Thomas C Stall

US Patent:

6557289, May 6, 2003

Filed:

May 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/859983

Inventors:

Thomas C. Stall - North Grosvenordale CT
Jeffrey Luty - Longmeadow MA
Kevin R. Fleury - Feeding Hills MA
Norman W. Spencer - Longmeadow MA

Assignee:

Smith Wesson Corp. - Springfield MA

International Classification:

F41C 300

US Classification:

42 7102, 42 7502, 42 7602

Abstract:

Firearms having scandium containing aluminum alloy components having alloying elements including light weight metals, such as magnesium, chromium, copper and zinc, heavier metals, such as zirconium, and other rare earth metals. The components have yield strengths of 82 to 100 KSI, tensile strengths of 88 to 106 KSI, 12 to 19% elongations, and 7 to 10% reduction areas, and a method for heat treating the scandium containing aluminum alloy. The alloy is composed of 0. 05% to 0. 15% scandium, 7. 5% to 8. 3% zinc, 1. 6% to 2. 2% magnesium, 1. 6% to 2. 0% copper, 0. 02% to 0. 04% chromium, 0. 05% to 0. 15% zirconium, and 87 to 90% aluminum. A method for making the components involves exposure to solution heat treatment of 875Â F. for an hours or two, followed by water quench, natural aging at ambient temperature for 24 to 72 hours, artificial aging at 250Â F. for 24 hours, and allowed to air cool.

US Patent:

6711819, Mar 30, 2004

Filed:

Mar 26, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/397644

Inventors:

Thomas C. Stall - North Grosvenordale CT
Jeffrey Luty - Longmeadow MA
Kevin R. Fleury - Feeding Hills MA
Norman W. Spencer - Longmeadow MA

Assignee:

Smith Wesson Corp. - Springfield MA

International Classification:

B21D 5120

US Classification:

2989814, 29903, 42 7102, 42 7602

Abstract:

Firearms having scandium containing aluminum alloy components having alloying elements including light weight metals, such as magnesium, chromium, copper and zinc, heavier metals, such as zirconium, and other rare earth metals. The components have yield strengths of 82 to 100 KSI, tensile strengths of 88 to 106 KSI, 12 to 19% elongations, and 7 to 10% reduction areas, and a method for heat treating the scandium containing aluminum alloy. The alloy is composed of 0. 05% to 0. 15% scandium, 7. 5% to 8. 3% zinc, 1. 6% to 2. 2% magnesium, 1. 6% to 2. 0% copper, 0. 02% to 0. 04% chromium, 0. 05% to 0. 15% zirconium, and 87 to 90% aluminum. A method for making the components involves exposure to solution heat treatment of 875Â F. for an hours or two, followed by water quench, natural aging at ambient temperature for 24 to 72 hours, artificial aging at 250Â F. for 24 hours, and allowed to air cool.

US Patent:

62678256, Jul 31, 2001

Filed:

Oct 16, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/174154

Inventors:

Thomas C. Stall - North Grosvenordale CT
Kevin R. Fleury - Feeding Hills MA
Craig A. Mariani - Ludlow MA
Brett Curry - Chicopee MA
Michael J. Poulin - Granby MA

Assignee:

Smith & Wesson Corp. - Springfield MA

International Classification:

C23C 806

US Classification:

148237

Abstract:

A method for treating metal workpieces, including non-ferrous metal workpieces such as Titanium. The metal workpieces are heat soaked for a predetermined amount of time in a furnace at a predetermined temperature. An interstitial element is introduced into the area adjacent to the surface of the metal workpieces until a predetermined concentration of the interstitial element exists in the area adjacent to the metal workpieces. The treated metal workpieces are then cooled, resulting in the metal workpieces having a diffusion region formed which extends into the body of the metal workpieces. The region has a gradient of the interstitial element formed therein.