Flame simulating devices for use with lights and method thereof

• US 6,916,110 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2003
• Issued: 07/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rene C. Batiste
• Original Assignee: Rene C. Batiste
• Inventors: Batiste, Rene C.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choi, Jacob Y.
• Application Number:
  US10/447,768
• Publication Number:
  US 20040240225A1
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 362/507, 362/509, 362/806, 362/351, 362/810
• US Class Current: 362/507
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0005 Devices preventing the lights from becoming dirty or damaged, e.g. protection grids or cleaning by air flow windshield wipers for cleaning optical devices of vehicles B60S1/04
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/00 Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/04 simulating flames

Abstract

A flame simulating device for a vehicle is disclosed. The flame simulating device comprises an assembly having a flame shaped end and an opposite end. In several examples of the flame simulating device the opposite end of a member of the assembly is coupled to a transparent member. In use of the flame simulating device, a portion of the opposite end of the assembly is coupled to a portion of a surface of a vehicle light lens fixture. The flame simulating device preferably comprises translucent plastic, except when a member of the assembly is the transparent member. The flame simulating device may be colored and textured to give the appearance of flames emanating from a vehicle. A source of light creates a simulated flame when the source of light is directed onto the translucent flame simulating device.

Claims

1. A flame simulating device for a vehicle comprising, in combination:

a source of light coupled to the vehicle;

a translucent flame simulating device coupled to the vehicle that creates a simulated flame when the source of light is directed onto the translucent flame simulating device; and

said translucent flame simulating device comprising an assembly, a portion of said assembly having a flame shaped end, said assembly having an opposite end, a portion of said opposite end for coupling to a portion of an outer surface of a vehicle light lens fixture giving the appearance of flames emanating from the vehicle light lens fixture, said assembly comprising an essentially rectangular member, a portion of said essentially rectangular member near said opposite end defining a multiplicity of holes for allowing access to retaining couplers of the vehicle light lens fixture.

2. The flame simulating device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a vehicle light.

3. The flame simulating device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said opposite end of said assembly coupled to a portion of a surface surrounding a vehicle light lens fixture giving the appearance of flames emanating from areas surrounding the vehicle light lens fixture.

4. The flame simulating device for a vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising a second essentially rectangular member, said second essentially rectangular member substantially perpendicular to said first essentially rectangular member;

an edge of said essentially rectangular second member coupled to a portion of an inner surface of said essentially rectangular first member;

a portion of the inner surface of said essentially rectangular first member and an inner surface of said essentially rectangular second member for coupling to a portion of the outer surface of the vehicle light lens fixture.

5. The flame simulating device for a vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising a second essentially rectangular member having a flame shaped end, said second essentially rectangular member having an opposite end;

said opposite end of said second essentially rectangular member for coupling to a portion of another outer surface of the vehicle light lens fixture, said second essentially rectangular member substantially perpendicular to said first essentially rectangular member when said first essentially rectangular member coupled to a portion of the outer surface of the vehicle light lens fixture.

6. The flame simulating device for a vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said assembly comprises an essentially cylindrical member, said flame shaped end essentially circularly disposed at one end of said essentially cylindrical member, said essentially cylindrical member having a lip at said opposite end of said essentially cylindrical member, a portion of said lip for coupling to a portion of the outer surface of the vehicle light lens fixture giving the appearance of flames emanating from a rim of the vehicle light lens fixture.

7. The flame simulating device for a vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said assembly comprises a pair of tapering members and a support cross member, each one of said pair of tapering members having a base coupled to said support cross member, a tapering member of said pair of tapering members substantially perpendicular to another tapering member of said pair of tapering members, said support cross member for coupling to a portion of the outer surface of the vehicle light lens fixture.

8. The flame simulating device for a vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said assembly comprises a partially curved member defining a curved portion of a portion of said opposite end of said partially curved member, said partially curved member defining a flame portion extending from another portion of said opposite end to said flame shaped end, said curved portion and said flame portion at said opposite end of said partially curved member defining an opening;

each one of said curved portion and said flame portion of said opposite end for coupling to a portion of the outer surface of the vehicle light lens.

