Abstract:
A method and apparatus for retaining one or more magazines, such as those used in conjunction with firearms. The apparatus of the present invention retains the magazine in a secure manner while enabling a user to rapidly remove the magazine with little effort. The apparatus is preferably made from a rigid material. In one embodiment one or more of the sides of the housing of the magazine retainer are hingable. In another embodiment, one or more of the sides is flexible. The present invention also preferably provides an oversized floor-plate for the magazine, thus providing the user with a larger gripping surface and thus facilitating extraction of the magazine from the retainer.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/519,287 entitled “Firearm Magazine Retention and Delivery System”, filed on Nov. 12, 2003, and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field) 
   The invention relates to firearms, particularly ammunition magazines, and relates specifically to an apparatus for securely but releasably holding multi-round handgun ammunition magazines on the belt of a user. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   There is an unmet need for a method or apparatus for holding extra handgun ammunition “clips” or magazines at the ready for use by military and law enforcement personnel. 
   Conventionally, spare magazines are typically transported and carried on the person of the user by means of a pocket or pouch attached to the user&#39;s belt. The pouch often is made of a pliable leather or flexible canvas, nylon or fabric material. Rigid plastic pouches are also known in the art. A problem with typical pouches currently in use is that easy or rapid removal of a magazine is not possible. This is due to at least two factors. 
   First, the pouches are often constructed such that their internal dimensions closely match the outside dimensions of a magazine, thus creating a frictional fit throughout the entire length of the magazine. A user wishing to remove a magazine from such a pouch must therefore exert substantial force to free the magazine. The second factor that substantially contributes to the inability to rapidly remove a magazine from pouch holders is much more apparent in those pouches made from flexible or semi-flexible material. The material of the pouch, being pliable in nature, tends simply to bend in the direction of, and follow, any force used to remove the magazine. Thus, a user wishing to remove a magazine from such a pouch must pull the magazine through a greater distance because the pouch has the tendency to simply follow and stick to the magazine. The excessive force needed to overcome the friction of these pouches, as well as the excessive movement required during such removal, results in increased time required to free a spare magazine from a pouch. 
   Also, with current devices, security of the ammo magazine within a pouch may be provided by means of a closure component, such as a flap with any of a variety of “snaps” or other fasteners. Thus, a flap or lid covers the open end of the pouch to hold the magazine within the pouch, and the user must unfasten the flap to access the magazine. While these known closure means provide reliable closure of the pouch against the inadvertent loss of a magazine, they are somewhat cumbersome to open and close, especially when the user is in a hurry or in the dark. 
   For some users, the problems associated with the reduced ability to quickly access a magazine creates little more than frustration and annoyance. However, for users in military, law enforcement, or security roles, the inability to quickly remove a spare magazine can be the deciding factor between life and death. In 2002, 153 officers were killed in the line of duty. Many more were severely injured. In several of these instances, the ability of the officer to quickly reload and draw his weapon could have resulted in a decidedly different outcome. There is thus a present need for a method and apparatus which will allow for the secure retaining of spare magazines on the user, without compromising rapid access thereto. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A primary object of the present invention is to securely retain one or more magazines, for example on a user&#39;s belt, while simultaneously providing for their rapid removal. 
   The present invention includes a magazine retaining apparatus having one or more housings. Each of the housings has a base-plate, an end-plate, and two side-plates. At least one of the side-plates is hingedly connected to the base-plate. One or more springs are disposed so as to cause the pivotal side-plate to resist a rotational force applied in a direction away from the other side-plate. “Springs” include any suitable biasing device, such as coil springs, torsion bars, or leaf springs. 
   One or more of the retaining apparatuses can be fastened to a mounting-plate. The apparatus of the present invention also preferably has a magazine floor-plate with a large protruding front portion, a void disposed through the floor-plate, and one or more grooves disposed on one or more side portions of the floor-plate. 
   The side-plates preferably have one or more recesses and or projections disposed on an inner surface thereof. It is further preferable that interfacing lips on the side-plates define an hourglass-shaped void. 
   It is also preferable that the apparatus of the present invention have a fastening feature. It is further preferable that the fastening feature be one or more clips, one or more straps or thongs, one or more elastic bands, a paddle for inserting between a waist of the user and his pants, a hollow structure for placing a belt through, or a combination thereof. 
