Flashlight with rechargeable battery assembly

Abstract

A flashlight assembly includes a tubular body portion, a tail portion that can be removed from the tubular body portion, a battery assembly, and an alignment system. The body portion and the tail portion cooperate to define an interior of the battery assembly. The tail portion includes a first charging opening that connects the interior of the battery assembly to the exterior of the tail portion. The battery assembly is positioned in the interior of the battery assembly and includes a battery housing that defines an interior of the battery housing, a rechargeable battery cell disposed in the interior of the battery housing, and at least a first charging socket associated with the battery housing. The alignment system includes one of a first protrusion or a first recess associated with the battery housing and the other of the first protrusion or the first recess associated with the interior of the battery assembly. The first protrusion is received in the first recess, and the first charging socket is aligned with the first charging opening.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 555,816, filed on February 20, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a flashlight, and more particularly to a flashlight with a rechargeable power source and a movable end cap. Background Art

[0004] Many modern flashlights include a rechargeable battery, which may be removable or non-removable. The rechargeable battery and / or the housing associated therewith may be removable.

[0005] The background description disclosed anywhere in this patent application contains information that can be used to understand the present invention. This does not mean that any information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, nor does it mean that any specific or implicitly cited publication is prior art. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a flashlight assembly, comprising: a tubular body portion, the tubular body portion including a light source associated therewith; a tail portion, the tail portion being removable from the tubular body portion; a switch, the switch being configured to selectively power the light source; a battery assembly, the battery assembly being positioned in the interior of the battery assembly; and an alignment system, the alignment system comprising one of a first protrusion or a first recess associated with the battery housing and the other of the first protrusion or the first recess associated with the interior of the battery assembly. The tubular body portion and the tail portion cooperate to define the interior of the battery assembly. The tail portion includes a first charging opening defined therein, the first charging opening communicating the interior of the battery assembly with the exterior of the tail portion. The battery assembly includes a battery housing defining the interior of the battery housing, a rechargeable battery disposed in the interior of the battery housing, and at least a first charging socket associated with the battery housing. The battery assembly is electrically connected to the light source. The first protrusion is received in the first recess, and the first charging socket is aligned with the first charging opening, so that a charging connector can be inserted through the first charging opening and enter the first charging socket. The first charging opening has substantially the same shape as the first charging socket, so that the charging connector can be assembled into the first charging socket through the first charging opening.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the tail portion includes a socket cover, the socket cover being movable between a first position in which the socket cover covers the first charging opening and a second position in which the socket cover does not cover the first charging opening. The tubular body portion defines a flashlight axis, and the socket cover is movable between a first position and a second position along the flashlight axis. The tail portion includes an inner diameter that at least partially defines the interior of the battery assembly. An alignment flange having a first end and a second end may extend around at least a portion of the inner diameter, and the first recess may be defined between the first end and the second end of the alignment flange.

[0008] The tail portion may include a second charging opening defined therein, the second charging opening communicating the interior of the battery assembly with the exterior of the tail portion, and the battery assembly may include a second charging receptacle associated with the battery housing. When the first protrusion is received in the first recess, the second charging receptacle is aligned with the second charging opening such that a charging or power connector can be inserted through the second charging opening and into the second charging receptacle. The battery housing includes a stop member extending outwardly therefrom, wherein the stop member abuts the alignment flange. The stop member may extend circumferentially at least partially around the battery housing.

[0009] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for powering a flashlight assembly is provided, the method comprising a plurality of steps. The steps may include obtaining a flashlight assembly, the flashlight assembly comprising a tubular main body defining the interior of a main body battery assembly, and a tail defining the interior of a tail battery assembly. The flashlight assembly includes an alignment system, the alignment system comprising one of a first protrusion or a first recess associated with the battery housing and another of the first protrusion or the first recess associated with the interior of the tail battery assembly. The steps may also include inserting a portion of the battery assembly into the interior of the main body battery assembly, aligning the first protrusion with the first recess, placing the tail on the battery assembly so that the first protrusion is received in the first recess, and rotating the tail and the battery assembly so that a first set of threads on the tail is threaded with a second set of threads on the tubular main body, thereby electrically communicating with a light source in the tubular main body.

[0010] The battery assembly may include a first charging receptacle, and the tail may include a first charging opening defined therein. After the tail and the battery assembly are rotated to thread the first set of threads on the tail with the second set of threads on the tubular body portion, the first charging receptacle is aligned with the first charging opening. A spring may be housed or located within the interior of the tail battery assembly (e.g., extending from a tail wall of the tail into the interior of the battery assembly). When the tail and the battery assembly are rotated to engage the first set of threads and the second set of threads along a path to align the first charging opening with the first charging receptacle, the spring is compressed.

[0011] The tail portion may include a socket cover, and the method may include the step of moving the socket cover from a first position in which the socket cover covers the first charging opening to a second position in which the socket cover does not cover the first charging opening. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a flashlight assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a flashlight assembly;

[0014] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a rechargeable battery assembly;

[0015] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the tail;

[0016] Figure 5 is a schematic end view of a battery assembly inserted into a tail portion and a first protrusion received in a first recess;

[0017] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the flashlight assembly with the tail portion partially received on the battery assembly;

[0018] Fig. 7A is a side cross-sectional view of the flashlight assembly with the socket cover in a first or closed position;

[0019] Figure 7B is a side cross-sectional view of the flashlight assembly with the socket cover in a second or open position; and

[0020] Figure 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a battery assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following description and drawings are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting. Many specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, in some cases, well-known or conventional details are not described to avoid ambiguous descriptions. References to one or a certain embodiment in the present invention may be, but not necessarily, references to the same embodiment; and, such references refer to at least one embodiment. If a component is not shown in the drawings, this provides support for the negative limitation that the claim states that the component "does not" exist. However, the above statement is not restrictive, and in another embodiment, the missing component can be included in the claimed embodiment.

[0022] Reference to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "preferred embodiment" or any other phrase referring to the word "embodiment" in this specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and also means that any specific features, structures or characteristics described in conjunction with an embodiment may be included in any embodiment or may be omitted or excluded from any embodiment. The phrase "in one embodiment" appearing in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment in all cases, nor is it necessarily a separate or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments. In addition, various features are described that may be exhibited by some embodiments but not by other embodiments and may be omitted from any embodiment. In addition, any specific features, structures or characteristics described herein may be optional. Similarly, various requirements are described that may be requirements of some embodiments but not other embodiments. Where appropriate, any feature discussed herein with respect to one aspect or embodiment of the present invention may be applied to another aspect or embodiment of the present invention. Where appropriate, any feature discussed herein with respect to one aspect or embodiment of the present invention may be optional and / or omitted from that aspect or embodiment of the present invention or any other aspect or embodiment of the present invention discussed or disclosed herein.

[0023] The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meaning in the art, in the context of the present invention, and in the specific context in which each term is used. Certain terms used to describe the present invention are discussed below or elsewhere in the specification to provide additional guidance to practitioners regarding the description of the invention. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and / or quotation marks: the use of highlighting has no effect on the scope and meaning of the term; in the same context, the scope and meaning of a term is the same whether or not it is highlighted.

[0024] It should be understood that the same thing can be expressed in more than one way. Therefore, alternative language and synonyms can be used for any one or more terms discussed herein. There is no particular significance for whether a term is elaborated or discussed in this article. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. The description of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification (including examples of any term discussed herein) is illustrative only. And it is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the present invention or any exemplary term. Similarly, the present invention is not limited to the various embodiments given in this specification.

[0025] Without further intending to limit the scope of the present invention, the following provides examples of instruments, devices, methods and related results thereof according to embodiments of the present invention. Note that, for the convenience of the reader, titles or subtitles may be used in the examples, which should never limit the scope of the present invention. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. In the event of a conflict, this document (including definitions) shall prevail.

