Abstract:
A process for recharging a rechargeable flashlight in a motor vehicle places a recharging cradle into a cup holder, connects the recharging cradle to a cigarette lighter port in the motor vehicle and inserts a bottom end of the rechargeable flashlight into an opening in the cradle configured to snugly receive and support the rechargeable flashlight in an upright position within the recharging cradle so that a pair of contact leads of the recharging cradle make electrical contact with a pair of electrical contacts of the rechargeable flashlight configured for recharging the rechargeable flashlight.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 14/490,614, filed Sep. 18, 2014, which is a non-provisional application which claims priority from U.S. Ser. No. 61/879,586, filed Sep. 18, 2013, the contents of both of which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of the invention generally relates to cradles that may receive and recharge a lighting device, including charging cradles for rechargeable flashlights. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Rechargeable flashlights and other lighting devices have existed for some time. These types of devices are often sold with some type of recharging device. Recharging devices may have different designs. Certain recharging devices may plug into the lighting device. Other recharging devices may comprise a cradle that receives the lighting device and makes electrical contact with the device to charge it. 
         [0004]    Certain existing cradles may contain a number of components that may increase cost and complexity. Such cradles may also be prone to breaking. In addition, existing cradles may be large and cumbersome to utilize in small spaces and to store away properly when not in use. Others may be difficult to take on travel because of their larger size. 
         [0005]    Other existing cradles may be difficult to understand how they are to be properly configured with a rechargeable lighting device, and may not be intuitively easy to operate thus leading to an unsatisfactory user experience. 
         [0006]    In addition, existing cradles are typically limited in the information they provide. Oftentimes, a cradle will just advise a user that the charge is complete. Cradles typically do not have the ability to monitor various components and aspects of the rechargeable lighting device such as the device&#39;s battery life, battery charging time and LED operational status. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, there is a need for an improved charging cradle that addresses the foregoing and other issues. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In a first aspect of the invention, a charging cradle having a simplified design is disclosed. That is, the cradle may include fewer components which may facilitate manufacturing and lower cost. The simplified design may also facilitate easy removal and replacement of components that may need to be replaced. This also preferably increases reliability and durability. 
         [0009]    In another aspect of the invention, a charging cradle having a more compact and portable design is disclosed. That is, the cradle may be smaller in size and may have fewer components that protrude from the main body of the cradle. This may allow the cradle to be utilized in smaller spaces such as in the cup holder of an automobile. The compact size may also allow the cradle to be stored in smaller spaces and taken on travel. 
         [0010]    In another aspect of the invention, a charging cradle having an easy to understand method of use is disclosed. That is, the cradle may be intuitively easy to understand how to set up and operate which may facilitate a more successful and pleasant experience for the user. 
         [0011]    In another aspect of the invention, a charging cradle with the ability to connect to a computer is disclosed. This configuration may allow the factory or the user to store information to the cradle such as the model and serial number of the flashlight, or the user&#39;s name and contact information. 
         [0012]    In another aspect of the invention, a charging cradle that may monitor various components and aspects of the flashlight is disclosed. That is, the cradle may be able to monitor components of the flashlight such as the battery life expectancy, the expected battery charging time and the LED operational status. In this aspect, the cradle may relay this information to the user through a computer and application software. 
         [0013]    In another aspect of the invention, a charging cradle that may allow for the operational mode of the flashlight to be configured and otherwise controlled by the user via a computer and application software is disclosed. That is, the user may set the flashlight to operate in a particular mode through the use of a computer and application software when the cradle and flashlight are engaged with the computer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a charging cradle. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a charging cradle. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a PCB. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a view of the top of a charging cradle. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a lighting device engaged with a charging cradle. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a view of a charging cradle engaged with a computer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    A preferred embodiment of the current invention is now described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 1  shows components of a charger cradle  10  in an exploded view while  FIG. 2  shows the components assembled. Components appearing in more than one figure are identified by the same reference numeral. 
         [0021]    Charger cradle  10  may generally be configured to receive a lighting device such as a flashlight in order to recharge its power source. To this end, cradle  10  may include housing  20 , base  50  and PCB  100 . Housing  20  and base  50  may comprise plastic or other suitable material. Application software for use with cradle  10  and a computer or other controller may also be provided. 
         [0022]    The housing  20 , base  50  and PCB  100  are now described individually and collectively regarding how they may be generally configured and assembled, and how they may receive a lighting device, such as a rechargeable flashlight, in order to recharge its power source. Later sections will describe how the charger cradle  10  works in conjunction with a lighting device. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , housing  20  may be cylindrical or conical in shape and may have a generally circular upper section  22 , a generally conical body  24 , and a generally hollow circular bottom section  26 . Circular upper section  22  may have a generally circular opening  28  that may pass through its top surface  30 . The sections  22 ,  24  and opening  28  may be generally configured with base  50  to receive a cylindrical barrel of a flashlight (not shown). 
         [0024]    It should be noted that while cradle  10  described herein shows a generally conical or cylindrical shape with a generally circular upper section  22 , a generally circular bottom section  26 , a generally circular base  50 , and a generally circular top opening  28 , other shapes may be used to receive flashlights and other lighting devices that are not cylindrical or that do not have generally circular cross sections. Accordingly, the current invention is not limited to a conical shaped charger with a circular upper section  22 , a circular lower section  26 , a circular base  50  and a circular top opening  28 . 
         [0025]    As discussed in more detail below, cradle  10  may receive and support a flashlight while it is being recharged. In addition, bottom section  26  may have dimensions so that it generally corresponds to base  50  such that base  50  may generally reside within bottom section  26 . The bottom portion  52  of base  50  may generally form the bottom portion of cradle  10 . Preferably, housing  20  and base  50  provides enough space so that PCB  100  may also reside within cradle  10 . 
         [0026]    The manner in which housing  20 , base  50  and PCB  100  may be configured together to form cradle  10  is now discussed in more detail. Base  50  may have a shape and size that generally corresponds to the shape and size of bottom portion of bottom section  26  such that base  50  may generally fit inside bottom section  26 . In a preferred embodiment, bottom section  26  and base  50  may be circular in shape, and base  50  may fit within housing  20  so that their bottom surfaces are generally flush. It is also preferred that the fit between housing  20  and base  50  is snug so that there are no gaps between bottom portion  52  of base  50  and the outer edges of the generally hollow bottom section  26  to keep out dirt and other debris to protect PCB  100 . 
         [0027]    PCB  100  may reside within the cavity formed by housing  20  and base  50 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , PCB  100  may be supported by upward guide posts  54 ,  56 . Upward guide posts  54 ,  56  may extend upward from the top of bottom portion  52  of base  50  and may be positioned at a spacing that may generally correspond to the width dimension of the PCB  100 . Guide posts  54 ,  56  may also each have an inner corner notch section  60 ,  62 , respectively, running vertically along guide posts  54 ,  56 . The dimension between the inner wall of notch  60  on guide post  54  and the inner wall on notch  62  on guide post  56  may generally correspond to the width dimension of PCB  100 . One side of PCB  100  may be inserted into notch  60  while the opposite side of PCB  100  may be inserted into notch  62 . It is preferred that PCB  100  may be held snugly within notches  60 ,  62  of guide posts  54 ,  56 . While  FIG. 2  depicts two guide posts  54 ,  56  as supporting PCB  100 , other numbers of guide posts may be used, as may other types of supports for PCB  100 . 
         [0028]    Base  50  may also have a contact housing  58  that may extend upward from the top of bottom portion  52  of base  50  and may be positioned on the inner side of guide posts  54 ,  56 . In a preferred embodiment, contact housing  58  may be generally rectangular in shape and may be positioned such that the front of contact housing  58  may face the open notches  60 ,  62  of guide posts  54 ,  56 , respectively. It is also preferred that contact housing  58  be spaced apart from open notches  60 ,  62  by a distance that may generally correspond to the thickness of PCB  100 . Accordingly, PCB  100  may be placed between notches  60 ,  62  as described above and the back surface of PCB  100  may be generally supported by the front of contact housing  58  as shown in  FIG. 2 . It may be preferred that the back of PCB  100  and the front of contact housing  58  make physical contact with each other and that the respective surfaces are flush. In this configuration, the position of PCB  100  may allow for it to be easily inserted during manufacturing, and easily removed and replaced if the need for replacement ever occurs. Additional functionality of contact housing  58  will be described in later sections. 
         [0029]    Base  50  may also include an upward hollow section  64  that may extend upward from the top of bottom portion  52  of base  50  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The cross sectional shape of upward hollow section  64  may generally correspond to the shape of opening  28  that may pass through top surface  30  of housing  30 . Opening  28  of housing  20  and upward hollow section  64  of base  50  may be generally configured to receive a cylindrical barrel of a flashlight (not shown). While  FIG. 1  depicts this shape as being generally circular, other shapes may be used such as square, triangular, octagonal, and other shapes. In addition, while  FIG. 1  depicts hollow section  64  and opening  28  as being positioned generally in the center of cradle  10 , hollow section  64  and opening  28  may also be located in other positions of cradle  10 . 
