Auto-Releasing Method and Arrangement of Detachable Magazine for Firearm

Abstract

An auto-releasing method and arrangement of a detachable magazine for a firearm is provided. The auto-releasing arrangement is able to physically remind the operator that it is the right time to replace the magazine and to continue fire without having to performing a series of magazine reloading operations to reset the firearm into the fire mode, wherein the magazine will automatically be released and removed from the magazine receiving cavity of the firearm. In other words, the operator can simply insert another loaded magazine into the magazine receiving cavity while the firearm still has at least one cartridge chambered for firing, so that the time cost on performing such operations can substantially be saved to increase the survival probability during a gunfight or the like.

Claims

1. A magazine for a firearm having a magazine receiving cavity and comprising a magazine catch mechanism for locking said magazine inserted in the magazine receiving cavity in position, wherein said magazine comprises: a magazine casing having a cartridge chamber therein adapted for receiving one or more cartridges and a cartridge opening communicating with said cartridge chamber to allow the cartridges feeding in and out therethrough; a cartridge follower housed in said cartridge chamber; a resilient element housed in said cartridge chamber and extended between a base of said magazine casing and said cartridge follower for providing a resilient force against said cartridge follower towards said cartridge opening, thereby the cartridges fed in said cartridge chamber are guided one after one between said cartridge follower and said cartridge opening that maintains an uppermost cartridge of said cartridges housed in said magazine at a position of said cartridge opening; and an auto-releasing arrangement comprising an actuator mounted in said cartridge chamber of said magazine casing in such a manner that said actuator is driven to move up and down along with a movement of said cartridge follower, wherein when said cartridge follower is moved by said resilient element to an uppermost position and adjacent to said cartridge opening while the last cartridge of the cartridges housed in said cartridge chamber is chambered and loaded in the firearm and leaving said magazine having no cartridge therein, said actuator actuates the magazine catch of the firearm to unlock and release said magazine for removal from the firearm, wherein said actuator is an elongated resilient element having an upper end affixed to a lower portion of said cartridge follower and a lower end extended downwardly, wherein said actuator further comprises a protrusion member integrally and outwardly protruded at said lower end thereof.

2. The magazine, as recited in claim 1, wherein said actuator is extended in a gap formed between an inner wall of said magazine casing and said resilient element.

3. The magazine, as recited in claim 2, wherein said magazine casing has at least a magazine catch slot provided at a side thereof, wherein when said protrusion member is positioned below said magazine catch slot, said protrusion member is pressed by said inner wall of said magazine casing to slightly bend inwardly.

4. The magazine, as recited in claim 1, wherein said magazine casing has at least a magazine catch slot provided at a side thereof and said protrusion member is protruded at a position configured to enable said protrusion member extending in said magazine catch slot adapted for depressing a magazine catch of the firearm away from said magazine catch slot to release said magazine from the magazine receiving cavity of the firearm when the last cartridge in said cartridge chamber is chambered.

5. The magazine, as recited in claim 2, wherein said magazine casing has at least a magazine catch slot provided at a side thereof and said protrusion member is protruded at a position configured to enable said protrusion member extending in said magazine catch slot adapted for depressing a magazine catch of the firearm away from said magazine catch slot to release said magazine from the magazine receiving cavity of the firearm when the last cartridge in said cartridge chamber is chambered.

6. The magazine, as recited in claim 3, wherein said protrusion member is protruded at a position configured to enable said protrusion member extending in said magazine catch slot adapted for depressing a magazine catch of the firearm away from said magazine catch slot to release said magazine from the magazine receiving cavity of the firearm when the last cartridge in said cartridge chamber is chambered.

7. A magazine for a firearm having a magazine receiving cavity and comprising a magazine catch mechanism for locking said magazine inserted in the magazine receiving cavity in position, wherein said magazine comprises: a magazine casing having a cartridge chamber therein adapted for receiving one or more cartridges and a cartridge opening communicating with said cartridge chamber to allow the cartridges feeding in and out therethrough; a cartridge follower housed in said cartridge chamber; a resilient element housed in said cartridge chamber and extended between a base of said magazine casing and said cartridge follower for providing a resilient force against said cartridge follower towards said cartridge opening, thereby the cartridges fed in said cartridge chamber are guided one after one between said cartridge follower and said cartridge opening that maintains an uppermost cartridge of said cartridges housed in said magazine at a position of said cartridge opening, wherein said magazine casing has at least a magazine catch slot provided at a side thereof; and an auto-releasing arrangement comprising an actuator mounted in said cartridge chamber of said magazine casing in such a manner that said actuator is driven to move up and down along with a movement of said cartridge follower, wherein said actuator has a cambered outer surface relative to said magazine catch slot and is integrally and protrudedly formed at a side wall of a lower portion of the cartridge follower, wherein when said cartridge follower is moved by said resilient element to an uppermost position and adjacent to said cartridge opening while the last cartridge of the cartridges housed in said cartridge chamber is chambered and loaded in the firearm and leaving said magazine having no cartridge therein, said actuator actuates the magazine catch of the firearm to unlock and release said magazine for removal from the firearm.

8. The magazine, as recited in claim 7, wherein when said cartridge follower is moved by said resilient element to an uppermost position and adjacent to said cartridge opening while the last cartridge of the cartridges housed in said cartridge chamber is chambered and loaded in the firearm and leaving said magazine having no cartridge therein, said actuator is aligned with and extended into said magazine catch slot for depressing a magazine catch of the firearm away from said magazine catch slot to release said magazine from the magazine receiving cavity of the firearm when the last cartridge in said cartridge chamber is chambered.

9. The magazine, as recited in claim 9, wherein said actuator is an elongated resilient element having an upper end affixed to a lower portion of said cartridge follower and a lower end extended downwardly, wherein said actuator further comprises a protrusion member integrally and outwardly protruded at said lower end thereof.

10. The magazine, as recited in claim 8, wherein said actuator is extended in a gap formed between an inner wall of said magazine casing and said resilient element.

11. The magazine, as recited in claim 9, wherein said actuator is extended in a gap formed between an inner wall of said magazine casing and said resilient element.

12. The magazine, as recited in claim 10, wherein when said cambered outer surface of said actuator is positioned below said magazine catch slot, said protrusion member is pressed by said inner wall of said magazine casing to slightly bend inwardly.

13. The magazine, as recited in claim 11, wherein when said protrusion member is positioned below said magazine catch slot, said protrusion member is pressed by said inner wall of said magazine casing to slightly bend inwardly.

14. The magazine, as recited in claim 8, wherein said actuator is an elongated element having at least an upper guider protruded sidewardly at an upper portion of a side thereof and at least a lower guider protruded sidewardly at a lower portion of the same side having said upper guider.

15. The magazine, as recited in claim 14, wherein said actuator further has an elongated longitudinal groove extended between said upper portion and said lower portion thereof.

16. The magazine, as recited in claim 14, wherein said actuator comprises at least a protrusion member sidewardly protruded at the same side having said upper guider and said lower guider, wherein positions of said actuator and said protrusion member are configured to enable said protrusion member extending in said magazine catch slot for depressing the magazine catch away from said magazine catch slot to release said magazine from the magazine receiving cavity when the last cartridge in said cartridge chamber is chambered.

17. The magazine, as recited in claim 15, wherein said cambered outer surface of said actuator is sidewardly protruded at the same side having said upper guider and said lower guider, wherein positions of said actuator and said cambered outer surface of said actuator are configured to enable said cambered outer surface of said actuator extending in said magazine catch slot for depressing the magazine catch away from said magazine catch slot to release said magazine from the magazine receiving cavity when the last cartridge in said cartridge chamber is chambered.

18. The magazine, as recited in claim 14, wherein said actuator is slidably mounted and extended in a gap formed between an inner wall of said magazine casing and said resilient element.

19. The magazine, as recited in claim 15, wherein said actuator is slidably mounted and extended in a gap formed between an inner wall of said magazine casing and said resilient element.

20. The magazine, as recited in claim 16, wherein said actuator is slidably mounted and extended in a gap formed between an inner wall of said magazine casing and said resilient element.

21. The magazine, as recited in claim 17, wherein said cartridge follower further comprises at least a driver member protruded therefrom, corresponding to said upper guider and said lower guider of said actuator, and configured for moving between said upper guider and said lower guider, such that when said magazine is loaded with the cartridge, said cartridge follower is pressed down by the cartridges to position in a lower position in said cartridge chamber, wherein said driver member of said cartridge follower which is moving downwards reaches and pushes against said lower guider to drive said actuator to move downwards together, wherein said cambered outer surface of said actuator is moved to position below said magazine catch slot while said cambered outer surface of said actuator is pressed by said inner wall of said magazine casing inwardly while said cambered outer surface of said actuator is lightly moved towards said longitudinal groove, wherein when one or more cartridges in said cartridge chamber is discharged, said resilient element drives said cartridge follower to move upwards until said cambered outer surface of said actuator reaches said upper guider, and then a further upward movement of said cartridge follower drives said actuator to move upwards together while the magazine catch of the firearm is remained being engaged with said magazine catch slot, wherein when there is only the last cartridge positioned at an uppermost position of said cartridge chamber and adjacent to said cartridge opening, said actuator is driven by said cartridge follower upwards to a position that said cambered outer surface of said actuator is positioned right below said magazine catch slot, wherein when the last cartridge is chambered, said cartridge follower is further upwardly pushed by said resilient element to said cartridge opening of said magazine casing, wherein said cambered outer surface of said actuator is driven by said cartridge follower to a position right at said magazine catch slot for depressing the magazine catch to release said magazine from the magazine receiving cavity of the firearm.

