BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

[0001] The present invention relates to a magazine adapter and assembly thereof for a rifle. In particular, the present invention relates to a magazine adapter and assembly thereof for a rifle including the magazine well dimensions of a Sa vz. 58 Sporter rifle, the magazine adapter being configured to adapt magazines used for other types of rifles including M16, AR-15, and M4 rifles.

2. Discussion of Background Information

[0002] The Sa vz. 58 Sporter rifle is a semi-automatic rifle which is actuated by the pressure of gases on the piston, the gases being produced in the barrel through combustion of the powder charge. During firing, cartridges are continuously fed from a magazine which can hold up to about 30 cartridges. The rifle has a receiver which is one of the main parts of the rifle. The receiver can include a bolt catch, a magazine catch, an ejector, and a bridge dividing the entire inner space of the receiver into two parts which are the front magazine well configured to receive a magazine and the rear recess for seating the trigger mechanism.

[0003] The ejector is typically placed in grooves in an upper part of the bridge, and the bolt catch of the rifle is located on the right-hand side from the ejector. After firing the last cartridge from the magazine, the bolt catch preferably retains the bolt in the rear (open) position. The bottom part of the bolt catch is divided by a recess into two asymmetric branches, wherein a shorter branch is controlled by a magazine follower lug and a longer branch is intended for manual shifting out of the bolt catch, thus holding the bolt in an open position if this is necessary for inspection, cleaning, repairs or other reasons. When the bolt is moving forward, it makes contact with the cylindrical part of the bolt catch. Once the pressure from the bolt catch is removed (when the magazine is taken out of the magazine receiver properly) and the bolt moves slightly backwards, a bolt catch spring preferably pushes the bolt catch back into the receiver, thus disengaging it from the bolt.

[0004] The M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle. The M16 rifle fires the 5.56x45 mm cartridge and can produce massive wounding and hydrostatic shock effects when the bullet impacts at high velocity and yaws in tissue leading to fragmentation and rapid transfer of energy. Since the Vietnam War, the M16 rifle family has been the primary infantry rifle of the U.S. military. With its variants, it has been in use by 15 NATO countries, and is the most produced firearm in its caliber. The M16 is being phased out in the United States Army and is being replaced by the M4 carbine series as of 2010. The M4 carbine is a family of firearms tracing its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16, all based on the original AR-15 designed by Eugene Stoner and made by ArmaLite®. It is a shorter and lighter version of the M16A2 assault rifle, with 80% parts commonality.

[0005] One drawback of these rifles is that the size and dimensions of the magazines configured for the M16, AR-15 and M4 rifles are totally different from those of the magazine configured for the Sa vz. 58 Sporter rifle. Accordingly, the magazines for the M16, AR-15 and M4 rifles cannot be interchangeably used with the Sa vz. Sporter rifle, and there is a need for a device enabling the magazines for the M16, AR-15 and M4 rifles to be used with the Sa vz. Sporter rifle.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[ 0006] A magazine adapter for use with a rifle is provided herein. The magazine adapter is configured to receive different kinds of magazines to use them with the rifle.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a magazine adapter assembly for a first rifle having a first magazine, a first magazine catch configured to hold the first magazine, and a first bolt catch configured to hold a bolt of the first rifle after a last round is fired, is provided. The magazine adapter assembly can include a magazine adapter body configured to be attached to a receiver of the first rifle at a magazine well of the receiver of the first rifle, and to receive a second magazine configured for a second rifle; a second bolt catch configured to hold the bolt of the first rifle in an open position after the last round is fired, the second bolt catch being configured to replace the first bolt catch of the first rifle; and an adapter catch configured to hold the magazine adaptor body and to replace the first magazine catch, the adapter catch being attached to the receiver of the first rifle.

[0008] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the magazine adapter assembly can further include a second magazine catch configured to hold the second magazine inside the magazine adapter body. The second magazine catch can include a magazine catch body; a spring inserted into the magazine catch body; and a catch button configured to hold the second magazine.

[0009] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the first rifle can be a Sa vz. 58 Sporter rifle, and the second rifle can be one of, a M-16 rifle, a AR-15 rifle, and a M-4 rifle.

[0010] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the adapter includes a through hole penetrating the adapter catch.

[0011] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a lower end of the adapter catch is in line with a lower end of the receiver of the first rifle.

[0012] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the second bolt catch includes a bolt catch spring configured to push the second bolt catch back to the receiver of the first rifle so as to disengage the second bolt catch from the bolt of the first rifle.

