Lighter

Abstract

A lighter includes a housing and ignition means for the lighter. The ignition means includes a member manually moveable with respect to the housing. A lock member is provided between the manually moveable member and the housing. Release means manually operable to move the lock member from a first position in engagement with both the housing and the manually moveable member to a second position wherein the lock member is released from the housing to allow the manually moveable member to move relative to the housing to allow or cause ignition of the lighter is provided. The release means require manual movement to release the lock in a direction different to both the direction of movement of the manually moveable member to allow or cause ignition, and the direction of movement of the lock member into or out of engagement with the housing.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A lighter including a housing, ignition means for the lighter, the ignition means including a member manually moveable with respect to the housing, a lock member between the manually moveable member and the housing, and release means manually operable to move the lock member from a first position in engagement with both the housing and the manually moveable member to a second position wherein the lock member is released from the housing to allow the manually moveable member to move relative to the housing to allow or cause ignition of the lighter, the release means requiring manual movement to release the lock in a direction different to both the direction of movement of the manually moveable member to allow or cause ignition, and the direction of movement of the lock member into or out of engagement with the housing.  
     
     
         2 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the manually moveable member comprises a cap rotatably mounted on the lighter and the lock member is mounted in the cap.  
     
     
         3 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the cap is hollow and the lock member is moveable in the cap, the housing and cap having apertures therein substantially in alignment with the cap in a rest position relative to the housing the lock member being biased to a position wherein the lock member engages in the apertures in the cap and housing to substantially prevent movement of the cap relative to the housing.  
     
     
         4 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the release means includes a release member slideably mounted on the cap, the release member having a part extending from the cap to receive, in use, manual pressure and having a part engaging or engageable with the lock member so that upon movement of the lock member against the biasing force, the lock member is removed from at least the aperture in the housing.  
     
     
         5 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the angle of movement between the direction of movement of the release member to cause release of the cap from the housing is substantially opposite to the direction of the movement of the cap relative to the housing to affect the ignition of the lighter and is substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of the lock member.  
     
     
         6 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the lock member is biased by a spring within the cap.  
     
     
         7 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the spring is a compression spring.  
     
     
         8 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the lock member has a pair of lugs extending outwardly on opposite sides thereof able to be engaged by the release member, and substantially limiting movement of the lock member into the aperture in the housing.  
     
     
         9 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the end of the release member is bifurcated, one arm passing each side of the lock member, each arm being engageable with one of the lugs.  
     
     
         10 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the leading edge of each bifurcated arm of the release member presents a sloped face to the adjacent lug so as to lift the lock member from the aperture in the housing by engagement of the sloped face with the lug.  
     
     
         11 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the cap includes a channel in which the lock member moves, the channel being shaped to constrain movement of the lock member to movements into or out of the aperture in the housing.  
     
     
         12 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the cap includes a pair of spaced apart block members to form said channel.