Richard M Orazietti

US Patent:

6386860, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Aug 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/377811

Inventors:

Paul Adams - Monroe CT
Richard M. Orazietti - Derby CT
Floyd Fairbanks - Naugatuck CT

Assignee:

BIC Corporation - Milford CT

International Classification:

F23Q 228

US Classification:

431153, 431255

Abstract:

A child-resistant lighter is disclosed which includes an actuator and a latch member coupled thereto. The latch member includes a finger actuation portion and a body portion integrally formed therewith. The body portion has a free end. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention when in an inoperative position, the free end of the latch member is aligned with a blocking surface of the lighter body, thus, preventing inadvertent lighting of the lighter. When in an operative position, the free end of the latch member is pivoted out of alignment with the blocking surface so that the lighter can function. During pivoting, as the finger actuation portion moves in a first direction, the free end moves in an opposite, second direction. The first direction is substantially forward and the second direction is substantially rearward. In another embodiment, the latch member can be slidable coupled to the actuator.

US Patent:

6527546, Mar 4, 2003

Filed:

May 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/312609

Inventors:

Guy Laforest - Cascais, PT
Paul Adams - Monroe CT
Brian Tubby - Milford CT
Richard M. Orazietti - Derby CT
Floyd B. Fairbanks - Naugatuck CT

Assignee:

BIC Corporation - Milford CT

International Classification:

F23Q 228

US Classification:

431255, 431153

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.

US Patent:

6746234, Jun 8, 2004

Filed:

Jan 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/347393

Inventors:

Guy Laforest - Cascais, PT
Paul Adams - Monroe CT
Brian Tubby - Milford CT
Richard M. Orazietti - Derby CT
Floyd B. Fairbanks - Naugatuck CT

Assignee:

BIC Corporation - Milford CT

International Classification:

F23D 1136

US Classification:

431153, 431255, 431344

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.

US Patent:

6764299, Jul 20, 2004

Filed:

Aug 24, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/939070

Inventors:

Paul Adams - Monroe CT
Richard M. Orazietti - Derby CT
Floyd Fairbanks - Naugatuck CT

Assignee:

BIC Corporation - Milford CT

International Classification:

F23Q 228

US Classification:

431153, 431255

Abstract:

A child-resistant lighter is disclosed which includes an actuator and a latch member coupled thereto. The latch member includes a finger actuation portion and a body portion integrally formed therewith. The body portion has a free end. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention when in an inoperative position, the free end of the latch member is aligned with a blocking surface of the lighter body, thus, preventing inadvertent lighting of the lighter. When in an operative position, the free end of the latch member is pivoted out of alignment with the blocking surface so that the lighter can function. During pivoting, as the finger actuation portion moves in a first direction, the free end moves in an opposite, second direction. The first direction is substantially forward and the second direction is substantially rearward. In another embodiment, the latch member can be slidable coupled to the actuator.

US Patent:

6765338, Jul 20, 2004

Filed:

May 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/865508

Inventors:

Richard M. Orazietti - Derby CT

Assignee:

BIC Corporation - Milford CT

International Classification:

H01L 41113

US Classification:

310339

Abstract:

A piezoelectric ignition mechanism includes an assembly having first and second members rotatable with respect to one another between an activated configuration and a deactivated configuration, a piezoelectric element associated with the assembly, and a plexor movably disposed in the assembly. When the assembly is in the activated configuration, the plexor is capable of being driven toward the piezoelectric element with sufficient force to impact the piezoelectric element and cause it to produce a spark.

US Patent:

7025588, Apr 11, 2006

Filed:

Jun 4, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/860904

Inventors:

Guy Laforest - Cascais, PT
Paul Adams - Monroe CT, US
Brian Tubby - Milford CT, US
Richard M. Orazietti - Derby CT, US
Floyd B. Fairbanks - Naugatuck CT, US

Assignee:

BIC Corporation - Milford CT

International Classification:

F23Q 2/28

US Classification:

431153, 431255

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.

US Patent:

63327716, Dec 25, 2001

Filed:

Sep 10, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/393653

Inventors:

Paul Adams - Monroe CT
Brian Tubby - Cheshire CT
Richard M. Orazietti - Derby CT

Assignee:

BIC Corporation - Milford CT

International Classification:

F23D 1136

US Classification:

431153

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.

US Patent:

60659580, May 23, 2000

Filed:

Mar 1, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/259288

Inventors:

Paul Adams - Monroe CT
Floyd B. Fairbanks - Naugatuck CT
Richard M. Orazietti - Derby CT
Brian Tubby - Milford CT
Thomas G. Vailionis - Watertown CT
James M. McDonough - East Greenwich RI

Assignee:

BIC Corporation - Milford CT

International Classification:

F23Q 228

US Classification:

431153

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a utility lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle with an outlet at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. An electric ignitor assembly, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, has first and second electrical contacts operatively connected to a first electrical pathway. The first electrical pathway includes a first gap proximate the outlet. An ignition preventing assembly forming a second electrical pathway is also operatively connected to the electric ignitor assembly and has operative and inoperative configurations. In the inoperative configuration, the resistance of the second electrical pathway is less than the resistance of the first electrical pathway such that electrical current generated by the electric ignitor assembly selectively travels in the second electrical pathway. In the operative configuration, the resistance of the second electrical pathway is greater than the resistance of the first electrical pathway such that the electrical current selectively travels in the first electrical pathway and jumps across the first gap to form a spark to ignite fuel from the fuel supply. The second electrical pathway can be a continuous pathway to short circuit the electrical ignitor assembly in the inoperative condition.