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

• US 7,584,569 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2005
• Issued: 09/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LMD Applied Science LLC
• Original Assignee: LaserMax Incorporated
• Inventors: Allen, Michael W., Wolinski, Jeffrey S., Kolbet, Robert J., Kallio, Robert A, Houde-Walter, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weber; Jonathan C
• Application Number:
  US11/207,418
• Publication Number:
  US 20070039225A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,481 Days
• Field of Search: 42/90, 421/13, 421/14, 421/17, 421/23, 421/24, 421/31, 421/32
• US Class Current: 42/117
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/35 for illuminating the target , e.g. flash lights
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/001 Means for mounting tubular or beam shaped sighting or aiming devices on firearms

Abstract

A magazine tube and barrel clamp with integral target illuminator, wherein a laser module can be incorporated is provided for a firearm having a magazine tube and a barrel. The frame defines a clamping sleeve for substantially encircling the magazine tube and a barrel receiving channel for receiving a diameter of the barrel, wherein the magazine tube and the barrel are thus fixed in a predetermined spacing. The frame further defines an illuminator recess for receiving a substantial portion of a reflector in the target illuminator, thereby shielding the target illuminator from contact with external surfaces. A driver circuit is retained within the frame to selectively operate the target illuminator and a laser sight, wherein the target illuminator can be a solid-state light emitting device.

Claims

1. A target illuminator assembly for a firearm having a barrel, the assembly comprising:

a frame cooperatively engaging the barrel;

a target illuminator connected to the frame, the target illuminator including light emitting element; and

a controller operably connected to the target illuminator, the controller pulsing the target illuminator, wherein the controller includes a master mode and a slave mode wherein the controller is capable of communication with a second controller on a second firearm.

2. The target illuminator assembly of claim 1, wherein the light emitting element is a laser.

3. The target illuminator assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a driver circuit.

4. The target illuminator assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a clamping sleeve for cooperatively engaging the barrel.

5. The target illuminator assembly of claim 1, light emitting element is a solid state emitter.

6. The target illuminator assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a driver circuit, the driver circuit selected to provide a simultaneous constant target illumination and pulsed coherent light.

7. The target illuminator assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a clamping sleeve for cooperatively engaging the barrel, the clamping sleeve including a pair of spaced clamping flanges for varying a circumference of the clamping sleeve.

8. The target illuminator assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame is electrically conductive and electrically couples a battery compartment to the controller.

9. The target illuminator assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a driver circuit connected to the target illuminator and a laser sight, the driver circuit providing substantially constant illumination of the target illuminator independent of a power draw of the laser sight.

10. A target illuminator assembly comprising:

a frame cooperatively engaging the barrel;

a target illuminator connected to the frame, the target illuminator including light emitting element; and

a controller operably connected to the target illuminator, the controller pulsing the target illuminator;

a second frame cooperatively engaging a second barrel;

a second target illuminator connected to the second frame, the second target illuminator including second light emitting element; and

a second controller operably connected to the second target illuminator, the second controller in operable communication with the controller.

11. The target illuminator assembly of claim 10, wherein the target illuminator includes a laser.

12. The target illuminator assembly of claim 10, wherein the controller includes a driver circuit.

13. The target illuminator assembly of claim 10, wherein the frame includes a clamping sleeve for cooperatively engaging the barrel.

14. The target illuminator assembly of claim 10, target illuminator is a solid state emitter.

15. The target illuminator assembly of claim 10, wherein the controller includes a driver circuit, the driver circuit selected to provide a simultaneous constant target illumination and pulsed coherent light.

16. The target illuminator assembly of claim 10, wherein the frame includes a clamping sleeve for cooperatively engaging the barrel, the clamping sleeve including a pair of spaced clamping flanges for varying a circumference of the clamping sleeve.

17. The target illuminator assembly of claim 10, wherein the frame is electrically conductive and electrically couples a battery compartment to the controller.

18. The target illuminator assembly of claim 10, wherein the controller includes a driver circuit connected to the target illuminator and a laser sight, the driver circuit providing substantially constant illumination of the target illuminator independent of a power draw of the laser sight.