Electric candle having flickering effect

• US 10,281,099 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2017
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L&L Candle Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: Luminara Worldwide LLC
• Inventors: Patton, Douglas, Bordenkicher, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US15/653,481
• Publication Number:
  US 20180187848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 658 Days
• Field of Search: 362235
• 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: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 11/08 using diaphragms containing one or more apertures
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 characterised by the shape
• 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

Various designs of electronic lighting devices are disclosed. Contemplated electronic lighting devices comprise a housing, a base, and a light source holder. The housing comprises an internal cavity that typically houses the base and the light source holder. The base is configured to mate with the housing, and the light source holder is affixed to the base. Preferably, the light source holder is configured to receive a light source in an inclined position with respect to the housing, such that light from the light source is emitted through an aperture of the housing and onto a flame element to simulate a real candle light.

Claims

1. An electric lighting device, comprising:

a housing comprising an internal cavity and an aperture on an upper surface;

a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within the housing;

a light source holder affixed to the PCB, such that the light source holder extends upwardly from the PCB and is disposed within the internal cavity; and

wherein the light source holder is configured to receive a light source and lens in an inclined position with respect to the housing, such that light from the light source is emitted through the aperture.

2. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the light source holder comprises a first aperture sized and dimensioned to receive a light source, and wherein the light source holder supports the light source within the housing.

3. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the light source is affixed to the PCB in an inclined position, and wherein the light source holder is configured to at least partially encompass the light source when the light source is inserted into the light source holder.

4. The lighting device of claim 3, wherein the light source holder is further configured to maintain a predefined focal length between the lens and the light source when the light source holder is affixed to the PCB.

5. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising:

a flame element at least partially disposed within the internal cavity; and

a support member coupled to the housing, and configured to support the flame element and allow for movement of the flame element with respect to the support member.

6. The lighting device of claim 5, wherein the flame element comprises a hollow interior and an aperture disposed on a sidewall of the flame element, and wherein the support member extends outwardly toward the aperture, and wherein the support member is sized and dimensioned to extend into the aperture on the sidewall to suspend the flame element within the internal cavity and allow the flame element to move with respect to the support member.

7. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the light source holder further comprises:

a base having at least three outwardly extending legs;

an elongated stem that extends vertically from the base and terminates with an elongated, inclined cylinder having a first end and a second end; and

wherein the elongated, inclined cylinder comprises an aperture at each of the first and second ends, and wherein the aperture at the first end is sized and dimensioned to receive the light source.

8. The lighting device of claim 7, wherein the PCB comprises a first surface having at least three apertures, and wherein each of the at least three legs comprises a downwardly-extending peg that is configured to extend at least partially through one of the at least three apertures when the light source holder is affixed to the PCB.

9. The lighting device of claim 8, wherein the light source holder comprises an opening disposed on the second end and the opening is configured to receive a fastener, and wherein the first surface comprises a second opening, such that insertion of the fastener through the second opening into the opening affixes the light source holder to the first surface.

10. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the light source holder further comprises:

an elongated stem that extends vertically from a base of the light source holder;

an elongated, inclined cylinder disposed on the elongated stem, wherein the cylinder comprises a first aperture sized and dimensioned to receive the light source; and

an opening disposed on the base, wherein the opening is sized and dimensioned to receive a fastener.

11. The lighting device of claim 10, wherein the base comprises a first surface having a second opening, such that insertion of the fastener through the second opening into the opening affixes the light source holder to the first surface.

12. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the light source holder is further configured to maintain a predefined focal length between the lens and the light source when the light source holder is affixed to the base.

13. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

14. An electric lighting device, comprising:

a first surface comprising at least three apertures;

a light source support affixed to the first surface and having an elongated stem extending away from the first surface;

wherein the light source support further comprises at least three legs extending outwardly from the elongated stem and wherein each of the legs comprises a downwardly extending peg that is configured to be inserted into one of the at least three apertures when the light source support is affixed to the first surface; and

wherein the light source support is configured to receive a light source in an inclined position with respect to the first surface.

15. The lighting device of claim 14, wherein the first surface comprises a PCB.

16. The lighting device of claim 14, wherein the elongated stem terminates at a first end opposite of the first surface, and wherein the first end comprises a first aperture having an inclined, cylindrical opening sized and dimensioned to receive the light source.

17. The lighting device of claim 14, wherein the light source is affixed to the first surface in an inclined position, and wherein the light source support is configured to at least partially encompass the light source when the light source is inserted into the light source support.

18. The lighting device of claim 14, wherein the light source support is further configured to receive a lens, and maintain a predefined focal length between the lens and the light source when the light source is inserted into the light source support.

19. The lighting device of claim 14, wherein the elongated stem of the light source support comprises an opening configured to receive a fastener, and wherein the first surface comprises a second opening, such that insertion of the fastener through the second opening into the opening affixes the light source support to the first surface.

20. The lighting device of claim 14, wherein the light source support is further configured to support and maintain the light source in the inclined position with respect to the first surface, and wherein the light source support is further configured to receive a lens, and maintain a predefined focal length between the lens and the light source when the light source is inserted into the light source support.

21. The lighting device of claim 14, further comprising:

a housing;

a support member coupled to the housing; and

a flame element coupled to the support member, such that the flame element can move with respect to the support member.

22. The lighting device of claim 14, wherein the light source comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

23. A support for a light source and lens of an electric lighting device, comprising:

a base having at least three outwardly extending legs, each with a downwardly extending peg;

an elongated stem that extends vertically from the base and terminates with an elongated, inclined cylinder having a first end and a second end;

wherein the elongated, inclined cylinder comprises an aperture at each of the first and second ends, and wherein the aperture at the first end is sized and dimensioned to receive a light source, and wherein the aperture at the second end is sized and dimensioned to receive a lens, such that the support maintains a predefined focal length between the lens and the light source; and

wherein the base comprises a threaded opening configured to receive a fastener.