JP2003343833A - Safety mechanism for lighter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem wherein the projection of a stopper as a lock member from a body causes a fear for an unrestricted turn in a releasing direction and accidental ignition. <P>SOLUTION: A safety mechanism 8 comprises a movable fulcrum 8a for supporting a valve operating lever 7 for swing and vertical motion, and a slider 8b for displacing the movable fulcrum 8a vertically. The slider 8b has, at one end, an operating portion exposed to the periphery of the lighter body 1 and, at the other end, a varying height guide portion extended under the movable fulcrum 8a to change the fulcrum position of the movable fulcrum 8a in dependence on an operation of the operating portion. The varying height guide portion, which connects an upper step and a lower step via an inclined face, pushes up the supported point portion of the valve operating lever 7 to form a valve openable state when a lower end of the movable fulcrum 8a is positioned on the upper step, and pulls down the supported point portion and switches to a valve unopenable state when the lower end is positioned on the lower step. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention mainly relates to a safety mechanism for preventing erroneous ignition of a piezo lighter, and more specifically, even if a provisional command or an ignition operator is accidentally pushed in,
The present invention relates to a child resistant lighter that does not ignite even if a child or the like operates it mischievously.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a gas lighter, a gas ejecting nozzle is operated by pushing down an ignition operator to start ejecting gas, and an ignition means is operated to generate a spark so that gas ignition is performed. Has become.

The gas lighter is roughly classified into a piezoelectric ignition type lighter (hereinafter, simply referred to as a piezo lighter) which uses a piezoelectric unit for striking a piezoelectric element with a striking mechanism to generate a high voltage, and which is ignited by spark discharge. There is also a flint type lighter that rubs a flint with a file and ignites it with a spark.

Among these gas lighters, in particular, the above-mentioned piezo lighter, the valve of the gas ejection nozzle is automatically opened by the pushing operation of the ignition operator and instantaneous spark discharge is generated. Since it is ignited and ignited, it is expected that children etc. will operate it by mistake, and it is feared that it may cause fire or burns. Various safety mechanisms for a lighter having a safety mechanism for blocking have been devised.

Conventionally, as a safety mechanism of such a lighter, for example, the one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 54-44176 is well known as a conventional example. The safety mechanism in this conventional example causes gas to be ejected from the gas ejection nozzle by pressing the ignition operator engaged with the tip of the gas ejection nozzle whose tip protrudes to the top of the gas lighter body in the valve opening direction. In a gas lighter, a lower portion of the ignition operator is rotatably supported with respect to the ignition operator, and at a certain position, it abuts an upper edge portion of the lighter body to prevent the ignition operator from descending. At other positions, the operation piece fitted in the fitting groove that is disengaged from the upper edge of the lighter body and allows the descending of the ignition operator, and is vertically installed below the ignition operator. And a stopper formed by a mounting shaft into which the operation piece is rotatably inserted and a spring that is loosely fitted under the operation shaft to prevent the operation piece from coming off.

[0006]

However, in the safety mechanism of Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 54-44176 described above, the free end side of the stopper (specifically, the operation piece), which is the lock member, is outward from the surface of the lighter body. Since it protrudes toward, when a lighter is put in a pocket, bag, etc., for example, the fingertip that is casually put in during an external shock or a series of movements is such a stopper (see Operation piece)
It has a problem that it touches the protruding part of the and easily turns in the releasing direction, and there is a fear that it may be ignited unexpectedly.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and even if a provisional decree or an ignition operator is pushed in unexpectedly, or if a child or the like manipulates it mischievously, it ignites. It is intended to provide a safe mechanism for a lighter that is unique.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to achieve the intended purpose, the construction which is the gist of the present invention is an ignition which is rotatably mounted in a lighter body. In a safety mechanism of a lighter comprising an operator, a valve operating lever that operates a valve in a valve opening direction in association with an operation of the ignition operator, and a safety mechanism that blocks an ignition operation, the safety mechanism includes: Equipped with switching means that releases the interlocking operation with the piezoelectric unit at one position to prevent the valve opening operation and allows the interlocking operation with the piezoelectric unit at the other position to execute the valve opening operation. It exists in the safety mechanism of the lighter.

The switching means may include a movable fulcrum for displacing the fulcrum position of the valve operating lever and a slider for operating the movable fulcrum.

Further, in the slider, one end side of which faces the outer peripheral surface of the lighter body and the other end side of which extends below or above the movable fulcrum and which changes the height of the movable fulcrum according to the operation of the operating part. It is good to have a high guide part.

The safety mechanism of the lighter of the present invention thus constructed releases the interlocking operation with the piezoelectric unit at one position to prevent the valve opening operation, and interlocks with the piezoelectric unit at the other position. By providing the switching means for enabling the operation to execute the valve opening operation of the valve, the ignition operation can be arbitrarily performed by the operation of the switching means,
It will be switched to the impossible state.

