U.S. patent application number 12/654567 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-24 for firearm.
This patent application is currently assigned to Para USA, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael Heinz Huxhold, Athanasios Polyzos.
Application Number | 20100154279 12/654567 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42264038 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100154279 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Polyzos; Athanasios ; et
al. |
June 24, 2010 |
Firearm
Abstract
A firearm includes a barrel, a frame providing support for the
barrel, and a hand grip. The hand grip may include a hand-grip main
body and a first back-strap extension detachably engaged to a rear
portion of the hand-grip main body. The firearm may also include a
light system, which may include a light and an ancillary
light-system component disposed at least partially in the hand grip
between the hand-grip main body and a rear outer surface of the
first back-strap extension.
Inventors: |
Polyzos; Athanasios;
(Toronto, CA) ; Huxhold; Michael Heinz;
(Charlotte, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER;LLP
901 NEW YORK AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-4413
US
|
Assignee: |
Para USA, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
42264038 |
Appl. No.: |
12/654567 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61193788 |
Dec 23, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/117 ; 362/110;
362/114; 42/146 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 23/10 20130101;
F41C 23/22 20130101; F41G 1/35 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/117 ; 362/110;
362/114; 42/146 |
International
Class: |
F41G 1/35 20060101
F41G001/35; F41G 1/34 20060101 F41G001/34 |
Claims
1. A firearm, comprising: a barrel; a frame providing support for
the barrel; a hand grip, including a hand-grip main body and a
first back-strap extension detachably engaged to a rear portion of
the hand-grip main body; and a light system, including a first
light, and an ancillary light-system component disposed at least
partially in the hand grip between the hand-grip main body and a
rear outer surface of the first back-strap extension.
2. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the ancillary light-system
component is mounted to the first back-strap extension.
3. The firearm of claim 2, further including a first electrical
contact terminal attached to the first back-strap extension and a
second electrical contact terminal attached to the hand-grip main
body, wherein engagement of the first electrical contact terminal
to the second electrical contact terminal provides electrical
connection between the light and the ancillary light-system
component.
4. The firearm of claim 3, wherein the first electrical contact
terminal and the second electrical contact terminal are configured
to automatically engage one another when the first back-strap
extension is engaged to the hand-grip main body and to
automatically disengage from one another when the first back-strap
extension is detached from the hand-grip main body.
5. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the ancillary light-system
component includes an energy source for the first light.
6. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the ancillary light-system
component includes driving circuitry for the first light.
7. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the ancillary light-system
component includes a control switch for the first light.
8. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the light system further
includes a replaceable light cartridge, the replaceable light
cartridge including a light housing attached to the firearm, a
second light attached to the housing, and one or more additional
ancillary light-system components attached to the housing,
including an energy source for the second light; and wherein the
replaceable light cartridge is removable from the firearm as a
unit.
9. The firearm of claim 8, wherein the first light is a laser, and
the second light is an incandescent light.
10. The firearm of claim 1, further including a second back-strap
extension, wherein the second back strap extension is configured to
be detachably secured to the rear portion of the hand-grip main
body in place of the first back-strap extension, and the second
back-strap extension has at least one of a different size and a
different shape than the first back-strap extension.
11. A firearm, comprising: a barrel; a frame providing support for
the barrel; and a light system with a replaceable light cartridge,
the replaceable light cartridge including a light housing attached
to the firearm, a first light attached to the housing, and one or
more ancillary light-system components attached to the housing,
including an energy source for the first light; and wherein the
replaceable light cartridge is removable from the firearm as a
unit.
12. The firearm of claim 11, wherein the replaceable light
cartridge is disposed in a first cavity integrally formed in the
frame.
13. The firearm of claim 12, wherein the first cavity is integrally
formed in a dust cover of the frame beneath the barrel.
14. The firearm of claim 13, wherein the light system further
includes a second light.
15. The firearm of claim 14, wherein the second light is disposed
in a second cavity integrally formed in the frame.
16. The firearm of claim 15, wherein the first light is an
incandescent light, and the second light is a laser.
17. A firearm, comprising: a barrel; a frame providing support for
the barrel; a trigger; and a light system, including an
incandescent light, and a control switch for the incandescent
light, the control switch having a handle located rearward of the
trigger.
18. The firearm of claim 17, further comprising: a hand grip; and
wherein the handle of the control switch is located on the hand
grip.
19. The firearm of claim 18, wherein the incandescent light is part
of a light cartridge that includes the light and an energy source,
the light cartridge being removable from the firearm as a unit.
20. The firearm of claim 17, wherein the incandescent light is part
of a light cartridge that includes the light and an energy source,
the light cartridge being removable from the firearm as a unit.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/193,788,
filed Dec. 23, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein
by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to firearms and, more
particularly, to firearms with light systems that include lasers
and/or other types of lights.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Light systems have been attached to firearms for various
purposes. For example, light systems with laser lights for sighting
purposes have been attached to firearms. Additionally, light
systems with incandescent lights for illuminating larger areas have
been attached to firearms. Both of these types of light systems
typically have an energy source for the light (e.g., batteries) and
controls for the light system (e.g., control switches for the
light). These components of light systems for firearms require
significant space, and they sometimes require service. Mounting all
of these components of light systems to a firearm in a manner that
provides reliability and serviceability of the light system without
making the firearm unwieldy or requiring undesirably extensive
modification of the firearm may present significant challenges.
[0004] The light systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,600 to
Toole et al. ("the '600 patent") illustrate some of the
difficulties associated with addressing all of these considerations
when providing a light system on a firearm. The '600 patent
discloses multiple embodiments of a laser-sighting device for a
firearm. The '600 patent discloses one embodiment where a battery
of the light system mounts inside a grip area of the firearm. The
'600 patent discloses that this approach for mounting the energy
source for the light may have the problem of requiring undesirably
extensive machining operations to the firearm. Additionally, the
'600 patent suggests that mounting the energy source for the light
in the grip area of the firearm may hinder servicing the energy
source, including changing and recharging the energy source.
[0005] Accordingly, the '600 patent discloses a second embodiment
where the battery for the laser-sighting device mounts to a lower
end of an ammunition magazine of the firearm. The '600 patent
suggests that this reduces the amount of modification of the hand
grip required to accommodate the battery for the laser-sighting
device. Additionally, the '600 patent indicates that mounting the
battery to the lower end of the ammunition magazine allows easily
changing and charging the battery.
[0006] While mounting the battery to the lower end of the
ammunition magazine may provide the advantages disclosed by the
'600 patent, it may also have certain disadvantages. For example,
adding a battery to the lower end of the ammunition magazine may
increase the size of the ammunition magazine and/or reduce the
space available for ammunition. Thus, this approach may involve a
compromise between making the firearm more unwieldy by increasing
the size of the magazine and reducing the number and/or size of
ammunition rounds contained in the magazine. Additionally, mounting
the battery to the lower end of the ammunition magazine may
substantially increase the likelihood of damage to the battery
during use of the firearm, as users often subject the ammunition
magazine to rough handling. For example, after emptying the
ammunition magazine, a user may release the ammunition magazine
from the firearm and allow it to fall to the ground. With the
battery mounted to the bottom of the ammunition magazine, impact
with the ground may damage the battery.
[0007] The firearm and light system of the present disclosure may
solve one or more of the problems set forth above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] One disclosed embodiment relates to a firearm. The firearm
may include a barrel, a frame providing support for the barrel, and
a hand grip. The hand grip may include a hand-grip main body and a
first back-strap extension detachably engaged to a rear portion of
the hand-grip main body. The firearm may also include a light
system, which may include a light and an ancillary light-system
component disposed at least partially in the hand grip between the
hand-grip main body and a rear outer surface of the first
back-strap extension.
[0009] Another embodiment also relates to a firearm. The firearm
may include a barrel, a frame providing support for the barrel, and
a light system with a replaceable light cartridge. The replaceable
light cartridge may include a light housing attached to the
firearm. The replaceable light cartridge may also include one or
more ancillary light-system components attached to the housing,
including an energy source for the first light. The replaceable
light cartridge may be removable from the firearm as unit.
[0010] A further disclosed embodiment also relates to a firearm.
The firearm may include a barrel, a frame providing support for the
barrel, a trigger, and a light system. The light system may include
an incandescent light and a control switch for the light system.
