WO2001001039A1

WO2001001039A1 - A lantern construction

Info

Publication number: WO2001001039A1
Application number: PCT/AU2000/000720
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Richard Dalton; John Robert Brown
Original assignee: Eveready Battery Co Inc
Current assignee: Edgewell Personal Care Brands LLC
Priority date: 1999-06-25
Filing date: 2000-06-23
Publication date: 2001-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 2001-12-25
Also published as: EP1617138A3; EP1617138B1; EP1196718B1; DE60041560D1; CN1130512C; CN1358263A; CN1515820A; EP1196718A4; CN1274990C; ATE533009T1; EP1617138A2; EP1196718A1; ATE422648T1

Abstract

The present invention provides a portable lighting device including: a generally elongate rectilinear body having a light source extending along one longitudinal side thereof; a base on one end thereof on which the device is adapted to stand; and a handle on the opposite end thereof, the handle comprising a handle grip portion which is aligned at an acute angle to both a vertical axis through the device, and to a horizontal plane when the device is standing on its base. The present invention also provides a portable lighting device including: a body adapted to contain dry cells for powering the device; at least one generally tubular translucent lens through which light generated by the device will emit; at least one incandescent globe or LED located at at least one of the tubular lens; and electric circuitry which in use connects the dry cells to said at least one globe or LED. The present invention further provides a portable lighting device including a generally elongate rectilinear body having a base, a light housing which extends longitudinally along one side of the body, and a handle located at or near the upper end of the body, the light housing including a translucent protective front cover which has a convex outer form when viewed in side elevation. The present invention also provides a lantern having a light housing which allows a 360° radiation of light, said light housing including a light source and being pivotally connected to a lantern body by a rotational means, said body being of a generally rectangular construction having said rotational means off-set from a longitudinal axis of said body, said lighting housing being able to rotate so as to cross said longitudinal axis of said body.

Description

A lantern construction

Field of the invention

This invention relates to portable lighting devices of the type which includes a housing which contains dry cell batteries and which includes a light source which will operate both as a standing light and a light which can be carried

Such lighting devices have a rotatable lighting component and self-supporting body allowing multipurpose usage

Background of the invention

Lights of the aforementioned type are known and are generally considered advantageous in that the light will have more applications than would a conventional torch

However, portable lights ot the aforementioned type need to be relatively robust since by their very nature they tend to be knocked and dropped and are frequently used in outdoor environments In addition, the lighting device should be relatively easy to carry and, when so carried, the light transmitted by the device should be projected forwardly whilst the light is being held in a comfortable carrying orientation Prior art lanterns of the type to which this invention relate tend to be relatively long and slender and have equilibrium difficulties when the lighting portion of the lantern is swung to various positions of use. The stability problems tend to be exacerbated when the lantern is in a generally upside down L-shaped configuration

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a portable lighting device including a generally elongate rectilinear body having a light source extending along one longitudinal side thereof, a base on one end thereof on which the device is adapted to stand, and a handle on the opposite end thereof, the handle comprising a handle grip portion which is aligned at an acute angle to both a vertical axis through the device, and to a horizontal plane when the device is standing

The hght source is preferably located at the front of the device, and the handle grip portion is preferably inclined upwardly from the back of the device towards the front ot the device The angle ot inclination can be between about 30° and 60°, and is preferably approximately 40° The handle grip portion is preferably narrower than the width of the device at the base end thereof

The body is preferably hollow and defines a cavity to receive dry cells tor powering the light source The light source can comprise a pair of incandescent globes or LEDs which are mounted in the respective ends of a translucent tubular member which is mounted to the body The appropriate circuitry, and on/off switch, will be incorporated into the device tor connecting the dry cells to the light source The present invention further provides a portable lighting device including: a body adapted to contain dry cells for powering the device; at least one generally tubular translucent lens through which light generated by the device will emit; at least one incandescent globe or LED located at at least one of the tubular lens; and electric circuitry which in use connects the dry cells to said at least one globe or LED.

The tubular lens may be in the form ot a diffuser so that light emitted by said at least one globe or LED is diffused

If two globes, or two LEDs or a globe and an LED are used, one is located at either end of said tubular lens. If desired there can be more than one tubular lens thus more than one light source

The body is preferably of generally rectilinear elongate shape, and the lens is preferably straight and aligned longitudinally with the body The lens can be mounted within a light housing which is connected to the body via a pivotal connection which allows the light housing to be pivoted through an arc relative to the body. The pivot axis is preferably horizontal and the light housing can be adapted to pivot through an arc of at least 180°, and preferably approximately 270°

The invention also provides a portable lighting device including a generally elongate rectilinear body having a base, a light source which extends longitudinally along one side of the body, and a handle located at or near the upper end of the body, the light source including a translucent protective front cover which has a convex outer form when viewed in side elevation Preferably the light source includes an elongate light housing which contains an elongate light source, the light housing being pivotally connected at the operatively upper end thereof to the body. The light housing is preferably pivotable through an arc of at least about 180° relative to the body Preferably the light housing may be pivotable through an arc of about 270° The protective cover can be of generally U-shape in cross section and be formed as a one piece moulding adapted to transmit light therethrough over substantially its entire periphery. The convex shape of the cover can be of generally arcuate form having a radius of curvature significantly greater than the length of the lighting device.

The light housing can include the translucent tront cover, a translucent rear cover, an upper end portion, and a lower end portion, the upper end portion having pivot means thereon through which the light housing is pivotally connected to the body. The front and rear translucent covers can be in the form of lenses so as to either tocus or diffuse light emitting from the light source. The front and rear covers can be welded together to thereby further strengthen the light housing and also to provide a moisture barrier tor the light source.

The pivot means can include a friction pivot means adapted to hold the light housing to the body in any selected angle of orientation to which the light housing is pivoted in use. The pivot means can include a bar of circular cross section fixed to the body and a strap fixed to the light housing which passes around the bar, adjustable fastening means being provided to tighten or loosen the grip of the strap around the bar to thereby increase or decrease the fπctional grip of the strap around the bar to thereby provide an appropriate holding force to enable the light housing to be selectively positioned in different orientations relative to the body

The invention further provides a lantern having a light housing which allows a 360° radiation of light, said light housing including a light source and being pivotally connected to a lantern body by a rotational means, said body being ot a generally rectangular construction having said rotational means off-set from a longitudinal axis of said body, said lighting housing being able to rotate so as to cross said longitudinal axis of said body

Preferably the light housing has a rectangular lens assembly with one face which lies against the side of said body The body can have a foot extending away from the body to help increase stability when the body is resting in a generally vertical orientation

Preferably the lantern includes a handle means which is pivotally attached to the body

Preferably said body has a predetermined equilibrium position when laid down on either a front or rear

Preferably said light housing has its degree ot rotation limited relative to said body by the engagement of a portion ot said light housing and a portion of said rotation means.

Preferably said light housing forms an angle in the range of 0° to 220° relative to the longitudinal axis, when said light housing is at the limit of its rotation relative to the body

Preferably said rotational means is formed near the termini of angled portions which extend away from

Preferably the angled portions are at an angle in the range ot 35° to 60° and most preferably in the range of 40° to 50° to the longitudinal axis of said body, said angle being to the side of the body where said light housing rests in a fully retracted position

Preferably the handle means interacts with the body to provide a stable angled platform to lay said lantern down when desired and to angle the light housing so as to provide a low profile raised reading lamp

Preferably the body includes a reflector portion so that when said light housing is adjacent said body light directed from the light housing to the body will be reflected back through the light housing and away from the device

Preferably the reflector is pivotally mounted so that it can be rotated from a first position adjacent the body to a second position away from the body and adjacent to the light housing

Preferably the light housing when rotated to the limit of its travel has its centre of gravity closer to the centre of gravity, or the longitudinal axis passing through the centre of gravity of the body, by comparison to the location of the centre of gravity of the light housing when the light housing is rotated to approximately 90 degrees to the same longitudinal axis Preferably the light housing can be rotated to a position and held in that position being substantially any here between the limits ot rotation of the light housing relative to the body

Preferably the light source is one, or a combination of one or more, of the following a fluorescent tube; a cold cathode fluorescent lamp, a tubular lens with at least one in candescent globe in one end. a tubular lens with at least one LED in one end

It should be noted that where the word "comprising" or "comprised" is used in this specification that term should be interpreted inclusively rather than exclusively Also, the terms "upper" and "lower" are used to assist in the description ot the invention and are not intended to define the orientation in which the lighting device must be used or is used These and further features of the invention will be made apparent from the description of an embodiment thereof, given below by way of example In the description references are made to the accompanying drawings, but the specific features shown in the drawings should not be construed limiting on the invention

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 illustrates a side view ot a portable lighting device,

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the portable lighting device of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 illustrates a rear end view of the portable lighting device of Figure 1 ,

Figure 4 illustrates a front end view of the portable lighting device of Figure 1. Figure 5 illustrates a top plan view ot the portable lighting device of Figure 1 ,

Figure 6 illustrates a cross section ot the portable lighting device sectioned through plane VI- VI of Figure

1,

Figure 7 illustrates a cross section of the portable lighting device sectioned through the plane VII-VII of Figure 4, Figure 8 illustrates a cross section of the portable lighting device sectioned through the plane XIII-XIII of

Figure 4.

Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of the portable lighting device of Figure 1 with the light housing rotated away from the body,

Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view ot a lantern embodying the present invention. Figure 1 1 illustrates a rear perspective view of the lantern of Figure 10.

Figure 12 illustrates a perspective view of the lantern for Figure 10 in a folded down retracted position.

Figure 13 illustrates a side view of the lantern of Figure 12, Figure 14 illustrates a front view of the lantern of Figure 10,

Figure 15 illustrates a cross section ot the lantern of Figure 12.

Figure 16 illustrates a view similar to Figure 10 with the light housing shown in its position of furthest rotation. Figure 17A illustrates a perspective view of Figure 16,

Figure 18 illustrates a side view of the lantern of Figures 10 to 16 in a different orientation,

Figure 19 illustrates a perspective view of the lantern of Figure 10 with a rotatable reflector,

Figure 20 shows the rotatable reflector at the limit of its rotation, and

Figure 21 illustrates a cross section similar to Figure 15, with the fluorescent lamp replaced by a tubular lens and one LED

Detailed description of the embodiments

As shown in the drawings, a portable lighting device 10 has a body 12 of generally elongate rectilinear form As will be noted for example, from figures 5 and 6. the body is generally rectangular in the plan view The body 12 has a base 14 which is flat and on which the lighting device 10 is adapted to be stood whilst in use as a table top lantern or the like A battery cover moulding 16 forms part of the base and is removable to replace a battery cartridge indicated by dotted lines at 18 It is envisaged that the cartridge will contain 6 "D cell" dry cell batteries

The body 12 has a light housing 20 connected thereto by a pivotal connection 22 located at the upper end ot the body The pivotal connection 22 will be described in more detailed here below The light housing 20 is made from a translucent central portion 24 which is formed of a front cover 26 and a rear cover 28 which are welded together along weld line 30

An elongate light source 32' is provided in the form of a tubular translucent lens 32 mounted within the light housing 20 and a pair ot incandescent lamps 34 located in opposite ends ot the tubular lens 32 The tubular lens 32 thus has the appearance ot a longitudinal fluorescent lamp but, in tact, lighting is provided by the two incandescent lamps 34

The light housing 20 also includes a lower end portion 36 and an upper end portion 38 which houses the pivotal connection 22 If desired, the tubular lens 32 and incandescent lamps 34 ot light source 32' can be replaced by a fluorescent lamp, providing appropriate lamp holders are installed Alternatively the incandescent lamps 24 can be replaced by one or more LEDs A handle 40 is integrally formed with body 12 and is located on the operative upper end of the lighting device The handle 40, as is clear from Figure 3 is narrower than the rest of the body 12, and defines an opening 42 into which a user's fingers are received when carrying the lighting device 10 The handle 40 is inclined upwardly from the rear ot the lighting device 10 towards the front thereof, the angle of inclination being approximately 40° When held by the handle 40. the light emitted by the lamp 34 will project forwardly, and slightly downwardly, thereby providing a forwardly projecting light source 32' when the lighting device 10 is being earned in a comfortable position

The batteries used to power the lighting device 10 can be of considerable weight, therefore in order to make carrying the lighting device 10 more comfortable the handle 40 protrudes slightly from the back of the body 12 In combination with the acute angle of the handle the centre of mass of the lighting device 10 hangs beneath the hand of the carrier when the lighting device 10 is carried in a normal manner Clearly, the angle ot the handle

40 can differ from 40°. and an angle of between 30° and 60° is considered to provide the same characteristics

A switch 44 is located in the upper side of the handle 40 and is easily accessible by user's thumb for switching on and off the light source 32' Optionally the switch 44 can be a three position slide switch, where there is provided two light sources, so that in a first position only one light source is in the closed circuit, and in a second position both light sources are in the closed circuit The third position being an off position

The front face 48 of the front cover member 26 is ot convex shape when viewed in side elevation, that is. the Figure 1 view This curved form of the cover 26 adds significantly to the strength of the light housing 20 and also serves to distribute light from the light source 32' in a more diffused manner It should be noted that the curvature of the face 48 is arcuate, and the radius of curvature is relatively large, that is, significantly greater than the overall length of the body The arcuate form of the cover 26 also serves to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the lighting device 10

The pivotal connection 22 is shown in detail in figures 7 and 8 The body 12 includes a shaft 50 which spans across opposite sides thereof and provides a relatively rigid mounting axle to which the light housing 20 can connect The light housing 20 is provided with a pair of straps 52 which passes around the shaft 50, as shown in Figure 8. and are clamped around the shaft 50 by means ot screws 54 The tightness of the grip of straps 52 around the shaft 50 can be varied by adjusting the screws 54 Further, by appropriately sizing the straps 52 and shaft 50, the straps 52 and shaft 50 will yield a relatively similar magnitude of friction when assembled in the lighting device 10 on a production or assembly line. It is desirable that the light housing 20 is able to pivot to any selected position through an arc of approximately 270° This allows the lighting device 10 to be stood on its base 14 and the light housing 20 can be pivoted away from the body 12 to any selected position

Since the cover 24 is translucent around its entire periphery, the light housing 20. when standing vertically up away from the body 12 will distribute light in the substantially 360° arc, much in the manner of a candle Also, the light housing 20 can be positioned at right angles to the length ot the body 12 so that the light serves as a reading light or the like It is envisaged that during assembly the screws 54 will be adjusted so that the frictional grip of the straps 52 around the shaft 50 will be optimised to allow tor relatively easy pivoting of the light housing 20 relative to the body 12, yet the light housing 20 will maintain its position relative to the body 12 in any selected position of arc to which it is pivoted

If desired, the lighting device 10 need not take the overall form as has been disclosed herein although the form with a device depicted in the drawings is considered advantageous for the reasons outlined above It is envisaged that the lighting device 10 will be relatively simple to manufacture, and therefore relatively inexpensive. and yet will be not only robust but also able to be used in a number of different ways which adds significantly to the versatility of the lighting device 10

While a friction device in the form ot straps 52 and shaft 50 is preferably utilised, a rotating engagement means which will allow indexed rotational motion such as a ratchet device could be used Illustrated in Figure 9 is the light housing 26 shown in an elevated position relative to the body 12 In this position the side 12A ot body 12 is visible and the presence of a rectangular reflector 12B is noted

When the light housing 20 is adjacent the side 12A. the reflector 12B ensures that the full visible spectrum of light generated from the light source 32' in the light housing 20 will be reflected off the body side 12A ensuring maximum usable light by preventing a substantial amount ot visible light being absorbed by the body side 12A The reflector 12B can be a highly polished sheet material, silvered, white or other highly reflective sheet material, which can be a metal plastic or coated plastic

The sheet material is preferably captured between the left and right halves of the body 12. or it can be adhered to the side 12 A, or otherwise attached thereto In its most basic form the reflector 12B can be a white plastic sticker Another feature of the light housing 26 is that a side 26A (see figures 7 & 9) being that side which is outwardly directed when the light housing 20 is adjacent the body side 12A, is constructed from a frosted or translucent lens, while the opposite side 26B is constructed from a clear or transparent lens This ensures that when the light source 32' in light housing 20 is switched on. the reflector 12B will, due to the transparent nature of side 26B. receive a greater degree of light, which when reflected will pass back through side 26B, thus resulting in a more efficient transmission of light through side 26 A This can be particularly helpful if the lighting device 10 is being used tor reading purposes While the frosted and clear finishes cannot be illustrated, it will be seen from Figure 7 that 26A & 26B have different cross hatching in the cross section illustrated

Illustrated in Figures 10 to 21 is a lighting device in the form of a lantern 102 which has a generally rectangular lens assembly or light housing 104 which is rotatably connected to a generally rectangular body 106 by a pivot assembly 108 The lantern 102 of Figure 10 illustrates the light housing 104 in an extended position whilst Figures 12, 13 and 15 illustrate the light housing in retracted position relative to the body 106

In the view of Figure 10. the body 106 is of a generally rectangular construction having a front face 110, a rear tace 1 12 and left and right sides 114 and 116 The pivot assembly 108 is formed by two angled extensions 118 and 120 which extend away from the body 106 at approximately 45° to the vertical but an angle in the range of 15° to 60° can be utilised

In Figure 10 the light housing 104 is illustrated in a vertical orientation which together with the assistance ot a toot 122 ensures that the centre of gravity of light housing 104 is located between the forward extremity 122A of the foot 122 and the rearward extremity 122D of the base 122D This results in the lantern 102, when in the configuration illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 being in a stable position even though the centre ot gravity of the light housing 104 is positioned away from a longitudinal axis passing through the centre of gravity of the body 106 Whereas when the light housing 104 is rotated to its furthest point of rotation as illustrated in Figure 16 the centre of gravity is actually closer to the centre of gravity of body 106

The mass ot the dry cells and the body 106 being greater than the mass of the light housing 104 ensures that tipping will not occur A rotatable handle 123 is captured between half 106A and other half 106B of the body 106 and can rotate from a position adjacent the side 112, until it engages the light housing 104 Thus the position of the light housing 104 determines the limits ot rotation of handle 123

The pivot assembly 108 cooperates with the forward extremity 122A of the toot 122 so that when the light housing 104 is rotated to its furthest most rotational position as illustrated in Figure 16, the lantern 102 can be placed on a surface ot a table or other horizontal surface (generally represented by the axis 130) forming a three leg arrangement which will maintain the body 106 in a stable orientation with the light housing 104 being at an angle above the axis 130 (the axis 130 being representative of a generally horizontal surface)

Further, the handle 123 can cooperate with the rearward extremity 122D as illustrated in Figure 18 so as to rest the body 106 on rearward extremity 122D and edge 123 A of handle 123 onto a surface generally represented by phantom line 130 As the body 106 generally houses four D cell size batteries the lantern 102 will have sufficient mass in body 106 to produce a moment of greater magnitude around 123 A of handle 123 by comparison to the moment produced by the light housing 104 and the upper body portions including pivot assembly 108 around the same point This arrangement allows a highly flexible and variable arrangement which can be utilised to obtain high degrees of stability for a user The lantern 102 includes an on/off switch 124 on the body 106 while the light housing 104 includes an access panel 104A which utilises a screw 104B to secure the lens on the light housing 104 to the lens carrier 126 Alternatively a cover 104C as illustrated in Figure 17 which is comprised of 5 sides can provide the terminus of the light housing 104

In the retracted orientation as illustrated in Figure 12, the lantern 102 has the lens housing 104 adjacent to the body 106 As can be seen from Figure 14 an access panel 128 is provided on the forward face 1 10 of the body 106 so that a user ot the lantern 102 can gain access to the battery compartment for replacement or installation of dry cell batteries A feature of the lantern 102 is that the access panel 128 is manufactured from a highly reflective material such as silvered polymeric material, reflective metal or plastic material, or white painted or white coloured material This ensures that when the lantern 102 has the light housing 104 in the retracted position of Figure 12 and the light source is switched on, light generated from the light housing 102 emitted in the direction of the body 106 will be reflected, in the main, by panel 128 back out through the light housing 104 This ensures that in the retracted orientation the lantern 102 can be stood on a table and generate sufficient light to enable reading or other activity

Another feature ot the lantern 102 is that the light housing 104, when rotated to a vertical or over centre position as illustrated in Figure 16, generates light in a 360° circle around the longitudinal axis ot the light housing 104 and acting in much the same manner as a candle As illustrated in Figure 15 the cross section through the lantern 102 shows that the pivot assembly 108 includes a pivot clamp 108 A which is secured to the body 106 by means of a friction screw 108B The torque applied to friction screw 108B will determine the level of friction that the pivot clamp 108A will exert onto the spigot or shaft 108C which is integrally formed with or secured to the lens housing 126 in the reduced portion 126A The pivot clamp 108A allows the lens carrier 126 and light housing 104 to be positioned at any location between the limits ot travel of the lens carrier 126. and to hold the lens carrier 126 in that position without any outside assistance The pivot clamp 108 A is able to do this by means of the friction generated with the spigot or shaft 108C

The lens carrier 126 includes a fluorescent tube and electrical connection support 135 while the cover plate 104A or cover 104C has appropriate sockets to receive the terminals 137 of the fluorescent lamps and to electrically connect these ends so that current will flow through both fluorescent tubes

Between the body halves 106A and 106B is sufficient space to house tour D size dry cell batteries 139 and a printed circuit board 141 is included at the top of the body 106 with suitable wires and controls to the on/off switch 124 on the upper surface of the body 106 in the vicinity of the pivot assembly 108 Illustrated in figures 19 and 20 is an additional feature which can be utilised to provide greater efficiency ot the light housing 104 and provide a greater range of options available to the user

A rotating reflector plate 128 A, which if used removes the need to provide access panel 128 with the ability to reflect white light That is the panel 128 will not need to reflect white light

The rotating reflector 128 A is manufactured from a sheet material which has a face 128B capable of reflecting the visible light spectrum The reflective material can be anyone ot the currently available range of reflective material such as polished silvered, coated or white sheet materials which can be of metal or plastic as desired

The other side 128C can have the same reflective preparation, but is not preferred

The reflector 128A has two mounting limbs 128D and 128E bent or attached to right angles to the face 128B The limbs 128D and 128E have coaxial apertures therethrough which are captured in the pivot assembly 108 This mounting arrangement allows the reflector 128 A to be rotated simultaneously with the light housing 104 or at any time after if desired

Thus when the light housing 104 is rotated to its limit ot rotation as in Figure 20. the reflector 128 A can be rotated so as to he adjacent thereto thus ensuring greater efficiency of light housing 104 to emit light in the downward and rearward direction relative to the body 106 A similar effect results when the light housing 104 and the reflector 128 are both in the retracted position

Illustrated in Figure 21 is a cross section similar to that of Figure 15, with like parts being like numbered

The difference between the embodiment of figure 15 and 21 is that the light source 32' of Figure 15 (being a fluorescent lamp) has been replaced by a tubular lens 32 and an LED 34' If desired an additional LED 34" which is illustrated in Figure 21 in phantom line, can be provided at the other end of the tubular lens 32 This arrangement is similar to that described above with respect to Figures 1 and 4 Another alternative hght source which could be utilised is a cold cathode fluorescent lamp being approximately 3 to 6 mm in diameter

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more ot the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention

The toregoing describes embodiments ot the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto, without departing from the scope of the present invention

Claims

1 A portable lighting device including a generally elongate rectilinear body having a light source extending along one longitudinal side thereof, a base on one end thereof on which the device is adapted to stand, and a handle on the opposite end thereof, the handle comprising a handle grip portion which is aligned at an acute angle to both a vertical axis through the device, and to a horizontal plane when the device is standing on its base.

2 A portable lighting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light source is preferably located at the front ot the device 3 A portable lighting device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said handle gπp portion is preferably inclined upwardly from the back ot the device towards the front of the device

4 A portable lighting device as claimed in claim 3. wherein the angle of inclination is in the range of about 30° and 60°

5 A portable lighting device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said handle gπp portion is preferably narrower than the width of the device at the base end thereof

6 A portable lighting device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said body is hollow and defines a cavity to receive dry cells for powering the light source

7 A portable lighting device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said light source is at least incandescent globe or LED which are mounted in one end of a translucent tubular member which is mounted to the body

8 A portable lighting device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein appropriate circuitry, and an on/off switch, is provided for connecting the dry cells in circuit with the light source

9 A portable lighting device including a body adapted to contain dry cells for powering the device, at least one generally tubular translucent lens through which light generated by the device will emit, at least one incandescent globe or LED located at at least one of the tubular lens, and electric circuitry which in use connects the dry cells to said at least one globe or LED

10 A portable lighting device as claimed in claim 9, where in said tubular lens is a diffuser so that light emitted by said at least one globe or LED is diffused 1 1 A portable lighting device as claimed in any one ot claims 9 or 10, wherein when two globes, or two LEDs or a globe and an LED are used, one is located at either end of said tubular lens

12 A portable lighting device as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein said lighting device includes two light sources each being formed from at least one tubular translucent lens and at least one incandescent globe or LED

13. A portable lighting device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said body is of generally rectilinear elongate shape with the lens straight and aligned longitudinally with the body.

14 A portable lighting device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lens is mounted within a light housing which is connected to the body via a pivotal connection which allows the light housing to be pivoted through an arc relative to the body

15 A portable lighting device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a pivot axis is horizontal and the light housing is adapted to pivot through an arc of at least 180°. and preferably approximately 270°

16 A portable lighting device including a generally elongate rectilinear body having a base, a light housing which extends longitudinally along one side of the body, and a handle located at or near the upper end of the body, the light housing including a translucent protective front cover which has a convex outer form when viewed in side elevation

17 A portable lighting device as claimed in claim 16, wherein said light housing contains an elongate light source. 18. A portable lighting device as claimed in claim 16 or 17. wherein the light housing is pivotally connected at the operatively upper end thereof to the body.

19 A portable lighting device as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein said light housing is pivotable through an arc of between 90° and 270°.

20 A portable lighting device as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19. wherein said protective cover can be of generally U-shape in cross section.

21. A portable lighting device as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20 wherein said convex shape of said cover is of generally arcuate form having a radius of curvature significantly greater than the length of the lighting device.

22. A portable lighting device as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein said light housing includes the translucent front cover, a translucent rear cover, an upper end portion, and a lower end portion, the upper end portion having pivot means thereon through which the light housing is pivotally connected to the body.

23 A portable lighting device as claimed in claim 22, wherein said front and rear translucent covers can be in the form of lenses so as to either focus or diffuse light emitting from the light source. 24. A portable lighting device as claimed in any one of claims 22 or 23, wherein said front and rear covers are welded together to thereby further strengthen the light housing and or provide a moisture barrier for the light source. A portable lighting device as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 24. wherein said pivot means can include a friction pivot means adapted to hold the light housing to the body in any selected angle of orientation to which the light housing is pivoted in use A portable lighting device as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 25. wherein said pivot means can include a bar of circular cross section fixed to the body and a strap fixed to the light housing which passes around the bar, adjustable fastening means being provided to tighten or loosen the gnp of the strap around the bar to thereby increase or decrease the frictional gπp ot the strap around the bar to thereby provide an appropriate holding force to enable the light housing to be selectively positioned in different orientations relative to the body A lantern having a light housing which allows a 360° radiation of light, said light housing including a light source and being pivotally connected to a lantern body by a rotational means, said body being of a generally rectangular construction having said rotational means off-set from a longitudinal axis ot said body, said lighting housing being able to rotate so as to cross said longitudinal axis of said body A lantern as claimed in claim 27, wherein said light housing has a rectangular lens assembly with one face which lies against the side of said body A lantern as claimed in claim 27 or 28, wherein said body has a foot extending away from the body to help increase stability when the body is resting in a generally vertical orientation A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein there is also included a handle means which is pivotally attached to the body A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 30. wherein said body has a predetermined equihbπum position when laid down on either a front or rear side of said body A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 31 , wherein said light housing has its degree ot rotation limited relative to said body by the engagement of a portion of said light housing and a portion of said rotation means A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 32, wherein said light housing forms an angle in the range ot 0° to 270° relative to the longitudinal axis, when said light housing is at the limit of its rotation relative to the body A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 33, wherein said rotational means is formed near the termini of angled portions which extend away from said body A lantern as claimed in claim 34. wherein the angled portions are at an angle in the range of 35° to 60° and most preferably in the range of 40° to 50° to the longitudinal axis of said body, said angle being to the side of the body where said light housing rests in a fully retracted position A lantern as claimed in any one ot claims 27 to 35 wherein the handle means interacts with the body to provide a stable angled platform to lay said lantern down when desired and to angle the light housing so as to provide a low profile raised reading lamp A lantern as claimed in any one ot claims 27 to 36 wherein said body includes a reflector portion so that when said light housing is adjacent said body light directed from the light housing to the body will be reflected back through the light housing and away from the device A lantern as claimed in claim 37, wherein said reflector is pivotally mounted so that it can be rotated from a first position adjacent the body to a second position away from the body and adjacent to the light housing A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 38. wherein said light housing when rotated to the limit of its travel has its centre of gravity closer to the centre of gravity, or the longitudinal axis passing through the centre of gravity of the body, by comparison to the location of the centre of gravity of the hght housing when the light housing is rotated to approximately 90 degrees to the same longitudinal axis A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 39, wherein said light housing is able to be rotated to a position and held in that position being substantially anywhere between the limits of rotation ot the light housing relative to the body A lantern as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 40, wherein said light source is one, or a combination of one or more, of the following a fluorescent tube, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp, a tubular lens with at least one in candescent globe in one end. a tubular lens with at least one LED in one end