Patent Publication Number: US-8985804-B2

Title: Tactical flashlight and accessory

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Embodiments relate generally to a flashlight and/or flashlight accessory for use alone or in conjunction with a firearm. 
     Conventionally, employing a firearm along with a light source by military, law enforcement, and authorized citizens has required using either tactics or technique. For example, a user may utilize specialized two-hand grip techniques in order to hold both a flashlight and a firearm at the same time. In another example, a light source may be mounted directly to the weapon. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a flashlight in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of a flashlight in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  shows a front view of a flashlight in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  shows a back view of a flashlight in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  shows a top view of a flashlight in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  shows a section view of a flashlight in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIGS. 7-14  show examples to illustrate one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of a handgun and a flashlight in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIGS. 16-18  show examples to illustrate one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 19  shows a perspective view of a flashlight in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 20  shows a perspective view of a handgun and a flashlight in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 21  shows an exploded view of a handgun and a flashlight in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 22  shows a side view of a flashlight in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 23  shows a side view of a flashlight in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 24A  shows a side view of a flashlight in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 24B  shows a section view of a flashlight in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 25A  shows a side view of a switch mechanism in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 25B  shows a side view of a switch mechanism in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 26  shows a perspective view of a flashlight attachment device in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 27  shows a perspective view of a flashlight attachment device in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 28  shows a side view of a flashlight attachment device in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 29  shows a top view of a flashlight attachment device in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 30  shows a front view of a flashlight attachment device in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 31  shows a partial section view of a flashlight attachment device in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 32  shows a side view of a rifle and a flashlight in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 33  shows a side view of a flashlight in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIGS. 34 ,  35 , and  36  show side views of flashlights in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Conventionally, the simultaneous use of a flashlight and a firearm has required specialized techniques. For example, such techniques may require the user to hold the flashlight in one hand, while operating the handgun with the other. This one-handed grip significantly reduces the ability of the user to align the sights, manage recoil, and adopt a stable stance with the firearm. Other techniques may cause users to modify their trained shooting habits, and/or may misalign the axis of the flashlight&#39;s beam with the axis of the sights/barrel of the firearm. Such misalignment may cause the user&#39;s eyes to be drawn to two different focal points; the firearm sights/bore axis, and the center of the flashlight beam. Under stress, the confusion caused by this misalignment can compromise accuracy. 
     Embodiments may enable a flashlight to be deployed quickly from a users pocket or belt and held in two different orientations. The first orientation may provide a natural flashlight grip for general illumination, and may also enable the flashlight to be used as a defensive punching-based impact weapon. The second orientation may allow the user to align the flashlight with a firearm and illuminate a target while adopting a non-compromised two-handed shooting grip. Further, the user may retain the flashlight while manipulating objects with the same hand by allowing the flashlight to hang off the finger. 
     In addition, in one or more embodiments, a flashlight attachment may be removably attached to an existing flashlight having a tubular body, and may be configured to removably mount to a firearm. In some embodiments, the flashlight attachment may include an alignment feature to align the flashlight&#39;s light beam axis with the bore axis of the firearm. Further, in some embodiments, the flashlight attachment may include an offset finger retention feature and a mechanism for actuating a tail switch of the flashlight. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , shown is a flashlight  100  in accordance with one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, the flashlight  100  may include a lamp assembly  120  disposed at one end of a tubular body  110 , and a finger retention housing  130  disposed at an opposite end of the tubular body  110 . Further, in some embodiments, the finger retention housing  130  may be offset from a longitudinal axis  111  of the tubular body  110 . In addition, in one or more embodiments, the flashlight  100  may also include an alignment feature  140 , a finger switch  150 , and a spring clip  160 . In some embodiments, the flashlight  100  may include any type of material or combination of materials, such as metals (e.g., iron, steel, aluminum, etc.), plastics (e.g., polymers, elastomers, etc.), woods, ceramics, composites, etc. 
     In one or more embodiments, the tubular body  110  may provide housing for a battery (or batteries) used to power the lamp assembly  120 . In some embodiments, the tubular body  110  may act as an electrical connection between the lamp assembly  120  and the finger switch  150 . Accordingly, in some embodiments, the tubular body  110  may include conductive materials (e.g., aluminum alloy or steel, etc.) and/or insulating materials (polycarbonate, rubber, silicone, etc.). 
     In one or more embodiments, the finger retention housing  130  may include an end cap  132  to cap one end of the tubular body  110 . In some embodiments, the end cap  132  may be attached to the tubular body  110  using any type of detachable connection (e.g., a screw thread connection, a snap-fit connection, a ring and groove connection, etc.). In other embodiments, the end cap  132  may be permanently connected to the tubular body  110  (e.g., a glue connection, a welded connection, etc.). Alternatively, in some embodiments, the finger retention housing  130  and the tubular body  110  may be a single continuous piece. 
     In one or more embodiments, the finger retention housing  130  may include an opening  134  configured to accept a user&#39;s finger (or fingers) for retention and positioning of the flashlight  100  in the user&#39;s hand. In some embodiments, a central axis  136  of the opening  134  may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  111  of the tubular body  110 . Further, in some embodiments, the interior surface of the opening  134  may be configured to enable the user to rotate the finger retention housing  130  smoothly around the user&#39;s finger (or fingers). In this manner, the user may quickly rotate the flashlight  100  around the central axis  136  of the opening  134 , and thereby change the orientation of the flashlight  100 . Accordingly, the finger retention housing  130  may function as a finger rotation feature for the flashlight  100 . Such rotation of the flashlight  100  is described further below with reference to  FIGS. 10-14 . 
     In one or more embodiments, the finger retention housing  130  may be positioned in any location on the flashlight  100 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 33 , the finger retention housing  130  may be disposed at an end distal from the lamp assembly  120 , and offset from the longitudinal axis  111 . In another example, as shown in  FIG. 34 , the finger retention housing  130  may be disposed approximately at a midpoint of the flashlight  100 . In yet another example, as shown in  FIG. 35 , the finger retention housing  130  may be disposed at the same end as the lamp assembly  120 . In still another example, as shown in  FIG. 36 , the finger retention housing  130  may be disposed at a distal end from the lamp assembly  120 , and aligned with the longitudinal axis  111 . Of course, these examples are not limiting, and it is contemplated that the finger retention housing  130  may be disposed anywhere on the flashlight  100 . Further, it is contemplated that the finger switch  150  may also be disposed on any other location on the flashlight  100 . 
     In one or more embodiments, the finger retention housing  130  may include one or more rigid and/or flexible materials, such as plastics (e.g., polycarbonate, nylon, polymer, etc.), metals (e.g., aluminum, steel, etc.), wood, glass, rubber, composites, and/or any combination thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the finger retention housing  130  may be formed from a polycarbonate body with an elastomeric over-molded material. The over-molded material may provide a comfortable and secure grip for the user that conforms to the fingers during use. 
     In one or more embodiments, the finger switch  150  may function to activate (i.e., to turn on or off) the flashlight in response to finger pressure. In some embodiments, the switch  150  may be configured to convert finger pressure into a substantially linear force. The resulting linear force may be defined the operational axis of the finger switch  150 . Further, in some embodiments, the operational axis of the finger switch may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis  111  of the tubular body  110 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , in one or more embodiments, the finger switch  150  may include a hinged lever  155 . As shown, in some embodiments, the hinged lever  155  may be attached by a hinge to the finger retention housing  130 . The finger switch  150  may be oriented such that, when a user applies finger pressure to the hinged lever  155 , an electrical circuit is closed and the lamp assembly  120  is powered. Further, when the user stops applying pressure to the hinged lever  155 , an internal spring may open the electrical circuit, thereby cutting power to the lamp assembly  120 . The finger switch  150  may be comprised of any materials such as, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, polycarbonate, nylon, and combinations of materials such as polymers with elastomeric over-molding. 
     In one or more embodiments, the alignment feature  140  may function to removably attach the flashlight  100  to a firearm. In some embodiments, the alignment feature  140  may also function to align the flashlight  100  with the firearm. For example, such alignment may result in the aim of the flashlight matching the aim of the firearm. In another example, such alignment may result in the longitudinal axis  111  of the flashlight (“beam axis”) being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the firearm (“bore axis”). In yet another example, such alignment may result in the beam axis being at a preferred angle to the bore axis. In some embodiments, the alignment feature  140  may include a pivot or hinge to enable the angle between the beam axis and the bore axis to be selectively adjusted. 
     In one or more embodiments, the alignment feature  140  may be disposed on the finger retention housing  130 . In some embodiments, the alignment feature  140  may be disposed on a portion of the finger retention housing  130  that is substantially distal from the longitudinal axis  111  of the tubular body  110 . 
     In some embodiments, the alignment feature  140  may be configured to slideably engage a portion of the firearm. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the alignment feature  140  may be a slide coupler having a U-shaped cross section configured to slide over and engage a corresponding portion of a firearm. For example, such a slide coupler may engage a bottom portion of a handgun trigger guard, a “picatinny” rail system of a rifle, etc. In some embodiments, the width of such slide couplers may gradually narrow, such that friction between the slide coupler and the corresponding portion of the firearm increases as the two elements are coupled. In this manner, the alignment feature  140  may function to rigidly but removably attach the finger retention housing  130  to the firearm. 
     In some embodiments, the alignment feature  140  shown in  FIGS. 1-5  may be utilized as a striking weapon when the flashlight  100  is not attached to a firearm. For example, as shown in  FIG. 18 , the flashlight  100  may be held such that the alignment feature  140  functions as a striking surface. In such embodiments, the alignment feature  140  may be comprised of rigid materials (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.), flexible or semi-flexible materials (e.g., polymers, elastomers, etc.), or any combination (e.g., an elastomeric saddle with metal rails insert-molded into its sides). Further, the alignment feature  140  may be adjustably attached to the finger retention housing  130  using any permanent or detachable connection(s) (e.g., threaded or snap-fit connections, glue connections, welded connections, screws, spring pins, rivets, etc.). Optionally, the alignment feature  140  and the finger retention housing  130  may be a single integral piece. 
     In some embodiments, the alignment feature  140  may be configured to magnetically attach to the firearm. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 19-21 , the alignment feature  140  may include a pair of magnets disposed on the finger retention housing  130 . Each magnet of this pair is separately polarized and oriented, such that a first magnet in the pair is polarized opposite the second magnet in the pair. Further, this pair of magnets may be arranged to attach to a corresponding pair of magnets disposed on the firearm (e.g., a bottom portion of a handgun trigger guard, a bottom portion of a rifle barrel, etc.). By matching the polarity of each magnet appropriately, the magnets in the finger retention housing  130  will be attracted to the corresponding magnets of the firearm, thereby aligning the flashlight  100  to the firearm. The user can decouple the flashlight  100  and the firearm by sliding the flashlight  100  laterally, thereby causing the magnetic attraction to be reduced. In some embodiments, the magnets of the alignment feature  140  may be, e.g., permanent magnets, electromagnets, etc. 
     Note that the alignment features  140  shown in  FIGS. 1-5  and  19 - 21  are provided by way of example, and are not intended to be limiting. It is contemplated that the alignment feature  140  may use other attachment devices or techniques. For example, the alignment feature  140  may be a V-shape slide coupler, a concave slide coupler where one side is taller and/or longer than the opposite side, flexible fingers or projections, clamps, rails, grooves, clips, pins, holes, snaps, locks, screws, friction connections, cams, etc. In another example, the alignment feature  140  may include any number or arrangement of magnets or similar components. 
     In one or more embodiments, the spring clip  160  may enable the flashlight  100  to be attached to the opening of a pocket, a belt, a tactical vest, or many other locations that allow accessible retention of the light during activities. The spring clip  160  may be attached to the tubular body  110 , or may be an integrated feature of the tubular body  110  or the finger retention housing  130 . Further, the orientation of the spring clip  160  may be parallel to the longitudinal axis  111  of the flashlight  100  with its opening nearest the lamp assembly  120  (as shown in  FIG. 1-5 ), or may be oriented such that its opening is nearest to the opening  134 . The side of the flashlight  100  to which the spring clip  160  is attached may also be changed to allow users to orient the flashlight  100  as desired. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the lamp assembly  120  may include a housing  122 , lens  124 , reflector  125 , lamp  126 , and electrical contacts  128 . When the lamp  126  is activated via the electrical contacts with the battery (or batteries), the light emitted is reflected and focused by the reflector  125 , and is then projected through the lens  124 . The lamp  126  may be, e.g., one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), incandescent bulb(s), etc. The electrical contacts  128  may be conductors to allow current to flow from the battery (or batteries) to the other electrical components. The lamp assembly  120  may also include other components (not shown), such as current regulating circuitry, alternate modes (low intensity, high intensity light), reverse polarization protection, etc. 
     In some embodiments, the alignment feature  140  and finger switch  150  can be adjusted to fit a user&#39;s hand. Such adjustments may allow the user to employ the flashlight  100  while wearing gloves. For example,  FIG. 24A  shows the flashlight  100  including an alignment feature  140  with mounting hole(s)  145 , and a finger retention housing  130  with a mounting hole  135 . In such embodiments, the position of the alignment feature  140  may be adjusted by moving the alignment feature  140  until a mounting hole  145  is concentric with the mounting hole  135  of the finger retention housing  130 , and then locking the position using a spring pin. Utilizing a different mounting hole  145  in the alignment feature  140  would thus adjust the position of the alignment feature  140  relative to the finger retention housing  130 . Other adjustment mechanisms are contemplated such as set screws, ratcheting mechanisms, etc. Referring to  FIG. 24B , an adjustment screw  129  may enable the finger switch  150  to be adjusted to suit a user&#39;s hand. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 22-23 , alternative embodiments of the opening  134  are contemplated. For example, as shown in  FIG. 22 , the opening  134  may include a partial gap to allow disengagement of the finger from the flashlight  100  in the situation that flashlight  100  is caught or pulled in a manner that could injure the user. In another example, as shown in  FIG. 23 , the finger retention housing  130  may be formed of a flexible or semi-flexible material. Such a flexible opening  134  may deform during use, resulting in a conformal, comfortable contact between the fingers of the left and right hands during firearm operation with a normal two-handed grip. 
     Example alternative embodiments of the finger switch  150  are shown in  FIGS. 25A-25B . Referring to  FIG. 25A , in some embodiments, the finger switch  150  may be a linear plunger mechanism which acts on the spring-loaded conductor  210  by way of a plunger shaft  212  sliding through a bushing  214  at the proximal end of the finger retention housing  130 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 25B , in some embodiments, the finger switch  150  may include a switch pad  220  rigidly mounted to a pivoting finger ring  222 . The user may apply force to the switch pad  220  relative to the body of the flashlight  100 , thus causing a protrusion  224  on the pivoting finger ring  222  to act upon the spring-loaded conductor  226 , thereby activating the flashlight  100 . In such embodiments, the alignment feature  140  may be rigidly connected to the body of the flashlight in order to provide counter-traction when used with a firearm. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 26-31 , shown is a flashlight accessory  300  configured to be removably mounted to a conventional flashlight (e.g., a typical flashlight having a tubular body with a lens assembly at one end and a tail cap switch on the opposite end, and not including the above-described elements of flashlight  100 ), in accordance with some embodiments. When mounted to a conventional flashlight, the flashlight accessory  300  may provide the conventional flashlight with some or all of the functionality of the flashlight  100  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 ,  18 - 23 ,  24 A- 24 B, and  25 A- 25 B. 
     FIGS.  26  and  28 - 31  show the flashlight accessory  300  as attached to a conventional flashlight  310 . Further, for the sake of clarity,  FIG. 27  shows the flashlight accessory  300  alone (i.e., not attached to a conventional flashlight). As shown, in some embodiments, the flashlight accessory  300  may include a flashlight connector  320 , a finger retention housing  330 , an alignment feature  340 , and/or a finger switch  350 . In some embodiments, the flashlight accessory  300  may include any type of material or combination of materials, such as metals (e.g., iron, steel, aluminum, etc.), plastics (e.g., polymers, elastomers, etc.), woods, ceramics, composites, etc. 
     In one or more embodiments, the flashlight connector  320  may function to removably attach the flashlight accessory  300  to a conventional flashlight  310 . For example, referring to  FIG. 27 , the flashlight connector  320  may be a flexible collar that can be tightened into place by two helical screws  322  engaged in helical nuts (not shown). In another example, the flashlight connector may be a flexible annular ring (not shown) that attaches to a conventional flashlight via a friction fit. Note that these examples of the flashlight connector  320  are not limiting, and any type of flashlight attachment mechanism or technique is contemplated. 
     In one or more embodiments, the finger retention housing  330  may be offset from a longitudinal axis of the conventional flashlight  310  when the conventional flashlight  310  is attached to the flashlight accessory  300 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 31 , the flashlight accessory  300  may be positioned on the conventional flashlight  310  such that the finger switch  350  is able to engage the tail cap switch  312  on the conventional flashlight  310 . When depressed by the user, the finger switch  350  applies pressure upon the tail cap switch  312 , thereby activating the conventional flashlight  310 . Further, if the user releases pressure on the finger switch  350 , the spring force of the tail cap switch  312  deactivates the light. 
     In some embodiments, the finger switch  350  may use alternative switching mechanisms, for example linear plungers and pivot finger rings similar to those described above with reference to  FIGS. 25A-25B . Further, in some embodiments, the flashlight accessory  300  may use alternate alignment features as shown in  FIGS. 19-21 , and finger retention features as shown in  FIGS. 22-23  can be incorporated into the flashlight attachment device. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 27 , in some embodiments, the alignment feature  340  of the flashlight accessory  300  may be similar to the alignment feature  140  of flashlight  100  discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . For example, the alignment feature  340  may be a slide coupler, a magnet-based coupler, or any other type of mechanism to attach and align a firearm to the flashlight accessory  300 , and thereby align the firearm to conventional flashlight  310 . Further, the finger retention housing  330  may include any type of finger opening, (e.g., openings similar to those shown in  FIGS. 22-23 ). 
       FIGS. 7-18  illustrate various methods for carrying, deploying, and operating the flashlight  100  described above, in accordance with some embodiments. Note that, while  FIGS. 7-18  only show flashlight  100 , the same (or similar) methods may also apply to the flashlight accessory  300  described above. 
       FIG. 7  shows the flashlight  100  attached by way of the spring clip  160  to the opening of a pants pocket, in accordance with some embodiments. This arrangement provides an accessible, yet discreet carrying position for the user. Alternately, the spring clip  160  can be used to attach the flashlight  100  to a belt, jacket pocket, or many other locations as desired by the user. Furthermore, the flashlight  100  may be retained on the user&#39;s body by way of a holster that releasably engages or retains any other part of the flashlight  100 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the user inserting the left index finger into the opening  134  and pulling the flashlight  100  out of the pocket, in accordance with some embodiments. This action may index the features of the flashlight  100  relative to the user&#39;s hand. The user can then grasp the tubular body  110  with the remaining fingers while placing the thumb on the finger switch  150  as shown in  FIG. 9 . The flashlight grip employed in  FIG. 9  may provide solid retention of the flashlight  100 , and is generally appropriate for illumination of objects. Additionally, this flashlight grip allows the user to employ the flashlight  100  as a punching-based impact weapon, utilizing the alignment feature  140  as a striking surface, as shown in  FIG. 18 . 
     In the event that the user identifies a threat, the user may wish to use the flashlight  100  in conjunction with a handgun  400 .  FIGS. 10-14  show a method of transitioning the flashlight  100  to an alternate grip orientation that facilitates the use of a normal, two-handed handgun grip while illuminating the target, in accordance with some embodiments. 
