Patent Publication Number: US-6213759-B1

Title: Disposable utility lighter with child resistant device

Description:
This Application is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 09/236,987 filed Jan. 26, 1999 now abandoned which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 08/997,029 filed Dec. 23, 1997, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to safety devices for a utility lighter used to light barbecues (BBQs) and fireplaces and the like; and more particularly, relates to a child resistant safety device for such lighters. 
     2. Background Information 
     Many different BBQ and fireplace utility lighters are available on the market. Generally, these devices have a reservoir with a flammable fluid in the handle, and a trigger to generate an electric spark to ignite the fluid at a nozzle tip. The fluid is released to the nozzle tip and ignited by an electrical spark generated by a piezoelectric cartridge or similar device in the handle of the lighter. 
     An elongated handle and nozzle, on these devices, keep the flame well away from the user. Further, the elongated construction allows the device to be used to ignite BBQs, fireplaces, etc. without getting near the flame. A disadvantage of these devices is that they appear very much like toys, and are attractive to children who could accidentally start a fire or injure themselves by improper use. 
     To light the flame, a lighter fluid such as butane is released when the trigger is operated and flows to the nozzle tip. As the trigger reaches near the end of its travel, a spark generator is activated, generating a spark at the nozzle tip causing the lighter fluid to ignite. Usually the device for generating the spark is a piezoelectric or the like that is activated by the trigger nearly simultaneously with release of the fluid. A regulator on the device, regulates the size of the flame by regulating the flow of the lighter fluid. This device can then be easily used to ignite a BBQ, fireplace, candles or any other item where a match would be used. 
     For safety reasons, attempts have been made to incorporate child resistance devices into these disposable lighters and similar devices such as cigarette lighters. Usually these devices are constructed to prevent the flow of ignition fluid or lock the trigger. Most of the device conceived are designed to provide sufficient resistance to prevent or deter use by children while at the same time being inconvenient to use. On/off switches or devices that lock the trigger can be effective to prevent operation. However, children can often figure out how these devices work and easily unlock the trigger. Another disadvantage of this type of safety device is that the user must remember to turn off or relock the trigger after use. This is an inconvenience. It would be preferable if a more effective method to disable the utility lighter could be provided. 
     Therefore, it is one object of the present invention to provide a utility lighter for BBQs and fireplaces that have a child resistant device that prevents operation of the trigger. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a child resistant device for a utility lighter for BBQs or fireplaces that discourages use by children. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved child resistant safety device for a utility BBQ lighter that has a release button and trigger that can be simultaneously operated with one finger. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a child resistant device for a utility lighter that automatically relocks the trigger when the child resistant safety device is released. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a child resistant device for a utility lighter including a button at the top of the device that must be operated and held while the trigger is being operated. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a child resistant device for a utility lighter having a trigger release button on top of the handle, sufficient spaced from the trigger to allow use with one hand by an adult, but is difficult to manipulate by children. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a child resistant device for a disposable utility lighter that has separate controls for the ignition trigger and the lighter fluid. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an operating lever to independently operate a valve to release before fluid in a disposable utility lighter. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a child resistant utility lighter having a separate valve operating lever for releasing lighter fluid that extends through an upper portion of the lighter housing adjacent a lighter flow control regulator dial. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a child resistant utility lighter having a trigger for releasing fuel that must be held on while a separate ignition button is operated. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a child resistant utility lighter configured with a trigger for releasing fuel and a separately operated ignition button on top of the lighter for igniting the fuel. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a child resistant utility lighter having separate fuel release and ignition buttons that operate sequentially. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The purpose of the prevent invention is to provide a child resistant device for a utility lighter to light a BBQ or fireplace lighters that effectively prevents use by children, but is simple in construction and low in cost to manufacture. An elongate handle on the utility lighter serves as a housing for a lighter fluid reservoir and electric spark generator. An elongate nozzle extends outward from the handle to a nozzle tip. Lighter fluid is delivered from the reservoir to the tip by a tube. Operation of the trigger releases fluid to the tip which expands into a gas for ignition. 
