GB2323159A - Simulated flame device - Google Patents

Abstract

A simulated flame device uses a flame shaped piece of flexible light reflecting and absorbing material 12 such as silk supported within an opening 22 through which a controlled air flow passes. The material 12 is illuminated by a small spot light 18. Conveniently the lamp 18 is located a few centimetres beneath the opening 22 within a housing 4 that is shaped to create the controlled air flow. Air flow can be created by a small fan 8 beneath the lamp. By adjusting the spacing of the material 12 and the lamp 18 and supporting the material 12 on a spindle 26 so that it can move, a lifelike flickering flame effect can be created. The position at which the focused beam of light from the lamp strikes the material can be used to simulate different flame effects.

Description

SIMULATED EIcADIE DEVICE The present invention relates to a simulated flame device and more particularly to a simulated candle or oil lamp flame.

Devices for simulating fire comprising multiple flames have been proposed for use, for example, with electric fires to create a more satisfying effect. Such devices typically use means to create movement and light. For example GB-A-2230335 describes a simulated fuel bed which is lit by an electric light. The light also illuminates reflective ribbons which are made to move in an air current produced by a small fan. The ribbons create the effect of flickering flames when viewed through a partially reflective screen.

Devices for simulating a single flame such as a candle flame have been produced by electrical means such as described in US-A-4510556 and US-A-4550363. Such electric lamps always appear artificial when viewed closely. The movement is very staccato relative to the fluid motion of a natural flame. Typically any moving parts are closely enveloped in a glass bulb which destroys the appearance of an open flame.

In accordance with the present invention a device for simulating a flame comprises a housing; means for generating an air flow through a restricted opening in said housing passed a flame shaped piece of flexible material; a lamp for producing a focused light beam; and means for supporting said material within said opening in the path of said beam.

Such a device can be manufactured very simply and is yet extremely effective, creating a realistically animated life-like flame. The air flow generating means preferably comprises a small fan set beneath the opening and air flow control means to create an air flow around the material which produces the desired effect. It has been found that a square section housing or the use of baffles within a cylindrical housing controls the air flow to produce natural movement in the material.

The power of the air flow is chosen so that the material retains the capacity to react to ambient air flow in a realistic manner.

The lamp is preferably a 10 or narrower beam spot light which is focused onto the material either at the base of the flame shape to simulate a bright centred oil lamp flame, or higher to illuminate the whole of the material and simulate a candle flame. Numerous effects can be created by the selection of different fabrics for the material, its colouring and shape.

In order that the invention may be well understood an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through a first embodiment of a device to simulate a candle with an open flame; Figure 2 shows a detail of the artificial flame used in the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section through a second embodiment of a device to simulate an oil-lamp with an open flame; and Figures 4 (i),(ii) and (iii) show respective views of a flame, top plan and longitudinal sectional views of a third embodiment of a device to simulate an incense or burnt offering bowl.

The first embodiment described is intended to simulate a candle. It will be appreciated that the same principles can be used to simulate a large variety of open flame devices including oil-lamps, candles and torches.

The "candle" 2 comprises a cylindrical housing 4 accommodating the main components of the device. In this case the housing 4 comprises a cylindrical body supported on spacers 6 arranged around an open base 8. A fan 10 is mounted within the housing above the base. A low power fan working on a 12 volt power supply as used for cooling a computer is ideal. The fan illustrated has blades (not shown) which rotate in a horizontal plane generating an upward airflow. Air is drawn into the fan from the outside through the gaps between the spacers 6 and upwardly through the open base 8.

The device is connected to a mains electricity supply by means of a cable 14 connected to a transformer 16 which is preferably integrally formed with a plug for connecting to a mains supply.

It will be appreciated that the device in accordance with the present invention may also be battery operated.

Rechargeable batteries can readily be accommodated within the housing 4.

A lamp 18 for producing a focused light beam is mounted within the housing and provided with power from the cable 14. The lamp is preferably mounted to one side of the housing as shown so that the beam crosses the vertical axis of the housing. A 12 Volt 20 Watt spot light with a 100 beam is found to be ideal for simulating a candle flame. It will be appreciated that larger or smaller spot lights can be used depending on the purpose of the device. A colour filter may be mounted over the lamp 18 to more closely match the spectrum which would be produced by a real candle flame. A piece of flexible material 12 is supported at the top of the housing to simulate a flame. This material 12 may also be coloured.

The housing 4 is provided with an upper housing section 20 which defines a central restricted opening 22 directly above the base 8. The internal profile of the housing is designed to control the air flow out through the restricted opening 22. Baffles 21 which project inwardly from diametrically opposite points in the housing are used in the embodiment of Figure 1. Other internal shaping will also produce the desired effect. The air flow is controlled to ensure that the movement generated in the material 12 is regular and smooth and that there is no down draught over the centre of the fan which would pull the material into the housing.

The piece of flexible material 12 is extremely light weight and is mounted on a cranked spindle 26 which is supported across the opening 22 by supporting means. The spindle is received in holes in the upper section housing 20 at each side of the opening 22. The spindle is free to swing like a pendulum in its supporting means.

The flame shaped piece of flexible material 12 is preferably a small cutting of silk fabric. Synthetic materials may also be used. The material must be treated so that it will not fray at the edges. The material is also preferably treated so that it will not ignite in the heat of the lamp, or if an attempt is made to light it.

The fabric colour, shape and texture are chosen to create the most life-like effect. The material must be lightweight so that it can be easily supported in the air flow emerging from the opening 22. The lighter the material the lower the power of fan that can be used and this allows the noise disturbance to be minimised. The material should absorb as well as reflect light so that it appears to be the light source. By mounting the lamp 18 offset from the vertical axis of the housing, it is possible to ensure that the material 12 is almost always maintained in the path of the beam. The main axis of the beam is indicated by the arrow 42.

Figure 2 shows the design of simulated flame and supporting means in more detail. The spindle 26 is cranked and the flame shaped material 12 is slightly folded or gathered into a cylindrical support 30 which may be weighted. When the spindle 26 is pivotally mounted the force of the air flow on the material 12 is counterbalanced by the weight of the crank throw 31 and the stem 32 so that extreme movement of the material is reduced to a minimum to give a realistic candle flicker effect. The pendulum mounting also allows for realistic movement in ambient air flows such as an external draught. This will cause an initial sudden rocking which is quickly restored to a gentle "flicker". The sleeve 30 also simulates a candle wick. The gathering or folding into the sleeve creates a central area which will be less strongly illuminated by the lamp creating the impression of the heart of a candle flame to be found closest to the wick in a real candle.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the device in which similar parts are identified by the same reference numerals. In this case the device simulates an oil-lamp.

The spindle 26' on which the flame material 12 is mounted in this embodiment is a simple pin. For an oil lamp flame the material 12 is larger and has its widest point at no more than a 1/3 of its overall height. The air flow is controlled such that the bulk of the flame is substantially upright while the upper portion is able to continually semi-collapse to give a greater flicker effect.

An optional cover or shade 38 is removably mounted over the upper section of the housing as shown diagramatically in Figure 3. Such covers are also extremely effective when used in conjunction with the candle flame device as represented in Figure 1. The cover 38 is apertured in order to allow the "flame" within to be visible.

Suitable materials for the cover are wooden lattice work, a glass paned dome or a metal grill. The cover may be fitted with a handle or a centre-piece at the top to prevent the flame being viewed from above. This maintains the illusion of a real flame by preventing the lamp and fan arrangement being viewed by an observer directly above the flame. Openings 40 in the cover are necessary to allow escape of the air and may also help to control and maintain the desired air flow and to suck air out of the housing around the flame shaped material.

Without a cover 38 the candle flame appears realistic up to a viewing distance of about 1 meter, whereas the presence of a cover disrupts the vision of the material so that realism is maintained as close as 0.3m.

Figure 4 shows the components of an alternative device presenting as an incense or burnt offering bowl as used in religious festivals. In this case the material is cut with two curves - convex and concave - on one side 54 and three curves 55 - concave, convex, concave - to reduce symmetry abut the mid-line 56. There is also a concave cut at the base 57. The upper housing section 51 comprises a square restricted opening 52 in a curved and tapering housing to control the air flow. The material is supported diagonally across the square opening 52 by securing the apices A and B of the base 57 to opposite corners A1 and B1. Any adhesive may be used to hold apices A and B in place. The opening about which the material is fixed must be less than, optimally 2/3 of, the width of the flame base. This creates a gentle wafting flame effect as might be seen resulting from a slowly combusting fuel as might be seen in an incense or offering bowl.

In order to create the most realistic living flame effect, the factors that must be taken into consideration by the designer of an embodiment of the invention include the spacing between the spot lamp and the flame material.

The flame material must lie in the path of the focused beam of the spot lamp. The position of the beam relative to the flame material can create different illusions.

For example, if the flame material is relatively smaller than the beam then the edges of the material will effectively disappear in the beam when it is strongly illuminated. Accordingly, a relatively short distance between the flame material and the lamp is indicated. In the embodiments shown the distance 42 is in the range 1.5 to 5cm.

Various different types of housing 4, 20 may be used to simulate different devices. For example the housing may be made of translucent resin material with an outer shape of a candle. The inner shape of the housing must have a profile to create the necessary air flow through the restricted opening 22.

Designers will readily be able to adapt the device of the present invention to create many different effects. For example many devices may be assembled together to create a candelabra. With such an arrangement the means for generating air flow for each separate device may be provided by a single fan or air pump (such as used in a fish tank) with the air to each device ducted within the candelabra. The lamp for producing a focused light beam may then become a light source with fibre optic leads terminating in individual lenses at each device.

In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated) the fan which controls the air flow can be located in the top of the cover or shade 38 in order to suck up air through the opening 22 and passed the flame shaped material.

A dimmer control may be fitted to the device to reduce both air flow and illumination together.

As well as an ordinary electric switch to control electrical power to the device, a breath or noise activated switch could be used to allow the device to be "blown" out.

Claims (10)

1. A device for simulating a flame comprises a housing; means for generating an air flow through a restricted opening in said housing passed a flame shaped piece of flexible material; a lamp for producing a focused light beam; and means for supporting said material within said opening in the path of said beam.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air flow generating means comprises a fan set beneath the opening and air flow control means to create an air flow around the material which produces the desired effect.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the air flow control means comprises baffles within the housing.

4. A device as claimed claim 2 or 3, wherein the fan is electric.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a transformer and mains supply means; and wherein all the components of the device are low power and voltage.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting means comprises a spindle pivotally mounted across the opening.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting means is weighted to control the movement of the material.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing simulates a candle or lamp shape.

9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cover or shade through which the material can be observed.

10. A flame simulating device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.