Imitation candle devices with moving lights

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10557604-B2
Application number	US-201816103424-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 14, 2018
Priority date	Jun 12, 2017
Publication date	Feb 11, 2020
Grant date	Feb 11, 2020

Abstract

Imitation candle devices and systems with features enable simulation of a realistic candle flame using moving lights are disclosed. In one aspect, an imitation candle device is provided that includes a flame sheet shaped to resemble a flame, a support member positioned in proximity to the flame sheet, and a light casing including a hole. An end of the support member extends into the hole and a tip of the end of the support member is in contact with an inner wall of the hole to allow movement of the light casing on the support member. The imitation candle device also includes a light emitter enclosed at least partially in the light casing and movable with movement of the light casing. The light emitter is oriented at an inclined angle with respect to the flame sheet to emit light onto the flame sheet.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An imitation candle device, comprising:
a flame sheet having a shape;
a support member, extending along an axis, having an end portion with a tip, and where the tip is narrower in cross section than other portions of the support member;
a light casing including a light emitter that is energized to produce an output light, said light casing having internal surfaces defining an opening, where the tip of the support member fits in the opening, and wherein the tip of the support member extends into the opening and where the light casing is held on the support member, in a way that allows movement of the light casing relative to the support member;
a movement limiting structure that limits an amount of the movement of the light casing;
where the support member holds the light emitter at an angle to face the flame sheet and to emit light onto the flame sheet; and
a drive engine coupled to the light casing to cause the light casing to move on the support member and to move the light emitted from the light emitter on the flame sheet.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the movement limiting structure is in the opening.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the movement limiting structure is positioned outside of the light casing.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the movement limiting structure includes a plurality of baffles, each of the baffles positioned to interact with the tip of the support member.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the baffles are in the opening, and interact with the tip of the support member.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the opening includes a recess, the tip of the support member extends into the recess and the tip of the end of the support member is in contact with an inner wall of the recess.

7. The device of claim 5 , wherein at least a part of the recess has a spherical shape.

8. The device of claim 1 , where the drive engine includes a magnetic member coupled to a lower portion of the light casing.

9. The device of claim 8 , where the drive engine includes a coil in a proximity of the magnetic member such that upon interaction of the magnetic member with a magnetic field of the coil, the light casing sways on the support member.

10. The device of claim 1 , where the drive engine includes a motor coupled to the light casing, and an electronic control circuit to cause the movement of the light casing.

11. The device of claim 8 , wherein the magnetic member has a circular cross section.

12. A method of lighting an imitation candle device, comprising:
attaching a flame sheet having a shape to a body;
projecting a light on to the flame sheet;
mounting a support member on the body, the support member extending along an axis, having an end portion with a tip, and where the tip is narrower in cross section than other portions of the support member;
holding a light casing on the support member, in a way that allows movement of the light casing relative to the support member, the light casing including a light emitter that is energized to produce an output light, said light casing having internal surfaces defining an opening, where the tip of the support member fits in the opening, and wherein the tip of the support member extends into the opening and where the light casing is held on the support member, in a way that allows movement of the light casing relative to the support member, where the support member holds the light emitter at an angle to face the flame sheet and to emit light onto the flame sheet;
moving the light casing on the support member to move the light projected on the flame sheet; and
using a movement limiting structure that limits an amount of the movement a of the light casing.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the movement limiting structure is in the opening.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the movement limiting structure is positioned outside of the light casing.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the movement limiting structure includes a plurality of baffles, each of the baffles positioned to interact with the tip of the light casing.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the baffles are in the opening, and interact with the tip of the light casing.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the opening includes a recess, the tip of the support member extends into the recess and the tip of the end of the support member is in contact with an inner wall of the recess.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein at least a part of the recess has a spherical shape.

19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the moving is carried out using a magnet attached to the light casing, and a coil that selectively attracts the magnet.

20. The method of claim 12 , wherein the moving is carried out using a motor coupled to the light casing, and an electronic control circuit to cause the movement of the light casing.

Assignees

• L & L Candle Company Llc
• L&L Candle Company Llc

Inventors

• Li Xaiofeng

Classifications

• F21S10/04 Primary

  simulating flames · CPC title

• F21S6/001

  candle-shaped · CPC title

• F21W2121/00

  Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00 · CPC title

• H05B39/09

  in which the lamp is fed by pulses {(automatic circuit devices built into or on the incandescent lamp H01K1/625; vehicle winking devices B60Q1/38)} · CPC title

• F21V14/02

  by movement of light sources {(in vehicle head lamps F21S41/657)} · CPC title