# US 2013/0152445 A1 · Rail for inductively powering firearm accessories > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0152445 A1 - Document ID: US20130152445A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/765,324 - Filed: 2013-02-12 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2010-01-15 - Assignees: Colt Canada Corporation - Inventors: David Walter Compton; Gary Edward Crocker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130152445A1 ## CPC - F41C 27/00: Accessories; Details or attachments not otherwise provided for - F41G 11/003: {Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"} - F41C: SMALLARMS, e.g. PISTOLS, RIFLES (functional features or details common to both smallarms and ordnance, mountings therefor F41A; projecting missiles without use of explosive or combustible propellant charge F41B); ACCESSORIES THEREFOR - F41G: WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING (optical aspects thereof G02B) ## Abstract An apparatus and method for providing power to an accessory on a firearm, the method including the steps of: detecting an accessory when attached to said firearm through actuation of a magnetic switch magnetically coupled to a magnet in the accessory via a pin located in the firearm and providing a power path with said accessory; and providing power to said accessory from a secondary source of power should power be required. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for providing inductive power to an accessory on a firearm; said method comprising: detecting an accessory when attached to said firearm through actuation of a magnetic switch magnetically coupled to a magnet in the accessory via a pin located in the firearm and providing an inductive power path with said accessory; and providing power to said accessory from a secondary source should power be required. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: monitoring the power requirements of all accessories and reporting the same to the user, should power be too low determining if said accessories can be recharged based upon temperature and doing so if possible. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said secondary source is an external power source. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said secondary source is an auxiliary power source. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said secondary source is an on board power device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said secondary source is power from an accessory. ### Claim 7 A system for a powered rail of a firearm, comprising: a powered rail operatively connected to a power supply; an accessory configured to releasably engage the powered rail; at least one pin located within the powered rail; at least one magnet, located within the accessory; at least one magnetic switch located within the powered rail, wherein the at least one pin is configured to magnetically couple the at least one magnet to the at least one magnetic switch when the accessory engages the powered rail. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system as in claim 7, wherein the powered rail is configured to transfer power to and from the accessory when the accessory engages the powered rail. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system as in claim 7, wherein the powered rail is configured to transfer data to and from the accessory when the accessory engages the powered rail. ### Claim 10 A method for providing power to an accessory on a firearm; said method comprising: detecting an accessory when attached to said firearm through actuation of a magnetic switch magnetically coupled to a magnet in the accessory via a pin located in the firearm and providing a power path with said accessory; and providing power to said accessory from a secondary source of power should power be required. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising: monitoring the power requirements of all accessories and reporting the same to the user, should power be too low determining if said accessories can be recharged based upon temperature and doing so if possible. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein said secondary source is an external power source. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein said secondary source is an auxiliary power source. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein said secondary source is an on board power device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein said secondary source is power from an accessory. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the firearm further comprises: a powered rail operatively connected to the secondary source of power; wherein the accessory is configured to releasably engage the powered rail; and wherein the magnetic switch is located within the powered rail, wherein the pin is configured to magnetically couple the magnet to the magnetic switch when the accessory engages the powered rail. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising a communication system for the powered rail, wherein the powered rail is configured to transfer power to and from the accessory when the accessory engages the powered rail. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The method as in claim 10, wherein the powered rail is configured to transfer data to and from the accessory when the accessory engages the powered rail.