Abstract: A hand holdable light comprises: a light body having a forward portion, and a central or second portion; a light source proximate a forward end; and one or more switch actuators for controlling the light source. A rearward portion may have a non-circular cross-section; the actuators is/are on the forward portion; and the central or second portion may have a recess opposite the actuator. The light is holdable by a hand in several ways wherein a finger or thumb is proximate an actuator. A battery assembly comprises: a battery housing for receiving and connecting a battery; an electrical switch on 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.

Abstract: A hand holdable light comprises: a light body having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion between the forward portion and to the rearward portion; a light source proximate a forward end; and a switch for energizing the light source. The rearward portion has a non-circular cross-section; the switch is on the forward portion; and the central portion has a recess opposite the switch. The light is holdable by a hand with a finger or thumb proximate the recess and the other of a finger or thumb proximate the switch. A battery assembly comprises: a battery housing for receiving and connecting a battery; an electrical switch on 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.

Abstract: A hand holdable light comprises: a light body having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion between the forward portion and to the rearward portion; a light source proximate a forward end; and a switch for energizing the light source. The rearward portion has a non-circular cross-section; the switch is on the forward portion; and the central portion has a recess opposite the switch. The light is holdable by a hand with a finger or thumb proximate the recess and the other of a finger or thumb proximate the switch. A battery assembly comprises: a battery housing for receiving and connecting a battery; an electrical switch on 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.

Abstract: A hand holdable light comprises: a light body having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion between the forward portion and to the rearward portion; a light source proximate a forward end; and a switch for energizing the light source. The rearward portion has a non-circular cross-section; the switch is on the forward portion; and the central portion has a recess opposite the switch. The light is holdable by a hand with a finger or thumb proximate the recess and the other of a finger or thumb proximate the switch. A battery assembly comprises: a battery housing for receiving and connecting a battery; an electrical switch on 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.

Abstract: A hand holdable light comprises: a light body having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion between the forward portion and to the rearward portion; a light source proximate a forward end; and a switch for energizing the light source. The rearward portion has a non-circular cross-section; the switch is on the forward portion; and the central portion has a recess opposite the switch. The light is holdable by a hand with a finger or thumb proximate the recess and the other of a finger or thumb proximate the switch. A battery assembly comprises: a battery housing for receiving and connecting a battery; an electrical switch on 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.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery may comprise: setting an initial low charge current level; repetitively interrupting charging in a periodic cycle, and: measuring an open circuit battery voltage when charging is interrupted, determining from the open circuit battery voltage a corresponding predetermined charging current; applying the predetermined charging current; and repeating the periodic cycle. A method may also comprise: setting an initial charge current level, measuring the supply voltage, and decreasing the charge current level if the measured supply voltage is less than a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery may comprise: setting an initial low charge current level; repetitively interrupting charging in a periodic cycle, and: measuring an open circuit battery voltage when charging is interrupted, determining from the open circuit battery voltage a corresponding charging current; applying the predetermined charging current; and repeating the periodic cycle. A method may also comprise: setting an initial charge current level, determining the current available by measuring the supply voltage, and decreasing the charging current level if the measured supply voltage is less than a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A connector comprises: an elongated connector body defining a longitudinal direction with an electrical connector frame at one end thereof; the elongated connector body having a longitudinal alignment feature on the elongated connector body configured for aligning the elongated connector body, a guide feature defining a unique orientation thereof, and a retaining feature configured for retaining the elongated connector body in a connector guide.

Abstract: A battery charger comprises: a housing having at least one cradle; a connector port for receiving at different times electrical plug connectors having different contact configurations; electrical receptacles in the connector port for receiving at different times electrical plug connectors associated with different electrical power supplies, plural electrical receptacles having different contact configurations; the plural electrical receptacles being closely adjacent such that an electrical connector inserted into one electrical receptacle physically prevents an electrical connector from being inserted into the other electrical receptacle; and an electrical circuit coupling electrical power received at the electrical receptacles to the at least one cradle.

Abstract: A portable light may comprise: a light housing having housing parts for enclosing a source of electrical power and supporting an electrical light source, a slide latch slidable on the light housing parts between latched and unlatched positions; a projection proximate the slide latch when the housing parts are adjacent; wherein when the slide latch is moved to the latched position, separation of the housing parts is prevented, and wherein when the slide latch is moved to the unlatched position, the housing parts can be separated. A tool may be needed to open the housing.

Abstract: An electrical switch and a flashlight employing the switch may comprise a base having three electrical conductors thereon and an electrically conductive flexible dome adjacent the base. The flexible dome has plural longer legs extending from its dome and in electrical contact with a first conductor, has a shorter leg extending from its dome and overlying a second conductor, and has its dome overlying a third conductor. A spring may extend from the base of the switch. A pushbutton may be moved to apply sufficient force to cause the shorter leg to contact the second conductor and the dome to contact the third conductor. A spring may be between the pushbutton and the flexible dome to couple force to the flexible dome.

Abstract: A connector may comprise: an elongated connector body defining a longitudinal direction with an electrical connector frame at one end thereof; the connector body having a longitudinal alignment feature on the connector body configured for aligning the connector body, a guide feature defining a unique orientation thereof, and a retaining feature configured for retaining the connector body in the connector guide.

Abstract: A battery charger may comprise: a housing having at least one cradle; a connector port for receiving at different times electrical plug connectors having different contact configurations; electrical receptacles in the connector port for receiving at different times electrical plug connectors associated with different electrical power supplies; a first electrical receptacle having a different contact configuration than a second electrical receptacle; the electrical receptacles being closely adjacent such that an electrical connector inserted into one electrical receptacle physically prevents an electrical connector from being inserted into the other electrical receptacle; and an electrical circuit coupling electrical power received at the electrical receptacles to the at least one cradle.

Abstract: A portable light may comprise: a light housing having housing parts for enclosing a source of electrical power and supporting an electrical light source, a slide latch slidable on the light housing parts between latched and unlatched positions; a projection proximate the slide latch when the housing parts are adjacent; wherein when the slide latch is moved to the latched position, separation of the housing parts is prevented, and wherein when the slide latch is moved to the unlatched position, the housing parts can be separated. A tool may be needed to open the housing.

Abstract: A portable light may comprise: a light housing for enclosing a source of electrical power and supporting an electrical light source, a face cap rotatably mounted to the light housing. The face cap may have one or more lenses positionable in front of the electrical light source. A light source control circuit interior the light housing has at least one switch actuator for selectively energizing the light source, and an actuator member of the face cap. Rotating the face cap moves the actuator member into a position to actuate the switch actuator, whereby rotating the face cap produces the selective energization of the light source. The portable light may require a tool to open the housing, e.g., to replace the source of electrical power and/or may be pivotably mounted to a light base.

Abstract: A portable light or device or heat dissipater may comprise a heat sink for having a light source or other heat generating element thermally coupled thereto, and having a plurality of walls extending from a side thereof for defining a cavity and plural passages, a fluid mover in the cavity of the heat sink for selectively causing a fluid to move through the cavity and the plural passages, and a light source or other heat generating element adjacent to and thermally coupled to the heat sink. The heat dissipater may be connected to a housing in various configurations.