Gun magazine spring state indication system and method
AssigneeCheck-Mate Industries, Inc.
InventorBrandon Vitulli
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A novel system and method for determining when a magazine spring has exceeded a compressive set tolerance and needs to be replaced. The spring includes a visual indicator. The visual indicator is positioned so that it is visible beyond the bottom of the magazine tube when the follower and magazine spring are inserted into the tube and the follower is raised to its uppermost position. The visual indicator is not visible beyond the bottom of the magazine when the spring has exceeded its compressive set tolerance.
Claims17
A method for a user to determine when a magazine spring has experienced an excessive compressive set, comprising:
- (a) providing a magazine tube having an open bottom;
- (b) providing a follower;
- (c) providing a magazine spring, including, (i) an upper portion, (ii) an indicator region, having a lower boundary;
- (d) placing said follower in said magazine tube;
- (e) placing said magazine spring in said magazine tube, with said upper portion of said magazine spring being connected to said follower;
- (f) raising said follower and said magazine spring until said follower is arrested at an uppermost point in its range of travel, said magazine spring being in an uncompressed state;
- and (f) said user observing whether any of said indicator region extends beyond said bottom of said magazine tube, wherein said indicator region has a distinct color in comparison to a portion of said magazine spring lying below said lower boundary of said indicator region.
A method to determine when a magazine spring needs to be replaced, comprising:
- (a) providing a magazine tube having a bottom;
- (b) providing a follower;
- (c) providing a magazine spring, including, (i) an upper portion, (ii) an indicator region, having a lower boundary;
- (d) placing said follower in said magazine tube;
- (e) placing said magazine spring in said magazine tube, with said upper portion of said magazine spring being connected to said follower;
- (f) raising said follower and said magazine spring until said follower is arrested at an uppermost point in its range of travel;
- and (g) with said magazine spring is in an uncompressed state, inspecting said assembly of said magazine tube, said follower, and said magazine spring in order to determine whether any of said indicator region extends beyond said bottom of said magazine tube, wherein said indicator region has a distinct color in comparison to a portion of said magazine spring lying below said lower boundary of said indicator region.
A method to determine when a magazine spring needs to be replaced, said magazine spring configured for use in a magazine tube having a sliding follower, comprising:
- (a) providing an indicator region on said magazine spring, said indicator region having a lower boundary;
- (b) placing said follower in said magazine tube;
- (c) placing said magazine spring in said magazine tube, with said upper portion of said magazine spring being connected to said follower;
- (d) raising said follower and said magazine spring until said follower is arrested at an uppermost point in its range of travel;
- and (e) with said magazine spring is in an uncompressed state, inspecting said assembly of said magazine tube, said follower, and said magazine spring in order to determine whether any of said indicator region extends beyond said bottom of said magazine tube, wherein said indicator region has a distinct color in comparison to a portion of said magazine spring lying below said lower boundary of said indicator region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.