This invention relates generally to magazines for use with firearms, and more particularly to magazines that are fixed to a firearm such that the magazine is not removable from the firearm.
Firearm laws have been passed in states such as California and New York which require that certain rifles and pistols must be modified to remain legal. In particular, semi-automatic firearms, such as AR-15 rifles and pistols, are being subject to more restrictions, including a prohibition against “detachable magazines”. California law, for example, requires a “fixed magazine”, where “fixed magazine” means an ammunition feeding device contained in, or permanently attached to, a firearm in such a manner that the device cannot be removed without disassembly of the firearm action.
Standard semi-automatic firearms have typically been made and sold for use with detachable magazines. In response to the restrictions of the newer firearms laws, semiautomatic firearms are being made and sold with fixed magazines. Further, conversion kits are being sold to convert a firearm with a detachable magazine to a firearm with a fixed magazine.
For example, Hager U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,224 teaches a semi-automatic firearm with a non-removable magazine. Also, Stone U.S. Pat. No. 7,941,955 B2 teaches a pivoting, non-detachable magazine. Further, Harris et al. U.S. Pat. No. 8,756,845 B2 teaches method and device for converting a firearm with detachable magazine to a firearm with a fixed magazine.
By providing a fixed magazine according to the new firearms laws of many states, citizens of those states will be able to legally own a firearm, such as an AR-15.
The fixed magazine of the invention satisfies the new firearms laws, being loadable in a way that does not violate the law.
The fixed magazine of the invention is a plastic or metal magazine for centerfire rifles which can be fixed into position so as to become a non-removable magazine, yet it can open while attached to the rifle for easy loading of cartridges.
The method of attachment of the fixed magazine will vary in accordance with the different makes and models of each rifle. The end result of the fixing of the magazine will be compliance with state or local laws, while also facilitating loading of the magazine in a convenient manner.
The fixed magazine of the invention allows a user to easily load the fixed magazine with ammunition without removing the magazine from the firearm, disassembling the action, or using tools. (If this is not legal in your state, a fixed magazine will be provided that requires a tool to open it to load ammunition, but it will open in the same manner as a fixed magazine that does not require a tool.)
A general aspect of the invention is an affixable ammunition magazine for use with a firearm having an upper receiver and a lower receiver, the lower receiver having a magazine well for receiving the ammunition magazine. The ammunition magazine includes: a magazine body configured to contain a stack of cartridges, the magazine body having a feeding end configured to feed rounds of ammunition to the firearm, the magazine body including: a sliding side panel configured to slide downward from a closed position to an open position so as to permit loading of the stack of cartridges into the magazine body, and a rear side having a finger-pull slot terminating as a bottom hook; a cartridge follower assembly including: a cartridge follower, at least one finger pull attached to the cartridge follower, the at least one finger pull extending through the finger-pull slot of the rear side, the at least one finger pull being movable when released from the bottom hook, and a cartridge follower spring configured to be compressed by the cartridge follower when the at least one finger pull is engaged with the bottom hook, and configured to expand when the at least one finger pull is disengaged from the bottom hook, thereby allowing the cartridge follower to urge the stack of cartridges towards the feeding end of the ammunition magazine; and an attachable blocking tab configured to be attached to the feeding end of the magazine body, and configured to block removal of the ammunition magazine from the magazine well, the attachable blocking tab being attached to the feeding end of the magazine body after insertion of the ammunition magazine into the magazine well, and before re-engaging the upper receiver with the lower receiver.
In some embodiments, the cartridge follower includes a rotatable shaft configured to move along and within the finger-pull slot, the at least one finger pull being attached to the rotatable shaft.
In some embodiments, wherein the cartridge follower assembly further includes: a cartridge follower top plate configured to push upward on the bottom of the stack of cartridges; a cartridge follower bottom plate configured to facilitate attachment of the cartridge follower spring to the cartridge follower assembly; a pivot extending from the bottom plate towards the top plate of the cartridge follower; and a pivot block mounted on the pivot so as to enable the pivot block, the rotatable shaft, and the at least one finger pull to pivot.
In some embodiments, wherein the cartridge follower bottom plate includes at least one spring attachment tab configured to attach the cartridge follower spring to the cartridge follower bottom plate.
In some embodiments, the affixable ammunition magazine further includes: a spring loaded button located at a lower portion of the magazine body, the spring loaded button being cooperative with both a lower hole and an upper hole in the sliding side panel, so as to lock the sliding side panel in either the open position, or the closed position.
In some embodiments, the magazine body, the sliding side panel, the cartridge follower, the cartridge follower spring, and the at least one finger pull are each made from at least one of: metal, nylon, plastic, carbon fiber.
Another general aspect of the invention is an affixable ammunition magazine for use with a firearm having an upper receiver and a lower receiver, the lower receiver having a magazine well for receiving the ammunition magazine. This ammunition magazine includes: a magazine body configured to contain a stack of cartridges, the magazine body having a feeding end configured to feed rounds of ammunition to the firearm, the magazine body including: a sliding rear panel configured to slide downward from a closed position to an open position so as to permit loading of the stack of cartridges into the magazine body, and a right side and a left side each having a finger-pull slot terminating as a bottom hook; a cartridge follower assembly including: a cartridge follower, two finger pulls attached to the cartridge follower, the two finger pulls extending through the finger-pull slots of the right and left sides, the two finger pulls being movable when released from the respective bottom hooks, and a cartridge follower spring configured to be compressed by the cartridge follower when the at least one finger pull is engaged with the bottom hook, and configured to expand when the at least one finger pull is disengaged from the bottom hook, thereby allowing the cartridge follower to urge the stack of cartridges towards the feeding end of the ammunition magazine; and an attachable blocking tab configured to be attached to the feeding end of the magazine body, and configured to block removal of the ammunition magazine from the magazine well, the attachable blocking tab being attached to the feeding end of the magazine body after insertion of the ammunition magazine into the magazine well, and before re-engaging the upper receiver with the lower receiver.
In some embodiments, the two finger pulls are each attached to a respective rotatable shaft configured to ride within respective finger-pull slots.
In some embodiments, the cartridge follower assembly further includes: a cartridge follower top plate configured to push upward on the bottom of the stack of cartridges; a cartridge follower bottom plate configured to facilitate attachment of the cartridge follower spring to the cartridge follower assembly; a pivot extending from the bottom plate towards the top plate of the cartridge follower; and a pivot block mounted on the pivot so as to enable the pivot block, the rotatable shafts, and the two finger pulls to pivot.
In some embodiments, the cartridge follower bottom plate includes at least one spring attachment tab configured to attach the cartridge follower spring to the cartridge follower bottom plate.
In some embodiments, the affixable ammunition magazine further includes: a spring loaded button located at a lower portion of the magazine body, the spring loaded button being cooperative with both a lower hole and an upper hole in the sliding rear panel, so as to lock the sliding rear panel in either the open position, or the closed position.
In some embodiments, the magazine body, the sliding rear panel, the cartridge follower, the cartridge follower spring, and the two finger pulls are each made from at least one of: metal, nylon, plastic, carbon fiber.
Yet another general aspect of the invention is an affixable ammunition magazine for use with a firearm having an upper receiver and a lower receiver, the lower receiver having a magazine well for receiving the ammunition magazine. This ammunition magazine includes: a magazine body configured to contain a stack of cartridges, the magazine body having a feeding end configured to feed rounds of ammunition to the firearm, the magazine body including: a sliding front panel configured to slide downward from a closed position to an open position so as to permit loading of the stack of cartridges into the magazine body, and a right side and a left side each having a finger-pull slot terminating as a bottom hook; a cartridge follower assembly including: a cartridge follower, two finger pulls attached to the cartridge follower, the two finger pulls extending through the finger-pull slots of the right and left sides, the two finger pulls being movable when released from the respective bottom hooks, and a cartridge follower spring configured to be compressed by the cartridge follower when the at least one finger pull is engaged with the bottom hook, and configured to expand when the at least one finger pull is disengaged from the bottom hook, thereby allowing the cartridge follower to urge the stack of cartridges towards the feeding end of the ammunition magazine; and an attachable blocking tab configured to be attached to the feeding end of the magazine body, and configured to block removal of the ammunition magazine from the magazine well, the attachable blocking tab being attached to the feeding end of the magazine body after insertion of the ammunition magazine into the magazine well, and before re-engaging the upper receiver with the lower receiver.
In some embodiments, the two finger pulls are each attached to a respective rotatable shaft configured to ride within respective finger-pull slots.
In some embodiments, the cartridge follower assembly further includes: a cartridge follower top plate configured to push upward on the bottom of the stack of cartridges; a cartridge follower bottom plate configured to facilitate attachment of the cartridge follower spring to the cartridge follower assembly; a pivot extending from the bottom plate towards the top plate of the cartridge follower; and a pivot block mounted on the pivot so as to enable the pivot block, the rotatable shafts, and the two finger pulls to pivot.
In some embodiments, the cartridge follower bottom plate includes at least one spring attachment tab configured to attach the cartridge follower spring to the cartridge follower bottom plate.
In some embodiments, the affixable ammunition magazine further includes: a spring loaded button located at a lower portion of the magazine body, the spring loaded button being cooperative with both a lower hole and an upper hole in the sliding front panel, so as to lock the sliding front panel in either the open position, or the closed position.
In some embodiments, the magazine body, the sliding front panel, the cartridge follower, the cartridge follower spring, and the two finger pulls are each made from at least one of: metal, nylon, plastic, carbon fiber.
The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:
With reference to
Other embodiments of the ammunition magazine 100 may have alternative fixing methods to the attachable blocking tab 102, such as screws or other types of tabs, and all alternative fixing methods will attach the ammunition magazine 100 to the firearm lower receiver (not shown) in accordance with local laws.
In this embodiment, two finger pulls 104 are configured to be pulled down a finger-pull slot 106 along both sides of the ammunition magazine 100 taking with it a cartridge follower 108 and compressing a spring 110, thereby opening a space within magazine body 118 which is configured to receive the stack of cartridges 116. An ammunition magazine fixed sidewall 120, and a sliding side panel 114 shown in the closed position, cover the magazine body 118. The sliding side panel 114 includes holes 124 and 126 that are cooperative with a spring loaded button 112 configured to pop up and engage with the holes 124 and 126 so as to lock the sliding side panel 114 in either the open position by engaging with the hole 126, or in the closed position by engaging with the hole 124.
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
A rotatable shaft 306 is attached to a cartridge follower pivot block 308. The cartridge follower pivot block 308 extends through the cartridge follower 108 between the cartridge follower top plate 302 and the U-shaped cartridge follower bottom plate 304. Once through the cartridge follower 108, the cartridge follower pivot block 308 terminates at the other rotatable shaft 306. The two finger pulls 104 are attached to the rotatable shaft 306.
With reference to
A rotatable shaft 306 goes into a cartridge follower pivot block 308. A pivot 312 goes through the U-shaped cartridge follower bottom plate 304, through the cartridge follower pivot block 308 and attaches to a cartridge follower top plate 302. The pivot 312 is configured to allow the cartridge follower pivot block 308, the rotatable shaft 306, and the two finger pulls 104 to rotate about the pivot 312. The ammunition magazine spring 110 (shown in
With reference to
Other embodiments of the ammunition magazine 400 may have alternative fixing methods to the attachable blocking tab 402, such as screws or other types of tabs, and all alternative fixing methods will attach the ammunition magazine 400 to the firearm lower receiver (not shown) in accordance with local laws.
In this embodiment, the finger pulls 404 are configured to be pulled down a finger-pull slot 408 toward a bottom hook 422 along an ammunition magazine fixed sidewall 418 of the ammunition magazine 400, taking with it a cartridge follower 406 and compressing a cartridge follower spring 410 so as to receive a stack of cartridges 416.
A sliding rear panel 414 is shown in the closed position. The sliding rear panel 414 includes holes 426 and 428 that are cooperative with a spring loaded button 412 configured to pop up and engage with the holes 426 and 428 so as to lock the sliding side panel 414 in either the open position by engaging with the hole 428, or in the closed position by engaging with the hole 426. A raised bump grip 420 is configured to assist a finger of a user (not shown) in opening and closing the sliding rear panel 414.
With reference to
The sliding rear panel 414 is shown in a closed position. To move the sliding rear panel 414 into the closed position, after a spring loaded button 412 is released, the sliding rear panel 414 is pushed upward by a finger of a user (not shown), aided by a raised bump grip 420.
With reference to
Once the stack of cartridges 416 is loaded, the sliding rear panel 414 can be released by pressing the spring loaded button 412 so as to disengage from the hole 508, and then sliding the sliding rear panel 414 back up into a closed position. At least one finger pull 404 can then decompress the cartridge follower spring 410 (shown in
With reference to
To move the sliding rear panel 414 into the closed position, after a spring loaded button 412 is released, the sliding rear panel 414 is pushed upward by a finger of a user (not shown), aided by a raised bump grip 420.
With reference to
A rotatable shaft 606 is attached to a cartridge follower pivot block 608. The cartridge follower pivot block 608 extends through the cartridge follower 406 between the cartridge follower top plate 602 and the U-shaped cartridge follower bottom plate 604. On the other side of the cartridge follower 406, the cartridge follower pivot block 608 terminates at the rotatable shaft 606. The two finger pulls 404 are attached to the rotatable shaft 606.
With reference to
A rotatable shaft 606 goes into a cartridge follower pivot block 608. A pivot 612 goes through the U-shaped cartridge follower bottom plate 604, through the cartridge follower pivot block 608 and attaches to a cartridge follower top plate 602. The pivot 612 is configured to allow the cartridge follower pivot block 608, the rotatable shaft 606, and each finger pull 404 to rotate about the pivot 612. The cartridge follower spring 410 (shown in
With reference to
Other embodiments of the ammunition magazine 700 may have alternative fixing methods to the attachable blocking tab 702, such as screws or other types of tabs, and all alternative fixing methods will attach the ammunition magazine 700 to the firearm lower receiver (not shown) in accordance with local laws.
In this embodiment, at least one finger pull 704 is configured to be pulled down a finger-pull slot 708 toward a bottom hook 724 along an ammunition magazine fixed sidewall 718 of the ammunition magazine 700, taking with it a cartridge follower 706 and compressing a cartridge follower spring 710 so as to receive a stack of cartridges 716. A sliding front panel 714 is shown in the closed position, covering the raised bump grip 720. The sliding front panel 714 includes a spring loaded button 712 configured to pop up 728 into the hole to lock the sliding front panel 714 in the closed position. A raised bump grip 720 is configured to assist a finger of a user (not shown) in opening and closing the sliding front panel 714.
With reference to
Once the stack of cartridges 716 is loaded, the sliding front panel 714 can be released by pressing the spring loaded button 712 so as to disengage the button 712 from the hole 730, and then pushing the sliding front panel 714 back up into a closed position. The at least one finger pull 704 can then decompress the cartridge follower spring 710 and move the cartridge follower 706 up the finger-pull slot 708 so as to come in contact with the stack of cartridges 716 inside the ammunition magazine 700.
With reference to
A rotatable shaft 806 is attached to a cartridge follower pivot block 808. The cartridge follower pivot block 808 extends through the cartridge follower 706 between the cartridge follower top plate 802 and the U-shaped cartridge follower bottom plate 804. On the other side of the cartridge follower 706, the cartridge follower pivot block 808 terminates at the rotatable shaft 806. Both finger pulls 704 are attached to the rotatable shaft 806.
With reference to
A rotatable shaft 806 goes into a cartridge follower pivot block 808. A pivot 812 goes through the U-shaped cartridge follower bottom plate 804, through the cartridge follower pivot block 808 and attaches to a cartridge follower top plate 802. The pivot 812 is configured to allow the cartridge follower pivot block 808, the rotatable shaft 806, and the finger pulls 704 to rotate about the pivot 812. The cartridge follower spring 710 (shown in
Installing the Fixed Magazine
To install the fixed magazine of the invention (e.g., any of the embodiments disclosed herein) on the firearm, the upper receiver is first separated from the lower receiver. Once the top of the lower receiver is exposed, the fixed magazine of the invention is inserted up into the magazine well.
In some embodiments of the invention, a blocking tab is then placed over the top of the fixed magazine such that the blocking tab overlaps a portion of the upper side of the lower receiver. The blocking tab is then attached to the fixed magazine using a screw which fixes the tab to both the lower receiver and the fixed magazine, so that the fixed magazine cannot be removed from the firearm without separating the upper receiver and the lower receiver.
Loading the Magazine
Because the magazine is fixed to the firearm while the upper receiver and the lower receiver of the firearm are engaged, the magazine cannot be loaded from the top of the fixed magazine. Instead, a side-loading method is used. A sliding panel located on one side of the magazine is opened to allow the magazine to be side-loaded with cartridges. In addition, when loading the magazine, one uses a finger-pull located in a slot on at least one side of the magazine to retract the spring-loaded cartridge follower.
During the loading process, at least one finger-pull is pulled down along at least one slot in the magazine. The finger-pull is locked in the down position by moving the finger-pull into a bottom hook, located at the bottom of the finger-pull slot. When the finger-pull is in the down and hooked position, the magazine spring is compressed, and the cartridge follower is locked in the down position.
The panel on the magazine is then opened by sliding the panel down, which reveals the magazine body, providing space for loading the stack of ammunition cartridges. Once this magazine body is opened, the user can easily load ammunition cartridges into the magazine body.
Once the stack of cartridges is loaded, the panel is closed by sliding it upwards, and at least one finger-pull is unhooked from the respective bottom hook. Once the finger-pull(s) is(are) released from the bottom hook(s), the cartridge follower pushes up against the stack of cartridges, allowing the magazine and the firearm to work normally.
Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention, except as indicated in the following claims.
This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 62/483,814, filed Apr. 10, 2017, entitled “Fixed Firearms Magazine Loadable Via a Downward-Sliding Wall”, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.
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Entry |
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Website Link: https://www.armaglock.com/ Downloaded Jan. 12, 2017 AR-15 Fixed Magazine. |
Website Link: http://www.gunauction.com/buy/10420062 Downloaded Jan. 12, 2017 Semi-Auto Rifle Fixed Magazine. |
Website Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0nnd0Parco Downloaded Jan. 12, 2017 ARMagLock Install By installing an ARMagLock you no longer own a “detachable” magazine firearm. ARMagLock renders your MIL-SPEC AR-15 (and AR-10) a fixed magazine firearm while installed. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20180292154 A1 | Oct 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62483814 | Apr 2017 | US |