Bic Corporation

Thomas G Vailionis

Paul H Adams

Floyd B Fairbanks

James M McDonough

Brian J Tubby

Michel J Doucet

Rene D Frigiere

Richard M Orazietti

Enrique Amoros Nollas

James M Mcdonough

Michel Doucet

The present invention relates to a utility lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle with an outlet at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. An electric ignitor assembly, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, has first and second electrical contacts operatively connected to a first electrical pathway. The first electrical pathway includes a first gap proximate the outlet. An ignition preventing assembly forming a second electrical pathway is also operatively connected to the electric ignitor assembly and has operative and inoperative configurations. In the inoperative configuration, the resistance of the second electrical pathway is less than the resistance of the first electrical pathway such that electrical current generated by the electric ignitor assembly selectively travels in the second electrical pathway. In the operative configuration, the resistance of the second electrical pathway is greater than the resistance of the first electrical pathway such that the electrical current selectively travels in the first electrical pathway and jumps across the first gap to form a spark to ignite fuel from the fuel supply. The second electrical pathway can be a continuous pathway to short circuit the electrical ignitor assembly in the inoperative condition. The second electrical pathway can also include a gap smaller than the first gap so that the spark is formed across this gap rather than the first gap in the inoperative condition. The ignition preventing assembly can be coupled with various mechanical mechanisms for preventing unwanted actuation.

Utility lighter

A lighter of the disposable type, ignition of which requires depression of an actuator that is resistant to the manipulations of unintended users. The lighter is normally maintained in a position that prevents depression of the actuator through the incorporation of a mechanism that increases the difficulty of operation. The actuation inhibiting mechanism requires a downward displacement and a tilted displacement in order to allow full depression of the actuator and activation of an ignition mechanism. Preferably, at least one biasing element is provided so that when the actuator is displaced through the application of force by a user, it returns to the initial blocking position when the force is removed.

Child resistant lighter

Growing community of inventors

Watertown, CT, United States of America

Thomas G Vailionis