The present invention generally relates to the field of handgun accessories. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device comprising an interactive laser sight and trigger guard for a handgun.
Handguns are used for protection and self-defense by law enforcement as well as the general public. Handguns like pistols are convenient to use in a life threatening emergency since they can be quickly drawn from a concealed location on the body of the user and fired at a target when threatened. When handguns like pistols are carried in a concealed fashion, they are often kept in users' pockets or bags without holsters, along with items such as keys, lipsticks, and pens. These items could be accidently inserted into trigger guards and result in unintentional trigger fire. Even when held in holsters, they still can be accidentally fired while being removed or inserted into the holsters. Furthermore, a handgun also could be unintentionally fired by a child or an unauthorized person in a home environment.
Many external safety devices have been developed over the years to provide extra safety features that prevent unintended or unauthorized access to the trigger. For example, a detachable gun trigger guard was developed to attach to the rear housing of a gun trigger guard, spanning between a gun trigger and the rear portion of the trigger guard to stop the trigger moving backwards. Similar trigger guards include a shackle that directly inserts though the trigger guard and prevents triggers from actuating. Other trigger guards include triggers with a body design to self-conform to, or affix to the trigger guards with structures to enable trigger guards rotating between on and off positions. Another trigger guard is inserted into a handgun stock. This trigger guard can be released by actuating a first and a second lever, which are located on opposite sides of the handgun.
However, these external trigger guards generally require several steps to be dismissed before the gun can point quickly at a target before firing. Many external trigger guards require coordination of several fingers to remove. This is inconvenient especially when a handgun is needed urgently. Moreover, many of these trigger guards occupy a large portion of handguns, defeating the purpose of the portability of using a handgun and hindering the use of other accessories on it. The life-saving benefits of having a concealed pistol can only be realized if the user is able to aim accurately at the target before firing. To address this, many aftermarket laser attachment accessories are available for handguns to help users quickly point the barrel at the target so repeated firing and accidently shooting of unintended individuals is avoided.
Currently, laser sights and trigger guards are available as separate accessories that are attachable to a pistol. As a result, the user would need to remove the concealed handgun, move the trigger guard to access the trigger, switch on the laser and verify the barrel is pointing at the target before firing. This entire process would lose several precious seconds particularly when circumstances are dire such as in a life-threatening situation.
Thus there is a deficiency in the art for devices that can greatly reduce speed of accurately firing a gun by quickly enabling both the laser sighting and firing steps. The present invention fulfills this long standing need and desire in the art.
The present invention is directed to a laser sight trigger guard for a handgun. The laser sight trigger guard comprises a first component securable to a gun barrel on the handgun and a second component pivotably secured to the first component at the distal end. The first component comprises a body, a rail mount and a laser assembly. The body comprises a first side and a second side, parallel to each other, a hollow proximal end with an opening on a front surface, and a distal end with three laterally formed compartments at a back surface having at least one coverable open ends. On a top surface of the proximal end of the body is a rail mount that is engageable with a rail on the gun barrel. The laser assembly is located within the body of the first component. The second component comprises a first side member and a second side member connected that are parallel to each other and in a coverable relationship with a trigger on the handgun. An attachment shaft is attached to the first side member and the second side member at their distal ends. The present invention is directed to a related laser sight trigger guard further comprising a belt clip attached to the second component.
The present invention is directed to a laser sight trigger guard for a handgun. The laser sight trigger guard comprises a first component securable to a gun barrel on the handgun and a second component pivotably secured to the first component at the distal end. The first component comprises a body, a rail mount and a laser assembly. The body comprises a first side and a second side, parallel to each other, a hollow proximal end with an opening on a front surface, and a distal end with three laterally formed compartments at a back surface having at least one coverable open ends. On a top surface of the proximal end of the body is a rail mount that is engageable with a rail on the gun barrel. The laser assembly is located within the body of the first component. The laser mount consists of a laser unit, an on-off laser switch and a power supply in electrical communication with the laser unit and the on-off laser switch. The laser unit consists of a laser source in optical alignment with the opening formed on the front surface of the proximal end in the body. The on-off laser switch is within the first compartment and is in on-off communication with the laser source. The on-off laser switch is an off position when the second component is disposed around the trigger and in an on position when the second component is disposed around the first component. The power supply is in electrical communication with the laser unit and the on-off laser switch and consists of a battery receptacle and at least one battery seated in the receptacle and operably connected to the laser unit. The second component comprises a first side member and a second side member that are parallel to each other and in a coverable relationship with a trigger on the handgun. An attachment shaft is attached to the first side member and the second side member at their distal ends. The present invention is directed to a related laser sight trigger guard that further comprises a belt clip attached to the second component.
Other and further aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention given for the purpose of disclosure.
So that the matter in which the above-recited features, advantages and objects of the invention, as well as others that will become clear, are attained and can be understood in detail, more particular descriptions of the invention briefly summarized above may be by reference to certain embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. These drawings form a part of the specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and therefore are not to be considered limiting in their scope.
As used herein in the specification, “a” or “an” may mean one or more. As used herein in the claim(s), when used in conjunction with the word “comprising”, the words “a” or “an” may mean one or more than one.
As used herein “another” or “other” may mean at least a second or more of the same or different claim element or components thereof. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. “Comprise” means “include.”
As used herein, the terms “proximal” and “distal” in reference to the laser sight trigger guard disclosed herein refer to those components, features, parts and aspects thereof that are nearer or nearest to or farther or farthest from the muzzle of the handgun, respectively.
As used herein, the terms “handgun” or “gun” is used to refer to a “pistol” as is known in the art.
In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a laser sight trigger guard for a handgun comprising a first component securable to a gun barrel on the handgun comprising a body comprising a first side and a second side in parallel therewith, a hollow proximal end with an opening formed on a front surface thereof and a distal end with a first compartment, a second compartment and a third compartment each formed laterally through a back surface thereof and each independently having at least one coverable open end; a rail mount disposed on a top surface of the proximal end of the body engageable with a rail on the gun barrel; and a laser assembly disposed within the body of the first component; and a second component pivotably secured to the first component at the distal end thereof, comprising a first side member and a second side member connected thereto oppositely disposed in parallel in a coverable relationship with a trigger on the handgun; and an attachment shaft with a first end and a second end attached to the first side member and to the second side member at respective distal ends thereof. Further to this embodiment the laser sight trigger guard comprises a belt clip disposed on the second component.
In both embodiments the first compartment may comprise means for switching a laser on and off. Also in both embodiments the second compartment may comprise means for pivoting the second component through 180 degrees. Particularly, the means for pivoting the second component comprises a pivot with a first pivot end and a second pivot end disposed within the second compartment, where the first pivot end and the second pivot end pivotably connected to the first side member and to the second side member at respective proximal ends thereof through the open ends of the second compartment. In addition the third compartment may comprise means for reducing friction between the first component and the second component when the second component is pivoted through 180 degrees. Particularly, the means for reducing friction comprises a pair of ball bearing disposed at the open ends of the third compartment.
Also in both embodiments the rail mount further may comprise means for securing the rail mount to the rail. Also the second component may be configured to pivot in relation to a longitudinal axis of the gun barrel from 0° when the second component covers the gun trigger to 180° when the first side member and the second side member of the second component cover the first side and the second side of the first component.
In addition in both embodiments the laser assembly may comprises a laser unit comprising a laser source in optical alignment with the opening formed on the front surface of the proximal end in the body; an on-off laser switch disposed within the first compartment in on-off communication with the laser source, said on-off laser switch in an off position when the second component is disposed around the trigger and in an on position when the second component is disposed around the first component; and a power supply in electrical communication with the laser unit and the on-off laser switch. In one aspect the on-off laser switch comprises may comprise an on-off push button with an outer surface and an inner surface disposed through the open end of the first compartment on the second side of the first component with the outer surface protruding from the open end when the laser is on and the inner surface extending within the first compartment; an on-off sensor switch with a front end and a back end and means for contacting the power source disposed on the back end thereof, said on-off sensor switch disposed within the first compartment in alignment with and contactable by the inner surface of the on-off push button; a spring disposed between and abutting the inner surface of the on-off push button and the front end of the on-off sensor switch surface; and a cover disposed over the open end of the first compartment on the first side of the first component.
In one aspect of both embodiments the laser assembly may comprises a laser unit comprising a laser source in optical alignment with the opening formed on the front surface of the proximal end in the body; an on-off laser switch disposed within the first compartment in on-off communication with the laser source, said on-off laser switch in an off position when the second component is disposed around the trigger and in an on position when the second component is disposed around the first component; and a power supply in electrical communication with the laser unit and the laser switch. In this aspect the on-off laser switch may comprise an on-off push button with an outer surface and an inner surface disposed through the open end of the first compartment on the second side of the first component with the outer surface protruding from the open end when the laser is on and the inner surface extending within the first compartment; an on-off sensor switch with a front end and a back end and means for contacting the power source disposed on the back end thereof, said on-off sensor switch disposed within the first compartment in alignment with and contactable by the inner surface of the on-off push button; a spring disposed between and abutting the inner surface of the on-off push button and the front end of the on-off sensor switch surface; and a cover disposed over the open end of the first compartment on the first side of the first component. In another aspect the power supply may comprises a battery receptacle; at least one battery seated in the battery receptacle and operably connected to the on-off laser switch; and a slide switch connector seated in the battery receptacle in operable communication with the at least one battery and with the laser source.
In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a laser sight trigger guard for a handgun comprising a first component removably attached to a gun barrel comprising a body comprising a first side and a second side in parallel therewith, a hollow proximal end with an opening formed on a front surface thereof and a distal end with a first compartment, a second compartment and a third compartment each formed laterally through a back surface thereof and each independently having at least one coverable open end; a rail mount disposed on a top surface of the proximal end of the body engageable with a rail on the gun barrel; and a laser assembly disposed within the body of the first component, where the laser assembly comprises a laser unit comprising a laser source in optical alignment with the opening formed on the front surface of the proximal end in the body; an on-off laser switch disposed within the first compartment in on-off communication with the laser source, said on-off laser switch in an off position when the second component is disposed around the trigger and in an on position when the second component is disposed around the first component; and a power supply in electrical communication with the laser unit and the on-off laser switch, where the power supply comprises a battery receptacle and at least one battery seated therein operably connected to the laser unit; and a second component pivotably secured to the second component at the distal end thereof comprising a first side member and a second side member connected thereto oppositely disposed in parallel in a coverable relationship with a trigger on the handgun; and an attachment shaft with a first end and a second end attached to the first side member and to the second side member at respective distal ends thereof. Further to this embodiment the laser sight trigger guard comprises a belt clip disposed on the second component.
In both embodiments the second compartment may comprise means for pivoting the second component through 180 degrees. For example, the means for pivoting the second component comprises a pivot with a first pivot end and a second pivot end disposed within the second compartment, where the first pivot end and the second pivot end are pivotably connected to the first side member and to the second side member at respective proximal ends thereof through the open ends of the second compartment. Also the third compartment may comprise means for reducing friction between the first component and the second component when the second component is pivoted through 180 degrees. In addition the means for reducing friction may comprise a pair of ball bearing disposed at the open ends of the third compartment. In both embodiments the rail mount further comprises means for securing the rail mount to the rail. Also the second component is configured to pivot in relation to a longitudinal axis of the gun barrel from 0° when the second component covers the gun trigger to 180° when the first side member and the second side member of the second component cover the first side and the second side of the first component.
In both embodiments the on-off laser switch may comprise an on-off push button with an outer surface and an inner surface disposed through the open end of the first compartment on the second side of the first component with the outer surface protruding from the open end when the laser is on and the inner surface extending within the first compartment; an on-off sensor switch with a front end and a back end and means for contacting the power source disposed on the back end thereof, said on-off sensor switch disposed within the first compartment in alignment with and contactable by the inner surface of the on-off push button; a spring disposed between and abutting the inner surface of the on-off push button and the front end of the on-off sensor switch surface; and a cover disposed over the open end of the first compartment on the first side of the first component. Also the power supply may further comprise a slide switch connector seated in the battery receptacle and in operable communication with the at least one battery and with the laser source.
Particularly, embodiments of the present invention are better illustrated with reference to the Figure(s), however, such reference is not meant to limit the present invention in any fashion. The embodiments and variations described in detail herein are to be interpreted by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
Provided herein is a laser sight trigger guard to conveniently and smoothly uncover and cover gun triggers with a single motion while simultaneously turning the laser on and off.
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The power supply comprises a slide switch connector 8d, a battery receptacle 8e that houses the button cell batteries 8f and a battery receptacle cover 8g. The on-off laser switch consists of an on-off push button 6a that abuts a spring 6b which is in operable communication with an on-off sensor switch 6c to which is attached an electrical wire(s) 6e that connects the on-off sensor switch to the contact. Electrical wire 6f connects the on-off sensor switch to the slide switch connector. Electrical wire 6g connects the slide switch connector to the contact. Thus, the slide switch connector works as a master switch that disconnects the batteries from the laser for long-term storage.
A cover 6d seals the on-off laser switch within the first compartment 5a. The on-off button protrudes out from the open end of the first compartment on the second side 4b of the first component (see
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The present invention is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee.
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