Handheld tactical devices

Handheld tactical devices combining a weapon with an emission generator, and specifically combinations of a tubular handle with a detachably securable knife blade or baton body, together with a flashlight or chemical spray device removably insertable in the tubular handle. The preferred spray device embodiment emits dual sprays and includes a thumb-operable cover for permitting a user to both expose and depress the spray device's pushbutton actuator for instantly actuating the spray device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to handheld tactical devices, and more particularly to systems for attaching two tactical devices to one another for being held by a person.

Such combination apparatus in the past, however, have not been adaptable as tactical devices for hand-to-hand combat against an opponent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides handheld tactical devices combining a weapon with a temporarily disabling emission generator in such manner that the emission generator may be used together with the weapon to gain a tactical advantage against an opponent engaged in hand-to-hand combat. Specifically, the user may actuate the emission generator to temporarily disable the opponent while in the process of applying the weapon against the opponent. Depending upon the combat situation, the user of the combination apparatus is permitted the option to actuate the emission generator of the combination for temporarily disabling the opponent for facilitating the opponent's capture without the user's employing the weapon against the disabled the opponent.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tactical handheld apparatus comprising: an emission generator; a tubular handle having a longitudinal axis and configured for accommodating the emission generator therein, the handle including a first or front end portion having a first or front opening, the handle including a second or rear end portion having a second or rear opening for receiving the emission generator, the handle including a securement device at the handle's first portion outwardly of the first opening; a weapon component adapted to be secured to the securement device forwardly of the first opening and along the longitudinal axis; and a retainer securable to the second end portion of the handle (preferably removably securable thereto) for retaining the emission generator in the handle, the retainer having an opening aligned with the second opening when secured to the second end portion. The emission generator includes an actuator actuable by a user holding the handle for projecting an emission from the handle when the emission generator is accommodated in the handle.

The emission generator is adapted to be accommodated in the handle with the actuator actuable by the user at the second or rear opening, e.g. at the opening in the retainer; in such case, the emission generator will project an emission from the first or front opening. The emission generator is further adapted to be accommodated in the handle with the actuator actuable by the user at the first or front opening; in such case the emission will be projected from the second or rear opening, e.g. from the opening in the retainer.

In a preferred embodiment, the emission generator comprises a flashlight preferably with a pushbutton switch actuator at the flashlight's tail end, and the weapon component comprises a knife blade. The flashlight is retained within the handle with the pushbutton accessible to the user at the retainer opening while the user is holding the handle, and the flashlight projects a high-intensity light beam from the handle's first or front opening when the pushbutton is depressed by the user. The knife blade is configured such that the handle's front opening is not significantly obstructed when the knife blade is secured to the securement device of the handle.

In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the emission generator comprises a chemical spray device having a pushbutton actuator actuable by the user at the second or rear opening, e.g. at the opening in the retainer. In such case, the chemical spray is projected through the handle's first or front opening, preferably from two spray nozzles laterally spaced from the handle's longitudinal axis for projecting sprays along opposite sides of the attached knife blade. The knife blade is configured such that the handle's first opening is not significantly obstructed when the knife blade is secured to the handle's securement device.

In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the weapon component comprises a baton body adapted to be secured to the handle's securement device forwardly of the handle's first or front opening and along the handle's longitudinal axis. The emission generator preferably comprises a flashlight having a pushbutton switch actuator at its tail end, the flashlight being retained in the tubular handle with the pushbutton actuator actuable by the user at the handle's first or front opening. In this case, the flashlight's high-intensity light beam will be projected from the second opening, e.g. from the opening in the retainer. The baton body is configured such that the flashlight's pushbutton is accessible to the user when holding the handle, for permitting the user to depress and release the pushbutton for operating the flashlight.

In yet another preferred embodiment wherein the weapon component comprises the baton body secured to the handle's securement device forwardly of the handle's first front opening and along the handle's longitudinal axis, the emission generator comprises the chemical spray device. The chemical spray device may be inserted in the handle such that the spray device's pushbutton actuator is actuable by the user at the second or rear opening, e.g. at the opening in the retainer. The spray device preferably includes two spray nozzles laterally spaced from the handle's longitudinal axis for projecting sprays along opposite sides of the attached baton body. The baton body is preferably configured such that the handle's first or front opening is not significantly obstructed when the baton body is secured to the handle's securement device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a preferred spray device embodiment comprising: a generally cylindrical housing having a longitudinal axis and a front wall including at least one (and preferably two) apertures through the front wall; at least one (and preferably two) generally cylindrical spray canisters longitudinally carried in the housing; at least one (and preferably two) nozzles coupling the canisters and the apertures respectively; a plug at the rear of the housing including a pushbutton for actuating the canisters to emit sprays from the nozzles; and a protective cover for the pushbutton hinged to the plug and biased for normally covering the pushbutton, the protective cover being pivotable away from the pushbutton when urged by a finger of a hand of a user utilized to hold the cover (or the tubular handle when used), and preferably when urged by the same finger utilized to depress the pushbutton.

