Dual mode rechargeable flashlight

• US 6,789,917 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2002
• Issued: 09/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Armament Systems and Procedures Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Armament Systems and Procedures Incorporated
• Inventors: Parsons, Kevin L., Reeves, W. Clay
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US10/140,430
• Publication Number:
  US 20030206410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 362/183-186, 362/200, 362/202, 362/205, 362/228, 362/251, 362/20
• US Class Current: 362/184
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/025 the light sources being of different shape or type
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/08 characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/20 of different form

Abstract

A dual mode rechargeable flashlight includes a generally rectangular housing sized to be readily carried and operated in one'"'"'s hand and having a pair of upper and lower frame members that receive and retain generally planar rectangular panels preferably made of anodized aluminum and which may be of selective colors and have indicia imprinted thereon. An integral charging system within the flashlight housing enables recharging of DC batteries connectable in circuit with a high intensity lamp carried within a reflector assembly at a forward lens end of the flashlight. A modular self-storing blade assembly facilitates connection of the charging system to an electrical outlet. A power pack support housing within the flashlight is accessible through an access door to enable insertion of a 6-volt DC battery power pack connectable in circuit with a high intensity long life LED carried within the reflector assembly. Selective actuation of a switch button effects energizing of either the high intensity lamp or the high luminous intensity LED.

Claims

1. A flashlight, comprising, in combination:

a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end;

a reflector and light source assembly supported within the forward end of said flashlight housing;

a high intensity light source supported within said reflector and light source assembly so as to lie generally on a longitudinal axis of said flashlight housing;

an LED light source supported within said reflector and light source assembly;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing operative to interconnect said high intensity light source to a rechargeable battery within said flashlight housing for providing power to said high intensity light source and enabling recharging of said battery;

a second discrete circuit within said flashlight housing interconnecting said LED to a power source independent of said rechargeable battery in said first circuit; and

switch means carried by said flashlight housing for selective movement between a first position operative to energize said high intensity light source from said rechargeable battery in said first circuit, and operative in a second position to energize said LED from its power source in said second circuit.

2. The flashlight as defined in claim 1 wherein the rechargeable battery is a nickel cadmium or lithium type of battery.

3. The flashlight as defined in claim 1 wherein the power source independent of said first circuit is a lithium or alkaline type of battery.

4. A flashlight as defined in claim 1 including means facilitating connection of said flashlight to an electrical receptacle for recharging said said rechargeable battery in said first circuit without removing said batteries from the flashlight housing.

5. The flashlight as defined in claim 1 wherein said LED is supported by said reflector and light source assembly in close proximity to said high intensity light source.

6. The flashlight as defined in claim 5 wherein said reflector defines a parabolic reflector surface.

7. The flashlight as defined in claim 1 including a lens mounted forwardly of said reflector and light source assembly and having a convex external surface operative to effect dispersion of light rays from said high intensity light source or said LED.

8. The flashlight as defined in claim 7 wherein said high intensity light source and said LED have longitudinal axes lying in a plane containing a longitudinal axis of said flashlight housing.

9. The flashlight as defined in claim 1 wherein said flashlight housing is generally rectangular.

10. The flashlight as defined in claim 1 including a modular adaptor adapted for self-storage within the flashlight housing and adapted to be removed and rotated to a position exposing electrical contacts for connection to an electrical outlet.

11. The flashlight as defined in claim 1 wherein the first circuit is configured to be operatively coupled to a source of AC power to facilitate charging of said rechargeable battery.

12. The flashlight as defined in claim 11 wherein the first circuit further includes a full wave rectifier circuit.

13. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein said high intensity light source includes a Xenon lamp.

14. A flashlight, comprising, in combination:

a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end;

a reflector and light source assembly supported within the forward end of said flashlight housing;

a high intensity light source supported within said reflector and light source assembly so as to lie generally on a longitudinal axis of said flashlight housing;

an LED light source supported within said reflector and light source assembly;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing operative to interconnect said high intensity light source to a rechargeable battery within said flashlight housing for providing power to said high intensity light source and enabling recharging of said battery;

a second discrete circuit within said flashlight housing interconnecting said LED to a power source independent of said rechargeable battery in said first circuit;

switch means carried by said flashlight housing for selective movement between a first position operative to energize said high intensity light source through said first circuit, and operative in a second position to energize said LED from its power source, and said housing is generally rectangular and is defined by a pair of generally rectangular frame members and a pair of panels cooperative with the frame members to define opposite sides of said rectangular housing.

15. The flashlight as defined in claim 14 wherein said panels are made of a different material from the material of the frame members.

16. The flashlight as defined claim 15 wherein said panels are of a color different from the color of said frame members.

17. The flashlight as defined in claim 16 wherein said panel members are adapted to have indicia imprinted thereon.

18. The flashlight as defined in claim 14 wherein said panels are made of aluminum.

19. A flashlight, comprising, in combination:

a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end;

a reflector and light source assembly supported within the forward end of said flashlight housing;

a high intensity light source supported within said reflector and light source assembly so as to lie generally on a longitudinal axis of said flashlight housing;

an LED light source supported within said reflector and light source assembly;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing operative to interconnect said high intensity light source to a rechargeable battery within said flashlight housing for providing power to said high intensity light source and enabling recharging of said battery;

a second discrete circuit within said flashlight housing interconnecting said LED to a power source independent of said rechargeable battery in said first circuit;

switch means carried by said flashlight housing for selective movement between a first position operative to energize said high intensity light source through said first circuit, and operative in a second position to energize said LED from its power source and a modular adaptor adapted for self-storage within the flashlight housing and adapted to be removed and rotated to a position exposing electrical contacts for connection to an electrical outlet and said adaptor module being retained within said flashlight housing by a pair of bifurcated contacts, said housing being operative to frictionally engage said contacts.

20. A flashlight, comprising, in combination:

a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end;

a reflector and light source assembly supported within the forward end of said flashlight housing;

a high intensity light source supported within said reflector and light source assembly so as to lie generally on a longitudinal axis of said flashlight housing;

an LED light source supported within said reflector and light source assembly;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing operative to interconnect said high intensity light source to a rechargeable battery within said flashlight housing for providing power to said high intensity light source and enabling recharging of said battery;

a second discrete circuit within said flashlight housing interconnecting said LED to a power source independent of said rechargeable battery in said first circuit; and

switch means carried by said flashlight housing for selective movement between a first position operative to energize said high intensity light source through said first circuit, and operative in a second position to energize said LED from its power source said first circuit beings configured to be operatively coupled to a source of AC power to facilitate charging of said rechargeable battery and including circuitry for automatically senses application of either 120 volts AC or 220 volts AC to facilitate the proper charging of the rechargeable batteries.

21. A rechargeable flashlight comprising, in combination, a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end, a light source assembly disposed within said light emitting end of said housing;

said light source assembly including a high intensity light source;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing including a rechargeable power source and means for interconnecting said high intensity light source to said rechargeable power source;

said light source assembly further including a light emitting diode;

a second circuit within said flashlight housing independent of said first circuit and including a power source, separate from said rechargeable vower source in said first circuit adapted to be connected in circuit to said light emitting diode; and

a switch operative in a first position to energize said high intensity light source, and operative in a second position to energize said light emitting diode.

22. The flashlight as defined in claim 21 including an integral battery charging system disposed within said flashlight housing operative to facilitate connection of said charging system to an electrical outlet.

23. The flashlight as defined in claim 22 wherein the integral battery charging system further includes a full wave rectifier circuit.

24. The flashlight as defined in claim 21 wherein the first circuit is configured to be operatively coupled to a source of AC power to facilitate charging of said rechargeable battery.

25. The flashlight as defined in claim 21 including a modular blade adaptor carried within said flashlight housing and removable to interconnect a battery charging system for said rechargeable power source to an electrical power outlet.

26. The flashlight as defined in claim 25 wherein said modular blade adaptor includes a self-storing blade assembly selected from a blade assembly adapted for insertion into a conventional United States style electrical blade receptacle, and an adaptor different receptacles for enabling recharging with receptacles used in many countries outside the United States.

27. The flashlight of claim 21 wherein said high intensity light source includes a Xenon lamp.

28. A rechargeable flashlight comprising, in combination, a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end, a light source assembly disposed within said light emitting end of said housing:

said light source assembly including a high intensity light source;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing including a rechargeable power source and means for interconnecting said high intensity light source to said rechargeable power source;

said light source assembly further including a light emitting diode;

a second circuit within said flashlight housing independent of said first circuit and including a power source, separate from said rechargeable power source in said first circuit adapted to be connected in circuit to said light emitting diode;

a switch operative in a first position to energize said high intensity light source, and operative in a second position to energize said light emitting diode and said power source for said light emitting diode including a modular replaceable battery pack adapted to be connected in circuit with said light emitting diode.

29. A rechargeable flashlight comprising, in combination, a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end, a light source assembly disposed within said light emitting end of said housing:

said light source assembly including a high intensity light source;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing including a rechargeable power source and means for interconnecting said high intensity light source to said rechargeable power source;

said light source assembly further including a light emitting diode;

a second circuit within said flashlight housing independent of said first circuit and including a power source, separate from said rechargeable power source in said first circuit adapted to be connected in circuit to said light emitting diode;

a switch operative in a first position to energize said high intensity light source, and operative in a second position to energize said light emitting diode and an integral battery charging system disposed within said flashlight housing operative to facilitate connection of said charging system to an electrical outlet and the integral battery charging system senses application of either 120 volts AC or 220 volts AC to facilitate the proper charging of the rechargeable batteries.

30. A flashlight comprising, in combination:

a generally rectangular hand-holdable housing having laterally spaced generally parallel longitudinal side surfaces, generally parallel upper and lower surfaces, a rear end surface and a forward lens end,

said lens end being defined by a concave reflector opening outwardly of said housing and a lens disposed to cover said reflector opening so as to extend around forward ends of said side walls to enable light rays to pass forwardly from said lens and angled outwardly from a longitudinal axis of said housing;

a first high intensity light source mounted within said lens end rearwardly of said lens;

a second low intensity LED light source within said lens end rearwardly of the lens and having a longitudinal axis disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from said first light source,

a rechargeable power source mounted within said housing,

a first electrical circuit disposed within said housing and cooperable with said rechargeable power source and first light source so as to connect said first high intensity light source in circuit with said rechargeable power source in response to a first predetermined actuation of a switch actuator accessible from externally of said housing;

a replaceable power source, separate from said rechargeable power source, supported within said housing; and

a second electrical circuit disposed within said housing and cooperable with said replaceable power source and said LED light source so as to connect said LED light source to said replaceable power source while simultaneously disconnecting said first high intensity light source from said rechargeable power source in response to a second predetermined actuation of said switch actuator.

53. The flashlight of claim 30 wherein said high intensity light source includes a Xenon lamp.

31. A flashlight, comprising, in combination:

a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end;

a generally parabolic reflector and light source assembly supported within the forward end of said flashlight housing;

a high intensity light source supported within said reflector and light source assembly so as to lie generally on a longitudinal central axis of said flashlight housing;

an LED light source supported within said reflector and light source assembly so as to lie generally on a longitudinal axis of said flashlight housing offset from, but parallel to, said longitudinal central axis;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing operative to interconnect said high intensity light source to a rechargeable battery within said flashlight housing for providing power to said high intensity light source and for enabling recharging of said battery;

a second discrete circuit within said flashlight housing interconnecting said LED to a power source independent of said rechargeable battery in said first circuit;

a first switch carried by said flashlight housing operative to energize said high intensity light source through said first circuit; and

a second switch carried by said flashlight housing operative to energize said LED from its power source in said second circuit.

32. The flashlight as defined in claim 31 wherein the first and second switches are configured as a two gang, double pole, double throw switch having selective movement between a first position operative to energize said high intensity light source and simultaneously de-energize said LED, and operative in a second position to energize said LED from its power source and simultaneously de-energize said high intensity light source.

33. The flashlight of claim 31 wherein said reflector and light source assembly is covered by a forwardly positioned, convexly curved, wrap around lens that has two rearwardly extending arms for fixing the lens to the flashlight housing.

34. The flashlight of claim 31 wherein said high intensity light source includes a Xenon lamp.

35. A flashlight comprising, in combination, a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end, a light source assembly disposed within said light emitting end of said housing;

said light source assembly including a first light source having a first intensity;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing including means for interconnecting said first light source to a first type of power source;

said light source assembly further including a second light source independent of said first light source and having a second intensity different than said first light intensity;

a second circuit within said flashlight housing independent of said first circuit and including a second type of power source, separate from said first type of power source, adapted to be connected in circuit to said second light source; and

a switch operative in a first position to energize said first light source, and operative in a second position to energize said second light source.

36. The flashlight as defined in claim 35 wherein the first type of power source is a rechargeable battery.

37. The flashlight as defined in claim 35 wherein the second type of power source is a disc type non-rechargeable battery.

38. The flashlight of claim 35 wherein said first light source includes a Xenon lamp.

39. The flashlight of claim 35 wherein said second light source includes an LED.

40. A flashlight comprising, in combination, a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end, a light source assembly disposed within said light emitting end of said housing;

said light source assembly including a first light source;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing including means for interconnecting said first light source to a first type of power source;

said light source assembly further including a second light source;

a second circuit within said flashlight housing independent of said first circuit and including a second type of power source, separate from said first type of power source, adapted to be connected in circuit to said second light source; and

a switch operative in a first position to energize said first light source, and operative in a second position to energize said second light source and said first type of power source providing an output voltage substantially different than an output voltage of the second type of power source.

41. A flashlight, comprising, in combination:

a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end;

a reflector and light source assembly supported within the forward end of said flashlight housing;

a high intensity light source supported within said reflector and light source assembly so as to lie generally on a longitudinal axis of said flashlight housing;

an LED light source supported within said reflector and light source assembly;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing operative to interconnect said high intensity light source to a rechargeable battery within said flashlight housing for providing power to said high intensity light source and enabling recharging of said battery;

a second discrete circuit within said flashlight housing interconnecting said LED to a power source independent of said rechargeable battery in said first circuit;

a first switch carried by said flashlight housing operative to energize said high intensity light source through said first circuit; and

a second switch carried by said flashlight housing operative to energize said LED light source through said second circuit.

42. The flashlight of claim 41 wherein said high intensity light source includes a Xenon lamp.

43. A flashlight comprising, in combination, a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end, a light source assembly disposed within said light emitting end of said housing;

said light source assembly including a first light source;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing including means for interconnecting said first light source to a first type of power source;

said light source assembly further including a second light source;

a second circuit within said flashlight housing independent of said first circuit and including a second type of power source, separate from said first type of power source, adapted to be connected in circuit to said second light source;

a switch operative in a first position to energize said first light source, and operative in a second position to energize said second light source;

and said housing is generally rectangular and is defined by a pair of generally rectangular frame members and a pair of panels cooperative with the frame members to define opposite sides of said rectangular housing.

44. The flashlight as defined in claim 46 wherein said panels are made of a different material from the material of the frame members.

45. The flashlight as defined in claim 46 wherein said panels are made of aluminum.

46. The flashlight as defined in claim 43 wherein said panels are adapted to have indicia imprinted thereon.

47. A flashlight comprising, in combination, a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end, a light source assembly disposed within said light emitting end of said housing;

said light source assembly including a first light source;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing including means for interconnecting said first light source to a first type of power source;

said light source assembly further including a second light source;

a second circuit within said flashlight housing independent of said first circuit and including a second type of power source, separate from said first type of power source, adapted to be connected in circuit to said second light source;

a switch operative in a first position to energize said first light source, and operative in a second position to energize said second light source; and

a modular blade adaptor adapted for self-storage within the flashlight housing and adapted to be removed and rotated 90 degrees to a position exposing electrical blade contacts for connection to an electrical outlet.

48. A flashlight comprising, in combination, a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end, a light source assembly disposed within said light emitting end of said housing;

said light source assembly including a first, Xenon lamp, light source;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing including means for interconnecting said first light source to a first type of power source;

said light source assembly further including a second, LED lamp, light source;

a second circuit within said flashlight housing independent of said first circuit and including a second type of power source, separate from said first type of power source, adapted to be connected in circuit to said second light source; and

a switch operative in a first position to energize said first light source, and operative in a second position to energize said second light source.

49. A flashlight comprising, in combination, a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end, a light source assembly disposed within said light emitting end of said housing;

said light source assembly including a first light source;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing including means for interconnecting said first light source to a first rechargeable power source;

said light source assembly further including a second light source;

a second circuit within said flashlight housing independent of said first circuit and including a second, replaceable power source, separate from said first power source, adapted to be connected in circuit to said second light source; and

a switch operative in a first position to energize said first light source, and operative in a second position to energize said second light source.

50. A flashlight comprising, in combination, a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end, a light source assembly disposed within said light emitting end of said housing;

said light source assembly including a first light source;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing including means for interconnecting said first light source to a first type of power source;

said light source assembly further including a second light source;

a second circuit within said flashlight housing independent of said first circuit and including a second type of power source, separate from said first type of power source, adapted to be connected in circuit to said second light source;

a switch operative in a first position to energize said first light source, and operative in a second position to energize said second light source, and

one of said power sources being rechargeable and including a replaceable power pack.

51. A flashlight comprising, in combination, a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end, a light source assembly disposed within said light emitting end of said housing;

said light source assembly including a first light source;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing including means for interconnecting said first light source to a first type of power source;

said light source assembly further including a second light source;

a second circuit within said flashlight housing independent of said first circuit and including a second type of power source, separate from said first type of power source, adapted to be connected in circuit to said second light source;

a switch operative in a first position to energize said first light source, and operative in a second position to energize said second light source,

one of said power sources being rechargeable, and

one of said circuits including a recharging circuit for being operatively coupled to a source of AC power to facilitate charging of said rechargeable power source and including circuitry for automatically sensing application of either 120 volts AC or 220 volts AC to facilitate the proper charging of the rechargeable power source.

52. A flashlight comprising, in combination, a flashlight housing having a forward light emitting end and a rear end, a light source assembly disposed within said light emitting end of said housing;

said light source assembly including a first light source;

a first circuit within said flashlight housing including means for interconnecting said first light source to a first type of power source;

said light source assembly further including a second light source;

a second circuit within said flashlight housing independent of said first circuit and including a second type of power source, separate from said first type of power source, adapted to be connected in circuit to said second light source;

a slide switch slidably movable between at least two positions and operative in a first position to energize said first light source and de-energize said second light source, and operative in a second position to energize said second light source and de-energize said first light source.