Abstract: The improvements include an illuminator for a gun comprising a manually manipulated and storable external IR filter with a plurality of radially directed circumferential tabs integrally extending from the frame to allow a manual torque to be applied to the frame to manually screw it into and out of the bezel in the field. A high g-force diaphragm shock mount for the lamp includes a receptacle which positions the longitudinal axis of the lamp on the optical axis of the reflector. The field serviceable lamp assembly is an integrated or modular and sealed unit. A field serviceable electronics module is accessed by removing the rear bezel. The illuminator handle includes a double locked latch lever. A T-Slot to Picatinny adapter allows a SureFire T-rail fitting of the handle to fit a conventional Picatinny rail.

Abstract: The improvements include an illuminator for a gun comprising a manually manipulated and storable external IR filter with a plurality of radially directed circumferential tabs integrally extending from the frame to allow a manual torque to be applied to the frame to manually screw it into and out of the bezel in the field. A high g-force diaphragm shock mount for the lamp includes a receptacle which positions the longitudinal axis of the lamp on the optical axis of the reflector. The field serviceable lamp assembly is an integrated or modular and sealed unit. A field serviceable electronics module is accessed by removing the rear bezel. The illuminator handle includes a double locked latch lever. A T-Slot to Picatinny adapter allows a SureFire T-rail fitting of the handle to fit a conventional Picatinny rail.

Abstract: The improvements include an illuminator for a gun comprising a manually manipulated and storable external IR filler with a plurality of radially directed circumferential tabs integrally extending from the frame to allow a manual torque to be applied to the frame to manually screw it into and out of the bezel in the field. A high g-force diaphragm shock mount for the lamp includes a receptacle which positions the longitudinal axis of the lamp on the optical axis of the reflector. The field serviceable lamp assembly is an integrated or modular and sealed unit. A field serviceable electronics module is accessed by removing the rear bezel. The illuminator handle includes a double locked latch lever. A T-Slot to Picatinny adapter allows a SureFire T-rail fitting of the handle to fit a conventional Picatinny rail.

Abstract: A locking pin for a mount for receiving a T-rail includes a bolt for engagement with the mount, a plurality of facets defined on the bolt, and a locking leaf spring having a first end fixed to the mount and a second distal end with a planar lip. A movable and lockable handle for a portable light includes a hand grip, a pair of arms and a pair of hinges. A locking flange in the hinge securely captures the arm in a folded configuration. The arm is moved out from behind the locking flange and rotated to a fully deployed configuration and held by a detent flange. The handle is attached to the mount provided with the locking pin.

Abstract: A coupling for a powered search light includes a body that has a power device that provides electrical power or access to electrical power and a head coupled to the body including an lighting device which provides light when electrically powered. An end is coupled to or included as part of the body. A receiving coupling is coupled to or included as part of the head. A plurality of tabs are defined on the end and extending radially therefrom. A corresponding plurality of flanges are defined in the receiving coupling and extending radially inward therefrom. The end is arranged and configured to engage the receiving coupling by capture of the plurality of tabs by the corresponding plurality of flanges. A lock locks the plurality of tabs with respect to the plurality of flanges.

Abstract: A locking pin for a mount for receiving a T-rail includes a bolt for engagement with the mount, a plurality of facets defined on the bolt, and a locking leaf spring having a first end fixed to the mount and a second distal end with a planar lip. A movable and lockable handle for a portable light includes a hand grip, a pair of arms and a pair of hinges. A locking flange in the hinge securely captures the arm in a folded configuration. The arm is moved out from behind the locking flange and rotated to a fully deployed configuration and held by a detent flange. The handle is attached to the mount provided with the locking pin.

Abstract: An internal IR filter assembly for an illuminator has a lamp disposed within a reflector with a face plate. A spring-biased IR filter is shaped as a hollow sleeve telescopically disposed over the lamp. A fixed cylindrical pedestal has one end coupled to the face plate. A sliding cylindrical mount is coupled to the IR filter and telescopically disposed over the fixed pedestal. A gear drive is engaged to a driven gear or hub. A motor is coupled to the gear drive to selectively and reversibly rotate the gear drive. The driven gear is coupled to the sliding cylindrical mount of the IR filter to selectively and reversibly translate the IR filter with respect to the lamp. At least one rod is coupled to the driven gear to prevent the rotation of the driven gear. The rod is slidable within the illuminator but rotationally fixed relative to the illuminator.

Abstract: The improvements include a reflector having an optical axis and a focus on the optical axis; a plasma lamp generating a light emitting plasma ball; and a G-force diaphragm shock mount coupling the lamp to the reflector while maintaining precise and stable positioning of the plasma ball of the lamp at or near the focus of the reflector to preserve optical performance despite application of G-force shocks to the apparatus.

Abstract: A coupling for a powered search light includes a body that has a power device that provides electrical power or access to electrical power and a head coupled to the body including an lighting device which provides light when electrically powered. An end is coupled to or included as part of the body. A receiving coupling is coupled to or included as part of the head. A plurality of tabs are defined on the end and extending radially therefrom. A corresponding plurality of flanges are defined in the receiving coupling and extending radially inward therefrom. The end is arranged and configured to engage the receiving coupling by capture of the plurality of tabs by the corresponding plurality of flanges. A lock locks the plurality of tabs with respect to the plurality of flanges.

Abstract: The improvements include a reflector having an optical axis and a focus on the optical axis; a plasma lamp generating a light emitting plasma ball; and a G-force diaphragm shock mount coupling the lamp to the reflector while maintaining precise and stable positioning of the plasma ball of the lamp at or near the focus of the reflector to preserve optical performance despite application of G-force shocks to the apparatus.

Abstract: An internal IR filter assembly for an illuminator has a lamp disposed within a reflector with a face plate. A spring-biased IR filter is shaped as a hollow sleeve telescopically disposed over the lamp. A fixed cylindrical pedestal has one end coupled to the face plate. A sliding cylindrical mount is coupled to the IR filter and telescopically disposed over the fixed pedestal. A gear drive is engaged to a driven gear or hub. A motor is coupled to the gear drive to selectively and reversibly rotate the gear drive. The driven gear is coupled to the sliding cylindrical mount of the IR filter to selectively and reversibly translate the IR filter with respect to the lamp. At least one rod is coupled to the driven gear to prevent the rotation of the driven gear. The rod is slidable within the illuminator but rotationally fixed relative to the illuminator.

Abstract: The improvements include an illuminator for a gun comprising a manually manipulated and storable external IR filter with a plurality of radially directed circumferential tabs integrally extending from the frame to allow a manual torque to be applied to the frame to manually screw it into and out of the bezel in the field. A high g-force diaphragm shock mount for the lamp includes a receptacle which positions the longitudinal axis of the lamp on the optical axis of the reflector. The field serviceable lamp assembly is an integrated or modular and sealed unit. A field serviceable electronics module is accessed by removing the rear bezel. The illuminator handle includes a double locked latch lever. A T-Slot to Picatinny adapter allows a SureFire T-rail fitting of the handle to fit a conventional Picatinny rail.

Abstract: The improvements include an illuminator for a gun comprising a manually manipulated and storable external IR filler with a plurality of radially directed circumferential tabs integrally extending from the frame to allow a manual torque to be applied to the frame to manually screw it into and out of the bezel in the field. A high g-force diaphragm shock mount for the lamp includes a receptacle which positions the longitudinal axis of the lamp on the optical axis of the reflector. The field serviceable lamp assembly is an integrated or modular and sealed unit. A field serviceable electronics module is accessed by removing the rear bezel. The illuminator handle includes a double locked latch lever. A T-Slot to Picatinny adapter allows a SureFire T-rail fitting of the handle to fit a conventional Picatinny rail.

Abstract: The improvements include an illuminator for a gun comprising a manually manipulated and storable external IR filter with a plurality of radially directed circumferential tabs integrally extending from the frame to allow a manual torque to be applied to the frame to manually screw it into and out of the bezel in the field. A high g-force diaphragm shock mount for the lamp includes a receptacle which positions the longitudinal axis of the lamp on the optical axis of the reflector. The field serviceable lamp assembly is an integrated or modular and sealed unit. A field serviceable electronics module is accessed by removing the rear bezel. The illuminator handle includes a double locked latch lever. A T-Slot to Picatinny adapter allows a SureFire T-rail fitting of the handle to fit a conventional Picatinny rail.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a high intensity beam of light with high efficiency of conversion of electrical power into light intensity includes an arc lamp, a reflector, a screw drive mechanism coupled between the arc lamp and reflector for positioning the arc lamp relative to the reflector to provide zoom control of the beam of light, and a spring for biasing the screw drive mechanism into a stable configuration to eliminate backlash and instability of the positioning the arc lamp relative to the reflector to provide zoom control of the beam of light. A handheld light includes an IR filter selectively disposable over the aperture of the light so that only infrared light and a circumferential light curtain is interposed between the IR filter and the body so that no there are no light leaks even the IR filter and the body are prevented from fitting closely due to interposed debris.

Abstract: The improvements include an illuminator for a gun comprising a manually manipulated and storable external IR filter with a plurality of radially directed circumferential tabs integrally extending from the frame to allow a manual torque to be applied to the frame to manually screw it into and out of the bezel in the field, A high g-force diaphragm shock mount for the lamp includes a receptacle which positions the longitudinal axis of the lamp on the optical axis of the reflector. The field serviceable lamp assembly is an integrated or modular and sealed unit. A field serviceable electronics module is accessed by removing the rear bezel. The illuminator handle includes a double locked latch lever. A T-Slot to Picatinny adapter allows a SureFire T-rail fitting of the handle to fit a conventional Picatinny rail.

Abstract: A long-range, high intensity handheld searchlight has several novel features that improve existing designs. The invention minimizes electrical penetrations to the handheld searchlight by having a magnetic ON/OFF switch. A heat sink is disclosed that is in thermal contact with the external housing without physically penetrating the housing. Additionally, when an external power source in required, power transfer is achieved by inductive coupling to further eliminate electrical penetrations that affect watertight integrity. Also disclosed is a lamp socket assembly for a handheld searchlight that has springs that act as floating contacts within a lamp socket hole. The springs provide proper alignment for the lamp that is critical to achieve a high intensity light beam. A lamp is disclosed that has its electrodes adjacent to one another for easy installation and removal of the lamp. A shoulder strap is further disclosed to facilitate transportation and use of a handheld searchlight.