Patents by Inventor Richard M. Orazietti

Richard M. Orazietti 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: 6764299
    Abstract: A child-resistant lighter is disclosed which includes an actuator and a latch member coupled thereto. The latch member includes a finger actuation portion and a body portion integrally formed therewith. The body portion has a free end. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention when in an inoperative position, the free end of the latch member is aligned with a blocking surface of the lighter body, thus, preventing inadvertent lighting of the lighter. When in an operative position, the free end of the latch member is pivoted out of alignment with the blocking surface so that the lighter can function. During pivoting, as the finger actuation portion moves in a first direction, the free end moves in an opposite, second direction. The first direction is substantially forward and the second direction is substantially rearward. In another embodiment, the latch member can be slidable coupled to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Adams, Richard M. Orazietti, Floyd Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 6765338
    Abstract: A piezoelectric ignition mechanism includes an assembly having first and second members rotatable with respect to one another between an activated configuration and a deactivated configuration, a piezoelectric element associated with the assembly, and a plexor movably disposed in the assembly. When the assembly is in the activated configuration, the plexor is capable of being driven toward the piezoelectric element with sufficient force to impact the piezoelectric element and cause it to produce a spark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventor: Richard M. Orazietti
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20020180313
    Abstract: A piezoelectric ignition mechanism includes an assembly having first and second members rotatable with respect to one another between an activated configuration and a deactivated configuration, a piezoelectric element associated with the assembly, and a plexor movably disposed in the assembly. When the assembly is in the activated configuration, the plexor is capable of being driven toward the piezoelectric element with sufficient force to impact the piezoelectric element and cause it to produce a spark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Richard M. Orazietti
  • Patent number: 6386860
    Abstract: A child-resistant lighter is disclosed which includes an actuator and a latch member coupled thereto. The latch member includes a finger actuation portion and a body portion integrally formed therewith. The body portion has a free end. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention when in an inoperative position, the free end of the latch member is aligned with a blocking surface of the lighter body, thus, preventing inadvertent lighting of the lighter. When in an operative position, the free end of the latch member is pivoted out of alignment with the blocking surface so that the lighter can function. During pivoting, as the finger actuation portion moves in a first direction, the free end moves in an opposite, second direction. The first direction is substantially forward and the second direction is substantially rearward. In another embodiment, the latch member can be slidable coupled to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Adams, Richard M. Orazietti, Floyd Fairbanks
  • Publication number: 20020025499
    Abstract: A child-resistant lighter is disclosed which includes an actuator and a latch member coupled thereto. The latch member includes a finger actuation portion and a body portion integrally formed therewith. The body portion has a free end. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention when in an inoperative position, the free end of the latch member is aligned with a blocking surface of the lighter body, thus, preventing inadvertent lighting of the lighter. When in an operative position, the free end of the latch member is pivoted out of alignment with the blocking surface so that the lighter can function. During pivoting, as the finger actuation portion moves in a first direction, the free end moves in an opposite, second direction. The first direction is substantially forward and the second direction is substantially rearward. In another embodiment, the latch member can be slidable coupled to the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Paul Adams, Richard M. Orazietti, Floyd Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 6332771
    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: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Adams, Brian Tubby, Richard M. Orazietti
  • Patent number: 6065958
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a utility lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle with an outlet at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. An electric ignitor assembly, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, has first and second electrical contacts operatively connected to a first electrical pathway. The first electrical pathway includes a first gap proximate the outlet. An ignition preventing assembly forming a second electrical pathway is also operatively connected to the electric ignitor assembly and has operative and inoperative configurations. In the inoperative configuration, the resistance of the second electrical pathway is less than the resistance of the first electrical pathway such that electrical current generated by the electric ignitor assembly selectively travels in the second electrical pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Adams, Floyd B. Fairbanks, Richard M. Orazietti, Brian Tubby, Thomas G. Vailionis, James M. McDonough