US20250264300A1

US20250264300A1 - Firearm illumination system and method

Info

Publication number: US20250264300A1
Application number: US19/042,532
Authority: US
Inventors: Emanuel KAPELSOHN
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2024-02-19
Filing date: 2025-01-31
Publication date: 2025-08-21

Abstract

A firearm illumination system that is selectively mounted to a firearm, includes an illumination device for emitting an illumination field. A mount housing incorporates a firearm coupling mechanism that is adapted for selectively coupling of the illumination device to a firearm. A swivel mechanism is coupled to the mount housing between the illumination device and the firearm coupling mechanism. The swivel mechanism defines an axis of rotation normal to the bore axis of the mounted firearm, for facilitating selective pivotal movement of an illumination axis of the illumination device above or parallel with, or below the bore axis of the firearm. In use, the illumination field is oriented within a search area by pivoting the illumination axis while orienting the firearm bore axis outside the search field. Upon threat identification, the firearm is brought to bear on it and the illumination axis is oriented parallel with the bore axis.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/555,386, filed Feb. 19, 2024, and entitled “FIREARM ILLUMINATION SYSTEM AND METHOD” which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to illumination systems for firearms. More particularly, this disclosure relates to illumination systems that are mountable on firearms. This disclosure also relates to methods for using such illumination systems selectively, to avoid directing the firearm muzzle at an innocent bystander or into a search field unless the user intends immediately to discharge the firearm at that individual or in that direction.

BACKGROUND

Law enforcement and security officers, military personnel, and armed private
individuals sometimes have to search or move through darkened areas, whether at night or in poorly illuminated interior areas at any time of day. They commonly use hand-held flashlights as illumination devices to illuminate these areas for several purposes, including finding their way (“navigating”) through the area or terrain safely, locating potential threats, assessing the threat level presented (i.e., deadly threat, non-deadly threat, unknown threat level, or no threat), and as an aid to marksmanship if shots must be fired. In recent years, the use of weapon-mounted lights (“WMLs”) has become common on handguns, rifles, shotguns, and submachine guns used for law enforcement, military, and other defensive purposes.
Many police departments now issue WMLs to officers on their service pistols, rifles, and other firearms. The mounting systems currently employed for WMLs hold the light positioned so that the light illuminates the area at which the firearm is pointed, that is, with the axis of the light field parallel to (approximately coaxial with) the axis of the firearm's bore or barrel. This is good for using the light as an aid to marksmanship when firing the weapon, or perhaps for verbally challenging and covering a threatening suspect at gunpoint. It is not good for navigating, locating subjects, and in some cases for determining the threat level posed by the subjects, as the fact that the firearm is pointed at the area illuminated by the light results in the firearm being pointed at innocent bystanders, individuals who do not pose a sufficient threat to justify pointed a firearm at them, and unsafe areas, where the potential discharge of a firearm, whether intentional or accidental, would endanger the public, other individuals, or critical items of property.
When searching or moving through a dark area with a handgun, these problems can, and often are, solved, by the use of a separate hand-held flashlight, not attached to the handgun, and most law enforcement and security officers and military personnel are equipped with hand-held flashlights which can be used in this manner. This tactical method is feasible because the handgun can either be carried in the holster, or held in one hand, when moving through or searching an area. However, when the firearm being used is not a handgun, but is a shoulder weapon such as a patrol rifle, carbine, shotgun, or submachine gun, the use of a separate hand-held flashlight is problematic, as these shoulder weapons are best carried in ready positions, and are best fired, with both of the user's hands on the weapon. While there are techniques for using a separate hand-held flashlight, rather than a WML, when holding, aiming, or firing a shoulder weapon, these techniques are difficult to teach, awkward to employ, and for many users do not provide the speed and accuracy of fire available through use of a WML.
On the other hand, use of the shoulder weapon's WML for navigating, locating subjects, and assessing the threat level posed by the subjects is unacceptable in situations where using the WML in this way will result in pointing a loaded firearm, in a stressful situation, at an innocent bystander, or into an unsafe area, such as down a hallway in a public building, or into an auditorium, movie theater or restaurant full of people. Many law enforcement agencies have written policies that can be construed to prohibit their officers from pointing their firearms at individuals unless they have reason to believe the use of deadly force may be imminently necessary. This would be hard to justify, for instance, if an officer using the WML on his patrol rifle used the light when searching an apartment to illuminate a mother in her bathrobe, who came around a corner with an infant in her arms, and by doing so pointed his rifle at the mother and infant. In many states, simply pointing a gun at someone without proper justification constitutes a criminal offense, typically simple assault, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, or brandishing. In many law enforcement agencies and some entire states, such as California, a law enforcement officer's pointing a gun at someone is a reportable use of force.
There have been court cases holding that a police officer's pointing a gun at a person without adequate justification may be a Fourth Amendment violation under the Constitution of the United States of America. See, e.g., Baird v. Renbarger, 576 F.3d 340 (7th Cir. 2009). And, especially in the stress of a police officer's search of a dark area with a weapon in hand, there is always the chance the officer may unintentionally discharge the firearm, for any of several reasons. As just one example, a police officer on the Rochester, New York. Police Department SWAT Team, who was pointing his shotgun at a man sitting on a sofa in an apartment being searched by the SWAT Team, had his shotgun unintentionally discharge, killing the man on the sofa. The SWAT officer testified at trial that the man on the sofa, who was sitting there with his hands on his knees, was “no threat to me,” but that he was pointing his shotgun at the man to illuminate the man by use of the shotgun's WML. As another example, a police officer in New Jersey, using his WML for illumination while descending a dark stairway, unintentionally discharged his firearm, hitting a fellow officer with him in the stairway.

