Lighter with integral scissors

Abstract

A lighter including a scissors is provided. In a preferred embodiment the scissors is pivotably secured to a surface of the lighter body. In a folded configuration the scissors is flush with the lighter body and safely stowed within a compartment of the lighter body. In an unfolded configuration, the scissors is pivoted from the folded configuration and adapted for cutting cigars.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A lighter comprising: 
 a lighter body; and    a scissors secured to the lighter body, wherein the scissors comprise at least one curved blade.    
     
     
         2 . The lighter of  claim 1 , wherein the scissors is movable between a folded position in which the scissors is substantially flush with the lighter body, and an unfolded position in which the scissors extends from the lighter body and is configured for cutting.  
     
     
         3 . The lighter of  claim 2 , wherein the unfolded position is about 180° from the folded position.  
     
     
         4 . The lighter of  claim 1 , wherein the scissors is pivotably secured to a first surface of the lighter body.  
     
     
         5 . The lighter of  claim 1 , wherein the scissors comprises a first arm and a second arm pivotably secured to the first arm.  
     
     
         6 . The lighter of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second arms each comprise a handle portion and a cutting portion.  
     
     
         7 . The lighter of  claim 6 , wherein the handle portion of the scissors first arm includes a through hole, and the lighter body includes a cylindrical pin protruding from the first surface, and the through hole is disposed about the pin for pivotal movement of the scissors with respect to the lighter body.  
     
     
         8 . The lighter of  claim 7 , wherein a leaf spring is attached to the first surface adjacent the scissors and the leaf spring provides resistance to rotation of the scissors about the pin.  
     
     
         9 . The lighter of  claim 8 , wherein a substantially flat cover is secured to the first surface such that the scissors and leaf spring are disposed between the first surface and the cover.  
     
     
         10 . The lighter of  claim 9 , wherein the cover includes an arcuate indentation along a first edge.  
     
     
         11 . The lighter of  claim 10 , wherein when the scissors are in the folded position, the arcuate indentation exposes a portion of the cutting portion of the second arm.  
     
     
         12 . The lighter of  claim 11 , wherein the exposed portion of the second arm includes a catch adapted to be engaged by a smoker to facilitate rotation of the scissors from the folded position toward the unfolded position.  
     
     
         13 . The lighter of  claim 12 , wherein the catch comprises an indentation in a surface of the second arm.  
     
     
         14 . The lighter of  claim 12 , wherein the catch comprises a protrusion from a surface of the second arm.  
     
     
         15 . The lighter of  claim 12 , wherein the catch comprises a through-hole in the second arm.  
     
     
         16 . The lighter of  claim 8 , wherein the scissors first arm includes a substantially flat medial surface that bears against the leaf spring when the scissors is in the folded position such that the leaf spring assists in maintaining the scissors in the folded position.  
     
     
         17 . The lighter of  claim 8 , wherein the scissors first arm includes a substantially flat lateral surface, opposite the medial surface, that bears against the leaf spring when the scissors is in the unfolded position such that the leaf spring maintains the scissors in the unfolded position.  
     
     
         18 . The lighter of  claim 6 , wherein the scissors comprises a substantially V-shaped leaf spring disposed between the handle portions of the first and second arms, and the leaf spring biases the handle portions away from one another.  
     
     
         19 . The lighter of  claim 1 , wherein the lighter body further comprises a transparent window enabling monitoring of a level of fuel within the lighter.  
     
     
         20 . A method of cutting and lighting a cigar with a unitary implement, the method comprising the steps of: 
 rotating a scissors of the implement from a first retracted position to a second cutting position;    positioning a cigar between blades of the scissors;    exerting a force on the scissors to cause the blades to cut the cigar; and    lighting the cigar.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the step of rotating the scissors to the first position.