         [0030]    Upward hollow section  64  may be supported by vertical support structures  66  that may extend upward from the top of bottom portion  52  of base  50 . Vertical support structures  66  may be connected to the top of bottom portion  52  of base  50  and to the outer wall of hollow section  64 . In this configuration, vertical support structures  66  may extend radially outward from the wall of hollow section  64  and may provide lateral support to the wall. While  FIG. 1  shows seven support structures  66  supporting hollow section  64 , other numbers of support structures  66  may be used. In addition, support structures  66  may be evenly spaced around the circumference of hollow section  64  or may be positioned with uneven spacings. 
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment, the back of contact housing  58  may be joined with a portion of the wall of hollow section  64  such that the wall of hollow section  64  may form the back of contact housing  58  as shown in  FIG. 1 . However, contact housing  58  may also be an independent structure and may not be joined with hollow section  64 . In any event, contact housing  58  and hollow section  64  may be positioned adjacent to each other or in close proximity for reasons that will be described in later sections. 
         [0032]    As described above with reference to housing  20  in  FIG. 1 , upper section  22  may have an opening  28  that may pass through its top surface  30 . In addition, opening  28  may have an inner wall  29  that may extend from top surface  30  of housing  20  downward at least a portion of opening  28  that may define an inner circumference of opening  28 . 
         [0033]    In addition, in this configuration, upward hollow section  64  may extend upward within housing  20  while the inner wall  29  of opening  28  may extend downward. In a preferred embodiment, the top surface of upward hollow section  64  and the bottom surface of inner wall  29  may come into contact with each other and be generally flush when base  50  is configured within housing  20  to generally form the body of cradle  10 . This may prevent dirt or other debris from entering into the inner body of cradle  10  and contaminating its inner components such as PCB  100 . 
         [0034]    It should also be noted that opening  28  need not have an inner wall  29  extending from top surface  30  of housing  20  downward at least a portion of opening  28 . Instead, upward hollow section  64  of base  50  may extend through opening  28  to top surface  30  of upper section  22  when base  50  is configured with housing  20  to form cradle  10 . In this embodiment, it is preferred that the top surface of upward hollow section  64  be generally flush with top surface  30  of housing  20  when cradle  10  is formed. It is also preferred that the fit between upward hollow section  64  and opening  28  be snug to avoid gaps between hollow section  64  and opening  28  to keep out dirt and other debris to protect the inner components of cradle  10  such as PCB  100 . 
         [0035]    It should also be noted that base  30  need not have an upward hollow section  64  that may extend upward from the top of bottom portion  52  of base  50 . Instead, inner wall  29  of opening  28  may extend downward to the top of bottom portion  52  of base  50  when base  50  is configured with housing  20  to form cradle  10 . In this embodiment, it is preferred that the bottom surface of inner wall  29  of opening  28  be generally flush with the top of bottom portion  52  of base  50  when cradle  10  is formed. It is also preferred that the fit between inner wall  29  and the top of bottom portion  52  of base  50  be snug to avoid gaps between the bottom of inner wall  29  and the top of bottom portion  52  to keep out dirt and other debris to protect the inner components of cradle  10  such as PCB  100 . 
         [0036]    To assemble housing  20 , base  50  and PCB  100  together in the configuration as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , screws  68  may pass through holes  70  on base  50  and screw into receiving holes that may be located on an upper inner surface (not shown) within housing  20 . The receiving holes may be threaded to engage screws  68 . It should be noted that other means may be used to join housing  20  and base  50  such as clips or snaps. Once screws  68  are secured, housing  20 , base  50  and PCB  100  may generally form cradle  10  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0037]    In this configuration as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , housing  20 , base  50  and PCB  100  may form cradle  10  that is small and compact. This allows cradle  10  to fit and be utilized in small spaces such as in a cup holder that may exist in many automobiles available in the market, on a crowded table top, or in other tight spaces. This small and compact design may also allow cradle  10  to be stored in small spaces such as in a shallow drawer. Furthermore, because of the small and compact design of cradle  10 , it may be easy to bring cradle  10  on travel since it may easily fit inside a briefcase or other small travel bag. 
         [0038]    PCB  100  is now described in more detail with respect to  FIG. 3 . PCB  100  may include a mode control circuit, a battery recharging circuit, a battery monitoring circuit, an LED monitoring circuit, a read only memory circuit, a read and write memory circuit, an input/output (IO) circuit, electrical charging contacts  102 ,  104 , LED  106 , and IO receptacle  108 . These components will be discussed in detail below. In addition, application software may be provided with cradle  10  that may allow PCB  100  to interact with a computer or other controller. This software will also be described in detail in later sections. 
         [0039]    The recharging circuit of PCB  100  may provide the appropriate electrical current and voltage to properly recharge the rechargeable power source while the lighting device is engaged with cradle  10 . To make electrical contact with the lighting device&#39;s rechargeable power source, PCB  40  may include electrical charging contacts  102 ,  104  positioned on the body of the PCB. In addition and as shown in  FIG. 1 , contact leads  72 ,  74  may be placed into, properly positioned, and held securely within the contact housing  58  such that contact leads  72 ,  74  may make electrical contact with electrical charging contacts  102 ,  104  respectively when PCB  100  is secured within upward guide posts  54 ,  56  and held flush against the front of contact housing  58  as described above. Contact leads  72 ,  74  may be made of electrically conductive material such as copper or other materials. 
         [0040]    Contact leads  72 ,  74  may extend from charging contacts  102 ,  104  that may be on the back of PCB  100  through contact housing  58  and through slots  76 ,  78  respectively in the wall of upward hollow section  64  as shown in  FIG. 4 . In this configuration, contact leads  72 ,  74  may be configured and positioned to electrically contact a lighting device that may be placed in cradle  10 . In a preferred embodiment, cradle  10  may be designed such that contact leads  72 ,  74  electrically contact commutating rings that may be positioned on the exterior of the barrel of a flashlight. To this end, contact leads  72 ,  74  may pass through slots  76 ,  78  and slightly protrude through the wall of upward hollow section  64  and extend into the empty space within hollow section  64  where they may contact the commutating rings of a flashlight placed in cradle  10 . The contact leads  72 ,  74  may be spring-loaded such that constant force may be applied between the leads  72 ,  74  and the commutating rings to help ensure a consistent electrical contact with the flashlight. The commutating rings on the outside barrel of the flashlight may then be connected to the rechargeable power source of the flashlight in order to recharge the source. 
         [0041]    Referring again to  FIG. 3 , PCB  100  may include an LED  106  that may emit a color when the flashlight&#39;s rechargeable power source is being charged by the recharging circuit on PCB  100 . This color may be green or red but other colors including white light may also be utilized. The LED  106  may also emit a different color when the lighting device&#39;s rechargeable power source has been fully charged. Alternatively, LED  106  need not emit any color when charging is complete. By emitting a specific color when charging is in effect, and a different color or no color at all when the charging is complete, the recharging circuit on PCB  100  may advise the user as to the recharging status. 
         [0042]    In the embodiment described herein, LED  106  that may be on PCB  100  may be contained within housing  20  and thus not readily visible to the user. Accordingly, cradle  10  may include light pipe  32  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Light pipe  32  may transmit the light from LED  106  to a position on cradle  10  that is visible to the user, such as top surface  30  of housing  20 . While  FIG. 1  shows this light pipe  32  positioned in hole  34  to transmit light from LED  106  on PCB  100  to top surface  30  of cradle  10 , light pipe  32  may be located in other positions on cradle  10 . 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , PCB  100  may also include IO receptacle  108  that may receive a charging plug that may be attached to an electrical cable that may in turn be plugged into an electrical outlet, a USB port, a computer, a cigarette lighter or other external electrical power source (not shown). Charging plug may be connected to the recharging circuit on PCB  100  such that it may provide the necessary electrical current and voltage to the recharging circuit on PCB  100  to allow the recharging circuit to recharge the lighting device&#39;s rechargeable power source when the lighting device is secured within cradle  10 . 
         [0044]    To this end, housing  20  may include slot  36  that may allow a charging plug to pass through housing  20  and engage receptacle  108  when base  50  is configured with housing  20  to generally form the bottom of cradle  10 , and with PCB  100  configured within cradle  10  as described above. Slot  36  may be positioned to coincide with the position of IO receptacle  108  on PCB  100  when PCB  100  is configured and secured within cradle  10  as described above such that a charging plug may pass through slot  36  to engage IO receptacle  108 . Slot  36  may be large enough so that the charging plug may pass through housing  20  to engage receptacle  108 . Slot  36  may also generally conform to the size and shape of IO receptacle  108  such that there are no gaps or spaces between receptacle  108  and the walls defining the circumference of slot  36  in order to prevent dirt or other debris from entering cradle  10 . 
         [0045]    In one embodiment, charging plug may comprise a mini-USB plug and IO receptacle may comprise a jack that may accommodate a mini-USB plug. However, other types of plugs and jacks may also be used. 
         [0046]    In addition, and as depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , housing  20  may also include side notch  38  that may be formed by side surface  40 , side surface  41  and bottom surface  42 . Side notch  38  and side surface  40  may be positioned on housing  20  such that slot  36  may be positioned on side surface  40  to engage IO receptacle  108  when housing  20 , base  50  and PCB  100  are configured to form cradle  10  as described above. Side notch  38  may allow the body of a charging plug (not shown) to be engaged with IO receptacle  108  to extend from side wall  40  into the interior region of side notch  38 . 
