Quick Loading Firearm Magazine Systems and Methods

[0001] This application claims the benefit and filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/817475, filed 30 Apr. 2013, and incorporates the disclosure of that application by reference.

[0002] To load firearm cartridges into a firearm magazine, it is necessary to repeatedly exert a force on each loaded cartridge into the magazine to overcome a cartridge ejection force typically provided by a spring within the magazine. Each loaded cartridge is also further placed under magazine retaining members so as to retain the cartridges within the magazine. As a user uses their thumb to press each cartridge against the significant force of the ejection spring, it becomes a painful exercise after numerous cartridge loadings. This repeated task is cumbersome, tiring, and time consuming.

[0003] There are technologies that operate to overcome this aspect of loading a firearm magazine, but each has inherent drawbacks that do not efficiently solve the problem. One technology comprises a separate mechanism that must be carried with the user; other technologies require the magazine to be manipulated in a very discrete fashion, such as oriented in a particular manner or placed in a specific position to load cartridges; and still other technologies are problematic for larger caliber firearms. What is needed, and disclosed by the present invention, are systems and methods that assist a user to load a firearm magazine in a quick efficient manner that does not require separate mechanisms, does not necessitate that the magazine be manipulated in a discrete manner, and is compatible with larger caliber firearms.

[0004] Among various representative embodiments, a quick loading firearm magazine generally comprises; a firearm magazine casing, a chambering mechanism and a chambering mechanism actuator. In an embodiment, the casing is configured to receive a plurality of firearm cartridges, but at least one firearm cartridge; and the casing is dimensioned to couple to a firearm, typically via a magazine well of the firearm. Casing embodiments may also comprise a slot that extends longitudinally along the body of the magazine casing to guide the chambering mechanism actuator.

[0005] Among various representative embodiments, the quick loading magazine may comprise the chambering mechanism, which provides a force to the at least one firearm cartridge to assure it is chamberable within the firearm. Among most embodiments the chambering mechanism may comprise a spring, but other embodiments may comprise a pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism. In some embodiments, the spring type chambering mechanism may suitably engage a follower that couples to and/or engages the spring to further assist in guiding loaded cartridges, and the follower is generally maintained in a substantially normal position, relative to the magazine sidewall, by the chambering mechanism actuator.

[0006] Among various representative embodiments, the quick loading magazine may comprise the chambering mechanism actuator, which may comprise a casing slide that suitably engages the casing, and is configured to; slide along the firearm magazine casing body, engage the chambering mechanism through the at least one slot, and maintain the spring follower in a substantially normal position relative to the casing sidewall. Among most embodiments the casing slide encircles an outer perimeter portion of the casing and the casing slide may further comprise ergonomic elements to facilitate the user to grasp and slide the casing slide along the length of the casing. In still yet other embodiments, the casing slide may comprise a lock to maintain the casing slide in a fixed position relative to the casing during reception of the at least one firearm cartridge.

[0007] Among various representative embodiments, the present invention may comprise a method for manufacturing, packaging, marketing, distributing, and/or selling the quick loading firearm magazine.

[0016] Elements and/or any steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated in the figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] The present invention may be described herein by terms of various functional system elements and various method steps. Such functional elements may be realized by any number of hardware components configured to perform specified functions and achieve various results. For example, the present invention may employ various firearm components, e.g., firearm magazines, including, casings, springs, spring followers, casing slides, slot guides, slide locks, ergonomics, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions. In addition, the present invention may be practiced in conjunction with any variety of firearms and firearm type applications, whether for sport, military application, entertainment, and/or toy purpose, and the system described is merely one exemplary application for the invention. Further, the present invention may employ any number of conventional techniques for manufacturing, packaging, marketing, distributing, and/or selling the quick loading firearm magazine.

[0018] Various representative implementations of the present invention may be applied to any quick loading magazine system. Referring now to FIG. 1, a quick loading magazine system 100 may comprise a firearm magazine casing 101, a chambering mechanism 102, and a chambering mechanism actuator 103. In an exemplary embodiment, casing 101 may comprise a longitudinal casing slot 104 that extends along the casing 101, and casing 101 may further comprise casing grooves 108 and/or 109 to assist in guiding actuator 103. In an exemplary embodiment, actuator 103 may couple to either one or both of a slot guide 106 and a spring follower 107.

