U. S. Patent No. 5,769,625, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, discloses a state of the art safety lighter with an improved striker wheel and striker whee) mounting frame. The tighter has an igniter having a striker wheel which rotates about an axis in response to force applied to the wheel by a user's finger. The annular recessed center portion of the striker wheel's outer annular surface has protuberances formed thereon (or grooves formed therein), while the annular unrecessed lateral portions of the striker wheel's outer annular surface are smooth. Further, the striker wheel is mounted to the lighter in slots. The striker wheet is pressed from a first position having insufficient spring force to cause the lighter flint to spark when the striker wheel is rotated into a second position having sufficient spring force to cause the lighter flint to spark when the striker wheel is rotated.

While the depression of the striker wheel from a first position to a second position is an effective safety mechanism, the present invention provides an improvement whereby the rotoring striker wheel remains in the same position and rotates about the same horizontal axis.

There is no up or down displacement of the striker wheel. Rather, the present invention utilizes rotary hoods which are displaced from a first position to a second position to engage the outer edges of the striker wheel to translate rotary motion to the wheel and ignite the lighter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTiON The present invention is a lighter comprising an igniter having a striker wheel which rotates about an axis in response to force applied to the wheel by a user's thumb (or any other finger or hand part). The striker wheel has an outer annular surface having an annular recessed center portion and annular unrecessed lateral portions.

The annular recessed portion has a rough surface with protuberances formed thereon (or grooves formed therein). The annular unrecessed lateral portions of the striker wheels may be smooth or have protuberances thereon, depending upon the embodiment.

Rotary wheel hoods circumferentially surround the annular unrecessed lateral portions of the striker wheel. The hoods have inner and outer annular surfaces. The hoods also have a central opening formed theretluough to rotatably receive the central axle of the striker wheel.

The central opening has a diameter greater than the diameter of the central axle. Thus, the rotary wheel hoods are movable from a first position where the inner surface of the hoods do not contact the striker wheel to a second position where the inner surface of the hoods engage the striker wheel along the annular unrecessed lateral portions and impart rotational movement to the striker wheel to create sparks. The sparks ignite the lighter when the igniter is activated.

The inner and outer surfaces of the hoods may be smooth or have protuberances thereon, again, depending upon the embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figl I A is an exploded view of the safety lighter of the present invention showing (a) a striker wheel with protuberances on the outer portions and (b) a striker wheel having a smooth surface on the lateral portions. The rotary wheel hoods have smooth inner and outer surfaces.

Fig. I B is an exploded view of the safety tighter of the present invention showing (a) a striker wheel with protuberances on the outer portions and (b) a striker wheel having a smooth surface on the lateral portions. The rotary wheel hoods have smooth inner surfaces and protuberances on the outer surface.

Fig. 1C is an exploded view of the safety lighter of the present invention showing (a) a striker wheel with protuberances on the outer portions and (b) a striker wheel having a smooth surface on the lateral portions. The rotary wheel hoods have protuberances on the inner surface and a smooth outer surface.

Fig. 2A is an exploded detail view of that portion of the lighter shown in Fig. 1 A and more clearly shows the inventive aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 2B is an exploded detail view of that portion of the lighter shown in Fig. 1 B and more clearly shows the inventive aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 2C is an exploded detail view of that portion of the lighter shown in Fig. 1C and more clearly shows the inventive aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 3Aa is an assembled perspective detailed view of the portion of the lighter shown in Fig. 2A having protuberances on the lateral portion of the striker wheel showing no pressure being applied to the smooth inner and outer surfaces of rotary wheel hoods.

Figs. 3Ab is an assembled perspective detailed view of the portion of the lighter shown in Fig. 2A having smooth lateral portion surfaces of the striker wheel showing no pressure being applied to the smooth inner and outer surfaces of the rotary wheel hoods.

Fig. 3Ba is an assembled perspective detailed view of the portion of the lighter shown in Fin. 2B having protuberances on the lateral portions of the striker wheel showing no pressure being applied to the rotary wheel hoods having smooth inner surfaces and protuberances on the outer surfaces.

Fig. 3Bb is an assembled perspective detailed view of the portion of the lighter shown in Fig. 2B having smooth surfaces on the lateral portion of the striker wheel showing no pressure being applied to the rotary wheel hoods having smooth inner surfaces and protuberances on the outer surfaces.

Fig. 3Ca is an assembled perspective detailed view of the portion of the lighter shown in Fig. 2C having protuberances on the lateral portions of the striker wheel showing no pressure being applied to the rotary wheel hoods having protuberances on the inner surfaces and smooth outer surfaces.

Fig. 3Cb is an assembled perspective detailed view of the portion of the lighter shown in Fig. 2C having smooth surfaces on the lateral portions of the striker wheel showing no pressure being applied to the rotary wheel hoods having protuberances on the inner surfaces and smooth outer surfaces.

Fig. 4Aa is a partial side elevation view of the inventive aspects of the invention of Fig.

3Aa, partially broken away and sectioned.

Fig. 4Ab is a partial side elevation view of the inventive aspects of the invention of Fig.

3Ab, partially broken away and sectioned.

Fig. 4Ba is a partial side elevation view of the inventive aspects of the invention of Fig.

3Ba, partially broken away and sectioned.

Fig. 4Bb is a partial side elevation view of the inventive aspects of the invention of Fig.

3Bb, partially broken away and sectioned.

Fig. 4Ca is a partial side elevation view of the inventive aspects of the invention of Fig.

3Ca, partially broken away and sectioned.

Fig. 4Cb is a partial side elevation view of the inventive aspects of the invention of Fig.

3Cb, partially broken away and sectioned.

Fig. 5Aa is the view shown in Fig. 3Aa but with pressure being applied to the rotary wheel hoods.

Fig. 5Ab is the view shown in Fig. 3Ab but with pressure being applied to the rotary wheel hoods.

Fig. 5Ba is the view shown in Fig. 3Ba but with pressure being applied to the rotary wheel hoods.

Fig. 5Bb is the view shown in Fig. 3Bb but with pressure being applied to the rotary wheel hoods.

Fig. 5Ca is the view shown in Fig. 3Ca but with pressure being applied to the rotary wheel hoods.

Fig. 5Cb is the view shown in Fig. 3Cb but with pressure being applied to the rotary wheel hoods.

Fig. 6Aa is the side view shown in Fig. 4Aa but with pressure being applied to the rotary wheel hoods.

Fig. 6Ab is the side view shown in Fig. 4Ab but with pressure being applied to the rotary wheel hoods.

Fig. 6Ba is the side view shown in Fig. 4Ba but with pressure being applied to the rotary wheel hoods.

Fig. 6Bb is the side view shown in Fig. 4Bb but with pressure being applied to the rotary wheel hoods.

Fig. 6Ca is the side view shown in Fig. 4Ca but with pressure being applied to the rotary wheel hoods.

Fig. 6Cb is the side view shown in Fig. 4Cb but with pressure being applied to the rotary whee ! hoods.

DETAILED iDESCiLPTlON OF THE ll9VEl9TION The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the attached drawings which are referred to herein. The same reference numeral will be used to identify identical elements throughout the drawings.

Figs. IA-lC illustrate components commonly mounted on a lighter body 601 in which lighter fuel is contained. Such components include nozzle 608 having a head and a downwardly extending tube disposed toward the front of the lighter body 601, flame adjustment wheel 607 and thumb adjustment actuator 6t5 which is connected to the flame adjustment wheel, mounting frame 6 4, windshield 621, nozzle actuating lever 616, and an igniter comprising flint spring 617, flint 618, and striker wheel 620.

The tube of the nozzle is connected in communication relationship with the interior of the lighter body where, as mentioned above, fuel is stored. The nozzle may be moved from a lower position to an upper position. When the nozzle is in its lower position, fuel cannot be ejected from it. When the nozzle is in the upper position, fuel is ejected from it. In normal operation, a lighter's striker wheel is rotated and the rear of lever 6 16 is depressed virtually simultaneously, which causes the nozzle to be raised and a spark to be created when the teeth of the striker wheel fictionally engage the flint 618. The spark ignites the fuel and a flame is maintained so long as the rear of the lever is continued to be depressed downward.

Frame 614 is mounted on the lighter body with hollow frame stem 614D inserted in hole 601 A of the lighter body. Nozzle actuating lever 616 is mounted on the frame with pivots 616A inserted into slots 614B. Striker wheel 620 is formed in the shape of a wheel having an annular center portion 619 of its outer annular surface recessed relative to the annular lateral portions 620A of the striker wheel's outer annular surface. The striker wheel is mounted on frame 614 with the wheel's axle 620B fitting into holes 614C. Flint 618 and flint spring 617 are mounted in hole 614A of the mounting frame in the conventional fashion so as to urge the flint 618 toward protuberances 619A which are disposed on the annular recessed surface 619 of the striker wheel.

The protuberances 619A on annular recessed center portion 619 are a series of saw- tooth-shaped teeth, each having a first surface which is substantially perpendicular to the tangent of the circle from which the protuberances extend. This first surface faces in the clockwise direction as the lighter is viewed from the side shown in Fig. 4Aa. Each tooth also has a second surface, which slopes toward the counter-clockwise direction of the wheel when the lighter is viewed from its side with the front (or nozzle) end of the lighter toward the left as shown in Fig. 4Aa.

Figs. I A-I C illustrate that same general arrangement may be utilized in each embodiment of the invention. The principal difference with each embodiment relates to the rotary wheel hoods 922 and the annular unrecessed lateral portions 620A of striker wheel 620.

Turning now to the inventive rotary wheel hoods 922, it may be seen that the hoods are cap-like shrouds which circumferentially surround the annufar unrecessed lateral portions 620A of the striker wheel 620. The hoods have inner 922D and outer 922C annular surfaces. Each hood has a central axle opening 922A formed therethrough to rotatably receive the central axle 620B of the striker wheel. The diameter of the axle opening 922A is greater than the diameter of the axle 620B. Further, the inner diameter di of the rotary wheel hood 922 is greater than the diameter d,, of the annular unrecessed lateral portions 620A of the striker wheel 620. Thus, the striker wheel 620 cannot be actuated or rotated even if the rotary wheel hoods 922 are rotated. Only by pressing or urging downwardly upon the outer annular surface 922C of the hoods 922 wlile simultaneously rotating the hoods may the striker wheel 620 be rotated about its axle 620B.

As may be seen in the various figures, the inner annular surface 922D may be smooth or may have protuberances thereon. In the same way the outer annular surface 922C may be smooth or may have protuberances thereon. Likewise, the annular unrecessed lateral portions 620A of the striker wheel 620 may have protuberances (arrangement b, Fig I A) or be smooth (arrangement a, Fig. 1 A).

Fig. I A illustrates both inner and outer annular surfaces of the hoods 922 as being smooth, but the annular unrecessed lateral portion 620A of the striker wheel 620 may be smooth (b) or have protuberances (a). The amount of pressure which must be applied to the hoods 922 to cause rotation of the striker wheel 620 will vary depending upon the arrangement of the smoother versus protuberanced surfaces of the hoods and the smooth versus protuberanced surfaces of the annular unrecessed lateral portions 620A of the striker wheel 620.

Fig. I B illustrates hoods 922 having smooth inner surfaces 922D and outer surfaces 922 having protuberances. Again, the striker wheel is shown having protuberances in arrangement (a) while in arrangement (b) these unrecessed lateral portions 620A are smooth.

Flint 6 ! S and spring 617 are assembled into hole 614A of the mounting frame. Under action of spring 617, the upper end of the flint 618 is urged against the under side of the recessed portion 619 of the striker wheel 620. In this first position, if a child rotates outer surface 922C of the hood 922 in the clockwise direction, only the hood 922 will rotate while the striker wheel 620 will not rotate because the diameter of the axle opening 922A of the hood 922 is larger than that of the axle 620A and the inner diameter d ; of the hood 922 is greater than the diameter d, of the annular unrecessed lateral portions 620A.

Fig. 1C shows hoods 922 having protuberances on the annutar inner surfaces 922D and annular outer surfaces 922C being smooth. Arrangement (a) of the striker wheel 620 shows lateral portions with protuberances and arrangement (b) shows lateral portions being smooth.

Operation in the first position of the hoods, with no downwardly urging pressure, is the same as in Figs. I A and I B.

Figs. 2A-2C illustrate detailed views of the upper portion of the lighters of Figs. 1 A-I C, respectively, and more clearly show the inventive aspects of the hoods 922. Operation has been discussed previously.

Fig. 3A (a) shows an assembled perspective detailed view of the portion of the lighter shown in Fig. 2A (arrangement (a)) illustrating smooth outer hood surfaces 922C, smooth inner hood surfaces 922A, and protuberances on annular unrecessed lateral portions 620A of striker wheel 620. Further shown are the frame 614 and the ignition lever 616. Fig. 3A (b) illustrates an assembled perspective detailed view of the portion of the lighter shown in Fig. 2A arrangement (b) showing smooth outer hood surfaces 922C, smooth inner hood surfaces 922A, and smooth surfaces on annular unrecessed lateral portions 620A of striker wheel 620.

Fig. 3B (a) corresponds as noted above with Fig. 2B arrangement (a), and Fig. 3B (b) corresponds with Fig. 2B arrangement (b). Fig. 3C (a) corresponds as noted above with Fig.

2C arrangement (a), and Fig. 3C (b) corresponds with Fig. 2C arrangement (b).

Figs. 4A (a) and (b); 4B (a) and (b); and 4C (a) and 4 (b) illustrate partial side elevation views of the inventive aspects of the invention shown in Figs. 3A (a) and (b); 3B (a) and (b); and 3C (a) and (b), respectively. It should be noted in these partial side elevation views that no downward pressure has been applied to the hoods 922. The figures simply illustrate that the axle 620B is smaller in diameter than the axle opening 922A allowing the hoods to freely rotate without causing rotation of the striker wheel 620. The inner surface 922D of the hood does not urge against annular unrecessed lateral portions 620A of the striker wheel 620. Flint 618 may be seen pressing against striker wheel 620 as a result of the compressive force of spring 617. Nozzle 608 and lever 616 are also shown.

Figs. SA (a) through 6C (b) illustrate the operation of the present inventive safety lighter in a second operative position. The reference symbol P designates a downward force vector being applied to the annular outer surfaces 922C of hoods 922. Figs. 5A (a)-5C (b) are detailed perspective views which correspond to Figs. 3A (a)-3C (b), respectively, but show the application of pressure P. Figs. 6A (a)-6C (b) illustrate partial side elevation views of the inventive aspects of the invention of 3A (a)-3C (b), respectively, partially broken away and sectioned, showing pressure being applied to the rotary wheel hoods.

To ignite a flame, it is necessary to press downwardly upon the annular outer surfaces 922C of the rotary wheel hood 922 while simultaneously rotating the hoods in a clockwise direction. As a result of the downward force vector upon the hoods, the annular inner surfaces 922D of the hoods 922 are moved to a second position and urged against the annular unrecessed lateral portions 620A of the striker wheel 620. The striker wheel 620 will rotate in this second position against the flint 618 and generate sparks. The simultaneous action of pressing lever 616 raises nozzle 608 to release gas to ignite a flame. Release of pressure on the hoods allows them to rebound to the first safety position away from the unrecessed lateral portions of the striker wheel as shown in Figs. 3A (a)-4C (b).

Above there has been described a unique safety lighter. It should be understood that various changes of the details, materials, arrangements of parts and uses which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon the reading of this disclosure, and such changes are intended to be included within the principles and scope of this invention.