The Kel-Lite was intended as a replacement for the baton carried by police officers. The series of Baton Light models (available in various lengths from 18 to 26 inches) were designed by Norm Nelson in 1973 as a direct replacement, which would fit into a standard baton ring on the officer's belt. Kel-Lites were available in sizes ranging from a model using two "1/2 D" cells (together the length of one D) to those using 7 D cells, and any size in between, as well as C cell models. A total of 49 different models were made.