Frame-mounted laser aiming device

Abstract

A revolver having a frame that defines a rectangular aperture to which a cylinder is mounted, and a laser aiming device that is mounted to the frame, rearward of the rectangular aperture. The laser aiming device is secured to the frame by a fastener that is inserted through an opening defined in a central position of the laser aiming device and into a corresponding hole formed in the frame. The alignment axis of the laser aiming device is proximate the firing axis of the revolver. The laser aiming device is light weight and lies substantially flush against the revolver, between the frame and the cylinder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A firearm for illuminating a target located at a distance from the firearm, the firearm comprising:
 a frame having a grip for holding the firearm, the frame defining a mounting hole located above the grip; and   a laser aiming device defining an opening therethrough, the opening corresponding in size and shape to the mounting hole in the frame, the laser aiming device being mounted independently from the grip to the frame by a fastener extending through the opening and into the mounting hole.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the laser aiming device being mounted to the frame along one side thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the laser aiming device lies substantially flush with the contours of the frame. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the laser aiming device includes an angular adjustment mechanism to adjust the direction of a projected laser from the laser aiming device. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the laser aiming device includes an actuation mechanism for actuation of a laser emitter located therein, the actuation mechanism being located adjacent a top surface of the frame for access by a thumb of a user. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the direction of a laser emitted from the laser aiming device is unaffected by removal and installation of the laser aiming device from and to the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The firearm of  claim 1 , further comprising a cylinder, the frame defining a rectangular aperture, the cylinder being pivotally connected to the frame to allow the cylinder to pivot into and out of the rectangular aperture, the laser aiming device being mounted to the frame to project a laser from within the laser aiming device over the cylinder, such that the laser is proximate and substantially parallel to a barrel of the firearm. 
     
     
         8 . The firearm of  claim 1 , further comprising a lobe extending from the opposite side of the frame to which the laser aiming device is attached, the lobe being substantially equivalent in weight to the laser aiming device to symmetrically balance the firearm about a center plane. 
     
     
         9 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the laser aiming device includes a substantially flat inner surface corresponding to and intimately contacting a flat outer surface of the frame. 
     
     
         10 . The firearm of  claim 9 , wherein the flat inner surface of the laser aiming device includes peg-like protrusions extending outward therefrom, the side of the frame defining corresponding alignment holes to align the laser aiming device relative to the frame during mounting of the laser aiming device to the side of the frame. 
     
     
         11 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the laser aiming device being readily installed and/or interchangeable with other laser aiming devices. 
     
     
         12 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a wall extending outward from the side of the frame, the laser aiming device having a flat front surface located adjacent to the wall to assist in the alignment of the laser aiming device and to transfer impact forces experienced by the laser aiming device to the frame of the firearm. 
     
     
         13 . A revolver for illuminating a target located at a distance from the revolver, the revolver comprising:
 a frame defining a rectangular aperture;   a cylinder being pivotally mounted within the rectangular aperture;   a grip being mounted to an end of the frame; and   a laser aiming device mounted to the frame at a location rearward of the rectangular aperture and above the grip, the grip being replaceable without removal of the laser aiming device.   
     
     
         14 . The revolver of  claim 13 , wherein the laser aiming device defines an opening in a central position, the frame defining a mounting hole corresponding in size and shape to the opening in the aiming device, the laser aiming device being mounted to the frame by a fastener extending through the opening and into the mounting hole. 
     
     
         15 . The revolver of  claim 13 , wherein the laser aiming device being readily installed and/or interchangeable with other laser aiming devices. 
     
     
         16 . A laser aiming device for use on a firearm including a grip and a frame, the frame having a top surface and a side with a mounting hole and alignment holes located along an aft portion of the frame above the grip, the laser aiming device comprising:
 a housing having a side surface being complementary in size and shape to the side of the aft portion of the frame that is above the grip, an opening extending through the housing corresponding in size and shape to the mounting hole in the side of the frame for attachment of the laser aiming device to the side of the frame; and   a laser emitter being located within the housing.   
     
     
         17 . The laser aiming device of  claim 16 , wherein laser aiming device defines a window along a forward surface to allow an emitted laser to be projected from the laser emitter. 
     
     
         18 . The laser aiming device of  claim 16 , wherein the laser aiming device is substantially constructed from non-metallic components. 
     
     
         19 . The laser aiming device of  claim 16 , further comprising an adjustment mechanism for changing a direction of a laser emitted from the laser aiming device. 
     
     
         20 . The laser aiming device of  claim 16 , further comprising an actuation mechanism for actuation of the laser emitter, the actuation mechanism being located to be accessed through a top hole defined in the housing, the top hole being located adjacent to the top surface of the frame for access by a thumb of a user.