U.S. patent application number 14/494016 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-16 for live-round prevention with magazine modification.
The applicant listed for this patent is DefendSafe, LLC. Invention is credited to Michael Cheramie, Carol Giannini, Erik Kalnicki, David Tarzi.
Application Number | 20150101228 14/494016 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51691160 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150101228 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Giannini; Carol ; et
al. |
April 16, 2015 |
LIVE-ROUND PREVENTION WITH MAGAZINE MODIFICATION
Abstract
The present invention is a modified magazine adapted to prevent
live ammunition from being loaded therein and subsequently
chambered into and discharged from a firearm. The magazine includes
a restriction plate positioned within a cavity of the magazine and
securely coupled to an interior surface of a front wall of the
magazine. The restriction plate has a thickness sufficient to
reduce the size of the opening of the magazine and prevent the
loading of a live round into the magazine. The length of the
modified opening, as reduced by the thickness of the restriction
plate, is less than the length of the live round of ammunition,
thereby preventing loading and/or feeding of a live round of
ammunition into the magazine and further preventing discharge of a
live round from the firearm. The reduced size of the opening is
sufficient to receive only blank rounds of ammunition.
Inventors: |
Giannini; Carol; (Oceanside,
CA) ; Tarzi; David; (Oceanside, CA) ;
Cheramie; Michael; (Oceanside, CA) ; Kalnicki;
Erik; (Jacksonville, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DefendSafe, LLC |
Oceanside |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51691160 |
Appl. No.: |
14/494016 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61890540 |
Oct 14, 2013 |
|
|
|
61890538 |
Oct 14, 2013 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/49.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/00 20130101;
F41A 17/44 20130101; F41A 9/64 20130101; F41A 21/12 20130101; F41A
21/16 20130101; F41A 21/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/49.02 |
International
Class: |
F41A 9/64 20060101
F41A009/64; F41A 17/00 20060101 F41A017/00 |
Claims
1. A modified magazine for preventing storage and feeding of live
rounds of ammunition, the modified magazine comprising: a magazine
comprising a closed lower end and a front wall, an opposing rear
wall, and opposing sidewalls extending from the closed lower end
and terminating at an open upper end and forming a cavity within;
and a restriction plate positioned within a portion of the cavity
and coupled to an interior surface of the front wall adjacent to
the open upper end, the restriction plate having a thickness
sufficient to prevent insertion and storage of one or more live
rounds of ammunition within the cavity, while permitting insertion
and storage of one or more blank rounds of ammunition within the
cavity.
2. The modified magazine of claim 1, wherein a length between a
portion of an interior surface of the rear wall and a portion of an
interior surface of the restriction plate is less than a length of
a live round of ammunition for a firearm to which the magazine is
couplable to.
3. The modified magazine of claim 1, wherein a length between a
portion of the interior surface of the rear wall and a portion of
an interior surface of the restriction plate is greater than or
equal to a length of the one or more blank rounds.
4. The modified magazine of claim 1, wherein the restriction plate
has a shape corresponding to a shape and/or contour of an interior
surface of the front wall.
5. The modified magazine of claim 1, wherein the restriction plate
extends along the entire length of the front wall from the upper
end to the lower end of the magazine.
6. The modified magazine of claim 1, wherein the restriction plate
is fixedly coupled to the front wall of the magazine.
7. The modified magazine of claim 6, further comprising fasteners
securely fixing the restriction plate to the front wall of the
magazine.
8. The modified magazine of claim 6, wherein the restriction plate
is welded to the front wall of the magazine.
9. The modified magazine of claim 1, further comprising a modified
spring shaped and/or sized to fit within the cavity between an
interior surface of the rear wall and an interior surface of the
restriction plate and adapted to provide a biasing force against
one or more loaded blank rounds for feeding into a firearm to which
the magazine is couplable to.
10. A safety assembly for preventing storage and subsequent feeding
of live rounds of ammunition into a firearm, the assembly
comprising: a firearm; and a modified magazine coupled to the
firearm and adapted to store and feed blank rounds of ammunition to
the firearm, the modified magazine comprising: a magazine
comprising a closed lower end and a front wall, an opposing rear
wall, and opposing sidewalls extending from the closed lower end
and terminating at an open upper end and forming a cavity within;
and a restriction plate positioned within a portion of the cavity
and coupled to an interior surface of the front wall adjacent to
the open upper end, the restriction plate having a thickness
sufficient to prevent insertion and storage of one or more live
rounds of ammunition within the cavity while permitting insertion
and storage of one or more blank rounds of ammunition within the
cavity.
11. The safety assembly of claim 10, wherein a length between a
portion of an interior surface of the rear wall and a portion of an
interior surface of the restriction plate is less than a length of
a live round of ammunition for the firearm.
12. The safety assembly of claim 10, wherein a length between a
portion of the interior surface of the rear wall and a portion of
an interior surface of the restriction plate is greater than or
equal to a length of the one or more blank rounds.
13. The safety assembly of claim 10, wherein the restriction plate
has a shape corresponding to a shape and/or contour of an interior
surface of the front wall.
14. The safety assembly of claim 10, wherein the restriction plate
extends along the entire length of the front wall from the upper
end to the lower end of the magazine.
15. The safety assembly of claim 10, wherein the restriction plate
is fixedly coupled to the front wall of the magazine.
16. The safety assembly of claim 15, further comprising fasteners
securely fixing the restriction plate to the front wall of the
magazine.
17. The safety assembly of claim 15, wherein the restriction plate
is welded to the front wall of the magazine.
18. The safety assembly of claim 10, further comprising a modified
spring shaped and/or sized to fit within the cavity between an
interior surface of the rear wall and an interior surface of the
restriction plate and adapted to provide a biasing force against
one or more loaded blank rounds for feeding into the firearm.
19. The safety assembly of claim 10, wherein the firearm is
selected from the group consisting of a handgun, long gun, rifle,
shotgun, carbine, machine gun, submachine gun, automatic rifle, and
assault rifle.
20. A modified magazine for preventing storage and subsequent
feeding of live rounds of ammunition, the modified magazine
comprising: a magazine comprising a closed lower end and a front
wall, an opposing rear wall, and opposing sidewalls extending from
the closed lower end and terminating at an open upper end and
forming a cavity within; and a restriction plate positioned within
a portion of the cavity and fixedly coupled to an interior surface
of the front wall adjacent to the open upper end, the restriction
plate having a shape corresponding to a shape and/or contour of the
interior surface of the front wall and extending along the entire
length of the front wall from the open upper end to the closed
lower end of the magazine, wherein a length between a portion of an
interior surface of the rear wall and a portion of an interior
surface of the restriction plate is less than a length of a live
round of ammunition for a firearm to which the magazine is
couplable to and greater than or equal to a length of a blank round
of ammunition, thereby preventing insertion and storage of one or
more live rounds of ammunition within the cavity, while permitting
insertion and storage of one or more blank rounds of ammunition
within the cavity
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a non-provisional application
that claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/890,538, filed Oct. 14, 2013 and U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/890,540, filed Oct. 14, 2013,
the contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein
in their entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to safety systems,
and, more particularly, to a modified magazine for live-round
prevention in a firearm.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Firearm safety is an increasingly important issue.
Generally, the overall purpose of firearm safety is to eliminate or
minimize the risks of unintentional death, injury, or damage caused
by improper possession, storage, or handling of firearms. One major
area of concern is the prevention of inadvertent discharge of a
firearm loaded with real, or live, ammunition, particularly in
instances in which the firearm was thought to be either unloaded or
loaded with blank ammunition. This is an ongoing concern in fields
in which the handling and use of firearms is routine, such as the
military and law enforcement.
[0004] Military forces, for example, conduct drills, simulated
combat, and training exercises using live-fire firearms loaded with
blank ammunition in place of live ammunition, so as to provide a
realistic element to the situation. The term "live-fire" as used
herein refers to the ability of the firearm to discharge live
ammunition. The military is aware that extra precaution is required
so as to ensure that the firearm is loaded only with blank
cartridges during these exercises. However, blank-fire operations
are inherently dangerous because a live cartridge, or round, may be
inserted, either mistakenly or intentionally, into a firearm,
creating the possibility that a user will discharge the live round,
which may injure or kill another participant.
[0005] For example, in order to simulate combat against an enemy,
blank-fire training often calls for a participant to "fire" a
blank-loaded weapon at other participants in the training exercise
who are acting as opposing forces. When a live round is introduced
into the weapon and fired at a participant, serious injury and
death may result.
[0006] In some training exercises, the military utilizes civilian
personnel and equips them with weapons that are live-fire capable,
but loaded with blank ammunition. The inclusion of civilians in
training exercises has proven to be very useful, as civilians
provide the necessary diversity, friction and realism required.
However, even with screening and background checks, the issue
remains that one or more of the civilians may be a rogue individual
trying to bring harm to the personnel being trained and may thus
intentionally load a weapon with live ammunition so as to cause
harm to other participants. Furthermore, an improperly trained
civilian may inadvertently load a weapon with live ammunition, thus
presenting a situation in which the discharge of a live round may
result, which may injure or kill another participant.
[0007] There are currently a variety of different safety systems
that are directed to reducing the risk of unwanted discharge of
live ammunition, particularly in training situations. For example,
some firearms are manufactured solely for the purpose of firing
non-standard blank cartridges, such that they are not live-fire
capable. However, such "training-only" firearms take away from
realistic training, are limited in their use (e.g., not live-fire
capable), and may be costly. Some systems include blank-firing
adapters (BFA) positioned at the end of a barrel of a firearm. The
BFA generally allows blank cartridges to cycle with most automatic
firearms. The BFA is designed such that if a live round is
mistakenly fired, most of the energy is spent colliding with and
smashing through the BFA, reducing both the range and damage
inflicted by the live round. However, trainees may forget to check
whether the weapon has been loaded with live ammunition. If the
weapon is loaded with a live round and fired, artillery from the
magazine will strike the BFA, causing the gun to explode in the
hands of the operator.
[0008] Additionally, standard magazines have been used to hold live
rounds, blank rounds, and non-lethal training rounds.
Unfortunately, using the same standard magazine for holding both
live rounds and blank/training rounds can be hazardous if a live
round is intermixed with blank/training rounds within the same
magazine. For example, prior to inserting a magazine into a
receiver of a firearm, a user may check the magazine to determine
the type of round (e.g., live, blank, training, etc.) loaded.
However, the user may only see blank rounds loaded at the top of
the magazine, while one or more live rounds may be intermixed and
loaded within the magazine at a lower level, which is not visible
to the user. As such, the user may not be aware that the standard
magazine contains one or more live rounds within. The magazine may
then be inserted into the magazine well of a firearm, and the live
round(s) will be fired in the midst of the blank/training rounds,
which may result in injury or death to those in the line of
fire.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present disclosure is generally directed to a safety
mechanism for preventing discharge of live ammunition from a
firearm. In particular, the present invention includes a modified
magazine adapted to prevent live ammunition from being loaded into
the magazine, subsequently preventing loading of the live
ammunition into the chamber of a firearm, thereby rendering the
firearm completely safe for use in training scenarios, while
maintaining maximum realism.
[0010] In certain aspects, the invention includes a modified
magazine for use with a firearm. The modified magazine includes one
or more safety modifications to a standard magazine. In one aspect,
a standard magazine is modified by way of a restriction plate
disposed within a cavity of the magazine. The restriction plate is
securely coupled to an interior surface of a front wall of the
magazine. The restriction plate generally corresponds to the shape
and contour of the front wall and runs along an entire length of
the front wall, from the upper end to the lower end of the
magazine. The restriction plate has a thickness sufficient to
reduce the size (e.g., length from rear wall to front wall) of the
opening of the magazine to prevent loading of a live round of
ammunition into the magazine.
[0011] In one aspect, the length of the modified opening of the
magazine, as reduced by the thickness of the restriction plate, is
less than the length of the live round of ammunition, thereby
preventing the loading and/or feeding of a live round of ammunition
into the magazine and further preventing subsequent loading of a
live round of ammunition into the firearm. The reduced size of the
opening, however, is sufficient to receive blank rounds of
ammunition. The modified magazine may further include a visual
indication (e.g. marking) for providing indication that the
magazine is limited to use with blank rounds and any firearm
equipped with such a magazine is blank-fire only.
[0012] The modified magazine of the present invention reduces
accidental or deliberate firing of live ammunition, particularly
during non-live fire training. The modified magazine prevents
chambering of a live round of ammunition, thereby preventing the
chance of discharge of a live round from the firearm. The
modifications described herein are adaptable to most weapon
systems, and are especially suitable for magazines for automatic
weapons, including assault rifles. The embodiments of the invention
described herein provide relatively simple and effective
modifications to previously live-fire capable weapons, thereby
providing realistic Opposing Forces or Opposition Force (OPFOR)
weapons that produce an effective sound signature. The embodiments
described herein increase safety, require less inspections and
supervisory personnel, and provide realistic training.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Features and advantages of the claimed subject matter will
be apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments
consistent therewith, which description should be considered with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a side view of a firearm having a conventional
configuration.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view, partly in section, of a modified
magazine compatible with the firearm of FIG. 1 consistent with the
present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the magazine of FIG. 2 taken
along lines 3-3.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side view of a live fire round of
ammunition.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side view of a blank round compatible with the
modified magazine of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] By way of overview, the present disclosure is generally
directed to a safety mechanism for preventing discharge of live
ammunition from a firearm. In particular, the present invention
includes a modified magazine adapted to prevent live ammunition
from being loaded into the magazine, subsequently preventing
loading of live ammunition into the chamber of a firearm to which
the magazine is coupled, thereby rendering the firearm completely
safe for use in training scenarios, while maintaining maximum
realism.
[0020] In certain aspects, the invention includes one or more
modifications to a standard magazine for use with a firearm. The
modified magazine includes one or more safety modifications to a
standard magazine. In one aspect, a standard magazine is modified
by way of a restriction plate disposed within a cavity of the
magazine. The restriction plate is securely coupled to an interior
surface of a front wall of the magazine. The restriction plate
generally corresponds to the shape and contour of the front wall
and runs along an entire length of the front wall, from the upper
end to the lower end of the magazine. The restriction plate has a
thickness sufficient to reduce the size (e.g., length from rear
wall to front wall) of the opening of the magazine to prevent
loading of a live round of ammunition into the magazine.
[0021] In one aspect, the length of the modified opening of the
magazine, as reduced by the thickness of the restriction plate, is
less than the length of the live round of ammunition, thereby
preventing the loading and/or feeding of a live round of ammunition
into the magazine and further preventing subsequent loading of a
live round of ammunition into the firearm. The reduced size of the
opening, however, is sufficient to receive blank rounds of
ammunition. The modified magazine may further include a visual
indication (e.g. marking) for providing indication that the
magazine is limited to use with blank rounds and any firearm
equipped with such a magazine is blank-fire only.
[0022] The modified magazine of the present invention reduces
accidental or deliberate firing of live ammunition, particularly
during non-live fire training. The modified magazine prevents
chambering of a live round of ammunition, thereby preventing the
chance of discharge of a live round from the firearm. The
modifications described herein are adaptable to most weapon
systems, and are especially suitable for automatic weapons,
including assault rifles. The embodiments of the invention
described herein provide relatively simple and effective
modifications to previously live-fire capable weapons, thereby
providing realistic Opposing Forces or Opposition Force (OPFOR)
weapons that produce an effective sound signature. The embodiments
described herein increase safety, require less inspections and
supervisory personnel, and provide realistic training.
[0023] Turning to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a firearm 10 to be
modified with a safety assembly consistent with the present
disclosure is generally illustrated. FIG. 1 shows an example AK-47
assault rifle 10 having a conventional configuration, i.e., does
not include the live-round prevention assembly of the present
disclosure. It should be noted that embodiments of the invention
consistent with the present disclosure are suitable for
modification of a standard magazine for a variety of firearm types,
including, but not limited to, handguns, long guns, rifles,
shotguns, carbines, machine guns, submachine guns, automatic
rifles, and assault rifles. As such, it is understood that the
invention is not limited to use with a magazine of an AK-47 assault
rifle, but is merely intended for the purposes of discussion.
[0024] The firearm 10 includes a body 12, including a receiver
assembly 14, a stock 16, and a barrel 18. As shown, the barrel 18
generally defines the forward portion of the firearm 10 and the
stock 16 defines the rearward portion of the firearm 10. The
firearm 10 further includes a handle 20, a trigger 22, and trigger
guard 24 coupled to the body 12 and receiver assembly 14. The
receiver assembly 14 may serve as a support for all major
components and may house action components (not shown) of the
firearm 10, and, through a series of cam ways, may control
operation (e.g., firing) of the firearm 10. The firearm 10 also
includes a detachable magazine 26 attached to the receiver assembly
14, wherein the magazine 26 stores and provides ammunition to be
discharged by the firearm 10. The barrel 18 may include a grip 28
component as a well as a sight 30 coupled thereto. The firearm 10
may include other features known in the art.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a side view, partly in section, of a modified
magazine 26a compatible with the firearm 10 of FIG. 1 consistent
with the present disclosure. As shown, the modified magazine 26a
generally includes most components found on a standard issue
magazine for an AK-47 assault rifle. However, the magazine 26a has
been modified so as to prevent loading of live rounds and to only
allow loading of blank rounds, as described in greater detail
herein.
[0026] The magazine 26a has an upper end 32 with a magazine opening
33 adapted to receive blank rounds of ammunition and a lower end 34
including a base plate 36. The magazine 26a further includes a
front wall 38 and an opposing rear wall 40, both of which extend
from the upper end 32 to the lower end 34. The magazine also
includes opposing sidewalls 41a, 41b (shown in FIG. 3) extending
from the upper end 32 to the lower end, wherein the front and rear
walls 38, 40 and the sidewalls 41a, 41b generally form a cavity 42
for receiving and storing blank rounds of ammunition within. The
magazine 26a includes a restriction plate 44 positioned within the
cavity 42 and securely coupled to an interior surface of the front
wall 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the restriction plate 44
may be coupled to the interior surface of the front wall 38 by way
of one or more fasteners 46. The fasteners 48 may include screws,
for example, with flat backings, so as to retain the restriction
plate 44 in place. It should be noted that other fasteners and/or
means of securing the restriction plate 44 may be included. For
example, the restriction plate 44 may be securely coupled by way of
adhesives, welding, etc.
[0027] As shown, the restriction plate 44 has a shape that
generally corresponds to the shape and/or contour of the interior
surface of the front wall 38. The restriction plate 44 further runs
along the entire length of the front wall 38, from the upper end 32
to the lower end 34 of the magazine 26a. In other embodiments, the
restriction plate 44 may only extend along a portion of the
interior surface of the front wall 38.
[0028] The restriction plate 44 may include a material having
sufficient strength and durability to resist the wear accompanied
with military applications. For example, the restriction plate 44
may include the same, or substantially similar, material(s) from
which the magazine 26a is constructed and/or from which other
components of the firearm 10 are constructed. The restriction plate
44 may include a metal, such as aluminum, steel, metal alloy, etc.
The restriction plate 44 may include any other known materials
having sufficient strength and durability for resisting wear, such
as carbon fiber. It should be noted that the restriction plate 44
may be provided separately from a magazine, such that the
restriction plate can be added post-manufacture of the magazine
(e.g., in the field). In other embodiments, the restriction plate
44 may be included within the magazine during the manufacturing
process.
[0029] As described in greater detail herein, the restriction plate
44 is configured to prevent or reduce the possibility of loading a
live round of ammunition into the magazine 26a. More specifically,
the thickness of the restriction plate 44 reduces the overall size
(e.g. length) of the cavity 42 of the magazine 26a, thereby
preventing previously loadable live rounds from being loaded in the
reduced cavity 42. Inclusion of the restriction plate 44 may
therefor require modification to one or more components of the
magazine 26a to account for the reduced size. For example, the
front lip of a magazine follower, indicated by arrow 48, may need
to be modified so as to allow the follower to fit within reduced
cavity 42. Additionally, the internal spring 50 is shaped and/or
sized to fit within the reduced cavity 42.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the magazine 26a of FIG. 2
taken along lines 3-3. As shown, the restriction plate 44 has a
thickness T, thereby reducing the size of the cavity 42. In
particular, the original standard length L.sub.1 of the cavity 42
of the magazine 26a is reduced to a length L.sub.2 with the
inclusion of the restriction plate 44 based on the thickness T of
the restriction plate 44.
[0031] The restriction plate 44 results in a reduced cavity size so
as to prevent loading of a live round into the magazine 26a. For
example, FIG. 4 is a side view of a live round 52 of ammunition. As
generally understood, ammunition comes in different lengths,
shapes, and diameters depending on the type of bullet or case used.
The live round 52 generally includes a base 54, a body 56, a
shoulder 58, a neck area 60 and a projectile (e.g. bullet) 62. The
live round 52 has a length L.sub.3. The original length L.sub.1 of
the cavity 42 of the magazine 26a would generally be sufficient to
receive the live round 52 (length L.sub.1 of cavity 42 is greater
than or equal to the length L.sub.3 of the live round 52). The
thickness T of the restriction plate 44 is sufficient to reduce the
length L.sub.1 of the cavity 42 to a length of L.sub.2 when the
restriction plate 44 is installed within the cavity 42, wherein the
resulting length L.sub.2 is less than the length L.sub.3 of the
live round 52. As such, the restriction plate 44 effectively
prevents loading of the live round 52 into the cavity 42 of the
magazine 26a.
[0032] In the embodiments described herein, the magazine 26a is for
use with a standard AK-47 assault rifle, which generally includes
the standard 7.62.times.39 mm live round, having an overall length
of 56.00 mm (from base, or rim portion, to tip of bullet). In this
example, the original length L.sub.1 of the cavity 42 of the
magazine 26a would be at least greater than or equal to 56.00 mm,
the length L.sub.3 of the 7.62.times.39 mm live round, so as to
receive the live round. However, the thickness T of the restriction
plate 44 is sufficient to reduce the length L.sub.1 of the cavity
42 to a length of L.sub.2 when the restriction plate 44 is
installed within the cavity 42, wherein the resulting length
L.sub.2 is less than 56.00 mm, effectively preventing loading of
the 7.62.times.39 mm live round into the cavity 42 of the magazine
26a. As generally understood, a round, or cartridge, of ammunition,
may come in different lengths, shapes, and diameters depending on
the type of firearm, and may further be dictated based on the
specific type of bullet and/or case to be used. Accordingly, the
restriction plate 44 may shaped and/or sized (e.g. thickness T)
based on the type of live round associated with any specific
firearm so as to prevent loading of such live rounds. Furthermore,
in some instances, a variety of live rounds having different
dimensions may be fired from the same weapon. Accordingly, the
restriction plate 44 may shaped and/or sized (e.g. thickness T) to
account for a variety of live rounds compatible with a single
firearm so as to prevent loading of such a variety of rounds.
[0033] The reduced size of the cavity 42, however, may generally be
sufficient (e.g. large enough) to allow loading of blank rounds of
ammunition into the cavity 42. For example, a blank round 70
compatible with the modified magazine is shown in FIG. 5. The blank
round 70 includes a base 72, a body 74, a shoulder 76, a neck area
78 and the crimped portion 80. The blank round 70 has a length
L.sub.4. The length L.sub.2 of the modified cavity 42 of the
magazine 26a, due to inclusion of the restriction plate 44, is
greater than or equal to the length L.sub.4 of the blank round.
Accordingly, the modified cavity 42 is shaped and/or sized to
receive the blank round 70, thereby allowing chambering and
subsequent discharge of the blank round 70 from a firearm to which
the magazine 26a is coupled. Accordingly, a modified magazine
consistent with the present disclosure is configured to prevent
loading of live rounds of ammunition while allowing only loading of
blank rounds of ammunition.
[0034] The magazine 26a may be further modified to include visual
indications (e.g. markings) for providing indication that the
magazine 26a is a blank-only component (holds only blank rounds of
ammunition). In particular, at least a portion of the lower end 34,
including the floor plate 36, of the magazine 26a may include a
visual marking, such as a specific color (e.g., blue), indicating
the blank-firing operability. Use of visual indications will
provide users with a quick method of visually inspecting weapons in
training. Furthermore, it will prevent use of the blank-only
magazine from being used in real combat situations in which live
rounds are desired.
