Rechargeable flashlight

• US 4,914,555 A
• Filed: 07/20/1989
• Issued: 04/03/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard J. Gammache
• Original Assignee: Richard J. Gammache
• Inventors: Gammache, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ostrager, Allen M.
• Application Number:
  US07/382,401
• Time in Patent Office: 257 Days
• Field of Search: 362/183, 362/202
• US Class Current: 362/183
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/085 Pocket lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A rechargeable flashlight includes a cylindrical casing containing a battery and an electronic circuit board for recharging the battery. A bulb is disposed in the casing, and a head assembly is rotatably mounted on one end of the casing for moving a flange on the bulb into contact with a terminal inside the casing thus completing an electrical circuit connecting the battery with the bulb and thereby illuminating the bulb. A knot is rotatably mounted adjacent the other end of the casing for extending and retracting a pair of prongs which may be plugged into an alternating current electrical receptacle in order to energize the circuit board and thereby recharge the battery.

Claims

1. A rechargeable flashlight comprising:

a casing containing a battery and means for recharging said battery;

a bulb disposed in said casing;

a head assembly rotatably mounted on one end of said casing for completing an electrical circuit connecting said battery and said bulb thereby illuminating said bulb; and

a knob rotatably mounted adjacent the other end of said casing for extending and retracting a pair of prongs which may be plugged into an alternating current electrical receptacle in order to energize said recharging means and thereby recharge said battery.

2. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 1, wherein said recharging means comprises an electronic circuit board which is connected to said prongs when said prongs are moved from a retracted position into an extended position.

3. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 2, further comprising a pair of conductive leads disposed in said casing for connecting said electronic circuit board to said prongs when said prongs are in said extended position.

4. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 3, wherein said electronic circuit board is electrically connected to said battery by a first terminal and a spring disposed in said casing.

5. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 4, wherein said head assembly comprises a pad for engaging a flange on said bulb in order to move said bulb flange into contact with a second terminal disposed in said casing thereby completing said electrical circuit and illuminating said bulb.

6. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 5, wherein said head assembly further comprises a reflector, a sleeve secured to said reflector, and a spring normally urging said pad against a flange on said sleeve.

7. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 6, wherein said bulb flange contacts an inner flange on said second terminal to complete said electrical circuit.

8. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 7, further comprising a socket member disposed in said casing for supporting said bulb.

9. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 8, further comprising another spring carried by said socket member for electrically connecting said bulb and said battery, said another spring urging said bulb flange away from said second terminal inner flange.

10. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 9, further comprising a partition member disposed between said other end of said casing and said knob, said partition member having a first compartment for receiving said electronic circuit board and a second compartment for receiving said prongs when said prongs are retracted.

11. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 10, wherein said partition member has a pair of slots through which said prongs are extended and retracted.

12. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 11, wherein said knob and said partition member have matching exterior contours which are aligned when said prongs are in said retracted and extended positions.

13. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 12, wherein said matching exterior contours include corresponding flat surfaces on said knob and said partition member which are positioned in alignment to indicate when said prongs are in said retracted and extended positions.

14. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 13, wherein said slots are formed in one of said flat surfaces on said partition member.

15. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 14, further comprising a cam roller attached to said knob engageable in a cam slot formed in a base which supports said prongs.

16. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 15, wherein said prong base is supported for sliding movement in a channel formed within said partition member.

17. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 16, wherein said knob is rotated 1/2 revolution to move said prongs between said retracted and extended positions.

18. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 17, further comprising a guide member mounting said knob on said partition member.

19. The rechargeable flashlight of claim 18, wherein said knob and said guide member have mating flats which detent against each other to hold said prongs in said retracted and extended positions.