U.S. patent application number 11/603821 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-31 for fireplace candle.
Invention is credited to Paula K. Dycus.
Application Number | 20070122760 11/603821 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38087954 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070122760 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dycus; Paula K. |
May 31, 2007 |
Fireplace candle
Abstract
The fireplace candle provides a simulation of a burning wood log
in a fireplace. The fireplace candle is adapted for mounting to a
ceramic log. The fireplace candle includes a container for holding
wax candle elements. A mount extends from the container to hold the
candle behind the simulated log so that the container is out of
view. The wicks of the candle elements extend above the logs so
that when the wicks are lit, flames are visible above the simulated
log. The wicks are of varying heights to enhance the simulation.
The mount includes one or more mounting tabs engaging a bark
pattern deposed on the surface of the simulated log. The mounting
tabs may be a resilient material shaped to provide a tensioning
grip on the log, and/or a malleable material that can be
manipulated to fit into crevices within the bark pattern of the
simulated log.
Inventors: |
Dycus; Paula K.;
(Nacogdoches, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
P.O. BOX 15035
CRYSTAL CITY STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
38087954 |
Appl. No.: |
11/603821 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60740270 |
Nov 29, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
431/289 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 3/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/289 |
International
Class: |
F23D 3/16 20060101
F23D003/16 |
Claims
1. A fireplace candle, comprising: a candle holder body defining a
cavity having an open top; at least one candle element disposed
within the cavity; and at least one mounting tab attached to the
candle holder body, the mounting tab being adapted for attaching
the candle holder body to a simulated fireplace log.
2. The fireplace candle according to claim 1, wherein said at least
one candle element comprises a wick and a wax body infused with a
fragrant oil providing a scent when the wick is lit.
3. The fireplace candle according to claim 2, wherein said scent is
an aroma of burning wood.
4. The fireplace candle according to claim 1, wherein said at least
one mounting tab is made of a malleable material so that said tab
is bendable to engage bark of the simulated log to support said
container and said candle element.
5. The fireplace candle according to claim 1, wherein said at least
one mounting tab consists of a single mounting tab.
6. The fireplace candle according to claim 1, wherein said at least
one mounting tab comprises two mounting tabs.
7. The fireplace candle according to claim 1, wherein said at least
one candle element comprises at least two candle elements.
8. The fireplace candle according to claim 7, wherein each of said
candle elements comprises a wick, each said wick having different
lengths.
9. The fireplace candle according to claim 1, wherein said at least
one candle element comprises three candle elements.
10. The fireplace candle according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one candle element comprises four candle elements.
11. The fireplace candle according to claim 1, wherein said candle
holder body is made of aluminum foil.
12. The fireplace candle according to claim 1, wherein said
mounting tab is made of aluminum foil.
13. The fireplace candle according to claim 1, wherein said
mounting tab and said candle holder are formed as a one-piece
unit.
14. The fireplace candle according to claim 13, wherein said
one-piece unit is made of aluminum foil.
15. The fireplace candle according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one candle element comprises a wick and a wax body, the wax
body having a tinted color.
16. The fireplace candle according to claim 15, wherein said color
is brown.
17. The fireplace candle according to claim 15, wherein said color
is gray.
18. The fireplace candle according to claim 1, wherein said candle
holder body has a thickness of approximately 0.23 gauge.
19. A fireplace candle, comprising: a candle holder body defining a
cavity having an open top; at least one candle element disposed
within the cavity; and means for mounting the candle holder body to
a simulated fireplace log.
20. A fireplace candle, comprising: a candle holder body defining a
cavity having an open top; at least one candle element disposed
within the cavity, the candle element having a plurality of wicks
of different height, the wicks burning at an equal rate to simulate
fireplace flames of different height; and at least one mounting tab
extending from the candle holder body, the mounting tab being
adapted for attaching the candle holder body to a simulated
fireplace log.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/740,270, filed Nov. 29, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to fireplaces and candles, and
more particularly to a fireplace candle that simulates burning
fireplace logs.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Many people burn wood in fireplaces in their homes. Burning
wood provides heat for warming a room during cold weather. The
flames from the burning wood generate a pleasing aesthetic display.
Some people also enjoy the smell of burning wood given off by the
fire.