22. The magazine, as recited in claim 19, wherein said cartridge follower further comprises at least a driver member protruded therefrom, corresponding to said upper guider and said lower guider of said actuator, and configured for moving between said upper guider and said lower guider, such that when said magazine is loaded with the cartridge, said cartridge follower is pressed down by the cartridges to position in a lower position in said cartridge chamber, wherein said driver member of said cartridge follower which is moving downwards reaches and pushes against said lower guider to drive said actuator to move downwards together, wherein said cambered outer surface of said actuator s moved to position below said magazine catch slot while said cambered outer surface of said actuator is pressed by said inner wall of said magazine casing inwardly while said cambered outer surface of said actuator is lightly moved towards said longitudinal groove, wherein when one or more cartridges in said cartridge chamber is discharged, said resilient element drives said cartridge follower to move upwards until said cambered outer surface of said actuator reaches said upper guider, and then a further upward movement of said cartridge follower drives said actuator to move upwards together while the magazine catch of the firearm is remained being engaged with said magazine catch slot, wherein when there is only the last cartridge positioned at an uppermost position of said cartridge chamber and adjacent to said cartridge opening, said actuator is driven by said cartridge follower upwards to a position that said cambered outer surface of said actuator is positioned right below said magazine catch slot, wherein when the last cartridge is chambered, said cartridge follower is further upwardly pushed by said resilient element to said cartridge opening of said magazine casing, wherein said cambered outer surface of said actuator is driven by said cartridge follower to a position right at said magazine catch slot for depressing the magazine catch to release said magazine from the magazine receiving cavity of the firearm.

23. The magazine, as recited in claim 20, wherein said cartridge follower further comprises at least a driver member protruded therefrom, corresponding to said upper guider and said lower guider of said actuator, and configured for moving between said upper guider and said lower guider, such that when said magazine is loaded with the cartridge, said cartridge follower is pressed down by the cartridges to position in a lower position in said cartridge chamber, wherein said driver member of said cartridge follower which is moving downwards reaches and pushes against said lower guider to drive said actuator to move downwards together, wherein said protrusion member is moved to position below said magazine catch slot while said protrusion member is pressed by said inner wall of said magazine casing inwardly while said protrusion member is lightly moved towards said longitudinal groove, wherein when one or more cartridges in said cartridge chamber is discharged, said resilient element drives said cartridge follower to move upwards until said protrusion member of said actuator reaches said upper guider, and then a further upward movement of said cartridge follower drives said actuator to move upwards together while the magazine catch of the firearm is remained being engaged with said magazine catch slot, wherein when there is only the last cartridge positioned at an uppermost position of said cartridge chamber and adjacent to said cartridge opening, said actuator is driven by said cartridge follower upwards to a position that said protrusion member is positioned right below said magazine catch slot, wherein when the last cartridge is chambered, said cartridge follower is further upwardly pushed by said resilient element to said cartridge opening of said magazine casing, wherein said protrusion member of said actuator is driven by said cartridge follower to a position right at said magazine catch slot for depressing the magazine catch to release said magazine from the magazine receiving cavity of the firearm.

24. An auto-releasing method of a magazine for a firearm, comprising the steps of: (a) driving an actuator to move along with a movement of a cartridge follower mounted in a cartridge chamber of a magazine casing of the magazine and supported by a resilient element housed in the cartridge chamber and extended between a base of the magazine casing and the cartridge follower; and (b) actuating a magazine catch of the firearm which is configured to lock the magazine inserted in a magazine receiving cavity of the firearm in position to unlock and release the magazine for removal from the magazine receiving cavity while a last cartridge of one or more cartridges housed in the magazine casing is leaving the magazine and chambered and loaded in the firearm for firing, such that an operator of the firearm is able to detach the empty magazine and replace another loaded magazine in the magazine receiving cavity of the firearm while there is still one cartridge being chambered and ready for firing.

25. The auto-releasing method, as recited in claim 24, after the step (b), further comprising a step (c) of generating a snap sound at the time when the last cartridge in the magazine is chambered and the magazine catch is released by the actuator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a firearm, which is embodied as a rifle, according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the firearm when the magazine is fully detached from the magazine receiving cavity of the firearm according to the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a magazine of the firearm according to the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the magazine, illustrating the relationship between the magazine catch and the magazine loaded with cartridges, according to the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the magazine, illustrating the relationship between the magazine catch and the magazine when only one cartridge remained in the magazine, according to the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the magazine, illustrating the relationship between the magazine catch and the magazine after the last cartridge of the magazine is chambered and leaving no cartridge in the magazine, according to the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the firearm when the last cartridge of the magazine is chambered loaded into a firing chamber and the magazine is initially released from the magazine receiving cavity of the firearm according to the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a firearm, which is embodied as a pistol, according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the firearm when the magazine is fully detached from the magazine receiving cavity of the firearm.

[0040] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a magazine of the firearm according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the magazine, illustrating the relative relationship between the magazine catch and the magazine loaded with cartridges, according to the above second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the magazine, illustrating the relative relationship between the magazine catch and the magazine when only one cartridge remained in the magazine, according to the above second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the magazine, illustrating the relative relationship between the magazine catch and the magazine after the last cartridge of the magazine is chambered and leaving no cartridge in the magazine, according to the above second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the firearm when the last cartridge of the magazine is loaded into a firing chamber and the magazine is initially released from the magazine receiving cavity of the firearm.

[0045] FIG. 15 is an exploded view of an alternative mode of the detachable magazine of the firearm of the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the alternative mode of the magazine of the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the relationship between the magazine catch and the magazine loaded with cartridges.

[0047] FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the alternative mode of the magazine of the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the relationship between the magazine catch and the magazine when only one cartridge remained in the magazine.

[0048] FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the alternative mode of the magazine of the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the relationship between the magazine catch and the magazine after the last cartridge of the magazine is chambered and leaving no cartridge in the magazine.

[0049] FIG. 19 is an exploded view of an alternative mode of the detachable magazine of the firearm according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the alternative mode of the magazine of the above second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the relative relationship between the magazine catch and the magazine loaded with cartridges.

[0051] FIG. 21 is a sectional view of the alternative mode of the magazine of the above second preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the relative relationship between the magazine catch and the magazine when only one cartridge remained in the magazine.

[0052] FIG. 22 is a sectional view of the alternative model of the magazine of the above second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the relative relationship between the magazine catch and the magazine after the last cartridge of the magazine is chambered and leaving no cartridge in the magazine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0053] The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments are provided in the following description only as examples and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined in the following description would be applied to other embodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8 of the drawings, a detachable magazine 20, 20 with auto-releasing arrangement for a firearm 10, which is embodied as a rifle according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Referring to FIGS. 8 to 14 of the drawings, the firearm 10 is embodied as a pistol according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The firearm, both the rifle 10 and the pistol 10 as embodied in the first and second preferred embodiments respectively, is configured for performing firing operation has a magazine receiving cavity 12, 12 configured and arranged for receiving the magazine 20, 20 of the present invention therein for supplying ammunition cartridges 30, 30 for the firearm 10, 10 to fire.

[0055] In particular, the magazine 20, 20 in the present invention is distinguished from the conventional magazine that comprises the auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210 allows an operator at the time that the last round of cartridge 30, 30 in the magazine 20, 20 is chambered in the firearm 10, 10 physically, the magazine 20, 20 automatically releases from the firearm 10, 10 for removal such that the operator is able to reload another loaded magazine 20, 20 while the firearm 10, 10 is still at a firing mode, which is not only able to carry cartridges 30, 30 for the firearm 10, 10 but also is capable of physically informing the state of the magazine 20, 20 to the operator during shooting.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 8 of the drawings, the firearm, as a rifle 10 or a pistol 10 generally comprising an upper receiver, a barrel, a fire mechanism, an upper receiver, a bolt assembly, a bolt catch, and other necessary assemblies as those of conventional rifles and pistol, provides the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12 for receiving the magazine 20 therein and a magazine release button 13, 13 for locking the magazine 20, 20 in position in the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12. The bolt catch is arranged to selectively control the bolt assembly to lock or unlock to a firing chamber 11, 11 which is adapted for receiving a cartridge 30, 30 in ready-to-fire position. As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 8, and FIG. 11, the magazine release button 13, 13 configured on a side of the firearm 10, 10 is linked with a magazine catch 131, 131 provided in the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12, wherein a resilient member (not shown) is provided between the magazine release button 13, 13 and the magazine catch 131, 131 such that the magazine release button 13, 13 is retained by the resilient member to protruded out of the firearm 10, 10 while the magazine catch 131, 131 is configured to removably retain the magazine 20, 20 in the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12. When the magazine release button 13, 131 is actuated, for example being pressed down by the operator, the magazine catch 131, 131 is driven to release the retaining of the magazine 20, 20 in the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12.

[0057] In order to fire the rifle 10 or pistol 10, the magazine 20, 20 loaded with a predetermined number of cartridges 30, 30 is inserted into the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12 of the firearm 10, 10 and a series of corresponding operations should be performed to load the uppermost cartridge 30, 30 of the cartridges 30, 30 loaded in the magazine 20, 20 into the firing chamber 11, 11 of the firearm 10, 10 properly. In particular, after the firearm 10, 20 is discharged, the bolt assembly automatically moves rearwards due to the recoil force from the firing which allows a spent cartridge casing to be ejected and another uppermost cartridge 30, 30 in the magazine 20, 20 to be uploaded from magazine 20, 20 and chambered in the firing chamber 11, 11 by means of, for example, a recoil spring which automatically returns the bolt assembly forward and pushes and loads the cartridge 30, 30 into the firing chamber 11, 11. Then the bolt assembly is also retractable which cocks the hammer and initially readies the firearm 10, 10 for semi-automatic operation. Accordingly, no matter the rifle or the pistol a semi-automatic or an automatic firearm, the firearm 10, 10 would not generate any signals to inform the state of the magazine 20, 20, such as whether the magazine 20, 20 is empty or not, until the last cartridge 30, 30 of the magazine 20, 20 fed in the firing chamber 11, 11 is fired out. Consequently, when operating the conventional firearm 10, 10 at intensive occasions, such as a gunfight or battle, the operator may not realize the magazine 20, 20 is fully fired out and empty until the firearm 10, 10 is unable to fire mechanically.

[0058] However, as to conventional rifles and pistols, when the magazine 20, 20 is empty and the last cartridge 30, 30 in the firing chamber 11, 11 is fired out, the operator has to perform a series of reloading operations to replace another loaded magazine 20, 20 with the current empty magazine 20, 20 in the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12. In other words, when there is no cartridge in the firearm 10, 10, the operator is required to actuate the magazine release button 13, 13 provided on a side of the firearm 10, 10 to depress the magazine catch 131, 131 to release the retaining and locking of the empty magazine 20 and to detach and remove the empty magazine 20, 20 from the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12, and then insert another loaded magazine 20, 20 into the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12. Finally, the operator has to depress the slide stop, throwing the slide forward, stripping an uppermost cartridge 30, 30 of the cartridges 30, 30 loaded in the magazine 20, 20 and chambering it in the firing chamber 11, 11 before the operator can fire again. That causes a period of fireless interval during which the operator has no cartridge to fire and is virtually weapon-less and in great danger.

[0059] Accordingly, in order to eliminate such firing blank during replacing magazine, the magazine 20, 20 of the present invention, comprises an auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210 configuring to indicate the state of the magazine 20, 20 physically and to remind the operator to replace the empty magazine 20, 20 with another loaded magazine 20, 20 at the last timing that the last cartridge 30, 30 in the magazine 20, 20 is chambered in ready-to-fire position, so that the operator can replace another loaded magazine 20, 20 while the firearm 10, 10 is still ready for firing. After the new-loaded magazine 20, 20 is replaced and engaged in the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12 of the firearm 10, 10, it is capable of firing continuously again.

[0060] More specifically, as shown in the FIG. 3 and FIG. 10 of the drawings, the magazine 20, 20 of the present invention comprises a magazine casing 21, 21 having a magazine catch slot 24, 24 provided in a side thereof, a cartridge follower 22, 22, a resilient element 25, 25, and the auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210. The magazine casing 21, 21 has a cartridge chamber 232, 232 defined therein and a cartridge opening 233, 233 formed communicating with the cartridge chamber 232, 232 to allow cartridges 30, 30 receiving in and feeding out therethrough. The cartridge follower 22, 22 is mounted in the cartridge chamber 232, 232 and supported by the resilient element 25, 25 which is housed in the cartridge chamber 232, 232 and extended between a base 26, 26 of the magazine casing 21, 21 and the cartridge follower 22, 22 for providing a resilient force against the cartridge follower 22, 22 towards the cartridge opening 233, 233. Accordingly, the cartridges 30, 30 fed in the cartridge chamber 232, 232 are guided one after one between the cartridge follower 22, 22 and the cartridge opening 233, 233 that maintains an uppermost cartridge of the cartridges 30, 30 housed in the magazine 20, 20 at a position of the cartridge opening 233, 233 for loading and chambering into the firing chamber 11, 11 by manually feeding in or by the returning of the bolt assembly forward and pushing to load the uppermost cartridge 30, 30 into the firing chamber 11, 11 during each firing. The magazine catch slot 24, 24 is formed at a side wall of the magazine casing 21, 21 and configured to releasably engage with the magazine catch 131, 131 of the firearm 10, 10 in such a manner to retain the magazine 20, 20 in the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12 in a locking state after the magazine 20, 20 is inserted into the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12 accordingly.

[0061] According to the first and second preferred embodiments of the present invention, the auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210 is provided with the cartridge follower 22, 22 and arranged in such a manner that the auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210 is moved along with the up-and-down movement of the cartridge follower 22, 22. In particular, when the magazine 20, 20 is inserted into the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12 until the magazine catch 131, 131 of the firearm 10, 10 is inserted and retained in the magazine catch slot 24, 24 by the resilient member (not shown) so as to retain and lock the magazine 20, 20 in position, wherein the resilient member will push and retain the magazine catch 131, 131 to be engaged with the magazine catch slot 24, 24 to functionally create an interlock which prevents the magazine 20, 20 from being removed during firing. To release the magazine 20, 20, the operator may manually actuate the magazine release button 13, 13 to compress the resilient member and drive the magazine catch 131, 131 outwardly away from the magazine catch slot 24, 24, so that the magazine catch 131, 131 is disengaged with the magazine catch slot 24, 24 of the magazine 20, 20 to release the locking of the magazine 20, 20 within the magazine receiving cavity 12, 20 for removal of magazine 20, 20.

[0062] According to the first and second preferred embodiments of the present invention, when one or more cartridges 30, 30 are loaded in the magazine 20, 20, as shown in FIGS. 4-5 and FIGS. 11-12, the position of the auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210 is remained lower than the magazine catch slot 24, 24 and thus the magazine 20, 20 remains being retained in the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12 due to the engagement of the magazine catch 131, 131 and the magazine catch slot 24, 24. However, when the last cartridge 30, 30 of the magazine 20, 20 is loaded into the firing chamber 11, 11 of the firearm 10, 10, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 13, the empty magazine 20, 20 is pushed upwards to its uppermost position along with the spring-loaded cartridge follower 22, 22 by the resilient element 25, 25 that the auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210 is driven by the cartridge follower 22, 22 to align with and depress the magazine catch 131, 131 towards and to disengage with the magazine catch slot 24, 24 to release the magazine 20, 20 from the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12. The detaching of the magazine 20, 20 is also a signal informing the operator it is the time to replace another loaded magazine 20, 20.

[0063] It worth mentioning that when the magazine 20, 20 is detached from the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12 by means of the auto-releasing arrangement 21, 21, the last cartridge 30, 30 of the previous magazine 20, 20 is just chambered into the firing chamber 11, 11 in a ready-to-fire mode. In other words, the firearm 10, 10 is still at a firing mode when the auto-releasing arrangement 21, 21 detaches the magazine 20, 20 from the magazine catch 131, 131 of the firearm 10, 10. Therefore, the operator is able to fire while replacing the magazine 20, 20 and continue to fire at once after the empty previous magazine 20, 20 is replaced by another loaded magazine 20, 20.

[0064] According to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 4-6 of the drawings, the auto-releasing arrangement 210 comprises an actuator 211 which is a protrusion member integrally and protrudedly formed at a side wall of a lower portion of the cartridge follower 22. According to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 11-13 of the drawings, the auto-releasing arrangement 210 comprises an actuator 211 which is a protrusion member integrally and protrudedly formed at a side wall of an upper portion of the cartridge follower 22.

[0065] According to the first and second preferred embodiments of the present invention, the actuator 211, 211 is arranged in such a manner that, when the last cartridge 30, 30 of the magazine 20, 20 is loaded into the firing chamber 11, 11 of the firearm 10, 10, the auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210 is moved to align with the magazine catch slot 24, 24 of the magazine 20, 20 and the actuator 211, 211 is just positioned at the magazine catch slot 24, 24 to bias against and depress the magazine catch 131, 131 to disengage with the magazine catch slot 24, 24 so as to release the magazine 20, 20 from the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12 mechanically, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 14. At the same time, the releasing of the magazine 20, 20 from the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12 of the firearm 10, 10 sends an explicit signal to the operator, indicating that the last cartridge 30, 30 of the magazine 20, 20 has been chambered into the firing chamber 11, 11 and it is time to replace the magazine 20, 20 without uninterrupted firing.

[0066] It worth mentioning that a sound of snap is generated as the magazine 20, 20 is released and detached from the magazine catch 131, 131, such that the auto-releasing arrangement 21, 21 further provides an acoustical signal to inform the operator a timing to replace the magazine 20, 20 at the same time, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 14. Therefore, even if the operator is highly focused on on-site observation and shooting, he would be aware of the empty state of the magazine 20, 20 and the right time to replace the magazine 20, 20 through this reminding signal generated by the auto-releasing arrangement 21, 21 of the magazine 20, 20.

[0067] Moreover, according to the first and second preferred embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 10 of the drawings, the actuator 211, 211 has a cambered outer surface 2110, 2110 for ease of the movement of the auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210 relative to the magazine catch slot 24, 24. As mentioned above, when the last cartridge 30, 30 of the magazine 20, 20 is loaded into the firing chamber 11, 11 of the firearm 10, 10, the actuator 211, 211 is aligned with and extended into the magazine catch slot 24, 24 to depress against the magazine catch 131, 131 until the magazine catch 131, 131 disengages the magazine catch slot 24, 24 to release the magazine 20, 20 for removal from the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12. In particular, the cambered outer surface 2110, 2110 of the actuator 211, 211 substantially reduces the friction between the actuator 211, 211 and the inner walls of the magazine catch slot 24, 24, such that the actuator 211, 211 is able to move smoothly in and out of the magazine catch slot 24, 24 to disengage the magazine catch 131, 131.

[0068] In order to further prevent any collision between the auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210 and the magazine catch slot 24, 24, the actuator 211, 211 has a thickness equal to or slight smaller than a height defined between an upper edge 241, 241 and a lower edge 242, 242 of the magazine catch slot 24, 24, such that when the actuator 211, 211 of the auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210 is moved towards the magazine catch slot 24, 24 as the cartridges 30, 30 being loaded and fired out in turns, the portion of the cartridge chamber 232, 232 below the lower edge 242, 242 of the magazine catch slot 24 provides sufficient space for the auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210 to move therebelow without any unwanted collision, and the actuator 211, 211 of the auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210 is blocked by the lower edge 242, 242 of the magazine catch slot 24, as shown in FIGS. 4-6 and FIGS. 11-13 of the drawings.

[0069] Further, as shown in FIGS. 4-6 and FIGS. 11-13 of the drawings, an inner wall of the magazine casing 21, 21 at the portion below the lower edge 242, 242 of the magazine catch slot 24, 24 may be configured as an inclined surface 231, 231 to provided an enlarged gap between the auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210 and the inner wall of the magazine casing 21, 21, for allowing the auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210 to move smoothly within the cartridge chamber 232, 232. In other words, the auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210 and the magazine casing 21, 21 of the magazine 20, 20 are configured without affecting the normal cartridge-loading operation, while the auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210 further functions as a reminder to inform the state of the magazine 20, 20 to the operator timely.

[0070] The detachable magazine 20, 20 of the first and second preferred embodiments as described above is preferred to be configured with the firearm 10, 10 that provides the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12 configured to fittingly receive the magazine 20, 20 accordingly. In order to equip the auto-releasing arrangement of the present invention to the conventional magazine and firearm without any modification of the structure of the magazine, referring to FIGS. 15 to 22, alternative modes of the above first and second preferred embodiments of the present invention are provided.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 15 to 18, an alternative mode of the magazine 20A of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the magazine 20A for the rifle 10 as shown in FIG. 1 is simply constructed as the conventional magazine that comprises the magazine casing 21, which has the cartridge chamber 232 therein, the cartridge opening 233 at one end and the magazine catch slot 24 formed at a middle portion of a side of the magazine casing 21, the cartridge follower 22, the resilient element 25, and the base 26.

[0072] In this alternative mode of the magazine 20A of the first preferred embodiment, the auto-releasing arrangement 210A is modified to comprise an actuator 211A which is an elongated resilient element (such as a metal plate) having an upper end affixed to a lower portion of the cartridge follower 22 and a lower end extended downwardly. The actuator 211A, which is extended in a gap formed between the inner wall of the magazine casing 21 and the resilient element 25. The actuator 211A further comprises a protrusion member 2110A integrally and outwardly protruded at the lower end thereof. The positions of the actuator 211A and its protrusion member 2110A are configured to enable the protrusion member 2110A extending in the magazine catch slot 24 and depressing the magazine catch 131 away from the magazine catch slot 24 to release the magazine 20A from the magazine receiving cavity 12 when the last round of cartridge 30 in the magazine 20A is chambered in the firing chamber 11, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 18.

[0073] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 16, when the magazine 20A is loaded with cartridges 30, the cartridge follower 22 is pressed down by the cartridges 30 to position in a lower position in the cartridge chamber 232 and carries the actuator 211A to a lower position in the cartridge chamber 232 too while the protrusion member 2110A is pressed by the inner wall of the magazine casing 21 inwardly. It is appreciated that since the actuator 211A is made of a thin metal plate, a resilient ability is provided enabling the actuator 211A to be slightly bent inwardly.

[0074] When one or more cartridges 30 in the magazine 20A is discharged, the resilient element 25 drives the cartridge follower 22 to move upwards which carries the actuator 211A to move together. As shown in FIG. 17, when there is a last round of cartridge 30 positioned at the uppermost position of the cartridge chamber 232 of the magazine 20A, i.e. positioned at the cartridge opening 233, the actuator 211A is driven by the cartridge follower 22 to a position right below the magazine catch slot 24 while the magazine catch 131 of the firearm 10 is remained being engaged with the magazine catch slot 24. As shown in FIG. 18, when the last round of cartridge 30 is chambered in the firing chamber 11 of the firearm 10, there is no cartridge 30 left in the magazine 20A and the cartridge follower 22 is further upwardly pushed by the resilient element 25 to the uppermost position, i.e. right at the cartridge opening 233 of the magazine 20A, wherein the actuator 211A is driven by the cartridge follower 22 to actuate to release the magazine 20A from the magazine receiving cavity 12 of the firearm 10. In particular, the protrusion member 2110A of the actuator 211A is driven by the cartridge follower 22 to a position right at the magazine catch slot 24, wherein the resilient force from the inner wall of the magazine casing 21 is released and the protrusion member 2110A pushes out to extend into the magazine catch slot 24 to depress the magazine catch 131 so as to release the engagement between the magazine catch 131 and the magazine catch slot 24, and thus the magazine 20A is released and detached for removal from the magazine receiving cavity 12 of the firearm (rifle) 10, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 18.

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 19 to 22, an alternative mode of the magazine 20B of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the magazine 20B for the pistol 10 as shown in FIG. 8 is simply constructed as the conventional magazine that comprises the magazine casing 21, which has the cartridge chamber 232 therein, the cartridge opening 233 at one end and the magazine catch slot 24 formed at a middle portion of a side of the magazine casing 21, the cartridge follower 22, the resilient element 25, and the base 26.

[0076] In this alternative mode of the magazine 20B of the second preferred embodiment, the auto-releasing arrangement 210B is modified to comprise an actuator 211B which is an elongated element (such as a metal plate) having at least an upper guider 2111B protruded sidewardly at an upper portion of a side thereof and at least a lower guider 2112B protruded sidewardly at a lower portion of the same side having the upper guider 2111B. The actuator 211B further has an elongated longitudinal groove 2113B extended between the upper portion and the lower portion thereof. The actuator 211B, which is slidably mounted and extended in a gap formed between the inner wall of the magazine casing 21 and the resilient element 25, further comprises at least a protrusion member 2110B integrally and sidewardly protruded at the same side having the upper guider 2111B and the lower guider 2112B thereof and positioned between the upper guider 2111B and the lower guider 2112B. The positions of the actuator 211A and its protrusion member 2110A are configured to enable the protrusion member 2110A extending in the magazine catch slot 24 and depressing the magazine catch 131 away from the magazine catch slot 24 to release the magazine 20B from the magazine receiving cavity 12 when the last round of cartridge 30 in the magazine 20B is chambered in firing chamber 11, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 22.

[0077] Corresponding to the upper guider 2111B and lower guider 2112B of the actuator 211B, the cartridge follower 22 also comprises at least a driver member 221B protruded therefrom and configured for moving between the upper guider 2111B and the lower guider 2112B. In addition, the magazine casing 21 further provides a pair of holders 212B, 213B spacedly protruded on an inner surface thereof, which are fittingly positioned in the longitudinal groove 2113B so as to retain and mount the actuator 211B, in an up and down slidable manner, within the gap between the resilient element 25 and the inner wall of the magazine casing 21.

