Abstract:
Two embodiments of a lantern stand are described for supporting a lantern therefrom. In both embodiments, an extension tube is selectively positioned in either a stowed position or an operative position. In the first embodiment, the extension tube thereof has a spike portion extending downwardly therefrom for insertion into the ground. In the second embodiment, an auger portion extends downwardly therefrom for insertion into the ground. In the second embodiment, a pair of spaced-apart rotatable handles are provided to assist the rotational insertion of the auger portion into the ground.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a stand for supporting a lantern above the ground at a camping site, fishing site or other location wherein it is desired to illuminate the area in a convenient and safe manner. Further, this invention relates to a lantern stand which includes an extension pole or tube which may be used to elevate a lantern some distance above the ground and which provides a unique means for storing the extension pole or tube during times of storage, travel or non-use. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Many types of lantern stands have been previously provided. Further, many types of lantern stands have been previously provided which include extension poles or tubes. However, to the best of Applicant&#39;s knowledge, no one has provided a convenient means for storing the extension pole or tube during times of non-use. Additionally, to the best of Applicant&#39;s knowledge, the prior art does not disclose a convenient means for driving the lower end of the lantern stand into hard ground. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0006]    Two embodiments of the lantern stand of this invention are disclosed for supporting a lantern above the ground. In the first embodiment, the lantern stand includes an elongated, upstanding first tubular portion having upper and lower ends. The lower end of the first tubular portion has an elongated connector rod extending downwardly from the first tubular portion. The lantern stand also includes a second tubular portion having upper and lower ends. The lower end of the second tubular portion is secured to the upper end of the first tubular portion. The second tubular portion extends upwardly and outwardly from the upper end of the first tubular portion. A third elongated and upstanding tubular portion, having upper and lower ends, has its lower end secured to the upper end of the second tubular portion. A fourth tubular portion, having upper and lower ends, has its lower end secured to the upper end of the third tubular portion. The fourth tubular portion extends upwardly and inwardly from the upper end of the third tubular portion. A vertically disposed cylindrical shaft, having upper and lower ends, has its upper end secured to the upper end of the fourth tubular portion. The cylindrical shaft has a vertically disposed and recessed flat surface, having upper and lower ends, formed therein. The cylindrical shaft has an upwardly presented lantern support slot formed therein at the lower end thereof. A first collar, having upper and lower ends, is vertically movably mounted on the cylindrical shaft. The first collar is movable between upper and lower positions with respect to the cylindrical shaft. A horizontally disposed pin extends through the first collar so as to be positioned adjacent the flat surface. The pin is received in the slot when the first collar is in the lower position. An elongated coil spring, having upper and lower ends, embraces the cylindrical shaft above the first collar which yieldably urges the first collar to its lower position. The slot is exposed when the first collar is in the upper position. An upwardly presented socket is secured to the first tubular portion above the connector rod. 
         [0007]    The lantern stand also includes an elongated extension tube having upper and lower ends. A second collar, having upper and lower ends, is secured to the upper end of the extension tube so as to embrace the upper end of the extension tube. The lower end of the extension tube has a spike portion extending downwardly therefrom. The extension tube is selectively positioned in a stowed position and an operative position. The extension tube, when positioned in the operative position, has its upper end embracing the connector rod at the lower end of the first tubular portion. The extension tube, when positioned in the stowed position, has the spike portion thereof selectively received by the socket and has its upper end received by the lower end of the cylindrical shaft. The extension tube, when positioned in the stowed position, is yieldably urged downwardly by the coil spring due to the engagement of the first collar and the second collar so that the spike portion is yieldably held in the socket. 
         [0008]    The second embodiment of the lantern stand of this invention is essentially identical to the first embodiment except that an auger portion extends downwardly from the lower end of the extension tube. An upper handle is rotatably mounted on the third tubular portion and a rotatable handle is rotatably mounted on the first tubular portion. The rotatable handles assist in auguring the auger portion of the extension tube into the ground. 
