Flashlight and connectible recharger

• US 7,109,683 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2005
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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): TIBBITS, PIA FLORENCE
• Application Number:
  US11/117,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20050184703A1
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 320/114, 320/107, 362/183, 114/267, 312/9.17, 52/63, 523/091, 206/600, 206/597, 439/660, 439/717, 439/701
• 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 battery comprising:

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

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

wherein the first device is a removable and rechargeable flashlight;

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

a locking member to secure at least the second device;

wherein the second device is a removable and rechargeable battery; 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 contacts are connected with an external power supply.

2. A recharger as claimed in claim 1 wherein 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 slots further comprises a locking member for securing a respective device in the slot, the locking member being movable to permit release of the device.

4. A recharger as claimed in claim 3 wherein both the first slot and second slot have respective locking members.

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

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

7. 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 slots each configured to receive a device requiring recharging, wherein a first device is a flashlight, and wherein a second device a removable and rechargeable battery;

a second recharger device comprising a base connected to a housing, wherein the housing has at least on ribbed side wall at least two slots 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.

8. A recharger for a flashlight comprising:

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

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

wherein the first device is a removable and rechargeable flashlight;

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

wherein the second device is a removable and rechargeable battery;

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

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

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

10. A charger as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first slot is for receiving a flashlight housing and second slot is for receiving a rechargeable battery pack.

11. A recharger as claimed in claim 8 including a handle on the lever to permit urging the lever against the spring action which causes die device to release from its locked position in the slot.

12. A recharger as claimed in claim 8 in which 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.

13. A recharger as claimed in claim 8 in which 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.

14. 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 slots each configured to receive a device requiring recharging, wherein a fist device is a flashlight, and wherein a second device is a removable and rechargeable battery, and a locking member to secure at least the second device; 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 slots each configured to receive a device requiring recharging;

coupling the first recharge 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.

15. A recharger device for a battery and including a rechargeable device comprising:

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

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

a rechargeable device being removable from the first slot;

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

a locking member to secure at least the second device;

wherein the second device is a removable and rechargeable battery; and

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

16. The recharger device of claim 15 wherein the rechargeable device is part of a flashlight.

17. A recharger device for a battery and including a rechargeable device comprising:

A base;

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

the first device being a rechargeable device removable from the first slot;

a first locking member to secure the first device, the first locking member is in a first protruding position and insertion of the first device causes the first locking member to be moved, the first locking member returning to the first protruding position when the first device is fit into the slot;

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

a locking member to secure the second device, the second locking member is in a first protruding position and insertion of the second device causes the second locking member to be moved, the second locking member returning to the second protruding position when the second device is in the slot;

wherein the second device is a removable and rechargeable battery; and

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

18. A recharger device for a battery and including a rechargeable device comprising:

abase;

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

the first device being a rechargeable device removable from the first slot;

a first locking member to secure the first device, the first locking member being depressed to permit release of the first device;

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

a second locking member to secure the second device, the second locking member being depressed to permit release of the second device;

wherein the second device is a removable and rechargeable battery; 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 contacts are connected with an external power supply.