Patent Description:
The present invention relates generally to apparatus for coupling two magazines together. Particular embodiments provide magazine coupling devices for connecting magazines together.

Many firearms use a magazine to store and feed ammunition. Magazines are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, with the detachable box magazine being most common. A detachable box magazine can be loaded or unloaded when detached from the corresponding firearm. As necessary, an empty magazine can be detached from the firearm and replaced with another loaded magazine.

A basic box magazine commonly comprises an outer case into which the ammunition is loaded, a feed mechanism, which includes a compression spring with a follower, a spring plate and a floor plate. Ammunition is loaded into the magazine, above the follower, compressing the spring. As ammunition is used, the spring provides an expansive force between the floor plate/spring plate (depending on magazine design and the follower, raising the ammunition within the magazine and into the firearm.

When the ammunition in one magazine has been depleted, the operator may require efficient replacement of the magazine with another loaded magazine, with little delay in operation of the firearm. Typically, the operator carries additional loaded magazines. The extra magazines may be contained within pockets of a bandolier, either around the waist or over the shoulder and across the body, or within a supplementary container. The operator must extract a loaded magazine from its storage location and engage it with the firearm following removal of the spent magazine. The act of removing a fresh magazine from its storage location may cause an undesirable delay in firearm action.

To reduce the delay between extracting the spent magazine and engaging a fully loaded magazine, previous devices have been utilized to couple two magazines together, such that a fully loaded magazine is attached to the engaged magazine and is readily at hand when the engaged magazine is depleted of ammunition. Although there remains a delay in firearm use as one magazine is removed and another engaged, this arrangement eliminates the additional delay caused by extracting a loaded magazine from a storage location, thereby improving firearm efficiency.

Previous attempts have been made to permit two magazines to be connected together. Such attempts, however, have not been satisfactory. In particular, some devices utilize a modified base plate with protruding studs and receiving apertures to engage the opposing studs of the coupled magazine. Such arrangements require precise placement of the two magazines to engage the coupling method, and studs can catch and break. Additionally, this method of coupling allows just one arrangement of the magazines, such that the ammunition in one magazine is aligned in the opposite direction to the second magazine, without the option to modify the angle between the two magazines. Such arrangement may not be optimal for all operators. Examples of such devices may be found in <CIT>, and <CIT> for example.

Other devices require the magazine to have a protruding base plate, or to utilize a threaded rod to couple the two magazines. Such designs can be cumbersome to engage, and may easily be damaged by dirt and debris. Examples of such designs may be found in <CIT>, for example. Examples of devices for coupling other items may be found in <CIT>, describes couplings for pipes and particularly hose pipes.

The invention is an apparatus according to claim <NUM>. Each coupler comprises a mating face having a plurality of catches positioned and shaped to be engaged with each other when two identical mating faces are facewise engaged with and rotated relative to each other to align with each other. In some embodiments each coupler is provided in the form of a floor plate adapted to be secured to a bottom of each of two magazines. In some embodiments the coupler is provided in the form of a separate element attached to a magazine floor plate. In some embodiments, the coupler is provided in the form of a clip attachable to the outside of a magazine casing.

The catches are symmetrically arranged such that two couplers are attachable to each other in one of two opposed alignments. The catches may comprise an inwardly pointing catch and an outwardly pointing catch at each of two opposed ends of the coupler.

In some embodiments, the catches are arranged around a central axis extending perpendicularly to said mating face. The catches may be arranged in pairs diagonally across said central axis from each other. At least one pair of said catches may comprise inwardly extending catches having engagement surfaces extending radially inwardly from said central axis, and at least one pair of said catches may comprise outwardly extending catches having engagement surfaces extending radially outwardly from said central axis. The inwardly extending catches may engage with a corresponding outwardly extending catch across a longitudinal centerline of said floor plate in a first configuration and with a corresponding outwardly extending catch across a transverse centerline of said floor plate in a second configuration.

In some embodiments, the mating face comprises peripheral ridge portions collectively extending around half of a periphery of the coupler such that the peripheral ridge portions of a pair of couplers coupled together collectively extend around all of a periphery of an interface between the pair of couplers. The mating face may comprise a central surface and a pair of outer surfaces with one outer surface at each of two opposed ends of the mating face, wherein the outer surfaces are parallel to and offset relative to the central surface to facilitate alignment of the mating face with the mating face of another coupler.

In some embodiments, the coupler comprises a floor plate adapted to be secured to a bottom of a magazine body. The floor plate may have a top surface for bearing against a magazine spring plate and a bottom surface comprising the mating face. The top and bottom surfaces of said floor plate may have an angle therebetween in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> degrees. The floor plate may be adapted to be slidably received upon a bottom end of a casing of the magazine. The floor plate may include horizontally opposed ridges adapted to be received within slots on said magazine. The floor plate may retain a spring plate within the magazine body. The floor plate may include at least one aperture adapted to receive a protrusion extending from said spring plate therein so as to retain said floor plate on said magazine body.

In some embodiments, the coupler comprises a clip adapted to clip onto an outside of a magazine body. The clip may comprise a clip body having a first side for bearing against the magazine body and a second side comprising the mating face, wherein a clip arm extends from the first side of the clip body at each of two opposed ends of the clip body. A central portion of the clip body may comprise a thin area providing flexibility to the clip body to permit the clip arms to be pulled apart to fit over the magazine body. The mating face may comprise two central peripheral ridge portions each extending partially across a central portion of the mating face, the central portion of the mating face being aligned with the central portion of the clip body, such that when two clip bodies are coupled together they are not flexible. The clip arms may comprise inwardly extending protrusions at ends thereof configured to be received in grooves in the outside of the magazine body to facilitate indexing of the clip at any of a plurality of positions along a length of the magazine body.

Accordingly there is provided a coupler as defined in the claims that follow.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

The mating face on the second side of the clip body <NUM> may be substantially similar to the mating face of the floor plate <NUM> described above in some embodiments. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the mating face on the second side of the clip body <NUM> is slightly different from the mating face of the floor plate <NUM> shown in <FIG>, in that a central surface <NUM> of the mating face is on a parallel but offset plane from an outer surface <NUM> at either end. As best seen in <FIG>, this results in a step-down transition <NUM> between the central surface <NUM> and the outer surfaces <NUM>, and necessitates a similar step-down transition (not separately enumerated) between the first and second outer ledges <NUM> and <NUM> and adjacent peripheral ridge portions <NUM> and <NUM>. The difference in levels between the central surface <NUM> and the outer surfaces <NUM> facilitates alignment of the mating faces of two couplers for coupling together. In some embodiments, a floor plate-type coupler may have a mating face with the offset central surface <NUM> and outer surfaces <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.

The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

The following figures set forth embodiments in which like reference numerals denote like parts. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying figures.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the examples described herein. The examples may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the examples described. The description is not to be considered as limited to the scope of the examples described herein.

The present disclosure provides apparatus for coupling two elements together. The embodiments of the illustrated examples relate to coupling magazines for firearms, but other embodiments may provide couplers for coupling other things. A coupler is attached to each element to be coupled, and each coupler has a mating face with a plurality of catches thereon configured to securely engage the catches of an identical mating face of another coupler to couple the elements together. The examples discussed below with reference to <FIG> provide a coupler in the form of a floor plate of a magazine, and the examples of <FIG> provide a coupler in the form of a clip attached to the side of a magazine. The coupler may be provided in other forms in other embodiments, such as, for example, a separate element glued or otherwise attached to a magazine or other element, a sleeve that fits around a magazine or other element, or the coupler may be integrated into the body of a magazine or other element.

Referring to <FIG>, a firearm with attached coupled magazines <NUM> is generally shown at <NUM>. <FIG> shows a side view of the coupled magazines <NUM>, and <FIG> shows an alternate configuration of coupled magazines <NUM>. The alternate configurations of coupled magazines will be described in more detail below. In <FIG>, top magazine <NUM> is engaged with the firearm <NUM>. Bottom magazine <NUM> is not engaged with the firearm <NUM>, but is coupled to top magazine <NUM>, for future use or storage, as will be described in more detail below. Top magazine <NUM> and bottom magazine <NUM> may be identical, but are identified separately to differentiate between the engaged top magazine <NUM> and the disengaged bottom magazine <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded side view of one of the magazines <NUM>. As noted above, bottom magazine <NUM> may be identical to top magazine <NUM>. Magazine <NUM> is comprised of a magazine body <NUM> having a follower <NUM>, spring <NUM>, spring plate <NUM> therein and a floorplate <NUM> secured to a bottom thereof. <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> show further details of various elements of the magazine of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates an exploded side view of a magazine <NUM> which is substantially similar to the magazine of <FIG>, except with alternate configurations of the spring plate 36A and floor plate 38A. <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> show further details of various elements of the magazine of <FIG>. The magazine body <NUM> extends between front and rear ends <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, corresponding to the front and rear edges of the ammunition <NUM> stored therein. The magazine body <NUM> comprises a box container extending between top and bottom ends <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively and first and second sides <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, as seen on <FIG>/<FIG>, with a cavity <NUM> therein, as seen on <FIG>/<FIG>.

To assemble the magazine <NUM>, a plurality of ammunition <NUM> is fed in from the top end <NUM>, and the follower <NUM>, spring <NUM> and spring plate <NUM> are inserted in order into the cavity <NUM> in the magazine body <NUM> through an opening <NUM> in the bottom end <NUM> thereof, compressing spring <NUM>. The floorplate <NUM>, having top and bottom surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, and first and second ends, <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, is then attached to the magazine body <NUM>, as will be described in more detail below, to retain the follower <NUM>, spring <NUM> and spring plate <NUM> therein. The floorplate <NUM> has top and bottom planes <NUM> and <NUM> corresponding generally to the top and bottom surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, which are separated by a coupler plane angle <NUM> such as ranging from <NUM> to <NUM> degrees, or more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM> degrees, or in some embodiments from <NUM> to <NUM> degrees, the purpose of which will be further described below.

Turning now to <FIG>/<FIG>, the floor plate <NUM>/38A has first and second sides <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. As illustrated in <FIG>/<FIG>, the follower <NUM>, spring <NUM> (not shown) and spring plate <NUM>/36A have been previously inserted into magazine body <NUM>. With a single ammunition <NUM> in the magazine body <NUM>, the follower <NUM> is positioned proximate to the top end <NUM> of the magazine body <NUM>. Spring plate <NUM>/36A is positioned proximate to the bottom end <NUM> of the magazine body <NUM>. To retain the assembly together, the floorplate <NUM>/38A may be secured to the magazine body <NUM> over the spring plate <NUM>, which will be more fully set out below. The bottom of the floor plate <NUM>/38A comprises a mating face configured for coupling to another identical mating face in one of two opposed alignments. The floor plate 38A of <FIG> is substantially similar to the floor plate <NUM> of <FIG>, except that the mating face is differently configured, as discussed below with reference to <FIG>.

Turning now to <FIG>/<FIG>, the spring plate <NUM>/36A extends between front and rear ends <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, top and bottom <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, and top and bottom surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The spring plate <NUM>/36A has a length between the front and rear ends <NUM> and <NUM> and a width sized to be slidably received within the cavity <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>/<FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>/<FIG>, the spring plate <NUM>/36A includes a plurality of protrusions extending from the bottom surface <NUM> thereof. In particular, a front protrusion <NUM> is located proximate to the front end <NUM>, and a rear protrusion <NUM> is located proximate to the rear end <NUM>. Furthermore, a central protrusion <NUM> extending from the bottom surface <NUM> and is centered between the front and rear protrusions, <NUM> and <NUM>. The front and rear protrusions, <NUM> and <NUM>, are generally conical in shape with a rounded tip, and the central protrusion <NUM> is generally frustoconical in shape, with a curved transition between the central protrusion side <NUM> and central protrusion end surface <NUM>. The purpose of this curved transition will be described in more detail below.

As best seen in <FIG>/<FIG> and <FIG>/<FIG>, the length of magazine body <NUM> at the bottom end <NUM> extending between front end <NUM> and rear end <NUM>, may be longer than at the top end <NUM> as is commonly known. An angled shoulder <NUM> within magazine body <NUM> at the front end <NUM> reduces the length of the cavity <NUM> of magazine body <NUM> thereabove. When the spring plate <NUM>/36A is positioned within the bottom portion of the cavity <NUM>, positioning guides <NUM> and <NUM>, as best seen on <FIG>/<FIG>, are positioned to fit within the narrower portion of cavity <NUM> above the shoulder <NUM>, whereas a top edge <NUM> at the front of the spring plate <NUM> fits within the wider bottom portion of cavity <NUM>, restricting upward movement of the positioning guides <NUM> and <NUM> of the spring plate <NUM>/36A past the shoulder <NUM> within the bottom portion of the cavity <NUM>. The spring plate <NUM> of <FIG> differs from the spring plate 36A of <FIG> in that spring plate <NUM> of <FIG> includes another positioning guide <NUM> at its rear end <NUM>. The magazine body <NUM> shown in <FIG> also includes another angled shoulder <NUM> to restrict upward movement of the positioning guide <NUM> of the spring plate <NUM>. The spring plate <NUM>/36A can move upwards within the cavity <NUM> such that the tips of all protrusions, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, can be fully contained within the cavity <NUM> while the floorplate <NUM>/38A is being attached to the magazine body <NUM>, as will be described below.

As seen in <FIG>/<FIG>, magazine body <NUM> has first groove <NUM> within the first side <NUM> proximate to the bottom end <NUM>, and second groove <NUM> within the second side <NUM> and proximate to the bottom end <NUM>. The two grooves <NUM> and <NUM> are aligned with each other and extend the full length of the magazine body <NUM>, from front end <NUM> to rear end <NUM>, as seen on <FIG>/<FIG>. The purpose of this groove will be described in more detail below.

<FIG>/<FIG> and <FIG> best illustrate the top of floor plate <NUM>/38A. The tops of floor plates <NUM> and 38A are substantially similar. Extending upwards from top plane <NUM> on first and second sides <NUM> and <NUM> are first and second upstanding walls <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. First upstanding wall <NUM> has a first inward facing ridge <NUM> on a distal end thereof, and the second upstanding wall <NUM> has a second inward facing ridge <NUM> on a distal end thereof. The two walls with inward facing ridges are equivalently sized, and are mirrored about centreline <NUM>. The first and second inward facing ridges <NUM> and <NUM> are positioned such that they can be engaged with first and second grooves <NUM> and <NUM> of magazine body <NUM>. First end, middle and second end apertures or bores, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, are positioned along the centreline <NUM>, to correspond to the protrusions on the spring plate <NUM>/36A. As illustrated, the bores <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are substantially circular although it will be appreciated that other profiles may be useful as well. In particular, the first end aperture <NUM> is located proximate to the first end <NUM>, the second end aperture <NUM> is located proximate to the second end <NUM> and the middle aperture <NUM> is located therebetween. First and second end apertures, <NUM> and <NUM>, are sized and positioned to receive front and rear protrusions, <NUM> and <NUM>, and middle aperture <NUM> is sized and positioned to receive central protrusion <NUM> of spring plate <NUM>/36A. Both first and second end apertures, <NUM> and <NUM>, are sized the same, such that they can each receive either front or rear protrusion, <NUM> or <NUM> to permit the floor plate <NUM>/38A to be secured to the magazine body <NUM> from either direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a first ridge <NUM> extends along the centreline <NUM>, from the first end aperture <NUM> to the middle aperture <NUM>. A second ridge <NUM> extends from the second end aperture <NUM> to the middle aperture <NUM>. Each of the first and second ridges include tapers down to the first end, middle and second end apertures <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. It will be appreciated that although ridges are shown in the present embodiments of the invention, the first and second ridges, <NUM> and <NUM>, could be eliminated and the floor plate <NUM>/38A could be manufactured such that the material between bottom plane <NUM> and top plane <NUM> could be solid, with the first end, middle and second end apertures, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, remaining as illustrated, with tapered openings to permit engagement of the front, central and rear protrusions, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, of the spring plate <NUM>/36A.

As illustrated in <FIG>/<FIG> and <FIG>/<FIG>, the floor plate <NUM>/38A can be attached to the magazine body <NUM> starting from either the front or rear end, <NUM> or <NUM>. <FIG>/<FIG> illustrates the floor plate <NUM>/38A beside the rear end <NUM>, prior to attachment. As set out above, the floor plate <NUM>/38A can be positioned with either the first end <NUM> or the second end <NUM> proximate to the rear end <NUM> of the magazine body <NUM>. In particular, <FIG>/<FIG> illustrates the first end <NUM> proximate to the rear end <NUM>, although the floor plate <NUM>/38A could be oriented in the opposite direction. To assemble, the first and second inward facing ridges <NUM> and <NUM> of floor plate <NUM>/38A are aligned with the first and second grooves <NUM> and <NUM> of the magazine body <NUM>, and the floor plate <NUM>/38A is slid onto the magazine body <NUM> in a direction generally indicated by arrow <NUM>, parallel to top plane <NUM>. As the floor plate <NUM>/38A is slid into place, the three protrusions, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of the spring plate <NUM>/36A ride on the first and second ridges, <NUM> and <NUM> of floor plate <NUM>/38A, thereby compressing the spring <NUM> and lifting the spring plate <NUM>/36A within the cavity <NUM> of the magazine body <NUM>. As the tops of the apertures <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are tapered, and the protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are similarly tapered, the protrusions can engage with the apertures when lateral force is applied along top plane <NUM> to the floor plate <NUM>/38A as it is slid into place on the magazine body <NUM>. When all protrusions, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, are engaged with all apertures, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the floor plate <NUM>/38A is correctly aligned and will remain in place until vertical force is applied to the central protrusion end surface <NUM> to disengage protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, and additional lateral force is applied along the top plane <NUM>, which will allow for removal of the floor plate <NUM>/38A. <FIG>/<FIG> illustrates the floor plate <NUM>/38A fully engaged with the magazine body <NUM> and the spring plate <NUM>/36A. It will be appreciated that once fully loaded with ammunition that the follower <NUM> will be located lower in the magazine body <NUM>, thereby compressing the spring <NUM> to apply a greater force to the spring plate <NUM>/36A, thereby resisting removal of the floor plate <NUM>/38A.

Turning now to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> show details of the mating face on the bottom of the floor plate <NUM>, <FIG> shows details of the mating face on the bottom of the floor plate 38A, and <FIG> shows details of the bottom of a floor plate 38B with another alternative mating face. Each floor plate <NUM>/38A/38B has a bottom surface <NUM> on plane <NUM> which comprises a mating face with a plurality of catches for locking to an identical mating face. In the illustrated examples, the catches are symmetrically arranged such that the mating faces can be coupled to one another in one of two opposed alignments (i.e., either with the first and second ends <NUM> and <NUM> of each floor plate respectively adjacent to the first and second ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the other floor plate, or with the first end <NUM> of one floor plate adjacent to the second and <NUM> of the other floor plate). Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, centreline <NUM> separates first and second sides <NUM> and <NUM>, and centreline <NUM> separates first and second ends <NUM> and <NUM>. The mating face is divided into four quadrants: first quadrant <NUM>, second quadrant <NUM>, third quadrant <NUM> and fourth quadrant <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. The catches from the first and second quadrants <NUM> and <NUM> are rotated <NUM> degrees about the intersection of the centrelines <NUM> and <NUM>, such that the catches from the first and third quadrants <NUM> and <NUM> are similar, and the catches in the second and fourth quadrants <NUM> and <NUM> are similar.

In each floor plate <NUM>/38A/38B the catches comprise outwardly pointing catches comprising a first outer ledge <NUM>/120A/120B and a second outer ledge <NUM>/122A/122B, and inwardly pointing catches comprising a first outer catch <NUM>/124A/124B and a second outer catch <NUM>/126A/126B. In the first quadrant <NUM>, the first outer ledge <NUM>/120A/120B is spaced apart from the bottom surface <NUM> with a gap thereunder facing outward toward first side <NUM>. The second outer ledge <NUM>/122A/122B in the third quadrant <NUM> is identical to the first outer ledge <NUM>/120A/120B as rotated <NUM> degrees about the intersection of centrelines <NUM> and <NUM> similarly facing outward toward the second side <NUM>. In the second quadrant <NUM>, the first outer catch <NUM>/124A/124B is spaced apart from the bottom surface <NUM> with a gap therebetween facing inward and is sized and positioned to mate with first or second outer ledges <NUM>/120A/120B and <NUM>/122A/122B such that each ledge or catch is located within the opposite gap. In the fourth quadrant <NUM>, the second outer catch <NUM>/126A/126B is spaced apart from the bottom surface <NUM> with a gap therebetween facing toward the centreline <NUM> and is sized and positioned to mate with first or second outer ledges <NUM>/120A/120B and <NUM>/122A/122B such that each ledge or catch is located within the opposite gap. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the first and second outer ledges <NUM> and <NUM> and first and second outer catches <NUM> and <NUM> are the only catches on the mating face, and are sufficient to lock the mating face into engagement with another identical mating face. All ledges and catches are generally formed as an upstanding wall from the bottom surface <NUM> with a ridge at the distal end sized to fit within the gap below the ridge of the corresponding ledge or catch when two mating faces are facewise connected, as seen in <FIG>, and as further set out below.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, peripheral ridge portions <NUM> and <NUM> extend along the edges of the mating face from the first and second outer ledges <NUM> and <NUM> respectively, and peripheral ridge portions <NUM> and <NUM> extend along the edges of the mating face from the first and second outer catches <NUM> and <NUM> respectively. These peripheral ridge portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> collectively extend around one half of the periphery of the mating face, such that when two mating faces are coupled together, the peripheral ridge portions of the mating faces cooperate to leave substantially no gaps at the peripheral interface between the two mating faces, as best seen in <FIG>.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, in the second quadrant <NUM>, a first inner ledge <NUM> is spaced apart from the bottom surface <NUM> with a gap therebetween facing outward toward the first side <NUM>. A second inner ledge <NUM> in fourth quadrant <NUM> similarly is spaced apart from the bottom surface <NUM> with a gap <NUM> therebetween facing outward toward the second side <NUM>. In first quadrant <NUM>, a first inner catch <NUM> is spaced apart from the bottom surface <NUM> with a gap therebetween facing toward the centreline <NUM> and is sized and positioned to mate with first or second inner ledges <NUM> and <NUM> such that each ledge or catch is located within the opposite gap. In third quadrant <NUM>, a second inner catch <NUM> is sized and positioned to mate with first or second inner ledges <NUM> and <NUM> such that each ledge or catch is located within the opposite gap. As seen in <FIG>, an optional first block <NUM> extends from the bottom surface <NUM> in second quadrant <NUM> while an optional second block <NUM> extends from the bottom surface <NUM> in fourth quadrant <NUM>. A first stop <NUM> extends from the bottom surface <NUM> in first quadrant <NUM> and is sized and positioned to meet with either first or second block <NUM> and <NUM> when two floor plates 38B are coupled together. A second stop <NUM> extends from the bottom surface <NUM> in third quadrant <NUM> and is sized and positioned to meet with either first or second block <NUM> and <NUM> when two floor plates 38B are coupled together. It may be appreciated that some of the catches as illustrated in the example embodiments of the invention are optional, and other configurations may be useful, as well.

As illustrated in <FIG>, coupler plane angle <NUM> separates top plane <NUM> from bottom plane <NUM> of floor plate <NUM>/38A. When coupler plane angle <NUM> is greater than <NUM> degrees, the distance between top surface <NUM> and bottom surface <NUM> is smaller at first end <NUM> than at second end <NUM> so as to angularly orient two magazine bodies <NUM> relative to each other. The coupler plane angle <NUM> may be selected to be any angle as desired by a user, such as, by non-limiting example, between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees. In some embodiments, the coupler plane angle <NUM> is in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> degrees. In some embodiments, the coupler plane angle <NUM> is in the range <NUM> to <NUM> degrees.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the four possible configurations to couple two floor plates, 38U and <NUM> together. Top floor plate 38U and bottom floor plate <NUM> may be identical, but are identified separately to differentiate between the floor plate 38U of the engaged top magazine <NUM> and the bottom floorplate <NUM> of the disengaged bottom magazine <NUM>. In <FIG>, the coupled magazines <NUM> and <NUM> face the same direction and the two floor plates 38U and <NUM> are coupled such that the first ends <NUM> are aligned together, and the second ends <NUM> are aligned together. The result of this alignment is that the coupled magazines, <NUM> and <NUM>, essentially form a curved outer profile. In <FIG>, the coupled magazines <NUM> and <NUM> face opposite directions and the two floor plates 38U and <NUM> are coupled such that the first ends <NUM> are aligned together, and the second ends <NUM> are aligned together. In <FIG>, the coupled magazines <NUM> and <NUM> face opposite directions and the two floor plates 38U and <NUM> are coupled such that that the top floor plate 38U first end <NUM> is aligned with the bottom floor plate <NUM> second end <NUM>, and the top floor plate 38U second end <NUM> is aligned with the bottom floor plate <NUM> first end <NUM>. The result of the alignment shown in <FIG> is that the coupled magazines, <NUM> and <NUM>, essentially form a straight outer profile. In <FIG>, the coupled magazines <NUM> and <NUM> face the same direction and the two floor plates 38U and <NUM> are coupled such that that the top floor plate 38U first end <NUM> is aligned with the bottom floor plate <NUM> second end <NUM>, and the top floor plate 38U second end <NUM> is aligned with the bottom floor plate <NUM> first end <NUM>. The benefit of having the ability to create alternate profiles is user preference. As set out above, a magazine body <NUM> may be connected onto a floor plate <NUM> from either direction, permitting the user to select the relative orientation of the coupled magazines <NUM> and <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates both magazine bodies <NUM> oriented such that both front ends <NUM> are aligned with first ends <NUM> of the floorplates <NUM>, although it may be appreciated that both rear ends <NUM> of the magazine bodies <NUM> may be aligned with first ends <NUM> of the floorplates <NUM>, or one front end <NUM> of one magazine body <NUM> may be aligned with the first end <NUM> of its floorplate <NUM>, while the other front end <NUM> of the second magazine body <NUM> may be aligned with the second end <NUM> of its floorplate <NUM>, for a total of three possible configurations with the first floorplate coupling configuration illustrated in <FIG>. Similarly, <FIG> is illustrated with both front ends <NUM> of the magazine bodies <NUM> aligned with both first ends <NUM> of the floorplates <NUM>, but they may be assembled in other configurations, as well, for a total of three possible configurations with the second floorplate coupling configuration illustrated in <FIG>.

