Correlation Of Fuel Or Power Supply With Component Movements In A Disabling And Enabling Sequence Patents (Class 431/153)
  • Publication number: 20070281261
    Abstract: The children resistant gas lighter of the invention has an ignition sleeve having a slit defined therein and a safe cap having a press surface, an opposite slide surface, a direction bar formed on the slide surface which is insterted in the slit and is able to make the safe cap slidable in the slit. In use, a user has to move the safe cap against a bias spring by his thumb until the safe cap is no longer blocked by a top surface of a flame cover and then press down the safe cap. The invention is able to make the safety device more credible and make it be harder for children to get undersand how to ignition thus making it safer for children.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: Xinhua Huang
  • Publication number: 20070281263
    Abstract: A device for creating an electrical potential, such as a piezoelectric igniter, is connected to a conductor that conducts current to a burn tube to create a spark that ignites the fuel in the burn tube. In one embodiment a gap is formed in the conductor. An insulator is located in the gap such that is can be selectively moved between an insulating position where the flow of electricity over the gap is prevented such that no spark is created in the burn tube and a non-insulating position where electricity is allowed to flow over the gap such that a spark is created in the burn tube. In another embodiment the piezoelectric igniter forms part of the electrical circuit and is in electrical conductive contact or proximity to an electrical conductor that forms part of the ignition circuit. An insulator may selectively located between the igniter and the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Michael R. Johnston, Thomas A. Burdsall
  • Patent number: 7300276
    Abstract: A safety control switch comprises a slide base movably mounted on the housing of a gas-fired ignition device, a push button positioned in a through hole of the slide base, a brake block fixed to the push button for inserting into a space between the slide base and the housing, and a locking piece movably mounted on the slide base and engaged with the through hole of the slide base, the locking piece being moved relative to the slide base between a first position to prevent the push button and the slide base from being operated by blocking the through hole and a second position to allow the push button and the slide base to be operated by removing the blockage of the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Hui-Ming Sun
  • Patent number: 7260900
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply independent device (1) producing a hot air flow (2). Heat (4) is produced by a catalytic heating element (5) which is energized by a liquid fuel, the hot air flow (2) being produced by an electric fan (7). The inventive device (1) is provided with a fuel cell (8) which supplies electric power to the fan (7). Said device comprises a tank (10) for the liquid fuel connected with the aid of a valve (11) to the fuel cell (8) and the heating element (5) in such a way that they are jointly supplied with the liquid fuel (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Wella AG
    Inventors: Peter Anthes, Martin Liebeck
  • Patent number: 7252504
    Abstract: A secure and convenient igniter includes a trigger and a security element. The trigger is pivotally connected to the igniter for actuation of the igniter. The security element is pivotally connected to the igniter so that the security element normally locks the trigger and can be pivoted in order to set the trigger free for pivotal movement. Pivotal movement of the security element and pivotal movement of the trigger can be done in a smooth sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Arlo Lin
  • Publication number: 20070172782
    Abstract: A disposable lighter with safety ignition unit is comprised of a body and a head, wherein a nozzle, a ring, a wind mask, a lever press plate, a spring, a flint, a bracket and an igniting wheel set with safety ignition unit are arranged on said head. The igniting wheel set with safety ignition unit includes two central axles, two cinctures and an ignition wheel which is used to make friction with said flint so as to generate sparks, said two cinctures are located on each end of said igniting wheel, the inner diameter(s) of said cincture is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the portions of the igniting wheel set which they encircle, so as to form the rotation of the cinctures as “sliding wheels.” The two central axles are supported on the bracket of the outer head and act as common rotational axle of said cinctures and igniting wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Deng Weicheng
  • Patent number: 7244120
    Abstract: The invention is an igniter gun equipped with a safety mechanism. The invention is characterized in that a lever is provided between a piezoelectric pusher and a trigger, with a first end of the lever pivotally connected to the casing, the second end and middle portion of the lever abutting against the trigger and the piezoelectric pusher respectively; one end of a gas controller is connected with a gas outlet valve, while another end of the gas controller forms a hook that abuts against the first end of the lever, a safety spring which urges the hook to go beyond a movement range of the first end of the lever is set between one side of the gas controller and a casing, a controller switch abutting against a back of the hook is set between another side of the gas controller and the casing, the controller switch is pivotally connected to the casing, and a portion of the controller switch exposed outside the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Zhihong Jiang
  • Patent number: 7226285
    Abstract: A gas flowrate control device for turning the flame adjustment wheel of a gas burner is disclosed to include a control wheel, which has an internal gear meshed with the flame adjustment wheel of the gas burner, a big gear surrounding the internal gear, and two small gears respectively formed integral with two sides of the big gear and surrounding the internal gear, and a handle, which has a grip and two arched clamping arms symmetrically extending from the grip and clamped on the control wheel, each arched clamping arm having two toothed arm positions respectively meshed with the two small gears of the control wheel and a crevice defined between the two arm portions for accommodating the big gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventor: Chin-Lin Tsai
  • Patent number: 7223097
    Abstract: A disk-like piezoelectric lighter with a safety lock includes a casing, a gas emitting nozzle, a piezoelectric unit, a sliding member and a safety lock. The safety lock comprises an arcuate resilient arm; a sliding cap having an cover portion, a pair of stands, a pair of branch arms, a lateral blocking stopper and a guiding slot; a safety button which comprises a base portion and a button portion and which is mounted slidably in the guiding slot in such a manner that the base portion comes into contact with the resilient arm to allow the resilient arm to be shifted from the locked position that the resilient arm is blocked up by the blocking stopper to the unlocked position that the blocking up is released to ignite the piezoelectric lighter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Polyconcept Hong Kong Limited
    Inventor: Jose Perez
  • Patent number: 7182592
    Abstract: A piezoelectric lighter of model R with a safety device includes a casing, a storage, a gas emitting nozzle, a piezoelectric unit, a fixed cover, and a safety device. The safety device comprises a blocking stopper; an ignition cap having a cover, a guiding groove and a guiding aperture; a safety button comprising a button portion, a locking arm, a spring and a guiding retaining shaft that is movably arranged in the guiding aperture to push by the spring force the safety button right to form a locked position that the blocking stopper is located in the traveling way of the locking arm; only if the button portion is pushed left, the locking arm is moved away from the stopper to form an unlocked position that the blocking up is released to ignite the piezoelectric lighter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Polyconcept Hong Kong Limited
    Inventor: Jose Perez
  • Patent number: 7175425
    Abstract: A safety mechanism in a utility lighter which includes a lever spring and cam mechanism having a fuel release lever and the safety button. When the cam mechanism is in the locked position, the lever spring blocks the stopper tab preventing depression of the trigger, and the fuel release lever closes the fuel release valve. As the safety button is depressed, the lever spring is moved out of alignment with the stopper tab to permit depression of the trigger, the hub rotates, and the fuel release lever is actuated to open the fuel-release valve. As the safety button is released, the lever spring urges the cam mechanism into the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Kil Yong Sung
  • Patent number: 7165969
    Abstract: A childproof safety disposable lighter includes a casing, a supporting frame detachably mounted on the casing, an ignition unit which is supported by the supporting frame and includes a striker wheel mounted between two driving wheels, and a pair of safety shells, which are coaxially positioned with the striker wheel and facing two outer sides of the two driving wheels respectively, being integrally, upwardly, and rearwardly extended from two supporting walls of the supporting frame respectively, wherein each of the safety shells is in circular shape having an outer smooth surface and a radius slightly larger than that of the driving wheels so that the two safety shells encircle the outer sides of the two driving wheels respectively to form two physical barriers of the driving wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Inventor: John Jiin Chung Yang
  • Patent number: 7165425
    Abstract: A multi-tube burner is provided which includes a cylindrical outermost nozzle and at least one cylindrical inner nozzle provided coaxially with the outermost nozzle to form annular jet openings for gases used to manufacture a glass preform. The angle between a center axis of an outer circumference of the outermost nozzle and a distal end portion of each of the inner nozzles is 90°± not more than 3°. Furthermore, the distance between the center axis of the outer circumference of the outermost nozzle and each of center axes of inner circumferences and outer circumferences of the inner nozzles is not more than 0.20 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Uchiyama, Masahiro Horikoshi, Koichi Harada
  • Patent number: 7160104
    Abstract: A lighter has been integrated into portable electronic equipments such as cellular phones, PDAs, or portable game players. The lighter can be completely stowed within the portable electronic equipment so that no parts protrude out of the portable electronic equipment's housing. Thereby not only the size can be reduced but also damage and entanglement with other things the portable electronic equipment is kept together as well as injuries can be avoided. The lighter is operated by a switch which is implemented as button either on the side of the portable electronic equipment or as a GUI menu or button on the display unit. When pressing the switch button the cover on the outlet of the lighter is being removed while at the same time a cylinder is being extended and moving out of the outlet, and a flame ignited in the burner unit appears from inside of the cylinder. The lighter includes a fuel tank which can be either fixed or removable as for instance fuel gas cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Ulrich Faber
