Box Patents (Class 42/50)
  • Publication number: 20140373416
    Abstract: A device and related method are disclosed for efficient loading of a spring powered magazine. The magazine body is configured with equal and opposite lateral channels extending from the magazine floor to near the magazine top. The channels are located approximately at a longitudinal midpoint of the magazine body. The follower of the magazine is configured with a follower sleeve having a longitudinal dimension approximately equal to the longitudinal dimension of the opposite lateral channels and aligned with the opposite lateral channels as the follower slidably travels along a vertical axis of the magazine body. As the follower sleeve aligns with the opposite lateral channels, it is configured to be engaged by a compression tool to relieve, as the compression tool acts upon the follower, spring tension between the latest round loaded and the retainer lips of the magazine opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Craig M. Barnhart
  • Publication number: 20140366417
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a magazine for a firearm are described. In one aspect, a magazine for a firearm may include a magazine shell having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of sidewalls between the first end and the second end. The first end may have an opening and may be configured to attach to the firearm. The second end may include a bottom plate. At least a first primary sidewall of the sidewalls may include a deformable concave area that caves inward with respect to the magazine shell such that the concave area bulges outward with respect to the magazine shell to accommodate one or more ammunition cartridges with of a first caliber and that the concave area does not bulge outward to accommodate one or more ammunition cartridges of a second caliber smaller than the first caliber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Jing Zheng
  • Publication number: 20140352189
    Abstract: The present invention is an ammunition magazine, preferably made of a reinforced polymer, utilizing a structurally enhancing ridge, angular guide rails and a follower made to interface with said guide rails to reduce wobble. The preferred embodiment also features a protective cover that distributes forces from the spring to more structurally sound areas of the magazine, thus reducing feed end splay, and an ammunition indication system comprised of at least one window and a noticeable marker on the follower spring. The follower and magazine casing are also designed to interface to prevent the follower from popping out of the feed end and the floor plate of the magazine utilizes a locking plate and sliding relationship between the floor plate, locking plate and magazine to secure the floor plate onto the magazine casing. The cover features built in tools for, among other things, unloading and disassembling the magazine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Richard N. Fitzpatrick, Michael T. Mayberry, Brian L. Nakayama, Eric C. Burt
  • Patent number: 8898946
    Abstract: A magazine adapter includes a base that is structured to fit within the magazine well of a firearm, and to accept a magazine designed for smaller caliber ammunition than the original firearm. The adapter includes a bolt catch actuator slidably mounted therein. Magazines for which the adapter is intended include an upwardly extending rear projection of the follower, projecting from an opening in the rear of the magazine housing when the follower is in an upper portion of the magazine. When the upwardly extending projection pushes upward on the bolt catch actuator, the bolt catch is actuated, holding the firearms bolt in a rearward position. The magazine adapter thereby facilitates use of the original firearm controls with a caliber conversion unit, or with an upper receiver and barrel combination of a different caliber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: David Arthur Johnson
  • Patent number: 8887428
    Abstract: A variable capacity modular firearm magazine includes one or more modular magazine bodies, each having connectors to allow the plurality of bodes to be removably secured together in a vertical manner, a receiver member having a coupler that is removably secured to the uppermost magazine body, a baseplate having a coupler that is removably secured to the lowermost magazine body, and a cartridge engagement unit that is disposed within each of the bodies and receiver member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Eric Lemoine
  • Patent number: 8863423
    Abstract: A magazine includes a body member having a front, a back, and opposing side walls that define a first orifice at a first distal end of the body member, a retention plate member having a base, end wall, and retention spring portion, and a planar engagement surface extending from the base portion at an oblique angle relative to the base portion, wherein a portion of the front wall of the body member is disposed in a gap defined by the end wall portion and the retention spring portion, and an end plate member slidably engaging the body member, the end plate member having a base portion that defines an orifice having an engagement surface defining an oblique angle relative to the base portion, wherein the planar engagement surface of the retention plate member is disposed in the orifice in contact with the planar engagement surface of the end plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Prezine LLC
    Inventors: Norman E. Clifton, Jr., William H. Rogers, Matthew E. McKendrick
  • Patent number: 8850731
    Abstract: Improved gun with automatic loading of cartridges, comprising a cartridge loader in the form of a tubular magazine (4), characterized in that: The magazine bottom (18) is mounted in a way so that it can slide in the axial direction (X-X?) with respect to the tubular magazine (4). The sliding magazine bottom (18) is equipped with a shock absorber (26) able to absorb the shocks exerted on the magazine bottom (18) in the axial direction (X-X?) of the tubular magazine (4). The cartridge follower assembly (19) provided with a shock absorber (29) that can absorb the shocks exerted on the follower assembly (19) in the axial direction (19) of the tubular magazine (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Browning International, Societe Anonyme
    Inventors: Alain Botty, Marc Boland
  • Patent number: 8850732
    Abstract: A magazine for a firearm comprises a magazine shell and a main magazine spring. The magazine shell includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and sidewalls between the first end and the second end. The first end includes an opening and is configured to attach to the firearm. The second end includes a bottom plate. The main magazine spring includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second end of the main magazine spring is coupled to the bottom plate of the second end of the magazine shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Jing Zheng
  • Patent number: 8844183
    Abstract: A box magazine for a firearm may have a housing with two substantially different widths. A wider region may accommodate four columns of cartridges and may have tapered surfaces at one end that lead into a narrower region which may accommodate an interlocked and staggered double column of cartridges. Cartridges in the wider region may be separated into two staggered double columns by a free standing dividing wall and may be advanced by inner and outer contoured followers that may be nested together to form a single follower assembly surrounding the freestanding wall and that may be driven by the outer follower's spring. An inner follower spring may remain nested within the outer follower such that the two followers coordinate the advance of the two separated double columns of cartridges toward tapered surfaces that merge the two double columns into two single columns proximate the top of the dividing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: ArmWest, LLC
    Inventor: Leroy James Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8839543
    Abstract: The present invention is an ammunition magazine, preferably made of a reinforced polymer, utilizing a structurally enhancing ridge, angular guide rails and a follower made to interface with said guide rails to reduce wobble. The preferred embodiment also features a protective cover that distributes forces from the spring to more structurally sound areas of the magazine, thus reducing feed end splay, and an ammunition indication system comprised of at least one window and a noticeable marker on the follower spring. The follower and magazine casing are also designed to interface to prevent the follower from popping out of the feed end and the floor plate of the magazine utilizes a locking plate and sliding relationship between the floor plate, locking plate and magazine to secure the floor plate onto the magazine casing. The cover features built in tools for, among other things, unloading and disassembling the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Magpul Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Richard M. Fitzpatrick, Michael T. Mayberry, Brian L. Nakayama, Eric C. Burt
  • Publication number: 20140259844
    Abstract: A cartridge magazine for housing a plurality of stacked cartridges and successively dispensing and guiding the uppermost one of the stacked cartridges from the magazine forward toward an inclined ramp leading to a chamber of a barrel of a firearm, the magazine comprising a housing portion and a nose-dive control spring. The nose-dive control spring comprises a resilient shank portion and a bullet-engageable end portion. The shank portion extends from one of the front and side walls to the bullet-engageable end portion. The nose-dive control spring is adapted and configured to prevent an uppermost cartridge from moving into a nose-dive orientation as a breech face of the firearm pushes the cartridge forward toward the inclined ramp of the firearm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Russell E. Kruse
  • Publication number: 20140250752
    Abstract: A magazine for a firearm may include a cavity that is shaped to prevent the tip of the bullets in the cartridges from contacting the magazine when the firearm recoils. The magazine may also be configured so that the cartridges in the magazine exit the cavity at least approximately in the center of the magazine. The magazine may be configured to include a biasing mechanism that pushes the cartridges upward in the cavity. The biasing mechanism may be configured to allow the magazine to be compact, simple, and reliable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Browning
    Inventor: Marcus A. Heath
  • Patent number: 8819977
    Abstract: A compact firearm spring arrangement within a firearm magazine utilizes two or more springs connected in a linear arrangement by a connecting cup that allows one spring to compress within the other, thereby resulting in a free length spring system having a reduced height when fully compressed while maintaining sufficient force for operation of the firearm. The reduced height of the spring when fully compressed allows for additional bullet storage space within a magazine of standard size or, alternatively, a more compact system within a magazine that provides an equal amount of bullet storage space while reducing the friction of operation of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Steven Corso
