Child-resistant utility lighter incorporating a cam mechanism and a lever spring lock

Abstract

A safety mechanism in a utility lighter which includes a lever spring and cam mechanism having a fuel release lever and the safety button. When the cam mechanism is in the locked position, the lever spring blocks the stopper tab preventing depression of the trigger, and the fuel release lever closes the fuel release valve. As the safety button is depressed, the lever spring is moved out of alignment with the stopper tab to permit depression of the trigger, the hub rotates, and the fuel release lever is actuated to open the fuel-release valve. As the safety button is released, the lever spring urges the cam mechanism into the locked position.

1 . A utility lighter comprising a lighter housing, a lighting rod projecting from the lighter housing, a fuel tank, a valve for releasing fuel from said tank, a gas tube connected to the valve and extending through the lighting rod, an ignition unit for generating a spark, and a safety mechanism comprising: 
 a trigger slidably mounted in said lighter housing capable of engaging said ignition unit;    a lever biased within said lighter housing so as to be capable of engaging a portion of said trigger to prevent said trigger from sliding a sufficient distance to engage said ignition unit; and    a safety button slidably mounted on said housing and capable of moving in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of movement of said trigger, said safety button capable of engaging said lever to cause displacement of said lever into a position that no longer prevents movement of said trigger thereby permitting simultaneous activation of said ignition unit and release of fuel from said valve.