EP1124095B1 - Ignitor - Google Patents

Ignitor Download PDF

Info

Publication number: EP1124095B1
Authority: EP; European Patent Office
Prior art keywords: restricting; locking; locking member; actuating member; lighter
Prior art date: 1999-05-31
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.): Expired - Lifetime

Application number

EP00929864A

Other languages

German (de)

English (en)

French (fr)

Other versions

EP1124095A4 (en

EP1124095A1 (en

Inventor

Masaki Main Factory Tokai Corporation SAITO

Toshihiro Main Factory Tokai Corporation ICHIKAWA

Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

Tokai Corp

Original Assignee

Tokai Corp

Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)

1999-05-31

Filing date

2000-05-25

Publication date

2006-10-18

2000-05-25 Application filed by Tokai Corp filed Critical Tokai Corp

2001-08-16 Publication of EP1124095A1 publication Critical patent/EP1124095A1/en

2005-02-16 Publication of EP1124095A4 publication Critical patent/EP1124095A4/en

2006-10-18 Application granted granted Critical

2006-10-18 Publication of EP1124095B1 publication Critical patent/EP1124095B1/en

2020-05-25 Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Status Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Images

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
- 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
- F23Q2/28—Lighters characterised by electrical ignition of the fuel
- F23Q2/285—Lighters characterised by electrical ignition of the fuel with spark ignition
- F23Q2/287—Lighters characterised by electrical ignition of the fuel with spark ignition piezoelectric

Definitions

the present invention relates to igniters, and in particular to an igniter having a safety lock.
igniters having a safety device comprising a locking member having an engagement section, which interferes with a portion of a sliding operation member and thereby locks the operation member.
a portion of an upper end of a lock releasing section of the locking member is extended upwardly.
the extension of the lock releasing section is supported by a pin such that the locking member can swing with respect the intermediate case housing.
An engagement section and the lock releasing section are urged by the urging force of an urging member towards the direction which projects from the intermediate case housing to the exterior, i.e. towards the locking direction.
the lock is released by pushing the lock releasing section of the locking member into the intermediate case housing. Thereafter, the operation member is pushed down. In this manner, the lighting operation can be carried out.
the finger of the user is released from the operation member in order to return the operation member to the original position, and thereafter the lock releasing operation of the locking member is released, the locking member automatically returns to the state of locking.
lighters such as the first two lighters described above have a locking means in which a locking member is slideably mounted in the body of the lighter, said locking member being structured so that it slides into the unlocked position when it is unlocked, to ensure that this sliding locking member is durable enough to provide for reliable sliding operation over a long period of time, it is mounted slantedly so as to prevent faulty operation of the ignition actuating member, and therefore high precision manufacturing processes are required, and high costs as well as complicated quality control procedures are incurred in mass production of such lighters.
lighters have either a push-button locking member, operated by being pushed downward, or a lever-type locking member, operated by being pushed inward, both of which are single actions, there are cases for which a lighter having a locking member more complicated to operate, is called for.
the present invention has been developed in light of the above described points, and for locking the actuating member, has a locking means whose structural parts provide for good operational performance over a long period of time, and is cost effective as well as more simple to manufacture.
operability of the lighters according to the present invention is improved through the elimination of multiple unlocking operations, and the provision in place thereof of the capacity to perform a series of consecutive actions to perform successive ignition operations.
the igniter of the present invention which solves the problems described above comprises an expeller nozzle for expelling a combustible gas, a gas tank for storing the gas, an opening and closing valve system for selectively supplying the gas to the expeller nozzle, a piezo-electric spark producing unit, a slideably mounted actuating member running between the valve system and the piezo-electric spark producing unit for performing the ignition operation, wherein a rotatably mounted locking means rotates between a locked position, in which the ignition operation of the actuating member is locked in the locked position, and an unlocked position, in which the ignition operation of the actuating member can be performed, and propped toward the locked position by a propping means, and a restricting means having a restricting member rotatable as a unit with the locking means for engaging said restricting portion with aforementioned engaging portion of the body in the restricted position, whereby rotation of the locking means in the direction of the unlocked position is restricted, and when said restricting means is pushed into the unrestricted
Said restricting means is formed of an elastic piece that is affixed to said locking means and structured so as to prop said restricting means into the restricted position.
Said elastic piece may be provided so that the restricting member is moved from the restricted to the unrestricted position by said elastic means being pushed in and deformed.
said restricting means may also be provided slideably mounted in said locking means, and propped into and supported in a direction in which it protrudes by an elastic means, wherein the restricting member is engaged with said body in the restricted position, and in the pushed-in, unrestricted position the restricting member is disengaged from the body.
the locking means prefferably has a locking member which engages with a portion of the ignition-actuating actuating member for locking the operation of said actuating member into the locked position, which when rotated to the unlocked position moves said locking member into a position in which the locking member is disengaged from the actuating member.
the rotational center of the locking means be movable.
a locking means is rotatably supported in the body and propped toward the locked position by a propping means, wherein movement of the unlocking the locking means is accomplished by rotating said locking means, whereby even if the dimensions in the body for supporting locking components therein are not manufactured to exacting precision, operation of said lighter is assured to be stable, manufacture thereof is simplified, and the lighter is advantageously cost-effective.
