Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
1
HAND HOLDABLE LIGHT HAVING AN ERGONOMIC GRIP
AND A BATTERY ASSEMBLY THEREFOR
[ 001] This Patent Application claims the benefit and priority of US Patent
Application
No. 16/987,134 entitled "HAND HOLDABLE LIGHT HAVING AN ERGONOMIC GRIP
AND A BATTERY ASSEMBLY THEREFOR" filed August 6, 2020, which claims the
benefit and priority of US Patent Application No. 62/959,438 entitled "HAND
HOLDABLE
LIGHT HAVING AN ERGONOMIC GRIP AND A BATTERY ASSEMBLY THEREFOR"
filed January 10, 2020; and
this Patent Application is a continuation of is a continuation of U.S. Patent
Application
29/719,363 entitled "HAND HOLDABLE LIGHT" filed January 3, 2020, and is a
continuation
of U.S. Patent Application 29/702,078 entitled "HAND HOLDABLE LIGHT" filed
August 16,
2019,
each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[ 002] The present invention relates to a hand holdable light, in
particular, to a hand
holdable light having an ergonomic grip.
[ 003] The present invention also relates to a battery assembly for a
light.
[ 004] Hand held lights typically have a cylindrical body that serves as a
grip for a user
thereof and that also usually has an internal cavity for one or more
batteries. The grip portion
of some known lights may be like a flattened cylinder, e.g., approximating an
oval-like or
ellipse-like shape, which may make it easier to contain plural battery cells.
Examples thereof
include, e.g., a 4AA PROPOLYMERCD flashlight which has four AA cells arranged
with two
side-by-side sets each of two cells end-to-end, and a DUALIECD 3AA flashlight
which has three
AA cells arranged with two cells that are end-to-end and a third cell
alongside the two cells that
are end-to-end, both of which lights are commercially available from
Streamlight, Inc. of
Eagleville Pennsylvania, USA.
[ 005] Users of lights with various differently shaped grips generally
adapt their grip so
as to find a relatively comfortable way to grip those lights, but some grip
shapes are simply not
sufficiently conformed to a user's hand as to be comfortable.
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
2
1 0061 Moreover, lights having a cylindrical or flattened cylindrical
grip, and other
symmetrical or quasi-symmetrical shapes, can be "ambiguous" to a user who
after picking up
such light must then finger around to locate its actuator, and possibly change
his grip on the
light, before the actuator is in a position where the user is able to operate
(actuate) the light.
1 007] Applicant believes there may be a need for a light that has a grip
that is
configured to comfortably receive a user's hand including receiving the
fingers used to operate
the light, particularly where the light may be gripped in various different
ways.
[ 008] Accordingly, a hand holdable light may comprise: a light body having
a forward
portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion between and adjacent to the
forward portion
and to the rearward portion; a light source proximate the forward end; and a
switch for
selectively energizing the light source from the source of electrical power.
The rearward
portion of the light body has a non-circular cross-section; the switch is on
the forward portion;
and the central portion has a recess opposite the switch actuator; whereby the
light is holdable
by a hand having a finger or a thumb proximate the recess and the other of a
finger or a thumb
proximate the switch.
[ 009] A hand holdable light may also comprise: a light body having a
forward portion
proximate a forward end thereof, a rearward portion proximate a rearward end
thereof, and a
central portion between and adjacent to the forward portion and to the
rearward portion thereof;
a light source proximate the forward end; a first switch actuator for
selectively energizing the
light source; and a cover at the rearward end of the light body. The cover may
include a
second switch actuator for selectively energizing the light source. The
rearward portion of the
light body has a non-circular cross-section having a larger transverse
dimension and a smaller
transverse dimension; wherein the first switch actuator is disposed
substantially on the forward
portion of the light body; wherein the central portion of the light body has a
transverse
dimension that is less than the larger transverse dimension of the rearward
portion, thereby
defining a recess in the central portion opposite to the first switch
actuator; whereby the light is
holdable by a hand having a palm proximate the rearward portion, a finger or a
thumb
proximate the recess of the central portion and the other of a finger or a
thumb proximate the
first switch actuator.
1 010] A battery assembly may comprise: a battery housing having a
receptacle for
receiving a battery and electrical contacts to which the battery connects; an
electrical switch on
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
3
a first end of the battery housing; and a pattern of electrical contacts on a
second end of the
battery housing, wherein ones of the electrical contacts are connected to the
battery.
[ 011] Further, a battery assembly may comprise: a battery housing having a
receptacle
for receiving a battery and having at least two electrical contacts to which
terminals of the
battery connect; an electrical switch on the battery housing, the electrical
switch having an
externally accessible actuator for making and breaking an electrical
connection between a first
electrical switch contact and a second electrical switch contact; and a
symmetrical pattern of
externally accessible electrical contacts on the battery housing. The
symmetrical pattern may
include: first and second electrical contacts; the third one of the externally
contacts is located
centrally within the pattern; the first one of the electrical contacts is
located symmetrically on
the pattern with a fourth one of the electrical contacts; and the second one
of the electrical
contacts is located symmetrically on the pattern with a fifth one of the
electrical contacts.
Connection to the battery assembly may be made by three contacts of a use
device contacts with
the battery assembly being in at least two different orientations relative to
the three contacts of
the use device.
[ 012] In summarizing the arrangements described and/or claimed herein, a
selection of
concepts and/or elements and/or steps that are described in the detailed
description herein may
be made or simplified. Any summary is not intended to identify key features,
elements and/or
steps, or essential features, elements and/or steps, relating to the claimed
subject matter, and so
are not intended to be limiting and should not be construed to be limiting of
or defining of the
scope and breadth of the claimed subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[ 013] The detailed description of the preferred embodiment(s) will be more
easily and
better understood when read in conjunction with the FIGURES of the Drawing
which include:
[ 014] FIGS. 1A and 1B are first and second perspective views of an example
embodiment of a hand holdable light;
[ 015] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are four different views of the example hand
holdable
light being gripped by a hand in four different ways;
1 016] FIGS. 3A through 3D are four side views of the example hand
holdable light in
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
4
different rotational positions and FIGS. 3E and 3F are end views thereof;
[ 017] FIGS. 4A and 4B are together an exploded view of the example hand
holdable
light and FIG. 4C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof;
[ 018] FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of an example embodiment of a
battery
assembly for the example hand holdable light, FIG. 5C is an exploded view
thereof, FIG. 5D is
an enlarged view of the end thereof including a switch, and FIG. 5E is an
electrical schematic
diagram thereof;
[ 019] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an example module assembly usable
with the
example hand holdable light, FIG. 6B is a side cross-sectional view thereof,
FIG. 6C is an
exploded view thereof, FIG. 6D is an exploded view of a modified example
thereof, and FIG.
6E is a plan view of the example circuit board of the modified example
thereof; and
[ 020] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are perspective and side views, respectively, of
an example
hand holdable light and FIG. 7C is an exploded view of a part thereof,
illustrating an example
cover and a clasp thereof.
[ 021] In the Drawing, where an element or feature is shown in more than
one drawing
figure, the same alphanumeric designation may be used to designate such
element or feature in
each figure, and where a closely related or modified element is shown in a
figure, the same
alphanumerical designation may be primed to designate the modified element or
feature.
Similar elements or features may be designated by like alphanumeric
designations in different
figures of the Drawing and with similar nomenclature in the specification. As
is common, the
various features of the drawing are not to scale, the dimensions of the
various features may be
arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity, and each Figure is by way of
example only.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[ 022] FIGS. lA and 1B are first and second perspective views of an example
embodiment of a hand holdable light; FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are four
different views of the
example hand holdable light being gripped by a hand in four different ways;
FIGS. 3A through
3D are four side views of the example hand holdable light in different
rotational positions, and
FIGS. 3E and 3F are end views thereof
[ 023] Light 10 includes a light body 20 having a forward end 12 or head
end 12, from
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
which light is typically emitted, and a rearward end 14 or tail end 14. Light
body 20 typically
supports a light source 90 at or near the forward end 12 thereof for directing
light in a generally
forward direction, whether the light is formed in to a relatively narrow or
spot beam or into a
relatively broader wide or flood beam, or is changeable between relatively
narrower and
relatively wider beam widths.
[ 024] Example light body 20 includes, e.g., a light housing 22 or body
housing 22
having a face cap 82 and/or reflector 80 at a forward end 12 thereof and a
cover 30 or tail cap
30 at a rearward end 14 thereof.
[ 025] Light source 90 in modern lights typically includes one or more
light emitting
diodes (LEDs), but may alternatively or additionally include a filament lamp
or other light
source. While light therefrom is often directed in a generally forward
direction, it may be
directed at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of light 10 and/or light
head 80 may be set at
an angle relative to the longitudinal axis and/or may pivotable so that a user
may change the
direction in which light is emitted over a range of angles.
[ 026] Light body 20 typically has a cover 30, typically referred to as a
tail cap 30, at its
rear end 14 which can be opened and closed for placing a source of electrical
power, e.g., a
battery, inside of light body 20 and/or for removing a battery from inside of
light body 20.
Example tail cap 30 is hinged so as to swing open and has a latch 38 to retain
it in a closed
position against the rear end of light body housing 22 to cover the opening at
the rear end
thereof. A source of electrical power, e.g., a battery, may include one or
more separate battery
cells or a battery assembly for carrying one or more battery cells. A battery
assembly 100 may
be covered or sheathed so as to retain the battery cells therein or may be
unsheathed so as to
permit user placement, removal .and replacement of one or more battery cells
therein.
[ 027] Example light 10 includes one or more actuators 40, 50, 60 on its
exterior that
may be, e.g., pressed inwardly or slid laterally or otherwise moved, for
actuating (operating) a
corresponding electrical switch within light 10 which operates the light 10,
e.g., turns light
source 90 ON, either momentarily or continuously, and OFF. In general, other
modes of light
source 90 may be enabled by actuating one or more of actuators 40, 50, 60 in a
given manner or
sequence, or a given number of times, or for given periods of time, or a
combination thereof,
for actuating various modes, e.g., dimming, un-dimming, flashing, blinking,
strobing, and the
like, and/or for selecting one of plural light sources to operate. Thus, the
plural operating
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
6
modes of light 10 are selectable by a user.
[ 028] Regarding the example light 10, however, the principal function of
actuators 40
and 50 is to control the turning ON and OFF of light source 90 while actuator
60 principally
functions as a mode selector for selecting ones of the operating modes of
operation of light 10
to be controlled via actuators 40, 50. In a preferred arrangement, actuators
40, 50 operate in
like manner, e.g., if light 10 is OFF, pressing either actuator 40 or actuator
50 part way in
causes light source 90 to turn ON momentarily, e.g., only while such actuator
remains partially
pressed, and to turn OFF when such actuator is released.
[ 029] Similarly, e.g., if light 10 is OFF, pressing either actuator 40 or
actuator 50 all
the way and releasing it (sometimes called a single "click") causes light
source 90 to turn ON
and to remain ON when such actuator is released, e.g., single click to turn ON
and single click
again to turn OFF. Double clicking either actuator 40 or actuator 50 causes
light source 90 to
operate, e.g., in a strobing mode, and then single click to turn OFF.
[ 030] In the preferred arrangement, actuator 60 is slidable transversely
to light body 20
to be in each of plural positions, e.g., in one of three positions
corresponding to low, medium
and high brightness or intensity of light source 90, and may be operated to
change positions
when light 10 is ON and when it is OFF.
[ 031] Actuator 40 is disposed at the rear end 14 of light 10 and actuators
50 and 60 are
disposed along a side of light 10 toward the forward end 12 thereof, and in
specific locations
relative to the various parts 20F, 20C and 20R for enabling an ergonomic grip
arrangement as is
described below.
[ 032] When light 10 is intended to employ a rechargeable source of
electrical power,
e.g., a rechargeable battery, a charging interface 70 is provided on the
exterior of light 10. In
the example light 10, charging interface 70 includes a generally triangular
guide for facilitating
light 10 having a predetermined orientation relative to a charger when placed
into such charger.
Guide 70 is typically attached to body 20 of light 10 by two screws 72 which
also serve as
electrical contacts for connecting to corresponding contacts in a suitable
charger when light 10
is placed therein. Guide 70 is preferably located toward the forward end 12 of
light 10, e.g.,
peripherally opposite to actuators 50, 60, and preferably sufficiently forward
as to not be
touched by the fingers of a typical user holding light 10.
1 033] Examples of the charging interface and compatible charger may be
found in U.S.
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
7
Patent No. 7,220,013 entitled "Rechargeable Flashlight and Battery Assembly
for Single-
Handed Intermittent and Continuous Operation" issued to Raymond Sharrah et al
on May 22,
2007, which is assigned to Streamlight, Inc., and in U.S. Patent No. 5,432,698
entitled
"Flashlight and Recharging System Therefor" issued to Raymond Sharrah et al on
July 11,
1995, which is also assigned to Streamlight, Inc., each of which is hereby
incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
[ 034] Example light body 20 has a forward portion 20F toward the head
end 12
thereof, a rearward portion 20R toward the rear end 14 thereof, and a central
portion 20C
therebetween. Various aspects of forward portion 20F, central portion 20C and
rearward
portion 20R are arranged for providing a gripping region and configuration
that is suitable for
being gripped by a user in several different ways, while accommodating a range
of sizes of
human hands. The illustrated rearward portion 20R is illustrated as having a
plurality of partial
circumferential ribs or ridges which tend to improve a user's grip thereof,
however, such ridges
are by way of example only and may be omitted or replaced by other grip-
improving features,
e.g., knurling, roughening, a frictional, e.g., rubber-like, coating, and the
like.
1 035] While portions 20F, 20C, 20R do extend over a substantial part of
the length of
the illustrated example light 10, they need not do so, e.g., where a light 10
is longer than the
illustrated example, or may extend over the entire length, e.g., where light
10 is shorter. For
example, if a light 10 were to employ a longer battery, then the length of the
rear part of
housing 22 that encloses the battery would be lengthened as would rear portion
20R so that a
suitable grip would be provided for using both the forward actuators 50, 60
and the rear
actuator 40. In addition, the locations of portions 20F, OC, 20R along the
length of housing 22
may be moved forward or rearward as may be desirable for maintaining a good
balance or
"feel" of the light 10 in a user's hand,
[ 036] In FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrated ways of gripping light 10 in
which, e.g., a
user's arm may hang downward along the user's side. In both the users had
grasps light 10
primarily with its palm and fingers wrapped around rear portion 20R with the
thumb and
forefinger extending along light 10 toward the forward end 12 thereof. It is
noted that the non-
symmetrical shape of central portion 20C coupled with the natural tendency of
either the thumb
or forefinger to rest in the recess thereof and the other of the thumb and
forefinger to rest
against one of actuators 50, 60 serve to provide the user tactile feel
enabling rapid
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
8
determination of the orientation of light 10 and the gripping of light 10 in a
known desired
orientation, e.g., for directing light in front of the user.
1 037] In FIG. 2A light 10 is oriented with actuators 50, 60 upward so
that the user's
thumb is in a position from which it can easily be used to actuate actuators
50 and/or 60 and the
user's forefinger can rest in the recess of central portion 20C. In FIG. 2B
light 10 is oriented
with actuators 50, 60 downward so that the user's forefinger is in a position
from which it can
easily be used to actuate actuators 50 and/or 60 and the user's thumb can rest
in the recess of
central portion 20C.
[ 038] In FIGS. 2C and 2D, light 10 is also gripped with the user's palm
and fingers
around rear portion 20R of light 10, but with light 10 oriented so that the
user's thumb rests
against or near actuator 40 on tail cap 30. When held with the user's elbow
bent and forearm
upward, light 10 is oriented for directing light, e.g., in front of the user,
as is usually desired.
Preferably a transverse shallow groove 36 is provided on tail cap 30, and
actuator 40 is
disposed in that groove 36, so as to assist a user by tactile feel to position
his thumb to be on or
near to actuator 40, and either aligned with or transverse to groove 36, as
may be desired and/or
comfortable for each user.
1 039] Rearward portion 20R of light body 20 preferably has a flattened
shape, e.g., a
flattened cylindrical shape, an oval shape, an elliptical shape or the like,
so that it can be
grasped comfortably by a user wrapping his hand around rearward portion 20R,
most likely
with one of the flattened sides thereof adjacent the palm of the user's hand,
e.g., as illustrated.
Rearward portion 20R may thus be described as having a relatively larger or
major transverse
dimension DL and a relatively smaller or minor transverse Ds dimension. The
relatively larger
or major transverse dimension DL may be referred to as being in a major
direction relative to
light body 20 and the relatively smaller or minor transverse Ds dimension may
be referred to as
being in a minor direction relative to light body 20.
[ 040] One or both of the flattened portions of housing 22 may have a
region 25
thereon which may be configured to provide an improved grip 25, e.g., as by
having a textured
or knurled surface 25, or by having a pattern in or on grip 25, or by having a
coating or sheet 25
of textured and/or frictional material, e.g., a shaped sheet 25 of rubberized
material adhered to
region 25. The pattern, coating and/or sheet material on one or the other or
both of the grips 25
of opposing broad surfaces preferably has higher coefficient of friction than
does the surface
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
9
when smooth and/or uncovered, thereby to tend to enhance a user's grip on
light 10.
[ 041] Alternatively and/or additionally and/or optionally, one or both of
regions 25 of
flattened portions 25 of housing 22 may contain information for a user, e.g.,
information printed
on region 25, or made by raised or recessed characters thereon, or made in or
on a coating or
material thereon, or information on a label 25 applied thereto.
[ 042] In one example light 10, rearward portion 20R extends for
approximately one
half of the length of light10, e.g., as illustrated, however, it may be
shorter, e.g., one-third of the
length or less, or longer, e.g., more than one-half the length. In general,
the length of rearward
portion 20R may approximate the width of a typical human hand, and my possibly
be sized
towards the width of a larger human hand where the size of light body 20
permits.
[ 043] Forward portion 20F preferably has a dimension in the major
direction that is
approximately that of the major dimension DL of rearward portion 20R, but may
be
substantially larger or smaller than dimension DL, and has a convenient cross-
sectional shape.
Any cross-sectional shape that does not interfere with a comfortable human
grip should
generally be acceptable, and the illustrated example embodiment has a
substantially cylindrical
shape in its forward portion 20F.
[ 044] In one example light 10, forward portion 20F extends for
approximately one
quarter of the length of light10, e.g., as illustrated, however, it may be
shorter, e.g., less than
one-quarter of the length or less, or longer, e.g., more than one-third to one-
half the length. In
general, the length of forward portion 20F may approximate the length of the
end of a typical
human finger, and may possibly be sized towards the length of a larger or
smaller human finger
where the size of light body 20 permits.
[ 045] Central portion 20C preferably has a dimension in the major
direction that is
smaller than that of the major dimension DL of rearward portion 20R and may be
smaller than
dimension DL, and has a convenient cross-sectional shape. Central portion 20C
preferably has a
recess in the side thereof closest to charger guide 70. In a preferred
arrangement, the side of
central portion 20C, the side of rear portion 20R and the side of forward
portion 20F along
which are disposed actuators 50 and/or 60 are substantially in a line with
each other. The
dimension of central portion 20C in the minor direction may be approximately
the same as
smaller dimension Ds of rear portion 20R, but may be larger or smaller. Any
cross-sectional
shape that does not interfere with a comfortable human grip, e.g., of a user's
forefinger and/or
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515
PCT/US2020/045369
thumb, should generally be acceptable for central portion 20C, and the
illustrated example
embodiment has a substantially cylindrical shape or a flattened cylindrical
shape in its forward
portion 20F, the curvature of which is compatible with the curvature of a
user's bent finger.
[ 046] In one example light 10, central portion 20C extends for
approximately one
quarter of the length of light10, e.g., as illustrated, however, it may be
shorter, e.g., less than
one-quarter of the length or less, or longer, e.g., more than one-third of the
length. In general,
the length of central portion 20C may approximate the width of the of one or
two typical human
fingers, and may possibly be sized towards the width of a relatively larger
human finger where
the size of light body 20 permits.
[ 047] The exterior surface of central portion 20C that extends along
housing 22 from
one relatively narrow side of rear portion 20R towards actuators 50, 50 is
preferably
substantially the same shape as is that side of rear portion 20R and is
generally aligned
therewith. Central portion 20C preferably has a substantially smaller
transverse dimension in
the direction of major dimension DL than does rear portion 20R. Thus the
surface of central
portion 20C that is opposite to actuators 50, 60 and along the side of housing
22 upon which is
disposed guide 70 preferably defines a recess 24 that is sized for receiving
one or two fingers of
a user, e.g., when a user holds the light 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2A. Recess
24 preferably has a
dimension in the longitudinal direction of light 10 that is about 1-2 inches
(about 2.5 - 5 cm),
e.g., about 1.5 inches (about 3.75 cm) in the example illustrated, for
receiving a user's finger or
two, and may have a depth radially of up to about 1 inch (about 2.5 cm), e.g.,
typically about
0.3 inch (about 0.75 cm) in the example illustrated. The ends of recess 24 may
be sloped into
recess 24 and/or may be curved for providing, e.g., a comfortable shape for a
user when holding
light 10.
[ 0481 In
addition to the foregoing advantageous combinations of shape and size of
light body 20 and of various parts thereof, tail cap 30 preferably has a
relatively shallow
transverse groove 36 on the broad exterior surface thereof that is aligned
with the major
dimension of housing 22. Actuator 40 is preferably disposed in the transverse
groove 36
thereby to guide a user's thumb placed against tail cap 30, e.g., as
illustrated in FIG. 2C,
towards actuator 40. Accordingly, groove 36 may be approximately as wide as a
typical thumb,
e.g., about 0.8 - 1.25 inch (about 2-3 cm), e.g., typically about 0.6 inch
(about 1.5 cm) in the
example illustrated, may be up to about 0.2 inch (up to about 0.5 cm) deep,
typically about 0.05
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
11
inch (about 0.13 cm) in the example illustrated, and may extend from side-to-
side across the
rear surface of light body 20 that is provided by tail cap 30.
[ 049] Similarly, housing 22 preferably has a relatively shallow
longitudinal groove 26
along the exterior surface thereof upon which actuators 50, 60 are disposed,
e.g., aligned
longitudinally along the relatively narrower side thereof which is at one end
of the major
dimension DL of housing 22. Actuators 50, 60 are preferably disposed in the
transverse groove
26 thereby to guide a user's thumb placed against housing 22, e.g., as
illustrated in FIG. 2A,
towards actuators 50, 60. Accordingly, groove 26 may be approximately as wide
as a typical
thumb, e.g., about 0.4 - 1.25 inch (about 2-3 cm), e.g., typically about 0.5-
0.6 inch (about 1.4-
1.5 cm) in the example illustrated, may be up to about 0.2 inch (up to about
0.5 cm) deep, e.g.,
typically about 0.05 inch (about 0.13 cm) in the example illustrated, and may
be about as long
as the end of a typical thumb, e.g., up to about 1.6 inches (up to about 4
cm).
[ 050] The combination of the respective shapes and lengths and relative
positions of
rear portion 20R, central portion 20C and forward portion 20F together tend to
provide a shape
of light body 20 that is easily and comfortably gripped by the hands of most
users, and provides
a tactile feel that facilitates a user gripping the light in a known
orientation. In addition, the
locations of switch actuators 40, 50 and 60 on light body 20 relative to
gripping portions 20R,
20C, 20F facilitate a user operating light 10 based upon tactile feel and a
natural movement of
the user's finger and/or thumb. Further, the locations, orientations and sizes
of grooves 26, 36
also assist a user in guiding his thumb into proximity with the actuators 40,
50 and/or 60.
[ 051] The foregoing examples of dimensions and of ranges thereof are
examples that
are believed to be consistent with an example light that has, e.g., a length
of about 7.7 inches
(about 13.6 cm), a major dimension DL of about 1.6 inches (about 4.1 cm), a
minor dimension
Ds of about 1.0 inch (about 2.5 cm) and a head diameter of about 1.6 inches
(about 4.1cm).
Light 10 may have dimensions that are larger and/or smaller than these
examples as may be
suited, e.g., to an intended application and/or to ranges of hand sizes.
[ 052] FIGS. 4A and 4B are together an exploded view of the example hand
holdable
light 10 covering two drawing sheets that together comprise a single exploded
view, and FIG.
4C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof An example battery assembly
100 carries one
or more sources of electrical power, e.g., one or more battery cells, as
described below, and is
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
12
placed into and removed from light body 20 through an opening in the rearward
end of housing
22 thereof, when tail cap 30 thereof is opened to expose the opening.
1 053] The rearward end 14 of housing 22 of light 10 has a tail cap or
cover 30
comprising a tail cap body 32 having a central opening and a tail cap seal 34
of substantially the
same size and shape as tail cap 30, and of the rearward end of housing 22, so
as to provide a
seal therefor. Tail cap seal 34 has a raised portion or dome 40 in its central
region that extends
onto or through the central opening of tail cap body 32, or that is accessible
through such
opening, to provide an exterior feature 40 that is an exterior actuator 40 for
an electrical switch
130 interior to light 10, e.g., which in example light 10 is associated with
battery assembly 100,
and is not part of tail cap 30.
[ 0541 Tail cap 30 preferably is a cover 30 that is pivotably attached to
the rear of
housing 22 by a hinge pin 30P that is disposed through respective openings in
housing 22 and
tail cap 30. Tail cap 30 is retained in its closed position against the
rearward end of housing 22
by a latch 38 that is pivotably attached to the rear of housing 22 by a hinge
pin 30P that is
disposed through respective openings in housing 22 and latch 38. Latch 38 may
be biased by
one or more springs 38S towards housing 22 to engage a latching feature, e.g.,
a projection or
recess or other feature of cover 30, and may be a loop 38 or clasp 38 or other
shape configured
to engage the latching feature of cover 30.
10551 The forward end of example light 10 holds a module assembly 200
that is placed
into housing 22 through an opening at the forward end 12 thereof, and that is
shaped with a
reduced diameter rearward end so as to substantially follow the interior shape
of the forward
portion 20F and central portion 20C of housing 22. Reflector 80 is threaded
into housing 22 to
be adjacent to module assembly 200 in housing 22 and provides a reflector for
light source 90.
Centering disk 92 is disposed adjacent light source 90 for centering light
source 90 with
reflector 80. Lens 84 is surrounded by a circular seal 84S having a U-shaped
cross-section and
is disposed within reflector 80, and is retained therein by 0-ring 82S and
threaded lens retainer
ring 82 which threads into or onto reflector 80. 0-ring 82S may be configured
to serve as a seal
and/or as a shock absorber.
[ 056] Module assembly 200 includes a module housing 210 supporting a
light source
90 at a forward end thereof and has one or more battery contacts at a rearward
end thereof.
Electrical switches 52, 62 along the side thereof are positioned to be aligned
with openings 51,
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
13
61 of housing 22, e.g., in shallow recess 26 thereof Bezel 260 fits against
module assembly
200 to cover electrical switches 52, 62 thereof and a flexible boot 250
disposed between the
inside of housing 22 and bezel 250 provides a housing seal and actuator 50
which is accessible
through opening 51. Plunger 50P is disposed between actuator 50 of boot 250
and switch 52.
1 057] Module assembly 200 is retained inside housing 22 by fasteners 72
which pass
through openings in guide 70 that align with holes in module 200 in which they
engage
respective conductors for making electrical connections between the external
charging contacts
72 provided by the external ends of fasteners 72 and electrical circuits on a
circuit board within
module assembly 200. Insulators 73 prevent fasteners 72 from touching and
possibly making
an unwanted electrical connection to housing 22, which may be made of an
electrically
conductive material; insulators 73 may also provide a seal.
[ 058] Bezel 260 includes an opening that tends to guide plunger 50P to
move in a
generally radial direction toward and away from switch 52 and actuator 60
thereof includes a
slide 63 that is retained thereto and moves therein transversely to the
longitudinal direction of
light 10 between two or more predetermined positions in which it tends to be
retained by a
detent provided by a ball and spring beneath actuator 60 that are visible in
FIG. 4C.
1 059] Slide 63 preferably also includes a magnet that is proximate to
module assembly
200, e.g., circuit board 64 thereof. The magnetic field of the magnet is
detected by one or more
magnetic detectors 62 that are disposed in module assembly 200, e.g., for
detecting the position
of slide 63 in bezel 260 to cause light 10 to operate in a particular
operating mode that is related
to the position of slide 63 in bezel 260. In one example embodiment, the
operating mode
includes the brightness or intensity of the light produced by light 10.
1 060] An optional clip 18 may be provided for facilitating a user
attaching light 10 to
an article of clothing or equipment, or to another object. Clip 18 is attached
to housing 22 by
one or more fasteners 18F, e.g., screws 18F, at a convenient location on
housing 22. Clip 18 is
typically made of a springy material, e.g., a steel, spring steel, beryllium
copper, or the like, and
is formed so that the end thereof distal from fasteners 18F either bears
against housing 22 or
very nearly bears against housing 22. Clip 18 may have one or more openings,
e.g., for
attaching a lanyard, ring or other accessory, and/or by which light 10 may be
attached to a
complementary mounting device that engages an opening in clip 18.
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
14
[ 061] FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of an example embodiment of a
battery
assembly 100 for the example hand holdable light 10, FIG. 5C is an exploded
view thereof,
FIG. 5D is an enlarged view of the end 120 thereof including a switch 130, and
FIG. 5E is an
electrical schematic diagram thereof. Battery assembly 100 includes a housing
110 configured
to receive one or more battery cells therein, e.g., in the spaces provided
between the opposing
ends 112, 114 110 thereof. The example battery housing 110 has a cross-section
typically
similar to that of the light body in which it is disposed. Thus, the example
housing 110 has a
cross-section defining a flattened cylindrical shape, an oval shape or an
elliptical shape, as does
housing 22.
[ 062] One example of preferred battery cells includes, e.g., cylindrical
cells each
having a respective electrical battery terminal at each end thereof, similar
in shape to a typical
type AA or AAA battery cell. In the example battery assembly 100 illustrated,
one battery cell
is placed into a battery recess along one side of and adjacent to the central
web 111 of housing
110 with the one terminal at one end of the battery cell making electrical
connection to spring
contact 112C and with the terminal at the other end of the battery cell making
electrical
connection to spring contact 114C, and the other battery cell is similarly
placed into a battery
recess along the opposite side of and adjacent to the central web 111 of
housing 110.
[ 063] Battery assembly 110 may be provided as illustrated wherein a user
may install
and/or remove battery cells therefrom or may be surrounded by a sheath or
cover 102 (dashed)
which covers and retains the battery cells therein. Where the battery cells
are rechargeable
lithium cells which require a specific control of voltage and current during
charging, e.g., for
safety and/or reliability, it is preferred that a sheath or cover be provided
so that a user will not
be able to substitute other than the manufacturer approved battery cells
therein, at least not
without having to disassemble battery assembly 100 in an easily detectable
way.
[ 064] At one end 112 of housing 110 of battery assembly 100 is a circuit
board
assembly 140 and an actuator 130, e.g., a pushbutton actuator 130, that is
retained thereon by a
cover 120 that is fastened 120S to end 112. End cover 120 has an opening
therein in which
actuator button 130 is moveable longitudinally for compressing a spring 132
that presses a
plunger 134 against a snap-dome switch 144 of circuit board 142, thereby
providing an
electrical switch 130 that makes and breaks electrical connections between and
among battery
contact springs 112C (which connect to terminals of the battery cells B1 ,
B2). A first electrical
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
conductor 146 connects the contact springs 112C for the battery terminals
between circuit
board 142 and forward circuit board assembly 150 for providing electrical
power to circuit
board assembly 150. A second electrical conductor 146 provides an electrical
connection
between switch 139, 144 on circuit board 142 and forward circuit board
assembly 150 for
providing electrical signaling to circuit board assembly 150.
[ 0651 The forward end 114 of battery assembly 100 housing 110 receives a
forward
circuit board assembly 150 thereon. Circuit board assembly 150 includes a
circuit board 152
that includes electrical contacts 114C on the side thereof that is adjacent to
the contacts at the
ends of the battery cells Bl, B2 for connecting thereto and that includes a
symmetrical pattern
of contacts 154, 154C on the exposed side thereof The exposed side of circuit
board 152 may
be covered by an insulating cover or sheet 156 that has a pattern of openings
that correspond to
the pattern of contacts 154, 154C whereby contacts 154, 154C are exposed when
cover 156 or
sheet 156 is in place. Sheet or cover 156 may be attached to end 114 of
battery housing 110 for
retaining circuit board assembly 150 adjacent thereto, preferably in a
predetermined position,
whereby contacts 154, 154C are in known predetermined positions relative to
battery assembly
100. In the illustrated example, one pair of diametrically opposed outer
contacts 154 connect to
the positive terminal of the series connected battery cells, the other pair of
diametrically
opposed outer contacts 154 connect to the negative terminal of the series
connected battery
cells, and central contact 154C is employed for signaling actuation of switch
144.
[ 0661 In particular, it is preferred that electrical contacts 154 be in
a predetermined
pattern that is symmetrical relative to battery assembly 100, whereby battery
assembly 100 may
be placed into light housing 22 in either orientation and have contacts 154
present the same
electrical configuration to battery contacts at the distal end of the cavity
in housing 22 into
which battery assembly 100 is placed. Thus, battery assembly 100 does not
require a physical
feature that prevents battery assembly 100 from being placed into housing 22
in other than the
one orientation in which it is properly placed for powering light 10. This is
an advantage of
user convenience, especially where a user must replace battery assembly 100
under difficult
circumstances, e.g., quickly and/or under reduced visibility.
[ 0671 A preferred symmetrical pattern 154 of contacts has four
electrical contacts 154
evenly and symmetrically disposed 90 apart around a circle and a fifth
electrical contact 154 at
the center of that circle. Stated another way, a preferred symmetrical pattern
has four electrical
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
16
contacts 154 symmetrically disposed at the four corners of a square and a
fifth electrical contact
154 at the center of that square.
1 0681 The symmetrical pattern of electrical contacts 154 may include,
e.g., connections
to a battery positive terminal via a first pair of two diagonally opposing
contacts 154 and
connections to a battery negative terminal via the remaining pair of
diagonally opposing
contacts 154, plus a connection to a signaling conductor 146 for signaling the
making and/or
breaking of electrical connections resulting from actuation of snap dome 144
resulting from
actuation and release of button 130. Switch 130 including, e.g., snap dome
element 144, may
have one or more make/break electrical contacts and so signaling via conductor
146 may
include presenting two or more different voltage levels or presenting two or
more different
resistance values or another signaling regime, for controlling the operation
and/or operating
modes of light 10. Preferably, snap dome 144 has three longer legs and one
shorter leg that
makes electrical contact with circuit board 140 before the dome of snap dome
144 itself distorts
to make electrical contact with circuit board 140, e.g., for providing two
different operational
results, such as momentary ON and continuously ON.
1 0691 A complementary set of rearwardly facing electrical contacts 254,
254C of
module assembly 200 are disposed in a pattern so that they electrically
contact respective
electrical contacts 154 of battery assembly 100 such that the same connections
are made
between battery assembly 100 and module assembly 200 irrespective of the
orientation in
which battery assembly 100 is placed into light housing 22, whereby light 10
can receive
electrical power from battery assembly 100 to operate light 10 irrespective of
the orientation of
battery assembly 100 in light 10.
1 070] The pattern of contacts 254, 254C maybe, e.g., a triangular
pattern of three
spring contacts 254, 254C matching the pattern of the center contact 154C and
two adjacent
ones of the outer contacts 154 of battery assembly 100 or may be a pattern of
five spring
contacts 245, 254C similarly matching the pattern of the contacts 154, 154C of
battery
assembly 100.
1 071] The example electrical circuit of battery assembly 100 includes
two batteries Bl,
B2 that may be connected in series or in parallel as may be desired. In the
parallel connection
example illustrated, the negative terminals of batteries Bl, B2 connect to
contacts 112C of
circuit board 140 and via a conductor 146 to circuit board 150 and a
diametrically opposing pair
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
17
of contacts 154 thereof for connecting battery negative to the circuitry of
light 10. Similarly the
positive terminals of batteries Bl, B2 connect directly to circuit board 150
via contacts 114C to
another diametrically opposing pair of contacts 154 thereof for connecting
battery positive to
the circuitry of light 10.
[ 072] Circuit board 140 also provides electrical signaling responsive to
partial and full
actuation of switch 130. To that end, circuit board 140 has the switch snap
dome element 144
in circuit with one or more resistors R mounted thereon for providing
different resistances
when snap dome 144 is not actuated (deformed), when it is partially actuated
(deformed) so that
the shorter leg thereof makes contact with circuit board 140 and when it is
fully actuated
(deformed) and the dome thereof makes contact with circuit board 140. As
shown, the different
resistances are, e.g., open circuit, resistance R, and short circuit,
respectively, measured
between central contact 154C and a battery negative contact 154. The signal in
is provided to
the circuitry of light 10 from circuit board 140 via another conductor 146 to
central contact
154C of circuit board 150.
[ 073] In one example embodiment of a battery assembly 100, battery
assembly 100
includes two 3.7 volt, 2600 milliamp-hour, type 18650 rechargeable lithium-ion
battery cells of
a sort available from Streamlight, Inc. located in Eagleville, Pennsylvania.
[ 074] One example of a suitable charging method for a lithium battery is
described in
U.S. Patent 10,326,292 entitled "Battery Charger Operating Method and Method
Usable with
Plural Different Power Supplies," which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its
entirety and is assigned to Streamlight, Inc., the applicant and assignee
herein. Other charging
methods may also be employed.
[ 075] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an example module assembly 200
usable with
the example hand holdable light 10, FIG. 6B is a side cross-sectional view
thereof, FIG. 6C is
an exploded view thereof, and FIG. 6D is an exploded view of a modified
example thereof, and
FIG. 6E is a plan view of an example circuit board 220 of the modified example
thereof
Module assembly 200 has a housing 210 including, e.g., an upper housing part
210A and a
lower housing part 210B that are mated together to form housing 210 and to
enclose various
elements of module assembly 210 therein. The shape of housing 210, a larger
diameter
cylindrical part at the forward end and a smaller cylindrical part at the
rearward end with a
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
18
conical transition part therebetween, is similar to that of the central and
forward portions 20C,
20F of light body 20 into which it is placed, e.g., from the forward end
thereof.
1 0761 The larger diameter forward part of housing 210 is substantially
cylindrical as is
the forward end interior of housing 22 of light 10 wherein it is disposed. The
smaller diameter
rearward part of housing 210 is substantially cylindrical and is disposed
substantially within the
interior of housing 22 generally in the region of the central portion 20C
wherein it is at least
partially disposed. Housing 210 parts 210A, 210B are fastened together by any
suitable
fastener, including complementary respective features thereof that engage when
housing parts
210A and 210B are pushed together when they are in a desired relative
alignment with each
other. One example includes plural flexible barbed members of housing part
210B that engage
respective ridges of upper housing part 210A, as illustrated, so as to snap
together, although any
suitable fastening may be employed.
1 077] At the forward end 212 of module assembly 200 are an LED light
source 90
mounted on an LED circuit board 94 which typically includes a thermally
conductive material
for removing heat from LED 90. At the rearward end 214 thereof are a plurality
of electrical
contacts 254 extending rearwardly for making electrical connection to ones of
electrical
contacts 154 of battery assembly 100. While the illustrated example of light
10 has a reflector
80 and light source 90 configured for projecting light forwardly generally
centered along a
longitudinal axis of light 10, light 10 may be configured for projecting light
in other directions
and/or may include plural light sources.
[ 0781 Rearwardly extending contacts 254 of module assembly 200 are
preferably in a
configuration and positioned so as to make electrical contact with at least
two of contacts 154
of battery assembly 100, e.g., for battery positive and negative connections,
that are at two
adjacent corners of the pattern of contacts 154 and with the contact 154C,
e.g., for electrical
signaling responsive to switch 130, 144, that is at the center of that pattern
of contacts 154.
Module assembly 200 may include, e.g., three spring contacts 254, 254C as in
FIG. 6C or five
spring contacts 254, 254C as in FIG. 6D, as may be desired for carrying the
level of current
expected to be drawn from battery assembly 100. Typically each contact 254
includes a spring
contact 254 and preferably includes a helically wound conical spring contact
254. In one
example light 10, the central contact 154C of battery assembly 100 and the
contact spring 254C
of module assembly 200 are approximately on and along the longitudinal axis of
module 200
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
19
and of light body 20.
1 079] Upper housing part 210A has an opening 215 for receiving elements
of switch
50, 52 therein which communicate the pressing and releasing of flexible
actuator 50 of light 10
in a radially direction, Radially inward movement of flexible actuator 50
moves collar 52
inward to compress spring 226 to move plunger 224 inward to actuate snap dome
switch 222
which is adjacent to circuit board 220 of module assembly 200, thereby to
actuate the electrical
switch 50-222 provided thereby.
[ 080] Preferably, snap dome 222 has three longer legs and one shorter leg
that makes
electrical contact with a contact pattern 222P of circuit board 220 before the
dome of snap
dome 222 itself distorts to make electrical contact with another contact of
pattern 222P of
circuit board 220, e.g., for providing two different operational results, such
as momentary ON
and continuously ON. Releasing pressure on actuator 50 allows spring 226 to
expand and the
springy action of snap dome switch 222 to restore it to its undeformed shape
thereby to de-
actuate the electrical switch 50-222 and allow elements 224, 226, 52 to move
radially outward.
[ 081] Upper housing part 220A also has a recessed seat 216 for receiving a
selector
circuit board 64 therein. Circuit board 64, which connects to circuit board
220 via one or more
connecting pins 64P, has one or more magnetically sensitive elements 62, e.g.,
one or more
magnetic detectors 62, thereon which are responsive to the magnetic field
proximate thereto,
e.g., to the magnetic field of a permanent magnet 60M of actuator 60 disposed
on the underside
of selector actuator 60. When actuator 60, which is slidable transversely to
light body 20 is
slid to a position whereat the permanent magnet thereof is proximate to a
magnetic detector 62,
that magnetic detector 62 responds to the magnetic field and generates a
signal that is employed
to signal an operating condition of light 10, e.g., an operating mode thereof,
represented by the
transverse position of actuator 60, to a controller on circuit board 220.
[ 082] In the example illustrated, mode selector 60 includes two magnetic
detectors 62
so that at least two different operating modes may be selected, i.e. one when
mode selector 60
is moved to be proximate a first detector 62 and another when mode selector 60
is moved to be
proximate a second detector 62. A third operating mode may be and preferably
is provided
when mode selector 60 is moved to a position intermediate the two magnetic
detectors 62, at
which neither of the two magnetic detectors 62 respond to the magnet of
selector 60. In the
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
example light, mode selector 60 preferably selects three operating modes
including, e.g., a high
intensity light beam, a medium intensity light beam and a low intensity light
beam, which may
also be referred to as high, medium and low brightness. Preferably a detent is
provided, e.g., by
a small spherical ball that is biased towards a surface that has respective
recesses at preferred
locations whereat mode selector 60 is desired to be retained by the detent.
[ 0831 Suitable magnetic detectors 62 include, e.g., a Hall-Effect
magnetic field
detector 62 and/or a magnetic reed switch 62. A Hall-Effect device is an
electronic device that
responds to magnetic field strength and may include, e.g., an amplifier and
detector to respond
to or detect a particular magnetic field strength. A reed switch is an electro-
mechanical switch
wherein the arm of the switch is flexible or bendable and includes a magnetic
material and so is
movable by a magnetic field, e.g., to open a NC reed switch or close a NO reed
switch.
[ 0841 Circuit board 220 includes electronic circuits and components that
control the
operation and operating modes of light 10, including turning light source 90
ON and OFF,
momentarily and/or continuously, dimming and un-dimming light source 90,
operating light
source 90 in flashing, blinking and/or strobing modes, charging and
discharging of battery
assembly 100, and the like. Circuit board 220 includes, e.g., electrical
conductors 294, e.g.,
wires 294, that connect to LED 90 via LED circuit board 94 and electronic
circuits and
components for applying and controlling the charging current received via
charging contacts 72
and conductors 272 to battery assembly 100 via contacts 254, 154.
[ 0851 In one example embodiment of a hand holdable light 10, charging
guide 70 and
contacts 72 thereof are substantially the same as those of earlier lights,
whereby hand holdable
light 10 may be physically placed into and receive battery charging current
from the same
charging devices as the earlier lights, e.g., "heritage" charging devices.
Such earlier lights may
include. e.g., the STINGER light and the STRIONO light which are available
from
Streamlight, Inc. of Eagleville, Pennsylvania.
[ 086] In some instances, such earlier lights employed batteries of
different types, e.g.,
a nickel-cadmium (NiCd) or a nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) battery type, than
does hand
holdable light 10, and so the charging parameters of the lithium batteries of
battery assembly
100 can be substantially different from, and possibly incompatible with, the
charging
parameters of the earlier battery types, e.g., NiCd and/or NiMH batteries.
1 087] In such instance, circuit board 220 may include an electronic
circuit for
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
21
controlling the charging of battery assembly 100 in a manner that charging
current can be
received from such "heritage" charging devices. An example of a suitable
electronic circuit is
described in U.S. Patent 8,356,910 entitled "Adapter Circuitry for Enabling
Charging And/or
Recharging a Device or Battery of a Different Type," which is hereby
incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety and is assigned to Streamlight, Inc., the assignee
herein.
1 0881 In one example embodiment circuit board 220 has one or more light
producing
indicator lights ID1, ID2 thereon, e.g., LEDs producing light of different
colors, for providing
one or more indications of battery condition, e.g., the charging and/or state
of charge of the
battery of assembly 100. In such case, actuator boot 250 is preferably
transparent or translucent
so that such LED indicators Dl, ID2 are visible to a user through boot 250
when illuminated.
1 089] For example, a green LED indicator ID1, ID2 thereon may be
illuminated for a
predetermined period of time, e.g., about 5 seconds, after light 10 is turned
ON when the
battery has a substantial level of charge at that time.
1 090] Alternatively or additionally, a red LED indicator ID1, ID2
thereon may be
illuminated continuously when the battery charge reaches a relatively low
level and may be
intermittently illuminated, e.g., flashing or blinking, when the battery
charge decreases to an
even lower level where the light turning OFF within a relatively short period
of time, e.g., about
15 minutes, has been reached.
[ 091] Also alternatively or additionally, a red LED indicator ID1, ID2 on
circuit board
220 may be illuminated continuously when the battery is being charged and a
green indicator
thereon may be illuminated continuously when the battery reaches substantially
full charge.
[ 092] Lower module housing 210B preferably has a pair of holes 272 that,
when
module assembly 200 is in place in housing 22, align with holes in housing 22
through which
fasteners 72 are disposed. Respective conductors 272C extend into holes 272
and connect with
circuit board 220. Holes 272 align with and receive fasteners 72 that provide
charging contacts
72 of light 10, whereby charging current received thereby can flow to circuit
board 200 and
thence to battery assembly 100 for charging the batteries thereof.
[ 093] Preferably the ends contact springs 254, 254 are connected to and
supported by
circuit board 220 and extend rearwardly through the rearward end 214 of module
assembly 200
and housing 210 thereof, whereby the conical spring portions thereof extend
rearwardly from
the rearward end 214 of housing 210. Preferably, housing parts 210A and 210B
have
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
22
respective longitudinal recesses and/or projections that provide seats for the
ends of contact
springs 254, 254C for aligning and supporting those springs in desired
positions, for making
contact to respective ones of contacts 154 of battery assembly 100.
[ 094] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are perspective and side views, respectively, of
an example
hand holdable light 10 and FIG. 7C is an exploded view of a part thereof,
illustrating an
example cover 30 and alternative clasp 38' or latch 38' thereof, for covering
the opening at the
rearward end 14 of light body 20 to retain the battery assembly 100 therein.
Latch or clasp 38'
allows tail cap or cover 30 to be opened and retained in a closed position for
replacing and
retaining a source of electrical power in light body 20.
[ 095] Battery cover 30 includes a cover body 32' that is hinged 30H, 30P
to housing 22
and that has a substantially perpendicular extending projection 32'P that
extends forwardly for
engaging clasp/latch 38' when cover 30 is closed to be adjacent to housing 22.
Cover body 32'
differs from previously described cover body 32 primarily by having the latch
projection 32'P.
Latch/clasp 38' is, e.g., a springy flexible U-shaped clasp, attached to
housing 22 by one or
more fasteners 18F with its open end facing rearward 14 for receiving
projection 32'P when
cover 30, 32' is pivoted closed. Latch 38' is released to allow cover 30 to be
opened by
spreading apart the legs of U-shaped clasp 38' thereby releasing projection
32'P from being
retained therein, whereby cover 30 may be pivoted away from light body 20.
[ 096] In a typical embodiment, housing 22, tail cap 32, latch 38, 38',
clip 18, reflector
80, face ring 82 and similar parts may be of a metal, e.g., aluminum, brass,
magnesium, steel,
spring steel, beryllium copper, and the like, or of a plastic, e.g., a nylon,
reinforced nylon,
engineered nylon, Nylon 6, ABS, polycarbonate, polyethylene, a PC/PET plastic
blend, ABS
plastic, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester-polycarbonate blends and ABS
polycarbonate
blends (such as LEXAN polycarbonate, XENOY polyester-polycarbonate blend and
CYCALOY ABS polycarbonate blend), or may be a thermoplastic nylon or other
elastomeric
plastic such as that sold under the trademarks CAPRON and NYPEL or a
thermoplastic
elastomer compound or thermoplastic vulcanizate sold under the trademark
NYLABOND , or
any other suitable plastic material, with or without a reinforcing material
such as a fiberglass,
carbon fiber or the like, and with or without a thermally conductive filler
material and the like.
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
23
[ 097] Battery housing 110, module housing 210 and similar parts may be
of a plastic,
e.g., a nylon, reinforced nylon, engineered nylon, Nylon 6, ABS,
polycarbonate, polyethylene, a
PC/PET plastic blend, ABS plastic, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester-
polycarbonate blends
and ABS polycarbonate blends (such as LEXAN polycarbonate, XENOY polyester-
polycarbonate blend and CYCALOY ABS polycarbonate blend), or may be a
thermoplastic
nylon or other elastomeric plastic such as that sold under the trademarks
CAPRON and
NYPEL or a thermoplastic elastomer compound or thermoplastic vulcanizate sold
under the
trademark NYLABOND , or any other suitable plastic material, with or without a
reinforcing
material such as a fiberglass, carbon fiber or the like, and with or without a
thermally
conductive filler material and the like. Resilient and/or flexible parts such
as tail cap seal 34,
switch actuator boot 250, lens seal 84S, grip 25, and similar parts may be of
a rubber or
elastomer material, e.g., rubber, neoprene rubber, latex rubber, silicone
rubber,
SANTOPRENECD elastomer, polyurethane, and like resilient and/or flexible
material.
[ 0981 A hand holdable light 10 may comprise: a light body 20 having a
forward end
and a rearward end, and having a cavity for receiving a source of electrical
power, the light
body having a forward portion proximate the forward end thereof, a rearward
portion proximate
the rearward end thereof, and a central portion between and adjacent to the
forward portion and
to the rearward portion thereof; a light source 90 proximate the forward end
of the light body; a
switch actuator 50 on the light body for selectively energizing the light
source from the source
of electrical power; wherein the rearward portion of the light body has a non-
circular cross-
section having a larger transverse dimension and a smaller transverse
dimension; wherein the
switch actuator is disposed substantially on the forward portion of the light
body and
substantially along a longitudinal line may include one end of the larger
transverse dimension;
wherein the central portion of the light body has a transverse dimension that
is less than the
larger transverse dimension of the rearward portion, thereby defining a recess
in the central
portion on a side of the light body that is opposite to the switch actuator;
whereby the light is
holdable by a hand having a palm proximate the rearward portion, a finger or a
thumb
proximate the recess of the central portion and the other of a finger or a
thumb proximate the
switch actuator. The light body 20 may have a longitudinal recess in which the
switch actuator
is disposed. The light body 20: may include a second actuator on the rearward
end of the light
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
24
body; or may have a transverse recess in the rearward end of the light body;
or may have a
transverse recess in the rearward end of the light body in the direction of
the larger transverse
dimension thereof; or may include a second actuator disposed in a transverse
recess on the
rearward end of the light body; or may include a second actuator disposed in a
transverse recess
on the rearward end of the light body in the direction of the larger
transverse dimension thereof.
The rearward portion of the light body 20 may have a cross-section defining a
flattened
cylindrical shape, an oval shape or an elliptical shape; or the central
portion of the light body
may have a cross-section defining a flattened cylindrical shape, an oval shape
or an elliptical
shape having a larger transverse dimension that is in the same direction as
the larger transverse
dimension of the rearward portion and is smaller than the larger transverse
dimension of the
rearward portion; or the rearward portion of the light body may have a cross-
section defining a
flattened cylindrical shape, an oval shape or an elliptical shape and the
central portion of the
light body may have a cross-section defining a flattened cylindrical shape, an
oval shape or an
elliptical shape having a larger transverse dimension that is in the same
direction as the larger
transverse dimension of the rearward portion and is smaller than the larger
transverse
dimension of the rearward portion. The hand holdable light 10 may further
comprise: a mode
selecting actuator disposed on the light body adjacent to the switch actuator
for selecting
operating modes for the light source; or a mode selecting actuator disposed on
the forward
portion of the light body adjacent to the switch actuator for selecting
operating modes for the
light source; or a mode selecting actuator disposed on the forward portion of
the light body
adjacent to and in line forward of the switch actuator for selecting operating
modes for the light
source. The mode selecting actuator 60 may be movable in a direction along an
exterior surface
of the light body for actuating a mode selecting electrical switch in the
light body, wherein: the
mode selecting electrical switch is responsive to the position of the mode
selecting actuator for
selecting operating modes for the light source; or the mode selecting
electrical switch is
responsive to the position of a magnet of the mode selecting actuator for
selecting operating
modes for the light source; or the mode selecting electrical switch is a Hall-
effect device or is a
magnetic reed switch that is responsive to the magnetic field of a magnet of
the mode selecting
actuator for selecting operating modes for the light source. The light body 20
may have a cover
for covering an opening into the cavity of the light body for receiving a
source of electrical
power therein, wherein the source of electrical power may include an
electrical switch on an
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
end thereof that is proximate the cover when the source of electrical power is
in the cavity of
the light body, wherein: the cover has an opening through which the electrical
switch is
actuatable from external to the light body; or the end cover has a flexible
seal covering an
opening through which the electrical switch is actuatable from external to the
light body; or the
end cover has a flexible seal covering an opening through which the electrical
switch is
actuatable from external to the light body and providing a seal between the
cover and the body
housing at the opening into the cavity of the body housing. The rearward
portion of the light
body 20 may have a non-circular cross-section that may define opposing broad
surfaces, the
light may further have: a pattern in one or both of the opposing broad
surfaces; or a coating on
one or both of the opposing broad surfaces; or a sheet material on one or both
of the opposing
broad surfaces; or one of a pattern, a coating or a sheet material on one of
the opposing broad
surfaces and another of a pattern, a coating or a sheet material on another of
the opposing broad
surfaces; whereby the pattern, coating or sheet material has higher
coefficient of friction than
does the broad opposing surface when smooth and/or uncovered. The light body
20 may have a
cover for covering an opening into the cavity of the light body for receiving
a source of
electrical power therein, wherein the light body and the cover have respective
complementary
features providing a latch for retaining the cover in a closed position
adjacent the opening of the
light body. The cover 30 may be hinged at one end thereof and may have a latch
feature at the
other end thereof, the latch may include: a loop or a clasp on the light body
for engaging the
latch feature of the cover for the retaining the cover in a closed position
adjacent the opening of
the light body. The light body 20 may have a cover 30 for covering an opening
into the cavity
of the light body 20 for receiving a source of electrical power therein,
wherein the cover may
include a second switch actuator 40 for selectively energizing the light
source from the source
of electrical power. The source of electrical power 100 may include an
electrical switch for
selectively energizing the light source, and the cover 30 may include a switch
actuator for
actuating the electrical switch. The source of electrical power 100 may
include a battery
assembly having a symmetrical pattern of externally accessible electrical
contacts on an end
thereof that is proximate the forward end of the light body, and the light
body 20 may include at
least two electrical contacts positioned for making respective electrical
connections to
predetermined ones of the symmetrical pattern of electrical contacts of the
battery assembly
when the battery assembly is in the cavity of the light body, whereby proper
electrical
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
26
connections are made to the battery assembly irrespective of its orientation
in the cavity of the
light body. The hand holdable light 10 may further include: a clip on the
light body; or a latch
on the light body for retaining a cover of an opening of the light body in a
closed position
adjacent the opening of the light body; or a clip on the light body and a
latch on the light body
for retaining a cover of an opening of the light body in a closed position
adjacent the opening of
the light body. The latch on the light body 20 may include a clasp, and a
single metal piece
may be formed and attached to the light body to provide the clip and the
clasp.
1 099] A hand holdable light 10 may comprise: a light body having a
forward end and
a rearward end, and having a cavity for receiving a source of electrical
power, the light body
having a forward portion proximate the forward end thereof, a rearward portion
proximate the
rearward end thereof, and a central portion between and adjacent to the
forward portion and to
the rearward portion thereof; a light source proximate the forward end of the
light body; a first
switch actuator on the light body for selectively energizing the light source
from the source of
electrical power; a cover at the rearward end of the light body for covering
an opening into the
cavity thereof, whereby the source of electrical power can be placed into the
cavity and can be
removed from the cavity when the cover uncovers the opening into the cavity;
the cover may
include a second switch actuator for selectively energizing the light source
from the source of
electrical power; wherein the rearward portion of the light body has a non-
circular cross-section
having a larger transverse dimension and a smaller transverse dimension;
wherein the first
switch actuator is disposed substantially on the forward portion of the light
body and
substantially along a longitudinal line may include one end of the larger
transverse dimension;
wherein the central portion of the light body has a transverse dimension that
is less than the
larger transverse dimension of the rearward portion, thereby defining a recess
in the central
portion on a side of the light body that is opposite to the first switch
actuator; whereby the light
is holdable by a hand having a palm proximate the rearward portion, a finger
or a thumb
proximate the recess of the central portion and the other of a finger or a
thumb proximate the
first switch actuator. The hand holdable light 10 wherein: the first switch
actuator is disposed
in a longitudinal recess of the light body; and the second switch actuator is
disposed in a recess
in the cover. The hand holdable light 10 wherein: the rearward portion of the
light body has a
cross-section defining a flattened cylindrical shape, an oval shape or an
elliptical shape; or the
central portion of the light body has a cross-section defining a flattened
cylindrical shape, an
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
27
oval shape or an elliptical shape having a larger transverse dimension that is
in the same
direction as the larger transverse dimension of the rearward portion and is
smaller than the
larger transverse dimension of the rearward portion; or the rearward portion
of the light body
has a cross-section defining a flattened cylindrical shape, an oval shape or
an elliptical shape
and the central portion of the light body has a cross-section defining a
flattened cylindrical
shape, an oval shape or an elliptical shape having a larger transverse
dimension that is in the
same direction as the larger transverse dimension of the rearward portion and
is smaller than
the larger transverse dimension of the rearward portion. The hand holdable
light 10 may
further comprise: a mode selecting actuator disposed on the light body
adjacent to the first
switch actuator for selecting operating modes for the light source; or a mode
selecting actuator
disposed on the forward portion of the light body adjacent to the switch
actuator for selecting
operating modes for the light source; or a mode selecting actuator disposed on
the forward
portion of the light body adjacent to and in line forward of the switch
actuator for selecting
operating modes for the light source. The hand holdable light 10 wherein the
rearward portion
of the light body having a non-circular cross-section defines opposing broad
surfaces, the light
further having: a pattern in one or both of the opposing broad surfaces; or a
coating on one or
both of the opposing broad surfaces; or a sheet material on one or both of the
opposing broad
surfaces; or wherein the pattern, coating or sheet material has higher
coefficient of friction than
does the broad opposing surface when smooth and/or uncovered. The hand
holdable light 10
wherein the source of electrical power may include an electrical switch for
selectively
energizing the light source, and wherein the switch actuator of the cover is
positioned for
actuating the electrical switch of the source of electrical power. The hand
holdable light 10:
wherein the source of electrical power may include a battery assembly having a
symmetrical
pattern of externally accessible electrical contacts on an end thereof that is
proximate the
forward end of the light body, and wherein the light body may include at least
two electrical
contacts positioned for making respective electrical connections to
predetermined ones of the
symmetrical pattern of electrical contacts of the battery assembly when the
battery assembly is
in the cavity of the light body, whereby proper electrical connections are
made to the battery
assembly irrespective of its orientation in the cavity of the light body.
11001 A battery assembly 100 may comprise: a battery housing 110 having
first and
second ends and having a receptacle for receiving a battery therein, the
receptacle having at
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
28
least two electrical contacts to which respective terminals of the battery
connect when the
battery is received in the receptacle; an electrical switch 130 on the first
end of the battery
housing, the electrical switch having an externally accessible actuator for
making and breaking
an electrical connection between a first and a second electrical switch
contact; a pattern 150 of
externally accessible electrical contacts on the second end of the battery
housing, wherein one
of the externally accessible electrical contacts is connected to a first of
the two electrical
contacts of the receptacle; a first electrical conductor connected to a second
of the two electrical
contacts of the receptacle and to a second one of the externally accessible
electrical contacts; a
second electrical conductor connected to a third one of the externally
accessible electrical
contacts; and wherein the first electrical switch contact of the electrical
switch is coupled to the
second of the two electrical contacts of the receptacle and the second
electrical switch contact
of the electrical switch is coupled to the second electrical conductor. The
pattern 150 of
externally accessible electrical contacts may define a symmetrical pattern
wherein: the third one
of the externally accessible electrical contacts is located centrally within
the pattern; the first
one of the externally accessible electrical contacts is located symmetrically
on the pattern with a
fourth one of the externally accessible electrical contacts; and the second
one of the externally
accessible electrical contacts is located symmetrically on the pattern with a
fifth one of the
externally accessible electrical contacts, whereby connection to the battery
assembly may be
made by three use device contacts with the battery assembly being in at least
two different
orientations relative to the three use device contacts. The first, second,
fourth and fifth ones of
the externally accessible electrical contacts may be disposed at corners of a
square pattern with
the third one of the externally accessible electrical contacts at the
intersection of diagonals
thereof; or the first, second, fourth and fifth ones of the externally
accessible electrical contacts
are disposed around a circular pattern with the third one of the externally
accessible electrical
contacts at the center of the circle. The battery housing 110 may have
longitudinal direction
and a transverse cross-section defining a flattened cylindrical shape, an oval
shape or an
elliptical shape, and wherein the receptacle is along the longitudinal
direction. The first and
second ends of the battery housing 110 may be connected by a central web
therebetween, and
wherein a space adjacent to the central web and between the first and second
ends may define
the receptacle into which a battery may be placed; or the first and second
ends of the battery
housing may be connected at respective central regions thereof by a central
web, wherein two
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
29
spaces adjacent opposite sides of the central web between the first and second
ends define two
receptacles into which batteries may be placed. The battery assembly 100 may
further comprise
a first cover on the first end of the battery housing having an opening
therethrough, wherein the
electrical switch is disposed between the first cover and the first end of the
battery housing, and
wherein the actuator of the electrical switch is disposed in the opening of
the first cover. The
battery assembly 100 wherein actuation of the electrical switch provides
signaling may include
presenting two or more different voltage levels or presenting two or more
different resistance
values. The battery assembly 100 may further comprise: an electrical circuit
board adjacent the
second end of the battery housing, the electrical circuit board having a
pattern of electrically
conductive features thereon that correspond to the pattern of externally
accessible electrical
contacts on the second end of the battery housing; and a second cover on the
second end of the
battery housing having a pattern of openings therethrough that correspond to
the pattern of
externally accessible electrical contacts on the second end of the battery
housing, wherein the
pattern of electrically conductive features of the electrical circuit board
aligns with the pattern
of openings of the second cover to provide the externally accessible
electrical contacts on the
second end of the battery housing. The battery assembly wherein the first and
fourth ones of
the externally accessible electrical contacts are coupled to a first one of
the at least two
electrical contacts to which respective terminals of the battery connect,
wherein the second and
fifth ones of the externally accessible electrical contacts are coupled to a
second one of the at
least two electrical contacts to which respective terminals of the battery
connect. The battery
assembly 100 wherein the third one of the externally accessible electrical
contacts is coupled to
one of the at least two electrical contacts to which respective terminals of
the battery connect by
the electrical switch and by the electrical switch and a resistance. The
battery assembly 100
wherein the electrical switch has an open position, a first closed position
and a second closed
position, wherein the second electrical switch contact of the electrical
switch is connected to the
second electrical conductor in the first closed position and is connected to
the second electrical
conductor via a resistance in the second closed position. The battery assembly
100 in
combination with a light body 20 may comprise: a body housing having a cavity
therein for
receiving the battery assembly; and a cover covering an opening into the
cavity of the body
housing wherein the cover is openable for placing and removing the battery
assembly in the
cavity of the body housing, wherein: the cover has an opening through which
the electrical
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515
PCT/US2020/045369
switch is actuatable from external to the light body; or the cover has a
flexible seal covering an
opening through which the electrical switch is actuatable from external to the
light body; or the
cover has a flexible seal covering an opening through which the electrical
switch is actuatable
from external to the light body and providing a seal between the cover and the
body housing at
the opening into the cavity of the body housing.
[ 101] A
battery assembly may comprise: a battery housing having first and second
ends and having a receptacle for receiving a battery therein, the receptacle
having at least two
electrical contacts to which respective terminals of the battery connect when
the battery is
received in the receptacle; an electrical switch on the first end of the
battery housing, the
electrical switch having an externally accessible actuator for making and
breaking an electrical
connection between a first electrical switch contact and a second electrical
switch contact; a
symmetrical pattern of externally accessible electrical contacts on the second
end of the battery
housing, wherein the symmetrical pattern may include: first and second
externally accessible
electrical contacts; the third one of the externally accessible electrical
contacts is located
centrally within the pattern; the first one of the externally accessible
electrical contacts is
located symmetrically on the pattern with a fourth one of the externally
accessible electrical
contacts; and the second one of the externally accessible electrical contacts
is located
symmetrically on the pattern with a fifth one of the externally accessible
electrical contacts,
wherein the first of the externally accessible electrical contacts is
connected to a first of the two
electrical contacts of the receptacle; a first electrical conductor connected
to a second of the two
electrical contacts of the receptacle and to the second externally accessible
electrical contact; a
second electrical conductor connected to the third externally accessible
electrical contact; and
wherein the first electrical switch contact of the electrical switch is
coupled to the second of the
two electrical contacts of the receptacle and the second electrical switch
contact of the electrical
switch is coupled to the second electrical conductor, whereby connection to
the battery
assembly may be made by three contacts of a use device contacts with the
battery assembly
being in at least two different orientations relative to the three contacts of
the use device. The
battery assembly 100 wherein: the first, second, fourth and fifth ones of the
externally
accessible electrical contacts are disposed at corners of a square pattern
with the third one of the
externally accessible electrical contacts at the intersection of diagonals
thereof; or the first,
second, fourth and fifth ones of the externally accessible electrical contacts
are disposed around
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
31
a circular pattern with the third one of the externally accessible electrical
contacts at the center
of the circle. The battery assembly 100 wherein the battery housing has
longitudinal direction
and a transverse cross-section defining a flattened cylindrical shape, an oval
shape or an
elliptical shape, and wherein the receptacle is along the longitudinal
direction. The battery
assembly 100 wherein: the first and second ends of the battery housing are
connected by a
central web therebetween, and wherein a space adjacent to the central web and
between the first
and second ends defines the receptacle into which a battery may be placed; or
the first and
second ends of the battery housing are connected at respective central regions
thereof by a
central web, wherein two spaces adjacent opposite sides of the central web
between the first
and second ends define two receptacles into which batteries may be placed. The
battery
assembly 100 may further comprise a first cover on the first end of the
battery housing having
an opening therethrough, wherein the electrical switch is disposed between the
first cover and
the first end of the battery housing, and wherein the actuator of the
electrical switch is disposed
in the opening of the first cover. The battery assembly 100 wherein actuation
of the electrical
switch provides signaling may include presenting two or more different voltage
levels or
presenting two or more different resistance values. The battery assembly 100
may further
comprise: an electrical circuit board adjacent the second end of the battery
housing, the
electrical circuit board having a pattern of electrically conductive features
thereon that
correspond to the pattern of externally accessible electrical contacts on the
second end of the
battery housing; and a second cover on the second end of the battery housing
having a pattern
of openings therethrough that correspond to the pattern of externally
accessible electrical
contacts on the second end of the battery housing, wherein the pattern of
electrically conductive
features of the electrical circuit board aligns with the pattern of openings
of the second cover to
provide the externally accessible electrical contacts on the second end of the
battery housing.
The battery assembly 100 wherein the first and fourth ones of the externally
accessible
electrical contacts are coupled to a first one of the at least two electrical
contacts to which
respective terminals of the battery connect, wherein the second and fifth ones
of the externally
accessible electrical contacts are coupled to a second one of the at least two
electrical contacts
to which respective terminals of the battery connect. The battery assembly 100
wherein the
third one of the externally accessible electrical contacts is coupled to one
of the at least two
electrical contacts to which respective terminals of the battery connect by
the electrical switch
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515
PCT/US2020/045369
32
and by the electrical switch and a resistance. The battery assembly 100
wherein the electrical
switch has an open position, a first closed position and a second closed
position, wherein the
second electrical switch contact of the electrical switch is connected to the
second electrical
conductor in the first closed position and is connected to the second
electrical conductor via a
resistance in the second closed position. The battery assembly 100 in
combination with a light
body may comprise: a body housing having a cavity therein for receiving the
battery assembly;
and a cover covering an opening into the cavity of the body housing wherein
the cover is
openable for placing and removing the battery assembly in the cavity of the
body housing,
wherein: the cover has an opening through which the electrical switch is
actuatable from
external to the light body; or the cover has a flexible seal covering an
opening through which
the electrical switch is actuatable from external to the light body; or the
cover has a flexible seal
covering an opening through which the electrical switch is actuatable from
external to the light
body and providing a seal between the cover and the body housing at the
opening into the
cavity of the body housing.
[ 102] As used herein, the term "about" means that dimensions, sizes,
formulations,
parameters, shapes and other quantities and characteristics are not and need
not be exact, but
may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting
tolerances, conversion
factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known
to those of skill
in the art. In general, a dimension, size, formulation, parameter, shape or
other quantity or
characteristic is "about" or "approximate"whether or not expressly stated to
be such. It is noted
that embodiments of very different sizes, shapes and dimensions may employ the
described
arrangements.
[ 103] Although terms such as "front," "back," "rear," "side," "end,"
"top," "bottom,"
"up," "down," "left," "right," "upward," "downward," "forward," "backward,"
"under" and/or
"over," "vertical," "horizontal," and the like may be used herein as a
convenience in describing
one or more embodiments and/or uses of the present arrangement, the articles
described may be
positioned in any desired orientation and/or may be utilized in any desired
position and/or
orientation. Such terms of position and/or orientation should be understood as
being for
convenience only, and not as limiting of the invention as claimed.
11041 As
used herein, the term "and/or" encompasses both the conjunctive and the
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
33
disjunctive cases, so that a phrase in the form "A and/or B" encompasses "A"
or "B" or "A and
B." In addition, the term "at least one of' one or more elements is intended
to include one of
any one of the elements, more than one of any of the elements, and two or more
of the elements
up to and including all of the elements, and so, e.g., the phrase in the form
"at least one of A, B
and C" includes "A," "B," "C," "A and B," "A and C," "B and C," and "A and B
and C."
[ 105] A fastener as used herein may include any fastener or other
fastening device that
may be suitable for the described use, including threaded fasteners, e.g.,
bolts, screws and
driven fasteners, as well as pins, rivets, nails, spikes, barbed fasteners,
clips, clamps, nuts,
speed nuts, cap nuts, acorn nuts, and the like. Where it is apparent that a
fastener would be
removable in the usual use of the example embodiment described herein, then
removable
fasteners would be preferred in such instances. A fastener may also include,
where appropriate,
other forms of fastening such as a formed head, e.g., a peened or heat formed
head, a weld, e.g.,
a heat weld or ultrasonic weld, a braze, and adhesive, and the like.
[ 106] As used herein, the terms "connected" and "coupled" as well as
variations
thereof may or may not be intended to be exact synonyms, but may also
encompass some
similar things and some different things. The term "connected" as indicated by
its context may
be used generally to refer to elements that have a direct electrical and/or
physical contact to
each other, whereas the term "coupled" as indicated by its context may be used
generally to
refer to elements that have an indirect electrical and/or physical contact
with each other, e.g.,
via one or more intermediate elements, so as to cooperate and/or interact with
each other, and
may include elements in direct contact as well.
[ 107] The term battery is used herein to refer to an electro-chemical
device comprising
one or more electro-chemical cells and/or fuel cells, and so a battery may
include a single cell
or plural cells, whether as individual units or as a packaged unit. A battery
is one example of a
type of an electrical power source suitable for a portable, hand holdable or
other device. Such
devices could include power sources including, but not limited to, fuel cells,
super capacitors,
solar cells, and the like. Any of the foregoing may be intended for a single
use or for being
rechargeable or for both, and/or plural ones thereof may be combined into a
battery pack or
battery assembly.
[ 108] Various embodiments of a battery may have one or more battery cells,
e.g., one,
two, three, four, or more battery cells, as may be deemed suitable for any
particular device. A
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
34
battery may employ various types and kinds of battery chemistry types, e.g., a
carbon-zinc,
alkaline, lead acid, nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) or
lithium-ion (Li-
Ion) battery type, of a suitable number of cells and cell capacity for
providing a desired
operating time and/or lifetime for a particular device, and may be intended
for a single use or
for being rechargeable or for both. Examples may include a three or six cell
lead acid battery
typically producing about 6 volts or about 12 volts, a three cell Ni-Cd
battery typically
producing about 3.6 volts, a four cell NiMH battery typically producing about
4.8 volts, a five
cell NiMH battery producing about 6 volts, a Li-Ion battery typically
producing about 3.5 volts,
or a two-cell Li-Ion battery typically producing about 7 volts, it being noted
that the voltages
produced thereby will be higher when approaching full charge and will be lower
in discharge,
particularly when providing higher current and when reaching a low level of
charge, e.g.,
becoming discharged.
[ 109] The term DC converter is used herein to refer to any electronic
circuit that
receives at an input electrical power at one voltage and current level and
provides at an output
DC electrical power at a different voltage and/or current level. Examples may
include a DC-
DC converter, an AC-DC converter, a boost converter, a buck converter, a buck-
boost
converter, a single-ended primary-inductor converter (SEPIC), a series
regulating element, a
current level regulator, and the like. The input and output thereof may be DC
coupled and/or
AC coupled, e.g., as by a transformer and/or capacitor. A DC converter may or
may not
include circuitry for regulating a voltage and/or a current level, e.g., at an
output thereof, and
may have one or more outputs providing electrical power at different voltage
and/or current
levels and/or in different forms, e.g., AC or DC.
[ 110] Further, what is stated as being "optimum" or "deemed optimum" may
or may
not be a true optimum condition, but is the condition deemed to be desirable
or acceptably
"optimum" by virtue of its being selected in accordance with the decision
rules and/or criteria
defined by the designer and/or applicable controlling function.
[ 111] While the present invention has been described in terms of the
foregoing
example embodiments, variations within the scope and spirit of the present
invention as defined
by the claims following will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For
example, a handle or
gripping arrangement of example light 10, e.g., as provided by housing
portions 210F, 210C,
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
210R, may be provided on lights of substantially larger or smaller relative
sizes, and
irrespective of whether light is projected forwardly or to a side, in a spot
beam or in a flood
beam, in a single beam or plural beams, or in another direction and/or manner.
[ 112] Further, the body of light 10 or similar structure may be utilized
as a handle of a
light or of another hand holdable or portable device for providing, e.g., an
improved grip or
carrying member for any such device.
[ 113] While example light 10 is illustrated as having two actuators 50, 60
along the
forward portion of light body 20 and an actuator an tail cap 30, having such
actuators is not
necessary to enjoy the benefits of the described arrangement. For example, a
light 10 may not
have a rear actuator 40 and/or may have a single actuator along the side of
the housing in
forward portion 20F thereof.
[ 114] Where housing 22 is a molded plastic material, a clip 18 and/or
latch 38, 38'
could be integrally molded therewith, as could gripping surfaces 25; and where
housing 22 is
metal, clip 18 and/or latch 38, 38' is preferably a springy metal, e.g.,
spring steel or beryllium
copper, and the like attached by one or more fasteners 18F. Fasteners 18F may
be utilized to
attach clip 18 and/or to attach latch 38, 38'.
[ 115] Further, clip 18 and latch 38, 38' may be provided as integral
formed part
providing both functions, e.g., as a formed springy metal combined clip and
latch.
[ 116] A light 10 may or may not employ a rechargeable battery, and so may
or may not
include a charging interface of which guide 70 is one example, albeit an
advantageous one.
[ 117] While example light 10 is illustrated as having certain surface
features, e.g.,
partially circumferential ridges on rear grip portion 210R, other features
such as knurling, a
resilient covering, different ridges, and the like may be provided to resist
the light slipping
while in a user's hand. A rubber-like material may be provided as grip 25 on
both sides of the
rearward part 20R of light body 20.
[ 118] While certain features may be described as a raised feature, e.g., a
ridge, boss,
flange, projection, detent, or other raised feature, such feature may be
positively formed or may
be what remains after a recessed feature, e.g., a groove, slot, hole,
indentation, recess, detent, or
other recessed feature, is made. Similarly, while certain features may be
described as a
recessed feature, e.g., a groove, slot, hole, indentation, recess or other
recessed feature, such
feature may be positively formed or may be what remains after a raised
feature, e.g., a ridge,
CA 03148106 2022-01-19
WO 2021/034515 PCT/US2020/045369
36
boss, flange, projection or other raised feature, is made. In addition, where
a raised feature
engages a recessed feature, such as a cylindrical projection that engages a
complementary
receptacle, the relative positions of the raised and recessed features may be
interchanged or
other wise modified.
[ 119] Each of the U.S. Provisional Applications, U.S. Patent Applications,
and/or U.S.
Patents, identified herein is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety, for any
purpose and for all purposes irrespective of how it may be referred to or
described herein.
[ 120] Finally, numerical values stated are typical or example values, are
not limiting
values, and do not preclude substantially larger and/or substantially smaller
values. Values in
any given embodiment may be substantially larger and/or may be substantially
smaller than the
example or typical values stated.
