WO2017106928A1

WO2017106928A1 - Improvements to ammunition box magazines

Info

Publication number: WO2017106928A1
Application number: PCT/AU2016/051282
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael KERMECI
Original assignee: Lucky 13 Enterprises Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2015-12-23
Filing date: 2016-12-23
Publication date: 2017-06-29

Abstract

A box magazine inventory system comprises a plurality of box magazine lowers, each having a common upper attachment formation and a number of box magazine uppers which comprise adaptors between the lowers and particular firearm magazine receiver configurations. Each of the uppers has a common lower attachment formation for attachment to the common upper attachment formation of the box magazine lowers. Also a box magazine comprising one of the plurality of box magazine lowers in combination with one of the number of box magazine uppers corresponds to one of the range of firearm receiver configurations. By using the above-described adaptor and inventory system the need for continual re-development of magazines is reduced since the only redevelopment that is required is to the adaptors.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO AMMUNITION BOX MAGAZINES TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the provision of ammunition box magazines for firearms. BACKGROUND

Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.

Box magazines are a type of ammunition magazine that are attachable to receiver ports or more simply "receivers" of firearms. A box magazine is typically spring-loaded in order to bias bullets contained within the magazine toward the receiver of the firearm in order to rapidly reload the firearm in use.

Across all brands and makes of firearm, universal, standardized types of ammunition are employed. However, as the receiver of each particular model of firearm is generally unique in its geometry and magazine locking mechanism it is necessary that a multiplicity of box magazines be provided having different attachment formations for engagement with the various different models of firearms.

It will be realized that for manufacturers of box magazines it is problematic to have to design a new magazine for each of the models of firearms that are on, or are introduced into, the market place.

Furthermore, at present it is necessary for magazine suppliers to maintain a large inventory of a diverse range of box magazine types in order that they are able to meet orders for magazines that are suitable for the different models of firearms. It would be advantageous if there were a solution that reduced the need for continual redevelopment of the magazines. It would also be desirable if such a solution could reduce the amount of inventory that a provider of box magazines is presently required to hold in order to satisfy a diverse range of unpredictable orders for box magazines to suit particular firearms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a box magazine comprising an upper, for attachment to a receiver of a firearm; and a lower depending from the upper and attached thereto; wherein the upper and the lower comprise two distinct parts.

In some embodiments of the invention the upper may be made of a harder wearing material than the lower since the upper is more vulnerable to wear from ammunition exiting the magazine.

It is preferable that the upper and the lower are formed with complementary attachment formations.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the complementary attachment formations comprise a tongue and groove attachment system.

The box magazine may include a locking assembly for locking the upper to the lower. For example, the locking assembly may comprise a grub screw disposed between the upper and the lower to prevent them sliding relative to each other.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an adaptor for interfacing a portion of a box magazine to a magazine receiver of a firearm, the adaptor including a lower attachment formation for attachment to the portion of the box magazine and an upper attachment formation configured to mate with the receiver of the firearm. Preferably the adaptor includes formations of a tongue and groove system for sliding engagement with the portion of the box magazine. The adaptor may be made of metal. For example, one way of making the adaptor is to make it from milled aluminum. The adaptor may be provided separately or in combination with the portion of the box magazine whereby the combination comprises a complete box magazine.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a box magazine inventory system comprising:

a plurality of box magazine lowers, each having a common upper attachment formation;

a number of box magazine uppers, each having a common lower attachment formation for attachment to the common upper attachment formation of the box magazine lowers;

wherein the box magazine uppers each have an upper attachment formation corresponding to one of a range of firearm receiver configurations for attachment thereto;

whereby a box magazine comprising one of the plurality of box magazine lowers in combination with one of the number of box magazine uppers corresponds to one of the range of firearm receiver configurations.

A further aspect of the invention provides a method of supplying box magazines for attachment to each of a range of firearms wherein each of the firearms has a unique receiver formation, the method comprising the steps of:

stocking a plurality of box magazine lowers, each having a common upper attachment formation;

stocking a number of box magazine uppers, each having a common lower attachment formation for attachment to the common upper attachment formation of the box magazine lowers;

wherein the box magazine uppers each have an upper attachment formation corresponding to one of a range of firearm receiver configurations for attachment thereto; whereby upon receiving an order for a firearm of the range of firearms, providing a box magazine comprising one of the plurality of box magazine lowers in combination with one of the number of box magazine uppers corresponding to the firearm's receiver configurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

Figure 1 is a view of a box magazine comprising an adaptor or "upper" and a lower section or "lower" according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view of the box magazine of Figure 1 with the upper and lower separate from each other.

