BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ammunition assembly carrier that provides storage and quick and easy access of cartridge assemblies for the reloading of revolver type firearms.
A number of devices and methods have been proposed for such assembly carriers. None of these, however, have addressed the need for cartridge storage offering quick and easy access of cartridges to the user.
The need for a method to quickly reload a firearm with a revolving cylinder has been made known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 201,855, U.S. Pat. No. 202,613 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,916 all teach methods in which multiple firearms cartridges are stored in a carrier designed to reload a revolving cylinder. These methods generally describe a series of connected tubes that hold groups of individual cartridges in a configuration so that when the carrier is mated with a revolving cylinder, the individual cartridges are released therein.
Also known are the methods of carrying reloading cartridge packs as taught by U.S. Pat. Nos. 354,454 and 4,408,707, which demonstrate carrying individual reloading cartridge packs on a belt for easy access when reloading.
Also known is the method of carrying cartridge packs as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,504 in which cartridge packs are carried in a cylindrical body with a release mechanism to retrieve cartridge packs. While these devices fulfill their respective objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that further advances the afore described art by providing a single device that carries multiple cartridge assemblies so the user can visually see the cartridge assembly, reach for it precisely at one point and retrieve it without manipulating a release mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore the object of this invention to provide a device that carries multiple cartridge assemblies for a revolver type firearm, which can be carried on a person's belt. This device is capable of sequentially delivering a cartridge assembly to a predetermined location and allowing said cartridge assembly to be retrieved from said device without manipulating any release mechanism.
In general the invention includes a mainframe, a holding and guiding rail on which the cartridge assemblies are inserted, and a spring to push said cartridge assemblies to the left or the right side. At the left or right side, a bulkhead prevents the cartridges from sliding off the end of said rail and offers a left or a right location in which to load and retrieve cartridge assemblies from the present invention.
The more important features of the invention, rather broadly outlined in the detailed description that follows, are presented in order that the invention may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. Addition features of the invention will be described hereinafter which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will become more apparent by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings, which are shown by way of example only, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top view of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view from above the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view from below the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view from below the present invention showing a speed load-type cartridge assembly.
FIG. 6 is a top view of the present invention showing the cartridge assembly holding an odd number of cartridges.
FIG. 7 is a top view of the present invention showing the cartridge assemblies installed at the opposite end of the cartridge server and showing a removable rail.
FIG. 8 is a side view of FIG. 7.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference to the drawings in FIGS. 1 through 8, a new cartridge assembly server device embodying the principals and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the numeral 10 will be described.
Herein is described a reloading cartridge server 10 comprising a mainframe 20 in which cartridges assemblies 50 may be installed such as the cartridge referred to as a moon clip 50 and an odd number of cartridges 51. Also described is a reloading cartridge server for holding a speed loader type cartridge assembly 52 used in a firearm called a speed loader.
As best illustrated in FIG. 1 the cartridge assembly server 10 generally comprises a mainframe 20 that has an arched shape to match that of the torso of an average person. As a belt-mounted device, server 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, may be mounted on the left side of the user's torso and the cartridge assemblies 50 accessed with the right hand. Similarly, server 10 may be mounted on the right side of the user's torso and the cartridge assemblies 50 accessed with the left hand.
As viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3, right bulkhead 60 and left bulkhead 61 are rigidly attached to and protrude out from each end of the mainframe 20. The distance from the right bulkhead 60 to the left bulkhead 61 would be defined by the number of cartridge assemblies 50 to be carried. In FIG. 1, left finger area 110 defines the space between the left bulkhead 61 and the mainframe 20 and right finger area 100 defines the space between the right bulkhead 60 and the mainframe 20. These spaces, 100 and 110 allow finger access for retrieving cartridge assemblies 50.
As viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3, rail 40, is formed so as to follow the arch as set forth by the mainframe 20 and is suspended by its ends to the mainframe 20 via the right bulkhead 60 and left bulkhead 61, at a distance away from the mainframe 20 sufficient to permit room between the cartridge assemblies 50 and mainframe 20.
As viewed in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the cartridge assemblies rest centered on the rail 40 with odd numbered cartridge assemblies 51 centered as much as possible.
As viewed in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 top plate 30 attaches to the mainframe 20 above the rail 40 and protrudes away from the mainframe 20 to prevent cartridge assemblies 50 from vertically sliding off the rail 40. The distance the top plate 30 is mounted above the rail 40 is set by the type of cartridge assembly to be used. As viewed in FIG. 2, a moon clip type cartridge assembly 50 is shown. As viewed in FIG. 5, a speed loader type cartridge assembly 52 is shown. Top plate 30 may be attached to the mainframe 20 in an adjustable manor so that the height of cartridge assemblies 50, 51, and 52 are accommodated.
As viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3, a propelling spring 70, a right spring follower 80, and a left spring follower 81, fit around the rail 40 and serve to push the cartridge assemblies 50 toward the right bulkhead 60 or the left bulkhead 61, depending on which end the cartridge assemblies 50 are installed. It is also understood that spring 70 and the followers 80 and 81 provide enough tension on the cartridge assemblies 50 to detent said cartridge assemblies against the left or the right bulkheads 60 and 61 to prevent unwanted extraction caused by running or jumping of the user.
Also viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3 is a cartridge assembly server 10 that is assembled to accommodate the user wearing it on the left side of the torso. The server 10, being symmetrical in shape, allows spring 70 and right and left spring followers 80 and 81 to be slid along rail 40 to the opposite end of mainframe 20 so as to allow cartridges 50 to be loaded from the opposite end of mainframe 20 and thus, accommodate the user wearing it on the right side of the torso.
Although not depicted, the spring followers 80 and 81 may have a handle protruding out beyond the cartridge assemblies to aid in loading the cartridge assembly server 10.
As viewed in FIGS. 7 and 8, another embodiment of server 10 is shown wherein rail 40 may be formed with means to be removable, thus, providing means to easily replace spring 70 and also providing means to install the cartridge assemblies 50 on the opposite end of server 10. Rail 40, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is removable through bulkhead slot 65 in bulkhead 60 and bulkhead slot 66 in bulkhead 61. Once reinstalled, rail 40 is secured at one end to bulkhead 61 by way of pin hole 42 in the end of rail 40 where a cotter pin 68 or other securement means, is inserted to secure rail 40 within slot 66. At the opposite end of rail 40, a bend 75 (about 90 degrees) is formed so as to secure the rail 40 within slot 65 of bulkhead 60 and render the end of rail 40 un-obstructive to the user.
Whereas the above description discloses one method of providing a removable rail 40, other methods may be employed that would accomplish the same goal.
In addition, the embodiment of server 10, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, eliminates the need for the installation of left spring follower 81.
As viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3, belt loop 90, one formed at each end of server 10, is attached to the back of mainframe 20.