Detachable magazine lock grip for uzi firearm

Abstract

A solid plate adapted for attachment to the lower receiver of an uzi firearm, the solid plate completely enclosing the magazine catch mechanism to prevent release of the magazine by the standard method of pressing the magazine catch mechanism with a finger. The solid plate may define a small key hole of arbitrary shape adjacent to the magazine catch mechanism to permit the magazine to be released by inserting an elongated member through the key hole to press against the magazine catch mechanism. In an alternate embodiment the small key hole is semi-circular in shape and adapted to receive a similar semi-circular shaped key therethrough.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/395,651, filed May 17, 2010, by applicant Louie Barletta.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to an adaptation to a firearm that may change its legal classification. Specifically, an uzi, or any firearm of sufficiently similar properties to that of an uzi that it may be similarly classified by law, is classified under an Assault Weapons Ban in the State of California as being in violation of California Penal Code (PC) 12276, and thus is illegal to own. More specifically, it is the readily detachable magazine of an uzi that violates PC 12276.1(a)(1).

[0003] Numerous firearm safety and magazine lock mechanisms are described in the prior art, such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,752,796 B2 (Ramsey, Sr.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,568,302 B1 (Bubits), U.S. Pat. No. 7,543,403 B1 (Schaefer), U.S. Pat. No. 6,952,895 B1 (Zonshine), U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,207 B1 (Crye et. al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,256,919 B1 (Brazeau), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,018 (Johansson); however, none of the prior art teach or imply a suitable method that may be adapted to prevent the magazine of an uzi from being detached.

[0004] To declassify an uzi under PC 12276, manufacturers and individuals have provided uzis with a non-detachable magazine by means of welding or otherwise permanently fixing the magazine catch mechanism on the lower receiver of an uzi. However, such solutions are undesired because it is physically impossible to ever detach the magazine.

[0005] Accordingly, what is desired, and has not heretofore been developed, is a means of preventing the magazine of an uzi firearm from being released by pressing the magazine catch mechanism with a finger, further providing a means of releasing the magazine from the uzi only by pressing the magazine catch mechanism with a key or suitable elongated member.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of preventing the magazine of an uzi firearm from being released by pressing the magazine catch mechanism with a finger.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of preventing the magazine of an uzi firearm from being released by pressing the magazine catch mechanism with a finger that is not readily or easily circumvented.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of preventing the magazine of an uzi firearm from being released by pressing the magazine catch mechanism with a finger that is inexpensive to manufacture.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of releasing the magazine of an uzi firearm only by pressing the magazine catch mechanism with a key or suitable elongated member.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of releasing the magazine of an uzi firearm only by pressing the magazine catch mechanism with a key or suitable elongated member that is not readily or easily circumvented.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of releasing the magazine of an uzi firearm only by pressing the magazine catch mechanism with a key or suitable elongated member that is inexpensive to manufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1a is a side elevation view of an uzi firearm with a standard grip plate attached to the lower receiver of the uzi.

[0013] FIG. 1b is a side elevation view of an uzi firearm with the detachable magazine lock grip plate attached to the lower receiver of the uzi.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an uzi firearm showing the release and removal of the magazine.

[0015] FIG. 3a, FIG. 3b, FIG. 3c, and FIG. 3d are front elevation, rear elevation, side cross section taken along line B-B, and perspective views of a standard grip plate, respectively.

[0016] FIG. 4a, FIG. 4b, FIG. 4c, and FIG. 4d are front elevation, rear elevation, side cross section taken along line A-A, and perspective views of an embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate, respectively. FIG. 4e is an exemplary key that could be used to release the magazine of an uzi with the detachable magazine lock grip plate attached.

[0017] FIG. 5a, FIG. 5b, FIG. 5c, and FIG. 5d are front elevation, rear elevation, side cross section taken along line D-D, and perspective views of a first alternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate, respectively. FIG. 5e is an exemplary key that could be used to release the magazine of an uzi with the detachable magazine lock grip plate attached.

[0018] FIG. 6a, FIG. 6b, FIG. 6c, and FIG. 6d are front elevation, rear elevation, side cross section taken along line C-C, and perspective views of a second alternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Heretofore and henceforth the term `uzi` is used to describe any firearm of sufficiently similar properties to that of an uzi that it may be similarly classified by law.

[0020] Heretofore and henceforth the term `key` is used to describe any generally elongated and sufficiently rigid member capable of being inserted through the key through hole 12 and capable of pressing the magazine catch mechanism 20.

[0021] Heretofore and henceforth the term `finger` is used to describe a human finger of normal or average diameter.

[0022] Heretofore and henceforth the term `diameter` is used to describe the general length or width of an opening, hole, or object cross section regardless of the actual shape--circular or non-circular--of the opening, hole, or object cross section.

[0023] FIG. 1a shows a typical uzi 1 with a standard grip plate 100 attached to the lower receiver of the uzi 1. The magazine 40, which may hold a repository of ammunition to be fired by the uzi 1, may be at least partially housed within the lower receiver of the uzi 1. The magazine catch mechanism 20 facilitates the locking of the magazine 40 in place within the lower receiver of the uzi 1 so that it will not fall out, cannot be removed, and thus cannot be reloaded with ammunition. Pressing against the magazine catch mechanism 20 with a finger in a direction perpendicular to the exterior face of the magazine catch mechanism 20 may cause the magazine 40 to be released from within the lower receiver of the uzi 1, as shown in FIG. 2, and subsequently removed from the lower receiver of the uzi 1 and potentially reloaded with ammunition.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3a, FIG. 3b, FIG. 3c, and FIG. 3d, the standard grip plate 100 comprises an exterior face 150, an interior face 160, at least one fastener through hole 110 defined therethrough, and an opening 130. The standard grip plate 100 may be attached to the uzi 1, with the interior face 160 adjacent to the lower receiver, by means of a fastener 30 inserted through at least one fastener through hole 110, such fastener 30 mating with a fastener receiver element defined on the uzi 1, such as a threaded or ribbed bore.

[0025] When the standard grip plate 100 is attached to the uzi 1, the opening 130 is adjacent to the magazine catch mechanism 20, such opening 130 of sufficient size to permit unobstructed access to, and normal operation of, the magazine catch mechanism 20 by means of a finger. Pressing the magazine catch mechanism 20 may cause the magazine 40 to be released and removed from the uzi 1 and subsequently reloaded with ammunition.

[0026] FIG. 1b shows a typical uzi 1 with the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 attached to the lower receiver of the uzi 1. It can be seen that the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 completely encloses the magazine catch mechanism 20, thereby preventing the magazine 40 from being released by pressing the magazine catch mechanism 20 with a finger.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4a, FIG. 4b, FIG. 4c, and FIG. 4d, the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 comprises an exterior face 15, an interior face 16, at least one fastener through hole 11 defined therethrough, a cavity 14 defined on and within the interior face 16, and a key through hole 12 defined therethrough and adjacent to the cavity 14. The detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 may be attached to the uzi 1, with the interior face 16 adjacent to the lower receiver, by means of a fastener 30 inserted through at least one fastener through hole 11, such fastener 30 mating with a fastener receiver element defined on the uzi 1, such as a threaded or ribbed bore.

[0028] When the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 is attached to the uzi 1, the cavity 14 is adjacent to the magazine catch mechanism 20, such cavity 14 of sufficient volume to permit unobstructed normal movement or operation of the magazine catch mechanism 20. However, because the first embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 completely encloses the magazine catch mechanism 20, the magazine catch mechanism 20 cannot be pressed by a finger. To press or otherwise activate the magazine catch mechanism 20, a key 50 may be inserted through the key through hole 12, such key through hole 12 having a diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of a finger. Pressing the magazine catch mechanism 20 with a key 50 may cause the magazine 40 to be released and removed from the uzi 1 and subsequently reloaded with ammunition.

[0029] A first alternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 is shown in FIG. 5a, FIG. 5b, FIG. 5c, and FIG. 5d, which comprises an exterior face 15, an interior face 16, at least one fastener through hole 11 defined therethrough, and a cavity 14 defined on and within the interior face 16, and a semi-circular key through hole 17 defined therethrough and adjacent to the cavity 14. This first alternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 may be attached to the uzi 1, with the interior face 16 adjacent to the lower receiver, by means of a fastener 30 inserted through at least one fastener through hole 11, such fastener 30 mating with a fastener receiver element defined on the uzi 1, such as a threaded or ribbed bore.

[0030] When the first alternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 is attached to the uzi 1, the cavity 14 is adjacent to the magazine catch mechanism 20, such cavity 14 of sufficient volume to permit unobstructed normal movement or operation of the magazine catch mechanism 20. However, because this first alternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 completely encloses the magazine catch mechanism 20, the magazine catch mechanism 20 cannot be pressed by a finger. To press or otherwise activate the magazine catch mechanism 20, a semi-circular key 51 may be inserted through the semi-circular key through hole 17, such semi-circular key through hole 17 shaped to prevent a finger or flat key 50 from being inserted therethrough. Pressing the magazine catch mechanism 20 with a semi-circular key 51 may cause the magazine 40 to be released and removed from the uzi 1 and subsequently reloaded with ammunition.

