Multiple Ammunition Storage System

Abstract

The purpose of this invention is to provide a system for storing and transporting multiple sizes and combinations of pistol and rifle ammunition, in an organized manner, within a single storage unit for added convenience for shooting sports enthusiasts.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to the field of storing and transporting ammunition of various calibers.

2. Statement of the Problem

Currently, ammunition storage and transportation is accomplished using various methods. One procedure is to store and transport ammunition in the same container in which the ammunition was purchased. While this is appropriate for store bought ammunition, it often becomes litter in popular shooting locations as they are not particularly useful containers for reuse.

A second procedure is to transport ammunition in reusable storage containers which typically hold 20, 50 or 100 cartridges. This method is often favored by people who reload and manufacture ammunition for personal use.

A third method is to transport ammunition within a container or bag as loose cartridges or in any combination of methods mentioned above.

At the time of submission, there is no system for the storage and transportation of multiple sizes of ammunition within a single unit in an organized manner.

SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

The present invention allows for storing and transporting ammunition of single or multiple sizes within a single unit.

The present invention provides a secure means of transporting ammunition in a reusable container.

The present invention provides a system for organizing ammunition of multiple sizes within a single unit.

The present invention provides ammunition carrier assemblies of various sizes to accept and retain multiple sizes of ammunition by means of gravity.

The present invention provides an alternative to purchasing and using multiple sizes of ammunition storage boxes currently available for storing and transporting ammunition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system for storing ammunition of multiple sizes within a single unit. The system comprises of a storage box and two or more ammunition carrier assemblies. Each component of the system is designed to work together to create a system which allows the user to appropriately designate the proper amount of spacing needed to accommodate a wide range of ammunition sizes within the storage box.

Each rail within the storage box is spaced apart enough to allow the rails on the ammunition storage trays to freely slide in and out of the storage box.

Ammunition carrier assemblies are available in various sizes to accommodate a wide range of ammunition sizes. The outer dimensions of the ammunition carrier assemblies remain constant, while the dimensions of the cavities intended for retaining ammunition cartridges vary according the range of ammunition they are intended for.

Each ammunition carrier assembly is appropriate for use with either pistol or rifle ammunition cartridges.

Each ammunition carrier assembly allows for a maximum of 50 cartridges to be retained by gravity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one possible preferred embodiment of the present invention as a complete system with front panel closed.

FIG. 2 is a view of FIG. 1 as a complete system with front panel open.

FIG. 3 is a view of FIG. 2 from the open side with handle removed and front panel open.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one possible preferred embodiment of the ammunition carrier assemblies designated as ‘Small’ and ‘Large’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reloading is a popular pastime among those who enjoy shooting sports. After completing the reloading process, loaded ammunition cartridges must be stored either in ammunition storage boxes, re-used retail packaging, or loosely in another type of container. Most ammunition storage boxes available have a capacity of 20, 50, or 100 cartridges and are limited to a specific size of cartridge or similar sized pistol or rifle sized cartridges only. This creates a need for multiple sized boxes for those who reload various cartridge sizes. Also, because of the need of a greater amount of ammunition for a typical day at the range than one box can provide, several boxes are required.

The present invention provides a favorable solution for these issues. It is possible to use two sizes of cavities to accommodate the most popular pistol and rifle cartridge sizes. Because the length of each type of cartridge varies, it is also necessary to allow the container to accept multiple lengths of cartridges. Using the present invention, it is possible to store and transport a wide variety of both pistol and rifle cartridges regardless of cartridge size and length. This reusable system provides the consumer with the ability to modify how the system is used to better suit individual needs. The entire system is reusable and reduces the need for single purpose ammunition storage boxes.

One possible preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. This descriptive embodiment is for explanatory purposes and is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. Other variations are considered to be within the scope of the inventive concept.

FIG. 1 depicts the storage box as it would appear closed. The main body of the storage box is formed by injection molding technique as a stolid piece with an open face. The storage box includes an upper planar surface 1 with side walls 2, 3, 4, and inner divider 5 extending perpendicularly downward therefrom. Side walls 2, 3, 4, and inner divider 5 terminate in planar surface 6 which is parallel to planar surface 1. Inner divider 5 is parallel to side walls 2 and 3 and is located equidistant between side walls 2 and 3. Side wall 4 is perpendicular to side walls 2, 3 and inner divider 5. The front opening cover 8 is retained by hinge 7 located at the bottom planar surface 6 and locked in a closed position by snap fasteners 9 located at the top planar surface 1. For easier access to unlatching snap fastener 9, there are depressed semi-circular cavities 10 below the snap fasteners 9 when in a closed position. Snap fasteners 9 are attached to planar surface 1 by hinge 13 and a depressed cavity 12 on planar surface 1 allows snap fasteners 9 to become nearly flush with planar surface 1 when closed and secured to the front opening cover 8.

FIG. 2 depicts the storage box as it would appear opened. From an open position, front opening cover 8 folds flat with lower planar surface 6 as depicted in 15. From this view, it is possible to see the inside of the storage box as it would appear empty. Handle 14 is attached to the storage box by hinges 11 located equidistant between the front opening cover 8 and side wall 4, and is nearly as wide as planar surface 1.

FIG. 3 depicts the storage box as it would appear without the handle 14, snap fasteners 9 with front opening cover 8 opened and lying flat to show the system of rails. The liner 16 is raised above the surface 17 by 0.025″ to form a seal with front opening cover 8 which also has a depressed surface 18 which is depressed by 0.027″. Rail sections 21 are extended out by 0.125″ from spacing sections 22. Spacing sections 22 and rail sections 21 are 0.250″ tall and spacing sections 19 and 20 are 0.500″ tall. Rail sections 21 and spacing sections 22 extend horizontally along the interior side walls 2 and 3, and on either side of inner divider 5, to the rear side wall 4 from the raised surface 16 to provide support for ammunition carrier assemblies FIG. 4. The interior space between side wall 2 and inner divider 5, and side wall 3 and inner divider 5 are 3.000″ wide, with the distance between the innermost sides of rail sections 21 being 2.750″ from the corresponding rail section 21 directly opposite. The interior height should be 7.750″ from interior planar surface 1 and 6.

FIG. 4 depicts an ammunition carrier assembly designed specifically to be used with the storage box. Ammunition carrier assemblies are specifically designed to be secured by use of rails 24 on the ammunition carrier assemblies and rails 21 within the storage box FIG. 3.

The following description depicts ammunition carriers designated as ‘Small’ and ‘Large’ which share the same external dimensions, differing only in the size and spacing of the cavities 26. The ammunition carrier assembly is rectangular with two protruding sections along the longest sides which serve as rails 24 to secure the ammunition carrier assembly inside the storage box. Each rail 24 extends 0.090″ outward from side wall 25. Side wall 25 is 0.600″ high and 5.500″ long. Rail 24 is 0.200″ high and 5.500″ long. Side walls 23 are perpendicular to side wall 25 and rail 24, joined by lower planar surface 31. Side wall 23 is 2.900″ wide for the upper 0.200″ section and 2.720″ wide in the lower 0.600″ section. The lower planar surface 31 is 2.720″ wide and 5.500″ long. The upper planar surface is 2.900″ wide and 5.500″ long. The upper planar surface consists of fifty cavities 26 separated by dividers 27 and 28 whose uppermost surface shares the framework of the upper planar surface which consists of areas 29 and 30. The cavities are arranged in a grid of five rows by ten columns when viewed as illustrated in FIG. 4. The cavities 26 are 0.430″ wide by 0.430″ long by 0.700″ deep for ammunition carrier assemblies designated as ‘Small’ and 0.490″ wide by 0.490″ long by 0.700″ deep for ammunition carrier assemblies designated as ‘Large’. The area 29 between the end of planar surface 32 and the nearest adjacent cavity 26 is 0.295″ for ammunition carrier assemblies designated as ‘Small’ and 0.195″ for ammunition carrier assemblies designated as ‘Large’. The area 30 between the end of planar surface 23 and the nearest adjacent cavity 26 is 0.420″ for ammunition carrier assemblies designated as ‘Small’ and 0.240″ for ammunition carrier assemblies designated as ‘Large’. Dividing sections 27 and 28 are 0.040″ thick and 0.700″ deep. Each cavity 26 terminates upon lower planar surface 31.

Ammunition carrier assemblies FIG. 4 with rails 24 for use with larger or smaller sizes of cartridges than those described are also considered to be within the scope of the inventive concept.

Ammunition carrier assemblies FIG. 4 in both ‘Small’ and ‘Large’ designations may be used in any combination for the storage and transport of ammunition cartridges provided the maximum circumference does not exceed the space allotted within each cavity 26. Trays may then be inserted into the storage box FIG. 3 by sliding the ammunition carrier assembly rails 24 over two opposing rails 21 in the storage box. The user may continue to insert multiple ammunition carrier assemblies into the storage box at their discretion until there is no more space within the storage box. The maximum capacity for storage in the depicted preferred embodiment is either: 500 pistol cartridges sized; 9mm, .40, .45ACP and similar, 300 rifle cartridges sized; 5.56 NATO, 7.62×39 and similar, or 200 rifle cartridges sized; .308 NATO, 30/06 and similar. Combinations of pistol and rifle cartridges may be stored in any combination the user finds most appropriate for their individual needs.

The invention as claimed is not meant to be limited by the description of the preferred embodiment. Other variations are considered to be within the scope of the inventive concept.

Claims

1. An ammunition storage system designed to accommodate the storage, transportation and organization of multiple calibers of pistol and rifle cartridges by means of an arrangement of rails and ammunition carrier assemblies which are designed to slide into those rails which are within the inner walls of a storage box. Rail spacing also serves to maintain the security of ammunition carrier assemblies from vertical and lateral movement while being used in the Multiple Ammunition Storage System.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein a storage box comprises of an opening from which to access the contents for storage and removal of ammunition and ammunition carrier assemblies.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein ammunition carrier assemblies contain a grid of cavities or dividers in order to retain individual cartridges of ammunition within a confined space.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the rails of the ammunition carrier assemblies are wide enough to slide into the slots within the storage box

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the rails within the storage box are spaced wide enough to accept the ammunition carrier assemblies.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the storage box contains two or more slots to receive two or more ammunition carrier assemblies.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein multiple ammunition carrier assemblies can be arranged within the storage box by means of the rails which exist within the storage box and along the sides of the ammunition carrier assemblies.