Patent Application
20220325968
To improve situational awareness, electronic accessory devices such as lights, radios, thermal imaging cameras, range finders, displays, and the like are added to firearms. Each electronic accessory device typically has its own batteries as a power source. The batteries in each electronic accessory device can add a significant amount of weight and bulk to a firearm which can make the firearm difficult to carry and aim.
Another problem is to reliably provide electrical power to the electronic accessory devices while mounted on the firearm in an environmentally hostile environment. Rain, humidity, dirt, corrosion, and extreme temperatures can interfere with the steady supply of electrical power to the electronic accessory devices when mounted on a firearm.
In general terms, the present disclosure relates to a firearm equipped with a power source for supplying electrical power to one or more firearm accessories. In one possible configuration and by non-limiting example, the firearm includes a power switch assembly that mounts onto a firearm accessory mounting location. Various aspects are described in this disclosure, which include, but are not limited to, the following aspects.
In one aspect, a firearm comprises: a lower receiver housing a power source; an upper receiver attached to the lower receiver, the upper receiver having at least one conductive strip configured to provide an electrical connection for a firearm accessory; a connector that includes electrical wiring connected to the power source in the lower receiver, the connector having a plug portion that terminates the electrical wiring; and a power switch assembly having a receptacle portion that receives the plug portion, and a fastener assembly being configurable for mounting the power switch assembly to a slot on the upper receiver, the slot providing a firearm accessory mounting location, the power switch assembly being operable to connect and disconnect the transfer of electrical power from the connector to the at least one conductive strip.
In another aspect, a kit for retrofitting a firearm comprises: a connector having a plug portion configured to terminate electrical wiring connected to a power source housed in a lower receiver of the firearm, the plug portion having a notch; a power switch assembly having a receptacle portion that receives the plug portion of the connector, and a switch configured to connect and disconnect the transfer of the electrical power from the connector to at least one conductive strip on an upper receiver of the firearm; and a safety latch having a distal end that engages the notch of the plug portion to prevent the plug portion from unplugging from the receptacle portion.
In another aspect, a power switch assembly for a firearm comprises: a receptacle portion configured to receive a plug portion of a connector that terminates electrical wiring connected to a power source housed in a lower receiver of the firearm; a switch configured to connect and disconnect the transfer of electrical power and data from the power source to a conductive strip mounted to an upper receiver of the firearm; and a safety latch having a distal end configured to engage a notch on the plug portion to prevent the plug portion from unplugging from the receptacle portion.
The following drawing figures, which form a part of this application, are illustrative of the described technology and are not meant to limit the scope of the disclosure in any manner.
The firearm 10 includes an upper receiver 12 that attaches to a lower receiver 14. The upper receiver 12 includes a barrel 16, a handguard 18 that partially surrounds the barrel 16, and a muzzle 20 that attaches to a distal end of the barrel 16. Alternative configurations are possible in which the upper receiver 12 may include additional components not shown in the figures, or may not include all components shown in the figures such that some components are optional.
The handguard 18 includes a plurality of rails 22 that provide mounting locations for firearm accessories. The rails 22 are equally spaced apart and can be included on the top, bottom, and sides of the handguard 18 such that the firearm accessories can be mounted to the top, bottom, and sides of the handguard 18. In at least some examples, the rails 22 are Picatinny rails.
In some examples, at least some of the rails 22 are integrated with the handguard 18 such that the rails 22 and the handguard 18 are formed from a single piece of material that is molded and/or machined to have rails integrated thereon. In the example illustrated in
In some examples, at least some of the rails 22 are separate, modular components that attach to the handguard 18 using one or more types of fasteners. For example,
Additionally, in at least some examples, the rails 22 can also be provided directly on the upper receiver 12 for mounting the firearm accessories directly to the upper receiver 12. In the example illustrated in
The handguard 18 further includes slots 24 that provide additional mounting locations for firearm accessories on the handguard 18. The slots 24 are hollow apertures that provide negative space mounting points. In at least some examples, the slots 24 are M-LOK interfaces.
The lower receiver 14 includes a grip 26, a trigger 30, a magazine well 32 configured to hold a magazine of ammunition 34, and a buttstock 36. Alternative configurations are possible in which the lower receiver 14 may include additional components not shown in the figures, or may not include all components shown in the figures such that some components are optional.
The power source 206 provides a DC voltage that is configured for powering firearm accessories when mounted to the rails 22 of the firearm 10. In a preferred embodiment, the power source 206 includes one or more rechargeable batteries. The power source 206 is stored inside a housing 208 held inside the buttstock 36 of the firearm 10.
