GB2388653A

GB2388653A - Battery powered candle-shaped decoration

Info

Publication number: GB2388653A
Application number: GB0210607A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond Walter Harcombe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-09
Filing date: 2002-05-09
Publication date: 2003-11-19
Also published as: GB0210607D0

Abstract

A candle-shaped decoration comprises a base part 12 containing battery 26, an illumination means 14 and a clip part 42 attached to the base. The illumination means may be a light emitting diode and may be designed to flicker or flash when controlled by microchip and capacitor in the base part.

Description

S.I\FETY C,\NDLF

FlEl D OF THE IN VElK flop I his invention relates to a candle unit and arrangement.

SQC2NGROI;ND'l'O'I-IIF INVENTION Tt s lno\vn to decorate a Christmas free and the like with lights or candles, so as to ircrca.se the visual appeal of the tree We c>:pect our candle units to find F'a?4icular utility as a ciccoration for Christmas frees and other purposes, especially Christmas trees sited \x thn domestic dNscilinns, and tor simplicity much of the following description will relate to such use llowe\cr it will be understood that the canc'.l'

could altemativels,y he used for other purposes some of \vhich arc descnbed below.

DESL'IP] ION OF TIJE PRIOR ARI

l ormcrly, it was linOll to use cancilci to decorate a Christmas I roc > item a domestic dwelling,, the candles Lang Individually lit by the user. Burning candles are generally pleasant to observe so that their use in this manner increased the aesthetic appeal ol the Chrstinas tree llo\excr the candles suffered Groin the major disadvantages that (i) the naked flame(s) adjacent the tree branches and leaves presented a fire hazard, and Gil) the dripping \vax could be darnagin, to lower tree branches or the floor covering of the dwelling and potentially handful to young children for example Because of the above disadvantages, the use of candles as Christmas tree heights has all but ceased, despite their visual appeal' to be replaced by electrically operaicd lights

I he electrically operated lights which are presently available for use on a (Christmas tree are operated from the mauls cicctncTty, and include a set of lamp units, each including an incandescent bulb, which units are connected in series to a wire which is in turn connected to a source of mains electricity. [:'isadvantaes of the l;no!n arrangements include that a source of mains clectncty is required \N item a certain distance of the Christmas tree, or alternatively stated the Chnstinas tree is required to be sited within a certain distance of the source of mains electricity In addition, the wire usually delivers mains voltage to the lamp units, which Voltaire Is potentially letha] If a person could come into contact with it, perhaps because of a bared wire, for example Any bared \vire also presents a fire hazard.

( Another mayor disadvantage Is that because the lamp units operate in sends, each one is required to be Tn working order to mamtaTn the electrical circuit. If one of the lamp is faulty, perhaps because the filmnent of its bulb has melted or otherwise becone broken, or it the bulb Is not properly contacting both of the terminals in the base of the unit, then current will not flow through any of the lamp units i) iscoverTn::, which of the lamp units Is faulty Is widely recognsed to be a tiIllC consuming task, and one which Is open required the first time it is attempted to lluminatc the tree lights each C'hristmas. If the lamp unit Is faulty because a bulb filament has been melted or othervisc brollies, it Is usually possible to replace the individual bulb. However, unless a replacement bulb is readily to hand, the less conscientious may instead seek to bridge the terminals of the faulty lamp unit, as by the insertion of a conductor such as al uminium foil, so as to bypass the defective bulb. Whilst this may achieve a short term solution in that

/ the current can again flow through all of the lamp units. the rcducton m the overall rcsstance caused by bypassing the defective bulb results in an increase in the current llowin through the reinainin<' lamp units. so increasing the lil:clillood ufthc filament of another bulb melting Another disadvantage ot these Christmas tree lights ix that they arc sold In predctennned numbers. A given size of Christmas tree will Ideally require a certain number of IT,hts, and this exact number may not be available In addition, if the o\\ncr of a set of Christmas tree lights subsequently buys a larger or smaller tree, he or she may have to buy a new set of lights with a number of amp units more suited to the nets tree Furthermore, the maximum spacing between adjacent lamp units is predetermined by the manufacturer, and so the siting OT the lets on the tree may be determined more by the length of wire between adjacent lamp units rather that the particular dcsre of the user.

"Stand alone" battery obturated lamp units are also known, which comprises a base part and an illuminating part, the base part carrying a battery to provide electrical energy for the Illuminating part. ITo\veer such lamp units are generally desi fined to provide a maxnnum amount of illumination for a maximum length of time, so that the battery or batteries required result In a large, heavy and cumbersome unit, not suited to use on a Christmas Tree or the like

( l DISCLOSURE C)F THE llS'VENTION

We seek to avoid or reduce the problems associated with the Christmas tree lights as above described.

According to the invention thcref'ore, eve prod ode a patterns cancIle unit cornprisin, of a base part and an illuminating part 'the illuminating part carrying the batteries to provide electrical energy to illuminate the light emitting diode charactensed on the base is a clip The candle unit of the invention is considerably smaller and lighter than the prior known battery operated candle units; the provision of chp means this enables the candle unit to be clipped and retained in position where desired, for example upon a branch of a Christmas tree.

]'he invention thus provides individuals candle units which do not require mains electricity 'I'he Candle units could be purchased individually or in sets of certain n numbers, so that the required number can be bought depending upon the size of the tree. 'I'he number of candle units required and/or used can be incrementally increased or decreased to cater for a subsequently-purchased larger or smaller tree. Should one candle unit fail, there will be no effect on the remaining candle units, so that the faulty candle unit can be quickly identified and repaired or replaced as required Furthennore, the positioning of each candle unit upon the tree can be chosen to provide the best visual el't'ect, the positioning of the individual candle units not bemg, partly determined by the positioning of the adjacent candle units Preferably, the chp means includes a resilient biasing means and a set of jams, the the resilient biasing means acting to urge the jaws together.

IJsefully, the illuminating means comprises a Fight F.mittng Diode.

If the illuminating means is an light emitting diode, it usefully has a working temperature of Nil, so as not to present a hazard to persons who sl;in comes in to contact therewith Desirably, the li,ht emitting diode is adapted to ilcker, to simulate the franc of a candle by means of Microchip, Oscillator and capacitor. Altematrvel>', the candle unit can be desg,ncd to flash intermittently. It is believed that such flashing will increase the expected lifetime both of the battery and also of the illuminating part, particularly if the illurninatina part is a light ermittint diode: Such an embodiment will typically incorporate a microchip, Oscillator and a capacitor' preferably, the hattencs, microchip, oscillator ant! capacitor arc all located in the candle part of the candle unit.

Preferably, the base part is designed to simulate a small flower effect. /ccordin<'ly, the diameter of' the base part is preferably less that 1 cm, and in particular can be 0 5cm, whilst its length is approximately Xcm.

Usefully, the batteries are two 1.5v button batteries Preferably, the base part is manufactured of a plastic material, heat resistant to the temperatures involved. Desra.bly, the material is not toxic Desirably also, the material is bio-degradabic. Preferably, the candle unit is adapted for indoor use as in a domcstc dwelling, but altcrnatrvely the candle unit can be made waterproof and adapted for outdoor use.

The candle is twisted to either On or ()95 position Whilst the base is still is held.

This means it is manually operable, but alternatively connection can be electronic and Incorporate a detector so as to be activated by remote means such as an infra red emitter. Such an arrangement coLdd permit all of the candle units within ranch and line of'si>ht of the emitter to be activated substantially simultaneously.

BRIEF DESCRiP'rION OF TlIE DRAWINGS The invention will now be descnbcd, by way of example, with reference to the accom panyin drawings, in which: Fig I is a sectional view of a candle unit according to the invention; lair 2 is a sectional view of part of another candle unit; Fly, 3 is a side \;ieNv of part of another design of candle unit; and' I ig 4 is a bottom view of the embodiment of Fig 3 DESCRIPTION' ()F TIIF, EXE,1Pl,ARY F,MRODllENTS

the candle unit]0 of Fig 1 comprises a base part as and an illuminating part 14.

The illuminating, part 14 in this embodiment comprises a light emitting diode 16.

Connected to light emitting diode 16 are wires 30,22, which connect the light emitting diode to the batteries 26 in the candle part 19. 3 For the simplicity, in the embodiment shown the wires 20,92 are shown as continuous s:ith the hit emitting Code 16, though in preferred cmbodin1cnts the satires tennnatcs at contacts which are engagcable with terminals of the wires in the candle part 19, so that the light emitting diode 14 is not replaceable as it is soldered.

7 4 The wire 70 its discontinuous, and era yes the chip oscillator and capacitor 30' vvhich has a conductive member 32 which on movement of candle,tase (twist candle hold base), can be moved to make or break; the contact between the disconnected ends of the wire 70, in kno\\:n fashion The batteries 26 are now fitted into a compartment in the candle part 17, the candle being shaped to accommodate the batteries of predetermined size and shape In this embodiment the batteries 26 are two l.Sv batteries, the wire 90 engages the terminal at its top and wire 29 engages the tensional at its side In an alternative embodiment the batteries are a two l Sv batteries with terminals at its top and bottom The embodiment of Ibis l is of a candle unit, which Illuminates ennanently \vhen switched on In an alternative embodiment the candle unit can flash ntennittently. in such an alternative embodiment' the candle unit of the candle incorporates a microchip oscillator and a capacitor. Usefully, the microchip Oscillator is one designated as "M3 7AD EM 3909N" as is available from' Maplin" _ stores in the [Jib, also the capacitor is rated at 790 ml and 16v. With such an embodn1ent, an l,,ht emitting diode 3V has been found to be suitable.

In the embodiment of Fig l the batteries are situated in the candle closed off by a cap 34, which in this embodiment is a press fit but could alternatively be threaded.

The cap 34 is affixed to one Jaw 40 of the clip means 47. The jaw 40 is integral with an extension 44 Another jaw 46 Is integral with extension 48. The jaw 40 and extension 44 Is connected to the jaw 46 and extension 48 by a pivot pin 5(). Wound around part of the pivot pin 50 Is a coil sprin, (not shorn)' the terminal ends of

which engage the extensions so that the spring biases the cxcnsons 44, 48 apart and so biases the jaws 40,46 together.

When it is desired to secure the candle unit to the branch of a Chnstmas tree or the lilac, the extensions 44, 48 are pressed together against the force of the spring so that the jaws 40,46 are forced apart. The jaws are passed one to either side of the branch whereupon the c>;tensions are released and the spring causes the jaws to clamp the branch, so securing the candle unit in place It will be understood that the size of the jaws 40,46 and the strcng7th of the spring are chosen so as to be able to support the \veight of the candle unit] 0. The cooperating surfaces of the jaws are shown flat lor simplicity' but in reality would be serrated in known fashion, to enhance the retention of the jaws on the branch.

It will be understood in the embodiment of ig. I that the orientation of the base part 19 in use, and thus the Illuminating part 14, is determined by the orientation of the cop means 42. It will also be understood that the most pleasing aesthetic effect will be created with the base part being substantially vertical as shown, and to achieve this us the embodiment of log] it wil I be necessary that the jaw 40 (at Icast) Is substantially horizontal.

In some cases this requirement may limit the positioning of the candle unit to an unacceptable amount, i.e. it may be difficult to locate the candle unit on a suitable branch of the tree. Accordingly7 in the embodiment of Fig 2 there is disclosed a means for permitting limited changes in the relative orientation of the clip means 149 and the base part 1 19 (only part of which are shown). l-hue, the jaw 140 carries a

( holder 59 which has a substantially part spherical recess 54 into \vhich fits a! correspondingly shaped boss 56 of the cap 134 The boss 56 Is a shding but frictional fit within the recess 54.

It will be understood that the boss 56 and thus the cap 134 and base part I 1 Pecan swivel by a limited amount relative to the recess S4, and thus to the jaw 14), so that m this embodiment the base part l 12 can be vertical even If theJaw 140 is not horizontal In the embodiment of figs 3 and 4, the plane of the jaws 040.246 are substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis A ol'the base part 212. 'I'his permits the base part and chp means to present a substantially flat bottom surface 6) upon which the candle unit can stand when it Is not secured the clip means, the bottom surface 60 being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A so that the base part stands upright when the bottom surface 60 Is resting of a horizontal surface such as a tabic top.

Also shown in this embodiment Is a try 69' which partly obscures the laws 940,246 and extensions 944,948 when viewed from abode. In addition, the tray can be patterned to Increase the visual appeal ofthe lamp unit. In particular, the outer periphery of the tray 62 in this embodiment Is circular, but in alternative embodiments could be shaped (and perhaps coloured3 as a number of leaves for example.

I'he invention Is not limited to use on Christmas trees, but could be used for free standing by means of a stand which the candle fits Into, used as child night light, also used for 13.Q by means of hold in stand so it can be fixed onto static. '[thus, the candle

l and arrangement could be used to decorate a tabic or <Tarden furniture around a harbeque, as another example of its uthty. Alternatively, the candle unit of Fig 3 and 4 could be used m place of a candle in the event of an interruption In the mains electricity supply, the clip means of that embodmcnt permitting the candle unit to stand on a substantially horizontal surface, or to be clipped in a position where illumination Is necessary. Also, the candle unit could be used as a "night right,' for a chld's cot, by means of the stand.

It will be understood that the candle unit evil have to conform to local regulations governing the manufacture, use and sale of electrical and/or electronic devices. In the U K. these rculations Include IJRN 95/(26 concerning the electromagnetic compatibility of low voltage devices as established by the British lilectrotechnical (:omm ittee.

Claims

CI,^ IMS

1. An electrical candle unit comprising a candle part and an illuminating part, the base part incorporating a battery to provide electrical energy for the illuminating part, in which chp means are attached to the base part. 9. A candle unit according to claim I in which the clip means includes a resilient biasing means and a set of jaws, the resilient biasing means acting to urge the jaws together 3. A candle unit according to claim 1 or clang in which the illuminating means comprises ol a light emitting diode 4. A candle unit according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the illuminating means comprises light emitting diode.

5. A candle unit according to claim 4 is a light emitting diode.

6. A candle unit according to claim 3 or claim 4 in which the candle unit is designed to flash intermittently.

7. A candle unit according to claim 6 which includes microchip oscillator and a capacitor.

8. A candle unit according to claim 7 in which the batteries, microchip oscillator and capacitor are located in the candle part.

9. A candle unit according to any preceding claim in which the candle part Is Designed to simulate a small candle.

I 0. candle unit according to any preceding claim are two 1.Sv button batteries.

12t I I A candle unit according to any preceding claim in which the candle Is twisted to make contact connecting and disconnecting, the electrical circuit to the illuminating means 12 A candle unit according to any preceding clang nil which the clip means : Is adJustably attached to the base part.

13. A candle unit constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference to fig. 1 or Fig.2 or lairs 3 and 4 of the accompany drawings I.