[0035] As previously described, a safety assembly consistent with
the present disclosure is suitable for modification for magazines
of any number of different firearm types. As such, the invention is
not limited to use with a magazine of an AK-47 assault rifle, as
generally depicted in the figures and described herein. Rather, it
should be noted that the safety assembly may be used to modify
most, if not all, firearm magazine types, including any magazine
size (e.g., ammo capacity) and/or shape. For example, a safety
assembly consistent with the present disclosure may be incorporated
into a magazine having a storage capacity of any number of rounds
(e.g., 1-, 5-, 10-, 20-, 30-, 40- rounds, etc.). Further, the
safety assembly may be incorporated into a magazine having any
number of shapes, such as the more common rectangular (e.g.,
handgun magazine, M14 magazine, etc.) or arcuate shape (e.g., M16
or AK-47 magazine), as well as a cylindrical drum (e.g., AK-75
magazine).
[0036] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided a modified magazine for use with blank or non-lethal
rounds. The modified magazine includes a magazine including a
closed lower end and a front wall, an opposing rear wall, and
opposing sidewalls extending from the closed lower end and
terminating at an open upper end and forming a cavity within. The
modified magazine further includes a restriction plate positioned
within the cavity and coupled to an interior surface of the front
wall. The restriction plate has a thickness sufficient to prevent
insertion and storage of one or more live rounds of ammunition
within the cavity while permitting insertion and storage of one or
more blank or non-lethal rounds of ammunition within the
cavity.
[0037] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there
is provided a safety assembly for preventing loading of live
ammunition into a firearm. The safety assembly includes a firearm
and a modified magazine coupled to the firearm and adapted to store
and subsequently feed blank or non-lethal rounds of ammunition to
the firearm. The modified magazine includes a magazine including a
closed lower end and a front wall, an opposing rear wall, and
opposing sidewalls extending from the closed lower end and
terminating at an open upper end and forming a cavity within. The
modified magazine further includes a restriction plate positioned
within the cavity and coupled to an interior surface of the front
wall. The restriction plate has a thickness sufficient to prevent
insertion and storage of one or more live rounds of ammunition
within the cavity while permitting insertion and storage of one or
more blank or non-lethal rounds of ammunition within the
cavity.
[0038] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure,
there is provided a modified magazine for storage and feeding of
blank or non-lethal rounds of ammunition. The modified magazine
includes a magazine comprising a closed lower end and a front wall,
an opposing rear wall, and opposing sidewalls extending from the
closed lower end and terminating at an open upper end and forming a
cavity within. The modified magazine further includes a restriction
plate positioned within the cavity and fixedly coupled to an
interior surface of the front wall. The restriction plate has a
shape corresponding to a shape and/or contour of the interior
surface of the front wall and extends along the entire length of
the front wall from the upper end to the lower end of the magazine.
A length between a portion of an interior surface of the rear wall
and a portion of an interior surface of the restriction plate is
less than a length of a live round of ammunition for a firearm to
which the magazine is couplable to and greater than or equal to a
length of one or more blank rounds of ammunition.
[0039] While several embodiments of the present disclosure have
been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in
the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or
structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the
results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and
each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within
the scope of the present disclosure. More generally, those skilled
in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions,
materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be
exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials,
and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or
applications for which the teachings of the present disclosure
is/are used.
[0040] Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to
ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many
equivalents to the specific embodiments of the disclosure described
herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing
embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within
the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the
disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described and claimed. The present disclosure is directed to each
individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method
described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such
features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if
such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods
are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the
present disclosure.
[0041] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be
understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in
documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of
the defined terms. The indefinite articles "a" and "an," as used
herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly
indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean "at least
one."
[0042] The phrase "and/or," as used herein in the specification and
in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or both" of the
elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively
present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.
Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements
specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or
unrelated to those elements specifically identified, unless clearly
indicated to the contrary.
[0043] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment"
or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the
phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places
throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to
the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,
structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0044] References and citations to other documents, such as
patents, patent applications, patent publications, journals, books,
papers, web contents, have been made throughout this disclosure.
All such documents are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety for all purposes.
EQUIVALENTS
[0045] Various modifications of the invention and many further
embodiments thereof, in addition to those shown and described
herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
full contents of this document, including references to the
scientific and patent literature cited herein. The subject matter
herein contains important information, exemplification and guidance
that can be adapted to the practice of this invention in its
various embodiments and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *