Abstract: A storage compartment for a flashlight with a cylindrical barrel, a tail cap and a conductive spring fitted to the tail cap.

Abstract: A charging process of a rechargeable lighting device is controlled by a software algorithm and a microcontroller configured within the rechargeable lighting device which has first and the second charging contacts located on its exterior and the charging circuit is turned on when a cradle detection circuit detects that at least one of the charging contacts engages an electrical contact when the rechargeable lighting device is inserted into a charging cradle. The charging process begins with a charge-current which is constant and a battery charge-voltage which rises up to a nominal battery charge-voltage. The rechargeable lighting device recovers to a preselected condition through use of a power interruption avoidance algorithm configured within the microcontroller when there is a loss of power to the microcontroller of less than a preselected amount of time.

Abstract: A charger cradle for recharging a rechargeable lighting device is described. The cradle may include two prongs that flex outwards to allow a lighting device to be inserted into the cradle. After the lighting device is fully inserted, the prongs resume a normal position to exert an inward force on the lighting device to secure it in place. The cradle may also include two moveable cradle arms, in lieu of two prongs, to allow a spring mechanism within the device to motivate the moveable cradle arms to grasp a lighting device when the lighting device is inserted into the rechargeable lighting device.

Abstract: A flashlight or portable light source has a battery power source, a light source, a circuit powered by the battery power source which causes the light source to emit light in an on state, a switch which causes the circuit to alternate between the on state and an off state in which the light source does not emit light when the switch is actuated by a user, a controller for causing light emitted from the light source to emit at two or more modes other than the off state, and an automatic dimmer residing within the flashlight which causes light emitted from the light source to dime without any activation of the switch after a first preselected amount of time.

Abstract: One electrical lead from an LED package is soldered to an inner electrically conductive member positioned and electrically isolated from an outer electrically conductive member by electrically insulating material while a second electrical lead and a neutral lead from the LED are soldered to the outer electrically conductive member so that heat is transferred from an LED die within the LED package to the outer electrically conductive member and then to a thermally conductive outer casing with a thermal path that minimizes thermal resistance.

Abstract: A flashlight capable of operating with its head removed in a candle mode is combined with a wand which has two inner zones to receive either the head of the flashlight or the barrel of the flashlight.

Abstract: A charging process of a rechargeable lighting device is controlled by a software algorithm and a microcontroller configured within the rechargeable lighting device which has first and the second charging contacts located on its exterior and the charging circuit is turned on when a cradle detection circuit detects that at least one of the charging contacts engages an electrical contact when the rechargeable lighting device is inserted into a charging cradle. The charging process begins with a charge-current which is constant and a battery charge-voltage which rises up to a nominal battery charge-voltage. The rechargeable lighting device recovers to a preselected condition through use of a power interruption avoidance algorithm configured within the microcontroller when there is a loss of power to the microcontroller of less than a preselected amount of time.

Abstract: A multi-mode flashlight includes a housing with a source of power, a light source located at a forward end of the housing, and a tail cap located at the tail end of the housing, the tail cap including a switch and at least two icons, each of which is associated with a mode of operation of the flashlight, wherein the mode of operation is selected by orienting the housing so that the icon associated with the desired mode of operation is positioned in a predetermined manner and the switch is depressed to turn the flashlight on and the switch is depressed for at least a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A method for increasing battery life in a lighting device powered by a battery source in which an electronic switch is caused to provide a declining power supply to a light emitting diode (“LED”) as a power profile of the battery source declines.

Abstract: A charger cradle for recharging a rechargeable lighting device is described. The cradle may include two prongs that flex outwards to allow a lighting device to be inserted into the cradle. After the lighting device is fully inserted, the prongs resume a normal position to exert an inward force on the lighting device to secure it in place. The cradle may also include two moveable cradle arms, in lieu of two prongs, to allow a spring mechanism within the device to motivate the moveable cradle arms to grasp a lighting device when the lighting device is inserted into the rechargeable lighting device.

Abstract: A rechargeable lighting device has a rechargeable power source with a positive electrode located at its rear end, a main power circuit that powers a light source and includes the positive electrode, a charging circuit configured to be enabled when the lighting device engages a charging device, and at least one charging contact located on the exterior of the lighting device at or near its tail end. A microcontroller and switch are located at the rear end and the microcontroller wakes up to either turn on the main power circuit and isolate the charging contract from a charging ground path or turn on the charging circuit in which case the charging contact acts as part of the charging ground path.

Abstract: A flashlight has housing with a first mechanical spiral engagement system, a head assembly with a second mechanical spiral engagement system that engages the first mechanical spiral engagement system when the head assembly is coupled to the housing, an LED light source module fixedly held by a heat sink fixedly held by the housing, a power source held within the housing, and a switch assembly, wherein light provided by the LED light source module may be varied by rotating the head assembly relative to the housing while the heat sink, the switch assembly and the power source remain stationary.

Abstract: A charger cradle for recharging a rechargeable lighting device is described. The cradle may include two prongs that flex outwards to allow a lighting device to be inserted into the cradle. After the lighting device is fully inserted, the prongs resume a normal position to exert an inward force on the lighting device to secure it in place. The cradle may also include two moveable cradle arms, in lieu of two prongs, to allow a spring mechanism within the device to motivate the moveable cradle arms to grasp a lighting device when the lighting device is inserted into the rechargeable lighting device.

Abstract: A flashlight uses a reverse battery protection circuit to prevent current from flowing in a power control circuit when at least one battery is held in a reversed orientation, rather than a correct orientation, in a battery compartment of the flashlight.

Abstract: A lighting device with improved optical performance and efficiency is provided. The lighting device includes a source of energy, a light source, a reflector and a holder. The reflector has a first open end, a second end, and a parabolic profile extending between the first open end and second end. The focus of the parabolic profile is located outside of the profile. The reflector may also be movable relative to the light source. The lighting device may include a circuit that delivers a pulsed or thermally compensated pulsed current to the light source. The light device may also include a heat sink housing.

Abstract: A lighting device with improved optical performance and efficiency is provided. The lighting device includes a source of energy, a light source, a reflector and a holder. The reflector has a first open end, a second end, and a parabolic profile extending between the first open end and second end. The focus of the parabolic profile is located outside of the profile. The reflector may also be movable relative to the light source. The lighting device may include a circuit that delivers a pulsed or thermally compensated pulsed current to the light source. The light device may also include a heat sink housing.

Abstract: One electrical lead from an LED package is soldered to an inner electrically conductive member positioned and electrically isolated from an outer electrically conductive member by electrically insulating material while a second electrical lead and a neutral lead from the LED are soldered to the outer electrically conductive member so that heat is transferred from an LED die within the LED package to the outer electrically conductive member and then to a thermally conductive outer casing with a thermal path that minimizes thermal resistance.

Abstract: A rechargeable lighting device has a rechargeable power source with a positive electrode located at its rear end, a main power circuit that powers a light source and includes the positive electrode, a charging circuit configured to be enabled when the lighting device engages a charging device, and at least one charging contact located on the exterior of the lighting device at or near its tail end. A microcontroller and switch are located at the rear end and the microcontroller wakes up to either turn on the main power circuit and isolate the charging contract from a charging ground path or turn on the charging circuit in which case the charging contact acts as part of the charging ground path.

Abstract: A flashlight has housing with a first mechanical spiral engagement system, a head assembly with a second mechanical spiral engagement system that engages the first mechanical spiral engagement system when the head assembly is coupled to the housing, an LED light source module fixedly held by a heat sink fixedly held by the housing, a power source held within the housing, and a switch assembly, wherein light provided by the LED light source module may be varied by rotating the head assembly relative to the housing while the heat sink, the switch assembly and the power source remain stationary.