POWERED RAIL SYSTEM FOR A WEAPON

• US 20140059911A1
• Filed: 08/30/2012
• Published: 03/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TE Connectivity Corporation (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics UK Limited (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Inventors: Oh, Lawrence Se-Jun, Mulfinger, Robert Neil
• Granted Patent: US 9,086,253 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/16
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 23/16 Forestocks; Handgrips; Hand guards pump-action guns F41C7/02
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 23/22 Stocks having space for the storage of objects
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 27/00 Accessories; Details or attachments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/003 Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"

Abstract

A powered rail system is provided for a weapon that includes a barrel. The powered rail system includes a base having a longitudinal opening. The base is configured to be mounted to the weapon such that the barrel is received within the longitudinal opening and the base extends around at least a segment of a length of the barrel. A rail extends from the base. An electrical component is mounted to the rail. An electrical power source is held by the base. The electrical power source is electrically connected to the electrical component for supplying the electrical component with electrical power.

Claims

1. A powered rail system for a weapon that includes a barrel, the powered rail system comprising:

a base having a longitudinal opening, the base being configured to be mounted to the weapon such that the barrel is received within the longitudinal opening and the base extends around at least a segment of a length of the barrel;

a rail extending from the base;

an electrical component mounted to the rail; and

an electrical power source held by the base, the electrical power source being electrically connected to the electrical component for supplying the electrical component with electrical power.

2. The powered rail system of claim 1, wherein the base comprises an internal compartment, the electrical power source being received within the internal compartment of the base.

3. The powered rail system of claim 1, further comprising a hand grip that is mounted to at least one of the base or the rail, the electrical power source being held by the hand grip.

4. The powered rail system of claim 1, wherein the base comprises an internal compartment that is configured to be spaced apart from the barrel when the powered rail system is mounted to the weapon, the electrical power source being received within the internal compartment of the base.

5. The powered rail system of claim 1, further comprising a hand grip that is mounted to at least one of the base or the rail, the hand grip comprising an internal compartment, the electrical power source being received within the internal compartment of the hand grip.

6. The powered rail system of claim 1, further comprising a hand grip that is mounted to at least one of the base or the rail, the hand grip comprising an elongate handle that extends in an approximately perpendicular direction relative to the length of the barrel when the powered rail system is mounted to the weapon, the electrical power source being held by the hand grip.

7. The powered rail system of claim 1, further comprising a hand grip that is mounted to at least one of the base or the rail, the electrical power source being held by the hand grip, the hand grip comprising at least one of a control button or a control switch that is electrically connected to the electrical component for controlling operation of the electrical component.

8. The powered rail system of claim 1, wherein the electrical power source comprises at least one of a battery, a rechargeable battery, a double A battery, an AAAA battery, a 9-volt battery, a 4.5 volt battery, an A23 battery, a triple A battery, a C battery, a D battery, a fuel cell, a lithium polymer battery, a lithium ion battery, or an electrical generator.

9. The powered rail system of claim 1, wherein the electrical component comprises at least one of a laser, a light, a sight, a night vision scope, a telescopic scope, a camera, a rangefinder, a control button, a control switch, a microphone, a processor, a circuit board, a memory, or a speaker.

10. The powered rail system of claim 1, further comprising a thermal insulation member extending within the longitudinal opening of the base, the thermal insulation member being configured to extend between the barrel and the electrical power source when the powered rail system is mounted to the weapon.

11. A weapon comprising:

a barrel extending a length, the barrel being configured to receive and guide a projectile;

a butt stock; and

a powered rail system comprising;

a base having a longitudinal opening, the barrel being received within the longitudinal opening such that the base extends around at least a segment of the length of the barrel;

a rail extending from the base;

an electrical component mounted to the rail; and

an electrical power source electrically connected to the electrical component for supplying the electrical component with electrical power, the electrical power source being positioned remote from the butt stock along a length of the weapon.

12. The weapon of claim 11, wherein the base of the powered rail system comprises an internal compartment, the electrical power source being received within the internal compartment of the base.

13. The weapon of claim 11, wherein the powered rail system comprises a hand grip that is mounted to at least one of the base or the rail, the electrical power source being held by the hand grip.

14. The weapon of claim 11, wherein the powered rail system comprises a hand grip that is mounted to at least one of the base or the rail, the hand grip comprising an internal compartment, the electrical power source being received within the internal compartment of the hand grip.

15. The weapon of claim 11, wherein the powered rail system comprises a hand grip that is mounted to at least one of the base or the rail, the hand grip comprising an elongate handle that extends in an approximately perpendicular direction relative to the length of the barrel, the electrical power source being held by the hand grip.

16. The weapon of claim 11, wherein the electrical power source comprises at least one of a battery, a rechargeable battery, a double A battery, an AAAA battery, a 9-volt battery, a 4.5 volt battery, an A23 battery, a triple A battery, a C battery, a D battery, a fuel cell, a lithium polymer battery, a lithium ion battery, or an electrical generator.

17. The weapon of claim 11, wherein the electrical component comprises at least one of a laser, a light, a sight, a night vision scope, a telescopic scope, a camera, a rangefinder, a control button, a control switch, a microphone, a processor, a circuit board, a memory, or a speaker.

18. The weapon of claim 11, further comprising a lower receiver, an upper receiver that is configured to be coupled to the lower receiver, and a hand grip extending from the lower receiver, the barrel extending from the upper receiver, the weapon further comprising a butt stock that extends from the lower receiver.

19. A weapon comprising:

a barrel extending a length, the barrel being configured to receive and guide a projectile;

a chamber wherein the projectile is inserted prior to being fired;

a butt stock; and

a powered rail system comprising;

a base having a longitudinal opening, the barrel being received within the longitudinal opening such that the base extends around at least a segment of the length of the barrel;

a rail extending from the base;

an electrical component mounted to the rail; and

an electrical power source electrically connected to the electrical component for supplying the electrical component with electrical power, wherein the electrical power source is positioned along a length of the weapon such that the chamber extends between the electrical power source and the butt stock along the length of the weapon.

20. The weapon of claim 19, wherein the base of the powered rail system comprises an internal compartment, the electrical power source being received within the internal compartment of the base.