Patents by Inventor James F. McNulty, Jr.

James F. McNulty, Jr. 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).

  • Patent number: 8339763
    Abstract: A TASER® and a vertical grip are combined to be attached to the stud post under the forend or the barrel of a conventional long arm. A TASER® may also be combined with the forend or barrel of a conventional long arm itself. Stud posts come standard on certain long arms like the M-16 rifle. Stud posts can be installed on single shot and pump action shotgun forends as well. The TASER® power supply can serve as a power source for a strobe lamp, which may be sighted by rescuers either visually or with infrared night viewing or other special viewing equipment for miles. The optical signal could be produced in the infrared, visible light and ultraviolet light regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The signal lamp is inserted into a TASER®'s firing chamber in lieu of an ammunition cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: James F. McNulty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7644839
    Abstract: A housing can be mounted to a pistol or other weapon and conveniently fired therefrom and can be used as a discrete weapon itself. A cap has a central aperture which secures the nozzle and/or valve stem of a canister of chemical irritant from movement and is secured to the proximal end of a hollow tube. A feature of the new invention is a slot access running along the length of the tube for some distance from its distal end. The tube may be either open or closed at its distal end. Toward the distal end of the tube, an interior ridge or stop cooperates with the cap aperture to secure the canister of irritant. When a canister is installed in the housing, the operator can release an irritant spray axially from the canister by pressing a digit against the side of the canister's storage cylinder and, thereby, displace its longitudinal axis along an arc. The housing need have no other mechanisms, except the housing and canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventor: James F. McNulty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7640839
    Abstract: A cartridge for propelling a pair of wire-tethered contact darts for disabling a remote target with an electrical discharge. The cartridge comprises two bores each having one wire-tethered dart in front of an electrically activated pyrotechnic. A cartridge contains two separated straight bores, which each launch a single dart assemblage with a single primer of standard manufacture. A single 200 large rifle primer can launch a single dart assemblage reasonably accurately to 30 feet from the cartridge. Each assemblage is deflected to a predicted angle of flight when it collides with a center hinged cover as it exits the cartridge. This arrangement allows for longer flight distances and tighter, but still effective, dart spreads throughout the travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: James F. McNulty, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090316327
    Abstract: An electronic shocking device comprising a voltage drop detector which signals an integrated circuit to record the occurrence of a shock when the device voltage drops within a preset tolerance corresponding to a recommended level of shocking current. The voltage drop detector or integrated circuit may also activate a display to signal the device operator that the device is actually shocking a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: James F. McNulty, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090319007
    Abstract: An electronic shocking device comprising a voltage drop detector which signals an integrated circuit to record the occurrence of a shock when the device voltage drops within a preset tolerance corresponding to a recommended level of shocking current. The voltage drop detector or integrated circuit may also activate a display to signal the device operator that the device is actually shocking a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: James F. McNulty, JR.
  • Patent number: 7631601
    Abstract: A surveillance projectile consisting primarily of a very robust electronic device designed to be contained in a 40 mm cartridge that can be fired over distances through an open window or door and into a remote location, such as an enclosed site, where it is desirable to surreptitiously acquire intelligence by electronic means or by irradiating an interior with invisible infrared light to facilitate infrared sensing. The projectile may be configured to contain any of several types of surveillance devices. Such devices may be, but are not limited to, wirelessly operated cameras, audio transmitters, recorders and infrared illuminators. Audio transmission may be scrambled for decoding at a receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventors: Paul H. Feldman, Matthew J. Ray, James F. McNulty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7237352
    Abstract: An electrical discharge weapon projectile for immobilizing a live target that includes a shock circuit having a low power consumption, a high power efficiency, and/or a low weight. In one embodiment, the projectile includes a high efficiency circuit that would reduce the weights of shock circuits while providing a more effective and safer power level, so that the circuits may be entirely contained within the projectile to eliminate the need for range limiting trailing wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Defense Technology Corporation of America
    Inventors: William Arthur Keely, James F. McNulty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6877434
    Abstract: Two distinct projectile stages are employed in a projectile configured to be fired at a remote target from a rifle, grenade launcher, gas gun or the like. A first stage comprises a pair of wire tethered contact darts for applying an immobilizing electrical discharge to the target. The second stage comprises a battery, circuits, transformer and wires used to generate a high voltage pulsed signal and apply it to the contact darts in the first stage. The higher mass of the second stage impacts the lower mass first stage at launch causing the first stage to be propelled to the target while the slower second stage hits the ground short of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: James F. McNulty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6782789
    Abstract: A TASER and a vertical grip are combined to be attached to the stud post under the forend or the barrel of a conventional long arm. A TASER may also be combined with the forend or barrel of a conventional long arm itself. Stud posts come standard on certain long arms like the M-16 rifle. Stud posts can be installed on single shot and pump action shotgun forends as well. The TASER power supply can serve as a power source for a strobe lamp, which may be sighted by rescuers either visually or with infrared night viewing or other special viewing equipment for miles. The optical signal could be produced in the infrared, visible light and ultraviolet light regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The signal lamp is inserted into a TASER's firing chamber in lieu of an ammunition cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: James F. McNulty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6775941
    Abstract: An integrated or built-in key-operated gun lock having a rotatable swivel arm. The lock is preferably positioned at the fore-end of the pump slide handle so that, when deployed in the locked position, the swivel arm interferes with the forward motion of the slide handle thereby preventing the shotgun trigger from being reset for firing the weapon. This also prevents the shotgun from being locked with an ammunition round chambered. The swivel arm is preferably located between the slide arm and the pump magazine. A stationary ring may be installed on the magazine tube or, depending upon the existing configuration of the shotgun, an existing ring such as the ring commonly used to brace the magazine tube to the gun barrel, may be employed to cooperate with the swivel arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: James F. McNulty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6729222
    Abstract: A wire-tethered dart cartridge for electrical discharge weapons or stun guns wherein the sudden force needed to propel the darts toward a remote target is derived from a source of energy other than expanding gas. The propulsive force is derived from potential energy stored in at least one coiled spring having an arm which impacts the dart with sufficient force to propel the dart a desired distance toward a remote target. In a preferred embodiment disclosed herein, the spring is formed on two interconnected coils, each end of the spring wire extending from a respective coil and forming an impact arm for striking the back of a dart. The arms are maintained in a tensioned configuration by retention pistons which are connected to pyrotechnic devices. When an electrical voltage is applied to the pyrotechnic devices, the ignition forces each piston to move suddenly to release the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: James F. McNulty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6713027
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the use of ozone as a sterilant for many classes of surgical instruments which are at least partially metallic. Three features are the connection of a voltage carrying part of the instrument to be sterilized as the electrode of an ozone generating cell, which employs a glow discharge and maintaining the temperature of this electrode below 500° C., and that no solid dielectric exists between opposed electrodes in the ozone generating cell. Ozone is thereby localized about voltage carrying and any non-voltage carrying parts of the electrode connected instrument. The control of electrode heating helps to maintain the increasing atmospheric concentration of the ozone, which will however eventually reach a natural limit. Local heating of the electrode configuration is controlled where the instrument to be sterilized is connected at least periodically as the negative electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Electroclave
