Utility light with illumination arrangement

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a lighter, and more particularly to a utility lighter comprising an illumination arrangement which is capable of providing illumination toward an ignition zone to allow a user to apply ignition at exact target spot as visualized by said illumination of said ignition zone.

2. Description of Related Arts

A conventional utility lighter typically comprises a handle casing having a fuel storage compartment formed therein, a bendable extension arm extended from the handle casing, a gas releasing valve provided at the fuel storage compartment for releasing the gas therein in a controllable manner, an ignition nozzle provided at the bendable extension arm; a piezoelectric unit received within the handle casing, and an actuation unit provided on the handle casing for actuating the piezoelectric unit to generate a spark at the ignition nozzle, wherein the gaseous fuel is simultaneously released for generating an ignition flame at the ignition nozzle when the actuation unit is actuated. Since the point of ignition at the ignition nozzle is far away from the handle casing, a user is able to apply the ignition flame to ignite various objects for a wide variety of purposes. For example, a user is able to ignite a stove to initialize generation of stove flame.

In light of this background, there exists a number of a discrepancy or insufficiency in association with this kind of conventional utility lighter. First, when a user wishes to use the utility lighter in a dim environment, in which the user is unable to accurately discern the exact target spot of ignition, that user has to rely on other illumination equipment, such as a flashlight, to help him locating that exact target spot of ignition. This is inconvenience, especially when the user is unable to get such a flashlight or other illumination equipment in specific situations.

Second, a major difficulty for manufacturing a utility lighter having an illumination arrangement is to secure a power source for illuminators. When a typical replaceable battery (such as a regular dry cell) is used and mounted within the handle casing, it would be very difficult for a user to replace that battery. Moreover, the introduction of a dry cell into the handle casing would inevitably increase the overall size thereof, making it bulky and heavy.

Third, another difficulty for manufacturing a utility lighter having an illumination arrangement is that when the structure of the utility light is altered in order to accommodate the illumination arrangement, the manufacturing cost will inevitably be increased. Since competition in utility lighters market is extremely keen, any significant increase in selling price would put the corresponding manufacturer in a very disadvantageous market position.

A main object of the present invention is to provide a utility lighter comprising an illumination arrangement which is capable of providing illumination toward an ignition zone to allow a user to apply ignition at exact target spot as visualized by said illumination of said ignition zone.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a utility lighter comprising an illumination arrangement which can be detachably mounted onto a lighter casing. In other words, the illumination arrangement does not alter the original structure and operation of the utility lighter so that the manufacturing cost of the present invention can be minimized.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a utility lighter comprising an illumination arrangement, which comprises an automatic switching mechanism for optimally providing illumination to an ignition zone of the utility lighter. Thus, a user is able to conveniently switch on the illumination unit for acquiring optimal illumination at the ignition zone.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an illumination arrangement for a utility lighter, wherein a user is able conveniently install and detach the illumination arrangement to and from the utility lighter.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an illumination arrangement for a utility lighter, wherein the illumination arrangement can be incorporated with any utility lighter having an extension arm by coaxially inserting the extension arm into the mounting hole of the illumination arrangement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an illumination arrangement, which is adapted to incorporate with other tools, such as screwdriver, pen, and pencil, to provide illumination at the operation tip of the tool.

Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a utility lighter, comprising:

a lighter casing which comprises a casing body having a fuel storage compartment formed therein for storing a predetermined amount of liquefied gas, and an extension arm having an upper end and a lower end extended from the lighter casing, wherein the extension arm has a receiving channel which is extended from the lower end to the upper end, wherein the upper end of the extension arm defines an ignition zone of the utility lighter;

a gas releasing valve provided at the fuel storage compartment for releasing the gas therein in a controllable manner;

an ignition nozzle provided at the upper end of the extension arm to communicate with the gas releasing valve through the receiving channel for releasing the gas through the ignition nozzle;

a piezoelectric unit, which is supported in the lighter casing, having a depressible part and a spark-generating element extended at a position that when the depressible part of the piezoelectric unit is depressed, the spark-generating element generates a spark at the ignition nozzle to ignite the gas emitting therefrom so as to generate an ignition flame;

an actuation unit provided on the lighter casing for actuating the piezoelectric unit to generate a spark at the ignition nozzle, wherein the gaseous fuel is simultaneously released for generating an ignition flame at the ignition zone when the actuation unit is actuated; and

an illumination arrangement, which comprises:

an illumination holder mounted on the lighter casing; and