Firearm Cartridge Holder

Abstract

A firearm cartridge holder has a cartridge clip and a mounting bracket attached to the cartridge clip. The mounting bracket is attached adjacent to, but above, the barrel of a firearm in close proximity to the firearm breech. The cartridge clip holds a cartridge substantially parallel to the barrel of the firearm.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/558,319, filed Apr. 1, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to firearms. Particularly, the present invention relates to the reloading of firearms. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cartridge/shell holder for firearms.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In many instances, a hunter or shooter will use a single shot firearm (rifle, pistol or shotgun) when hunting to increase the challenge of the hunt. When the single shot has been discharged, it is desirable to be able to quickly and conveniently load an additional shot into the firearm. Typically, the additional bullets, cartridges or shells are carried in the person's pocket, belt, etc., and their location makes it difficult to quickly reload the firearm. Various devices have been devised to address this problem.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,576 (1988, Moravek) discloses a cartridge holder for mounting on a pistol, rifle or shotgun. The cartridge holder has an elastic member which is sewn in such a manner so as to create a first loop portion which may be slipped over the forearm of a weapon to maintain the member on the weapon. A pair of spaced-apart smaller loops is also formed in the member adapted to receive a cartridge therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,157 (1998, Scott et al.) discloses a shotgun stock including a shell holding compartment. The shell holding compartment is completely contained within the confines of the shotgun stock so that it does not extend outwardly in either direction from the stock. The shell holder has several clips facing either the right side or the left side of the stock. Shells may be snapped in or removed from the clip and the shells are also completely contained within the confines of the stock. Preferably, the stock includes a pistol grip portion so that the shotgun may be held by one hand. Also, preferably, the opening in the stock is divided by a partition with the clips in the rear partition and the hand holding pistol grip at the front of the front opening.

U.S. patent application Publication No. 2004/0060220 (2004, Peddie) discloses a stock mounted ammunition holder, when used by hunters and law enforcement that is designed to address the problem of accidental loss of ammunition from the carrier.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,476,355 (1949, Brown) discloses a gunstock cartridge holder that provides the stock of a rifle with a special cartridge holder that can be installed upon existing rifle stocks. The comb of the stock of a rifle is formed into a plural receptacle for a group of cartridges which tend to remain suspended by force of gravity. The cartridges are retained in an unobtrusive, yet accessible position for individual extraction for use in loading the rifle.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,110,209 (1914, Kirchner) discloses a gun clip adapted to be readily applied to the skeleton stocks of various styles and makes of firearms, and capable of holding a number of shells or cartridges in convenient position to enable the same to be easily and quickly loaded into a gun. The gun clip includes a body consisting of two separate side plates where each side plate is equipped with a longitudinal series of cartridge holders. The body is secured within the opening of the skeleton stock by resilient clamps consisting of sleeves embracing the upper and lower portions of the skeleton stock and having space terminals forming ears and secured to the side faces of the body. The cartridge holders are of substantially cylindrical form and have their side portions spaced apart at the front and tapered or cut away at the ends to facilitate the introduction and removal of the shells or cartridges.

U.S. Pat. No. 141,590 (1873, Rider) discloses a hinged magazine or tube that contains the cartridges connected to the barrel of a gun or pistol in such a manner that the magazine can be opened by swinging its end away from the arm, either vertically or laterally.

A major disadvantage of the prior art cartridge holders is the placement of the cartridge holders. The cartridge holders of the prior art are (1) placed too far from the breech of the gun, or (2) hold the extra cartridges in an awkward position, or (3) require movement of the cartridge holder to access the extra cartridge(s), or all of the above.

Therefore, what is needed is a firearm cartridge/shell holder that is removable. What is also needed is a firearm cartridge/shell holder that can accommodate various calibers and gauges of cartridges, bullets and shells. What is further needed is a firearm cartridge/shell holder that does not interfere with the normal use of the firearm. What is still further needed is a firearm cartridge/shell holder that allows for the quick and easy reloading of the firearm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

4 It is an object of the present invention to provide a firearm cartridge/shell holder that is removable. It is another object of the present invention to provide a firearm cartridge/shell holder that can accommodate various calibers and gauges of cartridges, bullets and shells. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a firearm cartridge/shell holder that does not interfere with the normal use of the firearm. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a firearm cartridge/shell holder that allows for the quick and easy reloading of the firearm.

The present invention achieves these and other objectives by providing a removable firearm cartridge/shell holder that can be attached to the firearm at such places as the barrel, the scope, the scope base, and the stock. The cartridge holder of the present invention includes a single cartridge clip to hold a single cartridge. The cartridge clip has a substantially cylindrical shape with side portions spaced apart at the front to facilitate the introduction and removal of the shells or cartridges.

An important feature of the present invention is the ability of the user to be able to reload a single shot firearm as quickly as one can reload using a bolt action rifle. The structure of the present invention attains the desired feature by placing the single clip of the cartridge holder in a location substantially parallel to the barrel of the firearm and within close proximity of the breech of the firearm. To accomplish this, the present invention includes a mounting bracket configured to secure the cartridge holder to the scope body, if a scope is used, to the scope base, or to the barrel of the firearm.

Although the present invention may also be adapted for mounting to the stock of the firearm, placement on the stock will increase the time it will take a user to reload since the placement on the stock increases the distance between the extra cartridge and the breech. Each of the embodiments maintains the extra cartridge parallel to the barrel and in close proximity of the breech to reduce the distance a user's hand must move to grasp the extra cartridge, insert it into the barrel and be ready for the next shot.

The single cartridge clip of the present invention may be configured for replacement in order to accommodate any caliber or gauge used by a particular firearm. The cartridge clip size is configured to allow a cartridge or shell to be inserted into the clip by snapping the cartridge through the front space or by sliding the cartridge into the end of the cartridge clip. Although the preferred embodiment uses metal for all the components of the cartridge holder, the cartridge clip may also be made of a resilient, nonmetal material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention attached to the scope of a handgun.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention showing a mounting bracket for attachment to a scope body of a firearm.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention showing a mounting bracket for attachment to a scope base of a firearm.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention showing a mounting bracket for attachment directly to a barrel of a firearm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the cartridge holder 10 of the present invention mounted to a scope 2 of a handgun 1. Cartridge holder 10 includes a cartridge clip 20 that is parallel to the barrel 3 of handgun 1. As is illustrated, cartridge clip 20 is in close proximity of gun hammer 4 and gun breech 5.

Turning now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a cross-section of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Cartridge holder 10 includes the cartridge clip 20, a spacer component 30, and a mounting bracket 40. Cartridge clip 20 is secured to spacer component 30 by, for example, one or more screws or by welding or by any other fastening mechanism known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The use of spacer component 30 is not necessary, but its use facilitates the removal of the cartridge when cartridge holder 10 is mounted to firearm 1. Spacer component 30 may also be made an integral part of either cartridge clip 20 or mounting bracket 40.

Cartridge clip 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape with side portions 22 spaced apart creating opening 24. Cartridge clip 20 may be sized to fit any particular caliber or gauge cartridge or shell. For a particular caliber or gauge, the substantially cylindrical shape of cartridge clip 20 holds the cartridge or shell in a friction fit type relationship that allows the cartridge or shell to be easily removed from cartridge clip 20 but does not allow the cartridge or shell to easily fall out from cartridge clip 20.

Mounting bracket 40 is configured for mounting to a scope (not shown). Mounting bracket 40 includes a first scope clamp portion 42 and a second scope clamp portion 44. First and second scope clamp portions 42 and 44 have substantially semi-circular shaped portions 40′ and 40″ sized to fit a scope body (not shown). It is noted that the shape of first and second scope clamp portions 42 and 44 would typically be shaped to fit the contour of the scope body. For instance, if a scope body has a more elliptical shape, then the scope mating surfaces of first and second scope clamp portions 42 and 44 would typically have an elliptical shape to fit the scope body. To secure mounting bracket 40 to a scope body, first and second scope clamp portions 42 and 44 have a pair of opposed mounting bracket extensions 42a, 42b and 44a, 44b, respectively. Mounting bracket extensions 42a, 42b are connected to mounting bracket extensions 44a, 44b, respectively, using preferably a nut and bolt or a screw to clamp the mounting bracket 40 to the scope body.

It is also possible to adapt the cartridge holder 10 with a mounting bracket 40 that fits a scope mounting bracket. Some scopes include an elongated scope bracket that mounts to the barrel of the firearm and allows the scope to be adjusted more easily. Turning now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a cartridge holder 50 with a mounting bracket 60 configured for mounting to a scope bracket (not shown). In this embodiment, mounting bracket 60 includes a first scope base component 70 and a second scope base component 80. Second scope base component 80 includes spacer component 80′ integrally formed as part of second scope base component 80 with cartridge clip 20 attached thereto. It should be understood that spacer component 80′ may also be a separate piece that could be attached to second scope base component 80.

When first and second scope base components 70 and 80 are joined, a scope base receiver 65 is formed that anchors cartridge holder 50 to the scope base. Scope base receiver 65 shown is dovetailed to fit a weaver style base. It should be noted by those skilled in the art that scope base receiver 65 may be shaped to fit any particular scope base style.

One or more fastener components are used to connect scope base components 70 and 80 together. The size of scope base receiver 65 is typically smaller when formed than the cross-sectional profile of the scope base to which it is going to be attached so that when scope base components 70 and 80 are fastened together, they clamp the cartridge holder 50 to the scope base. In the embodiment illustrated, first scope base component 70 has a groove 72 and second scope base 80 has a mating ridge 82. The inclusion of groove 72 and mating ridge 82 is not necessary, but the use of complementary mating surfaces renders assembly of the cartridge holder 50 to the scope base easier than using flat mating surfaces.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated yet another embodiment of the present invention. Cartridge holder 100, in this embodiment, includes cartridge clip 110 and mounting bracket 120. Cartridge clip 110 has the same shape and features previously described for cartridge clip 20. Mounting bracket 120 includes a concave groove 122 contoured to fit the barrel 3 of firearm 1 near the breech end of the barrel. Unlike the previous embodiments, mounting bracket 120 of cartridge holder 100 mounts directly to the barrel 3 of the firearm 1. One or more threaded recesses are tapped into the top of the firearm barrel 3 to match the one or more fastener openings 124 of mounting bracket 120. Like the embodiment in FIG. 3, this embodiment includes the spacer component 120′ as an integral part of mounting bracket 120. However, it should be understood that spacer component may also be a separate component that is attached to mounting bracket 120 using conventional fasteners.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A firearm cartridge holder comprising;

a substantially rigid cartridge clip; and

a mounting bracket connected to said cartridge clip, said mounting bracket removably connected adjacent to, but above, the barrel of a firearm wherein said cartridge clip holds a cartridge substantially parallel to the barrel of said firearm.

2. The cartridge holder of claim 1 further comprising a spacer component connected between said mounting bracket and said cartridge clip.

3. The cartridge holder of claim 1 wherein said mounting bracket includes a first scope clamp portion and a second scope clamp portion connected to each other around the scope of a firearm.

4. The cartridge holder of claim 1 wherein said mounting bracket includes a first scope base component and a second base component removably connected to said first scope base component wherein said mounting bracket attaches to a scope base.

5. The cartridge holder of claim 1 wherein said mounting bracket has a contoured groove shaped to fit the contoured top of said barrel of said firearm.

6. The cartridge holder of claim 1 wherein said substantially rigid cartridge clip has spaced apart contoured side portions.

7. The cartridge holder of claim 1 wherein said substantially rigid cartridge clip has contoured side portions spaced apart along the length of said cartridge clip.

8. A cartridge holder kit comprising:

a cartridge clip;

a mounting bracket configured for attaching to said cartridge clip and wherein said mounting bracket is configured for attachment adjacent to, but above, a barrel of a firearm wherein said cartridge clip holds a cartridge substantially parallel to said barrel of said firearm; and

fastener components for securing said cartridge clip to said mounting bracket and for securing said mounting bracket to said firearm.

9. The kit of claim 8 further comprising a spacer component adapted for connecting between said cartridge clip and said mounting bracket.

10. The kit of claim 8 wherein said mounting bracket includes a first scope clamp portion and a second scope clamp portion configured to connect to each other around a scope of said firearm.

11. The kit of claim 8 wherein said mounting bracket includes a first scope base component and a second scope base component configured for removable connection to said first scope base component wherein said mounting bracket is configured to attach to a scope base.

12. The kit of claim 8 wherein said mounting bracket has a contoured groove shaped to fit the contoured top of said barrel of said firearm.

13. The kit of claim 8 wherein said cartridge clip has spaced apart contoured side portions.

14. The kit of claim 8 wherein said cartridge clip has contoured side portions spaced apart along the length of said cartridge clip.

15. A method of making a firearm cartridge available for quickly loading a single shot firearm, said method comprising:

attaching a mounting bracket of a cartridge holder adjacent to, but above, the barrel of a firearm wherein said cartridge holder has a cartridge clip for holding said firearm cartridge substantially parallel to the barrel of said firearm; and

inserting a firearm cartridge into said cartridge clip.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said attaching step includes connecting a first scope clamp portion of said mounting bracket to a second scope clamp portion of said mounting bracket around the scope of said firearm.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said attaching step includes connecting a first scope base component of said mounting bracket to a second scope base component of said mounting bracket wherein said first scope base component and said second scope base component clamp said cartridge holder to a scope base.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein said attaching step includes aligning a contoured barrel groove of said mounting bracket onto the contoured top of said barrel of said firearm and fastening said mounting bracket to said barrel.