Abstract:
A prayer candle device includes a tubular body having a chamber provided therein, a consumable lighting element refillably disposed in the chamber including a wick mounted in the consumable lighting element, a holding device mounted in the chamber of the tubular body for holding the consumable lighting element in position, and an adjusting device for maintaining a burning end of the wick of the consumable lighting element at an upper position. In such arrangement, the prayer candle device is capable of avoiding the malfunction of the operation caused by the burned consumable material.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to candle, and more particularly to a prayer candle device which can provide a good atmosphere and decorative function. 
     2. Description of Related Arts 
     Historically, people use candles at home, church, or other places of worship to provide an atmospheric or decorative touch. In order to hold the candle in place, a candle container is used to prevent the candle from accidentally falling down and causing an unwanted fire. The conventional candle container comprises a hollow cylindrical body having a candle cavity therein, so that a candle can be inserted into the candle cavity. A spring is also inserted in the candle cavity so as to normally urge the candle upwardly to maintain a burning end thereof at an upper position. 
     However, after the burning end of the candle inside the candle container is ignited, the consumable material, such as wax, of the candle starts melting. The melted consumable material will flow back into the candle container, such that when the consumable material is condensed inside the candle cavity, the rest of the unburned candle may stick inside the candle container and it is hard to clean up. Some melted candle materials may flow out of the candle container and stick on the outer surface thereof. Accordingly, the melted candle material not only destroys the beauty of the candle container but also damages the decoration surface of the candle container. 
     Some improved candle containers comprise a drain opening such that when the candle material flows into the interior of the candle container, a user is capable of flushing the accumulated candle material through the drain opening. However, when the candle material is condensed at the bottom of the candle cavity where the spring is positioned, the spring may lose its elastic property while the candle material is stuck around the spring. The user may need to replace the spring as well or flush all the candle material several times within lighting one candle. So, the conventional candle container has some drawbacks on usage under a certain circumstances. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A main object of the present invention is to provide a prayer candle device which can provide a good atmosphere and decorative function. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a prayer candle device which is adapted for operating by regular consumable candle or oil with wick. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a prayer candle device wherein the melted candle material may flow into a collecting chamber in order to prevent the malfunction of the operation. 
     Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a prayer candle device, which comprises: 
     a tubular body having a chamber therein, an open end defining a supporting rim and a base; 
     a consumable lighting element, refillably disposed in the chamber of the tubular body, comprising a wick mounted therein; 
     a holding means mounted in the chamber of the tubular body for holding the consumable lighting element in position; 
     a cover, which is fittedly disposed on the supporting rim of the tubular body, having a through hole provided thereon, wherein the wick of the consumable lighting element is adapted to be penetrated through the through hole; and 
     an adjusting means for urging a burning end of the wick of the consumable lighting element at an upper position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prayer candle device according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the prayer candle device according to the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the prayer candle device according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the prayer candle device according to the above second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the adjustable means. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the prayer candle device according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a prayer candle device  1  according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, which comprises a tubular body  10 , a consumable lighting element  20 , a holding means  30 , a cover  40 , and an adjusting means  50 . 
     The tubular body  10  has a cylindrical chamber  11  provided therein, an open end  12  defining a supporting rim  121  and a base  13  for stabilizing the prayer candle device  1 . The consumable lighting element  20 , which is refillably disposed in the chamber  11  of the tubular body  10 , comprises a wick  21  mounted therein. The holding means  30  for holding the consumable lighting element  20  in position is mounted in the chamber  11  of the tubular body  10 . The cover  40 , which is fittedly disposed on the supporting rim  121  of the tubular body  10 , has a through hole  41  provided at a center thereof wherein the wick  21  of the consumable lighting element  20  is adapted to be penetrated through the through hole  41 . The adjustable means  50  is adapted for urging a burning end of the wick  21  of the consumable lighting element  20  at an upper position. 
     Preferably, the tubular body  10  may be made of transparent material such as crystal or glass so that the light can be reflected through the tubular body  10  for providing an esthetically pleasing appearance. Furthermore, three-dimensional figure of decorations such as angels, flowers, “JESUS CHRIS”, the “POPE” or “JOHN PAUL” can be attached inside and/or an outer surface of the tubular body  10  for further providing an atmospheric or decorative touch. 
     According to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the consumable lighting element  20  is a candle which is constructed by a consumable material such as wax. The wick  21  is extended inside the consumable light element  20  wherein when the burning end of the wick  21  is being ignited, the consumable light element  20  will start to melt. 
