U.S. patent application number 16/113118 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-27 for ammunition magazine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Vudoo Labs, Inc. dba Vudoo Gun Works, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Vudoo Labs, Inc. dba Vudoo Gun Works, LLC. Invention is credited to Michael D. Bush.
Application Number | 20200064091 16/113118 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69583844 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200064091 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bush; Michael D. |
February 27, 2020 |
AMMUNITION MAGAZINE
Abstract
Ammunition magazines have a lower magazine body having a body
profile adapted to be closely received in the magazine well, the
lower magazine body having an elongated upper surface, a magazine
tower protruding above the upper surface and having a free upper
end defining an ammunition exit aperture, an ammunition receptacle
passage registered with the magazine tower, the magazine tower
having a limited tower profile smaller than the body profile and
adapted to be closely received in the magazine aperture, the
magazine body having a front surface defining a vertical plane of
reference, and the magazine tower having a front surface angled
rearwardly with respect to the vertical plane of reference. The
magazine tower may be tapered. The magazine tower may have a
greater length adjacent to the body elongated upper surface than at
the free upper end.
Inventors: |
Bush; Michael D.; (Somers,
CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Vudoo Labs, Inc. dba Vudoo Gun Works, LLC |
St, George |
UT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Vudoo Labs, Inc. dba Vudoo Gun
Works, LLC
St. George
UT
|
Family ID: |
69583844 |
Appl. No.: |
16/113118 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 33/00 20130101;
F41A 9/70 20130101; F41A 3/66 20130101; F41A 21/10 20130101; F41A
9/71 20130101; F41A 9/67 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 9/67 20060101
F41A009/67 |
Claims
1. An ammunition magazine for a firearm having a magazine well, a
magazine aperture above the well and in communication with the
well, and a magazine latch in communication with the well, the
magazine comprising: a lower magazine body having a body profile
adapted to be closely received in the magazine well, and having an
upper end and an opposed lower end; the lower magazine body having
an elongated upper surface facing away from the opposed lower end;
a magazine tower protruding above the elongated upper surface and
having a free upper end defining an ammunition exit aperture; an
ammunition receptacle passage registered with the magazine tower;
the magazine tower having a limited tower profile smaller than the
body profile and adapted to be closely received in the magazine
aperture; the magazine body having a front surface defining a
vertical plane of reference; and the magazine tower having a front
surface angled rearwardly with respect to the vertical plane of
reference.
2. The ammunition magazine of claim 1 wherein the magazine tower is
tapered.
3. The ammunition magazine of claim 1 wherein the magazine tower
has a greater length adjacent to the lower magazine body elongated
upper surface than at the free upper end.
4. The ammunition magazine of claim 1 wherein the front surface of
the magazine tower is aft of the front surface of the lower
magazine body.
5. The ammunition magazine of claim 4 including a forward portion
of the lower magazine body elongated upper surface being forward of
the magazine tower.
6. The ammunition magazine of claim 5 wherein the ammunition
magazine toward the front surface of the magazine tower and the
forward portion of the lower magazine body elongated upper surface
defines an interior angle adapted to receive a portion of the
firearm defining a forward portion of the magazine aperture.
7. The ammunition magazine of claim 1 wherein the lower magazine
body has a rear surface including a catch adapted for engagement by
a movable latch on the firearm.
8. The ammunition magazine of claim 1 wherein the catch has a
downward facing catch surface.
9. (canceled)
10. An ammunition magazine for a firearm having a magazine well, a
magazine aperture above the well and in communication with the
well, and a magazine latch in communication with the well, the
magazine comprising: a lower magazine body having a body profile
adapted to be closely received in the magazine well, and having an
upper end and an opposed lower end; the lower magazine body having
an elongated upper surface facing away from the opposed lower end;
a magazine tower protruding above the elongated upper surface and
having a free upper end defining an ammunition exit aperture; an
ammunition receptacle passage registered with the magazine tower;
the magazine tower having a limited tower profile smaller than the
body profile and adapted to be closely received in the magazine
aperture; the magazine body having a rear surface defining a
vertical plane of reference; and the magazine tower having a front
surface angled rearwardly with respect to the vertical plane of
reference.
11. The ammunition magazine of claim 10 wherein the magazine tower
is tapered.
12. The ammunition magazine of claim 10 wherein the magazine tower
has a greater length adjacent to the lower magazine body elongated
upper surface than at the free upper end.
13. The ammunition magazine of claim 10 wherein the front surface
of the magazine tower is aft of the front surface of the lower
magazine body.
14. The ammunition magazine of claim 13 including a forward portion
of the lower magazine body elongated upper surface being forward of
the magazine tower.
