CHARGING

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable and rechargeable batteries have each long been used to power electric consumer devices such as flashlights, lanterns, radios, and the like. Some electric devices include a battery compartment that house either of disposable or rechargeable batteries that power the device. For example, several Coleman® lanterns and flashlights included compartments allowing the devices to be powered by traditional disposable batteries (or disposable battery packs) or rechargeable battery packs (e.g., the Coleman CPX® 6 V Rechargeable Power Cartridge). This interchangeable system provides users with the option to choose to how to power their devices, but it often confuses them. Users become confused about which battery pack was disposable and which was rechargeable, and which pack to use depending on device performance requirements.

Other battery systems are available that use both disposable and rechargeable battery packs, but those systems require first removing the rechargeable battery from the device before connecting the disposable battery pack to the rechargeable battery pack. Using those systems requires an external, secondary solution to accomplish a function that could be more simply accomplished using an embedded solution. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention uses both disposable and rechargeable batteries to power devices such as flashlights, lanterns, and the like. The system embeds the rechargeable batteries within the device, thus providing an all-enclosed solution. Embedding the rechargeable batteries within the device eliminates confusion among users regarding the use of multiple battery packs. The disposable batteries are stored within an easily accessible compartment of the device. That way, when the disposable batteries need to be replaced, it is convenient for a consumer to replace them. The disposable batteries may be used to either charge the rechargeable batteries or to run the device as a reserve battery option.

A significant benefit of the present system is more efficient discharge of the disposable batteries. Disposable alkaline batteries lose significant capacity when discharged to loads drawing greater current such as the current usually drawn by illumination devices such as flashlights. When the disposable batteries are used to charge the rechargeable batteries when the flashlight is off, they do so at a lower discharge rate. By using the disposable batteries to charge the rechargeable batteries rather than power the illumination device, the disposable battery life is significantly prolonged.

Preferably, the system includes an indicator light or meter to inform a user how much power is left in the disposable batteries and further determine when the disposable batteries need to be replaced. The indicator light or meter may also be used to track the life of the rechargeable batteries for the user's information.

In the preferred embodiment, the disposable batteries are used when the device is powered off to charge the rechargeable batteries for the device's next use. The rechargeable batteries power the device until they are depleted, before automatically transitioning to the disposable batteries. This increases the runtime of the device. As an added option, the user may be able to power the device using either of the disposable or rechargeable batteries, depending on his or her preference.

In another embodiment, the disposable batteries power the device when in use, and the rechargeable batteries act as an emergency backup power supply. This arrangement is not the most efficient use of power that the system offers, but it provides certain users with a sense of security by providing a charged backup power supply. The system may also be used as a "power pack" for charging other devices such as cell phones. In that embodiment, the system includes a USB output or other similar output that can be connected with various other electric consumer devices and thus provide power thereto. The system could power the other device using either of the disposable or the rechargeable batteries, but the rechargeable batteries are preferable because the rechargeable batteries offer a more efficient charge than traditional, disposable batteries.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a rechargeable flashlight including on board disposable battery charging;

Fig. 2 is a line graph comparing the service hours of disposable batteries for various device loads;

Fig. 3 is a line graph comparing twenty minute discharge profiles of a typical flashlight and a flashlight using present invention including embedded rechargeable batteries and on board disposable batteries as set forth in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4 is a line graph comparing continuous discharge profiles of a typical flashlight and a flashlight using the present invention of Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a rechargeable power pack device including on board disposable battery charging.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A flashlight 1 is provided that includes each of a base portion 3 and an illumination head 5. The base portion 3 of the flashlight 1 is shown as a cylindrical, easily graspable handle member, but in alternative embodiments, it may take on numerous alternative shapes and sizes commonly used in connection with flashlights, as one skilled in the art would recognize. The illumination head 5 is preferably positioned and located at a distal end 7 of the base portion 3 and includes a bulb (not illustrated) for illuminating an area in front of the flashlight 1, or another electrical component of the flashlight 1. The flashlight 1 is only an illustrative example of the type of device that the described battery system hereof can power, as the present battery system could be used with numerous other types of devices including lanterns, radios, and the like.

