Abstract:
A device includes a flame bowl with a snuffer sleeve situated therein. The snuffer sleeve has a lowered position allowing a wick to burn freely and a raised position wherein the sleeve impedes oxygen flow to the wick, the snuffer sleeve being biased toward the raised position. A shelf extends from the snuffer sleeve to receive a movable weight that rests on the shelf when the flame bowl is upright and the snuffer sleeve is moved to the lowered position. The movable weight retains the snuffer sleeve in the lowered position while the flame bowl remains upright but moves to allow the snuffer sleeve to extend to the raised position when the flame bowl departs from the upright position more than a predetermined amount.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Liquid fueled torches are utilized for a number of purposes such as lighting, decoration, and pest repellence. This disclosure relates to liquid fueled torches with added features. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention of the present disclosure, in one aspect thereof, comprises a device with a flame bowl providing a wick holder passing from an upper surface of the flame bowl to a fuel reservoir. A snuffer has a snuffer sleeve that circumscribes at least a portion of the wick holder and is movable between a lowered position, in which a wick extending upwardly from the wick holder is exposed, and a raised position, in which a wick extending upwardly from the wick holder is at least partially shielded by the snuffer sleeve. A biasing member biases the snuffer toward the raised position. When the flame bowl is in an upright position, the wick holder is retained by gravity in the lowered position, and when flame bowl departs from the upright position more than a predetermined amount the biasing member extends the snuffer to the raised position. 
         [0003]    In some embodiments, a top plate is fixed in a position over the flame bowl such that the snuffer comes into contact with the top plate when in the raised position. A detached weight may sits in contact with a snuffer shelf proceeding from the sleeve when the flame bowl is in the upright position. The detached weight moves away from the shelf allowing the snuffer to extend when the flame bowl departs from the upright position The flame bowl may be at least partially frustoconical with the wick holder and the snuffer sleeve extending below a lower center portion thereof such that when the flame bowl is upright with the snuffer sleeve in the lowered position, the detached weight will move into contact with a shelf on the snuffer sleeve to retain the snuffer sleeve in the lowered position. 
         [0004]    A grate may be placed over the flame bowl for preventing loss of the free weight. The grate may fix a top plate in a position over the flame bowl such that the snuffer comes into contact with the top plate when in the raised position. The device may further comprise a removable flame bowl cap with at least one tab extending downwardly therefrom such that when the flame bowl cap is placed upon the flame bowl the tab forces the snuffer to the lowered position whereupon the detached weight comes into contact with a shelf on the snuffer to retain it in the lowered position when the cap is removed with the flame bowl upright. 
         [0005]    The invention of the present disclosure, in another aspect thereof, comprises a device with a flame bowl having a frustoconical portion surrounding a recess in lower portion thereof. A wick holder passes through the recess from a fuel reservoir below the flame bowl into the frustoconical portion. The device has a snuffer with a sleeve at least partially within the recess and circumscribing the wick holder. The snuffer has a lowered position where the snuffer sleeve is at or below a level of the wick holder and a raised position where the snuffer sleeve extends at least partially beyond a level of the wick holder. A spring biases the snuffer toward the raised position. The device has at least one movable weight that retains the snuffer in the lowered position when the flame bowl is substantially upright but moves away from the snuffer allowing it to extend to the raised position when the flame bowl departs from an upright position by more than a predetermined angle. 
         [0006]    The snuffer may further comprise a weight shelf extending laterally from the snuffer sleeve, the weight shelf bearing the movable weight when the snuffer is in the lowered position and the flame bowl is substantially upright. The weight shelf may circumscribe the snuffer sleeve and substantially match the slope of the frustoconical portion of the flame bowl. The movable weight may comprise a plurality of spherical weights. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the wick holder provides a first upper flange that is surrounded by a second upper flange on the snuffer sleeve when the snuffer sleeve is in the lowered position. A top plate may be suspended in a fixed position above the flame bowl by a wire grate that prevents loss of the movable weight, the second upper flange contacting the top plate when the snuffer is in the raised position. 
         [0008]    The device may include a removable flame bowl cover having at least one downwardly extending tab sized and located to pass through the wire grate and into contact with the second upper flange to press the snuffer into the lowered position when the cover is placed into the flame bowl. In such cases the snuffer may provide a shelf that receives the movable weight for retaining the snuffer in the lowered position when the snuffer is pressed into the lowered position by the flame bowl cover and the flame bowl is in an upright orientation. 
