Abstract:
A lighter extension assembly includes an elongated extension member, a holster for holding a conventional disposable lighter, a main gripping portion, and a lighter ignition mechanism for providing linear movement by a lighter actuation assembly upon squeezing a trigger. The elongated extension member is telescopic and a supplemental handle may also be provided.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/443,389, filed Jan. 29, 2003. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to lighter accessories and more particularly pertains to a new lighter extension assembly for attaching to a lighter to permit ignition of the lighter and lighting of an item from an extended distance. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The use of lighter extensions is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,731 issued to Moore on Feb. 16, 1982 describes an elongated device having a lighter holster opposite a pistol grip trigger mechanism. Another type of lighter extension is U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,059 issued to Roosa et al. on Mar. 31, 1981 having an existing conventional lighter mounted on an extension having a lighter holder and a plunger or operating arm for selectively activating the lighter. U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,791 issued to Hayden on Jul. 31, 1984 discloses an elongated resilient member bent into a shape forming a holster positioned adjacent to an actuating end of the elongated resilient member such that squeezing adjacently positioned middle portions together actuates a lighter positioned in the holster. 
   While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a lighter extension that is extendable to a desired length and provides superior structure to facilitate accurate positioning of a lighter held in an extended position. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally comprises an elongated extension member, a holster for holding a conventional disposable lighter, a main gripping portion, and a lighter ignition mechanism for providing linear movement by a lighter actuation assembly upon squeezing a trigger. The elongated extension member is telescopic and a supplemental handle may also be provided. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a new lighter extension assembly according to the present invention in an extended position. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the present invention in a retracted position. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 2  thereof, a new lighter extension assembly embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
   As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 2 , the lighter extension assembly  10  is designed for holding a lighter  2  ignitable by a linear movement. The lighter extension assembly  10  comprises an elongated extension member  12  and a holster  14  designed for receiving and holding the lighter  2 . The holster  14  is positioned at a distal end  16  of the elongated extension member  12 . A main gripping member  18  extends from a proximal end  20  of the elongated extension member  12  opposite the holster  14 . A lighter ignition mechanism  22  extends along the elongated extension member  12  between the distal end  16  of the extension member  12  and the main gripping member  18 . An actuation assembly  24 , such as is shown and employed in the prior art cited above, is operationally coupled to the lighter ignition mechanism  22  such that manipulation of the lighter ignition mechanism  22  moves the actuation assembly  24  to provide the linear movement required to ignite the lighter  2 . 
   The lighter ignition mechanism  22  includes a trigger  26  positioned adjacent to the main gripping member  18  such that the trigger  26  is designed for being engaged by a finger of a hand grasping the main gripping member  18 . 
   Preferably, the actuation assembly  24  remains in contact with a gas release mechanism  4  of the lighter  2  while the trigger  26  is held in a pulled position. 
   The elongated extension member  12  is telescopic to facilitate adjustment of a distance of the lighter  2  from the main gripping member  18 . In this embodiment, the lighter ignition mechanism  22  includes a cable member  66  operationally coupled to the trigger  26  in a fashion similar to the use of a brake cable to remotely actuate bicycle brakes using a squeezing motion remote from the brake calipers. Thus, the extension member  12  may be adjusted back and forth without having to readjust the lighter ignition mechanism  22 . 
   In an embodiment, a supplemental handle  30  extends from a medial portion  32  of the elongated extension member  12  in spaced relationship to the main gripping member  18  to facilitate handling and controlling movement of the elongated extension member  12  during use. 
   In use, the lighter is positioned in the holster in an orientation such that the linear movement of the actuation assembly will properly engage the lighter to provide ignition. The extension member is adjusted if necessary to the desired length when a telescopic extension member is utilized. The trigger is pulled by a finger of a hand grasping the main gripping member. The lighter is ignited by the linear movement of the actuation assembly caused by pulling the trigger. The user releases the trigger to extinguish the lighter. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.