Abstract:
A dual-beam lantern-flashlight capable of emitting two light beams, including an elongated flashlight body having a front end and a rear end, a headlamp mounted in the front end of the body and disposed to emit a beam of light in a forward direction from the front end, a lantern body coupled to the flashlight body, the lantern body having a bottom end, and a lantern lamp mounted in said bottom end of said lantern body and disposed to emit a beam of light generally downwardly and normally relative to the beam of light emitted by said headlamp. The headlamp and lantern lamp when in use together create a single large area of continuous light around the feet and forward of the user.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   I. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a portable lighting product. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dual-beam lantern-flashlight having a retractable lantern style handle, a first headlamp source, and a second down light source. The lantern-flashlight can be used with either or both beams in the on position. 
   II. Description of the Prior Art 
   Dual-beam flashlights and lanterns, and other multiple light source flashlights and lanterns, are well known in the portable lighting industry. These products sometimes combine “like” lighting sources, such as the Applicant&#39;s “Dual-Beam Flashlight”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,430, (hereinafter the &#39;430 flashlight); or U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,644, both of which employ standard incandescent lamps (i.e., “flashlight bulbs”). 
   Alternately, these products combine different lighting sources, generally one of three types: light emitting diode (“LED”); hot cathode fluorescent lamp (commonly, a 6″ long T5 [0.625″ lamp diameter] bi-pin type lamp; or a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), typically having a 100 mm length. In these various products, the combination of multiple light sources is often for different purposes. In many of these products, the light sources are used one at a time—such as Favor Light&#39;s™ Torch (i.e., a an incandescent lamp and CCFL light). With this unit, the user selects “Flashlight” mode for hand-held use, or “CCFL Light” mode for hands-free task lighting—but one cannot operate both lights simultaneously. Another example of this type of dual-beam lighting product is Streamlight&#39;s Syclone™ flashlight, which comprises an incandescent primary light source (krypton) for directing light forward and an LED secondary light source, both mounted in the same reflector, for close application lighting such as map-reading. 
   With other dual-beam lights, such as Rayovac&#39;s Workhorse™ dual-beam flashlight (since discontinued), or Zelco&#39;s various flashlights and/or flashlight/lanterns (“Kangaroo™ Light”, “Bugless Lantern” and “Mini Fluorescent Lantern”), the user is able to operate both lights simultaneously. The Rayovac workhorse dual-beam flashlight contains no external mechanical operation of the secondary light source (i.e., it is “fixed”). The function of the secondary lights in Zelco&#39;s lamps differ somewhat, although all technically are able to operate both as a task light and downlight (e.g., for walking), similar to &#39;430 invention. Other dual-beam lighting products offering simultaneously operable lighting sources follow one or the other of these formats; i.e., secondary light used as downlight/task light (e.g. &#39;430) or secondary light used as alternate primary lamp (e.g., Syclone™ flashlight). 
   Similar to the style of the Zelco units is Applicant&#39;s aforementioned dual beam &#39;430 flashlight. The purpose of this unit&#39;s separately and/or simultaneously operable secondary light was primarily as a downlight to illuminate the ground at the user&#39;s feet. The headlamp simultaneously illuminated the area in front of the user (out approximately 200+feet). The downlight feature used for the purpose of lighting the area around the feet is particularly useful in areas of rugged and/or dangerous terrain, or in emergency situations such as the aftermath of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc. (Other uses for the secondary light include hand-held map-reading, or changing tires with the unit in hands-free or free-standing mode, although the latter particularly was of limited usefulness, due to the small “footprint” of the unit for standing upright. 
   There are numerous disadvantages of these prior art dual beam flashlights. The incandescent light sources (krypton type) in the forward and downlight were not energy efficient. The result was limited continuous burn (i.e., lights on) time was only 90 minutes for each lighting source. 
   Incandescent light sources utilizing reflectors to drive the lamp beam forward are excellent for “long beam throw” (distances exceeding 100 feet forward), but are rather poor for close-range illumination. This is because the reflector focuses the beam out to a reasonable distance, but not at short range. In the case of the &#39;430 flashlight, for example, the distance of the secondary light to the ground is usually only 24″ to 36″ (depending on the user&#39;s height). The result is a combination of annoying light patterns, shadows and rings. On rugged terrain particularly, its use is fair at best. 
