US008070319B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Schnuckle et a1.
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,070,319 B2
`*Dec. 6, 2011
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`(54)
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`(75)
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`(73)
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`(21)
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`KINETIC FLAME DEVICE
`
`Inventors: Gary W. Schnuckle, Altadena, CA (US);
`Douglas M. Patton, Irvine, CA (US)
`
`Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc., Burbank, CA
`(Us)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`Appl. N0.: 12/s51,749
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 6, 2010
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2011/0019422 A1
`
`Jan. 27, 2011
`
`Related US. Application Data
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 12/506,460,
`?led on Jul. 21, 2009, noW Pat. No. 7,837,355.
`Provisional application No. 61/101,611, ?led on Sep.
`30, 2008.
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`F21 V33/00
`US. Cl. .................. .. 362/249.02; 362/810; 362/277
`Field of Classi?cation Search ........... .. 362/249.02,
`362/277, 296.01, 810
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2/ 1948 Waters
`2,435,811 A
`8/1957 Benolieletal.
`2,976,450 A
`
`3,233,093 A
`3,384,774 A
`3,514,660 A
`3,639,749 A
`3,681,588 A
`3,814,973 A
`4,026,544 A
`
`2/1966 Gerlat
`5/1968 English
`5/1970 Kopelman
`2/1972 Beckman
`8/1972 Lee
`6/1974 Thouret et al.
`5/1977 Plambeck et al.
`(Continued)
`
`DE
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1489617
`11/1965
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`LittleBrightLights.c0m; Vaughan Safety, Inc., http://WWWlit
`tlebrightlights.c0m/site/1435548/pr0duct/V-0104, retrieved on Oct.
`3, 2006.
`
`Primary Examiner * Laura Tso
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm * Marsh Fischmann &
`Breyfogle LLP; Kent A. Lembke
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An apparatus creating a ?ickering ?ame effect. The apparatus
`includes a housing With an interior space With ?rst and second
`stages. A drive mechanism generates a time varying electro
`magnetic ?eld extending into the ?rst stage. A ?rst pendulum
`member is pivotally mounted in the interior space of the ?rst
`stage and includes ?rst and second magnets on ?rst and sec
`ond ends, With the ?rst end proximate to the drive mechanism
`such that the ?rst magnet interacts With the varying electro
`magnetic ?eld to cause movement of the pendulum member.
`The apparatus includes a second pendulum member pivotally
`mounted in the second stage With a magnet on a ?rst end
`proximate to the second end of the ?rst pendulum member. A
`?ame silhouette element extends from the second pendulum
`member, and a light source transmits light onto the ?ame
`silhouette, Which is moving due to the magnetic coupling of
`the pendulum members.
`
`20 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`UP posmow (0N)
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`9814-:
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`sao
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`‘f
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`900
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`950
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`0001
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`Luminara 2020
`Liown v. Disney
`IPR2016-01785
`
`

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`US 8,070,319 B2
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`119522;‘:
`1712;212:111.
`4’550’363 A 10/1985 Sandell
`4’55l’794 A 11/1985 Sandell
`4’6l7’6l4 A 10/1986 Lederer
`4’777’57l A 10/1988 Morgan
`438663580 A
`9/1989 Blackerby
`4,965,707 A 10/1990 Butter?eld
`5,097,180 A
`3/1992 lgnon et a1‘
`5,381,325 A
`1/1995 Nlessana
`5,707,282 A
`1/1998 Clements et a1.
`6,257,755 B1
`7/2001 Sevelle
`6,302,555 B1
`10/2001 Bristow
`6,312,137 B1
`11/2001 Hsieh
`6,454,425 B1
`9/2002 Lin
`6,461,011 B1
`10/2002 Harrison
`6,511,219 B2
`V2003 sevelle
`D486,924 S
`2/2004 Skradski et a1.
`6,688,752 B2
`2/2004 Moore
`6,712,493 B2
`3/2004 Tell et a1.
