U.S. patent application number 13/856812 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-17 for magazine guide assembly with dual latching system.
This patent application is currently assigned to O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is O.F. MOSSBERG & SONS, INC.. Invention is credited to Slawomir Pietrzyk.
Application Number | 20130269231 13/856812 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49323789 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130269231 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pietrzyk; Slawomir |
October 17, 2013 |
MAGAZINE GUIDE ASSEMBLY WITH DUAL LATCHING SYSTEM
Abstract
Applicant has disclosed a Magazine Guide Assembly with Dual
Latching System for guiding, latching and unlatching differently
shaped firearm magazines for rifles. In other words, the Magazine
Guide Assembly can accommodate either of the differently shaped
magazines. In the preferred embodiment, Applicant's invention
comprises: (a) a magazine guide housing, attachable to a receiver
of a semi-automatic rifle, for guiding and latching differently
shaped magazines designed for AR-10 and M-14 style semi-automatic
rifles; (b) the magazine guide housing has different first and
second latches, wherein: (i) the latches are respectively hinged on
first and second pins, attached to the housing, and activated by a
single torsion spring; and (ii) the first latch is adapted to latch
onto a AR-10 style magazine designed for an AR-10 style
semi-automatic rifle, while the second latch is adapted to latch
onto a differently shaped M-14 style magazine designed for an M-14
style semi-automatic rifle.
Inventors: |
Pietrzyk; Slawomir;
(Meriden, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
O.F. MOSSBERG & SONS, INC. |
North Haven |
CT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
O.F. Mossberg & Sons,
Inc.
North Haven
CT
|
Family ID: |
49323789 |
Appl. No.: |
13/856812 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61686733 |
Apr 11, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/38 20130101;
F41A 9/65 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/6 |
International
Class: |
F41A 9/65 20060101
F41A009/65 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a. a magazine guide housing, attachable
to a receiver of a semi-automatic rifle, for guiding and latching
differently shaped magazines designed for AR-10 and M-14 style
semi-automatic rifles; b. the magazine guide housing has different
first and second latches, wherein: i. the latches are respectively
hinged on first and second pins, attached to the housing, and
activated by a single torsion spring; and ii. the first latch is
adapted to latch onto an AR-10 style magazine designed for an AR-10
style semi-automatic rifle, while the second latch is adapted to
latch onto a differently shaped M-14 style magazine designed for an
M-14 style semi-automatic rifle.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: the first latch is
adapted to pivot around the first pin, upon an AR-10 style magazine
being fully inserted into the magazine guide housing, and to fall
into a window in a side wall of the AR-10 style magazine thereby
locking the AR-10 style magazine in place.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: the second latch is
adapted to pivot around the second pin, upon an M-14 style magazine
being fully inserted into the magazine guide assembly, and to fall
into a window on a front wall of the M-14 style magazine thereby
locking the M-14 style magazine in place.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising: two arms on the
torsion spring apply force on the latches to bias the latches into
closed positions.
5. An apparatus comprising: a. a magazine guide housing for guiding
and latching, at separate times, two differently shaped detachable
firearm magazines; b. the magazine guide housing has different
first and second latches, wherein: i. the latches are respectively
hinged on separate pins, attached to the housing, and activated by
a single torsion spring; ii. the first latch is adapted to latch a
magazine designed for one style of rifle, while the second latch is
adapted to latch a differently shaped magazine designed for another
style of rifle; and iii. two arms on the torsion spring apply force
on the latches to bias the latches into closed positions.
6. An apparatus comprising: a single magazine guide housing,
attachable to a receiver of a semi-automatic rifle, having means
for guiding and latching differently shaped magazines designed for
AR-10 style and M-14 style semi-automatic rifles.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the means comprises: a. first
and second latches, hinged respectively on two individual pins, and
activated by a single torsion spring; b. wherein the first latch is
designed to latch an AR-10 style magazine, while the second latch
is designed to latch an M-14 style magazine; and c. wherein two
arms on the torsion spring constantly apply force on the latches to
maintain the latches in closed positions.
8. An apparatus comprising: a single magazine guide housing,
attachable to a receiver of a semi-automatic rifle, having means
for guiding and latching, at separate times, two differently shaped
magazines designed for semi-automatic rifles.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/686,733, filed Apr. 11, 2012. Applicant
claims priority from that application. Applicant also incorporates
by reference that application in its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to firearms. More
specifically, it relates to attaching magazines for semi-automatic
rifles.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] Cartridges (also known as rounds) for firearms are
elongated. A typical cartridge includes a shell casing, made of
brass, which is filled with an explosive propellant. At its rear or
closed end, the casing has a rim or flange containing a primer.
Next to the rim is an extractor groove, an annular groove machined
into the casing which provides a grip for the gun's extractor to
pull the fired or unfired casing from the chamber of the firearm.
The front and opposite end of the casing is open. A bullet,
projectile, or head, usually of lead (optionally jacketed) is
partially inserted into the open or front end of the case by
crimping the casing onto the bullet.
[0004] Some rifles have internally fixed magazines for feeding
cartridges into a chamber. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,619,876 to
Olson discloses a "magazine rifle" with an internal magazine.
[0005] The AR-15 was first built by ArmaLite, Inc. as a selective
fire rifle for the United States armed forces. Because of financial
problems, ArmaLite sold the AR-15 design to Colt. The select-fire
AR-15 entered the U.S. military system as the M-16 rifle. Colt then
marketed the Colt.RTM. AR-15 as a semi-automatic version of the
M-16 rifle for civilian sales in 1963. Although the name "AR-15"
and "AR-10" are registered trademarks of Colt and ArmaLite, other
semi-automatic firearms are independently made, modified and sold
under various names by multiple manufacturers. Most are referred to
interchangeably as "AR" or "AR" style rifles (e.g., AR-10 and
AR-14).
[0006] Other rifles, such as the AR-10 and M-14 styles, use
detachable magazines instead to feed cartridges. Detachable
magazines usually are elongated containers, generally rectangular
in cross-section, which are attached to the underside of the rifle
(i.e., inside a well opening of the receiver). Such magazines are
commonly made of aluminum alloys, plastic, steel, or a
combination.
[0007] Detachable magazines are usually closed on the sides and
open on an upwardly facing top. The open top has a rectangular
opening and includes two round-retaining members, known as feed
lips, which project into or partly close the opening. An internal
spring urges a follower or lifter (i.e., a shaped piece of plastic
or metal) toward the open side. The spring-loaded follower in turn
urges the rounds as a group up against the lips. The lips act as a
stop for the rounds so that they are not expelled from the
magazine.
[0008] Rounds are stacked or oriented in the detachable magazine
such that the longitudinal axes of the rounds are substantially
parallel and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the spring
and follower. Adjoining rounds are oriented side-by-side and in the
same direction, i.e., the bullets of adjacent rounds are next to
each other, as are the cases.
[0009] The rounds are usually stacked in the magazine, either in a
single straight column or in a staggered (zigzag) column (also
called double-stacked or high-capacity) fashion. The double-stacked
magazines, being wider, have a higher round capacity compared to
single-column magazines of the same overall length.
[0010] Typically, firearm magazines are slid upwardly into well
openings of receivers and removably latched in place. Some well
openings include integral magazine guide assemblies. Those
assemblies extend downwardly form the well openings to guide and
lock the magazine.
[0011] Different styles of semi-automatic rifles (e.g., AR-10 and
M-14) use different style magazines with different latches. For
example, an AR-10 style magazine typically cannot be used with an
M-14 style rifle.
[0012] Accordingly it is a primary object of the present invention
to provide an improved magazine guide assembly, for rifles, which
can accommodate two different styles of magazines.
[0013] It is a more specific object to provide a magazine guide
assembly for latching and unlatching magazine styles for two styles
of semi-automatic (e.g., AR-10 or M-14 style) rifles.
[0014] It is another object to provide an improved magazine guide
assembly, commensurate with the above-listed objects, which has few
moving parts and is durable to use.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0015] Applicant has disclosed a new "Magazine Guide Assembly with
Dual Latching System." In the preferred embodiment, the assembly
can be used for latching and unlatching magazine styles for either
AR-10 or M-14 style semi-automatic rifles. In other words, the
Magazine Guide Assembly is dual magazine compatible. The concept
can be adapted to other types of semi-automatic rifles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] The above and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will become more readily apparent upon reading the
following description and drawings in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of Applicant's preferred
embodiment of a Magazine Guide Assembly with Dual Latching System
("Magazine Guide Assembly");
[0018] FIGS. 2 and 3 depict a side-by-side comparison of
Applicant's preferred Magazine Guide Assembly, here accepting AR-10
and M-14 style magazines;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view, with portions cutaway, of
Applicant's preferred Magazine Guide Assembly with an AR-10 style
magazine inserted;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view, with portions cutaway,
of Applicant's preferred Magazine Guide Assembly with an AR-10
style magazine inserted;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view, with portions cutaway, of
Applicant's preferred Magazine Guide Assembly with an M-14 style
magazine inserted;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view, with portions cutaway,
of Applicant's preferred Magazine Guide Assembly with an M-14 style
magazine inserted;
[0023] FIG. 8 shows an M-14 latch of Applicant's preferred Magazine
Guide Assembly disengaged from an M-14 magazine;
[0024] FIG. 9 shows the M-14 latch of Applicant's preferred
Magazine Guide Assembly engaged with the M-14 magazine; and
[0025] FIG. 10 shows Applicant's preferred Magazine Guide Assembly
attached to a receiver of a semi-automatic rifle, with portions
broken away.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0026] Referring to the drawings in detail, Applicant has disclosed
a new "Magazine Guide Assembly with Dual Latching System"
("Magazine Guide Assembly"). The illustrated embodiment 100 can be
used for latching and unlatching magazines for either AR-10 style
or M-14 style firearms. In other words, the Magazine Guide Assembly
is dual magazine compatible.
