Cigarette lighter
The apparatus and method disclosed uses the energy, heat, and/or rays of a light source, such as the sun, to light a cigarette. An apparatus is provided comprising a housing, a reflecting device having an inner surface, the reflecting device connected to the housing, and a cigarette holder connected to the housing. A cigarette can be inserted into the cigarette holder such that light from a light source reflects off the inner surface of the reflecting device and is directed towards the cigarette, causing the cigarette to light. The reflecting device may be a dish. The dish may have a focal point at which light rays reflecting off of the inner surface of the dish intersect. The cigarette holder may hold a cigarette so that a first end of the cigarette which is to be lit, is located at the focal point of the dish. The housing may be comprised of a handle device by which the apparatus can be held.
The present application is a continuation in part of and claims the priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/153,410 titled “Cigarette Lighter” filed on May 22, 2002.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to techniques for lighting cigarettes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTypically in the prior art an individual lights a cigarette by using the flame of a lit match or the flame of a conventional cigarette lighter. Assuming a match is used, it is thrown away after use and another match is need to light another cigarette. A conventional cigarette lighter uses a fuel source and when the fuel is exhausted another cigarette lighter is needed or more fuel needs to be purchased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a method and apparatus for lighting a cigarette. The apparatus provided in at least one embodiment uses the energy, heat, and/or rays of a light source, such as the sun, to light a cigarette. Because the sun is essentially an inexhaustible and free source, the present invention allows an individual to light up a large number of cigarettes without having to obtain more fuel.
In one embodiment of the present invention an apparatus is provided comprising a housing, a reflecting device having an inner surface, the reflecting device connected to the housing, and a cigarette holder connected to the housing. A cigarette can be inserted into the cigarette holder such that light from a light source reflects off the inner surface of the reflecting device and is directed towards the cigarette, causing the cigarette to light. The light source may be the sun. The reflecting device may be a dish. The dish may have a focal point at which light rays reflecting off of the inner surface of the dish intersect. The dish may be in the form of a parabolic reflector. The term parabolic reflector is known and a parabolic reflector has its own mathematical formula for proper curvature, focal point, and reflectivity. The cigarette holder may hold a cigarette so that a first end of the cigarette which is to be lit, is located at the focal point of the dish.
The housing may be comprised of a handle device by which the apparatus can be held. The handle device may have a gap through which one or more fingers can be inserted for holding the apparatus. The dish may have a curvature which may be substantially the same as the curvature of a curved portion of the housing. The dish may be fixed to the housing at the curved portion. The cigarette holder may have a lip which prevents a cigarette from falling out of the cigarette holder.
The present invention discloses a method comprising the step of inserting a cigarette into a cigarette holder such that light from a light source reflects off the inner surface of a reflecting device and is directed towards the cigarette, causing the cigarette to light.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to
The dish 20 is comprised of an outer surface 20a, a rim 20b, and an inner surface 20c. The dish 20 may be considered to be a type of reflecting device for reflecting light from a light source, such as the sun. The inner surface 20c is concave, i.e. curves inward like the inside of a bowl, as can be seen in the cross sectional view of
The cigarette holder 40 has a height of H1, which may be 0.5 inches and an outer width or diameter, W1 which may be 0.44 inches. The cigarette holder 40 has a portion 40b which as an inner width or diameter W1, shown in
The end 40c of the cigarette holder 40 may be located a distance H2, which may be 1.875 inches, from the middle of the inner section 130c of the portion 130. The distance L3, from the inner section 90c of the portion 90 may be 0.835 inches from the section 130a of the portion 130, allowing a sufficient opening 140 for the insertion of one or more fingers. The dish 20 may be fixed to the housing 30 by a pin 152a and a cap, nut, or washer 152b.
In operation an individual may place a cigarette 200 in the cigarette holder 40 so that the end 200a of the cigarette comes in contact with the lip portion 40a. The individual may next an hold the apparatus 10 by the housing 30. The individual may insert his or her first four fingers (not including his or her thumb) through locations 210a, 210b, 210c, and 210d of the gap 140 as shown by
Next, the individual may direct the combination of the apparatus 10 and the cigarette 200 so that rays from the sun hit the dish 20 from, for example, directions D1 and D2 shown in
The inner surface 20c of the dish 20 may be coated with a reflecting surface for reflecting light such as a mirror surface. The dish 20 itself may be a mirror. The housing 30 may be made of a non-flammable plastic.
Referring to
Referring to
The dish 320 may have a radius of curvature of 3.631 degrees or 4.125 inches. The dish 320 should have as its focal point the location where an end 200a of a cigarette 200, shown in
The cigarette holder 340 has a height of H1, shown in
The cigarette holder 340 includes a portion 340b, which has an inner width or diameter W1, shown in
An end 340d of the cigarette holder 40 may be located a distance H3, shown in
In operation an individual may place a cigarette 200 in the cigarette holder 340 so that the end 200a of the cigarette 200 comes in contact and further downward movement in direction D8 is prevented by the sections 341 b, 342b, 343b, and 344b shown in
Next, the individual may direct the combination of the apparatus 310 and the cigarette 200 so that rays from the sun hit the dish 320 from, for example, directions D5 and D6 shown in
After the cigarette 200 is lit, near end 200a, the cigarette 200 can be taken out of the holder 340 and smoked. Another cigarette can be placed in the holder 340 and lit in the same manner as the cigarette 200.