The control switch for the light system may have a handle located
rearward of the trigger.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
firearm and light system according to the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a
firearm and light system from another angle;
[0013] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a
firearm and light system from another angle, with a back-strap
extension of the firearm partially removed;
[0014] FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a
firearm and light system from the angle of FIG. 1B, with the
back-strap extension of the firearm fully removed;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
firearm and light system according to the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 3A is a side view of a third embodiment of a firearm
and light system according to the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the third embodiment of a
firearm and light system;
[0018] FIG. 3C is a front view of the third embodiment of a firearm
and light system;
[0019] FIG. 3D is a sectional view of the third embodiment of a
firearm and light system through line 3D-3D of FIG. 3C; and
[0020] FIG. 3E is a bottom view of the third embodiment of a
firearm and light system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate one embodiment of a firearm 10 and a
light system 42 therefor according to the present disclosure.
Firearm 10 may have various configurations. For example, as shown
in FIGS. 1A-1D, firearm 10 may be a semiautomatic pistol.
[0022] Firearm 10 may include a frame 12, a barrel 14, a slide 16,
a trigger 17, and various internal components (not shown). Frame 12
may include a hand-grip main body 18, a trigger guard 20, and a
receiver 22 with a dust cover 24. Barrel 14 and slide 16 may mount
to receiver 22. Hand-grip main body 18 may include a magazine well
(not shown) for holding a removable ammunition magazine (not
shown). The components of frame 12 may connect to one another in
various manners and be constructed of various materials. In some
embodiments, hand-grip main body 18, trigger guard 20, and receiver
22 may be molded as a unit out of plastic material.
[0023] Hand-grip main body 18 may form a portion of a hand grip 26
of firearm 10. As best shown in FIGS. 1B-1D, hand grip 26 may also
include a detachable back-strap extension 28 mounted to a rearward
side of hand-grip main body 18. Back-strap extension 28 may be
constructed of various materials. In some embodiments, back-strap
extension 28 may be molded from plastic material like frame 12.
[0024] Back-strap extension 28 may serve to give a rear portion of
hand grip 26 a shape that fits comfortably within a user's hand.
Toward this end, firearm 10 may come with multiple interchangeable
back-strap extensions 28 of different sizes and/or shapes that can
be mounted to the rearward side of hand-grip main body 18. For
example, firearm 10 may come with small, medium, and large sizes of
back-strap extensions 28 that can be interchangeably attached to
hand-grip main body 18 for use by individuals having different size
hands. Additionally, back-strap extension 28 may have a rear outer
surface 30 with outer edges substantially flush with outer surfaces
32 of hand-grip main body 18. Rear outer surface 30 and outer
surface 32 may have various types of finishes, including, but not
limited to, smooth and/or knurled finishes.
[0025] Firearm 10 may include various provisions for mounting
back-strap extension 28 to hand-grip main body 18. FIG. 1D
illustrates back-strap extension 28 removed from hand-grip main
body 18 with back-strap extension 28 rotated around to show an
inner side 33 opposite rear outer surface 30 and features for
mounting back-strap extension 28 to hand-grip main body 18.
Hand-grip main body 18 and back-strap extension 28 may include
mating male connection rails 34M and female connection rails 34F
for engaging back-strap extension 28 to hand-grip main body 18.
Male connection rails 34M may extend from a rear surface 35 of
hand-grip main body 18, and female connection rails 34F may be part
of back-strap extension 28, as shown in FIG. 1D. Alternatively, one
or more of male connection rails 34M may be part of back-strap
extension 28, and/or one or more of female connection rails 34F may
be part of hand-grip main body 18. Male connection rails 34M and
female connection rails 34F may extend along axes 36M and 36F,
respectively. The cross-sections of male connection rails 34M and
female connection rails 34F may have any complementary form that
allows engaging male connection rails 34M and female connection
rails 34F to one another to slideably engage back-strap extension
28 to hand-grip main body 18. For example, each male connection
rail 34M may include a pair of opposite flanges 38, and each female
connection rail 34F may include a corresponding pair of opposite
slots 40 for receiving flanges 38.
[0026] Attaching back-strap extension 28 may include facing inner
side 33 of back-strap extension 28 to rear surface 35 of hand-grip
main body 18, and engaging male connection rails 34M to female
connection rails 34F, as shown in FIG. 1C. Subsequently, back-strap
extension 28 may be slid along axes 36M, 36F into its operational
position on hand-grip main body 18, as shown in FIG. 1B. For
securing back-strap extension 28 in its operational position on
hand-grip main body 18, hand-grip main body 18 may include a tab 39
with a bore 41 (FIG. 1D), and back-strap extension 28 may include
bores 43 that align with bore 41 when back-strap extension 28 is in
its operational position on hand-grip main body 18. A pin (not
shown) may be secured through bores 41, 43 to hold back-strap
extension 28 in its operational position on hand-grip main body 18.
In lieu of bores 41, 43 and a pin, firearm 10 may include various
other provisions for securing back-strap extension 28 to hand-grip
main body 18.
[0027] Thus, detaching back-strap extension 28 from hand-grip main
body 18 may involve first removing this pin from bores 41, 43.
Subsequently, back-strap extension 28 may be slid along axes 36M,
36F until male connection rails 34M and female connection rails 34F
disengage from one another. Back-strap extension 28 may then be
freely separated from hand-grip main body 18.
[0028] Light system 42 may include a light 44 (FIG. 1A) and various
ancillary components associated with light 44. The ancillary
components associated with light 44 may include, for example, an
energy source 46 (FIG. 1D) and controls 48 (FIGS. 1B-1D). As used
herein, the term "light" refers to any device configured for
emitting light, including, but not limited to, lasers, incandescent
lights, and LEDs. Light 44 may have various configurations for
various purposes. For example, light 44 may be a laser for sighting
firearm 10. Accordingly, light 44 may be pointed in generally the
same direction as barrel 14. Light 44 may be attached to firearm 10
in various manners. As FIG. 1A shows, in some embodiments, light 44
may be mounted to a side of receiver 22 above hand grip 26. For
example, light 44 may be mounted within a housing 50 extending from
a side of receiver 22. In some embodiments, housing 50 may be
integrally formed with frame 12.
[0029] Energy source 46 may include any type of device operable to
provide energy for light 44. For example, energy source 46 may
include batteries, such as lithium coin batteries. Energy source 46
may be housed at least partially in hand grip 26 between hand-grip
main body 18 and rear outer surface 30 of back-strap extension 28.
For example, as best shown in FIG. 1D, energy source 46 may be
attached to the inside of back-strap extension 28 itself.
Alternatively, energy source 46 may be partly or wholly attached to
rear surface 35 of hand-grip main body 18 inside back-strap
extension 28.
[0030] Controls 48 may include various components for controlling
the operation of light 44. For example, controls 48 may include
driving circuitry 52, a master switch 54, and an activation switch
56. Driving circuitry 52 may include any circuitry operable to use
energy from energy source 46 to drive a laser. Like energy source
46, driving circuitry 52 may be housed at least partially in hand
grip 26 between hand-grip main body 18 and rear outer surface 30 of
back-strap extension 28. For example, driving circuitry 52 may be
attached to the inside of back-strap extension 28, as shown in FIG.
1D.
[0031] Master switch 54 may control whether light system 42 is in
an on or off operating state. Master switch 54 may mount to firearm
10 with a handle of master switch 54 disposed rearward of trigger
17, including anywhere on hand grip 26 or on other portions of
firearm 10 rearward of trigger 17. Master switch 54 may be housed
at least partially in hand grip 26 inside of back-strap extension
28. For example, master switch 54 may be attached to back-strap
extension 28 with the handle of master switch 54 disposed in a
switch recess 58 that extends inward of rear outer surface 30 of
back-strap extension 28. The handle of master switch 54 may include
any knob, button, contact surface, or other structure that a user
may engage with the hand to control the operating state of master
switch 54. Master switch 54 may have a construction such that it
will remain in whichever of its on and off operating states an
operator has selected after the user releases master switch 54.
