Automatic Magazine Ejector For Firearm

Abstract

The present invention provides an automatic magazine ejector for a firearm. The invention provides a magazine ejection device for a firearm having a receiver, a magazine, wherein the magazine has an engaged state and a disengaged state of operation, comprising: a trigger housing having first and second opposing sides, a cavity defined by the first and second opposing sides, a pin spanning the cavity and a recess within at least one of the first and second opposing sides; and, a spring having first and second ends, the second end being disposed within the recess when the device is in use and wherein the first end being operably configured to engage and apply a force on the magazine when the device is in use and the magazine is in the engaged state. The invention also includes a method of modifying an existing firearm to include an automatic magazine ejection device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A magazine ejection device for a firearm having a receiver, a magazine, and a trigger housing with two side plates defining an internal cavity, a housing wall in the internal cavity, and first and second pins each spanning the internal cavity, wherein the magazine has an engaged state and a disengaged state of operation, comprising:
 an actuator having an engagement member and an action arm connected by a body portion, the actuator being operably configured to be at least partially disposed and moveable within the internal cavity, wherein the action arm is in contact with the magazine when in use and the magazine is in the engaged state; and,   a spring being disposed adjacent to the engagement member, the spring being operably configured to be disposed within the internal cavity and being disposed adjacent to the second pin when in use, wherein the spring is biased to apply a first force upon the actuator and the action arm applies a second force upon the magazine when in use and the magazine is in the engaged state.   
     
     
         2 . A magazine ejection device, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the spring is a tension spring. 
     
     
         3 . A magazine ejection device, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the spring is a torsion spring. 
     
     
         4 . A magazine ejection device, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the spring is removably attached to the engagement member. 
     
     
         5 . A magazine ejection device, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes a second body portion and a slot defined between the body portion and the second body portion, wherein the slot has a bottom edge and is operably configured to receive the first pin when the device is in use, wherein the actuator moves relative to the first pin by the first force when the device is in use and the magazine is altered from the engaged state to the disengaged state, and the movement of the actuator is limited by the first pin and the bottom edge. 
     
     
         6 . A magazine ejection device, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body of the actuator slides along the wall when the device is in use and the magazine is altered from the engaged state to the disengaged state. 
     
     
         7 . A magazine ejection device, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes a stopping leg attached to the action arm, and wherein the stopping leg is operably configured to be engageable with the wall and limit movement of the actuator within the housing when the device is in use and the magazine is altered from the engaged state to the disengaged state. 
     
     
         8 . A magazine ejection device for a firearm having a receiver, a magazine, wherein the magazine has an engaged state and a disengaged state of operation, comprising:
 a trigger housing having first and second opposing sides, a cavity defined by the first and second opposing sides, a pin spanning the cavity and a recess within at least one of the first and second opposing sides; and,   a spring having first and second ends, the second end being disposed within the recess when the device is in use and wherein the first end being operably configured to engage and apply a force on the magazine when the device is in use and the magazine is in the engaged state.   
     
     
         9 . A magazine ejection device, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the recess includes a coil recess portion and a spring leg recess portion. 
     
     
         10 . A magazine ejection device, as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the spring includes a coil section and first and second legs attached to the coil section and wherein the second leg is disposed within the spring leg recess portion and a portion of the coil section is disposed within the coil recess section. 
     
     
         11 . A magazine ejection device, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the recess is disposed on an exterior surface of the at least one of the first and second opposing sides. 
     
     
         12 . A magazine ejection device, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the spring is a torsional spring. 
     
     
         13 . A magazine ejection device, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the first leg extends beyond the housing. 
     
     
         14 . A magazine ejection device, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the coil section includes two coils. 
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 acquiring a firearm having a receiver and a trigger housing having first and second sides, an internal cavity defined by the first and second sides, and a pin spanning the internal cavity;   making a recess within a portion of the firearm; and,   placing a torsional spring within the recess.   
     
     
         16 . A method, as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the making a recess step includes making a recess in at least one of the first and second sides of the trigger housing. 
     
     
         17 . A method, as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the making a recess step includes making a recess in the receiver. 
     
     
         18 . A method, as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the making step includes removing the pin out of the housing prior to the making step and replacing the pin in the housing after the making step. 
     
     
         19 . A method, as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the making step includes making a recess having a leg section and a coil section, and wherein the leg section is operably configured to be shaped to receive a leg of the spring and the coil section is operably configured to be shaped to receive a coil section of the spring. 
     
     
         20 . A method, as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the placing a spring step includes placing the torsional spring about the pin.