Lighter With Flame Director

Abstract

An adjustable lighter in which the flame angle is controlled by a switch located on the lighter a safe distance from the flame. In one embodiment, a thumb slide switch is used to rotate the flame output to one or more flame angles. An alternative embodiment uses a flame output in the form of in the form of a wheel. An optional features include an integral LED lamp, and/or a transparent window that allows the user to view the inside of the lighter.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A lighter, comprising:
 a fuel supply;   a flame output;   switch means between the fuel supply and the flame output to control the fuel flow from the fuel supply to the flame output;   an igniter to ignite fuel at the flame output; and   an angle control operatively connected to the flame output for controlling the angle at which the flame is output in relation to the lighter, the angle control located on the body of the lighter;   whereby the user of the lighter can control the flame angle without coming in close proximity to the flame.   
     
     
         2 . A lighter, as in  claim 1 , wherein the angle control is a slide switch that is operatively connected to the flame output such that when the slide switch is moved, the angle of the flame output is adjusted. 
     
     
         3 . A lighter, as in  claim 2 , wherein the slide switch is positioned away from the flame output such that the slide switch is operable without requiring the user's finger to be in close proximity with the flame output. 
     
     
         4 . A lighter, as in  claim 2 , wherein the slide switch stops at predetermined locations. 
     
     
         5 . A lighter, as in  claim 2 , wherein the slide switch stops at arbitrary locations chosen by the user. 
     
     
         6 . A lighter, as in  claim 2 , wherein the flame output is pivotably attached to the slide switch. 
     
     
         7 . A lighter, as in  claim 2 , further comprising an ignition switch operatively connected to the igniter, the ignition switch separate from, and independent of, the slide switch. 
     
     
         8 . A lighter, as in  claim 2 , further comprising an ignition switch operatively connected to the igniter, the ignition switch operatively connected to the slide switch. 
     
     
         9 . A lighter, as in  claim 8 , wherein the igniter is a piezo-electric igniter. 
     
     
         10 . A lighter, as in  claim 8 , wherein the slide switch and the ignition switch are the same switch, the slide switch is pressed in to activate the igniter, and the slide switch is moved to change the angle of the flame output. 
     
     
         11 . A lighter, as in  claim 10 , wherein the igniter is a piezo-electric igniter. 
     
     
         12 . A lighter, as in  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the lighter is transparent. 
     
     
         13 . A lighter, as in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 at least one LED lamp on the lighter;   an LED switch to selectively activate the LED lamp; and   a battery, operatively connected to the LED switch, to provide power to the LED lamps.   
     
     
         14 . A lighter, as in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an extended multi-segment flame output having a plurality of segments attached to one another via movable knuckles; and   means to rotate the knuckles to change the flame angle.   
     
     
         15 . A lighter, as in  claim 14 , further comprising an ignition switch operatively connected to the igniter, the ignition switch separate from, and independent of, the slide switch. 
     
     
         16 . A lighter, as in  claim 14 , further comprising an ignition switch operatively connected to the igniter, the ignition switch operatively connected to the slide switch. 
     
     
         17 . A lighter, as in  claim 16 , wherein the igniter is a piezo-electric igniter. 
     
     
         18 . A lighter, as in  claim 16 , wherein the slide switch and the ignition switch are the same switch, the slide switch is pressed in to activate the igniter, and the slide switch is moved to change the angle of the flame output. 
     
     
         19 . A lighter, as in  claim 18 , wherein the igniter is a piezo-electric igniter.