Hand-Mounted Light with Adjustable Band for Stable Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for providing light when handling a handgun are awkward and unstable, as they require both hands for stabilization, and pistol-mounted lights can interfere with handgun operation and add weight, with most holsters not accommodating them.
Innovation Solution
A hand-mounted light system comprising a housing with narrow and wide beam lamps, power control, and a power source, mounted to the back of the hand using a band and strap system, allowing for adjustable positioning and power management, including rechargeable batteries and multiple luminosity settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a standard flashlight is held in the hand, then light is provided, but the hand becomes unstable and cannot be used for other tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting function is segmented from the hand and integrated into a separate device (hand-mounted light) that can be worn on the hand without requiring the hand to grip a flashlight. This allows the hand to remain free for other tasks while providing stable illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
A band and bracket system acts as an intermediary between the light housing and the hand, providing secure mounting while allowing the hand to perform other functions. The intermediary device transfers the lighting function without compromising hand stability.
2Illumination intensity
If a pistol mounted light is attached to the underside of the barrel, then light is provided, but the weapon operation is interfered with and weight is added
Solution Approach 1:
The light is extracted from the pistol barrel mounting location and relocated to the hand. This removes the interference with pistol operation and eliminates the need for specialized holsters, while still providing necessary illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mounting the light on the pistol (one-dimensional solution), the light is mounted on the hand, utilizing a different spatial dimension. This resolves the conflict between light provision and pistol operation by moving the light source to a location that does not interfere with the weapon.
3Illumination intensity
If a pistol mounted light is used, then light is provided, but weight is added to the weapon
Solution Approach 1:
The light system is extracted from the weapon assembly and relocated to the hand. This separates the weight of the light from the weapon, allowing the weapon to remain lightweight while the hand-mounted light provides necessary illumination.
4Illumination intensity
If holsters are designed to accommodate pistol mounted lights, then light provision is enabled, but holster compatibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The light is extracted from the pistol mounting system and relocated to the hand. This eliminates the need for specialized holsters designed to accommodate pistol-mounted lights, thereby maintaining universal holster compatibility while still providing light provision.
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 hand-mounted light system provides stable and versatile illumination, freeing the hand for other tasks while minimizing weight and interference with handguns, and can be easily attached to a duty belt or vest.
Implementation Method 1
Each lamp has one or more light-emitting diodes that emits light into a corresponding lens system chosen to form a beam with the desired divergence
Data Source
AI summary
A light that mounts to the back of the hand by a band. A housing has a narrow beam lamp and the wide beam lamp with a corresponding lens system to form a light beam with the desired divergence. A number of power control configurations are contemplated, including separate on/off switches, multi-position switches, luminosity level switches with a master on/off switch, and a single switch for each lamp that cycles through several luminosity levels. Power is supplied by batteries. The band includes a bracket attached to the housing and a strap that permanently or removably attaches to the bracket, the combination of which encircles the hand. The light includes mechanisms for adjusting the housing relative to the band.