Abstract:
A searchlight or flashlight including a lamp portion having multiple operative states (for example, ON, OFF, HIGH, and LOW), and an easily-operated actuator ring encircling the light and engaging at least two spaced-apart, redundant switches that are mounted on the light. A user rotates the ring to operate the switches. The tail cap of the light includes a replaceably removable fuse or circuit breaker.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to flashlights for use in combat, search and rescue, or inclement weather and, more particularly, to large and/or powerful flashlights, and especially to large, hand-held searchlights.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     A person using a flashlight or searchlight (which terms are used interchangeably herein) in an emergency or combat situation prefers to know in advance where the on-off switch is, how to reach it, and how to operate it without inspecting it or experimenting with it. Such a person also prefers that the searchlight and its parts, including the switch, perform reliably despite heat, cold, wet, dirt, and abuse. What is needed is a tactically adapted searchlight on-off mechanism based on a rugged, reliable switch.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a hand-held searchlight having an easily locatable switch actuator.  
         [0006]     In accordance with this object and with others which will be described and which will become apparent, an exemplary embodiment of a searchlight in accordance with the present invention includes a searchlight body. A searchlight lamp portion is operatively connected to the body and having a plurality of operative states. At least two switches are disposed on the searchlight and are adjustable among a plurality of switch conditions corresponding to the operative states. At least one switch-engaging actuator is disposed about the searchlight and is displaceable thereabout among a plurality of actuator positions. The actuator positions correspond to the switch conditions, and thus to the operative states of the lamp portion. Operative states may include, for example: off, low, and high; off, red, and white; off, steady, and flashing; off, infrared, and visible.  
         [0007]     In another exemplary embodiment of an actuator for a searchlight in accordance with the present invention the actuator includes a race which includes an actuator guide. The actuator guide is fixed relative to the searchlight body and movably confined within the race, thereby holding the actuator onto the searchlight while allowing it to be operated.  
         [0008]     In another exemplary embodiment of a searchlight in accordance with the present invention the actuator is disposed about the body. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to any particular means of joining or interconnecting a lamp portion and a body of a searchlight. The actuator may, therefore, contact, encircle, or partially cover one or both of the lamp portion and the body.  
         [0009]     In another exemplary embodiment, the actuator is rotatably disposed on the searchlight.  
         [0010]     In another exemplary embodiment, the actuator encircles the searchlight.  
         [0011]     In another exemplary embodiment, the actuator has a grip-textured surface.  
         [0012]     In another exemplary embodiment, the actuator mechanically engages two or more switches.  
         [0013]     Another exemplary embodiment has a cushion between the actuator and a switch.  
         [0014]     In another exemplary embodiment, the actuator includes a cushion.  
         [0015]     Another exemplary embodiment has a cushion disposed on a switch.  
         [0016]     In another exemplary embodiment, each switch has a toggle and the toggles engage the actuator.  
         [0017]     In another exemplary embodiment, a boot encases the toggle.  
         [0018]     In another exemplary embodiment, at least two of the switches redundantly engage the actuator. This improves the chances of the searchlight functioning as intended even if one switch malfunctions.  
         [0019]     In another exemplary embodiment, at least two of the plurality of switches redundantly establish correspondence between the actuator positions and the operative states. This, too, improves the chances of the searchlight functioning as intended even if one switch malfunctions.  
         [0020]     In another exemplary embodiment, the actuator encircles the searchlight and is circumferentially rotatable relative to the searchlight. The switches engage the actuator at circumferentially different locations on the actuator. Separating the switches reduces the chance that an event damaging one switch would damage the others.  
         [0021]     Another exemplary embodiment has a tail cap operatively disposed on the body, the tail cap including a current limiter. Current limiting means reduces the chance that a short circuit might cause a fire or other harmful incident.  
         [0022]     In another exemplary embodiment, the tail cap is replaceably removable from the searchlight body and the current limiter is replaceably removable from the tail cap.  
         [0023]     In another exemplary embodiment, the tail cap including a compartment and an openable closure covering the compartment, the current limiter being contained within the compartment. The cover is easily removed to gain access to the current limiter.  
         [0024]     In another exemplary embodiment, the current limiter is selected from the set including: a fuse and a circuit breaker.  
