U.S. patent application number 09/929222 was filed with the patent office on 2003-02-13 for apparatus and method for actuating a weapon accessory by a laser sighting beam.
Invention is credited to Danielson, Lewis, Ouellette, Joe.
Application Number | 20030029072 09/929222 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25457507 |
Filed Date | 2003-02-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030029072 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Danielson, Lewis ; et
al. |
February 13, 2003 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ACTUATING A WEAPON ACCESSORY BY A LASER
SIGHTING BEAM
Abstract
A system for actuating an accessory mounted on a weapon with the
sighting light beam generated by a laser sighting device. A light
probe, adapted to be mounted on the weapon proximate the optical
pathway of a sighting beam of light generated by a laser sighting
device, is provided for detecting the sighting beam and producing
in response thereto an electrical detection signal. An actuation
circuit, adapted to be mounted on the weapon, is provided for
receiving the detection signal and, in response thereto, actuating
an electrical accessory mounted on the weapon. An ambient light
sensor is provided for receiving ambient light and producing an
electrical reference signal. The actuation circuit includes a
comparator for comparing the detection signal to the ambient light
signal and actuating a flashlight or other accessory when said
detection signal passes said reference signal by a predetermined
amount. The system inhibits the accessory when the ambient light
passes a predetermined intensity.
Inventors: |
Danielson, Lewis; (Portland,
OR) ; Ouellette, Joe; (Portland, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William A. Birdwell
BIRDWELL, JANKE & DURANDO, PLC
1100 SW SIXTH AVENUE
SUITE 1400
Portland
OR
97204
US
|
Family ID: |
25457507 |
Appl. No.: |
09/929222 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/114 ; 42/117;
42/146 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 1/35 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/114 ; 42/146;
42/117 |
International
Class: |
F41G 001/00 |
Claims
1. A system for actuating an accessory mounted on a weapon by a
sighting light beam generated by a laser sighting device,
comprising: a optical probe, adapted to be mounted on the weapon
proximate the optical pathway of the sighting beam, for detecting
the sighting beam and producing in response thereto an electrical
detection signal; and an actuation circuit, adapted to be mounted
on the weapon, for receiving said detection signal and, in response
thereto, actuating an electrical accessory mounted on the
weapon.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said optical probe comprises a
photodetector.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein said optical probe further
comprises an optical element for diverting a portion of the optical
power of the sighting beam to said photodetector.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising an ambient light
sensor for receiving ambient light and producing in response
thereto an electrical ambient light signal, said actuation circuit
including a comparison circuit for comparing said detection signal
to said ambient light signal and producing an actuation signal when
said detection signal exceeds said ambient light signal by a
predetermined amount.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein said comparison circuit includes
a differential amplifier for producing a difference signal
representative of the difference between said detection signal and
said ambient light signal, and a comparator for producing said
actuation signal when said difference signal passes a threshold
value.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said actuation circuit includes
an electronic switch for providing current to in accessory in
response to said detection signal.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the accessory comprises a
flashlight.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a deactivation circuit
responsive to ambient light for negating said electrical detection
signal when the ambient light intensity passes a predetermined
turn-off threshold so as to prevent the system from actuating said
electrical accessory.
9. A method for actuating an accessory mounted on a weapon with a
sighting light beam generated by a laser sighting device,
comprising: detecting a portion of the sighting beam; and in
response to the detection of said portion of light, actuating the
accessory.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of detecting a portion
of the light produced by a laser sighting device comprises placing
a light probe adjacent the optical pathway of the light beam for
diverting optical energy therefrom, said method further comprising
detecting the intensity of ambient light, comparing the intensity
of light diverted from said light beam to the intensity of ambient
light, and actuating the accessory when the intensity of light
detected from said light probe passes the intensity of ambient
light detected.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein said accessory is actuated by
providing current thereto.
12. The method of claim 9, further comprising detecting the
intensity of ambient light and inhibiting the accessory when the
intensity of ambient light passes a turn-off threshold.
13. The method of claim 9, further comprising modulating the
sighting beam by a predetermined modulation signal and, in said
actuating step, actuating the accessory only in response to
detection of said modulation signal.