the locking means cannot be rotated to the unlocked position, and the lighter is locked in the non-operational state in which the ignition operation of the actuating member cannot be performed
the restricting means installed so as to be rotatable as a unit with the locking means, is pushed into the unrestricted position and the locking means is rotated to the unlocked position, the ignition operation of the actuating member becomes possible, and performance of said ignition operation causes gas to be expelled and a flame to be produced by ignition of said gas, whereby operability is improved due to the initiation of flame production by the two continuous actions of pushing in the restricting member and rotating the locking member, good ignition restriction functionality is assured and the structure of the lighter is simplified.
the actuating member is provided so that successive ignition operations of the actuating member can be performed when the locking member is maintained continuously in the unlocked position, whereby for cases in which a flame is not produced by the first ignition operation, it is easy easy to perform the ignition operation again, providing for excellent operability.
the restricting means automatically recovers to the restricted position, whereby the lighter is automatically recovered to the locked state.
Figures 1-5 depicts a lighter illustrating the prior art implemented as a lighting rod.
Figure 1 depicts a front view of the main part of the lighter
Fig. 2 a cross-sectional side view of the main part of the lighter
Fig. 3 a sectional view taken along the line III-III of figure 2
Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the parts related to restricting ignition
Fig. 5 depicts a cross-sectional side view of the operational state of the igniter.
Lighter 1 (lighting rod) is formed of a body 2 and an extension tip 3 extended in a rod shape (not shown) .
Said body 2 comprises a lower case 5 formed of synthetic resin, and extending upwards therefrom, a middle case 6 which is vertically divided approximately at the center thereof.
Figures 2,4 and 5 depict a view of middle case 6.
valve system 8 which opens and closes to supply the gas stored in the gas tank.
Valve system 8 is used for sending gas, and installed on the gas passage thereof is a nozzle 10.
a nozzle 10 At the tip of nozzle 10 an edge of a rotatable lever 14 for opening nozzle 10 is engaged therewith. With operation of said lever 14, said nozzle 10 is advanced forward, whereby the gas passage is opened and gas is supplied. The withdrawal of the nozzle caused by the spring installed in valve system 8 closes the gas channel and cuts of the supply of gas.
the amount of gas supplied i.e. the size of the flame, is regulated by rotation of a flame adjusting knob 13 protruding outside of the lighter.
Gas pipe 18 extends to the forward edge of extension tip 3 and is connected to nozzle 10 to which it supplies gas.
An actuating member 20 (lighter button) is mounted in middle of case 6 of body 2 to the side valve means 8 so as to be able to slide parallel along the centerline thereof.
a piezo-electric spark producing unit 22 In between aforementioned gas tank and said actuating member 20 is installed a piezo-electric spark producing unit 22.
aforementioned actuating member 20 further comprises a tubular portion 20b which is supported so as to be slideable from the opening of middle case 6 into the interior, and on the forward edge of said tubular portion 20b is provided a slantedly mounted finger depressible surface 20a. Still further, said tubular section 20b is provided with a foot portion 20d extending along the slideable direction adjacent to the side edge of valve means 8. Said foot portion is structured so as to cause said rotatable lever 14 to rotate when the lighter is to be ignited.
An opening 20e is provided on the back face of the section between said foot portion 20d and said finger depressible surface 20a so a to enable insertion of lock latch 30b of locking member 30 described hereinafter.
Lock catch 20f is formed at the edge of said opening 20e on the side of finger depressible actuator 20a.
said rotatable lever 14 is rotatably supported at the center point thereof, and is rotated by said foot portion 20d, whereby said valve means 8 is opened by the rotation performed to carry out the ignition operation, and gas is thereby supplied.
said piezo-electric spark producing unit provides an electric spark, and is structured so that an electric spark is caused to be produce by the plunging movement of expanding and contracting slide 22a, engaged with actuating member 20, that occurs with the withdrawing movement of said actuating member 20.
lead wires 23 (2 wires), which are connected at the other end to the spark output electrodes and the expeller nozzle (not shown).
an ignition mechanism of the construction described above will be further provided with an ignition-restricting component for restricting the ignition operation of said actuating member 20.
Said restricting component has a locking means 27 comprising a locking member 30 rotatably supported on the inside of said body 2 (middle case 6) for locking and unlocking the ignition operation of actuating member 20, and is further provided with a propping means 31 having a return spring for propping said locking member 27 toward the locked position.