SUMMARY

This disclosure addresses the prior, existing problems described above by providing an illumination system with an illumination device, such as a WML on the shoulder weapon (rifle, carbine, shotgun or submachine gun), in which the light can be pivoted upward or downward by the user, so that the user can navigate through or search a dark area with the flashlight's field of illumination directed forward, while the shoulder weapon's muzzle is pointed safely downward (in a “low ready” position), or upward (in a “high ready position”). If the user then sees a subject presenting, or likely to present, a deadly threat that must be covered at gunpoint, or at which shots must be fired, the embodiments of illumination systems described in this disclosure allow the light to be rotated as the firearm is brought to bear on the target, so that both the light and the firearm are aimed in the same direction.
Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure feature a firearm-mountable illumination system, the purpose for which is to allow a law enforcement officer, soldier or other firearm user to search an area visually, while the firearm muzzle is pointed downward or upward, out of the visual search field, in a ready position or carry position with its illumination source (e.g., flashlight) pointed forward for illuminating the visual search field, without having the firearm muzzle pointed at innocent persons, or in unsafe directions, during the search. If the user encounters someone at whom the rifle or other firearm muzzle should (and can justifiably) be pointed, the rifle is simply raised or lowered into firing position, and the light is simultaneously rotated so that the flashlight's illumination axis is generally parallel with the firearm's bore axis, thus illuminating the target. With the illumination systems of this disclosure, this light rotation is very easily done in a fraction of a second.
Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure feature a firearm illumination system that is selectively coupled to a firearm, and once so coupled, a firearm-mounted illumination system for illuminating a search area with a firearm-mounted illumination device that emits an illumination field defining an illumination axis, while orienting the muzzle and bore axis of a barrel of the firearm outside of the illumination area. The illumination system's illumination field is capable of selective parallel alignment with the firearm's bore axis, such as upon identification of a threat that may require engagement.
Other embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods for illuminating a search area with a firearm-mounted illumination device that emits an illumination field defining an illumination axis, while orienting the muzzle and bore axis of the barrel of the firearm outside of the illumination area. When practicing this method, the illumination system's illumination field is capable of selective parallel alignment with the firearm's bore axis, such as upon identification of a threat that may require engagement.
Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a firearm illumination system that is selectively mounted to a firearm. This system includes an illumination device for emitting an illumination field; the illumination field defines an illumination axis. The system also includes a mount housing adapted for selectively coupling the illumination device to a firearm having a barrel defining a bore axis and a muzzle at a distal tip of the barrel the firearm. The mount housing includes a firearm coupling mechanism for affixation of the housing to a firearm. In various embodiments, this coupling mechanism is selected from the group comprising: a screw clamp, or adhesive tape, or cordage, or a cable tie, or a band of hook-and-loop closure material, or a band of elastic material, or interlocking male/female rail, or interlocking male stud/and female aperture, or a screw, or a bolt, or a rivet, or a pin. A swivel mechanism is coupled to the mount housing between the illumination device and the firearm coupling mechanism. The swivel mechanism defines an axis of rotation that is normal to the bore axis of the firearm, for facilitating selective pivotal movement of the illumination axis of the illumination device above or parallel with, or below the bore axis of the firearm.
In other exemplary embodiments, the swivel mechanism is selected from the group comprising: a mating journal and axle, or a cam slot and follower riding in the cam slot, or a clevis pin. In other exemplary embodiments, the swivel mechanism further comprises a biasing mechanism for resisting pivoting of the illumination device illumination axis relative to the bore axis. In some exemplary embodiments, the biasing mechanism is selected from the group comprising a spring-loaded plunger and mating detent or multiple detents, or a pawl and ratchet, or a compression screw, or a tensioning screw; or opposing friction enhancement surfaces.
In some embodiments, the mount housing and swivel mechanism facilitate selective pivotal movement of the illumination axis of the illumination device only above or parallel with the bore axis of the firearm. In other embodiments, the mount housing and swivel mechanism facilitate selective pivotal movement of the illumination axis of the illumination device only below or parallel with the bore axis of the firearm.
The respective] features of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be applied jointly or severally in any combination or sub-combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The exemplary embodiments described herein are further understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a firearm illumination system of the present disclosure, mounted on a forend of a firearm (here a rifle), showing general parallel alignment of an illumination axis of a mounted flashlight illumination device and a bore axis of the firearm;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the firearm-mounted illumination system of FIG. 1 , with the illumination axis pivoted above the firearm's bore axis so that the firearm muzzle is not aligned with the illumination field of the flashlight;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the firearm-mounted illumination system of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the illumination system of FIG. 3 being grasped by a user;

FIG. 5 is a view of a firearm user holding the firearm-mounted illumination system of FIG. 1 , with the rifle in a “low ready” position, the rifle muzzle and bore axis pointed downwardly outside of the illumination field and search area of the flashlight;

FIG. 6 is a view of a firearm user holding the firearm-mounted illumination system of FIG. 1 , with the rifle in an aimed-in position, the rifle muzzle and bore axis pointed parallel with the illumination axis of the illumination field, within the search area of the flashlight;

FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway, bottom view of a second embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system;

FIG. 8 is a partial cutaway, bottom view of a third embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system;

FIG. 9 is a partial cutaway, bottom view of a fourth embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are respectively, a partial cutaway, bottom view and a back cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system;

FIG. 12 is a back cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system, similar to that of FIG. 11 ;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are respectively, a partial cutaway, bottom view and a back cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are respectively, partial cutaway bottom and side elevational views of an embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system whose mount housing forms a female portion of a railed track, with its mating, male portion coupled to the rifle forend with male T-stud on the male rail portion that in turn interlocks with a female aperture formed in the forend;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system that is mounted on the underside of a rifle forend;

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system that is mounted on the underside of a handgun; and

FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectioned, elevational view of another embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system with a yoke-shaped coupling mechanism for retention of the illumination device.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. The figures are not drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the invention can be utilized in a firearm illumination system that is selectively coupled to a firearm with a firearm coupling mechanism of the mount housing. When they are so coupled, an illumination device of the system selectively emits an illumination field, which is selectively pivoted about the swivel mechanism that is interposed between the mount housing and the illumination device, so that the bore axis of the firearm is oriented outside of the illumination field. More specifically, in some embodiments of this disclosure, selective pivotal movement of an illumination axis of the illumination device allows orientation of the firearm's bore axis parallel with, and/or above, and/or below an illumination axis established by the illumination device. In an exemplary method of use of the disclosed firearm illumination system, the firearm bore axis is oriented outside a desired search field (e.g., in a “low ready” and/or “high ready” position) while pivoting the illumination device relative to the firearm's bore axis, until the illumination field is coincident with the search area. If a threat is identified in the search area the illumination device is pivoted about its swivel pivot axis as the firearm bore axis and muzzle are moved from the ready position toward the illuminated potential threat; the illumination axis is now generally parallel with the firearm bore axis.
FIGS. 1-4 show a firearm illumination system 30 of the present disclosure that is mounted to a forend 32 of a rifle 34. The rifle 34 has a barrel 36 with a muzzle 38 from which discharged bullets exit the firearm, parallel with the barrel's bore axis 40. The principal subcomponents of the firearm illumination system 30 comprise a mount housing 42 oriented on the left side of the rifle forend 32, (typically for a right-handed shooter and reversed for a left-handed shooter), a firearm coupling mechanism 44 (e.g., adhesive tape), a swivel mechanism 46 (defining a pivotal axis of rotation 48 that is generally normal to the rifle barrel's bore axis 40), an illumination device (e.g., flashlight) 50, and an illumination coupling device (e.g., webbing) 52) for coupling the flashlight barrel 53 to the swivel mechanism 46. When the flashlight 50 is energized, its flashlight head 54 generates a generally concentric illumination field 56 about an illumination axis 58. The flashlight 50 is energized by an actuation button 60. In some embodiments, the actuation button comprises a pressure sensitive tape-type switch that is remotely coupled by conductive wire to a tail cap of the flashlight. The tape-type switch is typically coupled to the firearm within reach of one or more fingers of the user.
The swivel mechanism 46 is coupled to the mount housing 42 between the flashlight 50/illumination coupling device 52 and the firearm coupling mechanism 44. Mount housing 42 provides the structure to affix the swivel mechanism 46 and the attached flashlight 50 to the rifle forend 32. The swivel mechanism 46 enables selective pivotal movement P of the illumination axis 58 of the flashlight 50, about the swivel axis of rotation 48, in an arc above, or parallel with or below the bore axis 40 of the rifle 34. In some embodiments, pivotal movement of the flashlight is restricted in arc above or parallel with the bore axis. In other embodiments, pivotal movement of the flashlight is restricted in arc below or parallel with the bore axis. In some embodiments, pivotal movement above or below the bore axis is restricted to an arcuate range to prevent inadvertent pointing of the firearm muzzle in the direction of the firearm user's feet, head or any other body part.
