FIREARM ACCESSORY WITH PATH LIGHT
A firearm accessory with a primary light oriented in a first direction to assist a user in aiming the firearm and a path light oriented in a second direction to assist the user in seeing a travel path. A motion sensor may actuate the path light. The path light may be positioned below the primary light. The accessory includes a mount for mounting the accessory on a firearm. A housing of the accessory may include lug receivers spaced longitudinally, and a lug received by one of the lug receivers and adapted to engage the groove on a firearm rail for preventing longitudinal movement of the mounted accessory. Actuators for turning the primary light on and off may be positioned adjacent sides of a trigger guard of the firearm when the housing is mounted to the firearm. Mounting features and battery compartment features are also disclosed.
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This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/263,740, filed on Nov. 8, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application is also based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/266,204, filed on Dec. 30, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELDThe present disclosure generally relates to firearm accessories and more particularly to firearm accessory lights, mounts, and battery arrangements.
BACKGROUNDFirearm accessories use various types of mounting systems for mounting the accessories on firearms. For example, some rifles include a handguard or other structure having one or more accessory rails thereon, and some handguns include a rail under the barrel extending forward of the trigger guard. Firearm accessories have different types of mounts configured to interface with such rails to mount the accessories on the rails. In order to prevent forward movement of the firearm accessory when mounted, a protrusion on the accessory may extend upward into a recess on the firearm rail. The protrusion is often in a fixed position on the accessory so that the accessory may only be mounted longitudinally on the rail in a single position. If the protrusion is adjustable, removal of the accessory from the firearm may be necessary to adjust the protrusion to a new position.
Electronic firearm accessories such as lights and lasers usually include some type of switch to enable the user to turn the accessory on or off or to otherwise change an operation (e.g., mode) of the accessory. Firearm accessories with lights or lasers typically include a light or laser intended to assist the user in aiming the firearm. Such light or laser is oriented when mounted on the firearm so that it emits light in a direction aligned with the barrel of the firearm. Many electronic firearm accessories include a removable battery to power the light or laser. With many electronic firearm accessories, the light must be unscrewed from the accessory in order to remove and replace the battery. Many other types of electronic firearm accessories require the user to dismount the accessory from the firearm in order to remove and replace the battery.
SUMMARYIn one aspect, a firearm accessory includes a housing having a mount configured to mount on an accessory rail of a firearm. The firearm accessory includes a first light source and a second light source each supported by the housing. The first light source is oriented with respect to the housing to emit light away from the housing in a first direction to assist a user in aiming the firearm. The second light source is oriented with respect to the housing to emit light away from the housing in a second direction to assist the user in seeing a travel path of the user. The second direction is positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the first direction. The firearm accessory includes a motion sensor configured to sense when the housing is moving, and a controller electrically coupled to the motion sensor and the second light source. The controller is configured to activate the second light source when the motion sensor senses that the housing is moving.
In one aspect, a firearm accessory includes a housing having a mount configured to mount on an accessory rail of a firearm. The firearm accessory includes a first light source and a second light source each supported by the housing. The first light source is oriented with respect to the housing to emit light away from the housing in a first direction to assist a user in aiming the firearm. The second light source is oriented with respect to the housing to emit light away from the housing in a second direction to assist the user in seeing a travel path of the user. The second direction is positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the first direction. The firearm includes an accessory rail having opposite sides extending along a length of the accessory rail and a recess between the opposite sides. The mount includes a first rail engagement arm and a second rail engagement arm. The first and second rail engagement arms are spaced from each other to define a gap for receiving the accessory rail therein. The first and second rail engagement arms are shaped and arranged to engage the opposite sides of the accessory rail when the accessory rail is received in the gap for mounting the housing on the firearm. The housing defines at least one lug receiver positioned adjacent the first and second rail engagement arms. At least one lug is received by the at least one lug receiver. The at least one lug is sized and shaped to interface with the recess of the accessory rail to prevent forward movement of the housing along the length of the accessory rail.
