GB2433775A

GB2433775A - Lighter comprising a piezoelectric ignitor with a safety mechanism for preventing accidental use

Info

Publication number: GB2433775A
Application number: GB0600021A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tak Chi Sher
Original assignee: HSIAO FANG KANG
Current assignee: HSIAO FANG KANG
Priority date: 2006-01-03
Filing date: 2006-01-03
Publication date: 2007-07-04
Also published as: GB0600021D0

Abstract

A safety lighter comprising a piezoelectric actuator 9 disposed within a housing, an actuation trigger 12 being slidably mounted in the housing, the trigger being slidable from a forward extended position to a rearward retracted position to actuate the trigger and ignite the lighter, the trigger including a rearwardly facing stop surface (12B, fig.3), a switch 7 moveable from a locked position to an unlocked position, the switch having an abutment (07D, fig.3) adapted to engage the stop surface in the locked position of the switch to prevent rearward sliding of the trigger, the switch further having a release member (07A, fig.3) adapted when manually actuated to release the switch allowing rearward movement of the trigger to cause ignition of the lighter. The invention relates particularly to a lighter of the kind which may be used for igniting a barbeque or other cooker. The safety mechanism could be utilised to prevent accidental use by a child.

Description

SAFETY LIGHTER

This invention relates to a lighter of the kind having apiezoelectric ignitor with a safety mechanism which prevents accidental use by a child. The invention relates particularly but not exclusively to a lighter of the kind which may be used for igniting a barbeque or other cooker, wherein the lighter comprises a housing forming a handgrip with a trigger mechanism and with the flame nozzle being located on a pipe or other elongate member remote from the handle portion.

In a conventional barbeque lighter the trigger may be depressed by a user's index finger to cause ignition. A hazard may arise if the trigger is inadvertently actuated, for

example by a child.

According to the present invention a safety lighter comprises a piezoelectric actuator disposed within a housing, an actuation trigger being slidably mounted in the housing, the trigger being slidable from a forward extended position to a rearward retracted position to actuate the trigger and ignite the lighter, the trigger including a rearwardly facing stop surface, a switch moveable from a locked position to an unlocked position, a switch having an abutment adapted to engage the stop surface in the locked position of the switch to prevent rearward sliding of the trigger, the switch further having a release member adapted when manually actuated to release the switch allowing rearward movement of the trigger to cause ignition of the lighter.

In a preferred embodiment the release member must be actuated simultaneously with retraction of the trigger. This arrangement substantially reduces or prevents the likelihood of inadvertent ignition of the lighter by a child. Furthermore the handle may be dimensioned to be too big to fit into a child's hand. The force needed to actuate the

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The trigger may have an outwardly extending projection or other abutment adapted to engage an end of the switch member.

In a preferred embodiment the release member is biassed towards the locked position.

The switch may include a spring means adapted to bias the switch into the locked position. in a preferred embodiment the switch is pivotally engaged to the housing.

The switch may be secured to the housing by a pivot member, for example a pin passing through the switch. Alternatively a pin or fulcrum member may extend from the switch member.

The pivot member is preferably located at an intermediate position along the length of the switch member, preferably between the abutment at one end of the switch and the release member of the other end of the switch.

The release member may comprise a button or knob, for example a push button or is slidably button mounted on the switch. The button, knob or other release member may extend from an aperture in the housing to facilitate operation by a user's thumb. The release member is preferably located on an upper surface of the housing above the location of the trigger.

In a preferred embodiment a helical spring engages a formation, for example a stud, pin or other projection, on the switch member adjacent to the abutment. The spring may be compressed between the switch member and an inner surface of the housing to exert a restoring force urging the switch into the locked position.

* S 555 * *55 * S S S * *SS S S * S S S * S S S S 5 S S * * S S S * ** * S 5* * * In a preferred embodiment the housing forms a handgrip, the trigger being arranged to be actuated by a user's index finger with the release member extending upwardly from the housing and arranged so that it may be actuated simultaneously by a user's thumb.

The invention is further described by means of example but not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:-Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a lighter in accordance with the invention in the idle position; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the lighter shown in Figure 1 in the ignited position; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the lighter; Figure 4 is an exploded view of the lighter with the switch assembled; Figure 5 is an exploded view of the lighter of the assembled switch in a locked position; and Figure 6 is an exploded view with the trigger actuated; The lighter shown in cross section in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a sparking spring (1) located in a nozzle (2) in pipe (3). The pipe (3) extends distally from a housing handle (20). A gas tube (4) extends distally from the reservoir (21) located within the handle (20) as shown in Figures 1 and 2. An earth wire (13) extends along the pipe (3). A piezoelectric lighter (9) has a plunger (11) actuated by a trigger (12). A gas lever (10) contacting an underside of the plunger (11) opens the gas valve in a conventional manner as the plunger is depressed as shown in Figure 2. a

* S **. * S * * S * * *.* * * a S * * * * a a S a. * * * I I * * a * * S * S Figure 3 shows the housing (20) comprising left (16) and right (17) half portions together with a trigger (12) and switch (7). The trigger (12) has a trigger engaging surface (12a). The trigger is mounted for sliding movement within the housing (20).

A rectangular projection (12b) forms a stop. The projection (12b) abuts and engages the rearward surface of the finger guard (22) as shown in Figure 4 when the trigger is in the distal extended position.

The switch (7) comprises a push button (7a) mounted on a shaft (7b) connected to an elongate member extending over a pivot aperture (7c) to a distal abutment surface (7d).

A projection or stud (7e) serves to receive a helical spring (6). The end of the spring (6) is received in a docket (16a) formed in the inner surface of the housing (16). A pin (1 6b) extends through the pivot aperture (7c) to allow rotation of the switch member (7) when the push button (7a) is depressed against the restoring force of the spring (6).

In the non-used or idle state as shown in Figure 4 the abutment projection (12b) is constrained between the rearward facing surface (22) of the finger guard and the forward or distal abutment surface (7d) of the switch (7). In this position the trigger cannot be moved.

In order to actuate the lighter the button (7a) must be depressed and maintained in the depressed position, opening the switch allowing the trigger (12) to be withdrawn rearwardly pressing and igniting the piezoelectric ignitor. As shown in Figures 5 and 6. In Figure 5 the push button (7a) is depressed, simultaneously with the compression and sliding of the trigger raising the abutment (7d) and releasing the projection (12b) for rearward movement.

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Claims

CLAIMS

1 A safety lighter comprising a piezoelectric actuator disposed within a housing, an actuation trigger being slidably mounted in the housing, the trigger being slidable from a forward extended position to a rearward retracted position to actuate the trigger and ignite the lighter, the trigger including a rearwardly facing stop surface, a switch moveable from a locked position to an unlocked position, a switch having an abutment adapted to engage the stop surface in the locked position of the switch to prevent rearward sliding of the trigger, the switch further having a release member adapted when manually actuated to release the switch allowing rearward movement of the trigger to cause ignition of the lighter.

2 A safety lighter as claimed in claim I wherein the release member is actuated simultaneously with the retraction of the trigger.

3 A safety lighter as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the release member is is biassed towards the locked position.

4 A safety lighter as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the switch includes a spring means adapted to bias the switch into the locked position.

A safety lighter as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the switch is pivotally engaged to the housing.

6 A safety lighter as claimed in claim 5 wherein the switch is secured to the housing by a pivot member.

* * esi * * S I * * II. S * * * * S * I S I S I, S I I * * S * I * ** * S ** * * 7 A safety lighter as claimed in any preceding wherein the pivot member is located at an intermediate position between the abutment and the release member.

8 A safety lighter as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the release member extends from an aperture in the housing.

9 A safety lighter as claimed in any preceding wherein the release member is located on an upper surface of the housing.

A safety lighter as claimed in any preceding wherein a helical spring engages a formation of the switch member adjacent to the abutment.

II A safety lighter as claimed in claim 10 wherein the spring is compressed between the switch member and an inner surface of the housing.

12 A safety lighter is substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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