LANTERN CASE WITH FUEL CANISTER STORAGE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

(0001) This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/706,474, filed August 8, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

(0002) The present invention is directed to fuel burning appliances, and more specifically to cases for fuel burning appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(0003) In general, a lantern is a portable light having a fuel source or power source. Lanterns may be used, for example, for camping, for other outdoor recreational activities, or to provide a work light in an outdoor environment.

(0004) Lanterns that burn liquid or low pressure (LP) fuel are well known. Such lanterns include a burner assembly to which fuel is delivered and one or more catalytic mantles which are mounted on the burner assembly. The fuel burns within the catalytic mantles and the mantles incandesce and provide a bright light. The mantles are usually surrounded by a glass cylindrical globe.

(0005) One problem often encountered with fuel burning lanterns is transport and storage of fuel for the lanterns. Often, a fuel canister must be stored in a safe location, such as in a garage. Because the fuel canister is typically stored separate from the lantern, the fuel canister must be remembered for a trip. In addition, when transporting the fuel canister, the fuel canister should be immobilized while in a vehicle.

(0006) A convenient canister that is used for many fuel burning lanterns is a propane cylinder. These cylinders are easy to transport and store because of their size and sturdiness. In use, a propane cylinder is typically threaded onto a lantern, and can serve as a base for the lantern as well as a storage container for the fuel.

(0007) Although propane cylinders work well for their intended purpose, a user must still store the cylinders and find a convenient place for transporting a cylinder, for example in a box. Often, a user will bring more than one cylinder so that a spare cylinder is available when fuel is expended. If multiple cylinders are used, these cylinders must be stored and then transported.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

(0008) The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

(0009) In accordance with an embodiment, a case is provided for a fuel burning appliance, such as a lantern. The case includes a compartment, such as a separate internal cavity or a designated area of the case, for storage of one or more fuel canisters. The case and fuel canister compartment may be configured for a particular fuel burning appliance and a particular fuel canister or canisters.

(0010) In an embodiment, the fuel canister compartment is attached to the bottom of a hard sided case for a lantern. A lid is provided for the fuel canister compartment that provides access to the fuel canister compartment for storing or removing a fuel canister. In an embodiment, two fuel canisters are stored in a single fuel canister compartment. Each fuel canister is provided a well

that is configured to confine movement of the fuel canister during transport.

(0011) Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(0012) FIGURE 1 is side perspective view of a lantern case in accordance with an embodiment;

(0013) FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a fuel canister compartment for the lantern case of FIG. 1;

(0014) FIG. 3 is a top view of a lantern compartment for the lantern case of FIG. 1, with the lantern compartment shown folded open; and

(0015) FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a fuel canister compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(0016) In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well- known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.

(0017) Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a lantern case 20 incorporating features of the present invention. The lantern case 20 includes a lantern compartment 22 at an upper portion, and a fuel canister compartment 24 at a lower portion. In general, as described in more detail below, the lantern compartment 22 is configured to store a lantern, and the fuel canister compartment 24 is configured to store one or more fuel canisters 40.

(0018) Although the embodiment shown includes the fuel canister compartment 24 below the lantern compartment 22, the fuel canister compartment 24 may be positioned at another location relative to the lantern compartment, including, but not limited to, the side of the lantern case

20, or above the lantern case. In addition, the fuel canister compartment 24 may be split into sections at different locations around the lantern compartment 22, including opposite sides of the lantern compartment, and/or the top or bottom of the lantern compartment. In another embodiment, the fuel canister compartment 24 may be included in the same compartment with the lantern compartment 22 (i.e., the fuel canisters 40 may be stored within the same internal cavity of the lantern case 20 as the lantern or other fuel burning appliance) . Thus, the fuel canister compartment 24 may be a designated area of the lantern case 20 that is in a same cavity with the lantern compartment 22, or may be a compartment that is part of the lantern case but that is separate from the lantern compartment.

(0019) While the features of the present invention have particular application to a lantern case such as the lantern case 20, aspects of the invention may be utilized with any fuel burning appliance that utilizes fuel canisters. In addition, the canister compartment 24 may be configured to store a number of different types of fuel canisters, including, but not limited to, propane cylinders, liquid fuel containers, LP gas cylinders, or other liquid or gas fuel canisters. In addition, aspects of the present invention may be utilized to provide a compartment for use with a storage case and for storing something other than a

fuel canister.

(0020) In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the lantern compartment 22 is a clam shell style hard case. However, other arrangement may be used, such as cases in which a top or bottom is removed and/or soft sided cases. The lantern compartment 22 shown in the drawings includes a base 30, a left side 32, and a right side 34. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the lantern compartment 22 opens in a clam shell manner to expose an interior of the lantern compartment. A lantern such as a fuel burning lantern may be appropriately stored in this lantern compartment 22 in an upright, vertical manner. A handle 3β is provided at the top of the lantern compartment 22 for carrying the lantern case 20, and a latch 38 is utilized to lock the left side 32 and the right side 34 into the storage position.

(0021) In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the fuel canister compartment 24 is configured and arranged to store one or more fuel canisters 40. In the embodiment shown, the fuel canister compartment 24 is configured to store two fuel canisters 40 lying adjacent to one another and side by side. However, as described earlier, the fuel canister compartment 24 may be arranged differently so that fuel canisters 40 may be positioned in different positions relative to the lantern compartment 22, and/or in different positions relative to one another.

Moreover, instead of lying in a horizontal position in the fuel canister compartment 24, the fuel canisters 40 may be arranged in an upright or tilted manner.

(0022) In the embodiment shown, the fuel canister compartment 24 includes two wells 42 that are configured to receive the sides of the fuel canisters 40. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the canisters are sixteen fluid ounce propane cylinders, such as the well-known green cylinders marketed by The Coleman Company, Inc., assignee of the present invention. In an embodiment, the wells 42 are shaped to confine movement of the fuel canisters 40 by tightly receiving the fuel canisters and preventing their contact with one another and significant movement within the fuel canister compartment 24.

(0023) In an embodiment of a fuel canister compartment 124 shown in FIG. 4, the wells 140 are shaped so that fuel canisters 40 placed within the wells are friction fit into position. To this end, projections or protrusions 150 are provided that increase an interference fit of the fuel canisters 40. In addition, if desired, the bottom of the lantern compartment 22 may abut the top of fuel canisters within the wells 140, further increasing the friction fit of the canisters.

(0024) The fuel canister compartment 24 also includes side walls 44 that extend around three sides of the

fuel canister compartment 24. A lid 46 closes the fourth side of the fuel canister compartment 24. In accordance with an embodiment, the lid 46 includes tabs or another structure to hold the lid in place when closed, and a hinge (e.g., a live hinge) to allow the lid to be hinged opened.

(0025) The fuel canister compartment 24 in the embodiment shown in the drawings includes a top edge 48 configured to receive the bottom of the base 30 for the lantern compartment 22. To this end, the top edge 48 includes recesses that receive a rounded outer portion of the bottom of the base 30.

(0026) In the embodiment shown, anchors 50 are supplied at the top edge 48 of the fuel canister compartment 24. These anchors 50 engage holes (not shown) on the bottom of the base 30 for the lantern compartment 22. Pressing the lantern compartment 22 downward onto the top edge 48 of the fuel canister compartment 24 causes the anchors 40 to lock into the holes on the bottom of the base 30. In this manner, the fuel canister compartment 24 is locked onto the bottom of the lantern compartment 22. In an embodiment, the anchors lock the fuel canister compartment 24 in place and do not permit its removal from the lantern compartment 22. When the base 30 is locked in place, a bottom of the base is spaced so that canisters 40 within the fuel canister compartment 24 are confined against upward movement (i.e.,

the bottom is very close to the top of canisters in the fuel canister compartment) .

(0027) If desired, the fuel canister compartment 24 and lantern compartment 22 may be formed of an integral, one piece structure. If so, there is no need for the anchors 50 or another attachment structure for attaching the fuel canister compartment 24 to the lantern compartment 22. However, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the fuel canister compartment 24 may be sold as an add-on feature to the lantern compartment 22. If desired, the add-on feature may include two fuel canisters 40 when marketed. In accordance with another embodiment, fuel canisters 40 may be marketed with the entire lantern case 20.

(0028) Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

(0029) The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the"

and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including, " and "containing" are to be construed as open- ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

(0030) Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above- described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.