Patents by Inventor Lee Foltz

Lee Foltz 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: 11926507
    Abstract: A hook assembly includes a first hook having a first open end and a second hook having a second open end. The first hook is parallel to the second hook where the first open end is adjacent to the second open end. Extensions extend from each of the first hook and the second hook. The extensions extend perpendicular to a hook plane of the first hook and the second hook members. The first hook is a mirror image of the second hook. A hinge connects the first hook to the second hook. The hinge is located at an opposite end of the hook from where the extensions are located. A resilient member exerts a constant force at the hinge to bias the first hook and the second hook toward an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Lee Foltz, Adam Pegouske
  • Patent number: 11879711
    Abstract: A radial cutting cavity container includes a housing that defines a chamber for a shaped explosive charge. The housing is configured to allow a user to pack explosives therein. An airtight cavity is attached to the housing. The airtight cavity defines a standoff distance for the shaped explosive charge and has a concave surface adapted to form an explosive cutting jet. A liner is located between the housing and the airtight cavity. A support stand is attached to the container to allow the container to be mounted on a surface for creating a radial cut normal to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Adam Pegouske, Lee Foltz, Daniel McCarthy
  • Patent number: 11796279
    Abstract: Provided herein are projectiles for use in a propellant driven disrupter device, and associated methods, to neutralize an explosive target. The projectile may comprise a friction reducing container at least partially filled with one or more fluids, fluid mixtures, particles, and other components to provide one or more desired fluid properties to achieve a desired one or more jet parameters upon target impact. The fluid(s) in the container are referred to as highly efficient energy transfer (HEET) fluids do to the improved fluid jet action on target compared to conventional water projectiles. The projectiles and disruptor can be more precisely individually tailored to the target, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful disablement and decreasing the likelihood of inadvertent and uncontrolled explosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Ian B. Vabnick, Phillip R. Quillen, Eric S. Morefield, Arthur W. Ellis, Lee Foltz
  • Patent number: 11609071
    Abstract: A disruptor projectile includes a shaft made up of an elongate rod. A head piece assembly is connected to an end of the elongate rod. A post is located inside the head piece assembly. A tether line having an end with an eye splice attached around the post. The length of the tether line extends parallel to the elongate rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Adam Pegouske, Lee Foltz
  • Patent number: 11572976
    Abstract: A stand for vertically aligning borehole charges on non-level surfaces. The stand has a support base. A ball and socket assembly includes a socket portion connected to the support base and a ball portion disposed in the socket portion. The socket portion includes a grip interface to press against the ball portion. A body is connected to the ball portion. A clamp is attached to the socket portion at an interface of the ball and socket assembly between the socket portion and the ball portion. The body is configured to contain a shaped explosive charge for making a borehole. The ball and socket assembly is substantially hollow. The clamp adjusts compression of the ball and socket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Mike Shattuck, Lee Foltz
  • Patent number: 11506465
    Abstract: Explosive devices may be formed from hollow members filled with explosive materials. The hollow members may be made of mating halves that are packed or loaded with explosive material prior to the mating halves being joined together. In some exemplary aspects, the hollow members are placed in fluid-filled containers such that the explosive reaction creates a wave of fluid that impacts a target. Components of the devices may be COTS items and items that may be manufacture with 3D printers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Lee Foltz, Adam J. Pegouske, Daniel McCarthy, George R. Torres
  • Patent number: 11460282
    Abstract: An insensitive munition initiation canister includes a first cylindrical body having an external surface, which includes a first set of threads arranged circumferentially around the first cylindrical body, and a second cylindrical body connected to the first cylindrical body including an external surface having a second set of threads arranged circumferentially around the second cylindrical body. The first cylindrical body includes a first internal region set to retain an explosive charge having a detonation capability sufficient to detonate an insensitive munition. The first cylindrical body is set to sit inside a munition fuze well. The threads of the first cylindrical body are set to engage the munition fuze well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James Wade, Angel Diaz, Lee Foltz, Daniel McCarthy
  • Patent number: 11187487
