Firearms with target illuminators, electric switching devices and battery power sources

• US 6,345,464 B1
• Filed: 01/13/1999
• Issued: 02/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SureFire LLC (Surefire Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: SureFire LLC (Surefire Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Kim, Paul Youngcho, Matthews, John Wallace
• Primary Examiner(s): Ark, Darren W.
• Application Number:
  US09/229,915
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: 421/03, 362/110, 362/114, 200/518, 200/520, 200/529, 200/298, 200/552, 200/336, 200/564, 200/568, 200/569, 200/572-574, 429/96, 429/99, 429/100, 429/123, 429/159, 206/703, 206/704, 206/705
• US Class Current: 42/114
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/35 for illuminating the target , e.g. flash lights

Abstract

Apparatus for firing projectiles at targets and for illuminating such targets include a projectile-firing elongate weapon having a fore-end structure and a target illuminator on that fore-end structure in a first quadrant between a vertical plane and a horizontal plane longitudinally through such elongate weapon in a firing position of that weapon. Additionally or alternatively, a target illuminator may include a housing in one piece with part of the fore-end structure. An electric lamp assembly for target illuminators, flashlights or other light sources has a support structure, a bezel structure on that support structure, and a shock-absorbed reflector structure inside that bezel structure. Such shock-absorbed reflector structure includes a reflector having a focal point, a first shock absorber between that reflector and the support structure and a second shock absorber between the bezel structure and that reflector. An electric light source has a luminous portion maintained on the focal point in the reflector by corresponding transverse and longitudinal luminous portion positioners at the light source and the shock absorbed reflector. An electric battery is composed of individually jacketed battery elements and a battery elements carrier of one or more compartments into which such battery elements are individually insertable side by side with all like terminals of such battery elements being on the same side in the or each compartment. A rotary switch has a self-contained electric ON/OFF switch having a projecting actuator, an angularly moveable actuator knob separate from that self-contained electric ON/OFF switch and projecting actuator, and a force-transmitting coupling from such angularly moveable actuator knob to the actuator of the electric ON/OFF switch. A rocker switch has a bistable rocker device including a pair of toggles and a pivoted rocker arm between that pair of toggles alterable between a stable OFF position and an alternative stable ON position.

Claims

1. In apparatus for firing projectiles at targets and for illuminating said targets, including a projectile-firing weapon, the improvement comprising in combination:

a target illuminator disposable on said weapon; and

an electrical switching device for said target illuminator comprising a self-contained electric ON/OFF slide switch having a projecting actuator, an angularly moveable actuator knob separate from said self-contained electric ON/OFF switch and projecting actuator, and a force-transmitting coupling from said angularly moveable actuator knob to said actuator of said electric ON/OFF switch including an angular motion-to-translatory motion converter.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, including:

a housing for at least part of an electric battery; and

a battery terminal contact connected to said electric ON/OFF switch.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1, including:

a housing for at least part of an electric battery;

a first battery terminal contact in said housing connected to said electric ON/OFF switch; and

a separate second battery terminal contact in said housing.

4. In apparatus for firing projectiles at targets and for illuminating said targets, including a projectile-firing weapon, the improvement comprising in combination:

a target illuminator disposable on said weapon; and

a switch for actuation of said target illuminator, said switch being a rocker switch including a bistable rocker device alterable between a stable OFF position and an alternative stable ON position, and having a first manually engageable actuator for said OFF position, and a spaced manually engageable second actuator for said ON position, said bistable rocker device including a pivoted rocker arm-and-toggle combination including a pair of bistable toggles.

5. Apparatus as in claim 4, wherein:

said first and second actuators have differently structured tangible surfaces.

6. Apparatus as in claim 5, wherein:

one of said first and second actuators has a tangible convex surface; and

the other of said first and second actuators has a tangible concave surface.

7. In apparatus for firing projectiles at targets and for illuminating said targets, including a projectile-firing weapon, the improvement comprising in combination:

a target illuminator disposable on said weapon; and

a switch for actuation of said target illuminator, said switch being a rocker switch including a bistable rocker device alterable between a stable OFF position and an alternative stable ON position, and having a first manually engageable actuator for said OFF position, and a spaced manually second actuator for said ON position, said bistable rocker device including a pair of bistable toggles and a pivoted rocker arm between said pair of bistable toggles.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein:

said first and second actuators have differently structured tangible surfaces.

9. Apparatus as in claim 8, wherein:

one of said first and second actuators has a tangible convex surface; and

the other of said first and second actuators has a tangible concave surface.

10. In apparatus for firing projectiles at targets and for illuminating said targets, including a projectile-firing weapon having an elongate barrel, the improvement comprising in combination:

a fore-end structure disposable on said weapon;

a target illuminator on said fore-end structure including a housing and positioned above and laterally of said barrel when said fore-end structure is disposed on said weapon in a firing position of said weapon; and

an electrical switching device for said target illuminator comprising a self-contained electric ON/OFF slide switch having a projecting actuator, an angularly moveable actuator knob separate from said self-contained electric ON/OFF switch and projecting actuator, and a force-transmitting coupling from said angularly moveable actuator knob to said actuator of said electric ON/OFF switch including an angular motion-to-translatory motion converter.

