GB2498393A

GB2498393A - Magazine with bullet number indicator

Info

Publication number: GB2498393A
Application number: GB1200629.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Moshe Oz
Original assignee: CAA IND Ltd
Current assignee: CAA IND Ltd
Priority date: 2012-01-16
Filing date: 2012-01-16
Publication date: 2013-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2032-01-16
Also published as: GB2498393B; GB201200629D0

Abstract

A magazine 100 with a bullet number indicator includes: at least one elongated transparent window 110 extending longitudinally from a lower part 92 to an upper part 103 of the magazine 100. At least one indicator 120 associated with a spring-loaded follower of the magazine 100 is positioned to be visible through the corresponding window 110 when a specified range of number of bullets is loaded in the magazine. A scale 112 is marked on the magazine 100 in proximity to the at least one elongated transparent window 110, the scale 112 correlating between a position of the at least one indicator 120 and a number of bullets in the magazine 100.

Description

MAGAZINE WITH A BULLET NUMBER INDICATOR

BACKGROUND

I. TECHNICAL FIELD

[00011 The present invention relates to weaponry and more particularly. to an ammunition magazine.

2. DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART [0002] Indication of a number of bullets in a magazine is important to the combating soldier.

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 7908780 and U.S. Patent No. 7958660 disclose an ammunition magazine with an ammunition indication system having a window and a marker on the follower spring.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] One aspect of the invention provides a magazine comprising at least one elongated transparent window extending longitudinally from a lower part to an upper part of the magazine, at east one indicator associated with a spring-loaded follower of the magazine and positioned to be visible through the corresponding window when a specified range of number of bullets is loaded in the magazine, and a scale marked on magazine in proximity to the at least one elongated transparent window, the scale conelating between a position of the at least one indicator and a number of bullets in the magazine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] For a better understanding of embodiments of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate conesponding elements or sections throughout.

[0006] lii the accompanying drawings: Figures 1-3 are schematic diagrams of a magazine with a bullet number indication system, according to some embodiments of the invention, and Figure 4 is a high level flowchart illustrating a method of indicating a number of bullets in a magazine according to some embodiments of the invention.

[00071 The drawings together with the following detailed description make apparent to those skilled in the art how the invention may be embodied in practice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the prefelTed embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

[0009] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0010] Figures 1-3 are schematic diagrams of a magazine 100 with a bullet number indication system 105. according to some embodiments of the invention. Figure 1 is a perspective view of magazine 100, Figures 2 and 3 are illustrations with a removed housing 92 of magazine 100 in two positions -Figure 2 with an intermediate number of loaded bullets (ca. i5. bullets not shown) and Figure 3 with a specified maximal number of loaded bullets (ca. 29, see explanation below).

[00111 Magazine 100 comprises a housing 91 having a base 92. Magazine housing 91 has an upper part 101 and a lower part 102, as well as a front part 103 and a rear part 104.

[0012] Bullet number indication system 105 in magazine 100 comprises at least one elongated transparent window 110 extending longitudinally from lower part 102 to upper part 103 of the magazine 100. and at least one indicator 120 associated with a spring-loaded follower 95 of magazine 100 and positioned to be visible through the corresponding window 110 when a specified range of number of bullets is loaded in magazine 100.

[0013] For example, magazine 100 may comprise two elongated transparent windows 110, each on either side of housing 91 and at front part 103 of magazine 100 with corresponding indicators 120 comprises two indicators 120 corresponding to windows 110. As indicators 110 are associated with follower 95, they rise with a decreasing number of bullets. A scale 112 on housing 91 is engraved or otherwise marked to correlate between the position of indicators 110 and the number of bullets in magazine 100. Windows 110, scale 112 and indicators 120 may be positioned in rear part 104 or along the midWe of housing 91.

[0014] The specified range of number of bullets may be e.g. between a minimum of 15-30% and a maximum of 90-100% of a maximal bullet number. In a 30 bullet magazine the specified range of number of bullets may be between a minimum of 5-and a maximum of 25-30 (in the illustrated example -between 8 and 28).

[0015] Indicators 120 may be associated with follower 95, e.g. to a base of a front leg 96 of follower 95, and comprise a conspicuous marker attached to front leg 96 of spring-loaded follower 95. Indicators 120 may be color markings on any part of follower 95 (e.g. on a rear eg 97 of springloaded follower 95 in case windows 110 are in rear part 104 of housing 91). Indicators 120 may be colored to contrast magazine 100, e.g. be light colored on a dark housing 91. be phosphorous etc. [0016] Bullet number indication system 105 may further comprise a full magazine indicator 130 comprising a spring-loaded pin 132 arranged to protrude from magazine base 92 through opening 133 (protruding end 132A, Figure 3) upon contact with follower 95 and to be retracted by spring 131 within housing 91 when not contacting follower 95. A position of pin 132 is adjustable to contact follower 95 upon loading a specified number of bullets to make the protrusion of pin 132 indicative to the specified number of bullet. The specified number of bullets may be between one and three bullets off a maximal number of bullet loadable into magazine 100, e.g. pin 132 may protrude from base 92 at protruding end 132A upon loading 29 bullets in a 30 bullets magazine 100. Spring 131 and pin 132 are supported by a spring supporter 135, which is inserted between spring 98 of follower 95 and base 92, and is further arranged to support spring 98.

[0017] In particular, windows 110 may be positioned in a way that make a spring 98 of follower 95 invisible, and indicators 120 are used to indicate the number of bullets and not the state of spring 98.

[0018] Figure 4 is a high evel flowchart illustrating a method 150 of indicating a number of bullets in a magazine according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0019] Method 150 may comprise the following stages: forming the magazine to have at least one elongated transparent window extending longitudinally from a lower part to an upper part of the magazine (stage 155), marking the at east one window with a scale (stage 160), and associating at least one indicator with a spring-loaded follower of the magazine (stage 165) and positioning the at least one indicator to be visible through the corresponding window when a specified range of number of bullets is loaded in the magazine (stage 170). The scale is marked to correlate the position of the at least one indicator with die number of loaded bullets (stage 172).

[0020] Method 150 may further comprise indicating a specified maximal number of bullets (stage 180) by associating a spring-loaded pin with the follower to protrude from a magazine base upon loading the specified maximal number of bullets into the magazine (stage 175).

[0021] In the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the invention. The various appearances of one embodiment". an embodiment" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments.

[0022] Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment.

[0023] Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description above.

[0024] The invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described.

[0025] Meanings of technica' and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined.

[0026] While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the preferred embodiments. Other possible variations, modifications, and applications are also within the scope of the invention.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMSWhat is claimed is: I. A magazine comprising: at least one elongated transparent window extending longitudinally from a lower part to an upper part of the magazine, at least one indicator associated with a spring-loaded foHower of the magazine and positioned to be visible through the corresponding window when a specified range of number of bullets is loaded in the magazine, and a scale marked on magazine in proximity to the at least one elongated transparent window, the scale corrdating between a position of the at least one indicator and a number of buflets in the magazine.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The magazine of claim I. wherein the at least one elongated transparent window comprises two windows, positioned on either side of a front part of the magazine, and the at least one indicator comprises two indicators corresponding to the windows.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The magazine of claim 2, wherein the at least one indicator comprises a conspicuous marker attached to a front leg of the spring-loaded follower.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The magazine of claim i, wherein the at least one indicator is colored to contrast the magazine.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The magazine of claim 1, wherein the at least one indicator is light colored or phosphorous.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. The magazine of claim 1, further comprising a full magazine indicator comprising a spring-loaded pin arranged to protrude from a magazine base upon contact with the follower and to be retracted within the magazine when not contacting the follower, wherein a position of the pin is adjustable to contact the follower upon loading a specified number of bullets to make the protrusion of the pin indicative to the specified number of bullet.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. The magazine of claim 6. wherein the specified number of bullets is between one and three bullets off a maximal number of bullets loadable into the magazine.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. The magazine of claim 1, wherein the specified range of number of bullets is between a minimum of 15-30% and a maximum of 90-100% of a maximal bullet number.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. The magazine of claim I, wherein the specified range of number of bullets is between a minimum of 5-10 and a maximum of 25-30.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. The magazine of claim 6, further comprising a spring supporter inserted between a follower spring and the magazine base to support the foflower spring and support the full magazine indicator.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A method of indicating a number of bullets in a magazine comprising: forming the magazine to have at least one elongated transparent window extending longitudinally from a lower part to an upper part of the magazine, and associating at least one indicator with a spring-loaded follower of the magazine and positioning the at east one indicator to be visihle through the corresponding window when a specified range of number of bullets is loaded in the magazine.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. The method of claim II. further comprising indicating a specified maximal number of bullets by a associating a spring-loaded pin with the follower to protrude from a magazine base upon loading the specified maximal number of bullets into the magazine.</claim-text>