CN107366840B - Battery life extender for portable lighting devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A battery life extender for a portable lighting device employs a reconfigurable mechanism operable to selectively electrically isolate one or more batteries from a circuit having parasitic power consumption. For example, the lighting device includes: the system includes a light-producing element, at least one battery, a user-operated switch configured to control delivery of electrical power from the at least one battery to the light-producing element, and a housing assembly supporting the at least one battery and the light-producing element. User-operated switches can affect parasitic power consumption. The housing assembly is reconfigurable to: (a) a first configuration in which a user-operated switch is electrically connected to the at least one battery; and (b) a second configuration in which the at least one battery is electrically isolated and the at least one battery is retained by the housing assembly.

Description

Battery life extender for portable lighting devices

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application is a continuation-in-part application of international application No. PCT/US2014/069599 filed on 12/10 th 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/915,072 filed on 12 th 2013 and also claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/970,062 filed on 3 th 25 th 2014, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Background

Portable electrically powered devices such as flashlights are often powered by batteries. In many cases, extended periods of time may elapse between uses of battery powered devices. Many battery-powered devices may consume battery power at a low or even parasitic rate even when not in use. For example, a flashlight may include an electronic switch that consumes battery power at a parasitic rate even when the flashlight is not in use. While such low rate of consumption of battery power may not significantly discharge the battery of the portable device for a short period of time, such parasitic power consumption over an extended period of time may discharge the battery enough to render the battery power insufficient to operate the portable device.

Disclosure of Invention

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

Methods and apparatus are provided for extending battery life for powering portable devices. In many embodiments, a mechanism is provided that is selectively reconfigurable between a first configuration in which power supply circuitry of the portable device is not interrupted and a second configuration in which power supply circuitry of the portable device is interrupted to prevent discharge of at least one battery used to power the portable device. The mechanism may be reconfigured by a user of the portable device based on whether the portable device will not be used for an extended period of time or whether the portable device will be used. For example, the mechanism may be reconfigured from the first configuration to the second configuration when the portable device may not be used for an extended period of time. And the mechanism is reconfigurable from the second configuration to the first configuration prior to use of the portable device. By having the mechanism in the second configuration when the portable device may not be used for an extended period of time, discharge of at least one battery of the portable device may be avoided during the extended period of time.

In the embodiments described herein, the portable battery powered device is a flashlight. It should be understood, however, that the methods and mechanisms described herein are applicable to other types of portable battery-powered devices. For example, the methods and mechanisms described herein may be applied to other lighting devices (e.g., headlamps, lanterns, spotlights, etc.). Further, the methods and mechanisms described herein may be applied to suitable battery-powered devices (e.g., any suitable fan, pump, radio, speaker, tool, etc.).

Accordingly, in one aspect, a lighting device is disclosed that includes a mechanism that is selectively reconfigurable to prevent discharge of battery power. The lighting device includes a light generating element, at least one battery, a user-operated switch, and a housing assembly. A user-operated switch is configured to control delivery of electrical power from the at least one battery to the light-producing element. A housing assembly supports at least one battery and the light generating element. The housing assembly is reconfigurable to: (a) a first configuration in which a user-operated switch is electrically connected to the at least one battery; and (b) a second configuration, wherein the at least one battery is electrically isolated and the at least one battery is retained by the housing assembly. In many embodiments, the user-operated switch comprises an electronic switch that consumes power when the housing assembly is in the first configuration.

In many embodiments of the lighting device, the housing assembly includes a first housing component and a second housing component coupled with the first housing component in each of the first configuration and the second configuration. The second housing component is repositionable relative to the first housing component to allow the housing assembly to be selectively reconfigured to each of the first and second configurations. For example, repositioning the second housing component relative to the first housing component to reconfigure the housing assembly to each of the first and second configurations may include rotating and/or parallel displacing the second housing component relative to the first housing component.

Reconfiguration of the housing from the second configuration to the first configuration can result in relative parallel displacement between the first and second housing components to electrically connect the user-operated switch with the at least one battery such that the user-operated switch is electrically connected with each of the positive terminal of the at least one battery and the negative terminal of the at least one battery. Relative parallel displacement between the first and second housing components may result in at least one of: (a) a housing positive electrical contact electrically connected to a user operated switch is placed in electrical connection with the positive terminal of the at least one battery; and (b) a housing negative electrical contact electrically connected to the user-operated switch is placed in electrical connection with the negative terminal of the at least one battery. Relative parallel displacement between the first and second housing components may result in parallel displacement of the at least one battery relative to each of the first and second housing components.

The lighting device may include a deformable component for interrupting the power supply circuit in the lighting device. For example, the deformable component may be configured to: (a) applying a biasing force to position the at least one battery relative to the housing assembly to prevent the housing negative electrical contact from being placed in electrical connection with the negative terminal of the at least one battery when the housing assembly is in the second configuration; and (b) deform when the housing assembly is reconfigured from the second configuration to the first configuration so as to allow the housing negative electrical contact to be placed in electrical connection with the negative terminal of the at least one battery. As another example, the deformable sub-assembly may be configured to: (a) applying a biasing force to position the at least one battery relative to the housing assembly to prevent the housing positive electrical contact from being placed in electrical connection with the positive terminal of the at least one battery when the housing assembly is in the second configuration; and (b) deform when the housing assembly is reconfigured from the second configuration to the first configuration so as to allow the housing positive electrical contact to be placed in electrical connection with the positive terminal of the at least one battery.

The lighting device may include a battery cartridge supporting the at least one battery. The battery cartridge may include a cartridge positive contact electrically connected to the positive terminal of the at least one battery and a cartridge negative contact electrically connected to the negative terminal of the at least one battery. Relative parallel displacement between the first and second housing components can cause the housing positive contact to be brought into contact with the cartridge positive contact and can cause the housing negative contact to be brought into contact with the cartridge negative contact. Each of the positive and negative contacts of the cartridge may be disposed on a side of the battery cartridge that is generally parallel to the relative parallel displacement between the first and second housing members. The lighting device may include a battery cartridge and a deformable assembly. Each of the positive and negative contacts of the cartridge may include a spring-loaded assembly that accommodates a range of relative positions between the first and second housing components while maintaining an electrical connection between the at least one battery and the user-operated switch.

In many embodiments of the lighting device, the housing assembly is configured such that the second housing part is rotatable relative to the first housing part about an axis of rotation. The housing assembly may include at least one housing electrical contact electrically connected to the user-operated switch and radially offset from the axis of rotation. The at least one housing electrical contact may be electrically isolated from the at least one battery when the housing assembly is in the second configuration. The at least one housing electrical contact may be electrically connected with the at least one battery when the housing assembly is in the first configuration.

In many embodiments of the lighting device, a visual indication is provided that indicates the isolation status of the at least one battery. For example, the illumination device may include an indicator that is visible to a user when the housing assembly is in the second configuration.

In another aspect, a battery-powered portable device includes a battery-powered portion, at least one battery, and an electronic switch, a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The electronic switch is configured to control the delivery of electrical power from the at least one battery to the battery powered portion. The electronic switch consumes power when electrically connected with the at least one battery. The first housing portion is configured to at least partially house the at least one battery. The second housing portion is coupled with the first housing portion via a threaded connection. The second housing portion includes an electrical connection assembly that forms part of an electrical connection between the at least one battery and the electronic switch when the second housing portion is in a first position relative to the first housing portion, and the electrical connection assembly forms an interruption in the electrical connection when the second housing portion is in a second position relative to the first housing portion. The second housing portion is closer to the first housing portion when in the second position relative to the second housing portion when in the first position.

