Combustion – Flame holder and fuel tank assembly
Utility Patent
1999-08-30
2001-01-02
Yeung, James C. (Department: 3743)
Combustion
Flame holder and fuel tank assembly
C431S153000, C431S255000, C431S345000, C126S258000
Utility Patent
active
06168423
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to disposable barbecue (BBQ) and fireplace lighters and more particularly, relates to child resistant safety devices for such lighters.
2. Background Information
There are a variety of disposable BBQ and fireplace lighters presently available on the market. These devices generally have a reservoir containing an ignition fluid in the handle, and generate electric spark to ignite the fluid which turns into a gas at a nozzle tip into a flame when a trigger is operated. An electrical spark is usually created by a piezoelectric cartridge, or similar device in the handle of the lighter.
These lighters have an elongate handle and nozzle to keep the flame well away from the user. The elongate construction allows the user to safely use the flame to ignite BBQs, fireplaces, etc. without getting near the flame. Unfortunately, these devices have the appearance of a toy to children who could accidentally start a fire, or injure themselves by improper use.
To ignite the flame, the trigger is operated, allowing ignition fluid such as propane to flow to the nozzle tip. Almost simultaneously, as the trigger reaches the end of its travel, a spark is generated by a piezoelectric cartridge and the ignition fluid erupts into a flame at the tip of the nozzle. A regulator is usually provided to regulate the size of the flame by regulating the flow of ignition fluid. The flame is then conveniently used to ignite a BBQ, fireplace, candles, etc., or any other place where a match would be used.
Various attempts have been made to incorporate child resistance into BBQ lighters and similar devices, such as cigarette lighters and the like. They are usually in the form of devices which prevent the flow of ignition fluid, or lock the trigger. The purpose of these devices is making them convenient to use, while at the same time, providing sufficient resistance to prevent or to deter use by children. Locking the trigger is somewhat effective, but children can often “solve the riddle”, and easily unlock the trigger. Also, a user must remember to relock the trigger after use, which is another inconvenience.
Therefore, it is one object of the present invention to provide a BBQ and fireplace lighter with improved child resistance safety device.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a BBQ and fireplace lighter with a trigger release button that automatically relocks the trigger when released.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a trigger release button behind the trigger, for easy operation with one hand.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a trigger release button that is pushed up with the middle finger to release the trigger, allowing operation by an index finger.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a BBQ or fireplace lighter having a trigger release button that is simple and easy for adults to operate, but difficult for manipulation by children.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a BBQ or fireplace lighter having a trigger release button with a trigger engaging abutment and an integrally formed leaf spring holding an abutment in engagement with the trigger.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide BBQ or fireplace lighter having a trigger release lever that includes a guard plate, blocking operation of the trigger.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a BBQ or fireplace lighter having a trigger release lever with a thumb tab to swivel a blocking trigger guard plate away from the trigger, allowing operation of the lighter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a BBQ or fireplace lighter with a child resistant safety device which is simple in construction, but effective in use. The BBQ lighter has a handle that serves as a housing for ignition fluid reservoir and an electric spark generator. An elongate nozzle extends outward from the handle to a lighter nozzle tip. Ignition fluid is delivered by a tube connected to the ignition fluid reservoir and nozzle tip. Each operation of the trigger releases fluid to the tip, which expands into a gas for ignition.
An electric spark is generated at nozzle tip by a spark generator in the handle, connected to a spark gap usually a piezoelectric cartridge to ignite the fluid exiting the nozzle tip. The size of the flame is adjusted by adjusting the flow of ignition fluid by rotation of a regulator or control that open and closes a valve on an exit port of the ignition fluid reservoir. The flame can be adjusted after it is lit, or if the user is having difficulty igniting the flame, the flow can be adjusted for optimum ignition before pulling the trigger.
In one embodiment, the trigger is locked by a pivotable mounted lever, having an abutment or notch engaging the trigger, preventing it's operation. An integrally formed, resilient leaf spring on the lever engages the housing and keeps the abutment in contact with the trigger. The trigger is released by a button attached to the pivotally mounted lever that is positioned outside the housing, just behind the trigger. Preferably, the trigger release button is positioned in the housing just behind the trigger guard. This allows simple operation by an adult, but requires substantial dexterity that makes operation by the small hands of a child difficult, if not all but impossible.
The trigger may be operated by an index finger, while the middle finger is pulled up on the release button, displacing the locking abutment to release the trigger. After the fluid exiting the tip is lit, creating the flame, the trigger is released shutting down the flame and the integrally formed leaf spring reengages the locking abutment against the trigger.
A unique advantage of the BBQ lighter is a trigger release mechanism that is very simple in construction and easy to use, but very effective as a child resistant device. The trigger release mechanism is a one homogeneous piece, comprised of the pivotally mounted lever, having an abutment or notch, engaging the trigger, a resilient integrally formed leaf spring, and a release button. This construction is such that the trigger is securely locked automatically, yet it only takes a small movement to release the trigger. Yet it is an effective deterrent for use by children because it requires considerable dexterity to operate. Simultaneous index finger and middle finger movement and coordination is generally beyond the capability of most children, and particularly small children because of their small hands. They are most vulnerable to the beguiling appearance of the BBQ lighter as a toy and least likely to appreciate the danger from the flame. This device is a very effective and elegant solution to the problem of use by children, by providing a child resistant device that is very uncomplicated in construction.
A second embodiment is disclosed that employs a rotatably mounted lever having a trigger guard plate that blocks movement of the trigger until it is rotated up and away from the trigger. This device has a blocking trigger guard plate instead of the end abutting the trigger mounted on a rotatable thumb tab. The rotable thumb tab extends out of the top of the housing through an opening for operation by the thumb. A coil spring holds the locking guard plate in abutment with the trigger, preventing its operation.
To operate the trigger, the guard plate must be displaced away from the trigger by operating the rotatable thumb tab with the thumb. Further, the rotatable thumb tab must be held in that position to keep the rotator plate away from the trigger. Also, since the trigger must be held in an on position to keep lighter fluid flowing to the tip this makes it even more difficult for children to use. The trigger is now free for operation by an index or middle finger. A unique feature is that the rotatable lever and hence, the locking plate, must be held in position out of the way, while the trigger is operated.
It should be remembe
O'Reilly David
Yeung James C.
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