Patents by Inventor Todd Wilkinson

Todd Wilkinson 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: 11598597
    Abstract: A firearm with dual-acting safety mechanism includes a hammer, sear operable to hold the hammer in a cocked position, and trigger mechanism including a trigger and trigger bar which collectively operates to rotate the sear to release the hammer. The safety mechanism includes a safety mode selector or actuator cooperating with a secondary safety link. In one arrangement, linearly moving the selector actuates and rotates the safety link which simultaneously both blocks the hammer and displaces the trigger bar such that the sear can no longer be actuated via a trigger pull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan Barrett, Nathan Brown, Darin Nebeker, Todd Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 11543208
    Abstract: A folding stock coupling system for a firearm. An openable/closeable hinge mechanism comprising front and rear hinge elements pivotably mounts the rear stock to the main body of the firearm. The hinge mechanism is selectively movable between a locked condition when the stock is unfolded and inline with the main body for firing, and an unlocked condition when the stock is folded forward and offset from the main body for compact carrying or storage. A manually movable actuating button of the hinge mechanism selectively locks or unlocks the rear to the front hinge members in the locked and unlocked conditions, respectively. Embodiments include a detent mechanism for removably retaining the folded position. An elongated rear mounting extension coupled to the rear hinge member provides a common stock mounting interface compatible for interchanging a plurality of different stocks to the firearm each sharing a common mounting profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventors: Frank J. Saunders, Todd Wilkinson, Benjamin Gerard Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20210348877
    Abstract: A folding stock coupling system for a firearm. An openable/closeable hinge mechanism comprising front and rear hinge elements pivotably mounts the rear stock to the main body of the firearm. The hinge mechanism is selectively movable between a locked condition when the stock is unfolded and inline with the main body for firing, and an unlocked condition when the stock is folded forward and offset from the main body for compact carrying or storage. A manually movable actuating button of the hinge mechanism selectively locks or unlocks the rear to the front hinge members in the locked and unlocked conditions, respectively. Embodiments include a detent mechanism for removably retaining the folded position. An elongated rear mounting extension coupled to the rear hinge member provides a common stock mounting interface compatible for interchanging a plurality of different stocks to the firearm each sharing a common mounting profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Frank J. SAUNDERS, Todd WILKINSON, Benjamin Gerard HAWKINS
  • Publication number: 20210080211
    Abstract: A firearm with dual-acting safety mechanism includes a hammer, sear operable to hold the hammer in a cocked position, and trigger mechanism including a trigger and trigger bar which collectively operates to rotate the sear to release the hammer. The safety mechanism includes a safety mode selector or actuator cooperating with a secondary safety link. In one arrangement, linearly moving the selector actuates and rotates the safety link which simultaneously both blocks the hammer and displaces the trigger bar such that the sear can no longer be actuated via a trigger pull.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan Barrett, Nathan Brown, Darin Nebeker, Todd Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 10782082
    Abstract: A bolt assembly for firearms utilizing a blowback type operating system. The bolt assembly comprises a non-rotatable bolt slideably disposed in the receiver for forward and rearward movement and a dead blow weight assembly slideably coupled to the bolt. The dead blow weight assembly may be two-piece comprising a dead blow weight and dead blow top member. These parts are separate components movable independently of each other, but functionally interacting and cooperating under recoil after discharging the firearm to eject a spent cartridge casing and chamber a new cartridge as the action is reset. When the firearm discharged, a two-stage felt recoil force is generated by this mechanism, thereby advantageously producing peak forces which are less in magnitude than the single strong felt recoil force experienced by users with conventional one-piece bolt used in many blowback type firearms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Inventors: Todd Wilkinson, Frank J. Saunders
  • Patent number: 10677552
    Abstract: A modular magazine well insert system accepts and latches different types of magazines including front and side catch styles. The system includes a plurality of magazine well inserts each having a common mounting interface which interfaces with a mounting feature formed in a receptacle of the firearm stock. The inserts may have a common basic configuration with some different features adapted for use with different magazine catch features, such as latching levers for front catch magazines or lateral apertures to access side catch magazines. A universal latch stud slideably mounted in the stock comprises features which cooperate with each of the magazine well inserts to retain and release both catch styles of magazines in the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: STURN, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Todd Wilkinson, Frank J. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20190212085
    Abstract: A modular magazine well insert system accepts and latches different types of magazines including front and side catch styles. The system includes a plurality of magazine well inserts each having a common mounting interface which interfaces with a mounting feature formed in a receptacle of the firearm stock. The inserts may have a common basic configuration with some different features adapted for use with different magazine catch features, such as latching levers for front catch magazines or lateral apertures to access side catch magazines. A universal latch stud slideably mounted in the stock comprises features which cooperate with each of the magazine well inserts to retain and release both catch styles of magazines in the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Todd Wilkinson, Frank J. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20190120579
    Abstract: A bolt assembly for firearms utilizing a blowback type operating system. The bolt assembly comprises a non-rotatable bolt slideably disposed in the receiver for forward and rearward movement and a dead blow weight assembly slideably coupled to the bolt. The dead blow weight assembly may be two-piece comprising a dead blow weight and dead blow top member. These parts are separate components movable independently of each other, but functionally interacting and cooperating under recoil after discharging the firearm to eject a spent cartridge casing and chamber a new cartridge as the action is reset. When the firearm discharged, a two-stage felt recoil force is generated by this mechanism, thereby advantageously producing peak forces which are less in magnitude than the single strong felt recoil force experienced by users with conventional one-piece bolt used in many blowback type firearms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Todd Wilkinson, Frank J. Saunders
  • Patent number: 9448034
    Abstract: A user-adjustable recoil reduction system for a firearm includes a buttstock and a butt pad assembly movably mounted to the buttstock. A spring is disposed in the buttstock which is acted on by opposing front and rear spring guides. A preload adjustment screw is rotatably coupled to the butt pad assembly which engages the rear spring guide. Rotating the screw in opposing directions alternatingly advances or retracts the rear spring guide in the buttstock. Advancing the rear spring guide compresses the spring to set a first spring preload condition and retracting the rear spring guide relaxes the spring to set a second spring preload condition different than the first condition. The spring preload conditions may be selected to match firing light or heavy type ammunition shell loads. In one embodiment, the adjustment screw is accessible for adjusting the preload without removing the butt pad assembly from the buttstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventors: Matthias Downey, Darrell Boyle, Todd Wilkinson, Jonathan Barrett
  • Publication number: 20160010944
    Abstract: A user-adjustable recoil reduction system for a firearm includes a buttstock and a butt pad assembly movably mounted to the buttstock. A spring is disposed in the buttstock which is acted on by opposing front and rear spring guides. A preload adjustment screw is rotatably coupled to the butt pad assembly which engages the rear spring guide. Rotating the screw in opposing directions alternatingly advances or retracts the rear spring guide in the buttstock. Advancing the rear spring guide compresses the spring to set a first spring preload condition and retracting the rear spring guide relaxes the spring to set a second spring preload condition different than the first condition. The spring preload conditions may be selected to match firing light or heavy type ammunition shell loads. In one embodiment, the adjustment screw is accessible for adjusting the preload without removing the butt pad assembly from the buttstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Matthias Downey, Darrell Boyle, Todd Wilkinson, Jonathan Barrett
  • Patent number: 9130825
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calculating and presenting confidence interval(s) for key performance indicator(s) (KPIs) are described. For example, in some embodiments, a method may include identifying vectors representing network events observed by a network monitoring system, each vector including: a dimension, an indication of a sampling ratio with which a respective event was observed, and a value associated with the dimension. The method may also include calculating a KPI corresponding to the observed events for the dimension based, at least in part, upon the values. The method may further include calculating a confidence associated with the KPI, based, at least in part, upon the sampling ratios. In some cases, events may be observed with different sampling ratios. Additionally or alternatively, sampling ratios may include adaptive sampling ratios controlled by the network monitoring system in response to network or resource loading (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Todd Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 8964582
    Abstract: Systems and methods for data integrity scoring and visualization for network and customer experience monitoring are described. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a first set of vectors, each vector representing a network event generated by a network testing system, each vector including a plurality of dimensions and a first plurality of values, each value associated with a corresponding one of the dimensions. The method may also include identifying a second set of vectors representing at least a portion of the network events as observed by a network monitoring system, each vector in the second set of vectors including the plurality of dimensions and a second plurality of values. The method may further include calculating a presence score as a ratio between a number of vectors in the second and first sets of vectors, and/or an accuracy score as a measure of a discrepancy between corresponding values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Todd Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 8817649
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the adaptive monitoring of telecommunications networks are described. In some embodiments, a method may include monitoring traffic transmitted through a mobile telecommunications network (e.g., 3G, 4G, LTE, etc.) and identifying a monitoring rule. The monitoring rule may associate a selected portion of the traffic (e.g., based on content type, source, destination, transport protocol, session, etc.) with a monitoring sampling ratio, and the monitoring sampling ratio may determine a fraction of the selected portion of the traffic usable to provide one or more performance indicators (e.g., service indicators, network congestion, connection maintenance, service quality, and/or network availability). The method may further include modifying the monitoring sampling ratio in response to a change in network monitoring conditions (e.g., one or more probes operating at or near capacity, scheduled maintenance events, peak traffic times, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Dong, Robert Todd Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20140165438
    Abstract: A matched muzzle brake and weight system mountable on a firearm barrel is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the muzzle brake and weight are configured to have the same predetermined weight and center of gravity so that the point of aim of the firearm remains substantially unchanged when a user deploys either the muzzle brake or weight. The system permits convenient interchangeability between the muzzle brake and weight without the need for re-sighting the firearm thereby maintaining accuracy. In some embodiments, the centers of gravity of the muzzle brake and weight are located at the same position with respect to a common reference point defined by the barrel. A method for using the system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20130272144
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the adaptive monitoring of telecommunications networks are described. In some embodiments, a method may include monitoring traffic transmitted through a mobile telecommunications network (e.g., 3G, 4G, LTE, etc.) and identifying a monitoring rule. The monitoring rule may associate a selected portion of the traffic (e.g., based on content type, source, destination, transport protocol, session, etc.) with a monitoring sampling ratio, and the monitoring sampling ratio may determine a fraction of the selected portion of the traffic usable to provide one or more performance indicators (e.g., service indicators, network congestion, connection maintenance, service quality, and/or network availability). The method may further include modifying the monitoring sampling ratio in response to a change in network monitoring conditions (e.g., one or more probes operating at or near capacity, scheduled maintenance events, peak traffic times, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Dong, Robert Todd Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20130215748
    Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligent and scalable network monitoring using a hierarchy of devices are described. In some embodiments, a method may include monitoring network traffic having a first data rate and identifying a portion of that traffic. For example, the network traffic may include packet-based traffic in a mobile telecommunications network (e.g., 3G, 4G, LTE, etc.), and identifying the portion of the traffic may include identifying high-value and/or low-value portions as determined by one or more traffic identification rules (e.g., by user, session, transport protocol, type of content, etc.). The method may also include selecting a network analyzer to receive the high (or low) value traffic, and which may not be capable of and/or configured to analyze packets at the first data rate. Accordingly, the method may further include transmitting the identified traffic portion to the selected analyzer with a second data rate smaller than the first data rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Balaji Ratakonda, John Peter Curtin, Aleksey G. Ivershen, Robert Todd Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20130163438
    Abstract: Systems and methods for data integrity scoring and visualization for network and customer experience monitoring are described. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a first set of vectors, each vector representing a network event generated by a network testing system, each vector including a plurality of dimensions and a first plurality of values, each value associated with a corresponding one of the dimensions. The method may also include identifying a second set of vectors representing at least a portion of the network events as observed by a network monitoring system, each vector in the second set of vectors including the plurality of dimensions and a second plurality of values. The method may further include calculating a presence score as a ratio between a number of vectors in the second and first sets of vectors, and/or an accuracy score as a measure of a discrepancy between corresponding values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Todd Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20130166730
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calculating and presenting confidence interval(s) for key performance indicator(s) (KPIs) are described. For example, in some embodiments, a method may include identifying vectors representing network events observed by a network monitoring system, each vector including: a dimension, an indication of a sampling ratio with which a respective event was observed, and a value associated with the dimension. The method may also include calculating a KPI corresponding to the observed events for the dimension based, at least in part, upon the values. The method may further include calculating a confidence associated with the KPI, based, at least in part, upon the sampling ratios. In some cases, events may be observed with different sampling ratios. Additionally or alternatively, sampling ratios may include adaptive sampling ratios controlled by the network monitoring system in response to network or resource loading (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Todd Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 8441955
    Abstract: Video data packets transmitted through a wireless network are captured by a network monitoring system. Video data sessions are detected from the video data packets. Key parameters are identified within the video data packets, such as video bit rate, resent or failed video packets, and video session duration. A Quality of Experience (QoE) is determined for some or all users associated with the video sessions based upon the key parameters. A header extension is added to the video data packets by a transcoding system. The header extension includes data associated with original and transcoded video data packets. The network monitoring system monitors the header extension and evaluates the effect of video transcoding upon the overall QoE for users. The monitoring system provides feedback to a transcoding policy engine based upon the effect of transcoding upon QoE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Todd Wilkinson, Aleksey G. Ivershen
  • Patent number: D681148
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventor: Todd Wilkinson