[0019] Among various exemplary embodiments, casing 101 comprises a cavity body to house firearm cartridges, such as ammunition, and internal and external elements that facilitate loading the cartridges by a user into casing 101, and guiding loaded cartridges into a firearm firing chamber. In an embodiment, casing 101 may be configured and/or dimensioned to suitably couple to a firearm, for example, via a firearm magazine well, so as to provide loaded cartridges within casing 101 to the firearm, For example and with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a quick loading magazine system 100 is depicted coupled to firearm 215 via firearm magazine well 218. However, other casing configurations that can house firearm cartridges and facilitate loading the cartridge and guide the loaded cartridges into the firearm firing chamber fall within the ambit of this disclosure. Returning now to FIG. 1, casing 101 may comprise an arcuate shape, but other shapes and geometric configurations may be employed. Moreover, casing 101 may comprise any type of metallic, synthetic, or natural material to securely house the firearm cartridges and allow other internal and/or externally engaged elements to function accordingly.

[0020] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, casing 101 may comprise casing grooves 108 and/or 109 to assist in guiding actuator 103 along the casing 101. The casing grooves may operate to stabilize and facilitate fluid movement of actuator 103 as a user slides actuator 103 along the casing 101. In this exemplary embodiment grooves 108 and/or 109 are smooth channels, but other configurations may comprise grooves 108 and/or 109 to be notched, stepped, intermittent, and the like to provide discrete movement of actuator 103. Moreover any notched, stepped, intermittent, etc., type grooves may be configured to operate in conjunction with an actuator type lock (not shown) to maintain actuator 103 at some fixed position along the length of casing 101. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, casing grooves 108 and 109 are depicted along the corners of the magazine casing 101, but other exemplary embodiments may comprise casing grooves to lie along other portions of casing 101. Moreover, one skilled in the art will appreciate that chambering mechanism actuator 103 may comprise complimentary tongue elements to engage casing grooves 108 and/or 109, which thereby facilitates a smooth operation of actuator 103 along magazine casing 101.

[0021] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, casing 101 may further comprise casing slot 104 and casing slot 104 may extend longitudinally along casing 101 from a proximate (top) end to a distal (bottom) end. In an embodiment, slot 104 may extend completely along the length of casing 101, or among other embodiments slot 104 may span other discrete lengths, such as halfway, quarter-way, etc. For example, with temporary reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 depicts slot 104 extending from a proximate magazine end 330, i.e., the almost top portion of casing 101 to completely through a distal magazine end 331, i.e., the bottom portion of casing 101. Among various exemplary embodiments, slot 104 may operate as a conduit through which the external actuator element 103 may suitably couple to either, any or all of elements; chambering mechanism 102, slot guide 106, and spring follower 107, as well as provide a guide for slot guide 106.

[0022] Among various exemplary embodiments, casing 101 may be configured to house bullet type ammunition, but casing 101 may also be configured to accommodate any other type of firearm type projectiles, such as BB's, paintball cartridges, darts, bolts, balls, and the like. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that casing 101 may further comprise cartridge retaining tabs 335, FIG. 3, to assist in retaining cartridges once loaded into casing 101. Such tabs are well known in the art, but other elements now known or developed in the future to retain loaded cartridges falls within the ambit of this disclosure.

[0023] Returning now to FIG. 1 and in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, quick loading magazine system 100 may comprise chambering mechanism 102. Chambering mechanism 102 may be configured to provide force to a loaded cartridge and/or a plurality of cartridges within the magazine such that when quick loading magazine system 100 is coupled to a firearm, chambering mechanism 102 sufficiently forces the cartridge or plurality of cartridges to sequentially enter the firing chamber of the firearm. For example, and with momentary reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 depicts cross sections of exemplary embodiments of the quick loading firearm magazine in a loaded and unloaded embodiment. As can be seen by FIG. 4, spring chambering mechanism 102 provides force, albeit indirectly, in this exemplary embodiment via spring follower 107 and slot guide 106, to a plurality of loaded cartridges 440. As cartridges 440 are spent by the firearm, chambering mechanism 102 pushes upward upon spring follower 107 via slot guide 106, and thereby to the remaining cartridges. It should be evident to one skilled in the art that chambering mechanism 102 may operate similarly in a direct manner, i.e., without the aid of either one or both of slot guide 106 and spring follower 107.

