Abstract
A firearm illumination system that is selectively mounted to a firearm, includes an illumination device for emitting an illumination field. A mount housing incorporates a firearm coupling mechanism that is adapted for selectively coupling of the illumination device to a firearm. A swivel mechanism is coupled to the mount housing between the illumination device and the firearm coupling mechanism. The swivel mechanism defines an axis of rotation normal to the bore axis of the mounted firearm, for facilitating selective pivotal movement of an illumination axis of the illumination device above or parallel with, or below the bore axis of the firearm. In use, the illumination field is oriented within a search area by pivoting the illumination axis while orienting the firearm bore axis outside the search field. Upon threat identification, the firearm is brought to bear on it and the illumination axis is oriented parallel with the bore axis.
Claims
1. A method for illuminating a search area with a firearm-mounted illumination device, comprising: providing a firearm having a barrel that defines a bore axis and a muzzle at a distal tip thereof; providing an illumination device that emits an illumination field, which defines an illumination axis; coupling the illumination device to the firearm with a swivel mechanism whose axis of rotation is normal to the barrel bore axis; and illuminating a search area with the illumination device by pivoting the illumination device about the rotation axis of the swivel mechanism to orient the barrel bore axis and the muzzle of the firearm outside of the illumination area.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising pivoting the illumination device about the rotation axis of the swivel mechanism to orient the barrel bore axis and muzzle of the firearm barrel downwardly away from the illumination axis of the illumination device, out of the illumination area, while illuminating the search area.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising pivoting the illumination device about the rotation axis of the swivel mechanism to orient the barrel bore axis and muzzle of the firearm barrel upwardly away from the illumination axis of the illumination device, out of the illumination area, while illuminating the search area.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising gripping the illumination device while illuminating a search area, pivoting the illumination axis of the illumination device above the bore axis when orienting the barrel and muzzle downwardly out of the illumination area, or pivoting said illumination axis below said bore axis when orienting the barrel and muzzle upwardly out of the illumination area, and aligning said illumination axis parallel with said bore axis upon identification of an object in the illumination area that is potentially to be engaged with the firearm.
5. A firearm-mounted illumination system, comprising: a firearm having a barrel defining a bore axis and a muzzle at a distal tip of the barrel; an illumination device for emitting an illumination field, the illumination field defining an illumination axis; a mount housing coupled to the firearm; a swivel mechanism coupled to and oriented between the mount housing and the illumination device, the swivel mechanism defining an axis of rotation normal to the bore axis of the barrel, for facilitating selective pivotal movement of the illumination axis of the illumination device above or parallel with or below the bore axis of the firearm barrel.
6. The firearm-mounted illumination system of claim 5, the swivel mechanism selected from the group comprising: a mating journal and axle, and/or a cam slot and follower riding in the cam slot, and/or a clevis pin.
7. The firearm-mounted illumination system of claim 6, the swivel mechanism further comprising a biasing mechanism for resisting pivoting of the illumination device illumination axis relative to the bore axis.
8. The firearm-mounted illumination system of claim 7, the biasing mechanism selected from the group comprising a spring-loaded plunger and mating detent, and/or a pawl and ratchet, and/or a compression screw, and/or a tensioning screw; and/or opposing friction surfaces.
9. The firearm-mounted illumination system of claim 5, the mount housing having a firearm coupling mechanism for affixation of the housing to a the firearm, selected from the group comprising: a screw clamp, and/or adhesive tape, and/or cordage, and/or a cable tie, and/or a band of hook-and-loop closure material, and/or a band of elastic material, and/or interlocking male/female rail, and/or interlocking male stud/female aperture, and/or a screw, and/or a bolt, and/or a rivet, and/or a pin, and/or a push-type, spring-loaded release and/or magnets.
10. The firearm-mounted illumination system of claim 5, the illumination device integrally incorporated within the mount housing.
11. The firearm-mounted illumination system of claim 5, further comprising a standalone illumination device that is selectively coupled to the mount housing by an illumination coupling device.
12. The firearm-mounted illumination system of claim 11, the illumination coupling device selected from the group comprising: a screw clamp, and/or adhesive tape, and/or cordage, and/or a cable tie, and/or a band of hook-and-loop closure material, and/or a band of elastic material, and/or interlocking male/female rail, and/or interlocking male stud and female aperture, and/or a screw, and/or a rivet, and/or a pin, and/or a push-type, spring-loaded release and/or magnets.
13. A firearm illumination system adapted for selective mounting to a firearm, comprising: an illumination device for emitting an illumination field, the illumination field defining an illumination axis; a mount housing adapted for selectively coupling the illumination device to a firearm having a barrel defining a bore axis and a muzzle at a distal tip of the barrel; a firearm coupling mechanism adapted for affixation of the housing to the firearm, selected from the group comprising: a screw clamp, and/or adhesive tape, and/or cordage, and/or a cable tie, and/or interlocking male/female rail, and/or interlocking male stud/female aperture, and/or a screw, and/or a rivet, and/or a pin, and/or a push-type, spring-loaded release and/or magnets; and a swivel mechanism coupled to and oriented between the mount housing and the illumination device, whereupon after mounting of the firearm coupling mechanism to the firearm, the swivel mechanism defines an axis of rotation normal to the bore axis of the barrel, for facilitating selective pivotal movement of the illumination axis of the illumination device above or parallel with or below the bore axis of the firearm barrel.
14. The firearm illumination system of claim 13, the swivel mechanism selected from the group comprising: a mating journal and axle, and/or a cam slot and follower riding in the cam slot, and/or a clevis pin.
15. The firearm illumination system of claim 14, the swivel mechanism further comprising a biasing mechanism for resisting pivoting of the illumination device illumination axis relative to the bore axis.
16. The firearm illumination system of claim 15, the biasing mechanism selected from the group comprising a spring-loaded plunger and mating detent, and/or a pawl and ratchet, and/or a compression screw, and/or a tensioning screw; and/or opposing friction enhancement surfaces.
17. The firearm illumination system of claim 13, the illumination device integrally incorporated within the mount housing.
18. The firearm illumination system of claim 13, further comprising a standalone illumination device that is selectively coupled to the mount housing by an illumination coupling device.
19. The firearm illumination system of claim 18, the illumination coupling device selected from the group comprising: a screw clamp, and/or adhesive tape, and/or cordage, and/or a cable tie, and/or interlocking male/female rail, and/or interlocking male stud/female aperture, and/or a screw, and/or a rivet, and/or a pin, and/or a push-type, spring-loaded release and/or magnets.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] The exemplary embodiments described herein are further understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a firearm illumination system of the present disclosure, mounted on a forend of a firearm (here a rifle), showing general parallel alignment of an illumination axis of a mounted flashlight illumination device and a bore axis of the firearm;
[0019] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the firearm-mounted illumination system of FIG. 1, with the illumination axis pivoted above the firearm's bore axis so that the firearm muzzle is not aligned with the illumination field of the flashlight;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the firearm-mounted illumination system of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a top view of the illumination system of FIG. 3 being grasped by a user;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a view of a firearm user holding the firearm-mounted illumination system of FIG. 1, with the rifle in a low ready position, the rifle muzzle and bore axis pointed downwardly outside of the illumination field and search area of the flashlight;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a view of a firearm user holding the firearm-mounted illumination system of FIG. 1, with the rifle in an aimed-in position, the rifle muzzle and bore axis pointed parallel with the illumination axis of the illumination field, within the search area of the flashlight;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway, bottom view of a second embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a partial cutaway, bottom view of a third embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a partial cutaway, bottom view of a fourth embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system;
[0027] FIGS. 10 and 11 are respectively, a partial cutaway, bottom view and a back cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a back cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system, similar to that of FIG. 11;
[0029] FIGS. 13 and 14 are respectively, a partial cutaway, bottom view and a back cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system;
[0030] FIGS. 15 and 16 are respectively, partial cutaway bottom and side elevational views of an embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system whose mount housing forms a female portion of a railed track, with its mating, male portion coupled to the rifle forend with male T-stud on the male rail portion that in turn interlocks with a female aperture formed in the forend;
[0031] FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system that is mounted on the underside of a rifle forend;
[0032] FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system that is mounted on the underside of a handgun; and
[0033] FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectioned, elevational view of another embodiment of a firearm-mounted illumination system with a yoke-shaped coupling mechanism for retention of the illumination device.
[0034] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. The figures are not drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the invention can be utilized in a firearm illumination system that is selectively coupled to a firearm with a firearm coupling mechanism of the mount housing. When they are so coupled, an illumination device of the system selectively emits an illumination field, which is selectively pivoted about the swivel mechanism that is interposed between the mount housing and the illumination device, so that the bore axis of the firearm is oriented outside of the illumination field. More specifically, in some embodiments of this disclosure, selective pivotal movement of an illumination axis of the illumination device allows orientation of the firearm's bore axis parallel with, and/or above, and/or below an illumination axis established by the illumination device. In an exemplary method of use of the disclosed firearm illumination system, the firearm bore axis is oriented outside a desired search field (e.g., in a low ready and/or high ready position) while pivoting the illumination device relative to the firearm's bore axis, until the illumination field is coincident with the search area. If a threat is identified in the search area the illumination device is pivoted about its swivel pivot axis as the firearm bore axis and muzzle are moved from the ready position toward the illuminated potential threat; the illumination axis is now generally parallel with the firearm bore axis.
[0036] FIGS. 1-4 show a firearm illumination system 30 of the present disclosure that is mounted to a forend 32 of a rifle 34. The rifle 34 has a barrel 36 with a muzzle 38 from which discharged bullets exit the firearm, parallel with the barrel's bore axis 40. The principal subcomponents of the firearm illumination system 30 comprise a mount housing 42 oriented on the left side of the rifle forend 32, (typically for a right-handed shooter and reversed for a left-handed shooter), a firearm coupling mechanism 44 (e.g., adhesive tape), a swivel mechanism 46 (defining a pivotal axis of rotation 48 that is generally normal to the rifle barrel's bore axis 40), an illumination device (e.g., flashlight) 50, and an illumination coupling device (e.g., webbing) 52) for coupling the flashlight barrel 53 to the swivel mechanism 46. When the flashlight 50 is energized, its flashlight head 54 generates a generally concentric illumination field 56 about an illumination axis 58. The flashlight 50 is energized by an actuation button 60. In some embodiments, the actuation button comprises a pressure sensitive tape-type switch that is remotely coupled by conductive wire to a tail cap of the flashlight. The tape-type switch is typically coupled to the firearm within reach of one or more fingers of the user.
[0037] The swivel mechanism 46 is coupled to the mount housing 42 between the flashlight 50/illumination coupling device 52 and the firearm coupling mechanism 44. Mount housing 42 provides the structure to affix the swivel mechanism 46 and the attached flashlight 50 to the rifle forend 32. The swivel mechanism 46 enables selective pivotal movement P of the illumination axis 58 of the flashlight 50, about the swivel axis of rotation 48, in an arc above, or parallel with or below the bore axis 40 of the rifle 34. In some embodiments, pivotal movement of the flashlight is restricted in arc above or parallel with the bore axis. In other embodiments, pivotal movement of the flashlight is restricted in arc below or parallel with the bore axis. In some embodiments, pivotal movement above or below the bore axis is restricted to an arcuate range to prevent inadvertent pointing of the firearm muzzle in the direction of the firearm user's feet, head or any other body part.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, a right-handed firearm user 62 mounts the rifle 34 in known fashion, with the rifle butt touching the user's shoulder. The non-dominant, left, hand 64 grasps the flashlight barrel 53 for selectively pivoting the flashlight 50, and selectively energizes the flashlight by thumb pressure on the flashlight actuation button 60. A left dominant-hand user may choose to mount the firearm illumination system 30 on the right side of the rifle forend 32. In alternative embodiments disclosed herein, the firearm illumination system is mounted on the bottom side of the firearm to facilitate ambidextrous operation of the lighting system.
