Patents by Inventor Lonnie G. Johnson

Lonnie G. Johnson 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: 5707270
    Abstract: A firing post is generally positioned at the center of the top end of the body of a toy projectile to receive a percussion cap cartridge. The toy projectile has a soft outer body made of light-weight, pliable, compressible material such as polystyrene. The firing post and cartridge are covered with a nose of compressible material which generally houses a hammer and firing pin in alignment with the firing post. A spring-loaded hammer and firing pin is cocked by sliding the hammer through a housing for the hammer until a notch in the stem of the hammer is engaged by the top of the hammer housing. The trigger is a lever which is movable against the inclined top end of the hammer stem. The hammer and trigger assembly may be rotated with respect to a firing chamber placed over a multiple-cartridge mount to successively fire caps on the mount. A spring-loaded index helps facilitate alignment of the trigger-hammer assembly and holes in the firing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John T. Applewhite
  • Patent number: 5701879
    Abstract: An air compressed gun (10) is provided having a stock (11), a barrel (12), a pressure chamber (16), a pressure actuatable release valve (18) and a manual air pump (14). The pump has an elongated cylinder (25) having a port (38) in fluid communication with the release valve, and a plunger (26) telescopically mounted for reciprocal movement within the cylinder. The plunger has an O-ring type seal (31). The forward movement of the plunger seal towards the port pressurizes air within the cylinder which is transferred to the release valve and pressure chamber. The continued movement of the plunger seal past the port causes a portion of the pressurized air to be released so as to actuate the pressure actuatable release valve to release the pressurized air within the pressure chamber into the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John Applewhite
  • Patent number: 5699781
    Abstract: An air compressed gun (159) is provided having a stock (11), a barrel (12), a trigger (13) and a manual air pump (14). The gun also has a magazine (18) having a series of barrels (26) for holding several projectiles (P). An actuator (161) indexes the magazine with each shot of the gun and automatically controls bursts of pressurized air. The actuator has a manifold (162) having an inlet opening (163), an outlet opening (164) and a firing opening (166), and a piston (168) mounted within the manifold which directs the flow of air therethrough for sequential firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John T. Applewhite
  • Patent number: 5653216
    Abstract: A toy rocket launcher (100) is disclosed for launching a rocket (125) having a fuselage (126) with an elongated tail bore (127) extending from a tail end thereof. The rocket launcher has a launch tube (108) adapted to hold and maintain a selected, elevated pressure level. The launch tube has an opening (109) therein and a valve for controlling the flow of pressurized air flowing from the launch tube through the opening. The launcher also includes a pump (103) for pressurizing the launch tube and a trigger (104) for controlling the launch tube valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Co, Inc.
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5626123
    Abstract: An air compressed gun (10) is provided having a stock (11), a barrel (12), a trigger (13) and a manual pump (14). The manual pump is coupled to a swivel joint (31) which provides pivotal movement of the pump relative to the barrel so as to allow for a variety of gun configurations and uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John Applewhite
  • Patent number: 5596978
    Abstract: An air compressed gun (10) is provided having a stock (11), a barrel (12), a trigger (13) and a manual air pump (14). The gun also has a magazine (18) having a series of barrels (26) for holding several projectiles (P). An actuator (50) indexes the magazine with each shot of the gun and automatically actuates a release valve (36) which controls the firing of the gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Co, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John Applewhite
  • Patent number: 5592931
    Abstract: An air compressed gun (70) is provided having a housing (71), a magazine (75) having multiple barrels (89) for holding projectiles, and a manual air pump (76). The gun also has a pneumatic indexer (82) which indexes the magazine for firing with each shot of the gun and a harness (77) which enables the magazine to be supported adjacent the head of a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Co, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John Applewhite
  • Patent number: 5586688
    Abstract: A water gun 10 having a storage tank (18), a pressure tank (19) and an electric pump (28) for conveying liquid from the storage tank to the pressure tank. The conveyance of liquid into the pressure tank causes the liquid to be pressurized by air compressed within the pressure tank. A safety switch (42) limits the pressurization of the liquid. The pressurized liquid is released through a nozzle (21) coupled to the pressure tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John Applewhite
  • Patent number: 5553598
