Patents by Inventor Erik K. Carlson
Erik K. Carlson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20180321022Abstract: Muzzleloader systems include a pre-packaged propellant charge and primer for providing efficient loading and unloading of the muzzleloader. The muzzleloader accepts in the breech end the propellant containment vessel that abuts against a constriction portion with a reduced diameter portion. The propellant containment vessel having an end portion with a tapered surface that conforms to the constriction portion surface. A projectile is inserted in the muzzle end and seats against the constriction portion. The propellant containment vessel may be received in a removable breech plug. The constriction portion may be part of the breech plug or a separate component secured in the barrel by way of the breech plug. The containment vessel further comprises a primer mechanism that may be integrated into the proximal end of the containment vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Bryan P. Peterson, Drew L. Goodlin, Erik K. Carlson, Lawrence P. Head, John W. Swenson, Sharon Jones
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Patent number: 10088287Abstract: A non-lethal projectile having a shear-thinning fluid within an interior cavity. The shear-thinning fluid having a greater apparent viscosity at low shear rates to spin-stabilize the non-lethal projectile during flight and a lower apparent viscosity at a high shear rate corresponding with the shear-thinning fluid shearing against the frangible cap upon the non-lethal projectile striking the target, with the low viscosity of the shear-thinning fluid allowing proper dispersal upon impact with the target. The shear-thinning fluid can comprise a marking media and be in the form of an emulsion with less than about 50% liquid by volume to effectively disperse upon impact with the target.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2017Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Vista Outdoor Operations LLCInventors: Erik K. Carlson, Joshua L. Edel
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Patent number: 10030956Abstract: Muzzleloader systems include a pre-packaged propellant charge and primer for providing efficient loading and unloading of the muzzleloader. The muzzleloader accepts in the breech end the propellant containment vessel that abuts against a constriction portion with a reduced diameter portion. The propellant containment vessel having an end portion with a tapered surface that conforms to the constriction portion surface. A projectile is inserted in the muzzle end and seats against the constriction portion. The propellant containment vessel may be received in a removable breech plug. The constriction portion may be part of the breech plug or a separate component secured in the barrel by way of the breech plug. The containment vessel further comprises a primer mechanism that may be integrated into the proximal end of the containment vessel.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2017Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Vista Outdoor Operations LLCInventors: Bryan P. Peterson, Sr., Drew L. Goodlin, Erik K. Carlson, Lawrence P. Head, John W. Swenson, Sharon Jones
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Publication number: 20180164084Abstract: A non-lethal projectile having a shear-thinning fluid within an interior cavity. The shear-thinning fluid having a greater apparent viscosity at low shear rates to spin-stabilize the non-lethal projectile during flight and a lower apparent viscosity at a high shear rate corresponding with the shear-thinning fluid shearing against the frangible cap upon the non-lethal projectile striking the target, with the low viscosity of the shear-thinning fluid allowing proper dispersal upon impact with the target. The shear-thinning fluid can comprise a marking media and be in the form of an emulsion with less than about 50% liquid by volume to effectively disperse upon impact with the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2017Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: Erik K. Carlson, Joshua L. Edel
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Patent number: 9879957Abstract: A shotgun shell has a polymer wad with a forward shot cup portion and a rearward propellant cup, the wad in a casing, shot in the shot cup, propellant in the propellant cup, and a primer. The rearward propellant cup portion having enhanced fin deployment such that the shells are operative with shotguns with no chokes, shotguns with ported chokes, and shotguns with conventional chokes. The forward shot cup portion has axial slits that are sized to preclude shot from passing therethrough while providing sufficient air circulation to provide compaction relief of the shot pack. The enhancement may include gussets on the fins, axially movable disks to engage cam surfaces on the fins and urge them outwardly, and fins that have reduced bending regions compared to prior art wads.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2016Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Vista Outdoor Operations LLCInventors: Adam J. Moser, Erik K. Carlson, Matthew S. Schroeder, Gary Hendrickson, Frank Gerzina
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Patent number: 9835426Abstract: A non-lethal projectile having a shear-thinning fluid within an interior cavity. The shear-thinning fluid having a greater apparent viscosity at low shear rates to spin-stabilize the non-lethal projectile during flight and a lower apparent viscosity at a high shear rate corresponding with the shear-thinning fluid shearing against the frangible cap upon the non-lethal projectile striking the target, with the low viscosity of the shear-thinning fluid allowing proper dispersal upon impact with the target. The shear-thinning fluid can comprise a marking media and be in the form of an emulsion with less than about 50% liquid by volume to effectively disperse upon impact with the target.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Vista Outdoor Operations LLCInventors: Erik K. Carlson, Joshua L. Edel
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Publication number: 20170307347Abstract: Muzzleloader systems include a pre-packaged propellant charge and primer for providing efficient loading and unloading of the muzzleloader. The muzzleloader accepts in the breech end the propellant containment vessel that abuts against a constriction portion with a reduced diameter portion. The propellant containment vessel having an end portion with a tapered surface that conforms to the constriction portion surface. A projectile is inserted in the muzzle end and seats against the constriction portion. The propellant containment vessel may be received in a removable breech plug. The constriction portion may be part of the breech plug or a separate component secured in the barrel by way of the breech plug. The containment vessel further comprises a primer mechanism that may be integrated into the proximal end of the containment vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Bryan P. PETERSON, SR., Drew L. GOODLIN, Erik K. CARLSON, Lawrence P. HEAD, John W. SWENSON, Sharon JONES
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Publication number: 20170299360Abstract: A lightweight projectile having an integrated driving band positioned around the exterior of the polymer base of the projectile for engaging the filing of a barrel to impart spin stabilization to the projectile. The driving band protrudes from the polymer base to minimize the contact between the polymer base and the rifling to reduce friction between the barrel and the projectile as the projectile is fired. The reduced friction allows the lightweight projectile to be propelled with minimal propellant force while still retaining the ballistic advantages of a spin stabilized projectile.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2016Publication date: October 19, 2017Applicant: Vista Outdoor Operations LLCInventors: Erik K. Carlson, Joshua L. Edel, Lawrence P. Head
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Patent number: 9651346Abstract: A method of operating a gas operated automatic or semi-automatic weapon that has a bolt that locks by a partial rotation of the bolt with respect to a bolt carrier, the bolt carrier in communication with a gas port on the barrel of the weapon, the method comprising utilizing the gas pressure from a cartridge received from a port in the barrel to unlock the bolt, and utilizing the expansion of a telescoping cartridge in the chamber to recycle the weapon after the bolt is unlocked. In embodiments the cartridge is a 5.56 mm cartridge. In embodiments, the propellant driving the projectile does not provide enough gas pressure to recycle the weapon and the telescoping cartridge supplements the needed power for recycling sufficient to accomplish the recycling. The invention include the telescoping cartridge providing a projectile with lethal energy and recycle capability for gas operated rifles. The subsonic cartridge may have at least 80 ft lbs of energy and operates subsonically.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Vista Outdoor Operations LLCInventors: Erik K. Carlson, Richard D. Hurt, Drew Goodlin, Lawrence P. Head
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Publication number: 20170108318Abstract: A shotgun shell has a polymer wad with a forward shot cup portion and a rearward propellant cup, the wad in a casing, shot in the shot cup, propellant in the propellant cup, and a primer. The rearward propellant cup portion having enhanced fin deployment such that the shells are operative with shotguns with no chokes, shotguns with ported chokes, and shotguns with conventional chokes. The forward shot cup portion has axial slits that are sized to preclude shot from passing therethrough while providing sufficient air circulation to provide compaction relief of the shot pack. The enhancement may include gussets on the fins, axially movable disks to engage cam surfaces on the fins and urge them outwardly, and fins that have reduced bending regions compared to prior art wads.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Applicant: Vista Outdoor Operations LLCInventors: Adam J. MOSER, Erik K. CARLSON, Matthew S. SCHROEDER, Gary HENDRICKSON, Frank GERZINA
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Publication number: 20170108317Abstract: A method of operating a gas operated automatic or semi-automatic weapon that has a bolt that locks by a partial rotation of the bolt with respect to a bolt carrier, the bolt carrier in communication with a gas port on the barrel of the weapon, the method comprising utilizing the gas pressure from a cartridge received from a port in the barrel to unlock the bolt, and utilizing the expansion of a telescoping cartridge in the chamber to recycle the weapon after the bolt is unlocked. In embodiments the cartridge is a 5.56 mm cartridge. In embodiments, the propellant driving the projectile does not provide enough gas pressure to recycle the weapon and the telescoping cartridge supplements the needed power for recycling sufficient to accomplish the recycling. The invention include the telescoping cartridge providing a projectile with lethal energy and recycle capability for gas operated rifles. The subsonic cartridge may have at least 80 ft lbs of energy and operates subsonically.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: Erik K. CARLSON, Richard D. HURT, Drew GOODLIN, Lawrence P. HEAD
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Patent number: 9562754Abstract: A bullet assembly comprising a bullet and a cup assembly, the cup assembly may have a ring portion for scraping the barrel of a muzzleloader. The cup assembly may be slidable on the bullet with an extended position and a contracted position, the contracted position having a greater diameter than the extended position. A contraction inhibiting member that requires shearing off of the member for contraction may be disposed on one of the components.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Vista Outdoor Operations LLCInventors: Bryan P. Peterson, Drew L. Goodlin, Erik K. Carlson, Lawrence P. Head, John W. Swenson, Sharon Jones
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Publication number: 20160356585Abstract: A non-lethal projectile having a shear-thinning fluid within an interior cavity. The shear-thinning fluid having a greater apparent viscosity at low shear rates to spin-stabilize the non-lethal projectile during flight and a lower apparent viscosity at a high shear rate corresponding with the shear-thinning fluid shearing against the frangible cap upon the non-lethal projectile striking the target, with the low viscosity of the shear-thinning fluid allowing proper dispersal upon impact with the target. The shear-thinning fluid can comprise a marking media and be in the form of an emulsion with less than about 50% liquid by volume to effectively disperse upon impact with the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Applicant: Vista Outdoor Operations LLCInventors: Erik K. Carlson, Joshua L. Edel
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Patent number: 9494397Abstract: A lightweight projectile having an integrated driving band positioned around the exterior of the polymer base of the projectile for engaging the rifling of a barrel to impart spin stabilization to the projectile. The driving band protrudes from the polymer base to minimize the contact between the polymer base and the rifling to reduce friction between the barrel and the projectile as the projectile is fired. The reduced friction allows the lightweight projectile to be propelled with minimal propellant force while still retaining the ballistic advantages of a spin stabilized projectile.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Vista Outdoor Operations LLCInventors: Erik K. Carlson, Joshua L. Edel, Lawrence P. Head
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Patent number: 9470492Abstract: A non-lethal projectile having a shear-thinning fluid within an interior cavity. The shear-thinning fluid having a greater apparent viscosity at low shear rates to spin-stabilize the non-lethal projectile during flight and a lower apparent viscosity at a high shear rate corresponding with the shear-thinning fluid shearing against the frangible cap upon the non-lethal projectile striking the target, with the low viscosity of the shear-thinning fluid allowing proper dispersal upon impact with the target. The shear-thinning fluid can comprise a marking media and be in the form of an emulsion with less than about 50% liquid by volume to effectively disperse upon impact with the target.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Erik K. Carlson, Joshua L. Edel
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Patent number: 9329003Abstract: Muzzleloader systems include a pre-packaged propellant charge and primer for providing efficient loading and unloading of the muzzleloader. The breech end accepts the propellant and means are provided to prevent breech loading of the projectile. A propellant cartridge conforms to a constriction portion to minimize ullage. A projectile is inserted in the muzzle end seats on the constriction portion. The propellant cartridge may be received in a removable breech plug. The constriction portion may be part of the breech plug or a separate component secured in the barrel by way of the breech plug. The cartridge may have a primer mechanism integrated into a proximal end. Projectiles have sliding components that have an axial elongate position and an axial shortened position and may be loaded with a ramrod having an engagement portion for each of the two pieces whereby the projectile doesn't prematurely collapse.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Vista Outdoor Operations LLCInventors: Bryan P. Peterson, Drew L. Goodlin, Erik K. Carlson, Lawrence P. Head, John W. Swenson, Sharon Jones
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Patent number: D809622Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Vista Outdoor Operations LLCInventors: Adam J. Moser, Erik K. Carlson, Matthew S. Schroeder, Frank Gerzina, Gary Hendrickson
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Patent number: D810226Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Vista Outdoor Operations LLCInventors: Erik K. Carlson, Adam J. Moser
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Patent number: D847293Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2018Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Vista Outdoor Operations LLCInventors: Adam J. Moser, Erik K. Carlson, Matthew S. Schroeder, Frank Gerzina, Gary Hendrickson
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Patent number: D847294Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2018Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Vista Outdoor Operations LLCInventors: Erik K. Carlson, Adam J. Moser