11. Apparatus as in claim 10, wherein:

said target illuminator includes a housing in one piece with part of said fore-end structure.

12. Apparatus as in claim 10, wherein:

said projectile-firing elongate weapon is manufactured with a standard fore-end structure; and

said fore-end structure disposable on said weapon is a replacement of said standard fore-end structure.

13. Apparatus as in claim 10, wherein:

said housing contains at least part of an electric battery and a battery terminal contact connected to said electric ON/OFF switch.

14. Apparatus as in claim 10, wherein:

said housing contains at least part of an electric battery, a first battery terminal contact connected to said electric ON/OFF switch, and a separate second battery terminal contact.

15. In apparatus for firing projectiles at targets and for illuminating said targets, including a projectile-firing weapon having an elongate barrel, the improvement comprising in combination:

a fore-end structure disposable on said weapon;

a target illuminator on said fore-end structure and positioned above and laterally of said barrel when said fore-end structure is disposed on said weapon in a firing position of said weapon; and

a rocker switch for actuation of said target illuminator on said fore-end structure, said rocker switch including a bistable rocker device alterable between a stable OFF position and an alternative stable ON position, and having a first manually engageable actuator for said OFF position, and a spaced manually engageable second actuator for said ON position, said bistable rocker device including a pivoted rocker arm-and-toggle combination.

16. In apparatus for firing projectiles at targets and for illuminating said targets, including a projectile-firing weapon having an elongate barrel, the improvement comprising in combination:

a fore-end structure disposable on said weapon;

a target illuminator on said fore-end structure and positioned above and laterally of said barrel when said fore-end structure is disposed on said weapon in a firing position of said weapon; and

a rocker switch for actuation of said target illuminator on said fore-end structure, said rocker switch including a bistable rocker device alterable between a stable OFF position and an alternative stable ON position, and having a first manually engageable actuator for said OFF position, and a spaced manually engageable second actuator for said ON position, said bistable rocker device including a pivoted rocker arm-and-toggle combination including a pair of bistable toggles.

17. Apparatus as in claim 16, wherein:

one of said first and second actuators has a tangible convex surface; and

the other of said first and second actuators has a tangible concave surface.

18. Apparatus as in claim 16, wherein:

said projectile-firing elongate weapon is manufactured with a standard fore-end structure; and

said fore-end structure disposable on said weapon is a replacement of said standard fore-end structure.

19. Apparatus as in claim 16, wherein:

said first and second actuators have differently structured tangible surfaces.

20. Apparatus as in claim 19, wherein:

one of said first and second actuators has a tangible convex surface; and

the other of said first and second actuators has a tangible concave surface.

21. Apparatus as in claim 16, wherein:

said target illuminator includes a housing in one piece with part of said fore-end structure.

22. In apparatus for firing projectiles at targets and for illuminating said targets, including a projectile-firing weapon having an elongate barrel, the improvement comprising in combination:

a fore-end structure disposable on said weapon;

a target illuminator on said fore-end structure and positioned above and laterally of said barrel when said fore-end structure is disposed on said weapon in a firing position of said weapon; and

a rocker switch for actuation of said target illuminator on said fore-end structure, said rocker switch including a bistable rocker device alterable between a stable OFF position and an alternative stable ON position, and having a first manually engageable actuator for said OFF position, and a spaced manually engageable second actuator for said ON position, said bistable rocker device including a pair of toggles and a pivoted rocker arm between said pair of toggles.

23. In apparatus for firing projectiles at targets and for illuminating said targets, including a projectile-firing weapon having an elongate barrel, the improvement comprising in combination:

a fore-end structure disposable on said weapon;

a target illuminator on said fore-end structure and positioned above and laterally of said barrel when said fore-end structure is disposed on said weapon in a firing position of said weapon; and

a rocker switch for actuation of said target illuminator on said fore-end structure, said rocker switch including a bistable rocker device alterable between a stable OFF position and an alternative stable ON position, and having a first manually engageable actuator for said OFF position, and a spaced manually engageable second actuator for said ON position, said bistable rocker device including a pair of bistable toggles and a pivoted rocker arm between said pair of bistable toggles.

24. Apparatus as in claim 23, wherein:

said first and second actuators have differently structured tangible surfaces.

25. Apparatus as in claim 24, wherein:

one of said first and second actuators has a tangible convex surface; and

the other of said first and second actuators has a tangible concave surface.

26. In apparatus for firing projectiles at targets and for illuminating said targets, including a projectile-firing weapon, the improvement comprising in combination:

a target illuminator disposable on said weapon;

a power source combined with said target illuminator, said power source being a removable electric battery of individually jacketed battery elements each having an individual positive terminal and an opposite individual negative terminal;

said battery including a battery elements carrier having a positive common terminal and a separate negative common terminal;

said individually jacketed battery elements individually insertable side by side into said carrier, with the individual positive terminals of said battery elements being at a first side of said carrier, and the individual negative terminals of said battery elements being at an opposite second side of said carrier, and said individually jacketed battery elements non-destructively individually removable from said carrier; and

electrical circuitry interconnecting said individual terminals between said positive and negative common terminals.

27. Apparatus as in claim 26, wherein:

said carrier is laterally open for removal and insertion of said individually jacketed elements.

28. Apparatus as in claim 26, including:

a further common terminal at one of said sides of said carrier; and

an electric circuit interconnecting said further common terminal with one of said terminals.

29. Apparatus as in claim 26, including:

a switch for actuation of said target illuminator on said fore-end structure.

30. Apparatus as in claim 29, wherein:

said switch is a momentary switch.

31. Apparatus as in claim 29, wherein:

said switch is an ON-OFF switch.

32. Apparatus as in claim 31, wherein:

said switch has a releasably continuous ON position.

33. Apparatus as in claim 29, wherein:

said switch is a rocker switch including a bistable rocker device alterable between a stable OFF position and an alternative stable ON position, and having a first manually engageable actuator for said OFF position, and a spaced manually engageable second actuator for said ON position.

34. Apparatus as in claim 33, wherein:

said first and second actuators have differently structured tangible surfaces.

35. Apparatus as in claim 34, wherein:

one of said first and second actuators has a tangible convex surface; and

the other of said first and second actuators has a tangible concave surface.

36. Apparatus as in claim 33, wherein:

said bistable rocker device includes a rocker arm, and

said first and second actuators have differently structured tangible surfaces on said rocker arm.

37. Apparatus as in claim 36, wherein:

one of said first and second actuators has a tangible convex surface; and

the other of said first and second actuators has a tangible concave surface.

38. Apparatus as in claim 33, wherein:

said bistable rocker device includes a pivoted rocker arm-and-toggle combination including a pair of bistable toggles.

39. Apparatus as in claim 33, wherein:

said bistable rocker device includes a pair of bistable toggles and a pivoted rocker arm between said pair of bistable toggles.

40. Apparatus as in claim 26, wherein:

said carrier is laterally open on at least three sides for removal and insertion of said individually jacketed elements.

41. Apparatus as in claim 40, wherein:

said individually jacketed elements are radially inserted from said three sides in said carrier.

42. Apparatus as in claim 26, wherein:

one of said positive common terminal and negative common terminal is at one side of said carrier;

the other of said positive common terminal and negative common terminal is at an axially opposite side of said carrier;

a further common terminal at one of said sides of said carrier; and

an electric circuit interconnects said further common terminal with one of said terminals.

43. Apparatus as in claim 26, further including a fore-end structure disposable on said weapon, and wherein said target illuminator is on said fore-end structure and includes a housing in one piece with part of said fore-end structure.

44. Apparatus as in claim 43, wherein:

said fore-end structure has an upper fore-end; and

said housing of said target illuminator is in one piece with said upper fore-end.

45. Apparatus as in claim 44, wherein:

said weapon includes a weapon sight; and

said target illuminator is laterally offset from said sight.

46. In an electrical switching device, the improvement comprising in combination:

a rocker switch having a watertight housing, said rocker switch including a bistable rocker device including a pair of bistable toggles and a pivoted rocker arm between said pair of bistable toggles with a pair of compression springs respectively acting upon said bistable toggles alterable between a stable OFF position and an alternative stable ON position, and having a first manually engageable actuator for said OFF position and a spaced manually engageable second actuator for said ON position.

47. Apparatus as in claim 46, wherein:

said rocker arm has longitudinal bores accommodating said compression springs.

48. Apparatus as in claim 46, wherein:

said watertight housing is sealed by an elastomeric enclosure.

49. Apparatus as in claim 48, wherein:

said elastomeric enclosure has first and second switch actuators.

50. Apparatus as in claim 49, wherein:

said first and second actuators have differently structured tangible surfaces.

51. Apparatus as in claim 50, wherein:

one of said first and second actuators has a tangible convex surface; and

the other of said first and second actuators has a tangible concave surface.

52. In an electric battery of individually jacketed battery elements each having an individual positive terminal and an opposite individual negative terminal, the improvement comprising in combination:

a battery elements carrier having a positive common terminal and a separate negative common terminal and being laterally open on at least three sides for removal and insertion of said individually jacketed elements;

said individually jacketed battery elements individually insertable side by side into said carrier from said at least three sides in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said carrier, with the individual positive terminals of said battery elements being at a first side of said carrier, and the individual negative terminals of said battery elements being at an opposite second side of said carrier, and said individually jacketed battery elements nondestructively individually removable from said carrier; and

electrical circuitry interconnecting said individual terminals between said positive and negative common terminals.

53. An electric battery as in claim 52, wherein:

said individually jacketed elements are radially inserted from said at least three sides in said carrier.

54. An electric battery as in claim 52, wherein:

one of said positive common terminal and negative common terminal is at one side of said carrier,

the other of said positive common terminal and negative common terminal is at an axially opposite side of said carrier;

a further common terminal at one of said sides of said carrier; and

an electric circuit interconnects said further common terminal with one of said terminals.