`
`6,757,487 B2 6,953,401 B2 10/2005 Starr 6/2004 Martin et a1.
`
`
`6,955,440 B2 10/2005 Niskanen
`7,080,472 B2
`7/2006 Schroeter et a1.
`
`8/2006 Hansler et a1.
`7,083,315 B2
`8/2006 Hart et al.
`7,093,949 B2
`COW
`B2
`7,125,142 B2 10/2006 Wa1nWr1ght
`7,159,994 B2
`1/2007 Schnuckle et a1.
`7,261,455 B2
`8/2007 Schnuckle et a1.
`7,837,355 B2* 11/2010 Schnuckle ............. .. 362/24902
`2002/0080601 A1
`6/2002 MeltZer
`2003/0041491 A1
`3/2003 MIX
`2003/0053305 A1
`3/2003 L1H
`2004/0165374 A1
`8/2004 Robinson
`2005/0097792 A1
`5/2005 Naden
`2005/0285538 A1 12/2005 JaWorski et a1.
`2006/0034079 A1
`2/2006 Schnuckle et a1.
`2006/0034100 A1
`2/2006 Schnuckle et a1.
`2006/0101681 A1
`5/2006 Hess et a1.
`2008/0130266 A1
`6/2008 DeWitt et a1.
`2009/0135586 A1
`5/2009 Yang
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`W0
`
`8202756
`
`8/1982
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`0002
`
`

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`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 6, 2011
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`Sheet 1 019
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`US 8,070,319 B2
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`2 STAGE HOUSENG
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`US. Patent
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`Dec. 6, 2011
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`Sheet 2 019
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`US 8,070,319 B2
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`5
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`LEGHT ENGENE
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`POWER SQURGE
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`SEGNAL GENERATOR
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`0004
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`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 6, 2011
`Dec. 6, 2011
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`Sheet 3 019
`Sheet 3 019
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`US 8,070,319 B2
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`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 6, 2011
`Dec. 6, 2011
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`Sheet 4 019
`Sheet 4 019
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`US 8,070,319 B2
`US 8,070,319 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Dec. 6, 2011
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`Sheet 5 019
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`US 8,070,319 B2
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`706
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`US. Patent
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`Dec. 6, 2011
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`Sheet 6 019
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`US 8,070,319 B2
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`2d STAGE HCBUSENG
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`0008
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Dec. 6, 2011
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`Sheet 7 019
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`US 8,070,319 B2
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`UP POSETEQN {0N}
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`0009
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`US. Patent
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`Dec. 6, 2011
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`Sheet 8 019
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`US 8,070,319 B2
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`DOWN POSiTiON (QFF)
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`0010
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`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 6, 2011
`Dec. 6, 2011
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`Sheet 9 019
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`US 8,070,319 B2
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`1121
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`US 8,070,319 B2
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`1
`KINETIC FLAME DEVICE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of US. patent
`application Ser. No. 12/506,460, ?led Jul. 21, 2009, and this
`application also claims the bene?t of US. Provisional Appli
`cation No. 61/101 ,61 1, ?led Sep. 30, 2008, both ofWhich are
`incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
`
`2
`oscillate or to vibrate the ?ame-like ?exible member so as to
`simulate a candle. US. Pat. No. 4,550,363 discloses an elec
`tric-light bulb ?tted With a light permeable and light-scatter
`ing lamp casing. These and other attempts result in ?ame
`displays that are relatively poor imitations of a real ?ame and
`have not been Widely adopted by the commercial or retail
`markets. In addition, such devices typically require substan
`tial energy inputs and require frequent battery replacement,
`Which can drive up purchase and operating costs and require
`undesirable levels of maintenance for ongoing use.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Description
`The present description relates, in general, to methods and
`systems for animated lighting, and, more particularly, to sys
`tems, devices, and methods for simulating a ?ickering ?ame
`providing kinetic light movement.
