Safety mechanism for a torch

Abstract

A safety mechanism for a torch includes an activating button movably received in the housing for engaging with one end of the lever to activate gas flow from the gas tank. The activating button has a partially truncated portion and two legs extending out in parallel. Each leg has a first step and a second step. A safety plate is selectively abutted against the partially truncated portion of the activating button and having an extension selectively corresponding to the first and the second steps so that movement of the activating button is controlled by the safety plate.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A safety mechanism for a torch having a housing received therein an electrical igniter and a gas tank with a lever on top of the gas tank to control gas outflow from the gas tank, the safety mechanism comprising: 
 an activating button movably received in the housing for engaging with one end of the lever to activate gas flow from the gas tank and having a partially truncated portion and two legs extending out in parallel, each leg having a first step and a second step;    a safety plate selectively abutted against the partially truncated portion of the activating button and having an extension selectively corresponding to the first and the second steps so that movement of the activating button is controlled by the safety plate.    
     
     
         2 . The safety mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a spring provided with a first end abutted the activating button and a second end adapted to engage with the electrical igniter to provide a recovery force to the activating button.  
     
     
         3 . The safety mechanism as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a boss formed on a bottom face of the extension to hold a secondary spring which is compressibly received between the extension and the housing to provide a recovery force to the safety plate.  
     
     
         4 . The safety mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a stop movably received in the housing to stop the lever from returning back to shut the gas flow.  
     
     
         5 . The safety mechanism as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a stop movably received in the housing to stop the lever from returning back to shut the gas flow.  
     
     
         6 . The safety mechanism as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising a stop movably received in the housing to stop the lever from returning back to shut the gas flow.  
     
     
         7 . The safety mechanism as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising a head adapted to be detachably mounted on a front end of the torch so that the torch is able to be used as a welding gun.