   The area illuminated by the downlight was of a very small diameter. Thus, the user would only have a maximum 3 to 4 foot range forward illuminated by the downlight. For hiking in areas of dangerous animals, such as in deserts or mountainous regions, such a short range of illumination would be wholly inadequate for safe travel at night. 
   The combination of two focused incandescent light sources is unable to provide a “blended lighting effect”. That is, there is a dark area (i.e., not illuminated by either or both of the lighting sources) of significant distance between the closest area of the ground illuminated by the headlamp, and that of the downlight. 
   Incandescent lighting sources have extremely limited “lamp life”. The average life of a typical incandescent lighting source (i.e., incandescent lamp, or “flashlight bulb”) is only 30 to 40 hours. This is due to failure of the lamp filaments, which are deliberately over-heated to create a glow, which in turn heats and illuminates the lamp gases such as krypton, xenon or halogen (unless a vacuum bulb without a gas is employed). Filaments are also susceptible to breakage with shock, such as occurs when a flashlight is accidentally dropped. 
   There were also functional limitations for hands-free and hand-held uses associated with the prior art flashlights and/or lanterns. As previously mentioned, the &#39;430 flashlight offered other potential uses for its secondary downlight, besides the primary function of providing light at the user&#39;s feet. Firstly, it can be hand-held in an upright position, such as for close map reading. However, the lighting source—incandescent (krypton) lamp, exhibited all of the problems discussed previously, and thus detracted from any use of this lighting source at very close range. 
   Hands-free use standing upright on the unit&#39;s back end, was intended, e.g., for tire changing. Again, the problems of incandescent lighting at close range detracted from the light&#39;s effectiveness for tasks such as tire-changing, household repairs, etc. Even worse, the small “footprint” of the unit&#39;s base was only stable on relatively flat, horizontal surfaces not always available at roadsides for tire-changing, or other tasks. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a dual-beam lantern-flashlight that solves the problems associated with the aforementioned prior art flashlights. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a dual-beam lantern-flashlight which is relatively facile and easy to use and highly effective in use in either a hand-held or hand-free mode. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a dual-beam lantern-flashlight having a downlight lighting source which provides exceptionally uniform illumination, especially at close range. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide a dual-beam lantern-flashlight where the forward and downlight beams blends seamlessly together providing a continuous lighted area from below the user extending forwardly in front of the user. 
   It is yet another object of the invention to provide a dual-beam lantern-flashlight with lighting sources which are energy efficient and have a long lamp life. 
   Certain of the foregoing and related objects are readily attained according to the invention by the provision of a dual-beam lantern-flashlight capable of emitting two light beams, comprising an elongated flashlight body comprising a front end and a rear end with a headlamp mounted on the front end of the body and disposed to emit a beam of light in a forward direction from the front end, a lantern body coupled to the flashlight body, the lantern body having a bottom end and a lantern lamp mounted in the bottom end of the lantern body and disposed to emit a beam of light generally downwardly and normally relative to the beam of light emitted by the headlamp, wherein the headlamp and lantern lamp when in use together create a single large area of blended light around the feet and forward of the user. 
   Preferably, the flashlight body is slidably coupled to the lantern body for movement of the flashlight body between a raised and lowered position relative to the lantern body. The dual-beam lantern-flashlight headlamp desirably comprises at least one LED lamp and the lantern lamp comprises a cold cathode fluorescent lamp. Most desirably, a front cap is threadably receivable on the front end of the flashlight body, an LED lamp is mounted in the cap, a reflector is positioned behind the lamp and a lens is mounted in the cap in front of the lamp. Preferably, the headlamp comprises four LED lamps arranged in a cluster pattern. 
   Most advantageously, the lantern body further comprises a reflector mounted behind the lantern lamp and a lens mounted in front of the lantern lamp. Preferably, the lens has a light texture pattern for diffusion. Most desirably, the lantern body has an upper battery compartment and a removable battery cover is provided on the rear side of the lantern body for access to the battery compartment. 
