Patent Publication Number: US-2023134871-A1

Title: Magazine attached illuminating device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims priority under 35 U.S. Code, Section 119 on the provisional application numbered 63/274,030 filed on Nov. 1, 2021, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field of the Invention 
     Present invention relates to illuminating devices in firearms, and, more particularly, to a magazine attached illuminating device. 
     Related Prior Arts 
     Illuminating devices or flashlight devices generally used with firearms (weapons mounted light) for aligning a flashlight beam relative to a line of sight of the firearms or tool when pointing toward a target, so that the beam and line of sight intersect at a predetermined range. 
     However, it has long been hazarding in peril for the weapons mounted light to force the end-user to point the muzzle of the firearm exactly where they are illuminating. With conventional lights that are weapon mounted and substantially centered with the muzzle center access bore, it is impossible to identify a target and then point the muzzle at a potential target. 
     Further, such flashlight systems may not be effective and even be dangerous where law enforcement, home security or any end user are not aiming or willing to point the firearm to innocent people or other objects to destroy or shoot. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for an illuminating device or a magazine attached illuminating device that is operatively configured to fit within the firearm, where the light from the illuminating device is pointed towards the object or towards the innocent people, whereby making it conducive to position of the firearm in a compressed high ready position where otherwise having the muzzle pointed upward with a lower probability of “muzzling” or otherwise pointing the firearm that innocent people or other objects the end-user is not willing to destroy or shoot. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the above objects, in one aspect, a magazine attached illuminating device for a firearm having a magazine is provided. The magazine attached illuminating device may include a prime illuminator to throw light on an object. The prime illuminator defines a center of throw of the light, and luminescent dispersion from the light. The magazine attached illuminating device is configured to be attached to a bottom of the magazine. The magazine with the magazine attached illuminating device is configured to be inserted in a magazine insert of the firearm. The center throw of light from the prime illuminator is configured to be vertically lower from a bore axis that extends longitudinally through a geometric center of a muzzle of the firearm. 
     Further, the luminescent dispersion from the prime illuminator is configured to be pointing towards the object, and the muzzle of the firearm is configured to be directed away from the object, when the firearm is configured to be raised in a high ready position or in a compressed high ready position. 
     The throw of light may be between 30° to 160° in a lateral direction and approximately the same as in a vertical direction, and more preferably, between 90° and 120° in the lateral and vertical directions. 
     In further aspect, a magazine attached illuminating device for a firearm having a magazine is provided. The magazine attached illuminating device includes an illuminating device body, a prime illuminator, a switch member and a power source. The illuminating device body is configured to be attached on a bottom of the magazine. The prime illuminator is attached to a front end of the illuminating device body to throw light on an object. The prime illuminator defines a center of throw of the light, and luminescent dispersion from the light. The switch member is attached to a rear end, opposite to the front end, of the illuminating device body to turn the magazine attached illuminating device on and off. The power source is provided in the illuminating device body to power the prime illuminator, upon actuation of the switch member. A center throw of light from the prime illuminator is configured to be vertically lower from a bore axis extending longitudinally through a geometric center of a muzzle of the firearm. the luminescent dispersion from the prime illuminator is configured to be pointing towards the object and the muzzle of the firearm is configured to be directed away from the object, when the firearm is configured to be raised in a high ready position or in a compressed high ready position. 
     In an embodiment, the illuminating device body includes an attaching arrangement, a base region and an attaching cap. The attaching arrangement is provided to detachably attach the magazine attached illuminating device to the bottom of the magazine. The base region is provided to be rounded and configured to not be extended very far from a lower edge of the firearm to have a compressed and rounded corner. The attaching cap is provided to be detachably coupled to the illuminating device body. 
     In an embodiment, the prime illuminator includes Light Emitting Diodes (LED). The prime illuminator protrudes outwards from the illuminating device body, and is angled with respect to the illuminating device body. The throw of light of the prime illuminator may be between 30° to 160° in a lateral direction and approximately the same as in a vertical direction, and more preferably, between 90° and 120° in the lateral and vertical directions. 
     In an embodiment, the switch member includes a switch, and a ridge coupled to the switch and operatively engages with the power source via a power circuit. In one arrangement, the switch is a sliding switch to be slid vertically downward and vertically upward to move the ridge. The ridge is moved forward when the sliding switch is slid vertically upward to close the power circuit with the power source to turn on the prime illuminator. Further, the ridge is moved backward when the sliding switch is slid vertically downward to disengage the power circuit with the power source to turn on the prime illuminator. In one another arrangement, the switch is a pivoting switch to be rotated to a first orientation and to a second orientation to move the ridge. The rotation enables the ridge to move forward to close the power circuit with the power source to turn on the prime illuminator, and to move backward to disengage the power circuit with the power source to turn on the prime illuminator. 
     In one further aspect, a magazine for a firearm is provided. The magazine includes a magazine attached illuminating device attached on a bottom of the magazine. The magazine attached illuminating device includes a prime illuminator to throw the light on an object. The prime illuminator defines a center of throw of the light, and luminescent dispersion from the light. The center throw of the light from the prime illuminator is configured to be vertically lower from a bore axis that extends longitudinally through a geometric center of a muzzle of the firearm. The luminescent dispersion from the prime illuminator is configured to be pointing towards an object and the muzzle of the firearm is configured to be directed away from the object, when the firearm is configured to be raised in a high ready position or in a compressed high ready position. 
     The magazine includes a magazine body whereby the magazine attached illuminating device is retrofitted. The magazine body may include bullet slots configured to receive bullets. The magazine attached illuminating device is attached on the bottom of the magazine body by replacing a conventional base plate of the magazine, and wherein a base region of the magazine attached illuminating device is rounded and configured to not be extended very far from a lower edge of the firearm to have a compressed and rounded corner. 
     The magazine body may be without bullet slots wherein the magazine is attached illuminating device is attached on the bottom to be used as flashlight, and wherein a base region of the magazine attached illuminating device is rounded and configured to not be extended very far from a lower edge of the firearm to have a compressed and rounded corner. 
     In one further aspect, a firearm includes a magazine to be received in a magazine slot; and a magazine attached illuminating device attached on a bottom of the magazine. The magazine attached illuminating device includes a prime illuminator to throw the light on an object, wherein the prime illuminator defines a center of throw of the light, and luminescent dispersion from the light. The center throw of the light from the prime illuminator is configured to be vertically lower from a bore axis that extends longitudinally through a geometric center of a muzzle of the firearm. Further, the luminescent dispersion from the prime illuminator is configured to be pointing towards an object and the muzzle of the firearm is configured to be directed away from the object, when the firearm is configured to be raised in a high ready position or in a compressed high ready position. The throw of light may be between 30° to 160° in a lateral direction and approximately the same as in a vertical direction, and more preferably, between 90° and 120° in the lateral and vertical directions. 
     This together with the other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, is pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forms a part of the present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specified object attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  illustrate a side view and a side perspective view of a firearm and a magazine attached illuminating device attached to a magazine to be inserted in the firearm, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , respectively, illustrate side and front views of the firearm and the magazine with the magazine attached illuminating device inserted in the firearm, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3 A  illustrates a magazine attached illuminating device attached to a magazine, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3 B  illustrates an enlarged view of the magazine attached illuminating device attached to a magazine, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3 C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the magazine attached illuminating device attached to a magazine, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  4 A- 4 C  illustrate disassembled view of a magazine attached illuminating device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  illustrate perspective views of a magazine attached illuminating device depicting a switching arrangement, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5 C  illustrates a switching arrangement, in accordance with second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a firearm and a magazine with a magazine attached illuminating device used by an end-user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For a thorough understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the following detailed description, including the appended claims, in connection with the above-described drawings. Although the present invention is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 
     The terms, “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , there are shown a magazine attached illuminating device  20  operatively configured to be attached with a magazine  22  to be inserted in a firearm  24 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Further, as can be seen in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the magazine attached illuminating device  20  operatively attached with the magazine  22  is inserted in a magazine insert cavity  26  of the firearm  24 . The firearm  20  generally defined and orientated by way of referencing an axis system  10 , as shown in the forward portion of  FIG.  2 A . The axis system  10 , as shown, is used to generally orientate and describe the components of the firearm  20  with respect to one another without being necessarily confined to one particular orientation. The axis system  10  has a longitudinal axis  12 , where the arrow of the longitudinal axis  12  points in a longitudinally forward direction and the diametrically opposed direction is generally referred to as a longitudinally rearward direction. The axis system  10  also includes a vertical axis  14  that is generally aligned in what is referred to as a “vertical direction” or otherwise referred to as an upper direction. As further shown in  FIG.  1   , an axis substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis  12  and to the vertical axis  14  is defined as a lateral axis indicating a lateral direction. As further described herein, components of the firearm  20  may rotate about a “lateral axis” meaning any lateral axis on the firearm  20  which can define lateral rotation. Again, such orientations and rotations are not absolute and for example could be degrees off in any of the other orthogonal directions but generally denote a direction to aid the description of the disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C,  4 A- 4 C and  5 A- 5 C  to describe the magazine attached illuminating device  20 . The magazine attached illuminating device  20  may include an illuminating device body  28 , a prime illuminator  30 , a switch member  32  and a power source  34 . The illuminating device body  28  may be configured to be attached on a bottom  22   a  of the magazine  22 . The prime illuminator  30  may be attached to a front end  28   a  of the illuminating device body  28  to throw light on an object, wherein such throw of light defines its center, referred to as a “center throw of light” as shown in  FIG.  6    by numeral  36 , and the light from the prime illuminator  30  also defines the luminescent dispersion that is directed towards the object, and shown in  FIG.  6    by numeral  38 . Further, the switch member  32  is attached to a rear end  28   b , opposite to the front end  28   a , of the illuminating device body  28  to turn the magazine attached illuminating device  20  on and off. The power source  34  is provided in the illuminating device body  28  to power the prime illuminator  26 , upon actuation of the switch member  30 . In one arrangement, the power source  34  may be provided in the illuminating device body  28  between the prime illuminator  26  and the switch member  28 . 
     The magazine attached illuminating device  20  is operatively configured to fit on the magazine  22 , as shown in  FIG.  1 A , and also seen in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C . The magazine  22  is configured to fit within the firearm  24 , as shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , and  FIG.  6   . The magazine  22  may include a magazine body  22   b , whereby the magazine attached illuminating device  20  may be retrofitted. In one embodiment, the magazine  22  may be a conventional design readily available in the market where the magazine attached illuminating device  20  is configured to fit there on the bottom  22   a  of the magazine body  22   b  by replacing the conventional base plate. In one embodiment, the illuminating device body  28  may include an attaching arrangement  40  to detachably attach the magazine attached illuminating device  20  to the bottom  22   a  of the magazine  22 . The illuminating device body  28  may also include a base region  42 , which may be rounded and configured to not be extended very far from a lower edge  24   a  of the firearm  24  to have a compressed and rounded corner. The particularly advantageous of such design of the lower edge  24   a  of the firearm  24  is to have a compressed and rounded corner area that does not “print” in plain clothes in particular when the end-user is carrying the entire assembly  1  including the firearm  24 , the magazine  22  and the magazine attached illuminating device  20  on their body, such as along an appendix carry. 
     The illuminating device body  28  may also include an attaching cap  44  to be detachably coupled to the illuminating device body  28 . 
     In one form, the magazine body  22   a  of the magazine  22  may include bullet slots configured to receive bullets, such as a conventional magazine. The magazine body  22   a  of the magazine  22  may also be without bullet slots, and when such magazine  22  includes the magazine attached illuminating device  20 , the overall assembly may be used by an end-user as a flashlight. 
     Further, the magazine attached illuminating device  20  has and LED which functions as the prime illuminator  30 . Of course, in other forms the prime illuminator  30  may be standard incandescent but LED technology has particular advantages of providing higher number of lumens and less heat production. The prime illuminator  30  protrudes outwards from the illuminating device body  28 , and may be angled with respect to the illuminating device body  28 , as seen in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . 
     The power source  28  may be a conventional battery such as a CR2 lithium battery. Further, the switch member  32  may include a switch  46 , and a ridge  48  coupled to the switch  46  and operatively engages with the power source  34  via a power circuit  50  to turn the magazine attached illuminating device  20  on and off. In one embodiment, the switch  46  may be a sliding switch, as seen in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , and in another embodiment, the switch  46  may be a pivoting switch, as seen in  FIG.  5 C . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , where the switch  46  is the sliding switch and indicated by numeral  52 . In such embodiment, the switch  52  may be slid vertically downward, as shown in  FIG.  5 A , and may be slid vertically upward, as shown in  FIG.  5 B . Such sliding action may enable pressing of the ridge  48  to turn the prime illuminator  30  ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’. For example, the ridge  48  may be moved forward when the sliding switch  52  is slid vertically upward to close the power circuit  50  with the power source  34  to turn ‘ON’ the prime illuminator  30 . Further, the ridge  48  may be moved backward when the sliding switch  52  is slid vertically downward to disengage the power circuit  50  with the power source  34  to turn on the prime illuminator  30 . Further, as shown in  FIG.  5 C , in another embodiment, the switch member  32  is the pivoting switch, as indicated by numeral  54 , to be rotated to a first orientation and to a second orientation to move the ridge  48 . The pivoting switch  54  may pivot from a first orientation, shown at  54 ′, to a second orientation, shown at  54 ″, whereby the rotation thereof has a similar bias in action as shown in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  to move the ridge  48  forward and backward to turn the prime illuminator  30  ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’. For example, the rotation of the pivoting switch  54  enables the ridge  48  to move forward to close the power circuit  50  with the power source to turn ‘ON’ the prime illuminator  30 , and to move backward to disengage the power circuit  50  with the power source  34  to turn ‘OFF’ the prime illuminator  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   , the end-user, as depicted by numeral  100 , may be grasping the firearm  24  in a high ready position or a compressed high ready position. In such orientation, a muzzle  24   b  of the firearm  24  is pointed upward presumably away from potential liabilities, such as innocent people but note the luminescent dispersion generally indicated at  38  allows for the front portion in front of the end-user  100  to be illuminated. It has long been hazarding in peril for weapons mounted light to force the end-user  100  to point the muzzle  24   b  exactly where they are illuminating. With conventional lights that are weapon mounted and substantially centered with an extended bore-axis  24   c  of the muzzle  24   b , it is impossible to identify a target and then point the muzzle  24   b  at a potential target. The current magazine attached illuminating device  20  last for clearing and search in a room in the orientation as shown in  FIG.  6   . 
     Further, what is also disclosed is a method of illuminating an area in front of the firearm  24  which is handled by an end-user  100 , and described in conjunction with  FIG.  6   . The magazine attached illumination device  20  is attached to the magazine  22  and the magazine  22  is operatively configured to fit within the magazine insert cavity  26  of the firearm  24 , such as a pistol. The prime illuminator  30  at the front end of the illuminating device body  28  throws light on an object, wherein the center throw of light, as depicted by numeral  36 , is vertically lower from the extended bore axis  24   c  that extends longitudinally through a geometric center of a muzzle  24   b  of the firearm  24 , whereby making it conducive to position the firearm  24  in a compressed high ready position where otherwise having the muzzle  24   b  pointed upward with a lower probability of “muzzling” or otherwise pointing the firearm  24  that innocent people or other objects the end-user  100  is not willing to destroy or shoot. Further, the end-user  100  has a strong hand  101  and a support hand  102  where the strong hand  101  may be grasping the firearm  24  and has a trigger finger  103  which is designated to pull the trigger  24   d  of the firearm  24 . The support hand  102  generally covers around the strong hand  101 . The support hand  102  may be effectively operate to turn ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ the prime illuminator  30  by covering the prime illuminator  30  with the support hand  102 . As shown by the hatched line  104  in  FIG.  6   , the support hand  102  may be slide down or lay and cover the prime illuminator  30  whereby quickly turning it ‘OFF’. This can be tactically very important for an end-user  100  who does not want to disclose their location, but rather, temporarily and quickly turn ‘OFF’ the prime illuminator  30  by simply covering the front portion of the prime illuminator  30  whereby the photons from the LED are absorbed by the palm area of the hand. If the light from the prime illuminator  30  is too bright and actually will illuminate red glow therefore in the most desirable form the light is of correct luminosity to be bright enough to illuminate a room, such as 15 yards out a very broad wide exposure to physically and psychologically allow the end-user  100  to open their eyes, vision and awareness to possible threats in the darkness. Further, the because the light from the prime illuminator  30  may be covered with the support hand  102  very quickly it should not be burnt if the LED is too hot by being too powerful and drawing too much energy from the power source  34 . 
     A mentioned above, the disclosure has an ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ switch, such as the switch  46 , in the rear end  28   b  and then one method of using the illumination technique is that if the end-user  100  has a first and second illumination devices, one on a magazine  22  in the firearm  24 , such as the pistol, and another one on the end-users&#39; body, as a backup magazine. Therefore, the end-user  100  may grab the backup magazine and use that just as a simple flashlight, such magazine may not include the bullet slots. In other words, the end-user  100  doesn&#39;t have to pull out their firearm  24  to illuminate an object or area which is clearly not a threat but they want to have better vision on in a little light situation. Further, in the event of a magazine change cause by running out of rounds or otherwise clearing a jam, the end user would have the prime illuminator  30  in the gun by way of inserting the second magazine. It should be noted the magazines  22  may be bullet slots that are filled with bullets just as a conventional magazine and the unit is adapted to be retrofitted to existing magazine bodies  22   b . The light can actually be turned ‘ON’ in the holster by way of flicking the switch member  32  (or sliding switch  52  or pivoting switch  54 ) which may be upward into the rear and then withdrawn from one hand, one hand is only available to the end-user  100 . 
     The throw of light can be between 30° to 160° in the lateral direction and approximately the same of the vertical direction. More preferred range would be between 90° and 120° of throw in the vertical and lateral directions. Also, the latest version is reasonably uniform when the user repositions from the compressed high ready to full presentation presenting the firearm  24  at a target amount of light variance is minimal on the target so not to distract the end user. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.