Magazine tube lighting system

Abstract

The invention is mounted on the forward end of a firearms magazine using an adapter that replaces the magazine cap. The invention contains a small bulb (LED, incandescent, or any other available source of light, visible or invisible), at least one battery, and an internal or external actuating switch. Depending on the size requirements of the user, the invention can also increase the amount of ammunition the firearm is capable of carrying by extending the length of the magazine tube. The light emitted from the invention will be aligned with the muzzle of the weapon and illuminate the area that the weapon is pointed at.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Prior to this invention there have been patents issued relating to the connection or merging of a long gun (shotgun or rifle) and a light of various types. An example of this is U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,226, “Magazine-mounted, integral firearm lighting system.” This patent “enables a commercially available flashlight to be mounted on or in the forward end of a firearm's magazine, thereby configuring a source of illumination in precise alignment with the bore of the gun. In contrast to prior-art devices, the inventive approach requires no modification to the gun in general or magazine in particular, and may consume the space taken by a single shell, allowing the remainder of the magazine to hold shells, as is typical. The preferred embodiment permits certain types of barreled flashlights, such as the Maglight.RTM., Smith & Wesson.RTM. or Dorcy.RTM. having a diameter on the order of 7 / 10 inch to be mounted on or into the forward end of the magazine through ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]This invention gives the operator of a shotgun or rifle the ability to attach a flashlight to the weapon without adding unnecessary weight and without limiting the use of the fore grip. In addition to this the capacity of the magazine tube can be increased, depending on the needs of the shooter. This invention includes a piece of cylindrical or nearly cylindrical material of similar diameter to that of the magazine tube of the weapon to which it will be attached. Contained within this tube are a light bulb or LED, optics, lens, at least one battery, and an internal or external actuating switch. The tube is attached to the shotgun or rifles existing magazine tube using a specially designed piece of hardware that replaces the end cap. Depending on the shooters preference the invention can also increase the ammunition capacity of the firearms existing magazine tube with the addition of a new magazine tube spring.

Problems solved by technology

In contrast to prior-art devices, the inventive approach requires no modification to the gun in general or magazine in particular, and may consume the space taken by a single shell, allowing the remainder of the magazine to hold shells, as is typical.

Much of the prior art relates to the addition of a flashlight to a firearm but none of them provide the possibility of adding additional ammunition and possibly decreasing the weight of the flashlight by limiting its size.

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