[0039] In FIG. 5, the user 62 is holding the rifle 32 in a muzzle 38 depressed, low ready position, visually scanning a search area in front of him. The depressed muzzle 38 orients the rifle's bore axis 40 toward the floor, well below the visual search area. The user 62 has pivoted the flashlight's illumination axis 58 above the rifle's bore axis 40 to orient the illumination field 56 within the visual search area. The user has full benefit of the flashlight's illumination field to search for any objects within the visual search area without pointing the rifle muzzle 38 at any non-threating persons and other objects, or in any unsafe directions, within the search field. In some embodiments, pivotal arcuate range of the swivel mechanism 46 is limited by a hard stop that will not allow muzzle 38 depression toward the feet of the user 62 or any other body part.
[0040] In FIG. 6, user 62 has identified a potential threat, and has pivoted the illumination axis 58 of the illumination system 30 to be generally parallel with the bore axis 40 of the rifle 30, as the rifle is brought to bear on the potential threat. Should the user choose to fire the rifle 32, he is in a proper firing position with the potential threat directly illuminated. Perhaps focusing the intense flashlight beam on the potential threat may cause disorientation, temporary blinding, and surrender of the suspect without the need to fire a shot.
[0041] While not shown, alternatively in some circumstances the user 62 may choose to orient the rifle's bore axis and muzzle upwardly towards the ceiling of a room, in a high ready position, for example if the user knows that innocent persons are in a room below the floor. Under such alternative circumstances, the user would orient the muzzle upwardly and pivot the flashlight's illumination axis below the rifle's bore axis. Should the user then choose to fire the rifle, the flashlight pivot axis is co-aligned in parallel with the rifle bore axis as the user assumes a prepared to fire position. In some embodiments, pivotal arcuate range of the swivel mechanism 46 is limited by a hard stop that will not allow upward muzzle 38 elevation toward the head of the user 62 or any other body part.
[0042] Compared with the illumination system 30 of the present disclosure, as shown in practical use in FIGS. 5 and 6, one cannot search an area with known, prior illumination systems that are always oriented parallel with a firearm muzzle and bore axis without risk of pointing a muzzle at other, non-threatening persons. In the past, a separate handheld flashlight needed to be used to illuminate a search area to avoid risk of pointing a fixed, firearm light that is parallel with the firearm's bore axis at non-threatening persons. However, use of a separate handheld flashlight for general visual searching requires use of one hand that would otherwise be used to hold the firearm, especially a shoulder weapon such as a rifle, shotgun, or submachine gun.
[0043] FIGS. 7-19 depict other embodiments of firearm-mounted illumination systems. All of the embodiments shown in those figures incorporate a flashlight illumination device 50 that defines an illumination axis 58, and a mount housing coupling the illumination device to a firearm (e.g., a rifle forend 32 or a pistol rail mount 206). The embodiments of FIGS. 7-19 all incorporate a swivel mechanism coupled to the mount housing between the flashlight 50 and the firearm, where the swivel mechanism defines an axis of rotation 48 that is oriented normal to the bore axis of the firearm. As in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-6, the respective swivel axis in each of the embodiments of FIGS. 7-19 facilitates selective pivotal movement of the illumination axis 58 of the flashlight 50 illumination device, in a pivoting arc P, above and/or parallel with, and/or below the bore axis of the firearm. In some embodiments, the swivel mechanism incorporates stops to limit arcuate pivotal range of the illumination device 50 to prevent inadvertent pointing of the firearm muzzle toward the firearm user.
[0044] In FIG. 7, the illumination system 70 has a mount housing 72. The firearm coupling mechanism for coupling the illumination system 70 to the rifle forend 32 comprises cordage 74, such as parachute cord. The swivel mechanism 76 comprises a rotatable shaft 77 with a screw 78 threaded into the corresponding shaft. The screw 78 establishes the pivotal axis of rotation 48 and functions as a biasing mechanism for resisting pivotal movement of the flashlight 50 relative to the rifle bore axis. Tightening the screw 78 compresses the shaft 77 against the mount housing 72. Therefore, biasing resistance is adjustable by advancing or retracting the screw 78. In FIG. 7, flashlight 50 is integral with the rotatable shaft 77 and is not intended to be separated from the shaft. In other embodiments the flashlight 50 is separable from the rotatable shaft 77.
[0045] In FIG. 8, the illumination system 80 includes a mount housing 82. Cable ties 84 comprise the coupling mechanism for coupling the mount housing to the rifle by wrapping them about forend 32. The swivel mechanism 86 comprises a rotatable shaft 87, having an axle portion 88 and thrust bearing 90 that ride within a journal 92 formed in the mount housing 82. The pivot resisting bias mechanism comprises a threaded screw tensioner 94 that selectively presses against the thrust bearing 90 to vary biasing force. This illumination system 80 is provided with an additional friction-type bias mechanism that comprises a pair of opposed abrasive washers 96 and 98 that rub against each other. The flashlight 50 is selectively removable from the rotatable shaft 87 by screw clamp 99; this clamp functions as an illumination coupling device. In other embodiments, the illumination coupling device comprises one or more of any of the following: adhesive tape, and/or cordage, and/or a cable tie, and/or a band of hook-and-loop closure material, and/or a band of elastic material, and/or interlocking male/female rail, and/or interlocking male stud and female aperture, and/or a screw, and/or a rivet, and/or a pin, and/or a push-type, spring-loaded release and/or magnets.
[0046] In FIG. 9, the illumination system 100 has a mount housing 102 that is coupled to the rifle forend 32 by rivets 103 passing through the housing and the forend. Rivets 103 function as a firearm coupling mechanism for the illumination system 100. The swivel mechanism 104 comprises a rotatable shaft 105 that is coupled to the mount housing 102 by a clevis pin 106, a washer 107 and a cotter pin 108. A mating male and female rail 109 functions as the flashlight 50 coupling device. Pin 109A is inserted through the rail 109 components to prevent their sliding separation. In some embodiments, the rail 109 male and female components are of similar construction to the rail components 168 and 170 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.
[0047] In FIGS. 10 and 11, the illumination system 110 has a mount housing 112 that is coupled to the rifle forend 32 by screws 114. Its swivel mechanism 116 comprises rotatable shaft 117, with a thrust bearing 118 that is retained within mount housing 112. A spring-loaded plunger assembly 120, incorporating spring 122 and plunger 124, is incorporated within and extends radially outwardly from the thrust bearing 118 circumference. The plunger 124 presses against a mating journal 125 formed in mount housing 112 and functions as an anti-rotational biasing element. In this illumination system 110 embodiment the journal surface incorporates three detents 126, 127 and 128 that function as three distinct rotational stops along the swiveling rotational arc P. Detent 126 aligns and maintains the flashlight illumination axis parallel to the bore axis of the rifle. Detents 127 and 128 set the extreme pivotal limits P for the flashlight 50 when the rifle muzzle is oriented outside of the illumination area while in high ready or low ready positions.
[0048] FIG. 12 shows an alternate embodiment illumination system 130 that substitutes pawl and ratchet anti-rotational biasing elements for the plunger 124 and detents 127, 128, 129 components of FIGS. 10 and 11. Mount housing 131 retains the thrust bearing 132. Ratchet teeth 133 are formed about a portion of the thrust bearing 132 outer circumference. Spring loaded pawl assembly 134, which comprises spring 135 and pawl 136, is retained within housing 131. Pawl 136 presses against the ratchet teeth 133 to provide anti-rotational biasing force against the thrust bearing 132. A detent 137 formed within the ratchet teeth 133 array maintains orientation of the flashlight's illumination axis parallel with the rifle's bore axis. Hard stops 138 and 140 at terminal circumferential ends of the ratchet teeth 133 array limit pivoting movement P of the flashlight at low ready and high ready rifle positions.
[0049] The illumination system embodiment 140 of FIGS. 13 and 14 incorporates a follower 147 and cam slot 148 to provide extreme rotational P limits for the flashlight 50 relative to the rifle bore axis and a detent 157 in the cam slot 148 for parallel alignment of the flashlight's illumination axis with the rifle bore axis. More particularly, mount housing 142 includes a swivel mechanism 114, similar to those shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 10-13, with a rotatable shaft 145 and thrust bearing 146. Follower 147 is a pin retained in and projecting away from the bottom end face of the thrust bearing 146. In some embodiments, the follower is spring loaded, similar to the spring-loaded plunger assembly 120 of FIGS. 10 and 11, for providing bias and pivotal resistance against user rotation of the flashlight 50. The extreme terminal ends of cam slot 148 incorporate rotational stops 150 and 152, corresponding to the maximum pivotal range of the flashlight 50 above or below the rifle's bore axis. A pair of spaced apart, opposing raised ramps 154 and 157 create a detent valley 157 therebetween, providing a stop for parallel alignment of the flashlight's illumination axis with the rifle's bore axis. In this illumination system embodiment 140, flashlight 50 is retained on the rotatable shaft 145 by a rivet 158, for permanent integration within mount housing 142.
[0050] FIGS. 15 and 16 depict an alternative embodiment illumination system 160 where the mount housing 162, its coupled swivel mechanism 164, and the flashlight 50 incorporate a mount housing coupling 166 comprising a female, slidable rail 168 in the housing and a mating male, slidable rail 170 that is coupled to the rifle's forend 32. A retention pin or screw 172 is inserted though the mating rail portions after installation of the mount housing 162, to prevent their inadvertent separation. In some embodiments, the male and female rail portions are reversed, so that the female portion is coupled to the forend, and the male portion coupled to the mount housing. In some embodiments, the male, slidable rail is integrally formed in or permanently affixed to the forend.
[0051] In the illuminations system embodiment 160, the male, slidable rail 170 is of modular construction, for selective attachment and detachment from the forend 32 or other parts of the rifle. The rifle forend 32 incorporates an elongated aperture 174, over which is placed the male, slidable rail 170. Male studs, here T-studs 176) are inserted through the rail 170, into the elongated aperture 174. The T-studs 176 are twisted so that they engage outer peripheral edges of the forend 32 adjacent the elongated aperture, then tightened for retention of the male, slidable rail 170. Thereafter the female slidable rail 168 portion of the mount housing 162 is affixed to the male rail portion 170. In some embodiments, the male 170 and female 168 slidable rail portions are dimensioned to conform to the United States Military Standard Specification MIL-STD-1913 or NATO Specification STANAG 4694, which is sometimes referred to as a Picatinny-type rail. In some embodiments where the rail system is modular, it conforms to the M-LOK modular dimensional specifications established by Magpul Industries Corp.
[0052] Flashlight 50 that is shown in the prototype embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 is a commercially available STRION Model DS-HL flashlight, sold by Streamlight Industries, which has both a tail cap actuation button/switch and a side actuation button/switch. This particular flashlight provides 700 lumens output and is rechargeable. In some embodiments, the tail cap actuation button/switch is replaced with a remote, pressure sensitive tape-type switch.
[0053] In various embodiments, the firearm-mounted illumination systems disclosed herein are modular in nature. They can be provided as a complete system with an illumination source (with detachable flashlight or integral flashlight), housing mount, swivel mechanism (with or without a pivot-resistance biasing mechanism), and firearm coupling mechanism. In other embodiments, only the swiveling mechanism is provided with a modular illumination coupling mechanism (e.g., scope rings, screw clamps) for affixation of a separately purchased flashlight, and a modular firearm coupling mechanism, such as a Picatinny-type slidable rail mount or an M-LOK compatible mount that mates with a compatible mounting component on the firearm.
[0054] The illumination system embodiment 180 of FIG. 17 mounts the illumination device on the forend 32 of the rifle 34 below the bore axis 40. In this embodiment, the mount housing 182 integrates an internal flashlight 50 having a flashlight head 54 that discharges a light beam with an illumination axis 58. The firearm coupling mechanism 184 comprises a mounting stud 185 on the bottom of the rifle forend 32 and a fork-shaped yoke 186 formed in the mount housing 182 that are retained in alignment by a retention pin 188. In some embodiments, the stud and yoke positions are reversed. In this embodiment, the coupling mechanism also functions as the illumination system's swivel mechanism 190, for pivoting the illumination axis 58 above, and/or below, and/or parallel with the rifle's bore axis 40 along the arc P. In embodiment 180, flashlight 50 has a side actuation button 60A, and a rear or tail actuation button 60B. In some embodiments, the swivel mechanism incorporates a biasing mechanism to resist pivotal movement of the flashlight 50. In some embodiments, the swivel mechanism incorporates mechanical stops and/or detents to limit pivot movement P, as was described in prior embodiments herein.
[0055] The illumination system embodiment of FIG. 18is adapted for use on a handgun 200. The handgun 200 has an internal barrel with a muzzle 202 that defines a bore axis 204 and an undermount male rail 206. The illumination system 208 comprises a mount housing 209 with an integral flashlight 50, flashlight head 54 that discharges a light beam with an illumination axis 58, a side actuation button 60A, and a rear or tail actuation button 60B. Here, the firearm coupling mechanism 210 comprises a female rail 212 that mates with the handgun's male rail 206 and includes a downwardly projecting stud 213. The swivel mechanism 214 comprises a yoke 216 incorporated within housing 209 and a retention pin 218 that passes through both the yoke and the stud 213. The retention pin 218 establishes the pivoting axis for the swivel mechanism, allowing arcuate pivotal movement P of the illumination axis 58 above, parallel with, and below the handgun bore axis 204. In some embodiments, the stud and yoke positions are reversed. In some embodiments, the swivel mechanism incorporates a biasing mechanism to resist pivotal movement of the flashlight 50. In some embodiments, the swivel mechanism incorporates mechanical stops and/or detents to limit pivot movement P, as was described in prior embodiments herein.
[0056] The modular illumination system embodiment 240 of FIG. 19 facilitates selective coupling of a standalone flashlight 50 to a firearm. The illumination system 24 includes housing 242 that is coupled to the rifle forend 32 by a push-type, spring-loaded release comprising a pin 244 with spring-loaded ball bearings 246 that are released by depression of release button 248. Mating collar 250 is coupled to the rifle forend 32 and defines a bore and a radially oriented retaining groove 252. When the housing 242 is coupled to the rifle forend 32, the pin 244 is retained within bore of collar 250, with the ball bearings 246 engaged within the latter's retaining groove 252, thereby preventing axial separation of the pin out of the collar. Depression of the release button 248 allows separation of the housing 242 from the rifle forend 32. The modular illumination system 240 has a yoke-shaped swivel 260 coupled to the housing 242 for arcuate motion P as previously described with the other embodiments of this disclosure. The yoke forks 262 and 264 define a U-shaped bight for retention of the flashlight barrel 53 of the flashlight 50. Axial separation of the flashlight barrel out of the bight of the yoke 260 is prevented by magnet 266 that is coupled to the yoke, which is attracted magnetically to a mating magnet 268 that is incorporated within or on the flashlight barrel. In some embodiments a magnetically attractive material (e.g., steel) replaces one of the magnets 266 or 268.
[0057] Although various embodiments have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings. The invention is not limited in its application to the exemplary embodiment details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The concepts described in this disclosure are capable of incorporation in other embodiments and of being practiced or of being conducted in many ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of including, comprising, or having and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms mounted, connected, supported, and coupled and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, connected and coupled are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