  • Patent number: 7147463
    Abstract: A child resistant lighter includes a housing having a trigger slideably mounted thereon. A latch, internal to the housing, prevents movement of the trigger and thus prevents ignition of the lighter. A lever is pivotally mounted on the trigger. In one position, the lever is flush with the trigger, and not readily discernable as a lock release mechanism. In a second position, the lever is raised off of the trigger. In the raised position, the lever contacts the latch to slide the latch in a direction that enables movement of the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventor: Ming King Wong
  • Patent number: 7143608
    Abstract: A concentric multi-tubular burner for synthesizing glass particles having a center port group constituted by a combination of jet ports of raw material gas, combustible gas and oxygen gas, wherein an outer wall of the oxygen gas jet port in the center port group protrudes more toward a burner head than an inner wall of the oxygen gas jet port. The flow rate of oxygen gas jetted from the oxygen gas jet port of the center port group is controlled to be in a proper range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Enomoto, Yuichi Ohga, Nobuya Akaike, Haruhiko Aikawa, Takashi Matsuo, Motonori Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7128568
    Abstract: A childproof safety disposable lighter includes a casing, a supporting frame detachably mounted on the casing, an ignition unit which is supported by the supporting frame and includes a striker wheel mounted between two driving wheels, and a pair of safety shells, which are coaxially positioned with the striker wheel and facing two outer sides of the two driving wheels respectively, being integrally, upwardly, and rearwardly extended from two supporting walls of the supporting frame respectively, wherein each of the safety shells is in circular shape having an outer smooth surface and a radius slightly larger than that of the driving wheels so that the two safety shells encircle the outer sides of the two driving wheels respectively to form two physical barriers of the driving wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: John Jiin Chung Yang
  • Patent number: 7104786
    Abstract: An ignition unit for a lighter includes a striker wheel sandwiched between two driving units wherein each of the driving units includes a driven gear element and a driving cap. The striker wheel urges against a flint with its toothed surface of generating sparks. One of the driving caps is normally rotated about the respective driven gear element in a free rotatably movable manner unless a downward force is intentionally applied on the driving cap while rotating the driving cap to drive the respective driven gear element and said striker wheel to rotate for striking against the flint to produce sparks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Inventor: Xing Wen Luo
  • Patent number: 7070408
    Abstract: A lighter includes a housing having a supply of fuel, an actuating member movably associated with the housing to selectively perform at least one ignition function, and a latch assembly associated with the housing for selectively changing the actuating member from a high-force mode to a low-force mode. The latch assembly preferably must be moved in at least two different directions to change the actuating member from the high-force mode to the low-force mode. The latch assembly may include a latch actuator movable mounted to a latch member. Various other features which improve the functioning of the lighter may be provided separately or in combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Sgroi, Jr., Paul Adams
  • Patent number: 7052272
    Abstract: A safety mechanism in a cigarette lighter that utilizes a multi-button system: a button and a button cover. The button has at least two elevations and is placed adjacent to the button cover. The button cover is coupled to one of the elevations of the button. A blocking element limits the downward movement of the button cover sufficiently to prevent activation of the piezo unit. To operate the lighter, the user must apply pressure to the button to operate release fuel and to operate the piezo unit to generate a spark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Kil Yong Sung
  • Patent number: 7033166
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a valve with a safety mechanism for diverting reverse gas flow being mountable in a gas lighter wherein a shoulder is formed around a mouth proximate a forward opening of a sleeve and is spaced apart from the forward opening by a predetermined gap when an actuation member is not pressed, the actuation member is pressed to lift a leakproof nut at a bottom of the mouth for opening a bottom hole of a seat to permit gas to flow into the valve, the shoulder then contacts the forward opening for blocking gas flow and direct the gas flow to a nozzle through a hose for ignition. Thus, after the actuation member being released, the gas remaining in the hose will flow back and leak through the gap and the forward opening to the outside because the gas pressure in the hose is larger than the outside pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Huang-Hsi Hsu
  • Patent number: 7029270
    Abstract: An igniter (or lighter) having a safety lock includes a housing; a gas supply in the housing and having an outlet valve; a combustion nozzle fluid connected to the outlet valve; a conventional igniter for igniting gas at the outlet nozzle; a finger-operable slider for opening the outlet valve and activating the igniter to ignite the gas when the slider is moved from its rest position; a finger-operable thumbwheel having a lock position for blocking movement of the slider from the rest position, and a spring biasing the thumbwheel to the lock position, wherein movement of the thumbwheel from the lock position is by finger operation in a direction opposite to finger operation of the first movable member from the rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Chi Lam Wong