In one aspect, a firearm accessory includes a housing having a mount configured to mount on an accessory rail of a firearm. The firearm accessory includes a first light source and a second light source each supported by the housing. The first light source is oriented with respect to the housing to emit light away from the housing in a first direction to assist a user in aiming the firearm. The second light source is oriented with respect to the housing to emit light away from the housing in a second direction to assist the user in seeing a travel path of the user. The second direction is positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the first direction. The housing includes a top, a bottom, and opposing sides extending between the top and bottom with a width of the housing extending between the opposing sides. The first light source is positioned between the top and bottom of the housing and between the opposing sides. The second light source is positioned below the first light source.
In yet another aspect, an illuminator is configured for mounting on a pistol. The pistol includes an accessory rail positioned forward of a trigger guard. The illuminator includes a housing with a pistol mount configured to mount on the accessory rail of the pistol. The illuminator includes a first light source supported by the housing and a second light source supported by the housing. The first light source is oriented with respect to the housing to emit light away from the housing in a first direction to assist a user in aiming the firearm. The second light source is oriented with respect to the housing to emit light away from the housing in a second direction to assist the user in seeing a travel path of the user. The second direction is positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the first direction. First and second actuators are positioned adjacent left and right sides, respectively, of the trigger guard when the housing is mounted on the accessory rail of the pistol. Each of the first and second actuators is configured to be actuated by a finger of a user gripping the pistol for activating or deactivating the first light source.
In another aspect, a firearm accessory includes a housing with a mount configured to mount on an accessory rail of a firearm. The accessory rail has opposite sides extending along a length of the accessory rail and a recess between the opposite sides. The mount includes a first rail engagement arm and a second rail engagement arm. The first and second rail engagement arms are spaced from each other to define a gap for receiving the accessory rail therein. The first and second rail engagement arms are shaped and arranged to engage the opposite sides of the accessory rail when the accessory rail is received in the gap for mounting the housing on the firearm. The housing defines at least one lug receiver positioned adjacent the first and second rail engagement arms. At least one lug is received by the at least one lug receiver. The at least one lug is sized and shaped to interface with the recess of the accessory rail to prevent forward movement of the housing along the length of the accessory rail. The housing may define a plurality of lug receivers that are spaced apart longitudinally along an accessory axis of the housing along which the length of the accessory rail extends when the housing is mounted on the firearm. Each of the plurality of lug receivers are configured to receive the at least one lug.
In yet another aspect, a firearm accessory includes a housing with a mount configured to mount on an accessory rail of a firearm. The housing has an accessory axis along which the length of the accessory rail extends when the housing is mounted on the firearm. The mount is positioned at a top of the housing. The housing defines a battery compartment configured to receive a battery. The battery compartment is accessible through a battery opening in the bottom of the housing. A battery door is pivotably coupled to the housing adjacent the battery compartment. The battery door is movable between a closed position, in which it covers the battery opening and releasably engages a portion of the housing, and an open position, in which the battery compartment is accessible through the battery opening. First and second battery contacts are positioned at opposite ends of the battery compartment and spaced apart longitudinally along the accessory axis. The battery door is pivotable with respect to the housing along a pivot axis that is transverse to the accessory axis. The housing and battery door may be configured so that the battery door can be opened when the housing is mounted on the firearm. The battery contacts may be arranged so they are not mounted on the battery door. The battery may be longitudinally mounted along the accessory axis such that the battery door covers a side of the battery when closed. The pivot axis of the battery door may be positioned at a bottom of the housing adjacent a front of the housing. A seal may be positioned between the battery door and a bottom surface of the housing to seal the battery compartment when the door is closed. The battery door may include a retainer with a latch that engages a keeper on the housing when the door is closed. The battery door may be configured so that it can be opened and closed without the use of a tool and/or without removing or altering other aspects of the firearm accessory.
Other objects and features of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out herein.
