Portable light and charging device therefor

A charging device for a portable light having a light body containing a rechargeable battery, the light body of the portable light having opposing sides and a latching recess of a predetermined shape in a base thereof, and having one or more charging contacts for receiving electrical power for charging the rechargeable battery,

• the charging device comprising:
• a charger housing having a receptacle configured to receive the light body of the portable light and having one or more charging contacts configured to make electrical connection to the one or more charging contacts of the portable light when the portable light is disposed in the receptacle of said charger housing;
• a release latch moveably mounted to said charger housing and having a projection,
• wherein when said release latch is moved to a first position the projection of said release latch extends into the receptacle of the charger housing for engaging the portable light when the portable light is disposed in the receptacle of said charging device, whereby the portable light is retained in said charging device, and
• wherein when said release latch is moved to a second position the projection of said release latch does not extend into the receptacle of the charger housing and does not engage the portable light when the portable light is disposed in the receptacle of said charging device, whereby the portable light is released to be removed from the receptacle of said charging device;
• a first biasing element configured to bias said release latch towards the first position, whereby said release latch is biased to move to retain the portable light in said charging device;
• a pair of latch arms each moveably mounted on said charger housing in opposing positions at opposite sides of the receptacle thereof, said latch arms being moveable to move closer together to extend into the receptacle and to move farther apart to be out of the receptacle,
• wherein each latch arm has a distal end configured to engage the light body of the portable light when the portable light is disposed in the receptacle of said charging device and the latch arms are moved to be closer together and to not engage the light body of the portable light when the portable light is disposed in the receptacle of said charging device and the latch arms are moved to be farther apart;
• and
• a second biasing element configured to bias said latch arms towards each other, whereby said latch arms are biased to move into the receptacle to retain the portable light in said charging device.

A portable light and charging device therefor,

• wherein said portable light comprises:
• a light body having a handle and a base for receiving a source of electrical power, having a latching recess in the base thereof, and having one or more charging contacts configured to make electrical connection to the source of electrical power;
• a light head pivotably mounted at a base end thereof to a forward end of said light body and having a projection at an end distal the base end thereof, said light head including a light source energizable for producing light;
• a switch supported by said light body and actuatable for energizing said light source;
• and
• a latch ring pivotably mounted at the forward end of said light body and configured for being pivoted to engage the projection of said light head when said light head is pivoted to be adjacent to the forward end of said light body,
• said latch ring being pivotable to a first position whereat it does not engage the projection of said light head, whereby said light head is not constrained by said latch ring, and being pivotable to a second position whereat it engages the projection of said light head when said light head is pivoted to be adjacent the forward end of said light body;
• and
• wherein said charging device comprises:
• a charger housing having a receptacle configured to receive the light body of said portable light and having one or more charging contacts configured to make electrical connection to the one or more charging contacts of said portable light when said portable light is disposed in the receptacle of said charger housing;
• a release latch moveably mounted to said charger housing and having a projection,
• wherein when said release latch is moved to a first position the projection of said release latch extends into the receptacle of the charger housing for engaging said portable light when said portable light is disposed in the receptacle of said charging device, whereby said portable light is retained in said charging device, and
• wherein when said release latch is moved to a second position the projection of said release latch does not extend into the receptacle of the charger housing and does not engage said portable light when said portable light is disposed in the receptacle of said charging device, whereby said portable light is released to be removed from the receptacle of said charging device;
• a first biasing element configured to bias said release latch towards the first position, whereby said release latch is biased to move to retain said portable light in said charging device;
• a pair of latch arms each moveably mounted on said charger housing in opposing positions at opposite sides of the receptacle thereof, said latch arms being moveable to move closer together to extend into the receptacle and to move farther apart to be out of the receptacle,
• wherein each latch arm has a distal end configured to engage the light body of said portable light when said portable light is disposed in the receptacle of said charging device and the latch arms are moved to be closer together and to not engage the light body of said portable light when said portable light is disposed in the receptacle of said charging device and the latch arms are moved to be farther apart;
• and
• a second biasing element configured to bias said latch arms towards each other, whereby said latch arms are biased to move into the receptacle to retain said portable light in said charging device.