Abstract:
Various embodiments of electric lighting devices, and especially electric candles, are described. The devices include a projection screen onto which light can be emitted. Advantageously, the projection screen can move with respect to the device&#39;s housing to thereby create a flickering flame effect. The device can include one or more magnets disposed outside of the housing that can interact with an electromagnetic field generated by the device to thereby move the projection screen.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/764438, filed Jul. 29, 2015, which is a U.S. National Stage filing of PCT/ US14/13740, filed Jan. 30, 2014, claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application having Ser. No. 61/758,602 filed on Jan. 30, 2013. This and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of the invention is electric lighting devices, and especially lighting devices configured to simulate a flickering flame. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The following background discussion includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
         [0004]    Various electric lights are known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,132,936 to Patton et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,070,319 to Schnuckle et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,837,355 to Schnuckle et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,455 to Schnuckle et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,159,994 to Schnuckle et al., U.S. pat. publ. no. 2011/0127914 to Patton et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,350,720 to Jaworski et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,686,471 to Reichow; U.S. pat. publ. no. 2005/0285538 to Jaworski et al. (publ. December 2005); U.S. Pat. No. 7,481,571 to Bistritzky et al.; U.S. pat. publ. no. 2008/0031784 to Bistritzky et al. (publ. February 2008); U.S. pat. publ. no. 2006/0125420 to Boone et al. (publ. June 2006); U.S. pat. publ. no. 2007/0127249 to Medley et al. (publ. June 2007); U.S. pat. publ. no. 2008/0150453 to Medley et al. (publ. June 2008); U.S. pat. publ. no. 2005/0169666 to Porchia, et al. (publ. August 2005); U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,668 to Porchia, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,824,627 to Michaels, et al.; U.S. pat. publ. no. 2006/0039835 to Nottingham et al. (publ. Feb. 2006); U.S. pat. publ. no. 2008/0038156 to Jaramillo (publ. February 2008); U.S. pat. publ. no. 2001/0033488 to Chliwnyj ; U.S. pat. publ. no. 2008/0130266 to DeWitt et al. (publ. June 2008); U.S. pat. publ. no. 2012/0024837 to Thompson (publ. February 2012); U.S. pat. publ. no. 2011/0134628 to Pestl et al. (publ. June 2011); U.S. pat. publ. no. 2011/0027124 to Albee et al. (publ. February 2011); U.S. pat. publ. no. 2012/0020052 to McCavit et al. (publ. January 2012); U.S. pat. publ. no. 2012/0093491 to Browder et al. (publ. April 2012); and European publ. no. 1878449. However, while various mechanisms have been used to more closely simulate a flickering flame of in an electric candle, such mechanisms fail to appreciate that the magnets can be disposed outside of the housing. 
         [0005]    Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary. 
         [0006]    Thus, there is still a need for improved electric candles and other light sources that imitate a flickering flame and have a reduced cost of manufacture. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods in which one can simulate a flickering flame in an electric lighting device, such as a candle or light bulb. Preferred devices include a projection screen coupled to a housing such that some or all of the projection screen extends from the housing. Light can be projected onto an outer surface of the projection screen using one or more, and preferably at least two light sources. It is especially preferred that the device can include three or more light sources that collectively emit light on to a surface of the projection screen. 
         [0008]    The projection screen preferably can move with respect to the housing, and may pivot about an articulation point. It is especially preferred that the projection screen include one or more magnets that can interact with a magnetic field generated by an electromagnet. As used herein, the term “magnet” is defined to include magnets and ferrous materials. For example, the projection screen can have small, molded-in pieces of ferrous material and be considered to have a magnet under this definition. 
         [0009]    Rather than dispose the magnets within the housing as in prior art devices, the magnet(s) can be disposed outside of the housing in the portion of the projection screen extending from the housing. This advantageously allows the electric candle to be shrunk allowing additional form factors such as a tea light candle, and the electromagnetic coil can be placed immediately below the housing&#39;s top surface where it can generate a time-varying electromagnetic field. 
         [0010]    Alternatively or additionally, the magnet can be disposed above an articulation point of the projection screen, about which the projection screen can move with respect to the housing. However, in other contemplated embodiments, the magnet could be disposed below the articulation point while still remaining outside of the housing. 
         [0011]    Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0012]      FIGS. 1-6  are schematics showing vertical cross-section views of various embodiments of electric lighting devices. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of an electric lighting device  100  that simulates a flickering flame. Device  100  can include a housing  102  and a projection screen  106  at least partially extending from the housing  102 . Housing  102  preferably resembles a traditional wax candle, although it could include other form factors such as a light bulb appearance. Projection screen  106  preferably is coupled to housing  102  at an articulation point  112  disposed outside of the housing about which the projection screen  106  can move with respect to the housing  102 . Here, projection screen  106  is coupled to housing via pole  114 , which can advantageously be constructed to resemble a wick of a traditional wax candle. 
         [0015]    In some contemplated embodiments, the projection screen  106  can rest on the top of the pole  114  such that the projection screen  106  could rotate and/or tilt. In other embodiments, the projection screen  106  could be coupled to the pole  114  via a wire that passes through a hole in a portion of the projection screen  106 . 
