Firearm Magazine Extender with Laterally-Interlocking Enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearm magazine extenders face challenges in securely attaching to a wide range of magazines, particularly those with interior or narrow flanges, due to inadequate attachment interfaces that can lead to unintended detachment under mechanical shock or impact.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates laterally-interlocking enclosure pieces with laterally-flexible sidewalls and retention slots, reinforced by attachment and lateral-reinforcement rails, which form a dual wall structure to prevent deflection and secure attachment to firearm magazines with various flange configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If magazine extenders attach to firearm magazines by engaging lower tabs or flanges, then the extender can be installed on various magazine types, but the attachment may detach under significant shock or impact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is divided into first and second enclosure pieces that can be separately assembled onto the magazine. This segmentation allows each piece to independently engage with magazine flanges while providing distributed attachment points that enhance overall security against shock forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second enclosure pieces are combined to form a complete enclosure around the magazine lower portion. This merging creates a unified structure that distributes mechanical loads across multiple engagement points, preventing single-point failure under impact.
2Reliability
If the enclosure pieces are made rigid to prevent deflection under impact, then attachment security improves, but the device complexity and part count increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure pieces utilize laterally-flexible sidewalls that can deflect under impact forces rather than requiring completely rigid construction. This flexibility allows the structure to absorb shock while maintaining attachment security, avoiding the need for overly complex rigid frameworks.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure pieces are designed with controlled flexibility that allows dynamic response to impact forces. The sidewalls can flex laterally during shock events and return to their original position, providing reliable attachment without requiring excessive structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the enclosure pieces are made laterally flexible to facilitate installation, then ease of operation improves, but the attachment security under impact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The laterally-flexible sidewalls enable easy installation by allowing the enclosure pieces to be compressed and snapped onto the magazine. The same flexibility that aids installation also allows the structure to dynamically respond to impact forces, maintaining attachment security through controlled deflection rather than rigid resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
A firearm magazine extender is installable onto a firearm magazine having a lower end portion from which magazine flanges project. Embodiments of the firearm magazine extender include a first enclosure piece, a second enclosure piece, and a laterally-interlocking interface formed between the first and second enclosure pieces. The first enclosure piece includes, in turn, laterally-flexible sidewalls spaced along a lateral axis of the firearm magazine extender, and retention slots formed in the laterally-flexible sidewalls and into which the magazine flanges engage when the first enclosure piece is fit onto the firearm magazine. The second enclosure piece is configured to matingly engage the first enclosure piece and cooperate therewith to enclose the lower end portion of the firearm magazine. The laterally-interlocking interface inhibits deflection of the laterally-flexible sidewalls and disengagement of the magazine flanges from the retention slots when the firearm magazine extender is installed on the firearm magazine.