Abstract:
Light emitting devices having unitary and simplified construction for securing a lighting assembly within the device, and ease of replacement of the light emitting element of the lighting assembly. The lighting assembly is mounted within the light emitting device though use of a fastener.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0003]    The invention relates to light emitting devices, and in particular portable lanterns, having a simplified construction. The simplified construction allows a user to replace a light emitting element positioned inside the device without displacing the transparent protective cover from the device, or conducting a complicated disassembly of the device to gain access to the light emitting element. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Lanterns and handheld lighting devices allow one to provide light where no installed light fixtures exist, for example, while camping, on outdoor patios, decks or pools, or where installed light fixtures provide inadequate lighting. Prior art lanterns and lighting devices allow the light emitting element, such as a fluorescent bulb or incandescent bulb, to be accessed and removed from the lantern. However, the prior art lanterns and lighting devices require disassembly of the lantern itself, to allow access to and replacement of the light emitting element from the lantern. For example, as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,860,729 and 7,202,614, access and removal of the light emitting element requires removal and handling of the transparent globe or cover. Alternatively, a top cover may be removed, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,697, which allows limited access to the light emitting element inside the transparent cover. Moreover, the lanterns of the prior art require reassembly and handling of several components of the lantern after an old light emitting element is replaced with a new one. The disassembly and reassembly of the lantern is time-consuming and requires the user to be capable of reassembling the device without misplacing the various components. 
         [0005]    The prior art describes separating the globe from the lantern without removing the globe. As shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,014,459, the globe separates from the base of the lantern. While the globe is not removable and does not require reassembly, the globe must be separated from the lantern base to gain access to the light emitting element positioned inside the globe. The globe assembly must be kept open in order for a user to gain access to the light emitting element. Furthermore, slide rails impede access to the light emitting element as does the globe mounted to the rails. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention relates to a light emitting device having a simplified construction that allows easy and efficient access to a light emitting element positioned inside the light emitting device. A lighting assembly having a light emitting element and a power supply is removably inserted and secured within the light emitting device. The present invention also relates to a fastener for securing the lighting assembly within the light emitting device. In one embodiment, the fastener may be mounted to or formed as part of the lighting assembly. In another embodiment, the fastener may be mounted to or formed as part of the light emitting device. Furthermore, the fastener may be a lock, latch, or other suitable device that allows the lighting assembly to be removably secured within the lantern body. 
         [0007]    A further embodiment of the present invention relates to the lighting assembly, which secures a light emitting element therein. The lighting assembly includes at least one socket for receiving at least one light emitting element, such as a fluorescent bulb or incandescent bulb, or other suitable light emitting element. The lighting assembly is configured to position the light emitting element inside the light emitting device. 
         [0008]    A further embodiment of the present invention relates to a light emitting device having a unitary construction. The unitary body may include a bottom cavity for receiving the lighting assembly. The body may further include a base and a platform. The lighting assembly inserted through the base and into the cavity may be positioned adjacent the platform. The platform includes an opening for receiving the light emitting element when the lighting assembly is positioned within the cavity. The unitary body of the lantern may also include a transparent cover that allows light to escape from the interior of the unitary body. The lighting assembly is positioned within the unitary body such that the socket is positioned adjacent to the opening, securing the light emitting element inside the transparent protective cover in the event the device is jarred or dropped. 
         [0009]    The present invention allows a user of the light emitting device to simply and efficiently gain access to and replace the light emitting element with minimal disassembly of the lighting device. Additionally, the simplified construction allows users of all skill levels and experience to disassemble and reassembly the light emitting device easily and efficiently. 
         [0010]    Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the light emitting device of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the light emitting device of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the lighting assembly of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is s top view of the lighting assembly; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the light emitting device of the present invention with the lighting assembly inserted therein; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a close-up view of the fastener in the open position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a close-up view of the fastener in the closed, secured position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a an exploded view of a second embodiment of the light emitting device; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is front cutaway view of the lighting assembly of the second embodiment of the light emitting device with the fasteners in the secured position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the fasteners of the second embodiment of the present invention in the released position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the fasteners of the second embodiment of the present invention in the released position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a light emitting device  10  includes a base  12 , a transparent protective cover  16  mounted to and extending from the base  12 , a top cover  18 , a bottom cover  14  and a lighting assembly  50 . Preferably, the light emitting device is a unitary construction, wherein the base  12 , protective cover  16  and top  18  are all permanently affixed to one another. The base  12  further includes a cavity  38  with an open end  39  for receiving a light assembly  50 , which will be described in further detail below. The bottom cover  14  removably attached, typically by rotation of the cover, to the base for closing the open end  39  of the base  12 . 
         [0024]    The light emitting device preferably includes at least one handle, so that the user can hold conveniently onto the device. A first side handle  20  and optionally a second side handle  22  are mounted to and extend between the top cover  18  and base  12 , respectively. The first and second side handles  20 ,  22  are preferably mounted to opposite sides of the light emitting device  10 . The single handle or plurality of handles may be mounted to any part of the light emitting device in any configuration without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0025]    In a preferred embodiment, a top handle  24  is included. The top handle  24  may be pivotally mounted to the first handle  20  and second handle  22  such that a user may grasp the handle in an upright position for carrying or hanging the device. Alternatively, the top handle  24  may be mounted to the top cover  18 , base  12 , or protective cover  16 , or other suitable portion of the light emitting device  10 . 
         [0026]    The light emitting device may be formed of any polymeric material or similar material suitable for constructing such a device, as is well known in the art. The top handle  22  is preferably made of metal, hard polymeric material, or other suitable material, as is also well known in the art. 
         [0027]    The light emitting device  10  further includes a platform  30  mounted to or formed in the base  12  and located within the transparent cover  16 . The platform  30  is positioned to divide the base  12  from the transparent cover  16 . The platform  30  includes an opening  32  formed therein. The opening  32  is surrounded by a collar  34 , the collar preferably raised above the plane of the platform. The opening  32  is designed for receiving a light emitting element  40 , such that the light emitting element extends through the opening  34  to reside within the protective cover  16  and the collar  34 . Alternatively, a plurality of openings may be formed in the platform  30  to accommodate a plurality of light emitting elements  40 . 
         [0028]    The platform  30  further includes a secondary opening  36  having a secondary cover  42 . The secondary opening  36  receives a secondary light  42   a . The secondary cover  42  may be color tinted such that when the secondary light  42   a  is turned on, it can function as a night light. Optionally, the secondary cover  42  may be clear, while the secondary light  42   a  may be tinted. The secondary light  42   a  may be any suitable type of light emitting element as described earlier. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a lighting assembly  50  is shown. The lighting assembly includes a top portion  56  for receiving light emitting element  40  and a hollow base  52  for receiving a power supply. A pedestal  54  is formed on or mounted to the top portion  56 . A socket  58  is formed in pedestal  54  for receiving light emitting element  40 . The socket  58  is preferably configured to receive a light emitting element having a standard connector, such as fluorescent bulb, or any other type of light emitting element, such as an incandescent bulb, light emitting diode, or other suitable element for emitting light. Alternatively, a plurality of sockets for receiving a plurality of light emitting elements may be provided in a single pedestal or multiple pedestals at the top portion  56 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , lighting assembly  50  further includes a hollow base  52 . Extending from the base  52  is a bottom edge  60 . A shoulder  62  is formed in the bottom edge  60 . The shoulder  62  may be formed as a single shoulder  62   a  or as a dual shoulder  62   a ,  62   b . An opening  63  is formed in the shoulder  62 . The opening may be formed between dual shoulder portions  62   a ,  62   b , in the edge  60 , or partially formed in the edge  60  and either or both of shoulder portions  62   a ,  62   b . Additionally, the edge  60  may include a second shoulder  64 . The second shoulder  64  may be formed as a single shoulder  64   a  or as a dual shoulder  64   a ,  64   b . An opening  65  is formed between dual shoulder portions  64   a ,  64   b , in the edge  60 , or partially formed in the edge  60  and either or both of the shoulder portions  64   a ,  64   b . It will be appreciated that a single shoulder or plurality of shoulders may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. As will be described, the shoulder or shoulders cooperate with the fastener to secure the lighting assembly  50  within the base  12  of the light emitting device  10 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , base  52  also includes a power supply compartment  66  formed therein. The power supply compartment  66  is configured to store a power supply (not shown) for the lighting assembly  50 . Preferably, the power supply is a battery, or plurality of batteries, but may also include an AC power adaptor, or other suitable power supply. The bottom cover  14  encloses the open end of the base  12 , and secures the power supply within the base  52  when lighting assembly  50  is positioned within the base  12 . 
         [0032]    The lighting assembly  50  with the light emitting element  40  attached is slidably and removably received inside the cavity  38  through the open end  39  of the base  12 . The lighting assembly slides into the cavity  38  until the pedestal  54  is positioned adjacent to the raised collar  34 . Optionally, the pedestal  54  may be shaped to slide inside and engage the raised collar  34 . The socket  58  formed in pedestal  54  is positioned adjacent to the opening  32  formed in collar  34 . The light emitting element  40  positioned in the socket  58  extends through the opening  32  and into the protective cover  16 . The collar  34  engages the pedestal  54  further securing the light emitting element  40  within the protective cover  16 , such that even if the light emitting element loosens from the socket  58 , the light emitting element would not enter the protective cover and be free to loosely rattle around should the device be jarred or dropped. 
         [0033]    Upon sliding the lighting assembly  50  into cavity  38 , the switch  44  located in the top portion  56  of the lighting assembly  50  engages a knob  46 . The switch  44  and the knob  46  couple together such that rotational movement of knob  46  corresponds to sliding movement of switch  44 . A user may select between several operational settings, including on/off, nightlight, and high and low power settings, by movement of knob  46 . It will also be appreciated that other configurations of the knob  46  and switch  44  may be employed. For example, the knob  46  and switch  44  may be configured to pivot, slide, or other combinations known in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0034]    Once the lighting assembly is positioned inside the cavity  38 , it may be secured through a fastener. In one embodiment, the fastener is at least one lock  70 . Preferably, a second lock  72  may be used. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the lock  70  is mounted to the inside of base  12  and extends into the cavity  38 . Similarly, if a second lock  72  is used, it likewise is mounted to the inside of base  12  and extends into cavity  38 . It will be appreciated that other constructions of fasteners may be used, and a single lock or a plurality of locks may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , as the lighting assembly  50  slides into the cavity  38 , the first lock  70  slides through an opening  63  for engagement with the shoulder  62 . Likewise, the second lock  72  slides through the opening  65  for engagement with the bottom of shoulder  64 . As discussed below, the lock  70  may be mounted to either the base  12  or the lighting assembly  50 . Likewise, the shoulder  62  may be formed in the other of the base  12  or lighting assembly  50 . In either case, the lock  70  is rotated about a pivot axis to engage shoulder  62 . The second lock  72  formed in either the base  12  or the lighting assembly  50 , may also be rotated to engage the second shoulder  64  formed in the other of the base  12  or lighting assembly  50 . Locks  70 ,  72  may be shaped such that when rotated, locks  70 ,  72  engage dual shoulder portions,  62   a ,  62   b  and  64   a ,  64   b , respectively. Locks  70 ,  72  secure the lighting assembly  50  within the base  12 . 
         [0036]    To remove the lighting assembly  50  from within cavity  38 , the locks  70 ,  72  are rotated to disengage the first shoulder  62  and second shoulder  64 . Once the locks  70 ,  72  disengage the shoulders, the locks are positioned to slide through the openings  63 ,  65 , respectively. Thus, a user may slide the entire lighting assembly  50  as one piece from inside the cavity  38  to replace the light emitting element  40 . 
         [0037]    In another embodiment, lock  70  is mounted to lighting assembly  50 . Additionally, a shoulder is formed in the base  12  for receiving the lock  70  to secure the lighting assembly within the base  12 . It will be appreciated that more than one lock may be mounted to lighting assembly  50 , and more than one shoulder may be formed in base  12  without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be further appreciated that the lock may be mounted to both the base  12  and lighting assembly  50 , and each lock corresponds to and cooperates with a shoulder formed in the lighting assembly  50  or base  12 , respectively, for securing the lighting assembly within the cavity  38 . 
         [0038]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 8 , the light emitting device  80  includes similar features of a base  82  having a cavity, a transparent protective cover  84 , a bottom cover  86  and a lighting assembly  88  having an edge  90 , as previously described. In this embodiment, however, the fastener may include a first latch  92 , which extends from edge  90  of the lighting assembly and/or base  82  of the light emitting device  80 . The latch  92 , which is preferably flexible, further includes a first tab  94 . Preferably, a second latch  96  may be provided on the edge  90  and/or base  82 . The second latch  96  also includes a second tab  98 . It will be appreciated that a single latch or a plurality of latches may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a receiver  100  is mounted to the inside of base  82 . The receiver  100  includes a slot  102  for receiving the first latch  92  and engaging the first tab  94 . A second receiver  104  may also be mounted to the inside of base  82 . The second receiver  102  includes a slot  106  for receiving the second latch  96  and engaging the second tab  98 . Thus, when the lighting assembly  88  of the second embodiment is slid inside the cavity of the base  82 , the latch cooperates with the slot of the receiver. The tab engage the respective slot locking the lighting assembly  88  into the base  82  of the light emitting device  80 . It will be appreciated that a single receiver or a plurality of receivers may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , to remove the lighting assembly  88  from within base  82 , for example, to change the light emitting element, the latch or latches are released from the slot or slots, respectively. To release the latch  92 , a user grasps the latch and presses inward a distal end  92   a  to release the first tab  94  from slot  102 . Likewise, if second latch  96  is provided, a user grasps and presses inward distal end  96   a  to release the second tab  98  from slot  106 . Once the tab(s) is released from slot(s), the lighting assembly  88  may be slid out of the base  82 . The light emitting element  108  may then be replaced by conventional removal from the socket. 
         [0041]    In another embodiment, the latch may be mounted to base and extends into cavity of the base. Additionally, the receiver having the slot formed therein is mounted to the lighting assembly. The latch and receiver cooperate to secure the lighting assembly within the base, as previously described. It will be appreciated that more than one latch may be mounted to base and more than one receiver may be mounted to lighting assembly without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will further be appreciated that the latches may be mounted to both the base and the lighting assembly, and the receivers may be mounted to both the base and the lighting assembly that correspond to and cooperate with the latches without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0042]    It is understood that various fasteners may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention and without diminishing the attendant advantages. Alternative fasteners include, but are not limited to, sliding latch and locking mechanisms, spring mounted latch and locking mechanisms, and other locking and fasteners not specifically described but considered part of the present invention described herein. Preferably, whichever securing mechanism is used, it can be engaged and disengaged with the user&#39;s hands or fingers, without requiring the use of extra tools. 
         [0043]    It is understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its advantages. Therefore, it is intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.