U.S. patent application number 11/042730 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-02 for photo-controlled electronic music candle.
Invention is credited to Hui Lin.
Application Number | 20060046220 11/042730 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36000788 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060046220 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin; Hui |
March 2, 2006 |
Photo-controlled electronic music candle
Abstract
An interchangeable photo-controlled electronic music candle that
reliably plays the music includes candle containing fusible optical
fiber wick, fusible optical fiber, base, photosensitive device, a
condensing chip above the photosensitive device with the optical
fiber disposed at where in relation to the condensing chip; the
photosensitive device receives any light source within the radius
of the condensing chip to increase sensitization area to reduce
consumption of photo energy; and the optical fiber is not
necessarily to aim at the photosensitive device for playing the
music to reduce production cost while maintaining good performance
in repeated use.
Inventors: |
Lin; Hui; (Fuzhou,
CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHARLES E. BAXLEY, ESQ.
90 JOHN STREET
THIRD FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10038
US
|
Family ID: |
36000788 |
Appl. No.: |
11/042730 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
431/253 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V 33/0056 20130101;
F21S 6/001 20130101; F21S 13/00 20130101; F21V 23/0442
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/253 |
International
Class: |
F23Q 2/32 20060101
F23Q002/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 1, 2004 |
TW |
CN 200420073222.9 |
Claims
1. An interchangeable photo-controlled electronic music candle
includes a candle containing a fusible optical fiber wick, the
fusible optical wick, a base, and a photosensitive device, a
condensing chip disposed at where above the photosensitive device,
and the fusible optical fiber is disposed in alignment with the
condensing chip.
2. The interchangeable photo-controlled electronic music candle of
claim 1, wherein the condensing chip is disposed on the upper
surface of the base of the music candle.
3. The interchangeable photo-controlled electronic music candle of
claim 1, wherein only the fusible fiber is exposed out of the lower
surface of the candle in alignment with the condensing chip.
4. The interchangeable photo-controlled electronic music candle of
claim 1, wherein a fireproof shade is disposed at the bottom of the
candle and the fusible optical fiber penetrates a through hole
provided on the fireproof shade in alignment with the condensing
chip.
5. The interchangeable photo-controlled electronic music candle of
claim 4, wherein the fusible optical fiber is tightly tied in with
the through hole on the fireproof shade.
6. The interchangeable photo-controlled electronic music candle of
claim 4, wherein the peripheral of the through hole on the
fireproof shade is raised.
7. The interchangeable photo-controlled electronic music candle of
claim 1, wherein, the condensing chip is provided on the fireproof
shade.
8. The interchangeable photo-controlled electronic music candle of
claim 1, wherein, an opening is provided on the upper surface of
the music candle base; a source contact switch is disposed in the
music candle base with the contact point of the switch penetrating
through the opening on the upper surface of the music candle base
and exposed out of the upper surface of the base of the music
candle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (a) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention is related to a photo-controlled
electronic music candle, and more particularly, to one that is with
its components interchangeable.
[0003] (b) Description of the Prior Art
[0004] As taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,767, a photo-controlled
electronic music candle providing a good companion for leisure and
entertainment is comprised of candle, wick containing fusible
optical fiber wick, music candle base, and photosensitive device.
Wherein, the photosensitive device functions as the control switch
to play the music. The switch is closed when subject to light and
disconnected when not subject to light or to weak light. Once the
candle is lighted, the candlelight passes through the optical fiber
in the wick to the photosensitive device in the base of the
photo-controlled to start playing the music. Upon the candle is
consumed, the residual ashes on the wick completely cover up the
optical fiber to block the light to disconnect the switch, thus to
stop the music.
[0005] However, the optical fiber must precisely aim at the
photosensitive device at the base of the music candle. The
alignment can easily fail in the course of production, packaging or
handling, and particularly after repeated use of the music candle,
to further fail normal playing of the music. Both ends of the wick
must be respectively exposed out of the upper and the lower
surfaces of the candle. The wick and the base of the candle are
inseparable. That is, the wick has to contact the photosensitive
device on the circuit at the base of the music candle; otherwise,
the optical fiber fails to aim at the photosensitive device.
