# US 8,739,447 B2 · Systems and methods for providing a firearm with an extendable light source > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,739,447 B2 - Document ID: US8739447B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/691,333 - Filed: 2012-11-30 - Published: 2014-01-02 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2011-11-30 - Assignees: Launcher Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Michael Merritt; LuDean Merritt - Inventors: Michael Merritt; LuDean Merritt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739447B2 ## CPC - F41G 1/34: combined with light source, e.g. spot light - F41A 3/66: Breech housings or frames; Receivers - F41C 9/02: Concealed pistols, e.g. in pencils - F41C 27/00: Accessories; Details or attachments not otherwise provided for - F41F 1/00: Launching apparatus for projecting projectiles or missiles from barrels, e.g. cannons (F41F3/00 takes precedence); Harpoon guns - F41G 1/35: for illuminating the target - F41G 11/004: {Mountings with clamping means on the device embracing at least a part of the firearm, e.g. the receiver or a dustcover (F41G11/003 takes precedence)} - F41G: WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING (optical aspects thereof G02B) - F41A: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE - F41C: SMALLARMS, e.g. PISTOLS, RIFLES (functional features or details common to both smallarms and ordnance, mountings therefor F41A; projecting missiles without use of explosive or combustible propellant charge F41B); ACCESSORIES THEREFOR - F41F: APPARATUS FOR LAUNCHING PROJECTILES OR MISSILES FROM BARRELS, e.g. CANNONS (smallarms F41C); LAUNCHERS FOR ROCKETS OR TORPEDOES; HARPOON GUNS (functional features or details common to both smallarms and ordnance, mountings therefor F41A; projecting missiles without use of explosive or combustible propellant charge F41B) ## Abstract The present invention relates to systems and methods for making and using a firearm that includes an extendable light source that can be selectively moved closer to and farther from a longitudinal axis of a barrel of the firearm. In some cases, the light source includes a laser or a light bulb, such as an LED. By being able to selectively move closer to and farther from the barrel's longitudinal axis, the light source can be adjusted so that it is able to shine past one or more attachments that are placed on a distal end of the firearm. Other implementations are also described. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A firearm comprising: a barrel; a first light source; and a second light source, wherein the first and second light source are attached to a housing having a lateral outer perimeter, wherein the first light source is disposed within the lateral outer perimeter, wherein the second light source attaches to the housing so as to be selectively movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is closer to a longitudinal axis of the barrel than the second position, wherein the second light source is connected to the housing and extends laterally past the lateral outer perimeter to emit light outside of the lateral outer perimeter when the second light source is in the second position, and wherein the second light source is connected to the housing and is disposed in the lateral outer perimeter when the second light source is in the first position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The firearm of claim 1, wherein the firearm comprises a firearm mounting mechanism configured to attach the firearm to a separate gun. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The firearm of claim 1, wherein the first light source is configured to function as a flashlight and wherein the second light source comprises a laser aiming system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The firearm of claim 1, wherein the second light source is configured to emit light from within the outer perimeter when the second light source is in the first position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The firearm of claim 1, further comprising a distal end attachment, wherein the second light source is configured to shine past a lateral perimeter of the distal end attachment when the second light source is in the second position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The firearm of claim 1, further comprising a distal end attachment, wherein the second light source is configured to shine within a lateral perimeter of, and emit light through, the distal end attachment when the second light source is in the first position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The firearm of claim 5, wherein the distal end attachment comprises a launching platform. ### Claim 8 A firearm comprising: a gun barrel; a housing having an outer perimeter; and a first light source that is attached to the housing so as to be selectively movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is closer to a longitudinal axis of the barrel than the second position, wherein the first light source is connected to the housing, and extends laterally past the outer perimeter, and is configured to emit light outside of the outer perimeter of the housing when the first light source is in the second position, and wherein the first light source is connected to the housing and is disposed in, and is configured to emit light from within, the outer perimeter when the first light source is in the first position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The firearm of claim 8, further comprising a second light source that is disposed within the outer perimeter of the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The firearm of claim 9, wherein the first light source comprises a laser aimer, and wherein the second light source comprises a flashlight. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The firearm of claim 8, wherein the first light source comprises a laser. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The firearm of claim 8, wherein the first light source is slidable, in a plane running substantially perpendicular to a longest length of the barrel, between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The firearm of claim 8, wherein a distal end of the firearm comprises a launching platform. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The firearm of claim 8, further comprising a retention mechanism to selectively maintain the first light source in and release the first light source from a location selected from the first position and the second position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The firearm of claim 14, wherein the retention mechanism comprises a detent mechanism. ### Claim 16 A firearm comprising: a gun barrel; and a first light source comprising a housing having an outer perimeter, wherein the first light source is attached to the firearm so as to be selectively movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is closer to a longitudinal axis of the barrel than the second position, wherein the first light source is connected to the housing and extends laterally past, and is configured to emit light outside of, the outer perimeter of the housing when the first light source is in the second position, and wherein the first light source is connected to the housing and is disposed in and configured to emit light from within the outer perimeter when the first light source is in the first position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The firearm of claim 16, further comprising a second light source, wherein the second light source is disposed within the outer perimeter of the housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The firearm of claim 16, wherein the distal end of the firearm comprises a launching platform. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The firearm of claim 16, wherein the first light source is slidable, in a plane that runs substantially perpendicular to a longest length of the barrel, between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The firearm of claim 16, further comprising a detent mechanism to selectively maintain the first light source in and release the first light source from a location selected from the first position and the second position. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The firearm of claim 17, wherein the second light source is configured to function as a flashlight and wherein the first light source comprises a laser.