Figure 3 is a further view of the box magazine of Figure 1 with the upper and lower separate from each other.

Figure 4 is a view of the box magazine of Figure 1 loaded with bullets wherein the lower has been drawn transparently.

Figure 5 is a view of the box magazine of Figure 1 loaded with bullets wherein the upper has been drawn transparently.

Figure 6 shows two firearms, each having a differently configured magazine receiver, each fitted with a magazine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a diagram used in the explanation of an inventory system and method that makes use of a box magazine adaptor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a stylized front view of a magazine according to a further embodiment of the present invention illustrating a further arrangement for attachment of the upper to the lower. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 depicts a box magazine 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The box magazine comprises an upper portion or "upper" 3 for attachment to a receiver of a firearm and a lower portion or "lower" 5 that depends downward from the upper 3 and is attached thereto. As will be described later, the upper effectively operates as an adaptor between a common lower and a magazine receiver of a particular firearm.

The upper 3 is distinct from the lower as can be observed from Figures 2 and 3 which show two views in which the upper 3 and the lower 5 are slid apart from each other.

Figure 4 shows the upper 3 and the lower 5 once more joined together to form the box magazine 1 , which is shown loaded with bullets 7. In figure 4 the lower is drawn transparently so that the bullets 7 can be seen within. In contrast in figure 5 the upper 3 is drawn transparently so that the bullets 7 are visible within the upper 3 in that figure. Also visible in Figure 4 is an internal ammunition seat 9 which is located within the lower and which is biased by a spring (not shown) away from the internal floor 12 of the lower to urge the bullets 7 upwards and out of exit slot 6 of the upper in a manner that is well known in the field of box magazines.

The Inventors have observed that the upper 3 encounters more wear from the motion of the bullets 7 through the magazine 1 in use than the lower 5. Accordingly, while it is possible to make the lower 5 from a fairly lightweight substance such as a plastic, the upper 3 be instead be made of a harder wearing material than the lower 5. For example, the upper 3 may be made of milled aluminum. As may be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the upper 3 and the lower 5 are formed with complementary attachment formations comprising a tongue and groove attachment system. The tongue and groove attachment system includes a first tongue and groove 1 1 formed on the underside of the upper 3 that mates with a second tongue and groove 13 formed on the topside of the lower 5.

The locking assembly also includes a grub screw 19 (shown in figure 3) which can be inserted between the upper 3 and the lower 5 to prevent them sliding relative to each other. As shown in Figure 3 the grub screw 19 is inserted through a threaded hole 2 that is formed through the base of the upper 3 and its tip is received in a slot 4 formed in an upper edge of the lower 5 so that the upper and lower are prevented from sliding.

While a tongue and groove attachment system is preferred, other suitable attachment systems are possible. For example, the upper and lower may be bolted together. Alternatively figures 8a and 8b illustrate a further system in the form of a bayonet attachment system wherein the lower 5 is formed with bayonets 15a, 15b on either of its upper sides that are received into complementary channels 17a, 17b formed along the lower sides of the upper 3.

Apart from combining with the lower 5 to form a complete box magazine 1 , the upper 3 also comprises an adaptor for interfacing the lower to a magazine receiver of a firearm.

As has been discussed, upper 3, or as it may be equivalently called, the "adaptor" includes a lower attachment formation in the form of the second tongue and groove 1 1 for attachment to the lower 5. The adaptor is also formed with an upper attachment formation comprising opposed edges 17, specifically dimensioned and shaped to mate with a magazine receiver of a particular firearm. It will be realized that the adaptor 3 may be provided separately or in combination with the lower portion of the box magazine whereby the combination comprises the complete box magazine 1 . For example, figure 6 shows two different firearms 19, 21 which each have different receiver configurations. The first adaptor 3a has an upper attachment 17a that is specifically configured to mate with the receiver of the first firearm 19 and which is incompatible with the receiver of the second firearm 21 . The second adaptor 3b is provided with an upper attachment 17 that is specifically configured to mate with the receiver of the second firearm 21 and is incompatible with the receiver of the first firearm 19. Both of the magazines 1 a, 1 b have identical lowers 5 each of which are compatible with the identical lower attachment configurations 1 1 of each of the uppers 3a, 3b.

Referring now to Figure 7, it will be realized that by making use of a number 25 of adaptors 3a,..., 3n according to an embodiment of the present invention, a magazine provider is able to maintain a box magazine inventory system that comprises:

1 . a plurality 23 of box magazine lowers 5, each having a common upper attachment formation 13;

2. a number 25 of box magazine uppers 3a,...,3n, each having a common lower attachment formation 1 1 for attachment to the common upper attachment formation of the box magazine lowers 5 . The box magazine uppers 3a,..,3n each having an upper attachment formation 17 corresponding to one of a range 27 of firearm receiver configurations of firearms 1 a,..., 1 m for attachment thereto.

Consequently, a box magazine comprising one of the plurality of box magazine lowers 5 in combination with one of the number of box magazine uppers 3a,..., 3n corresponds to one of the range of firearm receiver configurations.

Furthermore, adaptors 3a, ..., 3n according to an embodiment of the present invention may be used for supplying box magazines for attachment to each of a range of firearms 1 a,...,1 m wherein each of the firearms 1 a,.., 1 m of the ramge of firearms 27 has a unique receiver configuration. A preferred method involves: 1 . stocking a plurality 23 of box magazine lowers 5, each having a common upper attachment formation;

2. stocking a number of box magazine uppers 3a,...,3n, each having a common lower attachment formation for attachment to the common upper attachment formation of the box magazine lowers. Wherein the box magazine uppers each have an upper attachment formation corresponding to one of a range of firearm receiver configurations of the firearms 1 a,... ,1 m for attachment thereto; and

3. upon receiving an order for a box magazine for one of firearms 1 a,.., 1 m of the range of firearms 27 providing a box magazine comprising one of the plurality of box magazine lowers 5 in combination with one of the number of box magazine uppers 1 a, ... , 1 n corresponding to the particular receiver configuration of the one of the firearms 1 a,..,1 m. It will be realized that by using the above-described adaptor inventory arrangement and method the need for continual re-development of magazines is reduced since the only redevelopment that is required is to the adaptor.

Embodiments of the present invention allow for the lower (and main functional) section of the magazine to remain unchanged as it is only ammunition caliber specific, while the simpler upper (i.e. adaptor) can be developed and manufactured to suit specific firearm receivers. The internal components and layout of the lower section of the magazine can be left unchanged, mitigating the need for continual redevelopment of the entire magazine system to suit individual firearm requirements. One of the ensuing advantages is that lead times to market are reduced as only a relatively small design aspect of the magazine, i.e. the adaptor or "upper" has to be updated to accommodate use in an alternate firearm. Furthermore, inventories held by magazine manufacturers may be reduced and economies of scale can be increased due to the fact that the lower (common) portion of the magazine can be manufactured in significantly increased volumes. Only the receiver adaptor need be manufactured at firearm specific volumes to accommodate firearms with particular receiver configurations.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term "comprises" and its variations, such as "comprising" and "comprised of" is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art. Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise. Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting to the invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A box magazine comprising:

an upper, for attachment to a receiver of a firearm; and

a lower depending from the upper and attached thereto wherein the upper and the lower are two distinct parts fastened together.

2. A box magazine according to claim 1 , wherein the upper is made of a harder wearing material than the lower.

3. A box magazine according to claim 2, wherein the upper is made of milled aluminum and the lower is made of plastic.

4. A box magazine according to anyone of the preceding claims wherein the upper and the lower are formed with complementary attachment formations.

5. A box magazine according to claim 4, wherein the complementary attachment formations comprise a tongue and groove attachment system.

6. A box magazine according to claim 4, wherein the complementary attachment formations comprise a bayonet attachment system.

7. A box magazine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, including a locking assembly for locking the upper to the lower.

8. A box magazine according to claim 7, wherein the locking assembly comprises a grub screw disposed between the upper and the lower.

9. An adaptor for a interfacing a portion of a box magazine to a magazine receiver of a firearm, the adaptor including a lower attachment formation for attachment to the portion of the box magazine and an upper attachment formation configured to mate with the receiver of the firearm.

10. An adaptor according to claim 9 including formations of a tongue and groove system for sliding engagement with the portion of the box magazine.

1 1 . An adaptor according to claim 9 including formations of a bayonet attachment system for engagement with the portion of the box magazine.

12. An adaptor according to any one of claims 9 to 1 1 in combination with the portion of the box magazine to thereby form a complete box magazine

13. An adaptor according to any one of claims 9 to 1 1 in combination with the portion of the box magazine whereby the combination comprises a complete box magazine wherein the adaptor is made of metal and the portion of the box magazine is made of plastic.

14. A box magazine inventory system comprising:

15. A method of supplying box magazines for attachment to each of a range of firearms wherein each of the firearms has a unique receiver formation, the method comprising the steps of:

whereby upon receiving an order for a firearm of the range of firearms, providing a box magazine comprising one of the plurality of box magazine lowers in combination with one of the number of box magazine uppers corresponding to the firearm's receiver configurations.