Patents Examined by Stephen Johnson
  • Patent number: 11181333
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described herein for producing a rifling in a barrel of a gun. The barrel defines an axis in a longitudinal direction and comprises an inner wall that defines a bore extending in the longitudinal direction. A tool includes a tool head having an outer contour that corresponds to a shape of the rifling to be produced. The tool head consists of an electrically conductive material. The outer contour of the tool head and the inner wall of the barrel define a gap. An electrolyte solution is pumped through the gap while the tool is guided through the bore, and a pulsed electrical voltage is applied to the barrel and the tool. The barrel is the anode and the tool head is the cathode. The tool is moved through the bore and rotated about the longitudinal axis while the pulsed voltage is applied to produce the riflings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignees: AEC-ALPEN ENERGY CONSULTING GMBH, EMAG SALACH GMBH
    Inventors: Maxim Turlakov, Robin Göhringer
  • Patent number: 11118860
    Abstract: Implementations of a shoulder stock assembly for a pistol are provided. The shoulder stock assembly is configured for use in attaching a shoulder stock to a handgun, thereby providing additional stability to a user aiming and firing the handgun. In some implementations, the shoulder stock assembly is also configured to position an optical sight (e.g., a reflex type sight) so that is can be used to aim the handgun. In some implementations, the shoulder stock assembly comprises a chassis configured to be secured to a frame of a handgun and used to position an optical sight over a slide of the handgun, a shoulder stock secured to the chassis by a hinge assembly, a removable backstrap assembly configured to further secure the chassis to the handgun frame, and a charging handle that can be used to manually operate the slide of the handgun or another suitable combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Trent Zimmer
  • Patent number: 11092397
    Abstract: Example apparatus are disclosed for a magazine for a self-loading firearm, the magazine comprising a magazine housing, and a magazine floor plate movably mounted to the magazine housing. The magazine floor plate is slidable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the magazine floor plate is pivotable relative to the magazine housing when in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: HECKLER & KOCH, GMBH
    Inventor: Steffen Müller
  • Patent number: 11085738
    Abstract: Ballistic body armor is provided having a ballistic body armor panel disposed in a flexible carrier vest. The panel has a pair of opposing outer walls sealed to each other and defining therebetween a gas-impermeable and water-impermeable interior in which is disposed a plurality of layers of woven or non-woven ballistic material. To reduce degradation of the ballistic material, ambient air is removed from the interior of the panel and is replaced with an inert gas. A sensor is disposed in the panel configured to detect a marker indicative of a risk of ballistic panel degradation. The sensor may provide a visual and/or electronic indication (such as a microchip sensor indication). In particular embodiments the marker indicates a level of oxygen above a certain threshold level. The outer walls of the panel may be opaque to reduce penetration of ultraviolet radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: PRE Labs Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley James Field
  • Patent number: 11085720
    Abstract: A safety selector assembly for a firearm is provided. The safety selector assembly can include a core member and one or more levers removably coupled to the core member. The core member can include a first end and a second end. The core member can also include at least one shelf recessed into the outer surface of the core member. The core member can also include at least two throws disposed on the core member and between the shelf and the second end of the core member. Each throw can have a different angle of rotation between positions for allowing and preventing movement of a trigger assembly on the firearm. The core member can also include a first post on the first end and a second post on the second end of the core member. A lever can be rotatably coupled to each of the first and second posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Fortis Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Thang V. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11079189
    Abstract: A modular firearm grip assembly has a frame defined by a front grip strap and a rear grip strap. The front grip strap defines a front lateral attachment point and rear lateral attachment point, and the rear grip strap has a first attachment coupling interface. A grip extension defined by a front extension strap and a rear extension strap is coupled to the frame at the respective one of the front lateral attachment point and the rear lateral attachment point thereof. The grip extension includes a second attachment coupling interface engaged to the first attachment coupling interface of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: BLACKHAWK MANUFACTURING GROUP INC.
    Inventor: Sheehan Hsu
  • Patent number: 11054229
    Abstract: A venting device for a projectile includes a first part comprising a body containing an explosive charge and a second part comprising an actuating element for triggering the explosive charge, the first and second parts forming an assembly able to confine the explosive charge when they are connected, the venting device comprising: a sealing means configured to render the projectile gastight and fluidtight when the first and second parts are connected; an opening means able to allow the projectile to open, the opening means being able to be triggered when the internal pressure in the projectile is higher than or equal to a given pressure threshold; a pushing means able to enlarge the opening of the projectile once the opening means has been triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Eroan Benade, Jean-Sébastien Schwartz, Romain Baillargeat
  • Patent number: 11047634
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a firearm system and method of assembly of the firearm system including a receiver complex including a receiver coupled to a forward receiver. A feed port is positioned between the receiver and the forward receiver, and a striker coil assembly is positioned proximate the receiver, and includes a plurality of strikers each extending at least partially through a coil. An interchangeable barrel is coupled to the forward receiver forming a breech. In some embodiments, the firearm system includes a breech that includes a plurality of side-by-side bores of the barrel. Some embodiments include a magazine coupled to the receiver complex adjacent the feedport to simultaneously feed more than one dischargeable projectile into the feedport with a single charge block. In some embodiments, the charge block includes a plurality of chambers and a plurality of projectiles positioned within the plurality of chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: FORWARD DEFENSE MUNITIONS, CO.
    Inventor: Martin Grier
  • Patent number: 11047647
    Abstract: A firearm includes a sighting device with a sight line and a first device which detects a movement of the firearm in a horizontal plane, and a second device which alters a course of the sight line depending on the movement detected by the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Hahn
  • Patent number: 11050216
    Abstract: Devices, apparatus, systems and methods for providing accurate linear and angular positioning with a payload mounted to a beam having freely moveable ends. The payload can be a laser pointer mounted on a firearm, which maintains the initial precise pointing during and after exposure in high G shock and vibration environments. Vertical and lateral adjustment controls can adjust minute changes in beam orientation. Precision adjustments can be performed in a zero G, one G, or high G environment and maintains the adjustment daring and after being exposed to a high G shock or vibration environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventor: Orval E. Bowman
  • Patent number: 11047640
    Abstract: A universal firearm shield adapted to attach to a firearm suppressor. Suppressors fail to dampen all of the effects of firearm discharge, leaving behind residual effects that may be noticeable. The shield dampens the residual effects of firearm discharge that are not captured by the suppressor. The residual effects are captured by the shield and dispersed throughout one or more interior chambers. The shield easily, quickly, and securely couples to suppressors of varying geometries due to the slidably adjustable components of the shield. The shield is configured to surround the suppressor and axially align with the suppressor. As such, the muzzle of the firearm axially aligns with the shield, the suppressor, and the barrel for an unobstructed projectile path during discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: STWIP LLC
    Inventor: Darryl S. Lee
  • Patent number: 11041701
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to composite munition cases that burn without significant residue, rugged enough to withstand rough handling, and provides for additional burn rate control over current state of the art metal and combustible munition cases. The munition cases disclose herein utilizes combustible composite materials having an inner and outer walls connected by support structures. The support structures can be radial walls or honeycomb shaped cells. In another embodiment wedge elements assembled into a cylindrical munition case is also proposed. Exemplary composite materials include felted fiber, foam celluloid and polystyrene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Leon Moy, Viral Panchal, Pasquale Carlucci
  • Patent number: 11040923
    Abstract: An explosive composition for use in telescopically expanding non-lethal training ammunition comprises tetrazene and paraffin wax. The explosive composition can be used as a primer and/or as a source of energetic material in a telescopically expanding non-lethal training cartridge; it can be used to propel a projectile from a telescopically expanding non-lethal training cartridge; and/or it can be used to expand telescopically a non-lethal training cartridge within a host gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: UTM Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin Skeats, Michael Ernest Saxby, Adam Collins, David Martin Williamson
  • Patent number: 11035637
