Modular flashlight apparatus for firearm

• US 8,220,946 B1
• Filed: 03/26/2008
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
• Original Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
• Inventors: Teetzel, James W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Han, Jason Moon
• Application Number:
  US12/055,876
• Time in Patent Office: 1,574 Days
• Field of Search: 362110-114, 421/46, 892/00
• US Class Current: 362/110
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 27/00 Accessories; Details or attachments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/35 for illuminating the target , e.g. flash lights
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/003 Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a flashlight apparatus including a base module having a mount adaptor mountable on a firearm, a modular headpiece attached to the base module, a power source module removably attached to the base module, and a light source module removably attachable to the headpiece.

Claims

1. A modular flashlight system for firearms, the modular flashlight system comprising:

a base module including a first housing enclosing an electrical circuit component, a first fastener adapted for removably securing said base module to a firearm accessory mounting rail, and a second fastener;

a modular headpiece removably attached to the base module;

a power supply module removably attachable to the base module, the power supply module including a second housing enclosing a power source and a third fastener, the third fastener adapted for a quick attachment to and removal from the second fastener, wherein the second and third fasteners include electrical contacts which cooperate to electrically couple the power source and said electrical circuit component when the power supply module is attached to the base module; and

a flashlight module removably attachable to said headpiece.

2. The modular flashlight system according to claim 1, further comprising:

said base module having a mounting member defining a receptacle for removably receiving at least a portion of said headpiece module.

3. The modular flashlight system according to claim 1, further comprising:

said electrical circuit component including a circuit board housed within said base module for electrically coupling said power supply module and said flashlight module.

4. The modular flashlight system according to claim 1, further comprising:

said flashlight module including an illumination light source and a laser light source.

5. The modular flashlight system according to claim 4, further comprising:

said illumination light source including one or more light elements, each light element selected from among an LED, an incandescent lamp, and combinations thereof.

6. The modular flashlight system according to claim 4, further comprising:

said illumination light source is selected from a visible light source, an IR light source, or combinations thereof.

7. The modular flashlight system according to claim 4, further comprising:

said laser light source selected from one or more visible laser light sources, IR laser light sources, or a combination thereof.

8. The modular flashlight system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a selector switch disposed on said first housing and electrically coupled to said electrical circuit component for selectively switching said flashlight module between strobe and continuous beam operation.

9. The modular flashlight system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a switch electrically coupled to the power supply module for selectively powering on and off the flashlight apparatus.

10. The modular flashlight system according to claim 1, further comprising:

said flashlight module including a variable light source having a plurality of light sources selected from one or more light-emitting diodes, one or more incandescent lamps, one or more laser light sources, and any combinations thereof.

11. The modular flashlight system according to claim 10, further comprising:

said plurality of light sources are selectable to produce light having a wavelength in a visible region, an IR region, or combinations thereof; and

a switch for selectively activating each one or more of said plurality of light sources.