         [0047]    The size of side notch  38  may be large enough to generally accommodate the body of a charging plug engaged with receptacle  108  such that at least a portion of the body of the charging plug does not extend outside the circumference of generally conical body  24  of cradle  10  as defined by the outer and generally upright sides of housing  20 . This may allow the configured cradle  10  with the charging plug engaged to be placed into a generally circular cup holder or other circular receptacle without obstruction. That is, the body of the charging plug may be generally contained within side notch  38  so that it does not significantly extend beyond the outside walls of cradle  10 , thereby not obstructing cradle  10  from generally fitting into a circular cup holder. While  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  depict side notch  38  extending to top surface  30  of housing  20 , side notch  38  may not necessarily extend to top surface  30 . In addition, while  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  depict side notch  38  as not extending to bottom section  26  of housing  20 , side notch  38  may extend to the bottom section  26 . Also, while  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  depict slot  36  as being located on side surface  40 , slot  36  may be located on other surfaces of side notch  38  or of cradle  10  in general.  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  also depict side notch  38  as being formed by three surfaces, however, side notch  38  may be formed by other numbers of surfaces and may be positioned in other areas on the cradle such as the top, the bottom or other areas. 
         [0048]    Continuing on, as depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , housing  20  may include top notch  43  that may be formed by side surface  44 , bottom surface  46  and side surface  48 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , top notch  43  may accommodate side clip  220  that may be located on the side of flashlight  200  when flashlight  200  is placed into cradle  10 . The width of top notch  43  may be defined by the distance between side surface  44  and side surface  48  and may be wide enough to accommodate the width of side clip  220 . The depth of top notch  43  may be defined by the distance between top surface  30  of housing  20  and bottom surface  46  of top notch  43  and may be sized so that when flashlight  200  is inserted into cradle  10  with side clip  220  generally resting within top notch  43 , the commutating rings (not shown) on flashlight  200  may be properly positioned within cradle  10  to make electrical contact with contact leads  72 ,  74 . This may allow the rechargeable power supply within flashlight  200  to be recharged by cradle  10  as will be described in detail in later sections. 
         [0049]    Top notch  43  as shown in  FIG. 5  may allow conical body  24  of cradle  10  to extend upward along barrel  202  of flashlight  200  beyond the level of side clip  220  when the flashlight is positioned in cradle  10  in order to provide lateral support to flashlight  200  when configured within cradle  10 . As shown, side clip  220  may be generally positioned to rest within top notch  43  and conical body  24  may extend upward along barrel  202  of flashlight  200  beyond the bottom of side clip  220 . With conical body  24  extending beyond the bottom of side clip  220 , inner walls  29  of generally opening  28  may also extend upward along barrel  202  of flashlight  200  and may provide additional vertical support to flashlight  200  in cradle  10 . 
         [0050]    In this manner, the height of inner walls  29  and therefore the amount of lateral support that cradle  10  may provide to flashlight  200  may not be limited by the position of side clip  220  on barrel  202  of flashlight  200 . The shape of opening  28  may generally correspond to the cross-sectional shape of barrel  202  of flashlight  200  and that the diameter of opening  28  be slightly larger than the diameter of the cross-section of barrel  202  of flashlight  200  such that flashlight  200  may fit snugly within opening  28 . 
         [0051]    Top notch  43  may also serve to properly align flashlight  200  within cradle  10  such that the commutating rings (not shown) on barrel  202  of flashlight  200  may make proper electrical contact with contact leads  72 ,  74 . That is, there may be an preferable rotational position of barrel  202  of flashlight  200  within opening  28  of cradle  10  such that commutating rings on barrel  202  of flashlight  200  may make proper electrical contact with contact leads  72 ,  74 . Top notch  43  may be positioned such that when barrel  202  of flashlight  200  is placed into opening  28  with side clip  220  of the flashlight resting generally within top notch  43 , that this rotational position of flashlight  200  within cradle  10  result in the commutating rings of flashlight  200  making adequate electrical contact with contact leads  72 ,  74 . 
         [0052]    In one embodiment, commutating rings on barrel  202  of flashlight  200  may not extend around the entire circumference of barrel  202  of flashlight  200 , and instead may only be placed in the area of barrel  202  that may make electrical contact with contact leads  72 ,  74  when flashlight  200  is placed within cradle  10  with the side clip configured within top notch  43 . To this end, commutating rings may not necessarily be rings but may be other shaped electrical contacts that may be properly positioned on barrel  202  of flashlight  200  to make electrical contact with contact leads  72 ,  74  when flashlight  200  is configured in cradle  10  as described above. 
         [0053]    The manner in which a lighting device may be inserted into cradle  10  is now further described. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom of barrel  202  of lighting device  200  may be placed into opening  28  of housing  20  of the assembled cradle  10  with the bottom surface of bottom portion  52  of base  50  of cradle  10  resting on a support surface such as a table top or within a cup holder of an automobile such that cradle  10  may reside in a generally upright position. The diameter of opening  28  may be slightly larger than the diameter of the cross section of the bottom portion of barrel  202  of lighting device  200  such that the bottom of barrel  202  may fit inside opening  28 . The diameter of opening  28  may be such that the bottom of barrel  202  fits snugly into opening  28  and that barrel  202  may be generally supported by inner walls  29  of opening  28 . In addition, the diameter of opening  28  may be smaller than the diameter of the top of flashlight  200  such that the top of flashlight  200  may not fit inside opening  28 . This may prevent flashlight  200  from being inserted into cradle  10  upside down. 
         [0054]    With cradle  10  in a generally upright position, the force of gravity on flashlight  200  may tend to pull the bottom of barrel  202  of flashlight  200  into cradle  10  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The rotational position of barrel  202  of flashlight  200  may be such that side clip  220  on barrel  202  may be positioned to rest generally in top notch  43 . In this position, it may be preferable that the commutating rings or other electrical contacts (not shown) on barrel  202  of flashlight  200  make adequate electrical contact with contact leads  72 ,  74  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) within cradle  10  in order to recharge the power source of flashlight  200 . To this end, in a preferred embodiment, contact leads  72 ,  74  may pass through slots  76 ,  78  and protrude through the wall of upward hollow section  64  and extend into the empty space within hollow section  64  where they may contact the commutating rings or other electrical contacts of a flashlight placed in cradle  10 . 
         [0055]    The contact leads  72 ,  74  may be spring-loaded such that constant force may be applied between leads  72 ,  74  and the commutating rings or other electrical contacts on flashlight  200  to help ensure adequate and consistent electrical contact with the flashlight. The commutating rings or other electrical contacts on outside barrel  202  of flashlight  200  may then be connected to the rechargeable power source of flashlight  200  in order to recharge the source. 
         [0056]    To remove lighting device  200  from cradle  10 , the procedure described above may be followed in reverse order. That is, barrel  202  of flashlight  200  may be lifted upward and out of opening  28  of housing  20  of the assembled cradle  10 . 
         [0057]    The functionality of PCB  100  and the application software that may be provided with cradle  10  will now be described in further detail. As mentioned earlier, PCB  100  may include a mode control circuit, a battery recharging circuit, a battery monitoring circuit, an LED monitoring circuit, a read only memory circuit, a read and write memory circuit, an input/output (IO) circuit, electrical charging contacts  102 ,  104 , an LED  106 , and an IO receptacle  108 . In addition, application software may be provided with cradle  10  that may allow PCB  100  to interact with a computer or other controller. 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , flashlight  200  may engage cradle  10 , and cradle  10  may be electrically connected to computer  300  by electrical cable  304 . Cable  304  may include plug  308  that may engage IO receptacle  108  on PCB  100  within cradle  10 . Cable  304  may also include plug  306  that may engage computer receptacle  302 . The electrical connection between cradle  10  and computer  300  allows communication between computer  300  and PCB  100 . A user of computer  300  may interact with PCB  100  by using application software that may reside on computer  300 . Also, computer  300  may provide electrical current and voltage to the recharging circuit of PCB  100  via electrical cable  304 . Cradle  10  may provide the necessary electrical current and voltage to recharge the power source in flashlight  200 . While the description above depicts cradle  10  engaged with a computer  300 , cradle  10  may be engaged with other types of controllers as well. 
         [0059]    Plug  308  may comprise a mini-USB plug and IO receptacle may comprise a corresponding jack. Alternatively, plug  306  may comprise a standard USB plug and a corresponding jack may be used. Other types of plugs and jacks may also be used. 
         [0060]    Application software that may be provided with cradle  10  may be loaded onto computer  300 . Application software may be provided to the user on a memory disc, through an Internet download, or through other means. In addition, application software may be factory loaded onto the read only memory circuit or the read-write memory circuit within PCB  100  such that when cradle  10  engages the computer, the application software may be transferred thereto. It should be noted that application software may include software code, information stored in databases or other means, webpage files, audio files, video files, animation files, text files, other media type files, templates, documents, or other types of materials and files that may be utilized to perform its functionality as described in later sections. 
         [0061]    Once installed and run on computer  300 , application software may include a user interface  310  that may appear on the screen or other visual interface of computer  300  as shown in  FIG. 6 . User interface  310  may allow a user to interact with the application software as described below. 
         [0062]    In one embodiment, software application may recognize when cradle  10  is plugged into or otherwise engaged with computer  300 . When this happens, software application may notify the user via user interface  310  that cradle  10  is plugged into computer  300 . The software application may also recognize whether or not a flashlight  200  is engaged with cradle  10  and may relay this information to the user. 
         [0063]    If no flashlight  200  is properly engaged with cradle  10 , the software application may alert the user so that the user may reposition or insert flashlight  200 . The application software may also lend assistance to the user to help the user rectify the problem and to properly adjust flashlight  200  within cradle  10 . This assistance may be in the form of a software wizard or other type of assistance and may include textual instructions, illustrative instructions, audio instructions, any other types of instructions or any combination of different types of instructions. In addition, the assistance may be displayed through user interface  310 , through the computer screen, through computer speakers or through other interfaces to the user. If flashlight  200  is properly engaged with cradle  10 , the application software may notify the user so that the user may proceed. 
         [0064]    In another embodiment, information may be factory loaded onto the read only memory circuit of PCB  100  and this information may be accessible by the software application to be relayed to the user via user interface  310  or other means. For example, the factory may load 1) the model number of flashlight  200  and cradle  10 , 2) the serial number, 3) the date of manufacture, 4) the place of manufacture, and other information regarding flashlight  200  and cradle  10  onto the read only memory circuit of PCB  100  within cradle  10 . When cradle  10  and flashlight  200  are properly engaged together and with computer  300 , the user may be able to access this information through user interface  310  or other means. While it may be preferable for this factory loaded information to be loaded onto the read only memory circuit of PCB  100  such that it may not be edited or otherwise altered, the information may be loaded onto the read-write memory circuit as well. 
         [0065]    Other types of information may also be factory loaded onto the memory circuits within PCB  100  such as 1) instructions on how to properly use flashlight  200  and cradle  10 , 2) warranty information regarding the products, 3) maintenance information, 4) replaceable parts information such as the type of bulb or LED that the flashlight may be replaced, 5) how to order replaceable parts, 6) how to properly install replaceable parts, 7) troubleshooting instructions to help repair or fix problems that may arise with flashlight  200  or cradle  10 , 8) promotional information regarding accessories that may be available for flashlight  200  and cradle  10 , 9) promotional information on other related products, 10) history of flashlight usage and charging, or any other types of information. 
         [0066]    This information may be accessible by the software application when the cradle  10  is engaged with computer  300 . While cable  304  has been described above, cradle  10  may engage computer  300 , wirelessly or by other means. In one embodiment, flashlight  200  need not be in cradle  10  for the information to be provided. 
         [0067]    The application software may automatically access some or all of this information and may provide it to the user. Alternatively, the software application may allow the user to choose the specific information he or she wishes to access. In addition, while this description depicts the above described information as being stored on the read only or read-write memory circuits within PCB  100  of cradle  10 , some or all of this information may also be stored in data files within the software application itself such that the information may also be stored on computer  300  or other controller by the application software as desired. 
         [0068]    In another embodiment, the application software may allow the user to load information onto the read-write memory circuit of PCB  100  within cradle  10  to be stored on read-write memory circuit for future reference. This may be accomplished through use of user interface  310  on computer  300  when cradle  10  is engaged with computer  300 . For instance, user interface  310  may have data entry fields that may allow the user to enter various information into the software application. Once the information is entered, the software application may have a means for the user to load the information onto the memory circuit of PCB  100 , such as a clickable button on user interface  310 , a hard key on the computer keyboard, or other means. 
         [0069]    Examples of the types of information that may be entered into the software application via user interface  310  to be loaded onto the read-write memory circuit may include 1) the flashlight owner&#39;s name, 2) the flashlight owner&#39;s contact information such as phone number, mailing address and email address, 3) date and place of purchase of the products, 4) a personal message to another user of flashlight  200  in the case that flashlight  200  may be a gift, and other information. This information may preferably be loaded onto PCB  100  when flashlight  200  may be engaged with cradle  10  or not. 
         [0070]    In another embodiment, PCB  100  may interact with and monitor the status of flashlight  200  and may relay this information to the user via the application software when flashlight  200  is engaged with cradle  10  and cradle  10  is engaged with computer  300 . 
         [0071]    For example, PCB  100  may interact with the rechargeable power source within flashlight  200  and may monitor the power source&#39;s status and relay this information to the user. With flashlight  200  electrically engaged with cradle  10 , the battery monitoring circuit within PCB  100  may also be electrically connected to rechargeable battery via electrical charging contacts  102 ,  104  and contact leads  72 ,  74 , and may monitor the battery life information of the battery. For instance, the battery monitoring circuit may determine how much power is remaining in the rechargeable battery and subsequently how long the flashlight may remain powered on before the battery may run out of power. The battery monitoring circuit may also determine how much of the battery&#39;s power has already been used and how long the flashlight has been in use. In addition, the battery monitoring circuit may determine how long it may take to recharge the rechargeable battery to its full power capacity. Also, the battery monitoring circuit may determine how long the flashlight may remain powered on once the rechargeable power source has been recharged to its full power capacity. 
         [0072]    Because a rechargeable power source&#39;s ability to retain a charge may degrade with usage over time, it may also be preferable that the battery monitoring circuit monitor the battery&#39;s ability to receive a charge and the maximum power that the battery is able to retain upon full charge. The battery monitoring circuit may also determine the rate of the battery discharge as it powers the flashlight  200 . At some point, the battery may degrade to a point that it may not be able to hold an adequate charge for an adequate period of time. The battery monitoring circuit may also provide this information to the user. The application software may include threshold settings that may be set by the factory or by the user regarding the criteria for the battery to be replaced such as the expected amount of time that the battery may be able to power on the flashlight before it may run out of power. 
         [0073]    In yet another embodiment, PCB  100  may include an LED monitoring circuit that may monitor the status of the flashlight&#39;s LED. As with rechargeable batteries, LEDs may also degrade with usage over time and may occasionally require replacement. LED monitoring circuit within PCB  100  may monitor the power consumption and resulting output of the flashlight&#39;s LED as well as its various electrical parameters such as its resistance, its capacitance and its inductance to determine its current operating status and life expectancy. This information may be provided to the user and the application software such that the user or the application software may make a judgment regarding the need to replace the LED. The application software may include threshold settings that may be set by the factory or by the user regarding the criteria for the LED to be replaced such as the life expectancy of the LED and the optical output brightness that the user may expect. 
         [0074]    It should be noted that PCB  100  may also include other monitoring circuits that may monitor other components within flashlight  200  as well as other characteristics and other aspects of flashlight  200 . 
         [0075]    PCB  100  may also include a mode control circuit that may control, set or otherwise change the operational modes that are available on flashlight  200 . For example flashlight  200  may include a control circuit that may control or otherwise adjust flashlight  200  to operate in different operational modes such as default constant beam flashlight mode, two mode quick click adjustable mode, three mode quick click adjustable mode, law enforcement tactical mode, military tactical mode, blinking mode, SOS mode, easy click Morse code mode, night light mode, compass mode, and other modes. 
         [0076]    To change the available modes, user interface  310  may include a drop-down menu listing the available modes to choose from, a check box, a radio button, a text input field, or other means, within user interface  310  that the user can manipulate to choose the flashlight operational mode they wish to set. Mode control circuit within PCB  100  may then interact with the control circuit within flashlight  200  to set the available modes. The application software may inform the user whether the available modes were successfully set or not. 
         [0077]    In view of the foregoing, the charging cradle  10  of the current invention provides at least the following advantages over prior charger cradle designs. 
         [0078]    First, the small, compact and preferably circular cross section of charging cradle  10  allows it to fit and be utilized in small spaces such as in a cup holder that may exist in many automobiles available on the market. The compact design also makes it easy to store cradle  10 , such as in a suitcase when traveling. 
         [0079]    Second, the components of cradle  10  preferably fit together to avoid components sticking out from the profile of housing  20  and base  50 . This avoids components protruding from the cradle that might easily be broken off. This also allows for the easy assembly and replacement of parts as necessary. This increases durability, eases manufacturing and lowers cost. 
         [0080]    Third, the shape of cradle  10  makes it intuitively easy to insert flashlight  200  into cradle  10  in the proper position, and avoids inserting it in the reverse position. 
         [0081]    Fourth, information may be stored within the memory circuits of PCB  100  within cradle  10 , or within the application software that may be provided to the user with cradle  10 . This information may include information stored by the factory such as product operational instructions, warranty information, model and serial number information or other information. This information may also include information stored to PCB  100  by the user through use of the application software such as user&#39;s name and contact information. As such, cradle  10  may be a “smart” cradle. 
         [0082]    Fifth, PCB  100  may monitor various components and aspects of flashlight  200  such as the battery charge status and the LED operational status, and may provide this information to the user via the application software. This is another aspect of the “smart” cradle. 
         [0083]    Sixth, the user may control and set the available modes of the flashlight via the application software without having to manipulate the flashlight&#39;s manual controls. 
         [0084]    The present invention includes a number of aspects and features which may be practiced alone or in various combinations or sub-combinations, as desired. While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed and described herein for purposes of illustration and not for purposes of limitation, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.