US20080131826A1

US20080131826A1 - Lighter with replaceable fuel cartridge

Info

Publication number: US20080131826A1
Application number: US11/983,709
Authority: US
Inventors: Yiling Xie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-03-19
Filing date: 2007-11-08
Publication date: 2008-06-05

Abstract

A lighter incorporates with a fuel supply arrangement which includes a replaceable fuel cartridge detachably received in a receiving cavity of a casing for storing a liquefied fuel, and a gas releasable valve extended from the replaceable fuel cartridge for controlling a flow of gas from the replaceable fuel cartridge. Therefore, a user is able to refill the fuel by simply replacing a used replaceable fuel cartridge with a new replaceable fuel cartridge which is pre-filled with fuel.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation-In-Part application of a non-provisional application, having an application Ser. No. 11/176,798 and a filing date of Jul. 6, 2005, which is Continuation-In-Part application of a non-provisional application having an application Ser. No. 10/102,403 and a filing date of Mar. 19, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a lighter, and more particularly to a lighter with a replaceable fuel cartridge, wherein the lighter is adapted for replacing an empty fuel cartridge with a full fuel cartridge so as to maximize and extend the life span of the lighter while being cost effective.
2. Description of Related Arts
A lighter is common tool that replaces matches for igniting cigarettes and cigars. Generally, there are two types of lighters, namely the regular lighter that produces visible frame and the torch lighter that produces torch. No matter which type of lighter is, the lighter must comprises liquefied fuel storage for supplying fuel in order to provide the visible frame or the torch.
A conventional liquefied fuel storage has a releasable valve communicating with a nozzle and a refill valve adapted for filling a fuel therethrough in such a manner that when the lighter is used up its fuel, a user is able to refill the fuel by means of a filling bottle.
It is known that the fuel is a gas form in a normal condition and in a liquid form when it is stored in the liquefied fuel storage of the lighter under a high pressure. In order to refill the fuel, the refill valve must be fit into a tip of the filling bottle such that the filling bottle provides a high pressure to transfer the fuel to the liquefied fuel storage through the refill valve. However, during filling operation, the fuel may leak at the tip of the filling bottle. It is extremely dangerous because the fuel is a flammable mixture such as butane, especially when refuel the lighter in the kitchen near the sink or pilot light.
Thus, it is difficult to prevent the leak of the fuel during filling operation such that the user may inhale the leaking fuel, which is harmful to the user's health.
Moreover, the user is unable to determine whether the liquefied fuel storage is fully filled with fuel such that the user may keep refilling the fuel to the liquefied fuel storage even though it is full. As a result, the excess fuel will be spilled out through the tip of the filling bottle, which is a waste of fuel. Besides, it is hassle for the user to carry the filling bottle everywhere.
Japan Patent JP2001-12737 disclosed a lighter comprising a replaceable fuel storage detachably mounting at an upper portion of a lighter casing via a mounting mechanism. Accordingly, the replaceable fuel storage can only be mounted to the lighter casing via a rotational movement of the mounting mechanism. In addition, the lighter casing must be totally disassembled in order to complete the mounting operation of the replaceable fuel storage. In other words, the mounting structure of the replaceable fuel storage is relatively complicated and is not practical.
China Patent CN2146664 disclosed a lighter comprising a replaceable gas container detachably mounting at an upper portion of a lighter casing. However, it is unclear that the engagement between the replaceable gas container and the gas nozzle to guide the fuel flowing from the replaceable gas container to the gas nozzle. In fact, it is difficult to couple the replaceable gas container with the gas nozzle as it is described. In addition, the gas nozzle has a newly structural configuration such that the regular releasing valve cannot be incorporated with the gas nozzle. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the lighter is relatively high and the structural configuration of the lighter is complicated so that it is hard to sell in the market.
China Patent Application 02116399.5, owned by the inventor of the present invention, discloses a lighter which comprises a replaceable fuel cartridge detachably coupling with the lighter casing. In particularly, the lighter casing comprises a bottom cover arranged when the bottom cover is opened, the replaceable fuel cartridge can be slidably loaded into the lighter casing. In other words, the assembling operation of the replaceable fuel cartridge is relatively simple by opening the bottom cover, loading the replaceable fuel cartridge, and closing the bottom cover. Therefore, the lighter is easy to use with its simple structure. However, the conventional gas releasing valve must be lifted up for gas releasing. Therefore, the convention gas releasing valve is not suitable for the lighter. In order to solve the above mentioned problem, the applicant of the present invention provides a lighter with a novel construction and replaceable fuel cartridge by making a series of improvements of the above lighter and described the novel lighter in Published Chinese Patent Application No. 200520127099.8, entitled “Lighter with Replaceable Fuel Cartridge”.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A main object of the present invention is to provide a lighter with a replaceable fuel cartridge, wherein the lighter is adapted for replacing an empty fuel cartridge with a full fuel cartridge so as to maximize and extend the life span of the lighter while being cost effective.
Another object of the present invention to provide a lighter with a replaceable fuel cartridge, wherein the fuel cartridge is sealedly mounted to nozzle of the lighter so as to prevent the leakage of the fuel released from the fuel cartridge to the nozzle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lighter with a replaceable fuel cartridge, wherein lighter provides a “plug and light” replacement operation of the fuel cartridge such that the user is able to lighten the lighter simply by plugging a new and full fuel cartridge.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lighter with a replaceable fuel cartridge, wherein the lighter is refilled by replacing the fuel cartridge so as to ensure the lighter is fully pre-filled with fuel after the new fuel cartridge is replaced.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lighter with a replaceable fuel cartridge, which is simple and reliable on its structural configuration and is convenient in its operation. The lighter can prevent the fuel from being leaked at the engagement between the replaceable fuel cartridge and the gas emitting nozzle. In comparison with the conventional lighter with replaceable fuel container, the lighter of the present invention provides a simple structural design and its manufacturing cost is relatively low.
Another object of the invention is to provide a lighter with a replaceable fuel cartridge, wherein the loading operation of the replaceable fuel cartridge is simply by sliding out the used replaceable fuel cartridge from the lighter casing and sliding in the new replaceable fuel cartridge into the lighter casing, so as to keep the aesthetic appearance of the lighter.
Another object of the invention is to provide a lighter with a replaceable fuel cartridge, which the internal components of the lighter are re-arranged to fit the replaceable fuel cartridge in the lighter casing to form a compact sized lighter.
Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a lighter, comprising:
a casing having a receiving cavity and an opening communicating the receiving cavity with outside;
a gas emitting nozzle appearing at a ceiling of the casing;
a fuel supply arrangement, comprising:
a replaceable fuel cartridge detachably received in the receiving cavity through the opening for storing a liquefied fuel;
a gas releasable valve extended from the replaceable fuel cartridge for controlling a flow of gas from the replaceable fuel cartridge; and
a lever arm, which is supported in the casing in a pivotally movable manner, having an actuating end coupling with the gas releasable valve and a driving end arranged to pivotally move the actuating end for releasing the fuel in the replaceable fuel cartridge to the gas emitting nozzle through the gas releasable valve; and
an ignition system supported by the casing for producing a spark toward the gas emitting nozzle to ignite the gas emitted from the gas emitting nozzle.
These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lighter with a replaceable fuel cartridge according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the lighter with the replaceable fuel cartridge according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a partially sectional view of the lighter with the replaceable fuel cartridge according to the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the gas releasing valve in close position.