  • Patent number: 8813406
    Abstract: A high capacity box magazine is provided. A plurality of nested followers may be adapted to nest one within another and a plurality of springs may be configured to nest one within another to facilitate the advancement of cartridges within the box magazine to a firearm. A spring cup or cups may be used to nest additional springs that work in series and are nested within each other to further reduce the required height of the springs. The reliability of a conventional lower capacity box magazine may be maintained or exceeded without requiring significantly greater length in order to accommodate the increased capacity. The high capacity box magazine typically requires less frequent magazine changes than conventional lower capacity box magazines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: ArmWest, LLC
    Inventors: Leroy James Sullivan, Robert Lloyd Waterfield, Hyunjung Samuel Eyssautier
  • Publication number: 20140223792
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for loading a firearm magazine by loading all cartridges at once. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a firearm magazine has a cartridge guide that can be locked such that the loading spring is locked in a compressed position. A loading strip that is preloaded with cartridges may be loaded into a magazine and slidably removed to load all cartridges at once. Upon loading the cartridges, the cartridge guide may be unlocked such that the spring may enable the cartridge guide to feed the cartridges into a chamber when engaged with a firearm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventor: Andrei Socivoi
  • Publication number: 20140215877
    Abstract: A high capacity box magazine is provided. A plurality of nested followers may be adapted to nest one within another and a plurality of springs may be configured to nest one within another to facilitate the advancement of cartridges within the box magazine to a firearm. A spring cup or cups may be used to nest additional springs that work in series and are nested within each other to further reduce the required height of the springs. The reliability of a conventional lower capacity box magazine may be maintained or exceeded without requiring significantly greater length in order to accommodate the increased capacity. The high capacity box magazine typically requires less frequent magazine changes than conventional lower capacity box magazines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: ArmWest, LLC
    Inventors: Leroy James Sullivan, Robert Lloyd Waterfield, Hyunjung Samuel Eyssautier
  • Publication number: 20140215878
    Abstract: The present invention is an ammunition magazine, preferably made of a reinforced polymer, utilizing a structurally enhancing ridge, angular guide rails and a follower made to interface with said guide rails to reduce wobble. The preferred embodiment also features a protective cover that distributes forces from the spring to more structurally sound areas of the magazine, thus reducing feed end splay, and an ammunition indication system comprised of at least one window and a noticeable marker on the follower spring. The follower and magazine casing are also designed to interface to prevent the follower from popping out of the feed end and the floor plate of the magazine utilizes a locking plate and sliding relationship between the floor plate, locking plate and magazine to secure the floor plate onto the magazine casing. The cover features built in tools for, among other things, unloading and disassembling the magazine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Magpul Industries Corp
    Inventors: Richard M. Fitzpatrick, Michael T. Mayberry, Brian L. Nakayama, Eric C. Burt
  • Patent number: 8793914
    Abstract: A weapon magazine boot for covering the exposed portion of a weapon magazine provides improved gripping features and reduced detection when observed through night vision or lowlight observation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Anderson, Martin J. Nilsen, Christopher A. J. Iannello
  • Patent number: 8776426
    Abstract: A magazine release assist tool is described comprising of a generally U-shaped clip having an integrated arm extension. The tool is used to assist in the release of a magazine from a firearm that is equipped with a magazine release blocking mechanism. The clip is removably secured to the lower receiver of a firearm and the arm extension is provided to form a resilient flat spring having a pivot at its proximate end and a push pin at its distal end. When attached to the firearm, a user can depress the flat spring such that the push pin will engage the magazine release button of the firearm allowing quick removal of the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Eric Symonds
  • Patent number: 8763294
    Abstract: An ammunition system for a firearm includes a cartridge for a firearm, a muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment, a magnet, and a magnetic material. The muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment is loaded into the barrel after the cartridge is loaded in the usual manner. The two are adhered together by magnetic attraction. The cartridge has the magnet, the muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment has the magnet, or both have magnets aligned to draw the two together. When one magnet is present between the two, then the other must have a magnetic material to be drawn to the magnet. To enable more than one muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment to be added, a third magnet may be used within the muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment at the end opposite the cartridge to exert a magnetic field extending toward the muzzle, which will hold the next muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment added to the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: MBAS Associates, Trustee for Multiple Bullet Ammunition System CRT Trust
    Inventor: S. Mill Calvert
  • Patent number: 8756845
    Abstract: An accessory which becomes an integral part of a semi-automatic firearm whereby the firearm is converted from one with a detachable magazine into one with a fixed magazine. The device is comprised of an upper tension bar and a magazine catch bar whereby the upper tension bar holds the magazine firmly within the magazine well receiver when the upper tension bar is contacting the upper receiver. When the upper receiver and lower receiver of the firearm are in an open position, the upper tension bar freely moves inward toward the firearm, allowing the magazine catch bar to remove from the magazine well receiver. A user may then remove the magazine from the magazine well receiver and replace it with a new magazine. The user must reattach the upper receiver to the lower receiver before utilizing the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Courtney Harris
  • Patent number: 8752318
    Abstract: A magazine for storing and dispensing cartridges to a firearm. In one embodiment, the magazine includes a tubular body, a compression spring, and a two-piece follower including a first follower moveable within the magazine and a second follower disposed below the first follower. The second follower may be movable independently of the first follower and is engaged by the compression spring which applies a biasing force towards an open top end of the magazine. The second follower includes a base plate having an upward extending flange configured and dimensioned for slidable insertion through a slot formed in the first follower. The second follower is operable to project the flange through the slot to contact and assist with ejecting the last spent cartridge case in the magazine. In one embodiment, the firearm may be a pistol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventor: Charles R. Pulit, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140150315
    Abstract: A magazine for a firearm is provided. The magazine includes a first wall and a second wall coupled to the first wall to define an enclosure. A first projection extends from a first portion of the first wall, a first end of the first projection being adjacent an end of the first wall, the first projection having a first angled surface opposite the first end. A second projection extends from a second portion of the second wall, a second end of the second projection being adjacent the first end, the second projection having a second angled surface arranged opposite the first angled surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventor: Shawn H. Russell
  • Patent number: 8739446
    Abstract: A high capacity box magazine is provided. A plurality of nested followers may be adapted to nest one within another and a plurality of springs may be configured to nest one within another to facilitate the advancement of cartridges within the box magazine to a firearm. A spring cup or cups may be used to nest additional springs that work in series and are nested within each other to further reduce the required height of the springs. The reliability of a conventional lower capacity box magazine may be maintained or exceeded without requiring significantly greater length in order to accommodate the increased capacity. The high capacity box magazine typically requires less frequent magazine changes than conventional lower capacity box magazines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: ArmWest, LLC
    Inventors: Leroy James Sullivan, Robert Lloyd Waterfield, Hyunjung Samuel Eyssautier
  • Patent number: 8733008
    Abstract: Example cartridge magazines for use within a curved handle of certain pistols have a laterally curved housing so that the pistols and magazines can fit comfortably along a user's body. Such curved pistols and magazines are particularly suited for carrying within a shirt or pants pocket. A curved pistol loaded with a curved magazine, for instance, can be carried comfortably in one pocket while an extra loaded magazine can be carried in another pocket. Example magazines carry single and multiple rows of cartridges along appropriately sized curved housings. The magazine's curvature provides a user with a prominent tactile feature that quickly indicates in which direction the magazine should be inserted within the pistol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Taurus International Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Mathew A. McPherson
  • Publication number: 20140130389
    Abstract: A box magazine (10) has a body portion 11 formed from a first section (12) including a side (14) and spaced-apart, upstanding edges (16) and (18) and a second section (20) that has a side (22) and spaced-apart, upstanding rims (24) and (26). A “Z” shaped keys (28) are formed in each of the spaced-apart, upstanding edges (16) and (18) and matching “Z: shaped keyways (30) are formed in each of the spaced-apart, upstanding rims (24) and (26). The keys (28) and keyways (30) engage one another via a sliding action to form the body portion (11). A follower (32) is positioned between the first section (12) and the second section (20), a follower spring (34) is positioned between the first section (12) and the second section (20) and has a first end (36) in contact with the follower (32) and a second end (38) in contact with a floor plate (40) that seals a bottom (42) of the body portion (11) to form the box magazine (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Harry A. Perrette, V, Harry A. Perrette, IV
  • Patent number: 8720095
    Abstract: A firearm magazine that is designed to make the loading of cartridges easier and faster, while being constructed of fewer parts for higher reliability and with no protruding elements that preclude its use in pre-existing firearms. In one embodiment, a box-type magazine is provided with an internal spring and a follower. The body of the magazine and the follower are specially constructed to facilitate manual loading. The body of the magazine incorporates a slot extending along the path of the follower. The follower is fabricated with a concave opening on a lateral surface that can be manually accessed through the slot in the magazine body, thereby allowing a user to depress the follower against the pressure of the internal spring using a finger or thumb while the cartridges are easily loaded at the top of the magazine body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Perry Wright
  • Patent number: 8713834
    Abstract: A reinforcement device for reinforcing a locating pin aperture in a firearm magazine. The reinforcement device includes a front panel with an aperture adapted to be coaxially aligned with the locating pin aperture. The reinforcement device also includes a clamp adapted to secure the front panel to the firearm magazine to ensure accurate alignment of the front panel aperture with the locating pin aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: RA Brands, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Buddie Daniel, William Barrett, Robert Howard, J. Keith Coleman, Kenneth Scott Phillips
  • Patent number: 8677880
    Abstract: A combination magazine and outer skin for a firearm including a magazine core adapted to releasably engage a firearm in communication with an action assembly associated with the firearm. Multiple cores are stackable end-to-end to define a continuous interior, with an end cap engaging an open bottom of a lowermost core. A design indicia exhibits an interior recess and is assembled around the stacked cores. A dual use follower is in use with an uppermost located magazine and maintains the assembly bolt in an open position and following the last cartridge being fired until such time as the magazine is removed. In the further variant, with a BHOA installed in place, the follower activates the BHOA and the bolt to remain in the retracted/open position, following magazine removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: 22 Evolution LLC
    Inventors: Jordan Bowles, John L. Overstreet
  • Publication number: 20140075810
    Abstract: A universal cartridge follower for a firearm magazine comprising a cartridge receiving surface and side walls extending from the cartridge receiving surface. The cartridge receiving surface is operationally configured to intercept a firearm bolt. The side walls extend from the cartridge receiving surface and have opposing first surfaces defining a first width of the cartridge receiving surface and at least opposing second surfaces defining a second width of the cartridge receiving surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Dmitri Mikroulis
  • Patent number: 8667724
    Abstract: A magazine for a firearm comprises a magazine shell, a main magazine spring, and a follower assembly. The follower assembly is disposed inside the magazine shell and movable generally along a longitudinal axis of the magazine shell. The follower assembly includes a non-tilt-able piece coupled to a first end of the main magazine spring and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The follower assembly also includes a tilt-able piece having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A middle portion of the tilt-able piece is pivot-ably coupled to a middle portion of the non-tilt-able piece. The follower assembly further includes an elastic element that is elastically disposed between the non-tilt-able piece and the tilt-able piece and exerting a force on the non-tilt-able piece and the tilt-able piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Jing Zheng
  • Publication number: 20140053446
    Abstract: A box magazine for a firearm may have a housing with two substantially different widths. A wider region may accommodate four columns of cartridges and may have tapered surfaces at one end that lead into a narrower region which may accommodate an interlocked and staggered double column of cartridges. Cartridges in the wider region may be separated into two staggered double columns by a free standing dividing wall and may be advanced by inner and outer contoured followers that may be nested together to form a single follower assembly surrounding the freestanding wall and that may be driven by the outer follower's spring. An inner follower spring may remain nested within the outer follower such that the two followers coordinate the advance of the two separated double columns of cartridges toward tapered surfaces that merge the two double columns into two single columns proximate the top of the dividing wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: ArmWest, LLC
    Inventor: Leroy James Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8650787
    Abstract: A follower for a firearm magazine includes a base part, a guide, a cartridge engaging part, and a slide stop actuating structure. The base part provides a lower surface against which the magazine spring acts, and the guide provides a guide surface extending transverse to a base plane defined by the base part. The cartridge engaging part provides a spring action within the follower itself to augment the force of the magazine spring. The slide stop actuating structure is located at a front end of the base part and provides an inclined engagement surface that extends upwardly from the front end of the base part to a front edge of the follower. This upwardly angled surface forms an engagement surface to reliably engage a slide stop lug of a firearm to actuate the firearm's slide stop mechanism when the magazine is empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Michael L. McCormick
  • Patent number: 8646200
    Abstract: An ammunition magazine with an improved base locking, including: a hollow magazine body, a follower, a spring and a magazine base. The magazine body is equipped with track guides that correspond to grooves embodied on the magazine base, that the magazine base is guided onto. The spring is spirally embodied such that the first turn fully encompasses the surface of the magazine base and in the compressed state the rest of the spring, without the first turn, can fully fit into the follower pressed by the spring. The magazine base has a catch on one side and a hole positioned next to the catch. The magazine body has a slit allowing the catch to pass unobstructed into the magazine body and catch the detent spot on the spring positioned inside the magazine body. An advantage is improved safety of magazine base locking to the magazine body and simpler construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: HS Produkt D.O.O.
    Inventor: Mario Rendulic
  • Patent number: 8635796
    Abstract: The present invention is an ammunition magazine, preferably made of a reinforced polymer, utilizing a structurally enhancing ridge, angular guide rails and a follower made to interface with said guide rails to reduce wobble. The preferred embodiment also features a protective cover that distributes forces from the spring to more structurally sound areas of the magazine, thus reducing feed end splay, and an ammunition indication system comprised of at least one window and a noticeable marker on the follower spring. The follower and magazine casing are also designed to interface to prevent the follower from popping out of the feed end and the floor plate of the magazine utilizes a locking plate and sliding relationship between the floor plate, locking plate and magazine to secure the floor plate onto the magazine casing. The cover features built in tools for, among other things, unloading and disassembling the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Magpul Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Richard M. Fitzpatrick, Michael T. Mayberry, Brian L. Nakayama, Eric C. Burt
  • Publication number: 20140007480
    Abstract: A magazine for storing and dispensing cartridges to a firearm. In one embodiment, the magazine includes a tubular body, a compression spring, and a two-piece follower including a first follower moveable within the magazine and a second follower disposed below the first follower. The second follower may be movable independently of the first follower and is engaged by the compression spring which applies a biasing force towards an open top end of the magazine. The second follower includes a base plate having an upward extending flange configured and dimensioned for slidable insertion through a slot formed in the first follower. The second follower is operable to project the flange through the slot to contact and assist with ejecting the last spent cartridge case in the magazine. In one embodiment, the firearm may be a pistol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Charles R. Pulit, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130333261
    Abstract: A magazine includes a body member having a front, a back, and opposing side walls that define a first orifice at a first distal end of the body member, a retention plate member having a base, end wall, and retention spring portion, and a planar engagement surface extending from the base portion at an oblique angle relative to the base portion, wherein a portion of the front wall of the body member is disposed in a gap defined by the end wall portion and the retention spring portion, and an end plate member slidably engaging the body member, the end plate member having a base portion that defines an orifice having an engagement surface defining an oblique angle relative to the base portion, wherein the planar engagement surface of the retention plate member is disposed in the orifice in contact with the planar engagement surface of the end plate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Norman E. Clifton, JR., William H. Rogers, Matthew E. McKendrick
  • Patent number: 8607489
    Abstract: A magazine for a firearm holds cartridges in three sections: a top section, a middle section and a bottom section. The top section is detachable. The middle section has a smaller width and depth than the bottom section so that the middle section can be inserted into the bottom section of another similarly formed magazine. A removable bottom cover closes the bottom section. A spring with removable segments rests on the bottom cover. A c-shaped member fixed to each spring segment permits adding segments. Two magazines may be combined by removing the top section of a second magazine, detaching the bottom cover of a first magazine, removing a spring segment of the second magazine, connecting the shorter spring to the spring of the first magazine; and slidably inserting the middle section of the second magazine into the bottom section of the first ammunition magazine over the larger spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: SMAG Associates
    Inventor: S. Mill Calvert
  • Publication number: 20130312305
    Abstract: Example cartridge magazines for use within a curved handle of certain pistols have a laterally curved housing so that the pistols and magazines can fit comfortably along a user's body. Such curved pistols and magazines are particularly suited for carrying within a shirt or pants pocket. A curved pistol loaded with a curved magazine, for instance, can be carried comfortably in one pocket while an extra loaded magazine can be carried in another pocket. Example magazines carry single and multiple rows of cartridges along appropriately sized curved housings. The magazine's curvature provides a user with a prominent tactile feature that quickly indicates in which direction the magazine should be inserted within the pistol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventor: Mathew A. McPherson
  • Patent number: 8590203
    Abstract: A magazine well insert prevents contaminants from entering the magazine well of a pistol or a rifle. The magazine well insert provides a visual indication that the weapon does not have a magazine installed, thereby enhancing weapons safety. The magazine well insert of the present invention protects the weapon's magazine well from becoming contaminated with sand and other debris by sealing the magazine well with a block, for example, a plastic or metal block, that has an o-ring or other sealing device adapted to be positioned at the opening of the magazine well. The magazine well insert may be used in two different configurations, a first configuration that allow normal operation of the weapon's action or a second configuration that blocks the action of the weapon. The magazine well insert may be hollow with a removable sliding base to provide for storage in an interior portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Kevin McCarthy, John Irwin McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20130291419
    Abstract: A magazine for a firearm may include a cavity that is shaped to prevent the tip of the bullets in the cartridges from contacting the magazine when the firearm recoils. The magazine may also be configured so that the cartridges in the magazine exit the cavity at least approximately in the center of the magazine. The magazine may be configured to include a biasing mechanism that pushes the cartridges upward in the cavity. The biasing mechanism may be configured to allow the magazine to be compact, simple, and reliable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Marcus A. Heath
  • Patent number: 8572877
    Abstract: A box magazine for a firearm may have a housing with two substantially different widths. A wider region may accommodate four columns of cartridges and may have tapered surfaces at one end that lead into a narrower region which may accommodate an interlocked and staggered double column of cartridges. Cartridges in the wider region may be separated into two staggered double columns by a free standing dividing wall and may be advanced by inner and outer contoured followers that may be nested together to form a single follower assembly surrounding the freestanding wall and that may be driven by the outer follower's spring. An inner follower spring may remain nested within the outer follower such that the two followers coordinate the advance of the two separated double columns of cartridges toward tapered surfaces that merge the two double columns into two single columns proximate the top of the dividing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: ArmWest, LLC
    Inventor: Leroy James Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20130255125
    Abstract: A magazine for use with semi-automatic and automatic firearms that includes a mechanism for relaxing the tension on the spring when the magazine is loaded with ammunition by lowering and extending the spring out of the bottom of the magazine. The magazine can be stored in a fully loaded configuration without concern that the spring will take on a compression set that will hamper its effectiveness in advancing ammo when the magazine is put to use in an associated firearm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Randy Bath
  • Publication number: 20130227870
    Abstract: An ammunition magazine with an improved base locking, including: a hollow magazine body, a follower, a spring and a magazine base. The magazine body is equipped with track guides that correspond to grooves embodied on the magazine base, that the magazine base is guided onto. The spring is spirally embodied such that the first turn fully encompasses the surface of the magazine base and in the compressed state the rest of the spring, without the first turn, can fully fit into the follower pressed by the spring. The magazine base has a catch on one side and a hole positioned next to the catch. The magazine body has a slit allowing the catch to pass unobstructed into the magazine body and catch the detent spot on the spring positioned inside the magazine body. An advantage is improved safety of magazine base locking to the magazine body and simpler construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: HS Produkt d.o.o.
    Inventor: Mario Rendulic
  • Publication number: 20130180146
    Abstract: A new interface for a magazine follower and floor plate is used to provide greater stability to the round stack and a more sturdy system overall. The floor plate is designed with two opposite legs, the rear being shorter than the front leg so as to facilitate travel throughout the magazine and clearing of accumulated dirt and debris. The floor plate, in one embodiment, utilizes a lock plate that is shaped and sized to become a shoe for the compressed spring and associated follower. In an alternate embodiment, the floor plate itself serves the purpose and, with provided teeth, directly fastens to the magazine casing at notches manufactured in the magazine wall for that purpose. Other enhancements to the magazine include at least one matrix of divots to provide a paint surface, an over-insertion stop and a lower rear geometry to aid in clearing debris and grit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Magpul Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Richard M. Fitzpatrick, Michael T. Mayberry, Brian L. Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20130167420
    Abstract: A magazine for a firearm comprises a magazine shell, a main magazine spring, and a follower assembly. The follower assembly is disposed inside the magazine shell and movable generally along a longitudinal axis of the magazine shell. The follower assembly includes a non-tilt-able piece coupled to a first end of the main magazine spring and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The follower assembly also includes a tilt-able piece having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A middle portion of the tilt-able piece is pivot-ably coupled to a middle portion of the non-tilt-able piece. The follower assembly further includes an elastic element that is elastically disposed between the non-tilt-able piece and the tilt-able piece and exerting a force on the non-tilt-able piece and the tilt-able piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: Jing Zheng
  • Publication number: 20130167421
    Abstract: A magazine for a firearm comprises a magazine shell and a main magazine spring. The magazine shell includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and sidewalls between the first end and the second end. The first end includes an opening and is configured to attach to the firearm. The second end includes a bottom plate. The main magazine spring includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second end of the main magazine spring is coupled to the bottom plate of the second end of the magazine shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: Jing Zheng
  • Patent number: 8468730
    Abstract: An ammunition magazine including a housing having a base, a follower spring-biased in the housing against the base, a belt coupled to the follower for pulling the follower towards the base, a belt collecting and release mechanism mounted in the base, the belt being coupled to the mechanism for shortening the belt around the wheel when the magazine is rolled along a surface in a forward direction, whereby the belt pulls the follower into the magazine to permit loading of cartridges into the magazine, and for preventing rotation of the wheel to release the belt when the base is rolled along a surface in a rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventors: Sagi Faifer, Yehuda Meller
  • Patent number: 8448364
    Abstract: Disclosed is a double stack box magazine for rimmed ammunition cartridges of varied lengths. It includes a housing having a neck portion in which cartridges are arranged in a single column, a double-stack portion in which cartridges are arranged in laterally alternating columns, and a transition portion between the neck portion and the double-stack portion. A pair of rim clearance channels is provided, on opposed interior lateral surfaces of the housing. A first channel portion allows clearance for cartridge rims without respect to forward and rearward position of the cartridges within the housing, which may vary depending on individual cartridge length. A second channel portion in the neck provides an abutment against which laterally opposed areas of a cartridge rim bear to shift the cartridge to a rearward position. A third channel portion provides transition between the first and second channel portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventor: Michael J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 8434254
    Abstract: A safety magazine allows training rounds to be fired while preventing the firing of live rounds. The magazine has front and rear walls, whereby the distance between the front wall and the rear wall is less than the length of a standard 5.56×45 mm NATO cartridge. The magazine has an alignment rib projecting from the rear wall that is adapted for insertion into an alignment groove formed in a rear end wall of a standard M16 style magazine well. The magazine has a spacer projecting laterally from the sides of said alignment rib and that is located between the rear wall of the magazine and the rear face of the alignment rib. The spacer is adapted to engage the rear end wall of the standard M16 style magazine well for spacing the rear wall of the safety magazine away from the rear end wall of the magazine well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Bihler of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug Watchorn, Barry Littlewood