14. In a weapon having a laser sighting device that emits a
sighting light beam and having an electrical accessory mounted on
the weapon, a system mounted on the weapon for actuating the
electrical accessory in response to the sighting beam, comprising:
optical probe means for detecting the sighting beam and producing a
detection signal in response thereto; and actuation means,
responsive to said detection signal, for actuating said electrical
accessory.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein said optical probe means
includes detector means for receiving light and producing an
electrical signal in response thereto.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein said optical probe means
further includes means for diverting a portion of the optical power
of the sighting beam to said detector means.
17. The system of claim 14, further comprising ambient light
detector means for receiving ambient light and producing an
electrical ambient light signal in response thereto, said actuation
means including means for comparing said detection signal to said
ambient light signal and producing an actuation signal when said
detection signal passes said ambient light signal by a
predetermined amount.
18. The system of claim 14, wherein said actuation means includes
means for providing current to an accessory in response to said
detection signal.
19. The system of claim 14, wherein the accessory comprises a
flashlight.
20. The system of claim 14, further comprising a deactivation
circuit responsive to ambient light for inhibiting the system from
actuating said electrical accessory when the ambient light
intensity passes a predetermined turn-off threshold.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to laser sighting devices, and
particularly to the actuation of a weapon accessory, such as a
flashlight removably mounted on the weapon, by the sighting beam of
a laser sighting device.
[0002] Law enforcement and military organizations often find it
necessary to perform armed operations in darkness or low-light
conditions. To ensure that their mission is carried out properly,
successfully and safety, the operational personnel often employ
flashlights to illuminate a potential target in the event use of a
weapon becomes necessary. It is awkward and restrictive to hold a
flashlight in one hand and a weapon in the other. Consequently,
flashlight attachments to weapons have been developed such that a
flashlight is actually mounted on the weapon, pointing the same
direction as the barrel of the weapon, so that a potential target
can be illuminated by pointing the weapon generally in the
direction of the target with one hand, leaving the other hand free.
Ordinarily, such devices provide for the flashlight to be removably
mounted on the weapon so that it does not limit weapon flexibility
when it is not needed.
[0003] It is now common in law enforcement and certain military
operations for weapons to be equipped with a laser sighting device,
that is, a laser mounted on the weapon that propagates a relatively
narrow, intense laser light beam to a target so as to produce a
spot on the target essentially where the projectile will intercept
the target if the weapon is discharged. This enables the weapon to
be aimed precisely by pointing the weapon so that the spot lies on
the target at the point where the person using the weapon wants the
projectile to strike the target. Such a laser sighting device is
disclosed, for example, in Toole et al. U.S. Pat. No.
5,435,091.
[0004] While a laser sighting device provides an aiming function,
it does not provide an illuminating function. Consequently, it is
often desirable to equip a weapon with both a laser sighting device
and a flashlight attachment. Both of these types of devices require
electrical power from a battery. For this and a number of other
reasons, not the least of which is often a need for stealth, these
devices are only actuated when they are needed. To actuate these
devices, switches are required. To activate these devices with the
same hand with which the weapon is gripped, one or more switches
should be mounted on the weapon where the weapon is gripped,
together with wiring from the switches to the accessories. In the
case of a handgun, the switches should be mounted on the
handgrip.
[0005] Various devices have been developed for removably mounting a
flashlight on a weapon. For example, Sharrah et al. U.S. Pat. No.
5,628,555; Christiansen U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,683; and Fell et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,875, all disclose devices for attachment of a
flashlight to the bottom of the handgrip of a handgun. However,
these devices may interfere with gripping the handgun, render
holstering the handgun difficult, and require either that the
flashlight be switched on, or actuated, with a hand other than the
gripping hand or by a dedicated switch, separate from any switch
required for a laser sighting device, disposed on the handgrip.
[0006] Other flashlight attachment devices have been designed for
mounting either on the barrel of a rifle or under the barrel and
frame of a handgun. In the case of a handgun, the flashlight is
typically attached to a forward portion of the handgun frame by
rails provided in the frame for mounting an accessory or by an
adaptor for mounting the flashlight accessory. This arrangement is
particularly convenient because it does not interfere with a user's
hand grip and is more readily adapted for holstering. A device of
this type is shown by Teetzel U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,105. In Teetzel a
flashlight is removably mounted on a laser sighting device that is
attached under the barrel and frame of a weapon, and the flashlight
attachment may be actuated simultaneously with the laser sighting
device by an infrared light source in the sighting device coupled
to the flashlight attachment. However, a drawback to this approach
is that a physical connection between the handgrip and the front
part of the frame of the weapon is required to switch the laser and
flashlight on from the handgrip. Such a connection, whether by
electrical wiring, optical waveguide, or mechanical link adds
weight, may require undue modification of the weapon, and may be
inconvenient.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a system that actuates a
flashlight removably attached on or under the barrel or frame of a
weapon for actuation from a handgrip without bulky and inconvenient
wiring or other physical connection between a switch on the
handgrip and the flashlight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention meets the aforementioned need by
providing a system that employs the beam generated by a laser
sighting device to actuate a flashlight mounted on or under the
barrel or frame of a weapon, or some other accessory mounted on the
weapon, so that operation of a switch to actuate the laser also
actuates the accessory, without the need for a physical connection
between a switch on the handgrip of the weapon and the accessory,,
A light probe, adapted to be mounted on the weapon proximate the
optical pathway of a beam of light generated by a laser sighting
device, is provided for detecting the beam of light and producing
in response thereto a detection signal. A reference light sensor is
provided for receiving ambient light and producing an ambient light
signal. An actuation circuit, adapted to be mounted on the weapon,
is provided for receiving the detection signal and, in response
thereto, actuating an electrical accessory mounted on the weapon.
The actuation circuit compares the difference between the detection
signal and the ambient light signal to an actuation threshold, and
actuates a flashlight or other accessory when that difference
exceeds the actuation threshold. The actuation circuit also
compares an ambient light signal to a deactuation threshold and
inhibits actuation of the accessory when the ambient light signal
exceeds that deactuation threshold.
[0009] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present
invention to provide a novel and improved system and method for
actuating a weapon accessory with the sighting beam produced by a
laser sighting device.
[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide a system
that uses the sighting beam of a laser sighting device to actuate a
flashlight assembly removably mounted on the weapon wherein the
laser is mounted near the handgrip of the weapon and the flashlight
assembly is mounted on or under the barrel or frame of the
weapon.
[0011] It is a further object of the invention to provide a system
for actuating a flashlight accessory for a weapon by the sighting
beam of a laser sighting device, wherein actuation is relatively
insensitive to ambient light.
[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of
the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of
the following detailed description of the invention, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a weapon flashlight actuator
according to the present invention, mounted on a pistol.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an electro-optical circuit
for a weapon flashlight actuator according to the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary optical probe
for use in a weapon flashlight actuator according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a flashlight 10 is removably attached
to the forward portion of the frame 12 of a handgun 16 beneath the
barrel 14 and slide 15 of the handgun. Depending on the make and
model of the handgun, the flashlight may be mounted either directly
on rails 13 provided in the frame for mounting accessories, or by
an appropriate adaptor. Flashlight devices of this type are
commonly known in the firearms industry. Ordinarily, such
flashlight attachments are actuated by a switch mounted on the
attachment. In this case, the handgun 16 is equipped with a laser
sighting device 18 of the type disclosed in Toole et al. U.S. Pat.
No. 5,435,091, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The laser 20 is mounted at the top of the handgrip 21 and is
actuated by a button 22 built into the handgrip. The sighting
device emits a laser beam 24 that propagates alongside the frame 12
and beyond to a potential target when the laser is turned on.
[0017] The flashlight actuator of the present invention comprises a
small optical probe 26 disposed on or adjacent the flashlight
attachment 10 for detecting the laser beam and producing an
electrical signal indicative of the presence of that beam.
Preferably, the optical probe comprises a photodetector 28, shown
schematically in FIG. 2 as part of an actuation circuit 30., and an
optical element for diverting a portion of the optical power of the
laser beam to the photodetector 28. The actuation circuit responds
to an electrical detection signal from the photodetector 28 to
actuate the flashlight lamp 32.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 3, the optical element may be a single
lens 34 whose front surface 36 extends into the beam of the laser
and refracts some light onto a photodiode 38, or a more complicated
optic, depending on how much power is needed to drive the
photodiode, how much the optic affects the power and shape of the
beam, and the size and shape constraints of the particular weapon
installation. Typically, the lens 34 and photo diode 38 are
packaged together as a photodetector. In particular, it has been
found that any of a number of commonly available light emitting
diodes packaged with a lens can be used as a photovoltaic detector.
In this case it has also been found that by scuffing the lens
slightly at position 39 more light can be directed to the diode for
a given insertion of the lens into the sighting beam.
[0019] Since the photodetector 28 is exposed to ambient light as
well as the laser beam 24, the system is preferably provided with a
second, reference photodetector 40 which is exposed to ambient
light, but not to the laser beam. Thus, the reference photodetector
produces an electrical reference signal representative of the
intensity of the ambient, background light. A differential
amplifier 42 amplifies the difference between the detection signal
and the reference signal, and produces a first actuation signal
representative of the extent to which the detection signal exceeds
or passes the reference signal, if at all. A first comparator 44
compares the first actuation signal to a first, adjustable
reference voltage provided by potentiometer 46, which produces a
second actuation signal when the first actuation signal passes the
first reference voltage. (It is to be recognized that the circuit
could be designed so that the detection signal produces an
actuation signal either when it is or becomes positive or when it
is or becomes negative with respect to the reference voltage, and
the term "passes" is intended to encompass all of these
possibilities.) The second actuation signal is applied to the input
of a switch, in this case the gate of FET 52, which turns on the
switch and allows current to flow through flashlight bulb 32. Thus,
the light from the sighting beam causes the flashlight to turn
on.
[0020] When the ambient light is high, as would be the case, for
example, in a partially lighted room, there is no need for the
flashlight to be used. To prevent the flashlight from turning on in
that situation, the detector signal and the reference signal are
added and applied to one input of a second comparator 48, whose
other input is a second reference voltage that provides a tarn-off
threshold based on the level of ambient light. The second reference
voltage may be provided by a simple resistor voltage divider, or by
a potentiometer 50, as shown in FIG. 2. If the voltage from either
photodetector passes the second reference voltage, comparator 48
produces a negative turn-off signal that pulls the gate of FET 52
down, through diode 51, so as to inhibit the actuation signal and
turn the FET off. This turns off the flashlight bulb 32.
[0021] Both the detection signal and the reference signal are
preferably applied to the input of comparator 48 because ambient
light may affect diode 28 and diode 40 slightly differently.
However, essentially the same function could be provided less
advantageously by only one of the photodiode. Since the power
absorbed by the detection signal photodiode 28 from the sighting
beam is much less than the power from ambient light required to
overcome the turn-off threshold, the sighting beam will produce the
second actuation signal but will not produce the turn-off
signal.
[0022] In an alternative embodiment the sighting beam may be
modulated by a predetermined modulation signal so as to ensure that
the light actuating the attachment is produced by the sighting
beam. To that end, a bandpass filter, detector and lowpass filter,
or other signal discrimination element 54, may be placed in the
actuation circuit 30 and coupled to photodetector 28, for providing
an electrical detection signal only when the modulated sighting
beam is picked up by the photodetector and detected by the
actuation circuit.
[0023] The optical probe 26 and actuation circuit 30 preferably are
packaged in the flashlight attachment so that when the attachment
is mounted on a weapon the probe will be inserted into the laser
beam only slightly and actuate the lamp when the laser beam is
turned on. In this case, the lamp 32 of the flashlight would
ordinarily utilize an electronic switch, as shown in FIG. 2.
However, the actuator system could be an attachment to a
flashlight, and the switch could also be an electromechanical
relay, which may facilitate connection of the actuator to the
flashlight. A variety of different electronic circuits could be
used to actuate the flashlight lamp based on the outputs of the
laser beam and the ambient light photodetectors, without departing
from the principles of the invention. It is to be recognized as
well that the accessory actuated by the laser beam need not
necessarily be a flashlight, and that other electronic accessories
mounted on a weapon might be actuated by the system described
herein without departing from the principles of the invention.
Further, the weapon need not be a handgun, but may be a rifle or
shotgun as well.
[0024] The terms and expressions which have been employed in the
foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description
and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of
such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the
features shown and described or portions thereof, it being
recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited
only by the claims which follow.
* * * * *