Referring to FIGS. 4-6 , a right-handed firearm user 62 mounts the rifle 34 in known fashion, with the rifle butt touching the user's shoulder. The non-dominant, left, hand 64 grasps the flashlight barrel 53 for selectively pivoting the flashlight 50, and selectively energizes the flashlight by thumb pressure on the flashlight actuation button 60. A left dominant-hand user may choose to mount the firearm illumination system 30 on the right side of the rifle forend 32. In alternative embodiments disclosed herein, the firearm illumination system is mounted on the bottom side of the firearm to facilitate ambidextrous operation of the lighting system.
In FIG. 5 , the user 62 is holding the rifle 32 in a muzzle 38 depressed, “low ready” position, visually scanning a search area in front of him. The depressed muzzle 38 orients the rifle's bore axis 40 toward the floor, well below the visual search area. The user 62 has pivoted the flashlight's illumination axis 58 above the rifle's bore axis 40 to orient the illumination field 56 within the visual search area. The user has full benefit of the flashlight's illumination field to search for any objects within the visual search area without pointing the rifle muzzle 38 at any non-threating persons and other objects, or in any unsafe directions, within the search field. In some embodiments, pivotal arcuate range of the swivel mechanism 46 is limited by a hard stop that will not allow muzzle 38 depression toward the feet of the user 62 or any other body part.
In FIG. 6 , user 62 has identified a potential threat, and has pivoted the illumination axis 58 of the illumination system 30 to be generally parallel with the bore axis 40 of the rifle 30, as the rifle is brought to bear on the potential threat. Should the user choose to fire the rifle 32, he is in a proper firing position with the potential threat directly illuminated. Perhaps focusing the intense flashlight beam on the potential threat may cause disorientation, temporary “blinding,” and surrender of the suspect without the need to fire a shot.
While not shown, alternatively in some circumstances the user 62 may choose to orient the rifle's bore axis and muzzle upwardly towards the ceiling of a room, in a “high ready” position, for example if the user knows that innocent persons are in a room below the floor. Under such alternative circumstances, the user would orient the muzzle upwardly and pivot the flashlight's illumination axis below the rifle's bore axis. Should the user then choose to fire the rifle, the flashlight pivot axis is co-aligned in parallel with the rifle bore axis as the user assumes a prepared to fire position. In some embodiments, pivotal arcuate range of the swivel mechanism 46 is limited by a hard stop that will not allow upward muzzle 38 elevation toward the head of the user 62 or any other body part.
Compared with the illumination system 30 of the present disclosure, as shown in practical use in FIGS. 5 and 6 , one cannot search an area with known, prior illumination systems that are always oriented parallel with a firearm muzzle and bore axis without risk of pointing a muzzle at other, non-threatening persons. In the past, a separate handheld flashlight needed to be used to illuminate a search area to avoid risk of pointing a fixed, firearm light that is parallel with the firearm's bore axis at non-threatening persons. However, use of a separate handheld flashlight for general visual searching requires use of one hand that would otherwise be used to hold the firearm, especially a shoulder weapon such as a rifle, shotgun, or submachine gun.
FIGS. 7-19 depict other embodiments of firearm-mounted illumination systems. All of the embodiments shown in those figures incorporate a flashlight illumination device 50 that defines an illumination axis 58, and a mount housing coupling the illumination device to a firearm (e.g., a rifle forend 32 or a pistol rail mount 206). The embodiments of FIGS. 7-19 all incorporate a swivel mechanism coupled to the mount housing between the flashlight 50 and the firearm, where the swivel mechanism defines an axis of rotation 48 that is oriented normal to the bore axis of the firearm. As in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-6 , the respective swivel axis in each of the embodiments of FIGS. 7-19 facilitates selective pivotal movement of the illumination axis 58 of the flashlight 50 illumination device, in a pivoting arc P, above and/or parallel with, and/or below the bore axis of the firearm. In some embodiments, the swivel mechanism incorporates stops to limit arcuate pivotal range of the illumination device 50 to prevent inadvertent pointing of the firearm muzzle toward the firearm user.
In FIG. 7 , the illumination system 70 has a mount housing 72. The firearm coupling mechanism for coupling the illumination system 70 to the rifle forend 32 comprises cordage 74, such as parachute cord. The swivel mechanism 76 comprises a rotatable shaft 77 with a screw 78 threaded into the corresponding shaft. The screw 78 establishes the pivotal axis of rotation 48 and functions as a biasing mechanism for resisting pivotal movement of the flashlight 50 relative to the rifle bore axis. Tightening the screw 78 compresses the shaft 77 against the mount housing 72. Therefore, biasing resistance is adjustable by advancing or retracting the screw 78. In FIG. 7 , flashlight 50 is integral with the rotatable shaft 77 and is not intended to be separated from the shaft. In other embodiments the flashlight 50 is separable from the rotatable shaft 77.
In FIG. 8 , the illumination system 80 includes a mount housing 82. Cable ties 84 comprise the coupling mechanism for coupling the mount housing to the rifle by wrapping them about forend 32. The swivel mechanism 86 comprises a rotatable shaft 87, having an axle portion 88 and thrust bearing 90 that ride within a journal 92 formed in the mount housing 82. The pivot resisting bias mechanism comprises a threaded screw tensioner 94 that selectively presses against the thrust bearing 90 to vary biasing force. This illumination system 80 is provided with an additional friction-type bias mechanism that comprises a pair of opposed abrasive washers 96 and 98 that rub against each other. The flashlight 50 is selectively removable from the rotatable shaft 87 by screw clamp 99; this clamp functions as an illumination coupling device. In other embodiments, the illumination coupling device comprises one or more of any of the following: adhesive tape, and/or cordage, and/or a cable tie, and/or a band of hook-and-loop closure material, and/or a band of elastic material, and/or interlocking male/female rail, and/or interlocking male stud and female aperture, and/or a screw, and/or a rivet, and/or a pin, and/or a push-type, spring-loaded release and/or magnets.
