Target Illuminated (e.g., Via Flashlight, Etc.) Patents (Class 42/146)
  • Patent number: 6641277
    Abstract: A tactical light particularly adapted for use by duly authorized armed civilians, police officers and military personnel. The tactical light incorporates structure that facilitates a two hand full combat grip on a weapon, such as a pistol or revolver, while using the tactical light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Phillip L. Smith
  • Patent number: 6622416
    Abstract: A firearm illuminator for selectively providing low intensity illumination to assist the firearm user to navigate his or her surroundings in dark environments, as well as for selectively providing high intensity illumination of a target. The preferred embodiment includes a vertical handgrip having a battery compartment in the handgrip. A battery retainer cap assembly for the battery compartment includes a battery enable/disable mechanism and a safety latch is provided on the handgrip or battery housing for assuring the retainer cap assembly's secure attachment to the battery housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Surefire, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Youngcho Kim
  • Patent number: 6591536
    Abstract: This laser-sighting system can be constructed as a compact side module for use with a revolver or automatic pistol. Features on the side of the firearm such as the yoke screw and the other side plate screws of a revolver are used to secure this laser-sighting system in a favorable location on the side of the firearm frame above the trigger guard forward of the grip, but behind the leading edge of the firearm's trigger guard. The takedown pins or slide stops found in this same location on many automatic pistols can also be used for this purpose. The system uses a very thin self-contained laser-sighting module that does not interfere with the holstering, concealment, or handling of the firearm. The system can also contain a white light or colored LED for illumination and communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: LaserMax Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Houde-Walter, Stephen D. Gerhardt
  • Patent number: 6578311
    Abstract: A system for actuating an accessory mounted on a weapon with the sighting light beam generated by a laser sighting device. A light probe, adapted to be mounted on the weapon proximate the optical pathway of a sighting beam of light generated by a laser sighting device, is provided for detecting the sighting beam and producing in response thereto an electrical detection signal. An actuation circuit, adapted to be mounted on the weapon, is provided for receiving the detection signal and, in response thereto, actuating an electrical accessory mounted on the weapon. An ambient light sensor is provided for receiving ambient light and producing an electrical reference signal. The actuation circuit includes a comparator for comparing the detection signal to the ambient light signal and actuating a flashlight or other accessory when the detection signal passes the reference signal by a predetermined amount. The system inhibits the accessory when the ambient light passes a predetermined intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Cremson Trace Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis Danielson, Joe Ouellette
  • Patent number: 6574901
    Abstract: An attachment system is provided for attaching an auxiliary apparatus to a weapon having a frame, and in particular to a weapon frame in the area forward of the trigger guard. An attachment mechanism on the auxiliary apparatus is adapted to be engageable with a rail on the weapon to selectively attach the auxiliary apparatus. The weapon may include a transverse slot which can be engaged by a portion of the auxiliary apparatus to prevent the auxiliary apparatus from sliding relative to the weapon due to recoil forces associated with firing the weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Insight Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Solinsky, Albert Lapage, Wallace Woodman
  • Publication number: 20030101632
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting an accessory to a weapon frame having at least one slot formed in first and second sides thereof. The mounting assembly includes: a body; first and second jaws on opposing sides of the body, the first jaw having an engagement portion dimensioned to engage the first slot and the second jaw having an engagement portion dimensioned to engage the second slot; and a first biasing member configured to provide a biasing force against the first jaw to force the engagement portion of the first jaw into the first slot, and a second biasing member configured to provide a biasing force against the second jaw to force the engagement portion of the second jaw into the second slot. The mounting assembly may be easily and reliably attached to weapon without using tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Michael S. Davenport, Alan T. Howe
  • Patent number: 6571503
    Abstract: A firearm mounted illumination device whereby the device is mounted underneath the barrel of a firearm. The particular mounting point is the trigger guard of the weapon, eliminating the need to modify the weapon or to have an already existing mounting rail system. The activation switch is a compression switch located underneath the trigger guard of the fire arm so as to allow a user to activate the device without altering his or her grip on the weapon and without extensive additional training in the use of the device in conjunction with the weapon. The device also provides a dual switching mechanism, so as to allow for continuous activation of the device, and a low power indication feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Thorpe
  • Patent number: 6565226
    Abstract: Use of this invention enables a commercially available flashlight to be mounted on or in the forward end of a firearm's magazine, thereby configuring a source of illumination in precise alignment with the bore of the gun. In contrast to prior-art devices, the inventive approach requires no modification to the gun in general or magazine in particular, and may consume the space taken by a single shell, allowing the remainder of the magazine to hold shells, as is typical. The preferred embodiment permits certain types of barreled flashlights, such as the Maglight®, Smith & Wesson® or Dorcy® having a diameter on the order of {fraction (7/10)} inch to be mounted on or into the forward end of the magazine through the use of an adapter base module. To position the non-illuminating end of the flashlight in alignment relative to the spring present in the magazine, an optional spring guide in used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas Allen Cummings
  • Patent number: 6526688
    Abstract: A system for actuating an accessory mounted on a weapon with the sighting light beam generated by a laser sighting device. A light probe, adapted to be mounted on the weapon proximate the optical pathway of a sighting beam of light generated by a laser sighting device, is provided for detecting the sighting beam and producing in response thereto an electrical detection signal. An actuation circuit, adapted to be mounted on the weapon, is provided for receiving the detection signal and, in response thereto, actuating an electrical accessory mounted on the weapon. An ambient light sensor is provided for receiving ambient light and producing an electrical reference signal. The actuation circuit includes a comparator for comparing the detection signal to the ambient light signal and actuating a flashlight or other accessory when said detection signal passes said reference signal by a predetermined amount. The system inhibits the accessory when the ambient light passes a predetermined intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventors: Lewis Danielson, Joe Ouellette
  • Publication number: 20030029073
    Abstract: A system for actuating an accessory mounted on a weapon with the sighting light beam generated by a laser sighting device. A light probe, adapted to be mounted on the weapon proximate the optical pathway of a sighting beam of light generated by a laser sighting device, is provided for detecting the sighting beam and producing in response thereto an electrical detection signal. An actuation circuit, adapted to be mounted on the weapon, is provided for receiving the detection signal and, in response thereto, actuating an electrical accessory mounted on the weapon. An ambient light sensor is provided for receiving ambient light and producing an electrical reference signal. The actuation circuit includes a comparator for comparing the detection signal to the ambient light signal and actuating a flashlight or other accessory when said detection signal passes said reference signal by a predetermined amount. The system inhibits the accessory when the ambient light passes a predetermined intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Lewis Danielson, Joe Ouellette
  • Publication number: 20030029072
    Abstract: A system for actuating an accessory mounted on a weapon with the sighting light beam generated by a laser sighting device. A light probe, adapted to be mounted on the weapon proximate the optical pathway of a sighting beam of light generated by a laser sighting device, is provided for detecting the sighting beam and producing in response thereto an electrical detection signal. An actuation circuit, adapted to be mounted on the weapon, is provided for receiving the detection signal and, in response thereto, actuating an electrical accessory mounted on the weapon. An ambient light sensor is provided for receiving ambient light and producing an electrical reference signal. The actuation circuit includes a comparator for comparing the detection signal to the ambient light signal and actuating a flashlight or other accessory when said detection signal passes said reference signal by a predetermined amount. The system inhibits the accessory when the ambient light passes a predetermined intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Lewis Danielson, Joe Ouellette
  • Patent number: 6438888
    Abstract: A fixing rack for use in quickly clipping an accessory on to a pistol has an elastic clipping seat made of an elastic sheet having two opposing sides that are bent upwardly and inwardly to a preset angle. Each side of the elastic sheet has an inwardly-extending flange, and the two flanges defining an opening therebetween that varies in width when the sides are flexed. The fixing rack also includes two releasing plates, each releasing plate attached to one of the two sides of the elastic sheet to flex the two sides. The fixing rack also includes a fixing sheath attached below the clipping seat, the fixing sheath having a chamber for receiving a pistol accessory. The fixing rack can be quickly and conveniently attached to a pistol by flexing the releasing plates to widen the opening between the flanges, thereby allowing the flanges to be slid into corresponding wedging grooves in a pistol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Quarton, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Lin, Yu-Hsi Yang
  • Publication number: 20020100204
    Abstract: A firearm illuminator for selectively providing low intensity illumination to assist the firearm user to navigate his or her surroundings in dark environments, as well as for selectively providing high intensity illumination of a target. The preferred embodiment includes a vertical handgrip having a battery compartment in the handgrip. A battery retainer cap assembly for the battery compartment includes a battery enable/disable mechanism and a safety latch is provided on the handgrip or battery housing for assuring the retainer cap assembly's secure attachment to the battery housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: SUREFIRE, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Youngcho Kim
  • Patent number: 6393752
    Abstract: A pistol laser sight mounting device comprises a base, a base cover, an L-shaped rod, and a receiving member. The base is provided with a retaining slot for disposing a pistol trigger guard, and with a first fastening portion. The basic cover is fastened with the base such that the retaining slot is sealed off by the base cover. The L-shaped rod has a fixed arm and a suspension arm. The fixed arm is provided with a second fastening portion which is fastened with the first fastening portion of the base. The receiving member is provided with two arm portions and a receiving through hole for holding the piston laser sight. The receiving member is fastened with the L-shaped rod by the two arm portions which are fastened with the suspension arm of the L-shaped rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventors: Keith P. Oliver, Chung-Tien Cheng
  • Patent number: 6385893
    Abstract: A pistol laser sight mounting device comprises a base, a base cover, an L-shaped rod, and a receiving member. The base is provided with a retaining slot for disposing a pistol trigger guard, and with a first fastening portion having an arcuate surface. The base cover is fastened with the base such that the retaining slot is sealed off by the base cover. The L-shaped rod has a fixed arm and a suspension arm. The fixed arm is provided with a second fastening portion which is fastened with the first fastening portion of the base. The receiving member is provided with two arm portions and a receiving through hole for holding the pistol laser sight. The receiving member is fastened with the L-shaped rod by the two arm portions which are fastened with the suspension arm of the L-shaped rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Chung-Tien Cheng
  • Patent number: 6385894
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a firearm aiming device and includes a camera mounted on a handgun for relaying images to a monitor carried on the torso of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Ballisti-Guard, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark T. Podvin
  • Patent number: 6378237
    Abstract: Apparatus for firing projectiles at targets and for illuminating such targets combine a projectile-firing weapon and a target illuminator. A track-and-slide combination includes a slide on the target illuminator and a track structure on the weapon for that slide, and a releasable slide-in-track stop in such rack-and-slide combination. In the case of a firearm that has a trigger actuated by a bent trigger finger of a shooter for the firing thereof, a push-button or transverse slide switch for the target illuminator may be mounted within reach of a pad of such trigger finger prior to actuation of the trigger. For example, the shooter may draw the firearm with his or her trigger finger then outstretched for actuation of the target illuminator switch, and may then bend such trigger finger for firing of the weapon by actuation of the trigger. Such and other appliances may have a battery compartment, and a contact plate interconnecting batteries in such compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Surefire, LLC
    Inventors: John Wallace Matthews, Paul Youngcho Kim
  • Publication number: 20020026741
    Abstract: A laser beam sight incorporated inside a spear gun. The device has a capsule positioned at the tip of the spear gun, the capsule includes a light source preferably a laser diode and the battery powered, a magnetic switch in the handle (close to the spear gun trigger) to control the laser device, a cable to connect the capsule to the magnetic switch, and an optional floating bar located inside the spear gun barrel to balance the spear gun's weight in the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventor: Rafael Javier Aguilar