MAGAZINE SAFETY DEVICE

Abstract

Devices and methods for converting a magazine capable of holding live rounds to being capable of only holding blanks at the bottom of the magazine. A magazine safety device includes a spacer and a follower in one embodiment. The spacer can be sized and shaped so as to be placed generally between the front and rear walls of a magazine, with a portion of the spacer being disposed adjacent to a round loading opening of the magazine. Embodiments of the magazine safety device can allow a user to quickly and efficiently inspect the magazine to confirm the magazine is not loaded with live rounds. In one embodiment, the magazine safety device includes a highly visible spacer that can allow a user to confirm the magazine is loaded with blanks. Additionally, embodiments of the magazine safety device can prevent the magazine from being loaded with a plurality of live rounds.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to training safety devices and methods, and, more particularly, to weapons safety devices for use during blank fire operations.

2. Description of the Related Art

Police and military forces conduct drills, simulated combat, and training exercises using blank ammunition instead of real, or live, ammunition. Extra precaution is required to ensure that firearm magazines are only loaded with blank cartridges during these exercises. Blank fire operations are nonetheless inherently dangerous, however, because a live cartridge, or round, may be mistakenly inserted into a firearm magazine or inadvertently left in a magazine, creating the possibility that a user will discharge the live round and injure or kill another participant. For example, in order to simulate combat against the enemy, blank-fire training often calls for a participant to “fire” a blank-loaded weapon at other participants in the training exercise who are acting as opposing forces. When a live round is accidentally introduced into the weapon and fired at a participant, serious injury and death may result. Further, the shape of many types of magazines can hinder inspection of the magazine to determine if a live round has been inadvertently introduced into the magazine.

Thus, preventing a live round from accidentally being discharged during blank fire exercises and facilitating inspection of blank-loaded magazines during such operations remains a significant challenge in military and law enforcement operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The devices of the present invention have several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the claims which follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features of this invention provide several advantages over current designs.

One embodiment is a kit for converting a magazine capable of holding live rounds to being capable of only holding blanks at a bottom of the magazine. The blanks have a length less than a length of the live rounds. The magazine includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a front wall, and a rear wall, the front and rear walls defining at least part of an opening in the upper portion and into the magazine. The front and rear walls are spaced apart along an axis by a predetermined length that is greater than the length of the live rounds. The kit comprises a spacer sized and shaped so as to be placed generally between the front and rear walls with a portion of the spacer being disposed adjacent to the opening. The portion of the spacer adjacent to the opening having a length measured along the axis to prevent loading of a plurality of the live rounds through the opening and into the magazine and allow loading of the blanks through the opening and into the magazine. The kit includes a follower configured to slide within the magazine.

Another embodiment is a spacer for converting a magazine to prevent the magazine from holding a plurality of live rounds while allowing the magazine to hold blanks. The blanks have a length less than a length of the live rounds. The magazine includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a front wall, and a rear wall, the front and rear walls defining at least part of an opening in the upper portion and into the magazine. The front and rear walls are spaced apart along an axis by a predetermined length that is greater than the length of the live rounds. The spacer comprises a body sized and shaped so as to be placed generally between the front and rear walls with a portion of the spacer being disposed adjacent to the opening.

Another embodiment is a magazine for use with a firearm. The magazine comprises a body for supporting rounds and having a round loading opening and a follower disposed so as to move along a path within the body. The magazine further includes a spacer removably disposed in the body and generally extending parallel to the path of the follower. The spacer selectively allows insertion of rounds through the round loading opening and into the body at least when the spacer is disposed within the body.

Yet another embodiment is directed to a spacer for use with a magazine that holds rounds and is engageable with a firearm. The magazine has a front wall and a rear wall defining at least a portion of a receiving space and an upper opening, the upper opening extending between the front and rear walls and being configured to receive rounds having a first length and rounds having a second length loaded into the receiving space. The first length is greater than the second length. The spacer comprises a body sized and shaped so as to removably fit within the receiving space and between the front and rear walls so as to block only a portion of the upper opening. The partially blocked opening prevents a plurality of rounds having the first length from being loaded into the magazine.

Another embodiment is directed to a magazine for a firearm. The magazine comprises a shell having an upper portion, a lower portion, a front wall and a rear wall, the front and rear walls being spaced apart along an axis by a predetermined length and a plate being formed at the lower portion. The magazine further comprises a groove extending downwardly along the front wall and a spacer at least partially supported by the groove, at least a portion of the spacer being disposed between the first and second walls. The magazine further includes an opening formed at the upper portion and having a length along the axis that is less than the predetermined length at least when the spacer is disposed within the shell, a follower movably disposed within the shell, and a spring biasing the follower in a direction towards the opening.

Further aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will now be described in connection with embodiments of the present invention, in reference to the accompanying drawings. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a firearm engaged with a magazine that can include a safety device that prevents the magazine from being loaded with a plurality of live rounds according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a live round which can be loaded into the magazine of FIG. 1 when the safety device is removed from the magazine and can not be loaded into the magazine of FIG. 1 when the safety device is installed within the magazine.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a blank which can be loaded into the magazine of FIG. 1 with or without the safety device installed.

FIG. 4 is a partial-cutaway, perspective view of the magazine illustrated in FIG. 1 without the safety device so as to accommodate both live rounds and blanks.

FIG. 4A is a partial-cutaway, side view of the magazine of FIG. 4, shown loaded with only live rounds.

