# US 10,502,377 B2 · Kinetic flame device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,502,377 B2 - Document ID: US10502377B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/031,866 - Filed: 2018-07-10 - Published: 2019-01-10 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2008-09-30 - Assignees: L&L Candle Company, LLC - Applicants: L&L Candle Company LLC - Inventors: Gary W Schnuckle; Douglas M Patton - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502377B2 ## CPC - F21S 10/046: {by movement of parts, e.g. by movement of reflectors or light sources} - F21K 9/23: Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings - F21S 6/001: {candle-shaped} - F21S 10/04: simulating flames - F21V 17/02: with provision for adjustment (F21V17/04 - F21V17/08 take precedence) - F21V 17/06: the fastening being onto or by the lampholder - F21V 17/10: characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening (F21V17/02 - F21V17/08 take precedence) - H01K 7/06: for decorative purposes - F21W 2121/00: Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00 - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - H05B 47/10: Controlling the light source - H05B 47/165: following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC] - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - F21K: NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H01K: ELECTRIC INCANDESCENT LAMPS (details, apparatus or processes for manufacture applicable to both discharge devices and incandescent lamps H01J; light sources using a combination of incandescent and other types of light generation H01J61/96, H05B35/00) - F21W: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL ## Abstract An apparatus creating a flickering flame effect. The apparatus includes a housing with an interior space with first and second stages. A drive mechanism generates a time varying electromagnetic field extending into the first stage. A first pendulum member is pivotally mounted in the interior space of the first stage and includes first and second magnets on first and second ends, with the first end proximate to the drive mechanism such that the first magnet interacts with the varying electromagnetic field 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 first end proximate to the second end of the first pendulum member. A flame silhouette element extends from the second pendulum member, and a light source transmits light onto the flame silhouette, which is moving due to the magnetic coupling of the pendulum members. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for simulating a flickering flame effect, comprising: a housing including an interior space; a pendulum member mounted within the interior space, the pendulum member including a first lower end and a second upper end and a hole disposed at a location between the first end and the second end, and the first lower end located in the interior space in the housing at a location where the first lower end can move in the housing; a flame-shaped piece located such that at least a portion of the flame-shaped piece extends outwardly from the housing a light source disposed within the housing to selectively transmit light onto the flame-shaped piece; a drive mechanism positioned in the housing and operating to provide kinetic motion at the first end of the pendulum member; and a support member coupled to the housing, wherein the pendulum member is suspended within the interior space by the support member, wherein the support member is configured to pass through the hole, and wherein the hole has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the support member, and where the support is flexible and moves side-to-side when the pendulum member moves, by an amount to introduce more chaotic movement to the first lower end of the pendulum member. ### Claim 2 An apparatus for simulating a flickering flame effect, comprising: a housing including an interior space; a pendulum member including first and second ends and a hole disposed at a location between the first and second ends, wherein the pendulum member further includes a flame-shaped piece at the second end such that at least a portion of the flame-shaped piece extends outwardly from the housing; a light source disposed within the housing to selectively transmit light onto the flame-shaped piece; a drive mechanism positioned in the housing and operating to provide kinetic motion at the first end of the pendulum member; and a support member coupled to the housing, wherein the pendulum member is suspended within the interior space by the support member, wherein the support element is configured to pass through the hole, and wherein the hole has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the support, wherein the support member comprises a flexible member, wherein the support member comprises a string or thread. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a fan that directs output airflow towards the first end of the pendulum member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, further including a fan controller varying a fan speed of the fan to vary a volumetric flow rate of the output airflow over an operating period of the apparatus to provide the kinetic motion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flame shaped piece is attached to the second upper end of the pendulum, and where movement of the pendulum causes movement of the flame shaped piece. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein movement of the pendulum causes movement which changes a location where the light source disposed within the housing selectively transmits light onto the flame-shaped piece. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a string or thread. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a wire.