         [0016]    Projection screen  106  may have a tear-drop or other shape to simulate the look of a flame. The specific construction and/or materials comprising the projection screen can vary, and is further discussed below. For example, the screen could be opaque, translucent, or transparent, or combinations thereof In addition, the projection screen could have multiple layers and/or multiple materials composing the projection screen. It is also contemplated that the projection screen can have multiple faces, such as three or more faces, and could comprise various shapes including a cone, a sphere, or an inverted tear drop, for example. 
         [0017]    One or more light sources  104  can be disposed within housing  102  such that light is emitted on to an outer surface of the projection screen  106 . Although shown as emitting light upwardly, the light may be emitted downwardly depending on the orientation of the device and the location of the light source. Light source  104  preferably comprises one or more LEDs but could alternatively comprise other light sources. It is especially preferred that the light source comprise a set of micro-LEDs to allow for additional colors of light to be emitted in the space required by a traditional LED. In such embodiments, it is especially preferred that the lights comprise RGB lights such that a variety of colors of light could be produced. One or more lenses can be used to collect and focus the light on to the projection screen  106 . 
         [0018]    Device  100  can further include an electromagnet  108  configured to generate a time-varying electromagnetic field and thereby cause movement of the projection screen  106  with respect to the housing  102 . It is contemplated that the electromagnet can include a coil of wire and timer circuitry that collectively generate the electromagnetic field over time according to a predefined waveform. A description of various waveforms can be found in co-pending U.S. patent publication no. 2013/0286642 to Candella, LLC. 
         [0019]    Rather than an electromagnet, it is contemplated that a fan, motor, or other drive mechanism could cause movement of the projection screen  106 . A discussion of fan-based devices can be found in WIPO patent application having serial no. PCT/US13/65284 filed on Oct. 16, 2013. 
         [0020]    Projection screen  106  preferably includes one or more magnets  110  that interact with the time-varying electromagnetic field and thereby cause movement of the projection screen  106  with respect to the housing  102 . The magnets  110  could be inserted into recesses within the projection screen  106  or more preferably during injection molding of the projection screen  106 . Preferably, the magnets can be molded in using dual injection molding. By disposing magnets  110  proximate to the electromagnet  108 , the power needed to cause movement of the projection screen  106  can thereby be reduced, which can advantageously increase the battery life of device  100  in battery operated versions. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , magnets  110  are disposed outside of the housing  102  in the portion of the projection screen  106  extending from the housing  102 . This advantageously allows a height of the device  100  to be substantially reduced and thereby reduce the cost of manufacture as well as allow for additional form factors such as a tea light candle. 
         [0022]    With the articulation point  112  and magnets  110  disposed outside of the housing, the hole in the upper portion of the housing  102  can be eliminated. This allows for outdoor versions of products where water or other elements of nature may otherwise damage device  100 . In addition, it is contemplated that the housing  102  could be hermetically sealed to prevent water ingress, which would allow for other products such as a floating candle. In such embodiments, it is contemplated that the device  100  could be charged via induction or be disposable. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates another embodiment of an electric lighting device  200  that simulates a flickering flame, which also includes a light source  216  disposed above the articulation point  212 . In such embodiments, it is contemplated that the pole  214  could either have an embedded wire or itself be electrically conductive to provide power to the light source  216 . With respect to the remaining numerals in  FIG. 2 , the same considerations for like components with like numerals of  FIG. 1  apply. 
         [0024]    In  FIG. 3 , another embodiment of an electric lighting device  300  is shown in which the articulation point  312  is disposed below the magnet(s)  310 , and having the electromagnet  308  disposed below the articulation point  312 . Preferably, the coil of electromagnet  308  is disposed about the projection screen  306  and has a diameter sufficient to allow for movement of the projection screen  306  within the diameter of the coil. With respect to the remaining numerals in  FIG. 3 , the same considerations for like components with like numerals of  FIG. 1  apply. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  illustrates yet another embodiment of an electric lighting device  400  in which the articulation point  412  is disposed below the magnet(s)  410 , and having the electromagnet  408  disposed at the articulation point  412 . With respect to the remaining numerals in  FIG. 4 , the same considerations for like components with like numerals of  FIG. 1  apply. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of an electric lighting device  500  having a fan  508  that causes movement of the projection screen  506  as the fan rotates. Because of the upward airflow, in some embodiments, the projection screen  506  can include one or more weights or be composed of a heavier material to ensure it remains coupled to pole  514 . With respect to the remaining numerals in  FIG. 5 , the same considerations for like components with like numerals of  FIG. 1  apply. 
         [0027]    In  FIG. 6 , another embodiment of an electric lighting device  600  is shown that simulates a flickering flame, in which the articulation point  612  is outside of the housing  602  but below the magnets  610 . The coil  608  is disposed within the housing  602  below the articulation point  612  and magnets  610 . With respect to the remaining numerals in  FIG. 6 , the same considerations for like components with like numerals of  FIG. 1  apply. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. 
         [0029]    As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0030]    The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0031]    Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims. 
         [0032]    As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously. 
         [0033]    It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.