Multiple auto primer system for muzzle-loading firearm
A method and apparatus for loading and ejecting ignition devices into a muzzle-loading firearm. A magazine contains a plurality of ignition devices, which are sequentially loaded from the magazine onto the breech plug of the firearm by a sliding bolt or other loading assembly. After firing, the loading assembly is actuated to extract and eject the spent ignition device and load a new ignition device onto the breech plug.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 10/654,829, filed Sep. 4, 2003; which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/408,127, filed Sep. 4, 2002, the content of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates generally to the field of firearms and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for loading and ejecting primers, percussion caps, and/or other ignition devices into and from a muzzle-loading firearm.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn a typical muzzle-loading firearm (including without limitation, muzzle-loading rifles, muskets, shotguns, pistols, cannon, and the like), the main powder charge and the projectile are loaded into the muzzle of the firearm, and a powder ignition source (a “primer”) is provided at the breech end of the barrel. Many such firearms utilize a percussion cap, a 0.209 shotgun primer, a musket cap, or another ignition device as the powder ignition source. The ignition device is typically installed by hand or with a tool onto a nipple of a breech plug with a flash hole that communicates a powder flash from the ignition device into the barrel of the firearm to detonate the main powder charge and propel the projectile toward the target. After firing, the ignition device is typically removed, again by hand or using a tool, and the firearm is reloaded.
This manual installation and removal of ignition devices can be difficult, especially when wearing gloves or when excited. In addition, manually installing and removing ignition devices, one at a time after each firing, is time consuming and may delay a second shot by several seconds or more. Various efforts have been made to speed up the loading process, but none has proven fully satisfactory in reducing the difficulty and delay that typically results from manual installation and removal of single ignition devices.
Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for improved methods and apparatus for installing and removing an ignition device for a muzzle-loading firearm. It is to the provision of an improved method and apparatus meeting these and other needs that the present invention is primarily directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides improved methods and apparatus for installing and removing ignition devices for a muzzle-loading firearm. Briefly described, in one aspect, the present invention is an apparatus for carrying, loading, extracting, and/or ejecting one or more ignition devices in and from a muzzle-loading firearm. The apparatus comprises a magazine for containing at least one ignition device and a loading assembly for loading the ignition device from the magazine to a breech plug of the firearm for firing. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises an extractor for extracting and ejecting the spent ignition device after firing.
In another aspect, the present invention is a magazine for containing a plurality of ignition devices and sequentially dispensing the ignition devices for loading into the breech plug of a muzzle-loading firearm.
In another aspect, the present invention is a muzzle-loading firearm comprising a barrel having a muzzle end and a breech end, a breech plug in the breech end of the barrel, a magazine for containing a plurality of ignition devices, and a loading assembly for sequentially loading ignition devices from the magazine into the breech plug for firing. Preferably, the muzzle-loading firearm further comprises an extractor for extracting and ejecting the spent ignition device after firing.
In yet another aspect, the invention is a method for sequentially loading, extracting, and ejecting ignition devices in and from a muzzle-loading firearm. The method comprises loading a plurality of ignition devices into a magazine, loading the magazine into the muzzle-loading firearm, loading a first ignition device from the magazine into the breech plug of the firearm for firing, and extracting the first ignition device from the breech plug after firing.
Accordingly, the present invention permits users to load ignition devices onto the breech plug of a muzzle-loading firearm much more quickly and easily. In this way, the users can fire their muzzle-loading firearms much more quickly and easily, which makes hunting, target-shooting, and other activities much more enjoyable and productive.
These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
The system 10 includes a magazine 18 and a loading assembly 20. Preferably, the magazine 18 is provided by a housing 22 for containing one or more, and preferably a plurality of the ignition devices 14. For example, the magazine 18 may comprise a removable elongated housing 22 having a spring-biased floor mechanism 24 and an dispensing end 26 with an opening and a retainer for holding the ignition devices 14 until they are dispensed. In other words, the magazine 18 in this form is generally similar in construction and operation to a typical spring-driven ammunition clip for a modern breech-loading firearm, but adapted for the size and shape of the ignition devices 14. In alternate embodiments, the magazine 18 comprises a rotating cylinder similar in form to that of a modern revolver, a tubular magazine similar in form to that of a modern shotgun, a belt similar in form to that of a modern automatic weapon, a strip, roll, or ring of interconnected primers similar in form to caps used in cap guns, or another type of magazine suitable for storing and sequentially dispensing the ignition devices 14 into the breech 17 of the muzzle-loading firearm 12.
The magazine 18 is received by a receiver portion 30 of the muzzle-loading firearm 12. Preferably, the receiver portion 30 is provided by a vertical opening through the stock of the firearm 12 that is sized and shaped to removably receive the magazine 18. In alternate embodiments, the receiver portion 30 may provided by a channel formed into the side of the firearm, a track or retaining tabs extending from the side of the firearm, a recess formed into the top of the firearm, or another structure that positions the magazine 18 for sequentially feeding the ignition devices 14 into the breech 17 of the firearm 12. It will be understood that in alternative embodiments having an integral magazine that is not removable from the firearm (e.g., the tubular magazine), the receiver portion is not necessarily provided.
In addition, a release mechanism 32 is preferably provided for releasably securing the magazine 18 in place. For example, the magazine release mechanism 32 may be provided by a swivel or pivotal member, a spring-loaded member, a snap-tight fit, or another mechanism for releasably securing the magazine 18 to the firearm 12 for use and then selectively permitting its removal.
Turning now to the loading assembly 20, it is operable for sequentially loading the ignition devices 14 from the magazine 18 to the breech plug 28. As used herein, “breech plug” means any component that engages the primer and communicates the primer flash to the main powder charge, including external nipples. In the depicted embodiment, the loading assembly 20 comprises a sliding bolt assembly including a sliding bolt 34 that can be slidably actuated to open and close the breech by a bolt-action handle 36. The bolt 34 has a head 38 that, when the bolt is in its rear open position, engages the next ignition device 14a (see
In an example embodiment, the loading assembly includes a mechanism for setting the firing mechanism for firing (cocking the firing pin and/or arming the trigger) as the bolt is opened and closed. For safety reasons, in other example embodiments the loading assembly only serves to load and discharge the primers and the firing mechanism is set by an additional action. In other alternative sliding bolt embodiments, the loading assembly has a bolt that can be slidably actuated by a lever-action, a pump-action, a recoil-driven autoloading action, a gas-driven autoloading action, or another type of actuation mechanism. And in alternative embodiments where the magazine moves to dispense the next ignition device, it may be desirable to include a trigger-operated mechanism for automatically advancing the magazine immediately after the firearm is fired. For example, the loading assembly may include a trigger-operated mechanism for rotating the rotating cylinder magazine in the breech, a trigger-operated mechanism (e.g., a cam-driven pawl-and-lever mechanism) for feeding the belt magazine or the strip, roll, or ring of interconnected primers into the breech, or another type of mechanism for sequentially dispensing the ignition devices 14 to the breech of the muzzle-loading firearm 12.
In addition, an extractor 40 is provided to grip and position the ignition devices 14 on the breech plug 28 for firing when the sliding bolt is moved forward to its closed position, and for extracting and ejecting the spent ignition devices from the firearm 12 after firing when the sliding bolt is moved backward to its open position. Preferably, the extractor 40 comprises an arm extending forward from the bolt head 38 and having a lip 42 that engages a rim on the base of the ignition device 14 for removing it from the breech plug 28 when the bolt is opened. In addition, the extractor arm is preferably spring-loaded for pushing on the base of the extracted spent ignition devices 14 to eject them from the firearm 12. The extractor 40 in this form is generally similar in construction to a typical extractor/ejector for spent cartridges in conventional breech-loading firearms. In alternative embodiments, the extractor 40 is mounted in place adjacent the breech plug, includes a separate spring-loaded ejector, includes a pivotal spring-loaded member, or is otherwise configured for extracting and ejecting the spent ignition devices.
In the method of use of the depicted embodiment, the user loads one or more of the ignition devices 14 into the magazine 18 and installs the magazine into the receiver portion 30 of the muzzle-loading firearm 12. The user also loads the main powder charge and projectile into the barrel 16 of the muzzle-loading firearm 12 from the muzzle end, in typical fashion. Then the user actuates the loading assembly 20, as by retracting and advancing the sliding bolt 34, to engage and load the first ignition device 14a (see
If desired, a second shot can be quickly and easily made by again loading a main powder charge and projectile into the muzzle end of the firearm barrel 16, advancing the loading assembly 20 to engage and load the second ignition device 14b from the magazine 18 onto the breech plug 28, and firing the firearm 12. In this way, the user does not need to manually load another ignition device into the firearm 12, but only to actuate the loading assembly 20 to advance the previously loaded ignition device 14b from the magazine 18 onto the breech plug 28. And if the user wants to take additional shots, he or she can repeat this part of the process for subsequent ignition devices 14c, 14d, 14e, and 14f, as may be desired in a given situation.
Referring now to
In this embodiment, the magazine 118 has a housing 122 with a curved channel 123 formed in it for storing the ignition devices 114, and a spring-loaded floor 124 for urging the ignition devices into the breech. The curved channel 123 accommodates the abutting rims of adjacent ignition devices 114 so that they fit more tightly and are more stable in the magazine 118. In addition, this embodiment has a magazine release mechanism 132 provided by a leaf spring-type clip for releasably securing the magazine 118 in place. Furthermore, this embodiment has a guide ramp 125 for guiding the ignition devices 114 onto the nipple of the breech plug 128 as they are engaged and pushed forward by the bolt head 138.
