Lighter and cigar splitter apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for opening up the sheath of a cigar and lighting the cigar, comprising a lighter, comprising a lighter frame; and a cigar splitter attached to the base of the lighter frame by an outside surface of the cigar splitter. The cigar splitter comprises a housing having two open ends, an inside wall, and the outside surface, an axis parallel to the inside wall and passing through the two open ends, the two open ends permitting insertion of a cigar along the axis through one of the two open ends and to exit through another of the two open ends; a blade attached to the inside wall and oriented along the axis, the blade suitable for cutting an outer sheath of the cigar as the cigar is inserted through the cigar splitter along the axis; and a loop attached to the outside surface of the housing.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view showing a lighter with a lighter body separated from a lighter frame. 55 of the housing 50. The blade 70 is oriented for cutting an outer sheath 6 of the cigar 8 as the cigar 8 is inserted through one end 60, 65 of the splitter housing 50 and out the other end 60, 65. When the cigar 8 is inserted, a cut 4 can be made along the long axis 9 of the cigar 8, so that the cigar 8 can be split open and its filling 11 replaced.

In another variant of the cigar splitter 15, referring to FIG. 1A, the cutting edge 75 is oriented in a plane 54 that contains the long axis 53 of the housing 50, for cutting an outer sheath 7 6 of a cigar 8 as the cigar 8 is inserted through one end 60, 65 of the splitter housing 50 and out the other end 60, 65.

In a further variant of the cigar splitter 15, the blade comprises two cutting edges 75 edges disposed inside 55 the housing 50 away from the inside wall 58 of the housing 50. The cutting edges 75 meet to form a point 76 between the two cutting edges 75.

In still another variant of the cigar splitter, the housing 50 comprises a hollow cylinder and the blade 70 is disposed in the center along the length of the cylinder. The length of the cylinder is generally parallel to that of the long axis 53.

In yet a further variant, referring to FIGS. 6-8, a keychain cigar splitter 16 is provided. The keychain cigar splitter 16 may comprises the same general features as described above and may further include a loop or through hole 100 attached to the outside surface 52 of the housing 50 and is configured to receive a keychain.

In another variant, referring to FIGS. 9-12, a combination lighter cigar splitter is provided. The cigar splitter 15 may be as described above and in FIGS. 1-5, comprising a housing 50, and a blade 70 configured so that when a cigar 8 is inserted, a cut 4 can be made along the long axis 9 of the cigar 8, and the cigar 8 can be split open and its filling 11 replaced.

In a further variant, an apparatus 10 for opening up the sheath 6 of a cigar 8 and lighting the cigar 8, comprises a lighter 12 having a lighter frame 20 and a cigar splitter 15 attached to the lighter frame 20.

In still another variant, the apparatus 10 may comprise a lighter head 18 and a frame 20 comprising a channel notch 25 configured to house the cigar splitter 25 15. The cigar splitter 15 is disposed in the channel notch 25. Referring to FIG. 1A, a cutting edge 75 is oriented in a plane 54 that contains the long axis 53 of the housing 50, for cutting an outer sheath 7 6 of a cigar 8 as the cigar 8 is inserted through one end 60, 65 of the splitter housing 50 and out the other end 60, 65.

In yet a further variant of the apparatus 10, the cigar splitter 15 is rotatable within the channel notch 25 of the lighter 12. The rotatable connection 27 between the splitter 15 and the lighter 12 may be by any suitable means. In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 10A-C, the rotatable connection 27 may be via a ball 29 located on the splitter 15 and a corresponding socket 28 located on the frame 20 of the lighter 12 or vice versa. The splitter 15 is rotatable between an active configuration, illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11 and 13, and an inactive configuration, illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 14. The inactive configuration comprises both open ends 60, 65 of the cigar splitter 15 being obscured by the frame 20 of the lighter 12. The active configuration comprises the cigar splitter 15 rotated wherein the open ends 60, 65 are accessible for insertion of a cigar 8.

