US2633724A - Control-mechanism for pyrophoric lighters of the gaseous fuel type - Google Patents

Description

A. P. ANUERsoN 2,633,724 CONTROL-MECHANISM'. FOR PYRoPHoRIc LIGHTERS 0F THE., GAsEzoUs FUEL. TYPE Filed Oct. 25, 1950 April 7, 1953 Ill/111.7111

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Patented Apr; 7, 1953 CONTROL-MECHANISM FOR PYROPHORIC LIGHTERS F THE GASEOUS FUEL TYPE l Arthur P. Anderson, Milford, Conn., assignor to The Waterbury Lock & Specialty Company, Milford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application October 25, 1950, Serial No. 192,029 s claims. (c1. `csr- 7.1)

Lighters of this type usually contain Va replace-v able cartridge holding a long-lasting supply of compressed iniiammable gas and having a normally-closed valve through which to release a small Yquantity of the gas to be burned on each application of the lighter. For the release from the cartridge of a gaseous-fuel charge and for its ignition, theselighters are usually equipped with a valve-actuator and with more or less conventional sparking-mechanism, which require separate manipulation by the users of these lighters. Since the spark emission from the mechanism is only momentary, it is imperative that the user of any of these lighters manipulates the valve-actuator preferably slightly before, and not after, manipulating the sparking-mechanism, in order to obtain a flame. Thus, for efficient and safe use of these lighters, their manipulation and the correct timing of the separate manipulations of their valve-actuators and sparking-mechanisms require considerable dexterity which many users do not possess.

It is one -of the main objects of the present invention to provide a gaseous-fuel type lighter which for its safe, efcient and reliable operation requires no dexterity whatever on the part of the user of the lighter.

Another object of the present invention is to eliminate in a lighter of this type the heretofore imperative separate manipulation of the valve-actuator and, instead, provide for its automatic performance in time with the manipulation of the sparking-mechanism by the user of the lighter, thereby eliminating all waste cf gaseous fuel and obviating any danger of igniting an excessive accumulation of released fuel-gas, assuredly producing a flame on each manipulation of the sparking-mechanism, and rendering the manipulation of the lighter a task which requires no skill whatever.

- It is a further object of the present invention to provide for the sparking-mechanism and for the valve-actuator of a lighter of this type a common manipulator which, when operated by the user of the lighter, will momentarily operate the sparking-mechanism and also render the valveactuator operative to open the cartridge-valve, and, when released by the user, will render the valve-actuator` inoperative and cause closure of the cartridge-valve, thereby affording the user of the lighter a simple and most convenient control overthelduration of the flame produced by the p lighter.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in a lighter of this type a valve-actuator in the form of a structurally-simple, part-resilient element which is readily assembled with the lighter by simply snapping it in place therein, and which is correctly and reliably operated by a sim,- ple camming action of the aforementioned common manipulator.

It is still a further object of the present invention to have safety provisions in a lighter of this type which will effectively prevent operation of 'he valve-actuator, except when the aforemen- .ioned common manipulator is operated, Y

It is also among the objects of the present invention to provide a lighter of this type which, while exceedingly simple in construction, is nevertheless highly eiiicienty and reliable in performance, and readily lends itself to efficient mass production at low oost. v

Other objects and advantages will appear to those skilled in the art from the following, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. a

In the accompanying drawings, in which certain modes of carrying out the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes: Y

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a lighter embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through thesame lighter;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the lighter when in use;

Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 2, showing the lighter when in use;

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged cross sections through the lighter, as taken on the lines 5 5 and 6 6, respectively, of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a section similar to Fig. 6, showing certain'parts of the lighter in a Adifferent position;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section through the valve-equipped top of a replaceable fuel-cartridge inthe instantlighter;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary partial-section Vand partial-elevation of the lighter, the section being taken substantially on the line 3 9 ofFig, 1; and

Fig, 10 is a fragmentary section through the lighter as taken on the line N l of Fig. 'Il

