Safety wick assembly for effusion lamps

Abstract

An improved effusion lamp which includes a wick assembly secured to a wick assembly carrier member, and, in turn, the wick assembly carrier member is secured to an oil vessel (with or without an intervening collar interface member) are configured for secure engagement to significantly reduce oil spillage in the event of accident toppling of the effusion lamp.

Description

CITATION TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/017,199, filed on Dec. 17, 2004, from which priority is claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to oil-based lamps and wick assemblies.

2. Background Information

Effusion lamps have become a very popular home accessory in recent times. Effusion lamps are scented oil lamps which are usually decorative as well as scent-generating means. Current designs for effusion lamps involve a decorative oil vessel with a wick receptacle and an wick assembly (see FIG. 1) which slides telescopically into the vessel's wick receptacle.

A serious problem with current effusion lamp design relates to the probability that a toppled lamp (particularly a burning one) will ignite a catastrophic fire. This, in turn, arises from the design feature that involves the mere sliding engagement between the wick assembly and the lamp vessel (or, if a vessel collar is used, a loose arrangement between all three components). If the lamp is toppled, there is nothing to prevent the wick from disengaging with the vessel and the oil spilling. Again, if at the time of the mishap, the lamp was burning, the oil will likely ignite with very serious consequences.

A new design is needed to address the safety concerns described above. The lack of safer design is believed to arise from a failure of present designers to appreciate a subtle but important distinction between effusion lamps and conventional fibrous wick-based oil lamps. In the latter case, oil can somewhat readily flow through the fibrous wick, which extends from the oil vessel through the wick assembly to the exterior of the lamp. As a result, and without an appreciation for the fact that the catalytic wick stone acts as a cap of sorts to prevent oil flow through the wick assembly, one might assume that little would be gained in terms of safety by merely securing the wick assembly to the oil vessel.

The present inventor has recognized the important distinctions between conventional oil lamp and effusion lamp designs, and the safety opportunities that the wick stone member presents, if utilized as herein later described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved effusion lamp.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an effusion lamp of a design which affords enhanced safety by reducing the likelihood of accidental oil spillage.

In satisfaction of these and other related objectives, Applicant's present invention provides an improved effusion lamp which replaces current wick assembly and oil vessel interface with a much safer design. The design of the present invention involves a wick assembly that is secured to a wick assembly carrier member and, in turn, the wick assembly carrier member and oil vessel (with or without an intervening collar interface member) are configured for secure engagement. The result of this design is that significant oil spillage is unlikely in the event of accident toppling of the effusion lamp.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of a wick assembly support member with a catalytic wick assembly in position for intended use in the context of an effusion lamp.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of a wick assembly support member, as in FIG. 1, but with the catalytic wick assembly removed, and showing the wick assembly support member's engagement with effusion lamp oil vessel collar member.

FIG. 3 is cross-sectional overview of the pressed metal screw cap.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pressed metal screw cap with the sub-assembly wick top.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pressed metal screw cap and showing its relationship with a braided cotton wick.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the effusion lamp 10 of the present invention is not shown it its entirety, as the oil vessel portion of the lamp 10 is not separately depicted, but such is well understood in the art to be a liquid-tight receptacle for retaining the oil used with effusion lamps, and can assume appearances and configurations of near limitless variations.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes (in addition to the oil vessel) a catalytic wick assembly 12. Catalytic wick assembly 12 includes a fibrous wick member 14 and an attached catalytic wick stone member 16 secured to the fibrous wick member 14.

An elongate wick assembly support member 18 includes a wick passage conduit 20 defined substantially through an axial centerline thereof. The fibrous wick member 14 passes through wick passage conduit 20, with the catalytic wick stone member 16 resting at the outer opening of the wick passage conduit 20 as shown in FIG. 1.

A wick stone retainer 22 secures catalytic wick stone member 16 to the elongate wick assembly support member 18 as shown in FIG. 1.

The outer, substantially annular surface 24 of elongate wick assembly support member 18 is at least partially endowed with a contour which includes threads 24.

Referring principally to FIG. 2, threads 24 are configured to threadingly engage with complimentary threads 26 of a vessel collar member 28. Vessel collar member 28 is intended to serve as an interface linkage between the elongate wick assembly support member 18 and the wick orifice of an oil vessel (not shown) with which interior threads 30 designed to threadingly engage.

In an alternative embodiment (see FIGS. 3, 4, and 5), elongate wick assembly support member 18 is frictionally, or “press-fit” into vessel collar member 28, thereby eliminating threads 26.

In yet another alternative (not illustrated in the figures) is the oil effusion lamp vessel permanently attached with or to the separate wick assembly support member 18 and thereby forming a coherent unitary structure.

Once catalytic wick assembly 12 is secured to elongate wick assembly support member 18, elongate wick assembly support member 18 is secured to vessel collar member 28, and vessel collar member 28 is secured to the oil vessel 32, or, whether the wick assembly support member is continuous with or separate but permanently attached to the oil effusion lamp, a substantially “spill fire-proof” effusion lamp is the result.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An improved effusion lamp comprising:

an effusion lamp vessel configured for receiving an maintaining a measure of effusion lamp oil, and having a wick orifice;

a catalytic wick assembly comprising a fibrous wick member and a catalytic wick stone member secured to said fibrous wick member;

an elongate wick assembly support member having a wick passage conduit defined substantially through an axial centerline thereof, said wick passage conduit being sized for extension of a length of said fibrous wick member therethrough, and, at a first end of said wick assembly support member, having wick stone securement means for securing said wick stone member to said elongate wick assembly support member, an generally annular outer surface of said elongate wick assembly having vessel engagement means for securely registering said elongate wick assembly support member with said wick orifice of said effusion lamp vessel.

2. The effusion lamp of claim 1 wherein said vessel engagement means are threads and wherein said wick orifice of said effusion lamp vessel is configured with complimentary threads for threaded engagement between said effusion lamp vessel and said elongate wick assembly support member.

3. The effusion lamp of claim 1 wherein said wick assembly support member is continuous with the oil effusion lamp.

4. The effusion lamp of claim 1 wherein said wick assembly support member is separate from but permanently attached to the oil effusion lamp.