Patents Examined by Michael David
  • Patent number: 8984792
    Abstract: A firearm is provided that includes a receiver, a stock, an elongated barrel and a muzzle. The barrel extends from the receiver to the muzzle and has a rectangular internal bore extending from the receiver to the muzzle. The internal bore has two short sides and two long sides. A plurality of teeth extends along one of the short sides within the internal bore. A disk-shaped bullet fitting within the internal bore may be fired from the firearm. A bullet case having a rectangular orifice is provided to chamber the disk-shaped bullet for propulsion through the rectangular internal bore of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Nicholas F. Mirabile
  • Patent number: 8984793
    Abstract: A firearm is provided that includes a receiver, a stock, an elongated barrel and a muzzle. The barrel extends from the receiver to the muzzle and has a rectangular internal bore extending from the receiver to the muzzle. The internal bore has two short sides and two long sides. A plurality of teeth extends along one of the short sides within the internal bore. A disk-shaped bullet fitting within the internal bore may be fired from the firearm. A bullet case having a rectangular orifice is provided to chamber the disk-shaped bullet for propulsion through the rectangular internal bore of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Nicholas F. Mirabile
  • Patent number: 8984999
    Abstract: A programmable ammunition which receives a program as well as energy transmission is provided. The ammunition also comprises an energy store, an electronic system and an ignition in addition to at least one sensor for capturing the signal emitted for the program, the signal having a frequency which is transmitted further to the electronic system. The ammunition is also combined with an energy transfer unit in such a manner that an additional signal having a frequency is guided to the energy unit by the same the sensor and/or an additional sensor and is charged. Programming and the energy transmission occurs when the projectile passes through a weapon barrel, a muzzle brake or similar which is operated as a waveguide below the threshold frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
    Inventor: Henry Roger Frick
  • Patent number: 8985000
    Abstract: Inductive or capacitive transmission of energy to a projectile is disclosed. A waveguide can be used to transmit the energy, the electric field being concentrated in the waveguide. The thus used energy transfer system includes at least one waveguide which is arranged or integrated in the region of the muzzle, for example between a muzzle brake and a gun barrel. A transmission coupler for transmission is fed by a signal generator. The projectile comprises at least one sensor which captures the signal and a store in the projectile is charged. Assemblies of the system are used for a V0 measurement as well as to program the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
    Inventor: Henry Roger Frick
  • Patent number: 8973565
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inflicting brain injury on a laboratory animal that employs a platform for supporting the laboratory animal. The platform defines an opening for positioning the head of the laboratory animal over the opening. A projectile is launched from a projectile launching device orientated below the opening of the platform. The projectile launching device has a means for propelling the projectile directly at and/or through the opening of said platform, thereby inflicting brain injury on the animal via either a pressure wave or concussive impact of the projectile. Without helmet, direct impact of the projectile results in severe traumatic brain injury. Use of helmet protects animals from skull fracture, subdural hematoma, intracerebral hemorrhage and contusion yet produces mild concussion-like pathology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Zhiyong Chen, Zhilin Liao, Frank C. Tortella, Xi-Chun May Lu, Jitendra R. Dave, Jay E. Bartlett, Mark F. Arnold, Mark P. Easterday, Mark W. Brown, Larry R. Holmes, Zachary J. Larimore, Kara E. Schmid, Deborah A. Shear, Lai Yee Leung, Andrea Mountney
  • Patent number: 8966802
    Abstract: A trigger assembly has a sear with a stop surface engageable with a reciprocating component for holding the reciprocating component in a cocked configuration. The sear also has a sear cam engageable with a lever movably mounted within the assembly. A trigger is movable into and out of engagement with the lever. Pulling the trigger moves it out of engagement with the lever and releases the sear. A trigger return pendulum has a trigger cam engageable with the trigger, a lever cam engageable with the lever, and a head cam follower engageable with the reciprocating component. Motion of the reciprocating component acting through the head cam follower of the trigger return pendulum forces the lever cam into engagement with the lever and the trigger cam into engagement with the trigger to return the lever and the trigger to a configuration of engagement between the trigger and the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventor: David S. Findlay
  • Patent number: 8959823
    Abstract: A method for shooting a projectile weapon involves determining the inclination of a line of sight from a vantage point to a target and a line-of-sight range to the target, then predicting a trajectory parameter at the line-of-sight range, for a preselected projectile. Using the trajectory parameter, an equivalent horizontal range may then be determined, wherein the equivalent horizontal range is the range at which the trajectory parameter would be expected to occur if the projectile were shot from the vantage point toward a theoretical target located in a horizontal plane intersecting the vantage point. The equivalent horizontal range may be utilized to compensate for ballistic drop when shooting the projectile weapon. The method may be embodied in a handheld laser rangefinder including a memory for storing ballistic data. Systems for automatic hold over adjustment in a weapon aiming device are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
    Inventors: Victoria J. Peters, Tim Lesser, Andrew W. York, Rick R. Regan
  • Patent number: 8960091
    Abstract: An initiator assembly can include an outer body can have a first end, a second end, and an internal passage between the first and second ends. An initiator canister can be joined to the outer body at the first end and can define a charge chamber that includes a pair of pins extending therefrom. An insulative material can be molded within the passage to form an insulative structural member that joins the canister and pins to the outer body and insulates the pins and a portion of the canister from electrical contact with the outer body. An electrostatic discharge dissipater can be formed from an electrically conductive material and can be molded to the outer body. The dissipater can provide a controlled dissipation path for electrostatic discharge energy carried by the initiator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Gordon, Jeffrey T. Kida, Benoit Sable
  • Patent number: 8959819
    Abstract: The safety device provides an added measure of safety to striker fired semi-automatic pistols. The safety device includes a contact member in the form of a sliding bar or pivoting lever, that is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, such that the contact member operatively blocks the movement of one of the fire control mechanism components to prevent discharge of the weapon but only when the contact member is manually held in an engaged position. The user manipulates and physically holds the contact member in its engaged position by pressing a thumb plate or button located at the rear of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Hilton Jones, Todd Louis Green
  • Patent number: 8950387
    Abstract: A paintball gun generally comprising a body split into an upper portion and a lower portion is provided. The split body allows exposure of internal components for access, service and/or maintenance. In an embodiment, the paintball gun preferably includes a valve assembly fixedly secured within the body. In an embodiment, the paintball gun preferably includes a barrel adapter for engaging a barrel, with the barrel adapter secured within the body by a gripping piece. A method of servicing a paintball gun is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: KEE Action Sports I LLC
    Inventor: Simon B. Stevens
  • Patent number: 8950312
    Abstract: An improved bolt and bolt carrier with integral gas key having an extension nozzle threadedly secured and pinned to the gas key for use with a direct gas operated firearm is provided. The extension nozzle is designed to receive a portion of the host firearm's gas operating system. The firing pin retaining pin is oriented so as to expose its widest profile to the firing pin's annular flange, increasing its service life. The bolt has a plurality of lugs extending from its forward end. The extractor recess is constructed so that the face of the bolt is round and the adjacent lugs fully supported. The extractor engages approximately 17% more of a seated ammunition cartridge's rim as compared to the prior art AR15/M16 extractor. The result is an improved bolt and bolt carrier which provides for increased operational reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: LWRC International LLC
    Inventor: Jesus S. Gomez
  • Patent number: 8944041
    Abstract: A firearm firing mechanism is so configured that a hammer is retained by a front retaining block before pressing a trigger; pressing the trigger slightly at a first stage causes a main bar to bias a rear retaining block and the front retaining block backwardly at a relatively smaller angle to release the hammer in performing a single-shot action; pressing the trigger heavily at a second stage causes the main bar at a relatively longer distance so that the hammer is kept away from the front retaining block when it is returned, and the hammer is secured by the rear retaining block upon a backward displacement of a bolt and backward biasing of the hammer, and a linkage is forced to move the rear retaining block in releasing the hammer for firing when the bolt is forward again, and a continuous multi-shot firing action is performed by means of repeating this operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Shih-Che Hu
  • Patent number: 8943970
    Abstract: A energy transfer device (10) is provided that is capable of transferring the energy output from one pyrotechnic device (52) to another device (78) for initiating firing thereof. Device (10) comprises a device housing (12) in which a deformable device insert (14) is received. Device insert (14) comprises a central passageway (34) for transmitting the output from a pyrotechnic device (52), including energy, gasses, and/or solids, to another pyrotechnic device (78). The passageway (34) conducts the pyrotechnic device output to a precise location on the second pyrotechnic device (78) where firing is most effectively initiated. The energy transfer device (10) may be employed as a part of a tool (44) used in well completion operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Fike Corporation
    Inventors: William Greeley, Raivo Kull, Ed Soohoo
  • Patent number: 8944040
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure differential bullet advancing structure for advancing BB bullets, which includes an expansion device, a collar device that is slidably received in the expansion device, and a pneumatic module arranged at one side of the expansion device. The expansion device includes a guide bar that is received in the collar device. The guide bar has a circumferential wall forming an air inlet opening that is extended in a direction away from the pneumatic module and is selectively shielded by the collar device. The pneumatic device generates high-pressure air that flows through the expansion device to move the collar device for advancing the BB bullet. When the collar device is moved to such an extent that the air inlet opening is exposed, the high-pressure air flows therethrough to shoot out the BB bullet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Guay Guay Trading Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yin-Hsi Liao
  • Patent number: 8944039
    Abstract: A pneumatic paintball marker has, for example, a feed system for receiving paintballs from paintball containers having different outlets. The feed system includes a lever and a drive system. The drive system defines an opening through the marker and into the breech. Actuation of the lever moves the opening between at least two positions. The breech receives paintballs from one of the containers when in the first position and from the other paintball container when in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Dye Precision, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Patrick Larmer, Gerald R. Parks, Ming-Chuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8939056
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, providing a guided descent from a release zone and toward an entry zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Barron Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: David Anthony Neal, III, Kevin Marlan Ehlmann, William Thomas Gressick, Alec Jacob Devine Bateman, Kenneth Richard Horneman
  • Patent number: 8936016
    Abstract: A system for ejecting a missile from a submerged vessel includes: a tube for housing the missile; a tank for storing atmospheric gas as a pressurized liquid, whereby a valve is connected to the tank to allow release of the gas into the tube to eject the missile from the tube; and a microwave emitter located within the liquid in the tank to input heat energy into the liquid to maintain evaporation of the liquid into the gas, whereby the microwave emitter is activated simultaneously with the release of the gas into the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Peter T. Phelps
  • Patent number: 8931196
    Abstract: A firearm having modular components that can be assembled under field conditions, by using simple tools. Upper and lower receivers are assembled by pins and a barrel and gas tube are secured to the upper receiver by a barrel nut. Mounting flanges of the upper receiver and a handguard are secured in reliable assembly by a manually actuated clamp mechanism having a clamping condition releasably securing the handguard to the upper receiver and having a releasing condition permitting separation of the handguard from the upper receiver. A pocketed soft protective container receives and protects the modular firearm components until firearm assembly takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Mark C. Larue
  • Patent number: 8931468
    Abstract: In a single/continuous firing air soft gun and a firing switch thereof, the air soft gun includes a gun body and a barrel fixed in the gun body, and the firing switch includes a piston seat and a firing switch device, wherein the piston seat is disposed in the gun body and capable of reciprocally moving in horizontal with respect to the barrel; and the firing switch device is installed on the piston seat, and includes a stop piece and a toggle piece connected with the stop piece, and the stop piece is disposed corresponding to the trigger assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Vega Force International Corp.
    Inventors: Kuo-Hao Huang, Wei-Hung Chung
  • Patent number: 8925539
    Abstract: A paintball marker with a barrel having a bore dimensioned to receive a frangible projectile. The marker has a receiver defining an interior cavity with a breech area. The receiver includes a flip top portion that is, in some embodiments, pivotally connected to the receiver. The flip top portion is configured to pivot between an open position that provides access to the interior cavity and a closed position that blocks access to the interior cavity. A valve arrangement is provided to selectively allow flow between a supply of compressed gas and the breech area to propel frangible projectiles through the barrel. The marker has a firing assembly configured to actuate the valve arrangement in response to actuation of a trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Tippmann Sports, LLC
    Inventor: John R. Rice