Abstract:
A portable lighting device adapted to provide an area light, said device including a body having a battery housing to hold batteries to power said device. The device includes a light panel functioning as a lens to act as an area light emitter, characterized in the said light panel is slidable into and out of said body, said light panel being constructed of a substantially flat panel portion.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to lighting devices such as lanterns and the like, which are able to be deployed from a transport mode to a use mode and vice versa. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Lantern lighting devices have been known for some time and there is market need for improved lantern devices that work more effectively and efficiently and which satisfy current market needs. 
         [0003]    Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention provides a portable lighting device adapted to provide an area light, the device including a body having a battery housing to hold batteries to power the device, the device including a light panel functioning as a lens to act as an area light emitter, characterized in that the light panel is slidable into and out of the body, the light panel being constructed of a substantially flat panel portion. 
         [0005]    The light panel can include a reflective surface thereon to receive light from a light source mounted in the body. 
         [0006]    The light source can be an LED light source. 
         [0007]    The reflective surface can be an internal surface formed by an angled formation on the light panel. 
         [0008]    The surface can be able to move with the light panel so as to be aligned with the light source when the light panel is moved to an extended condition. 
         [0009]    A travel limiter can be provided to interact with the light panel and the body to prevent the light panel moving past a predetermined position with respect to the body. 
         [0010]    The predetermined position can be where the light source is aligned with the surface. 
         [0011]    The surface can reflect light to the rest of the panel. 
         [0012]    The panel includes portions having etched formations thereon. 
         [0013]    The panel can have a generally I or H shaped cross-section. 
         [0014]    A cap can be located at a distal end of the light panel. 
         [0015]    The cap can include a window means therein whereby light entering into the panel from the body is visible through the cap. 
         [0016]    Extending the light panel to its fullest extent can switch a switch to power the light source. 
         [0017]    The cap can include a handle mechanism attached thereto. 
         [0018]    The handle mechanism can include at least one elastically deformable portion. 
         [0019]    The handle mechanism can rotate relative to the body. 
         [0020]    The handle mechanism can be positioned and extended around the body so as to clamp the cap to the body to prevent unwanted movement of the cap and the light panel with respect to the body. 
         [0021]    Between the light source and the light panel there can be located a collimator lens to receive light from the light source and to transmit collimated or nearly collimated light to the light panel. 
         [0022]    The light panel, by means of a front and rear generally planar surfaces and exterior edge surfaces of on flange formations can provide a radiation of light in a 360 degree fashion when the lighting device is switched on and the light panel and light source are aligned. 
         [0023]    One aspect of the invention relates to a portable lighting device adapted to provide an area light, said device includes: a power source; a light source electrically coupled to the power source; a light panel optically coupled to the light source; a body having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is configured to facilitate guiding the light panel from a transport mode to a use mode, and the second portion is configured to secure the power source and the light source in the body; and the first portion is isolated from the second portion, such that water that enters the first portion is unable to enter the second portion. 
         [0024]    Another aspect of the invention relates to the first portion including one or more apertures formed at or near a bottom portion of the body, such that water that enters first portion of the body flows out of the portable device through the one or more apertures. 
         [0025]    Another aspect of the invention relates to the light source being permanently secured to the base and the light panel is configured to be housed in the body during the transport mode and the light panel extends from the body in the use mode. 
         [0026]    Another aspect of the invention relates to the light source being at least one light emitting diode. 
         [0027]    Another aspect of the invention relates to the power source being at least one from a group consisting of a primary battery and a secondary battery. 
         [0028]    On aspect of the invention relates to a lighting panel for a portable lighting device, the lighting panel including: a substrate having a pair of generally planar surfaces configured to output light received from an associated light source, wherein the substrate includes a curved input edge for receiving light from the associated light source and a curved reflective surface for reflecting the received light to the planar surfaces. 
         [0029]    Another aspect of the invention relates to the curved input surface including a central portion that is substantially parallel to the pair of planar surfaces. 
