Patent Description:
Lighters are available in many shapes, sizes, and styles. Most pocket lighters have an elongated body or housing containing lighter fluid and a button or trigger located at one end of the housing that is used to activate the lighter to produce a flame. To use the pocket lighter, the pocket lighter is typically grasped in the hand of a person and the person uses his/her thumb to press the button or trigger to produce the flame.

<CIT> discloses a cigarette lighter with an improved flow of combustion air to ensure a safe and stable ignition at a spark gap. Such lighter nevertheless presents a number of drawbacks.

The figures are not to scale. Instead, the thickness of the layers or regions may be enlarged in the drawings. Although the figures show layers and regions with clean lines and boundaries, some or all of these lines and/or boundaries may be idealized. In reality, the boundaries and/or lines may be unobservable, blended, and/or irregular. In general, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts. As used herein, unless otherwise stated, the term "above" describes the relationship of two parts relative to Earth. A first part is above a second part, if the second part has at least one part between Earth and the first part. Likewise, as used herein, a first part is "below" a second part when the first part is closer to the Earth than the second part. As noted above, a first part can be above or below a second part with one or more of: other parts therebetween, without other parts therebetween, with the first and second parts touching, or without the first and second parts being in direct contact with one another.

As used in this patent, stating that any part (e.g., a layer, film, area, region, or platform) is in any way on (e.g., positioned on, located on, disposed on, or formed on, etc.) another part, indicates that the referenced part is either in contact with the other part, or that the referenced part is above the other part with one or more intermediate part(s) located therebetween. As used herein, connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) may include intermediate members between the elements referenced by the connection reference and/or relative movement between those elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and/or in fixed relation to each other. As used herein, stating that any part is in "contact" with another part is defined to mean that there is no intermediate part between the two parts.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, descriptors such as "first," "second," "third," etc., are used herein without imputing or otherwise indicating any meaning of priority, physical order, arrangement in a list, and/or ordering in any way, but are merely used as labels and/or arbitrary names to distinguish elements for ease of understanding the disclosed examples. " In such instances, it should be understood that such descriptors are used merely for identifying those elements distinctly that might, for example, otherwise share a same name. As used herein, "approximately" and "about" refer to dimensions that may not be exact due to manufacturing tolerances and/or other real world imperfections.

Handheld lighters are used for a variety of purposes, such as lighting a cigarette, lighting a fire, starting a grill, lighting a candle, etc. Known handheld lighters are generally rectangular or cylindrically shaped and have a button, trigger, or lighting mechanism on one end. To light an object such as a cigarette, for example, the lighter can be held in a person's hand in a generally vertical or upright orientation. However, to activate the lighter, the lighter must be held in a specific orientation in the person's hand so that the user can press the trigger or button with his/her thumb. This often requires a person to adjust the position of the lighter in his/her hand after picking up the lighter. Also, some people may be uncomfortable with pressing the button or trigger with his/her thumb (e.g., due a medical condition).

Disclosed herein are example lighters, which may be referred to as table-top lighters, that can be ignited from various angles or orientations in a person's hand or while setting on a surface such as a table or counter. As such, a person holding and/or using the lighter does not have to readjust his/her hand.

Further, if the lighter is set on a surface such as a table, one or more persons sitting around the lighter can activate the lighter from their various positions without having to re-orient the lighter.

