INCREASED CAPACITY AMMUNITION MAGAZINE

Abstract

Provided is an increased capacity firearm ammunition magazine with a metallic body. The body is dimensioned to compatibly replace a (OEM) polymer or polymer over metal single stack magazine. The body has walls with exterior dimensions compatibly matching those of the OEM magazine and that are thinner than those of the OEM magazine. The thinner walls allow an at least partially laterally offset arrangement of cartridges therein. A longitudinal exterior ridge extends along a forward wall of the body and is configured from the metallic body walls and sized to compensate for forward-to-aft dimensioning difference compared to that of the OEM magazine.

Claims

1. An increased capacity firearm ammunition magazine, comprising: a metallic body dimensioned to compatibly replace a (OEM) polymer or polymer over metal single stack magazine, the body having walls with exterior dimensions compatibly matching those of the OEM magazine and walls that are thinner than those of the OEM magazine, the thinner walls allowing an at least partially laterally offset arrangement of cartridges therein; and a longitudinal exterior ridge extending along a forward wall of the body, the ridge configured from the metallic body walls and sized to compensate for forward-to-aft dimensioning difference compared to that of the OEM magazine.

2. The ammunition magazine of claim 1, wherein the body has an interior width dimension that is greater than, and forward-to-aft interior dimension that is substantially the same as, that of the OEM magazine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various drawing figures, wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a front slightly askew view of a fully loaded, increased capacity ammunition magazine according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the magazine body shown in phantom;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a similar thereof with the ammunition cartridges removed;

[0015] FIG. 3 an isometric view of an increased capacity ammunition magazine according to an embodiment of the present invention empty and with the follower raised;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a side sectional view thereof;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view with the follower lowered;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a rear longitudinal sectional view with a single round of ammunition loaded;

[0019] FIG. 7 a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

[0020] FIG. 8 is a top view taken substantially along line 8-8 of FIG. 5;

[0021] FIG. 9 a rear longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along line 9-9 of FIG. 4 in which the magazine is filled with cartridges;

[0022] FIG. 10 is an enlarged rear sectional view of the top portion of the magazine with two cartridges remaining;

[0023] FIG. 11 is a similar rear sectional view with one cartridge remaining; and

[0024] FIG. 12 is a similar rear sectional view with no cartridges remaining.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] With reference to the drawing figures, this section describes particular embodiments and their detailed construction and operation. Throughout the specification, reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “some embodiments” means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the described features, structures, and characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In view of the disclosure herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, or the like. In some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or not described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments. “Forward” indicates the direction of the muzzle and the direction in which projectiles are fired, while “rearward” indicates the opposite direction. “Lateral” or “transverse” indicates a side-to-side direction generally perpendicular to the axis of the barrel. Although firearms may be used in any orientation, “left” and “right” will generally indicate the sides according to the user's orientation, “top” or “up” will be the upward direction when the firearm is gripped in the ordinary manner.

[0026] Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, therein is shown a detachable box magazine 10 for a handgun according to one embodiment of the present invention. the Like other box magazines, it includes a generally tubular body 12 having an open upper end 14 (also known as the “mouth”) with feed lips 16 that hold an ammunition cartridge 18 in place for feeding when the magazine 10 is inserted into a firearm. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the tube is shown in phantom so that the cartridges (FIG. 1) and follower 24 can be seen. A bottom end 20 of the body 12 is also open and accepts attachment of a base pad 22 or other removable closure member. According to one aspect of this embodiment, the magazine body 12 is formed of sheet metal material, such as steel, that will provide sufficient strength at a minimum of thickness. Typically, the body 12 is formed by stamping (or roll forming) with a longitudinal seam (not shown). The body 12 may include one or more cut-outs 26 that allow the magazine 10 to be retained by a magazine catch (not shown) in the magazine well of the firearm.

[0027] The illustrated embodiment is intended to replace a single stack or only slightly offset type magazine having walls made of a thinker, polymer material, but with corresponding exterior dimensions so that it may be substituted and function otherwise identically in the same firearm. The illustrated magazine 10 is dimensioned for a Glock 43X handgun, which holds 9×19 mm cartridges (also known as 9 mm Parabellum or 9 mm Luger) and replaces a ten-round polymer magazine with one that holds fifteen rounds in the same overall space. The present invention may be adapted to provide increased ammunition capacity replacing a single stack or slightly staggered row polymer magazine for most any caliber or model.

