it can rock between the open and closed positions, thus controlling the release of gas.

One of the shorter edges of lever 55 is narrowed, and at its center has a notch 60 which delimits two homologous arms 58, 59 which are fitted into a groove 54 in the tip 43 of the gas release valve. When lever 55 is put under pressure, it rocks, resting its appendages 56, 57 on the angular bottoms of their respective positions 23, 24 and causes valve 43 to raise up and allow gas to flow out.

Lever 55 has been improved in the following important manner: the edges of the operating sides are folded downward, both side and back, forming retention and centering rims 63, 64 around the upper wing of the laminated spring 65. This puts constant pressure on the lower part of the lever, thus returning the valve 43 to the closed position.

The lever 55 has a central opening 61 with a notch 61a designed to allow the lighting device described below to pass through.

Lever 55 is under pressure from laminated spring 65, which keeps it in the closed position at all times. In order to release the gas, pressure must be brought to bear on lever 55 in order to overcome the resistance of said laminated spring.

Spring 65 consists of a folded over V-shaped elastic lamella, and is positioned between the top 3 of the body 1 of the lighter and the bottom of the opening lever 55 for the gas release valve 43. The spring has a notch 65a open in front, that is at its vertex, and has a rim 65b diverted downward at an angle from the lower wing, which extends into the opening in the upper edge of the wedge shaped ridge 10 of the main body, holding the spring in place, and preventing it from moving upward. The upper wing of spring 65 rests against the bottom of lever 55 which controls the gas release, and is centered or retained by the peripheral rim or flap 63, 64, which borders the operating sides of lever 55.

LIGHTING MECHANISM

The lighting mechanism is an autonomous device. It is built around a cylindrical tube 87 one of whose ends is closed. One part of this tube has been cut away 88 from the lower end, by means of two perpendicular cuts, one of them longitudinal and the other through the diameter. A semi-cylindrical cavity is produced, which is an extension of the center opening 89 of tube 87. The lower end of this cavity is closed by a semi-circular divider 90.

The opposite end of tube 87 is integral with a U-shaped bodkin with sharp angles centered above it, whose eyes 91, 92 are grooved.

Pyrophoric flint 93 is inserted through the lower open part 88 of tube 87 as is the spring 94 which holds the flint against the knurled striking wheel 95. Spring 94 is under pressure until it is completely inserted into the tube cavity resting its end on the bottom semi-circular divider 90 which closes it off.

This system provides for complete independence between the ignition mechanism and the other elements of the lighter, and avoids complicated machining work.

The knurled wheel has a special construction for which reason the arms 91, 92 of the bodkin which supports the ignition device from above, each have grooves 96, 97, which each converge inwardly toward the center of the bodkin, FIG. 12. This center area is enlarged, to a circle, thus forming the same number of small gradations. The pivots 98, 99 which form the spindle of knurled wheel 95 pass through grooves 96, 97 and are squeezed inward and extend by pressure exerted by the converging grooves until the pivots 98, 99, become coupled to the circular enlargement, preventing said pivots from sliding out of place.

With this mounting and retaining system, the use of riveted spindles or pins, screws, etc., is eliminated and therefore much machining work is avoided, since the assembly is considerably simpler.

WELDING PROCESS

The bottom 4 of fuel reservoir 2 is sealed by welded on stopper 32 which forms a practically leakproof closure. The stopper has a tube-shaped vertical projection 73 which passes through the center of the reservoir. The inside upper edge 74 of projection 73 is countersunk, and forms interior gradations 100, 101 with the smooth wall. Near the opposite end there is a divider 83 having an opening through which the rod 84 of the refill valve 82 slides. Rod 84 continues at the original diameter down to the base of the lighter.

Stopper 32 is encircled by an annular crown 102, 103 extending perpendicular to the top. Around the periphery of the stopper there is a peripheral gradation 104 which has a slanted section groove 105 in its upper edge, the upper base of which is directed inward, thus forming a sharp angle.

The sealing of stopper 32 which closes the open end 4 of the main body 1 must be practically leakproof inasmuch as the hollow main body forms the reservoir 2 which is to hold the highly volatile liquid fuel.

In view of these requirements the invention includes a special process to establish a close union between the closure piece 32 and the hollow main body 1. This process can also be used to effectively weld together pieces of thermoplastic materials, where the parts to be welded are interlinkable circular sections.

Up to now, pieces with the basic features mentioned have been welded by friction. This welding has been performed without difficulty when walls of a certain thickness are to be joined. It is possible to eliminate the burrs from the outside surface of the assembly by arranging that the pieces which are to be joined, instead of just touching at the top, have a reciprocal coupling. This is achieved either by means of a mutual rise in the walls themselves, or by means of a gradated rib placed in one of them, which protrudes perimetrically from the whole, forming an annular thickness.

Nevertheless, when relatively thin pieces are to be welded by friction, difficulties arise, due to the fact that although it is possible to join them at the head, the burrs on the inside and outside are unavoidable, and this is not acceptable for certain kinds of welding. Also, the process of adding a gradated rim to one of the pieces is not desirable in many cases, because it must protrude out from the assembly perimetrically.

The welding method proposed herein is designed to overcome these disadvantages when the pieces to be welded have a small thickness. This method offers the advantage that no burrs are produced on the outside, and of course it does not require protruding gradated rims. In short, it makes possible the union of pieces with annular coupling zones, without any irregularities on the outside.

One of the pieces to be joined is formed with an annular recess in its inside wall. In the other piece a slanted section and circular groove are located on the exterior periphery exactly at the bottom of the rise or circular recess of the first piece. With this, due to the movement of the moving piece, the area to be welded is heated to such an extent that the plastic material acquires a certain degree of amalgamation so that part of the material itself thus fused tends to seep out from between the pieces. Nevertheless, give the peculiar formation of the pieces, the material fused in movement is retained in the slanted groove of one of the pieces and also fills the annular recess of the other as the material accumulates. All of this is carried out on the inside and diametrically, and no burrs are formed on the outside, since the fused material cannot escape to the outside.

The stopper 32 which closes the bottom 4 of fuel reservoir 2 must be integrally united to it, since the pressure of the extremely volatile liquid so requires. Stopper 32 has two concentric tube shaped portions 73, 102 and 103 united by the base. The center one 73 is the highest and its upper blunt edge 74 is turned inward, forming perimeter gradations 100, 101 where the special piece 77 is positioned and held in place. On the inside it has a narrowing 83 through which the rod 84 slides, and which at the same time acts as a base for the resilient washer 86 which seals the groove formed. This tube-shaped piece 73 extends downward forming a circular rim 106 joined to another concentric one 107. This latter is formed in the same manner by the external tube portion 102, 103 by means of radial rises 108 which reinforce the base and provide for the fastening necessary for welding.

On the outside the piece 32 has a peripheral rim 104, with the surface 105 slanted inward. In this rise it checks and holds the tube shaped body of the lighter 1 in place, leaving an angular cavity on the inside 109 and a pocket in the upper part formed by the curved edge of the tube-shaped portion, designed to hold and be filled by the welding burrs.

One difficulty which is presented is the small thickness of the walls to be welded and therefore the elimination of the burrs which are formed.

In order to hide these burrs, the body 1 is fitted with an annular inside recess 33, and the other piece 32 with an also annular groove 105. Piece 32 is made to spin by any mechanism in the inside of the main body 1 and the heating due to friction causes a softening of the parts; once they reach a certain degree of fusion they fill the spaces or grooves with the excess material, making for a stronger bond between the two pieces.

CAP OR SHEATH

A tube-shaped cap or sheath 29 is provided in the upper part of the lighter to cover the mechanisms in its head. Both ends of this sheath are open, the bottom smooth, and the top circled by a rim 30 which rests on the edges 31, 31a.

At the front, sheath 29 has a groove from which the flame regulation lever 45 protrudes. In the two lateral sides there are two pockets 28a which penetrate into their homologous parts 28 of the body 1. Posteriorly, it has two windows. The upper one 110 exposes the knurled wheel 95, with its toothed wheels 111, 112 for improving its operation. The lower one 113 is separated from the upper one by the extensions 114 and 115 which are joined at the center. From lower window 113 the lever 55, which controls the gas release, valve is operated.

It will be easily understood, from the above drawings and description, that the present design provides for a simple and effective construction, which can be very easily put into practice, and which assures relatively low manufacturing costs.

It is emphasized that the article which makes up the present invention is designed to be able to easily incorporate any changes of detail which the circumstances and practice may advise, whenever the variations which are introduced do not change, alter or modify the essential nature of the invention described.

Claims

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.