An example lighter disclosed herein includes a base or housing have a top side. The lighter includes a flame ignition assembly at least partially disposed in the base. As used herein, a flame ignition assembly means the one or more components used to create or produce a flame, such as a spark wheel, a stone, a piezoelectric element, an adjusting wheel, a nozzle, a wick or tube, and/or a fuel container or reservoir with fuel. The example lighter includes a nozzle guide with one or more nozzles or jets that extend upward from a center of the top side of the base. The example lighter also includes a button (sometimes referred to as trigger) above the top side. The button is moveable up and down (i.e., via translational motion) relative to the base. The button has an opening extending through the button. The nozzle guide and the nozzle(s) is/are disposed in the opening. The button has a platform, and the opening extends through the platform. In some examples, the opening extends through a center of the platform. A person can press down on the platform to move the button downward toward the base, which exposes the nozzles(s), and which causes the flame ignition assembly to produce a flame at the nozzle(s). The flame is produced at or near (e.g., above) a center of the platform. As such, the platform substantially surrounds the nozzle guide and nozzle(s). Therefore, the platform can be contacted and pressed down by one or more persons at any orientation (e.g., <NUM> °) around the lighter. For example, a person can hold the base in his/her hand and press down on the platform with his/her thumb (or another finger) at any orientation in the person's hand. Further, the lighter can be set on a surface, such as a table or counter, and people positioned around the table can press down on the platform from their position to ignite the lighter. The platform can be pressed downward with any finger of the person. As such, person's do not need to use his/her thumb to light the lighter as typical with known lighters.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an example lighter <NUM> constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. The lighter <NUM> can be used to produce a flame, which can be used for lighting any object, such as a candle, a cigarette, a cigar, a firework, etc. The example lighter <NUM> may be considered a table-top lighter because the lighter <NUM> can be set on a table or other surface and activated. However, in some examples, the lighter <NUM> also may be relatively small and portable and, thus, may also be referred to as a pocket lighter or a handheld lighter.

In the illustrated example, the lighter <NUM> includes a base <NUM>. The base <NUM> may also be referred to as a body or housing. The base <NUM> can be held in a hand of a person when lighting the lighter <NUM> and/or can be set on a surface (e.g., table, a counter, a desk, a bar top, etc.) when lighting the lighter <NUM>. In this example, the base <NUM> is cuboid-shape. The base <NUM> has a first side <NUM>, a second side <NUM> opposite the first side <NUM>, a third side <NUM> between the first and second sides <NUM>, <NUM>, and a fourth side <NUM> between the first and second sides <NUM>, <NUM> opposite the third side <NUM>. The base <NUM> also has a top side <NUM> (between the sides <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and a bottom side <NUM> (between the sides <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) opposite the top side <NUM>. The base <NUM> can be set on a table or other surface with the bottom side <NUM> facing downward. In some examples, the base <NUM> is constructed of plastic and/or metal (e.g., aluminum). In other examples, the base <NUM> can be constructed of other materials. The base <NUM> has a central or longitudinal axis <NUM>. The base <NUM> has a nozzle guide <NUM> extending upward from the top side <NUM>. The lighter <NUM> includes a flame ignition assembly (shown in further detail herein) having one or more nozzles or jets in the nozzle guide <NUM>. The nozzle(s) eject(s) fuel (e.g., Naphtha, butane, etc.) to produce a flame.

In the illustrated example, the lighter <NUM> includes a button <NUM> (which may also be referred to as a trigger). The button <NUM> is moveably coupled to the base <NUM>. In particular, the button <NUM> is moveable relative to the base <NUM>. When the button <NUM> is pressed (e.g., moved downward toward the base <NUM>), the button <NUM> causes the flame ignition assembly to produce a flame at the nozzle(s). In the illustrated example, the button <NUM> has an opening <NUM> (e.g., a through-hole) extending through the button <NUM>. The nozzle guide <NUM> extends into the opening <NUM> and, thus, the nozzle guide <NUM> and the nozzle(s) is/are disposed in the opening <NUM>. When the button <NUM> is pressed, a flame is produced above the nozzle guide <NUM> and, thus, at or above the button <NUM>.

In the illustrated example, the button <NUM> includes a platform <NUM>, which may also be referred to as a plate. The platform <NUM> is positioned parallel to and spaced from the top side <NUM> of the base <NUM>. The platform has a top side <NUM> and a bottom side <NUM> opposite the top side <NUM>. A person can press the top side <NUM> of the platform <NUM> to move the button <NUM> downward and toward the base <NUM> to activate the lighter <NUM> to produce a flame. Therefore, in this example, the button <NUM> is moveable linearly along the axis <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the top side <NUM> of the platform <NUM> is ribbed. In some examples, this enhances grip between the person's finger(s) and the button <NUM>. In other examples, other textures and/or gripping features may be incorporated into the platform <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the base <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> in the top side <NUM> of the base <NUM>. The button <NUM> includes a guide <NUM> extending from the bottom side <NUM> of the platform <NUM> and into the opening <NUM> in the top side <NUM> of the base <NUM>. The opening <NUM> in the button <NUM> extends through the platform <NUM> and the guide <NUM>.

In this example, the lighter <NUM> is implemented as a click button lighter. When the button <NUM> is activated or triggered (e.g., pushed, depressed, etc.), a valve is opened that allows the fuel to flow from the nozzle(s), and a spark is created near the nozzles (e.g., via a piezoelectric element, via a spark wheel, etc.). The spark ignites the fuel, thereby creating a flame at the nozzle(s). In this example, the button <NUM> is depressed by moving the button <NUM> toward the top side <NUM> of the base <NUM>. A person may touch the top side <NUM> of the platform <NUM> (e.g., with his/her finger) and press downward toward the base <NUM>. The button <NUM> is moveable between a first (extended) position and a second (depressed) position.

For example, <FIG> shows the lighter <NUM> with the button <NUM> in the first (extended) position, and <FIG> shows the button <NUM> after being depressed downward to the second (depressed) position. In this example, the nozzle guide <NUM> is disposed below the top side <NUM> of the platform <NUM> when the button <NUM> is in the first (extended) position shown <FIG>. However, the nozzle guide <NUM> extends from the top side <NUM> of the platform <NUM> when the button <NUM> is in the second (depressed) position shown in <FIG>. Therefore, the nozzle guide <NUM> and the nozzle(s) are exposed when the button <NUM> is depressed.

<FIG> is perspective view of the example lighter <NUM> showing the button <NUM> in the second (depressed) position. The lighter <NUM> includes a flame ignition assembly <NUM> at least partially disposed in the base <NUM>. As disclosed above, the flame ignition assembly <NUM> includes one or more nozzles (sometimes referred to as jets). In this example, the flame ignition assembly <NUM> includes four nozzles <NUM> (one of which is referenced in <FIG>). The nozzles <NUM> are disposed in the nozzle guide <NUM>. In this example, the nozzles <NUM> are arranged in a 2x2 configuration. In other examples, the flame ignition assembly <NUM> can include more or fewer nozzles and/or the nozzles can be arranged in other configurations. When the button <NUM> is moved to the second (depressed) position (<FIG>), the button <NUM> causes the flame ignition assembly <NUM> to produce a flame at the nozzles <NUM>. In some examples, the flame is maintained at the nozzle <NUM> as long as the button <NUM> is triggered (or until the fuel is consumed). In some examples, then the button <NUM> is released, the button <NUM> automatically returns to the first (extended) position in <FIG>. In some examples, the lighter <NUM> includes a spring or other biasing member that returns the button <NUM> to the first (extended) position when released.

In some examples, the flame ignition assembly <NUM> is a Naphtha-based assembly and includes Naphtha fluid disposed in the base <NUM>. In other examples, the flame ignition assembly <NUM> may contain other types of fluid (e.g., butane). Further, while in the illustrated example the lighter <NUM> is implemented as a click button lighter, in other examples, the lighter <NUM> can be implemented as another type of lighter, such as an electric arc lighter, a lighter having a spark wheel, etc..

