Weapon mountable illumination device

Abstract

A weapon mountable illumination device configured to mount to existing firearm mounting rails to provide illumination of potential targets while mitigating problems associated with snagging, and shadow casting. It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a rapidly mountable device to provide increased lighting capability while obviating the need to remove back up iron sights.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A weapon mountable illumination device comprising:
 a first lighting element, and a second lighting element;   the lighting elements are interconnected by a web extending therebetween; and   the web comprising a first side having an interconnection mechanism,   wherein the interconnection mechanism is configured to interconnect with a firearm, and   wherein the lighting elements are configured to shine forward when the weapon mountable illumination device is interconnected the firearm.   
     
     
         2 . The illumination device of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuation switch disposed on a rearward portion of the illumination device, wherein the actuation of the actuation switch actuates the lighting elements. 
     
     
         3 . The illumination device of  claim 2 , wherein the actuation switch is disposed on a rearward aspect of a first battery compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The illumination device of  claim 2 , further comprising a modality switch disposed on a first lateral aspect of the illumination device, wherein the actuation of the modality switch switches a modality of the lighting elements. 
     
     
         5 . The illumination device of  claim 4 , further comprising a second actuation switch and a second modality switch. 
     
     
         6 . The illumination device of  claim 5 , wherein the second actuation switch is disposed on the rearward portion of the illumination device, and wherein the second modality switch is disposed on a second lateral aspect of the illumination device. 
     
     
         7 . The illumination device of  claim 6 , wherein the first actuation switch is disposed on a rearward aspect of a first battery compartment, and the second actuation switch is disposed on a rearward aspect of a second battery compartment. 
     
     
         8 . The illumination device of  claim 6 , wherein the lighting elements comprise a diameter which is greater than a thickness of the web. 
     
     
         9 . The illumination device of  claim 8 , wherein the lighting elements comprise a lateral offset from a centerline of the illumination device wherein the lateral offset is greater than the thickness of the web. 
     
     
         10 . The illumination device of  claim 9 , wherein the lighting elements comprise an angular offset from the web. 
     
     
         11 . The illumination device of  claim 10 , wherein the angular offset is configured wherein the lighting elements are angled toward the firearm when the illumination device is interconnected with the firearm. 
     
     
         12 . The weapon mountable illumination device of  claim 6 , wherein the interconnection mechanism comprises a channel in a first side of the web,
 wherein the channel extends from a forward aspect of the web to a rearward aspect of the web, and   wherein the channel is configured to slidably mate with a rail interface system of a firearm.   
     
     
         13 . The weapon mountable lighting device of  claim 12 , wherein the channel comprises undercut sidewalls. 
     
     
         14 . The weapon mountable lighting device of  claim 13 , wherein the web comprises a second side;
 the second side of the web comprising a through-hole extending from a first lateral aspect of the web, to a second lateral aspect of the web;   the through-hole is transverse to the channel; and   the through-hole comprises a medial portion open to the channel,   wherein the through-hole is configured to receive a pin therethrough, and   wherein when the channel is slidably mated with a rail interface system of a firearm, and a pin is inserted through the through-hole, a medial portion of the pin engages with a slot of the rail interface system places the weapon mountable illumination device into a locked configuration with the rail interface system.   
     
     
         15 . The weapon mountable illumination device of  claim 6 , comprising a first oblong fastener interconnected with the first side of the web, and the first oblong fastener is configured to interconnect with an elongated slot of a firearm;
 the first oblong fastener comprising a central axis, and a keyed connector located on the second side of the web,   wherein the insertion of the first oblong fastener through the elongated slot, and rotating the first oblong fastener about the central axis by rotating the keyed connector thereby interconnects the weapon mountable illumination device to the firearm in a locked configuration.   
     
     
         16 . The weapon mountable illumination device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second oblong fastener.