9. The flame simulating device for a vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said flame simulating device comprises translucent plastic.

10. The flame simulating device for a vehicle according to claim 4 further comprising a third essentially rectangular member having a flame shaped end and an opposite end;

said third essentially rectangular member substantially perpendicular to said first essentially rectangular member, said third essentially rectangular member substantially perpendicular to said second rectangular member;

said opposite end of said third essentially rectangular member coupled to a second edge of said second essentially rectangular member;

said essentially rectangular first member, said essentially rectangular second member and said third rectangular member for coupling to a portion of outer surfaces of the vehicle light lens fixture.

11. The flame simulating device for a vehicle according to claim 4 further comprising a third essentially rectangular member having a flame shaped end and an opposite end;

said third essentially rectangular member substantially perpendicular to said first essentially rectangular member, said third essentially rectangular member substantially perpendicular to said second rectangular member;

said opposite end of said third essentially rectangular member coupled to a portion of an inner surface of said second essentially rectangular member;

said essentially rectangular first member, said essentially rectangular second member and said third rectangular member for coupling to a portion of outer surfaces of the vehicle light lens fixture.

12. The flame simulating device for a vehicle according to claim 6 wherein said lip substantially perpendicular to a wall of said essentially cylindrical member, said lip defining an opening of said essentially cylindrical member so that light emanating from the vehicle light lens fixture gives the appearance of flames.

13. The flame simulating device for a vehicle according to claim 6 wherein said lip coupled to a transparent member;

each one of said lip and said transparent member for coupling to a portion of the outer surface of the vehicle light lens fixture.

14. The flame simulating device for a vehicle according to claim 7 wherein said support cross member coupled to a transparent member;

each one of said support cross member and said transparent member for coupling to a portion of the outer surface of the vehicle light lens fixture.

15. The flame simulating device for a vehicle according to claim 7 wherein said support cross member coupled to a lip;

each one of said support cross member and said lip for coupling to a portion of the outer surface of the vehicle light lens fixture.

16. The flame simulating device for a vehicle according to claim 8 further comprising a transparent member coupled to said opposite end of said partially curved member;

each one of said opposite end and said transparent member for coupling to a portion of the outer surface of the vehicle light lens fixture.

17. The flame simulating device for a vehicle according to claim 15 wherein said support cross member coupled to a transparent member, said lip coupled to said transparent member;

each one of said support cross member, said lip and said transparent member for coupling to a portion of the outer surface of the vehicle light lens fixture.

18. A method for giving the appearance of flames emanating from a vehicle comprising the steps of:

providing a source of light coupled to the vehicle;

coupling a translucent flame simulating device to the vehicle that creates a simulated flame when the source of light is directed onto the translucent flame simulating device; and

providing said translucent flame simulating device comprising an assembly, a portion of said assembly having a flame shaped end, said assembly having an opposite end, a portion of said opposite end for coupling to a portion of an outer surface of a vehicle light lens fixture of the vehicle and projecting away from a portion of the surface of the vehicle light lens fixture of the vehicle thereby giving the appearance of flames emanating from the vehicle light lens fixture.

19. The method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of:

coupling said assembly having an essentially rectangular member to retaining couplers of the vehicle light lens fixture, a portion of said essentially rectangular member near said opposite end of said assembly defining a multiplicity of holes for allowing access to said retaining couplers of the vehicle light lens fixture.

20. The method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of:

coupling said assembly having an essentially cylindrical member to a portion of the outer surface of the vehicle light lens fixture, said flame shaped end essentially circularly disposed at one end of said essentially cylindrical member, said essentially cylindrical member having a lip at said opposite end of said essentially cylindrical member thereby giving the appearance of flames emanating from a rim of the vehicle light lens fixture.