Bar lighter comprising a safety mechanism

Abstract

Disclosed is a bar lighter comprising a novel safety mechanism for securing the bar lighter from being accidentally actuated. A safety lever ( 4 ) is pivotally connected to an actuating element ( 2 ) which can be moved relative to a housing between a starting position and an actuating position. Said safety lever ( 4 ) is preloaded so as to be pressed into a locking position in which the safety lever ( 4 ) engages with a locking element ( 15 ) that cannot be moved relative to the housing, thus preventing the actuating element ( 2 ) from moving from the starting position into the actuating position. A releasing mechanism ( 3 ) is provided which presses the safety lever ( 4 ) into a releasing position when being actuated so as to release the actuating element ( 2 ).

1 . A lighter comprising
 a housing ( 5 ) with a proximal end ( 57 ) and a distal end ( 58 ),   a fuel tank;   a fuel nozzle;   an actuating device comprising an actuating element ( 2 ) which is displaceable relative to the housing, counter to an actuating force, between a starting position and an actuating position, wherein the actuating device, in the starting position, prevents fuel from being supplied from the fuel tank to the fuel nozzle and, in the actuating position, releases the supply of fuel,   a safety device ( 4 ) for preventing accidental displacement of the actuating element ( 2 ),   the safety device comprising a safety lever ( 4 ) which is connected to the actuating element ( 2 ) and which is pivotable relative to the actuating element ( 2 ) between a locking position and a release position, wherein the safety lever ( 4 ), in the locking position, is in engagement with a locking element ( 15 ) which is stationary relative to the housing ( 5 ), and wherein the lighter comprises means ( 44 ) for pushing the safety lever ( 4 ), counter to a biasing force, into the locking position, and   a release device ( 3 ) which is movable between a rest position and an activated position, wherein the release device ( 3 ), in the activated position, pushes the safety lever ( 4 ), counter to the biasing force of the biasing element ( 44 ), into the release position.   
   
   
       2 . The lighter according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuating element ( 2 ) is designed as a slide which is arranged on a top side ( 54 ) of the housing ( 5 ), and in that the actuating element ( 2 ) is closer to the distal end ( 58 ) of the housing ( 5 ) in the actuating position than in the starting position. 
   
   
       3 . The lighter according to  claim 1 , wherein the release device ( 3 ) comprises a button which is arranged on an underside ( 55 ) of the housing ( 5 ) and can be pushed into the activated position, from the rest position, in the direction of the top side ( 54 ) of the housing ( 5 ), the button comprising an activating portion ( 33 ) which is in contact with the safety lever ( 4 ), and the safety lever ( 4 ), in the activated position of the button, being slidingly movable on the activating portion ( 33 ). 
   
   
       4 . The lighter according to  claim 1 , wherein the safety lever ( 4 ) has an elongate region ( 41 ) which extends essentially in the direction of the distal end ( 58 ) of the housing ( 5 ), and wherein movement of the elongate region ( 41 ) in the direction of the distal end ( 58 ) is blocked by the locking element ( 15 ) when the safety lever ( 4 ) is located in the locking position. 
   
   
       5 . The lighter according to  claim 1 , the lighter comprising a spring with a first and a second free end, the first free end pushing against the actuating element ( 2 ) and the second end pushing against the safety lever ( 4 ), such that the spring pushes a region of the safety lever ( 4 ) away from the actuating element ( 2 ). 
   
   
       6 . The lighter according to  claim 1 , the lighter having a frame ( 1 ) which is arranged in the housing ( 5 ) and in which the release device ( 3 ) is guided, a protrusion on the frame ( 1 ) forming the locking element ( 15 ). 
   
   
       7 . The lighter according to  claim 6 , wherein the actuating element ( 2 ) is guided on the frame ( 1 ). 
   
   
       8 . The lighter according to  claim 1 , the lighter comprising:
 a fuel tank ( 7 ) arranged in the vicinity of the proximal end ( 57 ) of the housing ( 5 ),   a fuel nozzle arranged at the distal end ( 58 ) of the housing ( 5 ),   a fuel line arranged in the housing ( 5 ) for supplying fuel from the fuel tank ( 7 ) to the nozzle,   a valve device ( 72 ) for interrupting or releasing the supply of fuel to the nozzle, and   an igniting device ( 6 ) for igniting fuel at the distal end ( 58 ) of the housing ( 5 ),   
     it being possible for both the valve device ( 72 ) and the igniting device ( 6 ) to be actuated by displacement of the actuating element ( 2 ) from the starting position into the actuating position. 
   
   
       9 . The lighter according to  claim 1 , the lighter comprising resistance means ( 6 ,  26 ) which, upon displacement of the actuating element ( 2 ) from the starting position into the actuating position, generate a force which exceeds 30 Newton. 
   
   
       10 . The lighter according to  claim 9 , wherein the resistance means comprise a helical spring ( 26 ) which is arranged in the housing, extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing and is fitted to act between the actuating element and the housing