Patents by Inventor Gary J. Houtsma

Gary J. Houtsma 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).

  • Patent number: 8448760
    Abstract: A buffering, energy absorbing, system has tapered grooves within either the inner surface of a cylindrical main body or along the sides of a piston head to allow fluid flow, where the tapered grooves increasingly or decreasingly restrict the flow of fluid between the inside of the main body and an accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Gary J. Houtsma
  • Patent number: 6829857
    Abstract: A bipod has a base attached to the weapon and a pair of legs which extend in a use position from the base downwards and outwards. Each leg includes an inner member having a pointed distal end and a proximal end attached to the base, and an outer member which freely slides relative to the inner member. The outer member includes a foot through which the pointed distal end extends when the outer member is in an retracted position and hence the pointed distal end is in an exposed position. Each leg also includes a holding mechanism which holds the outer member relative to the inner member such that the pointed distal end is located within the outer member adjacent the aperture of the foot when the outer member is in an extended position and hence the pointed distal end is in a withdrawn or protected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Gary J. Houtsma
  • Patent number: 6779290
    Abstract: A semi permanent backup iron sight is adapted for attachment to, and detachment from a weapon while other devices are still attached to the weapon. The iron sight comprises a base formed of two vertical rails and an interconnecting member that allows the base to flex for securing the iron sight on the weapon; a sight aperture assembly formed of a sight aperture, a sight aperture frame, a sight aperture spring, and a sight aperture pivot pin; an elevation cam assembly formed of an elevation cam, a retaining clip, an elevation cam spring and keeper, and a detent spring and a ball detent; and a windage mechanism. The base provides a mounting interface for the sight aperture assembly, elevation cam assembly, and windage mechanism. The elevation cam assembly has an elevation scale located in a position that allows the shooter to see the elevation scale without moving his or her head from the shooting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Gary J. Houtsma
  • Patent number: 6758126
    Abstract: An apparatus 10 is provided for initially slowing a backwards extraction movement of a bolt group 12 of a weapon which moves backward automatically after firing and against a force of a return drive spring 14. The apparatus includes first and second longitudinal members 16, 30 having respective distal ends and proximal ends. A mounting mechanism is provided for mounting the first and second members for longitudinal movement of the first member relative to the second member and adjacent the drive spring, with the drive spring urging the first and second members apart and against the bolt group. A retarding mechanism 36 is provided for retarding an initial backwards movement of the first proximal end relative to the second distal end, and for allowing a relatively free further backwards movement of the first proximal end relative to the second distal end as the bolt group moves backwards after firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Gary J. Houtsma