MAGAZINE LIGHT FOR HANDGUN AND METHOD

Abstract

The magazine light may be operatively configured to fit at a base region of a handgun magazine. The magazine light includes a base body. The base body includes an upper portion. The upper portion may be configured to mount to the base region of the handgun magazine. The base body may include a forward portion and a rearward portion. Further, a light source may be located in the forward portion of the base body. The light source may provide illumination in a forward direction and in a downward direction. The magazine light may include a switch to turn the light source on and off.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to field of fire arms, and, more particularly, to a magazine light for handgun and method.

BACKGROUND

Most handguns employ a cartridge magazine for holding several cartridges and feeding those cartridges to the firing chamber of the handgun in an automatic or semi-automatic manner. When used with handguns, the conventional cartridge magazines fit into the frame of the handgrip of the handgun, located behind the trigger, or in front of the trigger depending on the weapon type.

Handguns are increasingly being provided with lights. For example, many handguns are provided with a light mounting rail formed on the pistol frame, such as on the underside or top side or on either side of the barrel. Such a mounting rail is often referred to in the art as a “light rail”. The light rail has been used for mounting white lights, infrared and laser illuminating devices and telescopic sights, for example.

Lights have also been mounted on or near the magazine. This invention further improves the light mounted on or near the magazine.

SUMMARY

In light of the above problem, an object of the present disclosure is to provide magazine light for handgun and method.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a magazine light is provided. The magazine light may be operatively configured to fit at a base region of a handgun magazine. The magazine light includes a base body. The base body includes an upper portion. The upper portion may be configured to mount to the base region of the handgun magazine. The base body may include a forward portion and a rearward portion. Further, a light source may be located in the forward portion of the base body. The light source may provide illumination in a forward direction and in a downward direction. The magazine light may include a switch to turn the light source on and off.

The switch may be located in the rearward portion of the base body. The switch may rotate about a substantially longitudinal axis from an ‘OFF’ position to an ‘ON’ position.

The switch may be operated by rotating a biasing member having a plurality of extensions operatively configured to engage an angled surface of the base body, whereby has the switch rotate to the ‘ON’ position the biasing member repositions an internal battery to close an electrical circuit whereby turning ‘ON’ the light source.

In one another aspect, a magazine baseplate light operatively configured to be attached to a handgun magazine. The handgun magazine may include a base region which comprises a perimeter lip having an upper surface and a retention tab. The handgun magazine further comprising a surface defining an interior chamber to house a magazine spring, a follower positioned above the magazine spring and configured to house a plurality of rounds above the follower and within the surface to fill in the interior chamber. The magazine baseplate light includes a base unit and a locking cap. The base unit includes an interior lip defining a lip retaining surface configured to engage the upper surface of the perimeter lid of the handgun magazine so as to retain the magazine baseplate light to the handgun magazine. Further, the locking cap includes an inward protrusion which provides a lower surface to be operatively configured to engage the upper surface of the perimeter lip. The locking cap been removable from the base unit and operatively configured to fixedly attached thereto. Further, the interior lip of the base unit is configured to longitudinally slide adjacent to the perimeter lip of the handgun magazine where the upper surface of the perimeter lip of the handgun magazine engages the lip retaining surface of the interior lip of the base unit on one side of the retention tab of the handgun magazine and the locking cap is configured to be on an opposing side of the retention tab whereby the inward protrusion providing the lower surface engages with the upper surface of the perimeter lip of the handgun magazine whereby fixedly mounting the magazine baseplate light thereto.

The base unit may include a forward portion and a rearward portion, whereby the locking cap is located in the forward portion.

The locking cap engages a longitudinal forward region 36a of the upper surface of the perimeter lip of the handgun magazine which is located longitudinally forward of the retention tab of the handgun magazine, and the interior lip of the base unit located in the rearward portion of the base unit, whereby the magazine baseplate light is secured to the handgun magazine in both the longitudinal forward region and the longitudinal rearward region of the handgun magazine.

The magazine baseplate light further includes a light assembly having a light source and a cone attachment. The cone attachment may include a reflective cone surface. The cone attachment comprises a central axis vertically downward from a longitudinal axis, wherein the reflective cone surface is operatively configured to disperse a cone of light substantially downward with respect to the longitudinal axis.

In one further aspect, a method of providing an ability for a handgun magazine to have a self-contained illuminating source is provided. The method includes: retrieving the handgun magazine and removing a base plate therefrom; keeping a magazine spring and a follower retained in the handgun magazine; sliding a base unit of the self-contained illuminating source 20 on a perimeter lip of the handgun magazine; positioning a locking cap having an inward protrusion with a lower surface operatively configured to engage an upper surface of the perimeter lip whereby fixedly attaching the locking cap to the base unit; retaining the magazine spring above the base unit; providing an internal power source and a light source on the base unit where by the light source is operatively configured to direct light in a substantially longitudinally forward direction and further providing a switch to turn ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ the light source.

The switch 80 is configured to rotate substantially about a longitudinal axis to obtain an ‘ON’ position and an ‘OFF’ position to turn ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ the light source.

The switch is pressed in a longitudinal forward direction to obtain the ‘ON’ position to activate the light source, and wherein the switch is maintained in the longitudinally forward position and turns ‘OFF’ when the switch is biased internally rearward to the ‘OFF’ position.

The base unit comprises providing a plastic injection face body with further providing an interior surface configured to house a metallic housing where an interior housing 80 is configured to absorb and transmit heat and further house the light source.

The method further includes: by providing a cylindrical battery as an internal power source that is configured to fit within the interior housing whereby the cylindrical battery is replaceable by way of removing the locking cap and extracting the interior housing from the base unit and removing the cylindrical battery from the interior housing and replacing with a fresh cylindrical battery and thereby following the steps of replacing the interior housing back within the interior surface of the base unit and fixedly attaching the locking cap thereto the base unit.

The method further includes a first threaded fastener and a second threaded fastener attach the locking cap to the base unit whereby the base unit is provided with threaded receptors to engage the first and second threaded fasteners.

The handgun magazine is mounted within a handgun with a plurality of rounds there in the handgun magazine and an end-user activates the light source by way of the switch, and the end-user is psychologically persuaded to lift a muzzle of the handgun into a safer vertical direction by way of the light source have a central axis light throw that is lower than a longitudinal axis of the handgun which is in alignment with the muzzle of the handgun whereby allowing user to safely illuminate a potential target area.

In one further aspect, a magazine baseplate removal tool for removing a base plate attached to a body of a handgun magazine is provided. The magazine baseplate removal tool includes a base plate engaging region, a handle region, a handle region, and a pivoting surface. The base plate engaging region may include an extension configured to operatively engage a surface defining an opening on the base plate of the handgun magazine. The handle region may extend from the base plate engaging region. The pivoting surface may be defined between the base plate engaging region and the handle region. The pivoting surface may be configured to engage with a front portion of a surface of the body of the handgun magazine to enable a clamping force at the extension to remove the base plate from the body of the handgun magazine. The base plate engaging region, the handle region and the pivoting surface may be arranged to define a unitary structure, wherein the unitary structure defines a periphery, and wherein the periphery having a boundary to define a cavity surrounded by the boundary.

The magazine baseplate removal tool further includes an engaging profile, a wrench member, and a locking profile. The engaging profile may be arranged in the cavity within the boundary on the handle region. Further, the wrench member may be pivotally coupled to the engaging profile. The wrench member may include an angled portion to be positioned in the engaging profile to be pivotal along the engaging profile. The locking profile may be arranged in the cavity within the boundary on the handle region, opposite to the engaging profile, to lock the wrench member at a resting position.

The magazine baseplate removal tool further includes a first recess and a second recess. The first recess may be arranged on the boundary at extreme end of the handle region, wherein the first recess provides a passageway to enable the wrench member to extend beyond the handle region at an operating position. Further, the second recess may be arranged on the boundary at around a middle portion of the handle region, wherein the second recess provides an access point to enable engagement and disengagement of the wrench member with the engaging profile.

The base plate engaging region may define a curved profile. The curved profile may include a head region having the extension, a middle-curved region extends from the head region, wherein the middle-curved region configured to provide a spaced distance to enable the base plate engaging region to be engaged with the base plate of the handgun magazine via the extension, and a tail region extends from the middle-curved region to seamlessly merges with the handle region.

The wrench member may be a hex wrench and has a L shape.

These aspects of the present disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present disclosure, are pointed in the below description. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a magazine light, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a magazine light attached to a magazine inserted in a pistol, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a magazine light attached to a magazine inserted from the pistol as shown in FIG. 2, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partially disassembled view of the magazine light of FIG. 1, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magazine light along with the magazine, where the magazine is depicted to be empty with no springs, followers or rounds therein, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of a magazine light along with the magazine, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 7A and 7B, illustrate disassembled view of a magazine light depicting various components therewithin, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial sectional view of a magazine depicting magazine spring with a follower positioned there above, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A illustrates an enlarged view of magazine light depicting an interior housing, which in one form has an interior body that has a forward end where a cone attachment is fixedly attached thereto, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 9B and 9C, respectively, illustrate assembled view and a partial exploded view of interior housing of FIG. 9A is depicted to be incorporating the internal power supply/internal battery, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a light source of a magazine light dispensing light at very broad pattern, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates an environment where an end-user wielding the pistol/firearm and a muzzle of the pistol is pointed upward but the room as well illuminated, and the potential target area is particularly well illuminated, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 illustrates an environment where the potential target area is still reasonably illuminated when the user extends the pistol to a firing orientation, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 illustrates an environment where a potential target area which may have a person where it is incredibly important to note that when searching in an adverse potential critical incident, the end user does not know what is in the dark and hence requires illumination, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 illustrates perspective view of an assembled view of the magazine light and the magazine, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 illustrates a weapon mounted lights generally mount to a picatinny rail area in the forward region of the pistol, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 illustrates holster mounted to the pistol, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 illustrates side view of an assembled view of the magazine light and the magazine, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 illustrates a magazine baseplate removal tool having a wrench member in a resting position, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 illustrates a magazine baseplate removal tool having a wrench member in an operating position, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 20 illustrates a magazine baseplate removal tool in operation to remove a baseplate of a handgun magazine, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in implementation. The present disclosure provides a magazine light for hand gun and method.

The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

The terms “having”, “comprising”, “including”, and variations thereof signify the presence of a component.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, herein broadly described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20, a magazine light 20 is provided. The magazine light may be operatively configured to fit at a base region 28 of a handgun magazine 24. The magazine light 20 includes a base body 60. The base body 60 includes an upper portion 61. The upper portion 61 may be configured to mount to the base region 28 of the handgun magazine 24. The base body 60 may include a forward portion 64 and a rearward portion 62. Further, a light source 148 may be located in the forward portion of the base body 60. The light source 148 may provide illumination in a forward direction and in a downward direction. The magazine light 20 may include a switch 86 to turn the light source 148 on and off.

The switch 86 may be located in the rearward portion 62 of the base body 60. The switch 86 may rotate about a substantially longitudinal axis 112 from an ‘OFF’ position to an ‘ON’ position.

The switch 86 may be operated by rotating a biasing member 84 having a plurality of extensions 120 operatively configured to engage an angled surface 70 of the base body 60, whereby has the switch 86 rotate to the ‘ON’ position the biasing member 84 repositions an internal battery 140 to close an electrical circuit whereby turning ‘ON’ the light source 148.