In still a further variant of the apparatus, the channel notch 25 comprises a hole 25 through the frame 20. The frame has a fuel reservoir 21, wherein the fuel reservoir 21 is disposed around the hole 25. The hole may be formed by an upper portion 30, left and right side portions 45 and a bottom portion 40 of the frame 20.

In another variant of the apparatus, the outside surface 55 of the cigar splitter 15 is configured to match the contour the lighter 12, defined by the upper 30, bottom 40, left 45 and right 45 portions of the frame 20, when the cigar splitter 15 is in the locked orientation.

In a further variant of the apparatus, referring to FIG. 12, the apparatus 10 may include a locking mechanism 31 for maintaining the cigar splitter in the inactive orientation. The locking mechanism 31 may be, for example, a detent or a dimple and corresponding peg. The locked orientation serves to protect a user from accidentally injuring themselves on the blade 70. In the active orientation, the top 60 and bottom 65 openings are accessible for inserting a cigar 8 for splitting the cigar 8 open along a long axis 9 of the cigar 8, with the blade 70.

In still another variant, a lighter 12 comprises a lighter head 18 and a frame 20 configured to receive a cigar splitter 15.

In a variant of the lighter 12, the frame 20 comprises a notch 25 configured to receive the cigar splitter 15.

In another variant of the lighter 12, the notch 25 comprises a hole 25 through the frame 20. The hole 25 is configured to rotatably house a cigar splitter 15 having a housing 50 with two open ends 60, 65. A blade 70 disposed inside the housing 50 and, referring to FIGS. 4-5, is configured to cut a sheath 6 of a cigar 8 in a direction along the length 13 of the cigar 8, perpendicular to a circumference 14 of the cigar.

In a further variant, the lighter 12 is configured to inherently have a safety mechanism for preventing access to a blade of a cigar splitter. The safety mechanism may comprises the frame 20 structured and having countered surfaces configured to obscure both open ends 60, 65 of a cigar splitter 15 having two open ends 60, 65 leading to a blade 70 for producing a cut 4 along the length 13 of a cigar 8.

In still another variant of the lighter, the notch 25 comprises a hole 25, and the lighter 12 further comprises a cigar splitter 15. The cigar splitter is disposed in the in the hole 25 and may be as generally described above and in FIGS. 1-5.

In yet a further variant, referring to FIGS. 15-20, a lighter cigar splitter apparatus 10 comprises a lighter 12 and a cigar splitter 15. The lighter has a lighter head 18 and a frame 20 comprising a rectangular notch 25. Referring to FIG. 16A, the notch 25 is surrounded by an upper portion 30, a side portion 35 and a bottom portion 40 of the frame. A side member 45 is connected between the upper portion 30 and the bottom portion 40. In another embodiment, the notch comprises a hole 25 through the frame 20 of the lighter and the side member 45 is integral with the frame 20.

The cigar splitter 15 is disposed inside the notch 25 and in one embodiment, comprises a hollow rectangular housing 50 having a passageway 55 configured to receive a cigar. The housing 50 has a top opening 60 and a bottom opening 65 that permit access to the passageway 55. A blade 70 is disposed on the passageway inside wall 58 and has a knife edge 75 oriented parallel to the axis of the housing 50. The housing 50 of the cigar splitter is connected between the side portion 35 and the side member 45 of the frame 15 20, and the cigar splitter 15 is rotatable between the side portion 35 and the side member 45 of the frame 15 20. The cigar splitter 15 is configured to rotate between a locked orientation, for example shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, and an active orientation, for example shown in FIGS. 18 and 20.

In the locked orientation, the cigar splitter housing's outside walls 52 are parallel to the wall 54 56 of the lighter and the top 60 and bottom 65 opening are inaccessible to a user as they are obscured by the frame of the lighter 12. A suitable locking mechanism may be incorporated into the apparatus 10 for maintaining the locked orientation. The locking mechanism may be, for example, a detent or a dimple and corresponding peg. The locked orientation serves to protect a user from accidentally injuring themselves on the blade 70. In the active orientation, the top 60 and bottom 65 openings are accessible for inserting a cigar 8 for splitting the cigar open along a long axis 9 of the cigar, with the blade 70.

