CHILD-RESISTANT LIGHTER HAVING A FLEXING LATCH

摘要

The present invention relates to disposable cigarette lighters. The lighter (8) preferably includes a latch member (16), which in its initial condition blocks movement of the actuator (10) in order to resist inadvertent operatio n and to make undesirable operation by unintended operators more difficult. Th e lighter contains additional or alternative forces on the latch member (16) t o improve the ability of the latch member (16) to return to a blocking positio n over the life of the lighter and to improve the consistency of the latch member's movement and return. This additional or alternative force may be provided by a bending moment or flexing force preferably applied to the latc h member (16) through a flexing mechanism to flex the latch along at least a portion of its length. Alternatively or in addition to, a biasing member (45 ) may assist in returning the latch member to the initial position.