Patent Grant
9752847
The present invention relates to loading device for firearms and firearms for receiving the same, and more particularly to improved loading devices for black powder arms and black powder firearms that receive the same, and methods of using the same.
Black powder, muzzle-loading firearms have recently seen a resurgence in popularity. Muzzle-loading firearms are essentially primitive rifles, shotguns, or pistols, based on designs used during the early days of America and lacking the effective range of more modem center fire rifles and the speed of reloading available to cartridge firearms. Typically, modern muzzle-loaders have a caplock design, although flintlocks are in use, as well. The caplock design includes a hammer that swings into a percussion cap which contains an explosive fulminate of mercury. The percussion cap rests on a nipple through which the spark travels to reach the main charge in the barrel. The most modem type of muzzleloader is an in-line caplock (having a hammer, nipple and cap in-line with the barrel) that provides more effective discharge. For example, break-action muzzle-loading rifles are one popular design, wherein a breech plug is positioned in a breech (breech plug receiver) that is accessible when the firearm is opened at the breech. The breech plug may include a primer cap receiver (e.g., a nipple) and the spark generated by striking the primer cap is carried to a propellant and shot that has been muzzle-loaded in the barrel. The break-action design of such muzzle-loading rifles facilitates an in-line design for a more effective discharge and facilitates easier maintenance (e.g., the breech plug can be removed to allow end to end access to the barrel for cleaning).
During loading of a muzzle-loading firearm, a charge, a sabot or patch (wad), if necessary, and a projectile, in that order, are loaded through the discharging end of the barrel. The contents are typically packed toward the breech end of the firearm using a ramrod to ensure a consistent loading and seating pressure of the propellant and the projectile. Seating reduces the chances of an inadvertent blow up of the barrel of the firearm because of an air gap formed between the propellant and the projectile. The loading process for muzzle-loading firearms is slow and tedious.
Additionally, the imprecision of the loading process can present danger to the user. Because the powder, projectile and percussion cap are separately loaded for each shot and are not subject to mechanical assembly in a cartridge, muzzle-loading firearms are particularly vulnerable to conditions known as hangfire or misfire where the gun does not discharge immediately upon the trigger being pulled. A misfire occurs when the gun does not fire at all. A hangfire occurs when the cap or flint successfully flames and sends sparks toward the main charge, but the main charge does not ignite for a few seconds after the trigger is pulled. A hangfire can be particularly dangerous because the user may position the gun unsafely, thinking the gun has misfired, prior to it discharging.
Due to such problems with muzzle-loading firearms, new loading technologies and methods are needed.
The present invention provides speed-loading devices for black powder firearms that allow the operator to avoid the tedium and dangers of muzzle-loading the firearms, as well as firearms that are designed to receive the speed-loading devices. In some embodiments, the invention relates to a cylindrical speed-loading device that may be removably inserted into a receiver of a black powder firearm (e.g., the breech of a break-action firearm, the bolt receiver of a bolt-action firearm, or a chamber within cylinder magazine of a revolver firearm). The firearm may be of the muzzle-loading kind, which often include a breech plug against which the muzzle-loaded powder and shot are typically packed prior to firing the weapon. Embodiments of the present invention may be used to replace the breech plug with a speed-loading (a breech-loading) device that may be pre-packed with powder (or black powder pellets) and shot (and optionally other materials such as sabot). In other embodiments, the speed-loading device may replace a bolt in a bolt-action firearm or may be for use in a revolving cylinder of a revolver black powder firearm). The embodiments of the present invention may allow a muzzle-loading firearm to be more efficiently and conveniently loaded at the breech of the gun.
Embodiments of the speed-loading devices of the present invention may have a cylindrical shape that fits into a receiver (e.g., a breech) of a firearm. The device may include a load chamber in a distal end thereof that has an internal diameter (a bore) that may be equal or substantially equal to the bore diameter of the firearm's barrel. The load chamber may be packed with black powder (e.g., loose powder or pellets), a projectile (e.g., a bullet, a ball, pellets, etc.), and optionally a patch, sabot, or other materials that may include with the shot.
In some embodiments, and without limitation, the speed-loading device may also include a primer pocket for receiving a primer (e.g., a 209 primer or other ignition source), and a transfer channel (flash hole) connecting the primer pocket to the load chamber, which may allow the ignition spark to pass from the primer pocket to the load chamber to ignite the powder therein. The primer pocket may include a nipple for loading the primer therein.
The load chamber may have a bore having an interior diameter that is equal or substantially equal to the interior diameter of the barrel of the firearm into which the speed-loading device is inserted. In some embodiments, and without limitation, the load chamber may have an outer wall that is sufficiently thick and/or is made of sufficiently strong material to withstand the pressure created by ignition of black powder (e.g., 50 to 100 grains of black powder) within in the load chamber. In such embodiments, and without limitation, the firearm into which the speed-loading device is inserted may be modified to accommodate the outer diameter of the load chamber. In other embodiments, and without limitation, the speed-loading device may be configured with a thin outer wall that is designed to slip inside the barrel of conventional black powder firearm, such that the difference between the inner diameter of the load chamber and the inner diameter of the barrel of the firearm is insignificant (e.g., less than a millimeter). Additionally, in some implementations, and without limitation, the bore of the load chamber may have rifling that matches or substantially matches the rifling of the barrel of the firearm (e.g., same spiraling pattern).
The exterior structure of the speed-loading device of the present invention may vary depending on the particular firearm for which the speed-loading device will be used. Some embodiments of the invention, and without limitation, may be configured to be inserted into the breech of a break-action firearm. In such embodiments, and without limitation, the exterior of the speed-loading device may have a proximal head portion or knurl that abuts the proximal end of the receiver (e.g., the breech), and a male threading adjacent to the head portion. In some embodiments, and without limitation, there may be a gap between the head portion and the male threading. The male threading may be engaged with female threading within the breech or barrel to secure the speed-loading device in position within the firearm. The exterior of the load chamber may be smooth and fit within the breech. Such embodiments of the speed-loading device may be installed and removed by hand from the breech of the firearm by simply rotating (screwing) the threads of the speed-loading device to engage or disengage the threading in the breech of the firearm. The engagement of the speed-loading device of such embodiments with the breech of a break-action firearm may be both simpler and more efficient than conventional muzzle loading. Additionally, the ease of removing the speed-loading device may allow the gun and the speed-loading device to be cleaned more quickly and efficiently than a conventional muzzle-loaded weapon (which include a breech plug that must be removed with tools).
In some implementations, and without limitation, the male threading on the exterior of the speed-loading device may be relatively short in order to reduce the time required to engage the male threading of the speed-loading device with the complementary (e.g., female) threading within the breech of the firearm. For example, and without limitation, the speed-loading device may include male threading on its exterior requiring about one to about ten 360° rotations (e.g., about one to about five 360° rotations, or any value or range of values therein) to fully engage the speed-loading device with the female threading within the breech of the firearm. The term “fully engage” as used above is intended to indicate that the full length of the male threading on the exterior of the speed-loading device has been engaged with the female threads in the breech of the firearm. In some embodiments, and without limitation, the exterior of the speed-loading device may not include any threading, and may have a smooth exterior from the head portion to the distal end of the load chamber. In such embodiments, the speed-loading device may be efficiently removed from the breech of the break-action firearm without the need to disengage the speed-loading device from threading within the breech. Such embodiments include the same efficiency benefits with regard to loading and cleaning as the threaded embodiments.
In some embodiments, and without limitation, the speed-loading device may be configured to be inserted into a bolt action, black powder firearm. In such embodiments, and without limitation, the speed-loading device would function both as the bolt and a speed-loading device for holding a load ready for firing in the breech at the proximal end of the barrel of the bolt-action firearm. In such embodiments, and without limitation, the exterior of the speed-loading device may be smooth, to allow it to be cleanly and efficiently passed through the bolt receiver when it is inserted into or removed from the receiver. The speed-loading device may include a bolt handle on the exterior thereof (e.g., integrally formed with the speed-loading device or securely attached thereto) for manipulating and moving the bolt within the receiver.
In some embodiments, and without limitation, the load chamber may be separable from the rest of the speed-loading device. For example, and without limitation, the load chamber may be connected by threading or some other coupling mechanism to the proximal portion of the speed-loading device to connect the load chamber to a transfer channel in the proximal portion of the speed-loading device. The load chamber may have an internal dividing wall that divides the proximal portion of the speed-loading device from the load packed in the load chamber, with a hole in the dividing wall that aligns with the transfer channel of the speed-loading device. However, such a dividing wall is optional, and the load may optionally be packed against the proximal end of the speed-loading device when the speed-loading device is assembled. In such embodiments, the load chamber may be replaced on the speed-loading device if the load chamber is damaged by use or other eventualities (e.g., being dropped, etc.). The removal of the load chamber from the speed-loading device may also facilitate cleaning of the transfer channel, the interior of the load chamber, and/or the primer pocket when the speed-loading device is disassembled.
In some embodiments, and without limitation, the speed-loading devices of the present invention may be retrofit designs that may be used in existing muzzle-loading firearms that include a breech for inserting and removing a breech plug. In such embodiments, the male threading on the exterior of the speed-loading device (or breech-loading device) may be relatively short in order to reduce the time required to engage the male threading of the speed-loading device with complementary (e.g., female) threading within the breech of the conventional firearm, even though the female threading in the breech may be designed to receive a breech plug (rather than a speed loading device) and may be considerably longer than the male threading of the speed-loading device. For example, and without limitation, the speed-loading device may include male threading on its exterior requiring about one to about ten 360° rotations (e.g., about three to about five 360° rotations, or any value or other range of values therein) to fully engage the speed-loading device with the female threading within the breech of the firearm. Additionally, in such implementations, and without limitation, the transfer channel may extend past the end of the male threading on the exterior of the speed-loading device, such that the thicker metal wall of the transfer channel position in the threaded area of the breech and the thinner walls of the load chamber are only located within the barrel of the firearm. In such embodiments, the close fit between the wall of the load chamber and the rifle barrel may help to prevent expansion or failure of the wall of the load chamber.
In other embodiments, and without limitation, the speed-loading device may be configured to receive a cartridge load, such as a black powder cartridge, or low velocity cartridge (e.g., a cowboy load), rather than a loose powder or powder pellet load, such that it may convert a black powder firearm to shoot cartridge rounds of a particular caliber. Such embodiments function as a cartridge conversion device, for converting a muzzle-loading firearm into a breech-loading, cartridge firing firearm. Speed-loading devices in such embodiments may include a bore of uniform diameter that passes through the entire speed-loading device (e.g., a bore capable of accommodating a cartridge of a particular caliber). In various implementations, and without limitation, the speed-loading device may have a bore sized for different calibers (e.g., 0.22, 0.32, 0.38, 0.40, 0.44, 0.45, etc.). Such embodiments may allow the black powder firearm to be loaded with cartridges of a particular caliber (e.g., low velocity cartridges, such as cowboy loads). The speed-loading device may include rifling within the bore. The speed-loading device may have a proximal portion that has a diameter that fits closely within the breech of a black powder firearm and a distal portion that extends down the length of the barrel of the firearm and fits closely therein. The proximal portion may be threaded to engage with threading within the bore of the firearm. In some implementations, and without limitation, the bore may be positioned at the center of the speed-loading device, such that the bore is concentric with the barrel of the firearm (e.g., for accommodating center fire cartridges). In some implementations, and without limitation, the bore may be offset from the center of the speed-loading device and located closer to the outer diameter of the speed-loading device (e.g., for accommodating rimfire cartridges).
The embodiments of the present invention also include firearms designed or adapted to receive a speed-loading device as described herein. In some embodiments, and without limitation, a firearm may have a breech receiving section that has a larger inner diameter than the rifle barrel of the firearm in order to receive a speed-loading device having a load chamber with (1) an inner diameter that is the same or substantially the same as the inner diameter of the firearm barrel and (2) an outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the rifle barrel and just slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the breech receiving section, such that the speed-loading device may be inserted into and removed from the breech receiving section while still having a close fit within the breech receiving section. The greater size of the outer diameter of the speed-loading device relative to the inner diameter of the barrel allows for inner diameter of the load chamber to match the inner diameter of the rifle barrel, while still having a substantial thickness in the walls of the load chamber.
In some embodiments, and without limitation, the firearm may be a bolt-action black powder rifle that is adapted to receive a speed-loading bolt that includes a bolt handle and that functions as the bolt and a speed-loading device for holding a load ready for firing in the breech at the proximal end of the barrel. In such embodiments, the firearm would include a bolt receiver for receiving the speed-loading bolt, and bolt handle-receiving slot into which the bolt handle is inserted and locked into place.
In some embodiments, the barrel may have a tapered internal structure at its proximal end for receiving the load chamber to assist in preventing the escape of pressure from the load chamber and barrel through the point at which the load chamber and the barrel meet. The load chamber may also have a tapered outer surface (a male tapered surface) at its distal end that is complementary to the tapered interior of the barrel (a female tapered surface) at the proximal end of the barrel. The tapered structure of the barrel may also aid in preventing the expansion of the load chamber upon ignition of the black powder due to the pressure created in the load chamber. In other embodiments, the distal end of the load chamber may be fitted with an O-ring that creates a tight seal between the load chamber and the proximal end of the barrel to assist in preventing the escape of pressure from the load chamber and barrel through the point at which the load chamber and the barrel meet. In further embodiments, and without limitation, the speed-loading device may include a gasket or O-ring on the exterior of the load chamber such that it is position between the load chamber and the wall of the breech. Such a gasket may be included on the speed-loading device instead of or in addition to a gasket or O-ring on the distal end of the load chamber. The gasket may be positioned anywhere along the exterior of the load chamber (e.g., about ¼ inch to about a 1 inch from the proximal end of the load chamber).
In further embodiments, and without limitation, the firearm may include a firearm that includes a revolving cylinder designed to receive multiple black powder speed-loading devices that have the same or essentially the same design as the speed-loading devices described herein. For example, and without limitation, a firearm according to such embodiments may include a revolving cylinder that includes two to ten parallel chambers (e.g., three to five chambers, or any value therein), each for receiving a speed-loading device as described herein. In such embodiments, and without limitation, the cylinder may be cycled (rotated) between chambers as the hammer of the firearm is pulled back into firing position. Implementations of the revolver may be single action or double action. Such embodiments may allow the operator of the firearm to shoot multiple shots without the need to reload.
In some embodiments, and without limitation, the speed-loading device may be configured such that it can be used with a conventional black powder firearm (the “retrofit” embodiments). In such embodiments, and without limitation, the load chamber of the speed-loading device may have relatively thin, but strong metal walls that can resist expansion under the pressure created by the ignition of the black powder in the load chamber. In such embodiments, and without limitation, the outer diameter of the load chamber may be just slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the rifle barrel, such that the load chamber may be inserted into and removed from the rifle barrel while still having a close fit within the rifle barrel. Also, wall of the load chamber is very thin such that the inner diameter of the load chamber is substantially the same as or only slightly less than the inner diameter of the rifle barrel (e.g., the inner diameter of the rifle barrel less the diameter of the load chamber wall). In some implementations, and without limitation, the thickness of the wall of the load chamber may be in a range of about 0.05 mm in thickness to about 1 mm (e.g., about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, or any value or other range of values therein). In such embodiments, the wall of the load chamber may be made from a strong and rigid metal that is able to maintain its shape and diameter when exposed to the pressure created by the ignition of a black powder load packed therein. For example, the load chamber may be made from various metal alloys such as steels, high-strength aluminum alloys, etc. Without limiting the invention, some specific examples of materials that may be used to form the load chamber wall include stainless steel, such as type 17-4 alloy and the 400 series alloys, particularly type 416; chrome molybdenum steel such as types 4140, 4150, and 4340; high-strength aluminum alloys such as types 6061 and 7075; etc.
The embodiments of the present invention provide advantages over conventional black powder and muzzle-loading firearms, including more efficient reloading of the firearm. The breech-loading devices of the present invention may be quickly withdrawn from the breech of a break-action or bolt-action firearm and replaced with a second pre-loaded speed-loading device (e.g., the operator may carry multiple pre-loaded speed-loading devices for ease and efficiency of reloading). Additionally, the ease of removal of the speed-loading device may facilitate more efficient cleaning of the firearm.
The present invention also provides improved safety of the firearms. For example, the speed-loading device can be quickly removed for inspection of the firearm by a game warden or ranger, who generally requires the gun to be unloaded prior to inspection. Also, if the gun misfires, the speed-loading device allows the unfired round to be removed quickly from the breech of the gun rather than through the barrel.
It should be understood that modifications to a conventional black powder muzzle-loading firearm or a new firearm design may be necessary in order to accommodate the shapes of some of the embodiments of the speed-loading devices speed-loading device of the present invention, but not for all embodiments. It should be further understood that the scope of the present invention includes new firearm designs (e.g., break-action, bolt-action, revolver, etc.) that are configured to accept a speed-loading device speed-loading device according to embodiments of the present invention.
It should be further understood that the embodiments of the speed-loading devices speed-loading device of the present invention may be adapted for use in black powder firearms of any caliber.
In some embodiments, and without limitation, the present invention relates to a breech loading device that includes a cylindrical body having a distal end and a proximal end, where the distal end may be inserted into a firearm in alignment with a barrel of the firearm; a load chamber in the distal end of the breech-loading device having a bore therein of a diameter that may be substantially the same as a barrel bore of the barrel of the firearm; and a channel connecting the load chamber and the proximal end of the device, wherein the channel may be operable to transmit a spark generated from a primer ignited by the firing operation of the firearm. In such embodiments, the breach loading may be operable to be inserted into the breech of a break-action, muzzle-loading firearm. The breach loading device may also include a primer pocket at the proximal end of the device, where the channel connects the primer pocket with the load chamber allowing a spark generated by a firing hammer of the firearm striking a primer cap positioned in the primer pocket to travel to the load chamber and ignite gun powder positioned in the load chamber. The breach loading device may also include threading on the exterior thereof for engaging with threading within the breech of the firearm. The breach loading device may also include a head portion on the proximal end of the cylindrical body for abutting a proximal end of the breech of the firearm. The exterior surface of the cylindrical body of the breach loading device may be smooth to prevent obstruction of the device as it is inserted and removed from the breech of the firearm. The load chamber of the breach loading device may be detachable from the proximal end of the device. In some examples, the breach loading device may be operable to be inserted into the bolt receiver of a bolt-action black powder firearm. In such examples, the breach loading device may include a bolt handle on the proximal end of the cylindrical body for manipulating the device within the bolt receiver and for engaging a bolt handle slot of the firearm.
In some embodiments, and without limitation, the present invention relates to a speed-loading device that includes a cylindrical body having a distal end and a proximal end, where the distal end may be operable to be inserted into a receiver in a firearm; and a bore in the cylindrical body, the bore having a uniform diameter that has substantially the same diameter as a bore of a barrel of the firearm. In some examples, the firearm may be a break-action firearm, and the receiver may be a cavity at the breech of the firearm proximal to the barrel and the speed-loading device may be operable to be inserted into the receiver of the break-action firearm. In such examples, the cavity may be aligned with the barrel and the speed-loading device may be inserted into the receiver in alignment with a barrel of the firearm. In other examples, the firearm may be a bolt-action firearm, and the receiver may be a bolt receiver of the firearm proximal to the barrel and the device may be operable to be inserted into the bolt receiver. In such examples, the speed-loading device may further include a bolt handle on the proximal end of the cylindrical body for manipulating the device within the bolt receiver and for engaging a bolt handle slot of the firearm. In some examples, the speed-loading device may include threading on the exterior thereof for engaging with threading within the breech of the firearm. In other examples, the exterior surface of the cylindrical body may be smooth to prevent obstruction of the device as it is inserted and removed from the breech of the firearm. The speed-loading device may further include a head portion on the proximal end of the cylindrical body for abutting a proximal end of the breech of the firearm. The load chamber of the speed-loading device may be detachable from the proximal end of the device.
In some embodiments, and without limitation, the present invention relates to a firearm that includes a receiver for receiving a speed-loading device, the speed-loading device including a cylindrical body having a distal end and a proximal end, where the distal end may be operable to be inserted into a receiver in the firearm, and a bore in the cylindrical body, the bore having a uniform diameter that has substantially the same diameter as a bore of a barrel of the firearm. In some embodiments, the firearm may include a revolving cylinder magazine, the receiver being one of a plurality of chambers in the revolving cylinder, each operable to receive a speed-loading device. In some embodiments, the firearm may be a break-action firearm, and the receiver may be a cavity at the breech of the break-action firearm proximal to the barrel and the speed-loading device may be operable to be inserted into the receiver of the break-action firearm. In such embodiments, the cavity may be aligned with the barrel and the speed-loading device may be operable to be inserted into the receiver in alignment with a barrel of the firearm. In some embodiments, the firearm may be a bolt-action firearm, and the receiver may be a bolt receiver of the bolt-action firearm proximal to the barrel and the speed-loading device may be operable to be inserted into the bolt receiver. In such embodiments, the speed-loading device may include a bolt handle on the proximal end of the cylindrical body for manipulating the speed-loading device within the bolt receiver and for engaging a bolt handle slot of the bolt-action firearm. In some examples, the speed-loading device may include threading on the exterior thereof for engaging with threading within the receiver of the firearm. In other examples, the exterior surface of the cylindrical body may be smooth to prevent obstruction of the device as it is inserted and removed from the receiver of the firearm. In some examples, the speed-loading device may include a head portion on the proximal end of the cylindrical body for abutting a proximal end of the receiver of the firearm.
In some embodiments, and without limitation, the present invention relates to a firearm that includes a revolving cylinder magazine, the magazine having a plurality of chambers therein, each for receiving a speed-loading device; where the speed-loading device includes a cylindrical body having a proximal end and a distal end that may be operable to be inserted into one of the plurality of chambers, and a bore in the cylindrical body, the bore having a uniform diameter that has substantially the same diameter as a barrel bore of a barrel of the firearm. The firearm may include a cycling mechanism for rotating the magazine to position one of the plurality of chambers in alignment with the barrel. Cycling the magazine may position the bore of a speed-loading device in alignment with the barrel bore when the chamber in which the speed-loading device is inserted is aligned with the barrel. In some examples, the bore of each of the chambers may be threaded for engagement with threading on an exterior surface of the speed-loading device. The magazine of the firearm may be removable for cleaning and reloading. The magazine may be pivotally attached to the firearm such that it can be rotated on the pivotal attachment to expose the chambers (e.g., one by one) so that each chamber can be reloaded without completely removing and detaching the magazine from the firearm. In some examples, the firearm may having break-top action, allowing the chambers to be exposed and reloading without the removing the magazine from the firearm. In some examples, the firearm may include a magazine-loading gate that allows the chambers to be exposed and reloaded without the need to remove the magazine from the firearm. In some examples, the speed-loading device may include threading on the exterior thereof for engaging with threading within the receiver of the firearm. In other examples, the exterior surface of the cylindrical body may be smooth to prevent obstruction of the device as it is inserted and removed from the receiver of the firearm.
In some embodiments, and without limitation, the present invention relates to a breech loading device that includes a cylindrical body having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end may be inserted into the barrel of a firearm and the proximal end may engage with the breech of the firearm; and a bore of uniform diameter through the length of the device, wherein the diameter of the bore corresponds to a predetermined firearm cartridge caliber, where the breech-loading device may be operable to convert a black-powder firearm to fire metal case cartridges. In some examples, the bore of the breech-loading device may be concentric with the cylindrical body of the device. In other examples, the bore of the breech-loading device may be offset from and parallel to the central axis of the cylindrical body of the device. The breech-loading device may include a head portion on the proximal end of the cylindrical body for abutting a proximal end of the breech of the firearm. In some examples, the breech-loading device may include threading on the exterior thereof for engaging with threading within the receiver of the firearm. In other examples, the exterior surface of the cylindrical body may be smooth to prevent obstruction of the device as it is inserted and removed from the receiver of the firearm.
In some embodiments, and without limitation, the present invention relates to a method of loading a firearm that includes packing propellant and a projectile into a speed-loading device that includes a cylindrical body having a distal end and a proximal end, where the distal end may be operable to be inserted into a receiver in a firearm, a bore in the cylindrical body, the bore having a uniform diameter that has substantially the same diameter as a barrel bore of a barrel of the firearm, and a load chamber in which the propellant and the projectile are packed; and inserting the speed-loading device into the receiver in the firearm. The speed-loading device may also include a channel connecting the load chamber and the proximal end of the device, wherein the channel may be operable to transmit a spark generated from a primer ignited by the firing operation of the firearm. The speed-loading device may also include a primer pocket at the proximal end of the device, wherein the channel connects the primer pocket with the load chamber allowing a spark generated by a firing hammer of the firearm striking a primer positioned in the primer pocket to travel to the load chamber and ignite gun powder positioned in the load chamber. The method may include positioning a primer cap on the primer pocket. The method may include threading the speed-loading device into the receiver, wherein the speed-loading device includes threading on an exterior thereof for engaging with complementary threading within the receiver of the firearm. In some implementations, the speed-loading device includes a head portion on the proximal end of the cylindrical body for abutting a proximal end of the breech of the firearm. In some implementations, the firearm may be a break-action firearm, and the receiver may be a cavity at the breech of the break-action firearm proximal to the barrel and the speed-loading device is inserted into the receiver of the break-action firearm. In some implementations, the firearm may be a bolt-action firearm, and the receiver may be a bolt receiver of the bolt-action firearm proximal to the barrel and the speed-loading device is inserted into the bolt receiver. In such implementations, the speed-loading device may include a bolt handle on the proximal end of the cylindrical body for manipulating the speed-loading device within the bolt receiver, and the bolt-action firearm includes a bolt handle slot for receiving the bolt handle. In such implementations, the method may include engaging the bolt handle with the bolt handle slot. In some implementations, the firearm may include a revolving cylinder magazine, the receiver being one of a plurality of chambers in the revolving cylinder, each operable to receive a speed-loading device. In such implementations, the method may include packing propellant and a projectile into a plurality of speed-loading devices, and inserting one of the plurality of speed-loading devices into each of the plurality of chambers. In such implementations, the method may include rotating the magazine to cycle between chambers and position one of the plurality of chambers in alignment with the barrel.
Additional aspects and objects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed descriptions and the claims herein.
Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in reference to these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that are included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In the following disclosure, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring particularly to
The speed-loading devices disclosed and described in the present application are generally compatible with various black powder firearms, which include various muzzle-loading firearms. For example, some black powder, muzzle-loading firearms are break-action firearms that include a breech near firing mechanism of the firearm. Such firearms typically include a breech plug receiver (e.g., a threaded portion at the proximal end of the firearm's barrel) into which a breech plug is typically installed. Embodiments of the speed-loading devices (e.g., breech-loading devices) of the present invention are operable to be inserted into the breech plug receiver or breech of such break-action firearms in substitution for the breech plug. The use of the speed-loading devices eliminates the need to muzzle-load such firearms, which is tedious and creates various hazards as discussed herein. However, the speed-loading devices of the present invention are not limited to use in break-action black powder firearms. Embodiments of the present invention are operable to be used in bolt-action firearms (e.g., black-powder bolt-action firearms), revolving cylinder magazine firearms (e.g., a revolver firearm), and other firearm designs. In such other firearm designs, the receiver for the speed-loading device may be a bolt receiver (e.g., in a bolt-action firearm), a chamber in a cylinder magazine (e.g., in a revolver firearm), or other appropriate receiver in other firearm designs.
Certain embodiments of the speed-loading devices of the present invention may include various specialized features and alterations that are for adaptation to a particular firearm design. Such variations are exemplary and do limit the present invention, but rather broaden the scope of the embodiments of the speed-loading device of the present invention. In some implementations, and without limitation, the distal end of the load chamber of the speed-loading device may have a narrowing, tapered end on the outer surface thereof (a male tapered end, not shown) that is complementary to a tapered receiving port or recess at the proximal end of the barrel of the firearm into which the speed-loading device is to be inserted (a female tapered recess, not shown). The insertion of the tapered end of the load chamber into the tapered recess in the firearm may create a tight seal between the load chamber and the firearm that may prevent the escape of pressure from the ignition of black powder loaded in the load chamber between the load chamber and the barrel. In other implementations, and without limitation, the end of the load chamber may be fitted with an O-ring that is positioned between the distal end of the load chamber and the barrel of the firearm. In further implementations, and without limitation, the speed-loading device may include an O-ring on the exterior of the load chamber such that it is position between the load chamber and the wall of the breech. The tapered structure of the load chamber and the addition of one or more O-rings may be included in other embodiments of the speed-loading devices disclosed herein, as well.
The present invention includes embodiments of the speed-loading device that may be used with conventional black powder firearms without the need for any modifications to the firearm. In such embodiments, the load chamber may be made with a thin metal wall such that the load chamber may be slipped into the barrel of the firearm. In such embodiments, the load chamber of the speed-loading device may have relatively thin metal wall that can resist expansion under the pressure created by the ignition of the black powder in the load chamber. In such embodiments, and without limitation, the outer diameter of the load chamber may be just slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the barrel of the firearm, such that the load chamber may be inserted into and removed from the barrel while still having a close fit within the barrel. Also, wall of the load chamber is very thin such that the inner diameter of the load chamber is only slightly less than the inner diameter of the barrel (e.g., the inner diameter of the barrel less the diameter of the load chamber wall). In some implementations, and without limitation, the thickness of the wall of the load chamber may be in a range of about 0.05 mm in thickness to about 1 mm (e.g., about 0.05 mm to about 0.5 mm, or any value or other range of values therein). In some implementations, and without limitation, the wall of the load chamber may be made from typical materials used for bullet casings (e.g., brass, steel, aluminum, etc.). In some implementations, and without limitation, a strong, rigid metal may be used to reduce the possibility of deformation of the load chamber wall when exposed to the pressure created by the ignition of a black powder load packed therein. For example, the load chamber may be made from various metal alloys such as steels, high-strength aluminum alloys, etc. (e.g., stainless steel, such as type 17-4 alloy and the 400 series alloys, particularly type 416; chrome molybdenum steel such as types 4140, 4150, and 4340; high-strength aluminum alloys such as types 6061 and 7075; etc.).
