EP1269082A1 - Briquets a gaz a securite-enfant - Google Patents

Briquets a gaz a securite-enfant

Info

Publication number
EP1269082A1
EP1269082A1 EP01915590A EP01915590A EP1269082A1 EP 1269082 A1 EP1269082 A1 EP 1269082A1 EP 01915590 A EP01915590 A EP 01915590A EP 01915590 A EP01915590 A EP 01915590A EP 1269082 A1 EP1269082 A1 EP 1269082A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wheel
lighter
wheel assembly
spark
thumb
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP01915590A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Carel Sewalt
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Swedish Match Lighters BV
Original Assignee
Swedish Match Lighters BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Swedish Match Lighters BV filed Critical Swedish Match Lighters BV
Publication of EP1269082A1 publication Critical patent/EP1269082A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23Q—IGNITION; EXTINGUISHING-DEVICES
    • F23Q2/00—Lighters containing fuel, e.g. for cigarettes
    • F23Q2/16—Lighters with gaseous fuel, e.g. the gas being stored in liquid phase
    • F23Q2/164—Arrangements for preventing undesired ignition
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23Q—IGNITION; EXTINGUISHING-DEVICES
    • F23Q2/00—Lighters containing fuel, e.g. for cigarettes
    • F23Q2/16—Lighters with gaseous fuel, e.g. the gas being stored in liquid phase
    • F23Q2/161—Lighters with gaseous fuel, e.g. the gas being stored in liquid phase with friction wheel

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to gas lighters of the "roll and press” type, and more specifically to child resistant lighters.
  • a lighter of this type has a gas reservoir, a gas regulation system including a valve open/close system lifted and closed by a lever, and a wheel ignition mechanism.
  • the ignition mechanism preferably comprises a sparkwheel disposed midway between two thumb-wheels whose diameter is larger than the spark-wheel. The spark-wheel rubs frictionally against a flint when rotated, in order to project sparks above the opened burner and therefore to produce a flame.
  • the spark- wheel of the lighter has thumb-wheels on each side which have a slightly greater diameter, so that the user's finger engages with the thumb-wheels.
  • the thumb-wheels are rotatable independently of the spark- wheel, but sufficient pressure on the thumb-wheels engages them frictionally with the spark-wheel so that the spark-wheel rotates with the thumb-wheels.
  • the spark-wheel of the lighter has thumb-wheels on each side which have a slightly greater diameter, rotatable independently of the spark-wheel.
  • the user has to press hard enough for the pulp of their fmger to bulge down between the thumb-wheels and engage with the spark-wheel.
  • the spark-wheel of the lighter has thumb-wheels on each side which have a slightly greater diameter, so that the user's finger engages with the thumb-wheels.
  • the thumb-wheels are rotatable independently of the spark-wheel, but sufficient pressure on the thumb-wheels engages them with the spark-wheel so that the spark-wheel rotates with the thumb-wheels.
  • the engagement is achieved by providing the spark-wheel with a polygonal shaft and the thumb-wheels with polygonal bores of slightly larger size, so that the thumb-wheels can rotate around the spark-wheel shaft but will engage with it under radial pressure.
  • the wheel assembly is mounted such that substantial pressure is required to rotate the spark-wheel against the flint.
  • the child finds it difficult to engage the spark-wheel.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide an improved gas lighter which alleviates or overcomes these problems.
  • one aspect of the present invention provides a child resistant lighter of the roll and press type, comprising a wheel assembly mounted on the lighter body and including at least one thumb-wheel and a spark-wheel engaging against a flint, wherein the wheel assembly is mounted such that substantial pressure is required to rotate the spark-wheel against the flint, characterized in that the spark-wheel is attached to the thumb-wheel(s) and the wheel assembly as a whole is mounted on the body and is in frictional engagement with another component of the lighter.
  • a child resistant lighter of the roll and press type comprising a wheel assembly mounted on the lighter body and including at least one thumb-wheel and a spark-wheel engaging against a flint, wherein the wheel assembly is mounted such that substantial pressure is required to rotate the spark-wheel against the flint, characterized in that the spark- wheel is attached to the thumb-wheel(s) and the spark- wheel and/or the thumb wheel is in frictional engagement with another component of the lighter, said other component being fixed to the lighter body.
  • the present invention in its preferred embodiment, provides a child resistant lighter which can conveniently be operated and which requires no significant learning effort on the part of the user, and in which the possibility of inadvertent ignition other than by the correct specified method is small.
  • Fig. 1 a is an end view of the spark wheel assembly of a first form of lighter according to the invention
  • Fig. lb is a side view of fig. la;
  • Fig. 2a is an end view of the wheel assembly of a second form of lighter according to the invention
  • Fig. 2b is a side view of fig. 2a;
  • Fig. 2c is a side view of a further form of a lighter of the invention in first position of the thumb wheel;
  • Fig. 2d is the side view of fig. 2c in a second position of the thumb wheel
  • Fig. 3a is an end view of the wheel assembly of a further form of lighter according to the invention
  • Fig. 3b is a side view of fig. 3a;
  • Fig. 4a is a side view of a further form of a lighter of the invention.
  • Fig. 4b is an end view of fig. 4a;
  • Fig. 5a is a side view of a further form of a lighter of the invention;
  • Fig. 5b is an end view of fig. 5a;
  • Fig. 6a is an end view of the wheel assembly of a further form of a lighter according to the invention;
  • Fig. 6b is a side view of fig. 6a;
  • Fig. 6c is an enlarged view of fig. 6b;
  • Fig. 7a is an end view of the wheel assembly of a further form of lighter according to the invention;
  • Fig. 7b is a side view of fig. 7a;
  • Fig. 7c is an enlarged view of fig. 7b;
  • Fig. 8a is an end view of the wheel assembly of a further form of lighter according to the invention.
  • Fig. 8b is a side view of fig. 8a
  • Fig. 8c is an enlarged view of fig. 8b.
  • the first form of lighter has a gas reservoir
  • a gas regulation system including a valve open/close system lifted and closed by a lever (not shown), and a wheel ignition mechanism 13 comprising a wheel assembly 14 and a flint and spring 17, 19.
  • the wheel assembly 14 comprises a spark- wheel 15 disposed midway between two thumb-wheels 16 whose diameter is larger than the spark-wheel.
  • the spark-wheel rubs frictionally against a flint 17 when rotated, in order to project sparks above the opened burner or jet and therefore to produce a flame.
  • the flint 17 is urged against the spark- wheel by a spring 19.
  • the wheel assembly 14 is mounted in a pair of ears 30 of the lighter.
  • the wheel assembly comprises the spark- wheel 15 and the thumbwheels 16 mounted on an axle 31 which is supported in a pair of bearing holes 32 in the ears 30.
