Patent ID: 12209838

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to an exemplary embodiment of the subject disclosure illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or like reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like features. It should be noted that the drawings are in simplified form and are not drawn to precise scale. In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as upper, lower, top, bottom, above, below and diagonal, are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. Such directional terms used in conjunction with the following description of the drawings should not be construed to limit the scope of the subject disclosure in any manner not explicitly set forth. Additionally, the term “a,” as used in the specification, means “at least one.” The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

“About” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of ±20%, ±10%, +5%, +1%, or +0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate.

“Substantially” as used herein shall mean considerable in extent, largely but not wholly that which is specified, or an appropriate variation therefrom as is acceptable within the field of art.

“Exemplary” as used herein shall mean serving as an example.

Throughout the subject application, various aspects thereof can be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the subject disclosure. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 2.7, 3, 4, 5, 5.3, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages and characteristics of the exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more exemplary embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light of the description herein, that the subject disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular exemplary embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain exemplary embodiments that may not be present in all exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring now to the Figures, there is shown an exemplary auto-locking magazine extension100in accordance with the subject disclosure. Magazine extension100increases the round capacity of a magazine500of handgun600or other firearm, such as a rifle or shotgun. As best shown inFIGS.1and2, handgun600includes a receiver assembly620having a hollow handgrip605sized to receive magazine500, a magazine release button615on handgrip605, a slide625coupled to the upper portion of receiver assembly620and a trigger assembly630operable to fire rounds stored in magazine500. Handgun600also includes other well-known components and structures not shown or described herein.

As shown inFIGS.3-10, magazine extension100includes a baseplate200for receiving an open end505of magazine500, a side bracket300structured to releasably couple to baseplate200for securing magazine500thereto and a locking pin400for locking side bracket300to baseplate200.

As best shown inFIGS.5through8, baseplate200includes an open proximal end205, a closed and rounded distal end210, a beveled floor215with an upper surface217extending between proximal and distal ends205,210and having a trapezoid-shaped window220at proximal end205, and two side walls225at opposite lateral sides of floor215and extending between proximal and distal ends205,210. The inner face of each wall225includes a lower lateral protrusion230and a guide235which together form a guide channel240extending between proximal and distal ends205,210. Each guide235also cooperates at its top end with a lateral and inwardly projecting lip245to form a securing slot250sized to receive rails510of magazine500. Baseplate200and its features are formed integrally into one monolithic piece (such as by injection molding), though it should be appreciated that baseplate105may be formed from multiple separate pieces and be constructed from any material(s) suitable for its intended purpose.

Side bracket300includes a main body305and two legs310extending distally from opposite sides of main body305, each of which is sized and positioned to closely engage a respective guide channel240of baseplate200. Main body305includes a curved proximal face312, two lateral and distally facing receipt channels315, a lower surface320, a receptacle325extending upwardly from lower surface320and having an upper face330, and a cylindrical through-bore335communicating with receptacle325and extending upwardly therefrom and terminating at an upper surface340. Like baseplate200, side bracket300and its features are formed integrally into one monolithic piece, though it should be appreciated that side bracket300may be formed from multiple separate pieces and be constructed from any suitable material(s).

Locking pin400includes a stop405, a cylindrical shaft410extending upwardly from stop405and terminating at an upper face415, and a trapezoid-shaped key420extending downwardly from stop405and having respective proximal and distal faces425,430.

