Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FIREARM WITH ELECTRICAL POWER SOURCE
This application is being filed on 17 January 2020, as a PCT International
patent
application.
BACKGROUND
100011 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.
100021 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.
SU1VIMARY
100031 In general terms, the present disclosure relates to a firearm with an
electrical
power source. In one possible configuration and by non-limiting example, the
firearm
includes a pivot pin device providing a mechanical pivot point between an
upper
receiver and a lower receiver, and further providing a transfer of electrical
power from
the electrical power source in the lower receiver to at least one accessory
rail mounted
on the upper receiver.
100041 In one aspect, a firearm comprises a lower receiver storing an
electrical power
source, an upper receiver attached to the lower receiver, and a pivot pin
device
providing a mechanical pivot point between the upper and lower receivers. The
pivot
pin device further provides a transfer of electrical power from the electrical
power
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source in the lower receiver to at least one accessory rail attached to the
upper receiver.
The at least one accessory rail having electrical contacts configured to
engage
corresponding contacts on an electronic accessory device to supply the
electrical power
to the electronic accessory device.
100051 In another aspect, a pivot pin device for a firearm comprises a housing
defining
an interior cavity for routing electrical conductors from a first end of the
pivot pin
device to a second end of the pivot pin device, the housing including: a
cylindrical
portion terminating at the first end and being configured to provide a
mechanical pivot
point between upper and lower receivers of a firearm; and a lateral portion
extending
substantially orthogonal from the cylindrical portion and terminating at the
second end;
first and second electrical contacts positioned at the first end, the first
and second
electrical contacts axially spaced apart from one another and each having an
exterior
portion configured to engage a respective coil contact inside a receptacle in
the lower
receiver, and each having an interior portion engaging a respective electrical
conductor;
and a plug portion positioned at the second end, the plug portion being
configured for
insertion inside a ruggedized connector port in the upper receiver to mate the
electrical
conductors with corresponding conductors inside the ruggedized connector port
for
transferring electrical power from the lower receiver to the upper receiver.
100061 In another aspect, an electrical system for a firearm comprises an
electrical
power source; a socket drawing electrical power from the electrical power
source; lower
conductors carrying the electrical power from the socket to a receptacle, the
receptacle
configured for being incorporated into a lower receiver of a firearm; a pivot
pin device
transferring the electrical power from the receptacle to a ruggedized
connector port, the
ruggedized connector port configured for being incorporated into an upper
receiver of a
firearm, the pivot pin device being configured to provide a mechanical pivot
point
between the upper and lower receivers of the firearm; upper conductors
carrying the
electrical power from the ruggedized connector port to a conductive bus, the
conductive
bus configured for attachment to the upper receiver; and at least one
accessory rail
receiving the electrical power from the conductive bus, the at least one
accessory rail
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configured for attachment to the upper receiver and having electrical contacts
configured to engage corresponding contacts on an electronic accessory device
to
supply the electrical power to the accessory electronic accessory device.
[0007] In another aspect, a power coupling for use on an accessory rail
comprises: a
housing defining an interior space; a conductive bus housed inside the
interior space,
the conductive bus configured to transfer electrical power around a barrel of
a firearm;
receptacles electrically connected to the conductive bus, each receptacle
configured to
receive an end of a conductive strip; and sealing glands sealing a connection
between
each receptacle and conductive strip.
[0008] A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the
description that
follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and to
combinations of
features. It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description
and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not
restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the examples disclosed
herein
are based.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0009] The following drawing figures, which form a part of this application,
are
illustrative of described technology and are not meant to limit the scope of
the
disclosure in any manner.
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first side of a firearm with an
integrated power
source, the firearm being shown in a closed position.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a second side of the firearm shown in
the closed
position.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the firearm in an open positon.
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[0014] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of FIG. 4.
[0015] FIG. 6 is an isometric bottom view of the firearm with a lower receiver
removed
therefrom exposing an interior of an upper receiver of the firearm.
[0016] FIG. 7 is an isometric top view of the firearm with the upper receiver
removed
therefrom exposing an interior of the lower receiver of the firearm.
[0017] FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of the firearm.
