MAGAZINE COUPLER

Abstract

The present invention is a magazine coupler for coupling first and second magazines together including a first and second plate each including a center leg and first and second outer legs which define first and second magazine recesses. The first and second guide rods each have a first end secured within the center leg of the first plate and a threaded second end received through corresponding aligned openings within the center leg of the second plate. The first and second securing members respectively received through the openings in the center leg of the second plate and engaged with the second ends of the guide rods to secure the first and second plates together in assembled relation. The first and second guide rods preventing rotation of the first and second plates relative to each other when secured in assembled relation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/025,103 filed Jan. 31, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a firearm magazine or clip. The present invention relates to a device for holding or joining a plurality of firearm magazines or clips that enable accessibility to a plurality of ammunition. More specifically, the present invention provides a new and novel magazine coupler having first and second guide rods preventing rotation of first and second plates relative to each other when secured in assembled relation.

Many modern firearms used for combat or sporting activities are capable of high cyclic rates of fire and are usually equipped with magazines capable of holding a plurality of cartridges. Such magazines must usually be manually released from the weapon when they have become empty, at which time a second magazine must be inserted into the weapon before firing may be continued. Typically, the second or third magazine is carried in a protective pouch attached to the weapon user's belt or carried in the user's vest or pocket. Since removal and insertion of the additionally loaded magazine may take an undesirably long time, various devices have been developed in an effort to expedite and ease the loading of the additional magazine.

Generally, multiple magazine holders serve the purpose of coupling together two or more magazines so that the combatant or sportsman will have immediately available multiple magazines rather than one magazine for use with the weapon. Such holders have previously welded or taped magazines together in an effort to provide an ability to fire more rounds quickly. Alternatively, a clip joining device for holding two clips end to end (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,238, issued Aug. 11, 1987 to Schoepflin), or a box-like protective device attachable to the weapon (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,404, issued Nov. 24, 1984 to Johnson), are known.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,074 discloses a prior art magazine coupler 1 (see FIG. 1) designed for holding three firearm magazines. FIG. 1 illustrates an upper plate 2 and a lower plate 3 with two apertures defined within each for receiving unitary bolts 4, 5 in a first corresponding center leg sections 6, 8 and second corresponding center leg sections 7, 9. The '074 device employs two unitary bolts 4, 5 which are threadably attached within threaded apertures of the lower plate 3. The unitary bolts 4, 5 are allowed to freely rotate within the lower plate 3 to clamp the upper plate 2 and the lower plate together 3. According to the '074 background section, FIG. 1 presents potential problems for the user regarding safety and ease of placing and securing multiple magazines. On of the specific shortcomings of this device was identified as the inability of the plates to rotate relative to each other. This was believed to make it difficult to seat the magazines in place when assembling the upper plate. In response, the patentee developed the dual mag holder as shown in FIG. 2 of the '074 patent.

FIG. 2 of the '074 patent discloses an upper plate and a lower plate with a single aperture defined in the center of each for receiving a single bolt. The upper plate is rotationally positioned about the single bolt. The lower plate is also rotationally mounted to the single bolt. Also, the single bolt is completely recessed within the upper plate. The stated improvement was that the single bolt allowed the two plates to rotate relative to each other to facilitate loading of the magazines. However, it has been found that since the '074 device employs only a single bolt, the assembly may not have sufficient reliability for holding two magazines during intense military operations.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device capable of holding a plurality of firearm magazines that is more efficient, safer, highly effective, and more reliable than known devices in particular for intense military operations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a solution to the problems associated with prior art magazine couplers. As shown in the attached FIGS. 2-8, the present invention includes a new and novel magazine coupler having first and second guide rods which provide redundant securing points as well as preventing rotation of first and second plates relative to each other when secured in assembled relation.

The present invention is a magazine coupler, preferably dual magazine coupler, for coupling first and second magazines together. The dual magazine coupler has first and second generally E-shaped plates each including a center leg, and first and second outer legs. The center leg and the first outer leg of each of the plates cooperate to define a first magazine recess. The center leg and the second outer leg of each of the plates cooperate to define a second magazine recess. When assembled for use, the first and second plates are arranged with the center legs, the first legs and the second legs in opposed facing relation so that the first and second plates cooperate to receive the first and second magazines therebetween. More specifically, the first and second magazine recesses are configured and arranged to receive the first and second magazines with a friction fit or a snap fit.

The friction fit is important in initially fitting the magazines in position within the first and second recesses in the first plate. The magazines snap fit into the recesses and allow the user to more easily handle the assembly to install the upper (second) plate without having to manually hold everything together.

The first magazine is arranged within the first magazine recesses and the second magazine is arranged within the second magazine recesses. While the first and second guide rods each have a first end secured within the center leg of the first plate and a threaded second end received through corresponding aligned openings within the center leg of the second plate.