  • the shaft 31 of the wheel assembly 13 is corrugated 33, as are the bearing holes 32 in the ears 30. There is therefore a macroscopic frictional engagement between the shaft and the bearing holes, and a force large enough to overcome this friction must be exerted before the wheel assembly will turn.
  • These corresponding corrugations or serrations 33 are configured so that ignition will be too difficult for a child to achieve but will be possible for an adult to achieve.
  • Figs. 2a and 2b show the second form of lighter the corresponding parts are show by the same numerical identifiers.
  • the thumb-wheels 16 comprise extended teeth 40 which engage on a friction pad or indentation 41 located below it, preferably on the upper surface of the lever 12.
  • the thumbwheels 16 are in permanent engagement with this indentation 41 ; for example, the lever 12 may be resiliently mounted to press upwards against the thumbwheels.
  • the frictional engagement of the thumb-wheel prevents the wheel assembly from rotating until sufficient force is applied to overcome the friction.
  • the axles and supporting holes in the ears of the lighter are the same as a conventional lighter.
  • the lever which is conventionally made from plastic material may include a protective plate of steel, zamac or other suitable material, on that part of the lever which engages with the indentation 41 or friction pad so that the lever is not worn unduly during use and so that the engagement can be controlled or tuned to provide the desired child resistant properties.
  • This protective plate could be fixed or resiliently mounted and could have a particular shape such as a profiled notch to aid the control of the frictional engagement with the indentations or friction pads of the wheel assembly 14.
  • figs. 2c and 2d a further embodiment of the invention is shown in which the wheel assembly 14 is mounted so that it has to be pressed in before the sufficient force can be imparted on the thumbwheel to cause it to rotate.
  • the axle shafts 31 of the wheel assembly 14 are located in slot-like holes 32a in the ears of the lighter body.
  • the wheel assembly 14 is urged upwards by the flint spring 19.
  • the users thumb is pressed on the thumbwheel 16 which presses down the wheel assembly against the spring force of the flint spring 18 because the axle 31 is free to move in the slot 32a.
  • This downwards movement of the wheel assembly stops when the thumb wheel 16 abuts against the upper surface 12a of the lever part 12. This occurs before the axle 31 reaches the end of the slot 32a.
  • the frictional engagement between the thumbwheel and the lever part 12 can be controlled to the extent that the lighter will operate as a child resistant lighter.
  • the sparks would then be generated normally by the rotation of the spark wheel 15 against the flint 17 when the lighter is operated by an adult.
  • the upper surface of the lever part 12 comprises a frictional contacting surface 12a which may be of a different material or coating than a conventional lever.
  • Figs. 3a and 3b show an ignition mechanism of a third form of lighter.
  • the thumb-wheel has a friction pads 50 arranged adjacent to the shaft 31
  • the ear 30 has a friction bearing surface 51 on its inner surface around the bearing hole 32 and facing the thumb-wheel.
  • the friction bearing surface 51 on the inside of the ear 30 could be in the form of a discrete pad and preferably at least as many as of these pads are used so that there is not sufficient angular rotation between adjacent pads to operate the lighter without the pads being engaged.
  • the two support ears 30 bear resiliently inwards against the wheel assembly 13 to provide a force between the friction pad 50 and the friction ring 51.
  • the friction pad 50 therefore engages against the friction ring 51 to provide the frictional force which restrains the wheel assembly from rotating until sufficient force is applied.
  • the friction pad(s) and friction ring may be interchanged between the thumb-wheel and the support ear, and/or two friction rings may be used instead of a friction ring and a single or set of friction pad(s).
  • the friction ring and pad(s), or pair of friction rings may be provided on one or both sides of the wheel assembly.
  • the friction pads could either be arranged on the thumb wheel at a diameter in relation to the ear which means that the pads disengage from the friction rings on the ear for part of the cycle as shown in figs 3a and 3b, or alternatively the friction pads are arranged on a diameter in relation to the extent of the ear 30 which is always with in the ear 30 such that there is continuous engagement between the friction pads and the friction ring.
  • the friction ring or pad located on the ear 30 is conveniently made from the same plastic material as the ear and may be integrally moulded therewith. Alternatively the friction pad or ring may be made from a more hard wearing material such as zamac or steel in the form of an inserted plate.
  • Figs. 4a and 4b are a side view and end view respectively of the wheel assembly and support ears of the fourth form of lighter.
  • the ends of the shaft 31 and the bearing holes 32 are conical, as shown, and their engaging surfaces are coated or treated so that there is substantial friction between them.
  • the two ends of the shaft 31 are provided on separate parts 35, 36 with a spring 34 arranged between them and urging them apart and outwards against the ears 30. This generates the required friction between the corresponding conical surfaces.
  • the separate parts 35, 36 having corresponding cylindrical central portions which slide with respect to each other.
  • the outer cylindrical portion having a conventional spark wheel coil 37 arranged around it.
  • the support ears 30 bear resiliently inwards to provide the required frictional force between them and the wheel assembly, so that the wheel assembly will only turn if sufficient force is applied to it.
