Abstract: A hand holdable light comprises: a light body having a cavity for receiving an electrical power source; a light source of the light body; an electrical power source that can be inserted into the cavity in more than one possible orientation; and the electrical power source further comprising electrical contacts positioned at one end of the electrical power source in a symmetrical pattern such that, for more than one orientation of insertion, the electrical power source provides electrical power to the light source.

Abstract: A portable light has a cavity configured for receiving the electrical power source and has an opening between the cavity and exterior to the portable light. A contact assembly in the cavity has an asymmetrical keying feature in a predetermined orientation in the cavity relative to the opening. An electrical power source has an asymmetrical electrical terminal configured to engage the keying feature in a predetermined orientation, and a charging port at a predetermined location relative to the asymmetrical electrical terminal. A cover includes an orienting member that engages a recess and/or projection of the electrical power source for moving the electrical power source into a predetermined orientation whereat the charging port of the electrical power source is accessible through the opening to receive charging current directly from an external charging source.

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 battery assembly for a portable device has a first longitudinal axis and comprises: a battery assembly housing configured to receive at least one unit of a first battery type having a second longitudinal axis, wherein an angle A1 defined by the first and second longitudinal axes is greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees. The battery assembly housing may be further configured to receive at least one unit of a second battery type. The battery assembly for a portable device may comprise: a housing having a first receptacle for receiving a first battery and having plural second receptacles transverse to the first receptacle for receiving plural batteries of a different smaller size. Battery assembly terminals provide externally accessible battery positive and negative terminals. Thus the battery assembly can receive the first and second batteries, but not at the same time.

Abstract: Improvements in portable lighting devices are shown and described. These improvements include new arrangements for the configuration of battery compartments to allow for different types of battery sources to be used therein, use of electromagnetic position sensing for a mode selection or other type of switch, selector, or dial, and improvements relating to venting of a battery compartment.

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.