Patent Publication Number: US-11028998-B2

Title: Multi-color hunting spotlight

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/924,058 filed Mar. 16, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/379,876 filed Dec. 15, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,951,928. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to spotlights. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to night hunting spotlights, both mountable on a firearm and handheld. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Night hunting is a very popular sport around the world. In the sport of nighttime predator and invasive feral and pest species hunting (e.g., coyote, fox, jackal, feral hog, wild boar, leopard, rat, bobcat, etc.), a very common technique is to use spotlights to shine on open or baited areas (“scanning”) while playing recordings of distressed indigenous game animals, such as rabbits or deer (in the case or predatory animals). When light shines into the eye of an animal having a tapetum lucidum, the pupil appears to glow brightly (referred to as “eyeshine”). A hand-held flashlight is sufficient to produce eyeshine that is highly visible to humans at distances of several hundred yards. As such, spotlighting is used by naturalists and hunters to search for animals at night. 
     When the responding predator arrives in the area, the shined light causes the animal&#39;s eyes to reflect brilliantly, alerting the hunter or naturalist as to the animal&#39;s arrival on scene. The scanning light color used has always been a topic of fierce debate among night hunters, with the prevailing school of thought accepting the premise that colored lights (as opposed to white lights) reduce the potential of spooking the animal or overwhelming the animal&#39;s eyes with bright, high-intense light, and causing the targeted species to shy from the light. 
     However, not all animals have tapetum lucidum. For example, wild boar and feral hogs are an animal frequently hunted at night, but that lack the tapetum lucidum. Because of this, a light is needed that illuminates the actual body of the wild boar or feral hog so the hunter can detect the animal and positively identify it. Green light is most often used because of its minimal effect on hogs (does not spook them) and because the human eye sees better detail at distance under green colored light as opposed to red (another common color used in hunting). The three most common techniques of targeting wild boar and feral hogs at night are: 1) hunting at night over baited areas with corn and/or feeders with visible light; or, 2) shining visible light on pastures that wild boar and feral hogs are known to frequent while feeding or rooting; or, 3) employing a night vision device with an attached light mechanism emitting invisible or nearly invisible Infrared (IR) light in the 810-940 nanometers range and scanning for targeted animals. 
     Until fairly recently (last 5-7 years), most night hunting lights were typically handheld utility spotlights incorporating a vertical handle grip and white bulb/element with a red or green plastic filter over the reflector housing to change the white light to a red or green color. A significant disadvantage is the large bulky nature of the typical spotlight design and the need to use a plastic colored filter over a white light, which reduces the light output by up to 70 percent—significantly reducing the effective range. Another disadvantage is that most are not mountable on a scope or optic due to their typically large size, vertical handle grip, and heavy battery packs. 
     More recently, smaller, more powerful handheld flashlights with either a single white or a single colored light-emitting diode (“LED”) light have become popular for night hunting. However, most hunters prefer to use more than one color (e.g., red and green) for targeting different animals. Because the typical handheld light only has a single LED, a user must carry more than one light, which is burdensome. Attempts have been made to solve this problem, such as by having interchangeable LEDs on a light. However, this not only takes time and is very inconvenient, but it requires the user to select and install the LED prior to arriving on the hunting stand location or the beginning of the playing of distress animal recordings. Because multiple terrain habitat types, expected shooting distances, and different targeted species can be encountered (and/or target species changed) in a single night of hunting, multiple changes in LED color are warranted, but are inconvenient and time consuming. Further, the LEDs can easily become lost while attempting to change in darkness. Other designs have included more than one LED on the circuit board. However, because the LEDs are in a physically distinct position, the beam position in relation to the centerline of the flashlight changes with the activation of each individual LED on the circuit board. This makes it incredibly difficult to use in conjunction with a firearm-mounted light—with each change in color, the light position must be manually adjusted (e.g., windage/elevation adjustment knobs) to match the scope field of view and ensure the light beam is centered in the scope cross hairs. The light beam is also not centered in the spherical or Fresnel lens, which reduces the overall brightness and range of the light. As such, there is a need for a spotlight that can have more than one color of light beam which is quickly and effortlessly selectable, that maintains the light beam of each color in the same exact centered location in relation to the flashlight centerline, and that is lightweight and easily mountable on a firearm. 