[0006] Burning wood in a fireplace does produce some effects that
homeowners do not particularly enjoy. Burning wood in a fireplace
generates an ash residue. Disposal of the ash residue or soot in
the fireplace can be a tedious and dirty task. Soot and other fire
byproducts, such as creosote, accumulate in the chimney, requiring
that the chimney be periodically cleaned. Creosote may be highly
flammable under certain conditions, and failure to properly clean
the chimney may result in a dangerous chimney fire.
[0007] One way to avoid the undesired effects associated with
burning wood in a fireplace while enjoying the desired effects is
to simulate a fireplace fire without actually burning wood. When
simulating a fireplace fire, simulated logs may be provided, such
as ceramic logs designed to have a visual appearance similar to a
wooden log. A source of flame that does not generate ash is
provided to simulate the visual effect of burning wood. For
example, natural gas-fueled or propane-fueled flames may be
generated in the vicinity of one or more simulated logs, providing
an appearance visually similar to burning wooden logs.
[0008] The gas flame-based fireplace simulation provides heat and
the visual appearance of a wood log burning fire, but does not
provide the burning wood smell. In situations where alternate means
of heating rooms of a dwelling, such as a central heating system,
are available, the heat generating qualities of the fireplace are
less important than the visual and olfactory aesthetic qualities.
In those cases, the ceramic log/gas flame simulation will not be a
satisfactory substitute for a wood log fire.
[0009] Thus, a fireplace candle solving the aforementioned problems
is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The fireplace candle provides a simulation of a burning wood
log in a fireplace. The fireplace candle is adapted for mounting to
a ceramic log. The fireplace candle includes a container for
holding wax candle elements. One or more mounts extending from the
container hold the candle behind the simulated log so that the
container is out of view. The wicks of the candle elements extend
above the logs so that when the wicks are lit, flames are visible
above the simulated log. The wicks are of varying heights to
enhance the simulation. The wicks can also be of the type that
produces a crackling sound that simulates the sound of burning
wood. The mount includes one or more mounting tabs for engaging a
bark pattern disposed on the surface of the simulated log. The
mounting tabs may be a resilient material shaped to provide a
tensioning grip on the log. The mounting tabs may be made from a
material that is also malleable so that the tabs can be manipulated
to fit into crevices within the bark pattern of the simulated log.
The mounting tabs are made of the same material as the container,
usually aluminum or tin, but is not limited to these materials.
[0011] The container may be refillable, so that when the candle
elements are expired, the candle tins can be refilled with
replacement multi-wicked candles. The wax of the candle elements
may be soy-based, but is not limited to soy-based material and may
be other candle material, such as paraffin wax or beeswax. The wax
is infused with a fragrant oil that generates the desired aroma
when the candle element is lit. The aroma may emit an odor
simulating the aroma of burning wood, although other scents may be
chosen. When the container is of the refillable version, the
thickness of the material forming the container is approximately
0.23 gauge material. For disposable versions, the thickness can be
reduced below 0.23 gauge.
[0012] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a fireplace
candle attached to a simulated log according to the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a fireplace candle
according to the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a candle holder for a
fireplace candle according to the present invention.
[0016] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The present invention is a fireplace candle for simulating
the visual appearance and smell associated with burning logs in a
fireplace. The fireplace candle 20 is described by referring to
FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.
[0018] Referring first to FIG. 1, a fireplace candle 20 in
accordance with the present invention is attached to a simulated
ceramic log 30 resting on the floor of a fireplace 32. The
fireplace candle comprises a container 22, a container mount or
mounts 24 for attaching the candle 20 to the simulated log 30, and
one or more candle elements 26. As viewed from the entrance to the
fireplace 32, the container 22 is mounted behind the ceramic log 30
so that the view of the container 22 is obscured by the ceramic log
30. The candle container 22 is attached to the log via one or more
mounting tabs 24. The mounting tabs 24 support the candle container
22 in position behind the log by engaging the bark pattern of the
log 30. The mounting tabs 24 curve over the surface of the log 30,
and are made from a resilient material. Sliding the tabs 24 over
the log 30 generates a gripping force by tensioning the curved
mounting tabs 24. The generated gripping force holds the candle
container 22 in position behind the log 30.
[0019] The candle container 22 has a cavity open at the top of the
container 22. The candle container 22 may be made of a foil
material, such as aluminum, tin or any material sufficiently
heat-resistant to withstand temperatures generated by burning
candles and melted wax. Disposed within the cavity are one or more
candle elements 26. Each candle element 26 is a wax candle with one
or more candlewicks. The candle wax may be tinted to have a color
similar to a simulated log, such as brown or gray, so that the
candle elements are less discernable in the vicinity of the log
30.
[0020] The wax of the candle elements 26 may contain an aromatic
agent that releases aromatic vapors when the candlewicks are lit
and the wax burns. For example, the wax of the candle elements may
be paraffin wax, soy wax, or beeswax. The wax is infused with a
fragrant oil that generates the desired aroma when the candle
element is burned.
[0021] The fragrant oil may emit an odor simulating the aroma of
burning wood. For example, oils producing a pine or a sandalwood
aroma may be chosen. Alternatively, fragrant oils emitting any
other desired scent of aroma may be selected. Examples of fragrant
oils known in the art include oils emitting vanilla, cinnamon,
lavender, and cherry blossom aromas.
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 the details of an alternative
mounting arrangement for the fireplace candle may be appreciated.
As described above the fireplace candle 20 comprises a candle
container 22. The container 22 defines an open cavity within which
one or more wax candle elements 26 are disposed. The candle
element(s) 26 may have one or more wicks. The fireplace candle
illustrated in FIG. 2 comprises four candle elements 26. The candle
elements 26 collectively have four wicks 28a, 28b, 28c, and 28d.
The candle element wicks 28a-28d may be of different heights, so
that when the candle's wicks 28a-28d are lit, the flames appear at
varying heights above a simulated log, providing a more realistic
simulation of flames on a burning log. The wicks 28a-28d are made
so that the wicks 28a-28d will slowly burn down to the top of the
candle elements 26 so that the wax of the elements 26 begins
vaporizing at different times and will therefore be at different
levels once the wicks 28a-28d have burned down to the candle
elements 26. Such wicks 28a-28d are known in the art.
[0023] The fireplace candle 20 further comprises a mounting tab 24
attached to the candle container 22. The mounting tab 24 of the
container 22 is made of a malleable material. For example, the
mounting tab 24 may be made of metal foil (such as aluminum or tin)
of sufficient thickness to support the weight of the candle
container 22 and the candle elements 26, and sufficient thinness to
be malleable. The malleable mounting tab allows the mounting tab 24
to be manipulated around the bark pattern of a ceramic log (30 of
FIG. 1) or wedged into a crevice in the bark pattern to hold the
container in position behind the simulated fireplace log as shown
in FIG. 1. The container 22 of the fireplace candle 20 may also be
made of the same material as the mounting tabs 24 to allow for
one-piece construction. The thickness of the container 22 may be
greater than the thickness of the mounting tabs 24, if
necessary.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows the malleable mounting tab 24 in a flattened
condition. The mounting tab 24 is sufficiently large to provide
support for the weight of the candle container 22 and the candle
elements 26 when the tab 24 is molded to grip the bark pattern of a
simulated ceramic log. For example, the mounting tab 24 may be a
malleable aluminum foil tab of a trapezoidal shape with a base
dimension B of approximately 21/2 inches, a top dimension A of
about two inches, and a tab height of approximately 1 1/4 inches. A
single mounting tab 24 dimensioned as described is sufficient to
hold candle elements 26 filling a candle container 22 approximately
five inches long, by 11/2 inches wide, by 11/4 inches deep. The
dimensions provided are representative dimensions provided by way
of example and are not intended to limit the invention to the
detailed dimensions.
[0025] The fireplace candle 20 may be refillable, or alternatively,
may be disposable. When the container 22 is of the refillable type,
the thickness of the container 22 is approximately 0.23 gauge. For
disposable versions, this thickness can be reduced. When the candle
elements 26 have extinguished, new wicks 28a-28d are suspended in
the container 22, and new wax is poured into the container 22
around the wicks 28a-28d, thereby forming new candle elements 26.
For disposable containers, once the wax has cooled and hardened,
the container 22 can be flexed to allow the remaining wax to be
removed from the container 22. This allows the metal foil of the
container 22 to be recycled for environmental purposes.
[0026] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *