Detachable torch lighting device

Abstract

A lantern lighting device is disclosed that can include a lantern and a base that can be configured to hold the lantern, where the base can include a light emitting element that can be independent of a light emitting element of the lantern. The lantern lighting device can include a base that includes a base power source and a base light emitting element, and a lantern that is detachably attached to the base. The lantern can include a lantern lighting element and a lantern power source. The base can be configured to cause the base light emitting element to emit light when the lantern is detached from the base, and to cause the base light emitting element to not emit light when the lantern is detachably attached to the base.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 273,336, filed October 29, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to portable lighting devices. More specifically, this invention relates to a portable lantern lighting device having an independently illuminated base. Background Technology

[0004] Area lights, such as lanterns and work lights, have existed for decades with little innovation. Traditional lanterns, like those used in camping and other recreational activities, must be manually operated and repeatedly adjusted to maintain a consistent lighting angle. Constantly moving lanterns from one area to another during a project is undesirable and can be cumbersome. Furthermore, it's difficult to determine the direction of the lighting provided by a lantern, and their often bulky size makes them unsuitable for many spaces and applications. Moreover, in hard-to-illuminate areas, lanterns require one hand to operate, hindering the use of both hands to complete a task. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure relates to a lantern lighting device having independent lighting and a removable auxiliary lighting device.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a lantern lighting device is provided, comprising: a base including a base power supply and a base light-emitting element; and a lantern detachably attached to the base, the lantern including a lantern lighting element and a lantern power supply, the base being configured such that the base light-emitting element emits light when the lantern is detached from the base, and the base light-emitting element does not emit light when the lantern is detachably attached to the base.

[0007] The base may include a threaded connection mechanism, such that the lantern is configured to separate the lantern from the base by rotating the lantern by a predetermined angle in a first direction and pulling it in a second direction.

[0008] The predetermined angle may include a 45° angle, the first direction may include a counterclockwise direction, and the second direction may include a direction away from the base.

[0009] The base may include a plurality of base charging contacts, which are configured to engage with a corresponding one of the plurality of lantern charging contacts of the lantern.

[0010] The plurality of base charging contacts may include pins protruding from the bottom surface of a recess located at the top of the base, the recess being configured to hold the bottom of the lantern within the recess.

[0011] The base may include processing circuitry configured to detect whether the lantern is attached to the base, and to disable the light-emitting element of the base when the lantern is attached to the base.

[0012] The base may include processing circuitry configured to detect whether the lantern is separated from the base, and to cause the base's light-emitting element to emit light when the lantern is separated from the base.

[0013] The lantern can be detected by the processing circuit using at least one presence sensor.

[0014] The lantern can be detected by means of changes in the inductance or resistance of multiple base charging contacts. The processing circuit can be implemented using a single printed circuit board (PCB).

[0015] The lantern may include a lantern power switch configured to switch the illumination (light emission) of the lantern light-emitting element, and the base includes a base power switch configured to switch the illumination (light emission) of the base light-emitting element.

[0016] The lantern light-emitting element may include at least one lantern light-emitting diode (LED), and the base light-emitting element includes at least one base light-emitting diode.

[0017] The lantern may include a removable lantern diffuser, and the base may include a base lantern diffuser.

[0018] The base power supply may include at least one first battery, and the lantern power supply may include at least one second battery.

[0019] The base may include a removable battery cover that exposes the power source of the base.

[0020] The lantern may include a handle that protrudes outward from the bottom of the lantern.

[0021] The handle may include a component attached to the top of the lantern, the component comprising: a first component portion extending along the vertical axis of the lantern; and a second component portion projecting outward relative to the first component portion at a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle may be 90 degrees.

[0022] The lantern may include a heat sink integrated into the housing of the light-emitting element.

