Patents Examined by John W. Zerr
  • Patent number: 6382069
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for clearing mines deployed on or in the ground using a mechanical demining vehicle operating on the rotary cultivator principle in a way that prevents major damage to the demining tool (6) or the engine (5 ). The basis of the present invention is that the demining tool (6) is enabled to deflect away from large mine detonations whereby the demining tool (6) moves in coordination with the engine so that neither it nor its drive function suffers any major damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Bofors AB
    Inventors: Jann Kjell Haughom, Håkan Svensson, Bengt Karlén
  • Patent number: 6378459
    Abstract: A method for deterring arboreal animals from climbing and reaching a bird feeder nesting box or elevated plant holder, supported atop a post set within the ground, includes the steps of providing a freestanding, non-rotatable hollow, longitudinally extending body and inserting the post supporting the bird feeder, nesting box or elevated plant holder conjunctionally therein. Alternatively, the bird feeder, nesting box or elevated plant holder may be directly supported atop the freestanding, non-rotatable, longitudinally extending body. The free standing, non-rotatable longitudinally extending body extends up from the ground, and is made of a minimal height and width, whereupon the arboreal animal will slide down the free standing, non-rotatable hollow, longitudinally extending body to a position where the arboreal animal is out of a jumping range to reach said bird feeder, nesting box or elevated plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: John Potente
  • Patent number: 6367422
    Abstract: An improved pet brush having a handle of generally hexagonal cross-section with three relatively long sides interspersed with three relatively short sides extending upwardly from the brush head at an angle of approximately 10°-30° and having a thumb rest located at the juncture of the handle with the base on the upper surface of the handle, and a head of generally triangular, yet arcuate configuration formed with a single row of bristles extending along the periphery of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Frank Wilhelmi
  • Patent number: 6367189
    Abstract: A groove is provided on an upper surface of a handgun slide, wherein the groove is enclosed on one end and open at the rear end of the slide. The groove, beginning at a predetermined point along the top and extending rearward to the end of the slide, has a front face and a rear opening. A small cylinder of tritium activated phosphor is installed in the front face of the groove and is longitudinally parallel to the device so that the end of the cylinder is visible to a holder of the device. Additionally, a second small cylinder of tritium activated phosphor is installed just below the rear opening of the groove. The second cylinder is parallel to the bottom of the rear opening so that the length of the cylinder is visible to the holder. Sighting is accomplished by aligning the first cylinder end with the bottom of a target and aligning the second cylinder length with the bottom of the first cylinder end in the standard “six o'clock” sighting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: David Richard Clay
  • Patent number: 6363648
    Abstract: A laser aiming light for firearms includes interchangeable switches for selectively limiting the laser output to an eye safe level for training purposes and for providing full power for operational use in a combat zone. A capability for using a remote switch is provided. As the output of the laser diode and associated components are temperature sensitive, temperature compensating circuitry ensures adequate power at high, as well as at low, ambient temperatures. Power is provided by enclosed conventional batteries retained by a sealed cap maintained in place by a pivotally mounted retainer and locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: William H. Grube
    Inventors: David L. Kranich, Daryl Anthony Riva
  • Patent number: 6360696
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved pet toys that are safe and attractive to small pets having sharp teeth, such as ferrets. The chew toy of the invention contains from 41 to 60 weight percent (wt %) gelatin, from 10 to 40 wt % plasticizer, and from 10 to 25 wt % water. The toy simulates the texture and consistency of rubber, but will dissolve in the animal's stomach and is easily digested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventors: Faith-Ann Arnold, Don Hunt
  • Patent number: 6352070
    Abstract: The present invention is a safety formed in a sporting pellet or air rifle which prevents the accidental firing of the rifle even when it is loaded. The safety utilizes a loading pull lever, a crescent-shaped portion positioned generally at the middle of the loading pull lever, a pusher located at an end of the loading pull lever, a piston positioned within the barrel of the rifle so as to be cooperative with the pusher, a piston stopper connected to an end of the piston, a hand-activated safety, a safety base supporting the stem of the safety, a trigger having a particular shape for cooperation with the safety, and a retaining lever which is movable so as to touch the piston stopper and is movable downwardly to secure the rod of the piston. The lever is positioned in front of the trigger so as to prevent the firing of the rifle before the pull lever has been fully depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Inventor: Hector Mendoza-Orozco
  • Patent number: 6349711
    Abstract: A paintball gun according to this invention comprises a pressure regulator, an electronic solenoid valve, a firing valve assembly, a pneumatic ram assembly, and a firing chamber. The pressure regulator is configured to provide low pressure gas to a solenoid valve to control loading and firing operations of the paintball gun. The pressure regulator is further configured to supply low pressure gas to the firing chamber via operation of the firing valve assembly during a firing operation. The firing valve assembly can be configured with an opening, a valve chamber, and an exit port in fluid communication with the firing chamber, each having a size sufficient to allow an appropriate volume of gas flow to be supplied to the firing chamber with no significant drop-off in pressure. The firing valve assembly can also be provided with an o-ring seated around the valve cap to provide sensitivity to the firing valve, allowing it to open and close quickly in order to ensure near instantaneous shutoff with minimal load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventors: Rod Perry, William Gardner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6327807