         [0030]    Another aspect of the invention relates to the curved input surface being configured to receive collimated light. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a lighting device in a transport mode; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  illustrates an underneath perspective of the lighting device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the light device of  FIG. 1  in its extended/use mode as an area light; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the lighting device of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross section through the lighting device of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cross section through the lighting device of  FIG. 1  with handle removed; 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cross section through the lighting device of  FIG. 4  with the handle removed; 
           [0038]      FIG. 7B  illustrates another exemplary cross section in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  illustrates an underneath view of a cap and handle of the lighting device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 9  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the components of the lighting device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 10  illustrates a plan view of an arrangement of etched formations for application to the planar surfaces of the light panel; 
           [0042]      FIG. 11  illustrates a schematic of an exemplary etch pattern; 
           [0043]      FIG. 12  illustrates a “push past” detent between the light panel and the light panel housing or device body; and 
           [0044]      FIG. 13  illustrates a lighting device similar to that of  FIGS. 1 to 9 , with a modified construction method. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0045]    Illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is a lighting device  10  that is configured to provide light in an area light fashion. The lighting device  10  has a body  12  configured to provide a housing for batteries to power the lighting device  10 . As is discussed in more detail below, the body  12  also includes a light panel housing configured to house a light panel in a transport (or storage) mode and the light panel is configured to extend out of the body  12  in a use mode. 
         [0046]    The lighting device  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  in its retracted or transport mode. The lighting device  10  has a light panel cap  16 , a body cap  14  and a handle comprising handle pivots  22 , and an elastomeric strap  20  that extends from the pivot  22  on one side to the pivot  22  on the other side. The pivots  22  may be secured to the light panel cap  16  by use of one or more screws through the pivots  18  or any other suitable manner. 
         [0047]    Access to the battery housing is obtained via a base cap  28 , which is secured to the body  12  by a user accessible screw  29 . The screw  29 , as is visible in  FIG. 2 , is overlaid or covered by the strap  20  when in the travel or collapsed condition so as to prevent access to the screw  29 . It is noted from  FIG. 2  that the base cap  28  includes a side to side extending groove  24  in its under surface, in which the elastomeric handle  20  can sit. The elastomeric handle  20  when in the arrangement as illustrated in  FIG. 2  serves to maintain the lighting panel cap  16  in contact with the body cap  14  and relative movement between these is prevented by means of the elastomeric handle  20  extending from the light panel cap  16  under the body  12  through the channel  24  to thereby prevent such motion. In this embodiment, the handle may be pivoted and is permanently held at both ends. 
         [0048]    The lighting device  10  is in the nature of a lantern that is deployed in the manner illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . It will be seen from  FIGS. 3 and 4  that once the handle  20  has been removed from the groove  24  and rotated to an upper location; the light panel cap  16  is then able to move with respect to the body cap  14 . The movement from the transport mode to the use mode is a generally vertical movement, which is guided and controlled by light panel  40 . Alternatively, light panel may be configured to move in a generally non-vertical movement. Light panel  40  also acts as a lens, passing out of the light panel housing  12 . 1 , through a shaped aperture  14 . 2  in the cap  14 . A friction generating mechanism can be provided between the lighting panel  40  and the body  12  so that when the light panel  40  has been extended to its furthest distance of travel with respect to the body  12  it will remain in this arrangement until pushed down towards the body with sufficient force to overcome the friction generation mechanism. Alternatively a “push past” detent can be provided, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 12 , so that once a rib  44 . 5  on the flange  44  of light panel  40  passes over a rib  12 . 66  on light housing  12 . 1  or the body  12 , the light panel  40  will not move into the body  12  under gravity. The friction generation mechanism, and the “push past” detent, which will be described in detail below, can also provide a travel limiting formation relative to the body  12  and its cap  14  so that the optical components of the lighting device  10  will be appropriately aligned so that the optical components can correctly function in the lantern mode of the device  10 . 
         [0049]    As is best seen in  FIG. 8 , in one embodiment, the underside of the cap  16  includes a shaped recess  16 . 1  surrounded by a surrounding wall  16 . 2  which matches the shape of the lighting panel  40 . As is best seen in  FIG. 1 , it can be seen that the cap  16  includes an aperture rim  16 . 11  through which a face and edge  49  of the lighting panel  40  protrudes so that its upper edge is flush with the cap  16 . The functionality of this will be described in greater detail later. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the shaped recess illustrated in  FIG. 8  is illustrative in nature and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any desirable shape may be used in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the light panel  40  comprises a main planar surface  42  and a pair of side flanges having surfaces  44 , which provides lighting panel  40  with a cross-section, which is similar to that of an I-beam or an H-beam. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the light panel housing  12 . 1  is isolated from the battery housings and switching and LED housings, thus any water entering through the aperture  14 . 2  will simply pass through the body  12 , the lighting panel housing  12 . 1  and exit through apertures  28 . 4  and  28 . 5  in the base of base cap  28 . Thus, a sliding seal between the aperture  14 . 2  and the light panel  40  is not required as only water resistance is provided. The apertures  28 . 4  and  28 . 5  will receive water that enters the lighting panel housing  12 . 1 , and that water will in normal circumstances flow out therefrom. If the passage were to be blocked, the water that gathers in the apertures  28 . 4  and  28 . 5 , will be pushed out of the body  12 , when the light panel  40  is retracted fully, which will cause the flange extensions  44 . 7  and  44 . 8  to respectively enter the apertures  28 . 4  and  28 . 5 , effectively acting like a piston. Further these apertures capture the flange extensions  44 . 7  and  44 . 8  preventing any lateral movement in the transport mode. If it is required to provide the lantern  10  with some level of water proofing of the movement of the lighting panel  40  with respect to the cap  14  and its aperture  14 . 2 , a sliding seal between the cap  14  and the lighting panel  40  can be provided. 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7  and  7 B, lighting panel  40  has at its lower end a “periscope” arrangement which is integrally formed at the base of the lighting panel  40 . The periscope arrangement provides the ability in the device  10  to keep the electronics and circuit board holding the LEDs at an upper level in the body  12 , which allows light to be emitted from an upper location in the use mode. The periscope arrangement comprises a generally 45 degree surface  46  and a generally horizontal or lateral extension or lateral portion  48 , which feeds light received on its end surface  48 . 1  to the internally reflective surface  46  on the inside of the lighting panel  40 . Alternatively, surface  46  can be shaped with curvature so as to optimize the ability to reflect light received from its end surface  48 . 1  (the input edge of the light panel) and direct the light into lighting panel  40 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7B . This arrangement ensures that any light that enters via the surface  48 . 1  is directed up to the upper reaches of the lighting panel  40 , so that light will be radiated out from the surfaces  42  as well as from the surfaces of the lateral portions  44 . Light may also be emitted from the upper surface  49  of the lighting panel  40 , which passes through the cap  16 . 
         [0052]    Another embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 7B . Referring to  FIG. 7B , the provision of the 45 degree or curved surface  46  on the outside of the lighting panel  40  creates an internally reflective surface in the media (e.g., acrylic, polycarbonate, etc.) of the lighting panel  40  which is totally internally reflective and allows for total internal reflection of the light which will enter the lighting panel  40  via the surface  48 . 1  of the lateral portion  48 . In one embodiment, a reflective layer  46 A may be applied to the reflective surface  46  in order to more efficiently reflect light incident the surface  46 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7B . The reflective layer may be a reflective tape and/or reflective coating, etc. Note, the reflective layer  46 A in  FIG. 7B  is illustrated in a dashed line. The reflective layer  46 A may be continuous and/or discontinuous. The reflective layer  46 A is illustrated in a dashed line for purposes of clarity and to make clear that the reflective layer is optional and may not be needed to carry out aspects of the present invention. 
         [0053]    Light is emitted from a light source  61 , and collected by a collimator lens  50  (e.g., a total internal reflection (TIR) lens) having input surfaces  50 . 1  and  50 . 2 . The input surface  50 . 1  of the collimator lens  50  may be straight or curved as illustrated in  FIG. 7B . Preferably, the input surface  50 . 1  is configured to focus light received by the light source  61  to the surface  50 . 4 . The Lateral input surfaces  50 . 2  direct light incident upon them to the reflective or totally internally reflective surfaces  50 . 3 . Light reflected from the reflective surfaces  50 . 3  is then generally focused toward surface  50 . 4 . Preferably, the configuration of the collimator lens  50  is to transfer light emitted from light source  61  and focuses the light toward surface  50 . 4 . The light from reflectors  50 . 3  and input surface  50 . 1  is further collimated or nearly collimated by surface  50 . 4  and directed into the periscoping lens  40  and enters at the surface  44 . 9  (referred to surface  46  in other embodiments). The incident surface of the periscoping lens  44 . 9  is also shaped so as to provide further directional control of the light as it enters the periscoping lens and directs the light so it can be reflected by surface  46  into the rest of the lens  40 . 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 7B , the lighting panel  40  includes a substrate having a pair of generally planar surfaces  42 ,  43  (discussed below) configured to output light received from an associated light source  61 . The panel includes a curved input edge  44 . 9  for receiving light from the associated light source and a curved reflective surface  46  and/or  46 A for reflecting the received light to the planar surfaces. At or near the center of the curved input edge may include a central portion having a tangent that is substantially parallel to the pair of planar surfaces. The curved input surface  44 . 9  is configured to receive collimated light from the lens  50 . 
         [0055]    The front surface  42  and rear surface  43  include a series of optical elements (e.g., etched formations) preferably in an array and the formations are generally shaped in a cylindrical or circular fashion. Exemplary optical elements formed by laser etching are illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , and as can be seen from these figures these formations are spaced at closer distances to each other in a direction away from the light source. This provides a graduated effect from top to bottom as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , whereby the upper portions are more dense with etched surface than the lower portions. That is, the closer the optical elements are to the light source, the optical elements are smaller and less dense than optical elements farther away from the light source. This provides a graduated effect from top to bottom as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , whereby the upper portions are more dense with optical elements than the lower portions. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that methods other than laser etching may be used to form the optical elements and, unless otherwise claimed, aspects of the present invention are not limited to laser etching. 
         [0056]    It will be noted that the flanges  44  extend at  44 . 7  and  44 . 8  past the lateral portion  48 . This is provided so as to enable a length of the flanges  44  to remain in the channel  12 . 4 , when the light panel  40  is lifted to its maximum distance out of the body  12 . This helps provide the light panel  40  and body  12  assembly with stability and lateral support to resist bending moments which may be applied to the base of the lighting panel by lateral forces which may occur during use. 
         [0057]    While the arrangements of  FIGS. 5 to 7  illustrate the cross-sections of the assembly of the components of  FIG. 13 , the construction of the device  10  of  FIG. 9  functions in the same manner, as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0058]    As Illustrated in  FIG. 11  is a diagram showing an exemplary arrangement and etching details to produce the etching formations on the light panel, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The schematic illustration has the smallest cylinders of a minimum diameter of 0.3 mm being formed on the light panel  40  planar surface  42 , or  42  and  43 , at a location where the surfaces  42  and  43  are exposed and closest to the LEDs. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the whole surface is covered, however as the blade extends away from the light source a 2 mm row spacing is observed, and the cylinders are gradually increased in diameter up to the maximum diameter of 0.8 mm. Depending upon the length of the light panel  40 , which will mean some adjacent rows may have the same diameter. 
         [0059]    The etchings are referred to as cylinders, because each circle will be laser etched to a depth of approximately 0.3 mm. However, the cylinders can be further varied in depth to produce desired particular effects. It will be also noted from  FIG. 11  that the columns of etched cylinders are offset by a half row spacing, and that the third column of cylinders lies 2 mm away from the first column on the left, with the second column being the one offset by a half row spacing. This array is arranged to cover the whole planar surface  42  and  43  or if desired particular effects can be produced by providing etched cylinders at different intervals or spacing. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the precise pattern, spacing and/or depth of the etching may be varied to provide a particular result. 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the body  12  has two battery housings or compartments  12 . 2  and  12 . 3 , which may be positioned on either side of the lighting panel housing  12 . 1 . The lighting panel housing is sealed or rain resistant, relative to the other housings including the battery housings  12 . 2  and  12 . 3 . The switch housing and PCB housing are located above the battery housing  12 . 2  and are also sealed with respect to the light panel housing  12 . 1 , by means of the collimator lens  50 , which allows the light to pass from the LEDs  61  to the lateral portion  48 . Thus any condensation or water that may pass into the light panel housing  12 . 1  will not gain access to the electric components of the lighting device  10 , while light can still exit the PCB housing. 
