U.S. patent application number 10/746772 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-14 for easy loading gun magazine.
Invention is credited to Herpel, Michael J..
Application Number | 20050150148 10/746772 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34739067 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050150148 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herpel, Michael J. |
July 14, 2005 |
EASY LOADING GUN MAGAZINE
Abstract
A gun magazine is provided having a magazine frame, a magazine
base, a magazine follower located inside the magazine frame, a
spring element located inside the magazine frame and configured to
engage the magazine base and the magazine follower, and a pull
element, such as a braided metal cord, coupled to the underside of
the magazine follower and extending through an opening in the
magazine base. A keeper element is attached to an intermediate
location of the pull element, and a grip element is coupled to an
end of the pull element, outside of the magazine frame. The grip
element is grasped and pulled downward, thereby moving the magazine
follower down in the magazine frame. The keeper element passes
through a wide section of the opening and is then engaged with a
narrow section of the opening, thereby holding the magazine
follower near the bottom of the magazine frame.
Inventors: |
Herpel, Michael J.; (Walnut
Creek, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BEVER HOFFMAN & HARMS, LLP
TRI-VALLEY OFFICE
1432 CONCANNON BLVD., BLDG. G
LIVERMORE
CA
94550
US
|
Family ID: |
34739067 |
Appl. No.: |
10/746772 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/50 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 9/67 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/050 |
International
Class: |
F41A 009/61 |
Claims
1. A gun magazine comprising: a magazine frame having a cavity
configured to receive a plurality of cartridges at a first end; a
magazine base located at a second end of the magazine frame,
opposite the first end of the magazine frame; a magazine follower
located inside the cavity of the magazine frame; a spring element
configured to engage the magazine base and the magazine follower,
wherein the spring element forces the magazine follower toward the
first end of the magazine frame; a pull element coupled to the
magazine follower and extending through an opening in the magazine
base; and one and only one keeper element located at an
intermediate location of the pull element, wherein the keeper
element is sized to pass through a first portion of the opening in
the magazine base but not through a second portion of the opening
in the magazine base.
2. The gun magazine of claim 1, further comprising a grip element
coupled to the pull element, wherein the grip element is located
outside of the cavity.
3. The gun magazine of claim 2, wherein the grip element comprises
an opening for receiving a finger.
4. The gun magazine of claim 3, wherein the grip element is a
circular ring.
5. The gun magazine of claim 3, wherein the grip element is a
D-shaped ring.
6. The gun magazine of claim 2, wherein the grip element comprises
a 3-dimensional element that can be readily grasped by a human
hand.
7. The gun magazine of claim 6, wherein grip element comprises a
rod, a block or a sphere.
8. The gun magazine of claim 2, wherein the grip element is larger
than the opening in the magazine base.
9. (canceled)
10. The gun magazine of claim 1, wherein the keeper element
comprises a bead attached to the intermediate location of the pull
element.
11. The gun magazine of claim 10, wherein the bead is
spherical.
12. (canceled)
13. The gun magazine of claim 1, wherein the pull element is
directly attached to the magazine follower.
14. The gun magazine of claim 1, wherein the pull element is
coupled to the magazine follower by linking elements.
15. The gun magazine of claim 14, wherein the linking elements
comprise: a first link attached to the magazine follower; and a
second link attached to the pull element and coupled to the first
link.
16. The gun magazine of claim 15, wherein the first link and the
second link comprise circular links.
17. The gun magazine of claim 1, wherein the spring element
comprises a coiled spring, and the pull element extends through a
centrally-located region of the coiled spring.
18. The gun magazine of claim 1, wherein the magazine frame
comprises sidewalls that define a portion of the cavity, the
magazine frame further comprising one or more rails located along
the sidewalls inside the cavity, wherein the one or more rails are
configured to guide cartridges into the cavity in a preferred
alignment.
19. The gun magazine of claim 18, further comprising one or more
springs coupled to the magazine frame and located adjacent to the
one or more rails, wherein the one or more springs are positioned
to engage cartridges loaded into the cavity.
20. The gun magazine of claim 19, wherein the magazine frame
further comprises a back wall that joins the sidewalls of the
magazine frame, wherein the back wall includes an opening for
receiving cartridges to be loaded into the cavity.
21. A method of loading a gun magazine comprising: moving a
magazine follower from a first end of a magazine frame toward a
second end of the magazine frame, thereby increasing the
compression of a spring located between the second end of the
magazine frame and the magazine follower; mechanically holding the
magazine follower near the second end of the magazine frame by
engaging a keeper element at the second end of the magazine frame,
thereby defining a cavity over the magazine follower; loading one
or more cartridges into the cavity over the magazine follower,
while the magazine follower is mechanically held near the second
end of the magazine frame; and then releasing the magazine
follower, such that the spring forces the one or more cartridges
into engagement with flanges at the first end of the magazine
frame, and such that the keeper element is located entirely within
the magazine frame.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of moving the magazine
follower comprises exerting a force on a pull element that is
coupled to the magazine follower and extends through the second end
of the magazine frame.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of mechanically
holding the magazine follower comprises latching the keeper
element, which is coupled to the pull element, in an opening in the
second end of the magazine frame.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of loading the one or
more cartridges into the cavity comprises inserting the one or more
cartridges through a circular opening near the first end of the
magazine frame.
25. The method of claim 21, further comprising guiding the one or
more cartridges into the cavity along rails located on the magazine
frame.
26. The method of claim 21, further comprising receiving the one or
more cartridges into the cavity with the assistance of springs
coupled to the magazine frame.
27. A gun magazine comprising: a magazine frame having an opening
at a first end and a base at a second end; a magazine follower
located in the magazine frame; a spring located between the
magazine follower and the base of the magazine frame; means for
moving the magazine follower from the first end of a magazine frame
toward the second end of the magazine frame, thereby increasing the
compression of the spring; means for mechanically holding the
magazine follower near the second end of the magazine frame,
thereby defining a cavity over the magazine frame; and means for
releasing the magazine follower, such that the spring forces the
magazine follower toward the first end of the magazine frame, such
that the means for mechanically holding the magazine follower are
located entirely within the magazine frame.
28. A method of modifying a gun magazine having a magazine frame, a
magazine follower located in the magazine frame, magazine base
attached to the magazine frame and a spring element located between
the magazine follower and the magazine base, the method comprising:
removing the magazine follower from the magazine frame; forming an
opening through the magazine base; attaching a first end of a pull
element to the removed magazine follower; attaching one and only
one keeper element to an intermediate location of the pull element;
replacing the magazine follower with the attached pull element and
keeper element in the magazine frame such that a second end of the
pull element extends through the opening in the magazine base.
29. The method of claim 28, further comprising attaching a grip
element to the second end of the pull element.
30. A gun magazine modification kit having component parts capable
of being assembled with a gun magazine having a magazine frame, a
magazine follower located in the magazine frame, magazine base
attached to the magazine frame and a spring element located between
the magazine follower and the magazine base, the kit comprising the
combination of: a pull element having a first end adapted to be
coupled to the magazine follower and a second end adapted to extend
through an opening in the magazine base; one and only one a keeper
element adapted to be coupled to an intermediate location of the
pull element, between the first end and the second end; and a grip
element adapted to be coupled to the second end of the pull
element, outside of the magazine frame.
31. The gun magazine of claim 1, wherein the intermediate location
is located such the one and only one keeper element is located
inside the magazine when the pull element is released and the
keeper element is not engaged with the second portion of the
opening in the magazine base.
32. A gun magazine comprising: a magazine frame having a cavity
configured to receive a plurality of cartridges at a first end; a
magazine base located at a second end of the magazine frame,
opposite the first end of the magazine frame; a magazine follower
located inside the cavity of the magazine frame; a spring element
configured to engage the magazine base and the magazine follower,
wherein the spring element forces the magazine follower toward the
first end of the magazine frame; a pull element having a first end
coupled to the magazine follower and a second end extending through
an opening in the magazine base; and a keeper element attached to
an intermediate location of the pull element, nearer to the first
end of the pull element than the second end of the pull element,
wherein the keeper element is sized to engage the opening in the
magazine base, and wherein the pull element is smooth from the
keeper element to the second end.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an improved system and
method for loading cartridges into a gun magazine.
RELATED ART
[0002] FIG. 1 is a right-side diagram of a conventional gun
magazine 100, which includes magazine frame 101 and magazine end
cap 120. FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are front, back, top and bottom
diagrams of gun magazine 100, respectively, along view lines A, B,
C and D, respectively, of FIG. 1. FIG. 2E is a left-side diagram of
gun magazine 100. A magazine follower and a magazine spring, which
are located inside magazine frame 101, are part of gun magazine
100, but are not shown in FIG. 1 or 2A-2E for purposes of
clarity.
[0003] Magazine frame 101 is typically a metal structure that
includes a cavity 130, which is dimensioned to closely receive a
plurality of cartridges. As known to those of ordinary skill, a
cartridge typically includes a bullet (or slug), a casing, and
gunpowder. The cavity 130 is defined by right sidewall 102, left
sidewall 103, back wall 104, rounded front wall 105, and magazine
base 106 (which is shown as a horizontal dashed line). Magazine
base 106 can be integrally formed with magazine frame 101.
Alternately, magazine base 106 can be a separate element, which is
held in place by magazine end cap 120. Right and left sidewalls 102
and 103 are flat and substantially parallel. Back wall 104 is flat
and connects the rear edges of the right and left sidewalls 102 and
103. Rounded front wall 105 joins the front edges of the right and
left sidewalls 102 and 103. In FIGS. 1 and 2A-2E, magazine base 106
is a separate metal piece that is located in the opening located at
the bottom of left and right sidewalls 102 and 103, back wall 104
and rounded front wall 105 at the bottom of cavity 130. The
cross-section of cavity 130, as generally illustrated in FIG. 2C is
shaped to closely receive one or more cartridges. The right and
left sidewalls 102 and 103 each include circular holes, which are
used to provide a visual indication the number of cartridges stored
in gun magazine 100.
[0004] Flanges 111 and 112 are located at the top rear edges of
right sidewall 102 and left sidewall 103, respectively. As
described in more detail below, these flanges 111-112 bend inward
toward cavity 130 and are used to hold cartridges in place within
gun magazine 100.
[0005] Magazine end cap 120 is a solid element that is permanently
or semi-permanently attached to the bottom of magazine frame 101.
For example, magazine end cap 120 may be slid onto flanges formed
at the bottom of magazine frame 101. Magazine end cap 120 holds
magazine base 106 in place at the bottom of magazine frame 101.
Magazine end cap 120 is typically made of plastic.
[0006] FIG. 3A is a right-side diagram of gun magazine 100 that
illustrates magazine spring element 201 and magazine follower 205,
which are located inside cavity 130 of magazine frame 101. The
cartridge numbers are not shown on right sidewall 102 in FIG. 3A
for reasons of clarity. The upper end of spring element 201 engages
the underside of magazine follower 205, and the lower end of spring
element 201 engages magazine base 106 (which is held in place by
magazine end cap 120). Spring element 201 typically has a coiled
(spiral) configuration within cavity 130.
[0007] Spring element 201 is under compression in the view of FIG.
3A, such that magazine follower 205 is forced upward into contact
with flanges 111 and 112. A cartridge is manually loaded into gun
magazine 100 as follows. The person loading gun magazine 100
typically grabs magazine frame 101 with one hand and holds a
cartridge in the other hand. The person then manually presses the
cylindrically-shaped sidewall of the cartridge down onto magazine
follower 205. The cartridge and magazine follower 205 are moved
downward against the force introduced by spring element 201 until
the cartridge is located substantially within cavity 130 and a gap
exists between the upper surface of the cartridge and the lower
surfaces of flanges 111-112. At this time, the cartridge is slid
back into the gap while maintaining downward pressure on the
cartridge. At this time, the downward pressure on the cartridge may
be released such that spring element 201 forces magazine follower
205 and the cartridge upward, thereby forcing the cartridge into
engagement with flanges 111-112. The next cartridge is manually
loaded on top of the first cartridge in the same manner.
