Lantern with imitation flame source

• US 20050254232A1
• Filed: 05/12/2004
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sterno Home Inc. (Sterno LLC)
• Original Assignee: Winvic Sales Incorporated
• Inventors: McCavit, Kim I., Bentley, Roger D., Jensen, Bradford B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,093,961 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/161
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/04 simulating flames
• 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: F21S 9/037 the solar unit and the lighting unit being located within or on the same housing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0407 for flashing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 37/002 Wicks
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A decorative lantern evocative of enclosing a candle or other open flame type light source includes an imitation candle and a super bright light emitting diode hidden with the lantern to illuminate the imitation candle from outside. A wick having a polished tip produces a hot spot of reflected light to heighten the illusion of an open flame being present.

Claims

1. A lantern comprising:

a housing having a base and a cap enclosing an upper end of the housing;

a light scattering body having an upper surface supported from the base of the housing; and

a first light source spaced from the light scattering body and disposed to project light toward the upper surface of light scattering body.

2. A lantern as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a wick extending upwardly from the upper surface of the lantern, the wick having a light reflecting tip distal to its base at the upper surface positioned to catch and reflect light projected from the first light source.

3. A lantern as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:

the upper surface of the light scattering body having a central depression, the wick being located with the central depression with the tip extending above a rim of the light scattering body defining horizontal limits to the central depression.

4. A lantern as set forth in claim 3, further comprising:

the light source being located within the cap and oriented to emit light generally downwardly onto the central depression of the light scattering body.

5. A lantern as set forth in claim 4, further comprising:

an energization circuit connected to the light source causing the light source to emit light in a flickering manner.

6. A lantern as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a second light source located within the light scattering body below the upper surface of the light scattering body; and

a flicker energization circuit connected to energize the light source and the second light source.

7. A lantern as set forth in claim 5, further comprising:

a second light source located within the light scattering body below the upper surface of the light scattering body within the horizontal limits of the central depression; and

a flicker energization circuit connected to energize the second light source.

8. A lantern as set forth in claim 7, further comprising:

the first and second light sources being super bright light emitting diodes.

9. Illumination apparatus comprising:

an imitation wick having a highly reflective section; and

a first light source disposed with respect to the imitation wick for illuminating the highly reflective section of the imitation wick.

10. Illumination apparatus as set forth in claim 9, further comprising:

a translucent, light scattering body supporting the imitation wick on an upper surface of the translucent, light scattering body; and

the first light source being located spaced from the translucent, light scattering body and the imitation wick, the first light source being positioned and oriented to illuminate the translucent, light scattering body from above.

11. Illumination apparatus as set forth in claim 10, further comprising:

a housing comprising a base supporting the translucent, light scattering body;

a cap disposed over the translucent, light scattering body; and

a globe positioned between the base and the cap through which the translucent, light scattering body is visible.

12. Illumination apparatus as set forth in claim 11, further comprising:

the first light source being located above the vertical extent of the globe and under and hidden within the cap as viewed from the side of the housing.

13. Illumination apparatus as set forth in claim 12, further comprising:

energization means for the first light source effective for causing the first light source to emit flickering light.

14. Illumination apparatus as set forth in claim 13, further comprising:

a second light source disposed within the translucent, light scattering body.

15. Illumination apparatus as set forth in claim 14, further comprising:

energization means for the second light source effective for causing the second light source to emit flickering light.

16. Illumination apparatus as set forth in claim 13, further comprising:

the first light source being a super bright light emitting diode.

17. Illumination apparatus as set forth in claim 15, further comprising:

the first and second light sources being super bright light emitting diodes.

18. A decorative lantern comprising:

a housing having a base, a globe rising vertically from the base and a cap covering the globe;

a translucent, light scattering body disposed on the base of the housing enclosed within the globe through which the translucent, light scattering body is visible to an outside viewer;

an imitation wick extending upwardly from an upper surface of the translucent, light scattering body, the imitation wick having a highly reflective tip visible above the translucent, light scattering body;

a super bright light emitting diode located above the vertical extent of the globe under and within the cap, oriented to project light downwardly toward the upper surface of the translucent, light scattering body and the imitation wick; and

an energization circuit for causing the super bright light emitting diode to luminesce.

19. A decorative lantern as set forth in claim 18, further comprising:

a second super bright light emitting diode positioned within the translucent, light scattering body; and

an energization circuit for causing the second super bright light emitting body to luminesce.