Weapon Remote Switch Assembly

Abstract

A firearm accessory system and associated components and methods. The firearm accessory system includes a remote switch and a firearm accessory. The remote switch can include a switch assembly and a switch mount. A kit of switch mounts can be provided for selectively forming a remote switch with the switch assembly. The switch mounts of the kit are configured for mounting to different types of firearm connection structure. The switch mounts may be configured to permit installation of the switch assembly thereon without disconnection of a tether from the switch assembly.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to firearm accessories such as illuminators (e.g., lights and/or lasers), and more particularly to switches for such accessories.

BACKGROUND

Various types of accessories are mounted on weapons. Some such accessories are illuminators, including lights and/or lasers. Switches may be used to turn such illuminators on/off, to change operation mode, etc.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a remote switch system is for use with a firearm mounted accessory. The remote switch system comprises a switch assembly including a switch and a switch housing. The remote switch system includes a kit of switch mounts. The kit of switch mounts includes at least a first switch mount and a second switch mount. The first and second switch mounts are interchangeably useable with the switch assembly for forming a remote switch. The first switch mount includes a switch receiver configured to receive the switch assembly. The first switch mount is configured to connect to a first type of firearm connection structure. The second switch mount includes a switch receiver configured to receive the switch assembly. The second switch mount is configured to connect to a second type of firearm connection structure different from the first firearm connection structure.

In another aspect, a remote switch is for use with a firearm accessory. The remote switch comprises a switch housing and a switch supported by the switch housing. A tether is provided for operatively connecting the switch to the firearm accessory. A power source is supported by the switch housing and is operatively connected to the tether for providing power to the firearm accessory.

In another aspect, a remote switch is for use with a firearm accessory on a firearm. The remote switch comprises a switch assembly including a switch for receiving user input. The remote switch comprises a switch mount including a switch assembly receiver configured to receive the switch assembly. The switch mount includes a top opening via which the switch is accessible for receiving user input when the switch assembly is received by the switch receiver. The switch mount includes a bottom defining an opening permitting the switch assembly to be received by the switch assembly receiver from the bottom of the switch mount. The switch mount includes a firearm connector for mounting the switch mount on the firearm.

In another aspect, a remote switch is for use with a firearm accessory on a firearm. The remote switch comprises a switch assembly including a switch housing and a switch supported by the switch housing. The remote switch comprises a switch mount configured to mount on the firearm. The switch mount includes a switch assembly connector. The switch assembly connector is resiliently deformable to permit connection of the switch mount with the switch assembly by resilient deformation of the switch assembly connector.

In yet another aspect, a remote switch is for use with a firearm accessory on a firearm. The remote switch comprises a switch assembly including a switch housing and a switch supported by the switch housing. The switch assembly includes a tether for operatively connecting the switch with the firearm accessory. A switch mount has a bottom portion configured to mouth on the firearm. The switch mount includes a switch assembly receiver for connecting the switch mount and switch assembly. The switch assembly receiver is configured to position the switch to be actuated from above the bottom portion of the switch mount. The switch mount includes a passage configured to permit the tether to pass from the switch assembly receiver to the firearm accessory. The passage is accessible for installation of the tether in the passage from a bottom surface of the bottom portion.

Other objects and features of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective of a firearm having a firearm accessory system mounted thereon, the firearm accessory system including a remote switch assembly and firearm accessory mounted on the firearm;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective of the remote switch assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective of the remote switch assembly;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective of a switch assembly of the remote switch assembly;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective of the switch assembly;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective of a switch mount of the remote switch assembly;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective of the switch mount;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective of a firearm having a second firearm accessory system mounted thereon, the firearm accessory system including a remote switch assembly, including the switch assembly of FIG. 4, and a second embodiment of a switch mount;

FIG. 9 a top perspective of the remote switch assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective of the remote switch assembly;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective of the switch mount of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective of the switch mount;

FIG. 13 is a perspective of a kit of additional first and second switch mounts interchangeably useable with another switch assembly for selectively making a remote switch assembly;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective of a remote switch assembly including the switch mount and switch assembly of FIG. 13, a battery cover and battery shown removed from the switch assembly; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic of a control system of a firearm accessory assembly including a remote switch assembly comprising the switch assembly of FIG. 13.

Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a firearm accessory system of the present disclosure is generally indicated by 10. The firearm accessory system comprises a firearm accessory 12 and a remote switch 14 connected to the firearm accessory. In the illustrated embodiment, the firearm accessory 12 comprises an illuminator, and more specifically, a light. The accessory 12 includes an accessory body 16 (e.g., illuminator body) and an accessory mount 18 configured to mount the accessory to the firearm F. The accessory body 16 houses a power source (e.g., battery) and a light source, such as an LED. The light source is configured to emit light out a front of the accessory body to illuminate an area in front of the firearm F. It will be appreciated that other accessories, such as other illuminators (e.g., lights and/or lasers), could be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2-7, the remote switch 14 includes a switch assembly 20 and a switch mount 22. The switch assembly 20 includes a tether 24 for operatively connecting the remote switch 14 to the accessory 12. As explained in further detail below, the switch mount 22 is configured to mount the switch assembly 20 to the firearm F, and the switch assembly can be used to execute various functions with respect to the accessory, such as turn the accessory 12 on/off and/or change operational modes of the accessory (e.g., brightness, strobe, etc.). The remote switch 14 is “remote” in the sense that it can be mounted to the firearm F remote from the accessory 12 such that the accessory can be mounted in a desired location for its operation (e.g., adjacent the front of the firearm) and the remote switch can be mounted in a location where the user can more easily actuate the remote switch while holding the firearm.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the switch assembly 20 comprises a switch housing 30 including a housing body 32 and an actuator 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the switch housing 30 has a bottom side, a top side opposite the bottom side, a rear end, a front end opposite the rear side, a left side, and a right side opposite the left side. The housing body 32 can be formed of a generally rigid plastic. The actuator 34 is provided on the top side of the switch housing 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 34 comprises a flexible cover over a switch (e.g., digital switch, such as a dome switch) inside the housing 30. For example, the flexible cover 34 can be overmolded onto the housing body 32 to cover a top opening of the housing body. The user can actuate the internal switch by pressing the actuator 34. Together, the switch and cover 34 form a button. For example, the switch may be mounted on a circuit board (broadly, “internal electronic components”) secured inside the housing 30. The switch is configured to be in operative communication with the accessory 12 via the tether 24. The tether 24 extends from the front end of the housing 30. The tether 24 includes a proximal end secured to the switch housing 30 and extends to a distal end having a suitable connector for connecting to the accessory. The tether 24 includes a fitting 24A at the front end of the housing 30 and a cord 24B extending from the fitting toward the distal end of the tether.

The switch actuator 34 can be actuated in various ways, such as tap-and-release or long-hold (sustained-press-and-release). For example, a tap and release may toggle the accessory 12 between on/off, and a long-hold may cause the switch to operate as a momentary switch by which the accessory 12 is on only for the time the actuator is pressed and held by the user. Other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the switch mount 22 will be described in more detail. The switch mount 22 includes a mount body 40 defining a recess 40A configured to receive the switch assembly 20 from a bottom of the mount body. The mount body 40 includes a top opening 40B through which the switch actuator 34 is exposed when the switch assembly 20 is combined with the switch mount 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the switch assembly receiving recess 40A is sized and shaped to closely conform to the housing 30 of the switch assembly 20 to hold the switch assembly in position with respect to the mount 22. The mount body 40 has an upper portion 40C which may serve as a cover for covering the housing of the switch assembly.

The switch mount 22 includes a lower portion defining jaws 44 (broadly, “firearm connectors”) for connecting the switch mount to the firearm F. The jaws 44 each comprise a wing 44A and a foot 44B. The jaws 44 oppose each other and define a rail receiving space therebetween for receiving a rail of the firearm F. A tab 46 is provided on one of the jaws 44 to facilitate the user in manipulating the jaw to install and uninstall the jaw from the firearm rail. In the illustrated embodiment, the jaws 44 are configured to connect to a dovetail style rail, such as a Picatinny rail R1 (FIG. 1) (first type of firearm mounting structure) having an elongate rail body including ribs B and slots S extending across a top of the rail body. The jaws 44 define V-shaped grooves configured to receive sides of the dovetail rail R1. The switch mount 22 includes first and second rail keys 50 (e.g., lugs) that protrude downward. The rail keys 50 are configured to be received in the slots S of the dovetail rail R1. The switch mount 22 can be formed of a resiliently deformable material, such as a molded rubber (e.g., TPE) or another suitable material. The arrangement is such that the jaws 44 are resiliently deformable to “snap” over the sides of the dovetail rail R1. When the jaws 44 are located on the sides of the dovetail rail R1, the rail keys 50 are received in slots S of the rail to prevent the mount 22 from sliding along the length of the rail. The switch mount 22 is configured to hold the bottom side of the switch assembly housing 30 against the top of the rail R1 to secure the switch assembly in position on the firearm F.

The switch mount 22 is configured to permit assembly of the switch assembly 20 with the switch mount prior to mounting of the mount on the firearm F. For example, the switch assembly 20 can be oriented so the actuator 34 faces the bottom of the mount 22, and then the switch assembly can be moved upward to locate the switch assembly housing 30 in the recess 40A of the mount 22. The mount 22 is configured to facilitate installation of the tether 24 of the switch assembly 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the front end of the mount 22 defines a tether receiver comprising a port 54 (in a front wall of the mount) and a slot 56 leading to the port from the underside of the mount. In particular, the slot 56 passes through the front slot key 50 and the bottom of the upper portion of the mount. The slot 56 is normally closed (e.g., opposing surfaces of slot abutting or being adjacent across a small gap) in an at-rest configuration of the mount without the switch assembly 20 installed. The slot 56 can be opened by temporarily deforming (e.g., resiliently flexing) the mount 22 to permit access of the tether 24 into the port 54. For example, the user can grasp the opposite jaws 44 and bend the upper portion of the mount 22 to cause the slot 56 to open. The port 54 serves as a passage (e.g., having a front opening, rear opening, and channel therebetween) from the switch receiver recess 40A through the front end of the mount 22 for passage of the tether to the accessory 12. The port 54 and slot 56 can be referred to as a switch assembly connector of the switch mount 22 that is configured to form a connection with the switch assembly by resilient deformation of the switch connector. Accordingly, installation of the switch assembly 20 on the mount 22 can be accomplished without disconnecting the tether 24 from the switch assembly housing 30, and comprises flexing the mount 22 (e.g., deform relative to an at-rest state) and permitting the mount to resiliently retract (e.g., resiliently return toward the at-rest state). The switch assembly housing 30 is moved upward into the recess 40A of the mount 22 substantially simultaneously with installation of the tether 24 in the port. The reception of the tether 24 (e.g., the fitting 24A) in the port 54 may provide a friction fit and serves to hold the switch assembly 20 in position with respect to the mount 22 (e.g., before mounted on the firearm). It will be appreciated that other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the slot may normally be open or partially open and not require flexing of the mount for installation of the switch assembly.

After the switch assembly 20 is installed on the mount 22, the mount can be mounted on the firearm F. For example, one of the jaws 44 can be located to receive a side of the dovetail rail R1, and the mount 22 can be pivoted to push the other jaw 44 against the other side of the rail. The flexible material of the mount 22 is configured to permit the jaws 44 to deflect away from each other in response to the second jaw being pushed against the firearm rail R1 to separate the first and second jaws. The flexible material is configured to resiliently return the first jaw 44 toward the second jaw 44 to snap the mount onto the firearm rail R1 when the rail keys 50 are received in the slots in the rail.

A second embodiment of a switch mount 122 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8-12. The switch mount 122 is similar to the switch mount 22 described above, and like components are labeled with like reference numbers, plus 100. For example, the switch mount 122 includes an upper portion 140C defining a switch assembly recess 140A sized and shaped for receiving and closely conforming to the housing 30 of the switch assembly 20. The mount 122 includes an upper opening 140B through which the switch actuator 34 is exposed when the switch assembly 20 is received in the mount. In this embodiment, the switch mount 122 is configured for use with an M-LOK style rail R2 of a firearm (second type of firearm mounting structure). For example, in FIG. 8, the mount 122 is shown mounted on an M-LOK style rail R2 of a firearm F. In FIG. 8, the accessory 12 is shown as having a clamp mount 118 configured to clamp to a dovetail rail R1 adjacent the M-LOK rail R2.

In this embodiment, the switch mount 122 includes a rear firearm connector 131 including a foot 131A configured for reception in a slot of the M-LOK rail R2, and a forward firearm connector 133 defining a fastener receiver for a fastener 135. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the fastener 135 may comprise a screw or bolt having a head 135A and a threaded shaft 135B sized to pass through an opening of the firearm connector 133. The fastener 135 is threaded into a T-shaped nut 137. When the mount 122 is installed on the M-LOK style rail R2, the rear foot 131A is received in an end of a slot segment of the firearm rail, and the T-shaped nut 137 is received in a slot segment of the firearm rail. The fastener 135 is then turned to cause the threaded engagement of the fastener and T-shaped nut 137 to turn the nut crosswise with respect to the slot segment and then to draw the T-shaped nut toward the firearm connector 133 to tighten the mount 122 in position.

Like the switch mount 22 described above, the switch mount 122 is configured to permit assembly of the switch assembly 20 with the switch mount prior to mounting of the mount on the firearm F. For example, the switch assembly 20 can be oriented so the actuator 34 faces the bottom of the mount 122, and then the switch assembly can be moved upward to locate the switch assembly housing 30 in the recess 140A of the mount. The mount 122 is configured to facilitate installation of the tether 24 of the switch assembly 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the front end of the mount 122 defines a tether receiver comprising a port 154 (in a front wall of the mount) and a slot 156 leading to the port from the underside of the mount. In particular, the slot 156 passes through the front firearm connector 133 and the bottom of the upper portion 140C of the mount 122. The slot 156 is normally closed (opposing surfaces of slot abutting or being adjacent across a small gap) in an at-rest configuration of the mount without the switch assembly 20 installed. The slot 156 can be opened by temporarily deforming (e.g., resiliently flexing) the mount to permit access of the tether into the port. For example, the user can grasp and bend the mount 122 to cause the slot 156 to open. The port 154 serves as a passage (e.g., having a front opening, rear opening, and channel therebetween) from the switch receiver recess 140A through the front end of the mount 122 for passage of the tether 24 to the accessory 12. Accordingly, installation of the switch assembly 20 on the mount 122 can be accomplished without disconnecting the tether 24 from the switch assembly housing 30, and comprises flexing the mount (e.g., deform relative to an at-rest state) and permitting the mount to resiliently retract (e.g., resiliently return toward the at-rest state). The switch assembly housing 30 is moved upward into the recess 140A of the mount substantially simultaneously with installation of the tether 24 in the port 154. The reception of the tether 24 (specifically, the fitting 24A) in the port 156 may provide a friction fit and serves to hold the switch assembly 20 in position with respect to the mount 122 (e.g., before mounted on the firearm). The tether 24 extends over the top of the head 135A of the fastener 135 when the remote switch is installed on the firearm F. It will be appreciated that other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the slot may normally be open or partially open and not require flexing of the mount for installation of the switch assembly.

The switch assembly 20 can be provided with a kit of switch mounts (e.g., including at least two mounts, such as mount 22 and mount 122) to permit a user to form a remote switch assembly as desired to mount on a rail R1, R2 of the user's firearm F. The switch assembly 20 is interchangeable with the mounts 22, 122 of the kit to be mountable to the type of rail R1, R2 desired for mounting. Instead of providing multiple remote switches having different mount types, the switch assembly 20 can be interchangeably paired with switch mounts 22, 122 of the kit for forming a desired remote switch assembly. More than two switch mounts may be provided in such a kit for connecting to various types of firearm connection structure.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-14, another embodiment of a switch assembly 220 is shown with another kit of switch mounts 222, 322 for selectively forming a remote switch assembly. The switch assembly 220 is similar to the switch assembly 20 described above, and like components are indicated by like references numbers, plus 200. For example, a tether 224 extends from the switch assembly housing 230 for operatively connecting the switch assembly 220 with a firearm accessory 212 (e.g., illuminator, such as a light and/or laser). Moreover, the switch assembly 220 includes an actuator 234 in the form of a cover overmolded on the housing body to cover an upper opening of the housing body. The cover overlies an internal switch 251 (e.g., digital switch) mounted on a circuit board (broadly, “circuit board structure”) in the housing 230. Other configurations can be used without departing from the present disclosure.

In this embodiment, referring to FIG. 15, the circuit board structure includes a switch processor 253 and a non-transitory tangible storage medium 255 storing instructions executable by the switch processor. The switch processor 253 is responsive to user input from the switch 251 via the switch actuator 234, and executes instructions stored by the tangible storage medium 255 responsive to the user input. For example, in response to a tap-and-release of the actuator 234, per instructions stored in the storage medium 255, the switch processor 253 may transmit one or more command signals to the firearm accessory 212, such as to turn on or to turn off, such that successive tap-and-release actuations function like toggling on/off. Alternatively, in response to the actuator 234 being pressed and held, the switch processor 253 may transmit one or more command signals to the firearm accessory 212 such that the switch 251 acts as a momentary switch, by which the accessory is on while the actuator is pressed and turns off when the actuator is released. Other configurations can be used. For example, presses of the actuator 234 in sequence within a threshold time may cause the accessory to cycle through various functions (e.g., strobe, different brightness levels). Moreover, the switch may comprise a mechanical switch rather than a digital switch.

In this embodiment, the switch assembly 220 includes a battery receiver 271 configured for holding a battery 273 (broadly, “power source”). The switch assembly housing 230 includes a generally cylindrical upward protruding housing portion defining the battery receiver. A cap 275 is releasably connectable to the battery receiver 271 to retain the battery therein. The battery 273 is operatively connected to the switch processor 253 via the circuit board structure to provide power to the processor. Optionally, the battery 273 can also be used as a power source for the firearm accessory (e.g., light and/or laser). In such a case, the firearm accessory 212 may include a housing with a light source (LED or laser) that is powered by the battery 273 carried by the remote switch assembly 220, and the firearm accessory may not itself include a power source.

The switch mount 222 is essentially the same as the switch mount 22 described above, except the switch mount 222 is dimensioned to accommodate the larger switch housing 230 and includes a battery receiver cover 227 forming a cavity in which the battery receiver 271 is located when the switch assembly 220 is installed on the switch mount 222. The battery receiver cover 227 has a top opening 227A to permit access to the battery receiver and for installation and removal of the cap 275.

The switch mount 322 is essentially the same as the switch mount 122 described above, except the switch mount 322 is dimensioned to accommodate the larger switch housing 230 and includes a battery receiver cover 327 forming a cavity in which the battery receiver 271 is located when the switch assembly 220 is installed on the switch mount 322. The battery receiver cover 327 has a top opening 327A to permit access to the battery receiver 227 and for installation and removal of the cap 227A.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the switch assembly 220 is interchangeably useable with the switch mounts 222, 322 to form a remote switch, in a similar was as described above, to accommodate a user's needs of mounting on various types of firearm rails R1, R2.

It will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A remote switch system for use with a firearm mounted accessory, the remote switch system comprising: a switch assembly including a switch and a switch housing;a kit of switch mounts, the kit of switch mounts including at least a first switch mount and a second switch mount, the first and second switch mounts being interchangeably useable with the switch assembly for forming a remote switch, the first switch mount including a switch receiver configured to receive the switch assembly, the first switch mount being configured to connect to a first type of firearm connection structure, the second switch mount including a switch receiver configured to receive the switch assembly, the second switch mount being configured to connect to a second type of firearm connection structure different from the first firearm connection structure.

2. A remote switch for use with a firearm accessory, the remote switch comprising: a switch housing;a switch supported by the switch housing;a tether for operatively connecting the switch to the firearm accessory;a power source supported by the switch housing, the power source being operatively connected to the tether for providing power to the firearm accessory.

3. A remote switch as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a switch processor supported by the switch housing, the switch processor being responsive to the switch to transmit command signals via the tether for communication with the firearm accessory.

4. A remote switch as set forth in claim 3, further comprising a non-transitory tangible storage medium supported by the switch housing and storing switch processor executable instructions for controlling the firearm accessory responsive to user input via the switch.

5. A remote switch for use with a firearm accessory on a firearm, the remote switch comprising: a switch assembly including a switch for receiving user input;a switch mount including a switch assembly receiver configured to receive the switch assembly, the switch mount including a top opening via which the switch is accessible for receiving user input when the switch assembly is received by the switch receiver, the switch mount including a bottom defining an opening permitting the switch assembly to be received by the switch assembly receiver from the bottom of the switch mount, the switch mount including a firearm connector for mounting the switch mount on the firearm.

6. A remote switch as set forth in claim 5, wherein the switch mount is configured to locate a bottom of the switch assembly to rest against the firearm when the switch assembly is received in the switch assembly receiver and the switch mount is mounted on the firearm.

7. A remote switch for use with a firearm accessory on a firearm, the remote switch comprising: a switch assembly including a switch housing and a switch supported by the switch housing; anda switch mount configured to mount on the firearm, the switch mount including a switch assembly connector, the switch assembly connector being resiliently deformable to permit connection of the switch mount with the switch assembly by resilient deformation of the switch assembly connector.

8. A remote switch for use with a firearm accessory on a firearm, the remote switch comprising: a switch assembly including a switch housing and a switch supported by the switch housing, the switch assembly including a tether for operatively connecting the switch with the firearm accessory; anda switch mount having a bottom portion configured to mouth on the firearm, the switch mount including a switch assembly receiver for connecting the switch mount and switch assembly, the switch assembly receiver configured to position the switch to be actuated from above the bottom portion of the switch mount, the switch mount including a passage configured to permit the tether to pass from the switch assembly receiver to the firearm accessory, the passage being accessible for installation of the tether in the passage from a bottom surface of the bottom portion.