Multidirectional firearm light

An illumination device for a firearm, the illumination device comprising:

• a housing supporting a lamp;
• a clamp coupled to the housing and configured to mount the device to a firearm;
• a switch actuator rotationally coupled to a rear end of the housing, such that the actuator is manipulable in first and second rotational directions, the actuator extending transversely across a rear end of the housing;
• and
• a cam coupled to the switch actuator, such that the cam rotates with the actuator, the cam having a first end including a magnet and a second end having a shaped cam surface configured to interface with a cam follower, wherein the actuator and the cam are biased toward a neutral position;
• wherein the first end of the cam is adjacent a plurality of magnetic switches configured to control respective states of the lamp, such that selective rotation of the cam causes the magnet of the cam to operate one or more of the magnetic switches;
• and
• wherein the shaped cam surface is configured to interact with the cam follower such that the cam is transitionable between a plurality of discrete positions including a toggle position disposed on the cam in the first rotational direction from the neutral position, and a momentary position disposed on the cam in the second rotational direction from the neutral position.

A firearm assembly comprising:

• a firearm having a mounting surface;
• and
• an illumination device coupled to the mounting surface, the illumination device comprising:
• a housing supporting a lamp;
• a clamp coupled to the housing and removably securing the illumination device to the mounting surface of the firearm;
• a switch actuator rotationally coupled to a rear end of the housing, such that the actuator is manipulable in first and second rotational directions, the actuator extending transversely across a rear end of the housing;
• wherein the actuator is disposed adjacent a front end of a trigger guard of the firearm;
• and
• a cam coupled to the switch actuator, such that the cam rotates with the actuator, the cam having a first end including a magnet and a second end having a shaped cam surface configured to interface with a cam follower, wherein the actuator and the cam are biased toward a neutral position;
• wherein the first end of the cam is adjacent a plurality of magnetic switches configured to control respective states the lamp, such that selective rotation of the cam causes the magnet of the cam to operate one or more of the magnetic switches;
• wherein the shaped cam surface is configured to interact with the cam follower such that the cam is transitionable between a plurality of discrete positions including a toggle position disposed on the cam in the first rotational direction from the neutral position, and a momentary position disposed on the cam in the second rotational direction from the neutral position.

A switch for use with an electrical load, the switch comprising:

• a switch actuator manipulable in first and second rotational directions;
• and
• a cam coupled to the switch actuator, such that the cam rotates with the actuator, the cam having a first end including a magnet and a second end having a shaped cam surface configured to interface with a cam follower, wherein the actuator and the cam are biased toward a neutral position;
• wherein the first end of the cam is adjacent a plurality of magnetic switches configured to control respective states of the electrical load, such that selective rotation of the cam causes the magnet of the cam to operate one or more of the magnetic switches;
• and
• wherein the shaped cam surface is configured to interact with the cam follower such that the cam is transitionable between a plurality of discrete positions including a toggle position disposed on the cam in the first rotational direction from the neutral position and a momentary position disposed on the cam in the second rotational direction from the neutral position.