15. The ammunition magazine of claim 14 wherein the ammunition
magazine toward the front surface of the magazine tower and the
forward portion of the lower magazine body elongated upper surface
defines an interior angle adapted to receive a portion of the
firearm defining a forward portion of the magazine aperture.
16. The ammunition magazine of claim 10 wherein the lower magazine
body has a rear surface including a catch adapted for engagement by
a movable latch on the firearm.
17. The ammunition magazine of claim 10 wherein the catch has a
downward facing catch surface.
18. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to firearms, and more
particularly to an ammunition magazine having an outer form shaped
to be received in a full-length centerfire cartridge magazine well
and stock that dispenses shorter 22LR caliber cartridges.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A magazine is an ammunition storage and feeding device
within, or attached to, a repeating firearm. The magazine functions
by moving the cartridges stored in the magazine into a position
where they may be chambered by the action of the firearm. Most
magazines designed for use with a reciprocating bolt firearm
utilize a set of feed lips which stops the vertical motion of the
cartridges out of the magazine but allows one cartridge at a time
to be pushed forward (stripped) out of the feed lips by the
firearm's bolt into the chamber.
[0003] Some form of spring and follower combination is almost
always used to feed cartridges to the lips, which can be located
either in the magazine (most removable box magazines) or built into
the firearm (fixed box magazines). A box (or "stick") magazine, the
most popular type of magazine in modern rifles and handguns, stores
cartridges in a straight or gently curved column, either one above
the other or staggered zigzag fashion. As the firearm cycles,
cartridges are moved to the top of the magazine by a follower
driven by spring compression to either a single feed position or
alternating feed positions. In most firearms, the magazine follower
engages a slide-stop to hold the slide back and keep the firearm
out of battery when the magazine is empty, and all rounds have been
fired. Box magazines may be integral to the firearm or
removable.
[0004] A detachable box magazine is a self-contained mechanism
capable of being loaded or unloaded while detached from the host
firearm. They are inserted into a magazine well in the firearm
receiver usually below the action, but occasionally positioned to
the side or on top. When the magazine is empty, it can be detached
from the firearm and replaced by another full magazine while the
firearm remains in an operable state. This significantly speeds the
process of reloading, allowing the operator quick access to
ammunition. This type of magazine may be straight or curved, the
curve being necessary if the rifle uses rimmed ammunition or
ammunition with a tapered case.
[0005] It is often desirable for shooters to be able to hunt small
game or practice shooting with less powerful and/or less expensive
ammunition. The relatively low cost and widespread availability
makes the ability to fire 22LR caliber rimfire ammunition in more
powerful, higher caliber centerfire firearms particularly
attractive. The lower power 22LR caliber rimfire ammunition allows
a shooter to become familiar with the feel of the firearm while
shooting a round that has less recoil and is considerably cheaper
than larger centerfire calibers. Moreover, the reduced power of the
smaller 22LR caliber rimfire ammunition allows it to be shot at
smaller range facilities.
[0006] Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved ammunition
magazine that has an outer form shaped to be received in a
full-length centerfire cartridge magazine well and stock that
dispenses shorter 22LR caliber cartridges. In this regard, the
various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill
at least some of these needs. In this respect, the ammunition
magazine according to the present invention substantially departs
from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in
doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose
of providing an ammunition magazine that has an outer form shaped
to be received in a full-length cartridge magazine well and stock
that dispenses shorter 22LR caliber cartridges.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides an improved ammunition
magazine, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and
drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the
present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater
detail, is to provide an improved ammunition magazine that has all
the advantages of the prior art mentioned above.
[0008] To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present
invention essentially comprises a lower magazine body having a body
profile adapted to be closely received in the magazine well, the
lower magazine body having an elongated upper surface, a magazine
tower protruding above the upper surface and having a free upper
end defining an ammunition exit aperture, an ammunition receptacle
passage registered with the magazine tower, the magazine tower
having a limited tower profile smaller than the body profile and
adapted to be closely received in the magazine aperture, the
magazine body having a front surface defining a vertical plane of
reference, and the magazine tower having a front surface angled
rearwardly with respect to the vertical plane of reference. The
magazine tower may be tapered. The magazine tower may have a
greater length adjacent to the body elongated upper surface than at
the free upper end. There are, of course, additional features of
the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will
form the subject matter of the claims attached.
[0009] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood and in
order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of the current embodiment
of the ammunition magazine constructed in accordance with the
principles of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a rear isometric view of the ammunition magazine
of FIG. 1 with a firearm suitable for use with the ammunition
magazine of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the ammunition magazine
of FIG. 1 installed in the firearm of FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the ammunition magazine of
FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a front view of the ammunition magazine of FIG.
1.
