Lighter

Abstract

A lighter having a fuel container (4) incorporated in a casing (2), the former being connected with a fuel outlet (6) and an ignition device (7, 8) which can be activated by means of a switch (9) also regulating, if applicable, the fuel flow from the fuel outlet (6). A safety device (13) is associated with the switch which locks the switch if the safety device is not activated virtually simultaneously with the switch.

Description

[0001] The invention concerns a lighter with a fuel container incorporated in a casing, connected to a fuel outlet and, for example, a piezoelectrical ignition device which can be activated by means of a switch, particularly a sliding switch, through which it is also possible, if applicable, to regulate the flow of fuel from the fuel outlet.

[0002] Such lighters are known in a variety of embodiments, for example as butane or oil lighters. FR 2 307 224, for example, contains the description of a lighter in the shape of a match. However, lighters present the risk of also being used by children, who may be injured by the flame or can cause fires. In addition, it is possible, for example, that a lighter carried in a trouser pocket could accidentally leak fuel and/or create a spark. This may also cause injuries or fires.

[0003] The objective of the present invention ist therefore to provide a lighter of the type described above in which unintentional use is largely excluded and which is difficult for children to operate.

[0004] According to the invention, this objective is essentially achieved by associating the switch with a safety device locking the switch if the safety device is not activated simultaneously with the switch. By locking the switch, whose activation sets off an ignition spark or similar event and/or regulates the flow of fuel from the fuel outlet, the unintentional activation of the lighter is prevented. This way, an ignition spark can only be initiated by unlocking and, at the same time, activating the (sliding) switch. The spark or similar event igniting the fuel flowing from the fuel outlet can only be initiated when the safety device is activated jointly with the switch. Especially for small children, activating the safety device and the switch simultaneously is virtually impossible, thus providing the lighter with a child safety device such as is mandatory, for example, in the United States.

[0005] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the switch is designed as a sliding switch which can be slid on the outside of the casing, having a ledge sliding along the sliding path in a groove or on the casing. This design of the the lighter allows particularly ergonomic operation, the ledge of the switch permitting to block the sliding of the switch by a locking device.

[0006] Further refinement of the idea of the invention includes a design in which the safety device has a blocking element protruding into the sliding path of the switch, for example into the sliding path of the ledge, and which can be removed from this path. 1In order to unlock the switch, the safety device can be retracted into the casing, at least partially, for example, i.e. a switch or a button is pressed into the casing to unlock the safety device. The activation directions of the switch and of the safety device are thus at right angles, thus making it extremely difficult for a small child to operate the lighter. However, an adult can hold the lighter in one hand and, for example, activate the switch with his thumb, while at the same time unlocking the safety device with his index finger.

[0007] In order for the lighter to re-lock automatically after use, one embodiment of the invention is designed in such a way that the blocking element of the safety device, by means of a spring loading the device, is maintained in a position where it protrudes into the sliding path of the ledge of the switch. Once the switch has been activated, the blocking element of the safety device, pushed by the spring, clicks back into its position blocking the switch. Consequently, the lighter does not have to be re-locked manually after use.

[0008] A particularly comfortable operation of the lighter can be achieved by incorporating a piezoelement in the ignition device. A piezoelement, through pressure exerted by the activation of the switch, produces an ignition spark near the fuel outlet to ignite the fuel. As an alternative, it is also possible to produce an ignition spark by other means, either mechanical or electrical, or through a filament or similar element near the fuel outlet.

[0009] In addition, it is preferable that the fuel container is designed as a refillable butane container. In this case, the pressurized butane would flow from the fuel container to the fuel outlet if, for example, a valve or similar device connected to the switch is opened.

[0010] User friendliness and a pleasing appearance of the lighter according to the invention can be achieved by giving the casing an oblong shape with a round or multi-sided, preferably square, profile, whose end is in the shape of a thickened head, preferably designed as a match. The lighter is then in the shape of an oversize match. In this case, the ignition device and the fuel container could be incorporated in the oblong body of the casing, with the fuel outlet being in the thickened head.

[0011] Further refinements, advantages, and possible applications of the invention are shown in the following description of an exemplary embodiment and the figure. All described and/or depicted features, individually or in any given combination, are the object of the invention, irrespective of their summary in the claims or in their reference.

[0012] It is shown in.

[0013] FIG. 1 a longitudinal section of the lighter according to the invention,

[0014] FIG. 2 the enlarged detail II in FIG. 1,

[0015] FIG. 3 a longitudinal section of the lighter according to the invention, rotated by 90° with reference to FIG. 1,

[0016] FIG. 4 the enlarged detail IV in FIG. 3,

[0017] FIG. 5 the enlarged safety device.

[0018] The lighter 1 shown in the figures has the shape of an oversize match with a casing 2 designed as an oblong body having a square profile with a thickened head 3 on one end of the oblong body. A butane container 4 with an insert 5 for refilling is designed to be located in the oblong body of the lighter casing 2 at the end opposite the head 3. The fuel container 4 is connected through a fuel line closed by a valve, to a fuel outlet 6 located at the tip of the thickened head 3. In addition, a piezoelement 7 is incorporated in the oblong body of the casing 2, forming, together with a pair of contact points 8 arranged in the tip of the thickened head 3, a device to initiate an ignition spark.

[0019] A sliding switch 9 to be slid in the direction of the axis of the casing 2 is designed to be located between the fuel container 4 and the piezoelement 7 on the casing 2. At its tip located nearest the thickened head 3, the switch 9 is connected with the piezoelement 7 through a lever 10 so that, when the switch 9 is slid towards the head 3, pressure is exerted on the piezoelement 7 by the lever 10, thereby initiating an ignition spark between the contact points 8. In addition, the switch 9 is connected with the valve of the fuel container 4, the fuel container 4 being closed by the valve when the switch 9 is slid away from the head 3. This way, by sliding the switch 9 towards the head 3, the fuel flow towards the fuel outlet 6 is opened and, simultaneously, an ignition spark is initiated between the contact points 8, causing the butane emerging from the head 3 to ignite. By sliding the switch 9 back, away from the head 3, the butane supply from the fuel container 4 is interrupted, thus causing the flame to go out.

[0020] The switch 9 is designed to have a ledge 11 held by a groove in the casing 2 and slideable in this groove together with the switch 9 in the direction of the axis of the casing 2. A recess 12 of the casing 2 contains a safety device 13 having two guide bars 14 with which the safety device 13 can be retracted into the casing 2 in guide rails 15 of the casing 2 in a direction perpendicular to the sliding path of the switch 9. In addition, a spring loaded in such a way that it maintains the safety device 13 in its position shown in FIG. 4, is located in the recess 12.

[0021] On the side facing the switch 9, the safety device 13 has a blocking element 17 which, in the position of the safety device 13 shown in the figures, protrudes into the sliding path of the ledge 11 in such a way that the ledge cannot pass the blocking element 17 Sliding tile switch 9 in the direction of the head 3 is thus blocked by the blocking element 17 of the safety device 13 blocking the ledge 11 of the switch 9.

[0022] When the safety device 13 is retracted into the casing 2 against the force of the spring 16, the blocking element 17 opens the sliding path of the ledge 11, allowing the switch 9 to be slid towards the head 3. Once the switch 9 is moved back from the head, the safety device 13, through the force of the spring 16, clicks back into its position shown in the figures, so that the blocking element 17 again protrudes into the sliding path of the ledge 11 of the switch 9, thus locking the switch.

[0023] The lighter 1 is therefore provided with a safety lock in the form of the safety device 13 disallowing any unintentional activation of the lighter 1. It is also extremely difficult for small children to slide the switch 9 in the direction of the head and, at the same time, to push the safety device 13 against the force of the spring 16 into the casing in such a way that the blocking element 17 will open the sliding path of the ledge 11 of the switch 9 However, an adult can simultaneously activate the safety device 13 and the switch 9 with the one hand holding the lighter 1.

[0024] List of Reference Signs:

[0025] 1 lighter

[0026] 2 casing

[0027] 3 head

[0028] 4 fuel container

[0029] 5 inlet

[0030] 6 fuel outlet

[0031] 7 piezoelement

[0032] 8 contact points

[0033] 9 switch

[0034] 10 lever

[0035] 11 ledge

[0036] 12 recess

[0037] 13 safety device

[0038] 14 guide bar

[0039] 15 guide rail

[0040] 16 spring

[0041] 17 blocking element

Claims

1. Lighter having a fuel container (4) incorporated in a casing (2), the former being connected with a fuel outlet (6) and an ignition device (7, 8) which can be activated by means of a switch (9) also regulating, if applicable, the fuel flow from the fuel outlet (6), characterized by the fact that a safety device (13) is associated with the switch (9), locking the switch (9) if the safety device (13) is not activated virtually simultaneously with the switch (9).

2. Lighter according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the switch (9) can be slid on the outside of the casing (2) and has a ledge (11) which runs along its sliding path in a groove or on the casing (2).

3. Lighter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the safety device (13) has a blocking element (17) protruding at least partially into the sliding path of the switch (9) and being retractable from this path.

4. Lighter according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that the safety device (13) can be retracted at least partially into the casing (2) in order to unlock the switch.

5. Lighter according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the safety device (13) is equipped with a spring (16) loaded in such a way that the blocking element (17) is maintained in a position where it protrudes into the sliding path of the ledge (11) of the switch (9).