Magazine loading device and method for loading a magazine

Abstract

A magazine loader having a base member and support members, the base member being configured to sit upon the magazine fixed to a rifle, the base member having a first end wall, a second end wall, and a pair of sidewalls defining a rectangular shape, wherein the first end wall has an opening that allows the base member to sit upon the magazine fixed to a rifle, wherein an entirety of the second end wall and an entirety of each of the sidewalls are coplanar, wherein the support members have a first support member and a second support member each extending from a top surface of the base member, wherein the first support member has a plurality of support lips that forms a channel that is capable of accepting a retainer strip of cartridges, and wherein the second support member receives a bullet end of a cartridge, and related methods.

Claims

1. A magazine loader for loading a magazine that is fixed to an AR-10 or AR-15 rifle having a bolt catch and release mechanism, comprising a base member and support members, the base member being configured to sit upon the magazine that is fixed to an AR-10 or AR-15 rifle having a bolt catch and release mechanism, the base member having a first end wall, a second end wall, and a pair of sidewalls defining a rectangular shape, wherein the first end wall has an opening that allows the base member to sit upon the magazine that is fixed to the AR-10 or AR-15 rifle such that the bolt catch and release mechanism does not interfere with the base member sitting upon the magazine, wherein an entirety of the second end wall, and an entirety of each of the sidewalls are coplanar, wherein the support members comprise a first support member and a second support member each extending from a top surface of the base member, wherein the first support member has support lips that form a channel that is capable of accepting a retainer strip of one or more cartridges, and wherein the second support member receives a bullet end of the one or more cartridges.

2. A magazine loader for loading a magazine that is fixed to an AR-10 or AR-15 rifle having a bolt catch and release mechanism, the magazine loader comprising a base member, a support member, and a pushing mechanism, the pushing mechanism comprising a handle and a push bar, wherein the base member is configured to sit upon the magazine that is fixed to an AR-10 or AR-15 rifle having a bolt catch and release mechanism, the base member having a first end wall, a second end wall, and a pair of sidewalls defining a rectangular shape, wherein the first end wall has an opening that allows the base member to sit upon the magazine that is fixed to the AR-10 or AR-15 rifle such that the bolt catch and release mechanism does not interfere with the base member sitting upon the magazine, wherein an entirety of the second end wall, and an entirety of each of the sidewalls are coplanar, wherein the support member extends from a top surface of the base member and has a plurality of sidewalls, a rear wall, and a front wall that together define a rectangular shape, wherein the support member has support lips that form a channel that is capable of accepting a retainer strip of one or more cartridges and is capable of receiving a bullet end of the one or more cartridges opposite to the support lips, wherein the push bar contains a plurality of guiding members and a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion extends from the push bar in a direction of both the support member, wherein each of the plurality of sidewalls includes a groove having a shape that corresponds to a shape of one of the plurality of guiding members, and wherein the pushing mechanism slidably engages with the grooves in the plurality of sidewalls.

3. The magazine loader of claim 2, further comprising a lid portion that engages with a hinge to allow the lid portion to swing away from the support member and one or more locking tabs on the front wall of the support member, wherein the lid portion comprises a cutout that has substantially the same shape as a cross section of the push bar, allowing the pushing mechanism to be engaged through the lid portion.

4. The magazine loader of claim 1, wherein the magazine loader is plastic.

5. The magazine loader of claim 2, wherein the magazine loader is plastic.

6. The magazine loader of claim 3, wherein the magazine loader is plastic.

7. A method of loading a magazine that is fixed to an AR-10 or AR-15 rifle having a bolt catch and release mechanism comprising exposing a top of the magazine, placing the magazine loader of claim 1 which has been loaded with one or more cartridges onto an exposed portion of the top of the magazine such that the bolt catch and release mechanism does not interfere with the magazine loader sitting upon the magazine, placing a downward force upon the cartridges located in the magazine loader to press the cartridges through the magazine loader and into the magazine, thereby loading the rifle having the magazine fixed thereto.

8. A method of loading a magazine that is fixed to an AR-10 or AR-15 rifle having a bolt catch and release mechanism comprising exposing a top of the magazine, placing the magazine loader of claim 2 which has been loaded with one or more cartridges onto an exposed portion of the top of the magazine such that the bolt catch and release mechanism does not interfere with the magazine loader sitting upon the magazine, placing a downward force upon the pushing mechanism to push the cartridges located in the magazine loader through the magazine loader and into the magazine, thereby loading the rifle having the magazine fixed thereto.

