U.S. patent application number 14/035464 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-27 for speed loader for large caliber multi-shot weapon.
The applicant listed for this patent is Marc J. Celona, David G. Kent, James W. Teetzel. Invention is credited to Marc J. Celona, David G. Kent, James W. Teetzel.
Application Number | 20140082984 14/035464 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50337467 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140082984 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kent; David G. ; et
al. |
March 27, 2014 |
SPEED LOADER FOR LARGE CALIBER MULTI-SHOT WEAPON
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are provided for fast loading a plurality
of cartridges into a magazine for holding cartridges, such as the
magazine of a large caliber multi-shot weapon. In various
embodiments, the apparatus includes a cartridge receptacle disposed
between a retention wheel and a knob. The knob is rotatably
attached to the cartridge receptacle and fastened to the retention
wheel. The knob has a locked and an unlocked position. In the
locked position, the cartridges placed in the receptacle are
engaged by the retention wheel. In the unlocked position, the
cartridges are released from the retention wheel.
Inventors: |
Kent; David G.; (Morehead
City, NC) ; Teetzel; James W.; (Portsmouth, NH)
; Celona; Marc J.; (Dover, NH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kent; David G.
Teetzel; James W.
Celona; Marc J. |
Morehead City
Portsmouth
Dover |
NC
NH
NH |
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50337467 |
Appl. No.: |
14/035464 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61704744 |
Sep 24, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/88 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 9/83 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/88 |
International
Class: |
F41A 9/83 20060101
F41A009/83 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for fast loading a plurality of cartridges into a
magazine, the apparatus comprising: a cartridge receptacle having
cavities for accommodating the plurality of cartridges wherein the
cavities surround a central area; a retention wheel received in the
central area and having a shaft extending through an opening in the
central area, wherein the shaft defines an axis for rotation of the
retention wheel; and a knob rotatably attached to the cartridge
receptacle on a side opposite the cavities by a fastener engaging
the shaft, wherein the knob is movable and has a locked and an
unlocked position, wherein in the locked position cartridges placed
in the receptacle are engaged by the retention wheel, and in the
unlocked position the cartridges are released from the retention
wheel.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magazine is part
of a large caliber multi-shot weapon.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retention wheel
has a plurality of projections extending radially outward therefrom
and capable of engaging the plurality of cartridges.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fastener engages
a complementary receptacle on the shaft.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end of the shaft
engaging with the fastener has a shape that fits into a keyed
receptacle formed on the inward facing surface of the knob.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the knob is one or
more of notched, fluted, knurled, or textured to enhance a user's
grip while rotating the knob.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge
receptacle has an upstanding boss on a surface opposite the central
area, the upstanding boss received within an aligned, facing, like
sized cavity on the knob.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the boss has a
central opening for receiving the shaft, and a plurality of
openings surrounding the central opening.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a
plurality of springs, wherein each spring has a proximal and a
distal end, and is received into one of the plurality of openings
in the boss through the proximal end.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a detent
attached to the distal end of each spring of the plurality of
springs, and for each spring of the plurality of springs, first and
second recesses configured to selectively and removably receive the
detent.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein in the locked
position of the knob each detent is received in the first recess
and the plurality of projections of the retention wheel engage the
plurality of cartridges.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein in the unlocked
position of the knob each detent is received in the second recess
and the projections of the retention wheel occupy a position
between the cavities of the cartridge receptacle out of engagement
with the plurality of cartridges.
13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the detents and
the first and second recesses are rounded to facilitate the
movement of the detents in and out of the first and second
recesses.
14. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a
stopping mechanism limiting the degree of rotation of the knob
relative to the cartridge receptacle, the stopping mechanism
comprising at least one pin on the knob running in a corresponding
arcuate channel on the cartridge receptacle.
15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of
cavities in the cartridge receptacle is in the range of 2 to
12.
16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of
cavities in the cartridge receptacle is 6.
17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cavities of the
cartridge receptacle are sized to accommodate ammunition cartridges
having a caliber of about 30-40 millimeters.
