Piezoelectric gas lighter

Claim 1

A push button piezoelectric lighter comprising, in combination, a. electrode means forming a spark gap, b. a housing, c. piezoelectric element means disposed within said housing, said element means being electrically connected in circuit with said electrode means, d. a member movable in said housing between outer and inner positions, said member including a push button accessible exteriorly of said housing for manually imparting movement thereto from its outer position toward its inner position, e. striking means comprising a hammer for imparting a hammer blow upon said element means, f. elongated compressible spring means to effect movement of said striking means in a path of movement toward said element means, said spring means being compressible from an inactive position to an active position by movement of said member from its outer to its inner position, the rear end portion of said spring means being anchored to said movable member, said striking means being movably carried within said housing at the forward end portion of said spring means, g. the forward end portion of said spring means being bent to hold said striking means in a position laterally displaced with respect to the center line of said spring means at the rear end portion thereof, h. a part supported in said housing between said element means and said movable member, said part having a surface portion in the path of movement of said striking means which obstructs movement and provides a support against which said striking means initially rests in its path of movement toward said element means when said spring means is being compressed from its inactive to its active position, and i. means for moving said striking means at the forward end portion of said spring means toward the center line of the rear portion of said spring means and out of engagement with said surface portion when said spring means is compressed and in its active position, said striking means upon movement out of engagement with said surface portion being free to move in its path of movement toward said piezoelectric element means to impart a hammer blow thereto to generate a voltage and to spark across said gap, j. said means for moving said striking means out of engagement with said surface portion comprising a part of said movable member facing said striking means which is shaped to effect such movement of said striking means with movement of said member against said striking means.