FIG. 4B is a partial-cutaway, side view of the magazine of FIG. 4, shown loaded with only blanks.

FIG. 4C is a partial-cutaway, side view of the magazine of FIG. 4, shown loaded with both blanks and live rounds, the blanks being above the live rounds.

FIG. 5 is a partial-cutaway, side view of the magazine of FIG. 4C showing how the view of a person inspecting the entire magazine for live rounds is partially blocked in part by the curve of the magazine.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the magazine from FIG. 4 with the magazine safety device installed.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the magazine and the magazine safety device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the magazine safety device from FIG. 7 assembled together prior to installation within the magazine.

FIG. 9 is a representative view of the magazine safety device from FIG. 9 partially loaded with blanks.

FIG. 10 is an opposite end perspective view of a follower and a spring assembled together from the magazine safety device of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C are a top elevation view, a right side elevation view, and a front side elevation view, respectively of a spacer of the magazine safety device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11D is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of a spacer of the magazine safety device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11E is a partial top elevation view of the spacer of FIG. 11D.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a prior art follower which is removed from the magazine of FIG. 1 when the safety device is installed in the magazine.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are front and back views, respectively, of the follower of the magazine safety device of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 13C and 13D are right and left side views, respectively, of the follower of the magazine safety device of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 13E and 13F are bottom and top views, respectively, of the follower of the magazine safety device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 14A is a partial cut-away, perspective view of the magazine from FIG. 4 with the bottom plate removed and showing the magazine safety device as it is installed within the magazine.

FIG. 14B is a partial cut-away, perspective view of the magazine from FIG. 14A after installation of the magazine safety device and replacement of the bottom plate.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating one method for modifying the magazine of FIG. 4 with the magazine safety device of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.

Embodiments of the invention can provide devices and methods to prevent live rounds from being introduced into a firearm magazine, and to facilitate inspection of firearm magazines to ensure no live rounds are present in the magazines. The following description describes embodiments of the invention with reference to a Caliber 5.56 mm M-16 rifle, the United States military's designation for the AR-15 rifle. Persons of skill in the art will understand, however, that the invention is not limited to the M-16 rifle, and can be implemented on any firearm having a magazine or ammunition housing. Similarly, any user of blank ammunition, in addition to military and law enforcement personnel, can use the devices and methods described herein.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a firearm 10, an M-16 A4 rifle, that is commonly used by military and police forces in hostile environments and live combat, as well as blank-fire operations. The firearm is engaged with a removable magazine that can include a safety device described below that prevents the firearm 10 from firing live rounds. It will be understood that a firearm with a built-in or internal magazine can also include the safety device described below. Additionally, rotary or drum magazines can include a safety device described below. A member of the armed forces or law enforcement trainee may be issued one firearm 10, which is used for hostile activities and live-fire exercises on, for example, shooting ranges to practice marksmanship and teach weapons handling basics, such as loading, unloading, firing, and cleaning the weapon. The same firearm 10 may be used by the trainee during blank-fire training operations, thereby introducing the possibility that live rounds may accidentally be discharged during blank-fire exercises if the magazine is not retrofitted with the safety device described below.

For instance, military and law enforcement training exercises frequently use the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System, or MILES, an advanced training system that employs lasers and blanks to simulate actual battle. The system allows users to fire blanks from a weapon, such as firearm 10, at friendly troops role playing as the enemy. Firing a blank through the weapon triggers a carefully aimed laser emitter attached to a barrel 12 of the firearm 10. Sensors worn in various locations on the intended target's body register a hit, providing real-time event data. Training exercises using MILES can be particularly dangerous because they involve direct-fire, force-on-force training capabilities. Firearms 10, built and designed to be loaded with and to discharge live rounds, are instead loaded with blanks and aimed directly at friendly troops.

Thus, the firearm 10 is typically configured for blank-fire operations by emptying a standard magazine 20 of all rounds, then reloading the magazine 20 with blanks. However, a firearm 10 configured for blank-fire operations is still capable of firing live ammunition. Further, the magazine 20 generally appears the same externally independent of the type of rounds loaded in the magazine 20.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a live round 30 which can be loaded into the magazine of FIG. 1 when the safety device is removed from the magazine and can not be loaded into the magazine of FIG. 1 when the safety device is installed within the magazine. FIG. 3 is a side view of a blank 40 which can be loaded into the magazine of FIG. 1 with or without the safety device installed. The live round 30 includes bullet 32, gunpowder, and primer packaged in a single metallic case. In contrast, the blank 40 includes gunpowder and primer, but no bullet. When the blank 40 is fired, it makes a flash and an explosive sound, simulating the effects of firing a live round 30. Because the blank 40 does not include a bullet, its length L_B can be less than a length L_L of the live round 40. For example, the live round 30 may be approximately 2¼ inches in length, while the blank 40 may be 1.9 inches in length. Other lengths are possible.

Firing the blank 40 results in reduced barrel pressure compared to firing a live round 30. To assist a firearm 10 loaded with blanks 40 to cycle properly with reduced barrel pressure, a blank fire adapter, or BFA, may be screwed on to the end of the firearm 10, blocking the barrel 12 (FIG. 1). The blank fire adapter can be configured to increase barrel pressure and cause the bolt of the firearm 10 to cycle. In cases where a live round 30 is accidentally fired from a firearm 10 configured with a blank fire adapter, a bullet passes through the adapter, causing an explosion. Such explosions are another potential cause of injury during blank-fire mishaps.

