ES2357748T3 - HAND LIGHTER WITH SAFETY DEVICE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a hand held lighter 1 comprising a fuel container 3, a fuel valve 4 for allowing fuel to be fed to an ignition point 12, and a piezoelectric ignition means 5 for igniting fuel fed to the ignition point. The fuel valve 4 and the ignition means 5 are operable by an operating body 6, 7 which is movable from a rest position in a first direction. A safety button 8 is provided which is movable at right angles to the first direction from a first, safety position in which the safety button blocks movement of the operating body, and a second, operating position in which the safety button allows movement of the operating body 7. In use, a user must move the safety button 8 from the first position to the second position to operate the operating body 7. When the operating body 7 is returned to its rest position, the safety button 8 is automatically returned to its first position. <??>A second embodiment is disclosed in which a piezoelectric ignition mean 27 is provided for creating a spark at an ignition point 25 supplied with fuel by a fuel valve assembly 24, the fuel valve assembly 24 and the piezoelectric ignition means 27 being jointly operated by an operating body 29. The safety body 34 is provided, lying over the operating body 29. A safety body 34 has to be moved to the left, in the direction of arrow X to disengage an abutment 36 from the stop part 38 of the hand held lighter before the lighter can be used. The resilience of the safety body 34 returns it to its safety position after the lighter has been used. <IMAGE> <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a hand lighter of the type that is operated by a piezoelectric ignition medium. Hand lighters that have piezoelectric ignition means are well known in the art and typically comprise a fuel container, a fuel valve to allow fuel to be introduced at an ignition point, a piezoelectric ignition medium and a medium. of operation of the piezoelectric ignition medium and the fuel valve, typically, simultaneously.

The piezoelectric ignition means typically comprises a mechanism that includes a firing pin for applying an impact to a piezoelectric crystal and generating an electric charge that is used to create a spark and ignite the fuel. Such systems are well known in the art.

For several years it has been desired to provide a safety feature of such hand lighters to prevent accidental operation or operation by children.

It is known in the art an on / off switch that is switched by the user between an activated position that allows the operation of the lighter and a deactivated position that prevents the operation of the lighter. However, it has been observed that this system is inappropriate since the user has to remember how to activate it when using the lighter. In addition, if the user forgets to deactivate the switch, it remains in position 15 of possible operation of the lighter accidentally. Consequently, the lighter is not safe, especially when there is a possibility that it may be subject to child play.

US 6,217,313 discloses a hand lighter according to the preamble of claim 1.

EP-A-O514287 and GB2292448 also disclose piezoelectric lighters.

The present inventor has established the disposition of a hand lighter with a safety feature that prevents accidental use of the lighter or operation of the lighter by children, which is easy and safe for adults to use.

The inventor of the present has realized that it is desirable to present a hand lighter that has a "disabled" security configuration in which it cannot be used and an "activated" operating configuration in which it can be used, with a safety device that automatically causes the lighter to go to the deactivated condition immediately after use.

Consequently, the present invention proposes a hand lighter comprising a structure that has a fuel container, a fuel valve that allows fuel to be introduced at an ignition point, and piezoelectric ignition means for igniting the fuel at the point. of ignition, in which the fuel valve, and the piezoelectric ignition means are operable by an operating organ that is removable from a resting position in a first direction, a safety organ that is movably arranged in a second direction which forms an angle with the first direction, the second direction extending from a first safety position in which the safety body blocks the movement of the operating body and a second operating position in which the safety body allows the movement of the operating body, with which, in use, the user pushes the safety organ ad in the second direction from the first position to the second position 35 to operate the operating organ and, whereby, when the operating organ is returned to its resting position, the safety organ is returned to its first position, in which the security body is an independent organ of the operating body but is permanently engaged with the operating body and is removable in the same direction as the operating body and the safety body comprises a bolt part that borders a stop formed in the structure in the first position of the security body, the bolt part moving in the second direction, when the security body moves in the second direction, so that it stops pressing with the stop in the second position , being the removable operating organ for its total displacement against the force of a first resilient medium so that the operating organ n be returned to its resting position by the first resilient means after the user releases the operating element, characterized in that the second resilient means act between the safety body and the structure and are arranged to press the safety body to The first position.

By providing a safety body that is returned to its first security or non-operational position when the operating body is returned by a user to its resting position, the security body is automatically reapplied after the use of the hand lighter.

Other preferred features of the present invention will be described below. fifty

The fuel container, the fuel valve, the piezoelectric ignition medium and the operating element may be of any suitable design. Each can be of a design known in the art. For example, the hand lighter can be of the type that has a main body that is portable by the user's hand and an ignition point at the end of a longitudinally extending tube so that the user can light an object that is at a distance from the user's hand. The main body may comprise a "trigger" formation 55 with the operating member within a trigger guard to further prevent accidental operation.

In an alternative embodiment, the hand lighter is shaped like a cigarette lighter, which is relatively small and operable with one hand. In this case, the ignition point is located relatively close to the fuel container, which is preferably contained within a shield that prevents air currents from extinguishing the flame.

The operating means of the piezoelectric ignition means may be of any suitable design, for example, of the type comprising a hammer for striking the piezoelectric trigger element. The operating body can operate the hammer by means of a lever or the hammer can be operated by the operating body directly.

Suitably, the operating organ is removable in a substantially longitudinal direction. Alternatively, it can be pivoted so that it moves in the circumferential direction. In this case, the second direction, in which the safety element moves, must form an angle with the direction of movement of the operating organ in at least the first part of its movement and, preferably, in all parts of your movement The angle between the first direction and the second direction is suitably greater than at least 15 °, preferably, greater than at least 30 °, and most preferably greater than 60 °. Suitably, the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

In a first preferred embodiment, the safety element is incorporated into the operating element and is removable with respect thereto so that, in the first position, a part of the safety element is projected from the operating organ so that it engages with a buttress formed in the hand lighter, thereby preventing the movement of the part of the safety element in the first position and, therefore, the movement of the operating organ beyond the buttress.

In a second preferred embodiment, the safety element comprises a removable part that engages with the operating element and is located externally thereto so that the user can only operate the operating element by engaging the safety element, projecting a part of the safety body so that it engages with a buttress formed in the hand lighter, whereby, in the first position, the movement of the safety element and the operating element beyond the buttress is prevented.

The resilient means can be integral with the fuel valve or with the piezoelectric ignition medium or with both.

Resilient means can be independent of the security body. In an alternative embodiment, the security body itself comprises at least one resilient formation that drives the security body into the first position. In a special preferred embodiment, the security body comprises a first part located externally to and in contact with the operating organ so that the user can only operate the operating organ by engaging the safety element, extending the first part of the organ of security in the second direction, the security body comprising a second resilient part that generally extends in the first direction and adjoins the operating organ and engaging with a mounting means whereby the resilient part of the security body drives the organ safety in the first position.

A third part of the safety element can be projected from the second part of the security organ, which is generally projected in the second direction, to engage with a stopper member of the lighter to prevent operation of the safety organ in the first position.

As indicated above, the security body may be located so that the operating body can only operate through the security body.

According to the invention, if the user releases the safety device, the second resilient means will bring him back to the first position. Preferably, means are provided so that, if the operating organ is in its operating position, the safety organ is not returned to its first position. This prevents the safety body from blocking the operating body in its operating position, which could be dangerous.

For example, in embodiments in which the safety element is removable from the operating element, the safety element may be configured so that it can only engage the buttress or stop of the lighter when the operating element returns to its first position.

In another embodiment, the operating element comprises an operating surface for engaging with a finger of the user and operating the lighter safely, the safety element being mounted at a distance from the operating surface such that, for the size normal of the finger of an adult, it will be possible to operate the safety organ and the operating surface of the operating organ, while it will be difficult for children to do so since their fingers are smaller. For example, the distance between the operating surface and the safety element is preferably greater than 1 cm, preferably greater than 1.5 cm and, most preferably, approximately 2 cm.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a first embodiment of the hand lighter according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a part of the hand lighter of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a part of the hand lighter of Figure 5 1, with the organ being secured in the operating position.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a part of the hand lighter of Figure 1, with the safety element in the operating position.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken in the same plane as Figure 1, of the safety body.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the safety element, taken at right angles to the plane of Figure 10.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken in the same plane as Figure 1 of the operating organ.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the operating element, taken in the plane at right angles with respect to the plane of Figures 7 and 5, with the safety element in the deactivated position.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the hand lighter according to the present invention.

Figures 10 and 11 show the lighter of Figure 9 in different positions.

Figure 1 shows a hand lighter 1 of the piezoelectric ignition type. It comprises a main body 2 that houses the components, including a fuel container 3 for containing liquid or gaseous liquid fuel, a valve for allowing the fuel to be injected from the container 3 along a tube 11 at a point 12 of ignition The valve is of the type known in the art and is shown in more detail in Figures 2-4.

The lighter 1 further comprises a piezoelectric ignition device 5 that is of known type. The piezoelectric ignition device 5 and the fuel valve 4 are each operated by a lever 6. The lever 6 itself is operated by a trigger-shaped operating element 7, in a manner that is known in the art.

The safety device according to the invention is constituted by a safety device in the form of a safety button. Security button 8 is displayed in its disabled position. The safety button is set in the position deactivated by a leaf spring 9.

The trigger 7 and the safety button 8 are both contained within a trigger guard 10.

Figure 2 shows in more detail the central section of the hand lighter of Figure 1. It can be seen that the fuel valve comprises a shutter that must be lifted from a seat to allow the passage of fuel. The fuel valve is predisposed into a closed position by a resilient means in the form of a spiral spring. The fuel valve is operated by the right end of the lever 6, the lever 6 being pivoted around a pivot 13.

The operation of the lever 6, the piezoelectric ignition device 5 and the valve 4 are known in the art.

The piezoelectric ignition device 5 is designed to generate an electric charge and create a spark. The spark 35 is created at the ignition point 12, the electric current being applied to the ignition point along the tube 1 in a manner known in the art.

Figure 2 also shows that the trigger 7 comprises a flange 17 (cross-sectional view) that extends at right angles to the plane of the page. The flange 17 is slidably retained between two bearing surfaces 16 that are integrally formed with the body 2. In this way, if the safety button 40 is in the correct position as will be explained later, the operating member 7 can be moved towards with the flange 17 sliding down between the support surfaces 16.

However, as can be seen in Figure 2, the security button 8 is in a position in which a projection 14 of the security button extending at right angles to the plane of the page, rests against the edge 15 of the right support surface 16. As can be seen in Figures 7 and 8, the safety button 8 is retained 45 in a slot 18 of the trigger 7. The safety button 8 is prevented from moving downwardly in Figure 2 by the projection hitch 14 with the edge 15 of the support surface 16. Due to the engagement of the safety button 8 in the slot 18, the downward movement of the operating element 7 is prevented. The safety button 8 and its projection 14 are predisposed towards a position in which the projection 14 engages the edge 15 by the spring 9. This is the deactivated operating position of rest of the hand lighter 1. fifty

Figure 3 shows the same view as Figure 2, in which the security button 98 has been pressed by a user so that it is shifted to the right of Figure 3. It can be seen that the projection 14 of the security button it is now closer to the edge 15 of the support surface 16. If the user now exerts a force on the trigger 7 in a downward direction, the movement of the trigger will not be prevented by the safety button. As a consequence, the trigger 7 moves downwards and the lighter 1 day will enter the configuration shown in 5 in figure 4. In figure 4, the trigger has moved downwards operating the lever 6 to open the fuel valve 4 and operate the piezoelectric ignition system 5.

As a consequence, fuel is introduced at the point of ignition and the spark that ignites the fuel is generated.

If the user now stops pressing the trigger 7, the force of the spiral spring inside the valve 4 automatically returns the trigger 10 7 in an upward direction, through the action of the lever 6. The trigger slides upwards of so that it is in the position shown in figures 3. If the user now removes his finger from the security button 8, the spring 9 will force the safety button back into the deactivated position shown in figure 2.

