Auxiliary device mounting system for firearms

Abstract

A mounting system includes a rail system. The rail system can include a plurality of powered rails and at least one control rail. The rail system can be disposed on a firearm, extending along the barrel toward a front of the firearm. The front or forward direction of the firearm extends from the trigger toward the distal end of the barrel. The rail system can extend along the barrel forward of the trigger, stock, and firearm handle.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A mounting system for a firearm, the firearm comprising a grip, a trigger, a cartridge, and a barrel, a distal end of the barrel defining a front end of the firearm, the mounting system comprising:
 a rail assembly extending along the barrel and positioned forward of the grip, trigger, and cartridge, the rail assembly including a plurality of rails extending in the direction of the barrel and distributed around the circumference of the barrel, the plurality of rails including a control rail and a set of accessory rails, the control rail including a plurality of attachment positions, each attachment position including a plurality of contacts accessible to a power supply, the plurality of contacts including a common contact and contacts uniquely associated with and in electrical communication with each accessory rail of the set of accessory rails, the set of accessory rails each including a plurality of access points that each includes a first electrical access at a first side position of the each rail in electrical communication with the associated contact and a second electrical access at a second side position of the each rail in electrical communication with the common contact of the control rail.   
     
     
         22 . The mounting system of  claim 21 , wherein the associated contact is electrically coupled to the first electrical access and the common contact is electrically coupled to the second electrical access via conductive elements disposed in a rim structure disposed at an end of the rail assembly. 
     
     
         23 . The mounting system of  claim 21 , wherein, at each attachment position, the control rail includes a third electrical access at a first side of the power rail and a fourth electrical access at a second side of the power rail, the third electrical access in electrical communication with an associated power rail contact and the fourth electrical access in electrical communication with the common contact of the power rail. 
     
     
         24 . The mounting system of  claim 21 , wherein the each accessory rail includes a first side power rail shielded by an exterior of the each accessory rail, the each accessory rail including an opening at each access position exposing the first side power rail to define the first side access element. 
     
     
         25 . The mounting system of  claim 24 , wherein the each accessory rail includes a second side power rail shielded by an exterior of the each accessory rail, the each accessory rail including an opening at each access position exposing the second side power rail to define the second side access element. 
     
     
         26 . The mounting system of  claim 24 , wherein the opening has a characteristic diameter in a range of 0.15 mm to 2 mm. 
     
     
         27 . The mounting system of  claim 24 , wherein the opening has a depth between an outside surface of the exterior of the accessory rail and the power rail in a range of 0.15 mm to 6 mm. 
     
     
         28 . The mounting system of  claim 24 , further comprising a compliant material disposed in the opening. 
     
     
         29 . The mounting system of  claim 21 , wherein the contacts of the plurality of contacts are clips to receive pins. 
     
     
         30 . The mounting system of  claim 21 , wherein the contacts of the plurality of contacts are accessible through access points having a characteristic diameter and depth. 
     
     
         31 . The mounting system of  claim 30 , wherein the characteristic diameter is in a range of 0.15 mm to 2 mm. 
     
     
         32 . The mounting system of  claim 30 , wherein the depth is in a range of 0.15 mm to 6 mm. 
     
     
         33 . The mounting system of  claim 21 , wherein the set of accessory rails have a Picatinny configuration. 
     
     
         34 . The mounting system of  claim 21 , wherein the control rail has a Picatinny configuration. 
     
     
         35 . The mounting system of  claim 21 , wherein each attachment position of the control rail includes a tooth and a depression, the plurality of contacts disposed in the depression. 
     
     
         36 . The mounting system of  claim 21 , further comprising a handle including a handle control interface to interface with the plurality of contacts of the control rail, the handle removably attachable at each of the attachment positions of the control rail. 
     
     
         37 . The mounting system of  claim 21 , further including an accessory device mechanically coupled to an accessory rail of the set of accessory rails at an access point of the plurality of access points and electrically coupled to the first and second access elements. 
     
     
         38 . The mounting system of  claim 37 , wherein the accessory device includes a light source. 
     
     
         39 . The mounting system of  claim 37 , wherein the accessory device includes a battery adapter. 
     
     
         40 . The mounting system of  claim 21 , wherein the control rail and the set of accessory rails are disposed on a two-part support, the two-part support including first and second side pieces configured to couple to each other around opposites sides of the barrel.