Electronic luminary device with simulated flame

• US 9,068,706 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2013
• Issued: 06/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sterno Home Inc. (Sterno LLC)
• Original Assignee: Winvic Sales Incorporated
• Inventors: Fournier, Bernard, Toutant, Michael, Landry, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US13/789,624
• Publication Number:
  US 20140254148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 362/392, 362/249.02, 362/812, 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 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 to form an upper recess, wherein the upper surface includes an aperture;

a projection screen, which does not move in physical space, wherein;

the projection screen extends upwardly from the upper surface; and

a position of the projection screen is fixed with respect to a position of the upper surface;

a first source of light positioned below the upper surface, wherein the first source of light projects light through the aperture onto the projection screen;

a second source of light positioned below the upper surface, wherein the second source of light projects 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 independently controls intensities of the light projected by the first source of light and the second source of light onto the projection screen.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein positions of the first source of light and the second source of light are fixed with respect to the position of the projection screen.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the projection screen is flat.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the projection screen includes a concavity.

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

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the projection screen includes a convexity.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the projection screen includes a primary plane;

the first source of light emits light including a beam axis and a beam width;

the beam axis of the first source of light intersects the primary plane of the projection screen at an angle between 20°

to 40°

;

the second source of light emits light including a beam axis and a beam width; and

the beam axis of the second source of light intersects the primary plane of the projection screen at an angle between 20°

to 40°

.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein:

the beam width of the light emitted by the first source of light is between 30°

to 35°

; and

the beam width of the light emitted by the second source of light is between 30°

to 35°

.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the first source of light is positioned to project light through the aperture onto a front side of the projection screen; and

the second source of light is positioned to project light through the aperture onto a back side of the projection screen.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the projection screen comprises a translucent material that allows light from the first source of light to penetrate to the back side of the projection screen and allows light from the second source of light to penetrate to the front side of the projection screen.

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

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the projection screen comprises plastic.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the first source of light is positioned to project light onto a front side of the projection screen in a first area;

the second source of light is positioned to project light onto the front side of the projection screen in a second area; and

the second area is different than the first area.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein a portion of the first area overlaps a portion of the second area.