MODULAR MAGAZINE ASSEMBLIES

Abstract

A modular magazine assembly includes a magazine shell with an internal cavity and a magazine disposed within the internal cavity of the magazine shell. The magazine shell includes a magazine catch cavity for securing the magazine shell relative to a firearm receiver. The magazine shell includes an internal magazine catch feature for securing the magazine within the magazine shell.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates to modular magazine assemblies for firearms, particularly modular magazine systems designed as a shell to hold a different magazine within the shell.

BACKGROUND

Since the advent and standardization of self-contained metallic cartridge ammunition, firearms have included systems and devices for loading and/or storing ammunition. Many modern firearms (including handguns, rifles, carbines, shotguns, etc.) include a magazine for storing and/or feeding ammunition. Magazines may be integral/fixed to the firearm or may be detachable. Different magazine arrangements include tube, box, rotary, drum, casket, pan, helical, saddle-drum, or various other arrangements.

Many firearms and related accessories are designed for compatibility with the AR-15 variant (civilian) or M16/M4 (military) firearm platform (i.e., collectively AR-15 style firearms). Many of these products follow traditional designs based on industry standards and/or military specification (milspec). Most typical AR-15 firearms are chambered for 5.56×45 mm NATO and/or .223 Remington. Many receivers and/or magazines may be modified to operate with 300 BLK (7.62×35 mm). However, conventional designs intended to use other calibers require a different receiver, modification to the receiver, and/or a different magazine. Accordingly, it may be desirable to insert a magazine shell into a the magazine well of a conventional receiver where the shell holds a different magazine designed for alternative caliber ammunition.

SUMMARY

The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a modular magazine assembly comprises: a magazine shell comprising an internal cavity; and a magazine disposed within the internal cavity of the magazine shell, wherein: the magazine shell comprises a magazine catch cavity for securing the magazine shell relative to a firearm receiver; and the magazine shell comprises an internal magazine catch feature for securing the magazine within the magazine shell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a modular magazine assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the modular magazine assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the modular magazine assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the modular magazine assembly of FIG. 1 shown inserted in a firearm receiver.

FIG. 5 is a partial front perspective view of a magazine shell of the modular magazine assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partial rear perspective view of a magazine shell of the modular magazine assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7A is a rear perspective view of a magazine shell of the modular magazine assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7B is a cross-section view of the magazine shell of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a partial front perspective view of a magazine shell of the modular magazine assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an exploded rear perspective view of a magazine shell of the modular magazine assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of a modular magazine assembly shown inserted in a firearm receiver according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partial rear perspective view of the modular magazine assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a partial front perspective view of the modular magazine assembly of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

Although the illustrated embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-12 illustrate components of various semi-automatic or automatic firearms, the features, concepts, and functions described herein are also applicable (with potential necessary alterations for particular applications) to handguns, rifles, carbines, pistols, shotguns, or any other type of firearm.

In some embodiments, a modular magazine assembly 100 may attach to or be inserted into a firearm. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, the modular magazine assembly 100 may be inserted into a firearm receiver 20. In some embodiments, the modular magazine assembly 100 includes a magazine shell 101 and a magazine 10 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1-4). The magazine 10 may be secured relative to the magazine shell 101 such that the magazine assembly 100 acts or functions as a firearm magazine. In some cases, the magazine 10 is nested within the magazine shell 101 or is otherwise latched or secured relative to the magazine shell 101.

In some examples, the magazine shell 101 is compatible with accessories, receptacles, and/or systems designed for conventional magazines and/or various commercially available magazines, such as a Standardization Agreement (STANAG) magazine, designed for 5.56×45 mm NATO ammunition and/or functions as a new magazine with a similar form factor such that the new magazine is compatible with firearms designed for such conventional magazines. The modular magazine assembly 100 may be configured to be inserted into a U.S. military specification (milspec) lower receiver for an AR-15 variant (civilian) or M16/M4 (military) firearm (i.e., collectively AR-15 style firearms). In some embodiments, the magazine 10 may be compatible with various calibers including rifle calibers such as, for example, 5.56×45 mm NATO, .223 Remington, 300 BLK (7.62×35 mm), 7.62×51 mm NATO, .308 Winchester, 7.62×39 mm, 5.45×39 mm; pistol calibers such as, for example, 9×19 mm, .45 ACP, .40 S&W, .380 ACP, .38 ACP, .38 Super, .22 Long Rifle, 10 mm Auto, 5.7×28 mm; and shotgun calibers such as, for example, 12 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, 0.410 gauge, 10 gauge, 16 gauge.

Although the illustrated embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-12 illustrate components of AR-15 style firearms, the features, concepts, and functions described herein are also applicable (with potential necessary alterations for particular applications) to AR-10, AR-9, AR-18, AR-180, AK-47, AK-74, AKM, SCAR, and any other appropriate firearm.

The magazine shell 101 may include at least one of an internal cavity 102, a magazine catch cavity 103, an opening window 104, a magazine catch protrusion 105, an internal magazine catch protrusion 107, a magazine catch portion 108, an internal magazine catch arm 109, a magazine catch lever 110, a profile feature for minimum magazine 111, a magazine capacity label 113, a magazine capacity indicator 115, an ejector 150, and/or any other appropriate feature.

In some embodiments, the magazine 10 includes at least one of feed lips 15, a magazine catch cavity 17, a magazine baseplate 19, and/or any other appropriate feature. The magazine 10 may be a magazine designed for a pistol or handgun and may have a capacity of 10 rounds, 11 rounds, 12 rounds, 13 rounds, 14 rounds, 15 rounds, 16 rounds, 17 rounds, 18 rounds, 19 rounds, 20 rounds, 21 rounds, 22 rounds, 23 rounds, 24 rounds, 25 rounds, 26 rounds, 27 rounds, 28 rounds, 29 rounds, 30 rounds, 31 rounds, 32 rounds, 33 rounds, 34 rounds, 35 rounds, 40 rounds, 50 rounds, 100 rounds, and/or any other appropriate capacity. The modular magazine assembly 100 may be compatible with standard capacity magazines with capacities of 30 rounds or more.

The internal cavity 102 of the magazine shell 101 may be configured to approximately match the outer shape of the magazine 10. As shown in the cross-section in FIG. 7B, the internal cavity 102 may include an upper portion 102.1 and a lower portion 102.2 that are separated by the profile feature for minimum magazine 111. In some embodiments, the upper portion 102.1 has a smaller cross-sectional area and is designed to approximately match the outer shape of the magazine 10. The lower portion 102.2 may have a larger cross-sectional area and be designed to approximately match the outer shape of the magazine baseplate 19 of the magazine 10. For example, a 17 round capacity magazine may be capable of being inserted into the internal cavity 102 such that the magazine baseplate 19 is disposed within the lower portion 102.2.

In some cases, the magazine 10 is inserted into the magazine shell 101 and is secured in a functional configuration such that the modular magazine assembly 100 is capable of functioning as a firearm magazine. The functional configuration is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 10-12. In this functional configuration, an uppermost portion of the feed lips 15 may be approximately at the same height as the top of the magazine shell 101 (see FIG. 1). The modular magazine assembly 100 may also have a partially inserted configuration where the magazine 10 is partially inserted into the magazine shell 101. The partially inserted configuration may occur when the upper end of the magazine 10 (i.e., the end near the feed lips 15) has not reached the top of the magazine shell 101. The partially inserted configuration includes (i) cases where the upper end of the magazine 10 has not yet reached the internal magazine catch protrusion 107 of the magazine shell 101 and (ii) cases where the upper end of the magazine 10 has reached the internal magazine catch protrusion 107 causing the internal magazine catch arm 109 (and the internal magazine catch protrusion 107) to deflect away from the magazine 10. The modular magazine assembly 100 is in the functional configuration when the magazine 10 has moved upward such that the magazine catch protrusion 107 engages the magazine catch cavity 17 of the magazine 10 (see FIGS. 2, 11, and 12).

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7A, and 8, the magazine shell 101 may include features for securing the modular magazine assembly 100 relative to a firearm. For example, the magazine shell 101 may be designed such that the magazine catch cavity 103 interfaces with a magazine catch feature of the firearm receiver 20. In some cases, the magazine catch protrusion 105 prevents the modular magazine assembly 100 from moving too far upward relative to the firearm receiver 20.

The opening window 104 of the magazine shell 101 may include multiple functions. For example, the opening window 104 may reduce material and weight of the magazine shell 101 leading to benefits related to manufacturing, cost, weight, shipping, logistics, etc. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 11, and 12, the opening window 104 may also function as an indicator that a magazine 10 is present within the magazine shell 101 (when the modular magazine assembly 100 is not inserted in a firearm).

