FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to magazine carriers, in general and, in particular to magazine carriers for magazine fed shotgun used in competition shooting.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In competition shooting using a magazine fed shotgun, the competitor needs to carry one or more magazines in addition to other accessories. The measurement of success at competitive events is mostly based on accuracy, speed and overall efficiency as competitor maneuvers through the course. When it is time to replace the magazine, the old magazine must be removed from the gun and a new magazine retrieved from its storage location on the competitor's gear, generally on an ammunition belt, before it is inserted into the shotgun. However, ammunition belts are not adapted to carrying extended magazines such as those required for competition shooting. Known magazine carriers require that the competitor first detach the carrier from the magazine before the magazine can be reloaded into the shotgun. Therefore, a need exists where the competitor can access the magazine quickly without having to detach it from the carrier and be able to reload the magazine into the shotgun without detaching it from the carrier before reloading.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention includes a magazine carrier for use with an ammunition shotgun magazine for efficient access to and reloading of a shotgun magazine. The present magazine carrier can include a first and a second bracket coupled to each other and configured to be secured to the ammunition shotgun magazine. The carrier can also include a flange that is bent to provide a horizontal and vertical portion so that the carrier can be securely attached to the ammunition belt or gear. The width of the horizontal portion and the length of the vertical portion of the flange can provide for the ability to securely attach the carrier to a variety of ammunition belts or gear worn by the competitor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be further understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a side view showing an example magazine carrier secured to a shotgun magazine.
FIG. 2 illustrates a view of an example disassembled magazine carrier showing an unbent flange attached to a bracket and a bent flange attached to a bracket.
FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of an example magazine carrier showing a vertical portion of a flange.
FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of an example magazine carrier showing two brackets secured to each other by fasteners.
FIG. 3C illustrates a front view of an example magazine carrier showing a first bracket without a flange secured to a second bracket including a flange.
FIG. 3D illustrates a top view of an example magazine carrier showing the horizontal portion of the flange.
FIG. 3E illustrates a bottom perspective view of an example magazine carrier.
FIG. 3F illustrates a side view of an example magazine carrier showing a first bracket and a second bracket secured to each other by a fastener.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention detailed here is specifically for use in a competition shooting environment. The typical competition calls for a competitor to maneuver quickly through rough terrain, over and through multiple obstacles, all while utilizing multiple weapons and having access to several at any given time in the event. These operations are dependent on a reliable method for accessing and loading/unloading the extended magazine (e.g., more than 15 shells, etc.) into the shotgun.
FIG. 1 illustrates carrier 10 attached to magazine 30. Carrier 10 can be removable from magazine 30. The coupler can be made of metal, including steel, aluminum, etc. Carrier 10 includes an attachment portion 16 and a magazine coupler 14. Attachment portion 16 includes portion 22, which extends from magazine coupler 14 and portion 24 which is bent to fit firmly over the typical tactical belt worn by competitors. Attachment portion 16 is designed to remain attached to magazine 30 throughout the competition and is configured to removably secure magazine 30 to a competitor (e.g., belt, etc.) during its operation with the shotgun. Portions 22 and 24 can be one piece of, for example, metal that is bent at a 90-degree angle. In other embodiments, portions 22 and 24 can be bent at other acute angles. Attachment portions 24 can be bent to accommodate a left- or right-handed shooter (e.g., to attached to a competitor on the left or right side of the competitor's torso). Portion 22 can sit directly on top of the competition belt when holstered to the competitor. Portion 24 can fit snugly between the belt and the body of the competitor. The competitor can slip the assembly 10 on and off the belt loop when required to load/unload magazine 30.
Referring now to FIG. 2, carrier 10 is comprised of two pieces 14, 16, which are secured by fasteners 18 through holes 20, designed to fit firmly around magazine 30. Bracket 14 is a magazine coupler secured firmly around magazine 30. Bracket 14 can sit on the outward-facing side of the belt—the side which faces away from a competitor's body—and is constructed in a way to fit tightly and securely against magazine 30 and can have three fastener holes 20 punctured into the framing of bracket 14. Bracket 14 is secured around the body of the carrier via metal fasteners 18. Metal fasteners 18 are designed to fit through the holes 20 punctured into the metal framing of bracket 14. The attachment portion 16 sits on the inward-facing side of the belt and constructed in a way to fit firmly against magazine 30 in such a manner as to be able to fasten magazine 30 into a gear belt to quickly secure the magazine. Attachment 16 can have three holes punctured into its framing, in the same places bracket 14 has the holes punctured, such that they line up with two of the attachment points 20 on one side and one of the attachment points 20 on the other side in the manner that the carrier 10 fully encircles magazine 30. At least one of the fasteners 18 can be used to connect members 14 and 16 such that they encase the magazine securely as to remain in place without movement. Attachment 16 is a piece which can be made of various metal (e.g., steel) that is bent at an approximate 90-degree angle. In FIG. 2, there is a horizontal, flat version of attachment 16 used for illustrative purposes. However, during the manufacturing process, attachment 16 will be bent in such a manner as to create a clip, which then will attach magazine 30 to a competition belt. Attachment 16 can be constructed of a sturdy metal, as to ensure durability and that the clip portion of the attachment will not be manipulated or destroyed during the use of the invention. Pieces 14, 16, and fasteners 18 are designed to not move around the length of the magazine 30, but rather remain affixed on a portion of the magazine carrier the assembly 16, 14 encircles. A user can attach the assembled pieces 14, 16, 18 to any part on the length of the magazine 30 in order to achieve an assembly which most conveniently fastens the magazine 30 to the belt. In some examples, the assembled pieces 14, 16, 18 are affixed to the middle of magazine 30, to enable insertion into the shotgun without removal of the assembly. Once attached, the assembled pieces 14, 16, 18 create a clip which can be easily attached and removed from a competition belt during the use of the magazine 30.
Referring now to FIGS. 3A-F, which provides multiple views of the carrier 10. FIG. 3A is side view of the magazine carrier 10 showing portion 24. Portion 24 of the carrier 10 is designed to fit firmly between the competition belt and the body of the individual competitor. Portion 24 can constructed of a durable, non-flexible metal—preferably steel—and is bent into a 90-degree angle in order to ensure that it does not become loose during the normal operation of the invention. FIG. 3B is a side view of the magazine carrier showing pieces 16, 14 secured to each other by fasteners 18, along with a side view of the horizontal portion 22 and vertical portion 24 of the attachment 16. The fasteners 18 attach the outward facing bracket 14 and the inward facing attachment 16 to each other. The brackets will be secured tightly against each other in such a manner as to ensure that the magazine carrier 10 does not move from the point of attachment on the magazine 30. FIG. 3C is an outward view of the invention. In this view, outward portion 14 of is in full view and is secured with fasteners 18. FIG. 3D is a top view of the invention. The top view of the portion 22 is seen as it would be sitting on the competition belt. Portions 16 and 14 are attached together via the fasteners 18. FIG. 3E is the underside view of the invention. Portions 16 and 14 are attached together via the fasteners 18. The underside of portion 22 can be against the top of the competition belt. Both coupler 14 and attachment 16 are connected together via the fasteners 18. FIG. 3F is a side view of the bracket where attachment 16 and coupler 14 can be connected via the fasteners 18.
Patent Application
20250137768