Referring back to <FIG>, the button <NUM> is aligned above the base <NUM>. A central or longitudinal axis of the button <NUM> is coaxial with the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the base. In the illustrated example, the opening <NUM> extends through a center of the button <NUM>. Said another way, a central axis of the opening <NUM> is coaxial with the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the base <NUM>. As such, the platform <NUM> substantially surrounds the opening <NUM> and the nozzle(s) <NUM>. This enables a person to access and press the button <NUM> from any orientation (e.g., from <NUM>° around the axis <NUM>). For example, a person may hold the base <NUM> in his/her hand at any orientation and press the button <NUM> to activate the lighter <NUM>. Therefore, unlike known lighters, the person does not need to hold the lighter <NUM> in a particular orientation in their hand to be able to press the button <NUM>. Further, the lighter <NUM> can be set on a surface, such as a table, and one or more persons sitting or otherwise positioned around the lighter <NUM> can press the button <NUM> from their position without having to reorient the lighter <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded view of the example lighter <NUM> showing the button <NUM> above the base <NUM>. As disclosed above, the base <NUM> has the nozzle guide <NUM> extending upward from the top side <NUM> of the base <NUM>. When the lighter <NUM> is assembled, the nozzle guide <NUM> extends into the opening <NUM> in the button <NUM>. When button <NUM> is moveable up and down relative to the nozzle guide <NUM>. In some examples, the button <NUM> slides along an outer surface of the nozzle guide <NUM>. Further, as disclosed above, the base <NUM> has the opening <NUM> in the top side <NUM>. When the lighter <NUM> is assembled, the guide <NUM> of the button <NUM> extends into the opening <NUM>. When the button <NUM> is depressed and released, the guide <NUM> moves up and down in the opening <NUM>. In some examples, an outer surface of the guide <NUM> slides along an inner surface of the top side <NUM> forming the opening <NUM>. In other examples the outer surface of the guide <NUM> may be spaced from the inner surface of the top side <NUM> forming the opening <NUM>.

<FIG> is a top view of the lighter <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the platform <NUM> of the button <NUM> has a same cross-sectional shape as the base <NUM>, which is a rounded square or rectilinear shape. In the illustrated example, the platform <NUM> has a smaller area (from the top view) than the base <NUM>. In other examples, the platform <NUM> may have the same area or a larger area than the base <NUM>. In other examples, the base <NUM> and/or the platform <NUM> of the button <NUM> can be shaped differently. For example, the base <NUM> may be a cylindrical shape, and the platform <NUM> may be a circular shape.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the lighter <NUM> showing the second side <NUM>. The lighter <NUM> can have one or more example features for controlling the lighter <NUM> and/or monitoring the status of the lighter <NUM>. For example, the lighter <NUM> has an example safety lock <NUM> on the second side <NUM>. The lock can be used to lock and prevent movement of the button <NUM> and, thus, prevent the lighter <NUM> from producing a flame. In this example, the lock <NUM> is a physical button or switch that can be moved (e.g., slid) between an unlocked position and a locked position. When the lock <NUM> is in the unlocked position, the button <NUM> can be depressed for normal operation. When the lock <NUM> is in the locked position, the button <NUM> is locked or otherwise prevented from moving downward.

In the illustrated example, the lighter <NUM> has an example flame adjustment dial <NUM> on the second side <NUM>. The flame adjustment dial <NUM> can be rotated (e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise) to increase or decrease the size of the flame. For example, the flame adjustment dial <NUM> can increase or decrease fuel flow through the nozzle(s) <NUM> (<FIG>) to change a size of the flame. In other examples, the flame adjustment feature may be an adjustable toggle or other type of switch mechanism.

In the illustrated example, the lighter <NUM> has an example fuel level window <NUM> on the second side <NUM> to indicate a level of fuel in the lighter <NUM>. The fuel level window <NUM> enables a person to view the level of fuel through the second side <NUM>. In some examples, the fuel level window <NUM> is constructed of transparent plastic and/or glass. While in this example the lock <NUM>, the flame adjustment dial <NUM>, and the fuel level window <NUM> are on the second side <NUM> of the base <NUM>, in other examples, one or more of the features can be on other sides of the base <NUM>. Also, in other examples the lighter <NUM> can include fewer of these features, and/or the lighter <NUM> can include other features.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the lighter <NUM> showing the bottom side <NUM> of the base <NUM>. In some examples, the bottom side <NUM> of the base <NUM> has an example refill port <NUM>. A user can insert a nozzle into the refill port <NUM> to refill a fuel container in the base <NUM> with fuel. In some examples, the lighter <NUM> has a grip pad <NUM> on the bottom side <NUM>. The grip pad <NUM> enhances grip on a supporting surface (e.g., a table) to help reduce or prevent sliding. In some examples, the grip pad <NUM> is constructed of rubber. In other examples, the grip pad <NUM> can be constructed of other materials. In the illustrated example, the grip pad <NUM> is ribbed. In other examples, other textures and/or gripping features may be incorporated into the bottom side <NUM>. In some examples, a portion of the bottom side <NUM> is removeable to enable access to the internal compartment of the base <NUM>. In such examples, the grip pad <NUM> can be used to cover the fasteners such as rivets, screws, etc. on the bottom side <NUM> to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the lighter <NUM>.

In some examples, the lighter <NUM> may include a cover or lid that can be used as an ash tray.

For example, <FIG> shows the example lighter <NUM> and an example lid <NUM> on the example lighter <NUM>. The lid is removably positionable on the base <NUM> over the button <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Thus, the button <NUM> cannot be depressed with the lid <NUM> is on the base <NUM>. The lid <NUM> is removable from the base <NUM>. In some examples, the lid <NUM> is removably couplable to the base <NUM> (e.g., via friction fit, via magnets, etc.). In the illustrated example, the lid <NUM> has a same cross-sectional shape as the base <NUM>. As such, the outer surfaces of the lid <NUM> and the base <NUM> form a substantially continuous surface. In the illustrated example, the lid <NUM> has a top side <NUM> and a bottom side <NUM> opposite the top side <NUM>. The bottom side <NUM> is engaged with the top side <NUM> of the base <NUM>. In some examples, the top side <NUM> of the lid <NUM> is ribbed, which enhances grip when the lid <NUM> is set up-side-down on a surface (e.g., a table). In other examples, other textures and/or gripping features may be incorporated into the lid <NUM>.

In some examples, the lid <NUM> can be used as an ashtray or receptacle for storage. For example, <FIG> shows the lid <NUM> as removed from the base <NUM> and set up-side-down. The lid <NUM> has a recess or cavity <NUM> extending into the bottom side <NUM>, such that a wall is formed around the cavity <NUM>. The cavity <NUM> can be used to collect ash from a cigarette, for example. The lid <NUM> can be turned over to empty the ash after use. As such, the lid <NUM> can serve as an ashtray when the lid <NUM> is detached from the base <NUM>. In some examples, the lid <NUM> has one or more notches extending into the bottom side <NUM> (e.g., extending into the wall). For example, as shown in <FIG>, the lid <NUM> includes a first notch <NUM> and a second notch <NUM>. In other examples, the lid <NUM> can include more or fewer notches. The notches <NUM>, <NUM> can be used to support a cigarette or other smokeable product while lit to keep the lit end from laying on the lid <NUM> or other supporting surface. Further, as shown in <FIG>, the notches <NUM>, <NUM> (only the notch <NUM> is shown <FIG>) can be used as finger holes when grabbing and removing the lid <NUM> from the base <NUM>.

In other examples, the lid <NUM> may not have notches. For example, <FIG> show an example in which the lid <NUM> does not have notches.

<FIG> is a schematic of the flame ignition assembly <NUM> of the lighter <NUM>. As disclosed above, the flame ignition assembly <NUM> can be at least partially disposed in the base <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the flame ignition assembly <NUM> includes an example fuel reservoir or container <NUM> in the base <NUM>. The fuel container <NUM> can contain any type of lighter fluid, such as Naphtha or butane. The flame ignition assembly <NUM> includes an example fluid line or tube from the fuel container <NUM> to the nozzles <NUM>. In other examples, separate fluid lines or tubes can be coupled to respective ones of the nozzles <NUM>. The flame ignition assembly <NUM> includes an example valve <NUM> coupled to the fluid line <NUM>. The flame ignition assembly <NUM> includes an example lever <NUM>. When the button <NUM> is pressed downward, the guide <NUM> of the button <NUM> rotates the lever <NUM>, which opens the valve <NUM> to enable the fuel to flow to the nozzles <NUM>. In other examples, the valve <NUM> can be controlled by other mechanical configurations.

In the illustrated example, the flame ignition assembly <NUM> includes an example piezoelectric element <NUM> and example wires <NUM>, <NUM> extending from the piezoelectric element <NUM> to the opening of the nozzle guide <NUM>. When the button <NUM> is pressed downward, the guide <NUM> engages and compresses the piezoelectric element <NUM>, which creates a spark between the two wires <NUM>, <NUM> above the nozzles <NUM>. When the button <NUM> is pressed downward, the fuel is ejected from the nozzles <NUM> and ignited by the spark. Therefore, a flame is produced above the nozzles <NUM> and above the button <NUM>.

While in this example the flame ignition assembly <NUM> is a piezoelectric assembly, in other examples, the flame ignition assembly <NUM> can be implemented by another type of assembly, such as an electric arc assembly, an assembly having a spark wheel, etc..

Thus, whenever a claim employs any form of "include" or "comprise" (e.g., comprises, includes, comprising, including, having, etc.) as a preamble or within a claim recitation of any kind, it is to be understood that additional elements, terms, etc., may be present without falling outside the scope of the corresponding claim or recitation. The term "and/or" when used, for example, in a form such as A, B, and/or C refers to any combination or subset of A, B, C such as (<NUM>) A alone, (<NUM>) B alone, (<NUM>) C alone, (<NUM>) A with B, (<NUM>) A with C, (<NUM>) B with C, or (<NUM>) A with B and with C. As used herein in the context of describing structures, components, items, objects and/or things, the phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to refer to implementations including any of (<NUM>) at least one A, (<NUM>) at least one B, or (<NUM>) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, as used herein in the context of describing structures, components, items, objects and/or things, the phrase "at least one of A or B" is intended to refer to implementations including any of (<NUM>) at least one A, (<NUM>) at least one B, or (<NUM>) at least one A and at least one B. As used herein in the context of describing the performance or execution of processes, instructions, actions, activities and/or steps, the phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to refer to implementations including any of (<NUM>) at least one A, (<NUM>) at least one B, or (<NUM>) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, as used herein in the context of describing the performance or execution of processes, instructions, actions, activities and/or steps, the phrase "at least one of A or B" is intended to refer to implementations including any of (<NUM>) at least one A, (<NUM>) at least one B, or (<NUM>) at least one A and at least one B.

The term "a" or "an" object, as used herein, refers to one or more of that object. The terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more", and "at least one" are used interchangeably herein. Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements or method actions may be implemented by, e.g., the same entity or object.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that example lighters have been disclosed that can be easily activated from any orientation. As such, the example lighters do not need to be positioned in a specific orientation in a hand of user. Further, multiple people positioned around the lighter (e.g., when the lighter is positioned on a table or other surface) can activate the lighter from their respective positions without moving the lighter.

Claim 1:
A lighter (<NUM>) comprising:
a base (<NUM>) having a top side (<NUM>), a first opening (<NUM>) in the top side (<NUM>), and a nozzle guide (<NUM>) extending upward from the first opening (<NUM>) in the top side (<NUM>);
a flame ignition assembly (<NUM>) at least partially disposed in the base (<NUM>), the flame ignition assembly (<NUM>) including a nozzle (<NUM>), the nozzle (<NUM>) disposed in the nozzle guide (<NUM>); and
a button (<NUM>) having a second opening (<NUM>), the nozzle guide (<NUM>) disposed in the second opening (<NUM>) of the button (<NUM>), the button (<NUM>) to, when depressed, cause the flame ignition assembly (<NUM>) to produce a flame at the nozzle (<NUM>), wherein the button (<NUM>) has an extended position and a depressed position,
characterized in that the button (<NUM>) includes a platform (<NUM>) positioned parallel to and spaced above the top side (<NUM>) of the base (<NUM>), the platform (<NUM>) to, when pressed, move the button (<NUM>) toward the base (<NUM>), the platform (<NUM>) having a larger cross-sectional area than the first opening (<NUM>) in the top side (<NUM>) of the base (<NUM>) such that at least a portion of the platform (<NUM>) is over the top side (<NUM>) of the base (<NUM>), the nozzle guide (<NUM>) being disposed below a top side (<NUM>) of the platform (<NUM>) when the button (<NUM>) is in the extended position, and the nozzle guide (<NUM>) extending beyond the top side (<NUM>) of the platform (<NUM>) when the button (<NUM>) is in the depressed position.