Rapid magazine loading and unloading tool

Abstract

The invention is an ambidextrous universal magazine loading and unloading tool. The tool is generally ellipsoidal, featuring a rounded end and a flat end as well as two sides defined by a central opening. The opening, sides and ends are adapted to allow for the loading and unloading of various configurations and styles of ammunition magazine.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This Application claims priority based on Provisional Application No. 60/387,022, filed Jun. 7, 2002.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a tool used in the loading and unloading of ammunition magazines and, more specifically relates to a compact tool that is adaptable for use in the loading and unloading of virtually any type of ammunition magazine presently in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Tools to aid in the loading and unloading of ammunition magazines are known in the prior art. The need for such devices is derived from two problems. First, high capacity magazines can be tiresome to continually load, especially in training centers where a few people, typically instructors or assistants, will load special ammunition (e.g. either frangible or simulated ammunition) for an entire class. The usual custom is to use the round of ammunition itself to depress the follower of the magazine and make room for the cartridge. This method occasionally damages the cartridge, making it more prone to misfire in some fashion. As a person gets more fatigued when loading multiple magazines, that person is more prone to errors, which may damage either the magazine or the ammunition. A loading tool reduces fatigue and makes the process less damaging on the ammunition and magazine. Second, the storage and transportation of loaded magazines raises both logistical and legal concerns, as they are dangerous and, in some areas and circumstances, illegal. Unloading a magazine manually is a time consuming procedure. As such, after training maneuvers, police forces and military personnel will discharge weapons to use all of their ammunition rather than unload extra magazines by hand. Use of a tool allows for a much more rapid and less tiresome process as the tool, rather than bare hands or fingers, is used to push the cartridges out from between the feed lips of the magazine.

[0004] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,590 to Musgrave (1976); U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,855 to Musgrave (1984); U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,136 to Hall (1993); U.S. Pat. No. D348,503 to Claveau (1994), U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,180 to Upchurch (1991) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,693 to Holmes (1989) are all illustrative of the prior art.

[0005] While the aforementioned inventions accomplish their individual objectives, they do not describe a universal loading and unloading tool that is compact, ambidextrous, and easy to use. Pat. No. D348,503 does disclose a compact universal tool; however, its button follower magazine loading aspect is not easily usable by left-handed people, as the buttons are usually configured for right-handed individuals. As a result, the magazine itself gets in the way of use of the tool. In this respect, the loading tool according to the present invention departs substantially from the usual designs in the prior art. In doing so, this invention provides a compact, ambidextrous universal loading and unloading tool that is easy to manufacture and use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of magazine loading tools, this invention provides an improved compact and universal loading tool. As such, the present invention's general purpose is to provide a new and improved loading tool that will aid in the loading and unloading of substantially all currently used ammunition magazines, including both pistol and rifle magazines, while simultaneously being compact and easy to use. To accomplish this purpose, the tool comprises a planar body with varying shaped edges for use in the loading and/or unloading of various magazines. The tool also comprises a slot, formed in the center of the tool and almost dissecting it, to aid in the loading of specialized .22 caliber pistol magazines, and the resulting two sides are specially formed to further allow use with other specific magazines.

[0007] The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

[0008] Many objects and aspects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

[0009] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0010] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the loading tool in its preferred embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a front plan view of one tool and a top plan view of an associated magazine with a button-retained follower, the tool having a specially formed slot to conform to the magazine.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the preferred embodiment of the tool with a top plan view of a more standard magazine with a button-retained follower.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the tool of FIG. 1 and a standard center-fire rifle magazine, the tool being used to assist in loading said magazine.

[0015] FIGS. 5a-5d are progressive plan views of the tool being used to load a center-fire pistol magazine.

[0016] FIGS. 6a and 6b are plan views of either of the tools in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 being used to load a magazine with a button-retained follower.

[0017] FIGS. 7a and 7b are front plan views depicting the tool being used to unload an ammunition magazine.

[0018] FIG. 8a is a side-plan view of the tool being used to unload a center-fire magazine.

[0019] FIG. 8b is a side-plan view of the tool being used to unload a rim-fire magazine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the loading tool will now be described. With reference to FIG. 1, a plan view of the tool in its preferred embodiment, the tool 10 is a generally ellipsoid planar body measuring about 1.5 inches long and 1.25 inches wide. Along its greater axis, the tool 10 has a central slot, measuring approximately 0.96 inches long by 0.39 inches wide, just enough space to encompass a button retained follower type magazine, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6a and 6b. Slot shape is determined by the shape of the desired magazine and may be specialized for specific unique magazines, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG. 2, a SMITH & WESSON .22 caliber pistol magazine 20 is shown. This particular magazine 20 can be found in a “keyhole” shape. Retainer button 22 is located at the bend in the magazine 20. For this particular magazine 20, slot 29 is shaped with a keyhole shape on one side. By utilizing the unique shape, tool 10 actuates the button 22. In FIG. 3, a regularly shaped magazine 30 and slot 39 are used. Since the shape of the slot 29 or 39 is defined by the shape of a chosen magazine, and newly shaped magazines would require different slot shapes, no limitation as to slot shape should be inferred from the drawings.

[0021] Again referring to FIG. 1, slot 19 defines two ends, solid end 12 and split end 14. Slot 19 also defines two sides 16, 18. Solid end 12 is used to facilitate loading rifle magazines. Split end 14 is used to load pistol magazines. Side 18 is tapered to a point 11, forming a follower depression extension. Side 16 features a hook extension 13, almost forming aperture 9 and completely enclosing slot 19. Hook 13 is used to aid in the loading of double-stacked pistol magazines. Solid end 12 features a flat edge, forming two corners 15. Either corner 15 is used to unload magazines. Key chain hole 17 may optionally be excluded.

[0022] The remaining FIGS. (4-8) depict the tool in use with various magazines. FIG. 4 depicts use of the tool with a rifle magazine. The solid end 12 of the tool 10 is used to depress the follower in rifle magazine 40. Cartridge 42 is then slid through an opening 46 in the feed lips 44 between the follower and feed lips 44. Tool 10 is released and cartridge 42 is then seated in the magazine 40. The process is then repeated by using tool 10 to depress the cartridge 42 (which in turn depresses the follower) and another cartridge is inserted. The process is repeated until the magazine is full.

[0023] FIGS. 5a-5d depict the process of loading a pistol magazine 50 using the depression appendage 11 of straight side 18 of the tool 10. The process is similar to the rifle magazine loading process; however, depression appendage 11 is inserted into the magazine 50 instead of solid end 12.

[0024] FIGS. 6a and 6b depict the use of the tool 10 in loading a button retained follower magazine. Tool 10 is inserted over magazine 60 and rests on button 66. The user may then depress the button towards the base of the magazine 60 with one hand 64. This configuration allows for left or right-handed use.

[0025] FIG. 7a depicts a user unloading a magazine. The process is shown in better detail in FIG. 7b. Tool 10 is rested on the magazine 70, behind cartridge 72 with the solid end 12 towards cartridge 72. Corner 15 actually interacts with cartridge 72 and the user pushes tool 10 away from the magazine 70 to push cartridge 72 out of magazine 70 through opening 76. This may be accomplished by holding tool 10 vertically, as shown in FIG. 8a (for most center-fire magazines), or at an angle, as shown in FIG. 8b (for rim-fire magazines).

[0026] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.

Claims

1. A multiple purpose magazine loading and unloading tool comprising:

a. a planar body having a defined edge and two planar surfaces;

b. at least one section of the edge of the body being flat, defining a flat end having two corners and, conversely, an opposite end diametrically opposed to the flat end; and

c. an opening, almost dissecting the body, having an aperture at the opposite end and having a length greater than ½ of a diameter between the opposite and flat ends thereby defining two sides;

wherein, the sides different shaped sections of the edge are used to facilitate the loading and unloading of ammunition magazines.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the planar body is generally ellipsoidal in shape, the opposite end being rounded, whereby the diameter between the flat and opposite ends is greater than a diameter defined by the two sides.

3. The tool of claim 2, wherein the opening is shaped and sized to slidably encompass a given ammunition magazine.

4. The tool of claim 3, wherein at least one of the sides is tapered to a point.

5. The tool of claim 3, wherein one of the sides has a hook appendage extending laterally from that side across substantially the entire opening, thus defining the aperture as slightly removed from a central diameter drawn from the flat end to the rounded end.

6. The tool of claim 5, wherein the side that does not have the hook appendage is tapered to a point.

7. The tool of claim 2, wherein at least one of the sides is tapered to a point.

8. The tool of claim 2, wherein one of the sides has a hook appendage extending laterally from that side across substantially the entire opening, thus creating an aperture slightly removed from a central diameter drawn in the direction of the opening.

9. The tool of claim 8, wherein the side that does not have the hook appendage is tapered to a point.

10. The tool of claim 1, wherein the opening is shaped and sized to slidably encompass a given ammunition magazine.

11. The tool of claim 10, wherein at least one of the sides is tapered to a point.

12. The tool of claim 10, wherein one of the sides has a hook appendage extending laterally from that side across substantially the entire opening, thus defining the aperture as slightly removed from a central diameter drawn from the flat end to the rounded end.

13. The tool of claim 12, wherein the side that does not have the hook appendage is tapered to a point.

14. The tool of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sides is tapered to a point.

15. The tool of claim 1, wherein one of the sides has a hook appendage extending laterally from that side across substantially the entire opening, thus creating an aperture slightly removed from a central diameter drawn in the direction of the opening.

16. The tool of claim 15, wherein the side that does not have the hook appendage is tapered to a point.