Guide rod with integrated illumination device
An illumination source to assist in the identification and verification of a target is preferably contained within a hollow, waterproof tube that is similar in dimension and also performs the function of the conventional guide rod it is designed to replace in a pistol. An activation switch will, in its preferred form, make or break the circuit between the power source and the LED's that provide the illumination. The power source is also contained within the aforementioned tube that preferably resides within the pistol directly under the barrel.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/471,014, filed May 16, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to illumination devices integrated in pistols. In its preferred form, the invention replaces the factory guide rod of certain pistols and also performs as a guide rod with a device that, when activated, emits a beam of light from one or more LED's to aid target and threat verification in low or no-light conditions.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Statistics compiled by the United States F.B.I. show that the majority of gunfights take place in conditions of low ambient light or total darkness. Law enforcement and civilian firearms instructors currently teach two methods to search for and/or identify a target in low or no-light conditions prior to engaging it as a threat.
The first method utilizes a pistol in the dominant hand and a flashlight in the opposite hand. Such techniques require the light and pistol to be accessed separately and simultaneously, then applied conjunctively. This is difficult and time consuming on a static training range (especially compared to simply drawing a pistol) and even more problematic in a high stress, reactive or dynamic encounter. If the pistol must be fired, it will be with one hand instead of the more accurate and preferred two-hand hold. It is not possible to use the weapon and light with one hand while the other hand opens a door, uses communication equipment, retrieves handcuffs, etc.
The second method is mounting a light to the exterior of the weapon, either semi permanently affixing it to the weapon or mounting it on an accessory rail that is incorporated on the frame of the pistol. Multi-task capability is less affected, but at the cost of significant bulk and weight, which negatively affects the pistol's handling characteristics and balance. Existing holsters must be replaced or radically modified for use. Many law enforcement agencies are reluctant accept the financial burden to change holsters and reissue them, so while many models of weapon-mounted lights are currently in use, they are proactive by nature, meaning that the user must have the time and foreknowledge to equip a pistol with a light or access a weapon with a dedicated light. Furthermore, many current models of safety devices (e.g., trigger locks) are not compatible with exterior weapon-mounted lights. Still further, exterior mounted lights are exposed to and are therefore much more vulnerable to the elements and damage. It is also noted that flashlights using incandescent bulbs are only as durable as their relatively frail filament, which can break or burn up with a lifespan of 500 to 1,000 hours at best, compared the L.E.D. illumination device described herein, which has no filament and a life expectancy of 100,000 hours.
Recognized cognoscenti in the field of firearms training and tactics, such as Louis Awerbuck, director of the Yavapai Firearms Academy, Clint Smith, director of Thunder Ranch, and Massad Ayoob, director of the Lethal Force Institute, all recommend that students carry not one flashlight, but whenever possible, two. An often-used maxim in training classes is, “If you carry a gun, carry a light.” There exists the need for a light source that is always present and available for use when the weapon is present, but does not sacrifice proper weapon handling, balance or portability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn various embodiments, this invention meets those needs and others by providing a constantly and instantly available light source to aid in finding, identifying and assessing a target, while being contained within the pistol itself. The unit's ambidextrous on/off switch can be instantly activated by the primary or support hand, allowing for one or two-handed operation of the pistol and light as an integrated unit. Able to be installed by persons of ordinary skill, the preferred embodiment of the invention does not permanently alter the function, dimensions or handling characteristics of the pistol in any significant way. The use of existing holsters, safety devices, and the like are unaffected.
As a device made and used according to this invention is ever present and primarily contained within the firearm, ready for activation, there are several advantages gained over conventional hand-held and/or exterior weapon-mounted lights. It deploys eminently faster than any hand-held flashlight and pistol technique. Contained within a watertight guide rod, the illumination device is not subject to nor affected by the elements. The risk of an external force damaging the device (without also destroying the pistol) is minimal.
The guide rod of a pistol resides directly under the barrel. When the light source is also contained therein, only the muzzle of the pistol would need to be clear of an object of cover or concealment to further search for, identify, asses or engage a target. It should be noted that any part of the user or the pistol itself that is exposed beyond cover is also exposed to whatever threat lies beyond. With hand held (especially) or exterior mounted lights in general, a little to a lot more of the user and pistol must be exposed past the point of cover or concealment.
Finally, by virtue of being constantly and instantly available, certain embodiments of this invention provide for the reactive use of a light with a pistol in a dynamic encounter to illuminate and identify a target.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the embodiments. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
The Figures accompanying this specification illustrate one embodiment of the pistol guide rod with integrated illumination device 10 intended for use with the GLOCK 23 pistol. It should be understood that guide rods of differing shape and size used with other types of pistols may be assembled following the teachings of the claimed invention and are contemplated as being within the scope of the claimed invention.
The guide rod housing 20 shown in
The LED 30 shown in
The contact pin 40 shown in
The insulator tube 50 shown in
The end cap 60 shown in
The contact button 70 shown in
The button sleeve 80 shown in
The biasing member 90 shown in
The power source 100 shown in
The take down lever 110 shown in
The device 10 is assembled as shown in
Generally, to use the guide rod with integrated illumination device 10 according to the claimed invention, one field strips the pistol (that is, disassembles it down to its primary components), then reassembles the pistol using a guide rod and take down lever of the claimed invention adapted for use with the particular model of pistol according to the claimed invention. Disassembly and reassembly are performed according to the model-specific instructions provided by the manufacturer of the pistol, observing all proper safety recommendations, principles and procedures.
With the exemplary embodiment above, which is tailored for use with a GLOCK model 23, one installs the guide rod with integrated illumination device 10 by removing the magazine and clearing the chamber of the pistol by retracting the slide. When all rounds have been removed, the pistol is pointed in a safe direction, and the trigger is pulled. The user secures the pistol by wrapping all fingers around the slide, with the thumb resting on the back side of the receiver. The slide is pulled back about ⅛ inch, and the slide lock is pressed to the bottom of its slide using the other hand. Noting that the recoil spring is under high pressure (so caution should be used); the user removes the slide from the receiver. He or she grasps the recoil spring, pushes forward, and lifts the recoil spring with guide rod out of the slide of the pistol.
To remove the original take down lever, the user presses the locking spring down, then turns the pistol on its side and removes the take down lever. The user then inserts the take down lever 110 of the claimed invention. The user then places the replacement recoil spring 165 over the guide rod with integrated illumination device 10. Then, while pushing forward and down, the user inserts the guide rod 10 and recoil spring 165. The user reassembles the slide to the pistol with the new guide rod and recoil spring installed. It is recommended that the user cycle the slide several times to assure proper operation.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
Claims
1. A pistol guide rod with an integrated illumination device for identifying a potential target, the device comprising:
- a hollow guide rod housing having an open first end and an open second end;
- at least one broad spectrum light emitting diode partially protruding from the first open end of the housing and having a first lead and a second lead, the partial protrusion providing diffused illumination of an area adjacent the first end of the housing;
- a contact pin within the housing electrically connected to the first lead of the light emitting diode;
- a hollow insulator tube within the housing surrounding a portion of the light emitting diode and the contact pin, the second lead of the light emitting diode positioned outside the hollow insulator;
- an end cap sized and shaped to cover the second end of the housing having an aperture therethrough;
- a contact button partially extending through the aperture of the end cap;
- a biasing member within the insulator tube adjacent the contact pin;
- a self contained power source within the housing biased against the contact button by the biasing member; and
- a take down lever with a centrally located lobe along one side and a nonconductive portion centrally positioned adjacent the lobe, lateral movement of the take down lever against the contact button moving the nonconductive portion away from the contact button providing a conductive path for the power source to illuminate the light emitting diode.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the light emitting diode further comprises a rim about the light emitting diode engaging an internal shoulder of the housing.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the electrical connection of the first lead to the contact pin comprises a multidirectional slot within an end of the contact pin frictionally receiving the first lead.
4. The device of claim 3 further comprising a button sleeve about the contact button isolating the contact button from the end cap.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein the end cap further comprises a set of internal threads for threaded engagement with external threads about the housing adjacent the second open end.
6. A pistol guide rod with an integrated illumination device for identifying a potential target, the device comprising:
- a hollow guide rod housing having an open first end and an open second end;
- at least one broad spectrum light emitting diode partially protruding from the first open end of the housing, the partial protrusion providing diffused illumination of an area adjacent the first end of the housing;
- a contact pin within the housing electrically connected to the light emitting diode;
- an insulator insulating the contact pin and a portion of the light emitting diode;
- an end cap sized and shaped to cover the second end of the housing having an aperture therethrough;
- a contact button partially extending through the aperture of the end cap;
- a biasing member within the insulator adjacent the contact pin; and
- a take down lever with a centrally located lobe along one side and a non-conductive portion centrally positioned adjacent the lobe.
7. The device of claim 6 further comprising a button sleeve about the contact button isolating the contact button from the end cap.
8. The device of claim 6 wherein the electrical connection of the light emitting diode to the contact pin comprises a first lead extending from the light emitting diode frictionally engaged with a multidirectional slot within an end of the contact pin.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein the light emitting diode further comprises a rim about the light emitting diode engaging an internal shoulder of the housing.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein the end cap further comprises a set of internal threads for threaded engagement with external threads about the housing adjacent the second open end.
11. A guide rod with integrated electric illumination device for a pistol providing diffused illumination for target identification activated by movement of a pistol take down lever completing an electric circuit of the illumination device.
12. The guide rod of claim 11 wherein the electric illumination device is a light emitting diode protruding from a flange of a slide of the pistol connected in the electric circuit.
13. The guide rod of claim 12 wherein the light emitting diode is powered by a power source within the guide rod.
14. The guide rod of claim 13 wherein the electric circuit contacts the power source through an electrically conductive biasing member biasing the power source against a contact button providing selective completion of the electric circuit during movement of the take down lever against the contact button.
15. The guide rod of claim 14 wherein the light emitting diode further comprises a rim about the light emitting diode engaging an internal shoulder of the housing.
16. The guide rod of claim 15 further comprising a button sleeve about the contact button electrically isolating the contact button from the guide rod.
17. A pistol guide rod with an integrated illumination device for identifying a potential target, the device comprising:
- a hollow guide rod housing having an open first end and an open second end;
- a light emitting diode providing diffused illumination of an area adjacent the first end of the housing;
- a contact pin within the housing electrically connected to the light emitting diode;
- an insulator insulating the contact pin and a portion of the light emitting diode;
- an end cap sized and shaped to cover the second end of the housing having an aperture therethrough;
- a contact button partially extending through the aperture of the end cap;
- a biasing member within the insulator connected to the contact pin providing an electrical connection to a power source during use; and
- a take down lever with a centrally located lobe along one side and a non-conductive portion centrally positioned adjacent the lobe.
18. The device of claim 17 further comprising a button sleeve about the contact button electrically isolating the contact button from the end cap.
19. The device of claim 18 wherein the electrical connection of the light emitting diode to the contact pin comprises a first lead extending from the light emitting diode frictionally engaged with a multidirectional slot within an end of the contact pin.
20. The device of claim 19 wherein the light emitting diode protrudes from the open first end of the housing through a flange of a slide of a pistol during use.
Type: Application
Filed: May 14, 2004
Publication Date: Nov 17, 2005
Inventors: Robert Sloan (Indianapolis, IN), David O'Donnell (Indianapolis, IN), Jason McEachran (Howell, MI)
Application Number: 10/846,271