     When the trigger is operated, a spark generator is activated to generate a spark at a spark gap at the nozzle tip. Generally, the spark generator is a piezoelectric cartridge used to ignite the fluid exiting the nozzle tip. The flow of fluid can be adjusted by the regulator dial that opens or closes a valve on the exit port of the lighter fluid reservoir. The regulator controls the size of the flame. The regulator allows ignition of a flame with minimum fluid. Adjustment of the flame can be achieved after the flame is ignited or prior to igniting the flame if there is difficulty of obtaining ignition. The regulator allows flow to be adjusted for optimum ignition and minimum use of lighter fluid. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the child safety device is in the form of trigger release button mounted adjacent to and above the trigger. The trigger release button has a flange or abutment for engaging a plate on the trigger, preventing its operation until the release button is pressed. The advantage of having the trigger release button adjacent to the trigger is that the device can be operated with one finger, but requires considerable dexterity. 
     To operate this device a finger, such as the index finger, is placed on the trigger. The index finger is pressed upward to activate the release button and then simultaneously, the trigger is pulled back to release fluid and activate the spark generator. Release of the trigger also simultaneously releases the trigger release button, relocking the trigger and preventing use by children. 
     The trigger release button is mounted beneath the trigger guard immediately adjacent to and above the trigger. The trigger release button has a curved surface to fit the finger placed in the trigger guard, and a tubular portion, forming a socket for receiving a spring to bias the trigger release button into a locking position. A plate on the trigger release button extends rearward over a flange on the trigger, and has an abutment engaging the end of the trigger flange preventing its operation. 
     The trigger is slidably mounted in the lighter housing beneath the trigger guard, and has a socket for engaging the spark generator while also activating a valve to release fluid from the lighter fluid reservoir. The BBQ or fireplace lighter is constructed in a conventional manner. A reservoir, containing a lighter fluid, is mounted in the handle and has a valve for releasing lighter fluid through a tube into an elongate nozzle to the nozzle tip. A spark generator, mounted in the handle, has conductors connected to a spark gap mounted immediately adjacent to the nozzle tip. The trigger is constructed to release lighter fluid from the reservoir through the valve into the nozzle tip when activated. Continued activation of the trigger then generates a spark at the spark gap igniting the fluid at the nozzle tip in a conventional manner. A regulator, with an adjustable dial allows the amount of fluid released to the nozzle to be increased or decreased as desired. In this way, the size of the flame at the nozzle tip can be controlled. 
     In a second embodiment of the invention, the child resistant trigger release device is in the form of a button extending through a hole in the top of the BBQ lighter housing. The button is attached to a lever or rocker arm mounted on a pivot pin having an abutment, engaging a boss formed on a flange portion of the trigger. A spring biases the abutment into engagement with the trigger boss preventing operation of the trigger. 
     To release the trigger, the button is pushed downward causing a seesaw motion of the rocker arm, lifting and releasing the abutment from engagement with the boss on the trigger. This allows the trigger to slide backward, activating the fluid reservoir valve and nearly simultaneously, the spark gap generator. Thus, the sequence of operation is pushing down on the button to release the trigger lock; pull back on the trigger to open the fluid reservoir valve, allowing ignition fluid to flow to the nozzle tip; and nearly simultaneously activate the spark gap to ignite the fluid exiting a delivery tube at the nozzle tip, igniting a flame. 
     In this embodiment, the trigger locking and release mechanism is simple in construction and easy for an adult to use, but requires considerable dexterity, and will discourage use by children. Further, the trigger release button is preferably far enough away from the trigger that it would be difficult for a child to simultaneously reach the trigger and the trigger release button. 
     A child resistant device is provided in a third embodiment by an on/off switch which locks the trigger. In addition to the on/off switch, a valve lever is provided that must be manually operated to deliver fluid to the nozzle tip before the utility lighter will ignite. No lighter fluid will be allowed to flow to the nozzle tip until the valve lever is operated. Thus, to operate this embodiment, the switch must be turned on to release the trigger, the valve lever operated to release fluid to the tip, and then the trigger must be operated to ignite the fluid. 
     The valve flow control lever extends through the top of the utility lighter immediately adjacent to the flow control regulating dial. The flow control regulating dial controls the volume of fluid that flows from the lighter fluid reservoir to the nozzle tip while the valve lever open and closes the valve to start and stop the flow of lighter fluid to the nozzle tip. 
