Flashlight charger and rechargeable battery

• US 6,350,040 B1
• Filed: 05/05/2000
• Issued: 02/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pelican Products Incorporated (Pelican Products Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pelican Products Incorporated (Pelican Products Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Parker, David H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cariaso, Alan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sawhney, Hargobind S.
• Application Number:
  US09/565,934
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 362/183, 320/107, 320/110, 320/111, 320/112, 320/113, 320/114, 320/115
• US Class Current: 362/183
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A recharger device for the battery includes a device with a first slot for a first device, such as a flashlight for recharging. A second slot in relationship to the first slot is provided for receiving a second device for recharging. Locking means with each slot such is moveable to permit release one or other device after moving the locking member between a closed position to an open position. The flashlight includes a battery pack to act as a closure of an opening to a battery housing. The closure is in the tailpiece and is mounted in the battery housing. The closure is connected integral with a rechargeable battery such that when the batteries are located in position in the battery housing the battery housing is closed.

Claims

1. A recharger device for a battery comprises:

a base;

a first slot for a first device requiring recharging;

a second slot in adjacent relationship to the first slot, the second slot being for receiving a second device for recharging;

contacts in the slots for contacting each of the respective devices;

electrical means connected with the contacts to permit a recharging current to flow through the contacts when the electrical means is connected with an external power supply; and

a locking member in at least one of the slots for locking a respective device in the slot when the device is located in the slot, the locking member being movable to permit release of the device, and the device having an aperture for receiving the locking member.

2. A recharger as claimed in claim 1 wherein both slots have respective locking members, and the device for each slot has an aperture for receiving the respective locking member in each slot.

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

4. A recharger as claimed in claim 1 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.

5. A recharger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the slots 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.

6. A recharger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the aperture for receiving the locking member is a slot.

7. A recharger device for a battery comprises:

a base;

a first slot for a first device requiring recharging;

a second slot in adjacent relationship to the first slot, the second slot being for receiving a second device for recharging;

contacts in the slots for contacting each of the respective devices;

electrical means connected with the contacts to permit a recharging current to flow through the contacts when the electrical means is connected with an external power supply;

a locking member in at least one of the slots for locking a respective device in the slot when the device is located in the slot, the locking member being movable to permit release of the device, wherein the locking member includes a lever spring-mounted and biased in the locking position such that entry of the device into the slot acts to push the lever against the locking position and when the device is correctly located in the slot, the spring pushes the lever towards the devices and thereby locks the device in position; and

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.

8. A recharger as claimed in claim 7 wherein both slots have respective locking members.

9. A recharger as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first device is for receiving a flashlight housing and the second slot is for receiving a rechargeable battery pack.

10. A recharger as claimed in claim 7 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.

11. A recharger as claimed in claim 7 wherein the slots 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.

12. A recharger device for a battery comprises:

a base;

a first slot for a first device requiring recharging;

a second slot in adjacent relationship to the first slot, the second slot being for receiving a second device for recharging;

contacts in the slots for contacting each of the respective devices;

electrical means connected with the contacts to permit a recharging current to flow through the contacts when the electrical means is connected with an external power supply; and

;

a handle in front of each slot for acting to release the respective device from a locked position in the respective slot.

13. A recharger as claimed in claim 12 including a locking member in the slots for locking a respective device in the slot when the device is located in the slot, the locking member being movable under action of the handle to permit release of the device.

14. A recharger device for a battery comprises:

a base;

a first slot for a first device requiring recharging;

a second slot in adjacent relationship to the first slot, the second slot being for receiving a second device for recharging;

contacts in the slots for contacting each of the respective devices;

electrical means connected with the contacts to permit a recharging current to flow through the contacts when the electrical means is connected with an external power supply;

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.

15. A recharger as claimed in claim 16 wherein both slots have respective locking members.

16. A recharger as claimed in claim 14 wherein the first device is for receiving a flashlight housing and the second slot is for receiving a rechargeable battery pack.

17. A recharger as claimed in claim 14 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.

18. A recharger as claimed in claim 14 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.

19. A recharger as claimed in claim 14 wherein the slots 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.