EP1617138B1

EP1617138B1 - A lantern construction

Info

Publication number: EP1617138B1
Application number: EP05021585A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David Richard Dalton; John Robert Brown
Original assignee: Eveready Battery Co Inc
Current assignee: Edgewell Personal Care Brands LLC
Priority date: 1999-06-25
Filing date: 2000-06-23
Publication date: 2009-02-11
Anticipated expiration: 2020-06-23
Also published as: ATE422648T1; WO2001001039A1; CN1274990C; ATE533009T1; CN1358263A; CN1515820A; EP1196718B1; EP1617138A3; EP1196718A1; DE60041560D1; EP1196718A4; EP1617138A2; CN1130512C

Abstract

The present invention provides a lantern having a light housing which allows a 360 DEG radiation of light, said light housing including a light source and being pivotally connected to a lantern body by a rotational means, said body being of a generally rectangular construction having said rotational means off-set from a longitudinal axis of said body, said lighting housing being able to rotate so as to cross said longitudinal axis of said body.

Description

Field of the invention

This invention relates to portable lighting devices of the type which includes a housing which contains dry cell batteries and which includes a light source which will operate both as a standing light and a light which can be carried.
Such lighting devices have a rotatable lighting component and self-supporting body allowing multipurpose usage.

Background of the invention

Lights of the aforementioned type are known and are generally considered advantageous in that the light will have more applications than would a conventional torch. GB 2324854 (John Mfg Ltd), 4 November 1998, discloses a lantern having a pivotable light housing which can be rotated through approximately 180°, and which incorporates a detachable opaque shade. The light housing of this arrangement cannot be rotated beyond about 180°.
However, portable lights of the aforementioned type need to be relatively robust since by their very nature they tend to be knocked and dropped and are frequently used in outdoor environments. In addition, the lighting device should be relatively easy to carry and, when so carried, the light transmitted by the device should be projected forwardly whilst the light is being held in a comfortable carrying orientation.
Prior art lanterns of the type to which this invention relate tend to be relatively long and slender and have equilibrium difficulties when the lighting portion of the lantern is swung to various positions of use. The stability problems tend to be exacerbated when the lantern is in a generally upside down L-shaped configuration.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a lantern having a light housing which allows a 360° radiation of light, said light housing including light source and being pivotally connected to a lantern body by a rotational means, said body being of a generally rectangular construction having said rotational means off-set from a longitudinal axis of said body, the lantern being characterized in that said lighting housing and the body being configured to enable the light housing being able to rotate about the rotational means from a first position defined by the abutment of the light housing and the body through at least an angle greater than 180° to a second position defined by the abutment of the light housing against a limited by rotation limiter of the light housing 20 about the rotational means, so as to cross said longitudinal axis of said body.
The light source is preferably located at the front of the device, and the handle grip portion is preferably inclined upwardly from the back of the device towards the front of the device. The angle of inclination can be between about 30 and 60, and is preferably approximately 40 . The handle grip portion is preferably narrower than the width of the device at the base end thereof.
The body is preferably hollow and defines a cavity to receive dry cells for powering the light source. The light source can comprise a pair of incandescent globes or LEDs which are mounted in the respective ends of a translucent tubular member which is mounted to the body.
The appropriate circuitry, and on/off switch, will be incorporated into the device for connecting the dry cells to the light source.
The present invention further provides a portable lighting device including:

a body adapted to contain dry cells for powering the device;
at least one generally tubular translucent lens through which light generated by the device will emit;
at least one incandescent globe or LED located at at least one of the tubular lens; and electric circuitry which in use connects the dry cells to said at least one globe or LED.

The tubular lens may be in the form of a diffuser so that light emitted by said at least one globe or LED is diffused.
If two globes, or two LEDs or a globe and an LED are used. one is located at either end of said tubular lens.
If desired there can be more than one tubular lens thus more than one light source.
The body is preferably of generally rectilinear elongate shape, and the lens is preferably straight and aligned longitudinally with the body. The lens can be mounted within a light housing which is connected to the body via a pivotal connection which allows the light housing to be pivoted through an arc relative to the body. The pivot axis is preferably horizontal and the light housing can be adapted to pivot through an arc of at least 180°, and preferably approximately 270°.
The invention also provides a portable lighting device including a generally elongate rectilinear body having a base, a light source which extends longitudinally along one side of the body, and a handle located at or near the upper end of the body, the light source including a translucent protective front cover which has a convex outer form when viewed in side elevation.
Preferably the light source includes an elongate light housing which contains an elongate light source, the light housing being pivotally connected at the operatively upper end thereof to the body. The light housing is preferably pivotable through an arc of at least about 180° relative to the body. Preferably the light housing may be pivotable through an arc of about 270°. The protective cover can be of generally U-shape in cross section and be formed as a one piece moulding adapted to transmit light therethrough over substantially its entire periphery. The convex shape of the cover can be of generally arcuate form having a radius of curvature significantly greater than the length of the lighting device.
The light housing can include the translucent front cover, a translucent rear cover, an upper end portion, and a lower end portion, the upper end portion having pivot means thereon through which the light housing is pivotally connected to the body. The front and rear translucent covers can be in the form of lenses so as to either focus or diffuse light emitting from the light source. The front and rear covers can be welded together to thereby further strengthen the light housing and also to provide a moisture barrier for the light source.
The pivot means can include a friction pivot means adapted to hold the light housing to the body in any selected angle of orientation to which the light housing is pivoted in use. The pivot means can include a bar of circular cross section fixed to the body and a strap fixed to the light housing which passes around the bar, adjustable fastening means being provided to tighten or loosen the grip of the strap around the bar to thereby increase or decrease the frictional grip of the strap around the bar to thereby provide an appropriate holding force to enable the light housing to be selectively positioned in different orientations relative to the body.
The invention further provides a lantern having a light housing which allows a 360° radiation of light, said light housing including a light source and being pivotally connected to a lantern body by a rotational means, said body being of a generally rectangular construction having said rotational means off-set from a longitudinal axis of said body. said lighting housing being able to rotate so as to cross said longitudinal axis of said body.
Preferably the light housing has a rectangular lens assembly with one face which lies against the side of said body.
The body can have a foot extending away from the body to help increase stability when the body is resting in a generally vertical orientation.
Preferably the lantern includes a handle means which is pivotally attached to the body.
Preferably said body has a predetermined equilibrium position when laid down on either a front or rear side of said body.
Preferably said light housing has its degree of rotation limited relative to said body by the engagement of a portion of said light housing and a portion of said rotation means.
Preferably said light housing forms an angle in the range of 0 to 220 relative to the longitudinal axis, when said light housing is at the limit of its rotation relative to the body.
Preferably said rotational means is formed near the termini of angled portions which extend away from said body.
Preferably the angled portions are at an angle in the range of 35 to 60 and most preferably in the range of 40 to 50 to the longitudinal axis of said body, said angle being to the side of the body where said light housing rests in a fully retracted position.
Preferably the handle means interacts with the body to provide a stable angled platform to lay said lantern down when desired and to angle the light housing so as to provide a low profile raised reading lamp.
Preferably the body includes a reflector portion so that when said light housing is adjacent said body light directed from the light housing to the body will be reflected back through the light housing and away from the device.
Preferably the reflector is pivotally mounted so that it can be rotated from a first position adjacent the body to a second position away from the body and adjacent to the light housing.
Preferably the light housing when rotated to the limit of its travel has its centre of gravity closer to the centre of gravity, or the longitudinal axis passing through the centre of gravity of the body, by comparison to the location of the centre of gravity of the light housing when the light housing is rotated to approximately 90 degrees to the same longitudinal axis.
Preferably the light housing can be rotated to a position and held in that position being substantially anywhere between the limits of rotation of the light housing relative to the body.
Preferably the light source is one, or a combination of one or more, of the following: a fluorescent tube; a cold cathode fluorescent lamp: a tubular lens with at least one in candescent globe in one end ; a tubular lens with at least one LED in one end.
It should be noted that where the word "comprising" or "comprised" is used in this specification that term should be interpreted inclusively rather than exclusively. Also. the terms "upper" and "lower" are used to assist in the description of the invention and are not intended to define the orientation in which the lighting device must be used or is used.
These and further features of the invention will be made apparent from the description of an embodiment thereof, given below by way of example. In the description references are made to the accompanying drawings, but the specific features shown in the drawings should not be construed limiting on the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only. with reference to accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a portable lighting device;
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the portable lighting device of Figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates a rear end view of the portable lighting device of Figure 1;
Figure 4 illustrates a front end view of the portable lighting device of Figure 1:
Figure 5 illustrates a top plan view of the portable lighting device of Figure 1;
Figure 6 illustrates a cross section of the portable lighting device sectioned through plane VI-VI of Figure 1;
Figure 7 illustrates a cross section of the portable lighting device sectioned through the plane VII-VII of Figure 4;
Figure 8 illustrates a cross section of the portable lighting device sectioned through the plane XIII-XIII of Figure 4:
Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of the portable lighting device of Figure 1 with the light housing rotated away from the body;
Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of a lantern embodying the present invention ;
Figure 11 illustrates a rear perspective view of the lantern of Figure 10 ;
Figure 12 illustrates a perspective view of the lantern for Figure 10 in a folded down retracted position :
Figure 13 illustrates a side view of the lantern of Figure 12;
Figure 14 illustrates a front view of the lantern of Figure 10;
Figure 15 illustrates a cross section of the lantern of Figure 12 ;
Figure 16 illustrates a view similar to Figure 10 with the light housing shown in its position of furthest rotation:
Figure 17A illustrates a perspective view of Figure 16;
Figure 18 illustrates a side view of the lantern of Figures 10 to 16 in a different orientation;
Figure 19 illustrates a perspective view of the lantern of Figure 10 with a rotatable reflector;
Figure 20 shows the rotatable reflector at the limit of its rotation; and
Figure 21 illustrates a cross section similar to Figure 15, with the fluorescent lamp replaced by a tubular lens and one LED.

Detailed description of the embodiments

As shown in the drawings, a portable lighting device 10 has a body 12 of generally elongate rectilinear form. As will be noted for example, from figures 5 and6, the body is generally rectangular in the plan view. The body 12 has a base 14 which is flat and on which the lighting device 10 is adapted to be stood whilst in use as a table top lantern or the like. A battery cover moulding 16 forms part of the base and is removable to replace a battery cartridge indicated by dotted lines at 18. It is envisaged that the cartridge will contain 6 "D cell" dry cell batteries.
The body 12 has a light housing 20 connected thereto by a pivotal connection 22 located at the upper end of the body. The pivotal connection 22 will be described in more detailed here below. The light housing 20 is made from a translucent central portion 24 which is formed of a front cover 26 and a rear cover 28 which are welded together along weld line 30.
An elongate light source 32' is provided in the form of a tubular translucent lens 32 mounted within the light housing 20 and a pair of incandescent lamps 34 located in opposite ends of the tubular lens 32. The tubular lens 32 thus has the appearance of a longitudinal fluorescent lamp but, in fact, lighting is provided by the two incandescent lamps 34.
The light housing 20 also includes a lower end portion 36 and an upper end portion 38 which houses the pivotal connection 22. If desired, the tubular lens 32 and incandescent lamps 34 of light source 32' can be replaced by a fluorescent lamp, providing appropriate lamp holders are installed. Alternatively the incandescent lamps 24 can be replaced by one or more LEDs.
A handle 40 is integrally formed with body 12 and is located on the operative upper end of the lighting device. The handle 40, as is clear from Figure 3 is narrower than the rest of the body 12. and defines an opening 42 into which a user's fingers are received when carrying the lighting device 10. The handle 40 is inclined upwardly from the rear of the lighting device 10 towards the front thereof, the angle of inclination being approximately 40.
When held by the handle 40. the light emitted by the lamp 34 will project forwardly, and slightly downwardly, thereby providing a forwardly projecting light source 32' when the lighting device 10 is being carried in a comfortable position.
The batteries used to power the lighting device 10 can be of considerable weight, therefore in order to make carrying the lighting device 10 more comfortable the handle 40 protrudes slightly from the back of the body 12. In combination with the acute angle of the handle the centre of mass of the lighting device 10 hangs beneath the hand of the carrier when the lighting device 10 is carried in a normal manner. Clearly, the angle of the handle 40 can differ from 40 and an angle of between 30 and 60 is considered to provide the same characteristics.
A switch 44 is located in the upper side of the handle 40 and is easily accessible by user's thumb for switching on and off the light source 32'. Optionally the switch 44 can be a three position slide switch, where there is provided two light sources, so that in a first position only one light source is in the closed circuit, and in a second position both light sources are in the closed circuit. The third position being an off position.
The front face 48 of the front cover member 26 is of convex shape when viewed in side elevation, that is, the Figure 1 view. This curved form of the cover 26 adds significantly to the strength of the light housing 20 and also serves to distribute light from the light source 32' in a more diffused manner. It should be noted that the curvature of the face 48 is arcuate, and the radius of curvature is relatively large, that is, significantly greater than the overall length of the body. The arcuate form of the cover 26 also serves to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the lighting device 10.
The pivotal connection 22 is shown in detail in figures 7 and 8. The body 12 includes a shaft 50 which spans across opposite sides thereof and provides a relatively rigid mounting axle to which the light housing 20 can connect. The light housing 20 is provided with a pair of straps 52 which passes around the shaft 50, as shown in Figure 8. and are clamped around the shaft 50 by means of screws 54. The tightness of the grip of straps 52 around the shaft 50 can be varied by adjusting the screws 54. Further, by appropriately sizing the straps 52 and shaft 50, the straps 52 and shaft 50 will yield a relatively similar magnitude of friction when assembled in the lighting device 10 on a production or assembly line. It is desirable that the light housing 20 is able to pivot to any selected position through an arc of approximately 270° . This allows the lighting device 10 to be stood on its base 14 and the light housing 20 can be pivoted away from the body 12 to any selected position.
Since the cover 24 is translucent around its entire periphery, the light housing 20, when standing vertically up away from the body 12 will distribute light in the substantially 360° arc, much in the manner of a candle. Also, the light housing 20 can be positioned at right angles to the length of the body 12 so that the light serves as a reading light or the like. It is envisaged that during assembly the screws 54 will be adjusted so that the frictional grip of the straps 52 around the shaft 50 will be optimised to allow for relatively easy pivoting of the light housing 20 relative to the body 12, yet the light housing 20 will maintain its position relative to the body 12 in any selected position of arc to which it is pivoted.
If desired, the lighting device 10 need not take the overall form as has been disclosed herein although the form with a device depicted in the drawings is considered advantageous for the reasons outlined above. It is envisaged that the lighting device 10 will be relatively simple to manufacture, and therefore relatively inexpensive. and yet will be not only robust but also able to be used in a number of different ways which adds significantly to the versatility of the lighting device 10.
While a friction device in the form of straps 52 and shaft 50 is preferably utilised, a rotating engagement means which will allow indexed rotational motion such as a ratchet device could be used.
Illustrated in Figure 9 is the light housing 26 shown in an elevated position relative to the body 12. In this position, the side 12A of body 12 is visible and the presence of a rectangular reflector 12B is noted.
When the light housing 20 is adjacent the side 12A. the reflector 12B ensures that the full visible spectrum of light generated from the light source 32' in the light housing 20 will be reflected off the body side 12A ensuring maximum usable light by preventing a substantial amount of visible light being absorbed by the body side 12A.
The reflector 12B can be a highly polished sheet material, silvered, white or other highly reflective sheet material. which can be a metal plastic or coated plastic.
The sheet material is preferably captured between the left and right halves of the body 12, or it can be adhered to the side 12A, or otherwise attached thereto. In its most basic form the reflector 12B can be a white plastic sticker.
Another feature of the light housing 26 is that a side 26A (see figures 7 & 9) being that side which is outwardly directed when the light housing 20 is adjacent the body side 12A, is constructed from a frosted or translucent lens, while the opposite side 26B is constructed from a clear or transparent lens. This ensures that when the light source 32' in light housing 20 is switched on. the reflector 12B will, due to the transparent nature of side 26B, receive a greater degree of light, which when reflected will pass back through side 26B, thus resulting in a more efficient transmission of light through side 26A. This can be particularly helpful if the lighting device 10 is being used for reading purposes. While the frosted and clear finishes cannot be illustrated, it will be seen from Figure 7 that 26A & 26B have different crosshatching in cross section illustrated.
Illustrated in Figures 10 to 21 is a lighting device in the form of a lantern 102 which has a generally rectangular lens assembly or light housing 104 which is rotatably connected to a generally rectangular body 106 by a pivot assembly 108. The lantern 102 of Figure 10 illustrates the light housing 104 in an extended position whilst Figures 12, 13 and 15 illustrate the light housing in retracted position relative to the body 106.
In the view of Figure 10, the body 106 is of a generally rectangular construction having a front face 110, a rear face 112 and left and right sides 114 and 116. The pivot assembly 108 is formed by two angled extensions 118 and 120 which extend away from the body 106 at approximately 45 to the vertical but an angle in the range of 15 to 60 can be utilised.
In Figure 10 the light housing 104 is illustrated in a vertical orientation which together with the assistance of a foot 122 ensures that the centre of gravity of light housing 104 is located between the forward extremity 122A of the foot 122 and the rearward extremity 122D of the base 122D. This results in the lantern 102, when in the configuration illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 being in a stable position even though the centre of gravity of the light housing 104 is positioned away from a longitudinal axis passing through the centre of gravity of the body 106.
Whereas when the light housing 104 is rotated to its furthest point of rotation as illustrated in Figure 16 the centre of gravity is actually closer to the centre of gravity of body 106.
The mass of the dry cells and the body 106 being greater than the mass of the light housing 104 ensures that tipping will not occur.
A rotatable handle 123 is captured between half 106A and other half 106B of the body 106 and can rotate from a position adjacent the side 112, until it engages the light housing 104. Thus the position of the light housing 104 determines the limits of rotation of handle 123.
The pivot assembly 108 cooperates with the forward extremity 122A of the foot 122 so that when the light housing 104 is rotated to its furthest most rotational position as illustrated in Figure 16, the lantern 102 can be placed on a surface of a table or other horizontal surface (generally represented by the axis 130) forming a three leg arrangement which will maintain the body 106 in a stable orientation with the light housing 104 being at an angle above the axis 130 (the axis 130 being representative of a generally horizontal surface).
Further, the handle 123 can cooperate with the rearward extremity 122D as illustrated in Figure 18 so as to rest the body 106 on rearward extremity 122D and edge 123A of handle 123 onto a surface generally represented by phantom line 130. As the body 106 generally houses four D cell size batteries the lantern 102 will have sufficient mass in body 106 to produce a moment of greater magnitude around 123A of handle 123 by comparison to the moment produced by the light housing 104 and the upper body portions including pivot assembly 108 around the same point. This arrangement allows a highly flexible and variable arrangement which can be utilised to obtain high degrees of stability for a user.
The lantern 102 includes an on/off switch 124 on the body 106 while the light housing 104 includes an access panel 104A which utilises a screw 104B to secure the lens on the light housing 104 to the lens carrier 126.
Alternatively a cover 104C as illustrated in Figure 17 which is comprised of 5 sides can provide the terminus of the light housing 104.
In the retracted orientation as illustrated in Figure 12, the lantern 102 has the lens housing 104 adjacent to the body 106. As can be seen from Figure 14 an access panel 128 is provided on the forward face 110 of the body 106 so that a user of the lantern 102 can gain access to the battery compartment for replacement or installation of dry cell batteries. A feature of the lantern 102 is that the access panel 128 is manufactured from a highly reflective material such as silvered polymeric material, reflective metal or plastic material, or white painted or white coloured material. This ensures that when the lantern 102 has the light housing 104 in the retracted position of Figure 12 and the light source is switched on, light generated from the light housing 102 emitted in the direction of the body 106 will be reflected, in the main. by panel 128 back out through the light housing 104. This ensures that in the retracted orientation the lantern 102 can be stood on a table and generate sufficient light to enable reading or other activity.
Another feature of the lantern 102 is that the light housing 104, when rotated to a vertical or over centre position as illustrated in Figure 16, generates light in a 360° circle around the longitudinal axis of the light housing 104 and acting in much the same manner as a candle.
As illustrated in Figure 15 the cross section through the lantern 102 shows that the pivot assembly 108 includes a pivot clamp 108A which is secured to the body 106 by means of a friction screw 108B. The torque applied to friction screw 108B will determine the level of friction that the pivot clamp 108A will exert onto the spigot or shaft 108C which is integrally formed with or secured to the lens housing 126 in the reduced portion 126A. The pivot clamp 108A allows the lens carrier 126 and light housing 104 to be positioned at any location between the limits of travel of the lens carrier 126, and to hold the lens carrier 126 in that position without any outside assistance. The pivot clamp 108A is able to do this by means of the friction generated with the spigot or shaft 108C.
The lens carrier 126 includes a fluorescent tube and electrical connection support 135 while the cover plate 104A or cover 104C has appropriate sockets to receive the terminals 137 of the fluorescent lamps and to electrically connect these ends so that current will flow through both fluorescent tubes.
Between the body halves 106A and 106B is sufficient space to house four D size dry cell batteries 139 and a printed circuit board 141 is included at the top of the body 106 with suitable wires and controls to the on/off switch 124 on the upper surface of the body 106 in the vicinity of the pivot assembly 108.
Illustrated in figures 19 and 20 is an additional feature which can be utilised to provide greater efficiency of the light housing 104 and provide a greater range of options available to the user.
A rotating reflector plate 128A, which if used removes the need to provide access panel 128 with the ability to reflect white light. That is, the panel 128 will not need to reflect white light.
The rotating reflector 128A is manufactured from a sheet material which has a face 128B capable of reflecting the visible light spectrum. The reflective material can be anyone of the currently available range of reflective material such as polished, silvered, coated or white sheet materials which can be of metal or plastic as desired.
The other side 128C can have the same reflective preparation, but is not preferred.
The reflector 128A has two mounting limbs 128D and 128E bent or attached to right angles to the face 128B. The limbs 128D and 128E have coaxial apertures there through which are captured in the pivot assembly 108. This mounting arrangement allows the reflector 128A to be rotated simultaneously with the light housing 104 or at any time after if desired.
Thus when the light housing 104 is rotated to its limit of rotation as in Figure 20, the reflector 128A can be rotated so as to lie adjacent thereto, thus ensuring greater efficiency of light housing 104 to emit light in the downward and rearward direction relative to the body 106. A similar effect results when the light housing 104 and the reflector 128 are both in the retracted position.
Illustrated in Figure 21 is a cross section similar to that of Figure 15, with like parts being is similar to that described above with respect to Figures 1 and 4. Another alternative light source which could be utilised is a cold cathode fluorescent lamp being approximately 3 to 6 mm in diameter.
It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.
The foregoing describes embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto, without departing from the scope of the present claims.

Claims

A lantern having a light housing (20) which allows a 360° radiation of light, said light housing including light source (32'), and being pivotally connected to a lantern body (12) by a rotational means (22), said body being of a generally rectangular construction, said rotational means (22) being off-set from a longitudinal axis of said body, the lantern being characterized in that said lighting housing (20) and the body (12) are configured to enable the light housing to rotate about the rotational means 22 from a first position defined by the abutment of the light housing (20) and the body (12) to a second position through an angle greater than 180°in which the light housing (20) intersects said longitudinal axis of said body (12).
A lantern as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first position is a retracted position whereby said body (12) and said light housing are (20) side by side with respective longitudinal axes being substantially parallel.
A lantern as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said light housing (20) has a rectangular lens assembly (24, 26) with one face (26B) which lies against the side of said body.
A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said body (12) has a foot (122) extending away from the body (12) to help increase stability when the body (12) is resting in a generally vertical orientation.
A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein there is also included a handle means (123) which is pivotally attached to the body (12).
A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said body (12) has a predetermined equilibrium position when laid down on either front or rear side of said body.
A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said light housing (20) has its rotation limited relative to said body by the engagement of a portion of said light housing (20) and a portion of said rotation means 22.
A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said light housing (20) forms an angle in the range of 0° to 270° relative to the longitudinal axis, when said light housing (20) is at the limit of its rotation relative to the body (12).
A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said rotational means 22 is formed near the termini of angled portions (118, 120) which extend away from said body (12).
A lantern as claimed in claim 9, wherein the angled portions (118, 120) are at an angle in the range of 35° to 60° and most preferably in the range of 40° to 50° to the longitudinal axis of said body (12), said angle being to the side of the body (12) where said light housing (20) rests in a fully retracted position.
A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the handle means (123) interacts with the body (12) to provide a stable angled platform to lay said lantern down when desired and to angle the light housing (20) so as to provide a low profile raised reading lamp.
A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said body includes a reflector portion (12B) so that when said light housing (20) is adjacent said body (12) light directed from the light housing (20) to the body (12) will be reflected back through the light housing and away from the device.
A lantern as claimed in claim 12, wherein said reflector (128A) is pivotally mounted (128D, 128E) so that it can be rotated from a first position adjacent the body (106) to a second position away from the body and adjacent to the light housing (104).
A lantern as claimed in one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said light housing (20) when rotated to the limit of its travel has its centre of gravity closer to the centre of gravity, or the longitudinal axis passing through the centre of gravity of the body (12), by comparison to the location of the centre of gravity of the light housing (20) when the light housing (20) is rotated to approximately 90 degrees to the same longitudinal axis.
A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said light housing (20) is able to be rotated to a position and held in that position being substantially anywhere between the limits of rotation of the light housing (20) relative to the body (12).
A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said light source (32') is one, or a combination of one or more, of the following: a fluorescent tube; a cold cathode fluorescent lamp; a tubular lens with at least one incandescent globe in one end; a tubular lens with at least one LED in one end.