Nested Magazine Spring Reducing Compressed Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearm magazines face limitations in internal capacity due to constraints in external dimensions and internal height, which restrict the number of cartridges that can be loaded.
Innovation Solution
A novel spring design with a triple-nested bottom three coils and alternating double-nested pairs of coils, combined with a specific interface between the magazine spring and the follower, reduces the fully compressed height of the spring/follower assembly, allowing for additional cartridge capacity within standard external dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the magazine uses a conventional spring design with standard coil configuration, then the spring provides sufficient force to feed cartridges, but the fully compressed height of the spring is too large, limiting the number of cartridges that can be loaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by configuring the spring coils to nest within each other during compression. Specifically, the spring has a first coil with outer diameter larger than subsequent coils, allowing second and third coils to nest inside the first coil's space when compressed. This nesting arrangement dramatically reduces the fully compressed height of the spring while maintaining sufficient force to push cartridges upward, thereby increasing cartridge capacity without changing external magazine dimensions.
2Quantity of substance
If the magazine external dimensions are kept fixed to fit the firearm, then the magazine conforms to the firearm's magazine well, but the internal capacity is constrained and cannot be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by optimizing the vertical dimension (height) of the spring compression. By reducing the spring's fully compressed height through the nested coil design, the magazine can accommodate additional cartridges in the vertical direction within the same external dimensions. This dimensional optimization in the height parameter allows increased cartridge capacity without altering the magazine's external width, length, or overall volume.
3Reliability
If the magazine spring is made stronger to reliably feed cartridges, then the feeding reliability is improved, but the spring compressed height increases, reducing cartridge capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the spring's physical characteristics - specifically using nested coils with decreasing outer diameters from the first coil outward. This geometric parameter change allows the spring to achieve both high force output (for reliable feeding) and compact compressed height. The nested configuration concentrates the spring's mechanical energy more efficiently, providing sufficient feeding force while maintaining a reduced compressed profile that increases cartridge capacity.
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 innovative design achieves a reduction in the fully compressed height of the spring, enabling at least one additional cartridge to be loaded in a double-stack magazine configuration, thereby increasing the internal capacity without altering the external dimensions.
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 novel spring and follower design for a firearm magazine that produce a reduced height when the magazine is fully loaded. The preferred embodiments of the magazine spring include a triple-nested bottom three coils, followed by an alternating succession of double-nested pairs of coils. The bottom three coils and the alternating pairs are configured to remain within a double stack portion of the magazine. The magazine spring also includes a transition portion—comprising elongated coils—configured to extend into the upper portion of the magazine when the magazine is nearly empty. The follower is preferably configured to receive the transition portion of the magazine spring into a lower receiver when the magazine spring is fully compressed.