U.S. patent application number 10/364936 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-12 for gun magazine with leaf spring.
Invention is credited to Conner, Kenneth.
Application Number | 20040154207 10/364936 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32824519 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040154207 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Conner, Kenneth |
August 12, 2004 |
Gun magazine with leaf spring
Abstract
An ammunition clip is provided for supplying cartridges to a
gun. 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 moveable carriage disposed within the internal
chamber for urging the aligned cartridges towards the loading end
and a resilient elongated member that engages the opposing end of
the housing with a first end and the moveable carriage with a
second end, said resilient member being adapted to assume a
substantially straight configuration when the ammunition clip is
empty and a U-shaped configuration when the ammunition clip is
full.
Inventors: |
Conner, Kenneth;
(Bolingbrook, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Welsh & Katz, Ltd.
Jon P. Christensen
22nd Floor
120 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
32824519 |
Appl. No.: |
10/364936 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/49.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 9/65 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/049.01 |
International
Class: |
F41A 009/61 |
Claims
1. An ammunition clip for supplying cartridges to a gun, said
ammunition clip comprising: 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
moveable carriage disposed within the internal chamber for urging
the aligned cartridges towards the loading end; and a resilient
elongated member that engages the opposing end of the housing with
a first end and the moveable carriage with a second end, said
resilient member being adapted to assume a substantially straight
configuration when the ammunition clip is empty and a U-shaped
configuration when the ammunition clip is full.
2. The ammunition clip as in claim 1 wherein the elongated housing
further comprises an aperture adjacent the opposing end that allows
a center portion of the resilient member to project out of the
ammunition clip when the ammunition clip is full.
3. The ammunition clip as in claim 1 wherein the resilient member
further comprises a loop on the second end.
4. The ammunition clip as in claim 3 wherein the elongated housing
further comprises a transverse post that engages the loop on the
second end of the resilient member.
5. The ammunition clip as in claim 1 wherein the resilient member
further comprises a loop on the first end.
6. The ammunition clip as in claim 5 wherein the moveable carriage
further comprises a transverse post that engages the loop on the
first end of the resilient member.
7. The ammunition clip as in claim 1 wherein the elongated housing
further comprises a slit that receives the second end of the
resilient member.
8. The ammunition clip as in claim 1 wherein the moveable carriage
further comprises a slit that receives the first end of the
resilient member.
9. The ammunition clip as in claim 1 wherein the resilient member
further comprises spring steel.
10. The ammunition clip as in claim 1 wherein the resilient member
further comprises plastic.
11. The ammunition clip as in claim 1 wherein the resilient member
further comprises a loop in a center section.
12. The ammunition clip as in claim 1 wherein the resilient member
further comprises a compound spring.
13. The ammunition clip as in claim 12 wherein the compound spring
further comprises a first portion that provides a first resilient
force and a second portion that provides a second resilient force
less than the first resilient force.
14. The ammunition clip as in claim 1 wherein the resilient member
further comprises a second resilient elontated member.
15. The ammunition clip as in claim 1 wherein the carriage further
comprises a carriage assembly.
16. The ammunition clip as in claim 15 wherein the carriage of the
carriage assembly further comprises a throughpin that engages a
slot disposed in a sidewall of the elongated housing.
17. The ammunition clip as in claim 15 wherein the carriage
assembly further comprises a helper spring.
18. The ammunition clip as in claim 15 wherein the carriage further
comprises a guide.
19. The ammunition clip as in claim 18 wherein the guide further
comprises a throughpin that engages a slot in a sidewall of the
elongated housing.
20. An ammunition clip for supplying cartridges to a gun, said
ammunition clip comprising: 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
moveable carriage disposed within the internal chamber for urging
the aligned cartridges towards the loading end; and a leaf spring
disposed within the elongated housing generally parallel to an
elongated axis of the elongated housing that engages the opposing
end of the housing with a first end and the moveable carriage with
a second end, leaf spring being adapted to assume a substantially
straight configuration when the ammunition clip is empty and a
U-shaped configuration when the ammunition clip is full.
21. The ammunition clip as in claim 20 wherein the elongated
housing further comprises an aperture adjacent the opposing end
that allows a center portion of the leaf spring to project out of
the ammunition clip when the ammunition clip is full.
22. The ammunition clip as in claim 20 wherein the leaf spring
further comprises a loop on the second end.
23. The ammunition clip as in claim 22 wherein the elongated
housing further comprises a transverse post that engages the loop
on the second end of the leaf spring.
24. The ammunition clip as in claim 20 wherein the leaf spring
further comprises a loop on the first end.
25. The ammunition clip as in claim 24 wherein the moveable
carriage further comprises a transverse post that engages the loop
on the first end of the leaf spring.
26. The ammunition clip as in claim 20 wherein the elongated
housing further comprises a slit that receives the second end of
the leaf spring.
27. The ammunition clip as in claim 20 wherein the moveable
carriage further comprises a slit that receives the first end of
the leaf spring.
28. The ammunition clip as in claim 20 wherein the leaf spring
further comprises spring steel.
29. The ammunition clip as in claim 20 wherein the leaf spring
further comprises plastic.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The field of the invention relates to firearms and more
particularly to ammunition clips for firearms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Ammunition clips (magazines) for firearms are widely used.
Such clips often hold large numbers of cartridges and are often
associated with automatic and semi-automatic weapons. The ease and
speed with which an empty clip can be replaced with a full clip
makes the use of ammunition clips very popular with the police, the
armed forces and gun hobbyists, in general.
[0003] Gun clips are typically constructed with an elongated
housing with one end of the housing engaging the gun and the other,
lower end extending downward. The lower end is frequently used as a
handle.
[0004] Cartridges are typically loaded from the gun end and are
usually inserted cross-wise to the elongation of the housing. A
spring underneath the cartridges is compressed by insertion of each
cartridge and functions to urge the loaded cartridges towards the
gun breech during firing.
[0005] While existing gun clips work well, their spring mechanisms
are unnecessarily complex. In order to maximize the number of
cartridges that a clip holds, the spring is required to have a very
low profile and to occupy a relatively small volume at the bottom
of the clip when the clip is full loaded. Because of the importance
of gun clips a need exists for a more space efficient spring
mechanism.
SUMMARY
[0006] An ammunition clip is provided for supplying cartridges to a
gun. The ammunition clip includes an elongated housing having an
internal chamber for holding a plurality of laterally aligned
cartridges, said elongated housing having a gun engagement end and
an opposing end, a moveable carriage disposed within the internal
chamber for urging the aligned cartridges towards the gun
engagement end and a resilient elongated member that engages the
opposing end of the housing with a first end and the moveable
carriage with a second end, said resilient member being adapted to
assume a substantially straight configuration when the ammunition
clip is empty and a U-shaped configuration when the ammunition clip
is full.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a side view of a handgun and ammunition clip in
accordance with an illustrated embodiment of the invention;
[0008] FIGS. 2a-b depict cut-away side and rear view of the clip
used with the handgun of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 depicts the clip of FIG. 2 in a fully-loaded
configuration; and
[0010] FIG. 4 depicts an alternate embodiment of the clip of FIG.
2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of a handgun with ammunition magazine
(clip) 10 shown generally under an illustrated embodiment of the
invention. While FIG. 1 shows the clip 10 in conjunction with a
handgun 12, it should be understood that the clip 10 may be used
with a rifle or any other type of firearm.
[0012] FIG. 2a is a cut-away side view of the clip 10 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 2b is a end view of the clip 10. As shown in FIGS. 2a-b, the
clip 10 has an elongated housing 14 that, engages with a firearm at
a loading end (top of FIGS. 2a-b) and extends downwards away from
the breech of the gun towards an opposing end. The elongated
housing 14 may be provided with a rear aperture 26.
[0013] In the case of the handgun 12 of FIG. 1, the clip 10 may fit
entirely within the handle of the handgun 12. Within the clip 10 is
a receptacle 16 for ammunition (one cartridge 18 is shown within
the receptacle 16).
[0014] Included within the clip 10 may be a moveable carriage (also
commonly referred to as a follower) 20 that (as cartridges 18 are
removed from the clip 10 by operation of the gun 12 or other wise)
moves upwards under the influence of an elongated resilient member
(leaf spring) 22. The carriage 20 may be provided with a flat (or
curved) upper surface (in contact with the cartridges 18) and a
recess 24 in the lower surface to receive the leaf spring 22.
[0015] The leaf spring 22 may be provided with a formed loop 30, 32
on opposing ends. A pin 26 may be inserted through the loop 30 of
the leaf spring 22 on a first end and engage opposing sidewalls 34,
36 of the carriage 20. Similarly, a pin 28 may be inserted through
the loop 32 of the leaf spring 22 on a second end and engage
opposing sidewalls 38, 40 of the housing 14.
[0016] As the clip 10 is loaded with cartridges 18, the carriage 20
moves downward and a center portion of the leaf spring 22 deflects
to the left as indicated by the arrow 42. As the carriage 20
continues to move downward as new cartridges 18 are loaded, the
leaf spring 22 continues to move in the direction shown by the
arrow 42. As the center portion of the spring 22 reaches the rear
wall 44 of the enclosure 14, the center portion begins to pass
through the aperture 26.
[0017] As the clip 10 becomes fully loaded, the clip 10 may assume
the configuration shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, once the
clip 10 is fully loaded with cartridges 46, the carriage 20 may
approach and abut against the lower pin 28. The leaf spring 22 in
the fully loaded state may assume the U-shape as shown in FIG. 3
with the center portion of the spring 22 extending through the
aperture 26 in the housing 14.
[0018] The leaf spring 22 may be fabricated of any appropriate
resilient material (e.g., spring steel, plastic, etc.). The
carriage 20 may be fabricated of metal or plastic with steel or
plastic pins 26, 28 to secure the spring 22 to the carriage 20 and
housing 14. The housing 14 may be fabricated of a similar
material.
[0019] Under another illustrated embodiment of the invention (FIG.
4), the carriage 20 and enclosure 14 are provided with short stub
walls 50, 52. The stub walls 50, 52 may function to create a pocket
54, 56 that functions to capture the opposing ends of the spring 22
in an operative position within the clip 10. The opposing ends of
the spring 22 may be provided into a short transverse projection
58, 60 (e.g., a 90 degree bend) to further aid in the retention of
the ends within the pockets 54, 56.
[0020] In another embodiment of the invention, the leaf spring 22
of FIGS. 2-4 may be replaced with an elongated spring 70 that may
have one or more loops 76 in the center portion. A pair of loops
72, 78 on opposing ends allow the elongated spring 70 to engage the
housing 14 and carriage 20 as described above. During use, the
center portion may assume the U-shape of FIG. 3 and the loop(s) 76
may extend through the aperture 26, as described above when the
clip 10 is fully loaded.
[0021] In another embodiment of the invention, the leaf spring 22
of FIGS. 2-4 may be replaced with a compound elongated spring 80 of
FIG. 6. The compound spring 80 may include a primary leaf spring
portion 84 and a secondary spring portion 82. The secondary portion
82 may be rigidly or pivotally attached to the carriage 20.
Similarly, the secondary portion 82 may be rigidly or pivotally
attached to the main portion 84.
[0022] Where the secondary portion 82 is rigidly attached to the
carriage 20, the secondary portion 82 may be pivotally attached to
the main portion 84. The pivotal attachment to the main portion 84
may allow the secondary portion 82 to deflect against an end wall
41 of the clip 10 during certain conditions where the clip is
partially or fully loaded. As the clip 10 approaches an empty
state, the secondary portion 82 may function to urge the carriage
20 upwards to allow the gun 12 to fully empty the clip 10.
[0023] Alternatively, the secondary portion 82 may be rigidly
attached to the main portion 84 and pivotally attached to the
carriage 20. In this case, the compound spring 80 may function as
described above with reference to the leaf spring 22.
[0024] The secondary portion 82 may provide a different upward
resilient force than the main portion 84. The different resilient
forces may allow the main portion 84 to effect movement of the
carriage 20 when it is more fully loaded and heavier while the
secondary portion 82 may be used to effect movement of the carriage
20 as the clip approaches the empty state. The main portion 84 may
be fabricated of plastic or metal as described above while the
secondary portion 82 may be fabricated as a coil spring or any
other appropriate materials (e.g., a pressure inducing elastomer or
balloon, airshock, sponge, etc.)
[0025] In another illustrated embodiment, the clip 10 of FIG. 1,
now relabeled 100 in FIGS. 7a-b and 8a-b, has been modified to
include a compound leaf spring assembly 102, follower assembly 104
and slot assembly 106 that functions to ensure a linear motion of
the spring assembly 102 and carriage assembly 104. A shield
assembly 108 may also be provided to allow the unimpeded operation
of the clip 100.
[0026] FIGS. 7a-b shows the clip 100 in a loaded state and FIGS.
8a-b shows the clip 100 in an unloaded state.
[0027] The spring assembly 102 may include a pair of leaf springs
110, 112. As may be noted, the leaf springs 110, 112 are located
outside the sidewalls 130, 132 of the internal clip chamber 114
that holds the cartridges 18.
[0028] As may be noted from FIG. 8a, the carriage assembly 104 is
somewhat more complex than the carriage 20 of FIG. 1. In this
regard, the carriage assembly 104 includes a guide 116, a helper
spring 118 and carriage 120.
[0029] Opposing ends of the spring 118 may be relatively rigidly
joined to the guide 116 and carriage 120. The carriage 120 and
guide 116 may also be provided with through-pins 120, 122 adapted
to engage the slot assembly 106.
[0030] The slot assembly 106 may include a longitudinal slot 126,
128 in opposing sideswalls 130, 132 of the body of the clip 100.
The throughpins 120, 122 may extend through the guide 116 and
carriage 120 to engage the slots 126, 128 in the sidewalls 130,
132. The interaction of the pins with the slots 110 allows the
guide and carriage to move longitudinally from bottom to top of the
chamber 114 in a relatively fixed relationship with each other and
with the sidewalls of the body. The throughpin 122 through the
guide 116 may extend through and past the slots 126, 128 by a
sufficient distance to allow the leaf springs 110, 112 to engage
the ends of the throughpin 122.
[0031] The carriage assembly 104 may be provided with a relatively
low profile in the loaded state. In the loaded state, the spring
118 compresses to allow the guide 116 to enter a recess 134 within
the carriage 120.
[0032] The pair of leaf springs 110, 112 may be provided with loops
on each end and may engage the guide 116 on a first moveable end by
encircling the pin 122. Similarly, the springs 110, 112 may
encircle the pin 124 on the stationary end. As shown in FIGS. 7a-b,
the springs 110, 112 are outside the body of the clip 100.
[0033] The shield assembly 108 may be provided to enclose the slots
126, 128 and springs 110, 112. The shield assembly 108 may include
a shield 136, 138 on opposing sides of the clip 100. The shields
136, 138 may be attached to the body using spacers (not shown)
between the sidewalls 130, 132 and shields 136, 138 to allow a
continuous predetermined space 140, 142 along the entire length on
either side of the body. The predetermined space 140, 142 protects
and allows unimpeded motion of the leaf springs 110, 112 as it
transitions from the flexed state shown in FIG. 7a to the
substantially relaxed state shown in FIG. 8a.
[0034] FIGS. 9a-b is a cut-away view of the carriage assembly 104
and shows additional detail of the carriage assembly 104. As shown,
the guide 116 may include a centrally-located vertical peg 144 to
engage a guide aperture 146. In this particular embodiment the pin
120 may have a center section removed to accommodate the pin
120.
[0035] FIGS. 10-28 illustrate alternate embodiments that may be
used in place of the spring 118 of FIGS. 8 and 9. In each case, the
top element of each of FIGS. 10-28 show the element in its relaxed
state and the lower figure shows the element in its compressed
state.
[0036] As shown, FIGS. 10 and 11 may be coil springs. FIG. 12 may
be a leaf spring and FIG. 13 may be a compound leaf spring. FIGS.
14 and 19 may be comprised of two rigid rods coupled by an
elastomer. FIG. 15 may be a compound spring, while FIG. 20 may be a
circular device.
[0037] FIGS. 16-18 may be a hinged joint of two rigid members with
a resilient member that urges the members into a straightened
position. Similarly, FIGS. 21-24 may be a spring member with one or
more loops disposed in a center section, with or without helper
springs.
[0038] FIG. 25 may be a pneumatic device. In this case, a piston of
the pneumatic device is shown in both its compressed and relaxed
state.
[0039] FIGS. 26-28 shows examples of eccentric spring structures.
As above, the top and bottom elements represent both the compressed
and relaxed states.
[0040] The clips 10, 100 offer significant advantages over prior
art devices. For example, prior art clips use carriages that occupy
from 15-35% of an ammunition clip. The clip 10, 100 described
herein occupies, 5-10% of the clip resulting in a considerable
increase in ammunition capacity.
[0041] In addition, the clips 10, 100 described herein use
resilient members that encounter considerably less friction by
contact with the sidewalls of the clip. Accordingly, the clips
described herein may use smaller resilient members without
sacrificing performance.
[0042] In addition, the use of an elongated spring 22, 70, 80
results in a clip 10 that is considerably simpler to manufacture
and use than prior art models. Further, the simplification of
construction shown in FIGS. 1-4 allows for the fabrication of
disposable clips 10.
[0043] The availability of disposable clips 10 could result in
considerable time savings for police and military personnel. In
this situation, ammunition manufacturers may preload the clips 10
and sell the preloaded clips 10 for a small premium over the cost
of the ammunition by itself.
[0044] Moreover, the availability of preloaded, disposable clips 10
could be of significant benefit for police and military personnel.
For example, in the heat of battle, the availability of preloaded,
disposable clips 10 could allow military personnel to continue
firing their weapons while prior art clips would necessarily have
to be periodically reloaded. This could be of significant benefit
not only to the military, but also for police personnel and for
sportsmen.
[0045] A specific embodiment of a novel ammunition clip has been
described for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the
invention is made and used. It should be understood that the
implementation of other variations and modifications of the
invention and its various aspects will be apparent to one skilled
in the art, and that the invention is not limited by the specific
embodiments described. Therefore, it is contemplated to cover the
present invention and any and all modifications, variations, or
equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope of the basic
underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein.
* * * * *