In one another aspect, a magazine baseplate light 20 operatively configured to be attached to a handgun magazine 24. The handgun magazine 24 may include a base region 28 which comprises a perimeter lip 30 having an upper surface 32 and a retention tab 34. The handgun magazine 24 further comprising a surface 35 defining an interior chamber 39 to house a magazine spring 38, a follower 40 positioned above the magazine spring 38 and configured to house a plurality of rounds 42 above the follower 40 and within the surface 35 to fill in the interior chamber 39. The magazine baseplate light 20 includes a base unit 21 and a locking cap 100. The base 21 includes an interior lip 66 defining a lip retaining surface 68 configured to engage the upper surface 32 of the perimeter lid 30 of the handgun magazine 24 so as to retain the magazine baseplate light to the handgun magazine. Further, the locking cap 100 includes an inward protrusion 101 which provides a lower surface 103 to be operatively configured to engage the upper surface 32 of the perimeter lip 30. The locking cap 100 been removable from the base unit 21 and operatively configured to fixedly attached thereto. Further, the interior lip 66 of the base unit 21 is configured to longitudinally slide adjacent to the perimeter lip 30 of the handgun magazine 24 where the upper surface 32 of the perimeter lip 30 of the handgun magazine engages the lip retaining surface 68 of the interior lip 66 of the base unit 21 on one side of the retention tab 34 of the handgun magazine 24 and the locking cap 100 is configured to be on an opposing side of the retention tab 34 whereby the inward protrusion 101 providing the lower surface 103 engages with the upper surface 32 of the perimeter lip 30 of the handgun magazine 24 whereby fixedly mounting the magazine baseplate light 20 thereto.

The base unit 21 may include a forward portion 64 and a rearward portion 62, whereby the locking cap 100 is located in the forward portion 64.

The locking cap 100 engages a longitudinal forward region 36a of the upper surface 32 of the perimeter lip 30 of the handgun magazine 24 which is located longitudinally forward of the retention tab 34 of the handgun magazine 24, and the interior lip 66 of the base unit 21 located in the rearward portion 62 of the base unit 21, whereby the magazine baseplate light is secured to the handgun magazine 24 in both the longitudinal forward region 36a and the longitudinal rearward region 36b of the handgun magazine.

The magazine baseplate light further includes a light assembly 147 having a light source 148 and a cone attachment 152. The cone attachment may include a reflective cone surface 164. The cone attachment comprises a central axis vertically downward from a longitudinal axis, wherein the reflective cone surface 164 is operatively configured to disperse a cone of light substantially downward with respect to the longitudinal axis.

In one further aspect, a method of providing an ability for a handgun magazine 20 to have a self-contained illuminating source 20 is provided. The method includes: retrieving the handgun magazine 20 and removing a base plate 542 therefrom; keeping a magazine spring 38 and a follower 40 retained in the handgun magazine 20; sliding a base unit 21 of the self-contained illuminating source 20 on a perimeter lip 30 of the handgun magazine positioning a locking cap 100 having an inward protrusion 101 with a lower surface 103 operatively configured to engage an upper surface 32 of the perimeter lip 30 whereby fixedly attaching the locking cap 100 to the base unit 21; retaining the magazine spring 38 above the base unit 21; providing an internal power source 140 and a light source 148 on the base unit 21 whereby the light source 148 is operatively configured to direct light in a substantially longitudinally forward direction and further providing a switch 86 to turn ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ the light source 148.

The switch 86 is configured to rotate substantially about a longitudinal axis to obtain an ‘ON’ position and an ‘OFF’ position to turn ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ the light source 148.

The switch 86 is pressed in the longitudinal forward direction to obtain the ‘ON’ position to activate the light source 148, and wherein the switch 86 is maintained in the longitudinally forward position and turns ‘OFF’ when the switch 86 is biased internally rearward to the ‘OFF’ position.

The base unit 21 includes providing a plastic injection face body, such as base body 60, with further providing an interior surface 70 configured to house a metallic housing 165 where an interior housing 80 is configured to absorb and transmit heat and further house the light source 148.

The method further includes: providing a cylindrical battery as an internal power source 140 that is configured to fit within the interior housing 80 whereby the cylindrical battery is replaceable by way of removing the locking cap 100 and extracting the interior housing from the base unit 21 and removing the cylindrical battery from the interior housing 80 and replacing with a fresh cylindrical battery and thereby following the steps of replacing the interior housing 80 back within the interior surface 70 of the base unit 21 and fixedly attaching the locking cap 100 thereto the base unit 21.

The method further includes a first threaded fastener 102 and a second threaded fastener 104 attach the locking cap 100 to the base unit 21 whereby the base unit 21 is provided with threaded receptors 72 to engage the first and second threaded fasteners 102, 104.

The handgun magazine 20 is mounted within a handgun 26 with a plurality of rounds 42 there in the handgun magazine 20 and an end-user activates the light source 148 by way of the switch 86, and the end-user is psychologically persuaded to lift a muzzle 26a of the handgun 26 into a safer vertical direction by way of the light source 148 have a central axis light throw 182 that is lower than a longitudinal axis (L) of the handgun 26 which is in alignment with the muzzle 26a of the handgun 26 whereby allowing user to safely illuminate a potential target area.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 20 to describe various embodiments of a magazine light 20, magazine, in combination with a handgun or a pistol or a firearm, referred as numeral 26, and various components thereof. The terms ‘magazine light’, ‘magazine baseplate light’ and ‘self-contained illuminating source’ relates to same wording and may be interchangeably used throughout the specification. The magazine light 20 may otherwise be also referred to as a baseplate magazine light will be described herein but first to aid in the description and axis system 10 as shown in FIG. 1. The axis system 10 comprises a longitudinal axis 12, where the arrow of an axis 12 indicates a forward direction. There is further a vertical axis 14 generally indicating a vertical direction and finally a lateral axis 16 indicating a general lateral direction. Generally speaking, the axis system 10 is defined in the lateral central portion of the magazine light 20 whereby laterally inward is generally defined to a direction towards the center of the magazine light and laterally outward is generally defined as a direction from the center of the magazine light 20 (define by the plain housed in the axes 12 and 14).

The axis system 10 is not intended to be necessarily a strict 90° orthogonal access from one another but rather aid in the description for general orientation where of course the magazine light 20 could be used inverted or sideways as defined claimed herein and described hereinbelow.

No refrain from referring to FIG. 1, now referring to FIG. 2, the magazine light 20 is shown in broader context where it is attached to a handgun magazine 24 (hereinafter also referred to as ‘magazine 24’), for example as shown in FIG. 3, and the magazine 24 is inserted into a pistol 26. The pistol 26 is shown generically in FIG. 2 and can be an assortment of various pistols that are semi-automatic and take a magazine, such as the magazine 24. One form of the pistol 26 may be a Glock variant such as a Glock 17, 19, 22, and so on. Basically, anyone of the Glock models but of course any semi-automatic pistol such as, but not limited to Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson's, Springfield armory, Desert Research or any of the literally likely hundreds of semi-automatic pistols in the marketplace. In other words, the magazine 20 as shown maybe retrofitted to a broad number of magazines for different pistols, and that the preferred form of the magazine light 20 that is retrofitted to an existing magazine, such as the magazine 24 is not in any case limiting only to such as depicted in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. Further, in the broader scope, the magazine light 20 may be integral with a proprietary magazine for a specific firearm. Further, some rifles are magazine fed such as were not limited to a Keltech 2000 which takes Glock mags (magazines) where there are other magazines that could be fitted to a rifle as well as a pistol and have some of the operational benefits as described herein.

Now redirecting to the preferred form of the magazine light 20 itself, attention is directed to FIG. 4 where the magazine light 20 is shown in a partially disassembled view, and will be described in conjunction to FIGS. 1-3. The magazine 24, which may be highly semitic and generic is seen where the magazine 24 has a base region 28 and an upper region 29. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, there is a cross-sectional view of the magazine 24 where it is empty (no springs, followers or rounds therein) located in the base region 28 is a perimeter lip 30. As shown in an exploded view of the FIG. 6, the perimeter lip 30 provides an upper surface 32 and a retention tab 34. In general, some magazines such as those found in the Glocks™ have a retention tab, such as the retention tab 34, which are conventionally used to aid in retaining a base plate, such as a base plate 542, as seen in FIG. 20, made by an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). The upper surface 32 of the perimeter lip 30 provides an area where the magazine light, such as the magazine light 20, can be attached thereto as further described herein. As shown in FIG. 6, there is a longitudinal forward region 36a and on an opposing side a longitudinal rearward region 36b to generally defined forward and rearward areas of the handgun magazine 24 and in particular of the upper surface 32.

To provide a relatively complete discussion of the magazine 24 attention is now directed to FIG. 8 where there is a partial sectional view and there is shown a magazine spring 38 with a follower 40 positioned thereabove. In general, the follower 40 is a conventional design and provided from the manufacture of the magazine 20. Such follower 40 will most commonly manufactured by a gun manufacture for specific magazines for their particular firearm. Further, shown in FIG. 8 is a plurality of rounds 42 which can be conventional 9 mm, .22, .40 caliber, .45, .50 caliber action express etc. Generally speaking, the rounds 42 comprise a casing, primer, powder and a bullet. The upper portion 29 of the magazine 24 is generally swaggered laterally inward to retain around therein and allows the rounds 42 to be ejected in a longitudinally forward direction into the chamber of the firearm. It should be noted that the retrofitting (in one form) of the magazine light 20 should not interfere in any way with the operation of the firearm or the handgun, storage of the rounds 42 or otherwise your operation thereof. The magazine spring 38 should operate as normal without even “knowing” there is a different base plate thereunder. In one form, in the lower part of the magazine spring 38 there could be a battery source or other functionality of the magazine like 20 positioned there in whereby reducing the overall height and profile of the magazine light. But in a preferred form, the magazine light 20 fits on a similar matter as a conventional magazine base plate with the exception of some of the novel forms of attaching it as described herein. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in one form, a magazine spring floor plate 37 may be provided to provide a base for the magazine spring 38.

Referring now to the exploded view of FIG. 6, the magazine light 20 in one form comprises separate discrete parts where of course can be understood that some of these components could be integrally connected together or split into further components in various ways of carrying out the spirit of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows the magazine light 20 in an exploded view. In general, the magazine light 20 in one form comprises a base body 60 having an upper portion 61, an interior housing 80 and a locking cap 100. The upper portion 61 may be configured to mount to the base region 28 of the handgun magazine 24. Further, as described in further detail there may be a pliable member 82, a biasing member 84 and a switch 86.

In one form, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the base body 60 has a rearward portion 62 and a forward portion 64. An interior lip 66 is provided which has a lip retaining surface 68. As shown back in FIG. 6, the lip retaining surface 68 is operatively configured to engage the upper surface 32 to retain to the rearward portion 62 of the base body 60 to the magazine 24.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the base body 60 further comprises an interior surface 70 which in one form is substantially cylindrical end and configured to house the interior housing 80. In the rearward portion 62 of the base body 60 is an angled surface 70 configured to engage the biasing member 84 as further described herein to form one method of carrying out the switch 86. It should be further noted the surface defining threaded receptors 72 is configured in a preferred form to receive the first and second fastener 102 and 104 where in a preferred form are threaded fasteners shown in FIG. 6.

As further shown in FIG. 6 there is the interior housing 80, a pliable member 82, a biasing member 84 and a switch 86. Further, there is the locking cap 100 which cooperates with the first and second fasteners 102 and 104 to fixedly attach the locking cap 100 to the base body 60 securely fastened the entire magazine light 20 to the base region 28 of the magazine 24.

In one form, the switch 86 to turn on a light source 148 of the magazine light 20 is best shown in FIG. 6 where can be appreciated that the process of allowing electrical current to turn on the light can be done in a plurality of forms. In one preferred form, the switch 86 comprises an extension 110. The switch 86 is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis 112 where in a preferred form surfaces 114 are configured to receive the services of the biasing member 84, specifically the surfaces 116, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. A triangular pattern of the surfaces 114 is desirable so the switch 86 clocks in the correct orientation and for the bosses of the biasing member 84 in a correct orientation with respect to the base body 60 angle surface is 70, as shown in FIG. 7A. The extension 110 in a preferred form is large and rather distant from the longitudinal axis 112 to provide torque so the end-user can easily switch from an ‘OFF’ position to an ‘ON’ position. Further, the substantially cylindrical surfaces 116, 118 engage the base body 60, which will not bind upon rotation even if the surface is there on or not, perfectly offsetting orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 112. It is common in the industry for many light prior art gun switches to bind with torque applied thereto on lights that are attached to the handguns. The switch 86 as shown in the best mood in the description is uniquely immune from torsional binding.

As shown in FIG. 7A, a partial cross-sectional view depicts the biasing member 84 including the aforementioned surface 116 that are opposite configured to engage and transfer force there between the surface is 1:14 of the switch 86. But the biasing member 84 is efficiently rigid and includes boss extensions 120 which in one form there are three of them as shown in FIG. 6 and they are configured to engage the angled surface 70 has been shown in FIG. 7. For example, a boss surface 120a is configured to press against the area as shown as the angled surface 70 in FIG. 7A and essentially move the biasing member 84 forward and backward along the longitudinal direction. In general, the angled surface 70 has a rising portion 130, and a resting off portion 132 and a resting on portion 134. Experimentation is found having three bosses 121 (FIG. 7B) has been shown to work best for a triangulated like thrusting action to keep all of them engaged with the angle surface 70 and also providing a robust system to allow biasing member 84 to operate its primary function of moving in the longitudinal direction to buy us a battery 140 and turn on the magazine light 20.

As shown in FIG. 6, the fastener 126 can be a conventional screw and essentially is configured to hold the biasing member 84 generally in place so the biasing member 84 moves with the switch 86. Therefore, as the biasing member 84 rotates via the torque applied through surfaces 114 to 116 (FIG. 7A) the entire unit of the switch 86 and biasing member 84 move longitudinally forward and rearward. This allows for the end-user to press the area 113 to intermittently turn ‘ON’ the light as the area at 113 is pressed longitudinally forward.

As shown in FIG. 6, the pliable member 82 is generally a tolerance take up device where it could be part of the biasing member 84 but in a preferred form the pliable member 82 has a lower durometer material that is somewhat rubbery and can absorb some force applied thereon. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7a and 7B, when the boss extensions 120 go beyond the rising portion 130 to the resting off portion 132 or to the resting on portion 134, the system needs to be somewhat giving to compress and decompress slightly in the longitudinal direction but still have sufficient force upon the battery 140 to close a circuit on a circuit board 146. Again, it should be reiterated this is one form of carrying out the switching mechanism, however, there could many different types of switches, such as a mechanical conventional ‘ON’ ‘OFF” switch, and a push button transistor driven switch, a voice activated switch or otherwise sound activator motion activated etc.

As further shown in FIGS. 6, 7A and 7B, the internal power source 140 in one form may be a battery, and in a specific form may be a CR2 battery having the proper size and power capabilities for very desirable amount of power output and battery time. In the broader scope rechargeable batteries, no electrical batteries and other forms of power can be utilized.

As best shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B and 9A, the interior housing 80 comprises a spring member 142 that is configured to compress and allow, in one form, the positive end of the battery 140 to touch the conductor 144 whereby power is transmitted to the circuit board 146 to activate the light source 148 which in one form is attached to the circuit board 146. Further, the magazine light 20 includes a light assembly 147 having the light source 148 and a cone attachment 152. As shown in FIG. 9A, the interior housing 80 in one form has an interior body 150 which has a forward end where the cone attachment 152 is fixedly attached thereto. The forward end of the interior body 150 has a threaded portion 154 operatively configured to have the cone attachment 152 threadedly attached thereto wherein, in a preferred formed, the circuit board 146 is retained in a place. A threaded member 160 with a lens 162 is threaded reattached to provide extra protection. The cone attachment 152 has a reflective cone surface 164 that disperses light and in one form has a metallic housing 165 including an aluminum structure. Further, in a preferred form the interior body 150 is aluminum to dissipate heat and provide structural strength. In a broader scope it could possibly be other materials such as other metals and possibly some plastics but the preferred material is aluminum. It should be noted that to provide the required angle and throw of the light described here is having the cone attachment 152 as a separate component that provides ease of manufacturing and a more desirable dispersion of light in a downward direction as described herein.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the conductor 139 is provided that closes the circuit form the power source (internal battery) 140 to the interior housing 80. As shown in FIG. 7B, the assembly of components not including the locking cap 100 and the fasteners 102 and 104 is collectively called as a base unit 21 which is collectively configured to be initially attached to the handgun magazine 24 by sliding forward and then locked by the locking cap 100 providing a final attachment to fixedly attach the entire magazine light 20 comprising the base unit 21 and the locking cap 100. More specifically, the locking cap 100 also includes an inward protrusion 101 which provides a lower surface 103 to be operatively configured to engage the upper surface 32 of the perimeter lip 30 of the handgun magazine 24. The locking cap 100 been removable from the base unit 21 and operatively configured to fixedly attached thereto. Further, the interior lip 66 of the base unit 21 is configured to longitudinally slide adjacent to the perimeter lip 30 of the handgun magazine 24 where the upper surface 32 of the perimeter lip 30 of the handgun magazine engages the lip retaining surface 68 of the interior lip 66 of the base unit 21 on one side of the retention tab 34 of the handgun magazine 24 and the locking cap 100 is configured to be on an opposing side of the retention tab 34 whereby the inward protrusion 101 providing the lower surface 103 engages with the upper surface 32 of the perimeter lip 30 of the handgun magazine 24 whereby fixedly mounting the magazine baseplate light 20 thereto.

In a preferred form, the light source 148 is an LED, light emitting diode. Experimentation is found that a light emitting diode with a reflective cone 164 that is a wide angle will dispense light in a very broad pattern, as shown in FIG. 10. In a preferred form, the LED is model Cree LED XPGBWT-01-0000-00LE3, 164 1 m, color temp. 5000K.

FIG. 9B shows a partial exploded view where the spring member 142 is shown in a relaxed state and the internal power supply/internal battery 140 has a positive end 143 and a negative end 145, as seen in FIG. 9C. The negative end 145 being conductively engaged to the conductor 81 where the distal ends 81 of the conductor 81 are operatively configured to engage and conduct electricity to the interior surface 83 whereby forward movement of the battery 140 as described by the mechanisms above will press against the spring member 142, whereby the positive end 143 engages the conductor 81 to close the circuit for one form of a switch.

With the foregoing in place, there will now be a description of proper usage of the light since the capabilities of a light being attached to a magazine opens up tremendous avenues and opportunities for safer more effective tactics, lower barriers to entries of training, provides immense flexibility for the end-user, allows holster ability in a broader array than ever before. Further providing weapons mounted illumination, and eradicate the ongoing inconsistencies and flagrant violation of firearms rules of searching a room with a light and pointing the muzzle at the search area of which is not necessarily intended to destroy by the user or fire a bullet upon (before confirmation of an acceptable target).

Still referring to FIG. 10, it can be seen that the handgun 26 which in the broader scope could be a firearm such as a rifle as the magazine light 20 attached thereto. The illumination pattern 180 is generally shown by the rail extending lines where the central line (a central axis light throw) 182 tends to throw a tighter pattern than the adjacent peripheral lines. Therefore, it can be appreciated that the central line 182 is substantially horizontal and the muzzle 188 is pointed vertically which is generally a safer orientation of the muzzle when clearing a room. As shown in FIG. 11, the end-user 200 is wielding the pistol/firearm 26 and the muzzle 188 of the pistol 26 is pointed upward but the room is well illuminated where the potential target area 190 is particularly well illuminated whereby enticing the user 200 to keep the muzzle 188 in the compressed high ready muzzle position. Now referring to FIG. 12, can be appreciated that the potential target area 190 is still reasonably illuminated and when the user 200 extends the pistol to a firing orientation. As shown in FIG. 13, there is a potential target area 190 which is a person where it is incredibly important to note that when searching in an adverse potential critical incident, the end user 200 does not know what is in the dark and hence requires illumination. Therefore, giving the present stature of the potential targeted 190, the individual is not a threat or potential target, at least in this scenario. However, unlike conventional weapons mounted lights which direct light forward parallel to the central access to the muzzle, henceforth putting the potential target in peril and flagrantly breaking firearms rules by pointing the gun at what the end user is not willing to destroy. We now have the opportunity and inclination for the end-user 200 to properly illuminate with a muzzle in the safer compressed high ready position with the muzzle 188 pointed upward which is a generally safer orientation than straight ahead pointing at potential no shoots. Therefore, the potential target 190 in FIG. 13 is not a target and upon being illuminated and identified transforms from a potential target to a non-target all the while not having a gun pointed right at them which is unfortunately conventional with current prior art weapons mounted light technologies.

Another common problem with weapons mounted lights in the industry is trying to provide acceptable holsters. As shown in FIG. 16 there is a pistol 26 retain within a conventional holster 300. Generally speaking, holsters provide an area 302 that cover the trigger guard. Further, the area 304 covers a muzzle 188 and in some form, there are fasteners 306 that fix an outer shell such as a Kydex shell to a base area 308 which may be a softer leather. There is a plurality of holster designs; however, they have to retain the pistol and with some amount of retention and they have to cover the trigger guard at area 302.

FIG. 14 illustrates perspective view of an assembled view of the magazine light and the magazine; and FIG. 17 illustrates side view of an assembled view of the magazine light and the magazine.

Conventional prior art weapons mounted lights generally as shown in FIG. mount to the picatinny rail area 27 in the forward region of the pistol 26. Not only are these difficult to manipulate turn on and off and of course generally have the problem of illuminating the area where the pistol is aligned, weapon mount lights are also notoriously difficult to find acceptable holsters. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16, it can be appreciated that the pistol 26 is not unholsterable with the magazine light 20 attached thereto. In fact, as shown back in FIG. 1, the rear portion 320 is somewhat rounded and the quarter flank area 322 as shown in FIG. 16 is very rounded so if the holster 300 or mounted for example in the appendix eventually called appendix carry, the pistol 26 with a magazine and magazine like 20 attach there to has a rounded contour medicating “printing” otherwise showing sharp edges indicating the user/conceal carry holder is carrying a pistol. In fact, experimentation is shown that even though the magazine light 20 adds a little bit of size to the overall pistol in operation, the soft edges at 320 and 322 to mitigate the “printing” providing rounded edges that do not show up well in outer garment clothing particularly a T-shirt.

Referring now to FIGS. 18-20, there is shown a base plate removal tool 520. The magazine baseplate removal tool 520 for removing a base plate 542 attached to a body 541 of a handgun magazine 552, for example, conventional pistol magazines particularly magazines produced by Glock Inc. of Smyrna, Georgia, is provided. The magazine baseplate removal tool 520 includes a base plate engaging region 524, a handle region 522, a handle region 522, and a pivoting surface 530. The base plate 542 engaging region 524 may include an extension 526 configured to operatively engage a surface 543 defining an opening 540 on the base plate 542 of the handgun magazine 552. The handle region 522 may extend from the base plate engaging region 524. The pivoting surface 530 may be defined between the base plate engaging region 524 and the handle region 522. The pivoting surface 530 may be configured to engage with a front portion 550a of a surface 550 of the body 541 of the handgun magazine 552 to enable a clamping force at the extension 526 to remove the base plate 542 from the body 541 of the handgun magazine 552. The base plate engaging region 524, the handle region 522 and the pivoting surface 530 may be arranged to define a unitary structure, wherein the unitary structure defines a periphery 525, and wherein the periphery 525 having a boundary 531 to define a cavity 526 surrounded by the boundary 531.

The magazine baseplate removal tool 520 further includes an engaging profile 580, a wrench member 582, and a locking profile 853. The engaging profile 580 may be arranged in the cavity 526 within the boundary 531 on the handle region 522. Further, the wrench member 582 may be pivotally coupled to the engaging profile 580. The wrench member 582 may include an angled portion 582a to be positioned in the engaging profile 580 to be pivotal along the engaging profile 580. The locking profile 853 may be arranged in the cavity 583 within the boundary 531 on the handle region 522, opposite to the engaging profile 580, to lock the wrench member 582 at a resting position.

The magazine baseplate removal tool 520 further includes a first recess 529a and a second recess 529b. The first recess 529a may be arranged on the boundary 531 at extreme end of the handle region 522, wherein the first recess 529a provides a passageway to enable the wrench member 582 to extend beyond the handle region 522 at an operating position. Further, the second recess 529b may be arranged on the boundary 531 at around a middle portion of the handle region 522, wherein the second recess 529b provides an access point to enable engagement and disengagement of the wrench member 582 with the engaging profile 580.

The base plate engaging region 524 may define a curved profile 524a. The curved profile 524a may include a head region 524b having the extension 526, a middle-curved region 524c extends from the head region 524b, wherein the middle-curved region 524c configured to provide a spaced distance to enable the base plate engaging region 524 to be engaged with the base plate 542 of the handgun magazine 552 via the extension 526, and a tail region 524d extends from the middle-curved region 524c to seamlessly merges with the handle region 522.

As described above, the pivoting surface 530 which is configured to engage the front portion of a magazine whereas now referring to FIG. 20 to show how the extension 526 is engaging with a surface defining an opening 540 within the base plate 542. The pivoting surface 530 is forcefully engaging the surface 550 of the magazine 552. When a clamping force indicated by the force vector arrows 560 and 562 is provided, there is forceful engagement at the pivoting surface 530 and the surface 550 whereby creating a force vector and movement in the direction indicated by arrow 570 whereby force imported from the extension 526 to the base plate 542 will reposition the base plate 542 in the direction indicated by arrow 570, hence removing it from the body 541 of the magazine 552.

It should be noted that the force vectors indicated by 560 and 562 can be produced by a person's single hand in one form between the base of the thumb and the inner surface of the phalanges or by squeezing with a one-handed operation can remove the base plate 542 which is proven to be quite difficult in the industry particularly with certain brands of magazines, such as those produced by Glock Inc.

Now referring back to FIGS. 18 and 19, in one form, the engaging profile 580 is provided, which can be formed by a core injection molding process to provide a locking surface whereby the angled portion of a conventional hex wrench 582 can be positioned therein and as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The hex wrench 582 can pivot about the engaging profile 580 to an operating position, as seen in FIG. 19, versus the storage position as seen in FIG. 18, for various uses. The hex wrench 582 can be used for adjusting screws of the suitable size and also very useful for pushing out pins such as the pins in a live fire Glock. The Hex wrench in the broader scope can simply be an L-shaped member, not necessarily a Hex cross section.

The magazine baseplate removal tool may further include a through hole 570 profile to hang the magazine base plate removal tool 520 in a key chain.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosures have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A magazine light operatively configured to fit at a base region of a handgun magazine, the magazine light comprising:

a. a base body having an upper portion, the upper portion configured to mount to the base region of the handgun magazine;

b. the base body having a forward portion and a rearward portion;

c. a light source located in the forward portion of the base body, wherein the light source provides illumination in a forward direction and in a downward direction;

d. a switch to turn the light source on and off.

2. The magazine light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch is located in the rearward portion of the base body.

3. The magazine light as claimed in claim 2, wherein the switch rotates about a substantially longitudinal axis from an ‘OFF’ position to an ‘ON’ position.

4. The magazine light as claimed in claim 3, wherein the switch operates by rotating a biasing member having a plurality of extensions operatively configured to engage an angled surface of the base body, whereby has the switch rotate to the ‘ON’ position the biasing member repositions an internal battery to close an electrical circuit whereby turning ‘ON’ the light source.

5. A magazine baseplate light operatively configured to be attached to a handgun magazine, the handgun magazine having a base region which comprises a perimeter lip having an upper surface and a retention tab, the handgun magazine further comprising a surface defining an interior chamber to house a magazine spring, a follower positioned above the magazine spring and configured to house a plurality of rounds above the follower and within the surface to fill in the interior chamber, the magazine base-plate light comprising:

a. a base unit comprising an interior lip defining a lip retaining surface configured to engage the upper surface of the perimeter lid of the handgun magazine so as to retain the magazine baseplate light to the handgun magazine;

b. a locking cap having an inward protrusion which provides a lower surface to be operatively configured to engage the upper surface of the perimeter lip, the locking cap been removable from the base unit and operatively configured to fixedly attached thereto;

c. wherein the interior lip of the base unit is configured to longitudinally slide adjacent to the perimeter lip of the handgun magazine where the upper surface of the perimeter lip of the handgun magazine engages the lip retaining surface of the interior lip of the base unit on one side of the retention tab of the handgun magazine and the locking cap is configured to be on an opposing side of the retention tab whereby the inward protrusion providing the lower surface engages with the upper surface of the perimeter lip of the handgun magazine whereby fixedly mounting the magazine baseplate light thereto.

6. The magazine baseplate light as claimed in claim 5, wherein the base unit has a forward portion and a rearward portion, whereby the locking cap is located in the forward portion.

7. The magazine baseplate light as claimed in claim 5, wherein the locking cap engages a longitudinal forward region of the upper surface of the perimeter lip of the handgun magazine which is located longitudinally forward of the retention tab of the handgun magazine, and the interior lip of the base unit located in the rearward portion of the base unit, whereby the magazine baseplate light is secured to the handgun magazine in both the longitudinal forward region and the longitudinal rearward region of the handgun magazine.

8. The magazine baseplate light as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a light assembly having a light source and a cone attachment.

9. The magazine baseplate light as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cone attachment comprises a reflective cone surface, the cone attachment comprises a central axis vertically downward from a longitudinal axis, wherein the reflective cone surface is operatively configured to disperse a cone of light substantially downward with respect to the longitudinal axis.

10. A method of providing an ability for a handgun magazine to have a self-contained illuminating source, the method comprising:

a. retrieving the handgun magazine and removing a base plate therefrom;

b. keeping a magazine spring and a follower retained in the handgun magazine;

c. sliding a base unit of the self-contained illuminating source on a perimeter lip of the handgun magazine;

d. positioning a locking cap having an inward protrusion with a lower surface operatively configured to engage an upper surface of the perimeter lip whereby fixedly attaching the locking cap to the base unit;

e. retaining the magazine spring above the base unit;

f. providing an internal power source and a light source on the base unit where by the light source is operatively configured to direct light in a substantially longitudinally forward direction and further providing a switch to turn ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ the light source.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the switch 80 is configured to rotate substantially about a longitudinal axis to obtain an ‘ON’ position and an ‘OFF’ position to turn ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ the light source.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the switch is pressed in the longitudinal forward direction to obtain the ‘ON’ position to activate the light source, and wherein the switch is maintained in the longitudinally forward position and turns ‘OFF’ when the switch is biased internally rearward to the ‘OFF’ position.

13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the base unit comprises providing a plastic injection face body with further providing an interior surface configured to house a metallic housing where an interior housing is configured to absorb and transmit heat and further house the light source.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein by providing a cylindrical battery as an internal power source that is configured to fit within the interior housing whereby the cylindrical battery is replaceable by way of removing the locking cap and extracting the interior housing from the base unit and removing the battery from the interior housing and replacing with a fresh battery and thereby following the steps of replacing the interior housing back within the interior surface of the base unit and fixedly attaching the locking cap thereto the base unit.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14 further comprising a first threaded fastener and a second threaded fastener attach the locking cap to the base unit whereby the base unit is provided with threaded receptors to engage the first and second threaded fasteners.

16. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the handgun magazine is mounted within a handgun with plurality of rounds there in the handgun magazine and an end-user activates the light source by way of the switch, and the end-user is psychologically persuaded to lift a muzzle of the handgun into a safer vertical direction by way of the light source have a central axis light throw that is lower than a longitudinal axis of the handgun which is in alignment with the muzzle of the handgun whereby allowing user to safely illuminate a potential target area.

17. A magazine baseplate removal tool for removing a base plate attached to a body of a handgun magazine, the magazine baseplate removal tool comprising:

a base plate engaging region, the base plate engaging region comprising an extension configured to operatively engage a surface defining an opening on the base plate of the handgun magazine;

a handle region extending from the base plate engaging region;

a pivoting surface defined between the base plate engaging region and the handle region, wherein the pivoting surface is configured to engage with a front portion of a surface of the body of the handgun magazine to enable a clamping force at the extension to remove the base plate from the body of the handgun magazine, wherein the base plate engaging region, the handle region and the pivoting surface arranged to define a unitary structure, wherein the unitary structure defines a periphery, and wherein the periphery having a boundary to define a cavity surrounded by the boundary.

an engaging profile arranged in the cavity within the boundary on the handle region;

a wrench member pivotally coupled to the engaging profile, wherein the wrench member comprises an angled portion to be positioned in the engaging profile to be pivotal along the engaging profile;

a locking profile arranged in the cavity within the boundary on the handle region, opposite to the engaging profile, to lock the wrench member at a resting position.

18. The magazine baseplate removal tool of claim 17 further comprising:

a first recess arranged on the boundary at extreme end of the handle region, wherein the first recess provides a passageway to enable the wrench member to extend beyond the handle region at an operating position;

a second recess arranged on the boundary at around a middle portion of the handle region, wherein the second recess provides an access point to enable engagement and disengagement of the wrench member with the engaging profile.

19. The magazine baseplate removal tool of claim 17, wherein the base plate engaging region defines a curved profile having:

a head region having the extension,

a middle-curved region extends from the head region, wherein the middle-curved region configured to provide a spaced distance to enable the base plate engaging region to be engaged with the base plate of the handgun magazine via the extension, and

a tail region extends from the middle-curved region to seamlessly merges with the handle region.

20. The magazine baseplate removal tool of claim 17, wherein the wrench member is a hex wrench and has a L shape.