18. A method of using the apparatus of claim 1 for fast loading a
plurality of cartridges into a magazine, the method comprising:
inserting a plurality of cartridges into the cartridge receptacle;
turning the knob into a locked position thereby engaging the
plurality of cartridges with the plurality of projections of the
retention wheel; aligning the plurality of cartridges with a
plurality of chambers in the magazine and sliding the plurality of
cartridges into the plurality of chambers; and turning the knob to
an unlocked position to disengage each of the plurality of
cartridges from the plurality of projections of the retention
wheel, and moving the cartridge receptacle away from the
weapon.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the magazine is part
of a large caliber multi-shot weapon.
20. A method of using the apparatus of claim 12 for fast loading a
plurality of cartridges into a magazine, the method comprising:
inserting a plurality of cartridges into the cartridge receptacle;
turning the knob into a locked position thereby engaging the
plurality of cartridges with the plurality of projections of the
retention wheel; aligning the plurality of cartridges with a
plurality of chambers in the magazine and sliding the plurality of
cartridges into the plurality of chambers; and turning the knob to
an unlocked position to disengage each of the plurality of
cartridges from the plurality of projections of the retention
wheel, and moving the cartridge receptacle away from the
weapon.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the magazine is part
of a large caliber multi-shot weapon.
22. The method according to claim 20, wherein turning the knob to
the locked position further comprises receiving the detent on the
distal end of each of the plurality of springs in the first
complementary recesses provided on the knob.
23. The method according to claim 20, wherein turning the knob to
the unlocked position further comprises receiving the detent on the
distal end of each of the plurality of springs in second
complementary recesses provided on the knob.
24. A method for fast loading a plurality of cartridges into a
revolver style magazine of a weapon, the method comprising:
inserting a plurality of cartridges into the cavities of a
cartridge receptacle disposed between a turning knob and a rotating
wheel, each cartridge having a base end and a tip end, the base end
leading the tip end during insertion, wherein the retention wheel
is capable of engaging the base end of the cartridge; turning the
knob into a locked position thereby engaging the plurality of
cartridges by the retention wheel, aligning the plurality of
cartridges with a plurality of chambers in the magazine and sliding
the plurality of cartridges into the plurality of chambers; and
turning the knob to an unlocked position thereby disengaging the
cartridges from the retention wheel, and moving the cartridge
receptacle away from the weapon.
25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the magazine is part
of a large caliber multi-shot weapon.
26. The method according to claim 24, wherein engaging the
plurality of cartridges by the retention wheel comprises engaging a
rim present at the base end of each cartridge of the plurality of
cartridges by one of a plurality of projections extending radially
outward from the retention wheel.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional
application Ser. No. 61/704,744 filed Sep. 24, 2012 entitled "Speed
loader for large caliber multi-shot weapon," inventors David G.
Kent, James W. Teetzel, and Mark J. Celona. The foregoing
provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to man-portable,
large caliber multi-shot weapons and, more particularly, to a speed
loader which provides fast and reliable loading of ammunition
rounds. Although the present invention will be described herein
primarily by way of reference to a speed loader for a grenade
launcher, it will be recognized that the present invention herein
can be adapted for use with all manner of weapons and projectiles,
including without limitation anti-riot rounds, less than lethal
rounds, flares, pyrotechnics, tear gas or like irritant canisters,
and the like.
[0003] Large-caliber, multi-shot weapons employing a revolver-style
magazine are generally known, such as the Milkor Multiple Grenade
Launcher (MGL). These weapons offer an advantage over traditional
single-shot weapons in that multiple rounds can rapidly be brought
to bear on a target. However, the rounds must be manually loaded
into the chambers 164 of the magazine 162 of a weapon 160 one at a
time, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a time consuming process. Because
time is of the essence in military, combat, law enforcement and
like situations, it would be desirable to provide a loading device
for large caliber weapon that substantially reduces the time
required for a user to load rounds into the weapon. Although speed
loader devices exist for small-caliber firearm revolvers, there
still exists a need for a speed loader for the rapid loading and
reloading of multi-shot grenade launchers and other large-caliber
multi-shot weapons.
SUMMARY
[0004] Apparatus and methods are provided for fast loading a
plurality of cartridges into a magazine for holding cartridges.
[0005] An embodiment of the invention is an apparatus for fast
loading a plurality of cartridges into a magazine. The apparatus
includes a cartridge receptacle having cavities for accommodating
the plurality of cartridges such that the cavities surround a
central area. A retention wheel has a shaft extending from the
rearward facing side of the wheel and inserted through an opening
in the central area, wherein the shaft defines an axis for rotation
of the wheel. A knob is rotatably attached to the rearward facing
side of the receptacle by a fastener engaging the shaft, such that
the knob is movable and has a locked and an unlocked position. In
the locked position, the cartridges placed in the receptacle are
engaged by the retention wheel, and in the unlocked position, the
cartridges are released from the retention wheel. For example, the
magazine is a part of a large caliber multi-shot weapon; a machine
for shooting flares, tear gas or like irritants, or other
projectiles.
[0006] In related embodiments of the invention, the retention wheel
has a plurality of projections extending radially outward, the
projections capable of engaging the plurality of cartridges.
Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus in which the
projections of the shaft are capable of engaging the cartridges
through a rim at the base of the cartridge. In other related
embodiments, the fastener engages a complementary receptacle on the
shaft. For example, the fastener is threaded and is capable of
engaging a complementary threaded receptacle in the shaft. In
further, more limited embodiments, the end of the shaft engaging
with the fastener has a shape that fits into a complementary or
keyed receptacle formed on the inward facing surface of the
knob.
[0007] According to other embodiments of the invention, the
retention wheel is received in the central area of the cartridge
receptacle.
[0008] In various embodiments of the invention, the knob is
notched, fluted, knurled, or otherwise textured to enhance the
user's grip while rotating the knob.
[0009] In other related embodiments, the cartridge receptacle has
an upstanding boss on its rearward facing side, which is received
within a like sized cavity on the forward facing side of the knob.
For example, the boss has a central opening for receiving the
shaft, and a plurality of openings surrounding the central
opening.
[0010] Other related embodiments of the invention include a
plurality of springs, such that each spring has a proximal and a
distal end, and is received into one of the plurality of openings
in the boss through the proximal end.
[0011] Related embodiments of the invention further include a
detent attached to the distal end of each spring of the plurality
of springs, and, for each spring, a pair of complementary recesses
on the knob, the pair comprising first and second complementary
recesses corresponding to each detent. For example, in the locked
position of the knob each spring detent is received in the first
complementary recess and the plurality of projections of the
retention wheel engage the plurality of cartridges. Also, for
example, in the unlocked position of the knob, each spring detent
is received in the second complementary recess and the projections
of the retention wheel occupy a position between the cavities of
the cartridge receptacle, and are thereby moved out of engagement
with the cartridges. In related embodiments, the detents and the
complementary recesses are rounded to facilitate the movement of
the detents in and out of the recesses.
[0012] In a related embodiment of the invention, the apparatus
includes a stopping mechanism for limiting the degree of rotation
of the knob relative to the cartridge receptacle, the stopping
mechanism having at least one pin on the forward facing side of the
knob which runs in a corresponding arcuate groove or channel on the
rearward facing side of the cartridge receptacle.
[0013] In various embodiments of the invention, the number of
cavities in the cartridge receptacle of the apparatus is in the
range of 2-12.
[0014] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the cavities of
the cartridge receptacle are capable of accommodating cartridges
that hold ammunition rounds having a caliber of about 30-40
millimeter, although other caliber ammunition rounds are also
contemplated.
[0015] Other embodiments of the invention are methods of using the
apparatus of any of the embodiments above for fast loading a
plurality of cartridges into a magazine. The method includes
inserting a plurality of cartridges into the cartridge receptacle
and turning the knob to a locked position thereby engaging the
plurality of cartridges with the plurality of projections of the
retention wheel. The plurality of cartridges is aligned with a
corresponding plurality of chambers in the magazine and the
plurality of cartridges is slidably inserted into the corresponding
aligned chamber of the magazine drum of the weapon. The knob is
turned to an unlocked position to disengage each of the plurality
of cartridges from the plurality of projections of the retention
wheel. The cartridge receptacle is moved away from the weapon,
thereby fast loading the cartridges into the weapon. In related
embodiments of the invention, the magazine is part of a large
caliber multi-shot weapon.
[0016] In related embodiments, turning the knob into the locked
position further includes receiving the detent on the distal end of
each of the plurality of springs in the first complementary
recesses provided on the knob. Also, turning the knob into the
unlocked position further comprises receiving the detent on the
distal end of each of the plurality of springs in second
complementary recesses provided on the knob.
[0017] Another embodiment of the invention is a method for fast
loading a plurality of cartridges into a magazine, the method
including inserting a plurality of cartridges into the cavities of
a cartridge receptacle disposed between a turning knob and a
rotating wheel. Each cartridge has a base end and a tip end, the
base end leading the tip end during insertion, such that the
retention wheel is capable of engaging the base end of the
cartridge. The knob is turned to a locked position, thereby
engaging the plurality of cartridges by the retention wheel. The
plurality of cartridges is aligned with a corresponding plurality
of chambers in the magazine and the plurality of cartridges is
slidably inserted into the corresponding aligned chamber of the
magazine drum of the weapon. The knob is turned to an unlocked
position to disengage each of the plurality of cartridges from the
plurality of projections of the retention wheel. The cartridge
receptacle is moved away from the weapon, thereby fast loading the
cartridges into the weapon. In related embodiments of the
invention, the magazine is part of a large caliber multi-shot
weapon. In other related embodiment of the invention, engaging the
plurality of cartridges by the retention wheel includes engaging
the rim present at the base end of each cartridge of the plurality
of cartridges by one of a plurality of projections extending
radially outward from the retention wheel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The invention may take form in various components and
arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements
of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating
preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the
invention.
[0019] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary speed loader
embodiment, taken generally from the rear.
[0020] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the embodiment appearing in
FIG. 1, taken generally from the front.
[0021] FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 1, taken generally from the front and side.
[0022] FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 1, taken generally from the side and rear.
[0023] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the speed loader embodiment
appearing in FIG. 1, with rounds loaded and secured therein.
[0024] FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate the speed loader embodiment
of FIG. 1 with a round locked, unlocked, and removed from the speed
loader, respectively.
[0025] FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate the sequence of steps for loading a
magazine of a weapon using the speed loader embodiment appearing in
FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a photograph illustrating the manual loading of a
multi-shot grenade launcher.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown an exemplary
speed loader 100, which includes a cartridge receptacle member A, a
retention wheel member B, and a knob member C. As used herein, the
terms "front" and "forward" refer to the forward direction relative
to the direction of travel of the projectile to be fired and the
terms "rear" and "rearward" refer to the rearward direction
relative to the direction of travel of the projectile to be
fired.
[0028] The cartridge receptacle A includes a plurality of
cylindrical cavities 102 on the forward facing side of the
cartridge receptacle A for receiving the base ends 106 of the
grenade cartridges 104 or other projectiles to be fired. In
preferred embodiments, the rounds are preferably in the range of
30-40 millimeter caliber rounds, although other round calibers are
also contemplated. The depicted embodiment illustrates a speed
loader embodiment for use with a Milkor MGL, which has a six round
cylinder or magazine. A "magazine" or "cylinder" as used herein
refers to a rotating, revolver style cylinder or drum having a
number of chambers for receiving munitions cartridges. Although the
present invention will be described by way of reference to a
six-chamber magazine, it will be recognized that the speed loader
herein could be adapted for a weapon magazine having any other
number of rounds, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and
other numbers of chambers.
[0029] The cavities 102 surround a central area 110 receiving the
cartridge retention wheel B. The retention wheel B includes a shaft
112 defining an axis of rotation and a plurality of projections 114
extending radially outward therefrom. The shaft 112 extends through
a central opening 116 in the cartridge receptacle member A.
[0030] The knob C is rotatably attached on the rearward facing side
of the cartridge receptacle A by a threaded fastener 120 engaging a
complementary threaded receptacle 122 on the shaft 112. The distal
end of the shaft 124 has a shape that mates with a complementary or
keyed receptacle 126 formed on the inward facing surface of the
knob C. In this manner, rotation of the knob C relative to the
cartridge receptacle A serves to rotate the retention member B. The
knob C may be notched, fluted, knurled, or otherwise textured to
enhance the user's grip when manually rotating the knob C.
[0031] An upstanding boss 130 on the outward facing surface of the
receptacle A is received within a like sized cavity 132 on the
inward facing surface of the knob C. The boss 130 includes a
central opening 134 receiving the shaft 112 and a plurality of
openings 136 for receiving proximal ends of springs 140. A detent
142 is attached to the distal end of each spring 140. Four springs
are shown in the illustrated embodiment, although other numbers of
springs could be employed.
[0032] For each spring biased detent 142 on the boss 130, there is
a corresponding pair of complementary recesses 144a, 144b. When
knob C is turned such that each spring detent 142 is received in
the corresponding recess 144a, the spokes 114 of the retention
wheel B engage the rim 108 formed at the base end 106 of the
munitions cartridge 104, such that the cartridges 104 will be
locked into position within the receptacle A. FIGS. 5 and 6A
illustrate the speed loader 100 herein with the spokes 114 engaging
the rims 108 of the munitions rounds 104 and securing them within
the unit 100.
[0033] When the knob C is turned such that each spring detent 142
is received in the corresponding recess 144b, the spokes 114 of the
retention wheel B are moved to a position midway between the
cartridge receptacles 102, such that the spokes 114 move out of
engagement with the rims 108 of the munitions cartridges 104, to
release the cartridges 104 from the receptacle A. FIGS. 6B and 6C
illustrate the speed loader 100 herein with the spokes 114 moved to
a position disengaging from the rims 108 of the munitions rounds
104 to release them from the unit 100. By providing spring biased
detents 142 and complementary depressions 144a, 144b, the knob C
will click solidly into the desired locked or unlocked position. In
preferred embodiments, rounded detents 150 and complementary
rounded depressions are employed to facilitate the movement of the
detents 150 out of and into engagement with the depressions 144a,
144b.
[0034] A mechanical stop limiting the degree of rotation of the
knob C relative to the cartridge receptacle member A is provided by
pins 150 carried on the knob 130 and corresponding, aligned arcuate
grooves or channels 152 formed on the cartridge receptacle A. The
pins 150 run in the corresponding aligned grooves 152 to limit the
movement of the knob C.
[0035] The operation of the speed loader 100 is illustrated by the
sequence outlined in FIGS. 7A-7D. In operation, the knob C is
rotated until the spokes 114 are at a position intermediate the
receptacle 102 and cartridges are placed in each receptacle 102.
The knob C is then turned until the spokes 114 engage the rims 108
of the corresponding aligned cartridges 104, retaining them in the
receptacles 102. When the spokes 114 engage the cartridge rims 108,
each of the detents 142 is aligned with the corresponding one of
the depressions 144a. The bias of the springs 140 urges the detents
142 into the complementary depressions 144a to secure the knob C in
the locked position.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 7A, the unit 100 with attached rounds 104
is then lined up with the magazine drum or cylinder 162 of the
weapon 160 (see FIG. 8). The cartridges 104 with the speed loader
attached are then inserted into the munitions chambers 164 of the
magazine 162 (see FIG. 7B). The knob C is then manually rotated
relative to the cartridge receptacle member A (see FIG. 7C) and the
munitions rounds 104 are released into the respective chambers of
the magazine 162. When the knob C is moved into the unlocked
position, the spokes 114 are moved to a position intermediate the
receptacles 102 and out of engagement with the cartridges 104. The
bias of the springs 140 urges the detents 142 into the
complementary depressions 144b to secure the knob C in the unlocked
position. The speed loader assembly 100 is then removed from the
magazine 162 (FIG. 7D).
[0037] The description above should not be construed as limiting
the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations
to some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention.
In light of the above description and examples, various other
modifications and variations will now become apparent to those
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
* * * * *