Patent Application
20240093955
Prior art includes US Patent Publication US20190226779A1, U.S. Pat. No. 8,898,946, and German Patent Publication DE202017005204U1.
Many firearms, such as pistols, use a detachable magazine to hold ammunition rounds. There are multiple different models of such magazines. Typically, a particular firearm can accept only a single, “native,” design of a magazine. There are popular magazine mechanical standards, such as STANAG 4179 (a NATO standard) for a magwell and a Colt 1911 pattern for a magazine. It is advantageous to be able to use a “non-native” magazine in firearms. The typical way of achieving such advantage is by use of a mechanical adapter. In the prior art, such adapters attach to the firearm, not the magazine.
Embodiments of this invention overcome weaknesses of prior art. Embodiments include an adapter that attaches to a non-native magazine. Adapters may be used on multiple magazines to create ready-to-use adapted magazines. One improvement is that removal of the adapted magazine may now use the native magazine release in the firearm.
In one embodiment, the magazine adapter comprises three primary elements: two halves of a “clamshell,” secured to each other with screws, to form a body, and an ejector captured between the two clamshell halves when assembled. In other embodiments the body is a single piece; other means of securing may be used.
In one embodiment, the shapes of the clamshell halves and the ejector permit only a single attachment location and orientation of the ejector and a single insertion and orientation of the adapted magazine in a firearm. When assembled, the halves of the clamshell create a slot, a “magwell,” into which a non-native magazine is secured.
In one embodiment, one of the screws, that secures one half of the clamshell to the other half, also secures the ejector.
In one embodiment, the two halves of the clamshell, when assembled, create a slot suitably shaped, oriented, and sized to accept a non-native magazine in a single, fixed orientation.
In one usage scenario, a user assembles the clamshell halves, the ejector, and a non-native magazine into a single unit, the “adapted magazine,” with two screws. The user may use multiple magazine adapters on multiple non-native magazines to create a set of “ready-to-use” adapted magazines, with a one-to-one relationship between adapters and magazines. One advantage of an embodiment is that the firearm itself is not modified. A second advantage is the normal magazine release on the firearm is then used to release the adapted magazine.
Scenarios, options, drawings, and abstract are non-limiting embodiments.
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The two clamshell halves, when assembled, create an interior slot 7 suitable for holding a non-native magazine. The interior slot 7 may be called an adapter interior volume. A magazine latch slot key 8 assists in holding the non-native magazine in a single, fixed position in the interior slot 7. The clamshell halves 1 and 2, which together may be identified as the magazine adapter body, ideally have a hardness of at least 50 on the Shore D hardness scale.
A novel element of embodiments is an asymmetric ejector screw negative volume 9 comprising a partial cylindrical negative volume through which one of the assembly screws, such as 4, passes. This element 9 allows the ejector 3 to be secured with the same screw 4 that also secures the two halves of the clamshell 1 and 2. The partial cylindrical shape of negative volume 9 also permits the ejector 3 to be positioned for functionality, in conjunction with an ejector mechanism in the firearm, and to also have the necessary clearances for both the interior slot 7 and exterior of the magazine adapter. Element 9 may also be called a single securing element for both the body and the ejector and alternatively described as a single semicircular cutout. Ideally, ejector 3 comprises a hardness in the inclusive range of 20 to 35 on the Rockwell HRC scale.
A magwell engagement slot 6, a facet of the magazine adapter, is engaged by a firearm's magazine latch mechanism to hold the adapted magazine assembly in a firearm's magwell. This element 6 enables the magazine adapter to fit and function properly in a firearm magwell.
In some embodiments, the adapter body comprises a feed ramp 15 surface, or facet, for the purpose of smoothly and reliably feeding a cartridge in a second magazine into a chamber of a first firearm. See also Definitions below and Claims.
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Significant asymmetries in both clamshell halves 1 and 2, or an equivalent one-piece body, and the ejector 3 assure that assembly into an adapted magazine is possible in only a single orientation of elements. Further, asymmetries assure proper fit and function of the adapted magazine into a firearm, including use of an existing magazine release mechanisms in the firearm. Refer to
Mechanical tolerances are a critical part of any mechanical design, as those trained in the art know. Useful and preferred tolerances and measurements for some embodiments include:
“Adapted magazine”—An assembled combination of a non-native magazine (“second magazine”) affixed to a magazine adapter. The adapted magazine is also called an adapted magazine assembly. In use, a magazine of a second mechanical design is attached to a magazine adapter, created an adapted magazine, which is then suitable for use in a firearm of a first mechanical design.
“First firearm”—A firearm that natively accepts a first magazine in its magwell, wherein the first magazine is a different mechanical design than a second magazine.
“First magazine”—A magazine used natively in a first firearm.
“Magwell”—a well in a firearm to receive a magazine. A magwell in a first firearm will accept either an adapted magazine or a first magazine.
“Permanent attachment”—An attachment designed to stay attached in normal usage. Permanent attachments may still permit disassembly.
“Second firearm”—A second firearm comprising a second magazine well of a different mechanical design than a first magazine well. The second magazine well accepts magazines with a different mechanical design than first magazines.
“Second magazine”—A magazine used natively in a second firearm. A second magazine may also be affixed to a magazine adapter to create an adapted magazine, and then the adapted magazine may be used in a first magazine well of a first firearm.
“Side”—also referred to as a “half.”
Ideal, Ideally, Optimal and Preferred—Use of the words, “ideal,” “ideally,” “optimum,” “should” and “preferred,” when used in the context of describing this invention, refer specifically to a best mode for one or more embodiments for one or more applications of this invention. Such best modes are non-limiting, and may not be the best mode for all embodiments, applications, or implementation technologies, as one trained in the art will appreciate.
All examples are sample or exemplary embodiments. In particular, the phrase “invention” should be interpreted under all conditions to mean, “an embodiment of this invention.” Examples, scenarios, and drawings are non-limiting. The only limitations of this invention are in the claims.
May, Could, Option, Mode, Alternative and Feature—Use of the words, “may,” “could,” “option,” “optional,” “mode,” “alternative,” “typical,” “ideal,” and “feature,” when used in the context of describing this invention, refer specifically to various embodiments of this invention. Described benefits refer only to those embodiments that provide that benefit. All descriptions herein are non-limiting, as one trained in the art appreciates.
Embodiments of this invention explicitly include all combinations and sub-combinations of all features, elements and limitations of all claims. Embodiments of this invention explicitly include all combinations and sub-combinations of all features, elements, examples, embodiments, tables, values, ranges, and drawings in the specification and drawings. Embodiments of this invention explicitly include devices and systems to implement any combination of all methods described in the claims, specification, abstract, and drawings. Embodiments of the methods of invention explicitly include all combinations of dependent method claim steps, in any functional order. Embodiments of the methods of invention explicitly include, when referencing any device claim or limitation thereof, to any and all other device claims, including all combinations of elements in device claims. Claims for devices and systems may be restricted to perform only the methods of embodiments or claims.
