Magazine Loader With Hinged Flaps and Torsion Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Loading firearm magazines is a time-consuming and painful process, especially when using magazines with a side button, as it requires repeated force and can lead to finger pain and fatigue, especially in combat situations where speed is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A magazine loader with two flaps hinged together by a torsion spring, allowing the loader to securely hold the side button and follower in place, enabling comfortable and rapid loading without continuous finger pressure, and designed to fit a wide range of magazine sizes and types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a magazine with a side button is used to enable rapid loading, then loading speed is improved, but finger pain and fatigue increase due to repeated forceful depression of the button
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a loader tool as an intermediary device between the user's finger and the magazine button. The loader has a button depression element that engages with the magazine's side button, allowing the user to depress the button with greater mechanical advantage and reduced finger strain. The loader acts as a lever arm that amplifies the user's input force while reducing the pressure concentrated on the finger.
Solution Approach 2:
The loader incorporates a spring-loaded mechanism that dynamically adapts to the magazine's resistance during button depression. The spring provides continuous force assistance throughout the button's travel distance, maintaining optimal pressure without requiring the user to sustain maximum finger force throughout the entire loading sequence.
2Productivity
If continuous finger pressure is applied to the side button during loading, then rounds can be loaded into the magazine, but the loading process becomes time-consuming and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The loader is pre-loaded with a spring mechanism that stores energy before use. When engaged with the magazine, the spring automatically provides the necessary force to depress the button and compress the magazine's internal spring, eliminating the need for the user to apply continuous manual pressure throughout the entire loading process.
Solution Approach 2:
The loader's spring mechanism performs the work of depressing the button and compressing the magazine spring automatically once engaged. The system uses its own stored energy to complete the loading action, reducing the user's involvement to simply inserting rounds into the magazine while the loader handles the forceful button depression repeatedly.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the loader provides a secure grip on the button and follower, then finger fatigue is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The loader is divided into distinct functional segments: a button depression element that engages the magazine's side button, a follower engagement surface that contacts the magazine's follower, and a spring-loaded mechanism providing force. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and modular.
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 loader facilitates painless and efficient loading of magazines by providing a secure grip on the button and follower, reducing finger fatigue and allowing for faster reloading with minimal effort, while being durable, lightweight, and adaptable to various magazine geometries.
Implementation Method 1
two substantially similar flaps, a hinge pin, and a torsion spring. The torsion spring is positioned between the flaps and encircles the hinge pin with its windings while its legs force the flaps apart
Implementation Method 2
two substantially similar flaps, a hinge pin, and a torsion spring. The flaps are hinged together at one longitudinal edge by the pin
Data Source
AI summary
A magazine loader (10) for firearm magazines (40) has a projecting side button (50) coupled to a follower (52). Two similar and substantially flat flaps (12, 14) are hinged by a pin (18) along their longer side. A torsion spring (16) encompasses the pin and is positioned between the flaps, forcing them apart. Each flap has a substantially rectangular opening (20A, 20B) sized and positioned to fit over a magazine. The flaps can angle between an open position and a closed (parallel and touching) position. To load the magazine, a user squeezes and holds the flaps ends closed to align the openings so that the openings can be slid over the magazine to push the button down. Upon releasing the flaps they open, locking the openings on the magazine. Rounds (60) then can easily be loaded into the magazine. The loader may use a grasping member in lieu of flaps.