Patents by Inventor Rafal Slezok

Rafal Slezok 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: 20220214127
    Abstract: An electronic trigger system with safety mechanism for firearms includes a trigger unit comprising an electromagnetic actuator operably coupled to the firing mechanism and a programmable trigger mechanism microcontroller. The actuator is changeable between a non-powered unactuated position and powered actuated firing position via pulling both an outer trigger and inner safety trigger of the trigger unit. The actuator is operably interfaced with a movable firing component of the firing mechanism operable to discharge the firearm. In a blocking position of the safety trigger, the safety trigger is configured to block outer trigger movement which prevents energizing and actuating the electromagnetic actuator thereby preventing the firearm from discharging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: John M. French, Louis M. Galie, Robert Gilliom, Gary Hamilton, John Klebes, Rafal Slezok, Scott Warburton
  • Patent number: 11300378
    Abstract: An interruptible electronic trigger system for firearms includes a trigger unit comprising an electromagnetic actuator operably coupled to the firing mechanism and a programmable trigger microcontroller. The actuator is changeable between a non-powered unactuated position and powered actuated firing position. Upon detecting user initiated trigger activity, the trigger microcontroller transmits a shot initiated signal to an adaptive optics unit of a fire control targeting system mounted to the firearm when the trigger activity exceeds a preprogrammed trigger setpoint. A targeting microcontroller returns a shot authorization signal to the trigger microcontroller after performing ballistics computations based on sensor input and displaying a corrected reticle on the optics unit sight for user visual alignment with the target. Multiple trigger setpoints may be programmed to confirm continued intent to fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventors: Louis M. Galie, Robert Gilliom, John Klebes, John M. French, Gary Hamilton, Rafal Slezok
  • Publication number: 20210247159
    Abstract: An interruptible electronic trigger system for firearms includes a trigger unit comprising an electromagnetic actuator operably coupled to the firing mechanism and a programmable trigger microcontroller. The actuator is changeable between a non-powered unactuated position and powered actuated firing position. Upon detecting user initiated trigger activity, the trigger microcontroller transmits a shot initiated signal to an adaptive optics unit of a fire control targeting system mounted to the firearm when the trigger activity exceeds a preprogrammed trigger setpoint. A targeting microcontroller returns a shot authorization signal to the trigger microcontroller after performing ballistics computations based on sensor input and displaying a corrected reticle on the optics unit sight for user visual alignment with the target. Multiple trigger setpoints may be programmed to confirm continued intent to fire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Louis M. Galie, Robert Gilliom, John Klebes, John M. French, Gary Hamilton, Rafal Slezok
  • Patent number: 10900732
    Abstract: An electromagnetically variable firing system for a firearm includes an electromagnetic actuator including a stationary yoke, a rotating member movable about a pivot axis relative to the stationary yoke and operably coupled to a firing mechanism of the firearm, a trigger operable when pulled by a user to move the rotating member between an unactuated position and an actuated position for discharging the firearm, and a magnetic coil when energized generating a user-adjustable magnetic field which changes a trigger pull force required to be exerted by a user on the trigger to discharge the firearm. A programmable microcontroller is configured to selectively energize the coil for discharging the firearm in response to detecting a trigger pull event. The microcontroller in one embodiment is configured to count each energization of the coil as indicative of a firing event and record the firing event and associated time/date stamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Louis M. Galie, Rob Gilliom, John Klebes, John M. French, Gary Hamilton, Rafal Slezok
  • Publication number: 20200333096
    Abstract: An electromagnetically variable firing system for a firearm includes an electromagnetic actuator including a stationary yoke, a rotating member movable about a pivot axis relative to the stationary yoke and operably coupled to a firing mechanism of the firearm, a trigger operable when pulled by a user to move the rotating member between an unactuated position and an actuated position for discharging the firearm, and a magnetic coil when energized generating a user-adjustable magnetic field which changes a trigger pull force required to be exerted by a user on the trigger to discharge the firearm. A programmable microcontroller is configured to selectively energize the coil for discharging the firearm in response to detecting a trigger pull event. The microcontroller in one embodiment is configured to count each energization of the coil as indicative of a firing event and record the firing event and associated time/date stamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Louis M. Galie, Rob Gilliom, John Klebes, John M. French, Gary Hamilton, Rafal Slezok
  • Patent number: 10690430
    Abstract: A magnetically variable firing system for a firearm includes a trigger mechanism allowing a user to selectively adjust the trigger pull force-displacement profile by changing the static magnetic field in the mechanism. In a closed magnetic loop configuration, the trigger mechanism includes a stationary yoke and pivotably movable trigger member. The trigger member includes a trigger portion and working portion operably interfaced with the firing mechanism of the firearm for discharging the firearm. An openable first air gap formed between the trigger member and yoke is maintained in a closed position via magnetic attraction therebetween absent a trigger pull. A control insert movable relative to a second control air gap in the yoke allows adjustment of the static magnetic field to alter the trigger pull force required to actuate the trigger mechanism. Other embodiments provide open magnetic loop trigger mechanism designs adjustable to magnetically vary the trigger pull force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Louis M. Galie, Rob Gilliom, John Klebes, John M. French, Gary Hamilton, Rafal Slezok
  • Patent number: 10670361
    Abstract: A hybrid magnetically variable firing system for a firearm includes a trigger mechanism configured to allow a user to selectively adjust the trigger pull force-displacement profile. In a closed magnetic flux loop configuration, the trigger mechanism includes a selectively energizable electromagnetic and mechanical biasing member providing a static holding torque which creates resistance opposing movement of the trigger. Energizing the electromagnetic at a user-preselected point during the trigger pull event creates a magnetic force opposing the static holding torque, which dynamically changes the trigger pull force required to discharge the firearm. The electromagnetic assists the user in completing the trigger pull thereby creating an adjustable lighter trigger pull. In one embodiment, the electromagnet is energized when the actual trigger pull force applied or trigger displacement reaches a corresponding trigger setpoint preprogrammed into a control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Louis M. Galie, Rob Gilliom, John Klebes, John M. French, Gary Hamilton, Rafal Slezok
  • Publication number: 20200124371
    Abstract: A magnetically variable firing system for a firearm includes a trigger mechanism allowing a user to selectively adjust the trigger pull force-displacement profile by changing the static magnetic field in the mechanism. In a closed magnetic loop configuration, the trigger mechanism includes a stationary yoke and pivotably movable trigger member. The trigger member includes a trigger portion and working portion operably interfaced with the firing mechanism of the firearm for discharging the firearm. An openable first air gap formed between the trigger member and yoke is maintained in a closed position via magnetic attraction therebetween absent a trigger pull. A control insert movable relative to a second control air gap in the yoke allows adjustment of the static magnetic field to alter the trigger pull force required to actuate the trigger mechanism. Other embodiments provide open magnetic loop trigger mechanism designs adjustable to magnetically vary the trigger pull force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Louis M. Galie, Rob Gilliom, John Klebes, John M. French, Gary Hamilton, Rafal Slezok
  • Publication number: 20200080812
    Abstract: A hybrid magnetically variable firing system for a firearm includes a trigger mechanism configured to allow a user to selectively adjust the trigger pull force-displacement profile. In a closed magnetic flux loop configuration, the trigger mechanism includes a selectively energizable electromagnetic and mechanical biasing member providing a static holding torque which creates resistance opposing movement of the trigger. Energizing the electromagnetic at a user-preselected point during the trigger pull event creates a magnetic force opposing the static holding torque, which dynamically changes the trigger pull force required to discharge the firearm. The electromagnetic assists the user in completing the trigger pull thereby creating an adjustable lighter trigger pull. In one embodiment, the electromagnet is energized when the actual trigger pull force applied or trigger displacement reaches a corresponding trigger setpoint preprogrammed into a control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Louis M. Galie, Rob Gilliom, John Klebes, John M. French, Gary Hamilton, Rafal Slezok
