Multi magazine locking base plate

Abstract

This disclosure describes a device that can removably restrain multiple magazines of bullets for a firearm. A preferred embodiment teaches a main body where the locking plate boss of a magazine can be locked and unlocked on either side of the main body; thereby allowing a user to attach two magazines of bullets to his/her firearm, and when one magazine is exhausted of bullets, merely pull that magazine out, flip it over, and insert the second magazine. Several means of locking and unlocking are contemplated, including having a removable drive shaft that can rotate a paddle, additionally providing a drive shaft with a wedge-shaped face, and additionally providing a shaft with a key built into it.

Claims

1. A device for removably attaching two or more magazine cartridges, consisting of a main body and a locking plate system, where the locking plate system comprises a locking plate, where the locking plate has a spring side and a boss side, a locking plate boss, and a spring, where the locking plate system fits into a magazine cartridge, where the spring attaches to the spring side of the locking plate, and the locking plate boss is located on the boss side of the locking plate, where locking plate system fits within a bottom of a magazine cartridge, where the magazine cartridge is a base flange, where the main body comprises a drive shaft, a shaft hole, a tool face, a paddle, a contact surface, a retaining ring, a retaining ring slot, a paddle slot, a drive hole, two locking plate boss holes, and two base flange slots, where the base flange of the magazine cartridge can be removably secured within a base flange slot of the main body, where the locking plate boss on the locking plate can be removably inserted into a locking plate boss hole on the main body, where the paddle slot houses a paddle, where the paddle has a contact surface and a drive hole, where the main body additionally comprises a shaft hole and a drive shaft, where the drive shaft can be inserted into the shaft hole, where the drive shaft has a drive shaft end that engages the drive hole in the paddle, where the drive shaft is retained within the shaft hole by a retaining ring, which, in turn, is retained in the retaining ring slot, which is located in the shaft hole, where the drive draft shaft additionally comprises a tool face, such that two magazine cartridges can be slid into the two base flange slots, such that the base flange of each of the magazine cartridges is retained within a base flange slot, and the boss of each locking plate can be inserted into the locking plate boss hole, and where the drive shaft can be turned with a tool to rotate the paddle housed in the paddle slot until the contacting surface of the paddle is at a lowest point from the center of rotation, allowing the boss to be forced down by the spring in to the locking plate boss hole of the main body, thereby locking the magazine cartridge into the main body, and where the boss can be unlocked by turning the tool face of the drive shaft such that the boss is lifted out of the locking place boss hole, thereby allowing a user to slide the magazine cartridge out of the base flange slot, where the tool face has two slots, where the two slots are perpendicular to each other, such that the tool face can be rotated both a flathead and Phillips screwdriver.

2. A device for removably attaching two or more magazine cartridges, comprising a main body and a locking plate system, where the locking plate system comprises a locking plate, where the main body comprises, two locking plate boss holes, and two base flange slots, where a base flange of one of the two or more magazine cartridges can be removably secured within a base flange slot of the main body, where the locking plate has a spring side and a boss side, a locking plate boss, and a spring, where the locking plate system fits into a magazine cartridge, where the spring attaches to the spring side of the locking plate, and the locking plate boss is located on the boss side of the locking plate, where locking plate system fits within a bottom of a magazine cartridge, where the magazine cartridge has a base flange, and where the main body additionally comprises a drive shaft, and a shaft hole.

3. The device of claim 2, where the main body additionally comprises a tool face, a paddle, a contact surface, a retaining ring, a retaining ring slot, a paddle slot, and a drive hole.

4. The device of claim 3, where the locking plate boss on the locking plate can be removably inserted into a locking plate boss hole on the main body.

5. The device of claim 4, where the paddle slot houses a paddle, where the paddle has a contact surface and a drive hole, where the main body additionally comprises a shaft hole and a drive shaft.

6. The device of claim 5, where the drive shaft can be inserted into the shaft hole, where the drive shaft has a drive shaft end that engages the drive hole in the paddle, where the drive shaft is retained within the shaft hole by a retaining ring, which, in turn, is retained in the retaining ring slot, which is located in the shaft hole, where the draft shaft additionally comprises a tool face, such that two magazine cartridges can be slid into the two base flange slots, such that the base flange of each of the magazine cartridges is retained within a base flange slot, and the boss of each locking plate can be inserted into the locking plate boss hole, and where the drive shaft can be turned with a tool to rotate the paddle housed in the paddle slot until the contacting surface of the paddle is at a lowest point from the center of rotation, allowing the boss to be forced down by the spring in to the locking plate boss hole of the main body, thereby locking the magazine cartridge into the main body, and where the boss can be unlocked by turning the tool face of the drive shaft such that the boss is lifted out of the locking place boss hole, thereby allowing a user to slide the magazine cartridge out of the base flange slot.

7. The device of claim 5, where the drive shaft additionally comprises a key end, and where the drive hole additionally comprises a key end receptacle, where the key end has a key end shape, and where the key receptacle has a key receptacle cavity, where the key receptacle cavity has a key receptacle cavity shape, and where the key shape is similar to the key end receptacle cavity shape, such that only a drive shaft with a particularly key shape will fit into the key receptacle cavity of a particular main body, such that only a user with a particular key shape can operate the paddle of a particular main body.

8. A device for removably attaching two or more magazine cartridges to a pistol or other firearm, comprising a main body and a locking plate system, where the locking plate system comprises a locking plate, where the main body comprises, two locking plate boss holes, and two base flange slots, where the base flange of the magazine cartridge can be removably secured within a base flange slot of the main body, where the main body additionally comprises a drive shaft, and a shaft hole.

9. The device of claim 8, where the locking plate has a spring side and a boss side, a locking plate boss, and a spring, where the locking plate system fits into a magazine cartridge, where the spring attaches to the spring side of the locking plate, and the locking plate boss is located on the boss side of the locking plate, where locking plate system fits within a bottom of a magazine cartridge, where the magazine cartridge is a base flange.

10. The device of claim 8, where the main body additionally comprises a tool face, a paddle, a contact surface, a retaining ring, a retaining ring slot, a paddle slot, and a drive hole.

11. The device of claim 8, where the locking plate has a spring side and a boss side, a locking plate boss, and a spring.

12. The device of claim 8, where the locking plate has a spring side and a boss side, a locking plate boss, and a spring, where the locking plate system fits into a magazine cartridge, where the spring attaches to the spring side of the locking plate, and the locking plate boss is located on the boss side of the locking plate, where locking plate system fits within a bottom of a magazine cartridge, where the magazine cartridge is a base flange and where the locking plate boss on the locking plate can be removably inserted into a locking plate boss hole on the main body.

13. The device of claim 8, where the paddle slot houses a paddle, where the paddle has a contact surface and a drive hole, where the main body additionally comprises a shaft hole and a drive shaft.

14. The device of claim 13, where the drive shaft additionally comprises a key end, and where the drive hole additionally comprises a key end receptacle, where the key end has a key end shape, and where the key receptacle has a key receptacle cavity, where the key receptacle cavity has a key receptacle cavity shape, and where the key shape is similar to the key end receptacle cavity shape, such that only a drive shaft with a particularly key shape will fit into the key receptacle cavity of a particular main body, such that only a user with a particular key shape can operate the paddle of a particular main body.

15. The device of claim 8, where the drive shaft can be inserted into the shaft hole, where the drive shaft has a drive shaft end that engages the drive hole in the paddle, where the drive shaft is retained within the shaft hole by a retaining ring, which, in turn, is retained in the retaining ring slot, which is located in the shaft hole, where the draft shaft additionally comprises a tool face, such that two magazine cartridges can be slid into the two base flange slots, such that the base flange of each of the magazine cartridges is retained within a base flange slot, and the boss of each locking plate can be inserted into the locking plate boss hole, and where the drive shaft can be turned with a tool to rotate the paddle housed in the paddle slot until the contacting surface of the paddle is at a lowest point from the center of rotation, allowing the boss to be forced down by the spring in to the locking plate boss hole of the main body, thereby locking the magazine cartridge into the main body, and where the boss can be unlocked by turning the tool face of the drive shaft such that the boss is lifted out of the locking place boss hole, thereby allowing a user to slide the magazine cartridge out of the base flange slot.

16. The device of claim 15, where the drive shaft additionally comprises a key end, and where the drive hole additionally comprises a key end receptacle, where the key end has a key end shape, and where the key receptacle has a key receptacle cavity, where the key receptacle cavity has a key receptacle cavity shape, and where the key shape is similar to the key end receptacle cavity shape, such that only a drive shaft with a particularly key shape will fit into the key receptacle cavity of a particular main body, such that only a user with a particular key shape can operate the paddle of a particular main body.

17. The device of claim 8, where the locking plate has a spring side and a boss side, a locking plate boss, and a spring and where the main body additionally comprises a tool face, a paddle, a contact surface, a retaining ring, a retaining ring slot, a paddle slot, and a drive hole.

18. The device of claim 17, where the locking plate system fits into a magazine cartridge, where the spring attaches to the spring side of the locking plate, and the locking plate boss is located on the boss side of the locking plate, where locking plate system fits within a bottom of a magazine cartridge, where the magazine cartridge is a base flange, where the drive shaft can be inserted into the shaft hole, where the drive shaft has a drive shaft end that engages the drive hole in the paddle, where the drive shaft is retained within the shaft hole by a retaining ring, which, in turn, is retained in the retaining ring slot, which is located in the shaft hole, where the drive shaft additionally comprises a tool face.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric exploded view of the present invention with magazines shown detached and exploded.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the present invention with magazines attached.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates section view A of the present invention with magazines attached and the paddle in a neutral and locked position.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates section view A of the present invention with magazines attached and the paddle in an unlocked position.

(6) Two alternate embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings

(7) FIG. 5 illustrates alternate embodiment b of the present invention in which wedges push up against the locking plate boss hole.

(8) FIG. 6 illustrates alternate embodiment c of the present invention in which the paddle and the shaft are combined into a twisting key that can be inserted into the paddle slot, then twisted, to pop up the locking plate boss hole.

DRAWINGREFERENCE NUMBERS

(9) 1. Present Invention 2. Main Body 3. Drive Shaft 4. Tool Face 5. Paddle 6. Contact Surface 7. Retaining Ring 8. Retaining Ring Slot 9. Magazine Body 10. Spring 11. Locking Plate 12. Locking Plate Boss 13. Locking Plate Boss Hole 14. Base Flange 15. Base Flange Slot 16. Shaft Hole 17. Paddle Slot 18. Drive Hole 19. Magazine Assembly 20. Release Direction 21. Unlocking Direction 22. Locking Direction 23. Forward Direction 24. Main Body B 25. Vertical Slot B 26. Circle Cut B 27. Locking Plate Boss Hole B 28. Tool B 29. Round Shaft B 30. Wedge Blade B 31. Angled Face B 32. Alternate Embodiment B 33. Alternate Embodiment C 34. Main Body C 35. S Shaped Slot C 36. Circular Cut C 37. Slot C 38. Locking Plate Boss Hole C 39. Tool C 40. S Shaped Tip C 41. Round Shaft C

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Preferred Embodiment

(10) The present invention, which is the preferred embodiment, is described hereunder in detail with reference to the included drawings. Specific details are set forth in the description in order to provide a more complete understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. However, it will be apparent that specific embodiments may be incorporated, dis-incorporated or modified without affecting the purpose and function of the present invention. In addition, obvious or well-known process steps may not be described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present embodiment.

(11) Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with references made to the drawings below. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the components of the present invention. Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts through the several views in the drawings. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not limited in their application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments of the invention are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

(12) Since the firearm magazine is a well-known type, only those parts of the magazine assembly essential to the understanding of the present embodiment will be described in detail. The description of the present embodiment should be read with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. However, it must be understood that the present embodiment can be embodied in many alternate forms or embodiments. Further, alternate suitable shapes, sizes, types of elements or materials could be used to accomplish the purpose of the present embodiment. Indeed, any magazine end plate that employs a rotating shaft or tool to activate a captured locking mechanism may accomplish the intended function of the present embodiment.

(13) The present embodiment is a base plate assembly, capable of locking and releasing one or two magazines securely. The present embodiment's assembly replaces the base plate of a typical magazine assembly or assemblies. The present embodiment allows for two magazine assemblies to be attached together, with the unique ability of being detached easily with a tool.

(14) The present embodiment 1 is a multiple magazine assembly 19 locking base plate, comprised of a main body 2, a drive shaft 3, a paddle 5 and an internal retaining ring 7. The paddle 5 is inserted in to the paddle slot 17 and then the drive shaft 3 is inserted in to the shaft hole 16 in the main body 2, where the drive shaft 3 passes through and is retained in the center of the paddle 5. The paddle 5 and drive shaft 3 are held in the main body 2 by the retaining ring 7, which expands in to the retaining ring slot 8. The main body 1 incorporates a paddle slot 17 and a locking plate boss hole 13, that cuts through main body 2 of the present embodiment 1.

(15) To install multiple magazine assemblies 19 on to the present embodiment 1, one would slide the magazine bodies base flange 9,14 into the base flange slot 15 on both sides of the main body 2. With the magazine assemblies bodies 9, 14 being retained by the base flange slot 15 of the inventions main body 2, the drive shaft 3 can be turned with a tool, which will rotate the paddle 5 housed in the paddle slot 17 of the present embodiment 1 until the contacting surface 6 is at its lowest point form the center of rotation, allowing the locking plate's boss's 12, of the magazine's assembly's 19, to be forced down by the magazine assemblies spring 19,10, in to the locking plate boss holes 13 of the main body 1, thereby locking the magazines 19 onto the present embodiment 1.

(16) With the present embodiment 1 attached to magazine assemblies 19, the magazine assemblies 19 can be unlocked and the present embodiment 1 removed by means of a common tool such as a Philips or flat head screwdriver. When the screwdriver is inserted in to the tool face 4, one applies rotational force to the tool, which turns the drive shaft 3 and paddle 5. The paddle contact surface 5,6 moves along the locking plate boss 12 until the locking plate boss 12 is lifted out of the locking plate boss hole 13, at such time one can now slide the magazine 19 out of the base flange slot 15 until the magazine 19 is completely detached from the present embodiment 1.

(17) FIG. 1

(18) Referring now to the present embodiment 1 in more detail, in FIG. 1, there is shown the present embodiment 1 in an exploded state. There is also shown two magazine assemblies 19 detached from the present embodiment 1 and in an exploded state. The present embodiment 1 consists of a main body 2 with key features consisting of a shaft hole 16, a retaining ring slot 8, a paddle slot 17, a locking plate boss hole 13 and a magazine base flange slot 15. The present embodiment 1 is also comprised of a retaining ring 7, a drive shaft 3 with a tool face 4, and a paddle 5 with a contact surface 6 and drive hole 18.

(19) The magazine assemblies 19 shown are of a common and well-known type. While all components of a magazine assembly 19 are not shown, the components relevant to the function of the present embodiment 1 are shown. Indeed, it is contemplated that the theory behind this invention could be applied to other types of magazines for multiple types of firearms, and even three- and four-magazine versions of the invention are contemplated. Turing to a preferred embodiment of the invention, these components are; the magazine body 9, a spring 10 and a locking plate 11. A typical magazine assembly 19 contains a spring 10 and a locking plate 11 contained within a magazine body 9 as well as other parts. The spring 11 pushes its tension downward on to the locking plate 11. The locking plate 11 has a locking plate boss 12 that falls in to a locking plate boss hole 13 similar to the hole on the main body 2 of the present embodiment, which then fixes the magazine body 9 and its contents to the main body 2.

(20) The present embodiment 1 is assembled by inserting the paddle 5 in to the paddle slot 17. The paddle slot 17 is wide enough to allow for the paddle 5 to rotate in the paddle slot 17 without obstruction, and thin enough to have a close fit to the paddles 5 thickness. The drive shaft 3 is then inserted in to the shaft hole 16 and comes to rest in the drive hole 18 of the paddle 5, thus retaining the paddle 5 in the paddle slot 17. The drive shaft 3 is retained in the shaft hole 16 by the retaining ring 7 that is installed in the retaining ring slot 8.

(21) FIG. 2

(22) Referring now to the present embodiment 1 in more detail, in FIG. 2, there is shown a front view of the present embodiment 1, with two magazine assemblies 19 installed. There is shown section line A cutting through the vertical mid plane of the present embodiment 1 and magazine assemblies 19. When a tool is inserted in the tool face 4, and rotational force is applied in an unlocking direction 21 the drive shaft 3 will turn the paddle 5 and the paddles contact surface 5, 6 will force the locking plate boss 12 and locking plate 11 up and away from the center of the assembly, thus freeing the magazine assembly 19, so that the magazine assembly 19 could be removed. One could apply rotational force in the locking direction 22 and return the paddle 5 in to a neutral state, which allows for a locking plate 11 to become fixed by means of the locking plate boss 12 falling in to the locking plate boss hole 13.

(23) FIG. 3

(24) Referring now to the present embodiment 1 in more detail, in FIG. 3, there is shown section view A of the present embodiment 1 with two magazine assemblies 19 attached and the paddle 5 in a neutral and locked position. The magazines were installed by aligning the magazine assemblies base flange 19, 14 in to the main body base flange slot 2,15 and sliding the magazine assembly 19 in the forward direction 23. There is shown a magazines bodys base flange 9, 14 fully inserted in to the magazine base flange slot 15, the locking plate boss 12 is align with the locking plate boss hole 13 and is retained in the locking plate boss hole 13 by means of the magazine assembly spring 19, 10. The pressure from the spring 10 keeps the locking plate 11 fixed, which in turn fixes the magazine assembly 19 to the main body 2. The paddle 5 is shown oriented in such a way that the lowest point of the contact surface 6 from the center of the paddle 5 are oriented vertically, allowing the locking plate boss 12 to fully insert in to the locking plate boss hole 13, which prevents the magazine assembly 19 from being removed from the present embodiment.

(25) FIG. 4

(26) Referring now to the present embodiment 1 in more detail, in FIG. 4, there is shown section view A of the present embodiment 1 with two magazine assemblies 19 attached and the paddle 5 in an unlocked position. There is shown magazines body base flanges 9, 14 fully engaged with the man body base flange slot 2, 15. When the paddle 5 is turned, by inserting a tool in the tool face 4 of the drive shaft 3 and rotating the drive shaft 3 such that the paddle 5 is oriented in such a way that the tallest point form the center of the paddle 5 and the contact surface 6 is oriented vertically, the contact surface 6 contacts and pushes the locking plate boss 12 forcing it away from the center of the present embodiments 1 assembly. This frees the locking plate 11. In the shown position of the paddle 5, which holds the locking plate boss 12 from the locking plate boss hole 13, thereby allowing the magazine assembly 19 to be removed from the magazine base flange slot 15 by pushing it in the release direction 20, freeing the magazine assembly 19 form the present embodiment 1.

Alternate Embodiment 1

(27) FIG. 5

(28) Referring now to the alternate embodiment b 32 in more detail, in FIG. 5, there is shown the main body b 24 having a vertical slot b 25 and with a circle cut b 26 in the center front of the main body b 24. There is a locking plate boss hole b 27 passing from top to bottom of the assembly. A tool b 28 with a round shaft b 29 and a wedge blade b 30 which would be inserted in to the front of the main body b vertical slot b 24, 25, and as the angled faces b 31 of the wedge blade 30 are inserted they would lift, or push up, a locking plate boss 12 away from the center of the main body b 24 and release any attached magazines assemblies 19.

Alternate Embodiment 2

(29) FIG. 6

(30) Referring now to the alternate embodiment c 33 in more detail, in FIG. 6, there is shown a main body c 34 having a s shaped slot c 35 at the front of the main body c 34, with a circular cut c 36 in the middle, and a slot c 37 and locking plate boss hole c 38 cutting through from top to bottom. A tool c 39 with a s shaped tip c 40 is and a round shaft c 41 is inserted in to the s shaped slot c 35 from the front of the main body c 34, then rotated about its center axis until the tool c's 39 s shaped tip c 40 makes contact the locking plate boss 12, lifting it up and out of the locking plate boss hole c 38, allowing one to release any fixed magazine assemblies 19. This embodiment basically takes the drive shaft and paddle as illustrated in FIG. 1, and combines them into a twisting key that can be inserted into the drive shaft, then rotated to either lock or unlock the magazines from the invention.

(31) All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved. While the foregoing written description of the embodiment enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. Therefore, the embodiment should not be limited by the above described embodiment, method and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the embodiment.

Advantages

(32) Advantages of the present embodiment include, but are not limited to, the ability to connect two magazines together in a way that also allows for their separation.

(33) Recreational rifle users may also find that the present embodiment allows them to remain on the practice range for an extended period, improving their skill level.

(34) The present embodiment is also advantages in home security, when an individual must protect themself or their property they will now have twice as much ammunition, and that ammunition will be more readily available by means of the present embodiment holding a second magazine below an already loaded magazine.

(35) An additional advantage is that the present embodiment is easily installed and removed with a minimum of mechanical knowledge or experience, and without the requirement for specialized tools.