# US 2018/0320849 A1 · Flame simulator with movable light beam > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0320849 A1 - Document ID: US20180320849A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/036,601 - Filed: 2018-07-16 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-01-25 - Assignees: Lowe's Companies, Inc. - Applicants: Lowe's Companies, Inc. - Inventors: Guillermo Enrique Baeza - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180320849A1 ## CPC - F21S 10/046: {by movement of parts, e.g. by movement of reflectors or light sources} - F21S 6/001: {candle-shaped} - F21S 9/03: rechargeable by exposure to light - F21V 9/08: for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light (with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40) - F21V 14/02: by movement of light sources {(in vehicle head lamps F21S41/657)} - F21V 14/08: by movement of the screens {or filters} - F21V 23/0464: {the sensor sensing the level of ambient illumination, e.g. dawn or dusk sensors} - F21V 14/06: by movement of refractors {(in vehicle head lamps F21S41/635)} - 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] - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - 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 ## Abstract A flame simulator includes a light beam source that projects a beam of light, a flame screen, a light beam mover that imparts movement to at least a part of the light beam source, and a range limiter. The light beam source includes a light source adapted to produce light and at least one light conditioner adapted to act on the light from the light source to produce the beam of light with a color, size and shape that mimics a flame when the beam strikes the flame screen. The range limiter is operatively associated with the light beam source so that the beam of light, when being projected, strikes at least a portion of the flame screen and causes illumination of the flame screen by the beam of light. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flame simulator comprising: a housing; a light beam source adapted to project a beam of light, the light beam source comprising a light source adapted to produce light and at least one light conditioner adapted to act on the light from the light source to produce the beam of light with a color, size and shape that mimics a flame when the beam strikes a flame screen; the flame screen arranged with respect to the light beam source so that, when the light beam source projects the beam of light, at least a portion of the beam of light strikes the flame screen, the flame screen being stationary relative to the housing; a light beam mover operatively associated with the light beam source and adapted to impart movement to at least part of the light beam source relative to the flame screen; and a range limiter operatively associated with the light beam source so that the beam of light, when being projected, always strikes at least a portion of the flame screen and causes illumination of the flame screen by the beam of light. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flame simulator of claim 1, wherein the light beam mover and the range limiter are configured so that movement of the light beam by the light beam mover causes changes in an angle of illumination and a position of illumination of the flame screen. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The flame simulator of claim 2, wherein the light beam mover and the range limiter are configured so that the changes in the angle of illumination and the position of illumination of the flame screen result in changes to the shape of the illumination of the flame screen. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The flame simulator of claim 1, wherein the light beam mover is configured to move the light source while the at least one light conditioner remains stationary. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The flame simulator of claim 1, wherein the light beam mover is configured to move the at least one light conditioner while the light source remains stationary. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The flame simulator of claim 1, wherein the light beam mover is configured to move the at least one light conditioner and the light source. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The flame simulator of claim 1, wherein the shape of the flame screen and a range of angles of the beam of light with respect to the flame screen are configured so that the illumination of the flame screen by the beam of light results in rounded, flame-shaped light projection on the flame screen. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The flame simulator of claim 1, wherein the light beam mover and the range limiter are configured so that movement of the light beam source in response to the light beam mover causes changes in the shape and position of illumination of the flame screen by the beam of light to mimic movement of a flame exposed to ambient air currents. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The flame simulator of claim 1, wherein the light beam source is adapted to produce a yellowish beam of light with a shape, intensity and color that result in a candle flame-mimicking illumination of the flame screen. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The flame simulator of claim 1, wherein the light beam source is adapted to produce the beam of light with a correlated color temperature in a range between 1,800 Kelvin and 1,900 Kelvin. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The flame simulator of claim 1, wherein the light beam source is adapted to produce the beam of light with a correlated color temperature in a range between 1,650 Kelvin and 2,300 Kelvin. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The flame simulator of claim 1, wherein the housing resembles a candle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The flame simulator of claim 12, wherein the flame screen projects upwardly from an upper surface of the housing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The flame simulator of claim 13, wherein the light beam source is located in the housing and no higher than the upper surface of the housing so that the light beam source is not visible when the housing is viewed from a location that is laterally separated from the housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The flame simulator of claim 1, wherein the light beam mover comprises a magnetic field generator adapted to produce a magnetic field that varies and causes at least part of the light beam source to move. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The flame simulator of claim 1, wherein the light beam mover comprises an air mover adapted to generate at least one air current that causes movement of at least part of the light beam source. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The flame simulator of claim 1, wherein the light beam mover comprises a motor and a mechanical coupling from the motor to at least part of the light beam source. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The flame simulator of claim 1, further comprising an anchor fixed to the housing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The flame simulator of claim 18, further comprising a ball-and-socket coupling between the light beam source and the anchor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The flame simulator of claim 19, wherein the ball-and-socket coupling constitutes at least part of the range limiter. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The flame simulator of claim 18, wherein the anchor extends downwardly from an upper wall of the housing. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The flame simulator of claim 21, further comprising a connector adapted to connect the light beam source to the anchor, and wherein the connector and the anchor constitute at least part of the range limiter. ### Claim 23 An imitation candle comprising: a candle body that, when resting upright on a surface, visually resembles a wax candle; and at least one flame simulator located partially inside the candle body, wherein each flame simulator comprises: a light beam source adapted to project a beam of light, the light beam source comprising a light source adapted to produce light and at least one light conditioner adapted to act on the light from the light source to produce the beam of light with a color, size and shape that mimics a flame when the beam strikes a flame screen; the flame screen arranged with respect to the light beam source so that, when the light beam source projects the beam of light, at least a portion of the beam of light strikes the flame screen, the flame screen being stationary relative to the candle body; a light beam mover operatively associated with the light beam source and adapted to impart movement to at least part of the light beam source relative to the flame screen; and a range limiter operatively associated with the light beam source so that the beam of light, when being projected, always strikes at least a portion of the flame screen and causes illumination of the flame screen by the beam of light. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The imitation candle of claim 23, wherein the candle body comprises an upper surface, each flame screen being located at the upper surface and extending upwardly from the upper surface; and wherein the imitation candle further comprises at least two of the at least one flame simulator arranged so that the flame screen of one flame simulator is laterally spaced apart from each other flame screen, to simulate a candle having multiple burning wicks. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The imitation candle of claim 23, wherein each light beam mover and each range limiter are configured so that movement of each beam of light in response to a corresponding one of the light beam movers causes changes in a corresponding illumination of a corresponding one of the flame screens that mimic movement of a flame exposed to ambient air currents. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The imitation candle of claim 25, wherein each light beam mover and each range limiter are configured so that movement of each beam of light in response to a corresponding one of the light beam movers causes changes in shape and position of a corresponding illumination of a corresponding flame screen by the corresponding beam of light. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The imitation candle of claim 23, wherein each light beam source is adapted to produce a yellowish beam of light with a shape, intensity and color that result in a candle flame-mimicking illumination of a corresponding flame screen. ### Claim 28 An imitation candle comprising: a candle body that visually resembles a wax candle; a candle holder adapted to support the candle body; and at least one flame simulator located partially inside the candle body, wherein each flame simulator comprises: a light beam source adapted to project a beam of light, the light beam source comprising a light source adapted to produce light and at least one light conditioner adapted to act on the light from the light source to produce the beam of light with a color, size and shape that mimics a flame when the beam strikes a flame screen; the flame screen arranged with respect to the light beam source so that, when the light beam source projects the beam of light, at least a portion of the beam of light strikes the flame screen, the flame screen being stationary relative to the candle body; a light beam mover operatively associated with the light beam source and adapted to impart movement to at least part of the light beam source relative to the flame screen; and a range limiter operatively associated with the light beam source so that the beam of light, when being projected, always strikes at least a portion of the flame screen and causes illumination of the flame screen by the beam of light; and a power supply circuit housed at least partially inside at least one of the candle holder or the candle body, and adapted to provide electrical power to the at least one flame simulator. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The imitation candle of claim 28, wherein the power supply includes a solar panel adapted to convert light energy into electrical energy, and an energy storage battery adapted to store electrical power from the solar panel and supply the electrical power to the at least one flame simulator when the at least one simulator is activated. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The imitation candle of claim 29, wherein the solar panel is located on the candle holder.