     In  FIG. 10 , the flashlight  100  and handgun  400  are being employed separately. Upon initiation of the grip transition, the user may release the middle, ring, and pinky finger from the tubular body  110 , and may rotate the flashlight  100  around the index finger which remains engaged in the opening  134  as shown in  FIG. 11 . By rotating the hand forward and downward, the flashlight  100  can be further rotated round the index finger until a trigger of the finger switch  150  rests on the back of the middle finger as shown in  FIG. 12 . The left and right hands are then brought together as shown in  FIG. 13  to bring the alignment feature  140  in proximity to the trigger guard before finally obtaining the normal two-handed firing grip as shown in  FIG. 14 . Once the two-handed firing grip has been established, the user can switch the light on and off by respectively squeezing and releasing the left hand. The squeezing action forces the alignment feature  140  to slideably engage with the trigger guard of the handgun  400 , thereby rigidly attaching the flashlight  100  to the handgun  400 . Further, the squeezing action may also cause the finger switch  150  to be depressed by the back of the user&#39;s middle finger, thereby causing the flashlight to be activated. Note that, in some embodiments, the flashlight is activated automatically by the squeezing action, and thus does not require the user to perform a separate action to turn on the flashlight (e.g., press the finger switch  150  using a fingertip). Note also that, when attached, the bore axis  410  of the handgun  400  is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis  111  of the flashlight  100 . For additional clarity,  FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of a handgun and flashlight oriented as in  FIG. 14  but with the users hands removed. 
       FIG. 32  shows a grip alignment for the flashlight  100  when used with a rifle  500 , in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the method of attaching the flashlight  100  to the rifle  500  may be similar to that described above with reference to the handgun  400 . Note that, in some embodiments, the alignment feature  140  of the flashlight  100  may be rigidly attached to the lower rail of the fore-end of the rifle  500 , thus aligning the beam axis of the flashlight  100  with the bore axis and/or sights of the rifle  500 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , in some embodiments, the flashlight  100  may be gripped for use alone (i.e., separate from a firearm) by pressing the thumb downward against the alignment feature  140 , thereby causes the finger switch  150  to be depressed by the back of the middle finger. This grip may also allow faster re-alignment with a firearm since the grip repositioning sequence described with reference to  FIGS. 10-14  may not be necessary. This grip may also be obtained initially when the flashlight is being deployed from a pocket, belt, or similar. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , in some embodiments, the flashlight  100  may be rotated around the index finger such that the tubular body  110  and lamp assembly  120  lay across the thumb. This allows for manipulation of objects while still holding the flashlight  100 . Though  FIG. 17  shows the user engaging a doorknob, there are many other potential interactions made possible by this retention method. In tactical situations, the grip shown in  FIG. 17  can allow the user to manipulate a handgun&#39;s slide to clear a malfunctioning cartridge, reload the handgun by exchanging magazines and many other functions as known by those skilled in the art. 
     In one or more embodiments, a method may include providing a flashlight including an offset finger rotation housing. The offset finger rotation housing may be to enable rotation of the provided flashlight around at least one finger. The flashlight may be provided including a finger switch disposed on the offset finger rotation housing. The flashlight may be provided including an attachment feature to removably attach to a firearm. The attachment feature may be disposed on the offset finger rotation housing. The attachment feature may be to align the flashlight to the firearm. 
     In one or more embodiments, a method may include providing a flashlight accessory including an offset finger rotation housing and a flashlight connector. The offset finger rotation housing may be to enable rotation of the provided flashlight accessory around at least one finger. The flashlight accessory may be provided including a finger switch disposed on the offset finger rotation housing. The flashlight accessory may be provided including an attachment feature to removably attach to a firearm. The attachment feature may be disposed on the offset finger rotation housing. The attachment feature may be to align the flashlight accessory to the firearm. 
     References throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one implementation encompassed within the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase “one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be instituted in other suitable forms other than the particular embodiment illustrated and all such forms may be encompassed within the claims of the present application. 
     While the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments for the sake of illustration, those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of this present invention.