Prayer candle device

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6468071
  • Patent Number
    6,468,071
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, May 2, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, October 22, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Clarke; Sara
    Agents
    • Lezdey; John
Abstract
A prayer candle device includes a tubular body having a chamber provided therein, a consumable lighting element refillably disposed in the chamber including a wick mounted in the consumable lighting element, a holding device mounted in the chamber of the tubular body for holding. the consumable lighting element in position, and an adjusting device for maintaining a burning end of the wick of the consumable lighting. element at an upper position by sensing infrared radiation from a burning wick.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to prayer and holiday candle devices and more particularly to a prayer candle device, which can provide a good atmosphere and decorative function. There is also provided a candle device with light and/or sound.




DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ARTS




Historically, people use candies at home, church, or other places of worship to provide an atmospheric or decorative touch. In order to hold the candle in place, a candle container is used to prevent the candle from accidentally falling out and starting a fire. The conventional candle container comprises a hollow cylindrical body having a candle cavity therein, so that a candle can be inserted into the candle cavity. A spring is also inserted in the candle cavity so as to normally urge the candle upwardly to maintain a burning end thereof at an upper position.




However, after the burning end of the candle inside the candle container is ignited, the consumable material, such as wax, of the candle starts melting. The melted consumable material will flow back into the candle container, such that when the consumable material is condensed inside the candle cavity, the rest of the unburned candle may stick inside the candle container and it is hard to clean up. Some melted candle materials may flow out of the candle container and stick on the outer surface thereof. Accordingly, the melted candle material not only destroys the beauty of the candle container but also damages the decoration surface of the candle container.




Some improved candle containers comprise a drain opening such that when the candle material flows into the interior of the candle container, a user is capable of flushing the accumulated candle material through the drain opening. However, when the candle material is condensed at the bottom of the candle cavity where the spring is positioned, the spring may lose its elastic property while the candle material is stuck around the spring. The user may need to replace the spring as well or. flush all the candle material several times within lighting one candle. So, the conventional candle container has some drawbacks on usage under certain circumstances.




SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION




A main object of the present invention is to provide a prayer or holiday candle device, which can provide a good atmosphere and decorative function.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a prayer or holiday candle device, which is adapted for operating by a regular consumable candle with wick.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a prayer or holiday candle wherein the melted candle material may flow into a collecting chamber in order to prevent the malfunction of the operation.




A further object of the invention is to provide a prayer or holiday candle device having sound and/or light effects.




Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a prayer or holiday candle device, which comprises:




a tubular body having a chamber therein, an open end defining a supporting rim and a base at the bottom;




a consumable lighting element mounted on a movable platform and refillably disposed in the chamber of the tubular body, comprising a wick mounted therein, which emits infrared radiation when lit;




optionally, means for generating or recording sound and/or light;




a cover, which is fittedly disposed on the supporting rim of the tubular body, having a hole provided thereon, wherein the wick of the consumable lighting element is adapted to be penetrated through the hold to the outside; and




motor means activated by the presence or absence of infrared radiation for urging a burning end of the wick of the consumable lighting element at an upper position.




It is understood that the term consumable lighting element is meant to include candle, gel, votive or the like and the terms are interchangeable.











The objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by a reading of the description of preferred embodiments together with the drawings.




BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a sectional view of a candle device according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 2

is a sectional view of the candle device of the invention with sound and light elements.





FIG. 3

is a perspective view of the candle device according to a further embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 4

is a sectional view of the candle device according to a further embodiment of the present invention.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Referring to

FIG. 1

of the drawings, a candle device


10


according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, which comprises a tubular body


11


, a consumable lighting element such as a candle


13


, having a wick


20


, a platform


14


, with candle holder


13


A, a motor


17


for raising said platform


24


in response to infrared radiation.




The tubular body


11


has an open end defining a supporting rim on which the cover


12


sits and a base


14


for stabilizing the prayer candle device


10


. The consumable lighting element


13


is refillably disposed in the chamber of the tubular body


11


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 1

, a motor


17


mounted on the base


14


of the tubular member


11


of device


10


is associated with an infrared sensor


18


, which is mounted about the cover


12


. There is associated with sensor


18


an infrared amplifier


18


A, which amplifies infrared radiation from said wick


20


. When the sensor


18


and amplifier


18


A are above the cover


12


, the motor


17


is programmed to activate when the infrared radiation is reduced so as to raise the platform


24


and stop when the radiation reaches a programmed level below the cover


12


.




When the sensor


18


and amplifier


18


A are below the cover


12


, the motor


17


is activated when the infrared radiation is measured below the cover


12


as a result of consumption of the candle to activate the motor


17


to raise the platform


24


so as to expose the burning wick


20


and stop when the infrared radiation is reduced.




The platform


24


can be raised when the motor


17


, which is activated by the sensor


18


rotates taper gear driver


19


that is associated with a taper gear


19


A, which in turn rotates the spiral rod screw


21


so as to cause the platform


24


to rise. The platform


24


is stabilized at one end by traveling on a pole or rod


22


, which is fixed in the base


14


with fixative


22


B and about the top of the tubular body with fixative


22


A. The spiral rod screw


21


is fixed in the base


14


with fixative


15


B and about the top of the tubular body with fixative


15


A.




When the motor


17


is on, the movement of the spiral rod


21


causes the nut


23


, which is associated with the platform


24


, to move along threads


15


. Subsequently with the movement of the nut


23


, the platform moves upward in a vertical direction.




The ascending of the candle is controlled by the infrared sensor


18


, which controls the ON and OFF position of the motor


17


. The infrared signal is emitted at approximately six-second intervals as the candle bums. The infrared emission is amplified by amplifier


18


A, which sends a signal to sensor


18


. Sensor


18


in turn pulses a signal to drive the motor


17


.




As shown in

FIG. 2

, a candle device


10


of the invention can be provided with a base


30


, which houses the motor


17


in addition to a sound recording device


30


with speaker


30


A and receiver


30


B.




Additionally, there may be provided a lighting element such as a light bulb or LED


32


, which can illuminate the inside of the candle device or the outside. A battery


33


can be associated to provide power to the sound device


30


A,


30


B and to power the lighting elements


32


, which are preferably LEDs.




The lighting elements


32


comprise a plurality of lighting elements such as light bulbs or LEDs encirclingly and evenly mounted on the base, a power supply, such as rechargeable battery


33


for providing electrical power to the lighting elements mounted at the bottom of the base


30


, and a plurality of connecting wires


35


connected between the power supply and the lighting elements


32


respectively. So, when the candle


13


is not in use or is used up, the lighting elements


32


can substitute for the candle in order to light up the prayer candle device


10


. Moreover, the lighting elements


32


can further provide an esthetically pleasing appearance and decorative touch a the prayer candle device of the present invention.




Additionally, the candle device


10


as shown in

FIG. 2

, comprises a sound generating means which comprises a tape recorder installed at the bottom of the base and at least a speaker for outputting sound signal affixed on an outer surface of the base


30


. The power supply


33


is mounted at the bottom of the base


30


near the tape recorder and the connecting wires for electrically connecting between the tape recorder, the speaker and the power supply


333


by means of a closed circuit such that the sound generating means is adapted for generating sound such as songs and praying messages from a prerecorded tape or to record a message or music.





FIG. 3

illustrates a further embodiment of the invention wherein candle device


10


is provided with an enlarged base


40


so that a further tubular member


41


having a

FIG. 42

representing a religious or holiday theme, or any other occasion is found on the tubular member


41


. Preferably the

FIG. 42

inside or outside of the tubular member


41


is three-dimensional and can cast an image as a result of the lighting element


32


. Circling the outside of the base


40


can be a plurality of LEDs.




The base


40


may be provided with control buttons for controlling the various activities. For example, button


44


A can be an ON and OFF button which controls the LEDs. Buttons


44


B and


44


C can control sound recording and sound repeating means. Button


44


D can reverse the motor so as to cause the platform to descend to replace the candle. Button


44


E can be used to activate or turn off the power supply.




Preferably the tubular member


41


may be made of transparent material such as crystal or glass so that the light can be reflected through the tubular body


41


for providing an esthetically pleasing appearance. Furthermore, a three-dimensional figure of decorations such as angels, flowers, “JESUS CHRIST”, a “POPE”, “JOHN PAUL”, “SANTA CLAUS” or the like can be attached inside and/or formed on the inner or outer surface of the tubular body


41


for further providing an atmospheric or decorative touch.




The candle holding means


13


A is a tubular container, preferably made of transparent material such as crystal or glass, wherein the holding means


13


A has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the candle


13


and smaller than a diameter of the tubular body


10


. Furthermore, the holding means


30


is detachably mounted at its bottom in the chamber


11


of the tubular body


10


. Preferably, the holding means


30


is screwed on the tubular body


10


, so that a user can detach the holding means


30


for easy cleanup and fittingly placing the consumable lighting element


20


therein.





FIG. 4

illustrates a further embodiment of the invention wherein a separable base


50


is provided, which houses a sound receiver or play and LEDs


52


, which are associated with a battery


53


. Mounted on the base


50


is the candle device which comprises a first tubular member


59


, which encircles the base of the candle


13


at its lower end to catch the drippings from the burning candle.




A second tubular member


11


surrounds the candle


13


and the mechanism for raising and lowering the platform


14


. The tubular member


11


sits on the base


50


. Tubular body


11


has a cover


12


through which the wick ends. The infrared amplifier


18


A and the infrared receiver


18


, which receives the signals from the amplifier


18


A, can either be above the cover


12


or below the cover


12


.




Within tubular member


11


is also housed on the top of the base


50


the motor


17


, which is activated in response to the infrared signals. Motor


17


is associated with means


58


,


60


for rotating the screw rods


15


, which cause the platform to move upward or when reversed downward.




Optionally, the infrared receiver


18


and infrared amplifier or emitter


18


A can be mounted on the inside of the tube member


59


and so as to receive signal when the burning wick is below cover


12


.




At the top of the base


50


are the LEDs


52


, which are associated with a power source


53


that is preferably a rechargeable battery. The base also has opening for a sound reproducer and/or player


51


. The sound reproducer and/or generator can consist of a tape recorder and/or player or the like.



Claims
  • 1. A candle device, comprising:a tubular body having a chamber therein, an open end defining a supporting rim and a base; a consumable lighting element having a wick and disposed in said chamber of said tubular body, and mounted on a platform; said wick when lit emitting infrared radiation; a cover, which is fittedly disposed on said supporting rim of said tubular body, having a through hole provided thereon, wherein said wick of said consumable lighting element penetrates through said hole to the outside; means for urging a burning end of said wick of said consumable lighting element at its upper position, through said cover said means comprises a motor means for raising said platform so that the wick protrudes from said cover; said motor means being activated by the infrared radiation emitted above or below said cover.
  • 2. The candle device of claim 1 comprising means for generating light and/or sound means mounted on said base of said tubular body, and power supply means associated with said light and sound generating means.
  • 3. The candle device, according to claim 1, wherein said platform is raised pursuant to the degree of infrared radiation above or below said cover.
  • 4. The candle device, according to claim 3 wherein said motor means is mounted on the base for raising and lowering said platform.
  • 5. The candle device, as recited in claim 4, wherein said platform is mounted on at least one spiral screw rod.
  • 6. The prayer candle device, as recited in claim 1, including a lighting means mounted on said base, a power supply for providing electrical. power to said lighting means, and a plurality of connecting wires each connected between said battery and said lighting means.
  • 7. A candle device, as recited in claim 6 including sound generating means mounted about a bottom of said base.
  • 8. The candle device, as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least one three-dimensional figure or decoration mounted on said tubular body.
  • 9. A candle device, comprising:a tubular body having a chamber therein, an open end defining a supporting rim and a base; a lighting element comprising a candle having a wick and disposed in said chamber of said tubular body and mounted on a platform, said wick, when lit emitting infrared radiation; a cover, which is disposed on said supporting rim of said tubular body, having a through hole provided thereon, wherein said wick of said consumable lighting element penetrates through said through hole to the outside; means-for raising .said platform so as to urge the burning end of said wick of said candle at its upper position, through said hole in the cover; said means responsive to the infrared radiation emitted from the wick; and a lighting means and a sound generating means mounted on said base of said tubular body, and a power supply for providing electrical power to said lighting means and said sound generating means mounted on said base.
  • 10. The candle of claim 9 wherein said lighting means comprises LEDs.
  • 11. The candle device, of claim 9 wherein said sound generating means comprises a tape recorder installed at a bottom of said base, a speaker for outputting sound affixed on an outer surface of said base, a power supply mounted at said bottom of said base near to said tape recorder, and a plurality of connecting wires for electrically connecting between said tape recorder, said speaker and said power supply in a closed circuit.
  • 12. The candle device of claim 9 wherein said means for raising said platform comprises a motor.
  • 13. The candle device of claim 12 wherein infrared radiation below said rim activates said motor so as to raise said platform.
  • 14. The candle device of claim 12 wherein infrared radiation above said rim deactivates said motor and stops raising said platform.
  • 15. The candle device of claim 12 wherein said platform is mounted on at least one spiral rod, which raises said platform when said motor means is activated.
RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/535,721 filed Mar. 27, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,584.

US Referenced Citations (2)
Number Name Date Kind
2717306 Meara Sep 1955 A
5057005 Kwok Oct 1991 A
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number Date Country
2230888 Oct 1990 GB
Continuation in Parts (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/535721 Mar 2000 US
Child 09/846953 US