APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RELOADING FIREARM MAGAZINES

• US 20140223791A1
• Filed: 02/11/2014
• Published: 08/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Firearm Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Firearm Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Ruby, Brian Price, Koonz, Ryan, Kunen, Stephen Michael Ian
• Granted Patent: US 9,175,923 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/49.01
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 9/38 Loading arrangements, i.e. for bringing the ammunition into the firing position
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 9/64 for unbelted ammunition
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 9/68 Plural magazines, e.g. tandem magazines ; Arrangements of cartridges in two or more independent rows or channels which are selectively or sequentially brought into operative position
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 27/00 Accessories; Details or attachments not otherwise provided for

Abstract

An automatic or semi-automatic magazine reloading firearm is described that includes a magazine track that stores one or more reserve magazines. After ejecting an active magazine from the active magazine well, a reload arrangement can be activated to move a reserve magazine from the magazine track into the active magazine well and lock it into place to allow for continued firing, increased safety, and positive user control.

Claims

1. A firearm for firing cartridges contained in a magazine positioned in a magazine well, comprising:

a storage arrangement configured to hold at least one reserve magazine; and

a mechanical reloading arrangement configured to transport the at least one reserve magazine into the magazine well after a magazine is removed from the magazine well.

2. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the storage arrangement comprises a spring arrangement configured to direct the at least one reserve magazine toward the magazine well.

3. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the mechanical reloading arrangement is configured to accept the at least one reserve magazine from the storage arrangement and place it in the magazine well.

4. The firearm of claim 3, wherein the mechanical reloading arrangement comprises a plurality of lever arms.

5. The firearm of claim 4, wherein at least one lever arm is configured to interact with a portion of the at least one reserve magazine to transport the at least one reserve magazine from the storage arrangement to the magazine well.

6. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the mechanical reloading arrangement is configured to be activated by at least one of a single button or a single pump.

7. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the mechanical reloading arrangement is activated by rotational motion of at least one drive shaft.

8. The firearm of claim 7, wherein the rotational motion is provided by a spring arrangement or motor.

9. The firearm of claim 8, wherein the spring arrangement is configured to store energy based on a linear motion of a handle.

10. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the storage arrangement comprises a locking arrangement configured to release a single reserve magazine when the reloading arrangement is activated.

11. A magazine reloading arrangement for a firearm, comprising:

a storage arrangement configured to hold at least one reserve magazine; and

a mechanical reloading arrangement configured to transport the at least one reserve magazine into a magazine well of the firearm when the magazine reloading arrangement is affixed to the firearm.

12. The magazine reloading arrangement of claim 11, wherein the mechanical reloading arrangement comprises a plurality of lever arms.

13. The magazine reloading arrangement of claim 11, wherein the mechanical reloading arrangement is activated by rotational motion of at least one drive shaft.

14. The magazine reloading arrangement of claim 13, wherein the rotational motion is provided by a spring arrangement.

15. A method for reloading a firearm, comprising:

providing a storage arrangement configured to be affixed to the firearm and to hold at least one reserve magazine;

providing a mechanical reloading arrangement configured to transport the at least one reserve magazine into a magazine well of the firearm;

providing at least one reserve magazine in the storage arrangement; and

activating the mechanical reloading arrangement.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

removing a magazine from the magazine well prior to activating the mechanical reloading arrangement.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein activating the mechanical reloading arrangement comprises at least one of pressing a button, moving a pump, or translating a handle associated with the mechanical reloading arrangement.

18. A magazine for a firearm, comprising:

at least one feature adapted to interact with a mechanical reloading arrangement of the firearm to facilitate transfer of the magazine from a storage arrangement of the firearm into a magazine well of the firearm.

19. The magazine of claim 18, wherein the storage arrangement comprises at least one of a groove, a slot, a rail, or a protrusion, configured to slidably couple with the at least one feature of the reserve magazine.

20. The magazine of claim 18, wherein the magazine comprises a magazine body configured to hold a plurality of cartridges and an adapter that comprises the at least one feature, and wherein the adapter is configured to be affixed to the magazine body.