Abstract:
A device for carrying an ammunition magazine has a band which encircles a conventional magazine and which has two downwardly extending plastic tabs. The two plastic tabs are spaced sidewardly to define an downwardly opening, downwardly extending gap, which permits the tabs to be received within openings in two adjacent loops presented by a standard MOLLE webbing on a Pouch Attachment Ladder System or PALS grid on a vest or other clothing item. The tabs are shaped to slide behind standard MOLLE webbing and engage the webbing to hold the magazine securely until the user grabs the magazine and pulls it away from the MOLLE webbing. The tabs are biased towards the magazine, and have a lower protrusion which engages beneath a belt, allowing the same device to be attached to a belt.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to devices for carrying ammunition magazines in the field. 
         [0004]    Ammunition for automatic and semiautomatic weapons is typically loaded in spring-loaded containers or magazines which present multiple cartridges for rapid discharge from a rifle, shotgun, or pistol. A soldier, law enforcement officer, or sportsman can carry multiple magazines, making it possible to very rapidly replenish the ammunition of a weapon under time pressure. 
         [0005]    Conventionally, ammunition magazines are carried in fabric pouches which are worn on belts or on vests. Yet these pouches remain attached to the user once the magazine has been removed, and, if provided with a covering flap, can interfere with the rapid removal of the magazine. Moreover, pouches may be limited in the variety of magazines which they can contain. Molded plastic attachments are known which fasten to the exterior of a magazine and which provide a clip for attaching the assembly to a belt. 
         [0006]    What is needed is a device which permits an ammunition magazine to be alternatively attached to a belt or a conventional PALS vest which imposes a reduced weight burden on the user and which facilitates rapid access to and use of ammunition magazines. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The ammunition magazine carrying device of the present invention is fastenable to a conventional ammunition magazine, and has one or two downwardly extending tabs. If two tabs, they are spaced sidewardly to define an downwardly opening, downwardly extending gap or slot, which permits the tabs to be received within openings presented by two adjacent loops presented by a standard MOLLE webbing on a Pouch Attachment Ladder System or PALS grid on a vest, pack, or other clothing item. The tabs are shaped to slide behind standard MOLLE webbing and engage the webbing to hold the magazine securely until the user grabs the magazine and pulls it away from the MOLLE. This flexes the tabs and frees the magazine with ease. The attachment of the device to the MOLLE webbing or belt resists dislodging by physical activity of the user, while still allowing ready extraction of the device with attached magazine when needed. The tabs are biased toward the magazine, and may be provided with a lower protrusion positioned to engage beneath a conventional belt, allowing the same device alternatively to mount to a simple belt. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an attachment for an ammunition magazine to an article of clothing which is lightweight and low volume. 
         [0009]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide a magazine carrying attachment device which does not substantially interfere with reloading of the magazine. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device for attaching an ammunition magazine to an article of clothing that leaves no portion on the article of clothing when the magazine is removed. 
         [0011]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a device for attaching an ammunition magazine to a conventional MOLLE webbing or to a belt. 
         [0012]    Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of the ammunition magazine carrying device of this invention mounted to a conventional belt. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an exploded side elevational view of the device of  FIG. 1  shown in relation to a rifle. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the device of  FIG. 1  shown engaged with a Pouch Attachment Ladder System vest, and shown in phantom view being inserted into the pouch loops. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an exploded isometric view of an alternative embodiment ammunition magazine carrying device of this invention in relation to a Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) vest. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of the device of  FIG. 5  engaging an ammunition magazine. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the device of  FIG. 5  shown engaged with a the PALS vest of  FIG. 5 , shown in cross-sectional view. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the ammunition magazine carrying device of this invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 8 , taken along section  9 - 9 , and shown attached to an ammunition magazine and mounted to a conventional waist belt. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of another alternative embodiment ammunition magazine carrying device of this invention, shown mounted to an ammunition magazine. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a front elevational view of another alternative embodiment ammunition magazine carrying device of this invention having a single tab and mounted within the PALS loops of a conventional MOLLE vest. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is an exploded isometric view of yet another alternative embodiment ammunition magazine carrying device of this invention shown in relation to an ammunition magazine with a modified base plate. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    Referring more particularly to  FIGS. 1-12 , wherein like numbers refer to similar parts, an ammunition magazine carrying device  20  is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The device  20  has a molded plastic body  21  with an upper element  22  which is sized to encircle and grip an ammunition magazine  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . The device  20  carries the magazine  24  when filled with rounds  25  of ammunition. A first tab  28  extends downwardly from the upper element, and a second tab  30 , generally a mirror image of the first tab, extends downwardly from the upper element and is spaced sidewardly from the first tab to define a downwardly extending gap  23  between the first tab and the second tab. The plastic body  21  may be subjected to elevated temperatures and harsh solvents, so it is preferably formed of Nylon, or alternatively, a polyamide, a polycarbonate or ULTEM® amorphous thermoplastic polyetherimide resin, marketed by SABIC Innovative Plastics Holding BV. 
         [0026]    The plastic upper element  22  of the device is a generally rectangular ring which is split to define a first end  26  which is spaced from a second end  27 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper element defines an upper opening  19  and a lower opening  40 , through which the magazine can extend or be accessed. The upper element  22  has a first portion  29  above the first tab  28 , and a second portion  31  above the second tab  30 . A fastener  33  such as an allen head screw extends through a horizontal bore  35  in the upper element  22  second portion  31  and extends into a receiving cylinder  37  which is coaxial with the bore  35 . The receiving cylinder  37  is an internally threaded brass or stainless steel element which is secured by a press fit within a molded cavity in the first portion  29  of the upper element  22 . By adjusting the fastener  33  the first portion is brought closer to the second portion  31 , and the entire device is thereby clamped onto the lower portion of the magazine  24 . Shallow recesses  39 ,  41  in the first portion  29  and the second portion  31  provide access to the receiving cylinder  37 , and to the fastener  33 . 
         [0027]    The device  20  can be secured to a curved magazine with the magazine curving to the left or right. As left handed shooters will generally have the ammunition facing in the opposite direction of a right handed shooter, the device  20  allows for the user to place the magazine in a preferred orientation. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , each tab  28 ,  30 , has a planar main segment  42  which is generally parallel to the magazine, and a terminating tab foot  44  which extends away from the magazine. As shown in  FIG. 2 , each tab foot  44  has a first wall  46  which extends towards the magazine and a second wall  48  which extends from the first wall away from the magazine. 
         [0029]    As best shown in  FIG. 3 , each tab has an outside relief  50  below where the tab extends from the upper element  22 . A lower region  43  of each tab tapers as it extends downwardly to a foot  44 . The effect is thus that the tabs  28 ,  30  narrow as they extend downwardly, then widen, and then narrow again as they terminate in the feet  44 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the carrying device  20  serves to mount the magazine to a grid of straps, such as the Pouch Attachment Ladder System or PALS grid of webbing used to attach smaller equipment onto load bearing platforms, such as clothing, vests and backpacks, and those used in the MOLLE packs employed by the US military. A conventional PALS grid  32  has horizontal rows  34  of one-inch webbing which are spaced one-inch apart. Each web is sewn to the backing at 1.5-inch intervals to define a sequence of loops  36  which are closed sidewardly, but are open upwardly and downwardly. To connect the device  20  to the vest, the tabs  28 ,  30  are inserted into any two adjacent loops  36 . 
         [0031]    The tabs  28 ,  30  have protrusions  52  which mark the ends of the reliefs  50  and which are the widest portion of the device  20 . It will be observed that the distance between the two protrusions  52  is greater than the width of two adjacent loops  36 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the device  20  is inserted into the PALS grid  32 , the narrow tapered regions  43  of the tabs readily are received within two adjacent PALS loops, as the device is pressed downardly, the seams  54  defining the loops engage with the outer peripheries of the tabs  28 ,  30 , thereby urging them towards one another, and thereby narrowing the width of the device and allowing the tabs to pass through two loops  36 . When fully inserted, the tab reliefs  50  are received within the loops, and the protrusions  52  are beneath the row of loops  36 . In this condition, the device is secured to the PALS grid, until such time as it is desired to remove it. To remove the device  20 , it is pulled upwardly, where again the tapered effect of the recesses produces a camming action which urges the tabs  28 ,  30  towards one another such that the device may be readily extracted, all of this can be readily accomplished with only one hand. 
         [0032]    Thus the device at the level of the protrusions is wider than at the level of the upper recesses. When the tabs are inserted into the upwardly opening loops, portions of the first tab and the second tab are displaced, narrowing the side to side width of the device and allowing it to pass into the loops. Once the protrusions have passed beneath the loops, the device can return to substantially its original condition, enabling it to thereby engage and retain the device to the support. 
         [0033]    It will be observed that the device is thus restricted from side to side displacement by the seams  54  which define the loops  36 , from downward displacement by the upper element  22  which projects frontwardly and cannot extend through the loops; from front to back displacement by the loop itself, and from upward displacement under ordinary circumstances by the side protrusions  52 . 
         [0034]    The carrying device  20  eliminates the need for a pouch and can be lighter and less bulky than a fabric pouch. Moreover, the empty magazine need not be returned to the user&#39;s vest and may be discarded under demanding circumstances, leaving the user unencumbered by the carrying device and the spent magazine. 
         [0035]    The carrying device  20  can also mount a magazine to a conventional belt  38 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . When mounted to a belt  38 , the tabs  28 ,  30 , extend generally parallel to the belt, and the first walls  46  of the tab feet  44  extend beneath the belt, or else engage against a wider belt, to resiliently clamp the device in place  20 . The tabs  28  are somewhat biased towards the belt, so that the feet  44  are biased against the side wall of an ammunition magazine disposed in the device. The device may also be attached directly onto the waistband of a user&#39;s pants, in which case the tabs  28 ,  30  will engage the pants resiliently. 
         [0036]    Because the device  20  is as wide as the ammunition magazine itself, there is stability of the device when mounted on a user&#39;s belt. Different magazines are of different widths, and some will exceed the width of a single MOLLE loop. The two tabs of the device allow it to both offer good stability when mounted on a belt, and to extend securely into multiple MOLLE loops. 
         [0037]    It should be noted that standard belt height is 2 inches, much taller than the 1″ strap found in a MOLLE PALS array. The device  20  employs longer tabs  28 ,  30 , which can extend across the tall belt, but employing the side to side resilience of the tabs, it can securely engage within the MOLLE loops as well. 
         [0038]    It should be noted that, in an alternative embodiment, the tabs, rather than being fabricated of stiff plastic, may alternatively be formed of ultra thin spring steel. 
         [0039]    An alternative embodiment magazine carrying device  120  is shown in  FIGS. 5-7 . The device  120  has a closed elastomeric plastic band  122  which is sized to encircle and grip the ammunition magazine  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The band  122  may be similar to the ones used by Magpul Industries Corp. of Erie, Colo., in the ORIGINAL MAGPUL® magazine enhancement. The device  120  carries the magazine  24  when filled with rounds  25  of ammunition. A rigid plastic attachment plate  126  is fixed to the elastomeric band  122 , such as by adhesive, mechanical engagement, fasteners, or by co-molding. A first tab  128  extends downwardly from the attachment plate beneath the elastomeric band, and a second tab  130  extends downwardly from the plate  126  which is similar to the first tab, but spaced sidewardly from the first tab to define a downwardly extending gap between the first tab and the second tab. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , each tab  128 ,  130 , has an arced main segment  142  which is concave towards the magazine, and a terminating tab foot  144  which extends away from the magazine. As shown in  FIG. 6 , each tab foot  144  is curved to ease the insertion of the tabs when the device  120  is attached to a carrier. 
         [0041]    When a user wishes to replenish his weapon with an additional magazine, the magazine itself is gripped and urged upwardly to extract the tabs from engagement with the loops  36 . The elastomeric band  122  is positioned sufficiently low on the magazine that the magazine may be received into feeding engagement with a weapon without interference with the band  122 . 
         [0042]    It will be observed that an important dimension for the fit of the carrying device  20  to the magazine is the circumferential size of the magazine, a dimension generally determined by the particular weapon with which the magazine is to be used. Hence, a single carrying device  20  can be fitted to a variety of different makes and capacities of magazine for the same weapon. 
         [0043]    It should be noted that, in an alternative embodiment, the entire magazine carrying device  120  may be molded of a single polymer, or the device may be co-molded from two types of plastic, one more resilient forming the band, and one stiffer, forming the tabs. Also, the tabs, rather than being fabricated of stiff plastic, may alternatively be formed of ultra thin spring steel. 
         [0044]    Another alternative embodiment of the ammunition magazine carrying device  150  of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The device  150  has a plastic body  152  with two downwardly extending tabs  154 ,  156 . Each tab  154 ,  156 , is formed as a ring surrounding a central opening  157 , thereby reducing the overall weight of the device, and increasing the flexibility of the tabs in the side to side direction. A flange-like protrusion  158  extends from each tab  154 ,  156  towards the magazine, and is positioned beneath the opening  157 . The protrusions  158  extend back towards the magazine  24  on which the device  150  is mounted so as to extend beneath a standard 2-inch height belt. The tabs  154 ,  156  are slightly biased so as to clamp the belt between the tabs and the magazine  24 . The device  150  has a fastener  160  and a clamping arrangement between a first portion  162  and a second portion  164  of the body  152 , so the device may be secured to the magazine  24  in a fashion similar to the device  20 . 
         [0045]    Another alternative embodiment ammunition magazine carrying device  166  of this invention is shown in  FIG. 10 , which attaches to the base of the magazine  24  by replacing the conventional base plate. Typically, the base  168  of a magazine will have a narrow flange  170  which extends frontwardly and rearwardly. The device  166  has a molded plastic top member  169  with portions defining two parallel channels  172  which receive the protruding portions of the magazine base flange  170 , thereby securing the carrying device  166  to the magazine  124 . The device  166  has a first tab  174  spaced across a gap  176  from a second tab  178 , and each tab has a profile similar to the tabs of the device shown in  FIG. 7 , which offers the camming action when inserted into two side by side MOLLE loops. A flange-like protrusion or foot  180  extends from each tab  174 ,  176  towards the magazine. The protrusions  180  extend back towards the magazine  124  on which the device  166  is mounted so as to extend beneath a standard 2-inch height belt. The tabs are slightly biased so as to clamp the belt between the tabs and the magazine  124 . 
         [0046]    A flange-like protrusion  180  extends from each tab  174 ,  176  towards the magazine. The protrusions  158  extend back towards the magazine  24  on which the device  150  is mounted so as to extend beneath a standard 2-inch height belt. The tabs  174 ,  176  are slightly biased to clamp belts of greater height between the tabs and the magazine  124 . 
         [0047]    An alternative embodiment ammunition magazine carrying device  190  of this invention is shown in  FIG. 11  which is adapted for a narrower magazine. The device  190  has a molded plastic body  191  with only a single tab  192  which extends downwardly from a square split ring upper element  194 . The split ring upper element  194  may have a free end  196  which can be clamped to the remainder of the ring with a screw fastener  198  to clamp the device to a narrow magazine  190 . The single tab  192  has a narrow frame  200  which is subject to distortion when the tab is inserted within a single MOLLE loop  36 . The frame  200  surrounds a central opening  201 . The single tab has two opposed upper recesses  202  positioned above two protrusions  204 . Below the protrusions  204  the single tab narrows to a foot  206  with a projecting flange  208  for engagement beneath a conventional belt. 
         [0048]    Yet another alternative embodiment ammunition magazine carrying device  210  of this invention is shown in  FIG. 12 , which may be fabricated of sheet metal about 0.03″ to 0.10″ thick. The device  210  is used with an ammunition magazine  211  in which the conventional base plate has been replaced with a special base plate  220  having threaded mounting holes  213 . The sheet metal device  210  has a main body  215  extending vertically, which is connected by a right angle connection segment  214  to a horizontal flange  216 . The flange  216  has two mounting holes  218  which allow the device  210  to be mounted by fasteners  212  such as screws to the base plate  220 . The main body  215  has two tabs  222 ,  224  on either side of a gap  226 . Each tab  222 ,  224 , has a recess  228  with a widened protrusion therebelow. The tabs  222 ,  224  narrow towards a foot  230 , which may have a stamped extension  232  which serves to engage below a belt when the device is mounted to a conventional belt. 
         [0049]    It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.