         [0009]    It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved lantern stand. 
         [0010]    A further object of the invention is to provide a lantern stand which includes an extension tube which is selectively positioned between an operative position and a stowed position. 
         [0011]    A further object of the invention is to provide a lantern stand which is adapted to securely maintain a lantern thereon. 
         [0012]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a lantern stand which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance. 
         [0013]    These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of this invention with the extension pole in a stowed position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment supporting a lantern; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a partial sectional view of the lantern supporting structure in its lower lantern supporting position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  except that the lantern supporting structure is in the lantern receiving position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a partial exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of this invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a partial exploded perspective view; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of this invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a partial exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of this invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0024]    The lantern stand of this invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral  10 . Stand  10  includes a hollow extension tube  12  having an upper end  14  and a lower end  16 . A hollow collar  18  is secured to the upper end  14  of tube  12  so as to embrace the same. A spike  20  is secured to the lower end  16  of tube  12  and extends downwardly therefrom. Spike  20  has a pointed portion  22  at its lower end. 
         [0025]    The numeral  24  refers to a lantern support member which includes a first vertically disposed hollow tubular portion  26 , having a lower end  28 , a second tubular portion  30  which extends upwardly and outwardly from the upper end of tubular portion  26 , a tubular portion  32  which extends upwardly from the upper end of tube portion  30 , and a fourth tubular portion  34 , having a lower end  36 , which extends upwardly and inwardly from the upper end of third tubular portion  32 . A connector rod  38  is secured to the lower end of first tubular portion  26  and extends downwardly therefrom. Connector rod  38  has a smaller outer diameter than first tubular portion  26  and has an outer diameter less than the inside diameter of the upper end  14  of extension tube  12  so that the lower end of connector rod  38  may be inserted into the upper end  14  of extension tube  12  as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. A hollow socket  40  is secured to the lower end of tubular portion  26  and extends upwardly and slightly outwardly from tubular portion  26 . 
         [0026]    A vertically disposed shaft or rod  42 , having an upper end  44  and a lower end  46 , is secured to the outer end of tubular portion  34  and extends downwardly therefrom. Shaft  42  has a flat surface  48  milled therein at the inner side of shaft  42  which extends partially along the upper length thereof. An upwardly presented slot  50  is formed in shaft  42  at the lower end of flat surface  48 . A collar  52  vertically slidably embraces shaft  42  and has a pin  54  extending between the sides thereof. Pin  54  is movably positioned adjacent flat surface  48  and may be received in slot  50  as will be described hereinafter. A coil spring  56  embraces shaft  42  between the upper end thereof and the upper end of the collar  52  which yieldably urges collar  52  downwardly with respect to shaft  42 . The downward movement of collar  52  on shaft  42  is limited by the engagement of the pin  54  with the lower end of the slot  50 . 
         [0027]    In the uppermost position of collar  52  on shaft  42 , the upper end of slot  50  is exposed. In the lower most position of collar  52 , on shaft  42 , the lower end  46  of shaft  42  is exposed. 
         [0028]    When it is desired to erect lantern stand  10 , the connector rod  38  is inserted into the upper end  14  of extension tube  12 . The spike  20  is then pushed into the ground so that the stand  10  is vertically disposed. The collar  52  is then moved upwardly on shaft  42  to expose slot  50 . The handle  58  of a lantern  60  is then inserted into the slot  50 . The collar  52  is then released so that the spring  56  moves collar  52  downwardly on shaft  42  to yieldably maintain the handle  58  of the lantern  60  in the slot  50 . 
         [0029]    When it is desired to transport the stand  10  or store the stand  10 , the lantern  60  is removed from the stand  10  by moving collar  52  upwardly on shaft  42  until the upper end of the slot  50  is exposed. The handle  58  of the lantern  60  is then removed from the slot  50  and the collar  52  is released so that the collar  52  moves to its lowermost position on shaft  42 . 
