Abstract:
The automatic candle snuffer is a mechanical timer driven device that extinguishes a candle in a jar after a user selectable time interval. A clamp mounts the candle snuffer to the mouth of the jar. The snuffing mechanism is a spring driven gear housing shaped to cover the mouth of the jar in the closed position, but which rotates around a stationary pin to uncover the jar. The gear housing contains a spring-driven timer, which drives a plurality of gears. Rotating the upper portion of the gear housing relative to the lower portion winds a timing spring, while rotating the entire housing around the pivot pin uncovers the mouth of the jar and winds a return spring. When the timer spring is unwound, a release mechanism frees the gear housing allowing the return spring to rotate the gear housing until the mouth of the jar is covered.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to candle accessories, and in particular, to an automatic candle snuffer that extinguishes a candle automatically after a preset interval.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Although electric lighting displaced the use of candles as the main source of lighting in the late 19 th  century, candles are still very frequently used. Candles are used to provide lighting during emergency situations when the normal supply of electrical power is interrupted, and also to add mood or ambiance to a setting during seasonal celebrations, or at other times when it is desired to establish an atmosphere. Scented candles are used to provide fragrances to a room for festive and other special occasions. Some candles are provided with special chemicals that are purported to provide therapeutic benefits when the chemicals are released through burning the candles. For all of the above reasons, the use of candles has remained popular, even during modern times.  
         [0005]     All burning candles have the common feature that they present an open flame. When left unattended the open flame of a candle can cause a fire that has the potential to cause extensive property damage, and that can even result in injury or death. While people often light candles with the intention of extinguishing them later, it is not uncommon that candles are left burning through being forgotten, or because the person who lit the candle has fallen asleep.  
         [0006]     One solution to the problem has been to enclose the candle in a jar. While this does limit the possibility of accidental contact with the flame by flammable materials, the risks associated with burning candies are not completely eliminated by enclosing the candle. Unattended candles may be accidentally upset, exposing the flame and spilling hot wax, which results in a fire or burn hazard. Also, when a candle burns inside a container for long periods of time, the container is heated, presenting a burn hazard and a possible source of ignition for a fire.  
         [0007]     In order to reduce the hazard, various extinguishing devices employing timers have been developed. An exemplary device is described in Japanese Patent No. 6-74,443, published on Mar. 15, 1994. The &#39;443 patent describes an electrically-operated timer mechanism using a solenoid actuator to extinguish a flame.  
         [0008]     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, an automatic candle snuffer solving the aforementioned problems is desired.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The automatic candle snuffer is a device with a mechanical timer that extinguishes a candle in a jar after a user-selectable time interval. A clamp mounts the candle snuffer to the mouth of the jar. A stationary pin attached to the clamp serves as a pivot point for the snuffing mechanism. The snuffing mechanism is a spring-driven gear housing shaped to cover the mouth of the jar in the closed position, but which rotates around the stationary pin to uncover the jar. The mechanism employs two springs; a timer spring and a return spring. The gear housing contains a spring-driven timer, which drives a plurality of timer gears. Rotating the upper portion of the portion of the gear housing relative to the lower portion of the gear housing winds the timing spring. Rotating the gear housing around the pivot pin to uncover the mouth of the jar winds the return spring. When the jar is uncovered, the candle housed in the jar may be lit.  
         [0010]     A release mechanism for returning the gear housing in the uncovered position is attached to the timer gears. Releasing the gear housing allows the timer spring to gradually unwind, rotating the gears. When the timer spring is unwound, the release mechanism releases the gear housing, and the return spring then rotates the gear housing until the mouth of the jar is covered. When the mouth of the jar is covered, the burning candle consumes the oxygen in the jar, and the candle flame is extinguished once the oxygen is depleted.  
         [0011]     In an alternative embodiment, the automatic candle snuffer is mounted within a decorative candle shade. A timing mechanism includes a gear train operative to move a snuffing lid between a position opening the mouth of the jar and a position covering the mouth of the candle jar, the timing being determined by the spring constant of a timer spring.  
         [0012]     These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of an automatic candle snuffer according to the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an automatic candle snuffer showing the candle snuffer in the open position.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a partially exploded perspective view of a timer mechanism of an automatic candle snuffer according to the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a clamping mechanism for securing the automatic candle snuffer of the present invention to a candle jar.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an automatic candle snuffer according to the invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the candle snuffer of  FIG. 5  in the closed or snuffed position.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the candle snuffer of  FIG. 5  in the open position.  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of an automatic candle snuffer according to the present invention in an open position.  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the candle snuffer of  FIG. 8  in the closed position.  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a schematic elevational view, partially in section, of the timer mechanism of the candle snuffer of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is a schematic elevational view, partially in section, of the timer mechanism of the candle snuffer of  FIG. 5   
     
    
       [0024]     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]     The present invention is an automatic candle snuffer for extinguishing a lit candle automatically after an interval of time. The candle snuffer employs a spring that is wound by the user. When the spring unwinds, a gear train is triggered to close the mouth of a jar housing the burning candle.  
