Rechargeable flashlight with step-up voltage converter and recharger therefor

A rechargeable flashlight assembly comprising:

• a housing defining a chamber;
• a rechargeable electrical power source disposed in said chamber, said rechargeable electrical power source having a first source terminal and a second source terminal and providing a first voltage between said first and second source terminals;
• a step-up voltage converter, having an input terminal, an output terminal and a ground terminal, said step-up voltage converter providing a second voltage at said output terminal when said first voltage is applied to said input terminal, said second voltage being higher than said first voltage;
• a lamp electrically connected to said output terminal and to said ground terminal, said lamp operably producing illumination when said second voltage is applied to it;
• a first recharging contact;
• a second recharging contact;
• and
• a switch, said switch having a first position wherein said first source terminal is electrically connected to said input terminal and said second source terminal is electrically connected to said ground terminal, said switch having a second position wherein said first source terminal is electrically connected to said first recharging contact and said second source terminal is electrically connected to said second recharging contact.

A recharger for recharging an electrical apparatus powered by a rechargeable electrical power source, said electrical apparatus having a tubular body, a circumferential groove, and first and second recharging contacts disposed on an end of said tubular body, said first and second recharging contacts being for recharging said rechargeable electrical power source while in said electrical apparatus, said recharger comprising:

• a housing, said housing having a first end, a second end, a wall, and a protrusion, said housing defining an axis extending between said first and second ends, said protrusion engaging said circumferential groove as said electrical apparatus is axially joined to said housing;
• a first recharger contact for contacting said first recharging contact, said first recharger contact being disposed on said wall at a first distance from said axis;
• a second recharger contact for contacting said second recharging contact, said second recharger contact being disposed on said wall at a second distance from said axis;
• and
• a recharger circuit for providing current through said first and second recharger contacts for recharging said rechargeable electrical power source in said electrical apparatus.

A recharger for recharging an electrical apparatus powered by a rechargeable electrical power source, said electrical apparatus having a tubular body and first and second recharging contacts disposed on an end of said tubular body, said first and second recharging contacts being for recharging said rechargeable electrical power source while in said electrical apparatus, said recharger comprising:

• a housing, said housing having a first end, a second end, and a wall, said housing defining an axis extending between said first and second ends;
• a first recharger contact for contacting said first recharging contact, said first recharger contact being disposed on said wall at a first distance from said axis;
• a second recharger contact for contacting said second recharging contact, said second recharger contact being disposed on said wall at a second distance from said axis;
• and
• a recharger circuit for providing current through said first and second recharger contacts for recharging said rechargeable electrical power source in said electrical apparatus,
• wherein said recharger circuit has a first mode of operation in which said recharger circuit provides a predetermined recharge current through said first and second recharger contacts for recharging said rechargeable electrical power source and a second mode of operation in which said recharger circuit provides an intermittent recharge current through said first and second recharger contacts for maintaining said rechargeable electrical power source at a recharged level, and
• wherein said recharger circuit activates a first user-discernible positive indication during said first mode of operation and activates a second user-discernible positive indication during said second mode of operation.

A rechargeable flashlight assembly comprising:

• a housing defining a chamber;
• a rechargeable electrical power source disposed in said chamber, said rechargeable electrical power source having a first source terminal and a second source terminal and providing a first voltage between said first and second source terminals;
• a step-up voltage converter disposed in said chamber, having an input terminal, an output terminal and a ground terminal, said step-up voltage converter providing a second voltage at said output terminal when said first voltage is applied to said input terminal, said second voltage being higher than said first voltage;
• a lamp electrically connected to said output terminal and to said ground terminal, said lamp operably producing illumination when said second voltage is applied to it;
• a first recharging contact;
• and
• a second recharging contact.