Active Hanukkah candelabrum

Details Active Hanukkah candelabrum Active Hanukkah candelabrum

2000-05-09

2002-12-10

Clarke, Sara (Department: 3743)

Combustion

Combined

C340S577000, C340S669000, C273S147000, C446S175000, C362S806000, C362S802000, C040S411000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06491516

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to entertaining devices and toys, particularly to interactive devices and toys for automatically supplying entertaining audible and/or visual output in response to a variety of occurrences, such as the spinning of a top and/or lighting of a candle.
2. Description of Prior Art
Hanukkah (also spelled Hanukka, Chanukkah, etc.; plural Hanukkiot) is a yearly Jewish festival started approximately 2000 years ago. The Hanukkah festival lasts eight days, mostly in December. Millions of Jews worldwide celebrate it; Hanukkah is a fun and joyous festival.
A Hanukkiah and a dreidel are two traditional devices used in Hanukkah. This invention is described in terms of such devices to emphasize its uniqueness and significance to its users, and over the prior art. Nevertheless, other embodiments and combinations employing the present invention are possible.
Hanukkiot: The first most visible aspect of the observance of Hanukkah is lighting of the candles of a special Hanukkah Menorah (candelabrum), called a Hanukkiah (also spelled Chanukkiah, Chanukia, or similar). The terms “Menorah” and “Hanukkiah” are often synonymously used, and are to be regarded as such throughout the specification and claims. Further the term “candle” is intended to define a generally conventional, combustible candle, made of wax, tallow, paraffin, or similar slow-burning material, and enclosing a combustible wick, unless the term “electrical candle” or “electric flame” is used.
Traditionally, the Hanukkiah is a multi-branched candelabrum holding up to nine candles in which one always stands out from the others, usually higher, or off to one side. Other than this there are no restrictions on the shape of a Hanukkiah, so artists can exercise a great deal of creativity in designing them. The candle that stands out is called the shamash (Hebrew: “servant”, also spelled shammes, shammash, shammas, etc.). The shamash (also called shamash candle) is used to light the other or “day” candles, which represent the days of Hanukkah. The Hanukkiah includes nine open cups, recesses, or similar receptacles to hold the candles. Most Jewish homes worldwide have at least one Hanukkiah. During Hanukkah, family members light the candles of the Hanukkiah.
Ancient tradition prescribes a certain ceremony when lighting the candles. The ceremony is described here in detail to appreciate the invention fully. The ceremony is commonly conducted as follows: On the first night of Hanukkah, a first and new candle is placed at the far right of the Hanukkiah, in a holder. Next, a new shamash candle, being held by hand, is lit, e.g., by a match, and customary blessings are recited by the celebrants. During the recitation, the shamash is used to light the first candle. Then, the shamash is placed in its designated holder. At that time, it is customary to bless or sing to the words of Hanerot Hallalu (Hebrew), and sing the song Maoz Tzur (Hebrew)-also known as “Rock of Ages”, to close down the lighting of the Hanukkiah ceremony for that night. The shamash and first candle are allowed to burn down. Thereafter, many Hanukkah songs are usually sung to celebrate the festival.
Similarly, on each night of Hanukkah, the ceremony is repeated. The burned-out candles from the day before are replaced by new ones, with one more day candle added each day, from right to left. The candles are lit and the songs and blessings are recited. The candles are usually lit by the shamash from left to right to honor to the newer candles first. On the eighth night of Hanukkah, all nine candles are lit. That concludes the festival and lighting ceremony. The lit candles are designed to burn a minimum of ½ hour and are allowed to burn down on their own.
Hanukkiot are made using a variety of materials, such as: glass, wood, plastics, ceramic, clay, stone, metal alloys, brass, gold, silver, etc. Their outer surface can be smooth, rough, engraved, molded, sculptured, machined, painted, etc., and they may be combined with various figurines.
Common Hanukkah candles are thin and long (tapers), usually 10 cm to 15 cm in length, though other dimensions are possible. The candles may be bought in a box that contain enough candles (>44) to last the eight nights of Hanukkah, allowing daily replacement. The candles are secured at the lower parts in their receptacles. The receptacles are designed to easily receive the candles so the user will have no difficulty replacing the candles each day without tools.
The most common and dominant Hanukkiot that can be found in the markets are those adapted to hold candles. The Judaica market is full of beautiful Hanukkiot, designed by many artists. Each year new designs appear. With some Hanukkiot, small oil lamps with floating wicks replace the candles.
Some Hanukkiot designs serve no practical function. These include two-dimensional pictorial illustrations of Hanukkiot, appearing mostly on cloth wall hangings, paintings, post cards, greeting cards, drawings, etc. Of course, pictorial Hanukkiot are not designed to hold combustible candles; they serve as passive ornaments.
A few weeks prior to Hanukkah, children are taught all about Hanukkah in every Jewish school around the world. They learn about the history involved, customs, foods, songs, blessings, and traditional stories. One or more Hanukkiah is placed for display in most classrooms. Further, Hanukkiot design exhibitions and competitions are held in schools.
Over the years, there has been little advancement with regard to Hanukkiot, apart from their artistic design. The majority of advancement has been in providing electric Hanukkiot. These include nine electric light bulbs or LEDs serving as electric candles or flames, and operated by an electric switch or switches. Electric Hanukkiot are relatively remote to the Hanukkah tradition.
The following patents relate to electric Hanukkiah (Menorah):
U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,622 to Horowitz et al, Apr. 25, 2000, describes a wand activated electric Menorah.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,482 to Goldman, Mar. 16, 1999, describes a display device illustrating only a pictorial representation of a Menorah. It optionally includes an electronic circuit to operate a solenoid for advancing an indexed wheel indicating the day of Hanukkah.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,251 to Michael et al, Oct. 13, 1998, describes a two-dimensional, electrically illuminated, ornamental device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,492 to Donald, May 24, 1994, describes an electric Menorah that includes electric flames, and an electronic music sound chip operated by a switch.
U.S. Pat. 4,492,896 to Graham, Jan. 8, 1985, describes an electronic candle system where electric candles (light bulbs) are lighted on a touch of a hand-held wand.
Further, patented prior art that relate to general musical electric candles include:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,478 to Donald, Dec. 10, 1996, describes a food covering system that includes electric candles, and/or moving decorations, and/or a music device that are controlled by a switch, a microcontroller, and by a breath sensor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,750 to Lewis et al. Oct. 3, 1995, describes an, artificial tree with scent, sound and electric lights.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,645 to Martin, Dec. 29, 1992, describes an electric candle and music that are operated by a sound pick-up and shut by a breath sensor.
Still further, patented prior art that relate to musical, combustible, candles include the following:
A single candle having a light, heat or other sensing means embedded inside it, mostly along its wick, and being coupled to a music-producing circuit is shown in the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,767 to Jin, Jul. 13, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,617, Dec. 3, 1991 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,119, Jan. 8, 1991 to Lin; U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,096 to Shin et al. Sep. 15, 1998; U.S. Pat. No, 5,015,175 to Lee, May 14, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,249 to Ruzek et al, Oct. 16, 1984; U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,323 to Kim, Feb. 14, 1989; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,568,269 to Lin, Feb. 4, 1986. All of these relate to unique candles, where a flame sensing mechanism is l

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