U.S. patent application number 13/931953 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-06 for gun magazine speed loader and methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dana Joseph Fiorucci. Invention is credited to Dana Joseph Fiorucci.
Application Number | 20140033592 13/931953 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50024087 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140033592 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fiorucci; Dana Joseph |
February 6, 2014 |
GUN MAGAZINE SPEED LOADER AND METHODS
Abstract
A gun magazine speed loader that can load an entire magazine
simply by pulling the magazines external follower in a downward
motion. Rimmed cartridges are aligned nose down and side-by-side in
a loading channel and the magazine and speed loader are then tipped
up toward a vertical position with the magazine below the loader.
By passing the stream of cartridges through an "articulator" that
articulates the nose of the cartridge and feeds cartridges
`rim-first` and up through feed lips and into the magazine, the
cartridges fill the magazine in a continuous stream, essentially at
the speed of gravity-falling cartridges under control of the
external follower. The articulator has no moving parts and operates
with rimmed cartridges and with curved or low-rake angle magazines
having an external follower.
Inventors: |
Fiorucci; Dana Joseph;
(Shoreline, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fiorucci; Dana Joseph |
Shoreline |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50024087 |
Appl. No.: |
13/931953 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61679027 |
Aug 2, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/87 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 9/83 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/87 |
International
Class: |
F41A 9/83 20060101
F41A009/83 |
Claims
1. A gun magazine speed loader for loading of a plurality of rimmed
cartridges into a firearm magazine, the firearm magazine having an
external follower, said speed loader comprising: a) a loading
channel defined by parallel inside sidewalls and bottom surface,
said loading channel having a first end with cartridge receiving
slot superiorly disposed thereon, a long-axis extending the length
of said loading channel, and an open terminus at a second end,
wherein said open terminus is adapted for communicating with a
mouth of a magazine when engaged thereto; b) contralateral rails
formed on said inside side walls, wherein said rails are
dimensioned for supporting a plurality of rimmed cartridges
nosedown, slideably pendant in single file between said
contralateral rails; further characterized by c) a cartridge
articulator disposed at said terminus of said loading channel, said
cartridge articulator comprising a magazine receiving adaptor with
bottom edge configured to align a magazine at an offset from said
long axis of said loading channel, a cartridge discharge window
defining feed lips on the superior aspect of said terminus, and a
load ramp formed as an extension of said bottom surface on said
long axis, said load ramp defining a stationary cam having a sloped
face rising from the bottom surface of the long axis of the loading
channel to abut the bottom edge of the magazine receiving adaptor,
wherein said stationary cam is positioned so that a cartridge
discharged from said terminus is angled rim-first and displaced up
between said feed lips and said bottom edge into a magazine by the
action of the nose of the cartridge striking against said
stationary cam when passing through the cartridge discharge window
under control of an external magazine follower.
2. The speed loader of claim 1, wherein the vertical height of the
cartridge discharge window is less then the vertical length of the
cartridges, and said feed lips and load ramp are positioned to
cooperatively direct said plurality of cartridges in single-file,
angled rim-end first, along an offset path through said cartridge
discharge window and into a magazine engaged in said magazine
receiving adaptor, such that the plurality of cartridges flow as a
continuous stream of cartridges under gravity when controlled by
the action of an external magazine follower.
3. The speed loader of claim 1, wherein said magazine receiving
adaptor comprises a gate for blocking said cartridge discharge
window when no magazine is present.
4. The speed loader of claim 1, further comprising a push rod
slideably aligned within said loading channel.
5. The speed loader of claim 1, wherein said inside sidewalls of
said channel are dimensioned to allow the nose of a cartridge to
pass through but to capture a rim of a cartridge on said lateral
rails therein, whereby said cartridges are slideably aligned in
said channel, nose down, in single file.
6. The speed loader of claim 1, further comprising a trough for
receiving loose cartridges, said trough with sloping sides and
bottom slot communicating with said channel.
7. The speed loader of claim 6, further comprising a trough
extension having a capacity for excess cartridges.
8. The speed loader of claim 1, wherein said magazine receiving
adaptor is detachably interchangeable, and is provided in a
plurality of models for accepting different gun magazines.
9. The speed loader of claim 1, further comprising a magazine
engagement lock.
10. The speed loader of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is operative
to load a plurality of rimmed cartridges into a curved magazine or
a low-rake-angle magazine.
11. The speed loader of claim 10, wherein said speed loader is
dimensioned for rimmed rifle cartridges having a caliber selected
from .22LR, 22 short, 22 LR, .17 Hornady Mach 2, .22 Winchester
Magnum, 8.times.50R Lebel, 7.62.times.54R 7N1, 8.times.56R Steyr,
.30 Army, .303 British, and 600 Nitro Express.
12. The speed loader of claim 10, wherein said speed loader is
dimensioned for rimmed pistol cartridges having a caliber selected
from .22 LR, .22 Short, .25 ACP, .32 S&W Short, .32 Short Colt,
.38 S&W, .38 Short Colt, .32 Long Colt, .32 S&W Long,
.38/200 Mkllz, .45 Auto Rim, .455 Webley MkII, .44 S&W Russian,
.32 H&R Magnum, .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire, .38 Long Colt, .45
S&W Schofield, 8 mm Lebel (8.times.27.5R), .38 S&W Special,
.44 S&W Special, .357 S&W Magnum, .41 Remington Magnum,
.and 357 Maximum.
13. A method for loading rimmed cartridges into a firearm magazine
having an external follower, which comprises (a) aligning
cartridges in a row, side-by-side, nose down, in a channel defined
by parallel inside sidewalls, said sidewalls having opposing
lateral rails dimensioned for slideably supporting the rimmed
cartridges nosedown and pendantly therebetween; the channel having
a first end with a cartridge receiving slot and a second end with a
cartridge articulator; (b) attaching an empty magazine to engage
the cartridge articulator, the cartridge articulator comprising a
magazine receiving adaptor disposed to align a magazine at a
vertical offset from said loading channel, a cartridge discharge
window defined by feed lips on the superior aspect of said
terminus, wherein said cartridge discharge window is in
communication with a mouth of a magazine, a load ramp formed by
extending said bottom surface of said loading channel past said
feed lips, said load ramp articulating upward according to said
offset; (c) gravity-pouring the cartridges from the loading
channel, through the cartridge articulator, and into the magazine
while using the external follower to control the flow of
cartridges, thereby loading the magazine; and, (d) dismounting a
loaded magazine from the magazine receiving adaptor.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein step (c) comprises raising said
first end of said body above a magazine attached at said second end
so that gravity drives the flow of the cartridges according to the
rate at which the external follower is drawn through the
magazine.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the external follower is
retracted at the magazine at a rate approaching a gravitational
free-fall velocity of the cartridges.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein said steps (a) and (b) are
performed in an interchangeable order, said magazine well adaptor
having a gate for preventing spilling of cartridges when a magazine
is not engaged to said magazine receiving adaptor.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising attaching a second
empty cartridge and repeating steps (c) and (d).
18. The method of claim 13, wherein step (a) comprises loading
loose cartridges into a trough with ramped walls and bottom forming
said slot, whereby cartridges fall nose down into said channel by a
self-aligning process.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein step (a) comprises using a push
rod to tamp cartridges together side by side in said channel before
loading.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/679027 filed 2
Aug. 2012, which is herein incorporated in full for all
purposes.
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
[0002] This invention was made without government support.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to an improved gun magazine speed
loader and in particular to an apparatus for aligning or orienting
a plurality of cartridges and loading the cartridges single-file
into a firearm magazine and in doing so without requiring the user
to handle each individual cartridge or requiring a one-by-one
action. The apparatus includes an articulator and can load an
entire magazine or clip with gravity feed by simply pulling down
the magazine's external follower.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Rim and rimfire ammunition is generally smaller in caliber
and requires greater dexterity to properly orientate and insert the
cartridges into a magazine. After many repetitions, one-by-one
cartridge insertion into a gun magazine by hand is both time
consuming and uncomfortable, particularly for the thumb. This
problem is compounded for large capacity magazines commonly used in
modern target practice.
[0005] Devices for loading multiple cartridges into a magazine are
known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,572 to Brandenburg
discloses a device having two cam followers that move a cartridge
in two linear directions during the cartridge loading operation.
Brandenburg, while providing means of aligning the cartridges and
placing them into a magazine, teaches a pushing force applied to
the plunger for each and every cartridge to be loaded into the
magazine
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,820 to Miller illustrates the use of a
spring loaded feed finger to achieve the proper transport motion to
load a cartridge into a magazine. U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,449 to
Jackson shows a simplified version of this method, incorporating a
single rotary cam to accomplish this task. While greatly
simplifying the mechanism to load a single cartridge to the
magazine, the method still works by a serial
one-cartridge-at-a-time action of a rotary cam. One turn of the cam
is equal to only one cartridge being loaded, thus requiring a
sustained effort by the user to load the magazine to maximum
capacity.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 7,637,048 to Tal shows a universal pistol
magazine loader that uses a fulcrum press motion to overcome the
force of the magazine spring to facilitate loading. Tal provides a
fulcrum and mechanical advantage to overcome the force of the
magazine spring, but still requires the user to handle each
individual cartridge by hand. The device is designed primarily for
pistol magazines of certain caliber ranges.
[0008] US Pat. No. 4,392,321 to Bosworth, while providing a means
for aligning the cartridges, does not provide a practical means of
placing the cartridges into a magazine. McFadden Machine Co. Inc.
Ultimate Clip Loader 22 LR Pistol Magazine Loader incorporates a
similar method of aligning the cartridges as described in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,392,321. The method requires retracting the external magazine
follower before the cartridges can be loaded. However, because the
cartridges are not contacted and guided by a magazine follower,
cartridges will tumble and jam in the magazine when attempted with
commonly available curved or limited rake-angle magazines. Thus the
device has limitations in its use. The device has been shown not to
work for curved rifle magazines and/or for magazines having a
limited rake angle (defined by a generally 80 to 90 degree angle of
entry of the cartridges into the magazine).
[0009] None of these patents or products provides a means for
loading curved or limited-rake angle types of magazines reliably.
Thus there is an unmet need in the art for a magazine loader for
magazines that lack a straight track and/or a high rake angle.
[0010] What is needed is a loading apparatus for magazines that
require each cartridge be "articulated" as it enters the magazine.
Articulation would serve to guide the cartridge correctly past the
feed lips and into the magazine. Preferredly, the device or
apparatus would eliminate reciprocating cam, rotary-cam, feed
finger, or plunger operated mechanisms, in other words have a
minimum or no moving parts. Most preferredly the device would
function to articulate the cartridges during magazine loading while
operating on gravity feed under control of the magazine
follower.
[0011] It would further be advantageous to provide a gun magazine
speed loader that could have cartridges poured directly from
unsorted or bulk containers into a receiving tray or trough. A
preferred device will enable storing of additional cartridges in
excess of what is required to fill the loading tray.
[0012] It would also be advantageous to provide a means to
orientate the cartridges into a classifier by using a slot with a
width sized to allow the nose of the cartridge to pass through but
to capture the rim of the cartridge. It would further be
advantageous to provide a means to tamp the cartridges into a
side-by-side, single-file position for loading.
[0013] It would further be advantageous to provide interchangeable
magazine well adapters to accept a variety of different gun
magazines so the speed loader could be used with many different gun
magazines without having to duplicate or modify the classifier
and/or articulator sections of the speed loader.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a firearm magazine speed loader that can load a plurality of
rim-type cartridge into a magazine by "articulating" the cartridge
in such a manner as to feed the rim past the forward edge of the
feed lips of the magazine with no more effort than pulling, in a
downward motion, the magazine's external follower.
[0015] Bulk cartridges can be poured directly from their container
into the hollow receptacle described below. The invention utilizes
a conventional type cartridge orienting device such as shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,321 to Bosworth. This orienting device includes
a hollow receptacle having a slot separating two lateral rails.
Cartridges placed in the hollow receptacle are directed toward the
slot. The width of the slot is sized to accept only the body of the
cartridge, but not the rim. Thus the nose of the cartridge can fall
into the slot and the rim will stop the falling motion, because the
rails will engage the rim to suspend the cartridge nosedown. When a
plurality of non-oriented cartridges are placed in the hollow
receptacle and the receptacle shaken, the cartridges are uniformly
aligned automatically in the slot with their longitudinal axes
aligned generally parallel within the slot. An effective number of
cartridges to adequately fill the magazine having been sorted into
the loading channel with the magazine inserted into the device, a
sliding rod may be used to push the cartridges towards the
accepting device or magazine. Then by tipping the magazine and
speed loader toward a vertical position, magazine down, the user
only needs to draw the external follower of the magazine down along
its track in the magazine housing. The loader will then feed a
plurality of cartridges into the magazine by articulating them one
by one through the feed lips. "Articulation" involves an operation
of tipping the cartridge to angle rim-first and then displacing the
cartridge endwise on a smooth step up a load ramp so that the
cartridge is fed rim-first into the mouth of the magazine.
Cartridges in the magazine stack one on top of the other. The
operation of loading simulates feeding the cartridges by hand into
the magazine while maintaining contact between the first cartridge
of the cartridge stack and the magazine follower. Contact with the
magazine follower prevents disorientation of the cartridges and
jams (caused by misfed cartridges) and allows the cartridges to
fill the magazine at a rate that approaches the free-fall velocity
of a cartridge in gravity.
[0016] Thus in one aspect the invention is a gun magazine speed
loader for loading of a plurality of rimmed cartridges into a
firearm magazine, the magazine having an external follower, the
speed loader comprising a) a loading channel defined by parallel
inside sidewalls and bottom surface, the loading channel having a
first end with cartridge receiving slot superiorly disposed thereon
and a open terminus at a second end, where the open terminus of the
loading channel is adapted for communicating with the open mouth
and feed lips of a magazine; b) contralateral rails are formed on
the inside side walls, such that the rails and gap between the
rails are dimensioned for supporting a plurality of rimmed
cartridges nosedown, slideably pendant in single file between the
rails; c) a "cartridge articulator" disposed at the open terminus
of the loading channel, the cartridge articulator comprising i) a
magazine receiving adaptor disposed to align a magazine or "clip"
at an offset from the long axis of the loading channel, ii) a
cartridge discharge window defining feed lips on the superior
aspect of the open terminus, iii) a load ramp formed as an
extension of the bottom surface of the loading channel on the long
axis, the load ramp defining a stationary cam having a smoothly
sloped step face rising from the bottom surface of the long axis of
the loading channel to abut the bottom edge of the magazine
receiving adaptor, wherein the stationary cam is positioned so that
a cartridge discharged from the terminus is angled rim-first and
displaced up between the feed lips and the bottom edge into a
magazine by the action of the nose of the cartridge striking the
stationary cam when passing through the cartridge discharge window
under control of an external magazine follower. The cartridge
articulator is configured to continuously "articulate" each of a
plurality of cartridges, angled rim-end first, up the load ramp
according to an offset pathway, and through the cartridge discharge
window into the mouth of the magazine. The speed loader is
generally tipped to provide gravity feed and the continuous flow of
the stream of cartridges into the magazine is controlled by the
action of the external magazine follower. The cartridges are
stacked so as to contact the external follower before beginning the
loading operation, and "follow" the external follower as they flow
into the magazine. Surprisingly, the vertical height of the
cartridge discharge window is less then the vertical length of the
cartridges, but feed lips and load ramp are spaced to cooperatively
direct said plurality of cartridges in single-file, angled rim-end
first, along an offset path or "jog" through the cartridge
discharge window and into a magazine, such that the plurality of
cartridges flow as a continuous stream of cartridges under gravity
under control of the action of an external magazine follower.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the magazine receiving adaptor
includes a gate mechanism for blocking the cartridge discharge
window when no magazine is present. Multiple magazine receiving
adaptors or "mag well" adaptors may be offered to allow use of the
speed loader with various kinds of magazines having a low rake
angle or curvature such as is found in rifle magazines. The speed
loader may also include a push rod for tamping cartridges toward
the cartridge discharge window and a storage trough for receiving
an excess of cartridges so that multiple magazines may be quickly
loaded.
