PORTABLE ELECTRONIC APPLIANCE HAVING A SWITCH WITH A MECHANICAL LOCK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a portable lantern, a more specifically, to a switch lock-out to prevent accidental activation of the on/off switch on the lantern.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In general, a lantern is a portable light having a fiiel source or a power source. The lamp or mantles for a lantern are typically housed behind a round globe, and a base is positioned below the globe and a cap above the globe. Lanterns may be used, for example, for camping, for other outdoor recreational activities, or to provide a work light in an outdoor environment

Lanterns that bum liquid fuel or low pressure (LP) fuel are well known. More recently, lanterns that operate on batteries have become popular. For example, a lantern may utilize a rechargeable battery or one or more dry cell batteries, such as four D cell batteries. These battery-powered lanterns typically use a light source such as an incandescent bulb, a light emitting diode (LED), a fluorescent tube, or other types of lamps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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 of some embodiments that are presented later.

In accordance with an embodiment, a mechanical lockout is provided for a switch for an electrical appliance, such as a lantern or a flashlight. In an embodiment, a sleeve or collar is rotatable to provide selective access to a switch for the electrical appliance. As an example, a lantern may include a rotatable sleeve at a base of the lantern, with the switch mounted behind the rotatable sleeve. An opening on the sleeve may align with the switch in one orientation, and may be removed from the switch so that the sleeve covers the switch in a second orientation.

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

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a side perspective view of a lantern in accordance with an embodiment, with the lantern in a first orientation in which a switch for the lantern may be accessed;

FIG. 2 is an exploded side perspective view of the lantern of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the lantern of FIG. 1, with the rotating sleeve in a second orientation in which the switch cannot be accessed;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a lock feature for the sleeve for the lantern of FIG. 1, with the sleeve in an unlocked position; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a lock feature for the sleeve for the lantern of FIG. 1, with the sleeve in a locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a mechanical lock-out for providing selective access to a switch on an electrical appliance. The mechanical lock-out can be a sleeve or collar movably positioned on the appliance, the sleeve being movable between a first and second positions to provide selective access to a switch on the electrical appliance. In the first position, the sleeve is positioned to provide access to the switch, and in the second position the sleeve covers the switch preventing access to the switch. Thus, in the second position, the switch is safe from accidental or unintentional engagement, preventing the electrical appliance from being turned on due to incidental contact.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts,

FIG. 1 shows a lantern 20 in accordance with the present disclosure. The lantern 20 includes a base 22 and a globe 24. A collar 26 is positioned between the base 22 and the globe 24. A cap 28 is attached to the top of the globe 24. A reflective cone 30 is mounted beneath the cap 28 and inside the globe 24.

The lantern 20 can be an electric lantern, having a lamp 32 is mounted within the globe 24. The lamp 32 can be an LED lamp, however other types of lamps may be used including incandescent lights, fluorescent lights, and the like. The lamp 32 provides a light source within the globe 24 emanating light through the globe 24. The light beam provided by the lamp 32 is distributed outside the globe 24 at least in part by the reflective cone 30.

Although described with reference to the lantern 20, the present disclosure may be utilized with a flashlight or another portable, electronic device. In accordance with an embodiment, a mechanical lock is provided for preventing accidental engagement and/or actuation of a switch, such as an on/off switch, for an electrical appliance, such as the lantern 20.

Referring to FIG. 2, a mechanical lock for the lantern 20 blocks access to an on/off switch 40. The switch 40 opens and closes a circuit connected to a battery 42 and the lamp 32. The switch 40 may also provide other functions, such as incrementing between bright and less bright settings, a strobe setting, and/or an offsetting. The battery 42 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery, or one or more disposable dry cell batteries.

The base 22 for the lantern 20 includes an internal housing 44. A rotating sleeve 46 is mounted over and around the internal housing 44, and is free to rotate relative to the internal housing 44. The sleeve 46 includes an opening 70 and the internal housing 44 includes an opening 50 aligned with the switch 40. In a first, unlocked, position, as shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve opening 70 is aligned with the internal housing opening 50, providing access to the switch 40. To block access to the switch 40, as shown in FlG. 3, the sleeve 46 is rotated to a second position, such that the sleeve opening 70 is un-aligned with the internal housing opening 50, and a portion of the outer wall of the sleeve 46 covers the internal housing opening 50 and the switch 40. In this configuration, the outer wall of the sleeve 46 blocks access to the switch 40. Additionally, trie switch 40 is safe from accidental engagement, preventing the lantern 20 from being turned on due to incidental contact This feature is helpful, for example, when the lantern 20 is stored or when the lantern is positioned within a backpack, for example.

As can be understood, a variety of other structures may be utilized to block access to a switch. These may include sliding plates, rotating flaps or doors, or other structures that may be moved in front of and away from a switch such as the switch 40. In addition, a structure may limit movement of the switch, by locking the switch in position or otherwise preventing its

Referring again to FIG. 2, a locking mechanism can be provided for locking the movement of the rotating sleeve 46 relative to the internal housing 44. A spring-biased

member 51 can be mounted on the internal housing 44 and is biased to engage the rotating sleeve 46. The spring-biased member 51 can mounted on the top of a plastic insert 54. The plastic insert 54 includes an opening 56, which in turn forms a flexible plastic spring 57. A protrusion 52 is mounted on the top of the flexible plastic spring 57. The flexibility of the flexible plastic spring 57 permits the top of the plastic insert 54 to bend downward, with a bias toward returning to the normal position for the protrusion 52 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The significance of this function is described below.

The plastic insert 54 seats in a cut-out 58 in the side of the internal housing 44. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the plastic insert 54 can dove-tailed so that it seats in and is locked into the cut-out 58.

However, it is also contemplated that the spring-biased member 51 can be a spring loaded pin, such as a detent pin and the like.

The rotating sleeve 46 includes recesses 60, 62 mounted on the rotating sleeve 46. The recesses 60, 62 can be mounted on tabs 64, 66 at upper portions of the inside of Ae rotating sleeve 46. These tabs 64, 66 are positioned to abut the protrusion 52 as the rotating sleeve 46 is rotated relative to the internal housing 44. A shown in FIG. 2, the recesses 60, 62 are mounted on opposite sides of the rotating sleeve 46. However, it is contemplated that the recesses can be positioned on the rotating sleeve, any distance apart which allow for the covering and uncovering of the switch 40 by the rotating sleeve 46.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, as the rotating sleeve 46 is rotated relative to the internal housing 44, the spring-biased member 51 is biased downward (FIG. 4) when the protrusion is not in alignment with one of the recesses 60 or 62. When the protrusion 52 aligns with one of the recesses 60 or 62, the protrusion 52 extends into the recess, locking the rotating sleeve 46 into place relative to the internal housing 44. This lock may be overcome

by a sufficient amount of force applied by a user. The protrusion 52 moving into the recess may provide an audible click, providing audible feedback to the rotating sleeve being locked into position.

The use of two recesses 60, 62 and the single spring-biased member 51 allows the rotating sleeve 46 to be locked in two different positions relative to the internal housing 44. These two positions can be 180 degrees apart from one another. A second spring-biased member may be provided on an opposite side of the internal housing 44 to provide locking into both of the recesses.

In a first of the two positions, the protrusion 52 is aligned with the recess 60, and an opening 70 on the rotating sleeve 46 aligns with the switch 40, as is shown in FIG. 1. In this position, a user may depress the switch 40, turning on the lamp 32.

If the user wishes to block access to the switch 40, the user may rotate the rotating sleeve 46 one hundred eighty (180) degrees to lock the protrusion 52 into the opposite recess 62. As shown in FIG. 3, in this position, the opening 70 on the rotating sleeve 46 is no longer aligned with the switch 40. Thus, a user does not have access to the switch 40. Also, the switch 40 is safe from accidental engagement, preventing the lantern 20 from being turned on due to incidental contact. This feature is helpful, for example, when the lantern 20 is stored or when the lantern 20 is positioned within a backpack, for example.

As can be understood, a variety of other structures may be utilized to block access to a switch. These may include sliding plates, rotating flaps or doors, or other structures that may be moved in front of and away from a switch such as the switch 40. In addition, a structure may limit movement of the switch, by locking the switch in position or otherwise preventing its function.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the protrusion 52 and the recesses 60, 62 act as a lock to prevent accidental rotation of the rotating sleeve 46. An embodiment may not include a structure for maintaining the sleeve in position. In addition, other lock features may be provided for a sleeve or other locking mechanism.

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 Kmit 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.

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 contexL 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.

All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.