U.S. patent application number 14/188999 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-27 for magazine insert.
This patent application is currently assigned to PARATUS. The applicant listed for this patent is PARATUS. Invention is credited to Brendan Geraghty, Michael J. Penney.
Application Number | 20150241162 14/188999 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53881875 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150241162 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Geraghty; Brendan ; et
al. |
August 27, 2015 |
MAGAZINE INSERT
Abstract
A magazine insert may include a housing having an opening. A
follower may be mounted in the housing for pivot action relative to
the housing, with the follower being exposed through the opening in
the housing. A biasing member may be provided in the housing to
influence the follower toward the opening. When installed in the
well of a firearm, the magazine insert may prevent contaminants
from entering the firearm, and may provide an active retention
feature by which a bolt carrier group can be retained in a
retracted position without having to manually actuate a bolt
catch.
Inventors: |
Geraghty; Brendan; (Quincy,
MA) ; Penney; Michael J.; (Belmont, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PARATUS |
Belmont |
MA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
PARATUS
Belmont
MA
|
Family ID: |
53881875 |
Appl. No.: |
14/188999 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/6 ; 42/96 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 9/65 20130101; F41A
35/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 35/02 20060101
F41A035/02 |
Claims
1. A magazine insert for a firearm, the magazine insert comprising:
a housing having an opening; a follower mounted in the housing for
pivot action relative to the housing, the follower being exposed
through the opening in the housing; and a biasing member provided
in the housing and influencing the follower toward the opening.
2. The magazine insert according to claim 1, further comprising: a
first pin fixed to the housing and extending through a first hole
provided in the follower, such that the pivot action of the
follower is about the first pin; and a second pin fixed to the
housing and extending through a second hole provided in the
follower, such that the pivot action of the follower is limited by
the second pin.
3. The magazine insert according to claim 2, wherein the first hole
of the follower has a circular shape; and wherein the second hole
of the follower is in the form of a slot that extends along a
curved path.
4. The magazine insert according to claim 2, wherein the first and
the second pins are press fitted to the housing.
5. The magazine insert according to claim 1, wherein the biasing
member is a spring.
6. The magazine insert according to claim 5, wherein the spring is
a coil spring.
7. The magazine insert according to claim 6, wherein the coil
spring is captured between the housing and the follower.
8. The magazine insert according to claim 1, wherein the follower
comprises: a platform; a projection extending from the platform in
a first direction and through the opening; and a tab extending from
the platform in a second direction that is perpendicular to the
first direction.
9. The magazine insert according to claim 8, wherein the tab is
exposed in the first direction through the opening; and wherein the
tab is exposed in the second direction through a recess provided in
a wall of the housing.
10. A combination comprising: a firearm with a magazine well; and a
magazine insert installed in the magazine well, the magazine insert
including a housing having an opening; a follower mounted in the
housing for pivot action relative to the housing, the follower
being exposed through the opening in the housing; and a biasing
member provided in the housing and influencing the follower toward
the opening.
11. The combination according to claim 10, further comprising: a
first pin fixed to the housing and extending through a first hole
provided in the follower, such that the pivot action of the
follower is about the first pin; and a second pin fixed to the
housing and extending through a second hole provided in the
follower, such that the pivot action of the follower is limited by
the second pin.
12. The combination according to claim 11, wherein the first hole
of the follower has a circular shape; and wherein the second hole
of the follower is in the form of a slot that extends along a
curved path.
13. The combination according to claim 11, wherein the first and
the second pins are press fitted to the housing.
14. The combination according to claim 10, wherein the biasing
member is a spring.
15. The combination according to claim 14, wherein the spring is a
coil spring.
16. The combination according to claim 15, wherein the coil spring
is captured between the housing and the follower.
17. The combination according to claim 10, wherein the follower
comprises: a platform; a projection extending from the platform in
a first direction and through the opening; and a tab extending from
the platform in a second direction that is perpendicular to the
first direction.
18. The combination according to claim 17, wherein the tab is
exposed in the first direction through the opening; and wherein the
tab is exposed in the second direction through a recess provided in
a wall of the housing.
19. The combination according to claim 10, wherein the follower
engages with a bolt catch of the firearm.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field
[0002] Non-limiting embodiments relate in general to accessories
for firearms, and more particularly, to a magazine well insert that
may prevent contaminants (e.g., dirt, sand, water, etc.) from
entering into the magazine well of a firearm, and may also provide
for enhanced clearing procedures.
[0003] 2. Discussion of Related Art
[0004] Many repeating firearms utilize magazines for storing and
feeding cartridges (or rounds) in a well-known manner. When
inserted into the magazine well, the magazine may exclude dirt,
sand, and other contaminants from entering internal mechanisms and
causing damage or failure of the firearm to operate properly. When
the magazine is not in place, however, the magazine well is open
and the interior parts of the firearm may be exposed to
contamination from the environment.
[0005] While an installed magazine may protect internal parts of
the firearm from damage, it is often desired and/or required to
keep the firearm in an unloaded condition. For example, personnel
that carry firearms (e.g., military personnel, law enforcement
personnel, etc.) may be subject to numerous operational protocols
and other regulations that prohibit the carrying of a loaded
firearm in particular areas or zones. Accordingly, the personnel
may not be able to engage a magazine to a firearm, even if the
magazine is empty.
[0006] In an effort to avoid contamination problems associated with
an unloaded firearm (i.e., one without a magazine), inserts have
been designed for installation in the magazine well. Such inserts
can be installed in the magazine well, instead of a standard
magazine designed for storing cartridges.
[0007] One conventional insert is in the form of a plug that is
fabricated from compressible material. The plug is dimensioned
larger than the interior of the magazine well. Accordingly, the
plug is compressed upon installation, thereby creating an
interference fit between the plug and the magazine well.
[0008] Another conventional insert includes a housing that receives
a reversible top cover in two different configurations. In a first
configuration, a flat top of the cover is exposed, which allows the
bolt carrier group to move back and forth within the bolt chamber.
In a second configuration, a stop of the cover is exposed, which
locks the bolt carrier group in a retracted (non-firing)
position.
[0009] Although conventional inserts are generally thought to
provide acceptable performance, they are not without shortcomings.
For example, when a conventional insert is installed, the operator
may be able to move the bolt back and forth within the bolt
chamber. To carry out a clearing procedure, the operator may move
the bolt to a retracted position and retain it there so that the
chamber areas of the rifle can be inspected for cartridges.
According to conventional wisdom, however, the operator is required
to manually actuate the bolt catch of the firearm to retain the
bolt in the retracted position. In this regard, conventional
inserts do not offer any active retention feature by which the bolt
carrier group could be retained in the retracted position without
having to manually actuate the bolt catch.
SUMMARY
[0010] According to a non-limiting embodiment, a magazine insert
for a firearm may include a housing having an opening. A follower
may be mounted in the housing for pivot action relative to the
housing. The follower may be exposed through the opening in the
housing. A biasing member may be provided in the housing to
influence the follower toward the opening.
[0011] According to another non-limiting embodiment, a combination
may include a firearm with a magazine well. A magazine insert may
be installed in the magazine well. The magazine insert may include
a housing having an opening. A follower may be mounted in the
housing for pivot action relative to the housing. The follower may
be exposed through the opening in the housing. A biasing member may
be provided in the housing to influence the follower toward the
opening.
[0012] The above and other features, including various and novel
details of construction and combinations of parts will be more
particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
It will be understood that the details of the example embodiments
are shown by way of illustration only and not as limitations of the
invention. The principles and features of this invention may be
employed in varied and numerous embodiments without departing from
the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Non-limiting embodiments will become more fully understood
from the detailed description below and the accompanying drawings,
wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals,
which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not
limiting of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a top, front, and right side perspective view of a
magazine insert according to a non-limiting embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top, rear, and left side perspective view of the
magazine insert depicted in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a top view of the magazine insert depicted in FIG.
1.
[0017] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the magazine insert depicted
in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the housing depicted in FIG.
1.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the pivot action of
the follower depicted in FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the magazine insert installed
in a firearm.
DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS
[0021] This disclosure is directed to a magazine insert that may be
used by military personnel for installation in a rifle, such as an
AR-15. But the invention is not limited in this regard. It will be
appreciated that the magazine insert can be used by other personnel
for installation in numerous and varied firearms.
[0022] Throughout this disclosure, terms relating to spatial
directions (e.g., upper, top, lower, bottom, front, forward, rear,
rearward, etc.) are used for convenience in describing features or
portions thereof, as shown in the figures. These terms do not,
however, require that the magazine insert be maintained in any
particular orientation.
[0023] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the magazine insert 2 includes
a housing 4 having a shape that may generally correspond to the
shape of the magazine well of an AR-15. For example, the housing 4
has a front wall 6 and a rear wall 8. The upper end of the front
wall 6 has a recess 7 that may facilitate viewing of the firing
chamber when the magazine insert 2 is installed. The rear wall 8
includes an elongate alignment rib 10 that is adapted for insertion
into an alignment groove formed at the rear end of the magazine
well. The upper end of the rear wall 8 has a recess 9 that provides
a passage for the bolt of the AR-15 when the magazine insert 2 is
installed. A side wall of the housing 4 includes a locking recess
12 for receiving a magazine catch on the lower receiver of the
AR-15 for locking the magazine insert 2 to the well.
