Pocket Clip For Ammunition

Abstract

An ammunition clip for carrying small arms cartridges, comprising parallel opposed squared C-section channels for slidably receiving the bases of cartridges, a strut parallel-spacing the channels, and a member for preventing the cartridges from sliding free of the channels; embodiments include a flat-unfolding one-piece clip, and one-way charging and discharging provisions.

Description

This invention relates generally to storage devices and specifically to clips for holding several rounds of small arms ammunition together for pocket carriage and the like.

Clips for grouping cartridges have been used for many years, particularly by people who frequently reload magazine-type firearms, or who carry a ready supply of cartridges inconspicuously, as in ordinary pockets of wearing apparel. In certain instances, as with revolvers, the chambers must be loaded individually; but convenient access to rounds compactly stored is no less desirable.

In the past, various clips for pocket carriage have been proposed, but in each case some important aspect of safety, convenience or economy has been neglected. Cloth, metal, wood and plastic pocket-containers of various shapes have been tried, but none has found a permanent place in the market as the standard article universally adapted by arms users.

Principal objects of the present invention therefore are to provide a pocket-clip for ammunition-rounds which is at the same time safe, easy to load and unload, compact but capacious, light-weight but protective of the rounds carried, durable but rattle-resistant, and in all embodiments economical to manufacture and to buy.

I embody my invention typically in a clip having parallel opposed cartridge-gripping channels spaced apart one cartridge length by intermediate structure affording access to the mid-bodies of cartridges stored between the flanges, and in structure to retain the cartridges in the clip, to indicate the direction of removal from the clip and to facilitate loading the clip.

These and other advantages and objects of my invention will become apparent on examination of the following description, including the drawings in which:

FIG. 1a and b are respectively a side elevation and a plan section of one embodiment of my invention.

FIG. 1c is a perspective of the same embodiment showing an alternate method of construction.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are perspective views of further embodiments of my invention.

The details of my invention shown in the drawings are as follows:

FIGS. 1a, b and c indicate at 10 the generally " " shaped structure of one embodiment of my invention, consisting of opposed channels 16 and 18 separated by struts 20 and 22 fixed between the channels at one end. As best shown in FIG. 1c, each channel has the shape of a squared "C" in section, with the lateral flanges 24 supporting inwardly returned terminal flanges 26.

The function of the returned flanges is to grip the base groove, or the rim, as the case may be, of cartridges C inserted into the clip, retaining the cartridges in the channels. Two channels are supplied to provide for successive alternative nesting or "nose-to-toes" loading of rounds into the clip to save space.

The center sections of the channels are solid, to protect the bases of the rounds, preventing accidental detonation in carriage or when the clips are dropped.

As best shown in FIG. 1b, provision is made for easy loading of rounds into the clip, and for easy, positive ejection of individual or all rounds from the clip using only one hand if desired. FIG. 1b is a plan section taken through the length of lateral flanges 24 of channel 16, FIG. 1a, although both channels are preferably identical and the Figure in that case represents either channel. Resilient material is necessary to afford the easy charging and discharging feature of the clip. In the FIG. 1 embodiment the channel is preferably made of resilient corrosion-resistant material such as half-hard brass.

At one end of the channel tabs 28 are lanced-out of the lateral flanges 24 and bent inwardly along the length of the flanges at an angle of, for example, 45.degree., sloped away from the near end of the channel. It is easily seen that the base of a round can be snapped into the clip through the funneled opening between the constrictive tabs as indicated by the arrow, and that the round cannot readily be removed through that end of the clip.