In the preferred dual-canister spray device embodiment, the housing includes two side-by-side longitudinal bores terminating at the front wall and respectively communicating with the two apertures through the housing's front wall; and the two canisters are contained in the bores respectively and are removable from the housing through the housing's rear opening when the plug is removed from the rear of the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The various preferred combined weapon/emission generator embodiments of the present invention, as shown in the drawings, each include a tubular handle adapted for removably accommodating an emission generator therein, and for detachably attaching a weapon component thereto. The combination of the handle with the attached weapon component comprises a handheld tactical device or weapon, and the addition of the emission generator to the handle permits the resulting combination to be operated by a user to accomplish the tactical functions of both the weapon and the emission generator either separately or in concert.

For example, turning toFIGS. 1-6, a preferred knife embodiment20includes a generally tubular handle22extending along a longitudinal axis a and including a first or front opening or window24at the handle's first or front end portion25and a second or rear opening26at the handle's second or rear end portion27.

As used herein, except where otherwise evident from the context, the word “longitudinal” means a direction along or parallel to the longitudinal axis a of the handle22or a direction along or parallel to the longitudinal axis a of the spray device84; “front” or “forward” describes a longitudinal direction toward the distal end of a weapon component attached to the handle22(e.g., to the left as shown inFIGS. 1,2,4-8and11-14); “rear” or “rearward” describes the direction opposite the front (e.g., to the right as shown in the drawing ofFIGS. 1,2,4-8and11-14); “above” or “upper” means vertically above when the handle22is held horizontally; and “below” or “lower” means vertically below when the handle22is held horizontally with the longitudinal arms of the attached weapon component positioned one above the other (see, e.g.,FIGS. 4 and 16).

The handle's front end portion25is configured for securely holding a knife blade28such that the handle's front opening24is not significantly obstructed. In one such preferred configuration, the handle front end portion25includes, outwardly of the front opening24, two first or upper longitudinal forwardly-directed projections30transversely separated by a first or upper longitudinal slot34, and two second or lower longitudinal forwardly-directed projections32transversely separated by a second or lower longitudinal slot36. The proximal or rear end portion38of the knife blade28forms a generally U-shaped projection including a first or upper longitudinal rearwardly-directed arm40and a second or lower longitudinal rearwardly-directed arm42. The arms40and42are configured for being fittingly received in the longitudinal slots34and36, respectively, and for being removably secured to the respective upper and lower pairs of forward projections30and32, such as by transversely disposed headed screws44inserted in transverse bores46in the projections30,32and transverse bores48in the arms40,42, and threadedly cooperating with transverse threaded bores50in the opposing longitudinal forward projections30,32.

The base51of the generally U-shaped rear end of the knife blade28(i.e. the edge51adjoining the two arms40,42and facing the handle's front opening24) is preferably beveled so as to diminish any rearward reflection of light emanating from the opening24when a flashlight52is contained within the generally cylindrical cavity of the tubular handle22and actuated.

As specifically shown inFIGS. 2-5, an example of an emission generator for being carried by the handle22comprises the flashlight52, preferably a tactical flashlight capable of generating a high intensity light beam that could temporarily blind and/or disorient an adversarial combatant. The flashlight52includes a generally cylindrical battery housing54containing a battery (comprising one or more battery cells56), a flashlight head58including a light emitter or lamp60(such as an incandescent bulb or a high luminous flux light emitting diode), and a reflecting device62(such as a parabolic reflector or a total internally reflecting lens) for substantially longitudinally directing the light from the lamp60through a transparent plate or lens64. The preferred example of the flashlight52includes a tail cap66removably secured to the battery housing54, the tail cap66housing a switch68actuable by a pushbutton70. The lamp60, battery56and pushbutton switch66are in circuit such that the ON/OFF conditions of the lamp60are controlled by a user's selective longitudinal depression and/or release of the pushbutton70. Pushbutton actuated flashlights are well known in the flashlight art as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,841,941, 5,642,932, 4,733,337, and U.S. Patent Application Publication US-2005-0077837-A1, each of which patents and publication are incorporated herein by reference.

For equipping the knife20with the flashlight52, the flashlight52is inserted (front end first in the embodiment shown) through the rear opening26of the hollow handle22, until segments of the forward edge72of the flashlight head58engage the rear surface of the inwardly directed edge74of the front end portion25of the handle22(seeFIGS. 3 and 4).

A retainer ring76is thereupon secured to the handle end portion27, such as by cooperative screw threads on the exterior longitudinal surface of the rear end portion27and the interior longitudinal surface of the ring76. The ring76includes an annular inwardly-directed radial wall or lip78for longitudinally engaging the peripheral rear edge of the tail cap66, the installed retainer ring76retaining the flashlight52within the tubular handle22while permitting the tail cap pushbutton72to be exposed by and preferably rearwardly protrude from the ring's central opening or aperture80defined by the interior edge of the radial lip78(FIG. 2). The length and diameter of the preferred flashlight52are such that the flashlight fits within the tubular cavity of the handle22(with at least portions of the outer surface of the flashlight52contacting the inner surface of the handle22), is retained against longitudinal movement by the handle's front end portion inwardly-directed edge74and the installed retainer ring76, and is slidably insertable into and removable from the handle's tubular cavity when the retainer ring76is unthreaded and removed from the handle22.

The knife embodiment20′ shown inFIGS. 7-14includes the tubular handle22and the retainer ring76shown inFIG. 1, and a knife blade28′ which is of different cutting edge configuration than, but which may have a cutting edge configuration similar to, the knife blade28ofFIG. 1. It may be appreciated that the knife blade28ofFIG. 1may be replaced by the knife blade28′ ofFIG. 7, or by any other configuration of knife blade, provided that—for the preferred embodiments shown—the knife blade's rear end is configured similarly to the knife blade rear end38as inFIG. 2. Accordingly, the knife blade28′ of the knife embodiment20′ ofFIGS. 7-14includes a rear end portion38′ similar to the rear end portion38ofFIGS. 1-6, including the upper and lower rearward arms40,42fittingly securable within the handle front end longitudinal slots34,36of the upper and lower pairs of forward projections30,32, respectively, by the screws44, in the same manner as described above in connection with the securement of the knife blade28to the handle22shown inFIGS. 1-6. It may be further appreciated that the knife blade28ofFIG. 1may be substituted for the knife blade28′ in the knife20′ ofFIG. 7.

As specifically shown inFIGS. 7-12, an example of another emission generator for being carried by the tubular handle22comprises a pushbutton-actuable spray generating device for emitting a disabling irritant when sprayed in an opponent's eyes or nose. Disabling spray devices are well known in the art, such as including a cylindrical housing containing a pressurized cannister of capsaicin pepper spray chemical with a pushbutton actuator at the housing's rear end and a spray nozzle at the housing's forward end.

One manner of combining a disabling spray device84with the handle22of the present invention is illustrated inFIG. 8, the disabling spray device84including at least one and preferably two pressurized capsaicin pepper spray chemical cylindrical cannisters86each having an outlet tube87at its forward end communicating with and retained against forward movement by respective spray nozzles88. Each outlet tube87operates a valve within its cylinder86, opening the valve when the cylinder is axially urged toward the nozzle88and closing the valve upon release of such axial urging, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,509,581 and 5,839,624 to Kevin L. Parsons, which patents are incorporated herein by reference.

As shown inFIGS. 8,12,20and21, the preferred embodiment of the chemical spray device84of the present invention includes a generally cylindrical housing92having a longitudinal axis a. Two chemical spray cylinders86are situated within side-by-side longitudinal bores93in housing92, along with their respective nozzles88.

Referring toFIGS. 8-12, the chemical spray device84includes pushbutton actuators90at the rear ends of the respective cylinders86. The housing92has a front end wall94including apertures96respectively aligned with and retaining forward protuberances or nipples89of the nozzles88for permitting the chemical spray to be emitted therefrom when the pushbuttons90are forwardly urged, the cylinders86being longitudinally slidable along their respective bores93.

The two pushbuttons90are controlled by a third pushbutton98, and the three pushbuttons are preferably fabricated as a unitary component retainably housed in a generally cylindrical end plug100removably secured to the housing92and plugging the housing's rear end opening102. The interior longitudinal passage in the end plug100is configured for longitudinally holding the controlling central pushbutton98and the pushbuttons90, with the two pushbuttons90being in side-by-side arrangement with a vertical (orthogonal to the longitudinal axis a) roll pin104retained by the end plug100and disposed between the two pushbuttons90. A spring105is retained between the roll pin104and the central pushbutton98for rearwardly biasing the pushbutton assembly within the end plug100. The forward end wall94is configured for holding the nozzle protuberances89and retaining the nozzles88in side-by-side arrangement longitudinally aligned with the respective cylinders86and pushbuttons90. A spring biased hinged end cover106is preferably installed in the end plug100, pivotable about transverse pin108and engaged with torsion springs110. The spring biased hinged cover106normally covers the central control pushbutton98for preventing inadvertent depression of the pushbutton98. A user may urge the cover106to pivot away from the pushbutton98with a finger of the same hand used for holding the handle22and indeed with the same finger used by the user to depress the pushbutton98.

For equipping the knife20′ with a disabling spray capability, the assembled chemical spray device84is inserted (front end first in the embodiment shown) through the rear opening26of the hollow handle22, until segments of the forward end94of the housing92engage the rear surface of the inwardly directed edge74of the front end portion25of the handle22(seeFIGS. 8 and 9). At the same time, the housing92is rotationally adjusted with respect to the handle22for circumferentially indexing the spray device84to the handle22such that the nozzle nipples89are laterally disposed with respect to the secured knife blade28′ and for preventing rotation of the spray device84with respect to the handle22, for example by means of a radial protuberance or pin112on the outer surface of the housing92being received by a longitudinal channel114in the inner surface of the rear end portion27of the handle22(seeFIGS. 11 and 21). The assembly84is longitudinally retained in the handle22upon installing the retaining ring76onto the rear end portion27of the handle22in the manner previously described in connection with the flashlight52, and with the pushbutton98and its cover106rearwardly protruding from the end plug100and from the central aperture80of the retaining ring76.

The length and diameter of the assembled preferred disabling spray device84are such that the device84fits within the generally cylindrical cavity of the handle22(with at least portions of the outer surface of the housing92contacting the inner surface of the hollow handle22), is retained against longitudinal movement by the handle's front end portion inwardly directed edge74and the installed retainer ring76, and is slidably insertable into and removable from the tubular handle22when the retainer ring76is removed from the handle22.

When the disabling spray assembly84is installed in the handle22, the two outlets89of the nozzles88are disposed on transversely opposing sides of the installed knife blade28′. The U-shaped edge51at the rear end portion38′ of the knife blade28′ is preferably beveled so as to diminish any rearward deflection of chemical spray emanating from the nozzles88when the pushbutton98is depressed.

In the knife embodiment20ofFIGS. 2-6, the flashlight52may be removed from the handle22(by removing the retaining ring76and rearwardly sliding the flashlight52through the rear end opening26) and replaced with the chemical spray assembly84or any other suitably configured emission generator. Similarly, in the knife embodiment20′ ofFIGS. 7-14, the chemical spray assembly84may be removed from the handle22(by removing the retaining ring76and rearwardly sliding the assembly84through the rear end opening26) and replaced with the flashlight52or any other suitably configured emission generator.

The knife embodiments of the present invention are useful as handheld tactical devices in hand-to-hand combat. Where a flashlight is carried by the handle as inFIGS. 2-6, the knife blade and its cutting tip extend forwardly from the light emitting end of the handle, with the light beam propagating along the knife blade when the flashlight is actuated. A user may direct the emitting light beam toward his/her opponent to produce a blinding and temporary disorienting and disabling result on the opponent, and the user may simultaneously strike the opponent with the knife blade. This operation can effectively be conducted by the user's grasping the handle22with his/her hand, and then depressing the tail cap switch pushbutton70with his/her thumb to suddenly cause a bright beam of light to be emitted toward the opponent's eyes, while the user rapidly moves the knife/flashlight combination for striking the opponent.

Similarly, in the knife/chemical spray device embodiment ofFIGS. 7-14, the knife blade and its cutting tip extend forwardly from the spray emitting end of the handle22, the spray propagating along the knife blade when actuated. The user may direct the emitting spray towards the opponent to effect a disabling result on the opponent. The user may simultaneously strike the opponent with the knife, or the user may decide that the disabling result is sufficient for enabling him/her to disarm the opponent and take him/her into custody. This operation can most effectively be conducted by the user's grasping the handle22in his/her hand using his/her thumb to pivot the hinged cover106to expose the pushbutton98to his/her thumb, and then depressing the pushbutton98to suddenly cause the chemical spray to be emitted as the knife/chemical spray device is directed toward the opponent's eyes and nose.

It may be appreciated that the knife/handle combination ofFIG. 1may be used simply as a knife, without either a flashlight or a chemical spray device contained within the handle. Similarly, the flashlight52, as well as the chemical spray device84, may be removed from the handle22and operated individually and independently of the knife/handle combination.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention, specifically a baton or truncheon combined with an emission generator such as a flashlight, is shown inFIGS. 15 and 16. A preferred baton embodiment120includes a generally tubular handle—preferably the previously described handle22—extending along the longitudinal axis a and including the front opening or window24at the handle's front end portion25and a rear opening26at the handle's rear end portion27.

The handle's front end portion25is configured for securely holding a baton body122in such manner that the front opening24is not significantly obstructed. In similar manner as previously described with respect to the knife blade28being held by the handle22, the preferred handle front end portion25includes, outwardly of the front opening24, two first or upper longitudinal forwardly-directed projections30transversely separated by a first or upper longitudinal slot34, and two second or lower longitudinal forwardly-directed projections32transversely separated by a second or lower longitudinal slot36. The proximal or rear end portion124of the baton body122forms a generally U-shaped projection including a first or upper longitudinal rearwardly-directed arm126and a second or lower longitudinal rearwardly-directed arm128. The arms126and128are configured for being fittingly received in the longitudinal slots34and36, respectively, and for being removably secured to the respective upper and lower pairs of forward projections30and32of the handle22, such as by transversely disposed headed screws44inserted in transverse bores46in the projections30,32, transverse bores130in the arms126,128, and threadedly cooperating with transverse threaded bores50in the opposing longitudinal forward projections30,32.

As specifically shown inFIGS. 15 and 16, an example of an emission generator for being carried by the handle22in the preferred baton embodiment120comprises a flashlight such as the flashlight52previously described. However, whereas the flashlight52is inserted in the handle22of the knife embodiment shown such that the flashlight's light beam emanates from the front opening24, in the baton embodiment120the flashlight52is preferably disposed in the handle22such that the flashlight's light beam emanates from the handle's rear opening26while the flashlight's tail cap switch pushbutton70rearwardly projects from or is otherwise accessible at the handle's front opening24. The base of the generally U-shaped rear end of the baton body122(i.e. the edge132adjoining the two arms126,128and facing the handle's front opening24) is preferably shaped and sufficiently spaced from the handle's front opening24so as to permit a user to comfortably insert a finger rearwardly of the edge132for depressing and releasing the pushbutton70.

For equipping the baton120with the flashlight52, the flashlight52is inserted (tail end facing forwardly) through the rear opening26of the handle22, until segments of the rear edge134of the tail cap66engage the rear surface of the inwardly directed edge74of the front end portion25of the handle22.

The retaining ring76is thereupon secured to the handle rear end portion27, such as by cooperative screw threads on the exterior longitudinal surface of the handle's rear end portion27and the interior longitudinal surface of the ring76, as previously discussed. The annular inwardly directed radial wall or lip78of the ring76longitudinally engages the peripheral front edge72of the flashlight head58, the installed retaining ring76retaining the flashlight52within the tubular handle22while permitting the flashlight's light beam to emanate rearwardly from the ring's central opening or aperture80defined by the internal edge of the radial lip78. As previously indicated, the length and diameter of the flashlight52are such that the flashlight52fits within the cavity of the tubular handle22, is retained against longitudinal movement by the handle's front end portion inwardly directed edge74and the installed end ring76, and is slidably insertable into and removable from the handle's tubular cavity when the retainer ring76is removed from the handle22.

It may be appreciated that a user may grasp the handle in a generally forward attitude for using the baton as a truncheon against an opponent. Immediately before such use, however, the user may reverse the direction of the baton and may depress the pushbutton70with his/her thumb or other finger to actuate the flashlight for producing a momentary blinding or disorienting effect on the opponent. Alternatively, a user may grasp the handle in a generally rearward attitude for using the baton/flashlight combination as a flashlight, the user having the option to use the baton/flashlight combination as a baton or truncheon should the need arise.

Of course, the flashlight may be used simply as a flashlight whether the flashlight52is installed in the handle22or removed therefrom. When the flashlight52is installed in the baton's handle22, the user may hold the baton body122rearwardly between one of his arms and his torso while directing the light beam in a generally forward direction, for being able to have his/her hands free for another related purpose, for example for permitting a law enforcement officer user to illuminate a clipboard or traffic ticket booklet held with one hand while writing a traffic ticket with the other hand and, at the same time, having the baton at the ready if needed.

The emission generator in the baton device may comprise a disabling spray device such as the chemical spray device84. In a preferred embodiment, the spray device84is inserted and retained in the tubular handle such that the chemical spray emanates forwardly from the front opening24of the handle22while the spray device's actuating pushbutton98, protectively covered by the spring biased hinged cover106, is accessible at the rear opening26of the handle22(i.e., at the central opening80of the retainer ring76), as shown inFIGS. 17-19. The assembled chemical spray device is inserted (front end first in the embodiment shown) through the rear opening26of the hollow handle22, until segments of the forward end wall94of the housing92engage the rear surface of the inwardly directed edge74of the front end portion25of the handle22. At the same time, the housing92is rotationally adjusted with respect to the handle22for circumferentially indexing the spray device24to the handle22such that the nozzle nipples89are laterally disposed with respect to the secured baton body122and for preventing rotation of the spray device84with respect to the handle22, such as by means of the radial protuberance or pin112on the outer surface of the housing92being received by the longitudinal channel114in the inner surface of the rear end portion27of the handle22(seeFIGS. 11 and 21). The outer surface of the baton body122is preferably configured with two longitudinal channels136, one on each side of the baton body122in registration with the two nozzle nipples89respectively, for permitting the spray to propagate along the baton body when the spray device84is actuated. The spray device84is longitudinally retained in the handle22upon installing the retaining ring86onto the rear end portion27of the handle22in the manner previously described, with the pushbutton98and its cover106rearwardly protruding from the end plug100at the central aperture80of the retaining ring76.

When using this embodiment of the baton/spray device combination, the user may grasp the handle22in a generally forward attitude for using the baton as a truncheon against an opponent, the user using his/her thumb to pivot the hinged cover106to expose the pushbutton98to his/her thumb. The user may depress the pushbutton98(which exposure and depression may be accomplished in one motion of the thumb) to actuate the chemical spray for producing a temporarily disabling effect on the opponent, permitting the user the option of either striking the opponent with the baton or, if the situation permits, disarming the opponent and taking the opponent into custody without need to strike the opponent.

The spray device84may be used by itself, and the preferred embodiment thereof includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse depressions138in the outer surface of the housing92for facilitating gripping by the user's hand, the depressions138preferably extending along the housing's upper and lower surfaces for accommodating both right-handed and left-handed users (seeFIGS. 17,20and22). As illustrated inFIG. 22, in a preferred manner of using the spray device84by itself, the user grasps the spray device84in his/her hand, in a generally forward attitude, using his/her thumb to urge the hinged cover106away from the pushbutton for exposing the pushbutton98to his/her thumb, and then depressing the pushbutton98to cause the chemical spray to be emitted from each of the nipples89of both nozzles88toward the opponent's eyes and nose. It may be appreciated that the hinged cover106may be urged away from the pushbutton98by a finger of the user's hand utilized by him/her to hold the housing92, and indeed by the same finger utilized by the user to depress the pushbutton. Accordingly, exposure of the pushbutton98and its depression may be accomplished in one motion of the user's finger (preferably his/her thumb) of the hand utilized to hold the spray device84.

For example, the cover106may be configured as a cap enclosing the pushbutton98, with the cap's rear wall140rearwardly spaced from the pushbutton's rear face when front edge of the cap's generally cylindrical side142contacts the rear surface of the end plug100. A portion144of the cap's side142opposite its hinge is cutaway or contoured to accommodate the tip of a user's thumb when the user holds the device84in his/her hand (seeFIG. 22).

The various components of the disclosed embodiments may be manufactured using fabrication methods well known in the art, of well known materials typically used in the weaponry art including high strength and durable materials such as titanium, aluminum and steel alloys, as well as polymeric materials, although the knife blades are preferably fabricated of steel.

Thus, there have been described various preferred embodiments of handheld tactical devices combining a weapon with an emission generator, and specifically combinations of a tubular handle with a detachably securable knife blade or baton body, together with a flashlight or chemical spray device removably insertable in the tubular handle. The preferred spray device embodiment emits dual sprays and includes a thumb-operable cover for permitting a user to both expose and depress the spray device's pushbutton actuator for instantly actuating the spray device. Other embodiments of the present invention, and variations of the embodiments presented herein, may be developed without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the invention should be limited only by the scope of the claims listed below.