FIG. 3B is a partially sectional view of the lighter with the replaceable fuel cartridge according to the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the gas releasing valve releasing the fuel from the replaceable fuel cartridge by the lever arm.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a lighter with a replaceable fuel cartridge according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the lighter with the replaceable fuel cartridge according to the above second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partially sectional view of the lighter with the replaceable fuel cartridge according to the above second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the gas releasing valve releasing the fuel from the replaceable fuel cartridge by the lever arm.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lighter with replaceable fuel cartridge according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the lighter with replaceable fuel cartridge according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of the lighter with replaceable fuel cartridge according to the above third preferred embodiment showing the moveable operating tip with a lower close position.

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of the lighter with replaceable fuel cartridge according to the above third preferred embodiment showing the moveable operating tip with an upper position.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the lighter with replaceable fuel cartridge according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the lighter with replaceable fuel cartridge according to the above fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a partial sectional view of the lighter with replaceable fuel cartridge according to the above fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view of the lighter with replaceable fuel cartridge according to the above fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the ignition position of the lighter.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a lighter with a replaceable fuel cartridge according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the lighter with the replaceable fuel cartridge according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the lighter with the replaceable fuel cartridge according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the alternative mode of the ignition system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, a lighter according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the lighter, such as a conventional lighter, comprises a casing 10 having a receiving cavity 11 and an opening 12 communicating the receiving cavity 11 with outside and a gas emitting nozzle 20 appearing at a ceiling of the casing 10. The lighter further comprises a fuel supply arrangement 30 and an ignition system 40.
The fuel supply arrangement 30 comprises a replaceable fuel cartridge 31 detachably received in the receiving cavity 11 through the opening 12 for storing a liquefied fuel, a gas releasable valve 32 extended from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31 for controlling a flow of gas from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31 to the gas emitting nozzle 20 through a flexible gas tube 301, and a lever arm 33, which is supported in the casing 10 in a pivotally movable manner, having an actuating end 331 coupling with the gas releasable valve 32 and a driving end 332 arranged to pivotally move the actuating end 331 for releasing the fuel in the replaceable fuel cartridge to the gas emitting nozzle 20 through the gas releasable valve 32. Accordingly, the flexible gas tube 301 can distribute the pulling or pushing force at the replaceable fuel cartridge 31 during the replacement thereof to prevent an unwanted movement of the gas emitting nozzle 20.
The ignition system 40 is supported by the casing 10 for producing a spark toward the gas emitting nozzle 20 to ignite the gas emitting from the gas emitting nozzle 20.
According to the preferred embodiment, the lighter is embodied to be a flint-type lighter wherein the casing 10 comprising a pair of supporting walls 13 provided on a ceiling of the casing 10, and a flint housing 14 provided on the ceiling of the casing between the two supporting walls 11. The casing 10 further comprises a door 15 slidably mounted at a bottom portion of the casing 10 at the opening 12 in a detachably movable manner for enclosing the receiving cavity 11 so as to support the replaceable fuel cartridge 31 therein.
The gas emitting nozzle 20, according to the preferred embodiment, is a gas nozzle for producing a visible frame. However, the gas emitting nozzle 20 is adapted to be constructed as a torch nozzle to produce a torch, as shown in FIG. 4.
The ignition system 40, which is embodied to be a flint type ignition system, comprises a flint 41 supported by the casing 11 and a sticker wheel 42 having a circumferential coarse striking surface 421 positioned in contact with the flint 41.
The flint 41 is retained urging against the striking surface of the striker wheel 42 for producing sparks directed toward the gas emitting nozzle 20 when the striking surface is driven to strike against the flint 41, such that the gas emitted from the gas emitting nozzle 20 is ignited.
The flint 41 is supported by a flint-spring 411 wherein the flint 41 and the flint-spring 411 are received in the flint housing 14. The striker wheel 42 is rotatably supported between the two supporting walls 13 wherein the flint 41 is retained urging against the striking surface of the striker wheel 42 by means of the flint-spring 411 for producing the sparks directed toward the gas emitting nozzle 20 when the striker wheel 42 is rotatably driven to strike against the flint 31.
The replaceable fuel cartridge 31 is fully pre-filled with fuel therein wherein the fuel is stored in the replaceable fuel cartridge 31 in a liquefied form under a predetermined pressure and is released through the gas releasable valve 31 as a gas form toward the gas emitting nozzle 20.
The gas releasable valve 32 is sealedly mounted to the replaceable fuel cartridge 31 to communicate with the fuel in the replaceable fuel cartridge 31 in such a matter that the replaceable fuel cartridge 31 with the gas releasable valve 32 is detachably mounted in the casing 10.
The gas releasable valve 32 has a movable operating tip 321 extended upwardly, wherein when the movable operating tip 321 is depressed downwardly, the gas releasable valve 32 releases the fuel from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31. Accordingly, the gas releasable valve 32 is arranged to release the fuel from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31 to the gas emitting nozzle 20 when the driving end 332 of the level arm 32 is driven upwardly, so as to depress the movable operating tip 321 of the gas releasable valve 32 downwardly by the actuating end 331 of the level arm 33. In other words, the movable operating tip 321 of the gas releasable valve 32 is normally in an upper closed position, as shown in FIG. 3A, and is arranged to release the fuel from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31 to gas emitting nozzle 20 when the movable operating tip 321 of the gas releasable valve 32 is driven at a lower open position, as shown in FIG. 3B.
The fuel supply arrangement 30 further comprises an actuating cap 34 engaged with the actuating end 331 of the lever arm 33 wherein the actuating cap 34 has an interior chamber 341 to detachably fit the movable operating tip 321 of the gas releasable valve 32 therein and a guiding through slot 342 extended from the interior chamber 341 and aligned with the movable operating tip 321 of the gas releasable valve 32 for transferring the gas from the gas releasable valve 32 to the gas emitting nozzle 20 in such a matter that when the actuating end 331 of the lever arm 33 drives the actuating cap 34 downwardly to depress the movable operating tip 321 of the gas releasable valve 32, the gas releasable valve 32 is arranged to release the fuel from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31 to the gas emitting nozzle 20 through the guiding through slot 342, as shown in FIG. 3B.
The actuating cap 34 further comprises a sealing member 343 having a ring-shaped coaxially mounted in the interior chamber 341 to sealedly mount the movable operating tip 321 of the gas releasable valve 32, so as to prevent a gas leakage from the actuating cap 34. Accordingly, the sealing member 343, which is preferably made of a deforming material such as rubber, is sealedly sandwiched between an inner wall of the interior chamber 341 and an outer wall of the movable operating tip 321 of the gas releasable valve 32, as shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, when replacing a new replaceable fuel cartridge 31, the sealing member 343 is adapted to sealedly fill up a gap between the inner wall of the interior chamber 341 and the outer wall of the movable operating tip 321 of the gas releasable valve 32, so that the fuel released from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31 will be totally transferred to the gas emitting nozzle 20 through the guiding through slot 342 and no fuel is leaked out from the actuating cap 34 around the gas releasing valve 32.
Referring to FIG. 4, a second embodiment of the lighter illustrates an alternative mode of the first embodiment, wherein the lighter, according to the second embodiment, comprises a casing 10′ having a receiving cavity 11′ and an opening 12′ communicating the receiving cavity with outside and a gas emitting nozzle 20′ appearing at a ceiling of the casing 10′. The lighter further comprises a fuel supply arrangement 30′ and an ignition system 40′.
The fuel supply arrangement 30′ comprises a replaceable fuel cartridge 31′ detachably received in the receiving cavity 11′ through the opening 12′ for storing a liquefied fuel, a gas releasable valve 32′ extended from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31 for controlling a flow of gas from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31′ to the gas emitting nozzle 20′ through a flexible gas tube 301′, and a level arm 33′, which is supported in the casing 10′ in a pivotally movable manner, having an actuating end 331′ coupling with the gas releasable valve 32′ and a driving end 332′ arranged to pivotally move the actuating end 331′ for releasing the fuel in the replaceable fuel cartridge to the gas emitting nozzle 20′ through the gas releasable valve 32′. Accordingly, the flexible gas tube 301′ can distribute the pulling or pushing force at the replaceable fuel cartridge 31′ during the replacement thereof to prevent an unwanted movement of the gas emitting nozzle 20′.
The ignition system 40′ is supported by the casing 10 for producing a spark toward the gas emitting nozzle 20′ to ignite the gas emitting from the gas emitting nozzle 20′.
According to the second embodiment, the casing 10′ further comprises a supporting platform 13′ rigidly supported in the casing 10′ wherein the gas releasable valve 32′ is substantially supported on the supporting platform 13′ to communicate with the gas emitting nozzle 20′.
The ignition system 40, which is piezoelectric type ignition system, comprises a piezoelectric unit 41′, which is disposed in the casing 10′ for generating piezoelectricity, comprises a movable operating part 42′ extended upwardly and an ignition tip 43′ extended to a position close to the gas emitting nozzle 20′, wherein when the movable operating part 42′ of the piezoelectric unit 40′ is depressed downwardly, the ignition tip 43′ generate sparks to ignite the gas emitted from the gas emitting nozzle at the same time.
Accordingly, a pusher button 16′ is mounted on the ceiling of the casing 10′ in a vertically moveable manner wherein the pusher button 16′ is positioned to a top end of the movable operating part 42′ of the piezoelectric unit 41′ and attached to the driving end 332′ of the level arm 33′ in such a manner that when the pusher button 16′ is depressed downwardly, the movable operating part 42′ of the piezoelectric unit 41′ is compressed and fuel from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31′ to the gas emitting nozzle 20′, so as to ignite the lighter.
It is worth to mention that the ignition system 40, 40′ according to the first and second embodiment are interchangeable. In order words, it is obvious that the first embodiment can be incorporated with the piezoelectric ignition system and the second embodiment can be incorporated with the flint type ignition system without affecting the ignition of the gas emitted from the gas emitting nozzle 20, 20′.
As shown in FIG. 4, the gas releasable valve 32′ is substantially supported in the casing 10′ to communicate with the replaceable fuel cartridge 31′ wherein the gas releasable valve 32′ has a movable operating tip 321′ extended upwardly and is engaged with the actuating end 331′ of the level arm 33′. When the movable operating tip 321′ is lifted upwardly, the gas releasable gas 32′ releases the fuel from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31′. Accordingly, the gas releasable valve 32′ is arranged to release the fuel from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31′ to the gas emitting nozzle 20′ when the driving end 332′ of the lever arm 32′ is driven downwardly, so as to lift up the movable operating tip 321′ of the gas releasable valve 32′ by the actuating end 331′ of the level arm 33′, as shown in FIG. 6.
The gas releasable valve 32′ further comprises a tubular inserting adapter 322′ extended downwardly and arranged to insert the replaceable fuel cartridge 31′ for releasing the fuel therein to the movable operating tip 321′.
The replaceable fuel cartridge 31′ is detachably mounted to the gas releasable valve 32′ wherein the replaceable fuel cartridge 31′ has a fuel outlet 311′ for the inserting adapter 322′ sealedly inserting therein so as to guide the fuel in the replaceable fuel cartridge 31′ to the movable operating tip 321′ of the gas releasable valve 32′. The replaceable fuel cartridge 31′ further has a sealing layer 312′ sealedly mounted to the fuel outlet 311′ for sealedly enclosing the fuel in the replaceable fuel cartridge 31′. Accordingly, the inserting adapter 322′ has a tapered end adapted to penetrate through the sealing layer 312′ into the replaceable fuel cartridge 31′. It is worth to mention that the sealing layer 312′, which is made of deforming material such as rubber, having a predetermined thickness, is adapted to seal up an outer wall of the inserting adapter 322′ within the fuel outlet 311′ so as to prevent the gas leakage from the fuel outlet 311′ after the inserting adapter 322′ is inserted into the replaceable fuel cartridge 31′ through the fuel outlet 311′, as shown in FIG. 5.
Referring to FIG. 7 to FIG. 10, the lighter according to a third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The lighter comprises a casing 10″ having a receiving cavity 11″ and an opening 12″ communicating the receiving cavity 11″ with outside and a gas emitting nozzle 20″ appearing at a ceiling of the casing 10″. The lighter further comprises a fuel supply arrangement 30″ and an ignition system 40″.
The fuel supply arrangement 30″ comprises a replaceable fuel cartridge 31″ detachably received in the receiving cavity 11″ through the opening 12″ for storing a liquefied fuel, a gas releasable valve 32″ extended from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31″ and coupling with the gas emitting nozzle 20″ for controlling a flow of gas from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31″.
The fuel supply arrangement 30″ further comprises a gas releasing lever 33″, which is pivotally mounted on the replaceable fuel cartridge 31″, coupling to the gas releasable valve 32″ for managing an operation of the gas releasable valve 32″.
Preferably, the gas releasing lever 33″ is embodied as a lever arm pivotally extended from the gas releasable valve 32″ and probed into the receiving cavity 11″ in such a manner that after the replaceable fuel cartridge 31″ is inserted into the receiving cavity 11″, the gas releasing lever 33″ is disposed in the casing 10″ with a pivotally moveable manner. That is to say, the gas releasing lever 33″ has an actuating end 331″ coupled with the gas releasable valve 32″ for shifting a movement of the gas releasable valve 32″, and a driving end 332″ extended into the casing 10″ in such a manner that by depressing the driving end 332″, the actuating end 331″ is capable of being lifted to shift the gas releasable valve 32″.
Accordingly, the light according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention further comprises a gas releasing arrangement 50″ supported within the casing 10″ for operating the gas releasing lever 33″ into action. The gas releasing arrangement 50″ comprises an actuator to depress the driving end 332″ of the gas releasable valve 32″.