[0024] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, chambering mechanism 102 comprises a coil type compression spring, however, any other type of spring chambering element that can provide the requisite force upon a loaded cartridge or plurality of cartridges falls within the ambit of this disclosure. For example, other springs such as a tension spring, a clock spring, a clip, a torsion spring, a leaf spring, etc., may be used. Moreover, chambering mechanisms other than springs may be used. For example, other chambering mechanism embodiments may comprise a piston type element, which may be pneumatic, hydraulic, etc.

[0025] In accordance with various exemplary embodiments and with return reference to FIG. 1, quick loading magazine system 100 may comprise chambering mechanism actuator 103, wherein actuator 103 may operate to actuate chambering mechanism 102. In an exemplary embodiment, actuator 103 may couple directly to chambering mechanism 102, such as spring 102, but in other exemplary embodiments, actuator 103 may couple to either one or both of slot guide 106 and spring follower 107. Among the various exemplary embodiments, actuator 103 may act as a casing slide that suitably engages casing 101, and is configured to; slide along firearm magazine body casing 101, engage chambering mechanism 102 through at least one casing slot 104, and maintain spring follower 107 in a substantially normal position relative casing 101 sidewall. Among most exemplary embodiments, casing slide 103 encircles an outer perimeter portion of casing 101, and casing slide 103 may further comprise ergonomic elements to facilitate the user to securely grasp and slide casing slide 103 along the length of casing 101. In still yet other embodiments, casing slide 103 may comprise some form of lock (not shown) to maintain casing slide 103 in a fixed position relative to casing 101 during reception of the at least one firearm cartridge. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and best seen by reference to FIG. 2, actuator 103 slides along casing 101, but may be prevented from sliding completely off of the bottom of casing 101 by an end cap 670 (FIG. 6). Moreover, actuator 103, because of its relation to slot guide 106 and/or spring follower 107, discussed in greater detail below, is prevented from being received by the firearm well of a firearm, such as firearm well 218 of firearm 215 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0026] In accordance an exemplary embodiment and with continued reference to FIG. 1, quick loading magazine system 100 may comprise spring follower 107. Among various embodiments spring follower 107 may suitably couple to and/or engage chambering mechanism 102. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that if a spring type chambering mechanism directly engaged loaded cartridges, the instability of the spring may cause the loaded cartridges to jam, i.e., the spring may deform down one side or another due to the compressive nature of the spring pushing upon a curved portion of the loaded cartridge. By coupling and/or engaging a spring follower, the spring follower, such as spring follower 107, acts as a stable planar element to push upon the loaded cartridge. However, even a coupled or engaged spring follower may “tip” to one side or another as the spring follower pushes upon the loaded cartridges via the spring chambering mechanism 102, thereby still facilitating a “jamming” condition. To overcome these drawbacks, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, magazine system 100 may further comprise slot guide 106. Slot guide 106 may be received by casing slot 104, and slot guide 106 may effectively couple spring follower 107 to actuator 103, thereby stabilizing spring follower 107 to maintain a substantially normal position with respect to a sidewall of casing 101, thereby preventing the above mentioned drawbacks.

[0027] With return reference to FIG. 4, an exemplary embodiment is depicted. As can be seen in this exemplary embodiment, spring follower 107, comprising follower platform 450 supported by follower casing guides 454, couples to actuator 103 via slot guide 106. Furthermore, in an embodiment, platform 450 may comprise follower cartridge guide 452 to further stabilize the force exerted by follower 107 upon loaded cartridges 440.

[0028] It will be appreciated by those skilled the art that the follower 107, and it's elements, coupled to actuator 103 via slot guide 106, comprises the features that separate and distinguish the present invention from the prior art. This unique configuration allows a user to manually actuate chambering mechanism 102; and the follower 107, slot guide 106, and actuator 103 exemplary assembly provides for a quick loading magazine to be actuated externally by a user but also act upon loaded cartridges within the casing up to and including the firearm magazine well. This system is particularly relevant for larger caliber type weapons because loaded cartridges generally do not stack neatly one on top of the other, as with smaller handgun type weapon cartridges.

[0029] In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, quick loading magazine system 100 may comprise other exemplary elements. Turning now to FIG. 5, system 100 may further comprise casing stabilizer 560 having casing stabilizer tabs 562, wherein stabilizer 560 may suitably couple to casing 101 via casing tab receivers 564. As can be seen, stabilizer 560 comprises a perimeter outline that compliments the bottom cross section profile of casing 101, and when installed, stabilizer 560 deters any transitional movement by casing 101 that might otherwise be demonstrated due to the open ended casing slot 104. Moreover, stabilizer 560 may further comprise a spring anchor on a top portion to receive a bottom portion of spring 102, best seen by spring anchor element 672 of FIG. 6. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that spring anchor element 672 may be configured in other embodiments to anchor other types of chambering mechanisms, such as a pneumatic and/or hydraulic piston, and the like.

