Pivotable Magazine Floor Plate Prevents Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magazine designs for self-loading firearms are structurally complex, prone to damage, and may lose their floor plates when removed, leading to operational inefficiencies and potential loss of components.
Innovation Solution
A slidable and pivotable magazine floor plate designed to be hinged to the magazine housing, preventing accidental removal and damage, with safety elements like hinge pins and guiding rails ensuring secure attachment and easy loading/unloading while maintaining structural simplicity and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a magazine floor plate is made separable or completely removable from the magazine housing, then loading and unloading of cartridges is simplified, but the floor plate may be lost when the magazine is removed from the firearm
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine floor plate is nested within the magazine housing structure through a hinge connection, allowing it to be integrated during operation yet independently accessible when needed. The hinge mechanism enables the floor plate to be stored within the housing boundaries while maintaining operational independence for loading purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor plate transitions from a static, fixed position to a dynamic, pivotable position through the hinge mechanism. This allows the floor plate to adapt between being securely attached during firing and being easily removable for loading, providing operational flexibility without compromising retention.
2Ease of repair
If a magazine floor plate is made completely removable, then cleaning and maintenance is easier, but the floor plate is prone to damage and loss
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism enables the floor plate to dynamically transition between attached and detached states, allowing easy removal for cleaning while maintaining structural protection when attached. The pivotable connection ensures the floor plate can be accessed for maintenance without complete separation that would lead to loss or damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor plate is segmented from the main housing through the hinge connection, allowing independent access for cleaning and maintenance while remaining part of the integrated structure during operation. This segmentation enables maintenance without complete disassembly while preserving structural integrity.
3Reliability
If a magazine floor plate is hinged to the housing, then accidental removal is prevented, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism provides a dynamic connection that secures the floor plate during operation while allowing controlled movement for loading. The pivotable joint achieves secure attachment with minimal structural addition, enabling reliable operation without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism merges the floor plate and housing into an integrated assembly that functions as a unified structure during operation. This combination achieves secure attachment while the hinge design keeps the added complexity minimal by using a simple pivot connection rather than multiple fastening elements.
Data Source
AI summary
Example apparatus are disclosed for a magazine for a self-loading firearm, the magazine comprising a magazine housing, and a magazine floor plate movably mounted to the magazine housing. The magazine floor plate is slidable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the magazine floor plate is pivotable relative to the magazine housing when in the open position.