         [0030]    Tubular portion  26  is then disconnected from extension tube  12 . Extension tube  12  is then pulled upwardly from ground engagement. The upper end  14  of extension tube  12  is then positioned on the exposed lower end  46  of shaft  42 . The extension tube  12  is then moved upwardly with respect to shaft  42  which causes collar  52  to move upwardly on shaft  42 . The upward movement of extension tube  12  on shaft  42  is continued until the lower pointed end  22  of spike  20  is positioned above the open upper end of socket  40 . When the pointed portion  22  of spike  20  is positioned above socket  40 , the upward pressure on extension tube  12  is relaxed so that spring  56  causes extension tube  12  to move downwardly so that the pointed portion  22  of spike  20  is received in the socket  40 . The extension tube  12  will remain in the socket  40  and the upper end of the extension tube  12  will remain on the lower end of the shaft  42  due to the force of the spring  56 . The connection of the upper end of extension tube  12  with the lower end of the shaft  42  together with the insertion of the pointed portion  22  of spike  20  provides a convenient means for positioning the extension tube  12  for storage or transport. 
         [0031]    When it is desired to again use the stand  10 , upward force is applied to extension tube  12 , which causes the upper end of extension tube  12  to move upwardly on shaft  42  against the resistance of the spring  56 , until the lower end of the pointed portion  22  of spike  20  has cleared the socket  40 . The lower end of the extension tube  12  is then moved laterally with respect to socket  40  and the upward pressure on extension tube is released so that the upper end of extension tube  12  is disengaged from shaft  42 . The extension tube  12  may then be attached to the lower end of tube portion  26  as previously described. Thus, the lantern stand of this invention enables the convenient storage of an extension tube  12  when the extension tube  12  is not being used. 
         [0032]    The second embodiment of the lantern stand of this invention is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  and is designated by the reference numeral  10 ′. Inasmuch as almost all of the components of the lantern stand  10 ′ are identical to the components of the lantern stand  10 , those components of lantern stand  10 ′ which are identical to the components of lantern stand  10 , will be designated by “′”. There are four primary differences between lantern stand  10  and lantern stand  10 ′ which will now be described. In lantern stand  10  the spike  20  of lantern stand  10  is replaced with a screw-like auger member  62  which is secured to the lower end of the extension tube  12 ′. In lantern stand  10 ′ a ring-shaped retainer  66  is secured to tube portion  26 ′ below the upper end thereof. A handle or spring  64  rotatably embraces the upper end of tube portion  26 ′ above retainer  66 . In lantern  10 ′ a ring-shaped retainer  68  is secured to tubular portion  32 ′ adjacent the lower end thereof. A handle or spring  70  rotatably embraces tubular portion  32  above retainer  68 . Another difference between lantern stand  10  and lantern stand  10 ′ is that lantern stand  10 ′ includes means to ensure that auger member  62  will be rotated upon the rotation and support member  24 ′. The upper ends of collar  18 ′ and extension tube  12 ′ have opposing U-shaped slots  64  and  66  formed therein which are adapted to receive the opposite ends of a pin  68  which extends through connector rod  38 ′ near the upper end thereof. 
         [0033]    When collar  18 ′ is slipped onto the connector rod  38 , the opposite ends of pin  68  are received in slots  64  and  66  to ensure that extension rod  12 ′ and auger member  62  will be rotated when support member  24 ′ is rotated. 
         [0034]    In use, after the extension tube  12 ′ has been secured to the lower end of tubular portion  26 ′ the auger member  62  is rotatably driven into the ground by the user grasping the rotatable handles  64  and  70  and rotating the lantern stand  10 ′. The extension tube  12 ′ is stowed in the same manner as extension tube  12  is stowed with the lower end of auger member  62  being received by the socket  40 ′. 
         [0035]    Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
         [0036]    Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.