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7004750
    Abstract: An ignition unit, which is incorporated with a disposable childproof lighter, includes a striker wheel for urging against a flint, two driven gear elements coaxially mounted at two sides of the striker wheel, and two driving caps mounted between the driven gear elements and the striker wheel. Each of the driving caps has an outer circumferential slipping surface and a driving cavity for receiving a gear wheel of each driven gear element wherein the driving caps are arranged to engage with the gear wheels to drive the driven gear elements to rotate respectively, so as to drive the striker wheel to rotate for striking against a flint to produce sparks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Chun Wen Luo
  • Patent number: 7001174
    Abstract: An electronic lighter with locking device comprises a gas storage chamber (13), a piezoelectric unit (15) and a gas outlet assembly (16) above the chamber. The piezoelectric unit includes a snapper (8) and a piezoelectric chunk (11). The gas outlet assembly (16) includes a pry plate (2) and a gas outlet valve (3). A slot (9) is made on the snapper (8), which has a circular open groove (92) at its end. A swinging button (7) is provided inside the slot (9), which is able to rotate and equipped with a long arm (72) that is able to rotate around the open groove (92). The piezoelectric chunk has a protrusion (111). When lighter is at a locking position, the button (7) is not allowed to move downward because its long arm (72) is located above the protrusion (111). For assuring the safety of lighter and preventing from incorrect operation, combined with the snapper, a locking mechanism is provided in this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignees: Zhejiang University, Ningbo Xinhai Electronics Manufacture Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shugen Hu, Yun Wang, Yujiang Gou, Changlin Huang
  • Patent number: 7001175
    Abstract: A safety arrangement for a utility lighter includes a stop post extended from a pusher button and a locking member which includes a switching member slidably mounted on a sidewall of the casing along a safety slot and a stopper extended from the switching member to the internal cavity through the safety slot to align with the stop post. The switching member is arranged to slidably drive the stopper between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein at the locked position, the stop post is blocked by the stopper so as to block a downward movement of the pusher button for ignition, and at the unlocked position, the switch member is arranged to drive the stopper to move to an offset position that allows the pusher button to be depressed so as to depress the movable part of the piezoelectric unit for igniting the utility lighter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: John Jiin Chung Yang
  • Patent number: 6997702
    Abstract: A lighter includes a body for containing fuel, a tube extending from the body for transmitting the fuel and a nozzle attached to the tube for spraying the fuel. In an idle mode, the tube can be wound around the body. In a working mode, the tube is unwound from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Arlo Lin
    Inventor: Jan-Nan Chen
  • Patent number: 6997700
    Abstract: An igniting lighter for a barbecue preparation apparatus is disclosed, in which a safety device is naturally unlocked by the fingers of the igniting person during an ignition of the barbecue preparation apparatus, and the safety device is automatically locked after the ignition. In the igniting lighter of the present disclosure, the safety button elastically supported by a spring is disposed at a rear of an igniting button, and therefore, the safety button is pressed naturally by an indicating finger when pressing the igniting button with a thumb, whereby the safety device is naturally unlocked when igniting, and is automatically locked upon finishing the ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Colibri Corporation
    Inventor: Jung Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 6988884
    Abstract: A safety device for a utility lighter includes a pusher button slidably mounted on a lighter housing for simultaneously lifting up the gas valve and compressing the piezoelectric unit, a restraining latch transversely extended in the lighter housing, and a safety rotor, which is rotatably connected to the pusher button, having a blocking latch to normally align with the restraining latch to block the upwardly movement of the pusher button for ignition. To ignite the lighter, an adult's thumb has to downwardly rotate the safety rotor to offset the blocking latch with the restraining latch and upwardly push the pusher button in one sequential manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Chi Lam Wong
  • Patent number: 6984123
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter. The lighter includes a housing having a supply of fuel, an actuating member movably associated with the housing to selectively ignite the fuel, and a latch moveable between a first latch position and a second latch position to vary the amount of force required to move the actuating member to ignite the fuel. When a user attempts to move the latch before moving the actuating member, a first latch force is required to move the latch from the first latch position to the second latch position. When a user attempts to move the actuating member before moving the latch, a second latch force is required to move the latch from the first latch position to the second latch position. The second latch force is different that the first latch force, and is preferably greater than the first latch force. Various other features that improve the functioning of the lighter may be provided separately or in combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Bic Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Adams, Anthony Sgroi, Jr., Jeffrey F. Ukleja