In many embodiments, the electrical connection assembly includes a first electrical contact electrically connected to the electronic switch, a second electrical contact electrically connected to the at least one battery, and a deformable element. The deformable element biases the second electrical contact into contact with the first electrical contact when the second housing portion is in a first position relative to the first housing portion. The deformable element deforms in response to repositioning the second housing portion into the second position so as to accommodate separation between the first and second electrical contacts.

The electrical connection assembly may further include an electrically conductive spring connected to the second electrical contact. The spring may contact the at least one battery in each of the first and second positions of the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion.

In many embodiments, the deformable element includes a layer of deformable material having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side may contact the second electrical contact. The second side may contact an end wall of the second housing portion.

In another aspect, a battery-powered portable device includes a battery-powered portion, at least one battery, an electronic switch, and a user-operated mechanical switch. The electronic switch is configured to control the delivery of electrical power from the at least one battery to the battery powered portion. The electronic switch consumes power when electrically connected with the at least one battery. The user-operated mechanical switch is operable to selectively electrically connect the at least one battery to the electronic switch and to electrically isolate the at least one battery from the electronic switch.

In another aspect, a lighting device includes: a housing configured to house a battery assembly including one or more batteries; a light generating element supported by the housing; and a first switch mechanism including an engageable positive contact and an engageable negative contact. The first switching mechanism is configurable by a user to: (a) a first configuration in which the positive contact is in contact with a positive terminal of the battery assembly, the negative contact is in contact with a negative terminal of the battery assembly, and the light-generating element is electrically coupled with the engageable positive contact and the engageable negative contact so as to receive electrical power from the battery assembly to generate light; and (b) a second configuration in which the positive contact is separated from the positive terminal and the negative contact is separated from the negative terminal to electrically isolate the battery assembly.

In many aspects, the lighting device further comprises a control unit operatively coupled with the light-generating element. The control unit may be configured to control the supply of power to the light generating element to operate the light generating element in a first mode of operation when the first switching mechanism is in the first configuration. In many embodiments, the first switching mechanism is configurable by a user to a third configuration in which the engageable positive contact is in contact with the positive terminal of the battery assembly, the engageable negative contact is in contact with the negative terminal of the battery assembly, and the light-generating element is electrically coupled with the engageable positive contact and the engageable negative contact so as to receive power from the battery assembly to generate light. The control unit may be configured to control the supply of power to the light generating element to operate the light generating element in a second mode of operation when the first switching mechanism is in the third configuration. The second mode of operation is different from the first mode of operation.

In many embodiments, the lighting device further comprises a second switch and a control unit. The second switch mechanism can be configured to be operable by a user to select a mode of operation of the light generating element when the first switch mechanism is in the first configuration. In many embodiments, the control unit is operatively coupled with the light-generating element and configured to control the supply of electrical power to the light-generating element so as to operate the light-generating element in an operating mode selected by a user via the second switch mechanism. The second switch mechanism can have any suitable configuration. For example, the second switch mechanism can include a selection member that is rotatable relative to the housing by a user to select the operating mode. As another example, the second switch mechanism can include a mode selection button operatively coupled with the control unit and operable by a user to cycle through a plurality of operating modes for the light-producing element. The first switch mechanism may be configured to prevent user operation of the mode selection button when in the second configuration and adapted to be operated by a user when in the first configuration.

In many embodiments of the lighting device, the battery assembly includes a battery cartridge configured to receive a plurality of batteries. In many embodiments, the battery cartridge includes: the positive terminal of the battery assembly; a positive voltage path configured to electrically connect the positive terminal of the battery assembly with positive terminals of the plurality of batteries; the negative terminal of the battery assembly; and a negative voltage path configured to electrically connect the negative terminal of the battery assembly with a negative terminal of the plurality of batteries. The battery cartridge can be configured to accommodate the plurality of batteries in a series-connected configuration to generate a generated voltage for operating the light-generating element. The positive terminal of the battery assembly and the negative terminal of the battery assembly can be disposed at any suitable respective location(s) on the battery cartridge. For example, in many embodiments, the positive terminal of the battery assembly and the negative terminal of the battery assembly are disposed at one end of the battery cartridge.

In another aspect, a method for electrically isolating a battery assembly of a lighting device to inhibit parasitic consumption of the battery assembly is provided. The method comprises the following steps: contact between the engageable positive contact and the positive terminal of the battery assembly is maintained when the first user-operable switch mechanism of the lighting device is in the first configuration. The first user-operable switch mechanism is drivingly coupled with the engageable positive contact. The engageable positive contact is in electrical connection with a light generating element of the lighting device. Maintaining contact between the engageable negative contact and the negative terminal of the battery assembly when the first user-operable switching mechanism is in the first configuration. The first user-operable switch mechanism is drivingly coupled with the engageable negative contact. The engageable negative contact is in electrical connection with a light generating element of the lighting device. The method further includes separating the engageable positive contact from the positive terminal of the battery assembly and separating the engageable negative contact from the negative terminal of the battery assembly to electrically isolate the battery assembly in response to reconfiguration of the first user-operable switch mechanism from the first configuration to a second configuration.

In many embodiments, the method further comprises controlling, via a control unit included in the lighting device, the supply of power to the light-generating element to operate the light-generating element in a first mode of operation when the first user-operable switching mechanism is in the first configuration. The method can include controlling, via the control unit, the supply of power to the light-generating element to operate the light-generating element in a second mode of operation when the first user-operable switch mechanism is in a third configuration in which the engageable positive contact is in contact with the positive terminal of the battery assembly and the engageable negative contact is in contact with the negative terminal of the battery assembly, the second mode of operation being different from the first mode of operation.

In many embodiments, the method further comprises controlling the supply of electrical power to the light-generating element via a control unit operatively coupled with a second user-operable switch mechanism so as to operate the light-generating element in an operating mode selected via the second user-operable switch mechanism. The method can further comprise outputting a signal from the second user-operable switch mechanism to the control unit corresponding to the rotational orientation of the selection member of the second user-operable switch mechanism. In many embodiments, the output signal is indicative of the selected operating mode.

The second user operable switch mechanism can comprise a mode selection button. The method can further include outputting a signal from the mode selection button to the control unit corresponding to the selected operation mode so as to operate the light-generating element. The mode selection button can be configured to be operable to cycle through a plurality of operating modes for the light generating element. The method can include: when the first user-operable switch mechanism is in the second configuration, preventing operational access to the mode selection button; and is adapted to be accessible for operation of said mode selection button when said first user-operable switch mechanism is in said first configuration.

The method can further include housing a battery cartridge within the lighting device. The battery cartridge can be configured to accommodate a plurality of batteries and includes the positive terminal of the battery assembly and the negative terminal of the battery assembly. The method can include electrically coupling the positive terminal of the battery assembly with positive terminals of the plurality of batteries, and electrically coupling the negative terminal of the battery assembly with negative terminals of the plurality of batteries. The battery cartridge housing can be configured to accommodate the plurality of batteries in a series-connected configuration to generate a generated voltage for operating the light-generating element. The method can include supporting the positive terminal of the battery assembly and the negative terminal of the battery assembly at any suitable location on the battery cartridge. For example, the method can include supporting the positive terminal of the battery assembly and the negative terminal of the battery assembly at one end of the battery cartridge.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates a flashlight including a battery life extension mechanism, according to many embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the flashlight of FIG. 1 in a configuration in which the batteries of the flashlight are electrically isolated.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the flashlight of FIG. 1 in a configuration in which the batteries of the flashlight are electrically isolated.

