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Ambidextrous magazine catch for firearmsRelated Patent Categories: Firearms, Breech Loading, Magazine GunsAmbidextrous magazine catch for firearms description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060123683, Ambidextrous magazine catch for firearms. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] 1. Field of Invention [0002] The present invention relates to improvements of mechanisms used to retain or release magazines of automatic and/or semi-automatic firearms. [0003] The use of a catch or latch to retain and/or release a magazine with a lateral securing slot in automatic and/or semi-automatic firearms, such as the "standard NATO 5.56 mm", is known. Many firearms already incorporate the use of a hook or catch which operates in a recess allowing for its engagement into the magazine thereby securing the magazine in the firearm. [0004] The hook or catch is typically attached to a rod or shaft which is guided transversely through the body of the weapon and secured to a push-button. A spring, located around the shaft, is used to hold an engagement tooth of the hook in a position that secures the magazine. Depressing of the push-button towards the body of the rifle forces the hook or catch away from the lateral securing slot, releasing the magazine from the firearm. This push-button is usually located on the right side of the firearm and is, in some circumstances, difficult to operate by "left-handed" shooters. [0005] There are several accepted methods of removal and replacement of magazines. The "European Method" stresses the need to maintain the expended magazine on one's person. European firearms have a magazine release that is located conveniently close to the magazine well. The "European" soldier, therefore, is trained to cradle the weapon with his "non-firing" hand, remove his "firing-hand" from the pistol grip, place his "firing-hand" around the magazine body and use the thumb of the "firing-hand" to actuate a magazine release button. The soldier then places the spent magazine in a magazine pouch and uses this same "firing-hand" to retrieve a loaded magazine. The "firing-hand" is again used to insert the loaded magazine into the weapon. Then, the "firing-hand" is placed back on the pistol grip, the bolt is released and the soldier is free to re-acquire and engage targets. [0006] The "American Method" stresses the importance of speed during a magazine change. The M16 and AR-15 rifles are provided with a magazine release that is situated so that the soldier can readily depress it with the index finger of his "firing-hand" while in its normal position on the pistol grip. In this manner, the soldier has the ability to release a magazine with the index finger of his "firing-hand", allowing the spent magazine to fall away, while simultaneously retrieving a loaded magazine with his "non-firing" hand. This "non-firing" hand inserts the loaded magazine, releases the bolt and the shooter need only move his index finger back to the trigger to re-engage targets. It is obvious that this method of changing a magazine requires much less time to execute than the "European Method" described above. [0007] Both of the methods described above were developed for a "right-handed" shooter firing a weapon designed for a "right-handed" shooter. The "left-handed" shooter, using a firearm designed for a "right-handed" shooter, must use his "non-firing" hand to change magazines while his "firing-hand" is maintained on the pistol grip. In doing so, he must first depress the existing magazine release with the thumb of his "non-firing" hand and remove the spent magazine before he can use the same "non-firing" hand to retrieve and insert a loaded magazine. As you can see, the "American Method" for the "right-handed" shooter is, again, much more expedient. It is, therefore, important to provide a firearm with a magazine release mechanism that is operable in a like manner for both "left-handed" and "right-handed" shooters. This ambidextrous release mechanism must also be constructed so that it is easily depressed by the index finger of the "firing-hand" while in its normal position on the pistol grip. [0008] The need for an ambidextrous magazine release is not limited to the "left-handed" shooter alone. Often times, in a combat situation, a soldier is forced to switch from his dominant shooting posture to take advantage of cover and concealment. The act of changing a magazine in this less familiar posture can cost the soldier valuable time when trying to reload his weapon. [0009] An injury sustained by a soldier could also change his dominant shooting posture. The loss of a dominant eye or digits of his "firing-hand" may force him to use a weaker position. A wounded hand could still be used to steady the weapon and perform the less complicated task of replacing a magazine. [0010] When a shooter uses a sling to better stabilize his position, the "non-firing" hand is physically "bound" to the forearm by the sling. The "right-handed" shooter must use his "firing-hand" to remove and replace an expended magazine. The "left-handed" shooter, using a firearm designed for a "right-handed" shooter, is forced to assume an extremely awkward position, often times having to reach over the entire weapon to release and remove a spent magazine. This excess movement takes valuable time and reduces the "left-handed" shooter's ability to re-engage targets at the same speed as his "right-handed" counterpart. [0011] It should be clear to the reader that an ambidextrous magazine release mechanism must not only be easily accessible by the index finger of either "firing" hand while that "firing-hand" is maintained on the pistol grip, but it must also be equally accessible to the thumb of the "firing" or "non-firing" hand that is used to both remove and replace a magazine. [0012] 2. Description of Prior Art [0013] Inventors have created several types of ambidextrous magazine release/retaining mechanisms to enable "left-handed" shooters to use the same firearm as "right-handed" shooters. [0014] One invention, U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,479 to Johnson, seeks to provide rifles, like the Heckler and Koch Models 91 and 93, with a mechanism that enables a "right-handed" shooter to release and remove a magazine with the "non-firing" hand. A pivotal assembly, with a depressable extension, is attached to the transversely located shaft of the existing magazine release. When depressed, the pivotal assembly "cams" against an inside "stamped metal" wall of the firearm, causing the shaft to move in the direction necessary to disengage the hook from the lateral securing slot of the magazine. The extension is designed to be depressed with the thumb of the "non-firing" hand while it is positioned around the magazine. This requires the extension to be located conveniently close to the magazine well. The operation of this invention depends on the extension being located behind the magazine and under the firearm. A "left-handed" shooter can change magazines in a similar manner. The "left-handed" shooter simply depresses the existing operating push button, located near the magazine well, with the thumb of his "non-firing" hand. This invention does provide an ambidextrous means of magazine removal. It still fails, however, to provide the shooter access to the magazine release with the index finger of the "firing-hand" while in its normal position on the pistol grip. The shooter is still required to use his "non-firing" hand to remove and secure the magazine before he can use the same "non-firing hand" to retrieve and install the fresh magazine into the firearm. It is obviously faster to release the magazine with the finger of the "firing-hand", allowing the magazine to fall away, while simultaneously retrieving and installing a loaded magazine with the "non-firing" hand. As stated, this invention requires a portion of the assembly to "pivot" against a inside wall of a "stamped metal" body. Since the majority of the firearms using the "standard NATO 5.56 mm" magazine are machined from a block of aluminum alloy, it is clear that there is no cavity in which to house or operate this invention. The installation or "retro-fitting" of this assembly would be complicated, requiring tools and a limited amount of expertise. [0015] Another invention, U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,134 to Beretta, was designed to enable a "right-handed" shooter to release a magazine when a buttstock is folded against the body of a receiver, blocking a "right-hand" biased magazine release button. A rocking lever, located on the left side of the firearm, is pivotally connected to the magazine catch. When a pressable portion, located on the forward end of the rocking lever, is depressed, the assembly "cams" against the body of the firearm lifting the catch away from the magazine. The major disadvantage of this mechanism is the location of the pressable portion forward and away from the pistol grip. This configuration cannot be operated by the index finger of the "firing-hand" while in its normal position on the pistol grip. As previously discussed, the shooter must be able to depress the magazine release with the index finger of his "firing-hand", while in its normal position on the pistol grip, in order to execute the fastest possible magazine change. The lever is not protected and is susceptible to accidental release by laying the firearm on its side or by being struck with equipment that is worn by a soldier. Another disadvantage of the forward location of the lever is that it creates a "fork" which will be prone to snagging by foliage and equipment. [0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,519,954 discloses an invention which addresses the shortcomings of the patents previously discussed. The self-contained assembly uses a second spring to apply force to the engagement tooth of a lever and incorporates several "bosses" and a low profile to reduce the possibility of accidental release of the magazine. The only shortcoming of this design is that it may not readily adapt to a few of the weapon designs that use stamped metal construction of the receiver in which the standard magazine catch operates. [0017] Advances in metallurgy and coatings of weapons has reduced the possibility of wear from an ambidextrous magazine release assembly that "cams" on the outer surface of the weapon. Some weapons that are constructed of stamped metal also incorporate a folding stock to reduce he weapon's overall length for close quarters battle. These designs still require some type of ambidextrous magazine release for the reasons previously discussed. OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES [0018] Accordingly, one of the objects of my ambidextrous magazine release mechanism is to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above and to provide a mechanism that can be easily manipulated by "left-handed" or "right-handed" shooters employing all of the methods of changing a magazine previously discussed. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved magazine retaining and release mechanism that is readily adaptable to existing assemblies without the need for alteration of the firearm. My invention's "simplified" design makes installation quick and easy, requiring only a simple tool and no expertise. Yet another object of my invention is to provide an ambidextrous release that "cams" on the outer surface of the weapon but provides access to the shooter's trigger finger while the firing hand is placed around the pistol grip. The location of the depression portion of my invention is located to the rear making it less susceptible to snagging by foliage and battlefield obstacles. The design is such that the pivot location acts to reduce the possibility of accidental release much like the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,519,954. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] The present invention will now be described further by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0020] FIG. 1 is a right side perspective view of a rifle; [0021] FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal cross-section view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing my magazine release engaged with a magazine; Continue reading about Ambidextrous magazine catch for firearms... Full patent description for Ambidextrous magazine catch for firearms Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Ambidextrous magazine catch for firearms patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Ambidextrous magazine catch for firearms or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Wall-mounted display assembly for simultaneously displaying a plurality of items Next Patent Application: Apparatus Industry Class: Firearms ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Ambidextrous magazine catch for firearms patent info. 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