Patents Examined by Stephen M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9766049
    Abstract: A projectile has a front portion, a divider and a cylindrical portion. The front portion has a wall defining an interior cavity, which is closed by the divider. The cylindrical portion comprises a cylindrical sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface. The projectile also has a plurality of depressions in the cylindrical sidewall. The depressions have an outlet adjacent the second end, an inlet toward the first end and a neck area between the inlet and the outlet. A width of the inlet is smaller than a width of the outlet. The depressions at the neck area have a curved sidewall, but a generally straight sidewall between the neck area and the outlet. The surface of the depression extends at a ramp angle from the outer surface of the sidewall at the inlet of the depression toward the inner surface of the sidewall at the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: United Tactical Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Gary E. Gibson, Michael A. Varacins, Jon Willson
  • Patent number: 9766028
    Abstract: A cylinder impeller for revolvers, which transmits the trigger pulling movement to a cylinder revolving movement. The impeller includes a cover having inside it a track; a one-piece body having a plate and a slider, said slider being able to slide within and relative to the cover; and a spring arranged between the body slider and the surface of the cover track. Therefore, the cover and the body slide one relative to the other and against the spring action, thus varying the overall length of the impeller and compensating and absorbing possible teeth machining variations of the cylinder extractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Forjas Taurus S.A.
    Inventors: Jamir Pagnoncelli, Juliano Batista Bisotto, André Machado De Magalhäes
  • Patent number: 9766045
    Abstract: A stile and rail ballistic security door containing bullet proof materials within a metal or synthetic material frame including a plurality of window panes and thermal break means to eliminate condensation problems therein. The door contains a multi-layer exterior core providing extra strength and rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Inventors: Dan L. Fultz, Harold L. Snook, III
  • Patent number: 9759506
    Abstract: The technology disclosed herein can include a motor unit having a motor with a motor gear to rotate a drive shaft and a drive gear. A manual input shaft can also be configured to transmit rotation to the drive shaft. The motor can have a central axis that forms an angle of less than 90 degrees with a plane substantially defined by an outer surface of a gear box coupled to the motor. A mounting bracket is configured to allow mechanical communication between the motor unit and an internal ring gear. The internal ring gear can be mounted to a vehicle and a turret can be pivotably disposed within the internal ring gear. A motor unit is mounted on the turret and a drive gear is rotatably mounted on the motor unit and in direct engagement with the internal ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: NPC Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman L. Domholt, Richard Reid, John David, Tyler Andrew Jacobson, Michael Richmon Thoreson
  • Patent number: 9752855
    Abstract: Vehicle armor comprises a ceramic panel (1) with a spall covering (6) on a front surface thereof, a rear surface of the ceramic panel being bonded to a stiff support plate (3). A plastically deformable layer (9) is arranged behind the support plate and contiguous therewith. Spacer means define a substantially planar space (14) arranged to be located between the plastically deformable layer (9) and a vehicle hull (13). There may be a frontal plate comprising a ceramic layer (3) bonded between two layers (4, 5) of high strength carbon or glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: NP Aerospace Limited
    Inventors: Roger T. A. Medwell, Christopher Davies
  • Patent number: 9752851
    Abstract: The invention encompasses firearm sights configured to eliminate the effect of parallax a shooter would otherwise experience when aiming a firearm at a target. The firearm sight utilizes a rear sight vane and at least one occluder positioned so that the occluder interferes with or substantially blocks a shooter's line of sight for the shooter's non-aiming eye without obstructing the vision of the correct eye with which the shooter should be aiming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Douglas Orlob
  • Patent number: 9752421
    Abstract: A switch includes a casing having a bore, a piston assembly having a first end and an exposed end, a plurality of flanges formed at the first end; an insulating sleeve enclosing the first end, a contact assembly disposed in the casing bore; a pin disposed in the bore; a predetermined quantity of lubricant deposited in the bore; and a spring urging the pin into engagement with the piston assembly. The insulating sleeve and the plurality of flanges are at least partially disposed in the casing bore. The pin has: (i) a first position wherein the pin electrically contacts the piston assembly and is electrically isolated from the contact assembly; and (ii) a second position wherein the pin is electrically isolated from the piston assembly and electrically engages the contact assembly. The predetermined quantity of lubricant may be approximately 0.3 grams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: OWEN OIL TOOLS LP
    Inventors: Timothy E. LaGrange, Cory D. Day, George Patton, Dan W. Pratt, Bradley Vass
  • Patent number: 9752848
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide significant firearm recoil force reduction and can be integrated within a traditional firearm stock. Such recoil shock absorbers include a body assembly, plunger assembly, and return spring. The body assembly includes a shock tube, cylinder end, and accumulator. The shock tube includes an opening at its distal end, the cylinder end is rotably coupled to the shock tube, and the accumulator is coupled to the cylinder end. The cylinder end can be selectably/adjustably aligned with the shock tube opening, resulting in a selectable/adjustable orifice and a pathway from the shock tube to the accumulator. The plunger assembly is slidably coupled to the body assembly and includes a piston. The piston and the shock tube are in slidable relation such that when the plunger assembly is introduced into the body assembly the piston is introduced into the shock tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Kyntec Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald J. Spyche, Jr., Thomas J. Miller
  • Patent number: 9752846
    Abstract: A pneumatic projectile launcher with improved valve opening and closing characteristics includes a trigger mechanism in communication with a valve assembly, preferably through pneumatic or mechanical means. This valve assembly consists of at least two members; the first is used to seal a single projectile in a barrel tube so as to accelerate the projectile with a gas pulse (“bolt”). The second member of the assembly is a valve member which controls the release of said gas pulse. The aforementioned pulse that propels the projectile out of the barrel (“forward”) also acts on a face of the valve member opposite the projectile, translating the valve member rearward to the original, closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: LURKER PAINTBALL, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan C. Kenaley, Steven M. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9746270
    Abstract: An unmanned turret having a turret ring gear and first and second electrical force-producing devices with the unmanned turret being rotatably mounted to a vehicle chassis, the turret drive mechanism including at least one ring gear independent of the turret ring gear, at least one manually-operable input component rotatably coupled to the at least one ring gear, the at least one input component accessible within the vehicle chassis, and at least one output component mechanically coupled to at least one of the first and second electrical force-producing devices of the unmanned turret to cause rotation of the at least one of the first and second electrical force-producing device. Another turret drive mechanism and an unmanned turret are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig Matthew Rose, Ronald Eugene Janka
  • Patent number: 9746264
    Abstract: The present invention is an ammunition magazine, preferably made of a reinforced polymer, utilizing a structurally enhancing ridge, angular guide rails and a follower made to interface with said guide rails to reduce wobble. The preferred embodiment also features a protective cover that distributes forces from the spring to more structurally sound areas of the magazine, thus reducing feed end splay, and an ammunition indication system comprised of at least one window and a noticeable marker on the follower spring. The follower and magazine casing are also designed to interface to prevent the follower from popping out of the feed end and the floor plate of the magazine utilizes a locking plate and sliding relationship between the floor plate, locking plate and magazine to secure the floor plate onto the magazine casing. The cover features built in tools for, among other things, unloading and disassembling the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Magpul Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Richard M. Fitzpatrick, Michael T. Mayberry, Brian L. Nakayama, Eric C. Burt
  • Patent number: 9746269
    Abstract: One embodiment of a gun configured with the soft recoil system comprises a plurality of recoiling parts that initially moves in the direction of the projectile being fired before moving in a direction opposite to that of a projectile during the firing of the round. The soft recoil system throttles the movement of the recoiling parts such that the energy expended during the firing of the round is spread over a longer time period and a longer distance than would normally occur. The soft recoil system stores at least a portion of the energy transferred to the recoiling parts and the user may selectively release at least a part of that portion of energy to offset the energy imparted to the gun during the firing of the next round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Mandus Group, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenneth Wynes, Gary Bowrey
  • Patent number: 9739549
    Abstract: A firearm comprising an upper receiver and a charging handle is disclosed. A charging handle is coupled to the upper receiver and comprises a handle assembly rotationally coupled to a main body about a first and a second pivot point. The handle assembly includes a first handle having an edge nearest the main body and a latch extending from the first handle parallel to the main body for interfacing with the upper receiver in a first position, a second handle having an edge nearest the main body, and a push rod positioned between the edge of the first handle and the edge of the second handle, such that when force is applied to the second handle, energy is transferred through the second handle to the push rod and to the first handle, moving the latch into a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: BRAVO COMPANY MFG, INC.
    Inventor: Eric Stephen Kincel
  • Patent number: 9739577
    Abstract: A device for launching fireworks, the device includes: a plastic plug and a locking base. The plastic plug includes: a resistance heating wire, a slot for accommodating the resistance heating wire, two metal conductors, two plate-like electrodes, and an upper clamping structure. The locking base includes: a lower clamping structure, two spring electrodes, and a circuit connecting socket. The top of the plastic plug is provided with the slot for accommodating the resistance heating wire. The resistance heating wire is fixed in the slot for accommodating the resistance heating wire and two ends of the resistance heating wire are electronically connected with one ends of the two metal conductors. The other ends of the two metal conductors are respectively electronically connected with the two plate-like electrodes and fixed at a bottom of the plastic plug. The bottom of the plastic plug is provided with the upper clamping structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: LIVE-WIRE PYROTECHNICS LTD
    Inventors: Fan Zhang, Michael Knox
  • Patent number: 9739555
    Abstract: A battery-powered trigger-locking device, which is configured to be disposed on a gun with a trigger for firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the same, as data stored in the memory. If a data match is indicated, the logic device causes an electromagnetic device to move a trigger-locking member to an unlocked position, permitting the gun to be fired. A separate electronic gun key is provided to transmit gun unlock data to the data receiver of the trigger-locking device. This gun unlock data may be a password, a long pseudo-random number or biologic data identifying the gun owner or some other person who is licensed or otherwise authorized to fire the gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventors: Karl F. Milde, Jr., Jeffrey A. Matos
  • Patent number: 9739554
    Abstract: Firearms with improved systems and methods of controlling which side of the firearm shell casings are ejected from, with ejection port covers on both sides of the firearm that open to provide cross ventilation, or both. In some embodiments, the bolt can be installed in one of two different orientations to select whether shell casings are ejected from the left or the right ejection port without a need to replace any parts. In a number of embodiments, spring loaded ejection port covers on both sides open when the firearm is fired or when the bolt or carrier of the firearm moves to provide cross ventilation through a passageway through the firearm to cool the firearm. The covers can be manually closed by the operator when the weapon is not being fired to keep dirt and debris out of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: FALKOR SID, INC.
    Inventor: Aaron A. McGinty
  • Patent number: 9739558
    Abstract: A barrel assembly for use in a semiautomatic firearm, including a barrel and a takedown lever. A rear portion of the barrel includes a follower lug and a rear lug extending from an underside of the rear portion. The follower lug further includes a follower notch. A pin of the takedown lever includes a notch with a vertical face configured to contact a vertical face of the follower notch when the firearm is in the locked position. The rear lug is configured to be supported by a portion of a locking block of the firearm prior to firing and during a portion of the recoil period. The modifications to the barrel assembly result in increased dwell time and accuracy of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Apex Tactical Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall M. Lee
  • Patent number: 9733049
    Abstract: An armor system that includes a reactive armor component including a disruptive layer. The disruptive layer includes a plurality of three-dimensional geometric shapes each defining at least one hollow space and explosive material. The explosive material is deposited in the at least one hollow space. The disruptive layer also includes explosive material surrounding the geometric shapes and a layer of explosive material on top of the geometric shapes. The armor system may further include a non-reactive armor component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ARMORDYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventor: David Warren
  • Patent number: 9733032
    Abstract: The various embodiments herein provide a fire restraining device for selective target shooting in a weapon with a safety lock comprises an infrared sensor, a central computing unit, and a rack and pinion or a shot pin module. The infrared sensor detects a temperature of a target in front of a nozzle of the weapon. The infrared sensor is connected to the central computing unit. The infrared sensor sends the temperature data of the target to the central computing unit. The rack and pinion module or the shot pin module is connected with the central computing unit at one side and the safety lock on another end. The present fire restraining device allows a gunner to control the firing shots over a human or unwanted targets which reduces false fatalities in close combats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy M Courtot, Timothy M Courtot, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9725373
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the design and manufacture of an ignitable solid, where the solid is composed of an array of ignitable regions. In some examples, the array provides a three-dimensional periodic arrangement of such ignitable regions. The ignitable region can have any useful geometry and geometric arrangement within the solid, and methods of making such regions are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: David P. Adams, Robert V. Reeves, Robert K. Grubbs, Michael David Henry