  • Patent number: 10458736
    Abstract: A magnetically variable firing system for a firearm includes a trigger mechanism allowing a user to selectively adjust the trigger pull force-displacement profile by changing the static magnetic field in the mechanism. In a closed magnetic loop configuration, the trigger mechanism includes a stationary yoke and pivotably movable trigger member. The trigger member includes a trigger portion and working portion operably interfaced with the firing mechanism of the firearm for discharging the firearm. An openable first air gap formed between the trigger member and yoke is maintained in a closed position via magnetic attraction therebetween absent a trigger pull. A control insert movable relative to a second control air gap in the yoke allows adjustment of the static magnetic field to alter the trigger pull force required to actuate the trigger mechanism. Other embodiments provide open magnetic loop trigger mechanism designs adjustable to magnetically vary the trigger pull force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Inventors: Louis M. Galie, Rob Gilliom, John Klebes, John M. French, Gary Hamilton, Rafal Slezok
  • Publication number: 20190186857
    Abstract: A magnetically variable firing system for a firearm includes a trigger mechanism allowing a user to selectively adjust the trigger pull force-displacement profile by changing the static magnetic field in the mechanism. In a closed magnetic loop configuration, the trigger mechanism includes a stationary yoke and pivotably movable trigger member. The trigger member includes a trigger portion and working portion operably interfaced with the firing mechanism of the firearm for discharging the firearm. An openable first air gap formed between the trigger member and yoke is maintained in a closed position via magnetic attraction therebetween absent a trigger pull. A control insert movable relative to a second control air gap in the yoke allows adjustment of the static magnetic field to alter the trigger pull force required to actuate the trigger mechanism. Other embodiments provide open magnetic loop trigger mechanism designs adjustable to magnetically vary the trigger pull force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Louis M. Galie, Rob Gilliom, John Klebes, John M. French, Gary Hamilton, Rafal Slezok
  • Patent number: 10228208
    Abstract: An electromagnetically variable firing system for a firearm is disclosed which may include a trigger assembly or mechanism comprising an electromagnetically-operated control device which allows the user to select and adjust the trigger pull force-displacement profile electronically. In one embodiment, the control device may be an electromagnetic trigger mechanism comprising an electromagnetic snap actuator operated via a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configurable by a user to adjust the trigger force-displacement profile according to preset user preferences. The microcontroller energizes the actuator during a trigger pull according to a preprogrammed trigger force and/or displacement setpoint aided by a trigger sensor(s). The energized actuator creates a magnetic field which dynamically increases or decrease the trigger force required to fully actuate the trigger to discharge the firearm. In other embodiments, the control device may be an electromagnetic magnetorheological fluid actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Inventors: Louis M. Galie, Rob Gilliom, John Klebes, John M. French, Gary Hamilton, Rafal Slezok
  • Publication number: 20180259285
    Abstract: An electromagnetically variable firing system for a firearm is disclosed which may include a trigger assembly or mechanism comprising an electromagnetically-operated control device which allows the user to select and adjust the trigger pull force-displacement profile electronically. In one embodiment, the control device may be an electromagnetic trigger mechanism comprising an electromagnetic snap actuator operated via a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configurable by a user to adjust the trigger force-displacement profile according to preset user preferences. The microcontroller energizes the actuator during a trigger pull according to a preprogrammed trigger force and/or displacement setpoint aided by a trigger sensor(s). The energized actuator creates a magnetic field which dynamically increases or decrease the trigger force required to fully actuate the trigger to discharge the firearm. In other embodiments, the control device may be an electromagnetic magnetorheological fluid actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Louis M. Galie, Rob Gilliom, John Klebes, John M. French, Gary Hamilton, Rafal Slezok