SOLAR POWERED PORTABLE LIGHTER

Abstract

The present invention relates to a handheld solar powered electric lighter designed to create enough heat to selectively light a campfire, a cigarette and numerous other applications. The lighter includes a plurality of solar panels to absorb sunlight and convert same into electricity which is stored in an internal battery. At least one heating element capable of producing a flame using the electrical power stored in the internal battery. The lighter further includes LED lights along one or more surfaces which illuminate the lighter for use in low light areas, and a Type C USB charger for recharging an electronic device. An adjuster is present to lower or raise the at least one heating element for use, wherein the at least one heating element is raised by opening a hinged lid for easy accessibility.

Claims

1. A portable rechargeable charger lighter comprising: a rectilinear shaped housing having a hinged top; a first heating element and a second heating element; a battery; a solar cell unit formed as a plurality of solar panels and being connected to said battery so as to electrically charge said battery; said housing including a side surface total area and said plurality of solar panels including a combined area, wherein said combined area of said plurality of solar panels is generally about 50 percent to about 80 percent of said housing side surface total area; a port to dispense charge to other devices; circuitry capable of harnessing charge from said plurality of solar panels, as well as, dispensing charge; and wherein all components, through said circuitry, are connected to the battery to permit said first heating element, said second heating element, and said port to be selectively powered through solar power stored in said battery.

2. The rechargeable charger lighter according to claim 1, wherein said first heating element is a filament coil to ignite a cigarette.

3. The rechargeable charger lighter according to claim 2, wherein said second heating element is a filament ball capable of igniting a flame for lighting a product proximal thereto.

4. The rechargeable charger lighter according to claim 3, wherein said port is a male port.

5. The rechargeable charger lighter according to claim 4, further comprising a compass.

6. The rechargeable charger lighter according to claim 5, further comprising a bottle opener.

7. The rechargeable charger lighter according to claim 6, further comprising an LED light.

8. The rechargeable charger lighter according to claim 3, wherein said hinged top covers said second heating element.

9. The rechargeable charger lighter according to claim 8, further comprising an actuator for deploying said second heating element and adjusting the height of said second heating element.

10. A portable rechargeable lighter comprising: a rectilinear shaped housing having a hinged top; a first heating element and a second heating element; a battery; a solar cell unit formed as a plurality of solar panels and being connected to said battery so as to electrically charge said battery; a switch for selectively actuating said first heating element or said second heating element; a circuitry capable of harnessing charge from said plurality of solar panels, as well as, dispensing charge; wherein all components, through said circuitry, are connected to the battery to permit said first heating element or said second heating element to be selectively powered through solar power stored in said battery.

11. The rechargeable lighter according to claim 10, wherein said first heating element is a filament coil to ignite a cigarette.

12. The rechargeable lighter according to claim 11, wherein said second heating element is a filament ball capable of igniting a flame for lighting a product proximal thereto.

13. The rechargeable lighter according to claim 12, further comprising a port to dispense a charge to other devices wherein said port is a male port.

14. The rechargeable lighter according to claim 13, further comprising a compass.

15. The rechargeable lighter according to claim 14, further comprising a bottle opener.

16. The rechargeable lighter according to claim 15, further comprising an LED light.

17. The rechargeable lighter according to claim 12, wherein said hinged top covers said second heating element.

18. The rechargeable lighter according to claim 17, further comprising an actuator for deploying said second heating element and adjusting a height of said second heating element.

19. The rechargeable according to claim 11, wherein said housing including a side surface total area and said plurality of solar panels including a combined area,

20. The rechargeable according to claim 19, wherein said combined area of said plurality of solar panels is generally about 50 percent to about 80 percent of said housing side surface total area.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the handheld solar powered electric lighter of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the handheld solar powered electric lighter of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the handheld solar powered electric lighter of the present invention showing a heating element that can be used to light a campfire in an accessible position in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the bottom view of the solar powered portable lighter of the present invention having a bottle opener in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the bottom view of another embodiment of the solar powered portable lighter of the present invention having a compass in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0023] As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for a handheld lighter device to produce enough heat to light a flame to ignite charcoal, campfires etc., we well as the ability to light a cigarette. There is also a long felt need in the art for a handheld lighter device that does not require fuel to produce a flame. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a handheld lighter device that does not cause pollution and can be used in any situation. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a handheld lighter device that can be used in windy areas and low light areas. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a handheld lighter device that stores energy automatically to produce energy for a flame, without requiring the user to replenish the fuel. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a handheld lighter device that is cost-effective, portable and offers an easier way of creating a relatively strong flame as needed in outside areas.

