Adapters Or Capacity Reducers Patents (Class 42/49.02)
  • Publication number: 20140000143
    Abstract: A selectable double-chamber magazine firearm is disclosed. The double-chamber magazine firearm includes a receiver, at least one barrel adjacent the receiver, and a double-chamber magazine releasably secured to the receiver. The double-chamber magazine includes a first elongate magazine chamber and a second elongate magazine chamber adjacent to and parallel with the first elongate magazine chamber. The firearm further includes a selector secured adjacent an open end of the first elongate magazine chamber and an open end of the second elongate magazine chamber. The selector is configured to move between a first position such that the selector at least partially obstructs the open end of the second elongate magazine chamber and a second position such that the selector at least partially obstructs the open end of the first elongate magazine chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventor: Randall L. Safewright, JR.
  • Patent number: 8607489
    Abstract: A magazine for a firearm holds cartridges in three sections: a top section, a middle section and a bottom section. The top section is detachable. The middle section has a smaller width and depth than the bottom section so that the middle section can be inserted into the bottom section of another similarly formed magazine. A removable bottom cover closes the bottom section. A spring with removable segments rests on the bottom cover. A c-shaped member fixed to each spring segment permits adding segments. Two magazines may be combined by removing the top section of a second magazine, detaching the bottom cover of a first magazine, removing a spring segment of the second magazine, connecting the shorter spring to the spring of the first magazine; and slidably inserting the middle section of the second magazine into the bottom section of the first ammunition magazine over the larger spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: SMAG Associates
    Inventor: S. Mill Calvert
  • Patent number: 8572875
    Abstract: A firearm-magazine interface for replacing an existing firearm-magazine interface of many existing firearms such as assault rifles, namely AK series (AK74, AK47, etc.) provides a lock that holds open the bolt after a last round is fired from a magazine. The firearm-magazine interface also includes a single-button magazine eject. After firing the last round, a bolt-hold lock is urged upwardly in the path of the returning bolt and catches a face of the bolt, thereby locking the bolt open until the magazine is replaced with a replacement magazine, at which time a bolt-hold release paddle pulls the bolt-hold lock downwardly, releasing the bolt to chamber a first round from the replacement magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Chase B. Sisgold
  • Patent number: 8485083
    Abstract: A single-feed magazine adapter used with automatic or semi-automatic firearms and a twin-drum magazine, which converts the dual-feed arrangement of rounds created thereby into a single-feed arrangement that permits dual-feed twin-drum magazine use with automatic and semi-automatic rifles and pistols of differing caliber requiring a single-feed system. The easily-installed adapter can be separately manufactured for attachment to an existing dual-feed twin-drum magazine, or attached to a new dual-feed twin-drum magazine during manufacture. In an empty adapter prior to magazine reload, three specialty rounds are located adjacent to the feed opening, with numerous standard filler/dummy rounds behind them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Mahlon Duane Care
  • Publication number: 20130086834
    Abstract: A firearms magazine has compound tapered side walls and feed lips having substantially parallel end portions for maintaining contact with the cartridge as it is loaded. Removable inserts reduce the interior length and width to hold cartridges of different sizes. The insert has a channel along its height to protect the cartridge noses, and is held by a reinforcing member. A movable cartridge follower feeds the cartridges out of the magazine and has projections slideable in channels of the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Vincent P. Battaglia
  • Publication number: 20130047481
    Abstract: An ammunition magazine includes a first ammunition supply port (“ASP”), a second ASP, a first ammunition compartment, and a second ammunition compartment. The first ASP, in one embodiment, is able to couple to a coupling surface of the magazine and provide ammunition to a gun when the first ASP is connected to an ammunition loading port (“ALP”) of the gun. The second ASP is also coupled to the coupling surface of the magazine and provides ammunition to the gun when the second ASP is connected to the ALP of the gun. The first ammunition compartment occupies a first portion of ammunition capacity of the magazine and is able to arrange ammunition in a column formation. The second ammunition compartment occupies a second portion of ammunition capacity of the magazine and is able to arrange ammunition in a column formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Real Action Paintball, Inc., a California Corporation
    Inventors: Omar Alonso Macy, Loc T. Pham
  • Patent number: 8356439
    Abstract: A lightweight and low cost semi-automatic rifle includes an upper receiver, a lower receiver, and a forend fabricated from injection-molded polymers. The rifle permits firing .22 LR or similar low-power ammunition from an AR-15 style frame, operates on the blowback principle, and provides a fully functional bolt catch and extractor/ejector/deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventor: Jason R. Dubois
  • Patent number: 8322063
    Abstract: A firearms magazine has compound tapered side walls and feed lips having substantially parallel end portions for maintaining contact with the cartridge as it is loaded. Removable inserts reduce the interior length and width to hold cartridges of different sizes. One insert has a channel along its height to protect the cartridge noses, and is held by a reinforcing member. A movable cartridge follower feeds the cartridges out of the magazine and has a pair of projections extending along its length for contacting and centering the last cartridge and a projection at one end slideable in the channel of the insert. The follower has one or more downwardly extending members to contact the floor or walls to maintain position of the follower with respect thereto. Projections extending inward from the side walls contact shoulders of the firearms cartridges in sliding relationship as they are fed out of the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Vincent P. Battaglia
  • Publication number: 20120246988
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for reliably limiting the cartridge loading capacity of firearm magazines. In one embodiment, a magazine capacity limiting assembly includes a limiter body and a limiter base. The magazine capacity limiter body reliably operates with a cartridge follower of a firearm magazine. The limiter body is installed substantially within coils of the magazine's spring, thereby limiting the travel of the follower within the magazine body to limit the magazine's cartridge capacity. The limiter base is coupled to both the limiter body and the magazine's floor plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: Zachary Daniel Ladner
  • Publication number: 20120227300
    Abstract: A modified elongate ammunition magazine, the magazine being modified by modifying an elongate, single plane magazine by removing its end cap so as to provide an elongate modified magazine having an upper end for attaching to said magazine well of a firearm, a lower end, and a through passageway therebetween, and a clip leg base attached thereto and also attachable to a high capacity ammunition magazine housing, the clip leg base configured such that when it is attached to said modified magazine to construct a feed clip assembly, and when the clip leg base is also attached to a high capacity magazine, and when the upper end of the modified magazine is installed into a firearm, an ammunition passageway is defined from an ammunition outlet of a high capacity ammunition magazine housing, through the modified magazine, and to a firearm. Also provided is a last linked assembly including a loose or spreadable link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: The Beta Company
    Inventors: Hugh Kenton Seeley, Silvia Kaiser-Block, John Braden, Lloyd McGarrett Stills
  • Patent number: 8191298
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and kits are disclosed for preventing quick release of a magazine from a magazine well of a Sa vzor 58 rifle without the need to substantially disassemble the rifle, thereby providing a means to modify Sa vzor 58 rifles to bring such rifles within permissible limitations of certain local, state, and federal guns laws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Keith Cash, Daniel James Brown
  • Patent number: 8127480
    Abstract: A magazine well extension for a firearm having a magazine well and a trigger guard consists of a tapered monolithic hollow extension body closely matched to the magazine well opening. The bottom opening is larger than the top opening to more loosely receive the magazine for easier insertion. The extension is attached to the magazine well opening by upward facing rails on opposite sides at the top of the extension body which are matingly received by complimentary slots in the bottom of the magazine well. A second attachment point located at the rear of the extension includes a yoke which retains a laterally slidable captive pin that engages an outwardly extending tang on the trigger guard of the firearm. A forwardly extending lip at the front of the magazine well engages a groove on the inside wall of the extension to vertically support the extension at the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Kasimere McManus, Scott Vilardi, Dean Deturk
  • Patent number: 8028455
    Abstract: A firearms magazine has compound tapered side walls and feed lips having substantially parallel end portions for maintaining contact with the cartridge as it is loaded. Removable inserts reduce the interior length and width to hold cartridges of different sizes. One insert has a channel along its height to protect the cartridge noses, and is held by a reinforcing member. A movable cartridge follower feeds the cartridges out of the magazine and has a pair of projections extending along its length for contacting and centering the last cartridge and a projection at one end slideable in the channel of the insert. The follower has one or more downwardly extending members to contact the floor or walls to maintain position of the follower with respect thereto. Projections extending inward from the side walls contact shoulders of the firearms cartridges in sliding relationship as they are fed out of the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: Vincent P. Battaglia
  • Publication number: 20110214326
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Wes Inskeep, Craig Lathrop
  • Patent number: 7963061
    Abstract: A magazine plug is configured to be positioned in a magazine of a shotgun to reduce the shotshell capacity of the shotgun. In one embodiment, the magazine plug has an elongated cross-sectional shape. The magazine plug is configured to rotate between a first orientation where the magazine plug can move longitudinally into and out of the magazine and a second orientation where the magazine plug is prevented from moving longitudinally out of the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Browning
    Inventor: Marc Lesenfants
  • Patent number: 7950179
    Abstract: An attachable storage receptacle for storing an accessory on a firearm comprises a storage receptacle body having a top portion, a bottom portion and a wall portion, and an attaching mechanism on the top portion of the storage receptacle body for releasably attaching the storage receptacle body to a bottom end of a firearm magazine. The wall portion is connected to the top portion at one end and the bottom portion at the other end, thereby forming a hollow inner portion for storing the accessory in the storage receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Lightsword, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Confrey
  • Patent number: 7823312
    Abstract: A magazine well extension for a firearm having a magazine well in a lower receiver, the magazine well extension including a substantially hollow body including a magazine well extension portion, for covering and extending beyond an opening of the magazine well of the firearm, the magazine well extension portion being adapted and configured to guide a magazine into the magazine well of the firearm and coupling elements for coupling the body about the lower receiver of the firearm. The inner surface of the body is contoured to conform to the outer surface of the lower receiver, and the body is shaped as a grip, for use as a fore grip on the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventor: Sagi Faifer
  • Patent number: 7753679
    Abstract: A non-firing rifle that emulates a semi-automatic or automatic rifle for training in procedures for safe handling, cleaning, and field stripping of such weapons. The non-firing rifle retains the upper receiver assembly, barrel assembly, and ammunition magazine of the emulated rifle, as well as some of the components of the lower receiver assembly of the emulated rifle, but substitutes a modified forging for the lower receiver forging of the emulated rifle. Unlike the lower receiver forging of the emulated rifle, the modified forging has no cutouts to allow a trigger or hammer to be installed. A cutout is provided in a bottom wall of the forging, however, to allow installation of a pseudo-trigger. Accordingly, it is incapable of firing a live ammunition round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Brian D. Schuetz
  • Patent number: 7743542
    Abstract: An assembly for facilitating the insertion of a fresh magazine into a magazine receiver opening of a pistol having a handle frame member to which a pair of opposing hand grips are removably attachable. The magazine insertion guide is secured in position on the butt portion of the frame member by engagement of a plurality projecting securing members that are concealed by, and cooperatively engage interior elements of specially configured hand grips when the grips are attached to the frame member, the exterior surfaces of which mimic the original equipment grips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sportco, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Novak
  • Patent number: 7735252
    Abstract: A firearm magazine includes a housing defining a cavity. A resilient member is disposed in the cavity. A cartridge support member is movably supported on the resilient member and configured for moving downwardly into the cavity against increasing tension of the resilient member when the magazine is being loaded. The resilient member when under tension urges the cartridge support member and cartridges thereon to move upwardly during a feeding operation. An adapter converts a firearm magazine from multiple cartridge capacity to single cartridge capacity, and is configured to be removably coupled to the upper housing to cover the cartridge support member of the housing. The adapter includes an additional cartridge support member. The housing and the adapter cooperate to prevent the additional cartridge support member of the adapter from being moved downwardly into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Thompson Center Arms Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Laney, Brian D. Richard
  • Patent number: 7694620
    Abstract: A magazine support reinforcement for a machine gun having a receiver. A magazine support is attached to the underside of the receiver. The magazine support reinforcement is connected to the magazine support. The reinforcement includes a front support, a rear support and a fastener for fastening the front support to the rear support. The front and rear supports include bracing members having a generally concave side and a lug portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Michael J. Narus
  • Publication number: 20100071242
    Abstract: A magazine plug is configured to be positioned in a magazine of a shotgun to reduce the shotshell capacity of the shotgun. In one embodiment, the magazine plug has an elongated cross-sectional shape. The magazine plug is configured to rotate between a first orientation where the magazine plug can move longitudinally into and out of the magazine and a second orientation where the magazine plug is prevented from moving longitudinally out of the magazine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Browning
    Inventor: Marc Lesenfants
  • Patent number: 7509767
    Abstract: An improved base pad for a firearm magazine that more securely attaches to the bottom of a magazine tube in a manner which is easier and faster to attach or remove therefrom when cleaning the magazine. The improved base pad has a body member with a pair of ends and a pair of sides. The sides each have a groove configured to slidably receive, preferably snugly, the lips at the bottom of a standard magazine tube. One end of the base pad has an outwardly extending section with an upwardly facing, generally planar face. A securing mechanism at the outwardly extending section has an upwardly disposed projection that selectively engages one wall of the magazine tube to secure the base pad thereto when in its engaged position and allows removal of the base pad when in a disengaged position. In a preferred embodiment, the securing mechanism is a detent device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: John Bolen
  • Patent number: 7444775
    Abstract: A system that converts an original equipment (OEM) AR-15 rifle to a rifle capable of firing cartridges of at least two different calibers. Two or more barrel liners are provided for cartridges of differing calibers. Each liner is insertable through a rear opening of an upper receiver portion of the rifle and into a smooth bore barrel of a modified barrel assembly. Each liner comprises a tube portion having a longitudinal bore and a head portion with an opening that communicates with said bore. An adapter bolt carrier assembly is substituted for the OEM AR-15 bolt carrier assembly. The substituted assembly includes a bolt that carries the firing pin and is slidably mounted on a rail guide. A front end of the rail guide has a tongue extension with a slot that receives a pin attached to a rear end of a liner head. A support rail is fixed to a rear end of the rail guide. A spring extends from the support rail to the bolt, thereby pressing the bolt against the liner head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventor: Robert C. E. Schuetz
  • Patent number: 7237354
    Abstract: An ammunition clip is provided for supplying cartridges to a firearm. The ammunition clip includes an elongated housing having an internal chamber for holding a plurality of laterally aligned cartridges, said elongated housing having a loading end and an opposing end, a movable carriage disposed within the internal chamber for urging the aligned cartridges towards the loading end and a spring that urges the movable carriage towards the loading end, said spring being disposed completely outside the internal chamber, said spring being coupled on a first end to the elongated housing and on a second end to the movable carriage and being operatable in a direction of spring pressure that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventor: Kenneth Conner
  • Patent number: 6739082
    Abstract: A firearm including a barrel, an upper receiver, a lower receiver, a cartridge magazine top, a magazine follower, and a magazine spring. The upper receiver has the barrel attached thereto. The lower receiver is pivotably attached to the upper receiver. The lower receiver comprises a one piece frame member forming a magazine well with an integral substantially closed bottom end. The magazine top is stationarily attached to the lower receiver. The magazine top comprises inward projecting rear cartridge retaining ears and front cartridge feeding lips at a top aperture through the magazine top. The magazine follower is movably located in the magazine well of the lower receiver. The spring is located between the closed bottom end of the magazine well and the magazine follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Shoeless Ventures, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig A. Christensen
  • Patent number: 6715396
    Abstract: A cartridge feed tray for belt ammunition is modified to receive shorter ammunition and exclude ammunition of standard length by inclusion of an insert positioned along the forward containment wall of the tray. The insert carries a feed lip that fits through a loading port orifice in the feed tray to direct shorter ammunition downwardly as it is being advanced towards the weapon breach for loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: SNC Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Sylvain Dionne
  • Patent number: 6536152
    Abstract: A storage compartment forming insert fits within the hollow compartment of a firearm grip assembly to create a storage compartment. The insert generally includes a base and a resilient member extending therefrom. The base defines an outer dimension that provides an interference fit within the hollow compartment. By maintaining the base under tension at the interference fit, the storage compartment is effectively impervious to water. To insert or remove objects within the storage compartment, one need only pull the base. The resilient members stretch and the open end of the grip becomes accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: David L. Wisz