Utility lighter

The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to general purpose utility lighters such as those used to ignite candles, barbecue grills, fireplaces and campfires.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lighters used for igniting tobacco products, such as cigars, cigarettes, and pipes, have developed over a number of years. Typically, these lighters use either a rotary friction element or a piezoelectric element to generate a spark in proximity to a nozzle emitting fuel from a fuel container. Piezoelectric mechanisms have gained universal acceptance. One such piezoelectric mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,697 (“the '697 patent”). The disclosure of the '697 patent is incorporated by reference herein.

Lighters have also evolved from the small, hand-held lighters to several forms of extended lighters. These lighters are also hand held, but are more useful for general purposes such as lighting candles, barbecue grills, fireplaces and campfires. Earlier attempts at such designs relied simply on extended actuating handles to house a typical lighter at the end. Examples of this concept are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,259,059 and 4,462,791.

In addition, many utility lighters have incorporated some form of operating mechanism to prevent unintentional operation of the lighter. Often, these mechanisms take the form of on/off switches that may prevent activation of the lighter. However, the on/off switches that must be positively moved by the user between “on” and “off” positions have drawbacks. For example, an adult user may forget to move the switch back to the “off” position after use and thereby render the on/off switch ineffective.

The prior art extended utility lighters typically have a trigger mechanism, which actuates both the fuel source and the ignitor mechanism. An example of such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,3269,256. In this lighter, the fuel release and spark generation are initiated by a single motion. In contrast, requiring separate and distinct motions for releasing gas and for actuating the piezoelectric mechanism would increase the difficulty of operating the extended utility lighter.

Thus, there remains a need for a utility lighter having a greater level of resistance for unintended users by requiring multiple movements or motions by the user to activate the lighter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to lighters having greater level of resistance for unintended users. The lighter comprises a housing with a nozzle having an outlet, and a fuel supply in communication with a fuel conduit adapted for selective release of fuel to the nozzle outlet. A valve actuator is included for engaging a valve to release fuel. A release member is included, and is slidably supported by the housing at a first end and unsupported at a second end such that an intended user may act on the second end of the release member and then slide the release member to engage the valve to release fuel. A trigger extends from the housing and is operatively connected to an ignitor to produce a spark to ignite the released fuel. The release member and the trigger are configured such that the intended user may release the fuel and produce the spark at substantially the same time to produce a flame.

In another embodiment, the release member has a cam surface adapted to act on the valve actuator to release fuel, such that the intended user may act on the second end to selectively release fuel. In another embodiment, the user may move the trigger in a first direction and then in second direction to produce a spark to ignite the selectively released fuel. In yet another embodiment, the lighter includes a release member biased against a stop member on the housing to restrict the fuel conduit. The release member is actuatable by a user to remove the restriction on the fuel conduit and to selectively release fuel. These features and other features are fully described and claimed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning toFIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a utility lighter10constructed in accordance with the present invention generally includes a housing12which may primarily be formed of a molded rigid polymer or plastic materials such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene terpolymer (ABS), or the like. Housing12includes a handle14disposed toward the back of the lighter10, proximate to a first end16. It should be noted that the term back, as used herein, refers to that portion which is closest to first end16and the term front, as used herein, refers to that portion which is closest to a second end20of lighter10. It will be noted that the terms first end16and second end20are used to describe the preferred embodiments and form no part of the present invention.

A nozzle18is disposed proximate the second end20for emitting fuel to sustain a flame as will be described herein. Handle14preferably contains a fuel supply container22, which may be a conventional butane fuel cell. A fuel conduit24, such as a plastic tube, is fixed to a fluid connector26at one end, which is positioned next or connected to a valve28on fuel supply container22. The opposite end of conduit24terminates at nozzle18. Nozzle18may include a diffuser spring affixed thereto and acts as an electrode. It is preferably formed of an electrically conductive material such as brass or zinc. A diffuser spring can be an electrically conductive coil spring, where the space between the adjacent coils of the spring is designed to allow air to mix with the released fuel to ensure a proper air/fuel mixture suitable for combustion.

