Abstract:
The present invention is a self-leveling follower for an ammunition magazine. Side extensions provide greater stability to the follower and aid in its self-leveling feature. The follower according to the present invention is also manufactured to facilitate removal from and insertion into the magazine casing when maintaining the magazine. Additional features provide greater utility by improving bolt-stop capacity and consistency of ammunition feed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a perfection of prior provisional application 60/595,779, filed on Aug. 4, 2005. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of ammunition magazines and more particularly relates to an anti-tilt follower for said magazines. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Followers are well known in the prior art and are regularly used in dispensing systems for uniform items. One such system is an ammunition magazine, whereby ammunition cartridges are individually dispensed from the magazine into the chamber of a firearm. Magazine and follower systems in the prior art have always had a possibility of jamming when in use because of the rapidity of fire and the very shape of larger capacity magazines, which tend to curve slightly. While traveling upwards and expelling ammunition cartridges, the follower may slip out of alignment with the magazine casing and the cartridges, jamming the magazine and prohibiting shooting with the magazine until re-aligned. The present invention, however, is a follower that is self-leveling, greatly reducing the need to correct misalignment. In this respect, the follower according to the present invention departs substantially from the usual designs in the prior art. Since the follower is self-leveling, it lacks some of the give necessary for consistent force distribution, especially for the last two rounds of a magazine. The variation in force distribution may cause a misfeed of the second-to-last fired round. As such, additional features are built into the magazine to even the force distribution and reduce the probability of misfeed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of magazine follower systems, this invention provides an improved self-leveling follower. As such, the present invention&#39;s general purpose is to provide a new and improved follower that will level itself in relation to ammunition and the magazine casing without interference from the user. The design will also help prevent such misalignment from even occurring and features an easier mechanism for insertion and removal of the follower from the magazine for maintenance. 
         [0005]    The main feature of the self-leveling follower is a radical extension of front and rear tangs below the level of the follower floor. Simultaneously, the tangs are shaped to fit channels formed in the magazine casing wall. The increased length of the tangs inhibits slippage and encourages self-leveling in the event slippage occurs. Grooves in the floor of the follower are fashioned in conformity with the shape of the magazine opening. This shaping allows for easier insertion and removal of the follower. 
         [0006]    In order to compensate for misfeed, the follower has a slope built into its floor and the spacer is specially designed at its rear to require greater force from the bolt to cause misfeed. The rear of the follower is also raised to facilitate bolt lock back systems. 
         [0007]    The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
         [0008]    Many objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. 
         [0009]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0010]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a front plan view of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a left plan view of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7   a  is a top plan view of the first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7   b  is a side elevation of the first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7   c  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7   d  is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7   e  is a side elevation of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7   f  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the self-leveling follower is herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an” and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0024]    The follower according to the present invention is similar in basic respects to prior art followers. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the main body of the follower comprises a floor  6  with a spacer  8  on its upper side and a spring nub  18  on its bottom. The spring nub  18  interfaces with a follower spring (not shown) in the magazine while the spacer  8  elevates one set of cartridges in the magazine in relation to the other, allowing for a more efficient stacking of the ammunition. 
         [0025]    The present invention departs from the prior art in the radical downward extension of the front  2  and rear  4  sides, shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  5 . The extended sides  2 ,  4  lessen the contortion of the follower in relation to the spring and magazine casing as the follower moves within the magazine during loading and unloading of ammunition. This is particularly important, as larger capacity magazines tend to curve slightly, forcing the follower to traverse a bend. Sides  2 ,  4  are also machined to fit inside the grooves of a magazine, particularly side  2  with trenches  10 ,  12 . Side  4  is manufactured with a projection that corresponds to the magazine wall. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the floor  6  is also manufactured with spring retention walls  24 ,  26 , to keep the follower centered on the follower spring within the magazine. The combination of these features provides the stability of the follower and creates three mechanisms for self-correction in the event the follower misaligns. 
         [0026]    The present invention is also fashioned in a manner to allow easier assembly of the magazine. As shown in  FIG. 4 , trenches  10 ,  12 , grooves  14 ,  16 ,  20 ,  22 , and end  4  are all fashioned to insert around projections in the floor of the magazine, particularly those for securing the floor plate, while not allowing the follower to escape through the feed end of said magazine. These grooves  14 ,  16 ,  20 ,  22  may be fashioned in any location on the follower, dependent on the magazine construction. 
         [0027]    In the preferred embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 7   d - 7   f  additional features are added to increase reliability. The original embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 7   a - 7   c  for comparison. A slight ramp  72  is raised on floor  6 , right to left in  FIGS. 7   d - 7   f . This subtle ramp shifts the force distribution on the last two rounds in the magazine so that more force is placed on the rounds&#39; shoulder areas. This lessens the chance of misfeed of the second to last round. Ideally, this ramp should have an angle of incidence less than a degree, though a very slight angle, even less than one tenth of a degree is effective and preferred. 
         [0028]    The hind area  74  of the spacer  8  is also designed to lessen misfeeding. Instead of a straight slope, the spacer first tapers as a convex function, then switches to a concave function as the edge of the spacer  8  approaches the floor  6 . The revised shape increases the force the bolt must exert on the round to actually cause a misfeed, thereby reducing its chance of occurrence. 
         [0029]    The preferred embodiment also features a stop shelf  76  at the very rear of the follower. Stop shelf  76  is a small section of the floor which is raised (the preferred embodiment is approximately 0.0030 in. higher) in relation to the remainder of the floor  6 . Stop shelf  76  facilitates interaction with a bolt stop after the last round is fired. 
         [0030]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.