`2. Relevant Background
`A di?icult challenge for a special effects artist is the simu
`lation of a single candle ?ame. Simulated ?ames in large ?res
`such as ?replaces or stage sets are comparatively easy to
`design because they are normally vieWed from a distance, and
`much of the effect of a large ?re involves gloW and embers,
`Which can be readily simulated. A single candle, hoWever, is
`often vieWed at short distances With the focus of the effect
`falling on the ?ickering light of the solitary ?ame moving
`kinetically or randomly on a Wick.
`Flames are the visible, light-emitting part of a ?re. Solitary
`?ames are complex kinetic interactions of fuel, temperature
`gradients, convection, and ambient air?oW. These interac
`tions produce a continuously and randomly moving light
`having loosely de?ned regions of various colors Where the
`regions change siZe and shape kinetically or in unpredictable
`manners in space. Despite the complexity, people are so
`familiar With the appearance of natural ?ames that it is very
`dif?cult to provide a convincing simulation that appears real
`or natural to a vieWer, especially at short vieWing distances of
`several feet or less.
`Combustion-based candles create safety issues in many
`environments because of the presence of ?ame and heat.
`These conventional candles are hi gh-maintenance and, so, are
`not suitable for long-term usage such as in religious build
`ings, theme parks, memorials, WindoW displays, museums,
`and the like Without continuous maintenance. On the other
`hand, conventional Wax candles produce a light that appeals
`to many people and can be readily manufactured for a Wide
`variety of applications such as table lighting, room lighting,
`Wall sconces, spiritual ceremonies, theatrical lighting, deco
`rative lighting, and lighting for holidays and special events.
`Hence, a continuing need exists for an arti?cial ?ame simu
`lator that can be used more safely and With less maintenance
`than conventional Wax or combustion candles, and the arti?
`cial ?ame simulator or device should produce a pleasing and
`realistic simulation of solitary ?ames and be adaptable to a
`variety of form factors.
`There are a variety of ?ame imitation novelty products that
`utiliZe various methods to simulate a real ?ame for display
`purposes such as those disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 7,125,142,
`6,454,425 and 4,550,363. Speci?cally, US. Pat. No. 7,125,
`142 describes a device that uses multiple colored lights
`a?ixed to a translucent shell Where the lights are energiZed
`according to a computer program that attempts to animate the
`light Without moving parts. US. Pat. No. 6,454,425 discloses
`a candle ?ame simulating device that includes a bloWing
`device for generating an air ?oW and for directing the ?oWing
`air toWard a ?ame-like ?exible member, in order to bloW and
`
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`The present invention addresses the above and other prob
`lems by providing kinetic ?ame devices that create lighting
`effects driven by real but chaotic physical movements and by
`providing methods for making and using such kinetic ?ame
`devices. Some embodiments of the present invention may
`include a drive mechanism that stimulates and/or perturbs a
`complex interaction betWeen gravity, mass, electromagnetic
`?eld strength, magnetic ?elds, air resistance, and light to
`achieve a kinetic or random ?ame effect, but, interestingly,
`the complex interaction is not directly modulated or con
`trolled so as to reduce control and/or driving requirements or
`components. The motion and light generated by the kinetic
`?ame devices produces light that convincingly reproduces the
`kinetic light output of a solitary ?ickering ?ame such as may
`be provided by a conventional combustion or Wax candle.
`More particularly, an apparatus is provided for simulating
`a ?ame such as a ?ame of a candle or the like. The ?ame
`simulating apparatus may include a housing With one or more
`sidewalls (or housing portions) that de?ne an interior space
`With a ?rst stage and a second stage (or upper and loWer
`spaces). A drive mechanism such as an electric coil may be
`provided for generating a time varying electromagnetic ?eld
`that extends into the ?rst stage. The apparatus may also
`include a ?rst stage pendulum member that is pivotally
`mounted Within the interior space of the ?rst stage. The ?rst
`stage pendulum member may include a ?rst magnet on a ?rst
`end (e.g., embedded or attached permanent magnet) and a
`second magnet on a second end (e.g., embedded or attached
`permanent magnet). In some cases, the ?rst end is positioned
`proximate to the drive mechanism such that the ?rst magnet
`interacts With the time varying electromagnetic ?eld to kineti
`cally displace (or displace in a random pattern) the ?rst stage
`pendulum member over time (or over/during an operating
`period for the drive mechanism).