[0008] FIG. 3B is a right-side diagram that illustrates eight
cartridges 211-218 loaded in gun magazine 100. As illustrated,
spring element 201 is forced into a state of high compression by
cartridges 211-218.
[0009] The conventional method for loading gun magazine 100 is both
difficult and time-consuming. A person loading gun magazine 100
will typically experience tired and/or cramped fingers after
repeated loading operations.
[0010] After the loading process is complete, gun magazine 100 is
inserted into the magazine well of a corresponding gun. The
magazine well is dimensioned to closely receive gun magazine 100.
Gun magazine 100 is inserted into the magazine well of the
corresponding gun by pushing the gun magazine fully up into the
magazine well until a magazine catch located in the magazine well
clicks, thereby indicating that the gun magazine has been locked
into place. At this time, the bullet tip of each cartridge in gun
magazine 100 is pointed forward and in proper position to be
introduced into the chamber of the gun. Because gun magazine 100 is
sized to fit closely into the magazine well of the corresponding
gun, and the gun magazine is sized to closely receive the
cartridges, there is not much space available to mechanically
modify the loading mechanism while maintaining the above-described
functionality.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a right-side diagram that illustrates another
conventional gun magazine 400. Similar items in gun magazine 400
and gun magazine 100 are labeled with similar reference numbers. In
addition to the above-described elements of gun magazine 100, gun
magazine 400 additionally includes a knob element 401 fixedly
attached to the underside of magazine follower 205. Knob element
401 extends through a slot 402 formed along the height of magazine
frame 101. A person loading gun magazine 400 may press downward on
knob element 401, thereby moving magazine follower 205 down into
cavity 130 and making it easier to insert cartridges into cavity
130. However, continuous pressure must be applied to knob element
401 to move and maintain magazine follower within cavity 130.
Manipulating knob element 401 may result in discomfort in the
user's fingers. Moreover, because knob element 401 extends outside
of magazine frame 101, it is necessary to have a groove formed in
the magazine well of the corresponding gun to receive this knob
element 401. In addition, knob element 401 is only practical for
use in smaller caliber gun magazines (e.g., .22 caliber), because
only relatively small spring elements can be effectively compressed
using knob element 401.
[0012] Gun magazine 100 can also be loaded by a separate external
device that attaches to magazine frame 101. This device loads a
cartridge into gun magazine 100 in response to pulling a trigger
mechanism that engages a plunger to push the cartridge down into
the magazine. However, a squeezing motion must be performed to load
each cartridge into the magazine. Also, when the device is
separated from the magazine frame, the device is easy to misplace
or drop. The device may also engage magazine frame 101 improperly,
thereby leading to difficulty in loading the magazine.
[0013] It would therefore be desirable to have an improved method
and system for loading cartridges into gun magazine 100. It would
further be desirable for this improved method and system to
eliminate the need to load cartridges against the force of spring
element 201. It would further be desirable for this improved method
and system to be consistent with conventional guns and gun
magazines such that the improved method and system does not require
modification to the gun and requires only minor modification to the
gun magazine. It would further be desirable for the modification to
the gun magazine to be a simple and inexpensive process. It would
further be desirable if the modification to the gun magazine does
not significantly effect the weight of the gun magazine. It would
further be desirable if the improved method and system can be
implemented for both large and small caliber guns.
SUMMARY
[0014] Accordingly, the present invention provides a gun magazine
having a magazine frame, a magazine base, a magazine follower
located inside the magazine frame, a spring element located inside
the magazine frame and configured to engage the magazine base and
the magazine follower, and a pull element, such as a braided metal
cord, coupled to the underside of the magazine follower and
extending through an opening in the magazine base. A keeper
element, such as a metal bead, is coupled to an intermediate
location of the pull element. A grip element, such as a D-ring, is
coupled to an end of the pull element outside of the magazine
frame.
[0015] The grip element is grasped and pulled downward, thereby
moving the magazine follower down in the magazine cavity. The grip
element is manipulated such that the keeper element passes through
a wide section of the opening in the magazine base, such that the
keeper element is located outside of the magazine frame. The grip
element is further manipulated to move the keeper element over a
narrow section of the opening in the magazine base. The grip
element is then released, such that the keeper element engages the
narrow section of the opening in the magazine base. At this time,
the magazine follower is mechanically held at a location near the
bottom of the magazine frame.
[0016] Cartridges may easily be loaded (i.e., dropped) into the gun
magazine while the magazine follower is mechanically held near the
bottom of the magazine frame. After the cartridges have been
loaded, the grip element is pulled to remove the keeper element
from the narrow section of the opening in the magazine base. The
grip element is then manipulated to move the keeper element over
the wide section of the opening in the magazine base. The grip
element is then released, such that the spring element forces the
keeper element to pass through the wide section of the opening in
the magazine base and into the magazine cavity. At this time, the
spring element forces the magazine follower upward, thereby moving
the cartridges into the desired engagement with the upper portion
of the gun magazine.
[0017] The present invention will be more fully understood in view
of the following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a right-side diagram of a conventional gun
magazine.
[0019] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are front, back, top and bottom
diagrams, respectively, along view lines A, B, C and D,
respectively, of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 2E is a left-side diagram of the gun magazine of FIG.
1.
[0021] FIG. 3A is a right-side diagram of the gun magazine of FIG.
1, illustrating a spring element and a magazine follower.
[0022] FIG. 3B is a right-side diagram illustrating eight
cartridges loaded in the gun magazine of FIG. 3A.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a right-side diagram of another conventional gun
magazine.
[0024] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E and 5F are right-side views of a
gun magazine in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the gun magazine of FIGS. 5A-5F
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a connector element in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIGS. 8A and 8B are right-side and back-side views,
respectively, of a gun magazine in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a side view of a conventional cartridge, which
clearly shows a cartridge rim and an adjacent recessed region.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] FIG. 5A is a right-side view of a gun magazine 500 in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In
accordance with one embodiment, gun magazine 500 can be implemented
by modifying a conventional gun magazine (e.g., gun magazine 100).
Thus, similar elements in FIGS. 1, 2A-2E, and 3A-3B and FIG. 5A are
labeled with similar reference numbers. Thus, gun magazine 500
includes magazine frame 101 (which includes cavity 130 defined by
left and right sidewalls 102-103, back wall 104, rounded front wall
105, magazine base 106, and flanges 111-112), magazine end cap 120,
magazine spring 201 and magazine follower 205. Magazine base 106
may be attached to the bottom of magazine frame 101. Alternately,
magazine base 106 may be a separate element, which is held in place
by magazine end cap 120. In addition, gun magazine 500 includes a
pull element 501. Pull element 501 can have various shapes and
compositions. In one embodiment, pull element 501 is a braided
metal (steel) wire having a substantially circular cross section.
In the described examples, pull element 501 may have a diameter of
about {fraction (1/16)} of an inch. In other embodiments, pull
element 501 can be formed of other types of wires or cords.
Alternately, pull element 501 can be a strip having a substantially
rectangular cross section. In general, pull element 501 is an
elongated structure having sufficient tensile strength to pull
against the force of spring 201 without experiencing excessive
deformation.
[0030] One end of pull element 501 is coupled to the underside of
magazine follower 205 by a connector 504. In accordance with one
embodiment, pull element 501 is soldered, welded or otherwise
adhered to the underside of magazine follower 205 (e.g., connector
504 may include solder or adhesive). Connector 504 must be strong
enough to hold pull element 501 to magazine follower 504 while pull
element 501 is pulled against the force of spring 201.
[0031] An opening 600 is formed through magazine base 106 and
magazine end cap 120. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of magazine base 106
and magazine end cap 120, which illustrates opening 600 in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this
embodiment, opening 600 includes a first circular opening 601 and a
second circular opening 602 joined by a rectangular slot 603. The
diameter of the first circular opening 601 is larger than the
diameter of the second circular opening for reasons that will
become apparent in view of the following disclosure. In the
described embodiment, first opening 601 has a diameter of about
{fraction (3/16)} of an inch, second opening 602 has a diameter of
about 1/8 of an inch, and slot 603 has a width of about {fraction
(5/64)} of an inch. In other embodiments, slot 603 may be
eliminated and the first and second openings 601 and 602 may
slightly overlap. In yet other embodiments, opening 600 can have
other shapes and sizes.
