The present invention is generally related to tactical illuminators and, more particularly, to a switch assembly and method for illuminating an area of interest at two or more illumination levels.
The need to be able to effectively see a target and aim a weapon in the direction of the target is well recognized. Tactical illuminators to facilitate illuminating a target and aiming a weapon, especially under low light conditions, are known. Tactical illuminators have an incandescent lamp or light emitting diode (LED) to provide general illumination of an area or person of interest. The output is typically a white light capable of projecting 40 to 150 lumens, although higher output lights are also known. The tactical illuminator may be attached to a weapon, for example a handgun, long gun, or shotgun, in a variety of different ways.
Known tactical illuminators have a “creep” light that allows a law enforcement officer to approach a hide out with enough light to navigate and a separate bright light for illuminating the area or person of interest.
The tactical illuminators typically have one or more switches to turn the light on or off. The switches have been located on the sides and ends of the devices. Some tactical illuminators combine one or more different type switches to accomplish the switching function.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a tactical illuminator for use on a weapon having a barrel having a longitudinal axis. The illuminator has a housing for enclosing at least a portion of a power source, at least one source of illumination at least partially disposed in the housing, a first switch disposed on the housing and configured to couple the power source to the at least one source of illumination when actuated to project a first amount of visible light, and a second switch disposed on the housing in juxtaposition to the first switch and configured to couple the power source to the at least one source of illumination when actuated to project a second amount of visible light. The first switch configured to be actuated by a compressive force generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the weapon and the second switch configured to be actuated by a compressive force at an angle other than generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the weapon.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a tactical illuminator for use on a weapon having a barrel having a longitudinal axis. The illuminator has a housing for enclosing at least a portion of a power source, a first source of illumination at least partially disposed in the housing, a second source of illumination at least partially disposed in the housing, a first switch disposed on the housing and configured to couple the power source to the first source of illumination, and a second switch disposed on the housing in juxtaposition to the first switch and configured to couple the power source to the second source of illumination. The first switch configured to be actuated by a compressive force generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the weapon and the second switch configured to be actuated by a compressive force at an angle other than generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the weapon.
According to a yet a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a tactical illuminator for use on a weapon having a barrel having a longitudinal axis. The tactical illuminator has a housing for enclosing at least a portion of a power source, a least one source of illumination at least partially disposed in the housing, and a switch disposed on the housing and rotatable about an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barrel. The switch rotatable between a first position in which a first amount of visible light projects and a second position in which a second amount of visible light projects.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the embodiments will become readily apparent from the following description taken with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The first switch 108 may be in series with the first source of illumination 104 and the second switch 110 may be in series with the second source of illumination 106. The first source of illumination 104 may be used to provide sufficient light to navigate (5-75 lumens) under darkened conditions and the second source of illumination 106 may be used as a bright light (40-250 lumens) for illuminating the area or person of interest. The first source of illumination 104 may be a white or non white light, for example a red, blue, or green light and the second source of illumination 106 may be a white light. The range of lumen output for the first source and second source of illumination are provided for illustrative purpose and are not intended to be limiting.
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Because of the difference in size and location, the separate switches 108, 110 may accommodate, not only two separate elements, but also two separate operational modes, (fine motor skills and gross motor skills). During periods of low stress, fine motor skills are available to manipulate the smaller switch 108 to activate the lower light output source of illumination 104, for example an LED. This may be used when the operator is trying to approach an area of interest while not being detected (“creep” mode). During periods of higher stress, when fine motor skills rapidly degrade, gross motor skills are still available and employed against the larger angled switch 110 to activate the higher light output source of illumination 106. This may be used when the operator enters the area of interest or encounters the person or target of interest.
The close proximity of the first switch 108 and the second switch 110 may allow an operator to approach an area of interest with his/her thumb 120 or other finger located a spaced distance from the first switch 108. The operator may press the first switch 108 with his or her thumb 120 when necessary to provide sufficient light to navigate while also having his/her thumb 120 a spaced distance from the second switch 110. The operator can simply slide his/her thumb 120 along the longitudinal axis LA of the weapon 200 when s/he has a need for a brighter light.
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Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein, the invention is not limited hereto. It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made without materially departing from the novel and advantageous teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed herein are by way of example. It is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not to be limited thereby.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent applications Ser. No. 60/602,254, filed Aug. 17, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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60602254 | Aug 2004 | US |