The first and second securing members each have a head portion and a threaded end portion. During assembly, the first and second securing members are respectively received through the openings in the center leg of the second plate. In one embodiment, the first and second guide rods have inwardly threaded second ends and the securing members having outwardly threaded end portions. In another embodiment, the first and second guide rods have outwardly threaded second ends and the securing members having inwardly threaded end portions. To lock the assembly together, the first and second securing members are threadably engaged with the second ends of the guide rods to secure the first and second plates together in assembled relation.

In operation, the first and second guide rods provide redundant securing points, as well as, preventing rotation of said first and second plates relative to each other when secured in assembled relation.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is the provision of first and second guide rods to provide redundant securing points while also preventing rotation of first and second plates relative to each other when secured in assembled relation.

In a further object of the present invention is the provision of first and second magazine recesses being configured and arranged to receive the first and second magazines with a friction fit.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a safer, highly effective, and more reliable magazine coupler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a left side view of a magazine coupler of the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the present invention of FIG. 1 with inwardly threaded guide rods;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the present invention of FIG. 1 with outwardly threaded guide rods;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the present invention of FIG. 1 with magazines;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the present invention of FIG. 1 with magazines; and

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the present invention of FIG. 1 with magazines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a new and unique magazine coupler 10 for holding firearm magazines 500, 600 is illustrated in FIGS. 2-8. Generally, the coupler 10 has first and second guide rods 20, 30 that prevent first 40 and second 50 plates from rotating relative to each other when secured in assembled relation. The magazine coupler 10 of the present invention provides a safer, highly effective, and more reliable magazine coupler 10 than prior art devices, such as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the magazine coupler 10 of the present invention is illustrated for coupling first 500 and second 600 magazines together. The dual magazine coupler 10 includes first 40 and second 50 plates each including center legs 40B, 50B, first outer legs 40A, 50A, and second outer legs 40C, 50C. In one embodiment, the center legs 40B, 50B, first outer legs 40A, 50A, and second outer legs 40C, 50C define generally E-shaped first 40 and second 50 plates. Note, the general shape of first 40 and second 50 plates may be modified to something other than an E-shape to accommodate dimensions of at least one magazine 500, 600.

In use, the first and second plates 40, 50 are arranged with the center legs 40B, 50B, the first outer legs 40A, 50A, and the second outer legs 40C, 50C in opposed facing relation (FIG. 8). As illustrated, the first 40 and second plates 50 cooperate to receive the first 500 and second 600 magazines therebetween. More specifically, the center leg 40B, 50B and the first outer leg 40A, 50A of each of the plates 40, 50 cooperate to define a first magazine recess 40D, 50D (FIG. 8). Also, the center legs 40B, 50B and the second outer legs 40C, 50C of each of the plates 40, 50 cooperate to define a second magazine recess 40E, 50E.

The configuration or shape of the aforementioned first 40D, 50D and second 40E, 50E magazine recesses is adapted to substantially conform to the sides or casing of various magazines 500, 600 to be held. The present invention is useful with magazines made of any material including metal, plastic, or nylon. The magazine recesses 40D, 50D, 40E, 50E of the first 40 and second 50 plates substantially conforms to the side or casing of the magazine(s) 500, 600 to facilitate greater surface area contact for securing the magazine(s) 500, 600 therein. It should be noted that the magazines 500, 600 may be for any type of firearm including M16s and M4s. In particular, the recesses 40D, 50D, 40E, 50E, are configured to frictionally grab the outer surfaces of the magazines 500, 600 to provide a tight “snap” fit. By snap fit, the applicant intends to mean that the magazines 500, 600 are held in a fixed position within the recesses 40D, 50D, 40E, 50E without any other support other than surface friction.

First 20 and second 30 guide rods each have first ends 20A, 30A secured within the center leg 40B of the first plate 40. The center legs 40B, 50B of the first 40 and second 50 plates having a width to allow two guide rods 20, 30 to be placed therein. In one embodiment, the width of the center legs 40B, 50B is approximately three times the size of a diameter of one guide rod 20, 30. Two apertures 40F, 40G for receiving the first ends 20A, 30A of the two guide rods 20, are defined within the first plate 40. The guide rods 20, 30 operate to position the first plate 40 and second plate 50 in a fixed position relative to one another when assembled. The length of the guide rods 20, 30 is sufficient for securing the first ends 20A, 30A within the first plate 40 and extending into the second plate 50. The two guide rods 20, 30 provide a more rigid and durable construction to hold magazines 500, 600 between the first 40 and second plates 50.

In one embodiment (FIG. 5), the apertures 40F, 40G of the first plate 40 are defined within an interior portion of the center leg 40B. The apertures 40F, 40G are defined within a substantial portion of the interior of the center leg 40B without completely passing through an outer surface of the first plate 40. In this embodiment, the first ends 20A, 30A of the guide rods 20, 30 are fixed or pinned within the interior of the center leg 40B to prevent any rotational movement thereof.

