CA2114772A1 - Lighter - Google Patents
LighterInfo
- Publication number
- CA2114772A1 CA2114772A1 CA002114772A CA2114772A CA2114772A1 CA 2114772 A1 CA2114772 A1 CA 2114772A1 CA 002114772 A CA002114772 A CA 002114772A CA 2114772 A CA2114772 A CA 2114772A CA 2114772 A1 CA2114772 A1 CA 2114772A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- push
- lift
- lighter
- lighter body
- locked state
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23Q—IGNITION; EXTINGUISHING-DEVICES
- F23Q2/00—Lighters containing fuel, e.g. for cigarettes
- F23Q2/16—Lighters with gaseous fuel, e.g. the gas being stored in liquid phase
- F23Q2/164—Arrangements for preventing undesired ignition
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
When a lighter is not in use, a push-down member (41) is kept positioned on one end side of a lift-up lever (27) and has a lower end abutting against a lighter body (1) to set a locked state to restrict a pushdown action. As the push-down member (41) is moved along the lift-up lever (27) toward the other end thereof, the locked state is released and the position of that movement of the push-down member (41) toward the other end of the lift-up lever (27) is maintained by its relationship with respect to the lighter body (1) or the lift-up lever (27). When the push-down member (41) is then pushed down, the lift-up lever (27) is rotated to open the valve means (9,15) and ignition means (17, 21, 25) is activated at a same time to ignite the fuel injected through the valve means (9,15). When that downward action of the pushdown member (41) is released, the pushdown member (41) moves upward to the original state while moving toward the one end of the lift-up lever (27) returning by the urging force of an elastic member (13) along the lift-up lever (27). Therefore, releasing of the locked state and ignition can both be accomplished merely by manipulating a single operating member, namely, the push-down member (41), and after the ignition, the pushdown member (41) automatically returns to the locked state. It is therefore possible to significantly improve the operability of the lighter without deteriorating the safety function of its safety device.
When a lighter is not in use, a push-down member (41) is kept positioned on one end side of a lift-up lever (27) and has a lower end abutting against a lighter body (1) to set a locked state to restrict a pushdown action. As the push-down member (41) is moved along the lift-up lever (27) toward the other end thereof, the locked state is released and the position of that movement of the push-down member (41) toward the other end of the lift-up lever (27) is maintained by its relationship with respect to the lighter body (1) or the lift-up lever (27). When the push-down member (41) is then pushed down, the lift-up lever (27) is rotated to open the valve means (9,15) and ignition means (17, 21, 25) is activated at a same time to ignite the fuel injected through the valve means (9,15). When that downward action of the pushdown member (41) is released, the pushdown member (41) moves upward to the original state while moving toward the one end of the lift-up lever (27) returning by the urging force of an elastic member (13) along the lift-up lever (27). Therefore, releasing of the locked state and ignition can both be accomplished merely by manipulating a single operating member, namely, the push-down member (41), and after the ignition, the pushdown member (41) automatically returns to the locked state. It is therefore possible to significantly improve the operability of the lighter without deteriorating the safety function of its safety device.
Description
~p 11'1772 LIGHTER
BACKGROUND OF T:HE INVENTION :
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighter for lighting cigarettes or like, fior ~ ~ :
example, and, more particularly, to an improvement of a lighter which is equipped with a safety device to preYent small children from carelessly or accidentally igniting the lighter.
Description of the Related Art Lighters for lighting cigarettes or the like are equipped with a so-called safety device. This measure is taken to prevent small children from easily igniting the lighter : .: .;.
even through careless or accidental manipulation. Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. hei 3-501050 (U.S.P. Serial No. 5002482) discloses a lighter cquipped with such a safety device. This lighter has a safety latch me.mber attached under a push-down 0 member, which is manipulated at the time of ignition, in such a way that the pressing action of the push-down member is selectively permitted by rotating this safety latch member in the proper direction. As the pressing action of the pushdown member isrestncted by the safety latch member, therefore, a small child cannot easily ignite the lighter even the child tries to do so. Another conventional lighter is disclosed in Japanese ls UnexaminedPublicationNo. hei4-3S3515.
The conventional structure has the ~ollowing shortcoming. The safety device of the above-described lighter is a manipulator provided separately from the pushdown member that is mar~ipulated to ignite the lighter in such a way that the separate manipulator should be manipulated to unlock the push-down member before manipulating the pushdown member ~or ignition. In other words, once the lighter is locked, two dif~erent operating members must be operated separately to ignite the lighter. This ~ :
21~1772 demands the user of a troublesome manipulation, thus lowering the operability of the lighter.
SUMMARY OF THE I~NTION
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provicle a lighter equipped with a safety device which can ensure sufficient safety without reducing the operability in actual use of the lighter.
To achieve the foregoing object, the lighter of the present invention comprises a ~ .
o lighter body for storing fuel; valve means, attached to an upper portion of the lighter body, for stopping injection of the fuel when closed and permitting injection of the fuel when open; ignition means, provided at the upper portion of the lighter body and- .
activatable as needed to ignite the filel injected by opening of the valve means; lift-up means, arranged rotatable via a rotary shaft at the upper portion of the lighter body and 15 having one end connected to the valve means, for closing the valve means when urged in one direction by an elastic member and opening the valve means when rotated in the opposite direction against urg~ng fosce of the elastic member; and pushdown means, provided movable along the lift-up means on the other end side thereof, a slide position of the push-down means being properly maintained by a relationship with respect to the 20 lighter body or the li~-up means, whereby when $he lighter is not in use, the pushdown means:is kept positioned on the other end side of the lift-up means and has a lower end abutting against the lighter body to set a locked state to restrict a pushdown action, as the push-down means is moved along the lifi-up means toward the one end thereof, the . ~ locked state is released and a position of that movement of the push-down means toward 25 the one end of the lift-up means is maintained by the relationship with respezt to the :
.
3 2:~ 1..'1772 lighter body or the lift-up means, when the push-down means is then pushed down, the lift-up means is rotated to open the valve means and the ignition means is activated at a same time to ignite the fuel injected through the va}ve means, and when that downward action of the push-down rneans is released, the push-down means moves upward to an original state while moving toward the other end of the lift-up means returning by the urging force of the elastic member along the lift-up means.
When the lighter is not in use, the safety device is working to lock the lighter.
More specifically, in the locked state, the push-down means is kept positioned on the other end side of the lift-up means and its lower end abuts against the lighter body to o restrict the downward action. In other words, even when a small child tries to push down ~ .
the push-down means carelessly, the lower end of the push-down means abuts against the lighter body to restrict the downward action, thereby preventing careless ignition of the light. To unlock the lighter to use it, first, the push-down means is moved along the li~-up means toward one end thereof to release the locked state. Then, the pushdown means is pushed down to rotate the lif~-up means to open the valve means, and at the sarne tirne, the ignition means is activated to ignite the fuel injected through the valve means Accordingly, the user can now light a cigarette or the like. To automatically return the lighter in the locked state a~er usage, the downward action of the push-down means is released, so that the push-down means can return to the locked state as it moves toward the other end of the lifL-up means, which is returning by the urging force of the elastic member, along the liflL-up means.
According to a lighter of the present invention therefore, releasing of a lockedstate and ignition can both be accomplished merely by manipulating a single operating member: the push-down means, and the lighter automatically returns to the locked state A
. ~
after ignition. The operability of the lighter can be improved significantly without deteriorating the safety function of the safety device.
BREF DESCRIPTION OF 1~3:E DRAWINGS :
Embodirnents of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, :
5 with referenee to the accompanying drawings, in which~
Fig. I is a partly eross-sectional view illustrating a lighter according to a first ~ : :
embodiment of the present invention not in use (locked state);
Fig. 2 is a partly cross-sectional view illustrating the lighter according to the ffrst embodiment which is unlocked for usage by sliding a push-down member in the nozzle direction;
Fig. 3 is a partly cross-sectional view of the lighter according to the first embodiment, illustrating that a file is rotated and the push-down member is pushed down ~: forignition; :
Fig. 4 is a plan view of the first embodiment, showing the relationship between the push-down member and a lift-up lever when the lighter is not in use (locked state);
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the first embodiment, showing the relationship between the push-down member and the lit~-up lever when the pushdown member is slid in the nozzle direc~ion to unlock the lighter for usage;
Fig. 6 is a plan view of the first embodiment, showing the relationship between the pushdown member and the liflt-up lever when the file is rotated and the push-down member is pushed down for ignition;
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the push-down member of the first embodiment;
Fig. 8 is a front view of the pushdown member of the first embodiment;
Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the pushdown member of the ffrst embodiment;
2s Fig. 10 is a side view ofthe push-down member of the first embodiment;
5 2 ~ 2 Fig 11 is a plan view of the lid of a lighter body of the first embodiment;
Fig. 12 is a side view of the lid of the lighter body of the first embodiment;
Fig. 13 is a rear view of the lid of the lighter body of the first embodiment;
Fig. 14 is a cross section of the lid of the li~shter body of the first embodiment;
Fig. 15 is a plan view of the li~-up lever of the first embodiment;
Fig. 16 is a side view of the lift-up lever of the first embodiment;
Fig. 17 is a partly cross-sectional view illustrating a lighter according to a second embodiment of the present invention not in use (locked state);
Fig. 18 is a partly cross-sectional view of the lighter according to the second embodiment, illustrating that filrther downward movement of a push-down member is restricted;
Fig. 19 is a partly cross-sectional view illustrating the lighter according to the second embodiment which is unlocked for usage by sliding a push-down member in the nozzle direction;
Fig. 20 is a partly cross-sectional view of the lighter according to the second embodiment, illustrating that a file is rotated and the pushdown member is pushed down for ignition;
Fig. 21 is a plan view of the lid of a lighter body of the second embodiment;
Fig. 22 is a side view of the lid of the lighter body of the second embodiment;
~o Fig. 23 is a cross section view of the lid of the lighter body of the second embodiment;
Fig. 24 is a plan view of the lii~-up lever of the second embodiment;
Fig. 25 is a side view of the lift-up lever of the second embodiment; a Fig. 2~ is a cross-sectional view of the lift-up lever of the second embodiment;Fig. 27 is a plan view of the push-down member of the second embodiment;
G 211~772 Fig. 28 is a side view of the push-down member of the second embodiment;
Fig. 29 is A cross-sectional view of the push-down member of the second embodirment;
Fig. 30 is a rear view of tl1e push-down member of the second embodiment;
Fig. 31 is a plan view of the second embodiment, showing the pushdown member ~:
attached to ~he lift-up lever;
Fig. 32 is a side view of the second embodiment, showing the pushdown member attached to the li~-up lever and its relationship with a coil sprin~;
Fig. 33 is a cross section of the second embodiment taken along X~II-X~II
inFig. 31;
Fig. 34 is a side view of a third embodiment of the present invention not in use(locked state), showing the relationship between a li~-up lever and auxiliary wheels;
Fig. 35 is a side view of the third embodiment, showing the relationship between a :
liflc-up lever and auxiliary wheels when in an unlocked state;
s Fig. 36 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention not in use :
(locked state), showing the relationship between a lift-up lever and auxiliary wheels;
Fig. 37 is a cross-sectional view of a f~h embodiment of the present invention, showing the relationship between an engage portion and an enga~e pawl, which areprovided to prevent an easy unlocking manipulation;
Fig. 38 is a cross-sectional view illustrating part of a lighter according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 39 is a partly cross-sectional view illustratin~ part of a lighter according to a seventh embodiment of the present in~ention in a locked state;
Fig. 40 is a partly cross-sectional view illustrating part of the lighter according to the seventh embodiment when unlocked;
7 21.1'1772 Fig. 41 is a plan view of the seventh embodiment, showing the relationship between a li~-up lever and a push-down member;
Fig. 42 is a cross-sectional view of the seventh embodiment, showing the relationship between the liflL-up lever and the push-down member;
Fig. 43 is a partly cross-sectional view illustrating part of a lighter according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention in a locked state;
Fig. 44 is a partly cross-sectional view illustrating part of the lighter according to the eighth embodirnent when unlocked;
Fig. 45 is a plan view of the eighth embodiment, showing the relationship between o a lift-up lever and a pushdown member; and Fig. 46 is a cross-sectional view of the eighth embodiment, showing the relationship between the lift-up lever and the push-down member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PR}~FERR:ED EMBODIMENTS
A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described referring to Figs. 1 through 16. A lighter body 1 compnses a hollow case la and a lid lb attached to the top edge of this case la. Formed in the case la of the lighter body 1 is a fuel tank 3 which retains fiuel 5. A nozzle attachment 7 is formed on the left-hand side of the lighter body 1 in Fig. 1. A nozzle 9 is attached to this nozzle attachment 7. A fuel supply tube 11 is provided under the nozzle attachrnent 7, with its lower end extending to the bottom ofthe fi~el tank 3. The noæle 9 is seated on a seat portion 15 formed on the nozzle attachrnent 7, by a coil spring 13. The nozzle 9 and the seat portion 15 constitute valve means. With the nozzle 9 seated on the seal portion 15, no gas (vaporised fuel 5) will be injected. When the nozzle 9 is moved upward inthe diagram against the force of the coil spring 13, the seat portion 15 is open and gas is injected upward in ths diagram through the nozzle 9.
8 211'177~
A flint 17 is disposed at the upper portion of the lighter body I on the right-hand side in the diagrams while being ur~ed upward by a coil spring 19. Located above the flint 17 is a rotary file 21 on both sides of which auxiliaty wheels 25 are disposed rotatable via a support sha~ 23. As the rotary file 21 is rotated in the s direction of an arrow a through the auxiliary wheels 25, it grinds the flint 17 to make sparks to thereby igr~ite the gas injected from the noz~le 9. The flint 17, rotary file 21 and auxiliary wheels 25 constitute ignition means. :
A lii'L-up lever 27 as li~-up means is disposed at the upper portion of the lighter body 1 in such a way as to be ro$atable in the direction of an arrow b. This li~-up lever 27 is structured as shown in Figs. 15 and 16. Provided at the nozzle-side end (left-hand end in the diagrams) of the lift-up lever 27 is a nozzle engage portion 29 which engages with a neck 9a of the nozzle 9 from below. The lift-up lever 27 has a pair of extending rail arms 31a and 3Ib on the right-hand side (in the diagrams) ofthe nozzle engage portion 29. Rotary sh~[s 33a and 33b are protrusively provided at the proximal ~ :
l5 end portions of both rail arms 31a and 3 lb, respectively. The li~-up lever 27 is supported rotatable on the lid Ib of the lighter body 1 via those rotary sha~s 33a and 33b. The rail arm 31a has an engage pawl 35a formsd thereon as a first projection and another engage pawl 37a fonned closer to the distal snd as a second engage pawl. Likewise, the rail arrn 3 lb has engage pawls 35b and 37b formed thereon. The rail arms 31 a and 3 lb 2~) respecti~ely have inclined surfaces 39a and 39b each formed at the distal end and at the bottom.
As shown in Fig. 1, a push-down msmbsr 41 as push-down msans is separately and movably attached to the top ofthe rail arms 31a and 31b on the right-hand side thereof in the diagram. The puslhdown member 41 has a structure as shown in Figs. 7 25 through 10. The push-down msmber 41 has an operating portion 41a which is to be 2 ~ 7 7 2 operated by a thumb of a user and a projection 41b protruding from the bottom of the operating portion 41a. (While this operating portion 41a is normally operated by the user's thumb, it may of course be operated by a different finger.) A flange 41c is formed at the bottom of the projection 4 Ib. As shown in Fig. 10, a projection 43 is protrusive provided at the back of the flange 41c. This projection 43 has a slanted surface inclining toward the nozzle 9 as shown in Fig. 10. The push-down men;ber 41 iurther has a pair of engage recesses 45a and 45b as a first engage portion and inclined surfaces 47a and 47b at the bottom side on the leit and right sides, as shown in Fig. 9. The push-down member 41 also has cngage portions 49a and 49b provided at the distal end as second engagelo portions.
Th0 structure of the lid Ib of the lighter body 1, which has already been explained above, wili be described wi~h reference to Figs. 11 through 14. The lid Ib has apair of file stays 51 a and 5 lb between which the aforementioned rotary file 21 and auxiliary wheels 25 are supported rotatably. Provided in the centre portion of the lid Ib is a retainer 53 for retaining the flint 17 and coil spring 19. A pair of restoring projections 55a and 55b as restoring means are protrusively provided on the right-hand end portion (in the diagrams) of the lid Ib. Space 57 is forrned on the leflc-hand side of those projec~ions 55a and 55b in the diagrams, with a stopper portion 59 formed on the right-hand side (in the diagrams) in the space 57.
The action of the lighter with the above-described structure will be described below. To begin with, a description will be given of the lighter not in use. In this case, the lighter is in the state shown in Figs. 1 and 4. In this state, the nozzle 9 is pressed against the seat portion 15 by the force of the coil spring 13 so that the seat portion 15 is closed. The pushup lever 27 is urged in the counter clockwise 2s direction in Fig. I and is staying nearly horizontal. The pushdown member 41 is :`--~ 211li772 shiflted rightward in Fig. 1, with the projection 43 abutting on the stopper portion 59 of the lid Ib. In other words~ even if the push-down member 41 is pressed down through il:s operating portion 41a, the projection 43 hits against the stopper portion S9 to prevent the push-down member 41 from being pushed fi~rther downward (locked state). This rneans s that the safety device is working. The relationship between the push-down member 41 . . .
and push-up lever 27 at that time is illustrated in Fig. 4. That is, the engage pawls 35a and 35b ofthe rail arm 31a and 31b are in engagement with the engage recesses 45a and 45b of the push-down member 41. This engagement restricts filrther movement of the push-down member 41 and prevents the member ~1 ~om disengaging from the push-up lever 27.
A description will now be given of how to ignite the fuel when the lighter is in the locked state. First, the push-down member 41 in the state shown in Fig. I is slid leftward in this diagram. At this time, the inclined sur~aces 47a and 47b of the push-down member 41 cause the rail arms 31a and 31b to bend inward to permit the push down member 41 to slide in the same direction. When the push-down member 41 slides by a predetermined amount, the engage pawls 37a and 37b of the rail arms 31 a and 3 lb move over the engage portions 49a and 49b of the pushdown member 41 and engage therewith, as shown in Fig. 5. Consequently, the push-down member 41 is held at the slid position, and the projecl:ion 43 is disengaged firom the stopper portion 59 of the lid Ib to come above the space 57, as shown in Fig. 2. That is, the locked sta~e is released and that unlocked state is maintained.
Then, the auxilialy wheels 25 and the rotary file 21 are rotated, and the push-down mernber 41 is pushed down at the same time. The downward action of the pushdown member 41 rotates the li~-up lever 27 to the state shown in Fig. 3, so that the "~
nozzle 9 rises against the force of the coil spring 13. As a result, gas is injected upward :
" 211'1772 from the tip of the nozzle 9. At the same time, the rotation of the rotary file 21 grinds the flint 17 to make sparks so that the gas is i~nited.
The downward movement ofthe push-down member 41 also pushes down the rail arm pair 31a and 3lb. As the rail arms 3la and 31b respectively hit against the restoring 5 projections 55a and 55b at th$ time, the rail arms 31a and 31b are bent inward. When the downward pressing of the push-down member 41 is released, the lift-up lever 27 tries to rotate back first by the urging force of the coil spring 13 . At that time, the push-down member 41 tries to move along the rail arm pair 31a and 3 Ib in the direction opposite to the nozzle 9. As the rail arms 31 a and 3 lb are bent inward, the engage pawls 37a and 37b of those arms 3 la and 3 lb will not engage with the engage portions 49a and 49b of the pushdown member 41. Therefore, the push-down member 4 l automaticallyreturns to the state shown in Fig. 1. That is, the pushdown member 41 returns to the initial locked state.
In short, this embodiment exhibits the following effects. First, releasing of the ~; l5 locked state and ignition can both be accomplished merely by manipulating a single operating member, namely, the pushdown member 41. Therefore, this embodiment cansignificantly improve the operability of the lighter as cornpared with thei conventional lighter, which reguires one operating member to rele~se the locked state and another operating member for ignition. This improvement will not deteriorate the safety function 2l) of the safety device, so th$ the lighter will not ~e ignited by careless or accidental ~: ~ manipulation by a small child or the like. In particular, since the lighter automatically returns to the locked state after Ignition and will not be left unlocked, thus securing suffcient safiety. ;.
