TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention pertains to the general field of adjustable candleholders and more particularly to adjust- able candleholders incorporating a self-centering mechanism that allows candles of various diameters -to be securely gripped in a perpendicular position.

BACKGROUND ART

Candleholders in contemporary use serve primarily as decorative pieces and secondarily for functional lighting. Most conventional candleholders have an upper circular cavity that is sized to firmly hold candles of one diameter only. Therefore, to use these candleholders with candles having a diameter that is larger or smaller than the Ciameter of the opening, it is necessary to modify the candle. In cases of larger candles the candle bottom must be shaved to the required diameter; when the candle is of a smaller diameter it becomes necessary to wrap the bottom with a tape, or the like, until the candle is of sufficient diameter to securely fit into the circular opening.

There have also been designs disclosed where th candleholder is fitted with a self-centering mechanism that grips candles of various diameter in a perpendi- cular position. Most of these mechanism employ a plurality of segments cr jaws that move in a uniform motion towards or away from the central axis of the

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candleholder when a cap, located on top of the candle¬ holder, is rotated. Other mechanisms use a set of springs where one end of the spring is secured to the inside wall of the candleholder and the other to a set of plates or jaws that are opened or drawn, towards the center by the action of the springs when a handle is depressed.

The problem of having one candleholder suffice for a number of candle diameters is solved by some of the prior art devices. However, these universal candle¬ holders use a multiplicity of parts that have a tendency to bind by virtue of the mechanism design and/or by wax droppings that ol g the mechanism. Additionally, be¬ cause of the quantity and intricacy of some of the parts a malfunction may be difficult to locate and repair. A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents or publications that directly read on the candle¬ holder mechanism used in the instant invention. However, the following U.S- patents were considered in the inves— tigation and evaluation of the prior art:

PATENT NUMBER INVENTOR ISSUED

2,246,953 Romano 24 June 1941

2,163,137 Ager-Wick 20 June 1939

1,331,709 Harmata 24 February 1920 _t The Romano patent discloses a candleholder in which candles of various diameters may be supported and held in a vertical position in the candleholder. A mechanism is employed that includes a set of springed arms, levers, jaws and operating handles. The springed arms exert pressure ~n the levers which tend to close the jaws. When a candle is placed in the candleholder, the handles are pressed ogether to open the jaws. The candle is than inserted between the jaws and. the handles are released to permit the jaws to close upon and hold the candle in place.

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The Ager- ick patent also disclose a candleholder equipped with a self-centering mechanism that grips candles of various sizes in a perpendicular position. The mechanism is comprised of three segments or jaws having perpendicular projections, for gripping the candle. By turning a cap, located on top of the candleholder, all three segments are caused to move in a uniform motion towards or away from the central axis of the candleholder.

The Harmata patent describes a candleholder employing a mechanism that supports candles of various diameters in a perpendicular position. The mechanism is comprised of a plurality of conically wound springs ^• arranged in upper and lower rows and secured to the ins ⁱ e walls of the candleholder. The springs are attached, to a plurality of plates having arcuate faces that are drawn inwardly towards the center by the action of the springs _* Thus holding a candle inserted between the plates.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The improved adjustable -• ldleholder allows candles.of various diameters and shapes to be centrally located and perpendicularly secured within the candle¬ holder. The problems inherent with conventional candleholders and those employing mechanisms allowing the usage of several size candles, as described in the BACK¬ GROUND ART section, are solved by the instant invention. The preferred embodiment of the improved adjust¬ able candleholder is comprised of a base having an upper section and a bottom section. The upper section inc rporates a mechanism employing a set of rack and pinion assemblies having three clamping segments that expand and retract in a circular motion to respectfully increase or decrease the clamping di- .^ater _* The candle diameter desired is adjusted by holding the bottom

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section stationery and rotating the upper section. To increase the clamping diameter, the upper section is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction; conversely, to decrease the diameter a clockwise rotation is neces- sary. Thusly, the mechanisms provides a self-centering means adjustable to accommodate and secure several sizes of candles with a tight grip and in a perfectly vertical position.

In addition to providing a candleholder that accepts several size candles, it is also an objective of the invention to provide a mechanism that: o uses few parts with no springs or levers o is simple in construction, o is durable, o is reliable and relatively maintenance free, and o can be manufactured at low cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The details of the invention are described in con- nection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of the invention •showing a partial view of the mechanism.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment taken along lines 2-2 of FIGURE 1- FIGURE 3 is a top view of the preferred embodiment taken along lines 3-3 of FIGURE 2 showing the clamping segments of the mechanism in the extended position.

FIGURE 4 is a top view of the preferred embodi¬ ment taken along lines 3-3 of FIGURE 2 showing the clamping segments of the mechanism in the retracted position.

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FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of the mechanism used in the preferred embodiment.

FIGURE 6 is a bottom view of the preferred embodi¬ ment cam assembly taken along lines 6-6 of FIGURE 5., FIGURE 7 is a top view of the preferred embodiment jaw assembly taken along lines 7-7 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a bottom view of the preferred embodi¬ ment jaw assembly taken along lines 8-8 of FIGURE.5.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view of the upper and lower sections and the mechanism of the second embodiment

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view of the upper and lower sections and another view of the mechanise.- showing the rack channel.

FIGURE 11 is a top view of the mechanism taken along lines 11-11 of FIGURE 9 showing- the rack and pinion in an extended position.

FIGURE 12 is a top view of the mechanism taken along lines 12-12 of FIGURE 10 showing the rack and pinion in a retracted position. FIGURE 13 is a sectional view of the second embodiment taken along lines 13-13 of FIGURE 9 showing the configuration of the finger openings.

FIGURE 14 is a sectional view of the upper and lower sections and the mechanism of the third embodiment. FIGURE 15 is a top view of the mechanism taken along lines 15-15 of FIGURE 14 showing the configuration of the sun gear and three planetary gears.

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FIGURE 16 is a bottom view of the mechanism taken along lines 16-16 of FIGURE 1.4 also showing the configuration of the sun gear and three planetary gears.

FIGURE 17 is a sectional view of the upper and lower sections and the mechanism of the fourth embodiment.

FIGURE 18 is a top view of the mechanism taken along lines 18-18 of FIGURE 17 showing the configuration of the three planetary gears in contact with the inner- wall circumference gear.

FIGURE 19 is a buttom view of the mechanism taken along lines 19-19 of FIGURE 17 showing the triangular hole pattern of the three planetary gears.

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BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention is described in terms of four embodiments. The commonality inherent in all four embodiments is a two-section base assembly where the upper section is rotatably attached to the lower section; the differences in the embodiments are in the configura¬ tion of a candle holding mechanism installed in the upper section. In each embodiment when the lower section is held stationary and the upper section is rotated three clamping segments or fingers in the mechanism retract or expand to allow candles of various sizes and shapes to be perpendicularly held within the candleholder. The best mode for carrying out the invention or preferred embodiment of the improved adjustable candleholder 10, as shown in FIGURES 1 through 8, is comprised of three major elements: a first base assembly 12; a sleeve 13, and a first candleholder mechanism 14.

The first base assembly 12, as best shown in FIGURE 2, is comprised of an upper section 12a and a lower section 12g. The upper section 12a has a first candle/mechanism cavity1 „-> ■.^mmencing at its top end that is dimensioned to enclose and retain the mechanism 14, described infra, which in turn accepts various sizes and shapes of candles. The bottom end of the upper section 12a, that is the bottom of the cavity 12b, has a centrally located first sleeve bore 12c that has a diameter to accept the upper portion of the sleeve 13. The upper circumference of the upper section in the preferred embodiment also has an outwardly extending lip 12d to retain any hot wax that may drip from the candle during use.

The lower section 12g has a first bottom cavity 12h that extends upwardly from its bottom end _* The end of the cavity has a second sleeve bore 12i extending therethrough that is in alignment with the first sleeve

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bore 12c. The sleeve 13, which is inserted and position¬ ed between the first and second sleeve bores I2c, 12i allows the upper section and lower section to be rota¬ tably attached. The sleeve is held in place in the lower section by filling the first bottom cavity 12h, housing the exposed sleeve, with a liquid potting compound that solidifies when dry.

The core of the invention is the first candle mechanism 14 that is inserted into and locked within the first candle mechanism cavity 12b, The mechanism is comprised of a first glide structure 15, a first jaw assembly 16 and a cam assembly 17. The structure 15, assembly 16 and assembly 17 synergistically operate to allow candles of various diameters and shapes to be centrally located and perpendicularly secured within the cavity 12b of the candleholder 10. -

The first glide structure 15, -as best shown in FIGURE 5, is further comprised of a first circular disk 15a that has on its top surface three first glide chan- nels 15b that form an equilateral triangle. On the upper surface of the disk 15a and at the centroid of the triangle there is also a pinion gear cavity 15c where the bottom-center of the cavity has a cam shaft bore 15d extending therethrough. The disk 15a is locked to the inner side walls of the upper section 12a. In the pre¬ ferred embodiment the locking is accomplished by a set of vertically oriented locking splines 15e that are evenly distributed around the circumference of the disk. 15a. When the disk is pressed into the upper, section the splines 15e are embedded into the inner side walls to hold the disk firmly in place.

The first jaw assembly 16 _r as also best shown in FIGURE 5, comprises three identical first jaw structures 16a. Each structure, as shown in FIGURE 7 and 8, is comprised of a first rack gear 16, a first clamping segment 16d, and a slide 16e. The first rack, gear 16b

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has a plurality of gear teeth 16c that extend inwardl towards the center of the first glide structure 15. On the outward upper side surface of the rack gear there is located a first clamping segment 16d. The segment is curved inwardly and extends upwardly and normal to the side of the rack gear. On the longitudinal bottom side of the first rack gear 16d there is a contiguous slide extending in a downwardly direction. The slide is dimensioned to slideable traverse the corresponding first slide channel 15b on the first glide structure 15. When all three of the jaw structures 16 are positioned in their corresponding first slide channels 15b the clamping segments form a segmented circular pattern that can securely grip a candle. The clamping segments expand and retract by the action of the rotating upper-section and are guided in - their travel by the cam assembly 17. The cam assembly is comprised of an elliptical cam plate 17a, a cam shaft 17b and a pinion gear 17c. The cam plate, as best shown in FIGURE 6, has three evenly spaced curved openings where each opening is shaped to conform to the inward curve of the first clamping segment 16a. In the pre¬ ferred embodiment the cam shaft 17b and pinion gear 17c are constructed as a single contiguous structure. How- ever, the pinion gear may be a separate entity and conventionally attached to the top of the shaft. In either case the top of the pinion gear 17c is rigidly attached to the bottom-center of the cam plate► The lower section of the cam shaft 17b has a set of radially projecting locking splines 17d and a tapered end 17e. When the cam assembly is in place the pinion gear 17c is partially placed within the pinion gear cavity 15c in the first glide structure 15a where the teeth of the pinion gear mesh with the teeth on each of the first rack gears 16b on the first jaw structure 16a. The diameter of the upper cam shaft is sized to fit into the

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cam shaft bore 15d on the first glide structure 15 and the tapered end 17e and splines 17d are designed-to be inserted into the sleeve 13 to hold the cam shaft 17b and cam assembly 17 rigidly in place. The cam shaft 17c may also be designed so that the upper shaft diameter is sized to fit into the cam shaft bore 15d in the first glide structure 15 and the lower shaft diameter sized to fit directly into the first sleeve bore 12c and second sleeve bore 12i without the use of the sleeve 13. The fully assembled improved adjustable candle¬ holder 10 is operated by holding the lower section 12g of the first base assembly 12. The upper section 12a is then rotatt.1 in a counter-clockwise direction to cause the three first clamping segments to expand. A candle may then be inserted between the three clamping segments and the upper-section is rotated in a clockwise direction to retract the clamping segments and grip the candle.

The second embodiment of the improved adjustable candleholder 10, as shown in FIGURES 9 through 13, is comprised of two major elements: a second base assembly 22 and a second candleholder mechanism 23. The second base assembly 22, as shown in FIGURES 9 and 10 is com¬ prised of an upper section 22a and a lower section 22e. The upper section 22a has a second candle/mechanism cavity 22b commencing from its top end that is dimens¬ ioned to enclose and retain the second mechanism 23 which, in turn, accepts and secures candles of various sizes and shapes. The bottom of the cavity 22b has a centrally located first shaft bore 22. The lower section 22e has a second bottom cavity 22f extending upwardly from its bottom end. The top of the cavity 22f has a second shaft bore 2.g extending through a flat mounting plate 22h and is in alignment with the first shaft bore 22c as best shown in FIGURE 9. The flat mounting plate 22h serves as the base for the upper section 22a.

The upper section and lower section are rotatably attached by means of the shaft assembly 26.

The second candleholder mechamism 23 which, as in the preferred embodiment is the core of the invention, is inserted into and locked within the second candle/ mechanism cavity 22b. The mechanism is comprised of a second glide structure 24; a second jaw assembly 25; and a shaft assembly 26. The structure 24, assembly 25 and assembly 26 synergistically operate to allow candles of various diameters and shapes to be centrally located and perpendicularly secured within the cavity 22b of the candleholder 10. The jaw assembly 25 is shown in the extended position in FIGURE 11 and in the retracted position in FIGURE 12. The second glide structure 24 consists of a circu¬ lar disk 24a having three vertically-stacked second slide channels 24b. The three channels, when viewed from the top of the disk 24a, form an equilateral triangle. At the centroid of the triangle on the upper surface of the disk is located a fillister head cavity 24c where through the center of the cavity is located a pinion gear bore 24d. Also located at he top surface of the disk is a finger opening 24e, as shown in FIGURE 13, that extends upwardly and parallel to each of the channels 24b. The disk 24a is locked to the inner side walls of the upper section of the second bore assembly by a set of vertical¬ ly oriented locking splines 24e that are evenly distributed around the circumference of the disk.

The second jaw assembly 25 is comprised of three identical second jaw structures 26. Each jaw structure 26 is comprised of a second rack gear 26a having its set of gear teeth extending inwardly towards the center of the second circular disk 24a. The rack gears are dimensioned to slideably traverse their corresponding second slide channel 24b on the second circular disk 24a. Extending upwardly and normal to the side of the rack

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gear 26a is a second finger segment 26b. The finger is positioned at an obtuse angle with respect to the longitudinal bottom of the rack gear as best shown in FIGURE 11. When all three second jaw structures 26 are positioned in their corresponding second slide channels 24b the finger segments form a segmented triangular pattern.

The shaft assembly 27 is comprised of a threaded shaft 28 having a fillister type head 28a on its upper end, a second pinion gear 28b having a _. central pinion gear bore 28σ and a shaft nut 28d. The bore 28c is of a diameter that allows the gear 28b to be press fitted against the bottom end of the fillister type head 28a. The shaft 28 and the gear 28b may also be designed with key slots that allow a key to be inserted to-prevent the gear from rotating. After the second pinion gear 28b is in place the assembled shaft 28 is inserted into the fillister head cavity 24c where the outer bottom end of the head rests on top of the fillister head cavity 24c and the gear is rigidly held within the pinion gear bore 24d on the second glide structure 24. The remainder of the threaded shaft 28 is inserted through the first shaft bore 22c and the second shaft bore 22g located on the upper section and lower section respectively of the second base assembly 22. The shaft nut 28d is used to tighten the shaft 28 against the bottom of the flat mounting plate 22h of the lower section. The nut is tightened sufficiently to allow the upper section to rotate with friction about the lower section.

The third embodiment of the improved adjustable candleholder 10, as shown in FIGURES 14, 15 and 16, is comprised of two major elements: a third base assembly 32 and a third candleholder mechanism 33► The third base assembly 32, as shown in FIGURE 1 ,is comprised of an upper section 32a and a lower

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section 32e. The upper section 32a has a third candle/ mechanism cavity 32b commencing from its top end that is dimensioned to enclose and retain the third mechanism 33 which, in turn, accepts and secures candles of various sizes and shapes. The bottom of the cavity 32b has a centrally located first sun gear shaft bore 32c. The lower section 32e has a third bottom cavity 32f extending upwardly from its bottom end. The top of the cavity 32f has a second sun gear shaft bore 32g extending through a flat mounting plate 32h and in alignment with the first sun gear shaft bore 32c as shown in FIGURE 14. The flat mounting plate 32h serves as a base for the upper section 32a. The upper section and lower section a" -> rotatably attached by means of the sun gear shaft 35f. The third candleholder mechanism 33 is dimensioned to be inserted into and locked within the third-candle/ -. mechanism cavity 32b. The mechanism is comprised of two major elements: a third circular disk 34 and an epicyclic gear train 35. The third circular disk 34, as shown in FIGURES 15 and 16, is locked to the inner side walls of the upper section of the third base assembly by a set of vertically oriented locking splines 34d that are evenly distributed around the circumference of the lower section of the disk. The disk 34 is comprised of a lower section 34a and an upper section 34e. The lower section has three planetary gear shaft bores 34b where the center of each bore is located at the apex of an equilateral triangle. At the centroid of the equilateral triangle is located a third sun gear shaft bore 34c. The upper section 34e is shaped like an inverted cap having an outside diameter equal to that of the lower section 34a. The upper section has three finger bores 34f where the center of each bore is located at the apex of an equilatsral triangle which is congruent to the triangle of the bores 34b. Thus, the bores 34b and 34f are in

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alignment. The diameter of the finger bores is less than the diameter of the gear shaft bores 34b by an amount - that allows the gear teeth of the planetary gears 35a to be hidden when the upper section is viewed from the top. The upper section 34e is rigidly attached to the lower section 34a by gluing it to the top of the lower section after the epicyclic gear train 35 is installed.

The epicyclic gear train assembly 35 as best shown in FIGURE 15, is comprised of three planetary gears 35a and a sun gear 35e. The center of each planetary gear is located at the apex of the equilateral triangle and the center of the sun gear is located at the centroid of the equilateral triangle. When the gear train is in place the gear teeth of the sun gear mesh with the teeth of the planetary gears. At the bottom of each planetary gear

35a is a downwardly^extending,-rigidly- attached-planetary- gear shaft 35b having a diameter that allows the shaft to rotate around its corresponding planetary gear shaf bore 34b on the lower section of the third circular disk 34. On the upper side of the planetary gear is a finger 35c extending upwardly near the edge of the gear such that when the three gears- rotate -lory-the action of the rotating upper section of the third base assembly the fingers expand and retract in a segmented triangular pattern.

The sun gear 35e as shown in FIGURE 14 has on its bottom side a downwardly extending sun gear shaft 35f having a diameter that allows the shaft to be sequen¬ tially inserted through the third sun gear shaft bore 34c on the lower section of the third circular disk 34, the first sun gear shaft bore 32c in the upper section 32a of the third base assembly 32 and through the second sun gear shaft bore 32g on the lower section 32e of the third base assembly 32. The sun gear shaft 35f is fastened to the inside of the lower section 32e by means of a spring washer 35g and a one-way spring fastener. The rigidly

fastened sun gear shaft 35f prevents rotation of the sun gear 35e and allows the upper section 32a and lower section 32e of the third base assembly 32 to be rotatably attached. The three embodiments of the improved adjustable candleholder 10 can also be manufactured with the cir¬ cular disk, gear and shaft molded as a part of the upper section of the base assembly. For example, in the third embodiment the upper section 32a can be made of a one- piece molded structure consisting of the circular disk 34, the sun gear 35e and a centrally located shaft 32c. The entire structure is inserted into the second sun gear &..?.ft bore 32g and secured by the spring washer 35g and spring fastener 35h. The fourth candleholder 10 mechanism is dimen¬ sioned to be- inserted into the- fourth -candle/mechanism cavity 44. The mechanism is comprised of three major elements: an upper section 44a incorporating an inner wall circumference gear 44b, a set of three planetary gears 44c, and a fourth circular disk 44f.

The circular disk 44f has three threaded disk bores placed in an equilateral triangular pattern and a center threaded shaft 44g extending downwardly. The circular disk is locked within the cavity 44 by insert- ing the threaded shaft 44g through a corresponding bore in a lower section and tightening the shaft with a nut 44h as shown in FIGURE 17. When the planetary gears 44c are rotatably attached to the top of the disk 44f, by means of a threaded screw 44e inserted through a center bore ι the gear and into the threaded disk bores, the gear tϊeth on the planetary gears mesh with the gear 44b on the upper section. Thus, when the upper section 44a is rotated the three planetary gears rotate, as shown in FIGURES 18 and 19, to allow the gear fingers 44d, which extend upwardly and are located near the top edge of the gears, to retract and expand in ϋccordance

with the size of the candle to be secured.

Although the mechanisms has been described in terms of its usage on a candleholder it should not be limited to such use. The mechanism can also be used in any application where a rod must be centrally secured within an enclosure or in a situation in which a rod circular or not must be temporarily centered. There¬ fore, while the invention has been described in complete detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying draw- ings, it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the Improved Adjustable Candleholder without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims.

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