     Even more recently, digital devices designed and optimized for night hunting with IR lights have become more common place (e.g., GEN 3+ Night Vision). The IR lights are utilized and configured with various IR emitters (typically in the 810-940 nanometer range). These IR emitters produce light in a light spectrum, which, depending upon the nanometer range, is nearly, to completely, invisible unless using it with a night vision device. When used with a passive night vision device, the IR LED drastically extends the detection and targeting range of the device as compared to use without supplemental IR lighting. For example, 810 nm is visible to the naked eye, whereas 940 nm is completely un-detectable to the naked eye. The benefit to the 810 nm LED, when used in combination with a night vision device, is extended range, as compared to using the invisible 940 nm LED which is much reduced in range. However, the benefit of the 940 nm is complete elimination of any visible light output, which could be detected by the targeted species. As with the visible light LED limitations previously discussed, the IR LED light as currently available possesses virtually identical limitations and shortfalls. 
     Therefore, the current disclosure seeks to solve the above-mentioned problems, as well as others. 
     SUMMARY OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     In one embodiment, a multi-color spotlight comprises a housing having a lens on a first side, a rotational mechanism, a knob for actuating the rotational mechanism, and a power supply source within the housing operably coupled to the rotational mechanism. In one embodiment, the rotational mechanism comprises a rotatable rod having a plurality of substrates coupled around the circumference thereof, each substrate having an LED chip mounted in the same vertical plane in relation to the other LED chips, and wherein only the LED chip that is positioned in the center beneath the lens of the housing is configured to receive power from the power supply source. 
     In one embodiment, a multi-color spotlight comprises a housing having a lens on a first side, a rotational mechanism, a knob for actuating the rotational mechanism, a power supply source within the housing operably coupled to the rotational mechanism, a bezel configured to broaden or focus the beam of light, and an intensity control mechanism (e.g., a rheostat). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-section of a side elevation view of a multi-color spotlight; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view illustrating a rotational mechanism portion of a multi-color spotlight; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded, detailed view of a rotational mechanism; and 
         FIG. 4  is an electrical description of a multi-color spotlight. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     The following descriptions depict only example embodiments and are not to be considered limiting in scope. Any reference herein to “the invention” is not intended to restrict or limit the invention to exact features or steps of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” and the like, may indicate that the embodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may. 
     Reference to the drawings is done throughout the disclosure using various numbers. The numbers used are for the convenience of the drafter only and the absence of numbers in an apparent sequence should not be considered limiting and does not imply that additional parts of that particular embodiment exist. Numbering patterns from one embodiment to the other need not imply that each embodiment has similar parts, although it may. 
     Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, such terms are intended to be given their broad, ordinary, and customary meaning not inconsistent with that applicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to any specific embodiment hereinafter described. As used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. When used herein to join a list of items, the term “or” denotes at least one of the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. For exemplary methods or processes, the sequence and/or arrangement of steps described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. 
     It should be understood that the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence, arrangement, or with any particular graphics or interface. Indeed, the steps of the disclosed processes or methods generally may be carried out in various sequences and arrangements while still falling within the scope of the present invention. 
     The term “coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other. 
     The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous, and are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes, but is not limited to,” etc.). 
     The following reference numerals are used throughout the drawings: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Reference# 
                 Item 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                  1 
                 Rubber O-Ring 
               
               
                   
                  2 
                 Rubber O-Ring 
               
               
                   
                  3 
                 Rubber O-Ring 
               
               
                   
                  4 
                 Aluminum cover 
               
               
                   
                  5 
                 Rubber O-Ring 
               
               
                   
                  6 
                 Plastic LED holder mounting unit 
               
               
                   
                  6A 
                 Screw 
               
               
                   
                  7 
                 LED Switch Circuit (PCB) 
               
               
                   
                  8 
                 Copper LED holder axle sleeve 
               
               
                   
                  8A 
                 Copper LED holder axle sleeve 
               
               
                   
                  9 
                 Aluminum position fixing ring 
               
               
                   
                 10 
                 Double wire 
               
               
                   
                 11 
                 Aluminum LED holder mounting unit 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 LED constant-current drive circuit (PCB) 
               
               
                   
                 13 
                 Screw 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 Spring 
               
               
                   
                 15 
                 Rubber O-Ring 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 18650 Lithium battery 
               
               
                   
                 17 
                 Battery housing 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 Copper pillar 
               
               
                   
                 19 
                 Copper nail 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 Spring 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 Big spring 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 Intensity control circuit (PCB) 
               
               
                   
                 23 
                 Rubber O-Ring 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 Potentiometer with on/off button 
               
               
                   
                 25 
                 Nut 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 Intensity knob 
               
               
                   
                 27 
                 Screw 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 Tail cap back portion 
               
               
                   
                 29 
                 Single wire 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 Printed Circuit Board 
               
               
                   
                 31 
                 Aluminum ring 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 Plastic ring 
               
               
                   
                 33 
                 Tail cap front portion 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 Rubber O-Ring 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 Copper ring 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 Spring thimble mount 
               
               
                   
                 36A 
                 Plastic cover 
               
               
                   
                 36B 
                 Spring thimble 
               
               
                   
                 36C 
                 Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 
               
               
                   
                 37 
                 Copper LED holder 
               
               
                   
                 37A 
                 Screw 
               
               
                   
                 37B 
                 Screw 
               
               
                   
                 37C 
                 Screw 
               
               
                   
                 37D 
                 Plastic triangle unit 
               
               
                   
                 37E 
                 Copper substrate with first (e.g., Red) LED 
               
               
                   
                 37F 
                 Copper substrate with second (e.g., Green) LED 
               
               
                   
                 37G 
                 Copper substrate with third (e.g., White) LED 
               
               
                   
                 37H 
                 Plastic LED cover 1 
               
               
                   
                 37I 
                 Plastic LED cover 2 
               
               
                   
                 37J 
                 Plastic LED cover 3 
               
               
                   
                 37K 
                 Spring 
               
               
                   
                 37L 
                 Sphere 
               
               
                   
                 37M 
                 First LED chip 
               
               
                   
                 37N 
                 Second LED chip 
               
               
                   
                 37O 
                 Sphere receiving aperture 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 Screw 
               
               
                   
                 39 
                 Rotatable knob 
               
               
                   
                 39A 
                 Screw 
               
               
                   
                 39B 
                 Rubber O-Ring 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 Plastic screw cover 
               
               
                   
                 41 
                 Aluminum LED holder mounting unit 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 First Focusing unit 
               
               
                   
                 43 
                 Second Focusing unit 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 Third Focusing unit 
               
               
                   
                 45 
                 Glass lens 
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 Aluminum bezel 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As discussed in the Background section, despite the prior art&#39;s attempt to solve the problems with night hunting lights, several problems remain unsolved. Reviewing currently used technology, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,802,901 (the &#39;901 patent), one or more LEDs are located in close proximity to one another, and, importantly, are located on the same horizontal geometric plane. Despite the LED chips&#39; close proximity to one another, the beam produced by each will be centered in a significantly different position at increasing distances. Due to this limitation, these designs are not practical for firearm-mounted night hunting lights. In other words, a hunter will sight-in the scope on the weapon and accompanying light, such that the light is focused and illuminates the crosshair position of the scope. If the technology disclosed in the &#39;901 patent is used, a hunter can only align one LED beam with the crosshairs. If the hunter switches which LED chip is illuminated, the focus of the beam will not be aligned with the crosshairs. Therefore, there is a need for a multi-LED spotlight that allows a user to switch between varying LED chips without changing the focal-point of the beam. By incorporating a rotatable LED mechanism, described below, the present invention has been able to solve the above-mentioned problems and others. 
     In one embodiment, generally shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , a multi-color spotlight comprises a lens  45 , a rotational mechanism comprising a knob  39  for rotating a rotatable rod  37  having a plurality of light-emitting devices (e.g., Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs), High Intensity Discharge Lamps (HIDs), Incandescent bulbs, etc.) thereon, and a power supply source (e.g., battery  16 ). The power supply source may be coupled to a potentiometer  24  (or similar mechanism known in the art, such as a rheostat) allowing the intensity of the light to be adjusted. The multi-color spotlight may also comprise a means for focusing the light, such as using focusing units  42 - 44 , as is known in the art. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the rotational mechanism of the multi-color spotlight. As shown, the rotational mechanism comprises a rotatable rod  37  having a plurality of substrates  37 H- 37 J coupled around the circumference of the rotatable rod  37  such that each substrate  37 H- 37 J is mounted in a distinct geometric plane from each other. Further, each substrate  37 H- 37 J comprises an LED chip  37 M,  37 N (third chip not visible) thereon, with each LED chip being in the same vertical geometric plane. It will be noted that while only LED chip  37 M and LED chip  37 N are visible in the drawing, each substrate  37 H- 37 J has its own unique color LED chip mounted thereon so that each chip is in the same vertical plane. Each substrate  37 H- 37 J has a cover  37 H- 37 J. Rotatable rod  37  is coupled to the rotatable knob  39  so that when a user actuates the rotatable knob  39 , the rotatable rod  37  rotates about its longitudinal axis, which thereby rotates the substrates  37 L- 37 N and accompanying LEDs. Because the LED chips are in the same vertical geometric plane, as the rotatable rod  37  rotates about the longitudinal axis, each LED chip is rotated to, end rests in, substantially the same position as the previous LED chip. In other words, the geometric location of each LED must be substantially the same on each substrate  37 H- 37 J such that when rotated, the focal point of the illuminated LED is the same as the prior-illuminated LED. While LEDs are used as examples throughout this disclosure, it will be appreciated that any light-emitting device may be used without departing herefrom. 
     Only the LED positioned beneath the lens  45 , to direct light through the lens  45 , is illuminated at any given time, while the remaining LEDs remain “off.” This is accomplished using a power switching system, as best shown in  FIG. 4 , which illustrates an electrical description for the multi-color spotlight. As shown, a battery  16  is interposed between the intensity control circuit  22  and the LED constant-current drive circuit  12 . The LED constant-current drive circuit  12  and the intensity control circuit  22  are coupled by a spring  21 , the potentiometer  24 , a nut  25 , a tail cap back portion  28 , a tail cap front portion  33 , a battery housing  17 , an aluminum mounting unit  11 , and a copper ring  35 . The LED constant-current drive circuit  12  is coupled to a switch control unit comprising (as best shown in  FIG. 2 ) a spring thimble  36 B, thimble mount  36 , and circuit board  36 C, which in turn is coupled to the LED switch circuit  7 , which is coupled to, and controls, the LED chips  37 M,  37 N, and more, if present. While the examples illustrate the use of three LED chips, it will be appreciated that only two are required. Further, more than two LED chips are possible, with the maximum number being the number of LED chips that can be situated around the circumference of the rotatable rod  37  while remaining in the same vertical geometric plane. It will also be appreciated that a rotatable rod  37  may not be required. For example, the substrates  37 H- 37 J may be coupled to each other along the edges, leaving a hollow center, with the knob  39  being coupled to the substrates  37 H- 37 J so as to rotate them in the same manner as is accomplished by the rotatable rod  37 . Other configurations achieving the same means, i.e., rotation of multiple LED chips so as to keep the same focal point, are contemplated herein and do not depart herefrom. 
     In one example of use, a user would turn “on” the multi-color LED spotlight by depressing intensity knob  26  (or twisting it, depending upon the configuration of the switch), and may also adjust the intensity of the light by rotating the intensity knob  26 , which is coupled to the potentiometer  24 . The LED chip that is positioned to direct light out of the lens  45  would then illuminate. If a user desired to change colors of light being emitted, the user would grasp knob  39  and rotate it, which rotates rod  37  and accompanying components, including LED switch circuit  7 . As best seen in  FIG. 2 , as rod  37  rotates and reaches the next LED chip for illumination, the rod “clicks” into place using springs  37 K and spheres  37 L, which nest in sphere receiving apertures  37 O. As the spheres  37 L engage sphere receiving apertures  37 O, the spring thimble  36 B likewise engages the LED switch circuit  7 , illuminating the appropriate LED (which, in this example, is the LED positioned between the sphere receiving apertures  37 O that are engaged with the spheres  37 L. However, the functionality is not dependent upon the spheres  37 L engaging the sphere receiving apertures  37 O next to the illuminated LED). This allows a user to more easily control where to stop the rotatable rod  37  so that the appropriate LED will illuminate—the user will feel the “click” and the LED will illuminate. As such, a user may quickly and easily rotate between colors without altering the illuminated area and without the need of accessories. Only slight pressure is required by a user to rotate rod  37 , releasing spheres  37 L from their respective receiving apertures  37 O and disconnecting the spring thimble  36 B from the LED switch circuit  7 . The user then rotates the rod  37  until the spheres  37 L “click” into the next receiving apertures  37 O, engaging spring thimble  36 B once again to the LED switch circuit  7 , thereby illuminating the appropriate LED chip. 
     By utilizing a rotatable rod  37  with LED chips  37 M- 37 N in the center thereof—or at least in the same vertical plane—and going around the circumference of the rotatable rod  37 , the focus of the beam does not change when rotating to a different colored LED chip. In other words, as a non-limiting example, a first LED chip may produce a white light. A hunter may mount the multi-LED spotlight to a scope on a firearm and proceed to sight-in the focus point of the light with the crosshairs of the scope. When the hunter then desires to change from white light to, for example, a green light, the hunter may rotate the knob  39  until the spheres  37 L are received within apertures  37 O corresponding with the next sequential LED chip on the rotatable rod  37 . As the spheres  37 L are received, the spring thimble  36 B engages the LED switch circuit  7 , illuminating the green LED (provided that the green LED was next in the sequence of rotation. If not, the user would continue to rotate until the green LED illuminates). Because the green LED is in the same physical location that the white LED was in when it was sighted-in, the focal point of the green LED remains the same as the white LED. Accordingly, a user is able to switch between two or more beam colors without needing additional equipment, or adjustments to the windage or elevation of the light mount, and without altering the beam focus. This allows for quick, easy, and repeatable LED color changes with no position and/or orientation change to the light beam. This provides for enhanced ease of use and effective and accurate targeting of quarry through a scoped weapon during night hunting, overcoming the limitations of the prior art. 
     In one embodiment, a multi-color LED spotlight comprises a housing having a lens, a rotational LED mechanism, a knob for actuating the rotational LED mechanism, a power supply source within the housing operably coupled to the rotational LED mechanism, a bezel configured to broaden or focus the beam of light, and an intensity control mechanism (e.g., a rheostat, potentiometer, or equivalent means). In one embodiment, the rotational LED mechanism comprises a plurality of LED chips mounted in separate horizontal planes, but in the same vertical geometric plane, and rotatable such that the LED rotation creates a circle in the same plane, each LED illuminating when it is positioned to produce a beam of light out of the lens. While LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) are used as an example throughout the description, it will be appreciated that other means for producing light (any light-emitting device) may also be used without departing herefrom. 
     While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage, and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.