FIG. 4 shows the flashlight of FIG. 1 in a position where the batteries of the flashlight are electrically connected to deliver electrical power to operate the flashlight.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a flashlight according to many embodiments in a configuration in which both the positive and negative terminals of the battery pack are electrically isolated.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the flashlight of FIG. 5 in a configuration in which both the positive and negative terminals of the battery pack are electrically connected for delivering electrical power.

FIG. 7 partially illustrates a flashlight including a user operated mechanism operable to selectively connect and disconnect one or more batteries of the flashlight, in accordance with a number of embodiments.

FIG. 8 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the flashlight of FIG. 7 in a configuration in which a non-conductive member of the user operated mechanism separates the electrical contacts from the battery terminals.

FIG. 9 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the flashlight of FIG. 7 in a configuration in which the non-conductive member of the user operated mechanism does not separate the electrical contacts from the battery terminals.

FIG. 10 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a flashlight according to many embodiments in a configuration in which a reconfigurable mechanism including a deformable element forms an electrical connection for supplying battery power.

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the flashlight of FIG. 10 in a configuration in which the reconfigurable mechanism creates an interruption in the electrical connection for supplying battery power.

Fig. 12-15 schematically illustrate the use of relative rotation about an axis of rotation between components of a portable device to selectively connect and disconnect battery terminals according to many embodiments.

Fig. 16 illustrates a headlamp worn by a user including a battery life extension mechanism, in accordance with many embodiments.

Fig. 17 shows a cross-sectional view of the headlamp shown in fig. 16 in a configuration in which the battery compartment of the flashlight is electrically connected to deliver electrical power to operate the headlamp.

Fig. 18 shows a cross-sectional view of the headlamp shown in fig. 16 with the battery compartment of the headlamp in an electrically isolated configuration.

Fig. 19 and 20 show simplified cross-sectional schematic diagrams of a flashlight including a user-operated switch mechanism operable to electrically isolate a battery compartment when the flashlight is off, in accordance with many embodiments.

Fig. 21 and 22 show simplified cross-sectional schematic diagrams of a flashlight including a user-operated switch mechanism operable to electrically isolate a battery compartment when the flashlight is off, in accordance with many embodiments.

Fig. 23 shows an exterior view of the embodiment of the flashlight of fig. 19, 20, 21 and 22.

Fig. 24, 25 and 26 show simplified cross-sectional schematic views of a flashlight including a user-operated switch mechanism operable to electrically isolate a battery compartment when the flashlight is off and to select an operating mode of the flashlight when the flashlight is on, in accordance with many embodiments.

Fig. 27 shows an external view of the embodiment of the flashlight of fig. 24, 25, 26.

Fig. 28 and 29 show simplified cross-sectional schematic diagrams of a flashlight including a first user-operated switch mechanism operable to electrically isolate a battery compartment when the flashlight is off and a second user-operated switch mechanism operable to select an operating mode of the flashlight when the flashlight is on, in accordance with many embodiments.

Fig. 30 shows an exterior view of the embodiment of the flashlight of fig. 28 and 29.

Fig. 31 and 32 show simplified cross-sectional schematic diagrams of a flashlight including a first user-operated switch mechanism operable to electrically isolate a battery compartment when the flashlight is off and a mode selection button operable to select an operating mode of the flashlight when the flashlight is on, in accordance with many embodiments.

Fig. 33 shows an exterior view of the embodiment of the flashlight of fig. 31 and 32.

Detailed Description

In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the described embodiments.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views. FIG. 1 illustrates a flashlight 10 including a battery life extension mechanism 12, in accordance with many embodiments. Flashlight 10 includes a light generating element 14, a user operated switch 16 and a housing assembly 18. The housing assembly 18 has an interior volume that houses a battery assembly that includes one or more batteries for powering the flashlight 10. In many embodiments, the user-operated switch 16 comprises an electronic switch that consumes power when the user-operated switch 16 is operatively connected to one or more batteries. To enable selective electrical isolation of the one or more batteries via the electronic switch to prevent discharge of the one or more batteries, the battery life extension mechanism 12 is user reconfigurable such that a user may selectively electrically connect the one or more batteries with the user operated switch 16 and electrically isolate the one or more batteries from the user operated switch 16.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of flashlight 10 in a configuration in which battery assembly 20 of flashlight 10 is electrically isolated from user-operated switch 16. FIG. 2 also shows additional components of flashlight 10. For example, the housing assembly 18 includes a body 22, an end cap 24, a head assembly 26, and the battery life extension mechanism 12. The user-operated switch 16 includes a button 28 and a tactile switch 30 that is selectively operated by a user pressing the button 28. In many embodiments, the tactile switch 30 includes electronic components that can draw a small amount of power from the one or more batteries of the battery assembly 20 when the tactile switch 30 is electrically connected to the one or more batteries of the battery assembly 20.

The battery assembly 20 also includes spring-loaded contact assemblies 32, 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring-loaded contact assembly 32 is connected to one or more poles (e.g., positive or negative) of the battery and the spring-loaded contact assembly 34 is connected to the other pole (e.g., positive or negative). Although the illustrated embodiment of the battery assembly 20 includes two spring-loaded contact assemblies 34, a single spring-loaded contact assembly 34 may be used. Each spring-loaded assembly 32, 34 includes a conductive spring 36, 38 and a contact member 40, 42. Each contact member 40, 42 partially houses a respective one of the springs 36, 38. The battery assembly 20 also includes a frame member 44 engaging each contact member 40, 42 and receiving each contact member 40, 42. Each contact member 40, 42 is configured to extend past an end surface of the frame member 44 by a fixed amount when the flashlight 10 is in the configuration shown in fig. 2. For example, each contact member 40, 42 may have features that engage the frame member 44 to limit the amount that the contact members 40, 42 extend past the frame member 44 under the biasing force provided by the compressive deformation of the respective springs 36, 38.

The illustrated battery assembly 20 also includes a base contact assembly 46. The base contact assembly 46 engages each of the conductive springs 36, 38 and electrically connects the conductive springs 36, 38 to a respective pole of one or more cells of the battery assembly 20. When battery assembly 20 includes two or more batteries, the batteries may be electrically connected in any suitable manner, such as in series, in parallel, or both series and parallel (e.g., two groups of two batteries connected in series and two groups connected in parallel).

Head assembly 26 includes light-generating element 14, outer housing member 48, reflector 50, lens 52, lens cover 54, and inner frame assembly 56. The reflector 50 and the lens 52 are supported by the outer housing member 48 and retained within the outer housing member 48 via a lens cover 54, the lens cover 54 being removably coupled with the outer housing member 48 via a threaded connection 58. The internal frame assembly 56 is coupled to the outer housing member 48 via a threaded connection 60 and includes electrical contacts 62, 64 that electrically couple with a circuit that includes the light-generating element 14 and the tactile switch 30. The electrical contact 62 is centrally disposed and configured to be selectively brought into contact with the contact member 40 via selective reconfiguration of the battery life extension mechanism 12. The electrical contact 64 is annularly shaped and configured to be selectively brought into contact with the contact member 42 via selective reconfiguration of the battery life extension mechanism 12.

