Speed-loading device and method for storing and releasing cartridges into multi-chamber firearm

Abstract

A speed-loading device for loading the multi-chamber firearm, such as a revolver, by placing the axial centerlines of the cartridges over the centerlines of the chambers in the revolver's cylinder, pulling the fingertab away; thus, rapturing the tear-off portion of the first bracket and releasing the first cartridge into the firearm. By continuously pulling the tab, the sidewalls of the second and then all remaining brackets are getting pulled further apart, their openings widen and the cartridges slide off their brackets and free-fall into their respective chambers.

Claims

1. A multi-chamber firearm speed-loading device comprising: an annular body formed by a first annular bracket integrally linked to a plurality of integrally linked consecutive annular brackets, said first annular bracket and said linked consecutive annular brackets are of a given width having a diameter adapted to receive and hold rimmed firearm cartridges of a given length and caliber, wherein said first annular bracket and each of said consecutive annular brackets further comprise a side opening, an upper opening, a lower opening, a spotface portion, and a plurality of latching pins; a finger-pulling tab attached to said first annular bracket; a tear-off portion formed in said first annular bracket by a tear off means; wherein said first annular bracket and each of said consecutive annular brackets further comprise an inner portion formed by a cylindrically curved back tab member integrally linked to two cylindrically curved side tab members; and wherein said cylindrically curved back tab member extends into a skirt for preventing axial movements and accidental discharge of said cartridges.

2. The speed-loading device of claim 1 wherein each of said side openings forms a sector of substantially 90 degrees.

3. The speed-loading device of claim 1 wherein said width of said first annular bracket and said plurality of said consecutive annular brackets does not exceed substantially one-third of said length of said cartridges.

4. A method for loading a multi-chamber firearm, said method comprising: providing speed-loading device comprising an annular body formed by a first annular bracket integrally linked to a plurality of integrally linked consecutive annular brackets, said first annular bracket and said linked consecutive annular brackets are of a given width having a diameter adapted to receive and hold rimmed firearm cartridges of a given length and caliber, wherein said first annular bracket and each of said consecutive annular brackets further comprise a side opening, an upper opening, a lower opening, a spotface portion, a plurality of latching pins, a finger-pulling tab attached to said first annular bracket, and a tear-off portion formed in said first annular bracket by a tear off means; placing a rimmed cartridge into said first annular bracket by sliding said cartridge through said upper opening and pressing said cartridge against said side opening until said cartridge's rim rests between said spotface portion and said plurality of said latching pins such that a majority of said cartridge protrudes from said lower opening; placing a plurality of said rimmed cartridges into said plurality of said consecutive annular brackets by sliding each cartridge through said upper opening and pressing said cartridge against said side opening until said cartridge's rim rests between said spotface portion and said plurality of said latching pins such that a majority of said cartridge protrudes from said lower opening; placing said annular body over a cylinder of said multi-chamber firearm with said brackets' lower openings resting on said cylinder such that the protruding portions of said cartridges project into the chambers of said cylinder, wherein placing said annular body over said cylinder is done with three fingers of the same hand; pulling away said finger-pulling tab while pushing said annular body against said cylinder, wherein pulling away said finger-pulling tab is done with two fingers of the same hand while continuously pushing said annular body against said cylinder with any remaining fingers of the same hand; rupturing said tear-off portion and sliding said cartridges through said side openings from under and out of each of said annular brackets; thus, causing said cartridges to fall into respective chambers of said cylinder; and disposing of said speed-loading device.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein not less than two-third of said length of said cartridges protrude through said lower opening of each annular bracket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the unloaded speed-loading device;

(3) FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a conventional rimmed cartridge;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the process of loading cartridges into the speed-loading device;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates the process of placing the loaded speed-loading device onto the revolver's cylinder;

(6) FIG. 5 shows the initiating step of the three-finger operational method of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6 depicts the completing step of the three-finger operational method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) The following is a detailed description of the invention provided to aid those skilled in the art in practicing in the field of the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art may make modifications and variations in the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. All publications, patent applications, patents, figures and other references mentioned herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.

(9) Referring to FIG. 1, the speed-loading device comprises the disposable annular body 100 formed by the first annular bracket 102, integrally linked to a plurality of integrally linked consecutive annular brackets 104-104′; said brackets 102 and 104-104′ have a diameter adapted to receive and hold rimmed cartridges by clipping around a partial circumference of each cartridge. The device, including its components, is made from pliable yet sufficiently resilient and flexible plastic resins, such as nylon, polyurethane, polypropylene, and others. Each annular bracket comprises an inner portion 106, and outer portion 108, an upper opening 110, an spotface portion 112, a plurality of latching pins 114, a lower opening 116 and a side opening 118. The first annular bracket 102 also comprises a finger-pulling tab 120 and a tear-off portion 122.

