US2436995A - Illuminating device - Google Patents

Description

March 2, 1948. J. D. HAMILTON ILLUMINA'TING DEVICE Filed om` e, 1944 m Q 3M, d a, 2 Wl g5. KVM; 3m

Jamas/D Ha yal- Wrme Pateniea Mar. 2, i948 ILLUMINATING DEVICE James Drummond Hamlton,'Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Application October 6, 1944, Serial No.,557,411

(ci. si-55) 3 Claims.

yThis invention relates to illuminating devicesv and more particularly to those of a self-contained type and adapted to simulate a candle in appearance.

The use of ornamental candles of various sizes, shapes and designs is widespread. Such candles have a relatively short, period of useful life since they quickly become disgured, not only because The cost of such units is, however, so great asY compared with the cost of an ordinary candle, that little or no domestic use thereof has resulted. Candles are now mainly used for ornamental purposes and each domestic user requires many varying designs, shapes and sizes for dilerent occasions of use. From a practical point of View, therefore, it is more or less essential that a substantial assortment of candle designs be available to the domestic user at relatively low cost.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a self-contained lighting unit of substantially permanent nature, such unit being formed to removably receive any one Vof a plurality of outer casings of varying candle-simulating designs, means being also provided for adapting the unit to casings of varying sizes.

Other objects, details and advantages oi the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds with particular reference to the accompanying drawing in which,

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a lighting unit as positioned in a casing in accordance with Y the invention,

Figure 5 isa'sectional elevation of a separable cap for the end of the casing, and

Figure 6 is a plan view of the cap shown in Figure 5.

Referring to the drawing, the lighting unit of the present invention comprises a light-producing device I, a base 2, and an exchangeable member 3 which is adapted to support the device I in desired spaced relation to the base.

The light-producing device comprises a container 4, preferably formed of metal, and containing any suitable absorbent material 5 saturated with a volatile combustible fluid, and a wick 6 in contact with the absorbent material and protruding through the orice 1 in the top of the container. An inlet 21 having a closure 28 is provided for filling the container with combustible fluid.

A removable and replaceable outer casing 8 of any suitable ornamental design is adapted to t over the unit. In the example shown, the lower edge of the casing rests on the shoulder 9 of the base and frictionally engages the upper recessed portion I0 of the base. It will be understood that a screw-threaded connection between the base and casing, or-any other connecting means susceptible to easy manual disengagement, may be provided.

The member 3 is of such height that it supports the container 4 in proper relation to the casing 8 with the end of the wick protruding through the opening II in the top of the casing.

It will be observed that the casing shown in Figure 1 may be readily exchanged for any other casing of desired shape, colour or design but of similar height without altering the structure `of the lighting unit. However, in order to adapt the unit to casings of dierent heights, it is merely necessary to replace the member 3 with a similar member of appropriate height to support the container in proper relation to the casing. In Figure 2, there is illustrated a member I3 similar to member 3 but of greater height to Vadapt the unit to a casing of greater height. In

an instance where the base and container are of appropriate height for casings of a minimum height, the exchangeable member, such as 3 or I3, may be omitted.

The invention also contemplates the provision of a spacing member between the base and container which is adjustable as to height to provide Y convenient adaptation of the unit to casings of various heights. Referring to Figure 3, a casing I4 is shown which is of much greater height than that shown in Figure 1 while utilizingV the same lighting unit with an adjustable support Il for spacing the container 4 above the base 2. As shown by way of example, the support I5 comprises a plurality of telescoping screw-threaded members i6.

A metal sheath 26 partially or Wholly surrounding the lower portion of the Wick protruding from the container 4 is preferably provided to facilitate positioning `o1 theiwick `endr'in ythe orifice Il of the casing. f

In Figure 4 there is illustrated an ornamental tip I1 adapted to be placed on the device when in unlighted condition. Such a tipprevents evaporation of the combustible fluid. 'In' the form shown, it is provided with-rairecess llto` receive the Wick end and a downwardly extending tubular portion i9 ttingvoverthewick and extending into the casing to enable"positioning of the tip thereon.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, a cap 20 is provided on the lcasing Zito :facilitate positioning of the wick with respectthereto, Asl shown, the cap has screw-threaded :engagement with the casing and is formed in two parts 22 and- 23. Thus, on removal of the cap lfrom the .casing the parts may be separated to vpostionrthe wick in the aperture 2li formed therebetween. .A ring 25 may be provided tosecurethefpartsaof the cap together and facilitateits replacement in. the casing. Y

The various parts-ofthe inventionmay be confstructed from a'wide Variety-nf.` materials. The .casings employed may, for instancefbe formed of synthetic resinous substances,whichv are readily susceptible to formation in4 a substantially unlimited variety of `shapes,".designs` and colours :at relatively low cost.

The invention thus permits the utilization, Vwith the same lighting unit, .ofagreat number of low cost, substantially permanent casings. Thus, users, having provided. vthemselves with lighting units and means for adjusting 'the overall height thereof, may obtain from time to time', as occasion arises, ornamental casings off-desired design for mounting on the units.

It will be apparent-that variousichanges in details of the invention may beamade without de- 4 parting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An illuminating device comprising a base having a laterally extending peripheral shoulder thereon, an outer ornamental casing seated on the shoulder, the portion of the base above the shoulder extending into and engaging the inner surface of the casing whereby the latter is supported ontlie base in manuallydetachable relation therewith, a container for combustible fluid Within the casing, a wick extending from the con- ...tainenand beyond the casing, and exchangeable 'means for supporting the container in spaced relation to the base, said means being unconnected 'Istothe base and container.

2.. An illuminating device as deiined in claim 1,

mounted in the upper end of the casing, said cap being formed in at least two laterally opposed parts, said parts having complementary wickengaging grooves therein forming an axial wickreceiving opening between said parts.

3. An illuminating device comprising an outer ornamental casing, a base extending into and engaging the inner surface of the casing to support the latter in manually detachable relation with respect to the base, a container for combustible fluid within the casing, a Wick extending from the container and beyond the casing, and an independent rigid support lfor the container freely resting on the base, said container being freely seated on the support.

JAMES DRUMMOND HAMILTON.

REFERENCES CITED vThe following references are vof record in the fileoi this patent: 1

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Hogg Aug. 22,

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