In FIG. 9 , the illumination system 100 has a mount housing 102 that is coupled to the rifle forend 32 by rivets 103 passing through the housing and the forend. Rivets 103 function as a firearm coupling mechanism for the illumination system 100. The swivel mechanism 104 comprises a rotatable shaft 105 that is coupled to the mount housing 102 by a clevis pin 106, a washer 107 and a cotter pin 108. A mating male and female rail 109 functions as the flashlight 50 coupling device. Pin 109A is inserted through the rail 109 components to prevent their sliding separation. In some embodiments, the rail 109 male and female components are of similar construction to the rail components 168 and 170 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 .
In FIGS. 10 and 11 , the illumination system 110 has a mount housing 112 that is coupled to the rifle forend 32 by screws 114. Its swivel mechanism 116 comprises rotatable shaft 117, with a thrust bearing 118 that is retained within mount housing 112. A spring-loaded plunger assembly 120, incorporating spring 122 and plunger 124, is incorporated within and extends radially outwardly from the thrust bearing 118 circumference. The plunger 124 presses against a mating journal 125 formed in mount housing 112 and functions as an anti-rotational biasing element. In this illumination system 110 embodiment the journal surface incorporates three detents 126, 127 and 128 that function as three distinct rotational stops along the swiveling rotational arc P. Detent 126 aligns and maintains the flashlight illumination axis parallel to the bore axis of the rifle. Detents 127 and 128 set the extreme pivotal limits P for the flashlight 50 when the rifle muzzle is oriented outside of the illumination area while in high ready or low ready positions.
FIG. 12 shows an alternate embodiment illumination system 130 that substitutes pawl and ratchet anti-rotational biasing elements for the plunger 124 and detents 127, 128, 129 components of FIGS. 10 and 11 . Mount housing 131 retains the thrust bearing 132. Ratchet teeth 133 are formed about a portion of the thrust bearing 132 outer circumference. Spring loaded pawl assembly 134, which comprises spring 135 and pawl 136, is retained within housing 131. Pawl 136 presses against the ratchet teeth 133 to provide anti-rotational biasing force against the thrust bearing 132. A detent 137 formed within the ratchet teeth 133 array maintains orientation of the flashlight's illumination axis parallel with the rifle's bore axis. Hard stops 138 and 140 at terminal circumferential ends of the ratchet teeth 133 array limit pivoting movement P of the flashlight at low ready and high ready rifle positions.
The illumination system embodiment 140 of FIGS. 13 and 14 incorporates a follower 147 and cam slot 148 to provide extreme rotational P limits for the flashlight 50 relative to the rifle bore axis and a detent 157 in the cam slot 148 for parallel alignment of the flashlight's illumination axis with the rifle bore axis. More particularly, mount housing 142 includes a swivel mechanism 114, similar to those shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 10-13 , with a rotatable shaft 145 and thrust bearing 146. Follower 147 is a pin retained in and projecting away from the bottom end face of the thrust bearing 146. In some embodiments, the follower is spring loaded, similar to the spring-loaded plunger assembly 120 of FIGS. 10 and 11 , for providing bias and pivotal resistance against user rotation of the flashlight 50. The extreme terminal ends of cam slot 148 incorporate rotational stops 150 and 152, corresponding to the maximum pivotal range of the flashlight 50 above or below the rifle's bore axis. A pair of spaced apart, opposing raised ramps 154 and 157 create a detent valley 157 therebetween, providing a stop for parallel alignment of the flashlight's illumination axis with the rifle's bore axis. In this illumination system embodiment 140, flashlight 50 is retained on the rotatable shaft 145 by a rivet 158, for permanent integration within mount housing 142.
FIGS. 15 and 16 depict an alternative embodiment illumination system 160 where the mount housing 162, its coupled swivel mechanism 164, and the flashlight 50 incorporate a mount housing coupling 166 comprising a female, slidable rail 168 in the housing and a mating male, slidable rail 170 that is coupled to the rifle's forend 32. A retention pin or screw 172 is inserted though the mating rail portions after installation of the mount housing 162, to prevent their inadvertent separation. In some embodiments, the male and female rail portions are reversed, so that the female portion is coupled to the forend, and the male portion coupled to the mount housing. In some embodiments, the male, slidable rail is integrally formed in or permanently affixed to the forend.
In the illuminations system embodiment 160, the male, slidable rail 170 is of modular construction, for selective attachment and detachment from the forend 32 or other parts of the rifle. The rifle forend 32 incorporates an elongated aperture 174, over which is placed the male, slidable rail 170. Male studs, here T-studs 176) are inserted through the rail 170, into the elongated aperture 174. The T-studs 176 are twisted so that they engage outer peripheral edges of the forend 32 adjacent the elongated aperture, then tightened for retention of the male, slidable rail 170. Thereafter the female slidable rail 168 portion of the mount housing 162 is affixed to the male rail portion 170. In some embodiments, the male 170 and female 168 slidable rail portions are dimensioned to conform to the United States Military Standard Specification MIL-STD-1913 or NATO Specification STANAG 4694, which is sometimes referred to as a “Picatinny”-type rail. In some embodiments where the rail system is modular, it conforms to the M-LOK® modular dimensional specifications established by Magpul Industries Corp.
Flashlight 50 that is shown in the prototype embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 is a commercially available STRION® Model DS-HL flashlight, sold by Streamlight Industries, which has both a tail cap actuation button/switch and a side actuation button/switch. This particular flashlight provides 700 lumens output and is rechargeable. In some embodiments, the tail cap actuation button/switch is replaced with a remote, pressure sensitive tape-type switch.
In various embodiments, the firearm-mounted illumination systems disclosed herein are modular in nature. They can be provided as a complete system with an illumination source (with detachable flashlight or integral flashlight), housing mount, swivel mechanism (with or without a pivot-resistance biasing mechanism), and firearm coupling mechanism. In other embodiments, only the swiveling mechanism is provided with a modular illumination coupling mechanism (e.g., scope rings, screw clamps) for affixation of a separately purchased flashlight, and a modular firearm coupling mechanism, such as a Picatinny-type slidable rail mount or an M-LOK® compatible mount that mates with a compatible mounting component on the firearm.
The illumination system embodiment 180 of FIG. 17 mounts the illumination device on the forend 32 of the rifle 34 below the bore axis 40. In this embodiment, the mount housing 182 integrates an internal flashlight 50 having a flashlight head 54 that discharges a light beam with an illumination axis 58. The firearm coupling mechanism 184 comprises a mounting stud 185 on the bottom of the rifle forend 32 and a fork-shaped yoke 186 formed in the mount housing 182 that are retained in alignment by a retention pin 188. In some embodiments, the stud and yoke positions are reversed. In this embodiment, the coupling mechanism also functions as the illumination system's swivel mechanism 190, for pivoting the illumination axis 58 above, and/or below, and/or parallel with the rifle's bore axis 40 along the arc P. In embodiment 180, flashlight 50 has a side actuation button 60A, and a rear or tail actuation button 60B. In some embodiments, the swivel mechanism incorporates a biasing mechanism to resist pivotal movement of the flashlight 50. In some embodiments, the swivel mechanism incorporates mechanical stops and/or detents to limit pivot movement P, as was described in prior embodiments herein.
The illumination system embodiment of FIG. 18 is adapted for use on a handgun 200. The handgun 200 has an internal barrel with a muzzle 202 that defines a bore axis 204 and an undermount male rail 206. The illumination system 208 comprises a mount housing 209 with an integral flashlight 50, flashlight head 54 that discharges a light beam with an illumination axis 58, a side actuation button 60A, and a rear or tail actuation button 60B. Here, the firearm coupling mechanism 210 comprises a female rail 212 that mates with the handgun's male rail 206 and includes a downwardly projecting stud 213. The swivel mechanism 214 comprises a yoke 216 incorporated within housing 209 and a retention pin 218 that passes through both the yoke and the stud 213. The retention pin 218 establishes the pivoting axis for the swivel mechanism, allowing arcuate pivotal movement P of the illumination axis 58 above, parallel with, and below the handgun bore axis 204. In some embodiments, the stud and yoke positions are reversed. In some embodiments, the swivel mechanism incorporates a biasing mechanism to resist pivotal movement of the flashlight 50. In some embodiments, the swivel mechanism incorporates mechanical stops and/or detents to limit pivot movement P, as was described in prior embodiments herein.
The modular illumination system embodiment 240 of FIG. 19 facilitates selective coupling of a standalone flashlight 50 to a firearm. The illumination system 24 includes housing 242 that is coupled to the rifle forend 32 by a push-type, spring-loaded release comprising a pin 244 with spring-loaded ball bearings 246 that are released by depression of release button 248. Mating collar 250 is coupled to the rifle forend 32 and defines a bore and a radially oriented retaining groove 252. When the housing 242 is coupled to the rifle forend 32, the pin 244 is retained within bore of collar 250, with the ball bearings 246 engaged within the latter's retaining groove 252, thereby preventing axial separation of the pin out of the collar. Depression of the release button 248 allows separation of the housing 242 from the rifle forend 32. The modular illumination system 240 has a yoke-shaped swivel 260 coupled to the housing 242 for arcuate motion P as previously described with the other embodiments of this disclosure. The yoke forks 262 and 264 define a U-shaped bight for retention of the flashlight barrel 53 of the flashlight 50. Axial separation of the flashlight barrel out of the bight of the yoke 260 is prevented by magnet 266 that is coupled to the yoke, which is attracted magnetically to a mating magnet 268 that is incorporated within or on the flashlight barrel. In some embodiments a magnetically attractive material (e.g., steel) replaces one of the magnets 266 or 268.
Although various embodiments have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings. The invention is not limited in its application to the exemplary embodiment details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The concepts described in this disclosure are capable of incorporation in other embodiments and of being practiced or of being conducted in many ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for illuminating a search area with a firearm-mounted illumination device, comprising:

