U.S. patent application number 10/209536 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-26 for lighter with child resistant actuating lever.
This patent application is currently assigned to Polycity Enterprise Limited. Invention is credited to Sher, Tak Chi.
Application Number | 20020197577 10/209536 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22993371 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020197577 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sher, Tak Chi |
December 26, 2002 |
Lighter with child resistant actuating lever
Abstract
A lighter. The lighter includes a container for storing a
combustible fuel and a source of ignition. The source of ignition
is responsive to the manual manipulation of an actuating member and
a member resisting the operation of the actuation member so that
the source of ignition is not activated in response to forces less
than approximately 3.5 kgf.
Inventors: |
Sher, Tak Chi; (Quarry Bay,
HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RICHARD P. BERG
c/o LADAS & PARRY
5670 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 2100
Los Angeles
CA
90036-5679
US
|
Assignee: |
Polycity Enterprise Limited
|
Family ID: |
22993371 |
Appl. No.: |
10/209536 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10209536 |
Jul 30, 2002 |
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09261451 |
Mar 3, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
431/153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23Q 2/164 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/153 |
International
Class: |
F23D 011/36 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A lighter comprising a container for storing a combustible fuel;
a source of ignition, the source of ignition being responsive to
the manual manipulation of an actuating member and a member
resisting the operation of the actuating member so that the source
of ignition is not activated in response to forces less than
approximately 3.5 kgf.
2. The lighter of claim 1, wherein the resisting member is a
spring.
3. The lighter of claim 2, wherein the actuating member is a
manually-operated push button engaging said spring.
4. The lighter of claim 3, wherein the ignition unit is a
piezoelectric device having first and second members, the
piezoelectric device generating electricity in response to movement
of the first and second members relative to each other, the spring
engaging the piezoelectric device.
5. The lighter of claim 4, wherein the push button includes a
channel for receiving at least a portion of said spring and
includes a projection engaging the first member of said
piezoelectric device.
6. The lighter of claim 4, wherein said first element of said
piezoelectric device extends from the second element of the
piezoelectric device in a columnar fashion and extends a length
from the second device approximately equal to a length of said
spring in its at-rest position.
7. The lighter of claim 6 wherein said first member of said
piezoelectric device is moveable relative to said second member in
response to manual manipulation of said push button, said
piezoelectric device including an internal spring which cooperates
with the resisting member to resist operation of the actuating
member.
8. An igniter for a lighter, the igniter comprising first and
second elements moveable relative to each other for generating a
spark in response to movement of the first element relative to the
second element; a manually actuated member engaging the first
member; and a compression member resisting the movement of the
first member relative to the second member for the purpose of
generating a spark to forces imposed between the manually operated
member and the second member less than approximately 3.5 kgf.
9. A lighter comprising a container for storing a combustible fuel;
a source of ignition, the source of ignition comprising at least 2
members which are moveable with respect to each other, the source
of ignition including an internal spring for urging the two members
away from each other, the source of ignition causing a spark to
occur when the two member are urged together; a push button
engaging one of the members of the source of ignition and causing
the source of ignition to draw a spark in response to manual
depression of the push button; and a member disposed externally of
said source of ignition, said resisting member cooperating with the
internal spring inside the source of ignition to resist depression
of the push button.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention related to the field of lighters, such as
cigarette lighters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional butane lighters comprise a lighter body within
which is housed a reservoir containing butane or other suitable
fuel, a mounting frame affixed atop the lighter body, a nozzle
inserted through the mounting frame into connected relationship
with the reservoir, a lever for actuating the nozzle, and a
piezoelectric igniter or a more conventional mechanical igniter
such as a striker wheel, flint and flint-spring combination. The
igniter is positioned close to the rear end of the lever so that
the igniter and the rear end of the lever may be actuated
simultaneously or nearly so.
[0003] Lighters which pre-date butane lighters are similar to the
above-identified conventional butane lighters except that instead
of having a nozzle in connected relationship with the reservoir, a
wick or similar device is used, and there is no need for a nozzle
actuating lever. Such lighters typically have traditional
mechanical igniters with striker wheels and flints.
[0004] While the traditional mechanical igniter with striker wheel
and flint can still be found in the marketplace, the butane lighter
equipped with a piezoelectric igniter has become very popular.
Instead of using a striker wheel and flint, a modern lighter is
equipped with a piezoelectric unit which draws a spark when
operated. The piezoelectric unit is typically operated by a
thumb-operated push cap which not only operates the lever for
actuating the nozzle, but also operates the piezoelectric unit to
draw a spark, causing a flame to shoot upward from the lighter.
[0005] Piezoelectric igniters are popular because the spark which
they draw is very predictable compared with the older mechanical
igniters known in the art.
[0006] The safety device of the present invention works effectively
with either form of lighter and with either form of igniter.
[0007] One of the reasons for the popularity of modern lighters is
the fact that the height of the flame produced by the lighter can
be varied over a wide range by varying the amount of fuel allowed
to be ejected from the lighter. The very feature that makes such
lighters dangerous if they are ignited. When the lighter produces a
flame in an uncontrolled circumstance, particularly when the
lighter is set on its high setting, materials (such as curtains,
clothing, hair) may accidentally be lit on fire. Modern butane
lighters are particularly dangerous when they are in the hands of
children. This is true whether the igniter is a traditional striker
wheel and flint arrangement or is embodied by a more modern
piezoelectric device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lighter
comprises an igniter, a fuel source and a push button, typically
thumb-operated, for releasing the fuel from the fuel source via a
nozzle in the vicinity of the igniter. When the igniter is embodied
by a traditional striker wheel and flint arrangement, the igniter
wheel is positioned adjacent the push button so that the user can
cause the striker wheel to rotate and can depress the push button
in more or less one continuous motion. If, on the other hand, a
piezoelectric igniter is used, then the piezoelectric igniter is
typically operated as the push button is depressed to release the
fuel from the fuel source. The lighter also includes a spring which
is placed in a position to act against the depression of the push
button in order to increase the child resistance of the lighter.
With the spring action, additional force is required to activate
push button making it more difficult for children to depress the
push button in order to activate the lighter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a piezoelectric lighter of the
type known in the prior art;
[0010] FIGS. 1A and 1B depict the piezoelectric igniter unit shown
in FIG. 1 in greater detail;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a piezoelectric lighter in
accordance with the present invention;
[0012] FIGS. 2A and 2B show the push button in its normal
unactuated state and in its actuated state, respectively;
[0013] FIG. 2C is a bottom view of the push button or actuating
lever;
[0014] FIG. 3A is a side exterior view of the lighter, shown fully
assembled;
[0015] FIGS. 3B and 3C are side-sectional views, partially cut
away, showing the internal arrangement of the lighter; and FIG. 4
is a side sectional view of the piezoelectric igniter.
THE PRIOR ART
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a conventional butane lighter of the type known
in the prior art. The butane lighter includes a push button 1 and a
piezoelectric unit 2, 3. Butane fuel is stored in a fuel reservoir
9 in the lighter and can be released to ambient via a valve
adjacent or near nozzle 8. Piece 5 is used to help keep the various
components in proper alignment, to conveniently encase them in
lighter body 10 and to help attach cap 11.
[0017] Elements 2 and 3 of the piezoelectric unit are moveable with
respect to each other and when they do move, they induce an
electrical charge through piezoelectric action to produce a flame
when the lighter is lit and the fuel is released. A piezoelectric
unit 2, 3 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In FIG. 1A
it is shown in its normal, unactuated state. In FIG. 1B it is shown
in its actuated (depressed) spark inducing state. In normal
operation, when the actuating lever or push button 1 is depressed,
the piezoelectric device 2, 3 is actuated causing an electric
current to be conducted through a conductor or conducting wire (not
shown) to somewhere near the outlet of nozzle 8 as an ignition
source. The depression of the push button or actuating lever 2
simultaneously causes the rear part of gas lever 6 to move in a
downward direction. As a result, the front part of the gas lever 6,
which engages nozzle 8, moves upwardly causing nozzle 8 to raise
and its associated valve to open. Of course, the opening of the
valve allows the fuel to flow or release from the fuel reservoir 9
to fuel the aforementioned flame. Such operations are quite simple
and the lighter can be easily mishandled by a child.
[0018] In prior art lighters of the type shown in FIG. 1 a force of
1.5 to 2.0 kgf is required to depress actuating lever or push
button 1 downward so as to move elements 2 and 3 inward causing a
spark to be generated. A child typically possesses a thumb
depressing force of up to 1.5 to 2.0 kgf and therefore a child can
often operate the type of prior art lighter depicted by FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] Turning now to FIG. 2, a lighter equipped with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention is depicted. It is basically
similar to the lighter shown in FIG. 1, but is provided with a
spring 4 which acts against the manual operation of push button or
actuating lever 1. The push button 1 and element 2 of piezoelectric
igniter 2, 3 are modified to accommodate spring 4.
[0020] After spring 4 is duly assembled with push button 1 and
piezoelectric unit 2, 3 and the remaining parts are assembled, as
also shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, with spring 4 disposed about element
2, which preferably has a columnar shape. The bottom portion 4B of
spring 4 rests on shoulder 3A of piezoelectric igniter unit 2, 3.
The top 4A of spring 4 engages a shoulder or other surface 1B in
the interior of push button 1. Push button 1 is shown in a cutaway
view in the FIGS. 2A and 2B and in a bottom view in FIG. 2C in
order to show better the interior shoulder 1B which is preferably
provided at the base of channel 1C of the push button 1 when
practicing the invention.
