Electric lighting devices
Various components for artificial candles and other lighting devices are described that can be used to create a realistic flame effect in the devices. The devices include a flame element that extends upwardly from a housing. A light source can be disposed with respect to the flame element such that the flame element is illuminated. A variety of drive mechanisms could be disposed within the body of the device that can cause movement of the flame element with respect to the housing. The flame element can be coupled to a housing or mounting bracket of the device using various components to suspend the flame element within the housing.
1. An electronic lighting device, comprising:
a flame element comprising a hollow interior and an aperture disposed on a sidewall of the flame element, wherein the flame element comprises a tab that extends from a perimeter of the aperture into the aperture;
a housing comprising an internal cavity;
an arm that extends within the housing and has a first end disposed in a central area of the internal cavity;
wherein the arm is sized and dimensioned to extend into the aperture to suspend the flame element within the cavity and to allow the flame element to move with respect to the arm; and
wherein the first end of the arm is disposed within the hollow interior of the flame element, and the flame element is configured to rest on the first end of the arm when the first end is disposed within the flame element.
2. The electronic lighting device of claim 1 , wherein the projection resting on the recess permits the flame element to move while the projection rests on the recess.
3. The electronic lighting device of claim 1 , further comprising a light source disposed within the internal cavity and configured to emit light onto a face of the flame element, and wherein the light source is disposed facing the flame element, and the arm is disposed facing a back of the flame element opposite the face.
4. The electronic lighting device of claim 1 , wherein the tab is flexible.
5. The electronic lighting device of claim 4 , wherein the arm has a downward projection, and wherein the tab and the downward projection of the arm overlap to secure the flame element on the arm while the flame element is suspended on the arm.
6. An electronic lighting device, comprising:
a flame element comprising an enclosed, hollow interior, with a first aperture disposed on a sidewall of the flame element;
a housing comprising an internal cavity;
an arm that extends horizontally from the housing and ends within a central area of the internal cavity, wherein the arm is removably coupled to the housing; and
wherein the arm is sized and dimensioned to extend horizontally through the first aperture and into the enclosed, hollow interior to suspend the flame element within the internal cavity to allow the flame element to move with respect to the arm.
7. The electronic lighting device of claim 6 , wherein the housing further comprises a recessed portion that is sized and dimensioned to receive the arm.
8. The electronic lighting device of claim 6 , wherein the arm has a recess, and the flame element has a projection that extends downward, and further wherein the projection rests on the recess to allow the flame element to move while the flame element is suspended on the arm.
9. The electronic lighting device of claim 8 , wherein the flame element comprises a tab that extends from the sidewall of the flame element into the first aperture, and wherein the tab and a downward projection of the arm overlap to inhibit removal of the end of the arm from the flame element while the flame element is suspended on the arm.
10. An electronic lighting device, comprising:
a flame element comprising a hollow interior and an aperture disposed on a sidewall of the flame element,
wherein the flame element further comprises a channel circumferentially disposed on the flame element that is sized and dimensioned to receive an O-ring;
a housing comprising an internal cavity;
an arm that extends from the housing and has a first end disposed in a central area of the internal cavity;
wherein the arm is sized and dimensioned to extend into the aperture to suspend the flame element within the cavity and to allow the flame element to move with respect to the arm; and
wherein the first end of the arm has a recess disposed at or near the first end, and the flame element has a projection that extends downward into the hollow interior, and wherein the projection rests at the recess when the first end is disposed within the flame element.
11. An electronic lighting device, comprising:
a flame element comprising a hollow interior and an aperture disposed on a sidewall of the flame element;
wherein a lower portion of the flame element has an asymmetric shape;
a housing comprising an internal cavity;
an arm that extends from the housing and has a first end disposed in a central area of the internal cavity;
wherein the arm is sized and dimensioned to extend in the aperture to suspend the flame element within the cavity and to allow the flame element to move with respect to the arm; and
wherein the first end of the arm has a recess disposed at or near the first end, and the flame element has a projection that extends downward into the hollow interior and wherein the projection rests at the recess when the first end is disposed within the flame element.
12. An electronic lighting device, comprising:
a flame element comprising a hollow interior and an aperture disposed on a sidewall of the flame element, wherein the flame element comprises a tab that extends from a perimeter of the aperture into the aperture;
a housing comprising an internal cavity;
an arm that extends within the housing and has a first end disposed in a central area of the internal cavity; and
wherein the arm is sized and dimensioned to extend into the aperture to suspend the flame element within the cavity and to allow the flame element to move with respect to the arm.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the flame element has a projection that extends downward into the hollow interior, and wherein the arm has a recess at or near the first end, and wherein the projection rests at the recess to allow the flame element to move while the projection rests at the recess.
14. The electronic lighting device of claim 12 , wherein the tab and a downward projection of the arm overlap to secure the flame element on the arm while the projection of the flame element rests within the recess of the arm.