[0015] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts
throughout the various figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT
[0016] A current embodiment of the ammunition magazine of the
present invention is shown and generally designated by the
reference numeral 10.
[0017] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the improved ammunition magazine 10 of
the present invention. More particularly, the ammunition magazine
has a lower magazine body 12 having an elongated upper surface 14,
a bottom surface 16 a body front surface 18, a body rear surface
20, a left side 22, and a right side 24. A forward portion of the
bottom surface includes a base plate retainer 26 that slidably
receives a base plate 28. The body rear surface includes a catch 30
having a downward facing catch surface 32. The right side of the
lower magazine body defines a side slot 34.
[0018] A magazine tower 36 protrudes above the elongated upper
surface 14 of the lower magazine body 12. The magazine tower has a
free upper end 38 that defines an ammunition exit aperture 40 and
includes feed lips 42. The magazine tower has a tower front surface
44 that is angled rearwardly with respect to a vertical plane of
reference defined by the body front surface 18. Thus, the magazine
tower is tapered and has a greater length adjacent to the elongated
upper surface 14 of the lower magazine body 12 than at the free
upper end of the magazine tower. The tower front surface is aft of
the body front surface such that a forward portion 46 of the
elongated upper surface of the lower magazine body is forward of
the magazine tower.
[0019] An ammunition receptacle passage 48 within a forward portion
of the lower magazine body 12 is registered with the magazine tower
36. The ammunition receptacle receives a follower 50 that is biased
upward within the ammunition receptacle passage by a coil spring
(not shown). The follower includes a thumb button 52 and a top 54.
The thumb button protrudes through the side slot 34, which enables
the thumb button to be pulled downward by a user's thumb to
facilitate the loading of cartridges 56 through the ammunition exit
aperture 40 into the ammunition receptacle passage 48. When the
user releases the thumb button, the coil spring urges the follower
upwards to compress the cartridges between the top of the follower
and the feed lips 42. Fore and aft movement of the cartridges
within the lower magazine body is constrained by a front wall 58
and a rear wall 60 that define the ammunition receptacle
passage.
[0020] A firearm 100 suitable for use with the ammunition magazine
10 of the present invention includes an elongated cylindrical
receiver body 102 having an open front 104, open rear 106, a hollow
interior 108, right side 110, and bottom 112. The right side of the
receiver body defines an ejection port 114, and the bottom of the
receiver body defines a magazine aperture 116 having a forward
portion 118. Both the ejection port and the magazine aperture
communicate with the hollow interior of the receiver body. The
ejection port enables spent cartridge casings 62 to be expelled
from the receiver body.
[0021] A magazine well 120 extends downwardly from the bottom 112
of the receiver body 102 in communication with the magazine
aperture 116. A movable magazine latch 118 is attached to the
firearm 100 in communication with the magazine well. A barrel 120
defining a central barrel bore 122 has a rear 124 threadedly
received by a threaded portion 136 of the open front 104 of the
receiver body. The rear of the barrel bore defines a chamber 126
that is sized to closely receive a cartridge 56. A bolt 128 having
a front 130 and rear 132 has its front slidably received within the
open rear 106 of the receiver body. A tang 136 that defines a bolt
handle notch 138 protrudes rearwardly from the bottom rear of the
receiver body.
[0022] An insert 140 is an elongate cylindrical sleeve received
within the hollow interior 108 of the receiver body 102. The insert
has a front 142, rear 144, right side 146, left side (not visible),
and bottom 148. The front and rear of the insert are open, defining
a hollow interior 150. The bottom of the insert defines a magazine
aperture 152 having a forward portion 154 that communicates with
the interior 150. The right side of the insert defines an ejection
port 156 that communicates with the interior 150 and enables spent
cartridge casings to be expelled from the insert. It should be
appreciated that the magazine aperture 152 and ejection port 156 of
the insert are sized and positioned such that they are axially
registered with the magazine aperture 116 and ejection port 114 of
the receiver body when the insert is installed within the hollow
interior of the receiver body.
[0023] When the ammunition magazine 10 is installed in the magazine
well 120, an interior angle defined by tower front surface 44 and
the forward portion 46 of the elongated upper surface 14 of the
lower magazine body 12 receives the forward portion 118 of the
magazine aperture 116 defined by the bottom 112 of the receiver
body 102. The tapered tower front surface 44 of the magazine tower
36 provides a secure position fit as the magazine tower is inserted
into the magazine apertures 116, 152 by shifting the ammunition
magazine rearward against the pressure of the movable magazine
latch to create compression against the rear wall 134 of the
magazine well. The magazine latch removably secures the ammunition
magazine within the magazine well once the ammunition magazine is
inserted far enough for the magazine latch to engage the downward
facing catch surface 32 on the catch 30.
[0024] The firearm 100 suitable for use with the ammunition
magazine 10 is a 0.22LR rimfire bolt action rifle in the current
embodiment. The ammunition magazine is a turn-pull design: the user
performs an upward lifting movement of the bolt handle (not shown)
to disengage the bolt handle from the bolt handle notch 138 and to
turn and unlock the bolt 128 from the breech and cock the firing
pin, followed by pulling the bolt handle rearward to open the
breech, extract the spent cartridge casing 62 and eject the spent
cartridge casing through the ejection ports 114, 156. The user
reverses the process to chamber the next cartridge 56 by stripping
a cartridge from the magazine tower 36 of the ammunition magazine
10 protruding through the magazine apertures 116, 152 and relocking
the breech via a lowering movement of the bolt handle into the bolt
handle notch to turn and lock the bolt.
[0025] It should be appreciated that the lower magazine body 12 of
the ammunition magazine 10 has a body profile adapted to be closely
received in an Accuracy International Chassis Systems (AICS)-style
full length centerfire cartridge magazine well, thus making the
ammunition magazine 10 suitable for use with any firearm having
either an AICS-style magazine well or AICS-compatible detachable
bottom metal (DBM) and a rimfire action of the proper diameter and
length. The ammunition magazine 10 is also compatible with magazine
pouches and other accessories for AICS-style full length centerfire
cartridge magazines. The magazine tower 36, ammunition receptacle
passage 48, and follower are all sized for the shorter 22LR caliber
cartridges to ensure proper feeding from what would otherwise be an
oversized magazine. Furthermore, although the magazine tower and
ammunition receptacle passage have been integral to the ammunition
magazine 10, it should be appreciated that the ammunition magazine
10 could also be manufactured by first forming the magazine tower
and the front and rear walls 58, 60 as a standalone magazine and
then inserting the standalone magazine into an AICS-style
housing.
[0026] In the current embodiment, the ammunition magazine 10
includes seven individual components. Six are injection molded, and
the seventh is the coil spring. The injection molded components are
right and left housing halves that are ultrasonically welded to
become a one-piece lower magazine body, a follower, a thumb button
attached to the follower, a base plate, and a base plate retainer.
The ammunition magazine 10 houses and properly aligns up to ten
22LR caliber cartridges in a vertical column. The cartridges are
held statically at the proper angle and under pressure provided by
the coil spring and follower. As a single cartridge is stripped
from the ammunition magazine 10 during the forward movement of the
bolt, spring pressure pushes the follower and the column of
cartridges up, which positions the next cartridge to be fed into
the chamber. The feed lips limit the upward movement of the
cartridges, but allow the upward and forward stripping movement of
the uppermost cartridge to occur so the uppermost cartridge can be
fed into the chamber by the bolt. The cartridges are constrained by
the forward, aft and side walls that define the ammunition
receptacle passage, which are internal features of the left and
right magazine housing halves. These walls do not allow any other
movement other than downward motion of the column of cartridges for
loading the magazine and upward movement of the column of
cartridges as they are stripped singularly from the magazine during
chambering. The slight space forward of the ammunition receptacle
passage, and the larger space behind the ammunition receptacle
passage, are necessary to enable the lower magazine body to meet
the physical requirements to emulate the AICS envelope.
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 4-5, in the current embodiment the
magazine tower 36 has the following specifications. The length 64
of the magazine tower, including the tower front surface 44, is
1.25 inch. The front and rear walls 82, 84 of the magazine tower
are tapered at an angle 66 of 0.53.degree.. The height 68 of the
magazine tower is 0.59 inch. The tower front surface has an upper
portion having a height of 0.10 inches that is tapered at an angle
72 of 10.40.degree. relative to vertical. The width 74 of the
magazine tower at the free upper end 38 is 0.41 inch. The right and
left walls 88, 90 of the magazine tower each have an upper portion
92, 96 and lower portion 94, 98. The upper portions of the right
and left walls are tapered at an angle 76 of 10.degree.. The lower
portions of the right and left walls are tapered at an angle 78 of
50.degree.. The width 80 of the magazine tower where the right and
left walls contact the elongated upper surface 14 of the lower
magazine body 12 is 0.64 inch.
[0028] In the context of the specification, the terms "rear" and
"rearward," and "front" and "forward" have the following
definitions: "rear" or "rearward" means in the direction away from
the muzzle of the firearm while "front" or "forward" means it is in
the direction towards the muzzle of the firearm.
[0029] While a current embodiment of an ammunition magazine has
been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications
and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the
true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above
description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional
relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations
in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation,
assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one
skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the
foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of
the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes
will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation
shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications
and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *