Firearm target illumination implement
A firearm target illumination implement is disclosed. The firearm target illumination implement includes a body that is adapted for removable-attachment to a barrel of a firearm. According to an embodiment, the firearm target illumination implement includes an illumination device disposed in the body and a plurality of illumination device actuators ambidextrously-arranged on the body to provide control of on/off switching and focusing of light emitted from the illumination device. According to an embodiment, the firearm target illumination implement includes a mounting plate that is removably-secured to the body, at least one fastener that passes through the mounting plate and into the body, and a portion of the at least one fastener that provides tactile feedback to an operator when the at least one fastener is moved by the operator from a first position to a second position. According to an embodiment, the firearm target illumination implement includes two or more axes extending, respectively, through the two or more energy cell cavities formed in the body that are parallel to but not coincident with a axis of the barrel of the firearm.
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The disclosure relates to firearm implements and, more particularly, to a firearm implement that provides target illumination.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ARTIt is known in the art that firearm implements may include, for example, flashlights that illuminate a target in low lighting conditions for a firearm operator. Although adequate in providing illumination of a target, conventional firearm target illumination implements are known to have several limitations regarding 1) weight, 2) size, 3) universal adaptability to a plurality of firearms, 4) firearm operator reach of illumination focus/on/off features, and the like. Accordingly, a need therefore exists for an improved firearm target illumination implement that is light in weight, compact in size, configured to be secured to more than one firearm, and is adapted for quick and ambidextrous access/activation of illumination features and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA firearm target illumination implement is disclosed. The firearm target illumination implement includes a body that is adapted for removable-attachment to a barrel of a firearm.
According to an embodiment, the firearm target illumination implement includes an illumination device disposed in the body and a plurality of illumination device actuators ambidextrously-arranged on the body to provide control of on/off switching and focusing of light emitted from the illumination device.
According to an embodiment, the firearm target illumination implement includes a mounting plate that is removably-secured to the body, at least one fastener that passes through the mounting plate and into the body, and a portion of the at least one fastener that provides tactile feedback to an operator when the at least one fastener is moved by the operator from a first position to a second position.
According to an embodiment, the firearm target illumination implement includes two or more axes extending, respectively, through the two or more energy cell cavities formed in the body that are parallel to but not coincident with a axis of the barrel of the firearm.
Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring now to the drawings, the preferred illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent some preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. Further, the embodiments set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict the disclosure to the precise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description.
Referring to
According to an embodiment, the firearm target illumination implement 10 includes a body 12, a removable mounting plate 14, an illumination device 16, and one or more illumination device actuators, which are shown generally at 18a-18c. The body 12 may be constructed from any desirable material, such as, for example, extruded aluminum, to impart maximum strength and precision when the body 12 is machined. The body 12 may also include a hard anodized finish to resist wear and prevent corrosion. The illumination device 16 may include any desirable illumination component. For example, the illumination component may include a bulb 16a (
Referring to
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As illustrated in
Referring to
When removably-attaching the mounting plate 14 to the body 12, the mounting screws 42 threadingly-engage a threaded mounting screw passage 48 formed in the body 12 to draw the mounting plate 14 generally in the direction of an arrow, X1, toward the body 12. The coil springs 46 are positioned in the screw passage 48 and between an end 58 of the mounting screw 42 and body 12 (
Referring to
The locking pin 50 is preferably inserted into the passage 56 after the mounting screw 42 has been inserted into the mounting screw passages 48 so that the locking pin 50 does not cause interference with the extension of the mounting screw 42 into the body 12 through the mounting screw passage 48. Accordingly, the locking pin 50 is threadably-inserted into passage 56 until the dome-shaped end 52 engages the portion 54 of the mounting screw 42.
Referring to
Functionally, the locking pin 50 and portion 54 of the mounting screw 42 provides a preventative means for fully removing the mounting screw 42 from the body 12 when the mounting screw 42 is ‘backed-out’ (i.e., threadably-removed) from the body 12. Referring to
Referring to
Accordingly, as illustrated in
In design, the location of the end portion 64 acts as an integrated, mechanical stop to tactilely provide feedback to an operator that the mounting screw 42 has been adequately ‘backed off’ the body 12 to a point that permits the mounting plate 14 to loosen and freely rest about the mounting screw 42 proximate the mounting plate passage 44 without having to fully remove the mounting screw 42 from the body 12. Thus, it is less likely for an operator to lose the mounting screw 42 when the firearm target illumination implement 10 is removed from the firearm, F, as a result of at least partially leaving a portion of the mounting screw 42 being threadably-mounted within the mounting screw passage 48 formed in the body 12.
Referring to
As seen in
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As shown in
In operation, one or more fingers 118 of the first conductor 106 function as a cam follower that traces a perimeter profile of the cam 96. As illustrated in
As illustrated, when the first conductor 106 is placed in the relaxed position, the first conductor 106 does not contact the second conductor 108, and conversely, when the first conductor 106 is placed in the stressed position, the first conductor 106 positively contacts the second conductor 108. Thus, the relaxed position of the first conductor 106 creates an open circuit according to the circuit diagram of the firearm target illumination implement 10, which is shown generally at 200 in
As shown in
As shown in
It will be appreciated that the general ambidextrous positioning of the body 12 relative the firearm, F, imparts left/right handed, ambidextrous control of the de/activation and focus of the light beam emitted from the bulb 16a. As such, a left-handed or right-handed firearm operator may, while holding the firearm, F, about the handle grip, H, operate the firearm target illumination implement 10 and/or trigger, T, with the same hand holding the firearm, F, about the handle grip, H. Accordingly, when a firearm operator holds the firearm, F, about the handle grip, H, the firearm operator may be able to reach and control the plurality of illumination device actuators 18a-18c to de/activate and focus of the light, L, with one or more of his/her digits extending from his/her hand, including, for example, his/her thumb, “trigger finger,” “middle finger,” “ring finger,” or “small finger.” As such, the firearm operator may utilize one hand to operate the firearm, F, and firearm target illumination implement 10 while freeing his/her other hand during the operation of the firearm and/or firearm target illumination implement 10. If desired, the firearm operator may alternatively hold the handle grip, H, and operate the trigger, T, with one hand while operating the firearm target illumination implement 10 with the opposite hand.
The present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, which are merely illustrative of the best modes for carrying out the invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that the method and apparatus within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. This description of the invention should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.
Claims
1. A firearm target illumination implement, comprising:
- a body that is adapted for removable-attachment to a barrel of a firearm;
- an illumination device disposed in said body; and
- a plurality of illumination device actuators ambidextrously-arranged on said body that provide control of at least one of on/off switching and focusing of light emitted from said illumination device.
2. The firearm target illumination implement according to claim 1, wherein the body is constructed from an extruded aluminum and includes a hard anodized finish.
3. The firearm target illumination implement according to claim 1 further comprising a mounting plate is removably-attached to a portion of the body to define a generally U- or C-shaped channel to provide a universal clamping deck for fitting the body to one of a plurality of firearms with or without rail slots.
4. The firearm target illumination implement according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of illumination device actuators includes a rotary dial that, when rotated, causes movement of a bulb shroud reflector to change a focus of light emitted from a bulb.
5. The firearm target illumination implement according to claim 4, wherein the bulb shroud reflector is moved to/from first and second positions to,
- expose a surface area of the bulb to provide a spread the focus of the light, or
- at least partially encompass the surface area of the bulb to narrow the focus of the light.
6. The firearm target illumination implement according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of illumination device actuators includes a momentary on/off push button switch.
7. The firearm target illumination implement according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of illumination device actuators includes a rotary dial switch, wherein the rotary dial switch includes a permanent on/off switch function and a momentary on, release off function.
8. The firearm target illumination implement according to claim 7, wherein rotary dial switch is disposed in an end plate, wherein a cam engages the rotary dial switch and is positioned between a switch connector and the end plate, wherein the switch connector includes a first conductor and a second conductor, wherein the first conductor includes a cam finger that follows the movement of the cam as the cam is rotated by the rotary dial switch, wherein movement of the cam causes the cam finger to move first conductor to contact or be spaced from the second conductor.
9. A firearm target illumination implement, comprising:
- a body that is adapted for removable-attachment to a barrel of a firearm;
- a mounting plate that is removably-secured to the body;
- at least one fastener that passes through the mounting plate and into the body; and
- a portion of the at least one fastener that provides tactile feedback to an operator when the at least one fastener is moved by the operator from a first position to a second position.
10. The firearm target illumination implement according to claim 9, wherein the at least one fastener includes:
- a threaded portion that is threadably-received by a threaded passage formed in the body; and
- wherein the portion of the least one fastener extends from an end of the threaded portion and includes a non-threaded surface having a end portion.
11. The firearm target illumination implement according to claim 10 further comprising at least one locking pin that is threadably-received by the body and engages the portion of the at least one fastener.
12. The firearm target illumination implement according to claim 11, wherein, when moving the at least one fastener from the first position to the second position,
- contact of an end of the at least one locking pin with the non-threaded surface provides drag feedback to the operator, and
- contact of the end of the at least one locking pin with the end portion interrupts the drag feedback to provide the tactile feedback to the operator.
13. The firearm target illumination implement according to claim 9,
- wherein the first position of the at least one fastener includes a first distance between a head of the at least one fastener and the body, and
- wherein the second position of the at the least one fastener includes a second distance between the head of the at least one fastener and the body, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.
14. The firearm target illumination implement according to claim 9, wherein the first position of the fastener substantially secures the mounting plate to the body, and wherein the second position of the fastener loosely secures the mounting plate to the body while the fastener is at least partially engaged with the body.
15. A firearm target illumination implement, comprising:
- a barrel of a firearm;
- a body that is adapted for removable-attachment to the barrel,
- wherein the body includes two or more energy cell cavities,
- wherein each energy cell cavity has a respectively associated longitudinal axis, and wherein each energy cell cavity axis is parallel an axis of said firearm barrel, and wherein said energy cell cavity axes are not coincident.
16. The firearm target illumination implement according to claim 15 further including at least two energy cells, wherein each energy cell is positioned within a respectively associated energy cell cavity.
17. The fire arm target illumination implement according to claim 15, wherein the longitudinal axis of each energy cell cavity is coincident with a longitudinal axis of the respectively associated energy cell.
Type: Application
Filed: May 31, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 6, 2007
Applicant: Leapers, Inc. (Livonia, MI)
Inventor: Tai Lai Ding (Northville, MI)
Application Number: 11/444,040
International Classification: F41G 1/00 (20060101);