   In a particular preferred embodiment of the invention, a power switch is provided on the flashlight body for providing power to the headlamp and the lantern having a plurality of switch positions for enabling the headlamp and said lantern lamp to emit light individually or simultaneously. Most desirably, the lantern body has a pair of spaced apart, upstanding arms having downwardly extending channels formed therein and the flashlight body has a pair of spaced apart, downwardly extending flanges slidably received in the channels to allow movement of the flashlight body between a raised and lowered position relative to the lantern body. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings disclosing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
     In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the dual-beam lantern-flashlight embodying the present invention with its handle in an “up” open position; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the dual-beam lantern-flashlight similar to that of  FIG. 1  but with the handle in a “down” closed position; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the dual-beam lantern-flashlight in the “up” open handle position; 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the dual-beam lantern-flashlight in the “down” closed handle position; 
       FIG. 5  is an bottom plan view of the dual-beam lantern-flashlight; 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the dual-beam lantern-flashlight; 
       FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of the dual-beam lantern-flashlight; 
       FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of the dual-beam lantern-flashlight; 
       FIG. 9  is a fragmented perspective view of the lantern-flashlight with portions removed sliding to show interior construction; 
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged, fragmentarily illustrated perspective view of the four way switch of the dual-beam lantern-flashlight; and 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate the area illuminated by the operator of both the primary and secondary lamp of the dual-beam lantern-flashlight. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Turning now in detail to the appended drawings, and, in particularly,  FIGS. 1-4 , therein illustrated is a novel dual-beam combination lantern-flashlight  10  embodying the present invention which includes two main components which form a closed loop handle design—namely a flashlight subassembly  20  and a lantern subassembly  30 . 
   Flashlight assembly  20  includes an elongated, flashlight body  22  having a race-track or oval cross-section which serves as a handle. The flashlight body  22  is covered with a multiplicity of spaced-apart ridges  23  which facilitate gripping. Flashlight body  22  has a removable front cap  24  threadably attached hereto which houses a primary headlamp composed of four LED lamps  25  arranged in cluster (see  FIG. 7 ) disposed between a rear reflector (not shown) and a front lens  26 . The flashlight body  22  is provided with two downward depending flanges or walls  28 ,  29  which define tracks by which flashlight body  22  is slidably mounted on lantern body  30  for movement between an up position ( FIG. 3 ) and a down position ( FIG. 4 ) as described in greater detail hereinafter. 
   As seen best in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5 , and  9 , the lantern subassembly  30  includes an elongated relatively squat, lantern body  32  having a somewhat bulbous profile which houses an upper battery compartment  34  and a lower lamp compartment  36  in which is mounted a miniature thin florescent lamp  38 , i.e., a cold cathode florescent lamp (“CCFL”), a reflector  40  mounted above the lamp and a rectangular clear lens  42  disposed therebelow through which the light of the lamp  38  projects. This lens  42  preferably has a light texture pattern for diffusion. Utilizing this diffuser provides the cold cathode fluorescent lighting lamp  38  for the downlight with exceptionally even or uniform illumination. 
   The lantern body  32  is provided with a pair of spaced-apart upstanding arms  44 ,  46 , each of which is provided with a vertically or downwardly extending channel  48 ,  49 , in which the flanges  28 ,  29  are respectively slidably coupled to allow for movement between said up ( FIG. 3 ) and down ( FIG. 4 ) positions of the flashlight body  22 . 
   Lantern housing  30  also includes electrical components for operating the lamps, e.g., the printed circuit board to which various electronic components for operation of the lamps are mounted, including, e.g., DC/AC inverter (not shown). In particular and although not shown, the upper battery compartment  34  has metal contacts to which the wiring leads are connected for the four AA batteries  50  which power both LED lamp  25  and CCFL lamp  38 . Although not shown, wiring from the lantern battery circuit is first routed up into the flashlight body through one of arms  44 ,  46  and connected to a four way slide switch  52  located on top of the flashlight body  22 . From here, two sets of wire leads are routed out in two directions. One set of leads are routed to the LED lamps themselves and back to the batteries  50  in the lantern body  32 . Another set is also routed out directly to the lantern  30  into the PCB and then the CCFL lamp  30  to power this lighting source for the downlight. The lantern body is further provided with an AC adapter (not shown) having an AC jack located behind each cover  39  ( FIG. 8 ) to allow for AC operation as well. 
   As seen best in  FIGS. 6 and 10 , switch  52  which controls the various lighting modes is slidably movable between “off”, “forward plus downlight”, “forward only”, and “downlight only” positions. For walking or hiking the preferred mode is (forward plus downlight) with the LED and CCFL lamps  25 ,  38  creating a single, large area of continuous light around the feet and forward of the user as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
   As can be seen from  FIG. 8 , the rear end of the flashlight lantern was relatively large footprint for applications where the light would be placed on its rear surface (e.g., for changing a car tire) (such as shown in  FIG. 5 ). This large footprint provides a stable support even on uneven terrains and surfaces. By placing the unit on its rear side, the CCFL lighting source will be in an vertical orientation. In this mode, it is essentially the same as any other fluorescent lantern.  FIG. 8  also illustrates the provision of a removably battery cover  54  for inserting, removing, and replacing batteries located on the rear side of the lamp housing. 
   As seen best in  FIG. 9 , the cold cathode fluorescent lamp is a miniature thin fluorescent lamp that outputs a tremendous amount of light for its size. Preferably, CCFL lamp is a 100 mm (approximately 4 inches in length)×2 mm diameter (0.080″ tube). 
   The configuration of the LED&#39;s  25  may be of varying patterns. It is preferred, however, that the pattern be of a cluster format. In such cluster format, the four LED&#39;s  25  are able to combine their light output driving a light beam out to a useful distance of approximately sixty to seventy feet (see FIG.  12 —light beam A). The LED&#39;s  25  project the beam through the clear thin lens cap  26  (i.e., flashlight lens). A switch  52  is provided on top of body  20  to operate the lantern-flashlight as discussed in greater detail hereinafter. 
   The four LED lamps  25  in cluster format for the headlamp affords one of the most energy efficient powered light sources used today. A single LED can typically be continuously on for up to forty (40) hours when powered by a single AA battery. The cold cathode fluorescent lamp  38  using the downlight is twice as energy efficient as an equivalent incandescent lighting source. 
   As seen best in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the CCFL lamp  38  also illuminates a very large area at close range. Lamp  38  provides a region of even light around the user&#39;s feet (light beam B) of up to, e.g., a thirty (30) foot radius extending in all directions and behind the user as well with only a small shadow created by the user. The CCFL lamp  38  source provides even or uniform illumination which is far superior to a incandescent flashlight bulb. 
   As can be seen in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the light beams A and B created by the four clustered LED&#39;s  25  in the headlamp  24  (beam A) and the single cold cathode fluorescent light  31  in the downlight (beam B) define an area C of overlap by which the beams A and B blend generally seamlessly together providing the user with a continuous lit area of up to sixty to seventy feet forward, and in a diameter of 30 feet around the user, which is extremely useful for hiking in dangerous terrain, or areas with dangerous animals, or in emergency situations (e.g., the aftermath of hurricane, tornadoes, earthquakes) where the user must negotiate through damaged and/or dangerous areas where the power is often out. This is also highly desirable for older people whose eyesight and/or night vision may already be impaired. In countless medical studies accidental falls by seniors can result in serious injury as seniors often live alone, making this dual-beam lantern-flashlight highly desirable for them. 
   Besides the energy efficiency previously mentioned, both. LED and cold cathode fluorescent lighting sources feature incredibly long lamp life. LED&#39;s are rated by manufacturers for up to 100,000 hours (although it is likely that the lamp life of LED&#39;s can conservatively be rated from a minimum of 20,000 to a maximum of 50,000 hours). Cold cathode fluorescent lamps are rated conservatively by most manufacturers from 10,000 to 20,000 hours. Neither of these lighting sources comprise filament construction, which means that with proper assembly design, both are far more shock resistant than incandescent lamps (e.g., LED&#39;s are used in many high impact consumer electronic products and for the same reason cold cathode fluorescent lamps are used to backlight LCD displays in laptop computers). 
   Other changes and modifications may be made as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, due to the long life of LED&#39;s, the front cap  24  could instead be fixed. In certain applications, the LED&#39;s could be replaced and/or combined with an incandescent lamp such as a krypton, xenon, halogen or a vacuum bulb. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.