Systems and methods for generating a realistic flame effect

• US 10,655,806 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2016
• Issued: 05/19/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L&L Candle Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: L&L Candle Company, LLC
• Inventors: Patton, Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Gyllstrom, Bryon T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cattanach, Colin J
• Application Number:
  US15/053,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20160258586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,545 Days
• Field of Search: 362569, 362161, 362392, 362447, 362810
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/04 simulating flames
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/046 by movement of parts, e.g. by movement of reflectors or light sources
• 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: F21W 2121/002 Candle holders for birthday or anniversary cakes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/81 Imitation candle

Abstract

Various embodiments of flame elements and candle housings are disclosed for use in an electric lighting device or candle to help produce a realistic flickering flame effect. The flame element and/or housing can be configured to eliminate noise that occurs when the flame element contacts a wall of the housing.

Claims

1. An electric lighting device, comprising:

a housing having a top and a bottom, and having an outer wall, and having an aperture in the top of the housing;

a flame element that is coupled to the housing, and the flame element being movable with respect to the housing; and

wherein the flame element comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being outside the housing, the lower portion being inside the housing, and a middle portion, between the lower portion and the upper portion, extending through the aperture in the top of the housing,

and wherein a lower surface of the lower portion has a tapered outer surface adjoining a bottom surface of the lower portion, where the tapered outer surface forming a tapered wall, the tapered wall forming a first angle at its lower end relative to an outer wall of other sections of the lower portion other than the tapered wall, said first angle such that when the flame element is moved at a maximum angle of movement with respect to its rest vertical position, the tapered wall is parallel to or within one degree of parallel to a side wall of the housing and such that the bottom surface of the lower surface has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the lower portion at said other sections of the lower portion other than the tapered wall, and

a light source disposed within the housing and configured to emit light onto the upper portion of the flame element which is outside the housing.

2. The electric lighting device of claim 1, wherein the aperture is disposed on the housing such that at least a portion of the lower surface of the flame element is periodically disposed in the aperture as the flame element moves with respect to the housing.

3. The electric lighting device of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a foam or elastomeric material disposed within the aperture.

4. The electric lighting device of claim 3, wherein the aperture is disposed on the housing such that at least a portion of the lower surface of the flame element periodically contacts the foam or elastomeric material as the flame element moves with respect to the housing.

5. The electric lighting device of claim 1, wherein the flame element comprises an upper and lower portion, and wherein the lower portion has a cylindrical horizontal cross-section.

6. The electric lighting device of claim 1, further comprising an o-ring disposed about the lower portion of the flame element.

7. The electric lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a magnet disposed at a bottom of the flame element.

8. The electric lighting device of claim 7, wherein a width of the magnet is less than a minimum width or diameter of the flame element.

9. The electric lighting device of claim 7, wherein a diameter of the magnet is less than a width of the flame element across the aperture.

10. The electric lighting device of claim 7, wherein the magnet has a length that is greater than a width of the magnet, and wherein the magnet is disposed such that a length of the magnet extends along a vertical axis of the flame element.

11. An electric lighting device, comprising:

a housing having a top and a bottom, and having an outer wall perpendicular to the top, and the housing and the top having an aperture which extends between a hollow inside of the housing and an outside of the top of the housing, the hollow inside being cylindrical;

a flame element that is coupled to the housing, and the flame element being movable with respect to the housing

wherein the flame element comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being outside the top of the housing, the lower portion being inside the hollow inside of the housing, and a middle portion, between the lower portion and the upper portion, the middle portion extending through the aperture in the top of the housing,

and wherein a lower surface of the lower portion has a tapered outer surface adjoining a bottom surface of the lower portion, where the tapered outer surface forming a tapered wall, the tapered wall forming a first angle at its lower end relative to an outer wall of other sections of the lower portion other than the tapered wall, said first angle being non parallel to the outer wall when the lower portion is in a vertical position, and the first angle being such that when the flame element is moved at a maximum angle of movement with respect to the vertical position, the tapered wall is parallel to or within one degree of parallel to a side wall of the housing and such that the bottom surface of the lower surface has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the lower portion at said other sections of the lower portion other than the tapered wall;

and

a light source disposed within the housing, and configured to emit light onto the upper portion of the flame element.