JP4996455B2 - Pre-shaped lamp assembly - Google Patents

Description

The present invention generally relates to the field of electric lamp devices, and more particularly, to an electric lamp assembly having a predetermined shape that can be detachably attached to an attachment guide.

Background of the Invention

  There are many designs in the art for single-purpose lamp assemblies that can be attached to or located on a particular device. There are also many designs for lamp assemblies that are used as independent lamp assemblies. However, few are easily removably attached to a suitable device and are designed to be easily used as separate and independent lamp assemblies.

More specifically, in the specific field of weapons, there have been numerous target illumination and / or target aiming accessories such as lasers, sights, flash devices, or other accessories attached to firearms. This is because in this case one main concern is to aim at the appropriate target lighting and / or target of interest. Most of these accessories, in contrast to the latch and rail groove mechanism that safely guides and locks the accessory to the weapon, are blade set screws, captive screws, and nut bolts to secure the accessory to the weapon. Use various forms, such as fastening and other similar techniques. Examples of such prior art accessories are US 2001/0027620 A1, US 2001/0045046 A1, US Pat. No. 5,555,662, US Pat. No. 5,584,137. Publications, US Pat. No. 5,941,489, US Pat. No. 6,565,226.

  As will be appreciated, the target lighting and / or target aiming accessory just mentioned presents many warnings. Therefore, such an accessory cannot be easily attached or detached. In many cases, such attachment and removal requires the use of a specific tool or both hands. Thus, a weapon user cannot simply grasp the target illumination and / or target aiming device with one hand and attach it to the weapon easily for accurate triggering.

  Other related prior art documents also present considerably different types of attachment methods to weapons or involve weapons that do not use standard rails connected to target lighting and / or target aiming accessories. Examples of such prior art accessories are US 2002 / 0007581A1, US 2002 / 0100204A1, US Pat. No. 4,707,772, US Pat. No. 4,777,754, U.S. Patent No. 5,040,322, U.S. Patent No. 5,727,346, U.S. Patent No. 5,816,683, U.S. Patent No. 5,822,905, U.S. Patent No. 6,318,014, U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,901.

  The problem here with such prior art devices is that, in addition to being bulky, such devices are cumbersome to install. More specifically, if the accessory cannot be easily attached to the weapon, a specific attachment device must be provided for the accessory, which reduces the automatic mobility of the weapon user.

  Also known in the prior art is a clamping mechanism for attaching an accessory device to a weapon frame. This clamping mechanism is further characterized in that the user can perform the actual attachment and detachment of the accessory device with one hand without using a separate bracket or other machine component. These components are disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,430,967 (Woodman et al.).

  Moreover, all prior art target illumination and / or aiming devices are suitable for use as independent handheld lamp assemblies due to the non-ergonomic design of the protruding clamping mechanism. Furthermore, the exposed clamping mechanism often tends to break upon impact and become contaminated with dust, water and other contaminants.

  As is apparent from the above prior art documents, there is a lamp assembly that can be easily mounted on a mounting guide, provided on a weapon in a preferred application, and can be easily used separately as an independent lamp assembly. There wasn't.

Summary of the Invention

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a lamp assembly that meets the above needs.

  More particularly, an object of the present invention is a lamp assembly that can be easily attached to a mounting guide provided on any convenient device, which can be easily removed from the mounting guide and separated into the original predetermined. To return to shape and provide what can be used as an independent lamp assembly.

  In accordance with the present invention, this object is achieved by a lamp assembly having a predetermined shape, wherein the lamp assembly is removably attachable to a mounting guide provided on a weapon or other device on which the lamp assembly is placed. . The lamp assembly includes a housing having a suitable optical device having a light source at one end and a battery that provides power to the light source via a switch. The housing of the lamp assembly has a set of cross members that are moved between a retracted position and an extended position. When the cross member is in the retracted position, the lamp assembly has the predetermined shape. When the transverse members are in the extended position, these members are adapted to engage mounting guides provided on the weapon or other device on which the light assembly is placed. When the transverse members are in the extended position, they are locked in place by a latch lock. Desirably, each latch lock includes a longitudinal rail groove formed in a shape and size that slidably engages a corresponding flange of the mounting guide. The housing of the lamp assembly of the present invention further includes means for preventing the lamp assembly from moving longitudinally on the mounting guide.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting guide comprises a plurality of intersecting slots, each transverse member further comprising a latch having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper and lower portions of the latch have an inner surface adjacent to the side surface of the housing and an outer surface. The lower portion of the latch also has a latch projection that protrudes from the lower inner surface of the latch and engages any one of the intersecting slots. The latch is pivotable between an actuated position and a non-actuated position, and when the latch is in the actuated position, it is normally biased inward so that the latch protrusion protrudes to the side of the housing, and the lamp assembly is mounted on the mounting guide. Providing said means for preventing vertical movement above. When the latch is in the inoperative position, the top is pivoted inward toward the housing and the bottom is pivoted outward away from the housing to prevent the latch protrusion from engaging the cross slot.

  In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a mounting guide is provided on the weapon.

  According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detachably attaching the lamp assembly having the above configuration to an attachment guide.

  A method of detachably attaching the lamp assembly having the above configuration to the attachment guide includes the following steps.

a) providing a lamp assembly as described above;
b) push the latch down to the inoperative position and slide the cross member until the cross member is in the extended position and the latch lock engages;
c) engaging a rail groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the lamp assembly with the flange of the mounting guide;
d) move the latch to its inoperative position to maintain that position and slide the lamp assembly over the mounting guide;
e) Move the latch to its operating position to secure the lamp assembly in place on the mounting guide.

  Desirably, the method for removably attaching the lamp assembly further includes the step of removing the lamp assembly from the mounting guide, the removing step including the following sub-steps.

f) moving the latch to its inoperative position to maintain that position and sliding the lamp assembly longitudinally away from the mounting guide flange;
g) Push down the latch lock and slide the latch back into the lamp assembly to restore the predetermined shape of the lamp assembly.

  In a further preferred embodiment, the method further comprises an initial stage of mounting the mounting guide on the weapon.

  As will be appreciated, the lamp assembly according to the invention is mounted on a suitably formed mounting guide provided on any suitable device (attached integrally or via a suitable fastener). It is very versatile in that it can be removed from the device and the mounting guide and used as a separate unit.

  The above and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments of the invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  While the invention will be described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to such forms. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as defined by the appended claims.

Preferred embodiments of the invention

  In the following description, like features in the drawings will be marked with like reference numerals, and in order to simplify the drawing, some components already identified in the previous drawing will be described in several drawings. Not referenced in

  Throughout this description, the light assembly of the present invention is mostly described and illustrated with respect to a mounting guide provided on a weapon, but it should be understood that the mounting guide can be provided to any suitable device. . Such devices include, but are not limited to, paintball guns, bicycles, protective helmets (for use in mining, caves or other applications), other headwear, ships, wristbands, scuba diving equipment , Belt clips, buildings, posts, other structures, tents, and any other device that can advantageously utilize lighting assemblies.

  Referring to FIGS. 1A-1D and 2A-2C, a lamp assembly 10 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The lamp assembly 10 has a predetermined shape and is removably attached to a mounting guide 20 (which is preferably provided on the weapon). Any mounting guide (preferably with a parallel flange 22) can be used that slidingly engages a longitudinally extending rail groove 32 provided in the transverse member of the housing of the lamp assembly. This is a device of interest placed on the weapon of interest as well as engaging any guide, such as a rail system (one example being M-1913 (Picatinny rail) or the like) with the light assembly. Makes it possible to attach to.

  The lamp assembly 10 preferably includes a housing having two sides. Each side of the housing of the lamp assembly 10 preferably has a set of cross members 30 that are received by corresponding channels (grooves) 40 formed in each side. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, each channel 40 preferably includes a support surface 42 and a stop screw 41 for maintaining the transverse member 30 in each channel 40. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, channel 40 is substantially U-shaped and is sized to receive a corresponding cross member 30. The channel 40 includes a guide member 46 that projects from the channel 40 (preferably its support surface 42) and slides into engagement with a corresponding groove 48.

  The transverse member 30 is movable by a distance at least equal to the distance x between the contracted position shown in FIG. 1C and the extended position shown in FIG. 1D. The distance x is the distance between the longitudinal (extending) rail groove 38 and the lowest point A of the housing shown in FIGS. 1B and 1D.

  A locking means is provided by a latch lock 31 to leave the cross member 30 in the retracted position. Similarly, the stop screw 41 provides locking means to prevent the transverse member 30 from extending beyond the extended position.

  When the transverse members 30 are locked in their retracted positions, these transverse members 30 are provided to engage the housing. With particular reference to FIG. 1D, it can be seen that each channel 40 includes a support surface 42 and a sidewall 44.

  When the transverse members 30 are locked in their extended positions, they are placed so that the lowest point A of the housing is as close as possible to the mounting guide 20 in order to slide the lamp assembly 10 on the mounting guide 20. It is burned. Referring more particularly to FIG. 1B, it can be seen that each transverse member 30 includes an inner (substantially inner) plane 32. The inner surface 32 of the transverse member 30 is further characterized in that it is adjacent to the side of the housing and includes a longitudinal rail groove 38. The longitudinal rail groove 38 is provided in a shape and size that slidably engages the corresponding flange 22 of the mounting guide 20.

  Desirably, the mounting guide has a plurality of intersecting slots 60 and each transverse member 30 further includes a latch 70 with an upper portion 72 and a lower portion 74. Upper portion 72 and lower portion 74 each have an inner surface and an outer surface adjacent to the sides of the housing.

  Each latch further has a latch projection 78 that projects inwardly from the inner surface of the lower portion 74 of the latch to engage any of the intersecting slots 60. Each latch 70 is further characterized in that it preferably rotates about a pivot axis and is rotatable between an activated position and an inactivated position.

  Without departing from the scope of the present invention, the means for preventing the longitudinal movement of the lamp assembly includes at least two, preferably a plurality of protrusions protruding downwardly outward from the lower area of the housing closest to the mounting guide. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this is possible. Such protrusions serve the same purpose as the latch protrusion 78 in their operating positions.

  Referring again to FIGS. 1B and 1C, the housing has a suitable optical device 12 having a light source 14 at one end thereof, and via a switch such as a push button switch 19, the light source 14 (eg, LED assembly, incandescent). A battery 16 for supplying power to a light bulb and / or laser or a combination thereof. The switch can be any type of electromechanical switching device, including but not limited to mechanically activated, electronically activated, radio frequency controlled switches. The lamp assembly 10 is characterized in that the appropriate optical devices, batteries and switches housed in the housing predefine the shape of the lamp assembly 10 (having a predetermined shape). With this “predetermined shape”, it is understood that the lamp assembly 10 has an advantageous and uninterrupted profile when considered in its entirety. More specifically, the uninterrupted profile of the lamp assembly 10 means that all components of the housing have the same general shape (provided that the optic portion is larger than the battery portion and the battery portion is the housing switch). Smaller than part). The lamp assembly 10 can preferably have an ergonomic shape so that the user can relax it with one hand. The lamp assembly 10 can be rectangular, elliptical, or triangular, but preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape.

  As can also be seen from FIGS. 1A and 1C, the uninterrupted profile of the lamp assembly is best shown when the cross member 30 is in the retracted position. More specifically, the outer surface of both the upper portion 72 and the lower portion 74 of the latch, as well as the outer surface of the cross member, are shaped so that they form a continuous profile with the rest of the housing.

  In addition, as best seen in FIGS. 2A-2C, the lamp assembly 10 can advantageously be sized similar to the dimensions of the mounting guide 20. More specifically, the width of the lamp assembly 10 is preferably somewhat the same as the width of the mounting guide. As can be seen, the width of the lamp assembly and the mounting guide is determined on an axis perpendicular to the main axis of these elements. Thus, in the specific field of target lighting and / or aiming, the present invention provides a bulky light assembly as a target lighting and / or target aiming device accessory (which is based on vigilance, accuracy, and speed. It is clear to alleviate the need to use

  The present invention also provides a method for removably attaching a lamp assembly of the above configuration to a mounting guide, preferably provided on a weapon. The method includes the following steps.

a) providing a lamp assembly as described above;
b) push the latch down to the inoperative position so that the cross member slides into the extended position and the latch lock engages;
c) engaging the longitudinally extending rail groove of the transverse member with the flange of the mounting guide;
d) move the latches to their non-actuated position and maintain that position, and slide the lamp assembly over the mounting guide; and e) lock the lamp assembly to their mounting position in their operating position. Move to.

  The method for removably attaching the lamp assembly desirably includes the step of removing the lamp assembly from the mounting guide. This step includes the following sub-steps.

f) moving the latches to their non-actuated position and maintaining that position, and sliding the lamp assembly longitudinally away from the mounting guide flange;
g) A sub-step of depressing the latch lock so that the latch slides back into the lamp assembly and the lamp assembly recovers to the predetermined shape.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments accurately and is within the scope or technical idea of the present invention. It will be understood that various changes and modifications can be made to these embodiments without departing. From this description, it is clear that the proposed light assembly can be particularly attached to weapons. However, the light assembly of the present invention is not limited to being used on weapons, and any convenient application is also envisaged and included in the present invention, such as, for example, mounting on a bicycle or protective helmet. Should be understood.

FIG. 1A is a side view of a lamp assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1B is a front view of the electric lamp assembly shown in FIG. 1A and shows a state in which the transverse member is located at the extended position. 1C is a front perspective view of the lamp assembly shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1D is a front perspective view of the lamp assembly shown in FIG. 1B. FIG. 2A is a side perspective view of the lamp assembly of FIG. 1A attached to a common weapon guide. 2B is a side perspective view of the lamp assembly of FIG. 1A attached to a long gun, such as a rifle guide. 2C is a side perspective view of the lamp assembly of FIG. 1A attached to a handgun guide.

Claims (14)

