Patents by Inventor William C. Lutton

William C. Lutton 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: 20150153125
    Abstract: Applicants have disclosed an adjustable modular trigger assembly, and a related method, to avoid an unexpected firing of a long gun after an unintentional trigger pull. Applicants' preferred assembly comprises: a modular trigger housing, containing every trigger component, designed to be removably mounted within a lower firearm receiver; a trigger pull adjustment screw in a housing wall; and a sear force adjustment screw in another housing wall. During an intentional trigger pull, the shooter's finger pushes against a secondary trigger until it nestles within a slot of a non-coaxial primary trigger. Continued pulling on both triggers causes a sear to fall off a hammer notch and the firearm to discharge. In an unintentional trigger pull or jostling of the primary trigger, hooked protrusions (within the housing) of the second trigger and hammer engage to block the hammer from fully rotating, thereby avoiding discharge of the firearm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: O.F. MOSSBERG & SONS, INC.
    Inventors: William C. Lutton, Charles Olsen
  • Patent number: 9046313
    Abstract: Applicants have disclosed an adjustable modular trigger assembly, and a related method, to avoid an unexpected firing of a long gun after an unintentional trigger pull. Applicants' preferred assembly comprises: a modular trigger housing, containing every trigger component, designed to be removably mounted within a lower firearm receiver; a trigger pull adjustment screw in a housing wall; and a sear force adjustment screw in another housing wall. During an intentional trigger pull, the shooter's finger pushes against a secondary trigger until it nestles within a slot of a non-coaxial primary trigger. Continued pulling on both triggers causes a sear to fall off a hammer notch and the firearm to discharge. In an unintentional trigger pull or jostling of the primary trigger, hooked protrusions (within the housing) of the second trigger and hammer engage to block the hammer from fully rotating, thereby avoiding discharge of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Lutton, Charles Olsen
  • Patent number: 8484876
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for launching electrified projectiles from a firearm (preferably, a shotgun) by using a specially designed breech bolt which also prohibits firing lethal ammunition. The preferred method comprises: opening a receiver of a shotgun by retracting a breech bolt having a central protrusion on a leading end; inserting a cartridge, having an electrified projectile, into a breech of the firearm; wherein the electrified projectile contains a primer and adjacent pyrotechnic propellant; nesting an end portion of the cartridge within the protrusion of the bolt; propelling the electrified projectile from the firearm by striking a firing pin of the shotgun against the primer, thereby igniting the pyrotechnic propellant, of the nested electrified projectile; and prohibiting, by the central protrusion of the bolt, the firing of lethal ammunition from the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan I. Mossberg, Alan Iver Mossberg, Jr., William C. Lutton, Joseph H. Bartozzi, Mark A. Hanchett, Patrick W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110203151
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for launching electrified projectiles from a firearm (preferably, a shotgun) by using a specially designed breech bolt which also prohibits firing lethal ammunition. The preferred method comprises: opening a receiver of a shotgun by retracting a breech bolt having a central protrusion on a leading end; inserting a caitiidge, having an electrified projectile, into a breech of the firearm; wherein the electrified projectile contains a primer and adjacent pyrotechnic propellant; nesting an end portion of the cartridge within the protrusion of the bolt; propelling the electrified projectile from the firearm by striking a firing pin of the shotgun against the primer, thereby igniting the pyrotechnic propellant, of the nested electrified projectile; and prohibiting, by the central protrusion of the bolt, the firing of lethal ammunition from the firearm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Alan I. Mossberg, Alan Iver Mossberg, JR., William C. Lutton, Joseph H. Bartozzi, Mark A. Hanchett, Patrick W. Smith
  • Patent number: 7958662
    Abstract: A weapon conditionally activates a cartridge. The cartridge has a projectile and a first mechanical feature. The weapon includes an activator and a station. The activator includes a second mechanical feature. The station positions the cartridge so that the first feature opposes the second feature. On condition that the first feature does not mechanically interfere with the second feature, the activator activates the cartridge to launch the projectile from the cartridge. On condition that the first feature mechanically interferes with the second feature resulting in an excess head space, the activator is inhibited by the excess head space from activating the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan I. Mossberg, Alan Iver Mossberg, Jr., William C. Lutton, Joseph H. Bartozzi, Mark A. Hanchett, Patrick W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100281740
    Abstract: A weapon conditionally activates a cartridge. The cartridge has a projectile and a first mechanical feature. The weapon includes an activator and a station. The activator includes a second mechanical feature. The station positions the cartridge so that the first feature opposes the second feature. On condition that the first feature does not mechanically interfere with the second feature, the activator activates the cartridge to launch the projectile from the cartridge. On condition that the first feature mechanically interferes with the second feature resulting in an excess head space, the activator is inhibited by the excess head space from activating the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Alan I. Mossberg, Alan Iver Mossberg, JR., William C. Lutton, Joseph H. Bartozzi, Mark A. Hanchett, Patrick W. Smith