    Abstract: A firearm suppressor can comprise an outer shell, and a suppressor core disposed inside the outer shell. The suppressor core can have a projectile passageway for a projectile from a firearm to travel through. The projectile passageway can extend along a longitudinal axis. The suppressor core can also include a central support rib disposed along the longitudinal axis. In addition, the suppressor core can include a first baffle and a second baffle spaced apart along the longitudinal axis and supported by the central support rib. The first and second baffles can be oriented at different angles from one another. The first and second baffles and the central support rib can at least partially define the projectile passageway. The first and second baffles and the central support rib can also at least partially form two different sized expansion chambers on opposite sides of the central support rib in fluid communication with the projectile passageway to receive discharge gases associated with the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: AEGIX GLOBAL, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony L. Barney
  • Patent number: 11022395
    Abstract: A flexible fit, easy to attach and align, firearm adapter that allows secure fitment of a muzzle device, such as a suppressor, to a broad range of firearm sizes and shapes, with a single device. These firearms would include difficult to fit barrel profiles that in many cases would go unsuppressed without this improvement over the prior art. An embodiment includes an anchor securable to a smooth section of a firearm barrel and a housing adapted to engage the anchor. The anchor and housing are sized to reach over or around barrel obstructions. An embodiment includes an alignment guide to bring the barrel into axial alignment with the muzzle device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: CTWIP LLC
    Inventor: Darryl S. Lee
  • Patent number: 11022405
    Abstract: A bullet-proof backpack includes a back protection section having bullet-proof material integrated therein. The back protection section is sized to cover a portion of a user's upper back when the backpack is worn by the user. The bullet-proof backpack also includes a neck protection section having bullet-proof material integrated therein. The neck protection section is movably connected to the backpack and operable to move from a stored position to a deployed position. When the neck protection section is in its stored position, it is stored against a portion of the backpack. When the neck protection section is in its deployed position, it covers a back of the user's neck and a back portion of the user's head when the backpack is worn by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventor: David Alter
  • Patent number: 11014859
    Abstract: A composition that includes a fuel and a perfluoropolyether (PFPE) is disclosed. The composition may be used as a flare composition in a countermeasure device. Countermeasure devices including the flare composition are also disclosed, as are methods of forming grains of the countermeasure device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel B. Nielson, Curtis W. Fielding
  • Patent number: 11015908
    Abstract: A bullet comprising a compacted mixture of copper powder comprising particles that are physically bonded to each other to form a cohesive and ductile microstructure is disclosed. Methods of making such a bullet through powdered metallurgy techniques, which provide sufficient properties to allow the bullet to be loaded into a cartridge and crimped without fracture are also disclosed. Such bullets have sufficient strength to maintain their integrity during firing but may fragment upon impact and can be formulated lead-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Sloff, Brian Benini, Kevin Geist
  • Patent number: 11015904
    Abstract: A multi-layer body armor plate includes a strike plate; a mesh layer positioned over the strike plate, the mesh layer having a number of open cells; and an outer skin layer positioned over the mesh layer so as to encapsulate the open cells of the mesh layer between the strike plate and the outer skin layer. The open cells of the mesh layer may entrap air or may be filled with expandable, buoyant foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christian G. Barr, Justin Tannehill
  • Patent number: 11015890
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting and displaying a number of rounds in a firearm magazine comprising a maximum number of N rounds. The magazine may comprise a follower, magnets on the follower, and <N magnetic-field-sensing sensors arranged along a path of the magnets when the follower moves along a length of the magazine, the sensors generating round count data based on a position of the one or more magnets relative to the <N magnetic-field-sensing sensors, and a first substantially flat antenna arranged on an inside of the magazine and configured to wirelessly transmit a round count indication to a second substantially flat antenna on the firearm, the round count indication based on the round count data, the second substantially flat antenna affixed to an inside of a magazine well of the firearm and mostly overlapping with the first substantially flat antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Magpul Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Erin Czarnecki, Jeffrey Holt, Michael Leighton, Donald McKelvey, Steven Dunbar, Timothy Eric Roberts, Nicholas Kielsmeier, Eric Chow