     A fourth embodiment of a child resistant utility lighter includes separately operated mechanisms for releasing fuel and igniting the fuel. In this embodiment, a button is provided for releasing fuel which must be held on while a second button is simultaneously operated to ignite the fuel. In the preferred arrangement of the invention, the fuel release button is coupled to the fuel reservoir release valve while the ignition button is on top of the lighter. This results in opposite motions for releasing fuel and igniting the fuel that would be difficult for a child to do even using two hands. However, an adult can easily manipulate this device by simultaneously holding the trigger in a fuel-release position while manipulating the fuel ignition button on top of the utility lighter. Thus the fourth embodiment incorporates mechanisms that are independently and oppositely operated which is a difficult manipulative task by a child. 
     The above and other novel features of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which like reference number identify like parts throughout. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a disposable utility lighter according to the invention with a second embodiment illustrated in phantom. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the details of a first embodiment taken at  2 — 2  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged, partial sectional views illustrating the operation of a first embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a second embodiment of the invention. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged partial sections taken at  6 — 6  of FIG. 5 illustrating operation of the second embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the third embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken at  9 — 9  of FIG.  8 . 
     FIGS. 10 and 11 are enlarged partial sections illustrating operation of the third embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the fourth embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken at  13 — 13  of FIG.  8 . 
     FIGS. 14 and 15 are enlarged partial sections illustrating operation of the third embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A utility lighter  10  is illustrated in the isometric view of FIG.  1 . Disposable utility lighter  10  is conventional in construction except for the child resistant safety device. BBQ lighter  10  is comprised of a housing  12  having a nozzle  14  and nozzle tip  16 , and trigger  18  beneath trigger guard  20  for igniting a flame. A flame is ignited by operation of a trigger  18  releases lighter fluid to nozzle tip  16  for ignition by a spark as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. Rotatable dial  22  adjusts the size of the flame at nozzle tip  16 . In a first embodiment, a child release device is provided by a trigger lock and release mechanism  24 , which will be described in greater detail hereafter. 
     Disposable utility lighter  10  is conventional in construction and operation as shown in FIG. 2, and is comprised of a fluid reservoir  26 , providing fluid through tube  28  to nozzle tip  16 , which is ignited by a spark at spark gap  30 . Fluid is released to nozzle tip  16  by trigger  18 , engaging lever  34  to open valve  36 , allowing fluid to flow from fluid reservoir  26  through tube  28  to nozzle tip  16 . Nearly simultaneously, trigger  18  activates spark generator  25  to generate a spark at spark gap  30 . This construction is conventional in nearly all disposable utility lighters. 
     A unique feature of the invention is the child resistant trigger lock and release mechanism  24 , comprised of a button  38 , that must be pushed upward simultaneously with operation of trigger  18  to allow ignition of a flame. Trigger release button  38  has a curved surface to fit a finger placed beneath trigger guard  20  on trigger  18 , and includes a cylindrical portion  40 , having a socket  42  for receiving a spring  44 . Preferably, socket  42  has a post  46  fitting inside to center coil spring  44  and prevent it from slipping out of socket  42 . Coil spring  44  has one end seated in socket  42  and the other end in abutment with housing  12 . 
     Trigger release button  38  also has an extension  48 , that includes an abutment  50 , extending over and around an edge  52  of flange  53  on trigger  18 . Abutment  50  prevents trigger  18  from being operated until release button  38  is pressed. 
     The operation of the first embodiment of a child resistant device for utility lighters is shown in the enlarged partial sectional view of FIGS. 3 and 4. As can be seen in FIG. 3, attempts to pull trigger  18  back, as indicated by the arrow causes edge  52  of flange  53  on trigger  18  to engage abutment  50  on plate  48 , extending rearward from trigger release button  38 . This will prevent operation of the BBQ lighter. Also, attempting to pull trigger  18  backward, before releasing trigger release button  38  will make it more difficult to release the trigger because of the force of the edge  52  of trigger flange  53  on abutment  50 . 
     To properly operate the device and ignite a flame, trigger release button  38  must be pushed upward by a finger before, or almost simultaneously with a rearward force on trigger  18 , as indicated by the arrows. An upward force on abutment  38  retracts abutment  50  on plate  48  away from edge  52  on trigger  18 , allowing the trigger to continue in its rearward motion. Trigger  18  will then continue in a rearward direction engaging latch  34 , to release fluid from reservoir  26 , through valve  36  into tube  28  for delivery to nozzle  16 . Nearly simultaneously, continuous rearward motion of trigger  18  activates spark generator  25  connected to spark gap  30 , creating a spark which ignites the fluid, creating a flame. 
     The size and intensity of the flame is regulated by operation of tab or dial  22  to vary the amount of lighter fluid delivered from reservoir  26 . The flow adjusting dial  22  cannot be operated before or after ignition as desired. If the user is having trouble igniting the flame, the flow can be increased or decreased as desired. Optionally, the flame can be increased after ignition by operation of dial  22 . 
     A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7. In this embodiment, the general construction and operation of the utility lighter is substantially the same with the exception of the child resistant device. Utility lighter  10 ′ has a housing  12 , nozzle  14 , nozzle tip  16 , trigger  18 ′ beneath trigger guard  20 , flow adjusting dial  22 , spark gap  25  and reservoir  26  as before. The only difference in this embodiment is a slight modification in the construction of trigger  18 ′ and the addition of a different child resistant device  54 . The advantage of this embodiment is its elegant simplicity because it is constructed of a lever or rocker  60  mounted on a pivot pin  62 , having a button  56  extending through an aperture or hole  58  in housing  12 . On the other end of lever  60  is an abutment  64  engaging a boss  66  on trigger plate flange  68 . Abutment  64  is biased into engagement with boss  66  by coil spring  70 ; thus, coil spring  70  maintains abutment  64  in engagement with boss  66  on trigger  18 ′ until released by a force on abutment  56 . 
     The operation of the second embodiment is shown in greater detail in the enlarged partial sectional view of FIGS.  6  and  7 . Abutment  64 , on child resistant trigger release  54  engaging boss  66  on trigger  18 ′, prevents operation of the trigger. To release the trigger, button  56  must be pushed downward as indicated by the arrow, disengaging abutment  64  from boss  66  allowing trigger  18 ′ to travel rearward as shown in FIG.  7 . The rearward travel of trigger  18 ′ trips latch or lever  34 , opening valve  36 , allowing lighter fluid to flow from reservoir  26  through tube  28  to nozzle tip  16 . 
     Nearly simultaneously, the rearward motion of trigger  18 ′ activates spark generator  25 , creating a spark at spark gap  30  igniting the fluid. The size and intensity of the flame is, as before, regulated by rotation of dial  22  extending through the top of housing  12 . Trigger  18 ′ must be held in an activated position to keep valve  36  open as long as a flame, at nozzle tip  16  is needed. Once trigger  18 ′ is released, it returns to the rest position as shown in FIG. 6, and spring  70  biases abutment  64  back into engagement with boss  66 ; again, locking the trigger against operation. 
     The child resistant device of this embodiment is an elegantly simple construction of a lever or rocker  60  on pivot pin  62  having an operating button  56  on one end and an abutment  64  on the other end, biased into engagement with boss  66  on trigger  18 ′ by coil spring  70 . This means, the child resistant device is constructed of three very simple parts, of lever  60  with the abutment on one end and button on the other; pivot pin  62  and coil spring  70 . 
     A third embodiment of a utility lighter, having a child resistant device to prevent operation is illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 11. Utility lighter  10 ″ is comprised of a housing  12 , nozzle  14 , having nozzle tip  16  and trigger  18  as before. Trigger  18  is protected by a trigger guard  20 . However, in this embodiment, instead of having a trigger locking device, an on/off switch  72  is provided which locks trigger  18 , preventing operation of utility lighter  10 ″. In addition to on/off switch  72 , a valve control lever  74 , adjacent to valve flow control regulator dial  76  is provided. Valve control lever controls the flow of lighter fluid from reservoir  26  (FIG. 9) to nozzle tip  16 , as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. 
