Abstract:
A modular flashlight assembly is provided that includes an integrated interface to facilitate mounting of the flashlight to a variety of different equipment. The flashlight mounting system includes a pattern of engagement surfaces on an exterior surface of the flashlight housing and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is configured to be mounted onto the desired substrate and includes clamping members that releasably engage the engagement surfaces on the flashlight housing. In this manner, the engagement surfaces on the flashlight housing provide a surface by which the flashlight can be clamped without the need for a band that extends entirely around the barrel of the flashlight. Further, by releasably clamping the flashlight into a modular system, the flashlight can easily mounted onto any variety of different modular interface systems such as the interface rail that is integrated onto modern type firearms.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is related to and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/426,609, filed Jun. 27, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,183, which claims priority from earlier filed US Provisional Patent Application No. 60/694,732, filed Jun. 28, 2005, the contents of which are all incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to a flashlight that is configured in a manner that includes an integrated mounting interface. More specifically, the present invention relates to a compact, high intensity flashlight assembly that is highly durable and includes an integrated mounting interface, thereby making the flashlight capable of being utilized as an accessory for a variety of devices such as standard military style rail type mount for example.  
         [0003]     In the prior art, flashlights for use in military applications have typically been constructed in a standard fashion utilizing a tubular outer housing. As a consequence, in order to facilitate mounting of the flashlight onto other devices, such as military weapons, a relatively large mounting assembly was required. Usually, the prior art mounting assembly that is used in connection with a flashlight having conventional construction includes a heavy gauge band that is wrapped around the entire outer housing of the flashlight. In addition, these bands include projections from at least one side where a large thumbscrew is positioned to allow a user to tighten the band around the flashlight. The difficulty encountered with this construction is that in some cases it creates a greater opportunity for the flashlight and mounting assembly to be caught on clothing or brush while the firearm is being carried, thereby knocking the flashlight out of alignment, dislodging the flashlight from the firearm or damaging the flashlight. Further, the interface between the outer tubular housing and the mounting band leaves the potential that the flashlight may slide or rotate within the band requiring frequent repositioning. While this may be acceptable for a sport type firearm, it is not acceptable for a firearm employed for field use, such as hunting or combat environments where immediate, fully aligned use of the flashlight assembly is required.  
         [0004]     A further drawback associated with the prior art style flashlight mounts is that they do not provide a modular integrated mounting platform that allows the flashlight to be incorporated into a military weapons system. In other words, the prior art systems do not allow quick removal and reattachment of a flashlight with respect to a military firearm system. Additionally, the prior art systems do not include a modular arrangement that in turn allows integration of the flashlight into other environments such as integration for use as a helmet mounted light.  
         [0005]     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art devices, there is a need for a assembly that provides an improved method of compactly and reliably mounting a flashlight onto a firearm. There is a further need for an interfaceable flashlight assembly that provides an improved engagement method for firearms that has the ability to consistently and quickly engage, and provide accurate alignment, while providing a reduced profile, thereby reducing potential interference with other devices and attachments. There is still a further need for an interfaceable flashlight system that is modular in nature allowing for the flashlight to be easily utilized with a variety if different equipment.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In this regard, the present invention provides for a novel modular flashlight assembly that includes an interface integrated into the housing thereof to facilitate mounting of the flashlight to a variety of different equipment. Generally, the flashlight includes at least a pair of engagement surfaces formed on the housing thereof, which are engaged by an interface clamp that in turn facilitates mounting of the flashlight to the desired device. In the preferred embodiment, the engagement surfaces are formed as a pattern of alternating raised ribs and recesses that are radially arranged around the exterior of its housing in a manner that allows the flashlight to have an aesthetic appearance even when being used as a stand alone device. The interface clamp is configured to be mounted onto the desired substrate and includes clamping members that releasably engage the engagement surfaces on housing of the flashlight. In this manner, the ribs on the flashlight housing provide the engagement surface by which the flashlight can be clamped without the need for a band that extends entirely around the barrel of the flashlight as was the case in the prior art.  
         [0007]     The novel clamping arrangement and the manner in which it engages the housing of the flashlight allows for the flashlight to be easily mounted onto any variety of different modular interface systems such as the interface rail that is integrated onto modern type firearms. In the alternative, clamping assemblies may be provided in other locations, such as mounted to the side of a military style helmet thereby allowing the flashlight to be transferred between mounting positions both on the firearm and on the user&#39;s helmet.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flashlight having a housing that includes a mounting interface that is integrated into the construction of its housing. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a flashlight having at least two recesses formed in the housing thereof to facilitate engagement of the flashlight using a clamping assembly. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a mounting interface that is received as a modular accessory in a military weapon system and serves to releasably engage and retain a flashlight in the desired location adjacent the barrel of a firearm. It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a modular mounting system using a base member that is configured to engage a substrate and includes releasable clamping means for receiving and retaining a flashlight.  
         [0009]     These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the flashlight interface system of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the assembly taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  with the flashlight received in the mounting interface and the interface in a disengaged position;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the assembly taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  with the flashlight received in the mounting interface and the interface in an engaged position;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment mounting interface with the interface rotated to a disengaged position;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the mounting interface of  FIG. 4  with the interface rotated to an engaged position;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  depicts the flashlight interface system mounted onto a standard issue military rifle; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  depicts the flashlight interface system clamp mounted to the side of a helmet.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     Now referring to the drawings, the flashlight mounting assembly is shown and generally illustrated at  10  in the figures. In particular, the principal components of the flashlight mounting assembly  10  can be seen in  FIG. 1 . The flashlight mounting assembly  10  generally includes a flashlight  12  with engagement surfaces  14  disposed on its housing  16  and a mounting interface  18  having a first side  20  that is configured to releasably engage the flashlight  12  via the engagement surfaces  14  and a second side  22  that is configured to engage a receiving surface as will be discussed in greater detail below.  
         [0019]     The flashlight  12  component of the present invention could be any type of flashlight known in the art having a housing  16  that is constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. More particularly, the flashlight  12  generally includes a housing  16 , a light source, a power source and a means for selectively completing a circuit between the light source and power source in order to energize the light source. The light source may be any suitable type of light source commonly found in flashlights including but not limited to incandescent, xenon, halogen, standard light emitting diodes, high output light emitting diodes and any multiple or combination thereof. The light output of the light source may fall anywhere within the visible color range and may also include infrared or ultraviolet. Preferably, the output will be in the visible white range either by using an Indium Gallium Nitride/Gallium Nitride chip with a phosphor coating such as a Nichea white LED. Similarly, as would be obvious in the art other white LED&#39;s could easily be substituted for the same effect. For example, an Aluminum Indium Gallium Arsenide LED could easily be substituted.  
         [0020]     The flashlight  12  may also include auxiliary lighting functions in combination with or in place of the white light element. The present invention may also include a red light diode for night vision operations, an infrared diode for use in conjunction with night vision goggles or a laser diode for automated firing or targeting systems. Any of these features may be included either alone or in combination in the flashlight  12  of the present invention. Further, the power source may be any suitable power source for use in conjunction with portable lighting devices such as alkaline batteries, lithium batteries, rechargeable batteries of any known chemistry and/or chemical fuel cells. In certain applications, the flashlight  12  may also derive its power from a remote power source such as may be provided on a military weapons system.  
         [0021]     The flashlight housing  16  and the mounting interface  18  may be milled or cast from metallic materials. Similarly, the housing  16  and mounting interface  18  may be molded from high strength polymer materials. Finally, the housing  16  and mounting interface  18  may be insert molded using a combination of metallic and polymer components as may be necessary to create the durability and strength demanded by the application.  
         [0022]     As was stated above, in the context of the present invention, it is important that the housing  16  of the flashlight  12  include at least two engagement surfaces  14  to facilitate engagement between the flashlight  12  and the mounting interface  18 . Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the relationship between the flashlight  12  and the mounting interface  18  is depicted, with the flashlight  12  being shown in a mounted position relative to the mounting interface  18 . The first side  20  of the mounting interface  18  into which the flashlight housing  16  is received and retained can be seen to include a first clamping arm  24  and a second clamping arm  26  extending therefrom. Further detents  28  extend inwardly at the ends of the first and second clamping arms  24 ,  26  to engage the interface surfaces  14 . The first and second clamping arms  24 ,  26  cooperate to retain the flashlight  12  by engaging the engagement surfaces  14  on the housing  16  of the flashlight  12  with the detents  28  on the ends of the first and second clamping arms  24 ,  26  when the first and second clamping arms  24 ,  26  are in the engaged position as depicted in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0023]     It can be seen by viewing both  FIGS. 2 and 3  in conjunction that the first and second clamping arms  24 ,  26 can be deflected relative to one another to allow insertion and/or removal of the flashlight housing  16  therebetween. The clamping arms  24 ,  26  may be deflected relative to one another in any manner known to one skilled in the art. For example, the mounting interface  18  may be formed to include limited flexibility in either the base portion or in the clamping arms  24 ,  26  so that the clamping arms  24 ,  26  can be deflected simply by flexing the mounting interface  18 . Alternatively, the first clamping arm  24  may be rigid relative to the base portion of the mounting interface  18  while the second clamping arm  26  is linearly displaceable between an engaged position as shown in  FIG. 3  and a disengaged position as is shown in  FIG. 2 . The displaceable second clamping arm  26  may be spring biased towards the engaged position and can also be seen to include a locking mechanism  30  in the form of a threaded fastener or throw lever that prevents displacement of the second clamping arm  26  once the flashlight  12  is installed and the first and second clamping arms  24 ,  26  are in the engaged position.  
         [0024]     Turning to  FIGS. 4 and 5  the second clamping arm  26 A is shown as being displaceable through rotation relative to the base portion of the mounting interface  18 . In this embodiment, the second clamping arm  26 A is attached to the mounting interface  18  using a pin  32  around which the second clamping arm  26 A can rotate. As was stated above, a locking mechanism  30  is provided in the form of a threaded fastener or throw lever that prevents displacement of the second clamping arm  26 A once the flashlight  12  is installed and the first and second clamping arms  24 ,  26 A are in the engaged position.  
         [0025]     Regardless of the form that the second side  22  mounting interface  18  takes or the receiving surface to which the mounting interface  18  will be attached, the interaction between the mounting interface  18  and the flashlight  12  remains the same. The flashlight housing  16 , as was stated earlier, includes at least two interface surfaces  14  formed thereon. The interface surfaces  14  are configured and arranged in a manner so as to be inclined at a slight oblique angle relative to one another. The reason for angling the engagement surfaces  14  relative to one another is that once the flashlight  12  is engaged in the mounting interface  18 , the angled interface surfaces  14  firmly lock the flashlight  12  between the clamping arms  24 ,  26  and prevent the flashlight  12  from being knocked therefrom. In the preferred embodiment, the flashlight housing  16  includes at least two ribs  34  extending from the exterior surface of the housing  16  wherein the ribs  34  are disposed at an oblique angle relative to one another. It is still more preferred that the ribs  34  are arranged radially relative to the flashlight housing  16  such that the engagement surfaces  14  are parallel to a line extending through the center of the flashlight housing  16 . It is most preferred that the engaging surfaces  14  be formed as an array of alternating ribs  34  and recess  36  uniformly arranged in a radial array around the exterior surface of the flashlight housing  16 . In this configuration, the engagement surfaces  14  are provided in a manner that allows the flashlight  12  to be installed into the mounting interface  18  reliably and in virtually any orientation. In addition, the formation of the ribs  34  and recesses  36  provide for a flashlight housing  16  that is effective for mounting yet still appears as aesthetically pleasing for stand alone use while also including a rugged grip pattern that makes the flashlight  12  easy to hold when not received in the mounting interface  18 .  
         [0026]     The second side  22  of the mounting interface  18  in its simplest form may be flat and attached to a receiving surface using threaded fasteners  38  as are depicted in  FIG. 1 . The second side  22  of the mounting interface  18  may also be formed as is depicted in the figures to include an interface suitable for engagement with a dovetail rail. In  FIG. 6  there is shown an outline of a conventional combat firearm  100  having a conventional stock  102 , upper receiver  104  with flattop, lower receiver  106 , barrel  108 , pistol grip  110 , and magazine  112 . The barrel  108  is joined to the upper receiver  104 . The barrel  108  defines the forward portion of the firearm  100  and the stock  102  defines the rearward portion of the firearm  100 . The longitudinal axis of the firearm  100  runs from stock  102  through receiver  104 ,  106  to barrel  108 . The barrel  108  is joined to the forward portion of the upper receiver  104 , i.e., the upper receiver “receives” the barrel. The stock  102  is joined to the rear portion of the upper receiver  104 . The barrel  108  has protective hand guards  114  about its circumference.  
         [0027]     Generally, such modern type firearms include an interface rail  116  integrated therein for the mounting of auxiliary devices. The rail  116  is known in the art as a Weaver type interface and takes the form of a rail  1   16  having a dovetail cross-sectional profile that extends over the upper receiver  104  of the firearm  100 . Additionally, there are several supplemental rail systems that mount onto such firearms  100  by interfacing with the Weaver rail  116  on the firearm  100  and extending along the barrel  108  to provide additional interface rails  116  both along the top of the firearm  100  as well as at the 3, 6 and 9 o&#39;clock positions around the barrel  108 . All of the interface rails  116  are provided having a standardized profile and are configured specifically for the mounting of various accessories depending on the type environment in which the firearm  100  will be used. Accordingly, the formation of the dovetail profile on the second side  22  of the mounting interface  18  allows the mounting interface  18  to be received and retained on the interface rail  116  provided on the firearm  100 .  
         [0028]     When the flashlight assembly  10  is mounted onto a firearm  100  the lower portion  22  dovetail may be formed as a rigid profile that is simply slid onto the firearm  100  accessory rail  116  and retained in place using setscrews. In the alternative, the dovetail interface may be formed as a clamping assembly to engage the accessory rail  116  on the firearm  100 . In this configuration, the mounting interface  18  may include a single tightening mechanism that engages both the second clamping arm  26  that engages the flashlight  12  and the rail interface clamp at the same time. Similarly, the mounting interface  18  may have a separate dedicated clamping member for the dovetail interface. The tightening mechanism for both the clamping arm  26  and the dovetail interface may be set screws, thumb screws, quick release type mechanisms or combinations thereof to allow easy mounting and demounting of the flashlight  12  relative to the firearm  100 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  depicts the mounting interface  18  with an alternative clamping  38  assembly on the second side  22  thereof. The alternative clamping assembly  38  allows the mounting interface  18  to be fastened onto a helmet  40  such as a standard issue military helmet. The first side  20  of the mounting interface  18  is formed as described above and is configured to receive and engage a flashlight  12  in the same manner as described earlier. In this manner, the same flashlight  12  can be easily used in conjunction with a military rifle  100  or helmet  40  and may also be moved between these locations easily.  
         [0030]     It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides a novel flashlight assembly  10  that includes integrated mounting surfaces that allow the flashlight  12  to be received into a durable low profile mounting interface  18 . Further, the present invention can be modified to accommodate a number of standard mounting environments through simple changes to the second side  22  of the mounting interface  18  while maintaining a standard configuration on the first side  20  of the mounting interface  18  thereby allowing modular use of a single flashlight  12  design. For these reasons, the instant invention is believed to represent a significant advancement in the art, which has substantial commercial merit.  
         [0031]     While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.