Abstract: A firearm may have a plurality of power-consuming accessories that can be attached to the weapon. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of their batteries, the Weapon Accessory Power Distribution System provides a common power source to power the power-consuming accessories attached to the weapon. One or more powered rails are provided to provide a point of electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories, absent the use of connectors with their tethering cables, which are susceptible to entanglement. The powered rail(s) are electrically interconnected with a power source, which typically is a battery mounted in the butt stock of the weapon.

Abstract: A firearm used in military applications may have a plurality of accessories that can be attached to the weapon, with each accessory having a need for electric power. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of batteries used to power these power-consuming accessories, a Powered Rail provides a point of mechanical and electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories with a common power source. The Weapon Accessory Control System is provided to enable the user to control the activation of a power-consuming accessory as well as enable communications between the user and the power-consuming accessory and among power-consuming accessories.

Abstract: A firearm may have a plurality of power-consuming accessories that can be attached to the weapon. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of their batteries, the Weapon Accessory Power Distribution System provides a common power source to power the power-consuming accessories attached to the weapon. One or more powered rails are provided on the handguard, which encircles the barrel of the weapon, to provide a point of mechanical and electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories to provide quick-connect mounting and dismounting of the power-consuming accessory, absent the use of connectors with their tethering cables, which are susceptible to entanglement. The Weapon Accessory Control System is provided to enable the user to control the activation of a power-consuming accessory as well as enable communications between the user and the accessory and among power-consuming accessories.

Abstract: A firearm used in military applications may have a plurality of accessories that can be attached to the weapon, with each accessory having a need for electric power. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of batteries used to power these power-consuming accessories, a Powered Rail provides a point of mechanical and electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories with a common power source. The Weapon Accessory Control System is provided to enable the user to control the activation of a power-consuming accessory as well as enable communications between the user and the power-consuming accessory and among power-consuming accessories.

Abstract: The Accessory Mounting Apparatus uses a quick release clamp for mounting and securely attaching accessories to a dove-tail shaped accessory rail. This apparatus allows for quick assembling and disassembling of accessories and tactical equipment on a weapon accessory rail system. The Accessory Mounting Apparatus consists of a base, latching arm, and over-centered lever to apply clamping force, where the base of the clamping device is keyed to align with a dove-tail shaped rail and fix its location in the direction of the barrel. The latching arm is slid over the dovetail in the accessory rail and the over-centered lever is closed to clamp the device securely around the accessory rail, fixing it in all directions.

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.

Abstract: A firearm may have a plurality of power-consuming accessories that can be attached to the weapon. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of their batteries, the Weapon Accessory Power Distribution System provides a common power source to power the power-consuming accessories attached to the weapon. One or more powered rails are provided to encircle the barrel of the weapon, to provide a point of mechanical and electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories to provide quick connect mounting and dismounting of the power-consuming accessory, absent the use of connectors with their tethering cables, which are susceptible to entanglement. The Weapon Accessory Rail Contacts provide the mechanism to electrically interconnect the power-consuming accessory with the powered rail.

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.

Abstract: A firearm may have a plurality of power-consuming accessories that can be attached to the weapon. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of their batteries, the Weapon Accessory Power Distribution System provides a common power source to power the power-consuming accessories attached to the weapon. One or more powered rails are provided to provide a point of electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories, absent the use of connectors with their tethering cables, which are susceptible to entanglement. The powered rail(s) are electrically interconnected with a power source, which typically is a battery mounted in the butt stock of the weapon.

Abstract: A firearm may have a plurality of power-consuming accessories that can be attached to the weapon. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of their batteries, the Weapons Accessory Power Distribution System provides a common power source to power the power-consuming accessories attached to the weapon. One or more powered rails are provided on the handguard, which encircles the barrel of the weapon, to provide a point of mechanical and electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories to provide quick connect mounting and dismounting of the power-consuming accessory, absent the use of connectors with their tethering cables, which are susceptible to entanglement. The powered rail(s) are electrically interconnected with a power source, which typically is a battery mounted in the butt stock of the weapon.

Abstract: The Accessory Mounting Apparatus uses a quick release clamp for mounting and securely attaching accessories to a dove-tail shaped accessory rail. This apparatus allows for quick assembling and disassembling of accessories and tactical equipment on a weapon accessory rail system. The Accessory Mounting Apparatus consists of a base, latching arm, and over-centered lever to apply clamping force, where the base of the clamping device is keyed to align with a dove-tail shaped rail and fix its location in the direction of the barrel. The latching arm is slid over the dovetail in the accessory rail and the over-centered lever is closed to clamp the device securely around the accessory rail, fixing it in all directions.

Abstract: A firearm may have a plurality of power-consuming accessories that can be attached to the weapon. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of their batteries, the Weapons Accessory Power Distribution System provides a common power source to power the power-consuming accessories attached to the weapon. One or more powered rails are provided on the handguard, which encircles the barrel of the weapon, to provide a point of mechanical and electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories to provide quick connect mounting and dismounting of the power-consuming accessory, absent the use of connectors with their tethering cables, which are susceptible to entanglement. The powered rail(s) are electrically interconnected with a power source, which typically is a battery mounted in the butt stock of the weapon.

Abstract: A firearm may have a plurality of power-consuming accessories that can be attached to the weapon. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of their batteries, the Weapon Accessory Power Distribution System provides a common power source to power the power-consuming accessories attached to the weapon. One or more powered rails are provided on the handguard, which encircles the barrel of the weapon, to provide a point of mechanical and electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories to provide quick-connect mounting and dismounting of the power-consuming accessory, absent the use of connectors with their tethering cables, which are susceptible to entanglement. The Weapon Accessory Control System is provided to enable the user to control the activation of a power-consuming accessory as well as enable communications between the user and the accessory and among power-consuming accessories.

Abstract: A firearm may have a plurality of power-consuming accessories that can be attached to the weapon. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of their batteries, the Weapon Accessory Power Distribution System provides a common power source to power the power-consuming accessories attached to the weapon. One or more powered rails are provided to encircle the barrel of the weapon, to provide a point of mechanical and electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories to provide quick connect mounting and dismounting of the power-consuming accessory, absent the use of connectors with their tethering cables, which are susceptible to entanglement. The Weapon Accessory Rail Contacts provide the mechanism to electrically interconnect the power-consuming accessory with the powered rail.

Abstract: A firearm may have a plurality of power-consuming accessories that can be attached to the weapon. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of their batteries, the Weapons Accessory Power Distribution System provides a common power source to power the power-consuming accessories attached to the weapon. One or more powered rails are provided on the handguard, which encircles the barrel of the weapon, to provide a point of mechanical and electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories to provide quick connect mounting and dismounting of the power-consuming accessory, absent the use of connectors with their tethering cables, which are susceptible to entanglement. The powered rail(s) are electrically interconnected with a power source, which typically is a battery mounted in the butt stock of the weapon.

Abstract: The Low Reflectivity Contact has a low coefficient of light reflection, is rugged with respect to harsh ambient environmental conditions, provides a low resistance electrical connection, and is adapted for use in quick-connect applications. Light reflectivity of the contact is minimized by the use of a conductive mesh that is used to implement the electrical contact. The weave density and wire diameter of the conductive mesh maximizes the attenuation of reflected light in the visible spectrum, yet maintains high electrical conductivity and a lack of sensitivity to contamination via the choice of materials used to implement the Low Reflectivity Contact.

Abstract: A firearm may have a plurality of power-consuming accessories that can be attached to the weapon. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of their batteries, the Weapon Accessory Power Distribution System provides a common power source to power the power-consuming accessories attached to the weapon. One or more powered rails are provided to provide a point of electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories, absent the use of connectors with their tethering cables, which are susceptible to entanglement. The powered rail(s) are electrically interconnected with a power source, which typically is a battery mounted in the butt stock of the weapon.

Abstract: A firearm may have a plurality of power-consuming accessories that can be attached to the weapon. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of their batteries, the Weapons Accessory Power Distribution System provides a common power source to power the power-consuming accessories attached to the weapon. One or more powered rails are provided on the handguard, which encircles the barrel of the weapon, to provide a point of mechanical and electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories to provide quick connect mounting and dismounting of the power-consuming accessory, absent the use of connectors with their tethering cables, which are susceptible to entanglement. The powered rail(s) are electrically interconnected with a power source, which typically is a battery mounted in the butt stock of the weapon.

Abstract: The Low Reflectivity Contact has a low coefficient of light reflection, is rugged with respect to harsh ambient environmental conditions, provides a low resistance electrical connection, and is adapted for use in quick-connect applications. Light reflectivity of the contact is minimized by the use of a conductive mesh that is used to implement the electrical contact. The weave density and wire diameter of the conductive mesh maximizes the attenuation of reflected light in the visible spectrum, yet maintains high electrical conductivity and a lack of sensitivity to contamination via the choice of materials used to implement the Low Reflectivity Contact.