Compact firearm spring arrangement

Abstract

A compact firearm spring arrangement within a firearm magazine utilizes two or more springs connected in a linear arrangement by a connecting cup that allows one spring to compress within the other, thereby resulting in a free length spring system having a reduced height when fully compressed. At least one of the springs is a wire spring coiled in an oblong shape and one of the springs is a flat spring for providing increased force density for operation of the firearm. The reduced height of the spring arrangement when fully compressed, and increased force density from the flat spring(s), allows for additional bullet storage space within a magazine of standard size or, alternatively, a more compact system within a magazine that provides an equal amount of bullet storage space while reducing the friction of operation of the firearm.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0001]The present invention relates to a magazine for use in automatic and semiautomatic firearms and, more particularly, to an improved spring arrangement within a magazine that allows for increased storage space of ammunition bullets.Discussion of the Related Art[0002]A standard magazine (i.e. ammunition storage and feeding device attached to a repeating firearm) utilizes a single oval spring to displace the stored bullets of ammunition after a firearm action. Due to the length and force required for operation of the firearm, a conical-style spring cannot be used in a magazine. Therefore, the approximate height of a fully compressed oval spring is typically equal to the spring wire diameter multiplied by the number of winds in the spring.[0003]Firearms, particularly pistols, are often miniaturized for decreased visibility when being carried. Typical compact firearms are designed to sacrifice bullet capacity in order to achieve suffi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a better arrangement of springs in a firearm magazine that reduces the height of the springs when fully compressed. This allows for more bullets to be stored in a magazine of standard size or alternatively a more compact system with equal bullet storage space and reduced friction of operation. The use of a flat spring in the arrangement increases the spring force density compared to a compact firearm spring arrangement that uses only coiled wire springs for the primary and secondary compression springs.

Problems solved by technology

Due to the length and force required for operation of the firearm, a conical-style spring cannot be used in a magazine.

Additionally, firearm magazines are often difficult to load due to the increase in spring pressure as each bullet is loaded into the magazine.

High spring pressure when fully loaded can also cause excessive friction as the slide on an automatic pistol returns to battery after being fired, which can prevent the slide from completely returning to its firing position.

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