Patent ID: 7481551

Claim:
A lantern comprising: a housing having a forward end and a rearward end and a longitudinal axis, wherein the forward end is generally open and the rearward end forms a wall; a handle connected with the housing and spaced apart from the housing, wherein the handle has a gripping portion that is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the housing, and wherein the back wall of the housing has a width that is greater than the width of the handle; a lamp assembly disposed in the forward end of the housing, having a lamp element configured to provide a beam of light directed forwardly; a plurality of LEDs wherein each LED is within an aperture formed in the rearward end of the housing to provide a light source directed rearwardly from the housing, wherein the LEDs have a length and substantially the entire length of the LEDs are disposed within the housing, wherein the width of the back wall is substantially greater than the width of the LEDs; a cover enclosing each aperture in the rearward end of the housing, wherein each cover is substantially flush with the rearward end of the housing; a switch operable to control the lamp assembly for selectively operating the lamp element, wherein in a first position the lamp element and the LEDs are in a first condition, and in a second position the first LEDs are in a second condition that is different from the first condition; and a battery disposed within the housing.