Cigarette lighter

Abstract

The apparatus and method disclosed uses the energy, heat, and/or rays of a light source, such as the sun, to light a cigarette. An apparatus is provided comprising a housing, a reflecting device having an inner surface, the reflecting device connected to the housing, and a cigarette holder connected to the housing. A cigarette can be inserted into the cigarette holder such that light from a light source reflects off the inner surface of the reflecting device and is directed towards the cigarette, causing the cigarette to light. The reflecting device may be a dish. The dish may have a focal point at which light rays reflecting off of the inner surface of the dish intersect. The cigarette holder may hold a cigarette so that a first end of the cigarette which is to be lit, is located at the focal point of the dish. The housing may be comprised of a handle device by which the apparatus can be held.

1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a housing;    a reflecting device having an inner surface, the reflecting device connected to the housing;    a cigarette holder connected to the housing; and    wherein a cigarette can be inserted into the cigarette holder such that light from a light source reflects off the inner surface of the reflecting device and is directed towards the cigarette, causing the cigarette to light;    wherein the housing is comprised of a handle device by which the apparatus can be held;    and wherein the handle device has a gap through which one or more fingers can be inserted for holding the apparatus.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein 
 the reflecting device is a dish.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein 
 the dish has a focal point at which light rays reflecting off of the inner surface of the dish intersect; and    wherein the cigarette holder holds a cigarette so that a first end of the cigarette, which is to be lit, is located at the focal point of the dish.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein 
 the handle device is at a location substantially opposite from the cigarette holder.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein 
 the handle device is located underneath the reflecting device.    
   
   
       6 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 inserting a cigarette into a cigarette holder such that light from a light source reflects off the inner surface of a reflecting device and is directed towards the cigarette, causing the cigarette to light; and    wherein the cigarette holder is connected to a housing;    the reflecting device is connected to the housing; and    further comprising picking up the housing by a handle device, which is part of the housing;    and wherein    the handle device has a gap through which one or more fingers are inserted for picking up the housing.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein 
 the reflecting device is a dish.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein 
 the dish has a focal point at which light rays reflecting off of the inner surface of the dish intersect; and    wherein the cigarette holder holds a cigarette so that the a first end of the cigarette which is to be lit, is located at the focal point of the dish.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein 
 the dish has a curvature;    the cigarette holder is connected to a housing;    the reflecting device is connected to the housing; and    the housing has a curved portion with a curvature which is substantially the same as the curvature of the dish; and    wherein the dish is fixed to the housing at the curved portion.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein 
 the cigarette holder has a lip, which prevents a cigarette from falling out of the cigarette holder.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 6  wherein 
 the handle device is at a location substantially opposite from the cigarette holder.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 6  wherein 
 the handle device is located underneath the reflecting device.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein 
 the cigarette holder is connected by a curved member to the housing.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein 
 the cigarette holder is comprised of a hollow cylinder having a top edge and a bottom edge, and a plurality of protruding portions, including a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion;    wherein the first protruding portion includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of the first protruding portion is protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder, and the second section of the first protruding portion protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the first section of the first protruding portion and the second section of the first protruding portion is substantially parallel to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder; and    wherein the second protruding portion includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of the second protruding portion is protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder, and the second section of the second protruding portion protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the first section of the second protruding portion and the second section of the second protruding portion is substantially parallel to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein 
 the plurality of protruding portions includes a third protruding portion and a fourth protruding portion;    wherein the third protruding portion includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of the third protruding portion is protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder, and the second section of the third protruding portion protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the first section of the third protruding portion and the second section of the third protruding portion is substantially parallel to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder; and    wherein the fourth protruding portion includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of the fourth protruding portion is protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder, and the second section of the fourth protruding portion protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the first section of the fourth protruding portion and the second section of the fourth protruding portion is substantially parallel to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein 
 the first, second, third, and fourth protruding portions are fixed to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder and arranged in a manner such that one protruding portion is located at a northern location, one at an eastern location, one at a southern location, and one at a western location.    
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising 
 one or more tracks fixed onto an outer surface of the dish; and    wherein the dish can be attached or detached from the housing by sliding the one or more tracks onto a portion of the housing.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein 
 the housing includes a bottom portion having a gap into the which the one or more tracks can be inserted to facilitate attaching or detaching the dish from the housing.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising 
 a carrying case having first and second pockets;    wherein the housing is fixed to the cigarette holder;    wherein the reflecting device is detachable from the housing;    and wherein the reflecting device can be inserted into the first pocket while a combination of the housing and cigarette holder are inserted into the second pocket.