BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a common simple-type lighter structure of the prior art.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of another safety lighter structure of the prior art.
FIG. 3A˜3C are schematic cross-sectional views showing the actions of the safety lighter structure in FIG. 2 of the prior art.
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of further another safety lighter structure of the prior art.
FIG. 5A˜5B are schematic cross-sectional views showing the actions of the safety lighter structure in FIG. 4 of the prior art.
FIG. 6 is a schematic-and-isometric view of the safety lighter structure of the first preferred embodiment of invention.
FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the safety lighter structure of the first embodiment of invention.
FIG. 8A˜8B are schematic cross-sectional views showing the actions of the safety lighter structure in FIG. 7 of the invention.
FIG. 9A is an exploded view of the safety lighter structure of the second embodiment of invention.
FIG. 9B is an exploded view of the safety lighter structure of the second embodiment of invention.
FIG. 9C is a partially enlarged view of the matching seat structure of the cap of the safety lighter structure of the second embodiment of invention.
FIG. 10A˜10B are schematic cross-sectional views showing the actions of the safety lighter structure of the second embodiment of invention.
FIG. 11A is a schematic developed diagram of the stamping mold of the metal cap of the first embodiment of invention.
FIG. 11B is a schematic developed diagram of the stamping mold of the metal cap of the second embodiment of invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 6 is a schematic-and-isometric view of the safety lighter structure of the first preferred embodiment of invention; and FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the safety lighter structure of the first embodiment of invention. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the structure of the lighter of the invention includes a gas tank (1), a wheel racket (2), a file wheel (3), and a metal cap (4). Among them, the gas tank (1), the wheel racket (2), and the file wheel assembly (3) are substantially the same as those in the prior art that is shown in FIG. 1 except that a slot (211) is provided at each of the two file-wheel seats (211) extended up from the wheel racket (2). A multiplicity of match-up seats (24) being provided at the edge of the wheel racket (2) have a guided surface (241) (see also FIG. 9C) appeared in arcuate and slant face. The file wheel assembly (3) integrally formed by two side wheels (301) and a file wheel (302) through press-to-combine process and having external teeth surrounding the circumference thereof has a salient shaft (31) pivotally connected to the corresponding slot (211). By making use of a first match-up portion (42), the metal cap (4) matches the recess (20) of the wheel racket (2) to cover the exterior portion of above-mentioned two file-wheel-seat (21). A multiplicity of sheet extension portions (41) are provided at the location adjacent to where the metal cap (4) meets the file wheel assembly (3). Moreover, a multiplicity of second match-up portions (421) are provided at the metal cap (4) corresponding to the multiplicity of match-up seat (24) of the wheel racket (2). Under normal condition, the extension portion (41) of the metal cap (4) meshes with the side wheels (301), which have external teeth at their circumference, of the file wheel assembly (3) (see also FIG. 8A) for increasing the interference of the turning of the file wheel assembly (3) such that it is not easy to ignite the lighter by turning the file wheel assembly (3) to rub against the flint (3001).
FIG. 8A˜8B are schematic cross-sectional views showing the actions of the safety lighter structure in FIG. 7 of the invention. As shown in FIG. 8B, when it comes to ignite the lighter, one needs only to exert a small force to press down the file wheel assembly (3) and the slot (211) provided at the two file-wheel-seat (21) will guide the salient shaft (31) of the file wheel assembly (3) to slide downward. After pressing down, the file wheel assembly (3) will separate the prop-up engaging of the extension portion (41) of the metal cap (4) and turn the file wheel assembly (3). In this way, the file wheel assembly (3) is capable of rubbing against the flint (3001) to generate flame to achieve the ignition action. Since the file wheel assembly (3) of this lighter structure of invention is not easy to turn around to achieve ignition action, the lighter is capable of avoiding the children playing with the lighter to cause hazard. Therefore, the lighter of the invention is capable of achieving the object of lowering the occurrence of accident, thereby, the lighter of the invention possesses the safety protection structure.
FIG. 9A is an exploded view of the safety lighter structure of the second embodiment of invention, FIG. 9B is an exploded view of the safety lighter structure of the second embodiment of invention, and FIG. 9C is a partially enlarged view of the matching seat structure of the cap of the safety lighter structure of the second embodiment of invention. As shown in FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, and FIG. 9C, majority of the lighter structure of this second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that extra salient pieces (411) are provided at the file wheel (302) at the center section of the extension portion (41) of the metal cap (4). Under normal condition, the salient pieces (411) engages with the file wheel (302) and appears in prop-up status. FIG. 10A˜10B are schematic cross-sectional views showing the actions of the safety lighter structure of the second embodiment of invention. As shown in FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, similar to the foregoing process, when it comes to ignite the lighter, one can slightly press down the file wheel assembly (3) to let the extension portion (41) of the metal cap (4) and the salient pieces (411) together release the engagement of the prop-up meshing side wheels (301) and the external teeth of the file wheel. Afterwards, one turns the file wheel assembly (3) to make the file wheel (302) rub against the flint (3001) to generate flame, thus achieve the ignition action. This improved structure again increases the efficacy of much better safety engaging prop-up to avoid the children playing with the lighter to cause hazard. Therefore, the lighter of the invention is capable of achieving the object of lowering the occurrence of accident, thereby, the lighter of the invention possesses the second safety protection structure.
As shown in FIG. 9C, it emphasizes that as shown in the first and the second embodiments, the match-up seats (24) extended from the wheel racket (2) is disposed in corresponding with the second match-up portions (421) that is capable of positively make the engagement of the metal cap (4) and the wheel racket (2) even more secure without worrying about the dislocation, deformation or coming off due to impact or dropping from a high position so as to assure that the metal cap is not apt to come off, thereby, increase the efficacy of the overall safety protection. And, the above-mentioned guided surface (241), which is appeared in arcuate and slant face, provides a guidance to facilitate the slip-on engagement of the metal cap (4), thereby again increase the efficacy of the overall safety protection.
FIG. 11A is a schematic developed diagram of the stamping mold of the metal cap (4) of the first embodiment of invention. As shown in FIG. 11A, normally, after stamping, the waste metal D′ of the metal cap (4) is discarded, but in the invention, a portion of the waste metal D′ is retained for using for the extension portion (41) and the salient pieces (411). Therefore, the invention is capable of increasing the efficacy of saving material without increasing any material cost nor any mold or cutting cost in the overall working process.
FIG. 11B is a schematic developed diagram of the stamping mold of the metal cap of the second embodiment of invention. As shown in FIG. 11B, normally, after stamping, the waste metal D′ of the metal cap (4) is discarded, but in the invention, a portion of the waste metal D′ is retained for using for the extension portion (41) and the salient pieces (411). Therefore, the invention is capable of increasing the efficacy of saving material without increasing any material cost nor any mold or cutting cost in the overall working process.
It will become apparent to those people skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing description, it is intended that all the modifications and variation fall within the scope of the following appended claims and their equivalents.
Patent Application
20080076083
