CA 02338842 2001-O1-29
IGNITER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to igniters, and in
particular to an igniter having a safety lock.
Description of the Related Art
There are known, as in Japanese Unexamined Patent
Publication No. 8(1996)-68536, for example, igniters having
a push-button type locking means for locking the operation
of the actuating member that is operated to actuate ignition
to produce a flame, wherein, in the non-operational mode, the
locking means locks the ignition operation of the actuating
member; on the one hand, when the locking means is pushed in
and unlocked, the lighter can be lit, while on the other hand,
when aforementioned locking means is released, the locking
means recovers automatically to the locked position.
There are also known, as in Japanese Unexamined Patent
Publication No. 11(1999)-63497, for example, igniters in
having a lever-type locking means for locking the operational
state of the actuating member that is operated to actuate
ignition to produce a flame, wherein, in the non-operational
mode, the locking means locks the ignition operation of the
actuating member; on the one hand, when the locking means is
unlocked, the lighter can be lit, and as long as the locking
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means is maintained in the unlocked state continuous lighting
of the lighter can be performed, while on the other hand, when
aforementioned locking means is released, the locking means
recovers automatically to the locked position.
However, because lighters such as those 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.
In addition, because such 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.
In view of the above describe points, combining the
pushing downward operating action of the push-button type
locking member and the pushing inward operating action of the
lever-type locking member to perform unlocking, along with
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coupling these operating actions with a sliding-type
actuating member to perform unlocking has been considered.
However, such unlocking operations suffer operability
problems in that different fingers must be used to perform
the operation, and the operation requires two separate
actions. Because this is not very practicable, a level of
improvement with respect to operability is desirable.
Which is to say, operation of the actuating member is
necessary to produce a flame with the lighter, on top of which
multiplefingersare requiredfor unlocking, sliding, pushing
inward, etc. to perform a single ignition operation. The
difficulty of such operation is disadvantageous for normal
usage, and such a lighter itself is an exceedingly complicated
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been devel-oped 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.
In addition, 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.
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According to one aspect of the invention there is a
provided an igniter which includes a body having first
and second opposite sides, an expeller nozzle for
expelling gas, a gas tank, an opening and closing valve
means for selectively supplying gas from the gas tank to
the expeller nozzle, a piezo-electric spark producing
unit for ignition use and an actuating member accessible
at said first side of the body running between the valve
means and the spark producing unit for performing the
ignition operation. A locking member is rotatably
mounted in the second side of the body for manipulation
by a thumb in a longitudinal direction of the igniter
between a position in which the actuating member is
locked and a position in which the actuating member is
unlocked and the ignition operation is permitted, so
that, when the locking member continues to be in the
unlocked position, the ignition operation can repeatedly
be performed. A biassing means is provided for biassing
the locking member into the locked position.
In another aspect, the igniter includes a body
having first and second opposite sides, an expeller
nozzle for expelling gas, a gas tank, an opening and
closing valve means for selectively supplying gas from
the gas tank to the expeller nozzle, piezo-electric spark
producing unit for ignition use and an actuating member
accessible at said first side of the body running between
the valve means and the spark producing unit for
performing the ignition operation. A locking member is
rotatably mounted in the second side of the body for
manipulation by a thumb in a longitudinal direction of
the igniter between a position in which the actuating
member is locked and a position in
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which the actuating member is unlocked and the ignition
operation is permitted, so that, when the locking member
continues to be in the unlocked position, the ignition
operation can repeatedly be performed. A biassing means
is provided for biassing the locking member into the
locked position.
The igniter also includes restricting means having a
restricting member rotatable as a unit with the locking
auveva
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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 position, the
restricting portion is disengaged from the engaging portion,
whereby the locking means can be rotated toward the unlocked
position, and an elastic means is provided for propping said
restricting member into the restricted position. When the
restricting means is pushed into the unrestricted and the
locking means is rotated to the unlocked position, the
ignition operation of the actuating member is permitted.
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.
In addition, 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.