`The apparatus may also include a second stage pendulum
`member that is pivotally mounted Within the interior space of
`the second stage. The second stage pendulum member
`includes a magnet on a ?rst end (e.g., a permanent magnet
`attached or embedded to the member), and this end of the
`second stage pendulum member is positioned proximate to
`the second end of the ?rst stage pendulum member. In other
`cases, ferromagnetic materials are provided in place of the
`magnets, e.g., the drive mechanism may apply a force on a tag
`or element of ferromagnetic material With the other end of this
`?rst stage pendulum having a magnet or another ferromag
`netic material (With the second stage pendulum having either
`a magnet or a ferromagnetic tag/element depending on the
`?rst stage pendulum’ s inclusion of a magnet or ferromagnetic
`material as one of these tWo proximate components Would be
`a magnet). In some cases, the tWo ends of the pendulum
`members are spaced apart to avoid physical/mechanical inter
`ference but close enough that their magnets interact to trans
`mit the kinetic movement of the ?rst stage pendulum member
`to the second stage pendulum member. The second stage
`
`0012
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`US 8,070,319 B2
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`3
`pendulum member may further include a ?ame silhouette
`element extending from a second end of the second stage
`pendulum member. The apparatus also may include a light
`source adapted to selectively transmit light onto the ?ame
`silhouette element. The drive mechanism may include a coil
`of Wire and a signal generator providing time-varying current
`to the coil to create the time-varying magnetic ?eld.
`During use, in response to the interacting betWeen the ?rst
`magnet and the time-varying magnetic ?eld, the ?rst stage
`pendulum member may be displaced in a random pattern over
`time. Further during use, in response to the displacement of
`the ?rst stage pendulum member in the random pattern, the
`second stage pendulum member may be displaced in another
`random pattern, Whereby the ?ame silhouette element has
`kinetic motion concurrently With receiving the light from the
`light source.
`In some embodiments of the apparatus, the ?rst and second
`stage pendulum members each comprise an elongated, planar
`body. The body of the ?rst stage pendulum member may be
`pivotally supported by a ?rst support element at a ?rst loca
`tion proximate to the second end of the ?rst stage pendulum
`member While the body of the second stage pendulum mem
`ber may be pivotally supported by a second support element
`at a second location proximate to the second end of the second
`stage pendulum member. The ?rst support member may
`include a rigid body (such as a Wire, rod, shaft, or the like) that
`extends across the interior space of the housing and through a
`hole at the ?rst location in the ?rst stage pendulum member.
`Similarly, the second support member may include a rigid
`body that extends across the interior space of the housing and
`through a hole at the second location in the ?rst stage pendu
`lum member. In other embodiments the ?rst (and, in some
`cases, the second) support member may be a ?exible member
`such as a thread or the like so as to alloW a more chaotic
`movement of the loWer pendulum such as alloWing a side-to
`side movement of the ?exible member relative to its tethered
`ends. The ?rst location in the ?rst stage pendulum member
`may be disposed betWeen the ?rst and second magnets and
`more proximate to the second magnet than to the ?rst magnet.
`In some embodiments of the apparatus, the ?rst and second
`support members each extend, at a central portion mating
`With the ?rst and second stage pendulum members, respec
`tively, a distance toWard the drive mechanism. According to
`some embodiments, the apparatus includes a base that is
`mated With or a part of the housing and is located adjacent the
`?rst stage. In such embodiments, the base houses the drive
`mechanism and may be con?gured to electrically couple to a
`light socket to provide a poWer source for the drive mecha
`nism and for the light source. In other embodiments, the
`electrical coupling may be provided With the base having a
`plug such as for a standard Wall socket to alloW the base to be
`plugged directly into a Wall socket (e.g., similar to a night
`light but With a ?ame effect).
`
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`55
`
`FIG. 1 shoWs a cut-aWay perspective vieW of an embodi
`ment of a kinetic ?ame effect device in accordance With the
`present invention;
`FIG. 2 shoWs an exemplary drive mechanism in accor
`dance With an embodiment of the present invention as may be
`used With the device of FIG. 1, for example;
`FIG. 3 shoWs a cross section of an alternative embodiment
`of a kinetic ?ame device in accordance With the present
`invention;
`FIG. 4 shoWs the embodiment of FIG. 3 at a different
`perspective such as rotated about 90 degrees;
`
`60
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`
`4
`FIG. 5 shoWs a cross section of another alternative embodi
`ment of a kinetic ?ame device in accordance With the present
`invention; and
`FIG. 6 shoWs the embodiment of FIG. 5 at a different
`perspective such as rotated about 90 degrees;
`FIG. 7 shoWs a cut-aWay perspective vieW of another
`embodiment of a kinetic ?ame effect device similar to that
`shoWn in FIG. 1 With a single stage providing kinetic move
`ment of a ?ame silhouette element;
`FIG. 8 shoWs a cut-aWay perspective vieW of an embodi
`ment of a kinetic ?ame effect device similar to that shoWn in
`FIGS. 1 and 7 (and its aspects may be used in a single stage or
`tWo or more stage device) shoWing use of housing-contained
`lighting as Well as the use of sideWall magnets to shape and/or
`effect kinetic movement of the ?ame body or upper pendulum
`member;
`FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a kinetic ?ame effect
`device similar to that shoWn in FIG. 8 further including an
`outer casing (or candle body) used, in part, to enclose the
`drive mechanism and its poWer source (here, a battery) and
`also shoWing a retractable ?ame feature for displaying the
`candle When it is not operating (e.g., With an unlit Wick as
`expected for a conventional candle), With FIG. 9 shoWing the
`device operating (e.g., With the cover/ cap in the up position);
`FIG. 10 illustrates the kinetic ?ame effect device of FIG. 9
`in the off mode With the cover/cap in the doWn position (e. g.,
`With the ?ame body or upper pendulum member retracted
`into the second stage housing or simply housing When the tWo
`stages are provided in a unitary housing/body); and
`FIG. 11 illustrates one particular implementation of the
`upper pendulum member or ?ame body that utiliZes an “hour
`glass” body along With a concave or recessed ?ame silhouette
`element to provide a desired kinetic movement of the silhou
`ette element and light re?ection/absorption effects.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The present invention involves devices that create lighting
`effects driven by real, chaotic, and physical movements and
`methods for making and using such devices. Prior devices
`that attempt to simulate ?ickering ?ames generally used
`modulated or controlled motion to mimic a ?ame, but these
`devices produced less than ideal results in part because the
`complexity of a natural ?ame is dif?cult to mimic or simulate.
`Alternatively, some prior devices attempted to control or
`modulate the intensity, color, and/ or other characteristics of a
`light source such as by blinking, Which also produced a less
`than realistic result. In contrast, the present invention stimu
`lates and/or perturbs a complex interaction betWeen gravity,
`mass, electromagnetic ?eld strength, magnetic ?elds, air
`resistance, and light, but the complex interaction is not
`directly modulated or controlled. Accordingly, the motion
`and light generated by the system in accordance With the
`present invention produces light that convincingly repro
`duces the kinetic or random light output of a ?ickering ?ame.
`The present invention can be adapted to a Wide variety of
`form factors to meet the needs of particular applications. FIG.
