LIGHT-EMITTING APPARATUS

• US 20100290238A1
• Filed: 05/14/2009
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mary Elle Fashions
• Original Assignee: Mary Elle Fashions
• Inventors: Howard, Kenneth A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,215,789 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/392
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 19/00 Lighting devices or systems employing combinations of electric and non-electric light sources; Replacing or exchanging electric light sources with non-electric light sources or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 35/00 Candle holders
• 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

A light-emitting apparatus includes a housing defining an interior space. A light-emitting diode in the interior space of the housing projects upward from the interior bottom surface. A support surface in the interior space above the light-emitting diode is configured to support a candle in the interior space over the light-emitting diode so that the light-emitting diode is hidden from view.

Claims

1. A light-emitting apparatus comprising:

a housing defining an interior space;

a light-emitting diode in the interior space of the housing projecting upward from the interior bottom surface;

a support surface in the interior space above the light-emitting diode configured to support a candle in the interior space over the light-emitting diode so that the light-emitting diode is hidden from view.

2. A light-emitting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a candle supported on the support surface, wherein the candle is removable from the interior space of the housing.

3. A light-emitting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the housing is at least partially constructed of wax and has an appearance of a candle, wherein the interior space includes an LED-receiving recess below the support surface, the light-emitting diode being disposed in the LED-receiving recess.

4. A light-emitting apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the interior space includes a candle-receiving recess above the LED-receiving recess for retaining a candle therein, the candle-receiving recess being partially defined by the support surface.

5. A light-emitting apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the housing defines an upper cavity disposed above the candle-receiving recess, wherein the upper cavity, the LED-receiving recess and the candle-receiving recess are generally coaxial.

6. A light-emitting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a removable candle support in the interior space of the housing over the LED, the candle support defining the support surface and having a skirt extending downward from the support surface.

7. A light-emitting apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the housing comprises a side wall with at least one window through which light may be emitted.

8. A light-emitting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein housing includes at least one battery receptacle for receiving at least one battery, wherein the battery receptacle is electrically connected to the light-emitting diode to power the light-emitting diode when said at least one battery is received in said at least one battery receptacle.

9. A light-emitting apparatus comprising:

a housing having an appearance of a candle, the housing having an interior space extending through a top of the housing,

a support surface in the interior space of the housing for supporting a candle thereon,

an LED-receiving recess disposed below the support surface;

an LED in the LED-receiving recess, wherein an entirety of the LED is disposed below the support surface so that a candle can be supported on the support surface in a position over the LED.

10. A light-emitting apparatus as set forth in claim 9 further comprising a candle-receiving recess partially defined by the support surface for retaining the candle in the position over the LED.

11. A light-emitting apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein the candle-receiving recess is generally cylindrical having a diameter within a range of about 1.5″

and about 3.0″

.

12. A light-emitting apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein candle-receiving recess and the LED-receiving recess are generally coaxial and are generally coaxial with a vertical axis of the housing.

13. A light-emitting apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the housing is at least partially constructed of wax.

14. A light-emitting apparatus as set forth in claim 9 in combination with a standard tealight candle supported on the support surface.

15. A light-emitting apparatus comprising:

a housing defining an interior space;

a light-emitting diode in the interior space of the housing;

a candle support adapted to be removably received in the interior space and to support a candle over the LED in the interior space of the housing.

16. A light-emitting apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein the housing has an interior bottom surface and wherein the LED extends upward from the interior bottom surface, the candle support having an upper support surface and a stand extending downward from the support surface, the stand being adapted to contact the interior surface and support the support surface over the LED.

17. A light-emitting apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein the stand comprises an annular skirt that surrounds the LED when the candle support is received in the interior space of the housing.

18. A light-emitting apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein the upper support surface is recessed from a top of the candle support to define a candle-receiving recess for receiving the candle.

19. A light-emitting apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein the housing is in the shape of a candle holder.

20. A light-emitting apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein the housing in the shape of a lantern.