Patent Publication Number: US-11041612-B1

Title: Lantern

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a lantern, and more particularly, to a lantern particularly useful in the locomotive industry. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Trainman&#39;s lanterns are specialized lighting apparatus used in the railroad industry for purposes of both signaling and illumination. In particular, trainman&#39;s lanterns are used to transmit signals from the brakeman or switchman to the engineer in the locomotive, when coupling/uncoupling cars, moving on to switches and sidings, and so on. Modern lanterns have their origins in the oil lanterns of the 19th century, and so many of the signals now in use (e.g., swinging the lantern through an arc with the arm lowered) were developed on this basis, with the limitation that the lantern needs to be held generally upright. 
     Furthermore, in addition to signaling, the trainman&#39;s lantern must provide general purpose illumination in order for the brakeman to read numbers and information on the cars, to see when walking on the crushed rock ballast, and so on. 
     There are safety concerns with conventionally known trainman&#39;s lanterns. Once such concern arises should the lantern get stuck on a moving train whilst the lantern is suspended from the operator&#39;s arm via the lantern&#39;s handle and the operator is standing outside of the moving locomotive. Serious injuries have resulted to the operator arising from such a scenario, including limb amputations. 
     Another limitation with conventionally known trainman&#39;s lanterns is the difficulty in positioning the lantern to optimize the positioning of the light emitted from the lantern to thereby enhance the operator&#39;s visibility while working on the locomotive. 
     Another limitation with conventionally known trainsman&#39;s lanterns is the throw distance of the light, i.e., the beam distance of the light. Conventionally known lanterns have a relatively short throw distance, and it is desired to increase the throw distance. Therefore, there exists a need for a trainman&#39;s lantern that provides illumination with sufficient brightness that is visible at extended distances. Still further, there exists a need for a lantern that provides such illumination without excessive battery drain.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above described deficiencies of the prior art are cured or alleviated by an exemplary lantern comprising a breakaway handle mechanism that allows the handle of the lantern to break away from the body of the lantern. An exemplary lantern comprises a ratcheting mechanism that allows the handle to move in a forward and backward motion relative to the body of the lantern, thereby allowing the lantern to be arranged on the ground in a variety of different positions. An exemplary lantern comprises a reflector which is specifically designed to increase the far beam throw of light relative to conventionally known lanterns. In an exemplary embodiment, the lantern comprises a photoluminescent base that lights up in the dark. In an exemplary embodiment, the photoluminescent base assists an operator in finding a lost or dropped lantern. The photoluminescent base also increases the visibility of the immediately surrounding area, thereby minimizing the risk of fall or injury to the operator. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the lantern comprises a handle comprising a body having an underside oppositely situated to an upper side, and further wherein the body terminates at a first terminal end thereof and at an oppositely situated second terminal end thereof; a main body housing comprising a side wall comprising a front face oppositely situated to a back face, and a first lateral face oppositely situated to a distal lateral thee, wherein the front face, the back face, the first lateral face, and the second lateral face surround a chamber and which terminate to form an anterior directed end of the side wall and which terminate at an opposite end of the side wall to form a posterior directed end of the side wall; a first mount and a second mount, wherein the first mount is attached to and extends from the first lateral face of the main body housing and the second mount is attached to and extends from the second lateral face of the main body housing; and a handle repositioning assembly comprising a means whereby the body of the handle is moved towards and away from the front face and the back thee of the main body housing. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the lantern comprises a handle comprising a body having an underside oppositely situated to an upper side, and further wherein the body terminates at a first terminal end thereof and at an oppositely situated second terminal end thereof; a main body housing comprising a side wall comprising a front face oppositely situated to a back face, and a first lateral face oppositely situated to a distal lateral face, wherein the front face, the back face, the first lateral face, and the second lateral face surround a chamber and which terminate to form an anterior directed end of the side wall and which terminate at an opposite end of the side wall to form a posterior directed end of the side wall; a first mount and a second mount, wherein the first mount is attached to and extends from the first lateral face of the main body housing and the second mount is attached to and extends from the second lateral face of the main body housing; and a breakaway handle assembly comprising a means whereby the handle may be separated from the body of the main body housing when a threshold force is applied to the underside of the handle. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from a reading of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF-DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic depicting an exploded view of an exemplary lantern; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic depicting an exemplary breakaway handle assembly, ratcheting feature, and battery compartment of the lantern depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic depicting an exemplary handle repositioning assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic depicting an exemplary breakaway handle assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic depicting an exemplary light emitting unit as depicted in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic depicting an exemplary shade member, reflector, and base as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed lantern comprises a breakaway handle assembly which causes a handle of the lantern to physically detach from a body of the lantern to thereby increase the safety of the lantern&#39;s use. This safety feature is particularly important where an operator of the lantern is using the lantern around fast moving objects such as, for example, where the lantern is being used as a trainman&#39;s lantern and the operator is using the lantern on or near a locomotive. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the lantern comprises a ratcheting member which allows the handle of the lantern to be moved and fixed at various positions relative to the body of the lantern. This embodiment allows the position of the handle of the lantern to be varied relative to the position of the body of the lantern. This is particularly useful where an operator wishes to lay the lantern on the ground and point it at a working area. In this way, the handle may be used as a prop, e.g., the handle may be rested on the ground to prop up the body of the lantern. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the lantern comprises a battery compartment that holds a C-volt battery, wherein three C-volt batteries is especially preferred. The use of one or more C-volt batteries is an improvement over the conventionally used  6 -volt spring terminal batteries as a C-volt battery allows for the use of a smaller and lighter battery housing and it improves the battery life of the lantern. The use of C-volt batteries over 6-volt spring terminal betters also reduces significant battery waste throughout the industry. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the lantern comprises a rechargeable battery pack. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the lantern comprises a reflector that is specially configured to reflect or focus the light emitted from the light emitting unit of the lantern such that the emitted light has a far beam throw. This improved far beam throw allows an operator of the lantern to see almost twice as many rail cars (car lengths) compared to the visibility allowed using traditionally used lanterns. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the lantern comprises an end cap that is positioned towards the handle of the lantern. A top side of the end cap holds a plurality of magnets. The magnets are particularly useful in attaching the lantern to the metal sides of a railcar. The magnets, therefore, increase the number of attachment sites and/or the number of possible positionings of the lantern. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the lantern comprises a photoluminescent base that lights up in the dark. In an exemplary embodiment, the photoluminescent base assists an operator in finding a lost or dropped lantern. The photoluminescent base also increases the visibility of the immediately surrounding area, thereby minimizing the risk of fall or injury to the operator. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the lantern comprises an integrated signaling light mechanism. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the integrated signaling light mechanism comprises a light emitting diode that emits a warning light, wherein a red warning light is particularly preferred and a flashing red warning light is even more preferred. Although the signaling light mechanism of the lantern has many safety benefits, it is particularly beneficial to an operator during what is referred to as “shoving,” i.e., the pushing of railcars from behind by the locomotive. The necessary task of shoving railcars used to he a very noisy procedure. However, with better track, better wheels and bearings, shoving is significantly quieter as compared to the loudness resulting from the shoving of 20 years ago. This decrease in noise has unfortunately increased the risks of personnel getting hit or run over by the locomotive and/or the railcars during the shoving operation. Now with a lantern equipped with a signaling light, when shoving, an operator can activate the signaling light, i.e., cause the emission of, e.g., a red static or flashing light. This activation, then, provides a warning to other rail workers or personnel that the railcars will be or have been set in motion. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the lantern comprises an integrated light emitting diode (“LED”) signal light. In this embodiment, the lantern comprises a LED switch with built-in safety features that reduces the likelihood that an operator will be stranded in a rail yard without a light. A common problem in rail yards is the risk that the lantern will run out of battery life while the operator is as far as 1-2 miles from the shop. This real-life scenario causes operators to simply change batteries every single shift, regardless of whether the batteries need replacement. To alleviate this problem, the lantern comprises an integrated battery indicator switch mechanism. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery switch indicator comprises a LED that emits a light, wherein a green light is preferred. When the battery(ies) of the lamp are charged to about 100% to about 20%, a LED indicator emits a static light, e.g., a green steady light. When the battery(ies) charge drops below a first threshold level, e.g., below a charge of about 20%, the LED indicator emits a different colored light, wherein a red light is particularly preferred, and a red static light is especially preferred. In an exemplary embodiment, when the battery(s) charge drops below a second threshold level, e.g., below a charge of about 10%, the LED indicator emits another signal, such, as, e.g. a flashing light, wherein a red flashing light is particularly preferred. 
     Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawing. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the invention in unnecessary detail. Throughout this disclosure, like reference numerals represent like elements. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the invention includes a breakaway handle assembly which allows the handle of the lantern to readily detach from the body of the lantern so as to avoid personal injury resulting in the situation where the handle fails to readily detach from the body of the lantern, such as in the situation where a user&#39;s arm is disposed through the lantern and the lantern is exposed to a sudden potentially dangerous force. 
     The invention shall be more fully described by reference to the figures, wherein it is understood that the lantern depicted in the figures is exemplary only, and that variations and modifications as would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the present disclosure are included herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exemplary lantern  10  comprises a main body housing  12  and a handle  100 . Main body housing  12  is defined at least in part by a side wall  14  having an exterior side  13  oppositely situated to an interior side  15  and which terminates at a threaded lip portion  16  and at an oppositely situated bottom side  18 . Interior side  15  surrounds a chamber  20  which extends from threaded lip portion  16  to bottom side  18 . Side wall  14  has a port  23  formed therethrough. An actuating receiver  17  is received by and secured within port  23 . An actuating member  19  is received by and secured to actuating receiver  17 , wherein actuating member  19  comprises a means, e.g., a switch, whereby a light emitting unit  400  of lantern  10  may be actuated to emit light from lantern  10  and which may also be actuated to turn off the light emitted from lantern  10 . 
     Handle  100  comprises a generally arched-shaped body  102  which terminates at a terminal end  104  and at an oppositely situated terminal end  106 . 
     Lantern  10  is further configured to include an exemplary breakaway handle assembly and an exemplary handle repositioning assembly. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exemplary breakaway handle assembly comprises a forward directed portion  66  of receiver members  50  and  50 ′, clips  80  and  80 ′, and extensions  90  and  90 ′; and an exemplary handle repositioning assembly comprises a rearward directed portion  68  of receiver members  50  and  50 ′, positioning members  30  and  30 ′, and mounts  26  and  26 ′. 
     Receiver member  50  is identical in configuration and function to receiver member  50 ′, clip  80  is identical in configuration and function to clip  80 ′, extension  90  is identical in configuration and function to extension  90 ′, positioning member  30  is identical in configuration to positioning member  30 ′, and mount  26  is identical in configuration to mount  26 ′. Accordingly, for ease of clarity, a disclosure of receiver member  50 , clip  80 , extension  90 , positioning member  30 , and mount  26  shall be made herein, wherein it is to be understood that such disclosure, unless specifically stated herein, shall refer equally to respective receiver member  50 ′, clip  80 ′, extension  90 ′, positioning member  30 ′, and mount  26 ′. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 , in an exemplary embodiment, extension  90  comprises a plate  91  which comprises a front surface  93  oppositely situated to a back surface  94 . Front surface  93  of extension  90  is attached to, and preferably integrally formed with, terminal end  104  of handle  100 , and front surface  93  of extension  90 ′ is attached to, and preferably integrally formed with, terminal end  106  of handle  100 . 
     Extension  90  further has a clip receiver member integrally formed on plate  91 . In an exemplary embodiment, clip receiver member comprises a notch  95  formed through top and bottoms surfaces  93  and  94 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, clip  80  comprises a plate  81  having a forward directed end  83  oppositely situated to a rearward directed end  85 . A detent  82  is formed on forward directed end  83  and a tab  84  is formed on rearward directed end  85 . Detent  82  of clip  80  is configured to engage with notch  95  of extension  90  to thereby attach clip  80  to extension  90 , and detent  82  of clip  80 ′ is configured to engage with notch  95 ′ of extension  90 ′ to thereby attach clip  80 ′ to extension  90 ′. 
     Receiver member  50  comprises a body  52  having an outwardly directed face  54  oppositely situated to an inwardly directed face  56 , wherein outwardly directed face  54  is joined to inwardly directed face  56  by an open-ended upper wall  58 , a lower wall  60 , a proximal side wall  62 , and a distal side wall  64 , wherein upper wall  58  is oppositely situated to lower wall  60 , and proximal side wall  62  is oppositely situated to distal side wall  64 . Open-ended upper wall  58  leads into a chamber  59 . 
     Body  52  of receiver member  50  is divided into a forward directed portion  66  and an oppositely situated rearward directed portion  68 , wherein open-ended upper wall  58  forms an outermost boundary of forward directed portion  66  and lower wall  60  forms an outermost boundary of rearward directed portion  68 . 
     Forward directed portion  66  has an opening  70  formed through inwardly directed face  56  and which leads into chamber  59 . Opening  70  of receiver member  50  is configured to receive and to hold tab  84  of clip  80  to thereby attach extension  90 , and thereby handle  100 , to receiver member  50 , and, thereby, to body  12  of lantern  10 . Opening  70  of receiver member  50 ′ is configured to receive and to hold tab  84  of clip  80 ′ to thereby attach extension  90 ′, and thereby handle  100 , to receiver member  50 ′, and, thereby to body  12  of lantern  10 .  
     A catch member is formed in a recessed portion of inwardly directed face  56 , wherein an exemplary catch member comprises a series of radially disposed grooves  57  formed in a recessed portion of inwardly directed face  56  of rearward directed portion  68  of receiver member  50 . 
     Positioning member  30  comprises a body  31  having an open-ended interior directed side  32  which leads into a cavity  33 . Body  31  further has an exterior directed side  34  which is oppositely situated to interior directed side  32 . Body  31  further comprises a stop member, wherein an exemplary stop member comprises a series of radially arranged bumpers  35  which is formed on exterior directed side  34 . 
     Mount  26  comprises a body  27  which is disposed on, and preferably integrally formed with, body  12  of lantern  10 , wherein body  27  of mount  26  is oppositely situated from body  27  of mount  26 ′. Each of bodies  27  of respective mounts  26  and  26 ′ has an open-ended exterior directed face  42  which surrounds an opening  29 . A protrusion  25  extends within opening  29 . 
     The handle repositioning assembly of lantern  10  further comprises a spring  28  and a spring  28 ′. Spring  28  is disposed over and around protrusion  25  of mount  26  and spring  28 ′ is disposed over and around protrusion  25  of mount  26 ′. 
     Body  31  of positioning member  30  is disposed over and around protrusion  25  of mount  26  and spring  28  such that spring  28  is positioned within cavity  33  of body  31  of positioning member  30 . Bumpers of series  35  of positioning member  30  are physically engaged with grooves of series  57  of receiver member  50 . Body  31  of positioning member  30 ′ is disposed over and around protrusion  25  of mount  26 ′ and spring  28 ′ such that spring  28 ′ is positioned within cavity  33  of body  31  of positioning member  30 ′. Bumpers of series  35  of positioning member  30 ′ are physically engaged with grooves of series  57  of receiver member  50 ′. 
     Lantern  10  further comprises a cover  72 , a cover  72 ′, a pin  74 , and a pin  74 ′. Cover  72  is disposed over and on outwardly directed face  54  of receiver member  50  and is secured thereto via pin  74 . Cover  72 ′ is disposed over and on outwardly directed face  54  of receiver member  50 ′ and is secured thereto via pin  74 ′. 
     Handle repositioning assembly allows for the movement of handle  100  in a forward or a rearward direction, i.e., in a direction towards a front face  21  of side wall  14  of main body housing  12  or towards a back face  24  of side wall  14  of main body housing  12 . For example, when handle  100  is attached and positioned in an upright manner to main body housing  12  of lantern  10 , detents  82  of respective clips  80  and  80 ′ are respectively engaged with respective notches  95  and  95 ′ of extensions  90  and  90 ′, and tabs  84  of respective clips  80  and  80 ′ are respectively received by and engaged within openings  70  of respective receiver members  50  and  50 ′ via open-ended upper walls  58  of respective receiver members  50  and  50 ′. Additionally, series of grooves  57  of receiver member  50  are engaged with series of bumpers  35  of positioning member  30  and held relationally thereto via spring  28 , while series of grooves  57  of receiver member  50 ′ are engaged with series of bumpers  35  of positioning member  30 ′ and held relationally thereto via spring  28 ′ which is secured to main body housing  12  via mount  26 . 
     When a certain minimum force is asserted against a forward leading side  108  of body  102  of handle  100 , receiver members  50  and  50 ′ rotate, thereby causing springs  28  and  28 ′ to compress and thereby allowing for series of grooves  57  of receiver members  50  and  50 ′ to move across series of bumpers  35  of respective positioning members  30  and  30 ′ and thereby causing handle  100  to move towards front face  21  of main body housing  12 . Once the movement of handle  100  ceases, springs  28  and  28 ′ contract thereby locking series of bumpers  35  of respective positioning members  30  and  30 ′ within series of grooves  57  of respective receiver members  50  and  50 ′ and thereby locking body  102  of handle  100  in position. When a certain minimum force is asserted against a rearward leading side  110  of body  102  of handle  100 , the opposite direction of motions occurs, i.e., body  102  of handle  100  moves towards back face  24  of main body housing  12 , but by the same general mechanisms as set forth above. 
     The breakaway handle assembly causes handle  100  to separate from main body housing  12  should a threshold amount of force be exerted against an underside  112  of handle  100  as such a force causes detent  82  of clip  80  to disengage from notch  95  of extension  90 , detent  82  of clip  80 ° to disengage from notch  95  of extension  90 ′, tab  84  of clip  80  to disengage from opening  70  of receiver member  50 , and tab  84  of clip  80 ′ to disengage from opening  70  of receiver member  50 ′. This handle breakaway feature is particularly advantageous in that it frees an operator from the lantern in the event where holding onto the lantern could be potentially dangerous to the operator, such as where, e.g., the lantern gets caught on a moving locomotive whilst the operator is holding the lantern by the handle. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , lantern  10  further comprises a battery housing  200  having a generally cylindrical-shaped side wall  202 , which, in an exemplary embodiment, has a plurality of cartridges  204  formed therein. Each cartridge of plurality of cartridges  204  holds a battery  206 , wherein an exemplary battery is a C-Volt battery. Side wall  202  terminates at one end thereof at a top side  208  and at an oppositely situated end thereof at a bottom side  210 . When lantern  10  is assembled, battery housing  200  is positioned within chamber  20  of main body housing  12  of lantern  10  such that top side  208  is directed towards handle  100  and bottom side  210  is directed towards bottom side  18  of main body housing  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in an exemplary embodiment, lantern  10  further comprises an end cap  300  having a top side  302  oppositely situated to a bottom side  304 . Bottom side  304  of end cap  300  engages with threaded lip portion  16  of main body housing  12  to thereby contain battery housing  200  between main body housing  12  and end cap  300 . Top side  302  of end cap  300  has a plurality of indents  306  formed thereon. Magnets  308  are positioned within and secured to each of the indents of plurality  306 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , in an exemplary embodiment, a light emitting unit  400  of lantern  10  comprises a heat sink  404  disposed between a printed circuit board assembly (“PCBA”)  402  and a metal core printed circuit board (“MCPCB”) and light emitting diode (“LED”) assembly  406 , wherein PCBA  402  and assembly  406  are in electrical communication with one another and with batteries  206  and with actuating member  19 . Unit  400  further comprises an upper cover  408  and a lower cover  410 , wherein PCBA  402  and  406  are disposed between and contained within upper cover  408  and lower cover  410 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , in an exemplary embodiment, lantern  10  further comprises a shade member  500 . Shade member  500  comprises a generally cylindrical shaped body  502  which has an open-ended anterior terminal end oppositely situated to an open-ended posterior terminal end. Body  502  has an upper region  504  oppositely situated to and contiguously formed with a lower region  506 , wherein upper region  504  is recessed relative to lower region  506 . In an especially preferred embodiment, upper and lower regions  504  and  506  are translucent. 
     Shade member  500  further comprises a threaded lip  508  that is contiguously formed with upper region  504  and a threaded foot  510  that is contiguously formed with lower region  506 . Light emitting unit  400  is disposed within main body housing  12  such that upper cover  408  is directed towards handle  100  and lower cover  410  is directed towards threaded foot  510 . Shade member  500  is secured to main body housing  12  by engaging threaded lip  508  with a complementary receiver member (not shown) formed on interior side  15  of main body housing  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , in an exemplary embodiment, lantern  10  further comprises a reflector  600 . Reflector  600  has an open-ended top side  604 . Open ended top side  604  leads into a generally cylindrical-shaped neck portion  606  which turns outwardly to form a generally conical-shaped portion  608  which turns substantially perpendicularly to form a generally annular-shaped portion  610 . A bottom reflecting surface  612  is contiguously formed with portion  610  and is positioned transversely relative thereto. 
     Neck portion  606  is received within an opening  414  formed through a bottom side  412  of lower cover  410  such that reflector  600  is surrounded by body  502  of shade member  500 . Reflector  600  focuses the light emitted from the light emitting diodes disposed on MCPCP and LED assembly  406  such that the light emitted from lantern  10  from the light emitting diodes has a far beam throw. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , lantern  10  further comprises a base  700  having a generally annular-shaped body  702  which terminates at an open-ended top side  704  and at an oppositely situated open-ended bottom side  706 . Body  702  has an exterior wall  708  oppositely situated to an interior wall  710 , wherein interior wall  710  surrounds an opening  712 , wherein opening  712  is in fluid communication with open-ended top and bottom sides  704  and  706 . Interior wall  710  comprises a threaded portion  714 , wherein base  700  is attached to shade member  500  through the engagement of threaded portion  714  of base  700  with threaded foot  510  of shade member  500 . Exterior wall  708  has a series of grooves  716  formed thereon, wherein the grooves from series  716  are formed at regular intervals on and around exterior wall  708 . In an exemplary embodiment, body  702  comprises a photoluminescent material such that base  700  glows in the dark. 
     While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     It is further realized that although the lantern disclosed herein has been described as particularly beneficial for use as a trainman&#39;s lantern, the lantern is not to be limited to such a use.