US20180372441A1

US20180372441A1 - Drop-In Ambidextrous Magazine Catch Assembly With Release Lever Protection Guide

Info

Publication number: US20180372441A1
Application number: US16/014,507
Authority: US
Inventors: Jing Zheng
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-06-22
Filing date: 2018-06-21
Publication date: 2018-12-27

Abstract

A drop-in ambidextrous magazine catch assembly with release lever protection guide is described. The assembly may be implementable on a lower receiver of a firearm, and may include a magazine catch, a protection guide and a release lever. The magazine catch may be configured to, in a first position when installed in the lower receiver, latch onto a magazine inserted into the lower receiver to prevent the magazine from moving out of the lower receiver and, in a second position when installed in the lower receiver, unlatch the magazine to allow the magazine to move out of the lower receiver. The release lever may be pivotably mounted on the protection guide and connected to the magazine catch, the release lever configured to be in a pressed position or a non-depressed position such that, when in the pressed position, the magazine catch is moved to the second position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION(S)

The present disclosure is part of a non-provisional application claiming the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/523,256 filed on 22 Jun. 2017, the content of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to firearms. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a drop-in ambidextrous magazine catch assembly with release lever protection guide.

BACKGROUND

Traditional AR-15 magazine catch assemblies typically can only be operated from the right side of the AR-15 firearm (e.g., when the operator of the AR-15 is facing in a direction pointed by the muzzle of the AR-15 firearm). To release the spent magazine, the operator needs to push a magazine release button on the right side of the firearm. The magazine release button is usually operated by the same finger (e.g., index finger) that operates the trigger of the firearm. In other words, the design of traditional AR-15 magazine catch assemblies is suitable for right-handed operators but not necessarily for left-handed operators. For left-handed operators, it is necessary to use the other hand to actuate the magazine release button since the left index finger is on the other side of the firearm.
There are numerous designs of ambidextrous magazine catch and release assembly available in the market. Most of them have to anchor their pivot lever on the side of the lower receiver of the firearm, and this introduces the possibility of damaging the receiver coating. Some ambidextrous magazine catch, and release assemblies are designed within the profile of the original magazine catch, but due to the geometry limitation, the force needed to actuate the release button would be excessive compared to that required to actuate the catch from the right hand side. In some designs the actuation button is too far away for the index finger to reach compared to that of the right-hand side design. Above all, none of the existing designs has a protection guide as does the right side of the lower receiver, to prevent inadvertent actuation of the button if the firearm is bumped by an object.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure proposes a novel design of a drop-in ambidextrous magazine catch assembly with release lever protection guide that addresses aforementioned issued with existing designs.
In one aspect, a drop-in ambidextrous magazine catch assembly with release lever protection guide may be implementable on a lower receiver of a firearm. The ambidextrous magazine catch assembly may include a magazine catch, a protection guide and a release lever. The magazine catch may be configured to, in a first position when installed in the lower receiver, latch onto a magazine inserted into the lower receiver to prevent the magazine from moving out of the lower receiver and, in a second position when installed in the lower receiver, unlatch the magazine to allow the magazine to move out of the lower receiver. The release lever may be pivotably mounted on the protection guide and connected to the magazine catch, the release lever configured to be in a pressed position or a non-depressed position such that, when in the pressed position, the magazine catch is moved to the second position.
These and other objectives of the present disclosure will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments that are illustrated in the various figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of the present disclosure. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. It is appreciable that the drawings are not necessarily in scale as some components may be shown to be out of proportion than the size in actual implementation in order to clearly illustrate the concept of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a perspective view of a drop-in ambidextrous magazine catch assembly with a magazine release lever protection guide in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a perspective view of a magazine catch in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a perspective view of a pivot and protection guide in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a perspective view of a magazine release lever in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a perspective view of a drop-in ambidextrous magazine catch assembly with the magazine release lever pressed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a perspective view of a drop-in ambidextrous magazine catch assembly in a locked position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a perspective view of a drop-in ambidextrous magazine catch assembly in a released position by pressing the magazine release lever in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a perspective view of a drop-in ambidextrous magazine catch assembly in the released position by pressing the magazine release button on the right side of the lower receiver of the firearm in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a conventional AR-15 magazine catch.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a conventional AR-15 magazine catch in a locked position.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a conventional AR-15 magazine catch in a released position.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an AR-15 lower receiver with a conventional magazine release button.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Overview

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
The position terms used in the present disclosure, such as “front”, “forward”, “rear”, “back”, “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, “head”, “tail” or the like assume a firearm in the normal firing position, with the firearm being in a position in which the longitudinal axis of the barrel of the firearm runs generally horizontally and the direction of firing points “forward” away from the operator of the firearm. The same convention applies for the direction statements used herein.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a drop-in ambidextrous magazine catch assembly 10 with a magazine release lever protection guide in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, ambidextrous magazine catch assembly 10 may include a magazine catch 100, a pivot and protection guide 200, and a magazine release lever 300. Each of magazine catch 100, pivot and protection guide 200, and magazine release lever 300 is described below with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, respectively.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of magazine catch 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Magazine catch 100 includes various novel features compared to a conventional magazine catch, as described below. Referring to FIG. 2, magazine catch 100 may include a pair of ears 101 with rounded corners and each with a pin hole 104 in a center portion thereof. Magazine catch 100 may also include a clearance slope 102 cut or otherwise machined to accommodate magazine release lever 300. Magazine catch 100 may additionally include a flat end 103 as a result of the removal of the semicircular tail portion of a conventional magazine catch.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of pivot and protection guide 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Pivot and protection guide 200 includes various novel features compared to a conventional protection guide, as described below. Referring to FIG. 3, pivot and protection guide 200 may include an enclosed cavity 201 that is designed to accommodate the ears 101 of magazine catch 100 to allow ears 101 of magazine catch 100 to slide up and down within cavity 201. Pivot and protection guide 200 may include two curved ribs 202 that protect magazine release lever 300 from accidental or inadvertent actuation (e.g., bumped or otherwise touched by a foreign object or the operator). Specifically, pivot and protection guide 200 may be designed with a height measured from a surface of the lower receiver on which pivot and protection guide 200 is installed such that pivot and protection guide 200 surrounds and is flush with magazine release lever 300 when magazine release lever 300 is in a non-depressed position.
Pivot and protection guide 200 may include two extensions or side legs 203 and an anchor leg 205. The side legs 203 may come in contact with lower receiver of the firearm, together with the anchor leg 205, to provide support for pivot and protection guide 200 when magazine release lever 300 is pressed by an operator. The bottom of each of the side legs 203 may be attached with a pad or cushion (not shown) that is soft or elastic (e.g., soft rubber or plastic cushion) to prevent damage to the surface of the lower receiver through contact. Anchor leg 205 may have a cross-sectional shape that is semicircular. When put together with magazine catch 100, anchor leg 205 and magazine catch 100 may form the profile of a conventional magazine catch. Pivot and protection guide 200 may also include two pivot pin holes 204 (one on each side) that pivotably connects magazine release lever 300 to pivot and protection guide 200. Pivot and protection guide 200 may further include a clearance cut 206 to allow magazine catch 100 to slide up inside of cavity 201.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of magazine release lever 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Magazine release lever 300 may be designed to actuate magazine catch 100 to move magazine catch 100 out of the lower receiver for a short distance so that a magazine may be disengaged from magazine catch 100 to be dropped or pulled out of the lower receiver. Magazine release lever 300 includes various novel features compared to a conventional release lever, as described below. Referring to FIG. 4, magazine release lever 300 may include an elongated hole 301 designed to be connected with holes 104 on magazine catch 100 with a first pin (not shown). The elongated shape (e.g., oval or elliptical in shape, not round) of hole 301 allows linear movement magazine catch 100 in conjunction of pivotal movement of magazine release lever 300 when magazine release lever 300 is pressed to actuate magazine catch 100 in releasing a magazine. Magazine release lever 300 may also include a round pin hole 302 designed to be connected with pivot pin holes 204 on pivot and protection guide 200 with a second pin (not shown), and this allows pivotal movement of magazine release lever 300 around this second pin. Other features of magazine release lever 300 may include a release button 303, a clearance cut 304, a lever arm 305, and a stop 306 designed to interact with magazine catch 100 to prevent over travel.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of drop-in ambidextrous magazine catch assembly 10 with the magazine release lever 300 pressed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of drop-in ambidextrous magazine catch assembly 10 in a locked position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of drop-in ambidextrous magazine catch assembly 10 in a released position by pressing magazine release lever 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of drop-in ambidextrous magazine catch assembly 10 in the released position by pressing the magazine release button (not shown) on the right side of the lower receiver of the firearm in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in each of FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the “front” direction is the direction in which the muzzle of the firearm is pointed, and the “rear” direction is opposite the “front” direction and is usually towards the operator of the firearm. According to this orientation, as shown in FIG. 7, the magazine catch assembly 10 may be in a released position by pressing magazine release lever 300. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 8, the magazine catch assembly may also be in a released position by pressing a magazine release button on the right side of the lower receiver, without pressing magazine release lever 300 on the left side of the lower receiver.
Advantageously, various embodiments of the drop-in ambidextrous magazine catch assembly 10 with the magazine release lever 300 in accordance with the present disclosure may be a drop-in replacement of conventional magazine catch without any modification to the lower receiver or the firearm itself. The design of pivot and protection guide 200 prevents accidental or inadvertent actuation of magazine release lever 300. The soft or elastic pads or cushions on the side legs 203 of pivot and protection guide 200 prevent damage to the surface of the lower receiver (e.g., scratching of the surface of the lower receiver).
For comparison, a conventional AR-15 magazine catch is shown in FIG. 9-FIG. 12. FIG. 9 illustrates a conventional AR-15 magazine catch. FIG. 10 illustrates a conventional AR-15 magazine catch in a locked position. FIG. 11 illustrates a conventional AR-15 magazine catch in a released position. FIG. 12 illustrates an AR-15 lower receiver with a conventional magazine release button.
It is noteworthy that, although embodiments of the present disclosure may be described in the context of AR-15 firearms, embodiments of the present disclosure and their variations may also be implemented in other platforms (e.g., AR-10 firearms), whether rifles or pistols, where applicable. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to AR-15 firearms.

Highlights of Select Features

In one aspect, a drop-in ambidextrous magazine catch assembly with release lever protection guide may be implementable on a lower receiver of a firearm. The ambidextrous magazine catch assembly may include a magazine catch, a protection guide and a release lever. The magazine catch may be configured to, in a first position when installed in the lower receiver, latch onto a magazine inserted into the lower receiver to prevent the magazine from moving out of the lower receiver and, in a second position when installed in the lower receiver, unlatch the magazine to allow the magazine to move out of the lower receiver. The release lever may be pivotably mounted on the protection guide and connected to the magazine catch, the release lever configured to be in a pressed position or a non-depressed position such that, when in the pressed position, the magazine catch is moved to the second position.
In some embodiments, the protection guide may include one or more pads or cushions in contact with the lower receiver when the protection guide is installed on the lower receiver.
In some embodiments, the one or more pads or cushions may be made of an elastic material.
In some embodiments, the protection guide may be designed with a height measured from a surface of the lower receiver on which the protection guide is installed such that the protection guide surrounds and is flush with the release lever when the release lever is in the non-depressed position.
In some embodiments, the protection guide and the release lever may be installed on a left side of the lower receiver when a magazine release button is installed on a right side of the lower receiver. In such cases, the magazine may be released from the lower receiver by pressing the magazine release button on the right side of the lower receiver or by pressing the release lever on the left side of the lower receiver.
In another aspect, a firearm may include a lower receiver, a magazine catch, a protection guide and a release lever. The magazine catch may be configured to, in a first position when installed in the lower receiver, latch onto a magazine inserted into the lower receiver to prevent the magazine from moving out of the lower receiver and, in a second position when installed in the lower receiver, unlatch the magazine to allow the magazine to move out of the lower receiver. The release lever may be pivotably mounted on the protection guide and connected to the magazine catch, the release lever configured to be in a pressed position or a non-depressed position such that, when in the pressed position, the magazine catch is moved to the second position.
In some embodiments, the protection guide may include one or more pads or cushions in contact with the lower receiver when the protection guide is installed on the lower receiver.
In some embodiments, the one or more pads or cushions may be made of an elastic material.
In some embodiments, the protection guide may be designed with a height measured from a surface of the lower receiver on which the protection guide is installed such that the protection guide surrounds and is flush with the release lever when the release lever is in the non-depressed position.
In some embodiments, the protection guide and the release lever may be installed on a left side of the lower receiver when a magazine release button is installed on a right side of the lower receiver. In such cases, the magazine may be released from the lower receiver by pressing the magazine release button on the right side of the lower receiver or by pressing the release lever on the left side of the lower receiver.

Additional Notes

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present disclosure without departing from the above-described embodiments or spirit of the present disclosure. Moreover, although examples given in the present disclosure are directed to firearms and usage of the embodiments for firearms, there is no limit on the applications of embodiments of the embodiments disclosed herein. That is, any suitable implementation or application using an embodiment of the present disclosure, or variation thereof, is still within the scope of the present disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of the present disclosure in view of the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A device implementable on a lower receiver of a firearm, comprising:

a magazine catch configured to, in a first position when installed in the lower receiver, latch onto a magazine inserted into the lower receiver to prevent the magazine from moving out of the lower receiver and, in a second position when installed in the lower receiver, unlatch the magazine to allow the magazine to move out of the lower receiver;

a protection guide; and

a release lever pivotably mounted on the protection guide and connected to the magazine catch, the release lever configured to be in a pressed position or a non-depressed position such that, when in the pressed position, the magazine catch is moved to the second position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the protection guide comprises one or more pads or cushions in contact with the lower receiver when the protection guide is installed on the lower receiver.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the one or more pads or cushions are made of an elastic material.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the protection guide is designed with a height measured from a surface of the lower receiver on which the protection guide is installed such that the protection guide surrounds and is flush with the release lever when the release lever is in the non-depressed position.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the protection guide and the release lever are installed on a left side of the lower receiver when a magazine release button is installed on a right side of the lower receiver, and wherein the magazine is released from the lower receiver by pressing the magazine release button on the right side of the lower receiver or by pressing the release lever on the left side of the lower receiver.

6. A firearm, comprising:

a lower receiver;

a protection guide; and

7. The firearm of claim 6, wherein the protection guide comprises one or more pads or cushions in contact with the lower receiver when the protection guide is installed on the lower receiver.

8. The firearm of claim 7, wherein the one or more pads or cushions are made of an elastic material.

9. The firearm of claim 6, wherein the protection guide is designed with a height measured from a surface of the lower receiver on which the protection guide is installed such that the protection guide surrounds and is flush with the release lever when the release lever is in the non-depressed position.

10. The firearm of claim 6, wherein the protection guide and the release lever are installed on a left side of the lower receiver when a magazine release button is installed on a right side of the lower receiver, and wherein the magazine is released from the lower receiver by pressing the magazine release button on the right side of the lower receiver or by pressing the release lever on the left side of the lower receiver.