Patent Application
20120233899
The present invention relates generally to the field of firearms, and more particularly to ammunition magazines for use with firearms.
Firearms, specifically rifles and handguns, often are used in conjunction with ammunition magazines. The magazines are loaded with ammunition, for example bullets, and then secured within a designated firearm. The magazines are then unsecured from the firearm when all of the ammunition from the magazine has been fired. The loading, securing, firing and removal process is typically performed countless times within the useful lifetime of a specific magazine.
In order to secure a magazine, the magazine typically secures to a magazine locating pin fixed within a firearm. The magazine locating pin is typically removably secured with a corresponding aperture located on a surface of the magazine. When the firearm is in use with the magazine, the magazine locating pin is secured with the aperture. When the firearm is not in use, the magazine is removed from the firearm by removing the magazine locating pin from the aperture.
Typically, the magazine and its locating pin are constructed of a rigid and durable material, for example metal. However, metal is heavy and subject to corrosion by moisture. Another example material is a composite polymer. The composite polymer is lightweight and resists corrosion, but is not as durable as metal. Through repeated use, the magazine aperture corresponding with the magazine locating pin can become worn and/or misshapen. This wearing down of the magazine aperture can, as a result, prevent a secure connection with the magazine locating pin and render the magazine inoperable.
Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for a magazine that can better withstand repeated securing to, and removal from, a magazine locating pin and therefore a firearm.
It is to the provision of a meeting these and other needs that the present invention is primarily directed.
In example embodiments, the present invention provides a device for reinforcing a locating pin aperture in a firearm magazine.
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a reinforcement device for reinforcing a locating pin aperture in a firearm magazine. The example reinforcement device includes a front panel with an aperture adapted to be coaxially aligned with the locating pin aperture. The clamp is adapted to secure the front panel to the firearm magazine to ensure accurate alignment of the front panel aperture with the locating pin aperture.
In another aspect, the invention relates to an assembly for reinforcing a firearm magazine locating pin aperture. The example assembly includes a firearm magazine having a recessed region that surrounds the magazine locating pin aperture. The assembly also includes a clip adapted to secure to the recessed region. The clip includes an aperture adapted to coaxially align with the magazine locating pin aperture when the clip is secured to the recessed region.
In still another aspect, the invention relates to a device for reinforcing a locating pin aperture in a firearm magazine having a recessed receiver of a defined depth from the magazine surface. The device includes a clip adapted to secure to the firearm magazine within the recessed receiver. The clip has an aperture adapted to coaxially align with the locating pin aperture when the clip is secured to the recessed receiver.
In still another aspect the invention relates to an assembly for reinforcing a firearm magazine locating pin aperture. The assembly includes a molded synthetic firearm magazine with a recessed region that surrounds the magazine locating pin aperture. The recessed region includes a designated depth from the magazine surface and at least one raised body having a height substantially similar to the recessed region depth. The assembly also includes a clip having at least one aperture adapted to receive the at least one raised body when the clip is secured to the magazine recessed region. The clip includes an aperture adapted to coaxially align with the magazine locating pin aperture when the clip is secured to the recessed region. The clip has a thickness substantially similar to the recessed region depth.
These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
The present invention generally relates to a reinforcement clip to be secured over a locating pin aperture in a firearm magazine for use with a firearm, for example a rifle or pistol. The reinforcement clip increases the durability of the locating pin aperture during repeated insertion and removal of a firearm magazine locating pin. This reinforcement clip can be a separate and removable element from a magazine or the reinforcement clip can be integrally and permanently secured to the magazine during the manufacture of the magazine, for example through a molding process. The example reinforcement clip can be designed to secure to a commonly-available magazine structure or the reinforcement clip can be designed to secure to a custom-designed magazine having a corresponding structure for securing the clip.
With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views,
The reinforcement clip 12 is shown to be secured to a front face near the top opening 14 of the magazine 10. The reinforcement clip 12 is manufactured of a durable material, for example metal or other advanced materials. The depicted reinforcement clip 12 includes a front panel 22 and a clamp. As depicted, the front panel 22 includes an aperture 16 that aligns with the locating pin aperture (further shown in
The clamp can be any structure that prevents the reinforcement clip 12 from being removed from the magazine 10 during the course of its typical lifetime of use without intervening user action. For example, the clamp can include teeth or a lip. In a typical commercial embodiment, as depicted, the clamp includes two symmetrical side walls 18, each extending from the vertical edges of the front panel 22. Each side wall 18 includes a grip that secures to a receiver on the magazine 10. As depicted, an example grip is an aperture 17 and an example receiver is a raised body 20. An example raised body can have a shape resembling a plateau having vertically-angled side walls and a substantially flat top surface. The aperture 17 fits over the raised body 20 for effective use. Preferably, the size and shape of the raised body 20 correspond to fit snugly within the aperture 17. As depicted, the aperture 17 and corresponding raised body 20 are both rectangular, however, alternative shapes such as circular, polygonal or other regular or irregular shapes are considered effective. Additionally, each wall 18 can further include additional apertures (not shown) to grip to additional raised bodies (not shown).
The side walls 18 can be resiliently flexible with respect to the front face 22 to deflect laterally outwardly in order to place the apertures 24 over the raised bodies 20. Such flexing requires an application of outwardly-directed force onto an interior surface of each wall 18. Upon application of the apertures 24 over the raised bodies 20, the walls 18 automatically return inwardly toward each other to apply pressure against the magazine 10.
Preferably, the clip 12 has a consistent thickness throughout the front face and the side walls. However, the thickness can alternatively vary, as designed, between the front face and the side walls. Preferably, the clip 12 has a unitary construction. Alternatively, the clip 12 can be constructed of separable parts that can be assembled together for use.
When the apertures 17 are secured around the raised bodies 20, the reinforcement clip 12 will not slip off of the magazine 10 during normal use. The reinforcement clip 12 can be permanently secured to the magazine 10 or temporarily and removably secured. For example, adhesive material can be applied to either the clip 12 or magazine 10 to permanently secure the clip to the magazine. Alternatively, the clip 12 can be removably secured to the magazine 10 with a friction fit and resistance by simply securing the grip apertures 17 over and around the corresponding raised bodies 20.
In
In alternate embodiments, the sidewalls of the clip extend along the entire length of the magazine sides and are connected by a back wall so that the clip is annular and extends around the entire periphery of the magazine. In other alternate embodiments, the grip and raised body are reversed, that is, the grip of the clip is a raised body that corresponds with an aperture in the magazine. In yet a further alternate embodiment, the side walls of the clip extend downwardly beyond the top horizontal side ribs, which form the raised bodies, and have grip apertures configured to receive the receiver ribs.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.