FIG. 4 is a partial-cutaway, side view of the magazine 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 without the safety device so as to accommodate both live rounds and blanks. The magazine 20 is engageable with the firearm 10 and can comprise a housing or shell for supporting rounds. In some embodiments, the housing or body of the magazine 20 is curved to facilitate storage of rounds into the magazine 20 and uptake of the rounds into the firearm 10 during firing. For example, the curve in the magazine 20 can facilitate loading when twenty or more cartridges are loaded in the magazine 20. The housing of the magazine 20 can include a front wall 70 and a rear wall 75 defining at least a portion of a receiving space. The front wall 70 and the rear wall may be spaced apart along an axis A by a predetermined distance or length D. In one embodiment, the predetermined distance D is greater than the length L_L of a live round 30.

The housing of the magazine 20 can also include an upper portion 80 and a lower portion 85. The upper portion 80 of the magazine 20 can include a round loading opening or upper opening 29. The round loading opening 29 has a length along the axis A. In one embodiment, the length of the round loading opening 29 is the same as or substantially similar to the predetermined distance D. In some aspects, the magazine 20 includes a bottom plate 400 (FIG. 6) formed at the lower portion 85.

The receiving space of the housing may accept one or more rounds. Thus, as described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C, the housing of the magazine 20 without the safety device can accept live rounds 30 or blanks 40, or both at the same time.

The magazine 20 can include a follower 50. The follower 50 can extend between the front wall 70 and the rear wall 75 of the magazine 20. The follower 50 includes a bullet support member 52 in the shape of a cartridge. The bullet support member 52 can indicate the proper orientation to load cartridges into the magazine 20. The bullet support member can also provide support for the first cartridge as it is loaded into the magazine 20. The magazine 20 can also include a spring 60 which can bias the follower 50 in a direction towards the round loading opening 29 of the magazine 20. The follower 50 is generally vertically movable within the magazine 20.

To load either live rounds 30 or blanks 40 into the magazine 20, a first round is positioned on top of the follower 50 next to the bullet support member 52. The user then pushes down on the round until it catches a lip 22 of the magazine 20, forcing the follower 50 in the direction of arrow 54 and partially compressing the spring 60 in the magazine 20. A second round is then inserted into the magazine 20 by positioning the round above the bullet support member 52 and pushing down on the round in the direction of arrow 54 until it catches a lip 24 of the magazine 20. More rounds are loaded in the same manner, pushing the follower 50 further down into the magazine 20 and compressing the spring 60 further with each round that is loaded. A magazine 20 configured for use in a firearm 10 can hold as few as one round, thirty rounds, or more than thirty rounds.

FIG. 4A is a partial-cutaway, side view of the magazine 20 of FIG. 1, shown loaded with thirty live rounds 30. FIG. 4B is a side view of the magazine 20 of FIG. 4, shown loaded with thirty blanks 40. FIG. 4C is a side view of the magazine 20 of FIG. 4, shown loaded with twenty-eight blanks 30 and two live rounds 40. The follower 50 has been pushed down to the bottom of the magazine 20, and the spring 60 is also compressed at the bottom of the magazine 20.

Causes of blank-fire training exercise accidents will now be described with reference to FIG. 4C. Accidents during blank-fire operations may be caused by one of three common training errors. A first type of training error occurs when one or more live rounds 36 are inadvertently introduced into the magazine 20, along with blanks 44. For example, a user who reloads a magazine 20 at night or under duress and/or fatigue may reach for and load a live round 36 into the magazine 20 instead of blanks 44. Alternatively, a live round 36 may be inadvertently mixed with blanks 44 in a can of blank ammunition, which is typically loaded one round at a time, as opposed to live ammunition, which is typically loaded ten rounds at a time on stripper clips. The user may then immediately or shortly thereafter load the magazine 20 into the firearm 10 without inspecting the magazine 20 for live rounds 36, in order to continue participating in a training exercise as soon as possible. The user may then fire live rounds 36 from the firearm 10, not realizing that the magazine 20 is not entirely loaded with blanks 44. It will be understood that while FIG. 4C illustrates live rounds 36 at the bottom of the magazine 20, the live rounds 36 may be located anywhere inside the magazine 20 when this type of training error occurs.

A second training error occurs when the magazine 20 is not fully downloaded after a live fire shoot, leaving live ammunition 36 at the bottom of the magazine, undetected. The user may pick up the magazine 20, loaded with one or more live rounds 36, and inadvertently begin loading blanks 44 on top of the live rounds 36. This can occur, as described above, if the user is loading the magazine 20 at night or under low visibility, or if the user is loading the magazine under duress or fatigue. Alternatively, the user may simply be careless and not notice the live rounds 36 at the top of the magazine 20 before loading blanks 44 on top of them. If the user does not completely download the magazine 20 before beginning to load blanks 36, or the user does not carefully inspect the magazine 20 to confirm its contents and detect the presence of live rounds 36 pushed to the bottom of the magazine 20, an undetected live round 36 may be inadvertently fired from the firearm 10.

A third type of training error occurs when a magazine 20 loaded entirely with live rounds 30, such as that illustrated in FIG. 4A, is placed in close proximity to or mixed in with a magazine 20 loaded entirely with blanks 40, such as that illustrated in FIG. 4B. Other types of training errors are possible, and may result in live rounds 30 being introduced into the magazine 20 unbeknown to the user.

