Handheld flashlights and tactical illuminators have been used to effectively see a target or area of interest. These devices typically have a source of illumination, for example an incandescent lamp or light emitting diode (LED), to provide general illumination of an area or person of interest, and are powered by one or more batteries. The output is typically a white light capable of projecting 40 to 150 lumens, although higher output lights and different colored lights are known. Some tactical illuminators have a laser to assist in aiming of the weapon.
Tactical illuminator may be attached to a weapon, for example a handgun, long gun, or shotgun, in a variety of different ways. Some tactical illuminators are secured to a handgun having a set of rails located under the barrel, in an area forward of the trigger guard, and some tactical illuminators are secured to the trigger guard.
These devices typically have one or more actuators to turn the light and/or laser on or off, select a lamp to be illuminated, or adjust the brightness.
For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other objects, features and advantages, reference should be made to the following detailed description which should be read in conjunction with the following figures wherein like numerals represent like parts:
The tail cap assembly 104 may be coupled to the housing 102 with a retainer 130. The retainer 130 may be secured to the tail cap assembly 104 by a retainer pin 132 that may be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LAF of the housing 102. Alternatively, a retainer may be secured to the housing by a retainer pin.
The tail cap assembly 104 may include a first actuator 120 (see
The first actuator 120 may be movable between a first position in which the first switch MOM1 does not complete a circuit with battery 108 and the source of illumination 106 and a second position in which the first switch MOM1 completes a circuit with the battery 108 and the source of illumination 106. First switch MOM1 may be actuated by actuator 120. In the first position the first actuator 120 may be biased outward by a spring 138 and an axial force F1 may be required to move the actuator 120 to the second position.
The second actuator 122 may be moveable from a first position P1 to a second position P2 and a third position P3. The second actuator 122 may be configured to prevent movement of the first actuator 120 from the first position when the second actuator 122 is in the first position P1. The second actuator 122 may be configured to allow movement of the first actuator 120 from the first position to the second position when the second actuator 122 is in the second position P2. The second actuator 122 in the third position may be configured to maintain the first actuator 120 in the second position. The first actuator 120 and the second actuator 122 may be configured such that they can be rotated or translated without disconnecting the tail cap assembly 104 from the housing 102.
Second switch actuator 122 may be rotated to position P1 in which actuator 120 is mechanically locked out, i.e. the first actuator 120 cannot be actuated to complete a circuit with the at least one battery 108 and the source of illumination 106. In position P1, the momentary switch MOM1 is open and the switch SW1 is open. In this position, the operator cannot change the status of the source of illumination at the tail cap assembly 104 or through the remote 140. This position (P1) may be chosen by an operator when the illuminator 100 is stored in a backpack to prevent the batteries from being drained or when the operator is on a mission and does not want to chance accidental actuation.
Second switch actuator 122 may be rotated to position P2 in which actuator 120 may be manually actuated along Path 1 to momentarily (as long as the operator applies a force F1 to the first actuator 120 or a force F2 to third switch MOM2 in the remote 140) complete a circuit with the at least one battery 108 and the source of illumination 106. In position P2, the momentary switch MOM1 is closed when a force F1 is applied and the switch SW1 is closed. In this position, the operator can selectively change the status of the source of illumination at the tail cap assembly 104 by applying a force F1 and through the remote 140 by applying a force F2. This position (P2) may be chosen by an operator to selectively turn the illuminator ON and OFF.
Second switch actuator 122 may be rotated to position P3 in which actuator 120 is mechanically locked ON, i.e. the first actuator 120 maintains a complete circuit with the at least one battery 108 and the source of illumination 106. As second actuator 122 is rotated, the first actuator 120 travels along Path 2 and is locked in position. In position P3, the momentary switch MOM1 is closed and the switch SW1 can either be open or closed. In this position the illuminator is maintained ON. This position (P3) may be chosen by an operator when the operator desires the illuminator to turn ON and stay ON without having to apply a force F1 or F2.
A positive contact 160, a spacer 162, a negative contact 164, and a cap jack 166 may be aligned with the remote jack 116 and selectively electrically coupled to detent contacts springs 168 (see
As shown in
The rotary housing 172 may be coupled to a rotary track 178 with an O-ring 174 therebetween and the contact ring 170 may be coupled to the rotary housing 172. The rotary track 176 may have an internal groove 178A that cooperates with the shaft 152 to translate rotary motion of the second actuator 122 to linear motion of the first actuator 120.
A rear contact 182 may extend through an opening 190 in the second cover portion 136 of the tail cap assembly 104 and may be coupled to a spring post 180. A battery spring contact 184 may extend through an opening 192 in the second cover portion 136 of the tail cap assembly 104. The rear contact 182 may contact a positive end of the battery 108 and the battery spring 184 may contact a negative end of the battery 108.
According to one aspect there is provided an illuminator having a tail cap assembly and a housing at least partially enclosing at least one battery and a source of illumination. The assembly having a first and a second movable actuator, the first actuator movable between a first position in which a conductor does not complete a circuit with the at least one battery and the source of illumination and a second position in which the conductor does complete the circuit with the at least one battery and the source of illumination. The second actuator moveable from a first position to a second and a third position. The second actuator configured to prevent movement of the first actuator from the first position when the second actuator is in the first position. The second actuator configured to allow movement of the first actuator from the first position to the second position when the second actuator is in the second position. The second actuator configured to maintain the first actuator in the second position when the second actuator is in the third position.
According to another aspect there is provided an illuminator having a housing at least partially enclosing at least one battery, a source of illumination, and a backplate assembly. The backplate assembly having a first and a second movable actuator. The first actuator movable between a first position in which a conductor does not complete a circuit with the at least one battery and the source of illumination and a second position in which the conductor does complete the circuit with the at least one battery and the source of illumination. The second actuator may be moveable from a first position to a second and a third position. When the second actuator is in the first position, the first actuator is prevented from completing the circuit with the at least one battery and the source of illumination, when the second actuator is in the second position, the first actuator is not prevented from completing the circuit with the at least one battery and the source of illumination, and when the second actuator is in the third position, the first actuator completes the circuit.
According to yet another aspect there is provided a method of controlling a light emitter in a flashlight wherein rotating a first actuator about an axis parallel with a longitudinal axis of the flashlight to a first position prevents a second actuator from longitudinal movement; rotating the first actuator about the axis to a second position allows the second actuator to move longitudinal when actuated to cause the light emitter to turn on as long as the actuator is actuated; and rotating the first actuator about the axis to a third position to lock the second actuator in a second position causes the light emitter to turn on and stay on
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 limited thereby
The present application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/916,628, filed May 8, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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7281815 | Gustafson et al. | Oct 2007 | B1 |
RE40125 | Matthews et al. | Mar 2008 | E |
7441920 | Kang et al. | Oct 2008 | B2 |
7581848 | Parsons et al. | Sep 2009 | B1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60916628 | May 2007 | US |