     Preferably, valve lever extends through the top of utility lighter housing  12  immediately adjacent flow control regulator dial  76 . This simplifies construction because both valve lever  74  and regulator dial  76  may extend through the same hole  75  in housing  12 . 
     The details of the construction and operation of the child resistant in the third embodiment is illustrated in the sectional views of FIGS. 9 through 11. Utility lighter  10 ″ has a reservoir  26  for delivering fluid through tube or conduit  28  to nozzle tip  16  for ignition by spark  30  generated by spark generator  25 . As before, operation of trigger  18  activates spark generator  25 , generating a spark at spark gap  30  to ignite fluid exiting nozzle  16 . However, the difference in this embodiment over the previous embodiments is that trigger  18  does not release any lighter fluid from reservoir  26  to nozzle tip  16  through tube  28 . 
     Instead of allowing trigger  18  to automatically release fluid from reservoir  26  through tube  28  through nozzle tip  16 , a manually operated system is provided. This system is comprised of a valve handle or lever  74  adjacent valve regulator dial  76  to release fluid from reservoir  26  through valve  78  to tube  20 . Unless valve lever or handle  74  is operated simultaneously with operation of trigger  18 , no fluid flows to nozzle tip  16 , and no ignition can take place when a spark is generated by spark generator  25  at spark gap  30 . 
     Additionally, trigger  18  may not be operated until on/off switch  72  is turned to the on position. On/off switch  72  has a post  80  abutting a flange or edge  82  on trigger  18 , as shown in FIG. 9 to prevent movement of the trigger. When on/off switch  72  is slid downward to the on position, post  80  is disengaged from flange  82  allowing trigger  18  to move rearward as shown in FIG.  11 . This activates spark generator  25 , generating a spark at spark gap  30  to ignite a flame. 
     The operation of the third embodiment is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 illustrates the operation of on/off switch  72  from an off position to an on position, disengaging post  80  from flange  82  on trigger  18 , releasing the trigger. As long as on/off switch  72  remains in the on position, trigger  18  cannot be operated to activate spark generator  25 . 
     Ignition at nozzle tip  16  by a spark at spark gap  30 , will not occur until fluid is released from reservoir  26 . In this embodiment, operation of valve lever or handle  74 , by pulling it backward toward regulator dial  76 , opens valve  78  releasing fluid from reservoir  26  through tube  28  to nozzle tip  16  adjacent to spark gap  30 . Manual operation of lever  74  to release fluid from reservoir  26  to valve  78  takes place either before or simultaneously with operation of trigger  18 , after the trigger is unlocked by turning switch  72  to the “on” position. With lever  74  pulled backward as illustrated in FIG. 11, opening valve  78  lighter fluid exits tube  28  and nozzle tip  16  for ignition by a spark generated by spark generator  25 . Operation of trigger  18  activates spark generator  25  generating a spark at spark gap  30  to ignite the fluid flowing through tube  28 . Release of lever  74  closes valve  78 , cutting off fluid from reservoir  26  to nozzle tip  16 , extinguishing any flame. Thus, a valuable safety feature if this embodiment is that lever  74  must be held back to maintain the flame at nozzle tip  16 . 
     Another optional but preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIG.  12 . This embodiment provides a utility lighting device  10 ′″ having a housing  12  nozzle  14  and ignition tip  16  as before. The flow of fuel from the reservoir to ignition tip  16  is controlled by fuel regulator  22 . Rotation of regulator  22  increases and decreases the amount of fuel flowing to the tip for ignition. However, the difference in this embodiment is that trigger  84  is not used to ignite the fuel but is used to release fuel to ignition tip  16 . Ignition is initiated by button  86  on top of housing  12  of utility lighter  10 ′″ as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. 
     The details of the fourth embodiment are illustrated in FIGS. 13 through 15. The unique safety advantage of the fourth embodiment is the manipulation of a trigger in one direction to release fuel and a button in opposite direction to ignite the fuel at nozzle tip  16 . This makes it very difficult for a child to accidentally ignite. It takes considerable dexterity to manipulate the trigger while simultaneous manipulating an ignition button in an opposite direction. Trigger  84  is connected to fuel valve  88  on fuel reservoir  89  which is operated by fuel lever  90 . Spring  92  biases trigger  84  away from lever  90  closing valve  88  when trigger  84  is released. 
