PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICE

A portable lighting device (100) according to the present invention includes a battery housing (102), a light source (122) supported at a first end of the battery housing (102), and a shroud (114) extending outward from the first end of the battery housing (102) circumferentially around the light source (122). The shroud (114) is preferably formed of a translucent material having a partially-reflective inner surface (120) for reflecting a portion of inncident light emitted from the light source (122) in a forward direction while allowing a portion of the incident light to be transmitted through the shroud (114) and dispersed in peripheral directions. The shroud (114) further preferably includes a diffusing outer surface (126) for diffusing the incident light that is transmitted through the shroud (114). A shroud (114) is preferably integrally formed with a collar portion (112) as used for threading the integrated head structure (110) onto the battery housing (102). Additionally, a protective lens cover that may include a collimating lens is also integrally formed in this head structure (110). Thus, the portable lighting device (100) of the present invention may be constructed with much fewer components and at a much lower cost than conventional flashlights.