Patent Publication Number: US-2023135739-A1

Title: Lighter with Replaceable Flint Member

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to a lighter, and more particularly to a lighter comprising a flint mounting frame which can be detached from a fuel casing and a supporting frame for facilitating replacement of a flint member. 
     Description of Related Arts 
     A conventional lighter usually comprises a fuel casing having a receiving cavity and a gas-releasing nozzle, an upper supporting frame mounted on the fuel casing, a flint member provided in the upper supporting frame at a position near the gas-releasing nozzle, a spark wheel rotatably supported in the upper supporting frame, and an actuator operatively provided on the fuel casing and connected to the gas-releasing nozzle. When in use, a user may simultaneously depress the actuator and rotate the spark wheel. When the actuator is depressed, the gas-releasing nozzle is lifted up so as to release gaseous fuel. At the same time, the spark wheel is arranged to hit the flint member and generate a spark so as to ignite the gaseous fuel coming out from the gas-releasing nozzle. Continuous stream of fire will then be generated by continuous supply of gaseous fuel. 
     A major disadvantage of conventional lighters such as the one described above is that the fire generated by the lighter is created by hitting the spark wheel against the flint member. When the lighter is used for a certain period time, the flint member will suffer wear and tear and needs replacement. The problem, however, is that it is very difficult, if not infeasible, for a user to replace the flint member. Some models of lighters simply don&#39;t allow a user to replace the flint member. As a result, instead of replacing the flint members, most people will get a new lighter and this causes a waste of resources and money. 
     As a result, there is a need to develop a lighter which allows a user to replace a flint member with ease and convenience. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Certain variations of present invention provide a lighter comprising a flint mounting frame which can be detached from a fuel casing and a supporting frame for facilitating easy replacement of a flint member. 
     In one aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, it provides a lighter, comprising: 
     a fuel casing having a fuel storage cavity, and an accommodating slot formed in the fuel storage cavity; 
     a gas-releasing nozzle movably provided on the fuel casing; 
     a supporting frame provided on the fuel casing; and 
     a flint mounting frame having an upper operative frame detachably mounted on the supporting frame, and a lower mounting frame detachably attached on the upper operative frame and extended in the accommodating slot; 
     a spark wheel rotatably supported on the upper operative frame of the flint mounting frame; 
     a flint member detachably mounted in the lower mounting frame of the flint mounting frame and extended toward the upper operative frame to communicate with the spark wheel, in such a manner that when the spark wheel is rotated, a spark is generated at the flint member, wherein when the flint mounting frame is detached from the supporting frame and the fuel casing, the flint member is capable of being detached from the lower mounting frame for replacement; and 
     an actuator operatively mounted on the supporting frame and connected to the gas-releasing nozzle, in such a manner that when the actuator is depressed, the gas-releasing nozzle is lifted up for releasing fuel stored in the fuel storage cavity. 
     This summary presented above is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify any key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a lighter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the lighter according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a gas-releasing nozzle provided on a fuel casing. 
         FIG.  3    is a partial perspective view of the lighter according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating connections between an actuator, a flint mounting frame, and the gas-releasing nozzle. 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic diagram of the lighter according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a fuel casing has an accommodating slot. 
