Multi-component lighter

Abstract

The present lighter includes two basic components, a housing and a fuel cartridge. The housing may comprise multiple pieces. The fuel cartridge is easy to remove from the housing without the use of any tools. Thus, an empty fuel cartridge can quickly be replaced with a full one by the user. Replacing the fuel cartridge, rather than refilling it, prevents the user from coming into contact with lighter fuel. The housing and the fuel cartridge are each relatively inexpensive to mass produce. Thus, a worn or damaged housing may be removed from the lighter by the user and replaced with a new housing. The disposability and replaceability of the lighter components makes repairs to the lighter quick and inexpensive. All or part of the housing may also be replaced with a housing having a different outward appearance. A user can thus change the appearance of his or her lighter by changing housings, rather than having to purchase multiple lighters. The housing may include surface features, such as bosses, ribs and / or tensioning springs, to tighten a fit of the housing and prevent spontaneous separation. The surface features may also protect the appearance of the housing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11 / 505,250, filed on Aug. 15, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to incendiary devices configured to ignite cigarettes, cigars and pipes.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Many high-end lighters include refillable fuel reservoirs. When such a lighter is depleted of fuel it can be refilled using commercially available fuel. Unfortunately, the refueling process can sometimes be messy and dangerous. As fuel is transferred from a fuel source, such as a canister, into the lighter's fuel reservoir, some of the fuel may spill. The spilled fuel can not only stain fabrics and leave a foul smelling residue, but it is also highly flammable and could accidentally ignite causing injury or property damage.[0006]Refillable lighters are generally cons...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In light of the above shortcomings of prior art lighters, one aspect of the present lighter is the realization that it would be beneficial to all users of refillable lighters to separate the lighter fuel from the user as much as possible. Thus, if a user could refill his or her lighter with only a very low risk that fuel might be spilled, the user would be safer and there would be less of a likelihood of fuel staining any fabrics or leaving a foul smell behind.

[0008]Another aspect of the present lighter is the realization that it would be beneficial to all users of refillable lighters to be able to replace worn out components of the lighters without the difficulty, delay and expense of repair procedures. For example, if a user could simply dispose of a worn out lighter component by quickly disassembling the lighter and replacing the worn out component with a new one, the user would be able to use his or her lighter again immediately instead of having to wait for a repair process to be completed by a professional. A do-it-yourself repair capability would also likely save the lighter user money in repair costs.

[0009]The preferred embodiments of the present multi-component lighter have several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this lighter as expressed by the claims, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments”, one will understand how the features of the preferred embodiments provide advantages, which include quick disassembly and reassembly without the use of tools, disposable and replaceable parts, and interchangeable parts for changing an outward appearance of the lighter.

[0015]Another embodiment of the present lighter comprises a lighter configured to ignite a cigarette, cigar or pipe. The lighter comprises an upper case including an actuating mechanism and a burner cylinder. An outer surface of the upper case includes at least one raised rib. The lighter further comprises a lower case including a cavity configured to receive the upper case. The lighter further comprises a disposable fuel cartridge including a fuel reservoir configured to store fuel and a fuel transfer mechanism configured to transfer fuel from the reservoir. The fuel cartridge and the upper case are configured to releasably engage one another such that they are easily separable under digital pressure. When the fuel cartridge and upper case are engaged, the fuel transfer mechanism is operably connected to the burner cylinder and configured to transfer fuel from the reservoir to the burner cylinder.

Problems solved by technology

A do-it-yourself repair capability would also likely save the lighter user money in repair costs.

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