Fig. 3 illustrates relative movement between the head assembly 26 and the housing assembly 18 for reconfiguring the battery life extension mechanism 12 between the configuration shown in fig. 2 and the configuration shown in fig. 4. In the configuration shown in fig. 2, one or more batteries of the battery assembly 20 are electrically isolated from the circuit including the light-generating element 14 and the tactile switch 30. In the configuration shown in fig. 4, one or more batteries of the battery assembly 20 are electrically connected to a circuit that includes the light-generating element 14 and the tactile switch 30. As shown in fig. 3, the outer housing member 48 is coupled with the frame member 44 via a threaded connection 66. By rotating the outer housing member 48 relative to the frame member 44, the head assembly 26 can be controllably displaced in parallel relative to the frame member 44 to selectively bring the centrally disposed contact 62 and the annularly shaped contact 64 into and out of contact with the spring loaded contact assemblies 32, 34. Accordingly, flashlight 10 may be reconfigured between the configuration shown in fig. 2 and the configuration shown in fig. 4 via relative rotation of head assembly 26 with respect to frame member 44, which frame member 44 is rotationally fixed with respect to body 22.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of flashlight 100 in a configuration in which both the positive and negative terminals of the stack of batteries 102 are electrically isolated from a circuit including light emitting element 14 and a user-operated switch that controls the delivery of power from the stack of batteries 102 to light emitting element 14, in accordance with many embodiments. Flashlight 100 includes a main housing 104, an end cap assembly 106, a head assembly 108, and a deformable member 110. The end cap assembly 106 includes electrical contacts 112. The electrical contacts 112 are electrically connected to a circuit including the light emitting element 14 and a user-operated switch. In the configuration shown in fig. 5, the deformable member 110 is in an extended configuration that maintains a separation gap 114 between the stack of cells 102 and the electrical contacts 112. In many embodiments, when flashlight 100 is in the configuration shown in fig. 5, deformable member 110 applies a biasing force to the stack of batteries 102 in order to maintain contact between the stack of batteries 102 and shoulder feature 116 of main housing 104.

The head assembly 108 includes an outer housing member 118, a reflector 120, a lens 122, a lens cover 124, and an inner frame assembly 126. The reflector 120 and the lens 122 are supported by the outer housing member 118 and retained within the outer housing member 118 via a lens cover 124, the lens cover 124 being removably coupled with the outer housing member 118 via a threaded connection 128. The internal frame assembly 126 is coupled to the outer housing member 118 via a threaded connection 130 and includes electrical contacts 132 that electrically couple with a circuit that includes the light-generating element 14 and a user-operated switch.

The head assembly 108 is selectively repositionable relative to the main housing 104. In the illustrated embodiment, selective rotation 134 of the head assembly 108 relative to the main housing 104 may be accomplished by a user repositioning the head assembly 108 in direction 136. The selective rotation 134 results in repositioning of the head assembly 108 because the head assembly 108 is coupled to the main housing 104 via the threaded connection 138. In the configuration shown in fig. 5, the header assembly 108 is positioned relative to the main housing 104 such that a gap exists between the stack of cells 102 and the electrical contacts 132. The head assembly 108 may be coupled with the main housing 104 such that a desired amount of selective rotation 134 (e.g., 45 to 180 degrees of rotation) is used to reposition the head assembly 108 from the configuration shown in fig. 5 to the configuration shown in fig. 6.

In the configuration shown in fig. 6, the header assembly 108 is positioned relative to the main housing 104 such that the electrical contacts 132 are in contact with the stack of cells 102, and the header assembly 108 applies a biasing force to the stack of cells 102 sufficient to compress the deformable member 110 and maintain contact between the stack of cells 102 and the electrical contacts 112. As can be seen by comparing fig. 5 and 6, the head assembly 108 can be repositioned to displace the stack of cells 102 relative to the main housing 104 sufficiently to compress the deformable members 110 and stack the cells 102 into contact with the electrical contacts 112. In the configuration shown in fig. 6, the battery 102 is stacked operatively electrically connected to a circuit including the light emitting element 14 and a user-operated switch.

In flashlight 100, repositioning of head assembly 108 relative to main housing 104 along direction 136 is accomplished via selective rotation 134 in conjunction with threaded connection 138. Alternatively, other suitable methods for repositioning head assembly 108 relative to main housing 104 along direction 136 may be used. For example, the head assembly 108 may be slidably coupled with the main housing 104 to allow selective parallel displacement along direction 136 between the configurations shown in fig. 5 and 6. One or more suitable detent mechanisms may be used to prevent inadvertent relative parallel displacement between the head assembly 108 and the main housing 104, thereby selectively maintaining each of the configurations shown in fig. 5 and 6.

Fig. 7 partially illustrates a flashlight 200 including a user-operated mechanism 202. The user-operable mechanism 202 is user-reconfigurable to enable selective interruption of the electrical circuit between one or more batteries of the flashlight 200 and a user-operated switch for controlling delivery of battery power to the light emitting element 14 of the flashlight 200.

Fig. 8 shows a partial cross-sectional view of flashlight 200 in a configuration in which non-conductive member 204 of user-operated mechanism 202 separates electrical contact 206 from battery terminal 208 of one or more batteries of flashlight 200. The user-operated mechanism 202 is configured to maintain the illustrated position of the non-conductive member 204 without user interaction with the mechanism 202. The electrical contacts 206 are electrically connected to a circuit that includes the light emitting elements 14 and a user-operated switch that controls the delivery of battery power to the light emitting elements 14.

Fig. 9 shows a partial cross-sectional view of flashlight 200 in a configuration in which non-conductive member 204 of user-operated mechanism 202 does not separate electrical contact 206 from battery terminal 208 of one or more batteries of flashlight 200. The user-operated mechanism 202 is configured to maintain the illustrated position of the non-conductive member 204 without user interaction with the mechanism 202.

Alternatively, other methods may be used to selectively isolate one or more batteries of the flashlight from a circuit that includes a light emitting element and a user-operated switch for controlling the delivery of battery power to the light emitting element. For example, an additional user-operated switch (e.g., a simple on/off single pole single throw electrical switch) may be incorporated into the circuit including the light emitting element and the user-operated switch for controlling the delivery of battery power to the light emitting element.

FIG. 10 shows a partial cross-sectional view of flashlight 300, which includes a light emitting element, a user-operated switch that controls the delivery of battery power to the light emitting element, one or more batteries 302, a battery housing 304, and a reconfigurable mechanism 306 coupled with housing 304. The reconfigurable mechanism 306 is selectively reconfigurable to electrically isolate the one or more batteries 302 from circuitry including the light emitting element and a user operated switch that controls delivery of battery power to the light emitting element. The mechanism 306 includes an endcap frame 308, a deformable member 310, electrical contacts 312, and conductive springs 314. The end cap frame 308 is coupled with the cell housing 304 via a threaded connection 316.

In the configuration shown in fig. 10, one or more batteries 302 are electrically connected to a circuit that includes a light emitting element and a user operated switch that controls the delivery of battery power to the light emitting element. The end cap frame 308 is positioned relative to the housing 304 such that there is sufficient separation between the one or more cells 302 and the end cap to accommodate the semi-compressed state of the combination of the deformable member 310, the electrical contacts 312, and the conductive springs 314 in which the electrical contacts 312 remain in contact with the electrical contacts 318 supported by the end cap frame 308 via the biasing force applied to the electrical contacts 312 by the deformable member 310. Electrical contacts 318 are electrically coupled to a circuit that includes a light emitting element and a user operated switch that controls the delivery of battery power to the light emitting element.

In the configuration shown in fig. 11, one or more batteries 302 are electrically isolated from circuitry including the light emitting elements and a user-operated switch that controls delivery of battery power to the light emitting elements. The end cap frame 308 is positioned relative to the housing 304 such that there is separation between the one or more cells 302 and the end cap to accommodate the compressed state of the combination of the deformable member 310, the electrical contacts 312, and the electrically conductive springs 314 in which the electrical contacts 312 are separated from the electrical contacts 318 supported by the end cap frame 308.

In the illustrated embodiment, repositioning of the end cap frame 308 relative to the cell housing 304 is accomplished by rotation of the end cap frame 308 relative to the cell housing 304 via the threaded connection 316. Alternatively, other suitable methods for repositioning the end cap frame 308 relative to the cell housing 304 may be used. For example, the end cap frame 308 may be slidably coupled with the cell housing 304 to allow selective parallel displacement between the configurations shown in fig. 10 and 11. One or more suitable detent mechanisms may be used to prevent inadvertent relative parallel displacement between the end cap frame 308 and the cell housing 304, thereby selectively maintaining each of the configurations shown in fig. 10 and 11.

Fig. 12-15 schematically illustrate the use of relative rotation between components of a flashlight to selectively connect and disconnect battery terminals, according to many embodiments. Fig. 12 schematically shows a configuration in which the battery terminal 320 is separated from the electrical contact 322. The electrical contacts 322 are electrically connected to circuitry including the light emitting element and a user operated switch for controlling the delivery of battery power to the light emitting element. The battery terminals 320 of the battery 324 are received within a battery housing 326. The battery terminals 320 are radially offset from the central axis of the battery housing 326. In many embodiments, the batteries 324 are prevented from moving radially relative to the battery housing 326. The electrical contacts 322 are also offset from the central axis of the battery housing 326. The electrical contacts 322 are supported for selective rotation relative to the battery housing 326 to enable selective separation between the battery terminals 320 and the electrical contacts 322 as shown in fig. 12 and selective engagement between the battery terminals 320 and the electrical contacts 322 as shown in fig. 13. Fig. 14 and 15 schematically illustrate a similar configuration as shown in fig. 11 and 12, but using a single battery 324 and terminal 320 and a single electrical contact 322.

Fig. 16 shows a user-worn headlamp 400 including a battery life extension mechanism, in accordance with many embodiments. Headlamp 400 includes a main assembly 402 and a headband 404 for holding the main assembly 402 in place on a user, such as holding the main assembly 402 in place on a user's forehead. The main assembly 402 includes one or more light emitting elements 406.

Fig. 17 shows a cross-sectional view of the main assembly 402 in a configuration in which one or more batteries of the headlamp 400 are electrically connected so as to supply electric power to the one or more light emitting elements 406. The main assembly 402 includes a housing 408, a battery cover 410, a spring 412, and a battery cartridge 414. The battery cartridge 414 houses one or more batteries and includes battery cartridge electrical contacts 416, 418. The electrical contacts 416, 418 of the battery cartridge are electrically connected to respective poles of one or more batteries of the battery cartridge 414. The main assembly 402 includes main assembly electrical contacts 420, 422. The main assembly electrical contacts 420, 422 are electrically connected to circuitry including one or more light emitting elements 406 and user operated switches that control the delivery of battery power from the battery cartridge 414 to the one or more light emitting elements 406. In the configuration shown in fig. 16 and 17, the spring 412 applies a biasing force to the battery cartridge 414, thereby maintaining contact between the battery cartridge 414 and the battery cover 410. Battery cover 410 is coupled to housing 408 by threaded connection 424. In the configuration shown in fig. 17, battery cover 410 is fully mounted into housing 408 via threaded connection 424, thereby aligning and maintaining contact between battery cartridge electrical contacts 416, 418 and main assembly electrical contacts 420, 422. In the configuration shown in fig. 18, battery cover 410 is partially mounted into housing 408 via threaded connection 424, thereby staggering and maintaining the separation between battery cartridge electrical contacts 416, 418 and main assembly electrical contacts 420, 422. By partially mounting the battery cover 410 as in the configuration shown in fig. 18, parasitic consumption of power from the battery case 414 can be prevented for an extended period of time between uses of the headlamp 400.

Fig. 19 and 20 show simplified cross-sectional schematic diagrams of a flashlight 500 according to many embodiments. Flashlight 500 is configured to electrically isolate battery assembly 504 when flashlight 500 is off to inhibit parasitic drain on battery assembly 504. In the illustrated embodiment, the flashlight 500 includes a housing 502, a battery cartridge 504, a user-operated switch mechanism 506, an engageable positive contact 508, an engageable negative contact 510, and a light generating element 512. Any suitable light-generating element(s), such as one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), can be used as the light-generating element 512. The battery cartridge 504 is configured to accommodate a plurality of batteries 514. In the illustrated embodiment, the batteries 514 are coupled in series to produce a generated voltage that is output from the battery cartridge 504 to operate the flashlight 500. The battery cartridge 504 includes a positive terminal 516 and a negative terminal 518. The battery cartridge 504 includes a positive voltage path 519 that electrically couples the positive terminal 516 with the positive terminal of one of the batteries 514. The battery cartridge includes a negative voltage path 520 that electrically couples the negative terminal 518 with the negative terminal of another battery 514. In the illustrated embodiment, the positive terminal 516 and the negative terminal 518 are disposed at one end of the battery cartridge 504, thereby helping to simplify the configuration of the flashlight 500 with respect to the engagement of the engageable positive and negative contacts 508, 510.

A user-operated switch mechanism 506 is drivingly coupled with engageable positive contact 508 and engageable negative contact 510 to reconfigure flashlight 500 between the "off" configuration shown in fig. 19 and the "on" configuration shown in fig. 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the engageable positive contact 508 is supported via a first conductive spring assembly 522, and the engageable negative contact 510 is supported via a second conductive spring assembly 524. The light generating element 512 is electrically connected to the first electrically conductive spring assembly 522 via a first electrically conductive path 526 and to the second electrically conductive spring assembly 524 via a second electrically conductive path 528. In the illustrated embodiment, the user-operated switch mechanism 506 includes a slide member 530, the slide member 530 being slidable by a user between a closed position (off) shown in fig. 19 and an open position (on) shown in fig. 20. When the slide member 530 is moved from the open position shown in fig. 20 to the closed position shown in fig. 19, the user-operated switch mechanism 506 displaces the positive and negative contacts 508, 510 away from the positive and negative terminals 516, 518, thereby separating and electrically disconnecting the positive contact 508 from the positive terminal 516 and the negative contact 510 from the negative terminal 518. In the configuration shown in fig. 19, the battery cartridges 504 are electrically isolated, thereby suppressing parasitic consumption of the batteries 514. When the sliding member 530 is moved from the closed position shown in fig. 19 to the open position shown in fig. 20, the user-operated switch mechanism 506 reconfigures to accommodate movement of the positive and negative contacts 508, 510 toward the positive and negative terminals 516, 518, allowing the first conductive spring assembly 522 to move the positive contact 508 into contact with the positive terminal 516 and the second conductive spring assembly 524 to move the negative contact 510 into contact with the negative terminal 518. In the configuration shown in fig. 20, the light-generating element 512 is electrically coupled with the battery cartridge 504 and is powered by electrical current from the battery 514.

Fig. 21 and 22 show simplified cross-sectional schematic diagrams of a flashlight 550 according to many embodiments. Flashlight 550 is configured to electrically isolate battery assembly 554 when flashlight 550 is off to inhibit parasitic drain on battery assembly 554. Flashlight 550 is configured similar to flashlight 500, but does not include conductive spring assemblies 522, 524. In the illustrated embodiment, the flashlight 550 includes a housing 502, a battery cartridge 554, a user-operated switch mechanism 556, an engageable positive contact 558, an engageable negative contact 560, and a light-generating element 512. Any suitable light-generating element(s), such as one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), can be used as the light-generating element 512. The battery cartridge 554 is configured to receive a plurality of batteries 514. In the illustrated embodiment, the batteries 514 are coupled in series to produce a generated voltage that is output from the battery cartridge 554 to operate the flashlight 550. The battery cartridge 554 includes a positive terminal 566 and a negative terminal 568. The battery cartridge 554 includes a positive voltage path 569 that electrically couples the positive terminal 566 with the positive terminal of one of the batteries 514. The battery cartridge includes a negative voltage path 570 that electrically couples the negative terminal 568 with the negative terminal of another battery 514. In the illustrated embodiment, the positive 566 and negative 568 terminals are disposed at one end of the battery cartridge 554, thereby helping to simplify the configuration of the flashlight 550 with respect to the engagement of the engageable positive and negative contacts 558, 560.

The user-operated switch mechanism 556 is drivingly coupled with the engageable positive contact 558 and the engageable negative contact 560 to reconfigure the flashlight 550 between the "off" configuration shown in fig. 21 and the "on" configuration shown in fig. 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the light-generating element 512 is electrically connected with the engageable positive contact 558 via a first electrically conductive path 572 and with the engageable negative contact 560 via a second electrically conductive path 574. In the illustrated embodiment, the user-operated switch mechanism 556 includes a slide member 580 that is slidable between a closed position shown in fig. 21 and an open position shown in fig. 22. When the sliding member 580 is moved from the closed position shown in fig. 21 to the open position shown in fig. 22, the user-operated switch mechanism 556 displaces the positive and negative contacts 558, 560 into contact with the positive and negative terminals 566, 568, thereby electrically connecting the light-generating element 512 with the battery cartridge 554 to power the light-generating element 512 with the electrical power output by the battery cartridge 554. When the slide member 580 is moved from the open position shown in fig. 22 to the closed position shown in fig. 21, the user-operated switch mechanism 556 displaces the positive and negative contacts 558, 560 away from the positive and negative terminals 566, 568, thereby separating and electrically disconnecting the positive contact 558 from the positive terminal 566 and the negative contact 560 from the negative terminal 568. In the configuration shown in fig. 22, the battery cartridges 554 are electrically isolated, thereby suppressing parasitic consumption of the batteries 514.

Fig. 23 shows an exterior view of an embodiment of the flashlight 500, 550 in a closed configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery isolation marker 532 is visible when the sliding members 530, 580 are in the closed position, and the battery isolation marker 532 is covered by the sliding members 530, 580 when the sliding members 530, 580 are in the open position. In a similar manner, the flashlight 500, 550 can include a suitable "on" flag that is visible when the sliding member 530, 580 is in the open position and is covered by the sliding member 530, 580 when the sliding member 530, 580 is in the closed position.

Fig. 24, 25, and 26 schematically illustrate a flashlight 600 according to many embodiments, including a user-operated switch mechanism 606, which user-operated switch mechanism 606 is operable to electrically isolate battery compartment 504 when flashlight 600 is off, and to select an operating mode of flashlight 600 when flashlight 600 is on. Some components of flashlight 600 are the same or similar to components of flashlight 500 and are labeled with the same reference numbers. The description of these common or similar components set forth herein with respect to flashlight 500 is applicable to flashlight 600 and, therefore, is not repeated here. With respect to the engagement of the contacts, the flashlight 600 can be configured similar to the flashlight 550 to selectively isolate the battery cartridge 554.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flashlight 600 includes a housing 502, a battery cartridge 504, a user-operated switch mechanism 606, an engageable positive contact 508, an engageable negative contact 510, and a light generating element 512. Flashlight 600 also includes a control unit 608 (e.g., suitable control circuitry) operatively coupled with the positive and negative contacts 508, 510 via conductive paths 610, 612 and conductive spring assemblies 522, 524, with a user-operated switch mechanism 606 via conductive paths 614, 616, and with light-generating element 512 via conductive paths 618, 620. The control unit 608 is configured to control the supply of electrical power to the light generating element 512 in order to operate the light generating element 512 in an operational mode selected via the user-operated switching mechanism 606.

A user-operated switch mechanism 606 is drivingly coupled with the engageable positive contact 508 and the engageable negative contact 510 to reconfigure the flashlight 600 between the "off" configuration shown in fig. 24 and the open configurations (1), (2) shown in fig. 25 and 26, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the user-operated switch mechanism 606 includes a slide member 630 that is slidable between a closed position (off) shown in fig. 24, an open position (1) shown in fig. 25, and an open position (2) shown in fig. 26. When the slide member 630 is moved to the closed position shown in fig. 24, the user-operated switch mechanism 606 displaces the positive and negative contacts 508, 510 away from the positive and negative terminals 516, 518, thereby separating and electrically disconnecting the positive contact 508 from the positive terminal 516 and the negative contact 510 from the negative terminal 518. In the configuration shown in fig. 24, the battery cartridges 504 are electrically isolated, thereby suppressing parasitic consumption of the batteries 514. When the slide member 630 is moved from the closed position shown in fig. 24 to the open position (1) shown in fig. 25, the user-operated switch mechanism 606 reconfigures to accommodate movement of the positive and negative contacts 508, 510 toward the positive and negative terminals 516, 518, allowing the first conductive spring assembly 522 to move the positive contact 508 into contact with the positive terminal 516 and the second conductive spring assembly 524 to move the negative contact 510 into contact with the negative terminal 518. In the configuration shown in fig. 25, the light-generating element 512 is electrically coupled with the battery cartridge 504 and is operated in a first mode of operation (e.g., low intensity operation of the light-generating element 512) by current from the battery 514. As the sliding member 630 moves from the open position (1) shown in fig. 25 to the open position (2) shown in fig. 26, the user-operated switch mechanism 606 continues to accommodate contact between the positive and negative contacts 508, 510 and the positive and negative terminals 516, 518, and the mode of operation of the flashlight changes to the second mode of operation (e.g., high intensity operation of the light generating element 512). In the illustrated embodiment, the user-operated switch mechanism 606 is configured to indicate the selected operating mode to the control unit 608 via the conductive paths 614, 616. For example, the control unit 608 can output the signal voltage to the user-operated switching mechanism 606 via the conductive path 614, and the user-operated switching mechanism 606 can include a switch that electrically connects the conductive path 616 to the conductive path 614 when the sliding member is in the open position (2), and opens to electrically isolate the conductive path 616 from the conductive path 614 when the sliding member 630 is in the open position (1).

