Firearm Magazine Incorporating Spring Tension Relief Mechanism
A magazine for use with semi-automatic and automatic firearms that includes a mechanism for relaxing the tension on the spring when the magazine is loaded with ammunition by lowering and extending the spring out of the bottom of the magazine. The magazine can be stored in a fully loaded configuration without concern that the spring will take on a compression set that will hamper its effectiveness in advancing ammo when the magazine is put to use in an associated firearm.
The invention pertains to firearm magazines and/or clips.
BACKGROUNDAutomatic and semi-automatic firearms typically utilize a cartridge magazine that incorporates a spring to force the cartridge or ammunition round towards the associated firearm's chamber to facilitate chamber reloading after a round has been discharged. An experienced user can eject a spent magazine and replace it with a loaded magazine in a matter of seconds.
Commonly, firearm users, whether military, police or civilian maintain a number of preloaded magazines to permit convenient and/or rapid replacement of an empty magazine during use of the firearm. When fully loaded, the springs are held in a highly stressed compressed configuration. Overtime, the spring may relax or take a set reducing the spring's ability to properly urge the associated rounds into the chamber of a firearm when the magazine is eventually called into use causing inoperability of the firearm in a possibly crucial situation. Accordingly, it is not advisable to maintain magazines in a loaded configuration for long periods of time.
A typical prior art magazine 100 is illustrated in
The bottom end 106 of a typical prior art magazine often includes a pair of opposing outwardly extending flanges 110 that extend along the left and right edges thereof. The outwardly extending flanges are configured to interface with a magazine base 112 that is slid over the flanges and acts to hold the bottom end of the spring 108 within the magazine. The base is often made of a plastic material although others can be used.
The body 102 also typically includes an opening 118 or openings on one or more sides of the magazine that permit a user to quickly ascertain the number of rounds loaded therein.
The elongated coil spring 108 is wound in an ovular shape to fit within and fill a significant portion of the body cavity when the magazine is unloaded as best shown in
Prior art
Embodiments of the invention comprise a magazine for use with semi-automatic and automatic firearms that includes a mechanism for relaxing the tension on the spring when the magazine is loaded with ammunition by lowering and extending the spring out of the bottom of the magazine. Advantageously, the magazine can be stored in a fully loaded configuration without concern that the spring will take on a compression set that will hamper its effectiveness in advancing ammo when the magazine is put to use in an associated firearm.
TerminologyThe terms and phrases as indicated in quotation marks (“ ”) in this section are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in this Terminology section applied to them throughout this document, including in the claims, unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further, as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of the word or phrase's case, tense or any singular or plural variations of the defined word or phrase.
The term “or” as used in this specification and the appended claims is not meant to be exclusive rather the term is inclusive meaning “either or both”.
References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “a preferred embodiment”, “an alternative embodiment”, “a variation”, “one variation”, and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of phrases like “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a variation” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all meant to refer to the same embodiment or variation.
The term “integrate” or “integrated” as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to a blending, uniting, or incorporation of the identified elements, components or objects into a unified whole.
Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front and lateral are relative to each other and are dependent on the specific orientation of an applicable element or article, and are used accordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiments and are not necessarily intended to be construed as limiting.
As applicable, the terms “about” or “generally” as used herein unless otherwise indicated means a margin of +−20%. Also, as applicable, the term “substantially” as used herein unless otherwise indicated means a margin of +−10%. It is to be appreciated that not all uses of the above terms are quantifiable such that the referenced ranges can be applied and as such where the indicated margins are not readily applicable, the foregoing terms have meanings attributable to them as would be understood by someone of ordinary skill in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.
The phrase “extension mechanism” as used herein refers to the means by which a magazine base is lowered relative to the body a predetermined distance but maintains an interconnection between the base and the body through the extension mechanism. Three types of extension mechanisms are illustrated and described herein: a multi-part telescoping sleeve; a telescoping sleeve; and a pair of sliding wire rods. The extension mechanism allows the magazine spring to be extended to a less stressed state even when the magazine is loaded with rounds of ammunition. It is to be appreciated that other types of extension mechanism with or without differing types of latch mechanism incorporated into the base or body are contemplated as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill given the benefit of this disclosure.
The phrase “latch mechanism” as used herein refers to any suitable mechanism for securing the base to a bottom end of the magazine's body not necessarily one that includes a physical latch. Rather the term latch is intended to convey that the mechanism secures the base to the body by way of a selectively releasable means.
A First Embodiment of a Firearm Magazine having a Spring Relief MechanismMost notably, the first embodiment magazine comprises a series of three telescoping sleeves 320, 322 & 324 that are configured to extend from the bottom of the body 302 effectively increasing the length of the cavity formed by the body substantially. As shown, the extended cavity permits the spring 308 to extend and relax decreasing the chance that the spring will take a set despite the magazine 300 remaining loaded.
