Patent ID: 8448368

Claim:
A Weapons Accessory Power Distribution and Communication System for providing a supply of electrical power for use by one or more power-consuming accessories operatively associated with a weapon, the Weapons Accessory Power Distribution and Communication System comprising: a power source; a power-consuming accessory; and a powered rail extending along at least a portion of a length of a barrel of a weapon, and electrically connected to the power source, wherein the powered rail comprises: a plurality of mechanical features formed on the outer surface of the powered rail in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship for mechanically positioning the power-consuming accessory, a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact positioned between at least two of the mechanical features for providing a first and a second electrical connection to the power source, respectively, a mechanically activated electrical switch located on the powered rail, wherein a first contact of the electrical switch is electrically connected to the power source, and a second contact of the electrical switch is electrically connected to the first electrical contact, wherein the second electrical contact is electrically connected to the power source; and wherein mechanical mounting of a power-consuming accessory between the two mechanical features electrically connects the power-consuming accessory to the first and the second electrical contacts, while also mechanically activating the electrical switch to conduct electrical power from the first contact of the electrical switch to the second contact of the electrical switch.