Torch having an interlock mechanism

A torch device having a body and including:

• a fuel delivery system including a fuel tank including a fuel discharge valve, one or more microjet burners, a fuel hose placing the fuel discharge valve in fluid communication with the one or more microjet burners, and flow actuator lever movable between a first position and a second position at which fuel discharge valve is opened;
• an ignition system including an ignition button, a piezoelectric igniter, and an ignition wire, the ignition button configured to move between an raised, undepressed position to a second depressed position at which the ignition button mechanically engages and energizes the piezoelectric igniter and to emit a spark at the ignition wire, and wherein the flow actuator lever in the first position biases the ignition button to its raised, undepressed position;
• a torch arm having a distal end housing the piezoelectric igniter and the one or more microjet burners, and having a proximal end including a mounting tab having a planar base wall defining a pocket, the mounting tab pivotally attaching the torch arm to the torch body to define a torch arm pivoting angle, wherein the pocket includes a pathway defined by a radial inner wall and a radial outer wall;
• and
• an interlock mechanism comprises a rocker arm pivotally fixed to the body, the rocker arm having a distal arm confined and pivotable within the pocket between a first closed position and a second armed position;
• wherein the pathway includes a first radial pathway within which the distal rocker arm is confined while the torch atm is pivoted from the closed position through a protection angle, wherein the first radial pathway includes the radial inner wall and a first portion of the radial outer wall, and wherein the first portion of the radial outer wall constrains the distal rocker arm prevents the distal rocker arm from pivoting from its first closed position, and thereby restrains and prevents depressing of the ignition button from the raised, undepressed position;
• wherein the pathway includes a second radial pathway within which the distal rocker arm is confined while the torch arm is pivoted beyond the protection angle through an armed angle, wherein the second radial pathway includes the radial inner wall and does not include a portion of the radial outer wall, and wherein the distal rocker arm is not prevented from pivoting from its first closed position to a second armed position, wherein with the torch arm within the armed angle, depressing of the ignition button to a second depressed position ignites the torch.