Modular electrical and/or data distribution rail systems for reconfigurable vehicle interiors

A modular electrical and/or data distribution rail system comprising:

• a rail assembly, and
• a modular connector pod assembly operatively associated with the rail assembly, wherein
• the rail assembly comprises:
• rear shell member adapted to being fixed to adjacent structure, and
• opposed upper and lower front shell members establishing a front surface of the rail assembly, wherein
• the upper and lower front shell members are separated from one another and attached to upper and lower edges, respectively, of the rear shell member, and wherein
• the rear shell member and the upper and lower shell members collectively define a C-shaped channel track having an elongate front slot, and wherein
• the upper and lower front shell members comprise (1) a series of parallel grooves, and (2) a plurality of electrical conductors positioned within respective ones of the grooves, and wherein
• the modular connector pod assembly comprises:
• an H-shaped rear mounting member configured to be operatively connected to the rail assembly to allow for sliding movements within the C-shaped channel track and along the front surface of the rail assembly, the H-shaped rear mounting member integrally including:
• (i) a rearward mounting plate positioned within the C-shaped channel,
• (ii) a forward mounting plate positioned adjacent to the front surface of the rail assembly, and
• (iii) a central bridge member connecting the forward and rearward mounting plates, the central bridge member defining a wiring chase therethrough, and
• a front connector housing attached to the forward mounting plate of the H-shaped rear mounting member for housing a plurality of electrical and/or data ports, wherein
• the rearward mounting plate of the H-shaped rear mounting member includes an array of pin connectors each establishing electrical contact with a respective one of the electrical conductors positioned within a respective one of the grooves of the upper and lower front shell members and being electrically interconnected with a respective one of the plurality of electrical and/or data ports housed within the front connector housing.

A modular rail system comprising:

• a rail assembly which includes an elongate support structure defining a C-shaped channel track defining an elongate front slot, and a plurality of electrical conductors carried by the elongate support structure;
• and
• temporary structural interface (TSI) module adapted to mount an accessory to the rail assembly, wherein the TSI module comprises:
• (i) a housing which includes a quick-disconnect socket assembly configured to receive a quick-disconnect pin associated with the accessory,
• (ii) an elongate back plate configured to be received within the elongate front slot of the support structure, and
• (iii) a pair of rotatable wing members rotatably attached to the elongate back plate to allow for turning movements between an unlocked condition whereby each of the wing members is aligned with an elongate axis of the front slot and a locked condition whereby each of the wing members extends at substantially a right angle to the elongate axis of the front slot to thereby positionally lock the TSI module to the support structure of the rail assembly.