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.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An electrical delivery adapter for an accessory to a firearm, the firearm having: an electrical source for providing a predetermined voltage; at least one mounting rail including at least one electrical connection, the at least one mounting rail being electrically connected to the electrical source, and the at least one electrical connection being configured to present the predetermined voltage; and at least one depressible switch; the electrical delivery adapter comprising:
 at least one plunger configured to depress the at least one depressible switch to activate the at least one electrical connection; and   at least one electrical contact that is separated away from the at least one plunger, and that is configured to electrically connect with the at least one electrical connection.   
     
     
         17 . The electrical delivery adapter of  claim 16 , wherein the electrical delivery adapter is configured to electrically connect the accessory with the at least one electrical connection. 
     
     
         18 . The electrical delivery adapter of  claim 16 , wherein the electrical delivery adapter attaches the accessory to the at least one mounting rail. 
     
     
         19 . An interface for delivering electricity to an accessory for a firearm, the interface comprising:
 a plunger configured to depress a switch on an electrical rail of the firearm; and   an electrical contact configured to provide an electrical connection to the electrical rail, the electrical contact being separated away from the plunger.   
     
     
         20 . The interface of  claim 19 , wherein the interface is configured to electrically connect the accessory as to provide the electrical connection between the accessory and the electrical rail. 
     
     
         21 . The interface of  claim 19 , wherein the interface is attached to the accessory. 
     
     
         22 . The interface of  claim 19 , wherein the interface is arranged between the accessory and the electrical rail when the accessory is mounted to the electrical rail of the firearm. 
     
     
         23 . The interface of  claim 19 , wherein the interface includes a seal arranged around the electrical contact. 
     
     
         24 . A firearm system for providing electricity to an accessory attached to a firearm, the firearm system comprising:
 an electrical rail attached to the firearm and connected to a power source, the electrical rail including at least one depressible switch; and   the accessory, the accessory including an electrical contact configured to provide an electrical connection between the accessory and the electrical rail when the at least one depressible switch is depressed.   
     
     
         25 . The firearm system of  claim 24 , wherein the electrical contact does not provide the electrical connection between the accessory and the electrical rail when the at least one depressible switch is not depressed. 
     
     
         26 . The firearm system of  claim 24 , wherein the accessory further includes a plunger configured to depress the at least one depressible switch. 
     
     
         27 . The firearm system of  claim 24 , wherein the electrical contact is a spring contact. 
     
     
         28 . The firearm system of  claim 24 , further comprising a seal arranged around the electrical contact. 
     
     
         29 . The firearm system of  claim 24 , wherein the at least one depressible switch is a snap dome switch. 
     
     
         30 . An electrical rail for a firearm, the electrical rail being attached to the firearm and connected to a power source, the electrical rail comprising:
 at least one depressible switch configured to provide an electrical connection between an accessory for the firearm and the electrical rail when the at least one depressible switch is depressed.   
     
     
         31 . The electrical rail of  claim 30 , further comprising at least one electrical bus contact arranged on the electrical rail. 
     
     
         32 . The electrical rail of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one depressible switch is configured to provide the provide the electrical connection through the at least one electrical bus contact when the at least one depressible switch is depressed. 
     
     
         33 . The electrical rail of  claim 31 , wherein the electrical rail is configured to provide the electrical connection to the accessory through at least one electrical contact arranged on the accessory. 
     
     
         34 . The electrical rail of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one electrical bus contact is separate from the at least one depressible switch. 
     
     
         35 . The electrical rail of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one depressible switch is a snap dome switch.