Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Acker

Thomas W. Acker 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: 9970724
    Abstract: This device is a trigger safety designed for use on the Colt model 1911 pistol and clones of the same design. The primary safety of the 1911 design is a thumb safety located on the left rear of the firearm. The location of the thumb safety is not an issue under normal circumstances, but in high stressful situations where the shooter is anticipating the firing of the firearm the thumb safety location is troublesome. Under stress the shooter may forget that the thumb safety is engaged, and may pull the trigger without the gun firing. The time needed to disengage the thumb safety may result in a life or death situation. This device incorporates a two stage safety in the trigger system that functions when all other safeties are in the off position. The location within the trigger eliminates the fractional second delay that the thumb safety may cause.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas W. Acker
  • Publication number: 20030159328
    Abstract: Plastic worms are very popular in fishing. These plastic worms are utilized in sport fishing by the attachment of a fish hook to the front of the plastic worm. This plastic worm fish hook combination has a tendency to become entangled, snagged, in debris that is present in the water being fished. In accordance with this invention an elongated flexible shroud is provided, which is positioned over the forward end of the plastic worm. The shroud is capable of securing the plastic worm inside itself. When the shroud is placed over the head of the plastic worm the snagging of the plastic worm is prevented. The shroud of this invention may be further weighted. The purpose of the added weight is to facilitate the casting buoyancy and fish ability of the plastic worm fish hook combination. The shroud may be further colored to enhance the effectiveness of the lure or indicate the weight of the shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas W. Acker
  • Patent number: 6470620
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the art of waterfowl decoys and in particular a decoy assembly which incorporates a plurality of waterfowl bodies. The assembly may be readily folded for storage and transport and opened and locked into position for usage. The decoy assembly comprises a central member which is flanked with a pair of secondary members. In usage these secondary members are locked into angular relationship with the central member. The assembly is molded from a high density, closed cell, polymeric material and incorporates integral molded locking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas W. Acker
  • Patent number: 4914851
    Abstract: A fish lure comprising a flexible body of conical shape having a passageway beginning at the apex thereof and terminating in a cavity at an enlarged open end of the body. The body is adapted to have assembled therein in the cavity a hook member, a sinker and a tail. The hook member includes one or more barb elements having outwardly radially and rearwardly extending portions, a shank and an eyelet preferably with sinker and tail mounted thereon. As an assembly, the hook member, sinker and tail are disposed within the cavity of the body with the eyelet arranged axially innermost of the cavity adjacent the passageway and has a fishing line extending through the passageway into attached relation thereto. The assembly forms a compact package with the body with only a streamer portion of the tail and the barb elements exposed axially outwardly of the body. The barb or plurality of barbs are arranged in close embraced relation on the enlarged end of body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Inventor: Thomas W. Acker
  • Patent number: D478960
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas W. Acker
  • Patent number: D478961
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas W. Acker