providing a firearm having a barrel that defines a bore axis and a muzzle at a distal tip thereof;

providing an illumination device that emits an illumination field, which defines an illumination axis;

coupling the illumination device to the firearm with a swivel mechanism whose axis of rotation is normal to the barrel bore axis; and

illuminating a search area with the illumination device by pivoting the illumination device about the rotation axis of the swivel mechanism to orient the barrel bore axis and the muzzle of the firearm outside of the illumination area.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising pivoting the illumination device about the rotation axis of the swivel mechanism to orient the barrel bore axis and muzzle of the firearm barrel downwardly away from the illumination axis of the illumination device, out of the illumination area, while illuminating the search area.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising pivoting the illumination device about the rotation axis of the swivel mechanism to orient the barrel bore axis and muzzle of the firearm barrel upwardly away from the illumination axis of the illumination device, out of the illumination area, while illuminating the search area.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising gripping the illumination device while illuminating a search area, pivoting the illumination axis of the illumination device above the bore axis when orienting the barrel and muzzle downwardly out of the illumination area, or pivoting said illumination axis below said bore axis when orienting the barrel and muzzle upwardly out of the illumination area, and aligning said illumination axis parallel with said bore axis upon identification of an object in the illumination area that is potentially to be engaged with the firearm.