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4.thereof, the reference numeral Il) designates a pyrophoric lighter which, in the present instance, comprises a casing i2, a manipulator I4, and a normally-closed cover I6 for the open top i8 of the casing I2. The casing I2, which is also open at the bottom for the insertion thereat of a fuel-container or -cartridge 20 (Fig. 2) comprises a front wall 2 ll and opposite side Walls 22 and 23 which, as best shown in Fig. 5, are rearwardly extended at 24 and 25, respectively, to form a socket 23 for the reception of a dint-receptacle or -tube 2l'. The flint-tube El is, for its secure..mounting in the socket 2.5, .provided inthepresentinstance withspaced peripheral grooves 28 and 2Q (Fig. 2) into which are crimped the top and bottom ends 38 and 3|, respectively, of the connecting-web 32 of a generally U -shaped reinforcement-nieinleI` '33, th'e `opposite legs 34 and 35 of which are forced into'rmren'- gagement with the socket-forming wall extensions 24 and 25, respectively (Fig-5). Y

The fuel-cartridge 28, which is .preferably `of the replaceable kind, is charged with a longlasting supply of compressed "inflammable l*gaseous fuel. the inamma'ole hydrocarbons, of Which butane has. proved highly satisfactory. The cartridge '28 .is at its top 33 .provided with -apressure-reduction valve 31, having a valve-element 'vvhich "is normally closed (Fig. 2) to prevent the eslcape of .gaseous fuel from the cartridge, and which may lbe lifted into the position shown 'in Fig. '4 .for Vthe release of a limited quantity of gaseous fuel from the cartridge through an outlet 39 in the valve-element 38 (Fig. 6)

FIh'e .pressure-reduction valve''l'rna'y be of any ysuitable construction. Fig. 8 shows an example of apressure-reduction valve with which the fuelcartridge 28 may be equipped. This Valve comprises a casing '48 which is .threaded into an internal boss '4| on the top wall 3e of the cartridge 2D, andislprovided with a hexagonal head 42 by means of which it may conveniently be tightened in lthe boss 4|. To prevent leakage lof the 'compressed gaseous fuel from the cartridge 2i! through the threaded connection between 'the boss 4i 'and the valve-casing 48, there is preferably 'interposed between the latter and the head 4'2 ofthe valve-casing 4G, a 'gasket 480,. VThe valve-casing 48 is .provided with a cylindrical chamber 43 and a diametrically-enlarged end- `bore '44 which leaves an annular shoulder 45 'in the casing 48. Slidable vin 'the valve-chamber 43 is the valve-element y38, having a stem 46 which extends Athrough an aperture '47 in the vhead 42 of the valve-casing '48. The plungerend 48 of the valve-element 38 is provided with an annular recess"49"fo`r the receptionof avalve- .plug 50 of rubber or a similar resilient material. "I'he'plu'g' 5i!` is at/one end diametrically enlarged as at so that the same will, when fully seated in vthe recess '4S in the plunger-'end 48 of the valve-element (Fig. 8), leave 'a gap 52 between its other end and the bottom ofthe recess 49. The 4cylindrical -wall '53 o'f the plunger-end 48 of? the valve-'elementf38 is also 'provided 'with `onecr more 4axial slots154 'which provide communication. between the valve-chamber 43 an'd the outlet-passage 39 in the valve-'element 3B. F.'irmlylheldragainst .aigasket 45a on the annular shoulder-15in the valve-casing 40 by a threaded .plug vSii-inthe .tapped end-bore '44 is an insert 56 which -is .providedwith a central duct 51 and a valve-seat 58. The valve-element 38 is 'with its resilient plug 50 normally urged by a Ycompression Vspring 59 against the valve-seat 53 of -the=insert -56 to intercept communication between the-duct51in thel latter and the valve-chamber 43. For lifting the valve-element 38V from the seat 58, V.thestem 45 of theformer is at its free @end-:provided with ashou-lder 58 which may con- -venientlyl--belformed bya hexagonalnut.

In operation, gas from the compressed Vgase- Such a gaseous fuel may be any-of.

ous-fuel supply in the cartridge 28 will seep through the threaded connection between the plug 55 and the end-bore 44 in the valve-casing 48, and will accumulate at considerably reduced .pressure in the space 6I between theplug 55 and Yinsert 53. The .fuel-gas in Athefspac'ei I: is trapped therein by the valve-element "38 as`long as the latter is normally seated on the valve-seat 58. 'Howeven gas in the space 6l will be permitted to Iescape `through""'the valve-element 38 when ltheflatte'r'isfliftedfrom the seat 58 in a manner to be described hereinafter. In that event, fuelgasfromthespacel6| will pass through the duct .5.1 .in lthe insert 55S, through the slot or slots 54 and the gap 52 in the plunger-end 48 of the 4|valve-felement:38;'and through the outlet-passage 33 in the valve-stein 46. Since the slot or slots 54 and the gap 52 in the plunger-end 48 of the valve-element are greatly restricted in width, and sincethe outlet-passagef-39 -in the valve-stem 48 is ysimilarly restricted in diameter, iit `is obvious that the pressure of the fuel-gas Aflowing there- -through will be vfurther reduced to the extent where the pressure is just sucient to sustain the flame of the lighter at normal size.

The fuel-cartridge 2B is Vreceived rather snugly in the-casing l2 so as to preclude its accidental vescape therefrom, yet permit its withdrawal |for replacement purposes without requiring an undue effort on the part-of the user of the lighter. For facile removal of Athe fuel-cartridge 20 from the casing l2, the opposite side walls 22 and 23 of the latter are preferably recessed 'at 62, respectively, to aiord a good grip on 'thecart'ridge The cover I carries, in the present instance, a cross-pin63 which is journaled in rearwardlyextending lugsf`34 lon the sidewalls 22 and 23, respectively, of the casing i12 (Figs. i2 and 9). VFre'elyrotatable on the pin B3 is a conventional, preferably Ibushed sparking-wheel 85 which is Vadapted to be turned fin a vclockwise direction, as viewed in'Fig's. Zand 4, in'orderto drawfsparks from the 'adjacent end of avint 'f Yin the flinttube 2 for the ignition of fuel-gasreleasedby the lifted valve-element 38. The flin'ttf may in aconventional -rnan'n'er be urged 'against the usually knurled "or otherwiselroug'hened periphery of the sparking-Wheel V65 by va compression-type spring 66 (Fig. 5) which is Ah'eld in theilint-tube `2 1 bythe usual vthreaded 'plug 6'! at `the-lower end of the )dint-tube.

The manipulator I4' is, in rthe present-instance, 'a -U -shaped channel having opposite legs or angest Vand 159 which straddle the 'casing i2, and a connecting-Web "i8 'which conceals the dint-tube 21 and its socket '2'6 (Figs. `2 and 5). The manipulator I4 is further'provided withan at 'l2 Ytoproi'lide for y'access to the 'plug'i atthe lower fend of 'the -nint-tube 21. 4The vmanipulator l4'carriesnear its loWer'end a 'cross-pin 7`31w`hich is journaled in rearwardly-extending lugs vT4 and 15 on the side walls '292 and VV23, respectively, of thecasin'g 12. Thusgthe manipulator i 4 is turnable from the'normal inoperative position shown in Figs. l 'and`2 into the operative position'shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and vice versa.

The swing of the manipulator I4 into its operative and inoperative positions is, in the present instance, utilized for opening and closing the cover i8, respectively. To this end, the cover lEiis provided with opposite' aligned pins 1B (Figs. 1 and 2) which are disposed eccentrically of the -pivot-pin 63 'and'coopera'tewith identical camslots 11 in the opposite flanges 68 and 89, respectively, ofthe manipulator I4. The cover I6 is at its rear slotted as at s in order that the cover may, in its open position, clear the flint-tube 21 (Fig. 4).

The manipulator I4 is normally urged into the inoperative position shown in Figs. l and 2 by a leaf-type spring 13 (Figs. 2 and 5) which is conveniently anchored at one end in a punched-out strap 'I9 on the web 'i0 of the manipulator, and bears with its other end against a backing-plate 80 which, in turn, bears against the flint-tube socket 26. The backing-plate 60, which is provided at its lower end with a preferably punchedout projection 8| that engages the adjacent end of the socket-reinforcement member 33 (Figs. 2 and 4), is also provided with a rearwardly-offset top-shield BZ which conceals the sparking-wheel 65 and is substantially ush and continuous with the web of the manipulator M when the latter is in its normal inoperative position (Fig. 2).

The cover I6 is, in the present instance, provided with a web 63 (Fig. 2) in which is mounted in any suitable manner a conventional cup-shaped name-extinguisher 84 that bears with its open end against the nut 60 on the valve-element 33 and covers the fuel-outlet 39 thereat when the cover I6 is closed (Fig. 2).

The instant lighter I0 is also provided with a ratchet-mechanism which will turn the sparkingwheel 65 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 4, when the cover I6 is opened on depressing the manipulator I4 into its operative position, and which will have no turning effect on the sparking-wheel 65 when the cover I6 closes on the spring-return of the manipulator I4 into it's inoperative position. This ratchet-mechanism comprises a ratchet-disk 85 on one side of, and preferably integral with, the sparking-wheel 65 (Fig. 2), and a pawl 86 (Fig. 9) which is, in the present instance, formed by an inwardly-bent tongue of a plate 8'! which is elongated at 88 to fit approximately between the top wall 69 and the web 83 of the cover I6 (Fig. 9), while the pivot-pin 63, which extends through the plate 8T, holds the latter iirmly in the cover I6. Thus, the pawl 06 turns with the cover I6 and will, on rotation of the latter from its closed position into its open position, engage the nearest tooth t of the ratchet-disk 85 and turn the sparking-wheel 65 for the emission oi` sparks from the flint f. .On closure of the cover I6, the somewhat resilient pawl 86 will merely override the following tooth t of the ratchet-disk 85, and will fail to turn the sparking-wheel 65, especially since the spring-urged iiint f will act as a brake against the periphery of the sparking-wheel.

As shown in Fig. 4, the casing I2 extends some distance above the valve-element 38 on the inserted fuel-cartridge 20, so as to serve as an effective windbreaker. However, to support proper combustion of the ignited gaseous fuel as it is discharged from the valve-element 38, the upper end of the casing I2 is preferably provided with restricted air-passages or slots 90 (Figs. l, 4. and 6).

In accordance with a primary aspect of the ypresent invention, provisions are made whereby the Valve-element 38 is, for the discharge of a limited quantity of gaseous fuel from the cartridge 20, lifted from its closed position (Fig. 2)

into its fuel-discharge position (Fig. 4) on depressing the manipulator I4 into its operative position. To this end, there is provided a valveactuator 9| (Figs. 2, Li, 6 and 7) which, in the present instance, comprises two spaced ngers 92 and 93 which are joined at their adjacent ends 95 and 96, respectively, by a leaf-type spring 94 that normally urges these fingers apart. The ngers 92 and 93 of the valve-actuator 9| are provided near their opposite ends with outwardlyprojecting followers 91 and 98, respectively, which are adapted to cooperate with the adjacent flanges 63 and 69 of the manipulator I4 in operating the valve-actuator, in a manner described hereinafter. The valve-actuator 9| may conveniently be inserted in the instant lighter I0 by projecting the leaf-spring 94 into the slot 90a in the front wall 2| of the casing I2, and snapping the followers 91 and 98 into aligned slots 99 and |00 in the opposite end walls 22 and 23, respectively, of the casing I2, in the manner best shown in Fig. 6.V The valve-actuator 9| is thus readily mountable in, and demountable from, the casing I2 of the instant lighter. Instead of projecting the leaf-spring 9d through the air-passage or slot a in the front wall 2| of the casing I2, this slot may be omitted in the casing and the leaf-spring 93 mounted in a slotted member (not shown) on the inside of the casing-wall 2|, so as to conceal the spring 94 from view.

The opp- osite fingers 92 and 93 of the valveactuator 9| are intermediate their lengths provided with cam-faces |0| and |02, respectively, which are in cooperative relation with the nut 60 on the valve-element 33 of the inserted cartridge 20 (Figs. 2 and 6). The cam-faces |0| and |02 on the fingers 92 and 93 preferably clear the nut 60 on the valve-element 38 when the manipulator isi is in its inoperative position (Figs. 2 and 6), so that the fuel-cartridge 26 may be removed from the casing i2 of the instant lighter, and a new fuel-cartridge be inserted therein without any interference from the valve-actuator 9|.

The followers 9'! and 39 on the ngers 92 and 93 of the valve-actuator 9| are, in the present instance, provided with cam-edges |03 and |04, respectively, for cooperation with the adjacent anges 68 and 69 of the manipulator i4 in forcing the fingers 92 and 93 into the valve-lifting position shown in Figs. '7 and 10 on depressing the manipulator Ill from the inoperative position shown in Fig. 6 into the operative position shown in Fig. 7. In thus forcing the fingers 92 and 93 of the valve-actuator 9| into the valvelifting position (Figs. 7 and 10), their respective cam-faces |0| and |02 will engage the nut 60 on the valve-element 38 yand lift the latter into its fuel-discharge position in which to release a limited quantity of gaseous fuel. The valve-element 3S will be retained in its fuel-discharge position and will release fuel from the cartridge 20 while the manipulator I3 is held in its operative or depressed position (Figs. 4 and '7), and the valveelement 38 will be permitted to return to its normally-closed position (Figs. 2 and 8) on the spring-return of the ngers 92 and 93 of the valve-actuator 9| into the inactive or retracted position shown in Fig. 6, following the release of the depressed manipulator I4 by the user of the lighter.

To prevent lifting of the valve-element 38 into its fuel-discharge position and release of gaseous fuel from the cartridge 20, in consequence of accidental or unauthorized depression of the followers 97 and 98 into the respective slots 99 and |00 in the casing I2 when the manipulator I4 is in its inoperative position (Figs. l and 6), there is provided a lock-member |05 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) which may be in the form of an angle having |06 and |0`|. The lock-member |05, which may with its leg |06 be suitably mounted on the web 83 of the cover I6, will, in the closed position lof, .theflatten lextend :with its "other leg |07 between the'ngers Y02 and 93 ofthe valveactuator-'9| (Fig. 6) and effectively lock them against movementinto their-valve-lifting position `while the cover Iar isf closed. Preferably, the tip-end |08;of the leg- |0`| of the'lock-member is;wedgeshaped for its ready entry ybetween the fingers 92v and 93 ofthe valve-actuator-9|. On depressing the manipulator IB into its operati-ve positionv (Figs.- 3 and 4), the lockmember |05 on the cover I will be immediately retracted fromthe fingers 92 and 93 of the valveactuatorgl so'that the latter .may .be Yforced into its valve-lifting'position (Fig7) bythe manipulator i4, as it is being depressed.

Theprovisionof the.;valve'actuator 9| in the present lighterconstruction secures many important advantages. Thus, byv providing the valve-actuator,y in operative relation .with the manipulator I6, and thereby accomplishing the automatic opening of thevalve 3? in timewith the operation. of the sparking-mechanism, all Waste of gaseous fuel is eliminated and any danger of igniting an excessive accumulation of released gas is obviated. Further, a flame will assuredly be produced in. the instant lighter on each performance of the sparking-mechanism, thereby assuring the eflicient and reliable performance of the instant lighter on each manipulation thereof, and-,reducing wear of the fiint f and foulingV of the sparking-Wheel 65 to a minimum. The instant coordination of the valveactuator 9| with the manipulator i4 further affords to the user 0f the instant lighter a simple and most convenient control over the duration of the flame, since mere holding of the manipulator I4 in its operative or rdepressed position will result in feeding the llame with gaseous fuel from the cartridge 20 until the manipulator is released for spring-return to its inoperative position. Moreover, the valve-lifting element il! in the instant lighter is structurally exceedingly simple, yet highly reliable in operation, and facilitates the removal of a spent fuel-cartridge 2li-from the casing I2 and its replacement with a new cartridge.

The invention may be carried out in other specific Ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative'and not restrictive, and all changes coming Within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

l. In a pyrophoric lighter havinga -casing with opposite slotted side walls, a gaseous-fuel container in said casing having a normally closed valve including a shouldered valve-stem axially movable into a valve-opening position for the 4release of fuel, and sparking-mechanism in igniting relation with released fuel, the combination of amanipulator carried by said casing for movement in a plane substantially parallel nto said casing-Walls,.and operatively associated with said sparking-mechanism for actuating the latter on movement of said manipulator into an operative position, said manipulator having extensions on the outside of said casing-walls, respectively; and avalve-actuator having a pair of pivotally-connected cam-members on opposite sides of said valve-stem in saidcasing, said cammembers being normally yieldinglyA urged` apart 'into` aninactive position and` having. projections extendingoutwardly throughV the ,slots-.-in.'-said casing-walls, respectively, Iand said projections and extensions being cooperating cams to force said cam-members toward each other into cooperative relation with said shoulder on said valve-stem for moving the latter into itsr open position'on movingsaid manipulator into said operative position.

i2. The combination in a pyrophoric lighter as set forth in claim 1, in which said cam-members are pivotally connected vby va leaf spring which joinsthem and normally urges them apart.

3. The combination in a pyrophoric lighter as set forth in claim 1, in which said projections have cam-edges in the path of Vsaid extensions andthe latter vare in' the form ofr flanges on` Said manipulator which straddle said casing-walls,

4, In a pyrophoric lighter having a casing with a front wall and opposite side walls and slots in said walls, respectively, a gaseous-fuel container inpsaid casing having anormally closed valve including a shouldered valve stern axially movable longitudinally of said casing into an open position for the release of fuel, and sparking mechanism in igniting relation with released fuel, the combination of a manipulator carried by said casing for movement transversely thereof ina plane substantially parallel to said side Walls, and operatively associated With said sparking-mechanism for actuating the latter on movement of said manipulator into an operative position, said manipulator having extensions on the outside of said side walls, respectively, of said casing; and a valve-actuator comprising a pair of end-to-end pivotally-connected cam-members located on opposite sides, respectively, of said valve-stem in said casing and having near their other ends outward projections, respectively, said cam-members being normally yieldingly spread-apart and being with their pivoted ends and outward projections removably supported in said slots in said front wall and side walls, respectively, of said casing for pivotal movement of said cam-members from an inactive spread relative position toward each other into an active relative position and into cooperative relation with said shoulder on said valve-stem for moving the latter into its open position, and said outward projections and extensions being cooperating cams to force said cammembers into said active relative position on moving said manipulator into said operative position.

5. The combination in a pyrophoric lighter as set forth in claim 4, in which said cam-members are pivotally connected by a leaf spring which joins them and normally urges them'apart and extends into ,said slot in said front wall of said casing.

6. In a pyrophoric lighter having a casing With an open top, a cover movably carried by said open casing-top for opening and closing the latter, a gaseous-fuelV container in said casing having near the open top of the latter a normally closed valve for the discharge of fuel from said container, and sparking-mechanism in said casing for igniting discharged fuel from said container, the combination of a manipulator carried by said casing for movement into operative and inoperative positions and operatively associated with said cover for opening and closing the latter on movement of said manipulator into said operative and inoperative positions,respectively; an operating connection between said manipulator and sparking-mechanism. for operating` the latter onmoving the former into. said. operative position only;

a valve-actuator movable in said casing from an inactive position into an active position for opening said valve, and operatively associated with said manipulator for moving said valve-actuator into said active position on movement of said manipulator into said operative position; and a member carried by said cover for locking said valve-actuator against movement from said inactive position when said cover is closed, and for releasing it for movement into said active position when said cover is being opened.

7. In a pyrophoric lighter having a casing with an open top, a cover movably carried by said open casing-top for opening and closing the latter, and a gaseous-fuel container in said casing having near the open top of the latter a normallyclosed valve for the discharge of fuel from said container, the combination of a manipulator carred by said casing for movement into operative and inoperative positions and y operatively associated with said cover for opening and closing the latter on movement of said manipulator into said operative and inoperative positions, respectively; a valve-actuator movable in said casing from an inactive position into an active position for opening said valve, and operatively associated with said manipulator for moving said valveactuator into said active position on movement of said manipulator into said operative position; and a member carried by said cover for locking said valve-actuator against movement from said inactive position when said cover is closed, and for releasing it for movement into said active position when said cover is being opened.

. 8. In a pyrophoric lighter having a casing, a

gaseous-fuel container therein having a normally closed valve including a shouldered valve stem axially movable into valve-opening position for the release of fuel, and sparking mechanism in igniting relation with released fuel, the combination of a valve actuator having Wedge-like cams on opposite sides, respectively, of said valve stem; means in said casing for supporting said cams and guiding them for movement toward and aW-ay from each other transversely of the stem axis to cooperate With the shoulder on said stem in moving the latter into said valve-opening position on movement of said cams toward each other; and a manipulator operatively associated with said sparking mechanism and valve actuator and depressible on said casing for causing operation of said sparking mechanism and operative movement of the cams of said valve actuator.

ARTHUR P. ANDERSON.

REFERENCES A CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: l

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,153,432 Reich Apr. 4, 1939 2,477,398 Shatkin July 26, 1949 2,482,794 Peterson Sept. 27, 1949 2,571,435 Flamm Oct. 16, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 603,504 Great Britain June 17, 1948 923,219 France of 1947

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