Abstract:
A magazine doubler includes a resilient body with two cavities each having upstanding ribs to carry magazines therein at different heights. A bracket and spaced screws are mounted medially between the front and back of the body to squeeze the body to generally conform it to carried magazines therein. A blocking element is used to replace the top round in one magazine to prevent the upper round from being dislodged during use of the doubler. Such element is tethered and biased by a rubber band looping around one of the screw shanks.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   The present invention is related to provisional application 60/676,486 filed Apr. 29, 2005 entitled “MAGAZINE DOUBLER” by the present inventors. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable. 
   REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
   Not Applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to affixing multiple ammunition magazines to each other during use. Specifically, magazines are attached side-by-side so that while one magazine is fully inserted in the gun, one or more auxiliary magazines are retained in a location convenient for fast and efficient insertion into the gun. 
   2. Relevant Art 
   Magazines are supplied independently and are intended to be used one at a time by the operator or shooter. Historically, the operator, usually a soldier or officer, would have to eject the magazine from the gun and reach somewhere on his/her person to obtain another loaded magazine and then place the new magazine into the magazine receiver. This operation takes a considerable amount of time and requires that the user take the focus off of the target to execute this multi-step operation. Many times the original empty magazine is also lost in this process because of the urgency required to get back to shooting. 
   Several other devices have been conceived to address this problem, but they failed to address several key requirements. Specifically, these devices allowed the user to attach two magazines to each other, but not in any fixed location, relative to one another. The user could slide the magazines up and down relative to one another. This was fine to initially fit the magazines, but then they would typically slide relative to one another in use and, in many cases, the second magazine could not be inserted once it was needed, in a critical situation. The secondary magazine could slide up during use in the case of resting the gun on the ground, as will happen while shooting in the prone position, which could allow one of the magazines to interfere with the gun or the ammunition casing ejection port door. This interference prevents the second magazine from reaching its seated position so the gun cannot function. 
   The final problem that was not addressed by the prior art is that the top bullet in the auxiliary magazine tends to work its way forward due to the sudden backward acceleration (recoil) of the gun during use. If the operator inserts the secondary magazine into the magazine receiver with the top bullet protruding forward slightly, a jam will likely occur that would temporarily render the weapon useless. The time that it would take to clear the jam could be critical to the safety and well-being of the soldier or officer. Accordingly, an ammunition control device in the form of a blocking element takes the place of the top round in a magazine and inhibits movement or dislodging of rounds in the spare magazine. 
   What is desired in a magazine holder is the following. First, a device should locate two magazines side by side in a precise location in all three dimensions. The device should be constructed in such a manner to minimize any chance of slippage of the magazines, relative to one another. In addition, the device should contain a bottom support so that if the user rests the bottom of the magazine on the ground, no load is placed on either magazine relative to one another and no slippage will occur. Multiple fasteners should be used to ensure a secure attachment of one magazine to the other. 
   A separate blocking element fits into the top of the auxiliary magazine to prevent dirt and debris from getting into the magazine as well as hold the top round down far enough so that it could not slide or be dislodged forward during use. This element can be easily ejected with one hand for a quick magazine change. 
   Because many individuals use the magazine to rest the gun on the ground or other surface while shooting, this article should have a radiused surface to rest on the ground. This surface will enable the user to easily maneuver the gun while shooting and protect the magazine case that would otherwise be in direct contact with the ground or hard surface. 
   U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,279,059; 6,327,805; and 6,796,074 are representative of the prior art. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a magazine doubler for carrying dual elongate magazines for ready use with a firearm comprising a body having front and rear portions and side walls defining a pair of magazine cavities for receiving respective lower ends of first and second magazines therein, each cavity being formed by front and rear walls, an upper opening, and a bottom wall, the body being formed of a resilient material substantially conformable to each magazine received in respective cavity. Securing means is disposed against front and rear portions of the body for forcibly squeezing the body to generally conform the body to outer surfaces of installed magazines to securely retain such magazines disposed in the cavities. Also included is at least a pair of spaced upwardly disposed rib members integral with the bottom wall of one cavity for contacting a bottom of a magazine disposed therein for positioning such magazine at a predetermined height with respect to another magazine disposed in another cavity. The other bottom wall of other cavity has at least a pair of spaced upwardly disposed rib members for contacting a bottom of a magazine disposed therein for positioning the height of such magazine at a predetermined height with respect to the upper opening of the other cavity. At least a pair of rib members in one cavity extend upwardly a distance greater than other at least a pair of rib members in the other cavity to provide that a magazine disposed in one cavity extends upwardly a greater height than a magazine disposed in the other cavity. 
   Other aspects of the invention provide securing means that includes spaced elongate members and a bracket mounted against the rear walls of the cavities, the securing means further includes a plurality of flanges adjacent the front walls of the cavities, the elongate members being defined by a plurality of threaded fasteners mounted between the bracket and each flange to force the bracket against the rear walls and to force the front walls against magazines carried within the cavities. The bracket includes a substantially rectangular plate having inside and outside surfaces, a pair of spaced parallel bracket walls projecting laterally from the interior surface, a plurality of laterally extending bosses are disposed between the bracket walls, each boss having an opening therethrough disposed in alignment with the respective fasteners for passage of the respective fastener therethrough. The rear portion of the body includes a pair of spaced rear walls and a plurality of recessed vertically spaced walls continuous with and disposed between said rear walls of the body, each rear wall of the body carrying one of the pluralities of the flanges. The pair of spaced bracket walls is locatable between the rear walls of the body to provide contact between the interior surface of the plate and the rear walls. The bottom wall of the body is arcuate in shape from one side wall to the other side wall. 
   In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a magazine doubler for carrying dual elongated magazines disposed side-by-side for ready use with a firearm comprising a flexible body including front and rear portions and side walls having a first and second cavity for receiving respective lower ends of first and second magazines therein, each cavity being defined by a substantially flat front wall and an arcuate rear wall, an upper opening, and a bottom wall, one bottom wall of the first cavity having a plurality of upwardly disposed spaced ribs for contacting a bottom of a magazine disposed therein for positioning such magazine at a predetermined height with respect to another magazine disposed in another cavity, and securing means disposed against the front and rear portions of the body, movable to compress against the front and rear portions to retain such magazines disposed in said cavities between the front and rear portions of the body. The bottom wall of the second cavity has a plurality of upwardly disposed spaced ribs for contacting a bottom of a magazine disposed therein for controlling the height of such disposed magazine with respect to the upper opening of the second cavity. Each rib in one cavity extends upwardly a distance greater than other ribs in the other cavity to provide that a magazine disposed in the first cavity extends upwardly a greater height above the upper opening of the first cavity than the height above the upper opening of the second cavity of a magazine disposed in the second cavity. The securing means includes spaced members and means for selectively moving the members to squeeze against the front and rear walls to generally conform the cavities to magazines in said cavities to secure magazines disposed in the cavities. The ribs are three in number and disposed adjacent each front wall and rear wall and are integral with respective bottom wall of each corresponding cavity for contacting a bottom of a magazine disposed therein for positioning such magazine at a predetermined height with respect to another magazine disposed in another cavity. There is also a medially located boss member integral with an upwardly disposed from each bottom wall, the height of each boss being substantially equal to the height of the ribs in respective said cavity for supporting the floor plate of a magazine disposed in respective cavity. An ammunition control device is included for preventing the dislodging forwardly of the top round in a magazine and has a blocking element locatable in the top space in a magazine. The ammunition control device includes a biasing member attached to the securing means for pulling the blocking element away from magazine when the element is moved out of the top space in a magazine. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the magazine doubler in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the top round protector in accord with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the assembled magazine doubler in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the case body of the magazine doubler of  FIG. 1  in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the case body taken along the lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an elevational view of the nut plate retainer of  FIG. 1  in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a pictorial view of a magazine carried at two heights in the magazine doubler including a top round protector in accord with the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a pictorial view of the conformance of the case body to magazines secured therein wherein the conformed shape is shown in solid line and the initial shape is shown in broken line; and 
       FIG. 9  is a pictorial illustration of the device ready for use. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Introduction 
   The “Magazine Doubler” (MD) is formed as a dual magazine holder which according to the present invention is designed to provide operators with the ability to quickly and efficiently reload their rifles with a second magazine without compromising the reliability of the weapon. Other devices that clamp or strap magazines together do not insure that the proper staggering of the magazines will be maintained, nor do they protect the top round form the extra magazine from being dislodged forward during combat use. Both of these problems can cause malfunctions that would negate the advantage of having the spare magazine attached to the primary magazine. The MD uses fixed standoff points molded into the carrier to prevent the magazines from moving relative to each other. The strong molded nylon case uses three bolt-through connectors to insure that the magazines are locked in place, even after repeated aggressive loadings or dropping of the magazines to the ground. A “Top Round Protector” (TRP) is used to prevent the top round in the extra, unprotected magazine from being unintentionally dislodged forward of the front edge of the magazine due to the firing of the weapon. One round from the extra magazine is removed and the TRP is loaded in its place. The TRP is removed quickly by applying thumb pressure down and forward on the top rear release tab. The TRP is normally released before the start of the reloading cycle so that the hand used to control the magazines can be moved down near the bottom of the MD unit before the rifle&#39;s magazine latch has been activated. When the MD has been assembled and the TRP put in place, an unloaded MD unit should be locked into place on the weapon to see if there is any interference between the TRP and any type of mount on the upper receiver. Any interference can normally be fixed by moving the mount forward or aft. 
   Operation 
   Fully load both magazines. Determine which magazine will be the primary and which will be the reload. A right-handed shooter will start with the right magazine loaded in the rifle and the reload to his left. The left-handed shooter will choose the opposite magazine to start loaded. Once the primary magazine has been determined, at least one round is removed from the reload magazine. Most experienced combat operators remove two rounds from a reload magazine to insure the seating of a magazine with the bolt closed. The TRP  24  is now loaded in the reload magazine just like a cartridge, in the direction of the pictured cartridge on the top. On AR-M16 type weapons, the leading ledge of the TRP  24  goes inside the front lip of the magazine to secure the TRP  24  in place. The charged magazine is ready for use. Shooters need to practice the reload maneuver over and over until it is an immediate, automatic action. When a reload is necessary, the first action necessary is to remove the TRP  24  while the magazines are secured in the weapon. Use the thumb of the support hand, and push the back top of the TRP  24  down and forward at the same time. The TRP  24  should eject forward unless there is interference with some type of mount on the top of the upper receiver. The TRP  24  does not have to eject clear, it only has to be released. The support hand should now move down and grip the reload side of the doubler allowing enough clearance to reload the unit without trapping the fingers between the grip and the lower receiver. Once a secure grip is formed, the weapon&#39;s magazine latch should be pressed and the magazine change completed. If the TRP  24  has been released but trapped by some type of mount, it will jettison clear when the primary magazine and the unit are released from the magazine well. 
   Construction 
   With respect now to the drawings, an exploded view of the major components of the magazine doubler  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 . A unitary nylon case body  11  includes side walls  12  with a plurality of wrap around slots  13  to provide flexibility and three fasteners in the form of slotted screws or bolts  14  having head  17  and being threaded in part away from head  17 . Curved rearward walls  15  define vertical recess  15 A that generally conform to the curved wall  61  of a magazine clip  60  ( FIG. 7 ). Flat walls  16  conform generally to the flat wall  62  of a magazine clip  60 . 
   Magazines  60  are secured in place by a clamp in between walls  15  and  16  in the form of screws  14 , screw heads  17 , threaded nut plates  20  and nut plate retainer  18  to adjust the holding force of the case body  11  around magazines  60  as will be discussed hereinbelow. Screws  14  thread into one of three nut plates  20  that includes a non-circular plate carrying a round threaded passageway that fit within generally square recesses  19  formed into a nut plate retainer  18  that itself fits into recess  15 A formed by a pair of spaced parallel interior flange walls  22 . The outside wall  21  of retainer  18  is smooth to minimize interference with clothing, etc. 
   Lanyard  23  in the form of a rubber band fits through opening  25  in top round protector (TRP) ( FIGS. 2-3 ), which acts as an ammunition control device in to prevent the dislodging forwardly of the top round in a magazine  60 . Lanyard  23  is connected around the top screw  14 . 
     FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate further details of case body  11 . In  FIG. 4 , a top view of body  11  shows two cavities  26 , 27  having respective bottoms  33 ,  32  (with opening  34  therethrough) to accommodate magazines  60 . Lines  60 A and  60 B represent the bottoms of installed magazines  60 . Flanges  28  are arranged vertically and include screw passageways  29 . Wall portions  30  include screw openings  31  for carrying screws  14  therethrough. 
   Short height limiting ribs or bosses  35 ,  36  in cavity  26  provide height control of a magazine  60  ( FIG. 7 , line  64 ). Ribs or bosses  37 ,  38  in cavity  27  are greater in vertical height to provide magazine  60  positioning as shown in  FIG. 7  (line  63 ). Interior surfaces  39 ,  40 ,  41 , and  42  and holes in wall portions  30  further define the body  11 . 
   Preferably, additional ribs or bosses  36 A and  38 A are located medially and provide support of the bottom of a magazine  60  against deformation because of magazine spring pressure. 
   The magazine-doubling device  10  has the ability to support the magazine&#39;s removable floor-plate using the magazine height/alignment stops  35 ,  36 ,  37 ,  38  that are incorporated into the design:
         1) These magazine positioning support bosses  35 - 38  prevent damage to the floor-plate of the magazine by putting the drop impact load on the magazine&#39;s vertical walls not the floor-plate.   In addition, there is also extreme spring pressure when the magazine is fully loaded. When the fully loaded magazine is ejected form the gun the impact with the floor and the compressed spring pressure can bend the center of the floor-plate where it is not supported by magazine design. The magazine manufacturers provide rolled over tabs extending down from the magazine&#39;s vertical walls that are located near the front and back of the magazine&#39;s floor-plate, which provides no support in the center section of the magazine.   2) The doubler design also incorporates a side-to-side radiused bottom in the form of an arcuate bottom surface  44  to assist the user in using the gun while it is resting on a surface.       

     FIG. 6  illustrates a clamp bracket in the form of the nut retainer plate  18  shown from the inside surface  47 . The top  45  and bottom  46  (which corresponds to surface  44 ) defines a vertical height substantially the same as that of case body  11 . Panel portions  48  are curved and become thinner outwardly from lines  49  to edges  50  to provide a match to walls  15 . 
   Parallel spaced vertical walls  22  project laterally and provide bosses  54 - 56  that have openings  51 - 53  therethrough. Spaced bosses  57 - 59  mate closely with recess  15 A to provide a snug fit therebetween. Screw openings  51 - 53  communicate with recesses  19  for screws  14 . 
     FIG. 8  illustrates the conformance of the case body  11  around magazines  60  as it “sets” at room temperature from the initial broken line  66  form to the final solid line form  67 . 
   Assembly 
   The doubler  10  is provided in component form and is assembled as follows:
         1. The nut plate retainer  18  is placed on the rear of the case body  10  (rounded side  15 ) so that the three square holes or recesses  19  of the retainer  18  line up with the opposing three holes  29  of the case body  10  (flat side  16 ).   2. Loop tie the black rubber band  23  through the eyelet  25  of the TRP  24 . Insert one nut plate  20 , (flat side to the outside) in the top hole  51  of the nut plate retainer  18 . Pass one of the threaded machine screws  14  through the top hole  29  of the case body  10  while capturing the open end of the black rubber band  23  which is loop tied to the TRP  24 . The rubber band  23  should be moved to the front of the case near walls  15 . Secure the top screw  14  by threading about two turns into the top nut plate  20 . The length of band  23  is set to pull TRP  24  out of the way when the TRP  24  is moved out of magazine  60  by a user.   3. Install the second and third nut plates  20  and machine screws  14  by threading each about two turns.   4. Start an unloaded magazine  60  base down matching the flat front  62  and the rounded back  61  of the magazine  60  with the respective front and back ( FIG. 7 ). While rocking fore and aft, push the empty magazine  60  down firmly until it reaches a positive stop against respective bosses  35 ,  36  or  37 ,  38 . Repeat the same process with a second magazine  60 . (Note magazines  60  that have a sharp base that is deformed or otherwise damaged through repeated droppings may need to be dressed with a metal file.)   5. Tighten the top screw  14  until the magazines  60  are difficult to slide out. Normally this is when the screw  14  protrudes about two threads past the flat end of the nut plate  20 . Duplicate the same torque on the bottom screw  14  and nut plate  20  and then finish with the middle screw  19  and nut plate  20 . Do not over tighten. The mechanical advantage of the screws can damage the magazines if over tightened.   6. The nylon material used in case body  11  will take an initial set and will conform to the magazines  60  in about two days if exposed to normal room temperature ( FIG. 8 ). The device  10  with installed magazines can be used immediately but a final tightening should be accomplished after the set has taken place. This will require the initial torque and is normally about two turns of each screw. Before use, the magazines should be tested without the use of a rifle. Fully load both magazines, then using the back flat end of the TRP  24  against the flat base of the exposed round, strip out each round. Check to see that each round advances with a snap action and there is no sluggish delay.   7. The device  10  is ready for use as illustrated in  FIG. 9 .       

   The screws  14  are preferably of a sufficient pitch to allow for small incremental tightening of the front and rear walls  16  and  15  respectively against magazines  60  to provide for the desired securing force of the case body  11 . 
   The top round protector  24  is formed as a blocking element to fit into a magazine in place of the top round. The specific shape of the TRP  24 , such as bosses  24 A under an upper lips of a magazine and thumb knob  24 B, may vary with the specific type of magazine  60  that is being used. Biasing means in the form of rubber band  23  is used to rapidly pull the TRP  24  out of the way when it is released from a magazine  60  by user action against thumb knob  24 B. Rubber band  23  is looped around eyelet  25  at one end. The other end is looped around top screw  14 , but may be attached at any other appropriate point. 
   Case body  11  and plate  18  are formed of nylon and have a flat black finish or other coloring and/or finish as may be desired in a specific application. 
   While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.