The actuator comprises a lighter cap 51″ pivotally mounted to the casing 10″ for enclosing the ceiling of the casing 10″, and a driving lever 52″ pivotally supported within the casing 10″ wherein the driving lever 52″ has an upper end coupling with the lighter cap 51″ and a lower end slidably engaged with the driving end 332″ of the gas releasing lever 33″ for actuating the gas releasing lever 33″ into movement. When the lighter cap 51″ is pivotally and upwardly folded to expose the ceiling of the casing 10″, the driving lever 52″ is driven to depress the driving end 332″ of the gas releasing lever 33″ for releasing the gas from the replaceable fuel cartridge 51″.
As shown in FIG. 8, the lighter cap 51″ has a pivotal end 511″ pivotally moveable with respect to the casing 10″. Whenever the light cap 51″ is pivotally unfolded to expose the ceiling of the casing 10″, the pivotal end 511″ is inwardly rotated so as to slidably bias against the upper portion of the driving lever 52″ thus making the driving lever 52″ rotate in a clockwise manner. As a result, the outwardly rotated lower portion of the driving lever 52″ will downwardly depress the driving end 332″ of the gas releasing lever 33″ for managing a gas flow from the gas releasable valve 32″.
It is worth to mention that the actuator can be an ignition button of the lighter to couple with the driving end 332″ of the gas releasing lever 33″ such that when the ignition button is depressed for producing the sparks, the driving end 332″ of the gas releasing lever 33″ is depressed at the same time for ignition of the lighter.
Accordingly, the gas releasable valve 32″ has a movable operating tip 321″ extended upwardly. Whenever the movable operating tip 321″ is depressed downwardly, the gas releasable valve 32″ releases the fuel from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31″. In the preferred embodiment, the gas releasable valve 32″ is arranged to release the fuel from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31″ to the gas emitting nozzle 20″ when the driving end 332″ of the gas releasing lever 33″ is depressed.
Here, the fuel supply arrangement 30″ comprises a sheltering cap 34″ engaged with the gas releasable valve 32″ wherein the sheltering cap 34″ has an interior chamber 341″ to detachably fit the movable operating tip 321″ of the gas releasable valve 32″ therein and a guiding through slot 342″ extended from the interior chamber 341″ and aligned with the movable operating tip 321″ of the gas releasable valve 32″ for transferring the gas from the gas releasable valve 32″ to the gas emitting nozzle 20″.
As shown in FIG. 9, the actuating end 331″ of the gas releasing lever 33″ is coupled onto a neck 322″ of the moveable operating tip 321″, so that when the driving end 332″ of the gas releasing lever 33A is downwardly depressed, the actuating end 331″ is capable of being lifted up for nudging the moveable operating tip 321″ biasing against the roof of the sheltering cap 34″, so that the gas reserved within the replaceable fuel cartridge 31″ could be released via the guiding through slot 342″ to be ignited at the gas emitting nozzle 20″. In other words, the movable operating tip 321″ of the gas releasable valve 32″ is normally in a lower closed position, as shown in FIG. 9, and is arranged to release the fuel from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31″ to gas emitting nozzle 20″ when the movable operating tip 321″ of the gas releasable valve 32″ is driven to an upper position, as shown in FIG. 10.
The sheltering cap 34″ further comprises a sealing member 343″ having a ring-shaped coaxially mounted in the interior chamber 341″ to sealedly mount the movable operating tip 321″ of the gas releasable valve 32″, so as to prevent a gas leakage from the sheltering cap 34″.
It is noted that replaceable fuel cartridge 31″ further comprises means for applying an urging force against the gas releasing lever 33″ to push the actuating end 331″ thereof downwardly. The urging means comprises a resilient element 35″ supported by the casing 10″ and disposed below the driving end 332″ for continuously biasing against the driving end 332″. As a result, under normal circumstance, the driving end 332″ is upwardly biased for ensuring the moveable operating tip 321″ rested in the close position.
Moreover, the sheltering cap 34″ is directly coupled a gas transferring conduit 36″ having another end serviceable to the gas emitting nozzle 20″. It is worth to mention that the gas transferring conduit 36″ is a flexible gas tube, such as rubber, allowing the gas to flow towards the gas emitting nozzle 20″ when the sheltering cap 34″ is pushed upwardly so that during the gas releasing process, the sheltering cap 34″ is capable of freely lead the gas transferring conduit 36″ moving with the casing 10″. Preferably, the fuel supply arrangement 30″ further comprises two guiding wall 37″ supported within the casing 10″ wherein the sheltering cap 34″ is slidably mounted between the guiding walls 37″ such that the guiding walls 37″ guide a movement of the sheltering cap 34″ within a predetermined vertical distance. As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, each of the guiding walls 37″ has a transverse stopper ridge 371″ integrally and inwardly defined thereon, so that when the moveable operating tip 321″ is lifted up forcing the sheltering cap 34A upwardly displaced, the stopper ridge 371″ will automatically limit the moving distance of the sheltering cap 34″.
Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 of the drawings, a lighter according to a fourth preferred embodiment illustrates an alternative mode of the third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the lighter comprises a casing 10A having a receiving cavity 11A and an opening 12A communicating the receiving cavity 11A with outside and a gas emitting nozzle 20A appearing at a ceiling of the casing 10A. The lighter further comprises a fuel supply arrangement 30A and an ignition system 40A.
The fuel supply arrangement 30A comprises a replaceable fuel cartridge 31A detachably received in the receiving cavity 11A through the opening 12A for storing a liquefied fuel, a gas releasable valve 32A extended from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A for controlling a flow of gas from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A, and a gas releasing lever 33A, which is supported at the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A in a pivotally movable manner, having an actuating end 331A coupling with the gas releasable valve 32A and a driving end 332A arranged to pivotally move the actuating end 331A for releasing the fuel in the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A to the gas emitting nozzle 20A through the gas releasable valve 32A when the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A is received in the receiving cavity 11A.
The ignition system 40A is supported by the casing 10A for producing a spark toward the gas emitting nozzle 20A to ignite the gas emitting from the gas emitting nozzle 20A.
According to the fourth embodiment, the lighter is embodied to be a flint-type lighter wherein the casing 10A comprises two spaced apart supporting walls 13A provided at the casing 10A, and a flint housing 14A provided on the ceiling of the casing 10A between the two supporting walls 11A. The casing 10A further comprises a door 15A with a retractable locker 151A pivotally mounted at a bottom portion of the casing 10A at the opening 12A in a foldably movable manner for enclosing the receiving cavity 11A so as to support the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A therein.
The gas emitting nozzle 20A, according to the preferred embodiment, is a gas nozzle for producing a visible flame. However, the gas emitting nozzle 20A is adapted to be constructed as a torch nozzle to produce a torch by replacing the flint-type ignition system to a piezoelectric-type ignition system.
As it is mentioned above, the ignition system 40A, which is embodied to be the flint type ignition system, comprises a flint 41A supported by the casing 11A and a striker wheel 42A having a circumferential coarse striking surface 421A positioned in contact with the flint 41A.
The flint 41A is retained urging against the striking surface of the striker wheel 42A for producing sparks directed toward the gas emitting nozzle 20A when the striking surface is driven to strike against the flint 41A, such that the gas emitted from the gas emitting nozzle 20A is ignited.
The flint 41A is supported by a flint-spring 411A wherein the flint 41A and the flint-spring 411A are received in the flint housing 14A. The striker wheel 42A is rotatably supported between the two supporting walls 13A wherein the flint 31A is retained urging against the striking surface of the striker wheel 42A by means of the flint-spring 411A for producing the sparks directed toward the gas emitting nozzle 20A when the striker wheel 42A is rotatably driven to strike against the flint 31A.
A driving member 43A is rotatably mounted at the casing 10A to drive the striker wheel 42A to rotate. Therefore, the user is able to rotate the driving member 43A for ignition without directly contacting with the striker wheel 42A so as to prevent the flint residue staying at the thumb of the user after the ignition.
The replaceable fuel cartridge 31A is fully pre-filled with fuel therein wherein the fuel is stored in the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A in a liquefied form under a predetermined pressure and is released through the gas releasable valve 32A as a gas form toward the gas emitting nozzle 20A. Accordingly, the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A further comprises a refillable valve 311A for refilling the fuel thereinto. Therefore, the user is able to either replace the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A when the fuel is used up or refill the fuel into the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A.
The gas releasable valve 32A is sealedly mounted to the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A to communicate with the fuel in the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A in such a manner that the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A with the gas releasable valve 32A is detachably mounted in the casing 10A.
The gas releasable valve 32A has a movable operating tip 321A extended upwardly, wherein when the movable operating tip 321A is depressed downwardly, the gas releasable valve 32A releases the fuel from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A. Accordingly, the gas releasable valve 32A is arranged to release the fuel from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A to the gas emitting nozzle 20A when the driving end 332A of the lever arm 32A is driven upwardly, so as to depress the movable operating tip 321A of the gas releasable valve 32A downwardly by the actuating end 331A of the gas releasing lever 33A. In other words, the movable operating tip 321A of the gas releasable valve 32A is normally in an upper closed position and is arranged to release the fuel from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A to gas emitting nozzle 20A when the movable operating tip 321A of the gas releasable valve 32A is driven at a lower open position.
As shown in FIG. 11, the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A further has a lever cavity 310A indently formed on a top ceiling of the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A, wherein the gas releasing lever 33A is supported in the lever cavity 310A to protect the gas releasing lever 33A. Accordingly, when the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A is replaced, the gas releasing lever 33A will also be replaced. Therefore, the present invention ensures the gas releasing process via the gas releasing lever 33A when the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A is replaced. Thus, since the gas releasing lever 33A is built-in with the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A but not in the casing 10A, the minimum components are mounted to the casing 10A to reduce the failure of the mechanical operation of the lighter.
The lighter further comprises a gas releasing arrangement 50A to depress the driving end 332A of the gas releasable valve 32A. The gas releasing arrangement 50A comprises a lighter cap 51A pivotally mounted to the casing 10A for enclosing the ceiling of the casing 10A, and a driving lever 52A pivotally supported within the casing 10A wherein the driving lever 52A has an upper end coupling with the lighter cap 51A and a lower end slidably engaged with the driving end 332A of the gas releasing lever 33A for actuating the gas releasing lever 33A into movement. When the lighter cap 51A is pivotally and upwardly folded to expose the ceiling of the casing 10A, the driving lever 52A is driven to depress the driving end 332A of the gas releasing lever 33A for releasing the gas from the replaceable fuel cartridge 51A.
As shown in FIG. 12, the lighter cap 51A has a pivotal end 511A pivotally moveable with respect to the casing 10A. Whenever the light cap 51A is pivotally unfolded to expose the ceiling of the casing 10A, the pivotal end 511A is inwardly rotated so as to slidably bias against the upper portion of the driving lever 52A thus pushing the driving lever 52A to rotate in a clockwise manner. As a result, the outwardly rotated lower portion of the driving lever 52A will downwardly depress the driving end 332A of the gas releasing lever 33A for managing a gas flow from the gas releasable valve 32A.
As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the driving lever 52A has a bottom pushing surface 521A contacting with a top surface of the gas releasing lever 33A at the driving end 332A thereof such that when the lighter cap 51A is pivotally opened, the bottom pushing surface 521A of the driving lever 52A substantially presses on the gas releasing lever 33A to ensure the gas releasing process of the gas releasing lever 33A.
It is worth to mention that the actuator can be an ignition button of the lighter to couple with the driving end 332A of the gas releasing lever 33A such that when the ignition button is depressed for producing the sparks, the driving end 332A of the gas releasing lever 33A is depressed at the same time for ignition of the lighter.
The fuel supply arrangement 30A further comprises a sheltering cap 34A engaged with the gas releasable valve 32A, wherein the sheltering cap 34A has an interior chamber 341A to detachably fit the movable operating tip 321A of the gas releasable valve 32A therein and a guiding through slot 342A extended from the interior chamber 341A and aligned with the movable operating tip 321A of the gas releasable valve 32A for transferring the gas from the gas releasable valve 32A to the gas emitting nozzle 20A.
Moreover, the sheltering cap 34A is directly coupled a gas transferring conduit 36A having another end serviceable to the gas emitting nozzle 20A. It is worth to mention that the gas transferring conduit 36A is a flexible gas tube, such as rubber, allowing the gas to flow towards the gas emitting nozzle 20A when the movable operating tip 321A of the gas releasable valve 32A is upwardly pushed to engage the sheltering cap 34A. Preferably, the fuel supply arrangement 30A further comprises two spaced apart guiding walls 37A supported within the casing 10A, wherein the sheltering cap 34A is affixedly mounted between the guiding walls 37A such that the guiding walls 37A retain the sheltering cap 34A in position. Each of the guiding walls 37A has a transverse stopper ridge 371A integrally and inwardly protruded therefrom, so that the stopper ridge 371A can block of the sheltering cap 34A upward movement when the moveable operating tip 321A is lifted up, as shown in FIG. 14.
The gas releasable valve 32A further comprises a sealing member 322A coaxially mounted at the movable operating tip 321A of the gas releasable valve 32A to seal at the interior chamber 324A when the movable operating tip 321A is fitted into the sheltering cap 34A so as to prevent the gas leakage from the sheltering cap 34A. Accordingly, the sealing member 322A has a hollow cone shape such that when the movable operating tip 321A is slidably inserted into the sheltering cap 34A, the sealing member 322A is tightly sealed with the interior chamber 324A via the loading force at the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A. As shown in FIG. 13, the sealing member 322A is aligned with the sheltering cap 34A. As shown in FIG. 14, when the movable operating tip 321A of the gas releasable valve 32A is lifted upwardly, the sealing member 322A is driven to seal and engage with the sheltering cap 34A.
According to the preferred embodiment, the actuating end 331A of the gas releasing lever 33A is coupled at the moveable operating tip 321A of the gas releasable valve 32A at a position below the sealing member 322A so that when the driving end 332A of the gas releasing lever 33A is downwardly depressed, the actuating end 331A thereof is pivotally and upwardly moved to lift up the movable operating tip 321A of the gas releasable valve 32A via the sealing member 322A. In other words, the sealing member 322A not only provides a sealing effect to seal the moveable operating tip 321A of the gas releasable valve 32A at the sheltering cap 34A but also forms a guiding member to engage with the actuating end 331A of the gas releasing lever 33A to lift up the moveable operating tip 321A of the gas releasable valve 32A.
