Shell Extractor Tool and Kit Containing Same
A shell extractor tool for removing a jammed ammunition shell from a firearm comprises a handle portion and a shaft portion. The shaft portion is adapted to be inserted through a firearm port and terminates at a proximal end and wherein the proximal end is angled relative to a remainder of the shaft portion to permit engagement of the jammed ammunition shell in a chamber of a firearm. The handle portion is adapted to be grasped by a user and to apply leverage to the jammed ammunition shell, to allow removal of the ammunition shell from the firearm with the shell extractor tool. The shell extractor tool may be provided with a sheath to provide a shell extractor tool kit. The sheath comprises a first structural portion and a second structural portion. The first structural portion and second structural portion are secured together to form a pocket to receive and reversibly secure the extractor tool. The sheath may optionally comprise a third structural portion. The first, second and optional third structural portions may each include one or more top securing apertures, wherein the top securing apertures are adapted to align each other to facilitate assembly of the portions.
This application claims benefit of pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/409,504 filed on Sep. 23, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to an ammunition extraction tool, more commonly referred to as a “shell extractor.” During use, spent ammunition casings may become stuck or “jammed’ in a firearm. This can occur for a number of reasons. After firing, a portion or all of the cartridge remains in the chamber of the firearm, preventing a new cartridge from being loaded. Removal of the spent casing is therefore necessary for the continued function of the firearm. While this is desirable even when the firearm is used for sporting purposes, quick removal of the spent casing and return of the firearm to operating conditions can be particularly important for law enforcement personnel and armed forces in conflict situations.
Previously, service members have been known to utilize a standard paint can opener tied to a cord that is then tied to their vest as an improvised tool for this purpose. In the event that a spent shell casing fails to eject, the service member would pull the paint can opener from their vest, use the paint can opener to pull out the casing and drop the paint can opener and continue fighting. When they are able, they then re-secure the paint can opener to their vest.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTIONIt is, therefore, an aspect of the present invention to provide a shell extractor with an alternate design from previous designs. The present invention may also include additional adaptations to function as a multi-function tool. Such additional functions may include a cutting function, such as a seat belt cutter for example. In addition or in the alternative, the tool may also include an aperture adapted to receive a standard ¼ inch bit or a bolt. Furthermore, the handle of the tool may include a pry bar or flathead screwdriver configuration. This provides the user such as a service member with the ability to pry parts of a firearm, adjust optics and the like, which may all be needed in combat. In this way, the tool may combine several functional aspects in a single tool. Because the tool is also approximately the size and weight of the improvised paint can opener, it does not add any significant weight to the gear carried by the service member. Optionally, the tool may also be provided with a sheath to form a kit.
In general, the present invention provides a shell extractor tool for removing a jammed ammunition shell from a firearm. The shell extractor tool comprises a handle portion and a shaft portion. The shaft portion is adapted to be inserted through a firearm port and terminates at a proximal end and wherein the proximal end is angled relative to a remainder of the shaft portion to permit engagement of the jammed ammunition shell in a chamber of a firearm. The handle portion is adapted to be grasped by a user and to apply leverage to the jammed ammunition shell, to allow removal of the ammunition shell from the firearm with the shell extractor tool. The shell extractor tool may be provided with a sheath to provide a shell extractor tool kit. The sheath comprises a first structural portion and a second structural portion. The first structural portion and second structural portion are secured together to form a pocket to receive and reversibly secure the extractor tool. The sheath may optionally comprise a third structural portion. The first, second and optional third structural portions may each include one or more top securing apertures, wherein the top securing apertures are adapted to align each other to facilitate assembly of the portions.
The present invention is directed toward a shell extractor tool. Optionally, a sheath for the tool may also be provided with the tools to form a kit. The following examples should not be viewed as limiting the scope of the invention. The claims will serve to define the inventions.
In one embodiment, the tool comprises a light-weight shell extraction configuration and optionally one or more additional tool adaptations. In another embodiment, the tool comprises a shell extraction component and a cutting element. The tool may additionally comprise a pry bar or screwdriver element, a bit or bolt attachment element, or both.
In addition or in the alternative, the tool may additionally comprise a sheath to form a shell extractor tool kit. The sheath may be constructed of a thermoplastic material such as nylon or Kydex. Although Kydex, strictly speaking, refers to an acrylic-polyvinyl chloride thermoplastic material, more commonly it is used to describe any thermoplastic material that has similar properties to acrylic-polyvinyl chloride, such as ease of thermoforming, impact resistance, strength and stiffness. Other properties of the material used to form the sheath may similarly be chosen according to a user's preference, such as thickness and grain. In one particular embodiment, the material used to form the sheath is nylon.
The invention will be better understood by reference to the following examples which are included for the purpose of illustration and not limitation. Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, there is shown in
Tool 10 comprises a first or handle portion 12 and a second or shaft portion 14. Shaft portion 14 terminates at a proximal end 16. Proximal end 16 may be angled relative to a remainder of shaft portion 14 and may also be undercut to assist with cartridge extraction. The angulation of proximal end 16 and the length of the angled portion may vary according to the specifications of the firearm with which it is intended to be used. Shaft portion 14 may also include a cutting element 18, such as a belt cutter adapted to cut seat belts in the event of a passenger in an automobile or similar vehicle being trapped in the vehicle.
Handle portion 12 is shown in
A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in
A sheath 50, as shown in
Sheath 50 comprises a first structural portion 52, a second structural portion 58 and an optional third structural portion 56. First structural portion 52 and second structural portion 58 are configured to be secured together to form a pocket to receive and secure an extractor tool 10/10′. Optionally third structural portion 56 may be secured to first and second structural portions 52, 58, as described more fully below.
First structural portion 52 comprises one or more top securing apertures 60 and one or more bottom securing apertures 62. First structural portion 52 comprises a pocket portion 72 which is raised from the remainder of first structural portion 52 and is adapted to receive an extractor tool when first structural portion 54 and second structural portion 58 are assembled. Pocket portion 72 may have a beveled edge 73 to minimize rough edges of sheath 50 and in turn to minimizes the tendency of sheath 50 to snag or otherwise inadvertently engage clothing or other materials. First structural portion 52 may additionally comprise a first hook securing aperture 63, which is configured to engage a hook 80 as described below with reference to
Second structural portion 58 is substantially flat. Similar to first structural portion 52 has one or more top securing apertures 64 and one or more bottom securing apertures 66. Second structural portion 58 additionally has a handle portion 74, which may include a handle aperture 76. Aperture 76 may be configured to accept a rope or strap (such as paracord) to secure sheath 50 to a tactical or duty belt or other tactical equipment such as a vest, backpack or rucksack. Second structural portion 58 may additionally comprise a second hook securing aperture 78, adapted to engage and secure hook 80 of third structural portion 56 as described below with reference to
Third structural portion 56 is also substantially flat and may comprise one or more top securing apertures 68. Third structural portion 56 further comprises a hook 80 at the bottom of third structural portion 56. Hook 80 is configured to engage second hook securing aperture 78 of second structural portion 58 as also described below. As shown in
Sheath 50 may be assembled as follows. Top securing apertures 60, 64 and 68 (when aperture 68 is present) are adapted to align such that a rivet 70 or other securing means may be inserted through each of apertures 60, 64 and 68 to secure first structural portion 54, second structural portion 58 and optionally, third structural portion 56 together. Alternatively, rivet 70 may be inserted through apertures 60 and 64 only, to secure first structural portion 54 and second structural portion 58 together. In such an embodiment, first structural portion 54 and second structural portion 58 still form a pocket which is configured to accept and securely engage extraction tool 10/10′/10″.
In either of the configurations above, third structural portion 56 may be attached to first and second structural portions 54, 58 by hook 80 as shown in
Based upon the foregoing disclosure, it should now be apparent that the shell extractor tool will carry out the objects set forth hereinabove. It is, therefore, to be understood that any variations evident fall within the scope of the claimed invention and thus, the selection of specific component elements can be determined without departing from the spirit of the invention herein disclosed and described.
Claims
1. A shell extractor tool for removing a jammed ammunition shell from a firearm, the shell extractor tool comprising: wherein the shaft portion is adapted to be inserted through a firearm port and terminates at a proximal end and wherein the proximal end is angled relative to a remainder of the shaft portion to permit engagement of the jammed ammunition shell in a chamber of a firearm, and wherein the handle portion is adapted to be grasped by a user and to apply leverage to the jammed ammunition shell, to allow removal of the ammunition shell from the firearm with the shell extractor tool.
- a handle portion and a shaft portion,
2. The shell extractor tool of claim 1, wherein the angled proximal end of the shaft portion is undercut to engage the spent cartridge in the chamber of the firearm.
3. The shell extractor tool of claim 2, wherein the handle portion is T-shaped.
4. The shell extractor tool of claim 3, wherein the handle portion additionally comprises a pry bar or screwdriver portion.
5. The shell extractor tool of claim 4, wherein the handle portion additionally comprises an aperture.
6. The shell extractor tool of claim 5, wherein the aperture is adapted to engage a hexagonal bit or bolt.
7. The shell extractor tool of claim 2, wherein the shaft portion additionally comprises a cutting element.
8. The shell extractor tool of claim 2, wherein the handle portion has an annular configuration.
9. The shell extractor tool of claim 2, wherein the handle portion comprises an aperture adapted to rotationally engage a post for assembly into a multi-tool.
10. The shell extractor tool of claim 9, wherein the handle portion additionally comprises a projection forming a stop when the shell extractor tool is inserted into a multi-tool handle and the shell extractor tool is in an open position in the multi-tool.
11. A shell extractor tool kit comprising:
- a shell extractor tool and a sheath adapted to reversibly engage the shell extractor tool, wherein the shell extractor tool comprises a handle portion and a shaft portion,
- wherein the shaft portion is adapted to be inserted through a firearm port and terminates at a proximal end and wherein the proximal end is angled relative to a remainder of the shaft portion to permit engagement of the jammed ammunition shell in a chamber of a firearm,
- and wherein the handle portion is adapted to be grasped by a user and to apply leverage to the jammed ammunition shell, to allow removal of the ammunition shell from the firearm with the shell extractor tool,
- and further wherein the sheath comprises a first structural portion and a second structural portion, the first structural portion and second structural portion being secured together to form a pocket to receive and reversibly secure the extractor tool.
12. The shell extractor tool kit according to claim 11, wherein the first structural portion and the second structural portion each comprise one or more top securing apertures and one or more bottom securing apertures, and wherein the top securing apertures of the first and second structural portions are adapted to align such that a rivet or bolt may be inserted through the one or more top securing apertures, and further wherein the bottom securing apertures of the first and second structural portions are adapted to align such that a rivet or bolt may be inserted through the one or more bottom securing apertures.
13. The shell extractor tool kit according to claim 12, wherein the second structural portion additionally comprises a handle aperture.
14. The shell extractor tool kit according to claim 13, wherein a rivet or bolt is inserted through the one or more top securing apertures of the first and second structural portions to secure the first and second structural portions together.
15. The shell extractor tool kit according to claim 12, additionally comprising a third structural portion comprising one or more top securing apertures, wherein the top securing apertures are adapted to align with the top securing apertures of the first and second structural portions.
16. The shell extractor tool kit according to claim 13, wherein a rivet or bolt is inserted through the one or more top securing apertures of the first, second and third structural portions to secure the first, second and third structural portions together.
17. The shell extractor tool kit according to claim 15, wherein the third structural portion additionally comprises a hook, and wherein the second structural portion comprises an aperture adapted to engage the hook.
18. The shell extractor tool kit according to claim 17, wherein the third structural portion additionally comprises one or more secondary securing apertures.
19. The shell extractor tool kit according to claim 18, wherein the one or more secondary securing apertures are adapted to receive one or more straps for attachment to a Molle system.
20. The shell extractor tool kit according to claim 15, wherein the one or more secondary securing apertures are adapted to receive one or more straps for attachment to a Molle system.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 22, 2023
Publication Date: Mar 28, 2024
Inventors: Nathan Denzle Williams (Naples, FL), Donald James Halpin (Estero, FL), Nicholas Otis Williams (Naples, FL)
Application Number: 18/371,892