Accessory Mount for a Firearm

Abstract

A firearm accessory mount may include multiple rails, each configured to mechanically couple one or more firearm accessories. Each rail may further have first and second electrically powered rail terminals for providing power to the firearm accessories when coupled to the rails. A switch may be associated with each rail that is selectively engageable to electrically couple or decouple power to that rail. Accordingly, each rail may be selectively powered to control operation of any firearm accessory mounted thereto.

1 . A firearm accessory mount configured for use with a firearm barrel and a firearm accessory having a first accessory power contact and a second accessory power contact, the firearm accessory mount comprising:
 a base including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion coupled together and configured to mechanically engage around the firearm barrel, the base including a battery socket;   a first rail coupled to the base and configured to mechanically engage the firearm accessory, the first rail longitudinally aligned with the battery socket;   a first electrically powered rail terminal coupled to the first rail and positioned to engage the first accessory power contact of the firearm accessory when the firearm accessory is mounted to the first rail; and   a second electrically powered rail terminal coupled to the first rail and positioned to engage the second accessory power contact of the firearm accessory when the firearm accessory is mounted to the first rail.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm accessory mount of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source electrically coupled to the first and second electrically powered rail terminals. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm accessory mount of  claim 2 , further comprising a first switch disposed between the power source and the first rail and selectively operable between a closed state, in which the power source is electrically coupled to the first rail, and an open state, in which the power source is electrically decoupled from the first rail. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm accessory mount of  claim 2 , in which the power source is removably coupled to the battery socket of the base. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm accessory mount of  claim 4 , in which:
 the battery socket includes a first socket terminal electrically communicating with the first electrically powered rail terminal and a second socket terminal electrically communicating with the second electrically powered rail terminal; and   the power source comprises a battery having a first battery contact positioned to engage the first socket terminal, and a second battery contact positioned to engage the second socket terminal.   
     
     
         6 . The firearm accessory mount of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a second rail coupled to the base and configured to mechanically engage the firearm accessory; and   first and second electrically powered rail terminals coupled to the second rail.   
     
     
         7 . The firearm accessory mount of  claim 6 , in which the power source comprises a removable battery pack mechanically coupled to the second rail and electrically coupled to the first and second electrically powered rail terminals of the second rail. 
     
     
         8 . The firearm accessory mount of  claim 6 , in which:
 the firearm accessory has a forward end;   the first electrically powered rail terminal of the first rail is positioned relative to the second electrically powered rail terminal of the first rail so that the forward end of the firearm accessory is oriented toward a forward end of the firearm barrel when the firearm accessory is mounted to the first rail; and   the first electrically powered rail terminal of the second rail is positioned relative to the second electrically powered rail terminal of the second rail so that the forward end of the firearm accessory is oriented toward a forward end of the firearm barrel when the firearm accessory is mounted to the second rail.   
     
     
         9 . The firearm accessory mount of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a third rail coupled to the base and configured to mechanically engage the firearm accessory, first and second electrically powered rail terminals coupled to the third rail and positioned to engage, respectively, the first and second accessory power contacts of the firearm accessory when the firearm accessory is mounted to the third rail; and   a fourth rail coupled to the base and configured to mechanically engage the firearm accessory, first and second electrically powered rail terminals coupled to the fourth rail and positioned to engage, respectively, the first and second accessory power contacts of the firearm accessory when the firearm accessory is mounted to the fourth rail.   
     
     
         10 . The firearm accessory mount of  claim 6 , further comprising
 a first switch disposed between the power source and the first electrically powered rail terminal of the first rail and selectively operable between a closed state, in which the power source is electrically coupled to the first electrically powered rail terminal of the first rail, and an open state, in which the power source is electrically decoupled from the first electrically powered rail terminal of the first rail; and   a second switch disposed between the power source and the first electrically powered rail terminal of the second rail and selectively operable between a closed state, in which the power source is electrically coupled to the first electrically powered rail terminal of the second rail, and an open state, in which the power source is electrically decoupled from the first electrically powered rail terminal of the second rail.   
     
     
         11 . The firearm accessory mount of  claim 1 , in which the first rail comprises:
 a pedestal;   a head having first and second projections extending laterally from the pedestal in substantially opposite directions;   a first groove formed in the head and configured to receive the first electrically powered rail terminal; and   a second groove formed in the head and configured to receive the second electrically powered rail terminal.   
     
     
         12 . A firearm accessory mount configured for use with a firearm barrel and a firearm accessory having a first accessory power contact and a second accessory power contact, the firearm accessory mount comprising:
 a base including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including a first inner wall and the second portion including a second inner wall, the first portion and the second portion coupled together, the first and second inner walls configured to mechanically engage around the firearm barrel, the base including a battery socket;   a first rail coupled to the base and configured to mechanically engage the firearm accessory, the first rail longitudinally aligned with the battery socket, the first rail having a length extending along a longitudinal axis and including:   a pedestal;   a head having first and second projections extending laterally in substantially opposite directions along substantially the length of the first rail;   a first groove formed in the head; and   a second groove formed in the head;   a first rail terminal formed of an electrically conductive material disposed in the first groove and positioned to engage the first accessory power contact of the firearm accessory;   a second rail terminal formed of an electrically conductive material disposed in the second groove and positioned to engage the second accessory power contact of the firearm accessory; and   a power source removably coupled to the battery socket of the base and electrically communicating with the first and second rail terminals of the first rail.   
     
     
         13 . The firearm accessory mount of  claim 12 , in which:
 the battery socket includes a first socket terminal electrically communicating with the first rail terminal of the first rail and a second socket terminal electrically communicating with the second rail terminal of the first rail; and   the power source comprises a battery having a first battery contact electrically coupled to the first socket terminal and a second battery contact electrically coupled to the second socket terminal.   
     
     
         14 . The firearm accessory mount of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a second rail coupled to the base and configured to mechanically engage the firearm accessory; and   first and second electrically powered rail terminals coupled to the second rail.   
     
     
         15 . The firearm accessory mount of  claim 14 , in which:
 the firearm accessory has a forward end;   the first rail terminal of the first rail is positioned relative to the second rail terminal of the first rail so that the forward end of the firearm accessory is oriented toward a forward end of the firearm barrel when the firearm accessory is mounted to the first rail; and   the first rail terminal of the second rail is positioned relative to the second rail terminal of the second rail so that the forward end of the firearm accessory is oriented toward a forward end of the firearm barrel when the firearm accessory is mounted to the second rail.   
     
     
         16 . The firearm accessory mount of  claim 14 , further comprising
 a first switch disposed between the power source and the first rail terminal of the first rail and selectively operable between a closed state, in which the power source is electrically coupled to the first rail terminal of the first rail, and an open state, in which the power source is electrically decoupled from the first rail terminal of the first rail; and   a second switch disposed between the power source and the first rail terminal of the second rail and selectively operable between a closed state, in which the power source is electrically coupled to the first rail terminal of the second rail, and an open state, in which the power source is electrically decoupled from the first rail terminal of the second rail.   
     
     
         17 . A firearm accessory mount configured for use with a firearm barrel and a firearm accessory having a first accessory power contact and a second accessory power contact, the firearm accessory mount comprising:
 a base including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including a first inner wall and the second portion including a second inner wall, the first portion and the second portion coupled together, the first and second inner walls configured to mechanically engage around the firearm barrel, the base including a socket;   a first rail assembly coupled to the base and including:   a first rail configured to mechanically engage the firearm accessory, the first rail longitudinally aligned with the socket;   a first rail terminal supported by the first rail and formed of an electrically conductive material, the first rail terminal of the first rail being positioned to engage the first accessory power contact of the firearm accessory; and   a second rail terminal supported by the first rail and formed of an electrically conductive material, the second rail terminal of the first rail being positioned to engage the second accessory power contact of the firearm accessory;   a second rail assembly coupled to the base and including:   a second rail configured to mechanically engage the firearm accessory;   a first rail terminal supported by the second rail and formed of an electrically conductive material, the first rail terminal of the second rail being positioned to engage the first accessory power contact of the firearm accessory; and   a second rail terminal supported by the second rail and formed of an electrically conductive material, the second rail terminal of the second rail being positioned to engage the second accessory power contact of the firearm accessory;   a power source removably coupled to the socket of the base and electrically communicating with the first and second rail terminals of the first rail and the first and second rail terminals of the second rail;   a first switch disposed between the power source and the first rail terminal of the first rail and selectively operable between a closed state, in which the power source is electrically coupled to the first rail terminal of the first rail, and an open state, in which the power source is electrically decoupled from the first rail terminal of the first rail; and   a second switch disposed between the power source and the first rail terminal of the second rail and selectively operable between a closed state, in which the power source is electrically coupled to the first rail terminal of the second rail, and an open state, in which the power source is electrically decoupled from the first rail terminal of the second rail.   
     
     
         18 . The firearm accessory mount of  claim 17 , in which:
 the firearm accessory has a forward end;   the first rail terminal of the first rail is positioned relative to the second rail terminal of the first rail so that the forward end of the firearm accessory is oriented toward a forward end of the firearm barrel when the firearm accessory is mounted to the first rail; and   the first rail terminal of the second rail is positioned relative to the second rail terminal of the second rail so that the forward end of the firearm accessory is oriented toward a forward end of the firearm barrel when the firearm accessory is mounted to the second rail.   
     
     
         19 . The firearm accessory mount of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a third rail assembly coupled to the base and including a third rail configured to mechanically engage the firearm accessory, and first and second electrically powered rail terminals coupled to the third rail and positioned to engage, respectively, the first and second accessory power contacts of the firearm accessory when the firearm accessory is mounted to the third rail; and   a third switch disposed between the power source and the first rail terminal of the third rail and selectively operable between a closed state, in which the power source is electrically coupled to the first rail terminal of the third rail, and an open state, in which the power source is electrically decoupled from the first rail terminal of the third rail.   
     
     
         20 . The firearm accessory mount of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a fourth rail assembly coupled to the base and including a fourth rail configured to mechanically engage the firearm accessory; and   first and second electrically powered rail terminals coupled to the fourth rail and positioned to engage, respectively, the first and second accessory power contacts of the firearm accessory when the firearm accessory is mounted to the fourth rail;   wherein the firearm accessory comprises a battery pack accessory.