Collapsible lantern

A cylindrical container of liquid fuel has a removable closure through which projects a tubular fitting supporting an adjustable wick. A set of spring metal support members are mounted on the container and have movable leg portions supporting a cylindrical transparent globe for axial movement between a collapsed position surrounding the container and an elevated position when the leg portions spring outwardly to form a stabilized support. A cover plate mounts on the globe and is retained by a cap member which engages the fitting and seals with the closure when the globe is in its collapsed position. A flexible chain connects the cap member to an L-shaped wire arm pivotally supported by one of the support members for movement between a collapsed position on top of the cover plate to an extended position where the chain may be used to suspend the lantern. The cover plate may be removed and replaced by a support ring having openings outboard of the globe to provide for heating a food container or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In the art of collapsible lanterns, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. 
Nos. 147,204, 1,304,088 and 4,186,430, the light source may be a candle 
which is spring biased upwardly within a surrounding metal tube or casing, 
as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 147,204 and 4,186,430. The light source may 
also be a liquid fuel enclosed within a metal container and supplied 
through an adjustable wick, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,304,088. A 
cylindrical glass tube is supported for vertical telescopic movement 
around the candle support tube in the lanterns disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 
147,204 and 4,186,430, and an oblong cover is supported for vertical 
telescopic movement relative to fixed transparent windows in the lantern 
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,304,088. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed to an improved collapsible lantern which 
incorporates a liquid fuel supply container and members mounted on the 
container for supporting a transparent globe for movement between an upper 
extended position and a lower collapsed position surround the container. 
The lantern of the invention further provides for distributing light 
completely around the lantern and for forming a sealed enclosure for the 
liquid fuel when the lantern is collapsed. In the extended position of the 
lantern, the support members provide outwardly projecting legs which 
stablize the support for the lantern, and the legs move inwardly when the 
lantern is collapsed and provide a protective support for the globe. 
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the above features and 
advantages are provided by a lantern which includes a cylindrical liquid 
fuel container having a threaded cap supporting an externally threaded 
wick support tube surrounded by a resilient sealing ring. A set of support 
members are formed of spring steel strip and are mounted on the fuel 
container. The support members include inwardly collapsible leg portions 
which support a cylindrical transparent globe in either a retracted 
position surrounding the fuel container or an elevated position above the 
fuel container. A sheet metal cover is mounted on the globe and has a 
center opening for receiving a cap member which is threaded onto the wick 
support tube. The cap member retains the cover and engages the sealing 
ring when the globe is in its retracted position. A wire support arm is 
pivotally mounted on one of the support members and is connected to the 
cap member by a flexible chain which may also be used to suspend the 
lantern when the globe is extended. The cover may be removed and replaced 
by a support ring to provide for heating a food container. 
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the 
following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIG. 1 illustrates a generally cylindrical storage and transport container 
10 which includes a cylindrical tube 12 of extruded transparent plastics 
material and two end caps 14 which are molded of a resilient plastics 
material. When the end caps 14 are pressed onto opposite end portions of 
the tube 14, the container 10 forms a substantially fluid-tight enclosure 
for a collapsible lantern 15 shown in FIG. 2. 
As apparent from FIGS. 2-5, the lantern 15 includes a generally cylindrical 
metal can or container 18 for enclosing a supply of liquid fuel F such as 
a lamp oil. The container has a threaded tubular neck 19 which receives a 
threaded cap or closure 21 confining a sealing washer 22. The closure 21 
has a center hole through which extends a tubular metal fitting 24 having 
external threads and rigidly secured to the closure 22 by a staking 
operation. The fitting 24 may also be secured by other means such as an 
adhesive or solder or by a nut threaded onto the fitting. A flexible 
cord-like wick 26 extends from the bottom of the container 18 upwardly 
through the tubular fitting 24 and may be adjusted vertically within the 
fitting. 
A set of three support members 30 are uniformly spaced around the fuel 
container 18 and are formed from flat spring wire or strip. Each of the 
support members 30 includes a vertical mounting portion 32 and a bottom 
portion 34 which are connectd by a U-shaped portion 36. The bottom 
portions 34 of the support members 30 project inwardly under the bottom of 
the container 18 and are rigidly connected together by a center fastener 
or rivet 37. Each of the support members 30 also includes a shoulder 
portion 39 which projects inwardly over the upper rim of the metal 
container 18, and the shoulder portions 39 of the support members 30 
cooperate with the bottom portions 34 to secure the assembly of the 
support members 30 to the container 18. Each of the support members 30 
further includes an inverted U-shaped spring portion 42 which projects 
upwardly from the shoulder portion 39, and each of the spring portions 42 
connects with a downwardly projecting leg portion 44 by an outwardly 
projecting shoulder portion 46. A hook-shaped foot portion 48 forms the 
bottom of each leg portion 44. 
A cylindrical transparent tube or globe 50, preferably formed of a Pyrex 
glass, is supported by the support members 30 in a lower retracted or 
collapsed position (FIGS. 2 and 4) and an upper elevated position (FIGS. 3 
and 5). As shown in FIG. 4, when the globe 50 is in its lower collapsed 
position, it is confined between the feet portions 48 and the top of the 
spring portions 42 of the assembled support members 30. In the collapsed 
position of the globe 50, the leg portions 44 are retracted inwardly and 
engage the inner surface of the globe 50 to provide a protective support 
for the globe. 
A sheet metal or stainless steel cover member or plate 54 is mounted on the 
upper end of the globe 50 and includes arcuate skirt portions 56 which 
depend adjacent the outer surface of the globe 50. The cover plate 54 also 
has three part circular recesses 57 which receive the upper end portions 
of the support members 30 when the globe 50 is in its collapsed position. 
A metal cap member 62 has a peripheral shoulder which engages the cover 
plate 54 and has a reduced cylindrical portion 63 which projects 
downwardly through a center hole 64 within the cover plate 54. The 
cylindrical portion 63 of the cap member 62 has a threaded hole 66 for 
receiving the tubular fitting 24, and a resilient washer 68 forms a 
fluid-tight seal between the cap member 62 and the closure 21 for the fuel 
container 18 when the cap member 62 is tightened. As shown in FIG. 6, the 
washer 68 covers a small air vent hole 69 within the closure 21, and the 
hole 69 is sealed by the washer 68 when the cap member 62 is tightened. 
When the cap member 62 is removed, the washer 68 moves upwardly to uncover 
the vent hole 69. 
An L-shaped wire support member or arm 72 has one end portion pivotally 
connected to the upper end of a leg member 30 by a semi-resilient tubular 
plastic bushing 72. The wire support arm 72 has a curved portion 76 which 
extends around the cap member 62, and one end of a flexible chain 78 is 
connectd to a loop portion 79 forming the opposite or outer end of the 
support arm 72. The opposite end of the chain 78 is connected to a wire 
line 81 which is rotatably connected to a rivet-like tip portion 82 of the 
cap member 62. 
When it is desired to use the lantern 15, it is removed from the container 
10 by pulling off or removing one of the end caps 14. The cap member 62 is 
unthreaded from the wick support tube 24, and the wire support arm 72 is 
pivoted from its collapsed position (FIGS. 2 and 4) to an upright position 
(FIGS. 3 and 5). The globe 50 is then slid or moved upwardly on the 
support members 30 until the lower edge of the globe 50 clears the 
shoulder portions 46 of the support members 30. At this point, the leg 
portions 44 snap outwardly to support the globe 50 and to form a 
stabilized support for the lantern. 
The fuel within the wick portion projecting above the support tube 24 may 
be ignited before the globe 50 is elevated and while the wick projects 
through the hole 64 within the cover plate 54. The wick may also be 
ignited by removing the cover member 54 form the globe 50 before the globe 
50 is fully extended and elevated and then inserting a lighted match down 
into the globe. As apparent from FIGS. 3 and 5, when the globe 50 is fully 
elevated or extended, the wire support arm 72 is effective to retain the 
cover member 54 on the top of the globe 50. It is also apparent that when 
the globe 50 is extended, the wire support arm 72 permits the lantern to 
be suspended by the chain 78 at the top center of the lantern. 
FIG. 7 illustrates the use of the lantern described above in connection 
with FIGS. 2-6 for heating or cooking a food product within a container or 
cup 90 shown in the form of a small sheet metal cooking pan having a 
finger grip handle 91. The lantern 15 is converted to perform the heating 
and/or cooking function by removing the top sheet metal cover 54 and 
sliding the globe 50 upwardly until it is removed from the metal support 
members 30. The wire support bail or element 72 is then pivoted downwardly 
to the position shown in FIG. 7, and the globe 50 is repositioned on the 
support members 30 until the bottom edge of the globe 50 rests on the wire 
support arm or element 72. In this position, the globe 50 is supported at 
an intermediate position between the lower collapsed position (FIG. 4) and 
the upper extended position (FIG. 5). 
When the globe 50 is in the intermediate position shown in FIG. 7, an 
annular sheet metal support member or ring 95 is seated up on the upper 
end of the globe 50. The ring 95 has a series of circumferentially spaced 
vent holes or openings 96 which provide for exhausting the heated air 
flowing upwardly through the globe 50 and outwardly along the bottom of 
the container or pan 90 which is seated on the support ring 95. While the 
sheet metal container or pan 90 is shown in FIG. 7, it is apparent that 
other food containers may be supported by the ring 95, such as, for 
example, a soup can or coffee cup. Furthermore, while the wire support 
bail or element 72 limits the downward movement of the globe 50, the globe 
50 may be shifted upwardly above the support element 72 in order to 
position the support ring 95 and the container 90 at a higher level above 
the flame produced by the wick 26 for less heating. In the higher 
position, the globe 50 is retained by the friction engagement of the 
support members 30 due to the outward pressure exerted by the leg portions 
44 against the inner surface of the globe 50. 
From the drawings and the above description, it is apparent that a 
collapsible lantern constructed in accordance with the present invention, 
provides desirable features and advantages. For example, the lantern 15 is 
simple in construction and operation. That is, the lantern may be quickly 
extended by removing the cap member 62 and elevating the globe 50 on the 
support members 30. The lantern may be quickly and conveniently collapsed 
simply by depressing inwardly on the leg portions 44 of the support 
members 30 and then lowering the globe 50. 
When the cap member 62 is threaded onto the wick support fitting 24, the 
resilient washer 68 is compressed to form a fluid-tight seal which seals 
the air vent hole 69 and also prevents evaporation of the fuel from the 
wick 26 as well as seepage of fuel either through the wick or around the 
wick when the collapsed lantern is tilted or rotated during transport. The 
cap member 62 also secures or locks the lantern in its collapsed position, 
and the wire support arm or element 72 cooperates with the chain 78 to 
retain the cap member 62 as well as provide for suspending the lantern 
when desired. When the lantern is confined within the sealed enclosure 
provided by the container 10, the lantern is ideally suited for use by 
campers and backpackers. However, it is apparent that the lantern has many 
other uses. For example, the lantern 15 may be used with the perforated 
support ring 95 for heating or cooking a food product within a container 
such as the container 90. 
While the form of lantern herein described constitutes a preferred 
embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is 
not limited to this precise form of lantern, and that changes may be made 
therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as 
defined in the appended claims.