    Abstract: A firearm sight mount with a sight mount body configured for clamping on the outside of a firearm barrel. In one embodiment the sight mount has a unitary sight mount body that is split to permit the body to be slipped past any existing front sight on the firearm barrel. The split construction of the sight mount body permits it to be clamped to firearm barrels having different outside diameters and tapers. The other embodiments use a two piece body that are configured to be clamped to firearm barrels having different outside diameters and tapers and in one of these embodiments provision is made for the sight mount to fit around a rib on the barrel. In all embodiments, the sight mount body has a flat rectangular shaped mounting surface with short cylindrical projections sized and shaped to mesh with corresponding holes in the sight and hold the sight in place. Two screw holes are also provided in the mounting surface for holding the sight to the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: John W. Bergacker
  • Patent number: 6324956
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for neutralizing mines and obstacles that can quickly and efficiently clear a specified surf zone without human intervention. In a preferred embodiment, the invention utilizes firing tubes including a combustion chamber, a mechanism for supplying an aluminum fuel to the combustion chamber; and an ignitor for igniting the aluminum fuel within said combustion chamber to generate pressure waves. The firing tubes arranged in arrays located on sides of a main body of an autonomous vehicle. Activation of the firing tubes on a rear side of the main body is utilized in a preferred embodiment to propel the vehicle forward. Forward propagating pressure waves generated by firing tubes arranged on forward facing first and second sides of the main body are utilized to destroy mines and other obstructions located within a selected surf area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: APTI, Inc.
    Inventor: Yeshayahu S. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 6318293
    Abstract: A corner guard assembly is provided for use with an otherwise conventional aquarium. The corner guard assembly has an outer aesthetic cap, generally “L” shape, having a magnet attached to the inside surface and a layer of felt attached, covering the magnet. An oppositely polar inner retaining magnet, in a generally “L” shape, is place on an inside of an aquarium and holds the outer cap to cover the corners of the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventors: Craig Cranfill, Robert L. Brinegar
  • Patent number: 6305263
    Abstract: An appended pod underwater gun mount for a submersible host vessel includes a strut member having a base end fixed to an outer hull of the submersible host vessel and a distal end protruding outwardly from the host vessel, the distal end being angled with respect to the base end, and an ammunition housing moveably fixed to the distal end of the strut member. A train control mechanism is positioned between the strut member and the ammunition housing for controlling the horizontal rotation of the ammunition housing with respect to the host vessel, and a tilt control mechanism is positioned between the strut member and the ammunition housing for controlling the vertical rotation of the ammunition housing with respect to the host vessel. A flexible boot is connected to the ammunition housing and surrounds each of the train control mechanism and the tilt control mechanism to protect the mechanisms from an underwater environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: C. Roger Wallin
  • Patent number: 6302092
    Abstract: An air gun trigger system, working in conjunction with an air gun, having a firing system, moving between a rear position in a ready state and a forward position for firing bullets, the air gun trigger system comprising: a holding element; a first trigger device; a second trigger device; and a driving unit. The holding element holds the firing system in the ready state and when triggered releases the firing system therefrom to move towards the forward position. The first trigger device is manually operated to trigger the holding element. The second trigger device automatically triggers the holding element and is driven by the driving unit. Thus the holding element is triggered to release the firing system from the ready state by either the first trigger device or the second trigger device. The driving unit causes a continuous movement of the second trigger device, resulting in fully automatic firing of bullets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Chih-Chen Juan
  • Patent number: 6289780
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a fuse in the tip of a large-caliber projectile without actually touching it. The device is provided with a programming station that has an annular or cylindrical programming coil mounted on it coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the resting projectile and communicating with electric controls. The tip of the projectile extends into the coil at least while the fuse is being adjusted. The programming coil slides back and forth axially paralleling the resting projectile relative to the programming station. A Y shaped grip that secures the projectile is positioned facing the side of the coil toward the projectile. The grip is shaped to accommodate the tip of the projectile. The grip moves along with and axially parallels the coil. The tip of the projectile fixes the projectile grip when it is accommodated therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Heinrich Heldmann
  • Patent number: 6272782
    Abstract: A cartridge magazine displacement mechanism for a charge-operated setting tool and including a spring-biased transfer member (13) pivotable about a first pivot (15), cooperating with the trigger (6) and displaceable substantially parallel to an actuation direction of the trigger (6), a spring-biased, one-arm displacement lever (7) cooperating with a free end of the transfer member (13), pivotable about a second pivot (8) fixedly secured in the setting tool housing, and having an engaging dog (12) provided at a free end of the displacement lever displaceable substantially parallel to a longitudinal extent of the cartridge channel of the setting tool, and engageable in or liftable off the cartridge channel, with the first pivot (15) being arranged on the displacement lever (7) between the second pivot and the engaging dog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tilo Dittrich, Stefan Bönig