    Abstract: Provided herein are projectiles for use in a propellant driven disrupter device, and associated methods, to neutralize an explosive target. The projectile may comprise a friction reducing container at least partially filled with one or more fluids, fluid mixtures, particles, and other components to provide one or more desired fluid properties to achieve a desired one or more jet parameters upon target impact. The fluid(s) in the container are referred to as highly efficient energy transfer (HEET) fluids do to the improved fluid jet action on target compared to conventional water projectiles. The projectiles and disruptor can be more precisely individually tailored to the target, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful disablement and decreasing the likelihood of inadvertent and uncontrolled explosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Ian B. Vabnick, Phillip R. Quillen, Eric S. Morefield, Arthur W. Ellis, Lee Foltz
  • Patent number: 11187512
    Abstract: An apparatus for detonating a munition having a munition casing. The apparatus includes a pyramidal shaped housing with an interior to receive explosive material and a stepped structure defining a plurality of tier sections. The housing includes a bottom portion and an interior space to receive an energetic device. A force-reactive component secured to the bottom portion of the housing confronts the munition casing and includes a force-receiving portion exposed to the housing interior. The force-reactive component impacts the munition casing when a force is exerted upon the force-receiving portion. After the apparatus is positioned on the casing, explosive material is packed into the housing interior and an energetic device disposed within the additional space, the energetic device is detonated and the force-reactive component impacts the munition casing where shock waves permeate the munition casing and detonate the munition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Lee Foltz, Daniel McCarthy, Ray McGuire
  • Patent number: 11160576
    Abstract: An amputation system includes a cutting element having a cutting blade traversing a V-shape. The V-shape has a vertex and an angle in a range of 90-120°. A rod, rigidly coupled to the cutting element, has its longitudinal axis aligned with the vertex so it bisects the angle of the V-shape. A barrel having a bore receives at least a portion of the rod therein wherein the rod's outboard end resides in the bore. An energetic energy source, positioned in the bore adjacent to the rod's outboard end, generates a pressure force that is incident on the rod's outboard end. The pressure force is one that peaks within 0.5 milliseconds to propel the rod from the bore at a velocity in a range of 300 to 1000 feet per second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Samuel Emery, Lee Foltz, Daniel McCarthy, Keith Chamberlain, Kerry Clark, Peter A. Margiotta, Matthew Bradley, David R. Whittaker, Erin E. Koelling
  • Patent number: 10928173
    Abstract: A novel dearmer enables EOD technicians to propel dearmer projectiles using conventional electric .50 caliber blank cartridges or conventional non-electric 12 gauge blank cartridges. The dearmer projectiles may render energetic threats safe without requiring an opposing force to offset the recoil. The conventional blank cartridge functions as a rocket motor that supplies gas to a converging/diverging nozzle. Alternatively, liquid is loaded into the dearmer (creating a liquid rocket effect) and the EOD projectile is propelled toward a target from the end of the dearmer opposite the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Lee Foltz, Dan McCarthy
  • Patent number: 10800029
    Abstract: An exemplary apparatus includes a reach-extender shaft having a first end and a second end. A jaw assembly may be attached to the first end of the reach-extender shaft. The jaw assembly may be angularly displaced from the first end of the reach-extender shaft and may include a pair of jaws having a stationary jaw and a moveable jaw pivotably attached to the stationary jaw. A handle assembly may be attached to the second end of the reach-extender shaft. The handle assembly includes a grip with a trigger and a shield. The trigger is pivotably attached to the grip and operatively attached to the jaw assembly by an actuator rod coupled between the trigger and the moveable jaw. The shield is located between the jaw assembly and the trigger, in a plane angled across the longitudinal axis of the reach-extender shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Diaz Angel, Keith Chamberlain, Daniel McCarthy, Lee Foltz
  • Patent number: 10753712
    Abstract: A system for extracting threats buried underground includes a housing, a shaped charge coupled to the housing at one end, and an explosive projectile disposed in the housing and spaced-apart from the shaped charge. The explosive projectile includes an open-ended pipe, a detonation line wrapped about the pipe and extending away therefrom and through the housing, an explosive material disposed about and in contact with the detonation line wrapped about the pipe. The explosive projectile also includes a first donut-shaped plate at one end of the pipe, a second donut-shaped plate at another end of the pipe, and a third donut-shaped plate coupled to and spaced-apart from the second donut-shaped plate. A flow path extends through the plates and the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Lee Foltz, George Torres, Jim Wade, Dan McCarthy, Mike Sharp, Lonnie Frericks, Mike Shattuck, Dennis Askin, Angel Diaz
  • Patent number: 10704881
    Abstract: A novel dearmer enables EOD technicians to propel dearmer projectiles using conventional electric .50 caliber blank cartridges or conventional non-electric 12 gauge blank cartridges. The dearmer projectiles may render energetic threats safe without requiring an opposing force to offset the recoil. The conventional blank cartridge functions as a rocket motor that supplies gas to a converging/diverging nozzle. Alternatively, liquid is loaded into the dearmer (creating a liquid rocket effect) and the EOD projectile is propelled toward a target from the end of the dearmer opposite the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Lee Foltz, Dan McCarthy
  • Patent number: 10683735
    Abstract: A shaped charge includes a casing with a liner disposed therein. The liner has two spaced-apart and nested walls with each wall having an identical ogive shape. An explosive material fills a portion of the casing up to one of the walls. A loose particulate material is disposed between the walls. A blasting cap is coupled to a first axial end of the casing adjacent to the explosive material, and a sealing cap is coupled to a second axial end of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Daniel McCarthy, Lee Foltz, Angel Diaz, David Rivera Marchand
  • Patent number: 10539404
    Abstract: A blast containment system for trash cans includes a liquid-impervious flexible bag having a sealed bottom positioned at a base of a trash can, and an unsealed top positioned and retained at a top periphery of the trash can. A ring-shaped boot is positioned at the sealed bottom of the flexible bag. A rigid container has a closed bottom press-fit into a central opening of the boot. The rigid container extends from its closed bottom to an open top adapted to be approximately aligned with the top periphery of the trash can. An annular volume is defined between the rigid container the flexible bag. The rigid container has side walls that include ballistic materials. A liquid fills the annular volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Edward A. Lustig, Eric Gahagan, John W. Monico, Jr., Paul C. Perricone, William Qualls, Michael Agens, Daniel C. Jones, John Winslow, Michael Murray, Kimberly Peranich, Sr., Lee Foltz, Jesse Stuart Moran, Christopher Wilhelm, Lesley Wilhelm, John Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 10365073
    Abstract: An extraction charge for threats buried underground includes a housing, a shaped charge disposed in the housing at one end thereof, and a canister disposed in the housing and spaced apart from the shaped charge. The canister defines an open-ended tubular pathway and includes an explosive material housed in a region of the canister that circumscribes the tubular pathway. A delay detonator is coupled to the shaped charge and to the explosive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Lee Foltz, Angel Diaz, Dennis Askin, Herman Wallace, Daniel McCarthy
  • Patent number: 10132604
    Abstract: A cap for an explosive water charge includes a top surface and a generally cylindrical portion extending downwardly from the top surface. On the outer surface of the generally cylindrical portion are rings and cantilevered, pointed rectangles that enable a water tight fit in the neck of a drinking bottle. The cap is configured to hold a detonator, such as a blasting cap, and two different sizes of tubes of energetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Keith Chamberlain, Lee Foltz, Angel Diaz
  • Patent number: 10066916
    Abstract: An EOD disruptor system for penetrating steel encased explosive devices has a barrel and a blank cartridge loaded in the EOD disruptor. A water column is disposed in the barrel in front of the blank cartridge. A water plug is disposed in front of the water column. A muzzle-loaded projectile is disposed in front of the water plug. The projectile includes a shaft portion at least partially disposed in the barrel and a front portion disposed outside of the barrel. The shaft portion may have a length from about four inches to about eighteen inches. The projectile may have a weight from about four ounces to about two pounds. The ratio of the length of the shaft portion of the projectile to the inner barrel diameter may be in a range of about two to about 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Ian Vabnick, Arthur Ellis, Joe Rothenberger, Chad Smith, Mike Sharp, Lee Foltz, Eric Morefield, Barry Black
  • Patent number: 9909834
    Abstract: An explosive disruptor includes a first jacket having joined inflatable members. The inflatable members are adapted to be filled with a gas. A second jacket is surrounded by and coupled to the first jacket. The second jacket has an outer radial wall, an inner radial wall spaced apart from the outer radial wall, and two end walls coupled to opposing axial ends of the outer radial wall and the inner radial wall. A first volumetric region is defined between the outer radial wall, the inner radial wall, and the two end walls. A second volumetric region is defined by the inner radial wall. The first volumetric region is sealed and adapted to be filled with a liquid. An explosive material is disposed in the second volumetric region. A blasting cap is in contact with the explosive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Christopher Wilhelm, Angel Diaz, Lee Foltz, Daniel McCarthy