The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 23, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 01, 1999
Paul Adams, Monroe, CT (US);
Floyd B Fairbanks, Naugatuck, CT (US);
Richard M Orazietti, Derby, CT (US);
Brian Tubby, Milford, CT (US);
Thomas G Vailionis, Watertown, CT (US);
James M McDonough, East Greenwich, RI (US);
BIC Corporation, Milford, CT (US);
Abstract
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.