[0024] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a handheld solar powered electric lighter comprising: a plurality of solar panels on the exterior surfaces of the lighter; one or more internal batteries connected to the solar panels; the solar energy captured by solar panels is stored as electrical energy in the internal batteries; a pair of heating elements connected to the batteries via a circuitry wire; at least one of the heating elements receives electrical energy from the battery and heats up to ignite a flame for lighting when a push button is activated; and, an adjuster to lower or raise the heating element for use wherein the heating element is raised by opening a hinged lid for easy accessibility. The lighter further includes LED lights along one or more surfaces to use in low light areas and a Type C USB charger (i.e. male port) to recharge an electronic device.

[0025] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the handheld solar powered electric lighter of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The handheld solar powered electric lighter 100 is a lightweight and portable lighter 100, designed to provide a flame for lighting a campfire, as well as to provide a heated coil for lighting a cigarette or the like. The lighter 100 creates more heat than a conventional lighter. The portable lighter 100 includes a cuboidal or rectilinear-shaped housing 1100, with a cavity that houses heating elements, an internal battery and circuitry to connect the components of the lighter 100. The front surface 101 includes a first solar panel 102 and a second solar panel 103 that are used to absorb solar energy to charge an internal battery of the portable lighter 100. A switch or push button 104 is present on the front surface 101 to selectively start heating a first heating element or filament coil (i.e. cigarette lighter) 110. The cigarette lighter 110, although recessed inside the cavity, can be accessed from the front surface 101, thus providing easy access for the user. The right side surface 106 includes a rectangular solar surface 112 along its length. The rectangular solar surface 112 also captures the solar energy and stores it in the form of electrical energy in the internal battery.

[0026] The housing is covered by a hinged lid 108 that is hinged 208 at one end and can be opened or closed to allow deployment of a second heating element or filament ball 302. Along the top edges of the front surface and right side surface 106, LEDs, or any other illumination source 107, can be mounted to provide illumination to some of the surfaces of the lighter 100, thereby allowing a user to easily locate the lighter 100 in low light areas. An adjuster 105 is accessible along one side of the lighter 100, and is connected to the second heating element 302 and provides a mechanism for raising and lowering the heating element 302.

[0027] To access the second heating element or filament ball 302 housed in the lighter 100, the adjuster 105 is actuated downward to raise the second heating element 302 from a top surface 301 of the housing 1100. Raising the second heating element 302 places the element in a deployed position for lighting a campfire or any other similar object. The filament ball adjuster 105 can be a hanging thread, a slide actuator or a pivot pin that is easily accessible to, and actuated by, a user. The internal battery can be a 4500 mAh capacity polymer battery that is easily recharged under sunlight using a plurality of solar panels 102, 103, 112, 2020, 2040 mounted to the exterior of housing 1100. The lighter 100 is ideal for selectively providing selectively two different levels and sources of heating elements 110, 302, each to be used depending upon the task at hand. In one embodiment, the lighter 100 includes a hook (not illustrated) that can be used to hang the lighter 100 to a backpack or the belt-loop of a trouser. The lighter 100 can be constructed with a waterproof, dustproof and shockproof housing.

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the handheld solar powered electric lighter of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. A rear surface 202 includes a solar panel 2020 across the length of the rear surface 202 to absorb sunlight to recharge the internal battery. A Type C USB rapid charger 206 is present, proximal to the bottom of the rear surface 202, to recharge an electronic device. The Type C USB rapid charger 206 (i.e. male port) receives power from the internal battery. The left side surface 204 includes a solar panel 2040 across the length of the left side surface 204. The top edge of the left side surface 204 includes an illumination source 107.

[0029] The hinged lid 108 includes a hinge 208 across one edge, along which the lid 108 is opened. The lid is opened to access the cavity 210 from which the heating element 302 is accessed.

[0030] Each solar panel 102, 103, 112, 2020, 2040 includes one or more solar cells having a front surface for receiving sunlight and generating electrical energy, and a back surface that is attached to the surface of the housing 1100. Each solar panel 102, 103, 112, 2020, 2040 can be laminated by a transparent cover layer to protect the solar cell front surface. It is to be appreciated that the plurality of solar panels 102, 103, 112, 2020, 2040 comprise a solar panel area. The solar panel area comprises a majority of the housing side surface area. In one potential embodiment, the solar panel area is generally about 50 percent to about 80 percent of the housing side surface area. Maximum exposure of the solar panels is achieved when the lighter is placed in a vertical position. However, sufficient solar panel exposure to ambient light is achieved when the lighter 100 is placed in a horizontal position. It is to be appreciated that three sides of the housing and respective solar panels are exposed to ambient light when the lighter is placed in the horizontal position.

[0031] In one embodiment, a blocking diode may be inserted in the circuitry between the solar panel and the internal battery. The blocking diode prevents the draining of the internal battery by the solar panels when the solar cells are not generating sufficient voltage potential during periods of insufficient ambient light. The internal battery may, for example, be a 7.0V 700 mA lithium ion battery, a nickel cadmium battery, polymer battery, lithium polymer battery or other rechargeable battery.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the handheld solar powered electric lighter of the present invention, showing the second heating element 302 that can be used to light a campfire in the deployed position in accordance with the disclosed architecture. When the heating element adjuster 105 is pulled by a user, the heating element 302 slides up in the housing 1100 and opens the lid 108, such that the heating element or filament ball 302 becomes accessible. The push button 104, when pressed by the user, starts heating the filament ball 302 to create a flame. To lower the heating element 302 into the housing, the adjuster 105 is raised in an upward direction.

[0033] When the switch or push button 104 is selectively activated, power can be selectively applied to a heating wire 304 which in turn is connected to the heating element 302, which initiates heating of the filament ball 302 in order to start a flame. The lid 108 is automatically opened when the heating element or filament ball 302 is raised, and the lid 108 is automatically closed when the heating element or filament ball 302 is lowered. It is to be appreciated that when the second heating element 302 is deployed, the first heating element 110 (and the port 206) can be prohibited from actuation, thereby preventing a situation where both heating elements are simultaneously in the ON positions.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the bottom view of the solar powered portable lighter of the present invention having a bottle opener in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As shown, in the present embodiment of the present invention, the bottom surface 402 includes a bottle opener 404 to increase the utility of the portable lighter 100 when going trekking or camping.

[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the bottom view of another embodiment of the solar powered portable lighter of the present invention having a compass in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As shown, in the current embodiment of the present invention, the bottom surface 402 includes a navigational compass 502 to increase the utility of the portable lighter 100.

[0036] The lighter 100 conserves energy, is simple in structure, easy to use, lightweight and portable. The internal battery can be replaced easily by accessing the battery case from the bottom surface of the lighter 100. The outer surface of the lighter 100 can be insulated, and the heating element 302 can be quick to ignite after the push button 104 has been actuated.

[0037] The portable lighter 100 may have logos, indicia, trademarks, geometric patterns, customizable colors and fonts, embroidery and prints and/or images on the surface to alter the look of the lighter 100.

[0038] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “solar powered portable lighter”, “electric lighter”, “handheld solar powered electric lighter”, “lighter” and “portable lighter”, are interchangeable and refer to the solar powered portable lighter 100 of the present invention.

[0039] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the solar powered portable lighter 100 and its components of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the solar powered portable lighter 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the solar powered portable lighter 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the solar powered portable lighter 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the solar powered portable lighter 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0040] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof

[0041] What includes been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.