U.S. patent application number 16/725355 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-25 for pistol mounted multi-function flashlight.
The applicant listed for this patent is Wilcox Industries Corp.. Invention is credited to Gary M. Lemire, James W. Teetzel.
Application Number | 20200200508 16/725355 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 71099233 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-25 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200200508 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Teetzel; James W. ; et
al. |
June 25, 2020 |
PISTOL MOUNTED MULTI-FUNCTION FLASHLIGHT
Abstract
A flashlight apparatus for a handgun includes a flashlight
housing portion and a laser housing portion, which cooperate to
define a housing, the housing defining an interior compartment. A
flashlight head assembly is received within an opening in the
flashlight main housing and includes one or more light sources. One
or more laser modules are received within the laser housing
portion. A rail clamp interface is attached to the flashlight main
housing and is configured to removably attach the flashlight
apparatus to the handgun.
Inventors: |
Teetzel; James W.;
(Portsmouth, NH) ; Lemire; Gary M.; (Lee,
NH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wilcox Industries Corp. |
Newington |
NH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
71099233 |
Appl. No.: |
16/725355 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62783797 |
Dec 21, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 3/2655 20130101;
F41G 1/35 20130101; F41G 11/003 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41G 1/35 20060101
F41G001/35; F41G 11/00 20060101 F41G011/00; F41G 3/26 20060101
F41G003/26 |
Claims
1. A flashlight apparatus for a handgun, comprising: a flashlight
housing portion and a laser housing portion, the flashlight housing
portion and laser housing portion cooperating to define a housing,
the housing defining an interior compartment; a flashlight head
assembly received within an opening in the flashlight main housing
and including one or more light sources; one or more laser modules
received within the laser housing portion; and a rail clamp
interface attached to the flashlight main housing configured to
removably attach the flashlight apparatus to the handgun.
2. The flashlight apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power
supply received within the interior compartment for electrically
coupling the power supply to the one or more light sources and the
one or more laser modules.
3. The flashlight apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flashlight head
assembly is positioned to emit a beam of light in a direction
generally parallel to a barrel of the handgun when the flashlight
apparatus is attached to the handgun.
4. The flashlight apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rail clamp is
configured to attach to a rail interface disposed on a lower
receiver of the handgun.
5. The flashlight apparatus of claim 4, wherein the rail interface
is a dovetail rail interface.
6. The flashlight apparatus of claim 5, wherein the rail clamp
interface comprises: a fixed clamping member affixed to the
flashlight housing portion on a first transverse side of the
flashlight housing portion; a movable clamping member disposed on a
second transverse side opposite the first transverse side; and a
tensioning rod extending between the fixed clamping member and the
movable clamping member.
7. The flashlight apparatus of claim 5, wherein the tensioning rod
is configured to extend within a transverse recoil groove of the
dovetail rail interface.
8. The flashlight apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more
light sources include one or more light sources selected from the
group consisting of visible light sources, infrared light sources,
and a combination thereof.
9. The flashlight apparatus of claim 8, wherein the visible light
sources are visible LEDs and the infrared light sources are
infrared LEDs.
10. The flashlight apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more
light sources include one or more visible LED light sources and one
or more infrared LED light sources, wherein the infrared LED light
sources are configured to emit light having a wavelength that is
viewable with a night vision device.
11. The flashlight apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a
circuit assembly for electrically coupling a power supply to the
one or more light sources and the one or more laser modules.
12. The flashlight apparatus of claim 11, wherein the circuit
assembly is a printed wire assembly secured within the interior
compartment.
13. The flashlight apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more
laser modules includes a visible pointing laser and an infrared
pointing laser.
14. The flashlight apparatus of claim 13, wherein the visible
pointing laser and the infrared pointing laser are arranged to emit
beams through respective first and second apertures in the laser
housing portion.
