Bic Corporation

Guy Laforest

Paul H Adams

Floyd B Fairbanks

Brian J Tubby

Richard M Orazietti

Marcel Meury

James M McDonough

Arthur R Hamilton, Jr

Gerald J Doiron

The present invention relates to a 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. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.

Utility lighter

A piezoelectric mechanism is disclosed that is normally depressible but would not produce a spark, unless a latch member is first activated to engage the plexor relative to the piezoelectric system, so that when the piezoelectric mechanism is compressed, the plexor is released to impact the piezoelectric system to produce a spark to ignite fuel gas.

Selectively actuatable piezoelectric ignition mechanism

The piezoelectric ignition mechanism of the present invention has a telescopic assembly having an inner and an outer members aided by a return spring for maintaining a maximum extension between the members. The inner member includes a piezoelectric element which is immobilized between an anvil and impact pad over which a plexor strikes to generate a spark. An impact spring for aiding the plexor is guided in the interior of the telescopic assembly and is disposed between the plexor and an end member connected to the outer telescopic member. A resistant spring is also disposed at or near the end member to provide additional resistance to the operation of the piezoelectric mechanism in order to discourage the undesirable operation by young users.

Piezoelectric lighter which has a higher level of difficulty for

The lighter of the present invention provides a resiliently deformable guard that covers a portion of the striking wheel assembly. To operate the lighter, a user exerts sufficient pressure to displace the guard before rotating the striking wheel assembly. The configuration of the guard with respect to other elements of the lighter and/or one or more retention means of the guard increases the retention of the guard. Further, the lighter of the present invention may provide a brake member to prevent the rotation of the striking wheel assembly when the user attempts to release fuel or rotate the striking wheel assembly before or without displacement of the guard.

Growing community of inventors

Cascais, Portugal

Guy Laforest