Artificial candle with moveable projection screen position

• US 10,352,517 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2018
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sterno Home Inc. (Sterno LLC)
• Original Assignee: Sterno Home Inc. (Sterno LLC)
• Inventors: Carpintero, Carlos, Hurduc, Lucian, Marinier, Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): Bowman, Mary Ellen
• Application Number:
  US16/123,351
• Publication Number:
  US 20190072251A1
• Time in Patent Office: 313 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/046 by movement of parts, e.g. by movement of reflectors or light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 6/001 being candle-shaped with varying lighting effect of simulating flames F21S10/04; string of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 11/18 movable, e.g. flaps, slides
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/06 by movement of refractors in vehicle head lamps F21S41/635
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/18 using temperature feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A flameless candle includes: a candle body forming an interior region, wherein the candle body includes an upper surface and an aperture in the upper surface; a light source positioned in the interior region of the candle body; a force-inducing portion configured to alternatively induce a first mechanical force and a second mechanical force; and a projection screen. The projection screen is configured to receive the first mechanical force and responsively move to a first position and receive the second mechanical force and responsively move to a second position. When the projection screen is moved to the second position, the light source is automatically energized such that a light is emitted onto the projection screen. When the projection screen is moved to the first position, the light source is automatically de-energized such that the light is not emitted.

Claims

1. A flameless candle comprising:

a candle body forming an interior region, wherein the candle body includes an upper surface and an aperture in the upper surface;

at least one light source positioned in the interior region of the candle body;

a force-inducing portion configured to alternatively induce a first mechanical force and a second mechanical force;

a projection screen configured to;

receive the first mechanical force and responsively move to a first position with respect to the upper surface of the candle body; and

receive the second mechanical force and responsively move to a second position with respect to the upper surface of the candle body; and

wherein;

when the projection screen is moved to the second position, the at least one light source is automatically energized such that a light is emitted onto the projection screen; and

when the projection screen is moved to the first position, the at least one light source is automatically de-energized such that the light is not emitted.

2. The flameless candle of claim 1, wherein when a base of the candle is resting on a substantially horizontal surface:

when the projection screen is in the first position, the projection screen has a substantially horizontal orientation; and

when the projection screen is in the second position, the projection screen has a substantially vertical orientation and extends upwardly from the upper surface of the candle body.

3. The flameless candle of claim 1, wherein the projection screen comprises a flame shape.

4. The flameless candle of claim 1, wherein when a base of the candle is resting on a substantially horizontal surface, the projection screen is in a substantially vertical orientation when it is in both the first position and the second position.

5. The flameless candle of claim 4, wherein when the projection screen is in the first position, the projection screen is within the interior region of the candle body.

6. The flameless candle of claim 1, wherein the first mechanical force and the second mechanical force are rotational forces provided to the projection screen such that the projection screen moves between the first position and the second position.

7. The flameless candle of claim 1, wherein the force-inducing portion comprises an electrical motor.

8. The flameless candle of claim 1, wherein the force-inducing portion comprises at least one electromagnet.

9. The flameless candle of claim 1, further comprising an imitation wick extending upwardly from the upper surface of the candle body.

10. The flameless candle of claim 1, further comprising an ON/OFF actuator that, when actuated, causes the projection screen to transition between the first position and the second position.

11. The flameless candle of claim 1, further comprising a timer configured to periodically cause the projection screen to transition between the first position and the second position.

12. The flameless candle of claim 11, wherein the timer comprises a 24-hour timer.

13. The flameless candle of claim 1, further comprising a sensor to detect whether the projection screen is in the first position, wherein when the sensor detects that the projection screen is in the first position, the at least one light source is turned OFF.

14. The flameless candle of claim 1, further comprising a sensor to detect whether the projection screen is in the second position, wherein when the sensor detects that the projection screen is in the second position, the at least one light source is turned ON.

15. The flameless candle of claim 1, further comprising a moveable lens interposed between the at least one light source and the projection screen.