LIGHTER CASE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for holding a lighter, and to a system comprising said device and a lighter.

[0002] In US patent 6,196,382 B1, a device for holding a lighter is described. The device has an oval cross-section and a first and second end region, in which the end regions are arranged parallel to each other and connected by at least one hollow rail. The first end region forms an opening for inserting a lighter into the device, while the second end region is closed. The device has rib-like structures made of a different material than the device itself, designed to hold a lighter within the device. Further prior art relating to the background of the invention is provided in US patents 2010 / 0650,731 A1 and US patent D851,828 S.

[0003] Lighters have a tendency to be easily lost or difficult to find. Therefore, the task is to provide a device suitable for transporting and storing a lighter.

[0004] This problem is solved by a device having the features of claim 1 and a system having the features of claim 14. Further embodiments and configurations of the invention are described in the dependent claims, the figures, and the exemplary embodiments.

[0005] In the following description, the device according to the invention for holding a lighter is also referred to as a device for holding an object. Therefore, the term "object" throughout the entire description is always to be understood as "lighter".

[0006] A first aspect of the invention relates to a device for receiving a lighter, which has a first end region and a second end region, each substantially round, in which the end regions are arranged parallel to each other and are connected by at least one rail extending approximately perpendicular to both end regions, wherein the first end region forms an opening for inserting the object into the device, wherein the second end region is smaller than the first end region so that movement of the object from the direction of the first end region can be stopped there, and wherein at least in the region of the first end region at least one contact area is formed at which an object can be inserted into or removed from the device by an acting force.

[0007] The device advantageously enables the storage and transport of a lighter. The lighter is held securely within the device. The device facilitates the easy location of a lighter, for example, in a bag or backpack. Furthermore, the device advantageously allows for the storage and provision of a lighter near a table or similar surface, so that it can be quickly found. The device thus saves time. It can also be worn as an accessory in the form of a chain, belt chain, or key ring. Moreover, the device according to the invention is very handy, as it can be comfortably held in the hand, with the thumb resting on it. The device is therefore also advantageously user-friendly and ergonomic.

[0008] The phrase "essentially round" is to be interpreted as meaning that the appearance of the end sections is characterized by an overall round impression. The round shape gives the device high stability in the end area. Pressure from inserted objects can act uniformly in all directions. This design is also particularly well-suited for accommodating lighters with a round cross-section. The round structure may be interrupted, for example, by a bulge or an opening. Preferably, the round structure has at least one bulge. This bulge is also referred to as a bridge. The bulge is formed in a section of the end sections facing the rail. This design of the device advantageously allows for the accommodation of a lighter, especially a Clipper lighter.Clipper lighters have been on the market since about 1980; the device fulfills a long-standing need to provide a handy means of storing and transporting a corresponding lighter.

[0009] The side of the device with the bulge is referred to as the rear side of the device, the opposite side as the front, the side of the first end region as the top, and the side of the second end region as the bottom. Accordingly, terms such as rear, front, top, and bottom can be used in reference to areas of the device.

[0010] The round structure of the end sections can still have an opening, so that it does not form a closed ring. This provides a clamp-like structure that offers greater flexibility with regard to the objects it can hold. For example, if the upper ring, i.e., the first end section, is open, a lighter can also be inserted into or removed from the device from the front.

[0011] The statement that the second end region is smaller than the first end region refers to the fact that it has a smaller inner circumference or smaller inner diameter.

[0012] The contact area is located on the inner surface of the first end section. Specifically, it is situated near the upper edge of the first end section, projecting into the opening from this edge. The contact area is a point-like structure, meaning it occupies a relatively small area compared to the end section, covering approximately 1 to 10% of the inner surface. One, two, or more contact areas can be formed at the aforementioned locations. The force used to move an object into or out of the device can act against a material stress, against which the object can be inserted into the device by applying a certain force. This material stress holds the object within the device; it can be visualized as the object snapping into place below the contact area.Reversible here means that after an object is inserted or removed from the contact area, the material returns to its original spatial state. Accordingly, an object inserted into the device can be pushed out again by applying pressure to it, with the material of the contact area yielding under a certain pressure. In other words, the object can be removed from the device by pushing it upwards or, particularly in an embodiment with an open first end region, alternatively or simultaneously by pushing it towards the front of the end region.

[0013] The contact area is formed in the form of at least one protrusion of the material, at least one projection of the material, or at least one movable locking device on the inside of the device. A contact area is particularly rounded, which facilitates the movement of an object into and out of the device. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the contact area can be at least one locking device, actuated by spring force and reversibly movable in one direction by the application of a force on the inside of the first end region, which is arranged on the inside of the first end region. The locking device can, for example, be a metallic push button. A push button, in a rounded form, corresponds to a protrusion.This allows an object to be easily inserted into and removed from the device against the spring force of the push button. The force required is adjustable via the spring force. Furthermore, the push button can also be replaced.

[0014] The arrangement of a locking device is advantageous, for example, with metallic materials that exhibit lower internal stress than, for example, polymeric materials. The locking device is provided with a rounded shape similar to the protrusion. The locking device is also operated by the object itself; that is, it can be inserted into the device by applying a certain force against the spring force, held in place within the device, and removed from the device again by applying a certain force against the spring force.

[0015] Advantageously, this provides an operating element that securely locks an object held within the device, while allowing for easy removal of the object when the locking mechanism is opened. The device can have both a protrusion of the material and a locking mechanism as contact areas. Multiple contact areas can also be provided on the inner surface. In this sense, several protrusions, projections, or locking mechanisms can be present. These correspond in form and function to those described for a single contact area.

[0016] Preferably, at least one end region has a closed ring structure. Both end regions can also have a closed ring structure. In relation to the end regions, "ring-shaped" means that it is a closed structure that partially encloses an open volume without enclosing a space.

[0017] The second end region can also have at least one contact area. Advantageously, this is also designed as a protrusion, projection, or movable locking device. The contact area in the second end region provides additional stability to the arrangement of the object inserted into the device, e.g., a lighter.

[0018] Preferably, the width of the rail is between 20 and 50% of the circumference of the device. The circumference of the device is defined by the dimensions, i.e., the circumferences, of its end sections. Since the rail is only present on one side of the device, its width comprises only a portion of the device. Furthermore, the width is preferably between 30 and 40%, and particularly preferably around 35%, of the device's circumference. The arrangement of the rail contributes to the device's elasticity, as the resulting free space on one side provides a spring-like property between one end section and the other. Moreover, this design is more economical in terms of the amount of material required compared to complete enclosures.

[0019] In one embodiment, the device can also have two rails, such that the first and second end regions are connected by a first rail and a second rail arranged on one side of the device. This provides a stable connection between the end regions. In a further embodiment, the device can also have more than two rails. The preferred overall width of the rails (including the spaces between the rails) around the circumference of the device corresponds to the width of the rails in the single-rail embodiment. In the embodiment with two or more rails, these can be connected on the shorter side (i.e., the smaller section of the circumference) by a planar structure. This planar structure can advantageously contribute to the stability of the device.Furthermore, an additional function can be provided in the planar structure; for example, part of a rail can be designed as a rasp.

[0020] Preferably, the first end region and the second end region run along a common axis. This is advantageous because it allows an object to be inserted into the device along the axis through the first end region, where it is stopped in the direction of movement at the second end region.

[0021] Preferably, the device comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metals, metallic materials, ceramics, and polymeric materials. The device may consist exclusively of one of these materials, or comprise several of the aforementioned materials, or may also comprise additional materials.

[0022] The device preferably comprises a polymeric material. Polymeric materials are suitable for providing the material stress required for the invention to function. A preferred polymer is polyamide.

[0023] Preferably, the device additionally features an adapter located at the second end. The adapter is a separate component and complements the device. It is advantageously provided to allow the attachment of various accessories, such as chains, straps, and / or carabiners, to the underside. This allows for the provision of different adapters with varying accessories, tailored to specific needs or situations. The adapter can be made of the same material as the device. Alternatively, the device can be made of a different material.

[0024] Preferably, the adapter has a larger circumference than the inner surface of the second end region. This allows the adapter to be placed in the device onto the structure of the second end region. Preferably, the adapter can be held in the device by an object inserted from the direction of the first end region. In this case, the adapter closes the second end region.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the adapter has at least one snap-in component that is compatible with a corresponding device in the second end region, so that the adapter snaps into place in the second end region. The snap-in action can be synergistic with the holding of the adapter by an object inserted into the device.

[0026] The adapter is preferably rotatable through 360°. This allows accessories to be rotated in any direction without having to move the entire device in a bag.

[0027] The adapter may have grooves. These grooves provide advantageous elasticity, facilitating easier insertion of the adapter into the device. This improves the locking mechanism of the adapter at the second end.

[0028] In another preferred embodiment, the device and adapter are formed as a single unit. This means that a device is provided in which the adapter is fixedly arranged, i.e., firmly connected to the rest of the device. This connection can be made, for example, by a screw connection, or be integrally formed with the rest of the device from the outset.

[0029] The device is preferably a lighter case. In particular, the dimensions of the device are adapted to a specific lighter, especially a Clipper lighter. Preferably, the bridge has a width of 8 to 12 mm. This allows a lighter, such as the aforementioned Clipper lighter, to rest securely against the bridge and be protected from unwanted rotation or wobbling within the device.

[0030] A second aspect of the invention relates to a system comprising a device according to the invention and a lighter. The advantages of the system correspond to the advantages of the device.

[0031] The invention is explained in more detail using the figures. They show Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a top view of the embodiment according to the invention. Fig. 1 Figure 3 shows a front view of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 Figure 4 shows a side view of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 Figure 5 shows a rear view of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 Figure 6 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the device according to the invention. Figure 7 shows a detail view of an area of ​​the embodiment according to the invention. Fig. 6 Figure 8 is a sectional drawing of the embodiment according to Fig. 6 Figure 9 is a technical drawing of an embodiment of the device according to the invention, including dimensions. Figure 10 is a technical drawing of an embodiment of an adapter for the device according to the invention. Fig. 10 with measurements.

[0032] A device 1 for holding a lighter has, in the embodiment according to the illustration of Fig. 1 The device 1 has a first annular end region 10 and a second annular end region 20. The two end regions 10 and 20 are arranged parallel to each other. The device 1 is made of a polyamide. The material exhibits internal stresses necessary to hold an object in the device. Alternatively, the device 1 can also be made of or have other materials, e.g., other polymers, ceramic materials, metallic materials, metals, or metal alloys.

[0033] Device 1 is a lighter casing. The object (not shown) is a lighter.

[0034] The essentially round end sections 10 and 20 have a bulge. This bulge is also referred to as the bridge 15. The bridge 15 interrupts the round structure. In addition to the otherwise round shape of the end sections 10 and 20, the bridge 15 allows for a precise fit of a lighter, in particular a Clipper lighter.

[0035] The side of the device 1 with the bridge 15 is referred to as the rear side of the device 1, the side opposite it as the front, the side of the first end region 10 as the top and the side of the second end region 20 as the bottom.

[0036] The two end sections 10, 20 are connected by a first rail 30, 31 and a second rail 30, 32 running approximately parallel to it. The aforementioned rails 30 are arranged close to each other, so that, for example, in a top view they appear as shown in the diagram. Fig. 2 are arranged on one side of the device 1, so that the device 1 forms a largely open area towards the other side.

[0037] With its ring-shaped design, the first end region 10 forms an opening 11 for inserting an object into the device 1. The second end region 20 has a smaller inner circumference or diameter than the first end region 10, so that movement of the object from the direction of the first end region 10 can be stopped there.

[0038] As in Fig. 3 and 4 As shown, the first end region 10 and the second end region 20 run through a common axis. As can be seen from Fig. 3 (AA) and Fig. 4 (BB) as can be seen in the overall view, the two end areas 10, 20 are centered.

[0039] A first contact area 41 is formed on the inner surface 12 of the first end region 10. An object inserted into the device 1 can be held against an applied force at the first contact area 41. The first contact area 41 is designed as a protrusion. The material of the device 1 can be pushed back against the material tension in the region of the first contact area 41 by a force exerted via the inserted object (if the force is large enough) while the object is being pushed into the device 1. Once the object is in the device 1, the protrusion snaps back due to the effect of the material tension and holds the object in the device 1. The object can be removed from the device 1 again via the protrusion by pushing the object towards the opening.If the force acting is large enough, the first bulge is pressed in against the material tension by the object, so that the object can be removed again.

[0040] In the area of ​​the second end region 20, a second contact area 42 is formed, which is a second protrusion. An object inserted into the device 1 can be additionally stabilized by the effect of the material stress, so that it cannot wobble in the second end region 20.

[0041] As shown in the illustration according to the Fig. 1 , 3 and 5 As can be seen, the device 1 has a planar structure 33 between the first rail 31 and the second rail 32. The planar structure 33 has a stabilizing function.

[0042] Device 1 can be supplemented by an adapter 50. The adapter 50 is positioned in the second end region 20. The adapter 50 is specifically a separate component and complements Device 1 to conveniently attach various accessories such as chains, ribbons, and / or carabiners to Device 1. Alternatively, the adapter 50 can also be permanently connected to Device 1, for example, by a screw connection.

[0043] Adapter 50 is made of the same material as device 1. Alternatively, adapter 50 can also be made of a different material.

[0044] The adapter 50 has a circumference larger than the inner surface 22 of the second end region 20. The adapter 50 can be held in the device 1 by placing it on the structure of the second end region 20 and being held in place by an object inserted into the device 1 from the direction of the first end region 10. Alternatively, the adapter 50 can also be provided with a snap-in component compatible with a corresponding feature in the second end region 20, so that the adapter 50 snaps into place in the second end region 20. This holds the adapter 50 in the device 1 even without an inserted object.

[0045] Another embodiment of the device according to the invention is described in Fig. 6 shown in a perspective view. In contrast to the device according to Fig. 1 bis 5 The first end region 10 has an opening 16. The first end region 10 thus has a forward-facing open area 16. An object, in particular a lighter, can be inserted into or removed from the lighter via the open area 16, either from the front or from an oblique angle above.

[0046] Furthermore, in contrast to Fig. 1 in Fig. 6 A third contact area 43 and a fourth contact area 44 are formed in the region of the upper edge of the first end area 10. The contact areas 43 and 44 are formed in the form of projections. For this contact area configuration as well, an object inserted into the device 1 is held against an applied force. Here too, the material of the device 1 in the contact area can be pushed back against the material tension by a force exerted via the inserted object (if the force is large enough) while the object is being pushed into the device 1. Once the object is in the device 1, the projections of the contact areas 43 and 44 snap back due to the effect of the material tension and hold the object in the device 1. The object can be removed from the device 1 again via the contact areas 43 and 44 by pushing the object towards the opening.It is also possible that the device has contact areas in the form of protrusions 41 and 42, as described above. Fig. 1 bis 5 described, as well as having contact areas in the form of projections 43 and 44.

[0047] Furthermore, in Fig. 6 one compared to Fig. 1 bis 5 Another embodiment of the adapter 50 is shown. Here, the adapter 50 has grooves 51, each extending at 90° to the other through the area of ​​the upper edge of the adapter 50. The grooves 51 facilitate the insertion and locking mechanism of the adapter 50 into the device 1 by providing elasticity to the adapter being locked into place. The adapter further comprises a first projection 52 and a second projection 53 (see Fig. 8 (right side), which engages when the adapter 50 is inserted into the end region 20 and in the area of ​​the lower edge of the inner surface 22 of the end region 20. To remove the adapter 50 from the device 1, i.e., to release it, pressure is applied to the two sides of the adapter 50 on which the projections 52, 53 are located.

[0048] In Fig. 7 A section of the upper edge of the first end region 10 is shown to clearly illustrate the third contact region 43 (the upper side of the device 1 is only partially shown here). The third contact region 43, in the form of a projection, is flush with the surface of the upper edge. Alternatively, projections or bulges in the upper region of the first end region 10 can also extend beyond the upper edge of the first end region 10 and thus beyond the device 1.