A second embodiment will be described referrin~ to Figs. 17 through 33. Like or 25 same reference numerals as used for components of the first embodiment will bP given 12 2 ~ 7 7 2 to corresponding or identical components of the second embodiment. The lift-up lever 27 as lift-up means in this embodiment has a structllre as shown in Figs. 24 through 26. Provided at the nozzle-side end (left-hand end in the diagrams~ of the lift-up lever 27 is a nozzle engage portion 61 which engages with the neck 9a of the nozzle 9 from below.
The li~-up lever 27 has a frame portion 63 formed on the right-hand of the nozzle engage portion 61 side in the diagrams. Rotary shafts 65a cmd 65b are protn~sively provided at the proximal end portion of the ~ame portion 63 . The lif~-up lever 27 is supported rotatable on the lid Ib of the lighter body 1 via those rotary sha~s 65a and 65b. Step portions 67a and 67b are formed in a widthwise middle portion of the frame portion 63 in the diagrams. Both inner side surfaces of the frarne portion 63 located on the right-hand side of the step portions 67a and 67b in the diagrams serve as guide surfaces 69a and 69b, respectiveiy.
As shown in Fig. 17, the push-down member 41 as pushdown me~ms is separately and movably attacbed to the top of the frame portion 63 of the lift-up lever 27. This push-down member 41 has a structure as shown in Figs. 27 through 30. The push-down member 41 has an operating portion 71 which is to be operated by a thumb of a user and a projection 73 protrudin~ from the bottom of the operating portion 71. ~While this operating portion 71 is normally operated by the user's thumb, it may of course be operated by a different finger.) An engage pawl 75 is formed in front of the operating ~ :
portion 71. The projection 73 has an inclined surface 77 formed on the front side, with a projection 79 protrudin~ from a nearIy middle portion of the inclined surface 77. Guide members 81 a and 8 Ib are formed at the bottom of the projection 73 on the le-ft- and right-hand SllieS thereof. The bottom of the projection 73 serves as a stop portion 80. ~.
The push-down member 41 having the above-described structure are engaged 2s with the inner side of the frame portion 63 of the lift-up lever 27 in the manner shown in 13 211~772 Fi~s. 31 through 33. More specifically, the push-down member 41 is inserted into the le-ft portion of the frame portion 63 of the lift-up lever 27 from the above and is then slid rightward (see Figs. 31 and 32~ for attachment. Consequently, the guide members 81a and 81b ofthe push-down member 41 come into engagement with the bottom surfaces of the frame portion 63 at the bottoms of the guide surfaces 69a and 69b, thus preventing the push-down member 41 from coming off upward from the frame portion 63. The bottom surfaces of the leflL and right side portions of the operating portion 71 are in engagement with the top surfaces of the ~ame portion 63 at the tops of the guidesurfaces 69a and 69b.
l() As shown in Fig. 17, a coil spring 83 as elastic means is disposed in the space 57 in such a manner that the projection 79 of the push-down member 41 is fitted in the upper end portion of the coil spring 83 whose top end is abutting on the inclined surface 77. In other words, the push-down member 41 is set to be always urged upward as well asrearward. The urging acts not only in the upward direction but also in the rearward direction because of the presence of the inclined sur~ace 77. That is, when the force of the coil spring 83 acts on the inclined surface 77, ~his force urges the push-down member 41 rearward through the inclined surface 77 as well as in the upward direction. As shown in Fig 21 through 23, an engage portion 85 is formed at the top and in the centre portion of the lid Ib. The engage pawl 75 ofthe push-down member 41 is selectively engaged with this engage portion 85, and when the engagement is established, the unlocked state is ~ .
maintained. The other structure of the lid Ib is the same as that of the first embodiment. :
The action of the lighter having the above-described structure will now be described. To begin with, the action of the lighter when not in use will be described. In this case, the lighter is in the state as shown in Fig. 17; the right end (in the diagram) of 2s the li~-up lever 27 is rotated sligh~ly counter clockwise as compared with that of the first Il 211~77~
embodiment. E~ven when the push-down member 41 is pushed downward for ignition in this state, the stop portion 80 abuts on the stopper portion 59 of the lid Ib as shown in Fig. 18, thereby restrictin~ the further downward rnovement of the push-down member 41. The restriction of the downward movement of the push-down member 41 thus S restricts the cloclcwise rotation of the lift-up lever 27 in the diagram. That is, the lighter is locked so that even if a small child carelessly presses the push-down member 41 down, the lighter will never be ignited.
1[ he action of the lighter when in use will be described below. In this case, the ignition operation starts with the unlocking of the lighter. The push-down member 41 is pressed down to the state shown in Fig. 18, and is then pushed forward tin the direction of the nozzle 9). Accordingly, the push-down member 4I slides in the direction of the nozzle 9 along the frame portion 63 of the lift-up lever 27. The engage pawl 75 of the push-down member 41 thus passes under the engage portion 85 of the lid Ib without any interference. When the pressure against the push-down member 41 is released in this state, the push-down member 41 comes to the state as shown in Fig. 19 where the engage pawl 75 ofthe push-down member 41 engages with the engage portion 85 ofthe lid Ib :
from below to keep the push-down member 41 at the slid position. In this state, the stop portion 80 ofthe push-down membes 41 does not interfere with the stopper portion 59 of the lid Ib. Tha~ is, the locked state is released and the lighter is kept unlocked. Under this situation, the -file 21 is rotated via the auxiliary wheels 25 and the pushdown memb~r 41 is moved further downward. As the stop portion 80 of the push-down member 41 hasbeen slid to the position where it does not abut on the stopper portion 59 of the lid Ib, the pushdown member 41 moves fiurther down. The downward motion of the push-down member 41 rotates the lift-up lever 27 clockwise in Fig. 20, lifting up the nozzle 9 to 1~ 21:1l177~
inject gas. The injected gas will be burned by sparks produced by the rotation contact of the file 21 with the flint 17.
A description will now be given of how to extinguish the flre a~er usage. In theignition state, i.e., with the pushdown member 41 pushed downward, the li~-up lever 27 5 is tilted down ri~htward as shown in Fi~. 20, so that the push-down member 41 is shi~ed rearward (rightward in the dia~ram). That is, the push-down member 41 is shif~ed to the position where its engage pawl 75 does not engage with the engagç portion 85 of the lid lb. When the pressure on the push-down member 41 in that state is released, the push-down member 41 moves upward by the force of the coil spring 83 and also slides 1() rearward because the sprin~ force acts rearward as well as upward. As a result, the push-down member 41 automatically returns to the state as shown in Fig. 17. The inclined . .
surface 77 of the pushdown member 41 effectively assists the urging action ofthe coil spring 83. More specifically, since the top end of the coil spring 83 abuts on the inclined surface 77 so that part of the spring force will act rearward, when the pressure on the 15 push-down member 41 is released, the pushdown member ~11 surely slides rearward while moving upward to return to the initial position. . ~ .In short, this embodiment also produces the same effect as the first embodiment.That is, releasing of the locked state and ignition can both be accomplished merely by manipulating a single operating member, namely, the push-down member 41. Therefore, 2() this embodiment can significantly improve the operability of the lighter by the user. This improvement will not deteriorate the sa~ety fimction of the safety device, so that the lighter will not be ignited by careless or accidental manipulation by a small child or the likP, 16 211'1772 A third embodiment will be described below referring to Figs. 34 and 35 wherein like parts of the previous embodiments will be denoted by like reference numerals. In this embodiment, a plurality of projections 87 serving as a stopper are formed around the auxiliary wheels 25. When the lighter is not in use, the outer surfaces of the auxiliary wheels 25 are abutting on the top of the lift-up lever 27 so that the auxiliary wheels 25 and thus the file 21 will not rotate accidentally. To make this surer, the projections 87 are provided in this embodiment. When the push-down member 41 is pushed to slide forward to perrnit the engagement of the engage pawl 75 with the engage portion 85 for actual usage of the lighter, the projections 87 of the auxiliary wheels 25 are set apart from the lu top of the lift-up lever 27, as shown in Fig. 35. This permits the auxiliary wheels 25 and thus the file 21 to rotate.
A fourth em~odiment will be described below referring to Fig. 36 wherein like :' parts of the previous embodiments will be denoted by like reference numerals. In this embodiment, the concept of the third embodiment is further expanded. Ratchets 93 are : :
formed on the outer surfaces of the awxilia~y wheels 25, and ratchets 95 are likewise formed on the top of the lift-up lever 27. When the lighter is not in use, the r$chets 93 of the auxiliary wheels 25 are in engagement with the ratchets 95 of the li~-up lever 27, thereby surely restricting accidental rotation ofthe auxiliary wheels 25 and thus the li -~
rotation of the file 21. When the pushdown member 41 is pushed to slide forward to ~ ~ :
20 perrnit the engagement of the engage pawl 75 with the engage portion 85 for actual usage of the lighter, the ratchets 93 of the auxiliary wheels 25 are disengaged from the ratchets ~ ;
95 ofthe lift-up lever 27. This permits the auxiliary wheels 25 and thus the file 2l to 1~:
rotate. It is therefore possible to make the action and effect of the third embodiment surer.
:`
17 211'177~
A fifth embodiment will be described below referring to E~ig. 37 wherein like parts of the previous embadiments will be denoted by like reference numerals. In this embodiment, a projeiction 75a is provided on the engage pawl 75 of the pushdown member 41, while a projection 85a is provided on the engage portion 85 ofthe lid Ib. The reason for the provision of those projections 75a and 8~a is as follows. As explained in the description of the second embodiment, to use the lighter, the pushdown member 41 is pushed downward first, and is then slid forward to unlock the lighter. But, there is a possibility that this unlocking is accomplished spontaneously by pushing the push-down member 41 obliquely downward (in the direction of an arrow a in the diagram). This is l~ not sufficient to prevent a small child firom carelessly or accidentally igniting the lighter.
The projections 75a and 85a are psovided to prevent the unlocking of the lighter by the application of the obliquely-downward pressure on the push-down member 41.
