A holder for candles

Abstract

 The invention relates to a holder for candles provided with supporting means (11) and with two holding means (15,16) connected thereto. Said holding means each define an opening (17,18) and are movable against spring force with respect to each other, from a first position, in which the openings (17,18) in the two holding means are at least substantially located side by side, when seen in plan view, towards a second position, in which the openings (17,18) are at least partially located one above the other, when seen in plan view.
In this second position the openings form a passage through which a candle (21) or the like can be passed. The candle (21) is then held by the clamping force exerted on the candle by the holding means (15,16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a holder for candles.

[0002] The usual holders for candles are generally provided with shell-shaped receiving means, into which the end of a candle is to be inserted. Generally said shell-shaped receiving means is only suitable for receiving a candle of a certain diameter. A further disadvantage of this known construction is that usually there is not a good clamping between the receiving means and the bottom end of the candle, as a result of which there is a risk of the candle falling out of the holder when the holder is being moved. Furthermore it is generally problematic to place the candle in its correct upright position.

[0003] The object of the invention is to obtain a holder for candles which overcomes these problems.

[0004] According to the invention this may be achieved in that the holder is provided with supporting means and with two holding means connected thereto, said holding means each defining an opening and being movable against spring force with respect to each other, from a first position, in which the openings in the two holding means are at least substantially located side by side, when seen in plan view, towards a second position, in which the openings are at least partially located one above the other, when seen in plan view, thus forming a passage through which a bottom end of a candle can be passed.

[0005] When a holder for candles is being used it will be possible for candles having various diameters to be accommodated in the holder, whilst an adequate clamping of the candle in an upright position can be ensured at all times.

[0006] With a suitable construction of the holder it is also effected thereby, that when the candle has burned down to the level of the holding means and the holding means automatically return to the first position under the influence of the spring force, the candle is at the same time smothered.

[0007] The invention will be explained in more detail hereafter with reference to a number of possible embodiments of the construction according to the invention illustrated in the accompanying Figures.

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a holder according to the invention.

[0009] Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a slightly altered embodiment of the holder according to Figure 1.

[0010] Figure 3 is a plan view of Figure 2.

[0011] Figure 4 shows a development of a strip of material of which the holder according to Figures 2 and 3 is made.

[0012] Figures 5 - 7 diagrammatically show the operating principle of the holder according to the invention shown in Figures 1 - 4.

[0013] Figure 8 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a holder according to the invention.

[0014] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a holder according to the invention.

[0015] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the holder according to Figure 9, wherein details of the holder are different.

[0016] Figure 11 is a sectional view corresponding with Figure 10, wherein the holding means have been moved from the first position to the second position, however.

[0017] Figure 12 shows the operating principle of the holder according to Figures 9 - 11.

[0018] Figure 13 shows a third embodiment of a holder according to the invention.

[0019] Figure 14 is an elevational view of Figure 13, according to the arrow XIV in Figure 13.

[0020] Figure 15 is a side elevational view of Figure 14.

[0021] Figure 16 is an elevational view of a fourth embodiment of a holder according to the invention.

[0022] Figure 17 shows on a larger scale the interconnected holding means of the holder according to Figure 16.

[0023] Figure 18 is a side elevational view of Figure 17.

[0024] Figure 19 is a plan view of Figure 17.

[0025] Figure 20 is a bottom view of the holding means forming part of the holder according to Figure 16.

[0026] Figure 21 is a sectional view of the holding means of Figure 20, along the line XXI - XXI.

[0027] Figure 22 shows part of the holder illustrated in Figure 16, illustrating in section a candle accommodated therein.

[0028] Figure 23 is a sectional view corresponding with Figure 22, wherein the candle has burned down to near the level of the holding means.

[0029] The holder 1 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a baseplate 2 forming a supporting means, that is joined by the ends of the legs of two U-shaped holding means 3 and 4, which each define an opening 5 and 6 respectively.

[0030] In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 the ends 7 of the legs of the holding means 3 and 4 joining the plate 2 have been formed as arc shaped parts extending under baseplate 2 and acting as support pieces for supporting the holder 1.

[0031] With the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 a plurality of downwardly extending fingers 8 are cut out of the central part of the baseplate 2.

[0032] Unlike the embodiment according to Figure 1 the joined ends 7 of the holding means 3 and 4 are coplanar with the baseplate 2 in the embodiment according fig. 2, whilst instead of the downwardly extending fingers 8 pointed parts 8' are cut out of the baseplate, said pointed parts being bent upwards with respect to the baseplate 2.

[0033] As is illustrated in particular in Figure 4 such a holder can be bent from a plate part which has been cut out in the desired shape, said plate part being bent in the way illustrated in Figures 1 or 2 and 3, in such a manner that the free end of the holding means 4 can be inserted into the opening 5 defined by the holding means 3. The holder is thereby made of a resilient material, in such a manner that under the influence of the inherent spring force the holding means, when unloaded, will move towards the position indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2, in which the free end of the holding means 4 just joins the upper end of the edge of the holding means 3 bounding the opening 5. It will be apparent, that in this position the openings 5 and 6 defined by the holding means will be located side by side, when seen in plan view, as is also diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 5.

[0034] In order to receive a candle 9 the two holding means 3 and 4 can be pivoted against the spring force of the material, towards the position illustrated in Figures 1 - 3 (arrows A in Figures 5, 7), so that at least parts of the openings 5 and 6 defined by the holding means 3 and 4 will come to lie one above the other, and the bottom end of the candle 9 can thus be inserted into the passage 5', 6' (Figure 6) formed by said parts of the openings 5 and 6 located one above the other, whereby the bottom end of the candle can be placed on the downwardly bent tongues 8 or on the upwardly extending points 8', as the case may be. Upon being released the holding means will tend to return to the position indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2 (arrows B in Figures 6, 7) under the influence of the spring force, until the holding means join the outer side of the candle 9 and thus clamp down said candle.

[0035] It will be apparent that since the width of the openings 5 and 6 gradually increases from the free ends of the holding means 3 and 4, it has become possible to accommodate candles having varying diameters in an effective manner.

[0036] When a candle accommodated in the holder has burned down to the level of the holding means, said holding means will return to the position illustrated by dotted lines in Figure 2 under the influence of the spring force, in which position the free ends of the holding means meet above the centre of the candle and thus smother the candle.

[0037] The embodiment illustrated in Figure 8 at least substantially corresponds with the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. In this embodiment the boundary edges of the openings 5 and 6 are provided with knurlings 10, however, as a result of which a better grip on a candle or the like to be inserted into the holder can be obtained.

[0038] Figures 9 - 11 show a further embodiment of a holder according to the invention.

[0039] The holder again comprises a baseplate or supporting means 11, from whose central part fingers 12 (Figure 9) corresponding with the fingers 8 or supporting pins 8' corresponding with the supporting pins 8' shown in fig. 2 may have been cut.

[0040] Connecting pieces 13, bent so as to be U-shaped, join each of the opposed sides of the baseplate, said connecting pieces at the same time forming the supporting feet for the holder, as will be apparent from Figures 9 - 11.

[0041] Holding means 15 and 16 respectively join the ends of the connecting pieces directed towards each other. The holding means 15 is provided with an opening 17, whilst the holding means 16 is provided with an opening 18.

[0042] As will be apparent from Figures 10 and 11 the holding means 15 is movable under the holding means 16 between a first position, in which the openings 17 and 18 are located side by side, when seen in plan view, towards a second position, in which the openings 17 and 18 at least partially overlap each other. As will also be apparent from Figure 12, in which the movement of the parts 15 and 16 with respect to each other is diagrammatically indicated by means of arrows, the dimensions of the passage formed by the parts of the openings 15 and 16 located one above the other may be varied in dependence on the degree in which the two holding means can be moved with respect to each other.

[0043] As is furthermore apparent from Figure 9, also in this case the dimensions of each opening 17 and 18 respectively are preferably selected such that the width of the opening gradually increases from the free end of the holding means 15, 16 in question in the direction of the connecting pieces supporting the holding means.

[0044] In order to guide the plate-shaped holding means 15 with respect to the plate-shaped holding means 16, two opposite edges 19 of the holding means 16 are bent ± 180° so as to form guide chutes. The free end 20 of the plate-shaped holding means is bent approximately perpendicularly and extends into the opening 18.

[0045] Under the influence of the spring force of the material of which the holder is made the holding means 15 and 16 will tend to assume the position illustrated in Figure 10 with respect to each other, in which the openings 17 and 18 are located side by side, when seen in plan view. The holding means 15 and 16 can then be moved, against the action of said spring force, to a position in which the openings 17 and 18 are located one above the other, after which a candle 21 can be inserted into the passage formed by the parts of the openings 17 and 18 located one above the other. When subsequently the holding means are released, they will move back under the influence of the inherent spring force of the holder, in the direction of the position illustrated in Figure 10, until the boundary edges of the openings 17 and 18 provided in the holding means 15 and 16 join against the outer circumference of the candle and thus clamp it down.

[0046] Also here the holding means will move back in the direction of the position illustrated in Figure 10, once the candle has burned down to near the level of the holding means, as a result of which the candle will be automatically smothered.

[0047] Figures 13 - 15 illustrate an embodiment in which the two holding means 22 and 23 are bent of spring steel wire and are integral with the legs 24 and 25 respectively, said legs at their ends remote from the holding means 22 and 23 respectively blending into parts 26 and 26' respectively, which are bent so as to be eye-shaped.

[0048] Said eye-shaped parts are provided around a tubular holding means 27 and the bent ends 28 and 29 respectively of the eye-shaped parts 26, 26' are anchored in slotted holes 30 provided in the ends of the holding means 27.

[0049] Furthermore two ribbed resilient wings 31, which extend at least substantially parallel to each other, are attached to the tubular holding means 27, by means of which wings the holding means can e.g. be secured to a branch of a Christmas tree.

[0050] It will be apparent that also with this holder illustrated in Figures 13 - 15 the holding means are movable with respect to each other, in a similar manner as explained in the above, so as to move the openings defined by the holding means 22 and 23 in a position in which they are located one above the other.

[0051] Figure 16 shows a holder for candles which is built up of three parts. A first part is formed by one-piece tongs 32, preferably made of a plastic material, comprising a pair of jaws 33 and 34, which are toothed at the sides facing each other. Grips 35 and 36 joining the jaws 33 and 34 respectively are provided in the extension of said jaws, said grips being interconnected by a resilient rib 37, which attempts to keep the jaws in their closed position illustrated in Figure 16. It will be apparent that by means of said tongs the holder can be clamped down on e.g. a branch of a Christmas tree or the like.

[0052] An at least substantially ball-shaped connecting piece 32' is formed on the jaw 33, so as to connect the tongs with supporting means 38. Interconnected holding means 39 and 40 are coupled to said supporting means.

[0053] As appears in particular from Figures 17 - 19 the holding means 39 and 40 comprise bow-shaped parts 43 and 44 respectively bounding the openings 41 and 42 respectively. The bow-shaped part 43 is connected, by means of two resilient connecting strips 45, to a pair of insert pins 46. Similarly the bow-shaped part 44 is connected to the two insert pins by means of a pair of resilient connecting strips 47.

[0054] As is illustrated in Figures 17 and 19, when seen in plan view the bow-shaped means 43 and 44 and the openings 41 and 42 present therein will be located side by side in the unloaded condition of the resilient connecting strips 45 and 47. The bow-shaped means 43 and 44 can be moved, against the spring force of the resilient strips 45 and 47, towards a second position, such as e.g. indicated by dotted lines in Figures 17 and 19, in which at least parts of the openings 41 and 42 are located one above the other, so as to form a passage for a candle or the like to be inserted therein.

[0055] As is furthermore illustrated in Figures 20 and 21 the supporting means 38 comprises a cup-shaped part 48 for receiving the bottom end of a candle, and a dish-shaped part 49 extending around said cup-shaped part. A plurality of regularly spaced wings 50 are furthermore secured to the bottom side of the supporting means 38, whereby the ends of said wings directed towards each other form boundaries of a more or less ball-shaped space 51, into which the ball-shaped means 32' secured to the tongs 32 can be snapped.

[0056] Two holes 52 are furthermore provided in the dish-shaped means, so as to receive the insert pins 46.

[0057] The above-described holder is therefore built up of three parts, which may each be made of a suitable plastic material. The supporting means is thereby snapped onto the tongs and the holding means are connected to the supporting means by inserting the insert pins 46 into the holes 52 provided in the holding means 38.

[0058] As will be apparent in particular from Figure 22 a candle 53 can be inserted into the passage formed by the parts of the openings 41 and 42 located one above the other when the two bow-shaped parts 43 and 44 of the holding means 39 and 40 have been moved into a position where they are located one above the other, after which the bow-shaped parts, after having been released, will move back to a position in which the candle is effectively clamped down.

[0059] When the candle 53 has burned down to near the level of the holding means, said holding means, as indicated in Figure 23, will move back towards the position in which the free ends of the bow-shaped means 43 and 44 will be located one above the other, when seen in plan view, and the candles will be automatically smothered again, as will be apparent from Figure 23.

Claims

1. A holder for candles provided with supporting means and with two holding means connected thereto, said holding means each defining an opening and being movable against spring force with respect to each other, from a first position, in which the openings in the two holding means are at least substantially located side by side, when seen in plan view, towards a second position, in which the openings are at least partially located one above the other, when seen in plan view, thus forming a passage through which a bottom end of a candle can be passed.

2. A holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding means are integral with a plate-shaped supporting means, whereby the holding means slope upwards in a direction towards each other and the free end of the one holding means is passed through the opening provided in the other holding means.

3. A holder according to claim 2, characterized in that the ends of the holding means being at least substantially U-shaped, which join the supporting means, comprise bent parts projecting under the supporting means, said parts functioning to support the holder.

4. A holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the two holding means extend at least substantially parallel to each other and that said means are connected to a centrally located supporting means by resilient connecting means bent so as to be V-shaped.

5. A holder according to claim 4, characterized in that one of the plate-shaped holding means is provided with opposite bent edges, said edges functioning to guide the other holding means.

6. A holder according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a free end of a holding means is bent and extends into the opening of the other holding means.

7. A holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding means are bent of spring steel wire and are connected to a supporting means by connecting arms being integral with said holding means.

8. A holder according to claim 7, characterized in that eye-shaped parts being integral with the ends of the connecting arms remote from the holding means are provided on said ends, said eye-shaped parts being provided around the supporting means and with their free ends being anchored to the supporting means.

9. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said holding means is secured to the ends of two spaced-apart resilient arms, whereby each pair of two opposite arms, which are each connected to holding means, are connected to a common insert pin at their ends remote from the holding means.

10. A holder according to claim 9, characterized in that the holder is provided with supporting means having openings for receiving the insert pins.

11. A holder according to claim 10, characterized in that the supporting means is at its bottom end provided with a recess for receiving a connecting piece connected to a tongs-shaped clamping means.

12. A holder according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the supporting means is provided with a receiving part for receiving the bottom end of a candle and a dish-shaped means extending around said receiving part.

Drawing