Further, the switching means is provided with a movable fulcrum for displacing the fulcrum position of the valve operating lever and a slider for activating the movable fulcrum, so that the movable fulcrum is interlocked in accordance with the operation of the slider to operate the valve. The mounting position and angle of the lever can be changed.

Further, in the slider, one end side of which faces the outer peripheral surface of the lighter body, and the other end side of which extends below or above the movable fulcrum and which changes the height of the movable fulcrum according to the operation of the operating part. By providing the high guide part, the movable fulcrum is displaced to the normal position (original fulcrum position) only when the operating part is operated by the finger (index finger) holding the lighter body, and the valve operating lever It enables the interlocking operation between the and piezoelectric unit (ignition possible).

In a normal state where the operating portion is not operated, since the movable fulcrum is not in the normal position (original fulcrum position) (because the valve operating lever is held in the valve openable position), the piezoelectric element is activated by the ignition operation. Even if the unit is hit, the pushing stroke is not linked to the operation lever and the valve is not opened.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, a first embodiment of a safety mechanism according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A in the figure
Is a piezo lighter that also serves as a safety mechanism of the present invention. This piezo lighter A comprises a lighter body 1 of a predetermined size, a gas tank 2 for enclosing a liquefied gas in the lighter body 1, and a gas tank 2. An upper lid 3 that hermetically closes the opening is provided.

The lighter body 1 is made of an appropriate material such as AS resin, and the piezoelectric unit 4 is mounted through the mounting hole 1a. The piezoelectric unit 4 has an outer box 4a and an inner box 4b fitted to each other so as to expand and contract in the vertical direction,
Although not shown in the figure, a striking mechanism including a piezoelectric element, a hammer, a return spring, etc. is built in the inner box 4b, and the terminal 5 is connected to the valve operating lever 7 to be described later from the upper end side of the inner box 4b. It is installed outside to work together.

On the other hand, the ignition operator 6 includes a mounting arm 6b which rotates about a support shaft 6a, and a pushing operation piece 6 which faces the upper end of the piezoelectric unit 4 from the side end of the mounting arm 6b.
and c.

The valve operating lever 7 is formed of a conductive material, and its upper end 7a side is locked to the neck portion of the gas ejection nozzle 10 about the movable fulcrum 8a described later, and the lower end 7 is formed.
It is arranged so that the b side faces below the terminal 5 of the piezoelectric unit 4, and the safety mechanism 8 can arbitrarily release the interlocking operation with the piezoelectric unit 4.

The safety mechanism 8 comprises switching means for releasing the interlocking of the piezoelectric unit 4 and the valve operating lever 7 at one position and enabling the interlocking operation of the both at the other position. Movable fulcrum 8a that supports up and down movement
And a slider 8b for displacing the movable fulcrum 8a so as to be vertically movable.

The slider 8b is an operation portion 8b ₁ whose one end face the outer peripheral surface of the lighter body 1, the support position of the movable fulcrum 8a in response to the operation of the extending out operation portion 8b ₁ under the other end side movable fulcrum 8a High-height guide portion 8b ₂ for switching between
It has and.

As shown in FIG. 3, the variable height guide portion 8b ₂ is formed by continuously connecting an upper step surface 8b ₃ and a lower step surface 8b ₄ having different heights via an inclined surface 8b ₅ and is movable. When the lower end of the fulcrum 8a is at the position of the upper surface 8b ₃ (see FIG. 2).
(See FIG. 1), the fulcrum part of the valve operating lever 7 is pushed up to open the valve, and when it is at the position of the lower surface 8b ₄ (see FIG. 1), the fulcrum part is pushed down to switch to the valve openable state. .

The present invention thus constituted, the first movable fulcrum 8a by operating push the operating portion 8b ₁ in hand Jisuru grip the lighter body 1 finger (e.g., index finger)
Moves to the normal position (original fulcrum position), and the valve operating lever 7
When the ignition unit 6 is rotated, the operation unit (outer box 4a) of the piezoelectric unit 4 is pushed down and the terminal 5 is operated in the same manner. After contacting the lower end side of the lever 7 and operating the upper end side in the direction to open the valve, a high voltage is generated, an electric discharge is generated between the gas ejection nozzle and a discharge terminal (not shown), and the gas is ignited. I am trying to do it.

[0023] In other words, when to ignite the lighter of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, only only simple operation pushing the operating portion 8b ₁ with the index finger, the movable fulcrum 8a
Since the lower end of displacement in the upper surface 8b ₃ position by rotational operation of the ignition operating member 6, the operation of the piezoelectric unit 4 (BIN 4a) is pushed down, to the terminal 5 is pushed into the valve operating lever 7 When operated, the lever 7 is operated in the valve opening direction (see FIG. 4), the valve 9 is operated in the opening direction to eject the gas from the gas ejection nozzle 10, and the piezoelectric unit 4 is completely pushed in. The striking mechanism operates, a high voltage is generated, and the jetted gas can be ignited by spark discharge.

When the operating portion 8b ₁ is not pushed in (normal) (see FIG. 1), the movable fulcrum 8a is not in the normal position (original fulcrum position), that is, the lower end 7b side of the valve operating lever 7 is inward. Since the terminal 5 is displaced to the non-contact position with the entry terminal 5, even if the piezoelectric unit 4 is hit by an ignition operation, the terminal 5 is simply pushed downward to interlock with the valve operating lever 7 (valve opening operation). It is not done.

[0025] Incidentally, after the ignition, or provided with a biasing member such that the operation portion 8b ₁ simply releasing the index finger that pushes the operating portion 8b ₁ slides to the original position, the return of the ignition operating element 6 It is preferable that the operation portion 8b ₁ is interlocked so as to return to the original position by using force (urging force).

Unless the operating portion 8b ₁ is pushed against the urging member or the urging force of the ignition operator 6, the valve cannot be opened (see FIG. 2), and the operation is not performed. Part 8b
_This is because the safety is further enhanced by setting the biasing force so that ₁ cannot be pushed in only by the finger force of the child.

[0027] In addition, easily pushing Without being even touching the finger or the like on the operation section 8b ₁ is in the pocket, also,
Even if the provisional decree and the ignition operator 6 are unintentionally rotated in a series of operations, the valve operation lever 7 cannot open the valve, so that the gas does not leak, rather than ignite. .

Next, a second embodiment of the safety mechanism of the lighter according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In order to facilitate understanding, the same parts as those of the first embodiment described above will be designated by the same reference numerals and only different parts will be described with new numbers.

Reference numeral 11 in the figure denotes a safety mechanism of this embodiment,
This safety mechanism 11 releases the interlocking operation with the piezoelectric unit 4 at one position to prevent the valve opening operation of the valve 9, and enables the interlocking operation with the piezoelectric unit 4 at the other position to enable the interlocking operation with the piezoelectric unit 4. It is composed of switching means for executing the valve opening operation.

This switching means is provided with a movable fulcrum 13 that supports the valve operating lever 12 so as to swing and move up and down, and a slider 14 that displaces the movable fulcrum 13 so as to move up and down.

One end 12a of the valve operating lever 12 is locked to the neck of the gas ejection nozzle 10 and the other end 12b is locked to the small box 4b of the piezoelectric unit 4 (see FIG. 8).

As shown in FIG. 5, the movable fulcrum 13 is a fulcrum inclined portion 13b which is obliquely cut out so that the bottom surface of the locking portion 13a side is lifted at a normal (unused) position, and the top surface of the gas tank 2. A fulcrum recess 13c that is swingably supported by the fulcrum pin 2a formed on the upper end of the fulcrum, and a height change fulcrum 13d that is formed on the upper surface of the other end to support the valve operating lever 12 (Fig. 6). reference).

The slider 14, as shown in FIG. 6, the operation unit 14a assembled vertically movably through a sliding slit 1b ₁ on the side surface of the intermediate case 1b, the operation part 1
Is projected to the inside of 4a is composed of a Hendaka guide portion 14b is slidably retaining said sliding slit 1b _1.

Further, the height change guide portion 14b is provided so as to project on the upper surface of the locking portion 13a of the movable fulcrum 13, and the movable fulcrum 13 is swung in response to the sliding operation of the operating portion 14a. It is something to move.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the safety mechanism of this embodiment having the above-described structure, the valve operating levers 12 are always arranged in parallel and tilted to the upper end of the outer casing 4a of the piezoelectric unit 4 as desired. Therefore, even if the ignition operator 6 is operated, only the inner box 4b of the piezoelectric unit 4 is pushed down, the valve operating lever 12 does not operate (the valve cannot be opened), and ignition does not occur.

When it is desired to ignite, as shown in FIG.
The operating portion 14a of the slider 14 is slid downward by a finger holding the lighter, so that the fulcrum inclined portion 13b of the movable fulcrum 13 is grounded on the top surface of the gas tank 2.
The other end 12b of the valve operating lever 12 is pushed down on the 3a side.
Since the side is tilted (set to the normal position) so as to face under the neck of the inner box 4b of the piezoelectric unit 4, by operating the ignition operator 6 (see FIG. 8), the operating portion of the piezoelectric unit 4 (internal The box 4b) is pushed down, the valve operating lever 12 operates so as to use the movable fulcrum 13d as a fulcrum, operates the lever 12 in the valve opening direction, and operates the valve in the opening direction to release gas from the gas ejection nozzle 10. While ejecting, the piezoelectric unit 4 is completely pushed in to operate the striking mechanism to generate a high voltage and ignite the ejected gas by spark discharge.

After ignition, the movable fulcrum 13 returns to its original state and the valve operating lever 12 is displaced to the valve-opening impossible state simply by returning the slider 14 upward (see FIG. 5). The safety mechanism works and keeps the ignition impossible.

The safety mechanism of the lighter of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and can be freely modified in design within the scope of the object of the present invention, and the present invention includes all of them. It is a thing.

[0039]

The present invention is configured as described above, and the interlocking operation with the piezoelectric unit is released at one position to prevent the valve opening operation, and the interlocking operation with the piezoelectric unit at the other position is possible. By providing the switching means for executing the valve opening operation of the same valve, it is possible to arbitrarily switch the ignition operation possible state and the impossible state by the operation of the switching means. The valve opening operation does not work even if it is pushed in or operated by a child mischievously, so it is possible to reliably prevent accidental ignition and also to provide a safe mechanism of a lighter that can also prevent mischief of children. it can.

Further, since the switching means is provided with a movable fulcrum for displacing the fulcrum position of the valve operating lever and a slider for activating the movable fulcrum, the movable fulcrum is interlocked in accordance with the operation of the slider to operate the valve. Since the mounting position and the angle of the lever can be displaced, even if the ignition operator is erroneously pushed in, the safety mechanism works so that the valve opening operation does not work, and it is possible to reliably prevent erroneous ignition.

In particular, in the slider, one end side of which faces the outer peripheral surface of the lighter body, and the other end side of which extends below or above the movable fulcrum and which changes the height of the movable fulcrum according to the operation of the operating part. Since the high guide part is provided, the movable fulcrum is displaced to the normal position (original fulcrum position) only by operating the operation part with the finger (index finger) of the hand holding the lighter body, and the valve operating lever And the piezoelectric unit can be interlocked (ignition possible),
In a normal state where the operation part is not operated, the movable fulcrum is not in the normal position (original fulcrum position) (because the valve operation lever is held in the valve open position), and the piezoelectric unit is hit by the ignition operation. Even if the operation is performed, the pushing stroke is not linked to the operation lever, and the valve is not opened.

As described above, the safety mechanism of the lighter according to the present invention, even if the ignition operator is erroneously pushed in,
Even if a child mischievously operates the valve opening operation,
It is possible to provide a child resistant lighter that can surely prevent accidental ignition, and because it has a simple structure, is suitable for mass production, and can be supplied to users as a low-priced product. There is an enormous value in its profitable value.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a first embodiment of a safety mechanism for a lighter according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an ignitable state of the safety mechanism.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a slider of the safety mechanism.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a valve open state of the safety mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing a second embodiment of the safety mechanism of the lighter according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an assembly exploded perspective view of the safety mechanism.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an ignitable state of the safety mechanism.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a valve open state of the safety mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts of the same safety mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Lighter body 1a Mounting hole 1b Intermediate case 1b ₁ Sliding slit 2 Gas tank 2a Support point pin 3 Upper lid 4 Piezoelectric unit 4a Outer box 4b Inner box 5 Terminal 6 Ignition operator 6a Spindle 6b Mounting arm 6c Pushing operation piece 7 Valve operating lever 7a Upper end 7b Lower end 8 Safety mechanism 8a Movable fulcrum 8b Slider 8b ₁ Operation part 8b ₂ Height change guide part 8b ₃ Upper step surface 8b ₄ Lower step surface 8b ₅ Inclined surface 9 Valve 10 Gas ejection nozzle 11 Safety mechanism 12 Valve operation lever 12a One end side 12b Other end side 13 Movable fulcrum 13a Engagement part 13b fulcrum inclined part 13c fulcrum recess 13d Variable height fulcrum 14 Slider 14a Operation part 14b Variable height guide part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An ignition operator mounted on a lighter body so as to be pushed or pivoted freely, and a valve operating lever for operating a valve in a valve opening direction in association with an operation of the ignition operator.
In a lighter comprising a safety mechanism for preventing an ignition operation, the safety mechanism releases the valve opening operation of the valve by releasing the interlocking operation with the piezoelectric unit at one position, and the piezoelectric unit at the other position. A lighter safety mechanism comprising a switching means for enabling the interlocking operation of the valve and executing the valve opening operation of the valve. 2. The lighter safety mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the switching means comprises a movable fulcrum for displacing the fulcrum position of the valve operating lever, and a slider for activating the movable fulcrum. . 3. The slider has a one end side which faces the outer peripheral surface of the lighter body, and the other end side which extends below or above the movable fulcrum and which changes the height of the movable fulcrum according to the operation of the operating part. The lighter safety mechanism according to claim 2, further comprising a high guide portion.