[0032] The second end of pull element 501 extends through opening
600. The cross sectional width of pull element 501 is selected to
be thinner than the widths of first opening 601, second opening 602
and slot 603, such that pull element 501 may move freely through
all portions of opening 600. The second end of pull element 501 is
attached to a grip element 503. Grip element 503 may be any element
that may be readily grasped by a human hand.
[0033] In the described embodiment, grip element 503 is a metal
D-shaped ring that is welded, soldered or otherwise adhered to the
second end of pull element 501. D-shaped grip element 503 has a
central opening 503A, which is sized to receive one or more fingers
of a person loading gun magazine 500. In other embodiments, grip
element 503 may have other shapes. For example, grip element 503
may be a circular ring element, or a 3-dimensional element, such as
a sphere or a rectangular block. Grip element 503 may be made of
various materials, such as metal or plastic. Grip element 503 may
be permanently or reversibly coupled to the second end of pull
element 501.
[0034] Within magazine frame 101, pull element 501 extends through
the central region of coiled magazine spring element 201. A keeper
element 502 is attached to pull element 501 at an intermediate
location, between the first and second ends. The exact placement of
keeper element 502 along pull element 501 is described in more
detail below. In the described embodiments, keeper element 502 is a
circular metal bead that is soldered, welded or otherwise adhered
to pull element 501. In other embodiments, keeper element 502 may
be crimped onto pull element 501. Regardless of the method of
attachment, keeper element 502 must be attached to pull element 501
such that keeper element 502 does not move along the length of pull
element 501. Keeper element 502 has a diameter that is smaller than
the diameter of the first opening 601, but larger than the diameter
of the second opening 602. For example, keeper element 502 may have
a diameter of about {fraction (5/32)} of an inch. In other
embodiments, keeper element 502 may have other shapes, dimensions
or compositions consistent with the above description.
[0035] FIGS. 5B-5F are right-side views of gun magazine 500
illustrating the manner in which this gun magazine is loaded.
Turning first to FIG. 5B, a person loading gun magazine 500 may
grasp magazine frame 101 with one hand and grip element 503 with
the other hand. The user exerts a force (F1) on grip element 503
relative to magazine frame 101, such that magazine follower 205 is
moved downward into cavity 130, thereby compressing spring 201.
Grip element 503 is manipulated such that keeper element 502 is
pulled through first opening 601.
[0036] Turning now to FIG. 5C, after keeper element is pulled
through first opening 601, the user exerts a lateral force (F2) on
grip element 503 relative to magazine frame 101, such that keeper
element 502 swings to a position over second opening 602. Pull
element 501 moves within opening 600 during this step.
[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 5D, grip element 503 is released
while keeper element 502 is located over second opening 602. As a
result, keeper element 502 engages second opening 602, thereby
holding spring 201 in a compressed state.
[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 5E, eight cartridges 211-218 are
loaded into cavity 130 while spring 201 is held in the compressed
state. Note that cartridges 211-218 may simply be dropped into
cavity 130. Thus, there are no strenuous physical requirements for
loading the cartridges into gun magazine 500. During loading,
cartridges 211-218 should be closely monitored to ensure the proper
alignment of these cartridges within cavity. When cartridges
211-218 have been loaded into gun magazine 500, a small gap 550
exists between the top of the uppermost cartridge 211 and flanges
111-112. Note that other numbers of cartridges can be loaded into
cavity 130 in other embodiments of the present invention.
[0039] After cartridges 211-218 have been loaded, the steps
depicted by FIGS. 5A-5D are performed in reverse order. More
specifically, grip element 503 is pulled such that keeper element
502 disengages from second opening 602. Grip element 503 is then
swung in a lateral manner, opposite the manner depicted in FIG. 5C,
such that keeper element 502 is aligned with first opening 601.
Grip element 503 is then released, such that keeper element 502
passes through first opening 601 and into cavity 130. When grip
element 503 is released in this manner, spring 201 decompresses,
thereby forcing cartridges 211-218 upward, such that uppermost
cartridge 211 engages flanges 111-112. The resulting configuration
is illustrated in FIG. 5F. At this time, gun magazine 500 has been
successfully loaded and may be inserted into the magazine well of a
corresponding gun.
