JP2011153773A - Gas lighter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas lighter which prevents gas combustion flame caused by careless operation of ignition operating elements. <P>SOLUTION: The gas lighter includes: a fuel tank 2 having a fuel gas discharge valve sending fuel gas to a gas discharge nozzle 1; a gas discharge lever 3 opening the fuel gas discharge valve; ignition mechanisms 5a, 5b igniting fuel gas discharged from the gas discharge nozzle 1 to a flame hole 4a above the gas discharge nozzle 1; and the operating elements 6, 11 operated by a finger and operating the gas discharge lever 3 to a direction opening the gas discharge valve. The gas lighter further includes safety mechanisms 4a, 7, 8a/8b including a lock member 7 mounted to the operating elements 6, 11 movably to a locked position and an unlocked position, engaged with the flame hole 4a at the locked position to inhibit the operation of the operating elements 6, 11 and detached from the flame hole 4a at the unlocked position to release the inhibiting state and spring members 8a/8b forcing the lock member 7 to move to the locked position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hand-held gas writer, and more particularly to a so-called safety gas writer including a mechanism that prevents a gas combustion flame from being generated when a person (for example, a child) easily manipulates an ignition operation element. The present invention can be implemented in a gas writer (pocket writer) that ignites cigarettes, cigars, and the like, and a gas writer (ignition tool) that ignites candlesticks, firewood, ignitable materials, and the like.

  There are various ignition operators for this type of gas writer. For example, when the ignition control is a case lid that covers the flint ignition mechanism or the electrode that ignites the fuel gas by the discharge spark, the gas release lever is first driven in the valve opening direction by a person opening the case lid. The gas release valve of the fuel tank opens and a flint spark or an electric spark (spark) ignites the gas. Also, when the ignition operation element is a push button or a slide button, when a person pushes down or slides the push button, the gas release lever is driven in the valve opening direction to open the gas release valve of the fuel tank, and An electric spark ignites gas (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-116849 A

  An infant or a young person may imitate the use of a gas writer by a familiar person such as a father and mess with the gas writer, and may cause a burn or fire due to an unexpected gas combustion flame. In order to prevent such an accident, it is recommended to provide a lock mechanism so that the ignition operator does not move by simple operation. The gas writer of Patent Document 1 includes a push button lock mechanism, and the push button is set to the unlocked position by horizontally sliding the push button (unlock operation). I can't do it.

  By the way, the mechanical lock mechanism of the ignition operator is a fine mechanism, and if a strong force is applied, the lock mechanism may be sluggish or destroyed, and an ignition operation may be possible.

  An object of the present invention is to make the locking mechanism sturdy.

(1) A fuel tank (2) having a fuel gas release valve for sending fuel gas to the gas release nozzle (1), a gas release lever (3) for opening the fuel gas release valve, and the gas release nozzle An ignition mechanism (5a, 5b) that ignites the fuel gas that exits from (1) to the upper flame port (4a), and is driven by a finger to drive the gas release lever (3) in the direction to open the gas release valve In a gas writer comprising an operation element (6, 11),
The operating element (6, 11) is provided so as to be movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and engages with the flame port (4a) in the locked position to prevent the operation element (6, 11) from being driven and unlocked. A safety mechanism including a lock member (7) that releases from the flame outlet (4a) in the locked position and releases the blocking, and a spring member (8a / 8b) that forces the lock member (7) to the locked position ( 4a, 7, 8a / 8b).

  In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, the code | symbol of the corresponding element or the equivalent element of the Example which is shown in drawing and mentions later in parentheses is attached for reference by reference. The same applies to the following.

  When the user drives the lock member (7) of the safety mechanism (4a, 7, 8a / 8b) to the unlocked position against the force of the spring member (8a / 8b), the lock on the flame outlet (4a) When the member (7) is disengaged, the operation elements (6, 11) can move the gas release lever (3) in the direction of opening the gas release valve. Therefore, the user operates the operation element (6, 11) to drive the gas release lever (3) in the direction to open the gas release valve, and the fuel gas exiting from the gas release nozzle (1) is discharged by the ignition mechanism (5a, 5b). When ignited, a combustion gas flame (10) is generated from the flame port (4a) (FIGS. 2 and 4).

  Even if a person (for example, an infant or a young person) tries to move the operation element (6, 11) without moving the lock member (7) to the unlock position, the lock member (7) is engaged with the flame outlet (4a). Because they match, the controls (6, 11) do not move. Since the fuel gas discharge valve remains closed and no fuel gas is emitted from the gas discharge nozzle (1), no combustion gas flame is generated. Therefore, safety against careless operation is high. Since the flame outlet (4a) is relatively large and the member (4) having the flame outlet (4a) is relatively strong, the lock member (7) can be locked firmly, and the safety mechanism (4a, 7, 8a / 8b) can be made highly safe because it is not easily damaged even when a strong force is applied to the operating elements (6, 11).

The gas writer of 1st Example of this invention is shown, (a) is the longitudinal cross-sectional view of the front direction of a non-use state (locked state), (b) is a top view of an external appearance, (c) is the unlocked state just before use It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the front direction. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the use direction of the gas writer shown in FIG. 1 in the front direction. The gas writer of 2nd Example of this invention is shown, (a) is the longitudinal cross-sectional view of the front direction of a non-use state (locked state), (b) is the longitudinal cross-sectional view of the front direction of the unlocked state just before use. . It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the use direction of the gas writer shown in FIG. 3 in the front direction.

  (2) The operating element (6, 11) includes a rotating upper lid (6); the locking member (7) is related to an axis (7a) extending in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the flame outlet (4a). The spring member (8a / 8b) is supported around the shaft (7a) with the engagement member (7b) rotatably supported and inserted into and removed from the flame port (4a). The gas writer according to (1), wherein 7) is forcibly rotated in a direction in which the engaging portion (7b) is fitted into the flame opening (4a).

  (3) What is rotation of the lock member (7) in the direction in which the engaging portion (7b) comes out of the flame port (4a) and rotation of the operating element (6, 11) in the lid opening direction? The gas writer according to the above (2), which is in the same direction (clockwise in FIGS. 2 and 4).

  (4) The finger contact portion (tail end) of the lock member (7) when the user drives to the unlock position is for the user to open the gas release valve of the operation element (6, 11). The gas writer according to the above (3), which protrudes beyond the finger pad when driving.

  (5) The said spring member is a spring (8a) which has a plate-shaped part; The gas writer as described in any one of said (1) thru | or (4).

  (6) The said spring member is a compression coil spring (8b); The gas writer as described in any one of said (1) thru | or (4).

  Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

-1st Example-
The gas writer of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a liquefied fuel tank 2, and a fuel gas release valve that is a normally closed valve for supplying combustion gas to the first nozzle 2a is provided therein. When the nozzle 2a is pulled upward, the fuel gas release valve is opened, and a part of the liquefied fuel in the liquefied fuel tank 2a is vaporized and exits from the first nozzle 2a. The second nozzle 1 is connected to the first nozzle 2a via an insulating tube 9 having flexibility and elasticity. The middle frame that supports the piezoelectric unit 5a, the crater member 4 that is an upper frame, and the upper lid 6 that is an operator are integrally connected by a pin 6a. The second nozzle 1 is fixed to a metal inner frame. The crater member 4 is electrically connected to one of the pair of high voltage output ends of the piezoelectric unit 5a, and the second nozzle 1 is fixed to the crater member 4, so that it has the same potential as one of the high voltage output ends. . The tip of the electrical lead connected to the other of the high voltage output ends is the discharge electrode 5b. When the piezoelectric unit 5a generates a high voltage, an electrical spark (discharge spark) is generated between the electrode 5b and the nozzle 1.

  The distal end of the gas release lever 3 is engaged with the lower end of the first nozzle 2a, and the tail end of the gas release lever 3 is turned clockwise to turn the tail end of the gas release lever 3 clockwise. After this rotation, the tip of the gas release lever 3 pushes the first nozzle 2a upward, thereby opening the fuel gas release valve in the fuel tank 2 and vaporizing the liquefied fuel in the fuel tank 2. And flows out to the outside air through the first nozzle 2a, the insulator tube 9 and the second nozzle 1.

  When the support 6b of the upper lid 6 pushes down the slider on the head of the piezoelectric unit 5a, the U-shaped stopper 11 straddling the slider is also pressed down at the same time. 3 is rotated clockwise, the fuel gas discharge valve of the liquefied fuel tank 2a is opened, and the fuel gas flows out from the second nozzle 1 to the outside (tube 9). When the slider is further lowered, the piezoelectric element is struck by the plunger in the piezoelectric unit 4a to generate a high voltage, and the high voltage is applied between the electrode 5b / nozzle 1 and an electric spark is generated between the electrode 5b / nozzle 1. The fuel gas generated and flowing out from the nozzle 1 is ignited by the electric spark, and a flame like a candle flame (see FIG. 2) from the crater 4a located above the second nozzle 1 of the crater member 4. 10) occurs. In this embodiment, the combination of the piezoelectric unit 5a and the electrode 5b is an ignition mechanism.

  The support 6b of the upper lid 6 which is an operator can be rotated around the pin 8, and the slider on the head of the piezoelectric unit 4a is pushed down by the clockwise rotation of the upper lid 6. A lock member 7 of a safety mechanism is mounted on the upper lid 6 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 7a extending in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the flame opening 4a.

  At the front end (left end) of the lock member 7, there is an engaging portion 7b that can be inserted into and removed from the flame opening 4a, and the tail of the lock member 7 that is a finger pad when the user drives to the unlock position. The end (right end) protrudes above the finger pad portion of the upper lid 6 when the user drives to open the gas release valve. Between the front end and the tail end of the lock member 7 is the shaft 7a. Below the tail end of the locking member 7 is a U-shaped leaf spring 8a that forces the locking member 7 to rotate counterclockwise about the shaft 7a. That is, the locking member 7 is forced to the locking position where the engaging portion 7b at the tip of the locking member 7 enters the flame port 4a. When the user pushes down the tail end of the lock member 7 against the repulsive force of the leaf spring 8a, that is, when the lock member 7 is turned to the unlocked position about the shaft 7a, the engaging portion at the tip of the lock member 7 7b comes out above the flame opening 4a, whereby the upper lid 6 can be rotated in the lateral direction (clockwise) (unlocked state).

  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), the tail end, which is a finger pad when the user drives the unlocking position of the locking member 7, is for the user to open the gas release valve of the upper lid 6. It protrudes above the finger pad when driving. The user grasps the case main body of the writer shown in FIG. 1 (a) and puts the belly of the thumb on the upper surface of the tail end of the lock member 7, so that the tail of the lock member 7 is shown in FIG. 1 (b). The edge can be pushed down.

  Even if a person such as an infant or a young person tries to push down the substantially left half of the lock member 7 shown in FIG. 1A, that is, the portion on the left side of the shaft 7 a (the center portion of the upper cover 6), Since it is supported at the bottom, it does not rotate. That is, it remains in the locked position and the upper lid 6 does not open. Since the crater member 4 is a relatively strong block, it is not deformed or damaged even if a strong push is applied.

  When the user depresses the tail end of the lock member 7 against the repulsive force of the leaf spring 8a, the lock member 7 rotates clockwise about the shaft 7a, as shown in FIG. The engaging portion 7b is disengaged from the flame opening 4a. When the user applies a stronger force to the tail end of the lock member 7, the tail end of the lock member 7 hits the upper end surface of the right end of the upper lid 6 and pushes down the upper lid 6. Therefore, the upper lid 6 rotates clockwise around the pin 6a. As a result, the fuel gas begins to flow out of the second nozzle 1, and the piezoelectric unit 5a generates a high voltage, which causes the fuel gas to ignite by the electric spark generated between the electrode 5b / nozzle 1, and FIG. As shown, the flame 10 is generated outside the flame opening 4a. Since the rotation direction of the lock member 7 to the unlock position and the rotation of the lid opening direction for the ignition of the upper lid 6 are the same direction (clockwise in FIG. 2), the user must hold the writer. It can be used and operated smoothly.

-Second Example-
FIG. 3 shows a gas writer of the second embodiment. This gas writer is obtained by changing the leaf spring 8a of the first embodiment to a compression coil spring 8b. Others are the same as those of the first embodiment. There is a compression coil spring 8b below the tail end (right end) of the lock member 7 of the gas writer of the second embodiment, and the repulsive force forces the lock member 7 to rotate counterclockwise about the shaft 7a. is doing. That is, the lock member 7 is forced to the lock position where the engagement portion 7b at the tip (left end) of the lock member 7 enters the flame port 4a. When the user pushes down the tail end of the lock member 7 against the repulsive force of the compression coil spring 8b, that is, when the lock member 7 is turned to the unlock position about the shaft 7a, the engagement of the tip of the lock member 7 is engaged. The part 7b comes out above the flame opening 4a, and thereby the upper lid 6 can be rotated in the lateral direction (clockwise) (unlocked state).

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the tail end (right end), which is a finger rest when the user drives the unlocking position of the locking member 7, is connected to the gas release valve of the upper lid 6 by the user. It projects upward from the finger pad when it is driven to open. The user grasps the case body of the writer shown in FIG. 3 (a) and puts the thumb's belly on the upper surface of the tail end of the lock member 7, so that the tail of the lock member 7 is shown in FIG. 3 (b). The edge can be pushed down.

  Even if a person such as an infant or a young person tries to push down the substantially left half of the lock member 7 shown in FIG. 3A, that is, the portion on the left side of the shaft 7 a (the center portion of the upper cover 6), Since it is supported at the bottom, it does not rotate. That is, it remains in the locked position and the upper lid 6 does not open. Since the crater member 4 is a relatively strong block, it is not deformed or damaged even if a strong push is applied.

  When the user depresses the tail end of the lock member 7 against the repulsive force of the compression coil spring 8b, the lock member 7 rotates clockwise about the shaft 7a, as shown in FIG. Then, the engaging portion 7b is detached from the flame opening 4a. When the user applies a stronger force to the tail end of the lock member 7, the upper lid 6 rotates clockwise around the pin 6a, whereby the fuel gas begins to flow out from the second nozzle 1, and the piezoelectric unit 5a. Generates a high voltage, and as a result, the fuel gas is ignited by the electric spark generated between the electrode 5b and the nozzle 1, and as shown in FIG. 4, a flame 10 is generated outside the flame opening 4a. Since the rotation direction of the lock member 7 to the unlock position and the rotation of the lid opening direction for the ignition of the upper lid 6 are the same direction (clockwise in FIG. 4), the user must hold the writer. It can be used and operated smoothly.

1: Second nozzle 2: Liquefied fuel tank 3: Gas discharge lever 4: Tinder member 4a: Flame port 5a: Piezoelectric unit 5b: Electrode 6: Upper lid 6a: Pin 6b: Trunk 7: Lock member 7a: Shaft 7b: Engagement Joint 8a: leaf spring 8b: compression coil spring 9: tube 10: combustion gas flame

Claims (6)

A fuel tank having a fuel gas release valve for supplying fuel gas to the gas release nozzle, a gas release lever for opening and driving the fuel gas release valve, and a fuel gas that exits from the gas release nozzle to a flame port above it In a gas writer comprising: an ignition mechanism for igniting; and an operator that is driven by a finger to drive the gas release lever in a direction to open a gas release valve.
The operating element is movably mounted in a locked position and an unlocked position, and engages with the flame mouth in the locked position to prevent the operation element from being driven, and is released from the flame mouth in the unlocked position to release the inhibition. And a safety mechanism including a spring member forcing the lock member to the locked position.   The operating element includes a rotating upper lid; and the locking member is rotatably supported with respect to an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the flame mouth, and has an engaging portion that is inserted into and removed from the flame mouth. The gas writer according to claim 1, wherein the spring member forcibly rotates the lock member around the shaft in a direction in which the engaging portion is fitted into the flame port.   3. The gas writer according to claim 2, wherein the rotation of the lock member in the direction in which the engaging portion is removed from the flame opening and the rotation in the lid opening direction of the operation element are in the same direction.   The finger contact portion of the lock member when the user drives to the unlock position protrudes from the finger contact portion of the operation member when the user drives to open the gas release valve; 3. The gas writer according to 3.   The gas writer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the spring member is a spring having a plate-like portion.   The gas writer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the spring member is a compression coil spring.

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