Communication and power distribution system and segmented rail adapter

Abstract

A firearm rail adapter comprising a rail adapter assembly configured to detachably attach to a structure, the rail adapter assembly comprising a first member proximate to the structure and a second member distal from the structure, wherein the proximate first member and the distal second member define a conduit configured to: conduct electricity via a plurality of contact pads; and/or transport data signals via at least one contact pad.

1 . A firearm rail adapter comprising:
 a rail adapter assembly configured to detachably attach to a structure, the rail adapter assembly comprising a first member proximate to the structure and a second member distal from the structure, wherein the proximate first member and the distal second member define a conduit configured to conduct electricity via a plurality of contact pads.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 1  wherein the conduit is further configured to distribute electrical signals used for communication via one or more contact pads. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 1  wherein the conduit and first member comprise a printed circuit board configured to conduct electricity to at least one device detachably attached to the rail adapter. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 1  wherein the conduit and first member comprise a printed circuit board configured to transport data signals to at least one device detachably attached to the rail adapter. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 1  wherein the conduit and first member comprise a flexible circuit configured to conduct electricity to at least one device detachably attached to the rail adapter. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 1  wherein the conduit and first member comprise a flexible circuit configured to transport data signals to at least one device detachably attached to the rail adapter. 
     
     
         7 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 1  wherein the rail adapter further comprises a centralized power source and power distribution system configured to power at least one detachably attached device. 
     
     
         8 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 7  wherein the centralized power source is configured to draw from a battery store packaged in a housing configured to conform to an ammunition magazine clip. 
     
     
         9 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 7  wherein the rail adapter is further configured to comprise a structural receiver to both mechanically and electrically engage a housed battery store. 
     
     
         10 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 1  wherein the rail adapter further comprises a data processing module and one or more data links between the at least one detachably attached device and the data processing module. 
     
     
         11 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 10  wherein the data processing module is a data processing circuit. 
     
     
         12 . A firearm rail adapter comprising:
 a rail adapter assembly configured to detachably attach to a structure, the rail adapter assembly comprising a first member proximate to the structure and a second member distal from the structure, wherein the proximate first member and the distal second member define a conduit configured to transport data signals via at least one contact pad.   
     
     
         13 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 12  wherein the conduit is further configured to distribute electrical power to at least one device detachably attached to the rail adapter. 
     
     
         14 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 12  wherein the conduit and first member comprise a printed circuit board configured to distribute electrical power to at least one device detachably attached to the rail adapter. 
     
     
         15 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 12  wherein the conduit and first member comprise a printed circuit board configured to transport data signals to at least one device detachably attached to the rail adapter. 
     
     
         16 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 12  wherein the conduit and first member comprise a flexible circuit configured to distribute electrical power to at least one device detachably attached to the rail adapter. 
     
     
         17 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 12  wherein the conduit and first member comprise a flexible circuit configured to transport data signals to at least one device detachably attached to the rail adapter. 
     
     
         18 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 12  wherein the rail adapter further comprises a centralized power source and power distribution system configured to power at least one detachably attached device. 
     
     
         19 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 18  wherein the centralized power source is configured to draw from a battery store packaged in a housing configured to conform to an ammunition magazine clip. 
     
     
         20 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 18  wherein the rail adapter is further configured to comprise a structural receiver to both mechanically and electrically engage a housed battery store. 
     
     
         21 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 18  wherein the rail adapter further comprises a data processing module and one or more data links between the at least one detachably attached device and the data processing module. 
     
     
         22 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 21  wherein the rail adapter further comprises a user interface to the data processing module. 
     
     
         23 . The firearm rail adapter of  claim 21  wherein the data processing module is a data processing circuit. 
     
     
         24 . A firearm rail adapter comprising:
 a rail adapter assembly configured to detachably attach to a structure, the rail adapter assembly comprising a first member proximate to the structure and a second member distal from the structure, wherein the proximate first member and the distal second member define a conduit configured to power at least one device detachably attachable to the rail adapter assembly;   wherein conduit power transmission is based on at least one of: (a) a mechanical switch tripped by attachment of the at least one device detachably attachable to the rail adapter; and (b) a detected magnetic field, of the at least one detachably attachable device, by a magnetic sensor embedded in the firearm rail adapter.