Solid state light source

Abstract

A modular light source system forms a plurality of distinct light sources with a common tubular metal housing, an LED based lighting element for each light source, and a pair of end caps on opposed ends of the metal housing for each light source. Each distinct lighting source is comprised of one of the LED based lighting elements and a given pair of the end caps, whereby distinct light sources can be formed through replacement of the LED based lighting elements and the end caps.

1 .- 68 . (canceled)  
   
   
       69 . A light comprising: 
 a tubular housing;    at least one high output LED element mounted in the tubular housing; and    a pair of end caps selectively threaded to the opposed ends of the tubular housing, wherein one end cap has a radial window.    
   
   
       70 . The light of  claim 69  wherein one end cap has three pivoting, locking legs to support the signal light when the legs are deployed.  
   
   
       71 . The light of  claim 70  wherein each leg is pivoted about a pin connection on the end cap and moveable from a stored position adjacent the tubular housing, wherein each leg is generally perpendicular to the housing in the deployed position, and wherein a rearward end of the leg can be pushed into a receiving hole in the end cap to lock the leg in the deployed position.  
   
   
       72 . The light of  claim 69  wherein at least one end cap includes a support that allows the signal light to be hung in a desired location.  
   
   
       73 . The light of  claim 69  wherein the end cap having the radial window further includes an axial window.  
   
   
       74 . The light of  claim 69  further including a controller for flashing the at least one LED element.  
   
   
       75 . The light of  claim 69  wherein each end cap is threaded to an anodized aluminium housing.  
   
   
       76 . The light of  claim 69  further including at least one a battery holding tube received in the tubular housing.  
   
   
       77 . A lantern comprising: 
 a tubular housing;    an LED based lighting member comprising at least one LED element and selectively mounted in the tubular housing, wherein each LED element is at least 1 watt; and    a pair of end caps selectively attached to the opposed ends of the tubular housing, wherein one end cap has a radial window.    
   
   
       78 . The lantern of  claim 77  wherein each said end cap is threaded for attachment to an anodized aluminium tubular housing.  
   
   
       79 . The flashlight of  claim 77  wherein at least one end cap is threaded to the housing and includes a power coupling for connection to an external power source through a power cord.  
   
   
       80 . The lantern of  claim 77  wherein the LED lighting member includes at least two LED elements with each LED element being at least one watt.  
   
   
       81 . The lantern of  claim 77  further including at least one a battery holding tube received in the tubular housing and which houses batteries in an annular array.  
   
   
       82 . The lantern of  claim 77  wherein at least one end cap has three pivoting, locking legs to support the lantern when the legs are deployed.  
   
   
       83 . The lantern of  claim 82  wherein each leg is pivoted about a pin connection on the end cap and moveable from a stored position adjacent the tubular housing, wherein each leg is generally perpendicular to the housing in the deployed position, and wherein a rearward end of the leg can be pushed into a receiving hole in the end cap to lock the leg in the deployed position.  
   
   
       84 . The lantern of  claim 83  wherein at least one end cap includes a support that allows the lantern be hung in a desired location.  
   
   
       85 .- 100 . (canceled)  
   
   
       101 . The light of  claim 69  wherein one end cap includes an axial window having an axial window diameter greater than an outer diameter of the tubular housing.  
   
   
       102 . The lantern of  claim 77  wherein one end cap includes an axial window having an axial window diameter greater than an outer diameter of the tubular housing.  
   
   
       103 . A light comprising: 
 a tubular housing;    an LED based lighting member comprising at least one LED element and selectively mounted in the tubular housing, wherein each LED element is at least 1 watt; and    a pair of end caps selectively attached to the opposed ends of the tubular housing, wherein one end cap has an axial window having an axial window diameter greater than an outer diameter of the tubular housing.    
   
   
       104 . The light of  claim 103  wherein the end cap having the axial window further includes a radial window.