Self-extinguishing torch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10371379-B2
Application number	US-201615234804-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 11, 2016
Priority date	Aug 11, 2016
Publication date	Aug 6, 2019
Grant date	Aug 6, 2019

Abstract

A self-extinguishing torch top has a wick holder with an upper end and a lower end, affixed to a fuel canister top. An extinguisher surrounds the wick holder and has at least a retracted position wherein a wick protruding from the wick holder is sufficiently exposed to be allowed to burn, and at least an extended position wherein the extinguisher extends beyond the wick so far as to extinguish any flame on the wick. A biasing member urges the sliding tube toward the extended position, and an arrest mechanism retains the sliding tube in the retracted position until an impact occurs, upon which the arrest mechanism releases the sliding tube to allow its extension to the extended position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A self-extinguishing torch top comprising:
a wick holder having an upper end and a lower end, and affixed to a fuel canister top;
an extinguisher surrounding the wick holder and having at least a retracted position wherein a wick protruding from the wick holder is sufficiently exposed to be allowed to bum and at least an extended position wherein the extinguisher extends beyond the wick so far as to extinguish any flame on the wick;
a biasing member that urges the extinguisher toward the extended position; and
an arrest mechanism that retains the extinguisher in the retracted position until an impact occurs, upon which the arrest mechanism releases the sliding tube to allow its extension to the extended position;
wherein the arrest mechanism comprises at least one spring loaded detent extending inward toward the extinguisher and at least one recess defined in the extinguisher for receiving the detent when the extinguisher is in the retracted position; and
wherein the arrest mechanism comprises are retainer attached to the fuel canister top and retaining a plurality of detents spaced radially about the extinguisher.

2. The self-extinguishing torch top of claim 1 , wherein the retainer is spring loaded to the torch top.

3. The self-extinguishing torch top of claim 2 , further comprising a skirt affixed to the retainer.

4. The self-extinguishing torch top of claim 3 , wherein the skirt has a circumference greater than the fuel canister top.

5. The self-extinguishing torch top of claim 1 , wherein the extinguisher comprises a tube that slides on an outside of the wick holder and, when in the extended position, extends beyond the wick holder a distance at least twice an internal width of the wick holder.

6. The self-extinguishing torch top of claim 5 , wherein the recess comprises a circumferential groove on the extinguisher.

7. The self-extinguishing torch top of claim 5 , wherein the recess is defined between a circumferential ridge on the extinguisher and a spaced circumferential flange on the sliding tube.

8. A self-extinguishing torch top comprising:
a stationary housing suspended from a fuel canister top;
a wick tube affixed to the stationary housing and providing passage for a wick from the fuel canister top through the stationary housing;
an extinguisher that is slidable within the stationary housing and around the wick tube, the extinguisher having a retracted position that exposes the wick tube sufficiently to allow combustion of fuel from a wick therein and having an extended position where the extinguisher extends beyond the wick tube sufficiently to extinguish combustion of fuel from a wick in the wick tube;
a biasing member inside the stationary housing that urges the extinguisher toward the extended position; and
an arrest mechanism that retains the extinguisher in the retracted position and releases the extinguisher upon impact;
wherein the arrest mechanism comprises a retainer having a plurality of radially spaced apart spring loaded detents in contact with the extinguisher when the extinguisher is in the retracted position; and
wherein the retainer is suspended by springs over the fuel canister top.

9. The self-extinguishing torch top of claim 8 , wherein the arrest mechanism comprises three detents spaced equidistantly apart.

10. The self-extinguishing torch top of claim 8 , wherein the arrest mechanism comprises a recess defined between a flange extending from an upper end of the extinguisher and a spaced apart ridge.

11. The self-extinguishing torch top of claim 8 , wherein the springs are captive springs having a rigid fastener passing therethrough that partially compresses the springs.

12. The self-extinguishing torch top of claim 8 , wherein the stationary housing occupies a portion of a fuel canister when the fuel canister top is attached to the fuel canister.

13. A self-extinguishing torch top comprising:
a fuel canister top having a threaded attachment for selective fixation to a fuel canister;
a stationary housing suspended within the threaded attachment to be at least partially within the fuel canister when the canister top is attached to the fuel canister;
a wick tube passing through the stationary housing providing passage for a wick from a position superior to the fuel canister top to a position inferior to the stationary housing inside the fuel canister;
a spring biased extinguisher tube that is retained at least partially within the stationary housing by an arrest mechanism until release and, upon release, extends from the stationary housing upwardly surrounding and extending beyond the wick tube such that any combustion occurring on the wick in the tube is extinguished;
wherein the arrest mechanism comprises a retainer that is spring mounted above the fuel canister top and retains a plurality of spring loaded detents directed toward the extinguisher tube so as to contact a circumferential catch on the extinguisher tube when the extinguisher tube is not released;
wherein the catch is defined by a ridge protruding circumferentially outward from the extinguisher tube.

14. The self-extinguishing torch top of claim 13 , further comprising a skirt affixed to a top of the retainer and extending first laterally away from the extinguishing tube and then downward to cover the retainer, the skirt having an outer circumferential edge that is wider that the fuel canister top.

Assignees

• Lamplight Farms Inc

Inventors

• Woodruff Robert
• White Ron

Classifications

• F23D3/32

  engaging with a tube carrying the wick · CPC title

• F23D3/26 Primary

  Safety devices thereon · CPC title

• F23N5/247 Primary

  using mechanical means · CPC title