Locking member 30 is comprises side panels 30a, formed approximately as semicircles having an outer circumference oval in shape, on either side thereof(refer to Fig. 3). On the end of one side of said side panels 30a is formed a hook-shaped lock latch 30b, so as to be enabled to be inserted into opening 20e of actuating member 20 and engaged therein with engaging portion 20f. Said side panels 30a are joined by a circumference wall 30c to form an integral unit having an oval-shaped outer circumference and a void inside. Further, an axle 30d is provided, at the center point with respect to the oval-shaped outer circumference, on the outer face of either side panel 30a extending in the lateral direction.
Said axle 30d is inserted into an elongated axle hole 2a provided in aforementioned body 2 (middle case 6) so as to be rotatable, is supported so as to be movable in the direction along elongated axle support hole 2a, and can be rotated in the locked position, in which lock latch 30b is engaged with lock catch 20f of actuating member 20, as well the unlocked position, in which lock latch 30b is moved to the inside of body 2.
Aforementioned outer circumference wall 30c protrudes from window 2b opened in the wall of the side of body 2 (middle case 6) opposite said ignition button guard 24.
Said circumference wall 30c is provided with crosswise grooves in the outer surface thereof for rotatable operation by a finger.
two protruding spring stays 30e are provided on the outer face of one side panel 30a.
the center coil of return spring 31 is installed around axle 30d as propping means on the side from which said spring stays protrude.
One straight portion of said return spring 30 is engaged with said spring stays 30e, the other straight portion of return spring is disposed against a protruding portion 2c of body 2, and said lock latch 30b is propped into the locked position where it is rotated to the side of actuating member 20.
a stopper 30f On the outer face of the other side panel 30a protrudes a stopper 30f (refer to Fig. 3).
said stopper 30f When locking member 30 is rotated to the locked position, said stopper 30f is brought into contact with an engaging portion (not shown) of body 2 and is stopped at that position.
the forward edge of side panel 30a is brought into contact with aforementioned protruding portion 2c of body 2, which is the upper limit of the range of rotation (refer to Fig. 5).
connector pipe 17 and gas pipe 18 pass through the void between side panels 30a of aforementioned locking member 30 in its assembled state (this is the same for embodiments described hereinafter) . Further, when rotated to the unlocked position depicted in Fig. 5, the forward edge of the outer circumference 30c of said locking member 30 (in the unlocked position) is formed so as not to catch on said gas pipe 18 disposed therein.
actuating member 20 when the ignition operation is performed with actuating member 20 in the unlocked state described above, the movement of actuating member 20 causes rotatable lever 14 to pull up nozzle 10 and open valve means 8, whereby gas is supplied to the expeller nozzle via gas pipe 18.
discharge voltage AC voltage
the piezo-electric spark producing unit 22 is generated by the piezo-electric spark producing unit 22 and is applied between the electrode at the extension tip 3 and expeller nozzle, whereby the expelled gas is ignited.
axle 30d of locking member 30 is supported so as to be able to move along elongated axle hole 2a as described above, axle 30d moves forward when locking member 30 is pushed in and rotated, whereby aforementioned lock latch 30b and lock catch 30f become easy to disengage and locking member 30 can be rotated in the unlock direction (this is the same for embodiments described hereinafter).
actuating member 20 is returned to the initial protruding position by the elastic force of the spring in piezo-electric spark producing unit 22, and locking member 30 is returned to the locked position, in which lock latch 30 protrudes, by the propping force of propping means 31 (the return spring), and the locked state wherein actuating member 20 is prevented from being pushed in is recovered automatically.
the rotatable support provided in the current embodiment for locking member 30 assures stable ignition control through repeated operation over a long period of time by making it difficult for operational failures due to said locking member 30 getting stuck midway in the rotation to occur.
disposing gas pipe 18 through the space between side panels 30a assures good assembly characteristics as interference between the internal structures of locking member 30 and gas pipe 18 is thereby avoided.
FIG. 6 Another lighter is depicted in Figures 6 and 7.
the body of this lighter differs from that of Fig. 1, the ignition-restricting component is formed the same as that of the lighter in Fig. 1, and shares the same basic functions as those of the lighter in Fig. 1.
Body 102 of lighter 100 is formed of a case 7 having an outer shell whose entire body is divided vertically approximately at the center thereof.
actuating member 120 differs from that of the lighter in Fig. 1.
Said actuating member 120 has a slideably supported tubular portion 120b in case 7, and at the forward edge of said tubular portion 120b is provided slantedly a finger depressible surface 120a.
Said finger depressible surface 120a is formed so that it extends sideways into body 102 from said tubular portion 120b, and extending to the rear end of tubular portion 120b is foot portion 120d, which connects with rotatable lever 14.