The present invention further provides a method of igniting the lighter, which comprises the following steps.
(1) Detachably attach the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A in the receiving cavity 11A of the casing 10A through the opening 12A.
(2) Release the gas from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A to the gas emitting nozzle 20A.
(3) Produce the spark via the ignition system 40A at the casing 10A towards the gas emitting nozzle 20A to ignite the gas emitted from the gas emitting nozzle 20A, wherein the spark is produced by driving the striker wheel 42A to rotate at the casing 10A to strike against the flint 41A to produce the spark towards the gas emitting nozzle 20A.
In the step (a), the method further comprises the following steps.
(1.1) Align the gas releasable valve 32A with the sheltering cap 34A.
(1.2) Detachably couple the gas releasable valve 32A with the sheltering cap 34A in a sealed manner via the sealing member 322A.
Accordingly, the step (2) further comprises the following steps.
(2.1) Pivotally open the lighter cap 51A to expose the ignition system 40A at the ceiling of the casing 10A.
(2.2) Pivotally move the gas releasing lever 33A via the lighter cap 51A to lift up the gas releasable valve 32A for releasing the gas from the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A.
(2.3) Pivotally close the lighter cap 51A to enclose the ignition system 40A to shut off the gas releasable valve 32A for extinguishment.
According to the preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the following steps.
(4) Detach the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A from the casing 10A when the gas in the replaceable fuel cartridge 31A is used up.
(5) Replace a new replaceable fuel cartridge 31A with pre-filled gas in the casing 10A.
Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16 of the drawings, a lighter according to a fifth preferred embodiment illustrates an alternative mode of the third embodiment of the present invention.
According to the fifth embodiment, the lighter comprises a lighter casing 5B having a receiving cavity to receive the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B and an opening communicating with the receiving cavity. A gas nozzle 3B is supported at an upper portion of the lighter casing 5B.
The replaceable fuel cartridge 8B is fully pre-filled with fuel therein wherein the fuel is stored in the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B in a liquefied form under a predetermined pressure and is released through the gas valve 81B as a gas form toward the gas nozzle 3B.
In particularly, the gas nozzle 3B is supported at the lighter casing 5B via a supporting frame 2B. The gas nozzle 3B can produce a flame or a torch via a combustion chamber. FIG. 17 illustrates the gas nozzle 3B produces the torch via the alternative ignition system. According to the fifth embodiment, the gas nozzle 3B is a gas nozzle for producing a visible frame.
Accordingly, the gas nozzle 3B is communicatively connected to a replaceable fuel cartridge 8B via a sheltering cap 31B, wherein a flexible gas hose 32B is communicatively extended from the gas nozzle 3B to the sheltering cap 31B to guide the gas releasing from the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B to the gas nozzle 3B. According to the preferred embodiment, the sheltering cap 8B is immovably mounted in the lighter casing 5B via the supporting frame 2B, such that when the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B is slidably loaded in the receiving cavity of the lighter casing 5B, the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B is fittingly coupled with the gas nozzle 3B.
In addition, the sheltering cap 31B has a sealing cavity detachably receiving a releasing end 811B of a gas valve 81B of the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B, and a sealing element 812B providing in the sealing cavity. Therefore, when the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B is loaded in the receiving cavity of the lighter casing 5B, the releasing end 811B of the gas valve 8B is sealed and received in the sealing cavity of the sheltering cap 31B via the sealing element 812B so as to prevent the gas from being leaked at the sheltering cap 31B.
The gas valve 81B is sealedly mounted to the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B to communicate with the fuel in the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B in such a matter that the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B with the gas valve 81B is detachably mounted in the lighter casing 5B.
The gas valve 81B has a movable operating tip extended upwardly, wherein when the movable operating tip is lifted upwardly, the gas valve 81B releases the fuel from the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B. Accordingly, the gas valve 81B is arranged to release the fuel from the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B to the gas nozzle 3B.
Accordingly, the sealing element 812B has a ring-shaped coaxially mounted in the sealing chamber to sealedly mount the releasing end of the gas valve 81B, so as to prevent a gas leakage from the sheltering cap 31B. Accordingly, the sealing element 812B, which is preferably made of a deforming material such as rubber, is sealedly sandwiched between an inner wall of the sealing chamber and an outer wall of the releasing end 811B of the gas valve 81B. Therefore, when replacing a new replaceable fuel cartridge 8B, the sealing element 812B is adapted to sealedly fill up a gap between the inner wall of the sealing chamber and the outer wall of the releasing end of the gas valve 81B, so that the fuel released from the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B will be totally transferred to the gas nozzle 3B through and no fuel is leaked out from the sheltering cap 31B around the gas valve 81B.
The lighter of the present invention further comprises an ignition system for producing a spark towards the gas nozzle 3B. The ignition system, which is a flint-type system, comprises a flint 62B and a striker wheel 61B contacting with the flint 61B for spark generation. Alternatively, the ignition system can be a piezoelectric-type system for spark generation as shown in FIG. 17.
The flint 62B supported by the lighter casing 5B, wherein a striker wheel 61B has a circumferential coarse striking surface positioned in contact with the flint 62B. The flint 62B is retained urging against the striking surface of the striker wheel 61B for producing sparks directed toward the gas nozzle 3B when the striking surface is driven to strike against the flint 62B, such that the gas emitted from the gas nozzle 3B is ignited.
The flint 62B is supported by a flint-spring, wherein the flint 62B and the flint-spring are received in the flint housing. The striker wheel 61B is rotatably supported between the two supporting walls, wherein the flint 62B is retained urging against the striking surface of the striker wheel 61B by means of the flint-spring for producing the sparks directed toward the gas nozzle 3B when the striker wheel 61B is rotatably driven to strike against the flint 62B.
A gas lever 82B is pivotally mounted on the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B to couple with a gas valve 81B at the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B, wherein the gas lever 82B has a coupling end coupling with the movable operating tip of the gas valve 81B and an actuating end arranged in such a manner that when the actuating end of the gas lever 82B is downwardly depressed, the coupling end of the gas lever 82B is pivotally lift up to uplift the gas valve 81B for releasing the gas in the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B. Accordingly, the gas lever 82B is detachably engaged with the gas valve 81B.
The replaceable fuel cartridge 8B further has a lever cavity indently formed on a top ceiling of the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B, wherein the gas lever 82B is supported in the lever cavity to protect the gas lever 82B. Accordingly, when the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B is replaced, the gas lever 82B will also be replaced. Therefore, the present invention ensures the gas releasing process via the gas lever 82B when the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B is replaced. Thus, since the gas lever 82B is built-in with the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B but not in the lighter casing 5B, the minimum components are mounted to the lighter casing 5B to reduce the failure of the mechanical operation of the lighter.
A gas releasing mechanism is coupled with the actuating end of the gas lever 82B. According to the preferred embodiment, the gas releasing mechanism comprises a lighter cap 1B pivotally connected to the lighter casing 5B via a pivot hinge 12B, and an actuating arm 11B pivotally coupling at the pivot hinge 12B. Accordingly, when the lighter cap 1B is pivotally and upwardly folded to expose the ceiling of the lighter casing 5B, the actuating end of the gas lever 82B is depressed for releasing the gas from the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B.
Accordingly, the actuating arm 11B is pivotally coupled with the supporting frame 2B via a pivot axle 21B at a position between two ends of the actuating arm 11B. In other words, one end of the actuating arm 11B is pivotally coupled at the pivot hinge 12B while another end of the actuating arm 11B is extended to bias against the actuating end of the gas lever 82B, so as to depress the actuating end thereof via a pivot movement of the actuating arm 11B. The actuating arm 11B comprises a tubular sleeve 112B receiving a compression spring therein and a retractable arm 111B slidably received at the tubular sleeve 112B to provide a retractable ability of the actuating arm 11B. Therefore, when the lighter cap 1B is pivotally folded to drive the actuating arm 11B to pivotally move, the actuating end of the gas lever 82B is depressed for releasing the gas. It is worth to mention that the gas lever 82B can be incorporated with the piezoelectric unit such that when the piezoelectric unit is downwardly pressed, the actuating end of the gas lever 82B is depressed simultaneously.
According to the preferred embodiment, the lighter casing 5B further comprises an enclosing door 7B pivotally coupling at the opening of the lighter casing 5B, wherein a lock is provided at a free end portion of the enclosing door 7B to releasably lock up the enclosing door 7B at the opening of the lighter casing 5B so as to conceal the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B within the receiving cavity of the lighter casing 5B.
According to the preferred embodiment, as one of the locking mechanisms, the enclosing door 7B is mounted to the lighter casing 5B via a pivot joint 71B which is located at an edge portion of the opening of the lighter casing 5B. The pivot joint 71B comprises two mounting panels 712B, 713B pivotally coupling with each other via a pivot shaft 711B, wherein the mounting panels 712B, 713B are coupled with the lighter casing 5B and the enclosing door 7B respectively. Accordingly, the corresponding mounting panel 712 can be inserted into a side portion of the lighter casing 5 or welded to the lighter casing 5B. The corresponding mounting panel 712B, having a zigzag structure, also provides a predetermined resilience to bias against a sidewall of the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B when the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B is loaded in the lighter casing 5B, so as to retain the replaceable fuel cartridge 8 within the receiving cavity of the lighter casing 5B. It is worth to mention that the zigzag structure of the mounting panel 712B will not block the sliding movement of the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B to load in the lighter casing 5B. The enclosing door 7B comprises a locking latch 72B slidably mounted thereat and a resilient element 73B biasing against the locking latch 72B, wherein a locking groove is provided at the inner side of the lighter casing 5B at the opening thereof such that when the enclosing door 7B is closed, the locking latch 72B is engaged with the locking groove to lock up the enclosing door 7B at the opening of the lighter casing 5B. In addition, the locking latch 72B has an operation side 721B to slide the locking latch 72B between the locked position and the unlocked position.
Furthermore, the supporting frame 2B is securely mounted within the lighter casing 5B at a position that the gas nozzle 3B, the ignition system, the sheltering cap 31B, and the gas releasing mechanism are respectively supported by the supporting frame 2B. Accordingly, the lighter cap 1B is pivotally connected to the supporting frame 2B. In particularly, the supporting frame 2B is mounted within the receiving cavity of the lighter casing 5B via a retention frame 4B, wherein the supporting frame 2B is mounted to the retention frame 4B via a screw 42B. In other words, the independent supporting frame 2B and the retention frame 4B can be incorporated with the lighter casing 5B to fit the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B into the lighter casing 5B and to hide the screw 42B therein. Accordingly, the gas nozzle 3B is supported at the supporting frame 2B at a position adjacent to the ignition system. As shown in FIG. 16, the flint 61B and the striker wheel 62B are respectively supported at the supporting frame 2 while the driving member 6B is rotatably supported at the extension portion 41B of the retention frame 4B to couple with the striker wheel 62B.
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the ignition system is mounted at the side portion of the lighter casing 5B, wherein the flint 61B and the striker wheel 62B are respectively supported by the supporting frame 2B. The driving member 6B is rotatably supported at a sidewall of the lighter casing 5B at a positioned below the striker wheel 62B and is supported by the extension portion 41B of the retention frame 4B. Accordingly, the driving member 6B is rotatably mounted at the lighter casing 5B to drive the striker wheel 62B to rotate. Therefore, the user is able to rotate the driving member 6B for ignition without directly contacting with the striker wheel 62B so as to prevent the flint residue staying at the thumb of the user after the ignition.
A compressive spring 43B is mounted underneath the retention frame 4B, wherein one end of the compressive spring 43B is secured to the retention frame 4 via the screw 42B while another end of the compressive spring 43B is biased against the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B when the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B is loaded in the lighter casing 5B. In other words, the screw 42B is used as a connecting element to connect the supporting frame 2B with the retention frame 4B and is used as a spring holder to hold the compressive spring 43B in position. It is worth to mention that the compressive spring 43B is compressed when the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B is loaded in the lighter casing 5B such that the compressive spring 43B applies a pushing force against the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B to push the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B out of the receiving cavity so as to prevent the replaceable fuel cartridge 8B being jammed in the lighter casing 5B.
As it is mentioned above, the ignition system can be the piezoelectric type ignition system. As shown in FIG. 17, the piezoelectric unit 64B is supported on the replaceable fuel cartridge 8 while the ignition button 63B is slidably mounted at the supporting frame 2B to depress the piezoelectric unit 64B.
The piezoelectric unit 64B, which is disposed in the lighter casing 5B for generating piezoelectricity, comprises a movable operating part extended upwardly and an ignition tip extended to a position close to the gas nozzle 3B, wherein when the movable operating part of the piezoelectric unit 64B is depressed downwardly, the ignition tip generate sparks to ignite the gas emitted from the gas nozzle 3B at the same time.
Accordingly, a pusher button 63B is mounted on the ceiling of the lighter casing 5 in a vertically moveable manner wherein the pusher button 63B is positioned to a top end of the movable operating part of the piezoelectric unit 64B in such a manner that when the pusher button 63B is depressed downwardly, the movable operating part of the piezoelectric unit 64B is compressed to ignite the lighter. It is worth to mention that the gas releasing mechanism can incorporate with the pusher button 63B such that when the movable operating part of the piezoelectric unit 64B is depressed downwardly, the ignition tip generate sparks to ignite the gas emitted from the gas nozzle 3B at the same time. Therefore, when the lighter cap 1B is opened, the gas valve 81B is remained in closed manner.
One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.
It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A lighter, comprising:

a casing having a receiving cavity and an opening communicating with said receiving cavity;

a gas emitting nozzle extending to a ceiling of said casing;

an ignition system supported by said casing for producing a spark towards said gas emitting nozzle; and

a fuel supply arrangement, which comprises:

a replaceable fuel cartridge for storing a liquefied fuel therein, wherein said replaceable fuel, which is detachably received in said receiving cavity through said opening, comprises a gas releasable valve communicating with said replaceable fuel cartridge and detachably coupling with said gas emitting nozzle for controlling a gas flow from said replaceable fuel cartridge to said gas emitting nozzle;

a gas releasing lever, which is pivotally mounted at said replaceable fuel cartridge, having an actuating end coupling with said gas releasable valve and a driving end arranged in such a manner that when said driving end is depressed, said actuating end is pivotally lifted up for releasing said liquefied fuel from said replaceable fuel cartridge; and

a gas releasing arrangement coupling with said casing to depress said driving end for releasing said liquefied fuel from said replaceable fuel cartridge.

2. The lighter, as recited in claim 1, wherein said replaceable fuel cartridge has a lever cavity indently formed on a top side thereof to receive said gas releasing lever in said lever cavity.

3. The lighter, as recited in claim 1, wherein said fuel supply arrangement further comprises a sheltering cap affixedly supported within said casing to detachably couple with said gas releasable valve when said replaceable fuel cartridge received in said receiving cavity, and a gas transferring conduit extended from said sheltering cap to said gas emitting nozzle for guiding said gas released from said replaceable fuel cartridge to said gas emitting nozzle.

4. The lighter, as recited in claim 2, wherein said fuel supply arrangement further comprises a sheltering cap affixedly supported within said casing to detachably couple with said gas releasable valve when said replaceable fuel cartridge received in said receiving cavity, and a gas transferring conduit extended from said sheltering cap to said gas emitting nozzle for guiding said gas released from said replaceable fuel cartridge to said gas emitting nozzle.

5. The lighter, as recited in claim 3, wherein said gas releasable valve further comprises a sealing member coaxially mounted at said movable operating tip of said gas releasable valve to seal at an interior chamber of said sheltering cap when said movable operating tip is fitted into said sheltering cap for preventing said gas leakage from said sheltering cap.

6. The lighter, as recited in claim 4, wherein said gas releasable valve further comprises a sealing member coaxially mounted at said movable operating tip of said gas releasable valve to seal at an interior chamber of said sheltering cap when said movable operating tip is fitted into said sheltering cap for preventing said gas leakage from said sheltering cap.

7. The lighter, as recited in claim 5, wherein said actuating end of the gas releasing lever is coupled at said moveable operating tip of said gas releasable valve at a position below said sealing member so that when said driving end of said gas releasing lever is downwardly depressed, said actuating end thereof is pivotally and upwardly moved to lift up said moveable operating tip of said gas releasable valve via said sealing member.

8. The lighter, as recited in claim 6, wherein said actuating end of the gas releasing lever is coupled at said moveable operating tip of said gas releasable valve at a position below said sealing member so that when said driving end of said gas releasing lever is downwardly depressed, said actuating end thereof is pivotally and upwardly moved to lift up said moveable operating tip of said gas releasable valve via said sealing member.

9. The lighter, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a gas releasing arrangement to depress said driving end of said gas releasable valve, wherein said gas releasing arrangement comprises a lighter cap pivotally mounted to said casing for enclosing said ceiling of said casing, and a driving lever pivotally supported within said casing, such that when said lighter cap is pivotally and upwardly folded to expose said ceiling of said casing, said driving lever is driven to depress said driving end of said gas releasing lever for releasing said gas from said replaceable fuel cartridge.

10. The lighter, as recited in claim 8, further comprising a gas releasing arrangement to depress said driving end of said gas releasable valve, wherein said gas releasing arrangement comprises a lighter cap pivotally mounted to said casing for enclosing said ceiling of said casing, and a driving lever pivotally supported within said casing, such that when said lighter cap is pivotally and upwardly folded to expose said ceiling of said casing, said driving lever is driven to depress said driving end of said gas releasing lever for releasing said gas from said replaceable fuel cartridge.

11. The lighter, as recited in claim 9, wherein said driving lever has a bottom pushing surface contacting with a top surface of said gas releasing lever at said driving end thereof such that when said lighter cap is pivotally opened, said bottom pushing surface of said driving lever substantially presses on said gas releasing lever.

12. The lighter, as recited in claim 10, wherein said driving lever has a bottom pushing surface contacting with a top surface of said gas releasing lever at said driving end thereof such that when said lighter cap is pivotally opened, said bottom pushing surface of said driving lever substantially presses on said gas releasing lever.

13. The lighter, as recited in claim 1, wherein said ignition system comprises a flint supported by said casing and a striker wheel having a circumferential coarse striking surface positioned in contact with said flint for producing said sparks directed towards said gas emitting nozzle when said striker wheel is rotatably driven to strike against said flint.

14. The lighter, as recited in claim 12, wherein said ignition system comprises a flint supported by said casing and a striker wheel having a circumferential coarse striking surface positioned in contact with said flint for producing said sparks directed toward said gas emitting nozzle when said striker wheel is rotatably driven to strike against said flint.

15. A method of igniting a lighter, comprising the steps of:

(a) detachably attaching a replaceable fuel cartridge in a casing, wherein a gas releasable valve is communicating with said replaceable fuel cartridge and is detachably coupling with a gas emitting nozzle at said casing for controlling a gas flow from said replaceable fuel cartridge to said gas emitting nozzle;

(b) releasing said gas from said replaceable fuel cartridge to said gas emitting nozzle; and

(c) producing a spark via an ignition system at said casing towards said gas emitting nozzle to ignite said gas emitted from said gas emitting nozzle.

16. The method, as recited in claim 15, wherein in the step (b) further comprises the steps of:

(b.1) pivotally opening a lighter cap to expose said ignition system at a ceiling of said casing; and

(b.2) pivotally moving a gas releasing lever via said lighter cap to lift up said gas releasable valve for releasing said gas from said replaceable fuel cartridge, wherein said gas releasing lever, which is pivotally mounted at said replaceable fuel cartridge, having an actuating end coupling with said gas releasable valve and a driving end arranged in such a manner that when said driving end is depressed, said actuating end is pivotally lifted up for releasing said liquefied fuel from said replaceable fuel cartridge.

17. The lighter, as recited in claim 16, further comprising a step of closing said lighter cap to enclose said ignition system to shut off said gas releasable valve for extinguishment.

18. The lighter, as recited in claim 17, wherein in the step (a) further comprises the steps of:

(a.1) aligning said gas releasable valve with a sheltering cap which is affixedly supported within said casing; and

(a.2) detachably coupling said gas releasable valve with said sheltering cap in a sealed manner via a sealing member, wherein said sealing member is coaxially mounted at a movable operating tip of said gas releasable valve to seal at an interior chamber of said sheltering cap when said movable operating tip is fitted into said sheltering cap, wherein said actuating end of the gas releasing lever is coupled at said moveable operating tip of said gas releasable valve at a position below said sealing member

19. The method, as recited in claim 18, wherein the step (c) further comprises the steps of driving a striker wheel to rotate at said casing to strike against a flint to produce said spark towards said gas emitting nozzle.

20. The method, as recited in claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

(d) detaching said replaceable fuel cartridge from said casing when said gas in said replaceable fuel cartridge is used up; and

(e) replacing a new replaceable fuel cartridge with pre-filled gas in said casing.