US3150831A

US3150831A - Birthday cake candle extinguisher

Info

Publication number: US3150831A
Application number: US265440A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bosak Paul
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-03-15
Filing date: 1963-03-15
Publication date: 1964-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 1981-09-29

Description

Sept. 29, 1964 l BOSAK BIRTHDAY CAKE CANDLE EXTINGUISHER 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed AMarch l5, 1963 l INVENTOR. PAUL Bos/AK Sept. '29., 1964 P. BosAK l'3,150,831

.BIRTHDAY CAKE CANDLE .EXTINGUISHER Filed yMarch 115, I1963 3 Sh'ees-'Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

PAUL. BOSAK Sept. 29, 1964 P. BosAK 3,150,831

BIRTHDAY CAKE CANDLE: EXTINGUISHER Filed March l5, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. PAUL BOSAK United States Patent Oice 3,156,831 Patented Sept. 29, 1964 sasassi BR'EHDAY CAI-GE CANDLE EX'IINGUISHER Paul lllosalr, lll W. 94th St., New York, NX. Filed Mar. l5, i953, Ser. No. 265,440 il) Claims. lCl. Z39-211) This invention concerns a candle extinguisher particularly adapted for extinguishing lighted candles on birthday cakes and the like.

According to the invention there is provided a device having a base with a valved fitting upon which a balloon can be engaged. The balloon can be indated by an air pump. On the base is a post carrying a sharp pointed needle and a movable guard which covers the needle and shields it from the inflated balloon. When the guard is moved away from the needle the balloon is punctured to release .the air therein. The device includes a casing provided for the base, balloon and puncturing means. The casing has a nozzle which can .be directed at candles to be extinguished. The casing can be made in a decorative form simulating an animal, doll, toy soldier, cannon or other toy `ligure or figurine. The air released from the puncture/d balloon passes out of the nozzle of 4the casing with considerable force to extinguish the lighted candles. The device is a useful and amusing party table decoration. It serves the useful function of extinguishing candles mechanically. This device fulfills a long felt need at birthday parties for small children who may have insufficiently forceful breath to extinguish candles on a cake. The device avoids the re hazard commonly encountered when small children approach too close to lighted candles in an attempt to blow them out. The device also avoids the unsanitary condition encountered when children inexpertly blow on candles and inadvertently expectorate upon the cake carrying the handles. The device is constructed so that the broken ballooon can be removed and a new one substituted for repeated use of the device.

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a device useful for extinguishing candles on a birthday or holiday cake.

A further object is to provide a candle extinguisher in which a casing contains a balloon for storing air under pressure, with manually operable means for puncturing the balloon to release the air through an opening in the casing.

Another object is to provide a candle extinguisher as described, wherein the casing is in the form of a figurine or toy figure.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FlG. l is a side elevational view of part of a candle extinguishing device embodying the invention, with a balloon shown in inflated condition.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line 2-2 of FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational View of part of the device with balloon removed.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional View taken on line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 -is a fragmentary sectional view similar to a part of FIG. 2, showing details of a valve and pump.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a device embodying the invention shown with a birthday cake and lighted candles.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional View on an enlarged scale taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a base of the device of FIG. 6.

FIG. l0 is a perspective view of another device embodying the invention.

FIG. ll is a perspective View of the device of FIG. l0 with par-t of the casing thereof removed.

Referring to FIGS. 1 9, there is shown one form of the device 20, which has an outer casing 22 in the form of a simulated Ibunny rabbit. The casing has two separable half shells 24a, 24h. On opposing abutting edges of the shells are interfitted ridges 2S and grooves 26. The bottom edges 27 of the shells fit removably into a groove 2? formed in a flat base plate 3l). A rubber band 32 or other elastic member can be engaged around the casing to hold the two shells together. The base plate 30 holds the lbottom ends of the shells together to form a closed enclosure for other parts of the device.