A socket 210 draws electrical power from the power source 206 housed in the buttstock 36. Electrical wiring carries the electrical power from the socket 210 through a trigger guard 212 and a shroud 214 mounted to the lower receiver 14, and thereafter to a connector 100. The trigger guard 212 and the shroud 214 protect the electrical wiring from outside elements. The trigger guard 212 and the shroud 214 are components that can be retrofitted onto the firearm 10. For example, the trigger guard 212 can be used to replace a stock trigger guard.
The electrical wiring includes at least a pair of electrical wires that carry the +/−DC voltage generated from the power source 206. The electrical wiring can further include additional wiring for transferring data from the power source 206 to the upper receiver 12. Thus, in at least some examples, the electrical wiring has a three conductor design with two conductors dedicated to electrical power transfer, and a third conductor dedicated to data transfer.
The data transfer enables the power source 206 to be networked with additional devices mounted on and off of the firearm 10. For example, a firearm accessory mounted on the upper receiver 12, such as an optical sight, can receive the data from the power source 206 for displaying a charge level of the power source 206 while being used by a user of the firearm 10. In such example, the user of the firearm 10 can be alerted that the charge level of the power source 206 is running low such that they will need to re-charge or replace the power source 206.
As another example, a firearm accessory, such as a communications router, can be used to communicate the data from the power source 206 off of the firearm 10 to one or more remote devices such as through encrypted radio, cellular, or satellite communications. As an illustrative example, a central command server can receive the data from the power source 206 to alert central command about the charge level of the power source 206. Thereafter, central command can use the data to make informed decisions such as whether to continue battle operations based on the charge level of the power source 206 on the firearm 10.
The connector 100 transfers the electrical power from the power source 206 in the lower receiver 14, to electrical wiring 216 that runs along the upper receiver 12. A power switch assembly 300 can be actuated by a user of the firearm 10 to connect and disconnect the transfer of electrical power and data from the lower receiver 14 to the upper receiver 12. The connector 100 and power switch assembly 300 will be described in more detail below.
The electrical wiring 216 in the upper receiver 12 is housed inside a sheath 40 mounted to the handguard 18. The electrical wiring 216 and the sheath 40 run along a length of the upper receiver 12 and substantially parallel to the barrel 16 and handguard 18. The sheath 40 protects the electrical wiring 216 from outside elements, and prevents the electrical wiring 216 from being snagged by outside elements such as branches, wires, cables, and the like.
The electrical wiring 216 includes a pair of electrical wires that carry the +/−DC voltage generated from the power source 206, and additional wiring for transferring data from the power source 206. The electrical wiring 216 transfers the electrical power and data to a conductive bus assembly 218 mounted at a distal end of the upper receiver 12.
The conductive bus assembly 218 distributes the electrical power and data to the at least one conductive strip 202 mounted on the handguard 18. In examples where a plurality of conductive strips 202 are mounted around the barrel 16 of the firearm 10, the conductive bus assembly 218 distributes the electrical power and data to the plurality of conductive strips 202. The conductive bus assembly 218 can also distribute the electrical power and data to one or more conductive strips that are mounted directly to the upper receiver 12 such as between the rails 22c.
As shown in
A plurality of conductive strips 202 can be mounted on the top, bottom, and sides of the handguard 18 such that electrical power from the power source 206 can be supplied to a plurality of firearm accessories mounted on the top, bottom, and sides of the handguard 18. Additionally, in at least some examples, a conductive strip 202 can be held between the rails 22c provided directly on the upper receiver 12 for supplying electrical power to one or more firearm accessories that are mounted directly to the upper receiver 12.
A control module 220 is connected to a rail 22b attached to the handguard 18. The control module 220 includes one or more buttons that can receive manual inputs from a user of the firearm 10 to control the operation of one or more firearm accessories mounted to at least one conductive strip 202 on the firearm 10. The control module 220 can communicate with the one or more firearm accessories over the conductive strips 202 using, for example, impressed communications over DC power. The control module 220 enables a user of the firearm 10 to control multiple firearm accessories from a single, convenient location on the firearm 10.
In the examples illustrated in the figures, the control module 220 is attached to a left side of the handguard 18. Alternatively, the control module 220 can be attached to a right side of the handguard 18. Thus, the control module 220 can be attached to either side of the handguard.
In the examples illustrated in the figures, the control module 220 is at least partially secured to the handguard 18 by a fastener 222 such as a screw and bolt assembly that clamps the control module 220 onto the handguard 18. Alternatively, the control module 220 can include a grip mechanism that engages the rails 22 to secure the control module 220 to the firearm 10.
The power switch assembly 300 includes a housing 302 that is structured for mounting onto the upper receiver 12 of the firearm. The shape of the housing 302 is configured to conform to the shape of the handguard 18 of the firearm. For example,
In the examples illustrated in the figures, the power switch assembly 300 and connector 100 are attached to the left side of the handguard 18. Alternatively, the power switch assembly 300 and connector 100 can be attached to the right side of the handguard 18. Thus, the power switch assembly 300 and connector 100 can be attached to either side of the handguard.
The housing 302 has an exterior area 304 where a switch 306 is mounted. The switch 306 is configured for actuation by a user to connect and disconnect the supply of electrical power and data to the upper receiver 12. In the examples illustrated in the figures, the exterior area 304 is at least partially surrounded by an exterior wall 308 such that the exterior area 304 and the switch 306 are recessed in the housing 302. Advantageously, the exterior wall 308 can prevent accidental actuation of the switch 306 while the firearm 10 is being used.
The switch 306 is actuated by a user of the firearm 10 by pivoting from a horizontal position to a vertical position, and by pivoting from the vertical position to the horizontal position. As an illustrative example, the switch 306 when in the vertical position (as shown in
Alternative arrangements for actuating a switch to connect and disconnect the supply of electrical power and data from the lower receiver 14 to the upper receiver 12 are possible such that the pivoting actuation described herein is provided by way of illustrative example. For example, in alternative arrangements, the switch 306 can be a pin that is configured to slide left and right, or up and down, to connect and disconnect the transfer of the electrical power and data to the upper receiver 12. In further alternative arrangements, the switch 306 can be a button that can be depressed to connect and disconnect the transfer of the electrical power and data to the upper receiver 12. Further alternative arrangements are contemplated.
The fastener assembly includes a screw 314 and a bolt 316. The screw 314 is configured for insertion through an aperture 318 in the lateral portion 310 of the housing 302, and through a slot 24 of the handguard 18 to engage the bolt 316. The screw 314 has exterior threads that are configured to threadedly engage interior threads of the bolt 316.
In the examples illustrated in the figures, the screw 314 has a hexagonal socket that is configured for engagement by a hex key, also known as an Allen key or Allen wrench, that can be used to apply the rotational force to tighten the screw 314 and bolt 316 around the slot 24 of the handguard 18. Alternative socket designs for the screw 314 are possible such that a variety of different wrenches and screwdrivers can be used to rotate and tighten the screw 314.
The screw 314 is insertable through the aperture 318 in the lateral portion 310 of the housing 302 such that the screw 314 does not interfere with the placement and actuation of the switch 306. In alternative arrangements, it is contemplated that the exterior area 304 can include an aperture for receiving the screw 314 such that the housing 302 does not include the lateral portion 310, and instead, the screw 314 is inserted through the exterior area 304 or other area of the housing 302 for attaching the power switch assembly 300 to the upper receiver 12.
Referring now to
Referring back to
The plug portion 102 includes one or more electrical contacts that engage one or more corresponding electrical contacts 328 inside the receptacle portion 326. In the example illustrated in the figures, the electrical contacts 328 are prongs that are received inside corresponding apertures 104 of the plug portion 102 for contact with the electrical contacts of the plug portion 102. In alternative arrangements, the electrical contacts of the plug portion 102 can be prongs that are received inside corresponding apertures in the receptacle portion 326.
As shown in
The groove 336 is shaped such that when the head 334 of the safety latch 330 is rotated by the fingers of a user of the firearm 10, the safety latch 330 can be pulled by the user in a direction away from the notch 108 of the plug portion 102. For example, the groove 336 is L shaped and includes a first portion 350 that is substantially orthogonal to a lengthwise axis 354 of the safety latch 330, and a second portion 352 that is substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis 354. When the safety latch 330 is rotated, the pin 344 becomes aligned with the second portion 352 of the groove 336 such that the safety latch 330 can be pulled along the lengthwise axis 354. The length of the second portion 352 defines a distance that the safety latch 330 can be pulled. In some further examples, the groove 336 and pin 344 provide a bayonet mount or bayonet connector for the safety latch 330 inside the safety latch housing 340.
When the safety latch 330 is pulled by the predetermined distance defined by the length of the second portion 352 of the groove 336, the distal end 332 of the safety latch 330 is moved out of the notch 108, and thereby allows the plug portion 102 to be unplugged and removed from the receptacle portion 326 of the power switch assembly 300.
The internal spring coil 338 engages the pin 344 to bias the safety latch 330 in a direction toward the plug portion 102 of the connector 100 such that the safety latch 330 returns toward the plug portion 102 when released by the hand of the user. The user can use the head 334 to rotate the safety latch 330 such that the pin 344 is contained inside the first portion 350 of the groove 336, and thereby the pin 344 prevents the safety latch 330 from being pulled in the direction away from the plug portion 102 of the connector 100. In this position, the distal end 332 is locked in position for engaging the notch 108 of the plug portion 102, and thereby the plug portion 102 is prevented from unplugging from the receptacle portion 326.
The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to be limiting in any way. Various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.
