Multi-component lighter

Abstract

The present lighter includes two basic components, a housing and a fuel cartridge. The housing may comprise multiple pieces. The fuel cartridge is easy to remove from the housing without the use of any tools. Thus, an empty fuel cartridge can quickly be replaced with a full one by the user. Replacing the fuel cartridge, rather than refilling it, prevents the user from coming into contact with lighter fuel. The housing and the fuel cartridge are each relatively inexpensive to mass produce. Thus, a worn or damaged housing may be removed from the lighter by the user and replaced with a new housing. The disposability and replaceability of the lighter components makes repairs to the lighter quick and inexpensive. All or part of the housing may also be replaced with a housing having a different outward appearance. A user can thus change the appearance of his or her lighter by changing housings, rather than having to purchase multiple lighters. The housing may include surface features, such as bosses, ribs and/or tensioning springs, to tighten a fit of the housing and prevent spontaneous separation. The surface features may also protect the appearance of the housing.

1 . A lighter configured to ignite a cigarette, cigar or pipe, the lighter comprising:
 an upper case including an actuating mechanism and a burner cylinder, an outer surface of the upper case including at least one raised rib;   a lower case including a cavity configured to receive the upper case; and   a disposable fuel cartridge including a fuel reservoir configured to store fuel and a fuel transfer mechanism configured to transfer fuel from the reservoir;   wherein the fuel cartridge and the upper case are configured to releasably engage one another such that they are easily separable under digital pressure, and when the fuel cartridge and upper case are engaged the fuel transfer mechanism is operably connected to the burner cylinder and configured to transfer fuel from the reservoir to the burner cylinder.   
   
   
       2 . The lighter of  claim 1 , wherein the upper case includes three horizontally spaced, vertically extending ribs on a front surface thereof. 
   
   
       3 . The lighter of  claim 1 , wherein the upper case includes three horizontally spaced, vertically extending ribs on a rear surface thereof. 
   
   
       4 . The lighter of  claim 1 , wherein the upper case includes at least one vertically extending rib on a side surface thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The lighter of  claim 1 , wherein the upper case further comprises a tensioning spring configured to apply a force to the lower case when the upper case is received within the lower case. 
   
   
       6 . The lighter of  claim 5 , wherein the tensioning spring comprises first and second leaf springs. 
   
   
       7 . The lighter of  claim 6 , wherein a free end of each leaf spring includes a convexity. 
   
   
       8 . A lighter configured to ignite a cigarette, cigar or pipe, the lighter comprising:
 an upper case including an actuating mechanism, a burner cylinder and a tensioning spring;   a lower case including a cavity configured to receive the upper case; and   a disposable fuel cartridge including a fuel reservoir configured to store fuel and a fuel transfer mechanism configured to transfer fuel from the reservoir;   wherein the tensioning spring is configured to apply a force to the lower case when the upper case is received within the lower case; and   the fuel cartridge and the upper case are configured to releasably engage one another such that they are easily separable under digital pressure, and when the fuel cartridge and upper case are engaged the fuel transfer mechanism is operably connected to the burner cylinder and configured to transfer fuel from the reservoir to the burner cylinder.   
   
   
       9 . The lighter of  claim 8 , wherein the tensioning spring comprises first and second leaf springs. 
   
   
       10 . The lighter of  claim 9 , wherein a free end of each leaf spring includes a convexity. 
   
   
       11 . The lighter of  claim 8 , wherein an outer surface of the upper case includes at least one raised rib. 
   
   
       12 . The lighter of  claim 11 , wherein the upper case includes three horizontally spaced, vertically extending ribs on a front surface thereof. 
   
   
       13 . The lighter of  claim 11 , wherein the upper case includes three horizontally spaced, vertically extending ribs on a rear surface thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The lighter of  claim 11 , wherein the upper case includes at least one vertically extending rib on a side surface thereof.