5. A firearm-mounted illumination system, comprising:

a firearm having a barrel defining a bore axis and a muzzle at a distal tip of the barrel;

an illumination device for emitting an illumination field, the illumination field defining an illumination axis;

a mount housing coupled to the firearm;

a swivel mechanism coupled to and oriented between the mount housing and the illumination device, the swivel mechanism defining an axis of rotation normal to the bore axis of the barrel, for facilitating selective pivotal movement of the illumination axis of the illumination device above or parallel with or below the bore axis of the firearm barrel.

6. The firearm-mounted illumination system of claim 5, the swivel mechanism selected from the group comprising: a mating journal and axle, and/or a cam slot and follower riding in the cam slot, and/or a clevis pin.

7. The firearm-mounted illumination system of claim 6, the swivel mechanism further comprising a biasing mechanism for resisting pivoting of the illumination device illumination axis relative to the bore axis.

8. The firearm-mounted illumination system of claim 7, the biasing mechanism selected from the group comprising a spring-loaded plunger and mating detent, and/or a pawl and ratchet, and/or a compression screw, and/or a tensioning screw; and/or opposing friction surfaces.

9. The firearm-mounted illumination system of claim 5, the mount housing having a firearm coupling mechanism for affixation of the housing to a the firearm, selected from the group comprising: a screw clamp, and/or adhesive tape, and/or cordage, and/or a cable tie, and/or a band of hook-and-loop closure material, and/or a band of elastic material, and/or interlocking male/female rail, and/or interlocking male stud/female aperture, and/or a screw, and/or a bolt, and/or a rivet, and/or a pin, and/or a push-type, spring-loaded release and/or magnets.

10. The firearm-mounted illumination system of claim 5, the illumination device integrally incorporated within the mount housing.

11. The firearm-mounted illumination system of claim 5, further comprising a standalone illumination device that is selectively coupled to the mount housing by an illumination coupling device.

12. The firearm-mounted illumination system of claim 11, the illumination coupling device selected from the group comprising: a screw clamp, and/or adhesive tape, and/or cordage, and/or a cable tie, and/or a band of hook-and-loop closure material, and/or a band of elastic material, and/or interlocking male/female rail, and/or interlocking male stud and female aperture, and/or a screw, and/or a rivet, and/or a pin, and/or a push-type, spring-loaded release and/or magnets.

13. A firearm illumination system adapted for selective mounting to a firearm, comprising:

a mount housing adapted for selectively coupling the illumination device to a firearm having a barrel defining a bore axis and a muzzle at a distal tip of the barrel;

a firearm coupling mechanism adapted for affixation of the housing to the firearm, selected from the group comprising: a screw clamp, and/or adhesive tape, and/or cordage, and/or a cable tie, and/or interlocking male/female rail, and/or interlocking male stud/female aperture, and/or a screw, and/or a rivet, and/or a pin, and/or a push-type, spring-loaded release and/or magnets; and

a swivel mechanism coupled to and oriented between the mount housing and the illumination device, whereupon after mounting of the firearm coupling mechanism to the firearm, the swivel mechanism defines an axis of rotation normal to the bore axis of the barrel, for facilitating selective pivotal movement of the illumination axis of the illumination device above or parallel with or below the bore axis of the firearm barrel.

14. The firearm illumination system of claim 13, the swivel mechanism selected from the group comprising: a mating journal and axle, and/or a cam slot and follower riding in the cam slot, and/or a clevis pin.

15. The firearm illumination system of claim 14, the swivel mechanism further comprising a biasing mechanism for resisting pivoting of the illumination device illumination axis relative to the bore axis.

16. The firearm illumination system of claim 15, the biasing mechanism selected from the group comprising a spring-loaded plunger and mating detent, and/or a pawl and ratchet, and/or a compression screw, and/or a tensioning screw; and/or opposing friction enhancement surfaces.

17. The firearm illumination system of claim 13, the illumination device integrally incorporated within the mount housing.

18. The firearm illumination system of claim 13, further comprising a standalone illumination device that is selectively coupled to the mount housing by an illumination coupling device.

19. The firearm illumination system of claim 18, the illumination coupling device selected from the group comprising: a screw clamp, and/or adhesive tape, and/or cordage, and/or a cable tie, and/or interlocking male/female rail, and/or interlocking male stud/female aperture, and/or a screw, and/or a rivet, and/or a pin, and/or a push-type, spring-loaded release and/or magnets.