Patents by Inventor Guy Laforest

Guy Laforest has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7025588
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Guy Laforest, Paul Adams, Brian Tubby, Richard M. Orazietti, Floyd B. Fairbanks
  • Publication number: 20040219467
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Guy Laforest, Paul Adams, Brian Tubby, Richard M. Orazietti, Floyd B. Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 6746234
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Guy Laforest, Paul Adams, Brian Tubby, Richard M. Orazietti, Floyd B. Fairbanks
  • Publication number: 20030104329
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Guy Laforest, Paul Adams, Brian Tubby, Richard M. Orazietti, Floyd B. Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 6527546
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Guy Laforest, Paul Adams, Brian Tubby, Richard M. Orazietti, Floyd B. Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 6046528
    Abstract: A piezoelectric mechanism is disclosed that is normally depressible but would not produce a spark, unless a latch member is first activated to engage the plexor relative to the piezoelectric system, so that when the piezoelectric mechanism is compressed, the plexor is released to impact the piezoelectric system to produce a spark to ignite fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Guy LaForest, Marcel Meury
  • Patent number: 5854530
    Abstract: The piezoelectric ignition mechanism of the present invention has a telescopic assembly having an inner and an outer members aided by a return spring for maintaining a maximum extension between the members. The inner member includes a piezoelectric element which is immobilized between an anvil and impact pad over which a plexor strikes to generate a spark. An impact spring for aiding the plexor is guided in the interior of the telescopic assembly and is disposed between the plexor and an end member connected to the outer telescopic member. A resistant spring is also disposed at or near the end member to provide additional resistance to the operation of the piezoelectric mechanism in order to discourage the undesirable operation by young users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Guy LaForest, Marcel Meury
  • Patent number: 5769098
    Abstract: The lighter of the present invention provides a resiliently deformable guard that covers a portion of the striking wheel assembly. To operate the lighter, a user exerts sufficient pressure to displace the guard before rotating the striking wheel assembly. The configuration of the guard with respect to other elements of the lighter and/or one or more retention means of the guard increases the retention of the guard. Further, the lighter of the present invention may provide a brake member to prevent the rotation of the striking wheel assembly when the user attempts to release fuel or rotate the striking wheel assembly before or without displacement of the guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: James M. McDonough, Gerald J. Doiron, Paul H. Adams, Floyd B. Fairbanks, Arthur R. Hamilton, Jr., Guy LaForest
  • Patent number: 4509916
    Abstract: A device for producing ignition sparks when falling on a pyrophoric flint includes a coil spring having at least one coil which is provided with a pit in a transversal or inclined direction on the outer longitudinal line of the coil. The pit is formed of "saw-teeth" type projections which protrude from the original core of the coil, thereby forming on the outer surface of the coil spring cutting projections which, when falling on a pyrophoric flint applied to the outside of the coil spring and when the coil spring turns about its axis, produce a tangential hauling of the pyrophoric flint thereby emitting an ignition spark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Assignee: Laforest, S.A.
    Inventor: Guy Laforest Le Boudec
  • Patent number: 4357724
    Abstract: A pneumatic core for mattresses, cushions, car seats and the like, is disclosed. The core comprises an upper sheet of rubberized cloth and a lower sheet of flexible rubber material forming a plurality of protrusions when inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Inventor: Guy Laforest