Once in the clip, the rounds must be taken from the proper end, the end adjacent the struts. Clips 30, which are formed from the wall as were the previously described clips, are angled inwardly, sloping toward the near end of the channel, and positively retain the rounds in the clip while gently freeing them on application of ejective pressure to the rounds, as indicated by the second arrow. All rounds in the clip can be ejected with one push, if desired. Ejection of the last round is facilitated by the relation between the strut width, or extension of the struts 20, 22, along the length of the channels, and the inwardly bent tabs 30. The struts are sufficiently narrower than the round-diameter, or major diameter of the cartridge, to make possible ejection of the round from between the clips without pressing the trailing contour of the round past the interior edges of the struts, i.e., finger access between the struts is not required. Retention spacing along the channel between the two sets of clips is preferably chosen to be slightly less than a multiple of the diameter of the size round to be retained, so that the rounds are held in a spring-grip longitudinally of the clip, inhibiting rattling. The asymmetrical design of the clip not only provides access, but also indicates to the touch at which end of the clip the rounds are to be ejected, without necessity for looking.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment, 200, of my invention, in which one strut 220 extends the length of the channels and the second strut is deleted from the design, giving complete access to the rounds along one side of the clip, while supporting the channels securely. Details of the channels and tabs are preferably similar to those as described in reference to the FIG. 1 embodiment. The flanges 227 may be crimped in the strut 220 as shown, or may be extruded as ribs along the strut if the clip is made by extrusion.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show further embodiments of my invention which are similar in shape except for the closure method. In these embodiments the channels have the same cartridge-gripping flange structure as in the previous embodiments, but the strut (323, 423, 523 in the respective embodiments) joining the channels at one end closes that end. Rounds are both loaded and ejected between the free ends of the channels.

In FIG. 3, a closure-strap 332 is supplied as an integral part of the clip, either by being extruded or molded as part of it, or by being attached to it. The strap depends from the free end of one channel, 316, in a hinged manner. The strap may be flexible and form the hinge as shown (particularly if integrally molded of plastic with the clip) or it may have a mechanical pivotal connection to the channel. The free end of the strap has an attaching shape, such as the necked down protrusion 334 shown, which detachably connects with a complementary shape 336 integral with the other arm to form a closed rectangular clip. Spacing between the strap and the strut, and strap-length, should be such as to inhibit rattling. If the clip is a one-piece molding or extrusion of flexible plastic such as polyethylene, or is otherwise articulated, the clip corner seams 348, 350, need not be joined seams, in which case the clip can be unfolded to a flat strip configuration for shipping, storage and the like.

The FIG. 4 embodiment is similar to the FIG. 3 embodiment except that the free ends of the channels have end-structure 438, 440 adapted to retain an elastic band 442 which acts as a cartridge retaining closure on the clip. Hooks are shown, but other structure may be equivalently substituted. An endless spiral-spring or a rubber band or bands may be used for the purpose, depending on the service and tension required. Spacing between the strut and the band should be such as to inhibit rattling.

FIG. 5, a section of a channel, shows at 544, 546, two-way detents having equal slopes in each direction which retain the round positively and yet release them readily on application of force in the proper direction.

In all the embodiments it can be seen that the cartridges held are protected, for example, the noses of rounds typically are less in diameter than the spacing between the returned flanges, and will not be scored by the flanges.

Instead of paired opposed tabs, one tab or detent can be used at each end of the channels in the embodiments using tabs or detents.

Material of the clip can be brass as noted, or other appropriate material such as high density polyethylene, polycarbonate, and the like, and fabrication can be by welding, molding, extruding, or by combinations of methods, since the basic design of this invention is deliberately made as simple as function permits, to facilitate large-scale low-cost production.

It can be seen that the various features for regulating charging and discharging of the device, and the flat-unfolding feature, can be adapted to several of the embodiments.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

I claim:

1. An ammunition clip for carrying small arms cartridges, comprising: coextensive uniform-section channels in parallel-opposed relation, each of said channels being a squared "C" in section with co-planar lateral flanges spaced for slidably gripping the rims of bases of cartridges, first and second struts connecting the respective sides of the channels at one end of the channels, said struts spaced for allowing cartridges to pass freely therebetween, and retaining tabs inwardly protrusive from the sidewalls of the channels at the ends of the channels for thereby engaging the rims of bases of cartridges, all said retaining tabs being angled toward the ends of the channels connected by the struts for thereby permitting cartridge ejection only between the struts, the width of each strut being uniform and less than the major diameter of cartridges insertable in the clip, thereby permitting ejective application of pressure on the retained ends of the cartridges between and proximate the channels.