Magazine holder

A magazine holder is operable to hold a small arms magazine and includes a magazine pouch and a shiftable gripping element. The magazine pouch presents an elongated pouch slot operable to receive at least part of the magazine when the magazine pouch holds the magazine. The gripping element is mounted on the magazine pouch to engage the held magazine.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to a magazine holder that supports a small arms magazine. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention concern a magazine holder with a pouch and an expandable clip.

2. Discussion of Prior Art

Turning toFIGS. 1-4, it is known in the art to carry one or more small arms magazines M in a magazine pouch P. The pouch P is typically carried by a wearer on a belt, bandolier, suspenders, girdle, an equipment pack, or similar structure. The conventional magazine pouch P includes a pair of side-by-side pouches that each present a slot S to receive a magazine M. The pouch P also includes elastic straps T that extend over the corresponding slot S to hold the magazine M in the slot S. The straps T can be flexed out of the holding position to allow removal of the magazine M.

However, the prior art magazine pouch P has various deficiencies. For instance, the elastic straps T used to hold the magazine M in the pouch P are prone to failure. Also, with the strap T removed from engagement with the magazine M, the magazine M tends to fall out of the pouch P, particularly when the wearer carries the pouch P while shifting rapidly. For instance, the magazine M tends to fall out when the wearer is rapidly running, jumping, falling, tumbling, rolling, etc.

SUMMARY

The following brief summary is provided to indicate the nature of the subject matter disclosed herein. While certain aspects of the present invention are described below, the summary is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

A first aspect of the present invention concerns a magazine holder operable to hold a small arms magazine. The magazine holder broadly includes a magazine pouch and a shiftable gripping element. The magazine pouch presents an elongated pouch slot operable to receive at least part of the magazine when the magazine pouch holds the magazine, with the magazine pouch being operable to extend at least partly around the held magazine. The shiftable gripping element is mounted on the magazine pouch to engage the held magazine in a holding condition. The magazine holder presents opposite gripping surfaces that extend along opposite sides of the pouch slot to contact the held magazine in the holding condition. The gripping element urges at least one of the gripping surfaces against the held magazine in the holding condition so that the gripping surfaces cooperatively grip the magazine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning initially toFIGS. 5 and 6, a magazine assembly20is constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The magazine assembly20includes a magazine holder22and conventional magazines24that each hold multiple rounds of ammunition (not shown). The magazine holder22preferably is used by an individual to provide robust support for at least one magazine24while permitting efficient access to the magazine24. It is also within the ambit of the present invention where the magazine holder22is constructed to hold an alternative magazine. Furthermore, the illustrated magazine holder22could be constructed to securely carry a device other than a magazine. The magazine holder22broadly includes a magazine pouch26and a pair of expandable clips28.

Each magazine24is conventional and includes an elongated tubular body30that presents opposite ends32,34and a magazine chamber36operable to receive rounds of ammunition (not shown). The magazine24also includes an end plate38, a follower40, and an internal spring (not shown). The end plate38is secured to the tubular body30to enclose the end32. In the usual manner, the spring and follower40are slidably mounted in the chamber36. The spring urges the follower40toward the end34of tubular body30. In this manner, rounds within the chamber36are urged toward the end34by the spring and follower40. Again, the principles of the present invention are applicable where the magazine24has an alternative configuration.

Turning toFIGS. 5-9, the magazine pouch26preferably includes an elongated pouch wall structure that defines front and back panels42,44integrally formed with a bottom panel46. The magazine pouch26also preferably includes a back reinforcement panel48, a pair of side panels50, snap connectors52, securement loops54, and lateral reinforcement straps55.

Each of the side panels50also preferably comprises an elongated wall structure. The side panels50are attached to respective side margins of the panels42,44,46,48. Each set of panels42,44,46,48,50cooperatively form one of a pair of interconnected side-by-side pouches26a. The panels42,44,46,48,50also cooperatively form open and closed ends56,58of the respective pouch26aand a pouch slot60that extends between the open and closed ends56,58.

The illustrated panels42,44,46,48,50are preferably formed of a resilient fabric material that includes a synthetic resin. However, the principles of the present invention are applicable where the panels42,44,46,48,50have an alternative material construction, such as a continuous wall. The panels42,44,46,48are preferably attached to the side panels50along seams62a,b,cwhere the panels42,44,46,48,50are sewn together, although the panels42,44,46,48,50could be alternatively interconnected. Thus, the panels42,44,46,48,50cooperatively provide a pouch arrangement that is flexible. The panels cooperatively form a pocket that extends continuously and endlessly around each pouch slot60. However, it is within the scope of the present invention where the panels present one or more openings spaced between the open and closed ends56,58, where the one or more openings permits access to the pouch slot60.

The snap connectors52are preferably sewn and thereby secured to the panels44,48(seeFIGS. 8 and 9). As will be discussed, the connectors52are removably attached to connectors of the loops54.

Again, the illustrated magazine pouch26preferably forms a pair of interconnected side-by-side pouches26athat each present one of the pouch slots60. However, the magazine pouch26could also form a single pouch26aor more than two pouches26aarranged side-by-side without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The illustrated pouch slot60preferably defines a slot depth dimension Dd (seeFIG. 8) and a slot width dimension Dw (seeFIG. 5). The slot depth dimension Dd generally coincides with the distance between the seams62a,cwhen the clip28is removed from the pouch slot60. As will be shown, the clip28preferably serves to expand the magazine pouch26so as to increase the slot depth dimension Dd when the clip28is inserted into the pouch slot60.

Turning toFIGS. 8 and 9, the loops54each include an elongated strap64presenting opposite ends66,68and a snap connector70mounted adjacent to end68of the strap64. The other end66of the strap64is sewn between the back panel44and the back reinforcement panel48. The strap64is attached so that the snap connector70can be removably attached to corresponding snap connector52, with the loops54and panel48cooperatively defining loop openings72.

In the usual manner, the loops54permit attachment of the magazine pouch26to the user in a number of configurations. For instance, the magazine pouch26can be worn on a belt, a bandolier, suspenders, a girdle, or another item that is fed through the loop openings72to support the magazine pouch26. However, it will be appreciated that the magazine pouch26could have a feature other than loops54to mount the magazine pouch26.

Turning toFIGS. 10-12, the expandable clip28preferably cooperates with the magazine pouch26to secure the magazine24in the pouch slot60. The clip28is preferably unitary and includes front and back fingers74,76that meet along a lower end margin to form a hinge element78. The fingers74,76cooperatively define a clip slot80that extends laterally between opposed front and back gripping surfaces82,84. The fingers74,76also present endmost edges86,88that define a top opening90in communication with the clip slot80. The fingers74,76further define side openings92that communicate with the clip slot80. The gripping surfaces82,84are preferably spaced apart when the clip28is in a relaxed condition, although the gripping surfaces82,84could contact one another in the relaxed condition. As will be discussed, the fingers74,76are shiftable away from one another from the relaxed condition into a holding condition (seeFIG. 12).

The back finger76preferably is formed so that the back gripping surface84is substantially flat. The front finger74preferably is formed so that the front gripping surface82has a generally convex shape and presents an apex94. However, it will appreciated that the gripping surfaces82,84could present alternative shapes without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, one or both of the gripping surfaces82,84could include a convex shape, a concave shape, or a concavo-convex shape. As will be discussed, the gripping surfaces82,84preferably frictionally engage the magazine24when the magazine24is inserted in the clip slot80.

The front and back fingers74,76of the clip28preferably taper toward one another in a downward direction away from the endmost edges86,88. The illustrated fingers74,76taper up to apex94and then diverge from one another downwardly from the apex94.

The clip28is preferably formed of a unitary strip of a synthetic resin material that is formed to present the fingers74,76. However, it is within the scope of the present invention where an alternative material is used.

The illustrated clip28preferably includes both fingers74,76. However, it is within the scope of the present invention where the clip28has an alternative arrangement of fingers. For instance, the clip28could comprise a single finger that is attached to the magazine pouch26so that the pouch26and clip28provide respective ones of the opposed gripping surfaces82,84

The fingers74,76form the hinge element78so that the hinge element78flexes to permit relative shifting movement of the fingers74,76. For instance, when the magazine24is inserted into the clip slot80between the fingers74,76, the magazine24urges the fingers74,76from the relaxed condition to the holding condition (seeFIGS. 8 and 9). The hinge element78flexes to permit movement of the fingers74,76from the relaxed condition to the holding condition. In this manner, the hinge element78serves as a living hinge.

When the hinge element78is flexed in the holding condition, the hinge element78acts as a spring by urging the fingers74,76to return toward the relaxed condition. As a result, the hinge element78operates to urge the fingers74,76toward one another so that the fingers74,76cooperatively grip the magazine24. That is, the fingers74,76preferably apply a gripping force to the magazine24and frictionally retain the magazine24. When the magazine24is removed from the clip slot80, the hinge element78urges the fingers74,76to return to the relaxed condition.

It is also within the scope of the present invention where the clip28has an alternative hinge arrangement. While the illustrated clip28preferably presents a thickness dimension Dt (seeFIG. 12) that is substantially continuous along the fingers74,76and hinge element78, the hinge element78could present a laterally extending groove that forms a line of weakness between the fingers74,76so that the hinge element78forms a living hinge. Also the hinge element78could be formed by an alternative spring that permits flexing between the fingers74,76and urges the fingers74,76to return to the relaxed condition.

Alternatively, the clip28could include a pair of discrete mating hinge members pivotally attached to one another (e.g., with a pin) to form a pivot joint. This alternative construction could also include a discrete spring (such as a torsion spring) that interconnects the hinge members and urges the hinge members into the relaxed condition.

The expandable clip28is preferably slidably mounted in the pouch slot60so that the clip28can be selectively inserted and removed from the pouch slot60. When inserted, the hinge element78is preferably positioned along the bottom of the pouch26so that the clip slot80extends upwardly from the hinge element78and is exposed to the open end56. Furthermore, the gripping surfaces82,84extend along opposite sides of the pouch slot60.

The clip28preferably presents a clip depth dimension Dc (seeFIG. 12) larger than the slot depth dimension Dd when the pouch slot60is empty. When the clip28is mounted in the pouch slot60, the fingers74,76cooperatively expand the pouch26so that slot depth is enlarged to an expanded dimension De1(seeFIG. 8). In particular, the relative flexibility of the panels42,44,46,48,50and the straps55permits the pouch26to be expanded by the clip28. When expanded, the panels42,44,46,48,50and straps55are tensioned so as to be taut around the clip28. Consequently, the illustrated clip28is retained within the pouch slot60solely by frictional engagement with the panels42,44,50.

It is also within the ambit of the present invention where the illustrated magazine holder22has an alternative arrangement to removably secure the clip28within the pouch slot60. For instance, clip28and pouch26could each have connectors that are removably attached to each other. For some aspects of the present invention, the clip28could also be permanently secured within the pouch slot60.

Turning toFIGS. 7 and 9, when the clip28is inserted into the pouch slot60and the magazine24is received between the fingers74,76, the magazine24shifts the fingers74,76, panels42,44,46,48,50, and straps55from the relaxed condition to the holding condition. In the holding condition, the fingers74,76further expand the pouch26so that slot depth Dd is further enlarged to an expanded dimension De2greater than expanded dimension De1(seeFIGS. 8 and 9). Again, the relative flexibility of the panels42,44,46,48,50and the straps55permits the pouch26to be further expanded by the clip28, with the tension in the panels42,44,46,48,50and straps55being further increased. When receiving the magazine24in the holding condition, the clip depth dimension Dc has a maximum finger separation depth greater than when the clip28is in the relaxed condition. The maximum finger separation depth is equivalent to the expanded dimension De2and is also greater than the slot depth dimension Dd and the expanded dimension De1.

The endmost edge86of the front finger74preferably frictionally engages the pouch26in the holding condition. Furthermore, the endmost edge86preferably points upwardly so that the endmost edge86provides greater frictional resistance to clip removal compared to frictional resistance associated with clip insertion.

The magazine24is preferably retained within the pouch slot60solely by frictional engagement with the clip28, but with the pouch26and clip28cooperatively providing the gripping force. As discussed above, when the magazine24is located between the fingers74,76, the hinge element78urges the fingers74,76toward one another so that the fingers74,76cooperatively grip the magazine24. The panels42,44,46,48,50and straps55also provide gripping force because the panels42,44,46,48,50and straps55are stretched by the clip28and the magazine24.

The expandable clip28is preferably inserted and supported within the pouch slot60. However, it is within the ambit of the present invention where the clip28is alternatively mounted to grip the magazine24. For instance, the clip28could be secured outside of panels42,44,46,48,50so that the panels42,44,46,48,50are received within the clip slot80. As a result, the panels42,44would present corresponding gripping surfaces82,84. In such a configuration, the clip28could be permanently attached to the magazine pouch26or could be removably attached thereto.

In use, the clips28are inserted into respective pouch slots60so that the hinge element78is located adjacent the bottom panel46. Each magazine24is then inserted into a corresponding one of the clip slots80so that the end34is positioned adjacent the hinge element78. The hinge element78flexes to permit shifting of the fingers74,76from the relaxed condition to the holding condition by magazine insertion. At the same time, the panels42,44,46,48,50and straps55expand in response to shifting of the fingers74,76into the holding condition. In this manner, the magazine pouch26and clip28cooperatively grip the held magazine24, with the clip28frictionally engaging the magazine24to restrict magazine removal.