Combustion – Correlation of fuel or power supply with component movements...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-15
2001-11-13
Lazarus, Ira S. (Department: 3743)
Combustion
Correlation of fuel or power supply with component movements...
C431S255000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315550
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lighter device, and more particularly to a unique gas safety system incorporated into the lighter. Specifically, the present invention relates to a push button safety switch which cooperates with an ignition trigger of the lighter to allow ignition of the lighter by coordinating the activation of the gas safety with the engagement of the trigger.
Current safety switches on lighters are awkward to engage. Some switches are such that when the switch is moved to the“safety off” position to allow the operator to ignite the lighter, by pulling a trigger mechanism, the safety remains in the“safety off” position allowing for subsequent unprotected ignition attempts. This may be a dangerous condition if the lighter falls into the hands of a child. Since such safety switches do not automatically re-engage to the“safety on” position, a child could pull the ignition trigger and ignite the lighter.
Additionally, other prior art devices include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,865,614; 5,697,775; and 5,496,169.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,775 illustrates and teaches a safety switch which requires the operator to press the safety switch downwardly while pulling the trigger rearwardly. While the device is difficult for children to use, it is an awkward operation for even adults to use. Further one embodiment of the device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,775 houses the safety switch in the trigger section of the lighter housing.
The present invention places the gas safety switch on top of the lighter housing outside and away from the trigger section. The present invention allows for the engagement of the gas safety switch by urging the switch downward to the“safety off” or“gas on” position while the ignition trigger is pulled rearwardly. This requires a level of coordination not normally obtained by children. but still simple enough for adults. Thus, the operator simultaneously pulls the ignition trigger rearwardly with the forefinger of one hand and urges the gas safety switch downward with the thumb of the same hand. The lighter then lights. The gas safety switch may then be released and the flame extinguishes. The gas safety switch automatically returns to the“safety on” position preventing accidental ignition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a lighter having an ignition trigger operable within the lighter housing. A gas safety switch operable within the same housing but away from the trigger section, includes a pivotable gas lever movable from a first“safety on” position to a second“safety off” position. The pivot lever has a yoke on the distal end of the lever which raises or lifts the gas ejection nozzle to release combustible gas for ignition of the lighter. An arcuate leg extends from the yoke and provides an upper edge for engagement by a switch engagement foot on the gas safety switch. When the top of the switch is urged downwardly by the user's thumb, the foot urges the arcuate leg downwardly pivoting the yoke. As the yoke pivots, it lifts the gas nozzle releasing fuel from the tank. The trigger may then be pressed to activate the piezoelectric sparking mechanism to ignite the flame. Thus, the simultaneous depression of the gas safety switch along a first longitudinal axis from“safety on” to“safety off” with the rearward pulling of the trigger along a second longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the first activates the lighter. It is the arrangement and movement of the elements of the present invention which results in a safety system requiring a level of hand coordination not normally developed in a child and yet not so awkward as to inconvenience adults. Once the gas switch is released, the switch automatically returns to the“safety on” position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5308240 (1994-05-01), Lowenthal
patent: 5496169 (1996-03-01), Chen
patent: 5531592 (1996-07-01), Tasi
patent: 5697775 (1997-12-01), Saito et al.
patent: 5865614 (1999-02-01), Hsu
patent: 6012916 (2000-01-01), Liang
patent: 6065958 (2000-05-01), Adams et al.
patent: 6135762 (2000-10-01), Hu
patent: 6186773 (2001-02-01), Sung
patent: 6244858 (2001-06-01), Wang
patent: 99/60309-A2 (1999-11-01), None
Clarke Sara
Jackson Walker L.L.P.
Lazarus Ira S.
Polycity Enterprise Limited
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