IP Library Granted Patent US 9,702,645
Granted Patent B2
US 9,702,645 · App. 15/292,513 · Granted Jul 11, 2017

Weapon magazine

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,702,645
App. No.
15/292,513
Granted
Jul 11, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method for using a firearm magazine are described. One example includes a firearm magazine assembly. The assembly has a housing defining a cartridge track, the housing having a distal end having feed lips for feeding cartridges to a firearm and a proximal end. The assembly also has a follower assembly having a follower and a spring. The follower has a proximal side and a distal side and is movable between a compressed position and an extended position. The follower engages the housing in the extended position without biasing the feed lips away from each other, whereby the follower prevents creep of the distal end of the housing when the follower is in the extended position.

Claims (73)

1. A firearm magazine assembly, comprising:

a housing defining a cartridge track, the housing having a distal end comprising feed lips for feeding cartridges to a firearm and a proximal end, and at least two shelves; and

a follower assembly comprising a follower and a spring, the follower having a proximal side and a distal side and movable between a compressed position and an extended position, the follower further configured to engage the housing in the extended position, the follower further comprising at least two angled surfaces shaped to engage the at least two shelves when the follower is in the extended position, a pitch axis, a yaw axis, and a roll axis; wherein

at least one of the at least two angled surfaces is parallel to a first plane, the first plane crossing a single point on the pitch axis of the follower and two points on the roll axis of the follower.

2. The magazine assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the follower is configured to prevent the spring from forcing the follower against the feed lips.

3. The magazine assembly of claim 2 , wherein:

the at least two angled surfaces are shaped to pull the housing towards the follower when the at least two angled surfaces engage the one or more shelves in the housing.

4. The magazine assembly of claim 2 ; wherein:

the follower has a longitudinal axis associated with a travel path of the follower relative to the housing; and

the at least two angled surfaces are each angled relative to a follower horizontal, the follower horizontal defined by a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

5. The magazine assembly of claim 4 , wherein:

at least one of the at least two angled surfaces is parallel to a second plane, the second plane crossing a single point on the roll axis of the follower and two points on the pitch axis of the follower.

6. The magazine assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

a first of the at least two angled surfaces is parallel to the first plane;

a second of the at least two angled surfaces is parallel to a third plane, the third plane crossing a single point on the pitch axis of the follower and two points on the roll axis of the follower; and

the first and the second of the at least two angled surfaces are on opposing sides of the follower.

7. The magazine assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the magazine assembly further comprises a floorplate removably engaged with the proximal end of the housing, and an insert comprising an insert release; wherein

the floorplate comprises a release passage;

the insert release comprises a resilient material, and is shaped to interference fit an interior portion of the insert; and

the insert release and the release passage are shaped to enable disengagement of the insert from the floorplate using a 9×19 mm Parabellum cartridge.

8. The magazine assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the magazine assembly further comprises a floorplate removably engaged with the proximal end of the housing, and an insert;

the insert comprises an insert release; and

the floorplate comprises a release passage; and wherein

the insert release comprises a resilient material, and is shaped to interference fit an interior portion of the insert; and

the insert release and the release passage are shaped to enable disengagement of the insert from the floorplate using one of a 9×19 mm Parabellum cartridge, a similarly blunt-nosed cartridge, or a similarly blunt-nosed improvised tool.

9. The magazine assembly of claim 8 , wherein:

the insert release is substantially made of a resilient material.

10. The magazine assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the distal end of the housing comprises a cartridge loading guide configured to align a rim of a cartridge being loaded to with a case of a previously-loaded cartridge.

11. The magazine assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the magazine assembly is configured to feed one of:

9×19 mm Parabellum cartridges, similarly blunt-nosed pistol cartridges, or similarly blunt-nosed cartridges.

12. The magazine assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the housing comprises a relief for allowing a trigger bar to function when the magazine assembly is installed in a weapon.

