Patent Publication Number: US-7584569-B2

Title: Target illuminating assembly having integrated magazine tube and barrel clamp with laser sight

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING” 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to target illuminators and laser sights incorporated into a magazine tube and barrel clamp, wherein an original capacity of the magazine is maintained. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Law enforcement and military organizations often find it necessary to perform armed operations in darkness or low-light conditions. To ensure that their mission is carried out properly, successfully and safely, the operational personnel often employ flashlights to illuminate a potential target in the event use of a weapon becomes necessary. However, it is awkward and restrictive to hold a flashlight in one hand and a weapon in the other. Consequently, flashlight attachments to weapons have been developed, wherein a flashlight is actually mounted on the weapon, pointing the same direction as the barrel of the weapon, so that a potential target can be illuminated by pointing the weapon generally in the direction of the target with one hand, leaving the other hand free. Ordinarily, such devices provide for the flashlight to be removably mounted on the weapon so that it does not limit weapon flexibility when the flashlight is not needed. 
     Various devices have been developed for removably mounting a flashlight on a weapon. For example, Sharrah et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,555; Christiansen U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,683; and Fell et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,875 all disclose devices for attachment of a flashlight to the bottom of the handgrip of a handgun. However, these devices can interfere with gripping the handgun, render holstering the handgun difficult, and require either that the flashlight be switched on, or actuated, with a hand other than the gripping hand or by a dedicated switch disposed on the handgrip. 
     It is now common in law enforcement and certain military operations for weapons to be equipped with a laser sighting device, that is, a laser mounted on the weapon that propagates a relatively narrow, intense laser light beam to a target so as to produce a spot on the target essentially where the projectile will intercept the target if the weapon is discharged. This enables the weapon to be aimed precisely by pointing the weapon so that the spot lies on the target at the point where the person using the weapon wants the projectile to strike the target. Such a laser sighting device is disclosed, for example, in Toole et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,091. 
     While a laser sighting device provides an aiming function, it does not provide an illuminating function. Consequently, it is often desirable to equip a weapon with both a laser sight and a target illuminator, such as a flashlight attachment. Both of these types of devices require electrical power. 
     Other flashlight attachment devices have been designed for mounting either on the barrel of a rifle or under the barrel and frame of a handgun. In the case of a handgun, the flashlight is typically attached to a forward portion of the handgun frame. A device of this type is shown by Teetzel U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,105. In Teetzel, a flashlight is removably mounted on a laser sighting device that is attached under the barrel and frame of a weapon, and the flashlight attachment can be actuated simultaneously with the laser sighting device by an infrared light source in the sighting device coupled to the flashlight attachment. However, a drawback to this approach is that a physical connection between the handgrip and the front part of the frame of the weapon is required to switch the laser and flashlight on from the handgrip. Such a connection, whether by electrical wiring, optical waveguide, or mechanical link adds weight, may require undue modification of the weapon, and can be inconvenient. 
     Therefore, a need remains for a target illuminator that cooperatively engages the firearm, without reducing capacity of the firearm. The need also exists for a combined target illuminator and laser sight assembly that can be readily attached to the firearm, without significantly increasing the footprint of the firearm. A further need exists for controlling the target illuminator and laser sight so as to capture the available performance of both the target illuminator and the laser sight. A need also exists for a laser sight assembly that can be quickly coupled to the firearm without impeding the functionality of the firearm, and further wherein the assembly increases at least a local structural integrity of the firearm. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a target illuminating assembly having an integrated magazine tube and barrel clamp with a laser sight, wherein capacity of the firearm magazine is not reduced. 
     In one configuration, a target illuminating assembly for a firearm is provided, wherein the assembly includes a frame having a front end and a rear end, the frame including (i) a clamping sleeve substantially encircling the magazine tube, (ii) an illuminator recess in the front end of the frame, (iii) a power source cavity and (iv) a barrel receiving channel; a target illuminator within the illuminator recess, the target illuminator including a reflector, a majority of the reflector located within the illuminator recess; and a driver circuit connected to the target illuminator. 
     In a further configuration, a laser module can be incorporated into or connected to the frame and operably connected to the driver circuit for selective operation in at least one of a continuous or pulsed mode. 
     Further, the frame can be configured to substantially encircle the magazine tube and at least encompass a diameter of the barrel thereby fixing the relative positions of the barrel and the magazine tube. 
