Rapid activation system for a laser-sighting assembly
A rapid activation system for a laser-sighting assembly of a handgun includes a normally-off magnetically functionable on-off switch disposed within the laser assembly. The system includes a holster proportioned to hold the handgun and is formed of a magnetically permeable material. The system further includes a magnetic element secured upon an external surface of the holster and positioned within electromagnetic communication with the on-off switch of the laser assembly. Upon withdrawal of the handgun, the holster magnetic flux attendant to the magnetic element will be removed from magnetic communication with the on-off switch of the laser sighting assembly thereby actuating the switch and, with it, the laser assembly such that the laser sighting assembly is fully functional and when the gun is withdrawn from the holster.
This application corresponds in subject matter to Document Disclosure Number 549,836, filed Mar. 26, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA. Area of Invention
The invention relates to an external switch for a modular sighting laser of a handgun.
B. Prior Art
Handguns having integral or selectably attachable laser sights have existed for a number of years, this as is reflected in U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,773 (1999) to Claridge, entitled Integral Laser Sight, Switch for a Gun; U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,226 (1996) to Houde-Walter, entitled firearm; U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,898 (1996) to Thummel, entitled Modular Sighting Laser for a Fire Arm; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,311 (2003) to Danielson, entitled Apparatus and Method for Actuating a Weapon Accessory by a Laser Sighting Beam.
Other patents which show a laser gun sight mounted internally to the recoil spring guide rod of a weapon, said patent including U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,364 (1995) to Paldino, entitled Internally Mounted Laser Gun Site; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,550 (1995) to Moore, entitled Internal Laser Sight for Weapons.
Notwithstanding significant developments in the art of laser sighting means for guns and other weapons, many of such system require either manual actuation of the laser sight or use a laser sight which is continually on such that the user's location may be revealed in a combat situation. A concern therefore has long existed that a laser gun sight may either prove awkward to actuate, or if in a normally on position, may actually prove counter-productive in a tactical situation. The present invention is therefore utilizes a normally-off laser-sighting system which however is automatically actuated by the user upon removal of the gun or weapon from a holster. The invention therefore addresses a long-felt need in the art of gun equipped with an internally sighted laser sight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to a rapid activation system for a laser-sighting assembly of a handgun. Therein, the system includes a normally-off magnetically functionable on-off switch disposed within said laser assembly. The system includes a holster proportioned to hold said handgun and is formed of a magnetically permeable material. The system further includes a magnetic element secured upon an external surface of said holster and positioned within electromagnetic communication with said on-off switch of the laser assembly. Thereby, upon withdrawal of the handgun, the magnetic flux attendant to said magnetic element on the holster will be removed from magnetic communication with the on-off switch of the laser sighting assembly thereby actuating said switch and, with it, said laser such that the laser sighting assembly is fully functional when the gun is fully withdrawn from the holster.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a self-contained accessory which is automatically activated upon withdrawal of a gun equipped therewith from a holster therefore.
It is another object to provide a more tactically practically means of rapid target sighting which does not readily reveal the location of the user by an adversary.
The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention and claims appended herewith.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With reference to
Shown in
The position of laser sighting assembly 100 may be more fully appreciated with reference to
In view of the above, it may be appreciated that the removal of gun 10 from holster 104 will remove switch 108 from the magnetic field of magnet 106 thereby actuating said switch and closing the circuit of
A further embodiment 200 of the invention is shown in
While there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the instant invention, it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the claims appended herewith.
Claims
1. A rapid activation system for a laser-sighting assembly of a hand gun, said system comprising:
- (a) a normally-off electro-magnetically operable on-off switch disposed within said assembly;
- (b) a holster proportioned to hold said hand gun, said holster formed of a magnetically permeable material.
- (c) a magnetic element secured upon an external surface of said holster and positioned within electromagnetic communication with said on-off switch,
- whereby withdrawal of said handgun will remove magnetic flux attendant said magnetic element, thereby activating said switch of said laser sighting assembly, turning on the laser thereof when said handgun is drawn.
2. The system as recited in claim 1, in which said holster comprises a thick woven cloth.
3. The system as recited in claim 1, in which said magnetic element comprises at least one planar surface.
4. The system as recited in claim 3, in which said magnetic element comprises at least one planar surface.
5. The system as recited in claim 1, in which said laser-sighting assembly comprises:
- an attachment to an accessory rail at a forward under-portion of said handgun.
6. The system as recited in claim 1, in which said system comprises as miniaturized package positioned within a portion of a recoil rod of said handgun.
7. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprises a manual override switch comprises means for deactuating said assembly if said handgun is withdrawn.
8. A rapid activation system for a laser-sighting assembly of a handgun, said system comprising:
- (a) a normally-off electromagnetically operable on-off switch within said assembly;
- (b) a holster proportioned to hold said handgun, said holster formed of magnetically permeable material; and
- (c) a magnetic element secured within a surface of said holster and positioned within electro-magnetic communication with said on-off switch,
- whereby withdrawal of said handgun will remove magnetic flux attendant said magnetic element, thereby activating said switch of said laser sighting assembly, turning on the laser thereof when said handgun is drawn.
9. The system as recited in claim 8, in which said holster comprises a thick woven cloth.
10. The system as recited in claim 9, in which said magnetic element comprises at least one planar surface.
11. The system as recited in claim 3, in which said magnetic element comprises at least one planar surface.
12. The system as recited in claim 8, in which said laser-sighting assembly comprises:
- an attachment to an accessory rail at a forward under path of said handgun.
13. The system as recited in claim 8, in which said system comprises as miniaturized package positioned within a forward portion of a re-coil rod of said handgun.
14. The system as recited in claim 8, further comprises a manual override switch comprises means for deactuating said assembly if said handgun is withdrawn.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 15, 2004
Publication Date: Feb 9, 2006
Inventor: Antonios Doukas (Pompano Beach, FL)
Application Number: 10/891,865
International Classification: F41G 1/00 (20060101);