13. The magazine assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the feed lips are made of a polymeric material.

14. A method of using a firearm magazine assembly, the firearm magazine assembly comprising a housing and a follower assembly, the housing defining a cartridge track, the housing having a distal end comprising feed lips for feeding cartridges to a firearm and a proximal end, the follower assembly comprising a follower and a spring, the follower having a proximal side and a distal side and movable between a compressed position and an extended position,

the follower further comprising at least two angled surfaces shaped to engage the at least two shelves when the follower is in the extended position, a pitch axis, a yaw axis, and a roll axis, wherein at least one of the at least two angled surfaces is parallel to a first plane, the first plane crossing a single point on the pitch axis of the follower and two points on the roll axis of the follower; the method comprising:

causing the follower to engage the housing when the follower is in the extended position; and

causing the follower to engage the housing without biasing the feed lips away from each other when the follower is in the extended position, whereby the follower prevents creep of the distal end of the housing when the follower is in the extended position.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

allowing the at least two angled surfaces in the follower to engage one or more shelves in the housing to preclude the spring from forcing a loaded cartridge against the feed lips.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

causing the follower to engage the housing to pull the housing towards the follower when the follower assembly is in the extended position.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising at least one of:

disengaging the insert from the floorplate using a 9×19 mm Parabellum cartridge, a similarly blunt-nosed improvised too, or a similarly blunt-nosed cartridge; or

disengaging the insert from the floorplate using a blunt-nosed improvised tool.

18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

engaging a cartridge loading guide of the housing while loading a cartridge to align a rim of the cartridge being loaded with a case of a previously-loaded cartridge.

19. The method of claim 14 , wherein:

the feed lips of the housing are made of a polymeric material.

20. A follower for a firearm magazine assembly, comprising:

a proximal side and a distal side;

at least two angled surfaces shaped to engage at least two shelves in a magazine housing;

a pitch axis;

a yaw axis; and

a roll axis; wherein

at least one of the at least two angled surfaces is parallel to a first plane, the first plane crossing a single point on the pitch axis of the follower and two points on the roll axis of the follower; and wherein

the follower is further configured to engage a housing in a magazine assembly without biasing feed lips in the housing away from each other, whereby the follower prevents creep of the distal end of the housing.

21. The follower of claim 20 , wherein:

the at least two angled surfaces are shaped to pull the housing towards the follower when the at least two angled surfaces engage the one or more shelves in the housing.

22. The follower of claim 21 ; wherein:

the follower has a longitudinal axis associated with a travel path of the follower relative to the housing; and

the at least two angled surfaces are each angled relative to a follower horizontal, the follower horizontal defined by a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

23. The follower of claim 22 , wherein:

at least one of the at least two angled surfaces is parallel to a second plane, the second plane crossing a single point on the roll axis of the follower and two points on the pitch axis of the follower.

24. The follower of claim 20 , wherein:

a first of the at least two angled surfaces is parallel to the first plane;

a second of the at least two angled surfaces is parallel to a third plane, the third plane crossing a single point on the pitch axis of the follower and two points on the roll axis of the follower; and

the first and the second of the at least two angled surfaces are on opposing sides of the follower.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 23, 2022
From: MAGPUL INDUSTRIES CORP.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061749/0859 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2021
From: GLADSTONE CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: MAGPUL INDUSTRIES CORP.
Reel/Frame 055556/0782 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 1, 2020
From: MAGPUL INDUSTRIES CORP.
To: GLADSTONE CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 052554/0668 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2019
From: MAGPUL INDUSTRIES CORP.
To: SUNTRUST BANK
Reel/Frame 048328/0868 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2016
From: NAKAYAMA, BRIAN L.; FIESTER, JEREMY; KIELSMEIER, NICHOLAS; MAYBERRY, MICHAEL T.
To: MAGPUL INDUSTRIES CORP
Reel/Frame 040349/0786 →