METHOD OF CONVERTING A NON-RECHARGEABLE FLASHLIGHT TO A RECHARGEABLE FLASHLIGHT

• US 20120317770A1
• Filed: 05/18/2011
• Published: 12/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karl Hermann Berger
• Original Assignee: Karl Hermann Berger
• Inventors: Berger, Karl Hermann
• Granted Patent: US 8,863,366 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/401.1
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/005 the device being a pocket lamp F21L4/022, F21L4/045, F21L4/085 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/085 Pocket lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/002 with provision for interchangeability, i.e. component parts being especially adapted to be replaced by another part with the same or a different function F21V17/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/007 enclosed in a casing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

A method for converting a non-rechargeable flashlight to a rechargeable flashlight (100) enables economical and environmentally friendly retrofitting of non-rechargeable flashlights. The method includes removing an original tail cap from the flashlight (100); placing a rechargeable battery (300) into a housing (110) of the flashlight (100); and replacing the original tail cap with a replacement tail cap (305), wherein the replacement tail cap (305) comprises circuitry (320) for receiving electrical power from a recharging base station for recharging the rechargeable battery (300).

Claims

1. A method for converting a non-rechargeable flashlight to a rechargeable flashlight, the method comprising:

removing an original tail cap from the flashlight;

placing a rechargeable battery into a housing of the flashlight; and

replacing the original tail cap with a replacement tail cap, wherein the replacement tail cap comprises circuitry for receiving electrical power from a recharging base station for recharging the rechargeable battery.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the circuitry for receiving electrical power from a recharging base station comprises a secondary coil for receiving inductive power from a primary coil in the recharging base station.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the circuitry for receiving electrical power from a recharging base station comprises external electrical contacts for establishing an electrical connection with corresponding external electrical contacts of the recharging base station.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-rechargeable flashlight is a Maglite (registered trademark) brand flashlight manufactured by Mag Instrument, Inc.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein an external shape and configuration of the replacement tail cap is approximately the same as an external shape and configuration of the original tail cap.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery comprises a battery technology selected from the following:

lead acid, lithium ion, lithium sulfur, lithium titanate, nickel cadmium, nickel iron, nickel hydrogen, nickel metal hydride, nickel zinc, and polysulfide bromide.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery comprises an integrated voltage converter.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the replacement tail cap includes a jack-type coupling for electrically connecting the replacement tail cap to the rechargeable battery.