FIREARM MAGAZINE CAPACITY LIMITER

Abstract

The firearm magazine capacity limiter selectively limits the capacity of the magazine to comply with applicable laws or regulations. The capacity limiter has a rod including a follower contact end and an opposite attachment end that secures removably in a passage provided through a closure plate at one end of the magazine. The rod may have any length desired to limit the maximum capacity of the magazine as desired. Various attachment configurations are provided, including threaded attachment, quarter turn attachment, and sliding attachment via a capture flange on the attachment end of the rod. The capacity limiter may be used with detachable box-type magazines where the closure plate is the floor plate of the magazine, or with tubular magazines where the closure plate is the forward plug at the end of the magazine.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/044,951, filed Sep. 2, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to ammunition magazines for multiple shot firearms, and particularly to a firearm magazine capacity limiter enabling the user to set or limit the maximum number of rounds or cartridges to be carried in the magazine.

2. Description of the Related Art

Most sporting firearms and handguns are capable of firing multiple shots before reloading if equipped with a magazine holding at least a few rounds of ammunition. This is true of semiautomatic hunting rifles, pump and semiautomatic shotguns, and many handguns. Detachable box-type magazines are generally capable of holding a relatively large number of rounds of ammunition, e.g., ten to thirty rounds in the case of many rifles. Even larger capacity magazines are available for many firearms. Even shotguns having tubular magazines are typically capable of holding perhaps five shells, more or less, depending upon the gun, if the magazine can receive its full capacity.

However, many jurisdictions and controlling bodies have laws or regulations controlling or limiting the number of shots that may be fired from a firearm before reloading. This may be due to hunting or game conservation laws or regulations, firearm protection laws, or for other reasons. While these various laws and regulations are generally consistent with one another, there can be some variation from state to state, region to region within a state, and even from season to season, and may be dependent upon the specific type of game being hunted. A firearm owner or user may have a firearm with a magazine capacity that is permissible under a given set of regulations or laws, but that may exceed the permissible capacity in other circumstances or areas, e.g., when traveling to a different state or area for hunting, or when hunting a different species of game.

Thus, a firearm magazine capacity limiter solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The firearm magazine capacity limiter comprises a rigid rod that is installed through a modified floor plate of a detachable box-type magazine, or through the forward cap of a tubular magazine. In the case of box-type magazines, the rod extends through the follower spring in the magazine to limit the travel of the follower, and thus limit the amount of ammunition that may be loaded into the magazine above the follower. In the case of tubular magazines, the rod extends generally axially through the tube to limit the number of shells that may be loaded into the tube.

A number of different attachment means may be used to secure the capacity limiter in the magazine. One embodiment provides a thickened boss having an internally threaded passage. The boss is installed in the floor plate of a box-type magazine or in the forward cap of a tubular magazine. The capacity limiter comprises a rigid rod with a follower contact end and an opposite magazine attachment end having an externally threaded portion that threads into the internally threaded boss of the magazine. Alternatively, the floor plate passage may be threaded and the thickened boss eliminated, if the plate is sufficiently thick to provide sufficient mounting strength for attachment of the rod,

Another embodiment has a keyhole-shaped flange that fits through a congruent passage in the floor plate or cap of the magazine. The flange has an extension that captures the edge of the passage of the magazine when turned through a partial revolution. Still another embodiment utilizes the keyhole-shaped passage, but provides a circular flange at the attachment end of the rod. The circular flange passes through the larger portion of the keyhole-shaped passage and slides laterally to capture the edge of the narrower extension of the keyhole-shaped passage between the circular flange and the outer portion of the attachment end of the rod.

Any of the above-described embodiments may be provided with capacity limiting rods of any desired length in order to limit the magazine capacity as needed or required by applicable laws and/or regulations.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a firearm magazine capacity limiter according to the present invention, the wall of the box-type magazine being broken away and partially in section to show internal details of the magazine, the capacity limiter rod being removed therefrom.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the firearm magazine capacity limiter of FIG. 1 with the wall of the box-type magazine being broken away and partially in section to show internal details of the magazine, but showing the rod of the capacity limiter installed in the magazine.

FIG. 3A is an exploded elevation view of a long rod embodiment of a firearm magazine capacity limiter according to the present invention, showing the rod of the capacity limiter separated from a detachable box-type magazine.

FIG. 3B is an exploded elevation view of a medium-length rod embodiment of a firearm magazine capacity limiter according to the present invention, showing the capacity limiter separated from a detachable box-type magazine.

FIG. 3C is an exploded elevation view of a short rod embodiment of a firearm magazine capacity limiter according to the present invention, showing the capacity limiter separated from a detachable box-type magazine.

FIG. 4A is an exploded partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a firearm magazine capacity limiter according to the present invention, showing a detachable box-type magazine broken away and partially in section, the attachment end of the rod having a keyhole-shaped flange and the floor plate of the magazine having a mating keyhole-shaped passage.

FIG. 4B is an exploded partial perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a firearm magazine capacity limiter according to the present invention, showing a detachable box-type magazine broken away and partially in section, the attachment end of the rod having a circular flange and the floor plate of the magazine having a cooperating passage for a sliding fit of the rod attachment end therein.

FIG. 5A is an exploded partial perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a firearm magazine capacity limiter according to the present invention, showing with the muzzle end of a firearm having a tubular magazine, illustrating the installation of the magazine capacity limiter through the magazine closure cap of the firearm.

FIG. 5B is an exploded partial perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a firearm magazine capacity limiter according to the present invention, showing the muzzle end of a firearm having a tubular magazine, illustrating installation of the magazine capacity limiter directly into the forward end of the tubular magazine of the firearm.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The firearm magazine capacity limiter includes several embodiments, each comprising a rigid rod that is inserted into the magazine and extends through the internal volume of the magazine to limit the travel of the follower within the magazine. The limited travel of the follower, in turn, limits the number of cartridges or rounds of ammunition that may be placed in the magazine.

FIG. 1 of the drawings provides an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a firearm magazine capacity limiter 10, shown with one side of the magazine 50 removed in order to show the internal structure. FIG. 2 illustrates the same embodiment of the capacity limiter 10 completely installed in the magazine 50. The magazine 50 is a detachable box-type magazine having an open cartridge insertion end 52, an opposite closure plate 54, the magazine 50 defining an internal ammunition capacity volume 56 between the ends of the magazine 50. A follower 58 slides within the internal volume 56. A compression spring 60 captured between the closure plate 54 and the follower 58 urges the follower 58 toward the cartridge insertion end 52 of the magazine 50, but may be compressed toward the closure plate 54 as cartridges are inserted through the open cartridge insertion end 52.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the closure plate 54 includes a thickened or projecting boss 62 having an internally threaded capacity limiter passage 64 that extends through the closure plate 54. The magazine capacity limiter 10 comprises the boss 62 in combination with a rigid, elongate magazine insert rod 12 having a follower contact end 14 and an opposite closure plate attachment end 16. The two ends 14 and 16 define a length 18 therebetween. A closure plate attachment fitting 20 is installed upon the closure plate attachment end 16 of the rod 12. The fitting 20 has an externally threaded portion 22 that threads into the capacity limiter passage 64 (threaded bore) defined by the boss 62. A knob or handle 24 is preferably provided adjacent to the threaded portion 22 to facilitate installation and removal of the limiter rod 12 in the magazine 50. The knob 24 may be formed integrally with the threaded portion 22, or may be formed as a separate component and attached to the closure plate attachment end 16 of the capacity limiter 10 by any suitable means, e.g., a setscrew 26, etc. The knob 24 may be knurled to facilitate grasping and twisting the rod 12.

