US20210381801A1

US20210381801A1 - Fixed Optical Rail System and Methods

Info

Publication number: US20210381801A1
Application number: US17/343,010
Authority: US
Inventors: Benjamin T. Landen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-06-09
Filing date: 2021-06-09
Publication date: 2021-12-09

Abstract

An accessory unit configured to be coupled to a rail of a firearm comprises one or more lasers and one or more tactical lights. The accessory unit further comprises a function selector for selecting at least one of the one or more lasers and at least one function related to the selected one or more lasers. The accessory unit further includes a tactical light button for controlling the one or more tactical lights and a fire button for executing the function related to the selected one or more lasers. The accessory unit may further include an adjustment knob corresponding to one of the one or more lasers that is operable to adjust the one or more lasers along an X-axis and along a Y-axis.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and all the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/036,840, filed Jun. 9, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to rail systems for firearm accessories and related methods, and more specifically, to a fixed optical rail system for firearms and related methods.

SUMMARY

An accessory unit configured to be coupled to a rail of a firearm is disclosed. The accessory unit comprises one or more lasers and one or more tactical lights. The accessory unit further comprises a function selector for selecting at least one of the one or more lasers and at least one function related to the selected one or more lasers. The accessory unit further includes a tactical light button for controlling the one or more tactical lights and a fire button for executing the function related to the selected one or more lasers.
A fixed optical rail system for a firearm is disclosed. The fixed optical rail system comprises a rail configured to be coupled to a firearm and an accessory unit coupled to the rail. The accessory unit comprises one or more lasers and one or more tactical lights. The accessory unit further comprises a function selector for selecting at least one of the one or more lasers and at least one function related to the selected one or more lasers. The accessory unit further includes a tactical light button for controlling the one or more tactical lights and a fire button for executing the function related to the selected one or more lasers.
A second fixed optical rail system for a firearm is disclosed. The fixed optical rail system comprises a rail configured to be coupled to a firearm and an accessory unit coupled to the rail. The accessory unit comprises one or more lasers and one or more tactical lights. The accessory unit further comprises a function selector for selecting at least one of the one or more lasers and at least one function related to the selected one or more lasers. The accessory unit further comprises an adjustment knob corresponding to one of the one or more lasers and operable to adjust the one or more lasers along an X-axis and along a Y-axis. The accessory unit further comprises a tactical light button for controlling the one or more tactical lights, and a fire button for executing the function related to the selected one or more lasers. The accessory unit further comprises an infrared illuminator, and an aperture control ring for operating the infrared illuminator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood after reading the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first side view of one embodiment of a fixed optical rail system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second side view of one embodiment of a fixed optical rail system.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of a fixed optical rail system.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a fixed optical rail system.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of one embodiment a fixed optical rail system.

FIG. 6A illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a tactical light button of a fixed optical rail system.

FIG. 6B illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a fire button of a fixed optical rail system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings and in operation, the present invention overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of known rail systems for firearm accessories and related methods. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description of the present invention is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons.
The system of the present invention is an accessory system including lasers and lights that may be permanently affixed to a rail of a firearm. In some embodiments, the system may utilize one or more push-operated buttons, which may allow a user to simply use their fingertips and thumbs to access and press various buttons, without the need to move the entire hand or take eyes off of the target. It also easily allows a user to operate the various functions of the system in the dark, simply by using touch/tactile memory. In addition, in some embodiments, the rail system may include a unique microchip memory function that enables the system to remember which function(s) a user prefers in use.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, side views of one embodiment of a fixed optical rail system are shown. The rail system 100 includes an accessory unit 102 which may be permanently attached over the end of a rail 104. The rail 104 may be attached to a suitable firearm (not shown), i.e., any firearm that can utilize a firearm accessory rail. The attachment of accessory unit 102 to the rail 104 allows better, more centered bore positioning for aiming lasers and creates a very low profile on the top of the firearm. In some embodiments, the accessory unit 102 may be waterproof up to IP68 standards by using rubber seals. The accessory unit 102 may be submerged in water without any additional protection and will continue to function without experiencing any damage from moisture.
The rail system 100 of the present invention may utilize a battery pack 106. By way of example and not limitation, the battery pack 106 may comprise two CR12A batteries to allow for enhanced tactical light operation. This type of battery may also provide longer battery life compared to other single, 3V battery units. However, it will be understood that the battery pack 106 may comprise any type and number of batteries known in the art.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a front view of one embodiment of the fixed optical rail system 100 is shown. The accessory unit 102 may include one or more lasers 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the accessory unit 102 includes two lasers, one of which is labeled 108, which may include one or more (in any combination) of an infrared (IR) aiming laser, an infrared (IR) illuminator laser, a green laser, and a red laser. One or more dust covers 110 may optionally be included for one or more of the lasers 108.
The accessory unit 102 may further include a tactical light 112 (known in the industry as a “tac light”), and an infrared (IR) illuminator 114. The IR illuminator 114 may be operated by a user rotating an aperture control ring 116, which may be a manual aperture control ring. The accessory unit 102 may further include a laser control knob 118 configured to control the lasers 108.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view of one embodiment of the fixed optical rail system 100 is shown. One or more of lasers 108 may be selected and programmed to operate by a laser control selector, shown in FIG. 4 as a laser control knob 118, to select a laser 108 and/or a function of the designated laser 108. In other embodiments, the laser control selector may be one or more push buttons instead of a rotatable knob. Positioning of the laser control knob 118 as illustrated in FIG. 4 enables fingertip and thumb control without the user being required to take their eyes off a target. It may be desirable to arrange the laser control knob 118 on the side(s) of accessory unit 102 to allow the user to operate it while holding the firearm, without the user being required to take their hand off the rail 104. In some embodiments, the accessory unit 102 may include one or more indicator LED lights 120 on a back side of the accessory unit 102 (i.e., facing the user) to inform the user that one or more lasers 108 has been chosen for operation. Referring now to FIG. 5, a rear view of the rail system 100 is shown, including illustrative placement of the LED lights 120 on the rear of the accessory unit 102. It will be understood that the LED lights 120 may be placed elsewhere on the accessory unit 102 or rail system 100, such as on the rear of the laser control knob 118, or any other suitable placement where the user could easily view the LED lights 120 without visually distracting the user from their target.
Referring again to FIG. 1, lasers 108 may be adjusted using adjustment knobs, one of which is labeled 122. As illustrated in FIG. 1, adjustment knobs 122 are shown as X- and Y-axis adjustment knobs (one of each per laser 108). In other embodiments, one or more of lasers 108 may be adjusted using one or more push buttons in place of one or more knobs.
Referring again to FIG. 4, the tactical light 112 may be operated (i.e., turned on or off) by a user pushing a tactical light button 124 on the top of the accessory unit 102. In some embodiments, a strobe light button or function for the tactical light 112 may optionally be included.
Referring now to FIG. 6A, a top view of the tactical light button 124 of the fixed optical rail system 100 is illustrated. The tactical light button 124 may include one or more texture lines, one of which is labeled 126.
Referring again to FIG. 4, a fire button 128 may serve one or more functions or modes, including by way of example and not limitation: full-power mode, half-power mode, and off mode. Referring now to FIG. 6B, a top view of the fire button 128 of the fixed optical rail system 100 is illustrated. The fire button 128 may include one or more texture bumps, one of which is labeled 130. It will be understood that the tactical light button 124 (and/or optional strobe light button) is or may be separate from the fire button 128 to ensure that the user does not accidentally turn on the tactical light 112.
By way of example and not limitation, a user may engage a full-power mode by first rotating a control knob such as the laser control knob 118 (or pressing a push button, if a button is provided instead of a knob) to select a function. After a function has been selected, the user may then press the fire button 128 one time. At that time, the designated laser 108 engages full-power mode.
To engage half-power mode, a user may first rotate a control knob such as the laser control knob 118 (or press a push button, if a button is provided instead of a knob) to select a function. After a function has been selected, the user may then press the fire button 128 two times. At that time, the designated laser 108 engages half-power mode.
To engage off mode, a user may rotate a control knob such as laser control knob 118 (or press a push button, if a button is provided instead of a knob) to select a function. After a function has been selected, the user may then press the fire button 128 three times. At that time, the designated laser 108 engages half-power mode.
When one or more lasers 108 has been designated by the user rotating laser control knob 118 to select a laser and function, then by pressing fire button 124, as described above, the user may again rotate laser control knob 118 to turn the designated laser on or off, in some instances without taking their hand off the rail.
In some embodiments, the rail system 100 may include a unique microchip memory function controlled by a memory of a memory unit 132 that enables the rail system 100 to remember which function(s) a user prefers in use.
By way of example, this function is described with reference to a first laser 108. The user may rotate the laser control knob 118 (or press a push button, if a button is provided instead of a knob) to select first laser 108. The user may then press the fire button 128. This will activate the first laser 108 to operate at full-power mode. The memory unit 132 may then remember that the user selected “full-power” mode with respect to first laser 108. After that point, any time the user rotates the laser control knob 118 (or presses a push button, if a button is provided instead of a knob) to select the first laser 108, the first laser 108 will function at full-power mode.
As a second example, the user may rotate the laser control knob 118 (or press a push button, if a button is provided instead of a knob) to select the first laser 108. The user may then press the fire button 128. This will activate the first laser 108 to operate at full-power mode. The user may then press the fire button 128 a second time, which will cause the first laser 108 to operate at half-power mode. The memory unit 132 may then remember that the user selected “half-power” mode with respect to the first laser 108. After that point, when the user rotates the laser control knob 118 (or presses a push button, if a button is provided instead of a knob) to select the first laser 108, the first laser 108 will function at half-power mode.
As a third example, the user may rotate the laser control knob 118 (or press a push button, if a button is provided instead of a knob) to select the first laser 108. The user may then press the fire button 128. This will activate the first laser 108 to operate at full-power mode. The user may then press the fire button 128 a second time, which will cause the first laser 108 to operate at half-power mode. The user may then press the fire button 128 a third time, which will cause the first laser 108 to be in off mode. The memory unit 132 may then remember that the user selected “off mode” with respect to the first laser 108. After that point, when the user rotates the laser control knob 118 (or presses a push button, if a button is provided instead of a knob) to select the first laser 108, the first laser 108 will engage in off mode.
Each of the available lasers 108 may be programmed in a similar manner. In this way, the fire button 128 may act as a master control for all function(s) for all available lasers 108, and laser function(s) may be used to quickly and easily engage each laser 108 to the desired function, in some instances without the user being required to move their hand to the top of the accessory unit 102.
The accessory unit 102 may store in memory the programmed functions of its lasers 108 so long as battery or batteries of the battery pack 106 of the accessory unit 102 have power. For this reason, the half-power mode allows a user to extend battery life, and, as a result, decrease the frequency of battery changes.
In some embodiments, the accessory unit 102 may be programmed with an automatic shutdown or sleep mode feature, which will turn the accessory unit 102 off when not in use, in order to preserve battery life. Similarly, in some embodiments, one or more of the available lasers 108 may automatically turn off after a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 30 minutes) after the last time a corresponding button was pressed. Similarly, in some embodiments, the tactical light 112 (which typically uses the most power of all accessories), may automatically turn off after a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 15 minutes) after the last time a corresponding button was pressed. Any of these automatic features may be disabled simply by pressing the button corresponding to the accessory (or the fire button 128) to “wake up” that accessory or accessories. These automatic functions may be stored in memory of the memory unit 132 so that battery life is not wasted when a user simply forgets to turn off one or more of the accessories.
In some embodiments, the accessory unit 102 may be configured to rotate about the rail 104. In some embodiments, such rotation may be limited to a certain, predefined angle, for example, 45 degrees in either direction. The ability to rotate the accessory unit 102 may improve user comfort.
Several embodiments have been discussed in the foregoing description. However, the embodiments discussed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to any particular form. The terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An accessory unit configured to be coupled to a rail of a firearm, the accessory unit comprising:

one or more lasers and one or more tactical lights;

a function selector for selecting at least one of the one or more lasers and at least one function related to the selected one or more lasers;

a tactical light button for controlling the one or more tactical lights; and

a fire button for executing the function related to the selected one or more lasers.

2. The accessory unit of claim 1, wherein:

the one or more lasers comprises at least one of an infrared aiming laser, an infrared illuminator laser, a green laser, and a red laser.

3. The accessory unit of claim 1, further comprising:

an infrared illuminator; and

an aperture control ring for operating the infrared illuminator.

4. The accessory unit of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more indicator LED lights disposed on a rear side of the accessory unit to indicate selection of the one or more lasers.

5. The accessory unit of claim 1, further comprising:

an adjustment knob corresponding to one of the one or more lasers.

6. The accessory unit of claim 5, wherein:

the adjustment knob is operable to adjust the corresponding laser along an X-axis and along a Y-axis.

7. The accessory unit of claim 1, wherein:

operation of the tactical light button includes operation of at least one of an on/off function and a strobe light function.

8. The accessory unit of claim 1, wherein a top side of the tactical light button includes at least one texture line.

9. The accessory unit of claim 1, wherein a top side of the fire button includes at least one texture bump.

10. A fixed optical rail system for a firearm, the fixed optical rail system comprising:

a rail configured to be coupled to a firearm; and

an accessory unit coupled to the rail, the accessory unit comprising:

one or more lasers and one or more tactical lights,

a function selector for selecting at least one of the one or more lasers and at least one function related to the selected one or more lasers,

a tactical light button for controlling the one or more tactical lights, and

11. The fixed optical rail system of claim 10, wherein:

12. The fixed optical rail system of claim 10, further comprising:

an infrared illuminator; and

an aperture control ring for operating the infrared illuminator.

13. The fixed optical rail system of claim 10, further comprising:

14. The fixed optical rail system of claim 10, further comprising:

an adjustment knob corresponding to one of the one or more lasers.

15. The fixed optical rail system of claim 14, wherein:

16. The fixed optical rail system of claim 10, wherein:

17. The fixed optical rail system of claim 10, wherein:

the at least one function related to the one or more lasers includes at least a full-power mode, a half-power mode, and an off-mode.

18. The fixed optical rail system of claim 10, wherein a top side of the tactical light button includes at least one texture line.

19. The fixed optical rail system of claim 10, wherein a top side of the fire button includes at least one texture bump.

20. A fixed optical rail system for a firearm, the fixed optical rail system comprising:

a rail configured to be coupled to a firearm; and

an accessory unit coupled to the rail, the accessory unit comprising:

one or more lasers and one or more tactical lights,

an adjustment knob corresponding to one of the one or more lasers and operable to adjust the one or more lasers along an X-axis and along a Y-axis,

a tactical light button for controlling the one or more tactical lights,

a fire button for executing the function related to the selected one or more lasers,

an infrared illuminator, and

an aperture control ring for operating the infrared illuminator.