# US 8,769,856 B2 · Voltage-free connector integrated in a weapon rail > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,769,856 B2 - Document ID: US8769856B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/257,478 - Filed: 2010-03-19 - Published: 2012-07-19 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2009-03-19 - Assignees: Techni AS - Applicants: Magnus Berntsen; Rahul Ghose; Steven Menzies; Michael M. Nihei; David Christian Petersen - Inventors: Magnus Berntsen; Rahul Ghose; Steven Menzies; Michael M. Nihei; David Christian Petersen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8769856B2 ## CPC - F41G 11/003: {Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"} - F41C 23/16: Forestocks; Handgrips; Hand guards (pump-action guns F41C7/02) - F41G: WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING (optical aspects thereof G02B) - 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 ## Abstract A universal rail for a firearm has a plurality of through holes and a plurality of attachment points for ancillary equipment along a length of the universal rail, a fastener so as to be fastenable to the firearm, and a power or signal connection point arranged in at least one attachment point of the plurality of attachment points. The power or signal connection point has at least two contact pins surrounded by a seal, and a resilient portion and inner contact faces. The power or signal connection point is further connected to conductors arranged in the universal rail. The resilient portion ensures that the at least two contact pins and contact points are out of contact with each other when the ancillary equipment is not mounted on the universal rail. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A universal rail for a firearm comprising: a plurality of through holes and a plurality of attachment points for ancillary equipment along a length of the universal rail; fastener so as to be fastenable to the firearm; and a power or signal connection point arranged in at least one attachment point of the plurality of attachment points, wherein the power or signal connection point comprises: at least two contact pins surrounded by a seal, and a resilient element comprising a separate spring and inner contact faces, wherein the power or signal connection point is further connected to conductors arranged in the universal rail, and wherein the resilient element ensures that the at least two contact pins and contact points are out of contact with each other when the ancillary equipment is not mounted on the universal rail. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein the contact pins have the shape of a T. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein the contact pins are configured with a circular cross-section. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein the contact pins are configured with a non-circular cross-section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein the inner contact faces are fixedly connected to conductors which extend in the longitudinal direction of the universal rail. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein a power or signal connection point is arranged to each attachment point. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein the universal rail is made of a composite material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein the universal rail is made of a metallic material or a combination of metallic materials. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein a bar of the universal rail is made in several parts that are mounted together. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein a bar of the universal rail is made in one piece. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein the contact points are surrounded by a seal with a defined sealing face against the ancillary equipment. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A device according to claim 11, wherein the seal comprises a membrane or an elastomer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein the seal in engagement with ancillary equipment forms a waterproof chamber around the contact pin and opposing pin in the ancillary equipment. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein the power or signal connection points are arranged in the rail so that engagement between the contact pin and the contact point takes place in a waterproof chamber. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein the contact pins are surrounded by an elastomer such that the connection is waterproof. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein the contact pins are resiliently mounted in the elastomer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein the inner con-tact faces are fixedly connected to conductors that extend in the longitudinal direction of the universal rail. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein the inner contact faces are fixedly connected to conductors that extend in the longitudinal direction of the universal rail and connect one of two power or signal connection points in an attachment point to a corresponding power or signal connection point or points in one or more such attachment points along the rail. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein the contact points are surrounded by a membrane having a defined sealing face against the ancillary equipment. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein the contact pins have the shape of a T, wherein the contact points are surrounded by a seal with a defined sealing face against the ancillary equipment, and wherein the inner contact faces are fixedly connected to conductors that extend in the longitudinal direction of the universal rail and connect one of two power or signal connection points in an attachment point to a corresponding power or signal connection point or points in one or more such attachment points along the rail. ### Claim 21 A universal rail for a firearm comprising: a plurality of through holes and a plurality of attachment points for ancillary equipment along a length of the universal rail; fastener so as to be fastenable to the firearm; a power or signal connection point arranged in at least one attachment point of the plurality of attachment points, wherein the power or signal connection point comprises: at least two contact pins surrounded by a seal, and a resilient element and inner contact faces, wherein the power or signal connection point is further connected to conductors arranged in the universal rail, wherein the resilient element ensures that the at least two contact pins and contact points are out of contact with each other when the ancillary equipment is not mounted on the universal rail, and wherein the resilient element comprises a membrane that is flexible. ### Claim 22 A universal rail for a firearm comprising: a plurality of through holes and a plurality of attachment points for ancillary equipment along a length of the universal rail; fastener so as to be fastenable to the firearm; a power or signal connection point arranged in at least one attachment point of the plurality of attachment points, wherein the power or signal connection point comprises: at least two contact pins surrounded by a seal, and a resilient element and inner contact faces, wherein the power or signal connection point is further connected to conductors arranged in the universal rail, wherein the resilient element ensures that the at least two contact pins and contact points are out of contact with each other when the ancillary equipment is not mounted on the universal rail, and wherein the contact pins are connected to an elastomer such that the connection is waterproof.