[0031] A second alternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 is shown in FIG. 6a, FIG. 6b, FIG. 6c, and FIG. 6d, which comprises an exterior face 15, an interior face 16, at least one fastener through hole 11 defined therethrough, and a cavity 14 defined on and within the interior face 16. This second alternate embodiment does not contain a key through hole 12 or a semi-circular key through hole 17. This second alternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 may be attached to the uzi 1, with the interior face 16 adjacent to the lower receiver, by means of a fastener 30 inserted through at least one fastener through hole 11, such fastener 30 mating with a fastener receiver element defined on the uzi 1, such as a threaded or ribbed bore.

[0032] When the second alternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 is attached to the uzi 1, the cavity 14 is adjacent to the magazine catch mechanism 20, such cavity 14 of sufficient volume to permit unobstructed normal movement or operation of the magazine catch mechanism 20. However, because the second alternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 completely encloses the magazine catch mechanism 20, and because there is no key through hole 12 or semi-circular key through hole 17, the magazine catch mechanism 20 can neither be pressed by a finger, a key 50, a semi-circular key 51, or by any other external means. Therefore, the magazine 40 may only be released from the uzi 1 by first completely removing the second alternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 from the uzi 1, by removal of the fastener 30 or fasteners 30 that attach it to the lower receiver of the uzi 1, followed by pressing of the now-exposed magazine catch mechanism 20.

[0033] Although specific embodiments of the detachable magazine lock grip plate have been illustrated and described, many variations or modifications would be apparent that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention, which are defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A solid plate comprising: an exterior face; an interior face; a cavity defined on and within said interior face; a first through hole joining said exterior face to said interior face, said first through hole adjacent to said cavity; and a second through hole joining said exterior face to said interior face; said solid plate adapted for mating with the lower receiver of an uzi firearm with: said interior face adjacent to said lower receiver, said interior face completely enclosing the magazine catch mechanism; said cavity adjacent to said magazine catch mechanism, said cavity of sufficient volume to house and prevent obstruction of normal movement or operation of said magazine catch mechanism; said first through hole adjacent to said magazine catch mechanism, said first through hole diameter sized to receive a key of diameter substantially smaller than that of a human finger therethrough; and said second through hole adjacent to a means defined on said lower receiver for receiving a fastener, said second through hole diameter sized to accept said fastener therethrough.

2. The solid plate of claim 1 further comprising a third through hole adjacent to a means defined on said lower receiver for receiving a fastener, said third through hole diameter sized to accept said fastener therethrough.

3. A solid plate comprising: an exterior face; an interior face; a cavity defined on and within said interior face; a first through hole joining said exterior face to said interior face, said first through hole adjacent to said cavity; and a second through hole joining said exterior face to said interior face; said solid plate adapted for mating with the lower receiver of an uzi firearm with: said interior face adjacent to said lower receiver, said interior face completely enclosing the magazine catch mechanism; said cavity adjacent to said magazine catch mechanism, said cavity of sufficient volume to house and prevent obstruction of normal movement or operation of said magazine catch mechanism; said first through hole adjacent to said magazine catch mechanism, said first through hole defining a semi-circular opening adapted to receive a similar semi-circular shaped key therethrough; and said second through hole adjacent to a means defined on said lower receiver for receiving a fastener, said second through hole diameter sized to accept said fastener therethrough.

4. The solid plate of claim 3 further comprising a third through hole adjacent to a means defined on said lower receiver for receiving a fastener, said third through hole diameter sized to accept said fastener therethrough.

5. A solid plate comprising: an exterior face; an interior face; a cavity defined on and within said interior face; and a through hole joining said exterior face to said interior face; said solid plate adapted for mating with the lower receiver of an uzi firearm with: said interior face adjacent to said lower receiver, said interior face completely enclosing the magazine catch mechanism; said cavity adjacent to said magazine catch mechanism, said cavity of sufficient volume to house said magazine catch mechanism; and said through hole adjacent to a means defined on said lower receiver for receiving a fastener, said through hole diameter sized to accept said fastener therethrough.

6. The solid plate of claim 5 further comprising a second through hole adjacent to a means defined on said lower receiver for receiving a fastener, said second through hole diameter sized to accept said fastener therethrough.