MXPA00002146A - Child resistant lighter - Google Patents

Abstract

A lighter (10) of the disposable type, ignition of which requires depression of an actuator (16) that is resistant to the manipulations of unintended users. The lighter (10) is normally maintained in a position (figure 2) that prevents depression of the actuator (10) through the incorporation of a mechanism (18, 20, 52, 56) that increases the difficulty of operation. The safety mechanism (18, 20, 52, 56) requires displacement in two directions in order to allow full depressionof the actuator and activation of an ignition means (22). When the mechanism is so displaced through the application of force by a user, it cannot remain displaced without continuous application of such force and will return to the normal, blocking, position when the force is removed.

Description

LIGHTING TEST LIGHTING FOR CHILDREN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a lighter employing an ignition system that presents an increased difficulty of operation for users for which it is not contemplated, more particularly, a piezo igniter with such a system. COMMENTS ON THE RELATED TECHNIQUE Disposable gas lighters are available in several forms. A common element of disposable lighters, however, is a driving pad or lever that is used to initiate fuel flow. A drive cushion is operated in combination with a sparking mechanism in such a way that the fuel flow is turned on shortly after it starts. For example, lighters employing conventional sparking wheels require the user to rotate a toothed sparking wheel against a stone in order to generate a spark. The user then presses the drive cushion, releasing the gas and producing a flame. Another form of ignition for disposable lighters employs a piezoelectric mechanism. In this type of ignition mechanism, a piezoelectric element, such as a crystal, is struck by a hammer in order to produce an electric spark. The spark is led to the opening of the fuel valve to ignite the gaseous fuel. The actuating cushion, when pressed by a user, initiates the flow of fuel and the ignition process. An example of a piezoelectric ignition mechanism of this type is presented in U.S. Patent No. 5,262,697, entitled "Piezoelectric Mechanism for Gas Lighters" (Piezoelectric Mechanism for Gas Lighters). As in the case of spark-ignition mechanisms, measures have been introduced to prevent the activation of piezoelectric mechanisms by users for whom it is not contemplated, such as children under 5 years of age. A typical method employed is the incorporation of a bolt member under the actuating cushion which inhibits the depression of the actuator cushion. Examples of mechanisms of this type are presented in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,435,719, 5,584,682, and 5,636,979. However, there is still a need in the art for mechanisms that increase the difficulty of operation by users for which they are not contemplated and, at the same time, are user friendly for the contemplated user. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to offer a lighter easily operated by an adult but resistant to operation by young children. This objective and other objectives are achieved through a piezoelectric lighter with an elongated body that defines a fuel tank and includes a valve to supply said fuel. The lighter also includes a. actuator that, when depressed, activates the ignition system, which requires the release of fuel from the tank and the activation of a piezoelectric mechanism to create a spark. The depression of the actuator is normally disabled, however, through a locking mechanism. The displacement of the locking mechanism in the specified manner allows the depression of the actuator. The locking mechanism, which is incorporated in the actuator, is displaced through the pressure applied by a user. By removing the displacement force, the locking mechanism returns to its initial locked position, again preventing the actuator from being depressed enough to activate the ignition system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are similarly numbered, and which Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a lighter in accordance with the present invention in its inactive configuration; Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lighter shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lighter shown in Figure 1, in an ignition position; Figure 4 is a top view of a second embodiment of the present invention in an inactive configuration; Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lighter shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lighter shown in Figure 4, in a locked position, Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lighter shown in Figure 4, with the safety tab moved to allow the actuator depression; Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lighter shown in Figure 4, in an ignition position; Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention in an inactive configuration; Figure 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lighter shown in Figure 9, with the safety tab displaced to allow oppression of the actuator; Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lighter shown in Figure 9, in an ignition position, and Figure 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lighter shown in Figure 9, using a modified actuator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to Figure 1, a partial cross-sectional view of a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention is provided wherein a lighter 10 consists of a body portion 12, a wind shield 14, and a valve actuator that can be depressed 16. The actuator 16 includes a sliding member 18. The sliding member 18 is substantially surrounded on the upper surface of the lighter 10 by the actuator 16, but the vertical extension 20 of the sliding member 18 projects down when it is in the rest state to form an extension of the rear wall 28 of the lighter 10. A sliding member 18 is pushed towards its normal backward position, as shown in figure 2, through a sliding spring 30. .

Referring now to Figure 2, further details of the ignition system and the safety feature of the lighter 10 are shown. An upper portion of the piezoelectric ignition mechanism 22 is connected to the actuator 16. A spark conductor 24 is electrically connected to an ignition mechanism 22 in a known manner. A lower portion of the ignition mechanism 22 is connected to a body portion 12. Pressing the actuator 16 initiates the flow of fuel through the fuel nozzle 32, which will be ignited by a spark driven by the spark conductor 24. A coil spring 26 is positioned between the upper portion and the lower portion of the ignition mechanism 22. The spring 26 provides upward pressure to oppose the oppression of the actuator 16 and compression of the ignition mechanism 22 The spring 26 is illustrated in the form of a helical spring but any other suitable pressure element can be used, such as, for example, a separate leaf spring or an integrally molded plastic spring. In its normal position, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the actuator 16 can not be depressed to activate the ignition system due to the obstructing alignment of the vertical extension 20 with the rear wall 28. In order to be able to switch on, the user must apply a horizontal force on the sliding member 18 for the purpose of displacing the vertical extension 20 from its alignment with the rear wall 28. Inward displacement of the sliding member 18, the actuator 16 can be depressed, as illustrated in FIG. Figure 3 thus compressing ignition mechanism 22 and causing ignition. Pressing the actuator 16 also serves to bring the spark conductor 24 closer to the fuel nozzle 32, thus facilitating the generation of an ignition spark. In this embodiment, projections 34 are incorporated in the sliding member 18 in order to assist the user in applying sufficient force inwardly to overcome the pushing effect of the sliding spring 30. After use of the lighter 10, a spring 26 assists pushing the actuator 18 to return to its normal elevation and the sliding spring 30 pushes the sliding member 18 to its normal backward position. Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 4-8. with reference now to Figures 4 and 5, a lighter 50 is illustrated in its normal position. The actuator 16 includes a tab 52, separated from the main portion of the actuator 16 by a space 54. The tab 52 includes one or more steps 56 and is connected to the actuator 16 at the lower end of the actuator 16 thus allowing the tab to operate as lever. The lower portion of the actuator 16, where the tongue 52 is joined must have sufficient strength and dimension to withstand the repeated rotational displacements of the tongue 52. An attempt to operate a cigarette lighter 50 as shown in Figures 4 and 5, without displacing the tongue 52 in accordance with described below, results in the configuration illustrated in figure 6. Step 56 engages back wall 28 and body 12 of igniter 50, thus preventing activation of the ignition system. Alternatively, a lighter 50 can be constructed in such a way that a step 56 engages a portion (not shown) of the internal lighter 50 and built integrally with the body 12 when the actuator 16 is depressed from the normal position. It will be apparent from FIGS. 4-6 that an inward force should be applied to the upper end of the tab 52 to move the step 56 and prevent it from engaging the rear wall 28, thereby allowing the actuator 16 to be fully depressed. It will also be apparent to a person with certain knowledge in the art that by applying downward pressure in a normal manner on the actuator 16, said inward force is not applied. Figure 7 illustrates a lighter 50 with a tongue 52 positioned inwardly, to a sufficient degree to allow the actuator 16 to be depressed. Advantageously, a user simply requires to apply a downward pressure on the tab 52 and the actuator 16, after pushing the tab 52 inward, to cause the ignition system to activate. The user does not need to reposition his finger to apply the necessary triggering force after pushing the tab 52 inward. Referring now to Figure 8, an actuator 16 has been depressed enough to advance the step beyond the upper edge of the rear wall 28 and to activate the ignition system. A spark conductor 24 is lowered in combination with the actuator 16 and is now close to the nozzle 32, thus promoting the generation of an ignition spark. The resistance of the spring 26 forces the actuator 16 to return to its normal position when the downward activation pressure on the actuator 16 is removed, thereby resetting the tab 52 and the step 56 in their locking positions. One skilled in the art will understand that the actuator 16 and the tongue 52 are constructed in such a way that the tongue 52 resists an inward pressure. It will also be apparent that the tongue could, in another embodiment of the invention, be constructed in a manner that is connected at its upper end to the actuator 16. In an embodiment of this type, shown in FIGS. 9-11, in space 54 it separates the end bottom of the tab 54 of the actuator. One or more steps 56 are included in the tab 52 for the purpose of engaging a rear wall 28 when the actuator 16 is depressed from its normal position, thereby again preventing activation of the lighter 50 prior to displacement of the tab 52 The lower end of the tongue 52 should be pushed inward, as shown in Figure 19, to allow for the oppression of the actuator 16 and activation of the ignition system. In addition, if desired, a separate thrust element, such as a spring 58, could be incorporated into the space 54. To operate the lighter illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, a user first applies an outward backward toward the protrusion. 34, thereby creating a lever-like action against the tab 52 to move the step 56 out of the rear wall 28. The user can then press the actuator 16 by applying a downward pressure towards the projection 34 and the actuator 16. With the tab 52 moved downward, the upper and lower portions of the ignition mechanism 22 can be compressed to initiate ignition, as shown in Figure 11. As an alternative to the preceding embodiment, a projection 32 can be avoided in favor of an angular plane joining tab 52 and an actuator 16. With this option, shown in Figure 12, a user applies a force similar to the force employed with the projection 34 in Figure 11 By pressing inwardly on the lower portion of the plane 60, the tongue 52 is displaced from its locking alignment with the rear wall 28 to allow the oppression of the actuator 16 and activation of the ignition system. Various embodiments of the present invention have been described. The descriptions are intended to illustrate the invention but not to limit it. Accordingly, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications to the invention described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the claims presented below.

The ignition system described herein is not limited to its use in a lighter. The ignition system can also be used in other devices that require an increased mechanism of resistance to children such as, for example, electric type ignitions for electric grills etc.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS A lighter resistant to unwanted use, comprising: an elongated frame that has a compartment for fuel; a fuel nozzle in fluid communication with the fuel compartment adapted to selectively release the fuel; an ignition device adapted to ignite the released fuel; an actuator operatively engaged with said ignition device, such that pressing said actuator from a first elevation to a second elevation activates said ignition device; and a locking tab adapted to prevent movement of said actuator from said first elevation toward said second elevation, said locking tab being fixedly connected to the actuator at a first end of the locking tab to prevent relative movement between the first end of the locking tab and the actuator and extends from there forming a space at a certain distance from the first end with said actuator, and said locking tab is normally positioned in an interference position, so that a first locking part in the locking tab in the locking tab interferes with a second locking part in said frame; wherein the displacement of said locking tab through said space to a position of non-interference, where the first blocking part does not interfere with the second blocking part, allows said actuator to be depressed from said first elevation to said second elevation. The lighter according to claim 1, wherein said locking tab can be moved from said interference position to said non-interference position through the force applied by a user and is maintained in said non-interference position by force applied by the user; and wherein said locking tab automatically returns to said interference position from said non-interference position when the force applied by the user is removed. The lighter according to claim 1, wherein the locking tab is spaced from the actuator by said space at a second end. The lighter according to claim 3, wherein the actuator has an upper surface and the second end 'of said locking tab is spaced from the actuator on the upper surface. The lighter according to claim 4, wherein a resilient member is placed within said space to push the locking tab towards the interference position. The lighter according to claim 3, wherein the actuator has a top surface and the first end of said locking tab is connected to the actuator on the top surface. The lighter according to claim 6, wherein the locking tab includes a projection, such that when the force applied by the user is applied against said projection the locking tab moves through said space. The lighter according to claim 6, wherein the locking tab includes an angular plane such that when a force applied by the user is applied against said angular plane, the locking tab moves through said space. The lighter according to claim 6, wherein a resilient member is placed within said space to push the locking tab toward the interference position.