`1 shoWs a single-?ame candle implementation Whereas the
`implementations of FIGS. 3-6 demonstrate lamp-base form
`factors that can be used as a bulb alternative With many
`conventional lighting ?xtures. Embodiments of the invention
`can vary in scale to meet the functional and aesthetic needs of
`a particular application. PoWer supplies described herein may
`be provided by batteries, AC/DC poWer supplies, solar cells,
`or other available poWer sources. Although the invention
`involves complex interactions betWeen many forces, it is
`
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`US 8,070,319 B2
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`5
`typically preferred that the elements of the invention be
`implemented simply to enhance reliability and longevity of
`the product. Accordingly, although speci?c examples of par
`ticularly robust construction and components are described
`herein, actual implementations may vary in complexity.
`FIG. 1 shoWs a cut-aWay perspective vieW of an embodi
`ment of a kinetic ?ame device 100 in accordance With the
`present invention that resembles a conventional Wax candle
`such as a pillar, taper, container candle, votive, tea light and
`the like depending on the scale and dimensions of the par
`ticular application. FIG. 1 shoWs a tWo stage assembly for
`convenience in manufacture, but the invention can be imple
`mented as a unitary, single stage body, in tWo stages as shoWn
`in FIG. 1, or as three or more stages if desired. Additional
`stages affect both the form factor as Well as the range, speed
`and variability of the light produced. A stage may damp or
`amplify these characteristics depending on the particular
`geometry of the elements Within the particular stage.
`A drive mechanism (or electrically driven motion engine)
`101 is provided that acts to create a time-varying magnetic
`?eld, M1, and this mechanism may take a variety of forms
`such as a coil as shoWn in FIG. 1. Drive mechanism or coil 101
`at the base of the embodiment in FIG. 1 includes a Wound Wire
`coil, Which may be formed, for example, using a conductive
`Wire coated With an insulator. The Windings of coil 101 may
`be held in place With tape, adhesive, epoxy or other material
`(not shoWn) that holds the Wire together in a desired shape.
`The coil 101 may be generally circular as shoWn in FIG. 1 or
`any other convenient shape such as oval, square, triangular, or
`an irregular shape. Coil 101 may have an air core or holloW
`space/void as shoWn in FIG. 1, or may use a magnetic core
`such as iron, iron alloys, ferrite, permalloy and other available
`magnetic core materials. The core may be substantially cen
`trally located Within coil 101 With a generally cylindrical
`shape or may be off-center in particular applications With a
`differing or similar shape.
`In some embodiments, permanent magnets (not shoWn)
`may be integrated in, placed on the surface of, or otherWise
`placed in proximity to coil 101 to provide a static magnetic
`?eld that is cumulative With the time varying electromagnetic
`?eld produced When coil 101 is energiZed (as shoWn in FIG.
`2). Although a single coil 101 is shoWn in FIG. 1, it is con
`templated that tWo or more independently or synchronously
`energiZed coils may also be used that are distributed sym
`metrically or asymmetrically about a central axis of the
`candle device (e. g., an axis that extends upWard through the
`?rst and second stage housings 102, 104 and in some cases
`through pendulums or pendulum members 111, 121) so as to
`produce more complex magnetic ?elds; hoWever, this com
`plexity and attempt to explicitly control the magnetic ?eld
`shape may offer diminishing returns or even detrimentally
`effect the convincing result produced by the single coil imple
`mentation shoWn in FIG. 1.
`In operation, coil 101 is energiZed by a time-varying elec
`tric current to produce a time-varying magnetic ?eld, M1, in
`the vicinity of coil 101. In some embodiments, core material
`is used to focus and direct the magnetic ?eld that is produced
`and to alter the poWer requirements for the operation of the
`present invention. In the same or other embodiments, perma
`nent magnets are used in or near the coil 101 to superimpose
`a static magnetic ?eld on top of the time-varying ?eld, Ml,
`created by energiZing coil 101. The additional static magnetic
`?eld may be used to alter poWer requirements as Well as to
`selectively modify or de?ne the shape of the magnetic ?eld,
`M1, in the vicinity of coil 101.
`The ?rst stage 103 serves to translate the time varying
`electromagnetic ?eld, M1, produced by coil 101 into kinetic
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`motion, D1 Kinetic. The ?rst stage 103 is positioned such that at
`least its base is Within the electromagnetic ?eld, Ml, pro
`duced from coil 101 and elements Within ?rst stage 103 are
`magnetically coupled to coil 101 When its electromagnetic
`?eld, M1, is present. Speci?cally, a magnet 114 positioned or
`mounted at a loWer end of pendulum or ?rst stage pendulum
`member 111 is Within the time varying electromagnetic ?eld,
`Ml. Magnet 114 is preferably a small permanent magnet With
`suf?cient magnetic ?eld strength to be moved in response to
`either repulsive or attractive forces resulting from interaction
`With the time varying electromagnetic ?eld, Ml, produced by
`coil 101 such that the pendulum member 111 is displaced in
`a random or kinetic manner as shoWn at With arroWs D1 Kinetic.
`For example, the pendulum member 111 may have an elon
`gate body such as a thin planar design With a rectangular,
`elliptical, or other shape that may be formed of plastic or other
`non-ferrous material (e.g., a plastic rectangle With a Width of
`about 0.25 to 2 inch Width, a length of about 0.5 to 4 inches,
`and a thickness of 0.2 inches or less). The displacement,
`D1 Kinetic, may vary Widely to practice the invention but may
`be a random pattern With movements of up to 0.5 inches or
`more in any direction from an origin or at rest position.
`While the present invention operates With any polar align
`ment of magnet 114, the polar alignment of magnet 114 and
`that of the electromagnetic ?eld produced by coil 101 is
`coordinated or selected to produce desired results or kinetic
`movement/displacement, D1 Kinetic, of the loWer or ?rst stage
`pendulum member 111. For example, When coil 101 produces
`a north pole facing upWard then aligning magnet 114 (Which
`may be termed as a ?rst or loWer magnet of the loWer pendu
`lum member herein) With a south pole facing doWnWard Will
`increase the net attractive coupling force, Whereas aligning
`magnet 114 With a north pole facing doWnWard Will increase
`the net repulsive coupling force, and either arrangement may
`be useful in some embodiments of the device 100. Aligning
`magnet 114 at an angle Will have a predictable effect on the
`mix betWeen attractive and repulsive coupling forces and may
`be suitable or desirable in particular applications. Rare earth
`permanent magnets, ferrite magnets, ceramic magnets and
`the like are suitable for magnet 114. It is also possible to
`replace magnet 114 With a ferrous material that is attractively
`coupled to the electromagnetic ?eld.
`First stage or loWer housing 102 may be generally tubular
`in shape With a sideWall de?ning an interior space or void for
`containing the loWer pendulum member 111 and an interac
`tion space or area for the magnetic ?eld/forces, M1, and the
`loWer magnet 114 of pendulum member 111. The housing
`102 may have a sideWall formed of plastic, glass, ceramic,
`molded epoxy, or other material that can be formed into a
`desired shape for the particular application. Housing 102 may
`in some cases, include metal, hoWever, some metals may
`affect the electromagnetic ?eld. Housing 102 may be open at
`each end as shoWn or on one end, or, in some cases, it may be
`sealed at upper and/ or loWer ends With a magnetically perme
`able material such as glass, plastic, or the like. First stage or
`loWer housing 102 may be sealed With a vacuum and/or may
`be sealed and contain air or ?uid so as to manipulate or control
`the damping of pendulum 111 to obtain a desired responsive
`kinetic or random displacement/motion, D1 Kinetic, in
`response to the input magnetic ?eld, Ml, from coil 101. In
`some cases, the ?rst stage housing 102, pendulum 111, and
`the support 113 may also be considered or called a coupling
`member that is provided in the drive mechanism or motion
`engine 101 (or coupled to such mechanism, engine, or coil),
`and, additionally, the second pendulum member 121 along
`With its ?ame silhouette 125 may be considered a ?ame body.
`
`0014
`
`

`
`US 8,070,319 B2
`
`7
`Lower or ?rst stage pendulum member 111 is pivotally
`mounted Within or pivotally supported by a support element
`provided Within ?rst stage housing 102. Such pivotal support
`may be provided in a variety of Ways to alloW the pendulum
`to be kinetically displaced, D1 Kinetic, about the pivot point or
`mounting location. For example, but not as a limitation, the
`pendulum member 111 may have a pivot hole 112 formed to
`alloW a pendulum support 113, such as a rod, axle, Wire,
`string, or the like, to pass through. In some embodiments, the
`support 113 is ?exible and/or has a range or span of travel to
`alloW it to move With the pivotally supported member 111,
`e.g., a string or thread that is ?exible and is able to move
`side-to-side some amount (not completely taut) to introduce
`more chaotic movement to the loWer pendulum member 111.
`For example, the support element 113 may be a ?exible Wire,
`line, or thread With a length greater than a diameter of the
`housing (or the distance betWeen the sideWalls of housing
`102) such that it has a bit of play or slack that alloWs it to move
`in any direction from an at rest or original position (e. g., move
`360 degrees from an at rest position a distance or displace
`ment such as up to 0.5 inches or more but often less than about
`0.25 inches). In other embodiments, though, it is preferable
`that the support element 113 is rigid or semi-rigid and does
`not move With the pendulum member 111.
`Hole 112 is formed in the upper half of pendulum 111 such
`that more of the mass of pendulum 111 is beloW the pivot hole
`112 than is above pivot hole 112 (e.g., at 0.1 to 0.45 times the
`length of the pendulum member 1 11 as measured from the top
`edge or the like). Note, as the location of pivot point
`approaches equilibrium near the center of pendulum 111,
`pendulum 111 becomes increasingly unstable and exhibits
`increasingly chaotic motion. With this in mind, in the exem
`plary embodiment shoWn in FIG. 1, the pivot point or location
`of hole 112 is moved upWard With respect to the midpoint of
`pendulum 111 (e.g., in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 of the pendulum
`length), Which increases stability and decreases the move
`ment, D1 Kinetic, of the ?ame illusion, but this positioning of
`the pivot point or hole 112 decreases the range of motion of
`the upper end of pendulum 111, Which may be desirable in
`some embodiments. The location of pivot point 112 can be
`selected to meet the needs of a particular application. This
`arrangement alloWs pendulum 111 to hang in a stable position
`absent the affects of the electromagnetic ?eld and alloWs
`gravity to act on the mass of pendulum member 1 1 1 and loWer
`magnet 114 attached to pendulum 111. Other mechanisms,
`such as a gimbal or other joint(s), alloWing multi-axis move
`ment may be used as an alternative to the pivotal mounting
`provided by the combination of the pivot hole 112 and support
`element 113.
`Pendulum support Wire 113 is attached to the Walls of
`housing 102 for support at locations selected to place pendu
`lum 111 generally in the center of the holloW space de?ned by
`Walls of housing 102 so that support Wire 113 spans a diam
`eter When housing 102 has a circular cross section. In some
`preferred embodiments, support element 113 may include a
`rigid or semi-rigid Wire such as a steel or steel alloy Wire or
`rod and is preferably bent to form a loW spot at a location
`Where it is desired for pendulum 111 to rest (e. g., the mount
`ing locations for the ends of the Wire 113 may be about 0.1 to
`0.5 or more inches above the loW, center point or pivotal
`supporting portion of the Wire 113). Hole 112 in pendulum
`member 1 11 is su?iciently larger than the diameter of support
`Wire 112 such that pendulum 111 sWings or pivots freely
`about support Wire 113 but at the same time is held in gener
`ally the same location and orientation unless pendulum 111 is
`perturbed by the electromagnetic ?eld, Ml. In this manner;
`the top portion of pendulum member 111 is able to move back
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`and forth With pendulum movement, D1 Kinetic, Within a gen
`erally cone-shaped extent having hole 112 as an apex, as Well
`as ?utter.
`A small permanent magnet 115, Which may be similar in
`composition and alignment to magnet 1 14, is positioned at the
`upper end of pendulum 111,