In this way, as soon as the user has finished with the lighter and released the trigger and the safety button 8, the hand lighter 1 is automatically returned to the configuration shown in Figure 2. 15

This provides a safety feature, thanks to which it is highly unlikely that both the safety button 8 and the trigger 7 are accidentally operated. In addition, if the trigger operating surface 19 is located a suitable distance away from the safety button 8, suitably approximately 2 cm, it will be difficult for children to simultaneously operate the safety button and the trigger 7, making the apparatus difficult to operate by children. .

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the security button 8 in its central plane, the same plane as the figure 20. Figure 6 shows the security button in a plane at right angles to the plane shown in the figure 5. You can see that there are a couple of projections 14 next to the security button 8.

Figure 7 shows the trigger 7 with the slot 18 in a square shape in which the safety button 8 is slidably received.

Figure 8 shows the trigger 7, which includes, in transverse scratch, the flange 17 mounted between the support surfaces 16. You can see the safety button 8 with its projections in position. The surface 15 is between the projections 14 and is not visible in Figure 8.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the hand lighter according to the present invention.

A hand lighter 20 comprises a fuel container 21 for containing a liquid fuel or liquefied gaseous gas, a wick 22 for introducing fuel into the valve assembly 23. The valve assembly 23 is not explained in detail. It is of the normal type in the art, It comprises a shutter 24 that is raised against the force of a spring in order to discharge fuel. When the shutter 24 is raised, fuel is introduced into an ignition point in the form of a nozzle 25. The nozzle 25 is contained within a shield 26 to prevent air currents from extinguishing the flame formed in the nozzle 25. 35

27 piezoelectric means are arranged. The piezoelectric means 27 are designed to produce an electric charge and create a spark. An electric conductor 28 can be seen leading to the nozzle 25 to form a spark therewith and ignite the fuel introduced in the nozzle 25. The piezoelectric ignition means is operated by an operating organ comprising a structure 29 that is removable in the vertical direction (Y direction shown in the drawing) to operate the piezoelectric ignition medium. The operating member 29 also operates a lever 30 which, in turn, operates the valve plug 24.

The piezoelectric ignition means is contained within a rear part of the lighter body 31. A safety member 32 is also contained in the structure between the piezoelectric ignition means and a wall 31 of the lighter. The safety member 32 comprises a first part 34 that is on the operating member 29 so that, in use, an operator can operate only the operating member through the safety member 34. The safety element further comprises a longitudinally extending part 35 that extends between the piezoelectric ignition means 27 and the lighter wall 31. The part 35 is constructed of a resiliently deformable material with an arcuate shape that is compressed between the wall 31 and the piezoelectric ignition means 27 such that the first part 34 is predisposed to the right in the direction opposite to the X direction shown in Fig. 9. The security member 32 further comprises a third part 36 in the form of a short projection. This short projection 26 extends into a groove 37 formed in the wall 31 of the lighter body such that the projection 36 comes to rest in contact with buttress edge 38 formed on the lighter body 31. It can be seen that, if pressure is applied to the safety member 34 in the Y direction, this safety body cannot move in the Y direction due to the interaction of the projection 36 with the buttress 38. 55

In use, a user applies a force using his thumb or finger 39 to the security body in the X direction. By doing so, the first part 34 of the security body 32 moves to the left in the direction of the arrow X against the resilience of the security body. As a consequence, the projection 36 is removed from the hitch with the edge 38 of the buttress.

The user can then apply pressure with his thumb or finger 39 in the direction of the arrow Y. This causes the safety member 32 to move down. As a consequence, the piezoelectric ignition means 27 is operated to generate a spark and the lever 30 is used to activate the valve plug 24 so that fuel is introduced at the ignition point 25 and is ignited by the spark generated by the piezoelectric ignition medium 27 7.

If the user now loosen his thumb or finger of the second part of the safety element, the safety element and the piezoelectric ignition means will be returned to the position shown in Figure 10 by the resilient means incorporated in the valve assembly 23 and in the piezoelectric ignition medium 27. Then, thanks to the resilience of the safety body 32, the first part 34 of the safety body moves to the right so that the projection 36 engages with the adjacent stop 38, returning the lighter to the condition shown in the figure 9. 15

In this way, once the lighter has been operated, it automatically returns to the position shown in Figure 9. This contributes to the safety of the design. It can be operated only using the correct sequence of events that will be difficult to achieve accidentally and that is not easy for a child to perform. Once the lighter has been used, it is automatically returned to its safe position without any action by the user.

Claims (10)

1. A hand lighter (1, 20) comprising a structure (2, 21) having a fuel container (3, 21), a fuel valve (4, 23) to enable the introduction of fuel at a point (12, 25) of ignition, and piezoelectric ignition means (5, 27) for igniting the fuel introduced at the ignition point, at which the fuel valve (4, 23), and the means (5, 27) Piezoelectric ignition are operable by an operating organ (7, 29) that is removable from a resting position in a first direction, a safety organ (8, 32) that is removably arranged in a second direction that forms an angle with the first direction, the second direction extending from a first safety position in which the safety organ (8, 32) blocks the movement of the operating organ (7, 29) and a second operating position in which the organ (8, 32) security allows the movement of the operating organ (7, 29), whereby, in use, the user pushes the safety element (8, 32) in the second direction from the first position to the second position to operate the organ 10 (7, 29) of operation and with which, when the operating organ (7, 29) is returned to its resting position, the safety organ (8, 32) is returned to its first position, in which the organ (8, 32 ) of security is an independent organ of the operating organ (7, 29), but is permanently engaged with the operating organ (7, 29) and is removable in the same direction as the operating organ (7, 29) and the safety organ (8, 32) comprises a closing part (14, 36) that presses a stop (16, 38) formed on the structure (1, 20) in the first position of the security body, the part of which moves closing in the second direction when the safety body moves in the second direction, so that it does not press with the stopper in the second position, the removable operating organ (7, 29) for its general movement against the strength of a first resilient member, so that the operating organ (7, 29) is returned to its resting position by the first resilient member after the user releases the operating organ (7, 29), characterized in that second resilient means 20 (9.35) are provided, acting between the safety body and the structure, to press the safety body to The first position. 2. A hand lighter according to claim 1, wherein the angle between the first direction and the second direction is greater than at least 15 °. 3. A hand lighter according to claim 1, wherein the angle between the first direction and the second direction is greater than at least 30 °. 4. A hand lighter according to claim 1, wherein the angle between the first direction and the second direction is greater than 60 °. 5. A hand lighter according to any preceding claim, wherein the operating member (7) comprises an operating surface for engaging with a user finger or thumb to operate the lighter, 30 the organ (8) being mounted safety at a distance from the operating surface. 6. A hand lighter according to claim 5, wherein the distance between the operating surface and the safety element (8) is greater than 1 cm. 7. A hand lighter according to claim 5, wherein the distance between the operating surface and the safety element (8) is greater than 1.5 cm. 35 A hand lighter according to claim 1, wherein the safety member (32) comprises a removable part (34) that engages with the operating member (29) and is located externally thereof, so that the user can only operate the operating organ (29) by engaging the safety organ (32), projecting a part of the safety organ (36) so that it engages with a buttress (38) formed in the lighter (20) by hand, which, in the first position, prevents the movement of the safety organ (32) and the operating organ (29) to beyond the buttress (38). 9. The hand lighter according to claim 1, wherein the safety member (32) comprises a first part (34) located externally to, and in contact with the operating member (29), such that the The user can only operate the operating organ (29) by engaging the safety organ (32), the first part of the safety organ (34) extending generically in the second direction. Four. Five 10. A hand lighter according to claim 9, wherein the safety member (32) comprises a part (36) projecting from the second resilient means (35) of the safety body (32), which is Generically projects in the second direction, to engage with a lighter buttress member (38), to prevent the operation of the safety organ (32) in the first position.