         FIG.  5    is an exploded perspective view of the lighter according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is an exploded perspective view of the flint mounting frame of the lighter according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of the actuator of the lighter according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  8    is a partial perspective view of a supporting frame of the lighter according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  9 A  to  FIG.  9 E  are schematic diagram illustrating replacement of flint member of the lighter according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is the preferred mode of carrying out the present disclosure. The description is not to be taken in any limiting sense. It is presented for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     It should be appreciated that the terms “install”, “connect”, “couple”, and “mount” in the following description refer to the connecting relationship in the accompanying drawings for easy understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the connection can refer to permanent connection or detachable connection or connection through connecting pipes. Furthermore, “connected” may also mean direct connection or indirect connection, or connection through other auxiliary components, such as at least one connecting pipe  100  or at least one air conduit. Therefore, the above terms should not be an actual connection limitation of the elements of embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     It should be appreciated that the terms “length”, “width”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, vertical”, “horizontal”, “upper”, “lower”, “exterior”, and “interior” in the following description refer to the orientation or positioning relationship in the accompanying drawings for easy understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure without limiting the actual location or orientation of embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the above terms should not be an actual location limitation of the elements of embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     It should be appreciated that the terms “first”, “second”, “one”, “a”, and “an” in the following description refer to “at least one” or “one or more” in the embodiment. In particular, the term “a” in one embodiment may refer to “one” while in another embodiment may refer to “more than one”. Therefore, the above terms should not be an actual numerical limitation of the elements of embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  8    and  FIG.  9 A  to  FIG.  9 E  of the drawings, a lighter according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. Broadly, the lighter may comprise a fuel casing  10 , a gas-releasing nozzle  20  movably provided on the fuel casing  10 , a supporting frame  30  provided on the fuel casing  10 , a flint mounting frame  40 , a spark wheel  50 , a flint member  60 , and an actuator  70 . 
     The fuel casing  10  may have a fuel storage cavity  11 , and an accommodating slot  12  formed in the fuel storage cavity  11 . The fuel storage cavity  11  may be arranged to store a predetermined of fuel in liquid state. The gas-releasing nozzle  20  may be movably provided on the fuel casing  10  such that when the gas-releasing nozzle  20  is uplifted, the fuel in the fuel storage cavity  11  may be converted into gaseous state and may be ejected through the gas-releasing nozzle  20 . 
     The flint mounting frame  40  may comprise an upper operative frame  41  detachably mounted on the supporting frame  30 , and a lower mounting frame  42  detachably attached to the upper operative frame  41  and at least partially extended in the accommodating slot  12  of the fuel casing  10 . 
     The spark wheel  50  may be rotatably supported on the upper operative frame  41  of the flint mounting frame  40 . 
     The flint member  60  may be detachably mounted in the lower mounting frame  42  of the flint mounting frame  40  and extend toward the upper operative frame  41  to communicate with the spark wheel  50 , in such a manner that when the spark wheel  50  is rotated, a spark is generated at the flint member  60 . The flint mounting frame  40  may be detached from the supporting frame  30  and the fuel casing  10 , wherein the flint member  60  may be detached from the lower mounting frame  42  of the flint mounting frame  40  for replacement by a new flint member  60 . 
     The actuator  70  may be operatively mounted on the supporting frame  30  and connected to the gas-releasing nozzle  20 , in such a manner that when the actuator  70  is depressed, the gas-releasing nozzle  20  may be lifted up for releasing the fuel stored in the fuel storage cavity  11 . 
     According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the supporting frame  30  may be mounted on top of the fuel casing  10 . The supporting frame  30  may comprise a side boundary wall  31 , a top wall  32 , and a receiving cavity  33  formed in a space surrounded by the side boundary wall  31  and the top wall  32 . The side boundary wall  31  may have a curved external contour so as to match an external shape of the fuel casing  10 . The top wall  32  may have a flame releasing slot  321  for allowing flame to pass through. The gas-releasing nozzle  20  may be positioned corresponding to the flame releasing slot  321  so that ignited gas released through the gas-releasing nozzle  20  may be arranged to pass through the flame releasing slot  321 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3    of the drawings, lighter may further comprise a first securing frame  34  and a second securing frame  35  extended from the fuel casing  10  and positioned adjacent to two end portions  311  of the side boundary wall  31  of the supporting frame  30 , wherein the first securing frame  34  and the second securing frame  35  may be positioned to face each other. Each of the first securing frame  34  and the second securing frame  35  may have an engaging slot  36 . 
     The upper operative frame  41  of the flint mounting member  40  may comprise a supporting base wall  411  and two sidewalls  412  upwardly extended from the supporting base wall  411  to form a wheel cavity  413  at a space surrounded by the supporting base wall  411  and the two sidewalls  412 . The spark wheel  50  may be rotatably supported in this wheel cavity  413 . Moreover, the upper operative frame  41  may further comprise a plurality of engaging members  414  outwardly protruded from the two sidewalls  412  respectively, wherein the engaging members  414  may be positioned corresponding to the engaging slots  36  of the first securing frame  34  and the second securing frame  35  respectively, and may be arranged to detachably engage with the engaging slots  36  when the upper operative frame  41  is detachably accommodated in the receiving cavity  33 . Thus, the engaging members  414  and the engaging slots  36  may help to secure the upper operative frame  41  on top of the fuel casing  10 . 
     The upper operative frame  41  may further comprise an upper extension member  415  downwardly extended from the base wall  411  to detachably connect to the lower mounting frame  42 . The upper extension member  415  may be configured to be a hollow structure and may have an upper cavity  4151  for accommodating the flint member  60  therein. The base wall  411  may further have a through hole  4111  formed thereon for communicating the wheel cavity  413  with the upper cavity  4141  of the upper extension member  415 . As such, the flint member  60  may be accommodated in the upper extension member  415  and partially expose to the wheel cavity  413  through the through hole  4111 . 
     On the other hand, the lower mounting frame  42  may also be configured to be a hollow structure and may have a lower cavity  421 . The flint mounting member  40  may further comprise a resilient element  43  partially received in the lower cavity  421  for biasing against the flint member  60 . The lower mounting frame  42  may detachably attach to the upper extension member  415  so that the lower cavity  421  may communicate with the upper cavity  4151  when the lower mounting frame  42  is detachably attached to the upper extension member  415 . As shown in  FIG.  6    of the drawings, the resilient element  43  may extend in the lower cavity  421  and the upper cavity  4151  for biasing against the flint member  60  received in the upper cavity  4151 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3    of the drawings, the flint member  60  may have an elongated structure and may be partially received in the upper operative frame  41 . More specifically, the flint member  60  may be movably received in at least the upper cavity  4151  (or the lower cavity  421  as well depending on the length of the flint member  60 ) and may extend toward the wheel cavity  413 . The resilient element  43 , which may be configured as a compression spring, may be received in the lower cavity  421  and may exert a biasing force against a lower end  62  of the flint member  60 . Thus, the flint member  60  may be pushed by the resilient element  43  so that its upper end  61  may penetrate through the through hole  4111  and expose to the wheel cavity  413 . The upper end  61  of the flint member  60  may be arranged to bias against the spark wheel  50  so that when the spark wheel  50  is driven to rotate, the spark wheel  50  may hit the flint member  60  and generate a spark in the wheel cavity  413 . 
     The spark wheel  50  may comprise a main ignition wheel  51  and a plurality of retention wheels  52  coaxially provided at two sides of the main ignition wheel  51 . A diameter of each of the retention wheels  52  may be greater than that of the main ignition wheel  51 . Each of the main ignition wheel  51  and the retention wheels  52  may have a plurality of teeth  53  formed thereon, wherein the teeth  53  on the main ignition wheel  51  may be arranged to physically hit the flint member  60  when the spark wheel  50  is driven to rotate. The retention wheels  52  may be rotatably connected to the sidewalls  412  of the upper operative frame  41  so as to rotatably mount the spark wheel  50  on the flint mounting frame  40 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3    and  FIG.  7    of the drawings, the actuator  70  may comprise a depression member  71  movably provided on top of the fuel casing  10  adjacent to the supporting frame  30 , a lifting member  72  connected to the gas-releasing nozzle  20 , and at least one connecting member  73  extended between the depression member  71  and the lifting member  72 . According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the actuator  70  may comprise a plurality of connecting members  73  spacedly extended between the depression member  71  and the lifting member  72 . Thus, the actuator  70  may further have a passage slot  74  defined as the space formed between the two connecting members  73 . 
     Each of the connecting members  73  may have a first inclined portion  731 , a second inclined portion  732 , and an elongated portion  733  integrally extended between the first inclined portion  731  and the second inclined portion  732 . The first inclined portions  731  of the connecting members  73  may be connected to the lifting member  72 , while the second inclined portions  732  of the connecting members  73  may be connected to the depression member  71 . For each of the connecting members  73 , the first inclined portion  731  and the second inclined portion  732  may be upwardly and inclinedly extended from two ends of the corresponding elongated portion  733 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   ,  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  8    of the drawings, the flint mounting frame  40  may penetrate through the passage slot  74  so that the upper operative frame  41  may be mounted on the first securing frame  34  and the second securing frame  35  through the engaging members  414 . The lower mounting frame  42  may downwardly extend from the upper operative frame  41  through the passage slot  74 . 
     The actuator  70  may further comprise a plurality of pivotal shafts  75  outwardly extended from the connecting members  73  to pivotally connect to the first securing frame  34  and the second securing frame  35  respectively. Accordingly, each of the first securing frame  34  and the second securing frame  35  may have a positioning slot  37  positioned to correspond to that of the pivotal shafts  75 . The pivotal shafts  75  may be arranged to pivotally connect to the positioning slots  37  so as to pivotally connect the actuator  70  to the first securing frame  34  and the second securing frame  35 . In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pivotal shafts  75  may outwardly extend from the first inclined portions  731  of the connecting members  73  respectively. 
     The lifting member  72  may have a lifting slot  721  engaging with the gas-releasing nozzle  20 . When the depression member  71  is depressed, the lifting member  72  may be pivotally move upwardly by lever action of the connecting members  73  so as to lift up the gas-releasing nozzle  20  for releasing the fuel stored in the fuel storage cavity  11  in gaseous form. 
     As shown in  FIG.  9 A  to  FIG.  9 E  of the drawings, the operation of the present invention may be described as follows: when a user wishes to ignite the lighter, he may manually depress the depression member  71  of the actuator  70  so as to lift up the gas-releasing nozzle  20  for releasing fuel in gaseous form to the wheel cavity  413 . At the same time, the user may rotate the spark wheel  50  so that the teeth  53  of the main ignition wheel  51  may hit the upper end  61  of the flint member  60  and generate a spark in the wheel cavity  413 . The results of these actions generate a flame at the flame releasing slot  321  formed on the top wall  32  of the supporting member  30 . 
     When the user wishes to replace the flint member  60 , the user may need to pivotally move the depression member  71  of the actuator  70  in upward direction (see  FIG.  9 A ). In doing so, the elongated portions  733  of the connecting members  73  may bias against the upper operative frame  41  so as to disengage the engaging members  414  from the engaging slots  36 . This action may cause the upper operative frame  41  to disengage from the supporting frame  30 . A user may then manually take out the entire flint mounting frame  40  from the fuel casing  10  (see  FIG.  9 B ). The user may then detach the lower mounting frame  42  from the upper extension member  415  of the upper operative frame  41  and replace the flint member  60  received in the upper cavity  4141  (see  FIG.  9 C ). After that, the user may re-attach the lower mounting frame  42  back to the upper operative frame  41  and re-attach the flint mounting frame  40  back to the supporting frame  30  by inserting the lower mounting frame  42  into the accommodating slot  12  and engaging the engaging members  414  to the engaging slots  36  (see  FIG.  9 D  and  FIG.  9 E ). After that, the depression member  71  may be pushed to restore to its original position. 
     From the forgoing descriptions, one skilled in the art may appreciate that the present invention may allow a user to conveniently replace the flint member  60  from the lighter. Thus, when the flint member  60  is dissipated due to prolonged usage, the user can only replace the flint member  60  without replacing the entire lighter. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure, while illustrated and described in terms of a preferred embodiment and several alternatives, is not limited to the particular description contained in this specification. Additional alternative or equivalent components could also be used to practice embodiments of the present disclosure.