Abstract:
A combined flashlight and munition deploying device in which light sources are arranged around a munition-loadable crown of the device so that illumination is emitted in the same direction that the munition is deployed. The flashlight may be operated in a strobe mode. A common trigger is used to first operate the strobe and then to fire the munition. A toggle mechanism serves to cock the firing pin as the crown is being opened for loading a cartridge. An extendable battery compartment may be included, which also serves as an extendable handle. The device may be configured for many different types of less-than-lethal munitions.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to a flashlight device that integrates the capability of safely housing and discharging a variety of munitions. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Individuals working or playing in uninhabited outdoor environments, for example when camping, almost always carry a flashlight with them as standard gear. However, those who require safety devices such as flares, animal deterrents or fire starters, must pack or carry these as additional equipment. Not having these devices on hand and accessible at a moment&#39;s notice can worsen a dangerous scenario, especially in the event of a bear or other animal attack. 
     For self-defense and other security applications, individuals who wish or need to carry a non-lethal protection device on themselves have a limited number of options available to them. Pepper spray is one of the most popular options available, and can be carried in aerosol canisters or spray discharge flashlights, as well as in other devices. A drawback with pepper spray deployment is that it has little intimidation effect on a would-be assailant, having now been in use for so many years. There are also flashlight devices that have strobe functions to serve as an initial warning or defensive measure, but they all require the user to press an activation button a number of times in order to deploy the strobe light. 
     Almost all enforcement and military agencies world-wide equip their personnel with a variety of less-than-lethal devices. Devices that shoot tear gas and pepper spray are commonly used, although far more popular is the use of loaded-down or less-than-lethal 12 gauge shotgun shells. These munitions are essentially standard shotgun shells that contain less gunpowder than normal, and are loaded with projectiles such as rubber bullets or beanbags. The effect of these less-than-lethal shells is to knock an individual down without being lethal. The problem, however, is that deploying these highly-effective rounds requires the use of an actual, full-size shotgun. In many cases, agencies deploying less-than-lethal 12 gauge rounds must equip their personnel with shotguns that have been colorized to distinguish them as special equipment, so as not to confuse them with shotguns carrying lethal rounds. Since regular shotguns can deploy both lethal and less-than-lethal rounds, making a mistake by mixing ammunition can have fatal consequences. 
     Almost all SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) and military teams carry what is known as a ‘master key’, which is essentially a cut-down shotgun that is mounted under a standard-issue battle rifle (e.g. an M4). Loaded with 12 gauge buckshot rounds, a master key is highly effective in blowing locked doors open. The problem is that mounting a cut-down shotgun under a rifle is expensive, heavy and cumbersome to carry. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) flashlight device that can discharge a variety of munitions. In various embodiments, the device can chamber and discharge signal flares, animal deterrents, paintball and pepper ball air cartridges, and many firearm 12 gauge munitions. The munitions deploying flashlight device has a multitude of applications, which include, for example, camping, marine safety, animal deterrence, self-defence, paintball gaming, security, law enforcement, corrections and military. 
     The device has a unique, pivoting crown that allows munitions to be chambered with the device in a forward position, allowing the user to be able to point the device as a flashlight and deploy the munition without altering the device&#39;s position. The device also has a unique toggle mechanism, which cocks or arms the firing system when the crown is fully opened, and which requires very little force to do so. The device may also incorporate a strobe light function and may have a unique trigger mechanism, which allows the user to instantly activate the strobe in one on position and discharge the munition in another on position. 
     Disclosed herein is a munition deploying flashlight device comprising: a body having a front portion and a rear portion; a firing pin housed in the body; a crown having a chamber for loading a munition therein, wherein said crown is: attached via a pivot to the front portion of the body; and rotatable from an open position that exposes an opening in the crown through which the munition is loaded to a closed position that aligns the loaded munition with the firing pin; a toggle that is mechanically actuated by the crown to cock the firing pin as the crown is rotated to its open position; one or more light sources mounted in the crown; and a trigger having an off position, a first on position that causes the light sources to strobe and a second on position that causes the firing pin to discharge the munition. 
     Also disclosed herein is a method of deploying a munition deploying flashlight device comprising: rotating a crown of the device to an open position, to mechanically actuate a toggle to cock a firing pin of the device; loading a munition into a chamber of the crown; rotating the crown to a closed position to align the munition with the firing pin; moving a trigger in the device from an off position to a first on position to illuminate a strobe in the device; and moving the trigger from the first on position to a second on position to discharge the munition in a direction in which the strobe is aimed. Moving the trigger may comprise sliding it from the off position to the first on position and then from the first on position to the second on position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention, and should not be construed as restricting the scope of the invention in any way. 
         FIG. 1  is an end view of an exemplary embodiment of a munition deploying flashlight device in accordance with the present invention showing a crown and a plurality of LEDs of the device. 
         FIG. 2  is a side sectional view taken along section A-A of  FIG. 1 , showing the device with a trigger position off and a firing pin cocked. 
         FIG. 3  is an end view of the device showing the crown in an open position. 
         FIG. 4  is a side sectional view taken along section C-C of  FIG. 3 , showing the device with the trigger position off and the firing pin being cocked. 
         FIG. 5  is a side sectional view showing the device with the trigger position set to strobe and the firing pin cocked. 
         FIG. 6  is a side sectional view showing the device with the trigger position set to fire and the firing pin at the moment of fire. 
         FIG. 7  is a side sectional view showing the device with the trigger position at fire and the firing pin fully actuated. 
         FIG. 8  is a side sectional view showing the device with the trigger position off and the firing pin un-cocked. 
         FIG. 9  is a method for deploying the device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Forwards and backwards are terms used to describe movements of various parts of the device, where forwards refers to the pointing direction of the device and the direction in which the munitions are fired. Outwards or outer refers to a direction away from the center line of the device, and inner or inwards refer to a direction towards the center line of the device. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exemplary embodiment of a munition deploying flashlight device, generally designated  1 , is shown having a crown  10  (or barrel) with a front end  9  (muzzle), a plurality of LEDs  12  (light emitting diodes) mounted in the crown  10  and exposed at the front end  9  thereof, and an aperture  14  defined in the front end  9  of the crown  10  through which a munition (not shown) exits the crown when fired. The LEDs  12  emit light in the forward direction of the device  1 , aimed in a narrow or wide cone of light, generally centered in the same direction as the munition is discharged. The LEDs  12  are equally spaced and arranged around the aperture  14  in a halo or ring configuration, but other layouts and mounting positions are possible in other embodiments. While three LEDs have been shown, other embodiments may have other quantities of LEDs, such as 1, 2, 4 or more. Light sources other than LEDs may be used, such as incandescent lights or laser diodes. 
     More particularly, the crown  10  encloses an interior chamber  15  into which a cartridge or other munition can be loaded. The crown  10  is attached via a crown pivot  16  to a bottom part of a body  17  of the device  1 . The crown  10  rotates about the crown pivot  16 , permitting the crown to open and close for emptying spent cartridges and loading fresh ones. As the crown  10  is opened, it actuates a toggle mechanism for cocking the device  1 . The toggle mechanism includes a pivot  18  on the crown  10 , to which an arm  22  is connected. The arm  22  is connected in turn via pivot  24  to toggle  26  having a slot  27 . The toggle  26  is guided with pins  28 ,  30  protruding into or through the slot  27  so that the toggle slides back and forth (respectively right and left in the figure) as the crown  10  is opened and closed. Cocking will be further explained below, with respect to  FIG. 4 . When the crown  10  is closed, a locking button (not shown) is used to retain the toggle  26  in position, which in turn retains the crown in a closed position with its rear face  11  ( FIG. 4 ) flush with a forwards facing face  19  ( FIG. 4 ) of the body  17 . There are several different ways in which the toggle  26  may be locked. 
     Also connected to the body  17  is a battery holder  40  that defines an interior compartment  41  for one or more batteries. The battery holder  40  is closed off by an end cap  42 , which screws or clips onto the outer end of the holder  40 . Likewise, the battery holder  40  screws or clips onto the back end of the body  17  of the device. The connections between the body  17 , the holder  40  and the end cap  42  may be sealed from moisture by o-rings in cavities  44 ,  46 . Other sealing techniques may be used in alternate embodiments. The modular construction of the battery compartment allows different lengths of holder  40  to be used, or additional sections to be added, so that batteries of different storage capacity may be used. For example, an extension tube may be supplied with the device so that single or dual batteries can be used. Different lengths may be preferable, depending on what the device is being used for, and also as the battery holder  40  serves as a handle for the device. Also shown is spring connector  48  for making an electrical connection to the battery. The other connection from the battery may be via the end cap, which may include a switch  49  for regular flashlight operation. A frame type battery holder with one or two integral connections may also be used inside the compartment  41 . In some embodiments, the other electrical connection may be via the end cap  42  and wall of the battery compartment  40  if they are made from an electrically conductive material such as aluminum. Many different arrangements are possible for connecting the battery. Power from the battery is directed to the circuit board  50 , on which are mounted various components  52  for driving the LEDs  12 . Wiring from the circuit board is fed to the LEDs  12  using a copper detent pin. In other embodiments, other ways of feeding the wiring to the LEDs can be used. 
     A firing pin body  60  is integral with a firing pin  62 . Aligned with the firing pin  62  is an opening  64  in a split stop plate  66 , though which the firing pin protrudes during firing. When the crown  10  is closed, the munition in the chamber  15  of the crown is aligned with the firing pin  62 . Within the firing pin body  60  is a return pin  68 , biased forwards out of the firing pin body by return spring  69 . The return pin  68  serves to push the firing pin  62  back from the stop plate  66  so that it no longer protrudes through the opening  64  after firing. The firing pin body  60  is mounted so that is can slide in and out over a firing pin support base  70 . Firing spring  72  within the base  70  is compressed when the firing pin  62  is cocked, and pushes the firing pin forwards through the stop plate  66  when the firing pin is triggered. 
     A safety flap  80 , connected to the body  17  of the device at pivot  82 , covers a thumb operated sliding trigger  84 , shown here in its off position. Note that the trigger  84  is on the top of the device, on the opposite side of the body  17  to the crown pivot  16 , which permits the device  1  to be held in the same orientation for loading as for operating the light and deploying the munition. In other embodiments, the trigger  84  could be placed elsewhere on the device. It could be incorporated in the crown  10  of the device  1 , for example. 
     The trigger  84  is biased forwards towards its off position by a spring (not shown). As shown, the flap  80  is closed, but when it is opened it exposes the thumb operated trigger  84  to a user. A ramp  86  (better seen in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ) is integral to the trigger  84  and slides back and forth with it. The lower, inclined surface  98  ( FIG. 6 ,  7 ) or edge of the ramp engages with a pawl  88 , which has a guide pin  89  that is biased inwards by a spring onto the inclined surface of the ramp. When the trigger  84  is pulled back, the ramp moves with it and forces the guide pin  89  outwards, causing the pawl  88  to rotate outwards away from the firing pin body  60 . The pawl rotates about pivot  90  and is biased inwards with a spring (not shown). As such, the pawl  88  can be moved off and outwards from the ramp against its spring force, but it is prevented from moving further inwards because the inclined surface  98  of the ramp  86  blocks it. As the pawl  88  is rotated away from the firing pin body  60 , it disengages from the forward surface of the sear tooth  92  on the outside of the firing pin body, allowing forward motion of the firing pin body  60  and connected or integral firing pin  62 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the device  1  is shown with the crown  10  in an open position, so that a cartridge can be inserted or loaded through an opening  96  at the rear end of the crown  10 . The crown  10  is in the process of being opened to cock the firing pin  62 . As the crown  10  is opened, it pivots about crown pivot  16 , pushing arm  22  and toggle  26  backwards with respect to the body  17  of the device  1 . The toggle  26  slides along the direction of its slot  27  by being guided by pins  28 ,  30 . Pivots  18 ,  24  allow the rotational motion of the crown to be converted into sliding action of the toggle  26 . As the toggle  26  is slid backwards, it pushes against a forward facing surface of the firing pin body  60 , which in turn is pushed backwards. As the firing pin body  60  reaches the firing pin support base  70 , the pawl  88  clicks over the sear tooth  92  and springs towards the firing pin body  60 , retaining it in the cocked position. Due to the mechanical advantage of the toggle mechanism, very little force is needed to cock the device. After the firing pin  62  has been cocked, the crown  10  can be loaded with a cartridge and closed, resulting in the toggle  26  moving forwards, away from the firing pin body  60  to the position shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5  shows the device  1  with the crown  10  closed, the safety flap  80  open, the trigger  84  set to “strobe” and the firing pin  62  cocked. The trigger  84  is depressed slightly in its strobe setting in order to actuate an electrical switch to switch on the strobe. The firing pin body  60  is in a backwards position, compressing the firing spring  72  in the firing pin support base  70 . The pawl  88  is engaged, by being sprung inwards, onto the forward surface of the sear tooth  92 , which locks the firing pin body  60  back. 
       FIG. 6  shows the device  1  with the trigger  84  in the fire position and the device at the moment of fire. The crown  10  is closed, the safety flap  80  open and the trigger  84  with its ramp  86  have been pulled back. The pawl  88  has been forced out and away from the sear tooth  92  by the motion of the ramp  86  acting on the pawl&#39;s guide pin  89 . At this moment, the firing spring  72  is still compressed but not restrained, and is about to impart its potential energy to the firing pin body  60 , to rapidly push it away from the firing pin base  70  and push the firing pin  62  through the opening  64  in the stop plate  66 . At this moment, the return pin  68  is in its rest position and the return spring  69  is not compressed. 
       FIG. 7  shows the device  1  with the trigger  84  in the fire position and the firing pin  62  having been fully actuated. The crown  10  is closed, the safety flap  80  open, the trigger  84  with its ramp  86  are still pulled back. The pawl  88  is still forced away from the sear tooth  92  due to engagement of the guide pin  89  on the inclined surface  98  of the ramp  86 . The firing spring  72  has extended to its maximum length to push the firing pin  62  through the opening  64  in the stop plate  66 . The return pin  68  has been pushed into the firing pin body  60  by impact on the stop plate  66 , compressing the return spring  69 . When the firing pin  62  protrudes through the opening  64  into the chamber  15  it causes a cartridge in the chamber to discharge through the aperture  14 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the device  1  with the trigger  84  off and the firing pin  62  un-cocked. The crown  10  is closed, the safety flap  80  is closed and the trigger  84  and its ramp  86  have sprung forwards, which has allowed the pawl  88  to spring inwards onto the outer surface of the sear tooth  92 . The pawl  88  is engaged with a rear sear tooth  94 , which prevents forward motion of the firing pin body  60 . This prevents any possibility that the firing pin  62  engages with a cartridge when the device is not cocked and the trigger  84  is in the off state. The spring  72  has been compressed slightly from its maximum extension because the return pin  68  has pushed the firing pin body  60  backwards slightly in order to retract the firing pin  62  from the chamber  15 . Alternately, this can be done by making the firing spring  72  slightly shorter than the cavity in the firing pin base  70 , so that the return pin  68  can return the firing pin  62  with no force opposing it from the firing pin spring. The return pin  68  is in contact with the stop plate  66 . The firing pin  62  is still within the opening  64  in the stop plate  66  but does not pass through into the chamber  15 . The return spring  69  is slightly compressed as it is pushing on the stop plate  66 . The firing pin body  60  is pushed forwards relative to the firing pin base  70  by the spring  72 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the main steps of a method for deploying the munition deploying flashlight device  1  are shown. In step  102  the crown  10  of the device is rotated about the crown pivot  16  to an open position, in order to mechanically actuate the toggle  26 , which cocks the firing pin  62 . In step  104 , a munition is loaded into the chamber  15  of the crown  10 . In step  106 , the crown  10  is rotated about the crown pivot  16  to a closed position in order to align the munition with the firing pin  62 . In step  108 , the trigger  84  is moved from an off position to a first on position to illuminate the strobe. Finally, in step  110  the trigger  84  is moved from the first on position to the second on position to discharge the munition in the direction in which the strobe is aimed. 
     The device is about the same size as a commonly used, tactical flashlight, while being capable of safely chambering and deploying many different types of munitions. Even so, other sizes are possible. The inner shape of the crown can be dimensioned to chamber munitions of varying proportions. For example, signal flares and animal deterrents are somewhat longer than 12 gauge shells. The trigger may be configured differently. For example, the trigger may have two on positions into which it can be slid, one for the strobe and the other for firing the cartridge. In each on position, the trigger may have a tactile stop. Parts described as integral may be made from separate components fixed together. Different components of the device, other than those shown, may be used. Components may be proportioned, dimensioned or shaped differently to those shown. They may also be configured to engage in different ways while still achieving the same result. 
     For camping and other outdoor pursuits, the user can carry just a single device, for example in a hip pouch, that serves as a flashlight but also has the capability of instantly deploying an animal deterrent round when required. 
     In self-defense and security applications, the device can be used to deploy a high-velocity pepper powder blast, as opposed to pepper spray, using an air or pyrotechnic powered cartridge. When fired, these non-lethal cartridges create a loud discharge, which has a disorienting effect on the recipient, as well as deploying a charge of pepper powder at a much higher velocity than an aerosol spray. Pepper powder is also inhaled easily, creating a further obstruction for the assailant. The user can also choose to load the device with a pepper ball cartridge, instead of pepper powder, which has the further advantage of imparting a kinetic impact to the assailant. These attributes help create a more effective self-defense tool. 
     For corrections and law enforcement, the device enables personnel to carry less-than-lethal rounds in a small device that is inexpensive compared to a shotgun and is the same size as a standard duty flashlight, and can be carried safely on any duty belt. As the device also functions as a standard, tactical light, it alleviates the user from having to carry a separate flashlight. 
     For SWAT and military applications, by mounting the device in place of the shotgun, the user maintains the primary function of the master key, without the penalties of added weight and reduced maneuverability. In this configuration, the rifle would absorb the recoil and shock generated by a standard 12 gauge shotgun shell. 
     Some embodiments of the device would only be sold to registered law enforcement and military agencies. 
     The foregoing is a detailed description of an illustrative and specific embodiment of the invention. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventor has contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Various modifications and additions can be made without departing from the scope of this invention.