Auto-locking Magazine Extender with Handgrip Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magazine extenders for firearms lack robust and secure attachment methods that prevent dislodgment under operational forces and do not interfere with internal magazine components, and they often require tools for installation or removal, which can be inconvenient and prone to damage.
Innovation Solution
An auto-locking magazine extender design featuring a baseplate and side bracket with a locking pin that secures the extender to the magazine, preventing inadvertent disassembly and allowing toolless installation and removal, with the locking pin being prevented from unlocking by the firearm's handgrip when the magazine is inserted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the extender to the magazine, then the attachment robustness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin is designed to automatically lock the side bracket to the baseplate through a self-locking mechanism that utilizes the insertion motion itself to engage the lock, eliminating the need for separate locking actions or complex locking systems while ensuring secure attachment
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent dislodgment, then the attachment robustness is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin automatically engages when the extender is installed and can be disengaged by applying upward force during removal, making the locking and unlocking processes automatic rather than manual, thus maintaining ease of operation while ensuring secure attachment during use
3Ease of operation
If the locking pin is made accessible for toolless operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the attachment robustness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The handgrip of the firearm acts as an intermediary that physically blocks the locking pin during normal operation, preventing accidental disengagement while allowing intentional removal when the magazine is extracted from the handgrip, thus maintaining both robustness and ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A magazine extender is provided. The magazine extender includes a baseplate structured to receive a lower open end of a magazine; a side bracket structured to couple to the baseplate for securing the magazine; and a locking pin selectively moveable into a locked position to lock the side bracket to the baseplate and an unlocked position to unlock the side bracket from the baseplate. The locking pin of the magazine extender is prevented from being moved to the unlocked position by a handgrip of a firearm when the magazine is inserted into the handgrip.