Electric candle having flickering effect

• US 10,393,332 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2018
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L&L Candle Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: L&L Candle Company, LLC
• Inventors: Patton, Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Ton, Anabel
• Application Number:
  US15/958,873
• Publication Number:
  US 20180306396A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/235 Details of bases or caps, i.e. the parts that connect the light source to a fitting; Arrangement of components within bases or caps F21K9/238 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/238 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• 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: F21V 19/0055 by screwing
• 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]

Abstract

An electronic lighting device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. A housing is formed for the light source support inside the housing. The light source support holds a light source that shines light onto a flame element. The flame element has an upper part shaped like a flame and a lower part extending in the opposite direction from the upper part allowing the flame element to move like a pendulum. The upper part can include a spherical ball that fits into a recess and the housing, and moves back and forth while being illuminated by the light source. In one embodiment, there is a circuit board in the housing, and the light source, as wealth an electromagnet to move the pendulum can both be mounted on the circuit board.

Claims

1. An electric lighting device, comprising:

a circuit board, having electronic circuitry thereon;

a support coupled to the circuit board;

a light source support coupled to the circuit board and configured to receive and support a light source;

a housing comprising an internal cavity, wherein the housing is configured to couple to the supports and to hold the supports; and

a flame element coupled to the housing such that the flame element is movable with respect to the housing

and where the light source support faces towards the flame element further comprising an electromagnet located on the light source, the electromagnet interacting with the flame element, and causing the flame element to move.

2. The electric lighting device as in claim 1, wherein further comprising at least one circuit on the circuit board which controls energization of the electromagnet to move the flame element.

3. The electric lighting device as in claim 2, further comprising an arm connected to the flame element, the arm extending inside the housing, and wherein said arm includes a magnetic element at a distal portion thereof and where the electromagnet in the housing causes pendulum like movement of the flame element.

4. An electric lighting device, comprising:

a flame member operating to move like a pendulum, having a upper portion having a flame-shaped appearance, and a spherical body portion disposed beneath the upper portion; and

a housing comprising a socket configured to receive the spherical body portion, and to allow the spherical body portion to move within the socket,

wherein the flame member also includes an arm extending from the spherical body portion in it opposite direction from the flame member; and

an arm moving device, in the housing, causing the arm to move and thereby causing the flame member to move.

5. The electric lighting device as in claim 4, further comprising a light source, coupled to said housing, and directing light onto a surface of the flame member.

6. The electric lighting device as in claim 5, further comprising a circuit board, mounted in the housing, wherein the light source is on a holder, and where the holder is connected to the circuit board.

7. The device of claim 4 wherein the arm comprises a first wing configured to restrict movement of the arm of the flame member.

8. The device as in claim 4, wherein a portion on the arm includes a magnet, and further comprising an electromagnet which interacts with the arm to move the flame portion.

9. The device as in claim 6, wherein a portion on the arm includes a magnet, and further comprising an electromagnet, mounted on the circuit board, which interacts with the arm to move the flame portion.