[0026] It should be understood that the terms used herein such as "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "side", "short", "long", "upper", "lower", "tail", "forward", "inside", "outside" and "below" are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the components described herein is within the scope of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 1-Figure 8 The flashlight assembly 10 is shown to include a tubular body portion 12 having a light source 14 associated therewith and a tail portion 16 removable from the tubular body portion 12. The tubular body portion 12 and the tail portion 16 cooperate to define a battery assembly interior 18. The battery assembly interior 18 is Fig. 7A The battery assembly interior 18a of the tail portion and the battery assembly interior 18b of the main body portion are decomposed into the tail portion 16. The tail portion 16 includes a first charging opening 20 defined therein, and the first charging opening 20 connects the battery assembly interior 18 with the exterior of the tail portion 16. Figure 8 As shown, the flashlight assembly 10 includes a battery assembly 22 positioned within the battery assembly interior 18, the battery assembly 22 including a battery housing 24 defining a battery housing interior 26, a rechargeable battery cell 28 disposed within the battery housing interior 26, and at least a first charging receptacle 30 associated with the battery housing 24. The battery assembly 22 is in electrical communication with the light source 14.

[0028] like Figure 1-Figure 4As shown, the flashlight assembly 10 includes a switch 32 configured to selectively power the light source 14 and an alignment system 34 including at least one of a first protrusion 36 or a first recess 38 associated with the battery housing 24 and another of the first protrusion 36 or the first recess 38 associated with the battery housing interior 26 and / or the tubular body portion 12 or the tail portion 16. Figure 5 As best shown in FIG. 1 , the first protrusion 36 is received in the first recess 38 . When the first protrusion 36 is received in the first recess 38 , the first charging receptacle 30 is aligned with the first charging opening 20 , so that a charging jack can be inserted through the first charging opening 20 and into the first charging receptacle 30 . Figure 6 The battery assembly 22 is shown inserted into the tubular body portion 12. As shown, a portion of the battery assembly 22 extends out of the tubular body portion 12 after being fully inserted (i.e., after the electrical contacts 56 are in contact with the contacts for electrically connecting the light source and other electronic devices). Using the alignment system 34, Figure 6 The tail portion 16 is shown partially slid onto the battery assembly 22 with the first protrusion 36 aligned with the first recess 38 . Figure 6 Hidden lines are included to show the location of the first recess 38. Figure 6 , the tail 16 moves further onto the battery assembly 22, wherein the first recess 38 is aligned with the first protrusion 36, and once the first set of threads 60a and the second set of threads 60b are in contact, the tail 16 is threaded onto the tubular body portion 12. It should be understood that as the tail 16 rotates to engage the first set of threads 60a and the second set of threads 60b, the battery assembly 22 rotates with the tail 16 because the first protrusion 36 is received or located in the first recess 38. As the tail 16 and battery assembly 22 rotate and the first assembly and the second set of threads engage, the tail travels or moves toward the tubular body portion until the first set of threads and the second set of threads are fully engaged, at which point the first charging receptacle 30 is aligned with the first charging opening 20 (and the second charging receptacle 46 is aligned with the second charging opening 44, if present). In a preferred embodiment, the tail must be fully threaded onto the tubular body portion to align the first charging receptacle 30 with the first charging opening 20. This may be due to the presence of a spring 49 in the interior 18a of the tail battery assembly, as shown in FIG. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B As the tail is screwed onto the tubular body, the battery assembly compresses the spring 49 (see Figure 7B In other words, the tail portion 16 travels a threaded path from a starting position where the first charging receptacle 30 is not aligned with the first charging opening 20 to an ending position where the first charging receptacle is aligned with the first charging opening. The design and size of the threads and the spring are such that the first charging receptacle and the first charging opening are aligned when the tail portion is fully threaded onto the tubular body portion and the spring is compressed.

[0029] The battery housing 24 may include a first housing charging opening 40 defined therein through which the first charging receptacle 30 may be accessed. In this arrangement, the charging connector is inserted through the first charging opening 20 , the first housing charging opening 40 , and into the first charging receptacle 30 .

[0030] like Figure 4 As shown, the rear portion 16 may include a second charging socket 46 ( Figure 2 ) is associated with a second charging opening 44. The second charging socket can be positioned anywhere on the battery housing 24. In a preferred embodiment, the second charging socket 46 and the second charging opening 44 and the second housing charging opening 47 are positioned approximately 180 degrees or opposite to the first charging socket 30 and the first charging opening 20. The second charging socket can be used to charge the battery cells 28 and / or draw power from the battery cells 28 to charge other devices. The battery assembly 22 and / or the tubular body or tail portion may include an indicator (e.g., an LED indicator) positioned near the second charging socket or the second charging opening (or the first) that displays the battery charge. For example, when battery power is drawn (depleted) to charge other devices, the indicator can change from green to yellow to orange to red, etc. in 25% level increments.

[0031] The tail section 16 may include a socket cover 42 that is movable between a first or closed position where the socket cover 42 covers the first and second charging openings 20 , 44 and a second or open position where the socket cover 42 does not cover the first and second charging openings 20 , 44 . Figure 2 and 7A The socket cover 42 is shown in a first or closed position. Figure 4 and 7B The socket cover 42 is shown in a second or open position. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular body portion 12 defines a flashlight axis, and the socket cover 42 is movable along the flashlight axis A1 between a first position and a second position. Figure 7B The double-ended arrow in , which shows the axial direction in which the socket cover 42 can move. In another embodiment, the socket cover can rotate around the axis of the flashlight.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the first protrusion 36 is associated with the battery housing 24, and the first recess 38 is associated with the battery assembly interior 18 in the tail portion 16. The tail portion 16 includes an inner diameter 48 that at least partially defines the battery assembly interior 18. Figure 4As best shown in FIG. 1 , an alignment flange 50 or alignment surface having a first end 50a and a second end 50b extends around at least a portion of the inner diameter 48. A first recess 38 is defined between the first end and the second end of the alignment flange 50. In order to insert the battery assembly 22 into the battery assembly interior 18 of the tail portion 16, the first protrusion 36 must be aligned with the first recess 38 and then inserted into the first recess 38. The tail portion 16 can then be connected to the tubular body portion 12, preferably by threading the tail portion 16 onto the tubular body portion 12. See FIG. Figure 2 The first set of threads 60a and the second set of threads 60b in the embodiment of the present invention. However, other connection methods are also within the scope of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the shape of the first and / or second charging openings 20, 44 is designed to align with or surround the first charging socket 30.

[0033] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B The flashlight is shown without the rechargeable battery assembly. The tail 16 may include a housing portion 62 on which the socket cover 42 is removably mounted. The housing portion 62 may include a stop surface 64, such as Figure 7B As shown, when the socket cover 42 is closed or moved to the first position, the stop surface 64 abuts the front surface of the socket cover 42. O-rings or the like may be included at strategic locations to prevent water from entering the battery assembly interior 18. For example, O-rings may be located at the axial front and rear of the charging socket.

[0034] Preferably, the socket cover 42 can move in a spiral path (eg, due to internal threads or a protrusion and relief relationship between the socket cover 42 and the housing portion 62) when the socket cover 42 moves between the first position and the second position. Figure 8 As shown, the battery assembly 22 may include a first PCB 52, a second PCB 54, and wires for transferring power between different components in the battery assembly 22, the first charging socket 30 and the second charging socket 46 are mounted on the first PCB 52, and the second PCB 54 is associated with one or more electrical contacts 56 for supplying power from the battery assembly 22 to the light source 14. Note that Figure 8 The wires that electrically connect and communicate the various components in the battery assembly are not shown. Any arrangement of components in the battery assembly 22 that provides the ability to recharge and power the light source and other electrical components is within the scope of the present invention.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the battery assembly 22 includes a stop member 58 that extends at least partially around the outer diameter or surface of the battery housing 24. When the battery assembly 22 is inserted into the battery assembly interior 18 and the first protrusion and recess are properly aligned, the stop member 58 can abut against and be stopped by the alignment flange 50.

[0036] In the figures, the battery assembly is a rechargeable battery assembly, however, in another embodiment, the battery assembly may be a battery holder or battery compartment configured to receive a standard non-rechargeable battery (e.g., AA battery). This type of battery assembly may also include a first recess or a first protrusion as part of the alignment system. The rechargeable battery assembly may be interchangeable with the non-rechargeable battery assembly.

[0037] The switch can be positioned anywhere on the flashlight assembly. Figure 1 The switch is shown located on the side of the tubular body portion. The switch can also be located on the side or bottom / end of the tail portion.

[0038] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims, the words "include", "comprising", etc. should be interpreted as inclusive, rather than exclusive or exhaustive; as used herein, the term "connected", "coupled" or any variation thereof means any connection or coupling, direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling of the connection between elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. In addition, when used in this application, the words "herein", "above", "below" and words of similar meaning shall refer to the entirety of this application rather than any particular part of this application. Where the context permits, words used in the above detailed description of the preferred embodiments in the singular or plural may also include the plural or singular, respectively. The word "or" in a list referring to two or more items covers all the following interpretations of the word: any item in the list, all items in the list, and any combination of items in the list.

[0039] The above detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise form disclosed above. Although specific embodiments and examples of the present invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art, and any specific numbers described herein are merely examples: alternative implementations may employ different values, measurements or ranges.

[0040] Although the operations of any method disclosed or described herein, whether explicitly or implicitly, are shown and described in a particular order, the order of operations of each method may be changed so that certain operations may be performed in reverse order, or so that certain operations may be performed at least partially simultaneously with other operations. In another embodiment, instructions or sub-operations of different operations may be implemented in an intermittent and / or alternating manner.

[0041] The teachings of the disclosure provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the above-mentioned systems. The elements and actions of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Any measurement or size described or used herein is merely exemplary, and not a limitation of the present invention. Other measurements or sizes are within the scope of the present invention.

[0042] Any patents and applications and other references mentioned above, including any patents and applications and other references that may be listed in the attached application documents, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. If necessary, various aspects of the present invention can be modified to adopt the systems, functions and concepts of the various references mentioned above to provide additional embodiments of the present invention.

[0043] According to the above detailed description of the preferred embodiment, these and other changes can be made to the present invention. Although the above description describes certain embodiments of the present invention, and describes the expected best mode, no matter how detailed the above content is in the text, the teaching can be practiced in many ways. The details of the system can vary significantly in its implementation details while still being covered by the subject matter disclosed herein. As mentioned above, the specific terms used when describing certain features or aspects of the present invention should not be regarded as implying that the term is redefined herein to be limited to any specific characteristics, features or aspects of the present invention associated with the term. Generally, the terms used in the attached claims should not be interpreted as limiting the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the specific implementation part of the above preferred embodiment clearly defines these terms. Therefore, the actual scope of the present invention not only covers the disclosed embodiments. But also all equivalent ways to practice or realize the present invention according to the claims.

[0044] Although certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. For example, although 35 U.S.C. § 112, 6), only one aspect of the invention is recited as a means-plus-function claim, but other aspects may likewise be embodied as means-plus-function claims, or in other forms, such as in a computer-readable medium (any claim intended to be addressed under 35 U.S.C. 112(6) will include the words "means for..."). Applicants therefore reserve the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.

[0045] Therefore, although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it should be understood that all terms used herein are descriptive rather than limiting and that many changes, modifications and substitutions may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flashlight assembly, comprising: a tubular body portion including a light source associated therewith, a tail portion, the tail portion being removable from the tubular body portion, wherein the tubular body portion and the tail portion cooperate to define an interior of a battery assembly, wherein the tail portion includes a first charging opening defined therein, the first charging opening communicating the interior of the battery assembly with an exterior of the tail portion, wherein the tail portion includes a socket cover, the socket cover being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the socket cover covers the first charging opening, and in the second position, the socket cover does not cover the first charging opening, a battery assembly positioned within the battery assembly interior, wherein the battery assembly includes a battery housing defining a battery housing interior, a rechargeable battery disposed within the battery housing interior, and at least a first charging receptacle associated with the battery housing, wherein the battery assembly is in electrical communication with the light source, a switch configured to selectively supply power to the light source, and An alignment system comprising one of a first protrusion or a first recess associated with the battery housing and the other of the first protrusion or the first recess associated with the interior of the battery assembly, wherein the first protrusion is received in the first recess and the first charging receptacle is aligned with the first charging opening so that a charging connector can be inserted through the first charging opening and into the first charging receptacle.

2. The flashlight assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The tubular body portion defines a flashlight axis, wherein the socket cover is movable along the flashlight axis between the first position and the second position.

3. The flashlight assembly of claim 1, wherein: The first protrusion is associated with the battery housing, and the first recess is associated with an interior of the battery assembly in the tail portion.

4. The flashlight assembly of claim 3, wherein: The tail portion includes an inner diameter that at least partially defines an interior of the battery assembly, wherein an alignment flange having a first end and a second end extends around at least a portion of the inner diameter, wherein the first recess is defined between the first end and the second end of the alignment flange.

5. The flashlight assembly of claim 1, wherein: The tail portion includes a second charging opening defined therein, the second charging opening connecting the interior of the battery assembly with the exterior of the tail portion, wherein the battery assembly includes a second charging receptacle associated with the battery housing, wherein when the first protrusion is received in the first recess, the second charging receptacle is aligned with the second charging opening so that a charging connector can be inserted through the second charging opening and into the second charging receptacle.

6. The flashlight assembly of claim 4, wherein: The battery housing includes a stop member extending outwardly therefrom, wherein the stop member abuts the alignment flange.

7. The flashlight assembly of claim 6, wherein: The stop member extends at least partially circumferentially around the battery housing.

8. The flashlight assembly of claim 1, wherein: The first charging opening is defined in a side wall of the tail portion.

9. A flashlight assembly comprising: a tubular body portion including a light source associated therewith, a tail portion, the tail portion being removable from the tubular main body portion, wherein the tubular main body portion and the tail portion cooperate to define an interior of a battery assembly, wherein the tail portion includes a first charging opening defined therein, the first charging opening communicating the interior of the battery assembly with an exterior of the tail portion, wherein the tail portion includes a socket cover, the socket cover being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the socket cover covers the first charging opening, and in the second position, the socket cover does not cover the first charging opening, a battery assembly positioned within the battery assembly interior, wherein the battery assembly includes a battery housing defining a battery housing interior, a rechargeable battery disposed within the battery housing interior, and at least a first charging receptacle associated with the battery housing, wherein the battery assembly is in electrical communication with the light source, wherein the battery housing includes a stop member extending outwardly therefrom, a switch configured to selectively supply power to the light source, and An alignment system comprising a first protrusion associated with the battery housing and a first recess associated with the interior of the battery assembly, wherein the tail portion includes an inner diameter that at least partially defines the interior of the battery assembly, wherein an alignment flange having a first end and a second end extends around at least a portion of the inner diameter, wherein the first recess is defined between the first end and the second end of the alignment flange, wherein the first protrusion is received in the first recess and the first charging receptacle is aligned with the first charging opening so that a charging connector can be inserted through the first charging opening and into the first charging receptacle, and wherein the stop member on the battery housing abuts the alignment flange.

10. The flashlight assembly of claim 9, wherein: The tail portion includes a second charging opening defined therein, the second charging opening connecting the interior of the battery assembly with the exterior of the tail portion, wherein the battery assembly includes a second charging receptacle associated with the battery housing, wherein when the first protrusion is received in the first recess, the second charging receptacle is aligned with the second charging opening so that a charging connector can be inserted through the second charging opening and into the second charging receptacle.

11. A method for powering a flashlight assembly, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining the flashlight assembly, wherein the flashlight assembly includes a battery assembly, a tubular main body portion, and a tail portion, the battery assembly having a battery housing and a first charging receptacle, the tubular main body portion defining a main body battery assembly interior, the tail portion defining a tail battery assembly interior, wherein the tail portion includes a first charging opening defined therein, wherein the flashlight assembly includes an alignment system, the alignment system including one of a first protrusion or a first recess associated with the battery housing and the other of the first protrusion or the first recess associated with the tail battery assembly interior, (b) inserting a portion of the battery assembly into the main body battery assembly, (c) aligning the first protrusion with the first recess, (d) placing the tail portion on the battery assembly such that the first protrusion is received in the first recess, (e) rotating the tail portion and the battery assembly so that a first set of threads on the tail portion are threadedly engaged with a second set of threads on the tubular body portion, so that the first charging socket is aligned with the first charging opening, wherein the battery assembly is electrically connected to the light source in the tubular body portion.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein a spring is housed within the interior of the tail battery assembly, and wherein the spring is compressed during step (e).

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the tail portion includes a socket cover, and wherein the method includes the step of moving the socket cover from a first position wherein the socket cover covers the first charging opening to a second position wherein the socket cover does not cover the first charging opening.

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