         [0026]     A first embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . Referring first to  FIG. 1 , an automatic candle snuffer  20  is shown attached to a jar  30  containing a candle  32 . The candle snuffer  20  is attached to the mouth of the jar  30  via a clamp. In  FIG. 1 , the candle snuffer  20  is shown in the closed position. The candle snuffer  20  includes a gear housing having an upper gear housing  24  and a lower gear housing  28 . A reset pin  26  extends through an opening in the upper gear housing  24 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  shows the candle snuffer  20  in the open position. The gear housing  40 , which comprises the upper gear housing  24  and the lower gear housing, serves as the closing portion of the candle snuffer  20 . In  FIG. 2 , the gear housing  40  has been rotated in a horizontal plane until the mouth of the jar  30  is completely uncovered. In this position, the candle  32  can be lit, and the flame of the candle  32  will burn as long as the mouth of the jar  30  remains uncovered. When the jar mouth is covered, the candle flame will quickly deplete the oxygen trapped in the jar  30 . The flame will then be extinguished by the lack of available oxygen.  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the gear housing  40  showing the spring-driven timer mechanism. A stationary pin  34  is attached to clamp  22  (shown more clearly in  FIG. 4 ) and extends through an opening in the lower housing  28 . To wind the timer spring  86  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) of the timer mechanism, the upper housing  24  is rotated relative to the lower housing on a central pivot  37 , turning the central timer gear  36  and activating a gear train to wind the timer spring  86 . When the gear housing  40  is rotated around the stationary pin  34  in a horizontal plane, a stationary gear attached to the stationary pin  34  turns a second gear train  98 , winding return spring  92  (shown in  FIG. 10 ). In this way the action of opening the jar  30  to light the candle  32  winds the snuffer return spring  92 , preparing the snuffer to close the jar  30 . When the gear housing  40  is released, the timer spring  86  gradually unwinds, turning the gear train including central timer gear  36 . When the timer times out, the timing gears trigger a release mechanism or reset lever  38  allowing the snuffer return spring  92  to rotate the second gear train  98 , quickly rotating the gear housing  40  around the stationary pin  34  to cover the mouth of the jar  30 . Varying times can be set for the mechanism to close by the amount of initial rotation or turns given to the upper housing  24  when winding the timing mechanism. A reset pin  26  extends through an opening in the upper gear housing  24 . Pressing the reset pin  26  actuates reset lever  38 , which coacts with the gear mechanism, which operates an escape mechanism, causing the snuffer return spring  92  to rotate the gear housing  40  to cover the mouth of the jar  30 , extinguishing the candle  32  without waiting for the timer spring  86  to unwind.  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , details of the clamp  22  can be seen. The clamp jaws can be expanded by squeezing the finger grips  44  together against the torsion spring  46 . The finger grips pivot around a pin  45  expanding the clamp. Expanding the clamp permits removing the clamp from the jar  30 , and also allows the automatic candle snuffer to be attached to jars of varying sizes. When the finger grips  44  are released, torsion spring  46  forces the clamp  22  to hold tightly to the mouth of the jar  30 . The stationary pin  34 , which provides the pivot point for the extinguishing cover  40 , is attached to the clamp  22 . The jaws or gripping surfaces of the clamp  22  may be lined with a friction enhancing material, such as rubber, in order to enhance the firmness of the attachment to the jar  30 . The friction enhancing material should be heat resistant since the heat of the candle will result in an elevated temperature of the jar.  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is a schematic representation showing the operation of the timer mechanism. The candle snuffer is opened by manually rotating the gear housing  40  around the stationary pin  34 . As the gear housing  40  is rotated around the stationary pin  34 , the rotation is transmitted through snuffer return gears  98   a  and  98   b  to wind the snuffer return spring  92 . The timer spring  86  is then wound by rotating the upper housing  24  on the central pivot shaft  37 . The rotation of the upper housing is transmitted through the gears  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   c , and  36   d  to the mainspring  86  (a flat, rectangular spiral spring, similar to the mainspring of a watch), winding the mainspring  86 . Once the timer spring  86  is wound, the snuffer is held in place by the escape mechanism  94  which engages snuffer return gear  98   b  preventing the snuffer from immediately returning to the closed position. When the upper housing  24  is released, the mainspring  86  gradually unwinds, and rotation is transmitted through the gear train  36   a - 36   d . The unwinding is controlled by a conventional timer escape mechanism  84  which, when engaged, operates to release the spring  86  in increments. When the timer mechanism times out, a timer gear  36   d  operates the reset lever  38 , which releases the reset mechanism escape  94 . The reset spring  92  then rotates the second set of gears  98   a  and  98   b , rotating the gear housing  40  around the stationary pin  34  thereby covering the mouth of the jar  30 . Pressing the reset pin  26  at any time disengages the reset escape mechanism  94  and allows the reset spring  92  to drive the snuffer closed without waiting for the timer mechanism to time out.  
         [0031]     An alternative embodiment of the invention will be described by referring to  FIGS. 5-9 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  illustrates an automatic candle snuffer with a decorative shade  50 . The shade  50  may be made of ceramic material, or any other heat resistant material. Preferably the material chosen presents an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The shade  50  includes a slot  56  through which a reset lever  54  can extend from a gear mechanism mounted within the shade  50 . The slot  56  includes a detent or latching position, which holds the lever in a locked position. Mounted within the shade  50  is a spring-driven timer mechanism. A thumb crank  52  extends through the shade and is used to wind the timer spring  86  of the timer mechanism. The shade  50  and timer mechanism is mounted to the mouth of ajar  58 , holding a candle  60 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  shows the automatic snuffer mechanism in the closed or extinguishing position. The reset lever  54  is in the unlatched position. The reset lever  54  is spring-loaded by the reset lever spring  92 , with the reset lever spring  92  biased to return the reset lever  54  to the unlatched position when the reset lever spring  92  is not held in place. The reset lever positions gears in the timer mechanism to close the semicircular shaped snuffer plates or leaves  62   a  and  62   b , which close off the mouth of the jar  58 . To light the candle, the candle shade with the timer mechanism and snuffing plates is lifted off of the jar and the candle is lit. The reset lever  54  is moved to the latched position as shown in  FIG. 7 , opening the plates or leaves  62   a  and  62   b  so that when the shade is returned to the mouth of the jar, the lit candle can receive oxygen and continue burning. The thumb crank  52  is wound, energizing the timer spring  86 . The reset lever  54  positions the semicircular snuffer plates  62   a  and  62   b  in the open position, allowing the lit candle to receive oxygen. The amount of winding of the thumb crank  52  determines the amount of time required for the snuffer members  62   a ,  62   b  to close. When the plates  62   a  and  62   b  close, the candle flame will quickly deplete the oxygen trapped in the jar  58 . The candle flame will then be extinguished by the lack of available oxygen.  
         [0034]     The snuffer plates  62   a  and  62   b  may be of any shape that can cover the mouth of the jar  58  when in the closed position, and that will uncover the mouth of the jar  58  when the reset lever  54  is in the latched position.  
         [0035]     The snuffer plates  62   a ,  62   b  need not be semicircles, but may have any desired shape as long as the snuffer plates complement each other to cover the mouth of the jar  58  to effectively seal off oxygen from the candle flame. For example, the snuffer plates  62   a ,  62   b  may be formed from any mating shapes that fit together to form a disk.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show an alternative embodiment of an automatic candle snuffer  78  mounted in a shade  50 . The shade  50  may be made of ceramic or other heat resistant material. The candle snuffer  78  comprises a timer mechanism and snuffing plates mounted to the shade using screws  82  or any other suitable securing means. The snuffing plate is a circular lid  76 . The candle snuffer  78  includes a thumb crank  52  provided for winding a spring in the gearbox  80 . The reset lever  54  is spring-loaded by lever return spring  92  the lever return spring biased so that when the reset lever  54  is released, the reset lever  54  returns to the fully unlatched position to close the lid  76 .  FIG. 9  shows the lid  76  in the closed position. To open the lid  76 , the reset lever  54  is moved in a slot  56  in the candle shade  50  to the latched position, as shown in  FIG. 8 . The reset lever  54  operates a first gear  72 . The first gear  72 , in turn, rotates a second gear  74  that moves the lid  76  (attached to gear  74  by a rigid arm) away from the opening defined by the ring of the candle snuffer  78 . The candle snuffer  78  is attached to the mouth of a jar containing a candle, and the candle can be lit and will burn while the snuffer  78  is open, as shown in  FIG. 8 . Once the thumb crank  52  is released, the mainspring in the gear box  80  will unwind, rotating the gears in the gear box  80 . When the timer complete times out, one of the timer gears  36   g  will operate a release lever  90 . The release lever will push the reset lever  54  out of the latching slot  56 , and the reset lever return spring will return to the fully unlatched position, closing the candle snuffer  78 . Once the candle snuffer is closed, the candle will be extinguished once the oxygen in the candle jar is consumed.  
         [0037]     The amount of time required to extinguish the candle is determined by the number of turns the thumb crank  52  is wound. An indicator may be provided on the candle shade  50  or on the thumb crank  52  to indicate the time the candle will burn.  
         [0038]     By referring to  FIG. 11 , the operation of the timing mechanism for the candle snuffers shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 8  may be understood. Rotating the thumb crank  52  winds the mainspring  86  by rotating the gears  36   a - 36   g . The mainspring  86  is a flat spiral spring connected to drive the gears  36   a - 36   g  as it unwinds. When the thumb crank  52  is released, the mainspring  86  unwinds, rotating the gears  36   a - 36   g  of the timer mechanism. The unwinding is controlled by a conventional timer escape mechanism  84 , which operates to release the spring  86  in increments to control the speed of rotation of the gear housing gears  36   a - 36   g . The timer mechanism is connected to the reset lever  54  through a linkage  90 , which trips the reset lever  54  out of the latched position after the spring  86  unwinds and times out the timer mechanism. As described above, when the reset lever  54  is unlatched, the spring-loaded lever  54  returns to the unlatched position, closing the candle snuffer.  
         [0039]     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.