Patents by Inventor Joseph Fruechtel

Joseph Fruechtel 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).

  • Publication number: 20240068781
    Abstract: An electronic aiming system includes an electro-mechanical reticle having a plurality of electrically powered holdover indicators disposed on a primary crosshair of the reticle, the holdover indicators configured to be individually selected and energized to a visible state, a rangefinder configured to generate range data, a computing device configured to generate ballistics data; and a processor configured to receive the range data and ballistics data, select, based at least in part on either or both of the range data and ballistics data, one or more of the holdover indicators, and energize the selected holdover indicator or indicators to the visible state
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew W. York, Gregory Scott Smith, Richard Bradley Brumfield, Joseph Fruechtel
  • Patent number: 11725908
    Abstract: A reticle for an aiming device includes a number of holdover indicators on the reticle that may be individually selected; an input for receiving ballistics data; and a processor configured to, based at least in part on the received ballistics data, select one or more of the holdover indicators; and cause the selected holdover indicator or indicators to visibly change state on the reticle. Methods of operating a digital reticle are also described. Further disclosed is a system that includes the reticle above, as well as a rangefinder for providing range data and a ballistics calculator for providing ballistics data. Some variations include ballistics data stored in a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SIG SAUER, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew W. York, Gregory Scott Smith, Richard Bradley Brumfield, Joseph Fruechtel
  • Publication number: 20220221251
    Abstract: A reticle for an aiming device includes a number of holdover indicators on the reticle that may be individually selected; an input for receiving ballistics data; and a processor configured to, based at least in part on the received ballistics data, select one or more of the holdover indicators; and cause the selected holdover indicator or indicators to visibly change state on the reticle. Methods of operating a digital reticle are also described. Further disclosed is a system that includes the reticle above, as well as a rangefinder for providing range data and a ballistics calculator for providing ballistics data. Some variations include ballistics data stored in a memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew W. York, Gregory Scott Smith, Richard Bradley Brumfield, Joseph Fruechtel
  • Patent number: 11287218
    Abstract: A reticle for an aiming device includes a number of holdover indicators on the reticle that may be individually selected; an input for receiving ballistics data; and a processor configured to, based at least in part on the received ballistics data, select one or more of the holdover indicators; and cause the selected holdover indicator or indicators to visibly change state on the reticle. Methods of operating a digital reticle are also described. Further disclosed is a system that includes the reticle above, as well as a rangefinder for providing range data and a ballistics calculator for providing ballistics data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: SIG SAUER, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew W. York, Gregory Scott Smith, Richard Bradley Brumfield, Joseph Fruechtel
  • Publication number: 20210348884
    Abstract: A reticle for an aiming device includes a number of holdover indicators on the reticle that may be individually selected; an input for receiving ballistics data; and a processor configured to, based at least in part on the received ballistics data, select one or more of the holdover indicators; and cause the selected holdover indicator or indicators to visibly change state on the reticle. Methods of operating a digital reticle are also described. Further disclosed is a system that includes the reticle above, as well as a rangefinder for providing range data and a ballistics calculator for providing ballistics data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew W. York, Gregory Scott Smith, Richard Bradley Brumfield, Joseph Fruechtel
  • Patent number: 11060816
    Abstract: A method of indicating an aiming adjustment in a riflescope of a shooting device. The method includes receiving, at a controller in the riflescope, a ballistics solution signal, the ballistics solution signal corresponding to a path of a projectile to be fired from the shooting device toward a target; receiving, at the controller, a first electronic signal corresponding to a position of an elevation adjustment selector of the riflescope relative to a zero point of the elevation adjustment selector; determining, by the controller, a magnitude and a direction of an aiming adjustment based on at least the first electronic signal and the ballistics solution signal; and activating an electronic indicator to provide a notification signal to a user, the notification signal conveying the magnitude and the direction of the aiming adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: SIG SAUER, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew York, Gregory Smith, Richard Brumfield, Joseph Fruechtel, Chia-Kan Chang
  • Patent number: 11054217
    Abstract: A method of establishing a cant sensitivity level for an optical sighting system for a shooting device, the method comprising: receiving a range measurement; establishing a cant sensitivity based, at least in part, on the range measurement; determining a cant of the shooting device relative to a vertical transverse axis of the main optical axis of the optical system; activating, when the cant of the shooting device exceeds the cant sensitivity, an electronic cant indicator structured to provide an indicator signal to a user; and deactivating the electronic cant indicator when the cant of the shooting device does not exceed the cant sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: SIG SAUER, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph Fruechtel
  • Patent number: 10907934
    Abstract: A reticle for an aiming device includes a number of holdover indicators on the reticle that may be individually selected; an input for receiving ballistics data; and a processor configured to, based at least in part on the received ballistics data, select one or more of the holdover indicators; and cause the selected holdover indicator or indicators to visibly change state on the reticle. Methods of operating a digital reticle are also described. Further disclosed is a system that includes the reticle above, as well as a rangefinder for providing range data and a ballistics calculator for providing ballistics data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: SIG SAUER, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew W. York, Gregory Scott Smith, Richard Bradley Brumfield, Joseph Fruechtel
  • Publication number: 20200400406
    Abstract: A method of indicating an aiming adjustment in a riflescope of a shooting device. The method includes receiving, at a controller in the riflescope, a ballistics solution signal, the ballistics solution signal corresponding to a path of a projectile to be fired from the shooting device toward a target; receiving, at the controller, a first electronic signal corresponding to a position of an elevation adjustment selector of the riflescope relative to a zero point of the elevation adjustment selector; determining, by the controller, a magnitude and a direction of an aiming adjustment based on at least the first electronic signal and the ballistics solution signal; and activating an electronic indicator to provide a notification signal to a user, the notification signal conveying the magnitude and the direction of the aiming adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew York, Gregory Smith, Richard Brumfield, Joseph Fruechtel, Chia-Kan Chang
  • Patent number: 10767962
    Abstract: A digital turret having an adjustment selector configured to adjust a main optical axis of a riflescope relative to a bore line of a shooting device. The digital turret may be configured to determine a position of the adjustment selector relative to a zero point of the adjustment selector. The digital turret may be further configured to transmit an electronic signal corresponding to the position of the adjustment selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Sig Sauer, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W. York, Gregory S. Smith, Richard Brumfield, Joseph Fruechtel, Chia-Kan Chang
  • Publication number: 20190376766
    Abstract: A method of establishing a cant sensitivity level for an optical sighting system for a shooting device, the method comprising: receiving a range measurement; establishing a cant sensitivity based, at least in part, on the range measurement; determining a cant of the shooting device relative to a vertical transverse axis of the main optical axis of the optical system; activating, when the cant of the shooting device exceeds the cant sensitivity, an electronic cant indicator structured to provide an indicator signal to a user; and deactivating the electronic cant indicator when the cant of the shooting device does not exceed the cant sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventor: Joseph Fruechtel
  • Publication number: 20190186871
    Abstract: A digital turret having an adjustment selector configured to adjust a main optical axis of a riflescope relative to a bore line of a shooting device. The digital turret may be configured to determine a position of the adjustment selector relative to a zero point of the adjustment selector. The digital turret may be further configured to transmit an electronic signal corresponding to the position of the adjustment selector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew W. York, Gregory S. Smith, Richard Brumfield, Joseph Fruechtel, Chia-Kan Chang
  • Publication number: 20190128643
    Abstract: A reticle for an aiming device includes a number of holdover indicators on the reticle that may be individually selected; an input for receiving ballistics data; and a processor configured to, based at least in part on the received ballistics data, select one or more of the holdover indicators; and cause the selected holdover indicator or indicators to visibly change state on the reticle. Methods of operating a digital reticle are also described. Further disclosed is a system that includes the reticle above, as well as a rangefinder for providing range data and a ballistics calculator for providing ballistics data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew W. York, Gregory Scott Smith, Richard Bradley Brumfield, Joseph Fruechtel
  • Patent number: D897481
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: SIG SAUER, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew W. York, Gregory S. Smith, Richard B. Brumfield, Joseph Fruechtel
  • Patent number: D949275
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SIG SAUER, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew W. York, Gregory S. Smith, Richard B. Brumfield, Joseph Fruechtel
  • Patent number: D969262
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: SIG SAUER, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew W. York, Gregory S. Smith, Richard B. Brumfield, Joseph Fruechtel