Electronic luminary device with simulated flame

• US 9,447,937 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2015
• Issued: 09/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sterno Home Inc. (Sterno LLC)
• Original Assignee: Nii Northern International Incorporated (NII Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fournier, Bernard, Toutant, Michael, Landry, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US14/754,077
• Publication Number:
  US 20150300586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 362/234, 362/292, 362/810
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/00 Electric lighting devices with self-contained electric batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/04 simulating flames
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/043 by selectively switching fixed 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 23/003 the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0028 Decorative household equipment, e.g. plant holders or food dummies
• 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

Abstract

A flameless candle may include a side wall including an upper region and a lower region, a base engaged with the lower region of the side wall, and an upper surface extending from the upper region of the side wall to form an upper recess. The candle may also include a projection screen extending upwardly through an aperture in the upper surface. The position of the projection screen is fixed with respect to a position of the upper surface. Two sources of light positioned below the upper surface may project light through the aperture onto the projection screen. Circuitry may electrically connect to the first source of light and the second source of light. The circuitry may independently control each of the sources of light.

Claims

1. A device for simulating a flame, comprising:

a side wall including an upper region and a lower region;

a base engaged with the lower region of the side wall;

an upper surface extending from the upper region of the side wall toward a central axis of the device, wherein an upper recess is formed at least in part by the upper surface;

a riser extending away from the base toward the upper surface;

a platform above the base and supported by the riser;

a projection screen that;

is fixedly attached to at least one of the platform, the riser, or the upper surface such that the projection screen does not move with respect to the upper surface; and

extends above the upper surface;

a first source of light located below the upper surface, wherein the first source of light is configured to project light through an aperture in the upper surface onto the projection screen;

a second source of light located below the upper surface, wherein the second source of light is configured to project light through the aperture in the upper surface onto the projection screen; and

circuitry electrically connected to the first source of light and the second source of light, wherein the circuitry is configured to independently control an intensity of the light projected by the first source of light and an intensity of the light projected by the second source of light.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the projection screen comprises a flame-shape.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the projection screen is offset from a central axis of the aperture through the upper surface.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the projection screen does not extend below the platform.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first source of light is positioned to project light onto a front side of the projection screen thereby defining a first area, the second source of light is positioned to project light through the aperture onto the front side of the projection screen thereby defining a second area, wherein the second area is overlapping but different than the first area.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the projection screen is rigid.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the projection screen is fixedly attached to the upper surface.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the upper recess is formed at least in part by the upper surface and a portion of the side wall.

9. A device for simulating a flame, comprising:

a side wall including an upper region and a lower region;

a base engaged with the lower region of the side wall;

an upper surface extending from the upper region of the side wall toward a central axis of the device, wherein an upper recess is formed at least in part from the upper surface;

a riser extending away from the base towards the upper surface;

a platform above the base and supported by the riser;

a projection screen that;

is fixedly attached to the platform such that the projection screen does not move with respect to the upper surface; and

extends upwardly from an aperture in the upper surface;

a first source of light located on at least one of the platform or the riser, wherein the first source of light is configured to project light through the aperture onto the projection screen;

a second source of light located on at least one of the platform or the riser, wherein the second source of light is configured to project light through the aperture onto the projection screen; and

circuitry electrically connected to the first source of light and the second source of light, wherein the circuitry is configured to independently control an intensity of the light projected by the first source of light and an intensity of the light projected by the second source of light.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the projection screen comprises a flame-shape.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the projection screen is offset from a central axis of the aperture through the upper surface.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the projection screen does not extend below the platform.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the first source of light is positioned to project light onto a front side of the projection screen thereby defining a first area, the second source of light is positioned to project light through the aperture onto the front side of the projection screen thereby defining a second area, wherein the second area is overlapping but different than the first area.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the projection screen is rigid.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the upper recess is formed at least in part by the upper surface and a portion of the side wall.

16. A device for simulating a flame, comprising:

a side wall including an upper region and a lower region;

an upper surface extending from the upper region of the side wall toward a central axis of the device, wherein an upper recess is formed at least in part by the upper surface;

a projection screen arranged to extend upwardly from an aperture in the upper surface;

a first source of light located below the upper surface and configured to project a first beam of light through the aperture onto the projection screen;

a first lens configured to alter the first beam of light; and

circuitry configured to control an intensity of the first source of light.

17. The device of claim 16, further comprising:

a second source of light located below the upper surface and configured to project a second beam of light through the aperture onto the projection screen;

a second lens configured to alter the second beam of light; and

wherein the circuitry is further configured to independently control the intensity of the first beam of light and the intensity of the second beam of light.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the first source of light is positioned to project light onto a front side of the projection screen thereby defining a first area, the second source of light is positioned to project light through the aperture onto the front side of the projection screen thereby defining a second area, wherein the second area is overlapping but different than the first area.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the projection screen comprises a flame-shape.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the projection screen is offset from a central axis of the aperture through the upper surface.

21. The device of claim 16, wherein the projection screen is rigid.

22. The device of claim 16, wherein the upper recess is formed at least in part by the upper surface and a portion of the side wall.