[0078] It is worth mentioning that, for magazine 20B which fit to a pistol 10 for both right-hand user and left-hand user, the magazine catch 131 may be provided at either side of the pistol 10. Accordingly, a pair of magazine catch slots 24 is formed on both sides of the magazine 20 respectively and the actuator 211B has totally a pair of protrusion members 2110B at both sides thereof according to the alternative mode of the second embodiment as shown in FIGS. 19-22.

[0079] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 20, when the magazine 20B is fully loaded with cartridges 30, the cartridge follower 22 is pressed down by the cartridges 30 to position in a bottom position in the cartridge chamber 232, wherein the driver member 221B of the down moving cartridge follower 22 will reach and push against the lower guider 2112B to drive the actuator 211B to move downwards together, so that the protrusion member 2110B is moved to position below the respective magazine catch slot 24 while the protrusion member 2110A is pressed by the inner wall of the magazine casing 21 inwardly. It is appreciated that since the actuator 211A has the longitudinal groove 2113B provided therein, a resilient ability is provided enabling the protrusion member 2110B to be slightly moved towards the longitudinal groove 2113B.

[0080] When one or more cartridges 30 in the magazine 20B is discharged, the resilient element 25 drives the cartridge follower 22 to move upwards until the protrusion member 2110B of the actuator 211B reaches the upper guider 2111B, and then any further upward movement of the cartridge follower 22 will drive the actuator 211B to move upwards together while the magazine catch 131 of the firearm 10 is remained being engaged with the magazine catch slot 24. As shown in FIG. 21, when there is only a last round of cartridge 30 positioned at the uppermost position of the cartridge chamber 232 of the magazine 20B, i.e. positioned at the cartridge opening 233, the actuator 211B is driven by the cartridge follower 22 upwards to a position that the protrusion member 2110B of the actuator 211B is positioned right below the magazine catch slot 24. As shown in FIG. 22, when the last round of cartridge 30 is chambered in the firing chamber 11 of the firearm 10, there is no cartridge 30 left in the magazine 20B and the cartridge follower 22 is further upwardly pushed by the resilient element 25 to the uppermost position, i.e. right at the cartridge opening 233 of the magazine 20B, wherein the actuator 211B is driven by the cartridge follower 22 to actuate to release the magazine 20B from the magazine receiving cavity 12 of the firearm 10. In particular, the protrusion member 2110B of the actuator 211B is driven by the cartridge follower 22 to a position right at the magazine catch slot 24, wherein the resilient force from the inner wall of the magazine casing 21 is released and the protrusion member 2110B pushes out to extend into the magazine catch slot 24 to depress the magazine catch 131 so as to release the engagement between the magazine catch 131 and the magazine catch slot 24, and thus the magazine 20B is released and detached for removal from the magazine receiving cavity 12 of the firearm (pistol) 10, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 22.

[0081] It is worth mentioning that the magazine 20, 20, 20A, 20B comprising the auto-releasing arrangement 210, 210, 210A, 210B of the present invention has a module configuration, such that equipped with various magazine 20, 20, 20A, 20B of the present invention, the rifle or pistol is able to fire uninterruptedly during replacing the magazines 20, 20, 20A, 20B compared with conventional magazine. Moreover, the shape, the size and predetermined loading rounds of cartridge 30 can be modified according to the structure and features of a specific firearm, so long as the magazine 20, 20, 20A, 20B is mated with the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12 of the firearm 10, 10.

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 22 of the drawings, the present invention further discloses an auto-releasing method of the magazine 20, 20, 20A, 20B for the firearm 10, 10 for the operator, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

[0083] (a) driving the actuator 211, 211, 211A, 211B to move along with a movement of the cartridge follower 22, 22 mounted in the cartridge chamber 232, 232 of the magazine casing 21, 21 of the magazine 20, 20, 20A, 20B and supported by the resilient element 25, 25 housed in the cartridge chamber 232, 232 and extended between the base 26, 26 of the magazine casing 21, 21 and the cartridge follower 22, 22; and

[0084] (b) actuating the magazine catch 131, 131 of the firearm 10, 10 which is configured to lock the magazine 20, 20, 20A, 20B inserted in the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12 of the firearm 10, 10 in position to unlock and release the magazine 20, 20, 20A, 20B for removal from the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12 while a last cartridge of one or more cartridges 30, 30 housed in the magazine casing 21, 21 is leaving the magazine 20, 20, 20A, 20B and chambered and loaded in the firearm 10, 10 for firing, such that the operator of the firearm 10, 10 is able to detach the empty magazine 30, 30 and replace another loaded magazine 30, 30 in the magazine receiving cavity 12, 12 of the firearm 10, 10 while there is still one cartridge 30, 30 being chambered and ready for firing.

[0085] In addition, after the step (b) of the auto-releasing method of the present invention, the auto-releasing method further comprises a step (c) of generating a snap sound at the time when the last cartridge 30, 30 in the magazine 20, 20, 20A, 20B is chambered and the magazine catch 131, 131 is released by the actuator 211, 211, 211A, 211B.

[0086] One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

[0087] It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.