         [0025]     Also in accordance with the objects of the invention, for a searchlight having a searchlight body, an exemplary embodiment of a searchlight lamp portion is operatively connected to the body and has a plurality of operative states. The lamp portion is electrically coupled to at least two switches disposed on the searchlight. Each switch is adjustable among a plurality of switch conditions corresponding to the operative states. A switch actuator in accordance with the present invention has at least one switch-engaging actuator disposed about the searchlight. The switch actuator is displaceable about the searchlight among a plurality of actuator positions. The actuator positions correspond to the switch conditions. As the actuator is displaced from one actuator position to another, the switch conditions are adjusted, thereby changing the operative state of the lamp portion.  
         [0026]     In another exemplary embodiment of a switch actuator in accordance with the present invention, the switch-engaging actuator includes a race, the race includes an actuator guide, and the actuator guide is fixed relative to the searchlight body and movably confined within the race, thereby holding the switch-engaging actuator onto the searchlight while allowing it to be operated.  
         [0027]     Also in accordance with the objects of the invention, an exemplary embodiment of a searchlight has a searchlight body including a lamp portion having a plurality of operative states. At least two switches are disposed on the searchlight and being adjustable among a plurality of switch conditions corresponding to the operative states. At least one switch-engaging actuator is disposed about the searchlight and is displaceable thereabout among a plurality of actuator positions, the actuator positions corresponding to the switch conditions. As the actuator is displaced from one actuator position to another, the switch conditions are adjusted, thereby changing the operative state of the lamp portion.  
         [0028]     In another exemplary embodiment of a searchlight in accordance with the present invention, the actuator includes a race, the race includes an actuator guide, and the actuator guide is fixed relative to the searchlight body and movably confined within the race, thereby holding the switch-engaging actuator onto the searchlight while allowing it to be operated.  
         [0029]     Also in accordance with the objects of the invention, an exemplary embodiment of a portable searchlight body, adapted to be coupled to a lamp portion having a plurality of operative states, has at least two switches disposed on the searchlight body. The switches are adjustable among a plurality of switch conditions, each switch condition corresponding to an operative state of a lamp portion. A switch-engaging actuator ring is disposed about the searchlight body and is displaceable thereabout among a plurality of actuator positions, the actuator positions corresponding to the switch conditions. As the actuator is displaced from one actuator position to another, the switch conditions are adjusted, thereby changing the operative state of the lamp portion.  
         [0030]     In another exemplary embodiment of a searchlight in accordance with the present invention the actuator includes a race, the race includes an actuator guide, and the actuator guide is fixed relative to the searchlight body and movably confined within the race, thereby holding the switch-engaging actuator onto the searchlight while allowing it to be operated.  
         [0031]     Also in accordance with the objects of the invention, an exemplary embodiment of an actuating mechanism for a searchlight having a plurality of illuminative states has at least two switches disposed on the searchlight, the switches being adjustable among a plurality of switch conditions corresponding to the operative states. At least one switch-engaging actuator ring is disposed about the searchlight and is rotatable thereabout among a plurality of actuator positions corresponding to the switch conditions. As the actuator ring is displaced from one actuator position to another, the switch conditions are adjusted, thereby changing the operative state of the lamp portion.  
         [0032]     In another exemplary embodiment of an actuating mechanism in accordance with the present invention, the actuator includes a race, the race includes an actuator guide, and the actuator guide is fixed relative to the searchlight and movably confined within the race, thereby holding the switch-engaging actuator onto the searchlight while allowing it to be operated.  
         [0033]     In another exemplary embodiment of an actuating mechanism, the actuator ring has a grip-textured surface.  
         [0034]     In another exemplary embodiment, each switch has a plurality of switch positions corresponding to the switch conditions, the actuator ring mechanically engages the at least two switches, and displacement of the actuator ring among the actuator positions displaces the at least two switches among the switch positions.  
         [0035]     Another exemplary embodiment has a cushion operatively disposed between the actuator and at least one switch.  
         [0036]     In another exemplary embodiment, the actuator has a cushion.  
         [0037]     Another exemplary embodiment has a cushion disposed on the switch.  
         [0038]     In another exemplary embodiment, the switch has a toggle and the toggle engages the actuator.  
         [0039]     Another exemplary embodiment has a boot disposed on the toggle.  
         [0040]     In another exemplary embodiment, at least two switches redundantly engage the actuator.  
         [0041]     In another exemplary embodiment, at least two switches redundantly establish correspondence between the actuator positions and the operative states.  
         [0042]     In another exemplary embodiment, the actuator encircles the searchlight and is circumferentially rotatable relative to the searchlight. A plurality of switches engage the actuator at circumferentially different locations on the actuator.  
         [0043]     Another exemplary embodiment has a tail cap operatively disposed on the body. The tail cap includes a current limiter.  
         [0044]     In another exemplary embodiment, the tail cap includes a compartment and an openable closure covering the compartment, the current limiter being contained within the compartment.  
         [0045]     In another exemplary embodiment, the current limiter is a fuse or a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker may be the self-resetting variety.  
         [0046]     Also in accordance with the objects of the invention, an exemplary embodiment of a searchlight includes a body with an operatively connected searchlight lamp portion. A tail cap is disposed on the body and is replaceably removable therefrom. The tail cap contains a fuse block. A current limiter is disposed in the fuse block and is electrically connectable to limit current delivered to the lamp portion. The current limiter is also replaceably removable from the fuse block.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0047]     For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numbers and wherein:  
         [0048]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a searchlight or flashlight with a switch actuator in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0049]      FIG. 2  is a side sectional view of the searchlight body of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2  in the direction of the appended arrows;  
         [0050]      FIG. 3  is a front sectional view of the body of  FIG. 2  taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  in the direction of the appended arrows;  
         [0051]      FIG. 4  is a rear sectional view of the body taken along the line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2  in the direction of the appended arrows;  
         [0052]      FIG. 5  is a side sectional view of a front end of a searchlight body shell;  
         [0053]      FIG. 6  is a front sectional view of the searchlight body of  FIG. 2  taken along line  6 - 6  in the direction of the appended arrows;  
         [0054]      FIG. 7  is a side sectional view of the searchlight body of  FIG. 6  taken along the line  7 - 7  in the direction of the appended arrows;  
         [0055]      FIG. 8  is a rear sectional view of the body of  FIG. 2  taken along the line  8 - 8  in the direction of the appended arrows;  
         [0056]      FIG. 9  is a front sectional view of the body of  FIG. 2  taken along the line  9 - 9  in the direction of the appended arrows;  
         [0057]      FIG. 10  is a schematic depiction of the electrical interrelations of the switches, current limiter, and searchlight body in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0058]      FIG. 11  is a partly exploded side sectional view of the tail cap portion of  FIG. 2 ; and  
         [0059]      FIG. 12  is a portion of the side view of  FIG. 6  showing an alternative embodiment incorporating a boot over a switch toggle. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0060]     The invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , which illustrate a preferred embodiment of a searchlight or flashlight  20  with a switch actuator in accordance with the present invention, comprising generally a metal alloy searchlight body  30  which has an open, cylindrical, externally threaded rear end  32 , an elongated, hollow, battery-housing middle portion  34  containing a battery or battery module  35 , and an open, cylindrical, externally threaded front end  36 . It will be understood that the front end  36  accommodates a plurality of interchangeable lamp portions  37  (shown generally in  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0061]     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the searchlight body  30  is formed of electrically conductive material such as aircraft aluminum alloy and has a short, cylindrical PC board housing portion  38  forward of the middle portion  34  and rearward of the front end  36 . The PC board housing portion  38  includes a forward-facing circular PC board seating surface  40  and, immediately forward thereof, internal PC board retainer engaging threads  42 , best seen in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0062]     With reference to  FIGS. 2, 5 , and  6 , the searchlight body  30  forms a short switch housing portion  44  forward of the PC board retainer engaging threads  42  and rearward of the front end  36 . The switch housing portion  44  forms two diametrically opposite, flattened, perforated switch mounting portions  46 , best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 6 .  
