Patent ID: 8303298

Claim:
A gas torch comprising: a handle portion including a distal end portion and a proximal end portion; an auto-ignition system disposed within the gas torch; a preheat oxygen conduit array extending through the gas torch; a fuel gas conduit array extending through the gas torch; a cutting oxygen conduit array extending through the gas torch; at least one safety device disposed within the gas torch; a cutting oxygen trigger; an ignition trigger operable to start preheat gas flow and to ignite the gas torch, the ignition trigger configured for automatic disengagement of the auto-ignition system when the ignition trigger is released; and a purge selector operatively engaged with the ignition trigger such that the conduit arrays can be purged with their respective gases without engaging the ignition system, wherein gases flowing through the preheat oxygen conduit array, the fuel gas conduit array and the cutting oxygen conduit array are mixed outside the handle portion and near a distal end portion of the gas torch.