Patent Publication Number: US-2013235562-A1

Title: Handgun illumination device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention disclosed herein relates generally to the field of illumination devices for handguns. More specifically, the invention relates to a trigger-activated illumination device for a handgun that can be mounted to an end of a handgun magazine. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Armed conflicts frequently occur at night in low light situations. Criminals often prefer to commit crime under the cover of darkness to protect their anonymity and to give them the element of surprise. For a handgun user to defend against threats in low light situations, the handgun user must be able to see a target and identify the target as a threat. This identification requires a source of light. 
     Many handgun users respond to the need for illumination by carrying a flashlight. These handgun users usually hold their handgun in one hand and use the other hand to hold the flashlight. However, this technique has many downsides. First, because these handgun users can only hold the handgun with one hand, they have a less stable grip on their handgun, causing their accuracy to diminish. For example, this technique would prevent the standard two-handed grip commonly utilized by law enforcement officers. Second, it takes these handgun users time to find and deploy their flashlight. During this time these handgun users are not fully defended against the threat of an assailant. Third, these handgun users may not have their flashlight near their handgun at all times, or they may have their flashlight nearby but not be able to locate it in the heat of the moment. Furthermore, these handgun users may have their flashlight nearby in a known location—such as a bedside table—but accidentally knock their flashlight to the floor when trying to retrieve it. 
     Other handgun users respond to the need for illumination by attaching a light to the barrel of a handgun. However, this technique also has many downsides. For example, barrel-mounted lights generally prevent a handgun from fitting into a holster. In addition, attaching a light to the barrel may interfere with the handgun user&#39;s ability to aim the gun by altering the weight of the barrel. Also, barrel-mounted lights frequently are equipped with flashlights that have to be turned on and off using a rear push button. With the flashlight on, the handgun user becomes a target to an assailant until the handgun user can turn the flashlight off. 
     SUMMARY 
     Based on at least the foregoing, an illumination device for a handgun is needed that enables a handgun user to hold the handgun with either two hands on the handgun or one hand on the handgun and the other hand free. Furthermore, an illumination device for a handgun is needed that takes a handgun user minimal time to find and deploy. In addition, an illumination device for a handgun is needed that does not disturb the balance of a handgun. Also, an illumination device for a handgun is needed that does not prevent the handgun from fitting into a holster. Furthermore, an illumination device for a handgun is needed that can be quickly turned on and off by the handgun user without taking a hand off of the handgun. 
     In some embodiments, an illumination device for a handgun comprises a housing configured to mount to a handgun magazine, an illumination device within the housing, and an illumination trigger, wherein the illumination trigger is configured to activate the illumination device when the illumination trigger is pressed. 
     In some embodiments, an illumination device for a handgun comprises a base portion configured to mount to a handgun magazine, a housing connected to the base portion, wherein the housing is rotatable with respect to the base portion, an illumination device within the housing, and an illumination trigger, wherein the illumination trigger is configured to activate the illumination device when the illumination trigger is pressed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an illumination device for a handgun and a handgun. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an illumination device for a handgun. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of an illumination device for a handgun. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view an illumination device for a handgun. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the illumination device and rotatable adapter knob for an illumination device for a handgun. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of an illumination device for a handgun shown mounted to a handgun magazine. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a handgun and a rotatable illumination device for a handgun in which the illumination device is shown in a position to direct light at an angle to an axis of a barrel of the handgun. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a rotatable illumination device for a handgun in which the illumination device is shown in a position to direct light parallel to an axis of a barrel of the handgun. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     To facilitate a complete understanding of the disclosure, the remainder of the detailed description describes the disclosure with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers are referenced with like numerals throughout. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of an illumination device for a handgun and a handgun. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a handgun  100  includes a handle or grip  110 , a handgun trigger  120 , a barrel  130 , a muzzle  140 , a rear sight  150 , and a front sight  152 . The grip  110  can have an open interior for receiving a magazine through a butt  112  at a base end of the grip. The magazine includes a base portion positioned adjacent the butt  112  of the grip when the magazine is fully inserted into the grip  110 . The magazine base portion typically is approximately rectangular in shape. 