Fig. 27 shows an exterior view of an embodiment of flashlight 600 in the closed configuration of fig. 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery isolation flag 632 is visible when the sliding member 630 is in the closed position, and the battery isolation flag 632 is covered by the sliding member 630 when the sliding member 630 is in each of the open positions (1), (2). In a similar manner, flashlight 600 can include suitable on indicia, each of which can be visible when sliding member 630 is in a respective position, and which are covered by sliding member 630 when sliding member 630 is in a closed position.

Fig. 28 and 29 schematically illustrate a flashlight 700 according to many embodiments, including a first user-operated switch mechanism 702 operable to electrically isolate battery tray 504 when flashlight 700 is off, and a second user-operated switch mechanism 704 operable to select an operating mode of flashlight 700 when flashlight 700 is on. Some components of flashlight 700 are the same or similar to components of flashlight 500 and are labeled with the same reference numbers. The description of these common or similar components set forth herein with respect to flashlight 500 is applicable to flashlight 700 and, therefore, is not repeated here. With respect to the engagement of the contacts, flashlight 700 can be configured similar to flashlight 550 to selectively isolate battery cartridge 554.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flashlight 700 includes a housing 502, a battery cartridge 504, a first user-operated switch mechanism 702, a second user-operated switch mechanism 704, an engageable positive contact 508, an engageable negative contact 510, and a light-generating element 512. Flashlight 700 also includes a control unit 706 (e.g., suitable control circuitry) operatively coupled with positive and negative contacts 508, 510 via conductive paths 708, 710 and conductive spring assemblies 522, 524, with second user-operated switching mechanism 706 via conductive paths 712, 714, and with light-generating element 512 via conductive paths 716, 718. The control unit 706 is configured to control the supply of electrical power to the light generating element 512 in order to operate the light generating element 512 in the operation mode selected via the second user operated switch mechanism 704.

A first user-operated switch mechanism 702 is drivingly coupled with the engageable positive contact 508 and the engageable negative contact 510 to reconfigure the flashlight 700 between the "off" configuration shown in fig. 28 and the "on" configuration shown in fig. 29. In the illustrated embodiment, the first user-operated switch mechanism 702 includes a slide member 720 that is slidable between a closed position shown in fig. 28 and an open position shown in fig. 29. When the slide member 720 is moved to the closed position shown in fig. 28, the first user-operated switch mechanism 702 displaces the positive and negative contacts 508, 510 away from the positive and negative terminals 516, 518, thereby separating and electrically disconnecting the positive contact 508 from the positive terminal 516 and the negative contact 510 from the negative terminal 518. In the configuration shown in fig. 28, the battery cartridges 504 are electrically isolated, thereby suppressing parasitic consumption of the batteries 514. When the sliding member 720 is moved from the closed position shown in fig. 28 to the open position shown in fig. 29, the first user-operated switch mechanism 702 is reconfigured to accommodate movement of the positive and negative contacts 508, 510 toward the positive and negative terminals 516, 518, thereby allowing the first conductive spring assembly 522 to move the positive contact 508 into contact with the positive terminal 516 and allowing the second conductive spring assembly 524 to move the negative contact 510 into contact with the negative terminal 518.

In the configuration shown in fig. 29, the light-generating element 512 is electrically coupled with the battery cartridge 504 and operates in an operating mode selected via the second user-operated switch mechanism 704. For example, the second user-operated switch mechanism 704 can be configured to enable selection between low intensity operation of the light-generating element 512 and high intensity operation of the light-generating element 512. In the illustrated embodiment, the second user-operated switch mechanism 704 is configured to indicate the selected operating mode to the control unit 706 via conductive paths 712, 714. For example, control unit 706 can output a signal voltage to second user-operated switch mechanism 704 via conductive path 712, and second user-operated switch mechanism 704 can include a switch that electrically connects conductive path 714 to conductive path 712 when the second operating mode is selected via second user-operated switch mechanism 704, and opens to electrically isolate conductive path 714 from conductive path 712 when the first operating mode is selected via second user-operated switch mechanism 704. As another example, the second user-operated switch mechanism 704 can be configured to be able to select any desired operating intensity of the light-producing element 512 in an intensity range (e.g., zero intensity to high intensity) and vary the voltage output to the control unit 706 via the conductive path 714 according to the selected operating intensity.

Fig. 30 shows an exterior view of an embodiment of flashlight 700 in the closed configuration of fig. 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery isolation marker 532 is visible when the sliding member 720 is in the closed position and the battery isolation marker 532 is covered by the sliding member 720 when the sliding member 720 is in the open position. In a similar manner, flashlight 700 can include a suitable on flag that is visible when sliding member 720 is in the on position and that is covered by sliding member 720 when sliding member 720 is in the off position. In the illustrated embodiment, the second user-operated switch mechanism 704 includes a selection member 722 that is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the flashlight 700 to enable selection of any desired operating intensity of the light generating element 512 from a zero intensity mode of operation (i.e., off) of the light generating element 512 to a high intensity mode of operation of the light generating element 512.

Fig. 31 and 32 schematically illustrate a flashlight 800 according to many embodiments, including a first user-operated switch mechanism 802 and a mode selection button 804, the first user-operated switch mechanism 802 operable to electrically isolate the battery cartridge 504 when the flashlight 800 is off, the mode selection button 804 operable to select an operating mode of the flashlight 800 when the flashlight 800 is on. Some components of flashlight 800 are the same or similar to components of flashlight 500 and are labeled with the same reference numbers. The description of these common or similar components set forth herein with respect to flashlight 500 is applicable to flashlight 800 and, therefore, is not repeated here. With respect to the engagement of the contacts, the flashlight 800 can be configured similar to the flashlight 550 to selectively isolate the battery cartridge 554.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flashlight 800 includes a housing 502, a battery cartridge 504, a first user-operated switch mechanism 802, a mode select button 804, an engageable positive contact 508, an engageable negative contact 510, and a light generating element 512. Flashlight 800 also includes a control unit 806 (e.g., suitable control circuitry) operatively coupled with positive and negative contacts 508, 510 via conductive paths 808, 810 and conductive spring assemblies 522, 524, with mode selection button 804 via conductive paths 812, 814, and with light-generating element 512 via conductive paths 816, 818. The control unit 806 is configured to control the supply of power to the light generating element 512 in order to operate the light generating element 512 in the operation mode selected via the mode selection button 804.

The first user-operated switch mechanism 802 is drivingly coupled with the engageable positive contact 508 and the engageable negative contact 510 to reconfigure the flashlight 800 between the "off" configuration shown in fig. 31 and the "on" configuration shown in fig. 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the first user-operated switch mechanism 802 includes a slide member 820 that is slidable by a user between a closed position shown in fig. 31 and an open position shown in fig. 32. When the slide member 820 is moved to the closed position shown in fig. 31, the first user-operated switch mechanism 802 displaces the positive and negative contacts 508, 510 away from the positive and negative terminals 516, 518, thereby separating and electrically disconnecting the positive contact 508 from the positive terminal 516 and the negative contact 510 from the negative terminal 518. In the configuration shown in fig. 31, the battery cartridges 504 are electrically isolated, thereby suppressing parasitic consumption of the batteries 514. When the sliding member 820 is moved from the closed position shown in fig. 32 to the open position shown in fig. 31, the first user-operated switch mechanism 802 reconfigures to accommodate movement of the positive and negative contacts 508, 510 toward the positive and negative terminals 516, 518, allowing the first conductive spring assembly 522 to move the positive contact 508 into contact with the positive terminal 516 and the second conductive spring assembly 524 to move the negative contact 510 into contact with the negative terminal 518.

In the configuration shown in fig. 32, the light-generating element 512 is electrically coupled with the battery cartridge 504 and operates in an operation mode selected via the mode selection button 804. For example, the mode selection button 804 can be configured to enable a user to cycle through a plurality of different operating modes (e.g., off, low intensity, high intensity, flashing) for the light-producing element 512. In the illustrated embodiment, the mode selection button 804 is configured to indicate the selected operating mode to the control unit 806 via conductive paths 812, 814. For example, the control unit 806 can output a signal voltage to the mode selection button 804 via the conductive path 812, and the mode selection button 704 can output a voltage to the control unit 806 according to the selected operation mode.

Fig. 33 shows an exterior view of an embodiment of flashlight 800 in the open configuration of fig. 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the mode select button 804 is accessible when the sliding member 820 is in the open position, and the mode select button 804 is covered by the sliding member 820 when the sliding member 820 is in the closed position. In a similar manner, flashlight 800 can include a suitable "off" flag that is visible when the sliding member 820 is in the closed position and is covered by the sliding member 820 when the sliding member 820 is in the open position.

Other variations are within the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be understood as being partially or completely encompassed within the meaning of being attached or joined together, even if some intermediate elements are present. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

Claims (16)

1. An illumination device, comprising:

a housing configured to house a battery assembly including one or more batteries;

a light generating element supported by the housing;

a first switch mechanism comprising an engageable positive contact and an engageable negative contact, the first switch mechanism configurable by a user to:

(a) a first configuration in which the positive contact is in contact with a positive terminal of the battery assembly while the negative contact is in contact with a negative terminal of the battery assembly, and the light-generating element is electrically coupled with the engageable positive contact and the engageable negative contact so as to receive electrical power from the battery assembly to generate light; and

(b) a second configuration in which the positive contact is separated from the positive terminal and simultaneously the negative contact is separated from the negative terminal to electrically isolate the battery assembly;

a second switch mechanism operable by a user to select a mode of operation of the light generating element when the first switch mechanism is in the first configuration; and

a control unit operatively coupled with the light-generating element, the control unit configured to control the supply of electrical power to the light-generating element so as to operate the light-generating element in an operating mode selected by a user via the second switch mechanism, wherein the second switch mechanism includes a mode selection button operatively coupled with the control unit and operable by a user to cycle through a plurality of operating modes for the light-generating element.

2. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a control unit operatively coupled with the light-generating element, the control unit configured to control the supply of electrical power to the light-generating element so as to operate the light-generating element in a first mode of operation when the first switching mechanism is in the first configuration.

3. The lighting device of claim 2, wherein:

the first switching mechanism is configurable by a user to a third configuration in which the engageable positive contact is in contact with the positive terminal of the battery assembly, the engageable negative contact is in contact with the negative terminal of the battery assembly, and the light-generating element is electrically coupled with the engageable positive contact and the engageable negative contact so as to receive power from the battery assembly to generate light; and is

The control unit is configured to control the supply of electrical power to the light generating element so as to operate the light generating element in a second mode of operation when the first switching mechanism is in the third configuration, the second mode of operation being different from the first mode of operation.

4. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the second switch mechanism includes a selection member that is rotatable relative to the housing by a user to select the operating mode.

5. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the first switch mechanism prevents a user from operating the mode selection button when in the second configuration, and the first switch mechanism is adapted to be operated by a user to the mode selection button when in the first configuration.

6. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein:

the battery assembly includes a battery cartridge configured to receive a plurality of batteries; and is

The battery cartridge includes: the positive terminal of the battery assembly; a positive voltage path configured to electrically connect the positive terminal of the battery assembly with positive terminals of the plurality of batteries; the negative terminal of the battery assembly; and a negative voltage path configured to electrically connect the negative terminal of the battery assembly with a negative terminal of the plurality of batteries.

7. The lighting device of claim 6, wherein the battery cartridge is configured to receive the plurality of batteries in a series-connected configuration to generate a generated voltage for operating the light-generating element.

8. The lighting device of claim 7, wherein the positive terminal of the battery assembly and the negative terminal of the battery assembly are disposed at one end of the battery cartridge.

9. A method for electrically isolating a battery assembly of a lighting device to inhibit parasitic consumption of the battery assembly, the method comprising:

maintaining contact between an engageable positive contact and a positive terminal of the battery assembly when a first user-operable switch mechanism of the lighting device is in a first configuration, the first user-operable switch mechanism being drivingly coupled with the engageable positive contact, the engageable positive contact being electrically connected with a light-generating element of the lighting device;

maintaining contact between an engageable negative contact and a negative terminal of the battery assembly when the first user-operable switch mechanism is in the first configuration, the first user-operable switch mechanism being drivingly coupled with the engageable negative contact, the engageable negative contact being electrically connected with a light-generating element of the lighting device;

in response to reconfiguration of the first user-operable switch mechanism from the first configuration to a second configuration, separating the engageable positive contact from the positive terminal of the battery assembly and simultaneously separating the engageable negative contact from the negative terminal of the battery assembly to electrically isolate the battery assembly; and

controlling, via a control unit operatively coupled with a second user-operable switch mechanism, the supply of electrical power to the light-generating element so as to operate the light-generating element in an operating mode selected via the second user-operable switch mechanism, wherein the second user-operable switch mechanism comprises a mode selection button, the method further comprising outputting, corresponding to the selected operating mode, a signal from the mode selection button to the control unit so as to operate the light-generating element, the mode selection button being operable to cycle through a plurality of operating modes for the light-generating element.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising controlling, via a control unit included in the lighting device, the supply of power to the light-generating element to operate the light-generating element in a first mode of operation when the first user-operable switching mechanism is in the first configuration.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising controlling, via the control unit, the supply of power to the light-generating element to operate the light-generating element in a second mode of operation when the first user-operable switch mechanism is in a third configuration in which the engageable positive contact is in contact with a positive terminal of the battery assembly and the engageable negative contact is in contact with a negative terminal of the battery assembly, the second mode of operation being different from the first mode of operation.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising outputting a signal from the second user-operable switch mechanism to the control unit corresponding to the rotational orientation of the selection member of the second user-operable switch mechanism, the signal indicating the selected operating mode.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

when the first user-operable switch mechanism is in the second configuration, preventing operational access to the mode selection button; and

is adapted to be accessible for operation of the mode selection button when the first user-operable switch mechanism is in the first configuration.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving a battery cartridge within the lighting device, the battery cartridge configured to receive a plurality of batteries and comprising the positive terminal of the battery assembly and the negative terminal of the battery assembly;

electrically coupling the positive terminal of the battery assembly with positive terminals of the plurality of batteries; and

electrically coupling the negative terminal of the battery assembly with a negative terminal of the plurality of batteries.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the battery cartridge housing is configured to house the plurality of batteries in a series-connected configuration to generate a generated voltage for operating the light-generating element.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising supporting the positive terminal of the battery assembly and the negative terminal of the battery assembly at one end of the battery cartridge.

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