Rechargeable Flashlight Assembly

The invention relates to a single-casing flashlight assembly that has multiple functions, all functioning devices being powered by a single rechargeable battery, sure, ready means being provided for recharging the battery, and low-current drain means being provided for flashing the flashlight bulb. While there have been previous proposals for flashlight assemblies with rechargeable batteries (such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,591,796, 3,749,905, 3,787,678, 3,825,740, and 3,829,676), none have provided the multiple uses according to the present invention, nor the low-current drain flashing means according to the present invention.

According to the present invention a flashlight assembly is provided including a flashlight bulb, rechargeable battery, circuitry for recharging the battery, and low-current drain circuitry means for flashing the bulb, all operatively mounted on and contained in a casing. An accessory device powered by the battery is also contained in the casing, such as a two-way wireless radio (especially useful in the combination according to the present invention for search and rescue teams and hunters), an a.m. and/or f.m. radio, a cigarette lighter, or a second emitting means for emitting audio signals at frequencies which repel mosquitoes (especially useful for campers). A handle is affixed to the casing for facilitating ready manipulation and utilization of the flashlight bulb and the accessory device. The recharging circuitry includes a charger input, a current limiting resistor, and a light emitting diode for providing a positive indication of when the battery is being recharged. The low-current drain circuitry means includes an internal light source, a photocell for receiving light from the source, and a first switch movable between "flashing", "on", and "off" positions for selectively connecting the internal light source to the battery to thereby provide flashing of the bulb, or to disconnect the internal light source from the battery whereby no flashing of the bulb occurs. The photocell is connected to a relay coil and capacitor (which are in parallel), the relay coil controlling a movable contact which is normally biased into engagement with a first stationary contact to move it into contact with a second stationary contact, whereby flashing occurs.

It is the primary object according to the present invention to provide a multiple-use flashlight assembly including sure, ready recharging circuitry and low-current drain flashing circuitry. This and other objects of the invention will become clear from an inspection of the detailed description of the invention, and from the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary flashlight assembly according to the present invention shown in an orientation in which a two-way radio associated therewith may be easily utilized;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1 showing it in an orientation for ready utilization of the flashlight bulb thereof;

FIG. 3 is a schematic circuitry diagram of an exemplary flashlight assembly according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a circuitry section that may be provided in lieu of a portion of the circuitry shown in FIG. 3.

A flashlight assembly according to the present invention is shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The other referenced components of the invention in the drawings are as follows:

The flashlight bulb 12 is mounted in the front of the casing 22, the handle 24 is mounted on top of the casing 22, the first and second switches 21, 23 are mounted on opposite sides of the handle portion 24' on top of the casing, and the light-emitting diode 28 and the charger input 26 are mounted on back of the casing. When the accessory device 20 is a wireless transmitting and receiving device, a speaker-microphone 50 therefor is mounted on one side face of the casing 22 and the device is readily utilizable in the positions shown in FIG. 1. The accessory device 20 may also include a sound emitter assembly 20' (see FIG. 4) including an amplified sound emitting means 43 for emitting audio signals at frequencies which repel mospuitoes (the means 53 mounted in place of speaker-microphone 50). The device 20 may also comprise an a.m. and/or f.m. radio, in which case the speaker therefor may also be provided on a side of the casing 22. While the accessory device 20 may also comprise a battery-operated cigarette lighter 62, preferably the second accessory device 60 comprises the cigarette lighter 62. The lighter 62 may be mounted on the rear of the casing 22, with the third switch 61 for control thereof mounted adjacent thereto. Whatever type of accessory device 20 is utilized, the assembly 10 functions as a convenient multi-purpose unit, especially useful for hunters, search and rescue teams, campers, and the like. The handle 24 is affixed to the casing 22, and the bulb 12 and accessory device 20 (and controls therefor) are mounted so as to facilitate ready manipulation and utilization of the bulb 12 and the accessory device 20.

The light-emitting diode 28 indicates when the battery 14 (which preferably is a Gel Cell type) is recharging to insure that a proper connection is made between terminal jack 30 and charger input 26. The power source 32 for the terminal jack 30 may take a variety of forms. For instance, it could be a conventional automobile cigarette lighter adapter for plugging in to the cigarette lighter of a vehicle, or it could be a conventional solar cell, or it could be conventional A.C. adapter with a plug for connection to a wall socket.

The flashing circuitry 18 is provided since a flashing light is more readily detectable in an emergency situation, and the particular flashing circuitry 18 illustrated in FIG. 3 is especially adaptable to the assembly of the present invention since it has low-current drain when the flasher is being used compared to other systems, and therefore it will flash for a longer period of time. With the first switch 21 in the "flashing" position 38, current from battery 14 illuminates internal light source 34, the light from source 34 is sensed by photocell 36 and its resistance decreases until the coil 44 is energized causing the movable contact 45 (which is normally biased into engagement with the first stationary contact 46 by its inherent resiliency) to move out of engagement with first contact 46, and into engagement with second stationary contact 47. When this occurs, current no longer flows through source 34, whereby the coil 44 is de-energized and the movable contact 45 returns under the influence of its inherent bias into engagement with first stationary contact 46. The cycle is then repeated. The coil resistance of relay 44, and the value of first capacitor 42 determine the rate at which bulb 12 will flash. When the first switch 21 is in the "off" position 39, the bulb 12 is not energized (although the accessory device 20 and the second accessory device 60 may be utilized), and when the first switch 21 is in the "on" position 40, the current passes directly through moveable contact 45 and first stationary contact 46 and continuously energizes the bulb 12.

It will thus be seen that according to the present invention a flashlight assembly has been provided that includes a number of conveniently utilized functioning devices, all of the functioning devices operated from the same rechargable battery, provides for sure, ready recharging of the battery, and provides for low-current drain flashing of the flashlight bulb.

While the invention has been herein shown and described in what is presently conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications may be made thereof within the scope of the invention, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and devices.