Patents Examined by M. Thomson
  • Patent number: 6286242
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a security apparatus for a firearm including a frame, a power source, a firing chamber adapted to receive a round of ammunition having a primer oriented adjacent a distal end thereof, and a trigger assembly for selectively initiating communication between an ignition system and the primer. The security apparatus further comprises an authorization device for selectively generating a pass signal indicating that an operator of the firearm is an authorized operator, and a firearm sensor for selectively generating a control parameter signal indicating an operational mode of the firearm. An electronically programmable locking device receives the authorization signal and the control parameter signal, and permits communication between the ignition system and the primer only if the authorization signal generates the pass signal and the control parameter signal indicates the firearm is in a standby mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventor: John F. Klebes
  • Patent number: 6269579
    Abstract: An improved gun cleaning system for use in cleaning the bore of a firearm, the system is disclosed for use with a rigid cleaning rod, having one end adapted for the attachment of cleaning elements to be moved longitudinally within the bore to remove contaminates. The system has a cleaning rod centering guide, formed as hollow frustoconical member with a closed smaller end and an open larger end, and a smooth outer surface. The interior of the guide has a series of concentric annular, triangular cross sections projections pointing inward towards the longitudinal axis of the guide so as to form a series of annular stops of decreasing diameter. The closed end of the guide has a relatively thick portion with a cylindrical opening to allow the insertion of the rigid cleaning rod and allow longitudinal motion of the cleaning rod while the maintaining the cleaning rod essentially centered within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: The United States as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Joseph G. Warner
  • Patent number: 6263607
    Abstract: A pistol includes a frame; a slide reciprocating on the frame between a forward position and a pulled-back position; a firing pin mounted in the slide for motions relative to the slide; a firing pin catch affixed to the firing pin; a firing pin spring mounted in the slide and urging the firing pin forwardly; a trigger supported in the frame; a trigger rail coupled to the trigger for executing a triggering motion when the trigger is pulled; and a sear for connecting the trigger rail with the firing pin catch such that during forward motion of the slide the sear arrests and holds the firing pin catch thus arming the firing pin spring and that upon pulling the trigger, the sear is moved away from the firing pin catch by the trigger rail for allowing the firing pin to accelerate forwardly. A manually operable disassembly member which has an open and a closed position, is movable into a pulled-out state for allowing the slide to be taken off the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: SIG Arms International AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Fuchs, Michael Osterrath
  • Patent number: 6260297
    Abstract: A weapon includes a barrel having a barrel axis and a breech-side end having an end face; a breech ring affixed to the breech-side end; and a catching and ejecting device movable parallel to the barrel axis for immobilizing a rimless cartridge case in and extracting the cartridge case from the barrel. The catching and ejecting device has a pivotally supported ejector; an extractor claw mounted at an end of the ejector and arranged for engaging into an ejector groove of the cartridge case; a spring biasing the ejector for urging the extractor claw generally radially inwardly; and a guide member mounted on an end of the ejector for contacting the cartridge case during cartridge feed into the barrel whereby the ejector and the extractor claw are pivoted against a force of the spring for maintaining the extractor claw out of contact with the cartridge case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Rheinmetal W & M GmbH
    Inventor: Heiner Schmees
  • Patent number: 6260179
    Abstract: A cell arrangement evaluating method for predicting a wiring density based on only a cell arranging result prior to initiation of any wiring programs so as to easily perform wiring condition evaluation based on the wiring density within a short time. Two cells to be connected by wiring are selected, and a rectangular region is obtained in which the pins of the two cells to be connected are diagonal verfexes. The probability of wiring between the pins to be connected passing through a certain grid point of wiring grid is calculated. A proportion of the rectangular region occupying each evaluation unit grid is calculated, and then, for each evaluation unit grid, an index for an increase of a wiring density made by the factor of the wiring in the evaluation unit grid is calculated. Then, for each evaluation unit grid, the sum of indexes calculated for all the wiring lines among the cells as a wiring density in the evaluation unit grid is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Keiko Ohsawa, Terunobu Maruyama
  • Patent number: 6202559
    Abstract: A mechanical device for generating actuating movement has a housing defining a first bore and a second bore contiguous therewith. The housing also defines radial ports that allow an environment about the housing to communicate with the first bore. A first piston is slidably mounted in the first bore. A second piston is slidably mounted in the second bore and is positioned so that it is flush with the first bore. A spring, coupled to the first piston, is capable of an at-rest state in which the first piston seals off the radial ports while being spaced apart from the second piston. The spring is also capable of a compressed state in which the first piston is positioned such that the radial ports communicate with the first bore between the first and second pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Matthew J. Sanford, Keith B. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6131516
    Abstract: An air-safed underwater fuze system is provided for munitions that are to launch-deployed and water-detonated. A housing defines a first bore contiguous with a second bore. Radial ports in the housing communicate with the first bore. A first piston is slidably mounted in the first bore and a second piston is slidably mounted in the second bore and positioned flush with the first bore. Piston control means are coupled between the munitions and first piston for positioning the first piston in a first position prior to launch in which the first piston seals off the radial ports while being spaced apart from the second piston to define a chamber. The piston control means moves the first piston at launch to a second position so that the chamber expands and the radial ports are in communication with the chamber. The piston control means further drives the first piston from its second position towards its first position at a specified time after launch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Matthew J. Sanford, Keith B. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6123005
    Abstract: A cover closes off the open end of a missile launch canister. The cover is esigned so as to seal off the interior compartment of the canister to protect the missile or the like contained within it from moisture, contaminants and the conflagration created by nearby fired missiles. The cover is designed to maintain a minimum vapor pressure within the canister for storage purposes and to burst prior to contact by the nose of the missile contained within the canister upon the occurrence of a predetermined accumulation of vapor pressure within the canister after firing of the missile or the like. The cover is formed of a laminate of fiberglass cloths having an electromagnetic interference shield and vapor barrier adhered to the interior surface of the cover. A layer of rubber protects the fiberglass laminate from scratching or puncturing and a polyurethane layer over the rubber layer provides a moisture seal as well as insulation from other contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Bernard J. Kuchta, James L. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6119574
    Abstract: A blast suppression system is provided, with the system including a plurality of command-actuated units located in the immediate vicinity of a bomb, a reservoir of suppressant material, and transmission lines connecting the reservoir to the units. Each of the units provides for the transmission of a suppressant material, preferably water, therethrough. Each of the units has nozzles configured to disperse the suppressant material into the air surrounding the bomb. Preferably, the transmission occurs prior to the explosion of the bomb, and continues after the explosion as well. Each command-actuated unit preferably has associated therewith an adjustable flow rate, an adjustable flow pattern, and an adjustable droplet size. In one embodiment of the invention, the command-actuated units are stationary, while in another embodiment the units are mobile. A method for utilizing the system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Thomas E. Burky, Donald J. Butz, John S. Butz, Scott M. Golly, Graham H. Alexander