   The present invention also relates to an apparatus having one or more housings, each of the housings having a base-plate, an end-plate, and two side-plates, at least one of the side-plates has a flexible material, the flexible side-plate is rigidly connected to the base-plate. The apparatus can also have a mounting-plate and or a magazine floor-plate. The magazine floor-plate can have a large protruding front portion, a void disposed through it, and or one or more groves on one or more sides thereof. 
   The side-plates of the apparatus can have one or more recessions and or one or more projections disposed on an inner surface thereof. The side-plates comprise an interfacing region. The interfacing region of the side-plates preferably has an hour-glass shape. 
   It is further preferable that the apparatus have a fastening apparatus which can be one or more clips, one or more straps or thongs, one or more elastic bands, a paddle for inserting between a waist of the user and his pants, a hollow structure for placing a belt through, or a combination of these. In an embodiment using a hollow structure for placing a belt through, the fastening apparatus preferably comprises at least one tensioner to secure the fastening apparatus to a user&#39;s belt. The fastening apparatus may also comprise a storage component to house a tool to work on the tensioner. The apparatus may also comprise at least one tensioner disposed on the base-plate to adjust slack. 
   The present invention also relates to a method for retaining a magazine, having the steps of providing a base-plate, providing an end-plate, providing two side-plates, hingedly connecting at least one side-plate to the base-plate, and providing a magazine. The method can also have the steps of providing a mounting-plate, providing a magazine floor-plate, providing one or more fastening apparatuses, as well as providing one or more springs. 
   The present invention also relates to a method for retaining a magazine having the steps of providing a base-plate, providing an end-plate, providing two side-plates, at least one of the side-plates having a flexible material, and rigidly connecting the side-plate the base-plate. The method can also have the steps of providing a mounting-plate, providing a magazine floor-plate, providing one or more fastening apparatuses as well as providing one or more springs. 
   A primary advantage of the present invention is that methods and apparatuses are provided which securely retain a magazine while simultaneously providing for their rapid removal. 
   Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out herein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective, partially exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention, shown with an ammunition magazine; 
       FIG. 1B  is a front perspective view, of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention; 
       FIG. 1C  is back perspective view of the embodiment of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1B ; 
       FIG. 1D  is a back perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1C , depicting the mounting plate and loop plate of the apparatus, useable to removably suspend the apparatus upon a user&#39;s belt; 
       FIG. 2  is a view of one end of an embodiment of the present invention, having two magazines disposed within; 
       FIG. 2A  is view of the other end of another embodiment of the apparatus similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective drawing of a torsion spring as a possible component of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a right-side wall of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective side view of a floor-plate component of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is an end view of a side-plate of an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a partial sectional side view of the floor-plate of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective side view of the base-plate and end-plate components of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a left side-plate component according to the apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective end view of a floor-plate component according to the apparatus of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 11  is an end view of the belt mount component shown in  FIG. 1D , depicting fastening elements of an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for securely retaining on the person of a user one or more ammunition magazines, e.g. a multi-round handgun ammo “clip,” while also permitting for their rapid removal. Particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus which enables one or more ammunition magazines to be retained with the aid of a magazine housing having a spring-loaded component. The housing preferably is attachable to the user&#39;s belt. 
   The term “magazine” as used throughout the specification and claims is intended to include all firearms magazines and clips. Ordinarily, multi-round clips are removably insertable into the handle or handgrip of the weapon (most commonly semi-automatic pistols, such as Baretta®, Glock®, and SIG® brand handguns). 
   Referring now to all the figures collectively, the present invention is a magazine retainer having one or more housings  10  and preferably a corresponding number of magazine butt plates or floor-plates  20 . The invention may be provided in the form of an after-market kit, in which the user is able to customize his ammunition magazines for use. In such a kit may be provided several, for example three, floor-plates  20  allowing the user to interchange three magazines between the inventive retainer unit and the user&#39;s handgun. Moreover, a user may be provided with several floor-plates  20  adapted to be fitted to particular brand-name magazines, allowing a user to utilize the invention with a variety of different firearms, a magazine being removably insertable into a corresponding housing  10 . 
   Preferably, floor-plate  20  and the elements of the housing  10  are made from a rigid and durable plastic or composite material, including but not limited to ABS, Nylon® polymer and/or Kevlar® polymer. Floor-plate  20 , including aperture  30  and grooves  40 , preferably is constructed to mate with a particular style and/or size of magazine  60 , and may be customized to attach to the magazine of a particular model and brand of firearms manufacturer. 
   Floor-plate  20  defines a fastener aperture  30  there through for facilitating connection of the floor-plate to the original equipment manufacturer&#39;s magazine  60 . Most magazines feature a spring-biased detent thereon which springs into place into the aperture  30  when the floor-plate  20  has been slipped into proper position upon the end of the magazine. To install a floor-plate upon a magazine, the interior grooves  40 , which are in confronting parallel opposition on the inside face of the floor-plate, are mated with corresponding flanges or ridges on the magazine, and the floor-plate is slid along the magazine flanges until the magazine detent pops into the fastener aperture  30 , at which point the floor-plate is secured in position. Thus, floor-plate  20  typically attaches to magazine  60  by the use of fastener aperture  30  and interior groove  40  ( FIGS. 5 ,  7  and  10 ). The interior groove  40  is sized and configured to slidably receive a longitudinal flange or lip the commonly runs along the edge of commercially available ammunition magazines. In the practice of the invention, a magazine  60  is purchased off-the-shelf, and the original stock butt-plate thereof is removed and replaced with the floor-plate  20  of the invention. The floor-plate  20  is slipped onto the magazine by sliding the magazine lip or ridge into the interior groove or channel  40 . (The floor-plate can be removed, if desired, by depressing the magazine detent with the tip of a pointed tool, and with the detent depressed sliding the floor-plate off the magazine.) 
   Certain brands and varieties of off-the-shelf magazines may require the use of a fastener such as a rivet or screw for attaching the floor-plate  20  to an end of the magazine  60 , in which instances the aperture  30  can accommodate the need, i.e., a rivet or screw is inserted through the fastener aperture  30 . 
   The attachment of a floor-plate  20  to a magazine  60  in this manner is an almost uniform practice among various types, calibers, and brands of firearms. The present invention can readily be adapted by one skilled in the art to produce other configurations of floor-plate  20  which will enable such floor-plates to attach to other designs of magazines. It is preferable that floor-plate  20  and the components of housing  10  be made from a substantially rigid material such as a metal, metal-alloy, synthetic polymer or composite material. Magazines from the original equipment manufacturer are equipped with a butt or floor-plate, but it is contemplated that the original equipment floor-plate is replaced with a specialized floor-plate  20  according to the invention—particularly a floor-plate that has a front portion  50  that extends in a manner apparent from the description below. 
   The preferred embodiment of the invention features two identical, parallel, housings  10 ,  10 ′ on a mounting plate  130  (the base-plate  70  of a housing being attached to the mounting plate), although an embodiment having a single housing is within the scope of the invention. 
   Floor-plate  20  preferably has large protruding front portion  50 , which affords the user a larger surface to grasp when removing magazine  60  from housing  10 . It is important to note, however, that floor-plate  20  is only a preferred embodiment for using the invention and as such is not essential for the operation of the present invention. Rather, a standard magazine can be used and can still produce desirable results. 
   Each housing  10  has base-plate  70 , an end-plate  80 , and two (left and right) side-plates  90 ,  90 ′. In one embodiment, one of side-plates  90  or  90 ′ is hingedly connected to base-plate  70 . For purposes of discussion herein, where only one of either side-plate  90  or side-plate  90 ′ is hinged, side plate  90  is discussed as representative of such an embodiment. A rod or wire (not shown) may form the pin to interconnect the inter-leaved knuckle portions  72 ,  98  ( FIGS. 1C   4 ,  8 , and  9 ) of the adjacent plates  70 ,  90  to define a hinge of generally conventional configuration. However, a spring  100  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ) is disposed to complete the hinged attachment between a side-plate  90  and the base-plate  70 . A pin, if used, resides within hollow shaft  142  ( FIG. 6 ) of side-plate  90 . The pin can be made from any of the materials which are commonly used to produce small hinges, however it is preferred that the material for the shaft of the present invention be a metal. 
   Alternatively, spring  100  may be integral with the hinge pin, and an acceptable torsion spring for this purpose is shown in  FIG. 3 . The aspect of the invention in this regard is that at least one side plate  90  has a hinged connection to base-plate  70 , with the “knuckles” of the hinge defined in adjacent edges of side-plate  90  and base plate  70 , which edges are placed in aligned registration and the spring  100  providing a bias urging side-plate  90  to a perpendicular position in relation to base-plate  70 . The ends of the spring may be inserted into holes in the side-plates  90 ,  90 ′. The coiled portions of the spring  100  are received within corresponding recesses between the knuckles  72  (in the vicinity of the dovetail projections  77 ) on the base plate  70  ( FIG. 8 ). 
   As indicated by the double-ended directional arrow in  FIG. 1A , therefore, at least one of—and in the preferred embodiment both—side plates  90 ,  90 ′ is pivotal with respect to base-plate  70 . Side-plate  90  may swing out, against the bias of torsion spring  100 , to increase the distance between side-plates  90 ,  90 ′; upon the release of pivoting force, the bias of spring  100  returns side-plate  90  to its rest position, at right angles to base-plate  70 . Further inward pivoting of side-plate  90  is prevented by the contact of the mutual intermediate edges  96 ,  96 ′ of upper lips  92 ,  92 ′ of side plates  90 ,  90 ′ ( FIG. 1A ). Torsion spring  100  thus enables hingedly connected side-plate  90  partially to resist rotational movement, as well as to enable side-plate  90  to return to a substantially 90-degree relationship with base-plate  70 , after outward rotational movement has occurred. Accordingly, a spring in operative connection with one or both said side plates  90 ,  90 ′ causes the either side-plate to resist a rotational force applied thereto in a direction away from the other side-plate. 
   As best depicted in  FIG. 3 , spring  100  preferably is dual torsion, i.e. it has two oppositely wound coils ( FIG. 3 ). (One of the coils is preferably wound clockwise while the other is wound counter-clockwise.) When spring  100  is properly disposed and side-plate  90  is pivoted outwardly to an open position, both coils of spring  100  tighten. It is also preferable that the ends of spring  100  reside within hollow recesses of each side-plate  90  or  90 ′. In this embodiment the opposite side-plate  90  or  90 ′ is preferably rigidly secured, in a substantially 90-degree relationship, to base-plate  70 . Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 9 , it is seen that the each side plate  90  and  90 ′ may be provided with small sockets  91 ,  91 ′ to receive prongs from, or the bent ends of, the spring  100  whereby spring bias can be transmitted to the side-plate. 
   The base-plate  70  is depicted in  FIG. 8 . The base-plate  70  is provided with hinge knuckles  72  along one or both longitudinal edges (depending on whether one or both side plates  90 ,  90 ′ are hingedly connected thereto to pivot in relation to the base plate).The base plate  70  optionally has rivet holes  71  for fastening the base plate  70  to the mounting plate  130 . Dovetail projections  77  may extend from between knuckles  72  for engagement with corresponding notches in the mounting plate  130  of the belt mount  180  to reinforce the connection therewith. 
   Continued reference is made to  FIG. 8 . The end-plate  80  if, used, is rigidly secured to an end of the base-plate  70 . The end-plate optionally is provided with an adjustment screw aperture  83 , through which an adjustment screw may be threadably disposed. 
   In the most preferred embodiment, both side-plates  90 ,  90 ′, instead of just one, are hingedly connected to base-plate  70 . It is preferable that both of the hingable interfaces make use of spring  100  as previously described. 
   In alternative but less desirable embodiments, one or both side-plates  90 ,  90 ′ is rigidly secured to base-plate  70 . In such an embodiment, rigidly secured side-plate  90  or  90 ′ preferably is made from an elastically deformable material so that side-plate  90  or  90 ′ can flex outward when sufficient force is exerted thereon in an outwardly direction. While a number of materials exhibiting a sufficient elastic deformation region (in stress/strain diagrams) thereof will be readily recognized by those skilled in the art, such materials may include, but are not limited to, ABS plastic, nylon, as well as beryllium-containing metal alloys. 
   In all the aforementioned embodiments, the present invention preferably has end-plate  80  disposed at an end of housing  10 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C and  2 A. A primary function of end-plate  80  is to prevent magazine  60  from sliding out the corresponding end of a housing  10 . Having this as its primary objective, end-plate  80  need not be plate-shaped. Rather, a projection of any shape sufficient to contact floor-plate  20 , and thus prevent magazine  60  from sliding out of housing  10  can be used. Therefore, while it is preferable that end-plate  80  be secured to base-plate  70 , desirable results can also be achieved with projections extending from either one or both of side-plates  90 ,  90 ′. 
   Side-plates  90 ,  90 ′ preferably have specially shaped lips  92 ,  92 ′ extending perpendicularly inward from the respective upper edges of side-plates  90 ,  90 ′, as seen in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C and  2 A, to form an hourglass-shaped void between the lips  92 ,  92 ′. The side plates  90  and  90 ′, particularly their respective inside surfaces, are shown individually and in isolation in  FIGS. 4 and 9 . Lips  92 ,  92 ′ are essentially identical except to be reverse “mirror” images of each other. As depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  (especially the right-side housing  10  in  FIG. 1A ), the medial portions of the respective lips  92 ,  92 ′ extend laterally inward further from the side plates, than do the end portions of the lips, with the overall lip edges defining gracefully transitional curves. When medial edges  96 ,  96 ′ of lips  92 ,  92 ′, respectively, are in contact (when the housing  10  is “closed”) the confluence of proximate lip edges  93 ,  93 ′, and distal lip edges  94 ,  94 ′, and the medial lip edges  96 ,  96 ′, defines a generally hourglass-shape void or space between the lips  92 ,  92 ′, as seen in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . This is the “rest” or closed position of side-plates  90 ,  90 ′. This substantially hour-glass-shaped configuration enables magazine  60  to be inserted into housing  10  with little force, while at the same time providing sufficient friction to prevent accidental removal of magazine  60 . 
   Each side-plate  90 ,  90 ′ optionally (but not necessarily) has a detent or recess  110  ( FIG. 4 ) disposed on the inside surface of lip  92  or  92 ′. Recess  110  is defined in the underside of each lip  92  or  92 ′ in a location to mate with a corresponding projection  120  of magazine  60 , when magazine  60  is properly seated within housing  10 . Side-plates  90 ,  90 ′ are customized by providing recess  110  at the location suited to receive the particular make/model of magazine. Further, in some embodiments, more than one recess  110  may be provided so that a given housing  10  can receive and retain more than one type of magazine  60 . Further, because some magazines may have a recess, rather than the projection depicted in the drawings, recess  110  can instead be a projection so disposed as to mate with a recess in magazine  60 . 
   At least one housing  10  is secured to mounting-plate  130  ( FIG. 2 ). The mounting plate is part of a preferred belt mount  180  seen in  FIG. 1D . The connection preferably is established by a dovetail-like fitting of a base-plate  70  into a correspondingly shaped and sized relief or depression in the mounting plate, the connection being secured by an adhesive or rivets or other suitable means. Mounting-plate  130  may be made from a substantially rigid material such as, for example, a metal, metal-alloy, synthetic material, composite material, or combinations thereof. It is further preferable that mounting-plate  130  be made from a rigid and durable plastic or composite material. The loop-plate  140  may have access holes  147  there through, as well as a broad, flat, depressed facet  148  for the location of instruction labels, trademarks, advertisements, or the like. Fastener holes  149  promote attachment of the belt mount  180  to the base plates  70  of the housings  10 . 
   Mounting-plate  130  is attached to a device or mechanism which would enable the apparatus of the present invention to be transported upon the user&#39;s self, clothing, or an accessory. Attachment devices and mechanisms which could be used are virtually limitless. For example, such attachment devices and mechanisms could include but are not limited to a clip, one or more straps or thongs for tying around a body part, one or more elastic bands for placing around a body part, or a paddle for inserting between the waist of the user and the user&#39;s pants (as in common in the art). 
   However, it is preferable that mounting-plate  130  of the present invention combine with a loop-plate  140  to define a hollow structure, thus allowing a belt of the user to pass through opening  143 . It is still further preferable that orientation of opening  143  be such that magazines  60  disposed within housings  10  reside substantially parallel to the belt of the user so that magazines  60  reside in a substantially horizontal manner when the user is standing. This helps to prevent side-plates  90  from accidentally opening when a user, wearing the present invention on a belt, brushes against an object. Nevertheless, an alternative embodiment may situate magazines  60  perpendicular to the user&#39;s belt. 
   In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 11 , mounting-plate  130  mounts there through at least one tensioner  150 , such as a small screw, to secure the belt mount  180  to a user&#39;s belt. At least one similar tensioner (not shown) optionally may be disposed on base-plate  70  to adjust slack caused by wear. Preferably, a clip storage means or component  152  is disposed in mounting-plate  130  to house tool  154  (e.g. a small Allen wrench or screwdriver) useable to adjust tensioner  150  or any other tensioner provided. Storage component  152  may comprise any means known in the art, preferably a void with an opening and snap detents or prongs for holding tool  154  as depicted in  FIG. 11 . Tool  154  may comprise any tool known in the art such as, for example, a hex-shaped wrench. Also, adjacent to void  152 , securing means  156  may be disposed to help secure tool  154  in place. Securing means  156  may be of any type known in the art such as, for example, a magnet. 
   Any fastening means, material, or method can be used to join the various components of the present invention such as, for example, pop-rivets, screws, bolts, glue, thermal bonding, epoxy, snap-together interfaces, and combinations thereof. 
   The method of the invention is apparent from the foregoing, but is further described especially with reference to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C. The apparatus according to the invention is disposed upon the user&#39;s person, for example and preferably, by disposing the user&#39;s belt through belt opening  140  (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2A ). Magazines  60  are securely but removably disposed in the housings  10  by being constrained intermediate to side-plates  90 ,  90 ′, between base-plate  70  and lips  92 ,  92 ′. The preferred position for the removable insertion of the loaded magazine  60  into a housing  10  is with the floor-plate  20  adjacent the end plate  80  ( FIG. 1A ); such a position promotes the user&#39;s ability to grasp the magazine in the “index position” for rapid insertion, through habit developed by practice, into the firearm even in the dark or in an emergency. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that a loaded magazine  60  alternatively could be situated in the housing  10  in the reverse position, with the face-plate  20  adjacent the end of the housing opposite the end plate  80 . 
   When the user has need for a spare magazine  60 , he or she merely grasps floor-plate  20  and pushes or pulls it forward (i.e., away from end plate  80 ) and/or away from base-plate  70 . Magazine  60  is free to slide within housing  10 . Front portion  50  of floor-plate  20  contacts converging rear edges  93 ,  93 ′ of lips  92 ,  92 ′ so that with the user&#39;s continued forward movement of magazine  60 , front portion  50  of floor plate  90 ,  90 ′ contacts rear edges  93 ,  93 ′ of lips  92 ,  92 ′ and wedges them apart. As floor-plate  20  smoothly separates rear edges  93 ,  93 ′, side-plates  90 ,  90 ′ pivot outward against the urging of their respective springs  100 . As side-plates  90 ,  90 ′ pivot apart, floor-plate  20  slides past medial edges  96 ,  96 ′, and magazine  60  is released from housing  10  and freed for insertion into the firearm. Once magazine  60  is fully withdrawn from housing  10 , springs  110  bias side-plates  90 ,  90 ′ toward each other until lips  92 ,  92 ′ are restored to mutual contact (as seen in  FIG. 1A ) or in close proximity near contact ( FIG. 1B ). 
   Magazine  60 , whether loaded or not, is inserted into housing  10  in much the same methodology, except in reverse process. The butt end of the magazine  60  is pressed into the area between front edges  94 ,  94 ′ until floor-plate  20  comes into sliding contact with front edges  94 ,  94 ′. Magazine  60  is slipped into housing  10 , generally parallel to base-plate  70 , and floor-plate  20  serves as a wedge to separate lips  92 ,  92 ′ to pivot side-plates  90 ,  90 ′ apart. Floor-plate  20  slides along front edges  94 ,  94 ′ and past intermediate edges  96 ,  96 ′, until it moves between diverging rear edges  93 ,  93 ′. When the bottom of magazine  60  finally comes into flush contact with base-plate  70  (and floor-plate  20  is against end-plate  80 ), the side-plates  90 ,  90 ′ pivot inward under the bias of springs  100 . Lips  92 ,  92 ′ swing into position immediately above (in or nearly in contact with) magazine  60 . Magazine  60  thus is securely disposed within housing  10 , with side-plates  90 ,  90 ′ spring-biased toward magazine  60 , until the user has need for magazine  60  at which time it can be readily retrieved as described previously above. 
   Alternatively, magazine  60  can be inserted in reverse fashion to that described above with the end of magazine  60  opposite floor-plate  20  being inserted to first contact rear edges  93 ,  93 ′. Magazine  60  is then pushed into housing  10  until magazine  60  snaps into place against base-plate  70  as floor-plate  20  passes over, and clears, end-plate  80 . 
   Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.