Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02147651 2001-O1-18
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SELECTIVELY ACTUATABLE LIGHTER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application is related to U.S. Patent Nos.
5,002,482, 5,092,764, 5,125,829, 5,427,522, 5,435,719,
5,445,518 and 5,456,598 which provide useful features that
could be used with the present invention.
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Technical Field
This invention relates generally to lighters
which consume fuel such as, for example, butane which
is stored in a reservoir in a liquid state, then
passed through a valve means and finally ignited by a
spark or other similar means. More particularly, the
invention relates to a butane cigarette lighter having
a selectable configuration which prevents depression
of a valve actuator and in turn hinders expulsion of
fuel from a valve nozzle (i.e., fuel nozzle) and/or
generation of sparks thereby rendering operation of
the lighter by young children even more difficult.
Advantageously, this feature of the lighter may be
deactivated by moving a valve actuator to a non-
interfering position, thus facilitating flame
production.
Description of the Art
N~erous lighters are known, some of them
incorporating features which are designed to render
operation of the lighter more difficult by certain
users. Some of such features relate to mechanisms
which are designed to prevent ignition of a fuel
source unless the lighter is properly oriented,
mechanisms which are designed to automatically turn
off a fuel source supply valve, and tamper protection
arrangements.
More recently, attention has been directed toward
preventing ready actuation of such lighters by persons
normally not able to appreciate the potential danger
of the flame. Individuals normally contemplated in
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these efforts are young children, in the age category
younger than five years.
U.S. Patent No. 4,784,601 to Nitta relates to a
' gas lighter having an L-shaped slideable stopper which
is positionable to prevent descent of a gas lever
which controls fuel flow. The lighter is rendered
operable by moving the stopper outward so that its
vertical leg is displaced from the top surface of the
lighter housing. The L-shaped slideable stopper must
l0 be manually moved into its locking position each time
it is desired to lock the lighter.
U.S. Patent No. 4,784,602 to Nitta relates to a
gas lighter having an L-shaped slideable stopper which
is positionable to prevent descent of a gas lever
which controls fuel flow. The lighter is rendered
operable by moving the stopper inward so that its
vertical pin engages a hole in the surface of the
lighter housing. The L-shaped slideable stopper must
be manually moved into its locking position each time
it is desired to lock the lighter.
U.S. Patent No. 4,786,248 to Nitta relates to a
piezoelectric lighter equipped with a thumb-latch
slideably fitted within a lighter casing. The thumb
latch is manually slideable into and out of a position
which interferes with depression of a thumb-pusher.
The lighter is rendered operable by manually sliding
the thumb-latch to an unlocked position. After
operation of the lighter a user must manually slide
the thumb-latch to its locked position in order to
lock the lighter.
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U.S. Patent No. 4,904,180 to Nitta relates to a
piezoelectric lighter equipped with a lock means which
automatically returns to a locked position after use
of the lighter. The lock means includes a stopper and
a leaf-spring which keeps the stopper urged toward the
windshield. The lighter may only be operated after
the stopper is drawn backwards, away from the
windshield. The lighter cannot maintain the stopper
in the drawn back position without the application of
constant force by a user. That is, no means are
provided to maintain the lighter in an unlocked
configuration.
U.S. Patent No. 1,895,032 to Fisher relates to a
lighter in which a manual control means is movable out
of engagement with a shoulder portion of the lighter
so as to enable the manual control means to be
depressed thereby causing the lighter to operate. The
control means returns to its position in engagement
with the shoulder portion after use of the lighter.
The lighter cannot maintain the control means in its
out of engagement position without the application of
constant force by a user.
U.S. Patent No. 4,830,603 to Cirami relates to a
cigarette lighter in which a locking mechanism is
provided partially under a valve-actuating push-button
and extends into a compartment appended to but
distinct from a fuel compartment. The locking
mechanism relocks itself after each depression of the
push-button. In particular, one end of a stiffly
flexible spring steel wire is held firmly in place in
the compartment. Another end of the spring steel wire
forms a probe extending into a channel provided in the
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underside of the push-button. The spring steel wire,
in a locked configuration, prevents depression of the
push-button by engaging a low ceiling on the underside
of the push-button. A portion of the spring steel
wire in the form of a loop extending outward from the
lighter is accessible by an operator and may be
suitably moved by the operator thereby causing the
probe to move within the channel in the underside of
the push-button.
U,S. Patent No. 4,832,596 to Morris, Sr. relates
to a cigarette lighter having a stop member slideably
mounted thereon for releasably engaging a gas valve
actuating lever. In particular, a spring biased stop
member is slideably mounted on a top portion of a
conventional disposable cigarette lighter. The stop
member is biased so as to place one of its ends under
the lighter's gas valve actuating lever so as to
prevent movement of the lever in a direction which may
open the gas valve. The lever may be actuated once
2o the stop member is pushed in a direction opposite to
the biasing force of the spring so as to slide the end
which is under the lighter's gas valve outward.
U.S. Patent No. 4,717,335 to Loveless relates to
a cigarette lighter in which rotation of a spark-
producing wheel is limited. In particular, the spark-
producing wheel may be rotated in one direction to
deliver a spark toward a nozzle through which gaseous
fuel is passed, thereby causing the fuel to ignite and
operating the lighter. Rotation of the spark-
producing wheel in the other direction may deliver a
spark away from the nozzle. The spark-producing wheel
has a pin-shaped structure attached thereto which
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serves to limit the rotation of the wheel to under
360° by contacting the housing structure. Thus,
whether a spark indeed is produced depends upon the
direction of attempted rotation and the position of
the pin-shaped structure relative to the housing
structure. In theory, once the lighter is operated
and the fuel ignited, and the pin-shaped structure has
traversed its entire path of travel, subsequent
operation of the lighter is impeded since the pin-
shaped structure comes into contact with the housing,
i0 preventing a spark from occurring in the vicinity of
the fuel nozzle.
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,028,043 and 4,049,370 each to
Neyret relate to presale tamper protection mechanisms
15 which partially surround a spark-producing wheel, fuel
nozzle or depressible valve actuation member of a
lighter. These presale tamper protection mechanisms
are attached to the lighter housing by frangible webs
and are removed by a purchaser after sale of the
2o lighter to expose the spark-producing wheel, fuel
nozzle and/or depressible valve actuation member.
However, such a presale tamper protection mechanism is
of limited value once initially removed by a
purchaser.
U.S. Patent Nos. 3,547,566 to Tamarin and
3,899,286 to Lockwood et al. relate to lighters having
orientation sensing mechanisms which hinder or prevent
actuation of the lighter in an inverted position.
Unfortunately, such mechanisms may not provide a
sufficient degree of child resistancy to young
children who tamper with the lighter since they merely
hinder operation in prescribed orientations.
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U.S. Patent No. 4,921,420 to Johnston relates to
a disposable lighter having a release means that is
' physically separated from the conventional lighting
means. The lighter may only be operated once the
' release means is released. The distance separating
the release means and the conventional lighting means
is intended to be sufficiently large so as to make it
difficult for small children to operate the lighter.
U.S. Patent No. 5,074,781 to Fujita relates to a
cigarette lighter having a lock member which must be
rotated in a specified direction towards one side of
the lighter so as to allow a depressible valve
actuator to be depressed and the lighter to operate.
U.S. Patent No. 5,076,783 to Fremund relates to a
lighter having a depressible valve actuator which is
coupled to a vertical rod which extends to an opposite
end of the lighter where it contacts a locking member.
The locking member must first be displaced so as to
enable depression of the valve actuator.
U.S. Patent No. 5,090,893 to Floriot relates to a
lighter having a slide member which, when in a first
position, prevents depression of a valve actuator.
The slide member is slideably movable to a second
position in which the valve actuator may be depressed.
The slide member is not capable of vertical movement.
Additionally, the slide member protrudes from the
lighter when in its first position.
' Many mechanisms which are designed to render
operation of the lighter more difficult by certain
users are unnecessarily complicated, present diffi-
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culty in their manufacture, exhibit a high likelihood
of mechanical failure during use and/or require that
additional components be incorporated into the
lighter.
For example, the particular construction employed
by some devices limits the shape and size of the
lighter housing due to the requirement that the
housing be large enough to accommodate such mecha-
nism(s). Some mechanisms may be defeated with
relative ease while some devices are not sufficiently
reliable. For example, some mechanisms may be
overridden or removed with relative ease. Some
devices are not equally adaptable for use by both
right-handed and left-handed users, and some include
inconveniently shaped or positioned levers or knobs
which need to be actuated by the user in order to
operate the lighter. Some devices require that a user
manually lock the lighter after its use. Furthermore,
some of these devices require repositioning of the
lighter in an operator's hand after actuation of the
mechanism and before the lighter is operated to
produce a flame. For example, some lighters include
an actuatable mechanism located sufficiently far from
a valve actuation means, or on another side of the
lighter than the valve actuation means, so as to
result in awkward operation of the lighter.
As will be appreciated, development of a "child-
proof" lighter per se is probably not viable. At
best, it can be reasonably sought to create a lighter
having features which enhance its child-resistant
capability, but how "child-resistant" a lighter will
be will depend upon many factors and circumstances.
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Nevertheless, any lighter having features which
enhance its child-resistant capability will have
' limitations with respect to young children, and no
such lighter should provide parents or adults with a
false sense of security so that they may become less
cautious in their handling of the lighter or permit
access to the lighter by young children. Further,
such lighters should not be made so difficult to light
as to cause adults to use alternative forms of
lighting, i.e., matches, which are generally
considered to be potentially more dangerous.
The present invention is directed toward a
reliable flame producing lighter which is selectively
actuatable in such a manner as to provide a substan-
tial degree of difficulty for young children - younger
than five years - to actuate the lighter and produce a
flame, while being user friendly and capable of
actuation by adults.
g~RY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a selectively
actuatable flame producing lighter having a valve
actuator which is normally in a latched position and
which is movable to an unlatched or non-interfering
position in which the lighter may be operated. More
specifically, the valve actuator is slideable inward
from~its latched position in which it cannot be
depressed, to its unlatched position in which it can
be depressed thus enabling fuel to flow. The valve
actuator may be retained in its latched and unlatched
positions without the application of any user applied
force. Once the valve actuator is moved to its
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unlatched position, depression and release of the
valve actuator results in the'valve actuator returning
to its latched position..
Advantageously, the lighter of the present
invention does not require the incorporation of
additional components. Additionally, the valve
actuator of the lighter is movable from its latched
position to its unlatched position with the same
finger a user employs to depress the valve actuator,
i0 without requiring repositioning of the lighter in a
user's hand. The lighter is adapted for use by right-
handed as well as left-handed users with the same
relative ease. The lighter is preferably similarly
actuated by both right-handed and left-handed users,
without detracting from the effectiveness of the
lighter's child-resistant capability. That is, the
valve actuator is preferably movable along only a
single path from its latched position to its unlatched
position, whether operated by right-handed or left-
handed users.
One particular embodiment of the invention
relates to an improved lighter of the type having a
housing, valve means for selectively releasing fuel
and means for igniting the fuel, wherein the
improvement comprises a depressible valve actuator
movable from a first position in which it is incapable
of being depressed to a second position in which it is
capable of being depressed thereby enabling operation
of the lighter.
Preferably, the second position is inward of the
first position, and the valve actuator is retained in
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the second position without the application of an
external force. Additionally, the valve actuator
' automatically returns to its first position after
depression and release of the valve actuator. The
valve actuator is movable along only a single path
from its first position to its second position, the
single path being equally suitable for right-handed as
well as left-handed users.
The preferred embodiment of the lighter further
comprises caroming means for caroming the valve actuator
outward toward its first position as the valve
actuator is depressed in its second position. The
lighter also includes an interfering portion which
prevents depression of the valve actuator when in the
first position. Preferably, the valve actuator
includes a first mating structure and the lighter
includes a second mating structure, the second mating
structure applying a biasing force to the first mating
structure after the valve actuator is depressed and
released, the biasing force biasing the valve actuator
outward toward its first position.
The means for igniting the fuel may comprise
flint material and a rotatable spark-producing wheel
having a toothed surface positioned and arranged to
selectively frictionally contact the flint material.
Alternatively, the means for igniting the fuel
comprises electric spark-producing means such as
piezoelectric spark-producing means.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a
flame producing lighter resistant to unauthorized use
and normally maintained in a latched configuration
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which comprises a housing; fuel supply means for
supplying fuel to be ignited; ignition means for
igniting the fuel; valve means for controlling the
flow of fuel; and a valve actuator which normally
prevents the flow of fuel and which is depressible so
as to permit fuel to flow out from the~fuel supply
means, the valve actuator being depressible only after
it has been moved to a non-interfering position. In
this embodiment, inward movement of the valve actuator
to its non-interfering position enables an interfering
portion of the valve actuator to move out of alignment
with an interfering portion of the housing so as to
enable the valve actuator to be depressed.
The present invention also relates to an improved
lighter of the type having valve means for selectively
releasing fuel, means for igniting the fuel, valve
actuator means for actuating the valve means so as to
release fuel, the valve means including a fuel nozzle
which expels fuel when the fuel nozzle is lifted
upward by the valve actuator means, wherein the
improvement comprises a compensator spring which
maintains the fuel nozzle in its downward position
when the value actuator is initially actuated. The
compensator spring is preferably positioned between
the valve actuator means and a portion of the fuel
nozzle so as to urge the fuel nozzle downward. The
compensator spring is preferably a metallic coiled
spring. The fuel nozzle is preferably normally biased
downward by the valve actuator means.
In another embodiment, such lighter includes
interference means positioned so as to normally
interfere with actuation of the valve actuator means,
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and the compensator spring means compensates for
movement of the valve actuator means when the
interference means is normally positioned so as to
interfere with the actuation of the valve actuator
means.
Operation of the lighter requires a certain
amount of dexterity and the application of concen-
trated forces as well as the application of a
plurality of forces in multiple directions and in a
specified sequence. Additionally, operation of the
lighter requires a certain level of cognitive ability.
Advantageously, the lighter of the present
invention does not require the incorporation of
additional components in order to provide its
latching/unlatching feature.
Furthermore, the lighter of the present invention
is a passive latching lighter. Advantageously, the
lighter automatically returns to its latched configu-
ration once the depressed valve actuator is released.
Thus, the lighter is maintained in an at-rest or
default configuration which is latched thereby
preventing the flow of fuel and the production of a
flame.
The lighter is adapted for use by right-handed as
well as left-handed users with the same relative ease,
and is similarly actuated by both right-handed and
left-handed users. Furthermore, the user may operate
the latch mechanism with the same finger as used to
depress the valve actuator without requiring the user
to reposition the lighter in the user's hand.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects, features, and advantages
of the present invention will become more readily
apparent from the following detailed description of
the invention in which:
FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a
preferred embodiment of a selectively actuatable
lighter of the present invention in a latched
configuration;
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the
lighter of Fig. 1 depicting the valve actuator in a
latched configuration;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the valve
actuator depicted in Figs. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the valve actuator
depicted in Fig. 3;
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the valve actuator
depicted in Fig. 3;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram depicting a
piezoelectric lighter apparatus in which the present
invention may be employed and having an optional
switch depicted in the open position, an interfering
means, and a hammer/fuel release means depicted in the
latched position to prevent the production of sparks
and the flow of fuel;
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FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram depicting the
piezoelectric lighter of Fig. 6 with the switch
depicted in the closed position and the hammer/fuel
release means depicted in the unlatched position and
depicting a flame;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of the lighter in an unlatched configura-
tion in which the valve actuator is at its unlatched
position thereby permitting depression of the valve
actuator so as to permit a valve to open and gas to be
released through a fuel nozzle;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the lighter of
Fig. 8 with the valve actuator in a depressed position
and the valve open and depicting a flame;
FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the
preferred embodiment of the lighter in its latched
configuration thereby preventing depression and
actuation of the valve actuator;
FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the
lighter of Fig. 10 in its unlatched configuration and
the valve actuator not depressed and the lighter ready
for actuation;
FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the
lighter of Fig. 11 in its partially unlatched
configuration and the valve actuator fully depressed
so as to permit the flow of fuel;
FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the
' 35 lighter of Fig. 12 in greater detail; and
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FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the
lighter of Fig. 12 after the value actuator has been
fully depressed and released.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring initially to Fig. 1, there is depicted,
in a default or at-rest configuration, the lighter 10
of the present invention comprising a main body
portion 12, a depressible valve actuator 14, and a
spark-producing wheel assembly 18 which includes a
toothed surface 19. Advantageously, the default
configuration is also a latched configuration in which
valve actuator 14 is in its latched position and thus
cannot be depressed. Illustratively, interference
presented by an interfering portion (not shown) of
housing 12 prevents depression of the valve actuator
when it is in its latched position. Depression of
valve actuator 14 permits fuel to flow through a fuel
nozzle and to be ignited by sparks produced by toothed
surface 19 of spark-producing wheel assembly 18
frictionally engaging a flint. Advantageously, unless
valve actuator 14 is positioned away from its depicted
at-rest or default position and into a non-interfering
position, any attempted depression of valve actuator
14 will not result in the flow of fuel and the lighter
will be inoperable. The position of valve actuator 14
as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may best be characterized as
a "default position" under normal conditions.
As will be appreciated, a variety of configura-
tions, shapes and relative positioning exists for the
valve actuator and the housing on which the valve
actuator is movable between an interfering or latched
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position and a non-interfering or unlatched position.
The invention will be described in terms of a
preferred embodiment in which the valve actuator
cannot be depressed when in its latched position, but
can be depressed after it is moved to an unlatched
position. Illustratively, movement of the valve
actuator from its latched position to its unlatched
position comprises generally slideable inward movement
of the valve actuator. As will be appreciated, for
ease of understanding, such inward motion of the valve
actuator is deemed to include any inward motion or
component thereof of any portion of the valve
actuator. The valve actuator is preferably maintained
in its unlatched position after being moved there by a
user, and preferably automatically returns to its
latched position once a user depresses and releases
the valve actuator.
A user typically holds the main body portion of a
conventional lighter in his hand, rotates with his
thumb the spark-producing wheel in a direction
generally toward the depressible surface of the valve
actuator to produce a spark, and depresses the valve
actuator to allow fuel to pass through the fuel, or
valve, nozzle. The spark produced by the wheel
ignites the fuel. This is a relatively conventional
structure for most lighters, including disposable
lighters.
Referring now to Fig. 2, there is depicted a
cross-section of the lighter of Fig. 1 in a latched
configuration. More particularly, valve actuator 14
is mounted between side wall portions 13 (see Fig. 1)
which illustratively comprise extensions of the side
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walls of body portion 12. Illustratively, valve
actuator 14 is pivotally mounted to sidewall portions
13. Advantageously, an elongated bore 13A (Fig. 1) is
formed in each of sidewall portions 13 to accept
extensions of the valve actuator, thus enabling
pivotal movement of the valve actuator about the bores
as well as slideable movement of th'e valve actuator in
inward and outward directions. Bores 13A can take on
a variety of shapes, such as an elongated bores having
curve-shaped portions in which case sliding the valve
actuator within the bores would result in upward
and/or downward movement of the valve actuator
extensions. As will be appreciated, bores 13A limit
the movement of the valve actuator. Valve actuator 14
is attached to hollow fuel nozzle 20 slideably
supported within a valve housing 28. Hollow fuel
nozzle 20 is held within an opening such as a slot in
valve actuator 14 by flange 21, compensator spring
means 11 and flange extension 23A. Flange 21 and
flange extension 23A each has a sufficient size and is
configured so as to prevent slippage of nozzle 20
through the slot in valve actuator 14. Additionally,
spring means 11 is maintained as shown in Fig. 2 by
flange 23 which is attached to fuel nozzle 20 as is
flange 21. A compressed spring means 30 resides
beneath valve actuator 14 and causes fuel nozzle 20 to
be urged downward into valve housing 28 and body
portion 12. In particular, compressed spring 30
causes valve actuator 14 to apply force to spring
means 11 which supplies force to flange 23, thereby
urging nozzle 20 downward into valve housing 28 and
body portion 12 and preventing the flow of fuel
through nozzle 20. Additionally, downward movement of
valve actuator 14 in the vicinity of nozzle 20 is
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limited by contact between the underside of valve
actuator 14 and flange extension 23A. In such an
embodiment, valve actuator 14 is employed to lift
nozzle 20 by the application of force to flange 21 in
order to expel fuel. A valve assembly (not fully
shown) is located near the recessed end of nozzle 20
and permits fuel to flow through nozzle 20 only when
valve actuator 14 is depressed and nozzle 20 lifted.