When the push-down member 41 is pushed obliquely downward, the projection 75a of :~
the engage pawl 75 hits against the projection ~Sa of the engage portion 85 to restrict further movement ofthe push-down member 41, thus preventing the lighter from being unlocked. It is thus possible to surely prevent small children from accidentally igniting the lighter.
A sixth embodiment will be described below referring to Fig. 38 wherein like parts of the previous emb~diments will be denoted by like reference numera!s. In this embodiment, a leaf spring 101 is used for the coil spring 83. This leaf spring 101 bends in the direction of an arrow B in the diagram. The force of the leaf spring 101 returning to the original position ~om the bent state is also direc~ed obliquely upward, and thus serves to set back the push-down member 41 rearward as well as upward. ~ccordingly, this structure can provide the same effect as the first embodiment.
21~ ~7'72 IX
A seventh embodiment will be described below referring to Figs. 39 through 42 wherein like parts of the previous embodiments will be denoted by like referencenumerals In this embodiment, the first engage pawls 35a and 35b are omitted from the lift-up lever 27 in the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 41. Instead, engage portions 103a and 103b are formed at the bottom and on the left and right sides ofthe operating portion 71 of the push-down member 41 in the second embodiment, so that those engage portions 103a and 103b engage with the second engage pawls 37a and 37b ofthe lift-up lever 27. When the lighter is not in use, it is locked, so that even when the push-down . .. :, member 41 is pushed down, the stop portion 80 abuts on the sl:opper portion 59 of the lid Ib as shown in Fig. 39 to restrict further downward movement of the push-down member 41. Thelighter will not therefore be ignited.
, ~ .~, . . .
To use the li~hter, the push-down member 41 is pushed down to the position shown in Fig. 39 and is then slid forward. In this case, the pushdown member 41 is slid 15 while the pair of rail arms 31a and 31b of the li~-up lever 27 are bent inward. As a result, the engage pawl 75 of the push-down member 41 engages with the engage portion 85 of the lid Ib, holding the push-down member 41 at the slid position. That is, the locked state is released and the lighter is kept unlocked. Then, the auxiliary wheels 25 are rotated and the push-down member 41 is moved further downward. This action rotates the li~-up 20 lever 27 to lift up the nozzle 9, injecting gas, which will be burned by the sparks produced by the file 21 rotating in contact with the flint 17. When the pressure on the pushdown :
member 41 is released to extinguish the fire, the lift-up lever 27 rotates back and the pushdown member 41 moves upward and, at the same time, is urged rearward to return to the original position by the returning force ofthe rail arms 31a and 31b that has been 2s bend inward. This structure can also provide the same effect as the other embodiments.
`` 2~ 77 1') An eighth embodiment will be described below referrin~ to Figs. 43 through 46.
In this ernbodiment, the inclined surface on the bottorn side of the push-down member 41 in the seventh embodiment is omitted so that the push-down member 41 has a flat bottom, and the coil spring 83 used in the second embodiment is also used. In this 5 embodiment, the force of the coil spring 83 acts only to li~ up the pushdown member 41 and the rearward returnin~ of the push-down member 41 is forced by the rail arms 31 a and 3 lb of the lif'[-up lever ~7 as per the seventh embodiment. That is, the push-down :
member 41 is returned rearward by the restoring force of the rail arms 31 a and 3 lb that .~. .
has been bent inward by the forward sliding of the push-down member 41. This lo embodiment can also provide the same e~ect as the above-described individual embodiments.
The present invention is not lirnited to the above-described embodirnents. While a flint is used as ignition means in each embodiment, this invention can also be applied to a so-called electronic lighter. Further, the valve means is in no way limited to the iîlustrated l5 type. There~ore, the present examples and embodiments are to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope of $he appended claims.
BACKGROUND OF T:HE INVENTION :
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighter for lighting cigarettes or like, fior ~ ~ :
example, and, more particularly, to an improvement of a lighter which is equipped with a safety device to preYent small children from carelessly or accidentally igniting the lighter.
Description of the Related Art Lighters for lighting cigarettes or the like are equipped with a so-called safety device. This measure is taken to prevent small children from easily igniting the lighter : .: .;.
even through careless or accidental manipulation. Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. hei 3-501050 (U.S.P. Serial No. 5002482) discloses a lighter cquipped with such a safety device. This lighter has a safety latch me.mber attached under a push-down 0 member, which is manipulated at the time of ignition, in such a way that the pressing action of the push-down member is selectively permitted by rotating this safety latch member in the proper direction. As the pressing action of the pushdown member isrestncted by the safety latch member, therefore, a small child cannot easily ignite the lighter even the child tries to do so. Another conventional lighter is disclosed in Japanese ls UnexaminedPublicationNo. hei4-3S3515.
The conventional structure has the ~ollowing shortcoming. The safety device of the above-described lighter is a manipulator provided separately from the pushdown member that is mar~ipulated to ignite the lighter in such a way that the separate manipulator should be manipulated to unlock the push-down member before manipulating the pushdown member ~or ignition. In other words, once the lighter is locked, two dif~erent operating members must be operated separately to ignite the lighter. This ~ :
21~1772 demands the user of a troublesome manipulation, thus lowering the operability of the lighter.
SUMMARY OF THE I~NTION
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provicle a lighter equipped with a safety device which can ensure sufficient safety without reducing the operability in actual use of the lighter.
To achieve the foregoing object, the lighter of the present invention comprises a ~ .
o lighter body for storing fuel; valve means, attached to an upper portion of the lighter body, for stopping injection of the fuel when closed and permitting injection of the fuel when open; ignition means, provided at the upper portion of the lighter body and- .
activatable as needed to ignite the filel injected by opening of the valve means; lift-up means, arranged rotatable via a rotary shaft at the upper portion of the lighter body and 15 having one end connected to the valve means, for closing the valve means when urged in one direction by an elastic member and opening the valve means when rotated in the opposite direction against urg~ng fosce of the elastic member; and pushdown means, provided movable along the lift-up means on the other end side thereof, a slide position of the push-down means being properly maintained by a relationship with respect to the 20 lighter body or the li~-up means, whereby when $he lighter is not in use, the pushdown means:is kept positioned on the other end side of the lift-up means and has a lower end abutting against the lighter body to set a locked state to restrict a pushdown action, as the push-down means is moved along the lifi-up means toward the one end thereof, the . ~ locked state is released and a position of that movement of the push-down means toward 25 the one end of the lift-up means is maintained by the relationship with respezt to the :
.
3 2:~ 1..'1772 lighter body or the lift-up means, when the push-down means is then pushed down, the lift-up means is rotated to open the valve means and the ignition means is activated at a same time to ignite the fuel injected through the va}ve means, and when that downward action of the push-down rneans is released, the push-down means moves upward to an original state while moving toward the other end of the lift-up means returning by the urging force of the elastic member along the lift-up means.
When the lighter is not in use, the safety device is working to lock the lighter.
More specifically, in the locked state, the push-down means is kept positioned on the other end side of the lift-up means and its lower end abuts against the lighter body to o restrict the downward action. In other words, even when a small child tries to push down ~ .
the push-down means carelessly, the lower end of the push-down means abuts against the lighter body to restrict the downward action, thereby preventing careless ignition of the light. To unlock the lighter to use it, first, the push-down means is moved along the li~-up means toward one end thereof to release the locked state. Then, the pushdown means is pushed down to rotate the lif~-up means to open the valve means, and at the sarne tirne, the ignition means is activated to ignite the fuel injected through the valve means Accordingly, the user can now light a cigarette or the like. To automatically return the lighter in the locked state a~er usage, the downward action of the push-down means is released, so that the push-down means can return to the locked state as it moves toward the other end of the lifL-up means, which is returning by the urging force of the elastic member, along the liflL-up means.
According to a lighter of the present invention therefore, releasing of a lockedstate and ignition can both be accomplished merely by manipulating a single operating member: the push-down means, and the lighter automatically returns to the locked state A
. ~
after ignition. The operability of the lighter can be improved significantly without deteriorating the safety function of the safety device.
BREF DESCRIPTION OF 1~3:E DRAWINGS :
Embodirnents of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, :
5 with referenee to the accompanying drawings, in which~
Fig. I is a partly eross-sectional view illustrating a lighter according to a first ~ : :
embodiment of the present invention not in use (locked state);
Fig. 2 is a partly cross-sectional view illustrating the lighter according to the ffrst embodiment which is unlocked for usage by sliding a push-down member in the nozzle direction;
Fig. 3 is a partly cross-sectional view of the lighter according to the first embodiment, illustrating that a file is rotated and the push-down member is pushed down ~: forignition; :
Fig. 4 is a plan view of the first embodiment, showing the relationship between the push-down member and a lift-up lever when the lighter is not in use (locked state);
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the first embodiment, showing the relationship between the push-down member and the lit~-up lever when the pushdown member is slid in the nozzle direc~ion to unlock the lighter for usage;
Fig. 6 is a plan view of the first embodiment, showing the relationship between the pushdown member and the liflt-up lever when the file is rotated and the push-down member is pushed down for ignition;
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the push-down member of the first embodiment;
Fig. 8 is a front view of the pushdown member of the first embodiment;
Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the pushdown member of the ffrst embodiment;
2s Fig. 10 is a side view ofthe push-down member of the first embodiment;
5 2 ~ 2 Fig 11 is a plan view of the lid of a lighter body of the first embodiment;
Fig. 12 is a side view of the lid of the lighter body of the first embodiment;
Fig. 13 is a rear view of the lid of the lighter body of the first embodiment;
Fig. 14 is a cross section of the lid of the li~shter body of the first embodiment;
Fig. 15 is a plan view of the li~-up lever of the first embodiment;
Fig. 16 is a side view of the lift-up lever of the first embodiment;
Fig. 17 is a partly cross-sectional view illustrating a lighter according to a second embodiment of the present invention not in use (locked state);
Fig. 18 is a partly cross-sectional view of the lighter according to the second embodiment, illustrating that filrther downward movement of a push-down member is restricted;
Fig. 19 is a partly cross-sectional view illustrating the lighter according to the second embodiment which is unlocked for usage by sliding a push-down member in the nozzle direction;
Fig. 20 is a partly cross-sectional view of the lighter according to the second embodiment, illustrating that a file is rotated and the pushdown member is pushed down for ignition;
Fig. 21 is a plan view of the lid of a lighter body of the second embodiment;
Fig. 22 is a side view of the lid of the lighter body of the second embodiment;
~o Fig. 23 is a cross section view of the lid of the lighter body of the second embodiment;
Fig. 24 is a plan view of the lii~-up lever of the second embodiment;
Fig. 25 is a side view of the lift-up lever of the second embodiment; a Fig. 2~ is a cross-sectional view of the lift-up lever of the second embodiment;Fig. 27 is a plan view of the push-down member of the second embodiment;
G 211~772 Fig. 28 is a side view of the push-down member of the second embodiment;
Fig. 29 is A cross-sectional view of the push-down member of the second embodirment;
Fig. 30 is a rear view of tl1e push-down member of the second embodiment;
Fig. 31 is a plan view of the second embodiment, showing the pushdown member ~:
attached to ~he lift-up lever;
Fig. 32 is a side view of the second embodiment, showing the pushdown member attached to the li~-up lever and its relationship with a coil sprin~;
Fig. 33 is a cross section of the second embodiment taken along X~II-X~II
inFig. 31;
Fig. 34 is a side view of a third embodiment of the present invention not in use(locked state), showing the relationship between a li~-up lever and auxiliary wheels;
Fig. 35 is a side view of the third embodiment, showing the relationship between a :
liflc-up lever and auxiliary wheels when in an unlocked state;
s Fig. 36 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention not in use :
(locked state), showing the relationship between a lift-up lever and auxiliary wheels;
Fig. 37 is a cross-sectional view of a f~h embodiment of the present invention, showing the relationship between an engage portion and an enga~e pawl, which areprovided to prevent an easy unlocking manipulation;
Fig. 38 is a cross-sectional view illustrating part of a lighter according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 39 is a partly cross-sectional view illustratin~ part of a lighter according to a seventh embodiment of the present in~ention in a locked state;
Fig. 40 is a partly cross-sectional view illustrating part of the lighter according to the seventh embodiment when unlocked;
7 21.1'1772 Fig. 41 is a plan view of the seventh embodiment, showing the relationship between a li~-up lever and a push-down member;
Fig. 42 is a cross-sectional view of the seventh embodiment, showing the relationship between the liflL-up lever and the push-down member;
Fig. 43 is a partly cross-sectional view illustrating part of a lighter according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention in a locked state;
Fig. 44 is a partly cross-sectional view illustrating part of the lighter according to the eighth embodirnent when unlocked;
Fig. 45 is a plan view of the eighth embodiment, showing the relationship between o a lift-up lever and a pushdown member; and Fig. 46 is a cross-sectional view of the eighth embodiment, showing the relationship between the lift-up lever and the push-down member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PR}~FERR:ED EMBODIMENTS
A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described referring to Figs. 1 through 16. A lighter body 1 compnses a hollow case la and a lid lb attached to the top edge of this case la. Formed in the case la of the lighter body 1 is a fuel tank 3 which retains fiuel 5. A nozzle attachment 7 is formed on the left-hand side of the lighter body 1 in Fig. 1. A nozzle 9 is attached to this nozzle attachment 7. A fuel supply tube 11 is provided under the nozzle attachrnent 7, with its lower end extending to the bottom ofthe fi~el tank 3. The noæle 9 is seated on a seat portion 15 formed on the nozzle attachrnent 7, by a coil spring 13. The nozzle 9 and the seat portion 15 constitute valve means. With the nozzle 9 seated on the seal portion 15, no gas (vaporised fuel 5) will be injected. When the nozzle 9 is moved upward inthe diagram against the force of the coil spring 13, the seat portion 15 is open and gas is injected upward in ths diagram through the nozzle 9.
8 211'177~
A flint 17 is disposed at the upper portion of the lighter body I on the right-hand side in the diagrams while being ur~ed upward by a coil spring 19. Located above the flint 17 is a rotary file 21 on both sides of which auxiliaty wheels 25 are disposed rotatable via a support sha~ 23. As the rotary file 21 is rotated in the s direction of an arrow a through the auxiliary wheels 25, it grinds the flint 17 to make sparks to thereby igr~ite the gas injected from the noz~le 9. The flint 17, rotary file 21 and auxiliary wheels 25 constitute ignition means. :
A lii'L-up lever 27 as li~-up means is disposed at the upper portion of the lighter body 1 in such a way as to be ro$atable in the direction of an arrow b. This li~-up lever 27 is structured as shown in Figs. 15 and 16. Provided at the nozzle-side end (left-hand end in the diagrams) of the lift-up lever 27 is a nozzle engage portion 29 which engages with a neck 9a of the nozzle 9 from below. The lift-up lever 27 has a pair of extending rail arms 31a and 3Ib on the right-hand side (in the diagrams) ofthe nozzle engage portion 29. Rotary sh~[s 33a and 33b are protrusively provided at the proximal ~ :
l5 end portions of both rail arms 31a and 3 lb, respectively. The li~-up lever 27 is supported rotatable on the lid Ib of the lighter body 1 via those rotary sha~s 33a and 33b. The rail arm 31a has an engage pawl 35a formsd thereon as a first projection and another engage pawl 37a fonned closer to the distal snd as a second engage pawl. Likewise, the rail arrn 3 lb has engage pawls 35b and 37b formed thereon. The rail arms 31 a and 3 lb 2~) respecti~ely have inclined surfaces 39a and 39b each formed at the distal end and at the bottom.
As shown in Fig. 1, a push-down msmbsr 41 as push-down msans is separately and movably attached to the top ofthe rail arms 31a and 31b on the right-hand side thereof in the diagram. The puslhdown member 41 has a structure as shown in Figs. 7 25 through 10. The push-down msmber 41 has an operating portion 41a which is to be 2 ~ 7 7 2 operated by a thumb of a user and a projection 41b protruding from the bottom of the operating portion 41a. (While this operating portion 41a is normally operated by the user's thumb, it may of course be operated by a different finger.) A flange 41c is formed at the bottom of the projection 4 Ib. As shown in Fig. 10, a projection 43 is protrusive provided at the back of the flange 41c. This projection 43 has a slanted surface inclining toward the nozzle 9 as shown in Fig. 10. The push-down men;ber 41 iurther has a pair of engage recesses 45a and 45b as a first engage portion and inclined surfaces 47a and 47b at the bottom side on the leit and right sides, as shown in Fig. 9. The push-down member 41 also has cngage portions 49a and 49b provided at the distal end as second engagelo portions.
Th0 structure of the lid Ib of the lighter body 1, which has already been explained above, wili be described wi~h reference to Figs. 11 through 14. The lid Ib has apair of file stays 51 a and 5 lb between which the aforementioned rotary file 21 and auxiliary wheels 25 are supported rotatably. Provided in the centre portion of the lid Ib is a retainer 53 for retaining the flint 17 and coil spring 19. A pair of restoring projections 55a and 55b as restoring means are protrusively provided on the right-hand end portion (in the diagrams) of the lid Ib. Space 57 is forrned on the leflc-hand side of those projec~ions 55a and 55b in the diagrams, with a stopper portion 59 formed on the right-hand side (in the diagrams) in the space 57.
The action of the lighter with the above-described structure will be described below. To begin with, a description will be given of the lighter not in use. In this case, the lighter is in the state shown in Figs. 1 and 4. In this state, the nozzle 9 is pressed against the seat portion 15 by the force of the coil spring 13 so that the seat portion 15 is closed. The pushup lever 27 is urged in the counter clockwise 2s direction in Fig. I and is staying nearly horizontal. The pushdown member 41 is :`--~ 211li772 shiflted rightward in Fig. 1, with the projection 43 abutting on the stopper portion 59 of the lid Ib. In other words~ even if the push-down member 41 is pressed down through il:s operating portion 41a, the projection 43 hits against the stopper portion S9 to prevent the push-down member 41 from being pushed fi~rther downward (locked state). This rneans s that the safety device is working. The relationship between the push-down member 41 . . .
and push-up lever 27 at that time is illustrated in Fig. 4. That is, the engage pawls 35a and 35b ofthe rail arm 31a and 31b are in engagement with the engage recesses 45a and 45b of the push-down member 41. This engagement restricts filrther movement of the push-down member 41 and prevents the member ~1 ~om disengaging from the push-up lever 27.
A description will now be given of how to ignite the fuel when the lighter is in the locked state. First, the push-down member 41 in the state shown in Fig. I is slid leftward in this diagram. At this time, the inclined sur~aces 47a and 47b of the push-down member 41 cause the rail arms 31a and 31b to bend inward to permit the push down member 41 to slide in the same direction. When the push-down member 41 slides by a predetermined amount, the engage pawls 37a and 37b of the rail arms 31 a and 3 lb move over the engage portions 49a and 49b of the pushdown member 41 and engage therewith, as shown in Fig. 5. Consequently, the push-down member 41 is held at the slid position, and the projecl:ion 43 is disengaged firom the stopper portion 59 of the lid Ib to come above the space 57, as shown in Fig. 2. That is, the locked sta~e is released and that unlocked state is maintained.
Then, the auxilialy wheels 25 and the rotary file 21 are rotated, and the push-down mernber 41 is pushed down at the same time. The downward action of the pushdown member 41 rotates the li~-up lever 27 to the state shown in Fig. 3, so that the "~
nozzle 9 rises against the force of the coil spring 13. As a result, gas is injected upward :
" 211'1772 from the tip of the nozzle 9. At the same time, the rotation of the rotary file 21 grinds the flint 17 to make sparks so that the gas is i~nited.
The downward movement ofthe push-down member 41 also pushes down the rail arm pair 31a and 3lb. As the rail arms 3la and 31b respectively hit against the restoring 5 projections 55a and 55b at th$ time, the rail arms 31a and 31b are bent inward. When the downward pressing of the push-down member 41 is released, the lift-up lever 27 tries to rotate back first by the urging force of the coil spring 13 . At that time, the push-down member 41 tries to move along the rail arm pair 31a and 3 Ib in the direction opposite to the nozzle 9. As the rail arms 31 a and 3 lb are bent inward, the engage pawls 37a and 37b of those arms 3 la and 3 lb will not engage with the engage portions 49a and 49b of the pushdown member 41. Therefore, the push-down member 4 l automaticallyreturns to the state shown in Fig. 1. That is, the pushdown member 41 returns to the initial locked state.
In short, this embodiment exhibits the following effects. First, releasing of the ~; l5 locked state and ignition can both be accomplished merely by manipulating a single operating member, namely, the pushdown member 41. Therefore, this embodiment cansignificantly improve the operability of the lighter as cornpared with thei conventional lighter, which reguires one operating member to rele~se the locked state and another operating member for ignition. This improvement will not deteriorate the safety function 2l) of the safety device, so th$ the lighter will not ~e ignited by careless or accidental ~: ~ manipulation by a small child or the like. In particular, since the lighter automatically returns to the locked state after Ignition and will not be left unlocked, thus securing suffcient safiety. ;.
A second embodiment will be described referrin~ to Figs. 17 through 33. Like or 25 same reference numerals as used for components of the first embodiment will bP given 12 2 ~ 7 7 2 to corresponding or identical components of the second embodiment. The lift-up lever 27 as lift-up means in this embodiment has a structllre as shown in Figs. 24 through 26. Provided at the nozzle-side end (left-hand end in the diagrams~ of the lift-up lever 27 is a nozzle engage portion 61 which engages with the neck 9a of the nozzle 9 from below.
The li~-up lever 27 has a frame portion 63 formed on the right-hand of the nozzle engage portion 61 side in the diagrams. Rotary shafts 65a cmd 65b are protn~sively provided at the proximal end portion of the ~ame portion 63 . The lif~-up lever 27 is supported rotatable on the lid Ib of the lighter body 1 via those rotary sha~s 65a and 65b. Step portions 67a and 67b are formed in a widthwise middle portion of the frame portion 63 in the diagrams. Both inner side surfaces of the frarne portion 63 located on the right-hand side of the step portions 67a and 67b in the diagrams serve as guide surfaces 69a and 69b, respectiveiy.
As shown in Fig. 17, the push-down member 41 as pushdown me~ms is separately and movably attacbed to the top of the frame portion 63 of the lift-up lever 27. This push-down member 41 has a structure as shown in Figs. 27 through 30. The push-down member 41 has an operating portion 71 which is to be operated by a thumb of a user and a projection 73 protrudin~ from the bottom of the operating portion 71. ~While this operating portion 71 is normally operated by the user's thumb, it may of course be operated by a different finger.) An engage pawl 75 is formed in front of the operating ~ :
portion 71. The projection 73 has an inclined surface 77 formed on the front side, with a projection 79 protrudin~ from a nearIy middle portion of the inclined surface 77. Guide members 81 a and 8 Ib are formed at the bottom of the projection 73 on the le-ft- and right-hand SllieS thereof. The bottom of the projection 73 serves as a stop portion 80. ~.
The push-down member 41 having the above-described structure are engaged 2s with the inner side of the frame portion 63 of the lift-up lever 27 in the manner shown in 13 211~772 Fi~s. 31 through 33. More specifically, the push-down member 41 is inserted into the le-ft portion of the frame portion 63 of the lift-up lever 27 from the above and is then slid rightward (see Figs. 31 and 32~ for attachment. Consequently, the guide members 81a and 81b ofthe push-down member 41 come into engagement with the bottom surfaces of the frame portion 63 at the bottoms of the guide surfaces 69a and 69b, thus preventing the push-down member 41 from coming off upward from the frame portion 63. The bottom surfaces of the leflL and right side portions of the operating portion 71 are in engagement with the top surfaces of the ~ame portion 63 at the tops of the guidesurfaces 69a and 69b.
l() As shown in Fig. 17, a coil spring 83 as elastic means is disposed in the space 57 in such a manner that the projection 79 of the push-down member 41 is fitted in the upper end portion of the coil spring 83 whose top end is abutting on the inclined surface 77. In other words, the push-down member 41 is set to be always urged upward as well asrearward. The urging acts not only in the upward direction but also in the rearward direction because of the presence of the inclined sur~ace 77. That is, when the force of the coil spring 83 acts on the inclined surface 77, ~his force urges the push-down member 41 rearward through the inclined surface 77 as well as in the upward direction. As shown in Fig 21 through 23, an engage portion 85 is formed at the top and in the centre portion of the lid Ib. The engage pawl 75 ofthe push-down member 41 is selectively engaged with this engage portion 85, and when the engagement is established, the unlocked state is ~ .
maintained. The other structure of the lid Ib is the same as that of the first embodiment. :
The action of the lighter having the above-described structure will now be described. To begin with, the action of the lighter when not in use will be described. In this case, the lighter is in the state as shown in Fig. 17; the right end (in the diagram) of 2s the li~-up lever 27 is rotated sligh~ly counter clockwise as compared with that of the first Il 211~77~
embodiment. E~ven when the push-down member 41 is pushed downward for ignition in this state, the stop portion 80 abuts on the stopper portion 59 of the lid Ib as shown in Fig. 18, thereby restrictin~ the further downward rnovement of the push-down member 41. The restriction of the downward movement of the push-down member 41 thus S restricts the cloclcwise rotation of the lift-up lever 27 in the diagram. That is, the lighter is locked so that even if a small child carelessly presses the push-down member 41 down, the lighter will never be ignited.
1[ he action of the lighter when in use will be described below. In this case, the ignition operation starts with the unlocking of the lighter. The push-down member 41 is pressed down to the state shown in Fig. 18, and is then pushed forward tin the direction of the nozzle 9). Accordingly, the push-down member 4I slides in the direction of the nozzle 9 along the frame portion 63 of the lift-up lever 27. The engage pawl 75 of the push-down member 41 thus passes under the engage portion 85 of the lid Ib without any interference. When the pressure against the push-down member 41 is released in this state, the push-down member 41 comes to the state as shown in Fig. 19 where the engage pawl 75 ofthe push-down member 41 engages with the engage portion 85 ofthe lid Ib :
from below to keep the push-down member 41 at the slid position. In this state, the stop portion 80 ofthe push-down membes 41 does not interfere with the stopper portion 59 of the lid Ib. Tha~ is, the locked state is released and the lighter is kept unlocked. Under this situation, the -file 21 is rotated via the auxiliary wheels 25 and the pushdown memb~r 41 is moved further downward. As the stop portion 80 of the push-down member 41 hasbeen slid to the position where it does not abut on the stopper portion 59 of the lid Ib, the pushdown member 41 moves fiurther down. The downward motion of the push-down member 41 rotates the lift-up lever 27 clockwise in Fig. 20, lifting up the nozzle 9 to 1~ 21:1l177~
inject gas. The injected gas will be burned by sparks produced by the rotation contact of the file 21 with the flint 17.
A description will now be given of how to extinguish the flre a~er usage. In theignition state, i.e., with the pushdown member 41 pushed downward, the li~-up lever 27 5 is tilted down ri~htward as shown in Fi~. 20, so that the push-down member 41 is shi~ed rearward (rightward in the dia~ram). That is, the push-down member 41 is shif~ed to the position where its engage pawl 75 does not engage with the engagç portion 85 of the lid lb. When the pressure on the push-down member 41 in that state is released, the push-down member 41 moves upward by the force of the coil spring 83 and also slides 1() rearward because the sprin~ force acts rearward as well as upward. As a result, the push-down member 41 automatically returns to the state as shown in Fig. 17. The inclined . .
surface 77 of the pushdown member 41 effectively assists the urging action ofthe coil spring 83. More specifically, since the top end of the coil spring 83 abuts on the inclined surface 77 so that part of the spring force will act rearward, when the pressure on the 15 push-down member 41 is released, the pushdown member ~11 surely slides rearward while moving upward to return to the initial position. . ~ .In short, this embodiment also produces the same effect as the first embodiment.That is, releasing of the locked state and ignition can both be accomplished merely by manipulating a single operating member, namely, the push-down member 41. Therefore, 2() this embodiment can significantly improve the operability of the lighter by the user. This improvement will not deteriorate the sa~ety fimction of the safety device, so that the lighter will not be ignited by careless or accidental manipulation by a small child or the likP, 16 211'1772 A third embodiment will be described below referring to Figs. 34 and 35 wherein like parts of the previous embodiments will be denoted by like reference numerals. In this embodiment, a plurality of projections 87 serving as a stopper are formed around the auxiliary wheels 25. When the lighter is not in use, the outer surfaces of the auxiliary wheels 25 are abutting on the top of the lift-up lever 27 so that the auxiliary wheels 25 and thus the file 21 will not rotate accidentally. To make this surer, the projections 87 are provided in this embodiment. When the push-down member 41 is pushed to slide forward to perrnit the engagement of the engage pawl 75 with the engage portion 85 for actual usage of the lighter, the projections 87 of the auxiliary wheels 25 are set apart from the lu top of the lift-up lever 27, as shown in Fig. 35. This permits the auxiliary wheels 25 and thus the file 21 to rotate.
A fourth em~odiment will be described below referring to Fig. 36 wherein like :' parts of the previous embodiments will be denoted by like reference numerals. In this embodiment, the concept of the third embodiment is further expanded. Ratchets 93 are : :
formed on the outer surfaces of the awxilia~y wheels 25, and ratchets 95 are likewise formed on the top of the lift-up lever 27. When the lighter is not in use, the r$chets 93 of the auxiliary wheels 25 are in engagement with the ratchets 95 of the li~-up lever 27, thereby surely restricting accidental rotation ofthe auxiliary wheels 25 and thus the li -~
rotation of the file 21. When the pushdown member 41 is pushed to slide forward to ~ ~ :
20 perrnit the engagement of the engage pawl 75 with the engage portion 85 for actual usage of the lighter, the ratchets 93 of the auxiliary wheels 25 are disengaged from the ratchets ~ ;
95 ofthe lift-up lever 27. This permits the auxiliary wheels 25 and thus the file 2l to 1~:
rotate. It is therefore possible to make the action and effect of the third embodiment surer.
:`
17 211'177~
A fifth embodiment will be described below referring to E~ig. 37 wherein like parts of the previous embadiments will be denoted by like reference numerals. In this embodiment, a projeiction 75a is provided on the engage pawl 75 of the pushdown member 41, while a projection 85a is provided on the engage portion 85 ofthe lid Ib. The reason for the provision of those projections 75a and 8~a is as follows. As explained in the description of the second embodiment, to use the lighter, the pushdown member 41 is pushed downward first, and is then slid forward to unlock the lighter. But, there is a possibility that this unlocking is accomplished spontaneously by pushing the push-down member 41 obliquely downward (in the direction of an arrow a in the diagram). This is l~ not sufficient to prevent a small child firom carelessly or accidentally igniting the lighter.
The projections 75a and 85a are psovided to prevent the unlocking of the lighter by the application of the obliquely-downward pressure on the push-down member 41.
When the push-down member 41 is pushed obliquely downward, the projection 75a of :~
the engage pawl 75 hits against the projection ~Sa of the engage portion 85 to restrict further movement ofthe push-down member 41, thus preventing the lighter from being unlocked. It is thus possible to surely prevent small children from accidentally igniting the lighter.
A sixth embodiment will be described below referring to Fig. 38 wherein like parts of the previous emb~diments will be denoted by like reference numera!s. In this embodiment, a leaf spring 101 is used for the coil spring 83. This leaf spring 101 bends in the direction of an arrow B in the diagram. The force of the leaf spring 101 returning to the original position ~om the bent state is also direc~ed obliquely upward, and thus serves to set back the push-down member 41 rearward as well as upward. ~ccordingly, this structure can provide the same effect as the first embodiment.
21~ ~7'72 IX
A seventh embodiment will be described below referring to Figs. 39 through 42 wherein like parts of the previous embodiments will be denoted by like referencenumerals In this embodiment, the first engage pawls 35a and 35b are omitted from the lift-up lever 27 in the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 41. Instead, engage portions 103a and 103b are formed at the bottom and on the left and right sides ofthe operating portion 71 of the push-down member 41 in the second embodiment, so that those engage portions 103a and 103b engage with the second engage pawls 37a and 37b ofthe lift-up lever 27. When the lighter is not in use, it is locked, so that even when the push-down . .. :, member 41 is pushed down, the stop portion 80 abuts on the sl:opper portion 59 of the lid Ib as shown in Fig. 39 to restrict further downward movement of the push-down member 41. Thelighter will not therefore be ignited.
, ~ .~, . . .
To use the li~hter, the push-down member 41 is pushed down to the position shown in Fig. 39 and is then slid forward. In this case, the pushdown member 41 is slid 15 while the pair of rail arms 31a and 31b of the li~-up lever 27 are bent inward. As a result, the engage pawl 75 of the push-down member 41 engages with the engage portion 85 of the lid Ib, holding the push-down member 41 at the slid position. That is, the locked state is released and the lighter is kept unlocked. Then, the auxiliary wheels 25 are rotated and the push-down member 41 is moved further downward. This action rotates the li~-up 20 lever 27 to lift up the nozzle 9, injecting gas, which will be burned by the sparks produced by the file 21 rotating in contact with the flint 17. When the pressure on the pushdown :
member 41 is released to extinguish the fire, the lift-up lever 27 rotates back and the pushdown member 41 moves upward and, at the same time, is urged rearward to return to the original position by the returning force ofthe rail arms 31a and 31b that has been 2s bend inward. This structure can also provide the same effect as the other embodiments.
`` 2~ 77 1') An eighth embodiment will be described below referrin~ to Figs. 43 through 46.
In this ernbodiment, the inclined surface on the bottorn side of the push-down member 41 in the seventh embodiment is omitted so that the push-down member 41 has a flat bottom, and the coil spring 83 used in the second embodiment is also used. In this 5 embodiment, the force of the coil spring 83 acts only to li~ up the pushdown member 41 and the rearward returnin~ of the push-down member 41 is forced by the rail arms 31 a and 3 lb of the lif'[-up lever ~7 as per the seventh embodiment. That is, the push-down :
member 41 is returned rearward by the restoring force of the rail arms 31 a and 3 lb that .~. .
has been bent inward by the forward sliding of the push-down member 41. This lo embodiment can also provide the same e~ect as the above-described individual embodiments.
The present invention is not lirnited to the above-described embodirnents. While a flint is used as ignition means in each embodiment, this invention can also be applied to a so-called electronic lighter. Further, the valve means is in no way limited to the iîlustrated l5 type. There~ore, the present examples and embodiments are to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope of $he appended claims.
Claims (10)
1. A lighter comprising:
a lighter body for storing fuel;
valve means, attached to an upper portion of said lighter body, for stopping injection of said fuel when closed and permitting injection of said fuel when open;
ignition means, provided at said upper portion of said lighter body and activatable as needed to ignite said fuel injected by opening of said valve means;
lift-up means, arranged rotatable via a rotary shaft at said upper portion of said lighter body and having one end connected to said valve means, for closing said valve means when urged in one direction by an elastic member and opening said valve means when rotated in the opposite direction against urging force of said elastic member; and push-down means, provided movable along said lift-up means on a side of the other end thereof, a slide position of said push-down means being properly maintained by a relationship with respect to said lighter body or said lift-up means, whereby when said lighter is not in use, said push-down means is kept positionedon said other end side of said lift-up means and has a lower end abutting against said lighter body to set a locked state to restrict a push-down action, as said push-down means is moved along said lift-up means toward said one end thereof, said locked state is released and a position of that movement of said push-down means toward said one end of said lift-up means is maintained by said relationship with respect to said lighter body or said lift-up means, when said push-down means is then pushed down, said lift-up means is rotated to open said valve means and said ignition means is activated at a same time to ignite said fuel injected through said valve means, and when that downward action of said pushdown means is released, said push-down means moves upward to an original state while moving toward said other end of said lift-up means returning by said urging force of said elastic member along said lift-up means.
a lighter body for storing fuel;
valve means, attached to an upper portion of said lighter body, for stopping injection of said fuel when closed and permitting injection of said fuel when open;
ignition means, provided at said upper portion of said lighter body and activatable as needed to ignite said fuel injected by opening of said valve means;
lift-up means, arranged rotatable via a rotary shaft at said upper portion of said lighter body and having one end connected to said valve means, for closing said valve means when urged in one direction by an elastic member and opening said valve means when rotated in the opposite direction against urging force of said elastic member; and push-down means, provided movable along said lift-up means on a side of the other end thereof, a slide position of said push-down means being properly maintained by a relationship with respect to said lighter body or said lift-up means, whereby when said lighter is not in use, said push-down means is kept positionedon said other end side of said lift-up means and has a lower end abutting against said lighter body to set a locked state to restrict a push-down action, as said push-down means is moved along said lift-up means toward said one end thereof, said locked state is released and a position of that movement of said push-down means toward said one end of said lift-up means is maintained by said relationship with respect to said lighter body or said lift-up means, when said push-down means is then pushed down, said lift-up means is rotated to open said valve means and said ignition means is activated at a same time to ignite said fuel injected through said valve means, and when that downward action of said pushdown means is released, said push-down means moves upward to an original state while moving toward said other end of said lift-up means returning by said urging force of said elastic member along said lift-up means.
2. A lighter comprising:
a lighter body for storing fuel;
valve means, attached to an upper portion of said lighter body, for stopping injection of said fuel when closed and permitting injection of said fuel when open;
ignition means, provided at said upper portion of said lighter body and activatable as needed to ignite said fuel injected by opening of said valve means;
lift-up means, arranged rotatable via a rotary shaft at said upper portion of said lighter body and having one end connected to said valve means and the other end formed into a pair of rail arms, for closing said valve means when urged in one direction by an elastic member and opening said valve means when rotated in the opposite direction against urging force of said elastic member;
push-down means, provided on a side of said other end of said lift-up means in such a way as to be movable while bending said rail arms inward, a slide position of said push-down means being properly maintained by a relationship with respect to said rail arms; and restoring means, provided at said top portion of said lighter body, for bending said rail arms inward when said rail arms are rotated by a downward movement of said push-down means, whereby when said lighter is not in use, said push-down means is kept positionedon said other end side of said lift-up means and has a lower end abutting against said lighter body to set a locked state to restrict a push-down action, as said push-down means is moved toward said one end of said lift-up means while bending said rail arms inward, said locked state is released and a position of that movement of said push-down means toward said one end of said lift-up means is maintained by said relationship with respect to said rail arms, when said push-down means is then pushed down, said lift-up means is rotated to open said valve means and said ignition means is activated at a same time to ignite said fuel injected through said valve means, and with said rail arms being bent inward by said restoring means, when that downward action of said push-down means is released, said push-down means moves toward said other end of said lift-up means to said locked state along said rail arms returning by said urging force of said elastic member.
a lighter body for storing fuel;
valve means, attached to an upper portion of said lighter body, for stopping injection of said fuel when closed and permitting injection of said fuel when open;
ignition means, provided at said upper portion of said lighter body and activatable as needed to ignite said fuel injected by opening of said valve means;
lift-up means, arranged rotatable via a rotary shaft at said upper portion of said lighter body and having one end connected to said valve means and the other end formed into a pair of rail arms, for closing said valve means when urged in one direction by an elastic member and opening said valve means when rotated in the opposite direction against urging force of said elastic member;
push-down means, provided on a side of said other end of said lift-up means in such a way as to be movable while bending said rail arms inward, a slide position of said push-down means being properly maintained by a relationship with respect to said rail arms; and restoring means, provided at said top portion of said lighter body, for bending said rail arms inward when said rail arms are rotated by a downward movement of said push-down means, whereby when said lighter is not in use, said push-down means is kept positionedon said other end side of said lift-up means and has a lower end abutting against said lighter body to set a locked state to restrict a push-down action, as said push-down means is moved toward said one end of said lift-up means while bending said rail arms inward, said locked state is released and a position of that movement of said push-down means toward said one end of said lift-up means is maintained by said relationship with respect to said rail arms, when said push-down means is then pushed down, said lift-up means is rotated to open said valve means and said ignition means is activated at a same time to ignite said fuel injected through said valve means, and with said rail arms being bent inward by said restoring means, when that downward action of said push-down means is released, said push-down means moves toward said other end of said lift-up means to said locked state along said rail arms returning by said urging force of said elastic member.
3. The lighter according to claim 2, wherein said pair of rail arms of said lift-up means have first and second engage pawls formed thereon, while said push-down means has first and second engage portions formed thereon, whereby in said locked state, said first engage pawl engages with said first engage portion to maintain the position of said pushdown means, and in an unlocked state, said second engage pawl engages with said second engage portion to maintain the position of said pushdown means.
4. The lighter according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said pair of rail arms have inclined surface on a lighter body side, so that said rail arms are bent inward while sliding against said restoring means through said inclined surfaces.
5. A lighter comprising:
a lighter body for storing fuel;
valve means, attached to an upper portion of said lighter body, for stopping injection of said fuel when closed and permitting injection of said fuel when open;
ignition means, provided at said upper portion of said lighter body and activatable as needed to ignite said fuel injected by opening of said valve means;
lift-up means, arranged rotatable via a rotary shaft at said upper portion of said lighter body and having one end connected to said valve means and the other end formed into a frame portion, for closing said valve means when urged in one direction by an elastic member and opening said valve means when rotated in the opposite direction against urging force of said elastic member;
push-down means, provided movable on a side of said other end of said lift-up means, a slide position of said push-down means being properly maintained by a relationship with respect to said lighter body and said frame portion; and elastic means provided at said upper portion of said lighter body for always urging said push-down means upward, whereby when said lighter is not in use, said push-down means is kept positionedon said other end side of said lift-up means and has a lower end abutting against said lighter body to set a locked state to restrict a pushdown action, as said push-down means is moved along said frame portion of said lift-up means toward said one end thereof, said locked state is released and a position of that movement of said push-down means toward said one end of said lift-up means is maintained by a relationship with respect to said lighter body, when said push-down means is then pushed down, said lift-up means is rotated to open said valve means and said ignition means is activated at a same time to ignite said fuel injected through said valve means, and when that downward action of said pushdown means is released, said push-down means moves toward said other end of said up means to said locked state along said frame portion of said lift-up means, which returns by said urging force of said elastic member
a lighter body for storing fuel;
valve means, attached to an upper portion of said lighter body, for stopping injection of said fuel when closed and permitting injection of said fuel when open;
ignition means, provided at said upper portion of said lighter body and activatable as needed to ignite said fuel injected by opening of said valve means;
lift-up means, arranged rotatable via a rotary shaft at said upper portion of said lighter body and having one end connected to said valve means and the other end formed into a frame portion, for closing said valve means when urged in one direction by an elastic member and opening said valve means when rotated in the opposite direction against urging force of said elastic member;
push-down means, provided movable on a side of said other end of said lift-up means, a slide position of said push-down means being properly maintained by a relationship with respect to said lighter body and said frame portion; and elastic means provided at said upper portion of said lighter body for always urging said push-down means upward, whereby when said lighter is not in use, said push-down means is kept positionedon said other end side of said lift-up means and has a lower end abutting against said lighter body to set a locked state to restrict a pushdown action, as said push-down means is moved along said frame portion of said lift-up means toward said one end thereof, said locked state is released and a position of that movement of said push-down means toward said one end of said lift-up means is maintained by a relationship with respect to said lighter body, when said push-down means is then pushed down, said lift-up means is rotated to open said valve means and said ignition means is activated at a same time to ignite said fuel injected through said valve means, and when that downward action of said pushdown means is released, said push-down means moves toward said other end of said up means to said locked state along said frame portion of said lift-up means, which returns by said urging force of said elastic member
6. The lighter according to claim 5, wherein said lift-up means has an engage pawl formed thereon while said lighter body has an engage portion formed thereon, whereby when said push-down means is forcibly slid down into an unlocked state, said engage pawl engages with said engage portion to keep said unlocked state.
7. The lighter according to claim 6, wherein said engage pawl and said engage portion are each provided with a projection, so that when said push-down means is pushed downward and obliquely forward to release said locked state, said projections hit against each other to restrict the movement of said push-down means and thus restrict that unlocking action.
8. The lighter according to claim 5, wherein that bottom surface of said lift-up means where elastic force of said elastic means is an inclined surface, so that said elastic force of said elastic means acts in a direction to move said lift-up means to said other end side as well as in an upward direction.
9. The lighter according to claim 1, wherein said ignition means has a pair of auxiliary wheels, so that when said lighter is locked, said auxiliary wheels abut on or engage with said lift-up means to restrict a rotation thereof:
10. A lighter comprising:
a lighter body for storing fuel;
valve means, attached to an upper portion of said lighter body, for stopping injection of said fuel when closed and permitting injection of said fuel when open;
ignition means, provided at said upper portion of said lighter body and activatable as needed to ignite said fuel injected by opening of said valve means;
lift-up means, arranged rotatable via a rotary shaft at said upper portion of said lighter body and having one end connected to said valve means and the other end formed into a pair of rail arms, for closing said valve means when urged in one direction by an elastic member and opening said valve means when rotated in the opposite direction against urging force of said elastic member; and push-down means, provided movable along said pair of rail arms of said lift-up means, a slide position of said push-down means being properly maintained by a relationship with respect to said lighter body and said rail arms, whereby when said lighter is not in use, said push-down means is kept positionedon said other end side of said lift-up means and has a lower end abutting against said lighter body to set a locked state to restrict a push-down action, as said push-down means is moved toward said one end of said lift-up means along said rail arms of said lift-up means, said locked state is released and a position of that movement of said pushdown means is maintained by said relationship with respect to said lighter body, when said push-down means is then pushed down, said lift-up means is rotated to open said valve means and said ignition means is activated at a same time to ignite said fuel injected through said valve means, and when that downward action of said push-down means-is released, said push-down means moves toward said other end of said lift-up means to said locked state along said rail arms returning by said urging force of said elastic member.
a lighter body for storing fuel;
valve means, attached to an upper portion of said lighter body, for stopping injection of said fuel when closed and permitting injection of said fuel when open;
ignition means, provided at said upper portion of said lighter body and activatable as needed to ignite said fuel injected by opening of said valve means;
lift-up means, arranged rotatable via a rotary shaft at said upper portion of said lighter body and having one end connected to said valve means and the other end formed into a pair of rail arms, for closing said valve means when urged in one direction by an elastic member and opening said valve means when rotated in the opposite direction against urging force of said elastic member; and push-down means, provided movable along said pair of rail arms of said lift-up means, a slide position of said push-down means being properly maintained by a relationship with respect to said lighter body and said rail arms, whereby when said lighter is not in use, said push-down means is kept positionedon said other end side of said lift-up means and has a lower end abutting against said lighter body to set a locked state to restrict a push-down action, as said push-down means is moved toward said one end of said lift-up means along said rail arms of said lift-up means, said locked state is released and a position of that movement of said pushdown means is maintained by said relationship with respect to said lighter body, when said push-down means is then pushed down, said lift-up means is rotated to open said valve means and said ignition means is activated at a same time to ignite said fuel injected through said valve means, and when that downward action of said push-down means-is released, said push-down means moves toward said other end of said lift-up means to said locked state along said rail arms returning by said urging force of said elastic member.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP5-44632 | 1993-02-09 | ||
| JP5044632A JPH06235518A (en) | 1993-02-09 | 1993-02-09 | Lighter |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2114772A1 true CA2114772A1 (en) | 1994-08-10 |
Family
ID=12696806
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002114772A Abandoned CA2114772A1 (en) | 1993-02-09 | 1994-02-02 | Lighter |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5350294A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0611096A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH06235518A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU664008B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2114772A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5839892A (en) * | 1996-03-26 | 1998-11-24 | Hwang; Ing Feng | Electronic lighter with a safety device |
| US5971751A (en) * | 1997-06-05 | 1999-10-26 | Chun Ching Yeh | Safety apparatus of a piezoelectric lighter |
| US6039561A (en) * | 1998-02-23 | 2000-03-21 | Lei; Hou Chong | Safety piezo-electric lighter |
| US6102689A (en) * | 1998-09-29 | 2000-08-15 | Man; Aman Chung Kai | Push button safety lighter |
| US6129543A (en) * | 1999-05-03 | 2000-10-10 | Potskhishvili; David Vakhtangovich | Gas lighter with safety device |
| US6095795A (en) * | 1999-05-03 | 2000-08-01 | Potskhishvili; David Vakhtangovich | Gas lighter with safety device |
| US6053727A (en) * | 1999-08-24 | 2000-04-25 | Potskhishvili; David Vakhtangovich | Gas lighter with safety device |
| GB2409018A (en) * | 2003-12-09 | 2005-06-15 | Jieming Guan | Child proof safety lighter |
| GB2429512A (en) * | 2005-08-25 | 2007-02-28 | Swedish Match Lighters Bv | A Child Resistant Roll-and-Press Lighter |
| US8653942B2 (en) | 2008-08-20 | 2014-02-18 | John Gibson Enterprises, Inc. | Portable biometric lighter |
| KR200485452Y1 (en) * | 2017-06-24 | 2018-01-11 | 하나로인터내셔널 (주) | gas lighter |
| US10502419B2 (en) | 2017-09-12 | 2019-12-10 | John Gibson Enterprises, Inc. | Portable biometric lighter |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH0492142U (en) * | 1990-11-30 | 1992-08-11 | ||
| JPH0626647A (en) * | 1991-10-17 | 1994-02-04 | Masayuki Iwabori | Safeguard of lighter |
| JPH05126333A (en) * | 1991-11-01 | 1993-05-21 | Masayuki Iwabori | Safety device in lighter |
-
1993
- 1993-02-09 JP JP5044632A patent/JPH06235518A/en active Pending
- 1993-07-09 US US08/088,552 patent/US5350294A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1994
- 1994-02-02 EP EP94300785A patent/EP0611096A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1994-02-02 CA CA002114772A patent/CA2114772A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1994-02-04 AU AU54920/94A patent/AU664008B2/en not_active Ceased
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU5492094A (en) | 1994-08-11 |
| JPH06235518A (en) | 1994-08-23 |
| EP0611096A3 (en) | 1996-04-10 |
| AU664008B2 (en) | 1995-10-26 |
| US5350294A (en) | 1994-09-27 |
| EP0611096A2 (en) | 1994-08-17 |
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