Patents by Inventor John M. Hallis

John M. Hallis 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: 5894645
    Abstract: A method of forming a frangible metal bullet core comprising providing an elongated inner heart member made up initially of a bundle of parallel zinc wires, twisting a plurality of zinc wires tightly around that bundle in a spiral path to cause the wires to inter-engage, deform and cohere to each other, and thereafter swaging the inter-engaged wires into the shape of a bullet core to cause the core, upon striking a target, to disintegrate into fragments smaller than the individual wires. Although copper, iron, and steel wires may be used, zinc made up of 99.99% pure zinc has been found to be preferable for forming such a core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: John M. Hallis, Richard W. Proulx
  • Patent number: 5852858
    Abstract: A non-toxic highly frangible training round bullet, and a method of making same, in which a plurality of segments of non-toxic metal selected from a group including zinc, iron, steel and copper are grouped or arranged within pressure-molding equipment and sufficient pressure is applied thereto to cause such segments to inter-engage and cohere, one to another, while being formed into a desired shape of bullet and retaining their individuality at least to a limited extent. Upon impact with a target, such a bullet fragments to a large extent along at least some of the original physical boundary lines of the original segments into new segments which are relatively small as compared to the size of the original segments. There is no substantial ricocheting or "bounce-back" activity associated with such fragmentation and, of course, there are no toxic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Federal-Hoffman Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Hallis, Richard W. Proulx
  • Patent number: 5852255
    Abstract: A non-toxic, highly frangible elongated soft-point training round bullet core which will disintegrate upon striking its target, for use in a training round in training exercises for law enforcement personnel and having a central heart of non-toxic metal selected from a group consisting of zinc, iron, steel, and copper with a plurality of wires of non-toxic metal selected from that group twisted around said heart throughout its length prior to being swaged into deforming and inter-engaging relation with the heart, and the core having been subsequently swaged into the shape of a soft-point nose of a bullet, with pressures sufficient to cause the strands of wire and the heart to inter-engage and deform while retaining their individuality at least to a limited extent, whereupon substantially all of the strands of the core, upon the core being fired and striking a target, will fragment along at least some of their original physical boundaries into discrete fragments smaller than the original size of the bullet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Federal Hoffman, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Hallis, Richard W. Proulx
  • Patent number: 5679920
    Abstract: A non-toxic highly frangible training round bullet, and a method of making same, in which a plurality of segments of non-toxic metal selected from a group including zinc, iron, steel and copper are grouped or arranged within pressure-molding equipment and sufficient pressure is applied thereto to cause such segments to inter-engage and cohere, one to another, while being formed into a desired shape of bullet and retaining their individuality at least to a limited extent. Upon impact with a target, such a bullet fragments to a large extent along at least some of the original physical boundary lines of the original segments into new segments which are relatively small as compared to the size of the original segments. There is no substantial ricocheting or "bounce-back" activity associated with such fragmentation and, of course, there are no toxic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Federal Hoffman, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Hallis, Richard W. Proulx
  • Patent number: 5610367
    Abstract: A lead-free rim-fire primer mix which utilizes cupric azide, a highly sensitive chemical, as the primary explosive in lieu of lead styphnate. The cupric azide is mixed with carefully selected proportions of nitrocellulose, tetracene, fine particles of ground glass and a binder, typically gum tragacanth. When mixed in the proper proportions, this mix has the required sensitivity, stability, and non-hygroscopicity for regular commercial rim-fire ammunition. The tetracene is not required as a sensitizer, but is used as an ignition aid. The preferred range of percentages are 10-36% by weight of cupric azide, 5-10% by weight of tetracene, 15-30% by weight of nitrocellulose, 20-50% by weight of glass, and 1-2% by weight of a suitable gum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Federal-Hoffman, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack A. Erickson, John M. Melberg, Robert L. Kramer, John M. Hallis
  • Patent number: 5547528
    Abstract: An improved non-toxic primer which is devoid of metallic oxidizing compounds and of hygroscopic compounds and is comprised of 30-75% by weight of at least two percussion-sensitive compounds selected from a group consisting of a diazo, a triazole, and a tetrazole compound mixed with approximately 10-30% by weight of a suitable propellant, and a frictionator comprised preferably of approximately 12% by weight of calcium silicide and 8% by weight of fine particles of glass. The glass preferably has a particle size of dimensions less than 0.0021". The primer provides improved propellant ignition, non-toxic ignition products, improved ballistic data, and greatly minimizes misfires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Federal-Hoffman, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack A. Erickson, Robert L. Kramer, John M. Hallis
  • Patent number: 5466315
    Abstract: A non-toxic primer composition for center-fire cartridges which provides improved ballistic data and is void of metallic oxidizing compounds. It is comprised of a mixture of about 10-30% by weight of nitrocellulose and/or a double based propellant such as Hercules Fines, approximately 30-75% by weight of two percussion-sensitive compounds such as DDNP and tetracene, and approximately 10-30% by weight of calcium silicide. The mixture provides improved propellant ignition and non-toxic ignition products, and minimizes misfires in that it contains no hygroscopic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Federal-Hoffman, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack A. Erickson, Robert L. Kramer, John M. Hallis