MAGAZINE RELEASE FOR USE WITH PISTOL

Abstract

A magazine release assembly for use with a pistol is disclosed. The magazine release assembly has a pin configured to be positioned through an end of a pistol trigger guard. There is a magazine release arm pivotally mounted to the pin. A magazine catch is also pivotally mounted to the pin. The magazine catch is configured to be positioned between a wall of the pistol handle and a wall of the magazine inserted into the pistol handle cavity in use. The magazine catch has a ledge which engages a notch on the magazine wall when the release arm is pivoted to an engaged position and which pivots away from the notch when the release arm is disengaged. In an embodiment, there are two magazine release arms, making the magazine release assembly ambidextrous.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a non-provisional patent application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/178,265 filed on May 14, 2009.

BACKGROUND

Pistols known in the art require the user to move the strong hand thumb to depress the button to release the magazine from the pistol, which increases time required for reloading the pistol for further use. Accordingly, there is a need for a magazine release that allows the user to keep the strong hand thumb in place and depress the magazine release with less movement of the strong hand thumb, therefore decreasing the reloading time for further use.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a pistol having a magazine release assembly is disclosed. The pistol has a body that includes a handle having a cavity that defines a longitudinal axis and is configured for accepting a magazine through a first wall thereof. A second wall defines a width of the handle. The body also includes a trigger guard having an end positioned adjacent to the second wall of the handle. A barrel is configured to engage a frame that mounts to the body. The barrel receives shells from the magazine and fires bullets. A trigger releases a hammer to strike a rear end of a firing pin that strikes a shell in the barrel to eject a bullet therefrom. The magazine release assembly has a pin positioned through the end of the trigger guard along the width of the second wall in a direction perpendicular to the axis. A magazine release arm is pivotally mounted to the pin and is positioned lateral to the trigger guard. A magazine catch is pivotally mounted to the pin and positioned between the second wall of the handle and a magazine wall. The magazine catch has a ledge which engages a notch on the magazine wall when the magazine release arm is pivoted to an engaged position and which pivots away from the notch when the magazine release arm is in a disengaged position.

In another embodiment, a magazine release assembly is disclosed. The magazine release assembly has a pin configured to be positioned through an end of the trigger guard of a pistol. A magazine release arm is pivotally mounted to the pin. A magazine catch is pivotally mounted to the pin and configured to be positioned between a wall of a pistol handle and a magazine wall when the magazine is inserted into a cavity of the pistol handle in use. The magazine catch has a ledge which engages a notch on the magazine wall when the release arm is pivoted to an engaged position and which pivots away from the notch when the release arm is in a disengaged position.

In another embodiment, a pistol in combination with a magazine having a notch on a wall is disclosed. The pistol has a body that includes a handle having a cavity that defines a longitudinal axis and is configured for accepting the magazine through an opening in a first wall. The handle has a second wall that defines a width. A trigger guard having an end is positioned adjacent to the second wall. There is a barrel configured to engage a frame assembly that mounts to the body and receives shells from the magazine and fires bullets. A trigger releases a hammer to strike a rear of a firing pin that strikes a shell in the barrel to eject the bullet therefrom. A magazine release assembly has a pin positioned through the end of the trigger guard along the width of the second wall in a direction perpendicular to the axis. A magazine release arm is pivotally mounted to the pin and positioned lateral to the trigger guard. A magazine catch is pivotally mounted to the pin and positioned between the second wall of the handle and the magazine wall. The magazine catch has a ledge that engages the notch when the release arm is pivoted to an engaged position and that pivots away from the notch when the release arm is pivoted to a disengaged position.

These and other details, objects, and advantages of the disclosed magazine release will become better understood or apparent from the following descriptions, examples, and figures showing embodiments thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the drawings which are attached hereto and made a part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the magazine release assembly.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the magazine release assembly shown in FIG. 1 in the engaged position. The magazine and a section of the pistol are shown in dotted line.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the magazine release assembly shown in FIG. 1 in the engaged position. The magazine and a section of the pistol are shown in dotted line.

