WO2008085695A1

WO2008085695A1 - Collapsible lantern attachment

Info

Publication number: WO2008085695A1
Application number: PCT/US2007/088426
Authority: WO
Inventors: Darin M. Webb; Daniel E. De Brunner
Original assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
Priority date: 2007-01-04
Filing date: 2007-12-20
Publication date: 2008-07-17
Also published as: TW200840967A

Abstract

A lantern attachment (20) for converting a light source (40) into a lantern. The lantern attachment (20) includes one or more globes (24, 26), a cone (30), a cap (22), and an adapter (32). The adapter (32) attaches the light source (40) to the lantern attachment (20) so that light from the light source (40) reflects off the cone (30). The lantern attachment (20) is collapsible to a storage configuration.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE LANTERN ATTACHMENT

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

(0001) This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application serial Number 60/883,378, filed January 4, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(0002) In general, a lantern is a portable light such as a luminaire configured to be held by a user, placed on a surface, or hung from an object. Lanterns are used for a variety of different applications including use for light in the outdoors, backup lighting in a power outage or as a source of light to find an object m a dark location.

(0003) Backpackers often prefer to make their load as light as possible. To do so, a backpacker may have to carefully choose what accessories to bring on a backpacking trip. For example, a backpacker may choose to bring a flashlight on a trip but not a lantern because lanterns are usually bulkier and heavier than flashlights. However, lanterns provide advantages over flashlights in that they illumine a broad area instead of having a beam focused in a particular direction. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

(0004) The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description of some embodiments that are presented later.

(0005) In accordance with an embodiment, a lantern attachment is provided. The lantern attachment includes a housing, one or more globes, a cone, and a cap. The lantern attachment is collapsible between a first storage configuration wherein the globes nest inside the housing and a second open configuration wherein the globes are exposed. The lantern attachment is configured so that it attaches to a light source, such as a flashlight, to provide a lantern function for that light source.

(0006) Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(0007) FIGURE 1 is a side perspective view of a lantern attachment in accordance with an embodiment;

(0008) FIG. 2 is a side view of the lantern attachment of FIG. 1, shown attached to a flashlight;

(0009) FIG. 3 is a bottom, side perspective view of the lantern attachment of FIG. 1 shown in a storage configuration;

(0010) FIG. 4 is a top view of the lantern attachment of FIG. 1; and

(0011) FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the lantern attachment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(0012) In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well- known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.

(0013) Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a lantern attachment 20 in accordance with an embodiment. The lantern attachment 20 includes a housing 28, a cone 30, a first globe 24, a second globe 26, and a cap 22.

(0014) As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 28 has the form of a cylinder closed on one end (FIG. 3) . The housing 28 may be made of plastic, although a variety of other materials may be used such as aluminum or other metals or other materials. In an embodiment, the housing 28 is opague, although all or portions of the housing, such as the bottom, may be transparent or semitransparent . In addition, other shapes such as a box shape may be used.

(0015) The first globe 24 is in the shape of a cylinder configured to fit inside the open end of the housing 28. In an embodiment, the first globe 24 is made of transparent or semi-transparent polycarbonate, although other translucent materials, such as glass or other plastics, may be used. As shown in FIG. 5, the height of the first globe 24 is approximately the height of the housing 28. The first globe 24 is configured so that it may be pulled out of the housing 28 to a position, as shown in FIG. 1, where it is held m place by friction. A stop (not shown) may be provided on the first globe 24 and/or the housing 28 to limit extension of the two pieces relative to each other.

(0016) The globe 24 and housing 28 may also be configured to be held in place by other structures or mechanisms. For example, the housing 28 may include a recessed ring (not shown) and the globe 24 may include a raised ridge (not shown) configured to sit in the recessed ring so that when the globe 24 is m the position as shown in FIG. 1, the globe 24 is held in place by the raised ridge sitting inside the recessed ring. As an alternative, the globe 24 and the housing 28 may be configured so that the globe 24 is free to move vertically with respect to the housing 28, but the globe 24 is locked in place by rotating the globe 24 relative to the housing 28, for instance, by one eighth of a turn. The mechanism for keeping the globe 24 in place relative to the housing 28 may also be arranged or configured such that the lantern attachment 20 is able to support the weight of common light sources, such as flashlights, without collapsing from the open configuration, such as is shown in FIG. 2. Other mechanical locking structures, mechanisms employing friction, or a combination of such features may be used.

(0017) Similarly, the second globe 26 is in the shape of a cylinder and configured to fit inside the first globe 24. The second globe 26 may be made of the same material as the first globe 24, or it may be made of other suitable materials. In addition, the height of the second globe 26 is approximately equal to the height of the first globe 24, and the second globe is configured so that it may be pulled out of the first globe 24 to a position, as shown in FIG. 1, where it is held in place by friction. Other ways of holding the second globe 26 in place may be used, such as mechanisms or structures similar to those for keeping the first globe 24 in place, as described above.

(0018) In an embodiment, the first globe 24 is closely nested inside the housing 28, and the second globe 26 is closely nested inside the first globe. In this manner, a telescoping effect is provided as the two globes 24, 26 are extended, and the telescoped structure only slight decreases in diameter when measured across the housing 28 verses the first globe 24, and when measured across the first globe verses the second globe 26.

(0019) The cap 22 is in the shape of a disk and includes an adapter 32. The cap may be made from the same material as the housing, or from other materials. As shown in the drawings, the cap 22 has a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the housing 28. The cap 22 is configured to fit atop and attach to the second globe 26, so that vertical movement of the cap 22 causes vertical movement of the second globe 26, and eventually the first globe 24. The cap 22 and second globe 26 may formed as a single unit, or they may be formed separately and attached together. In addition, the cap 22 is configured so that when the lantern attachment 20 is m a closed configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, the cap 22 fits over the housing 28 thereby hiding the first globe 24 and second globe 26 from view. The cap 22 and housing 28 may be configured so that, when the lantern attachment 20 is m the closed configuration, the cap 22 may be locked in place to the housing 28. This may be accomplished, for example, by friction or by the above described ways for keeping the first globe 24 held in place, or by other structures or mechanisms .

(0020) As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the adapter 32 may be a threaded cylinder protruding from the cap 22. In an embodiment, the adapter 32 is configured to attach to the head end of flashlight, such as the flashlight 40 shown in FIG. 2, so that the light beam from the flashlight may enter the lantern attachment 20 through the adapter 32. Other adapters may also be used. For example, an adapter may comprise a flexible elastic cylinder able to attach to a variety of different size flashlights.

(0021) In addition, an adapter 32 may be configured for use with one or more particular models of flashlight. For example, a flashlight may have a removable, threaded bezel. In an embodiment, the adapter 32 includes similar threads so that the bezel of the flashlight may be removed and the flashlight, without the bezel, may be threaded onto the adapter. In general, an adapter may be anything capable of attaching a light source to the lantern attachment 20 that allows light to pass from the light source into the lantern attachment 20.

(0022) As shown in FIG. 5, the cone 30 is in the shape of a cone and is configured to sit inside the housing 28 and attach to the bottom of the first globe 24, as shown in FIG. 1. The diameter of the cone as shown in FIG. 5 is approximately egual to the diameter of the first globe 24, and thus the cone nests with the first globe in the housing. The point of the cone 30, as shown in FIG. 1, points towards the adapter 32 of the cap 22. In an embodiment, the cone has a metallic or otherwise reflective coating or is made of metal or other reflective material. Although the cone 30 is shown in the drawings as a cone in the geometric sense, it may comprise other shapes as well. For example, the cone 30 may comprise a hemisphere or other curved surface, a union of flat or otherwise curved surfaces, or any other surface. In general, however, the cone 30 or other structure is designed to reflect and direct light entering from the adapter 32 to out of the globes 24, 26.

(0023) As described above, the cone 30, first globe 24, and second globe 26 are configured to fit inside the housing 28. As shown in FIG. 1, the first globe 24 is configured to fit inside the housing 28, and the second globe 26 is configured to fit inside the first globe 24. Such a configuration makes it possible to collapse the lantern attachment 20 to a storage configuration shown in FIG. 3. In such a storage configuration, the housing 28 protects the first globe 24 and the second globe 26 from scratches and other damage which may adversely affect the performance of the lantern.

(0024) To use the lantern attachment 20, a user simply pulls the cap 22 away from the housing 28 until the lantern attachment is in an open configuration as shown in FIG. 1. This motion causes the first globe 24 and cone 30 to move together out of the housing 28 and the second globe 28 to move out of the first globe 24. As above, friction or other mechanisms or structures may be used to hold the lantern attachment 20 in the open configuration. A user may attach a flashlight or other light source, such as a headlamp, to the lantern attachment 20, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, at this point or even before moving the lantern attachment 20 into the open configuration. When the light source is turned on, light shines on the cone 30, which reflects the light m several directions out of the globes 24, 26, providing a lantern effect.

(0025) As described above, the lantern attachment 20 includes a first globe 24 and a second globe 26, but other configurations may be used. For example, a lantern attachment may have only one globe or more than two globes. In either event, the globe or globes are formed of a material that is translucent and thus allows the transmission of light.

(0026) In an embodiment, the outer walls of the housing 28 may be translucent, and thus provide the same function as a globe. In this embodiment a cone, similar to the cone 30, may be attached to the bottom of the housing. In one such an embodiment, the walls of the housing 28 provide the only globe, wherein the housing is directly attached to the cap 22, and extension of the lantern attachment is not provided. However, the embodiment shown in the drawings and having extendible gloves is advantageous in that the lantern attachment 20 is compact in the storage configuration and opens to a large lantern configuration to provide a broad spectrum of illumination.

(0027) In alternate embodiments, the various parts of the lantern attachment 20 may be arranged, configured, or attached differently than described above. In addition, two of the described pieces may be formed from a single piece of material, or one of the elements may be formed from multiple pieces.

(0028) Other features may also be added to the lantern attachment 20. For example, the lantern attachment 20 may have a hook, for example on the bottom of the housing 28, for hanging the lantern attachment from an object, such as a tent. If the hook is attached in this position, a flashlight and the lantern attachment 20 may be suspended from the hook.

(0029) Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

(0030) All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

(0031) The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open- ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

(0032) Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above- described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A lantern attachment, comprising: an adapter for attaching to a head end of a flashlight, the head end designed so that a light beam illuminates from the head end when the flashlight is turned on; a first globe connected to the adapter, the first globe having translucent outer walls; a housing slidingly connected to the first globe, the housing and the first globe being translatable relative to each other between a first position where the first globe is mostly or completely recessed in the housing, and a second position where the first globe is translated mostly out of the housing.

2. The lantern attachment of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed of a material that does not translate light.

3. The lantern attachment of claim 1, further comprising a reflective surface inside the first globe that reflects a light beam illuminated from a flashlight attached to the adapter to out of the outer walls of the first globe.

4. The lantern attachment of claim 3, wherein the reflective surface comprises a reflective cone with an apex facing the adapter.

5. The lantern attachment of claim 1, wherein the adapter is threaded to screw onto threads on a head of a flashlight.

6. The lantern attachment of claim 1, further comprising a second globe connected between the first globe and the adapter, the second globe and the first globe being translatable relative to each other between a storage position where the second globe is mostly or completely recessed in the first globe, and a second position where the second globe is translated mostly out of the first globe.

7. The lantern attachment of claim 6, wherein the housing is formed of a material that does not translate light.

8. The lantern attachment of claim 6, further comprising a reflective surface inside the first globe that reflects a light beam illuminated from a flashlight attached to the adapter to out of the outer walls of the first globe.

9. The lantern attachment of claim 8, wherein the reflective surface comprises a reflective cone with an apex facing the adapter.

10. The lantern attachment of claim 6, wherein the adapter is threaded to screw onto threads on a head of a flashlight.

11. A flashlight and lantern attachment combination, comprising: a flashlight comprising a head end designed so that a light beam illuminates from the head end when the flashlight is turned on; and a lantern attachment, the lantern attachment comprising: an adapter for attaching to the head end; a first globe connected to the adapter, the first globe having translucent outer walls; a housing slidingly connected to the first globe, the housing and the first globe being translatable relative to each other between a first position where the first globe is mostly or completely recessed in the housing, and a second position where the first globe is translated mostly out of the housing.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the housing is formed of a material that does not translate light.

13. The combination of claim 11, further comprising a reflective surface inside the first globe that reflects a light beam illuminated from a flashlight attached to the adapter to out of the outer walls of the first globe.

14. The combination of claim 13, wherein the reflective surface comprises a reflective cone with an apex facing the adapter.

15. The combination of claim 11, wherein the adapter is threaded to screw onto threads on a head of a flashlight.

16. The combination of claim 11, further comprising a second globe connected between the first globe and the adapter, the second globe and the first globe being translatable relative to each other between a storage position where the second globe is mostly or completely recessed in the first globe, and a second position where the second globe is translated mostly out of the first globe.

17. The combination of claim 16, wherein the housing is formed of a material that does not translate light.

18. The combination of claim 16, further comprising a reflective surface inside the first globe that reflects a light beam illuminated from a flashlight attached to the adapter to out of the outer walls of the first globe.

19. The combination of claim 18, wherein the reflective surface comprises a reflective cone with an apex facing the adapter.

20. The combination of claim 16, wherein the adapter is threaded to screw onto threads on a head of a flashlight.