Searchlight grip

• US 20060158884A1
• Filed: 01/11/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SureFire LLC (Surefire Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: SureFire LLC (Surefire Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Kim, Paul Y.
• Granted Patent: US 7,334,915 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/269
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 14/02 capable of hand-held use, e.g. inspection lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/406 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices

Abstract

A multi-position switched grip for a searchlight includes a two-ended hand-grip. Each end has a thumb-operable pushbutton switch. A person holds the grip between palm and fingers with thumb on one or the other switch. One end has a hinge to which are connected an electrical power receptacle and a lamp mount. The hinge has a release which is normally biased to lock the hinge in one or the other of two orientations relative to the grip body. Pressing the release inward unlocks the hinge and allows the stein to rotate between the two orientations. The switches are configured and electrically connected such that pressing either switch once and releasing it alternates the searchlight between the ON and OFF conditions.

Claims

1. A searchlight grip, comprising:

an elongated grip body;

a first end formed on said grip body and including a first actuator;

a second end formed on said grip body and including a second actuator and means for attaching a lamp to said grip body; and

means for connecting said first actuator and said second actuator to control illumination of a lamp that is attached to said body.

2. A searchlight grip as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said first actuator and said second actuator includes a push-button.

3. A searchlight grip as set forth in claim 2, wherein each said push-button is operatively connected to a switch and each said switch is operatively connected to said means for connecting.

4. A searchlight grip as set forth in claim 3, wherein each said switch is an electrical switch electrically connected to said means for connecting.

5. A searchlight grip as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for connecting is operatively connected in substantially the same manner to each of said first actuator and said second actuator.

6. A searchlight grip as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for attaching includes a stem rotatably connected to said second end and a lamp mount formed on said stem.

7. A searchlight grip as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said means for connecting includes an electrical circuit including a first power input, a second power input, a first power output, and a second power output;

said means for connecting is operable in an ON state wherein said first power input is electrically connected to one of said first power output and said second power output, and said second power input is connected to the other of said first power output and said second power output;

said means for connecting is operable in an OFF state, wherein at least one of said first power input and said second power input is electrically disconnected from both of said first power output and said second power output; and

a single operation of one of said first actuator and said second actuator causes said means for connecting to alternate from one to the other of said ON state and said OFF state.

8. A searchlight grip as set forth in claim 7, wherein each of said first actuator and said second actuator includes a push-button.

9. A searchlight grip as set forth in claim 8, wherein each said push-button is operatively connected to a switch and each said switch is operatively connected to said means for connecting.

10. A searchlight grip as set forth in claim 9, wherein each said switch is an electrical switch electrically connected to said means for connecting.

11. A searchlight grip as set forth in claim 7, wherein said means for attaching includes a stem rotatably connected to said second end and a lamp mount formed on said stem.

12. A searchlight, comprising:

a grip body;

a lamp portion operatively coupled to said grip body; and

a hinge pin movably disposed through said grip body and through said lamp portion,

said hinge pin having a first position, wherein said hinge pin rotationally fixes said lamp portion to said grip body,

said hinge pin having a second position, wherein said lamp portion is rotatable relative to said grip body.

13. A searchlight as set forth in claim 12, wherein said hinge pin is biased in said first position and displaceable to said second position responsive to applied pressure.

14. A searchlight as set forth in claim 12, wherein:

one of said lamp portion and said grip body has a tongue,

the other of said lamp portion and said grip body has a yoke, and

said tongue is disposed in said yoke.

15. A searchlight as set forth in claim 14, wherein:

said hinge pin is disposed through said tongue and said yoke, and

said hinge pin cooperates with said tongue and said yoke to define an axis of rotation of said tongue relative to said yoke.

16. A searchlight as set forth in claim 15, wherein:

said hinge pin is rotationally fixed relative to said yoke, and

said hinge pin is movable, parallel said axis of rotation, relative to said yoke, between said first position and said second position.

17. A searchlight as set forth in claim 16, wherein said hinge pin is biased in said first position and displaceable to said second position responsive to applied pressure.

18. A searchlight as set forth in claim 12, including a push-button located on said grip body and proximate said hinge pin, said push-button being operatively coupled to said lamp portion for controlling said lamp portion.

19. A searchlight comprising:

an elongated grip body;

a first end formed on said grip body and including a first switch actuator;

a second end formed on said grip body and including a second switch actuator;

a searchlight head including a lamp coupled to said second end of said grip body; and

a circuit connecting said first switch actuator, said second switch actuator and said searchlight head for controlling illumination of said lamp when a power source is connected in said circuit.

20. A searchlight as set forth in claim 19, wherein each of said first switch actuator and said second switch actuator is pushbutton operable.

21. A searchlight as set forth in claim 19, including a selectively actuable mechanism pivotally coupling said head to said second end in at least two alternative angular positions of said head with respect to said grip.

22. A searchlight as set forth in claim 21, wherein each of said first switch actuator and said second switch actuator is pushbutton operable.