15. The flashlight apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: a
first windage adjustment assembly disposed in an first windage
opening in the laser housing portion, the first windage adjustment
assembly including an first external windage adjustment member and
a first internal windage bearing member, the first internal windage
bearing member bearing against the visible pointing laser for
selectively adjusting an aim point of the visible pointing laser in
a horizontal direction; a first elevation adjustment assembly
disposed in a first elevation opening in the laser housing portion,
the first elevation adjustment assembly including an first external
elevation adjustment member and a first internal elevation bearing
member, the first internal elevation bearing member bearing against
the visible pointing laser for selectively adjusting the aim point
of the visible pointing laser in a vertical direction; a second
windage adjustment assembly disposed in an second windage opening
in the laser housing portion, the second windage adjustment
assembly including an second external windage adjustment member and
a second internal windage bearing member, the second internal
windage bearing member bearing against the infrared pointing laser
for selectively adjusting an aim point of the infrared pointing
laser in the horizontal direction; and a second elevation
adjustment assembly disposed in a second elevation opening in the
laser housing portion, the second elevation adjustment assembly
including an second external elevation adjustment member and a
second internal elevation bearing member, the first external
windage bearing member bearing against the infrared pointing laser
for selectively adjusting the aim point of the infrared pointing
laser in the vertical direction.
16. The flashlight apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a
processor received within the housing, the processor configured to
perform one or more processing functions, and a memory received
within the housing and associated with the processor, the memory
including stored program instructions for executing said one or
more processing functions.
17. The flashlight apparatus of claim 16, further comprising one or
more switches for controlling operation of one or both of the
flashlight head assembly and the one or more laser modules.
18. The flashlight apparatus of claim 17, wherein said one or more
switchers include a first switch on a first transverse side of the
housing and a second switch on a second transverse side of the
housing opposite the first transverse side.
19. The flashlight apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processing
functions are selected from the group consisting of: processing
signal input according to operation of the one or more switches to
toggle power to the flashlight head assembly on and off; processing
signal input according to operation of the one or more switches to
toggle power to the one or more laser modules on and off;
processing signal input according to operation of the one or more
switches to select an operational mode of the flashlight head
assembly; processing signal input according to operation of the one
or more switches to select an operational mode of the one or more
laser modules; and any combinations of the foregoing.
20. The flashlight apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or more
switches are configurable by a user to actuate a preselected one of
said one or more processing functions.
21. The flashlight apparatus of claim 20, wherein the one or more
switches are configured to be manually actuated as button press
events and button release events, selected from the group
consisting of individual button press and release events,
simultaneous button press and release events, sequences of button
press and release events, button press and hold events wherein a
time of the button press and hold event is less than a
predetermined value, button press and hold events wherein the time
of the button press and hold event is greater than or equal to the
predetermined value, and any combinations of the foregoing.
22. The flashlight apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a
magnetic sensor element operatively coupled to the processor, the
processor configured to selectively activate and deactivate the
flashlight apparatus when the firearm is moved into and out of
proximity of a magnet.
23. The flashlight apparatus of claim 16, further comprising an
accelerometer operatively coupled to the processor, the processor
configured to receive signals from the accelerometer representative
a round being fired by the handgun and to log digital
representations of the received signals in said memory.
24. The flashlight apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a
temperature sensor operatively coupled to the processor, the
processor configured to receive signals from the temperature sensor
representative of a temperature of the handgun and to store digital
representations of the received signals in said memory.
25. The flashlight apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a
radio frequency (RF) transceiver module configured to perform
wireless communication with an RF transceiver of a mobile
electronic device.
26. The flashlight apparatus of claim 24, wherein the RF
transceiver is a BLUETOOTH transceiver and the mobile electronic
device is a smartphone.
27. The flashlight apparatus of claim 16, further comprising an
RFID reader operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the RFID
reader is configured to sense a proximity of an associated RFID tag
and further wherein the processor is configured to allow operation
of one or both of the flashlight apparatus and the handgun
responsive to the associated RFID tag being in proximity with the
RFID reader.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 62/783,797 filed Dec. 21, 2018.
The aforementioned application is incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present development relates to a multifunction
flashlight for mounting to a weapon, preferably a handgun. The
invention may take form in various components and arrangements of
components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The
drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred
embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the
invention.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one aspect, a flashlight apparatus for a handgun includes
a flashlight housing portion and a laser housing portion, which
cooperate to define a housing, the housing defining an interior
compartment. A flashlight head assembly is received within an
opening in the flashlight main housing and includes one or more
light sources. One or more laser modules are received within the
laser housing portion. A rail clamp interface is attached to the
flashlight main housing and is configured to removably attach the
flashlight apparatus to the handgun.
[0004] In a more limited aspect, the flashlight apparatus further
comprises a power supply received within the interior compartment
for electrically coupling the power supply to the one or more light
sources and the one or more laser modules.
[0005] In another a more limited aspect, the flashlight head
assembly is positioned to emit a beam of light in a direction
generally parallel to a barrel of the handgun when the flashlight
apparatus is attached to the handgun.
[0006] In another a more limited aspect, the rail clamp is
configured to attach to a rail interface disposed on a lower
receiver of the handgun.
[0007] In yet another a more limited aspect, the rail interface is
a dovetail rail interface.
[0008] In another a more limited aspect, the rail clamp interface
comprises a fixed clamping member affixed to the flashlight housing
portion on a first transverse side of the flashlight housing
portion, a movable clamping member disposed on a second transverse
side opposite the first transverse side; and a tensioning rod
extending between the fixed clamping member and the movable
clamping member.
[0009] In still another a more limited aspect, the tensioning rod
is configured to extend within a transverse recoil groove of the
dovetail rail interface.
[0010] In another a more limited aspect, the one or more light
sources include one or more light sources selected from the group
consisting of visible light sources, infrared light sources, and a
combination thereof.
[0011] In yet another a more limited aspect, the visible light
sources are visible LEDs and the infrared light sources are
infrared LEDs.
[0012] In another a more limited aspect, the one or more light
sources include one or more visible LED light sources and one or
more infrared LED light sources, wherein the infrared LEDs light
sources are configured to emit light having a wavelength that is
viewable with a night vision device.
[0013] In another a more limited aspect, the flashlight apparatus
further comprises a circuit assembly for electrically coupling a
power supply to the one or more light sources and the one or more
laser modules.
[0014] In yet another a more limited aspect, the circuit assembly
is a printed wire assembly secured within the interior
compartment.
[0015] In another a more limited aspect, the one or more laser
modules includes a visible pointing laser and an infrared pointing
laser.
[0016] In yet another a more limited aspect, the visible pointing
laser and the infrared pointing laser are arranged to emit beams
through respective first and second apertures in the laser housing
portion.
[0017] In still another a more limited aspect, the flashlight
apparatus further includes a first windage adjustment assembly
disposed in an first windage opening in the laser housing portion,
the first windage adjustment assembly including an first external
windage adjustment member and a first internal windage bearing
member, the first internal windage bearing member bearing against
the visible pointing laser for selectively adjusting an aim point
of the visible pointing laser in a horizontal direction; a first
elevation adjustment assembly disposed in a first elevation opening
in the laser housing portion, the first elevation adjustment
assembly including an first external elevation adjustment member
and a first internal elevation bearing member, the first internal
elevation bearing member bearing against the visible pointing laser
for selectively adjusting the aim point of the visible pointing
laser in a vertical direction; a second windage adjustment assembly
disposed in an second windage opening in the laser housing portion,
the second windage adjustment assembly including an second external
windage adjustment member and a second internal windage bearing
member, the second internal windage bearing member bearing against
the infrared pointing laser for selectively adjusting an aim point
of the infrared pointing laser in the horizontal direction; and a
second elevation adjustment assembly disposed in a second elevation
opening in the laser housing portion, the second elevation
adjustment assembly including an second external elevation
adjustment member and a second internal elevation bearing member,
the first external windage bearing member bearing against the
infrared pointing laser for selectively adjusting the aim point of
the infrared pointing laser in the vertical direction.
[0018] In another a more limited aspect, the flashlight apparatus
of claim 1, further includes a processor received within the
housing, the processor configured to perform one or more processing
functions, and a memory received within the housing and associated
with the processor, the memory storing program instructions for
executing the one or more processing functions.
[0019] In yet another a more limited aspect, the flashlight
apparatus further includes one or more switches for controlling
operation of one or both of the flashlight head assembly and the
one or more laser modules.
[0020] In still another a more limited aspect, the one or more
switchers include a first switch on a first transverse side of the
housing and a second switch on a second transverse side of the
housing opposite the first transverse side.
[0021] In yet another a more limited aspect, the processing
functions are selected from the group consisting of processing
signal input according to operation of the one or more switches to
toggle power to the flashlight head assembly on and off; processing
signal input according to operation of the one or more switches to
toggle power to the one or more laser modules on and off;
processing signal input according to operation of the one or more
switches to select an operational mode of the flashlight head
assembly; processing signal input according to operation of the one
or more switches to select an operational mode of the one or more
laser modules; and any combinations of the foregoing.
[0022] In another a more limited aspect, the one or more switches
are configurable by a user to actuate a preselected one of the one
or more processing functions.
[0023] In still another a more limited aspect, the one or more
switches are configured to be manually actuated as button press
events and button release events, selected from the group
consisting of individual button press and release events,
simultaneous button press and release events, sequences of button
press and release events, button press and hold events wherein a
time of the button press and hold event is less than a
predetermined value, button press and hold events wherein the time
of the button press and hold event is greater than or equal to the
predetermined value, and any combinations of the foregoing.
[0024] In yet another a more limited aspect, the flashlight
apparatus further comprises a magnetic sensor element operatively
coupled to the processor, the processor configured to selectively
activate and deactivate the flashlight apparatus when the firearm
is moved into and out of proximity of a magnet.
[0025] In yet another a more limited aspect, the flashlight
apparatus further comprises an accelerometer operatively coupled to
the processor, the processor configured to receive signals from the
accelerometer representative a round being fired by the handgun and
to log digital representations of the received signals in the
memory.
[0026] In yet another a more limited aspect, the flashlight
apparatus of claim 17, further comprises a temperature sensor
operatively coupled to the processor, the processor configured to
receive signals from the temperature sensor representative of a
temperature of the handgun and to store digital representations of
the received signals in the memory.
[0027] In yet another a more limited aspect, the flashlight
apparatus further comprises a radio frequency (RF) transceiver
module configured to perform wireless communication with an RF
transceiver of a mobile electronic device.
[0028] In still another a more limited aspect, the RF transceiver
is a BLUETOOTH (.TM.) transceiver and the mobile electronic device
is a smartphone.
[0029] In yet another a more limited aspect, the flashlight
apparatus further comprises an RFID reader operatively coupled to
the processor, wherein the RFID reader is configured to sense a
proximity of an associated RFID tag and further wherein the
processor is configured to allow operation of one or both of the
flashlight apparatus and the handgun responsive to the associated
RFID tag being in proximity with the RFID reader.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a flashlight assembly in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment mounted to a weapon.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the weapon/flashlight
system appearing in FIG. 1
[0032] FIG. 3A is a right side elevation view of the flashlight
assembly appearing in FIG. 1.
[0033] FIGS. 3B and 3E are front views of the flashlight assembly
appearing in FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 3C is a left side elevation view of the flashlight
assembly appearing in FIG. 1.
[0035] FIG. 3D is a top plan view of the flashlight assembly
appearing in FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the flashlight
assembly appearing in FIG. 1, taken generally from the front and
left side.
[0037] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the flashlight assembly
appearing in FIG. 1, taken generally from the rear.
[0038] FIG. 6A is an isometric view of the circuit board (printed
wire assembly) appearing in FIG. 1, taken generally from the top
and front.
[0039] FIG. 6B is an isometric view of the circuit board (printed
wire assembly) appearing in FIG. 1, taken generally from the bottom
and front.
[0040] FIG. 7 is a partially exploded view illustrating the manner
of removing the flashlight head from the main body.
[0041] FIG. 8 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating the
flashlight assembly.
[0042] FIG. 9 is a partially exploded view illustrating the manner
of replacing the battery.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0043] Referring to the drawings, a multi-function flashlight
assembly, designated generally as 100, is configured for attachment
to a weapon 104, such as a firearm, preferably, a handgun. In the
illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the unit 100 is mounted to a rail
interface 108 disposed on a lower receiver portion 112 of the
handgun 104 at a position forward of the trigger guard 116. In
certain embodiments, the rail interface 108 is a dovetail interface
such as a Picatinny interface, e.g., a MIL-STD-1913 or STANAG 2324
rail interface.
[0044] Unless specifically stated otherwise, terms used herein
denoting direction or orientation, such as left, right, front,
rear, forward, rearward, upper, lower, horizontal, vertical, etc.,
are taken from the perspective of an user operating the unit 100
when the unit is mounted on a weapon, such as the handgun 104 as
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0045] As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3B, the unit 100 includes a rail
clamp interface 120 for mounting to the rail interface 108. The
rail clamp interface 120 assembly includes a fixed clamping member
124 affixed to a flashlight main housing 128 on one transverse side
of the flashlight housing 128. The rail clamp interface assembly
120 further includes a movable clamping member 132 disposed on the
opposite transverse side of the flashlight housing 128.
