Asymmetric Magazine Spring Nesting for Higher Cartridge Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magazine designs face challenges in maximizing cartridge capacity while maintaining predictable spring behavior and efficient space utilization, particularly in double-stack magazines, due to constraints on internal dimensions and the need for stable spring operation throughout the follower's travel.
Innovation Solution
A magazine spring design with uneven stack height from left to right, allowing for lateral displacement and additional overlap of coils, which creates predictable follower movement and increases internal space by enabling further follower travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the magazine spring is designed with conventional symmetric nesting coils, then the spring structure is simple and stable, but the fully compressed height cannot be minimized and cartridge capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the magazine spring with uneven stack height upon compression, where one side of the spring has a greater compressed height than the other side. This asymmetric configuration allows the spring to achieve maximum compression with reduced overall height, thereby increasing cartridge capacity without requiring additional magazine volume. The asymmetric nesting pattern enables more efficient space utilization compared to conventional symmetric designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nesting by configuring the spring coils to nest within each other in an asymmetric pattern. The nesting coils allow the spring to collapse into a compact form when compressed, with each coil fitting within the previous coil's space. This nesting mechanism enables the spring to achieve minimal compressed height, maximizing the number of cartridges that can be stored in the fixed magazine volume.
2Length of moving object
If the magazine spring compresses uniformly, then the spring structure is simple, but the follower travel range is limited and space efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements asymmetric compression patterns where the spring coils on one side compress to a greater extent than the other side. This asymmetric compression behavior extends the follower's travel range by allowing the spring to accommodate larger displacement without increasing the magazine's external dimensions. The uneven stack height creates additional vertical space for the follower to traverse throughout the magazine's operational cycle.
3Quantity of substance
If the magazine is designed to hold more cartridges, then cartridge capacity increases, but the magazine height increases and it no longer fits the fixed volume constraint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing asymmetric spring compression that reduces the overall height of the spring-follower assembly at maximum compression. The uneven stack height configuration allows the spring to occupy less vertical space when compressed, thereby increasing the number of cartridges that can be stored within the same magazine height constraint. This enables higher cartridge capacity without violating the fixed volume requirements of the firearm's magazine well.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the spring compression behavior by designing for uneven stack height upon compression. This parameter change allows the spring to achieve a more compact compressed state, reducing the vertical space required and thereby increasing cartridge capacity within the fixed magazine dimensions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design accommodates more cartridges within a fixed magazine volume by allowing the follower to overlap laterally, providing additional internal space and maintaining stable spring behavior, thus enhancing cartridge capacity without increasing overall height.
Implementation Method 1
The magazine spring is compressed between the base of the magazine tube and the follower. The follower bears against the cartridges and urges them upward toward the cartridge feed lips and rails.
Data Source
AI summary
A gun magazine spring and magazine assembly having a novel design. The coils of the spring are configured to nest in certain regions and overlap in others. The result is that—as the spring nears its fully compressed state—the spring has an uneven stack height from left to right. The uneven stack height produces a predictable lateral displacement of the follower. The higher of the two stacked sides of the spring protrudes laterally outward through a lateral relief in the follower. This feature allows the spring and follower to overlap in the vertical direction to a greater extent than would be possible with conventional laterally-even spring nesting. The additional overlap produces additional internal space while also ensuring that the spring and follower assembly behave in a predictable manner.