         [0061]    In order to separate the PCB and switch housing from the light panel housing  12 . 1  the collimator lens  50  is provided that has this dual function. The collimator lens  50  not only seals the housing containing the battery and PCB  60 , switch PCB  80  and switch  82  from the light panel housing  12 . 1 , but it also focuses or collimates light that is emitted from the LEDs  61  on the printed circuit board  60  so that the light passing through the collimating lens  50  will be in its most optimal condition for entry into the surface  48 . 1  of the lateral portion  48  on the light panel  40 . 
         [0062]    The lateral portion  48  as best illustrated in  FIG. 7  of the light panel  40  can also serve a second function by its interaction with the under surface of the cap  14  to limit the travel of the light panel  40  and light panel cap  16  relative to the body  12  and the cap  14 . Further, by preventing travel past this point it also serves the function of aligning the collimating lens  50  with the entry surface  48 . 1  of lateral portion  48  of the light panel  40  thereby allowing light in its optimal condition to enter into the base of the light panel  40  for transmission up and along and out from the light panel  40 . If desired a switch mechanism may be provided to interact with the movement limiting formations so as to switch said light on or off when that limited condition is achieved. 
         [0063]    By the I-shaped or H-shaped lighting panel  40  receiving light from the LEDs  61 , the light panel  40  will radiate light in a 360 degree fashion around the lighting device  10  when the light panel  40  is in the condition as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . For example, light emitted from the LEDs  61  are directed to a reflector  46 . The light reflects off reflector  46  and is output through the optical elements of the light panel  40 . It should be noted that the LEDs  61  may be positioned at angle of 90 degrees from the length of the light panel  40 . In one embodiment, light may be output from the surface  49  in the cap  16 . In another embodiment, light is not directed out of surface  49  of the cap  16 . 
         [0064]    When the light panel  40  is in its fully retracted condition as in  FIG. 6 , if the switch  82  were activated, by use of the switch button  26 , the LEDs would still generate light and it is expected that some light will pass through the collimating lens  50  and by the process of reflecting light off the internal portions of the light panel housing  12 . 1 , then light can enter through various surfaces of the light panel  40  and an indication of the light being switched on will be emitted from the surface  49  in the cap  16  when the light is in the closed condition. 
         [0065]    Between the cap  14  and the upper rim of the body  12  the respective mating surfaces provide a suitable seal, such as a rain-resistant seal, between the cap  14  and the body  12  so as to make the body generally weatherproof in this region. This seal can be achieved by any known means of interaction between the body cap  14  and the body  12 . If the cap  14  were manufactured from a metal such as aluminium the interaction of the flanges can provide the required rain resistance. An advantage of manufacturing the cap  14  from a metal is that it can provide a considerable heat sink for the LED PCB if the circuit characteristics require this. 
         [0066]    In the lower region of the body  12 , the cap  28  can be manufactured in the same manner or alternatively manufactured from a polymeric material such as the normal moulded plastics utilised for such lighting devices, and the flange arrangements can provide the rain resistance. Alternatively, a sealing gasket can be provided so that the body cap  12  of the base cap  28  will seal to the lower rim of the body  12 . The seal can be effected by means of the screw  29  providing appropriate compressive force to the base cap  28  to apply an appropriate force at the rim of the body. 
         [0067]    As is illustrated in  FIG. 9 , in the exploded view, the light panel  40  is seen in its disassembled condition relative to the light panel housing  12 . 1  and the light panel cap  16 . As is best seen from the right side of  FIG. 9 , the cap  16  has pivot mounts  16 . 2  which provide an internally threaded aperture to receive the screw pivots  18 . The screw pivots  18 , which have a threaded portion and a cylindrical surface, secure the handle  20  to the side flanges  44  of the light panel  40  and act as a pivot for which the handle may rotate. As will also be seen on the light panel  40 , which has at its upper region a blind aperture  45  that allows the tip  18 . 1  of the screw  18  to enter into the blind aperture  45  when the light panel is in place inside the shaped aperture  16 . 1  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . This thereby secures the light panel  40  with respect to the cap  16 . This will also position the upper edge  49  of the light panel  40  inside the upper edge of the aperture being  16 . 11 , so that it can be sit flush with the upper surface of the cap  16 . If desired, a screw fixing of the light panel  40  to the cap  16  can be dispensed with, and the light panel  40  can be adhered to the cap  16 , or other locking means provided to prevent their separation once assembled. 