In another variant of the lighter cigar splitter apparatus 10, referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, a lighter 12 and a cigar splitter 15. The lighter has a lighter head 18 and a frame 20. The cigar splitter 15 is disposed below the lighter frame 20 and connected to the frame 20 by a hinge 80. The cigar splitter comprises a hollow housing 50 formed in the same shape as the lighter frame 15 20 so as to form a single continuous shape. In the example shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the shape is a cylindrical shape. Other shapes are contemplated, such as rectangular solid shapes or rectangular solid shapes with rounded comers.

The cigar splitter 15 has a passageway 55 configured to receive a cigar. The housing 50 has a top opening 60 and a bottom opening 65 that permit access to the passageway 55. A blade 70 is disposed on the passageway inside wall 58 and has a knife edge 75 oriented parallel to the axis of the housing 50, similar to as shown in FIGS. 6 and 11. The cigar splitter 15 is connected to the hinge 80 at a rim 85 of the top opening 65. The cigar splitter 15 is rotatable about the hinge 80. A cover 90 is connected to the rim 95 of the top opening 60 via a hinge 80. The cigar splitter 15 is configured to rotate between a locked orientation, for example shown in FIGS. 7, and an active orientation, for example shown in FIG. 8.

In the locked orientation, the cigar splitter frame housing's outside walls 52 are parallel to the wall 54 56 of the lighter and the top 60 and bottom 65 openings are inaccessible to a user as the cover 90 is configured to block access to the bottom opening 65 when the cigar splitter 15 is in the locked orientation. The top opening 60 is blocked by the bottom of the frame of the lighter 12. The locked orientation serves to protect a user from accidentally injuring themselves on the blade 70. In the active orientation, the top 60 and bottom 65 openings are accessible for inserting a cigar (not shown) for splitting the cigar open along a long axis of the cigar, with the blade 70.

In a further variant, referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, the lighter cigar splitter apparatus 10 comprises a lighter 12 and a cigar splitter 15. The lighter has a lighter head 18 and a frame 20. The frame has a top 82, a base 84 and an outside surface 86 between the top and the base. The frame has a frame axis (not shown) parallel to the frame outside surface passing through the top and the base. The cigar splitter 15 is disposed below the lighter frame 20 and connected to the frame 20 in a fixed position. The cigar splitter comprises a hollow housing 50 formed in a cylindrical shape.

The cigar splitter 15 has a passageway 55 configured to receive a cigar. The housing 50 has a top opening 60 and a bottom opening 65 that permit access to the passageway 55. A blade 70 is disposed on the passageway inside wall 58 and has a knife edge 75 oriented parallel to the axis of the housing 50, similar to as shown in FIG. 1. The bottom portion 40 of the lighter is configured to conform in corresponding shape to receive and abut the outer side wall 52 of the cigar splitter 15. The cigar splitter 15 is connected to the lighter frame 20 by the outside wall 52 of the cigar splitter 15.

In still another variant, referring to FIG. 25, a method of making a lengthwise 13 cut 4 in a sheath 6 of a cigar 8 perpendicular to the circumference 14 of the cigar 8, and lighting the cigar 8, comprises: in a step 2600, moving a cigar splitter out from a frame of a lighter to access an open end of the cigar splitter; in a step 2605 inserting a cigar into the splitter and making a lengthwise cut in the sheath perpendicular to the circumference of the cigar; in a step 2610 moving the cigar splitter into the frame of the lighter to obscure access to the open end of the cigar splitter; and in a step 2615 turning the lighter on to produce a flame from the lighter.

In yet a variant of the method, the step 2600 of moving the cigar splitter out from the frame of the lighter comprises rotating the cigar splitter out from the frame of the lighter to access the open end of the cigar splitter; and the step 2610 of moving the cigar splitter into the frame of the lighter comprises rotating the cigar splitter into the frame of the lighter to obscure access of the open end of the cigar splitter.