In
The curved primer channel 223 preferably has at least one and preferably two lateral grooves 225 configured to receive the rims of the primers 214. This configuration restricts the orientation of the primers 214 in the magazine 218 such that they point the same way, as depicted in
In the present embodiment, the primers 214 are forced out of the magazine and into the loading assembly 220 by the primer pusher assembly 224. The primer pusher 224 may include a pusher body 280 coupled with a compression spring 227. The spring 227 may be used to push the pusher body 280 through the primer channel 223. It can be seen from
To load the primer magazine 218, a user can hold the magazine in one hand and insert a primer 214 into the primer channel 223. As a user inserts a primer 214 into the channel 223, the previous primer or the primer pusher 224 is pressed inward with the curvature of the channel, ensuring that the casing 245 of the primer 214 overlaps the casing of the primer underneath. The lateral groove 225 guarantees that the primers can only be inserted in the correct fashion. Once entered into the magazine 218, a primer retainer engage 268 of the primer retainer 226 prevents the primers from exiting while the magazine is detached from the firearm 212. In this embodiment, the primer retainer engage 268 is provided by an arm pivotal to a locked position extending into the channel 223 to engage and restrain movement of the primers 214. A retainer spring 267 applies force to the primer retainer 226 and keeps the primer retainer engage 268 in contact with the primers 214. Of course, when loading the magazine 218, the user pivots the retainer engage 268, overcoming the force of the spring 267, to a released position out of the channel 223.
Similarly to the first embodiment, the magazine 218 is received by the firearm 212 through a receiver portion 230 (see
In this embodiment, it is preferred that the bolt assembly 234 generally comprises the body 270, the bolt action handle 236 (see
Additionally, when the bolt assembly 234 is at this position, it does not block the magazine channel 223 so that the primer pusher 224 automatically forces a primer 214 into the breech 217 and into engagement with the extractor 240. The extractor 240 includes at least one and preferably two feet 244 that extend from the front face of the bolt head 238, as depicted in
In order to ensure that the bolt assembly 234 keeps the primer 214 properly positioned against the breech plug 228, the bolt assembly 234 can be provided with a forward-biasing mechanism 248. In this embodiment, the forward-biasing mechanism 248 includes a recess 250 in the bolt body 270, a bolt action spring 276 in the recess, and a stop surface 252 against which the spring is compressed. For example, the recess 250 may be circumferentially formed in the bolt body 270 and the spring 276 provided by a helical compression spring coaxially arranged in the recess on the bolt body. It is preferable that the bolt action spring 276 work in opposition to the firing pin spring 273 in the position shown in
As soon as a user manually releases the automatic safety 274, the firearm 212 is ready to shoot.
After discharging the firearm, a user can unlock the bolt assembly 234 with the bolt action handle 236. Once unlocked,
The bolt assembly 234 is then further retracted to the position of
Accordingly, it can be seen that the present invention enables a user to pre-load a number of ignition devices into a muzzle-loading firearm, quickly and easily advance the ignition devices for firing, and quickly and easily extract and eject the spent ignition devices after firing, even when wearing gloves or when excited. In this way, a hunter may be able to get off a second shot before the prey has gotten out of sight and range. And for target-shooting and other shooting activities, the faster speed and greater ease of using the firearm makes shooting more enjoyable and productive.
While the invention has been disclosed in preferred forms for illustration purposes, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that many modifications, additions, and deletions can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus for carrying and loading a plurality of ignition devices into a muzzle-loading firearm having a breech plug, comprising:
- a magazine for containing the ignition devices; and
- a loading assembly for sequentially loading the ignition devices from the magazine into engagement with the breech plug of the firearm for firing.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an extractor for extracting the spent ignition devices from the breech plug of the firearm after firing.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the loading assembly comprises a sliding bolt, and the extractor comprises two extractor feet extending from the sliding bolt for securing the ignition device in the breech plug.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the extractor feet are configured differently from each other to cause the ignition devices to be selectively ejected in the same direction after firing.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an ejector for expelling the spent ignition devices from a breech of the firearm after firing.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the ejector pivots in and out of the breech and is selectively operated by the loading assembly, and wherein when the loading assembly is slid from a forward to a rear position the ejector operates to expel the spent ignition device from the breech.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a trigger assembly equipped with a safety mechanism, wherein the safety mechanism is automatically engaged when the sliding bolt is slid from a forward position to a rear position.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magazine has a curved channel formed therein for receiving the ignition devices with rims of the ignition devices overlapping each other.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, where the channel further comprises at least one lateral groove for receiving a rim of each of the ignition devices so that the ignition devices can only be inserted into the channel in one orientation.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the magazine has a primer pusher therein for expelling the ignition devices from the magazine into a breech of the firearm, wherein the primer pusher includes a pusher body having a lip that extends between a rim of a first one of the ignition devices and a wall forming the channel to assist in the overlapping ignition device rim arrangement.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magazine further comprises a primer retainer for securing the ignition devices therein, wherein the primer retainer is selectively operated by the loading assembly allowing the expulsion of the ignition devices from the magazine into a breech of the firearm.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the primer retainer has an engagement member and a retainer member that is laterally offset therefrom and configured so that, when the magazine is loaded in the firearm, the engagement member engages the loading assembly, which pivots the retainer member into a slot in the loading assembly and out of a position retaining the primers in the magazine.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the loading assembly includes a bolt, a firing pin, a firing spring, and a bolt spring that is separate from the firing spring and configured to bias the bolt forward to apply pressure to keep the ignition device in the breech plug.
14. A magazine for use with a muzzle-loading firearm having a breech, a breech plug, and a loading assembly, the magazine comprising:
- a housing defining a channel configured to receive a plurality of ignition devices and sequentially dispense the ignition devices into the breech for loading into engagement with the breech plug by operation of the loading assembly.
15. The magazine of claim 14, in combination with the plurality of ignition devices loaded therein.
16. The magazine of claim 15, wherein the plurality of ignition devices are selected from the group consisting of percussion caps, musket caps, 0.209 shotshell primers, cartridges without a main charge or bullet, and blank ammunition.
17. The magazine of claim 14, wherein the housing has a curved channel formed therein for receiving the ignition devices with rims of the ignition devices overlapping each other.
18. The magazine of claim 17, where the channel further comprises at least one lateral groove for receiving a rim of each of the ignition devices so that the ignition devices can only be inserted into the channel in one orientation.
19. The magazine of claim 17, further comprising a primer pusher therein for expelling the ignition devices from the magazine into a breech of the firearm, wherein the primer pusher includes a pusher body having a lip that extends between a rim of a first one of the ignition devices and a wall forming the channel to assist in the overlapping ignition device rim arrangement.
20. The magazine of claim 14, further comprising a primer retainer for securing the ignition devices therein, where the primer retainer is selectively operated by the loading assembly allowing the expulsion of the ignition devices from the magazine into a breech of the firearm.
21. The magazine of claim 20, wherein the primer retainer has an engagement member and a retainer member that is laterally offset there from and configured so that, when the magazine is loaded in the firearm, the engagement member engages the loading assembly, which pivots the retainer member into a slot in the loading assembly and out of a position retaining the primers in the magazine.
22. In a muzzle-loading firearm having a breech, a barrel with a breech end, and a breech plug in the breech end of the barrel, the improvement comprising:
- an apparatus for sequentially dispensing and loading a plurality of ignition devices into the breech and into engagement with the breech plug of the muzzle-loading firearm for firing.
23. The improvement of claim 22, wherein the apparatus comprises:
- a magazine for containing a plurality of ignition devices; and
- a loading assembly for sequentially loading the ignition devices from the magazine into engagement with the breech plug of the muzzle-loading firearm for firing.
24. A muzzle-loading firearm, comprising:
- a breech;
- a barrel having a breech end;
- a breech plug in the breech end of the barrel;
- a magazine for containing a plurality of ignition devices; and
- a loading assembly for sequentially loading ignition devices from the magazine to the breech and then to the breech plug of the firearm.
25. The muzzle-loading firearm of claim 24, further comprising a receiver portion defined in the firearm for removably receiving the magazine.
26. A method for sequentially loading a plurality of ignition devices into a muzzle-loading firearm, the method comprising:
- providing a magazine for receiving the ignition devices;
- loading the ignition devices into the magazine;
- loading the magazine into the muzzle-loading firearm; and
- loading a first one of the ignition devices from the magazine to the breech plug of the firearm for firing.
27. The method of claim 26, further comprising extracting a spent first ignition device from the breech plug of the firearm after firing.
28. The method of claim 27, further comprising ejecting the extracted first ignition device from the firearm.
29. The method of claim 28, further comprising loading a subsequent one of the ignition devices from the magazine to the breech plug of the firearm.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 6, 2004
Publication Date: Jun 2, 2005
Inventors: Inigo Lizarralde (Bergara Guipuzcoa), Julian Echeberria (Eibar Guipuzcoa), Dean Williams (Griffin, GA), Ned Hollenbach (Murfreesboro, AR)
Application Number: 10/913,782