초록 ▼

A magazine for introducing a plurality of ammunition cartridges into a firearm is disclosed. Particularly, a magazine may include a first rotor configured for rotating about a first center of rotation and a second rotor configured for rotating about a second center of rotation, wherein a position of

A magazine for introducing a plurality of ammunition cartridges into a firearm is disclosed. Particularly, a magazine may include a first rotor configured for rotating about a first center of rotation and a second rotor configured for rotating about a second center of rotation, wherein a position of the first rotor and a position of the second rotor are fixed with respect to one another. Further, operation of the first and second rotor may cause at least one ammunition cartridge of a plurality of ammunition cartridges that are movable by the first and second rotor to move along a serpentine path. Firearm systems including such a magazine are also disclosed. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of introducing an ammunition cartridge into a firearm. More specifically, an ammunition cartridge may be moved along a selected serpentine path prior to introducing the ammunition cartridge into a firearm.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A magazine for introducing a plurality of ammunition cartridges into a firearm comprising: a first rotor configured for rotating about a first center of rotation in a first direction; a second rotor configured for rotating about a second center of rotation in an opposite dire

What is claimed is: 1. A magazine for introducing a plurality of ammunition cartridges into a firearm comprising: a first rotor configured for rotating about a first center of rotation in a first direction; a second rotor configured for rotating about a second center of rotation in an opposite direction; wherein a position of the first rotor and a position of the second rotor are fixed with respect to one another; wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are configured so that any rotation of one of the first rotor or the second rotor causes rotation of the other one of the first rotor or the second rotor; and wherein operation of the first and second rotor causes at least one ammunition cartridge of a plurality of ammunition cartridges that are movable by the first and second rotor to move along a cartridge path that is defined by no more than two rotors, the entire cartridge path being a serpentine shaped path. 2. The magazine of claim 1, further comprising at least one biasing element configured for applying a torque to the first rotor. 3. The magazine of claim 1, further comprising a housing configured to facilitate movement of the at least one ammunition cartridge along the serpentine path. 4. The magazine of claim 3, wherein the housing comprises two components configured for assembly to one another. 5. The magazine of claim 4, further comprising a fastening element configured to couple the two components of the housing to one another. 6. The magazine of claim 2, wherein the at least one biasing element is preloaded. 7. The magazine of claim 6, further comprising a housing configured to facilitate movement of the at least one ammunition cartridge along the serpentine path, wherein the at least one biasing element is preloaded between a spiral slot formed in a first component of the housing and a stop feature formed in a second component of the housing. 8. The magazine of claim 2, wherein: at least a portion of the at least one biasing element is positioned within a spiral slot formed within a housing configured to facilitate movement of the at least one ammunition cartridge along the serpentine path; the spiral slot is configured to limit a magnitude of rotation attainable by the first rotor. 9. The magazine of claim 2, wherein: at least a portion of a rotation limiting element is positioned within a spiral slot formed within a housing configured to facilitate movement of the at least one ammunition cartridge along the serpentine path; the rotation limiting element is coupled to the first rotor to limit a range of rotation attainable by the first rotor. 10. The magazine of claim 2, wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are substantially identical. 11. The magazine of claim 10, wherein: the first rotor includes a plurality of concave recesses spaced about a circumference of the first rotor, each of the plurality of concave recesses of the first rotor capable of accepting one ammunition cartridge of the plurality of ammunition cartridges; the second rotor includes a plurality of concave recesses spaced about a circumference of the second rotor, each of the plurality of concave recesses of the second rotor capable of accepting one ammunition cartridge of the plurality of ammunition cartridges. 12. The magazine of claim 11, wherein the first rotor includes gear teeth and the second rotor includes gear teeth and the first rotor gear teeth are operably coupled to the second rotor gear teeth. 13. The magazine of claim 1, wherein the first and second rotor are each configured to rotate between about 360° and 1080° to expel the plurality of ammunition cartridges from the magazine. 14. The magazine of claim 1, wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are substantially identical. 15. The magazine of claim 14, wherein: the first rotor includes a plurality of concave recesses spaced about a circumference of the first rotor, each of the plurality of concave recesses of the first rotor capable of accepting one ammunition cartridge of the plurality of ammunition cartridges; the second rotor includes a plurality of concave recesses spaced about a circumference of the second rotor, each of the plurality of concave recesses of the second rotor capable of accepting one ammunition cartridge of the plurality of ammunition cartridges. 16. The magazine of claim 15, wherein the first rotor includes gears and the second rotor includes gears and the gears of the first rotor are operably coupled to the gears of the second rotor. 17. The magazine of claim 1, wherein one curve of the serpentine path extends generally from an ammunition cartridge feeding opening. 18. A firearm system comprising: a firearm including a magazine operably coupled to the firearm for introducing a plurality of ammunition cartridges into the firearm; wherein the magazine comprises: a first rotor configured for rotating about a first center of rotation; and a second rotor configured for rotating about a second center of rotation; wherein a position of the first rotor and a position of the second rotor are fixed with respect to one another; wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are configured so that any rotation of one of the first rotor or the second rotor in a first direction causes rotation of the other one of the first rotor or the second rotor in an opposite direction; and wherein operation of the first and second rotor causes at least one ammunition cartridge of the plurality of ammunition cartridges positioned within the magazine to move along a cartridge path prior to introduction into the firearm, the entire cartridge path being defined by no more than two rotors, the cartridge path being a serpentine shaped path. 19. The firearm system of claim 18, wherein the firearm is selected from the group consisting of a pistol, a rifle, and a shotgun. 20. The firearm system of claim 18, further comprising at least one biasing element configured for applying a torque to the first rotor. 21. The firearm system of claim 18, further comprising a housing configured to facilitate movement of the at least one ammunition cartridge along the serpentine path. 22. The firearm system of claim 21, wherein the housing comprises two components configured for assembly to one another. 23. The firearm system of claim 22, further comprising a fastening element configured to couple the two components of the housing to one another. 24. The firearm system of claim 20, wherein the at least one biasing element is preloaded. 25. The firearm system of claim 24, further comprising a housing configured to facilitate movement of the at least one ammunition cartridge along the serpentine path, wherein the at least one biasing element is preloaded between a spiral slot formed in a first component of the housing and a stop feature formed in a second component of the housing. 26. The firearm system of claim 20, wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are substantially identical. 27. The firearm system of claim 26, wherein: the first rotor includes a plurality of concave recesses spaced about a circumference of the first rotor, each of the plurality of concave recesses of the first rotor capable of accepting one ammunition cartridge of the plurality of ammunition cartridges; the second rotor includes a plurality of concave recesses spaced about a circumference of the second rotor, each of the plurality of concave recesses of the second rotor capable of accepting one ammunition cartridge of the plurality of ammunition cartridges. 28. The firearm system of claim 27, wherein the first rotor includes gears and the second rotor includes gears and the gears of the first rotor are operably coupled to the gears of the second rotor. 29. The firearm system of claim 18, wherein the first and second rotor are each configured to rotate between about 360° and 1080° to expel the plurality of ammunition cartridges from the magazine. 30. The firearm system of claim 18, wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are substantially identical. 31. The firearm system of claim 30, wherein: the first rotor includes a plurality of concave recesses spaced about a circumference of the first rotor, each of the plurality of concave recesses of the first rotor capable of accepting one ammunition cartridge of the plurality of ammunition cartridges; the second rotor includes a plurality of concave recesses spaced about a circumference of the second rotor, each of the plurality of concave recesses of the second rotor capable of accepting one ammunition cartridge of the plurality of ammunition cartridges. 32. The firearm system of claim 31, wherein the first rotor includes gears and the second rotor includes gears and the gears of the first rotor are operably coupled to the gears of the second rotor. 33. The firearm system of claim 18, wherein one curve of the serpentine path extends generally from an ammunition cartridge feeding opening. 34. A firearm magazine comprising: a first rotor that rotates on a first axis; a second rotor that rotates on a second axis, the first rotor and the second rotor being positioned to move one or more ammunition cartridges through the firearm magazine; a cartridge path that extends around only the first and second rotors, the entire cartridge path being a serpentine shaped path; wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are configured so that any rotation of one of the first rotor or the second rotor in a first direction causes rotation of the other one of the first rotor or the second rotor in an opposite direction. 35. The firearm magazine of claim 34, wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are configured so that rotation of one of the first rotor or the second rotor in a clockwise direction causes rotation of the other one of the first rotor or the second rotor in a counter-clockwise direction. 36. The firearm magazine of claim 34, wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are positioned so that as the one or more ammunition cartridges move through the firearm magazine, the one or more ammunition cartridges move clockwise around one of the first axis or the second axis and move counter-clockwise around the other one of the first axis or the second axis. 37. The firearm magazine of claim 34, wherein the first axis and the second axis are not the same. 38. The firearm magazine of claim 34, wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are operably coupled together so that rotation of one of the first rotor or the second rotor causes rotation of the other one of the first rotor or the second rotor. 39. The firearm magazine of claim 34, wherein one of the first rotor or the second rotor includes a gear that cooperates with the other one of the first rotor or the second rotor so that rotation of one of the first rotor or the second rotor causes rotation of the other one of the first rotor or the second rotor. 40. The firearm magazine of claim 34, comprising at least one biasing element configured to apply a torque to at least one of the first rotor or the second rotor. 41. A firearm magazine comprising: a first rotor configured to rotate about a first center of rotation in a first direction; a second rotor configured to rotate about a second center of rotation in an opposite direction; wherein a position of the first rotor and a position of the second rotor are fixed with respect to one another; wherein operation of the first rotor and the second rotor moves at least one ammunition cartridge along a cartridge path that extends around at least a portion of each of the first rotor and the second rotor and is defined by no more than two rotors, the entire cartridge path being a serpentine shaped path. 42. The firearm magazine of claim 41, wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are configured so that rotation of one of the first rotor or the second rotor in a clockwise direction causes rotation of the other one of the first rotor or the second rotor in a counter-clockwise direction. 43. The firearm magazine of claim 41, wherein the first rotor and the second rotor move the at least one ammunition cartridge clockwise around one of the first center of rotation or the second center of rotation and counter-clockwise around the other one of the first center of rotation or the second center of rotation. 44. The firearm magazine of claim 41, wherein the first center or rotation and the second center of rotation are not the same. 45. The firearm magazine of claim 41, wherein one of the first rotor or the second rotor includes a gear that cooperates with the other one of the first rotor or the second rotor so that rotation of one of the first rotor or the second rotor causes rotation of the other one of the first rotor or the second rotor. 46. The firearm magazine of claim 34, comprising at least one biasing element configured to apply a torque to at least one of the first rotor or the second rotor. 47. A magazine for introducing a plurality of ammunition cartridges into a firearm comprising: a first rotor configured for rotating about a first center of rotation; a second rotor configured for rotating about a second center of rotation; at least one biasing element configured for applying a torque to the first rotor; wherein a position of the first rotor and a position of the second rotor are fixed with respect to one another; wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are configured so that any rotation of one of the first rotor or the second rotor causes rotation of the other one of the first rotor or the second rotor; wherein operation of the first and second rotor causes at least one ammunition cartridge of a plurality of ammunition cartridges that are movable by the first and second rotor to move along a serpentine path; a housing configured to facilitate movement of the at least one ammunition cartridge along the serpentine path, wherein the at least one biasing element is preloaded between a spiral slot formed in a first component of the housing and a stop feature formed in a second component of the housing. 48. The magazine of claim 47, wherein the housing comprises two components configured for assembly to one another. 49. The magazine of claim 47, wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are substantially identical. 50. The magazine of claim 47, wherein: the first rotor includes a plurality of concave recesses spaced about a circumference of the first rotor, each of the plurality of concave recesses of the first rotor capable of accepting one ammunition cartridge of the plurality of ammunition cartridges; the second rotor includes a plurality of concave recesses spaced about a circumference of the second rotor, each of the plurality of concave recesses of the second rotor capable of accepting one ammunition cartridge of the plurality of ammunition cartridges. 51. The magazine of claim 47, wherein the first rotor includes gear teeth and the second rotor includes gear teeth and the first rotor gear teeth are operably coupled to the second rotor gear teeth. 52. A magazine for introducing a plurality of ammunition cartridges into a firearm comprising: a first rotor configured for rotating about a first center of rotation; a second rotor configured for rotating about a second center of rotation; at least one biasing element configured for applying a torque to the first rotor; wherein a position of the first rotor and a position of the second rotor are fixed with respect to one another; wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are configured so that any rotation of one of the first rotor or the second rotor causes rotation of the other one of the first rotor or the second rotor; wherein operation of the first and second rotor causes at least one ammunition cartridge of a plurality of ammunition cartridges that are movable by the first and second rotor to move along a serpentine path; at least a portion of the at least one biasing element is positioned within a spiral slot formed within a housing configured to facilitate movement of the at least one ammunition cartridge along the serpentine path; the spiral slot is configured to limit a magnitude of rotation attainable by the first rotor. 53. A firearm system comprising: a firearm including a magazine operably coupled to the firearm for introducing a plurality of ammunition cartridges into the firearm; wherein the magazine comprises: a first rotor configured for rotating about a first center of rotation; and a second rotor configured for rotating about a second center of rotation; at least one biasing element configured for applying a torque to the first rotor, the at least one biasing element is preloaded; a housing; wherein a position of the first rotor and a position of the second rotor are fixed with respect to one another; wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are configured so that any rotation of one of the first rotor or the second rotor causes rotation of the other one of the first rotor or the second rotor; and wherein operation of the first and second rotor causes at least one ammunition cartridge of the plurality of ammunition cartridges positioned within the magazine to move along a serpentine path prior to introduction into the firearm, the serpentine path being defined by no more than two rotors; wherein the housing is configured to facilitate movement of the at least one ammunition cartridge along the serpentine path; wherein the at least one biasing element is preloaded between a spiral slot formed in a first component of the housing and a stop feature formed in a second component of the housing.