SPEED LOADER

Abstract

A speed loader has an elongated planar body with opposed major faces, the elongated planar body defining a plurality of cartridge receptacles on one of the opposed major faces, each of the plurality of cartridge receptacles configured to removably retain the head of a cartridge, the plurality of cartridge receptacles arranged along the length of the elongated planar body in an articulated sequence, at least some of the plurality of cartridge receptacles being arranged in at least two obtuse triangular subgroups, each of the obtuse triangular subgroups having three different cartridge receptacles, and each obtuse triangular subgroup having two end cartridge receptacles proximate one major edge of the elongated planar body and an intermediate cartridge receptacle proximate an opposed major edge of the elongated planar body. The obtuse triangular subgroups may face the same major edge or opposite major edges. The obtuse triangular subgroups may each define an arc.

Claims

1. A speed loader for storing and loading cartridges to a revolver cylinder comprising: a planar body with opposed major forward and rear faces and having a periphery; the planar body defining a plurality of cartridge receptacles on the forward face; each of the plurality of cartridge receptacles configured to removably retain the head of a cartridge; and the plurality of cartridge receptacles arranged in a regular polygon proximate to the periphery.

2. The speed loader of claim 1 wherein each of the cartridge receptacles defines a floor spaced apart from the rear face by a limited floor thickness amount.

3. The speed loader of claim 2 wherein the planar body has an overall thickness of a first thickness, and the floor thickness is less than half of the overall thickness.

4. The speed loader of claim 1 wherein the rear surface is flat.

5. The speed loader of claim 1 wherein the rear surface is free of protrusions.

6. The speed loader of claim 1 wherein each receptacle has a selected diameter, and the floor thickness is less than half of the diameter.

7. The speed loader of claim 1 wherein each receptacle has a selected diameter, the planar body has an overall thickness, and the overall thickness is less than the selected diameter.

8. The speed loader of claim 1 including a tab protruding laterally from the periphery.

9. The speed loader of claim 1 wherein the body is a unitary body.

10. The speed loader of claim 1 wherein the body is elastomeric.

11. A speed loader for storing and loading cartridges to a revolver having a revolver cylinder with a rear surface, and a grip having a forward portion opposite the cylinder rear surface and separated by the rear surface by a grip gap, the speed loader comprising: a planar body with opposed major forward and rear faces and having a periphery; the planar body defining a plurality of cartridge receptacles on the forward face; each of the plurality of cartridge receptacles configured to removably retain the head of a cartridge having a case length; each of the cartridge receptacles defining a floor surface spaced apart from the rear face by a limited floor thickness amount; and the case length plus the floor thickness being a limited overall length relative to the grip gap, such that the speed loader and cases may readily be extracted from the cylinder without interference by the grip.

12. The speed loader of claim 11 wherein the plurality of cartridge receptacles is arranged in a regular polygon proximate to the periphery.

13. The speed loader of claim 11 wherein the cylinder has a cylinder length and the case length plus the floor thickness being less than the cylinder length.

14. The speed loader of claim 11 wherein the planar body has an overall thickness of a first thickness, and the floor thickness is less than half of the overall thickness.

15. The speed loader of claim 11 wherein the rear surface is flat.

16. The speed loader of claim 11 wherein the rear surface is free of protrusions.

17. The speed loader of claim 11 wherein each receptacle has a selected diameter, and the floor thickness is less than half of the diameter.

18. The speed loader of claim 11 wherein each receptacle has a selected diameter, the planar body has an overall thickness, and the overall thickness is less than the selected diameter.

19. The speed loader of claim 11 including a tab protruding laterally from the periphery.

20. The speed loader of claim 11 wherein the body is a unitary body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a top isometric view of the current embodiment of a speed loader constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention for use with a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a top isometric view of a first alternative embodiment of a speed loader constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention for use with a Smith & Wesson K-frame revolver.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a top isometric view of a second alternative embodiment of a speed loader constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention for use with a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a front view of the speed loader of FIG. 3.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a top isometric view of a third alternative embodiment of a speed loader constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention for use with a Smith & Wesson K-frame revolver.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a front view of the speed loader of FIG. 5.

[0016] FIG. 7 a top isometric view of a fourth alternative embodiment of a speed loader constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention for use with a Smith & Wesson K-frame revolver.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a front view of the speed loader of FIG. 7.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the speed loader of FIG. 7 in use loading three cartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & Wesson K-frame revolver in the manner of a left-handed user.

[0019] FIG. 10 is a top isometric view of the speed loader of FIG. 7 in use loading three cartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & Wesson K-frame revolver in the manner of a left-handed user.

[0020] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the speed loader of FIG. 7 in use loading three cartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & Wesson K-frame revolver in the manner of a right-handed user.

[0021] FIG. 12 is a top isometric view of the speed loader of FIG. 7 in use loading three cartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & Wesson K-frame revolver in the manner of a right-handed user.

[0022] FIG. 13 is a top isometric view of a fifth alternative embodiment of a speed loader constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention for use with a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver.

[0023] FIG. 14 is a rear view of the speed loader of FIG. 13 in use loading two cartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolve in the manner of a left-handed user.

[0024] FIG. 15 is a top isometric view of the speed loader of FIG. 13 in use loading two cartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver in the manner of a left-handed user.

[0025] FIG. 16 is a top isometric view of the speed loader of FIG. 13 in use loading two cartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver in the manner of a left-handed user, with the entire revolver shown.

[0026] FIG. 17 is a bottom rear isometric view of the speed loader of FIG. 1 in use loading five cartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver, with the entire revolver shown.

[0027] FIG. 18 is a side view of the speed loader of FIG. 1 in use loading five cartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver, with the entire revolver shown.

[0028] FIG. 19 is a top isometric view of a sixth alternative embodiment of a speed loader constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention for use with a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver.

[0029] FIG. 20 is a top isometric view of a seventh alternative embodiment of a speed loader constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention for use with a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver.

[0030] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

[0031] An embodiment of the speed loader of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

[0032] FIGS. 1, 17 & 18 illustrate the improved speed loader 10 of the present invention. More particularly, the speed loader 10 has an elongated planar body 12 having opposed major faces 14, 16. The elongated planar body defines a plurality of cartridge receptacles 18 on one of the opposed major faces. Each of the plurality of cartridge receptacles is configured to removably retain the head of a cartridge, which is accomplished by each cartridge receptacle having multiple fixed jaws 20 that are arranged to prevent the cartridge flange from falling from a cartridge receptacle unintentionally. Although multiple fixed jaws are the preferred method of retaining cartridges, a sixth alternative embodiment of the speed loader 600 with continuous jaws 620, as shown in FIG. 19, is also suitable to removably retain the head of a cartridge. The speed loader 600 is otherwise identical to the speed loader 10. The cartridge flange is located underneath and held by the jaws. The jaws are molded from a flexible material so the jaws can deform to release the cartridge flange, enabling the head of the cartridge to be removed from a cartridge receptacle. The elongated planar body can be molded from either a single material or from multiple materials. The elongated planar body includes a tab 22 that is used to pull the speed loader away from the cartridges once they are inserted into a revolver cylinder. The elongated planar body defines a central aperture 24 that receives the centrally located pin of the revolver extractor during the loading process. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar body forms a pentagon and defines five cartridge receptacles for use with a 5-shot revolver, such as a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver. As is shown in FIGS. 17 & 18, use of a pentagon shape instead of a circular shape, in combination with a thin profile, provides adequate clearance for the revolver grip 38 and frame 40 while still enabling all revolver chambers to be loaded simultaneously. The thin elongated planar body allows the cartridges 28 to fully extract from the cartridge receptacles before the elongated planar body strikes the grip 38. This is unlike conventional speed loaders that extend much farther rearward of the cartridge heads to accommodate the retention and release mechanisms. The polygonal shape of the speed loader 10 provides further enhanced clearance. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar body is a unitary body formed of an elastomer.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a first alternative embodiment of the improved speed loader 100 of the present invention. More particularly, the speed loader 100 has an elongated planar body 112 having opposed major faces 114, 116. The elongated planar body defines a plurality of cartridge receptacles 118 on one of the opposed major faces. Each of the plurality of cartridge receptacles is configured to removably retain the head of a cartridge, which is accomplished by each cartridge receptacle having multiple fixed jaws 120 that are arranged to prevent the cartridge flange from falling from a cartridge receptacle unintentionally. Continuous jaws 620 are also suitable for use with the speed loader 100. The cartridge flange is located underneath and held by the jaws. The jaws are molded from a flexible material so the jaws can deform to release the cartridge flange, enabling the head of the cartridge to be removed from a cartridge receptacle. The elongated planar body can be molded from either a single material or from multiple materials. The elongated planar body includes a tab 122 that is used to pull the speed loader away from the cartridges once they are inserted into a revolver cylinder. The elongated planar body defines a central aperture 124 that receives the centrally located pin of the revolver extractor during the loading process. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar body forms a hexagon and defines six cartridge receptacles for use with a 6-shot revolver, such as a Smith & Wesson K-frame revolver. The use of a hexagon shape instead of a circular shape, in combination with a thin profile, provides adequate clearance for the revolver grip 38 and frame 40 while still enabling all revolver chambers to be loaded simultaneously. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar body is a unitary body formed of an elastomer.

[0034] FIGS. 3 & 4 illustrate a second alternative embodiment of the improved speed loader 200 of the present invention. More particularly, the speed loader 200 has an elongated planar body 212 having opposed major faces 214, 216. The elongated planar body defines a plurality of cartridge receptacles 218 on one of the opposed major faces. Each of the plurality of cartridge receptacles is configured to removably retain the head of a cartridge, which is accomplished by each cartridge receptacle having multiple fixed jaws 220 that are arranged to prevent the cartridge flange from falling from a cartridge receptacle unintentionally. Continuous jaws 620 are also suitable for use with the speed loader 200. The cartridge flange is located underneath and held by the jaws. The jaws are molded from a flexible material so the jaws can deform to release the cartridge flange, enabling the head of the cartridge to be removed from a cartridge receptacle. The elongated planar body can be molded from either a single material or from multiple materials. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar body is a unitary body formed of an elastomer.

[0035] In the current embodiment, the plurality of cartridge receptacles 218 are arranged along the length of the elongated planar body 212 in an articulated sequence. At least some of the plurality of cartridge receptacles being arranged in at least two obtuse triangular subgroups 222, each of the obtuse triangular subgroups having three different cartridge receptacles. Each obtuse triangular subgroup has two end cartridge receptacles 224 proximate one major edge 226 of the elongated planar body and an intermediate cartridge receptacle 228 proximate an opposed major edge 230 of the elongated planar body. The obtuse triangular subgroups face the same major edge in the current embodiment. The obtuse triangular subgroups each define an arc 232, the arcs having a common radius. The obtuse triangular subgroups each define an arc having a center of radius 234, the spacing of the plurality of cartridge receptacles in each obtuse triangular subgroup defining a regular angular spacing of the cartridge receptacles corresponding to a capacity of a selected revolver cylinder, the number of cartridge receptacles being greater than the capacity. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar body forms a trapezoid and defines six cartridge receptacles for use with a 5-shot revolver, such as a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver. Thus, the number of cartridge receptacles is greater than the capacity by one. The angular spacing between the cartridge receptacles is 72 degrees. The use of a trapezoid shape instead of a rectangular shape provides adequate clearance for the revolver frame while still enabling up to three revolver chambers to be loaded simultaneously. The cartridge receptacles are in an offset arrangement with no more than two receptacles being aligned in a straight line. The cartridge receptacles are also in an offset arrangement with none of cartridge receptacles aligned on a straight line connecting any two other cartridge receptacles. However, alternative arrangements of cartridge receptacles are also possible, including the alignment of more than two receptacles in a straight line. The spacing of cartridge receptacles within an obtuse triangular subgroup is less than the spacing between any cartridge receptacle of one obtuse triangular subgroup and any cartridge receptacle of any other obtuse triangular subgroup. It should also be appreciated that adjacent obtuse triangular subgroups are not aligned with each other. The speed loader 200 is ambidextrous for use by both right and left-handed users.

[0036] FIGS. 5 & 6 illustrate a third alternative embodiment of the improved speed loader 300 of the present invention. More particularly, the speed loader 300 has an elongated planar body 312 having opposed major faces 314, 316. The elongated planar body defines a plurality of cartridge receptacles 318 on one of the opposed major faces. Each of the plurality of cartridge receptacles is configured to removably retain the head of a cartridge, which is accomplished by each cartridge receptacle having multiple fixed jaws 320 that are arranged to prevent the cartridge flange from falling from a cartridge receptacle unintentionally. Continuous jaws 620 are also suitable for use with the speed loader 300. The cartridge flange is located underneath and held by the jaws. The jaws are molded from a flexible material so the jaws can deform to release the cartridge flange, enabling the head of the cartridge to be removed from a cartridge receptacle. The elongated planar body can be molded from either a single material or from multiple materials. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar body is a unitary body formed of an elastomer.

[0037] In the current embodiment, the plurality of cartridge receptacles 318 are arranged along the length of the elongated planar body 312 in an articulated sequence. At least some of the plurality of cartridge receptacles being arranged in at least two obtuse triangular subgroups 322, each of the obtuse triangular subgroups having three different cartridge receptacles. Each obtuse triangular subgroup has two end cartridge receptacles 324 proximate one major edge 326 or 330 of the elongated planar body and an intermediate cartridge receptacle 328 proximate an opposed major edge 326 or 330 of the elongated planar body. The obtuse triangular subgroups face opposite major edges in the current embodiment. The obtuse triangular subgroups each define an arc 332, the arcs having a common radius. The obtuse triangular subgroups each define an arc having a center of radius 334, the spacing of the plurality of cartridge receptacles in each obtuse triangular subgroup defining a regular angular spacing of the cartridge receptacles corresponding to a capacity of a selected revolver cylinder, the number of cartridge receptacles being the same as the capacity. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar body forms a parallelogram and defines six cartridge receptacles for use with a 6-shot revolver, such as a Smith & Wesson K-frame revolver. The angular spacing between the cartridge receptacles is 60 degrees. The use of a parallelogram shape instead of a rectangular shape provides adequate clearance for the revolver frame while still enabling up to three revolver chambers to be loaded simultaneously. The cartridge receptacles are in an offset arrangement with no more than two receptacles being aligned in a straight line. The cartridge receptacles are also in an offset arrangement with none of cartridge receptacles aligned on a straight line connecting any two other cartridge receptacles. However, alternative arrangements of cartridge receptacles are also possible, including the alignment of more than two receptacles in a straight line. The spacing of cartridge receptacles within an obtuse triangular subgroup is less than the spacing between any cartridge receptacle of one obtuse triangular subgroup and any cartridge receptacle of any other obtuse triangular subgroup. It should also be appreciated that adjacent obtuse triangular subgroups are not aligned with each other. The speed loader 300 is ambidextrous and suitable for use by right and left-handed users.

[0038] FIGS. 7-12 illustrate a fourth alternative embodiment of the improved speed loader 400 of the present invention. More particularly, FIGS. 9 & 10 show the speed loader 400 in use by a left-handed user loading three cartridges 28 into three revolver chambers 34 of a revolver cylinder 32. FIGS. 11 & 12 show the speed loader 400 in use by a right-handed user loading three cartridges into three revolver chambers of a revolver cylinder. The speed loader 400 has an elongated planar body 412 having opposed major faces 414, 416. The elongated planar body defines a plurality of cartridge receptacles 418 on one of the opposed major faces. Each of the plurality of cartridge receptacles is configured to removably retain the head 26 of a cartridge, which is accomplished by each cartridge receptacle having multiple fixed jaws 420 that are arranged to prevent the cartridge flange 30 from falling from a cartridge receptacle unintentionally. Continuous jaws 620 are also suitable for use with the speed loader 400. The cartridge flange is located underneath and held by the jaws. The jaws are molded from a flexible material so the jaws can deform to release the cartridge flange, enabling the head of the cartridge to be removed from a cartridge receptacle. The elongated planar body can be molded from either a single material or from multiple materials. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar body is a unitary body formed of an elastomer.

[0039] In the current embodiment, the plurality of cartridge receptacles 418 are arranged along the length of the elongated planar body 412 in an articulated sequence. At least some of the plurality of cartridge receptacles being arranged in at least two obtuse triangular subgroups 422, each of the obtuse triangular subgroups having three different cartridge receptacles. Each obtuse triangular subgroup has two end cartridge receptacles 424 proximate one major edge 426 of the elongated planar body and an intermediate cartridge receptacle 428 proximate an opposed major edge 430 of the elongated planar body. The obtuse triangular subgroups face the same major edge in the current embodiment. The obtuse triangular subgroups each define an arc 432, the arcs having a common radius. The obtuse triangular subgroups each define an arc having a center of radius 434, the spacing of the plurality of cartridge receptacles in each obtuse triangular subgroup defining a regular angular spacing of the cartridge receptacles corresponding to a capacity of a selected revolver cylinder 32, the number of cartridge receptacles being greater than the capacity. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar body forms a trapezoid and defines seven cartridge receptacles for use with a 6-shot revolver, such as a Smith & Wesson K-frame revolver. Thus, the number of cartridge receptacles is greater than the capacity by one. The angular spacing between the cartridge receptacles is 60 degrees. The use of a trapezoid shape instead of a rectangular shape provides adequate clearance for the revolver frame while still enabling up to three revolver chambers 34 to be loaded simultaneously. The cartridge receptacles are in a linear arrangement with at least three receptacles being aligned in a straight line. The two obtuse triangular subgroups are separated by an intermediate cartridge receptacle 436, which is aligned to create a third obtuse triangular subgroup by including the two adjacent cartridge receptacles. Adjacent obtuse triangular subgroups are aligned with each other. The speed loader 400 is ambidextrous and suitable for use by right and left-handed users.

[0040] FIGS. 13-15 illustrate a fifth alternative embodiment of the improved speed loader 500 of the present invention. More particularly, FIGS. 14 & 15 show the speed loader 500 in use by a left-handed user loading two cartridges 28 into two revolver chambers 34 of a revolver cylinder 32, with FIG. 15 showing a complete revolver 36. The speed loader 500 has an elongated planar body 512 having opposed major faces 514, 516. The elongated planar body defines a plurality of cartridge receptacles 518 on one of the opposed major faces. Each of the plurality of cartridge receptacles is configured to removably retain the head 26 of a cartridge, which is accomplished by each cartridge receptacle having multiple fixed jaws 520 that are arranged to prevent the cartridge flange 30 from falling from a cartridge receptacle unintentionally. Continuous jaws 620 are also suitable for use with the speed loader 500. The cartridge flange is located underneath and held by the jaws. The jaws are molded from a flexible material so the jaws can deform to release the cartridge flange, enabling the head of the cartridge to be removed from a cartridge receptacle. The elongated planar body can be molded from either a single material or from multiple materials. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar body is a unitary body formed of an elastomer. The elongated planar body includes tabs 522 at either end that are used to pull the speed loader away from the cartridges once they are inserted into a revolver cylinder. It should be appreciated the speed loader 500 can be manufactured with only a single tab, or no tabs, to meet user preferences for carrying compactness. The speed loader 500 is preferentially manufactured symmetrically with user-removable tabs on both ends.

[0041] In the current embodiment, the plurality of cartridge receptacles 518 are arranged along the length of the elongated planar body 512 in a linear sequence. At least some of the plurality of cartridge receptacles are arranged in at least two subgroups 524, each of the subgroups having two different cartridge receptacles. The two subgroups are separated by an intermediate cartridge receptacle 526. The spacing of the two different cartridge receptacles in each subgroup corresponds to the spacing between two revolver chambers 34 of a selected revolver cylinder 32, with a greater spacing between each of the two subgroups and the intermediate cartridge receptacle. The greater spacing provides adequate clearance for the revolver cylinder while still enabling up to two revolver chambers to be loaded simultaneously. The number of cartridge receptacles is equal to the capacity of the revolver cylinder. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar body defines 5 cartridge receptacles for use with a 5-shot revolver, such as a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver. The cartridge receptacles are in a linear arrangement with all of the cartridge receptacles being aligned in a straight line. The speed loader 500 is ambidextrous and suitable for use by right and left-handed users.

[0042] FIG. 20 illustrates a seventh alternative embodiment of the improved speed loader 500 of the present invention. More particularly, the speed loader 700 has an elongated planar body 712 having opposed major faces 714, 716. The elongated planar body defines a plurality of cartridge receptacles 718 on one of the opposed major faces. Each of the plurality of cartridge receptacles is configured to removably retain the head 26 of a cartridge, which is accomplished by each cartridge receptacle having multiple fixed jaws 720 that are arranged to prevent the cartridge flange 30 from falling from a cartridge receptacle unintentionally. Continuous jaws 620 are also suitable for use with the speed loader 700. The cartridge flange is located underneath and held by the jaws. The jaws are molded from a flexible material so the jaws can deform to release the cartridge flange, enabling the head of the cartridge to be removed from a cartridge receptacle. The elongated planar body can be molded from either a single material or from multiple materials. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar body is a unitary body formed of an elastomer. The elongated planar body includes a tab 722 at one end that is used to both orient and pull the speed loader away from the cartridges once they are inserted into a revolver cylinder.

[0043] In the current embodiment, the plurality of cartridge receptacles 518 are arranged along the length of the elongated planar body 512 in a linear sequence. At least some of the plurality of cartridge receptacles are arranged in at least two subgroups 524, each of the subgroups having two different cartridge receptacles. The two subgroups are adjacent to one another, with an additional cartridge receptacle 526 adjacent to the tab 722. The spacing of the two different cartridge receptacles in each subgroup corresponds to the spacing between two revolver chambers 34 of a selected revolver cylinder 32, with a greater spacing between each of the two subgroups and the additional cartridge receptacle. The greater spacing provides adequate clearance for the revolver cylinder while still enabling up to two revolver chambers to be loaded simultaneously. The number of cartridge receptacles is equal to the capacity of the revolver cylinder. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar body defines 5 cartridge receptacles for use with a 5-shot revolver, such as a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver. The cartridge receptacles are in a linear arrangement with all of the cartridge receptacles being aligned in a straight line. The speed loader 700 is ambidextrous and suitable for use by right and left-handed users. The speed loader first loads rounds one and two (the ones farthest from the tab), then rounds three and four, and then round five (the one adjacent to the tab).

[0044] While a current embodiment of a speed loader has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0045] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.