Patents by Inventor Gary E. Zukowski

Gary E. Zukowski has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20110094138
    Abstract: A revolver for firing high velocity ammunition includes a frame, a cylinder, a barrel, and a firing mechanism. The revolver may include one or more of the following, each of which is especially adapted for use in the context of firing high velocity ammunition: spacers for adjusting a barrel-cylinder gap, for eliminating broaching of the rearward surface(s) of the barrel; a forcing cone formed in the rearward opening of the barrel for accommodating deformed projectiles; a reflective surface (e.g., mirrored surface) provided on the cone and/or barrel rearward surfaces, for reducing erosion resulting from using high velocity ammunition; gain-twist rifling in the barrel for a smoother transition to full projectile velocity; a larger diameter, hardened firing pin bushing for minimizing brass flow in the rearward direction; and a front sight assembly that minimizes lateral shift or drift of the sight pin during firing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH & WESSON CORP.
    Inventors: JASON ROBERT DUBOIS, SIMON MICHAEL MUSKA, GARY E. ZUKOWSKI, JOHN W. AVEDISIAN, BRETT CURRY
  • Publication number: 20110035982
    Abstract: A revolver for firing high velocity ammunition includes a frame, a cylinder, a barrel, and a firing mechanism. The revolver may include one or more of the following, each of which is especially adapted for use in the context of firing high velocity ammunition: spacers for adjusting a barrel-cylinder gap, for eliminating broaching of the rearward surface(s) of the barrel; a forcing cone formed in the rearward opening of the barrel for accommodating deformed projectiles; a reflective surface (e.g., mirrored surface) provided on the cone and/or barrel rearward surfaces, for reducing erosion resulting from using high velocity ammunition; gain-twist rifling in the barrel for a smoother transition to full projectile velocity; a larger diameter, hardened firing pin bushing for minimizing brass flow in the rearward direction; and a front sight assembly that minimizes lateral shift or drift of the sight pin during firing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH & WESSON CORP.
    Inventors: JASON ROBERT DUBOIS, SIMON MICHEAL MUSKA, GARY E. ZUKOWSKI, JOHN W. AVEDISIAN, BRETT CURRY
  • Patent number: 7878102
    Abstract: A revolver for firing high velocity ammunition includes a frame, a cylinder, a barrel, and a firing mechanism. The revolver may include one or more of the following, each of which is especially adapted for use in the context of firing high velocity ammunition: spacers for adjusting a barrel-cylinder gap, for eliminating broaching of the rearward surface(s) of the barrel; a forcing cone formed in the rearward opening of the barrel for accommodating deformed projectiles; a reflective surface (e.g., mirrored surface) provided on the cone and/or barrel rearward surfaces, for reducing erosion resulting from using high velocity ammunition; gain-twist rifling in the barrel for a smoother transition to full projectile velocity; a larger diameter, hardened firing pin bushing for minimizing brass flow in the rearward direction; and a front sight assembly that minimizes lateral shift or drift of the sight pin during firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventors: Jason Robert Dubois, Simon Micheal Muska, Gary E. Zukowski, John W. Avedisian, Brett Curry
  • Publication number: 20100325932
    Abstract: A trigger safety for a firearm having a frame and slide. The safety includes a safety assembly frame mountable within the firearm frame. The safety also includes at least one actuator operatively attached to the safety assembly frame, the actuator being capable of selectively moving the safety assembly frame between a first position and a second position. The assembly frame also has an abutment surface. In the first position the abutment surface contacts a trigger bar of the firearm preventing movement of the trigger and discharge of the firearm while allowing the slide to be cycled and in the second position the abutment surface is not in contact with the trigger bar and the firearm can be discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: SMITH & WESSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: GARY E. ZUKOWSKI, Sean O'Clair, Brett Curry
  • Patent number: 7810269
    Abstract: A trigger safety for a firearm having a frame and slide. The safety includes a safety assembly frame mountable within the firearm frame. The safety also includes at least one actuator operatively attached to the safety assembly frame, the actuator being capable of selectively moving the safety assembly frame between a first position and a second position. The assembly frame also has an abutment surface. In the first position the abutment surface contacts a trigger bar of the firearm preventing movement of the trigger and discharge of the firearm while allowing the slide to be cycled and in the second position the abutment surface is not in contact with the trigger bar and the firearm can be discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventors: Gary E. Zukowski, Sean O'Clair, Brett Curry