18;
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONReferring to
The light 10 is configured for mounting on a firearm by connecting to a rail of the firearm. Accessory mounting rails are commonly provided on long guns such as rifles and shotguns, as well as on handguns such as pistols and revolvers. The illustrated light 10 is intended for mounting on an accessory rail of a handgun or pistol in front of a trigger guard of the handgun. Although the light 10 is discussed herein as being intended for a handgun or pistol, it will be appreciated that the light can be mountable on an accessory rail of a different type of firearm without departing from the scope of the present invention. An example handgun F including an accessory mounting rail R is shown in
Referring now to
The housing 12 supports a primary light 18 (broadly, “first light source”) and a secondary or path light 20 (
Referring to
The path light 20 (
As shown in
The path light 20 (
The switches 14a-b, shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
Referring to
The inner body 66 includes a rectangular shaped recess 82 formed in its upper surface 80. The recess 82 is sized to receive a lug support plate 84 in a manner that an upper surface of the lug support plate 84 is flush with the upper surface 76 of the outer body 68, as shown in
The plate 84 has four rows of threaded openings or lug receivers, one of which is identified as 94 in
The lug receivers 94 that are not in use receive plugs, one of which is identified as 104 in
Referring to
Referring to
An electrical system of the light 10 will now be described with reference to
As shown in
The tail cap 128 supports the switches 14a-b configured to actuate the respective electronic switches 124a-b. The switches 14a-b are engageable by a user and movable with respect to the respective electronic switches 124a-b for actuating the electronic switches. As shown in
Each switch 14a-b includes a compression spring 140a-b and a pin 142a-b (broadly “finger”). As shown in
Switch assemblies having other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, although the pins 142a-b are illustrated as being separate from the paddles 136a-b, the pins could be formed as one piece with the paddles. Moreover, other types of actuators and fingers having other configurations can be used. In some embodiments, the fingers can be omitted.
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
The controller 200 may be programmed or otherwise read and execute instructions on the storage medium 206 to operate the light 10 in accordance with the following description.
When the primary light 18 is off, a short tap of either switch 14a or 14b (e.g., a press and release within one second), turns on the primary light 18. The light 10 is either set at its factory default mode or its last saved mode (if available). The mode may include the brightness setting and also whether the light is on continuously or in strobe mode, as described below. The primary light 18 remains constantly on when the switch 14a-b is released.
When the primary light 18 is off, a long hold of either switch 14a or 14b (e.g., a press and release after one second) turns the primary light 18 on for as long as the switch 14a or 14b is pressed. When the switch 14a-b is released, the primary light 18 turns off. The light 10 is either set at its factory default mode or its last saved mode (if available). The current mode of the light 10 will be saved when it is switched off. After 45 seconds of a long hold, the controller 200 will turn the primary light 18 off.
When the primary light 18 is off, pressing the minus button 46 or the plus button 48 individually or together for less than three seconds does not change operation of the light 10. Pressing both buttons 46, 48 for three seconds or more may change the functionality mode of the accelerometer 208 for the path light 20.
When the primary light 18 is on, a short tap of either switch 14a or 14b (e.g., a press and release within one second), turns off the primary light 18 when the switch 14a-b is released. The primary light 18 remains on while the switch is pressed. The current mode of the light 10 will be saved when it is turned off.
When the primary light 18 is on, a long hold of either switch 14a or 14b (e.g., a press and release after one second) turns the primary light 18 off when the switch is released. The primary light 18 remains on while the switch is pressed. The current mode of the light 10 will be saved when it is turned off.
When the primary light 18 is on, a short tap (e.g., a press and release within one second) of the plus button 48 changes the brightness setting of the primary light 18 up to the next discrete interval brightness setting as set forth in Table A below (i.e., the settings 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5). If the brightness setting is already at 5, the mode will remain unchanged. For example, if the current brightness setting is at mode 3.6 (340 lumens), a short tap of the plus button 48 will change the setting to mode 4.0 (500 lumens). If the current brightness setting is at mode 1.0 (5 lumens), a short tap of the plus button 48 will change the setting to mode 2.0 (100 lumens).
When the primary light 18 is on, a short tap (e.g., a press and release within one second) of the minus button 46 changes the brightness setting of the primary light 18 down to the next discrete interval brightness setting as set forth in Table A below. If the setting is already at mode 1, it will remain unchanged. For example, if the current brightness setting is at mode 3.6 (340 lumens), a short tap of the minus button 46 will change the setting to mode 3.0 (250 lumens). If the current brightness setting is at mode 2.0 (100 lumens), a short tap of the minus button 46 will change the setting to mode 1.0 (5 lumens).
When the primary light 18 is on, a long hold of the plus button 48 (e.g., a press and release after one second) causes the brightness setting to incrementally rise through the settings set forth in Table A below as long as the plus button 48 is pressed. For example, if the current setting is mode 1.0, the brightness will progress from 1.0 to 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc. for as long as the button is pressed. When the button is released, the primary light 18 will remain on the lumen setting that is set at the time the button is released. If setting 5.0 is reached, the primary light 18 will blink three times, indicating to the operator that the light will not increase lumen settings any further. At that point, the light will remain at brightness setting 5.0.
When the primary light 18 is on, a long hold of the minus button 46 (e.g., a press and release after one second) causes the brightness setting to incrementally descend through the settings set forth in Table A below as long as the minus button 46 is pressed. For example, if the current setting is mode 5.0, the brightness will progress from 5.0 to 4.9, 4.8, 4.7, etc. for as long as the button is pressed. When the button is released, the primary light 18 will remain on the lumen setting that is set at the time the button is released. If setting 1.0 is reached, the primary light 18 will blink three times, indicating to the operator that the light will not decrease lumen settings any further. At that point, the light will remain at brightness setting 1.0.
When the primary light 18 is on, pressing both of the minus and plus buttons 46, 48 for any time duration greater than 1 second results in a change in the mode of the strobe setting. The status of this mode will be recorded in tandem with the brightness setting to be returned to upon the next activation. For example, if the primary light 18 is set to be on continuously, pressing both buttons may activate a strobe setting in which the light flashes at predetermined intervals.
If the primary light 18 has continued to operate at any single mode for five minutes without any new command input, the light will start to blink (e.g., 0.5 seconds off then 0.5 seconds on) for three times in a three second time period. After blinking, the primary light 18 shall timeout and auto power off. A short tap of either switch 14a-b during the three second blinking mode will cancel and reset the timeout, and the primary light 18 will continue to operate at its current mode for another five minute countdown.
If the path light accelerometer 208 is in the on state (i.e., it senses acceleration), the path light 20 will activate instantly upon the acceleration being sensed. Once the path light is activated, it will continue to run for fifteen seconds. After fifteen seconds the path light will turn off. Any acceleration detected during the fifteen second countdown window will automatically reset the countdown timer. There is no limit on the number of cycles the countdown timer can be reset.
If the path light accelerometer 208 is in the off state (i.e., no acceleration is sensed), the path light 20 will remain off until the accelerometer state is changed.
The path light 20 remains off and turns on whenever movement is detected. The accelerometer may turn on when acceleration between 0-16G is sensed. The accelerometer may be a high efficiency power consumption model. The path light 20 may optionally be configured to turn on manually.
As set forth in Table A below, there are five discrete brightness settings as follows: setting 1.0 at 5 lumens, setting 2.0 at 100 lumens, setting 3.0 at 250 lumens, setting 4.0 at 500 lumens, and setting 5.0 at 1000 lumens. There are nine “infinite” brightness settings between each of the discrete brightness settings, which may be reached by holding either the plus or minus button down for more than one second as described above.
In at least some embodiments of the light 10, the primary light 18 and path light 20 may have a minimum runtime of one hour when constantly on, in accordance with ANSI FL 1-2009 Flashlight Basic Performance Standard. The minimum output of the primary light 18 may be 1000 lumens in accordance with ANSI FL 1-2009. The temperature range of the primary light 18 and path light 20 may be between 5500-6500K. Alternatively, the path light 20 may be red in color (e.g., between 1000-1500K) or a different color from the primary light 18. The viewing angle of the primary light 18 may be full width at half maximum (FWHM) with a six degree spot. The light emitted from the primary light 18 does not have to have a circular pattern. The density and intensity could be similar to that of a similarly specified circular pattern. The path light 20 may be five lumens.
It will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
1. A firearm accessory comprising:
- a housing comprising a mount configured to mount on an accessory rail of a firearm;
- a first light source supported by the housing, wherein the first light source is oriented with respect to the housing to emit light away from the housing in a first direction to assist a user in aiming the firearm;
- a second light source supported by the housing, wherein the second light source is oriented with respect to the housing to emit light away from the housing in a second direction to assist the user in seeing a travel path of the user, the second direction positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the first direction;
- a motion sensor configured to sense when the housing is moving; and
- a controller electrically coupled to the motion sensor and the second light source, the controller configured to activate the second light source when the motion sensor senses that the housing is moving.
2. The firearm accessory of claim 1, wherein the first direction extends outward from a front of the housing, and wherein the second direction extends outward from a bottom of the housing.
3. The firearm accessory of claim 1, wherein the first direction is parallel to a rail axis of the accessory rail when the mount is mounted on the accessory rail, wherein a length of the accessory rail extends along the rail axis.
4. The firearm accessory of claim 1, wherein the housing defines a front opening through which light from the first light source is emitted, and wherein the housing defines a bottom opening through which light from the second light source is emitted.
5. The firearm accessory of claim 4, wherein one or more lenses cover the front opening and the bottom opening.
6. The firearm accessory of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a front surface and a bottom surface extending from the front surface at an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees, wherein the first direction is generally perpendicular to the front surface, and wherein the second direction is generally perpendicular to the bottom surface.
7. The firearm accessory of claim 1, wherein the first light source includes at least one LED, and wherein the second light source includes at least one LED.
8. The firearm accessory of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to activate the second light source for an illumination time period when the motion sensor senses that the housing is moving, and wherein the controller is configured to deactivate the second light source at the end of the illumination time period.
9. The firearm accessory of claim 8, wherein the illumination time period is reset when the motion sensor detects motion while the second light source is activated.
10. The firearm accessory of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor is an accelerometer.
11. The firearm accessory of claim 1, wherein the accessory rail of the firearm has opposite sides extending along a length of the accessory rail and a recess between the opposite sides, wherein the mount includes a first rail engagement arm and a second rail engagement arm, the first and second rail engagement arms being spaced from each other to define a gap for receiving the accessory rail therein, the first and second rail engagement arms being shaped and arranged to engage the opposite sides of the accessory rail when the accessory rail is received in the gap for mounting the housing on the firearm, wherein the housing defines at least one lug receiver positioned adjacent the first and second rail engagement arms, and further comprising at least one lug received by the at least one lug receiver, the at least one lug sized and shaped to interface with the recess of the accessory rail to prevent forward movement of the housing along the length of the accessory rail.
12. The firearm accessory of claim 11, wherein the housing has an accessory axis along which the length of the accessory rail extends when the housing is mounted on the firearm, wherein the housing defines a plurality of lug receivers that are spaced apart longitudinally along the accessory axis, each of the plurality of lug receivers configured to receive the at least one lug.
13. The firearm accessory of claim 1, wherein the mount is positioned at a top of the housing, wherein the housing defines a battery compartment configured to receive a battery, the battery compartment accessible through a battery opening in the bottom of the housing, and further comprising a battery door pivotably coupled to the housing adjacent the battery compartment, the battery door movable between a closed position, in which the battery door covers the battery opening and releasably engages a portion of the housing, and an open position, in which the battery compartment is accessible through the battery opening.
14. The firearm accessory of claim 13, wherein the housing has an accessory axis along which the length of the accessory rail extends when the housing is mounted on the firearm, the firearm accessory further comprising first and second battery contacts positioned at opposite ends of the battery compartment and spaced apart longitudinally along the accessory axis, and wherein the battery door is pivotable with respect to the housing along a pivot axis that is transverse to the accessory axis.
15. The firearm accessory of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a top, a bottom, and opposing sides extending between the top and bottom, wherein a width of the housing extends between the opposing sides, and wherein the second light source is positioned below the first light source.
16. The firearm accessory of claim 1, wherein the firearm is a pistol including a trigger guard positioned behind the accessory rail, and further comprising first and second actuators coupled to the housing and positioned adjacent left and right sides, respectively, of the trigger guard when the housing is mounted on the accessory rail of the pistol, each of the first and second actuators configured to be actuated by a finger of a user gripping the pistol for activating or deactivating the first light source.
17. A firearm accessory for mounting on a firearm, the firearm including an accessory rail having opposite sides extending along a length of the accessory rail and having a recess between the opposite sides, the firearm accessory comprising:
- a housing comprising a mount including a first rail engagement arm and a second rail engagement arm, the first and second rail engagement arms being spaced from each other to define a gap for receiving the accessory rail therein, the first and second rail engagement arms being shaped and arranged to engage the opposite sides of the accessory rail when the accessory rail is received in the gap for mounting the housing on the firearm, wherein the housing defines at least one lug receiver positioned adjacent the first and second rail engagement arms;
- at least one lug received by the at least one lug receiver, the at least one lug sized and shaped to interface with the recess of the accessory rail to prevent forward movement of the housing along the length of the accessory rail;
- a first light source supported by the housing, wherein the first light source is oriented with respect to the housing to emit light away from the housing in a first direction to assist a user in aiming the firearm; and
- a second light source supported by the housing, wherein the second light source is oriented with respect to the housing to emit light away from the housing in a second direction to assist the user in seeing a travel path of the user, the second direction positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the first direction.
18. The firearm accessory of claim 17, wherein the first direction extends outward from a front of the housing, and wherein the second direction extends outward from a bottom of the housing.
19. The firearm accessory of claim 17, wherein the first direction is parallel to a rail axis of the accessory rail when the mount is mounted on the accessory rail, wherein the length of the accessory rail extends along the rail axis.
20. The firearm accessory of claim 17, wherein the housing defines a front opening through which light from the first light source is emitted, and wherein the housing defines a bottom opening through which light from the second light source is emitted.
21. The firearm accessory of claim 20, wherein one or more lenses cover the front opening and the bottom opening.
22. The firearm accessory of claim 17, wherein the housing comprises a front surface and a bottom surface extending from the front surface at an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees, wherein the first direction is generally perpendicular to the front surface, and wherein the second direction is generally perpendicular to the bottom surface.
23. The firearm accessory of claim 17, wherein the first light source includes at least one LED, and wherein the second light source includes at least one LED.
24. The firearm accessory of claim 17, wherein the housing has an accessory axis along which the length of the accessory rail extends when the housing is mounted on the firearm, wherein the housing defines a plurality of lug receivers that are spaced apart longitudinally along the accessory axis, each of the plurality of lug receivers configured to receive the at least one lug.
25. The firearm accessory of claim 17, wherein the mount is positioned at a top of the housing, wherein the housing defines a battery compartment configured to receive a battery, the battery compartment accessible through a battery opening in the bottom of the housing, and further comprising a battery door pivotably coupled to the housing adjacent the battery compartment, the battery door movable between a closed position, in which the battery door covers the battery opening and releasably engages a portion of the housing, and an open position, in which the battery compartment is accessible through the battery opening.
26. The firearm accessory of claim 25, wherein the housing has an accessory axis along which the length of the accessory rail extends when the housing is mounted on the firearm, the firearm accessory further comprising first and second battery contacts positioned at opposite ends of the battery compartment and spaced apart longitudinally along the accessory axis, and wherein the battery door is pivotable with respect to the housing along a pivot axis that is transverse to the accessory axis.
27. The firearm accessory of claim 17, wherein the housing comprises a top, a bottom, and opposing sides extending between the top and bottom, wherein a width of the housing extends between the opposing sides, and wherein the second light source is positioned below the first light source.
28. The firearm accessory of claim 17, wherein the firearm is a pistol including a trigger guard positioned behind the accessory rail, and further comprising first and second actuators coupled to the housing and positioned adjacent left and right sides, respectively, of the trigger guard when the housing is mounted on the accessory rail of the pistol, each of the first and second actuators configured to be actuated by a finger of a user gripping the pistol for activating or deactivating the first light source.