The flashlight 1 further includes rechargeable batteries 9 and disposable batteries 11. The rechargeable batteries 9 and disposable batteries 11 preferably are in electrical communication with each other, as discussed below. The rechargeable batteries 9 are preferably in electrical communication with the bulb of the flashlight 1 in a manner not illustrated, but well-known and understood within the electrical arts. The rechargeable batteries 9 may be of any type that is rechargeable and provides enough voltage to the lamp to reach a threshold brightness level (e.g., lead-acid, NiCd, NiMH, Li-ion, Li-ion polymer).

The rechargeable batteries 9 are embedded or built into the flashlight 1. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the rechargeable batteries are housed in a compaitment near the distal end 7 of the base portion 3. In alternative embodiments, the batteries 9 may be positioned and located elsewhere in the flashlight 1 so long as they are compartmentalized in that location and not readily accessible to users. Because rechargeable batteries 9 are embedded within the flashlight 1 and not easily accessible to a user, the system is simplified. Users do not have to try to distinguish one battery pack from another or attempt to discern for themselves what configuration optimizes performance. However, in alternative

embodiments, the rechargeable batteries 9 may also be removable. Fig. 1 shows two rechargeable batteries 9 embedded within the flashlight 1, but in other devices, more or fewer rechargeable batteries may be housed within the device.

Disposable batteries 11 may also be of any type known or foreseeable to those skilled in the art, for example, alkaline batteries. The batteries 11 may be size A, AA, C or D batteries or the like. The batteries illustrated in Fig. 1 are size AA. The disposable batteries 11 are housed within the flashlight 1 in a location that is accessible to the user so that the disposable batteries 11 can be replaced when depleted. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the disposable batteries 11 are housed in a proximal end 13 of the flashlight 1. Two disposable batteries 1 1 are shown housed in the flashlight 1 of Fig. 1, but in other devices, more or fewer disposable batteries may be provided. The disposable batteries 11 are in electrical communication with the rechargeable batteries 9 as discussed below.

A micro USB port 15 may also be connected with the flashlight 1. The micro USB port 15 may be positioned and located in one of a variety of locations on the flashlight 1, preferably on its base portion 3. The micro USB port 15 is preferably in electrical communication with the rechargeable batteries 9. When a micro USB charger (not illustrated) is plugged into the micro USB port 15, the micro USB charger can charge the rechargeable batteries 9 via the micro USB port 15 in a well-known manner. Other charger types may be connected with the flashlight 1 that perform a function substantially similar to that of micro USB charger 15. Preferably, the flashlight 1 also includes an indicator light or meter (not illustrated) to inform a user how much power is left in the disposable batteries 11. This helps a user to know when the batteries 11 should be replaced. The indicator light or meter may also be used to monitor the life of the rechargeable batteries 9 for the user's information. In a preferred embodiment, the disposable batteries 11 are used to charge the rechargeable batteries 9 when the flashlight 1 is turned off. A controller (not illustrated) preferably controls when the rechargeable batteries 9 discharge versus when the disposable batteries 11 discharge. By using the disposable batteries 11 to charge the rechargeable batteries 9 when the flashlight 1 is turned off, the disposable batteries 11 are more effectively discharged. Disposable alkaline batteries such as batteries 11 lose their charge faster when they are being used to power devices that draw more current, such as the flashlight 1.

Fig. 2 illustrates the drain in voltage over time of a standard AA alkaline battery used to power devices drawing various currents. For the 1000 mA draw, the battery had an approximately 1.3 hour battery life, and for the 100mA draw, the battery had an

approximately 27 hour battery life. For loads that demand less current, the battery life increases. Thus, it is more efficient to charge the rechargeable batteries 9 via disposable batteries 11 when the flashlight 1 is turned off (and not drawing as large of a current) than when it is turned on (and drawing a large current to operate). This prolongs the battery life of the disposable batteries 11. The rechargeable batteries 9 have the same capacity when drained at high or low rates.

When the disposable batteries 11 power the rechargeable batteries 9 between uses, the brightness of the flashlight 1 is preserved over time. Fig. 3 illustrates the profile of a typical flashlight discharge profile (without recharging) and a discharge profile of a flashlight including the present onboard charging of the rechargeable batteries by the disposable batteries 11. Without the disposable batteries 11 to charge a flashlight such as flashlight 1 between uses, the flashlight brightness decreases from 1,800 Lux to zero Lux in

approximately 1.5 hours. When the rechargeable batteries 9 are charged between twenty minute uses, the flashlight brightness still decreases during use. However, while the rechargeable batteries 9 are depleting, the disposable batteries 11 may simultaneously charge the rechargeable batteries 9 so that the depletion rate is less than the rate when the disposable batteries 11 are not used between uses, as indicated by the difference in rates labeled with reference number 17. When the flashlight is turned off after twenty minutes of use, at points in time denoted with reference number 19 in Fig. 2, the disposable batteries 11 "kick in" and rapidly charge the rechargeable batteries 9. This rapid charge preferably occurs with the disposable batteries 11 being discharged at the lower rate as compared to the higher rate when they are solely powering a load (as shown and described above for Fig. 2).

Disposable batteries 11 may also function to power the flashlight 1 as a reserve battery option when the rechargeable batteries 9 are depleted. As noted above, when a typical flashlight is continuously used, its brightness decreases to zero Lux after

approximately 1.5 hours (as shown in Figs. 3 and 4). However, when the disposable batteries 11 are used to supplement rechargeable batteries 9, the brightness profile shown in Fig. 4 is provided. More particularly, as was the case in Fig. 3, as the rechargeable batteries 9 lose their power, the disposable batteries 11 simultaneously charge the rechargeable batteries 9 so that the depletion rate is less than the rate when the disposable batteries 11 are not used between uses, as indicated by the difference in rates labeled with reference numbers 21 and 22.

Because power is drawn from the rechargeable batteries 9 faster than the disposable batteries 11 power the rechargeable batteries 11, there comes a point in time (not identified) when the rechargeable batteries 9 are fully depleted. At that time, the disposable batteries 11 kick in to fully power the flashlight 1 using leftover power not consumed by simultaneous charging of the rechargeable batteries 9 while the batteries 9 are still powering the device. The flashlight 1 uses the disposable batteries 11 to charge the rechargeable batteries 9 until they are depleted and then kick in to power the flashlight 1, thus approximately doubling the runtime of the flashlight 1, as shown in Fig. 4.

In an alternative embodiment, the user may be able to choose to power the device using either of the disposable batteries 11 or rechargeable batteries 9 (or a customizable combination thereof), depending on his or her preference. A switch or other control device (not illustrated) may be provided on the flashlight 1 to allow the user to select which batteries he or she would like to use to power the flashlight or other electric device.

In yet another embodiment, the disposable batteries 1 1 could power the flashlight 1 while the rechargeable batteries 9 act as an emergency backup to be used only when the disposable batteries 11 are depleted. This arrangement would not optimize the power efficiency provided to the flashlight 1, but it may give certain users a sense of security by providing a charged backup battery (the rechargeable batteries 9).

The system including the rechargeable batteries 9 and the disposable batteries 11 may also be used as a power pack 23, as shown in Fig. 5, for charging other devices such as cell phones. The power pack 23, like the flashlight 1, includes the rechargeable batteries 9 embedded within the power pack 23. The disposable batteries 11 are likewise located where they are easily accessible to a user and are in electrical communication with the rechargeable batteries 9. The wiring associated with the power pack 23 is conventional and known to those skilled in the electric arts.

The power pack 23 preferably includes a USB output 25 or other similar output in electrical communication with the power pack 23 and able to be connected with various other devices and thus provide power thereto in a manner well known and understood to those skilled in the art. The power pack 23 outputs power to the other device using either of the disposable batteries 1 1 or the rechargeable batteries 9, but the rechargeable batteries 9 are preferable because they offer a more efficient charge than traditional, disposable alkaline (or carbon zinc or the like) batteries such as batteries 1 1. As set forth above, rechargeable batteries such as rechargeable batteries 9 have the same capacity when drained at high or low rates.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the various embodiments of the present invention are well adapted to attain all the objectives and advantages hereinabove set forth together with still other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the present structures. Since many possible embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, it is to be understood that all disclosures herein set forth or illustrated in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. The various constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts, principles and scope of the present invention.

Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present constructions will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention.