Patents by Inventor John M. French

John M. French 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: 20180259285
    Abstract: An electromagnetically variable firing system for a firearm is disclosed which may include a trigger assembly or mechanism comprising an electromagnetically-operated control device which allows the user to select and adjust the trigger pull force-displacement profile electronically. In one embodiment, the control device may be an electromagnetic trigger mechanism comprising an electromagnetic snap actuator operated via a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configurable by a user to adjust the trigger force-displacement profile according to preset user preferences. The microcontroller energizes the actuator during a trigger pull according to a preprogrammed trigger force and/or displacement setpoint aided by a trigger sensor(s). The energized actuator creates a magnetic field which dynamically increases or decrease the trigger force required to fully actuate the trigger to discharge the firearm. In other embodiments, the control device may be an electromagnetic magnetorheological fluid actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Louis M. Galie, Rob Gilliom, John Klebes, John M. French, Gary Hamilton, Rafal Slezok
  • Patent number: 9228790
    Abstract: A gun barrel cleaning device comprises a weight, a cord, a boreguide sleeve, a sheath, a brush, a cleaning element, and a lubrication element. The weight provides a mass that helps to insert the device into the barrel of a gun. The weight may be coupled to the high tensile strength cord, which in turn may be coupled to the tubular sheath. The boreguide sleeve may cover the sheath where it is coupled to the cord to smooth the transition from the cord to the sheath. The brush may be connected to the cord and encased by the sheath. The cleaning element, also encased by the sheath, may remove dirt from the gun barrel. The lubrication element, coupled to the sheath, may deposit lubrication in the gun barrel. The gun barrel may be cleaned and lubricated by pulling the device through the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Bushnell, Inc.
    Inventors: Darin Stephens, John M. French
  • Publication number: 20130181021
    Abstract: A handgun holster includes a first body section and a second body section, each section being constructed of a single, unitary piece of material. The two body sections are interconnected to form a handgun holster body defining an internal handgun receiving pocket, the pocket including a barrel section and a trigger section. A biasing element is integrally formed in the first body section and includes a flexible portion extending inwardly into the trigger section of the pocket from a first surface of the first body section. A retention element is integrally formed in the second body section and includes a raised portion extending inwardly into the trigger section of the pocket from a first surface of the second body section that opposes the first surface of the first body section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: BUSHNELL, INC.
    Inventors: Liam Yarbrough, Brian Shults, Steve Hardwick, John M. French
  • Publication number: 20110099880
    Abstract: A gun barrel cleaning device comprises a weight, a cord, a boreguide sleeve, a sheath, a brush, a cleaning element, and a lubrication element. The weight provides a mass that helps to insert the device into the barrel of a gun. The weight may be coupled to the high tensile strength cord, which in turn may be coupled to the tubular sheath. The boreguide sleeve may cover the sheath where it is coupled to the cord to smooth the transition from the cord to the sheath. The brush may be connected to the cord and encased by the sheath. The cleaning element, also encased by the sheath, may remove dirt from the gun barrel. The lubrication element, coupled to the sheath, may deposit lubrication in the gun barrel. The gun barrel may be cleaned and lubricated by pulling the device through the barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Bushnell Inc.
    Inventors: Darin Stephens, John M. French
  • Patent number: 7461765
    Abstract: A security hood assembly for a holster includes a hood that is movably supported in association with a holster body so that the hood extends over a portion of a holstered handgun or other service item when the hood in a closed position, to prevent unauthorized removal of the service item. A lever may be operably coupled to the hood for driving the hood toward an open position, to allow the service item to be removed from the holster. In some embodiments, a latch mechanism releasably engages when the hood is in the closed position to prevent the hood from being opened through direct manipulation of the hood. The hood is preferably formed of a substantially rigid material, such as injection molded plastic. Holsters including the security hood assembly may also include internal retention devices, hood biasing mechanisms, and electronic devices responsive to opening of the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Michaels of Oregon Co.
    Inventors: John M. French, Brian J. Shults
  • Patent number: 7010507
    Abstract: Electronic data processing system which enables tax filers who electronically file tax returns to early use of their refund amount through an increased credit card credit limit with the tax payers credit card account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Block Financial Corporation
    Inventors: William P. Anderson, John M. French
  • Patent number: 6685067
    Abstract: A holster securement system for securing a holster to a belt comprises a body having at one end a loop for receiving the belt. The securement system also has a holster mount capable of being rigidly connected to the holster. An engagement member selectively detachably interconnects the body and the holster mount. The engagement member rigidly connects the holster mount to the body when engaged, and the engagement member enables the body and the holster mount to be selectively movable with respect to each other when disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Michaels of Oregon Co.
    Inventor: John M. French
  • Patent number: 6641009
    Abstract: A handgun holster has a body defining a handgun receiving pocket. The holster includes a retention device proximate to said pocket and capable of selectively resisting withdrawal of said handgun from said holster. The holster also includes a biometric device capable of sensing a characteristic of an individual, and being effective to selectively release said handgun from said holster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Michaels of Oregon Co.
    Inventors: John M. French, Thomas A. Marx
  • Patent number: 6547111
    Abstract: A handgun holster has a body that includes inner and outer sides. A catch projects into a handgun receiving pocket toward the inner side. The catch extends within and engages the trigger guard of a handgun carried in the pocket, preventing the handgun from being removed from the pocket. A guide plate is moveable away from the end of the catch in response to outward pressure, to provide clearance for the trigger guard to pass by the catch so that the handgun can be removed from the holster only when the handgun is manipulated appropriately by the wearer. The catch includes a cam surface mounted on a mounting plate so that the trigger guard will slide past the catch when the handgun is placed into the holster. The guide plate and mounting plate cover extend past the rear of the trigger of the holster so as to prevent accidental contact with the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Michaels of Oregon Co.
    Inventor: John M. French
  • Publication number: 20020153396
    Abstract: A handgun holster has a body defining a handgun receiving pocket. The holster includes a retention device proximate to said pocket and capable of selectively resisting withdrawal of said handgun from said holster. The holster also includes a biometric device capable of sensing a characteristic of an individual, and being effective to selectively release said handgun from said holster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: John M. French, Thomas A. Marx
  • Publication number: 20020148865
    Abstract: A holster securement system for securing a holster to a belt comprises a body having at one end a loop for receiving the belt. The securement system also has a holster mount capable of being rigidly connected to the holster. An engagement member selectively detachably interconnects the body and the holster mount. The engagement member rigidly connects the holster mount to the body when engaged, and the engagement member enables the body and the holster mount to be selectively movable with respect to each other when disengaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: John M. French
  • Publication number: 20020017541
    Abstract: A handgun holster has a body that includes inner and outer sides. A catch projects into a handgun receiving pocket toward the inner side. The catch extends within and engages the trigger guard of a handgun carried in the pocket, preventing the handgun from being removed from the pocket. A guide plate is moveable away from the end of the catch in response to outward pressure, to provide clearance for the trigger guard to pass by the catch so that the handgun can be removed from the holster only when the handgun is manipulated appropriately by the wearer. The catch includes a cam surface mounted on a mounting plate so that the trigger guard will slide past the catch when the handgun is placed into the holster. The guide plate and mounting plate cover extend past the rear of the trigger of the holster so as to prevent accidental contact with the trigger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventor: John M. French
  • Patent number: 6289622
    Abstract: A firearm stock has a supporting system for use with a firearm. The stock supports a firearm barrel on an upper portion of the stock. The stock defines in a lower portion an elongate slot. At least one support is pivotally connected to the stock. The support is movable between a first position in which a majority of the support is located within the slot and a second position in which the supporting end of the support extends away from the stock so as to support the stock when using the firearm. In a preferred embodiment, the supporting system includes a second support pivotally connected to the stock and movable between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Michaels of Oregon Co.
    Inventors: Edward F. Desch, Jr., Thomas M. Gregory, John M. French
  • Patent number: 6178600
    Abstract: A sling system for attachment to a firearm using conventional sling-mounting studs, or for attachment to luggage, and including a molded plastic connector portion attached to a strap portion. The strap portion may be of tubular cloth enclosing a padding element that is adhesively attached to the interior of the tubular cloth portion. The connector portion of the sling includes a pair of legs each defining one of a pair of collinear bores to receive a swivel pin extending between the legs to attach the connector to an article to be carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Michaels of Oregon Co.
    Inventor: John M. French
  • Patent number: 6161741
    Abstract: A holster securement system for securing a holster to a belt comprises a body having at one end a loop for receiving the belt. The securement system also has a holster mount capable of being rigidly connected to the holster. An engagement member selectively detachably interconnects the body and the holster mount. The engagement member rigidly connects the holster mount to the body when engaged, and the engagement member enables the body and the holster mount to be selectively movable with respect to each other when disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Michaels of Oregon Co.
    Inventor: John M. French
  • Patent number: 5915939
    Abstract: A sling system for attachment to a firearm using conventional sling-mounting studs, or for attachment to luggage, and including a molded plastic connector portion attached permanently to a strap portion by being molded in place onto an end of the strap portion. The strap portion may be of tubular cloth enclosing a padding element that is adhesively attached to the interior of the tubular cloth portion. The connector portion of the sling includes a pair of legs each defining one of a pair of collinear bores to receive a swivel pin extending between the legs to attach the connector to an article to be carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Michaels of Oregon Co.
    Inventor: John M. French
  • Patent number: 5774956
    Abstract: A high-security buckle including a pair of flexible side release latches and a third latch accessible on the front of the buckle. A male part of the buckle fits within a tubular body of a female part of the buckle. Disengagement of the male part can be accomplished by squeezing the side release latch catch bodies toward each other while pressing the third catch body into the body of the female part far enough for all three latches to be disengaged simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Michaels of Oregon Co.
    Inventors: John M. French, Johannes G. F. Wigger
  • Patent number: 4345710
    Abstract: A temporary material receptacle that is suitable for use in snowbound regions in which delivery boxes are oftentimes buried under deep drifts or torn away by snow plowing equipment. The receptacle is formed by folding a single blank of suitable material into a rectangular shaped open ended housing that is supported in a generally horizontal position by a vertical standard. The standard can be easily inserted into a snowbank to provide for a temporary depository that is capable of shielding material contained therein from the elements. Alternatively, the standard can be secured as by stapling to an existing post or pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Inventors: Donald R. Gillespie, John M. French, Jr.
  • Patent number: D519281
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Michaels of Oregon Co.
    Inventor: John M. French