Patent Publication Number: US-2023142310-A1

Title: Roofing torch

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to torches, and more particularly to torches for home repairs and maintenance. 
     Torches are available for various home repairs. Small handheld torches may use a 14-ounce propane cylinder for small repairs, such as sweating pipe joints, and similar tasks. Larger torches have been provided that are configured to couple with a 20-pound propane cylinder, such as used with outdoor barbecue grilles. 
     Small handheld torches are inefficient for taking on large jobs, such as melting asphalt and tar sealing compositions on a roof. The larger torches do not have adequate handles and can be difficult to hold and comfortably utilize over the course of a roofing project or other household tasks, such as weed and ice remediation on lawns and walkways. 
     Likewise, each can be difficult or more dangerous to ignite, as they are typically lit with a spark generating striker device. Because of this difficulty, the torch is often left in a burning condition until the project is completed. This can leave the torch lit for longer periods than necessary often during movements from one area of a project to another, which presents the risk of inadvertently igniting another object when moving. This also leads to unnecessary consumption of propane during a project. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for improved torch that solves these and other problems with existing torches. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a torch device is disclosed. The torch device includes a body that is shaped like a firearm having an aft handgrip, a forward handgrip, a trigger guard, and an igniter guard. A fuel delivery assembly has a proximal end that is configured to be coupled with a fuel source and a distal end carrying a torch head. An igniter is carried within the body and is operable via the igniter guard. A nozzle tip is coupled with the torch head to discharge the fuel source into the torch head. A fuel delivery conduit communicates the fuel source between the nozzle tip and a trigger control operable via access through the trigger guard. 
     In other aspects of the invention a method of operating a torch is disclosed. The method includes providing a torch device comprising a body that is shaped like a firearm having an aft handgrip, a forward handgrip, a trigger guard, and an igniter guard, a fuel delivery assembly having a proximal end configured to be coupled with a fuel source and a distal end carrying a torch head, an igniter carried within the body and operable via the igniter guard, a nozzle tip is coupled with the torch head to discharge the fuel source into the torch head, and a fuel delivery conduit communicates the fuel source between the nozzle tip and a trigger control operable via access through the trigger guard. The torch device is then connected with the fuel source. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a side elevation view. 
         FIG.  2    is a longitudinal section view taken along the mid-line of the invention. 
         FIG.  3    is a side elevation view similar to  FIG.  2   , with the torch body removed. 
         FIG.  4    is a section view similar to  FIG.  2    showing an alternate routing of the hose. 
         FIG.  5    is an exploded side elevation view of the pin and cap assembly. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the nozzle tip. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a roofing torch that is convenient and comfortable to carry. The roofing torch also incorporates an igniter for safely igniting the torch, while carried. A trigger fuel control is also incorporated to easily regulate the flow of fuel through the roofing torch. 
     As seen in reference to the drawings of  FIGS.  1 - 6    a roofing torch  10  of the present invention includes a body  12  that is shaped like a firearm which surrounds the operative components of the roofing torch  10 . A torch head  14  is carried at a distal end of a fuel delivery assembly. An igniter wire  16  is carried within the torch head  14  and is configured to emit a spark when operating an igniter  18 . The igniter  18  is carried within the body  12 , preferably in a forward hand grip area of the body  12 . An igniter access  20  is provided in the body to guard the igniter  18  against an inadvertent discharge. 
     The fuel delivery assembly includes a proximal end, in communication with a fuel source and distal end with the torch head  14  carried at the distal end. A nozzle tip  22  is coupled with the torch head  14  to discharge fuel into the torch head  14 . A fuel delivery conduit  23  communicates the fuel from a trigger control  32 . The trigger control  32  is carried within a trigger housing  26  in the body  18  adjacent to an aft handgrip  24  configured for gripping by a user&#39;s hand. A fuel source conduit  28  is coupled with the trigger control  32 . A fuel shutoff valve  30  is coupled to proximal end of the fuel source conduit  28  and is configured to couple the roofing torch  10  to a fuel source, such as a 20 lb. propane cylinder, or a fuel line extension coupled with the fuel source. The fuel source conduit  28  may carried through an aperture defined in a lateral aspect of a stock end of the body  12  so that the roofing torch  10  may be rested on a butt of the stock end to provide a convenient support of the roofing torch  10  without damaging the fuel source conduit  28 . 
     The trigger control  32  includes a pin and cap assembly  38  that is moveably carried within a trigger regulator  35 . The pin and cap assembly  38  includes a plurality of seals  38 C that seal a pin  38 A and cap assembly within the trigger regulator  35 . A cap  38 B contains a biasing spring  44  that is configured to bias the pin  38 A to retain the trigger control  32  in a normally closed condition. A washer and a fastener  48 , such as a nut, couple the pin  38 A with the trigger control  32 . A control knob  40  is provided with the trigger regulator  35  to allow the user to adjust the amount of fuel delivered through the roofing torch  10  when the trigger control  32  is operated. 
     In use, the roofing torch  10  according to embodiments of the invention allow the user to comfortably grip aft handgrip  24  of the body  12  with a firsthand. The trigger control  32  is operable with a finger of the first hand. The user may then comfortably hold the roofing torch  10  by the forward handgrip and operate the igniter  18  with a finger of the second hand received in the igniter access  20 . 
     When connected with the fuel source, the user opens the fuel shutoff valve  30 . When the user is ready to apply a torch flame to a target area of a work project the user may pull the trigger control  32  with a finger of the first hand and ignite the fuel delivered to the nozzle  22  via the igniter  18  with a finger of the second hand. When the target area has been flame treated by the torch head  14 , the user may release the trigger control  32  to extinguish the flame. The user may adjust the size of the flame via the control knob  40 , to increase or decrease the flame when melting a roofing tar or other material on the roof. 
     While described as a roofing torch, the present invention may also find application to other household and construction tasks, such as weeding, thawing, and other applications requiring the use of a localized flame to incinerate or melt materials on a worksite. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.