    Inventor: James F. McNulty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6575073
    Abstract: An improved electrical discharge weapon having a longer range of effectiveness than conventional TASER® weapons. In a preferred embodiment, the improvement comprises an adaptor having dual spaced-apart dart cartridges which, because of their relative spacing and angular orientation, provide an effective range of 2 to 30 feet. The adaptor is configured to be connected to the single cartridge receiver of a conventional TASER® weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventors: James F. McNulty, Jr., Timothy Lee Whelan, Kenneth Alan Nickey, Be Tu McNulty
  • Publication number: 20020170418
    Abstract: An improved electrical discharge weapon having a longer range of effectiveness than conventional TASER® weapons. In a preferred embodiment, the improvement comprises an adaptor having dual spaced-apart dart cartridges which, because of their relative spacing and angular orientation, provide an effective range of 2 to 30 feet. The adaptor is configured to be connected to the single cartridge receiver of a conventional TASER® weapon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: James F. McNulty Jr., Timothy Lee Whelan, Kenneth Alan Nickey, Be Tu McNulty
  • Patent number: 6477933
    Abstract: A wire-tethered dart cartridge for electrical discharge weapons wherein the sudden force needed to propel the darts toward a remote target is derived from a source of energy other than expanding gas. The propulsive force is derived from potential energy stored in at least one coiled spring having an arm which impacts the dart with sufficient force to propel the dart a desired distance toward a remote target. In a preferred embodiment disclosed herein, the spring is formed on two interconnected coils, each end of the spring wire extending from a respective coil and forming an impact arm for striking the back of a dart. The arms are maintained in a tensioned configuration by a retention bracket which is connected to a piston pyrotechnic device. When an electrical voltage is applied to the pyrotechnic device, the ignition forces the piston to move the retention bracket to suddenly release the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventors: James F. McNulty, Jr., John F. Chudy, II
  • Patent number: 6360645
    Abstract: An addition device which permits a user of a close proximity electrical discharge weapon to modify his or her weapon by providing a long range capability which can be added as an after-market improvement. In a preferred embodiment illustrated and described herein, the original close proximity device is a hand-held plastic device having a pair of extending contact probes for disabling a nearby perpetrator. The invention is an apparatus designed to be mechanically and electrically attached to the device and provides an unchambered wire-tethered dart cartridge which extends above the weapon and gives the user the additional capability of contacting long range targets. The apparatus permits easy and convenient replacement of spent cartridges as well as easy and convenient connection to and disconnection from the close proximity device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventors: James F. McNulty, Jr., John F. Chudy
  • Patent number: 6053088
    Abstract: An addition device which permits a user of a close proximity electrical discharge weapon to modify his or her weapon by providing an improved short range capability as well as a long range capability which can be added as an after-market improvement. The invention is an apparatus designed to be mechanically and electrically attached to the device and provides a wire-tethered dart cartridge which extends above the weapon and gives the user the additional capability of contacting long range targets. The apparatus permits easy and convenient replacement of spent cartridges as well as easy and convenient connection to the close proximity device. The apparatus also improves short range performance by widening the separation of contact electrodes and by increasing the penetration voltage to increase effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: James F. McNulty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5841622
    Abstract: An electrical restraint device which, while compact and convenient for guards to install on often resistive prisoners, can accommodate a spacing of the opposed circuit contacts through a specific critical portion of the human body, so an adequately brief shock from the circuit can temporarily arrest function in the involved portions of the coordinated human muscular skeletal system and, thereby compromise the shocked individual's ambulation with the individual experiencing pain for only an extremely brief period and without causing deep burns to any significant area of his/her body. Shocking current discharged from the circuit, completes a minimal path between the prisoner's legs through a significant area of his/her legs and torso. Preferably, one contact is located at the right leg where the biceps muscle terminates into the knee and the opposing contact is located at the left leg where the biceps muscle terminates into the knee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: James F. McNulty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5012606
    Abstract: A solenoid current regulating circuit for use with shotgun gunlocks wherein the circuit provides a high activation current to flow momentarily to the coil so that the bolt of the solenoid controlled gunlock can be drawn back. However, upon continued depression of the activation switch, the circuit of the present invention automatically reduces the holding current to the solenoid coil so that the coil is protected from current damage. The circuit utilizes a resistor/capacitor network having an RC constant of less than one second for providing delayed biasing of a transistor which, when in its conductive state, reduces the gain of a current source transistor thereby reducing the current for the solenoid coil and thereby reducing the current flow through the coil of the solenoid to a level sufficient to hold the solenoid active and retain the bolt in its unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Inventor: James F. McNulty, Jr.