Firearm Mounted Illumination and Projection System with Remote Power Supply

Abstract

This invention herein described is a firearm mountable, illumination and projection system for projecting, detecting and/or receiving electromagnetic radiation (waves) from across the electromagnetic spectrum by utilizing a variety of technologies such as LED's, Infrared Illuminators, Laser Emitters, and FLIR sensors (examples not limitations). This invention, herein described, is unique in that the embodiment(s) for Illumination and Projection are separate, unique, and isolated (distally) from the embodiment providing the necessary power (Current, Voltage, Electromotive Force) for the illumination and/or projection of electromagnetic radiation.

Claims

1. A system for lighting, illumination, and projection of electromagnetic waves/energy utilizing any part of the electromagnetic spectrum. The system is comprised of multiple embodiments, the first embodiment (or embodiments) being a housing (or housings) of some shape and construction containing the components necessary for illumination and projection, the second embodiment (or embodiments), separated distally from the first, is a housing (or housings) of some shape and construction containing components supplying the power/energy and control to the first embodiment(s). A third embodiment (or embodiments), a wiring harness(s), connecting the first and second embodiments is the means of conducting the power/energy from the second embodiment(s) to the first embodiment(s).

2. The first embodiment of claim 1 is the housing(s) containing the necessary components for lighting, illumination, and projection of electromagnetic radiation (waves). Example components are (but not limited to) a lens cap, lens, reflector, an LED mounted on a copper plate, and heat sink.

3. The first embodiment(s) of claim 1 is devoid of any stored (or instantaneous) power/energy (battery, photovoltaic cells, fuel cells or other form of voltage/current (electromotive force)).

4. The second embodiment of claim 1, must supply the power/energy (electromotive force) to the first embodiment of claim 1. This power/energy (electromotive force) is supplied to the first embodiment of claim 1 by means of physical conductor(s), wires in a wire harness, such as current technology allows.

5. The second embodiment, or embodiments of claim 1, of some shape and construction houses or contains the stored (or instantaneous) power supply, (voltage, current electromotive force) as well as the controls, logic, circuitry necessary for the operation of the first embodiment(s) of claim 1.

6. The third embodiment of claim 1, a wiring harness comprised of wires (conductors of electromotive force), physical conductors, and connectors that will connect one end of the wire harness to the first embodiment, or embodiments of claim 1, and the distal end of the wire harness will connect to the second embodiment, or embodiments of claim 1.

7. The third embodiment of claim 1, may be of “wireless” design as technology allows in the future, may be such an apparatus or of a design and function that does not need or use wires (physical conductors) to send/transfer the power/energy (electromotive force) from the second embodiment(s) of claim 1 to the first embodiment(s) of claim 1.

8. The number of first embodiments housing the components for illumination and projection may be more than one embodiment.

9. The number of second embodiments, supplying power/energy (electromotive force) may be more than one embodiment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1, and FIG. 1a; A top and side view of invention mounted to firearm

[0008] FIG. 2; A top view of invention (as a unit) separated from firearm for clarity

[0009] FIG. 3; An ISO, exploded view of components in the Illumination and Projection Unit (“IPU”)

[0010] FIG. 4, and FIG. 4a: A side view, and side section view of the IPU

[0011] FIG. 5 and FIG. 5a: Top views of the major embodiments of the invention

[0012] FIG. 6; An ISO, exploded view of the components of the Power and Control Unit (“PCU”)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The embodiments of the invention 1 (complete system) shown mounted to a firearm in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1a, then FIG. 2 showing the Illumination and Projection Unit (IPU) 2, and the connecting wire harness 3, and the Power and Control Unit (PCU) 4 which comprise the major embodiments of this example (understood to be an example, not a limitation in terms of number of embodiments that make up “the system.”) Beginning with the forward (toward muzzle) mounted IPU 2, the exploded view of which is seen in FIG. 3. The IPU consists of a housing 11 of some shape and construction to house the minimally necessary components for illumination and projection. In this example, these components include the threaded lens cap 5, the lens 6, the reflector 7, an insulating washer 8, the LED mounted to a copper plate 9, a heatsink 10. The necessary wiring will connect from the military style connector 12 to the contact points on the LED copper plate. FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 4a show an example of a relatively simply IPU functioning as a flashlight, designed to generate and project a beam of light. It is to be understood that the IPU's may be of any shape and construction to contain the desired components. Other IPU's covered under the claims of this invention may include multiple LED's, or other components, or combination of components that generate/produce/emit/receive electromagnetic radiation (waves) from across the electromagnetic spectrum contained within the same IPU.

[0014] The key feature of the IPU 2 is the absence of any power supply. There is no battery or any other provision for power/energy within the IPU 2 itself. Power/Energy must come from an external source. In this case, the wiring harness 3, is connected to the IPU 2 at one end, and to the PCU 4 at the other end, thus supplying the necessary power and control for the LED (an example but not limitation) within the IPU 2 to function.

[0015] The Power and Control Unit (PCU) FIG. 6, houses the power/energy source and any circuitry, logic and control for the operation of the IPU 2. In this example (understood not to be limited to these components or design or location on the firearm) two batteries 18, the illumination control board 17 contains the necessary circuitry, switches and logic which are desired and necessary to control the IPU 2, in this example the illumination control board would include (among other circuitry and components) the constant current LED driver circuitry. The power management board 19 will handle the battery charging/recharging, control the rate of discharge as well as provide any necessary circuit protection devices. The PCU 4 will send power/energy to the IPU 2 through the wire harness 3. The IPU 2 will be controlled (turned off/on) by controls (pushbutton switches, as an example not a limitation) or software/hardware logic onboard the PCU 4 itself. In addition, a remote switch can be utilized that is not located on the PCU 4 itself. This remote switch, of some shape, type, and size whether momentary or on/off could be physically wired into the wire harness 3 or wirelessly connected to the PCU 4. This remote switch can be removably located anywhere the operator of the firearm desires. As noted earlier in this detailed description that the IPU 2 has the “minimally necessary components for illumination and projection.” This is intentional in the design of the invention put forth in this application. In order that the IPU 2 is the lightest and smallest embodiment possible, any components, control circuits, logic, or memory (examples not limitations) that can be moved to the PCU, will be located in the PCU. This invention for example separates out the LED driver circuitry, from the LED mounted to a copper plate, and moves the LED driver circuitry and components to the PCU, allowing the Inventor to create the smallest IPU embodiment possible.