RIFLE ACCESSORY RAIL, COMMUNICATION, AND POWER TRANSFER SYSTEM-BATTERY PACK

• US 20100275489A1
• Filed: 01/19/2010
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T-Worx Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Prototype Productions Incorporated (Prototype Productions)
• Inventors: Feldman, Ben, Cabahug, Eric, McLaughlin, Donald, Frascati, Joseph, Dodd, James
• Granted Patent: US 8,402,683 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/71.01
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 23/04 Folding or telescopic stocks or stock parts articulated or collapsible guns F41A11/04
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 23/22 Stocks having space for the storage of objects

Abstract

The present invention is related to weapons systems. In particular, the present invention is directed to accessory attachment systems for rifles and small arms weapons that enable attached accessory devices to draw power from a central power source and communicate with the user and/or other devices.

Claims

1. A firearm system comprising:

at least one accessory;

at least one power source;

and wherein an accessory receives electrical power from the power source.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a power switch for controlling the flow of electrical power from the power source to the accessory.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one powered mounting rail is a detachable mounting rail.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one powered mounting rail a Picatinny rail.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a butt stock assembly wherein the buttstock assembly contains the power source.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an external power pack wherein the external power pack comprises the power source.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a foregrip assembly wherein the foregrip assembly comprises the power source.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the external power pack attaches to the mounting rail.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source is located in a pistol grip.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a first rail accessory mechanically connected to the at least one mounting rail and electrically connected to the at least one power connection;

a second rail accessory mechanically connected to the at least one mounting rail and electrically connected to the at least one power connection.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one mounting rail is a detachable mounting rail.

12. The system of claim 5, wherein the battery pack may be externally rechargeable due to its location in the buttstock of the weapon

13. The system of claim 5, wherein the battery pack may be comprised of multiple types of energy sources including fuel cell, primary, or rechargeable battery.

14. The system of claim 5 wherein the battery pack employs a quick-release mechanism

15. The system of claim 5 wherein the battery pack is mounted to the buffer tube/receiver extension

16. The system of claim 5 wherein the battery pack makes electrical contact with a contact block on the lower receiver

17. The system of claim 5 wherein the battery pack is an environmentally sealed package containing multiple smaller cells

18. The system of claim 5 wherein the battery pack contains 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 16 individual AA batteries

19. The system of claim 15 wherein the buttstock may collapse over the battery without affecting the battery position

20. The system of claim 15 wherein the battery pack is positively latched via a lever action

21. The system of claim 15 wherein the battery pack makes a sealed connection to the weapon with internally protected contact points