As will be appreciated, actuation of valve
actuator 14 generally results in upward movement of
the valve actuator in the vicinity of nozzle 20.
However, in the embodiment depicted in Fig. 2, nozzle
remains downward during the initial upward movement
of valve actuator 14 in the vicinity of nozzle 20 due
to the action of compensator spring 11. More
specifically, nozzle 20 only moves upward once the
valve actuator in the vicinity of nozzle 20 moves
upward a sufficient amount such that a top surface of
valve actuator 14 in the vicinity of nozzle 20
contacts flange 21. Advantageously, depression of the
valve actuator while the lighter is in a latched
configuration, while possibly causing the valve
actuator in the vicinity of nozzle 20 to move upward
due to, for example, a gap between valve actuator
interfering portion 14A and housing interfering
portion 12A, will not result in any upward movement of
the fuel nozzle. Accordingly, fuel will not be
released in the event the valve actuator is depressed
while the lighter is in a latched configuration. As
will be appreciated, such use of a compensator spring
is desirable in lighters which incorporate a gap
allowing some depression of a latched valve actuator
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which would otherwise release fuel due to such
depression.
Lighter 10 further comprises a sparking flint 22
mounted within a bore 24 defined by flint and spring
housing 29 in main body 12. Flint 22 is urged toward
toothed surface 19 of wheel assembly 18 by spring 26.
Spark-producing wheel assembly 18, which includes
toothed surface 19 which is preferably suitably
hardened and against which flint 22 is urged, is
mounted for rotation between side wall extension
portions 13 in a conventional manner. Toothed surface
19 includes suitable indentations which define teeth
such that when spark-producing wheel assembly 18 is
rotated toothed surface 19 cuts against flint 22
causing the generation of ignition sparks.
Additionally, spark-producing wheel assembly 18
includes suitable indentations 17 which facilitate
rotation of spark-producing wheel assembly 18 by an
operator's finger.
Main body 12 defines an internal chamber 15 which
is filled with a fuel 9 such as butane fuel capable of
vaporizing in a conventional manner to produce a
gaseous medium which passes through fuel nozzle 20
under the control of a valve. Main body 12 is
constructed from any suitable structural material or
materials, and is preferably constructed from a
plastic material. A shield 32, preferably constructed
from metal, is provided and functions as a wind guard
around the flame thereby assisting in the ignition of
the fuel.
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As will be appreciated, main body 12 generally
encompasses any part, portion, structure or substruc-
ture of the lighter except for the valve actuator and
spring, spark-producing wheel assembly, flint and
spring, and valve means. Accordingly, what will be
described as housing interfering portion 12A is deemed
to include any such part, portion, etc.
Referring again to Fig. 2, valve actuator 14 is
depicted in its latched configuration in which an
interfering portion 12A of housing 12 is positioned
and configured so as to interfere with and prevent
depression of valve actuator 14. More specifically,
an interfering portion 14A of valve actuator 14
contacts interfering portion 12A of housing 12 upon
attempted depression of valve actuator 14, thereby
preventing actuation of the valve means and thus the
release of fuel. As will be discussed in conjunction
with Figs. 10-14, valve actuator 14 is movable inward
until the extensions of valve actuator 14 reach their
limit of travel within bores 13A. Additionally, at
such an inward position, valve actuator stop portion
14B preferably contacts caroming means 12B which is
illustratively formed in housing 12. At such inward
position, valve actuator interfering portion 14A is no
longer aligned with housing interfering portion 12A
thus enabling depression of valve actuator 14 and
sufficient downward movement of valve actuator inter-
fering portion 14A so as to cause the valve actuator
to lift fuel nozzle 20. A user desiring to actuate
the lighter must first force valve actuator inter-
fering portion 14A out of interference with housing
interfering portion 12B. This is accomplished by a
user moving valve actuator 14 inward such that
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interfering portion 14A is moved out of alignment with
interfering portion 12A. As will be discussed in
conjunction with Figs. 10-14, once a user moves valve
actuator 14 sufficiently inward, the valve actuator
will remain inward in its unlatched position until a
user depresses and releases the valve actuator.
Referring now to Fig. 3, there is depicted valve
actuator 14 in greater detail. Valve actuator 14
comprises a finger depressible surface 31, extensions
36, nozzle opening 38, and valve actuator mating
structure 37. Such mating structure illustratively
comprises two indentations formed on each of two
halves of the valve actuator. Extensions 36 are
provided to matingly engage with elongated bores 13A
in side wall portions 13 of body portion 12 to provide
pivotal movement of the valve actuator about
extensions 36 as well as slideable movement of the
valve actuator within bores 13A. Nozzle opening 38 is
adapted for receiving and grasping a portion of fuel
nozzle 20 between flanges 21 and 23.
Valve actuator 14 is constructed from material
having sufficient dimensional stability and rigidity
to continuously over the life of the lighter assure
proper relative positioning between interfering
portion 14A of valve actuator 14 and interfering
portion 12A of housing 12. Actuator 14 is preferably
constructed from zinc or glass-filled polyetherimide.
Other illustrative materials from which valve actuator
14 may be constructed are aluminum and other glass
filled polymers such as polyethersulfone or the like,
as well as combinations of these materials.
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Referring back to Fig. 2, the lighter is provided
with mating structure 39. Such mating structure is
shaped, configured, positioned and adapted to mate
with valve actuator mating structure 37. Preferably,
such mating structure 39 is immobile with respect to
housing 12 and illustratively comprises two
protrusions, 39A and 39B.
As will be appreciated, mating structures 37 and
39 may take on a variety of shapes, positions and
configurations. Their specific structure is not
critical to the present invention. Additionally, each
of structures 37 and 39 can comprise any reasonable
number of separate structures. As will also be appre-
ciated, the interaction between mating structures 37
and 39 facilitates retention of the lighter in its
latched as well as unlatched configuration.
Fig. 4 is a side view of the valve actuator of
Fig. 3, depicting indentations 37A and 37B of valve
actuator mating structure 37, as well as valve
actuator interfering portion 14A. Additionally, Fig.
4 depicts valve actuator mating structure 40. Such
mating structure illustratively comprises two portions
40A and 40B.
Referring now to Fig. 5, there is depicted a view
of the underside of valve actuator 14 of Fig. 3. A
portion 35 of valve actuator 14 is adapted to receive
spring 30 as depicted in Fig. 2 and may take on a
variety of forms such as a protruding member or,
alternatively, an indentation or bore partially into
valve actuator 14. The fuel nozzle is illustratively
maintained in nozzle opening 38 by fuel nozzle flanges
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21 and 23 and spring means 11 (Fig. 2) which have a
diameter greater than the width of nozzle opening 38.
Fig. 6 schematically depicts a piezoelectric type
lighter in which the present invention may be
employed. The piezoelectric lighter comprises hammer
and fuel release means 64, spark providing mans 66,
optional electrical cut-off switch 68, interfering
means 70 and valve means 71. The piezoelectric
lighter operates in a conventional manner except for
depression of hammer means 64 which is normally
prevented by inclusion of interfering means 70
operative in accordance with the present invention.
Illustratively, such hammer means 64 comprises an
actuator which prevents the production of sparks. In
particular, the actuator may prevent the production of
sparks by electrically and/or mechanically isolating
an energy source from the spark producing means.
Alternatively, the actuator may be arranged to
selectively prevent only the flow of fuel or it may be
arranged to selectively prevent both the production of
sparks and the flow of fuel. As depicted in Fig. 6,
the lighter is in a latched configuration since hammer
means 64 is positioned relative to interfering means
70 so as to prevent actuation of hammer means 64.
Additionally, optional switch 68 is depicted in an
open, or off, position.
Fig. 7 schematically depicts the piezoelectric
type lighter of Fig. 6 in an unlatched configuration.
In particular, hammer means 64 is positioned relative
to interfering means 70 so as to enable actuation of
hammer means 64. Additionally, switch 68 is depicted
in a closed, or on, position. As will be appreciated,
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incorporation of optional switch 68 requires that it
be closed and that hammer means 64 be unlatched in
order for fuel to be ignited.
Advantageously, the present invention automati-
cally returns the valve actuator to its latched
position after the lighter has been activated and, in
particular, after the valve actuator has been
depressed and released. The interaction between valve
actuator mating structure 37 and housing mating
structure 39 facilitates such automatic return, as
does caroming means 12B which is depicted in Figs. 2
and 10-14.
In operation of the present invention, and as
depicted in Figs. 1, 8 and 9, a user must first move
valve actuator 14 in an inward direction (Fig. 8) so
as to sufficiently displace interfering portion 14A of
valve actuator 14 out of interference with interfering
portion 12A of housing 12 (Fig. 2) so as to ultimately
permit depression of valve actuator 14 and downward
movement of the actuator. In order to facilitate
retention of valve actuator 14 in a non-interfering
position, valve actuator 14 must be displaced
sufficiently inward as will be described in more
detail in conjunction with Fig. 11.
Additionally, once the valve actuator is
displaced sufficiently inward, valve actuator stop
portion 14B will abut or approximately abut caroming
means 12B, and valve actuator extensions 36 will reach
their limit of travel as defined by bores 13A, as best
seen in Fig. 2. Accordingly, caroming means 12B may
also function as a stop member to limit the inward
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movement of valve actuator 14 and provide feedback to
a user. As will be appreciated, other components or
portions may be employed to limit inward movement of
the valve actuator. Such displacement of valve
actuator 14 places the lighter in an unlatched
configuration as depicted in Fig. 8. Depression of
valve actuator 14 at this point and suitable-rotation
of the spark-producing wheel assembly 18 will"cause
the lighter to operate, and will also cause -part of
valve actuator 14 to travel downward as indicated in
Fig. 9. In particular, the sparks thus produced will
ignite the gaseous fuel which is permitted to be
expelled from the fuel nozzle when valve actuator 14
lifts the nozzle thereby actuating the valve. The
lifting action of valve actuator 14 in a vicinity near
the nozzle releases fuel from the fuel chamber thereby
permitting the flow of fuel as a gaseous medium
through the nozzle and the subsequent burning of such
fuel.
Additionally, depression of surface 31 of valve
actuator 14 causes the valve actuator to move outward
toward its latched position. More specifically, as
the valve actuator is urged downward, valve actuator
stop portion 14B is urged downward and against caroming
means 12B which forces valve actuator 14 outward. The
outward movement of valve actuator 14 from its
unlatched position (see Figs. 5, 8-9) to its latched
position (see Fig. 1), in the preferred embodiment,
may generally be considered to be initially due to
caroming means 12B which serves to displace valve
actuator mating structure 37 relative to structure 39,
and then due to forces exerted by structure 39 onto
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structure 37 as surface 31 of valve actuator 14 moves
upward.
Thus, the presently preferred embodiment of the
invention may be placed in an unlatched configuration
from its default latched configuration by sufficiently
displacing valve actuator interfering portion 14A
relative to interfering portion 12A. This may be
accomplished by sliding valve actuator 14 fully
inward.
Figs. 10-14 depict the sequence of operations
required for the unlatching of the lighter by
positioning valve actuator interfering portion 14A out
of alignment with interfering portion 12A. In
particular, Fig. 10 depicts valve actuator 14 in the
default or latched position. As will be appreciated,
each of Figs. 1 and 10 depict the valve actuator in
the same latched position. In this position, depres-
sion of valve actuator 14 by finger pressure on
surface 31 is prevented by the contact between
interfering portion 14A of valve actuator 14 and
interfering portion 12A housing 12. As depicted in
Fig. 10, valve actuator 14 is prevented from any
further downward movement since interfering portion
14A of valve actuator 14 abuts interfering portion 12A
of body 12, except for a small gap thereinbetween.
For ease of illustration, the gap between portions 14A
and 12A in the figures is not necessarily drawn to
scale. Additionally, such a gap is not necessary for
proper operation of the invention.
Additionally, movement of the valve actuator
inward to its unlatched position of Fig. 1i typically
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results in some downward movement of the valve
actuator and, more specifically, downward movement of
valve actuator depressible surface 31. For this
reason, a small gap between portions 14A and 12A may
be desirable when the lighter is latched. However, it
will be appreciated that alternative.~shapes for bore
13A could result in no downward movement of the valve
actuator depressible surface as it is moved inward.
Referring again to Fig. 10, valve actuator mating
structure 37 contacts housing mating structure 39 when
the valve actuator is in its depicted latched position
due to the force exerted by spring 30 on valve
actuator 14. More specifically, indentation 37A of
valve actuator mating structure 37 engages protrusion
39A of housing mating structure 39. As will be
appreciated, movement of valve actuator 14 inward or
outward from its depicted latched position would
initially force the portion of valve actuator 14 in
the vicinity of structure 37 to move upward thereby
causing spring-30 to compress further. Accordingly,
absent the application of any external force, the
lighter maintains the latched configuration of Fig.
10. Additionally, any outward movement of the latched
valve actuator is prevented by valve actuator
extensions 36 having reached their outward limit of
travel within bores 13A, as best seen in Fig. 1.
Fig. 10 also depicts caroming means 12C which is
illustratively formed within housing 12 as two
protusions, one on each side of spring 30. As seen in
Fig. 10, valve actuator mating structure 40 is
positioned to the right of, and above, caroming means
12C. As will be appreciated, caroming means 12C and
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valve actuator mating structure 40 may take on a
variety of shapes, positions and configurations.
Their specific structure is not critical to the
present invention. Additionally, each of caroming
means 12C and mating structure 40 can comprise any
reasonable number of separate parts or elements. As
will be appreciated, caroming means 12C and mating
structure 40 are not necessary for proper operation of
the invention as their function could be performed
solely by caroming means 12B and valve actuator stop
portion 148.
Fig. 11 depicts valve actuator 14 moved inward
into its unlatched position and ready for depression.
As will be appreciated, each of Figs. 8 and 11 depict
the valve actuator in the same unlatched position.
Valve actuator 14 including its interfering portion
14A have been moved inward as indicated by the arrow
until valve actuator extensions 36 reach their inward
limit of travel within bores 13A, and/or valve
actuator stop portion 14B contacts caroming means 12B,
thereby positioning valve actuator interfering portion
14A out of interference with housing interference
portion 12A. Advantageously, due to the engagement of
valve actuator mating structure 37 with housing mating
structure 39 when valve actuator 14 is moved suffi-
ciently inward into its unlatched position, removal of
holding pressure from finger depressible surface 31
will not result in valve actuator 14 slipping back
toward its latched position but will maintain the
lighter in the unlatched configuration depicted in
Fig. 11, until valve actuator 14 is depressed, even
though spring means 30 exerts a force on latch 14
tending to bias the latch outward. In other words,
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the lighter may be readied for actuation and flame
production by applying suitable force to finger
depressible surface 31 of valve actuator 14 to move
valve actuator 14 including interfering portion 14A in
an inward direction so as to cause valve actuator
mating structure 37 to again engage housing mating
structure 39 thereby placing valve actuator inter-
fering portion 14A out of interference with housing
interfering portion 12A.
More specifically, when in the unlatched configu-
ration depicted in Fig. 11, indentation 37B of valve
actuator mating structure 37 engage protrusion 39A of
housing mating structure 39. Indentation 37A of valve
actuator mating structure 37 may optionally engage
protrusion 39B of housing mating structure 39.
Additionally, caroming means 12C is positioned beneath
valve actuator mating structure 40B. As will be
appreciated, while a gap is depicted between caroming
means 12C and structure 40B, such a gap is not
necessary to proper operation of the invention.
Application of suitable downward finger pressure
to finger depressible surface 31 of valve actuator 14
as depicted in Fig. 11 will yield the configuration
depicted in Fig. 12 in which valve actuator 14 has
been depressed thereby permitting fuel to flow through
the valve and the fuel nozzle (not shown). In
particular, and as more clearly depicted in Fig. 13,
such depression of valve actuator 14 will cause
compression of spring 30 and urging of fuel nozzle 20
upward and partially out of valve housing 28 and body
portion 12. Such lifting of fuel nozzle 20 upward
will permit fuel to flow from chamber 15 through the
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valve and out of nozzle 20 whereupon it will have been
ignited by sparks produced by flint 22 and toothed
surface 19 of spark-producing assembly wheel 18. Such
fuel will continue to flow and burn as long as suffi-
cient pressure is maintained on valve actuator 14.
The downward movement of valve actuator 14 is limited
by valve actuator interfering portion 14A contacting a
portion of housing 12 adjacent to housing interfering
portion 12A, as depicted in Figs. 12 and 13.
As seen in Figs. 12 and 13, depression of valve
actuator surface 31 urges valve actuator 14 downward
as well as outward toward its latched position. Such
outward movement is due to the contact between valve
actuator stop portion 14B and caroming means 12B as the
valve actuator is moved downward. Such contact causes
valve actuator 14 to move outward a limited distance
thereby causing indentation 37B of valve actuator
mating structure 37 to disengage from protrusion 39A
of housing mating structure 39, and causing indenta-
tion 37A of valve actuator mating structure 37 to at
least partially engage protrusion 39A of housing
mating structure 39, as depicted in Figs. 12 and 13.
Additionally, such movement may optionally cause
protrusion 37C of valve actuator mating structure 37
to at least partially engage housing mating structure
39 at a location generally between protrusions 39A and
39B.
Such outward movement is also due to the contact
between valve actuator portion 40B and caroming means
12C as the valve actuator is moved downward. Such
contact causes valve actuator 14 to move outward a
limited distance thereby causing valve actuator mating
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structure 37 to move relative to housing mating
structure 39 as described above. Accordingly, the
outward movement of valve actuator 14 from its
unlatched position (see Fig. 11) to its latched
position (see Figs. 12-14), may generally be consi-
dered to be initially due to caroming 12B asfwell as
caroming means 12C. ,:,"
As will be appreciated, other portions of the
housing such as sidewall portions 13 can be employed
to cam other portions of the valve actuator so as to
cause the valve actuator to move outward when suitably
depressed.
As depicted in Fig. 14, once finger pressure is
removed from valve actuator 14, the valve actuator
will move upward due to the biasing force provided by
spring 30, and the flame will be extinguished. Advan-
tageously, as valve actuator 14 moves upward, it also
moves toward its latched position. As described in
conjunction with Figs. 12 and 13, depression of valve
actuator 14 causes it to move outward and valve
actuator indentation 37B to disengage from housing
protrusion 39A. However, even when valve actuator 14
is fully depressed, it is not fully outward and not
fully latched. Valve actuator 14 will enter its fully
latched position only when the valve actuator is moved
fully upward and. fully outward.
As will be appreciated, the position of valve
actuator mating structure 37 relative to the position
of housing mating structure 39 when the valve actuator
is fully depressed results in a biasing force which
biases the valve actuator outward, and moves the valve
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actuator outward to its latched position once the
valve actuator is released. More specifically, the
partial engagement of housing protrusion 39A with
valve actuator indentation 37A as depicted in Figs. 12
and 13 results in a force which biases the valve
actuator outward as the valve actuator is moved from
its depressed position (Fig. 12) to its latched
position (Fig. 14). Additionally, spring 30 as
depicted in Figs. 12 and 13 exerts a biasing force on
latch 14 tending to force the latch outward.
While it is apparent that the invention herein
disclosed is well-calculated to fulfill the objects
above stated, it will be appreciated that numerous
modifications and embodiments may be devised by those
skilled in the art, and it is intended that the
appended claims cover all such modifications and
embodiments as fall within the true spirit and scope
of the present invention.
More specifically, the valve actuator and lighter
disclosed and claimed herein are not limited to use in
disposable lighters. Moreover, the present invention
is not limited to a valve actuator which is moved
solely in a generally inward direction to an unlatched
position. Similarly, the interference experienced by
the valve actuator may result from interference
portions positioned at other locations.
35
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