The bottom sleeve 324 is coupled to a base 312 that supports the bottom end of the associated spring 308 by way of a spring base plate 316. The base also includes a pair of latch mechanisms 326 as best shown in
As best shown in
The embodiment of a magazine 400 illustrated in
The top end of the single sleeve 420 is also very similar to the topmost sleeve of the first embodiment including outwardly extending flanges (not shown, see
The base 412 is similar to the base of the first embodiment as are the latch mechanisms 426 similar to those of the first embodiment. Operation is similar except the amount of spring relief may be less than that which is provided by the first embodiment depending on the specific configuration. As can be appreciated, other embodiments are also contemplated having two telescoping sleeves or even more than three.
A Third Embodiment of a Firearm Magazine having a Spring Relief MechanismThe magazine embodiment 500 illustrated in
Embodiments of the magazine and its components can be made by many suitable techniques depending on the materials used therefore. A typical body 302,402,502 is comprised of steel or another suitable metal that is formed out of plate or drawn to shape. Bodies that are at least partially comprised of plastic are also known and can be injected molded. The extension sleeves 320, 322, 324, 420 are usually drawn or formed from steel in a similar fashion as the body.
The base 312, 412, 512 can also be formed from steel or plastic with the latch mechanisms 326,426, 526 being added thereafter in a subsequent manufacturing operation. The spring base plate 316, 416, 516 and the ammo advancement plate can be made of any suitable material including steel and plastic. The spring 308, 408, 508, which is typically sourced as complete is typically formed from spring steel.
The first embodiment magazine is typically assembled in the following manner: (1) the sleeves 320, 322, 324 are slid in to the body 302 from the topside of the body in the appropriate order; (2) the ammo advancement plate (not shown, see plate 114 in
The other embodiments are assembled in a similar manner as the first embodiment taking into consideration the differences therewith.
A Method of Using Firearm Magazine having a Spring Relief MechanismEmbodiments of the magazine 300, 400, 500 are used in a substantially similar manner as prior art magazines except they permit the tension on the spring to be relieved at least partially when storing the magazine in a loaded condition. They are loaded with ammunition in a similar manner as prior art magazines. They are inserted and removed from a firearm in the same manner as a prior art magazine, and they operate within the firearm in the same fashion as a prior art magazine.
When the user intends to store a loaded embodiment of the magazine for long periods of time, the user activates the latch mechanisms permitting the spring to be lowered out of the bottom of the body to relieve tension on the spring and helping to prevent the spring from taking a set. When the user is ready to use the embodiment that has been stored in the relaxed configuration he/she need only press the base back towards the body's bottom end until the latch mechanisms reengage the flanges on the bottom end securing the base to the body.
Other Embodiments and VariationsThe various preferred embodiments and variations thereof illustrated in the accompanying figures and/or described above are merely exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is to be appreciated that numerous variations to the invention have been contemplated as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. Specifically, the configurations of the magazines can vary substantially and significantly than as illustrated to conform to the requirements of particular firearms. The magazines can be configured for use in not only handguns but semi-automatic and automatic long guns as well. While three embodiments are described herein, numerous variations are contemplated as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art given the benefit of this disclosure. For instance, a wide variety of types of latch or securing mechanisms can be used to secure the base to the body of the magazine. Additionally, the structure utilized to permit the lowering of the spring can vary from the embodiments shown herein.
Claims
1. A ammunition magazine for a firearm comprising:
- an elongated body having substantially open body top and body bottom ends and sidewalls extending between the body top end and body bottom end defining a cavity, the cavity configured to receive a plurality of stacked rounds of ammunition therein, the body top end adapted to permit the exit of a topmost round of the plurality of rounds during use of the magazine in the firearm;
- a coil spring having a spring top end and a spring bottom end at least partially contained within the cavity, the coil spring adapted to apply a biasing force against the plurality of rounds towards the body top end;
- a base including a latch mechanism, the base configured for selective attachment to the body bottom end; and
- an extension mechanism configured to lower and raise the base between first and second positions, the base being (i) in contact with and secured to the body bottom end in the first position and (ii) spaced a predetermined distance below body bottom end in the second position wherein the spring is spans the predetermined distance.
2. The ammunition magazine of claim 1, further comprising an ammunition advancement plate coupled to the spring top end and a spring base plate coupled to the bottom end of the spring, the spring base plate being in contact with the base plate.
3. The ammunition magazine of claim 1, further including the plurality of rounds of ammunition, the ammunition being contained within the cavity in a stacked configuration.
4. The ammunition magazine of claim 1, wherein the base is in the second position.
5. The ammunition magazine of claim 1, wherein the extension mechanism comprises a sleeve having a sleeve top end and a sleeve bottom end, the sleeve bottom end being attached to the base. The sleave being contained within the cavity in the first position and extending between the base and the body top end in the second position.
6. The ammunition magazine of claim 5, wherein (1) the body bottom end includes opposing inwardly extending flanges, (2) the sleeve top end including opposing outwardly extending flanges, the inwardly and outwardly extending flanges interfacing when the base is in the second position to prevent the sleeve top end from sliding out of the body bottom end.
7. The ammunition magazine of claim 1, wherein the extension mechanism comprises a plurality of interlocking sleeves, a bottom sleeve of the plurality of sleeves being attached to the base and a top sleeve of the plurality of sleeves including sleeve top end configured to interface with the body bottom end to retain the sleeve top end within the cavity proximate the body bottom end when the base is in the second position.
8. The ammunition magazine of claim 7, wherein the body bottom end includes opposing inwardly extending flanges, (2) the sleeve top end includes opposing outwardly extending flanges, the inwardly and outwardly extending flanges interfacing when the base is in the second position to prevent the sleeve top end from sliding out of the body bottom end.
9. The ammunition magazine of claim 1, wherein the extension mechanism comprises at least a pair of opposing rods each having a rod bottom end and a rod top end, The rod bottom ends being attached to the base and the rod top ends being configured to interface with the body to maintain a connection between the body and the rod top ends when the base is in the second position, the rods being received in the body when the base is in the first position.
10. The ammunition magazine of claim 1, wherein the body further includes one or more openings through which contents of the cavity can be viewed.
11. The ammunition magazine of claim 3 in further combination with a firearm, the magazine being operatively coupled with the firearm.
12. The ammunition magazine of claim 1, wherein the body bottom end includes opposing outwardly extending flanges and the latch mechanism includes opposing latches, the latches being configured to interface with the outwardly extending latches and secure the base to the body in the first position.
13. A method of making an ammunition magazine of claim 1 comprising:
- providing the elongated body;
- providing the coil spring;
- providing a base;
- providing an extension mechanism; and
- assembling the body, spring, base and extension mechanism to configure the magazine.
14. The method of making the ammunition magazine of claim 13, further comprising, providing an ammunition advancement plate and a spring base plate.
15. A method of using the ammunition magazine of claim 1, the method comprising:
- loading the magazine from the body top side with a plurality of rounds of ammunition; and
- releasing the latch mechanism and lowering the base the predetermined distance from the first position to the second position and relaxing the coil spring.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising moving the base from the second position to the first position and securing the base to the body bottom end.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising loading the magazine into a firearm.
18. A ammunition magazine for a firearm comprising:
- an elongated body having substantially open body top and body bottom ends and sidewalls extending between the body top end and body bottom end defining a cavity, the cavity configured to receive a plurality of stacked rounds of ammunition therein, the body top end adapted to permit the exit of a topmost round of the plurality of rounds during use of the magazine in the firearm, the body bottom end including a pair of opposing inwardly extending flanges; a coil spring having a spring top end and a spring bottom end at least partially contained within the cavity, the coil spring adapted to apply a biasing force against the plurality of rounds towards the body top end; an ammunition advancement plate, the ammunition advancement plate resting on the spring top end; a spring base plate coupled with the spring bottom end; a base including a latch mechanism, the base configured for selective attachment to the body bottom end, the spring bottom end being biased against the base; and an extension mechanism comprising a plurality of interlocking sleeves, a bottom sleeve of the plurality of sleeves being attached to the base and a top sleeve of the plurality of sleeves including sleeve top end configured to interface with the body bottom end to retain the sleeve top end within the cavity proximate the body bottom end when the base is in the second position, wherein the sleeve top end includes opposing outwardly extending flanges, the inwardly extending flanges and the outwardly extending flanges interfacing when the base is in the second position to prevent the sleeve top end from sliding out of the body bottom end.
19. The ammunition magazine of claim 18 wherein the body bottom end includes opposing outwardly extending flanges and the latch mechanism includes opposing latches, the latches being configured to interface with the outwardly extending latches and secure the base to the body in the first position.
20. The ammunition magazine of claim 19, further including the plurality of rounds of ammunition, the ammunition being contained within the cavity in a stacked configuration.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 31, 2012
Publication Date: Oct 3, 2013
Inventor: Randy Bath (Aurora, CO)
Application Number: 13/436,886
International Classification: F41A 9/70 (20060101); F41A 9/61 (20060101);