Valve28is operable by a valve actuator30, which is pivotally attached to fuel supply container22, better shown inFIG. 2. The valve actuator30has a lift end32and a push end34. Thus, when valve actuator30is pivoted, i.e., when forced is applied to lift the lift end32or depress the push end34, fuel is released by valve28through connector26and fuel conduit24, and finally to nozzle18. A suitable fuel supply container22is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,197 (“the '197 patent”). The disclosure of the '197 patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

A release member36is provided to facilitate operation of the valve actuator30. The release member36is resiliently biased toward the first end16of the housing12and has a back end38with a flange portion39fixed thereto. Release member36is preferably made from a resilient material, such as acetal, or another plastic supported by a spring. Flange39is dimensioned and configured to be received in a corresponding channel41on handle14, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3. Specifically, flange39is slidable with respect to channel41in the front-back direction, but is not allowed to move in a direction transverse thereto. The release member36also has a second end40, located opposed to back end38, abutting the housing12. Second end40remains unconnected to the housing12and may be resiliently depressed downward into the interior of the lighter. The downward depression of second end40is possible because the movement of the back end38is restricted to channel41, such that the back end38provides a cantilever support for release member36.

While other types of resilient members or springs can be used, a metal coil spring42preferably connects one end of the release member36to handle14as shown inFIG. 2. More preferably, the release member36is resiliently biased by coil spring42secured between a spring tab44on release member36and a spring stopper46on the handle. The release member36further includes a release tab48for actuating the valve actuator30. In this configuration, the release member36is depressable at second end40toward the interior of the lighter, and slidable toward the second end20of the housing12to release fuel gas.

As shown inFIG. 2, which illustrates the release member36in an inoperative state, release tab48is not engaging end32of the valve actuator30. Thus, even if the user slides the release member36forward toward second end20, tab48does not engage with lift end32to lift the valve28to release fuel. To release fuel, a user should first depress second end40of release member36such that release tab48engages lift end32prior to pushing release member36forward to release fuel.

It will be noted that valve28can be either a normally open valve or a normally closed valve. A normally open valve is a valve that normally allows fuel to be released, unless pressure is applied to the valve to close the valve. A compression spring43is provided, as shown inFIGS. 2,4,4A,4B,5,7,8,8A,9,9A,10,10A,11and11A to exert a pressure on push end34, which in turn presses lift end32to close valve28.

On the other hand, a normally closed valve is a valve that normally shuts off the release of fuel. Pressure is applied to the valve to open the same to release the fuel. After the pressure is released, the valve automatically closes to cutoff fuel release. A compression spring43may be provided to bias lift end32in a direction opposite to the release direction.

A trigger52is also provided to facilitate the spark generation at the nozzle18. The trigger52extends from the handle14of the lighter10. The trigger52is adapted to act on a first end59of a linking arm56, which is rotatably secured to the housing12on a pin57. The second end55of linking arm56acts on a linking rod58, which is operatively connected to activate an ignitor60. Preferably, linking arm56and linking rod58are mounted to the housing12in a biased manner such that the linking arm56is biased in a counterclockwise direction and the linking rod58is slidable in the back-to-front direction, as shown inFIG. 2. For example, a return spring in a piezoelectric mechanism may be used to bias the linking rod58and linking arm56in the counterclockwise direction. Trigger52is depressable by a user toward the first end16of the lighter10to generate a spark. Trigger52acts on first end59of linking arm56which rotates second end55toward linking rod58in a clockwise direction to compress electric ignitor60to generate a spark. Trigger52can be replaced with a squeeze mechanism such that when pressure is applied to handle14in a specific direction, one handle portion pivots with respect to another portion to activate the ignitor assembly60.

Although not necessary for all aspects of this invention, an electric ignitor60such as a piezoelectric mechanism is the preferred ignitor assembly. A piezoelectric mechanism has been illustrated inFIGS. 1–2schematically and particularly described in the '697 patent. The details necessary to an understanding of this invention have been shown in the drawings. In summary, however, a piezoelectric mechanism is a telescopic assembly which may be compressed to generate a voltage between first and second electrical contacts62,64. The telescopic assembly generally comprises two telescopic members separated by a biasing return spring.

Specifically, piezoelectric mechanism60contains a piezoelectric crystal in electrical contact with and generally situated between first and second electrical contacts62and64. Electrical contact62is generally referred to as an anvil, and electrical contact64contacts an impact pad positioned on an opposite side of the piezoelectric crystal. First electrical contact62is in direct contact with an electrically conductive wand66, which is disposed on the outside portion of housing12at junction location68, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2.