As shown in
Without limiting the invention,
In some implementations, and without limitation, the embodiments of the speed-loading devices for use in conventional black powder firearms (“retrofit embodiments”) may have separable load chambers. Similar to the example shown in
In some embodiments of the present invention, and without limitation, the speed-loading device may be configured for a gun designed to receive a speed-loading device (rather than a conventional firearm). In such embodiments, the speed-loader need not accommodate the breech design or bolt receiver design of a conventional firearm. For example, and without limitation,
In other embodiments, the speed-loading device may have a tapered body that may be inserted into a complementary receiver in a black powder firearm.
The present invention further includes embodiments of firearms that include a revolving cylinder configured to receive speed-loading devices as described herein. In such embodiments, and without limitation, a revolver firearm may include a revolving cylinder that includes two to ten parallel chambers (e.g., three to five chambers, or any value therein), each for receiving a speed-loading device. In such embodiments, and without limitation, the cylinder may be cycled (rotated) between chambers as the hammer of the firearm is pulled back into firing position. Implementations of the revolver may be single action or double action. Such embodiments may allow the operator of the firearm to shoot multiple shots without the need to reload.
Without limiting the invention,
The cylinder 1101 may be removable for cleaning or replacement purposes. The cylinder may include an axial cylinder-pin-receiving hole for receiving the cylinder pin 1101a when the firearm 1100 is assembled. To assemble the firearm 1100 with the cylinder 1101 properly mounted in the cylinder slot of the firearm 1100, cylinder pin 1101a slides into a pin hole 1101c that is anterior to the cylinder slot, through the cylinder-pin-receiving hole of the cylinder, and into a locking recess in the center of the cycling mechanism 1101b. Without limiting the invention, the cylinder pin 1101a may suspend the cylinder 1101 in the cylinder slot, such that it may only contact the cylinder pin 1101a, the cycling mechanism 1101b, and the proximal end of the barrel 1105. To remove the cylinder 1101, the cylinder pin 1101a can be quickly extracted from the cylinder 1101 and the pin slot 1101c (e.g., the end of the cylinder pin 1101a may be engaged with the cycling mechanism by pressure fitting, reversible latch, etc.).
The cycling mechanism 1101b may include a mechanical pawl (not shown) that engages with the cylinder 1101, which may have notches thereon (e.g., on the proximal face of the cylinder, between the chambers, not shown) for receiving the pawl. The pawl may engage with a notch as the hammer 1102 is cocked in order to cycle the revolver (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise) and position the next chamber in firing position in which it is aligned with the barrel 1105. The mechanical cycling of the revolver allows the operator of the firearm 1100 to quickly cycle through the loads in the speed-loading devices positioned in the chamber in a rapid and sequential fashion. Once the operator has fired the three loads, the cylinder may be removed to be reloaded.
In other embodiments, and without limitation, the cylinder may be a pivotally-attached swing-out cylinder that does not require the removal of the cylinder from the firearm, but rather the cylinder may be simply pivoted on a rotating pivot joint such that it is exposed at the side of the cylinder slot. In further embodiments, and without limitation, the firearm may be a break-top revolving firearm that allows for reloading of the cylinder without removal or pivoting of the cylinder. In still further embodiments, and without limitation, the firearm may have a loading gate that allows access to the chambers without the need to remove or pivot the cylinder, or break open the firearm.
The present invention provides speed-loading devices for black powder firearms, firearms adapted to receive speed-loading devices, and methods of using the same. It is to be understood that here are several variations in the speed-loading devices that provide additional benefits, as disclosed above. It should also be understood that the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
This application is non-provisional application claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 62/136,395 (filed on Mar. 20, 2015) and 62/156,227 (filed on May 2, 2015), both of which are incorporated herein by this reference in their entireties.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20160273872 A1 | Sep 2016 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62136395 | Mar 2015 | US | |
| 62156227 | May 2015 | US |
