System for speed loading, retaining and extracting rimless cartridges in revolver style firearms

Abstract

Revolvers typically require the use of rimmed cartridges to enable loading and retention of ammunition and to eject spent cartridge cases. This invention uses novel modifications to the cartridge ejector head consisting of a fixed cartridge groove engagement node, which when used in conjunction with a novel “speed loader”, specially designed for use with rimless cartridges and the novel ejector head, allows revolvers to use the rimless cartridges normally used in self loading firearms. This system for modifying revolver ejectors for use with rimless cartridges when used in conjunction with this new type of speed loader, makes it possible to quickly load, retain and eject spent cases, using rimless cartridges in revolver style firearms. The design uses a solution that eliminates the need for complex mechanisms in the ejector/cylinder assembly that are prone to the kind of breakage, fouling and wear that require the costly and time consuming services of a professional gunsmith to repair.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to revolver type handguns, which use a rotating cylinder to house ammunition for sequenced firing. Revolver typically use an extractor assembly designed to eject rimmed cartridges, with the cartridges being loaded into the chambers one at a time, or through the use of a “speed loader” designed to hold rimmed cartridges for simultaneous loading of all chambers in the cylinder. The present invention is directed at a system for “speed loading”, retaining, and ejecting rimless cartridges, providing an efficient means for utilizing rimless cartridges in revolver type handguns.

BACKGROUND

Cartridges for use in revolvers are designed with a rim at the base of the cartridge case, which is larger in diameter than the body of the case immediately above the rim. When inserted into the chamber of a revolver cylinder, the rim is seated against the back face of the cylinder, holding the cartridge in place, preventing it from falling into the cylinder. Typically, an ejector is incorporated into the cylinder assembly, which seats flush with the back of the cylinder and is machined to match the contours of the chambers of the cylinder. The rim on the cartridge protrudes over the back face of the ejector so that when the ejector assembly is depressed rearward, the ejector catches the rim, forcing the cartridge cases out of the cylinder chambers.

Cartridges for use in self loading firearms, also referred to as “automatic” or “semi automatic, are designed with a groove near the base of the cartridge. Such cartridges are ejected through a mechanism which grasps the cartridge at the groove to withdraw the cartridge from the chamber. Because cartridges designed for use in self loading firearms lack a rim, they are typically not well suited for use in revolver type handguns.

In weighing self loading handguns against revolver type handguns, both have advantages and disadvantages. Most military and law enforcement personnel use self loading firearms because such firearms typically have a greater ammunition capacity. However, self loading firearms are prone to malfunctions due to cartridges failing to feed, fire or eject. In contrast, while limited in ammunition capacity, revolvers are inherently more reliable and are generally less prone to being unintentionally discharged, making them safer to carry and use. Because of their reliability, law enforcement officers often carry a revolver as a backup weapon in the event a self loading, service handgun should malfunction.

In recent years, there have been frequent and extended disruptions in the commercial availability of ammunition. The result is it has become more difficult and expensive to maintain a supply of assorted calibers of ammunition. For both individuals and law enforcement personal, there is an advantage to being able to use the same rimless cartridges used in self loading type firearms in revolvers. When disruptions to ammunition supplies do occur, it is the mass produced, rimless cartridges used by NATO countries, such as 9 mm, where supply shortages are cured first. In response, numerous attempts have been made by innovators to facilitate the use of the more readily available, and generally less expensive, rimless cartridges in revolver type firearms.

The approaches used in prior art generally fall into two categories. One consists of a thin, resilient metal clip, resembling a snowflake, which are commonly referred to as “moon clips”. These clips consist of a plurality of semi circular openings, sized to retain rimless cartridge at the base grooves through an interference fit, by snapping cartridges into the clips. The clip and retained cartridges are then inserted into the cylinder assembly, with the moon clip performing the function of the rim on rimmed cartridges. The most frequent objection to this approach is the moon clips, being necessarily thin, are prone to deformation and breakage, in addition to being a small part that is easily lost or misplaced. U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,082 is an example of this approach.

The the second approach may be summed up as using some type of spring loaded mechanism incorporated into the cylinder or ejector assembly that incorporates retractable projections that are displaced when cartridges are inserted into the cylinder chambers. The retractable projections then snap into the base grooves of rimless cartridges when the groove reaches a point of being aligned with the mechanism. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,541,193, 4,015,356, 4,127,955, 5,341,587 and U.S. Patent application US 2014/0059912 A1 are examples of this approach. These solutions are variously bulky, excessively complex, are prone to the wear inherent in moving parts and, may malfunction as a result of a build up of power residue and solvent fouling or breakage. If/when these devices fail, repair service by a competent gunsmith is required. This approach suffers from the additional disadvantage of an absence of speed loaders designed for use with rimless cartridges.

Loading the individual chambers of a revolver cylinder, one at a time by hand, is a task many users find to be tedious and unnecessarily time consuming. Numerous approaches have been used in prior art over the years to address the need for a system to simultaneously load all of the chambers of revolver style firearms. An early example may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 394,374, published in 1888. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,363,845 5,621,998, 4,614,053, 4,229,896, 4,065,868, 8,136,285, 4,507,889, 4,866,870 and 4,862,622 are further examples of the various approaches used in prior art. Without exception, inherent in the designs used in all prior art is some mechanism for locking cartridges into a fixed position. This is generally accomplished through a system for containing the cartridges in a fixed pattern, combined with a mechanism for using the rim on rimmed cartridges to secure cartridges in that pattern until subsequently released.

What is needed is a solution that eliminates the need for complex, moving parts incorporated into the design of cylinder and ejector assemblies, provides a means for speed loading the revolver when using rimless cartridges and, which provides a means to quickly and economically return the firearm to full functionality in the event of wear, without requiring the services of an experienced gunsmith.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The first object of the present invention is to provide a means of using rimless cartridges in revolver type firearms, which typically require the use of rimmed cartridges.

The second object is to provide a novel, simplified approach to the design of the ejector head that is superior to the type of complex ejector assemblies used in prior art to load, retain and eject rimless cartridges.

The third object is to provide a novel speed loading device, which allows for faster loading and, which performs the necessary function of spring mechanisms externally, independent of the firearm, where such functions have been incorporated into ejector/cylinder assemblies of firearms in prior art. By allowing the function of springs to be performed externally by use of the specially designed speed loader, the need for spring loaded mechanisms in the ejector or cylinder assembly is eliminated.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved through incorporating fixed, nonmoving protrusions into the head design of the extractor, with said protrusions sized and shaped to positively engage the base groove of rimless cartridges. Similar protrusions are incorporated into the design of a novel speed loading device, in combination with fixed surfaces and surfaces under spring tension. The speed loader is sized to allow the bullet portion of cartridges to be aligned with the cylinder chambers, at a depth that does not allow the cartridge case to enter the chamber. When the ejector assembly is depressed, the protrusions on the ejector head displaces the cartridges toward the outside circumference of the speed loader, disengaging the cartridges from the protrusions in the speed loader and, with the cartridges held in place at the floor of the speed loader housing, the ejector head depresses the central retainer, allowing the protrusions on the ejector head to engage the cartridge grooves, with the cartridges then being drawn into the cylinder chambers by the extractor assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the descriptions, serve to explain the principals of the invention through the embodiments. The embodiments illustrated should not be read to constitute limiting requirements, as their intended purpose is limited to assisting the reader in understanding the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the component parts of the speed loader portion of the invention and the order of assembly.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway, perspective view showing the ejector head portion of the invention and how it engages the groove in rimless cartridges.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing features of the central retainer.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing features of the outer retainers.

FIG. 5 is an elevation, sectional view showing the speed loader aligned with the cylinder assembly in preparation for loading.

FIG. 6 is an elevation, sectional view showing the spring action occurring when the ejector head displaces the cartridges prior to engaging the cartridge grooves.

FIG. 7 is an elevation, sectional view showing the spring action occurring when the ejector head engages the cartridge grooves.

FIG. 8 is an elevation, sectional view showing the mechanical action of the ejector head drawing the cartridges into the cylinder.

FIG. 9 is an elevation, sectional view showing the mechanical action of the ejector head ejecting spent cartridge cases from the cylinder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the present invention describes in detail certain embodiments, it is understood that variations and modifications exist, known to those skilled in the art to which this invention applies that are within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is intended to encompass all such alternatives, modifications and variations that are within the scope of the invention as set forth herein. Specific terminology used in the description of specific embodiments is for the purpose of illustration and not to limit the scope of the invention.

The primary operating principal of this invention is based on the fact that while an ejector head equipped with fixed projections, designed to engage the groove at the base of rimless cartridges, cannot operate with the ejector head positioned flush against the back face of the cylinder on revolver style firearms, when said ejector head is used in conjunction with the novel speed loading device described herein, said speed loader makes it possible to hold rimless cartridges in a position that allows such an ejector head of this design to engage the cartridges at a distance beyond the back face of the cylinder in a manner that allows for loading, retention and ejection of rimless cartridges in a revolver style firearm.

The invention consists of a speed loader assembly (FIG. 1) and an ejector head (FIG. 2-8), which incorporates a stationary cartridge groove engagement node (FIG. 2-9) in the design, to be machined, or otherwise incorporated into the ejector head design.

The speed loader assembly (FIG. 1) consists of the following parts:

A. A speed loader housing body (FIG. 1-1), sized to allow rimless cartridges to be roughly aligned in the cylinder when placed against the back face of the cylinder assembly, so as to position the cartridges at a distance from the cylinder that is less than the point where the cartridge cases (FIG. 2-10) enter the cylinder (FIG. 5).

B. A central cartridge retainer (FIG. 1-2) which incorporates multiple semi circular (or less) shaped depressions (FIG. 3-12) with cartridge groove engagement nodes (FIG. 3-13), said depressions being equal in number to the cylinder capacity, and which are shaped to engage and retain rimless cartridges at the base of the cartridges (FIG. 2-11). The central retainer is held in place under spring tension (FIG. 1-5), which allows it to be displaced toward the base of the speed loader when acted upon by the mechanical force of the extractor head (FIG. 2-8) being pressed against it.

C. Multiple outer retainers (FIG. 1-3), equal in number to the cylinder capacity. The outer retainers have a semi circular (or less) shaped face (FIG. 4-14), sized fit the curvature of the cartridge being used. The outer retainers are equipped with tabs (FIG. 4-15) which sit flush against the outer face of the speed loader housing body (FIG. 1-1) when in a free load state, and are placed under spring tension so as to project into the speed loader assembly at a depth that when measured from the face of the corresponding central retainer depression is less than the diameter of the cartridge base. The outer retainers fit into openings provided in the speed loader housing body (FIG. 1-1) and are fitted with a groove (FIG. 4-16), to accommodate a snap ring (FIG. 1-6), said snap ring providing the spring tension that controls the movement of the outer retainers.

D. A base plate (FIG. 1-4), which holds a spring (FIG. 1-5) in place against the central retainer (FIG. 1-2), which is attached to the speed loader housing body (FIG. 1-1) with screws (FIG. 1-7).

The speed loader housing body (FIG. 1-1), the central retainer (FIG. 1-2), the outer retainers (FIG. 1-3) and the base plate (FIG. 1-4) may be manufactured from plastic or any other durable material, using common industry technology, including, but not limited to, 3D printing, injection molding, casting and machining. In using 3D printing technology, a CAD (computer aided design) software program is used to design the parts, with the resulting design exported in a file format readable by a 3D printer. The 3D printer then reads the files and manufactures the parts, using plastics, resins or other durable materials. The extractor head (FIG. 2-8) is manufactured from steel, steel alloys, or other suitable materials, using industry standard machining practices. The hardware parts used in constructing the speed loader (FIG. 1), i.e. screws (FIG. 1-7), snap rings (FIG. 1-6) and springs (FIG. 1-5) are readily available from various commercial suppliers.

To load cartridges into the speed loader; the cartridges are simply pressed into the device until they snap into place (FIG. 5). The cartridges are held in place under spring tension between the outer retainers (FIG. 1-3) and the inner retainer (FIG. 1-2), and by the cartridge groove engagement node (FIG. 3-13).

To load the revolver cylinder (FIG. 5-18), the speed loader is placed against the back face of the revolver's cylinder, with the cartridges roughly aligned with the cylinder chambers (FIG. 5). The ejector assembly (FIG. 6-17) is then depressed, which causes the cartridges to be displaced toward the outside edge of the device (FIG. 6). When the ejector head (FIG. 6-17) reaches the top of the central retainer (FIG. 6-2), the cartridge groove engagement nodes (FIG. 6-9) on the ejector causes the cartridge groove engagement nodes on the central retainer to disengage. The ejector is then depressed further (FIG. 7), causing the central retainer (FIG. 7-2) to be displaced toward the base of the speed loader, allowing the ejection grooves on the cartridges (FIG. 2-11) to engage the cartridge groove engagement nodes (FIG. 7-9) on the ejector head (FIG. 7-8). When the ejector is then withdrawn from the

Claims

1. A system for speed loading, retaining and extracting rimless cartridges in revolver style firearms, consisting of a) an ejector head equipped with fixed projections designed to engage the extraction groove at the base of rimless cartridges and, b) a speed loading device designed to be used in conjunction with an ejector head equipped with projections designed to engage the extraction groove at the base of rimless cartridges.

2. The ejector head of claim 1 wherein the ejector head has multiple projections machined into that surfaces of the ejector head that are aligned with the cylinder chambers, and in which said projections are sized and shaped to engage the groove at the base of rimless cartridges, wherein said projections extend radially into the area above the cylinder chambers at the loading face of the cylinder.

3. The speed loader of claim 1 wherein said speed loader is comprised of a speed loader housing body, a central retainer, multiple outer retainers equal in number to the cylinder capacity of the revolver, a snap ring used to retain the outer retainers and to place spring tension on said outer retainers, a spring used to place spring tension on the central retainer and a base plate secured to the speed loader housing body.

4. The outer retainers of claim 3 wherein said retainers are equipped with tabs designed to define a limited range of displacement relative to the center of the speed loader.

5. The outer retainers and central retainer of claim 3 wherein the outer retainers project into the speed loader under spring tension, at a distance of less than the diameter of the cartridge base from the central retainer, so as to apply retaining pressure against the surface of the cartridge base, and wherein the retaining surface of the central retainer is provided with a projection designed to engage the groove at the base of rimless cartridges.

6. The central retainer of claim 3 wherein the central retainer is positioned in the speed loader under spring tension, allowing the central retainer to be displaced toward the base of the speed loader when mechanical force is applied to the central retainer by the ejector head.

7. The speed loader of claim 1 or the combination of factors of claims 4, 5 and 6 wherein the spring tension applied to the surface of cartridges by the outer retainers and, the displacement of the central retainer by the extractor head of claim 2, causes the projections on the extractor head to align with and engage the extraction grooves on rimless cartridges, whereby the cartridges are subsequently drawn into the cylinder by the extractor head so as to load the chambers, retain the cartridges in firing position and, to eject the spent cartridge cases after use.