Safety Mechanism Patents (Class 42/70.01)
  • Patent number: 11933559
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a firearm safety control system. The system is primarily comprised of at least one camera, at least one image recognition software, at least one artificial intelligence software, and at least one disabling mechanism. Using the camera, the image recognition software detects and classifies a target. The artificial intelligence software then determines what lethality mode the target can be engaged at. If a user attempts to engage an area of the target not permitted by the current lethality mode, the firearm will become disabled and will not fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Inventor: Allan Mann
  • Patent number: 11892257
    Abstract: Retaining devices securable on firearms are selectively operable to engage and retain a bolt assembly in a substantially-fixed position for an indeterminate period of time. The retaining devices include a mounting plate securable to the receiver and a retention pin that extends through a passage in the mounting plate. The retention pin extends axially between first and second ends that project outwardly beyond the mounting plate. The retention pin is supported on the mounting plate for axial displacement between a first pin position and a second pin position. In the first pin position, the second end of the retention pin engages and retains the bolt assembly in a substantially-fixed position relative to the receiver. In the second pin position, the second end of the retention pin is disengaged from the bolt assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Abrams Airborne Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Abrams, Brandon L. Waddel, Cody A. Jensen
  • Patent number: 11852431
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides a system and a method for a single-use firearm and personal defense system. The system includes a single-use firearm capable of firing a projectile. The single-use firearm capable of firing a projectile comprises a firearm frame, at least a first barrel, a trigger operable to actuate a striking of at least a first ammunition cartridge, and an ammunition locking system, wherein the ammunition locking system permanently locks the at least first ammunition cartridge within the firearm, whereby once locked, the at least a first ammunition cartridge may not be removed or reloaded without permanently damaging the firearm. The system also incorporates internal electronics for, among other things, tracking, notifying, and monitoring the firearm and its users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Tracy Williams
  • Patent number: 11841200
    Abstract: Provided is a single-action trigger assembly that includes a pivoting trigger member, a sear/disconnector mechanism, and a trigger bar operably connecting the trigger member and the sear/disconnector mechanism. The sear/disconnector mechanism includes a slider assembly longitudinally reciprocated by the trigger bar. The slider assembly includes a tripper member carried on a slider frame that, when the trigger is pulled, moves a sear trip member to allow displacement of a sear and release a striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Mythic Mechanisms, LLC
    Inventor: Gene Anthony Velasquez
  • Patent number: 11802751
    Abstract: A reflective inner red dot sight optical system with improved monochromaticity and concealment, a two-light three-color optical system, and a sight thereof. The reflective inner red dot sight optical system comprises an LED chip and a lens for reflecting light emitted from the LED chip. A filter provided with a narrow-band interference filter coating is provided near the LED chip and located between the LED chip and the lens. The filter is used to filter out wide band waves not in the central wavelength of the light reflected from the lens into the eye, thereby improving the monochromaticity of the light entering the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Huanic Corporation
    Inventors: Jianhua Sun, Yingzi Yang, Dong Wang
  • Patent number: 11435152
    Abstract: The invention relates to a firearm comprising one or more retractable loading system elements, specifically at least one from a loading device, breechblock carrier, or slide. These each follow a trajectory when retracted. The firearm also comprises one or more reference elements, which indicate such a predetermined position of the loading system elements along their respective trajectories, at which the chamber is opened, such that a cartridge potentially located in the chamber can be seen and/or felt, but is not ejected. The predetermined position of the loading system element is distanced to possible positions for disassembling the firearm, and the one or more reference elements are formed such that they ensure that the loading system elements can travel freely along their respective trajectories when the safety for the firearm is either on or off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: HECKLER & KOCH GmbH
    Inventor: Marc Roth
  • Patent number: 11385006
    Abstract: A firearm is prevented from firing when a human being detection system detects a person is within the range of the firearm by maintaining a trigger mechanism and/or projectile loading mechanism in an inoperable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Ellen Marcie Emas
  • Patent number: 11300376
    Abstract: A thumb safety mechanism is disclosed. The thumb safety mechanism contains a first main body containing an inner side surface, a pivot member containing a first end coupled with the inner side surface of the first main body by a fastener; and an engagement member protruding from the inner side surface of the first main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventors: Paul T. Noonan, Tingwu Song, Aaron Neal Trout
  • Patent number: 11262147
    Abstract: A firearm safety device purposed to obstruct the chamber of a firearm to block insertion of a cartridge therein, effectively disabling the firearm. In embodiments, the firearm safety device comprises a plug and a key. The plug may be sized for fitting within the chamber of essentially any firearm. The plug may be inserted into and removed from the firearm through the breech end of the chamber, thereby lessening both wear on the plug and potential damage to the firearm resulting from plug insertion or removal. The key interacts with the plug for easy positioning of the plug within the chamber and pulling removal of the plug out from the breech end of the chamber. Unauthorized removal of the plug is difficult without the key. The safety device enables repeated cycling of the action and dry firing of the firearm enabling the firearm to be handled safely for uses such as for retail sale purposes and for firearm use and safety training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: AmmoBlock LLC
    Inventors: Charles William Quaintance, Peter David Quaintance, Kyle Mitchell Kaplan
  • Patent number: 11255645
    Abstract: A system that creates an environment (e.g., ecosystem) for using, transmitting, and storing data from a CEW and other equipment. The information from a CEW includes a log maintained by the CEW. The log may include information related to the operation, maintenance, software, and deployment units used by the CEW. The information may be used alone or in combination with other information received and stored by an evidence management system for managing inventory, generating use-of-force reports, incident reports, and/or providing information related to equipment, such as a CEW, to the supplier of the equipment. Sources of information provided to an evidence management system includes equipment suppliers, CEWs, other cooperating equipment, records management systems of an agency, a dispatch system of an agency, and third parties. A CEW or other equipment may also receive information for storing in the log.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Charles Dimino, Jr., Siddharth Heroor, Michael E. Gish, Reinhard J. Gagnon, Teri Dawn Michaels
  • Patent number: 11255634
    Abstract: An assembly (10) includes a forward unit (12) including a mounting portion (16) for mounting thereon a firearm, the forward unit (12) defining a projectile shooting axis (20), and a rearward unit (14) coupled to the forward unit (12). The rearward unit (14) includes a retractable buttstock (24) that has a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position the rearward unit (14) is pivotable with respect to the forward unit (12) about a pivot axis (26) which is tilted relative to the projectile shooting axis (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Silver Shadow Advanced Security Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Amos Golan
  • Patent number: 11215421
    Abstract: A gun lock system for a rail riser can include a rail riser and a gun lock having a body that includes a slot sized to receive the rail riser and extending from a top surface of the body along a front surface to a stop located above a bottom surface with a channel extending from one side along the top to another and situated so as to be located above a top surface of a riser when placed into the slot. The shape profile of the body can describe an octagon or a circle. The channel can receive an inserted padlock shackle and prevent removal of a rail riser placed within the slot. When a padlock is inserted, the gun lock can hold an engaged rifle with rail riser and prevent removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Overland Safety Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Richard P. Coulombre
  • Patent number: 11215415
    Abstract: A trigger (100) for a weapon, the weapon comprising a sear disconnected from the trigger, the trigger (100) comprises a lever (110) mechanically coupled by one end to the trigger (100), the lever (110) comprising a contact surface (110a) that causes rotation of the sear, a carrier (120), an actuator (130) that actuates the carrier (120), a first magnetic element (140) established on the lever (110) and a second magnetic element (142) established on the carrier (120), wherein at least the first magnetic element (140) or the second magnetic element (142) is a magnet or an electromagnet, wherein the trigger (100) comprises a firing state and a safe state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: RADE TECNOLOGIAS, S.L.
    Inventors: Raúl Delgado Acarreta, Daniel Osuna Sanz, Alejandro Gállego Torrijos
  • Patent number: 11210915
    Abstract: An item location tracking device having anti-theft function is provided. An item location tracking device having anti-theft function according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a tracker body comprising a sensing part and a communication module for transmitting information acquired through the sensing part to the outside, the sensing part including a magnetic force detecting sensor for detecting a magnetic field, and at least one state detecting sensor for detecting state information of an item; a container-shaped bracket having an insertion space into which the tracker body is inserted, and fixedly installed to an item so that the tracker body can be fixed to the item; and a permanent magnet disposed in the insertion space so that a magnetic field for detecting whether the tracker body and the bracket are separated from each other can be provided toward the magnetic force detecting sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Amosense Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Sung Yang, Byeong An Yu, Sang Yeoll Lee
  • Patent number: 11156420
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, are described for implementing a smart firearm safety device. The safety device attaches to a firearm having a trigger and a slot for receiving a magazine. The safety device includes a locking mechanism that attaches to the trigger to preclude depressing a trigger of the firearm and a sensor that determines an orientation of the firearm or a relative motion of the firearm to indicate detected movement of the firearm. The safety device also includes a radio device that receives parameter signals from the sensor indicating movement of the firearm. The radio device communicates with a component of a property monitoring system to receive a command to engage the locking mechanism to preclude depressing the trigger of the firearm based on parameter signals indicating a particular type of detected movement of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Colby Kevin Clark, Robert Nathan Picardi, Matthew Daniel Correnti, Michael Kelly, Stephen Scott Trundle
  • Patent number: 11112202
    Abstract: A portable firearm securement system configured to secure a firearm and prevent firing of the firearm while also being configured to be easily moveable is disclosed. The portable firearm securement system may be formed from first and second bodies for securing a firearm and preventing access to a trigger of the firearm, whereby the first and second bodies are positioned on both sides of the firearm adjacent the trigger and magazine well. Three pins extending from the first body to the second body prevent rotation of a firearm relative to the first and second bodies. Additionally, one pin extends thru the second body and includes a securement orifice through which a padlock shackle may be positioned to lock a firearm in place within the securement system. The securement system may be releasably secured to a securement object with a tether wrapped around the securement object and secured to the padlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: JKAP INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Myers, Scott Levin
  • Patent number: 11064893
    Abstract: Blood flow of a user can be measured using a sensor. Sensor data based on the measuring of the blood flow can be generated. Based on the sensor data, at least a first physiological biomarker of the blood flow measured by the sensor and at least a first morphological characteristic of the blood flow measured by the sensor can be determined. The user can be authenticated based, at least in part, on the first physiological biomarker and the first morphological characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jawahar Jain, Vatche A. Attarian, Sajid Sadi, Pranav Mistry
  • Patent number: 10996012
    Abstract: A firearm usage monitoring system configured to store data about location, movement, orientation, and direction of a firearm while in use and includes a hard-wired data and power connection, configured to receive data and power from a wired source. A serial communication system is communicatively coupled to the data and power connection and configured to send data to and receive data from the data and power connection. A microprocessor sends data to and receives data from the serial communication system. A motion monitor is communicatively coupled to the microprocessor module further comprising a gyroscope, an accelerometer and a compass configured to communicate data about movement, orientation, and direction of the firearm. Memory is communicatively coupled to the microprocessor and the motion monitor. Data about the location and position of the firearm in 3D space is transmitted from the motion monitor and GPS and then stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Armaments Research Company Inc.
    Inventors: William Deng, Michael Canty
  • Patent number: 10995834
    Abstract: A gear transmission device includes a frame, a sun gear including a first shaft having a first axis, a driven gear, a planet gear movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position and including a second shaft having a second axis, an auxiliary gear including a third shaft, a first guide portion to guide the second shaft, and a second guide portion to guide the third shaft. At least a portion of the third shaft is positioned opposite to the driven gear relative to a first imaginary line passing the first axis and the second axis of the planet gear located at the disengaged position. As the sun gear rotates with the auxiliary gear in mesh with the planet gear, the third shaft moves with contacting a guide surface and the second shaft moves in a direction opposite to a direction in which the third shaft moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiya Tomatsu
  • Patent number: 10996013
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for an RFID operated gun lock is disclosed. The gun lock comprises a security assembly secured to the muzzle of a firearm and RFID communication for locking and unlocking the firearm. A safety round is also employed and a power sub-system is provided to operate the apparatus. A manual override feature is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Ark Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Bradley, Andrew Wasz
  • Patent number: 10976122
    Abstract: One aspect includes a smart-gun enablement device. The smart-gun enablement device can communicate with a plurality of smart-guns via a network; configure each of the smart-guns of the plurality of smart-guns from a checked-in state to a checked-out state; and configure each of the smart-guns of the plurality of smart-guns with a set of functionality parameters while the smart-gun is in the checked-out state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: John Hafen
  • Patent number: 10943695
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor apparatus, comprising: a sensor unit, a wireless communication unit configured to directly or indirectly transmit and receive data to and from an external source, and means for receiving identification information from a sports item while being attached to the sports item, wherein the apparatus is initiate identification of the sports item in response to a trigger from an identification activation element in the sports item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Suunto Oy
    Inventors: Erik Lindman, Ville Mattila
  • Patent number: 10845148
    Abstract: A firing control apparatus and method for installing in a firearm, the apparatus comprising: an energy storing mechanism configured to store mechanical energy which is produced by a mechanical system, upon firing the firearm or by manual operation of the firearm, an electromagnet configured to control the energy storing mechanism, wherein the energy storing mechanism holds or releases the mechanical energy to prevent or enable the firearm from firing, and a processor or an electro-mechanical switch configured to activate or deactivate the electromagnet to control the operation of the energy storing mechanism according to preselected rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: ISRAEL WEAPON INDUSTRIES (I.W.I) LTD
    Inventors: Zeev Shneorson, Ariel Paludis, Alexander Cooper, Ron Gur, Shachar Ben David, Dotan Lamm, Aviram Sobol, Naor Sagy
  • Patent number: 10816296
    Abstract: A safety selector for switching a firearm between at least two firing modes. The safety selector includes a cavity for placing a vial of tritium to provide a visual indication of the selected firing mode. A lock member extends through a portion of the firearm to regulate movement of a firing mechanism. A lever arm and a faceplate are connected to one end of the lock member to rotate the lock member between positions and an endcap is connected to the opposite end of the lock member to rotate therewith. At least one of the lever arm, the faceplate, and the endcap define the cavity for nesting the tritium vial. Another lever arm and faceplate may be located on the other side of the lock member for ambidextrous usage. The additional lever arm and/or faceplate may also include a cavity for nesting another tritium vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: SHERPA ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Karchon, Alexander J. Karchon
  • Patent number: 10809030
    Abstract: Trigger assemblies are provided for initiating the discharge of a firearm. The triggers assemblies include a first and a second lever mounted for rotation within a housing. The first lever is configured to be rotated by the user, and rotation of the first lever imparts rotation to the second lever to initiate the discharge of the firearm. The trigger assemblies have a safety mechanism that includes an interfering member configured to be positioned in proximity to the first and the second levers on a selective basis so that the interfering member simultaneously interferes with movement of both the first and the second levers, and thereby provides multiple points of interference that each prevent discharge of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: WHG Properties, LLC
    Inventors: William H. Geissele, David Duhaime
  • Patent number: 10789447
    Abstract: A fingerprint authentication method and an electronic device are provided. The fingerprint authentication method includes: performing a fingerprint enrollment operation through a fingerprint sensor and storing enrolled fingerprint information to a storage circuit; sensing to-be-authenticated fingerprint information through the fingerprint sensor in a fingerprint authentication operation; and performing a default function corresponding to an authentication success of the fingerprint authentication operation and updating the enrolled fingerprint information according to authenticated fingerprint information if a similarity between the to-be-authenticated fingerprint information and the enrolled fingerprint information conforms to a default condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventor: Yu-Min Chang
  • Patent number: 10731935
    Abstract: A takedown mechanism for disassembly of a striker-fired pistol, including a takedown release comprising a spring and a pin disposed in the pistol frame adjacent its rear end, the spring to bias the pin towards the barrel end of the frame and disposed against a hard stop on the frame; a takedown bar having a sear contact surface and movable along the longitudinal axis of the frame from a first position to a second position, wherein the takedown release biases the takedown bar towards the barrel end of the frame, wherein, in the first position, the takedown bar is disposed between the takedown release and the slide stop, wherein longitudinal movement of the takedown bar towards the barrel end is limited by the slide stop, wherein, in the second position, the takedown bar is disposed in a forward position toward the barrel end of the frame to cause the sear contact surface on the takedown bar to contact the second leg of the sear to cause the sear to rotate away from the tab of the pistol striker such that the f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Kimber IP, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Edward Sapio, Lucio Ditrolio, Ronald Richard Dudzic, Jr., Kevin Johnsrud
  • Patent number: 10712112
    Abstract: A toy gun includes: a frame; a trigger; a sear that is interlocked with an action of the trigger; a hammer configured to jet a gas out of a gas cylinder to fire a bullet by interlock with the action of the sear; left and right safety levers installed outside the frame with a gap between the safety levers and the frame. The safety levers can be selectively in contact with or out of contact with the sear. A biasing means provides bias in such a direction as to maintain a gap between the frame and each of the safety levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: MARUZEN COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Tetsuo Maeda
  • Patent number: 10591237
    Abstract: A firearm has a battery-operated biometric scanning device secured along an interior side edge of the firearm grip. The biometric scanning device is configured with a microprocessor which disables the trigger mechanism of the firearm when an invalid fingerprint is scanned. The device has an integrated positioning tracking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventor: Patrick Cannon
  • Patent number: 10587743
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a communicator configured to transmit information about least one of a frequency, a pattern, and an amplitude to an electronic device located within a critical distance from the mobile device, an acoustic wave output interface configured to output an acoustic wave matching at least one of the frequency, the pattern, and the amplitude, and a controller configured to provide a user interface to operate a function of the electronic device when information about the function of the electronic device controllable by the mobile device is received through the communicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shidong Zhao, Feng Tang
  • Patent number: 10466001
    Abstract: An interchangeable safety selector, including at least some of a generally cylindrical lock member rotatable between at least a safe and at least one fire position; at least one recess formed in each end of the lock member; and at least two lever members, each lever member having at least one projection mateable with the at least one recess of the lock member, wherein the lever members are interchangeable, and wherein at least one of the lever members is securable to a first end of the lock member via interaction of the at least one projection and the at least one recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Battlearms IP, LLC
    Inventors: George Huang, Roger Wang
  • Patent number: 10460590
    Abstract: During a potential security event, a mobile application enters an alarm state and records audio, video and location event data and forwards the event data to a monitoring center, which stores the event data and takes appropriate action such as notifying local law enforcement. The alarm state is triggered manually, by the use of wireless sensors, or by arming the mobile application and then determining if it has been disarmed within a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: TYCO INTEGRATED SECURITY, LLC
    Inventor: Darryl Strack
  • Patent number: 10422601
    Abstract: A locking box magazine safety device, comprising a magazine body comprising a rigid material shaped to conform to the internal dimensions and features of a box magazine well in a magazine-operated device; a lock cylinder comprising a key-operated lock and an operating rod, the operating rod configured to move when the appropriate key is used in the key-operated lock; and a pivoting arm configured to pivot about an axis, configured to be fixed in place by the movement of the operating rod, and configured to obscure the action of a magazine-operated device when fixed in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Inventor: James Harris
  • Patent number: 10378844
    Abstract: A safety communication system may include a firearm holder capable of detecting withdrawal of the firearm from a holster. The firearm holder may also be able to communicate via both cellular and low energy communication protocols, but may be adapted to selectively communicate via the low energy communication protocol in the absence of a critical event. When a critical event is detected, both cellular and low energy communication protocol may be used to ensure notification of the critical event is received by a central control. One or more relay devices may relay notification of non-critical events from the firearm holder to central control via a low energy communication protocol, and may relay notification of critical events to central control via cellular protocol. Selective use of low energy protocol saves battery life in non-critical situations, while use of cellular protocol is more reliable when communication of critical situations is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: PASIV DUTY LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Patches, Charles Blake Caudill
  • Patent number: 10373751
    Abstract: A safety system includes an electromagnet positioned in an area. A power controller is coupled to the electromagnet to supply power to the electromagnet in accordance with an event. A trigger mechanism configured to trigger the event when the area is traversed by a person with a weapon such that upon activation of the electromagnet a magnetic force is generated capable of attracting the weapon to make continued use difficult or impossible within the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Inventor: James J. Bitetto
  • Patent number: 10330413
    Abstract: Trigger assemblies that preserve the integrity of the trigger sear surface when the trigger assembly enters a “half-cocked”, safety configuration are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a trigger safety engagement surface engages a hammer safety engagement surface in the safety configuration, preventing the hammer from rotating into contact with a firing pin. In some instances, the trigger sear surface is suspended within a safety recess (e.g., a notch) of the hammer and free of contact with the hammer when the trigger assembly is in the safety configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Springfield, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles David Williams, Thomas E. Long
  • Patent number: 10320581
    Abstract: Methods and systems for pre-configuring a payment vehicle are described. In some embodiments, transaction criteria pertaining to a payment vehicle is proactively received in advance of an anticipated transaction. A transaction authorization request may be received from a point of sale device and may be generated by the point of sale device in response to an attempted use of the payment vehicle. Information about the transaction in the transaction request may be compared with the transaction criteria to determine whether to authorize the transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: James Christopher Watson, Gina R. Smith
  • Patent number: 10311866
    Abstract: The present specification discloses various embodiments of a digital device and a method for controlling the same. A method for controlling a digital device according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise the steps of: connecting to a repeater; sensing an external device located within a preconfigured distance and connected to the repeater; receiving an audio reference data transmission request from the sensed external device; and transmitting the requested audio reference data to the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Ingyu Kang, Byounggi Lee, Sungmoon Cho
  • Patent number: 10267583
    Abstract: A firearm grip with selector switch lock includes a handgrip for engaging a firearm receiver having a selector switch. A switch engagement unit is positioned within the handgrip. The switch engagement unit including a motor, piston, spring and detent for selectively engaging the selector switch of the receiver to which the handgrip is located. An RFID interrogator is positioned within the handgrip and communicates with a portable RFID chip. Upon detecting the presence of the RFID chip, the switch engagement unit moves the piston to the retracted position for manual free operation of the selector switch. Upon detecting the RFID chip is not within the proximity of the handgrip, the switch engagement unit moves the piston to the extended/SAFE position. A replacement selector switch having a torque limiter is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Gun Guardian LLC
    Inventors: William Lewis Murphy, II, Robert Vail Harvey
  • Patent number: 10260830
    Abstract: One aspect includes a method of configuring a smart-gun that includes configuring a smart-gun from a locked configuration where the smart-gun is inoperable to fire, to an unlocked configuration where the smart-gun is operable to fire, the configuring in response to authenticating unlock data at the smart-gun; receiving an unlock ping at the smart-gun; maintaining the smart-gun in the unlocked configuration in response to the unlock ping being received; determining by the smart-gun that a second subsequent unlock ping has not been received within a timeout limit; and configuring the smart-gun from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration in response to the determining that the second subsequent unlock ping has not been received within the timeout limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Inventor: John Hafen
  • Patent number: 10250470
    Abstract: A monitoring device responds to status data pushed from a network device, and also manages a link with another network device, the link allowing the monitoring device to pull status data from the second network device. The monitoring device receives packets including status, the data indicating activity for one or more clock ticks. The monitoring device can compute statistical measures, rather than the network device. The monitoring device maintains the status data in a buffer. The monitoring device lags actual activity, but has is more likely to capture delayed packets. The network device sends packets as wrappers, each wrapper indicating sets of status information. When the information in a wrapper crosses a clock tick boundary, the monitoring device allocates reported activity among clock ticks, assuming that activity follows a uniform distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Virtual Instruments Worldwide
    Inventors: Derek Sanders, Rangaswamy Jagannathan, Rosanna Lee
  • Patent number: 10223569
    Abstract: Arrangement and method for identifying fingerprints, including at least one fingerprint sensor and at least two electrodes, wherein a fingerprint can be detected by the sensor. A first electrode is arranged in the vicinity of a hand support surface at a distance from the support surface such that when a finger is placed on the support surface, the thumb can be placed on the first electrode. At least one second electrode is arranged on the support surface such that at least one finger can be placed on the second electrode. The sensor and the first electrode and/or the at least one second electrode are each designed as one unit. Electric signals are transmitted to the hand via the electrodes by a measuring unit for applying and analyzing the electric signals, and the changes of the electric signals are detected. An identification result is ascertained using the detected fingerprints and signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: NOVOMATIC AG
    Inventor: Alois Homer
  • Patent number: 10222159
    Abstract: In one general aspect, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a firearm safety device including a trigger, a pin, and a safety deactuation device. The trigger has a channel therein with an opening at an end of the channel. The pin is disposed within the channel such that a portion of the pin extends through the opening. The safety deactuation device is configured to engage with the pin and move the pin within the channel of the trigger as the safety deactuation device is moved relative to the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: STI Firearms, LLC
    Inventor: Jesse Carr
  • Patent number: 10197350
    Abstract: A weapon, a method of authorizing the weapon and weapon security system are disclosed. An authorization string is stored at the weapon. An authorization message may be received at the weapon from an authorization center. A processor at the weapon may obtain a first substring from the authorization message, the first substring being obtained from a copy of the authorization string. The processor compares the first substring to a second substring and authorizes the weapon when the first substring matches the second substring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Inventor: Morgan Draper Kauffman
  • Patent number: 10160413
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: an input unit configured to receive an execution command for speech recognition; a calculator configured to calculate a time in which the vehicle is expected to arrive at an obstacle existing on a road on which the vehicle travels; and a speech recognition controller configured to compare the calculated time in which the vehicle is expected to arrive at the obstacle to a time in which a voice command input is expected to be completed to determine whether to perform dynamic noise removal pre-processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kyu Hyung Lim
  • Patent number: 10126081
    Abstract: A safety selector assembly for a firearm includes a cylinder sized and shaped to be rotatably received within a lower receiver. The cylinder includes a cylinder end having a recess defined therein, and a plunger disposed at least partially within the recess. The plunger is moveably secured within the recess by a pin. The safety selector assembly also includes a lever detachably coupled to the cylinder end by the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: WHG Properties, LLC
    Inventor: William H. Geissele
  • Patent number: 10079885
    Abstract: A system for distributing data to a user's device leveraging locally shared cache and multiple communication pathways. A content server of the system may pre-cache content in the shared cache in anticipation that a user will want to access the content. Among other things, pre-caching enables a user to access content on-demand that would require a faster connection to the Internet than the user may have. The system can leverage different communications pathways to the various devices utilizing the shared cache, providing timely delivery of content even if each device's individual connection to the internet is too slow to support timely delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Liang Chaboud, Richard Kevin Cacioppo, Jr., Ryan Hastings Cassidy
  • Patent number: 10030925
    Abstract: An internal firearm locking mechanism includes a block that fits within the action of a firearm, and a lock that is removably secured to the block and passes into the chamber of the firearm to resist insertion of a cartridge as well as removal of the block. An installation/removal tool is used to install and remove the internal firearm locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Bianchin, Michael Hebor, Richard L. Wilson
  • Patent number: 10027501
    Abstract: Methods and systems for pre-configuring a payment vehicle are described. In some embodiments, transaction criteria pertaining to a payment vehicle is proactively received in advance of an anticipated transaction. A transaction authorization request may be received from a point of sale device and may be generated by the point of sale device in response to an attempted use of the payment vehicle. Information about the transaction in the transaction request may be compared with the transaction criteria to determine whether to authorize the transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
    Inventors: James Christopher Watson, Gina R. Smith
  • Patent number: RE48602
    Abstract: A device for controlling access to a firearm having a muzzle with a muzzle device. The device includes a lock housing with a cavity to receive the muzzle device and a portion of the barrel. The device also includes a lock mechanism shaft coupled to a lock mechanism that is configured for rotational movement upon actuation of the lock mechanism. The lock mechanism shaft is coupled to a cam that moves axially upon rotation of the lock mechanism shaft. A bidirectional rotatable shaft is coupled to the cam and is insertable into the muzzle of the firearm occupying the full length of the firearm's muzzle device, barrel and chamber. The device also includes a plurality of arms coupled to a perimeter of the cam and arranged for pivotal and radial movement to secure the firearm muzzle in the cavity of the lock housing. A plurality of tabs are arranged on the arms for engagement with the muzzle device to retain the muzzle device within the lock housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventor: John M. Pittman