[0049] In Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the embodiment according to Fig. 6 shown. In this case, a section in the plane AA is shown in the front view shown on the left, along the side view shown on the right, in order to clearly show in particular the projections of the contact areas 43 and 44 of the first end area 10.

[0050] To illustrate the dimensions of device 1, the following are shown in Fig. 9 A front view, side view, and top view of an embodiment of device 1 are shown in the form of a technical drawing. The dimensions are given in mm. The dimensions refer to both the embodiment according to Fig. 1 as well as Fig. 6 The dimensions are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of professional expertise.

[0051] In Fig. 10 An embodiment of the adapter 50 is adequately illustrated in a perspective view, as well as in a view of the underside (top), top view (middle), and side view (bottom) in the form of a technical drawing. The dimensions are given in mm. The dimensions refer to both the embodiment according to Fig. 1 as well as Fig. 6 The dimensions are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of professional expertise. Reference symbol list

[0052] 1 Device 10 First end area 11 Opening of the device 12 Inside of the first end area 15 Web 16 Opening 20 Second end area 22 Inside of the second end area 30 Rail 31 First rail 32 Second rail 33 Surface structure 40 Contact area 41 First contact area 42 Second contact area 43 Third contact area 44 Fourth contact area 50 Adapter 51 Grooves 52 First projection 53 Second projection

Claims

1. Apparatus (1) for receiving a lighter, having an in each case substantially round first end region (10) and second end region (20), in which the end regions are arranged parallel to one another and are connected by at least one rail (30) which extends approximately perpendicularly to both end regions, wherein the first end region (10) forms an opening (11) for introducing the lighter into the apparatus (1), wherein the second end region (20) is configured to be circumferentially smaller than the first end region (10), so that a movement of the lighter from the direction of the first end region (10) is stoppable there, and wherein, at least in the region of the first end region (10), there is formed at least one localized contact region (40) on which a lighter can, by way of an acting force, be introduced into the apparatus (1) or be taken out from it, and the contact region (40) is in the form of at least one convexity of the material of the apparatus, projection of the material of the apparatus or movable closure device in the inner side (12) of the apparatus (1), characterized in that the contact region (40) is arranged in the region of the upper edge of the first end region (10) so that the contact region (40) projects from the upper edge of the first end region (10) into the opening (11).

2. Apparatus (1) according to Claim 1, in which the contact region (40) is a closure device subjected to spring force and movable in a direction in a reversible manner by way of action of a force in the region of the inner side (12) of the first end region (10) and arranged in the region of the inner side (12) of the first end region (10).

3. Apparatus (1) according to either of the preceding claims, in which at least one end region has a closed ring structure.

4. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the width of the rail is between 20 and 50% of the circumference of the apparatus.

5. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end region (10) and the second end region (20) extend through a common axis.

6. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus comprises a material selected from the group of metals, metallic materials, ceramics and polymeric materials.

7. Apparatus (1) according to Claim 6, in which the apparatus (1) consists of a polymer material.

8. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus (1) additionally has an adaptor (50) which is arranged in the region of the second end region (20).

9. Apparatus (1) according to Claim 8, in which the adaptor (50) has a larger circumference than the inner side (22) of the second end region (20) and can be held in the apparatus (1) by a lighter introduced into the apparatus (1) from the direction of the first end region (10).

10. Apparatus (1) according to either of Claims 8 and 9, in which the adaptor (50) has at least one part configured for latching and compatible with a corresponding device in the second end region (20) so that the adaptor (50) can latch into place in the second end region (20).

11. Apparatus (1) according to one of Claims 8-10, in which the adaptor (50) is rotatably movable through 360°.

12. Apparatus (1) according to Claim 9, in which the apparatus (1) is formed in one piece with the adaptor (50).

13. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which a web or a protrusion, directed towards the rail (30), of the first end region (10) has a width in the range of 8 to 12 mm.

14. System made up of an apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a lighter.