Military and law enforcement training protocols place great emphasis on preventing such errors. Training procedures may mandate that users completely download and inspect every magazine before a single blank is permitted to be introduced into the magazine. Training protocols may also require that all live rounds be turned into a central collection area after each live round evolution is completed, in an attempt to prevent unspent live rounds from remaining in a magazine and leaving the live fire range undetected. Despite these precautions, human error, omissions, and carelessness still regularly cause live rounds to be introduced into magazines used during blank-fire operations, causing serious injury and death to participants.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the magazine 20 of FIG. 4C, illustrating three live rounds 36 at the bottom of a magazine 20 loaded with twenty-seven blanks 44. As a final precaution to detect live rounds in magazines, training protocols may require physical inspection of all magazines prior to blank-fire exercises. For example, training procedures may require that each magazine in a user's possession be inspected by the user and/or a supervisor before a training session can begin. Inspection procedures and disadvantages of such procedures will now be described with reference to FIG. 5.

As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the blank 40 may have a length less than that of the live round 30. As a result, an empty space 28 remains inside a magazine 20 loaded with blanks 44. To inspect the magazine 20 of a firearm 10, the inspector may hold the magazine 20 close to one eye while shining a flashlight into the magazine 20. The shaded region may indicate the area inside the magazine 20 that is visible from above. The inspector can visually check for the presence of live rounds 36 in the magazine 20 by determining if the empty space 28 extends the entire height of the magazine 20, all the way to the bottom of the magazine 20.

There are several disadvantages with this inspection procedure, however. First, the magazine 20 is curved, making it difficult to detect a live round at the very bottom of the magazine 20. Thus, a magazine 20 that has been inspected as described above may still be loaded with a live round 36 if the inspector did not shine a light into the magazine 20 or inspected the magazine 20 in a hurry. Alternatively, it is possible the inspector simply could not see the live round 36 due to lighting conditions, or because a live round 30 generally exhibits the same color and reflective properties as a blank 40. Second, a supervisor conducting inspections in this manner may be required to inspect the magazines of thirty personnel each carrying ten magazines apiece. Further, the inspections must take place prior to each blank-fire operation, of which there may be as many as five in one day. Thus, current inspection procedures may require that as many as fifteen hundred magazines be individually picked up and searched with a light during the course of one day's training exercises. The margin for human error, oversight, and carelessness during such inspections is thus very large.

Magazine Safety Device

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the magazine from FIG. 4 with the magazine safety device 100 installed. FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the magazine 20 and the magazine safety device 100 of FIG. 6. One embodiment of the device 100 includes a spacer 200, a follower 300, and a spring 60 (FIG. 7) which together are installed within a standard magazine 20.

The spacer 200, the follower 300, and the spring 60 can be efficiently installed and removed from the magazine 20. Embodiments of the magazine safety device 100 can allow a user to quickly and efficiently inspect the magazine 20 to confirm the magazine is only loaded with blanks 40 and thus is not loaded with live rounds 30. Advantageously, embodiments of the magazine safety device 100 can provide a high visibility indicator at the top portion 80 of the magazine 20 to indicate the magazine 20 is loaded solely with blanks 40. Additionally, embodiments of the magazine safety device 100 can prevent the magazine 20 from being loaded with a plurality of live rounds 30.

Persons of skill in the art will understand that the magazine safety device 100 can be implemented in any magazine or ammunition housing that is engageable with or used in a firearm. Implementation of the magazine safety device 100 is not limited to any specific type of firearm. Thus, the magazine safety device 100 can be used in an M-16 rifle, a rifle, or any other firearm. Further, as described in greater detail below, the magazine safety device 100 is not limited to preventing or permitting loading of live rounds and blanks, respectively, into the magazine 20. Embodiments of the magazine safety device 100 can prevent a plurality of rounds having a first length from being loaded into the magazine 20, while allowing rounds having a second length to be loaded into the magazine 20, the first length being greater than the second length.

When the magazine safety device 100 is installed in the magazine 20, at least a portion of the spacer 200 is disposed between the front wall 70 and the rear wall 75 of the magazine 20. In one embodiment, the spacer 200 is sized and shaped so as to be placed generally between the front wall 70 and the rear wall 75 of the magazine 20, with a portion of the spacer 200 being disposed adjacent to the round loading opening 29. In this way, at least a portion of the spacer 200 reduces the size of the opening 29. In some embodiments, the spacer 200 extends for the entire height H_M of the magazine 20 (FIG. 7). In other embodiments the spacer 200 extends for only a portion of the height of the magazine 20. One or more of the dimensions of the spacer 200 may be fixed or vary along its length.

In another embodiment, the portion of the spacer 200 adjacent to the round loading 29 has a sufficient length L_SPC measured along the axis A to prevent the loading of a plurality of live rounds 30 through the opening 29 and into the magazine 20. In yet another embodiment, the spacer 200 extends between the upper portion 80 and the lower portion 85 of the magazine 20 (FIG. 7). In still a further embodiment, a spacer 200 includes a body sized and shaped so as to removably fit within the receiving space of the magazine 20 and between the front and rear walls 70, 75 so as to block only a portion of the upper opening 29. The partially blocked opening 29 can prevent a plurality of live rounds 30 from being loaded into the magazine 20. In still another embodiment, the spacer 200 occupies a part of the empty space 28 (FIG. 5) that is normally present in a magazine 20 loaded with blanks 40. In some aspects, the spacer 200 is stationary inside the magazine 20 when blanks 40 are loaded into the magazine 20.

It will be understood that a magazine 20 comprising the magazine safety device 100 can accept and house ammunition cartridges and rounds of various types and sizes, not just live rounds and blanks. In one embodiment, the magazine safety device 100 prevents a plurality of rounds of a first length from being loaded into the magazine 20, while allowing rounds of a second length to be loaded into the magazine 20, the first length being greater than the second length. In another embodiment, the magazine safety device 100 prevents a plurality of longer rounds from being loaded into the magazine 20, while allowing shorter rounds to be loaded into the magazine 20.

In yet another embodiment, the upper opening 29 of the magazine 20 extends between the front wall 70 and the rear wall 75 and is configured to receive rounds having a first length and rounds having a second length loaded into the receiving space of the magazine 20, the first length being greater than the second length. The spacer 200 can include a body sized and shaped so as to removably fit within the receiving space and between the front and rear walls 70, 75 so as to block only a portion of the upper opening 29, the partially blocked opening preventing a plurality of rounds having the first length from being loaded into the magazine. Thus, in yet another embodiment, the magazine safety device 100 can allow a user to quickly and efficiently inspect the magazine 20 to confirm the magazine is only loaded with rounds having a second length and thus is not loaded with any rounds having a second length. Additionally, embodiments of the magazine safety device 100 can prevent the magazine 20 from being loaded with a plurality of rounds having the first length.

In some aspects, the magazine safety device 100 prevents any live rounds 30 from being loaded into the magazine 20. Thus, in some embodiments, a magazine 20 that was capable of holding live rounds 30 is converted to only being capable of holding blanks 40 by installing the magazine safety device 100 into the magazine 20.

In other aspects, the magazine safety device 100 is configured to prevent live rounds 30 from being loaded into the magazine 20, excluding the last loaded round. Thus, in some embodiments where the magazine 20 is configured to house thirty rounds, the magazine safety device 100 can prevent any of the first twenty-nine rounds that are loaded into the magazine 20 from being a live round 30. In yet another embodiment, the magazine safety device 100 prevents a plurality of live rounds 30 from being loaded into the magazine 20.

The spacer 200 can accommodate a follower 300 which moves inside the magazine 20 as blanks 40 are loaded into the magazine 20. In one embodiment, the follower 300 has a length L_F along the axis A that is less than the predetermined distance D. In another embodiment, the follower 300 has a length L_F measured along the axis A that is not more than a difference between the predetermined length D and the length of the spacer L_SPC. In one embodiment, the follower 300 is disposed so as to move along a path within the housing of the magazine 20. The spacer 200 may generally extend parallel to the path of the follower 300.

As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the spring 60 can bias the follower 300 in a direction towards the round loading opening 29 of the magazine 20. The spring 60 can have a length L_SPC (FIG. 7) measured along the axis A that is not more than a difference between the predetermined length D and the length of the spacer L_SPC.

In one embodiment, a magazine 20 equipped with the magazine safety device 100 does not accommodate a live round 30. As described above with reference to FIG. 2, a live round 30 can extend the entire predetermined distance D of the magazine 20. In one embodiment, the presence of the spacer 200 in the magazine 20 prevents a plurality of live rounds 30, having a greater length L_L than a blank 40, from being inserted into the magazine 20. In another embodiment, the presence of the spacer 200 in the magazine 20 decreases the length of the round loading opening 29 such that the length of the round loading opening 29 is less than the predetermined distance D.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the magazine safety device 100 of FIGS. 6 and 7 assembled together prior to installation within the magazine 20. FIG. 9 is a representative view of the magazine safety device from FIG. 9 partially loaded with blanks. FIG. 10 is an opposite end perspective view of a follower and a spring assembled together from the magazine safety device of FIG. 7. Methods of loading a magazine 20 comprising a magazine safety device 100 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8-10. The magazine 20 is not shown in FIGS. 8-10 to facilitate an understanding of the components of the safety device and how the components engage with each other.

To load the magazine 20 with blanks 40, a first blank is positioned on top of the follower 300 next to a bullet support member 352. The user then pushes down on the round until it catches a lip 22 of the magazine 20 (FIG. 4), forcing the follower 300 in the direction of arrow 54 and compressing the spring 60 in the magazine 20. The follower 300 can slide inside a channel 210 of the spacer 200 when it is pushed into the magazine 20. In some aspects, the spring 60 is connected to the follower 300 through a hole 310 in the follower 300.

A second blank is then inserted into the magazine 20 by positioning the round above the bullet support member 352 and pushing down on the round in the direction of arrow 54 until it catches a lip 24 of the magazine 20 (FIG. 4). The follower 300 slides further in the channel 210 of the spacer 200. More rounds are loaded in the same manner, pushing the follower 300 further down into the magazine 20 and compressing the spring 60 further with each loaded round. As rounds are loaded into the magazine 20, the spacer 200 can remain stationary inside the magazine 20. In one embodiment, the spacer 200 is disposed in the magazine at least at the round loading opening 29 (FIGS. 6 and 7) of magazine 20. In some aspects, a surface 220 of the spacer 200 remains visible at the round loading opening 29, independent of the location of the follower 300 inside the magazine 20.

As the follower 300 is pushed further into the magazine 20 as illustrated in FIG. 9, the follower 300 may not be visible behind the blanks 40. In one embodiment, the spacer 200 is a different color than the magazine 20. The follower 300 may also be a different color than the magazine 20, such as but not limited to the same color as the spacer 200. In another embodiment, the spacer 200 and the follower 300 are a high visibility or bright color, such as but not limited to blue. In yet another embodiment, the spacer 200 and the follower 300 are a bright blue. As the follower slides further into the magazine 20, the presence of the magazine safety device 100 can be confirmed by visually detecting the spacer 200 in the magazine 20 at the opening 29. In another embodiment, a user is able to quickly detect the presence of a brightly colored spacer 200 inside the magazine 20 by picking up the magazine and seeing the spacer 200 at the opening 29.

In some aspects, the user is aware that a magazine 20 equipped with a magazine safety device 100 comprising a spacer 200 cannot accommodate a live round 30. In other aspects, the user is aware that a magazine 20 equipped with a magazine safety device 100 comprising a spacer 200 cannot be loaded with a plurality of live rounds 30. Thus, the presence of the spacer 200 according to some embodiments can be used to verify that a live round 30 is not loaded in the magazine 20 during an inspection of the magazine 20. Advantageously, the user can detect the presence of the spacer 200 in the magazine 20 regardless of the location of the follower 300 in the magazine 20.

Spacer

FIG. 11A is a top elevation view of an embodiment of the spacer 200 of the magazine safety device 100. As described above with reference to FIGS. 8-10, the spacer 200 can, but need not, comprise a channel 210. The channel 210 can be configured to accommodate a portion of the follower 300 as it moves within the magazine 20.

FIG. 11B is a right side elevation view of the spacer 200. In some embodiments, the left side elevation view of the spacer 200 is substantially the same as the right side elevation view. FIG. 11C is a front side elevation view of the spacer 200. In some aspects, the back side elevation view of the spacer 200 is substantially the same as the front side elevation view. The spacer 200 can comprise one or more tongues 225. The tongues 225 can be configured to be slidingly received within a groove 27 extending downwardly along the first wall 70 of the magazine 20 (FIGS. 4, 6). Persons of skill in the art will understand that other configurations are possible. For example, embodiments of the spacer 200 are configured to accommodate the features of an M-16 rifle magazine 20, but the spacer 200 can be configured to accommodate magazines of different weapons. The spacer 200 need not have any tongue 225 and may merely be placed within the magazine 20 without engaging with the magazine 20.

The spacer 200 can be made of any suitable material, such as but not limited to plastic or metal. A portion or the entire spacer 200 can be curved or straight. In some embodiments, the spacer 200 is made of high density polyethylene, or HDPE. In some aspects, the spacer 200 is made of a soft, malleable plastic. The use of a soft material may facilitate insertion of a straight spacer 200 into the magazine 20, which may be curved. In some aspects, the spacer 200 is flexible so as to bend when inserted in a curved magazine 20. Of course the spacer 200 may be manufactured to have a curve. Preferably the curved spacer matches the curve of the magazine 20. The curved spacer 200 may facilitate insertion into a curved magazine 200 and further allow the spacer 200 to be made from less flexible materials, including metal.

Embodiments of the spacer prevent a magazine from holding any live rounds. For example, FIG. 11D is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a spacer 600 which prevents a live round 30 from being installed as the last round in the magazine 20. FIG. 11E is a partial top elevation view of the spacer 600 of FIG. 11D. At least a portion of the spacer 600 extends above the top of the magazine 20. In this way, the installed spacer 600 extends through the round loading opening 29 and slightly above the top of the magazine 20.

As is illustrated in FIG. 11D, a portion or region 610 of the surface 220 of the spacer 600 is disposed above the top of the magazine 20. Of course the spacer 600 is not limited to a single portion or region and may include multiple separate portions which extend above the magazine 20. Each portion may have a different size or shape from another portion. The spacer 600 has a sufficient height such that when the spacer 600 is installed in the magazine 20, the top of the spacer 600 extends above the top of the magazine 20 to prevent a live round 30 from being installed as the last round in the magazine, without interfering with the operation of the firearm 10, the process of loading blanks into the magazine 20, or the loading of the magazine 20 into the firearm 10.

The portion 610 which extends above the magazine 20 can have various shapes or sizes. For example, the portion 610 can be a protrusion, spot, ridge, and/or can have a flat, curved, slanted, angled; curvilinear, convex or concave shape. Preferably, the size and/or shape of the spacer 600 is selected so as to not interfere with the operation of the firearm 10.

As is illustrated in FIG. 11D, the portion 610 of the surface 220 of the spacer 600 is disposed above the top of the magazine 20 when the spacer 600 is inserted into the magazine 20. The portion 610 is curvilinear and comprises a groove 620 along the width of the spacer 600. As explained above, the size and shape of the portion is not limited by the illustrated embodiment. In some aspects, the portion 610 includes a recess 630, and may be slanted or tapered along the length of the spacer 600. The recess 630 may form protrusions 640, 650 on either side of the recess 630. Other configurations are possible.

Follower

FIG. 12 is a front view of a follower 50 which can be loaded into the magazine of FIG. 1 when the safety device 100 is removed from the magazine 20. As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the follower 50 can extend between the front wall 70 and the rear wall 75 of the magazine 20. The follower 50 includes a bullet support member 52 in the shape of a cartridge. In one embodiment, the follower 50 has a length substantially equal to the length of a live round, L_L. In another embodiment, the follower 50 has a length substantially equal to that of a round having a first length. In yet another embodiment, the follower 50 is disposed between the front and rear walls 70, 75, which are spaced apart along an axis by a predetermined length D. The follower 50 can have a length measured along the axis A that is substantially equal to the predetermined length D. In still a further embodiment, the follower has a length measured along the axis A that is substantially equal to a round loading opening 29 disposed in the upper portion 70 of the magazine 20.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are front and back elevation views, respectively, of the follower 300 of the magazine safety device 100. FIGS. 13C and 13D are right and left side elevation views, respectively, of the follower 300. FIGS. 13E and 13F are bottom and top elevation views, respectively, of the follower 300. Features of the follower 300 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 13A-13F.

In one embodiment, the follower 300 has a length substantially equal to the length of a blank round, L_B. In another embodiment, the follower 300 has a length substantially equal to that of a round having a second length that is less than a first length. In yet another embodiment, the follower 300 is disposed between the front and rear walls 70, 75, which are spaced apart along an axis by a predetermined length D. The follower 300 can have a length measured along the axis A that is not more than a difference between the predetermined length D and the length of the spacer 200. In still a further embodiment, the follower has a length measured along the axis A that is substantially equal to a partially blocked round loading opening 29.

The follower 300 can comprise a guide 320 configured to slide within the channel 210 of the spacer 200 (FIG. 8). In some aspects, the follower 300 comprises a bullet support member 352 configured to properly seat the first blank 40 loaded into the magazine 20. The follower 300 can also include an extrusion or pin 330 configured to accommodate the spring 60. As described above, the spring 60 may connect to the follower 300 through a hole 310 in the post 330.

Methods of Installing the Magazine Spacer Device

FIG. 14A is a partial cut-away, perspective view of the magazine 20 from FIG. 4 with the bottom plate removed and showing the magazine safety device 100 as the device is being installed within the magazine. The spring 60 is shown artificially compressed in this aspect, and the follower 300 is shown as it is being installed into the magazine 20. FIG. 14B is a partial cut-away, perspective view of the magazine 20 from FIG. 14A after installation of the magazine safety device 100 and replacement of the bottom plate. Persons of skill in the art will understand that a magazine 20 configured to accommodate both live rounds 30 and blanks 40 can be modified and/or retrofitted to accommodate blanks 40 using the magazine safety device 100. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating one method for modifying a magazine 20 with the magazine safety device 100 to prevent a plurality of live rounds 30 from being loaded into the magazine 20, and to facilitate inspection of the magazine 20 to confirm no live rounds 30 are loaded in the magazine 20.

With reference now to FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 15, the method begins at block 510 in which the bottom plate 400 is removed from a magazine 20 configured to accept either live rounds 30 and blanks 40, or both. In some aspects, the bottom plate 400 is removed by sliding the plate 400 away from the magazine 20 in the direction of arrow 405.

Moving to a block 520, the spring 60 and the follower 50 or “first follower” (FIG. 4) are removed from the magazine 20 through a bottom opening 410 in the magazine 20. In one embodiment, the first follower is the stock or original follower in the magazine 20. At block 530, the spring 60 is disconnected from the first follower 50.

Moving next to a block 540, the spacer 200 is inserted into the magazine 20 through the opening 410. The spacer 200 can be pushed into the magazine 20 until at least a portion of the surface 220 is adjacent to the round loading opening 29 of the magazine 20. As described above, the spacer 200 may be made of a flexible material that bends with the curve of the magazine 20 as the spacer 200 is inserted into the magazine 20.

At block 550, the spring 60 is connected to the follower 300 or “second follower” by inserting the end of the spring 60 into the hole 310 of the follower 300 (FIGS. 13C-13D).

The method next moves to a block 560, in which the follower 300 and the spring 60 are inserted into the magazine 20. In one embodiment, the guide 320 of the follower 300 is aligned in the channel 210 of the spacer 200 at the opening 410 of the magazine 20. The follower 300 is then pushed into the magazine 20, along with the spring 60, such that the guide 320 slides within the channel 210. The follower 300 can be pushed through the magazine 20 until the follower 300 contacts or is adjacent to the lips 22, 24 of the magazine 20.

Moving next to a block 570, the bottom plate 400 is reconnected to the magazine 20. In one embodiment, the user manually compresses the spring 60 inside the magazine 20 while sliding the bottom plate 400 over the opening 410. Thus, in some aspects, the spring 60 is compressed slightly when the magazine 20 is fully assembled.

At block 580, the magazine 20 is loaded with one or more blanks 40. As described above with reference to FIGS. 8-9, the surface 220 of the spacer 200 can remain visible at an opening 29 of the magazine 20, independent of the number of blanks 40 that are loaded into the magazine 20 and independent of the location of the follower 300 inside the magazine 20.

Other methods of modifying a magazine 20 are possible. For example, in some embodiments, a kit is provided to convert a magazine capable of holding live rounds to a magazine capable of holding only holding blanks. In other embodiments, the kit converts a magazine capable of holding live rounds to a magazine capable of holding only blanks, up to but not including the last loaded round. The kit may comprise a spacer 200 and a follower 300. In some embodiments, the kit may also include a spring 65. In one aspect, the follower 300 and the spring 65 are preassembled in the kit.

In another embodiment of the method described above with reference to FIG. 15, a spring 65 is provided in the kit. The spring 65 may be the same or substantially similar to the spring 60 removed from the magazine 20. Thus, at block 530, a user who uses the kit to modify the magazine 20 may not disconnect the spring 60 from the first follower 50 at block 530. In embodiments where the spring 65 is not preassembled with the follower 300 in the kit, the user may connect the spring 65 to the follower 300 at block 550. Alternatively, in embodiments where the spring 65 is preassembled with the follower 300 in the kit, the user may skip step 550 and move to block 560, where the preassembled spring 65 and follower 300 are inserted into the magazine 20. It will thus be understood by persons of skill in the art that a spring 60 can used in a magazine 20 with or without the magazine safety device 100, and that the spring 60 can be reused in a magazine 20 that has been retrofitted with the magazine safety device 100.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. As will be recognized, the invention may be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features may be used or practiced separately from others. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A kit for converting a magazine capable of holding live rounds to being capable of only holding blanks at a bottom of the magazine, the blanks having a length less than a length of the live rounds, the magazine including an upper portion, a lower portion, a front wall, and a rear wall, the front and rear walls defining at least part of an opening in the upper portion and into the magazine, the front and rear walls being spaced apart along an axis by a predetermined length that is greater than the length of the live rounds, the kit comprising:

a spacer sized and shaped so as to be placed generally between the front and rear walls with a portion of the spacer being disposed adjacent to the opening, the portion of the spacer adjacent to the opening having a length measured along the axis to prevent loading of a plurality of the live rounds through the opening and into the magazine and allow loading of the blanks through the opening and into the magazine; and

a follower configured to slide within the magazine.

2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the follower has a length measured along the axis that is not more than a difference between the predetermined length and the length of the spacer.

3. The kit of claim 1 further comprising a spring configured to bias the follower in a direction towards the opening, the spring having a length measured along the axis that is not more than a difference between the predetermined length and the length of the spacer.

4. The kit of claim 1, wherein the spacer extends between the upper portion and the lower portion.

5. The kit of claim 1, wherein the spacer includes a tongue configured to be slidingly received within a groove in the magazine.

6. The kit of claim 1, wherein the spacer is a different color than the magazine.

7. The kit of claim 1, wherein the spacer is blue.

8. A spacer for converting a magazine to prevent the magazine from holding a plurality of live rounds while allowing the magazine to hold blanks, the blanks having a length less than a length of the live rounds, the magazine including an upper portion, a lower portion, a front wall, and a rear wall, the front and rear walls defining at least part of an opening in the upper portion and into the magazine, the front and rear walls being spaced apart along an axis by a predetermined length that is greater than the length of the live rounds, the spacer comprising:

a body sized and shaped so as to be placed generally between the front and rear walls with a portion of the spacer being disposed adjacent to the opening.

9. The spacer of claim 8, wherein the portion of the spacer adjacent to the opening has a length measured along the axis to prevent loading of a plurality of the live rounds through the opening and into the magazine and allow loading of the blanks through the opening and into the magazine.

10. A magazine for use with a firearm, the magazine comprising:

a body for supporting rounds and having a round loading opening;

a follower disposed so as to move along a path within the body; and

a spacer removably disposed in the body and generally extending parallel to the path of the follower, the spacer selectively allowing insertion of rounds through the round loading opening and into the body at least when the spacer is disposed within the body.

11. The magazine of claim 10 further comprising a spring biasing the follower in a direction towards the round loading opening.

12. The magazine of claim 10, wherein the spacer is sized and shaped so as to allow blanks having a first length to be loaded into the magazine and preventing a plurality of live rounds having a second length from being loaded into the magazine, the first length being less than the second length.

13. The magazine of claim 12, wherein the body includes a front wall spaced from a rear wall by a predetermined length, the predetermined length being greater than the second length.

14. The magazine of claim 10, wherein the magazine is curved and the spacer is curved so as to generally match the curve of the magazine.

15. A spacer for use with a magazine that holds rounds and is engageable with a firearm, the magazine having a front wall and a rear wall defining at least a portion of a receiving space and an upper opening, the upper opening extending between the front and rear walls and being configured to receive rounds having a first length and rounds having a second length loaded into the receiving space, the first length being greater than the second length, the spacer comprising:

a body sized and shaped so as to removably fit within the receiving space and between the front and rear walls so as to block only a portion of the upper opening, the partially blocked opening preventing a plurality of rounds having the first length from being loaded into the magazine.

16. The spacer of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the body comprises HDPE.

17. The spacer of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the body is curved.

18. The spacer of claim 15, wherein the rounds having the first length are live rounds and the rounds having the second length are blanks.

19. A magazine for a firearm, the magazine comprising:

a shell having an upper portion, a lower portion, a front wall and a rear wall, the front and rear walls being spaced apart along an axis by a predetermined length;

a plate being formed at the lower portion;

a groove extending downwardly along the front wall;

a spacer at least partially supported by the groove, at least a portion of the spacer being disposed between the first and second walls;

an opening formed at the upper portion and having a length along the axis that is less than the predetermined length at least when the spacer is disposed within the shell;

a follower movably disposed within the shell; and

a spring biasing the follower in a direction towards the opening.

20. The magazine of claim 19, wherein the follower is generally vertically movable and includes a bullet support member, and a pin extending from the follower in a downward direction.

21. The magazine of claim 20, wherein the follower further comprises an extrusion formed on a bottom of the follower for receiving at least a portion of the spring.