(10) Said brackets 102 and 104-104′ are linked to one another by integral links 122 placed substantially opposite from each other at approximately 90 degrees from the centerline of the side opening 118. The links 122 preferably have the same width as the brackets they connect, so that the annular brackets remain planar and annular body 100 resistant to twists.

(11) In some embodiments, the inner portion 106 of each annular bracket is formed by preferably three cylindrically curved tab members, a back tab 124, a left tab 126, and a right tab 128 (collectively, the side tabs), while in others the annular bracket may be in form of a bushing having the diameter sufficient to accommodate and grasp the cartridge 202; said bushing further comprises a side opening and a flange section.

(12) Said tabs 124, 126 and 128 are of substantially equal width and curvature, and each comprises an upper portion, a bottom portion and respective right and left side portions.

(13) The back tab 124 is integrally linked by links 130 and 132 with the side tabs 126 and 128; thus, forming a partial circumference adapted to fit in the cartridge 202, FIG. 2. Referring back to FIG. 1, the tabs 124, 126 and 128 are made of pliable yet sufficiently resilient plastic resin in order to provide sufficient grip of the cartridge placed into the bracket. In some embodiments, the links 130 and 132 may have a reduced thickness comparing to the thickness of the tabs 124, 126 and 128. The side opening 118 between proximate ends of the side tabs 126 and 128 forms a sector of substantially 90 degrees. The links 130 and 132, and the opening 118 are designed to facilitate bending and opening of the brackets 102 and 104-104′ when outward pull is applied.

(14) In some embodiments, the upper portion of the back tab 124 extending into a skirt 136 is provided for the purposes of preventing axial movement of the rim 204 and accidental extraction of the cartridge 202, FIG. 2, out of the annular bracket.

(15) Back to FIG. 1, the upper portions of tabs 124, 126 and 128 are flush with one another to form the spotface portion 112 adapted to house the lower portion of the rim 204, FIG. 2. The plurality of the inwardly sloping latching pins 114 are extended over the spotface portion 112 at a distance sufficient to adapt the width of the rim 204. In some embodiments, said plurality of pins 114 may be molded into the skirt 136, while in other embodiments the pins 114 may be extended off of the ribs 138 molded to the outer portion of the back tab 124.

(16) As it applies to the first bracket 102 only, the tear-off portion 122 is located between the proximate ends of the back tab 124 and the left tab 126, and comprises a tear off means due to a reduced thickness, or perforation, or both. The finger-pulling tab 120 is securely attached to the back tab 124 proximately to the tear-off portion 122.

(17) Referring now to FIG. 3, when the cartridge 202 is pushed down the upper opening of the brackets 102 or 104, proximate ends of the side tabs 126 and 128 are spread apart causing the side opening 118 to widen; the rim 204 slides down the sloping latching pins 114, and cartridge 202 gets secured once the rim 204 is fully rested on the spotface portion 112.

(18) Referring now to FIG. 4, once the cartridges are loaded into their respective annular brackets, the speed-loading device is positioned over the revolver's cylinder 402 such that the protruding portion 406 of each cartridge is placed into its corresponding chamber 408, and the finger-pulling tab 120 is grasped by the thumb and forefinger of the user.

(19) Referring now to FIG. 5, the finger-pulling tab 120 is pulled outwardly causing a drum 410 to rotate and the tear-off portion 122 to rapture, which, in turn, breaks the annular body 100 and opens the first annular bracket. At that point, the first bracket loses its grip over the cartridge, the spotface portion releases the rim, and cartridge 202 free falls into its designated chamber 408. To prevent accidental displacement of the speed-loading device off of the drum 410, any of the remaining fingers of the same hand can be used to continuously pressing the speed-loading device against the cylinder.

(20) Referring now to FIG. 6, by continuing the outward pull, the second and all consecutive brackets 104-104′ are pulled outwardly, which causes the side openings 118 to widen and the bracket 104 to slide out from under the rim 204, at which point the cartridge 202 free-falls into its designated chamber. The foregoing process is repeating until the last cartridge is released.

(21) To reiterate, the embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. Various other embodiments having various modifications may be suited to a particular use contemplated, but may be within the scope of the present invention.