To ensure proper alignment of side bracket300with respect to baseplate200, guide channels240of baseplate200closely receive legs310of side bracket300and receipt channels315of side bracket300closely receive the proximal ends of guides235. This ensures that lower surface320of side bracket300closely engages upper surface217of floor215of baseplate200and aligns receptacle325of side bracket300with window220of baseplate200. Shaft410of locking pin400extends upwardly through bore335of side bracket300, with stop405being positioned within receptacle325. When extension100is secured to magazine500, upper face330of receptacle325and upper surface217of floor215limit movement of stop405within receptacle325between a lower locked position, in which proximal face425of key420engages proximal side222of window220to prevent removal of side bracket300laterally from baseplate200(seeFIG.9), and an upper unlocked position, in which key420clears window220to allow removal of side bracket300laterally from baseplate200(seeFIG.10). By ensuring that locking pin400locks side bracket300in a lower position (rather than an upper or other position), magazine extension100provides enhanced robustness against inadvertent unlocking and disassembly caused by a falling magazine500striking a hard surface (such as when magazine release button615is pressed in typical fashion to allow empty magazine500to fall out of handgun600under force of gravity). In such an event, magazine500falls straight and typically strikes the ground in an upright position (extension100first), upon which inertia urges locking pin400even more strongly into the lower locked position. Likewise, recoil forces (which typical jolt a firearm upwards) may more strongly seat locking pin400in the lower locked position.

Key420of locking pin400is trapezoid-shaped and sized to engage trapezoid-shaped window220in the assembled state only when locking pin400is in a specific rotational orientation. This ensures that upper face415of pin400(which is cut at an angle with respect to the axis of shaft410) lies flush with upper surface340of side bracket300when pin400is in the lower locked position. While key420and window220are trapezoid-shaped, it should be appreciated that these features may be designed with different shapes or keying features to ensure proper rotational alignment of pin400or, alternatively, these features need not be keyed at all, such as with respect to embodiments that do not require a specific rotational orientation of pin400. Further, although shaft410and through-bore335are generally cylindrical with cross-sections that are substantially circular in shape, it should be appreciated that these features may be designed to have different cross-sections, such as, e.g., square or triangle shaped cross-sections, and that various embodiments of the subject disclosure are not intended to be limited to any particular cross-sectional shape of shaft410or through-bore335.

As best shown inFIGS.9-10, when magazine500with magazine extension100is inserted and secured within handgrip605of handgun600, a lower surface610of handgrip605automatically locks side bracket300to baseplate200by engaging with upper face415of locking pin400to ensure pin400cannot be moved into the upper unlocked position during operation of handgun600(seeFIG.9). However, to the extent locking pin400is inserted into side bracket300in the wrong rotational orientation, or side bracket300is not fully inserted into baseplate200to align key420with window220, key420of pin400will not engage window220, thereby maintaining locking pin400rigidly in the upper unlocked position. In this position, upper face415of shaft410engages and stops handgrip605at some distance above upper surface340of side bracket300to prevent magazine500from being fully inserted and secured within handgrip605. This provides a safety feature that prohibits installation of magazine500into handgun600when magazine extension100is not properly assembled and secured to magazine500. In the event locking pin400and/or side bracket300are damaged and become dislodged from baseplate200, handgun600still may be safely operated at least temporarily, as biasing forces exerted against floor215by magazine spring515produce frictional forces that maintain rails510of magazine500within securing slots250of baseplate200.

Referring now toFIG.11, there is shown a diagram detailing a process1100for assembling magazine extension100on magazine500of handgun600. The process begins at step1105and proceeds to step1110, at which a user compresses magazine spring515of magazine500, slides rails510of magazine500distally into securing slots250of baseplate200, and releases spring515to permit engagement of spring515with floor215of baseplate200. The process then proceeds to step1115. At this step, the user inserts shaft410of locking pin400upwardly into through-bore335of side bracket300until key420is fully maintained within receptacle325. Then, at step1120, the user inserts legs310of side bracket300laterally into guide channels240of baseplate200until key420of pin400aligns with window220of baseplate200. The process then proceeds to step1125, at which the user presses upper face415of shaft410downwardly to urge locking pin400into the lower locked position, thereby locking side bracket300to baseplate200. Alternatively, locking pin400may be secured into the locked position by inserting and securing magazine500within handgrip605of handgun600. Insertion of magazine500in this manner causes lower surface610of handgrip605to engage with upper face415of shaft410to urge locking pin400downwardly into the locked position. In other embodiments, locking pin400simply falls downwardly into the locked position under force of gravity when key420of locking pin400aligns with window220of baseplate200. In still other embodiments, a biasing member (such as a compression spring) is positioned within receptacle325between stop405of pin400and upper face330of receptacle325to provide a biasing force to urge pin400into the lower locked position when key420and window220align. The process then ends at step1130.

Referring now toFIG.12, there is shown a diagram detailing a process1200of removing magazine extension100from magazine500of handgun600. The process begins at step1205and proceeds to step1210, at which a user removes magazine500from handgun600by depressing the magazine release button615of firearm600and sliding magazine500downwardly out of handgrip605. The process then proceeds to step1215. At this step, the user inserts a fingernail, pin punch, ball point pen or other readily available tool or structure into window220to urge locking pin400upwardly into the upper unlocked position, thereby disengaging key420from window220of baseplate200. Then, at step1220, the user removes side bracket300by sliding it proximally with respect to baseplate200. With side bracket300removed, the process proceeds to step1225, at which the user compresses magazine spring515slightly and removes magazine500from baseplate200by sliding it proximally until rails510fully clear securing slots250of baseplate200. The process then ends at step1230.

Referring now toFIGS.13-17, there is shown another exemplary magazine extension1300in accordance with the subject disclosure. Similar to magazine extension100, magazine extension1300increases the round capacity of magazine500of handgun600or other firearm. Magazine extension1300includes a baseplate1400for receiving open end505of magazine500, a side bracket1500structured to releasably couple to baseplate1400for securing magazine500thereto and a cylindrically-shaped locking pin1600for locking side bracket1500to baseplate1400.

As best shown inFIGS.13through15, baseplate1400includes a proximal end1405, a distal end1410, a floor1415with an upper surface1417extending between proximal and distal ends1405,1410, two side walls1425at opposite lateral sides of floor1415and extending between proximal and distal ends1405,1410, an upwardly-facing mating surface1450at proximal end1405, a post receptacle1445and a through-bore1440extending laterally through baseplate1400and intersecting post receptacle1445at proximal end1405. Each side wall1425includes an inwardly projecting lip1435forming a securing slot1430sized to receive one of rails510of magazine500. Baseplate1400and its features are formed integrally into one monolithic piece (such as by injection molding), though it should be appreciated that baseplate1400may be formed from multiple separate pieces and be constructed from any material(s) suitable for its intended purpose.

Side bracket1500includes a main body1505having a distally-facing engagement end1510, two distally-facing stopping ends1515extending from respective lateral sides of engagement end1510, and a downwardly-facing mating surface1520. Side bracket1500further includes a post1525with a lateral through-bore1530. Post1525extends downwardly from main body1505and is sized to engage with post receptacle1445of baseplate1400. Like baseplate1400, side bracket1500and its features are formed integrally into one monolithic piece, though it should be appreciated that side bracket1500may be formed from multiple separate pieces and be constructed from any suitable material(s).

When magazine extension1300is secured to magazine500, post1525of side bracket1500is closely received within post receptacle1445of baseplate1400, such that through-bore1530of side bracket1500aligns with through-bore1440of baseplate1400. In this position, locking pin1600extends laterally through both through-bores1440,1530to secure side bracket1500to baseplate1400. When in the secured position, mating surface1520of side bracket1500engages with mating surface1450of baseplate1400, engagement end1510of side bracket1500engages with the proximal side of magazine500, and stopping ends1515respectively close off the open ends of securing slots1430of baseplate1400, thereby securing baseplate1400in place relative to magazine500and preventing baseplate1400from sliding distally off rails510of magazine500. It should be appreciated that through-bores1440,1530may be designed to slightly misalign with one another to ensure that locking pin1600bends slightly when inserted within magazine extension1300, thereby frictionally maintaining pin1600in place when extension1300is secured to magazine500.

Referring now toFIG.18, there is shown a diagram detailing a process1800for assembling magazine extension1300on magazine500of handgun600. The process begins at step1805and proceeds to step1810, at which a user compresses magazine spring515of magazine500, slides rails510of magazine500distally into securing slots1430of baseplate1400, and releases spring515to permit engagement of spring515with floor1415of baseplate1400. The process then proceeds to step1815. At this step, the user urges engagement end1510of side bracket1500against the proximal side of magazine500and slides side bracket1500downwardly until post1525engages post receptacle1445of baseplate1400(seeFIG.16). The process then proceeds to step1820, at which the user inserts locking pin1600laterally into through bores1440,1530to secure side bracket1500to baseplate1400(seeFIG.17). The process then ends at step1825.

Referring now toFIG.19, there is shown a diagram detailing a process1900of removing magazine extension1300from magazine500of handgun600. The process begins at step1905and proceeds to step1910, at which a user removes magazine500from handgun600by depressing the magazine release button615of firearm600and sliding magazine500downwardly out of handgrip605(seeFIG.17). The process then proceeds to step1915. At this step, the user inserts a fingernail, pin punch, ball point pen or other readily available tool or structure into through-bore1440to urge locking pin1600laterally out of magazine extension1300. The process then proceeds to step1920, at which the user slides side bracket1500upwardly along the proximal face of magazine500(seeFIG.16). Then, at step1925, the user slides rails510of magazine500proximally out of securing slots1430of baseplate1400. The process then ends at step1930.

Referring now toFIGS.20-25, there is shown another exemplary magazine extension2000in accordance with the subject disclosure. Similar to magazine extensions100and1300, magazine extension2000increases the round capacity of magazine500of handgun600or other firearm. Magazine extension2000includes a baseplate2100for receiving open end505of magazine500, a side bracket2200structured to releasably couple to baseplate2100for securing magazine500thereto and a locking pin2300for locking side bracket2200to baseplate2100.

Unlike locking pin1600of magazine extension1300, locking pin2300of extension2000includes two differently sized cylindrical portions2305aand2305bwith different diameters interfacing at an annular stopping surface2320. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, cylindrical portion2305bhas a diameter larger than that of cylindrical portion2305a, with both portions2305aand2305bextending end-to-end between a large pin face2310and a small pin face2315. It should be appreciated that portions2305aand2305bmay be shaped differently and/or have differently shaped cross sections, such as, for example, triangular-shaped or square-shaped cross sections, though it will be understood that various embodiments are not intended to be limited to any particularly shaped portions2305aand2305b.

As best shown inFIGS.20and21, baseplate2100includes a proximal end2105, a distal end2110, a floor2115with an upper surface2117extending between proximal and distal ends2105,2110, two side walls2125at opposite lateral sides of floor2115and extending between proximal and distal ends2105,2110, an upwardly-facing mating surface2150at proximal end2105, a post receptacle2145and a through-bore2140extending laterally through baseplate2100and intersecting post receptacle2145at proximal end2105. Each side wall2125includes an inwardly projecting lip2135forming a securing slot2130sized to receive one of rails510of magazine500. Baseplate2100and its features are formed integrally into one monolithic piece (such as by injection molding), though it should be appreciated that baseplate2100may be formed from multiple separate pieces and be constructed from any material(s) suitable for its intended purpose.

Unlike baseplate1400of magazine extension1300, through-bore2140of baseplate2100includes two differently sized diameter bores2142aand2142binterfacing at an annular pin stop2143. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the diameter of bore2142ais smaller than the diameter of bore2142b, with bore2142aextending only partially into one lateral side of side baseplate2100. It should be appreciated that bores2142aand2142bmay be shaped differently and/or have differently shaped cross sections, such as, for example, triangular-shaped or square-shaped cross sections to mate closely with locking pin2300, though it will be understood that various embodiments are not intended to be limited to any particularly shaped bores2142aand2142b.

Side bracket2200includes a main body2205having a distally-facing engagement end2210, two distally-facing stopping ends2215extending from respective lateral sides of engagement end2210, and a downwardly-facing mating surface2220. Side bracket2200further includes a post2225with a lateral through-bore2230. Post2225extends downwardly from main body2205and is sized to engage with post receptacle2145of baseplate2100. Like baseplate2100, side bracket2200and its features are formed integrally into one monolithic piece, though it should be appreciated that side bracket2200may be formed from multiple separate pieces and be constructed from any suitable material(s).

Unlike side bracket1500of magazine extension1300, through-bore2230of side bracket2200includes two differently sized diameter bores2232aand2232binterfacing at an annular pin stop2233. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the diameter of bore2232ais smaller than the diameter of bore2232b, with bore2232aextending only partially into one lateral side of side bracket2200. It should be appreciated that bores2232aand2232bmay be shaped differently and/or have differently shaped cross sections, such as, for example, triangular-shaped or square-shaped cross sections to mate closely with locking pin2300, though it will be understood that various embodiments are not intended to be limited to any particularly shaped bores2232aand2232b.

When magazine extension2000is secured to magazine500, post2225of side bracket2200is closely received within post receptacle2145of baseplate2100, such that through-bore2230of side bracket2200aligns with through-bore2140of baseplate2100. In this position, locking pin2300extends laterally through both through-bores2140,2230to secure side bracket2200to baseplate2100. In the secured position, locking pin2300is limited in lateral movement on one side by engagement between large pin face2310and annular pin stop2233of side bracket2200and on the other side by engagement between stopping surface2320of pin2300and annular pin stop2143of baseplate2100. In this manner, locking pin2300is prevented from inadvertently escaping extension2000during operation of handgun600.

When in the secured position, mating surface2220of side bracket2200engages with mating surface2150of baseplate2100, engagement end2210of side bracket2200engages with the proximal side of magazine500, and stopping ends2215respectively close off the open ends of securing slots2130of baseplate2100, thereby securing baseplate2100in place relative to magazine500and preventing baseplate2100from sliding distally off rails510of magazine500. It should be appreciated that through-bores2140,2230may be designed to slightly misalign with one another to ensure that locking pin2300bends slightly when inserted within magazine extension2000, thereby frictionally maintaining pin2300in place when extension2000is secured to magazine500.

Referring now toFIG.26, there is shown a diagram detailing a process2600for assembling magazine extension2000on magazine500of handgun600. The process begins at step2605and proceeds to step2610, at which a user compresses magazine spring515of magazine500, slides rails510of magazine500distally into securing slots2130of baseplate2100, and releases spring515to permit engagement of spring515with floor2115of baseplate2100. The process then proceeds to step2615. At this step, the user inserts locking pin2300(smaller portion2305afirst) laterally into through-bore2140of baseplate2100until stopping surface2320of pin2300engages with pin stop2143of baseplate2100(seeFIG.24). In this position, small cylindrical portion2305aprotrudes laterally from side wall2125of baseplate2100. The process then proceeds to step2620. At this step, the user urges engagement end2210of side bracket2200against the proximal side of magazine500and slides side bracket2200downwardly until post2225engages post receptacle2145of baseplate2100(seeFIG.22). The process then proceeds to step2625, at which the user engages small pin face2315to urge locking pin2300into extension2000until large pin face2310engages with pin stop2233of side bracket2200, thereby securing side bracket2200to baseplate2100(seeFIG.23). Then, at step2630, the user inserts and secures magazine500into handgun600, at which position lower surface610of handgrip605prevents side bracket2200from sliding upwardly (seeFIG.25). In this way, embodiments of the present invention prevent inadvertent disassembly of extension2000during operation of handgun600, even to the extent locking pin2300inadvertently dislodges laterally toward pin stop2143and out of through-bore2230of side bracket2200. The process then ends at step2635.

Referring now toFIG.27, there is shown a diagram detailing a process2700of removing magazine extension2000from magazine500of handgun600. The process begins at step2705and proceeds to step2710, at which a user removes magazine500from handgun600by depressing the magazine release button615of firearm600and sliding magazine500downwardly out of handgrip605. The process then proceeds to step2715. At this step, the user inserts a fingernail, pin punch, ball point pen or other readily available tool or structure into large bore2142bof through-bore2140to urge locking pin2300laterally until stopping surface2320of pin2300engages with pin stop2143of baseplate2100(seeFIG.22). The process then proceeds to step2720, at which the user slides side bracket2200upwardly along the proximal face of magazine500(seeFIG.24). Then, at step2725, the user slides rails510of magazine500proximally out of securing slots2130of baseplate2100. The process then ends at step2730.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is to be understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular exemplary embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims defined herein.