Referring to FIG. 3, in an alternative embodiment, the apertures 40F, 40G defined within the first plate 40 may extend entirely there through the first plate 40. In order to secure the guide rods 20, 30, the first ends 20A, 30A pass through the apertures 40F, 40G and are blunted to provide integrally formed heads 80, 90 to prevent the removal of the guide rods 20, 30 from the first plate 40. Alternatively, the heads 80, 90 may be separately formed from the guide rods 20, and permanently attached to the first ends 20A, 30A of the guide rods 20, 30. Any means for preventing the rotational movement of the guide rods 20, 30 within the first 40 plate may also be used so long as the guide rods 20, 30 are fixed in position and prevent rotational movement of the guide rods 20, 30. It should be noted that the guide rods 20, 30, in one embodiment, are various types of bolts.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the threaded second ends 20B, 30B of the guide rods 20, 30 are received through corresponding aligned openings or apertures within the center leg 50B of the second plate 50. The second plate 50 has two apertures 50F, 50G defined therein to receive the threaded second ends 20B, 30B of the guide rods 20, 30. Preferably, the apertures 50F, 50G extend through the entire center leg 50B of the second plate 50 for receipt of the second ends 20B, 30B of the guide rods 20, 30. The apertures 50F, 50G of the second plate 50 allow for substantially raising securing members 60, 70 on an outer surface of the second plate 50. It is also contemplated that more than two apertures 50F, 50B may be defined within the center leg 50B of the second plate 50 to secure more than two guide rods 20, 30 if necessary.

Referring again to FIG. 4, first and second securing members 60, 70 each have a head portion 60A, 70A and a threaded end portion 60B, 70B. The first and second securing members 60, 70 are respectively received through the openings or apertures 50F, 50G in the center leg 50B of the second plate 50. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the first 20 and second 30 guide rods have inwardly threaded second ends 20B, 30B and the securing members 60, 70 have corresponding outwardly threaded end portions 60B, 70B. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first and second guide rods 20, 30 have outwardly threaded second ends 20B, 30B and the securing members 60, 70 have inwardly threaded end portions 60B, 70B. The first and second securing members 60, 70 are threadably engaged with the second ends 20B, 30B of the guide rods 20, 30 to secure the first 40 and second 50 plates together in assembled relation.

The first and second securing members 60, 70 are substantially raised upon an outer surface of the second plate 50 when secured to the guide rods 20, 30 (as shown in FIG. 2). The second plate 50, in one embodiment, may define a recessed area 50H to facilitate substantially raising of the first and second securing members 60, 70 on the outer surface of the second plate 50. The head portions 60A, 70A are tightened to be substantially raised on the recessed area 50H of the second plate 50.

Any means for securing the second ends 20B, 30B of the guide rods 20, 30 on the outer surface of the second plate 50 may be used so long as it prevents rotational movement of the guide rods 20, 30 relative to the first 40 and second plates 50 when secured. In one embodiment, the securing members 60, 70 are various types of nuts. In addition, the head portions 60A, 70A may incorporate various tightening means including recesses for hex, slotted, or Phillips hardware. Additionally, the head portions 60A, 70A may include a gripping means such as serrations, knurls, or a roughened surface to facilitate tightening of the securing members 60, 70.

The first 40 and second 50 plates are substantially the same size and shape, and are positioned symmetrically to one another relative the guide rods 20, 30. First and second plates 40, 50 are preferably mirror images of each other, excluding the apertures defined within the first 40 or second plates 50. The first 40 and second plates 50 are thus substantially symmetric to each other relative to a central longitudinal axis of guide rods 20, 30 when in use. Using substantially the same size and shape for the first 40 and second 50 plates facilitates application of uniform pressure on the side or casing of the firearm magazine(s) 500, 600 when threadably attaching the guide rods 20, 30 to the securing members 60, 70.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, in operation, the dual magazine coupler 10 is shown holding two magazines 500, 600. The magazines 500, 600 are each snapped in place within the first 40 plate in either the first 40D or second magazine recess 40E. By the friction fit, the magazines 500, 600 are essentially fixed in place so that the user can easily locate the second plate 50 without having to hold everything together. To install the second plate 50, a user “snaps” the second plate 50 down and over the guide rods 20, 30 with a firm and positive lock. Thereafter, the user threadably attaches the two securing members 60, 70 to the threaded portions of the guided rods 20, 30. Together, the plates 40, 50 securely engage the magazines 500, 600 in a clamp-like manner. The head portions 60A, 70A of the first and second securing members 60, 70 are tightened to secure the magazines 500, 600 in place. When assembled, the first and second guide rods 20, 30 prevent rotation of the first 40 and second 50 plates relative to each other when secured in assembled relation.

As indicated above, the magazines 500, 600 substantially maintain their alignment within magazine recesses 40D, 50D, 40E, 50E of the first plate 40 or second plate 50 during assembly due to the tight friction fit. The first plate 40 is designed with dimensions, or tight tolerances, to facilitate a “snap fit” of the magazines 500, 600 into magazine recesses 40D, 50D, 40E, 50E of the first plate 40 before the second plate 50 is snapped down over the guide rods 20, 30. The dimensions or tolerances of the first plate 20 and second plate 30 are determined by the type of magazine 500, 600 and the desired friction fit between the first plate 40, second plate 50, and the magazine 500, 600. By having a “snap fit” of the magazines 500, 600 in the first plate 40 and second plate 50, it facilitates easier and more convenient assembly of the magazine coupler 10.

The magazine coupler 10 may be constructed from a wide variety of materials. For example, the first 40 and second plate 50 may be constructed of titanium alloy, fiberglass, plastic, or aluminum.

In view of the foregoing, a new dual magazine coupler 10 is disclosed. The magazine coupler 10 of the present invention provides a more reliable and durable coupler 10. The dual magazine coupler 10 uses two guide rods 20, 30 to prevent rotational movement of the first 40 and second plates 50 and guide rods 20, 30 once assembled. Moreover, the magazine coupler 10 disclosed above is overall a significant improvement over prior art magazine couplers (FIG. 1).

It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dual magazine coupler for coupling first and second magazines together, said dual magazine coupler comprising:

first and second generally E-shaped plates each including a center leg, and first and second outer legs,

said center leg and said first outer leg of each of said plates cooperating to define a first magazine recess,

said center leg and said second outer leg of each of said plates cooperating to define a second magazine recess,

said first and second plates being arranged with said center legs, said first legs and said second legs in opposed facing relation,

said first and second plates cooperating to receive said first and second magazines therebetween with said first magazine arranged within said first magazine recesses, and said second magazine arranged within said second magazine recesses;

first and second guide rods each having a first end secured within said center leg of said first plate and a threaded second end received through corresponding aligned openings within the center leg of said second plate;

first and second securing members each having a head portion and a threaded end portion respectively received through said openings in said center leg of said second plate, and threadably engaged with said second ends of said guide rods to secure said first and second plates together in assembled relation,

whereby said first and second guide rods preventing rotation of said first and second plates relative to each other when secured in assembled relation.

2. The dual magazine coupler of claim 1, wherein said first and second magazine recesses being configured and arranged to receive said first and second magazines with a friction fit

3. The dual magazine coupler of claim 1, wherein said first and second guide rods having inwardly threaded second ends, said securing members having outwardly threaded end portions.

4. The dual magazine coupler of claim 1, wherein said first and second guide rods having outwardly threaded second ends, said securing members having inwardly threaded end portions.

5. A firearm magazine coupler, comprising:

a first and second generally E-shaped plates configured to receive at least one firearm magazine, said first and second plates each defining at least two apertures;

at least two guide rods each having a first end and a second end, said at least two guide rods having a length sufficient to extend within said at least two apertures of first and second plates to prevent rotational movement;

said first end of each said at least two guide rods permanently fixed within said at least two apertures of the first plate to prevent rotational movement of said at least two guide rods; and

said second ends of each said at least two guide rods releasably secured within said at least two apertures of the second plate to secure said at least one firearm magazine between said first and second plates.

6. The firearm magazine coupler of claim 5, wherein said at least two guide rods define threaded second ends.

7. The firearm magazine coupler of claim 6, wherein said second ends of at least two guide rods are releasably secured within the said at least two apertures of the first plate by threadably attaching at least two securing members to each of said second ends.

8. The firearm magazine coupler of claim 5, wherein said first ends of said at least two guide rods are permanently pinned within said at least two apertures defined within the first plate.

9. The firearm magazine coupler of claim 5, wherein said at least two guide rods are configured to be in a fixed position relative to the first plate.

10. The firearm magazine coupler of claim 7, wherein said at least two securing members have a head portion and a threaded end portion.

11. The firearm magazine coupler of claim 10, wherein said head portion of said at least two securing members are substantially raised on an outer surface of the second plate.

12. The firearm magazine coupler of claim 10, wherein said threaded end portion of said at least two threaded securing members engages inner surface of defined apertures within the second plate.

13. The firearm magazine coupler of claim 12, wherein a diameter of said head portions of said at least two securing members is greater than a diameter of said at least two apertures defined within the second plate.

14. The firearm magazine coupler of claim 5, wherein said at least two guide rods are configured to be in a fixed position relative to the second plate.

15. The firearm magazine coupler of claim 5, wherein inner surfaces of the first and second plates are configured to provide a snap-fit engagement with said at least one firearm magazine.