Patents Assigned to Wilcox Industries Corp.
  • Patent number: 10688325
    Abstract: In one aspect, an eye shield for a respirator mask of the type having a face piece adapted to fit over the face of a user is provided. The eye shield includes a visor assembly including a visor surrounded by a frame, the visor assembly configured to be removably mounted in an opening in the face piece. One or more fastener elements are provided on the frame for removably securing the visor assembly to the face piece. The visor is formed of a transparent material which filters electromagnetic energy emissions at one or more preselected wavelengths. In certain embodiments, one or more head up display assemblies are attached to the visor assembly for projecting a human viewable image to the visor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventor: James W. Teetzel
  • Patent number: 10578396
    Abstract: A modular grenade launcher system includes an upper chassis and lower chassis secured on opposite sides of a barrel of a weapon, such as a firearm. The chassis removably receives any of a plurality of interchangeable modules, including grenade launcher assemblies having different calibers. A separate modular and removable firing mechanism is provided, wherein multiple grenade launcher barrel assemblies can share a common firing mechanism. An accessory rail module is also provided to replace the grenade launcher barrel assembly and firing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Teetzel, Gary M. Lemire
  • Patent number: 10581214
    Abstract: A lockout system for a laser device of a type having a laser emitter operable to emit a laser beam at a plurality of intensity levels includes a lockout switch operable to be placed in either a first state or a second state, wherein the laser device is configured to prevent actuation of the laser emitter at an intensity level above a preselected threshold intensity level when the lockout switch is in the first state and to permit actuation of the laser emitter at an intensity level above the preselected threshold intensity level when the lockout switch is in the second state. A lockout key operable to transition the lockout switch between the first state and the second state. In a further aspect, a laser sight device incorporating the lockout system herein is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Gary M. Lemire, Douglas Harwood
  • Patent number: 10557687
    Abstract: A system for mounting an accessory device on a firearm includes a longitudinally extending handguard affixed to the firearm. The handguard is configured to support the accessory device and includes an upper portion and a lower portion. At least one electrical connector is disposed on each of the upper portion and the lower portion. A power supply is supported on the handguard and circuitry is disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion. The circuitry electrically couples the power supply to the at least one electrical connector disposed on each of the upper portion and the lower portion. In a further aspect, a modular weapon system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Teetzel, Gary M. Lemire
  • Patent number: 10551149
    Abstract: A powered accessory platform for a weapon includes a handguard assembly having an upper handguard portion and an opposed lower handguard portion. The upper handguard portion and the lower handguard portion cooperate to define a sleeve. The sleeve has a proximal end configured to attach to the weapon and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The sleeve is configured to surround at least a portion of the weapon when the proximal end is attached to the weapon. A flexible circuit within the sleeve includes one or more circuit elements disposed on a flexible circuit substrate. An accessory mounting rail is located on a top portion of the upper handguard portion, the mounting rail having at least one electrical connector thereon. A first accessory mounting pad is mechanically and electrically coupled to the accessory mounting rail. A power supply connector on the sleeve is configured to attach a power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Teetzel, Gary M. Lemire
  • Patent number: 10539397
    Abstract: A torpedo apparatus comprises a propulsion module operable to propel the torpedo apparatus through water and a steering module operatively coupled to the propulsion module. The steering module including a plurality of fins which are controllable for controlling a direction of travel of the torpedo apparatus through water. A plurality of head modules are removably and interchangeably attachable to the torpedo apparatus, wherein each of the head modules houses at least one guidance assembly and at least one utility assembly. A power supply module is configured to provide power to the propulsion module, the steering module, and an attached one of the head modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Teetzel, David G. Kent, John P. Bousquet, Christopher Jay Palmer
  • Patent number: 10264840
    Abstract: In one aspect, a shroud assembly for headgear includes a frame having a shape that matches a contour of the headgear. An insert is formed of metal or metal alloy and is attached to a front side of the frame. The insert is configured for removable attachment to a mounting assembly. The frame includes first and second spaced flexible walls disposed on the front side of the frame on opposite sides of the insert. The first and second flexible walls are spaced a sufficient distance apart to provide an interference fit between the mounting assembly and the first and second flexible walls. In another embodiment, the shroud assembly further includes a friction pad disposed on a rear surface of the frame for increasing friction between the shroud assembly and the headgear. In another aspect, a method for attaching a mounting assembly to headgear is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Teetzel, Justin D. Harris