  • Patent number: 6979190
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ignition actuation mechanism for the manual actuator of a spark producing device in a fuel gas lighter to increase the actuation force immediately before spark discharge without unreasonably increasing the actuation force at the initial stages of movement of the manual actuator to reduce that chances of inadvertent ignition by small children, but maintaining good operability for adult users. Movement of the manual actuator is always resisted by a first elastic member while a second elastic member is positioned to resist movement of the manual actuator at a maximum of 30N to 50N after 60% or more of the total movement of the manual actuator required to produce a spark has occurred. Preferably the second elastic member is one or more flexible fingers molded from polyacetal resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Tokai Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Ichikawa, Youichi Ozawa
  • Patent number: 6971870
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter comprising a housing having a supply of fuel, an actuating member movably associated with the housing to selectively perform at least one step in igniting the fuel, and a latch member slidably associated with the housing to selectively change the actuating member from a high-force mode to a low-force mode. The actuating member may be operable to perform the at least one step in igniting the fuel when in the high-force mode and when in the low-force mode. Various other features which improve the functioning of the lighter may be provided separately or in combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Sgroi, Jr., Paul Adams
  • Patent number: 6962493
    Abstract: A lighter includes a shielding frame including a wind shielding guard and two safety guards integrally and rearwardly extended from two sidewalls of the wind shielding guard respectively. The shielding frame has a top ceiling and a top flame gate formed thereon to align with a gas nozzle, wherein the wind shielding guard has a height that a root portion of the lighter flame is positioned below the top flame gate for preventing the lighter frame from being blown out. Each safety guard has a top edge rim horizontally extended from the top ceiling of the wind shielding guard to a position above a top circumferential edge of the respective driving wheel, such that the safety guards form as a physical barrier for preventing a thumb of a child from fully engaging with the driving wheels to drive the striker wheel to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Xing Wen Luo
  • Patent number: 6948927
    Abstract: A childproof safety disposable lighter includes a casing, a supporting frame detachably mounted on the casing, an ignition unit which is supported by the supporting frame and includes a striker wheel mounted between two driving wheels, and a pair of safety shells, which are coaxially positioned with the striker wheel and facing two outer sides of the two driving wheels respectively, being integrally, upwardly, and rearwardly extended from two supporting walls of the supporting frame respectively, wherein each of the safety shells is in circular shape having an outer smooth surface and a radius slightly larger than that of the driving wheels so that the two safety shells encircle the outer sides of the two driving wheels respectively to form two physical barriers of the driving wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventor: John Jiin Chung Yang
  • Patent number: 6945773
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter. The lighter includes a housing having a supply of fuel, an actuating member movably associated with the housing to selectively ignite the fuel, and a latch moveable between a first latch position and a second latch position to vary the amount of force required to move the actuating member to ignite the fuel. When a user attempts to move the latch before moving the actuating member, a first latch force is required to move the latch from the first latch position to the second latch position. When a user attempts to move the actuating member before moving the latch, a second latch force is required to move the latch from the first latch position to the second latch position. The second latch force is different that the first latch force, and is preferably greater than the first latch force. Various other features that improve the functioning of the lighter may be provided separately or in combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Adams, Anthony Sgroi, Jr., Jeffrey F. Ukleja
  • Patent number: 6945772
    Abstract: A child resistant disposable lighter includes a shielding frame including a U-shaped frame body and a pair of shielding guards. The frame body, which is mounted on a supporting frame, has two sidewalls positioned at two outer sides of the supporting walls respectively. Each sidewall of the frame body has a slanted top edge rim extended tangentially with respect to each respective driving wheel to encircle a front portion thereof. Each shielding guard is integrally extended from the two sidewalls of said frame body and defined an ignition cavity between the two shielding guards to rotatably receive the driving wheels in the ignition cavity. A center of each shielding guard is positioned eccentrically to a center of the respective driving wheel so as to position at least the front and top portions of the driving wheels below the shielding guards to prevent a child to ignite the lighter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: Ming-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 6939129
    Abstract: An ignition gun device with safety switch. The device includes a hollow body with a safety switch near its center. The safety switch includes a body and a pressing part. The pressing part is placed freely onto the top of the body to move forward or backward. A brake bar is installed freely inside the pressing part to prevent the pressing part from moving forward. A brim of the hollow body is positioned corresponding to the connection of the safety switch. The brim blocks a pressing brim on the bottom of the pressing part to prevent the safety switch from being pushed down. During ignition, users have to move the brake bar to the blocking position and push the pressing part forward. The pressing brim then moves away from the brim enabling users to press down the safety switch to ignite the flame for safer and more convenient usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Huang-Hsi Hsu
  • Patent number: 6932595
    Abstract: A safety cover for burner dials of a stove is an apparatus that covers front-mounted control knobs or dials on stoves. The safety cover takes the shape of an elongated compartment that spans the width of the stove. The compartment is hinged along the bottom and connects to a square frame that is attached to the stove face via double sided foam adhesive tape or other appropriate adhesive means. When the safety cover is closed, it covers all front-mounted control knobs at once and is secured in the closed position at its top by one or two friction fit snap mounts. An adult user can simply release the snaps and open it in a downward manner to allow for easy and complete access to all knobs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Denise A. Booker
  • Patent number: 6932596
    Abstract: A blowtorch includes a reservoir for storing gas, a valve for controlling the flow of the gas from the reservoir, a nozzle for spraying the gas from the valve, an igniter for igniting the gas sprayed from the nozzle, a handle device for controlling the valve and the igniter and a security device for keeping the handle device in check.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Motoyasu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6929468
    Abstract: A valve is provided for a blowtorch. The valve includes a housing, a switching device and an adjusting device. The housing is connected between a reservoir and a nozzle of the blowtorch. The switching device is provided for switching the valve between a communicating mode and a blocking mode. The adjusting device is provided for adjusting the flow rate of the gas through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventor: Terry Wang
  • Patent number: 6926518
    Abstract: The safety lighter includes contact wheels requiring rotation to rotate a spark wheel for generating a spark and, hence, a flame in the lighter. An extension, preferably part of the windscreen, includes a top wall overlying the majority of the circumferences of the contact wheels. Only a small portion of the contact wheel surfaces are therefore exposed for engagement by a user's thumb, thus increasing the strength and dexterity required to actuate the lighter and inhibiting actuation of the lighter by children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Aman K. M. Chung
  • Patent number: 6918758
    Abstract: A childproof safety disposable lighter includes a casing, a supporting frame detachably mounted on the casing, an ignition unit which is supported by the supporting frame and includes a striker wheel mounted between two driving wheels, and a pair of safety shells, which are coaxially positioned with the striker wheel and facing two outer sides of the two driving wheels respectively, being integrally, upwardly, and rearwardly extended from two supporting walls of the supporting frame respectively, wherein each of the safety shells is in circular shape having an outer smooth surface and a radius slightly larger than that of the driving wheels so that the two safety shells encircle the outer sides of the two driving wheels respectively to form two physical barriers of the driving wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Inventor: John Jiin Chung Yang
  • Patent number: 6916171
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter which a user actuates by at least two different modes of operation. In the first mode, a plunger member is positioned to allow a biasing member to oppose movement of an actuating assembly so that a user releases fuel and ignites the lighter only if a high-actuation-force is applied to the actuator. In this first mode, the lighter resists operation by unintended users by requiring a user to have a predetermined level of strength to actuate the lighter. In the second mode, the plunger member is moved to a different position so that the biasing member does not oppose movement of the actuating assembly to the same extent as the first mode so that a user may release fuel and ignite the lighter if a low-actuation-force is applied to the actuator. Moving the plunger member from the first position to the second position preferably requires the user to have a predetermined level of cognitive abilities and/or physical characteristics in order to resist use by unintended users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Adams, Floyd Fairbanks, Anthony Sgori, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6908302
    Abstract: A lighter includes a housing having a supply of fuel, an actuating member movably associated with the housing to selectively perform at least one ignition function, and a latch assembly associated with the housing for selectively changing the actuating member from a high-force mode to a low-force mode. The latch assembly preferably must be moved in at least two different directions to change the actuating member from the high-force mode to the low-force mode. The latch assembly may include a latch actuator movable mounted to a latch member. Various other features which improve the functioning of the lighter may be provided separately or in combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Sgroi, Jr., Paul Adams
  • Patent number: 6893254
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a improved technology of electronic lighter, it includes the gas valve assembly on casing, piezoelectric assembly and press trigger, characterized in that a strengthener is provided between piezoelectric assembly and press trigger; there is a push key on press trigger and a reset spring between push key and side wall of press trigger with a lobe at its bottom which has a position corresponding to the top of strengthener. The present invention has properties of effective controlling the operation state of press trigger, preventing from mistake manipulation, heightening the safety of lighter and pushing the press trigger with ease for being supplemented with a strengthener and realizing its matching with push key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventor: Yintu Jiang
  • Patent number: 6890173
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pocket lighter of the type that comprises a fuel container (1), a valve (2), which regulates the opening and closing of said container, a pyrophoric flint (6), a revolving toothed wheel (8), which can produce sparks that are directed towards the valve (2), spring means (7), which exert a force that applies the flint against the toothed wheel, and two disks (10) having end journals (12) that move in respective housings (13). The inventive lighter is characterised in that, in addition to acting as the force transmission element between the finger and the wheel (8), the disks (10) also serve as a rotor for a braking device in which the stator is formed by an element (15) that rubs against said rotor. More specifically, the stator of the braking device comprises a spring (15) which acts on a smooth surface of the rotor (10) in a radial or tangential direction. The spring (15) may form part of the actual structure of the button (14) or it may be independent of said button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Flamagas, S.A.
    Inventor: Juan Lucas Puig-Gros
  • Patent number: 6887072
    Abstract: Igniter with safety unit, the safety unit comprises a push-button that is arranged at the backside of the gun body and partially protrudes out of the gun body, it can be pushed forward and return relative to the gun body; a elastic limit bar that is arranged at the side of the part of the ignition trigger that is towards the backside of the gun body, in natural condition, its end keeps against a barrier block which is integrated with the inner wall of the gun body; a button that is arranged in the push-button and protrudes out of the push-button, it can be pressed into the gun body and return. A protruding part arranged on the button's inner side protrudes towards a mid-portion of the gun body. In natural condition, the protruding part is towards the blank part, but when the push-button is in pushed up condition, the protruding part is near the end of the elastic limit bar and opposite to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Zhang Judeng
  • Patent number: 6877981
    Abstract: A portable gas cooking range has a burner, a piezoelectric igniter therefor, a gas canister for supplying gas to the burner, an adjustable gas regulator for varying the flow of gas to the burner, and a flame failure safety device having a theremocouple located in close proximity to the burner and which is operably connected to a gas valve in the gas regulator. The gas valve is capable of opening and closing according to the electromotive force produced in use by the thermocouple, so as to shut off the flow of gas through the valve if the ignited burner is accidentally or inadvertently extinguished and, hence, prevent escape of gas from the burner when in a non-ignited condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Chung-Il Kim
  • Patent number: 6863527
    Abstract: A heater includes a handle, a combustion chamber, a valve and a thermal controller. A reservoir for fuel can be installed in the handle. The combustion chamber is mounted on the handle. The valve is received in the handle. The valve defines a passage through which fuel can flow from the reservoir into the combustion chamber for combustion. The thermal controller includes a memory element at least partially received in the combustion chamber and a rod connected between the memory element and the valve for controlling a rate at which fuel can flow through the passage defined in the valve based on the temperature in the combustion chamber. The memory element is a helical memory metal element. The memory element shrinks or expands when the temperature increases above a certain value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Arlo H. T. Lin
  • Patent number: 6860733
    Abstract: A safety gas lighter with a ratchet-pawl mechanism comprises a lighter body, a fuel supply means, an ignition means and a safety device. The safety device includes a pivoting axle, an internal ratchet rotating together with the axle and being attached to one side of the axle, a pawl member having engage pawls, being selectively engaged with ratchet teeth of ratchet and also having two cylinders protruding from the pawl member, and a safety hood, one side of which is installed by fitting coupling holes over cylinders and one end of the axle and another side of which on another end of the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: L & L Lighter Corp.
    Inventor: Fu Quan Zhang