Power and data retrofit for helmet or weapon rail system

Abstract

An electrically operable accessory device assembly configured for attachment to a slot rail interface comprises a main body assembly configured to be received on an exterior facing surface of the slot rail interface. The main body assembly includes a main housing receiving a first electrical component, which includes a first electrical connector. The main housing includes a mounting surface and one or more clearance openings configured to receive a threaded fastener. A base assembly is configured to be disposed on an opposing, interior facing surface of the slot rail interface, and includes a base housing having a second electrical connector complementary with the first electrical connector. The base housing has a flange region surrounding a raised portion configured to be received within a slot of the slot rail interface. One or more threaded openings in the base housing are configured to engage the one or more threaded fasteners.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrically operable accessory device assembly configured for attachment to a slot rail interface, the accessory device assembly comprising:
 a main body assembly configured to be received on an exterior facing surface of the slot rail interface, the main body assembly including a main housing;   the main housing receiving a first electrical component, the first electrical component including a first electrical connector;   the main housing comprising a mounting surface and one or more clearance openings extending though the main housing configured to receive a corresponding one or more threaded fasteners;   a base assembly configured to be disposed on an interior facing surface of the slot rail interface opposite the exterior facing surface, the base assembly including a base housing;   the base housing having a second electrical connector which is complementary with the first electrical connector;   the base housing comprising a flange region surrounding a raised portion, the raised portion configured to be received within a slot of the slot rail interface;   the base housing comprising one or more threaded openings, the one or more threaded openings configured to engage the one or more threaded fasteners.   
     
     
         2 . The electrically operable accessory device assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a cable electrically coupled to the second electrical connector, the cable configured to electrically connect to an external device and to transmit at least one of power, data, and control signals. 
     
     
         3 . The electrically operable accessory device assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting surface and flange region cooperate to exert a clamping force about a periphery of the slot of the slot rail interface when the electrically operable accessory device assembly is attached to the slot rail interface. 
     
     
         4 . The electrically operable accessory device assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the raised portion has a height which is substantially equal to a thickness of a plate-like material forming the slot rail interface. 
     
     
         5 . The electrically operable accessory device assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically operable accessory device is selected from the group consisting of a weapon mounted accessory device and a helmet mounted accessory device. 
     
     
         6 . The electrically operable accessory device assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically operable accessory device is selected from the group consisting of a flashlight, floodlight, laser illuminator, laser module, laser pointer, and camera. 
     
     
         7 . The electrically operable accessory device assembly of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first electrical connector and second electrical connector is a USB-C socket and the other of the first electrical connector and second electrical connector is a USB-C plug. 
     
     
         8 . The electrically operable accessory device assembly of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first electrical connector and second electrical connector comprises a plurality of contact pins and the other of the first electrical connector and second electrical connector comprises a plurality of connector elements selected from the group consisting of contact pads and pin sockets. 
     
     
         9 . The electrically operable accessory device assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the raised portion is dimensioned to be received within an interface slot conforming to a predetermined standard. 
     
     
         10 . The electrically operable accessory device assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the raised portion is dimensioned to the portion is dimensioned to be compatible with an M-LOK modular accessory attachment system. 
     
     
         11 . The electrically operable accessory device assembly of  claim 1 , in combination with the slot rail interface. 
     
     
         12 . A base assembly configured for use with an electrically operable accessory device assembly comprising a main body assembly and the base assembly, the base assembly comprising:
 a base housing configured to be disposed on an interior facing surface of the slot rail interface opposite the exterior facing surface, the base assembly including;   the base housing having a second electrical connector which is complementary with a first electrical connector on the main body assembly;   the base housing comprising a flange region surrounding a raised portion, the raised portion configured to be received within a slot of the slot rail interface;   the base housing comprising one or more threaded openings, the one or more threaded openings configured to engage one or more threaded fasteners configured for detachably securing the base assembly to the main body assembly.   
     
     
         13 . The base assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a cable electrically coupled to the second electrical connector, the cable configured to electrically connect to an external device and to transmit at least one of power, data, and control signals. 
     
     
         14 . The base assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the flange region is configured to cooperate with the mounting surface and to exert a clamping force about a periphery of the slot of the slot rail interface when the electrically operable accessory device assembly is attached to the slot rail interface. 
     
     
         15 . The base assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the raised portion has a height which is substantially equal to a thickness of a plate-like material forming the slot rail interface. 
     
     
         16 . The base assembly of  claim 12 , in combination with the slot rail interface. 
     
     
         17 . The base assembly of  claim 12 , in combination with a plurality of main body assemblies which may be the same or different, each main body assembly of the plurality of main bodies assemblies being configured to be interchangeably attached to the base assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The base assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the raised portion is dimensioned to be received within an interface slot conforming to a predetermined standard. 
     
     
         19 . The base assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the raised portion is dimensioned to the portion is dimensioned to be compatible with an M-LOK modular accessory attachment system.