To couple two floor plates <NUM> together, the mating faces are aligned to face each other at an offset angle, as shown in <FIG>, with the centres of both mating faces aligned. The mating faces are then rotated together in the direction generally indicated by arrow <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates two mating faces locked in the engaged position, and best shows the engagement of ledges and catches described above. To disengage the mating faces, rotate in the opposite direction and pull apart. <FIG> illustrate coupling of two floor plates 38A together, which may be accomplished in the same manner as the coupling of floor plates <NUM>.

Various methods and materials may be used to manufacture the magazine body <NUM>, follower <NUM>, spring plate <NUM>/36A and floor plate <NUM>/38A, such as by way of non-limiting example injection mould, casting or cold punch.

<FIG>, <FIG> show two magazines <NUM> coupled together by couplers in the form of clips <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present invention. As described below, each clip <NUM> comprises a mating face which may be substantially similar to the mating face of the floor plate <NUM> described above.

As best seen in <FIG>, the clip <NUM> comprises a clip body <NUM> with a first side that bears against the body of the magazine <NUM>, and a second side comprising a mating face configured to be coupled to another identical mating face. Clip arms <NUM> extend from the first side of the clip body <NUM> for engaging the magazine <NUM>. Each clip arm <NUM> comprises a pair of protrusions <NUM> which are configured to be received in grooves <NUM> on the outside of a magazine <NUM>. In some embodiments, the magazine <NUM> has grooves <NUM> along a substantial portion of its length to permit indexing of the clip <NUM> at a plurality of positions along the length of the magazine <NUM>. The clip body <NUM> comprises a thin area <NUM> in a central portion thereof to allow the clip <NUM> to be flexed at the thin area such that the clip arms <NUM> can be pulled apart, as indicated by arrows <NUM>, for attachment to and removal from the magazine <NUM>. The peripheral ridge portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the mating face of the clip <NUM> each extend partially across the central portion of the clip body <NUM> such that when two clips <NUM> are coupled together, as shown in any of <FIG>, <FIG>, these central peripheral ridge portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the engaged mating faces prevent flexing of the clip body <NUM> so as to prevent removal of the clips <NUM> from the magazines <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Apparatus for coupling a first firearm magazine to another firearm magazine, the apparatus comprising a coupler mountable on the first firearm magazine, the coupler comprising a mating face having a plurality of catches extending from the mating face, the plurality of catches (<NUM>, 120A, 120B, <NUM>, 122A, 122B, <NUM>, 124A, 124B, <NUM>, 126A, 126B) comprising a plurality of complementary pairs of catches positioned and shaped to be engaged with corresponding catches of another coupler having an identical mating face when mating faces of two couplers are facewise engaged with and rotated relative to each other to align with each other, and the catches are rotationally symmetrically arranged about a central axis through the intersection of a longitudinal centerline (<NUM>) along a first direction and a transverse centerline (<NUM>) along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the centerlines (<NUM>, <NUM>) divide the mating face into four quadrants (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and the catches of adjacent quadrants are different and the catches of opposed quadrants are similar, such that two couplers are only attachable to each other in one of two opposed alignments.