While various embodiments of the present invention 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 may depict an example architectural or other configuration for the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desired features can 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 configurations can be implemented to implement the desired features of the present invention. 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.

Although the invention 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 can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, 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 present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

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 may 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.

A group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.

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 may 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 CTRL logic or other components, can be combined in a single package or separately maintained and can further be distributed across multiple locations.

Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described m 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 can 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.

Claims

1. An apparatus for opening up the sheath of a cigar and lighting the cigar, comprising:

a lighter, comprising a lighter frame; and

a cigar splitter attached to a base of the lighter frame by an outside surface of the cigar splitter, the cigar splitter comprising:

a housing having two open ends, an inside wall, and the outside surface, an axis parallel to the inside wall and passing through the two open ends, the two open ends permitting insertion of a cigar along the axis through one of the two open ends and to exit through another of the two open ends, and

a blade attached to the inside wall and oriented along the axis, the blade suitable for cutting an outer sheath of the cigar as the cigar is inserted through the cigar splitter along the axis.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further wherein the cigar splitter further comprises a loop attached to the outside surface of the housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the loop is configured to receive a keychain.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cigar splitter is disposed below the lighter frame and connected to the lighter frame in a fixed position.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the two open ends of the housing extend beyond the base of the lighter frame.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the two open ends of the housing are co-axial with the base of the lighter frame.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cigar splitter and the base are formed together of a single material.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the axis extends through the cigar splitter and lighter frame.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the axis is perpendicular to a second axis extending from the base through the lighter frame.

10. A combination lighter and cigar splitter comprising:

a lighter frame;

a lighter head, including a mechanism for igniting the lighter; and

a cigar splitter attached to a base of the lighter frame by an exterior surface of the cigar splitter, the cigar splitter comprising:

a housing having two open ends, an inside wall, and the exterior surface, an axis parallel to the inside wall and passing through the two open ends, the two open ends permitting insertion of a cigar along the axis through one of the two open ends and to exit through another of the two open ends, and

a blade attached to the inside wall and oriented along the axis, the blade suitable for cutting an outer sheath of the cigar as the cigar is inserted through the cigar splitter along the axis.

11. The combination lighter and cigar splitter of claim 8 further wherein the cigar splitter further comprises a loop attached to the exterior surface of the housing.

12. The combination lighter and cigar splitter of claim 10 wherein the loop is configured to receive a keychain.

13. The combination lighter and cigar splitter of claim 10 wherein the cigar splitter is disposed below the lighter frame and connected to the lighter frame in a fixed position.

14. The combination lighter and cigar splitter of claim 10 wherein the two open ends of the housing extend beyond the base of the lighter frame.

15. The combination lighter and cigar splitter of claim 10 wherein the two open ends of the housing are co-axial with the base of the lighter frame.

16. The combination lighter and cigar splitter of claim 10 wherein the cigar splitter and the base are formed together of a single material.

17. The combination lighter and cigar splitter of claim 10 wherein the axis extends through the cigar splitter and lighter frame.

18. The combination lighter and cigar splitter of claim 10 wherein the axis is perpendicular to a second axis extending from the base through the lighter frame.

19. An apparatus for opening up the sheath of a cigar, said apparatus comprising:

a frame having a top, a base, a frame outside surface between said top and said base and a frame axis parallel to said frame outside surface passing through said top and said base;

a housing connected to said base in a fixed position;

said housing having two housing open ends, a housing inside wall, and a housing outside surface, an axis parallel to the housing inside wall and passing through the two housing open ends, the two housing open ends permitting insertion of a cigar along the axis through one of the two housing open ends and to exit through a second of the two housing open ends;

wherein said frame axis and said housing axis are perpendicular to each other; and

a blade attached to the housing inside wall and oriented along the housing axis, the blade for cutting an outer sheath of the cigar as the cigar is inserted through the housing along the housing axis.