[0024] The housing 4 has a closed lower end 14 with a loop 16. The
loop 16 can be used to carry and/or secure the magazine insert 2
when un-installed. A seal 20 is mounted on the housing 4 above the
lower end 14. The seal 20 may be a loop of compressible material
that extends all the way around the perimeter of the housing 4.
With reference to FIG. 4, the seal 20 may be seated in a groove 15
provided in the housing 4. The seal 20 can be removed from the
housing 4 to facilitate cleaning of parts.
[0025] The groove 15 is at least partially defined by an upward
facing surface 17 of the lower end 14. The seal 20 protrudes
laterally outward from the walls of the housing 4. Thus, when the
magazine insert 2 is installed, the seal 20 is elastically deformed
and compressed between the upper surface 17 of the housing 4 and
the lower opening of the magazine well, which seals the interface
between the parts and prevents contaminants (e.g., solids and
liquids) from entering into the magazine well. The seal 20 can be
color coded to visually indicate to others that the rifle is clean
and safe. By way of example only, the seal 20 may be safety orange
in color.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 4 has an upper end with an
opening 25 through which a follower 50 is exposed. The follower 50
includes a platform 51. The upper surface of the platform 51 is
provided with a projection 56 that may be shaped to resemble a
portion of a cartridge. In this regard, the projection 56 may be
referred to as a "superficial round." As shown, the superficial
round 56 may include a longitudinal groove to allow passage of the
bolt of the AR-15, as will be discussed in more detail below. One
or more ribs 57 may extend between the superficial round 56 and the
platform 51. The platform 51 also includes a tab 58 that is exposed
through the recess 9 of the rear wall 8 (see FIG. 2). The tab 58
may interact with the bolt catch of the AR-15, as will be discussed
in more detail below.
[0027] The follower 50 is mounted for limited pivot action relative
to the housing 4. The mounting of the follower 50 will be
appreciated with reference to FIG. 4. As shown, the bottom side of
the platform 51 has a forward projection 52 with a through hole 53,
and a rearward projection 54 with a through hole 55. The through
holes 53, 55 receive respective pins 18, 19 that are press fit to
the side walls of the housing 14. In FIG. 4, the pins 18, 19 are
withdrawn from the interior of the housing 4.
[0028] The forward through hole 53 is shaped to receive the pin 18,
such that the follower 50 can pivot about the pin 18 and relative
to the housing 4. Thus, the forward pin 18 serves as a pivot point
that is fixed to the housing 4 and about which the follower 50
turns. The follower's axis of rotation is parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the pin 18. In this example, the through hole
53 and the pin 18 are both circular in shape, with the through hole
53 having a slightly larger inner diameter than the outer diameter
of the pin 18. But the invention is not limited in this regard.
[0029] The rearward through hole 55 is in the form of a slot that
extends along a curved path. The rearward through hole 55 and the
pin 19 cooperate to limit the pivot action of the follower 50
relative to the housing 4.
[0030] A coil spring 60 is captured between the follower 50 and the
housing 4. For example, and turning briefly to FIG. 5, the lower
end of the spring 60 may be mounted on projections 5 that extend
into the interior of the housing 4. Turning back to FIG. 4, the
rearward projection 54 of the follower 50 may be inserted through
the uppermost coil of the spring 60. The follower 50 can then be
inserted into the housing 4 (and against the influence of the
spring 60) to a depth that allows the pins 18, 19 to be inserted
through the respective holes 53, 54 and press fitted to the housing
4. The spring 60 is a compression coil spring that resists being
compressed. In this example embodiment, the coils of the spring are
of varied size (i.e., increasing in size from the upper coil to the
lower coil). The invention is not, however, limited in this regard.
For example, the coils of the spring may be of a uniform size.
Also, the number of coils may be varied.
[0031] The limited pivot action of the follower 50 about the pin 18
will be appreciated with reference to FIG. 6. The follower 50 is
influenced by the spring 60 (not shown), such that the platform 51
moves away from the pin 19 until the pin 19 is located at the
bottom end of the through hole 55. In this position, the follower
50 is located toward the opening 25 in the housing 4 (as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2).
[0032] The application of sufficient force F will drive the
follower 50 to pivot about the pin 18 (clockwise in FIG. 6), and
against the influence of the spring 60. During the pivot motion of
the follower 50, the pin 19 slides through the hole 55 in the
rearward projection 54, until the pin 19 reaches the upper end of
the hole 55, as shown in broken lines. In the broken line position
shown in FIG. 6, at least the rear end portion of the follower 50
is located away from the opening 25 in the housing 4. When the
force F is removed, the spring 60 drives the follower 50 to rotate
about the pin 18 (counter clockwise in FIG. 6) until the pin 19 is
located at the bottom end of the through hole 55.
[0033] The follower 50 can be color coded to visually indicate to
others that the rifle is clean and safe. By way of example only,
the follower 50 could be safety orange in color.
[0034] The components of the magazine insert can be fabricated from
numerous and varied materials that are well known in this art. By
way of example only, the housing 4 and the follower 50 can be
fabricated from plastics, metals, and other materials that are well
known in this art. By way of example only, the seal 20 can be
fabricated from rubbers, polymers, elastomers, foams, and other
materials that are well known in this art.
[0035] The use of the magazine insert 2 is straightforward. The
magazine insert 2 may replace the standard magazine once the AR-15
has deemed cleared by the operator. For example, the rifle may be
unloaded and the bolt may be in a forward position.
[0036] The magazine insert 2 can be installed in the well in the
same fashion as the standard magazine. During insertion, the
rifle's bolt catch (a portion of which extends into the well)
enters the opening 25 and passes down through the recess 9 in the
rear wall 8 of the housing 4 until the bolt catch engages with the
tab 58 of the follower 50. Upon continued insertion, the bolt catch
drives the follower 50 to pivot downward (against the influence of
the spring 60) and into the housing 4.
[0037] Insertion continues until the rifle's magazine catch engages
the locking recess 12 on the housing 4. At this time, the seal 20
is compressed between the upper surface 17 of the housing 4 and the
lower opening of the magazine well, which seals the interface
between the parts and prevents contaminants (e.g., solids and
liquids) from entering into the well of the AR-15. With the
magazine insert 2 properly seated and the ejection port cover
closed, the internal components of the rifle are protected from
environmental contaminants.
[0038] The magazine insert 2 may provide an active retention
feature that facilitates visual inspection of the rifle's chamber
areas. For example, the operator may visually inspect the chamber
areas by pulling back the charging handle (and thus the bolt
carrier group). The bolt carrier group travels rearward across the
tops of the superficial round 56 and the bolt catch. Eventually,
the charging handle pulls the bolt carrier group back to a point
where the bolt is behind the follower 50 and the bolt catch. At
this time, the spring 60 urges the follower 50 to pivot about the
pin 18 in an upward direction, i.e., toward the bolt chamber. The
upward pivot action of the follower 50 actuates the bolt catch.
That is, as the follower 50 pivots upward, the tab 58 of the
follower 50 drives the bolt catch upward and into the travel path
of the bolt, thereby preventing the return travel of the bolt
carrier group in the forward direction. The interaction between the
follower and the bolt catch is somewhat similar to the conventional
bolt-hold-open-feature provided by an empty standard magazine.
Thus, the bolt carrier group can be retained in the retracted
position without the operator having to manually actuate the
rifle's bolt catch.
[0039] FIG. 7 illustrates an AR-15 100 with the ejection port cover
in an opened condition so that the operator can visually inspect
the chamber areas. As shown, the bolt 102 is retained in the
retracted position by the bolt catch 104, which has been actuated
by the upward pivot action of the follower 50. As noted above, the
follower 50 may be safety orange or some other bright color to
serve as a safety indication and/or reflect ambient light to
illuminate surrounding chamber areas.
[0040] Once the chamber areas have been inspected, the bolt catch
release lever can be depressed, which drives the bolt catch 104
downward, which in turn pivots the follower 50 against the
influence of the spring 60. In this condition, the bolt carrier
group can be driven forward by the rifle's recoil spring. Thus, the
bolt can be sent forward on an empty chamber. As the bolt carrier
group travels forward, a lug on the bolt may pass through the
longitudinal groove provided in the top surface of the superficial
round 56.
[0041] The magazine insert 2 can be removed from the rifle in the
same fashion as a standard magazine. The magazine insert 2 can be
released by pressing the magazine release button 106. At this time,
the seal 20 may return to its original shape, thereby pushing the
magazine insert 2 out of the well, which facilitates ejection of
the magazine insert from the rifle.
[0042] The magazine insert 2 cannot be loaded with cartridges (or
rounds). This is attributable to the fixed pivot pin 18, and the
limited pivot action of the follower 50. For example, the follower
50 does not pivot a sufficient amount to allow a cartridge to be
inserted into the housing 4. The ribs 57 on the follower 50 also
block the insertion of cartridges through the opening 25 of the
housing 4. Thus, the magazine insert 2 cannot be weaponized.
[0043] Although the foregoing description is directed to the
preferred embodiments of the present teachings, it is noted that
other variations and modifications will be apparent to those
skilled in the art, and which may be made without departing from
the spirit or scope of the present teachings. For example, it will
be appreciated that the magazine insert can be implemented for
installation in the magazine well of any firearm.
[0044] The foregoing detailed description of the various
embodiments of the present teachings has been provided for the
purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the present teachings to the precise
embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be
apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. The embodiments were
chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the
present teachings and their practical application, thereby enabling
others skilled in the art to understand the present teachings for
various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to
the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of
the present teachings be defined by the following claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *