Abstract:
A magazine well plug used to render a weapon safe and/or to prevent sand, water, and other contaminants from entering a weapon is described. The magazine well plug includes a main body substantially shaped to conform to the interior of a magazine well, an optional flange substantially disposed about the main body, and an optional grip element disposed at one end of the main body facilitating insertion and removal of the plug with respect to the magazine well. The main body and flange are comprised of one or more compressible materials. The main body is dimensionally larger than one or more dimensions within a magazine well so as to require the main body to be compressed in part or whole when inserted into a magazine well. The invention avoids openings inherent with rigid plugs, thereby preventing solid and/or liquid contaminants from entering a magazine well.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention generally relates to a device used to render a weapon safe by preventing the insertion of a magazine with live ammunition into its magazine well and to prevent sand, water, and other contaminants from entering a weapon through its magazine well. Specifically, the invention is a plug composed of a compressible material dimensionally larger than the interior of a magazine well so that insertion of the plug into the well requires compression of the plug. 
     2. Background 
     Current military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan highlight problems pertaining to the security and maintainability of magazine-fed personal weapons, non-limiting examples including rifles and handguns. In one example, operational protocols prohibit soldiers from carrying loaded firearms within areas deemed safe zones and where dignitaries are present. Accordingly, soldiers are not permitted to engage magazines to firearms, even when empty. An open magazine well allows dirt, sand, water, and other contaminants to enter the well, thereafter fouling components which are critical to proper function of a weapon. 
     The related arts include several noteworthy devices. 
     In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,528,765 and 4,709,496, Johnson describes safety devices for use with firearms having a magazine well for holding a removable magazine. Devices prevent a firearm from being unintentionally fired and are color coded to indicate when a firearm is in a safe condition. Devices include a body dimensionally smaller than the magazine well so as to allow for the insertion and removal of the device without binding. Devices are composed of a durable high density plastic with sufficient strength to prevent deformation which might permit dirt to enter the magazine well. Each device includes a detent for interacting with a magazine retention latch on a firearm to secure the device within a magazine well. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,062, Johnson describes a safety device for a repeating firearm including a main body which fits in a magazine well of a firearm, closing its outer end. An outer end of the main body is clearly visible at the end of the magazine well when the main body is properly located therein. A chamber-blocking member movably attached to the main body excludes cartridges from the firing chamber of the weapon and, in one embodiment of the invention, includes a barrier which prevents a firing pin from reaching the primer of a cartridge which may be located in the firing chamber undetected. 
     Devices described by Johnson and others are mechanically complex, difficult to manufacture, cumbersome to use, ineffective, impractical, and/or unable to prevent liquid from infiltrating into a magazine well. 
     As is readily apparent from the discussions above, the related arts do not include a plug comprised of a compressible material that is dimensionally larger than a magazine well so as to require compression of the plug for proper insertion into a well. 
     Accordingly, what is required is a compressible plug which is capable of rendering a weapon safe by preventing insertion of a magazine with live rounds into its magazine well and/or to prevent solid and liquid contaminants from entering a weapon through its magazine well. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to provide a compressible plug which must be compressed for proper insertion into a magazine well. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a compressible plug that compresses snugly into a magazine well, thereby securing the plug therein. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a compressible plug capable of rendering a weapon safe by preventing insertion of a magazine with live rounds into a magazine well. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a compressible plug capable of preventing solid and liquid contaminants from entering a weapon through its magazine well. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the magazine well plug includes a main body substantially shaped to conform to the interior of a magazine well, an optional flange substantially disposed about the main body, and an optional grip element at one end of the main body facilitating insertion and removal of the plug with respect to the magazine well. The main body and flange are comprised of one or more readily compressible materials, examples including, but not limited to, rubbers, polymers, elastomers, and foams. The main body is dimensionally larger than one or more dimensions of the void within a magazine well. As such, the main body must be compressed in part or whole when inserted into a magazine well. 
     In some embodiments, the main body and flange could be comprised of one or more materials that generally resist compression and quickly return to a shape that conforms to the shape of the magazine well and its opening, respectively. 
     In other embodiments, the main body and flange could be comprised of one or more materials that slowly return to a shape that conforms to the shape of the magazine well and its opening, respectively. 
     In yet other embodiments, the main body could include a cavity that enhances the compression characteristics of the main body. 
     In still other embodiments, the compressible materials could be porous. 
     In further embodiments, the main body and/or flange could form a liquid tight seal to prevent water and other liquids from entering a magazine well. 
     In yet further embodiments, the magazine well plug either glows or reflects when exposed to light or is color coded. 
     In preferred embodiments, the magazine well plug could be composed of a compressible rubber that is slightly larger than the dimensions of a magazine well, resulting in a firm friction fit inside the well. A large handle is provided along the lower end of the plug so as to enable a soldier to quickly locate and remove the protective plug as needed. A transition between plug and flange further prevents contaminants from entering the well. The shape of the magazine well plug conforms neatly to the underside of a firearm so as not to interfere with the normal routines of a soldier. The plug could glow after exposure to light and/or reflect visible or invisible light to visually indicate to others within an area that the weapon does not contain live rounds. 
     Several advantages are offered by the described invention. The invention avoids openings between a magazine well and an otherwise rigid plug, thereby minimizing the likelihood of solid and/or liquid contaminants from entering a magazine well. The invention is easily manufactured via presently known fabrication methods. The invention is easy to use and requires no formal training. The invention is easily cleaned with resources available to a soldier. 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           1  Magazine well plug 
           2  Main body 
           3  Flange 
           4  Grip element 
           5  Cavity 
           6  Side 
           7  Side 
           8  Side 
           9  Side 
           10  Protrusion 
           11  Length 
           12  Height 
           13  Angle 
           14  Width 
           15  Width 
           16  Length 
           17  First end 
           18 Second end 
           19  Diagonal lengt 
           20  Firearm 
           21  Magazine well 
           22  Well 
           23  Wall 
           24  Wall 
           25  Wall 
           26  Wall 
           27  Well length 
           28  Opening 
           29  Angle 
           30  Well width 
           31  Well height 
           32  Transition 
       
    
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view illustrating a magazine well plug prior to insertion into a firearm in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged side elevation view illustrating a magazine well plug in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and partial cut away view of a magazine well to illustrate attachment of the magazine well plug thereto. 
         FIG. 3  is front elevation view illustrating a magazine well plug in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and partial cut away view of a magazine well to illustrate attachment of the magazine well plug thereto. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of a magazine well plug in accordance with the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view illustrating a magazine well plug in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and cut away view of a magazine well to illustrate dimensional differences between plug and well. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view illustrating a magazine well plug in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevation view illustrating a magazine well plug in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and cut away view of a magazine well to illustrate dimensional differences between plug and well. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the magazine well plug  1  is shown adjacent to a magazine well  21  of an exemplary firearm  20 . The magazine well plug  1  is inserted into the magazine well  21 , so as to substantially fill the volume otherwise occupied by a magazine with ammunition. For purposes of the present description, the term firearm  20  is broadly understood to include weapons having a cavity into which a magazine or the like is loaded. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the magazine well plug  1  is shown including a main body  2 , a flange  3 , and a grip element  4 . Main body  2  and flange  3  are comprised of one or more compressible materials, preferably compositions which resist degradation by ultraviolet light, as well as by solvents, lubricants, and other chemicals commonly used with firearms  20 . Exemplary compressible materials include, but are not limited to, rubbers, polymers, elastomers, and foams. Compressible materials could include compositions which compress but are generally resistive of such behavior and quickly recover after compression. It is also possible for compressible materials to include compositions which are generally less resistive of compression and have a slower recovery period. Specific examples of a compressible material are urethane rubber and silicone rubber. Compressible materials could be porous, including open and closed cell structures, or have one or more cavities  5  that optimize the compression and recovery characteristics of the magazine well plug  1 . Main body  2 , flange  3 , and grip element  4  could be fabricated separately or as a single unit via known molding or forming methods used for compressible materials. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4 , the main body  2  is shown having a generally rectangular shape with four planar-shaped sides  6 - 9  disposed between a planar-shaped first end  17  and a planar-shaped second end  18 . However, the main body  2  could be composed of other shapes including, but not limited to, polygons, circles, and ellipses with planar and non-planar features. In some embodiments, the main body  2  could include one or more protrusions  10  which extend beyond one or more sides  6 - 9 . Protrusions  10  could include planar or non-planar shapes which compliment features within a well  22  or improve insertion and removal characteristics of the magazine well plug  1 . For example, a plurality of hemispherical-shaped elements could be disposed along the sides  6 - 9  of a main body  2 , so as to reduce the interference area between the main body  2  and magazine walls  23 - 26 , while securely fastening the magazine well plug  1  within the well  22 . When protrusions  10  compliment features within a well  22 , the dimensions of the protrusions  10  are preferred to slightly exceed those of the well feature. 
     The flange  3  is a generally planar structure which traverses the perimeter of the main body  2  and protrudes from the sides  6 - 9 .  FIG. 6  shows the width  15  and length  16  of the flange  3  to be greater than the corresponding width  14  and length  11  of the main body  2 . In some embodiments, the flange  3  could partially traverse the perimeter of the main body  2 . In preferred embodiments, the flange  3  is disposed about the main body  2  at or adjacent to the second end  18 , as represented in  FIG. 4 . In other embodiments, a transition  32 , an example being a chamfer or other tapered structure, is provided between the sides  6 - 9  and flange  3  to avoid right angles or sharp transitions which might otherwise compromise the sealing characteristics of the main body  2  and/or flange  3  within the well  22  and/or opening  28 . 
     The grip element  4  is a shaped element generally disposed adjacent to or along the second end  18  of the main body  2  that facilitates insertion and removal of the magazine well plug  1  with respect to well  22 . The grip element  4  could be a circular-shaped handle or the like, as represented in  FIG. 2 , or have another shape which functions as a grip that allows a user to grasp, insert, and remove a magazine well plug  1 . The grip element  4  could be composed of one or more compressible materials, as described above, or include a semi-rigid or rigid material formed, fastened, or adhered to the main body  2   
     Referring again to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the magazine well plug  1  is shown seated snugly within a well  22 . In preferred embodiments, the main body  2  should conform to the shape formed by the walls  23 - 26  within and/or opening  28  into the well  22  so as to seal the well  22  from the outside environment. In other embodiments, the compressibility of the flange  3  could also function to conform to the shape of the opening  28  into the well  22 . 
     The main body  2  contacts the walls  23 - 26  along the well  22  and exerts a force against at least two walls  23 - 26 . This force is the result of the recovery of the main body  2  to its original shape within the well  22 . As such, the magazine well plug  1  employs at least the recovery force to secure it within a magazine well  21 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-4 , the magazine well plug  1  is inserted into the magazine well  21  by grasping the grip element  4  with one hand, placing the first end  17  onto the opening  28  and applying a force in a rocking motion in the direction of the well  22 . The applied force causes the main body  2  to compress as it contacts and slides past the opening  28 . The force is applied until the flange  3  contacts the opening  28  and is properly seated thereon. In other embodiments, the user could manually compress the main body  2  adjacent to the opening  28  with a second hand so as to reduce the sliding friction between main body  2  and opening  28  and walls  23 - 26 . Removal of the magazine well plug  1  is performed by grasping the grip element  4  with one hand and applying a force in a rocking motion in a direction opposite of the magazine well  21 . The user might be required to manually compress the main body  2  adjacent to the opening  28  with a second hand so as to reduce the sliding resistance between main body  2  and opening  28  and walls  23 - 26 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the major axis of the main body  2  is shown having a length  11  dimensionally greater than the dimension of the well length  27 . In preferred embodiments, the difference in lengths should provide at least an interference fit between the walls  23 ,  24  and main body  2 . The compressibility of the main body  2  should at least allow for contraction of its length  11  to that of the well length  27 . The height  12  of the main body  2  should be sufficient to ensure contact along the interior surfaces of the walls  23 - 26  so as to form a continuous seal about the well  22 . In some embodiments, the height  12  could be minimized to reduce the sliding resistance and corresponding difficulty to seat and remove the magazine well plug  1  into and from the well  22 . In other embodiments, the height  12  could be maximized to ensure contact between the main body  2  and one or more elements in the breech to prevent operation of the firearm  20 . In yet other embodiments, the height  12  could be maximized to ensure sufficient grip or frictional forces between the main body  2  and walls  23 - 26  to further ensure the magazine well plug  1  is securely lodged within the well  22 . In still other embodiments, the main body  2  should substantially fill the well  22  and have a height  12  at least as great as the well height  31 . 
     The flange  3  could be disposed in a variety of orientations. In some embodiments, the flange  3  could be arranged parallel to the centerline of the gun barrel. In preferred embodiments, the flange  3  is disposed at an angle  13  which approximates the angle  29  formed by the walls  23 - 26  comprising the magazine well  21 . This arrangement ensures contact and seal between the flange  3  and magazine well  21  about the opening  28 . In some embodiments, the flange  3  could provide the only seal with the magazine well  21  or compliment the seal provided by the main body  2 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the minor axis of the main body  2  is shown having a width  14  dimensionally greater than the dimension of the well width  30 . In preferred embodiments, the difference in widths should provide at least an interference fit between the walls  25 ,  26  and main body  2 . The compressibility of the main body  2  should at least allow for contraction of its width  14  to that of the well width  30 . 
     While the length  11  and/or width  14  dimensions of the main body  2  could exceed the corresponding dimensions of the well  22 , other designs are possible. For example, it is likewise possible for one or more diagonal lengths  19  along the main body  2 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , to exceed corresponding dimensions within the well  22 . It is also possible for one or more protrusions  10  in combination or in conjunction with one or more sides  6 - 9  to provide the interference required to securely lock the magazine well plug  1  within the magazine well  21 . 
     In some embodiments, it might be advantageous to enhance the visible characteristics of the magazine well plug  1 . In one example, the magazine well plug  1  could glow after exposure to visible or invisible light so that the plug is clearly identifiable at night or under poor lighting conditions. In another example, the magazine well plug  1  could reflect visible or invisible light so that the plug is clearly identifiable when illuminated or viewed via night vision equipment. 
     In some embodiments, glow and/or reflective properties could be achieved by paint or the like applied onto the exterior of the magazine well plug  1 . In other embodiments, one or more commercially available additives could be mixed into the composition prior to molding or forming the magazine well plug  1 . In yet other embodiments, a glow and/or reflective appliqué may be applied onto the exterior of a magazine well plug  1  and adhesively or mechanically attached thereto. 
     The description above indicates that a great degree of flexibility is offered in terms of the present invention. Although various embodiments have been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.