An assembly removably attachable to a mounting guide, the assembly comprising:
a) a housing provided at one end with a suitable optical element having a light source;
b) a battery for turning on the light source via a switch;
c) at least two lateral members provided in the housing and provided with latches, the lateral members having a longitudinal rail groove between a retracted position and an extended position in the housing; It further includes a locking means that is movable and locks the transverse member in the retracted position and the extended position,
When at least two of said transverse member in said Chijimi引position, wherein at least two of the transverse member is Chijimi引to the housing,
When at least two of said transverse member is in said extended position, and at least two of said transverse members at least two of said transverse members being selectively adapted to the mounting guide having protruding, flange from the housing;
d ) means for preventing longitudinal movement of the assembly on the mounting guide when adapted;
An attachable assembly comprising: The attachable assembly according to claim 1, comprising:
a) said housing having at least one channel located on the opposite side of the housing for receiving at least two of the transverse member,
b) at least two of said transverse member has a flat inner surface defined by the upper portion groove and the lower groove to as least the inner surface of the at least two of said transverse member is adjacent to said housing, said lower groove A longitudinal groove adjacent to and parallel to the
c) the mounting guide is parallel to flat the housing and is perpendicular to the flat inner surface of at least two of said transverse member,
The mounting guide includes flanges that are parallel to each other and project outward and are planar with respect to the mounting guide;
It said longitudinal grooves of the at least two of said transverse member, the mounting guide on the corresponding attachable assembly is shaped and sized to slidably engage the flange. A attachable assembly according to claim 2, at least two of said transverse members at least two of said attachable assembly a transverse member further comprises a locking means for locking said extended position and said Chijimi引position. A attachable assembly according to claim 2, at least one of said channels is provided in a shape and size to receive at least two of said transverse members, to maintain the transverse members at least one of the channels therein An attachable assembly including a support surface for. A attachable assembly according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the channels is substantially provided sized to receive at least two of the transverse member is a U-shaped said corresponding said U shaped channel, at least attachable assembly having at least one guide member for the projecting and vertically from the U-shaped channel on the outside in order to slidably engage the upper edge of two of said transverse member in a corresponding groove extends to the lower edge . A attachable assembly according to claim 2, wherein the mounting guide having a vertical plurality of intersecting slots relative to the longitudinal axis of the mounting guide, at least two of said transverse member, a detachment preventing,
a) an upper portion and a lower portion, each of the upper portion and the lower portion being adjacent to a side surface of the housing; and an upper portion and a lower portion having an outer surface;
b) a detent projection projecting inwardly from the inner surface of the lower portion of the detent to engage with any one of the intersecting slots;
Further comprising a locking stop that is biased inwardly;
And the said detent | locking is pivotable with an operation position and a non-operation position,
i) The detent is provided for means for preventing the detent projection from projecting into the intersecting slot when the detent is in the operating position to prevent longitudinal movement of the lamp assembly in the mounting guide. ;
ii) when the locking stop is in the inoperative position, the upper part is pivoted inwardly toward the housing and the lower part is pivoted outwardly away from the housing, and the latch protrusion is Prevent engagement with any of the intersecting slots;
Installable assembly. 7. The attachable assembly according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the channels includes a support surface and a side wall, the support surface having a recess shaped and sized to receive one corresponding detent projection. wherein, when the at least two of said transverse member in said Chijimi引position, attachable assembly wherein the latch protrusion is provided to engage a corresponding said recess. A attachable assembly according to claim 1, attachable assembly has at least two of said transverse member in the form uninterrupted in order to Chijimi引within said housing. Wearing a device for mounting detachably attachable housing to the mounting guide, the device includes at least two lateral members, reduced with respect to said housing for accommodating said movably at least two transverse members A transverse member movable between a pulling position and an extended position ;
When a) at least two of said transverse members are in Chijimi引position, at least two of said transverse member Chijimi引to said housing;
When b) at least two of said transverse member is in the extended position, at least two of said transverse member is engaged applied to so that the adjust selectively engaging the housing protrudes into the mounting guide;
c) at least two of said transverse member provides a way to lock at least two of said transverse members when further located in said extended position and said Chijimi引position;
A device comprising that. A device according to claim 9, at least two of said transverse member,
a) at least one having a substantially flat inner surface constrained by an upper groove and a lower groove;
Adjacent to the housing, provided near a longitudinal groove, parallel to the lower groove,
The longitudinal groove is shaped and sized to slidably engage a flange on the mounting guide,
b) A device comprising a detent for engaging one of a plurality of intersecting slots provided perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mounting guide. The device according to claim 10, wherein the stopper is provided.
a) an upper portion and a lower portion, each of the upper portion and the lower portion having an inner surface adjacent to a side surface of the housing and an outer surface;
b) a latch protrusion that protrudes inwardly from the inner surface of the lower portion of the detent and engages any one of the intersecting slots;
Further having a locking stop having
The detent is biased inwardly, and the detent is pivotable between an actuated position and a non-actuated position;
i) When the stopper is in the operating position, the stopper is provided to prevent the stopper protrusion from projecting into the intersecting slot in the side portion of the housing to prevent vertical movement in the mounting guide. ;
ii) when the locking stop is in the inoperative position, the upper part is pivoted inwardly toward the housing and the lower part is pivoted outwardly away from the housing, and the latch protrusion is A device that prevents engagement with any of the intersecting slots.   2. The attachable assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly has two transverse members.   An attachable assembly according to claim 2, comprising two channels located in the housing.   10. A device according to claim 9, comprising two transverse members.

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