  • Figs 5a and 5b are side and end views of a further embodiment of the invention in which the ends of the supporting axles or stub shafts 31 are square shaped in cross section and are fitted in correspondingly square shaped holes in the ear extensions 30 of the body of the lighter.
  • the stub shafts form an integral shaft part 38 which is therefore not able to rotate. Instead the wheel assembly 14 is arranged to rotate about this integral shaft 38.
  • This arrangement of the wheel assembly frictionally engaging the shaft 38 makes the rotation of the wheel assembly more difficult than a conventional arrangement and to such an extent that it can be used to provide a child resistant lighter.
  • Furthermore the use of particular materials in the corresponding contacting surfaces 39 of the outside shaft 31 and the inside of the wheel assembly 14 enable the friction properties and the child resistant properties to be controlled.
  • a further embodiment of the invention is show in the end and side views of figs 6a and 6b as well as in the enlarged side view fig. 6c.
  • a rubber wheel 60 is provided which extends across the wheel assembly 14 and acts against both the thumb wheels 16 providing a resistance to the rotation of the wheel assembly 14. Additional force is required on the thumb wheel to rotate the wheel assembly 14 in order to overcome the deformation of the rubber wheel 60.
  • the wheel assembly comprises a conventional spark wheel in the form of a coil with two thumb wheels arranged either side of it. Both the wheel assembly 14 and the rubber wheel 60 are fitted in holes in the ear extensions 30 of the lighter body.
  • Figs 7a, 7b and 7c show the corresponding end view, side view and enlarged side view of a further embodiment of the invention.
  • This embodiment is similar to the previous embodiment except that a leaf spring 70 is provided, which extends across the wheel assembly and acts against the thumb wheel 16.
  • the leaf spring is provided with a lateral extension at its end which co-operates with the teeth of the thumb wheel 16 and impedes rotation of the thumb wheel. Thus an additional force is required on the thumb wheel in order to rotate the wheel assembly 14.
  • the leaf spring is mounted in the extension ears of the lighter body.
  • the leaf spring 70 as with the rubber wheel of the previous embodiment could also act on the spark wheel 15 rather than or as well as the thumb wheel 16.
  • Figs 8a, 8b and 8c show the corresponding end view, side view and enlarged side view of a further embodiment of the invention.
  • This embodiment also has a leaf spring 80 which extends across the wheel assembly and acts against the wheel assembly to resist its movement.
  • the leaf spring 80 is provided with an engaging shoe 81 at its free end which engages against corresponding engaging surfaces 82 on the wheel assembly 14.
  • the engaging surfaces 82 are provided between the spark wheel coil 15 and the thumb wheels 16.
  • the engaging shoe 81 and the engaging surfaces 82 are correspondingly curved about the rotating axis.
  • the spring force of the leaf spring 80 provides an engaging force between the engaging surfaces 82 and the engaging shoe, rather like a brake shoe, and this force provides frictional resistance to the rotation of the wheel assembly which makes operation of the lighter more difficult for a child.
  • the flint spring 19 presses up against the flint 17 which engages against the underside of the spark wheel 15 such that when the spark wheel rotates the rubbing between the outer surface of the spark wheel and the upper end of the flint 19 causes sparks to be created and to directed towards the jet of gas flowing from the burner.
  • the flint spring 19 provides such a large force against the flint 17 that the flint presses against the spring with such force that a child is unable to cause the spark wheel to be rotated, (within the meaning of the CPSC Rules & Regulations referred to earlier in this specification), but which nevertheless permit the spark wheel to be rotated by an adult.
  • the spark wheel may be provided with indentations on its outside surface of such a size and orientation that either on their own or combined with the additional spring force acting on the flint also achieve the desired child resistancy effect.
  • a child resistant lighter may be provided by the present invention which includes any combination of one or more of the features described in any of the above embodiments.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Lighters Containing Fuel (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un briquet à gaz de type tourner-presser pourvu d'une sécurité-enfant. Le procédé permettant de mettre en oeuvre cette sécurité-enfant consiste à ralentir par frottement l'ensemble molette d'allumage de sorte qu'un enfant ait des difficultés à l'actionner. Cet ensemble molette d'allumage peut comprendre une molette tournant dans un roulement strié; la périphérie ou les côtés de la molette de réglage peuvent présenter des projections qui s'engrènent dans le corps de levier ou de briquet. L'ensemble molette d'allumage peut être constitué de deux parties repoussées par un ressort interne de manière à s'engrener par frottement dans les roulements tronconiques; dans un autre mode de réalisation, l'ensemble molette peut tourner par frottement autour d'un axe fixe. L'ensemble molette peut être ralenti au moyen d'un disque caoutchouté ou d'un ressort à lames fixé. Dans un autre mode de réalisation, la pierre à briquet peut être pourvue d'un ressort puissant de manière à ralentir la molette d'allumage. En outre, la molette d'allumage peut être crantée pour s'engrener dans la pierre à briquet.
EP01915590A 2000-03-22 2001-02-26 Briquets a gaz a securite-enfant Withdrawn EP1269082A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0006795 2000-03-22
GB0006795A GB2360572B (en) 2000-03-22 2000-03-22 Child resistant gas lighters
PCT/IB2001/000419 WO2001071256A1 (fr) 2000-03-22 2001-02-26 Briquets a gaz a securite-enfant