  • Patent number: 7703230
    Abstract: A firearm has a frame, a slide, a striker-type firing pin (“striker”), and a fire control mechanism including a sear to controllably release the striker and a trigger bar for actuating the sear. An automatic positive striker lock safety includes a pin-like safety element biased downwards to normally block the striker. The bottom of the pin is rounded, and cooperates with a rearwards facing, sloped surface on the trigger bar. If striker becomes free to move forward without full rearwards movement of the trigger bar, the pin blocks the striker. However, rearward movement of the trigger bar forces the pin upwards. As the trigger bar reaches its fully rearward position, the pin is moved to unblock the striker, and the sear is actuated for releasing the striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventors: Brett Curry, Gary E. Zukowski
  • Patent number: 7600340
    Abstract: A firearm includes a frame and a firing mechanism having a sear (e.g., configured for controlled release of a firing pin) and a trigger bar for actuating the sear. The trigger bar is disengageable from the sear. A locking mechanism is attached to the frame and can be actuated (e.g., by using a key) to selectively disengage the trigger bar from the sear. The locking mechanism may include a pin extending through the frame and axially rotatable in place. A first end of the pin is accessible from the exterior of the frame for key actuation, and a second end of the pin is positioned proximate to the trigger bar in the interior of the frame. The second end of the pin is provided with a cam surface for laterally shifting the trigger bar out of engagement from the sear when the pin is axially rotated using a key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventors: Brett Curry, Gary E. Zukowski
  • Publication number: 20080163531
    Abstract: A trigger safety for a firearm having a frame and slide. The safety includes a safety assembly frame mountable within the firearm frame. The safety also includes at least one actuator operatively attached to the safety assembly frame, the actuator being capable of selectively moving the safety assembly frame between a first position and a second position. The assembly frame also has an abutment surface. In the first position the abutment surface contacts a trigger bar of the firearm preventing movement of the trigger and discharge of the firearm while allowing the slide to be cycled and in the second position the abutment surface is not in contact with the trigger bar and the firearm can be discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: SMITH & WESSON CORP.
    Inventors: GARY E. ZUKOWSKI, SEAN O'CLAIR, BRETT CURRY
  • Patent number: 7380362
    Abstract: An extractor mechanism with improved reliability is provided having an extractor arm pivotally mounted within a pocket in a firearm slide. The extractor arm includes a body portion and a hook portion, the body portion being disposed within the pocket and the hook portion extending out of the pocket from an opening proximate to the breech face. The hook portion is biased toward the firearm's firing axis and includes a distal edge sized to engage a cartridge rim. The hook portion preferably has a height greater than the body portion and the portions are preferably connected by a curved portion. Two surfaces preferably meet at the distal edge of the hook portion, with the surface more proximal to the breech face being substantially parallel to the breech face and the surface more distant from the breech face, diverging from the breech face at an acute angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventors: Brett Curry, Gary E. Zukowski
  • Patent number: 7254913
    Abstract: A revolver for firing high velocity ammunition includes a frame, a cylinder, a barrel, and a firing mechanism. The revolver may include one or more of the following, each of which is especially adapted for use in the context of firing high velocity ammunition: spacers for adjusting a barrel-cylinder gap, for eliminating broaching of the rearward surface(s) of the barrel; a forcing cone formed in the rearward opening of the barrel for accommodating deformed projectiles; a reflective surface (e.g., mirrored surface) provided on the cone and/or barrel rearward surfaces, for reducing erosion resulting from using high velocity ammunition; gain-twist rifling in the barrel for a smoother transition to full projectile velocity; a larger diameter, hardened firing pin bushing for minimizing brass flow in the rearward direction; and a front sight assembly that minimizes lateral shift or drift of the sight pin during firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventors: Jason Robert Dubois, Simon Michael Muska, Gary E. Zukowski, John W. Avedisian, Brett Curry