Locking system for removable magazine floor plates for firearm magazines

Abstract

A magazine floor plate for a firearm magazine includes sidewalls that extend vertically from floor plate and define an interior cavity for accommodating a portion of the firearm magazine. The sidewalls include a first parallel longitudinal sidewall, a second parallel longitudinal sidewall, a first parallel traverse sidewall, and a second parallel traverse sidewall. The magazine floor plate further includes a locking mechanism for insertion between the firearm magazine and at least one of the sidewalls when the interior cavity accommodates the portion of the firearm magazine. The first and second parallel longitudinal sidewalls have a length greater than the firearm magazine.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A magazine floor plate for a firearm magazine, comprising:
 a plurality of sidewalls defining an interior cavity adapted to accommodate a portion of the firearm magazine; and   a locking mechanism adapted to be inserted between the firearm magazine and a single sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls to retain engagement between the magazine floor plate and the firearm magazine, wherein the locking mechanism is retained within the magazine floor plate only when the interior cavity accommodates a portion of the firearm magazine.   
     
     
         22 . The magazine floor plate of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the plurality of the sidewalls comprises a groove on an interior surface defining the interior cavity that is shaped to engage with a flange of the firearm magazine. 
     
     
         23 . The magazine floor plate of  claim 22 , wherein the groove is further shaped to allow sufficient movement of the magazine floor plate relative to the firearm magazine to accommodate insertion of the locking mechanism between the firearm magazine and the single sidewall. 
     
     
         24 . The magazine floor plate of  claim 22 , wherein when the firearm magazine accommodates the portion of the firearm magazine, the firearm magazine is disposed entirely above a lower end of the groove. 
     
     
         25 . The magazine floor plate of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of the sidewalls and the locking mechanism are adapted to circumferentially enclose a portion of the firearm magazine. 
     
     
         26 . The magazine floor plate of  claim 25 , wherein the circumferential enclosure of the portion of the firearm magazine does not obstruct an opening in the firearm magazine where the plurality of the sidewalls is adapted to accommodate the portion of the firearm magazine. 
     
     
         27 . The magazine floor plate of  claim 21 , wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to be reversibly inserted into a portion of the interior cavity. 
     
     
         28 . The magazine floor plate of  claim 21 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a complementary feature shaped to engage with a feature of an interior surface of the single sidewall to retain the locking mechanism within the magazine floor plate only when the interior cavity accommodates the portion of the firearm magazine. 
     
     
         29 . A firearm magazine for a firearm, the firearm magazine comprising:
 a flange disposed on an exterior surface of the firearm magazine,   a magazine floor plate engaged with the flange and comprising a plurality of sidewalls defining an interior cavity that accommodates a portion of the firearm magazine; and   a locking mechanism inserted between the firearm magazine and a single sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls to retain engagement between the flange and the magazine floor plate, wherein the locking mechanism is retained within the magazine floor plate only when the interior cavity accommodates a portion of the firearm magazine.   
     
     
         30 . The firearm magazine of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the plurality of the sidewalls comprises a groove on an interior surface defining the interior cavity that engages the flange of the firearm magazine. 
     
     
         31 . The firearm magazine of  claim 30 , wherein when the interior cavity receives the portion of the firearm magazine, the firearm magazine is disposed entirely above a lower end of the groove. 
     
     
         32 . The firearm magazine of  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of the sidewalls and the locking mechanism circumferentially enclose the portion of the firearm magazine. 
     
     
         33 . The firearm magazine of  claim 29 , wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to be reversibly inserted into a portion of the interior cavity. 
     
     
         34 . The firearm magazine of  claim 29 , wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to enable it to be removed from the interior cavity while the firearm magazine is not attached to the firearm. 
     
     
         35 . A firearm comprising:
 a firearm magazine;   a magazine floor plate engaged with the firearm magazine and comprising a plurality of sidewalls defining an interior cavity that accommodates a portion of the firearm magazine; and   a locking mechanism inserted between the firearm magazine and a single sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls to retain engagement between the firearm magazine and the magazine floor plate, wherein the locking mechanism is retained within the magazine floor plate only when the interior cavity accommodates a portion of the firearm magazine.   
     
     
         36 . The firearm of  claim 35 , wherein:
 the firearm magazine comprises a flange disposed on an exterior surface of the firearm magazine; and   at least one of the plurality of the sidewalls comprises a groove on an interior surface defining the interior cavity that engages the flange of the firearm magazine.   
     
     
         37 . The firearm of  claim 36 , wherein when the interior cavity receives the portion of the firearm magazine, the firearm magazine is disposed entirely above a lower end of the groove. 
     
     
         38 . The firearm of  claim 35 , wherein the plurality of the sidewalls and the locking mechanism circumferentially enclose the portion of the firearm magazine. 
     
     
         39 . The firearm of  claim 35 , wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to be reversibly inserted into a portion of the interior cavity. 
     
     
         40 . The firearm of  claim 35 , wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to enable it to be removed from the interior cavity while the firearm magazine is not attached to the firearm.