MOUNTING MECHANISMS FOR ELECTRONIC LIGHTING DEVICES
Flameless candles are described that improve the mounts used to support the flame element. The improved mounts can include a support base or a hook for movably supporting a flame element. The enhanced mounts improve the manufacturing of the assembly of the flameless candle and also enable the flame element to have a more natural flame-like flicker of light.
1 . A support mount for a flame element in a flameless candle, the support mount comprising:
a vertical post with a top end and a bottom end, wherein the bottom end is attached to a base of the support mount; and
a support member having a first end attached to the top end of the vertical post and oriented substantially parallel to the base, the support member including a second end that includes a vertical section, the vertical section of the support member including a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion is shaped to contact an internal surface of a flame element and to support the flame element in a vertical position.
2 . The support mount of claim 1 , wherein the vertical section forms a T-shape that is substantially orthogonal to the support member.
3 . The support mount of claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the vertical section has a smaller cross sectional area than the bottom portion of the vertical section.
4 . The support mount of claim 1 , wherein the vertical post forms a substantially right angle with respect to the base of the support mount.
5 . The support mount of claim 1 , wherein the support mount is a single integrated component.
6 . The support mount of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the support member, the vertical section, or the vertical post comprises a plastic material, a metal, or a combination thereof.
7 . The support mount of claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the vertical section has a pin-shaped protrusion for contacting the internal surface of the flame element.
8 . A flameless candle for imitating a real-life candle, comprising:
a body including a top surface, the top surface including an opening;
a flame element having an upper portion shaped to mimic a flame of a candle and to protrude out of the opening, and a lower portion having a structure that includes a hole in a side of the structure;
a support mount comprising:
a vertical post with a top end and a bottom end, wherein the bottom end is attached to a base of the support mount, and
a support member oriented substantially parallel to the base and passing through the hole in the side of the lower portion of the flame element, the support member having a first end attached to the top end of the vertical post and a second end that includes a vertical section, the vertical section of the support member including a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion contacts an internal surface of the structure; and
a light source disposed below the top surface and positioned to emit light onto the flame element.
9 . The flameless candle of claim 8 , wherein the support mount further includes a bracket for positioning the light source, the bracket coupled to the base of the support mount and forming an inclined angle with respect to the base.
10 . The flameless candle of claim 8 , further comprising a motion engine to cause the flame element to move.
11 . The flameless candle of claim 10 , wherein the motion engine includes a coil coupled to an electronic circuit for energizing the coil, and the flame element includes a magnet that interacts with a magnetic field that is generated by the coil.
12 . The flameless candle of claim 8 , wherein the vertical section forms a T-shape that is substantially orthogonal to the support member.
13 . The flameless candle of claim 8 , wherein the top portion of the vertical section has a smaller cross sectional area than the bottom portion of the vertical section.
14 . The flameless candle of claim 8 , wherein the vertical post forms a substantially right angle with respect to the base of the support mount.
15 . The flameless candle of claim 8 , wherein the support mount is a single integrated component.
16 . The flameless candle of claim 8 , wherein each of the support member, the vertical section, and the vertical post comprises a plastic material, a metal, or a combination thereof.
17 . The flameless candle of claim 8 , wherein the top portion of the vertical section has a pin-shaped protrusion for contacting the internal surface of the flame element.
18 . The flameless candle of claim 8 , wherein the internal surface of the flame element includes a conical surface.
19 . The flameless candle of claim 8 , further comprising a cover including a through hole on a top surface thereof positioned to allow the flame element protrude outward from the through hole when the flame element is supported by the support mount.
20 . The flameless candle of claim 19 , wherein the cover includes a sidewall that extends downward to form an enclosure configured to house at least the support mount.
21 . The flameless candle of claim 20 , wherein the sidewall includes one or more openings.
22 . The flameless candle of claim 20 , wherein the sidewall includes a plurality of protrusions on an internal surface of the sidewall.
23 . The flameless candle of claim 20 , further including a board configured to form a bottom section of the cover.
24 . The flameless candle of claim 23 , wherein the board includes an electrical circuit.
25 . The flameless candle of claim 23 , wherein the board includes an electromagnet.