Flashlight and connectible recharger

• US 20050184703A1
• Filed: 04/28/2005
• Published: 08/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pelican Products Incorporated (Pelican Products Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pelican Products Incorporated (Pelican Products Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Parker, David H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,109,683 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/114
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a flashlight, a connectible recharger and a rechargeable battery pack. In particular, the recharger device includes a base connected to a housing which has at least one ribbed side wall. The ribbed side walls allow multiple recharger devices to be coupled together.

Claims

1. A recharger device for a flashlight and battery comprising:

a base connected to a housing, wherein the housing has at least one ribbed side wall;

a first opening configured to receive a first device requiring recharging;

a second opening in adjacent relationship to the first opening, the second opening configured to receive a second device for recharging;

and electrical contacts within the first and second openings for contacting each of the respective devices, the electrical contacts configured to permit a recharging current to flow through the contacts when the electrical means is connected with an external power supply.

2. A recharger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one ribbed side wall is connected to the ribbed side wall of another recharger.

3. A recharger as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the openings further comprises a locking member for securing a respective device in the opening, the locking member being movable to permit release of the device.

4. A recharger as claimed in claim 3 wherein both slots have respective locking members.

5. A recharger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first opening is for receiving a flashlight housing and the second opening is for receiving a rechargeable battery pack.

6. A recharger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the openings are located in a top face of a recharger device.

7. A recharger as claimed in claim 1 wherein insertion of the device into the opening is in a downward motion.

8. A recharger as claimed in claim 1 wherein insertion of the device into the opening is in a sideward motion.

9. A system for connecting a plurality of recharger devices comprising;

a first recharger device comprising a base connected to a housing, wherein the housing has at least one ribbed side wall;

at least two openings each configured to receive a device requiring recharging; and

a second recharger device comprising a base connected to a housing, wherein the housing has at least one ribbed side wall, at least two openings each configured to receive a device requiring recharging;

wherein the first recharger is coupled to the second charger by connecting the at least one ribbed side wall of the first recharger to the at least one ribbed side wall of the second recharger.

10. A recharger for a flashlight comprising:

a base connected to a housing, wherein the housing has at least one ribbed side wall;

a first opening configured to receive a first device requiring recharging;

a second opening in adjacent relationship to the first opening, the second opening configured to receive a second device for recharging;

and electrical contacts within the first and second openings for contacting each of the respective devices, the electrical contacts configured to permit a recharging current to flow through the contacts when the electrical means is connected with an external power supply; and

the locking member including a lever spring-mounted and biased in the locking position such that entry of the device into the slot acts to push the lever towards the device, and a lever for facilitating unlocking and releasing of the device.

11. A recharger as claimed in claim 10 wherein both openings have respective locking members.

12. A recharger as claimed in claim 10 wherein the first opening is for receiving a flashlight housing and the second opening is for receiving a rechargeable battery pack.

13. A recharger as claimed in claim 10 including a handle on the lever to permit urging the lever against the spring action and thereby release the device from its locked position in the slot.

14. A recharger as claimed in claim 10 wherein the contacts are located adjacent to the base and wherein the weight of the devices effects contact between the contacts and the device for recharging.

15. A recharger as claimed in claim 10 wherein the openings are located in a top face of a recharger device and wherein the recharger device essentially defines a trapezoidal shape in a sideways cross-section such that the first slot is located in the front of the top face at a lower elevation than a second slot located in the rear of the top face.

16. A system for connecting a plurality of recharger devices comprising;

a first recharger device comprising a base connected to a housing, wherein the housing has at least one ribbed side wall;

at least two openings each configured to receive a device requiring recharging; and

a second recharger device comprising a base connected to a housing, wherein the housing has at least one ribbed side wall, at least two openings each configured to receive a device requiring recharging;

coupling the first recharger to the second charger by connecting the at least one ribbed side wall of the first recharger to the at least one ribbed side wall of the second recharger.