[0013] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the second bolt catch includes a bolt catch body, a cylindrically-shaped rod configured to receive the bolt catch spring and attached to the bolt catch body, and a wing extended upwardly from the bolt catch body in a direction of the cylindrically-shaped rod. Further, the wing can be configured to be pushed up by a follower of the second magazine to be engaged with the bolt of the first rifle, when the second magazine is inserted into the magazine adapter body. [0013.1] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a magazine adapter assembly for a first rifle is provided. The magazine adapter includes a magazine adapter body configured to be removably attached to a receiver of the first rifle at a magazine well of the receiver of the first rifle, and to receive a magazine configured for removable attachment to a second rifle, wherein the receiver of the first rifle comprises a first configuration. The magazine adapter further includes a bolt catch configured to hold the bolt of the first rifle in an open position after the last round is fired; and an adapter catch configured to hold the magazine adaptor body adjacent the receiver of the first rifle. In a preferred embodiment, the first configuration includes substantially the same dimensions of a receiver and magazine well of a Sa vz. 58 Sporter rifle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a magazine adapter body;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the magazine adapter body of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the magazine adapter body of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an adapter catch;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the adapter catch of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the adapter catch of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a bolt catch along with a spring;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the bolt catch of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows a bottom view of the bolt catch of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a magazine catch; FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an adapter assembly illustrating how the magazine adapter body, the bolt catch, the adapter catch, and the magazine catch are assembled (interconnected) to each other;

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Prior to describing the details of the present disclosure in its illustrative embodiments, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited in its application or use to the arrangement of parts and details of construction shown in the attached drawings, due to the fact that the illustrative embodiments may be incorporated in other embodiments or variations, and may be modified or implemented in other ways. Additionally, any technical terms or expressions used herein are for the purpose of describing the illustrative embodiments, and not for limiting the scope of the disclosure.

[0017] Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1-10, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a magazine adapter assembly for a first rifle having a first magazine, a first magazine catch configured to hold the first magazine, and a first bolt catch configured to hold a bolt of the first rifle after a last round is fired is provided.

[0018] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the first rifle can be a Sa vz. 58 Sporter rifle. As discussed above in the background of the disclosure, the Sa vz. 58 Sporter rifle is a semi-automatic rifle which is actuated by the pressure of gases on the piston, the gases being produced in the barrel through combustion of the powder charge. The Sa vz. 58 Sporter rifle can only fire in semi-automatic mode. The firing is effective up to about 500 meters at individual targets and about 800 meters at group targets. Alternatively, the first rifle can include any member of the vz. 58 family with substantially the same magazine well configuration such as, for example and without limitation, the Sa vz. 58, vz. 2000, or vz. 2008.

[0019] Further, as discussed above, the Sa vz. 58 Sporter rifle includes a receiver having a bolt catch, a magazine catch, and ejector and a bridge dividing the entire inner space of the receiver into two parts which include the front magazine well for receiving a magazine and the rear recess for seating the trigger mechanism. [0020] Specifically, the Sa vz. 58 Sporter rifle typically uses a magazine which is of an arched shape and takes up to about 30 cartridges, the magazine often including a magazine body, a magazine follower, a magazine spring, a magazine floor plate safety and a magazine floor plate.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the magazine adapter assembly can include a magazine adapter body 10 configured to be removably attached to a receiver 50 (as shown in FIG. 11) of the first rifle at a magazine well of the receiver 50 of the first rifle, and to receive a second magazine configured for a second rifle.

[0022] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the second rifle can include, for example, a M-16 rifle, a AR-15 rifle, or a M-4 rifle. The M-16 rifle uses a STANAG magazine which is a type of detachable firearm magazine proposed by NATO in October 1980. Shortly after NATO's acceptance of the 5.56x45mm NATO rifle cartridge, Draft Standardization Agreement (STANAG 4179) was proposed in order to allow the military services of member nations easily to share rifle ammunition and magazines during operations, at the individual soldier level, in the interest of easing logistical concerns.

[0023] The magazine adapter body 10 has an upper part 11 and a lower part 12, the upper part 11 being configured to be inserted into the magazine well of the Sa vz. 58 Sporter rifle. As such, when the magazine adapter body 10 is installed on the first rifle, the upper part 11 of the magazine adapter body 10 is not shown.

[0024] Further, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, the magazine adapter assembly can include an adapter catch 20 configured to hold the magazine adaptor body 10 and to replace the first magazine catch, the adapter catch 20 being attached to the receiver 50 of the first rifle. The adapter catch 20 includes an upper body 25 and a hook 22 extended downward from the upper body 25, the upper body 25 and the hook 22 being integrally formed.

[0025] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a hole 21 can be located in an upper portion of the upper body 25 of the adapter catch 20. The hole 21 is configured to receive an adapter catch spring 26 (as shown in FIG. 11), which is the same as the original magazine catch spring of the first rifle, and to keep the adapter catch 20 under tension or pressure inside the receiver 50.

[0026] Accordingly, the adapter catch 20 includes the hook 22 configured to be manually actuated to release the magazine adapter body 10 from the receiver 50. The hook 22 can be L-shaped and connected integrally to the upper body 25 of the adapter catch 20. Particularly, the hook 22 is extended downward from the left side of the upper body 25 of the adapter catch 20.

[0027] Further, the adapter catch 20 can include a second through hole (penetrating hole)

24 located in a lower portion of the upper body 25 of the adapter catch 20 and in the direction of fire, i.e., in a cross direction with respect to the hole 21. The through hole 24 is configured to attach the adapter catch 20 to a pin of the receiver 50 of the first rifle, the pin being configured to hold the first magazine catch, thereby keeping the first magazine inserted in the receiver 50. As such, when the adapter catch 20 is attached to the first rifle, replacing the first magazine catch, the adapter catch 20 can be swingingly movable to catch the magazine adaptor body 10 when it is inserted into the receiver 50.

[0028] Further, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a lower end 23 of the adapter catch 20 is preferably in line with a lower end of the receiver 50 of the first rifle. The magazine catch of the first rifle must be replaced by the adapter catch 20, because it is protruding out of the surface of the receiver 50 so that it prevents the installation of the magazine adapter body 10. In order to install the magazine adapter body 10 on the receiver 50 of the first rifle, the first magazine catch must be replaced by the adapter catch 20 which is in line with the lower end 23 of the receiver 50 of the first rifle.

[0029] Further, as shown in FIGS. 7-9, the magazine adapter assembly can include a second bolt catch 30 configured to hold the bolt of the first rifle in an open position after the last round is fired, the second bolt catch 30 being configured to replace the first bolt catch of the first rifle. The second bolt catch 30 includes a bolt catch body 31 and a cylindrically-shaped rod 32 attached to the body 31.

[0030] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the second bolt catch 30 can include a bolt catch spring 33 inserted onto the cylindrically-shaped rod 32 and configured to push the second bolt catch 30 back to the receiver 50 of the first rifle so as to disengage the second bolt catch 30 from the bolt of the first rifle. [0031] The body 31 of the second bolt catch 30 further includes a wing 34 extended upwardly from the body 31 in the direction of the cylindrically-shaped rod 32. The wing 34 can be pushed up by the follower of the magazine of the second rifle to be engaged with the bolt.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 10, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the magazine adapter assembly can further include a second magazine catch 40 configured to hold the second magazine inside the magazine adapter body 10. The second magazine catch 40 can include a magazine catch body 41, a spring 42 inserted onto the magazine catch body 41, and a catch button 43 configured to hold the second magazine. The second magazine catch body 41 is L-shaped, including a rod connected to an arm. The arm is configured to receive the spring 42 and has the catch button 43 in its end.

[0033] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the second magazine catch 40 can be configured to hold the second magazine in the magazine adapter body 10.

[0034] FIGS. 11 and 12 show an adapter assembly illustrating how the magazine adapter body 10, the bolt catch 30, the adapter catch 20, and the second magazine catch 40 are assembled (interconnected) to each other in the first rifle. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the magazine adapter body 10 is configured to be inserted into the opening of the receiver 50 and to engage with the adapter catch 20 which is swingingly fixed to the receiver 50. Also, the second bolt catch 30 is disposed in the receiver 50 of the first rifle such that it holds the bolt of the first rifle in an open position after the last round is fired. Further, the magazine adapter body 10 can include a groove located in the lower part 11 for receiving the second magazine catch body 41 which holds the second magazine inside the magazine adaptor body 10 in combination with the spring 42 and the catch button 43.

[0035] Various embodiments of the magazine adapter described herein are preferably manufactured and formed from one or more metals or metal alloys such as, for example, stainless steel. Additionaly or alternatively, the embodiments of the magazine adapter can be made from polymer materials (including plastic and rubber forms), wood, metal, metal alloy, or combinations thereof. [0036] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The described preferred embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure to the precise form(s) disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the concepts revealed in the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.