GARY A SNIEZAK
Engineering in Columbia, SC

6752137, Jun 22, 2004

May 15, 2002

10/146003

James R. G. Brunette - Columbia SC 29223
Gary A Sniezak - Columbia SC 29205
Richard Vay Oney - Baroda MI 49101
Steve Doehler - Charleston SC 29412

F41B 1102

124 74, 124 73, 124 76, 89 141

The present invention is a projectile launching system having an independently operable gas powered less-lethal launcher, which is capable of firing projectiles containing either incapacitating, debilitating, or marking agents for use during those situations when lethal force would be an inappropriate response. The gas powered launcher is ergonomically designed and comprises a receiver housing and receiver that are detachable from a stand-alone stock so that it can be attached to a mounting bracket located underneath the barrel of a rifle and, therefore, integrated with such rifle in order to provide both a lethal and a less-lethal capability for the user. One of the ergonomic features of the receiver is that it is designed to releasably carry a compressed gas container in a way that presents a favorable profile and a convenient and efficient trigger location, even after attachment of the receiver to the barrel of a rifle.

6594936, Jul 22, 2003

Oct 3, 2002

10/263827

Gary Sniezak - Columbia SC 29205
Kyriakos Christou - Columbia SC 29223

F41A 2104

42 7602, 89 147

A method for lining a gun barrel with a material selected to reduce the rate of erosion and corrosion from the rounds of ammunition fired through it includes the steps of forming a rod of the lining material, hammer -forging a barrel blank to the rod, and then drilling out a bore in the rod. The liner extends from the muzzle end of the barrel almost to the chamber end but stops short to abut a step formed in the barrel just forward of the chamber. The chamber is machined, reamed, and chrome-plated. Preferably measures are taken, such as by applying pressure to the rod during forging, to assure that the rod is placed in full engagement with the step and held in full engagement with the step in order to avoid the formation of a gap between the liner and the step.

5806225, Sep 15, 1998

Nov 18, 1996

8/751731

Michael R. Gardner - Mt. Prospect IL
Edward P. Schmitter - Blythewood SC
Gary A. Sniezak - Columbia SC
Kevin R. Langevin - Camden SC
Jean-Pierre Y J L Reconnu - Columbia SC

FN Manufacturing Inc - Columbia SC

F41A 1931, F41A 1938

42 6902

A fire control system for a semiautomatic, double action only pistol includes a sear carried by a biased sear arm. As in other pistols, the sear engages a striker to load it against a striker spring until it is released to fire a chambered round. In the present invention, the sear arm is biased so that it urges the sear forward and upward, against the rearward movement of the sear as a result of the pulling of a trigger operating through a trigger arm, and restores the sear after release of the striker. The sear arm is biased by a spring system comprising two torsion springs. One torsion spring operates against the sear block to urge the sear arm in an upward direction; the other torsion spring, pivotally supporting the sear, operates on it to urge it forward. The sear and the striker lie in the same plane. Therefore, the sear has a second cam surface that engages the striker leg when the trigger is released, urging the sear downward as the striker passes over it to set up the sear for loading the striker the next time the trigger is pulled.

5640794, Jun 24, 1997

Jul 7, 1995

8/498758

Michael R. Gardner - Summerville SC
Edward P. Schmitter - Blythewood SC
Gary A. Sniezak - Columbia SC
Kevin R. Langevin - Camden SC
Jean-Pierre Reconnu - Columbia SC

FN Manufacturing, Inc. - Columbia SC

F41A 1931, F41A 1938

42 6902

A fire control system for a semiautomatic, double-action only pistol includes a sear carried at the free end of a cantilevered spring. As in other pistols, the sear engages a striker to load it against a striker spring until it is released to fire a chambered round. In the present invention, the cantilevered spring urges the sear forward and upward, against the rearward movement of the sear as a result of the pulling of a trigger operating through a trigger arm, and restores the sear after release of the striker. The cantilevered spring is preferably a spring with a torsion spring on each end. One torsion spring operates against the frame to cantilever the spring body; the other torsion spring, supporting the sear, operates on it to urge it forward. The sear and the striker lay in the same plane. Therefore, the sear has a second cam surface that engages the striker leg when the trigger is released, urging the sear downward as the striker passes over it to set up the sear for loading the striker the next time the trigger is pulled.

6185853, Feb 13, 2001

Apr 26, 1999

9/299503

Gary A Sniezak - Columbia SC
Milton W Erickson - Merrillan WI
Zdenek Prisovsky - Kitchener, CA

FN Manufacturing Co Inc - Columbia SC

F42B 3900

42 87

A speedloader for a shotgun having a tubular magazine includes an integral pulley system to minimize handle travel in delivering a plurality of cartridges into the magazine. The speedloader comprises a frame with a channel therethrough dimensioned to receive a plurality of cartridges. The frame carries a handle on an exterior longitudinal track and, inside, a pusher that travels from the first end of the frame to the second end of the frame in response to movement of the handle, thereby expelling the cartridges from the speedloader and injecting them into the magazine. The pulley system translates movement of the handle to movement of the pusher and reduces the distance the handle needs to be moved to move the pusher the full distance to reload the shotgun.

5676241, Oct 14, 1997

Jun 5, 1996

8/658354

Christophe Degoix - Argenteuil, FR
Gary A. Sniezak - Columbia SC
Kevin Langevin - Camden SC

FN Manufacturing, Inc. - Columbia SC

B65D 8500, F42B 3926

206 3

A device for holding two ammunition magazines in spaced relations so that either can be inserted into the magazine well of an M-16 rifle, an M-4 carbine, or an M-249 machine gun without interference with the operation of the weapon from the remaining magazine. The device comprises a shell and a centerpiece. The shell holds the two magazines in a tapered or "V" shaped arrangement, and the centerpiece, acting in combination with the shell, secures the magazines in place. The device is made of a light-weight corrosion and chemical resistant polymer. In an alternative embodiment, the magazines are held in an approximately parallel position within the shell.

D451483, Feb 2, 1999

Jan 12, 1998

D/081961

Kevin R. Langevin - Camden SC
Gary A. Sniezak - Columbia SC

FN Manufacturing Inc. - Columbia SC

2201

D22108

5907918, Jun 1, 1999

Dec 4, 1997

8/984966

Kevin R Langevin - Camden SC
Gary A Sniezak - Columbia SC

FN Manufacturing Inc. - Columbia SC

F41C 2300

42 7101

A buttstock formed with a single piece of molded synthetic materials and contains two slots so that the rifle may be carried using a sling in multiple positions. The buttstock is designed to have the same size and occupy the same exterior envelop as a standard M-16 rifle buttstock but with far fewer parts and lower weight but without compromising strength. The buttstock comprises a buttplate, a shoulder, and a flange all held in spaced relationship with and integral with a panel. Two slots are formed in the panel near the buttstock, one parallel to the shoulder and the other parallel to the flange. Each slot is dimensioned to receive a sling.

6223460, May 1, 2001

Apr 26, 1999

9/299777

Edward P. Schmitter - Blythewood SC
Zdenek Prisovsky - Kitchener, Ontario N2A 2M7, CA
Gary A. Sniezak - Columbia SC
Frank A. Spaniel - Lexington SC

F41A 1700

42 7006

A trigger safety for a pistol includes a laterally slidable plug incorporated into the trigger that, when slid laterally to extend beyond the confines of the trigger, will prevent rearward movement of the trigger by the plug's interference with the pistol frame. A spring internal to the trigger, imparts a force on plug to retain it positioned in either the safety position or the fire position and resist movement. The plug can be reversed for left-handed users so that the pistol can be placed in a "safe" or a "fire" position with the trigger finger of either hand.