Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02841762 2014-02-05
METHODS AND DEVICES RELATING TO FIREARMS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0011 This invention relates to firearms and more particularly to a magazine
holder and a
cycling holder, each allowing for quick and efficient cycling of a semi-
automatic firearm with
one hand.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0021 Semi-automatic, or self-loading, firearms are firearms that perform all
the steps necessary
to prepare the weapon to fire again after an initial firing, assuming that
cartridges remain in the
weapon's feed device or magazine. Typically, these steps include extracting
and ejecting the
spent cartridge case from the weapon's firing chamber, re-cocking the firing
mechanism, and
loading a new cartridge into the firing chamber. Although automatic weapons
and selective
firearms do the same tasks, semi-automatic firearms do not automatically fire
an additional round
until the trigger is released and re-pressed by the person firing the weapon.
However, semi-
automatic firearms still require the action to be cycled manually before the
first shot and when a
new magazine is inserted.
[0031 Considering a police officer who carries a semi-automatic firearm then
under normal
circumstances during the performance of their duties, the officer has free and
full use of both
hands for the drawing, loading, firing, unloading and clearing of their semi-
automatic duty pistol.
The training an officer receives on firearms handling and safety teaches them
to load their pistol
at the beginning of each duty shift. This involves removing the pistol from
the duty holster,
loading a magazine (sometimes called a clip) of ammunition into the pistol,
cycling the pistol
slide one time while using their primary hand (dominant hand) to hold the
pistol grip then using
their secondary hand to grip the sides of the pistol slide and move it in a
rearward direction to
manipulate a round out of the magazine and into the chamber or breach. This
slide loading
action can be accomplished using the secondary hand and either a "pinch
grip"/"sling shot grip"
at the rear end of the slide or an "overhand grip" over the top of the slide,
behind the breach and
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pulling the slide mechanism rearward ¨ then releasing the slide forward
resulting in a chambered
round and the pistol "in battery". After the weapon is loaded for duty it is
then placed back into
the duty holster and secured.
[004] If a weapon is drawn by the officer during the performance of their
duties and is actually
discharged, several things can occur. One, when the weapon functions properly,
a round of the
ammunition is fired and the projectile proceeds out of the muzzle of the
weapon in the direction
it is aimed at by the officer. The semi-automatic design of the pistol sends
the slide back
allowing another round to be chambered and ready to fire so long as there is
ammunition in the
properly seated magazine. Alternatively, there can be a problem such as the
ammunition
misfiring, or not firing, leaving an un-discharged round of ammunition in the
chamber or breach
of the weapon which must be cleared out before the weapon can be fired
properly. This is
referred to by terms such as "live trigger stoppage", "phase one stoppage" and
other terms
indicating an unintended interruption of fire. To clear such a blockage, the
officer must ensure
the magazine is seated properly by tapping it with the support hand, cycle the
slide of the weapon
back to eject the non-fired round of ammunition and allow the weapon's action
to load a fresh
round of ammunition into the chamber or breach from the magazine. As described
previously,
this is a two-handed operation.
[005] Another unintended interruption of fire that can occur is a "dead
trigger stoppage". This
typically occurs when a round or casing fails to eject from the chamber due to
faulty ammunition
or a damaged extractor. A second round tries to feed into the chamber but is
blocked by the
initial round / casing that failed to eject. The pressure of the slide trying
to fall forward into
battery (but stopped by the "double feed") seizes the pistol. As the extractor
may not be able to
properly grasp either round (the action can now only partially cycle), simply
cycling the action
will not clear the malfunction. A pistol in this state will not fire. In order
to clear the pistol the
magazine must be forcefully removed as pressure is holding the rounds in
place. Ideally, the
slide is placed in the locked back position releasing pressure on the double
fed rounds. This
allows the magazine to be stripped much easier. Once the magazine is stripped,
the officer clears
the port to ensure the chamber and magazine well are clear, then inserts a
fresh magazine and
cycles the action forward resulting in a fully loaded and ready (live round in
chamber) pistol.
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Again, as described previously, this is a two-handed operation, if proper
training regimens are
followed.
10061 At the end of the officer's duty shift, the service weapon must be
unloaded, cleared and
visually checked to ensure it is unloaded and then secured appropriately. This
is a reversal of the
loading process described above where the magazine is removed, the slide
cycled to eject any
round that might be in the chamber or breach, the slide locked in the open
position, an inspection
of the chamber/breach conducted to "prove" the weapon unloaded and safe and
then the proper
securing of the weapon in the holster or carrying case, as dictated by policy
/ local laws.
[0071 However, what does the officer do if their primary or secondary hand is
injured,
damaged, incapacitated or otherwise occupied in some way to make it impossible
to use in the
loading, firing, reloading and unloading of their weapon?
[008] Injuries to the primary, or secondary hand of an officer can occur in
many different ways
including, but not limited to, a struggle with a suspect, a knife wound, a
gunshot wound, having
the hand stepped on, impacted with a weapon including sticks, rocks, bricks or
fixed objects or
slammed in between objects such as car doors or structure doors and their
frames, among others.
The officer's secondary hand can, in addition to be injured, be otherwise
occupied during the
performance of their duties while holding another object, including but not
limited to, a
flashlight, a baton, a pepper spray can, a riot shield or the handling of a
service dog. They could
also be holding down one suspect while another is still considered a threat or
could also be
shielding a member of the public while still encountering a continued threat
from a suspect.
10091 In these cases, current training regimens teach the officer to
manipulate their weapon for
loading using one hand only. Some police departments train for this situation,
others do not. In
cases where training is provided, the officer is shown techniques to cycle
their weapon using
techniques that are less than effective and involve fine motor skills, require
improvisation and
often deviate from police tactical principles, e.g. generally requiring the
officer to become static.
As many of these techniques involve less than ideal practices and are time
consuming, e.g. many
require the officer to seek cover first thereby completely removing them from
the fight, no one
tactic or system has become widely accepted in contrast to the two-handed
manipulations drills.
[0010] Accordingly, when the situation arises where an officer must clear a
weapon malfunction
as described above when using only one hand, a whole new set of problems
arise. There are
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essentially two main techniques taught for clearing malfunctions with one hand
in North
America. The first for "live trigger" stoppages requires the officer to find a
surface of
opportunity to ensure the magazine is seated properly then find a surface
suitable to balance the
front of the weapon (often the sight ¨ leading to other issues) in order to
cycle the action
rearward. In the second, for "dead trigger" or double feed stoppages as
described above, an
officer must find a surface suitable to balance the front of the weapon (often
the sight ¨ leading
to other issues) in order to cycle the action rearward and lock it in place.
With the action open
and pressure somewhat eased on the rounds in the chamber / breach, the officer
must find a hard
and sharp surface to strip the magazine from the pistol. This requires focus
and thought as this is
often a surface of opportunity. With the magazine stripped the officer must
ensure the breach,
chamber and magazine well are clear. The officer must then find a place to
semi-secure the pistol
in an improvised position of opportunity, typically behind a leg or partially
in a holster as the
action is still open. With the pistol semi- secure the officer must then
retrieve and try to seat a
magazine in the pistol. Only then, with a seated magazine can the officer
grasp the pistol and
send the slide forward to cycle a round into the chamber. Should the
action/slide have cycled
forward by accident during the manipulation prior to the seating of the
magazine, the officer
would be required to find a surface suitable to balance the front of the
weapon in order to cycle
the action rearward. Placing such pressure on the front sight can affect the
alignment of the
sights and greatly affect the ability of the pistol to be aimed properly.
Pressure on the sight can
also damage the front sights or post to a degree where the weapon cannot be
aimed at all.
[0011] These prior art options involving one handed manipulations are time
consuming and can
take even a well-trained officer 35-45 seconds under range situations. This
does not include the
time it could take the officer to seek cover in order to complete these
"static" tasks nor their
trying to complete these actions whilst protecting an individual, holding a
struggling individual,
trying to stay under cover, etc. Under these circumstances and others where an
officer was
trying to complete the above clearing procedures one handed in a situation
where they were
under fire, involved in a hand to hand confrontation or injured, with stress
levels at the highest
possible levels, such a procedure could very well take considerably longer.
Further, depending
on variables such as surfaces in the immediate area, and no standard
procedure, there is also
limited guarantee of success.
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[0012] Accordingly, the inventors have established a solution to address the
problems associated
with one handed manipulation of a service pistol. The "Taelin Tactical System"
established by
the inventors is based upon two components and their related inserts that form
a complete
"system" allowing for single handed loading, cycling, firing, clearing and
unloading of hand held
semi-automatic pistols. The system is adaptable to various types of semi-
automatic pistols and
other firearms.
[0013] Other aspects and features of the present invention will become
apparent to those
ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of
specific embodiments of
the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to
address problems
associated with one-handed manipulation of a service pistol.
[0015] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided a
device
comprising: a spine; a cover pivotally attached to the spine and operable
under action of a user
from a first normally closed position and a second open position; a spring
connected to the cover
and spine holding the cover without a first action of a user in the first
normally closed position;
a base dimensioned to support a firearm magazine such that the firearm
magazine is axially
aligned to an axis of the spine; and a pair of retaining arms attached to the
spine for retaining the
firearm magazine within the device without a second action of the user and
releasing the firearm
magazine under the second action of the user.
[0016] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided a
device
comprising: a spine; and a retainer attached to the spine wherein the retainer
comprises at least a
first groove tapering from a first width towards the pivotal attachment
between the cover and
spine to a second width towards the front edge of the cover.
[0017] Other aspects and features of the present invention will become
apparent to those
ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of
specific embodiments of
the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of
example only,
with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:
[0019] Figure 1 depicts the different elements of a semi-automatic firearm;
[0020] Figure 2 depicts the two-handed procedure for loading a new magazine
for a semi-
automatic firearm;
[0021] Figure 3 depicts an exploded assembly for a magazine / clip retainer
(MAGRET)
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0022] Figure 4 depicts a MAGRET according to an embodiment of the invention
in a closed
position without magazine / clip inserted;
[0023] Figure 5 depicts a MAGRET according to an embodiment of the invention
in an open
position without magazine / clip inserted;
[0024] Figure 6 depicts a MAGRET according to an embodiment of the invention
in
unassembled and assembled views in open position with magazine / clip;
[0025] Figure 7 depicts a MAGRET according to an embodiment of the invention
in
unassembled and assembled views in closed position with magazine / clip;
[0026] Figure 8 depicts a slide CYCLER (CYCLER) according to an embodiment of
the
invention;
[0027] Figure 9 depicts a user using a CYCLER according to an embodiment of
the invention
with one-hand;
[0028] Figure 10 depicts a user using a MAGRET according to an embodiment of
the invention
with one-hand;
[0029] Figure 11 depicts a dual MAGRET with integral receiver according to an
embodiment of
the invention; and
[0030] Figure 12 depicts a MAGRET with sprung loaded base according to an
embodiment of
the invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The present invention is directed to firearms and more particularly
towards a magazine
holder and a cycling holder, each allowing for quick and efficient cycling of
a semi-automatic
firearm with one hand.
[0032] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiment(s) only, and is
not intended to
limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the
ensuing description of
the exemplary embodiment(s) will provide those skilled in the art with an
enabling description
for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It being understood that various
changes may be
made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the
spirit and scope as
set forth in the appended claims.
[0033] As described below in respect of Figures 2 through 10 the "Taelin
Tactical System"
(hereinafter TTS) established by the inventors is based upon two components
and their related
inserts that form a complete "system" allowing for single handed loading,
cycling, firing,
clearing and unloading of hand held semi-automatic pistols. The TTS is
adaptable to various
types of semi-automatic pistols and other fireartns and comprises a MAGRET 300
(MAGRET)
and the Slide CYCLER (CYCLER). These, may within an embodiment of the
invention, be
designed so that they can be worn on a regulation police style or military
duty holster, a plain
clothes 1 Y2" wide dress belt or attached to a Modular, Lightweight,
Loadbearing, Equipment
(MOLLE) tactical system vest. These systems can also be mounted to police
tactical ballistic or
riot shields, armoured cars or any surface where a firearm could be in use
nearby.
[0034] The MAGRET 300 (MAGRET) permits one handed access to a fully loaded
magazine of
ammunition held in an upright position, facing forward, where the officer uses
the butt of their
service weapon to flip up the spring (or lever /friction) loaded protective
cover/lid, places the
handle of the weapon directly over the loaded magazine (where it naturally
will want to fall),
slides the weapon down over top of the magazine, tilts or rotates the magazine
out of the holder
while continuing the downward motion thus loading the pistol. The user then
taps / seats the
magazine on the top of the spring loaded protective clip cover/lid, to give
the officer a fully
loaded weapon in just a few seconds.
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[0035] The CYCLER then allows the officer to place the muzzle of the weapon in
the gross
opening groove of the CYCLER and push downward. The groove narrows, catching
the slide
safely allowing the pistol to load a round of ammunition into the chamber of
the weapon to
easily provide the officer with a ready-to-fire weapon. This motion is
completed quickly,
smoothly and in an ergonomically economical, flowing manner. This system is
based on tactile
feedback (feel) and a user (who is familiar with a semi-automatic pistol) can
become proficient
with very little practice. The TTS is designed to provide tactile feedback
(the feel) consistent
with two handed operation thus promoting a familiarity when using the system.
100361 Referring to Figure 1, there axe depicted in first and second views
100A and 100B the
different elements of a semi-automatic firearm. As depicted in second view
100B a firearm
generally comprises in assembled state a firearm body 170 and a magazine /
clip 160. The
firearm body 170 as depicted in first view 100A comprises a front sight 105, a
slide 110 which
must be cycled to load the first bullet (shell) or clear a live round jam by
moving it relative to
case 165 and hand grip 155, an ejection port 115 through which spent bullets
(shells) are ejected,
a rear sight 120, and a hammer 125. There is also a safety 130, which may be
for left handed
user, right handed user, or a pair for one-for-all-users. Additionally, there
are slide release 140,
trigger guard 145, trigger 175, and magazine release 150 which releases the
loaded magazine /
clip allowing it to be replaced with a full or partially loaded magazine or
stored without a
magazine / clip.
[0037] Figure 2 depicts the two-handed procedure for loading a new magazine
for a semi-
automatic firearm. These are depicted as:
[0038] Step 200A - Ident6 the Need: An emergency reload or standard reload is
needed when
you have spent all the rounds from your magazine 160 and your slide 110 is
locked back
[0039] Step 200B ¨ Get Fresh Magazine: Grab a fresh magazine 160 (likely from
a magazine
pouch) after the slide has locked back on an empty magazine 160, and move the
fresh magazine
160 toward the gun.
[0040] Step 200C - Eject the Empty Magazine 160: Be sure not to lose your old
magazine 160,
and bring your new magazine 160 into place below the magazine 160 opening.
With well-trained
users these should essentially pass each other during the reloading close to
the bottom of the
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firearm. Ejecting the magazine 160 requires the user push the magazine release
150 and having
the bottom of the hand grip 155 clear to allow the magazine 160 to come out.
[00411 Step 200D - Insert the Magazine 160: Place the rear of the magazine 160
against the rear
of the magazine 160 well of the firearm body 170, align the two, and with some
force (though
there should be little resistance) insert.
[00421 Step 200E ¨ Seat the Magazine 160: Using the heel of their palm the
user must give the
magazine 160 a tap such that the magazine 160 clicks into place within the
firearm body 170.
[00431 Step 200F Cycle the Slide 110: Placing one hand over the top of the
slide 110 and
holding the firearm grip 155 pull the slide 110 back towards their chest. Care
must be exercised
at this point to ensure that the user's finger(s) are not caught in the slide
opening, or that
anything else such as clothing might get caught.
[00441 Step 200G ¨ Release: Now the slide is released, so it can go forward
with full force. This
will seat the next round in the chamber, preparing it for discharge.
[0045] Figure 3 depicts an exploded assembly for a magazine / clip retainer
(MAGRET) 300
according to an embodiment of the invention. The MAGRET 300 is assembled upon
a spine 310,
which may for example be made from impact resistant DelrinTM,
polyoxymethylene, although
other impact resistant polymers, fiber reinforced polymers, etc. may be
employed as well as
lightweight composites and metals, e.g. aluminum. Beneficially, in some
circumstances selection
of DelrinTM or another plastic material also permits the use of the system in
cold weather
climates where metals would stick to exposed flesh as well as potentially
scratch and damage
parts of the weapon during use.
[0046] The spine 310 is designed to permit attachment to a standard police or
military style duty
belt measuring approximately 2 'A" high and 'A" thick through a slot 310A, for
example, or
alternatively by deploying an alternative spine, insert, attachment and / or
conversion for use on
a plain clothes dress belt, such as the BlackHawk CQC carbon fibre belt model
4113PBK for
example measuring approximately 11/2" high and 'A" thick, or for attachment on
a MOLLE style
tactical vest such as currently in use by law enforcement and military around
the world. It would
be evident that through variations of an insert 325 which may be retained
within the spine 310
through screw fittings (not shown for clarity) that the spine 310 may be
fitted to a wide variety of
belts, straps etc. Alternatively, the slot 310A discretely and / or in
combination with other
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mounting fixtures not shown for clarity may allow for the spine 310 to be
mounted through a
variety of mounting fixtures such that the MAGRET 300 may be easily adapted to
mount onto
not only a wide range of vests, protective wear, equipment etc. but also that
the MAGRET 300
may also be attached to a variety of surface mounting systems, e.g. the inside
of a police shield
or an interior surface of an urban protection vehicle.
100471 The spine 310 and insert 325 may themselves be secured to the duty
belt, for example by
using two 8-32 socket head set screws for the Police 2 1/4" duty belt for
example, or one 8-32
socket head set screw for the plain clothes duty belt rather than relying upon
a friction fit or
interference fit so that the spine stays in position and does not shift when
the officer comes to
apply pressure / force to it. The spine 310 and other components of the MAGRET
300 may be
coloured black, for example, to blend in with current material colouring of
tactical and police
duty equipment as well as providing long service life and durability. However,
the colour can be
adapted to match operational environment included, but not limited to,
pixelated patterns etc. as
commonly found in military camouflage. As the TTS is based upon tactile
feedback (feel) such
that the user can quickly landmark and use the system this makes finding the
unit based on color
flexible according to the environment.
[0048] The spine 310 has two flexible arms, first and second arms 315 and 320
respectively,
attached to the right and left sides respectively as viewed from the front
which orient and lock
the ammunition clip (magazine 160) in position within the MAGRET 300, leaving
it standing
upright, straight and facing forward. The first and second arms 315 and 320
respectively are
designed to flex outward whenever a magazine 160 is rotated into or out of the
retainer and flex
back into normal position when the magazine 160 is in place thereby holding it
correctly oriented
and secure. The top surfaces of each MAGRET 300 arm are rounded downward
toward the outer
edges so that a downward motion for loading the magazine 160 can still occur
as the magazine
160 undergoes simultaneous rotational motion during its removal from the
MAGRET 300.
Accordingly, the user in loading a new magazine can place the well within the
firearm handle
155 over the top of the magazine 160 such that subsequently as they begin
pushing downwards
they pivot the firearm from their body so that the magazine is removed from
the first and second
arms 315 and 320 respectively and continues insertion into the firearm.
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[0049] The first and second arms 315 and 320 respectively of the MAGRET 300
may each be
secured to the spine 310 with two 6-23 fiat head machine screws on each side
to permit the arms
to be replaced quickly and easily should they become damaged through use or
abuse. These are
depicted as first screw pair 350A / 350B and second screw pair 350C / 350D
respectively. The
first and second arms 315 and 320 respectively are also replaceable to permit
exchanging of
these MAGRET 300 arms for retaining arms suited to a different width of
magazine 160, for
example. Accordingly, the first and second arms 315 and 320 respectively can
be quickly and
easily changed such that a common spine is employed. Similarly, an array of
spines 310 may be
disposed as a single unit, an array of multiple units, or an array of discrete
units wherein different
spines 310 are provided with different first and second arms 315 and 320
respectively (and
possibly base 330) allowing multiple magazines 160 to be stored and rapidly
accessed, e.g. upon
the inner surface of a lid of a police cruiser trunk, allowing multiple
firearms to be
accommodated. In such instances, a colour coding or text identifier may be
applied to the first
and second arms 315 and 320 respectively or the outer exposed surface of the
cover 305.
100501 Between the first and second arms 315 and 320 respectively of the
MAGRET 300 and
attaching to the spine 310 is an adjustable spacer 345, or standoff, which can
be quickly changed
to accommodate different thicknesses of magazines 160 from various firearms
manufacturers
much like the first and second arms 315 and 320 respectively provide for
accommodation of
different magazine 160 widths. To fit and adjust the MAGRET 300 to a different
size magazine
160, a 6-32 socket head set screw 350E used to attach the spacer 345 to the
spine 310 is loosened
on the spacer 345. The spacer 345 forms a second part of an assembly of two
pieces, the other
being element 310C forming part of the spine 310 which are each stepped in
increments of
approximately 0.031". The spacer 345 can be adjusted upwards or downwards
before being
screwed into position via screw 350E. The spacer 345 may be visually slid
until the surface of
the spacer 345 just touches the inner surface of the magazine 160 when held in
position inside
the MAGRET 300. Once the socket head screw is re-tightened, the spacer 345 is
locked into
position and properly supports the inside edge of the magazine 160 from
movement.
[0051] This spacer 345 also performs the function of a standoff to ensure that
the inside edge of
the magazine 160 is far enough away from the spine 310 and protective cover
305 so as not to
catch the officers' fingers on the spine 310 or cover 305 when performing the
loading function.
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Alternative means of providing adjustably positioned spacer 345 may be
envisioned in other
embodiments of the invention whilst in other embodiments the spacer 345 may be
integrally
formed with the spine 310 such that the MAGRET 300 is dimensioned and not
adjustable. Such
a design may be employed for example where a single firearm is deployed for
police officers
within a police force and only a single magazine 160 design is employed. In a
similar manner, as
different first and second arms 315 and 320 respectively may be employed
colour coded and / or
labelled for particular firearms 170 / magazines 160 then the same may be
applied to spacer 345.
Optionally, spacer 345 may be varied in thickness and fixed in the same
position rather than
being slidable.
[0052] The top of the magazine 160 and the ammunition rounds within it are
protected when
held inside the MAGRET 300 by a spring loaded protective magazine cover 305,
or lid, which is
attached to the spine 310 and held in place with a 1/8" diameter hinge pin
approximately 1%"
long whilst spring loading is provided via spring 335. Fitting over the hinge
pin and within the
inner diameter of spring 335 is hinge pin cover 340. The underside of this
protective cover/lid
may have a machined relief 305A in it that has been filled with a soft, open
cell foam which
protects the top of the clip and rounds of ammunition from damage.
Alternatively, a soft
material, such as rubber, foam, etc. may be applied to the underside of the
cover 305. On the
underside of the protective magazine cover 305, running from left to right on
the front edge of
the cover 305, is a slot 305B machined into the surface to permit positive
catching of the
protective cover/lid by the bottom edge of the hand grip 155 when the firearm
is used to flip the
cover 305 open to access the magazine 160 within the MAGRET 300 for loading.
The
protective cover 305 also acts as a deflector to stop the top of the magazine
from catching on
clothing or equipment or being grabbed and pulled out of the MAGRET 300 during
a struggle by
the officer. Further, protective cover 305 may provide a resilient flat
surface for the officer to
push the bottom of the magazine 160 against to ensure that it is seated and
secured within the
hand grip 155.
[0053] The base 330 of the MAGRET 300 has been designed to be changeable from
one firearm
magazine 160 to another by removing one 6-32 socket head cap screw, then
sliding the base 330
upward to disengage from tongue 310D of spine 310. Alternative fixing and / or
mounting means
may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. The base
330 used on any
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particular magazine is determined by the firearm manufacturer of the firearm
the officer will be
using. Each manufacturer's weapon magazine is slightly different from another
even though they
follow similar design and manufacturing principles. For example, the size of
the magazine base
may vary, the angle of the magazine base relative to the magazine body may
vary, and the
overall length may also vary. As a result, the base 330 for any given spine
310 may be
specifically designed to accommodate and fit a particular weapon. For example,
a base 330 may
be designed specifically for a Smith & Wesson (S&W) 500. Each base 330 is
designed and may
be manufactured in both a right hand (RH) and left hand (LH) version to suit
both right and left
handed shooters so that independent of hand configuration installed, the nose
of the ammunition
rounds loaded into a magazine 160 face forward when mounted on the officers
duty belt, to
allow for correct loading of the weapon.
[0054] In order for the MAGRET 300 base 330 to handle the stresses and forces
exerted on it
during the loading process, a compound dovetail design is depicted within
Figure 3 which causes
the base 330 to press into and hold tighter to the groove 310D of the spine
310 as more force is
exerted on it. The socket head cap screw retains the base 330 in place and
stops it from falling
off the spine 310. In the case of the S&W model 5946 the base 330 also
incorporates an angle of
approximately 18 towards the rear of the base 330 which makes use of gravity
to push the clip
downward and backward in the base 330 thereby holding it securely in position
and spreading
out any forces exerted on the base 330, through the magazine 160, during the
loading process.
This 18 angle represents the angle of the firearm handle 155 relative to the
perpendicular of the
slide for an S&W model 5846 firearm. This angular dimension for the MAGRET 300
may differ
for each model of firearm it is adapted to.
[0055] The MAGRET 300 base 330 is also designed to have a tolerance around the
actual base
330 of the clip itself in a pocket 330A to permit the clip to be placed into
the base 330 and then
rotated into position and locked in by the first and second retainer arms 315
and 320 respectively
without catching on the base 330 pocket edges. Each MAGRET 300 base 330 may be
engraved /
cast on the underside with the angular information for the base 330,
manufacturers name and
weapon model number as well as the hand of orientation (i.e.: right hand RH
and left hand LH).
[0056] Referring to Figure 4 there are depicted first to third views 400A to
400C respectively for
a MAGRET according to an embodiment of the invention in a closed position
without magazine
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160 inserted. Such a MAGRET being, for example, MAGRET 300 such as described
supra in
respect of Figure 3.
100571 Referring to Figure 5 there are depicted first to third views 500A to
500C respectively for
a MAGRET according to an embodiment of the invention in an open position
without magazine
160 inserted. Such a MAGRET being, for example, MAGRET 300 such as described
supra in
respect of Figure 3.
[0058] Referring to Figure 6 there are depicted first to third views 600A to
600C respectively for
a MAGRET according to an embodiment of the invention in an open position with
magazine
160. Such a MAGRET being, for example, MAGRET 300 such as described supra in
respect of
Figure 3. In first view 600A the magazine 160 is shown unassembled from MAGRET
300
whereas in second view 600B the magazine 160 is depicted tilted such as it
would be during
insertion into a firearm as the officer pushes the firearm down and pivots it
away from the
MAGRET 300 spine 310 and base 330. In third view 600C the magazine 160 is
depicted
mounted such as it would be during normal storage within the MAGRET 300
wherein it is seated
within the base 330 and the magazine 160 is parallel to the spine 310.
[0059] Referring to Figure 7 there are depicted first to third views 700A to
700C respectively for
a MAGRET according to an embodiment of the invention in a closed position with
magazine
160. Such a MAGRET being, for example, MAGRET 300 such as described supra in
respect of
Figure 3. In first and second views 700A and 700B respectively the magazine
160 is shown
assembled within the MAGRET 300 from rear and side perspectives. In third view
700C the
magazine 160 is depicted mounted within the MAGRET 300 from the front with the
lid 305
closed and the magazine 160 seated within the RH base 730RH. Also depicted
discretely is LH
base 730LH.
[0060] Now referring to Figure 8 there are depicted first and second views
800A and 800B of a
CYCLER according to an embodiment of the invention. The CYCLER comprises two
components within this embodiment, the CYCLER spine 820 and receiver 810. As
with the spine
310 of the MAGRET the CYCLER spine 820 may be made of impact resistant
DelrinTM, for
example, and be designed to permit attachment to a standard police or military
style duty belt
measuring approximately 2 1/4" high and 'A" thick or, by deploying an insert,
similar to insert 325
of the MAGRET 300 which fits within slot 825, attachment and conversion for
use on a plain
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CA 02841762 2014-02-05
clothes dress belt such as the BlackHawk CQC carbon fibre belt model 4113PBK
measuring
approximately 1Y2" high and 'A" thick or attachment on a MOLLE style tactical
vest currently in
use by law enforcement and military around the world. Within other embodiments
of the
invention the CYCLER may be mounted through other fittings that fit the slot
825 in order that
the CYCLER may be mount onto not only a wide range of vests, protective wear,
equipment etc.
but also that the CYCLER may also be attached to a variety of surface mounting
systems, e.g.
the inside of a police shield or an interior surface of an urban protection
vehicle.
[0061] The CYCLER spine 820 may be secured to the duty belt by two 8-32 socket
head set
screws for the Police or Military 21/4" duty belt for example or one 8-32
socket head set screw for
the plain clothes duty belt with an insert within the slot 825 within the
CYCLER spine 820. In
this latter instance the other 8-32 screw secures the insert into the slot 825
within the CYCLER
spine 820. As with the MAGRET 300 the selection of DelrinTM as the material
also permits the
use of the system in cold weather climates where metals would stick to exposed
flesh as well as
potentially scratch and damage parts of the weapon during use. Similarly, a
black colour for the
DelrinTM may be chosen to blend in with current material colouring of tactical
and police duty
equipment as well as providing long service life and durability. Color can be
adapted to match
operational environment such as described supra in respect of MAGRET 300 which
may also
include pixelated patterns. The TTS concept exploiting the CYCLER is based
upon tactile
feedback (feel) such that the user can quickly landmark and use the system.
This makes finding
the unit based on color flexible such that the receiver 810 may be colour
coded according to the
firearm or firearms it is intended to work with.
[0062] Within an embodiment of the invention the CYCLER spine 820 is machined
such that
there are three positions for mounting the receiver 810 which attaches to it.
The main position is
vertical down (VD) but the CYCLER spine 820 can also align the receiver 810 30
to the left or
right to permit mounting for both right and left handed shooters. This
provides exceptional
adaptability to placement on the belt or vest / arm or leg harnesses including
those with MOLLE
systems. It would be evident that other designs may provide more or less
predetermined
orientations as well as continuously variable designs.
[0063] In order for the CYCLER spine 820 and receiver 810 to handle the
stresses and forces
exerted during their use a similar round dovetail slot design may be used as
with the MAGRET
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300 such that pressure applied to the CYCLER spine 820 causes it to press into
and hold tighter
within the receiver 810. Mounting of the CYCLER spine 820 and receiver 810 in
Figure 8 is
achieved through a single 6-32 flat head machine screw to hold the receiver
810 in place and
stop it from falling off the CYCLER spine 820 during use or changing angle
orientation.
Accordingly, the receiver 810 is provided with a single, round, dovetail
protrusion on the back
surface that fits into one of the three dovetail orientation slots for VD, 30
RH or 30 LH
machined into the CYCLER spine 820.
100641 The exposed accessible surface of the receiver 810 is, according to an
embodiment of the
invention, a slot 815 approximately 0.350" wide and 0.190" deep running along
the CYCLER
vertical centerline from the top edge of the receiver 810 downwards for
approximately 2.544" in
which the front sights of the weapon are guided and protected from impact that
might cause
misalignment or damage during the cycling process of the weapons slide. The
left and right walls
of the receiver 810 create a tapered region 825 which is wide at the top edge
of the receiver 810
and tapers inward to create the required tapering profile as the walls
progress down the receiver
810. These tapered walls grip the sides of the weapon as force is applied
downward thereby
stopping the downward motion of the slide but allowing the frame and barrel of
the weapon to
continue downward motion that will result in a round of ammunition being
loaded into the
weapons chamber or breach. This loading or cycling action brings the officers
weapon to ready-
to-fire status in a matter of seconds with just the use of one hand. The slot
815 and tapered
region 825 within receiver 810 are depicted within the cross-sections A-A and
B-B.
100651 The receiver 810 depicted with a wide tapered slot permits the receiver
810 to be utilized
with a large selection of firearms currently manufactured and on the market
without having to
change parts or customize the receiver 810 to a specific weapon or
manufacturer. The tapering of
the slot also permits for a gross motor action in finding and using the CYCLER
with the semi-
automatic firearm. The user must only index one side or part of the opening
then follow the
motion through as the taper will guide the slide to proper orientation and
then grip it, allowing
the pistol to be cycled. In some instances, due to particular characteristics
of the firearm sights,
barrel, slide etc. the receiver 810 may be customized to the firearm or
perhaps the user due to a
peculiarity of their action.
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100661 Figure 9 depicts a user using a CYCLER according to an embodiment of
the invention
with one-hand in first to third images 900A to 900C respectively. In first
image 900A the user
has a CYCLER 800, holster 900, and MAGRET 300 upon their belt and has within
their right
hand a firearm 170 from which they have just released a magazine 160.
Accordingly, in second
image 900B the user has moved the firearm 170 back to the CYCLER 800 and is
pushing the
slide down into the CYCLER 800 such that it is retained and their continued
action on the
firearm 170 cycles the action. Accordingly, in third image 900C the user
brings the firearm 170
forward which is now cycled with the slide pushed back and the ejection port
is open allowing
the user to visually check that the firearm 170 is cleared.
[0067] Figure 10 depicts a user using a MAGRET according to an embodiment of
the invention
with one-hand in first to fourth images 1000A to 1000D respectively. In first
image 1000A the
user brings their firearm 170 to the MAGRET 300, then in second image 1000B
they engage the
cover with the bottom edge of the firearm handle lifting it before pushing the
well in the firearm
handle down over the magazine. As depicted in third image 1000C as they
continue pushing
down they pivot the firearm away from their bodies removing it from the
retaining arms of the
MAGRET 300 until the magazine is inserted into the firearm. Next in fourth
image 1000D the
user brings the firearm with the newly installed magazine back to the top of
the MAGRET 300
allowing them to push the firearm down against the cover of the MAGRET 300 to
ensure the
magazine is fully seated.
[0068] Now referring to Figure 11 there is depicted a dual MAGRET assembly
with integral
receiver according to an embodiment of the invention. As depicted in first and
second views
1100A and 1100B respectively there are a pair of MAGRET, first and second
MAGRET 1110A
and 1110B, that share a common cover 1110D atop of which is a receiver 1110C
such as
described supra in respect of receiver 810 in Figure 8. Accordingly, the user
of the dual
MAGRET assembly has available two spare magazines when loaded into the dual
MAGRET
assembly whilst still being able to use the receiver 1110C to cycle the slide
of the firearm and the
other portion of the cover 1110D to ensure a newly loaded magazine is seated
into the handle of
the firearm.
[0069] Now referring to Figure 12 there is depicted a MAGRET with sprung
loaded based
according to an embodiment of the invention. As depicted in first view 1200A a
MAGRET spine
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310 has attached a base 1210 which is depicted in "closed" position as if the
magazine were
loaded but the magazine has been omitted for clarity. Subsequently, in use a
user is loading the
magazine into a firearm with the motion defined above wherein the user in
pushing the firearm
down over magazine has also started an arcuate motion pivoting the top of the
firearm away from
their body. Accordingly, in the embodiment of the invention described supra in
respect of
Figures 3 through 7 this action pivots the magazine off the base 330 of MAGRET
300. In
contrast as depicted within Figure 12 the base 1210 comprises upper and lower
sections 1210A
and 1210B respectively which are coupled via a pivot 1210D at one end and have
a spring
1210C mounted between them at the other end towards the spine 310.
Accordingly, as the user
pivots the magazine then the upper section 1210A pivots away with it.
Optionally, the spring
1210C may be replaced with another element providing pressure to maintain the
upper section
1210A in contact with the magazine or removed wherein contact between the
upper section
1210A and magazine is maintained through the pressure applied to the firearm
and magazine by
the user in performing the action.
[0070] Whilst embodiments of the invention in respect of the MAGRET have been
described
from the viewpoint of an assembly in respect of Figures 3 through 12 it would
be evident to one
skilled in the art that multiple elements of the assembly may be machined and
/ or molded as a
single piece-part to which other elements may be assembled. Accordingly, it
would be evident
that the spine and base may be formed together or that the spine, base and
retainer arms may be
formed together such that design aspects of the retainer arms provide the
required degree of
flexibility even if formed from a material otherwise considered to be
resilient.
[00711 The foregoing disclosure of the exemplary embodiments of the present
invention has
been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or
to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and
modifications of the
embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the
art in light of the
above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the
claims appended hereto,
and by their equivalents.
[0072] Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present
invention, the
specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present
invention as a
particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or
process does not rely on
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the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should
not be limited to the
particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art
would appreciate, other
sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the
steps set forth in the
specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In
addition, the claims directed
to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to
the performance of
their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily
appreciate that the sequences
may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
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