Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Beechey

Thomas W. Beechey 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: 20160010957
    Abstract: An electronic weapon with an installed deployment unit, from which at least one tethered electrode is launched, provides a stimulus current through a target to inhibit locomotion by the target. The wire tether, also called a filament, conducts the stimulus current. The one or more electrodes, according to various aspects of the present invention, perform one or more of the following functions in any combination: binding the filament to the electrode, deploying the filament from the deployment unit, coupling the electrode to the target, and distributing a current density with respect to a volume of target tissue. An electrode may include a spear comprising a material with integrated conductive and insulative substances (e.g., conductive fibers in insulative composite material) and a geometry to dissipate kinetic energy after impact with the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Beechey, Michael J. Campbell, Mark A. Hanchett
  • Patent number: 9173378
    Abstract: A deployment unit for an electronic control device (ECD) used as a weapon provides a current from a signal generator of the ECD through tissue of a human or animal target. The deployment unit includes a housing, an interface, a filament, and an electrode. The interface couples the housing to the signal generator. The filament includes a first end coupled to the interface for receiving the current and comprises a second end. The filament conducts the current for inhibiting voluntary movement by the target. The electrode, stored in the housing prior to deployment, mechanically couples the filament to the target when deployed. The electrode includes an assembly of a first part and a second part that after assembly cooperate to bind the second end of the filament to the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: TASER International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Beechey, Michael J. Campbell, Mark A. Hanchett
  • Patent number: 8896982
    Abstract: A deployment unit for an electronic control device (ECD) used as a weapon provides a current from a signal generator of the ECD through tissue of a human or animal target. The deployment unit includes a housing, an interface, a filament, and an electrode. The interface couples the housing to the signal generator. The filament includes a first end coupled to the interface for receiving the current and comprises a second end. The filament conducts the current for inhibiting voluntary movement by the target. The electrode, stored in the housing prior to deployment, mechanically couples the filament to the target when deployed. The electrode includes an assembly of a first part and a second part that after assembly cooperate to bind the second end of the filament to the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: TASER International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Beechey, Michael J. Campbell, Mark A. Hanchett
  • Publication number: 20140293499
    Abstract: A deployment unit for an electronic control device (ECD) used as a weapon provides a current from a signal generator of the ECD through tissue of a human or animal target. The deployment unit includes a housing, an interface, a filament, and an electrode. The interface couples the housing to the signal generator. The filament includes a first end coupled to the interface for receiving the current and comprises a second end. The filament conducts the current for inhibiting voluntary movement by the target. The electrode, stored in the housing prior to deployment, mechanically couples the filament to the target when deployed. The electrode includes an assembly of a first part and a second part that after assembly cooperate to bind the second end of the filament to the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas W. Beechey, Michael J. Campbell, Mark A. Hanchett
  • Publication number: 20120170167
    Abstract: A deployment unit for an electronic control device (ECD) used as a weapon provides a current from a signal generator of the ECD through tissue of a human or animal target. The deployment unit includes a housing, an interface, a filament, and an electrode. The interface couples the housing to the signal generator. The filament includes a first end coupled to the interface for receiving the current and comprises a second end. The filament conducts the current for inhibiting voluntary movement by the target. The electrode, stored in the housing prior to deployment, mechanically couples the filament to the target when deployed. The electrode includes an assembly of a first part and a second part that after assembly cooperate to bind the second end of the filament to the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas W. Beechey, Michael J. Campbell, Mark A. Hanchett