The inner surface 320c of the dish 320 may be coated with a reflecting surface for reflecting light such as a mirror surface. The dish 320 itself may be a mirror. The housing 330 may be made of a non-flammable plastic.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention the cigarette holder 340 is made of a metal, such as aluminum. In addition, the cigarette holder 340 is connected to a metal extension 355, which is then connected to housing portion 350, as shown in
Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art.
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- a reflecting device having an inner surface, the reflecting device connected to the housing;
- a cigarette holder connected to the housing; and
- wherein a cigarette can be inserted into the cigarette holder such that light from a light source reflects off the inner surface of the reflecting device and is directed towards the cigarette, causing the cigarette to light;
- wherein the housing is comprised of a handle device by which the apparatus can be held;
- and wherein the handle device has a gap through which one or more fingers can be inserted for holding the apparatus.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein
- the reflecting device is a dish.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein
- the dish has a focal point at which light rays reflecting off of the inner surface of the dish intersect; and
- wherein the cigarette holder holds a cigarette so that a first end of the cigarette, which is to be lit, is located at the focal point of the dish.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein
- the handle device is at a location substantially opposite from the cigarette holder.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein
- the handle device is located underneath the reflecting device.
6. A method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a cigarette into a cigarette holder such that light from a light source reflects off the inner surface of a reflecting device and is directed towards the cigarette, causing the cigarette to light; and
- wherein the cigarette holder is connected to a housing;
- the reflecting device is connected to the housing; and
- further comprising picking up the housing by a handle device, which is part of the housing;
- and wherein
- the handle device has a gap through which one or more fingers are inserted for picking up the housing.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein
- the reflecting device is a dish.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein
- the dish has a focal point at which light rays reflecting off of the inner surface of the dish intersect; and
- wherein the cigarette holder holds a cigarette so that the a first end of the cigarette which is to be lit, is located at the focal point of the dish.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein
- the dish has a curvature;
- the cigarette holder is connected to a housing;
- the reflecting device is connected to the housing; and
- the housing has a curved portion with a curvature which is substantially the same as the curvature of the dish; and
- wherein the dish is fixed to the housing at the curved portion.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein
- the cigarette holder has a lip, which prevents a cigarette from falling out of the cigarette holder.
11. The method of claim 6 wherein
- the handle device is at a location substantially opposite from the cigarette holder.
12. The method of claim 6 wherein
- the handle device is located underneath the reflecting device.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein
- the cigarette holder is connected by a curved member to the housing.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein
- the cigarette holder is comprised of a hollow cylinder having a top edge and a bottom edge, and a plurality of protruding portions, including a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion;
- wherein the first protruding portion includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of the first protruding portion is protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder, and the second section of the first protruding portion protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the first section of the first protruding portion and the second section of the first protruding portion is substantially parallel to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder; and
- wherein the second protruding portion includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of the second protruding portion is protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder, and the second section of the second protruding portion protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the first section of the second protruding portion and the second section of the second protruding portion is substantially parallel to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein
- the plurality of protruding portions includes a third protruding portion and a fourth protruding portion;
- wherein the third protruding portion includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of the third protruding portion is protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder, and the second section of the third protruding portion protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the first section of the third protruding portion and the second section of the third protruding portion is substantially parallel to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder; and
- wherein the fourth protruding portion includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of the fourth protruding portion is protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder, and the second section of the fourth protruding portion protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the first section of the fourth protruding portion and the second section of the fourth protruding portion is substantially parallel to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein
- the first, second, third, and fourth protruding portions are fixed to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder and arranged in a manner such that one protruding portion is located at a northern location, one at an eastern location, one at a southern location, and one at a western location.
17. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising
- one or more tracks fixed onto an outer surface of the dish; and
- wherein the dish can be attached or detached from the housing by sliding the one or more tracks onto a portion of the housing.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein
- the housing includes a bottom portion having a gap into the which the one or more tracks can be inserted to facilitate attaching or detaching the dish from the housing.
19. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising
- a carrying case having first and second pockets;
- wherein the housing is fixed to the cigarette holder;
- wherein the reflecting device is detachable from the housing;
- and wherein the reflecting device can be inserted into the first pocket while a combination of the housing and cigarette holder are inserted into the second pocket.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 8, 2005
Publication Date: Mar 16, 2006
Inventors: Leonard Ucci (Alpharetta, GA), Paul Martino (Alpharetta, GA)
Application Number: 11/269,778
International Classification: A24F 13/02 (20060101);