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1269082A1 true EP1269082A1 (fr) 2003-01-02

Family

ID=9888084

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01915590A Withdrawn EP1269082A1 (fr) 2000-03-22 2001-02-26 Briquets a gaz a securite-enfant

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1269082A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2001242672A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2360572B (fr)
WO (1) WO2001071256A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB0104622D0 (en) 2001-02-24 2001-04-11 Swedish Match Lighters Bv Child resistant gas lighters
ES2265794B1 (es) * 2006-06-23 2008-01-16 Flamagas, S.A. Encendedor de bolsillo dotado de un mecanismo de seguridad para niños.

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH677021A5 (fr) 1988-09-16 1991-03-28 Parnat S A
US5547370A (en) 1995-09-12 1996-08-20 Hwang; Ing F. Safety striker wheel assembly for gas lighters
US5769625A (en) * 1996-01-04 1998-06-23 Polycity Industrial Limited Safety lighter with smooth striker wheel edges
US5676537A (en) * 1996-04-23 1997-10-14 Era Intermarketing Co., Inc. Lockable spark generating device for a lighter
ES2177984T3 (es) 1996-07-30 2002-12-16 Cricket Sa De Droit Francais Encendedor de gas.

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO0171256A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2360572A (en) 2001-09-26
WO2001071256A1 (fr) 2001-09-27
AU2001242672A1 (en) 2001-10-03
GB0006795D0 (en) 2000-05-10
GB2360572B (en) 2002-02-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6074198A (en) Gas lighter
EP0961080B1 (fr) Briquet avec protection
US20030031968A1 (en) Child resistant gas lighters
CA2268297C (fr) Briquet de securite avec rebord de molette lisse
US5957680A (en) Lighter having a guard member and cooperating blocking members
AU713162B2 (en) A gas safety lighter comprising a pyrophoric flint and spark wheel ignition system
US6676405B2 (en) Child resistant gas lighters
EP0752559B1 (fr) Briquet comportant un système d'allumage de sécurité
US20030022117A1 (en) Child resistant gas lighters
EP1269082A1 (fr) Briquets a gaz a securite-enfant
JP3021050B2 (ja) 点火安全システムを備えるガスライターデバイス
US20040146824A1 (en) Child resistant gas lighters
EP2023042B1 (fr) Allume-gaz de sécurité
ZA200305264B (en) Covered spark-generating device for a lighter with disengageable manipulable member
US20090246721A1 (en) Lighter having safety mechanism
WO2002065019A1 (fr) Briquet a gaz a l'epreuve des enfants
EP1376013B1 (fr) Briquet
HK1023613B (en) Lighter with guard

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20021022

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20040809

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20090901