Magic candles and candle bases, magic advertisement displays

• US 7,214,054 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2004
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Georgia Athanassopoulos
• Original Assignee: Nick Boulachanis
• Inventors: Boulachanis, Nick
• Primary Examiner(s): Tyler; Cheryl
• Assistant Examiner(s): EARLY, MICHAEL JACOBY
• Application Number:
  US10/829,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20040265763A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 431/289, 431/288, 431/126, 431/320, 431/323, 431/298, 431/291, 248/511, 362/161, 220/560
• US Class Current: 431/289
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/00 Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 13/12 Devices intended to be free-standing, e.g. table lamp, floor lamp
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 35/00 Candle holders

Abstract

In a first broad aspect, the invention provides an apparatus usable with a liquid. The apparatus includes a container for receiving the liquid and an object. The object is substantially buoyant and supportable by the liquid while being at least in part submerged into the liquid. A first magnet is mounted to the object, the first magnet defining first magnet first and second magnetic poles having opposed polarities. A second magnet is movable over a predetermined path relatively to the container. The second magnet defines second magnet first and second magnetic poles having opposed polarities. Moving the second magnet over the predetermined path modifies the magnetic fields present substantially adjacent the first magnet, thereby causing a force onto the object.

Claims

1. A decorative apparatus usable with a liquid, said decorative apparatus comprising:

a container for receiving the liquid;

an object, said object being substantially buoyant and supportable by the liquid while being at least in part submerged into the liquid;

a first magnet mounted to said object, said first magnet defining first magnet first and second magnetic poles having opposed polarities;

a bundle of lit candles selected from the group consisting of wax candles oil candles and gel candles, placed on the surface of said object, and said object includes a support for supporting said bundle of lit candles above the liquid;

a second magnet movable over a predetermined path relatively to said container, said second magnet defining second magnet first and second magnetic poles having opposed polarities;

a motor and a magnet support, rotatable by said motor about a rotation axis, said second magnet being mounted to said magnet support so that at least one of said second magnet first and second magnetic poles is located eccentrically relatively to said rotation axis;

whereby said motor moves said second magnet over said predetermined path modifying a magnetic field present substantially adjacent said first magnet, thereby causing a force onto said object, thereby causing said object and said bundle of lit candles to move in guided circular motions.

2. A decorative apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said object is partially submersible and floatable onto the liquid.

4. A decorative apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first magnet is mounted into said object.

5. A decorative apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a motor casing, said motor, magnet support and second magnet being mounted into said motor casing.

6. A decorative apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a container support for suspending said container.

3. A decorative apparatus usable with a non-combustible liquid, said decorative apparatus comprising, a container for receiving the liquid;

a floatable candle supportable by the liquid, said floatable candle comprised of an open-top housing with a fuel inside and a wick in the fuel;

a first magnet mounted to the base of said floatable candle, said first magnet defining first magnet first and second magnetic poles having opposed polarities;

a second magnet movable over a predetermined path relatively to said container, said second magnet defining second magnet first and second magnetic poles having opposed polarities;

a motor and a magnet support, rotatable by said motor about a rotation axis, said second magnet being mounted to said magnet support so that at least one of said second magnet first and second magnetic poles is located eccentrically relatively to said rotation axis;

whereby said motor rotates said magnet support and said second magnet over said predetermined path modifying a magnetic field present substantially adjacent said first magnet, thereby rotating said floatable candle.