Accessory mount for rifle accessory rail, communication, and power transfer system - accessory attachment

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. The present invention embodies firearm systems comprising at least one mounting rail comprising at least one power connection, at least one power source, at least one rail accessory comprising a rail grabber or mount, wherein the at least one rail accessory receives electrical power from the power source.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A firearm system comprising:
 at least one mounting rail comprising at least one power connection;   at least one power source;   at least one rail accessory comprising a rail grabber or mount;   and wherein the at least one rail accessory receives electrical power from the power source.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rail grabber or mount comprises a stationary contact for making electrical contact. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rail grabber or mount comprises a retractable contact for making electrical contact. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a power switch for controlling the flow of electrical power from the power source to the rail accessory. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one powered mounting rail is a detachable mounting rail. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one powered mounting rail a Picatinny rail. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a butt stock assembly wherein the buttstock assembly comprises the power source. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an external power pack wherein the external power pack comprises the power source. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a foregrip assembly, wherein the foregrip assembly comprises the power source. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the external power pack attaches to the mounting rail. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the power source is located in a pistol grip. 
     
     
         12 . 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. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mounting rail is a detachable mounting rail. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a battery powered accessory may be converted to receive power from the powered accessory rail via a circuit which takes the place of the original batteries within the accessory 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a battery powered accessory may be converted to receive communications and control signals across the powered accessory rail via a circuit which takes the place of the original batteries within the accessory