Accordingly, once the wick is consumed, it may set the
photosensitive device on fire to cause fire alarm. The melting wax
could flow into the base to damage the base or even set the base on
fire. Furthermore, the melting wax could easily flow into the base
to cover up the surface of the photosensitive device. It takes to
get rid off the wax on the surface of the photosensitive device
before subsequent use of the music candle.
[0006] Highly demanded in production, packaging, and handling means
higher production costs, the poor performance in repeated use,
safety concerns of potential fire, and inconvenient all frustrate
the promotion of the cited U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,767.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide
an interchangeable photo-controlled electronic music candle that
allows reliable playing of the music and repeated use.
[0008] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an
interchangeable photo-controlled electronic music candle with
improved use safety, extended service life and convenient repeated
use.
[0009] To achieve the purposes, the present invention is
essentially comprised of a candle, a wick containing fusible
optical fiver, a fusible optical fiber, a music candle base, a
photosensitive device, and a condensing chip. Wherein, the
condensing chip is disposed on the upper surface of the base at
where above the photosensitive device. The fusible optical fiber is
in alignment with the condensing chip. Only the fusible fiber is
exposed out of the lower surface of the candle in alignment with
the condensing chip. A fireproof shade is provided to the base and
the fusible fiber penetrating a through hole on the fireproof shade
to be in alignment with the condensing chip. The fusible optical
fiber is tightly tied in with the through hole on the fireproof
shade. The peripheral of the through hole of the fireproof shade is
raised. The condensing chip is provided on the fireproof shade. An
opening is provided on the upper surface of the base; a source
contact switch is disposed in the base with the contact point
penetrating the opening and exposed on the upper surface of the
base. The condensing chip provided over the photosensitive device
receives any light source emitted within the radius of the
condensing chip to increase the sensitization area and reduce
consumption of optical energy. Accordingly, the wick containing the
fusible optical fiber is not necessarily to precisely aim at the
photosensitive device to play the music thus to reduce the
production cost and allow repeated use while maintaining good
performance of the music candle.
[0010] Whereas the fusible fiber is the only element that is
exposed out of the lower surface of the candle in alignment with
the condensing chip, and the lower end of the wick is cleared away
from the condensing chip for a certain distance, the flame will not
contact the condensing chip when the wick is consumed. Therefore,
the fusible optical fiber becomes noninflammable. No contact of the
flame with the condensing chip guarantees the safety of the
condensing chip, the photosensitive device and the base.
[0011] The fireproof shade provided at the bottom of the candle
keeps the melting wax from flowing into the candle base to destroy
the circuit in the base, and even from causing the fire alarm.
Furthermore, the melting wax will not cover up the surface of the
photosensitive device to allow convenient repeated use of the music
candle.
[0012] With the presence of the touch switch, the circuit is
disconnected from the source when there is no candle placed on the
candle base to prevent the music from playing when subject to
stronger light. Once the candle is in place, the circuit is
connected as the switch is closed to guarantee that the music plays
when the candle is lighted. Whenever the candle is moved away from
the base, the circuit is cut off immediately. Accordingly, further
assurance of playing the music is guaranteed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a candle adapted with a
fireproof shade in a preferred embodiment of the present
invention
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a condensing chip and a base
in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is sectional view of the candle adapted with the
fireproof shade in the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the condensing chip and the
base in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, an interchangeable
photo-controlled electronic music candle of the present invention
includes a candle 4, a fusible optical fiber 2, a wick 3, a music
candle base 7, a photosensitive device 8, and a condensing chip 6.
Wherein as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the condensing chip 6 is
disposed at where above the photosensitive device 8, and the
fusible optical fiber is disposed in alignment with the condensing
chip. The condensing chip 6 is disposed on the upper surface of the
candle base 7 and the photosensitive device 8 is mounted at the
center of the bottom of the condensing chip 6. The condensing chip
6 relates to a see-through chip to allow determination of its
diameter and the height depending on the size of the candle. The
condensing chip 6 permits the astigmatism or light from various
angles to be absorbed and collected to focus on the center of the
condensing chip 6, and further reflected to the photosensitive
device 8. Accordingly, the photosensitive device 8 receives any
light coming into the upper surface of the condensing chip 6, and
the music starts to play as long as the light from a flame 1 enters
through the fusible fiber 2 into the upper surface of the
condensing chip 6 to connect a contact switch 14.
[0019] The condensing chip 6 disposed above the photosensitive
device 8 increases the sensitization area of the photosensitive
device 8 to reduce consumption of photo energy. The candle base 7
is switched on to play the music even when the wick 3 containing
the fusible optical fiber 2 is not necessarily in alignment with
the photosensitive device. Therefore, the present invention helps
lower the production cost and allows reliable and consistent play
of the music and repeated use while maintaining good
performance.
[0020] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the fusible optical fiber 2
is installed in the wick 3 in the candle 4. The wick 3 containing
the fusible optical fiber is exposed out of the upper surface of
the candle 4 but only the fusible optical 2 is exposed out of the
lower surface of the candle 4 and in alignment with the condensing
chip 6. The bottom of the wick therefore stays away from the
condensing chip for a certain distance. The fusible optical fiber 2
will not be inflamed when the wick 3 is consumed, therefore the
flame 1 will not contact the condensing chip 6 to warrant the use
safety of the condensing chip 6, the photosensitive device 8 and
the candle base 7.
[0021] The fireproof shade 5 is provided around the bottom of the
candle 4. The fusible optical fiber 2 penetrates a through hole 11
disposed on the fireproof shade 5 and stays in alignment with the
condensing chip 6. Wherein, the fusible optical fiber 2 is tightly
tied in with the through hole on the fireproof shade 5 and the
peripheral of the through hole 11 is raised. Accordingly, as the
candle 4 is about to consuming up, the melting wax of the candle 4
flows to its both sides into the fireproof shade 5, the flame 1 is
becoming weaker as carbon dioxide is building up to automatically
kill the flame 1. Alternatively, the condensing chip 6 is fixed to
the fireproof shade 5 in any means possible to achieve the same
functions as described above.
[0022] It can be appreciated that the fireproof shade 5 may be made
in any shape as long as it is sufficient to hold the residual
candle wax.
[0023] The fireproof shade 5 thus prevents the melting wax of the
candle 4 from flowing into the candle base 7 to destroy a circuit
provided in the candle base 7 or even to cause a fire alarm.
Meanwhile, the melting wax from the candle 4 will not cover up the
surface of the photosensitive device 8, thus to allow convenient
repeated use of the music candle.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the candle 4 is made integrated
with the fireproof shade 5, and the condensing chip 6 with the
candle base 7. Once the candle 4 is consumed up, simply remove the
fireproof shade 5 to have a replacement of the candle 4 without
causing any residual wax of the candle 4 on the candle base 7. The
music candle permits subsequent use simply by replacing both of the
candle 4 and the fireproof shade 5.
[0025] Now referring to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, an opening 13 is
provided on the upper surface of the candle base 7 and the source
contact switch 14 is built in the candle base 7. A contact point 12
of the contact switch 14 passes through the opening 13 on and is
exposed out of the upper surface of the candle base 7. When there
is no candle 4 placed on the candle base 7 and the contact point 12
is exposed out of the upper surface of the candle base 7, the
contact switch 14 is disconnected to keep the circuit alive, thus
to prevent the music from being played once subject to stronger
light with the candle 4 is not lighted. Once the candle 4 is placed
on the candle base 7, the contact point 12 moves into the candle
base 7 to activate the contact switch 14 to connect the circuit to
warrant that the music plays once the candle is lighted and the
flame 1 is present. Whenever the candle 4 is removed from the
candle base 7, the circuit is cut off once again.
[0026] The source contact switch 14 may be made in various
constructions as long as the circuit is disconnected in the absence
of any candle 4 on the candle base 7 and the circuit is alive once
the candle 4 is placed on the candle base 7. Therefore, the
reliability of music playing is further guaranteed since the music
will not be played in the course of replacing the candle 4 or when
the candle 4 is not yet lighted even with the presence of a
stronger light.
* * * * *