US2140880A - Illuminating aiming attachment for firearms - Google Patents

Description

SR z lzm aao Dec. 20, 1938- c. B. OSBORN ILLUMINATING AIMING ATTACHMENT FOR FIREARMS Filed May 4, 1936 in l A MJI i LttAu IHrMU. f

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Patented Dec. 20 1 38 ILLUMINATING AIMING ATTACHMENT FOR FIREARMS Carl Benton Osborn, Tampa, Fla.

Application May 4, 1936, Serial No. 77,871

7 Claims. (01. 240-6411) The invention forming the subject matter of means adjacent to the trigger mechanism of the this application is in the nature of an attachment fi m w y e u can Operate the flashfor firearms in general, and more particularly relight independently f or s ta u y with lates to illuminating aiming attachments designed t e Operation of the trigger of the firearm- 5 to be applied to small arms to facilitate their Other objects of the invention will become apbeing aimed at a target at night-time or when parent as the detailed description thereof prolighting conditions are below normal. ceeds.

The main object of the invention is to make In e w available for the aiming of firearms the vary- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a firearm of the 10 ing intensities of light and shade found in the revolver typ having the attachment Which f S pattern of light thrown by the common types of the present invention applied thereto; flashlights that have facilities for focusing the Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation similar light beam issuing therefrom; by causing the aim to Figure 1, but with the adjustable connecting of the firearm to be directed upon a distinctive part shown in vertical section;

15 spot of light or shade of relatively small area that F e 3 is a bottom P View Of the t in the focusing of such flashlights is made to apment shown in Figures 1 and 2, but with the pear within the larger area illuminated by the flashlight a d r v v t d; light beam. The distinctive spot mentioned may Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section taken result from adjusting the light beam slightly out on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

20 of focus producing a dark or shade spot; it may Figure 5 is a. vertical transverse section taken be the result of drawing the light beam down to a n the line 5 of Figure 2; and small or fine focus, producing a contrastingly Figure 6 is a persp View Of an a j ab vivid and relatively small spot of light in the flashlight operating member adapted for use with approximate center of the general illumination, flashlights having the operating push button at 25 or it may be a contrasting and easily distinguishdifferent locations on the barrel or casing thereof. able spot of either light or shade caused by un- Referring to the drawing, in which similar parts equal refraction of the glass through which the are designated by like numerals: light beam leaves the flashlight, or it may be the The firearm to which the attachment is to be result of other causes. applied is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 as a 30 To the end above set forth, an attachment is revolver of well-known type. It is to be underprovided which can be applied to a small arm of stood, however, that this illustration is merely the pistol, automatic pistol, or revolver type and intended to give an example of the method of apto such arms as rifles, shotguns or arms of any plying the attachment; and that the firearm may type adapted for use with an illuminating, aiming be of any other type adapted for use with an 35 device without necessitating any change in conilluminating aiming device.

struction of the arm, such attachment also cm- The revolver, which is indicated generally by bodying means for supporting a flash-light of the reference numeral 1, comprises a butt or stock common construction and provided with means 8 and a barrel 9, with the usual trigger l0 and of focusing the beam of light emanating from trigger guard II forming part thereof. The flash- 40 such flashlight, and without any change in the light intended to be detachably connected to the construction of such flashlight, in such position that such flashlight may be adjusted in various directions to enable a distinctive spot in its light pattern to be made to coincide with the aim of the firearm which is held rigidly in said attachment by means provided.

With the flashlight so adjusted that the said distinctive spot coincides with the aim of the firearm in the plane of the object to be fired at, it is obvious that merely holding the spot upon the said object simultaneously directs the aim of the firearm upon that object, so that the firearm is thus aimed quickly and accurately without reference to the sights usually provided as a part of or as parts of the firearm for directing the aim thereof, and the object to be fired upon may be struck simply by holding the spot upon said object and discharging the firearm.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in an attachment of the character referred to, a

revolver I is designated by the reference numeral l2. The support for the flashlight 12 comprises a strip l3 of sheet metal, or other suitable material, slidably connected to a strip 14. The strip I3 is provided at its rear end with a slot I5 (see Figure 2) through which extends the shank I6 of a bolt ll, which is screwthreaded into an aperture formed in the plate I4. A wing nut I8 threaded onto the shank N5 of bolt l1 serves to clamp the slotted end of the strip 13 against the strip IA.

The forward end of the strip 14 is provided with a slot l9, through which extends the screwthreaded shank 20 of a machine screw which is threaded into the strip I3. A wing nut 2| is swedged to or otherwise fixed to the lower end of the screw 20, and facilitates the turning of the screw to clamp the outer end of the strip l4 against the strip 13. The invention is not particularly concerned with the details of the clamping nut, since any other equivalents of the same may be used for clamping the two strips 3 and I4 together in lengthwise adjusted positions.

The rear end of the strip I4 is bent upwardly to form a flange 22. This flange is bent to conform generally to the curvature of the end of the butt 8, and is provided with adjustable screws 23 and 24, pointed at their inner end to contact with the end of the butt 8, which may be provided with conical depressions 25 and 26, to receive the pointed ends of the screws 23 and 24, respectively.

To clamp the gun butt 8 firmly against the flange 22, or against the screws 23 and 24 thereof, there is provided a plate 26' mounted to slide on the upper surface of the rear end of the strip l4. A machine screw 21 secured at one end to the plate 26', has a screwthreaded shank extending freely through a slot 28 formed in the strip M. A wing nut 29 serves to clamp the plate 26' in adjusted position on the rear end of the strip l4. Screws 36 and 3| similar to the screws 23 and 24 are adjustable through an upwardly turned flange 32 on the end of the plate 26' into contact with the butt 8 to effectively secure the butt 8 in position at the end of the strip M. A screwthreaded rod R extends from the end of the plate 26' through an aperture at the lower end of flange 22, and a wing nut N on rod R serves to adjust said plate 26 and its flange 32 into clamping position against butt 8.

The barrel 9 of the gun is secured to the strip l4 (see Figure 4) by a standard designated generally by the reference numeral 33. This standard comprises an angle iron having a flange 34 suitably secured as by a screw 35, to the lower strip l4. The other member 36 of the angle iron is provided with a slot 31, and extends substantially perpendicularly to the strip I4.

Extending upwardly from the member 36 there is a member 38 of substantially the same width as the member 36. The lower end of the member 38 is provided with a tongue 39 which fits snugly and slidably in the slot 31. A bolt 40 extends through the slot 31, and is provided with a wing nut 4|, by means of which the members 36 and 38 may be clamped together in lengthwise relatively adjusted positions.

The upper end of the member 38 is bent to form an angular flange 42, in the angle of which the gun barrel 9 is adapted to be seated. The upper end of the member 38 is also provided with a slot 43 adapted to receive slidably the shank of a bolt 44. A clamping member of substantially the same width as the member 38 is adapted to slide lengthwise of said member 38 along the slotted portion thereof. The member 45 is provided with a tongue 46, which fits snugly and slidably into the slot 43. The head of the bolt 44 is secured to the clamping member 45, and a wing nut 41 on the bolt 44 serves to clamp the member 45 in adjusted position on the member 38.

It will be apparent from Figure 4 of the drawing that the angular clamping members 42 and 45 are shaped so as to provide for the reception of gun barrels of different sizes. It will also be apparent that the adjustable connection between the members 36 and 38 provides for the adjustment of the gun barrel into substantial parallelism with the strips l3 and H.

To facilitate the aiming of the firearm 1 at night or in dim light, there is mounted on the strip l3 the flashlight l2. It is obvious that this flashlight must be mounted in such position with respect to the gun barrel 9, that the distinctive spot in the beam of light and the projectile of the firearm will intersect on the target. Accordingly, the flashlight must be provided with some means for adjustably mounting it on the support l3, which as previously described, occupies a position substantially parallel with the axis of the barrel 9.

At its rear end the flashlight I2 is seated between the arms 48 and 49 of a U-shaped spring clip which is designated generally by the reference numeral 58 (see Figure 4). The clip 58 comprises a pair of upwardly extending members 5| and 52 forming extensions of the arms 48 and 49, respectively, and connected at the lower ends by a transverse member 53. The arms 48 and 49 can be adjusted toward and from each other by means of the screw 54 which connects the spring members 5| and 52 near the upper ends thereof.

A screwthreaded rod 55 is secured at its lower end to the strip l3, and this rod passes freely through an aperture formed centrally in the transverse member 53. A pair of nuts 56 and 51 are threaded onto the rod 55 on opposite sides of the member 53 and serve to secure the clip in vertically adjusted position with respect to the strip IS.

The forward end of the flashlight I2 is received between the arms 58 and 59 of a spring clip designated generally by the reference numeral 66. The arms 58 and 59 are connected at their lower ends by a transverse member 6| which is provided with a slot 62 extending substantially throughout the length thereof. An externally screwthreaded sleeve 63 is threaded into the strip i3, and at its lower end is provided with flattened portions 64 and 65 adapted to receive a wrench for the purpose of turning the said sleeve in the strip 3.

A bolt 66 extends through the sleeve 63, and the head 61 of the bolt extends across the slot 62 in the member 6|. A wing nut 68 on the screwthreaded shank of the bolt 66 serves to clamp the member 6| securely against the upper end of the sleeve 63. It will be apparent from the construction of the flashlight support members that both ends are mounted on the strip l3 for vertical adjustment toward and from the barrel 9 of the firearm. In addition to this vertical adjustment the slot 62 in the member 6| provides for such transverse adjustment of the forward end of the flashlight |2 as may be necessary to bring the beam of light into parallelism with the axis of the barrel 9.

The clip 68 is provided with an adjusting screw 69 similar to the screw 54, for adjusting the arms 58 and 59 into clamping position on the forward end of the flashlight l2. That portion of the screw 69 between the arms 58 and 59 constitutes a pivot for one end of a trigger 18 which is located to be swung about said pivot into contact with the button 1| for operating the flashlight l2. The lower end of the trigger 10 is provided with a slot adapted to receive therein a spacer between two ball members of a chain 12 of common construction.

The trigger 10' normally hangs by gravity out of contact with the flashlight operating button 1|. The chain 12 extends lengthwise of the strips I3 and M, and is connected at its other end to a flange 13 which projects upwardly from a plate 14. The plate 14 is mounted to slide over a flange 15, which may be secured as by screw 16 in any one of a series of screw-threaded apertures 11 formed in the strip I4. The flange I5 is provided at its opposite edges with upturned lugs 18 and I9, and a pin 88 extends through said lugs and across the plate 14 to maintain it in sliding contact with the flange T5. The flange 15 at its rear end is connected to an upwardly turned flange 8i which is slotted to permit the sliding movement of the plate 14 therethrough.

The upturned flange Bl has a screwthreaded rod 82 fixed thereto by means of a lock nut 88, and the rod 82 passes freely through an aperture 84 formed in the upturned flange of the trigger plate 14; and a nut 86 is adjustable on the rod 82 to limit the forward movement of the plate 14 under the influence of a compression spring 86 which surrounds the rod 82 between the fixed flange 8| and the upturned flange on the plate 14.

The plate 14 is bent downwardly toward the rear end of the strip [4 to slide on the upper surface thereof, and is then bent upwardly to form a hook 81 adapted to be engaged by a finger of the operator for the purpose of exerting tension on the chain 12 sufficient to move the trigger 16 against the flashlight button H. As shown in Figure 2 of the drawing the strip M is provided with a series of screwthreaded apertures 35' to provide for the bodily adjustment of the standard 33 lengthwise of the strip l4. Flashlights of different length are provided for by a second and maybe a third threaded hole in plate I3 to receive threaded sleeve 63.

As so far described, the attachment is provided with means for positioning the flashlight in accordance with variations in the type of firearm. In order to provide for the use of flashlights of different length, I have designed a flashlight operating trigger designated generally by the reference numeral 88 (see Figure 6). This trigger is adjustable to flashlights having the push button at different locations on the flashlight barrel.

The trigger 88 comprises a plate 89 slotted throughout the greater part of its length to receive a contact screw 98 adjustable, along with slot 9|, into proper position to make contact with the flashlight operating button ll when the trigger 88 shall have been substituted for the trigger 10. The forward end of the plate 89 is provided with a pair of downwardly projecting lugs 92 and 93 which are apertured to receive the pivot rod or screw 69. The other end of the plate 89 is bent downwardly at substantially right angles to form a flange 94. This flange 94 is provided with a slot 95 in which is slidably received the shank of a screw 96 which extends into the rear part of a U-shaped member 97. The arms 98 and 99 of the member 9'! have a pivot rod 99' extending therethrough to form a pivot for a substantially U-shaped trigger member N18. The free end of the trigger member I88 is provided with a slot l8! to receive one of the spacer links in the chain 12. It is believed the operation of this flashlight operating member 88 will be obvious from an inspection of the drawing.

Numerous variations may doubtless be devised by persons skilled in the art without departing from the principles of my invention. I, therefore, desire no limitations to be imposed on my invention, except such as are indicated in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A firearm having a barrel and a stock, a support, adjustable means for detachably clamping one end of said support to the stock, means for detachably connecting said support to the barrel and substantially parallel to said barrel, a casing having means therein for directing and focusing a beam of light, and means for mounting said casing between said barrel and support on the support, said means being adjustable to vary the angle of the beam of light with respect to the axis of the barrel.

2. A firearm having a barrel and a stock, a support, adjustable means for detachably clamping one end of said support to the stock, means for detachably connecting said support to the barrel and substantially parallel to said barrel, a casing having means therein for focusing and directing a beam of light, a pair of standards adjustable perpendicularly to said support and having means at their upper ends for clamping said casing thereon between said barrel and support, means for adjusting each of said standards toward and from said barrel, and means on one of said standards for adjusting the clamping means connected thereto laterally of said barrel.

3. A firearm having a barrel and a stock, a trigger, a support, adjustable means for detachably clamping one end of said support tov the stock, means for detachably connecting said support to the barrel and substantially parallel to said barrel, a casing having means therein for focusing and directing a beam of light, means for mounting said casing on said support and between said barrel and support for adjustment with respect to said barrel in two directions, and means slidably mounted on said support adjacent to said stock and trigger for operating the light directing means in said casing.

4. A firearm having a barrel and a stock, a trigger, a support, adjustable means for detachably clamping one end of said support to. the stock, means for detachably connecting said support to the barrel and substantially parallel to said barrel, a flashlight comprising a casing having means therein for generating and focusing a beam of light and a button extending through the casing to control the operation of said means,

a pair of standards mounted on said support and having clamps at their upper ends for securing said casing in position on said standards, and means slidably mounted on said support adjacent to said stock and trigger and connected to said button for operating the light generating means in said casing.

5. The device set forth in claim 4, in which said support is extensible lengthwise, in combination with means for fixing said support in any position of extension.

6. The device set forth in claim 4, in which said support comprises a pair of strips, one slidably mounted upon the other, with means for clamping said strips to each other in any desired position of lengthwise extension.

7. A firearm having a barrel and a stock, a support comprising a strip of material having a flange at one end thereof, a member slidable on said strip toward and from said flange to clamp the end of said stock against the flange, said strip extending substantially parallel to the barrel, a pair of standards adjustable perpendicularly to said strip, means at the upper end of said standards for detachably securing a flashlight thereto, a trigger slidable on said strip adjacent to the stock clamping end thereof, and means connecting said trigger to said flashlight for controlling the operation thereof.

CARL BENTON OSBORN.

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