[0018] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the electrical system of the firearm.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the electrical system.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the opposite side of the firearm.
[0021] FIG. 12 is another detailed view of the electrical system.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a isometric view of a pivot pin device of the firearm.
[0023] FIG. 14 is another isometric view of the pivot pin device.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a top view of the pivot pin device.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the pivot pin device.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a side view of the pivot pin device.
[0027] FIG. 18 is an opposite side view of the pivot pin device.
[0028] FIG. 19 is a front view of the pivot pin device.
[0029] FIG. 20 is a rear view of the pivot pin device.
[0030] FIG. 21 is an exploded isometric view of the pivot pin device.
[0031] FIG. 22 is another exploded isometric view of the pivot pin device.
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100321 FIG. 23 is an exploded view of a receptacle in the lower receiver.
100331 FIG. 24 is a detailed isometric view of a ruggedized connector port.
100341 FIG. 25 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lower receiver with
the pivot pin
device inserted therein.
100351 FIG. 26 is a detailed isometric view of a conductive bus assembly on
the upper
receiver.
100361 FIG. 27 is an exploded isometric view of the conductive bus assembly.
100371 FIG. 28 is an isometric view of a conductive strip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
100381 Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the
drawings,
wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout
the
several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of
the claims
attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification
are not
intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible
embodiments for
the appended claims.
100391 FIGS. 1 and 2 are isometric views of first and second sides,
respectively, of a
firearm 10. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the firearm 10 is shown in a closed position.
When in the
closed position, the firearm 10 is operational such that the firearm 10 is
able to fire a
round of ammunition. While a military-style firearm is shown and described
herein, the
various embodiments, concepts, and features that are described herein can be
incorporated into other types of firearms including handguns, bolt action
rifles,
shotguns, fixed-mount machine guns, as well as into other types of weapons
such as
bows and non-weapons such as air-soft (e.g., paint ball) systems.
100401 The firearm 10 includes an upper receiver 12 attached to a lower
receiver 14.
The upper receiver 12 includes a barrel 16, a handguard 18 that partially
surrounds the
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barrel 16, at least one accessory rail 204, and a muzzle 22. The lower
receiver 14
includes a grip 24, a trigger guard 26, a trigger 28, a magazine well 30, and
a buttstock
32. Alternative configurations are contemplated such that the upper and lower
receivers
12, 14 of the firearm 10 may include additional components not shown in the
figures or
may not include all components shown in the figures such that some of the
components
can be optional.
100411 FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the connection between the upper and lower
receivers 12, 14. In FIG. 3, the firearm 10 is shown in the closed position.
As will be
described in more detail, the lower receiver 14 is at least partially attached
to the upper
receiver 12 by a pivot pin device 100.
100421 FIGS. 4 and 5 show the firearm 10 in an open position. When in the open
position, the internal components of the firearm 10 such as the trigger
mechanism are
exposed for cleaning and/or replacement. The upper and lower receivers 12, 14
are
pivotable with respect to one another about the pivot pin device 100 when a
rear pin 36
(see FIGS. 1, 2, and 8) is removed from the upper and lower receivers 12, 14.
Thus, the
upper and lower receivers 12, 14 can pivot about the pivot pin device 100 from
the
closed position (see FIGS. 1-3) to the open position (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The
upper and
lower receivers 12, 14 are separable from one another when both the pivot pin
device
100 and rear pin 36 are removed from the upper and lower receivers 12, 14.
100431 In addition to providing a mechanical pivot point between the upper and
lower
receivers 12, 14, the pivot pin device 100 provides a transfer of electrical
power from an
electrical power source 202 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) in the lower receiver 14 to
the at least
one accessory rail 204 on the upper receiver 12 Additionally, the pivot pin
device 100
maintains the electrical power supply from the electrical power source 202 in
the lower
receiver 14 to the at least one accessory rail 204 on the upper receiver 12
when the
upper and lower receivers 12, 14 pivot from the closed position to the open
positon and
from the open position to the closed position.
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100441 Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, a lobe 118 extends from a lateral
portion of the
pivot pin device 100 and engages a tab 56 on the lower receiver 14 to prevent
removal
of the pivot pin device 100 from the firearm 10 when the upper and lower
receivers 12,
14 are in the closed position. For example, when in the closed position shown
in FIG. 3,
the tab 56 blocks the pivot pin device 100 from being pulled out of the
firearm 10.
100451 When the upper and lower receivers 12, 14 are in the open position, the
lobe 118
disengages the tab 56 allowing removal of the pivot pin device 100 from the
firearm 10.
For example, when in the open position shown in FIG. 5, the tab 56 no longer
blocks
the pivot pin device 100 from being pulled out of the firearm 10. The pivot
pin device
100 can be removed from the firearm 10 by pulling a lateral portion 110 (see
FIGS. 13-
20) of the pivot pin device 100 such that tools are not required to remove the
pivot pin
device 100 from the firearm 10.
100461 FIG. 6 is an isometric bottom view of the upper receiver 12 with the
lower
receiver 14 removed therefrom. FIG. 7 is an isometric top view of the lower
receiver 14
with the upper receiver 12 removed therefrom. FIG. 8 is an exploded view of
the
firearm 10. Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, the lower receiver 14 includes holes
38 that
align with a corresponding hole 40 drilled through a first extension piece 42
of the
upper receiver 12. The rear pin 36 is received by the holes 38, 40 to secure
the upper
and lower receivers 12, 14 together in the closed position.
100471 Still referring to FIGS 6-8, the lower receiver 14 includes hinges 44
each
having a hole 46 that aligns with a corresponding hole 48 drilled through a
second
extension piece 50 of the upper receiver 12. A first end of the pivot pin
device 100 is
received by the holes 46, 48 to secure the upper and lower receivers 12, 14
together
such that when the rear pin 36 is removed from the firearm 10, the upper and
lower
receivers 12, 14 can pivot about the pivot pin device 100 from the closed
position to the
open position and from the open position to the closed position.
100481 FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an electrical system 200 of the firearm
10. The
electrical system 200 includes the electrical power source 202 and the at
least one
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accessory rail 204. The electrical power source 202 provides a DC voltage for
powering
one or more electronic accessory devices that can be mounted to the at least
one
accessory rail 204. The electrical power source 202 is stored inside a housing
212 held
inside the buttstock 32 of the lower receiver 14.
100491 While the drawings show the electrical power source 202 as having a
plurality
of batteries, the electrical power source 202 may include a single battery or
may include
more than one battery such as a plurality of batteries. In a preferred
embodiment, the
electrical power source 202 includes one or more rechargeable batteries. In
other
embodiments, the electrical power source 202 can include one or more
disposable
batteries such as AA batteries.
100501 A socket 206 in the lower receiver draws electrical power from the
electrical
power source 202. Lower conductors 208 carry the electrical power from the
socket 206
to a receptacle 210 in the lower receiver. The lower conductors 208 can
include a pair
of electrical wires that carry the +/- DC voltage generated from the
electrical power
source 202. The lower conductors 208 can be housed inside a cable jacket 209
to protect
them from outside elements.
100511 FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the receptacle 210 and pivot pin device
100. The
receptacle 210 receives a first end 104 of the pivot pin device 100 to
transfer the
electrical power to the pivot pin device 100. The receptacle 210 can include
one or more
seals 211 to prevent dirt, corrosion, water, humidity, and the like from
penetrating the
interface between the receptacle 210 and the first end 104 of the pivot pin
device 100.
The seals 211 ensure a reliable flow of electrical power from the lower
receiver 14 to
the upper receiver 12 of the firearm 10
100521 FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the opposite side of the firearm 10. As
shown in
FIG. 11, a channel 52 is embedded in the lower receiver 14 to guide the lower
conductors 208 inside the cable jacket 209 from the socket 206 to the
receptacle 210.
The channel 52 prevents the lower conductors 208 from being snagged by outside
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elements such as branches, wires, and cables to ensure that the flow of
electrical power
to the upper receiver 12 is not interrupted.
100531 As shown in FIGS. 6, 9, and 10, a ruggedized connector port 214 in the
upper
receiver 12 receives a second end of the pivot pin device 100 to receive the
electrical
power from the electrical power source 202. The ruggedized connector port 214
can
include one or more seals to protect the connection with the second end of the
pivot pin
device 100 such that dirt, corrosion, water, humidity, and the like do not
penetrate the
connection. The seals between the ruggedized connector port 214 and pivot pin
device
100 ensure that there is a reliable flow of electrical power from the lower
receiver 14 to
the upper receiver 12 of the firearm 10.
100541 Upper conductors 216 carry the electrical power from the ruggedized
connector
port 214 to a conductive bus assembly 218 that is mounted on the upper
receiver 12.
The upper conductors 216 can include a pair of electrical wires that carry the
+/- DC
voltage generated from the electrical power source 202. The upper conductors
216 can
be housed inside a cable jacket 217 to protect them from outside elements. As
shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper conductors 216 inside the cable jacket 217 are housed
inside a
sheath 54 that extends along a length of the upper receiver 12. The sheath 54
protects
the upper conductors 216 and prevents the upper conductors 216 from being
snagged by
outside elements such as branches, wires, cables, and the like.
100551 The channel 52 routes the lower conductors 208 along the second side of
the
firearm 10 while the sheath 54 routes the upper conductors 216 along the first
side of
the firearm 10. Thus, the pivot pin device 100 not only transfers the
electrical power
from the lower receiver 14 to the upper receiver 12, but also transfers the
electrical
power across the firearm 10 from the second side of the firearm 10 to the
first side of
the firearm 10. Advantageously, running the lower and upper conductors 208,
216 on
opposites sides of the firearm 10 improves the weight distribution and balance
of the
firearm 10 which can make the firearm 10 easier to carry and aim.
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100561 The conductive bus assembly 218 transfers the electrical power from the
upper
conductors 216 to the at least one accessory rail 204. FIG. 12 is a detailed
view of the at
least one accessory rail 204. As shown in FIG. 12, each accessory rail 204
includes a
conductive strip 250 having electrical contacts 220 that are configured to
engage
contacts on an electronic accessory device to supply the electrical power from
the
electrical power source 202 to the electronic accessory device when the
electronic
accessory device is mounted to the firearm 10.
100571 Each accessory rail 204 also includes grips 222 that enable each
accessory rail
204 to be mechanically gripped by an electronic accessory device for
attachment of the
electronic accessory device to the firearm 10. In some examples, the grips 222
correspond to the structure of a Picatinny rail such that a variety of
electronic accessory
devices can be attached to the accessory rails 204 for mounting onto the
firearm 10.
100581 In the examples illustrated in the figures, the electrical system 200
includes four
accessory rails 204 mounted around the handguard 18 of the firearm 10.
Alternative
configurations are contemplated such that fewer than four accessory rails 204
can be
mounted to the firearm 10 or more than four accessory rails 204 can be mounted
to the
firearm 10. Also, the location where the accessory rails 204 are mounted on
the upper
receiver 12 may vary such that the accessory rails 204 can be mounted to
different
portions of the upper receiver 12 without mounting to the handguard 18 such as
a top
portion of the upper receiver 12.
100591 As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 9, the electrical system 200 further
includes a
switch 230 that is connected between the upper conductors 216 and the at least
one
accessory rail 204 The switch 230 is configured to disconnect the electrical
power
supply from the electrical power source 202 to the at least one accessory rail
204. The
switch 230 is rotatable between ON and OFF positions. The switch 230 acts as a
master
on/off switch such that when the switch 230 is rotated to the ON position, the
electrical
power flows from the electrical power source 202 to the accessory rails 204,
and when
the switch 230 is rotated to the OFF position, the electrical power flow
between the
electrical power source 202 and the accessory rails 204 is disconnected.
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100601 Advantageously, the switch 230 can be used to enforce light discipline
during
combat such that electronic accessory devices when mounted to the firearm 10
are not
accidentally turned on during battle (if accidentally turned on, the
electronic accessory
devices can be seen by the enemy and give away the position of the user of the
firearm
10). Another advantage of the switch 230 when turned off is that it can
eliminate
parasitic energy losses from the electronic accessory devices to preserver the
battery life
of the electrical power source 202.
100611 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, a control module 240 can be connected to an
accessory rail 204. The control module 240 includes one or more buttons that
are
configured to receive manual inputs from a user of the firearm 10 to control
the
operation of one or more electronic accessory devices when the control module
240 and
electronic accessory devices are mounted to at least one accessory rail 204.
The control
module 240 can communicate with the one or more electronic accessory devices
over
the accessory rails 204 using Impressed Communications over DC power.
Advantageously, the control module 240 enables a user of the firearm 10 to
control
multiple electronic accessory devices from a single, convenient location on
the firearm
10.
100621 In the examples illustrated in the figures, the control module 240 is
at least
partially secured to the handguard 18 by a mechanical fastener 242 (see FIG.
1) such as
a screw. In some examples, as an alternative or in addition to using the
mechanical
fastener 242, the control module 240 can include a grip mechanism that engages
the
grips 222 of the accessory rail 204 to mechanically secure the control module
240 to the
firearm 10.
100631 FIGS. 13-20 illustrate isometric, top, bottom, side, front, and rear
views of the
pivot pin device 100. Referring now to FIGS. 13-20, the pivot pin device 100
includes a
housing 102 that defines an interior cavity for routing electrical conductors
from a first
end 104 of the pivot pin device 100 to a second end 106 of the pivot pin
device 100.
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100641 The housing 102 has a cylindrical portion 108 that terminates at the
first end 104
and a lateral portion 110 that extends substantially orthogonal from the
cylindrical
portion 108 and that terminates at the second end 106. The housing 102 is
substantially
L-shaped such that the cylindrical portion 108 is configured to traverse
between the first
and second sides of the firearm 10 and the lateral portion 110 is configured
to be
substantially parallel to the first side of the firearm 10 when the pivot pin
device 100 is
inserted into the upper and lower receivers 12, 14.
100651 The cylindrical portion 108 is configured to provide the mechanical
pivot point
between upper and lower receivers 12, 14 of the firearm 10. Additionally, the
cylindrical portion 108 is configured to prevent detachment of the upper and
lower
receivers 12, 14 when the pivot pin device 100 is inserted through the upper
and lower
receivers 12, 14.
100661 First and second electrical contacts 112, 114 are axially spaced apart
from one
another on the cylindrical portion 108 towards the first end 104. The first
and second
electrical contacts 112, 114 are each configured to engage corresponding first
and
second coil contacts 232, 234 inside the receptacle 210 (see FIG. 23). The
first and
second electrical contacts 112, 114 receive the electrical power in the
receptacle 210 by
contacting the first and second coil contacts 232, 234.
100671 A plug portion 116 positioned at the second end 106 is configured for
insertion
inside the ruggedized connector port 214 in the upper receiver 12 to mate the
electrical
conductors inside the pivot pin device 100 with the corresponding upper
conductors 216
inside the ruggedized connector port 214 for transferring the electrical power
from the
electrical power source 202 in the lower receiver 14 to the accessory rails
204 in the
upper receiver 12.
100681 The lobe 118 (described above with reference to FIGS 3 and 5) extends
from
the lateral portion 110 opposite the plug portion 116. As described above, the
lobe 118
is configured to engage the tab 56 on the lower receiver 14 when the upper and
lower
receivers 12, 14 are in the closed position to prevent removal of the pivot
pin device
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100 from the firearm 10, and is configured to disengage the tab 56 when the
upper and
lower receivers 12, 14 are in the open position to allow removal of the pivot
pin device
100 from the firearm 10.
100691 As shown in FIGS. 13-20, the lateral portion 110 includes grips 120
that are
configured to receive the fingertips of a user of the firearm 10 to help
facilitate the user
to grip the lateral portion 110 to pull the pivot pin device 100 out of the
firearm 10. In
the example illustrated in the figures, the grips 120 are molded on an
interior surface of
the lateral portion 110.
100701 FIGS. 21 and 22 are exploded isometric views of the pivot pin device
100.