[0046] A rod 136 extends through an opening 140 in the fixed
clamping member 124 and an opening 144 in the movable clamping
member 132. The rod 124 includes helical threads disposed at least
at a distal end 148 of the rod 136. The threaded end 148 of the rod
136 rotatably engages a nut 152 (see FIG. 4) aligned with the
opening 144 in the movable clamping member 132. The proximal end of
the threaded rod 136 includes an enlarged diameter head 150
configured to engage a tool for rotating the rod 136 to selectively
advance or retract the rod 136 relative to the nut 152, depending
on the direction of rotation. In certain embodiments, the head 150
may include a tamperproof feature, such as keyed feature configured
to engage a custom tool.
[0047] The rod 136 is configured to extend within a transverse
recoil groove 156 in the rail interface 108. Rotation of the
threaded rod 136 in one direction increases the clamping force
exerted by the clamping members 124, 132, to secure the flashlight
assembly 100 to the rail interface 108 and rotation of the rod 136
in the opposite direction decreases the clamping force for removal
of the flashlight assembly 100 from the rail interface 108. In
certain embodiments, the nut 152 may be omitted and the bore 144
within the movable clamping member 132 may be tapped with internal
threads to receive the threaded end 148 of the rod 136. In certain
embodiments, the rail clamp interface assembly 120 may include a
cam lock having a lever and a cam surface, e.g., by providing an
eccentric pivot axis, to allow for removal and attachment of the
flashlight assembly without a tool.
[0048] As best seen in FIG. 4, the flashlight main housing 128
includes an opening 160 receiving a flashlight socket 164 which, in
turn, receives a flashlight head 168 including a light source 170.
An O-ring 163 is provided between the socket 164 and the main
housing 128 to provide environmental sealing. A power contact 171
extends through an insulator 173 and electrically couples the power
supply 178 to the light source 170.
[0049] In certain embodiments, the light source 170 includes a
visible light source, e.g., such as a one or more white light
emitting diodes (LEDs). In certain embodiments, the light source
170 includes an infrared (IR) light source, e.g., one or more IR
LEDs viewable with a night vision device. In preferred embodiments,
the light source 170 contains both a visible (e.g., white light)
light source and an infrared light source, selectable by the user,
and will be described herein primarily by way of reference thereto.
In certain embodiments, IR light source is an 860 nm light source.
Flashlight heads with selectable white light and IR light sources
are commercially available. In certain embodiments, the flashlight
head 168 is a VAMPIRE (.TM.) flashlight head available from
SureFire, LLC, of Fountain Valley, Calif., having visible (e.g.,
white) and infrared (e.g., 860 nm) light sources, wherein LED
elements of the light source 170 are selectable via a switch
actuated by rotating the bezel 172.
[0050] The flashlight main housing 128 defines an interior
compartment receiving one or more batteries or battery packs 178
for supplying power to the flashlight head 168 and the associated
electronics, as described below. A battery saddle 161 supports the
battery 178 and is secured with threaded fasteners 166. The battery
178 is inserted via the open end 160 of the main housing 128. A
first terminal 180 is secured to the flashlight power contact 173
via a threaded fastener 177 and electrically couples one of the
battery 178 terminals 179 to the contact 173 as well as terminal
contacts 312 on a circuit board 184. A second terminal 182 on the
circuit board 184 electrically couples the other battery terminal
181 to the circuit board 184. In alternative embodiments (not
shown), the battery compartment may be accessed from the rear of
the housing 128, e.g., via an opening covered with a cap or hinged
door.
[0051] The circuit board 184, e.g., printed wire assembly (PWA), is
secured to the bottom (in the orientation shown in FIG. 4) of the
flashlight housing 128 via threaded fasteners 188, and is described
in greater detail below. A laser housing or cover 192 is disposed
over the printed wire assembly 184 and secured to the bottom of the
flashlight housing 128. In the illustrated embodiment, the laser
housing 192 is secured via a latch member 196 at the distal end
thereof, which engages a complementary receptacle (not shown) in
the flashlight housing 128. The laser housing 192 is secured at the
proximal end thereof via threaded fasteners 200 engaging openings
in upstanding tabs 204.
[0052] One or more (two in the illustrated embodiment) laser
modules 208, 212 are disposed within the laser housing 192 and
secured with a laser can clamp 216 and threaded fasteners 220. The
laser modules 208, 212 are tensioned with the legs 228 of a torsion
spring 224. The torsion spring 224 is disposed between the laser
modules 208, 212 and secured to a spring retainer 232 via a
threaded fastener 236. The spring retainer 232 is secured to
mounting bosses 234 in the laser housing 192 via threaded fasteners
238. In preferred embodiments, the first laser module 208 is a
visible pointing laser and the second laser module 212 is an
infrared pointing laser.
[0053] The laser beams emitted by the laser modules 208, 212, pass
through aligned apertures 240, 244, respectively, in the laser
housing 192. Laser focusing lenses 248, 252 are retained in the
respective openings 240, 244 by laser port covers 256, 260. Sealing
rings or gaskets 264 may be provided to prevent moisture or
external contamination from entering the interior of the laser
housing 192.
[0054] A windage and elevation adjustment assembly is provided for
each laser module 208, 212. Each windage and elevation adjustment
assembly passes through an associated opening in the laser housing
192 and includes an external adjustment member 272e(1), 272w(1),
272e(2), and 272w(2) and an internal bearing member 276e(1),
276w(1), 276e(2), and 276w(2).
[0055] The bearing member 276e(1) bears against the rear end
portion of the laser cans 208 and can be selectively advanced and
retracted, depending on the direction of rotation of the external
adjustment member 272e(1) to adjust the aim point of the laser in
relation to the housing 192 in the vertical direction, against the
urging of the tensioner 224, to thereby provide an elevation
adjustment mechanism for the laser module 208.
[0056] The bearing member 276w(1) bears against the rear end
portion of the laser cans 208 and can be selectively advanced and
retracted, depending on the direction of rotation of the external
adjustment member 272w(1) to adjust the aim point of the laser in
relation to the housing 192 in the horizontal direction, against
the urging of the tensioner 224, to thereby provide a windage
adjustment mechanism for the laser module 208.
[0057] The bearing member 276e(2) bears against the rear end
portion of the laser cans 212 and can be selectively advanced and
retracted, depending on the direction of rotation of the external
adjustment member 272e(2) to adjust the aim point of the laser in
relation to the housing 192 in the vertical direction, against the
urging of the tensioner 224, to thereby provide an elevation
adjustment mechanism for the laser module 212.
[0058] The bearing member 276w(2) bears against the rear end
portion of the laser cans 212 and can be selectively advanced and
retracted, depending on the direction of rotation of the external
adjustment member 272w(2) to adjust the aim point of the laser in
relation to the housing 192 in the horizontal direction, against
the urging of the tensioner 224, to thereby provide a windage
adjustment mechanism for the laser module 212.
[0059] In this manner, the lasers 208, 212 can be coaligned and/or
bore sighted to the weapon 104.
[0060] An activation switch assembly 278 includes a switch pod 280
having a mounting plate portion 284 secured to the proximal end of
the laser housing via threaded fasteners 288. An axially extending
portion 292 includes actuator switches 296L, 296R on the respective
left and right transverse sides thereof. The actuator switches
296L, 296R control operation of the flashlight head 168 and the
lasers 208, 212, as described in greater detail below. Providing
switches 296L, 296R on both the left and right sides of the switch
pod 280 allows for ambidextrous operation of the unit 100.
[0061] A bezel 300 is disposed over the switch pod 280 and secured
with the threaded fasteners 288, with the axially extending portion
292 extending through an opening 308 in the bezel 300. A switch
boot 312, which may be formed of a flexible material such as rubber
or other natural or synthetic polymer, is disposed over the axially
extending portion 292 and the actuator switches 296.
[0062] As best seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the printed wire assembly
184 includes a circuit board substrate 304 having a first
electrical connector 312 which is electrically coupled to the power
supply 178 for energizing the printed wire assembly and the
components thereon. A second electrical connector 316 is
electrically coupled to the first connector 312 and the flashlight
head 168 for powering operation of the flashlight head 168.
[0063] A third electrical connector 320 is electrically coupled to
the actuator switch 296L to receive user input from the left side
actuator switch 296L. A fourth electrical connector 324 is
electrically coupled to the actuator switch 296R to receive user
input from the right side actuator switch 296R.
[0064] A fifth electrical connector 328 is electrically coupled to
the first laser 208 to power operation of the first laser module
208. A sixth electrical connector 332 is electrically coupled to
the second laser module 212 to power operation of the second laser
module 212.
[0065] In certain embodiments, the actuator switches 296L, 296R
provide input signals representative of button press events and
button release events to an onboard microcontroller or
microprocessor 332. In certain embodiments, the microprocessor
includes a program of instructions stored within an associated
memory to control operation of the flashlight head 168 and the
laser modules 208, 212, responsive to one or more of: individual
and combined button press and release events, button press and
release sequences, time between button press events or time between
button press and button release events, e.g., as determined by an
associated clock source or oscillator 310.
[0066] A preferred configuration and method for controlling
operation of the flashlight head 168 and the laser modules 208, 212
will now be provided, although it will be recognized that other
configurations and methods are possible. In order to power on the
unit 100, both buttons 296L, 296R are pressed and held for a
predetermined time interval, e.g., three seconds. If the unit is
powered on and it is desired to power off the unit 100, both
buttons 296L, 296R are again pressed and held for the predetermined
time interval (e.g., three seconds).
[0067] After the unit is powered on, the first button pressed
becomes the "activation pad" for turning on or off the currently
selected light source (namely, the flashlight head 168, the visible
laser module 208, and the IR laser module 212) or combination
thereof. The other button then becomes a mode select switch for
cycling through the operational modes of the unit 100. A preferred
set of operational modes are as follows: [0068] IR LASER ONLY
[0069] IR LASER and FLASHLIGHT [0070] VIS LASER ONLY [0071] VIS
LASER and FLASHLIGHT [0072] FLASHLIGHT ONLY
[0073] In certain embodiments, a visual indication of the currently
selected operational mode is provided by LED indicators 336 which
are visible though aligned windows in the flashlight housing 168.
The LED indicators 336 may be multicolor LEDs having red, green,
and blue sources which can be driven in various combinations and
relative intensities to output multiple colors, wherein each mode
is associated with a different color. In certain embodiments, the
LED indicators 336 are self-contained RGB LEDs with an integral
diffusing lens. In the illustrated embodiment, the LED indicators
336 are provided on the left and right sides of the unit 100 so at
least one of the LED indicators 336 will be visible at all times to
both left and right handed shooters.
[0074] In certain embodiments, wherein the flashlight head 168 has
multiple light sources, such as white and infrared LED light
sources, switching between light sources is accomplished via a
dedicated selector switch in the flashlight head, such as a
rotatable bezel switch in the case of the VAMPIRE(.TM.) flashlight
head. Alternatively, a dedicated flashlight head is contemplated
wherein switching between multiple light sources in the flashlight
head is accomplished via the switches 296L, 296R.
[0075] In certain embodiments, the switch 296L, 296R that is
designated as the activation pad is configured to toggle the
currently selected light source(s) between the on and off states
responsive to a single button press and release event. In certain
embodiments, the switch 296L, 296R that is designated as the
activation pad is configured to turn on the currently selected
light source(s) during a button press and hold event and turn off
the currently selected light source(s) responsive to a button
release event. In certain embodiments, the switch 296L, 296R that
is designated as the activation pad is configured to toggle the
currently selected light source(s) between the on and off states
responsive to a predetermined sequence of button press and release
events, for example, pressing and releasing the activation pad
twice within a relatively short period of time. Other button
functions are also contemplated. For example, in certain
embodiments, the buttons may be configured to control flashlight
brightness or intensity and/or laser intensity.
[0076] In certain embodiments, a magnetic sensor element 380 is
provided on the unit 100 to selectively activate and deactivate the
unit 100 when the firearm is moved into and out of proximity of a
magnet (not shown), such as a rare earth magnet, having a flux
field. Preferably, the sensor element 380 is a magnetic reed switch
or relay, although other devices such as a Hall effect
semiconductor device. The magnet can be mounted to a holster (not
shown) for the firearm 104 at a location that is in proximity to
the sensor element 380 when the firearm is holstered. During
operation, when the pistol is drawn from the holster, the unit 100
is activated in operator's selected mode of operation. The unit 100
is deactivated when the pistol 1204 is placed back in the
holster.
[0077] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 9, and with continued reference
to FIG. 4, there is shown an exemplary attachment interface between
the flashlight head 168 and the main housing 128. The socket 164
includes a sleeve 165 defining a female bayonet interface for
providing a mechanical coupling with a male bayonet interface
sleeve 169 on the flashlight head 168. The sleeve 169 includes
radial tabs 174 each sized to pass through a respective axial slot
175 and rotatably engage an internal channel 176. Axial pins 183
within the channel 176 limit the extent of rotation, e.g., to 90
degrees. A locking pin 185 is biased toward the flashlight head by
a captured spring 186 and engages a detent 187 on the flashlight
head 168 to secure the flashlight head in the attached positon. The
locking pin 185 is attached to a sliding tab 189. To remove the
flashlight head from the main body 128, the sliding tab is manually
slid in the rearward direction to disengage the locking pin 185
from the detent 187 and the flashlight head 168 is rotated until
the radial tabs 174 are aligned with the axial slots 175. In
alternative embodiments, other complementary coupling structures on
the flashlight head 168 and main body 128 are contemplated, such as
threads, a snap-fit interface, or other type of interface for
providing a mechanical coupling between the flashlight head 168 and
the main housing 128.
[0078] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a block diagram of
the flashlight assembly unit 100. A radio frequency (RF)
transceiver module 340 is provided on the printed wire assembly 184
to perform wireless communication with a paired mobile device 344,
348. Although the present development will be described herein
primarily by way of reference to BLUETOOTH interface, it will be
recognized that the present development is equally applicable to
other wireless communication protocols, including ZigBee, Wi-Fi, or
other low power RF communication standard. The mobile device 344,
348 is advantageously a BLUETOOTH-enabled smartphone device, such
as an iPhone device (344) or an Android device (348).
[0079] In certain embodiments, an accelerometer 352 is provided to
provide a shot count function. The accelerometer 352 outputs a
signal representative of movement of the handgun 104. Accelerometer
signals indicative of the forces associated with firing a round are
counted and logged in a shot log 356 in a memory 360. In certain
embodiments, the accelerometer may also sense movement of the
firearm and/or orientation of the firearm. Orientation information
may be used to provide a cant indication function, e.g., using the
LED indicators 336.
[0080] In certain embodiments, a temperature sensor 362 such as a
thermocouple or other temperature gauge is provided is provided to
monitor the temperature of the handgun. Data representative of
temperature is logged in a temperature log 364 at periodic
intervals to provide a temperature history of the firearm 104. The
temperature log information and shot log information is also
transmitted to the mobile device 344, 348, where can be stored for
use with one or more applications 368, 372 on the respective
devices, or transmitted to a remote location via a communications
network, such as a cellular telephone network, Wi-Fi network, local
area network, wide area network, or the like.
[0081] In certain embodiments, an RFID chip 376, which may be an
active or passive RFID reader, is provided. In certain embodiments,
the RFID reader 376 is configured to sense the proximity of an RFID
tag 378 associated with the user. In certain embodiments, the RFID
tag associated with the user is embedded within a wearable article
380 worn by the user, such as a tactical glove, eyewear, wristband,
or other wearable article. In certain embodiments, the processor
332 is configured to allow operation of the unit 100 only when the
associated tag is in proximity with the unit 100. In certain
embodiments, the proximity of the RFID tag is required to operate
the firearm. For example, in certain embodiments, the proximity of
the associated RFID tag is required to disengage a wirelessly
operated trigger lock associated with the handgun 104 and operated
by a weapon system associated with the handgun 104. In certain
embodiments, the trigger lock comprises a solenoid switch engaging
a trigger lock via a pin or plunger operably connected to the
trigger mechanisms, such that when the pin is inserted into the
trigger mechanism, the trigger cannot be activated. In certain
embodiments, the trigger lock mechanism may be as described in
commonly owned U.S. application Ser. No. 16/275,955 filed Feb. 14,
2019, and commonly owned U.S. application Ser. No. 16/433,224 filed
Jun. 6, 2019, each of which in incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
[0082] The invention has been described with reference to the
preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations
will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding
detailed description. It is intended that the invention be
construed as including all such modifications and alterations
insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
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