Power system for a firearm

Abstract

A power system for a firearm includes a buffer tube adapter that attaches to a buffer tube of the firearm. A buttstock slidably engages with the buffer tube adapter along an axis, and the buttstock is adapted to adjust a length of the firearm. A power source is held by the buffer tube adapter and is at least partially covered by the buttstock. The power source is configured to power electronic accessories mounted to the firearm. The power system is mountable to the firearm without altering the buffer tube of the firearm.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A system for powering one or more accessory devices when the one or more accessory devices are attached to a firearm, the system comprising:
 a buffer tube adapter configured to attach to and surround a buffer tube of the firearm without replacing or modifying the buffer tube; and   a power source held by the buffer tube adapter and separable from the buffer tube adapter while the buffer tube adapter remains attached to the buffer tube, the power source configured to provide the electrical power to the one or more accessory devices.   
     
     
         20 . The power system of  claim 19 , wherein the power source is held inside a compartment of the buffer tube adapter, and the compartment is axially aligned with the buffer tube. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the buffer tube adapter includes a guide channel configured to slidably engage a buttstock of the firearm. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising the buttstock. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the buffer tube adapter includes indexing notches that lock the buttstock in multiple intermediate positions to adjust a length of the firearm. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the power source is configured to connect to a power socket mounted to a grip of the firearm. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the power source comprises AA batteries, rechargeable batteries, or a fuel cell. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the power source is housed inside a housing, and the housing includes a release lever that engages a latch on the buffer tube adapter for locking the power source in a fixed position with respect to the buffer tube adapter. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the release lever unlocks the housing from the buffer tube adaptor for removal of the power source from the firearm. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the housing includes a socket seal providing a watertight connection between an electrode terminal and a power socket in the firearm. 
     
     
         29 . A firearm comprising the system of  claim 19 . 
     
     
         30 . A buffer tube adapter for a firearm, the buffer tube adapter comprising:
 a body configured to surround an unaltered buffer tube of the firearm;   a mounting arrangement configured to secure the body to the unaltered buffer tube; and   a compartment defined by the body, the compartment configured to hold a power source to power accessory devices mounted to the firearm, the power source being separable from the compartment while the buffer tube adapter remains secured to the unaltered buffer tube.   
     
     
         31 . The buffer tube adapter of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 a guide channel configured to slidably engage a buttstock of the firearm.   
     
     
         32 . The buffer tube adapter of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 indexing notches that are configured to lock the buttstock in multiple intermediate positions to adjust a length of the firearm.   
     
     
         33 . The buffer tube adapter of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 a latch for locking the power source within the compartment.   
     
     
         34 . The buffer tube adapter of  claim 30 , wherein the compartment is axially aligned with the unaltered buffer tube. 
     
     
         35 . A method of installing a power source on a firearm, the method comprising:
 connecting a buffer tube adapter to a stock buffer tube of a firearm without altering or replacing the buffer tube;   inserting a power source into a compartment of the buffer tube adapter; and   locking the power source in place once completely inserted into the compartment.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 using the power source to power an accessory device mounted to the firearm.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 actuating a release lever to release the power source from the compartment of the buffer tube adapter; and   removing the power source from the compartment while the buffer tube adapter remains connected to the stock buffer tube.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 connecting a buttstock to the buffer tube adapter; and   sliding the buttstock along the buffer tube adapter to adjust a length of the firearm.