Windshield for hand-held flame generators or lighters and related methods

Abstract

Generally disclosed are systems that reduce the susceptibility of hand-held lighters to extinguishment by ambient phenomena. Generally, the disclosed system is defined by wind-shield with a stack and a vented clip that may be releasably secured to the flame holder of a lighter. In one general mode of use, a cigarette or faggot is provided through the stack for operation with the flame.

Claims

1. A wind-shield comprising: a clip; a vented hood; and a stack.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached figures in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wind-shield;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a front view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a back view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of the wind shield of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 5 is another side view of the wind shield of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 6 is a top view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 8 is an environmental view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a wind-shield;

[0024] FIG. 2A is a front view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1A;

[0025] FIG. 3A is a back view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1A;

[0026] FIG. 4A is a side view of the wind shield of FIG. 1A;

[0027] FIG. 5A is another side view of the wind shield of FIG. 1A;

[0028] FIG. 6A is a top view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1A; and,

[0029] FIG. 7A is a bottom view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1A.

[0030] It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of the disclosed assemblies, and therefore, are not to be considered limiting of their scope, for the disclosed assemblies may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFFERED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Generally disclosed are systems that reduce the susceptibility of hand-held lighters to extinguishment by ambient phenomena. Generally, the disclosed system is defined by wind-shield with a stack and a vented clip that may be releasably secured to the flame holder of a lighter. In one general mode of use, a cigarette or faggot is provided through the stack for operation with the flame. Other more specific aspects of the disclosed wind-shield are disclosed with reference to the attached figures.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wind-shield 1000. FIGS. 2 through 6 are respectively a front view, a back view, a side view, another side view, a top view, and a bottom view. As shown, the wind-shield 1000 is preferably defined by: (a) a clip 1100; and (b) a hood 1200; and (c) a stack 1300.

[0033] The clip 1100 is best shown by FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7. Referring first to FIG. 7, the clip 1100 may be a resilient support member of polymeric material that forms a unitary structure 1110 generally C-shaped in cross section and capable of being snapped onto a tubular or ovular object, the outer diameter of which object corresponds approximately to the inner diameter of the profile of the unitary structure of the clip 1100. In a preferred embodiment, the clip 1100 may be an ovular C-shaped cross section for snapping on to a standard Bic cigarette lighter. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, a preferred embodiment of the clip 1100 features a thumb wedge 1111 about the opening of the c-shaped structures 1110 so that the clip 1100 may be pushed off of a lighter after use. As shown in 1, 2, and 4, the clip 1100 features uprights 1120 with nubs 1121 which, as discussed later below in connection with FIG. 8, may be inserted into cooperating holes in a lighter to further secure the wind-shield 1000 in place during use. Finally, the clip 1100, as illustrated in FIG. 4, features a window 1130 so that an insignia or other image on a lighter may be displayed via the window 1130. See, e.g., FIG. 8.

[0034] FIGS. 1 through 4 and 6 best illustrate the hood 1200. As shown the hood 1200 is positioned atop the clip 1100 and is configured to receiving the flame holder of a lighter (not shown) while leaving the ignition means of the lighter (not shown) exposed for manipulation. In the preferred embodiment, the hood 1200 is vented to permit air to flow within the hood 1200 for combustion while an open flame is disposed therein. To accomplish said venting, the hood 1200 features oppositely oriented vents 1210 on either side of the hood 1200 so that air may be introduced inside the hood in a helical configuration regardless of ambient wind direction.

[0035] FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 6 best illustrate the stack 1300. As shown, the stack 1300 is preferably defined by an upstanding tubular structure that extends upwardly above the hood 1200. Although shown as tubular, the stack 1300 need not be a cylindrical tube and may, in other embodiments, have a cross section that is not circular. In one embodiment, the stack is approximately 3 to 4 inches long. In another embodiment, the clip, hood, and stack are constructed of a transparent or translucent and colored material so that the flame or its light may be viewable through the clip and stack.

[0036] FIG. 8 illustrates a transparent wind-shield installed on a standard Bic lighter 2000. As shown, the clip 1100 has been snapped over the upper body of the lighter 2000 so that the flame holder 2100 of the lighter 2000 is positioned within the 1200 of the wind-shield 1000 with the stack 1300 extending upwardly therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, the nibs (1121, shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7) are positioned within corresponding nib receptacles 2200 of the lighter. Suitably, an insignia 2400 may be displayed through the window 1130 of the clip 1100. In the depicted embodiment, the igniting means 2300 is exposed adjacent the hood 1200 and, when in use, a flame may be ignited within the stack 1300.

[0037] Still referring to FIG. 8, the device may be used in a couple of different ways. First, the wind shield 1000 may be used via igniting the lighter 2000, allowing air through the vents 1210 of the hood 1200 for combustion, inserting the tip of a cigarette or faggot (not shown) down the stack 1300, and igniting the cigarette or faggot (not shown). In another embodiment, the wind-shield may be used to emit light through the transparent or translucent stack as a mode of expression. Preferably, an off-hand may be cupped around the hood for additional blockage of wind during use of the device.

[0038] FIGS. 1A through 7A illustrate an alternate embodiment of the disclosed wind shield. The structural similarities and functional aspects of the wind shield depicted in FIGS. 1 through 8 and the wind-shield depicted in FIGS. 1A through 7A will be apparent to those of skill in the art. In one embodiment, the stack is not entirely tubiform and the vents 1210 are holes through the hood 1200.

[0039] The claims filed herewith are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety into the specification as if fully set forth herein.

[0040] Other features will be understood with reference to the drawings. While various embodiments of the method and apparatus have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams might depict an example of an architectural or other configuration for the disclosed method and apparatus, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that might be included in the method and apparatus. The disclosed method and apparatus is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desired features might be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations might be implemented to implement the desired features of the disclosed method and apparatus. Also, a multitude of different constituent module names other than those depicted herein might be applied to the various partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.

[0041] Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments.

[0042] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term including should be read as meaning including, without limitation or the like, the term example is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms a or an should be read as meaning at least one, one or more, or the like, and adjectives such as conventional, traditional, normal, standard, known and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that might be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.

[0043] The presence of broadening words and phrases such as one or more, at least, but not limited to or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases might be absent. The use of the term module does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, might be combined in a single package or separately maintained and might further be distributed across multiple locations.

[0044] Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.