Switch for the control of weapon mounted electronic assemblies, a weapon having a control switch and a method for using a weapon

Abstract

A switch assembly 250 which is selectively deployed upon a weapon 10 and which normally causes electrical power to be communicated to a visible energy emission assembly 252 from a source of electrical power and which requires positive actions to interrupt such communication. A method of using switch assembly 250 is also provided.

1 ) A weapon switch assembly for controlling a selectively energizable emission assembly, comprising:
 a body portion;   a first control lever which is selectively coupled to a source of electrical power, and which is selectively movable within said body portion to a second position in which said communication of said electrical power to said selectively energizable emission assembly is interrupted;   a second control lever which is selectively coupled to a selectively energizable emission assembly, and which is selectively movable within said body portion to a second position in which said communication of said electrical power to said selectively energizable light is interrupted; and   a selectively movable disable portion which is selectively movable from a first position in which said selectively movable disable portion normally allows electrical power to be communicated to said selectively energizable emission assembly, effective to normally activate said electrically energizable light, to a second position in which said disable portion prevents communication of electrical power from said source of electrical power to said selectively energizable light, thereby effective to control said selectively energizable light.   
     
     
         2 ) The firearm switch of  claim 1  wherein said movement of said first control lever requires a force to be applied to said first control lever. 
     
     
         3 ) The firearm switch of  claim 2  wherein said movement of said second control lever requires a force to be applied to said second control lever. 
     
     
         4 ) The firearm switch of  claim 3  wherein said second portion of said first control lever remains within said second position only if force is continually applied to said second portion. 
     
     
         5 ) The firearm switch of  claim 4  wherein said second portion of said second control lever remains within said second position only if force is continually applied to said second portion. 
     
     
         6 ) A weapon switch assembly for controlling a selectively energizable emission assembly, comprising:
 a body portion;   a first control lever which is selectively coupled to a source of electrical power, and which is selectively movable within said body portion to a second position in which said communication of said electrical power to said selectively energizable emission assembly is interrupted, and wherein said first control lever requires a force to be applied to said first control lever;   a second control lever which is selectively coupled to a selectively energizable emission assembly, and which is selectively movable within said body portion to a second position in which said communication of said electrical power to said selectively energizable light is interrupted, and wherein said second control lever requires a force to be applied to said second control lever; and   a selectively movable first disable portion which is selectively movable from a first position in which said selectively movable disable portion normally allows electrical power to be communicated to said selectively energizable emission assembly, effective to normally activate said electrically energizable light, to a second position in which said disable portion prevents communication of electrical power from said source of electrical power to said selectively energizable light, thereby effective to control said selectively energizable light;   a selectively movable second disable portion which is selectively movable from a third position in which said selectively movable disable portion normally allows electrical power to be communicated to said selectively energizable emission assembly, effective to normally activate said electrically energizable light, to a fourth position in which said disable portion prevents communication of electrical power from said source of electrical power to said selectively energizable light, thereby effective to control said selectively energizable light;   
     
     
         7 ) A method of using a firearm in a left hand comprising the steps of providing a selectively energizable light assembly; mounting said selectively energizable light assembly upon said firearm; and causing said selectively energizable light assembly to generate light unless force is applied to a certain portion of said selectively energizable light assembly by a left hand. 
     
     
         8 ) The method of  claim 7  wherein said selectively energizable light assembly comprises a selectively energizable light; a source of electrical power; and a switch that is coupled to said selectively energizable light and to said source of electrical power. 
     
     
         9 ) The method of  claim 8  wherein said switch normally occupies a first position in which said source of electrical power is communicatively coupled to said selectively energizable light. 
     
     
         10 ) The method of  claim 9  wherein said switch is selectively movable to a second position in which said communication is interrupted.