Recoil spring guide mounted target marker

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9423213-B2
Application number	US-201314079149-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 13, 2013
Priority date	Nov 14, 2012
Publication date	Aug 23, 2016
Grant date	Aug 23, 2016

Abstract

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a target marker for a firearm may comprise a module having a first portion, and a second portion electrically connected and coupled to the first portion. A light source may be disposed within and electrically connected to the second portion. An optical component may be coupled to the first portion at a first fixed distance from the light source. A circuit board may be electrically connected to the light source via at least one lead, wherein the lead may permit relative movement between the circuit board and the light source and may maintain a second fixed distance between the circuit board and the light source.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A target marker for a firearm, comprising:
a module having a first portion, and a second portion electrically connected and coupled to the first portion;
a light source disposed within and electrically connected to the second portion;
an optical component coupled to the first portion at a first fixed distance from the light source; and
a circuit board electrically connected to the light source via at least one lead,
wherein the circuit board and the light source are configured to permit relative angular movement between the circuit board and the light source and wherein the at least one lead is fixed to the circuit board and configured to permit the relative angular movement between the circuit board and the light source and so that the lead maintains a second fixed distance between the circuit board and the light source.

2. The target marker of claim 1 , wherein the optical component comprises a lens configured to collimate a beam of radiation emitted by the light source.

3. The target marker of claim 1 , wherein the first portion is made from a first conductive material, and the second portion is made from a second conductive material that is less conductive than the first conductive material.

4. The target marker of claim 1 , wherein the first portion is made from a first conductive material, and the second portion is made from a second conductive material wherein the first conductive material is substantially equally as conductive as the second conductive material.

5. The target marker of claim 1 , wherein the first portion comprises a first set of threads and the second portion comprises a second set of threads mating with the first set of threads.

6. The target marker of claim 1 , wherein the first portion and second portion are a one-piece module.

7. The target marker of claim 1 , wherein the circuit board is selectively electrically connected to a power source configured to energize the light source.

8. The target marker of claim 7 , wherein the circuit board is electrically connected to the power source via a spring disposed between the power source and a tail of the circuit board.

9. The target marker of claim 8 , wherein the power source comprises at least one of a zinc-air battery, a lithium cell battery, an alkaline battery, a button cell battery, and a coin cell coin battery.

10. The target marker of claim 1 , wherein first and second portions are formed as separate components of the target marker.

11. The target marker of claim 1 , wherein the module and circuit board are substantially disposed within a recoil spring guide of the firearm.

12. The target marker of claim 11 , wherein the recoil spring guide comprises a substantially-cylindrical head, and a substantially-cylindrical tube removably coupled to the head.

13. The target marker of claim 12 , wherein the head and the tube are a single piece module forming the recoil spring guide.

14. The target marker of claim 11 , wherein a power source is disposed outside of the recoil spring guide.

15. The target marker of claim 11 , wherein a power is disposed within the recoil spring guide and is proximate the circuit board.

16. The target marker of claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises one of a green laser, a red laser, an infrared laser, an infrared LED, a white LED, and a colored LED.

17. A target marker for a firearm, comprising:
a module having a first portion, and a second portion electrically connected and coupled to the first portion;
a light source coupled to and electrically connected to the second portion,
an optical component coupled to the first portion at a first fixed distance from the light source;
a circuit board electrically connected to the light source, and disposed at a second fixed distance from the light source; and
a recoil spring guide defining a longitudinal axis,
wherein the module is disposed at least partially within the recoil spring guide wherein the light source is configured to permit angular movement relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the circuit board is generally fixed relative to the transverse axis, and wherein the light source and the circuit board are joined by a lead that is mounted to the circuit board and configured to have flexibility in a direction that is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis to permit the angular movement the light source to while maintaining the second fixed distance from the circuit board.

18. The target marker of claim 17 , wherein the circuit board is electrically connected to the light source via at least one lead extending between the light source and the circuit board.

19. The target marker of claim 18 , wherein the at least one lead maintains the second fixed distance between the circuit board and the light source.

20. The target marker of claim 17 , further comprising:
a fastener threadedly connected to the recoil spring guide, wherein movement of the fastener relative to the first portion changes a position of the module relative to the recoil spring guide.

21. The target marker of claim 20 wherein the fastener forms an electrical connection between the recoil spring guide and the module.

22. The target marker of claim 21 , further including:
a spacer disposed between the recoil spring guide and the module, wherein movement of the fastener in a first direction compresses the spacer and movement of the fastener in a second direction opposite the first direction expands the spacer.

23. A target marker as in claim 22 , wherein the spacer is substantially annular and is disposed around an outer surface of the module.

24. The target marker of claim 20 , wherein the fastener extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the recoil spring guide.

25. The target marker of claim 17 , wherein a power source is selectively electrically connected to the light source via the circuit board and a switch.

26. The target marker of claim 25 , wherein the switch comprises a slide lock of the firearm.

27. The target marker of claim 17 , wherein the recoil spring guide is substantially filled with an insulating substance that substantially surrounds the circuit board and fixes a position of the circuit board, and a portion of the module relative to the recoil spring guide.

28. The target marker of claim 17 , wherein the recoil spring guide contains a first feature, and the firearm contains a second feature that couples with the first feature such that the coupling maintains a circumferential orientation between the light source and the firearm.

29. A method for calibrating a target marker, the method comprising:
electrically connecting a light source to a module, wherein the light source is disposed substantially within the module;
disposing the module at least partially within a recoil spring guide configured for use with a handheld firearm;
electrically connecting a fastener to the module, the fastener being configured to change a position of the module relative to the recoil spring guide via relative movement between the fastener and the recoil spring guide;
electrically connecting, via at least one lead, the light source to a circuit board disposed at least partially within the recoil spring guide, wherein the light source is moveable relative to the circuit board, wherein the at least one lead is configured to permit the light source to be

Assignees

• Lasermax Inc

Inventors

• Kowalczyk Jr John A
• Mock Jeffrey W
• Tuller Jeffrey D

Classifications

• F41G3/145

  using a target illuminator · CPC title

• F41G1/36 Primary

  with infrared light source · CPC title

• F41A5/02

  recoil-operated · CPC title

• F41C3/00

  Pistols, e.g. revolvers (specially adapted for underwater use F41C9/06; for slaughtering or stunning animals A22B; for shooting bolts into concrete constructions, metal walls or the like B25C) · CPC title

• F41G1/35 Primary

  for illuminating the target {, e.g. flash lights} · CPC title