[0028] Referring now also to FIG. 9, the body 14 holds a staggered or laterally offset row of cartridges 18, each situated substantially parallel to each other. At the bottom of the row of cartridges 18 is a follower 24 that is spring-biased toward the upper end 14 of the body 12. For clarity, the well-known compression spring is not shown, but would be compressed within the body 12 between the follower 24 and base pad 22 or other bottom closure member. As is well known, the spring-biased follower 24 will push the row(s) of cartridges 18 toward the upper end 14 and feed lips 16 as cartridges 18 are removed manually, or by cycling of the firearm's bolt/slide.

[0029] In a single stack magazine, the follower has a flat, generally laterally symmetric surface that bears against the cartridge. As shown in FIGS. 7-11, the follower 24 is laterally asymmetric so that the cartridge 18d against which it bears will be shifted to one side (in the illustrated embodiment, the right side) as additional cartridges 18 are loaded, causing subsequent cartridges 18 loaded into the magazine 10 to position themselves in this staggered or offset alignment. The follower 24 may be hollow and open to the bottom to reduce weight and material and/or to partially receive the internal magazine spring (not shown).

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 9-11, the cartridge 18a positioned against the feed lips 16 is substantially centered, the second-in-line cartridge 18b rides against an angled wall of the body 12 toward the center, while all of the remaining cartridges 18c are in an alternating staggered or at least partially offset positions. Unlike other magazine designs having a neck portion in which at least a second-in-line cartridge is also centered directly below the top cartridge, the present invention maximizes capacity by centering only the top cartridge and partially centering the second-in-line cartridge 18b. Magazines with a narrowed neck may also require an elongated follower, which sacrifices capacity. As shown in FIG. 11, when only one cartridge 18a remains in the magazine 10, the laterally converging walls at the upper end 14 of the body 12 center the cartridge 18 between the feed lips 16 and the raised platform area 25 of the follower 24 holds it in place.

[0031] Referring now also to FIG. 12, when the magazine 10 is empty, the follower 24 seats in the converging upper end 14 of the body 12. A notch 28 at the forward edge of the follower 24 may be provided to engage a slide or bolt catch, causing the action to remain open after the last round is discharged in a well-known manner.

[0032] The magazine 10 of the present invention provides increased capacity with a width dimension identical to that of the prior art single stack (or slightly staggered) magazine by utilizing thinner metallic walls that correspond to the exterior dimension of the lower-capacity magazine it replaces and staggering or offsetting all of the cartridges 18 below the upper most round without utilizing a narrowed neck region. The reduction in wall thickness provides the increased interior width needed to accommodate the increased capacity of cartridges, but it creates a problem of too much space in the forward/aft direction. If the cartridges are allowed to shift forward in the magazine tube/body, they will not be positioned to correctly or reliably feed from the lips. If the forward wall is set in to correctly guide the position of the cartridges, then the magazine will fit too loosely in the magazine well of the firearm.

[0033] As best seen in FIGS. 3, 7, and 8, according to one embodiment of the invention, a forwardly projecting longitudinal ridge 32 is formed in the forward wall 30 of the metallic body 12. The ridge 32 can be stamped or roll formed into the metal as it is formed into the shape of the body 12. The forward wall 30 is positioned (in the fore/aft direction) to correctly guide the cartridges 18 and follower 24 and the ridge 32 guides the magazine body 12 to be correctly spaced in the magazine well (indicated with dash-dot line 34 in FIG. 8). This laterally centered position of the ridge 32 does not interfere with the feeding of the cartridges 18 or movement of the follower 24. The length of the ridge depends on what is necessary to adequately support the seated magazine 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the ridge 32 extends all the way to the tope end 14 of the body 12, but it stops slightly short of the bottom end 20, where it could interfere with attachment of the base pad 22. If desired, or needed to properly feed, the compensated-for space can be divided between a forward ridge 32 and a ridge (not shown) in the rear wall 36 of the body 12. Also if desired, the bottom end 20 of the body 12 could be shaped to mimic that of the OEM polymer or polymer over metal magazine so that an OEM base plate or extension (not shown) could be used.

[0034] While one or more embodiments of the present invention have 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. Therefore, the foregoing is intended only to be illustrative of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be included and considered to fall within the scope of the invention, defined by the following claim or claims.