29. A firearm accessory comprising:
- a housing comprising a top, a bottom, opposing sides extending between the top and bottom, and a mount at the top configured to mount on an accessory rail of a firearm, wherein a width of the housing extends between the opposing sides;
- a first light source supported by the housing, wherein the first light source is positioned between the top and the bottom of the housing, wherein the first light source is positioned between the opposing sides of the housing, and wherein the first light source is oriented with respect to the housing to emit light away from the housing in a first direction to assist a user in aiming the firearm; and
- a second light source supported by the housing, wherein the second light source is positioned below the first light source, wherein the second light source is oriented with respect to the housing to emit light away from the housing in a second direction to assist the user in seeing a travel path of the user, the second direction positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the first direction.
30. The firearm accessory of claim 29, wherein the first direction extends outward from a front of the housing, and wherein the second direction extends outward from the bottom of the housing.
31. The firearm accessory of claim 29, wherein the first direction is parallel to a rail axis of the accessory rail when the mount is mounted on the accessory rail, wherein a length of the accessory rail extends along the rail axis.
32. The firearm accessory of claim 29, wherein the housing defines a front opening through which light from the first light source is emitted, and wherein the housing defines a bottom opening through which light from the second light source is emitted.
33. The firearm accessory of claim 32, wherein one or more lenses cover the front opening and the bottom opening.
34. The firearm accessory of claim 29, wherein the housing comprises a front surface and a bottom surface extending from the front surface at an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees, wherein the first direction is generally perpendicular to the front surface, and wherein the second direction is generally perpendicular to the bottom surface.
35. The firearm accessory of claim 29, wherein the first light source includes at least one LED, and wherein the second light source includes at least one LED.
36. The firearm accessory of claim 29, wherein the firearm is a pistol including a trigger guard positioned behind the accessory rail, and further comprising first and second actuators coupled to the housing and positioned adjacent left and right sides, respectively, of the trigger guard when the housing is mounted on the accessory rail of the pistol, each of the first and second actuators configured to be actuated by a finger of a user gripping the pistol for activating or deactivating the first light source.
37. The firearm accessory of claim 29, wherein the second light source is vertically aligned with the first light source across the width of the housing when the top is generally horizontal and positioned above the bottom.
38. An illuminator configured for mounting on a pistol, the pistol including an accessory rail positioned forward of a trigger guard, the illuminator comprising:
- a housing comprising a pistol mount configured to mount on the accessory rail of the pistol;
- a first light source supported by the housing, wherein the first light source is oriented with respect to the housing to emit light away from the housing in a first direction to assist a user in aiming the firearm;
- a second light source supported by the housing, wherein the second light source is oriented with respect to the housing to emit light away from the housing in a second direction to assist the user in seeing a travel path of the user, the second direction positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the first direction; and
- first and second actuators coupled to the housing and positioned adjacent left and right sides, respectively, of the trigger guard when the housing is mounted on the accessory rail of the pistol, each of the first and second actuators configured to be actuated by a finger of a user gripping the pistol for activating or deactivating the first light source.
39. The firearm accessory of claim 38, wherein the first direction extends outward from a front of the housing, and wherein the second direction extends outward from a bottom of the housing.
40. The firearm accessory of claim 38, wherein the first direction is parallel to a rail axis of the accessory rail when the mount is mounted on the accessory rail, wherein a length of the accessory rail extends along the rail axis.
41. The firearm accessory of claim 38, wherein the housing defines a front opening through which light from the first light source is emitted, and wherein the housing defines a bottom opening through which light from the second light source is emitted.
42. The firearm accessory of claim 41, wherein one or more lenses cover the front opening and the bottom opening.
43. The firearm accessory of claim 38, wherein the housing comprises a front surface and a bottom surface extending from the front surface at an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees, wherein the first direction is generally perpendicular to the front surface, and wherein the second direction is generally perpendicular to the bottom surface.
44. The firearm accessory of claim 38, wherein the first light source includes at least one LED, and wherein the second light source includes at least one LED.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 7, 2022
Publication Date: Jul 20, 2023
Applicant: Crimson Trace Corporation (Columbia, MO)
Inventors: Tim Meissen (Columbia, MO), William A. Planck (Columbia, MO), Shane Ball (Columbia, MO), William Logan Garland (Columbia, MO), Michael Cottrell (Ashland, MO), James Tayon (Moberly, MO)
Application Number: 18/053,019