Abstract:
An apparatus for the lighting of a candle that is elevated above a user includes a main body that has a trigger for releasing a quantity of butane from the main body. A plurality of sections of conduit cooperate with each other sufficient to telescope or extend from a retracted position into an extended position that is longer than the retracted position. When the trigger is depressed, butane is released from the main body and flows through all of the sections of conduit where it is eventually discharged into the ambient air. The butane is ignited, either by an on-board device or by a match, at a combined distal end of all of the sections of conduit. The sections of conduit provide a variable extensible effective length to the lighter that is adapted for igniting candles that are elevated above a user at varying distances. A candle snuffer is optionally included.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention, in general relates to butane lighters and, more particularly, to a device for lighting and extinguishing candles. 
   Lighters come in a variety of styles and shapes. Some are intended for lighting cigars and cigarettes while being held near the face. Others are intended to light barbeques, fireplaces, and campfires and include a longer length. 
   However, there is no lighter than can be used to light candles that are placed at higher elevations, for example, on shelves or ledges. Also, many new homes feature open areas over thresholds that separate one room from another. This is done to provide a more open feeling. These open areas often include a shelf separating the various rooms apart that is disposed several feet above the floor. Plants, candles, or other decorative items are often placed on such types of elevated shelves. 
   Whenever, a candle is placed high, it is difficult to light. A stepping stool, chair, or step ladder must be used for the person to stand on in order to access the candle, both for lighting and later for extinguishing of the flame. 
   Adding to the problem is the difficulty that arises from having candles at a variety of elevations. For example, a candle may be a foot or two above a person&#39;s reach on a shelf, two or three feet above their reach if placed on a higher shelf, and several feet above their reach if placed on a high shelf as permitted when having a cathedral ceiling or a flat ceiling that is higher than a standard eight foot ceiling. 
   There is also a trend in new construction for elevated ceilings, again to provide a greater feeling of spaciousness. Ceiling heights of nine feet, ten feet, and higher are becoming increasingly common. These variables have hereto before made a viable solution for lighting candles at various elevations above the head unavailable. 
   Also, there are times when a person would like to use a butane lighter to ignite an object while being disposed a safe distance away from the object to prevent being burned or singed. One example would be when lighting a gas fired barbeque. 
   Many gas barbeques do not have functioning igniters to light the propane gas that is commonly used. Therefore, propane gas can accumulate in the basin of the barbeque and, when ignited, can flash, possibly singing a nearby person. 
   Sometimes, when a charcoal barbeque is used, people use gasoline or other accelerants to ignite the charcoal that can similarly singe a nearby person. It is desirable, at times, to ignite an object, in this example a barbeque, from a safe distance to avoid injury. 
   Accordingly, there exists today a need for an elevated candle lighter useful for lighting candles when they are located at various elevations above and beyond a person&#39;s reach. 
   Clearly, such an apparatus would be a useful and desirable device. 
   2. Description of Prior Art 
   Butane cigarette lighters are, in general, well known. While the structural arrangements of the above described devices may, at first appearance, have similarities with the present invention, they differ in material respects. These differences, which will be described in more detail hereinafter, are essential for the effective use of the invention and which admit of the advantages that are not available with the prior devices. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide an elevated candle lighter that is useful in lighting candles that are disposed above a person&#39;s reach. 
   It is also an important object of the invention to provide an elevated candle lighter that is useful in lighting candles that are disposed at various elevations above a person&#39;s reach. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide an elevated candle lighter that is easy to use. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide an elevated candle lighter that is light in weight. 
   Still yet another object of the invention is to provide an elevated candle lighter that is safe to use. 
   Yet another important object of the invention is to provide an elevated candle lighter that can be readily adjusted to reach candles disposed at various elevations. 
   Still yet another important object of the invention is to provide an elevated candle lighter that is useful in providing a flame that is under a person&#39;s control a predetermined distance away from the person. 
   A first continuing object of the invention is to provide an elevated candle lighter that can also be used to extinguish a candle that is elevated above and beyond a person&#39;s reach. 
   Briefly, an elevated candle lighter that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention has a main body that includes a conventional butane source and controls affecting the flow of butane out of the main body. The butane is channeled out of the main body through an extensible conduit and is combusted at the end of the extensible conduit. A plurality of extensible sections of conduit and a fixed section of conduit are described, along with a method to prevent the sections of conduit from being pulled apart from a position of cooperation with each other. A flame snuffer is disposed at an opposite end as compared to the conduit and is used to extinguish a candle flame that is disposed above and beyond a person&#39;s reach. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The FIGURE is a side view of an elevated candle lighter igniting a candle on a shelf. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to the FIGURE is shown, an elevated candle lighter, identified in general by the reference numeral  10 . 
   A candle  12  is disposed on a shelf  14 . It is assumed that the shelf is elevated a considerable distance above and beyond the reach of a user (not shown). The user is assumed to be holding and using the elevated candle lighter  10  but is not shown in order to prevent any obstruction of the elevated candle lighter  10 . 
   A main body assembly, identified in general by the reference numeral  16 , is similar in design and function to many conventional types of butane lighters (not shown). 
   A trigger  18  is provided to control the release of butane  20  from inside of the lighter  10 . A slide switch  22  is used to vary the rate of flow of butane from the lighter  10  from a small amount to a greater amount or anywhere in between. 
   The trigger  18  is a momentary switch. If the trigger  18  is not held in a depressed state, no butane  20  is able to flow out from the main body  16  of the lighter  10 . 
   When the trigger  18  is depressed, the rate of flow of butane  20  is determined by the position of the slide switch  22 . 
   A first section of conduit  24  is attached to the main body  16  and does not move relative to it. The first section of conduit  24  can include any preferred cross-sectional shape that is desired, providing it includes an inner conduit path that extends from the main body  16  to a distal end of the first section of conduit  24 . 
   A common cross-sectional shape is circular, although oval or any polygonal shape can also be used for the first section of conduit  24  or for any of the other sections as described hereinbelow. 
   A second section of conduit  28  includes the same cross-sectional shape as that of the first section of conduit  24 , only smaller in size. If the first section of conduit  24  is circular, the second section of conduit  28  includes a smaller diameter. 
   The remainder of the disclosure is based on a circular cross-sectional shape for the first and the second sections of conduit  24 ,  28  and also for a third section of conduit  30 . If other cross-sectional shapes are used, each section of conduit must have the same shape, only smaller, in accordance with the reasons, as disclosed herein. 
   The second section of conduit  28  includes an outside diameter that is less than the inside diameter of the first conduit  24 , sufficient to permit the second section of conduit  28  to telescope in and out of the first section of conduit  24 , as shown by arrow  32 . 
   The first section of conduit  24  includes a first ridge  34  at a distal end thereof. The first ridge  34  provides a narrower diameter for the first section of conduit  24  at the distal end. The second section of conduit  28  must include a small-enough diameter so as to pass through the first ridge  34  as well. 
   The second section of conduit  28  that is disposed in the first section of conduit  24  closest to the main body  16  includes a larger diameter portion  36  that includes an outside diameter that is greater than the inside diameter of the first ridge  34 . 
   Accordingly, if the second section of conduit  28  is urged (i.e., if it is pulled out by the user) in a direction away from the main body  16 , the larger diameter portion  36  of the second section of conduit  28  prevents it from being extended entirely out of a position of cooperation with the first section of conduit  24 . 
   A first seal  38  is provided over the second section of conduit  28  adjacent to the larger diameter portion  36 . The first seal  38  is formed of an elastomer or soft plastic, etc. In use, the second section of conduit  28  is extended out of the first section of conduit  24  fully until the first seal  38  contacts the first ridge  34 , thereby forming a seal intermediate the first ridge  34  at the distal end of the first section of conduit  24  and at the beginning of the larger diameter portion  36  of the second section of conduit  28 . 
   This is desirable because, during use, the butane  20  that exits from the main body  16  enters into the first section of conduit  24 . The butane  20  then passes through the first section of conduit  24 , exits there from, and enters into the second section of conduit  28 . The first seal  34  ensures that either none or a negligible amount of the butane  20  is able to leak out proximate the first ridge  34 . This makes the lighter  10  safer to use. 
   The first section of conduit  24  preferably includes a raised protrusion  26  that is adapted to engage in a detent in the second section of conduit  28 . This helps ensure that proper extension of the second section of conduit  28  out of the first section of conduit  24  has occurred. 
   Accordingly, the second section of conduit  28  is adapted to telescope in and out of the first section of conduit  24  from a retracted position, in which the larger diameter portion  36  is proximate the main body  16  to an extended position, in which the larger diameter portion is proximate the first ridge  34 . 
   Having one section of conduit (i.e., the second section of conduit  28 ) that is adapted to telescope in and out of the first section of conduit  24  provides a basic embodiment of the elevated candle lighter  10 . 
   To reach the candle  12  that is elevated above the user, the second section of conduit  28  is grasped and pulled away from the main body  16  until it is fully in the extended position. The trigger  18  is then depressed and after a moment (to allow the butane to reach the end of the second section  28 ), a match (not shown) is held at the end of the second section to ignite the butane  20  that is escaping. 
   This produces a first flame  40  that can be used to ignite the wick of the candle  12  sufficient to produce a second flame  42 . An alternate way of igniting the butane  20  is described hereinafter. 
   As desired, the third section of conduit  30  can similarly be included and the third section of conduit  30  and the second section of conduit  28  constructed in like manner to that previously described so as to allow additional extensible capabilities for the elevated candle lighter  10 . 
   The third section of conduit  30  would, of course, include a smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of a second ridge  44 . If the third section of conduit  30  is included, a second larger diameter portion  46  is provided at an end thereof nearest the main body  16  along with a second seal  48 . An optional second protrusion  50  is provided in a distal end of the second section of conduit  28  along with a second detent in the third section of conduit  30 . 
   The third section of conduit  30  is thereby able to telescope in an out of the second section of conduit  28  similar to the manner by which the second section of conduit  28  telescopes in and out of the first section of conduit  24 . 
   Accordingly, the first flame  40  is extended an even further distance away from the main body  16  when the third section of conduit  30  is included. 
   As many additional sections of conduit (not shown) are included with the extended candle lighter  10  as is desired. Different models may include different extension capabilities, as desired. 
   The main body  16  preferably includes a pivoting snuffer  52  as shown in a first position in which a longitudinal axis  54  thereof is perpendicular with respect to a longitudinal axis  56  of the main body  16 . 
   The snuffer  52  is adapted to pivot into a second position (shown in dashed lines) in which a longitudinal axis  54  thereof is parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis  56  of the main body  16 . 
   To extinguish the candle  12 , the first position for the snuffer  52  is most commonly used. The second and third sections of conduit  28 ,  30  are extended and the furthermost extended section (i.e., the third section of conduit  30 ) is grasped by the user. The user then places the snuffer  52  over the second flame  42  for a period of time and in close enough proximity sufficient to extinguish the second flame  42 . Afterwards, the snuffer  52  is removed from the candle  12  and the second and third sections of conduit  28 ,  30  are retracted, as desired. 
   An alternate method for igniting the butane  20  includes a piezoelectric device  58  inside the main body  16  that is activated by depressing the trigger  18 . The trigger  18 , when the piezoelectric device  58  is used, compresses the piezoelectric device sufficient to produce an electrical potential while simultaneously releasing a quantity of the butane  20 . 
   A slow and partial depressing of the trigger  18  first releases a sufficient quantity of the butane so that when an arc is produced, as described below, a sufficient quantity of butane  20  to be ignited has already reached the end of the most extended section of conduit (i.e., the end of the third section of conduit  30 ). 
   A wire  60  extends from the piezoelectric device  58  to an electrode  62  that is disposed at the end of the third section of conduit  30  (i.e., the last extensible section of conduit that is provided). The electrode  62  is attached to the third section of conduit  30  and is electrically insulated therefrom. 
   Partial depression of the trigger  18  releases the butane  20 . Complete depression of the trigger  18 , which is momentarily delayed by the user, activates the piezoelectric device  58  sufficient to produce an electrical arc from the electrode  62  to the third section  30  after the butane  20  has reached the area of the electrode  62 . 
   The third section of conduit  30  is electrically connected to the second section of conduit  28  which, in turn, is electrically connected to the first section of conduit  24  which is electrically connected within the main body  16  to the piezoelectric device  58 . This completes an electrical circuit. 
   The arc ignites the butane  20  which produces the first flame  40 , thereby eliminating the need to use a match to ignite the butane  20 . The wire  60  extends into a nearly linear and parallel arrangement with respect to the sections of conduit  24 ,  28 ,  30  when the extensible sections  28 ,  30  are fully extended, and forms a small loop (not shown) when they are retracted. If desired, a reel (not shown) that is spring loaded could be attached to an exterior of the lighter  10  and used to supply tension to the wire  62  sufficient to retract (i.e., reel up) any excess of the wire  60  when the extensible sections  28 ,  30  are retracted. 
   The invention has been shown, described, and illustrated in substantial detail with reference to the presently preferred embodiment. It will be understood by those skilled in this art that other and further changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined by the claims appended hereto.