9. A method of loading a magazine that is fixed to an AR-10 or AR-15 rifle having a bolt catch and release mechanism comprising exposing a top of the magazine, placing the magazine loader of claim 3 which has been loaded with one or more cartridges onto an exposed portion of the top of the magazine such that the bolt catch and release mechanism does not interfere with the magazine loader sitting upon the magazine, placing a downward force upon the pushing mechanism to push the cartridges located in the magazine loader through the magazine loader and into the magazine, thereby loading the rifle having the magazine fixed thereto.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the magazine loader described herein.

(2) FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the magazine loader described herein having a pushing mechanism.

(3) FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a pushing mechanism.

(4) FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the magazine loader described herein having a pushing mechanism engaged therewith.

(5) FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the magazine loader described herein having a pushing mechanism engaged therewith that is attached via a lid and hinge.

(6) FIG. 6 provides a schematic representation of a method for loading a magazine that is fixed to a semiautomatic rifle using an embodiment of the magazine loader described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) The magazine loader and associated method will now be described by reference to the preferred embodiments. The description provided herein is not intended to limit the scope of the present claims, but to exemplify the variety encompassed by the present application. The embodiments are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.

A First Embodiment

(8) FIG. 1 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of the magazine loader of the instant application. The magazine loader 1 can include one or more support members, such as a first support member 2 and a second support member 3 as shown in FIG. 1. The first support member 2 and the second support member 3 can be located at opposite ends of the magazine loader 1, and can optionally include a space separating the first support member 2 and the second support member 3. The optional space separating the first support member 2 from the second support member 3 allows a user to press cartridges manually through the magazine loader 1 and into a magazine that is fixed on a semiautomatic rifle. Each of the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 can have an outside portion, an inside portion, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a plurality of side portions.

(9) The first support member 2 can include a first support lip 4 and a second support lip 5. Both the first support lip 4 and the second support lip 5 can be located on the inside portion of the first support member 2, and can extend towards the second support member 3. The first support lip 4 and the second support lip 5 can extend inwardly from the plurality of side portions, respectively. Also, the first support lip 4 and the second support lip 5 can extend from the top portion to the bottom portion of the first support member 2. The arrangement of the first support lip 4 and the second support lip 5 can be configured to create a channel to accept a retainer strip of cartridges for use in the magazine loader 1. The first support lip 4 and the second support lip 5 extend to the base portion 8 and form a plurality of shoulders. These shoulders provide a place for the retainer strip to sit when inserted into magazine loader.

(10) The second support member 3 can include a first support portion 6 and a second support portion 7. Both the first support portion 6 and the second support portion 7 can be located on the inside portion of the second support member 3, and can extend towards the first support member 2. The first support portion 6 and the second support portion 7 can have a uniform thickness, or optionally can be configured such that the first support portion 6 and the second support portion 7 increase in thickness as the first support portion 6 and the second support portion 7 extend toward the first support member 2. Also, the first support portion 6 and the second support portion 7 can extend from the top portion to the bottom portion of the second support member 3. The arrangement of the first support portion 6 into the second support portion 7 can be configured to accept the top portion of the cartridge for use in the magazine loader 1.

(11) The first support member 2 and the second support member 3 can extend into an upward direction from a base portion 8. The outside portions of the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 can be flush with the outside portions of the base member 8. The width of the base portion 8 can be wider than the widths of the first support member 2 and the second support member 3, respectively. Each of the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 can be connected to the base portion 8 with a plurality of inward facing curved portions 9 and a plurality of side facing curved portions 10. The base portion 8 can include a plurality of base support members, such as the first base support member 11 and a second base support member 12 in FIG. 1. The first base support member 11 and the second base support member 12 can extend in a downward direction from the base portion 8 and in a direction away from the first support member 2 and the second support member 3. Each of the first base support member 11 and the second base support member 12 can be located on the sidemost portions of the base portion 8, and can extend for the entire length of the base portion 8. The first base support member 11 and the second base support member 12 can be connected with a base connecting portion 13 that connects the first base support member 11 and the second base support member 12 on the outside portion of the base portion 8 that is below the second support member 3. Also, the first base support member 11 and the second base support member 12 can be configured to leave an open portion on the outside portion of the base portion 8 that is below the first support member 2. The open portion can allow the magazine loader 1 to accommodate a bolt catch/release mechanism of a rifle that has a magazine fixed thereto. For instance, the width of the open portion can be approximately 0.6 inches and the height of the open portion can be approximately 0.3 inches. By including the open portion, the magazine loader 1 can rest upon the lower receiver of the rifle while being used, which allows the user to load a rifle magazine that is fixed to a rifle. For instance, the magazine loader 1 can be configured for use with AR-10/AR-15 style rifles having a magazine fixed thereto.

A Second Embodiment

(12) FIGS. 2-4 illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of the magazine loader of the instant application. As seen in FIGS. 2-4, the second exemplary embodiment includes a magazine loading body 14 and a pushing mechanism 15.

(13) The magazine loading body 14 is shown in FIG. 2. The magazine loading body 14 can include an upper portion having a plurality of sidewalls 16, a rear wall 17, and a front wall 18 that together form a rectangular shape. A hinge 19 can optionally extend from the rear wall 17 of the magazine loading body 14, and can be located on the uppermost portion of the rear wall 17. Each of the plurality of sidewalls 16 can include a groove 20. The groove 20 can be a semi-round shape or any shape that facilitates guidance of the pushing mechanism, such as a triangular shape or a square shape. The groove 20 can extend from the top of the corresponding sidewall 16 to the bottom of the corresponding sidewall 16.

(14) The magazine loading body 14 can also include a base portion 21. The upper portion of the magazine loading body 14 can be attached to and extend from the base portion 21, and can include a plurality of side facing curved portions 22 that can provide additional support for the connection of the magazine loading body 14 to the base portion 21. The base portion 21 can include a plurality of base support members, such as a first base support member 23 and a second base support member 24 in FIG. 2. The first base support member 23 and the second base support member 24 extending the downward direction from the base portion 21 and in a direction away from the upper portion of the magazine loading body 14. Each of the first base support member 23 and the second base support member 24 can be located on the sidemost portions of the base portion 21, and can extend for the entire length of the base portion 21. The first base support member 23 and the second base support member 24 can be connected with a base connecting portion 25 that connects the first base support member 23 and the second base support member 24 on the outside portion of the base portion 21 that is below the front wall 18. Also, the first base support member 23 and the second base support member 24 can be configured to leave an open portion on the outside portion of the base portion 21 that is below the rear wall 17. The open portion can allow the magazine loading body 14 to accommodate a bolt catch/release mechanism of a rifle that has a magazine fixed thereto. By including the open portion, the magazine loading body 14 can rest upon the lower receiver of the rifle while being used, which allows the user to load a rifle magazine that is fixed to a rifle. For instance, the magazine loading body 14 can be configured for use upon AR-10/AR-15 style rifles having a magazine fixed thereto. The magazine loading body 14 can also include a channel to accept a retainer strip of cartridges for use in the magazine loader 14.

(15) The pushing mechanism 15 is shown in FIG. 3. The pushing mechanism 15 can include a handle 26 and a push bar 27. The push bar 27 can include a plurality of guiding members 28 and a bottom portion 29. The plurality of guiding members 28 can be located on the side portions of the push bar 27, and can extend for the entire length of the push bar 27. The plurality of guiding members 28 can have a semi-round shape or any other shape which would provide guidance of the push bar 27, such as a triangular or square shape. The shape of each of the plurality of guiding members 28 is arranged such that the guiding members 28 substantially corresponds with the grooves 20 in each of the plurality of sidewalls 16 in the magazine loading body 14, respectively. The bottom portion 29 can extend from the front and rear surface of the push bar 27, and can be located on the lowermost portion of the push bar 27. The width of the push bar 27 and the bottom portion 29 substantially corresponds to the distance between the inner surface of the sidewalls 16 in the magazine loading body 14 such that the pushing mechanism 15 can push cartridges through the magazine loading body 14 and into a magazine that is fixed on a rifle.

(16) FIG. 4 provides an example of a pushing mechanism 15 engaged with the magazine loading body 14. A user of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 could place downward pressure upon the pushing mechanism 15 to force cartridges through the magazine loading body 14 and into a magazine that is fixed on a rifle.

(17) In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a lid portion 30 can be included that engages with the hinge 19 to allow the lid portion 30 to swing away from the magazine loading body 14, while remaining attached at the hinge 19. The lid portion 30 can also include a locking portion 31 that engages with locking tabs 32 optionally located on the front wall 18 of the magazine loading body 14. Further, the lid portion 30 can include a cutout 33 that has substantially the same shape as a cross section of the push bar 27, allowing the pushing mechanism 15 to be held in place by the cutout 33 in the lid portion 30. The cutout 33 in the lid portion 30 can be arranged such that the pushing mechanism 15 engages with the magazine loading body 14 when the lid portion 30 is engaged with the locking tabs 32 optionally located on the front wall 18 of the magazine loading body 14.

