Patents by Inventor Joseph J. Zajk

Joseph J. Zajk 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: 10429143
    Abstract: A firearm comprises a frame and firing control housing insert detachably mounted in the frame. A rear securement feature includes a locking slot formed in the rear wall of the insert engaging a locking protrusion formed in the rear wall of the frame which retains the rear portion of the insert in the frame. A front securement feature includes a rotatable pin inserted through holes in the insert front portion and frame. A radial retention protrusion on the pin is interposed between the insert and frame defining an interlock feature. The pin is rotatable into a first position wherein the protrusion passes through a complementary configured frame aperture allowing the pin to be removed, and a second position wherein the protrusion is not aligned with the aperture to engage the frame and prevent pin removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Inventor: Joseph J. Zajk
  • Patent number: 10317159
    Abstract: A variable barrel camming system for a firearm includes a linearly reciprocating slide supported by a frame and a barrel removably coupled to the slide for movement therewith. A cam slot on the barrel slideably engages a cam pin mounted transversely in the frame. The slot includes a cam track surface having multiple angles and contours designed to control the motion and orientation of the barrel. When the firearm is discharged, the slide and barrel initially move rearward together under recoil forces generated. The pin slides forward in the slot over the cam track surface which is configured to rotate and uncouple the barrel from the slide which continues rearward alone. The cam track surface has a varying cam profile selected to gradually dissipate the kinetic energy of the barrel/slide unit in a controlled manner, thereby reducing the felt recoil imparted to a user compared to conventional cam systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Joseph J. Zajk
  • Patent number: 9874417
    Abstract: A firing control system for a firearm includes a frame, a barrel with chamber configured for holding a cartridge, a spring-biased striker movable forward and rearward in a linear path along a longitudinal axis, a trigger mechanism comprising a trigger, a pivotable sear, a pivotable sear connector engaged with the sear, a sear pivotable connector blocker engaged with the sear connector, and a linearly movable sear connector actuator engageable with and operable to move the sear connector and sear connector blocker. Pulling the trigger slides the sear connector actuator which in sequence engages and rotates the sear connector blocker to disengage the sear connector, and engage and rotate the sear connector to disengage the sear and release the striker from a cocked position to discharge the firearm. In the absence of a trigger pull, the sear connector blocker remains engaged with the sear connector to prevent firing the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph J. Zajk, Darin Nebeker, Samuel Vavro, James B. Higley
  • Publication number: 20170184366
    Abstract: A firing control system for a firearm includes a frame, a barrel with chamber configured for holding a cartridge, a spring-biased striker movable forward and rearward in a linear path along a longitudinal axis, a trigger mechanism comprising a trigger, a pivotable sear, a pivotable sear connector engaged with the sear, a sear pivotable connector blocker engaged with the sear connector, and a linearly movable sear connector actuator engageable with and operable to move the sear connector and sear connector blocker. Pulling the trigger slides the sear connector actuator which in sequence engages and rotates the sear connector blocker to disengage the sear connector, and engage and rotate the sear connector to disengage the sear and release the striker from a cocked position to discharge the firearm. In the absence of a trigger pull, the sear connector blocker remains engaged with the sear connector to prevent firing the firearm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph J. Zajk, Darin Nebeker, Samuel Vavro, James B. Higley
  • Publication number: 20170184365
    Abstract: A firearm comprises a frame and firing control housing insert detachably mounted in the frame. A rear securement feature includes a locking slot formed in the rear wall of the insert engaging a locking protrusion formed in the rear wall of the frame which retains the rear portion of the insert in the frame. A front securement feature includes a rotatable pin inserted through holes in the insert front portion and frame. A radial retention protrusion on the pin is interposed between the insert and frame defining an interlock feature. The pin is rotatable into a first position wherein the protrusion passes through a complementary configured frame aperture allowing the pin to be removed, and a second position wherein the protrusion is not aligned with the aperture to engage the frame and prevent pin removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph J. Zajk
  • Publication number: 20170184358
    Abstract: A variable barrel camming system for a firearm includes a linearly reciprocating slide supported by a frame and a barrel removably coupled to the slide for movement therewith. A cam slot on the barrel slideably engages a cam pin mounted transversely in the frame. The slot includes a cam track surface having multiple angles and contours designed to control the motion and orientation of the barrel. When the firearm is discharged, the slide and barrel initially move rearward together under recoil forces generated. The pin slides forward in the slot over the cam track surface which is configured to rotate and uncouple the barrel from the slide which continues rearward alone. The cam track surface has a varying cam profile selected to gradually dissipate the kinetic energy of the barrel/slide unit in a controlled manner, thereby reducing the felt recoil imparted to a user compared to conventional cam systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph J. Zajk
  • Patent number: 9383153
    Abstract: A striker-fired firearm in one embodiment includes a trigger assembly including a trigger and trigger bar supported by a frame, a rotatable sear operable to hold a spring-biased striker in a cocked ready-to-fire position, and a rotatable sear blocker operable to prevent rotation of the sear. The trigger bar is operably linked to the sear and blocker such that pulling the trigger rotates the sear and blocker. When the blocker is in a blocking position, the blocker engages and prevents movement of the sear and release of the striker in the absence of a trigger pull. When the blocker is in a non-blocking position effectuated by pulling the trigger, the blocker disengages the sear which rotates and releases the striker to fire the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventors: Darin Nebeker, Joseph J. Zajk, Sam Vavro
  • Patent number: 9322610
    Abstract: A firearm with replaceable grip in one embodiment includes a grip frame, a grip, and a rotary camlock mechanism configured to lock and unlock the grip from the grip frame. The camlock mechanism may be rotated between locked and unlocked positions preventing or enabling removal of the grip from the grip frame. In one embodiment, the camlock mechanism includes a movable blocking surface engageable with the grip to block its removal. The camlock mechanism in one configuration may comprise a rotatable locking cam that defines the blocking surface. A camtrack may be provided to convert rotary motion of the cam into linear displacement relative to the grip frame for selectively projecting or retracting the blocking surface relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph J. Zajk, Sam Vavro
  • Publication number: 20150292828
    Abstract: A striker-fired firearm in one embodiment includes a trigger assembly including a trigger and trigger bar supported by a frame, a rotatable sear operable to hold a spring-biased striker in a cocked ready-to-fire position, and a rotatable sear blocker operable to prevent rotation of the sear. The trigger bar is operably linked to the sear and blocker such that pulling the trigger rotates the sear and blocker. When the blocker is in a blocking position, the blocker engages and prevents movement of the sear and release of the striker in the absence of a trigger pull. When the blocker is in a non-blocking position effectuated by pulling the trigger, the blocker disengages the sear which rotates and releases the striker to fire the firearm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Darin Nebeker, Joseph J. Zajk, Sam Vavro
  • Publication number: 20150121738
    Abstract: A firearm with replaceable grip in one embodiment includes a grip frame, a grip, and a rotary camlock mechanism configured to lock and unlock the grip from the grip frame. The camlock mechanism may be rotated between locked and unlocked positions preventing or enabling removal of the grip from the grip frame. In one embodiment, the camlock mechanism includes a movable blocking surface engageable with the grip to block its removal. The camlock mechanism in one configuration may comprise a rotatable locking cam that defines the blocking surface. A camtrack may be provided to convert rotary motion of the cam into linear displacement relative to the grip frame for selectively projecting or retracting the blocking surface relative to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph J. Zajk, Sam Vavro
  • Patent number: 8887429
    Abstract: A revolver with light-weight firing control housing includes a cylinder frame supporting a rotatable cylinder defining a plurality of cartridge-receiving chambers and a firing control housing made of a non-metallic material. The firing control housing attaches to the cylinder frame and supports firing control mechanism components, such as a trigger and a pivotable hammer actuated by the trigger. In one embodiment, the firing control housing may be made of a polymer and the cylinder frame may be metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph J. Zajk
  • Publication number: 20140190053
    Abstract: A revolver with light-weight firing control housing includes a cylinder frame supporting a rotatable cylinder defining a plurality of cartridge-receiving chambers and a firing control housing made of a non-metallic material. The firing control housing attaches to the cylinder frame and supports firing control mechanism components, such as a trigger and a pivotable hammer actuated by the trigger. In one embodiment, the firing control housing may be made of a polymer and the cylinder frame may be metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc
    Inventor: Joseph J. Zajk
  • Patent number: 8359777
    Abstract: A revolver with light-weight firing control housing includes a cylinder frame supporting a rotatable cylinder defining a plurality of cartridge-receiving chambers and a firing control housing made of a non-metallic material. The firing control housing attaches to the cylinder frame and supports firing control mechanism components, such as a trigger and a pivotable hammer actuated by the trigger. In one embodiment, the firing control housing may be made of a polymer and the cylinder frame may be metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Joseph J. Zajk
  • Patent number: 8096079
    Abstract: A revolver with trigger mechanism for cocking a rotatable hammer. The revolver includes a frame, a barrel supported by the frame and defining a bore, at least one chamber aligned with the bore of barrel for holding a cartridge, a hammer pivotally mounted to the frame and moveable between a forward uncocked position and a rearward cocked position, and a trigger pivotally mounted to the frame. In one embodiment, the trigger includes a contoured camming surface configured and arranged to engage a protrusion extending outwards from the hammer for cocking the hammer in response to pulling the trigger. The protrusion may be a hammer dog pivotally coupled to the hammer in some embodiments. In another embodiment, the hammer may include a sear having a contoured camming surface for engaging the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph J. Zajk
  • Publication number: 20110016761
    Abstract: A revolver with latching mechanism for swing-out type cylinder. The revolver includes a frame, a rotatable cylinder movable from a ready-to-fire position in the frame to a loading position laterally displaced outwards from the frame, and a latching member retained in the frame by a barrel insert that defines a bullet bore. In one embodiment, the latching member may be a spring-loaded plunger movable from a locked position in which the cylinder is locked in the ready-to-fire position to an unlocked position in which the cylinder is movable to the loading position. A cylinder crane pivotally mounts the cylinder in the frame and moving the plunger to the unlocked position allows the cylinder crane to be swung out laterally from the frame by a user. In one embodiment, the plunger is held in the frame by a retaining plug engaged by the barrel insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: JOSEPH J. ZAJK
  • Patent number: 7861449
    Abstract: A revolver with latching mechanism for swing-out type cylinder. The revolver includes a frame, a rotatable cylinder movable from a ready-to-fire position in the frame to a loading position laterally displaced outwards from the frame, and a latching member retained in the frame by a barrel insert that defines a bullet bore. In one embodiment, the latching member may be a spring-loaded plunger movable from a locked position in which the cylinder is locked in the ready-to-fire position to an unlocked position in which the cylinder is movable to the loading position. A cylinder crane pivotally mounts the cylinder in the frame and moving the plunger to the unlocked position allows the cylinder crane to be swung out laterally from the frame by a user. In one embodiment, the plunger is held in the frame by a retaining plug engaged by the barrel insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph J. Zajk
  • Publication number: 20090044437
    Abstract: A revolver with trigger mechanism for cocking a rotatable hammer. The revolver includes a frame, a barrel supported by the frame and defining a bore, at least one chamber aligned with the bore of barrel for holding a cartridge, a hammer pivotally mounted to the frame and moveable between a forward uncocked position and a rearward cocked position, and a trigger pivotally mounted to the frame. In one embodiment, the trigger includes a contoured camming surface configured and arranged to engage a protrusion extending outwards from the hammer for cocking the hammer in response to pulling the trigger. The protrusion may be a hammer dog pivotally coupled to the hammer in some embodiments. In another embodiment, the hammer may include a sear having a contoured camming surface for engaging the trigger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph J. ZAJK
  • Publication number: 20090044436
    Abstract: A revolver with light-weight firing control housing includes a cylinder frame supporting a rotatable cylinder defining a plurality of cartridge-receiving chambers and a firing control housing made of a non-metallic material. The firing control housing attaches to the cylinder frame and supports firing control mechanism components, such as a trigger and a pivotable hammer actuated by the trigger. In one embodiment, the firing control housing may be made of a polymer and the cylinder frame may be metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: JOSEPH J. ZAJK
  • Patent number: D587778
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Sturm Ruger & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph J. Zajk
  • Patent number: D791262
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventors: Nathan Brown, Ryan Scott Crisp, Christopher Scott Daniels, Kurt Hindle, Mark Edward Mnich, Darin Nebeker, Samuel Vavro, Joseph J. Zajk