Patent Publication Number: US-2017350666-A1

Title: Magazine device for a firearm

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to magazines used in firearms. More specifically the present invention relates to an improved magazine with an ammunition indication system for indicating the used or remaining number of rounds in the magazine. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the art of firearms, ammunition magazines are very popular. The basic construction of the ammunition magazine is a restraint shell with dual open ends. One of the ends is considered as the floor end of the magazine and is protected by a base plate while the opposing end of the dual ends is functional as the feeder end. Here, the feeder end is in alignment with the axis of the firearm. Inside the space provided by the protective shell and plate, is a spring and follower assembly, where the spring is used to move the follower along a predefined track in an upward direction from the floor end of the magazine according to the depletion of ammunition during a firing cycle. That is, when ammunition is loaded into the magazine, the ammunition plunges the follower down towards the floor end and therefore compresses the spring. During the firing process from the firearm, when one cartridge of ammunition is consumed, the compressed spring is relieved to a certain extent, and this pushes the follower and the linked ammunition upwards toward the feeder end. By this, the next round of ammunition is thus made ready for firing. 
     However, most of the conventional magazines have several drawbacks. In one of such conventional magazines, the guide rails within the magazine are designed to interface with the follower component, which makes the operation complicated. In this case, there are chances for the ammunition to be misaligned since the focus is more on interfacing of the guide rails with the follower rather than proper positioning of the ammunition. In another case, an ammunition indication system, which indicates the depleted level of ammunition in the magazine, is comprised of at least one window with a noticeable marker on the follower spring. When the marker is on the follower spring, it becomes difficult for a user to see the marker properly. In addition, identifying the amount of ammunition based on the marker would be inaccurate. In another instance, the follower and magazine casing are designed to interface to prevent the follower from popping out of the magazine. Here also, the focus is not on the safe positioning of the ammunition but on the positioning of the follower within the magazine, which makes such magazines less efficient in indicating ammunition. 
     In most of the conventional magazines, the slide locking floor plate of the magazine goes around the outside lower end of the magazine, and covers the magazine at the lower end, which causes protrusions to the outer surface of the magazine. That is, such magazines comprising such conventional floor plate, has essentially a ¼ inches of lip that wraps around the base of the magazine. Thus, when a user is using such magazines, these lips tend to interfere while handling the magazine or while they are stacked together during storage. Magazines without a streamlined profile interfere with each other when retrieving a magazine from the magazine pouch. Further, such design modifications can also bulk up the size of the magazine as well which makes it less desirable to be used with a variety of firearms. Most conventional magazines comprise electronic components, which display parameters, such as, the level of ammunition, number of ammunition, etc. means it requires some sort of battery power. There is a need for a magazine apparatus, which can address and resolve the above-mentioned problems and disadvantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A magazine device for a firearm is disclosed herein. The magazine device comprises a generally curved elongate casing, a spring-loaded follower frame, a lighting element and multiple transparent windows. The lighting element will be used along with light reflecting elements such as reflective coatings, fiber optics, etc., to achieve the desired effect. The follower frame is configured to traverse from a lower end of the casing to an upper end of the casing in predetermined positions according to the depletion of ammunition positioned on each follower frame. The lighting element is housed proximal to a rear section of the follower frame, where the lighting element is configured to illuminate the vicinity of the follower frame. The transparent windows are positioned on the casing, in alignment with the predetermined positions of the follower frame, where the transparent windows are configured to display the level and number of ammunition left in the follower frame after a firing process. 
     In an embodiment, the magazine device further comprises a base plate positioned at a lower end of the casing, where the base plate ensures that the casing is flat to a ground level. Therefore, a user is allowed to position the firearm flat on the ground to support the firearm on ground. In an embodiment, the casing comprises an internal groove positioned at the lower end of the casing to attach the base plate to the casing. In an embodiment, the lighting element is positioned in a capsule member housed in the rear section of the follower frame, where the capsule member comprises openings to display the light emitted from the lighting element. In an embodiment, the magazine device further comprises a light diffuser element positioned within the capsule member proximal to the lighting element, where the light diffuser element is configured to evenly spread the light emitted from the lighting element. The base plate also features “tread” to grip surface, and the fact that it is longer than traditional base plates, renders the “base plate retainer” piece from being accidentally pressed causing the magazine to come apart. User needs to use a screwdriver or a 5.56 round to depress the base plate retainer button. 
     In an embodiment, the magazine device further comprises an engraved portion positioned on the surface of the elongate casing, where the engraved portion is configured to be colored by a user to represent one or combination of alphabets and numbers. Additionally these engraved portions were strategically placed near the bottom of the magazine for grip and control when retrieving the magazine from the magazine pouch since most users place their magazines with the ejection end facing down inside a magazine holster or pouch. In an embodiment, the transparent windows comprise pairs of transparent windows positioned adjacent to each other, and arranged in a series from the upper end to the lower end of the casing. One of each pair of the transparent windows comprise a slit window and a circular window. The slit window is configured to display the lighting element, thereby displaying the level of ammunition left in the follower frame after a firing. The circular window is positioned adjacently below the slit window, where the circular window is configured to display the number of ammunition left in the magazine device after the firing. In an embodiment, the magazine device further comprises light filters in contact with the lighting element configured to block specific light bands, and change the intensity and color of the circular window, and the appearance of the high slit window. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of the magazine device. 
         FIG. 1B  exemplarily illustrates an enlarged view of the portion marked A in  FIG. 1A , showing the engraved portion positioned on the casing. 
         FIG. 1C  exemplarily illustrates an enlarged view of the portion marked B in  FIG. 1A , showing the circular window of the transparent windows. 
         FIG. 2  exemplarily illustrates an enlarged view of the portion marked C in  FIG. 1A , showing the lighting element positioned within the casing. 
         FIG. 3  exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of the capsule member, which houses the lighting element. 
         FIG. 4A  exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of the follower frame, which houses the lighting element at a rear section. 
         FIG. 4B  exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of the follower frame, which houses the lighting element at a rear section. 
         FIG. 5A  exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of the base plate of the magazine device. 
         FIG. 5B  exemplarily illustrates a bottom view of the base plate of the magazine device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1A  exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of the magazine device. The magazine device  100  for a firearm is disclosed herein. The magazine device  100  comprises a generally curved elongate casing  101 , a spring-loaded follower frame  102 , a lighting element  107  as shown in  FIG. 1B , and a multiple transparent windows  103  and  104 . The follower frame  102  is configured to traverse from a lower end  101   a  of the casing  101  to an upper end  101   b  of the casing  101  in predetermined positions according to the depletion of ammunition  400  positioned on each follower frame  102 . The lighting element  107  is housed proximal to a rear section of the follower frame  102 , where the lighting element  107  is configured to illuminate the vicinity of the follower frame  102 . The transparent windows  103  and  104  are positioned on the casing  101 , in alignment with the predetermined positions of the follower frame  102 , where the transparent windows  103  and  104  are configured to display the level and number of ammunition  400  left in the follower frame  102  after a firing process. 
     In an embodiment, the magazine device  100  further comprises a base plate  105  positioned at a lower end  101   a  of the casing  101 , where the base plate  105  ensures that the casing  101  is flat to a ground level. Therefore, a user is allowed to position the firearm flat on the ground to support the firearm on ground. In an embodiment, the casing  101  comprises an internal groove  101   c  positioned at the lower end  101   a  of the casing  101  to attach the base plate  105  to the casing  101 . The base plate  105  also comprises a “tread” to grip the surface. The fact that the base plate  105  is longer than traditional base plates renders the “base plate retainer” piece cannot be accidentally pressed causing the magazine to come apart. User needs to use a screwdriver or a 5.56 round to depress the base plate retainer button. In an embodiment, the transparent windows  103  and  104  comprise pairs of transparent windows  103  and  104  positioned adjacent to each other, and arranged in a series from the upper end  101   b  to the lower end  101   a  of the casing  101 . One of each pair of the transparent windows  103  and  104  comprise a slit window  103  and a circular window  104 . The slit window  103  is configured to display the lighting element  107 , thereby displaying the level of ammunition  400  left in the follower frame  102  after a firing. The circular window  104  is positioned adjacently below the slit window  103 , where the circular window  104  is configured to display the number of ammunition  400  left in the magazine device  100  after the firing. 
       FIG. 1B  exemplarily illustrates an enlarged view of the portion marked A in  FIG. 1A , showing the engraved portion  106  positioned on the casing. In an embodiment, the magazine device  100  further comprises an engraved portion  106  positioned on the surface of the elongate casing  101 , where the engraved portion  106  is configured to be colored by a user to represent one or combination of alphabets and numbers. The user can either inscribe his/her name, or any number to indicate a reference of ownership, make, and identification code in the engraved portion  106  of the magazine device  100 . Additionally the engraved portion  106  is strategically placed near the bottom of the magazine  100  for grip and control when retrieving the magazine  100  from the magazine pouch since most users place their magazines with the ejection end facing down inside a magazine holster or pouch 
       FIG. 1C  exemplarily illustrates an enlarged view of the portion marked B in  FIG. 1A , showing the circular window  104  of the transparent windows  103  and  104 . Each circular window  104  has a number embossed on it, for example, a fully loaded magazine device  100  at the 30 round mark will have 5 smaller windows surrounding it, at the 25 round window mark there will be only 4 small windows and so on until you have 5 rounds left which will have zero smaller window  104   a  surrounding the main circular window  104 . For example, the number 25 is shown inside the circular window  104 , as shown in  FIG. 1C , which is considered as the round window mark for that level of ammunition  400 . 
       FIG. 2  exemplarily illustrates an enlarged view of the portion marked C in  FIG. 1A , showing the lighting element  107  positioned within the casing  101 . The lighting element  107  is positioned substantially rearwardly to the casing  101 , and it is configured to be displayed through the slit window  103 . The lighting element  107  is further configured to illuminate the circular window  104  as well to display the round window mark as shown in  FIG. 1C . The lighting element  107  may be used along with light reflecting elements such as reflective coatings, fiber optics, etc., to achieve the desired effect. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4A-4B ,  FIG. 3  exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of the capsule member  108 , which houses the lighting element  107 , and  FIG. 4A-4B  exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view, and a top perspective view of the follower frame  102 , which houses the lighting element  107  at a rear section. In an embodiment, the lighting element  107  is positioned in a capsule member  108  housed in the rear section  102   a  of the follower frame  102 , where the capsule member  108  comprises openings  108   a  and  108   b  to display the light emitted from the lighting element  107 . In an embodiment, the magazine device  100  further comprises a light diffuser element  109  positioned within the capsule member  108  proximal to the lighting element  107 , where the light diffuser element  109  is configured to evenly spread the light emitted from the lighting element  107 . In an embodiment, the magazine device  100  further comprises light filters in contact with the lighting element  107  configured to block specific light bands, and change the intensity and color of the circular window  104 , and the appearance of the high slit window  103 . 
     This magazine device  100  is designed, for example, to hold about 30 numbers of 5.56 mm bullets. The outer housing of the magazine device  100  is host to 6 uniquely designed and precisely placed pairs of transparent windows  103  and  104 . These transparent windows  103  and  104  are used for illustrating the exact remaining amount of ammunition  400  left in the magazine device  100 . Each unique transparent window  103  and  104  will have an embossed number representation of the round count or circular window  104  on it. Additionally, the 6 transparent windows  103  and  104  will have smaller windows  104   a  orbiting the main window  104 . This is the second method used to keep track of the ammunition  400 . 
     Even though conventional magazines in the market have windows, the magazine device  100  disclosed herein eliminates any confusion as to how much ammunition  400  is left in the magazine device  100 . Located within the follower frame  102 , is the capsule member  108  that contains the lighting element  107  that supports the accurate tracking off ammunition  400  and works in conjunction with the previously mentioned transparent windows  103  and  104  of the magazine device  100 . The capsule member  108  houses the lighting element  107 , such as, a tritium light or other light producing technology. This will provide a distinct and obvious indication of the amount of ammunition  400  you have in your magazine device  100  through the previously mentioned transparent windows  103  and  104 . Furthermore, there will be several interchangeable light filters that can be placed in front of the lighting source to change the appearance of the light, red, green, blue, infrared, etc. No other magazine on the market uses light to indicate the ammunition  400  count. Some of them have color coated the spine which is a less accurate method. Others such magazines have changed the color of the follower element to achieve accurate counting of ammunition  400 . 
     The angular guide rails within the magazine device  100  are designed to position ammunition  400 . The follower frame  102  is configured to interface within the casing  101  rather than the guide rails alone, as in conventional magazines. The transparent windows  103  and  104 , which are configured to function, as an ammunition  400  indication system is, comprised of different types of uniquely designed windows, such as the slit window  103  and the circular window  104 , to eliminate any confusion for the user regarding the current ammunition  400  capacity of the magazine device  100 . The number of ammunition  400 , for example, bullets, corresponding to the current round count will be embossed on each circular window  104 . The capacity of ammunition  400  at each instance of the movement of the follower frame  102  in the magazine device  100  is clearly identified as opposing to the conventional magazines. As compared to the conventional magazines, the marking system provided by the transparent windows  103  and  104  is larger and more visible, and is positioned on the follower frame  102  itself as compared to the spring in conventional magazines. The marking system used here based on the lighting element  107 , which is, for example, either one or a combination of a tritium lighting material, a high visibility coating, a bright polymer or other light producing technologies across different bands of light. 
     The follower frame  102  is also designed to stop at the upper end  101   b  of the casing  101  when all ammunition  400  is removed after firing from the magazine device  100 . This magazine device  100  uses spring tension to press a second component, or ammunition  400 , through a circular fitting to secure the base plate  105 . The magazine device  100  is designed to slide on from the bottom, and interfaces with internal grooves  101   c  to position itself, as shown in  FIG. 1A . Therefore, the magazine device  100  will not add additional protrusions to the outer surface of the magazine device  100 , as compared to conventional magazines, which have protruded ends. In conventional systems, there is a slight problem with attempting to draw a magazine with an externally mounted floor plate from a pouch or stacking them on top of each other. It can cause a displacement of surrounding magazines. The magazine device  100  has a consisted width/depth throughout the entire length of the magazine device  100 , and all its components. The magazine device  100  allows for a flat and even stacking of magazines in any magazine pouch. It will also improve handling of the ammunition  400  while maintaining its functionality. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A-5B ,  FIG. 5A  exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of the base plate  105  of the magazine device  100 , and  FIG. 5B  exemplarily illustrates a bottom view of the base plate  105  of the magazine device  100 . The base plate  105  is positioned at a lower end  101   a  of the casing  101  as shown in  FIG. 1A , and the base plate  105  is configured to ensure that the casing  101  is flatly positioned on the ground level. This flat positioning via the base plate  105  allows the firearm to be flat on the ground to support the firearm on ground. The base plate  105  has a slim stream line design, which is non protruding, to increase comfort and the users overall ability to handle the magazine device  100 . Another aspect of the magazine device  100  is that, it can be stacked in a magazine pouch next to other magazine devices  100  without interfering with the other magazine devices  100  when the user attempts to draw a magazine device  100 . Conventional magazines have, for example, a ¼ inch lip that wraps around the base of the magazine. The protrusions  110 , or treads, on the magazine device  100  disclosed here, would not interfere with resting or supporting the magazine device  100  on the floor. The firearm or rifle, on the other hand, is parallel to the floor based on the predefined angle  111  at which the base plate  105  is designed a shown in  FIG. 5A . 
     The magazine device  100  is streamlined and is not bulky to facilitate better handling and manipulation of the magazine device  100  while drawing it from a holster and also when inserting it into a firearm. Since the round indicating system comprising the transparent windows  103  and  104  is contained within the magazine device  100 , and then further within the follower frame  102 , there is no protrusion that will cause an interference while handling the magazine device  100 . The magazine device  100  requires no power, and so that a user will never have to attempt to disassemble any component of the magazine device  100  to replace a power source during the life span of the magazine device  100 , since the material composite of the magazine device  100  comprising the tritium vial will take at least 10-15 years to expire. There are no moving parts involved in the magazine device  100  that are needed to accurately display the correct amount of ammunition  400 . This also means that the magazine device  100  does not have the potential to break or wear down as mechanical and electronic devises have. 
     The light filters will be compartmentalized under the follower to allow the user to quickly and easily change the lighting output to meet the desired needs of the user. In an example, magazine device  100  will allow the user to quickly change a light filter disc to meet the desired light output and even block out all light completely. In the magazine device  100 , the tritium or over high visibility device is placed in such a position under the follower frame  102  that no structural material will have to be removed from the casing  101  of the magazine device  100 . The casing  101  designed for the magazine device  100  is configured in such a way that there is no possible way it can be damaged during the expending of ammunition  400  from the magazine device  100 , and it will be protected within the follower frame  102  away from any potentially hazardous interference. 
     Additionally, outputting light from either side of the magazine device  100 , for example, left side and the right side, facilitates the user for quicker and easier manipulation of the firearm to view the current ammunition  400  capacity. Essentially the magazine device  100  would allow the user to easily identify the amount of ammunition  400  in the magazine device  100  from either side of the magazine rather than attempting to view the transparent windows  103  and  104 , or the marker, from an awkward position of the magazine device  100  while in operation. The magazine device  100  will feature, for example, an accurate 0-30 ammunition  400  count, due to the fact that there is an unmistakable unique window identifying system that illustrates the current ammunition  400  capacity utilizing two different methods. In a first method, where the number corresponding to the current ammunition  400  capacity embossed at the circular window  104 , and in a second method where the uniquely designed slit window  103  shows the level of depletion of ammunition  400  as the follower frame  102  ascends to the upper end  101   b  of the casing  101  of the magazine device  100 . An additional third method comprises, a light or high visibility marking component placed inside the follower frame  102  that identifies the ammunition  400  capacity. 
     The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present concept disclosed herein. While the concept has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the concept has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the concept is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the concept extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the concept in its aspects.