         [0063]     With continued reference to  FIGS. 2, 5 , and  6 , the searchlight body  30  has a short, cylindrical mounting board housing portion  48  forward of the switch housing portion  44  and rearward of the front end  36 . The mounting board housing portion  48  includes a forward-facing, circular, bare metal mounting board seating portion  51  which presents a forward-facing mounting board seating surface  50 . Immediately forward thereof, the mounting board housing portion  48  has internal mounting board retainer engaging threads  52 . The mounting board housing portion  48  has a mounting board housing portion outer surface  54  of diameter greater than that of the middle portion  34  of the searchlight body  30  and, thereon, a rearward-facing circular actuator guide seating surface  56 . Four actuator guide retainer bores  58  are formed longitudinally through the mounting board housing portion  48  from the mounting board seating surface  50  to the actuator guide seating surface  56 . Two of the actuator guide retainer bores  58  are best seen in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0064]     With reference to  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 , and  11 , an internally threaded metal tail cap  60  is provided for engaging the rear end  32  of the searchlight body  30 . The tail cap  60  includes a rigid, electrically insulating spring mount plate  61  on which are mounted several forward-biased, forward-protruding metal tail cap springs  62 . The tail cap  60  also includes a rigid, electrically insulating current limiter mount plate  63 . A current limiter block  65  containing a current limiter  67  is located forward of the current limiter mount plate  63 . A rearward-projecting current limiter contact  69  is formed of conductive material which is disposed on the rearward-facing surface of the current limiter mount plate  63 .  
         [0065]     A screw  59  is shown holding the spring mount plate  61  in place and being screwed into the current limiter mount plate  63 . The tail cap springs  62  electrically contact the rear terminal of the battery module  35  and is electrically connected to the current limiter block  65 , which provides electrical connection of the current limiter  67  in series between the tail cap springs  62  and the current limiter contact  69 , which is biased to press against the tail cap  60 . Thus, electrical continuity is safely established between a terminal of the battery module  35  and the searchlight body  30  via the tail cap  60  when the tail cap  60  is threaded onto the rear end  32  of the searchlight body  30 . The searchlight body  30  forms part of an electrical ground path for the electric circuit of the searchlight.  
         [0066]     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 11 , the current limiter  67  may be a fuse, preferably of an automatic or resetting type, or a manual or preferably automatic resetting circuit breaker.  
         [0067]      FIG. 11 , a side sectional view of the tail cap  60 , shows in greater detail the spring mount plate  61 , tail cap springs  62 , current limiter mount plate  63 , current limiter block  65 , current limiter  67 , and current limiter contact  69 . If it is desired to replace the current limiter  67 , the tail cap  60  is unscrewed from the searchlight body  30 . The screw  59  is loosened, and the spring mount plate  61  is drawn forward, whereupon the current limiter block  65  may also be drawn forward, giving access to the current limiter  67 , which may be withdrawn and replaced. Thus:, the present invention provides for ease of replacing or upgrading the current limiter  67 .  
         [0068]     With reference to  FIGS. 4, 6 , and  7 , a round, flat, rigid, electrically insulating PC board  64  is disposed in the PC board housing portion  38  and supports a rearward-biased, rearward-protruding metal PC board spring assembly  66  for securing the battery module  35  within the middle portion  34  of the searchlight body  30  and for establishing electrical continuity with the forward terminal of the battery module  35 . The PC board  64  also supports a forward-facing PC board contact  68  electrically connected to the PC board spring assembly  66 . An externally threaded PC board retainer ring  70  is engaged with the PC board retainer engaging threads  42  and secures the PC board  64  against the PC board seating surface  40 .  
         [0069]     With reference to  FIGS. 2, 6 , and  7 , identical first and second switches  72  each having a switch toggle  73  are secured onto the switch mounting portions  46  (the sectional view of  FIG. 7  includes only one switch  72 ). The switches  72  are so oriented that each switch toggle  73  protrudes laterally from the external surface of the switch housing portion  44  and is mechanically displaceable in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the searchlight body  30 . Each switch  72  has a center input terminal  74 , a low-intensity circuit terminal  76 , and a high-intensity circuit terminal  78 . Each switch  72 , oriented as set forth above, is mechanically displaceable between a counterclockwise position (closing an electrical circuit from the center input terminal  74  to the low-intensity circuit terminal  76 ), a clockwise position (closing an electrical circuit from the center input terminal  74  to the high-intensity circuit terminal  78 ), and an intermediate position (opening both circuits). The PC board contact  68  is wired to the center input terminals  74  of both switches  72 .  
         [0070]     With reference to  FIGS. 2, 7 ,  8 , and  9 , a round, flat, rigid, electrically insulating mounting board  86  is disposed in the mounting board housing portion  48 . With particular reference to  FIG. 8 , a rear sectional view of the body of  FIG. 2  taken along the line  8 - 8  in the direction of the appended arrows, there are shown the mounting board housing portion outer surfaces  54 , the mounting board housing portion  48  (shaded for metal), and the mounting board seating portion  51 . Disposed inside the mounting board housing portion  48  and immediately forward of the mounting board seating portion  51  is the mounting board  86 , whose periphery is drawn in phantom because the mounting board seating portion  51  blocks direct view of it from the rear. Also shown is the mounting board rear surface  87  on which is disposed a metallic mounting board ground contact plate  89  having two diametrically opposite, rearward-protruding, rearward-biased elastic electric contacts  91 . The outer portions of the contacts  91  and of the mounting board ground contact plate  89  are drawn in phantom because the mounting board seating portion  51  blocks direct view of them from the rear. A mounting board central conductor  93  is electrically connected to the mounting board ground contact  89  and extends forward through the mounting board  86 . Also shown are the two mounting board intermediate conductors  112  and the two mounting board outer conductors  114 .  
         [0071]     With particular reference to  FIG. 9 , a front sectional view of the body of  FIG. 2  taken along the line  9 - 9  in the direction of the appended arrows, there are shown the mounting board housing portion  48 , the front end  36 , and a circular, externally threaded retaining ring  95 , which has four key-engagement recesses  97  for removal and disassembly. The mounting board  86  (whose periphery is drawn in phantom because the retaining ring  95  blocks direct view of it from the front) has a flat, forward-facing mounting board front surface  88  on which are disposed a central contact plate  90  and, concentrically thereabout, electrically discrete and radially spaced apart intermediate contact ring  92  and outer contact ring  94 . The central contact plate  90  is electrically connected to the mounting board central conductor  93 . The intermediate contact ring  92  is electrically connected to two mounting board intermediate conductors  112 , which project rearward through the mounting board  86  to the mounting board rear surface  87 , where they are wired to the low-intensity circuit terminals  76  of both switches  72 . The outer contact ring  94  is electrically connected to two mounting board outer conductors  114 , which project rearward through the mounting board  86  to the mounting board rear surface  87 , where they are wired to the high-intensity circuit terminals  78  of both switches  72 . It will be understood that a lamp portion (shown generally at  37  in  FIG. 1 ) is provided with electrical contacts (not shown) disposed at radii appropriate for establishing electrical continuity with the central contact plate  90 , the intermediate contact ring  92 , and the outer contact ring  94  when the lamp portion  37  is threadedly mounted on the front end  36  of the searchlight body  30 .  
         [0072]     With reference to  FIGS. 4, 6 , and  7 , an actuator ring  96  is rotatably disposed about the searchlight body  30  immediately rearward of the mounting board housing portion outer surface  54 . The actuator ring  96  has a grip-textured outer ring surface  98 , a forward-facing circular ring sliding surface  100 , an interior race  102 , two diametrically opposite pairs of circumferentially spaced apart deformable toggle-engaging cushions  104  (best seen in  FIG. 6 ), and two stops  105 . The circular ring sliding surface  100  abuts the actuator guide seating surface  56 . Each pair of toggle-engaging cushions  104  embraces one switch toggle  73 . Within the race  102  are slidably disposed two lubricated arcuate actuator guides  106 , each defining two longitudinal bolt bores  108 . Each bolt bore  108  is aligned with an actuator guide retainer bore  58 . Four bolts  110 , inserted from the front end  36  rearward, secure the two actuator guides  106  against the actuator guide seating surface  56 , thereby securing the actuator ring  96  in sliding rotatable proximity to the actuator guide seating surface  56 . It will be appreciated that, as the actuator ring  96  is rotated relative to the searchlight body  30 , one cushion  104  of each pair of cushions  104  will encounter each switch toggle  73 . As the two switch toggles  73  approach the limits of their displacement, they will resist further rotation. However, before these limits of displacement are exceeded in either direction, one of the two stops  105  on the actuator ring  96  will interfere with further rotation of one of the actuator guides  106 . This protects the switch toggles  73  from being forced beyond the limits of their displacement.  
         [0073]     With reference to  FIG. 10 , the electrical circuit is established from a positive terminal (not shown) of a battery module (not shown) through the following elements in series: PC board spring assembly  66 ; PC board contact  68 ; center input terminals  74  of both switches  72  in parallel; both switches  72  in parallel. Serially, the next element in the circuit depends on the states of the switches  72 . Thus, the circuit may be open if both switches are in an OFF state, in which case current will not flow. If the switches  72  are in the state corresponding to low-intensity illumination, the next element in the circuit is both low-intensity circuit terminals  76  in parallel. If the switches  72  are in the state corresponding to high-intensity illumination, the next element in the circuit is both high-intensity circuit terminals  78  in parallel. The states of the switches depend on the position of the actuator ring  96  (this position is not represented in  FIG. 10 ).  
         [0074]     With continued reference to  FIG. 10 , the next element in the circuit, again depending on the states of the switches  72 , is one, the other, or neither of the outer contact ring  94  and the intermediate contact ring  92 ; followed by one, the other, or neither of the low-intensity and high-intensity circuits of the lamp portion  37  (the lamp portion  37  is shown generally in  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0075]     With continued reference to  FIG. 10 , the low-intensity and high-intensity circuits of the lamp portion  37  (the lamp portion  37  is shown generally in  FIG. 1 ) are grounded via the central contact plate  90 , which is electrically connected to the mounting board central conductor  93 , which extends rearward through the mounting board  86  and is electrically connected to the mounting board ground contact  89  on the mounting board rear surface  87 . The mounting board ground contact  89  is peripherally cut and bent to provide two rearward-protruding, rearward-biased elastic electric contacts  91 , which make electrical contact with the bare metal mounting board seating surface  50  (see  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) of the mounting board housing portion  48  of the metal searchlight body  30 . As shown schematically in  FIG. 10  and with greater detail in  FIGS. 2, 3 , and  11 , the searchlight body completes a ground path via the metal tail cap  60 ; the current limiter contact  69 ; the current limiter block  65  and current limiter  67 ; and the tail cap springs  62 ; and finally, to a negative terminal of a battery module  35  located inside the middle portion  34  of the searchlight body  30 .  
         [0076]     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , in the assembled searchlight, responsive to externally applied torque, the actuator ring  96  displaces the pairs of cushions  104 , which urge both switch toggles  73  simultaneously from one to another of the above-described low-intensity, off, and high-intensity positions. Because the cushions  104  are deformable, they reduce the exposure of the switch toggles  73  to overtravel when the actuator ring  96  is operated forcibly. Additional protection against overtravel of the toggles  73  results from the fact that the actuator guides  106  and the race  102  cooperate to limit the range of rotation of the actuator ring  96 .  
         [0077]     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the actuator ring  96  is relatively large and has a grip-textured outer ring surface  98 . Thus, the actuator ring  96  is easily reached, felt, and operated by a person whose attention must be focused elsewhere or whose hands are gloved, slippery, weak, or numb. Being symmetrical, the actuator ring  96  is reached, felt, and operated the same way from all sides of the searchlight.  
         [0078]     The switches  72  are chosen for their simplicity and for proven performance and durability, rather than for any shape or configuration specially adapted to searchlights. Thus, they may be selected with reference to familiar military or industrial specifications and purchased at low cost from established sources.  
         [0079]     With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 10 , cooperation between the actuator ring  96  and the two parallel-wired switches  72  endows the searchlight with redundancy in the event that one of the switches  72  fails or becomes disconnected, while providing a simple hand-operable part for operating both switches  72 . The switches  72  are also located on opposite sides of the searchlight body  30 , reducing the likelihood that a local intrusion or impingement damaging or disconnecting one of the switches  72  would affect the other.  
         [0080]      FIG. 12  shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which an elastomeric boot  75  encapsulates the toggle  73  of the switch  72 . In this alternative embodiment, the elastomeric boot  75  provides protection from overtravel. As a result, the cushions  104  may either remain part of the invention as otherwise disclosed herein, or be replaced by similar-shaped structure lacking deformability—for example, the actuator ring  96  may be shaped to engage the toggle  73  via the boot  75 , but may be formed as a single piece of sturdy material without the added expense of separately providing and attaching the cushions  104 . Also in this alternative embodiment, the boot forms a barrier against the intrusion of moisture into the switch  72 .  
         [0081]     While the foregoing detailed description has described several embodiments of a searchlight switch actuator in accordance with the present invention, it is to be understood that the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention. Indeed, it will be appreciated that the embodiments discussed above and the virtually infinite embodiments that are not mentioned could easily be within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is to be limited only by the claims as set forth below.