Side-loading Magazine with Hinged Door and Blocking Tab
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firearm laws in states like California and New York require semi-automatic firearms to have fixed magazines, which are not easily loadable without disassembly, posing a compliance and usability challenge.
Innovation Solution
Designing an affixable ammunition magazine with a hinged door that can be loaded without removing it from the firearm, featuring a cartridge follower assembly and attachable blocking tab to secure the magazine in place, allowing for easy loading via a side, rear, or front door mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed magazine is implemented to comply with firearm laws, then legal compliance is achieved, but loading complexity increases requiring disassembly or tools
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine is divided into separate functional components: a fixed magazine body that remains attached to the firearm, and a movable side door that can be opened for loading. This segmentation allows the magazine to be legally fixed while maintaining ease of loading through the separate door component.
Solution Approach 2:
A blocking tab serves as an intermediary element that prevents the side door from opening during normal operation but can be easily removed or disengaged when loading is needed. This intermediary component mediates between the fixed magazine structure and the loading function.
2Ease of operation
If a hinged door mechanism is added for easy loading, then loading convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door mechanism is segmented into simple, discrete components: a hinged door, a blocking tab, and a spring-loaded follower. Each component performs a single function, avoiding complex mechanisms while achieving the goal of easy loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded follower automatically pushes cartridges upward when the door is opened, eliminating the need for manual cartridge insertion or complex feeding mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the door opening action to trigger the loading process.
3Reliability
If a blocking tab is used to prevent magazine removal, then fixed magazine compliance is achieved, but ease of removal for loading decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking function is separated from the magazine body into a distinct, removable blocking tab. This tab can be easily detached or disengaged when loading is needed, allowing the magazine to remain fixed during operation but be easily accessed when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking tab transitions from a static blocking state during operation to a dynamic, easily removable state during loading. This dynamic characteristic allows the system to adapt between compliance mode and loading mode without permanent modification.
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
Enables legal ownership of firearms like AR-15 by ensuring compliance with state laws while facilitating convenient and tool-free loading of cartridges, maintaining the magazine's fixed position.
Implementation Method 1
a cartridge follower spring configured to be compressed by the cartridge follower when the at least one finger pull is engaged with the bottom hook, and configured to expand when the at least one finger pull is disengaged from the bottom hook, thereby allowing the cartridge follower to urge the stack of cartridges towards the feeding end of the ammunition magazine
Data Source
AI summary
An affixable magazine in compliance with new firearms laws that enables citizens to legally own and effectively operate a firearm, such as an AR-15. The affixable magazine allows a user to easily load ammunition through a hinged door without removing the magazine from the firearm, disassembling the action, or using tools. The affixable magazine includes: a magazine body configured to contain a stack of cartridges, and an attachable blocking tab for blocking removal of the ammunition magazine from the magazine well, the attachable blocking tab being attached after insertion of the ammunition magazine into the magazine well, and before re-engaging the upper receiver with the lower receiver. The affixable magazine also includes a magazine body having an opening, with a hinged door configured to alternately cover or reveal the opening, the magazine body including: at least one finger-pull slot with a bottom hook for locking the follower.