FIG. 2 illustrates the installation of the magazine capacity limiter rod 12 into the magazine 50 by threading the fitting portion 22 into the mating passage 64 of the boss 62. It will be seen in FIG. 2 that the installation of the magazine capacity limiter 10 into the magazine 50 results in the shaft of the elongate magazine insert rod 12 extending partially through the internal ammunition capacity volume 56 of the magazine 50 toward the cartridge insertion end 52 thereof. As more rounds or cartridges are inserted into the magazine 50, the follower 58 is pushed toward the closure plate 54. However, well before reaching the closure plate 54, the follower 58 is stopped by contact with and bearing against the follower contact end 14 of the capacity limiter rod 12, thus limiting the number of rounds or cartridges that may be inserted into the magazine 50.

FIGS. 3A through 3C provide side elevation views of similar firearm magazine capacity limiters 100a, 100b, and 100c, respectively, and a corresponding magazine 150. The magazine 150 is the same in each of FIGS. 3A through 3C. The various magazine capacity limiters 100a through 100c are configured much like the capacity limiter 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, including magazine insert rods 102a through 102c having follower contact ends 104a through 104c and opposite closure plate attachment ends 106a through 106c defining rod lengths 108a through 108c, closure plate attachment fittings 110a through 110c having externally threaded portions 112a through 112c extending from the respective attachment ends 106a through 106c of the rods, and knobs 114a through 114c extending beyond the threaded portions.

The primary difference between the three magazine capacity limiters 100a through 100c of FIGS. 3A through 3C is in the lengths of their respective insert rods 102a through 102c, both their absolute lengths and their lengths relative to the height or depth of the magazine 150. The insert rod 102a of FIG. 3A is longer than rods 102b and 102c of FIGS. 3B and 3C in order to limit the internal ammunition capacity of the magazine 150 to a greater extent than the other capacity limiters 100b and 100c. The insert rod 102b of FIG. 3B has an intermediate length 108b, while the insert rod 102c of FIG. 3C has the shortest length 108c in order to provide a greater internal ammunition volume for the magazine 150, while still limiting the capacity to less than its unrestricted volume. The various magazine capacity limiters 100a through 100c may be provided individually, or as a kit containing two or more capacity limiters, enabling the shooter to use the appropriate magazine capacity limiter 100a, 100b, or 100c according to the laws or regulations in effect at the time and place.

The magazine 150 of FIGS. 3A through 3C is similar to the magazine 50 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, except for the capacity limiter installation passage. In the magazine 150 of FIGS. 3A through 3C, the thickened boss has been eliminated and the threaded passage 164 has been formed directly through the closure plate 154. As the closure plate of a detachable box-type magazine is generally relatively thin, it is preferred that some additional thickness be provided for structural strength for the threaded passage. However, in certain circumstances it may be acceptable to eliminate the boss and provide only a threaded aperture through the thickness of the closure plate 154, as shown in FIGS. 3A through 3C.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate alternative attachment mechanisms for installing the magazine capacity limiter in the magazine. The magazines 250 are identical to one another and only partially shown in each of the drawings. FIG. 4A illustrates a firearm magazine capacity limiter 200 including a magazine insert rod 212 having a follower contact end 214, an opposite closure plate attachment end 216, and a length 218 defined between the ends 214, 216. The capacity limiter 200 differs from other embodiments in that the closure plate attachment fitting 220 comprises an unthreaded bushing 222a having a tab 222b extending radially therefrom, the tab 222b being spaced apart from the knob 224 to define a slot having a height slightly greater than the thickness of the plate 254. The bushing 222a is fixed to the rod 212 by friction or pressure fit or otherwise so that the tab 22b rotates with the rod 212.

The closure plate 254 of the magazine 250 has an unthreaded passage 264a formed therein having a slot 264b extending radially therefrom. The passage 264a and its slot 264b are substantially congruent to the bushing 222a and tab 222b of the magazine capacity limiter 200. The magazine capacity limiter 200 is secured in the magazine 250 by inserting the bushing 222a through the passage 264a of the magazine 250 with the tab 222b aligned with the slot 264b of the magazine 200 and above the closure plate 254. The capacity limiter 200 is then rotated through a partial revolution to position the tab 222b beyond the edge of the closure plate passage 264a and out of alignment with the slot 264b, thereby locking the magazine capacity limiter 200 in place in the magazine 250.

FIG. 4B illustrates an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 4A. The firearm magazine capacity limiter 300 of FIG. 4B is installed in the same magazine configuration 250 as that of FIG. 4A. The capacity limiter 300 has a magazine insert rod 312 having a follower contact end 314, an opposite closure plate attachment end 316, and a length 318 defined between the ends 314, 316. The rod 312 differs from other embodiments in that the closure plate attachment fitting 320 comprises an annular flange 322b defining a slot 322a between the flange 322b and the knob 324, the rod 312 having a diameter slightly smaller than the width of the slot or passage extension 264b and the slot 322a having a height slightly greater than the thickness of the plate 254. The passage of the magazine closure plate 254 comprises an insertion portion 264a having a diameter substantially equal to, or very slightly larger than, the flange 322b of the rod 312. The insertion portion 264a and its extension 264b are the same as the unthreaded passage 264a and slot 264b described further above in the discussion of the magazine capacity limiter 200 of FIG. 4A. The capacity limiter 300 is secured in the magazine 250 by inserting the flange 322b through the passage 264a of the magazine 250 until the slot 322a is coplanar with the closure plate 254. The rod 312 is then slid laterally to position the shaft of the rod 312 in the slot or extension 264b, the closure plate 254 being captured in the slot 322a between the flange 322b and the knob 324, thereby locking the rod 312 in place in the magazine 250.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate further embodiments of the firearm magazine capacity limiter, wherein the limiter is adapted for use with firearms having tubular magazines, such as shotguns. FIG. 5A illustrates the muzzle end of a firearm having a tubular magazine 450 installed beneath the barrel. The magazine 450 has a hollow tubular interior 452 and an internally threaded end 454a and an external rim 454b that is normally closed by a cap threaded therein. The cap provides a closure plate for the tubular magazine. The magazine capacity limiter 400 is similar to other embodiments, including a magazine insert rod 412 having a follower contact end 414, an opposite closure plate attachment end 416, and a length 418 defined between the ends 414, 416. A threaded closure plate attachment fitting 420 extends from the closure plate attachment end 416, and a knob 424 extends from the attachment fitting 420.

The closure plate 456 of the tubular magazine 450 comprises a cap having an externally threaded portion 458 adapted to thread into the internally threaded end 454 of the tubular magazine 450, and a larger diameter knob portion 460 extending concentrically therefrom. An internally threaded boss 462 extends concentrically from the knob 460, i.e., the knob 460 is located between the externally threaded portion 458 and the internally threaded boss 462.

The rod 412 is installed in the tubular magazine 450 by first threading the externally threaded portion 458 of the closure plate or cap 456 into the threaded end 454 of the magazine 450, and then threading the closure plate attachment fitting 420 into the internally threaded boss 462 of the closure plate or cap 456. The magazine insert rod 412 extends substantially concentrically down the tubular magazine 450 to limit the travel of a follower or shells placed in the magazine from its opposite end, as such magazines are conventionally loaded.

FIG. 5B illustrates another embodiment of the firearm magazine capacity limiter, designated as capacity limiter 500. The tubular firearm magazine 450 and its internally threaded forward end 454a and its external rim or lip 454b are the same as the magazine and internally threaded end thereof shown in FIG. 5A. However, it will be seen in FIG. 5B that the magazine 450 does not have a closure plate in this embodiment. The magazine capacity limiter 500 includes a magazine insert rod 512 having a follower contact end 514, an opposite closure plate attachment end 516, and a length 518 defined between the ends 514, 516. An externally threaded bushing 520 is mounted on the closure plate attachment end 516 by pressure or friction fit, and a manipulation knob 524 extends from the attachment bushing 520.

The closure plate attachment bushing 520 threads directly into the internally threaded end 454a of the tubular magazine 450. The rod 512 is installed in the tubular magazine 450 by threading the closure plate attachment bushing 520 into the internally threaded end 454a of the magazine 450. The external rim 454b of the magazine 450 serves as a limiting stop for the rod 512 in the magazine 450. The magazine insert rod 512 extends substantially concentrically down the tubular magazine 450 to limit the travel of a follower or shells placed in the magazine from its opposite end, as such magazines are conventionally loaded.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A firearm magazine capacity limiter, comprising:

at least one magazine insert rod having a follower contact end, a closure plate attachment end opposite the contact end, and a shaft defining a length between the follower contact end and the closure plate attachment end; and

a firearm magazine having a loading end and an opposing end opposite the loading end, the magazine defining a compartment for holding ammunition between the loading end and the opposing end in a position ready for loading into a firing chamber, the opposing end having a mounting aperture defined therein, the magazine insert rod being selectively secured in the mounting aperture so that the shaft extends into the compartment in order to limit the quantity of ammunition loadable in the compartment.

2. The firearm magazine capacity limiter according to claim 1, wherein said at least one magazine insert rod comprises a plurality of interchangeable magazine insert rods, each of the magazine insert rods having a different length so that the capacity of the magazine may be selectively limited.

3. The firearm magazine capacity limiter according to claim 1, wherein said firearm magazine comprises a tubular magazine, the opposing end opposite the loading end being internally threaded, the limiter further comprising an externally threaded closure plate attachment bushing attached to the closure plate attachment end of said magazine insert rod, the bushing selectively engaging the internally threaded end of the tubular magazine.

4. The firearm magazine capacity limiter according to claim 1, wherein said firearm magazine comprises a box-shaped magazine, the opposing end opposite the loading end of said firearm magazine comprising a closure plate having the mounting aperture defined therein.

5. The firearm magazine capacity limiter according to claim 4, wherein:

the closure plate attachment end of the rod is externally threaded; and

the mounting aperture in the closure plate is internally threaded, the closure plate attachment end of the rod selectively engaging the mounting aperture of the opposing end of the magazine to secure the rod in the magazine.

6. The firearm magazine capacity limiter according to claim 4, further comprising:

an internally threaded boss disposed in the mounting aperture defined in said closure plate; and

an externally threaded fitting mounted on the closure plate attachment end of said rod, the fitting selectively engaging the boss to secure said rod in said magazine.

7. The firearm magazine capacity limiter according to claim 4, wherein the mounting aperture defined in said closure plate has a keyhole configuration, the limiter further comprising a bushing mounted on the closure plate attachment end of said rod, the bushing having a tab extending therefrom, the bushing and the tab defining a key insertable through the keyhole configuration of the mounting aperture, the key being rotatable in the keyhole to lock and unlock said rod in said magazine.

8. The firearm magazine capacity limiter according to claim 4, wherein the mounting aperture defined in said closure plate has a keyhole configuration, the limiter further comprising an annular flange mounted on the closure plate attachment end of said rod, the flange being insertable through the keyhole configuration of the mounting aperture and slidable in the keyhole so that the shaft of said rod forms a friction fit with the keyhole to selectively lock said rod in said magazine.

9. The firearm magazine capacity limiter according to claim 1, wherein said firearm magazine comprises a tubular magazine, the opposing end opposite the loading end being internally threaded, the limiter further comprising:

an externally threaded bushing having an internally threaded bore extending axially through the bushing, the bushing defining a closure plate selectively engaging the internally threaded end of said magazine; and

an externally threaded fitting attached to the closure plate attachment end of said magazine insert rod, the fitting selectively engaging the internally threaded bore of the closure plate to secure said rod in said magazine.