    Abstract: A plunger (34) directs pumped fluid through a conduit (40) into a piston sleeve (60) having a piston (66) that is reciprocally translatable within the piston sleeve (60). The conduit (40) terminates in a nozzle (49) which projects into one end, a posterior end, of the piston sleeve (60). The piston sleeve (60) also has a fluid passageway (62) connected with a fluid reservoir (50). A second nozzle (58) at the opposite end, an anterior end, of the piston sleeve (60) leads to a fluid passageway upon which a toy projectile (11) or similar object may be mounted. The piston (66) which is slidable within the piston sleeve (60) has a head (68, 69) at each end formed of compressible material such as soft rubber. A turret (70) enables several mounts (72) for toy projectiles (11) to be consecutively aligned for launching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Johnson Research and Development Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John T. Applewhite
  • Patent number: 5549497
    Abstract: A rocket (100) is disclosed having a body (101) with a bay (102) therein and a hatch (109) which is movable between a bay opened position and a bay closed position by a spring biased hinge (110). The hatch is pivotally coupled to a nose section (104) by a spring biased hinge (11). The hatch is configured to be engaged and disengaged with a catch (118) mounted to the rocket body. With the initial forward movement of the launched rocket the inertia and/or the force of the wind upon the nose section causes the disengagement of the catch whereby the continued movement of the rocket creates a wind upon the nose section which maintains the hatch in its bay closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Johnson Research Development Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John Applewhite
  • Patent number: 5541464
    Abstract: A thermionic generator (10) has a heated metal heat tube (11) journaled through a set of star-shaped emitters (12) and a set of electrically insulative spacers (13). The generator also has a collector (23) positioned about the grouped emitters and spacers a selected distance from the emitters. A cooling jacket (33) is positioned about the collector for cooling the collector during operation. A pair of seals (29) electrically and hermetically seal the cooling jacket about the heat tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, Francis E. LeVert
  • Patent number: 5538453
    Abstract: A rocket launcher (18) is disclosed having a pressure chamber (74) coupled to a pump (66) through a pressure tube (67) and a release valve assembly (87) having a manifold (78) in fluid communication with the pressure chamber. The manifold has a plunger (79) therein which is slidable between a first position storing pressurized air within the pressure chamber and a second position releasing pressurized air from the pressure chamber and into a launch tube (76).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5499940
    Abstract: A system (10) simultaneously directs compressed fluid to a turbine while compressing fluid to disengage a locking mechanism that restrains movement of the toy vehicle (11). A primary tube (20), attached to the toy vehicle body (12), forms a primary chamber (22) which receives a plug in the form of a secondary tube (30) that seals the primary chamber (22). A fluid may be compressed into the primary chamber (22) through the inserted plug (30). The interior of the inserted tube (30) forms a secondary chamber (32) which encases a hollow piston (40). Fluid is compressed into the primary chamber (22) and secondary chamber (32) through the hollow piston (40). The hollow piston (40) also forms a part of a locking mechanism which maintains a latch (60), the primary tube (20) and the secondary tube (30) in contact with one another until pressurized fluid in the primary chamber (22) forces the piston (40) away from the latch (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Johnson Research and Development Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John T. Applewhite
  • Patent number: 5415153
    Abstract: The present invention involves a liquid jet propelled rocket and rocket launcher. The launcher has a housing which includes a vessel for holding pressurized air therein, an inlet to the vessel and an outlet from the vessel. Also, the housing has a jet tube receiver extending from the outlet and adapted to connect with a jet tube of a rocket assembly. A pump is connected to the vessel inlet of the housing, the pump is connected for and capable of pumping air into the vessel at a pressure sufficient to launch the rocket assembly. A one way valve is connected to the pump and permits the flow of air only from the pump to the vessel. There is a rocket assembly latch mechanism located on the housing with means for releasing the latch. There are also, a rocket assembly which includes a liquid reservoir for receiving liquid and subsequently receiving air under pressure from the pump, a jet tube extending from the liquid reservoir and adapted to sealably and releasably connect to said jet tube receiver of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, Bruce M. D'Andrade
  • Patent number: 5398873
    Abstract: A fluid pulsator (10) has a main housing (20) having an outlet conduit (24) projecting into a chamber (25) defined by the front of the main housing (20). A primary piston (30) is reciprocally translatable within the main housing (20) and has fluid conduits (34) for fluid flow through its body. A plunger (40) is spring-loaded and reciprocally translatable through the primary piston (30). The head (42) of the plunger abuts the front end of the primary piston (30) when the plunger (40) is in its retracted position. The main housing (20) has an abutment in the form of a flange (26) that defines the rearwardmost position of the primary piston (30). The main housing (20) contains a mechanism (21) for engaging the end of the plunger (40) so as to maintain the plunger (40) in its forwardmost position until released. Fluid flows (11) generally from the posterior portion of the main housing (20) through the primary piston (30) toward the anterior end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John T. Applewhite
  • Patent number: 5381778
    Abstract: The present invention involves a pressurized air propelled rocket and rocket launcher toy device. The launcher has a housing which includes a vessel for holding pressurized air therein, an inlet to the vessel and an outlet from the vessel. Also, the housing has a jet tube extending from the outlet and adapted to connect with a rocket. A pump is connected to the vessel inlet of the housing, the pump is connected for and capable of pumping air into the vessel at a pressure sufficient to launch the rocket assembly. A one way valve is connected to the pump and permits the flow of air only from the pump to the vessel. There is a rocket double action, rapid fire release mechanism located in the housing with a first valve which, when released, causes a decrease in pressure to cause a second valve to open. The opening of the second valve releases pressurized air into the rocket to launch it. In preferred embodiments, there is also included a safety mechanism to prevent horizontal or lateral launching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventors: Bruce M. D'Andrade, Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5332120
    Abstract: The present invention is a toy water bow which is operated by selectively releasing water from a water reservoir that is pressurized with air. The present invention is a toy device formed in the general shape of an archery bow that has a manually operated air pump incorporated into it. The air pump pressurizes a water reservoir and consequently exerts pressure on water contained therein. The pressurized air and water have an avenue of release that is regulated by a pull mechanism of the invention. When no force is applied to the pull mechanism, the pressurized air and water are held at bay with no means of release from the reservoir. When force is applied to the pull mechanism in a predetermined manner, water is released from the pressurized reservoir and is channeled through a narrow nozzle. The escape of the water through the narrow nozzle creates a stream of propelled water in the form of an "arrow" of predetermined length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventors: Bruce M. D'Andrade, Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5322191
    Abstract: The present invention is a toy water gun having a housing with extending handle, a release mechanism and barrel. The water gun is connected to at least one water source external from and connected to the housing. In preferred embodiments, the water source is remote and has an indirect connection, e.g. by tubing or hosing, external of said housing and having a vent to surrounding ambient air so air may enter therethrough. Also included is a pressurized air and water storage tank external from and connectable to the housing. The pressurized tank has an orifice between said pressurized tank and said housing through which all liquids and gasses pass. There is also a pumping means for withdrawing air or water from the source or sources, and for depositing the withdrawn air or water into the pressurized tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, Bruce M. D'Andrade
  • Patent number: 5305919
    Abstract: The present invention is a toy water gun which is operated by selectively releasing water from a water reservoir that is pressurized with air. The gun has amanually operated air pump which pressurizes a water reservoir and consequently pressurizes any water therein. The pressurized water has an avenue of release that is regulated by a trigger mechanism. When no force is applied to the trigger, the pressurized water is held at bay with no means of release. When force is applied to the trigger, water is released from the pressurized reservoir and is channeled through a narrow nozzle. The escape of the pressurized water through the narrow nozzle creates a stream of propelled water that lastas as long as the trigger is engaged or until the pressure on the water in the reservoir equals the ambient air pressure. Water is added to the present invention via at least one fill opening on the water reservoir. The reservoir itself is non-detachable from the gun housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, Bruce M. D'Andrade
  • Patent number: RE35412
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a toy water gun which is operated by selectively releasing water from a water reservoir pressurized with air. The present invention has a manually operated pump incorporated into the design. As the pump is cycled, water and air is drawn from a water storage tank. Once drawn, the water and air are forced into a pressure reservoir. As the amount of water and air forced into the pressure reservoir increases, the pressure on the water within the pressure reservoir increases. The pressure of the water and air within the pressure reservoir increases with each cycle of the pump, until the pump can no longer overcome the pressure of the water and air within the pressure tank. The pressurized water and air within the pressure tank has an avenue of release that is regulated by the trigger mechanism of the invention. When no force is applied to the trigger, the pressurized water and air are held at bay with no means of release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Larami Limited
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, Bruce M. D'Andrade