GB2170757A - A table decoration employing candles - Google Patents

Abstract

A table decoration employs one or more candles to induce rotation of a turntable portion. A base holds an upright support, upon which can rotate the turntable portion with vanes at the top. The turntable portion is generally conical, and is formed by a set of annular discs linked by rods. The whole decoration is demountable to save space when not in use.

Description

SPECIFICATION A table decoration employing candles The invention relates to a table decoration employing candles, particularly appropriate at Christmastime.

Many such decorations and toys are known which employ candles to induce movement in the decoration, for example rotation of a turntable portion. Some are very traditional designs, particularly from central Europe. Attractive as they are, they have a major disadvantage in being relatively bulky and this causes a storage problem when not in use, usually as much as 11 months of the year.

Accordingly, the invention provides a table decoration employing one or more candles to induce rotation of a turntable portion, comprising a base member holding a demountable upright support for the turntable portion and having one or more candle holders thereon, wherein said turntable portion comprises a set of annular discs detachably connected by connection nieans so as to form a generally hollow structure, a bearing portion at the top of the structure which rests on the upright support and permits the structure to rotate about the bearing portion, and vanes mounted on the structure so as to be driven by heated air rising from candles on the base.

Preferably the annular discs are of progressively smaller size so that the turntable portion is of frusto-conical shape. Moreover, it is desirable that the base member constitutes a hollow box and all other parts and members can be demounted and fitted within that box.

In order that the invention shall be clearly understood, an exemplary embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a table decoration according to the invention to illustrate its general shape; Figure 2 shows a section in a vertical plane across the middle of the device; and Figure 3 shows a detail of the locking between an annular disc and the connection means of the turntable portion.

Figure 1 shows the general structure of the table decoration, but without illustrating the finer details.

A base 10 is in the form of a shallow hollow box of generally square shape. The lid 11 may be hinged, or sliding (as shown). The box is large enough to hold all the other parts of the decoration, which are arranged to be demountable so as to fit in the box for storage.

A support rod 12 is held upright from the lid of the box 10, which latter also receives four candles 13 in candle holders 14 at the corners of the box.

The top of the support rod 12 serves as a bearing point to receive the rotating part or cone 15 of the decoration. This cone 15 is broadly frusto-conical in outline, and has propeller blades 16 projecting horizontally at its top. It will be clear that when the candles 13 are lit, they will create an upward current of warm air which, impinging on blades 16, will cause the whole cone to rotate about its bearing point at the top of the rod 12.

The structure of the cone 15 is such that it is demountable for storage. It consists of a set of three annular discs 17 and a circular disc 18 at the top to hold the blades 16. The discs are held in spaced relationship by a set of four struts 19 which key with the discs 17,18. The detailed construction will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

Turning now to Figure 2, details will now be seen of the construction. The support rod 12 passes through a hole 21 in the lid 11 of the box 10, and a small peg or projection 22 lodges in a bore 23 in the bottom of the box. The rod 12 terminates at its top end in a preferably sharp spike 25.

The lid 11 slides in grooves 26 in the side walls 27.

The candle holders 14 are located in bores 28 in the lid 11.

The cone 15 has three rings 17 and a circular disc 18, held together by struts 19. The latter are of square section, pass through holes in the rings and the disc, and are notched at the points -where they do so. The precise method of assembly is shown in Figure 3, which shows an enlarged section of the ringed portion 29 in Figure 2.

The ring or disc 17 has an aperture 30 at 90 intervals around its circumference. The strut 19 is notched at 31, and can be passed through an aperture 30 with the notch facing inwards. When aligned, the strut can be moved inwards so that the notch 31 engages above and below the surface of the disc 17. It is then held in place by the insertion of a small locking wedge 32. A set of 16 such wedges are needed, one to secure each joint of the cone 15.

The disc 18 has a central aperture 34 through which passes the spike 25. A metal cap 35 with a centre recess is fixed to the disc 18 to cover the aperture 34, and the whole cone 15 rests with the spike 25 engaging the centre recess of the cap 35.

It isthus free to rotate.

Eight blades 16 are fixed in the disc 18 by force fit of the blade roots in inclined slots in the disc edge. The blades can be pulled out to dismantle the propeller.

It is clear that by virtue of this construction, preferably all in wood, the whole of the decoration apart from the box 10, can be reduced to a kit of discs, struts, blades, wedges, etc, all of which can be accommodated in the box for storage.

When the cone is erected, a set of Christmas figures, including Mary, Joseph, the Baby, shepherds animals, etc. can be stood around the respective discs 17. These too can be housed in the box 10.

In a preferred form, the set of four discs forming the cone can nest one inside the other. In any event, the box 10 must be large enough to house the largest disc 17.

In a modification, the disc 18 is formed of two layers held together by a nut and bolt which clam the layers together. The propeller blades are formed in metal, and have flat roots which can be gripped by clamping them between the two layers Since the support rod 12 has to be relatively long, it may be formed in two parts which are, for example, telescopic or spliced, so that it can fit in the box 10.

For cheapness of construction, it may be necessary to produce the various parts as plastics mouldings.

Claims (10)

1. A table decoration which employs one or more candles to induce rotation of a turntable portion, comprising a base member holding a demountable upright support for the turntable portion and having one or more candle holders thereon, wherein said turntable portion comprises a set of annular discs detachably connected by connection means so as to form a generally hollow structure, a bearing portion at the top of the structure which rests on the upright support and permits the structure to rotate about the bearing portion, and vanes mounted on the structure so as to be driven by heated air rising from candles on the base.

2. A table decoration as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular discs are of progressively smaller size and the turntable portion thus conical in outline.

3. A table decoration as claimed in claim 2, wherein the set of discs are nestable within one another.

4. A table decoration as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the discs are connected by connection means in the form of three or more rod members.

5. A table decoration as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the top disc of the set has no central aperture.

6. A table decoration as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the discs are circular.

7. A table decoration as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base member is in the form of a generally flat box which can receive all the other parts of the decoration when demounted.

8. Atable decoration as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the turntable portion rests on an upstanding pin at the end of the upright support.

9. A table decoration as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the vanes are demountable from the structure.

10. A table decoration substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.