     In one configuration, the driver circuit provides a pulsed laser sight with a simultaneous constant illumination from the target illuminator. That is, the driver circuit can provide antiflicker illumination from the target illuminator independent of operation of the laser sight. Alternatively, the driver circuit can pulse the target illuminator at a frequency, including a frequency different from the laser pulse. 
     In a further configuration, the target illuminator can be used to temporarily blind or disorient a target. For example, the target illuminator can have a sufficient brightness combined with a pulse or flash rate to provide a non lethal weapon with respect to the target such as by dazing or dazzling the target so as to impart temporary flash blindness, or disorientation. 
     It is further contemplated that each of a plurality of firearms can include a corresponding target illuminating assembly (with or without a laser module), wherein actuation of the respective target illuminator of the separate firearms can be coordinated (such as in a symmetric or asymmetric pattern) to assist in subduing the target. Depending upon the number of target illuminating assemblies, the coordinated illumination can be any of a variety of patterns, such as sequential, grouped or simultaneous to assist the officers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a prior art target illuminator attached to a shotgun. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a prior art target illuminator attached to an alternative shotgun. 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of a firearm, such as a shotgun to which the present integrated clamp and target illuminator connects. 
         FIG. 4  is a left side rear perspective view of the integrated clamp and target illuminator. 
         FIG. 5  is a left side front perspective view of the integrated clamp and target illuminator. 
         FIG. 6  is a right side front perspective view of the integrated clamp and target illuminator. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the integrated clamp and target illuminator taken along a horizontal plane. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of the integrated clamp and target illuminator taken along a horizontal plane. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of the integrated clamp and target illuminator taken along lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a front end elevational view of the integrated clamp and target illuminator. 
         FIG. 11  is a rear end elevational view of the integrated clamp and target illuminator. 
         FIG. 12  is an elevational view of a rear end plate. 
         FIG. 13  is a top plan view of the rear end plate of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is an end elevational view of the laser module. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic of a driver circuit for operating the target illuminator and the laser sight. 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic of the controller, with the driver circuit and a transceiver. 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic of a plurality of firearms, each firearm having a target illuminating assembly, wherein the target illuminators provide a coordinated, and disabling illumination of the target. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a prior art target illuminator  2  is shown connected to a firearm  10 . 
     The term firearm  10  is intended to encompass any of a variety of firearms, including but not limited to shotguns, rifles, long guns and shoulder guns. In a preferred construction, the firearm  10  includes an elongate barrel and a generally parallel magazine tube. 
     The prior art target illuminator  2  connects to a magazine tube and suspends flashlight beneath the magazine tube. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , in relevant part the firearm  10  includes a barrel  14 , a stock  16  and the magazine tube  12 . Typically, the barrel  14  and the magazine tube  12  are generally parallel, wherein the barrel terminates at a forward end  15  and the magazine tube terminates at a corresponding forward end  13  which is slightly spaced from the end of the barrel. The remaining components of the firearm  10  are well known in the art and not included in this description. 
     An integrated magazine tube and barrel clamp with target illuminator  20  and laser sight is provided for cooperatively engaging the firearm  10 . In one configuration, the present device  20  can include the integrated magazine tube and barrel clamp with a target illuminator, wherein the laser sight is an optional component. For purposes of description, the target illuminating assembly  20  is referred to as including the integrated magazine tube and barrel clamp with target illuminator wherein a laser module  60 , can be incorporated as desired. However, it is understood the target illuminating assembly  20  is not limited to the specific configuration of the barrel clamp or the magazine tube. 
     It is recognized, that in literal terms the laser module illuminates the target. However, the target illuminator  40  illuminates an area many times greater than a cross section of the illumination beam as the beam exits the target illuminator. That is, the target illumination is provided by an intentionally diverging beam. In contrast, the laser sight can be a coherent beam which does not materially diverge upon passing from the laser module  60  to the target. 
     The target illuminating assembly  20  with the integrated clamp is shown in perspective in  FIGS. 4-6 . The target illuminating assembly  20  with the integrated clamp includes a frame  22 , forming a body of the integrated clamp, the target illuminator  40  and, as desired, the laser module  60 . 
     The frame  22  defines an elongate clamping sleeve  23 , a power source cavity  25 , an illuminator recess  27  and a barrel receiving channel  29 . The frame  22  has a front end  24  adjacent the front end  15  of the barrel  14  and a rear end  26  which extends toward the butt or stock  16  of the firearm  20 . 
     The frame  22  defines a least one of the clamping sleeve  23  and the barrel receiving channel  29  to be at least as long as a diameter of the respective sleeve or channel. In a further configuration, the clamping sleeve  23  and barrel are at least twice as long as their respective diameters, and can be on the order of three times as long. 
     The clamping sleeve  23  is sized to slidably receive a length of the magazine tube  12 . Thus, the clamping sleeve  23  defines an inner diameter which is sufficiently large to receive an outer diameter of the magazine tube  12 . As particularly shown in  FIG. 6 , the frame  22  includes at least one set of spaced clamping flanges  30 , wherein a clamping mechanism  32 , such as a threaded fastener, a cam, a lever or other mechanical mechanism can be used for selectively varying a spacing between the clamping flanges, and hence changing the inner diameter of the clamping sleeve  23 . Thus, the frame  22  can define a housing connected to the firearm  10 . 
     The illuminator recess  27  opens to the front end  24  of the frame  22 . The illuminator recess  27  can be any of a variety of configurations, such as defining a cylindrical, a frustoconical, a tapered or a stepped cross section. In one configuration, a rearward portion of the illuminator recess  27  is exposed to the power source cavity  25 . 
     The power source cavity  25  is sized to receive the power source. As seen in  FIGS. 4 and 11 , the power source cavity  25  opens to the rear end  26  of the frame  22  and is selectively closed by a cavity cap  34 . The cavity cap  34  allows the power source cavity  25  to be selectively opened and closed without interfering with the firearm  10 , or requiring removal of the frame  22  from the firearm. 
     The sizing of the power source cavity  25  is at least partially determined by the capacity of a given available battery size. With current battery capacities, one configuration of the target illuminating assembly  20  and integrated clamp (with the laser module  60 ) employs two AA batteries. However, it is understood that any of a variety of battery configurations can be employed, at least partially determined by intended operating environment and desired interval of operation between battery changes. 
     The barrel receiving channel  29  is sized to slidably receive a length of the barrel  14 . As seen in  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11 , the barrel receiving channel  29  encircles at least ¼ (25%), and in one configuration about ⅓ (33%), and in a further configuration at least approximately ½ (50%) of the periphery of the barrel  14 . That is, in one configuration, the barrel receiving channel  29  encompasses the (outer) diameter of the barrel  14 . The barrel receiving channel  29  can be sized to avoid exerting a clamping or restrictive force on the barrel  14 , but rather capture the diameter of the barrel within the channel. Thus, the barrel  14  cannot be removed through the open top portion of the barrel receiving channel  29 , but rather must be slid out an end of the barrel receiving channel. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 , the frame  22  also at least partially defines a controller cavity  35 . The controller cavity  35  is sized to receive a controller  50 , and a driver circuit  70 , wherein the driver circuit is configured to operate the target illuminator  40  as well as the laser module  60 . It is understood, a cover  36  can be employed with the frame  22  to enclose or define the controller cavity  35 . An advantage of employing the cover  36  in combination with the frame  22  to enclose the controller cavity is that access to the electrical components such as the controller  50  and the driver circuit  70 , can be achieved without removing the integrated clamp and target illuminator  20  from the firearm  10 . Thus, repairs or upgrades can be readily accomplished without (re)moving the power source, the target illuminator  40  or the laser module  60 , as well as allowing the frame  22  to remain affixed to the firearm  10 . 
     The frame  22  can be formed of any of a variety of rigid material such as composites, laminates, plastics or metals. In one configuration, the frame  22  is formed of an extruded aluminum, thereby providing sufficient strength without adding significant weight to the firearm. However, it is understood the frame  22  could also be machined such as by EDM (electrical discharge machining) or molding if composites, laminates, plastics or even metals are employed for the frame. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  12  and  13 , an end plate  110  can operably engage the rear end  26  of the frame  22 . Generally, the end plate  110  has a cross sectional profile corresponding to a cross sectional profile of the frame  22 . In addition, as seen in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the end plate  110  can include a mounting tab  112  for engaging a portion of the laser module  60 . 
     It is also understood the frame  22  can define a laser recess sized to receive the laser module or a laser emitter, wherein the laser recess can be closed with a corresponding laser lens cap  39 . 
     The target illuminator  40  is at least partially disposed within the illuminator recess  27 . The target illuminator  40  includes a light emitting element  42  and a reflector  44 . 
     Although any of a variety of light emitting elements  42  can be employed, such as traditional filament, or bulb devices, a preferred light emitting element includes a solid-state device such as a light emitting diode (LED). The use of solid-state light emitting elements reduces the number of moving parts and removes glass, Mercury, gases and filaments from the device. Thus, the solid state device the components are less likely to rupture, shatter, leak or contaminate. It has been found that solid-state light emitting elements, such as LEDs, can provide an average of 70% of an initial intensity after 50,000 hours of operation. The solid-state light emitting elements do not suddenly cease to function, but rather gradually degrade in performance over time. Thus, there is no surprise or sudden loss of illumination which could disadvantage the operator. A satisfactory light emitting element  42  has been found to be an LED sold by Lumileds Lighting of California under the trademark Luxeon. 
     It is understood that a single solid-state light emitting element or a plurality of such elements can be employed in a variety of arrangements or arrays. 
     The reflector  44  is configured to direct light emitted from the light emitting element  42  generally parallel to the axis of the barrel  14 . While the light emitting elements  42  can be oriented to provide a generally directional light, it is often advantageous to employ a reflector to assist in generating a directed illuminating beam. Depending upon the specific light emitting elements  42  and the desired illumination pattern, the reflector  44  can have any of a variety of configurations including parabolic, bell or conical. 
     It is also understood the target illuminator  40  can include a lens cap  46  to connect to at least one of the reflector or the frame to protect the light emitting elements. The lens cap  46  can include a transparent window  48  such as plastic or glass, wherein the window may assist in focusing of the beam, or merely be a generally neutral optical element. 
     In one configuration, a majority of the reflector  44  (and the light emitting element  42 ) is disposed within the illuminator recess  27 . That is, the frame  22  substantially encloses, and hence protects the reflector  44  and the light emitting element  42 . In one configuration, at least half, and preferably approximately 75% of the reflector  44  is disposed within the illuminator recess  27 . The lens cap  46  can overlay the exposed portion of the reflector  44 . Alternatively, if the reflector  44  is at least substantially disposed within the illuminator recess  27  or entirely within the illuminator recess, the lens cap  46  can substantially close the illuminator recess. 
     In one configuration, the target illuminator  40  is selected to provide sufficiently bright illumination at an anticipated distance of a target, so as to allow for temporary disabling, blinding or disorientation of a human target. That is, the target illuminator  40  can be used to temporarily blind (flash blind—the impairment of vision resulting from an intense flash of light, including temporary or permanent loss of visual functions and may be associated with retinal burns) a human target, or if flashed at a certain to rate, disorient the target to allow the target to be disarmed or disabled, without requiring discharge of the firearm  10 . The effect of such light on a human target is often referred to as dazzle—the temporary loss of vision or a temporary reduction in visual acuity. 
     The laser module  60  is connected to the frame  22  as seen in  FIGS. 4-6  and  9 , and provides the laser sight. The frame  22  includes a concave surface and the laser module  60  includes a mating convex surface as particularly shown in  FIG. 9 . The laser module  60  includes a module housing  62  which defines a recess  63  into which a laser  64  is disposed. Typically, the laser  64  is self-contained and includes a lens, such that the laser is operably disposed within the recess of the module housing. However, it is understood a separate laser lens cap can be employed to engage the module housing. 
     In a further configuration, the laser module  60  can include a hologram  66  located to be in the path of the emitted coherent light from the laser. The hologram  66  can be constructed to provide any of a variety of patterns such as shotgun pattern, or spread pattern. Thus, the hologram  66  when illuminated can define a visual representation of the spread and thereby allows the operator, as well as a target, to readily assess coverage of the shotgun pattern. 
     As seen in  FIG. 14 , the laser module  60  (by means of the module housing  62 ) defines a cross sectional periphery, wherein a portion of the periphery of the laser module (module housing) mates with a corresponding surface of the frame  22 . Further, the mounting tab  112  of the end plate is sized to seat the cross sectional profile of the laser module. 
     The controller  50  can be any of a variety of microprocessors, either dedicated to the target illuminating assembly  20 , or programmed to provide the desired performance characteristics. The controller  50  can be a separate component communicating with the driver circuit  70 . Alternatively, the controller  50  and the driver circuit  70  can be combined into a single substantially integral component or processor. 
     Further, the controller  50  can include, or cooperate with a transceiver  54  for receiving and transmitting data, wherein the data may include instructions or codes. The transceiver  54  can be any and a variety of commercially available transceivers. Alternatively, the transceiver  54  can cooperate with the target illuminator  40  and include a photodiode for sensing a modulation of a proximal target illuminator (LED light  42 ), wherein data transmission can be accomplished by a rate modulation of the target illuminator superimposed over a relatively low frequency pulse of the target illuminator used to disorient a target. 