[0023] The present invention also provides a method comprising providing a lantern lighting device, the lantern lighting device comprising: a base including a base power supply and a base light-emitting element; and a lantern detachably attached to the base, the lantern including a lantern lighting element and a lantern power supply; wherein the base is configured such that the base light-emitting element emits light when the lantern is detached from the base, and the base light-emitting element does not emit light when the lantern is detachably attached to the base. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Many aspects of this disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, but are intended to emphasize and clearly interpret the principles of this disclosure. Furthermore, similar reference numerals in the figures identify corresponding parts in multiple views.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a front view of a lantern lighting device including a base and a lantern according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a front perspective view of a lantern lighting device including a base and a lantern according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a side view of a lantern lighting device including a base and a lantern according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figures 4A to 4C The sequence (steps) for removing a lantern from the base of a lantern lighting device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.

[0029] Figures 5A to 5B The sequence of removing the lantern from the base of the lantern lighting device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a front perspective view of a lantern of a lantern lighting device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 7 This is a side cross-sectional view of a lantern of a lantern lighting device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 8 This is a side view of a lantern of a lantern lighting device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 9 This is a bottom view of a lantern of a lantern lighting device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 10This is a front perspective view of the base of a lantern lighting device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 11 This is a top view of the base of a lantern lighting device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 12 This is a side cross-sectional view of the base of the lantern lighting device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 13 This is a side view of the base of a lantern lighting device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 14 This is a side cross-sectional view of the base of a lantern lighting device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 15 This is a side cross-sectional view of the base of the lantern and the lantern lighting device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0040] This disclosure relates to a lantern lighting device having independent illumination and a removable auxiliary lighting device. As mentioned above, area lights, such as lanterns and work lights, have existed for decades with little innovation. Traditional lanterns, such as those used in camping and other recreational activities, must be manually operated and repeatedly adjusted to fix the lighting angle. Constantly moving lanterns from one area to another during a project is undesirable and can be cumbersome. Furthermore, it is difficult to determine the direction of the illumination provided by a lantern, and lanterns are often bulky, making them unsuitable for use in many spaces and various applications. Moreover, for areas that are difficult to illuminate, lanterns require one hand to operate, preventing the operator from using both hands to complete a task.

[0041] According to various embodiments described herein, a lantern lighting device is disclosed, comprising a lantern and a base configured to connect and / or hold the lantern, wherein the base has a light-emitting element independent of the lantern's light-emitting element. The lantern lighting device may include a base comprising a base power supply and a base light-emitting element, the lantern being detachably attached to the base, the lantern including the lantern lighting element and the lantern power supply. The base is configured to illuminate the base light-emitting element when the lantern is separated from the base, and to de-illuminate the base light-emitting element when the lantern is detachably attached to the base.

[0042] Now refer to the attached diagram, Figure 1 A front view of a lantern lighting device 100 according to various embodiments is shown. Figure 2 A perspective view of a lantern lighting device 100 according to various embodiments is shown. Figure 3A side view of a lantern lighting device according to various embodiments is shown. (See also...) Figures 1 to 3 The lantern lighting device includes a base 103 and a lantern 106. The base 103 includes a base power supply (e.g., one or more base batteries) and a base light-emitting element (e.g., one or more base light-emitting diodes (LEDs)). The lantern 106 is detachably attached to the base 103 and may include the lantern lighting element (e.g., one or more lantern batteries) and the lantern power supply (e.g., one or more lantern LEDs). The base 103 can be configured to illuminate the base light-emitting element (e.g., turn it on) when the lantern 106 is detached from the base, and to de-illuminate the base light-emitting element (e.g., turn it off) when the lantern 106 is detachably attached to the base 103, as will be described below.

[0043] For this purpose, Figures 1 to 3 An assembled lantern lighting device 100 is shown, comprising a lantern 106 removable from a base 103 and a base 103 capable of operating as a stand-alone lantern. When docked, the lantern 106 can be charged by a base power source (e.g., one or more batteries stored in the base 103). In some examples, the base 103 does not emit light when the lantern 106 is docked in it. As will be described below, an auxiliary lighting (e.g., illumination of the base 103) can be activated during the disengagement sequence.

[0044] Based on the foregoing, by removing the lantern 106 from the base 103, the lantern lighting device 100 can be operated and used as two separate lanterns. The base 103 may also include a battery cover 109, a handle 112 (e.g., a rubber handle), a base power switch 115, and a base diffuser 118. The lantern 106 may include a lantern diffuser 121 (e.g., a removable lantern diffuser), a lantern power switch 124, and a lantern handle 127. When the battery cover 109 is removed, the base power supply is exposed.

[0045] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the handle 127 of the lantern 106 may protrude outward from the bottom of the lantern 106. The handle 127 may include a member 130 attached to the top of the lantern 106. The member 130 may include a first member portion 130a extending along the vertical axis of the lantern 106 and a second member portion 130b projecting outward relative to the first member portion 130a at a predetermined angle. In some examples, this predetermined angle is 90 degrees.

[0046] Now refer to Figures 4A to 4C and Figures 5A to 5BThe diagram illustrates the sequence (steps) for removing the lantern 106 from the base 103. It is noteworthy that the base 103 may include a threaded connection mechanism such that the lantern 106 is configured to be detached from the base 103 by rotating the lantern by a predetermined angle in a first direction and pulling it in a second direction. For example, this predetermined angle may be 45 degrees (or other suitable value), the first direction may be counterclockwise, and the second direction may be away from the base 103. In other words, for example, the detachment operation of the lantern 106 from the base 103 may include rotating the lantern 106 counterclockwise by 45 degrees and pulling the lantern 106 out of the base 103.

[0047] Turn Figures 6 to 9 , Figure 6 A perspective view of the lantern 106, independent of the base 103, according to various embodiments is shown. Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the lantern 106 according to various embodiments is shown. Figure 8 A side view of the lantern 106 according to various embodiments is shown. Figure 9 A bottom view of a lantern 106 according to various embodiments is shown. Referring also to these figures, and as described above, the lantern 106 may also include one or more lantern light-emitting elements 133 and a lantern power supply 136. The one or more lantern light-emitting elements 133 may, for example, include one or more LEDs or other lighting devices.

[0048] In addition, the lantern 106 may include a heat sink / light-emitting element housing 139. For example, the heat sink may be integrated into the light-emitting element housing (which retains the heat emitted by the lantern's light-emitting element 133). The lantern power supply 136 may include one or more of a lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery or a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, although other types of batteries may also be used. Furthermore, the lantern 106 may include processing circuitry, which in some examples may be implemented in and as part of the lantern's printed circuit board 141. The lantern 106 may also include a lantern charging contact 144, which may contact and form an electrical connection with a corresponding base charging contact (not shown).

[0049] The following reference Figures 10 to 14 , Figure 10 A perspective view of the base 103, independent of the lantern 106, is shown according to various embodiments. Figure 11 A top view of the base 103 according to various embodiments is shown. Figure 12 Side and partial cross-sectional views of the base 103 according to various embodiments are shown. Figure 13 A side view of the base 103 according to various embodiments is shown, and Figure 14A cross-sectional view of the base 103 according to various embodiments is shown. Referring also to these figures, the base 103 may include one or more base charging contacts 147 configured to engage with corresponding lantern charging contacts 144 of the lantern 106. In some examples, such as Figure 10 As shown, the base charging contact 147 includes a pin projecting from the bottom surface of a recess 150 located at the top of the base 103, wherein the recess 150 is configured to hold the bottom of the lantern 106 within the recess. As described above, the base 103 also includes a battery cover 109, a handle 112 (e.g., a rubber handle), a base power switch 115, and a base diffuser 118.

[0050] In some examples, a keyed-dock-and-twist connection mechanism can be used to form a connection between the lantern 106 and the base 103. For example, the keyed-dock-and-twist connection can be implemented using a first hole 153a of a first shape (e.g., a semi-circular hole) that engages with a similarly shaped protrusion on the lantern 106, and a second hole 153b of a second shape (e.g., a square or rectangular hole) that engages with a similarly shaped protrusion on the lantern 106. The keyed-dock-and-twist connection mechanism can serve as a safety protocol to ensure that the operator does not reverse the polarity of the base charging contacts 147 and / or the lantern charging contacts 144. This protects the power supply to the lantern lighting device 100 and the processing circuitry housed therein.

[0051] The base 103 may also include a power compartment 156, a base power supply 159, a base power switch 115, and a base printed circuit board 165. The base power supply 162 may be located within the power compartment 156 and may include one or more batteries (e.g., Li-Po or Li-ion batteries). The processing circuitry of the base 103 may be part of and implemented within the base printed circuit board 165. Therefore, the base 103 may include processing circuitry configured to detect whether the lantern 106 is attached to the base 103 and to de-illuminate the base light-emitting element 168 when the lantern 106 is attached to the base 103. Similarly, the base 103 may include processing circuitry configured to detect whether the lantern 106 is separated from the base 103 and to illuminate the base light-emitting element 168 when the lantern 106 is separated from the base 103. The connection between the lantern 106 and the base 103 can be detected or undetected by means of a processing circuit using at least one presence sensor (not shown) or a change in the inductance or resistance of the base charging contact 147.

[0052] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry of the base 103 is implemented using a single base printed circuit board 165. Similarly, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry of the lantern 106 is implemented using a single lantern printed circuit board 141.

[0053] Lantern 106 may include a lantern power switch 124 configured to toggle the illumination of lantern light-emitting element 133, and base 103 may include a base power switch 115 configured to toggle the illumination of base light-emitting element 168. Lantern power switch 124 and / or base power switch 115 can switch their respective light-emitting elements between different operating modes, such as high-intensity mode, low-intensity mode, medium-intensity mode, flash mode, etc.

[0054] Now go to Figure 14 In some embodiments, when the lantern 106 is docked (or attached to the base 103), only one or more lantern light-emitting elements 133 in the lantern 106 are illuminated, and the lantern light-emitting elements 133 are controlled using a lantern power switch 124 located on the base of the lantern 106. On the other hand, when the lantern 106 is detached from the dock (e.g., separated from the base 103), one or more base light-emitting elements 168 located in the base diffuser 118 are illuminated. This function can be used as an auxiliary lighting fixture. In various embodiments, one or more base light-emitting elements 168 can be oriented such that the entire base diffuser 118 is illuminated. In some embodiments, one or more base light-emitting elements 168 can be controlled by a base power switch 115 located at the lower or middle part of the base 103.

[0055] The above-described features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments, and the features discussed in the various embodiments are interchangeable, if possible. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of this disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the technical solutions of this disclosure can be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or other methods, components, and materials can be employed. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations have not been shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of this disclosure.

[0056] Although relative terms such as "upper," "lower," "upper part," and "lower part" are used in this specification to describe the relative relationship between one component and another, these terms are used only for convenience, for example, as orientation in the example shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that if a device is inverted, the aforementioned "upper part" component will become the "lower part." When one structure is "on" another structure, it is possible that the structure is integrally formed on the other structure, or that the structure is "directly" arranged on the other structure, or that the structure is "indirectly" arranged on the other structure through another structure.

[0057] In this specification, terms such as “a”, “an”, “the”, and “described” are used to indicate the presence of one or more elements and components. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “containing,” and variations thereof are used to indicate openness and are intended to include additional elements, components, etc., besides those listed, unless otherwise specified in the appended claims. The terms “first,” “second,” etc., are used merely as labelling and not as a limitation on any object.

[0058] The embodiments described above are merely possible implementations presented to clearly understand the principles of this disclosure. Many variations and modifications can be made to one or more of the above embodiments without materially departing from the concept and principles of this disclosure. All such modifications and variations are to be included within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lantern lighting device, comprising: A base, comprising a lantern connecting mechanism, a base power supply, and a base light-emitting element located on top of the base, wherein the base forms the bottom portion of the lantern lighting device; as well as A lantern, which is detachably attached to the lantern connection mechanism on the top of the base, the lantern including a lantern lighting element and a lantern power supply; as well as The processing circuit located within the base, in response to the lantern separating from the lantern connecting mechanism at the top of the base, causes the base light-emitting element to emit light.

2. The lantern lighting device according to claim 1, wherein, The base includes a threaded connection mechanism, such that the lantern is configured to separate from the base by rotating the lantern by a predetermined angle in a first direction and pulling it in a second direction.

3. The lantern lighting device according to claim 2, wherein, The predetermined angle includes a 45° angle, the first direction includes a counterclockwise direction, and the second direction includes a direction away from the base.

4. The lantern lighting device according to claim 1, wherein, The base includes a plurality of base charging contacts, which are configured to engage with a corresponding one of the plurality of lantern charging contacts of the lantern.

5. The lantern lighting device according to claim 4, wherein, The plurality of base charging contacts include pins protruding from the bottom surface of a recess located at the top of the base, the recess being configured to hold the bottom of the lantern therein.

6. The lantern lighting device according to claim 1, wherein, The base includes processing circuitry, which is configured to: The sensor is used to detect whether the lantern is attached to the base; as well as When the sensor detects that the lantern is attached to the base, the light-emitting element of the base is turned off.

7. The lantern lighting device according to claim 1, wherein, The base includes processing circuitry, which is configured to: The sensor is used to detect whether the lantern has separated from the base; as well as When the sensor detects that the lantern has been separated from the base, the light-emitting element of the base is made to emit light.

8. The lantern lighting device according to claim 1, wherein, The lantern is detected by the processing circuit using at least one presence sensor.

9. The lantern lighting device according to claim 1, wherein, The lantern detects changes in the inductance or resistance of multiple base charging contacts.

10. The lantern lighting device according to claim 6, wherein, The processing circuit is implemented using a single printed circuit board.

11. The lantern lighting device according to claim 1, wherein, The lantern includes a lantern power switch configured to switch the illumination of the lantern's light-emitting element, and the base includes a base power switch configured to switch the illumination of the base's light-emitting element.

12. The lantern lighting device according to claim 1, wherein, The lantern light-emitting element includes at least one lantern light-emitting diode, and the base light-emitting element includes at least one base light-emitting diode.

13. The lantern lighting device according to claim 1, wherein, The lantern includes a removable lantern diffuser, and the base includes a base lantern diffuser.

14. The lantern lighting device according to claim 1, wherein, The base power supply includes at least one first battery, while the lantern power supply includes at least one second battery.

15. The lantern lighting device according to claim 14, wherein, The base includes a removable battery cover that exposes the power source of the base.

16. The lantern lighting device according to claim 1, wherein, The lantern includes a handle that protrudes outward from the bottom of the lantern.

17. The lantern lighting device according to claim 16, wherein, The handle includes a component attached to the top of the lantern, the component comprising: a first component portion extending along the vertical axis of the lantern; and a second component portion projecting outward at a predetermined angle relative to the first component portion.

18. The lantern lighting device according to claim 17, wherein, The predetermined angle is 90 degrees.

19. The lantern lighting device according to claim 17, wherein, The lantern includes a heat sink integrated into the housing of the light-emitting element.

20. A method comprising: A lantern lighting device is provided, the lantern lighting device comprising: A base, comprising a lantern connecting mechanism located at the top of the base, a base power supply, and a base light-emitting element, wherein the base forms the bottom portion of the lantern lighting device; and A lantern, detachably attached to the top of the base via a lantern connection mechanism, the lantern including a lantern lighting element and a lantern power supply; and In response to the lantern separating from the lantern connection mechanism at the top of the base, the processing circuit causes the light-emitting element of the base to emit light.

Images