Further, it is advantageous to install the restricting
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member so that it is automatically recovered to the restricted
position when said locking means is rotated to the unlocked
position.
On the one hand, it is suitable to install the gas pipe
so that it extends through the inside of the locking means.
Furthermore, it is desirable to design the lighter so
that when the locking means is maintained continuously in the
unlocked position, the ignition operation of the actuating
member can repeatedly be performed.
It is suitable for the locking means to be provided so
that it 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. In this case, it is also
desirable that the rotational center of the locking means be
movable.
According to the lighter of the present invention as
described above, 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
componentsthereinarenotmanufacturedtoexacting precision,
operation of said lighter is assured to be stable, manufacture
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thereof is simplified, and the lighter is advantageously
cost-effective.
In addition, in another embodiment of the lighter of
the present invention, on the one hand, when the restricting
member is not pushed into the unrestricted position, 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, and on the other hand, when 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.
Further, 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,
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providing for excellent operability. Moreover, when the
locking means recovers to the unlocked position, the
restricting means automatically recovers to the restricted
position, whereby the lighter is automatically recovered to
the locked state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a front view of the main parts of the first
preferred embodiment of the lighter of the present invention,
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the main parts
shown in Fig. 1,
Figure 3 is a sectional view Fig. 2 taken along the line
III-III,
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the parts
related to ignition restriction component shown in Fig. 1,
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the main parts
shown in Fig. 2 in the operational state,
Figure 6 is a front view of the main parts of the second
preferred embodiment of the lighter of the present invention,
Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the parts
related to ignition restriction component of the second
preferred embodiment,
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the main parts
of the second preferred embodiment in the operational state,
Figure 9 is a front view of the main parts of the third
preferred embodiment of the lighter of the present invention,
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the main
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parts shown in Fig. 9,
Figures 11A and 11B are cross-sectional side views of
the main parts shown in Fig. 10 in the operational state,
Figure 12 is a front view of the main parts of the fourth
preferred embodiment of the lighter of the present invention,
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the
main parts shown in Fig. 12 in the operational state,
Figure 14 is a cross-sectional side view of the main
parts of the fifth preferred embodiment of the lighter of the
present invention,
Figures 15A and 15B are cross-sectional side view of
the main parts shown in Fig. 14 in the operational state,
Figure 16 is a cross-sectional side view of the main
parts of the sixth preferred embodiment of the lighter of the
present invention,
Figure 17 is a front view of the main parts shown in
Fig. 16,
Figure 18 is a sectional view Fig. 17 taken along the
line XVIII-XVII, and
Figures 19A and 19B is a cross-sectional side view of
the main parts shown in Fig. 16 in the operational state.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter the preferred embodiments of the igniter
according to the present invention will be described in detail
with reference to the drawings.
Figures 1-5 depicts an embodiment of the lighter
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according to the present invention implemented as a lighting
rod. Figure 1 depicts a front view of the main part of the
lighter of the current embodiment, Fig. 2 a cross-sectional
side view of the main part of the lighter of the current
embodiment, 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, and Fig. 5
depicts a cross-sectional side view of the operational state
of the igniter of the current embodiment.
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.
In the section of said body 2 near its base, within lower
case 5, there is a gas tank formed of synthetic resin for
storing a high pressure gas such as butane, etc., having
installed on the upper wall thereof a 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. 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
CA 02338842 2004-12-O1
spring installed in valve system 8 closes the gas channel and
cuts of f the supply of gas . Note that the amount of gas supplied,
i . a . the size of the flame, is regulated by rotation of a f lame
adjusting knob 13 protruding outside of the lighter.
In addition, above the line extending from the
forward-most edge of nozzle 10 there are installed a sleeve
16 and a connector pipe 17, which are connected to a gas pipe
18. 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 at a first side of body 2 to the side of
valve menas 8 so as to be able to slide parallel along the
centerline thereof.
In between aforementioned gas tank and said actuating member
is installed a piezo-electric spark producing unit 22.
15 As depicted in Fig. 4, 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
20 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
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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.
Formed in an approximately L-shape, 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.
Further, 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. Connected to the
electrodes of said piezo-electric spark producing unit 22 are
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 button guard 24, leaving space for a finger
to be inserted for pushing finger-depressible surface 20a,
is integrally formed with said middle case six so as to
partially enclose actuating member 20.
Next, an ignition mechanism of the construction
described above will be further provided with an
ignition-restricting component for restricting the ignition
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operation of said actuating member 20.
Said restricting component has a locking means 27 comprising
a locking member 30 rotatably supported on the a second side 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.
When locking means 27 is rotated from the locked to the
unlocked position, operation of the actuating member for
ignition is permitted.
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
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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.
In addition, 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. Note that commensurate with an increase to the strength
of the propping means, the force required for rotation thereof
becomes comparatively large.
On the outer face of the other side panel 30a protrudes
a stopper 30f (refer to Fig. 3). 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. In addition, when locking
member 30 s rotated to the unlocked position, the forward edge
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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).
Note that 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.
Theoperation of the ignition-restricting componentfor
the embodiments of the ignition mechanism described above
will now be explained. First, in the state depicted in Fig.2,
locking member 30 is in the locked position (released state)
and actuating member 20 is protruding into the space enclosed
by the ignition button guard 24 and is in the non-operational
state. In this state, lock latch 30b of locking member 30
projects into said actuating member 20 from opening 20e and
is engaged with engaging portion 20f; actuating member 20
cannot be pushed in and the ignition operation cannot be
performed.
Next, when lighter 1 is to be used, if outer
circumference 30c of locking member 30 is rotated forward to
the unlocked position, lock latch 30b is moved from the
"caught" position in opening 20e of actuating member 20 to
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the inside of body 2 where it is in the unlocked position,
whereupon actuating member 20 can be pushed in and the ignition
operation can be performed. At that time, the power used in
rotating the locking member 30 acts to push forward and push
in axle 30d, whereby axle support 2a is moved along the
elongated axle hole and the center of rotation is shifted.
Thus, 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 . In addition,
accompanying ignition operation of actuating member 20,
discharge voltage (AC voltage) 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.
Note that when actuating member 20 has been pushed in
before aforementioned locking member 30 has been unlocked,
lock catch 30f and lock latch 30b of locking member 30 are
securely engaged and it is very difficult to move locking
member 30 in the unlock direction, however, because 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
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in the unlock direction (this is the same for embodiments
described hereinafter).
While locking member 30 is maintained in the unlocked
position (the rotated state), repeated ignition operation of
actuation member 20 can be performed, making for easy
consecutive ignition operations for,cases in which the gas
is not ignited on the first ignition operation (this is the
same for embodiments described hereinafter).
If locking member 30 and actuating member 20 are
released by the hand to f finish using the lighter, 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.
In addition, 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.
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<Preferred embodiment 2>
The current embodiment is depicted in Figures 6 and 7.
The body of the lighter of the current embodiment differs from
that of embodiment 1, the ignition-restricting component is
formed the same as that of embodiment 1, and shares the same
basic functions as those of embodiment 1.
Body 102 of lighter 100 of the current embodiment is
formed of a case 7 having an outer shell whose entire body
is divided vertically approximately at the center thereof.
In addition, one portion of actuating member 120 differs
from that of embodiment 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. Further, 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.
Corresponding to the above described actuating member
120, 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
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directions along the length of the lighter, and ignition
button guard 124 differs from that of embodiment 1.
On the one hand, locking member 30 of locking means 27
is formed the same as that of embodiment 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 embodiment 1.
Aside from that, it is the same as embodiment one, and
like parts are labeled with the same reference symbols as in
embodiment 1.
Next, Fig. 8 depicts another embodiment of lighter 100
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.
In said locking member 130 of the current embodiment,
the oval portion of side panels 130a, that is to say, the radius
of the outer circumference, has been made smaller, and because
the portion of circumference wall 130c protruding from window
102b (formed to be of the same front and rear length as that
of embodiment 1) of body 102 has been reduced, lock latch 130b,
spring stays 130e, etc. are formed the same as those of
embodiment 1.
Note that accompanying the reduction in the size of
circumference wall 130c, there are cases in which, when
locking member 130 is rotated to the unlocked position the
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forward edge of said reduced-size circumference wall 130c
pushes against gas pipe 18, and therefore said forward edge
of outer circumference 130c must be trimmed to avoid its
catching on and applying pressure to gas pipe 18. When
accompanying such trimming the position of the forward edge
of circumference wall 130c comes to be at a position separated
from the edge of widow 102b, it is possible that a protruding
portion that covers the forward edge of outer circumference
130c be formed on one edge of window 102b of case 7 of body102.
<Preferred embodiment 3>
The current embodiment is depicted in Figures 9-11A/11B,
and shows another embodiment of an ignition-restricting
component. Body 2 of lighter 200, actuating member 20, etc.
are the same as those of embodiment 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
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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. 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. The outer
circumference of said side panels 230a protrude from window
2b opened in the wall of the side of body 2 opposite said
ignition button guard 24. Said outer circumference wall 230c
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is provided with crosswise grooves on the outer surface
thereof for rotatable operation by a finger.
In addition, 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 embodiment.
On the one hand, aforementioned restricting member 32
and aforementioned locking member 230, for example, 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.
In the free state (the un-depressed state? , 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
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of restricting portion 32c onto engaging portion 2b, rotation
of locking member 230 is restricted. In this restricted
position, as well as in the non-restricted position, in which
the finger depressible surface 32d is pushed in and it is not
possible for restricting portion 32c, which has been moved
inside the space between side panels 230a and whose radius
of curvature has been thereby shortened, to be engaged with
engaging portion 2d, elastic piece 32a is elastically
deformable.
Note that at the forward edge of elastic piece 32a of
restricting member 32 there is formed a protruding portion
32e, which is even further forward than restricting portion
32c. When locking member 230 has been rotated to the locked
position and restricting member 32 is in the restricted
position (refer to Fig. 10), aforementioned protruding
portion engages the inside of the edge of window 2b of body
2, so that elastic piece 32a does not become separated from
window 2b. If, at this point, said protruding portion 32e
is rotated to the unlocked position shown in Fig. 11B, said
protruding portion 32e is formed at a position so as not to
get caught on gas pipe 18.
Now, operation of the restricting component of lighter
200 of the current embodiment will be explained. First,
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
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CA 02338842 2001-O1-29
non-operational state in which it is not possible to push in
actuating member 20 and the ignition operation cannot be
performed. In addition, 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.
Next, when lighter 200 is to be used, as shown in Fig.
11A, when finger depressible surface 32d of elastic piece 32a
of restricting member 32 is pushed against the resistance of
theelasticforceinto theunrestricted position, restricting
portion 32 of the forward edge of elastic piece 32 moves from
the front of engaging portion 2d of body 2 to a position inside,
whereby rotation of locking member 230 in the unlock direction
is permitted.
Continuing, as shown in Fig. 11B, if finger depressible
surface 32d is pressed in and held, and the outer circumference
of side plates 230a are rotated forward in the unlock direction,
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.
If actuating member 20, locking member 230 and
restricting member 32 are released by the hand to finish using
lighter 200, actuating member 20 juts out and returns to its
initial position and locking member 230 is rotated by the
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CA 02338842 2001-O1-29
propping force of propping means 31 (the return spring).
Accompanying this rotation of locking member230, restricting
member 32, too, by the elastic force of elastic piece 32a which
causes restricting portion 32b to jut out, is returned to the
restricted position, whereby the locked state, in which it
is not possible to rotate locking member 230 and pushing in
of actuating member20prevented, isautomatically recovered.
Because in the current embodiment locking member 230
and restricting member 32 are formed as separate components,
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.
