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Belt buckle solar cigarette lighterRelated Patent Categories: Tobacco, Tobacco Users' Appliance, With Ash Receiver, Cigar, Cigarette, Or Smoking Device Rest Or HolderBelt buckle solar cigarette lighter description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070169783, Belt buckle solar cigarette lighter. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] None. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A. Field of the Invention [0003] The field of the present invention relates generally to cigarette lighters and other portable lighting devices that are used to ignite tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to such lighting devices that derive their ability to ignite the tobacco product from the rays of the sun. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to such lighting devices that have a convex reflective surface to concentrate the sun's rays on the tobacco product which is incorporated into a belt buckle or other article to be carried or worn by the user. [0004] B. Background [0005] As is commonly known, incendiary devices such as matches and cigarette lighters have been popular with individuals who smoke tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars and pipes, for many years. It is also well known that the portability of such devices contributes to the functionality as well as the applicability of matches and cigarette lighters. Matches typically utilized to ignite a tobacco product are of the safety type that require the head of the match to be struck against an appropriate lighting surface. If the match head or striking surface is wet, the match will not light. Once the tobacco product is ignited, the match is disposed. Unfortunately, the disposal of matches can result in a fire if the flame is not fully extinguished and litter if not disposed of in a trash can or other proper disposal receptacle. The use of cigarette lighters solve some of the known problems with utilizing matches to ignite a cigarette or other tobacco product. Traditionally, cigarette lighters have a fuel source, such as pressurized gas (i.e., butane or naptha) that need to be refilled. More recently, cigarette lighters contain a pre-measured amount of fuel are configured to be disposable, such that after the user consumes the fuel, he or she disposes the entire lighter. While disposable cigarette lighters are convenient, in that refilling the fuel is not necessary, the disposal of the used lighter creates trash and the repeated replacement of a new lighter is inconvenient and costly. [0006] It is also well known that solar energy is often used as a renewable source of energy, including directly for heat and light and indirectly through the use of solar panels. Moreover, it is common knowledge that solar energy can be concentrated by utilizing a convex lens or other convex-shaped reflective surface to focus the rays of the sun directly onto an object as a means of heating it to a high temperature and, if combustible, igniting it. Prior art devices which utilize the concentrated rays of the sun to provide the heat necessary for operation include solar ovens, stoves and stills. Many of these devices require the use of a plurality of parts either to reflect the rays of the sun, trap and store the heat, or other such mechanism that substantially limit the portability and/or ease of using such devices in order to ignite a cigarette, cigar or pipe. [0007] The prior art also teaches that solar energy can be used as a source for cigarette lighters or as a device for lighting tobacco in a pipe or other smoking instrument. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,014 to Wiquel discloses a solar cigarette lighter having a hollow tube for receiving the tobacco end of the cigarette therein and a lens adapted to concentrate the rays of the sun to a focal point in the tube. An inwardly projecting ring is located inside the tube so as to position the end of the cigarette at the focal point. U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,240 to Burch describes a solar lighter comprised of a solar tube with a lens at one end and a base member, having a hole therein, at which the tobacco product is placed. The focal point of the lens is directed to the hole in the base member. U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,303 to Worthington, et al. describes a solar lighter for a smoking instrument, such as a pipe. The solar lighter comprises a light concentrating lens attached to a pivotal arm that connects to a mounting plate which is attached to a retractable arm. The user retracts the arm to position the lens' focal point on the tobacco. In one configuration, the retractable arm is mounted on the rim of the pipe. Generally, these prior art solar cigarette lighters utilize a glass lens to direct the rays of the sun to end of cigarette or other tobacco product so as to ignite the tobacco. [0008] Many people wear belts that have a belt buckle that is both functional and stylish, in that the buckle engages the belt to hold it around he person's waist and it is of a size and shape to be noticeable. A common example of such belt buckles are the "cowboy" style of belt buckles, which are typically made out of metal, such as silver, gold or chrome, and have a design on the outer surface thereof. The inner surface is configured with an attachment mechanism that fixedly or removably attaches to one end of the belt and a hook, prong or other engagement mechanism to releasably engage a hole in the opposite end of the belt. The typical belt buckle is generally not configured for any purpose other than holding the belt together and being stylish. However, a number of belt buckles do provide other functions. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,377 to Poluhowich describes a survival belt buckle that comprises a case attached to the front plate thereof that defines a compartment in which a number survival items, such as a compass, knife, matches, fishing line and like items, can be stored for emergency use. U.S. Pat. No. 4,096,979 to Collins describes a belt buckle knife that has a knife blade stored behind a removable front cover plate. The cover plate also serves as the handle for the knife. U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,101 to Park, et al. describes a belt buckle configured to store a spare automobile key on the rear side of the buckle. U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,420 to Spancer describes a tobacco buckle pipe that has a tubular body with an opening which receives a quantity of tobacco and a rotatable closure device that serves as the pipe stem during smoking use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,117 to Spina describes a belt buckle that has thumb grips at the top edge and finger grips on the bottom edge that is configured for use when line dancing. [0009] Devices that are predicated on reflecting and concentrating the sun's light with the use of a mirror, lens or other reflective surface can also serve as a signaling apparatus for hikers, hunters, or other persons who become lost in the wilderness. Due to the breakability of mirrors and lenses, however, such devices can be awkward to pack or easily damaged, therefore making them unavailable when needed. Metal belt buckles that are of the larger or cowboy style often can be utilized as a signaling device to assist a lost or injured person. [0010] Many people both smoke tobacco products and wear belts having a belt buckle. Due to the fact that belt buckles are being worn and thereby carried by someone who may desire to ignite a smoking product, it would be useful if the two functions could be combined. Doing so would eliminate the need to have to locate a match or cigarette lighter to ignite the tobacco product and eliminate the cost and disposal problems of matches and cigarette lighters. Heretofore, no combination of a belt buckle and solar cigarette lighter has been provided. What is needed, therefore, is a belt buckle that incorporates a solar cigarette lighter configured for igniting tobacco products that does not require any additional components or fuel for its use to ignite the tobacco. The preferred belt buckle solar cigarette lighter should comprise a reflecting surface to reflect the sun's rays to a focal point and have a positioning mechanism to place the end of the tobacco product at that focal point. The preferred belt buckle solar lighter would be easy to utilize, adaptable to a variety of belt buckle styles and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. The preferred belt buckle solar lighter would not utilize any lens or other relatively fragile device such that it could also be utilized as a signaling device to signal for help when needed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] The belt buckle solar cigarette lighter of the present invention provides the benefits and solves the problems identified above. That is to say, the present invention discloses a belt buckle solar cigarette lighter that utilizes a convex reflecting surface to concentrate the rays of the sun onto the end of a cigarette or other tobacco product positioned at the focal point of the reflecting surface. The belt buckle of the present invention has a positioning mechanism to allow the user to easily place the end of the tobacco product at the focal point of the convex reflecting surface. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reflecting surface is on the inside or obverse side of the outwardly positioned, and typically decorative, faceplate. The belt buckle solar cigarette lighter of the present invention requires no additional components, such as a liquid or pressurized fuel source, thereby eliminating the need to be either re-filled or replaced. Because the present invention has an integrated reflective surface, it eliminates the need for a separate lens or mirror to concentrate the sun's light, as well as any types of energy cells or other devices typically associated with using solar energy as a fuel source. The belt buckle solar cigarette lighter of the present invention eliminates the waste associated with matches or disposable cigarette lighters. Because the present invention can be incorporated into the user's clothing as a belt buckle, it is easily portable and generally immediately available. Such ease of portability translates easily for use as a safety signaling device. As a belt buckle, the present invention is easily integrated into the sportsman's gear. [0012] In one general aspect of the present invention, the belt buckle solar cigarette lighter comprises a convex-shaped buckle body having a first outer side and an opposite facing second inner side, with at least a portion of either the first side or the second side provided with a reflective surface to direct the reflected rays of the sun to a focal point above the reflective surface. A positioning mechanism on the buckle body is configured so as to position one end of a tobacco product, such as a cigarette or cigar, at the focal point. The positioning mechanism is also configured to move from its collapsed position, in which the user can engage the belt buckle with the leading edge of a belt, to an upright position when the user wants to ignite the tobacco product. Depending on the convex configuration of the buckle body, the reflective surface can be on either the first side or the second side of the buckle body. Typically, the second or inner side of the buckle body is configured with mechanisms for connecting to the trailing end and the leading end of a belt, such as a belt retaining member for engaging the trailing end and a belt retaining hook for engaging an opening in the leading end of the belt. In the preferred embodiment, the positioning mechanism comprises a base attached to or made integral with the buckle body and a support member having a first end pivotally attached to the base. The distal or second end of the support member comprises one or more cigarette supports defining a cigarette support area at the focal point. In one configuration, a pair of cigarette supports define the cigarette support area, and the cigarette supports are capable of flexing to tightly engage the tobacco product in the cigarette support area. The base can comprise a pair of spaced apart base members configured to pivotally receive the first end of the support member therebetween. One or more detents can be utilized to assist in holding the support member in a generally upright position for ease in igniting the tobacco product. [0013] In a second general aspect of the present invention, the invention is configured as a solar cigarette lighter that is utilized for igniting a tobacco product without being configured as a belt buckle. The basic configuration of the solar cigarette lighter is the same as that described for the belt buckle except that the belt attachment mechanisms are not necessary. Instead of being worn on a belt or other strap-like device, the solar cigarette lighter would be carried in the user's hand, pocket, bag or the like. [0014] Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a belt buckle solar cigarette lighter that provides the advantages discussed above and overcomes the disadvantages and limitations which are associated with presently available belt buckles and cigarette lighters. [0015] An important objective of the present invention to provide a belt buckle solar cigarette lighter that utilizes sunlight as its source of combustion, thereby eliminating the need for fuel or storage for such fuel. [0016] It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a belt buckle solar cigarette lighter that has a convex reflective surface to direct the sun's rays to a focal point where it can light a tobacco product, such as a cigarette or cigar. [0017] It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a belt buckle solar cigarette lighter that is adaptable to a variety of belts or other strap members. [0018] It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a belt buckle solar cigarette lighter that is configured to ignite a variety of tobacco products, including cigarettes and cigars. [0019] It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a cigarette lighter that is portable and which can be incorporated into the user's clothing as a belt buckle or fastener. [0020] It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a belt buckle solar cigarette lighter that can also be utilized as a personal safety device for persons who become lost and need a mechanism to signal for help. [0021] The above and other objectives of the present invention will be explained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures and the description of the preferred embodiment which follows. As set forth herein, the present invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, mode of operation and combination of processes presently described and understood by the claims. Continue reading about Belt buckle solar cigarette lighter... Full patent description for Belt buckle solar cigarette lighter Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Belt buckle solar cigarette lighter patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Belt buckle solar cigarette lighter or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Image-guided fracture reduction Next Patent Application: Piston load of vehicle height adjusting shock absorber and method of machining the same Industry Class: Tobacco ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Belt buckle solar cigarette lighter patent info. 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