Selectively actuatable lighter with anti-defeat latch

Abstract

A selectively actuatable lighter is disclosed which includes a body defining reservoir for containing a combustible gaseous medium such as butane, and having a valve arranged to be selectively actuated between a normally closed position and an open position which permits the exit of the gaseous medium. Such lighter can selectively produce sparks at a location proximate to the gaseous medium exit to ignite the gaseous medium. Such lighter embodies a resiliently releasable latch means which normally prevents actuation of a valve actuator to the open position thereby preventing actuation of the valve. The latch means includes a latch which is selectively movable to a position out of interference with the valve actuator, so that the gaseous medium may be released and ignited by the sparks. The latch means is resiliently structured and mounted such that once the valve actuator is depressed and released, the latch returns to its closed or latched position to prevent actuation of the valve to the open position. The lighter according to the present invention also resists forcible disabling of the latch by providing an angled portion at one of the contact points of the latch with the housing (or of the latch with the valve actuator), so that the latch will displace to a secondary position. This displacement absorbs the excessive force applied without deformation or damage to the latching mechanism, allowing for the latch to return to the normal closed or latched position after release of the excessive force.