[0021] FIG. 2A shows the igniter, 3 push button or actuating lever
1 and spring 4 combination in its normal, unactuated position. At
this time, spring 4 preferably assumes its full normal length in an
at rest position without providing any rebounding force.
[0022] In order to ignite a flame, the top portion 1A of push
button or actuating lever 1 is pressed downwardly, typically by the
user's thumb. Element 2 of piezoelectric unit 2, 3 moves downwardly
under the action of the projection 1B inside push button or
actuating lever 1 and thus assumes the position depicted by FIG.
2B. The movement of element 2 relative to element 3 causes the
piezoelectric effect to occur which in turn causes the lighter to
be lit. The movement of element 2 also causes gas lever 6 to rock
on its rounded front part 6A and against protuberances 12 as its
arms 6C move in a clock-wise direction (compare FIGS. 3B and 3C) as
the bottom edges 1D of push button 1 bear thereagainst. Only one
protuberance 12 is shown for ease of illustration, it being
understood that preferably two such protuberances would be
provided, one on each side of the lighter. Gas lever 6 has a notch
6B which engages nozzle 8, lifting it when element 2 is pushed
downwardly by the action of push button 1. The lifting motion of
nozzle 8 causes its associated valve to open and gas to flow from
the reservoir 9 in the base of the lighter. Gas flow from nozzle 8
is preferably conducted by a gas pipe 7 to the point of combustion
at element 5.
[0023] When lighting a flame, spring 4 resists the downward
movement of push button or actuating lever 1. Thus, the compression
of spring 4 provides a rebounding, upwardly directed force against
the movement of push button or actuating lever 1 and therefore the
force required to operate the lighter is increased.
[0024] The piezoelectric igniter 2, 3 includes a hammer 23A which
impact a headpin 23B above ceramic 23C. The hammer 23A striking the
headpin and hence the ceramic causes an electrical discharge to
occur. The piezoelectric unit 2, 3 typically includes a return
spring 23D for urging element 2 away from element 3. Typically, the
force required to overcome spring 23D is on the order of 1.5 to 2.0
kgf. It is preferred to use an auxiliary spring 4 in order to
increase the force required to activate the lighter as opposed to
merely increasing the spring constant of spring 23D. The reason for
this is that increasing the spring constant of spring 23D could
tend to shorten the life of the piezoelectric igniter unit 2, 3.
Thus, the use of an auxiliary spring 4 is preferred.
[0025] Preferably, the auxiliary spring 4 is selected such that the
force required to light the lighter is at least 3.5 kgf and more
preferably falls in the range of 5.5 to 6.0 kgf. A child typically
does not possess enough strength to be able to operate push button
1 and also overcome the additional resistance provided by spring 4.
An adult, on the other hand, can impart more than enough force
using their thumb to overcome the resistance of spring 4 and cause
element 2 of the piezoelectric unit to collide with components 23B
and 23C of portion 3 of the piezoelectric unit to generate an
electrical discharge and light a flame.
[0026] When the push button 1 is released, it returns to its normal
position shown FIGS. 2A and 3B. This allows arms 6C to move in a
counterclockwise direction allowing the valve associated with
nozzle 8 to close and the flame to be extinguished.
[0027] Assuming that an auxiliary spring 4 is used to increase the
force required to activate the lighter as discussed above, then a
conventional piezoelectric igniter 2, 3 may be used. Indeed, in
practicing the present invention, the applicant prefers to use a
conventional piezoelectric igniter 2, 3. In the case of some prior
art piezoelectric igniters 2, 3, they induce a spark when the top
element 2 of the piezoelectric unit is moved about 80% of its full
possible stroke into element 3. As indicated above, the spring
constant of auxiliary spring 4 is selected such that the total
force required to activate the lighter, i.e. when the piezoelectric
igniter 2, 3 is at least 3.5 kgf.
[0028] The present invention has been shown in connection with a
piezoelectric lighter given the popularity of piezoelectric
lighters in the marketplace. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the
invention is used in connection with a piezoelectric lighter.
However, the invention can also be used in connection with other
prior art lighters, such as those of the type having a mechanical
igniter comprising a striker wheel, flint and flint spring
combination. It is known, for example, to use a push button or
other actuating lever to rotate a striker wheel or other mechanical
means to generate a spark from a flint. A spring may be used to
resist the depression of such a push button or actuating lever or
to resist the rotational movement of the striker wheel to thereby
make the lighter difficult to be used when placed in the hands of
children, but yet still convenient to use in the hands of an
adult.
[0029] Having described the invention in connection with a
preferred embodiment thereof, modification may now suggest itself
to those skilled in the art. The invention itself is not to be
limited to the embodiments disclosed, except as required by the
following claims.
* * * * *