Kinetic Flame Device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019346104-A1
Application number	US-201916521021-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 24, 2019
Priority date	Sep 30, 2008
Publication date	Nov 14, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

An apparatus creating a flickering flame effect. The apparatus includes a housing with an interior space with first and second stages. A drive mechanism generates a time varying electromagnetic field extending into the first stage. A first pendulum member is pivotally mounted in the interior space of the first stage and includes first and second magnets on first and second ends, with the first end proximate to the drive mechanism such that the first magnet interacts with the varying electromagnetic field to cause movement of the pendulum member. The apparatus includes a second pendulum member pivotally mounted in the second stage with a magnet on a first end proximate to the second end of the first pendulum member. A flame silhouette element extends from the second pendulum member, and a light source transmits light onto the flame silhouette, which is moving due to the magnetic coupling of the pendulum members.

First claim

We claim:

1 . An apparatus for simulating a flickering flame effect, comprising:
a cylindrical plastic housing including an interior space; a plastic pendulum member pivotally mounted within the interior space, wherein the pendulum member includes first and second ends and the first end comprises a magnet; a flame element, extending from the housing such that at least a portion of the flame element extends outwardly from the housing; wherein the plastic pendulum member is pivotally mounted within the interior space using a pendulum support member coupled to the housing; a LED light source transmitting light toward the flame element; wherein the LED light source transmits light upward; a lens element receiving light from the LED light source, and transmitting the light from the LED light source to a surface of the flame element; a drive circuit, including an electromagnetic coil having a round shape, positioned at least partially in the housing and configured to generate a magnetic field that interacts with the magnet on the plastic pendulum member, to create motion to the first end of the plastic pendulum member in at least two dimensions; and a signal generator circuit coupled to the drive circuit; wherein the signal generator circuit is capable of providing a time-varying pulse modulated square wave signal to the drive circuit that at least in part defines the motion of the plastic pendulum member;

2 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising:
a power source, that is coupled to the signal generator and LED light source; and a controller circuit connected to the power source capable of varying a power output to the LED light source to vary the light output from the LED light source.

3 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the flame element is attached to the second end of the pendulum member.

4 . The apparatus as in claim 3 , wherein the motion of the pendulum member causes the light transmitted from the LED light source to impinge on different locations on the flame element which simulates a flickering flame.

5 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the flame element is comprised of translucent plastic and is s three-dimensional.

6 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the lens is a converging lens.

7 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising a power source, consisting essentially of batteries, that is coupled to the signal generator and LED light source; and
a controller circuit connected to the power source capable of varying a power output to the LED light source to vary the light; wherein the flame element is comprised of translucent plastic; and wherein the flame element is three-dimensional.

8 . An apparatus for simulating a flickering flame effect, comprising:
a cylindrical plastic housing including an interior space; a pendulum member formed of plastic and pivotally mounted within the interior space, wherein the pendulum member includes first and second ends and the first end comprises a magnet; a flame element extending from the housing such that at least a portion of the flame element extends outwardly from the housing; wherein the pendulum member is pivotally mounted within the interior space using a pendulum support member coupled to the housing; means for transmitting light transmitting light toward the flame element; wherein the means for transmitting light transmits light upward; a lens element receiving light from the means for transmitting light, and transmitting the light to a surface of the flame element; a drive circuit, formed of an electromagnetic coil, positioned at least partially in the housing and configured to generate a magnetic field that interacts with the magnet to create motion to the first end of the pendulum member in at least two dimensions, the motion of the pendulum member causing the light transmitted from the means for transmitting light to impinge on different locations on the flame element which simulates a flickering flame; and a signal generator circuit coupled to the drive circuit and providing a time-varying pulse modulated square wave signal to the drive circuit that at least in part defines the motion of the pendulum member;

9 . The apparatus as in claim 8 , wherein the flame element is comprised of translucent plastic and is three dimensional.

10 . The apparatus as in claim 8 , further comprising a power source, consisting essentially of batteries, that is coupled to the signal generator and the means for transmitting light; and
a controller circuit connected to the power source capable of varying a power output to the means for transmitting light to vary the light.

11 . An apparatus for simulating a flickering flame effect, comprising:
a cylindrical plastic housing including an interior space; a pendulum member pivotally mounted within the interior space, wherein the pendulum member includes first and second ends and the first end comprises a magnet, and where the pendulum member is formed of plastic; a flame element extending from the housing such that at least a portion of the flame element extends outwardly from the housing; wherein the pendulum member is pivotally mounted within the interior space using a pendulum support member coupled to the housing; a LED light source located offset from a center of the cylindrical plastic housing near a sidewall of the cylindrical plastic housing, and the LED light source transmitting light toward a surface of the flame element; wherein the LED light source transmits light upward; a lens element receiving light from the LED light source, and transmitting the light directly to the flame element; wherein the lens element is separate from the LED light; a drive circuit, formed of an electromagnetic coil, positioned at least partially in the housing and configured to generate a magnetic field that interacts with the magnet to create motion to the first end of the pendulum member in at least two dimensions; and a signal generator circuit coupled to the drive circuit; wherein the signal generator circuit is capable of providing a time-varying pulse modulated square wave signal to the drive circuit that at least in part defines the motion of the pendulum member.

12 . The apparatus as in claim 11 , further comprising a power source, consisting essentially of batteries, that is coupled to the signal generator and LED light source; and
a controller circuit connected to the power source capable of varying a power output to the LED light source to vary the light transmitted from the LED light source.

13 . The apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein the flame element is comprised of translucent plastic;

14 . The apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein the flame element is three-dimensional and includes a recessed surface.

15 . The apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein the lens is a converging lens;

16 . The apparatus as in claim 11 , further comprising a power source, consisting essentially of batteries, that is coupled to the signal generator and LED light source; and
a controller circuit connected to the power source capable of varying a power output to the LED light source to vary the light; wherein the flame element is comprised of translucent plastic; and wherein the flame element is three-dimensional.

Assignees

• L&L Candle Company Llc

Inventors

• Schnuckle Gary W
• Patton Douglas M

Classifications

• F21S10/046 Primary

  by movement of parts, e.g. by movement of reflectors or light sources · 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

• F21Y2115/10

  Light-emitting diodes [LED] · CPC title

• F21V17/10

  characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening (F21V17/02 - F21V17/08 take precedence) · CPC title

• H01K7/06

  for decorative purposes · CPC title