     Ignition button  86  is moved axially forward on body  12  to activate piezoelectric spark generator  25  to generate a spark at spark gap  30 . Ignition button  86  has an abutment  94  that engages a spring-loaded pin  96  on piezoelectric igniter  25 . It takes a sharp, quick forward force on ignition button  86  to generate a spark at spark gap  30 . 
     The operation of the fourth embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. To ignite the utility lighter, trigger  84  is pulled backwards against the force of spring  92  engaging lever  90  to open valve  88  releasing lighter fluid to tip  14  through tube  28 . While trigger  84  is held in an “on” position with valve  88  “on” ignition button  86  is moved quickly forward against pin  96  of piezoelectric igniter  25  creating a spark at spark gap  30  igniting the fuel delivered to tip  16  of nozzle  14 . 
     Thus the device of the invention controls the release of fuel to igniter tip  16  by motion in one direction and ignition by motion on an ignition button in an opposite direction. This is a difficult manipulation for tiny hands of children. Further, trigger  84  must be continuously held in an “on” position to supply fuel to nozzle tip  16 . Also spring  92  is constructed to have a biasing force that makes it difficult for children to manipulate trigger  84  as well as hold it in an “on” position while manipulating ignition button  86 . 
     Thus, there has been described disposable utility lighters for lighting BBQs, fireplaces and the like, having child resistant devices to prevent or discourage use by children. In a first embodiment, the child resistant device is in the form of a button mounted beneath a trigger guard immediately adjacent to and above the trigger that must be operated simultaneously or before operation of the trigger. An advantage of this embodiment is that it may be operated with one finger placed on the trigger. A simultaneously upward motion against the trigger release button, followed by a rearward motion of the finger activates the device. This is a rather complex movement for a child, but relatively simple for an adult and effectively discourages and prevents use by children. 
     In a second embodiment, elegantly simple in its construction, a lever or rocker arm is pivotally mounted on a pin inside the housing above a trigger. An abutment on the lever engages a boss formed on the trigger, and is biased into engagement by a coil spring. A button on an end of the lever, extending through an opening in the housing, allows the abutment to be disengaged from the trigger. To operate this device, a downward force on the button pivots the lever on the pivot pin releasing the abutment from the boss, allowing rearward movement of the trigger to ignite the lighter. Release of the trigger causes a coil spring to re-engage the abutment on the lever with the boss on the trigger, relocking the trigger and preventing operation. 
     In a third embodiment of the invention a child resistant device is provided for a utility lighter by an on/off switch that locks the trigger and a valve lever that manually controls the release of lighter fluid from a reservoir to the nozzle tip. The on/off switch must be first turned to the “on” position to release the trigger before operation can take place. The valve lever can then be manually operated to release fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle tip for ignition when the trigger activates the spark generator to generate a spark. Valve lever must be manually held in the on position to maintain the flow of fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle tip. A valve regulating dial is provided to control the volume of flow to the nozzle tip. 
     In a fourth embodiment of the invention a child resistant utility lighter is provided having activating trigger and an ignition button that require opposite forces to manipulate. In this embodiment the trigger operates a valve to release fuel from a reservoir to the nozzle tip while an ignition button on top of the housing for the utility lighter is manipulated in the opposite direction to generate a spark at a spark gap. Further, the trigger must be held in an “on” position to maintain the flame at the nozzle tip. Thus to operate the device of this embodiment opposite forces are required to release fuel and ignite the fuel. The trigger must be pulled backward while the ignition button must be moved forward. Such an arrangement is difficult for a child to achieve even using two hands assuming they can figure out how to manipulate the device. The spring return for the trigger is made strong enough that it also makes it difficult for a child to hold the trigger in an “on” position. 
     A locking switch may or may not be used with the device of FIG.  13 . Locking switch  85  is used to lock trigger  84  to prevent release of fuel accidentally. This may be used as an additional safety device to prevent use by children. 
     This invention is not to be limited by the embodiment shown in the drawings and described in the description which is given by way of example and not of limitation, but only in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.