     In some embodiments, an illumination device  200  can be mounted to the base portion of a handgun magazine. When the magazine is fully inserted into the grip  110 , the illumination device  200  is attached to the handgun  100  adjacent the butt  112  of the grip. The illumination device  200  can include a housing  210 , an illumination trigger  220 , an illumination device  230 , a rotatable adapter knob  234 , and attachment screws  240  and  242 . 
     The housing  210  can provide a secure enclosure for an illumination device  230 . For example, the housing  210  should be designed to protect the illumination device  230  in a hostile combat environment. In a preferred embodiment, the housing  210  comprises aluminum. 
     The housing  210  can include attachment screws  240  for mounting the housing  210  to the base portion of the handgun magazine. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment screws  240  are set screws. The attachment screws  240  pass through holes in the housing  210  and are tightened against the base portion of the handgun magazine. In other embodiments, other structures may be used to mount the housing  210  to the base portion of the handgun magazine, or the two may be integral. 
     Although the illumination device  200  can be detached from the handgun magazine if needed, preferably the illumination device  200  remains mounted to the base portion of the handgun magazine. After a handgun user empties a magazine of ammunition, the handgun user can remove the magazine from the grip  110  and use the illumination device  200  as a hand-held trigger-activated tactical light, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the illumination device  200  can include an illumination trigger  220  for turning the illumination device  230  on and off. As a handgun user presses the illumination trigger  220 , the illumination device  230  can turn on. As a handgun user releases the illumination trigger  220 , the illumination device  230  can turn back off. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the illumination device  230  only remains on when the handgun user holds down the illumination trigger  220 . In other embodiments, the illumination device  230  turns on when a handgun user presses down the illumination trigger  220  a first time and remains on until the handgun user presses down the illumination trigger  220  a second time. Alternatively, holding down the illumination trigger  220  could turn the light off. 
     The sensitivity of the of the illumination trigger  220  to the applied trigger force can be adjusted using the rotatable adapter knob  234 . The rotatable adapter knob  234  can be knurled to allow hands or fingers to get a better grip on its surface. As the rotatable adapter knob  234  is turned counter clockwise, an increased trigger force can be required to activate the illumination device  230 . An increased trigger force setting can be useful in situations in which the handgun user wishes to avoid accidentally activating the illumination device  230  and revealing the handgun user&#39;s location to an adversary. 
     As the rotatable adapter knob  234  is turned clockwise, a decreased trigger force can be used to activate the illumination device  230 . A decreased trigger force setting can be useful when a handgun user wishes to be able to activate the illumination device  230  reliably with minimum applied force. For example, a handgun user frequently may use his or her pinky finger to apply force to the illumination trigger  220 . Because the pinky finger does not have as much strength as other fingers, a decreased trigger force setting may be desired. In addition, a decreased trigger force setting allows a handgun user to activate the illumination device  230  with little effort while maintaining precise aim on a target. 
     In some embodiments, if the handgun user continues to turn the rotatable adapter knob  234  clockwise, the illumination device  230  will turn on and remain on even if the handgun user is not holding the illumination trigger  220 . This continuously-on setting may be useful when a handgun user wishes to illuminate a scene for longer periods of time. In addition, the continuously-on setting may be useful when a handgun user wishes to use the illumination device  230  as a distress beacon or to send an SOS signal. 
     In preferred embodiments, the illumination device  230  can include a twist-type flashlight. The illumination device  230  turns on when an electrical circuit is completed between it and a battery. The battery can be received within a bore in the rotatable adapter knob  234 . There are at least two ways in which the electrical circuit can be completed between the illumination device  230  and the battery to turn on the illumination device  230 . First, a handgun user can press the illumination trigger  220 , thereby physically pressing the illumination device  230  back into the battery until a circuit is completed. An attachment screw  242  secures the illumination device  230  as the illumination trigger  220  is depressed. Second, a handgun user can rotate the rotatable adapter knob  234  clockwise, thereby advancing the battery towards the illumination device  230 . 
     Any type of light source can be provided in the illumination device  230 . For example, in preferred embodiments, the illumination device  230  comprises an LED light source. In alternative embodiments, the illumination device  230  comprises an incandescent light source. LED light sources usually shine brighter and consume less power compared with incandescent light sources. 
     Whether an LED light source, incandescent light source, or other light source is provided, the light source should produce enough light to enable identification of a threat. An advantage to using a light source with higher light output is that the higher light output may stun or blind a target. However, an advantage to using a light source with less light output is that a handgun user may be able to avoid being seen by a target. 
     In preferred embodiments, the illumination device  230  is a flashlight that conforms to the ANSI/NEMA FL-1 specification and has rated values for light output, runtime, peak beam intensity, beam distance, water resistance, and impact resistance. For example, in some embodiments, the illumination device  230  can be chosen from the following models: the Olight i1, the 4 sevens Quark mini 123, the 4 sevens Quark miniX 123, and the Fenix E15. 
     The illumination device  230  can include a controller. The controller can enable selection of different illumination modes. For example, illumination device  230  can include a low output mode, a medium output mode, and a high output mode. 
     In a low output mode, the illumination device  230  can provide a handgun user with enough light to see where he or she is going and to locate objects such as door knobs, but not enough light to make a handgun user the target. In one example of a low output mode, 1.2 lumens of light output are provided. In the low output mode, less light output of the illumination device  230  is provided. However, battery life is longer in the low output mode. 
     In a medium output mode, the illumination device  230  can provide a handgun user with enough light to see where a potential target is located and to determine whether the potential target is a friend or foe. In one example of a medium output mode, 45 lumens of light output are provided. 
     In a high output mode, the illumination device  230  can provide a handgun user with blinding light at close range and full illumination at 30 or more feet. In one example of a high output mode, 210 lumens of light output are provided. In the high output mode, the maximum light output of the illumination device  230  can be provided. However, the high output mode results in the shortest battery life of any output mode. 
     A controller of an illumination device  230  can also enable the selection of other illumination modes. For example, other illumination modes include those that may be useful if a handgun user is wounded, trapped, or just needs assistance. These illumination modes include a strobe mode, an SOS mode, a high beacon mode, and a low beacon mode. 
     In a strobe mode, the illumination device  230  rapidly blinks on and off, creating a stroboscopic effect. In an SOS mode, the illumination device  230  blinks the international Morse code distress signal comprising three short, three long, and three short light flashes. In a high beacon mode, the illumination device  230  sequentially blinks on and off at a high output mode, but blinks at a reduced frequency compared to the strobe mode. In a low beacon mode, the illumination device blinks sequentially among the high output mode, medium output mode, and low output mode. As such, the low beacon mode conserves more battery power than the high beacon mode. 
     The illumination device controller can be configured so that a handgun user can switch or rotate between illumination modes by pressing the illumination trigger  220 . For example, in one preferred sequence, pressing the illumination trigger  220  causes the illumination device controller to sequence in the following order of illumination modes: (1) a low output mode, (2) a medium output mode, (3) a high output mode, (4) a strobe mode, (5) an SOS mode, (6) a high beacon mode, and (7) a low beacon mode. 
     In addition, the illumination device controller can be configured so that the sequence of illumination modes are reset whenever the handgun user releases the trigger for more than about a couple of seconds. For example, if a handgun user presses the illumination trigger  220  twice in relatively quick succession, the second press of the illumination trigger  220  can cause the medium output mode to be displayed. However, if a handgun user waits more than a couple of seconds after releasing the illumination trigger  220  before pressing it a third time, the illumination device controller can cause the low output mode to be displayed again, rather than the high output mode. By defaulting to the low power mode, the illumination device controller protects a handgun user from accidentally alerting a target of his or her location by using a higher output mode than intended. 
     In preferred embodiments, the illumination device  230  utilizes a lithium battery in order to provide high light output intensity and long battery life. For example, a 3V CR123A Lithium battery rated at 1500 mAh may be utilized. In other embodiments, the illumination device  230  may utilize any other type of battery. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of an illumination device  200  for a handgun. The illumination device  200  includes a housing  210 , an illumination trigger  220 , and a rear illumination adaptor ring  234 , as shown with respect to  FIG. 1 . In addition, the illumination device  200  comprises an illumination trigger flexure slot  222 , a connector  224 , a front illumination adaptor ring  232 , and a magazine base adapter portion  250 . 
     The illumination trigger flexure slot  222  comprises a thin region of space between the front of the illumination device  200  and the main body of the housing  210 . Although in some embodiments the illumination trigger flexure slot  222  is visible when the illumination device is viewed from a side, the illumination trigger flexure slot  222  does not necessarily have to be visible. The illumination trigger flexure slot  222  provides a space in which the illumination trigger  220  can be pulled back. When pulled back, the illumination trigger can cause the illumination device to contact the battery and turn on. 
     The connector  224  provides a connection between the front of the illumination device  200  and the main body of the housing  210 . The height of the connector  224  should be thick enough so that the illumination device  200  is structurally sound while thin enough so that the illumination trigger  220  can be pulled back. 
     The front illumination adapter ring  232  provides a protective structure around the front of the illumination device  230 . The front illumination adapter ring  232  preferably can be made of metal. 
     The housing  210  includes a magazine base adaptor portion  250 . The magazine base adaptor portion  250  can be fashioned to snugly mate with the base portion of the handgun magazine. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of an illumination device  200  for a handgun. Illumination trigger mounting surface  224  is provided where the illumination trigger  220  can be mounted. Alternatively, the illumination trigger  220  can be formed as a single structural piece that extends as part of the housing  210 . 
     Surface  252  is a top surface of the magazine base adapter portion, surface  254  is a side wall of the magazine base adapter portion, and surface  256  is a bottom surface of the magazine base adapter portion. Together, surfaces  252 ,  254 , and  256  are designed to snugly fit with the base portion of the handgun magazine. In some embodiments, clearance slot  260  provides an indentation in surface  256 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of an illumination device  200  for a handgun. The front portion of the housing  212  can surround an illumination reflector surface  270 . The reflector surface  270  can be varied to provide the desired beam pattern. For example, the reflector surface  270  can be stippled to produce a floody pattern. Alternatively, the reflector surface  270  can be very smooth in order to have a precisely focused beam pattern. In addition, the reflector surface  270  can be mildly stippled to produce a relatively tightly focused beam. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of only the illumination device  230  and rotatable adapter knob  234 . The illumination adapter ring  234  comprises a bore which receives a battery. The battery can be positioned to touch or nearly touch the illumination device  230 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of an illumination device  200  for a handgun shown mounted to a handgun magazine. In particular,  FIG. 6  illustrates the illumination device  200  mounted to a handgun magazine  160 , but detached from the handgun. In this configuration, the illumination device  200  can be used as a trigger activated tactical light. This configuration can be used when the magazine  160  is empty or loaded, with all of the same features as when the magazine  160  is inserted into the gun. In this configuration, a user could use his or her index finger on the trigger much like a gun. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of a handgun and a rotatable illumination device for a handgun in which the illumination device is shown in a position to direct light at an angle to an axis of a barrel of the handgun. 
     In some embodiments, the illumination device  200  is positioned to direct light parallel to an axis of a barrel of the handgun, as shown in  FIG. 1 . This configuration, in which anything a handgun user illuminates also has the handgun pointed at it, can be helpful for tactical teams and the military working against enemy occupied areas. However, some handgun users do not necessarily want to point the barrel of the handgun in the direction of potential targets before the target is identified. For example, a civilian investigating a potential target in the living room may prefer to illuminate a potential target before pointing the gun at the target. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a rotatable illumination device  300 . The rotatable illumination device comprises a housing  310 , illumination trigger  320 , and illumination device  330  that correspond to the same components in the illumination device  200 . The illumination device  300  further comprises a base portion  314  configured to mount to the base portion of a handgun magazine. For example, the base portion  314  can be configured to use set screws to attach to the base portion of a handgun magazine. 
     In some embodiments, attachment screw  340  serves as a hinge that connects the housing  310  to the base portion  314 . This configuration allows the housing to be rotatable between a first position in which the illumination device  330  is configured to direct light parallel to an axis of a barrel of the handgun and a second position in which the illumination device  330  is configured to direct light at an angle to the axis of the barrel of the handgun. In some embodiments, the second position in which the illumination device  330  is configured to direct light is at a 45 degree angle to the axis of the barrel of the handgun. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of a rotatable illumination device  300  for a handgun in which the illumination device  330  is shown in a first position to direct light parallel to an axis of a barrel of the handgun. Rotatable adapter knob  234  can be turned so the light is permanently on or off regardless of the use of the illumination trigger  220 . 
     The features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Although this invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, including embodiments which do not provide all of the benefits and features set forth herein, are also within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined only by reference to the appended claims.