[0018] In another aspect, the invention is method for loading
rimmed cartridges into a firearm magazine having an external
follower, which comprises providing a speed loader of the
invention. Method steps include (a) aligning cartridges in a row,
side-by-side, nose down, in a channel defined by parallel inside
sidewalls in the body of the speed loader, the sidewalls having
opposing lateral rails dimensioned for slideably supporting the
cartridges nosedown and pendant from their rims; the channel having
a first end with a cartridge receiving slot disposed on a superior
aspect and a second end terminating in a cartridge articulator; (b)
attaching an empty magazine to engage the cartridge articulator,
the cartridge articulator comprising a magazine receiving adaptor
disposed to align a magazine at a vertical offset from the loading
channel, a cartridge discharge window defined by feed lips on the
superior aspect of the terminus, wherein the cartridge discharge
window is in communication with a mouth of a magazine, a load ramp
formed as an extension of the bottom surface of the loading channel
on the long axis, the load ramp defining a stationary cam having a
smoothly sloped step face rising from the bottom surface of the
long axis of the loading channel to abut the bottom edge of the
magazine receiving adaptor, wherein the stationary cam is
positioned so that a cartridge discharged from the terminus is
angled rim-first and displaced up between the feed lips and the
bottom edge into a magazine by the action of the nose of the
cartridge striking the stationary cam; (c) gravity-pouring the
cartridges from the loading channel, through the articulator, and
into the magazine while using the external follower to control the
flow of cartridges, thereby loading the magazine; and, (d)
dismounting the loaded magazine from the magazine receiving
adaptor. Optionally, magazine well adaptors may be made
interchangeably detachable so that various types of ammunition may
be accommodated by speed loaders of the invention.
[0019] These and other aspects of the invention now are described
in more detail with reference to the drawings and the detailed
description given below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] A complete understanding of the present invention may be
obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered
in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in
which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the gun magazine speed loader with a gun magazine inserted and the
lid open and some loose unsorted cartridges lying in the storage
reservoir area.
[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a left view of a preferred embodiment with
sectional views FIG. 3A-3A, FIG. 3B-3B, FIG. 3A-3A is a section
through the "V"-shaped side walls that funnel the cartridges toward
the alignment slot that comprises the loading channel, FIG. 3B-3B
is a section through the storage reservoir area for holding
additional cartridges in excess of what can be loaded in the
loading channel, and FIG. 3C shows a close-up detail view of how
the cartridge is captured by its rim in the loading channel. FIG.
3D illustrates the loading channel section of FIG. 3B-3B without a
cartridge.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a left view of a preferred embodiment from which
detail views FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D are taken. FIG.
4A is a close-up detail view of the divider sorting ramp which
helps in separating cartridges from the loading channel and storage
reservoir, FIG. 4B is a close-up detail view of the back wall ramp
which helps to funnel cartridges into the loading channel, and FIG.
4C is a close-up detail view of the cartridge load ramp and how it
articulates the cartridge for insertion into the magazine. FIG. 4D
is a detail view of the cartridge articulator without cartridges in
view, and illustrates the vertical and horizontal offset of the
load ramp.
[0025] FIG. 5A is a right perspective view of a detail area of the
magazine receiving well.
[0026] FIG. 5B is a left perspective view of a detail area of the
magazine receiving well.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a front view of a preferred embodiment from which
section views FIG. 6A-6A and FIG. 6B-6B are taken to show a
magazine locking feature: FIG. 6A-6A is a section view showing the
magazine lock, magazine release spring and magazine release button
in the locked position, and FIG. 6B-6B is a section view showing
the magazine lock, magazine release spring and magazine release
button in the unlocked position.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cartridge push rod
assembly.
[0029] FIG. 8A is a left sectional view of a preferred embodiment
showing the first articulated cartridge loading into the magazine
past the feed lips.
[0030] FIG. 8B is a left sectional view showing the first loaded
cartridge seated against the magazine follower with the next
articulated cartridge ready to load.
[0031] FIG. 8C is a left sectional view showing a plurality of
cartridges loaded inside the magazine and stacked against the first
loaded cartridge seated against the magazine follower with the next
articulated cartridge ready to load.
[0032] FIGS. 9A and 9B are comparative views of magazines that
exemplify the difference in rake angle between a typical pistol
magazine (FIG. 9B, such as a Ruger Mark 1, 2 or 3) and the lower
rake angle and curved housing of a typical type of rifle magazine
for rimmed cartridges (FIG. 9A).
[0033] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
gun magazine speed loader, in this preferred embodiment enabling
interchangeable gun magazine receiving wells or adapters.
[0034] FIG. 11A is a left sectional view showing the action of a
spring loaded gate for blocking the loading channel when the
magazine adapter 72 is removed. FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view
showing the action of the gate.
[0035] For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and
components will generally bear the same designations and numbering
throughout the figures. The drawing figures are not necessarily to
scale and are not intended as blueprints. Certain features or
components herein may be shown in somewhat schematic form and some
details of conventional elements may not be shown in the interest
of clarity and conciseness. The drawing figures are hereby made
part of the specification, written description and teachings
disclosed herein.
DESCRIPTION
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 thru FIGS. 9, the drawings describe
preferred embodiments of a gun magazine speed loader 10 designed to
fit a curved GSG-5 22 LR firearm magazine 50, but the invention is
not limited thereto. The speed loader 10 is designed for low-cost
mass-production by plastic injection molding, where the preferred
material is a polycarbonate. The apparatus may be molded, 3D
printed, or machined from suitable materials, including plastics,
composites and/or metals without limitation.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, an interchangeable "mag well"
(72, 74, also termed here a "magazine receiving adapter") may be
used to accommodate different magazine dimensions and arrangements
of the lock mechanism, allowing the apparatus to be used with
magazines made by Umarex, Colt, HK, Uzi, GSG Kalashnikov, Smith and
Wesson MP22, ISSC MK22, or any firearm magazine that incorporates
an external magazine follower 52 for rimmed cartridges. The
mechanism and method of operation is thus generally useful for
loading magazines compatible with rim and rimfire ammunition.
Examples of rimmed handgun cartridges include the .38 Special, .357
Magnum, and .44 Magnum. Rimmed rifle cartridge examples include the
.22 Hornet, .22LR, .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire, and others. However
the same basic construction and methods of operation apply.
[0038] In more detail, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of the speed loader apparatus 10 with a gun magazine 50
inserted, the lid 16 open, and some loose, unsorted cartridges 54
deposited in a storage reservoir 36 area. As exemplified here, the
speed loader assembly may comprise five basic parts: a right half
body 12, a left half body 14, a classifier lid 16, a mag well 48
with magazine lock 28, and a cartridge articulator 49. Cartridge
push rod assembly 18, while helpful to sort the cartridges into the
loading channel (40, FIG. 3D) is not considered necessary for the
operation of the speed loader.
[0039] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of a
speed loader 10. The lid 16 is slideably inserted into the slot in
the left half body 14. The magazine release spring 30 is then
inserted into a counter bored hole in the left half body 14. The
right half body 12 is then slid over the lid 16 and engaged with
the left half body. The right half body is then secured to the left
half body via self tapping screws 34. Magazine lock 28 is then
inserted into the mag well 48 and the magazine release button 32 is
then inserted and secured to the magazine lock assembly. Push rod
22 is inserted from the rear into the groove in between the right
half body and left half body that forms the loading channel (40,
also FIG. 3). The push rod spindles 24 are inserted through the
left half body, push rod 22 and right half body and into the one of
the push rod thumb grip(s) 20 and attached via the push rod screws
26. Then the remaining push rod thumb grip(s) 20 is attached to the
push rod spindles 24 via the push rod screws 26. The gun magazine
50 and magazine follower 52 are shown for reference only.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows a left view of the preferred embodiment of a
speed loader 10 with dashed lines indicating the location of
sectional views FIG. 3A-3A and FIG. 3B-3B. For orientation, the
cartridge loading slot 43 demarcates a "first end" of the speed
loader body (left in this view), and articulator member 49 is
disposed on a "second end" of the body (right in this view).
Cartridges 56 are pendant (nose down, rim up) inside the loading
channel 40 and are free to slide along the loading channel on
lateral rails 41 as described in detailed views FIGS. 3A-3A, 3B-3B,
3C and 3D and also in FIG. 8.
[0041] FIG. 3A-3A shows a section view of the "V"-shaped side walls
38 that form the cartridge trough or funnel 36 that functions as a
classifier, urging the cartridges, nose down, into a bottom slot
(43, FIG. 3C) in the trough that opens into the loading channel 40.
The rims of cartridges 56 falling into the channel will be captured
on lateral rails (41, FIG. 3C) that are disposed on the sidewalls
of the channel and extend along the long axis of the loading
channel from the loading slot 43 to the articulator member 49. The
cartridges are thus aligned, nosedown and pendant on the
contralateral rails 41 of the loading channel 40 as shown in FIG.
3C.
[0042] FIG. 3B-3B shows a section view of the storage reservoir 37
area for holding additional cartridges in excess of what can be
loaded in the loading channel 40. A sectional view of the loading
channel 40 under storage reservoir 37 is shown in detail view FIG.
3D; in this view the loading channel is capped by the base of the
storage reservoir and the cartridges are not shown for clarity.
Lateral slots 15 beneath the rails relate to the sliding action of
the pusher rod assembly 18. Lid 16 is slideable from left to right
to enclose the loading trough and cartridge storage reservoir.
[0043] FIG. 4 is a left section view of the preferred embodiment
from which detail views FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C are taken.
FIG. 4A shows a close-up of the divider sorting ramp 46 which helps
in separating excess cartridges from the loading channel 40 and
loading slot 43, and divides the body trough into a cartridge
storage reservoir 37 on the right of divider 46 and a cartridge
loading trough 36 on the left of divider 46. FIG. 4C shows a
close-up detail view of the back wall ramp 44 which helps to funnel
cartridges into the loading channel 40.
[0044] FIG. 4B shows a close-up detail view the cartridge
articulator 49, showing the oriented cartridges 56 prior to
contacting the cartridge load ramp 42. To load the cartridges, a
magazine is first inserted into mag well 48. The mag well is
positioned at a lateral offset relative to the long axis of the
loading channel 40. In operation, the load ramp tips or
"articulates" cartridge 58 for insertion into the magazine through
cartridge discharge window 80, which terminates the loading
channel. The load ramp can be characterized as forming a
"stationary cam" and performs the function of articulating the
cartridges into the magazine rim first and displaced endwise and up
with respect to the long axis of the loading channel. The load ramp
42 provides a "lateral offset" 42a perpendicular to the long axis
of the loading channel, which assists in articulating the cartridge
and displacing it up into the magazine through window 80. The
structure of the articulator 49 is shown again in FIG. 4D, but
without the cartridges. Load ramp or stationary cam 42 with offset
42a angles the cartridges rim-first and "up" through window 80,
clearing the underside of superior lip of the loading channel,
marked here as feed lips 60. The stationary cam provides a lateral
displacement according to the lateral offset 42a, and is also
longitudinally displaced relative to feed lips 60 by a
"longitudinal offset" 42b. By extending the load ramp beyond or
past the terminus of the upper edge of the loading channel 60, the
cartridges are tipped forward and lifted up at an angle so that
they are directed under and through the feed lips of the magazine
mouth. The load ramp defines a stationary cam having a smoothly
sloped step face rising from the bottom surface of the long axis of
the loading channel to abut the bottom edge of the magazine
receiving adaptor, which is displaced from the bottom surface by a
vertical offset. The stationary cam is positioned so that a
cartridge discharged from the terminus is angled rim-first and
displaced up between said feed lips and said bottom edge into a
magazine by the action of the nose of the cartridge striking the
stationary cam. The articulator is a technical feature of the
invention.
[0045] Thus the cartridge discharge window 80 is at an angle, and
the plane of the window is broken first by the forwardly-angled
rimmed-end of the cartridge and the nose of the cartridge is
displaced up and out of the long axis of the loading channel as it
slides along the bottom surface of the load ramp 42. Surprisingly,
the vertical height of window 80 (perpendicular to the long axis of
the loading channel) is less than the vertical length of the
cartridge 56 and is the hypotenuse of a triangle marked by
dimensions 42a and 42b. The window, feed lips, and loading ramp
form an offset path that guides the cartridge into the magazine as
the external follower is drawn away from the mag well adaptor and
down the length of the magazine. In this way curved magazines and
low-rake angle magazines are successfully loaded, an advance in the
art.
[0046] In typical operation, the loader is tipped to a
near-vertical or a vertical position during the loading operation,
and as will be shown in FIGS. 8A through 8C, so that the
"articulation" of the cartridge involves a tipping motion and a
lateral motion into the magazine under the control of the external
follower. Thus in FIG. 4 the load ramp can be characterized as
providing a vertical lift, but in FIG. 8 the ramp directs a lateral
displacement, the terms being relative to the position of the
loader body. As previously indicated, the magazine is inserted into
the magazine well at an offset from the long axis of the loading
channel, and thus the load ramp forms a sloped step or "offset
path" that displaces the bottom surface of the loading channel,
matching it to the level of the offset while also causing the
cartridge to tip rim-first as will be described in more detail in
operational views shown in FIG. 8.
[0047] FIG. 5A shows a right perspective view of a detail of mag
well 48 and the magazine release button 32. Shown is cartridge
window 80 inside the open jaws of the mag well. Alignment slots are
visible where the gun magazine 50 will be inserted. The locking
mechanism (28, FIG. 5B) engages the magazine to prevent accidental
dislodgement during the loading operation. In this embodiment, the
mag well is molded into the speed loader body and is formed from
right and left mag well member halves, but as described below
(referencing FIG. 9), interchangeable mag wells may be provided,
each attaching to the second end of the speed loader body over the
cartridge window in proper alignment for use. FIG. 5B shows a left
perspective view of a detail area of the mag well 48 and the
magazine lock 28. Again depicted are alignment slots where the gun
magazine 50 will be inserted.
[0048] FIG. 6 is a front end view of the preferred embodiment and
depicts the location and orientation of sectional views FIG. 6A-6A
and FIG. 6B-6B. In this view, the cartridge window 80 with lateral
rails is visible at the center of the magazine receiving member 48.
Also shown is an end view of the load ramp 42. FIGS. 6A-6A and
6B-6B correspond to "locked" and "unlocked" (released) positions of
the magazine locking mechanism 28. FIG. 6A-6A shows a section view
showing the magazine lock 28, magazine release spring 30 and
magazine release button 32 in the locked position. FIG. 6B-6B show
the magazine lock 28, magazine release spring 30 and magazine
release button 32 in the unlocked position.
[0049] FIG. 7 shows a left perspective of the cartridge push rod
assembly 18 showing the push rod 22, push rod spindles 24, push rod
thumb grip(s) 20 with push rod screws 26. The cartridge push rod
assembly, while included in the preferred embodiment, is not
absolutely required nor would the absence of it negate the
functionality of the speed loader.
[0050] FIG. 8A is a left sectional view showing a first articulated
cartridge 58 angled for loading rim-first into the magazine past
the feed lips 60 of the articulator 49. The tipping action follows
contact of the cartridge nose with the load ramp 42 and occurs as
the cartridge rim slides off the lateral rails 41 (FIGS. 3C and 4D)
and clears the feed lips 60 of the articulator member. The load
ramp is a bend, slope, knuckle, smooth-faced step, or articulation
in the bottom surface of channel 40 and displaces the cartridge
laterally, rim-first, "under" and past the feed lips and into the
mouth of the magazine, which is offset from the loading channel by
a defined step, offset or increment. The load ramp thus forms a
stationary cam and the cartridge nose a cam follower. This
articulation process is controlled by the rate at which the
magazine follower 52 is drawn down the length of the gun magazine
50.
[0051] FIG. 8B shows the first loaded cartridge 62 seated against
the magazine follower with the next articulated cartridge 58 ready
to load by continuing the downward pull applied to the external
magazine follower.
[0052] FIG. 8C shows a left sectional view showing a plurality of
loaded cartridges 64 inside the magazine and palisaded behind the
first loaded cartridge 62. The next articulated cartridge 58 ready
to load. During loading, the cartridges remain in single file,
side-to-side, with rim up and nose down as they enter the magazine
behind the follower. As shown, the external follower descends the
length of the magazine during this process.
[0053] In actual operation, a continuous stream of cartridges fall
by gravity feed through the "articulator", (49, which is defined by
the load ramp 42 and the feed lips 60 defining the headspace at the
open end 80 of the loading channel, FIGS. 8A through 8C), the
headspace joining the loading channel 40 with the cartridge
receiving track or channel inside the magazine. The cartridges must
follow the offset pathway or jog in the channel. The
cartridge-receiving track in the magazine is offset (42a, 42b )
from the loading channel as shown in FIG. 4D. Load ramp 42 serves
to tilt and displace each cartridge, rim-end first, under the
magazine lips as the cartridges stream out of the speed loader and
slide in single file up into the offset cartridge track or channel
inside the magazine. Performance wise, the cartridges are free to
trail contactingly behind the magazine follower at almost a
"gravity freefall" speed because there are no moving parts in the
speed loader to slow the loading operation. In practice, the
external follower can be drawn back so quickly that the cartridges
appear to fall as a continuous stream into the magazine.
[0054] FIGS. 9A and 9B are comparative views that exemplify the
difference in rake angle between two magazines, the first a typical
Ruger Mark 1, 2 or 3 pistol magazine 66 (FIG. 9B) and second a
typical rifle magazine 50 (FIG. 9A) operative with exemplary
embodiments of the invention. The rake angle 68 of the pistol
magazine is about 52 degrees; the rake angle of the rifle magazine
is about 82 degrees, and the rifle magazine is curved to
accommodate higher power casings.
[0055] FIG. 10 illustrates the concept of detachably
interchangeable magazine receiving adaptors: a selection of
customized "mag well adaptor" models that can be fitted to a
universal slot 100 over the cartridge window 80 on a stock speed
loader. Here the standard body of the speed loader includes a
slotted receptacle for fitting a mag well adaptor. The figure shows
a perspective view of a preferred embodiment having the capacity to
accept either of two alternate magazine well adapter models, while
not limited to only two. As illustrated here, the main body 70
provides the sorting and reservoir functions, but allows the user
to swap out different magazine well adapters. Shown are
interchangeable magazine well adapter 72 compatible with a first
magazine 50 and magazine well adapter 74 compatible with an
alternate gun magazine 76. Since most firearms have their own
unique magazine (and may also use different ammunition for
different types of shooting) an adapter specific to each magazine
or use may be provided in combination with the main housing 70.
[0056] FIG. 11A shows a left sectional view of the spring loaded
gate mechanism with gate 78 that slides up to block the loading
channel 40 whenever magazine well adapter 72 is removed. The gate
spring 82 supplies the upward force necessary to raise the gate 78
once the pressure has been released from the gate via the gate
depressor tab 84. When a magazine well adapter is inserted back
into the main housing 70 the gate tab pushes down onto the gate to
open the cartridge discharge window 80, shown here as a cutout in
the gate 78. FIG. 11B shows a front sectional view of the spring
loaded gate 78 demonstrating how the cartridge window in the gate
is raised to block the cartridges from exiting the loading channel
40.
[0057] In the above description, for purposes of definition,
general connection terms including, but not limited to "connected,"
"attached," and "affixed" are not meant to be limiting and
structures so "associated" may have other ways of being associated.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms "first," "second,"
"third," and "fourth" are meant solely for purposes of designation
and not for order or limitation. Reference to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," or an "aspect," means that a particular feature,
structure, step, combination or characteristic described in
connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least
one realization of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of
the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various
places throughout this specification are not necessarily all
referring to the same embodiment and may apply to multiple
embodiments. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or
characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments. It should be noted that the
terms "may," "can," and "might" are used to indicate alternatives
and optional features and only should be construed as a limitation
if specifically included in the claims. It should be noted that the
various components, features, steps, or embodiments thereof are all
"preferred" whether or not it is specifically indicated. Claims not
including a specific limitation should not be construed to include
that limitation. The term "a" or "an" as used in the claims does
not exclude a plurality. Unless the context requires otherwise,
throughout the specification and claims that follow, the term
"comprise" and variations thereof, such as, "comprises" and
"comprising" are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense that
is as "including, but not limited to." "Conventional" refers to a
term or method designating that which is known and commonly
understood in the technology to which this invention relates.
[0058] To assist in understanding, "cartridge articulator" refers
generally to a structure 49 for articulating rimmed cartridges in
single file into an open mouth of a magazine under control of an
external follower 52. The structure includes a load ramp forming a
stationary cam positioned at the terminus of the loading channel,
the load ramp having a smooth sloping face configured so as to
articulate the cartridge into a rim-first angled position and then
to displace the cartridge by a defined offset from the longitudinal
axis of the loading channel, the direction of the displacement
being such as to push the rim-end of the cartridge along an offset
path defined superiorly by the feed lips of the loading channel and
inferiorly by the sloping face or step of the load ramp, which
terminates in an abutment level with the lower edge of the mouth of
the magazine. Thus as shown in FIG. 4D, the load ramp 42 is
positioned with an off-axis displacement or offset in the vertical
dimension and a long-axis displacement or offset in the horizontal
dimension (relative to the feed lips 60), where the off-axis
displacement, termed herein a "lateral offset", is marked as 42a
and the longitudinal axis displacement is marked as 42b. In FIG. 8,
the body of the loader is held vertically, so that the path of the
cartridges flowing through the offset path is seen to be
characterized by an angulation of the cartridge and a lateral "jog"
or displacement to the right as it passes "under" feed lips 60 and
into the magazine 50, which was not shown for clarity in FIG. 4.
Magazines having external followers are commercially available and
are not directly a part of the invention. Advantageously, the
invention permits speed loading of many magazines, particularly
those having curved tracks and/or low-rake angle entry, an advance
in the art and a long sought solution to a difficult problem.
[0059] For purposes of explanation and understanding, relative
terms must be construed as such. For example, the terms "under" or
"beneath" is meant to be relative to the terms "over" or "above",
the term "right" is meant to be relative to the term "left," the
term "vertical" is meant to be relative to the term "horizontal,"
the term "front" is meant to be relative to the term "back," the
terms "upper" or "superior" are meant to be relative to the terms
"lower" or :"inferior", the term "top" is meant to be relative to
the term "bottom," the term "inside" is meant to be relative to the
term "outside," and so forth. Thus relative terms must be construed
relative to the orientation of the speed loader body and loading
channel, and/or to the direction of gravitational force, and are to
be interpreted as would be understood by one skilled in the
art.
WORKING EXAMPLES
[0060] Speed loaders were designed and made for pistol and rifle
magazines. Models tested include the Walther P22 pistol and the GSG
MP5 caliber 22LR, GSG AK-47 caliber 22LR, Umarex HK416 caliber
22LR, Umarex MP5 caliber 22LR, Umarex Colt M4 caliber 22LR, Umarex
Uzi caliber 22LR, Smith & Wesson MP15-22 caliber 22LR rifles.
Operating characteristics are as described for the preferred
embodiment below. These magazines have in common an external
follower and are built for rimmed cartridges.
[0061] Other pistols for which a speed loader of the invention may
be developed include the Ruger SR22, Smith & Wesson MRP-22, Sig
Mosquito, ISSC MK22 pistols and the Remington 522 caliber 22LR and
ISSC MK22 caliber 22LR rifles.
[0062] Regarding cartridge types, caliber is not a limiting factor
in operation of a magazine and speed loader. For magazines have an
external follower, a partial list of ammunition calibers includes
the following types--1. Rifle cartridges: .22 LR, .22 Short, .17
Hornady Mach 2, .22 Winchester Magnum, 8.times.50R Lebel,
7.62.times.54R 7N1, 8.times.56R Steyr, .30 Army, .303 British or
.600 Nitro Express; 2. Pistol Cartridges: .22 LR, .22 Short, .25
ACP, .32 S&W Short, .32 Short Colt, .38 S&W, .38 Short
Colt, .32 Long Colt, .32 S&W Long, .38/200 Mkllz, .45 Auto Rim,
.455 Webley Mkll, .44 S&W Russian, .32 H&R Magnum, .17
Hornady Magnum Rimfire, .38 Long Colt, .45 S&W Schofield, 8 mm
Lebel (8.times.27.5R), .38 S&W Special, .44 S&W Special,
.357 S&W Magnum, .41 Remington Magnum, .357 Maximum, while not
limited thereto. For cartridges of a different caliber, the loading
channel 40, contralateral rails 41, loading slot 43, and
articulator 49 may readily be modified according to the dimensions
of the cartridges, and thus with simple modifications of the speed
loader, an equivalent speed loader may be provided, such that the
ammunition type is not limited to .22LR ammunition.
Operation of a Preferred Embodiment
[0063] In an exemplary working example, the speed loader 10 was
placed on a reasonably horizontal surface to support it or held
horizontally. A mag well for the desired gun magazine 50 was
attached as shown in FIG. 10. The lid 16 was slid to the open
position, the cartridge push rod assembly 18 was retracted to its
rearward position, and a plurality of cartridges were poured into
the storage reservoir 36 and cartridge loading trough 37. The gun
magazine 50 was inserted into the mag well receptacle 48 and locked
into place. The lid 16 was closed and the user rocked the speed
loader back and forth gently to drop the cartridges into the
loading channel 40. The cartridge push rod assembly 18 may be used
during this process to help tamp the cartridges along the loading
channel 40 towards the inserted gun magazine. Once a plurality of
cartridges (sufficient to fill the magazine) are aligned into the
loading channel, the speed loader was tilted towards vertical so
that the gun magazine is beneath the speed loader body. The
magazine follower 52 was then pulled downward in a smooth motion.
Surprisingly, retracting the magazine follower can be performed
very rapidly, such that the cartridges appear to flow through the
articulator as if free-falling in gravity. Cartridges were observed
to follow the motion of the magazine follower in continuous single
file without jamming. The speed loader was then returned to a
horizontal position and the fully loaded gun magazine was released
from the magazine engagement lock by pressing button 32. No loose
cartridges fell from the body. Additional same type gun magazines
may be loaded by repeating the above steps, or different gun
magazines of the same caliber may be loaded by installing a
suitable magazine well adapter and repeating the steps above. There
is no need to retract the external magazine follower before
loading, and doing so is disadvantageous because it can disrupt the
smooth flow of the cartridges into the magazine and cause
jamming.
[0064] Other modifications, substitutions and changes to fit
particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent
to those skilled in the art. Therefore the invention is not limited
to the example or examples chosen for purposes of disclosure, and
covers all changes, substitutions and modifications which do not
constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this
invention in all its forms.
[0065] Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be
protected by Letters Patent is presented in the Claims, which are
made a part of the specification and disclosure herein.
* * * * *