Abstract:
An improved magazine release latch and trigger guard combination which is operable by the shooter&#39;s trigger finger while holding the rifle stock in the same hand.

Description:
RELATED CASES 
       [0001]    This invention is described in our copending provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/318,659, filed Mar. 29, 2010 and now ______. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to firearms and is particularly directed to improved magazine releases. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    On prior art firearms, the magazine release latch is a long lever located in front of and below the trigger guard. However, this places the magazine release latch too far forward for the shooter to actuate with their right hand, while holding the stock in their right hand. Consequently, in order to depress the magazine release latch, it is necessary for the shooter to hold the replacement magazine in their left hand and to use their thumb to pivot the lever to eject the old magazine. This action is awkward and inconvenient for the shooter. Thus, none of the prior art magazine release latches have been entirely satisfactory. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    These disadvantages of the prior art are overcome with the present invention and an improved magazine release latch is provided which is quickly and easily operable by either hand while gripping the stock with the same hand. 
         [0005]    These advantages of the present invention are preferably attained by providing an improved magazine release latch and trigger guard combination which is operable by the shooter&#39;s trigger finger while holding the stock in the same hand and which can be substituted for a conventional latch and release mechanism. 
         [0006]    Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved magazine release latch. 
         [0007]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved magazine release latch and trigger guard combination. 
         [0008]    A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved magazine release latch and trigger guard combination which is quickly and easily operable. 
         [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved magazine release latch and trigger guard combination which is quickly and easily operable by either hand. 
         [0010]    An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved magazine release latch and trigger guard combination which is quickly and easily operable by either hand while holding the stock with the same hand. 
         [0011]    A further object of the present invention is to provide and improved magazine release latch and trigger guard which can be substituted for a conventional latch and release mechanism. 
         [0012]    A specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved magazine release latch and trigger guard combination which is operable by the shooter&#39;s trigger finger while holding the stock in the same hand. 
         [0013]    These and other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a magazine release latch and trigger guard embodying the present invention, showing the magazine release latch in the “Latched” position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 1 , with parts broken away for clarity; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 2  showing the magazine release latch in the “Open” position; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the magazine release latch. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    In that form of the present invention chosen for purposes of illustration,  FIG. 1  shows A magazine chute and trigger guard assembly embodying the present invention, indicated generally at  10 , having a magazine chute  12  with a trigger guard section  14  projecting rearwardly therefrom. As shown, the trigger guard  16  extends downwardly and forwardly from the rear end of the trigger guard section  14  to a point  18  forward of the end of the trigger, not shown. A pair of parallel projections  20  extend downwardly adjacent the rear end  22  of the magazine chute  12  and a magazine release latch  24  is pivotally mounted between the projections  20  by suitable means, such as pin  26 . As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the magazine release latch  24  is formed with a latch portion  28  which is normally urged by spring  30  to project slightly forwardly of end  22  of the magazine chute  12 . Also, the magazine release latch  24  has a pair of rearwardly extending portions  32  which follows substantially the same line as the trigger guard  16  when the magazine release latch  24  is in the “Latch” position. When portion  32  of the magazine release latch  24  is pressed downwardly, it pivots about pin  26 , causing the latch portion  28  to retract rearwardly, against the action of spring  30 , out of the magazine chute  12  to allow a magazine contained in the magazine chute  12  to be ejected and replaced. 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the magazine release latch  24  of  FIGS. 1-3 . As seen in  FIG. 4 , the release portions  32  of the magazine release latch  24  extend rearwardly on either side of the trigger guard  16  and, engage opposite sides of end  18  of the trigger guard  16  when the magazine release latch  24  is in the “Latch”. 
         [0020]    In use, a magazine, not shown, can be inserted into the magazine chute  12  by forcing it upward, thereby forcing the latch portion  28  of the magazine release latch  24  rearwardly. When the magazine is fully inserted into the magazine chute  12 , spring  30  will force the latch portion  28  of the magazine release latch  24  to move forwardly. Thus, retaining the magazine within the magazine chute  12 . When it is desired to remove the magazine, portion  32  of the magazine release latch  24  is pressed downward, causing the latch portion  28  to retract rearwardly, against the action of spring  30 , out of the magazine chute  12  to allow a magazine contained in the magazine chute  12  to be ejected and replaced. When desired, a new magazine can be inserted into the magazine chute  12 , as described above. It will be apparent that the magazine release latch  24  can be actuated by the trigger finger of the shooter without necessitating release of the shooter&#39;s grip on the stock of the rifle. Also, the parallel portions  32  of the magazine release latch  24  allow the magazine release latch  24  to be actuated easily by both right- and left-handed shooters. 
         [0021]    Obviously, numerous variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be clearly understood that the forms of the present invention described above and shown in the figures of the accompanying drawing are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.