[0032] Activation switch 56 may control whether light 44 is
activated or deactivated when master switch 54 is set to its on
operating state. Activation switch 56 may have a construction such
that it activates light 44 only when a user holds activation switch
56 in its activated state, and defaults to its deactivated state
when a user releases it. Alternatively, activation switch 56 may
have a construction such that it will maintain whichever of its
activated or deactivated states a user has selected after the user
releases it. In some embodiments, activation switch 56 may be
housed at least partially within hand grip 26 inside of back-strap
extension 28. For example, activation switch 56 may be attached to
back-strap extension 28.
[0033] A handle of activation switch 56 may be disposed rearward of
trigger 17, including anywhere on hand grip 26 or on other portions
of firearm 10 rearward of trigger 17. The handle of activation
switch 56 may include any knob, button, contact surface, or other
structure that a user may engage with the hand to control the
operating state of activation switch 56. For example, the handle of
activation switch 56 may be a contact surface 60 that an operator
can depress to activate light 44. Contact surface 60 may be
disposed adjacent rear outer surface 30 of back-strap extension 28,
so that a user may conveniently activate light 44 by squeezing hand
grip 26 to depress contact surface 60.
[0034] Light system 42 may include various ancillary components for
electrically connecting light 44 to energy source 46 and controls
48. As FIG. 1D shows, light system 42 may include a positive
contact terminal 62 and a negative contact terminal 64 on hand-grip
main body 18. Light system 42 may include electrical conductors
(not shown) extending through frame 12 from positive contact
terminal 62 and negative contact terminal 64 to light 44. Such
electrical conductors may be molded into frame 12 and/or routed
through channels or other open spaces within frame 12. On
back-strap extension 28, light system 42 may include a positive
contact terminal 66 and a negative contact terminal 68
corresponding to positive contact terminal 62 and negative contact
terminal 64, respectively. Positive contact terminal 66 and
negative contact terminal 68 may be electrically connected to
energy source 46 and controls 48. Light system 42 may include any
suitable arrangement of electrical connections between positive
contact terminal 66, negative contact terminal 68, energy source
46, driving circuitry 52, master switch 54, and activation switch
56 that allows energy source 46 and controls 48 to energize and
control light 44 when positive and negative contact terminals 66,
68 are engaged to positive and negative contact terminals 62,
64.
[0035] Positive contact terminals 62, 66 and negative contact
terminals 64, 68 may be positioned to automatically engage one
another when back-strap extension 28 is in its operational position
on hand-grip main body 18, thereby electrically connecting energy
source 46 and controls 48 to light 44. Additionally, positive
contact terminals 62, 66 and negative contact terminals 64, 68 may
be configured such that they automatically disengage from one
another during the process of removing back-strap extension 28 from
hand-grip main body 18. For example, positive contact terminals 62,
66 and negative contact terminals 64, 68 may include spring-loaded
contact pads that engage one another through abutment in operation
and readily release from one another during removal of back-strap
extension 28 from hand-grip main body 18. By providing a simple,
reliable, easy way to automatically electrically connect and
disconnect energy source 46 and controls 48 to and from light 44,
positive contact terminals 62, 66 and negative contact terminals
64, 68 may help enable mounting energy source 46 and controls 48 to
back-strap extension 28 while still allowing easily attaching and
detaching back-strap extension 28.
[0036] Firearm 10 is not limited to the configuration shown in
FIGS. 1A-1D. The general construction and configuration of firearm
10 may differ from that shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. For example, rather
than having a unitary construction of hand-grip main body 18,
trigger guard 20, and receiver 22, frame 12 may have one or more of
these components connected to one another through other means, such
as fasteners. Additionally, various portions of frame 12 and
back-strap extension 28 may be constructed of materials other than
plastic, such as metal. Furthermore, firearm 10 may be a type of
firearm other than a semiautomatic pistol. For example, firearm 10
may be a revolver or other type of pistol. In some embodiments,
firearm 10 may be a type of firearm having a hand grip 26 other
than a pistol.
[0037] Additionally, positive contact terminals 62, 66 and negative
contact terminals 64, 68 may be positioned and constructed
differently than shown in FIG. 1D. In some embodiments, one or more
of positive contact terminals 62, 66 and/or negative contact
terminals 64, 68 may be integrally formed in male connection rails
34M and/or female connection rails 34F. Additionally, one or more
of the components of controls 48 may be partially or wholly mounted
to rear surface 35 of hand-grip main body 18 inside of back-strap
extension 28. Furthermore, one or more of energy source 46, driving
circuitry 52, master switch 54, and activation switch 56 may be
mounted to firearm 10 in a place other than inside hand grip 26.
Moreover, the handle of master switch 54 and/or the handle of
activation switch 56 may be mounted to hand grip 26 in a location
other than on the rear thereof, such as on a side or forward
portion of hand grip 26. In some embodiments, the handle of master
switch 54 and/or the handle of activation switch 56 may be mounted
to firearm 10 in places other than on hand grip 10, including
forward of trigger 17. Moreover, controls 48 may omit one or more
of the components shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and/or include other
components, in addition to those shown in FIGS. 1A-1D.
[0038] Furthermore, various aspects of the configuration and
mounting of light 44 may differ from the configurations discussed
above in connection with FIGS. 1A-1D. For example, light 44 may be
a type of light other than a laser for sighting purposes. In some
embodiments, light 44 may be an incandescent light for illuminating
a larger area than a laser.
[0039] Additionally, light 44 may mount to firearm 10 in locations
other than the side of receiver 22 above hand grip 26. For example,
as FIG. 2 shows, light 44 may be mounted within an opening in dust
cover 24 below barrel 14. As in the embodiment shown in FIGS.
1A-1D, light 44 may be pointed generally in the same direction as
barrel 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the details of
back-strap extension 28, energy source 46, and controls 48 may be
substantially the same as discussed above in connection with FIGS.
1A-1D. Alternatively, one or more aspects of the configuration of
these components may differ from that discussed in connection with
FIGS. 1A-1D.
[0040] Furthermore, light system 42 may include multiple lights.
For example, FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate an embodiment of firearm 10
where light system 42 includes a light 70 in addition to light 44.
In this embodiment, light 44 may be a laser, such as for sighting
purposes, and light 70 may be an incandescent light for
illuminating a larger area. The configuration of light 44, energy
source 46, controls 48, and back-strap extension 28 may be
substantially the same in this embodiment as in the embodiments
discussed in connection with FIGS. 1A-1D and 2.
[0041] Lights 44, 70 may be mounted in various positions on firearm
10. In some embodiments, light 44 may be mounted to dust cover 24
in substantially the same position as shown in FIG. 2, and light 70
may be mounted to dust cover 24 below light 44. Lights 44, 70 may
each be pointed in generally the same direction as barrel 14. As
best shown in FIG. 3D, a cavity 74 may be integrally formed in dust
cover 24 for holding ancillary components of light system 42
associated with light 70.
[0042] The ancillary components of light system 42 associated with
light 70 may include an energy source 76, a spring 77, a spring 78,
a switch 80, and a housing 82. Energy source 76 may be, for
example, a battery. Light 70, energy source 76, and springs 77, 78
may be contained in housing 82, such that these components may all
be replaced as a unit. Thus, these components may collectively
constitute a replaceable light cartridge 71. Light 70 may be
electrically grounded to a main body 83 of housing 82. Main body 83
of housing 82 may be constructed of electrically conductive
material. Housing 82 may include a clear lens 86 through which
light 70 shines when activated. Spring 77 may electrically connect
light 70 to one terminal 79 of energy source 76. Spring 78 may bias
energy source 76 toward an end of main body 83 of housing 82
opposite lens 86. In its end opposite lens 86, main body 83 of
housing 82 may include an opening 92 adjacent a terminal 81 of
energy source 76.
[0043] Switch 80 may include a spring contact 94, a contact plate
96, and a plunger 84 for manipulating the operational state of
switch 80. Spring contact 94 may extend from a side of contact
plate 96 adjacent opening 92 toward terminal 81 of energy source
76. Spring contact 94 and contact plate 96 may be electrically
connected to one another and constructed of electrically conductive
materials. With switch 80 in its open operating state, spring
contact 94 and contact plate 96 may be spaced from terminal 81 of
energy source 76 and main body 83 of housing 82. In this operating
state, terminal 81 of energy source 76 may be electrically isolated
from main body 83 of housing 82, leaving the electrical circuit
between light 70 and energy source 76 open and light 70
deactivated.
[0044] One end of plunger 84 may engage the side of contact plate
96 opposite spring contact 94. From contact plate 96, plunger 84
may extend through a passage 88 in dust cover 24 adjacent a rear
end of cavity 74 to a position adjacent a forward side of trigger
guard 20. As best shown in FIG. 3E; outside of passage 88, plunger
84 may fork, with two prongs 90, 91 extending rearward on opposite
sides of trigger guard 20. By engaging prong 90 and/or prong 91, a
user of firearm 10 may drive plunger 84 forward to engage spring
contact 94 to terminal 81 of energy source 76 and contact plate 96
to main body 83 of housing 82, thereby closing the circuit between
light 70 and energy source 76 to activate light 70. Switch 80 may
have a configuration such that pushing only prong 90 forward will
activate light 70 only until prong 90 is released, whereas pushing
prong 91 forward will latch light 70 in the activated state until
prong 91 is again pushed forward to deactivate light 70.
[0045] Firearm 10 is not limited to the configurations discussed in
connection with FIGS. 3A-3E. For example, lights 44, 70 may be
mounted in other locations than those shown in FIGS. 3A-3E.
Additionally, light cartridge 71 may have light 70 and energy
source 76 formed integrally as a unit, rather than disposed in
housing 82. Additionally, energy source 76 and switch 80 may be
mounted in different locations on firearm 10. Switch 80 may, for
example, be mounted to firearm 10 in a position such that the
handle of switch 80 is disposed rearward of trigger 17, including
anywhere on hand grip 26 or on other portions of firearm 10
rearward of trigger 17. Additionally, the handle of switch 80 may
have a construction other than plunger 84, including any kind of
knob, button, contact surface, or other structure an operator may
manipulate with the hand to control the operating state of switch
80. Furthermore, master switch 54 and/or activation switch 56 may
be mounted with their handles disposed forward of trigger 17.
Moreover, in some embodiments, energy source 76 and/or switch 80
may be mounted in hand grip 26 between hand-grip main body 18 and
rear outer surface 30 of back-strap extension 28. Furthermore, in
some embodiments, lights 44, 70 may employ one or more common
energy sources and/or control components.
[0046] Mounting energy source 46 and controls 48 in hand grip 26
underneath a detachable back-strap extension 28 may allow easily
servicing energy source 46 and controls 48, without unnecessarily
increasing the bulk of firearm 10 or comprising the space available
for other components of firearm 10. Extending hand grip 26 rearward
of the magazine well may generally make hand grip 26 more
comfortable for the user to handle by better fitting the user's
hand. Thus, mounting energy source 46 and controls 48 in the rear
portion of hand grip 26 may not require enlarging hand grip 26
beyond a size and shape comfortable for the user. By storing energy
source 46 and controls 48 in the area behind the magazine well,
which space might otherwise go unused, this arrangement provides
efficient use of the space available in firearm 10. This helps
minimize the overall bulk of firearm 10. Additionally, configuring
this rear area of hand grip 26 within which the energy source 46
and controls 48 mount as a detachable back-strap extension 28
allows easily accessing energy source 46 and controls 48 for
service operations. The disclosed embodiments provide direct access
to energy source 46 and controls 48 when back-strap extension 28 is
detached from hand-grip main body 18, which gives light system 42
excellent serviceability.
[0047] Additionally, the disclosed embodiments may provide various
other advantages. For example, mounting energy source 46 and
controls 48 underneath back-strap extension 28 may protect them
from the rigors of the use of firearm 10. Additionally, providing
multiple alternative sizes and/or shapes of back-strap extension 28
allows easily adapting the size and/or shape of hand grip 26 to
hands of different sizes and/or shapes, further improving user
comfort when handling firearm 10. Furthermore, incorporating these
features in the original design of the firearm 10 obviates the need
for unduly complicated modification of hand grip 26 to accommodate
energy source 46 and controls 48. Moreover, mounting a laser light
44 and an incandescent light 70 integrally within the structure of
firearm 10 may greatly enhance the versatility of firearm 10
without need for cumbersome add-on lights.
[0048] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the disclosed firearm
without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other
embodiments of the disclosed firearm will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and
practice of the firearm disclosed herein. It is intended that the
specification and examples be considered as exemplary only.
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