Piezo-electric ignition device for gas appliances and the like

Claim 2

A piezoelectric spark-generating device for use as an ignition device in gas appliances and the like, said device comprising the combination of a piezoelectric element, means for subjecting said piezoelectric element to mechanical impulses to produce corresponding electrical pulses, an annular electrically conductive element electrically coupled to said piezoelectric element for receiving said electrical pulses, a conductive base member disposed between said piezoelectric element and the annular conductive element, the end portion of said base member forming a cavity adjacent to the central portion of said annular element, an electrically conductive wire passing through the annular element and having an end located within the cavity, and a terminal member secured to the wire end and located within the cavity, so as to permit limited movement of the terminal member and wire end within the cavity while permitting firm bearing engagement between the conductive base element and annular element.

Claim 3

A piezoelectric spark-generating device for use as an ignition device in gas appliances and the like, said device comprising the combination of a casing, a piezoelectric element enclosed within the casing for producing electrical pulses in response to mechanical impulses delivered to the element, means for generating mechanical impulses in a predetermined direction, an input member mounted upon the casing and operatively connected to the means for generating mechanical impulses for subjecting the piezoelectric member to the generated mechanical impulses delivered in said determined direction, an attaching member securing the input member to the casing, an electrically conductive element mechanically coupled to said piezoelectric element for receiving said electric pulses, an electrical conductor electrically connected to said conductive element, extending through the conductive element in said predetermined direction, and mounted for movement relative to said conductive element in said predetermined direction while maintaining said electrical connection.

Claim 4

A piezoelectric spark-generating device for use as an ignition device in gas appliances and the like, said device comprising the combination of a casing, a piezoelectric element enclosed within the casing for producing electrical pulses in response to mechanical impulses delivered to the element, means for generating mechanical impulses in a predetermined direction, an input member mounted upon the casing and operatively connected to the means for generating mechanical impulses for subjecting the piezoelectric member to the generated mechanical impulses delivered in said determined direction, an attaching member securing the input member to the casing, an electrically conductive element mechanically coupled to said piezoelectric element for receiving said electric pulses, an electrical conductor electrically connected to said conductive element, extending through the conductive element in said predetermined direction, and mounted for movement relative to said conductive element in said predetermined direction while maintaining said electrical connection.

Claim 5

A piezoelectric spark-generating device for use as an ignition device in gas appliances and the like, said device comprising the combination of a casing, a piezoelectric element enclosed within the casing, means for generating mechanical impulses, an input member mounted upon the casing and operatively connected to said means for generating mechanical impulses and the piezoelectric member, so as to subject the piezoelectric member to the generated mechanical impulses and produce corresponding electrical pulses, a seal member bonding the input member to the casing, an annular electrically conductive element mechanically coupled to said piezoelectric element for receiving said electrical impulses, an electrically conductive wire passed through a hole in an end wall of said casing and through the central opening of the annulus, the wire being mounted for sliding contact with the annular element, and a terminal member larger than the annular hole, fixed to the wire and located beyond the annulus and the conductive element so as to prevent withdrawal of the wire from the annulus while permitting limited relative movement between said annulus and said wire.

Claim 6

A piezoelectric spark-generating device for use as an ignition device in gas appliances and the like, said device comprising the combination of a casing, a piezoelectric element enclosed within the casing, means for generating mechanical impulses, an input member mounted upon the casing and operatively connected to said means for generating mechanical impulses and the piezoelectric member, so as to subject the piezoelectric member to the generated mechanical impulses and produce corresponding electrical pulses, a seal member bonding the input member to the casing, an annular electrically conductive element mechanically coupled to said piezoelectric element for receiving said electrical impulses, an electrically conductive wire passed through a hole in an end wall of said casing and through the central opening of the annulus, the wire being mounted for sliding contact with the annular element, and a terminal member larger than the annular hole, fixed to the wire and located beyond the annulus and the conductive element so as to prevent withdrawal of the wire from the annulus while permitting limited relative movement between said annulus and said wire.