Patent Abstract:
A multipurpose lighting device comprising a flashlight end, a lantern end including a barrel through which light may pass, and a module mounted between the flashlight end and lantern end. The module includes a first light source configured to direct light out the flashlight end, and a second light source configured to direct light out the lantern end. The second light source is disposed on an opposite end of the module from the first light source. The module further includes a power source configured to energize the first light source and second light source, wherein the second light source is oppositely disposed on the module from the first light source.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/572,558, filed on Oct. 2, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/102,338 filed Oct. 2, 2008 whose contents are incorporated herein for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to lighting sources and more particularly to a light source with flashlight, e.g. for projecting a beam of light, and lantern function, e.g. for a 360 degree light source. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Portable lighting is typically designed with the task in mind. Accordingly, flashlights are designed to focus a beam of light for peering into dark corners or cast light longer distances. In contrast, lanterns are designed for general lighting to cast light short distances but in all directions. 
         [0006]    Conventional flashlights are designed to be powered by batteries installed within a barrel of the flashlight rearwardly of the light source. Because of this placement of the batteries with respect to the light source, it is generally impossible for the flashlight to also be tasked to provide lantern-like lighting in a full circle. Instead, and because the battery placement would block at least some of the light from the light source, such devices are designed to provide general task lighting at an obtuse angle rather than one that is greater than 180 degrees much less a full 360 degrees. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, the need exists for a combination lighting device that fulfills both a flashlight function and a lantern function to maximize illumination. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In various representative aspects, the present invention describes a multipurpose lighting device. 
         [0009]    A multipurpose lighting device comprising a flashlight end, a lantern end including a barrel through which light may pass, and a module mounted between the flashlight end and lantern end. The module includes a first light source configured to direct light out the flashlight end, and a second light source configured to direct light out the lantern end. The second light source is disposed on an opposite end of the module from the first light source. The module further includes a power source configured to energize the first light source and second light source, wherein the second light source is oppositely disposed on the module from the first light source. 
         [0010]    A module housing encloses the module and including a housing button located on the outside of the housing that aligns with the button coupled to the module. Actuating the housing button also serves to actuate the module button so that the multipurpose lighting device is operated. Furthermore, the second light source may emit a colored light. Also, successive actuations of the button may operate the device to operate the first light source only, the second light source only, or the second light source in a repeating flash mode. 
         [0011]    The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a lighting device implemented according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the lighting device of  FIG. 1  implemented according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a partial exploded front perspective view of the lighting device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side-elevation view of the lighting device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side-section view of the lighting device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a fully exploded view of the lighting device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIGS. 7-15  illustrate various views of an alternate form factor from the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6  implementing a two-sided lighting module per the teachings of the invention and also including a trapdoor feature. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]      FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4  illustrate a multipurpose lighting device  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Device  10  is comprised of a device body having a front housing comprising an opaque module housing  12  and end cap  16  defining a flashlight end, and a rear housing in a lantern end of the device  10  defining a transparent or translucent barrel  14  through which light is capable of passing along a substantial length of the barrel  14 . The barrel  14  is releasably affixed to the module housing  12  as by threading the barrel  14  into housing  12  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) or via hooks on the barrel  14  that engage with housing  12  when inserted and rotated a quarter turn. 
         [0020]    A button  18  is defined on a surface of the module housing  12  and interfaces with a button on a lighting module  20  ( FIG. 3 ) as will be described further below. The lantern housing  14  includes multiple ribs  22  running along the length of and spaced circumferentially about the barrel  14 . The ribs  22  act to provide a non-slip grippable surface and further assist in dispersing light emitted from a rearwardly directed second light source  36  ( FIG. 3 ) that passes through the transparent or translucent sidewalls of the lantern portion of the device  10 . A flange  24  is fixed at an end of the module housing  12  and couples with a detachable wrist strap (not shown). 
         [0021]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the module housing  12  defines a hollow interior  28  into which the lighting module  20  is installed. Female threads ( FIG. 5 ) formed on the inside walls of the end cap  16  mate with male threads ( FIG. 3 ) formed on the end of the module housing  12 , thereby enclosing the interior  28  and fixing the lighting module  20  within the lighting device  10 . 
         [0022]    The lighting module includes two opposable light sources, shown by flashlight LED  34  and lantern LED  36 . Both light sources  34 ,  36  are actuated by a button  38  formed on the lighting module that, itself, is aligned with an actuated by the button  18  formed on the module housing  12 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  shows the end cap  16  removed from the end of the module housing  12 . As will be appreciated, the multipurpose lighting device  10  includes a flashlight function, and a lantern function where the power source (e.g. batteries  56   a ,  56   b ,  56   c  [ FIG. 6 ]) does not interfere with the lantern light source so that it is capable of casting light in all radial directions out the lantern end of the device. The device thus provides a useful multipurpose tool for emergencies or just general use. 
         [0024]    Turning to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the lighting module  20  is shown installed within the module housing  12  of the device  10 . Module  20  may include a rounded lower end terminating in elongate ridges running the length of the module. Complementary molded portions may be formed on inside walls of the cavity  28  that are slidingly engaged with the ridges when the lighting module  20  is installed. The cavity  28  of the module housing  12  is thus shaped by the molded portions  50   a ,  50   b  and by the dimensions of the cavity to locate the lighting module at a specific point so that (a) the lighting module button  38  is aligned with the button  18  formed on the outside of the module housing  12 , and (b) the flashlight LED  34  inserts properly within a shaped reflector  52  so that the light may be focused and projected outward through a forward-facing lens or transparent front  54  located within cap  16 . A power source, such as batteries  56   a ,  56   b , and  56   c , is installed within the lighting module  20  to power the LEDs  34 ,  36  and electronics necessary to selectively actuate the lights according to the table below. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , button  18  includes an elastomeric top portion that resiliently deforms under downward pressure to force a hard contact against the aligned button  38  of the lighting module  20 . Multiple clicks on the button  38  operate control electronics within the module to function progressively as shown in Table 1 below, namely: 
         [0000]                              TABLE 1                   Button Operation of the Device            Button           Press   Operation               1   flashlight LED 34 turned ON (lantern LED 36 remains OFF)       2   lantern LED 36 turned ON (flashlight LED 34 remains ON)       3   flashlight LED 34 turned OFF (lantern LED 36 remains ON)       4   lantern LED 36 FLASHED intermittently as emergency light           (flashlight LED 34 remains OFF)       5   lantern LED 36 turned OFF (flashlight LED 34 remains OFF)       6   cycle back to operation for button press 1       . . .                    
The above operations are examples of use and not all are required to fulfill the spirit of the invention or required for implementation.
 
         [0026]    Turning lastly to the lantern operation, and as shown best in  FIG. 5 , lantern LED  36  illuminates within the elongate chamber  58  formed within the lantern housing  14 . It is preferred that the chamber  58  be hollow and removable from module housing  12  so that it may be used as an illuminated storage chamber. Light emitted from the LED  36  is internally reflected within the elongate lantern chamber  58  and scatters out the sidewalls of the housing  14  to form a fairly even glow along its length. That is, the lantern LED  36  is directed along a long axis of the barrel  14  and radiates radially from the barrel along its periphery to result in a lantern that radiates in 360 degrees from along the long axis. Alternately, the lantern LED  36  is configured to emit light omni-directionally into the hollow elongate chamber  58  and out the sidewalls of the barrel  14 . The whole, with ribs  22 , operates to better diffuse the illumination along the entire length of the lantern housing  14 . In this way, the housing may or may not include the hollow interior  58 , and may or may not include a solid core (not shown) of a diffusive and/or light scattering material. 
         [0027]    In a preferred embodiment, LED  36  gives off a colored light (e.g. red or blue). Alternately, LED  36  can emit a white light and the lantern housing  14  can be formed of a colored translucent or transparent plastic material. As shown best in  FIG. 6 , lantern housing  14  includes an O-ring  60  on an outside wall that bears against the inside wall of module housing  12  when the two housings are screw-fitted together. The O-ring  60  helps to prevent water from seeping into the hollow interior  28  of the module housing  12  and thereby adversely affecting the lighting module. 
         [0028]    The multipurpose lighting device is useful in that it uses, in its preferred implementation, a single power source and actuator (e.g. button  18 ) to alternately operate a flashlight and lantern. In special emergencies, therefore, a single device can thus project light a far distance (flashlight), provide general lighting (lantern), or flash colored light in all directions. The multipurpose lighting device is further useful in that it may include a hollow storage chamber  58  for holding items such as keys, first aid materials, etc. and that such items may be illuminated by the lantern LED  36  when actuated by button  18 . Access to the hollow storage chamber  58  within the lantern end  14  of the lighting device  10  may be by disengaging the lantern end  14  from the module housing  12  of the device. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , threads  32  formed on an outside of the barrel  14  engage with complementary threads  30  on the inside of the housing  12 . In alternate embodiments, hooks (not shown) formed on the barrel engage with complementary structures within the module housing when the barrel is inserted and then turned within the housing  12 . 
         [0029]      FIGS. 7-12  illustrate perspective, rear, top and side elevations of a spotlight form factor  110  implementing the teachings of the invention. The outer shell of the spotlight device  110  includes similar general features as that described above with respect to flashlight  10 . A module housing  112  and end cap  116  define the flashlight (front) end of the housing. The translucent lantern end  114  of the housing encloses a hollow chamber  128  ( FIG. 15 ) accessible by a trapdoor  170  hingedly attached to the rear portion of the lantern end  114  of the device housing. 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of spotlight  110 . The flashlight end of the housing  112  has a general circular shape and retains (as shown in the exploded view of  FIG. 13 ) the lighting module  120 , reflectors  152 , and transparent lens  158  configured to project one or more beams of light forwardly of the device  110 . The lantern (rear) portion of the device  110  has a generally square cross-section and includes a handle  162  and wrist strap  164 . The outer shell of the lantern end  114  is made of a translucent material so that light shown into the interior cavity  128  of the rear portion is transmitted through the exterior surfaces of the shell. 
         [0031]      FIG. 13  is an exploded view showing assembly of the components of the spotlight device  110 . A lighting module  120 , installed within the module housing  112  of the device  100 , includes among other elements a forward-facing bank of LEDs  134 , batteries  156 , and a rear-facing bank of LEDs  136 . Each of the LEDs within the forward-facing bank of LEDs  134  are received within respective reflector portions of reflector  152  so that each are individually focused forwardly. A rubber O-ring  160  is received around the threads  132  of the housing  112  so that the seal between the cap  116  and housing  112  is watertight when the cap and housing are screw-fitted together. An elastomeric button  118  and complementary parts interfaces with a button  138  on lighting module  120  for operating the lights of the module. The button may be coupled to a timer circuit that maintains the LEDs in an on position for only a preset amount of time after which point the LEDs turn off in order to save power should the button be inadvertently activated and left as may take place in a retail environment where a customer tries the light but forgets to turn it off. Finally, a trapdoor  170  is attached via hinge  172  to the back end of lantern end  114  so that it pivots up out of the way for access to an interior cavity within the end  114 . The trapdoor  170  is releasably retained in a closed position via clasp  174 , buckle, key, or other contemplated device. One or more O-rings  176  are captured between the trapdoor  170  and rear face of the opening to effect a water-tight seal. 
         [0032]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing the spotlight device  110  with the trapdoor  170  opened and two clasps  174   a ,  174   b  released. 
         [0033]      FIG. 15  shows a sectioned view of the spotlight device  110  of  FIG. 14 . The trapdoor  170  pivots out of the way to access the interior storage compartment  128  of the spotlight  110 . This compartment  128  may be further illuminated by the rear-facing bank of LEDs  136 . 
         [0034]    Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention in a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. We claim all modifications and variation coming within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5