In some embodiments, an operator would acquire a magazine shell 101 for each magazine 10 such that the entire modular magazine assembly 100 can be inserted and removed as a unit from the firearm. The modular magazine assembly 100 can be loaded with at least one cartridge(s) while in the functional configuration. The modular magazine assembly 100 can be inserted/removed as a unit to/from the firearm using the magazine catch feature of the firearm. In addition, the magazine 10 can be loaded with at least one cartridge(s) before being inserted into the magazine shell 101.

In some cases, the operator may have one magazine shell 101 for multiple magazines 10 such that magazines 10 are inserted and removed from the magazine shell 101 while the modular magazine assembly 100 is either located/engaged in a firearm or is separate from a firearm. For the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, to disengage the magazine 10 from the magazine shell 101, the modular magazine assembly 100 must be separate from the firearm such that the operator can engage and manipulate the internal magazine catch arm 109 and/or the internal magazine catch protrusion 107. This manipulation causes the internal magazine catch protrusion 107 to disengage from the magazine catch cavity 17 such that the magazine 10 can be removed from the magazine shell 101. In other embodiments, the modular magazine assembly 100 includes features allowing the magazine 10 to be removed from the magazine shell 101 while the modular magazine assembly 100 is located/engaged in a firearm. For example, the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 10-12 include the magazine catch lever 110 that allows an operator to disengage the internal magazine catch protrusion 107 from the magazine catch cavity 17 while the modular magazine assembly 100 remains in the firearm (see FIG. 10). The operator presses the exposed portion of the magazine catch lever 110 rearward (toward the center of the modular magazine assembly 100) which causes the magazine catch lever 110 to pivot about the magazine catch portion 108. In some embodiments, the magazine catch portion 108 acts as a fulcrum and the pivoting of the magazine catch lever 110 disengages the magazine catch protrusion 107 from the magazine catch cavity 17 of the magazine 10. In these embodiments, the operator can leave the magazine shell 101 in the firearm receiver 20 (i.e., no operation of the magazine release mechanism of the receiver 20) and can insert/remove magazines 10.

As shown in the drawings, the magazine shell 101 may include at least one magazine capacity label 113 and at least one magazine capacity indicator 115. Although these features are illustrated on both lateral sides of the magazine shell 101, such features may be present on a single side, on the rear side, on the forward side, and/or some combination of these configurations. In some examples, the magazine shell 101 includes a plurality of magazine capacity labels 113 and a plurality of magazine capacity indicators 115. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4, each lateral side of the magazine shell 101 includes five magazine capacity labels 113 and four magazine capacity indicators 115. The visual indication for the presence of a magazine 10 corresponding to the magazine capacity label 113.5 (i.e., a 31 round magazine in the illustrated embodiment) is the presence of the magazine baseplate 19 below the bottom of the magazine shell 101 (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 4). The visual indication for the presence of a magazine 10 corresponding to the magazine capacity label 113.1 (i.e., a 15 round magazine in the illustrated embodiment) is magazine capacity indicator 115.1 (i.e., a portion of the magazine 10 would be visible through this hole). Confirmation would occur by the absence of a magazine 10 visible through the next indicator (magazine capacity indicator 115.2). The visual indication for the presence of a magazine 10 corresponding to the magazine capacity label 113.2 (i.e., a 17 round magazine in the illustrated embodiment) is magazine capacity indicator 115.2 (i.e., a portion of the magazine 10 would be visible through this hole). Confirmation would occur by the absence of a magazine 10 visible through the next indicator (magazine capacity indicator 115.3). The visual indication for the presence of a magazine 10 corresponding to the magazine capacity label 113.3 (i.e., a 19 round magazine in the illustrated embodiment) is magazine capacity indicator 115.3 (i.e., a portion of the magazine 10 would be visible through this hole). Confirmation would occur by the absence of a magazine 10 visible through the next indicator (magazine capacity indicator 115.4). The visual indication for the presence of a magazine 10 corresponding to the magazine capacity label 113.4 (i.e., a 24 round magazine in the illustrated embodiment) is magazine capacity indicator 115.4 (i.e., a portion of the magazine 10 would be visible through this hole). Confirmation would occur by the absence of a magazine 10 visible below the bottom of the magazine shell 101 (i.e., there is no magazine baseplate 19 visible, as described above).

The modular magazine assembly 100 may optionally include an ejector 150. The ejector 150 is necessary if the bolt carrier group to be used in combination with the modular magazine assembly 100 does not include an ejector. For bolt carrier groups that do include an ejector or if an ejector is present elsewhere (i.e., in the firearm receiver), the modular magazine assembly 100 does not include the ejector. The ejector 150 may be connected and/or attached to the magazine 10 and/or the magazine shell 101. In some embodiments, the magazine shell 101 includes an ejector 150 (see FIGS. 1, 3-7A, and 8-12). The ejector 150 may be an integral feature of the magazine shell 101. For example, see FIGS. 1 and 3-7A where the ejector 150 is an integral feature of the magazine shell 101. In these embodiments, the magazine shell 101 may be a machined metallic part such that the ejector 150 is a machined feature. In some embodiments, the magazine shell 101 is an ejection molded polymer part such that the ejector 150 is one of the features created during the injection molding manufacturing process. As shown in FIGS. 8-12, in some embodiments, the ejector 150 is a separate component that can be inserted into the magazine shell 101. For example, as shown in the exploded view in FIG. 9, the magazine shell 101 may include a receptacle or cavity 149 designed to receive the ejector 150. The ejector 150 may include at least one retaining feature 151 for securing the ejector 150 in the appropriate position. In some cases, the ejector 150 includes barbs such that the ejector 150 can inserted and fixed into the appropriate position. In some cases, these feature(s) would prevent the ejector 150 from being removed after installation.

The components of any of the components described herein may be formed of materials including, but not limited to, thermoplastic, carbon composite, plastic, nylon, polyethylene, polyetherimide, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, steel, aluminum, stainless steel, high strength aluminum alloy, other plastic or polymer materials, other metallic materials, other composite materials, or other similar materials. Moreover, the components of the devices described herein may be attached to one another via suitable fasteners, which include, but are not limited to, screws, bolts, rivets, welds, over-molding, co-molding, injection molding, or other mechanical or chemical fasteners.

Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described, are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.

Claims

1. A magazine shell comprising: an internal cavity comprising an upper portion and a lower portion;a magazine catch cavity for securing the magazine shell relative to a firearm receiver; andan internal magazine catch feature for securing a magazine within the internal cavity,wherein the internal cavity is designed to receive multiple different size magazines.

2. The magazine shell of claim 1, further comprising an ejector.

3. The magazine shell of claim 2, wherein the ejector is an integral feature of the magazine shell.

4. The magazine shell of claim 1, further comprising at least one capacity feature.

5. The magazine shell of claim 4, wherein the at least one capacity feature comprises at least one selected from the group of a magazine capacity label or a magazine capacity indicator.

6. The magazine shell of claim 1, wherein the magazine is a pistol magazine.

7. The magazine shell of claim 1, wherein the magazine shell is designed to function similar to a STANAG magazine.

8. The magazine shell of claim 1, further comprising a functional configuration, wherein in the functional configuration an uppermost portion of at least one feed lip of the magazine is approximately at the same height as a top of the magazine shell.

9. The magazine shell of claim 1, further comprising a magazine catch lever for actuating the internal magazine catch feature.

10. The magazine shell of claim 9, wherein the magazine catch lever allows the magazine to be disengaged from the magazine shell while the magazine shell remains in the firearm receiver.

11. A modular magazine assembly comprising: a magazine shell comprising an internal cavity; anda magazine disposed within the internal cavity of the magazine shell, wherein:the magazine shell comprises a magazine catch cavity for securing the magazine shell relative to a firearm receiver; andthe magazine shell comprises an internal magazine catch feature for securing the magazine within the magazine shell.

12. The modular magazine assembly of claim 11, wherein the magazine is a handgun magazine and the magazine shell is designed to interface with an AR-15 receiver.

13. The modular magazine assembly of claim 11, further comprising an ejector.

14. The modular magazine assembly of claim 13, wherein the ejector is an integral feature of the magazine shell.

15. The modular magazine assembly of claim 11, wherein the magazine shell comprises at least one capacity feature.

16. The modular magazine assembly of claim 15, wherein the at least one capacity feature comprises at least one selected from the group of a magazine capacity label or a magazine capacity indicator.

17. The modular magazine assembly of claim 11, further comprising a functional configuration, wherein in the functional configuration an uppermost portion of at least one feed lip of the magazine is approximately at the same height as a top of the magazine shell.

18. The modular magazine assembly of claim 11, further comprising a magazine catch lever for actuating the internal magazine catch feature.

19. The modular magazine assembly of claim 18, wherein the magazine catch lever allows the magazine to be disengaged from the magazine shell while the magazine shell remains in the firearm receiver.

20. The modular magazine assembly of claim 11, wherein the magazine shell is designed to receive multiple different size magazines.