US 5,262,697 AGranted

Piezoelectric mechanism for gas lighters

AssigneeLaForest Bic, S.A.

InventorMarcel Meury

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Abstract

This mechanism of the invention has two telescopic assemblies (1, 2) aided by a spring (20) for maintaining a maximum extension position between the assemblies. The interior assembly (1) includes a piezoelectric element (3) which is immobilized between an anvil (4) and a limiting piece (5) over which a plexor (6) hits to generate the lighting spark. The external telescopic assembly (2) is prevented from rotation relative to the internal one (1) by an angular piece (22) having orthogonal flanks. One flank of this angular piece has a central slot forming two lugs (24), which enter respective parallel notches (23) of the internal telescopic assembly (1) when crossing its wall. The other flank contacts one of the external faces of the other telescopic assembly. The spring (20) is external and is axially distant from the piezoelectric element (3). Another spring (14), for aiding the plexor (6), is totally guided in the interior of the telescopic assembly (1) and remains, in turn, included in the circular void of the closing cap (15) of the external telescopic assembly (2). The closing cap (15) is axially displaceable with respect to the assembly (2), with the windows (17) therein having a greater length for connection of the cap, and being provided with teeth (11).

Claims20

Dependent claims

A piezoelectric mechanism for a gas lighter comprising:

first and second telescopic assemblies;
a first spring for maintaining the telescopic assemblies spaced apart by a predetermined distance;
a piezoelectric element fixedly mounted in one of said telescopic assemblies;
a plexor element movably disposed in the other of said telescopic assemblies and retained in a first position at a spaced distance from the piezoelectric element;
a second spring for biasing the plexor element toward the piezoelectric element;
means for preventing relative rotation between the telescopic assemblies including an angular member having a first portion operatively associated with the first telescopic assembly and a second portion operatively associated with the second telescopic assembly;
means for releasing the plexor element from its first position, said releasing means separately associated with said telescopic assemblies such that the application of a compressive force of sufficient magnitude to cause the first and second assemblies to move toward each other also causes the releasing means to release the plexor element from its first position, so that the second spring can move the plexor element toward the piezoelectric element with sufficient force to generate a spark;
means for releasing gas from the lighter;
and
means for transmitting the spark to the location where gas is released from the lighter for ignition thereof;
wherein the angular member transmits electrical current when the spark is generated while assisting in the release of gas from the lighter for ignition thereof.

8 more elements

A piezoelectric mechanism for a gas lighter comprising:

internal and external telescopic assemblies;
a first spring for maintaining the telescopic assemblies spaced apart by a predetermined distance;
a piezoelectric element fixedly mounted in the internal telescopic assembly between an anvil and a limiting piece;
a plexor element movably disposed in the external telescopic assembly and retained in a first position at a spaced distance from the limiting piece;
a second spring for biasing the plexor element toward the limiting piece;
means for preventing relative rotation between the telescopic assemblies including an L-shaped angular piece with a first portion engaging the external telescopic assembly and a second portion engaging the internal telescopic assembly;
means for releasing the plexor element from its first position, said releasing means separately associated with said telescopic assemblies such that the application of a compressive force of sufficient magnitude to cause the internal and external assemblies to move toward each other also causes the releasing means to release the plexor element from its first position, so that the second spring can move the plexor element toward the piezoelectric element with sufficient force to contact the limiting piece to generate a spark;
means for releasing gas from the lighter;
and
means for transmitting the spark to the location where gas is released from the lighter for ignition thereof;
wherein the external telescopic element includes a pair of elongated notches and slots which guide the movement of the plexor element therein and the plexor element has a generally cylindrical body, a tapered front end, a cylindrical stud for engaging the second spring, and a pair of diametrically opposed lugs mounted on the cylindrical body for engaging the notches and slots of the external telescopic assembly;
and wherein the L-shaped angular piece transmits electrical current when the spark is generated while assisting in the release of gas from the lighter for ignition thereof.

9 more elements

A piezoelectric mechanism for a gas lighter comprising:

internal and external telescopic assemblies;
a first spring for maintaining the telescopic assemblies spaced apart by a predetermined distance;
a piezoelectric element fixedly mounted in the internal telescopic assembly between an anvil and a limiting piece;
a plexor element movably disposed in the external telescopic assembly and retained in a first position at a spaced distance from the limiting piece;
a second spring for biasing the plexor element toward the limiting piece;
means for preventing relative rotation between the telescopic assemblies including an L-shaped angular piece with a first portion engaging the external telescopic assembly and a second portion engaging the internal telescopic assembly;
means for releasing the plexor element from its first position, said releasing means separately associated with said telescopic assemblies such that the application of a compressive force of sufficient magnitude to cause the internal and external assemblies to move toward each other also causes the releasing means to release the plexor element from its first position, so that the second spring can move the plexor element toward the piezoelectric element with sufficient force to contact the limiting piece to generate a spark;
means for transmitting the spark to the location where gas is released from the lighter for ignition thereof;
means for releasing gas from the lighter;
and
a cap member interlockingly engageable with an end of the second telescopic assembly for engaging the second spring and retaining it therein;
wherein the external telescopic element includes a pair of elongated notches and slots which guide the movement of the plexor element therein and the plexor element has a generally cylindrical body, a tapered front end, a cylindrical stud for engaging the second spring, and a pair of diametrically opposed lugs mounted on the cylindrical body for engaging the notches and slots of the external telescopic assembly;
and wherein the L-shaped angular piece transmits electrical current when the spark is generated while assisting in the release of gas from the lighter for ignition thereof.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.