Combustion – Candle – e.g. – taper – etc. – Having structure additional to wax and wick
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-05
2004-03-09
Cocks, Josiah (Department: 3749)
Combustion
Candle, e.g., taper, etc.
Having structure additional to wax and wick
C431S296000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06702573
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of candles, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for supporting candles in a candle display device.
II. Description of the Related Art
For centuries, candles have been used for a variety of reasons ranging from reading light to decorations at ceremonial events such as weddings. In recent years, mechanical candles have been used to replace the more typical wax candles. In many settings such as churches, wax candles are no longer acceptable because of danger of wax damage to church property as well as increased risk of fire.
FIG. 1A
illustrates a prior art mechanical candelabra
100
. The candelabra
100
typically includes a base stand
110
connected to a long support pole
105
. A candle holder arrangement
120
typically sits atop the pole
105
. The candle holder arrangement
120
on top of the pole supports a mechanical candle
125
. Braces
115
are typically connected to the pole
105
on the sides. The braces
115
serve both as decoration and support for additional candle holder arrangements
120
which in turn support two additional candles
120
. The candelabra
100
is a typical candelabra used for mechanical candles and is shown to illustrate the prior art. There are a variety of other arrangements in the prior art that support mechanical candles.
FIG. 1B
illustrates a prior art mechanical candle
125
illustrated in FIG.
1
A. The candle
125
typically includes an elongated body
126
. At one end of the body a tip
144
includes a replaceable wax insert
135
which can be lit with a flame
140
. The elongated body
126
typically includes an outer cover
130
and an internal mechanism (not shown) that supports the wax insert
135
. The candle
125
also has a base
145
. The base includes a twist portion
150
that is used to removed the outer cover
130
from the internal mechanism (not shown).
FIG. 2
illustrates side view of a candle holder arrangement
200
(
120
in FIG.
1
A). The arrangement
200
includes a base
205
. The base can be decorative adding to the aesthetic beauty of the candelabra. Candle support prongs
215
are connected to support device that is connected to the base
205
. Decorative coverings
210
surround the support prongs
215
. The support prongs
215
can also be decorative, but function mainly to support a mechanical candle.
FIG. 3A
illustrates a side view of a candle holder arrangement
305
. This arrangement is similar to the arrangement
200
in FIG.
2
. However, the decorative coverings have been removed to better illustrates the candle support device
310
. This arrangement
300
also includes a base
305
. A mechanical candle
320
is shown supported in the support device
310
by the individual prongs
315
.
FIG. 3B
illustrates the component parts of the holder
300
of FIG.
3
A. The support device
310
is connected to the base
305
by a bolt
360
and a nut
355
. A hole (not shown) in the device
310
fits onto the bolt
360
and the nut
355
is screwed onto the bolt
360
to support the device
310
.
FIG. 3C
illustrates a top view of the candle holder
300
. The device
310
is connected to the base
305
and the nut
355
is screwed onto the bolt
360
. The support devices
310
are typically manufactured of rigid plastic or metal.
FIG. 4
illustrates a candle support arrangement
400
. The arrangement includes a base
405
decorative coverings and support prongs
415
similar to the figures described above. Over time, the prongs
415
can become weak in many ways. For example, plastic or metal can become fatigued and break or simply bend out of place. When the prongs
415
weaken, the mechanical candle
420
begins to fall to off to one side and has to be straightened.
FIG. 4B
illustrates an candelabra
450
having three candles
460
,
465
,
470
. Candle
460
is substantially straight. Candle
465
is offset in the direction of arrow
466
and candle
470
is offset in a direction of arrow
471
. Typically, the candles, now offset from the normal center position interfere with the ceremony and service providers in the ceremony. Typically, photographers have to deal with the crooked candles, often stopping a picture in order to straighten the candle. Once a candle is straightened there is no guarantee that it won't fall off center again because the candle is simply balanced into a straightened position.
If the device and prongs
415
are made of metal, the decorative covering
410
can be removed and the prongs
415
can be bent back into shape. If the prongs
415
are plastic, the entire device needs to typically be replaced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention and the contemplated problems which have and continue to exist in this field, the invention features a method and apparatus for securing candles in candle display devices such as candelabras and candlesticks. The candle support apparatus replaces the prior art prongs and is typically more durable and long lasting. The candle support apparatus supports and straightens a candle once the candle is inserted and typically requires no further attention to maintain the supported candle.
A candle support apparatus includes an outer shell or tubular body and inner shell or tubular body. The outer shell is typically a rigid casing that attaches to the candelabra or other candle holder. The inner radius of the outer shell is typically larger than the candle. The inner shell is typically resilient and has a radius smaller than the candle. The inner shell includes a substantially cylindrical portion having a longitudinal axis. The inner shell further includes a number of prongs sharing a common longitudinal axis with the substantially cylindrical portion. The end of the outer shell that is adapted to connect to the candelabra is a closed end with a hole adapted to receive a screw, bolt or other device used to attached the support apparatus to the candelabra. The inner and outer shells are connected to each other by a connecting device such as a rivet that is typically driven through both the inner and outer shell perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
In general, in one aspect, the inventions features a candle support apparatus including a first tubular body having a longitudinal axis and a hollow interior and a second tubular body having a common longitudinal axis with the first tubular body and a hollow interior, and positioned within a portion of the hollow interior.
In an implementation, the first and second tubular bodies have open ends and an end cap closing a substantial portion of an end of the first tubular body.
In another implementation, the second tubular body includes a substantially cylindrical base having a first end and second end and a common longitudinal axis with the first tubular body and a plurality of elongated prongs connected to one of the first and second ends of the base, and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
In another implementation, the apparatus includes a connecting device that secures the first tubular body to the second tubular body, the connecting device being substantially perpendicular to the common longitudinal axes and protrudes into a portion of the hollow interiors.
In another aspect the invention features a candle control apparatus including a first substantially cylindrical body having an outer surface and an inner surface, and a first and second end, wherein at least one of the first and second ends is open, the first body having a first radius and a hollow interior, a second substantially cylindrical body having an outer surface and an inner surface, and a first and second end, wherein at least one of the first and second ends is open, the second body having a second radius less than the first radius and a longitudinal axis common to the first and second bodies, wherein the second body is positioned within a portion of the hollow interior of the first body.
In one implementation, the apparatus includes a connecting device that connects the first bo
Cocks Josiah
Hinkle & O'Bradovich, LLC
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