Resilient Magazine Follower for Consistent Slide Lock Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adverse tolerance stack-ups between firearm components and magazine components lead to inconsistent engagement of the slide lock mechanism, resulting in unreliable operation when the last round is fired, as the slide may not lock open consistently due to variations in dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A magazine follower with a base member and structures that are resiliently biased laterally, forming interference and non-interference fits with the magazine tube, ensuring consistent engagement with the slide stop and maintaining proper orientation to ensure the slide locks open after the last round is fired, regardless of manufacturing tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rigid magazine follower structures are used, then manufacturing is simple, but engagement with the slide stop is inconsistent due to tolerance stack-ups
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine follower employs resilient structures that can dynamically adjust their position and orientation in response to tolerance variations in the magazine tube and slide stop. The follower includes spring-loaded elements and flexible components that automatically compensate for dimensional deviations, ensuring consistent engagement with the slide stop without requiring precision manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the follower components by introducing resilience and elasticity. The follower structures are designed with varying degrees of compliance, allowing them to deform elastically within acceptable ranges to maintain proper engagement geometry despite manufacturing tolerances in the rigid components.
2Reliability
If precise manufacturing tolerances are applied to all components, then engagement consistency improves, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the engagement mechanism from a rigid, precision-dependent system to a resilient, tolerance-compensating system. By changing the mechanical parameters of the follower components to include elastic deformation capabilities, the system achieves reliable engagement without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances on the magazine tube and slide stop interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient follower structures act as intermediary elements between the magazine tube and the slide stop. These intermediate components absorb and compensate for tolerance variations, mediating the interface between the two rigid components and ensuring consistent engagement without requiring either component to be manufactured with high precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the follower structure is made more complex with multiple adjustment mechanisms, then adaptability to different configurations improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient follower structures provide automatic adaptation to different firearm and magazine configurations through their inherent elasticity and ability to deform. Rather than requiring manual adjustment mechanisms or multiple fixed-position components, the dynamic resilient structures self-adjust to accommodate variations in magazine tube dimensions, slide stop positions, and follower-to-tube clearance across different firearm models and configurations.
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 solution ensures reliable and consistent slide lock operation after the last round is fired, providing a visual and tactile indication of an empty magazine, enhancing operational reliability and adaptability across different firearm and magazine configurations.
Implementation Method 1
A magazine spring is included in the magazine and is compressible between the magazine follower and a bottom portion of the magazine so as to bias the follower and loaded cartridges upwardly in the magazine
Implementation Method 2
A magazine follower with a base member and structures that are resiliently biased laterally, forming interference and non-interference fits with the magazine tube
Data Source
AI summary
A magazine for a firearm is formed by a magazine box with a spring therein. A magazine follower in the magazine box is urged toward an open end thereof by the spring, and is formed by a base member extending along a longitudinal axis of the magazine box, and slide stop actuating and cartridge engaging structures extending outwardly from the base member. The slide stop actuating and/or the cartridge engaging structures are resiliently biased in a lateral direction away from a longitudinal axis of the base member to be movable between: (1) a compressed position wherein a longitudinal axis of the slide stop and/or the cartridge engaging structures are laterally perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the base member, and (2) an uncompressed position where the longitudinal axis of the slide stop actuating and/or the cartridge engaging structures are not laterally perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the base member.