     The driver circuit  70  is operably connected to the target illuminator  40  (the light emitting elements  42 ), the power source and the laser module  60  (the laser  64 ). The driver circuit  70  is constructed to allow operation of the target illuminator  40  in a steady state, while simultaneously operating the laser  64  in a pulsed mode such as on the order of approximately 10 cycles per second, or a continuous mode. In one configuration, the driver circuit  70  allows the separate and individual operation of the target illuminator  40  or the laser  64 , as well as the combined operation, wherein either of the target illuminator or the laser can be in a continuous or pulsed mode. 
     The driver circuit  70  can also cooperate with the frame  22 , when formed of a conductor such as aluminum, so that the frame forms a portion of the driver circuit. 
     Actuation of the driver circuit  70  can be accomplished by any of a variety of on-off mechanisms such as buttons, switches or levers, which can be located on the frame  22 , or spaced from the frame by wireless interconnection or tethered interconnection. The driver circuit  70  can cooperate with colored bulbs or LEDs to indicate the status of the target illuminator and laser. Further, the driver circuit  70  can provide an indication of available capacity of the power source, such as batteries, by a predetermined light or flash pattern. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , the driver circuit  70  for the laser  64  such as a laser diode, and the target illuminator  40 , particularly the light emitting elements  42 , such as an LED, is shown in schematic form. The driver circuit  70  includes a terminal for connecting the circuit to the power source, such as a battery. A second terminal provides a ground connection and a field effect transistor is connected between the second ground terminal and circuit ground to protect the driver against damage caused by reversing the polarity of the battery. 
     A voltage detector consisting of a transistor and a voltage detector module is connected to a red light emitting diode which is illuminated when the voltage falls below a pre-selected value. Preferably, feedback is provided through a transistor and an RC timing circuit to the base of the first transistor so that the light emitting diode blinks as the voltage is reduced, the rate of blinking increasing as the voltage becomes lower and finally increasing to the point where the light emitting diode is on continuously. 
     The laser sight laser diode has its anode connected to the battery and its cathode connected to a field effect control transistor that regulates the current through the laser diode. In one configuration, the laser diode is part of a removable module that also includes a detector diode optically coupled to the laser diode for measuring the intensity of the light output of the laser diode. The detector diode is connected to a switchable bank of resistors which are connectable in parallel by a purality of jumpers which can be formed as solder bridges on a printed circuit board for setting the current through the laser diode and therefore its nominal intensity. 
     The detector diode is connected in a feedback circuit by way of a controlling transistor to the gate of the field effect transistor. The collector of the controlling transistor is connected to the output of a pulse generator which preferably generates pulses at a rate of about 10 hertz and a duty cycle of about 50%. The feedback circuit insures that as the battery voltage decreases and/or the output of the laser diode  64  decreases over time, the light output of the laser diode  64  remains substantially constant. 
     A problem associated with pulsing a laser diode  64  on and off is that the battery voltage is affected by the relatively large current drawn by the laser diode. This causes the light emitting element  42  in the target illuminator  40  (target illuminator LED) to flicker at a rate corresponding to the flash rate of the laser diode. An anti-flicker transistor and a load element are connected in parallel with the laser sight diode  64  and controlled by a transistor which operates as an inverter so that when the laser sight diode is off, the load element is connected and the power drawn from the battery is essentially constant and a flicker of the target illuminator LED  42  caused by the flashing of the laser diode is substantially eliminated. Thus, the driver circuit  70  provides substantially constant illumination by the target illuminator  40 , independent of the status (operating state) of the laser sight, and particularly the laser diode  64 . That is, the driver circuit  70  causes a steady illumination of the target illuminator  40  substantially independent of the power draw of the laser sight. 
     The current to the target illuminator LED  42  is maintained substantially constant by a field effect transistor configured as a constant current source connected in series with the target illuminator LED and driven by a driver transistor. The driver transistor is in turn driven by a comparator coupled in feedback circuit relationship with the target illuminator LED  42  to maintain the current through the target illuminator LED essentially constant. In this manner, as the battery voltage decreases, the current does not change and the light output of the light emitting element  42  of the target illuminator (the target illuminator LED) remains essentially constant. 
     It is further contemplated the driver circuit  70  can include a timing or pulsing component for allowing a selective on/off of the target illuminator  40  and specifically the target illuminating element (LED)  42 . That is, the target illuminator  40  can be flashed or pulsed at a variety of rates. For example, one of the rates of illumination for the target illuminator  40  can be selected to disorient or daze a human target. Typical illumination rates for such disorientation are approximately 4 Hz to approximately 60 Hz. Such capacity for pulsing or flashing the target illuminator  40  can be incorporated within the driver circuit  70 , or through the controller  50 . 
     In addition, the controller  50  and/or the driver circuit  70  can be programmed to synchronize flashing of the target illuminator  40  in a predetermined manner with the target illuminator of a second target illuminating assembly  20 . Thus, a plurality of target illuminating assemblies  20  can be synchronized to flash or pulse the respective target illuminators  40  at a common time or a given sequence or pattern. For example, the controllers  50  (or the driver circuits  70 ) can be programmed to allow for alternative flashing patterns such as sequentially, random or sub groupings. 
     Coordination of a plurality of target illuminating assemblies  20  can also be provided by each assembly having a designated master or slave setting for the controller  50 . In the master setting or mode, the controller  50  will send signals to any other assembly  20  within the vicinity, wherein the control signals provide at least one of a flash rate, timing or sequence for the corresponding target illuminators  40 . The slave setting or mode of the controller  50  will require the associated controller to follow or respond to control signals from a master controller. Thus, the slaved target illuminating assembly  20  will effectively lock on to the illumination pattern of the master target illuminating assembly. 
     The control signals from the transceiver  54  can be in the form of superimposed pulsations or modulations of the target illuminator  40 . Alternatively, the control signals between assemblies  20  can be any of a form of commercially available wireless protocols, including infrared, ultrasonic or microwave. The transceiver  54  is selected to be compatible with the respective control signal. 
     It is further contemplated that in the coordination of target illuminating assemblies  20  through a relatively high modulation rate superimposed over the low-frequency disorienting pulse of the target illuminators, the transmitted data can include a code corresponding to a serial number of the assembly  20  and the controllers  50  are programmed to designate the highest, the lowest or some other predetermined serial number to become the master assembly. The instructions can be received from a peer transceiver, wherein the peer transceiver can then assume a master or slave relation to the given assembly  20 . The remaining assemblies  20  assume a slave state and the master assembly  29  communicates to the slaved assemblies in the vicinity as to the particular pulse or flash sequencing of the target illuminator  40  or the laser sight. 
     In operation, the frame  22  is slid over the terminal ends of the magazine tube  12  and the barrel  14 , so that the clamping sleeve  23  receives the magazine tube, and the barrel-receiving channel receives the barrel. Upon locating the desired length, typically the entire length of the frame  22 , along a length of the magazine tube  12  and the barrel  14 , the clamping flanges  30  are drawn together so as to substantially fix the frame relative to the firearm  10 . 
     As the clamping sleeve  23  of the frame  22  encircles and clamps about the magazine tube  12  and the barrel receiving channel  29  encompasses the diameter of the barrel  14 , the frame functions as a stabilizing member fixing the relative positions of the magazine tube and the barrel. As the frame  22  can be cooperatively engaged with the magazine tube  12  adjacent or proximal to the free end of the magazine tube and can retain the barrel  14 , the rigidity of the magazine tube and barrel assembly can be substantially increased. 
     In one configuration, the frame  22  locates the target illuminator  40  within the horizontal footprint of the firearm  10 . That is, the target illuminator  40  is located between the top of the barrel  14  and the bottom of the magazine tube  12 . 
     In a further configuration, the frame  22  locates the laser module  60  within the horizontal footprint of the firearm  10 . That is, the laser module  60  is located between the top of the barrel  14  and the bottom of the magazine tube  12 . 
     In addition, as at least a majority of the target illuminator  40 , and particularly the reflector  44  is disposed within the illuminator recess  27 , the frame  22  protects the target illuminator thereby reducing unintended contact of the target illuminator with external structures. 
     As the integrated target illuminator and clamp  20  are located about an exterior of the magazine tube  12 , the capacity of the magazine tube is not reduced. 
     With respect to operation of the integrated target illuminating assembly  20  and integrated clamp, the controller  50  can be selected to pulse the target illuminator  40 , (and particularly the light emitting element  42 ) at a frequency which contributes to a disorientation disabling or temporary blinding of a human target. It is contemplated to flashing a solid-state LED light, such as the light emitting element  42  in the target illuminator  40 , at a frequency between approximately 4 Hz and 60 Hz. That is, upon viewing the pulsing target illuminator  40 , the human response is a temporary blindness or disorientation. Thus, an individual assembly  20  can assist a user in disabling a human target. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with a presently preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications and changes can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, which accordingly is intended to be defined by the appended claims.