<Preferred embodiment 4>
The current embodiment, lighter 300, is depicted in
Figures 12 and 13 , in which the body 102 is the same type as
that of embodiment 2 (refer to Figs. 6 and 7) , and therefore,
the ignition restriction component thereof differs from that
of embodiment 3, 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.
CA 02338842 2001-O1-29
In this example of an ignition restricting component,
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
3, are substantially the same. In addition, 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
3, 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
26
CA 02338842 2001-O1-29
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.
In the current embodiment, 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.
<Preferred embodiment 5>
The current embodiment, lighter 400, is depicted in
Figures 14, 15A and 15B, in which body 2 is of the same type
as that of embodiment 1 ( ref er 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 3.
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
27
CA 02338842 2001-O1-29
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.
Aforementionedlocking member430 comprises sidepanels
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. In addition, on either side of side panels 430a
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. Further, on the outer face
of one side of side plates 430a are provided two protruding
spring stays 430e, 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.
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CA 02338842 2001-O1-29
On the one hand, 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. Further, 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.
In the released state (the un-depressed state),
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. In this restricted positions as well as
in the unrestricted position, in which elastic piece 232a has
is pushed in, elastic transformation of said elastic piece
232a is possible. 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
29
CA 02338842 2001-O1-29
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
3, 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.
Because in the current embodiment, locking member 430
and restricting member 232 are integrally formed, the number
of parts is reduced and advantageously, cost-effectiveness
and manufacturability are improved.
<Preferred embodiment 6>
The current embodiment, 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 embodiment 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,
CA 02338842 2001-O1-29
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.
Aforementionedlocking member530 comprises sidepanels
530a, on either side thereof, formed approximately as
semicircleshaving an oval-shaped outercircumference. 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. Further, 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.
In addition, there is provided a slide 5308 in which
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CA 02338842 2001-O1-29
restricting member 332 (described hereinafter) is installed.
In addition, 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.
On the one hand, as depicted in Fig. 18, aforementioned
restricting member 332 is formed as a square tube-shaped
push-button and is installed on the outside of slide 5308 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. Inside said restricting means 332,
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.
In addition, 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
32
CA 02338842 2001-O1-29
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.
Now, the operation of the ignition restricting
component described above will be explained. First, in the
state depicted in Fig. 16, restricting member 332 s in the
restricted position, and locking member 530 is in the locked
position (released state), in which actuating member 20 is
in the non-operational state. In this state, lock latch 530b
of locking member 530 protrudes into the inside of actuating
member 20 and is engaged with engaging portion 20f, and it
is not possible to perform the ignition operation of actuating
member 20. Further, restricting portion 332c of restricting
member 332 is engaged with engaging portion 2f of body 2,
restricting member 332 is in a state in which it cannot be
pushed in, and said locking member 530 cannot be rotated.
Next, when lighter 500 is to be used, as shown in Fig.
19A, if finger depressible surface 332a of restricting member
332 is pushed against the resistance of coil spring 33 into
the unrestricted position, said restricting portion 332c is
disengaged from engaging portion 2f of body 2 and moves to
a position inside, whereby rotation of locking member 230 in
the unlock direction is permitted. Continuing, as shown in
Fig. 19B, if finger depressible surface 332a of restricting
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CA 02338842 2001-O1-29
member 332 is pressed in and held, and outer circumference
530c of locking member 530 is rotated forward in the unlock
direction, lock latch 530b moves to the unlocked position,
and it becomes possible to push in actuating member 20 and
perform the ignition operation.
If actuating member 20, locking member 230 and
restricting member 32 are released by the hand to finish using
lighter 500, actuating member 20 to juts out and returns to
its initial protruding position, and locking member 530 is
moved to the locked position by the propping force of propping
means 31 (the return spring) . When locking member 530 returns
to the unlocked position, restricting portion 332c of
restricting member 332 is inserted into and engaged with
engaging part 2f and returned to the restricted position, in
which it is not possible to rotate locking member 530, the
initial state is automatically recovered.
Note that the surface of 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.
Because restricting member 332 is a push-button type
restricting member, the pushing in operation is simplified
and can be performed with ease.
34
