Patent ID: 8919988

Claim:
A flashlight, comprising: a light source configured to be powered by either a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery; a light switch; a light circuit electrically coupling the light source and the light switch; a battery compartment configured to alternatively receive a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery; a battery-type indicator located within the battery compartment, the indicator movable between a forward position and a rear position, wherein the indicator is biased to the rear position; a recharge switch that is closed when the indicator is in the forward position, wherein the closed recharge switch allows a battery inserted in the battery compartment to be recharged; and a recharge circuit electrically coupling the recharge switch to a power supply; wherein, in a first mode of operation, with a rechargeable battery inserted in the battery compartment, the rechargeable battery engages the indicator and moves the indicator to the forward position, thereby closing the recharge switch and completing the recharge circuit to recharge the rechargeable battery with power from the power supply, and wherein the rechargeable battery is electrically coupled to the light circuit to power the light source; and wherein, in a second mode of operation with a non-rechargeable battery inserted in the battery compartment, the indicator is in the rear position and the recharge switch is not closed so that the recharge circuit is open, thereby preventing the non-rechargeable battery from being recharged, and wherein the non-rechargeable battery is electrically coupled to the light circuit to power the light source.