Abstract:
The present invention relates to a handgun comprising a magazine with a magazine head on which devices are located at the top in order to hold the uppermost cartridge in the loading position as well as devices which bring about the ejection of the cartridge case after the shot wherein these device comprise at least one ejector element which is attached detachably and exchangeably to the magazine head. According to the present invention, the ejector element in its mounted functional position on the magazine head is positioned so that it at least partially overlaps and/or encompasses the uppermost cartridge on its circumference. As a result of the solution according to the invention, the sheet metal element is additionally assigned the function of the downholder in addition to the ejector function, that is the sheet metal element holds the uppermost cartridge before the shot in the magazine.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119 of German Application No. DE 10 2014 103 700.6 filed on Mar. 18, 2014; that application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a handgun comprising a magazine with a magazine head on which devices are located at the top in order to hold the uppermost cartridge in the loading position as well as devices which bring about the ejection of the cartridge case after the shot wherein these device comprise at least one ejector element which is attached detachably and exchangeably to the magazine head. 
         [0003]    Known from WO 2012/139568 A1 is a handgun having a magazine of the genre described initially. Magazines of this type are used in particular for cartridges with an ignition edge in which the cartridges have a staggered arrangement as a result of the ignition edge in such a manner that the uppermost cartridge in the direction of firing lies with its ignition edge in front of the ignition edge of the cartridge located underneath it since only then is it ensured that the respectively uppermost cartridge enters into the firing channel in a controlled manner. In the known handgun an ejector plate is disposed on the magazine head which is attached detachably and therefore exchangeably to the magazine head. This has the advantages compared with earlier solutions that no cast ejector edge is present on the magazine head. Therefore, as desired, different ejector plates can be attached to the magazine head which are precisely matched to the particular model and year of construction of the weapon. In addition, an ejector plate which has been worn as a result of use can be replaced. In this known handgun, however, the plate only has the function of the ejector for the cartridge case and therefore projects with an upper chamfered edge behind the ignition edge of the cartridge in the loading position. 
         [0004]    This is where the present invention begins. The object of the present invention consists in providing a handgun comprising a magazine with a magazine head of the genre mentioned initially in which in addition to the function of the ejector, the exchangeable element also fulfils further functions. 
         [0005]    The solution of this object is provided by a handgun of the genre mentioned initially having the features of the main claim. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention relates to a handgun comprising a magazine with a magazine head ( 10 ) on which devices are located at the top in order to hold the uppermost cartridge in the loading position as well as devices which bring about the ejection of the cartridge case after the shot wherein these device comprise at least one ejector element ( 11 ) which is attached detachably and exchangeably to the magazine head ( 10 ). According to the present invention, the ejector element ( 11 ) in its mounted functional position on the magazine head is positioned so that it at least partially overlaps and/or encompasses the uppermost cartridge ( 13 ) on its circumference. As a result of the solution according to the invention, the sheet metal element ( 11 ) is additionally assigned the function of the downholder in addition to the ejector function, that is the sheet metal element holds the uppermost cartridge ( 13 ) before the shot in the magazine. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0007]    According to the invention, it is provided that the ejector element which, for example, is a canted sheet metal element, in its mounted functional position on the magazine head is positioned so that it at least partially overlaps and/or encompasses the uppermost cartridge on its circumference. 
         [0008]    It should fundamentally be pointed out that when in the present application there is talk of a “sheet metal element”, this need not necessarily be made of a sheet metal material and must for example be punched/bent/canted. It is also possible to make the ejector element from other suitable materials such as, for example, plastic or ceramic if these materials can absorb the loads acting on such a component in weapon building during use of the weapon. Alternatively a metal component could be used which, for example, is cast or brought into the required shape by a shape cutting process. It should be assumed that the use of a sheet metal element is preferred by the person skilled in the art at the present state of the art as a result of the requirements on the material and the relatively simple manufacture. Elements of other materials of the aforesaid type can however alternatively come into consideration and should be expressed covered by the scope of protection when herein the term “sheet metal element” is used for simplification. This term is used herein for linguistic simplification, alternatively the component could also be designated as ejector element or ejector/downholder element. 
         [0009]    As a result of the solution according to the invention, in addition to the ejector function, the sheet metal element is additionally ascribed the function of a downholder, that is the sheet metal element holds the uppermost cartridge in the magazine before the shot. In conventional magazines, this downholder function is usually fulfilled by the edge which is part of the magazine head. This has the disadvantage that with wear of this edge, the uppermost cartridge is no longer held correctly in the magazine and feed problems occur. The magazine is then unusable and can no longer be repaired. The invention now provides the possibility of exchanging the element serving as downholder in the event of wear. Following a repair, the damaged magazine can then be reused again. 
         [0010]    According to a preferred further development of the present invention it is provided that the ejector element fulfils the function of a downholder for the cartridge as well as the function of an ejector for the cartridge case. 
         [0011]    According to a specific embodiment of the inventive solution, for example, the ejector element can be a sheet metal element which has an upper end-side folded edge which in the mounted functional position of the ejector element is approximately horizontally aligned and extends above at least one partial length section of the cartridge. In this solution variant, the sheet metal element can fulfill the downholder function in a simple manner since it thus quasi overlaps the uppermost cartridge in the loading position. 
         [0012]    The ejector element can, for example, in its mounted functional position abut at least in sections approximately tangentially against a section of the circumference of the cartridge case, in particular in the region of the ignition edge. In cartridges with an ignition edge, this is the region which extends the furthest radially outwards relative to the cartridge axis and which therefore projects the furthest upwards in the loading position. In the region of the ignition edge the sheet metal element can therefore hold the cartridge. 
         [0013]    In order to hold the ejector element itself in position on the magazine head of the weapon, according to an exemplary preferred further development of the solution of the object according to the invention, the ejector element can be held by at least one fastening element, in particular a pin or a screw on the magazine head. 
         [0014]    Preferably at least one pin or a screw can be provided as the fastening element for the ejector element, which, in the mounted functional position of the ejector element, extends behind this approximately in the longitudinal direction of the magazine head and/or approximately parallel to the alignment of the cartridge along the ejector element. The ejector element can, for example, be received in a groove, indentation or recess on the magazine head and as a result of the pin it cannot deviate outwards (toward the rear) but is held in this groove or recess. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, for fixing the ejector element in position, this can, for example, be provided with at least one bore or recess, which is assigned at least one fixing element on the magazine head, which in the mounted functional position engages approximately positively in this bore or recess and thereby fixes the ejector element. As a result of this measure, the ejector element is then fixed in its relative position on the magazine head and cannot shift upwards, downwards, right or left. 
         [0016]    As a result of the fastening by means of the fastening element gripping behind the ejector element, for example, a pin, a screw or the like, a fixing is then additionally achieved to the effect that the ejector element can no longer move away from the magazine head (for example, out from a groove or recess) and therefore the tight fit achieved by the fixing elements is maintained. 
         [0017]    The features mentioned in the subclaims relate to preferred further developments of the solution of the object according to the invention. Further advantages of the invention are obtained from the following detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The present invention is explained in detail by means of exemplary embodiments by reference to the appended drawings. 
           [0019]    In the figures: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective partially exploded view of the magazine head of a handgun according to the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a corresponding plan view of the magazine head from  FIG. 1  with dismounted ejector element; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a similar plan view as in  FIG. 2  where here however the ejector element has been inserted in the corresponding recess of the magazine head; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the magazine head with ejector element mounted on this; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of the magazine head of the weapon with mounted ejector element; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  shows a view of the magazine head of the weapon seen from the front. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    Reference is initially made to  FIG. 1  and the essential elements of the magazine head of a handgun according to the invention which is overall designated with the reference number  10  are described by reference to this diagram. In the lower region the magazine head  10  is adjoined by a cartridge chamber not shown here which receives a fairly large number of cartridges, preferably cartridges with an ignition edge, which are gradually conveyed upwards by means of a feeder and are there each output individually into the firing channel of the weapon. The magazine head  10  shown is somewhat wider compared with the cartridge chamber, the lower section which can be seen in  FIG. 1  approximately corresponds in its width to the cartridge chamber. The uppermost cartridge  13  is shown in the drawing. The ejector element, in this example, an ejector plate  11 , is shown in the dismounted state. As can be seen, located on the side of the magazine head  10  magazine head  10  is a recess  16  which receives this ejector plate  11  where it is inserted from the side into the outwardly and upwardly open recess  16 . The magazine head has a front wall  20 , two side walls disposed approximately at right angles to this, which have indentations  19 , and a rear wall  21  running parallel to the front wall and therefore at right angles to the side walls, which can be seen partially in  FIG. 1 . It can be further identified from  FIG. 1  that the magazine head  10  has a trough-shaped bearing  14  in its upper region at the top for the output cartridge  13  to be fired. 
         [0027]    In the present exemplary embodiment, the ejector plate  11  which can be identified in  FIG. 1  is a canted metal sheet with a lower first leg  11   a  aligned approximately vertically in the installed state, a second leg  11   b  also extending upwards in the installed state which is angled inwards (in the direction of the magazine head) at an obtuse angle with respect to the lower first leg, and a third upper inwardly angled section  11   c,  which extends inwards from the leg  11   b  at its upper end and which in the mounted state runs approximately horizontally and therefore is aligned approximately at right angles to the first lower leg  11   a.  The first lower leg  11   a  and the adjoining second (central) leg  11   b  towards the top can be approximately the same length whereas the upper inwardly folded section  11   c  can be configured to be somewhat shorter that the two aforesaid legs  11   a  and  11   b.    
         [0028]    It can be further seen in  FIG. 1  that the ejector plate in the first lower leg  11   a  has two holes  11   d  which serve to fix the ejector plate  11  on the magazine head, for example, by means of a tight fit. To this end, pins  15  (one of which can be seen in  FIG. 1 ) can be located on the magazine head  10  on the groove base of the recess or groove  16 , which engage in the holes  11   d  when the ejector plate  11  is pushed on so that the ejector plate thereafter can no longer be displaced, i.e. a fixing in position occurs. The further fastening of the ejector plate  11  can then be undertaken, for example, by means of a pin  12  which is pushed in the longitudinal direction of the magazine head  10 , for example through an opening  17  in the rear wall  21  in such a manner that the pin  12  extends approximately in the longitudinal direction of the magazine head  10 , i.e. parallel to the alignment of the cartridge axis of the cartridge  13 , where initially the ejector plate  11  is inserted in the groove  16  and then the pin  12  is pushed through the opening  17  so that it runs behind the ejector plate so that this is held in position by the pin and thus fastened. 
         [0029]    In the exploded plan view according to  FIG. 2 , the aforesaid pin  12  can be seen, which serves to fasten the ejector plate  11  when this is located in the recess  16  of the magazine head  10 . It is further seen that this recess  16 , which is open towards the top and at the side towards the outside, has an approximately rectangular outline in the plan view. The ejector plate  11  can be pushed so far into this recess  16  that it is completely received by this and with its upper inwardly folded edge  11   c  partially overlaps the cartridge  13 , for example, in its rear region partially on its circumference, as can be clearly seen in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  shows the fastened end position of the ejector plate  11  in which the pin  12  is pushed behind the ejector plate and thus fixes this in the recess  16 . It can be seen that the folded section  11   c  of the ejector plate  11  partially covers the outline of the cartridge  13 , where the underside of the folded section  11   c  abuts against the ignition edge of the cartridge  13  and thereby holds down this cartridge in its loading position. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  shows the fastened end position of the ejector plate  11  in the perspective view and it can be seen here in which way the upper folded edge  11   c  of the ejector plate  11  overlaps the cartridge  13  located in the loading position in its rear region partially on the circumference. It can be further seen that the ejector plate  11  in this case lies deep in the recess  16  of the magazine head  10 . The ejector plate  11  is approximately dimensioned so that the lower leg  11   a  (see also  FIG. 1 ) which runs approximately vertically in the mounted position, when viewed vertically lies exclusively in the recess  16  whilst the adjoining central leg  11   b  towards the top is slightly inclined with respect to the cartridge  13  as a result of the obtuse angle which it subtends with the lower leg  11   a  and projects upwards from the recess  16  whereas the upper folded edge  11   c  runs horizontally and is pushed over the cartridge. 
         [0031]    The pin  12  can be seen in  FIG. 5 , which runs horizontally and aligned parallel to the axis of the cartridge  13  and which holds the ejector plate  11  in its fastening position in the recess  16  since it lies behind this. It can be further seen in  FIG. 5  that the width of the ejector plate  11  approximately corresponds to the width of the lateral recess  16  in the magazine head. The two pins  15  which engage in the holes  11   d  (see also  FIG. 1 ) and whose axes run transversely to the axis of the pin  12  can also be seen. 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  shows a view of the magazine head  10  from the front so that one is looking onto the front wall  20  of the magazine head  10 . The cartridge  13  located in the loading position which lies in the trough-shaped bearing  14  can be seen. Only a small piece of the folded upper section  11   c  can be seen of the ejector plate  11  which grips over the cartridge since in this view the ejector plate otherwise lies behind the trough-shaped bearing  14 . 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           10  Magazine head 
           11  Ejector element, ejector plate 
           11   a  First lower leg 
           11   b  Second angled leg 
           11   c  Third inwardly folded section 
           11   d  Holes 
           12  Pin 
           13  Cartridge 
           14  Trough-shaped bearing 
           15  Pins 
           16  Groove, recess 
           17  Opening 
           19  Indentation 
           20  Front wall 
           21  Rear wall