Abstract:
A torch comprising a frame structure with a fuel container disposed therein, a flame guard cap extending upwardly from the frame with an aperture formed therein, a wick disposed in the aperture, and a rotatable snuffer cap attached to the frame and adapted to cover the wick.

Description:
[0001]    This is a continuation-in-part of application No. 09/596,872 filed Jun. 19, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Outdoor entertaining during the evening hours has become quite popular. One method of providing lighting while at the same time creating an atmosphere of conviviality is to utilize open flame torches.  
           [0003]    Traditionally, torches have included the basic fuel container, wick and snuffer cap. Typically, the snuffer cap is attached to the fuel container or frame therefor by such means as a chain or wire. Of course, in order to extinguish the flame, this type of snuffer cap must be grasped by using tongs, a towel and the like. Since the flame and surrounding metal parts are quite hot, this means of extinguishing the flame is quite cumbersome and somewhat dangerous.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    A torch comprising a frame with a fuel container disposed therein, a flame guard cap extending upwardly from the fuel container and having an aperture formed therein, a wick disposed in the aperture, a snuffer cap rotatably mounted on the frame and adapted to selectively cover the wick. Rotational movement of the snuffer cap is accomplished by means of a U-shaped clip which is pivoted to the frame at one end and snuffer cap lever means pivoted at the other end with the snuffer cap secured to one end of the lever means. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]    In the drawings,  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a torch according to this invention;  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of the torch with the snuffer cap in the closed position;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of the torch with the snuffer cap in the open position;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a modification of the torch;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the upper portion of the modified torch; and  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 with the snuffer cap in the open position. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0012]    In the drawings and with particular attention to FIG. 1, the numeral  1  designates the torch base with multiple struts  2  extending upwardly therefrom to form a frame. Struts  2  are bent so as to provide edges  3  upon which fuel container  4  is positioned. Extending upwardly from edges  3 , struts  2  are coextensive with fuel container  4 . To complete the frame, multiple rims  5 ,  6  and  7  act to hold struts  2  in place. More specifically, lower rim  5 , intermediate rim  6  and upper rim  7  are provided, the inner surfaces of which are attached to the outer surfaces of struts  2  by any suitable means such as welding.  
         [0013]    Attached to the upper edge of upper rim  7  is flame guard  8  with aperture  9  formed therein. Wick  10  is positioned in aperture  9  and extends into fuel container  4  as is well known in the art. Of course, fuel container  4  is filled with ordinary lamp oil or any other suitable fuel.  
         [0014]    According to this invention, snuffer cap  11  is provided and is attached to lever arm  12  which is bent at approximately its midpoint to form a 90 degree angle. Formed on the end of lever arm  12  opposite from snuffer cap  11  is helical element  13  and twist knob  14 . Attachment bar  15  extends through helical element  13  with the free ends thereof attached to the associated strut  2 .  
         [0015]    In operation, with the torch as shown in FIG. 3, wick  10  is lighted in the normal fashion. When it is desired to extinguish the flame, twist knob  14  is simply turned manually in a clockwise direction thereby causing lever arm  12  and associated snuffer cap  11  to rotate from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 2 such that snuffer cap  11  covers wick  10 . This action reduces the supply of oxygen to wick  10  and extinguishes the flame.  
         [0016]    A modified form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and  6  wherein the basic elements of the torch are the same as the version of the invention shown in FIGS.  1 - 3  and those identical elements are identified with the same numerals. The modification resides in the snuffer cap opening and closing mechanism wherein clamp  16  is affixed to one of the struts  2  by any suitable means such as welding and the like. U-shaped clip  17  is provided with inwardly projecting tabs  18  formed on the free ends thereof. Tabs  18  extend through corresponding apertures formed in clamp  16  thereby allowing clip  17  to rotate on clamp  16 .  
         [0017]    At the end of U-shaped clip  17  opposite from clamp  16 , snuffer cap lever  19  is provided with integral helical element  20  formed generally at the midpoint thereof. U-shaped clamp  17  extends through helical element  20  as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and  6 . Snuffer cap  11  is secured to one end of snuffer cap lever  19  with manipulation loop  21  formed on the opposite end thereof. Of course, manual manipulation of loop  21  causes rotation of snuffer cap lever  19  with respect to U-shaped clip  17 .  
         [0018]    Therefore, by this modified form of the invention, when it is desired to expose the wick, snuffer cap  11  is removed from its position shown in FIG. 4 to its position shown in FIG. 6. In order to accomplish this result, manipulation loop  21 , as shown in FIG. 4, is simply rotated downwardly thereby raising snuffer cap  11  away from wick  10 . Simultaneously, snuffer cap lever  19  and associated snuffer cap  11  are rotated downwardly by means of U-shaped clip  17  rotating on bracket  16 . This motion is continued until the assembly is maneuvered to the position shown in FIG. 6. Of course, when it is desired to extinguish the flame, the process is simply reversed wherein snuffer cap  11  is swung upwardly and into a position covering wick  10 .  
         [0019]    Therefore, by the modified form of the invention, wick  10  is easily and conveniently covered and uncovered as desired while at the same time keeping the opening and closing apparatus cool to the user&#39;s touch. Additionally, when the mechanism is disposed as shown in FIG. 6, it lies in close proximity to fuel container  4  and does not project outwardly of the torch as for instance in connection with the version of the invention shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0020]    Therefore, by this invention, a torch is used essentially for entertainment purposes and allows the user to light the torch and then easily and conveniently extinguish the flame. Since the snuffer cap opening and closing mechanism is spaced from the flame, it is always cool to the touch thereby preventing any undesirable injury to the user.