     The holding means  30  is a tubular container, preferably made of the same material of the tubular body  10  such as crystal or glass, wherein the holding means  30  has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the consumable lighting element  20  and smaller than a diameter of the tubular body  10 . Furthermore, the holding means  30  is detachably mounted at its bottom in the chamber  11  of the tubular body  10 . Preferably, the holding means  30  is screwed on the tubular body  10 , so that a user can detach the holding means  30  for easy clean up and fittingly placing the consumable lighting element  20  therein. 
     The adjusting means  50 , according to the first preferred embodiment, is a compressive spring which is fitly disposed in the holding means  30 . The adjusting means  50  has two ends biasing the bottom of the holding means  30  and the bottom end of the consumable lighting element  20  respectively, so that the adjusting means  50  normally urges the consumable lighting element  20  in an upper position. 
     The cover  40 , having a respective circular shape, is detachably disposed on the supporting rim  121  of the tubular body  10 , wherein the cover  40  is adapted to tightly close the open end  12  of the tubular body  10 . When the cover  10  is placed on the supporting rim  121  for closing the open end  12  of the tubular body  10 , the consumable lighting element  20  at its top end biases a ceiling of the cover  40  while at its bottom end is biased by the adjusting means  50 . So, the burning end of the wick  21  of the consumable lighting element  20  is extended through the through hole  41  of the cover  40  to outside. 
     Accordingly, after the burning end of the wick  21  is ignited, the consumable lighting element  20  starts melting. The melting consumable lighting element  20  will flow and collect in the chamber  11  between the interior of the tubular body  10  and the exterior of the holding means  30  instead of flowing into the holding means  30 , so as to prevent the adjusting means  50  from being stuck as well as losing its elasticity. So, the prayer candle device  1  can prevent the malfunction of the operation. 
     In order to operate the prayer candle device  1 , a user must open up the cover  40  and insert the consumable lighting element  20  into the holding means  30 . Then close the cover  40  tightly in order to compress the spring of the adjusting means  50  by the cover  40  through the consumable lighting element  20  while the burning end of the wick  21  is penetrated through the through hole  41  of the cover  40  to extend to outside. For flushing the accumulated candle material in the chamber  11 , a candle material solvent or heated liquid such as hot water can be used to dissolve the candle material and drain off from the tubular body  10 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the prayer candle device  1  according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the consumable lighting element  20 ′ is a burning oil and is absorbed by the wick  21  disposes therein. So, after the burning end of the wick  21  is ignited, the wick keeps absorbing the consumable lighting element  20 ′ as a fuel while the wick  21  is being burnt up and shortening its length. 
     The holding means  30 ′ comprises a holder body  31  extended from an interior surface of the tubular body  10  wherein the holder body  31  comprises two identical members  31   a,    31   b  attached together. Each member  31   a  ( 31   b ) has an elongated slot  32   a  ( 32   b ) and a circular wheel cavity  33   a  ( 33   b ) respectively provided on a surface thereof, such that a wick through hole  32  and a wheel cavity  33  are formed on the holder body  31  after combining the two respective surface of two members  31   a,    31   b  together. The wick  21  is adapted for fittingly penetrating the elongated body  31  through the wick through hole  32 . In other words, the holder body  31  has two side ends each extended from the interior surface of the tubular body  10  such that the holder body  31  is firmly affixed in the chamber without any vertical or rotatable movement. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, the adjustable means  50 ′ comprises a circular engaging wheel  51  rotatably mounted in the wheel cavity  33  of the elongated body  31  of the holding means  30 , wherein a plurality of engaging teeth  511  are evenly provided on a circumference of the engaging wheel  51  for providing friction against the wick  21 , an elongated axle  52  coaxially and outwardly extended from the engaging wheel  51  and rotatably penetrated through the elongated body  31  and the tubular body  10  respectively for communicating with outside, and a driving wheel  53  coaxially mounted on a free end of the elongated axle  52 . 
     The engaging wheel  51  is driven to rotate by the driving wheel  53  through the elongated axle  52 , such that when the driving wheel  53  is being rotated, the engaging wheel  51  is driven to rotate with the same direction of the driving wheel  53 . Furthermore, the engaging teeth  511  of the engaging wheel  51  are fittedly engaged with the wick  21  placed in the wick through hole  311 , so that when the engaging wheel  51  is being rotated, the wick  21  is arranged to be driven in a vertical movable manner. In such arrangement, the user is able to adjust the displacement of the burning end of the wick  21 . In other words, when the burning end of the wick  21  is being burnt up, the user can rotate the driving wheel  53  in order to lift up the wick  21 . 
     To operate the prayer candle device  1  according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user can open the cover  40  so as to pour the burning oil of the consumable lighting element  20 ′ into the chamber  11  of the tubular body  10 . Carefully placing the wick  21 , having a predetermined length, into the wick through hole  32  of the holder body  31  while the engaging teeth  511  of the engaging wheel  51  are fittedly engaged with the wick  21 . Then the burning end of the wick  21  is arranged to be penetrated through the through hole  41  of the cover  40 , wherein the length of the burning end of the wick  21  is adjusted by the driving wheel  53  of the adjusting means  50 ′. 
     Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawing, the prayer candle device  1  according to the third embodiment is illustrated, which has similar configuration as the above first embodiment. The third embodiment basically is an alternative mode of the first embodiment to illustrate a possible modification thereof. 
     The adjusting means  50 ″ comprises a plurality pairs of supporting arms  51 ″ pivotally connected each other, a platform  52 ″ 0  for supporting the consumable lighting element  20  thereon, and an adjusting axle  53 ″ for lifting the platform  52 ″ up and down. 
     Each pair of the supporting arms  51 ″ comprises a first supporting arm  51   a  and a second supporting arm  5 l b  pivotally connected with each other at a middle portion thereof to form a “X” structure, wherein each pair of the supporting arms  51 ″ is pivotally connected at a top end of each supporting arm  51 ″ to a bottom end of each supporting arm  51 ″ of another pair of the supporting arms  51 ″ in such manner that, when each supporting arm  51 ″ of a bottom pair of the supporting arms  51 ″ is pivotally rotated in opposite direction in a scissors-like manner, it narrows the cross structure of each pair of supporting arms  51 ″ to near vertical position, as the height of the plurality of supporting arms  51 ″ is lengthened. Furthermore, two through hole  511 ″ are coaxially provided on a bottom pair of the supporting arms  51 ″ at the bottom ends thereof respectively, wherein the adjusting axle  53 ″ is adapted to be fittedly inserted into the two through hole  511 ″. 
     The circular platform  52 ″ is affixed at its bottom surface to a top pair of the supporting arms  51 ″, wherein the platform  52 ″ has a diameter slightly smaller than a diameter of the holding means  30 , so that the platform  52 ″ is fittedly disposed therein in a vertical movable manner. 
     An adjusting axle  53 ″, having a threaded line mounted around thereon, is rotatably inserted into the two through holes  511 ″ of the bottom pair of supporting arms  51 ″ in such manner that the adjusting axle  53 ″ is being rotated to narrow the cross structure the bottom pair of supporting arms  51 ″ so as to lengthen the height thereof. The adjusting axle  53 ″ further comprises an enlarged axle head  531 ″ extended from one end of the adjusting axle  53 ″, which is integrally extended and penetrated through the tubular body  10  to outside, so that the axle head  531 ″ is arranged to drive the adjusting axle to rotate. So, the user is able to adjust the height of the consumable lighting element  20  by rotating the axle head  531 ″ to narrow and lengthen the pairs of supporting arms  51 ″ so as to lift up the platform  52 ″. Furthermore, a motor (not shown in the figure) is adapted to be installed at the base  13  of the tubular body  10  such that the motor is arranged to mechanically control the adjusting axle  53 ″ to rotate so as to adjust the height of the consumable lighting element  20 . 
     Moreover, according to the first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention, the prayer candle device  1  further comprises a lighting means  60  mounted on the base  13  of the prayer candle device  1 , as shown in FIG.  3 . The lighting means  60  comprises a plurality of lighting elements  61  such as light bulbs or LEDs encirclingly and evenly mounted on the base  13 , a power supply  62 , such as rechargeable battery, for providing electrical power to the lighting elements  61  mounted at the bottom of the base  13 , and a plurality of connecting wires  63  connected between the power supply  62  and the lighting elements  61  respectively. So, when the consumable lighting element  20  is not in used or being used up, the lighting means  60  can substitute the consumable light element  20  in order to light up the prayer candle device  1 . Moreover, the lighting means  60  can further provide an esthetically pleasing appearance and decorative touch for the prayer candle device  1  of the present invention. 
     Alternatively, the prayer candle device  1 , as shown in FIG. 5, comprises a sound generating means  70  which comprises a tape recorder  71  installed at the bottom of the base  13  and at least a speaker  72  for outputting sound signal affixed on an outer surface of the base  13 , wherein the power supply  62  is mounted at the bottom of the base  13  near to the tape recorder  71  and the connecting wires  63  for electrically connecting between the tape recorder  71 , the speaker  72  and the power supply  62  by means of a closed circuit such that the sound generating means  70  is adapted for generating sound such as songs and praying messages from a pre-recorded tape.