Flush Switch for Handgun Accessory

Abstract

A handgun mounted accessory such as a laser sight is combined with a trigger-guard mounted flush profile switch to provide high reliability of operation. The switch is designed and located to provide passive user switching in use without separate movement or applied force of the user's hand or fingers.

1 . A firearm accessory control system, comprising:
 a powered device removably secured to a firearm frame at a mounting position forward of a firearm triggerguard;   a conductive element extending flushly from a switch position on a downward facing outer surface of the triggerguard to the mounting position;   a switch disposed at the switch position, the switch being operable without displacement of any portion of the switch and with no force applied to the switch;   at least one electrical contact disposed on the firearm frame at the mounting position and electrically connected to both the conductive element and to the powered device when the powered device is secured to the firearm frame.   
     
     
         2 . A firearm accessory control system, according to  claim 1 , and wherein:
 the conductive element is disposed on the downward facing outer surface.   
     
     
         3 . A firearm accessory control system, according to  claim 1 , and further comprises:
 a nonconductive base layer disposed on the downward facing outer surface; and wherein:   the conductive element is disposed on the base layer.   
     
     
         4 . A firearm accessory control system, according to  claim 1 , and wherein:
 the conductive element is disposed within the triggerguard, the conductive element being exposed on the downward facing outer surface.   
     
     
         5 . A firearm accessory control system, according to  claim 1 , and wherein:
 the powered device comprises a light.   
     
     
         6 . A firearm accessory control system comprising:
 a powered device removably secured to a firearm frame at a mounting position forward of a forward triggerguard;   a switch located on a grip portion of the firearm frame;   the switch being operable without displacement of any portion of the switch and with no force applied to the switch;   a conductive element extending from the switch and flushly on a downward facing outer surface of the triggerguard to the mounting position;   at least one electrical contact disposed on the firearm frame at the mounting position and electrically connected to both the conductive element and to the powered device when the powered device is secured to the firearm frame.   
     
     
         7 . A firearm accessory control system, according to  claim 6 , and wherein;
 the switch extends from the grip onto the triggerguard.   
     
     
         8 . A firearm accessory control system, according to  claim 6 , and wherein:
 the conductive element is disposed on the downward facing outer surface.   
     
     
         9 . A firearm accessory control system, according to  claim 6 , and further comprising:
 a nonconductive base layer disposed on the downward facing outer surface; and wherein:   the conductive element is disposed on the base layer.   
     
     
         10 . A firearm accessory control system, according to  claim 6 , and wherein:
 the conductive element is disposed within the triggerguard, the conductive element being exposed on the downward facing outer surface.   
     
     
         11 . A firearm accessory control system, according to  claim 6 , and wherein:
 the powered device comprises a light.   
     
     
         12 . A firearm accessory control system, comprising:
 a powered device removably secured to a firearm frame at a mounting position forward of a firearm triggerguard, the powered device having a rigid arm extending under and against the triggerguard;   a switch disposed on a downward facing surface of the arm at a switch position adjacent a firearm grip, the switch being operable without displacement of any portion of the switch and with no force applied to the switch;   the switch including a conductive element extending flushly from the switch position and forward on a downward facing outer surface of the arm.   
     
     
         13 . A firearm accessory control system, according to  claim 12 , and wherein:
 the arm extends downward from the triggerguard and over a portion of the grip.   
     
     
         14 . A firearm accessory control system, according to  claim 12 , and wherein:
 the powered device is a laser.