Conductive wand66is preferably made out of metal, which may be disposed over a portion of housing12. Second electrical contact64is preferably connected to an insulated wire70having two exposed ends72and74. Exposed end72is connected to contact64while exposed end74is connected to nozzle18. Nozzle18and/or diffuser spring therefore act as an electrode. At the front end of the conductive wand66, a tab or antenna76, is stamped from wand66proximate second end20to create a spark gap78with an outlet80of nozzle18. An opening82at the end of conductive wand66allows the passage of ignited fuel from the lighter10. Also, in a conventional manner, side apertures84, only one of which is shown inFIG. 1, may be provided to allow the intake of air.

An electrically insulating cap86is disposed around at least a portion of nozzle18and generally between nozzle18and conductive wand66. This electrically insulating cap86deters sparks from being generated between nozzle18and any surfaces of conductive wand66other than the tab76.

The operation of lighter10will now be described generally with reference toFIG. 1. With one hand, a user grasps handle14with the thumb on front end40of release member36and the index finger on trigger52. The thumb depresses the front end40of the release member36downwardly while sliding the release member36forward toward second end20of the housing12. The depressed release member36pivots downward and moves forward toward the second end20of the housing12, initiating a similar downward and forward movement for the associated release tab48. The downward movement engages the release tab48with lift end32of the valve actuator30, and the forward movement of the release tab48slides the lift end32forward to lift the valve28to release fuel. Gaseous fuel, such as butane, is thereby released from nozzle18at the nozzle outlet80.

Thereafter, the user may pull the trigger52, which rotates the linking arm56, moves the linking rod58forward and compresses piezoelectric mechanism60, to generate a voltage between electrical contacts62and64. Electrical current passes from contact62into electrically conductive wand66and from contact64into wire70, which is connected to electrically conductive nozzle18. A spark is thereby generated in spark gap78to ignite the released fuel. The ignited fuel therefore passes through hole82. As long as the user depresses front end40of release member36to sustain the fuel release, the trigger52may be repeatedly pulled and the piezoelectric mechanism60repeatedly actuated to generate a spark to ignite the released fuel in the event that the first actuation does not produce a flame. Although not necessary to practice this invention, preferably the gas is released before the actuation of the piezoelectric ignitor, so that fuel can travel down conduit24and reach the nozzle when a spark is generated.

As shown inFIG. 2, when the user releases the release member36, spring42biases the release member36backward toward the first end16and tab48disengages from lift end32of valve actuator30. Compression spring43biases valve actuator30such that end32acts on valve28thereby closing and shutting off the supply of fuel to nozzle18. This extinguishes the flame emitted from the hole82. After pressure is released, front end40of release member36also moves upward and disengages release tab48from lift end32. Due to the cantilever connection between back end38and handle14, front end40of release member36is normally biased in this upward position. Operating both the release member36and the trigger52in sequence with respect to each other increases the skills required to operate the lighter10and thereby elevating the level of difficulty associated with its use.

Additionally, to prevent forward movement of release member36without depressing front end40, front end40may be configured and dimensioned to abut housing12in the inoperative state, as shown inFIG. 1.

Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 2a, release member36can be used without valve actuator30. In this embodiment, release tab48is configured and dimensioned to engage valve28to lift the same to release fuel. For example, release tab48may have a fork end adapted to engage the tip of valve28. Thus, depressing front end40engages release tab48with valve28, and the subsequent forward motion of release member36allows the release tab48to open the valve28and release the fuel. As can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, this embodiment of release member36is readily usable with a normally closed valve28, because as release tab48is released, valve28is automatically shut-off. This embodiment can also be used with a normally open valve, if release tab48permanently engages valve28such that the biasing action of spring42on release member36exerts sufficient pressure on valve28to shut-off fuel.

FIG. 4illustrates another embodiment according to the present invention. Release member202comprises a back end204and a front end206with a finger207dependent therefrom. Release member202also has a pin208adapted to be received in channel210defined on housing12, and a release tab212for actuating the valve actuator30. The back end204abuts the housing12and may or may not be of cantilevered-like construction as described in the earlier embodiment shown inFIG. 2. The back end204may be secured by a spring214to handle14. Preferably spring214is a tension spring for biasing the release member202in the rearward direction. A body stop216on the housing12prevents frontward movement of the release member202beyond a predetermined distance. The front end206of the release member202engages a spring220, which is positioned against the housing12for upwardly biasing the front end206of the release member202. Preferably the upward spring220is a leaf spring as shown. Alternatively, release member202can be connected to the housing12in a cantilever manner, as illustrated above, or spring220can be a coil spring. The pin208secures the release member202to the housing12of the lighter10, allowing front-to-back movements of the release member202relative to the housing12.

FIG. 4shows the lighter10in the inoperative state, in which the linking rod58is in engagement with finger207of front end206of the release member202. Preferably, the linking rod58also has a stop230disposed thereon to increase the difficulty of operating the lighter10. When a user pulls the trigger52without first depressing front end206, linking arm56rotates in a clockwise direction and pushes linking rod58forward. However, since stop230on the linking rod58abuts finger207, which in turn abuts body stop216, operative movement of linking rod58is prevented.

To operate the lighter, a user first depresses the release member202downward then sliding it forward toward the second end20of the lighter10. The downward movement disengages the front end206from the body stop216and finger207from stop230, allowing forward movement of release member202. Sliding the release member202toward the front of the lighter10moves the release tab212in a similar fashion, allowing the release tab212to catch the lift end32of the valve actuator30and to open valve28to release fuel from the fuel cell22. Gaseous fuel, such as butane is released to the nozzle18. Since finger207no longer interferes with stop230on the linking rod58, the user may pull the trigger52, to actuate a spark. The spark ignites the air/gas mixture released from the nozzle18to produce a flame.

When the user releases the release member202and the trigger52, springs214and220return the release member202, thereby returning release tab212into its original upwardly and backwardly biased position and shutting off the supply of fuel to nozzle18. This extinguishes the flame emitted from the hole82. As described above with respect toFIG. 2a, the embodiment shown inFIG. 4may be adapted to release gas without valve actuator30, when release tab212is adapted to directly engage valve28.

A variation of the embodiment inFIG. 4is shown inFIG. 4A. Latch member202comprises a catch232dependent therefrom and extending downward as shown. In the inoperative position, catch232is out of alignment with end55of the linking arm56. In this embodiment, depressing release member202engages catch232with end55of linking arm56. Thereafter, pulling of trigger52will move catch232and assist with the forward sliding of release member202and the release of fuel from the fuel cell22.

Alternatively as shown inFIG. 4B, finger207of release member202may be positioned initially above stop230on linking rod58, such that operative movements of trigger52, linking arm56and linking rod58are allowed to actuate piezoelectric unit60without first actuating the release member202. However, partial depression of release member202brings finger207into interference with stop230, thereby inhibiting operative movement of linking rod58to actuate piezoelectric unit60. If release member202is fully depressed to a position, where finger207clears stop230, then linking rod58may be pushed forward to actuate piezoelectric unit60. Release member202can then be pushed forward to release fuel, or end55of the biasing pivoting mechanism can engage catch232to push release member202forward to release fuel.

Referring toFIG. 5, another embodiment according to the present invention has a release member302with release tab304and spring tab305. The spring tab305is resiliently secured to the housing12with compression spring306as shown. The spring306backwardly biases the release member302toward the first end16when the release member302is in an inoperative state. When a user slides the release member302forward toward the second end20, the release tab304engages lift end32of the valve actuator30, allowing the release of fuel from the fuel cell22. When the user releases release member302, the spring306backwardly biases the release tab304and the compression spring43biases valve actuator30pushing the lift end32toward the back end of the lighter10, closing and shutting off the supply of fuel to nozzle18. This suspends the release of fuel from the fuel cell22and returns the lighter back to the inoperative state. This embodiment can also be adapted for use without valve actuator30, as fully described above. Furthermore, the release tab may be configured such that it is always in contact with either left end32of valve actuator30or valve28, as illustrated inFIG. 5.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cantilevered release member402, shown inFIG. 6, has a catch404disposed toward the interior of the housing12. The cantilevered construction upwardly biases the release member402to its inoperative state. A stationary stop405, fixedly located in the housing12, has an arcuate section408positioned in its mid-section for receiving a sleeve410, which is configured to cooperate with the catch404for pinching the sleeve410. Sleeve410has a central aperture, which is adapted for fuel conduit24to pass through. In the inoperative state, the upwardly biasing catch404of release member402pinches sleeve410and fuel conduit24against the stationary stop405to prevent the release of fuel.

Preferably, the sleeve410is constructed of elastomeric material having sufficient elasticity to withstand the pressure exerted by catch404and stationary stop405. It is further preferred that the sleeve410is constructed from a highly elastic material, capable of remaining compressed for long periods of time and returning to its original shape once the pressure from the catch404is released. Alternatively, conduit24may discontinue at sleeve410, such that conduit24is not exposed to the pressure exerted by catch404and stop405. Conduit24may continue from sleeve410to the nozzle. Thus, the fuel conduit may be any vessel, which communicates fuel from valve28to the nozzle18. The catch404may be U-shaped, as shown inFIG. 6, or L-shaped, as shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B. In addition, the catch404can have a modified U-shape where one end of the catch404is not connected to release member402. The L-shaped and modified U-shaped catch configurations provide for easier assembly of the lighter10while the U-shaped catch allows more uniform distribution of pressure exerted by the release member402. Additionally, conduit24and/or sleeve410may be supported by a stent412shown inFIG. 6C, positioned either internal or external to the conduit or sleeve. Such a stent has been used in the medical field to support the walls of a blood vessel or a urethral canal. Examples of this stent are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,817,100 and 5,443,498.

Release member402may also have an extension414dependent therefrom. Extension414may have lip416adapted to interfere with corresponding lip418of second end55of linking arm56. The interfering relationship between extension414and pivoting linking arm56prevents the actuation of the lighter10unless the release member402is depressed.

In operation, a user depresses the release member402, thereby lowering the catch404, releasing the pressure exerted on the sleeve410and allowing the flow of fuel from the fuel cell22to the nozzle18. Depressing the release member402also lowers the extension414and disengages the lip416with the lip418. Thereafter, the user can pull the trigger52for generating the spark and igniting the released fuel.

Another embodiment of the release member is shown inFIG. 7. The release member602comprises a release tab604adapted to act on the push end34of the valve actuator30, and a locking tab606extending into the housing12. The locking tab606has a lip608that normally interferes with a trigger stop610positioned on the trigger52. The locking tab606also defines a stop612that normally interferes a stop614on the housing12. In the inoperative state, the stop612is in alignment with the stop614on body12, such that when a user tries to depress the trigger52, the trigger stop610acts on lip608of release member602. Since stop612of release member602interferes with stop614on body12, the user cannot depress the trigger52. In operation, the release member602is moved generally in the upward direction shown as arrow A, which moves stop612out of alignment with the stop614, and the user can slide the release member602generally backward, shown as arrow B, to actuate the valve actuator30and release fuel from the fuel cell22to the nozzle18. In addition, as the release member602is displaced, the lip608is also displaced from interfering with the trigger stop610, allowing actuation of the trigger52. Pulling the trigger52at this time will generate a spark igniting the air/gas mixture released earlier in the vicinity of the nozzle18. Preferably, trigger52can't be depressed until fuel is selectively released.

A variation to the embodiment shown inFIG. 7is presented inFIG. 8, where release member602comprises a release tab604adapted to act on push end34of the valve actuator30and a locking tab606extending into the housing12. Release member602further defines a release channel616to receive a pin618, positioned on the housing for slidable movement therein. The pin618secures the release member602to the housing12while allowing movement of the release member602relative to the housing12. In operation, as the release member602is moved in an upward direction shown as arrow C, the release member602moves in a counter clockwise direction, toward the interior of the housing12. The upward movement of release member602disengages lip608from trigger release610as described above. The release member602is thereafter moved generally backward, shown as arrow D, allowing pin618to slide in release channel616, thereby depressing push end34and releasing fuel from the fuel cell22. A spring620, shown inFIG. 8Ain association with stopper612, downwardly biases the release member602and returns same toward its inoperative position. Alternatively, channel616can be a hole allowing pin618to pivot therein, and release tab604may have a cam surface similar to cam surface705shown inFIG. 9, so that pivotal movement of the release member602in the counterclockwise direction acts on push end34of valve actuator30to release gas.

Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 8A, stop610on trigger52may be positioned initially above lip608on release member602, such that operative movements of trigger52, biasing linking arm56and linking rod58are allowed to actuate piezoelectric unit60, without first actuating the release member602. However, partial movement of release member602in direction C brings stop610into interference with lip608, thereby inhibiting operative movement of trigger52to actuate piezoelectric unit60. If release member602is fully moved in direction C such that lip608clears stop610, then trigger52can then be pulled to actuate piezoelectric unit60.

Another embodiment of the release member702constructed according to the present invention is shown inFIG. 9. Release member702has a release tab704and is resiliently biased in a downward direction away from the housing12by spring707. Preferably, the release tab704has an upwardly sloping cam surface705for actuating the push end34of the valve actuator30when release member702is pushed upwardly against spring707. In this embodiment, the release member702cannot move in the front-back direction due to the interference between release member702and housing12. The release member702comprises a blocking member709including a blocking tab706having lip708disposed thereon. Lip708normally interferes with a lip710disposed on first end59of linking arm56. When a user tries to pull the trigger52without first upwardly moving the release member702, lip710of first end59interferes with lip708of the blocking tab706, thereby preventing the user from pulling the trigger52. In operation, the user first upwardly moves the release member702, and the corresponding upward movement of the sloped surface705of the release tab704depresses the press end34to release fuel gas. Moving the release member702upwardly also moves the lip708out of alignment with lip710. Therefore, the user may pull the trigger52to generate a spark to ignite the released fuel. Preferably, trigger52can't be depressed until fuel is selectively released.

Alternatively, lip708A of release member702may be initially positioned below lip710of linking arm56as shown inFIG. 9A, such that operative movement of linking arm56is allowed to actuate piezoelectric unit60without upward movement of release member702. However, partial upward movement of release member702brings lip708A into interference with lip710, thereby inhibiting operative movement of linking arm56to actuate piezoelectric unit60. If release member702is fully moved upward, such that lip708A clears lip710, then linking arm56is movable to actuate piezoelectric unit60.

Alternatively, release member702may have arm712with blocking tab714configured and dimensioned to block the movement of trigger52as shown inFIG. 10. Upward movement of release member702to release fuel, as described above, moves blocking tab714out of engagement with trigger stop716, thereby allowing operative movement of trigger52. Alternatively, blocking tab714A of release member702may be positioned initially below trigger stop716, as shown inFIG. 10A, such that operative movement of trigger52is allowed without movement of release member702. However, partial upward movement of release member702brings blocking tab714A into interference with trigger stop716. If release member702is moved fully upward, such that blocking tab714A clears trigger stop716, trigger52can then be pulled to actuate piezoelectric unit60.

FIG. 11shows another embodiment constructed according to the present invention. The release member802is operatively connected to the upper portion of the housing12and is upwardly biased by a spring804attached to the housing. Preferably, release member802has a release tab806with a sloping surface810for actuating the lift end32of the valve actuator30when release member802is pushed downwardly against spring804. In this embodiment, the release member802cannot move in the front-back direction due to the interference between release member802and housing12. The release member802includes a blocking tab812having lip814disposed thereon. As shown inFIG. 11, in the initial position lip814interferes with stop816on linking rod58. If a user pulls trigger52without first depressing release member802to move lip814out of engagement with stop816, forward movement of linking rod58is prevented and no spark is generated.

Alternatively, lip814is initially located above stop816of linking rod58, as shown inFIG. 11A. A user may pull the trigger52without first downwardly pushing the release member802, thereby generating a spark. However, since no fuel gas is released no flame is produced. In operation, the release member802is first moved downwardly and the corresponding downward movement of the sloped surface810of the release tab806lifts the lift end32to begin the release of fuel gas. At this state, the lip814is in alignment with stop816, interfering with the pulling of trigger52and providing an intermediate blocking mechanism in the operation of the lighter. Further downward movement of the release member802moves the lip814out of alignment with stop816, allowing the user to pull the trigger52to generate a spark to ignite the released fuel.

FIG. 12discloses another aspect of the present invention. Trigger52defines a substantially oval shaped channel902adapted to receive a pin904, which is fixedly attached to the lighter body. The lighter body also has stop member906, which normally interferes with shoulder908of trigger92. This interference raises the difficulty of activating trigger52, by preventing the normal backward movement of the trigger until stop member906is moved out of interference with shoulder908. To activate the trigger, the user first rotates the trigger in direction E, as shown inFIG. 12. This movement brings shoulder908out of interference with stop906. The user then may move trigger52backward along direction F to act on linking arm56to actuate piezoelectric mechanism60.FIG. 12illustrates an example of this embodiment in combination with the embodiment shown inFIG. 9. However, this embodiment can be employed singly or in combination with any of the other embodiments described above to increase the level of difficulty of operating the lighter.

FIG. 12Aillustrates a modification ofFIG. 12. Pin904is received in channel902, which has an arcuate shape. To actuate the trigger, the user first moves the trigger in the direction E to bring shoulder908out of interference with stop906. The user may then move the trigger in the direction F to actuate the trigger.

While various descriptions of the present invention are described above, it should be understood that the various features can be used singly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the specifically preferred embodiments depicted herein. Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Accordingly, all expedient modifications readily attainable by one versed in the art from the disclosure set forth herein that are within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims.