Patent Publication Number: US-6705741-B2

Title: Suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for anchoring, or securing, a light source to a substrate, and more particularly, it relates to a suspended light source holder for a hollowed-out organic pumpkin, or jack-o-lantern. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With millions upon millions of pumpkins being sold each year to home-owners and trick-or-treaters throughout the world, jack-o-lanterns are perhaps the best known symbol of Halloween. Classic jack-o-lanterns are lanterns made of a pumpkin or other vegetable, having been prepared so as to show, for example, features of a human face in illumination. The tradition of hollowing-out and carving a pumpkin to form a jack-o-lantern, and lighting it from within, is one that hearkens back hundreds of years to Irish folklore and to the story of a disreputable and immoral blacksmith named Jack, whose notorious propensity for the drink was surpassed only by his penchant for playing mean-spirited practical jokes. Legend has it that Jack even played a trick or two on the devil himself, such that, on dying, Jack was allowed entrance to neither heaven nor hell. The story goes that Jack was instead doomed to wander for eternity in the grey darkness of limbo, with only a burning ember to light his way; the ember was placed inside a hollowed-out turnip to maintain its light on his unending journey. The first fearful believers in Jack&#39;s eternal plight carved similar lanterns out of turnips and beets, and placed lit candles therewithin to ward off evil spirits. Over the years, the tradition has evolved and, while jack-o-lanterns are most commonly carved from pumpkins nowadays, they remain one of the spookiest and most chilling images to greet a young trick-or-treater travelling door to door on Halloween. Of course, with the advent of the jack-o-lantern as a prominent symbol of Halloween, there has been an increasing demand to safely provide for the proper illumination thereof. 
     Typically, in order to form a jack-o-lantern from a self-harvested or store-bought organic pumpkin, a user will use a pointed knife to carve a continuous circuit through an outer surface of a top portion of the pumpkin, circumscribing a selectively removable lid portion of the top portion and defining a corresponding aperture in the top portion of the pumpkin. The lid portion is then removed and a mass of pumpkin pulp and seeds contained therewithin is withdrawn, either by hand or using a spoon or other utensil, through the corresponding aperture in the top portion of the pumpkin. Having so hollowed out the pumpkin, the pointed knife is then utilized to carve a desired visage or other image into the outer surface of the pumpkin, removing any interstitial pieces therefrom. With the jack-o-lantern thus formed, a light source may then be positioned within same to provide for its illumination. 
     Historically, a lit candle positioned on an inside bottom surface of the jack-o-lantern has been the most common way of illuminating same, but use of the candle in this manner has inherent problems. For one, every pumpkin has a raised mound located on its inside bottom surface, also known as a bloom point, making it very hard to securely balance a candle in position thereon. This difficulty in securely balancing the candle on the bloom point leads to a significant possibility that the candle may become overturned, posing a serious risk of fire in the event that the candle is, or was, lit. 
     Numerous methods and devices have been developed to illuminate the jack-o-lantern by securely positioning candles at the bloom point thereof, such as, for example, using a considerable quantity of melted wax dripped directly on the inside bottom surface in substantially surrounding relation to the candle, such that the wax effectively affixes the candle to the jack-o-lantern on hardening. According to another similar method commonly used for this purpose, the candle is secured in hardened wax on an appropriately sized plate, which plate and candle are then placed on the inside bottom surface of the jack-o-lantern. However, after Halloween has ended and the jack-o-lantern has been disposed of, it can be very difficult for a user to clean the hardened wax from the plate. Furthermore, these last two methods both suffer from a common problem, in that the candles tend to become precarious and/or detached when the jack-o-lantern is moved or when, after the candle is lit, the hardened wax securing the candle to the jack-o-lantern softens due to heat from the candle&#39;s flame. 
     Examples of devices that have been developed to illuminate the jack-o-lantern by securing the candle to the inside bottom surface can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,807 (Chance et al.) for a Spiral Coil Candle Holder for Pumpkins and Other Substrates, and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,279 (Hedlund) for a Candle Holder for Jack-O-Lantern. The Chance patent discloses a spiral coil candle holder which may embedded into the inside bottom surface of the jack-o-lantern in a corkscrew-like manner. A first problem with the Chance patent is that the spiral coil candle holder described therein is susceptible to torque forces generated when moving the jack-o-lantern. As well, the corkscrew-like motion described in the Chance patent for affixing the candle holder to the jack-o-lantern is highly inefficient and requires the expenditure of a significant amount of time and effort on the part of the user. The Hedlund patent overcomes these problems, and discloses a candle holder of a hemispherical shape, being modelled after the configuration of the top portion of a generic pumpkin. The Hedlund candle holder defines a hollow interior portion, so as to accommodate the bloom point when one or more anchors of the candle holder are embedded straight into the inside bottom surface of the jack-o-lantern. 
     In addition to the various individual problems so far discussed, however, there is a problem that is common to all of the above-referenced methods and devices for illuminating the jack-o-lantern by mounting the candle on the inside bottom surface thereof, including the traditional precarious balancing of the candle on the bloom point, the wax methods described above, and both the Chance patent and the Hedlund patent. Specifically, in attempting either to light a candle positioned on the inside bottom surface of the jack-o-lantern, or to position a lit candle thereon, either with or without a supporting candle holder, there is a significant risk of injury and burn to a hand, wrist, and forearm of a user. This risk of injury is made even greater by the customary sizing of the lid portion and the corresponding aperture in the top portion of the jack-o-lantern, which aperture typically provides little more than the minimum necessary clearance for passage therethrough of a hand carrying the lit candle, match, or lighter. Further, because the aperture is typically located immediately above the position for the lit candle on the inside bottom surface of the jack-o-lantern, it is necessary for the user, having so placed or lit the candle, to withdraw his or her hand from within the jack-o-lantern, through the aperture, along a path that crosses the rising heat waves immediately above the cone of the candle&#39;s flame, thus still further risking a burn injury. As well, lighting a candle that is already positioned on the inside bottom surface of the jack-o-lantern can be very awkward and difficult, requiring a significant expenditure of time and effort on behalf of the user. 
     Lastly, all of the methods and devices so far described for illuminating jack-o-lanterns from within are subject to an additional problem. That is, because interstitial pieces are removed from the carved image in the outer surface of the pumpkin, there is a significant risk that the lit candle positioned within the jack-o-lantern may be extinguished by an errant autumn wind. 
     The primary object of the invention is to provide a suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern that aids in preventing injury and burns that may be sustained by a user while lighting a candle, or while positioning a lit candle, within the jack-o-lantern. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern that facilitates the lighting of the candle positioned within the jack-o-lantern, as well as the positioning of the lit candle within same. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern that reduces the risk of fire. 
     A still further object of the invention is to provide a suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern that securely engages the jack-o-lantern. 
     A still further object of the invention is to provide a suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern that securely engages the light source. 
     A yet still further object of the invention is to provide a suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern that is heat resistant. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern that facilitates the changing of the light source. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern that, together with the light source, provides for the effective illumination of the jack-o-lantern from within. 
     Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern that does not require extensive clean-up on removal from the jack-o-lantern. 
     An additional object of the invention is to provide a suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern that reduces the risk of the candle or other light source being untimely extinguished. 
     Another object of one aspect of the invention is to provide a suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern that will maintain a candle in substantially upright relation, even accommodating jack-o-lanterns with uneven or crooked top portions. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern that has a durable and reliable construction. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern that is easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There is thus provided, according to one aspect of the invention, a suspended light source holding apparatus for a non-artifical jack-o-lantern having a top integument portion, said apparatus comprising a light source holding portion positionable within the interior of the jack-o-lantern, and means for removablely securing said light source holding portion to the top integument portion of the non-artificial jack-o-lantern by way of frictional engagement of said securing means with said too integument portion from said interior without extension of said apparatus through said too intgument portion of said non-artificial jack-o-lantern to the exterior of said jack-o-lantern. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the suspended light source holder further comprises means for spacing said light source holding portion in suspended spaced relation from the top integument portion of the jack-o-lantern, below said securing means. 
     According to another aspect of a first embodiment of the invention, said spacing means comprises three rigid leg members, with each of said three rigid leg members having a leg upper end portion adjacent said securing means, and a leg lower end portion adjacent said light source holding portion. In said first embodiment, the securing means comprises three barb members, with each of said three barb members in substantially juxtaposed relation with said leg upper end portion of a respective one of said three rigid leg members. Also in the first embodiment, the securing means further comprises three barb limit members, with each of said three barb limit members respectively positioned between each of said three barb members and said leg upper end portion of said respective one of said three rigid leg members. 
     According to another aspect of a second and a third embodiment of the invention, said spacing means comprises a first swivel member and two rigid leg members positioned in substantially load balanced equilibrium with said light source holding portion, with said first swivel member adjacent said securing means, and with each of said two rigid leg members having a leg upper end portion adjacent said first swivel member and a leg lower end portion adjacent said light source holding portion. Also in said second and said third embodiment, said securing means comprises a second mating swivel member engaging said first swivel member in fastened pivoting relation, and a barb member in substantially juxtaposed relation with said second mating swivel member. Said securing means of said second and said third embodiment also has a heat shield member interposed between said barb member and said second mating swivel member. In said second and said third embodiment of the invention, said first swivel member comprises a catch member, such as, for example, an eye member and said second mating swivel member comprises a hook member. 
     According to a further aspect of said first and said second embodiments of the invention, the light source holding portion is shaped so as to define a recessed light securing portion, said recessed light securing portion comprising a bottom surface that is shaped so as to define an aperture therethrough. According to a still further aspect of said first and said second embodiments of the invention, said spacing means further comprises a selectively openable and closable non-opaque windscreen member. 
     According to another aspect of said third embodiment of the invention, said light source holding portion comprises a first light source securing member and a second light source securing member, with each of said two rigid leg members engaging a different one of said first light source securing member and said second light source securing member. Also in said third embodiment, each of said first light source securing member and said second light source securing member is respectively substantially circular in shape. According to a further aspect of said third embodiment of the invention, each of said first and said second light source securing members is shaped so as to define a recessed light securing portion, said recessed light securing portion comprising a bottom surface that is shaped so as to define an aperture therethrough. According to a still further aspect of said third embodiment of the invention, each of said first and second light source securing members respectively further comprises selectively openable and closable non-opaque alternate windscreen member, with each said alternate windscreen member being respectively positioned in substantially circumferential relationship around a respective one of said first and second light source securing members. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of a first embodiment of a suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern according to the invention, attached to the jack-o-lantern, with the suspended light source holder shown in medial cross-section and the jack-o-lantern shown in partial cross-section. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern of FIG. 1, shown removed from the jack-o-lantern. 
     FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of a second embodiment of a suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern according to the invention, attached to the jack-o-lantern, with the suspended light source holder shown in medial cross-section and the jack-o-lantern shown in partial cross-section. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern of FIG. 3, shown removed from the jack-o-lantern. 
     FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of a third embodiment of a suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern according to the invention, attached to the jack-o-lantern, with the suspended light source holder shown in medial cross-section and the jack-o-lantern shown in partial cross-section. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the suspended light source holder for a jack-o-lantern of FIG. 5, shown removed from the jack-o-lantern. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a first embodiment of a suspended light source holder  40  for a jack-o-lantern  20  according to the invention. In FIG. 1, the suspended light source holder  40  according to the first embodiment is shown attached to the jack-o-lantern  20 , and will be seen to comprise a light source holding portion  42  removably positionable within an interior  22  of the jack-o-lantern  20 , and means  44  for securing said suspended light source holder  40  to a top portion  24 , being a top integument portion, of the jack-o-lantern  20 . More specifically, in FIG. 1, the securing means  44  is attached to a selectively removable lid portion  28  of the top portion  24  of the jack-o-lantern  20 . 
     The light source holding portion  42  is of a generally planar configuration. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the light source holding portion  42  is substantially circular in shape, and is shaped so as to define a recessed light securing portion  62  having a bottom surface  66  that is shaped so as to define an aperture  68  therethrough. The recessed light securing portion  62  is adapted to hold a candle member  30  in fixed upright relation on said bottom surface  66  above said aperture  68 . The recessed light securing portion  62  securely engages said candle member  30 , such that said candle member  30  is not precarious nor liable to become detached from the suspended light source holder  40  when the jack-o-lantern  20  is moved, thus reducing the risk of fire that may otherwise be occasioned thereby. 
     The suspended light source holder  40  further comprises means  46  for spacing said light source holding portion  42  in suspended spaced relation from the top portion  24  of the jack-o-lantern  20  below said securing means  44 . The spacing means  46  comprises three rigid leg members  48 , with each of said three rigid leg members  48  having a leg upper end portion  50  adjacent said securing means  44 , and a leg lower end portion  52  adjacent said light source holding portion  42 . The three rigid leg members  48  are elongate, each defining an individual leg axis. Each said individual leg axis is oriented substantially perpendicular to said generally planar configuration of said light source holding portion  42 . 
     The securing means  44  comprises three barb members  54 , with each of said three barb members  54  being in substantially juxtaposed relation with said leg upper end portion  50  of a respective one of said three rigid leg members  48 . Each of the three barb members  54  has a point that pierces the lid portion  26  of the jack-o-lantern  20 , and a relatively sharp opposing projection that secures the suspended light source holder  40  and each of the three barb members  54  in place, once they are embedded in the lid portion  26 . The securing means  44  further comprises three barb limit members  56 , with each of said three barb limit members  56  respectively positioned between each of said three barb members  54  and said leg upper end portion  50  of said respective one of said three rigid leg members  48 . 
     The spacing means  46  further comprises an upper strengthening band member  58  positioned in a first substantially circumferential relationship around said three rigid leg members  48 , such that a notional plane bisecting said upper strengthening band member  58  into two congruent circumferentially complete rings is substantially parallel to said generally planar configuration of said light source holding portion  42 . The upper strengthening band member  58  is positioned relative to said three rigid leg members  48  so as to define three vents  60  above said upper strengthening band member  58  and below said three barb limit members  56 . 
     The spacing means  46  further comprises a selectively openable and closable non-opaque windscreen member  64  positioned below said upper strengthening band member  58  in a second substantially circumferential relationship around said three rigid leg members  48 , resting on a windscreen supporting member  65  of said light source holding portion  42 . As well, as best seen in FIG. 2, the windscreen supporting member  65  of the first embodiment of the suspended light source holder  40  is formed in the shape of three tab members extending radially from the light source holding portion  42 . The non-opaque windscreen member  64  is shown in a closed configuration in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is designed to protect a flame of said candle member  30  from being unexpectedly extinguished by a wind or breeze passing through a carved design  28  shaped in an outer surface  23  of the jack-o-lantern  20 . In this manner, the suspended light source holder  40  reduces the risk of the candle member  30  being untimely extinguished. The non-opaque windscreen member  64  is preferably constructed from any of a number of glass or plastics materials, provided the materials selected are sufficiently heat resistant for the application, and that they are either transparent or translucent. The non-opaque windscreen member  64  may be of any color or patterned combination of colors. 
     In use, to securely attach the first embodiment of the suspended light source holder  40  to the jack-o-lantern  20 , the selectively removable lid portion  26  of the top portion  24  is withdrawn from a corresponding aperture  27  shaped in the top portion  24  of jack-o-lantern  20 . The three barb members  54  of the suspended light source holder  40  are then pushed into an inner surface of the lid portion  26 , until the barb limit members  56  contact same, so as to securely embed the barb members  54  therein. 
     With the barb members  54  and the suspended light source holder  40  so attached to the lid portion  26 , the windscreen member  64  may then be moved from a closed configuration (as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2) to an open configuration (not shown) by sliding it, in its second substantially circumferential relationship around said three rigid leg members  48 , away from said windscreen supporting member  65  towards said upper strengthening band member  58 . With the windscreen member  64  in the open configuration, and with the lid portion  26  removed from the corresponding aperture  27 , a user may use his or her hand to easily position said candle member  30  in fixed upright relation on said bottom surface  66  of said recessed light securing portion  62  of said light source holding portion  42 , above said aperture  68 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, there is shown a second embodiment of a suspended light source holder  41 . It is to be noted that, in FIGS. 3 and 4, the same reference numerals have been used to indicate objects, surfaces, and components, which are common to both the first embodiment and the second embodiment. The second embodiment  41  differs from the first embodiment of the suspended light holder  40  in that, said spacing means  46  comprises a first swivel member  70  and two rigid leg members  48 ′, with said first swivel member  70  adjacent said securing means  44 , and with each of said two rigid leg members  48 ′ having a leg upper end portion  50 ′ adjacent said first swivel member  70  and a leg lower end portion  52 ′ adjacent said light source holding portion  42 . Further, in the second embodiment of the suspended light source holder  41 , said securing means  44  comprises a second mating swivel member  72  engaging said first swivel member  70  in fastened pivoting relation, such that the spacing means  46 , together with the light source holding portion  42 , may rotate freely relative to the securing means  44  and is selectively removable therefrom. The two rigid leg members  48 ′ are positioned in substantially load balanced equilibrium with said light source holding portion  42 , such that, in use, the candle member  30  held thereon will be maintained in substantially upright relation. As well, said securing means  44  further comprises a barb member  54 ′ in substantially juxtaposed relation with said second mating swivel member  72 , but with a heat shield member  74  interposed therebetween. The heat shield member  74  is designed to shield the barb member  54 ′ and the lid portion  26  from rising heat from the candle member  30 , and it may be constructed of polished aluminum, or an industrial insulation material selected from the group consisting of flexible felt, 85% magnesia, foam glass, mineral wool, silica lime, and calcium silicate. The first swivel member  70  comprises a catch member  76 , such as, for example, an eye member and, as can be seen in FIG. 4, said second mating swivel member comprises a hook member  78 . Unlike the first embodiment of the suspended light source holder  40 , it will be noted that the second embodiment of the suspended light source holder  41  does not have barb limit members  56 , the upper strengthening band member  58 , or vents  60 . As well, as best seen in FIG. 4, the windscreen supporting member  65  of the second embodiment of the suspended light source holder  41  is formed in the shape of two tab members extending radially from the light source holding portion  42 . 
     The second embodiment of the suspended light source holder  41  is securely attached to the jack-o-lantern  20  in much the same manner as is the first embodiment of the suspended light source holder  40 , except for the fact that, not having a barb stopping member  56 , the barb member  54 ′ is pushed into the inner surface of the lid portion  26  only until it is securely embedded therein. Likewise, with the barb member  54 ′ and the suspended light source holder  41  so attached to the lid portion  26 , the selectively openable and closable non-opaque windscreen member  64  may then be moved from a closed configuration (as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4) to an open configuration (not shown) by sliding it, in its substantially circumferential relationship around said two rigid leg members  48 ′, away from said light source holding portion  42 . With the windscreen member  64  in the open configuration, and with the lid portion  26  removed from the corresponding aperture  27 , a user may use his or her hand to easily position said candle member  30  in fixed upright relation on said bottom surface  66  of said recessed light securing portion  62  of said light source holding portion  42 , above said aperture  68 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings, there is shown a third embodiment of a suspended light source holder  41 ′. It is to be noted that, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the same reference numerals have been used to indicate objects, surfaces, and components, which are common to the first, second, and third embodiments. The third embodiment  41 ′ differs from the second embodiment of the suspended light holder  41  in that said light source holding portion  42  comprises a first light source securing member  43  and a second light source securing member  43 ′, with each of said two rigid leg members  48 ′ engaging a different one of said first and said second light source securing members  43 ,  43 ′. Further, each of said first and second light source securing members  43 ,  43 ′ is respectively substantially circular in shape and is respectively shaped so as to define said recessed light securing portion  62 . As well, each of said first and second light source securing members  43 ,  43 ′ respectively further comprises a selectively openable and closable non-opaque alternate windscreen member  64 ′, with each said alternate windscreen member  64 ′ being respectively positioned in substantially circumferential relationship around a respective one of said first and second light source securing members  43 ,  43 ′, and with each said alternate windscreen member  64 ′ resting on an alternate windscreen supporting member  65 ′ of each said respective one of said first and second light source securing members  43 ,  43 ′. The non-opaque alternate windscreen member  64 ′ is preferably constructed from any of a number of glass or plastics materials, provided the materials selected are sufficiently heat resistant for the application, and that they are either transparent or translucent. The non-opaque alternate windscreen member  64 ′ may be of any color or patterned combination of colors. As best seen in FIG. 6, said alternate windscreen supporting member  65 ′ of the third embodiment of the suspended light source holder  41 ′ is formed in the shape of a ridge circumscribing each said respective one of said first and second light source securing members  43 ,  43 ′. It is to be noted that, unlike the first and second embodiments of the suspended light source holder  40 ,  41 , the spacing means  46  of the third embodiment of the suspended light holder  41 ′ is not provided with a windscreen member. 
     The third embodiment of the suspended light source holder  41 ′ is securely attached to the jack-o-lantern  20  in an identical manner as is the second embodiment of the suspended light source holder  41 . With the barb member  54 ′ and the suspended light source holder  41 ′ attached to the lid portion  26 , each said alternate windscreen member  64 ′ may be moved from a closed configuration (as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6) to an open configuration (not shown) by lifting each said alternate windscreen member  64 ′, from its respective substantially circumferential relationship around said respective one of said first and second light source securing members  43 ,  43 ′. With each said alternate windscreen member  64 ′ in the open configuration, and with the lid portion  26  removed from the corresponding aperture  27 , a user may use his or her hand to easily and respectively position each said candle member  30  in fixed upright relation on said bottom surface  66  of said recessed light securing portion  62  of said respective one of said first and second light source securing members  43 ,  43 ′, above said aperture  68 . 
     In the first, second, and third embodiments, the suspended light source holder,  40 ,  41 , and  41 ′ respectively, is designed such that said light source holding portion  42 , or said candle member  30  positioned in fixed upright relation on said bottom surface  66  of said recessed light securing portion  62 , may be easily accessed from a side thereof, rather than from above. Since the user&#39;s hand need never be positioned above said candle member  30 , the risk of injury or burn is greatly reduced, and the candle member  30  may safely be lit either before or after positioning it on said light source holding portion  42 . 
     Once said candle member  30  is lit and positioned on said first, second, or third embodiment of said suspended light source holder,  40 ,  41 , or  41 ′ respectively, said windscreen member  64 , or each said alternate windscreen member  64 ′ as the case may be, is moved back to said closed configuration. Then, said lid portion  26  is replaced within said corresponding aperture  27  of said top portion  24  of said jack-o-lantern  20 , so as to removably position said first, second, or third embodiment of said suspended light source holder,  40 ,  41 , or  41 ′ respectively, within an interior  22  of the jack-o-lantern  20 , and so as to provide for its effective illumination from within. 
     In use of the second and third embodiments of the suspended light source holder,  41  and  41 ′ respectively, each said candle member  30  held in the light source holding portion  42  will be maintained in substantially upright relation, even when the jack-o-lantern  20  has an uneven or crooked top portion  24 , since the second mating swivel member  72  engages the first swivel member  70  in fastened pivoting relation and the two rigid leg members  48 ′ are positioned in substantially load balanced equilibrium with said light source holding portion  42 . 
     As well, the design of the third embodiment of the suspended light source holder  41 ′ ensures that a point of contact between said barb member  54 ′ and said lid portion  26  of the jack-o-lantern  20  will not coincide with a heat-affected zone of the lid portion  26  of the jack-o-lantern  20 , the heat-affected zone being that part of the lid portion  26  typically located immediately above each said candle member  30  in a path of rising heat waves from the cone of the candle&#39;s flame. Typically, the heat-affected zone of the jack-o-lantern  20  will become somewhat cooked and mushy, shrivelling and shrinking from the candle&#39;s flame, with a resulting reduced rigidity. Accordingly, by ensuring that the point of contact between said barb member  54 ′ and said lid portion  26  does not coincide with the heat-affected zone of the jack-o-lantern  20 , the third embodiment of the suspended light source holder  41 ′ has an increased security of engagement with the jack-o-lantern  20 . 
     In the event that it becomes necessary to replace one said candle member  30 , a user may remove said lid portion  26  of said jack-o-lantern  20  from said corresponding aperture  27  in said top portion  24 , and then move said windscreen member  64 , or said alternate windscreen member  64 ′ as appropriate, to said open configuration. Thereafter, the user may insert a finger through said aperture  68  in said bottom surface  62  of said recessed light securing portion  62  of said first, second, or third embodiment of said suspended light source holder,  40 ,  41 , or  41 ′ respectively, to push and remove said candle member  30 . A new candle member, either lit or unlit, may then be positioned in fixed upright relation on said bottom surface  66  of said recessed light securing portion  62 , in exactly the same manner as detailed above. Accordingly, it can be seen that the design according to the present invention of said first, second, and third embodiments of the suspended light source holder,  40 ,  41 , and  41 ′ respectively, being provided with said aperture  68  in said light source holding portion  42 , facilitates the changing of said candle member  30  or other light source. 
     After Halloween has ended, the first, second, or third embodiment of the suspended light source holder,  40 ,  41 , or  41 ′ respectively, may be removed from the lid portion  26  of the jack-o-lantern  20 , and the jack-o-lantern  20  may be disposed of through ordinary means. In order to clean the first, second, and third embodiments of the suspended light source holder,  40 ,  41 , and  41 ′ respectively, the user may simply flake the hardened wax therefrom or, alternately, he or she may heat the wax until it liquefies and then simply rinse the melted wax away. Accordingly, it will be seen that the first, second, and third embodiments of the suspended light source holder,  40 ,  41 , and  41 ′ respectively, according to the present invention, do not require extensive clean-up. 
     With the exception of said windscreen member  64 , each said alternate windscreen member  64 ′, and the heat shield member  74 , which are constructed as discussed above, all portions of the first, second, and third embodiments of the suspended light source holder,  40 ,  41 , and  41 ′ respectively, may be constructed from any of a number of metal, ceramic, or plastics materials, provided the materials selected are sufficiently heat resistant for the application. However, the construction materials for all portions of the suspended light source holder  40 ,  41 ,  41 ′ are selected, in part, based on their heat resisting properties. Additionally, the construction materials are such as to ensure a durable and reliable construction and a design which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. 
     Other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the according to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the accompanying claims. For example, instead of being perpendicular to the generally planar configuration of the light source holding portion  42 , the rigid leg members  48  of the first embodiment of the suspended light source holder  40  may be inclined outwards from the light source holding portion  42  to the securing means  44  to help resist against buckling when the barb members  54  are being embedded in the lid portion  26  of the jack-o-lantern  20 . 
     In a further example, in the first embodiment, the spacing means  46  might be provided with more than three rigid leg members  48 . It should be noted that, once the number of rigid leg members increases above a certain point, as determined in part by the materials of construction, it will no longer be necessary to provide each rigid leg member with a barb member having a relatively sharp opposing projection that secures the suspended light source holder  40  in place, since the forces exerted on each barb member will not be sufficient to overcome the coefficient of static friction between same and the lid portion  26  of the jack-o-lantern  20  in which they are embedded. As well, more than one barb member  54 ′ might be utilized to secure the second and third embodiments of the suspended light source holder,  41  and  41 ′ respectively, to the lid portion  26  of the jack-o-lantern  20 , in which case, the same considerations would apply, and the necessity of having a similar relatively sharp opposing projection that secures the suspended light source holder  41 ,  41 ′ in place would be obviated. Likewise, of course, it would be possible to provide the second and third embodiments of the suspended light source holder  41 ,  41 ′ with more than two rigid leg members  58 ′. 
     In another example, the first embodiment of the suspended light source holder  40  may be provided with two rigid leg members, instead of three rigid leg members  58 , with said two rigid leg members being positioned in substantially load balanced equilibrium with said light source holding portion  42 . As well, the first and second embodiments of the suspended light source holder  40 ,  41  may be provided with a single rigid leg member, instead of three rigid leg members  58  and two rigid leg members  58 ′, respectively, with the light source holding portion  42  counterbalanced to maintain the candle member  30  in substantially upright relation, such as, for example, by providing a second counterbalancing candle member, by providing a counterbalancing bend in the single leg member, or by providing a counterbalancing weight. Likewise, the third embodiment of the suspended light source holder  41 ′ may be provided with a single rigid leg member instead of two rigid leg members  58 ′, with the light source holding portion  42  counterbalanced to maintain each said candle member  30  in substantially upright relation, such as, for example, with said single rigid leg member engaging both of said first and second light source securing members  43 ,  43 ′. 
     In yet another example, the first embodiment of the suspended light source holder  40  might be provided with more than one strengthening band member, so as to define at least an upper and a lower strengthening band member. Likewise, the second and third embodiments of the suspended light source holder  41 ,  41 ′ might be provided with one or more strengthening band members. 
     As a further example of a modification or alteration which may be used in the design of the second and third embodiments of the suspended light source holder  41 ,  41 ′, a threaded member might be utilized in place of the barb member  54 ′ to screw the securing means  44  into the lid portion  26  of the jack-o-lantern  20 . 
     As well, the second and third embodiments of the suspended light source holder  41 ,  41 ′ specify that the first swivel member  70  comprises a catch member  76  and that the second mating swivel member  72  comprises a hook member  78 , but this situation may easily be reversed, such that the first swivel member  70  comprises a hook member and the second mating swivel member  72  comprises a catch member. Likewise, both the first and the second mating swivel members  70 ,  72  may comprise either hook or catch members, such that a hook member of the first swivel member engages a hook member of the second mating swivel member, or that a catch member of the first swivel member engages a catch member of the second mating swivel member. Likewise, the second and third embodiments of the suspended light source holder  41 ,  41 ′ specify that the first swivel member  70  comprises a catch member  76  and that the second mating swivel member  72  comprises a hook member  78 , but these specific pivoting structures may easily be replaced with other such structures to accomplish the same purpose. That is, for example, the first swivel member  70  may comprise a ball member and the second mating swivel member  72  may comprise a corresponding socket member, or vice versa. 
     As well, in the second and third embodiments of the suspended light source holder  41 ,  41 ′, said second mating swivel member  72  is specified as engaging said first swivel member  70  in fastened pivoting relation, such that the spacing means  46 , together with the light source holding portion  42 , may rotate freely relative to the securing means  44  and is selectively removable therefrom. However, this need not necessarily be the case, and said second mating swivel member  72  may engage said first swivel member  70  in fastened pivoting relation, such that the spacing means  46 , together with the light source holding portion  42 , may rotate freely relative to the securing means  44  but is not selectively removable therefrom. 
     As a further example of a possible modification or alteration to the invention, the second and third embodiments of the suspended light source holder  41 ,  41 ′ might be provided without the heat shield member  74 . 
     Additionally, it would be possible to provide the light source holding portion  42  of both the first and the second embodiments of the suspended light source holder  40 ,  41  with more than one recessed light securing portion  62  to accommodate more than one candle member  30 . Likewise, it would be possible to provide either or both of the first and second light source securing members  43 ,  43 ′ of the third embodiment of the suspended light source holder  41 ′ with more than one recessed light securing portion  62 , such that either or both could each accommodate more than one candle member  30 . 
     As yet another example of a modification or alteration which may be used in the design of the first, second, and third embodiments of the suspended light source holder,  40 ,  41 , and  41 ′ respectively, rather than providing the securing means  44  with barb members  54 ,  54 ′ for insertion into the lid portion  26  of the jack-o-lantern  20 , one or more jack-o-lantern securing hook members may be provided to securely engage a circumscribing edge of the aperture  27  in the top portion  24  of the jack-o-lantern  20 . 
     Likewise, the respective rigid leg members  58 ,  58 ′ of the first, second, and third embodiments of the suspended light source holder  40 ,  41 ,  41 ′ might be adjustable in length, such as, for example, having a series of interfitting components to effect a telescopic adjustability in length. 
     As well, it should be noted that, while the leg members  58 ,  58 ′ have been described as being rigid, they might still be formed in a chain-like structure. 
     In yet another example, the light source holding portion  42  of the first and second embodiments of the suspended light source holder  40 ,  41 , and the first and second light source securing members  43 ,  43 ′ of the third embodiment of the suspended light source holder  41 ′, might be of a substantially non-circular shape, such as, for example, in the shape of a triangle, a square, or some other desirable shape. 
     An example of a modification or alteration which may be used in the design of the windscreen member  64  and the alternate windscreen member  64 ′ includes designs which may be snapped in place and those having a hinge to effect said substantially circumferential relationship about said leg members  58 ,  58 ′, or about each of said first and second light source securing members  43 ,  43 ′ as appropriate. 
     In another example, the first, second, and third embodiments of the suspended light source holder,  40 ,  41 , and  41 ′ respectively, may be provided with a light reflecting member, possibly shaped so as to define a ventilation aperture therethrough and positioned adjacent the securing means  44 , to reflect light from the candle member  30  to the carved design  28  of the jack-o-lantern  20 . 
     As well, the first embodiment of the suspended light source holder  40  specifies that the windscreen supporting member  65  is formed in the shape of three tab members extending radially from the light source holding portion  42 , but the windscreen supporting member  65  of the first embodiment may instead be formed in the shape of a ridge circumscribing the light source holding portion  42 . Likewise, the windscreen supporting member  65  of the second embodiment of the suspended light source holder  41  is specified as being formed in the shape of two tab members extending radially from the light source holding portion  42 , but more than two tab members might be used, or the windscreen supporting member  65  of the second embodiment may instead be formed in the shape of ridge circumscribing the light source holding portion  42 . As well, each alternate windscreen supporting member  65 ′ of the third embodiment of the suspended light source holder  41 ′ is specified as being formed in the shape of a ridge circumscribing each said respective one of said first and second light source securing members  43 ,  43 ′, but the alternate windscreen supporting member  65  of the second embodiment may instead be formed in the shape of one or more tab members extending radially from each said respective one of said first and second light source securing members  43 ,  43 ′. 
     Of course, the first, second, and third embodiments of the suspended light source holder,  40 ,  41 , and  41 ′ respectively, may be used in association with light sources other than the candle member  30 , such as, for example, one or more powered light sources or powered light sources having multi-colored lenses or light bulbs.