  • Patent number: 10271022
    Abstract: A wearable illuminating and video recording device comprises a housing having a first port and a second port in a surface of the housing. A light source is disposed within the housing and is positioned to emit light through the first port. A camera is disposed within the housing to record images through the second port. A power supply is disposed within the housing for operation of the LED light source and the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventor: James W. Teetzel
  • Patent number: 10175029
    Abstract: A combined reflex and laser sighting device with co-aligned iron sights is provided. In one aspect, the laser elements are co-aligned with each other, the reflex sight is co-aligned with the laser elements, and the iron sights are then co-aligned with the reflex sight and lasers, such that both the reflex sight, laser sight, and iron sights can all be calibrated or boresighted to a weapon together in a single operation. In another aspect, one or more laser elements are mounted to a laser bench and aligned with a reflex sight and iron sights attached to the laser bench. In yet another aspect, a plurality of laser elements are provided on the laser bench and are co-aligned with each other, the reflex sight, and the iron sights. In yet another aspect, an elevation adjustment apparatus for a laser sight includes selectable primary and secondary adjustment assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Teetzel, Gary M. Lemire
  • Patent number: 10162168
    Abstract: An improved monocular/binocular bridge and helmet mounting device employing same for an optical device are provided. The mounting device herein includes a mount with a bridge attachment for providing multiple options for a monocular or binocular viewing. An adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pupillary/interpupillary positioning of attached viewing device(s) moves the devices linearly from side-to-side. Multiple options are provided for moving attached devices to any of multiple stowed positions out of the user's line of sight when the optical device is not in use. The bridge attachment and multiple stow positions also allow the unit to be adapted for a variety of viewing devices. A mounting bracket on the viewing device allows the viewing device to be selectively attached to a helmet mount or firearm accessory mounting rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Teetzel, Travis S. Mitchell, Nathaniel G. Wright
  • Patent number: 10119781
    Abstract: A grenade launcher is provided comprising a chassis, a barrel assembly, and a pivot mechanism. The pivot mechanism comprises a first pivot bar on the barrel assembly extending transversely. The first pivot bar has a first hinge barrel disposed at one transverse end thereof and is attachable in a first orientation wherein the first hinge barrel is on a left side of the barrel assembly and a second orientation wherein the first hinge barrel is on a right side of the barrel assembly. A second pivot bar is disposed on the chassis and has a second hinge barrel disposed at one transverse end thereof. The second pivot bar is attachable in a first orientation wherein the second hinge barrel is on a left side of the barrel assembly and a second orientation wherein the second hinge barrel is on a right side of the barrel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Teetzel, Gary M. Lemire
  • Patent number: 10086527
    Abstract: A combined reflex and laser sighting device is provided. In one aspect, the reflex sight and one or more laser elements are coaligned, such that both the reflex sight and the laser sight can be sighted in or boresighted to a weapon together in a single operation. In another aspect, one or more laser elements are mounted within a laser bench and aligned with a reflex sight attached to the laser bench. In yet another aspect, a plurality of laser elements are provided within the laser bench and are coaligned with each other and the reflex sight. In another aspect, a mounting block with yielding vertical and horizontal webs is provided to allow windage and elevation adjustments to be made to the reflex sight and laser elements together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Teetzel, Gary M. Lemire
  • Patent number: 10028544
    Abstract: An integrated helmet and respirator system comprises a shell defining a helmet portion, the helmet portion being bounded by a peripheral edge. An annular shroud has an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edge removably attached to the peripheral edge of the helmet portion and the lower edge attached to an annular frame member. A front portion of the annular shroud defines a visor. A one-way exhaust valve is received within an opening in the annular frame member. The one-way exhaust valve is configured to allow an exhalation gas exhaled by a user to exit an interior of the integrated helmet and respirator system and to prevent or minimize ambient air from entering the interior of the integrated helmet and respirator system. A neck dam extends downward from the frame and is configured to prevent or minimize ambient air from entering the interior of the integrated helmet and respirator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventor: James W. Teetzel
  • Patent number: 10012474
    Abstract: A combined range finding and sighting apparatus for a weapon includes a housing therein supporting one or more laser emitters, an optical detector for detecting an optical signal reflected from the target, and a processor. The one or more laser emitters includes a first laser emitter operable in a first mode for emitting an optical signal toward the target a second mode for projecting a first beam onto the target. The processor is coupled to a computer readable memory encoded with executable instructions and is configured, upon execution of the executable instructions, to calculate a distance to the target based on a time of flight of the optical signal. In a further aspect, a method of using a combined range finding and sighting apparatus is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Teetzel, Gary M. Lemire
  • Patent number: 10004289
    Abstract: Helmet mounts for mounting an associated viewing device on a helmet, includes a first pivoting segment for attachment to the helmet and a second pivoting segment for attachment to the associated viewing device. The second pivoting segment is pivotable relative to the first pivoting segment for selectively supporting the associated viewing device in a first, operational position before the eyes of a user donning the helmet and a second, stowed position above a line of sight of a viewer donning the helmet. In one aspect, the first pivoting segment includes a vertical adjust mechanism having a base plate, a pair of guide rails attached to the base plate and defining a channel therebetween, a sliding plate slidably attached to the guide rails, and a clamping mechanism for selectively applying a clamping force to secure the sliding plate at a desired position relative to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Teetzel, Gary M. Lemire, Marc J. Celona
  • Patent number: 9964386
    Abstract: In one aspect, a modular air sampling system includes a sensor module defining a nose, the sensor module including a sensor for sampling contaminants in the atmosphere. A processing and sending module includes processing electronics in communication with the sensor for receiving a signal from the sensor representative of sampled contaminants in the atmosphere. The processing and sending module further includes a radio frequency transmitter operably coupled to the processing electronics for transmitting a radio frequency signal representative of one or more contaminants sensed by the sensor. In another aspect, a modular air sampling system includes a sensor module containing the sensor, processing electronics, and radio frequency transmitter within the sensor module housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventor: James W. Teetzel
  • Patent number: 9961517
    Abstract: A communication system includes a headset including a microphone and an audio speaker installed on the headset, the headset including an RF transceiver configured to perform wireless communication with a two-way radio having a push-to-talk communication channel. The RF transceiver is further configured to perform wireless communication with an information handling system. The headset includes processing electronics configured to process an input signal from the microphone and output a first processed signal to the RF transceiver and to process an input signal from the RF transceiver and output a second processed signal to the speaker. A remote control unit is configured to perform wireless communication with the headset, the remote control unit including a remote control unit interface disposed thereon for selectively configuring the headset to function as an audio interface for the push-to-talk communication channel and an audio interface for the information handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Teetzel, Travis S. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9857143
    Abstract: A laser sighting system can be used in combination with a range finder for determining a distance to a target. An onboard ballistics computer processor in the laser sighting system calculates a trajectory and automatically rotates a pointing laser to the proper angle for causing the trajectory path of a fired projectile to intersect with the position of the target. The laser sighting system can also be used in a standalone mode wherein target distance information is input manually by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Teetzel, Gary M. Lemire, Marvin S. Carter, III, Daryl Francis, Dean B. Killam, Jansen Habrial
  • Patent number: 9841256
    Abstract: A dual purpose missile storage and launch tube device includes a tubular housing and a front cover removably covering a first end of the tubular housing, the first end defining an opening for firing a missile. A rear cover assembly removably covers a second end of the tubular housing opposite the first end. A safety mechanism is attached to the tubular housing and includes a sliding member extending through a longitudinal passageway formed in the safety mechanism. A forward portion of the sliding member engages the front cover. A rearward portion of the sliding member engages a fastener locking the rear cover assembly onto the tubular housing. The rearward portion of the sliding member is disengaged from the fastener when the front cover is removed from the first end of the tubular housing for unlocking the rear cover assembly from the tubular housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Teetzel, Gary M. Lemire
  • Patent number: 9781963
    Abstract: Improved helmet mounting devices for an optical device are provided. The mounting devices herein include dual pivot axes providing multiple flip options for pivoting the viewing device and/or mount up and away from the user's line of sight. The dual pivot axes and multiple flip positions also allow the unit to be adapted for a variety of viewing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Marc J. Celona, Gary M. Lemire, James W. Teetzel