[0040] Advantageously, pull element 501, keeper element 502, grip
element 503, and connector element 504 have a light weight relative
the other elements of gun magazine 500. Moreover, the portions of
pull element 501 and grip element 503 that extend outside of
magazine frame 101 during normal use of the gun are relatively
unobtrusive. That is, these elements 501 and 503 dangle below the
magazine end cap 120, typically out of the way of a person shooting
a loaded gun.
[0041] Some additions to the simple structure of the present
invention will now be described.
[0042] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of connector element 504 in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this
embodiment, connector element 504 includes linking elements 701 and
702. Linking element 701 is attached to the underside of magazine
follower 205 by a connecting agent 703, such as solder, welding or
an adhesive. Linking element 702 is attached to pull element 501
with a similar connecting agent. In the illustrated embodiment,
linking elements 701-702 are circular metal links, thereby allowing
pull element 501 to be easily moved laterally (see, FIG. 5C),
without undue wear to connector element 504. In other embodiments,
linking elements 701-702 can have different shapes and sizes and
can be made of different material. For example, linking element 701
may be a D-shaped ring with the flat side of the ring attached to
the underside of magazine follower 205. In another variation,
linking element 702 is created by forming a loop at the end of pull
element 501.
[0043] It is relatively easy and inexpensive to modify a
conventional gun magazine (e.g., gun magazine 100) to create the
gun magazine in accordance with the present invention (e.g., gun
magazine 500). Steps for converting conventional gun magazine 100
to gun magazine 500 are set forth below.
[0044] First, magazine follower 205 and spring element 201 are
removed from magazine frame 101 by removing magazine end cap 120
and magazine base 106. Alternately, magazine follower 205 and
spring element 201 may be removed from the upper end of magazine
frame 101 in a manner known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
(Note that this alternative will be necessary when magazine base
106 is integrally formed with magazine frame 101.) opening 600 is
then formed through magazine end cap 120 and magazine base 106 by
drilling first opening 601, second opening 602, and forming slot
603 by cutting or filing between these openings 601-602. Magazine
base 106 and magazine end cap 120 are subsequently re-attached to
the bottom of magazine frame 101. Note that magazine base 106 need
not be re-attached if the magazine base 106 is integrally formed
with magazine frame 101.
[0045] Pull element 501 is attached to the bottom of the removed
magazine follower 205 using one of the options described above.
Keeper element 502 is attached to pull element 501, approximately
one inch below the bottom of magazine follower 205, using one of
the options described above. The precise location of keeper element
502 is selected such that keeper element 502 is able to engage the
second opening 602 of magazine base 106 in the manner described
above. Keeper element 502 can be attached to pull element 501
either before or after keeper element 502 is attached to magazine
follower 205. Magazine follower 205 and spring element 201 are
re-inserted into the top of magazine frame 101 in a manner known to
those of ordinary skill in the art. Magazine follower 205 is
positioned such that the unattached end of pull element 501 is
threaded through the center of spring element 201 and through the
opening 600 in magazine base 106 and magazine end cap 120. As a
result, the unattached end of pull element 501 extends outside of
magazine frame 101 through opening 600 in magazine base 106.
[0046] Pliers (or another suitable tool) are then used to grab the
unattached end of pull element 501 that extends through opening
600. Pull element 501 is then pulled down until keeper element 502
extends through first opening 601. Keeper element 502 is then
engaged with second opening 602, and pull element 501 is released,
thereby holding spring element 201 in the compressed state. Grip
element 503 is then attached to the unattached end of pull element
501, in the manner described above. In another embodiment, grip
element 503 is attached to the unattached end of pull element 501
without extending pull element 501 and engaging keeper element 502
in second opening 602. The above-described fabrication process will
require about five minutes of assembly time and less than $1 in
material cost.
[0047] FIGS. 8A and 8B are right-side and back-side views,
respectively, of gun magazine 800 in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention. Gun magazine 800 (FIGS. 8A-8B)
is similar to gun magazine 500 (FIGS. 5A-5F and 6). Thus, similar
elements in FIGS. 8A-8B and FIGS. 5A-5F and 6 are labeled with
similar reference numbers.
[0048] In addition to the above-described elements of gun magazine
500, gun magazine 800 includes a first rail 801, a second rail 802,
a first catch spring 803, a second catch spring 804, and a circular
opening 805 formed in back sidewall 104 of magazine frame 101.
First rail 801 is formed on the interior surface of sidewall 102
(within cavity 130). Similarly, second rail 802 is formed on the
interior surface of sidewall 103 (within cavity 130). First and
second rails 801-802 are dimensioned to receive the cartridge rims
located at the ends of cartridges 911-918. In one embodiment, first
and second rails 801-802 have a triangular cross section, with a
vertex of the triangle pointing into the cavity 130. Each of the
cartridge rims defines an adjacent recessed region. For example,
cartridge rim 909 defines a recessed region 910 at the end of
cartridge 911. FIG. 9 is a side view of cartridge 911, which
clearly shows cartridge rim 909 and recessed region 910.
[0049] Catch springs 803 and 804 extend upward from rails 801 and
802, respectively. Catch springs 803-804 are positioned adjacent to
opening 805. As described in more detail below, rails 801-802 and
catch springs 803-804 facilitate the proper alignment of cartridges
within cavity 130 during the loading operation.
[0050] Gun magazine 800 is loaded in the following manner. First,
magazine follower 205 is locked down in the position illustrated by
FIGS. 5D-5E. Note that a pair of grooves (not shown) must be formed
in the sides of magazine follower 205 at locations associated with
rails 801-802 and catch springs 803-804 in order to allow magazine
follower 205 to move up and down within cavity 130. Cartridges
911-918 are then inserted one at a time into opening 805. Each of
cartridges 911-918 is inserted bullet-end first, such that the
cartridge rim enters cavity 130 last. When a cartridge has been
inserted entirely into cavity 130, catch springs 803 and 804 engage
the rim of the cartridge and guide the cartridge down into chamber
130. Catch springs 803 and 804 guide the recessed region of the
cartridge onto rails 801 and 802, respectively. At this time, the
cartridge falls down into cavity 130, onto magazine follower 205
(or the previously-loaded cartridge). Because the cartridge rim and
recessed region of the cartridge are engaged with rails 801 and
802, the cartridge is necessarily properly aligned within chamber
130. In some embodiments, the last cartridge may be loaded into the
top of cavity 130, rather than through opening 805. After
cartridges 911-918 have been loaded into cavity 130, keeper element
502 is disengaged from opening 602 and released over opening 601,
such that magazine follower 205 forces the cartridges 911-918 up
into engagement with flanges 111 and 112 as illustrated in FIG.
8A.
[0051] Note that rails 801-802 and catch springs 803-804 are
positioned such that the cartridge rim (e.g., cartridge rim 209) of
the uppermost cartridge (e.g., cartridge 911) in cavity 130 is no
longer engaged by rails 801-802 or catch springs 803-804. This
enables the uppermost cartridge to be readily loaded from gun
magazine 800 to the chamber of a gun. Also note that catch springs
803 and 804 are relatively weak springs which enable cartridges
911-918 to be inserted through opening 805 and also allow
cartridges 911-918 to be moved easily upward in response to the
force applied by spring 201. Catch springs 803-804 also readily
allow the passage of magazine follower 205.
[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, first and second rails
801-802 are formed along a straight line. However, in other
embodiments, first and second rails 801-802 may be slightly
non-linear to facilitate the movement of cartridges 911-918 within
cavity 130. In addition, although two rails 801-802 have been
described in the present example, other embodiments may use only
one rail. Other embodiments may also omit one or both catch springs
803-804.
[0053] Although the present invention has been described in
connection with several embodiments, it is understood that this
invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but is
capable of various modifications which would be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art. For example, although magazine base 106
and magazine end cap 120 are referred to as separate elements,
these elements can be combined in a single element that may be
referred to as a magazine base. Thus, the present invention is only
limited by the following claims.
* * * * *