JP2004183969A

JP2004183969A - Igniting device

Info

Publication number: JP2004183969A
Application number: JP2002350904A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Nobuyuki Serizawa; 宜之芹澤
Original assignee: Tokai Corp
Current assignee: Tokai Corp
Priority date: 2002-12-03
Filing date: 2002-12-03
Publication date: 2004-07-02

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an igniting device having a lock mechanism capable of preventing an accidental ignition by disabling the igniting operation of an operating member just before the completion of igniting in the electric ignition type igniting device blowing and igniting fuel gas by the pressing operation of the operating member. <P>SOLUTION: This igniting device comprises the operating member 6 performing the igniting operation by operating a gas mechanism 3 and an electric ignition type igniting mechanism 5 by the pressing operation to an ignition completing position. The operating member 6 comprises an operating cap 7 slidable in a pressing operation direction, a stopper 8 moving integrally with the operating cap 7, movable to a lock position and unlock position, and having a locking part 81, and an energizing member 9 for energizing the stopper 8 in the lock position direction. A restriction part 25 locked to the locking part 81 to stop the further pressing movement when the stopper 8 is moved to a position just before an igniting power supply is performed is installed in an equipment body 2. In the locked state, the locking part 81 locks the restriction part 25 immediately before the ignition completion position to restrict the pressing movement of the operating cap 7. In the unlocked state, the pressing operation to the ignition completion position of the operating cap 7 is enabled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、操作部材の点火操作によってガス噴出ノズルより炎を噴出する着火器具において、通常はストッパーによって操作部材の点火操作をロックする一方、使用に際してロックを解除して点火可能としたロック機構に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
着火器具、例えば、放電点火式ガスライター、点火棒等は、操作部材を押し込むことにより、簡単に点火できる便利なものであるが、着火器具の適切な使用法を習得していない者により不用意に点火されることがないように、もしくは、偶発的な点火が生起しないようにロック機構を設置することが要求され、これまで各種の機能を備えた着火器具が提案されている。
【０００３】
放電点火式ガスライターを例にとると、操作部材の器具本体（ライター本体）への押し込み操作によって、バルブ機構を動作させて噴出ノズルから燃料ガスを噴出させると同時に、点火用の放電火花（スパーク）を発生させて噴出ガスへ点火するものであり、その点火ロック機構としては、不使用状態では上記操作部材を押し込み操作不能なロック状態として点火ロックを行う一方、使用に際してはロック状態を解除する操作を行うことで操作部材の押し込み点火操作を可能とするものが一般的である。
【０００４】
例えば、先行例としてのロック機構は、特許文献１に示されるように、押し込み操作によりガスを噴出させるとともに点火機構による点火動作を行う操作部材を、圧電ユニットに連接された操作キャップと、この操作キャップにスライド可能に装着したストッパー部材とで構成し、このストッパー部材がライター本体に係止して操作キャップの押し込み動作を不能とするロック位置と、スライドさせて上記係止を解除した解除位置とに移動可能で、さらに、このストッパー部材をロック位置の方向に付勢する付勢部材を備えたものである。
【０００５】
また、特許文献２に示されるロック機構は、操作キャップの上面の中央部に前後方向にスライド操作可能にストッパー部材が設置され、このストッパー部材がライター本体の突起と係止して操作キャップの押下げ動作を阻止するロック位置と、これを解放する解除位置とに移動可能で、さらに内蔵されたコイルスプリングによってロック位置に付勢された構造のものである。
【０００６】
これらのロック機構は、ストッパー部材がロック位置にある状態では、操作キャップは不使用状態の位置（突出位置）の近傍で本体側と当接して押し込み点火操作が不能であり、ストッパー部材をロック位置から解除位置へスライド操作し突起との係止を外した状態で、操作キャップが押し込み可能で点火が行えるようになっている。
【０００７】
【特許文献１】
特開２００１−１４１２３７号公報
【０００８】
【特許文献２】
米国特許第５，１４５，３５８号明細書
【０００９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかして、前記のようなロック機構では、操作部材が不使用状態にある位置の近傍において操作部材の点火操作がロックされるため、すなわち、操作部材が殆ど押し込み方向へ移動しない状態で点火ロックが行われるため、その操作部材が無理に押し込まれたり、いろいろに操作されて、偶発的にロック状態が解除されて点火操作が行われてしまう可能性が全くないとはいえない。
【００１０】
上記点につき、操作部材が全く動かない状態でロックされていることは、何か動かす方法があるのではないかと、適切な使用法を習得していない者に興味を抱かせることになって上述のように偶発的な点火を招くのではないかと考えられる。
【００１１】
そこで、本発明は上記点に鑑み、偶発的な点火の発生をさらに防止するようにしたロック機構を備えた着火器具を提供することを目的とするものである。
【００１２】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の着火器具は、燃料ガスを貯留するガスタンク部を有する器具本体と、前記ガスタンク部からガス噴出ノズルへガスを送給するガス機構と、噴出ガスへの点火を行う電気点火式の点火機構と、点火完了位置までの押し込み操作により前記ガス機構および前記点火機構を作動させて点火操作を行う操作部材とを備えた着火器具において、
前記操作部材は、前記器具本体に押し込み操作方向へ摺動自在に保持されるとともに突出方向へ付勢された操作キャップと、該操作キャップと一体に移動するとともにロック位置とロック解除位置とに移動可能に設置された、係止部を有するストッパーと、該ストッパーをロック位置の方向へ付勢する付勢部材とを備え、
前記器具本体は、非操作位置にある前記ストッパーの係止部から移動方向へ離れた位置に、該係止部が押し込み操作方向へ前記点火機構による点火用給電が行われる直前位置に移動した際に係止してそれ以上の押し込み移動を阻止する規制部を備えてなり、
前記ストッパーが前記付勢部材の付勢力によってロック位置にある場合には、前記操作キャップの点火操作は点火完了位置の直前で前記係止部が前記規制部に係止して押し込み移動が規制され、前記操作キャップの点火完了位置までの押し込み動作が不能であり、前記ストッパーを前記付勢部材の付勢力に抗して前記係止部が前記規制部に係止しないロック解除位置へ操作したときに前記操作キャップの点火完了位置までの押し込み動作が可能であることを特徴とするものである。
【００１３】
前記ストッパーは、前記器具本体の中央部方向へ移動する前方のロック位置と、外方向へ移動する後方のロック解除位置へ摺動可能に設置され、前記係止部が、ストッパーの前端部に形成された突起で、前記規制部が器具本体の支柱に形成された切欠きで構成することが可能である。
【００１４】
前記ストッパーは、前記操作キャップの頭部の側部に沿って摺動可能に設置され、その側部内面部に樹脂弾性片による前記付勢部材と係合する係合突起を備え、ロック方向へ付勢されるように構成してもよい。
【００１５】
前記付勢部材が、略Ｕ字状の樹脂弾性片で、その変形可能部が前記ストッパーに係止し、非変形部が前記操作キャップに係合して取り付けられ、操作キャップと一体に移動し、ストッパーをロック位置の方向に付勢するように構成してもよい。
【００１６】
前記ストッパーは、前記器具本体の中央部方向へ移動する前方のロック解除位置と、外方向へ移動する後方のロック位置へ摺動可能に設置され、前記係止部が、前記ストッパーの後端部に前記操作キャップの壁面に沿って形成された脚部で、前記規制部が器具本体の壁面に形成された段部で構成することが可能である。
【００１７】
前記ストッパーは、前記操作キャップの頭部の中央に沿って摺動可能に設置され、操作キャップとの間に縮装されたコイルスプリングによる付勢部材でロック方向へ付勢されるように構成してもよい。
【００１８】
【発明の効果】
以上のような本発明の着火器具によれば、ストッパーを解除位置に操作していない定常状態においては、ストッパーの係止部が器具本体の規制部に係止するまでの移動量だけ操作部材を給電直前の位置まで押し込み操作することができ、その時点で操作キャップの点火完了位置までの押し込み動作を不能として点火が不能な点火ロック状態となるため、適切な使用法を習得していない者は器具が故障しているか、ガスが出ないなどの原因によって点火しないと思われてあきらめられ、それ以上の操作が行われずに、点火ロック機能が達成される。
【００１９】
つまり、操作部材がほとんど押し込まれない状態で点火ロックが行われると、この操作部材が無理に押し込まれたり、いろいろに操作されて、偶発的にロック状態が解除されて点火操作が行われる可能性を、さらに防止することができるものである。
【００２０】
そして、上記ストッパーを解除位置に操作することによって係止部と規制部とが係止することなく操作キャップが点火完了位置まで押し込み動作可能となり、操作キャップの押し込み操作に伴ってバルブ機構の開作動により燃料ガスを噴出しつつ点火機構を作動することによって通常の使用が行え、適切な使用法を習得していない者による着火を規制することができるものである。
【００２１】
また、上記点火後においては押し込み力の解放により操作部材すなわち操作キャップおよびストッパーが上昇するとともに、ストッパーが付勢部材によってロック位置に自動的に移動して、次回の点火時にはそのままでは点火操作は不能状態となり、点火ロックへの自動復帰が行える。
【００２２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図面を参照して本発明の着火装置の各実施の形態を詳細に説明する。
【００２３】
＜第１の実施形態＞
この実施形態の着火器具としてのガスライターを図１〜図６に示し、図１はガスライターの点火ロック状態（不使用状態）における平面図、図２はその要部断面図、図３は要部機構を示す一部切除斜視図である。図４は点火ロック状態で操作部材を押し込んだ状態の要部断面図である。図５は点火操作状態のガスライターの平面図、図６は同状態の要部断面図である。なお、以下の説明では、ガスライターの使用状態に基づき、図１における左方を前方、右方を後方、図１の上下方向を左右方向と表記している。
【００２４】
本実施形態の着火器具（ガスライター）１は、燃料ガスを貯留するガスタンク部２０を有する器具本体２（ライター本体）と、ガスタンク部２０からガス噴出ノズル３１へガスを送給するガス機構３と、噴出ガスへの点火を行う電気点火式の点火機構５と、点火完了位置までの押し込み操作によりガス機構３および点火機構５を作動させて点火操作を行う操作部材６とを備える。この操作部材６は、操作キャップ７と、ロック機構を構成するストッパー８と付勢部材９とを備えてなる。
【００２５】
前記器具本体２は、詳細は図示しないが、合成樹脂で成形されたタンク本体２１が直方体形状を呈し、該タンク本体２１の上面に上蓋２２が気密に固定されて、その内部にブタンガス等の燃料ガスを貯蔵するガスタンク部２０が構成されるとともに、このガスタンク部２０とは別体にその上部に中間ケース２３が嵌着されてなる。
【００２６】
上記器具本体２の上蓋２２には、ガスタンク部２０に貯蔵された燃料ガスをガス噴出ノズル３１へ送給するとともに噴出量を制御する公知のバルブ機構３２を有するガス機構３が設置されている。ガス噴出ノズル３１は、上記バルブ機構３２の中心に摺動可能に設けられてガス通路を開閉するものであり、その上部に突出した先端部（ノズルチップが装着されている）より燃料ガスを噴出する。この噴出ノズル３１の先端首部には、Ｌ字状の作動レバー１４の一端部に画成された溝１４ａが係合される。
【００２７】
上記作動レバー１４は、ノズル３１を引き上げてバルブ機構３２の開閉作動を行うもので、屈曲部の軸１４ｂが前記中間ケース２３に揺動自在に枢支され、脚部１４ｃが斜め下方に延びた状態に配設されている。この作動レバー１４の回動に伴って上記ノズル３１を上方に移動させた際に、バルブ機構３２を開いて該ノズル３１先端から燃料ガスを噴出するように構成されている。
【００２８】
また、上記ノズル３１の上方周囲には風防キャップ１１が装着され、さらに、ノズル３１からのガス噴出量を調整する炎長調整リング３３が設置されている。
【００２９】
一方、点火機構５は放電点火を行う放電ユニット５１（圧電ユニット）を備え、この放電ユニット５１は前記ノズル３１と反対側の器具本体２（中間ケース２３）の上方に配設された操作部材６の操作キャップ７の筒状部分の内部に上端が嵌着され、操作キャップ７の押し込み動作に応じて放電ユニット５１が押下げ作動可能である。上記放電ユニット５１の一方の極に結線された放電電極５２が操作キャップ７の上部に配設されて先端が噴出ノズル３１の方向に延び、放電ユニット５１の作動に伴って発生される高電圧が放電電極５２とノズル３１（ノズルチップ）との間に印加されて電気点火用の放電が行われる。
【００３０】
また、上記操作キャップ７の押し込み操作に伴って前記放電ユニット５１の上半部が下降移動するが、この放電ユニット５１の移動部分に、前記作動レバー１４の脚部１４ｃに当接してこの作動レバー１４を回動させるレバー押し５３が設置されている。これにより、操作キャップ７の押し込み操作に伴ってレバー押し５３が作動レバー１４を回動させて、ノズル３１から燃料ガスを噴出させるものであり、さらに押下げ操作を進めることで前記点火機構５を点火完了位置まで作動して放電点火を行う（図６参照）。
【００３１】
次に、前記操作部材６とそのロック機構の構造を説明する。操作部材６は、器具本体２（中間ケース２３）に押し込み操作方向へ摺動自在に保持されるとともに放電ユニット５１により突出方向へ付勢された操作キャップ７と、この操作キャップ７の頭部の側部にロック位置と解除位置とに前後方向に移動可能に設置され操作キャップ７と一体に押し込み方向へ移動するストッパー８と、このストッパー８を前方のロック位置の方向へ付勢する樹脂弾性片による付勢部材９とで構成されてなる。操作キャップ７とストッパー８はそれぞれプラスチックで成形され、両者で従前のガスライターにおける操作キャップとほぼ同様の外形状に構成され、付勢部材９は操作キャップ７に一体に取り付けられて内蔵されている。また、点火操作をロックするため、ストッパー８に係止部８１が、中間ケース２３に規制部２５がそれぞれ設置されている。
【００３２】
前記操作キャップ７は、上面に露出して押し込み操作される操作部７１が設けられ、この操作部７１の周囲に上面より見て略Ｕ字状のストッパー８が摺動可能に装着される。ストッパー８より下部の操作キャップ７の両側面および後面（湾曲面）を構成する周壁７２は、器具本体２の中間ケース２３の上部内方に沿って挿入可能な形状に設けられ、この周壁７２の上端とストッパー８の下面とが平坦に接触する。操作部７１の両縁下面および周壁７２の上端によりストッパー８を前後方向に案内して摺動可能となっている。この操作キャップ７の両側面における操作部７１の下部には、前後方向に延びる摺動溝７３を有する。摺動溝７３の後端に段状に当接部７４が形成されている。
【００３３】
前記ストッパー８は、上面部に指掛け操作用の凹凸形状による操作部８０が設けられ、器具本体２の中央部方向へ移動する前方のロック位置と、外方向へ移動する後方のロック解除位置へ移動操作される。そして、このストッパー８の両側先端部に、前方に延びる突起状に形成された係止部８１を備える。このストッパー８の両側内側面には、先端側に係合突起８２を、中間部に当接突起８３をそれぞれ備える。この係合突起８２および当接突起８３は操作キャップ７の前記摺動溝７３を前後方向に摺動するもので、係合突起８２は付勢部材９の変形可能部９１に係合して前方に付勢されるとともに、後方移動時には変形可能部９１を変形させる一方、当接突起８３は後退移動した際に操作キャップ７の前記当接部７４へ当接可能で、当接するとそれ以上の後退移動が規制される。
【００３４】
上記ストッパー８は操作キャップ７に対し、後方より押し込み装着されるものであり、両側片が広がるように変形して係合突起８２および当接突起８３が当接部７４をその前部側の斜面によって越えて、摺動溝７３内へ挿入されて前後に移動する。このストッパー８は操作キャップ７と一体に点火操作方向（押し込み操作方向）へ移動するようになっている。
【００３５】
一方、器具本体２の中間ケース２３の両側部に上方へ指向して立設された支柱２４の後部側の上部には、切欠き状に形成された規制部２５を備え、前記ストッパー８の係止部８１が上方より係止可能である（図３参照）。
【００３６】
上記規制部２５は、図２の非操作位置にあるストッパー８の係止部８１から移動方向（下方）へ離れた部位に位置し、係止部８１が押し込み操作方向（下方）へ移動し、点火機構５の放電ユニット５１による点火用給電すなわち放電が行われる直前位置に移動した際に係止し、それ以上の係止部８１すなわち操作キャップ７の押し込み移動を阻止する。また、ストッパー８が解除位置へ後退移動された際には、係止部８１は規制部２５に係止しない部位へ移動し、操作キャップ７の点火完了位置までの押下げ動作が可能となる。
【００３７】
なお、上記支柱２４には仕切板２６が保持され、該仕切板２６によって噴出ノズル３１側と放電ユニット５１側とが区画される。
【００３８】
前記付勢部材９は、両側に前方の変形可能部９１と後方の非変形部９２とが下部の湾曲部分で連結されてなる略Ｕ字状の樹脂弾性片で形成され、非変形部９２の下部より後方に延びる延長部分の後端部に固定ボス部９３を備えてなる。この樹脂弾性片による付勢部材９は、下方より操作キャップ７に装着されるもので、操作キャップ７の周壁７２の側面の内側に配設され、摺動溝７３内へ突出した前方の変形可能部９１の先端がストッパー８の係合突起８２と係合し、非変形部９２の鈎状の先端部および固定ボス部９３が操作キャップ７に係合して取り付けられる。この付勢部材９は操作キャップ７と一体に上下移動し、ストッパー８をロック位置の方向に付勢する。
【００３９】
なお、上記操作キャップ７の前部には突出部７５が設けられ、この突出部７５は風防キャップ１１内に挿入されて操作キャップ７の上方への抜け止めが行われ、その内部には放電電極５２が配設される。
【００４０】
本実施形態の作用を説明すれば、ロック状態を示す図１〜図３において、操作キャップ７およびストッパー８は放電ユニット５１に内蔵されたスプリングによって上方に付勢されて上昇位置にあり、また、ストッパー８は付勢部材９の付勢力によって前進したロック位置にあり、その係止部８１は器具本体２の規制部２５と当接可能な位置にある。
【００４１】
上記状態からストッパー８を操作しないで、操作部材６の頭部に指をかけてそのまま器具本体２へ押し込むように点火操作すると、図４に示すように、この操作部材６は下降移動可能であるが、その操作は、点火機構５の放電ユニット５１より放電電圧が放電電極５２と噴出ノズル３１との間に給電される点火完了位置の直前で、下降移動したストッパー８の係止部８１が支柱２４の規制部２５に当接係止して、それ以上の操作キャップ７の下降移動が規制され、点火完了位置までの押し込み動作が不能な点火ロック状態にある。
【００４２】
その際、下降したレバー押し５３によって作動レバー１４が回動し、ノズル３１を操作してバルブ機構３２を開いて燃料ガスが噴出してもスパークが発生しないので点火されない。
【００４３】
次に、ガスライター１を使用するときは、図５および図６に示すように、ストッパー８を後方の解除位置にスライド移動させつつ操作キャップ７とともに操作部材６を押し下げる。まず、ストッパー８を付勢部材９の付勢に抗して後方に移動させると、変形可能部９１は係合突起８２の後方移動に応じてさらに湾曲変形する。そして、ストッパー８の前端部の係止部８１が規制部２５に係止しないロック解除位置へ移動し、解除状態となる。
【００４４】
この解除状態のままストッパー８および操作キャップ７すなわち操作部材６を押し下げると、点火完了位置までの押し込み点火操作が可能である。この点火操作に伴い、レバー押し５３が作動レバー１４の脚部１４ｃに接触してこの作動レバー１４を回動させてガス機構３のノズル３１を操作してバルブ機構３２を開いて燃料ガスを噴出させるとともに、放電ユニット５１を圧縮して生成した放電電圧を放電電極５２と噴出ノズル３１との間に給電してスパークを発生させて点火が行われる。
【００４５】
また、消火のために操作部材６から指を離すと、操作キャップ７は放電ユニット５１に内蔵されたスプリング等の復元力によって初期の上昇位置に復帰し、ストッパー８は付勢部材９の付勢力によって前進方向のロック位置に移動し、操作キャップ７の点火完了位置までの押下げを阻止するロック状態に自動復帰する。
【００４６】
＜第２の実施形態＞
この実施形態の着火器具としてのガスライターを図７〜図１１に示し、図７はガスライターの点火ロック状態（不使用状態）における平面図、図８はその要部断面図である。図９は点火ロック状態で操作部材を押し込んだ状態の要部断面図である。図１０は点火操作状態のガスライターの平面図、図１１は同状態の要部断面図である。
【００４７】
本実施形態の着火器具（ガスライター）１０は、操作部材１６におけるロック機構が前例と異なり、そのロック解除操作方向が逆である例を示している。ロック機構以外の基本的な構造、すなわち、ガスタンク部２０を有する器具本体２、ガス噴出ノズル３１へガスを送給するガス機構３、点火を行う電気点火式の点火機構５等は、前記の実施形態と同様に構成され、同一の機能を有する部品には同一符号を付してその説明を省略する。
【００４８】
操作部材１６は、点火完了位置までの押し込み操作によりガス機構３および点火機構５を作動させて点火操作を行うもので、器具本体２（中間ケース２３）に押し込み操作方向へ摺動自在に保持されるとともに放電ユニット５１により突出方向へ付勢された操作キャップ１７と、この操作キャップ１７の頭部の中央部にロック位置と解除位置とに前後方向に移動可能に設置され操作キャップ１７と一体に押し込み方向へ移動するストッパー１８と、このストッパー１８を後方のロック位置の方向へ付勢するコイルスプリングによる付勢部材１９とを備えてなる。また、点火操作をロックするため、ストッパー１８に係止部８５が、中間ケース２３に規制部２７がそれぞれ設置されている。なお、中間ケース２３の支柱２４には、前実施形態の切欠き状の規制部２５は形成されていない。
【００４９】
前記操作キャップ１７は、上面に露出して押し込み操作される操作部７６が設けられ、この操作部７６の中央には前後方向に延びる縦溝７７を備え、この縦溝７７の後部は下方に後部壁の下端部まで形成され、該縦溝７７に案内されてストッパー１８が前後方向に摺動可能に装着される。
【００５０】
前記ストッパー１８は、上面の操作部８４に指が掛けられて解除操作されるもので、器具本体２の中央部方向へ移動操作される前方のロック解除位置と、外方向へ移動する後方のロック位置へ移動可能である。そして、このストッパー１８の後端部に操作キャップ１７の壁面に沿って下方に延びて形成された脚部による係止部８５を備える。このストッパー１８の操作部８４の下面には操作キャップ１７の上面との間に圧縮状態の付勢部材１９を収納する凹部８６を備え、該凹部８６の後端面が付勢部材１９の後端に当接し、ストッパー１８は後方に付勢されるとともに、前方移動時には付勢部材１９を圧縮変形させる一方、操作部８４の前端面は前進移動した際に操作キャップ１７の縦溝７７の前端部へ当接可能で、当接するとそれ以上の前進移動が規制される。
【００５１】
上記ストッパー１８は操作キャップ１７に対し、後方より押し込み装着されるものであり、縦溝７７内へ挿入されて前後に移動する。このストッパー１８は操作キャップ１７と一体に点火操作方向（押し込み操作方向）へ移動するようになっている。
【００５２】
一方、器具本体２の中間ケース２３の後部壁面の下部には段部に形成された規制部２７を備え、前記ストッパー１８の脚部による係止部８５が上方より係止可能である。
【００５３】
上記規制部２７は、図８の非操作位置にあるストッパー１８の係止部８５から移動方向（下方）へ離れた部位に位置し、係止部８５が押し込み操作方向（下方）へ移動し、点火機構５の放電ユニット５１による点火用給電すなわち放電が行われる直前位置に移動した際に係止し、それ以上の係止部８５すなわち操作キャップ１７の押し込み移動を阻止する。また、ストッパー１８が解除位置へ前進移動された際には、係止部８５は規制部２７に係止しない部位へ移動し、操作キャップ１７の点火完了位置までの押し込み動作が可能となる。
【００５４】
本実施形態の作用を説明すれば、ロック状態を示す図７，図８において、操作キャップ１７およびストッパー１８は放電ユニット５１に内蔵されたスプリングによって上方に付勢されて上昇位置にあり、また、ストッパー１８は付勢部材１９の付勢力によって後退したロック位置にあり、その係止部８５は器具本体２の規制部２７と当接可能な位置にある。
【００５５】
上記状態からストッパー１８を操作しないで、操作部材１６の頭部に指をかけてそのまま器具本体２へ押し込むように点火操作すると、図９に示すように、この操作部材１６は下降移動可能であるが、その操作は、点火機構５の放電ユニット５１より放電電圧が放電電極５２と噴出ノズル３１との間に給電される点火完了位置の直前で、下降移動したストッパー１８の係止部８５が中間ケース２３の規制部２７に当接係止して、それ以上の操作キャップ１７の下降移動が規制され、点火完了位置までの押下げ動作が不能な点火ロック状態にある。
【００５６】
次に、ガスライター１０を使用するときは、図１０および図１１に示すように、ストッパー１８を前方の解除位置にスライド移動させつつ操作キャップ１７とともに操作部材１６を押し下げる。まず、ストッパー１８を付勢部材１９の付勢に抗して前方に移動させると、付勢部材１９はストッパー１８の前方移動に応じてさらに圧縮変形する。そして、ストッパー１８の後端部の係止部８５が規制部２７に係止しないロック解除位置へ移動し、解除状態となる。
【００５７】
この解除状態のままストッパー１８および操作キャップ１７すなわち操作部材１６を押し下げると、点火完了位置までの押し込み点火操作が可能である。この点火操作に伴い、バルブ機構３２を開いて燃料ガスを噴出させるとともに放電ユニット５１を圧縮して生成した放電電圧を放電電極５２と噴出ノズル３１との間に給電してスパークを発生させて点火が行われる。
【００５８】
また、消火のために操作部材１６から指を離すと、操作キャップ１７は放電ユニット５１に内蔵されたスプリング等の復元力によって初期の上昇位置に復帰し、ストッパー１８は付勢部材１９の付勢力によって後退方向のロック位置に移動し、操作キャップ１７の点火完了位置までの押下げを阻止するロック状態に自動復帰する。
【００５９】
上記のような実施形態においては、点火ロック状態にあっても、操作部材６，１６は放電点火直前の位置まで押し込み操作できるため、偶発的な点火をより一層防止できる。
【００６０】
なお、上記実施形態においてはガスライターによる着火器具について説明したが、着火器具としては、器具本体に操作部材が押し込まれるように着火操作が行われる点火棒等についても本発明は適用可能であり、その場合に、上記実施形態の噴出ノズル３１はバルブ機構３２のガス通路を開閉するノズル部材を兼ねているが、噴出ノズルを器具本体の先端部に設置し、バルブ機構のノズル部材よりガスパイプによって燃料ガスを噴出ノズルに送給するように構成され、放電電極５２は噴出ノズルの近傍に設置され、放電電圧が給電される。そして、操作部材に対して上記と同様の機能を有するロック機構が設置される。前記ストッパー８，１８の形態としては、上記実施形態のもののほか、操作キャップの頭部を覆うような形態にも適宜設計変更可能である。
【００６１】
また、電気点火を行う点火機構５としては、前述の放電電圧を発生させるピエゾ素子を備えた放電ユニット５１のほか、電池を電源として放電電圧を発生させる放電回路を備えた電池式放電ユニット、電池を電源として発熱線に給電する通電発熱ユニットなどが使用でき、これらの点火装置では操作部材の操作に応じて接点を開閉作動するとともに、操作部材を復帰作動させるスプリングが付設される。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施形態に係る着火器具としてのガスライターの不使用状態における平面図
【図２】図１のガスライターの要部断面図
【図３】図２の要部構造を示す一部切除斜視図
【図４】図２のガスライターの点火ロック状態で操作部材を押し込んだ状態を示す要部断面図
【図５】図２のガスライターの点火操作状態を示す平面図
【図６】図５のガスライターの点火操作状態を示す要部断面図
【図７】本発明の第２の実施形態に係る着火器具としてのガスライターの不使用状態における平面図
【図８】図７のガスライターの要部断面図
【図９】図８のガスライターの点火ロック状態で操作部材を押し込んだ状態を示す要部断面図
【図１０】図７のガスライターの点火操作状態を示す平面図
【図１１】図８のガスライターの点火操作状態を示す要部断面図
【符号の説明】
１，１０着火器具（ガスライター）
２器具本体
３ガス機構
５点火機構
６，１６操作部材
７，１７操作キャップ
８，１８ストッパー
９，１９付勢部材
１４作動レバー
２３中間ケース
２４支柱
２５，２７規制部
３１噴出ノズル
３２バルブ機構
５１放電ユニット
５２放電電極
５３レバー押し
７１，７６操作部
７３摺動溝
７７縦溝
８０，８４操作部
８１，８５係止部
８２係合突起
８３当接突起[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a lock mechanism in which an ignition member of an operation member ejects flame from a gas ejection nozzle by an ignition operation of the operation member. Things.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Ignition devices, such as discharge ignition type gas lighters and ignition rods, are convenient devices that can be easily ignited by pushing the operating member, but are inadvertent by those who have not mastered the proper use of ignition devices. It is required to install a lock mechanism so as not to be ignited, or to prevent accidental ignition from occurring, and ignition devices having various functions have been proposed.
[0003]
Taking a discharge ignition type gas lighter as an example, the operation of pushing the operating member into the appliance body (lighter body) activates the valve mechanism to eject fuel gas from the ejection nozzle, and at the same time, discharges sparks for ignition (spark). ) To ignite the jet gas. As an ignition lock mechanism, the operation member is pushed in when not in use to perform an ignition lock as an inoperable lock state, and the lock state is released in use. It is common to perform a push-in ignition operation of an operation member by performing an operation.
[0004]
For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a lock mechanism as a prior example includes an operation cap that ejects gas by a pushing operation and performs an ignition operation by an ignition mechanism, an operation cap connected to a piezoelectric unit, and an operation cap. A lock position where the stopper member is slidably mounted on the cap, and the stopper member is locked to the lighter body to disable the pushing operation of the operation cap, and a release position where the lock is released by sliding. And a biasing member for biasing the stopper member in the direction of the lock position.
[0005]
In the lock mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 2, a stopper member is provided at the center of the upper surface of the operation cap so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and the stopper member is engaged with a projection of the lighter body to push the operation cap. It has a structure that is movable between a lock position for preventing the lowering operation and a release position for releasing the lowering operation, and is urged to the lock position by a built-in coil spring.
[0006]
In these lock mechanisms, when the stopper member is in the lock position, the operation cap abuts on the main body side near the unused position (projection position) and push-in operation cannot be performed. The operation cap can be pushed in and the ignition can be performed in a state where the operation cap is pushed in a state where the operation cap is disengaged from the projection by sliding operation from the release position.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-141237 A
[0008]
[Patent Document 2]
U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,358
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the lock mechanism as described above, the ignition operation of the operation member is locked in the vicinity of the position where the operation member is in the non-use state, that is, the ignition lock is activated when the operation member hardly moves in the pushing direction. Since the operation is performed, there is no possibility that the operation member is forcibly pushed in or variously operated, and the locked state is accidentally released and the ignition operation is performed at all.
[0010]
Regarding the above point, the fact that the operating member is locked without moving at all will be interested in those who have not mastered the proper usage, as if there is a way to move it It is thought that accidental ignition may be caused like this.
[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an ignition device provided with a lock mechanism for further preventing accidental ignition from occurring.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An ignition device according to the present invention includes a device body having a gas tank for storing fuel gas, a gas mechanism for supplying gas from the gas tank to a gas ejection nozzle, and an electric ignition type ignition mechanism for igniting the ejected gas. And an operating member that operates the gas mechanism and the ignition mechanism by a pushing operation to an ignition completion position to perform an ignition operation,
The operating member is pushed into the device main body, slidably held in the operating direction, and urged in the protruding direction, and moves integrally with the operating cap and moves to the lock position and the unlock position. A stopper having a locking portion, which is provided so as to be able to be provided, and a biasing member for biasing the stopper toward the lock position,
When the device main body is moved to a position away from the locking portion of the stopper in the non-operation position in the movement direction, and when the locking portion is moved in the pushing operation direction to a position immediately before the power supply for ignition by the ignition mechanism is performed. With a restricting portion that locks to prevent further pushing movement.
When the stopper is in the lock position by the urging force of the urging member, the ignition operation of the operation cap is stopped immediately before the ignition completion position by the locking portion being locked by the restriction portion to restrict the pushing movement. When the pushing operation of the operation cap to the ignition completion position is impossible and the stopper is operated to the unlock position where the locking portion is not locked to the regulating portion against the urging force of the urging member. The operation cap can be pushed to the ignition completed position.
[0013]
The stopper is slidably installed at a front locking position moving toward the center of the device body and at a rear unlocking position moving outward, and the locking portion is formed at a front end of the stopper. With the projection thus formed, the restricting portion can be formed by a notch formed in a column of the instrument main body.
[0014]
The stopper is slidably installed along the side of the head of the operation cap, and has an engaging projection on the inner surface of the side that engages with the urging member of the resin elastic piece, and is attached in the locking direction. It may be configured to be energized.
[0015]
The urging member is a substantially U-shaped resin elastic piece, a deformable portion of which is engaged with the stopper, and a non-deformable portion is attached by being attached to the operation cap, and moves integrally with the operation cap. Alternatively, the stopper may be configured to urge in the direction of the lock position.
[0016]
The stopper is slidably installed in a forward unlocked position that moves toward the center of the instrument body and a rear locked position that moves outward, and the locking portion is a rear end of the stopper. The regulating portion may be formed by a step formed on the wall surface of the instrument body with a leg formed along the wall surface of the operation cap.
[0017]
The stopper is slidably installed along the center of the head of the operation cap, and is configured to be urged in a locking direction by an urging member of a coil spring compressed between the operation cap and the stopper. You may.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
According to the ignition device of the present invention as described above, in the steady state where the stopper is not operated to the release position, the operating member is moved by an amount of movement until the locking portion of the stopper is locked to the restricting portion of the device main body. It can be pushed to the position just before the power supply, and at that time the pushing operation to the ignition completion position of the operation cap is disabled and the ignition is locked and the ignition is locked, so those who have not mastered the proper usage are It is assumed that the device does not ignite due to a malfunction of the device or no gas is emitted, so that the ignition lock function is achieved without any further operation.
[0019]
In other words, if the ignition lock is performed in a state where the operating member is hardly pushed in, there is a possibility that the operating member is forcibly pushed in or various operations are performed and the locked state is accidentally released and the ignition operation is performed. Can be further prevented.
[0020]
By operating the stopper to the release position, the operation cap can be pushed to the ignition completion position without the locking portion and the restricting portion being locked, and the valve mechanism is opened with the pushing operation of the operation cap. By operating the ignition mechanism while ejecting fuel gas, normal use can be performed, and ignition by a person who has not learned proper usage can be regulated.
[0021]
After the ignition, the operating member, that is, the operating cap and the stopper are raised by the release of the pushing force, and the stopper is automatically moved to the locked position by the urging member, so that the ignition operation cannot be performed as it is at the next ignition. State and automatic return to ignition lock can be performed.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the ignition device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
<First embodiment>
1 to 6 show a gas lighter as an ignition device of this embodiment, FIG. 1 is a plan view of the gas lighter in an ignition locked state (unused state), FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part thereof, and FIG. It is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a part mechanism. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part in a state where the operation member is pushed in the ignition locked state. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the gas lighter in an ignition operation state, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part in the same state. In the following description, based on the usage state of the gas lighter, the left side in FIG. 1 is described as front, the right side as rear, and the up-down direction in FIG. 1 as left-right direction.
[0024]
An ignition device (gas lighter) 1 of the present embodiment includes a device main body 2 (lighter main body) having a gas tank portion 20 for storing fuel gas, a gas mechanism 3 for supplying gas from the gas tank portion 20 to a gas ejection nozzle 31, and An ignition mechanism 5 of an electric ignition type for igniting the ejected gas, and an operating member 6 for operating the gas mechanism 3 and the ignition mechanism 5 to perform the ignition operation by pushing the ignition mechanism to the ignition completion position. The operation member 6 includes an operation cap 7, a stopper 8 and a biasing member 9 that constitute a lock mechanism.
[0025]
Although not shown in detail, the tool body 2 has a tank body 21 formed of a synthetic resin having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an upper lid 22 is hermetically fixed to an upper surface of the tank body 21, and a fuel such as butane gas is contained therein. A gas tank unit 20 for storing gas is formed, and an intermediate case 23 is fitted on an upper part of the gas tank unit 20 separately from the gas tank unit 20.
[0026]
A gas mechanism 3 having a well-known valve mechanism 32 for supplying fuel gas stored in the gas tank unit 20 to the gas ejection nozzle 31 and controlling the ejection amount is provided on the upper lid 22 of the instrument body 2. The gas ejection nozzle 31 is slidably provided at the center of the valve mechanism 32 and opens and closes a gas passage. The gas ejection nozzle 31 ejects a fuel gas from a tip (a nozzle tip is mounted) protruding upward. I do. A groove 14 a defined at one end of the L-shaped operating lever 14 is engaged with the tip neck of the ejection nozzle 31.
[0027]
The operating lever 14 lifts the nozzle 31 to open and close the valve mechanism 32. The shaft 14b of the bent portion is pivotally supported by the intermediate case 23 so as to be swingable, and the leg portion 14c extends obliquely downward. It is arranged in a state. When the nozzle 31 is moved upward with the rotation of the operation lever 14, the valve mechanism 32 is opened and the fuel gas is ejected from the tip of the nozzle 31.
[0028]
A windshield cap 11 is mounted around the nozzle 31 and a flame length adjusting ring 33 for adjusting the amount of gas ejected from the nozzle 31 is provided.
[0029]
On the other hand, the ignition mechanism 5 includes a discharge unit 51 (piezoelectric unit) for performing discharge ignition, and the discharge unit 51 is provided on the operating member 6 disposed above the appliance main body 2 (intermediate case 23) on the side opposite to the nozzle 31. The upper end is fitted inside the cylindrical portion of the operation cap 7, and the discharge unit 51 can be pressed down in accordance with the pushing operation of the operation cap 7. A discharge electrode 52 connected to one pole of the discharge unit 51 is disposed above the operation cap 7, and its tip extends in the direction of the ejection nozzle 31, and a high voltage generated with the operation of the discharge unit 51 is generated. The discharge is applied between the discharge electrode 52 and the nozzle 31 (nozzle chip) to perform electric ignition discharge.
[0030]
Further, the upper half of the discharge unit 51 moves downward in accordance with the pushing operation of the operation cap 7, and the moving part of the discharge unit 51 comes into contact with the leg 14 c of the operation lever 14, and A lever press 53 for rotating the lever 14 is provided. Accordingly, the lever push 53 rotates the operating lever 14 in accordance with the pushing operation of the operation cap 7, and the fuel gas is ejected from the nozzle 31, and the ignition mechanism 5 is further advanced by pushing down. It operates to the ignition completion position to perform discharge ignition (see FIG. 6).
[0031]
Next, the structure of the operation member 6 and its lock mechanism will be described. The operating member 6 is pushed into the instrument main body 2 (intermediate case 23), is slidably held in the operating direction, is urged by the discharge unit 51 in the protruding direction, and has the head of the operating cap 7. A stopper 8 which is movably mounted in the locking position and the releasing position on the side and is movable in the front-rear direction and which moves integrally with the operation cap 7 in the pushing direction, and a resin elastic piece for urging the stopper 8 toward the front locking position. And the urging member 9 of the above. The operation cap 7 and the stopper 8 are each formed of plastic, and both are formed to have substantially the same outer shape as the operation cap of the conventional gas lighter, and the biasing member 9 is integrally attached to the operation cap 7 and is built therein. . In order to lock the ignition operation, a locking portion 81 is provided on the stopper 8 and a regulating portion 25 is provided on the intermediate case 23.
[0032]
The operation cap 7 is provided with an operation unit 71 that is exposed and pushed in on the upper surface, and a substantially U-shaped stopper 8 as viewed from the upper surface is slidably mounted around the operation unit 71. A peripheral wall 72 that constitutes both side surfaces and a rear surface (curved surface) of the operation cap 7 below the stopper 8 is provided in a shape that can be inserted along the upper inside of the intermediate case 23 of the instrument main body 2. The upper end and the lower surface of the stopper 8 are in flat contact. The stopper 8 is slidable by being guided in the front-rear direction by the lower surfaces of both edges of the operation portion 71 and the upper end of the peripheral wall 72. A sliding groove 73 extending in the front-rear direction is provided below the operation section 71 on both side surfaces of the operation cap 7. A contact portion 74 is formed at the rear end of the slide groove 73 in a stepped manner.
[0033]
The stopper 8 is provided with an operating portion 80 having an uneven shape for finger hanging operation on an upper surface portion, and moves to a front lock position moving toward the center portion of the instrument body 2 and a rear unlock position moving outward. Operated. The stopper 8 is provided with a locking portion 81 formed in a projecting shape extending forward at both end portions of the stopper 8. On both inner side surfaces of the stopper 8, an engagement protrusion 82 is provided on a distal end side, and a contact protrusion 83 is provided on an intermediate portion. The engagement projection 82 and the contact projection 83 slide in the sliding groove 73 of the operation cap 7 in the front-rear direction, and the engagement projection 82 engages with the deformable portion 91 of the urging member 9 to move forward. And deforms the deformable portion 91 when moving backward, while the contact protrusion 83 can contact the contact portion 74 of the operation cap 7 when moving backward, and when the contact protrusion 83 comes into contact, the contact protrusion 83 becomes more. Backward movement is regulated.
[0034]
The stopper 8 is pushed into the operation cap 7 from behind, and is deformed so that both side pieces are widened, and the engagement projection 82 and the abutment projection 83 make the abutment portion 74 a slope on the front side. And is inserted into the sliding groove 73 to move back and forth. The stopper 8 moves integrally with the operation cap 7 in the ignition operation direction (push operation direction).
[0035]
On the other hand, a notch-shaped restricting portion 25 is provided at the upper portion on the rear side of a support post 24 erected on both sides of the intermediate case 23 of the instrument body 2 so as to face upward. The stop portion 81 can be locked from above (see FIG. 3).
[0036]
The restricting portion 25 is located at a position away from the locking portion 81 of the stopper 8 in the non-operation position in FIG. 2 in the moving direction (downward), and the locking portion 81 moves in the pushing operation direction (downward), It locks when it is moved to a position immediately before power supply for ignition, that is, discharge by the discharge unit 51 of the ignition mechanism 5, and prevents further pushing of the locking portion 81, that is, the operation cap 7. When the stopper 8 is moved backward to the release position, the locking portion 81 moves to a position where the stopper 8 is not locked to the restricting portion 25, and the operation cap 7 can be pushed down to the ignition completion position.
[0037]
Note that a partition plate 26 is held by the support column 24, and the partition plate 26 partitions the ejection nozzle 31 side and the discharge unit 51 side.
[0038]
The urging member 9 is formed of a substantially U-shaped resin elastic piece in which a front deformable portion 91 and a rear non-deformed portion 92 are connected to each other at a lower curved portion on both sides. A fixed boss 93 is provided at the rear end of the extended portion extending rearward from the lower portion. The urging member 9 made of the resin elastic piece is attached to the operation cap 7 from below, is disposed inside the side surface of the peripheral wall 72 of the operation cap 7, and can be deformed forward and protruded into the sliding groove 73. The tip of the portion 91 is engaged with the engagement projection 82 of the stopper 8, and the hook-shaped tip of the non-deformed portion 92 and the fixed boss 93 are engaged with the operation cap 7 and attached. The urging member 9 moves up and down integrally with the operation cap 7 to urge the stopper 8 toward the lock position.
[0039]
A projection 75 is provided at the front of the operation cap 7, and the projection 75 is inserted into the windshield cap 11 to prevent the operation cap 7 from falling off. 52 are provided.
[0040]
To explain the operation of the present embodiment, in FIGS. 1 to 3 showing the locked state, the operation cap 7 and the stopper 8 are urged upward by a spring built in the discharge unit 51 to be in the ascending position. The stopper 8 is at a locked position where the stopper 8 is advanced by the urging force of the urging member 9, and the locking portion 81 is at a position where it can be brought into contact with the regulating portion 25 of the instrument body 2.
[0041]
In this state, when the ignition operation is performed without operating the stopper 8 by putting a finger on the head of the operation member 6 and pushing it into the apparatus main body 2 as it is, the operation member 6 can move downward as shown in FIG. However, the operation is performed just before the ignition completion position where the discharge voltage is supplied from the discharge unit 51 of the ignition mechanism 5 between the discharge electrode 52 and the ejection nozzle 31, and the locking portion 81 of the stopper 8 that has moved down is supported by the support column 81. The operation cap 7 is locked in contact with the restricting portion 25 of 24 so that further downward movement of the operation cap 7 is restricted, and the pushing operation to the ignition completion position is impossible.
[0042]
At this time, the operating lever 14 is rotated by the lowered lever push 53, and even if the nozzle 31 is operated to open the valve mechanism 32 and the fuel gas is ejected, no spark is generated and no ignition occurs.
[0043]
Next, when using the gas lighter 1, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation member 6 is pushed down together with the operation cap 7 while sliding the stopper 8 to the rear release position. First, when the stopper 8 is moved rearward against the urging of the urging member 9, the deformable portion 91 is further curvedly deformed in accordance with the rearward movement of the engagement projection 82. Then, the locking portion 81 at the front end of the stopper 8 moves to the unlocked position where the locking portion 81 is not locked to the regulating portion 25, and the unlocked state is established.
[0044]
When the stopper 8 and the operation cap 7, that is, the operation member 6 are pressed down in this released state, the push-in ignition operation up to the ignition completion position is possible. Along with this ignition operation, the lever pusher 53 comes into contact with the leg portion 14c of the operating lever 14, rotates the operating lever 14, operates the nozzle 31 of the gas mechanism 3, opens the valve mechanism 32, and ejects fuel gas. At the same time, a discharge voltage generated by compressing the discharge unit 51 is supplied between the discharge electrode 52 and the ejection nozzle 31 to generate a spark and ignite.
[0045]
When the finger is released from the operation member 6 for extinguishing the fire, the operation cap 7 returns to the initial ascending position by the restoring force of a spring or the like built in the discharge unit 51, and the stopper 8 applies the urging force of the urging member 9. As a result, the operating cap 7 is moved to the forward lock position, and automatically returns to the locked state in which the operation cap 7 is prevented from being pushed down to the ignition completion position.
[0046]
<Second embodiment>
FIGS. 7 to 11 show a gas lighter as an ignition device of this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the gas lighter in an ignition locked state (unused state), and FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part thereof. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a main part in a state where the operation member is pushed in the ignition locked state. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the gas lighter in an ignition operation state, and FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a main part in the same state.
[0047]
The ignition device (gas lighter) 10 of the present embodiment shows an example in which the lock mechanism of the operation member 16 is different from the previous example, and the lock release operation direction is reversed. The basic structure other than the lock mechanism, that is, the appliance body 2 having the gas tank portion 20, the gas mechanism 3 for supplying gas to the gas ejection nozzle 31, the electric ignition type ignition mechanism 5 for performing ignition, and the like are the same as those in the above embodiment. Components configured in the same manner as in the embodiment and having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0048]
The operating member 16 performs the ignition operation by operating the gas mechanism 3 and the ignition mechanism 5 by the pushing operation to the ignition completion position, and is slidably held in the appliance main body 2 (the intermediate case 23) in the pushing operation direction. And an operation cap 17 urged in a protruding direction by the discharge unit 51, and is installed at the center of the head of the operation cap 17 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction between a lock position and a release position, and is integrated with the operation cap 17. It has a stopper 18 that moves in the pushing direction, and an urging member 19 formed by a coil spring that urges the stopper 18 toward the rear locking position. In order to lock the ignition operation, a locking portion 85 is provided on the stopper 18, and a regulating portion 27 is provided on the intermediate case 23. Note that the notch-shaped restricting portion 25 of the previous embodiment is not formed on the column 24 of the intermediate case 23.
[0049]
The operation cap 17 is provided with an operation section 76 that is exposed and pushed in on the upper surface, and has a vertical groove 77 extending in the front-rear direction at the center of the operation section 76. The stopper 18 is formed up to the lower end of the wall and guided by the vertical groove 77 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.
[0050]
The stopper 18 is operated by a finger on the operation unit 84 on the upper surface to be released. The front lock release position is operated to move toward the center of the instrument body 2 and the rear lock is moved to the outside. It can be moved to a position. The stopper 18 has a rear end portion provided with a locking portion 85 formed by a leg portion extending downward along the wall surface of the operation cap 17. On the lower surface of the operating portion 84 of the stopper 18, there is provided a recess 86 for accommodating the biasing member 19 in a compressed state between the operating member 84 and the upper surface of the operating cap 17. The stopper 18 is urged rearward and compresses and deforms the urging member 19 when moving forward, while the front end face of the operating portion 84 moves toward the front end of the vertical groove 77 of the operating cap 17 when moving forward. Contact is possible, and further contact will restrict further forward movement.
[0051]
The stopper 18 is pushed into the operation cap 17 from behind, and is inserted into the vertical groove 77 to move back and forth. The stopper 18 moves integrally with the operation cap 17 in the ignition operation direction (push operation direction).
[0052]
On the other hand, the lower part of the rear wall surface of the intermediate case 23 of the instrument body 2 is provided with a regulating part 27 formed in a stepped part, and a locking part 85 by the leg of the stopper 18 can be locked from above.
[0053]
The restricting portion 27 is located at a position away from the locking portion 85 of the stopper 18 in the non-operation position in FIG. 8 in the moving direction (downward), and the locking portion 85 moves in the pushing operation direction (downward), It locks when it is moved to a position immediately before the power supply for ignition, that is, the discharge by the discharge unit 51 of the ignition mechanism 5, and prevents the further engagement portion 85, that is, the pushing movement of the operation cap 17. Further, when the stopper 18 is moved forward to the release position, the locking portion 85 moves to a position where it is not locked to the regulating portion 27, and the operation cap 17 can be pushed to the ignition completed position.
[0054]
To explain the operation of the present embodiment, in FIGS. 7 and 8 showing the locked state, the operation cap 17 and the stopper 18 are urged upward by a spring built in the discharge unit 51 to be in the ascending position. The stopper 18 is at a lock position where it is retracted by the urging force of the urging member 19, and its locking portion 85 is at a position where it can come into contact with the regulating portion 27 of the instrument body 2.
[0055]
In this state, when the ignition operation is performed without operating the stopper 18 by putting a finger on the head of the operation member 16 and pushing the operation member 16 as it is, the operation member 16 can move downward as shown in FIG. 9. However, the operation is performed just before the ignition completion position where the discharge voltage is supplied from the discharge unit 51 of the ignition mechanism 5 between the discharge electrode 52 and the ejection nozzle 31, and the locking portion 85 of the stopper 18 that has moved down is positioned in the middle. The operation cap 17 is locked in contact with the restricting portion 27 of the case 23 to further restrict the downward movement of the operation cap 17, and is in an ignition locked state in which the pressing operation to the ignition completion position cannot be performed.
[0056]
Next, when using the gas lighter 10, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the operation member 16 is pushed down together with the operation cap 17 while sliding the stopper 18 to the front release position. First, when the stopper 18 is moved forward against the urging of the urging member 19, the urging member 19 is further compressed and deformed in accordance with the forward movement of the stopper 18. Then, the locking portion 85 at the rear end of the stopper 18 moves to the unlocked position where the locking portion 85 is not locked to the restricting portion 27, and the unlocked state is established.
[0057]
When the stopper 18 and the operation cap 17, that is, the operation member 16 are pressed down in this released state, the push-in ignition operation up to the ignition completion position is possible. Along with this ignition operation, the valve mechanism 32 is opened to eject the fuel gas, and the discharge voltage generated by compressing the discharge unit 51 is supplied between the discharge electrode 52 and the ejection nozzle 31 to generate a spark. Is performed.
[0058]
When the finger is released from the operation member 16 to extinguish the fire, the operation cap 17 returns to the initial ascending position by the restoring force of a spring or the like built in the discharge unit 51, and the stopper 18 operates as the urging force of the urging member 19. As a result, the operation cap 17 is moved to the lock position in the backward direction, and automatically returns to the lock state in which the operation cap 17 is prevented from being pushed down to the ignition completion position.
[0059]
In the embodiment as described above, even in the ignition locked state, the operating members 6, 16 can be pushed into the position immediately before the discharge ignition, so that accidental ignition can be further prevented.
[0060]
Note that, in the above embodiment, the ignition device using a gas lighter has been described, but the present invention is also applicable to an ignition rod or the like in which an ignition operation is performed so that an operation member is pushed into the appliance body, as the ignition device. In this case, the ejection nozzle 31 of the above embodiment also serves as a nozzle member for opening and closing the gas passage of the valve mechanism 32. However, the ejection nozzle is installed at the tip of the instrument body, and the fuel is supplied from the nozzle member of the valve mechanism to the gas pipe. It is configured to supply gas to the ejection nozzle, and the discharge electrode 52 is installed near the ejection nozzle, and is supplied with a discharge voltage. Then, a lock mechanism having the same function as described above is provided for the operation member. The form of the stoppers 8 and 18 can be appropriately changed to a form that covers the head of the operation cap in addition to the above-described embodiment.
[0061]
The ignition mechanism 5 for performing electric ignition includes a discharge unit 51 having a piezo element for generating the above-described discharge voltage, a battery-type discharge unit having a discharge circuit for generating a discharge voltage using a battery as a power source, and a battery. The ignition device is provided with a spring that opens and closes a contact according to the operation of the operating member and also returns the operating member to an operating state.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view in a non-use state of a gas lighter as an ignition device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of the gas lighter of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the main structure of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part showing a state in which an operation member is pushed in the ignition lock state of the gas lighter of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an ignition operation state of the gas lighter of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part showing an ignition operation state of the gas lighter of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a plan view in a non-use state of a gas lighter as an ignition device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part of the gas lighter of FIG. 7;
9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the operation member is pushed in the ignition lock state of the gas lighter of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an ignition operation state of the gas lighter of FIG. 7;
FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a main part showing an ignition operation state of the gas lighter of FIG. 8;
[Explanation of symbols]
1,10 Lighting equipment (gas lighter)
2 Instrument body
3 Gas mechanism
5 Ignition mechanism
6,16 Operation members
7,17 Operation cap
8,18 stopper
9,19 biasing member
14 Operating lever
23 Intermediate case
24 props
25, 27 Regulatory Department
31 Spout nozzle
32 Valve mechanism
51 Discharge unit
52 discharge electrode
53 Lever push
71, 76 Operation unit
73 Sliding groove
77 flute
80, 84 Operation unit
81,85 locking part
82 Engagement protrusion
83 Contact projection

Claims

An appliance body having a gas tank for storing fuel gas, a gas mechanism for supplying gas from the gas tank to a gas ejection nozzle, an electric ignition type ignition mechanism for igniting the ejected gas, and an ignition completion position. An ignition device comprising an operating member for performing an ignition operation by operating the gas mechanism and the ignition mechanism by a pushing operation,
The operating member is
An operation cap pressed into the device main body and slidably held in the operation direction and biased in the protruding direction;
A stopper having a locking portion, which is integrally moved with the operation cap and movably installed at a lock position and an unlock position,
An urging member for urging the stopper in the direction of the lock position,
When the device main body is moved to a position away from the locking portion of the stopper in the non-operation position in the movement direction, and when the locking portion is moved in the pushing operation direction to a position immediately before the power supply for ignition by the ignition mechanism is performed. With a restricting portion that locks to prevent further pushing movement.
When the stopper is in the lock position by the urging force of the urging member, the ignition operation of the operation cap is stopped immediately before the ignition completion position by the locking portion being locked by the restriction portion to restrict the pushing movement. When the pushing operation of the operation cap to the ignition completion position is impossible and the stopper is operated to the unlock position where the locking portion is not locked to the regulating portion against the urging force of the urging member. Wherein the operation cap can be pushed to the ignition completed position.

The stopper is slidably installed in a forward locking position moving toward the center of the instrument body and a rear unlocking position moving outward, and the locking portion is formed at a front end of the stopper. The ignition device according to claim 1, wherein the restricting portion is a notch formed in a support of the device main body.

The stopper is slidably installed along a side portion of the head of the operation cap, and has an engagement projection on an inner surface of the side portion for engaging with an urging member made of a resin elastic piece, and is urged in a locking direction. The ignition device according to claim 1, wherein the ignition device is used.

The urging member is a substantially U-shaped resin elastic piece, a deformable portion of which is engaged with the stopper, and a non-deformable portion is attached by being engaged with the operation cap, and moves integrally with the operation cap. The ignition device according to claim 3, wherein the stopper is urged in the direction of the lock position.

The stopper is slidably installed in a forward unlocked position that moves toward the center of the instrument body and a rear locked position that moves outward, and the locking portion is a rear end of the stopper. The ignition device according to claim 1, wherein the leg is formed along a wall surface of the operation cap, and the restricting portion is a step formed on the device main body.

The stopper is slidably installed along the center of the head of the operation cap, and is urged in the locking direction by an urging member of a coil spring compressed between the operation cap and the stopper. The discharge ignition type gas lighter according to claim 1, wherein