Patent Publication Number: US-6220718-B1

Title: Floating candles

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to artificial candles, and more specifically, to an artificial candle that mimics a real candle&#39;s flame which floats on water. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The earliest evidence of the existence of candles has been found in Egypt. North American Indians in the first century made candles from burned oily fish wedged into a splintered stick. Candles over thousands of years have continued to be manufactured with very few changes, other than style and composition. Braided wicks and paraffin were introduced in the early 1800&#39;s. There have been several patents on floating candles. However, these candles are actual candles burning a structure made to float on water. 
     U.S. Des. Pat. No. 245,936, issued to Gary B. Roush on Sep. 27, 1977, and U.S. Pat. Des. No. 266,365, issued to Robert A. Rosenbaum on Sep. 28, 1982, both illustrate an ornamental design for a candle float. U.S. Pat. No. 2,234,903, issued to Thomas J. Muench on March 11, 1941, describes a floating candle. The candle is made of wax and is lighter than water. As it is consumed, it forms a hollow shell-like vessel of the candle material. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,303, issued to Fernando M. Neugert on Nov. 18, 1980, describes a two-part float assembly adapted to float upon a molten surface of fuel. U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,328, issued to Lee H. Hai on Mar. 31, 1992, describes a candle holder which includes a bowl having a recessed portion for receiving a candle, a housing securely attached to the bowl, and air inlet tubes for introducing fresh air into the housing. A floating member is provided for retaining an air inlet port of each air inlet tube to be above a water level when the candle holder is place into the water. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,994, issued to Hans-Ludwig Schirneker on Mar. 16, 1993, describes a candle with at least one body comprising a material which is solid at room temperature such as wax or paraffin and a wick. The top end of the candle has a tubular headpiece which surrounds the candle body and moves downwards with the burning-down of the candle. 
     All the above mentioned patents describe real combustible floating candles. The problem with combustible floating candles is the tendency for the water and surrounding air to extinguish the flames. The life of most candles is very short and usually measures in hours. Candles bring about a mystical and soothing aura, which has prompted the desire to construct a light source that appears candle-like but is powered by electricity to ensure a long life. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,784, issued to Ling-Young Lin on Jun. 13, 1989, describes a non-floating electrically powered candle-like lighting device having a candle body with a bulb disposed at the top that is mounted on a candle holder. The candle holder is further secured to a candle base and provided with a sucker at the concaved bottom in such a manner that the base can be spun freely with respect to the fixed sucker. U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,602, issued to Andrew Boschetto on Oct. 6, 1992, describes an electric candle that has an electrical circuit for sensing ambient light conditions and automatically turning on and off electrical current. U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,108, issued to Gabor Lederer on Jan. 26, 1999, describes a non-floating decorative holder for an electrically powered candle emulation device. The holder comprises a transparent hollow cylindrical member. Appropriate candle emulation electronics are placed into the holder to provide the effect of a wax candle contained within an etched and colored decorative holder. 
     Floating candles have been the trend at most weddings and social events. However, the real combustible floating candles tend to create a host of problems. An ideal floating candle would be powered by electricity and watertight. This would eliminate a problem caused by the smallest wind velocities that extinguish most burning candles. This would also prevent the tendency for the water in which the candles are floating to extinguish the burning candles. An electric candle would not be susceptible to being extinguished, therefore eliminating a need to re-light real combustible candles floating in the middle of a pond or pool. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus floating candles solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an electrically powered floating candle. The floating candle comprises two parts, a floating candle-like device and an electrical circuit that controls the amount of power supplied to the floating candle. The candle&#39;s light source comprises an incandescent lamp which mimics the appearance of a real burning candle. 
     One example of a floating candle is hollow and cylindrically-shaped with its outer surface dimensioned and configured to resemble a real candle. The floating candle includes a candle base which is hollow and cylindrically-shaped with its upper portion smaller than its lower portion. The floating candle also includes a candle enclosure which surrounds a lamp/candle complex and can be transparent, translucent, or appear in a variety of colors. The candle enclosure has an opening at its lower portion dimensioned and configured to pressure fit with the inward recess located within the upper portion of the candle base to promote a liquid-tight seal. The candle enclosure is pressure sealed to prevent shipping of water and designed to elevate the enclosure to float above water. 
     Second and third examples of the present invention are basically the same, however, the candle enclosure is designed and attached in a different manner. In any form of the invention, the candle is designed to float with its upper region above the surface of the water with the lower body of the candle. 
     The present invention additionally comprises electrical circuitry that controls the amount of power supplied to a floating candle. The floating candle further comprises an electrical plug, two conductor insulated wires, multi-conductor water tight splice trunk lines and feeder lines. Power is retrieved into a low voltage power supply section, then the voltage is modulated by a micro-controller, and then power is sent to driver transistors and output drivers which contain diodes. The power then travels through trunk and feeder lines that go to a specific set of floating candles. 
     There are three sections that comprise the electrical circuitry of the floating candles: a low voltage power supply (AC to DC, high to low voltage conversion), a pulse width modulation programmed micro-controller and power output section (to control the incandescent lamp voltage to produce flickering flames), and trunk and feeder lines. All under water electrical connections are spliced, soldered, insulated, siliconed, and covered with heat-shrink or any other method to prevent water damage. 
     Resistors provide resistance to the flow of electric current. Potentiometers are variable resistors used to change the brightness of the lamp within the floating candle device. Bipolar driver and output transistors are used to amplify the voltage sent to the trunk lines. The bipolar driver transistors which receive current from the potentiometers amplify current to a second set of transistors known as Darlington Pairs. Each Darlington Pair is connected to a rectifier diode. The trunk lines are spliced into feeder lines to allow the electrical current to go to the floating candles. Weights are strategically placed on the trunk and feeder lines to position the floating candle devices in a desired appearance. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a floating candle which floats primarily with only its upper region exposed. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a floating candle which mimics real burning candles. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a floating candle which can be utilized as Christmas lights, at wedding reception halls, amusement parks, in pools, or in ponds at evening parties as decoration. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in floating candles for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of floating candles displayed in a pond according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of a floating candle of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of a second example of a floating candle of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view in partial cross-section, of a third example of a floating candle of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram of the control system of the floating candles of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic circuitry diagram of the control system of the floating candles of the present invention. 
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is an electrically powered floating candle. FIG. 1 shows an arrangement of electrically powered floating candles displayed in a pool  14 . The floating candle comprises two parts, a floating candle-like device  10  and electrical circuitry  12  that controls the amount of power supplied to each floating candle-like device  10 . The floating candle arrangement further comprises an electrical plug  60  to receive line power from an electrical outlet  62 . 
     FIG. 2 shows one example of a floating candle-like device  10  in water  16 . The floating candle-like device  10  comprises an incandescent lamp  20 , a lamp housing socket  22 , a candle  24 , a candle base  26 , a wire entry grommet  28 , a pressure-fit grommet  30 , at least two conductor insulated wires (feeder lines)  32 , a multi-conductor trunk line  34 , a water tight wire splice  36 , and a candle enclosure  38 . 
     The floating candle-like device  10  includes an incandescent lamp  20  which mimics the appearance of a real burning candle. The candle lamp  20  can be transparent, translucent, or appear in a variety of colors. The candle lamp  20  has an illuminating top portion  40  and a lower base portion (not shown). The illuminating top portion  40  extends out of a top portion  42  of the candle  24  with a lower base portion (not shown) sitting within the lamp housing socket  22  of the candle  24 . The lamp housing socket  22  is dimensioned and configured to receive a lamp base. The lamp housing socket  22  is designed to anchor the base portion of the incandescent lamp  20  securely within the candle  24 . 
     The candle  24  is hollow and cylindrically-shaped with its outer surface dimensioned and configured to resemble a real candle. The preferred composition of the candle  24  is plastic, however, any light weight material that resembles a real candle will suffice. The candle  24  has a top portion  42  and a lower portion  44 . The candle  24  holds the (lamp)\(lamp housing socket) complex at its top portion  42  and its lower portion  44  is secured into the center of the candle base  26 . The candle base  26  is hollow and cylindrically-shaped with its upper portion  46  smaller than its lower portion  48 . The upper portion  46  of the candle base  26  contains an inward recess  50  which receives a structure that aids in sealing and protects the (lamp)/(lamp housing socket)/(candle) complex from any leakage. The lower portion  48  of the candle base  26  contains an opening dimensioned and configured to receive a wire entry grommet  28 . The wire entry grommet  28  is secured to the candle base  26 . The electrical wiring is run through the candle  24  via the wire entry grommet  28  and connects to the lamp housing socket  22  which is dimensioned and configured to receive the lamp base (not shown). 
     The candle enclosure  38  surrounds the (lamp)/(lamp housing socket)/(candle) complex and can be transparent, translucent, or appear in a variety of colors. The preferred shape of the candle enclosure  38  is spherical in shape, but it is not limited to this shape. The candle enclosure  38  has an opening at its lower portion dimensioned and configured to pressure-fit grommet  30  having an inward recess  50  located within the upper portion  44  of the candle base  26  to promote a liquid-tight seal. This is achieved by having the entire edge  52  of the opening in the lower end of the candle enclosure  38  lined with the pressure-fit grommet  30 . The candle enclosure  38  is pressure sealed to prevent shipping of water and designed to elevate the candle enclosure  38  to float above water  16 . 
     There are two different grommets utilized, a wire entry grommet  28  and a pressure-fit grommet  30 . The wire entry grommet  28  has an upper  54  and lower  56  portion. The upper portion  54  of the wire entry grommet  28  extends through the candle base  26 . The wire entry grommet  28  sits within the center of the candle base  26  and receives insulated conductor wires  32  and forms a water-tight seal. 
     A second example of the present invention  100  is basically the same, as shown in FIG. 3, however, the candle enclosure  138  is designed and attached in a different manner. The floating candle-like device  100  comprises an incandescent lamp  20 , a lamp housing socket  22 , a candle  24 , a candle base  126 , a wire entry grommet  28 , an O-ring  158 , at least two conductor insulated wires (feeder lines)  32 , a multi-conductor trunk line  34 , a water tight wire splice  36 , and a candle enclosure  138 . 
     The floating candle-like device  100  includes an incandescent lamp  20  which mimics the appearance of a real burning candle. The candle lamp  20  can be transparent, translucent, or appear in a variety of colors. The candle lamp  20  has an illuminating top portion  40  and a lower base portion (not shown). The illuminating top portion  40  extends out of a top portion  42  of the candle  24  with a lower base portion (not shown) sitting within the lamp housing socket  22  of the candle  24 . The lamp housing socket  22  is dimensioned and configured to receive a lamp base. The lamp housing socket  22  is designed to anchor the base portion of the incandescent lamp  20  securely within the candle  24 . 
     The candle  24  is hollow and cylindrically-shaped with its outer surface dimensioned and configured to resemble a real candle. The preferred composition of the candle  24  is plastic, however, any light weight material that resembles a real candle will suffice. The candle  24  has a top portion  42  and a lower portion  44 . The candle  24  holds the (lamp)\(lamp housing socket) complex at its top portion  42  and its lower portion  44  is secured into the center of the candle base  126 . The candle base  126  is hollow and cylindrically-shaped with its upper portion  146  smaller than its lower portion  148 . 
     The upper portion  146  of the candle base  126  in the second example also contains an inward recess  150  which accommodates a structure that aids in sealing the (lamp)/(lamp housing socket)/(candle) complex from any leakage. This inward recess  150  is dimensioned and configured to accommodate an O-ring  158 . The candle enclosure  138  is dimensioned and configured to receive the O-ring  158  placed between the inward recess  150  of the candle base  126  and the opening of the candle enclosure  138  to promote a liquid-tight seal. 
     A third example of the present invention is shown in FIG.  4 . The floating candle-like device  200  comprises an incandescent lamp  20 , a lamp housing socket  22 , a candle  24 , a candle base  226 , a wire entry grommet  28 , an O-ring  258 , at least two conductor insulated wires (feeder lines)  32 , a multi-conductor trunk line  34 , a water tight wire splice  36 , and a candle enclosure  238 . 
     The floating candle-like device  200  includes an incandescent lamp  20  which mimics the appearance of a real burning candle. The candle lamp  20  can be transparent, translucent, or appear in a variety of colors. The candle lamp  20  has an illuminating top portion  40  and a lower base portion (not shown). The illuminating top portion  40  extends out of a top portion  42  of the candle  24  with a lower base portion (not shown) sitting within the lamp housing socket  22  of the candle  24 . The lamp housing socket  22  is dimensioned and configured to receive a lamp base. The lamp housing socket  22  is designed to anchor the base portion of the incandescent lamp  20  securely within the candle  24 . 
     The candle  24  is hollow and cylindrically-shaped with its outer surface dimensioned and configured to resemble a real candle. The preferred composition of the candle  24  is plastic, however, any light weight material that resembles a real candle will suffice. The candle  24  has a top portion  42  and a lower portion  44 . The candle  24  holds the (lamp)\(lamp housing socket) complex at its top portion  42  and its lower portion  44  is secured into the center of the candle base  226 . The candle base  226  is hollow and cylindrically-shaped with its upper portion  46  smaller than its lower portion  48 . 
     In addition to the O-ring  158  design described for the second example  100  (shown in FIG.  3 ), the candle enclosure  238  opening may also be dimensioned and configured to be screwed onto the upper portion  246  of the candle base  226  for a stronger support and to further prevent leakage within the candle enclosure  238  by the aid of the O-ring  258 . The O-ring  258  is positioned within the inward recess  250  located at the lower portion  248 , shown in cross-section, of the candle base  226 . The edge  252  of the candle enclosure  238  extends upright and is threaded. Similar threading on the candle base  226  is dimensioned and configured to be screwed together with the edge  252  of the candle enclosure  238  to promote a liquid-tight seal. The candle enclosure  238  is dimensioned and configured to enable the floating candle-like device  200  to float unsupported in a stable upright position on the surface of the water  16 . In any form of the invention, the floating candle-like device  200  is designed to float with its candle enclosure  238  above the surface of the water  16 . 
     The present invention additionally comprises electrical circuitry  12  that controls the amount of power supplied to each floating candle-like device  10 . FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the electrical circuitry  12 . First, power is retrieved by a low voltage power supply section  102 , then the voltage is modulated by a micro-controller  104 , and also directed to a power output section  106 . Power output section  106  comprises driver transistors and output drivers which contain diodes. Power then travels through trunk lines  108  and feeder lines  110 , and goes to a specific set of floating candles. 
     There are three sections that comprise the electrical circuitry of the floating candles: a low voltage power supply section  102  (AC to DC, high to low voltage conversion), a pulse width modulation programmed micro-controller  104  and a power output section  106  (to control the incandescent lamp voltage to produce flickering flames), and the trunk lines  108  and feeder lines  110 . 
     Sections  102 ,  104  and  106  make up a floating candle light controller. The power supply in section  102  converts line power (110VAC or 220VAC) to low voltage (DC). The conversion is to eliminate electrical shock and to extend the life of the lamp  20 . The power supply section  102  is connected directly to the pulse width modulation programmed micro-controller  104  and the power output section  106 . 
     The pulse width modulation programmed micro-controller  104  and the power output section  106  control the amount of power that is delivered to each set of floating candles. The candle flicker is produced by the micro-controller  104  randomly or programmed, altering the amount of power during a given time frame. The manipulation of power is achieved by the pulse width modulation micro-controller  104 . The micro-controller  104  determines how long a voltage pulse will be delivered to each floating candle. Lamp  20  intensity can be determined by the power “on” time, the power supply voltage level, variable potentiometers PR 6 , PR 7 , PR 8 , PR 9 , and PR 10  used for biasing, and the lamp filament voltage rating. The micro-controller  104  can also have at least one channel sending pulse width modulated voltage out to each floating candle device  10 . It has been determined that more channels  110  give the floating candle-like devices  10  a more independent look. Therefore, the feeder lines  110  are not limited to five (shown in FIG.  1 ). The power output section  106 , and micro-controller  104 , and the low voltage power supply section  102  are contained in a waterproof housing  112 . An electrical plug  60  connects to the waterproof housing  112  and the electrical outlet  62  (shown in FIG.  1 ). All outdoor electrical precautions are used. 
     In FIG. 5, the trunk line  108  will have at least one multiple pair of conductor wires. A PVC insulated cable is the most preferred. The trunk line  108  starts at the floating candle light controller and travels to multiple sites where floating candle-like devices  10  are located. single paired conductor insulated wires are then tied in between each floating candle-like device  10  and the trunk line  108 . Floating candle-like devices  10  placed by each other should be connected on different channels to show independence. All underwater electrical connections are spliced, soldered, insulated, siliconed and covered with heat-shrink or any other method to prevent water damage. Multiple floating candle-like devices  10  can be wired in parallel and the low voltage power supply section  102  and the power output section  106  are built to handle any increased amount of current. 
     FIG. 6 shows the electrical circuitry  12  that controls the floating candles. The electrical circuitry  12  of the floating candles contain three parts including a switching module, a controlling module, and an amplifying module. SW 1  is part of the switching module and is connected to the micro-controller U 1  and represents a single pole control switch that toggles between four positions: ( 1 ) strobe; ( 2 ) flame A; ( 3 ) flame B; and, ( 4 ) constant. Line power is supplied from an outlet and travels to the low voltage power supply section  102 . Low voltage power is connected to the micro-controller U 1 . Position ( 2 ) flame A and ( 3 ) flame B can represent many variables controlling the illumination timing of the floating candles. Some of the lamps  20  may have different color responses, may illuminate at different times from each other, or may illuminate simultaneously at different speeds and times. 
