Abstract:
An accessory which becomes an integral part of a semi-automatic firearm whereby the firearm is converted from one with a detachable magazine into one with a fixed magazine. The device is comprised of an upper tension bar and a magazine catch bar whereby the upper tension bar holds the magazine firmly within the magazine well receiver when the upper tension bar is contacting the upper receiver. When the upper receiver and lower receiver of the firearm are in an open position, the upper tension bar freely moves inward toward the firearm, allowing the magazine catch bar to remove from the magazine well receiver. A user may then remove the magazine from the magazine well receiver and replace it with a new magazine. The user must reattach the upper receiver to the lower receiver before utilizing the firearm.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates generally to semi-automatic firearms and more specifically to a device and method for converting a semi-automatic firearm with a -detachable magazine to a semi-automatic firearm with a fixed magazine. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Semi-automatic firearms have been known for a long time. The first semi-automatic rifle was introduced in 1885. The M-16 automatic rifle has been used by the military for years. A civilian version of the M-16 is known as the AR-15 and is a semi-automatic rifle. The AR-15 has been manufactured and sold to civilians for many years. Standard AR-15 semi-automatic rifles are manufactured and distributed with detachable magazines. A detachable magazine allows a user to fire the gun multiple times until all bullets in the magazine have been fired. When the magazine is depleted, the user pushes a magazine release button. This releases the magazine from the rifle. The user may then insert a new magazine and resume firing. When used herein, the phrase “semi-automatic rifle” is intended to include the AR-15s previously and currently being manufactured. 
     Semi-automatic firearms, particularly those with detachable magazines, are coming under heightened regulation and restriction. A bill is currently pending before the U.S. Congress known as the “Assault Weapons Ban of 2013.” The bill states that “It shall be unlawful for a person to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, a semiautomatic assault weapon.” The bill defines a “semiautomatic assault weapon as: 
     “(A) A semiautomatic rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any 1 of the following: (i) A pistol grip. (ii) A forward grip. (iii) A folding, telescoping, or detachable stock. (iv) A grenade launcher or rocket launcher. (v) A barrel shroud. (vi) A threaded barrel. 
     (B) A semiautomatic rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds, except for an attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition. Sec. 2(a)(1).” 
     The bill further defines a “detachable magazine” as “an ammunition feeding device that can be removed from a firearm without disassembly of the firearm action.” The bill also defines a “fixed magazine” as “an ammunition feeding device that is permanently fixed to the firearm in such a manner that it cannot be removed without disassembly of the firearm.” 
     As such, the planned legislation would ban all semi-automatic rifles that can accept a detachable magazine, all semi-automatic rifles that have a fixed magazine that accept more than ten rounds, and any part, combination of parts, component, device, attachment, or accessory that is designed or functions to accelerate the rate of fire of a semiautomatic rifle. 
     The standard semi-automatic rifle is manufactured and sold with a detachable magazine. Users can replace a magazine in the standard semi-automatic rifles without disassembling the firearm action. Such semi-automatic rifles are likely to face increased restriction and regulation. What is needed is a device and method for easily converting a semi-automatic rifle with a detachable magazine to a semi-automatic rifle with a fixed magazine. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a device and method for converting a semi-automatic rifle with a detachable magazine into a semi-automatic rifle with a fixed magazine. The device more specifically relates to a device which becomes an integral part of a semi-automatic rifle whereby a magazine catch is positioned such that a magazine can only be released when the upper receiver is removed from the lower receiver. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a device whereby a semi-automatic firearm with a detachable magazine can be converted to a semi-automatic firearm with a fixed magazine. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an accessory which provides a connection between a firearm and its magazine whereby the magazine can only be removed when the firearm action is in a disassembled state. With the invention installed on a firearm, the firearm will no longer accept a detachable magazine. The firearm can only accept a fixed magazine when the firearm action is disassembled. 
     It is a purpose of the invention to slow the rate of fire of semi-automatic firearms. The invention is a permanent fixture added to a semi-automatic firearm that cannot be readily removed from the firearm. When installed on a semi-automatic firearm, the firearm will no longer accept detachable magazines. When installed on a semi-automatic firearm, a magazine may only be withdrawn and replaced when the upper receiver is removed from the lower receiver and the firearm action is disassembled. In addition, the invention is intended to be utilized only with semi-automatic firearms utilizing magazines of no more than ten rounds. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable, and effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
     A standard OEM semi-automatic rifle contains a magazine catch assembly. A standard magazine catch assembly is comprised of a magazine catch, a spring, and magazine release button. The magazine catch consists of two ends which occur at a substantially right angle. One end is a threaded screw. The other end is a substantially flat member. When installed in a semi-automatic rifle, the spring is placed over the threaded screw end of the magazine catch. The screw is then inserted through the lower receiver and threaded through the magazine catch button on the opposite side of the lower receiver. The opposite end of the magazine catch rests within a recess in the magazine well receiver. When a magazine is placed in the magazine well the magazine catch slides into a recess in the magazine. The catch holds the magazine in place while the firearm is in use. To release the magazine, a user pushes the magazine release button. When the magazine release button is depressed the magazine catch is lifted from the recess in the magazine and the magazine freely slides out of the magazine well. 
     The invention is a device which is installed as a permanent component of the firearm. The invention is a permanent fixture added to a semi-automatic firearm by removing the standard OEM magazine catch assembly and installing the invention. To remove the magazine catch assembly a person can depress the magazine release button. The user can then rotate the free end of the magazine catch in a counterclockwise motion. This motion unthreads the magazine catch from the magazine release button. Once the magazine catch is completely unthreaded, all parts of the factory installed assembly can be removed from the lower receiver. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a firearm is provided comprising a lower receiver, a magazine catch bar, and an upper tension bar. The magazine catch bar is securely attached to the lower receiver and fits within a recess in the magazine well of the lower receiver. The upper tension bar applies a pressure against the upper receiver of the firearm, sufficient to render the magazine catch bar immovable when the upper receiver and lower receiver of the firearm are firmly attached in a closed position. The magazine catch bar freely moves when the upper receiver and the lower receiver of the firearm are apart and in an open position, permitting the magazine catch bar to lift from the magazine side-locking recess sufficiently to permit a magazine to be removed from the magazine well of the lower receiver when the upper receiver and the lower receiver of the firearm are apart and in an open position. The upper tension bar may contain a set screw permitting a user to adjust the pressure at the point of contact between the upper tension bar and the upper receiver. The upper tension bar and magazine catch bar are attached to the lower receiver by means of a screw which passes through the lower receiver. The upper tension bar and magazine catch bar are positioned on separate sides of the lower receiver. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention a firearm subassembly is provided comprising a magazine catch, a magazine catch pivot, a screw and a screw spacer. The magazine catch is comprised of two extended members, a magazine catch bar and an upper tension bar. The upper tension bar applies a pressure against the upper receiver of the firearm, sufficient to render the magazine catch bar immovable when the upper receiver and lower receiver of the firearm are firmly attached in a closed position. The magazine catch bar freely moves when the upper receiver and the lower receiver of the firearm are apart and in an open position, permitting the magazine catch bar to lift from the magazine side-locking recess sufficiently to permit a magazine to be removed from the magazine well of the lower receiver when the upper receiver and the lower receiver of the firearm are apart and in an open position. The upper tension bar may contain a set screw permitting a user to adjust the pressure at the point of contact between the upper tension bar and the upper receiver. The magazine catch pivot is securely attached to the lower receiver of the firearm by means of a screw extending through the lower receiver of the firearm. The magazine catch pivot fits inside a recess within the magazine catch and is securely attached to the magazine catch. The magazine catch pivot can be of any shape. The recess in the magazine catch can be of any shape to receive the shape of the magazine catch pivot. The subassembly also comprises a screw spacer fitting within the recess for the magazine release button of the lower receiver. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for converting a firearm with a detachable magazine into a firearm with a fixed magazine comprising the steps of removing the factory installed magazine release assembly by depressing the magazine release by depressing the magazine release button to a sufficient depth to permit the factory installed magazine catch bar to extend beyond the magazine well of the lower receiver, rotating the factory installed magazine catch bar in a counterclockwise fashion until the factory installed magazine catch bar is unthreaded from the factory installed screw end of the magazine release button, and removing all parts of the factory installed magazine release button assembly, installing a magazine catch bar onto the lower receiver of the firearm where the magazine catch bar rests within the magazine side-locking recess, and installing an upper tension bar onto the lower receiver of the firearm where the upper tension bar extends towards and contacts the upper receiver. In this method the upper tension bar applies a pressure against the upper receiver of the firearm pressure sufficient to render the magazine catch bar immovable when the upper receiver and lower receiver of the firearm are firmly attached in a closed position. In this method the magazine catch bar freely moves when the upper receiver and the lower receiver of the firearm are apart and in an open position, permitting the magazine catch bar to lift from the magazine side-locking recess sufficient to permit a magazine to be removed from the magazine well of the lower receiver when the upper receiver and the lower receiver of the firearm are apart and in an open position. The method may be one where the magazine catch bar and upper tension bar are two separate extended members of one magazine catch. The method may further comprise attaching a magazine catch pivot securely to the lower receiver of the by means of a screw extending through the lower receiver of the firearm. The magazine catch pivot may be of any shape. The method may further comprise fitting the magazine catch pivot inside a recess within the magazine catch and securely attaching the magazine catch pivot to the magazine catch. The recess in the magazine catch may be of any shape to receive the magazine catch pivot. The method may further comprise fitting a screw spacer within the recess for the magazine release button on the lower receiver, the screw spacer containing a central hole allowing a screw to pass through, passing a screw through the screw spacer, and securely threading the screw into the magazine catch pivot. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a firearm with an embodiment of the invention installed. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view a firearm with an embodiment of the invention installed where the upper receiver and lower receiver of the firearm are separated 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention where the upper tension bar is separate from the magazine catch bar 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the invention where the upper tension bar and magazine catch bar are connected together as one item 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Since the basic firearm is of a well-known type, only those parts of the firearm essential to an understanding of the invention will be described in detail. Although the present invention will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms or embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2  the firearm  100  is comprised of an upper receiver  20  and a lower receiver  30 . The lower receiver  30  comprises partially of a magazine well receiver  45  and a rear takedown pin  50 . The magazine well receiver  45  is structured to accept a magazine  40  containing rounds of ammunition. As  FIG. 2  shows, the lower receiver  30  and upper receiver  20  can scissored open when the rear takedown pin  50  is removed, allowing the upper receiver  20  to be pivoted at the point of the pivot pin  60 .  FIGS. 1-2  show the invention  10  attached to the lower receiver  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , when the lower receiver  30  is attached to the upper receiver  20 , the invention  10  is securely placed in a recess in the magazine well  45  to hold the magazine  40  in place so that it cannot be removed from the magazine well  45 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , when the lower receiver  30  is separated from the upper receiver  20 , the invention  10  freely moves out of the recess in the magazine well  45 , allowing the magazine  40  to be removed from the magazine well  45 . 
       FIG. 3  displays one embodiment of the invention. The device  10  is comprised of an upper tension bar  110 , a magazine catch bar  120 , a screw  130 , an internal screw spacer  140 , and a magazine catch bar spring  150 . In this embodiment the upper tension bar  110  is separate from the magazine catch bar  120 . The upper tension bar  110  is placed on the opposite side of the lower receiver  30  than the magazine catch bar  120 . In this embodiment the upper tension bar  110  is placed in the position where the original magazine release button was installed on the lower receiver  30 . The top end of the upper tension bar  110  extends towards and contacts the upper receiver  20 . The screw  130  passes through the lower end of the upper tension bar  110  and into the lower receiver  30 . The screw  130  passes through the center of the internal screw spacer  140  and the magazine catch bar spring  150  until it is firmly threaded into the magazine catch bar  120 . In this embodiment, the magazine catch bar spring  150  pushes the magazine catch bar  120  outward and away from the lower receiver  30 . The furthest end of the magazine catch bar  120  passes through a recess in the magazine well receiver  45  and against the magazine  40 . 
     In this embodiment the device  10  operates by the force applied by the magazine catch bar spring  150 . The magazine catch bar spring  150  pushes the magazine catch bar  120  outward and away from the firearm  100 . This outward movement is transferred through the screw  130  to the upper tension bar  110 . The outward movement of the magazine catch bar  120  causes the upper tension bar  110  to move inward toward the firearm  100 . When the upper receiver  20  and the lower receiver  30  are placed together, the upper tension bar  110  applies pressure against the upper receiver  20 , due to the force exerted by the magazine catch bar spring  150 . The upper receiver  20  prevents any inward movement by the upper tension bar  110 . Because the upper tension bar  110  cannot move inward toward the firearm  100 , the magazine catch bar  120  remains resting within the recess in the magazine well receiver  45 . The magazine catch bar  120  thus remains in full contact with the magazine  40  and prevents the magazine  40  from being removed from the magazine well receiver  45 . This device  10  prevents the magazine  40  from being removed from the firearm  100  when the upper receiver  20  and lower receiver  30  are closed and pinned together. Thus, the device  10  changes the firearm  100  into one with a fixed magazine. 
     In this embodiment, the upper tension bar  110  applies an inward pressure against the upper receiver  20  because of the force applied by the magazine catch bar spring  150 . In this embodiment of the invention, to remove the magazine  40  a user must remove the rear takedown pin  50 . The removal of the rear takedown pin  50  allows the upper receiver  20  to pivot away from the lower receiver  30  at the pivot pin point  60 . This action is called “scissoring.” When the lower receiver  30  and upper receiver  20  are scissored open, the upper tension bar  110  is no longer in contact with the upper receiver  20 . When the upper receiver  20  is removed from the lower receiver  30  the upper tension bar  110  is no longer in contacting the upper receiver  20 . The tip of the upper tension bar  110  may then freely move inward. The force applied by the magazine catch bar spring  150  pushes the magazine catch bar  120  outward and away from the lower receiver  30 . Because there is no resistance between the upper tension bar  110  and upper receiver  20 , the upper tension bar  110  moves inward toward the firearm  100 . The inward movement of the upper tension bar  110  allows the magazine catch bar spring  150  to push the magazine catch bar  120  outward and away from the firearm  100 . The outward movement of the magazine catch bar  120  removes the contact between the magazine catch bar  120  and the magazine  40 . With the resistance between the magazine catch bar  120  and the magazine  40  removed, the magazine  40  is free to slide out of the magazine well receiver  45 . A user may then insert a new magazine  40  into the magazine well receiver  45 . The user then reattaches the upper receiver  20  to the lower receiver  30  and inserts the rear takedown pin  50 . The device  10  is once more in its original position where the upper tension bar  110  contacts the upper receiver  20  and the magazine catch bar  120  passes through the recess in the magazine well receiver  45  and contacts the magazine  40 . Once closed, the magazine  40  is now a fixed magazine and may not be removed from the firearm  100  while the upper receiver  20  is attached to the lower receiver  30 . Once closed, the firearm  100  may be utilized to be fired. 
       FIGS. 4-5  display one embodiment of the invention. The device  10  is comprised of a magazine catch  115 , a magazine catch pivot  160 , a screw  130 , a screw spacer  170 , a spring pin  180 , and a set screw  190 . The magazine catch  115  is comprised of two separate ends. The first end is the magazine catch bar  120  and the second end is the upper tension bar  110 . The magazine catch bar  120  end rests in the recess of the magazine well receiver  45 . The upper tension bar  110  end protrudes at an angle from the magazine catch bar  120  end such that when the magazine catch bar  120  end rests in the recess of the magazine well receiver  45  the upper tension bar  110  extends up to and comes in contact with the upper receiver  20  of the firearm. The set screw  190  threads through a threaded hole in the upper tension bar  110 . The set screw  190  provides can be threaded outward from the upper tension bar  110  until it contacts the upper receiver  20 . The set screw  190  can be adjusted so that sufficient pressure is exerted against the upper receiver  20  to maintain the magazine catch bar  120  well seated in the recess in the magazine well receiver  45  and hold the magazine  40  locked in place. At the elbow bend where the magazine catch bar  120  end and the upper tension bar  110  end meet there is a lateral recess  125  in the magazine catch  115 . The lateral recess  125  allows for the magazine catch pivot  160  to be inserted into the magazine catch  115 . The magazine catch pivot  160  can be of any shape. The lateral recess  125  can be of any shape to receive the magazine catch pivot  160 . The magazine catch pivot  160  can be secured to the magazine catch by a number of means, such as a screw, or, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a spring pin  180 . 
     The magazine catch pivot  160  has two ends. One end of the magazine catch pivot  160  is shaped to fit within the lateral recess  125  of the magazine catch  115 . The opposite end of the magazine catch pivot  160  contains a threaded receptor for the screw  130 . The screw  130  is placed through a screw spacer  170  and then extended through the lower receiver  30  such that the screw spacer  170  is located on the side of the lower receiver  30  where the factory installed magazine release button was located. The free end of the screw  130  is threaded through the magazine catch pivot  160  on the opposite side of the lower receiver  30 . 
     The device  10  operates such that when the upper receiver  20  and the lower receiver  30  are placed together, the upper tension bar  110  applies pressure against the upper receiver  20 , flexing the upper tension bar  110  outward. This outward pressure on the upper tension bar  110  causes the magazine catch  115  to pivot at the junction between the magazine catch  115  and the magazine catch pivot  160 . This pivoting motion is transferred to the magazine catch bar  120  such that the magazine catch bar  120  applies an inward pressure through the recess in the magazine well receiver  45  and applies an inward pressure against the recess in the magazine  40 . This inward pressure prevents the magazine  40  from being removed from the firearm  100  when the upper receiver  20  and lower receiver  30  are closed and pinned together. Thus, the device  10  changes the firearm  100  into one with a fixed magazine. 
     In this embodiment of the invention, to remove the magazine  40  a user must remove the rear takedown pin  50 . The removal of the rear takedown pin  50  allows the upper receiver  20  to pivot away from the lower receiver  30  at the pivot pin point  60 . When the lower receiver  30  and upper receiver  20  are scissored open, the upper tension bar  110  is no longer in contact with the upper receiver  20 . Without resistance of movement from the upper receiver  20 , the upper tension bar  110  may not pivot inward toward the firearm  100 . This pivoting inward of the upper tension bar  110  allows the magazine catch bar  120  to pivot outward from the firearm  100 . The outward movement of the magazine catch bar  120  removes the contact between the magazine catch bar  120  and the magazine  40 . With the resistance between the magazine catch bar  120  and the magazine  40  removed, the magazine  40  is free to slide out of the magazine well receiver  45 . A user may then insert a new magazine  40  into the magazine well receiver  45 . The user then reattaches the upper receiver  20  to the lower receiver  30  and inserts the rear takedown pin  50 . Once closed, the firearm  100  may be utilized to be fired.