[0027] As used herein, the term "AR-10 style" refers to both
AR-10.RTM. and AR-10 style semi-automatic rifles. Similarly, the
term "M-14 style" refers to both M-14 and M-14 style semi-automatic
rifles.
[0028] In the preferred embodiment 100, the invention comprises: a
magazine guide housing 102 (attachable to a firearm receiver 104)
with two individual latches 106, 108, which are hinged on two
individual pins 110, 112 and activated by a single torsion spring
114. Latch 106 accommodates an AR-10 style magazine 116, while
latch 108 accommodates an M-14 style magazine 118. Two arms 120a,
120b on the torsion spring 114 constantly apply force on the
"AR-10" and "M-14" latches 106, 108 to effectively maintain the
latches in closed positions.
[0029] As typical with prior assemblies, the magazines (e.g., 116,
118) are to be inserted by vertical upward motion through the
bottom opening of the Magazine Guide Assembly.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, in the event of an AR-10 style
magazine 116 being fully inserted into the Magazine Guide Assembly
100, the AR-10 latch 106 will pivot around its pin 110; and a nib
or protrusion 121 (of the latch) will fall into a window 122 on a
side wall 124 of the AR-10 magazine 116 thus locking it in
place.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, in the event of an M-14 style
magazine 118 being fully inserted into the Magazine Guide Assembly
100, the M-14 latch 108 will pivot around its pin 112 and fall into
a window 126 (see also FIG. 1) on a front wall 128 of the M-14
magazine 118, thus locking it in place.
[0032] The AR-10 latch 106 also serves the purpose of a disengaging
lever for both styles of magazines 116, 118. The concave AR-10
latch 106 has a built-in finger 130 (at one end of the latch) to
which pressure force shall be applied for disengaging action.
Applying pressure to the finger 130 will cause the AR-10 latch 106
to pivot around its pin 110 to disengage its nib 121 from the AR-10
magazine 116. The pivoting AR-10 latch 106 is simultaneously
pushing upon the M-14 latch 108; that causes the M-14 latch to
pivot around its own pin 112 and to disengage from the M-14
magazine 118.
[0033] The illustrated Magazine Guide Assembly 100 has holes 132a,
132b in wings 134a, 134b (see FIG. 1) for securing or attaching the
guide inside the well opening of a receiver (e.g., 104--see FIG.
10) of a semi-automatic rifle. The preferred Magazine Guide
Assembly 100 is shown flush with the bottom of the well opening. An
alternate embodiment of the guide could extend below.
[0034] Applicant's invention can also be thought of, in broad
terms, as an apparatus comprising: a single magazine guide housing,
attached to a receiver of a semi-automatic rifle, having means for
guiding and latching differently shaped magazines, at separate
times, designed for AR-10 style and M-14 style semi-automatic
rifles. In the preferred embodiment, that means comprises: the
individual ("first" and "second") latches 106, 108, hinged on two
individual pins 110, 112, and activated by a single torsion spring
114; wherein latch 106 is designed to latch an AR-10 style magazine
116, while latch 108 is designed to latch an M-14 style magazine
118; and wherein two arms 120a, 120b on the torsion spring 114
constantly apply force on the latches 106, 108 to effectively
maintain the latches in closed (latched) positions.
[0035] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that
obvious structural modifications can be made without departing from
the spirit of the invention. For example, the Magazine Guide
Assembly concept could be used with two other styles of rifles.
Accordingly, reference should be made primarily to the accompanying
claims rather than the foregoing description to determine the scope
of the invention.
[0036] Having thus described the invention,
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