an engaging wall 120e extends, parallel with the back face of tubular portion 120b, to the extended portion of actuating member 120, and said forward edge is formed as a lock catch 120f, which is capable of engaging lock latch 30b of locking member 30.
axle support 102a of body 102 and protruding portion 102c are positioned adjacent to the side of window 102b, which is an elongated opening extending in the front and rear directions along the length of the lighter, and ignition button guard 124 differs from that of the lighter in Fig. 1.
locking member 30 of locking means 27 is formed the same as that of the lighter in Fig. 1, and because aforementioned axle support 102a for supporting axle 30d is positioned adjacent to the side of window 102b, the protruding portion of outer circumference 30c exposed to the outside is larger than that of the lighter in Fig. 1.
Fig. 8 depicts another lighter 100 similar to the former one wherein a locking member 130 of locking means 27 has been made smaller in size. Otherwise, it is the same as that depicted in Fig. 6.
FIG. 9 -11A/11B shows another embodiment of an ignition-restricting component.
Body 2 of lighter 200, actuating member 20, etc. are the same as those of the lighter in Fig. 1 (refer to Figs. 1-5) and are labeled with the same reference symbols, and additional explanation thereof is omitted.
the ignition-restricting component of the current embodiment comprises locking means 27 having rotatably mounted locking member 230 for locking the ignition operation state of actuating member 20, a propping means 31 having a return spring for propping said locking member 27 toward the locked position, restricting portion 32c engaged with aforementioned body 2 and integrally affixed to said locking member 230, having an elastic piece 32a for restricting the rotating motion of aforementioned locking means 27, restricting means 26 composed of restricting member 32 wherein the elastic force of said elastic piece serves as elastic means for propping restricting portion 32c, connected so as to permit performance of the ignition operation of the actuating member when the pushing-in action whereby restricting means 26 is moved from the restricted to the unrestricted position at the same time locking means 27 is rotated from the locked to the unlocked position.
Locking member 230 is comprises side panels 230a, formed approximately as semicircles having an outer circumference oval in shape, on either side thereof. On the end of one side of said side panels 230a is formed a hook-shaped lock latch 230b, so as to be enabled to be inserted into opening 20e of actuating member 20 and engaged therein with engaging portion 20f. Said side panels 230a are connected by an inside connector 230c to form an integral unit having a void inside. Further, an axle 230d is provided, at the center point with respect to the oval-shaped outer circumference, on the outer face of either side panel 30a extending in the lateral direction. Said axle 230d is rotatably inserted into an elongated axle hole 2a (refer to Fig.
two protruding spring stays 230e are provided on the outer face of one side panel 230a, with which one straight portion of said return spring 31 is engaged, and said lock latch 230b is propped into the locked position the same as in the above described lighter.
aforementioned restricting member 32 and aforementioned locking member 230 are formed of a different resin as a separate parts, having an elastic piece 32a curved in an approximately oval shape and having a width corresponding to the distance between the inside faces of said side panels 230a, extending to the base of said elastic piece 32a is fixing portion 32b, and said fixing portion 32b is fitted onto connector 230c of aforementioned locking member 230 from the rear.
Restricting portion 32c is formed at the forward edge of aforementioned elastic piece 32a, and at the center portion thereof is formed a protruding finger depressible surface 32d.
said curve-shaped elastic piece 32a has a larger radius of curvature than the oval portion of side panels 230a of aforementioned locking member 230, forward edge restricting portion 32c protrudes further into the outside than do side panels 230a, and said restricting portion 32c catches onto engaging portion 2d at the front edge of window 2b of body 2. Due to said catching of restricting portion 32c onto engaging portion 2b, rotation of locking member 230 is restricted.
Figures 9 and 10 depict the restricting member 32 in the restricted position and locking member 230 in the locked position, respectively, wherein actuating member 20 is in the non-operational state in which it is not possible to push in actuating member 20 and the ignition operation cannot be performed.
restricting part 32c of restricting member 32 protrudes and is caught on engaging portion 2d, restricting member 32 is not pushed in, and said locking member 230 cannot be rotated.
lock latch 230b moves from the position in which it is engaged inside opening 20e of actuating member 20 into the inside of body 2 to the unlocked position, and it becomes possible to push in actuating member 20 and perform the ignition operation.
each component can be formed of an appropriate resin material having the desired characteristics, whereby it becomes possible to assure for solidity and firmness of locking member 230 as well as good elasticity of restricting member 32. Additionally, as both components are fitted units, they have outstanding assembly characteristics.
the current embodiment, lighter 300 is depicted in Figures 12 and 13, in which the body 102 is the same type as that of the lighter in Fig. 6 (refer to Figs. 6 and 7), and therefore, the ignition restriction component thereof differs from that of embodiment 1, although it shares the same basic functions.
Lighter 300 of the current embodiment comprises finger depressible surface 120a of actuating member 120 protrudes from the side of body 102, and as described above, axle support 102 a (refer to Fig. 7), protruding portion 102c is formed toward the side of window 102b.
locking member 330 of locking means 27 is the same type as that depicted in Fig. 8 described above, wherein side plates 230a are provided a reduced radius, and otherwise, lock latch 330b, connector 330c, axle 330d, etc., though slightly different from their respective counterparts in embodiment 1, are substantially the same.
locking member 330 and restricting means 26 are separately formed components, and in restricting member 132 of said restricting means 26, the base portion of elastic piece 132a is affixed to connector 330c of locking member 330 by fixing portion 132b, and the length of elastic piece 132a of finger depressible surface 132d is shortened.
the position of restricting portion 132c of the forward edge of elastic piece 132a is at a position removed from the edge of the opening of window 102b of body 102, and therefore, engaging portion 102d of body 102 for engaging aforementioned restricting portion 132c is provided by protruding portion 102e which juts out in the direction of locking member 330 so as to be adjacent to the aforementioned described restricting portion 132c.
the operation of the ignition restricting component of the current embodiment is the same as for that of embodiment 1, wherein actuating member 120 cannot be pushed in and the ignition operation is locked, as in the locked state depicted in Fig. 12, and when elastic member 132a of restricting member 132 is pushed into the unrestricted position, locking member 330 can be rotated, and if said locking member 330 is rotated to the unlocked position the unlocked state depicted in Fig. 13 is attained, in which ignition operation of actuating member 120 is enabled.
the space provided for locking member 330 and restricting member 132 is narrow, and to reduce the amount thereof protruding from window 120b they have been reduced in size, and to avert the pushing on gas pipe 18 of the forward edge of restricting portion 132c of elastic piece 132a of restricting member 132 when locking member 330 is rotated to the unlocked position, said elastic piece 132a is formed with a reduced length, whereby a construction assuring that said elastic piece 132a engages with engaging portion 102d of body 102, and said elastic piece 132a is prevented from catching on gas pipe 18 is attained.
lighter 400 is depicted in Figures 14, 15A and 15B, in which body 2 is of the same type as that of the lighter in Fig. 1 (refer to Figs. 1-5), locking means 27 and restricting member 26 of the ignition restricting component are integrally formed and share the same basic functions as those in embodiment 1.
the ignition restricting component of the current embodiment comprises locking means 27 having a rotatably mounted locking member 430 for locking the ignition operation of actuating member 20, propping means 31 for propping by a return spring said locking member 430 toward the locked position, restricting means 26 integrally formed with said locking member 430 for engaging with body 2 engaging portion 232c of elastic piece 232a restricting rotation of said locking member, connected so that if restricting member 232 is pushed into the unrestricted position and locking member 430 is rotated to the unlocked position at the same time, or if locking member 430 is maintained continuously in the unlocked position, the ignition operation of actuating member 20 is permitted.
Aforementioned locking member 430 comprises side panels 430a, formed approximately as semicircles having an outer circumference oval in shape, on either side thereof, and on one side of said side plates 430a is formed a hook-shaped lock latch 430b that can be inserted into opening 20e of actuating member 20.
Said side panels 430a are integrally linked by restricting member 232, and are formed so that there is a void between them.
an axle 430d there is provided at the rotational center an axle 430d, said axle 430d being inserted into elongated axle hole 2a (refer to Fig. 4) of aforementioned body 2 so as to be rotatable in the locked and unlocked position.
two protruding spring stays 430e are provided on the outer face of one side of side plates 430a, with which one straight length of return spring 31 is engaged, as propping means, for propping locking member 430 toward the locked position, as described above.
aforementioned restricting member 232 is integrally formed with side panels 430a of aforementioned locking member 430, and has an elastic piece 232 curved in an approximately oval shape having a width corresponding to the distance between the outside face of said side panels 430a.
Said elastic piece 232a is affixed at its base by fixing portion 232b to both side panels 430a, and side plates 430a are thereby connected.
Said elastic piece 232a extends over and covers the outside of both side panels 430a, and restricting portion 232c is formed at the forward edge of said elastic piece 232a.
the surface of elastic piece 232a that protrudes outside from window 2b of body 2 serves as a finger depressible surface for pushing in said restricting member and rotating said locking member, and crosswise grooves are provided on the surface thereof.
restricting portion 232c of the forward edge of said elastic member 232a catches onto engaging portion 2d of the front edge of window 2b of body 2, whereby rotation of locking member 430 is restricted.
elastic member 232a is propped into the restricted position by its own elastic force when released. Note that protruding portion 232e for engaging with the inside edge of window 2b is formed even further forward on the forward edge of elastic piece 232a than is restricting portion 232c.
the operation of the ignition restricting component of the current embodiment is the same as for that of embodiment 1, wherein actuating member 20 cannot be pushed in and the ignition operation is locked, as in the locked state depicted in Fig. 14, in which when elastic member 232a of restricting member 232 is pushed into the unrestricted position, locking member 330 can be rotated, and if said locking member 430 is rotated to the unlocked position, the unlocked state depicted in Fig. 15 is attained, in which ignition operation of actuating member 20 is enabled.
locking member 430 and restricting member 232 are integrally formed, the number of parts is reduced and advantageously, cost-effectiveness and manufacturability are improved.
lighter 500 is depicted in Figures 16-19A, 19B, in which the ignition restricting component is different and body 2 is of the same type as that of the lighter in Fig. 1 (refer to Figs. 1-5).
the ignition restricting component of the current embodiment comprises locking means 27 having a rotatably supported locking member 530 for locking the ignition operation of actuating member 20, and restricting means 26 having a push-button type restricting member 332 for restricting the rotation of aforementioned locking member, connected so that when restricting member 332 is pushed in and moved from the restricted to the unrestricted position and locking member 530 is rotated from the locked to the unlocked position, the ignition operation of actuating member 20 is permitted.
Aforementioned locking member 530 comprises side panels 530a, on either side thereof, formed approximately as semicircles having an oval-shaped outer circumference.
a hook-shaped lock latch 530b On the end of one side of said side panels 530a is formed a hook-shaped lock latch 530b, so as to be enabled to be inserted into opening 20e of actuating member 20 and engaged therein with engaging portion 20f.
Said side panels 530a are connected, at the oval-shaped outer circumference, by circumference wall 530c to form an integral unit having a void inside.
an axle 530d is provided, at the center point of the rotational center of the oval-shaped outer circumference, on the outer side face of either side panel 530a.
Said axle 530d is rotatably inserted into an elongated axle hole 2a (refer to Fig. 4) provided in aforementioned body 2, is also supported so as to be movable in the direction along elongated axle support hole 2a, and can be rotated in the locked as well as the unlocked position.
Aforementioned outer circumference wall 530c protrudes from window 2b opened in the wall of the side of body 2, and is provided with crosswise grooves on the outer surface thereof for rotatable operation by a finger.
a slide 530g in which restricting member 332 (described hereinafter) is installed.
two protruding spring stays 530e are provided on the outer face of one side panel 530a, with which one straight portion of said return spring 31 is engaged, and said lock latch 530b is propped into the locked position.
aforementioned restricting member 332 is formed as a square tube-shaped push-button and is installed on the outside of slide 530g of locking member 530 so as to be able to slide from the restricted position, in which the front edge of finger depressible surface 332a protrudes, and the unrestricted position, and the unrestricted position, in which said finger depressible surface is depressed.
elastic means 33 having a coil spring is compressed and installed between spring support 530h formed on the outer circumference of circumference wall 530c of locking means 530 and the inside circumference of restricting means 332, whereby said restricting member 332 is propped toward the restricted position, and foot portion 332b of restricting member 332 is engaged with circumference wall 530c and stopped in the restricted position.
a protruding restricting portion 332c On either side of said restricting member 332 is provided a protruding restricting portion 332c, said restricting portion 332c is inserted and engaged with concave engaging portion 2f (refer to Fig. 17) formed as a notch on the side of window 2b of body 2 and stopped in the restricted position, restricting rotation of locking member 530, and restricting member 332 is formed so that if said restricting member 332 is pushed into the unrestricted position, restricting portion 332c and engaging portion 2f are disengaged.
restricting portion 332c is formed as a curved shape, and if securely inserted and engaged with engaging portion 2f restricting portion 332c will move smoothly when sliding in contact with body 2.
restricting member 332 is a push-button type restricting member, the pushing in operation is simplified and can be performed with ease.

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Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
Lighters Containing Fuel (AREA)
Saccharide Compounds (AREA)
Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)

EP00929864A 1999-05-31 2000-05-25 Ignitor Expired - Lifetime EP1124095B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number	Priority Date	Filing Date	Title
JP15118499A JP3785853B2 (ja)	1999-05-31	1999-05-31	着火器
JP15118499		1999-05-31
PCT/JP2000/003346 WO2000073704A1 (en)	1999-05-31	2000-05-25	Ignitor

Publications (3)

Publication Number	Publication Date
EP1124095A1 EP1124095A1 (en)	2001-08-16
EP1124095A4 EP1124095A4 (en)	2005-02-16
EP1124095B1 true EP1124095B1 (en)	2006-10-18

Family

ID=15513130

Family Applications (1)

Application Number	Title	Priority Date	Filing Date
EP00929864A Expired - Lifetime EP1124095B1 (en)	1999-05-31	2000-05-25	Ignitor

Country Status (10)

Country	Link
EP (1)	EP1124095B1 (ja)
JP (1)	JP3785853B2 (ja)
CN (1)	CN1165710C (ja)
AT (1)	ATE343098T1 (ja)
AU (1)	AU781404B2 (ja)
CA (1)	CA2338842C (ja)
DE (1)	DE60031365T2 (ja)
ES (1)	ES2274788T3 (ja)
MX (1)	MXPA01001071A (ja)
WO (1)	WO2000073704A1 (ja)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
JP4317308B2 (ja) *	2000-02-03	2009-08-19	株式会社東海	点火棒
US6908302B2 (en) *	2000-11-03	2005-06-21	Bic Corporation	Multi-mode lighter
KR20030028597A (ko) *	2001-09-20	2003-04-10	전종구	어린 아이들은 켜기 어려운 다목적 가스라이타
MXPA04003860A (es)	2001-10-23	2004-07-08	Tokai Corp	Encendedor.
JP4282441B2 (ja) *	2003-11-10	2009-06-24	株式会社東海	着火器具
US11079110B2 (en)	2018-09-28	2021-08-03	Zippo Manufacturing Company	Childproof ignition device

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JP3110952B2 (ja) *	1994-10-12	2000-11-20	株式会社東海	点火棒の安全装置
JP3110949B2 (ja)	1994-08-30	2000-11-20	株式会社東海	点火棒の安全装置
JP3663288B2 (ja) *	1997-08-22	2005-06-22	株式会社東海	着火器
JP3663283B2 (ja) *	1997-08-22	2005-06-22	株式会社東海	着火器

1999
- 1999-05-31 JP JP15118499A patent/JP3785853B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
2000
- 2000-05-25 WO PCT/JP2000/003346 patent/WO2000073704A1/ja not_active Ceased
- 2000-05-25 ES ES00929864T patent/ES2274788T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-05-25 AU AU47812/00A patent/AU781404B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2000-05-25 MX MXPA01001071A patent/MXPA01001071A/es active IP Right Grant
- 2000-05-25 EP EP00929864A patent/EP1124095B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-05-25 CN CNB008015279A patent/CN1165710C/zh not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-05-25 CA CA002338842A patent/CA2338842C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-05-25 DE DE60031365T patent/DE60031365T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-05-25 AT AT00929864T patent/ATE343098T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation

Also Published As

Publication number	Publication date
JP3785853B2 (ja)	2006-06-14
ATE343098T1 (de)	2006-11-15
JP2000346359A (ja)	2000-12-15
CA2338842C (en)	2007-04-10
EP1124095A4 (en)	2005-02-16
AU4781200A (en)	2000-12-18
CN1165710C (zh)	2004-09-08
WO2000073704A1 (en)	2000-12-07
AU781404B2 (en)	2005-05-19
MXPA01001071A (es)	2002-08-20
CA2338842A1 (en)	2000-12-07
DE60031365D1 (de)	2006-11-30
DE60031365T2 (de)	2007-09-20
ES2274788T3 (es)	2007-06-01
CN1319170A (zh)	2001-10-24
EP1124095A1 (en)	2001-08-16

Publication	Publication Date	Title
EP1040300B1 (en)	2012-04-11	Child resistant lighter
GB2292448A (en)	1996-02-21	Safety device in lighting rods
US5186618A (en)	1993-02-16	Gas lighter with safety device
US6682341B2 (en)	2004-01-27	Child resistant actuator for piezoelectric lighter
US6386860B1 (en)	2002-05-14	Child resistant lighter
EP1124095B1 (en)	2006-10-18	Ignitor
US6428309B1 (en)	2002-08-06	Utility lighter
JP3523451B2 (ja)	2004-04-26	ガスライター
EP1439348B1 (en)	2012-12-05	Ignitor
AU2001238601A1 (en)	2001-11-15	Utility lighter
US5980239A (en)	1999-11-09	Child resistant lighter
US6106277A (en)	2000-08-22	Safety arrangement of piezoelectric unit for piezoelectric lighter
US20040191715A1 (en)	2004-09-30	Ignitor
JP3663283B2 (ja)	2005-06-22	着火器
JP3114841B2 (ja)	2000-12-04	点火棒の安全装置
KR200233260Y1 (ko)	2001-09-25	자동제어 안전수단을 구비한 점화장치
JP3663284B2 (ja)	2005-06-22	着火器
GB2324140A (en)	1998-10-14	Safety device in lighting rods
JPH0868536A (ja)	1996-03-12	点火棒の安全装置
JPH08110046A (ja)	1996-04-30	点火棒の安全装置
JPH11141874A (ja)	1999-05-28	着火器
HK1011720B (en)	2000-09-08	Selectively actuatable lighter

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