In the plate Si) is a recess 32 with central hole 33. In recess 32 fits a disk 34. This disk has an upstanding fitting or nipple 36 provided with a ball valve 38. The valve normally seats on and closes the bottom constricted end of valve passage 39; see FIG. 2. Slots 46 are formed in the fitting 36 extending from passage 39 in which the ball moves to points above transverse bame 42 which serves as a stop to limit upward movement of the ball. An apertured needle N of a manually operable pump P can be inserted through hole 33 into passage 39 for elevating the ball to pump air through the fitting 36 as shown in FIG. 5.

On the disk 34 is a post ld extending upwardly perpendicularly to the disk. This post has a flange 45 on its top end. An arm 43 extends radially from the post near its upper end. In the end of the arm is tted a sharp pin or needle 50. Slidably fitted on the post between arm 43 and flange 45 is a collar 52 carrying a radial arm 54 on which is secured a disk or plate 56. This disk is disposed in front of the point of pin Sil when the collar rests on arm 48. Extending upwardly from the disk is a shaft 5S which may have a removable knob 6l) at its end. The knob and shaft can be grasped manually for lifting lthe disk 56 upwardly to the position of FlG. 3 to clear the pin Sil. The shaft extends upwardly through a slot or hole 62 defined by two opposing notches formed in `facing edges of the half shells 24a, 24h. The knob is located outside of and is accessible at the top of the casing 22.

The fitting or nipple 36 has an outer corrugated side 36 on which can be detachably engaged the neck 65 of an inflatable rubber balloon 66. When the balloon is inflated it presses against the disk S6 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8. The disk S6 guards or shields the balloon from the point of pin 50. When the disk Se is raised upwardly to clear the pin, the point of the pin punctures the inflated balloon.

The casing has a tapered nozzle 63 at its upper end, with a tapered passage e7. This simulates the mouth of the rabbit as shown in FIG. 6. When the balloon is punctured the air under pressure passes outwardly of nozzle 68 to extinguish the lighted candles 69 on cake 7l) disposed on table T.

After the balloon collapses, the rubber band 32 can be removed and the shells can be lifted out of the base plate and separated to expose the collapsed balloon. The balloon can then be removed from the fitting 36 and a new one can be placed on the fitting.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show how the inflated balloon expands laterally to the inner walls ofthe casing and presses against the disk 5e and post 4d. The disk S6 need be drawn up only a very short distance to clear the pin Si) so that the 'a .9 expanded balloon contacts the pin and is punctured thereby. The air pressure in the balloon holds the ball 38 seated at the bottom ot passage 39, so that the valve is closed as shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 10 and l1 show another form of the invention in which the assembly of disk 34, post d4, disk 56, collar 52, post 44 and other parts are the same as explained above and are identically numbered. The device 26a or" FIGS. l and l1 is in the form of a toy cannon having two facing

shells

24 and 24 seated in a recess Si in base plate 30. Disk 3ft lits in recess 32' oi the plate.

The casing 22a of the device has a forwardly extending nozzle 63a with a tapered passage 67a which simulates the barrel of the cannon. The cannon can be drawn up and aimed at the lame of -a candle or candles to be extinguished. When the shaft g and disk-56 are pulled upwardly, the balloon 66 will be punctured to discharge air under pressure out of the nozzle of the device.

It is desirable that the shells dening the casings Z2 and 22a be rather tightly fitted in the base plates, or detent pins 71 engaging in grooves 7l' can be provided as indicated in FlG. ll or snapping the ilexible shells into place and for holding them securely until somewhat forcefully removed manually. This is to insure that the intlated balloon does not separate the casing from the base plate.

It will be noted that each casing is entirely closed except for the nozzle opening. The base plate closes the open bottom of the casing. The slot or

hole

62 or 62a through which the shaft 53 passes is closed by the shaft so that no air can escape through this hole.

The several shells, base plate and other parts can be made of metal, plastic, wood or other suitable materials. Other forms of figures and ligurines can be used such as a toy soldier aiming a toy gun through which air would be discharged in a manner similar to that of the cannon of device 29a. Other simulated human figures, dolls, etc., may be used. The casing of the device can take the form of other animals such as a bear, seal, elephant etc. Various other simulated objects and decorative articles can be used to embody the invention.

In lall forms of the invention, there will be provided a casing in decorative form for housing a removable balloon with means for puncturing the balloon upon manual actuation of a puncturing member, to discharge air under pressure from the casing.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope ot the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1. A device for extinguishing lighted candles, comprising a base plate, a fitting on the plate for engaging the neck of an inllatable rubber balloon, one-way valve means in the fitting enabling the balloon to be inflated with air yand retaining the air in the inllated balloon, a post supported by said plate and having a pin extending radially therefrom for puncturing the balloon, guard means movably carried by the post shielding the pin from the inflated balloon, and a projection extending outwardly of the guard means for moving the same to clear said pin, so that the inflated balloon is punctured by the pin.

2. A device for extinguishing lighted candles, comprising a base plate, a hollow casing removably supported on the plate, said casing having a nozzle at one end for passing a stream of air therethrough under pressure, a fitting on the plate, an inflatable rubber balloon having a neck engaged on said fitting, one-way valve means in the fitting enabling the balloon to be inflated with air and retaining the air in the intlated balloon, a post supported by said plate and having a pin extending radially there- 3. A device for extinguishing lighted candles, comprising-a base plate, a fitting on the plate, an inflatable rubber balloon having a neck engaged on said fitting, oneway valve means in the fitting enabling the balloon to be inllated with air and retaining the air in the inllated balloon, a post supported by said plate and having a pin extending radially therefrom for puncturing the balloon, guard means movably carried by the post shielding the pin from the inflated balloon, and a projection extending outwardly of the guard means for moving the same to clear said pin, so that the inflated balloon is punctured by the pin for releasing the air therefrom.

4. A device for extinguishing lighted candles, comprising a base plate, a hollow casing removably supported on the plate, said casing having a nozzle at one end for passing a stream of air therethrough under pressure, a fitting on the plate, an inflatable rubber balloon having a neck engaged on said fitting, one-way valve means in the fitting enabling the balloon to be inflated with air and retaining the air in the inilated balloon, a post supported by said plate and having a pin extending radially therefrom for puncturing the balloon, guard means movably carried by the post shielding the pin from the inflated balloon, and a projection extending outwardly of the guard means for moving the same toclear said pin, so that the inllated balloon is punctured by the pin, whereby air released by the punctured balloon passes outwardly of the casing through said nozzle, said casing having the form of a simulated animal, said nozzle being part of the head of said animal.

5. A device for extinguishing lighted candles, cornprising a base plate, a hollow casing removably supported on the plate, said-casing having a nozzle at one end for passing a stream of air therethrough under pressure, a fitting on the plate, an inflatable rubber balloon having a neck engaged on said fitting, one-way valve means in the fitting enabling the balloon to be inflated with air and retaining the air in the inflated balloon, a post supported by said plate and having a pin extending radially therefrom for puncturing the balloon, guard means movably carried by the post shielding the pin from the inated balloon, and a projection extending outwardly ol' the guard means for moving the same to clear said pin, so that the inflated balloon is punctured by the pin, whereby air released by the punctured balloon passes outwardly of the casing through said nozzle, said casing having the Vform of a simulated cannon, said nozzle being part of the barrel of the cannon.

6. A device for extinguishing lighted candles, comprising a base plate, a hollow casing removably supported on the plate, said casing having an opening therein for passing a stream of air under pressure therethrough, a fitting on the plate for engaging the neck of an inflatable balloon, a post supported by said plate and having a pin extending radially therefrom for puncturing the balloon, guard means movably carried by the post shielding the pin from the inllated balloon and a projection extending outwardly of the guard means for moving the same to clear said pin, so that the inllated balloon is punctured by the pin for releasing air therefrom to pass through said opening.

7. A device for extinguishing lighted candles, comprising a base plate, a hollow casing removably supported on the plate, said casing having an opening therein for passing a stream of air under pressure therethrough, a fitting on the plate for engaging the neck of an inflatable balloon, a post supported by said plate and having a pin extending radially therefrom for puncturing the balloon, guard means movably carried by the post shielding the 55 pin from the inflated balloon, and a projection extending outwardly of the guard means for moving the same to clear said pin, so that the inflated balloon is punctured by the pin for releasing air therefrom to pass through said opening, said casing having the form of a toy figure with a portion thereof defining a nozzle, said opening being formed in said nozzle.

8. A device for extinguishing lighted candles, comprising a base plate, a hollow casing removably supported on the plate, said casing having an opening therein for passing a stream of air under pressure therethrough, a itting on the plate for engaging the neck of an inflatable balloon, a post supported by said plate and having a pin extending radially therefrom for puncturing the balloon, guard means movably carried by the post shielding the pin from the intiated balloon, and a projection extending outwardly of the guard means for moving the same to clear said pin, so that the iniiated balloon is punctured by the pin for releasing air therefrom to pass through said opening, said casing having the form of a toy ligure with a portion thereof defining a nozzle, said opening being formed in said nozzle, said top figure being a decorative doll, figurine, toy soldier, animal, or other simulated object or article, said casing being a two-part structure, the two parts of the casing being separable for exposing the fitting to enable removal and replacement of the balloon.

9. A device for extinguishing lighted candles, comprising a base plate, a hollow casing removably supported on the plate, said casing having a nozzle at one end for passing a stream of air therethrough under pressure, a fitting on the plate, an inflatable rubber balloon having a neck engaged on said fitting, one-way valve means in the fitting enabling the balloon to be inflated with air and retaining the air in the inflated balloon, a post supported by said plate and having a piu extending radially therefrom for puncturing the balloon, guard means movably carried by the post shielding the pin from the inflated balloon, a projection extending outwardly of the guard means for moving the same to clear said pin, so that the inflated balloon is punctured by the pin, whereby air released by the punctured balloon passes outwardly of the casing through said nozzle, said guard means including a collar engaged by the post, and a disk plate secured to the collar and positionable at the point of the pin, said projection including a shaft attached to the disk plate and eX- tending through the casing for manual movement of the disk plate away from the pin.

10. A device for extinguishing lighted candles, comprising a base plate, a hollow casing removably supported on the plate, said casing having a nozzle at one end for passing a stream of air therethrough under pressure, a fitting on the plate, an inliatable rubber balloon having a neck engaged on said fitting, one-way valve means in the fitting enabling the balloon to be inliated with air and retaining the air in the inflated balloon, a post supported by said plate and having a pin extending radially therefrom for puncturing the balloon, guard means movably carried by the post shielding the pin from the inflated balloon, and a projection extending outwardly of the guard means for moving the same to clear said pin, so that the inflated balloon is punctured by the pin, whereby air released by the punctured balloon passes outwardly of the casing through said nozzle, said casing having a two-part structure, with the two parts separable to expose the fitting and enable removal and replacement of the balloon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 800,420 Washington Sept. 26, 1905 1,811,572 Ailes June 23, 1931 2,666,667 Ward Jan. 19, 1954 2,739,420 Dugdale Mar. 27, 1956 2,840,951 Green Iuly 1, 1958 2,855,732 Weismantel Oct. 21, 1958 2,887,272 Rosenthal May 19, 1959 3,119,561 wilson Jan. 2s, 19`6'4 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,168,772 France Sept. l, 1958

Claims

1. A DEVICE FOR EXTINGUISHING LIGHTED CANDLES, COMPRISING A BASE PLATE, A FITTING ON THE PLATE FOR ENGAGING THE NECK OF AN INFLATABLE RUBBER BALLOON, ONE-WAY VALVE MEANS IN THE FITTING ENABLING THE BALLOON TO BE INFLATED WITH AIR AND RETAINING THE AIR IN THE INFLATED BALLOON, A POST SUPPORTED BY SAID PLATE AND HAVING A PIN EXTENDING RADIALLY THEREFROM FOR PUNCTURING THE BALLOON, GUARD MEANS MOVABLY CARRIED BY THE POST SHIELDING THE PIN FROM THE INFLATED BALLOON, AND A PROJECTION EXTENDING OUTWARDLY OF THE GUARD MEANS FOR MOVING THE SAME TO CLEAR SAID PIN, SO THAT THE INFLATED BALLOON IS PUNCTURED BY THE PIN.