     The micro-controller U 1 , resistors R 1 -R 5 , and potentiometers PR 6 -PR 10  are all part of the controlling module. Resistors R 1 -R 5  provide resistance to the flow of electric current. Resistors R 1 -R 5  are each connected in series with one corresponding potentiometer PR 6 -PR 10 . Resistors R 1 -R 5  are each connected in series with potentiometers PR 6 -PR 10  to add more resistance to the circuit. Resistors R 1 -R 5  protect transistors Q 1 -Q 5  from receiving too much current which may cause excessive heating. Potentiometers PR 6 -PR 10  are variable resistors used to change the bias of the lamp  20  within the floating candle-like device  10 . 
     Transistors Q 1 -Q 15  and diodes D 1 -D 5  are part of the amplifying module. Bipolar driver Q 1 -Q 5  and output transistors Q 6 -Q 15  are used to amplify the current sent to the trunk lines  34 . The bipolar driver transistors Q 1 -Q 5  receive current from potentiometers PR 6 -PR 10  and amplify the current to a second set. of transistors Q 6 -Q 7 , Q 8 -Q 9 , Q 10 -Q 11 , Q 12 -Q 13 , Q 14 -Q 15  known as Darlington Pairs. Each Darlington Pair Q 6 -Q 7 , Q 8 -Q 9 , Q 10 -Q 11 , Q 12 -Q 13 , Q 14 -Q 15  is connected to a rectifier diode D 1 -D 5 . The Darlington pairs Q 6 -Q 7 , Q 8 -Q 9 , Q 10 -Q 11 , Q 12 -Q 13 , Q 14 -Q 15  and the rectifier diodes D 1 -D 5  prevent current from redirecting back to the Darlington pairs Q 6 -Q 15 . The rectifier diodes D 1 -D 5  are connected to the Darlington pair transistors Q 6 -Q 7 , Q 8 -Q 9 , Q 10 -Q 11 , Q 12 -Q 13 , Q 14 -Q 15  and are also used to key these devices in there safe operating area. The preferred diodes are fast-recovery rectifying diodes. 
     The current then flows through fuses F 1 -F 6  to each channel through trunk lines  34  and feeder lines  32 . Fuses are available in a number of sizes and shapes. They are used to prevent the damage caused by excess current flowing in a circuit. They are placed in series with trunk lines  34 . Once too much current flows, it causes the fuse wire inside the fuse case to melt. This opens the circuit, stops the flow of current, and prevents overheating that occurs when too much current is present in the circuit. Trunk lines  34  are spliced into feeder lines  32  to allow electrical current to go to the floating candles. Weights  66  are strategically placed on the trunk lines  34  and feeder lines  32  to position the floating candle-like devices  10  in a desired appearance. The floating candle-like devices  10  are arranged in parallel. 
     The electrical floating candles are usually used as Christmas lights, at wedding reception halls, amusement parks, or in pools or ponds at evening parties as decoration. The floating candles can be arranged in letters to spell names and events, or be arranged to display shapes of objects or animals, etc. The uses for the floating candles are unlimited. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of the floating candles the circuit elements are preferably, but not limited to: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Component 
                 Part Number or rating 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 R1 
                 470 Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R2 
                 470 Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R3 
                 470 Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R4 
                 470 Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R5 
                 470 Ω 
               
               
                   
                 PR6 
                 10 kΩ 
               
               
                   
                 PR7 
                 10 kΩ 
               
               
                   
                 PR8 
                 10 kΩ 
               
               
                   
                 PR9 
                 10 kΩ 
               
               
                   
                 PR10 
                 10 kΩ 
               
               
                   
                 D1 
                 ECG588 
               
               
                   
                 D2 
                 ECG588 
               
               
                   
                 D3 
                 ECG588 
               
               
                   
                 D4 
                 ECG588 
               
               
                   
                 D5 
                 ECG588 
               
               
                   
                 Q1 
                 2N4013 
               
               
                   
                 Q2 
                 2N4013 
               
               
                   
                 Q3 
                 2N4013 
               
               
                   
                 Q4 
                 2N4013 
               
               
                   
                 Q5 
                 2N4013 
               
               
                   
                 Q6, Q7 
                 TIP131 
               
               
                   
                 Q8, Q9 
                 TIP131 
               
               
                   
                 Q10, Q11 
                 TIP131 
               
               
                   
                 Q12, Q13 
                 TIP131 
               
               
                   
                 Q14, Q15 
                 TIP131 
               
               
                   
                 U1 
                 PIC 16F84 micro- 
               
               
                   
                   
                 controller 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.