Firearms – Magazine chargers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-26
2001-02-13
Johnson, Stephen M. (Department: 3641)
Firearms
Magazine chargers
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185853
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for loading cartridges into weapons. In particular, the present invention relates to a speedloading device for use with shotguns.
2. Discussion of Background
Semi-automatic shotguns have been devised with a tubular magazine for holding a plurality of shells. Upon firing the shotgun, a cartridge is automatically loaded into the chamber from the magazine, so that a number of rounds can be fired in quick succession; however, the magazine typically only holds five cartridges and reloading the magazine can be a slow process. In fact, the speed in which the shotgun can be reloaded may be a matter of life or death. Since the typical magazine is permanent and cannot be replaced with a “fresh” magazine, cartridges must be fed through the carrier opening one-by-one.
Various attempts have been made to develop a device that more quickly reloads a shotgun, which has a tubular magazine. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,284 to Naber discloses a plunger disposed with a tube dimensioned to hold a plurality of cartridges. The plunger is positioned behind the cartridges and expels the cartridges upon moving the entire length of the tube into the magazine. Naber not only requires the plunger to travel the entire length of the tube, but has also been noted for difficulty in alignment during loading. U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,110 to Beltron also describes a plunger disposed within a tube that travels the entire length of the tube to expel the cartridges into the magazine. In order to improve the alignment difficulties found in Naber, a latch is placed on the tube which engages the trigger guard. U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,621 to Kearney also advances a plunger disposed within a tube that travels the entire length of the tube to expel the cartridges into the magazine. In order to improve alignment problems, a bracket is mounted to the shotgun which engages alignment projections on the tube. Although each one of the patented devices improves the speed in which the shotgun could be manually loaded, the overall reload speed is based on the time it takes for the user to move the handle.
Therefore, there is a need for a speedloading device with an improved loading rate that can be easily aligned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention is a speedloader for a shotgun having a tubular magazine. The speedloader interfaces with a shotgun carrier opening to enable rapid reload of a tubular magazine with cartridges. The speedloader has a frame with a channel therethrough that is dimensioned to receive a plurality of cartridges. The frame has a longitudinal track that slidably carries a handle. A pusher slidably received within the channel is capable of traveling from the first end of the frame to the second end of the frame in response to movement of the handle, thereby expelling the cartridges into the magazine. The frame carries a pulley system between the handle and the pusher so that the pusher travels the entire length of the channel in response to the handle moving only a portion of the length.
A major advantage of the present invention is the speed in which a plurality of cartridges can be loaded into the tubular magazine of a shotgun. If the user of a shotgun is being attacked or under fire, the speed with which a shotgun can be reloaded may be a matter of life or death, thereby making this advantage of upmost importance.
A pulley system that minimizes movement of the handle to expel a plurality of cartridges from the speedloader is a major feature of the present invention. Since the handle does not need to travel the entire length of the frame, as in prior art speedloaders, the loading time is reduced.
Another important advantage of the present invention is the simplicity of design. By simply adding a ribbon and pulley to the design, the pusher travels approximately twice the distance as the handle, thereby improving the reloading speed.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a careful reading of the Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment presented below and accompanied by the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 211691 (1879-01-01), Bennett
patent: 2885811 (1959-05-01), Womble, Jr.
patent: 2981024 (1961-04-01), Skoff
patent: 4509284 (1985-04-01), Naber
patent: 4614052 (1986-09-01), Brown et al.
patent: 4720931 (1988-01-01), Jensen
patent: 4756110 (1988-07-01), Beltron
patent: 4862621 (1989-09-01), Kearney
patent: 4864758 (1989-09-01), Crossman
patent: 4867039 (1989-09-01), Dobbins
patent: 4939862 (1990-07-01), Brandenburg et al.
patent: 5054221 (1991-10-01), Ozols
patent: 5072537 (1991-12-01), Velezis
patent: 5109623 (1992-05-01), French
patent: 5452533 (1995-09-01), Bentley
patent: 5669171 (1997-09-01), Sally
patent: 205661 (1986-12-01), None
patent: 331218 (1989-09-01), None
Erickson Milton W
Prisovsky Zdenek
Sniezak Gary A
FN Manufacturing Co Inc
Johnson Stephen M.
Mann Michael A
Nexsen Pruet Jacobs & Pollard LLP
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