Abstract:
A multi-position switched grip for a searchlight includes a two-ended hand-grip. Each end has a thumb-operable pushbutton switch. A person holds the grip between palm and fingers with thumb on one or the other switch. One end has a hinge to which are connected an electrical power receptacle and a lamp mount. The hinge has a release which is normally biased to lock the hinge in one or the other of two orientations relative to the grip body. Pressing the release inward unlocks the hinge and allows the stein to rotate between the two orientations. The switches are configured and electrically connected such that pressing either switch once and releasing it alternates the searchlight between the ON and OFF conditions.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a searchlight for use in combat, search and rescue, or inclement weather, more particularly to a searchlight having an adjustable-angle hand grip, and especially to such a grip which includes switches for operating the searchlight.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     A person using a searchlight in an emergency or combat situation may prefer to have the searchlight mounted on a hand grip. To direct the beam of light forward while holding the searchlight in hand with one&#39;s forearm horizontal, one would prefer the searchlight to be attached substantially perpendicular to the beam. The grip may be held either with the light above the hand, or with the light below the hand, depending only on which way the grip is held. To direct the beam forward while holding the searchlight in hand with one&#39;s forearm vertical, one would prefer the searchlight to be attached substantially parallel to the beam. The grip may then be held either with the forearm extended upward, above the person&#39;s shoulder, with the beam projecting forward, or with the forearm extended downward, at the person&#39;s side, and the beam projecting forward. Transition between these two positions involves reversing the person&#39;s hold on the grip.  
         [0005]     A person using such a searchlight also 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. In the above-described situation, it would be helpful to find the switch in substantially the same place and to operate it in substantially the same manner regardless of which way one holds the grip and of how the grip is oriented relative to the searchlight.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a tactically adapted multi-position switched searchlight grip whose switching means are hand-operable by substantially the same acts, independent of how the grip is oriented relative to the searchlight and independent of the orientation in which a person holds the grip.  
         [0007]     In accordance with these objects and with others which will be described and which will become apparent, an exemplary embodiment of a multi-position searchlight grip in accordance with the present invention includes an elongated grip body; a first end formed on the grip body and including a first actuator; a second end formed on the grip body and including a second actuator and means for attaching a lamp to the grip body; and means for connecting the first actuator and the second actuator to control illumination of a lamp that is attached to the body.  
         [0008]     In another exemplary embodiment of a multi-position switched searchlight grip in accordance with the present invention, each of the first actuator and the second actuator includes a thumb-operable push-button.  
         [0009]     In another exemplary embodiment, each push-button is operatively connected to a switch and each switch is operatively connected to the means for connecting.  
         [0010]     In another exemplary embodiment, each switch is an electrical switch electrically connected to the means for connecting.  
         [0011]     In another exemplary embodiment, the means for connecting are operatively connected in substantially the same manner to each of the first actuator and the second actuator.  
         [0012]     In another exemplary embodiment, the means for connecting include a stem rotatably connected to the second end and a lamp mount formed on the stem.  
         [0013]     In another exemplary embodiment, the means for connecting include an electrical circuit including a first power input, a second power input, a first power output, and a second power output. The means for connecting are operable in an ON state wherein the first power input is electrically connected to one of the first power output and the second power output, and the second power input is connected to the other of the first power output and the second power output. The means for connecting are also operable in an OFF state, wherein at least one of the first power input and the second power input is electrically disconnected from both of the first power output and the second power output; and a single operation of one of the first actuator and the second actuator causes the means for connecting to alternate from one to the other of the ON state and the OFF state.  
         [0014]     In another exemplary embodiment, each of the first actuator and the second actuator includes a push-button.  
         [0015]     In another exemplary embodiment, each push-button is operatively connected to a switch and each switch is operatively connected to the means for connecting.  
         [0016]     In another exemplary embodiment, each switch is an electrical switch electrically connected to the means for connecting.  
         [0017]     In another exemplary embodiment, the means for connecting include a stem rotatably connected to the second end and a lamp mount formed on the stem.  
         [0018]     Also in accordance with these objects, an exemplary embodiment of a multi-position grip for a searchlight, tool, weapon, or the like in accordance with the present invention includes a grip body, a lamp portion operatively coupled to the grip body, and a hinge pin movably disposed through the grip body and through the lamp portion. The the hinge pin has a first position, wherein the hinge pin rotationally fixes the lamp portion to the grip body, and a second position, wherein the lamp portion is rotatable relative to the grip body.  
         [0019]     In another exemplary embodiment, the hinge pin is biased in the first position and displaceable to the second position in response to applied pressure.  
         [0020]     In another exemplary embodiment, one of the lamp portion and the grip body has a tongue, the other of them has a yoke, and the tongue is disposed in the yoke.  
         [0021]     In another exemplary embodiment, the hinge pin is disposed through the tongue and the yoke and cooperates with the tongue and the yoke to define an axis of rotation of the tongue relative to the yoke.  
         [0022]     In another exemplary embodiment, the hinge pin is rotationally fixed relative to the yoke and is movable, parallel the axis of rotation, relative to the yoke, between the first position and the second position. In this exemplary embodiment, the hinge pin may also be biased in the first position and displaceable to the second position in response to applied pressure.  
         [0023]     Another exemplary embodiment includes a push-button located on the grip body and proximate the hinge pin, the push-button being operatively coupled to the lamp portion for controlling the lamp portion. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]     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:  
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a side view a preferred embodiment of a multi-position searchlight grip  20  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is rear view of the grip of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  in the direction of the appended arrows;  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of a first end of the grip of  FIG. 1  taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  in the direction of the appended arrows;  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  an enlarged side view of a hinge taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2  in the direction of the appended arrows;  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a side sectional view of the grip of  FIG. 2  taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2  in the direction of the appended arrows;  
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of the electrical interconnection of an exemplary embodiment of a multi-position searchlight grip  20  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of the electrical interconnection of an alternative embodiment of a multi-position searchlight grip  20  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the hinge portion of the grip in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is a reversed perspective view of the tongue portion thereof;  
         [0034]      FIG. 10  is a reversed perspective view of the hinge pin thereof;  
         [0035]      FIG. 11  is a front sectional view of the hinge and the release taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 4  in the direction of the appended arrows;  
         [0036]      FIG. 12  is a front sectional view of the hinge and the release taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 4  in the direction of the appended arrows;  
         [0037]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a searchlight incorporating a multi-position searchlight grip  20  in accordance with the present invention being hand held in a first orientation; and  
         [0038]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a searchlight in accordance with the present invention being hand held in an orientation different from that shown in  FIG. 13  and with the hinge locked in a different position. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0039]     The invention will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1 , which illustrates in side view a preferred embodiment of a multi-position searchlight grip  20  in accordance with the present invention, comprising an elongated metal grip body  30  having a first end  32  and a second end  34 . The second end  34  includes a metal hinge portion  36  having a release  38 . A metal stem  40  projects from the hinge portion  36  and forms a metal lamp mount  42  which is threaded for engagement with an interchangeable lamp  43  (drawn in phantom).  
         [0040]     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the release  38  is normally biased to lock the hinge portion  36  and thus fix the stem  40  in either of two orientations relative to the grip body  30 . Responsive to externally applied pressure, the release  38  is displaceable parallel to the axis of rotation of the hinge portion  36  whereupon the release  38  unlocks the hinge portion  36 . When the hinge portion  36  is unlocked, a force applied to the stem  40  may rotate stem  40  out of one orientation. When the stem  40  reaches the other orientation, the release  38 , being biased, will lock the hinge portion  36 , again fixing the stem  40  relative to the grip body  30 . A person may grasp and stabilize the grip body  30  by encircling it with the fingers and palm of one hand, and may use the other hand to press the release  38  and to rotate the stem  40  relative to the grip body  30 . For improved grasp and control, the grip body  30  is notched and textured and the first end  32  and second end  34  are enlarged relative to the grip body  30 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 2  is a rear view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the first end  32  taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . Taken together,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  show the first end  32 , the grip body  30 , the second end  34 , the hinge portion  36 , the release  38 , the stem  40 , and the lamp mount  42 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first end  32  has a first actuator which includes a downward-facing first pushbutton cover  44 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the stem  40  has a rearward-facing electric power receptacle  48  having a plurality of rearward-projecting electrical contact pins including a positive power input contact pin  49  and a negative power input contact pin  51 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 4 , an enlarged side view of the hinge portion  36  taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 , shows the second end  34 , the hinge portion  36 , and the stem  40 . Also shown are the hinge pin  114  and the head  116  thereof having retainer notches  124  in which are disposed retainer pins  170 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 5 , a side sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 , shows the first end  32  with the first pushbutton cover  44  and the first plunger  50  and first switch  52 ; the grip body  30 ; and the second end  34  including a yoke  72  in which is disposed a tongue  96 . The tongue  96  has a central wall  108  which forms a left transverse center bore  110 . Attached to the yoke  96  is a stem  40  with the second actuator including a second pushbutton cover  46 , the second plunger  54  and the second switch  56 ; the receptacle  48  with the positive power input contact pin  49  and the negative power input contact pin  51 ; and the lamp mount  42 .  
         [0044]     With continued reference to  FIG. 5 , a first plunger  50  connects the first pushbutton cover  44  to a first switch  52  housed within the first end  32  of the grip body  30 . A second plunger  54  connects the second pushbutton cover  46  to a second switch  56  housed within the stem  40  above and rearward of the hinge portion  36 . The first switch  52  and the second switch  56  are electrically connected to the receptacle  48  and to the lamp mount  42 , as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.  
         [0045]     With continued reference to  FIG. 5 , a round, flat, rigid, electrically insulating mounting board  58  is disposed in the lamp mount  42 . The mounting board  58  includes a forward-facing central contact plate  60  and, radially spaced apart therefrom, an electrically discrete forward-facing peripheral contact ring  62 . The peripheral contact ring  62  is electrically wired to the negative power input contact pin  51 . It will be understood that the lamp module (shown only in  FIG. 1 , in phantom) is provided with electrical contacts (not shown) disposed at radii appropriate for establishing electrical continuity with the central contact plate  60  and the peripheral contact ring  62  when the lamp module is threaded onto the lamp mount  42 .  
         [0046]     With continued reference to  FIG. 5  and now also with reference to  FIG. 6 , a schematic diagram of the circuit of an exemplary embodiment of a multi-position searchlight grip  20  in accordance with the present invention, the electrical interconnections are described.  FIG. 6  shows the grip body  30  with the first pushbutton cover  44  and the first switch  52 ; the hinge portion  36 ; the stem  40  with the second pushbutton cover  46  and the second switch  56 ; the lamp mount  42  with the receptacle  48  and the mounting board  58 ; and the lamp module  43  containing a light source  64 . Also shown is an external power module  66  including a positive power output  68  and a negative power output  70 . The positive power input contact pin  49  is electrically connected to the positive power output  68 . The negative power input contact pin  51  is electrically connected to the negative power output  70 .  
         [0047]     With continued reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first switch  52  has three electrical contacts which are not shown in  FIG. 5 , but which are shown in  FIG. 6  as contacts A, B, and C. Contact A is electrically connected to the positive power input contact pin  49  by a wire which passes from the first switch  52  through the grip body  30  and the stem  40  to the receptacle  48 . The second switch  56  has three electrical contacts, also not shown in  FIG. 5 , shown in  FIG. 6  as contacts D, E, and F. Contact D is electrically connected to the central contact plate  60  by a wire which passes from the second switch  56  through the stem  40  to the mounting board  58  inside the lamp mount  42 . Contact B is electrically connected to contact F by a wire which passes from the first switch  52  through the grip body  30  to the second switch  56  in the stem  40 . Contact C is electrically connected to contact E by a wire which passes from the first switch  52  through the grip body  30  to the second switch  56  in the stem  40 . The first switch  52  connects contact A to one and only one of contact B and contact C and alternates between these connections each time the first plunger  50  is depressed and released. The second switch  56  connects contact D to one and only one of contact E and contact F and alternates between these connections each time the second plunger  54  is depressed and released.  
         [0048]     With continued reference to  FIG. 6 , the reader will deduce that a change in position of either the first switch  52  or the second switch  56  will open the circuit A-D if it is closed, or close it if it is opened. Thus, pressing either the first switch  52  or the second switch  56  will alternate between connecting the light source  64  to the external power module  66  and disconnecting it therefrom.  
         [0049]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic diagram of the circuit of an alternative embodiment of a multi-position searchlight grip  20  in accordance with the present invention. As does  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7  shows the grip body  30  with the first pushbutton cover  44  and the first switch  52 ; the hinge portion  36 ; the stem  40  with the second pushbutton cover  46  and the second switch  56 ; the lamp mount  42  with the receptacle  48  and the mounting board  58 ; and the lamp module  43  containing a light source  64 . Also shown is an external power module  66  including a positive power output  68  and a negative power output  70 . The positive power input contact pin  49  is electrically connected to the positive power output  68 . The negative power input contact pin  51  is electrically connected to the negative power output  70 .  
         [0050]     With continued reference to  FIG. 7 , the first switch  52  has two electrical contacts which are not shown in  FIG. 5 , but which are shown in  FIG. 7  as contacts A and C. Contact A is electrically connected to the positive power input contact pin  49  by a wire which passes from the first switch  52  through the grip body  30  and the stem  40  to the receptacle  48 . The second switch  56  has two electrical contacts, also not shown in  FIG. 5 , shown in  FIG. 7  as contacts D and E. Contact D is electrically connected to the central contact plate  60  by a wire which passes from the second switch  56  through the stem  40  to the mounting board  58  inside the lamp mount  42 . Contact C is electrically connected to contact E by a wire which passes from the first switch  52  through the grip body  30  to the second switch  56  in the stem  40 . The first switch  52  alternately closes and opens electrical connection of contact A to contact C each time the first plunger  50  is depressed and released. The second switch  56  alternately closes and opens electrical connection of contact D to contact E each time the second plunger  54  is depressed and released.  
         [0051]     With continued reference to  FIG. 7 , the reader will deduce that both the first switch  52  and the second switch  56  must be closed in order for current to flow. Some users may prefer this arrangement to reduce the likelihood of unintended premature illumination in situations where it would have unmanageable consequences. First one switch, then the other, would have to be activated, before the light would shine.  
         [0052]      FIG. 8  shows an exploded perspective view of the hinge portion  36  of the grip  30  in accordance with the present invention. The second end  34  of the grip  30  forms a yoke  72  which has a left side panel  74  forming a left transverse throughbore  76  of thickness about 4.5 mm and diameter about 31.5 mm, a right side panel  78  forming a right transverse throughbore  80  also of thickness about 4.5 mm and diameter 31.5 mm, a front  90 , and a rear  92 . The left side panel  74  has a top surface  82  and a bottom surface  84 . The right side panel  78  has a top surface  86  and a bottom surface  88 . Between the left side panel  74  and the right side panel  78 , the front  90  of the yoke  72  is cut down to about 23 mm below the top surfaces  82  and  86  of the side panels  74  and  78 ; the rear  92  of the yoke  72  is cut down to about 38 mm below the top surfaces  82  and  86  of the side panels  74  and  78 . Each side panel  74  and  78  has a retainer bore  94 , diameter about 2.5 mm, extending vertically from the transverse throughbore  76  and  80  to the top and bottom surfaces  82 ,  84 ,  86 , and  88 .  
         [0053]     With continued reference to  FIG. 8  and now also with reference to  FIG. 9 , a partial perspective view taken from the opposite side, a tongue  96  is formed on the stem  40  and has a left face  98  and a right face  100 , spaced apart about 27.5 mm, and a half-cylindrical bottom surface  102  extending therebetween. The left face  98  has a milled left recess  104  of diameter about 31.5 mm and depth about 5.5 mm, and, cut an additional 2.5 mm rightward therein, a plurality of milled radially oriented channels  106  angularly spaced apart by about 80 degrees. The channels  106  are about 12 mm wide and intersect at the center of the left recess  104 . Rightward of these channels  106 , the stem  40  forms a central wall  108  of thickness about 1 mm. A left transverse center bore  110  of diameter about 11 mm is formed in the central wall  108  at the center of the left recess  104 .  
         [0054]     In the right face  100  there is formed a milled right recess  111  of diameter about 31.5 mm and depth about 2.5 mm and, centered therein, a right transverse center bore  112  of diameter about 15 mm extending leftward into the stem  40 . The right transverse center bore  112  meets the left transverse center bore  110  at the central wall  108 , at a depth of about 16 mm leftward of the depth of the right recess  111 .  
         [0055]     The tongue  96  fits between the left side panel  74  and the right side panel  78  of the yoke  72 . The left transverse center bore  110  and the right transverse center bore  112  are centered relative to the transverse throughbores  76  and  80  in the side panels  74  and  78  of the yoke  72 .  
         [0056]     With continued reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9  and now also with reference to  FIG. 10 , another partial reverse perspective view, a hinge pin  114  is provided and, as set forth below, will be inserted rightward to hold the tongue  96  in the yoke  72 . The hinge pin  114  has a head  116  of diameter about 31 mm matched to fit in the left transverse throughbore  76  of the left side panel  74  of the yoke  72  and into the left recess  104  on the left face  98  of the tongue  96 . The head  116  has a flat inner surface  118 , a flat outer surface  120 , and a raised periphery  122  around the outer surface  120 . The raised periphery  122  has a height of about 4.5 mm. Two diametrically opposite retainer notches  124  are cut in the periphery  122 .  
         [0057]     A cylindrical shaft  126  projects from the center of the inner surface  118  of the head  116 . The shaft  126 , length about 30 mm from the inner surface  118  of the head  116 , includes a proximal shaft portion  128 , length about 20 mm, diameter about 11 mm; a distal shaft portion  130 , length about 8 mm, diameter about 5 mm with external threading; and a short intervening shaft portion  132 , length about 1-2 mm, diameter about 9 mm.  
         [0058]     With continued reference to  FIG. 9  and now also with reference to the reversed perspective view of the hinge pin  114  shown by  FIG. 10 , a raised stop  134  is formed on the inner surface  118  of the head  116 . The stop  134  extends radially from the shaft  126  to the periphery  122  of the head  116 . The stop  134  includes a proximal stop portion  136 , about the first 9 mm from the shaft  126 , which is raised about 5 mm from the inner surface  118  of the head  116 . The stop  134  includes a distal stop portion  138 , about the distal 1.5 mm of the stop  134 , which is raised about 2.5 mm from the inner surface  118  of the head  116 . The stop  134  is about 11 mm wide.  
         [0059]     Diametrically opposite the stop  134 , a tooth  140  is formed on the inner surface  118  of the head  116  at the periphery  122 . The tooth  140  is raised about 2.5 mm from the inner surface  118  of the head  116 , the same height as the distal portion of the stop  134 .  
         [0060]     A closed nut  142  is provided and, as set forth below, will be used to hold the hinge pin  114  in place. The nut  142  has a head  144 , diameter about 31 mm, having a flat inner surface  146 , a raised inner rim  148 , and a sleeve  150  projecting leftward from the center of the inner surface  146  to a distance of about 5 mm beyond the level of the inner rim  148 . The nut  142  also has a flat outer surface  152  with a raised periphery  154  having four key notches  156  cut into it to permit the engagement of a cruciform key (not shown) for tightening and loosening the nut  142 .  
         [0061]     The sleeve  150  includes a proximal sleeve portion  158 , length about 2.5 mm, diameter about 9 mm, forming a sleeve bore  160  of diameter about 5 mm having internal threading; and a distal sleeve portion  162 , length about 2.5 mm forming a flange  164  of diameter about 15 mm, which diameter is matched to diameter of the right transverse center bore  112  of the tongue  96 . The flange  164  has a leftward facing inner surface  166 , the central 9 mm of which is milled to form a flange recess  168  of depth 1-2 mm surrounding the internally threaded sleeve bore  160 . The diameter of the flange recess  168  is matched to that of the intervening shaft portion  132 .  
         [0062]     After the tongue  96  is placed in the yoke  72 , the hinge pin  114  is inserted through the left transverse throughbore  76  of the yoke  72  and into the left recess  104  of the tongue  96 , oriented so that the retainer notches  124  are aligned with the retainer bores  94  of the left side panel  74  of the yoke  72 . With the hinge pin  114  so oriented, the stop  134  on the inner surface  118  of the head  116  of the hinge pin  114  sinks into one of the channels  106  in the left recess  104  of the tongue  96 . The shaft  126  now extends through the left transverse center bore  110  and into the right transverse center bore  112 . One retainer pin  170  is lodged in each retainer bore of the left side panel  74  of the yoke  72 . Each retainer pin  170  extends into one of the retainer notches  124  in the periphery  122  of the head  116  of the hinge pin  114 . As a result, the hinge pin  114  is retained on the yoke  72  and is prevented from rotating relative to the yoke  72 .  
         [0063]     A metal helical spring  172 , outside diameter 15 mm, inside diameter 13.5 mm, length 14 mm, is inserted into the right transverse center bore  112  of the tongue  96  and is advanced leftward until it encounters the central wall  108  of the tongue  96 . The spring  172  is now positioned around the shaft  126  of the hinge pin  114 .  
         [0064]     The nut  142  is inserted through the right transverse throughbore  80  of the right side panel  78  of the yoke  72  and into the right recess  111  of the tongue  96 . The flange  164  of the sleeve  150  of the nut  142  passes into the right transverse center bore  112 , where it encounters the spring  172 . The internally threaded sleeve bore  160  engages the externally threaded distal shaft portion  130 . The nut  142  is turned onto the shaft  126  until the intervening shaft portion  132  occupies the flange recess  168 . A cruciform key (not shown) or other suitable tool is used to engage the key notches  156  in the periphery  154  of the nut  142  and is used to tighten the nut  142  on the shaft  126 . When this is accomplished, the spring  172  is compressed between the flange  164  and the wall of the tongue  96 . The spring  172  therefore biases the flange  164 , and thus the nut  142  and the hinge pin  114 , rightward relative to the tongue  96 , firmly seating the stop  134  of the hinge pin  114  in the channel of the left recess  104  of the tongue  96 .  
         [0065]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are front sectional views of the hinge portion  36  locked and unlocked, respectively.  FIGS. 11 and 12  both show the hinge  36 , stem  40 , yoke  72 , left side panel  74 , left transverse throughbore  76 , right side panel  78 , right transverse throughbore  80 , top surface (of left side panel)  82 , bottom surface (of left side panel)  84 , top surface (of right side panel)  86 , bottom surface (of right side panel)  88 , retainer bore  94 , tongue  96 , left face  98 , right face  100 , bottom surface (tongue)  102 , left recess  104 , channels  106 , central wall  108 , left transverse center bore  110 , right recess  111 , right transverse center bore  112 , hinge pin  114 , head (of hinge pin)  116 , inner surface (of head)  118 , outer surface (of head)  120 , periphery (of head)  122 , retainer notches  124 , shaft  126 , proximal shaft portion  128 , distal shaft portion  130 , intervening shaft portion  132 , stop  134 , proximal stop portion  136 , distal stop portion  138 , tooth  140 , nut  142 , head (of nut)  144 , inner surface (of nut)  146 , inner rim (of nut)  148 , sleeve  150 , outer surface (of nut)  152 , periphery (of nut)  154 , key notches  156 , proximal sleeve portion  158 , sleeve bore  160 , distal sleeve portion  162 , flange  164 , inner surface (of flange)  166 , flange recess  168 , retainer pin  170 , and spring  172 .  
         [0066]     With reference to  FIG. 11 , as long as the stop  134  (see  FIG. 10 ) is seated in a channel  106  (see  FIG. 8 ), the tongue  96  will not rotate relative to the yoke  72  and, therefore, the stem  40  will not rotate relative to the grip  30 . However, with reference to  FIG. 12 , a person may press leftward on the nut  142 , further compressing the spring  172  and urging the hinge pin  114  leftward until the stop  134  disengages from the channel. The person may then rotate the stem  40  relative to the grip  30  and withdraw the pressure from the nut  142 . When the hinge pin  114 , again biased rightward by the spring  172 , rotates into position over a channel  106 , the stop  134  seats in the channel  106 , once again fixing the stem  40  relative to the grip  30 .  
         [0067]     With reference again to  FIG. 8 , this exemplary embodiment of the present invention has two channels  106  machined such that the two rotational positions of the stem  40  relative to the grip  30  will aim the lamp mount  42  about 17 and about 83 degrees, respectively, from the longitudinal axis of the grip  30 .  
         [0068]     With reference to  FIG. 13 , a perspective view of a searchlight incorporating a multi-position searchlight grip  20  in accordance with the present invention being hand held with the hinge  36  locked at the 17-degree setting, one may, for example, hold the grip  30  with one&#39;s thumb proximate the first end  32  of the grip  30 . If one holds the searchlight in this manner with one&#39;s arm extending downward at one&#39;s side and the grip  30  oriented horizontally, the lamp mount  42  and the lamp module  43  will point generally forward and slightly downward. This comfortable, relaxed hold on searchlight is useful for navigation while walking over terrain.  
         [0069]     With reference to  FIG. 14 , a perspective view of a searchlight in accordance with the present invention being hand held in a manner opposite that shown in  FIG. 13  with the hinge  36  locked in the 83-degree setting, one may, for example, hold the grip  30  with one&#39;s thumb proximate the second end  34  of the grip  30 . If one holds the searchlight in this manner with one&#39;s forearm extending forward or upward and the grip  30  oriented vertically, the lamp mount  42  and the lamp module  43  will again point generally forward and slightly downward. This manner of carrying the searchlight is consistent with pointing a spotlight at an object of interest some distance ahead.  
         [0070]     While the foregoing detailed description has described several embodiments of a multi-position searchlight grip 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.