Patent ID: 8915456

Claim:
A torch assembly adapted to be attached to an associated fuel supply, the torch assembly comprising: a housing; a fuel line at least partially contained within the housing; a burn tube extending from the housing and adapted to receive fuel from the fuel line; an attachment member operatively connected to the housing for connecting the torch assembly to the associated fuel supply, the attachment member in fluid communication with the fuel line for delivering fuel from the associated fuel supply to the fuel line; and a control apparatus at least partially supported within the housing and configured to control the flow of fuel through the fuel line; wherein the control apparatus includes: a trigger for actuating an on/off valve adapted to permit or stop flow through the fuel line; a regulator adapted to at least partially restrict flow in the fuel line; and a controller operatively connected to the regulator to adjust the position of the regulator to vary the flow of fuel through the fuel line; wherein the controller is interposed between the trigger and the regulator; wherein the housing includes a lower pistol grip portion having a contoured gripping surface and an upper portion including the trigger, and wherein the controller is disposed between the trigger and the lower pistol grip portion of the housing, the position of the controller permitting operation of the controller with a person's hand while the hand is gripping the lower pistol grip portion of the housing; and wherein the trigger is located in spaced relation to a longitudinal axis of the lower pistol grip portion of the housing, and wherein the controller is located between the longitudinal axis of the lower pistol grip portion of the housing and the trigger.