US2985751A - Portable lantern - Google Patents

Description

y 1961 G. P. HENSON 2,985,751

PORTABLE LANTERN Filed June 16, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 7? I: z 31 GORDON P. HENSON ATTORNEYS y 9 G. P. HENSON 2,985,751

PORTABLE LANTERN v Filed June 16, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 as 33 |2 5s INVENTOR.

GORDON P HENSON BY MW Max/75M ATTORNEYS PORTABLE LANTERN Gordon P. Henson, Prairieville Township, Barry County, Mich. (RR. 1, Doster, Mich.)

Filed June 16, 1958, Ser. No. 742,387

3 Claims. (Cl. 240-11) This invention relates in general to a portable lantern and, more particularly, to a type thereof connectible to a source of a combustible fluid for the purpose of providing an intense light.

Portable non-electric lamps, or lanterns as they are often called, have been used for many years and are still widely used where a source of electrical energy is not conveniently available. However, existing lanterns have been notoriously lacking in one of two respects. That is, present lanterns either have not been completely portable or, when portable, have been incapable of providing an intense and concentrated illumination. A brilliant, non electric illumination is often needed in many situations, such as for a beacon, a jack light, or simply as illumination in night construction work or night rescue work.

Accordingly, a primary object of this invention has been the provision of a completely portable lantern capable of producing a concentrated and intense illumination by means of burning a combustible fluid.

A further object of this invention has been the provision of a lantern, as aforesaid, which will operate very inexpensively, which is very simple and safe to operate, which is relatively easy to fabricate, which incorporates means for controlling the amount of illumination and which is adapted for a very wide range of uses.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a lantern, as aforesaid, which, where desired, can be adapted for quick and easy conversion into a cook stove.

Other objects and purposes of this invention will become apparent to persons familiar with this type of equipment upon reading the following specification and examining the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lantern construction embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view substantially as taken along the line H-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-411 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line I-V-IV ,of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a. fragment of Figure 2 showing a modified construction in said lantern.

and 2. The terms front, rear and derivatives thereof will have reference to the right and left sides, respectively, of the structure as appearing in Figure 2. The terms innerj outer and derivatives thereof will have refer- 'ence tothe geometric center of said lantern and parts thereof.

General description The objects and purposes of the invention, including United States Patent 0 ice 2,985,75l Patented May 23, 1961 those set forth above, have been met by providing a portable lantern having a manifold connected through a ing valve or control to a source of combustible gas. One or more outlet tubes are connected to and communicate with said manifold and each of said tubes is provided with a mantle at its free end. The outlet tubes and mantles are protected by guard means mounted upon the manifold. A heat barrier, and a supporting handle are also rigidly aflixed with respect to said manifold.

The particular lantern'disclosed in Figures 1 and 2 has a plurality of illumination units, each of which includes two mantle supporting outlet pipes which are connected to the manifold and surrounded by a protective structure. However, it will be recognized that the number of outlet pipes and mantles may be varied considerably within the scope of the invention.

Detailed description The lantern 10 (Figures 1 and 2), herein selected to illustrate the invention, is comprised of a manifold 11 upon which a plurality of illumination units 12 are supported and with which said units are connected. A reflector 13 and handle 14 are rigidly secured to the manifold 11 which includes an elongated central tube 22. One end of said tube 22 is closed and the other end is connected through a mixture control 17 and a conduit 18 to a source 19 of combustible fluid, such as propane. Two pairs of substantially parallel tubes 23, 24, 25 and 26 (Figure 6) extend from opposite sides of the central tube 22 and communicate therewith. At least one outlet tube 28 is secured to and communicates with each of the lateral tubes, said outlet tubes preferably extendingin a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the lengthwise axes of said lateral tubes 23, 24, 25 and 26. In this embodiment, there are two identical outlet tubes 28 and 28a (Figure 3) secured to each of said lateral tubes.

As shown in Figure 4 with respect to the outlet tube 28 on the lateral tube 24, a screen 29 is held against the lower end of each outlet tube 28 and 28a by a flanged collar 32, which is secured upon the lower end of the outlet tube by any convenient means, such as braiing or a press fit. Each collar 32 has an annular groove 34 in its periphery. A mantle 33 is supported upon and suspended from the collar 32 by means of a non-flammable 'erably are, identical with those described and disclosed with respect to the lateral tube 24 shown in Figures 3 and 4. a

The outlet tubes 28 and 28a and their corresponding mantles 33 and 33a provide the light source for each illumination unit 12 (Figures 2 and 3), which also includes a glass chimney 38 and a chimney supporting cage 39. The cage 39-is comprised of a pair of coaxial, spaced rings 42 and 43 which are connected to the opposite ends of a plurality of vertical rods by means such as welding. A pair of horizontal rods 46 and 47 extend diametrically across the lower ring 43 transversely of each other and are secured at their opposite ends to the lower ring for supporting a chimney 38 disposed within the upper ring. 42.

The chimney cages 39 (Figures 1, 2 and'6) are pref-' erably secured by welding along the adjacent edges. of

under said central tube. A pair of internally threaded" with atmosphere. openings 73 is rotatably supported upon the rearward 3 sleeves 52 and 53 are secured to the lower side of the central tube 22 and extend downwardly therefrom. The support plates 48 and 49 are provided with aligned openings 54 and 55, respectively, which are also axially aligned with the openings in the sleeves 52 and 53. A

pair of studs 57 and 58, which are threaded at both ends,

:are threadedly received into the sleeves 52 and 53 and slidably extend through the openings 54 and 55 in said plates. Wing nuts 61 and 62 are threadedly received upon the lower ends of the studs 57 and 58 below the support plate 49 for the purpose of supporting said plates 48 and 49, hence the chimney cages 39 secured thereto, with respect to the manifold 11. Thus, by removing the -wing nuts 61 and 62 from the studs 57 and 58, all of the chimneys and chimney cages can be simultaneously dropped away from the manifold 11.

The rearward and open end of the central tube 22 (Figure 2) is secured to one end of a support bar 63 by means, such as welding, so that said bar 63 extends sub- '22 by means such as Welding or threaded engagement.

The outlet pipe 68 is of less internal diameter than both the chamber 67 and the control tube 22, thereby creating a restriction or venturi 69.

The rearward end of the mixture control 17 (Figure 1) has one or more openings 71 which can communicate A control plate 72 having control end of the casing 66 for the purpose of adjusting the effective size of the air openings 71. An inlet pipe 74 is secured to the casing 66 and communicates with the mixing chamber 67. The inlet pipe 74 is provided with a flow control valve 76 and is connected to the conduit 18 which is in turn connected to the source 19 of gas. In this embodiment, the source 19 may be a portable container in which propane, for example, is stored under pressure and in the liquid condition. As the propane passes the flow control valve, it expands and is gasified in a well-known manner.

The reflector 13 has a back sheet 77 with an opening "78 (Figure 2) in its upper end through which the outlet U-shaped and has a rear leg 86 provided with an opening 87 near its free end through which the outlet pipe 68 of the mixture control 17 is slidably received. The rear leg 86 and the back sheet 77 of the reflector 13 are tightly clamped between the casing 66 and the support bar 63, thereby supporting the reflector 13 and handle 14 rigidly with respect to the manifold 11. A stud 88 is rigidly secured to the upper side of the central tube 22 by means, such as welding, so that it extends upwardly therefrom through an appropriate opening in the top sheet 84. The front leg 91 of the handle 14 has a frontwardly extending flange 92 provided with an opening through which the stud 88 is received. A pair of nuts 93 and 94 are threadedly received upon the upper end of the stud 88 adjacent to the upper side of the flange 92 and the lower side of the top sheet 84, respectively, for rigidly holding these two elements with respect to the manifold 11.

Operation The lantern 10 is prepared for operation by opening the flow valve 76 and adjusting the control plate 72 so that the air openings 71 are reasonably unobstructed. Ignition means, such as a match, is held adjacent to the mantles 33 and 33a in each illumination unit 12 to ignite the gas escaping from the manifold 11 through the outlet tubes 28 and 28a. The control plate 72 is then adjusted until said mantles are caused to incandesce with the desired quality of whiteness. The quantity of illumination can be easily controlled by adjusting the flow valve 76 and the cover plate 72.

It has been found that the lantern 10 performs most effectively where the internal diameters of the lateral tubes 23, 24, 25 and 26 are substantially identical, are smaller than the internal diameter of the central, tube 22, and are larger than the internal diameters of the outlet tubes 28 and 28a. The quality of the illumination prw duced by the lantern 10, having a plurality of outlet pipes, often varies materially as a result of substantial changes in the atmospheric conditions. However, this problem is easily overcome by adjusting the setting of the control plate 72. The fiow valve 76 is preferably selected so that, when it is substantially wide open, that amount of gas flows into the manifold 11 which is required to provide an illumination of maximum allow able intensity, within the limitations of the materials used, such as the mantles 33 and 33a. When it becomes desirable to turn off the lantern 10, this can be easily and quickly accomplished simply by closing the flow valve 76.

Alternate construction As shown in Figure 5, the manifold 97 may be comprised of a single central tube 98 having a single outlet tube 99 secured thereto and communicating therewith. A mantle 101, a chimney 102 and a chimney cage 103 are provided with the outlet tube 99 to form an illumination unit 104 in substantially the same manner as set forth above with respect to the illumination unit 12.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the modified lantern 10a has an alternate reflector 108 in which the top sheet 109 is separate from the back sheet 110. The rear leg 112 of the handle 111 is comprised of two parts, the lower part 113 being secured with respect to the manifold 11a in substantially the same manner as the rear leg 86 (Figure 2) is secured to the manifold 11. The upper part 114 (Figure 7) of the leg 112 is connected by the hinge 117 to the lower part 113 of said rear leg 112 so that the major part of said handle 111 can pivot between its solid line position and its broken line position 111a.

The front leg 119 of the handle 111 is secured by means, such as the nut 120 and bolt 121, to the top sheet 109 whereby said sheet 109 can be raised by said handle 111 into the broken line position 109a. The lower part 113 of the rear leg 112 extends upwardly to a point where its upper edge is frictionally engaged by the, rearward portion 118 of the top sheet 109 as it moves into said broken line position, thereby tending to hold the top sheet 109 in the raised position.

Means such as the belt 124 and nut 125, may be used for the purpose of holding the upper part 114 of the rear leg 112 firmly with respect to the lower part 113 of said leg 1 12 when the top sheet 109 is in its lowered or reflecting position and pivotal movement is not desired.

A rectangular grill 126 (Figures 6 and 7) is secured by means, such as welding, upon the upper surface of the manifold 11a so that it is parallel with the plane defined by the axes of the lateral tubes 23, 24, 25 and 26. Thus, when the top sheet 109 is pivoted rearwardly away from the manifold 11a into the broken line position 109a of Figure 7, a frying pan, coffee pot or the like (not shown) may be placed upon the grill 126 for the purpose of heating same.

Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed above in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be understood that variations or modifications of such disclosure, which lie within the scope of the appended claims, are fully contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. In a portable lantern removably connectible to a source of combustible gas, the combination comprising:

a manifold having a venturi near one end thereof; housing means secured to said one end of said manifold and defining a mixing chamber communicating with said manifold through said venturi, said mixing chamber having an adjustable opening to atmosphere; conduit means for connecting said mixing chamber to the source of combustible gas; a plurality of outlet tubes connected to and communicating with one side of said manifold; a plurality of mantles, one being associated with and connected to the free end of each of said outlet tubes; rigid guard means including a plurality of chimney cages surrounding said mantles and supported upon said manifold; a plurality of chimneys, one in each cage, encircling said mantles; a substantially L-shaped reflector rigidly securable with respect to said manifold, said reflector including a first sheet at said one end of said manifold and a second sheet perpendicularly disposed with respect to said first sheet and adjacent to the other side of said manifold, said second sheet overlying said manifold and said cages; and handle means secured with respect to said first and second sheets; and fastening means releasably but rigidly securing said cages and said second sheet to said manifold.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said second sheet is separable from said first sheet, wherein said handle means includes a first portion rigidly secured with respect to said manifold and a second portion pivotally supported upon said first portion and rigidly secured with respect to said second sheet, and means for selectively holding said second portion rigid with respect to said first portion, whereby said second sheet can be pivoted into and out of its position adjacent to the side of said manifold.

3. In a portable lantern removably connectible to a source of combustible gas, the combination comprising: a central pipe and a plurality of branch pipes connected to and communicating with said central pipe, the central axes of said pipes lying substantially within a single plane and said pipes defining a manifold; a constriction in said central pipe near one end thereof defining a venturi in said manifold; housing means secured to said one end of said manifold and defining a mixing chamber communicating with said one end of said manifold through said venturi, said mixing chamber having an adjustable opening to atmosphere; conduit means connected to said mixing chamber and connectible to the source of combustible gas; a How control valve in said conduit near to said mixing chamber; a plurality of outlet tubes connected to and communicating with said pipes, said tubes being on one side of said plane and extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom; a plurality of mantles, one being connected to the free end of each outlet tube; guard structure including a pair of spaced support elements located, respectively, above and below the free ends of said tubes and a plurality of rod-form chimney cages secured to and extending between said elements; fastening means releasably mounting said elements upon said pipes, said mantles being Within said cages; a plurality of substantially cylindrical chimneys, open at both ends one chimney being disposed within and supported by each cage and encircling at least one of said mantles; an L-shaped reflector having first and second, substantially perpendicular fiat sheets, said first sheet being rigidly held with respect to said manifold and said mixing chamber at the junction thereof and perpendicular to said plane, and said second sheet being substantially parallel with said plane and on the other side thereof from said tubes, said second sheet overlying said pipes and the upper ends of said cages and said chimneys and means re'leasably securing said second sheet in such position; handle means having portions rigidly secured with respect to said first and second sheets.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 996,436 Verret June 27, 1911 1,032,791 Walker July 16, 1912 1,574,940 Sexton Mar. 2, 1926 1,733,937 Brown et al Oct. 29, 1929 2,638,085 Guedon May 12, 1953 2,841,694 Webster July I, 1958

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