         [0009]    The invention of the present disclosure, in another aspect thereof, comprises a torch with a flame bowl providing a wick holder passing from an upper surface of the flame bowl to a fuel reservoir, a snuffer with a snuffer sleeve circumscribing at least a portion of the wick holder and being movable between a lowered position, in which a wick extending upwardly from the wick holder is exposed, and a raised position, in which a wick extending upwardly from the wick holder is at least partially shielded by the snuffer sleeve, and a biasing member that biases the snuffer toward the raised position. When the flame bowl is in an upright position, the wick holder is retained by gravity in the lowered position. When flame bowl departs from the upright position more than a predetermined amount, the biasing member extends the snuffer to the raised position in response to an impact between the torch and a surface that supported the torch prior to the flame bowl departing from the upright position. 
         [0010]    Some embodiments of the torch provide comprise a top plate fixed in a position over the flame bowl such that the snuffer comes into contact with the top plate when in the raised position. The torch may further comprising a detached weight that sits in contact with a snuffer shelf proceeding from the sleeve when the flame bowl is in the upright position and moves away from the shelf allowing the snuffer to extend when the flame bowl departs from the upright position in response to the impact of the torch with the surface that supported the torch prior to the flame bowl departing from the upright position. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the flame bowl is at least partially frustoconical with the wick holder and the snuffer sleeve extending below a lower center portion thereof such that when the flame bowl is upright with the snuffer sleeve in the lowered position, the detached weight will move into contact with a shelf on the snuffer sleeve to retain the snuffer sleeve in the lowered position. The torch may include a grate over the flame bowl for preventing loss of the free weight. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a liquid fueled torch according to the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a liquid fueled torch according to the present disclosure shown with the flame bowl cap removed. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side cutaway perspective view of a liquid fueled torch according to the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side cutaway perspective view of the torch of  FIG. 3  shown with the lid removed and the snuffer sleeve retracted for operation of the torch. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side cutaway perspective view of the torch of  FIG. 3  shown with the lid removed and the snuffer sleeve extended so as to extinguish the torch. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of one embodiment of a liquid fueled torch  100  according to the present disclosure is shown. Various embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a torch body  102 . The torch body  102  may comprise a fuel reservoir  104  that receives a quantity of liquid torch fuel. Such fuel may be petroleum based or based upon plant oils or other base mixtures. In some cases, citronella oil may be used for insect repellant properties. Additives may also be supplied with the oil to alter burn characteristics or otherwise provide enhanced performance of the fuel. 
         [0018]    The torch body  102  may also comprise a base or pole adapter  106 . The torches of the present disclosure may be configured as table-top devices, may be mounted to poles (not shown) that affix into the ground, or may be mounted to other stands that provide elevation of the torch. Users may prefer an elevated torch for various reasons including, but not limited to, greater lighting performance, better chemical or scent dispersal, and keeping the flame further away from combustible material on the ground. 
         [0019]    A cap  108  may be provided for covering the torch  100  when not in use. The cap  108  may be affixed to the body  102  with a tether. The cap  108  may also operate as a snuffer, as described in greater detail below. The body  102  and cap  108  may comprise steel or another heat resistant alloy. They may be painted with heat resistant paint for protection from oxidation. In some embodiments, the material may be stainless with a brushed or polished finish. 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the liquid fueled torch  100  according to the present disclosure shown with the flame bowl cap  108  removed. Here, a flame bowl  300  can be seen. In the present embodiment, for reasons discussed below, the flame bowl  300  is covered by a grating  200 . The grating may comprise wire or another material cut out to reveal the flame bowl  300  below. The grating  200  may affix to the flame bowl  300  and/or the torch body  102 . The grating  200  may suspend a top plate  202  over the flame bowl  300 , possibly near the center thereof. The grating  200  does not necessarily have the exact appearance shown and in some cases a mesh or grid covering may be utilized as the grating  200 . 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a side cutaway perspective view of the liquid fueled torch  100  according to the present disclosure is shown. Here, the torch  100  is shown with the cap  108  attached. The cap  108  fits onto the torch body  102  in a friction fit relationship and is sufficiently well mated with the body  102  so as to smother any flame if placed onto the body  102  when the torch  100  is operational or ignited. 
         [0022]    The flame bowl  300  may be fitted into the torch body  102  to rest above the reservoir  104 . The flame bowl  300  may have a frustoconical section  302  that may form a sloped floor of the flame bowl  300 . The frustoconical section  302  may be more elevated radially and slope downward medially. In other embodiments, the flame bowl  300  is sloped downward toward a medial or central portion, but may not necessarily be strictly frustoconical. At or near the center or medial portion of the floor a recess  304  may be defined in the flame bowl  300 . The recess  304  extends further downward into the reservoir  104 . The recess  304  may be continuous with the upper segments of the flame bowl  300  but at least a portion of the recess  304  is occupied with the structure shown (and described further below) and may not actually be exposed to flame. 
         [0023]    The recess  304  may terminate in an opening  305  defined inside or proximate to the fuel reservoir  104 . The opening  305  allows a wick (not shown in  FIG. 3  for clarity) to access fuel (not shown) in the reservoir. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the wick may be a permanent wick such as a woven fiberglass wick. A wick holder  306  may occupy a portion of the recess  304  for holding the wick in a friction fit or other stable relationship. In some embodiment the wick holder  306  comprises a central tubular passage  307 , in which the wick may be held. Fuel drawn from the reservoir  104  by the wick may be burned in the flame bowl  300 . 
         [0024]    The wick holder tube  307  may be provided with an upper flange  308  and a lower flange  310 . The lower flange  310  may extend laterally from the tube  307  to rest upon an inwardly projecting shelf  311  projecting from the recess  304  and circumscribing opening  305 . The lower flange  310  may form a portion of a cup  312  that surrounds a lower portion of the wick holder  306 . A biasing member  314  sits within the cup  312  and applies an upward force against an extensible snuffer  320 . The biasing member  314  may be a coil spring as shown, but could also be a leaf spring, and heat resistant elastomeric member or another biasing device. 
         [0025]    The extensible snuffer  320  provides a snuffer sleeve  322  that, in the present embodiment, is roughly as long as the wick holder tube  307 . In this manner, the snuffer sleeve  322  will terminate in the flame bowl  300  at approximately the same level as the wick holder  306 . A flange  324  may be affixed to the upper end of the snuffer sleeve  322 . 
         [0026]    Extending radially from the snuffer sleeve  322  is a shelf  326 . The shelf  326  may extend at somewhat of an angle in order to match the slope of the frustoconical section  302 . The shelf  326  may be located along the length of the snuffer sleeve  322  such that a continuous slope is formed between the shelf  326  and the frustoconical section  302  when the snuffer  320  is fully seated into the cup  312  and/or recess  304 . The shelf  326  may also provide a surface against which the biasing member  314  will bear to urge the snuffer  320  upward. 
         [0027]    Extending downwardly from a distal edge of the shelf  326  may be a skirt  328 . The skirt  328  may not have a continuous angle but may be segmented as shown to match the contours of recess  304  such that the skirt  328  does not inhibit seating of the snuffer  320 . 
         [0028]    Referring now also to  FIG. 4 , a side cutaway perspective view of the torch  100  of  FIG. 3  with the cap  108  removed is shown.  FIG. 4  also illustrates placement of the wick  400  and a quantity of liquid fuel  402  in the reservoir  104 . In the operational configuration shown, the snuffer  310  is seated into the cup  312  and/or recess  304 . The biasing member  314  urges the snuffer  320  upward such that it would impede oxygen flow to the wick. However, a pair of spherical weights  330  rest upon the shelf  326  and prevent the snuffer from elevating. The slope of the floor of the flame bowl  300  ensures that the weights are urged by gravity into the shelf  326 . The weights  330  are spherical in the present embodiment but they could have other shapes so long as they are able to move under force of gravity onto the shelf  326 . Further, two weights  330  are shown in the present embodiment but more weights could be utilized. Correspondingly, if the density is sufficient, a single weight  330  may be used. The force or strength of the biasing member  314  can also be selected to ensure that the snuffer  320  remains in place when weighted, but is elevated when unweighted. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a side cutaway perspective view of the torch  100  of  FIG. 3  is shown with the cap  108  removed and the snuffer  320  extended so as to extinguish the torch  100 . When the torch  100  is tipped from vertical by more than a predetermined amount, the weights  330  will roll off or move from the shelf  326 . The degree of tilt necessary to allow the weights  330  to move is approximately any angle greater than the angle at which the shelf  326  and/or the frustoconical section  302  is sloped downward. The weights  330  will tend to move to the lowest point on the shelf  326  and when the shelf or floor of the flame bowl  300  has moved beyond their normal angle (when the torch is straight up) then no effective slope will remain and the weights  330  will move away from the shelf  326 .  FIG. 5  is illustrated with the weights  330  shifted off the shelf  326  to the left—as though the torch  100  were tipped onto its left side in the current frame of reference. 
         [0030]    With the weights removed from the shelf  326 , the snuffer  320  is lifted upward (or out of the recess  304 ) by the biasing member  314 . This allows the snuffer sleeve  322  to surround the exposed portion of the wick  400 , thereby starving it of oxygen and extinguishing the flame in the event of a tip over of the torch  100 . The snuffer sleeve  322  and/or the flange  324  may come into contact with top plate  202 , which will further serve to deprive the wick of oxygen and extinguish its flame. 
         [0031]    Although the skirt  328  may help to maintain centering of the snuffer  320  within the recess  304 , it also importantly provides an angled surface that will force weights  330  away from the snuffer  320  if the snuffer is depressed from the extended or upper position ( FIG. 5 ) to the seated or lowered position ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) when the torch  100  is upright. The cap  108  provides a plurality of downwardly extending tabs  110  that are sized and spaced so as to fit into the flame bowl  300  through openings or gaps in the grating  200 . These bear against or press down upon the flange  324  to force the snuffer  320  back into the seated position. The weights  330  will first be forced away from the recess by the skirt  328  and then come back to rest on the shelf  326 , thereby resetting the torch  100 . With the weights  330  in place on the shelf  326  and the torch  100  upright, the cap  108  may be removed and the torch  100  relit. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the weights  330  are not provided. In such cases the snuffer  320  operates based upon gravity and the angle at which the torch  100  is sitting. The snuffer  320  may also be somewhat simpler in design. For example, shelf  326  and/or skirt  328  may not be needed if not for managing and properly locating weights. 
         [0033]    The degree to which the torch  100  must tip or tilt in order to deploy the snuffer  324  distally such that any flame is extinguished may vary depending upon a number of factors. One such factor is the strength or spring rate of the biasing member  314 . Another factor is the weight of the snuffer  324 . In one embodiment, the biasing member  314  and weight of the snuffer  324  are configured such that the snuffer  324  extends against the top plate  202  if the torch  100  has tilted more than about 30 degrees. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, maximum extension is not achieved until the torch  100  has tilted by greater than about 45 degrees. In further embodiments still, the biasing member  314  and snuffer  324  may be configured such that maximum distal extension is not achieved until the torch  100  is tilted approximately 90 degrees, which would correspond to the torch  100  having been tipped completely onto its side. Some embodiments perform in use such that maximum distal (upper) extension of the snuffer  324  is assured by an approximately 90 degree (or greater) tilt accompanied by an impact that would correspond to the torch  100  having impacted the ground or other supporting surface upon turning over completely. 
         [0035]    It is to be understood that the terms “including”, “comprising”, “consisting” and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers. 
         [0036]    If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element. 
         [0037]    It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not be construed that there is only one of that element. 
         [0038]    It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, “can” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. 
         [0039]    Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow diagrams or both may be used to describe embodiments, the invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described. 
         [0040]    Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks. 
         [0041]    The term “method” may refer to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs. 
         [0042]    For purposes of the instant disclosure, the term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a ranger having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. Terms of approximation (e.g., “about”, “substantially”, “approximately”, etc.) should be interpreted according to their ordinary and customary meanings as used in the associated art unless indicated otherwise. Absent a specific definition and absent ordinary and customary usage in the associated art, such terms should be interpreted to be ±10% of the base value. 
         [0043]    When, in this document, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number)”, this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 should be interpreted to mean a range whose lower limit is 25 and whose upper limit is 100. Additionally, it should be noted that where a range is given, every possible subrange or interval within that range is also specifically intended unless the context indicates to the contrary. For example, if the specification indicates a range of 25 to 100 such range is also intended to include subranges such as 26-100, 27-100, etc., 25-99, 25-98, etc., as well as any other possible combination of lower and upper values within the stated range, e.g., 33-47, 60-97, 41-45, 28-96, etc. Note that integer range values have been used in this paragraph for purposes of illustration only and decimal and fractional values (e.g., 46.7-91.3) should also be understood to be intended as possible subrange endpoints unless specifically excluded. 
         [0044]    It should be noted that where reference is made herein to a method comprising of two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where context excludes that possibility), and the method can also include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all of the defined steps (except where context excludes that possibility). 
         [0045]    Further, it should be noted that terms of approximation (e.g., “about”, “substantially”, “approximately”, etc.) are to be interpreted according to their ordinary and customary meanings as used in the associated art unless indicated otherwise herein. Absent a specific definition within this disclosure, and absent ordinary and customary usage in the associated art, such terms should be interpreted to be plus or minus 10% of the base value. 
         [0046]    Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the claims.