Referring now to FIGS. 21 and 22, the pivot pin device 100 includes the
electrical
conductors 122 that are routed from the first end 104 to the second end 106 of
the pivot
pin device 100. The first and second electrical contacts 112, 114 each have an
exterior
portion configured to engage a respective coil contact 232, 234 inside the
receptacle 210
(see FIG. 23), and each have an interior portion that engages a respective
electrical
conductor 122. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the exterior portion of each
electrical
contact 112, 114 is substantially circular. The interior portion extends from
the exterior
portion towards a center of each electrical contact 112, 114 and includes a
bore to
engage and wrap around an electrical conductor 122.
100711 As further shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the plug portion 116 includes
receptacles
128 that extend toward a faceplate 130 The faceplate 130 defines openings 134
that are
configured to receive conductors 244, 246 inside the ruggedized connector port
214 (see
FIGS. 10 and 24). The receptacles 128 are configured to mate the electrical
conductors
122 inside the pivot pin device 100 with the upper conductors 216 inside the
ruggedized
connector port 214 (see FIG. 24).
100721 A gasket 132 surrounds the plug portion 116 to provide an environmental
seal
between the plug portion 116 and the ruggedized connector port 214. For
example, the
gasket 132 can engage a housing 215 (see FIG. 6) of the ruggedized connector
port 214
to provide the environmental seal between the plug portion 116 and the
ruggedized
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connector port 214. The environmental seal prevents debris such as dirt,
corrosion,
water, humidity from penetrating the connection between the plug portion 116
and the
ruggedized connector port 214.
100731 FIG. 23 is an exploded view of the receptacle 210. As shown in FIG. 23,
the
lower conductors 208 inside the cable jacket 209 are connected to the first
and second
coil contacts 232, 234 inside the receptacle 210. When the first end 104 of
the pivot pin
device 100 is inserted into the receptacle 210, the first and second
electrical contacts
112, 114 engage the first and second coil contacts 232, 234 to draw the
electrical power
from the lower conductors 208 to the electrical conductors 122 (see FIGS. 21
and 2)
housed inside the pivot pin device 100.
100741 FIG. 24 is an exploded view of the ruggedized connector port 214. As
shown in
FIG. 24, the ruggedized connector port 214 includes the conductors 244, 246
that are
received by the plug portion 116 of the pivot pin device 100. The conductors
244, 246
are connected to the upper conductors 216 to transfer the electrical power
from the pivot
pin device 100 to the upper conductors 216, and hence transfer the electrical
power to
the at least one accessory rail 204 on the upper receiver 12 via the
conductive bus
assembly 218 (as shown in FIG. 9).
100751 FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the lower receiver 14 with the
pivot pin
device 100 inserted therein. In FIG. 25, the firearm is in the closed position
such that
the tab 56 engages the lobe 118 to block the pivot pin device 100 from being
pulled out
of the lower receiver 14. As further shown in FIG. 25, the cylindrical portion
108 of the
pivot pin device 100 is inserted through the hinges 44 such that the
cylindrical portion
108 can act as a mechanical pivot point between the lower receiver 14 and the
upper
receiver 12.
100761 Still referring to FIG. 25, the first end 104 of the pivot pin device
100 is inserted
into the receptacle 210 such that the first and second electrical contacts
112, 114 of the
pivot pin device 100 engage the first and second coil contacts 232, 234 in the
receptacle
210 to draw the electrical power from the lower conductors 208 inside the
cable jacket
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209 to the electrical conductors 122 inside the pivot pin device 100. In view
of FIGS.
23-25, the pivot pin device 100 is an electrical bridge between the receptacle
210 in the
lower receiver 14 and the ruggedized connector port 214 in the upper receiver
12 that
transfers the electrical power from the lower conductors 208 in the lower
receiver 14 to
the upper conductors 216 in the upper receiver 12.
100771 FIG. 26 is a detailed isometric view of a conductive bus assembly 218
on the
upper receiver 12. FIG. 27 is an exploded isometric view of the conductive bus
assembly 218. Referring now to FIGS. 26 and 27, the conductive bus assembly
218
includes a housing 224 that defines an interior space. A faceplate 226
attaches to one
end of the housing 224 for sealing the interior space. The housing 224 and
faceplate 226
each have apertures 227, 229 that enable the conductive bus assembly 218 to be
installed around the barrel 16 of the firearm 10.
100781 As shown in FIG. 27, the conductive bus assembly 218 includes a
conductive
bus 228 housed inside the interior space of the housing 224. The conductive
bus 228 has
an aperture 231 that enables the conductive bus 228 to be housed inside the
housing 224
and around the barrel 16 of the firearm 10. The conductive bus 228 includes
contacts
236 that engage the upper conductors 216 to transfer the electrical power from
the upper
conductors 216 onto the conductive bus 228, and around the barrel 16 on the
upper
receiver 12.
100791 The conductive bus assembly 218 has receptacles 238 electrically
connected
around the conductive bus 228. The receptacles 238 receive ends of conductive
strips
250 to transfer the electrical power from the conductive bus 228 onto the
conductive
strips 250 The conductive strips 250 are mounted to the accessory rails 204
(see also
FIG. 12).
100801 In some examples, the conductive bus assembly 218 includes four
receptacles
238 such that four conductive strips 250 can be mounted around the barrel 16.
It is
contemplated that the number of receptacles 238 mounted to the conductive bus
228 can
vary such that fewer than four conductive strips 250 can be mounted to the
firearm 10
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or more than four conductive strips 250 can be mounted to the firearm 10. In
some
examples, the receptacle 238 are female connectors while the ends of the
conductive
strips 250 are male connectors. In some examples, the conductive bus assembly
218
daisy chains a plurality of conductive strips 250 together such that each
conductive strip
250 powers a plurality of electronic accessory devices.
[0081] The conductive bus assembly 218 further includes sealing glands 248
that seal
the electrical connection between the receptacles 238 and the ends of the
conductive
strips 250. In some examples, the sealing glands 248 are made from a soft
rubber
material. The sealing glands 248 protect the electrical connection between the
conductive bus assembly 218 and the conductive strips 250 from outside
elements such
as water, humidity, dirt, and the like. Advantageously, the sealing glands 248
ensure a
steady supply of electrical power to the conductive strips 250 such that the
electrical
power to one or more electronic accessory devices mounted onto the accessory
rails 204
is not interrupted.
[0082] FIG. 28 is an isometric view of a conductive strip 250 that can be
mounted to
each accessory rail 204. The conductive strip 250 includes a plurality of
electrical
contacts 220 that are configured to engage corresponding contacts on an
electronic
accessory device to supply the electrical power from the electrical power
source 202 to
an electronic accessory device when the electronic accessory device is mounted
to the
firearm 10. The distal ends of the conductive strip 250 each include one or
more contact
pads 252 such that one distal end can be inserted into a receptacle 238 of the
conductive
bus assembly 218 for transferring the electrical power to the conductive strip
250 while
an opposite distal end of the conductive strip 250 can be plugged into a
receptacle of
another device such as the control module 240, as shown in FIG. 8. In some
examples,
the conductive strip 250 includes a slot 254 that provides a reference point
to ensure
correct orientation of the conductive strip 250 on the accessory rail 204,
such as when
the conductive strip 250 is being installed onto the accessory rail 204 as a
modular
component.
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100831 Advantageously, the conductive bus assembly 218 including the
conductive
strips 250 are a modular system that can be added onto a standard firearm with
little or
no modification of the original components of the firearm. For example, the
housing
224 of the conductive bus assembly 218 can be mounted around the handguard of
the
firearm, while the conductive strips 250 can be added to the accessory rails
of the
firearm (e.g., Picatinny rails) without substantial modifications to the
handguard and
accessory rails, respectively. Accordingly, in some examples, the conductive
bus
assembly 218 is a power coupling for use on an accessory rail. Additionally,
the
receptacles 238 and sealing glands 248 allow accessory rails equipped with the
conductive strips 250 to be simply plugged into the conductive bus assembly
218, and
thus simplify the assembly of the electrical system 200 onto the firearm 10.
100841 The various embodiments described above are provided by way of
illustration
only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those
skilled in
the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be
made
without following the example embodiments and application illustrated and
described
herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following
claims.
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