Abstract:
A camping lantern and cooking stove set for use with a gas canister includes a valve, which is attachable to the gas canister for regulating an outflow of gas to either a mixing tube designed to distribute an appropriate amount of gas to a gas lantern or a mixing tube designed to distribute an appropriate amount of gas to a cooking stove.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a valve for a gas canister, and, more particularly, to a valve for a gas canister which is adaptable to both a camping lantern and cooking stove. 
     Conventional gas canisters used for different functions, most commonly as a fuel supply for a cooking stove and a lantern, must be supplied with a different valve to suit one of either function. Unfortunately, valves are quite expensive and bulky. A cooking burner and lantern which could be packaged together with the same valve adaptable to either use would be most convenient and economical for the camper. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, a primary objective of the present invention is to provide a valve for a gas canister which is adaptable to both a lantern and a cooking stove. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a valve for a gas canister to which is fittable a first mixing tube suitable for use in conjunction with a gas lantern, or alternatively, a second mixing tube suitable for use in conjunction with a cooking stove. 
     Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a gas canister with attached lantern in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a gas canister with attached cooking stove in accordance with the present invention; and, 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of FIG. 3. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to the drawings initially to FIG. 1, it can be seen that an adjustable gas canister in accordance with the present invention comprises a canister 1, a valve 2 and a mixing tube 3. 
     The canister 1 is formed on an upper side thereof with an outlet 10 formed within a flange 11 provided around an outer perimeter thereof with threading. The valve 2 is provided with a socket 21 on a lower end thereof for receiving the flange 11 and twistably securing thereto. The valve 2 is essentially a cylinder formed with a through passage 20. As shown in FIG. 2, an outflow of gas from the canister 1 through the passage 20 is regulatable by means of a stem 23 disposed within through passage 20. The stem 23 is formed on an end of an adjusting knob 24. The adjusting knob 24 can be twisted by a user to adjust the position of the stem 23 within the through passage 20, i.e. to allow the outflow of gas by unblocking the through passage 20 or to prohibit the outflow of gas by blocking the through passage 20 with the stem 23. An upper portion of the valve 2 is formed with a nozzle 22 for directing the outflow of gas therefrom. The nozzle 22 is settled within a flange 221 provided around an outer perimeter thereof with threading. 
     The mixing tube 3 is provided on a lower end thereof with a socket 31 for receiving and twistably securing to the flange 221. The mixing tube 3 is essentially a hollow cylinder provided with a central gas through passage 32. In one preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mixing tube is particularly adapted for a camping lantern in that the central gas through passage 32 is shaped to provide only a pin hole passage 322 to form an hourglass-like section through which the gas is passable. A diameter of the pin hole passage 322 is smaller than a diameter of the nozzle 22 for directing and regulating an amount of gas appropriate for illumination. A plurality of breath holes 323 are provided in the mixing tube 3 for aerating a flame. Each breadth hole communicates with the central gas through passage at a point above the hourglass-like section, for providing oxygen to a flame of the gas lantern. An upper portion of the mixing tube 3 is formed with a flange 33 provided on an outer perimeter thereof with threading. 
     A lantern 5 is therefore provided on a base 50 thereof with a socket 51 for receiving and twistably securing to the mixing tube 3. A disposable ceramic net mantle 52 of the kind ordinarily sold in camping supply shops for use with camping lanterns is placed by a user within the lantern 5 for allowing the lantern 5 to project an illumination of approximately a 40 watt light bulb. A transparent heat resistant screen 54 fits on the base 50 with breath holes 501 under a cover 53, also provided with breath holes 531, around the ceramic net mantle 52 for protection. 
     In another preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the mixing tube 3 is particularly adapted to a cooking stove in that the through passage 32 is wide enough to allow sufficient an outflow of gas for cooking purposes. The through passage 32 is provided with a plurality of breath holes 323 for aerating the flame. Each breadth hole communicates with the central gas through passage at a point above the hourglass-like section, for providing oxygen to a flame of the gas lantern. The mixing tube 3 is further provided on an upper portion thereof with a flange 33 provided on an outer perimeter thereof with threading. 
     A cooking stove 6 is therefore provided on a base to thereof with a socket 61 for receiving and twistably securing to the mixing tube 3. Within the cooking. stove is disposed a burner 60. A grill 62, on which food can be cooked, is provided over the burner 60. 
     A gas canister 1 fitted with the valve 2 and appropriate mixing tube 3 can then be used to fuel either a lantern 5 or a cooking stove 6 allowing the camper convenience and flexibility. 
     As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus it will be appreciated that the drawings are exemplary of a preferred embodiment of the invention.