[0030] With continued reference to FIG. 6, which provides an exploded view of the various system 100 elements, system 100 may further comprise casing end cap 670. In an exemplary embodiment, end cap 670 may slide and/or lock over distal end 331 of casing 101 to; secure the internal elements within casing 101, provide and facilitate an effective manner to disassemble various system 100 components for regular maintenance and cleaning, and/or act as a stop to prevent actuator 103 from sliding off of casing 101 during use. Although, the present invention contemplates a casing end cap that slides onto casing 101, any number of other configurations may be used, for example, snap end caps, screw lids, hinged doors, etc.

[0031] In accordance with various exemplary embodiments and with reference to FIG. 7, a quick loading magazine system 700 comprises an alternative embodiment to actuate a chambering mechanism. In this exemplary embodiment a magazine casing 701 may comprise of a non-magnetic material, and any internal springs, spring followers, etc., may be comprised of magnetic material. In this manner, external magnets, such as magnets 780 may be used to actuate the internal metallic elements. This configuration, thereby, eliminates the need for any slots, slot guides, etc.

[0032] In accordance with an exemplary operation of the present invention, a user may quickly load a firearm magazine with firearm cartridges, such as cartridges 440, by detaching a quick loading firearm magazine, such as system 100, from a firearm well, such as firearm well 218, of a firearm, such as firearm 215. Once detached, the user may manually compress an internal chambering mechanism, such as spring 102, by an external chambering mechanism actuator, such as casing slide 103. The spring is compressed as the user slides the casing slide down the magazine casing, and slot guides, such as slot guides 106 that operate within a casing slot, such as casing slot 104, wherein slot guides couple to an internal spring follower, such as spring follower 107; thus facilitating the compression of the internal spring by the external actuator. Once compressed, the user, via the actuator, can hold the spring in the compressed position with one hand, thereby allowing the user with the other hand to quickly load the firearm cartridges to the magazine. Once loading is complete, the user can release the actuator, which allows the internal spring to decompress and exert a chambering force to the newly loaded cartridges. The cartridge is then ready to be reattached to the firearm well of the firearm.

[0033] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a quick loading firearm magazine may comprise: forming a casing configured to receive at least one firearm cartridge, wherein the casing may be dimensioned to couple to a magazine well of a firearm, tooling a chambering mechanism that may be configured to provide sufficient force to the at least one firearm cartridge to assure the at least one firearm cartridge is chamberable within the firearm, and forming a chambering mechanism actuator to allow a user to manually actuate the chambering mechanism; wherein the chambering mechanism actuator portion manipulated by the user may be configured not to be received by the magazine well.

[0034] Continuing with an exemplary method for manufacturing the quick loading firearm magazine may comprise tooling the chambering mechanism to comprise a spring, forming the casing to comprise at least one slot extending longitudinally along the casing to operate as a guide for the chambering mechanism actuator, and tooling the chambering mechanism to further comprise a spring follower and coupling it to the spring to suitably guide the at least one firearm cartridge within the casing.

[0035] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of manufacturing the quick loading magazine, forming the chambering mechanism actuator may comprise manufacturing a casing slide that suitably engages the casing and is configured to; slide along the firearm magazine body, engage the chambering mechanism through the at least one slot, and maintain the spring follower in a substantially normal position relative to the casing sidewall. Moreover, manufacturing the casing slide may further comprise manufacturing the casing slide to; encircle an outer perimeter portion of the casing and comprise ergonomic elements to facilitate the user to slide the casing slide along the length of the casing. Manufacturing the casing slide may further comprise manufacturing the casing slide to comprise a lock to maintain the casing slide in a fixed state relative to the casing during reception of the at least one firearm cartridge.

[0036] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims. The specification and figures are illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described.

[0037] For example, the steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the specific order presented in the claims. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any system claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims.

[0038] Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments; however, any benefit, advantage, solution to problem or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or components of any or all the claims.

[0039] As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “having”, “including”, “includes” or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition, system, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition, system, or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.