Firearm Illuminator with Folding Iron Sight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern firearms with offset accessories protrude, increasing vulnerability and potentially affecting accuracy, and prior art flashlights with integrated iron sight posts have drawbacks such as non-adjustable or awkwardly located sight posts and switches.
Innovation Solution
A firearm illuminator with a folding iron sight that moves forward, ambidextrous side-mounted switches, and a design that integrates a light source, power source, and weapon sight within a monolithic aluminum housing, allowing for adjustable sight posts and convenient switch operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If accessories (flashlight or backup iron sights) are mounted on the standard accessory rail, then the firearm can be equipped with necessary accessories, but one or more accessories must be offset from the centerline position, causing the firearm to protrude and increase vulnerability to snagging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flashlight and backup iron sights into a single integrated unit mounted at the centerline 12 o'clock position on the accessory rail. This merging eliminates the need to offset either accessory, allowing both to function simultaneously without protruding from the firearm's profile, thereby reducing vulnerability to snagging while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the backup iron sights are offset from the centerline position to accommodate the flashlight, then the flashlight can be mounted, but the accuracy is adversely affected because the user must fire at an atypical angle to aim using the offset sights
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the backup iron sights with the flashlight at the centerline position, the patent restores proper alignment for accurate aiming. The sights are positioned where they should naturally be (at 12 o'clock), eliminating the need to fire at atypical angles, while the flashlight remains functional alongside the sights.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides illumination through the flashlight and backup aiming capability through the iron sights, both from a single centerline mounting position. This multi-functionality eliminates the trade-off between accessory mounting and aiming accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a prior art flashlight with integrated iron sight post is used, then the sight post is always visible, but this increases the risk of snagging and obscures the sight picture through an optical sight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the iron sight post dynamic by enabling it to fold down into a recessed position within the flashlight body. When not in use, the sight post can be stowed to eliminate protrusion, reducing snagging risk and preventing obstruction of the optical sight's field of view. When needed, the sight post can be extended to an extended position for use as a backup sight.
4Ease of manufacture
If the iron sight is located rearward of the optimal position in prior art designs, then the flashlight housing can accommodate it, but the maximum sight radius is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the iron sight post at the forwardmost possible location within the flashlight housing by using a folding mechanism that extends the sight post to the front of the housing. This maximizes the sight radius for improved aiming precision while still accommodating within the flashlight's physical boundaries through the retractable design.
5Device complexity
If a rearwardly mounted switch is used to control the light, then the switch can be integrated into the housing, but it is awkward to use when the firearm is held in the shooting position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the switch on the side of the flashlight housing rather than at the rear, creating an asymmetric layout that improves ergonomics. The side-mounted switch position allows the shooter to easily access and operate it with the thumb or fingers of the support hand while holding the firearm in the shooting position, significantly improving ease of operation compared to rearward mounting.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces firearm width, enhances accuracy by allowing the iron sight to be stowed, and provides ambidextrous switch operation for improved usability and reduced snagging risks, while maintaining clear sight lines for optical sights.
Implementation Method 1
a light source at the front portion
Data Source
AI summary
A firearm illuminator has a housing having a front portion, a rear portion, and an intermediate portion between the front and rear positions, a light source at the front portion, a power source at the rear portion, a power conductor interconnecting the light source and the power source and coextensive with the intermediate portion, and a weapon sight connected at the intermediate portion between the light source and the power source. the weapon sight may be a post sight. The weapon sight may be a front sight configured to register with a rear weapon sight. The weapon sight may be movable between a stowed position and an extended position. An indicating portion of the weapon sight extends above the housing when in the extended position. The housing may have an upper surface below a selected limit level. The weapon sight may be configured to extend above the limit level.