Bic Corporation

F Nicolas Garoffolo

Floyd B Fairbanks

James M McDonough

Chris A Barone

Daniel A Ferrara

James M Mcdonough

An utility lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. An ignitor assembly, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is operatively connected to the housing for generating a spark proximate the nozzle and an actuating assembly is connected to the housing proximate the handle and operates to both dispense fuel from the fuel supply and to activate the ignitor assembly. A latch member is operatively connected with the handle and includes a blocking portion connected for biased movement relative to the actuating assembly. The latch member is normally biased into engagement with the actuating assembly to prevent operative movement except when the user moves the latch member against the bias. When the latch member is moved out of engagement with the actuating assembly by the user, a trigger may be pulled to release fuel and initiate a spark at the nozzle. In another aspect, the piezoelectric element includes a contact directly contacting an electrically conductive portion of the housing extending generally between the piezoelectric mechanism and the nozzle. A spark is thereby generated between the electrically conductive housing and the nozzle to ignite a flame.

Utility lighter

The present invention relates to a utility lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. An ignitor assembly, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is operatively connected to the housing for generating a spark proximate the nozzle and an actuating assembly is connected to the housing proximate the handle and operates to both dispense fuel from the fuel supply and to activate the ignitor assembly. A linking mechanism is provided in order to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply prior to generation of a spark such that a spark is generated when fuel is present at the nozzle. A locating mechanism is provided proximate the valve of the fuel container in order to properly position the fuel container within the housing. In addition, an isolator cap is disposed around the nozzle to assist in directing the spark in the vicinity of the nozzle.

Growing community of inventors

Westport, CT, United States of America

F Nicolas Garoffolo