Abstract: A hand holdable light comprises: a light body having a forward portion, a light source proximate a forward end; and one or more switch actuators on the forward end for controlling the light source. 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, 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, 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 portable light may comprise: a light body having an internal cavity configured to receive a rechargeable power source, having a keying feature, and having an opening through an exterior wall in a predetermined location relative to the keying feature; and a light source. A rechargeable power source has a charging connector and a keying feature in predetermined locations that when the keying feature thereof engages the keying feature of the internal cavity, the charging connector thereof is aligned with the opening through the exterior wall of the light body. Thus an external source of charging power can be connected through the opening in the exterior wall directly to the charging connector of the rechargeable power source for recharging the rechargeable power source while it is in the portable light.

Abstract: A portable light may comprise: a light body having an internal cavity configured to receive a rechargeable power source, having a keying feature, and having an opening through an exterior wall in a predetermined location relative to the keying feature; and a light source. A rechargeable power source has a charging connector and a keying feature in predetermined locations that when the keying feature thereof engages the keying feature of the internal cavity, the charging connector thereof is aligned with the opening through the exterior wall of the light body. Thus an external source of charging power can be connected through the opening in the exterior wall directly to the charging connector of the rechargeable power source for recharging the rechargeable power source while it is in the portable light.

Abstract: A control circuit for a light source comprises: a light source, a drive circuit applying a pulse width modulated (PWM) drive signal to the light source; and a pulse width modulator generating the PWM drive signal having a PWM ON time ratio responsive to a control signal and a PWM drive frequency that varies over a range of frequencies repeatedly and substantially continuously. A method for controlling a light source comprises: applying a pulse width modulated (PWM) drive signal to the light source; generating the PWM drive signal having a PWM ON time ratio responsive to a control signal and having a PWM drive frequency that is varied over the range of frequencies repeatedly and substantially continuously. The PWM drive signal causes the light source to produce light at the varying frequency, whereby light at a frequency exhibited by a moving object does not continuously illuminate a moving object.

Abstract: A control circuit for a light source comprises: a light source, a drive circuit applying a pulse width modulated (PWM) drive signal to the light source; and a pulse width modulator generating the PWM drive signal having a PWM ON time ratio responsive to a control signal and a PWM drive frequency that varies over a range of frequencies repeatedly and substantially continuously. A method for controlling a light source comprises: applying a pulse width modulated (PWM) drive signal to the light source; generating the PWM drive signal having a PWM ON time ratio responsive to a control signal and having a PWM drive frequency that is varied over the range of frequencies repeatedly and substantially continuously. The PWM drive signal causes the light source to produce light at the varying frequency, whereby light at a frequency exhibited by a moving object does not continuously illuminate a moving object.

Abstract: A forend for a firearm is shown and described.

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 portable light may comprise: a light body having an illumination, e.g., white, light source and one or more laser light sources, each light source being selectively energizable for producing light; and a switch for selectively energizing the illumination light source and/or the laser light sources. The one or more laser light sources provide diverging narrow beams of laser light, so as to appear as spaced apart dots or spots of laser light on objects illuminated by the beams of laser light. Because the laser light beams diverge, the distance between the dots is proportional to the distance to the object which the dots illuminate. A TIR optical element may also be disposed in front of the illumination light source for receiving the light produced thereby.

Abstract: An optical diffuser for a light may comprise an optical body having a substantially flat base at one end thereof and a complex lens structure at the opposing end thereof. The complex lens may have a plurality of curved optical surfaces and may produce a beam of light having a non-uniform light intensity. The optical diffuser may be attached to a light by a holder, and the holder may be movable on the light to place the optical diffuser in front of a light source.

Abstract: A portable light may comprise: a light body having an illumination, e.g., white, light source and a laser light source supported thereby, each source being selectively energizable for producing light; and a switch for selectively energizing the illumination light source and/or laser light source. The laser light source is configured to provide a plane of laser light, so as to create a line of laser light on objects illuminated by the plane of laser light. The laser light source may include a cylindrical lens to create the plane of laser light. The plane of laser light may be rotatable relative to the light body. A TIR optical element may also be disposed in front of the illumination light source for receiving the light produced thereby.

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 portable light may comprise: a light body having an illumination, e.g., white, light source and one or more laser light sources, each light source being selectively energizable for producing light; and a switch for selectively energizing the illumination light source and/or the laser light sources. The one or more laser light sources provide diverging narrow beams of laser light, so as to appear as spaced apart dots or spots of laser light on objects illuminated by the beams of laser light. Because the laser light beams diverge, the distance between the dots is proportional to the distance to the object which the dots illuminate. A TIR optical element may also be disposed in front of the illumination light source for receiving the light produced thereby.