Method of Use

(18) FIG. 6 provides an example of a use of the magazine loader 1 to load a magazine 31 that is fixed to a rifle 34. As seen from FIG. 6, a user is not required to detach the magazine from the rifle 34 before loading the magazine 35 attached thereto. Examples of acceptable rifles include: AR-10 and AR-15 style rifles, such as those manufactured by ADAMS ARMS, ADCOR DEFENSE, ADVANCED ARMAMENT COMPANY, AERO PRECISION, ALEXANDER ARMS, AMERICAN TACTICAL IMPORTS, ANDERSON RIFLES, ARES ARMS, ARMALITE, BRAVO COMPANY USA, BLACK RAIN ORDNANCE, BUSHMASTER, CMMG, COLT, DANIEL DEFENSE, DEL-TON, DPMS, DRD TACTICAL, FULTON ARMORY, GA PRECISION, KAK INDUSTRIES, KNIGHTS ARMAMENT, LARUE TACTICAL, LEWIS MACHINE AND TOOL, LWRC, MEGA ARMS, PALMETTO STATE ARMORY, PATRIOT ORDNANCE FACTORY, REMINGTON ARMS, ROCK RIVER ARMS, SIG SAUER, SOTA ARMS, AND SPRINGFIELD ARMORY. The aforementioned examples are not an all-inclusive list because there are at least 350 manufacturers that produce either complete rifles or parts to assemble AR-10 and AR-15 style rifles. Also, AR-10 and AR-15 style rifles are available in multiple calibers. The magazine loaders of the present application work with most cartridge sizes. Magazines typically have two lips that are present on the top of the magazine, commonly referred to as feed lips. During the action of pushing the cartridges through the loader into the magazine, the cartridges pass by the feed lips. The diameter of the cartridge should be able to be pushed past these feed lips when being loaded with the magazine loaders of the present application. Cartridges for calibers having the diameter such that the cartridge cannot be pushed past the feed lips will need to be manually loaded into the magazine rather than introduced with the magazine loaders of the present application. For example, a common caliber for the AR-15 platform is the .223 REMINGTON. The normal action for loading a magazine is to push the cartridge in between the feed lips, which is repeated until the magazine reaches its capacity. Another caliber that is used in the AR-15 platform is the .458 SOCOM. The .458 SOCOM cartridge is larger than the feed lips and cannot be loaded by pushing the cartridge past the feed lips. These cartridges, inter alia, that are too large to push past the magazine feed lips require manual loading into the magazine. The cartridge base, commonly known as the end with the primer, is inserted from the end of the magazine, which does not have the feed lips, by pushing down the magazine follower while sliding under the feed lips for retention in the magazine.

(19) The method will be described in further detail as follows. First, the user can obtain a rifle 34 having a magazine 35 fixed thereto. Second, the user can pivot an upper portion of the rifle 34 to expose the top of the magazine 35, which can extend slightly above the upper surface of the lower portion of the rifle 34. Third, the user can load a number of cartridges into the magazine loader 1, wherein the number of cartridges does not exceed the capacity of the magazine 35. Fourth, the user can place the magazine loader 1 having been loaded with a number of cartridges onto the exposed portion of the top of the magazine 35. The open portion of the base portion 8 can allow the magazine loader 1 to accommodate a bolt catch/release mechanism of the rifle 34 such that the magazine loader 1 can rest upon the upper surface of the lower portion of the rifle 34. Fifth, the user can place a downward force upon the cartridges located in the magazine loader 1 to press the cartridges through the magazine loader 1 and into the magazine 34 thereby loading the rifle 34 having a magazine 35 fixed thereto.

(20) Alternatively, the user could load the rifle 34 having a magazine 35 fixed thereto according to the second exemplary embodiment described in detail above.

(21) Each of the magazine loaders of the present application can be made from a number of materials. For instance, the magazine loaders of the present application can be made from plastics, such as polyester (PES), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), polyamides (PA) (i.e., nylons), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS), polyurethanes (PU), and the like. The magazine loaders of the present application can also be made from metals and metal alloys including, for instance, lightweight aluminum alloys. Additionally, the magazine loaders of the present application can be made with materials used in three-dimensional printing devices, such as thermoplastic powders, metal powders, ceramic powders, metal alloys, photopolymers, etc. Other materials that are acceptable include glasses, ceramics, and woods. The magazine loaders of the present application can be produced via injection molding, three-dimensional printing, metal casting, etc.

(22) The foregoing description of the invention illustrates and describes the present invention. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only the preferred embodiments of the invention but, as mentioned above, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings and/or the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and with the various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the invention. Accordingly, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Also, it is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments.