Patents by Inventor Richard E. Swan

Richard E. Swan 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: 10578404
    Abstract: An improved mounting assembly is provided that is configured to be releasably attached to a dovetail rail profile, wherein the clamping tension of the clamping actuator is adjustable. The assembly includes a molded foot portion and a turned steel threaded governor post which provides superior strength and durability to a critical stress point in the assembly. The threaded, removable governor post configuration also provides the ability to change the post material to increase overall component strength and to increase thread strength. The arrangement further simplifies field maintenance and repair in the event of damage and reduces repair costs by not having to replace the entire lever assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Publication number: 20180347950
    Abstract: An improved mounting assembly is provided that is configured to be releasably attached to a dovetail rail profile, wherein the clamping tension of the clamping actuator is adjustable. The assembly includes a molded foot portion and a turned steel threaded governor post which provides superior strength and durability to a critical stress point in the assembly. The threaded, removable governor post configuration also provides the ability to change the post material to increase overall component strength and to increase thread strength. The arrangement further simplifies field maintenance and repair in the event of damage and reduces repair costs by not having to replace the entire lever assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: 9417034
    Abstract: An optic mount for a firearm allows a user to switch between a primary optic and a secondary optic, facilitating rapid target acquisition when a user switches between close quarter engagement and long range engagement. The base of the optic mount is securable to a firearm. A primary optic platform can be pivoted and linearly translated with respect to the base. The primary optic platform is spring biased toward the front of the base. An actuator mechanism rotates a secondary optic platform on the base from a spring-biased first orientation to a second orientation. When in the first position, the primary optic platform engages the actuator mechanism, causing the secondary optic platform to be rotated to the second orientation. When in the second position, the primary optic platform does not engage the actuator mechanism, allowing the secondary optic platform to rotate to the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: 9200867
    Abstract: A modular integrated powered hand guard and accessory mount system for a firearm has at least one electrical bus bar for electrically connecting a power source and a powered accessory each secured to the hand guard body. The hand guard body is releasably securable to a firearm, and has at least one dovetail rail. An electrical bus bar received within the hand guard body extends longitudinally between ends of the hand guard body adjacent to the dovetail rail. The electrical bus bar has electrical sockets that are accessible through openings formed in the hand guard body. An accessory mount is configured to engage the dovetail rail, and has a pivotable L-shaped electrical connector for providing an electrical connection from a socket of the electrical bus bar to a powered accessory. A power supply assembly allows a user to connect a battery to a socket on the electrical bus bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: 8429845
    Abstract: A modular integrated rail system for a firearm includes a dampening device for absorbing shock waves and dissipating harmonic vibration generated by a firearm. The modular integrated rail system includes an upper hand guard, a clamping assembly configured to releasably clamp the hand guard to the firearm, and a dampening structure disposed within a cavity formed in the hand guard. The cavity has opposing fixed end walls, and the dampening structure is captivated between the opposing fixed end walls of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: 8347544
    Abstract: A dampening device for absorbing shock waves and dissipating harmonic vibration generated by a firearm includes a body, a clamping assembly configured to releasably clamp the body to the firearm, and a dampening structure disposed within a cavity formed in the body. The cavity has opposing fixed end walls, and the dampening structure is captivated between the opposing fixed end walls of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: 8316574
    Abstract: A modular hand guard assembly serves both as a hand guard system and as an integrated interface system for mounting various weapon accessories and attachments thereto. The modular hand guard assembly includes a removable forward rail section that can be removed from the forward portion of the hand guard to provide for the installation of additional weapon accessories such as lights, optics or lasers in highly a desirable forward location adjacent to the barrel of the weapon. The modular hand guard assembly further includes an integrated modular switching and control system for use in connection with the various powered accessories mounted thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: 8230636
    Abstract: An accessory module is installed between a weapon accessory (optical sighting device) and its corresponding mounting interface. The accessory module includes a body having a lower surface which is configured and arranged to mate with the corresponding upper surface of the mounting interface and an upper surface that includes a seat that is configured and arranged to conform to and receive the outer surface of the weapon accessory. The accessory module includes electronic accessories, such as for example, a flashlight configured to emit visible white light, colored light and/or infrared light. Further, the accessory module may include laser devices therein such as a laser sight, an infrared laser for night vision targeting, or a laser range finder device. The accessory module may also be configured to include a taser and/or a compact video camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: 8205375
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for attaching an accessory to a dovetail rail interface on a firearm includes a body having a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion is configured to engage the dovetail rail interface and the upper portion is configured to receive and retain an accessory such as a scope or aiming device. A spring dampening structure resides within the body of the assembly wherein dampening structure is configured to dampen shock waves and harmonic vibration transferred into the body from operation of the firearm. A clamping assembly is configured to releasably clamp the body to the dovetail rail interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: 8201353
    Abstract: A modular hand guard assembly serves both as a hand guard system and as an integrated interface system for mounting various weapon accessories and attachments thereto. The modular hand guard assembly includes a removable forward rail section that can be removed from the forward portion of the hand guard to provide for the installation of additional weapon accessories such as lights, optics or lasers in highly a desirable forward location adjacent to the barrel of the weapon. The modular hand guard assembly further includes a removable lower hand guard to provide access to the barrel of the firearm and an integrated modular switching and control system for use in connection with the various powered accessories mounted thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: 8191302
    Abstract: A folding front sight for a firearm includes a laser aiming device within the folding sight frame. The folding front sight includes a base, and a sight frame having a front sight post. The sight frame is movable between an upright deployed position, and a stowed position. A laser aiming module is mounted within the sight frame and is movable with the forward sight frame such that when the forward sight frame is in an upright deployed position, the laser aiming module is in a stowed position, and further such that when the forward sight frame is in a stowed position, the laser aiming module is in a deployed position. The device further includes a power source and a switch for selectively energizing said laser aiming module to output an aiming beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: 8156679
    Abstract: An accessory module is installed between a weapon accessory (optical sighting device) and its corresponding mounting interface. The accessory module includes a body having a lower surface which is configured and arranged to mate with the corresponding upper surface of the mounting interface and an upper surface that includes a seat that is configured and arranged to conform to and receive the outer surface of the weapon accessory. The accessory module includes electronic accessories, such as for example, a flashlight configured to emit visible white light, colored light and/or infrared light. Further, the accessory module may include laser devices therein such as a laser sight, an infrared laser for night vision targeting, or a laser range finder device. The accessory module may also be configured to include a taser and/or a compact video camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: 8112933
    Abstract: An improved mounting assembly is provided that is configured to be releasably attached to a standard dovetail rail profile, wherein the initial clamping tension of a clamping assembly is adjustable. The mounting assembly includes a main body having a lower portion that is configured to engage a standard dovetail and an upper portion accessory receiving formation. The lower portion of the mounting assembly has a first engagement member extending downwardly along one side thereof for engaging one side of the dovetail rail and a clamping assembly to engage the opposing side of the dovetail rail. At least one spring and a retention nut are provided as part of the clamping assembly such that retention nut controls the preset spring tension thereby controlling the clamping force applied by the clamping assembly. A lock lever connected to the actuator arm selectively locks the position of the retention nut on the threaded shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: 8015744
    Abstract: A folding rear sight includes a base member and a spring-loaded sight housing that deploys into an operational position with a simple release lever. The sight includes two separate dual-purpose aiming elements, one fixed, and one that rotates between an inactive position and an active position in front of the fixed element. The top aiming end of the fixed aiming element includes a large diameter close quarter battle (CQB) aperture and an vertically extending sighting notch configured and arranged above the large CQB aperture. The top aiming end of the rotatable aiming element includes a smaller, long-range sighting aperture and an elongated vertically extending sighting notch configured and arranged above the smaller sighting aperture. The dual-purpose aiming elements provide standard aperture sights for situations where the soldier has reasonable time to aim the weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Atlantic Research Marketing Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: 7954273
    Abstract: A mounting platform that includes an annular housing which is received around the barrel of the firearm is configured to include interchangeable electronics modules, such as visible lights, infrared emitters, laser sighting devices, range finders, video cameras, tasers, etc. The accessory mounting platform includes a central aperture for receiving the barrel of the weapon therethrough. The front of the housing includes a faceplate that has a plurality of sockets therein for receiving a plurality of electronic accessory modules. Each of the modules is individually threaded and can be selectively mounted into any of the threaded mounting sockets. Each of the accessory modules is fully interchangeable and can be removed if not needed. The accessory mounting platform is preferably mounted to the bayonet lug and front sight of the weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: 7941959
    Abstract: A modular integrated rail system for a firearm includes an upper hand guard having a dovetail rail extending longitudinally between the forward end and the rearward end thereof. The rearward end of the upper hand guard includes a clamp that removably secures the upper hand guard to the barrel nut of the firearm. The rearward end of the upper hand guard and the clamp include clamping surfaces configured to cooperatively engage the outer surface of the barrel nut. The upper hand guard further includes mounting channels that are used to mount accessories, such as a lower hand guard or a grenade launcher, to the upper hand guard. The rear end of the upper hand guard includes alignment tabs for automatically aligning the dovetail rail of the upper hand guard with the dovetail rail of the upper receiver during mounting. The tabs also prevent rotation of the rail system relative to the upper receiver during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: D657013
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: D666689
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: D672422
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: D692088
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan