Handgun illumination device

Abstract

An illumination device for a handgun is disclosed that generally comprises a housing, an illumination device within the housing, and an illumination trigger. The housing can mount to an end of a magazine for a handgun. The illumination trigger can activate the illumination device when the illumination trigger is pressed. The illumination device can include an LED or an incandescent light source. In addition, the illumination device can be configured so that the illumination device directs light parallel to an axis of a barrel of the handgun. The illumination device also can be configured so that the illumination device directs light at an angle to an axis of a barrel of the handgun.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An illumination device for a handgun, the illumination device comprising:
 a housing, wherein the housing is configured to mount to a handgun magazine;   an illumination device within the housing; and   an illumination trigger, wherein the illumination trigger is configured to activate the illumination device when the illumination trigger is manually activated.   
     
     
         2 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 1 , wherein the illumination device within the housing comprises an LED light source. 
     
     
         3 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 2 , wherein the LED light source is configured to output  200  lumens of light. 
     
     
         4 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 1 , wherein the illumination device within the housing comprises an incandescent light source. 
     
     
         5 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 1 , wherein the illumination device within the housing comprises a controller that is configured to enable selection of at least a first light output intensity and a second light output intensity, wherein the first light output intensity and second light output intensity are different. 
     
     
         6 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 1 , wherein the illumination device within the housing comprises a controller that is configured to enable selection of a beacon mode wherein the illumination device within the housing sequentially blinks on and off. 
     
     
         7 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 1 , wherein the illumination device within the housing is configured to direct light parallel to an axis of a barrel of the handgun. 
     
     
         8 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         9 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises set screws for mounting the housing to the handgun magazine. 
     
     
         10 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 1 , wherein the illumination device for a handgun further comprises a rotatable adapter knob. 
     
     
         11 . An illumination device for a handgun, the illumination device comprising:
 a base portion configured to mount to a handgun magazine;   a housing connected to the base portion, wherein the housing is rotatable with respect to the base portion;   an illumination device within the housing; and   an illumination trigger, wherein the illumination trigger is configured to activate the illumination device when the illumination trigger is manually activated.   
     
     
         12 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 11 , wherein the housing is rotatable between a first position in which the illumination device within the housing is configured to direct light parallel to an axis of a barrel of the handgun and a second position in which the illumination device within the housing is configured to direct light at an angle to the axis of the barrel of the handgun. 
     
     
         13 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 12 , wherein the second position in which the illumination device within the housing is configured to direct light is at a 45 degree angle to the axis of the barrel of the handgun. 
     
     
         14 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 12 , wherein the illumination device within the housing comprises an LED light source. 
     
     
         15 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 14 , wherein the LED light source is configured to output  200  lumens of light. 
     
     
         16 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 12 , wherein the illumination device within the housing comprises an incandescent light source. 
     
     
         17 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 12 , wherein the illumination device within the housing comprises a controller that is configured to enable selection of at least a first light output intensity and a second light output intensity, wherein the first light output intensity and second light output intensity are different. 
     
     
         18 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 12 , wherein the illumination device within the housing comprises a controller that is configured to enable selection of a beacon mode wherein the illumination device sequentially blinks on and off. 
     
     
         19 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 12 , wherein the illumination device for a handgun further comprises a rotatable adapter knob. 
     
     
         20 . The illumination device for a handgun of  claim 12 , wherein the base portion comprises set screws for mounting the base portion to the handgun magazine.