FIG. 2C is a side view of the magazine release assembly shown in FIG. 1 in the disengaged position. The magazine and a section of the pistol are shown in dotted line.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the magazine release assembly in the engaged position. The magazine and a section of the pistol are shown in dotted line.

FIG. 3B is a side view of the magazine release assembly shown in FIG. 3A in the engaged position. The magazine and a section of the pistol are shown in dotted line.

FIG. 3C is a side view of the magazine release assembly shown in FIG. 3A in the disengaged position. The magazine and a section of the pistol are shown in dotted line.

FIG. 4 is side view of the magazine.

FIG. 5A is a side view of the pistol having the magazine release assembly shown in FIG. 1 in the engaged position.

FIG. 5B is a side view of the pistol having the magazine release assembly shown in FIG. 1 in the disengaged position.

FIG. 6 is a side cutaway view of the pistol shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the pistol shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the pistol shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the pistol shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the pistol having the magazine release assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the slide.

FIG. 12A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the magazine release assembly.

FIG. 12B is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the magazine release assembly.

FIG. 13 is a side view of an embodiment of the pistol having an accessory rail.

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the pistol.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A magazine release assembly 100 for use with a pistol 300 is disclosed. In examples, the pistol 300 is large-frame, medium-frame, compact or sub-compact. Embodiments of the pistol are shown in FIGS. 5, 7-9, and 13. In other embodiments the magazine release assembly 100 is configured for use on any gun having a magazine 200 inserted through a handle cavity 336. The magazine release assembly 100 includes a pin 110, a magazine release arm 120, and a magazine catch 130. The magazine release assembly 100 may be manufactured from a polymer such as high strength polymer, metal, stainless steel, or aluminum. The magazine release assembly 100 is configured for use with a magazine 200 such as the one shown in FIG. 4. In an embodiment, the magazine 200 has a cavity 220 that is configured to house up to six shells 400, although the magazine cavity 220 may be configured to hold more than six shells 400. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the magazine 200 has an extended bottom 240 to facilitate a better grip. However, in an other embodiment, the magazine 200 has a substantially flat bottom. See FIG. 10. The magazine 200 can be manufactured from polymer or the like. Optionally, the magazine 200 is manufactured from a translucent polymer.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 12 the magazine release assembly 100 includes a pin 110 configured to be positioned through an end of a pistol trigger guard 320. In use, the pin 110 is positioned along the width 335 of the handle second wall 334 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 337. A magazine release arm 120 is pivotally mounted to the pin 110. The magazine release arm 120 is configured to be positioned lateral to the trigger guard 320 of the pistol when the magazine release assembly 100 is assembled on a pistol 300. Optionally, two magazine release arms 120 are pivotally mounted to the pin 110 to make the magazine release assembly 100 ambidextrous.

A magazine catch 130 is pivotally mounted to the pin 110. See FIGS. 1, 12. The magazine catch 130 is configured to be positioned between the second wall 334 of the pistol handle 330 and a wall 233 of the magazine 200 inserted into the cavity 336 of the pistol handle 330 in use, as shown in FIGS. 5-8. The magazine 200 has a notch 231 on wall 233, as shown in FIG. 4. The magazine catch 130 has a ledge 131 which is configured to engage the notch 231 when the magazine 200 is inserted into the handle cavity 336. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B, when the magazine release arm 120 is pivoted to an engaged position, the ledge 131 is engaged with the notch 231 to secure the magazine 200 in the handle cavity 336. The ledge 131 pivots away from the notch 231 to release the magazine 200 from the handle cavity 336 when the magazine release arm 120 is pivoted to a disengaged position, as shown in FIGS. 2C and 3C.

A first embodiment of the magazine release assembly 100 is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 12A. The magazine catch 130 includes a spring 132 that contacts the second wall 334 of the handle 330 when the magazine release assembly 100 is assembled on the pistol 300. In the FIGS., the spring 132 is conical, but spring 132 may be any shape or configuration. In use, the spring 132 is in a partially compressed state when the magazine release arm 120 is pivoted to the engaged position (FIGS. 2B, 5A) and is further compressed when the magazine release arm 120 is pivoted to the disengaged position (FIGS. 2C, 5B). When the magazine release arm 120 is pivoted to the disengaged position, the magazine catch 130 pivots away from the magazine 200 and the ledge 131 disengages from the notch 231, thereby releasing the magazine 200 from the handle cavity 336.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 12B, the magazine catch 130 includes a member 134 that is bent to form a springable clip having first and second regions 135, 136 that substantially align. Ledge 131 is on an end of the first region 135. Second region 136 contacts the second wall 334 of the handle 330 when the magazine release assembly 100 is assembled on the pistol 300. In an example, magazine catch 130 is metal, such as sheet metal. In use, the second region 136 of the magazine catch 130 is in a partially compressed state when the magazine release arm 120 is pivoted to the engaged position (FIG. 3B) and is further compressed when the magazine release arm 120 is pivoted to the disengaged position (FIG. 3C). When the magazine release arm 120 is pivoted to the disengaged position, the magazine catch 130 pivots away from the magazine 200 and the ledge 131 disengages from the notch 231, thereby releasing the magazine 200 from the handle cavity 336.

Optionally, magazine catch 130 includes a protrusion 138 that mates with a pocket on the magazine release arm 120 as shown in FIGS. 2A, 3A. In an embodiment, the protrusion 138 is the negative shape of the pocket. Protrusion 138 provides a grip that helps to prevent slippage of the magazine catch 130 on the pin 110.

An exploded view of the pistol 300 in combination with the magazine release assembly 100 and magazine 200 is shown in FIG. 10. The various components of the pistol are assembled using a variety of fasteners 301 and function through a variety of springs 341 as shown generally in the FIGS., and particularly in FIGS. 10 and 11. The pistol 300 includes a body 310, a barrel 350, and a trigger 325. The body 310 includes a handle 330 and a trigger guard 320. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 14, the handle 330 has first and second walls 331, 334. The handle 330 has a cavity 336 that defines a longitudinal axis 337. The cavity 336 is configured for accepting a magazine 200 through an opening 333 in the first wall 331 of the handle 330. The second wall 334 defines a width 335 of the handle 330. Optionally, the handle 330 includes a grip 338. The body 310 also includes a trigger guard 320 that has an end 322 positioned adjacent to the second wall 334 of the handle 330.

A slide 340 such as those shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is detachably connected to the body 310 for sliding along the upper portion 312 of the body 310 under a resistance provided by a spring 341, such as a spring assembly. The extractor 342 is secured to the slide 340 by a roll pin 343. The slide 340 moves rearward and trips the extractor 342 to pull a shell 400 out of the barrel 350 through the ejection port 344 after firing. Optionally, the slide 340 includes a removable rear sight such as the sight 370 shown in FIG. 11. Optionally, the sight 370 is a tritium sight. Optionally, the body 310 includes an accessory rail 380 such as the one shown in FIG. 13 for mounting accessory items such as laser sights, lighting devices, and the like to the body 310.

The pistol 300 also includes a threaded barrel 350 configured to engage a frame 360 that mounts to the body 310. The barrel 350 receives shells 400 from the magazine 200 and fires bullets. Optionally, the barrel 350 includes an extended accessory barrel 352 as shown in FIG. 5A for connecting accessory items to the barrel 350.

The trigger 325 on the pistol 300 releases a hammer 326 to strike the rear of a firing pin 328 that strikes a shell 400 in the barrel 350 to eject the bullet therefrom. The hammer spring 327 provides the tension to the hammer 326. In an embodiment, the firing pin 328 has a solid surface (FIG. 10). In another embodiment, the firing pin 328 is fluted (FIG. 11). The flutes 329 on the firing pin 328 help to prevent the pistol 300 from hydra-locking by providing an outlet through which internal fluids drain away from the firing pin 328.

While the foregoing has been set forth in considerable detail, it is to be understood that the drawings, detailed embodiments, and examples are presented for elucidation and not limitation. Design variations, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangements of parts, may be made but are within the principles of the invention. Those skilled in the art will realize that such changes or modifications of the invention or combinations of elements, variations, equivalents, or improvements therein are still within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pistol, comprising:

a. a body including (i) a handle having a cavity that defines a longitudinal axis and configured for accepting a magazine through a first wall thereof and a second wall defining a width and (ii) a trigger guard having an end positioned adjacent to the second wall;

b. a barrel configured to engage a frame assembly that mounts to the body and to receive shells from the magazine and fire bullets;

c. a trigger that releases a hammer to strike a rear of a firing pin that strikes a shell in the barrel to eject the bullet therefrom; and

d. a magazine release assembly, comprising: i. a pin positioned through the end of the trigger guard along the width of the second wall in a direction perpendicular to the axis; ii a magazine release arm pivotally mounted to the pin and positioned lateral to the trigger guard; and iii. a magazine catch pivotally mounted to the pin and positioned between the second wall of the handle and a magazine wall and having a ledge which engages a notch on the magazine wall when the release arm is pivoted to an engaged position and which pivots away from the notch when the release arm is in a disengaged position.

2. The pistol of claim 1, wherein the pistol is sub-compact.

3. The pistol of claim 1, further comprising a second magazine release arm.

4. The pistol of claim 1, wherein the magazine release assembly is ambidextrous.

5. The pistol of claim 1, the magazine catch further comprising a spring positioned to contact the second wall of the handle when the magazine is substantially inserted into the cavity.

6. The pistol of claim 5, wherein the spring is conical.

7. The pistol of claim 1, the magazine catch further comprising a springable clip member having first and second regions that substantially align, wherein the second region contacts the second wall of the handle when the magazine is substantially inserted into the cavity.

8. The pistol of claim 1, the magazine catch further comprising a protrusion that mates with a pocket on the release arm.

9. The pistol of claim 8, wherein the protrusion is a negative shape of the pocket.

10. A magazine release assembly, comprising:

a. a pin configured to be positioned through an end of a pistol trigger guard;

b. a magazine release arm pivotally mounted to the pin; and

c. a magazine catch pivotally mounted to the pin and configured to be positioned between a wall of a pistol handle and a wall of a magazine inserted into a cavity of the pistol handle in use and having a ledge which engages a notch on the magazine wall when the release arm is pivoted to an engaged position and which pivots away from the notch when the release arm is in a disengaged position.

11. The magazine release assembly of claim 10, further comprising a second magazine release arm.

12. The magazine release assembly of claim 10, the magazine catch further comprising a spring positioned to contact the handle wall when the magazine is substantially inserted into the cavity.

13. The magazine release assembly of claim 10, the magazine catch further comprising a springable clip member having first and second regions that substantially align, wherein second region contacts the handle wall when the magazine is substantially inserted into the cavity.

14. The magazine release assembly of claim 10, the magazine catch further comprising a protrusion that mates with a pocket on the release arm.

15. A pistol in combination with a magazine having a notch on a wall, comprising:

a. a body including (i) a handle having a cavity that defines a longitudinal axis and that is configured for accepting the magazine through an opening in a first wall and further having a second wall defining a width and (ii) a trigger guard having an end positioned adjacent to the second wall;

b. a barrel configured to engage a frame assembly that mounts to the body and to receive shells from the magazine and fire bullets;

c. a trigger that releases a hammer to strike a rear of a firing pin that strikes a shell in the barrel to eject the bullet therefrom; and

d. a magazine release assembly, comprising: i. a pin positioned through the end of the trigger guard along the width of the second wall in a direction perpendicular to the axis; ii. a magazine release arm pivotally mounted to the pin and positioned lateral to the trigger guard; and iii. a magazine catch pivotally mounted to the pin and positioned between the second wall of the handle and the magazine wall and having a ledge that engages the notch when the release arm is pivoted to an engaged position and that pivots away from the notch when the release arm is pivoted to a disengaged position.

16. The pistol of claim 15 further comprising a removable rear sight mounted on the frame.

17. The pistol of claim 15 further comprising an extended accessory barrel connected to an end of the barrel.

18. The pistol of claim 15 wherein the firing pin is fluted.

19. The pistol of claim 15, the magazine further comprising an extended bottom configured to facilitate grip of the pistol.

20. The pistol of claim 15, further comprising an accessory rail mounted on the body.