Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure relates to decorative lighting in general and, more specifically to candle holders. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Candles have been used for lighting since ancient times. Although modern households rely on electric lighting, the use of candles has never completely subsided. Candles are used even in modern times as a backup or emergency lighting source, for ambiance, to disperse scents or repellants, for decoration, and for other purposes. 
     It is often easier to use candles if they are placed in a candle holder. Candle holders can help to isolate the flame from potentially flammable materials thereby making the candle safer to use. In the past, candle holders have accomplished some of the purposes of safety but have provide limited utility. Furthermore, depending upon the design of the candle holder, the light and utility of the candle may actually be diminished. 
     What is needed is a candle holder to address the above limitations. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention of the present disclosure, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a candle holder comprising. The candle holder has a double walled container and a lid fitting the container and suspending a candle platform into the double walled container. In some embodiments the double walled container is cylindrical with clear walls. The walls may comprise glass or another heat resistant material. 
     The lid of the candle holder, in some embodiments, covers a space between the double walls and is open above the candle platform. The candle platform may be suspended from the lid by a pair of wires having a length placing the candle platform proximate a bottom of the double walled container. 
     In one embodiment, the candle holder has a double walled container comprising concentric glass cylinders joined by a toroidal floor on a bottom of the cylinders. In this embodiment the lid further comprises a complementary toroidal covering on a top of the cylinders and at least one attached wire suspending the candle platform proximate the bottom of the cylinders. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a candle holder container and cap according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the candle holder of  FIG. 1  with the cap in place with a candle. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the candle holder of  FIG. 1  with exemplary decorations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a candle holder and cap according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The candle holder  100  comprises a container  102 . In the present embodiment, the container  102  comprises an outer wall  104  and an inner wall  106 . A space  107  is defined between the outer wall  104  and the inner wall  106 . In some embodiments, this space  107  will serve as an insulating barrier and, in other embodiments, may be used for decorative purposes, as will be described further below. In the present embodiment, the outer wall  104  and the inner wall  106  connect to the base  108 . 
     In some embodiments, the outer and inner wall  104 ,  106 , will be formed from separate pieces and attached to the base  108 . In other embodiments, the outer wall  104  and inner wall  106  may be formed integrally and then attached to the base  108 . In some embodiments, the walls  104 ,  106  will be made from glass. In other embodiments, the walls  104 ,  106  may comprise some other heat resistant and suitably translucent or transparent material (such as, for example, heat resistant plastic). In some embodiments, a substantially transparent wall design will be utilized to allow for lighting from a candle to shine through the walls and for allowing the candle to backlight decorative items, as will be described more fully below. 
     The base  108  may provide an opening  110  such that the bottom of the container  102  is open. The base may be made from a metal or plastic or other resilient or durable material. In one embodiment, the walls  104 ,  106  will be glued to the base  108 . 
     The candle holder  100  in the present embodiment also comprises a lid  120 . The lid  120  has a top  122  which can be seen as being generally toroidal in shape. In the present embodiment, the top  122  is generally of an open disk shape with a width covering the distance between the outer wall  104  and the inner wall  106 . A lip  124  may be formed around the periphery of the top  122  to ensure that the lip  120  is centered on the container  102  when placed thereon. A set of hangers  126  extends generally downwardly from the top  122  and suspends a candle platform  128 . The candle platform  128  may also have a lip  130  around a periphery thereof to secure a candle. All of the components of the lid  120  may be metal or suitable heat resistant plastic. The hangers  126  may be a stiff wire that is capable of suspending the base  128  in a level and secure relationship with regard to the top  122 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the candle holder of  FIG. 1  with the cap in place with a candle is shown. Here, the lid  120  is seen in place on the container  102 . It can be seen that when the lid  120  is placed upon the container  102 , the platform  128  will be at approximately the same level as the base  108  of the container  102 . A candle  202  is shown resting on the platform  128 . It can be seen that to replace or remove the candle  202 , the user need only lift the lid  120 . This will allow easy access to the candle platform  128 . In this manner, if a candle becomes stuck or melted to the platform  128 , it may be easily removed for cleaning. It will also be appreciated that, because the walls  104 ,  106  may be substantially transparent or translucent, any light from the candle  202  will be substantially unimpeded by the candle holder  100 . It can be seen that the walls  104 ,  106  in conjunction with the space  107  therebetween will serve to insulate the user from any heat given off by the candle  202 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of the candle holder of  FIG. 1  with exemplary decorations is shown. In the present embodiment, a photograph  302  has been placed within the space  107  between the walls  104 ,  106 . This may be done for decorative or backlighting purposes. The embodiment of  FIG. 3  also provides a shadow-type decoration  304  that may be backlit by the candle  202 , thereby casting pleasing or decorative shadows. Although only two decorations are shown in  FIG. 3 , it is understood that the number and type of decorations is not meant to be limited by the present disclosure. It will also be appreciated that the design of the candle holder  100  with the lid  120  securely encapsulating the decorations  302 ,  304  will keep the decorations  302 ,  304  in relative safety. 
     Although generally cylindrical or circular walls  104 ,  106  are employed in candle holder  100 , shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , other shapes are possible. For example, the candle holder could have an oval cross section. In this way the candle holder would present a broader side when viewed from certain angles. Similarly, square or rectangular cross sections could be employed. In other embodiments, other more complex cross sections could be molded and formed (such star-shaped). The corresponding tops and candle platforms of these embodiments would be formed to match the shape of the walls such that the candle holder would operate in substantially the same manner as described with respect to  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the claims.

Technology Category: 4