         [0068]    As is illustrated in the lower portion of the lighting panel  40 , the lighting panel has a shaped protrusion  44 . 1  on either side at a level approximating the same level as the lateral portion  48  of the lens. The shaped protrusion  44 . 1  receives an O-ring  44 . 2  and this O-ring and protrusion  44 . 1  is able to go into side located grooves  12 . 5  on either side of the light panel housing  12 . 1  in the main body  12 . The O-ring  44 . 2 , by contacting the sides of the channels  12 . 5 , provides a continuous friction generator when the light panel  40  is moving relative to the body  12 . This friction will allow the light panel to remain at whatever position the light panel has been extended to, including once the light panel has been fully extended to the limit of its travel. A travel limiter, which limits the travel of the light panel, can be dictated by any desired mechanism. For example, travel may be limited by the lateral portion  48  engaging an under surface of the cap  14  or alternatively by a “push past” detent as described above. Alternatively a detent can be provided to engaging the upper periphery of the O-ring  44 . 2  to thereby prevent any further upward travel of the light panel  40  relative to the body  12 . 
         [0069]    As is best illustrated in the left hand side of  FIG. 9 , the base  28  can be joined by a decorative ring  28 . 1 , which remains attached to the base cap  28  when the base cape  28  is removed from the body  12 . If desired, the ring  28 . 1  can be replaced by a seal or gasket to assist with the sealing of the cap  28  to the base  12 . 
         [0070]    Illustrated in  FIG. 13  is a lighting device  110 , which is similar to the lighting device  10  of previous figures, and like parts have been like numbered. The lighting device  110  has several differences in construction and operation to that of the device  10 , and these will now be described. 
         [0071]    The handle  20  is secured, by means of an integrally formed pivot  20 . 1 , at one end to the cap  16  where there is located pivot yoke  16 . 33 . The other side of the handle  20  has a hooked end  20 . 2  for connection to the other side of the cap  16 , where there is locate a pivot pin mount  16 . 34 . By this mechanism, a user may detach the hooked end  20 . 2  to open the lantern lighting device  110 , so that the cap  16  can move away from the cap  14 , and then the hooked end  20 . 2  can be hooked back onto the pivot pin mount  16 . 34 , so as to carry the device  110  as a lantern. When in the transport mode, the handle  20  may be again unhooked by releasing hook  20 . 2  from pivot pin mount  16 . 34 . The light panel cap  16  is pushed towards the cap  14 , the handle  20  wrapped underneath the body  12  and secured to the cap  16  by re-attaching the hooked end  20 . 2  to pivot pin mount  16 . 34 , thereby securing the device  110  in the transport mode. 
         [0072]    Another difference between the device  110  and device  10 , is that the light panel housing  12 . 1  and the battery housing  12 . 2  and  12 . 3 , are formed from two halves  12 . 11  and  12 . 12 , which are inserted in the hollow body  12  to form the light panel housing  12 . 1 , as well as the battery housings  12 . 2  and  12 . 3 . Instead of the channels  12 . 4  being provided as part of the body  12  moulding, separate nylon channel members  12 . 4  are provided which sit in a void  12 . 14  between the bifurcated portions (which form the battery housings  12 . 2  and  12 . 3 ) of the halves  12 . 11  and  12 . 12 . The channels  12 . 4  extend the full height of the body  12 . The flanges  44  of the light panel  40  slide in side these channels  12 . 4 . 
         [0073]    A further difference is that the light panel  40  is not integrally moulded with the flanges  44 . Instead the flanges  44  are separately moulded and with a shaped groove  44 . 6  on their inboard sides so as to receive and mount the profile of the sides of the generally planar portion  42  of the light panel  40 . 
         [0074]    Where ever it is used, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear. 
         [0075]    It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. 
         [0076]    The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Of course, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come with the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.