Abstract
The invention is an improvement to a typical firearm drum magazine cartridge feeding system. The improvement provides firearm drum magazine feeding systems with features that work together in tandem to actuate a typical firearm bolt catch. The firearm bolt catch is a common feature in many firearms with the purpose of halting the forward momentum of a firearm bolt. By actuating the firearm bolt catch, a firearm operator is aware that a drum magazine is empty of firearm cartridges. The advantage of this improvement is twofold. First, a firearm enthusiast or soldier utilizing a drum magazine with this improvement will enjoy the benefit of not taking an additional step to pull back a firearm bolt before reloading, and any person will enjoy the added safety benefit of knowing when a firearm is unloaded and safe to handle.
Claims
1. A drum magazine bolt catch actuator system for use with a firearm, comprising: A drum magazine; A drum magazine neck slide protruding from a drum magazine neck; A bolt catch actuator slidably disposed about the drum magazine neck slide; A bolt catch actuator engagement face consisting of magnetic material integrated with the bold catch actuator; A main magazine follower; The main magazine follower attached to a multitude of magazine followers driven by a rotational drum magazine body spring; The main magazine follower comprised of a main magazine follower engagement member consisting of magnetic material; whereby the main magazine follower moves across the bolt catch actuator engagement face such that the main magazine follower engagement member magnetically links with the bolt catch actuator engagement face to move the bolt catch actuator toward a firearm bolt catch, the bolt catch actuator contacting and moving the firearm bolt catch to interact with a firearm bolt.
2. The drum magazine bolt catch actuator system according to claim 1, wherein the bolt catch actuator engagement face and main magazine follower engagement member comprise magnetic materials with opposite polarities.
3. The drum magazine bolt catch actuator system according to claim 1, wherein the rotational drum magazine body spring forces the main magazine follower and main magazine follower engagement member within proximity to the bolt catch actuator engagement face.
4. The drum magazine bolt catch actuator system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic material of the bolt catch actuator engagement face may include any type of ferromagnetic, paramagnetic or diamagnetic material.
5. The drum magazine bolt catch actuator system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic material of the main magazine follower engagement member may include any type of ferromagnetic, paramagnetic or diamagnetic material.
6. The drum magazine bolt catch actuator system according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic material of the bolt catch actuator engagement face and main magazine follower engagement member may include any type of ferromagnetic, paramagnetic or diamagnetic material.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
(2) FIG. 1 is a front inside view of a spring body section 1 of a typical drum magazine used for loading ammunition into firearms.
(3) FIG. 2 is a front outside view of a channel body section 2 of a typical drum magazine, with a drum magazine neck slide 7 shown.
(4) FIG. 3 is a front inside view of a channel body section 2 of a typical drum magazine, with a drum magazine neck slide 7 shown in dotted lines.
(5) FIG. 4 is a first embodiment front inside view of a spring body section 1 of a typical drum magazine used for loading ammunition into firearms.
(6) FIG. 5 is a first embodiment front outside view of the channel body section 2 of a typical drum magazine, with a drum magazine neck slide 7 shown.
(7) FIG. 6 is a first embodiment front outside view of the channel body section 2 of a typical drum magazine, with the drum magazine neck slide 7 shown.
(8) FIG. 7 is a first embodiment front inside view of a channel body section 2 of a typical drum magazine, with the drum magazine neck slide 7 shown in dotted lines.
(9) FIG. 8 is a first embodiment outside perspective view of the drum magazine neck 6 of the channel body section 2, of a typical drum magazine.
(10) FIG. 9 is a first embodiment outside perspective view of the drum magazine neck 6 of the channel body section 2, of a typical drum magazine.
(11) FIG. 10 is a first embodiment side view of a typical drum magazine and the drum magazine neck 6 inserted into a typical firearm 18.
(12) FIG. 11 is a first embodiment side view of a typical drum magazine and the drum magazine neck 6 inserted into a typical firearm 18.
(13) FIG. 12 is a second embodiment front inside view of the spring body section 1 of a typical drum magazine used for loading ammunition into firearms.
(14) FIG. 13 is a second embodiment front outside view of the channel body section 2 of a typical drum magazine, with the neck slide 7 shown.
(15) FIG. 14 is a second embodiment front inside view of the channel body section 2 of a typical drum magazine.
(16) FIG. 15 is a second embodiment front inside close-up view of the channel body section 2 of a typical drum magazine.
(17) FIG. 16 is a second embodiment front inside close-up view of the channel body section 2, of a typical drum magazine.
(18) FIG. 17 is a second embodiment outside perspective view of the drum magazine neck 6 of the channel body section 2, of a typical drum magazine.
(19) FIG. 18 is a second embodiment outside perspective view of the drum magazine neck 6 of the channel body section 2, of a typical drum magazine.
(20) FIG. 19 is a second embodiment side view of the drum magazine and the drum magazine neck 6 inserted into a typical firearm 18.
(21) FIG. 20 is a second embodiment side view of the drum magazine and the drum magazine neck 6 inserted into a typical firearm 18.
(22) FIGS. 21A and 21B are piece-part side views of the first and second embodiments of the bolt catch actuator 11 and their associated modes of action.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(23) FIG. 1 is a front inside view of a spring body section 1 of a typical drum magazine used for loading ammunition into firearms. The spring body section 1 may be attachable to a channel body section 2 with screws, bolts, studs, snap-fits or by another means that provides a compression or holding force between the spring body section 1 and the channel body section 2. In the preferred embodiment, the drum magazine, as related to the present invention, is designed for a repeating rifle. Other embodiments may include drum magazines, as related to the present invention, designed for any type of firearm capable of utilizing a drum magazine. In the present invention, the drum magazine in the preferred embodiment contains a clock or spiral spring arm 3 contained within a main drum magazine body 4. The spring arm 3 forces a multitude of magazine followers 5 upward and into a drum magazine neck 6. In other embodiments another type of spring may be integrated into the drum magazine that which may provide the same function. Other embodiments may include another method of forcing a multitude of magazine followers upward and into the drum magazine neck and still remain within the scope of the present invention.
(24) FIG. 2 is a front outside view of a channel body section 2 of a typical drum magazine, with a drum magazine neck slide 7 shown. The channel body section 2 may be attachable to a spring body section 1 with screws, bolts, studs, snap-fits or by another means that provides a compression or holding force between the spring body section 1 and the channel body section 2. The drum magazine neck slide 7 is integrated onto the outside of the drum magazine neck 6. The drum magazine neck slide 7 guides the drum magazine neck 6 into a magazine well of a firearm.
(25) FIG. 3 is a front inside view of a channel body section 2 of a typical drum magazine, with the drum magazine neck slide 7 shown in dotted lines. A drum magazine channel 8 guides the multitude of magazine followers 5 upward and into the drum magazine neck 6.
(26) FIG. 4 is a first embodiment front inside view of a spring body section 1 of a typical drum magazine used for loading ammunition into firearms. Here, a multitude of magazine followers 5 are led by a main magazine follower 9 comprised of a main magazine follower engagement member 10a. In this embodiment, the main magazine follower 9 leads the multitude of magazine followers 5, and makes direct contact with a final ammunition round loaded into the drum magazine. The multitude of magazine followers 5 and main magazine follower 9 are forced into a drum magazine neck 6 by a spring arm 3. In this embodiment the main magazine follower engagement member 10a is a magnetic material that engages with a bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 on a bolt catch actuator 11. In this embodiment, the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 includes an engagement segment 13a made of a magnetic material. The main magazine follower engagement member 10a magnetically engages with the engagement segment 13a of the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 when the spring arm 3 forces the multitude of magazine followers 5 into the drum magazine neck 6. In this embodiment, the main magazine follower engagement member 10a and the engagement segment 13a may be of any type of material capable of producing or being induced with a magnetic field including, but not limited to, typical ferromagnetic, paramagnetic and diamagnetic materials. Additionally, the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 may be comprised of any of these types of magnetic material. Likewise, the bolt catch actuator 11 may be comprised of any of these types of material. In other embodiments, the main magazine follower 9 comprised of the main magazine follower engagement member 10a may be any magazine follower linked to the multitude of magazine followers 5, other than a magazine follower in direct contact with a final ammunition round contained within the drum magazine. In these embodiments, the magazine follower in direct contact with the final ammunition round is considered one of the multitude of magazine followers 5, whereas another magazine follower with the main magazine follower engagement member 10a, is referred to as the main magazine follower 9.
(27) FIG. 5 is a first embodiment front outside view of a channel body section 2 of a typical drum magazine, with a drum magazine neck slide 7 shown. The drum magazine neck slide 7 is integrated onto the outside of the drum magazine neck 6. The drum magazine neck slide 7 guides the drum magazine neck 6 into a magazine well of a firearm. In this embodiment, the bolt catch actuator 11 is slidably disposed within the drum magazine neck slide 7. The bolt catch actuator 11 is shown here in a resting position. The bolt catch actuator 11 is a mechanically separate piece from the drum magazine neck slide 7.
(28) FIG. 6 is the first embodiment front outside view of the channel body section 2 of a typical drum magazine, with the drum magazine neck slide 7 shown. The drum magazine neck slide 7 is integrated onto the outside of the drum magazine neck 6. The drum magazine neck slide 7 guides the drum magazine neck 6 into a magazine well of a firearm. In this embodiment, the bolt catch actuator 11 is slidably disposed within the drum magazine neck slide 7. The bolt catch actuator 11 is shown here in an extended position with a bolt catch actuator arm 14 shown. Here, the bolt catch actuator 11 is mechanically separate from the drum magazine neck slide 7.
(29) FIG. 7 is a first embodiment front inside view of a channel body section 2 of a typical drum magazine, with the drum magazine neck slide 7 shown in dotted lines. A drum magazine channel 8 guides the multitude of magazine followers 5 upward and into the drum magazine neck 6. In this embodiment, the bolt catch actuator 11 is slidably disposed within the drum magazine neck slide 7. The bolt catch actuator 11 is shown here in a resting position. The bolt catch actuator 11 is mechanically separate from the drum magazine neck slide 7. The bolt catch actuator 11 is integrated with the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12. In this embodiment, the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 includes the engagement segment 13a that includes magnetic properties. The magnet may be of any type of material capable of producing or being induced with a magnetic field including, but not limited to, typical ferromagnetic, paramagnetic and diamagnetic materials. The magnet may be of any size and shape capable of fitting within the spatial constraints of the bolt catch actuator 11. The magnet may be of any size and shape capable of magnetically engaging with the main magazine follower engagement member 10a and providing adequate force to move the bolt catch actuator 11 toward a firearm bolt catch 20.
(30) FIG. 8 is a first embodiment outside perspective view of the drum magazine neck 6 of the channel body section 2, of a typical drum magazine. In this embodiment, the bolt catch actuator 11 is slidably disposed within the drum magazine neck slide 7. The bolt catch actuator 11 is shown here in a resting position. The bolt catch actuator 11 is mechanically separate from the drum magazine neck slide 7. Ammunition rounds are fed along the drum magazine channel 8 by a force induced by the spring arm 3. When the last round is discharged, the main magazine follower 9, which is comprised of the main magazine follower engagement member 10a, moves across the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 and the engagement segment 13a. The main magazine follower 9 and bolt catch actuator 11 magnetically engage causing the bolt catch actuator 11 to move toward the firearm bolt catch 20.
(31) FIG. 9 is the first embodiment outside perspective view of the drum magazine neck 6 of the channel body section 2, of a typical drum magazine. In this embodiment, the bolt catch actuator 11 is slidably disposed within the drum magazine neck slide 7. The bolt catch actuator 11 is shown here in an extended position with the bolt catch actuator arm 14 showing. The bolt catch actuator 11 is mechanically separate from the drum magazine neck slide 7. Ammunition rounds are fed along the drum magazine channel 8 by a force induced by the spring arm 3. When the last round is discharged, the main magazine follower 9, which is comprised of the main magazine follower engagement member 10a, moves across the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 and the engagement segment 13a. The main magazine follower 9 and bolt catch actuator 11 magnetically engage causing the bolt catch actuator 11 to move toward the firearm bolt catch 20.
(32) FIG. 10 is a first embodiment side view of a typical drum magazine and the drum magazine neck 6 inserted into a firearm 18. In this embodiment the bolt catch actuator 11 is slidably disposed within the drum magazine neck slide 7. The bolt catch actuator 11 is shown here in a resting position, before the main magazine follower 9 and the main magazine follower engagement member 10a, move across the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 and the engagement segment 13a. The main magazine follower 9 and the bolt catch actuator 11 magnetically engage causing the bolt catch actuator 11 to move toward the firearm bolt catch 20 which halts the forward momentum of a firearm bolt 21, housed within the firearm 18.
(33) FIG. 11 is the first embodiment side view of a typical drum magazine and the drum magazine neck 6 inserted into a typical firearm 18. In this embodiment the bolt catch actuator 11 is slidably disposed within the drum magazine neck slide 7. The bolt catch actuator 11 is shown here in an extended position with the bolt catch actuator arm 14 shown, after the main magazine follower 9 and the main magazine follower engagement member 10a, move across the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 and the engagement segment 13a. The main magazine follower 9 and bolt catch actuator 11 magnetically engage causing the bolt catch actuator 11 to move toward the firearm bolt catch 20 which halts the forward momentum of the firearm bolt 21, housed within the firearm 18.
(34) FIG. 12 is a second embodiment front inside view of a spring body section 1 of a typical drum magazine used for loading ammunition into firearms. Here, a multitude of magazine followers 5 are led by a main magazine follower 9 comprised of a main magazine follower engagement member 10b. The multitude of magazine followers 5 and the main magazine follower 9 are forced into the drum magazine neck 6 by a spring arm 3. In this embodiment the main magazine follower engagement member 10b is a ball bearing attached to a spring 16 that engages with an engagement segment 13b of a bolt catch actuator engagement face 12. Also in this embodiment, the engagement segment 13b of the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 is a recessed channel shaped to engage with the main magazine follower engagement member 10b. The main magazine follower engagement member 10b mechanically engages with the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 when the spring arm 3 forces the multitude of magazine followers 5 into the drum magazine neck 6. In this embodiment, both the main magazine follower engagement member 10b and the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 may be of any shape or material which provides a strong, temporary linkage between the main magazine follower engagement member 10b and the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12. In other embodiments, the main magazine follower engagement member 10b may be a solid piece or solid pieces that are not spherical in shape, whilst still providing the same function of mechanically linking with the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12. In other embodiments, the main magazine follower engagement member 10b may be a solid piece molded or shaped into the main magazine follower 9, whilst still providing the same function of mechanically linking with the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12. In these embodiments, the engagement segment 13b may be a lever, flange, fin or other component integrated or molded onto the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12.
(35) FIG. 13 is a second embodiment front outside view of a channel body section 2 of a typical drum magazine, with a neck slide 7 shown. The drum magazine neck slide 7 is integrated onto the outside of the drum magazine neck 6. The drum magazine neck slide 7 guides the drum magazine neck 6 into a magazine well of a firearm. In this embodiment, a bolt catch actuator 11 is slidably disposed within the drum magazine neck slide 7.
(36) FIG. 14 is a second embodiment front inside view of the channel body section 2 of a typical drum magazine. A drum magazine channel 8 guides the multitude of magazine followers 5 upward and into the drum magazine neck 6. In this embodiment, an engagement channel 17 provides a path for the main magazine follower engagement member 10b to slide into the engagement segment 13b on the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12.
(37) FIG. 15 is a second embodiment front inside close-up view of the channel body section 2 of a typical drum magazine. The drum magazine channel 8 guides the multitude of magazine followers 5 upward and into the drum magazine neck 6. In this embodiment, the engagement channel 17 provides a path for the main magazine follower engagement member 10b to slide into the engagement segment 13b on the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12. In this embodiment, the bolt catch actuator 11 is in the resting position. The bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 is exposed in the engagement channel 17.
(38) FIG. 16 is the second embodiment front inside close-up view of the channel body section 2 of a typical drum magazine. The drum magazine channel 8 guides the multitude of magazine followers 5 upward and into the drum magazine neck 6. In this embodiment, the engagement channel 17 provides a path for the main magazine follower engagement member 10b to slide into the engagement segment 13b on the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12. In this embodiment, the bolt catch actuator 11 is in the extended position. The bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 is exposed in the engagement channel 17.
(39) FIG. 17 is a second embodiment outside perspective view of the drum magazine neck 6 of the channel body section 2, of a typical drum magazine. In this embodiment, the bolt catch actuator 11 is slidably disposed within the drum magazine neck slide 7. The bolt catch actuator 11 is shown here in a middle position. The bolt catch actuator 11 is mechanically separate from the drum magazine neck slide 7. Ammunition rounds are fed along the drum magazine channel 8 by a force induced by the spring arm 3. When the last round is discharged, the main magazine follower 9, which is comprised of the main magazine follower engagement member 10b, moves across the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 and the engagement segment 13b. The main magazine follower 9 and the bolt catch actuator 11 mechanically engage causing the bolt catch actuator 11 to move toward the firearm bolt catch 20.
(40) FIG. 18 is the second embodiment outside perspective view of the drum magazine neck 6 of the channel body section 2, of a typical drum magazine. In this embodiment, the bolt catch actuator 11 is slidably disposed within the drum magazine neck slide 7. The bolt catch actuator 11 is shown here in the extended position. The bolt catch actuator 11 is mechanically separate from the drum magazine neck slide 7. Ammunition rounds are fed along the drum magazine channel 8 by a force induced by the spring arm 3. When the last round is discharged, the main magazine follower 9, which is comprised of the main magazine follower engagement member 10b, moves across the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 and the engagement segment 13b. The main magazine follower 9 and the bolt catch actuator 11 mechanically engage causing the bolt catch actuator 11 to move toward the firearm bolt catch 20.
(41) FIG. 19 is a second embodiment side view of the drum magazine and the drum magazine neck 6 inserted into a firearm 18. In this embodiment the bolt catch actuator 11 is slidably disposed within the drum magazine neck slide 7. The bolt catch actuator 11 is shown here in a resting position, before the main magazine follower 9 and the main magazine follower engagement member 10b, move across the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 and the engagement segment 13b. The main magazine follower 9 and bolt catch actuator 11 mechanically engage causing the bolt catch actuator 11 to move toward the firearm bolt catch 20 which halts the forward momentum of a firearm bolt 21, housed within the firearm 18.
(42) FIG. 20 is the second embodiment side view of the drum magazine and the drum magazine neck 6 inserted into a firearm 18. In this embodiment the bolt catch actuator 11 is slidably disposed within the drum magazine neck slide 7. The bolt catch actuator 11 is shown here in an extended position, after the main magazine follower 9 and the main magazine follower engagement member 10b, move across the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 and the engagement segment 13b. The main magazine follower 9 and bolt catch actuator 11 mechanically engage causing the bolt catch actuator 11 to move toward the firearm bolt catch 20 which halts the forward momentum of the firearm bolt 21, housed within the firearm 18.
(43) FIGS. 21A and 21B are piece-part side views of the first and second embodiments of the bolt catch actuator 11 and their associated modes of action. The first embodiment 21A shows the main magazine follower 9 and the main magazine follower engagement member 10a attached to the multitude of magazine followers 5. The main magazine follower engagement member 10 is made of magnetic material that engages with the engagement segment 13a of the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 on the bolt catch actuator 11. In the second embodiment 21B, the main magazine follower 9 and the main magazine follower engagement member 10b are attached to the multitude of magazine followers 5. The spring 16 forces the main magazine follower engagement member 10b into the engagement segment 13b of the bolt catch actuator engagement face 12 on the bolt catch actuator 11.
