AMMUNITION LOADING APPARATUS

Abstract

There is provided an ammunition loading apparatus comprising a first elongate member, and second and third elongate members pivotally coupled to the first member. The second and third members have a deployed position in which the second and third members extend perpendicular to the first member and receive ammunition therebetween. The second and third members are moveable from the deployed position to a stored position in which the second and third members extend parallel to the first member. The second and third members are foldable or collapsible relative to the first elongate in the stored position. The apparatus is also moveable to a partially open position that is L-shaped and functions as an unloading tool to selectively remove ammunition from a magazine. The apparatus includes an elongate protrusion coupled to one of the elongate members and which functions as a glass breaker or part of a pin punch tool.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/157,243 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on 5 Mar. 2021, and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference and priority to which is claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

There is provided a loading apparatus. In particular, there is provided an ammunition loading apparatus.

Description of the Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 9,335,107 to Berte et al. discloses a loading apparatus for use with a firearm. The loading apparatus may be most suited for use with a bolt-action rifle having an internal magazine. The loading apparatus includes an arcuate shaped body having a coextensive track, flap member, and access slot, and a guidance element.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,239,198 to McPhee discloses a magazine loader for loading cartridges into a magazine. The magazine loader may include a base member configured for positioning on an open end of the magazine. The magazine loader may include a first cartridge support member extending from the base member. The magazine loader may include a second cartridge support member extending from the base member. The first cartridge support member may include a first slot configured for receiving a base end of each of the cartridges. The second cartridge support member may include a second slot configured for receiving a tip end of each of the cartridges. A related system for loading and storing cartridges for a firearm also is provided.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,052 to Brown discloses firearm magazines and magazine loaders for firearm cartridges. This includes a channel-shaped container having a bottom wall of a width of more than one and less than two cartridge diameters. The channel-shaped container has side walls corresponding in height to a cartridge shell. The channel-shaped container has an elongate open top extending between the side walls opposite and parallel to the closed bottom wall for receiving the cartridges. Each circular bottom of each cartridge is located at the closed bottom wall. The shell of each cartridge extends parallel to and is retained between the side walls. The bullets of the cartridges are located at the open top. A lid for closure of the open top above the bullet is provided for retention of the cartridges in the channel-shaped container preparatory to a transfer of such retained cartridges through an opening out of the channel-shaped container with the aid of an actuated or biased cartridge seater.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

There is provided, and it is an object to provide, an improved ammunition loading apparatus.

There is accordingly provided an ammunition loading apparatus according to one aspect.

The apparatus includes a first elongate member, and second and third elongate members pivotally coupled to the first elongate member. The second and third elongate members have a deployed position in which the second and third elongate members extend perpendicular to the first elongate member and receive ammunition therebetween. The second and third elongate members are moveable from the deployed position to a stored position in which the second and third elongate members extend parallel to the first elongate member.

There is also provided an ammunition loading apparatus according to another aspect. The apparatus includes a first elongate member, and second and third elongate members coupled to the first elongate member. The second and third elongate members are shaped to receive ammunition therebetween in a deployed position. The second and third elongate members are selectively foldable relative to the first elongate member when not in use.

There is further provided an ammunition loading apparatus according to an additional aspect. The apparatus includes a first elongate member. The apparatus includes second and third elongate members coupled to the first elongate member and between which ammunition is received. The second and third elongate members are collapsible when not in use.

The first elongate member may be referred to as a base member, and the second and third elongate members may be referred to as first and second arms.

It is emphasized that the invention relates to all combinations of the above features, even if these are recited in different claims.

Further aspects and example embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or described in the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate non-limiting example embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a right side, first arm end, top perspective view of a loader according to one aspect, together with a plurality of cartridges coupled together with a stripper clip, with the cartridges and stripper clip being received within the loader, and a firearm magazine to which the loader abuts, the loader being shown in a deployed or fully open position;

FIG. 2 is a top, right side, clevis end perspective view of a base member of the loader of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top, right side, tang end perspective view thereof of the base member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom, left side, clevis end perspective thereof of the base member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a channel bottom, left side perspective view of a first arm of the loader of the FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a channel top, clevis end perspective view of the first arm of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a channel top perspective view of the first arm of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a channel top, right side, tang end perspective view of a second arm of the loader of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a channel bottom, left side, tang end perspective view of the second arm of the loader of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a right side elevation view of the loader and cartridge of FIG. 1, with the loader being shown in the deployed or fully open position;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of the loader and cartridge of FIG. 10, with the loader being shown in the deployed or fully open position;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along lines 12-12 of the loader and cartridge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a right side, top perspective view of the loader of FIG. 11, with the arms thereof being shown in a partially deployed or intermediate position;

FIG. 14 is a right side, top perspective view of the loader of FIG. 13, with the loader shown in a fully stored or closed position, with the second arm folded within the base member via the top of the base member, and with the first arm abutting and extending along the bottom of the base member;

FIG. 15 is a right side elevation view of the loader of FIG. 14 seen in the fully stored or closed position;

FIG. 16 is a first arm end elevation view of the loader of FIG. 14 seen in the fully stored or closed position;

FIG. 17 is a right side, bottom perspective view of the loader of FIG. 1 seen in a partially open or cartridge unloading position, together with a left side, first end, open top perspective view of the magazine of FIG. 1, the magazine containing cartridges, the first arm shown of the loader shown in a fully stored or closed position, and the second arm of the loader shown in a deployed or fully open position and in the process of being used to unload respective cartridges from the magazine;

FIG. 18 is a channel top, left side, clevis end perspective view of a first arm for a loader according to another aspect;

FIG. 19 is a clevis end, channel top perspective view of the first arm of the loader of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a channel top, right side, tang end perspective view of a second arm of the loader of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a left side, tang end perspective view of the second arm of the loader of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a left side, bottom, tang end perspective view of a base member of a loader according to an additional aspect;

FIG. 23 is a channel bottom, left side perspective view of a first arm of the loader of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a right side, channel bottom, tang end perspective view of a second arm of the loader of FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a right side perspective view a loader according to yet a further aspect, the loader being shown in a stored or closed position;

FIG. 26 is a right side perspective view the loader of FIG. 25, with the loader being shown in a deployed position;

FIG. 27 is a top, right side, clevis end perspective view of a base member of the loader of FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 29 is a tang end view thereof;

FIG. 30 is a channel bottom, left side perspective view of a first arm of the loader of FIG. 25;

FIG. 31 is an outer elevation view of a second arm of the loader of FIG. 25;

FIG. 32 is a channel top, right side, tang end perspective view thereof;

FIG. 33 is a left side, bottom, tang end perspective view of a base member of a loader according to yet an additional aspect;

FIG. 34 is a right side, top perspective view of a loader according to yet another aspect, the loader being shown in a deployed position and receiving a cartridge-holding stripper clip therein; and

FIG. 35 is a right side, top perspective view of a loader according to yet a further aspect, the loader being shown in a deployed position and receiving a cartridge-holding stripper clip therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced without these particulars. In other instances, well known elements have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive sense.

Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, there is shown an ammunition loading apparatus, in this example a loader 30. The loader functions to receive ammunition, in this case a plurality of cartridges 32 therebetween. Loader 30 may be referred to as a magazine loader or magazine charger. Each cartridge 32 may be referred to as a round and comprises in this example 5.56 mm rifle ammunition for a firearm (not shown), in this case a semi-automatic rifle such as an AR-15 style rifle. However, this is not strictly required and the cartridges may be of different types, and the loader may be used for other types of firearms in other embodiments.

Loader 30 holds cartridges 32 therewithin in the open position seen in FIG. 1 and as discussed further below. The loader functions to feed the cartridges into an ammunition storage and feeding device, in this example a magazine 34 of the firearm. The magazine may be referred to as a rifle magazine. In this example loader 30 is designed to allow the expedient loading of into STANAG™ AR-15 style magazines; however this is not strictly required and other types of magazines, such as any ArmaLite™ (AR) style magazine or magazines for non-AR type rifles such as an Avtomat Kalashnikova™ (AK) rifle or an Fusil Automatique Léger™ (FAL) rifle, or other weapons systems, may be used by adjusting the dimensions of the base of the loader for example in other embodiments.

As seen in FIG. 17, magazine 34 is generally a hollow rectangular prism in shape. The magazine has an open top 36, a bottom 38, a pair of spaced-apart sides 40 and 42, and a pair of spaced-apart ends 44 and 46. The sides of the magazine are rectangular and extend between the top, bottom and ends of the magazine. Ends 44 and 46 of magazine 34 are rectangular and extend between top 36, bottom 38 and sides 40 and 42 of the magazine. The magazine includes a first pair of flanges 48 and 50 which couple to respective sides 40 and 42 of the magazine and which are curved in part. The flanges inwardly extend towards each other and extend upwardly from respective sides 40 and 42 of magazine 34, in this example and from the perspective of FIG. 17. Flanges 48 and 50 extend along top 36 of the magazine. The flanges extend from end 44 of magazine 34 towards end 46 of the magazine in this example. End 46 of the magazine has a recessed portion 52 extending from top 36 towards bottom 38 of the magazine.

Magazine 34 includes a second pair of flanges 54 and 56 coupled to and extending outwards from sides 40 and 42 thereof. The second pair of flanges in this example are triangular in shape. Flanges 54 and 56 are positioned adjacent to and spaced downwards from top 36 of the magazine from the perspective of FIG. 17 in this example. However, such flanges are not strictly required and loader 30 is configured to also be used with magazines that do not have such flanges. Flanges 54 and 56 extend from end 46 of magazine 34 towards end 44 of the magazine. Magazines per se, including their various parts and functionings, are well known to those skilled in the art and magazine 34 is an off-the-shelf product that will thus not be described in further detail.

Referring to FIG. 1, each cartridge 32 includes a cartridge casing 58, a primer 60, an explosive in this case gunpowder 62, and a bullet 64. Cartridge 32 has a first or bullet end 66 and a second, shell or primer end 68 spaced-apart from the bullet end. Casing 58 is a hollow shell which is cylindrical in outer shaped with a closed bottom 70 that is circular and aligned with the primer end of the cartridge. Primer 60 is positioned within the casing and adjacent the bottom of the casing. The casing has an open top 72 spaced-apart from bottom 70 thereof. Casing 58 has an annular and tapered casing shoulder 74 between the bottom thereof and the open top thereof. Bullet 64 is partially received within open top 72 of the casing. The bullet extends from bullet end 66 of cartridge 32 towards primer end 68 of the cartridge. Each bullet 64 has bullet tip 67 adjacent the bullet end of the cartridge. Gunpowder 62 is positioned within casing 58 between bottom 70 and open end 72 of the casing. Cartridges per se, including their various parts and functionings, are well known to those skilled in the art and cartridge 32 is an off-the-shelf product that will thus not be described in further detail.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the cartridges are coupled together via an elongate coupling member, in this example a stripper clip 75. The stripper clip is a 10-round stripper clip in this example as may be typical for military ammunition, though this is not strictly required and a user may include fewer cartridges on the clip for example. Stripper clip 75 is channel-shaped with a channel 89, a top 77, and a bottom 79 opposite the top thereof. The stripper clip has a width W_SC extending between sides 81 and 83 thereof. The sides and bottom 79 of stripper clip 75 are rectangular in this example. Channel 89 of stripper clip has a channel height H_SC extending from inner end wall 85 thereof and outer end walls 87 thereof. The channel of stripper clip 75 is shaped to selectively receive primer ends 68 of cartridges 32 therewithin, with the stripper clip thus coupling together the cartridges. Stripper clips per se, including their various parts and functionings, are well known to those skilled in the art and stripper clip 75 will thus not be described in further detail.

As seen in FIG. 2, loader 30 includes a first elongate member, in this example an elongate base member 76. Referring to FIG. 1, the loader includes second and third elongate members, in this example first arm 78 and second arm 80. The first and second arms of loader 30 are rotatable relative to base member 76, in this example pivotally coupling to the base member. The loader as herein described is made of a material that is resilient at least in part, in this example comprising: an elastomeric material, in this case nylon plastic; and a filler material disposed therein, in this case carbon or glass fiber. However, this is not strictly required and the loader may be made of other materials in other embodiments, such as various metals (stainless steel, aluminium, titanium etc.) or various proprietary resins used in stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing, for example.

Referring back to FIG. 2, base member 76 of loader 30 is channel-shaped in this example and may be referred to as a first or base channel or a magazine loader base. The base member of the loader has a first end 82, a second end 84 spaced-apart from the first end thereof, and a longitudinal axis 86 extending between the ends thereof. Base member 76 of loader 30 has a first of a top or bottom, in this example a longitudinally-extending top 88 extending between ends 82 and 84 thereof. The top of the base member of the loader is planar in this example. Base member 76 of loader 30 has a first longitudinally-extending or central slot 90 extending through top 88 thereof. The central slot extends from second end 84 of the base member of the loader towards first end 82 of the base member of the loader in this example. Central slot 90 is rectangular in shape in this example with a width W_B1. The central slot is shaped to enable cartridges 32 seen in FIG. 1 to selectively pass therethrough. Referring back to FIG. 2, central slot 90 has an enlarged portion 92 extending from end 84 of base member 76 of loader 30 towards end 82 of the base member of the loader. The enlarged portion of central slot 90 is rectangular in this example with a width W_B2 that is greater than width W_B1 of the rest of the central slot.

As seen in FIG. 4, base member 76 of loader 30 has a second of a top and bottom, in this example an open and longitudinally-extending bottom 94 opposite top 88 thereof. The bottom of the base member of the loader extends between ends 82 and 84 thereof. Bottom 94 of the base member of loader 30 is generally rectangular in bottom profile and is planar in this example. As seen in FIG. 2, base member 76 of the loader has a height H_B extending from top 88 thereof to the bottom thereof. The base member of loader 30 is hollow and has an interior 96 in fluid communication with top 88 thereof and bottom 94 thereof. The interior comprises a space that is a generally rectangular prism in shape in this example. Bottom 94 of base member 76 of loader 30 has an opening 97 extending therein and through which cartridges 32, seen in FIG. 1, pass therethrough exit from the base member. The opening extends from end 84 towards end 82 of base member 76. Opening 97 is rectangular in shape in this example.

Referring to FIG. 2, base member 76 of loader 30 includes a pair of spaced-apart sides 98 and 100 extending between ends 82 and 84 thereof and along which extend side walls 102 and 104. The side walls are longitudinally-extending and may be referred to as curtains. As seen in FIG. 3, side walls 102 and 104 of base member 76 of loader 30 are beveled along peripheral edge portions 107 and 109 thereof in this example; however, this is not strictly required. Referring to FIG. 2, the base member of the loader has one or more apertures extending through at least one of the side walls thereof: in this example a plurality of angled and longitudinally spaced-apart side slots extending through each side wall, as shown by slots 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 and 116 for wall 104. The side slots may be referred to as relief cuts or recesses. Side slots 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 and 116 extend between bottom 94 and top 88 of base member 76 of loader 30 and are angled relative to ends 82 and 84 of the base member of the loader in this example.

As seen in FIG. 15, each side wall 104 of the base member of the loader includes a first end portion 120 and a second end portion 122 adjacent first end 82 and second end 84 of base member 76, respectively. As seen in FIG. 3, first end portions 120 of side walls 104 and 106 of the base member of loader 30 have in this example a pair of end surfaces 121 and 123 which are planar and vertically-extending from the perspective of FIG. 3; however this is not strictly required. The end surfaces extend perpendicular to longitudinal axis 86 and between top 88 and bottom 94 of base member 76 of loader 30 in this example. End surfaces 121 and 123 are rectangular in this example.

First end portions of side walls 104 and 106 of the base member of the loader have first or upper slanted or beveled end surfaces 124 and 125. The upper beveled end surfaces are angled relative to and extend from first end 82 of base member 76 of the loader to top 88 of the base member of the loader. Upper beveled end surfaces 124 and 125 are planar and rectangular in shape in this example. As seen in FIG. 14, each upper beveled end surface has a length L_UB, Upper beveled end surfaces 124 and 125 in this example are angularly spaced apart from top 88 by an obtuse angle, in this example angle θ₁. Angle θ₁ is equal to approximately 140 degrees in this example; however, this is not strictly required.

As seen in FIG. 2, first end portions 120 of side walls 104 and 106 of base member 76 of loader 30 have second or lower slanted or beveled end surfaces 126 and 127. The lower beveled end surfaces are angled relative to and extend from first end 82 of the base member of the loader to bottom 94 of the base member of the loader. Lower beveled end surfaces 126 and 127 are planar and rectangular in shape in this example. As seen in FIG. 14, each lower beveled end surface has a length L_LB, The length L_LB of each lower beveled end surface 126 are greater than the length L_UB of each upper beveled end surface 124 in this example. In this case length L_LB is approximately equal to 1.5 times length L_UB; however this is not strictly required. Lower beveled end surfaces 126 and 127 in this example are angularly spaced from bottom 94 of base member 76 of loader 76 by an obtuse angle, in this example angle α₁. Angle α₁ is equal to approximately 130 degrees in this example; however, this is not strictly required. First end portions 120 of side walls 104 and 106 are polygonal in side profile in this example, in this case semi-octagonal at least in part.

Second end portions 122 of side walls 104 and 106 of base member 76 of loader 30 have rounded corners 128 and 130 extending between second end 84 and top 88 of base member 76 of loader 30 in this example; however, this is not strictly required.

Base member 76 includes a pair of spaced-apart, elongate flanges 132 and 134 coupled to respective ones of side walls 102 and 104 thereof along top 88 thereof. The flanges are extend inwardly from the side walls and towards each other in this example. Flanges 132 and 134 are longitudinally-extending and may be referred to as feed lips. The flanges of base member 76 of loader 30 are generally rectangular in this example. Flanges 132 and 134 of the base member of the loader have first or upper surfaces 136 and 138 that are planar and flush with top 88 of the base member in this example. The upper surfaces of the flanges may collectively be referred to a first arm interface. Flanges 132 and 134 extend from upper beveled surfaces 124 and 125 towards rounded corners 128 and 130 of base member 76 of loader 30 in this example.

As seen in FIG. 12, the flanges of base member 76 of loader 30 have second or lower surfaces 140 and 142 opposite the upper surfaces 136 and 138. The lower surfaces of flanges 132 and 134 are curved and outwardly concave in this example. Lower surfaces 140 and 142 are in fluid communication with interior 96 of base member 76 of loader 30. The lower surfaces of flanges 132 and 134 are shaped to abut, mate with and/or facilitate coupling to top 36 and flanges 48 and 50 of magazine 34 seen in FIG. 17. Base member 76 is seen in FIG. 3 is shaped to mate flush with and onto the magazine seen in FIG. 17 via the flanges thereof so as to inhibit wobbling therebetween. The base member, with opening 97 and interior 96 thereof seen in FIG. 3, is thus shaped to promote and/or enable a form fit with magazine 34 as seen in FIG. 11.

Still referring to FIG. 11, flange 132 of base member 76 of loader 30 tapers in a direction 133 extending from side 98 towards side 100 of the base member of the loader in this example. Flange 134 of the base member of the loader tapers in a direction 135 extending from side 100 towards side 98 of the base member of the loader in this example. The flanges are thus relatively thin adjacent central slot 90. Flanges 134 and 136 so shaped may function to minimize the distance through which cartridge 32 must travel after departing stripper clip 75 seen in FIG. 1. Referring back to FIG. 11, base member 76 and the flanges thereof so structured may facilitate smooth loading of a plurality of cartridges, such as between twenty-five to thirty cartridges for example, when the spring tension of the magazine 34 is high and loading requires more force, for example.

Referring back to FIG. 11, side walls 102 and 104 of base member 76 of loader 30 are contoured to promote and/or produce a form fit which extends about top 36 and sides 40 and 42 of magazine 34 adjacent the top of the magazine. The side walls of the base member of the loader seen in FIG. 11 may abut or sit on the sides of the magazine. Distance DB between inner surfaces 103 and 105 of side walls 102 and 104 of base member 76 of loader 30 may be approximately equal to or slightly greater than distance D_M between outer surfaces 41 and 43 of sides 40 and 42 of magazine 34 in this example, so as to inhibit wobble between the loader relative to the magazine. The side walls of the base member of the loader are elongate, which may function to further inhibit wobble of the loader relative to the magazine when the loader is mounted thereon and/or coupled thereto.

As seen in FIG. 2, base member 76 of loader 30 includes one of a male member and female member, in this example one of a clevis and a tang, in this case tang 144. The tang is generally a rectangular prism in shape in this example. Tang 144 has a first or proximal end 146 that couples to first end 82 of the base member of the loader. The proximal end of the tang in this example couples to and extends outwards from end surfaces 121 and 123 of first end portion 120 of base member 76 of loader. Tang 144 is integrally formed with first end 82 of base member 76 of loader 30 so as to form a unitary whole. Tang 144 extends parallel with longitudinal axis 86 of base member 76 of loader 30. The tang has an upper surface 148 and lower surface 149 (seen in FIG. 4) opposite the upper surface thereof. The upper and lower surfaces of tang 144 are planar and rectangular in shape in this example. The tang is thus rectangular in top and bottom profile in this example. Tang 144 has a pair of sides 153 and 155 which are planar in this example and which extend between the upper surface 148 and lower surface 149 thereof. The sides of the tang are inwardly spaced from side walls 103 and 104 of base member 76 of loader 30 in this example.

As seen in FIG. 2, upper surface 148 of tang 144 extends flush with top 88 and upper surfaces 136 and 138 of flanges 132 and 134 of base member 76 of loader 30 in this example. Tang 144 extends between upper beveled end surfaces 124 and 125 of first end portions 120 of side walls 102 and 104 of base member 76 of loader 30 in this example.

As seen in FIG. 13, lower surface 149 of the tang 144 aligns with lower ends 129 of end surfaces 123 of first end portions 120 of base member 76 of loader 30 in this example. As seen in FIG. 2, the tang has a thickness TT spanning between upper surface 148 and lower surface 149 thereof. The thickness of tang 144 is substantially equal to the distance DE spanning the top 88 of base member 76 of loader 30 and lower ends 129 of end surfaces 123 of first end portions 120 of the base member of the loader in this example. The distance DE and thickness TT are approximately equal to half the height H_B of the base member of the loader in this example. As seen in FIG. 3, lower surface 149 of tang 144 is adjacent and above lower beveled end surfaces 126 of the first end portions of the base member of the loader in this example. The tang thus couples to and extends outwards from a first and in this example an upper half 145 (from the perspective of FIG. 2) of base member 76 of loader 30 in this example. Tang 144 is inwardly spaced relative to side walls 102 and 104 of the base member of the loader in this example. Lower beveled end surfaces 126 align with a second or lower half 147 of the base member of the loader in this example.

The tang has a second or distal end 150 spaced-apart from proximal end 146 thereof. The distal end of tang 144 is rounded and semi-cylindrical in this example. The tang has an aperture 152 extending therethrough adjacent distal end 150 thereof. The aperture of tang 144 is adjacent top 88 of base member 76 in this example. Aperture 152 of the tang extends about and is coaxial with an axis, in this example a first axis 154 of rotation of loader 30. The first axis of rotation of the loader is perpendicular to longitudinal axis 86 of base member 76 of the loader.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the base member of loader 30 has an interior recessed portion 156 extending from proximal end 146 of tang 144 thereof towards distal end 150 of the tang thereof in this example. The interior recessed portion may be referred to as a relief notch. Interior recessed portion 156 of base member 76 of loader 30 extends between sides 98 and 100, top 88 and bottom 94 of the base member of the loader. The interior recessed portion of the base member is shaped to facilitate passage of and provide clearance for bullets 64 seen in FIG. 1 as cartridges 32 enter magazine 34. Interior recessed portioned 156 of base member 76 of loader 30 so shaped and seen in FIG. 2, may inhibit bullets from contacting the base member of the loader as the cartridges leave stripper clip 75 seen in FIG. 1 and move towards the magazine for loading therein.

Referring to FIG. 3, the base member of the loader includes another of a male member and a female member, in this example another of a clevis and a tang, in this case clevis 158. The clevis is formed by side walls 102 and 104 of base member 76 of loader in this example, including second end portions 122 of the side walls of the base member of the loader. Clevis 158 aligns with second end 84 of the base member of the loader and extends from the second end of the base member of the loader towards first end 82 of the base member of the loader. Clevis 158 aligns with and extends parallel to side walls 102 and 104 of base member 76 of loader 30 in this example.

Clevis 158 has a pair of apertures 160 and 162 extending therethrough. The apertures of the clevis are adjacent top 88 and second end 84 of base member 76 of loader. Apertures 160 and 162 of clevis 158 align with, extend about and are coaxial with an axis, in this example a second axis 164 of rotation of loader 30. As seen in FIG. 1, the second axis of rotation of the loader extends parallel with first axis 154 of rotation of the loader. Second axis 164 of rotation of loader 30 extends perpendicular to longitudinal axis 86 of base member 76 of the loader. Referring back to FIG. 3, enlarged portion 92 of central slot 90 of the base member of loader comprises part of clevis 158 in this example.

As seen in FIG. 4, side walls 102 and 104 of base member 76 of loader 30 include recessed portions 165 and 167. The recessed portions are inwardly facing in this example. Recessed portions 165 and 167 extend between tang 144 and clevis 158. Each recessed portion is rectangular in inner side profile in this example. As seen in FIG. 3, side walls 103 and 104 are generally thinner or more recessed relative to clevis 158 with a first pair of inner and spaced-apart shoulders or fillets 169 extending therebetween. The first pair of inner fillets are laterally-extending and extend between top 88 and bottom 94 of base member 76 of loader in this example. Fillets 169 are curved in this example, in this case being outwardly concave. As seen in FIG. 2, a second pair of inner and spaced-apart shoulders or fillets 171 extend between side walls 102 and 104 and tang 144 in this example. The second pair of inner fillets are laterally-extending and extend top 88 and bottom 94 of base member 76 of loader 30 in this example. Fillets 171 are curved in this example, in this case being outwardly concave. Fillets 169 and 171 seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 may function to reduce stress concentration points on the base member of the loader.

Referring now to FIG. 5, first arm 78 of loader 30 has a first or proximal end 166, a second or distal end 168 spaced-apart from the proximal end thereof, and a longitudinal axis 170 extending between the ends thereof. The first arm may be referred to as the ball or bullet arm or a round or ammunition guide arm.

As seen in FIG. 6, first arm 78 of loader 30 includes a channel 172 extending between ends 166 and 168 thereof. The channel of the first arm of the loader may be referred to as a second channel of the loader. Channel 172 of first arm 78 of loader 30 includes a first or inner end wall 174. The inner end wall is planar in part in this example and includes a pair of planar portions 201 and 203. The planar portions of inner end wall 174 are rectangular in this example and extend parallel to longitudinal axis 170.

Inner end wall 174 of channel 172 is shaped to promote structural rigidity of first arm 78 of loader 30. The inner end wall may be referred to as a spine of the first arm. Inner end wall 174 is elongate, longitudinally-extending and u-shaped in axial cross section in this example. The inner end wall includes an elongate recessed portion, in this example a central recessed portion 176 extending parallel to and between planar portions 201 and 203 thereof. The central recessed portion of inner end wall 174 is shaped to receive therethrough of bullet ends 66 or tips 67 of bullets 64 seen in FIG. 1. Central recessed portion 176 of the inner end wall of channel 172 is shaped to facilitate passage of and function as a clear path for the tips of the bullets to pass through while inhibiting rubbing or contacting of the bullets with the inner end wall of the channel End wall 174 may be said to form an inner, distal or bullet channel 175 enclosing the recessed portion 176 thereof and between which extend planar portions 201 and 203 of end wall 174. The central recessed portion of first arm 78 of loader 30 may be referred to as a first, inner or distal slot of the first arm of the loader.

Still referring to FIG. 6, channel 172 of first arm 78 of loader 30 includes second or outer end walls 178 and 180 spaced-apart from and extending parallel to planar portions 201 and 203 of inner end wall 174 thereof. The outer end walls are longitudinally-extending and planar in this example. Outer end walls 178 and 180 are generally rectangular in shape in this example.

Channel 172 of first arm 78 of loader 30 has an interior 182 that encloses a space that is generally a rectangular prism in shape. The channel of the firm arm of the loader has a second, outer, proximal slot, in this example a central slot 184. The central slot of channel 178 of first arm 78 of loader 30 is in fluid communication with interior 182 of the first arm of the loader. Central slot 184 is longitudinally-extending and extends parallel to longitudinal axis 170 between ends 166 and 168 of the first arm of the loader. The central slot is positioned between and extends along outer end walls 178 and 180 of the channel of the first arm. Central slot 184 is generally rectangular in top profile in this example.

Outer end walls 178 and 180 of channel 172 of first arm 78 of loader 30 are shaped to receive therebetween shoulders 74 of casings 58 of cartridges 32 seen in FIG. 1. The outer end walls are shaped to remain in contact at least in part with the shoulders of the casings of the cartridges. The outer end walls and central slot 184 therebetween are shaped to inhibit forward, backward and side-to-side movement of the cartridges 32. Referring back to FIG. 6, the central slot of channel 172 of first arm 78 of loader 30 may be referred to as a casing shoulder guide channel.

As seen in FIG. 7, central slot 184 of the first arm of the loader has an enlarged portion 185 adjacent distal end 168 of the first arm of the loader. The central slot has an enlarged width W_F1 adjacent the distal end of the first arm. The enlarged portion of the central slot tapers in a direction 177 extending from distal end 168 towards proximal end 166 of first arm 78 of loader 30. Enlarged portion 184 of central slot 184 may be referred to as a funnel or a first end portion of the central slot. End walls 178 and 180 have a first pair of peripheral surfaces 179 and 181 which extend from the distal end towards the proximal end of the first arm of the loader. The first pair of peripheral surfaces of the end walls are adjacent and in fluid communication with enlarged portion 185 of central slot 184. Peripheral surfaces 179 and 181 of end walls 178 and 180 face each other and are curved in this example. The first pair of peripheral surfaces of the end walls are outwardly convex in this example. Peripheral surfaces 179 and 181 of end walls 178 and 180 and enlarged portion 185 of central slot 184 are shaped to receive therebetween cartridges 32 seen in FIG. 1. The peripheral surfaces of the end walls and the enlarged portion of the central slot of first arm 78 of loader 30 are in this example shaped to direct and facilitate loading of bullets 64 (including bullet ends 66) of the cartridges therethrough and into channel 172 of the first arm of the loader. Peripheral surfaces 179 and 181 of end walls 178 and 180 guide cartridges 30 into central slot 184 seen in FIG. 7 even if stripper clip 75 seen in FIG. 1 is loose and the cartridges have little or no lateral movement relative thereto.

As seen in FIG. 7, end walls 178 and 180 have a second pair of peripheral surfaces 205 and 207 extending from the first pair of peripheral surfaces 179 and 181 thereof towards proximal end 166 of firm arm 78. The second pair of peripheral surfaces are longitudinally-extending, and extend parallel with each other in this example. Central slot 184 has a width W_F2 extending perpendicular to longitudinal axis 170 and extending between peripherals surfaces 205 and 207 of end walls 178 and 180. The second pair of peripheral surfaces of the end walls are shaped to remain adjacent and/or in contact with shoulders 74 of cartridges 32 seen in FIG. 1. The peripheral surfaces 205 and 207 of the end walls seen in FIG. 7 are shaped to guide the cartridges therebetween and facilitate sliding of the cartridges therethrough and therebetween. The second pair of peripheral surfaces of end walls 178 and 180 are shaped to snugly receive shoulders 75 of cartridges 32 seen in FIG. 1 in this example; however, this is not strictly required.

Referring back to FIG. 7, central slot 184 of first arm 78 of loader 30 has a tapered portion 187. The tapered portion of the central is adjacent proximal end 166 of the first arm of the loader and may be referred to as a second end portion of the central slot. End walls 178 and 180 have a third pair of peripheral surfaces 189 and 191 adjacent to and in fluid communication with tapered portion 187 of central slot 184 of first arm 78 of loader. The third pair of peripheral surfaces extends from the second pair of peripheral surfaces 179 and 181 to proximal end 166 of first arm 78. Peripheral surfaces 189 and 191 are curved and outwardly concave in this example. The width W_F3 of the central slot adjacent proximal end 166 of first arm 78 of loader 30 is smallest. Width W_F3 is smaller than widths W_F1 and W_F2 of central slot 184. Tapered portion 187 of central slot 184 may be referred to as a choke point.

Tapered portion 187 of central slot 184 is shaped to partially inhibit passage of bullet ends 66 of cartridges 32 seen in FIG. 1 therethrough. Referring back to FIG. 7, the tapered portion of the central slot, together with peripheral surfaces 189 and 191 of end walls 178 and 180, function to create friction on shoulders 74 of casings 58 of cartridges 32 seen in FIG. 1. This causes and/or promotes pivoting of the bullet ends 66 of the cartridges upwards, relative to FIG. 1 and as seen by arrow 209, as the cartridges leave stripper clip 75 as shown by arrow 211. First arm 78 of loader 30 so shaped promotes entry of primer end 68 of cartridges 32 first prior to bullet end 66 of the cartridges. This may inhibit jamming of the cartridges when the cartridges are loaded from loader 30 into magazine 34. As cartridges 32 seen in FIG. 1 pass through the narrowest portion of the choke point or tapered portion 187 seen in FIG. 7, first arm 78 of the loader in this embodiment is shaped to laterally outwardly flex slightly, as shown by opposing arrows 193 and 195 in FIG. 7, to enable the cartridges to pass therethrough primer end first.

Referring to FIG. 6, channel 172 of first arm 78 of loader 30 includes a pair of spaced-apart side walls 186 and 188 which couple to and extend between end walls 174, 178 and 180 thereof. The side walls in this example are integrally formed with the end walls. Outer end walls 174, 178 and 180 and side walls 186 and 188 so coupled together are shaped to promote structural rigidity of the first arm. Outer end walls 178 and 180 have a thickness T_FI that is greater than thickness T_FS of the side walls in this example; however this is not strictly required. Central slot 184 of first arm 78 of loader 30 is between side walls 186 and 188 of channel 172. The side walls of the channel each have a base interface, in this example side wall end surfaces 190 and 192 extending along proximal end 166 of the first arm of the loader. The side wall end surfaces are planar in this example and extend between outer end walls 178 and 180 and inner end wall 174 of channel 172 of first arm 78 of loader 30.

Still referring to FIG. 6, walls 174, 178, 180, 186 and 188 of channel 172 of the first arm of the loader are generally rectangular in this example, with the first arm thus being rectangular in front, rear and side profile; however, this is not strictly required. The walls of the channel of the first arm of the loader extend between ends 166 and 168 of the first arm of the loader. Walls 174, 178, 180, 186 and 188 are longitudinally-extending, extending parallel with each other and longitudinal axis 170 in this example. Walls 174, 186 and 178 and walls 174, 188 and 180 of the channel 172 form a C-shape and a backwards C-shape, respectively, in lateral cross-section in this example.

Referring to FIG. 13, first arm 78 of loader 30 has one or more side recesses or apertures extending through at least one and in this example both side walls 186 and 188 thereof, in this case a plurality of angled and longitudinally spaced-apart side slots, as seen by slots 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, and 210 extending through side wall 186. The side slots extend between end walls 174 and 178 and 180, and are angled relative to end surfaces 190 of side walls 186 and 188. Side slots 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 and 116 of base member 76 of loader 30 and side slots 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, and 210 of first arm 78 of the loader may function to reduce overall weight of the loader. The side slots may further provide texture to promote and/or improve grip stability when gripping the loader.

Referring to FIG. 5, first arm 78 of loader 30 includes one of a male member and a female member, in this example one of a clevis and tang, in this case clevis 212. The clevis is in this example adjacent proximal end 166 of the first arm of the loader and extends outwards therefrom. Clevis 212 includes a pair of yoke arms 213 and 215. The yoke arms may be referred to as a pair of elongate protrusions or elbows. Clevis 212 has first or proximal ends 214 and 216 coupled to proximal end 166 of first arm 78 of loader 30. Yoke arms 213 and 215 are elongate and planar in this example. The yoke arms couple to proximal end 166 and side walls 188 and 186 of first arm 78 of loader 30 in this example. Yoke arms 213 and 215 in this example are integrally formed with the proximal end and side walls of the first arm of the loader. As seen in FIG. 6, the yoke arms and side walls 186 and 188 of the first arm 78 are beveled along peripheral edge portions 197 and 199 thereof in this example; however, this is not strictly required.

Clevis 212 has a second or distal ends 218 and 220 spaced-apart from the proximal ends 214 and 216 thereof. The distal ends of the clevis are rounded, semi-circular and outwardly convex in this example and may be said to comprise rounded distal ends of yoke arms 213 and 215. Each yoke arm may thus be in the shape of a rectangular prism in shape with a semi-circular distal end portion in this example; however, this is not strictly required. Yoke arms 213 and 215 have first elongate surfaces 226 and 228, and second elongate surfaces 230 and 232 opposite the first elongate surfaces thereof. The elongate surfaces of the yoke arms are planar and extend between ends 214 and 218 and 215 and 220 of the clevis in this example. As seen in FIG. 1, clevis 212 of first arm 78 has a length L_C extending between ends 216 and 220 thereof.

Referring to FIG. 15, yoke arms 215 of clevis 212 extend outwards at angle α₂ relative to longitudinal axis 170 of first arm 78. In this example angle α₂ is obtuse and the clevis thus extends outwards from end wall 174 of the channel at an obtuse angle relative to the outer end walls of the channel. Angle α₂ is substantially equal to angle α₁ in this example. Angle α₂ in this case is equal to approximately 130 degrees in this example; however, the latter is not strictly required. Clevis 212 thus couples to and extends angularly outwards from side walls 186 and 188 of the first arm of the loader. In this example the clevis extends angularly outwards from and relative to proximal end 166 of first arm 78 of loader 30 at an obtuse angle, in this example angle θ2. Angle θ₂ is substantially equal to angle Olin this example. Angle θ₂ is approximately 140 degrees in this example; however, this is not strictly required.

As seen in FIG. 5, clevis 212 has a pair of apertures 222 and 224 extending through yoke arms 213 and 215. The apertures are adjacent to distal ends 218 and 220 of the yoke arms. Apertures 222 and 224 extend about and are coaxial with first axis 154 of rotation of loader 30.

As seen in FIG. 1, clevis 212 of first arm 78 of loader 30 receives therebetween tang 144 of base member 76 of the loader. The clevis pivotally couples thereto via an elongate member, in this example a first pin, in this case first rivet 234. Tang 144 of base member 76 of loader 30 is thus an elongated appendage that serves as an attachment point for first arm 78 of the loader. Rivet 234 secures the first arm to the base member of the loader. The rivet has a shaft 236 that rotatably extends through aperture 152 of tang 144 of base member 76 of loader 30 seen in FIG. 2 and apertures 222 and 224 of clevis 212 of first arm 78 of the loader seen in FIG. 5. As seen in FIG. 16, rivet 234 has a pair of enlarged ends 238 and 240 that are larger than the apertures and between which shaft 236 extends.

The enlarged ends of the rivets are received at least in part within respective outer recesses, in this example rivet end seats 223 seen in FIG. 5. The rivet end seats extend about and are coaxial with respective apertures 222 and 224 of yoke arms 213 and 215 of first arm 78 and thus axis 154 of rotation of loader 30. The rivet end seats are circular and shaped to receive enlarged ends 238 of rivet 234 seen in FIG. 16. Rounded distal ends 218 and 220 of clevis 212 are also coaxial with apertures 222 and 224 and rivet end seat 223 and thus axis 154 of rotation of loader 30 in this example.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 13 and 14, first arm 78 of loader 30 pivots thus about first axis of rotation relative to base member 76 of the loader. Referring back to FIG. 1, the first axis of rotation is spaced-apart from and perpendicular to longitudinal axis 170 of the first arm of the loader in this example. Length Le of the clevis is so sized as to enable first arm 78 of loader 30 to clear and be rotatable relative to tang 144 of base member 76 of the loader. The tang of base member 76 of the loader so rounded at distal end 150 thereof, may facilitate fluid movement of first arm 78 of loader about axis 154.

Referring now to FIG. 8, second arm 80 of loader 30 has a first or proximal end 242, a second or distal end 244 spaced-apart from the proximal end thereof, and a longitudinal axis 246 extending between the ends thereof. The second arm of the loader may be referred to as a charge arm, a strip holder, or a stripper-clip holder. Second arm 80 of loader 30 includes a channel 248 extending between ends 242 and 244 thereof. The channel of the second arm may be referred to as a third channel of the loader or a stripper clip channel, as it is shaped to receive the stripper clip therewithin.

Channel 248 of second arm 80 of loader 30 includes a first or inner end wall 250 extending between ends 242 and 244 of the second arm of the loader. The end wall is generally rectangular in profile in this example. Second arm 80 of loader 30 includes a first projection or protrusion member, in this example a planar member 252. The planar member couples to and extends longitudinally outwards from end wall 250. Planar member 252 is in this example integrally formed with and coupled to the end wall so as to form a unitary whole. The planar member functions as part of an unloading tool 254. Planar member 252 is generally rectangular in shape in this example with distal corners 256 and 258 which are rounded and spaced-apart from distal end 244 of the second arm 80 of loader 30 in this example. The planar member extends outwards from the distal end of the second arm of the loader away from the proximal end 242 of the second arm of the loader, as shown by arrow 253 in FIG. 8.

Still referring to FIG. 8, channel 248 includes second or outer end walls 260 and 262 spaced-apart from inner end wall 250 thereof. The end walls are generally rectangular prisms in shape in this example.

Channel 248 of second arm 80 of loader 30 has an interior 264. The interior encloses a space that is generally a rectangular prism in shape in this example Channel 248 of second arm 80 of loader 30 has a longitudinally, outer, and in this example central slot 266 in fluid communication with the interior 264 thereof. The central slot is positioned between and extends along outer end walls 260 and 262 of channel 248. Central slot 266 of second arm 80 has an enlarged portion 267 closer to distal end 244 of the second arm than proximal end 242 of the second arm. The enlarged portion of the central slot may be referred to as a funnel.

As seen in FIG. 11, end walls 260 and 262 of channel 248 have a first pair of peripheral surfaces 261 and 263 that extend from the distal end 244 towards the proximal end of second arm 80 of loader 30. The first pair of peripheral surfaces of the end walls are adjacent and in fluid communication with enlarged portion 267 of central slot 266. Peripheral surfaces 261 and 263 of end walls 260 and 262 face each other and are curved in this example. The first pair of peripheral surfaces of the end walls are outwardly convex in this example. Peripheral surfaces 261 and 263 of end walls 260 and 262 and enlarged portion 267 of central slot 266 are shaped to receive therebetween cartridges 32 seen in FIG. 1.

Referring back to FIG. 8, end walls 260 and 262 of channel 248 have a second pair of peripheral surfaces 265 and 267 that extend from distal end 244 towards the proximal end 242 of second arm 80 of loader 30. The second pair of peripheral surfaces are planar and extend substantially parallel to each other and axis 246 in this example. Central slot 266 of second arm 80 of loader 30, a part from enlarged portion 267 thereof, is thus substantially straight and non-tapered, and shaped to promote passage of primer end 68 of cartridges 32 seen in FIG. 1 therethrough in this example.

Channel 248 includes a pair of spaced-apart side walls 268 and 270 that couple to and extend between end walls 260 and 262 thereof. The side walls are integrally formed with the end walls in this example so as to form a unitary whole. Central slot 266 of second arm 80 of loader 30 is between side walls 268 and 270 of channel 248. The side walls each have a base interface, in this example side wall end surfaces 269 and 271. The side wall end surfaces are laterally-extending and near proximal end 242 of second arm 80 of loader 30. Side wall end surfaces 269 and 271 are planar in this example and extend between outer end walls 260 and 262 and inner end wall 250 of channel 248 of the second arm of the loader.

Side walls 268 and 270, outer end walls 260 and 262 and central slot of channel 248 are longitudinally-extending in this example. As seen in FIG. 9, outer end walls 260 of the channel of the second arm of loader 30 have a thickness T_SE that is larger than thickness T_SW of the side walls in this example; however this is not strictly required. As seen in FIG. 8, walls 250, 260, 262, 268 and 270 of channel 248 form a C-shape and a backwards C-shape in lateral cross-section in this example.

The channel of second arm 80 of loader 30 is shaped to snugly receive stripper clip 75 therein. In this example and referring to FIG. 11, channel 248 of the second arm of the loader has a width W_S1 shaped to be substantially equal to or slightly larger than width W_SC of stripper clip 75 seen in FIG. 1. The channel of the second arm has a depth D_SC seen in FIG. 8 shaped to be substantially equal to or slightly larger than height H_SC of the stripper clip seen in FIG. 1. Channel 248 of second arm 80 so shaped fits in part around the stripper clip and may inhibit lateral movement of the stripper clip. Referring to FIG. 8, peripheral surfaces 261 and 263 of end walls 260 and 262 of channel 248 and enlarged portion 267 of central slot 266 of second arm 80 of loader 30 are in this example shaped to direct and facilitate loading of stripper clip 75 seen in FIG. 1 (with primer ends 68 of the cartridges 30 coupled thereto) therethrough and into channel 248 of the second arm of the loader. The enlarged portion of the central slot thus guides the cartridges as the stripper clip is fed into the second arm of the loader. Enlarged portion 267 of central slot 266 of second arm 80 of loader 30 seen in FIG. 8 may function to compensate for lateral movement of cartridges 32 typical of worn stripper clips 75 as seen in FIG. 1.

As seen in FIG. 8, second arm 80 of the loader includes a protuberance, in this example a stopper 272. The stopper couples to and extends laterally outwards from inner end wall 250 of channel 248 of the second arm of the loader. Stopper 272 is integrally connected to the inner end wall so as to form a unitary whole in this example. The stopper may be referred to as a stripper clip stopper. Stopper 272 is centrally positioned between side walls 268 and 270 of channel 248 near the proximal end 242 of the second arm 80 in this example. As seen in FIG. 12, stopper 272 is a quadrilateral prism in shape in this example; however, here too this is not strictly required. The stopper couples to and tapers outwards from inner surface 291 in a direction 277. Stopper 272 has a channel-facing surface or top 279. The top is planar and extends perpendicular to inner end wall 250 of channel 248 in this example. The stopper has a slanted surface 281 that faces away from and extends at an acute angle Ω relative to top 279 thereof. Top 279 and slanted surface 281 of stopper 272 are rectangular in this example. The stopper has a pair of spaced-apart sides 285 and 287, seen in FIG. 8, which extend between the top and slanted surface thereof seen in FIG. 12. The sides of stopper 272 are planar and quadrilateral in shape in this example. Top 279 of stopper 272 is shaped to abut bottom 79 of stripper clip 75 when the stripper clip is fully inserted into channel 248 of the second arm of the loader seen in FIG. 1. Referring back to FIG. 12, The stopper is shaped to inhibit the stripper clip from being inadvertently pushed into magazine 34.

As seen in FIG. 12, second arm 80 includes a locking member, in this example a catch 274. The catch couples to and extends laterally outwards from inner end wall 250 of channel 248 of the second arm. Catch 274 is integrally connected with the inner end wall so as to form a unitary whole in this example. The catch may be referred to as a magazine contact lock. Catch 274 is adjacent proximal end 242 of second arm 80 of loader 30 in this example. The catch is centrally positioned between side walls 268 and 270 of channel 248 of the second arm of the loader in this example. As seen in FIG. 12, the catch is shaped to abut end 46 of magazine 34 near top 36 of the magazine 34 when loader 30 is fitted thereon. Catch 274 seen in FIG. 8 is further configured to lock second arm 80 in an upright configuration and open position seen in FIG. 10. The catch creates a contact point or region 275 seen in FIG. 12 that inhibits loader 30 from wiggling when mounted on magazine 34.

As seen in FIG. 9, the loader 30 includes a second projection or protrusion, in this example an elongate and axially-extending protrusion 276. The protrusion couples to and extends longitudinally outwards from proximal end 242 of second arm 80 of loader 30 in this example. Protrusion 276 is adjacent and integrally formed with the proximal end of the second arm of the loader in this example. The protrusion is centrally positioned between side walls 268 and 270 of channel 248 in this example. Protrusion 276 extends longitudinally outwards from end wall 260 in this example. The protrusion has a proximal end 278 coupled to proximal end 242 of second arm 80 of loader 30 and a distal end 280 spaced-apart from the proximal end thereof. Catch 274 seen in FIG. 8 couples to and extends laterally outwards from the proximal end of protrusion 276 in this example.

The protrusion tapers in a direction 273 extending from proximal end 278 thereof to distal end 280 thereof. The protrusion is generally conical in shape in this example; however this is not strictly required and the protrusion may have other shapes in other embodiments. Protrusion 276 is shaped to function as a glass breaker to break glass and escape from or gain entry into a vehicle in an emergency for example. In addition or alternatively, the protrusion is shaped to function as a pin punch, in this example a takedown pin punch via which takedown pins of a firearm, such as the front and rear takedown pins of an AR-15 style rifle, may be removed. As seen in FIG. 12, protrusion 276 is shaped to abut and extend along the exterior 45 and end 46 of magazine 34 at least in part near top 36 of the magazine 34 when loader 30 is fitted thereon. The protrusion is further configured to lock second arm 80 in an upright configuration and open position seen in FIG. 12. Protrusion 276 extends

Still referring to FIG. 9, second arm 80 of loader 30 includes one of a male member and a female member, in this example one of a clevis and tang, in this case tang 282. The tang is adjacent proximal end 242 of the second arm of the loader. Tang 282 couples to extends from the proximal end of second arm 80 of loader 30 towards distal end 244 of the second arm of the loader. The tang has a proximal end 283 integrally formed with the second arm of the loader so as to form a unitary whole in this example. Tang 282 has a distal end‘ spaced-apart from the proximal end thereof. The tang is rounded and semi-cylindrical adjacent the distal end thereof in this example. Stopper 272 seen in FIG. 8 couples to and extends longitudinally outwards from proximal end 283 of tang 282. The stopper is integrally connected to and formed with the tang in this example. Protrusion 276 couples to and tapers outwards from distal end 284 of tang 282 of second arm 80 of loader 30 in this example. The protrusion is integrally connected to and formed with the tang in this example. Catch 274 couples to and extends outwards from distal end 284 of the tang in this example. The catch is integrally connected to and formed with the tang 282 in this example.

Referring to FIG. 9, tang 282 has a pair of spaced-apart side surfaces 288 and 290 and an inner surface 291 extending therebetween. The side surfaces and inner surface are planar in this example. Side surfaces 288 and 290 of the tang align flush and are integrally formed with side walls 268 and 270 of channel 248 of second arm 80 of loader 30 in this example. Inner surface 291 of tang 282 aligns flush and is integrally formed with end wall 250 of channel 248 of second arm 80 of loader 30 in this example. The inner surface is rectangular in this example. Tang 282 has an aperture 286 extending therethrough adjacent to the distal end thereof. The aperture of the tang extends between side surfaces 288 and 290 thereof. Aperture 286 of tang 282 extends about and is coaxial with an axis, in this example second axis 164 of rotation of loader 30.

The tang couples to and extends at angle β outwards from inner end wall 250 of channel 248 of second arm 80 of loader 30 in this example relative to longitudinal axis 246 of the second arm. Angle β is acute in this example. Tang 282 is integrally connected to and formed with the inner end wall of the channel in this example.

As seen in FIG. 17, tang 282 of second arm 80 of loader 30 is positionable within interior 96 of base member 76 of the loader. The tang is received by clevis 158 of the base member and pivotally couples thereto via an elongate member, in this example a second pin, in this case second rivet 294. Referring to FIG. 14, the rivet has a shaft 296 that rotatably extends through aperture 286 of tang 282 of second arm 80 seen in FIG. 9 and apertures 160 and 162 of clevis 158 of base member 76 seen in FIG. 2. Referring back to FIG. 14, rivet 294 has a pair of enlarged ends 298 that are larger than the apertures and between which extends shaft 296.

The enlarged ends of the rivets are received at least in part within respective outer recesses, in this example rivet end seats 163 seen in FIG. 2. The rivet end seats extend about and are coaxial with respective apertures 162 of clevis 158 of base member 76 and axis 164. The rivet end seats are circular and shaped to receive in part enlarged ends 298 of rivet 294 seen in FIG. 14.

Still referring to FIG. 14, rivet 294 secures second arm 80 of loader 30 to base member 76 of the loader. Tang 282, clevis 158 and rivet 294 so arranged may function to enhance the structural rigidity of the second arm of the loader. The apertures of the devises and tangs thus enable rivets 234 and 294 to be inserted therethrough to facilitate semi-permanent mounting of arms 78 and 80 of loader 30 to base member 76 of the loader.

The second arm of the loader pivots about second axis 164 of rotation relative to base member 76. As seen in FIG. 1, the second axis of rotation is spaced-apart from longitudinal axis 246 of second arm 80 of loader 30. Each arm 78 and 80 of the loader thus pivotally couples to respective ends 82 and 84 of base member 76 of the loader, in this example via a clevis, a tang and a corresponding rivet. The arms and base member 76 of loader 30 as herein described may be referred to as three channels that pivotally couple together. As seen in FIG. 1, side walls 104 of base member 76 of the loader so pivotably coupled to second arm 80 of the loader, align with and/or may be outwardly spaced in part relative to respective ones of side walls 270 of second arm of the loader in this example. The side walls of the base member of loader 30 so pivotally coupled to first arm 78 of the loader, align with and may be outwardly and/or may be outwardly spaced in part relative to respective ones of side walls 188 of the first arm of the loader in this example.

Arms 78 and 80 of the loader each have a deployed or fully open position seen in FIGS. 1 10 to 12 in which the arms are fully erect and extend perpendicular to base member 76 of the loader. Loader 30 is u-shaped in lateral profile when arms 78 and 80 are in the fully open position. Referring to FIG. 1, upper beveled end surfaces 124 of first end portions 120 of side walls 104 of base member 76 of the loader abut first arm 78 of the loader when the first arm is in the open position: in this example abutting and extending flush with first elongate surfaces 226 of yoke arms 213 and 215. The upper beveled end surfaces of the first end portions of the side walls of the base member of loader 30 thus enable the first arm of the loader to align perpendicular with the base member in the fully open position of the first arm of the loader. The upper beveled end surfaces 124 and first elongate surfaces 226 function to inhibit further rotation of first arm in a first or clockwise direction of rotation 306 from the perspective of FIG. 1.

Top 88 of base member 76 of loader 30 abuts with first arm 78 of the loader when the first arm is in the open position. In this example, upper surfaces 138 of flanges 134 of the base member of the loader abut side wall end surfaces 166 of first arm 78 of loader 30 flush and snugly when the first arm of the loader is in the open position in this example. First arm 78 and base member 76 of the loader so shaped thus further inhibit inward collapse of the first arm of the loader relative to the base member of the loader in the fully open position of the first arm of the loader in direction of rotation 306.

Still referring to FIG. 1, top 88 of base member 76 of loader 30 abuts second arm 80 of the loader flush and snugly when the arms in the fully open position in this example. In this case, upper surfaces 138 of flanges 134 of the base member of the loader abut side wall end surfaces 271 of second arm 80 of the loader flush and snugly when the second arm of the loader is in the fully open position in this example. Second arm 80 and base member 76 of loader 30 so shaped thus inhibit inward collapse of the second arm of the loader relative to the base member of the loader in the open position of the second arm of the loader in a second or counter-clockwise direction 308 from the perspective of FIG. 1.

Arms 78 and 80 of the loader are shaped to receive cartridges 32 therebetween in the open position of the loader seen in FIG. 1. As mentioned the first arm of loader 30 is shaped to receive bullet ends 66 of the cartridges and bullets 64 of the cartridge at least partially therein, and second arm 80 of the loader is shaped to receive stripper clip 75 and primer ends 68 of the cartridges. The open position of the arms is thus used for loading magazine 34. When loader 30 is in the open position and mounted on the magazine, stripper clip 75 is insertable into the cavity or receptacle 233 formed by loader 30 such that bullets 64 are enclosed by first arm 78, and the stripper clip and primer ends 68 of cartridges 32 are enclosed by second arm 80. In operation, to load cartridges 32 into magazine 34, a pressure is applied on the casings 58 of the cartridges in a direction extending from distal ends 168 of arms 78 and 80 towards proximal ends 166 of the arms, in this example a downward pressure as shown by arrow 300 and from the perspective of FIG. 1. This causes the cartridges (guided and directed by arms 78 and 80 of loader 30) to selectively slide off of stripper clip 75, pass through base member 76 of the loader, and load into magazine 34 via open top 36 of the magazine. Once the stripper clip has been depleted or removed of all of cartridges 32 slidably coupled thereto, the stripper clip may be readily removed or ejected out of the loader with one hand, in this example via a flick of the wrist.

Arms 78 and 80 of loader 30 are moveable from the open position seen in FIG. 10 in opposing rotation directions, in this example counter-clockwise direction 302 and clockwise direction 304, to a partially deployed or intermediate position seen in FIG. 13. The arms of the loader are angled at non-perpendicular angles relative to base member 76 of the loader in the intermediate position. Further rotation of arms 78 and 80 of loader 30 enables the arms of the loader to move from the open position seen in FIG. 10 to a fully stored or closed position seen in FIG. 14. The closed position may be referred to as a storage or transport position. The loader is generally elongate, in this example a rectangular prism in outer shape when the arms and the base member thereof are in the closed position seen in FIG. 14. As seen in FIG. 15, arms 78 and 80 of loader 30 extend parallel to base member 76 of the loader in the closed position of the loader.

Second arm 80 of the loader is received within interior 96 of base member 76 of the loader via opening 97 in bottom 94 of the base member of the loader when the second arm of the loader is in the closed position. Side walls 102 of the base member of loader 30 function to protect and receive therebetween second arm 80 of the loader when the second arm of the loader is in its closed position. Inner end walls 174 of first arm 78 of the loader extend along and flush with bottom 94 of base member 76 of the loader in this example when the first arm of the loader is in the closed position. The first arm of loader 30 sits flush against the bottom of the base member of the loader, and encapsulates and functions to protect second arm 80 of the loader in the closed position of the arms. This inhibits accidental opening of the loader and may function to lock the loader in the closed position. Rivets 234 and 294 seen in FIG. 14 may also be tensioned so as to inhibit accidental opening of arms 78 and 80 of loader 30 relative to base member 76 of the loader.

Longitudinal axis 246 of second arm 80 of the loader may be coaxial with longitudinal axis 86 of base member 76 of the loader in the closed position of the second arm of the loader in this example; however, this is not strictly required. Longitudinal axis 170 of first arm 78 of loader 30 extends parallel with longitudinal axis 86 of base member 76 of the loader in the closed position; however, this is not strictly required. Longitudinal axes 170 and 246 of arms 78 and 80 of the loader extend parallel with each other and longitudinal axis 86 of base member 76 of the loader in the closed position in this example.

As seen in FIG. 14, lower beveled end surfaces 126 of first end portions 120 of side walls 104 of base member 76 of loader 30 abut first arm 78 when the first arm is in the closed position: in this example abutting and extending flush with second elongate surfaces 232 of yoke arms 215. The lower beveled end surfaces of the first end portions of the side walls of the base member of the loader thus enable the first arm of the loader to fold completely such that the first arm of the loader aligns parallel with the base member of the loader in the closed position of the first arm of the loader. Lower beveled end surfaces 126 and second elongate surfaces 232 are shaped to inhibit rotation of the first arm of loader 30 therepast in first or counter-clockwise direction of rotation 302.

Arms 78 and 80 of the loader are thus rotatable downwards from the open positions thereof seen in and from the perspective of FIG. 1, to the closed positions thereof seen in FIG. 15, with base member 76 of the loader being shaped inhibit further rotation of the arms of the loader in thereafter. The arms of loader 30 are therefore rotatable from the vertically-extending positions seen in FIG. 1 to the horizontally-extending positions seen in FIG. 15, with the base member of the loader being shaped inhibit further rotation of the arms of the loader in thereafter. First arm 78 of loader 30 is thus moveable in the first direction of rotation shown by arrow 302 in FIG. 1 from the open position thereof, to the closed position thereof seen in FIG. 15, with base member 76 of the loader being shaped inhibit further rotation of the first arm of the loader in the first direction of rotation thereafter. Second arm 80 of the loader is thus moveable in a second direction of rotation shown by arrow 304 in FIG. 1 from the open position thereof, to the closed position thereof seen in FIG. 15, with the base member of the loader being shaped inhibit further rotation of the second arm of the loader in the second direction of rotation thereafter. Arms 78 and 80 of loader 30 may therefore be said to be foldable and collapsible when not in use. The loader as herein described is thus foldable and, when closed, is compact with for convenient storage and transport seen in FIG. 14.

Referring to FIG. 15, protrusion 276 extends outwards from second end 84 of base member 76 of loader 30 when second arm 80 of the loader is in the closed position in this example. The protrusion is near top 88 of the base member of the loader when the second arm of the loader is in the closed position in this example. Arms 78 and 80 of the loader so positioned in the closed position of the loader may facilitate gripping of loader 30 by base member 76 and first arm 78 and using protrusion 276 as a glass breaker or pin punch as described above thereafter.

Arms 78 and 80 of the loader are rotatable in opposite directions from the closed position seen in FIG. 15 to the open position thereof seen in FIG. 1, with base member 76 of the loader being shaped inhibit further rotation of the arms in thereafter. First arm 78 of loader 30 is therefore moveable in the second direction of rotation shown by arrow 306 in FIG. 15, from the closed position thereof to the open position thereof seen in FIG. 1, with the base member of the loader is shaped inhibit further rotation of the first arm of the loader in the second direction of rotation thereafter. Second arm 80 of the loader is thus moveable in the first direction of rotation shown by arrow 306 seen in FIG. 15, opposite the second direction of rotation, from the closed position thereof to the open position thereof seen in FIG. 1, with base member 76 of the loader being shaped inhibit further rotation of the second arm of the loader in the second direction of rotation thereafter. Arms 78 and 80 of loader 30 are thus rotatable from horizontally-extending positions seen in FIG. 15 to vertically-extending positions seen in FIG. 1, with the base member of the loader being shaped inhibit further rotation of the arms of the loader in thereafter.

Arms 78 and 80 of the loader include a partially open or cartridge unloading position seen in FIG. 17. First arm 78 of loader 30 is in the folded or closed position and parallel to base member 76 of the loader in the cartridge unloading position. Second arm 80 of the loader is the unfolded or open position and extends perpendicular to base member 76 of the loader in the partially open position. Loader 30 has an L-shape in lateral profile in the cartridge unloading position. The cartridge unloading position of arms 78 and 80 of the loader is used for removing cartridges 32 from loaded magazine 34.

As seen in FIG. 17, unloading tool 254 is shaped to enable quick removal of the cartridges from the loaded magazine. Magazine 34 may be held such that open top 36 thereof is perpendicular with the ground, with bullet ends 66 of cartridges 32 facing the ground at least in part for example. This allows gravity to remove the first round or top or outermost cartridge 32 from the magazine when the spring tension of the magazine biasing thereon is overcome by unloading tool 254 pressing on the second round or second from top cartridge 32′. Planar member 252 is thus inserted into open top 36 of magazine 34 and pressed against cartridge casing 58′ of the second from top cartridge 32′ as shown by arrow of numeral 310. This causes the top or outermost cartridge 32 to be dislodged and removed from the magazine bullet end 66 first, as shown by arrow of numeral 312. This process may be selectively repeated to selectively remove each of the cartridges from magazine 34. Planar member 252 may be effectively utilized in this manner when loader 30 is in the cartridge unloading position in which second arm 80 of the loader is the open position and first arm 78 of the loader is in the closed position.

FIGS. 18 to 21 show an ammunition loading apparatus, in this example a loader 30.1 according to another aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as loader 30 shown in FIGS. 1 to 17 with the addition of decimal extension “0.1”. Loader 30.1 is substantially the same as loader 30 shown in FIGS. 1 to 17 with at least the following exceptions.

Loader 30.1 as herein described is made of a rigid material, in this example metal, in this case a hardened alloy. The material may be stainless steel or titanium for example. However this is not strictly required and the loader may be made of other materials in other examples.

Referring to FIG. 18, first arm 78.1 of loader 30.1 includes a pair of resilient members, in this example elongate prongs 314 and 316. The prongs extend from proximal end 166.1 of the first arm of the loader towards distal end 168.1 of the first arm. Prongs 314 and 316 have enlarged end portions 315 and 317 adjacent the distal end of first arm 78.1 of loader 30.1. As seen in FIG. 19, the enlarged end portions of the prongs in this example extends inwards towards each other in part and relative to peripheral surfaces 205.1 and 207.1 of end walls 178.1 and 180.1 of channel 172.1 of first arm 78.1 of loader 30.1.

In this example first arm 78.1 of loader 30.1 has a pair of spaced-apart end slots 318 and 320 which extend from the proximal end thereof towards the distal end thereof. Prong 314 is positioned between central slot 184.1 and end slot 318 and prong 316 is positioned between the central slot and end slot 320. The prongs and end slots are longitudinally-extending in this example. Referring to FIG. 19, prongs 314 and 316 are resilient at least in part and end slots 318 and 320 enable the prongs to selectively bias laterally outwards, as shown by arrows 322 and 324, when bullet ends 66 of cartridges 32 seen in FIG. 1, pass therethrough. This causes and/or promotes pivoting of the bullet ends of the cartridges upwards, relative to FIG. 1 and as seen by arrow 209, as the cartridges leave stripper clip 75 as shown by arrow 211.

As seen in FIG. 21, protrusion 276.1 of second arm 80.1 of loader 30.1 is generally a triangular prism in shape in this example; however, this is not strictly required. Distal end 280.1 of the protrusion is elongate and outwardly convex in this example. Protrusion 276.1 has a pair of surfaces 241 and 243 extend outwards from the distal end thereof in outwardly flared direction. The surfaces are generally rectangular in front and rear profile in this example Surface 241 of protrusion 276.1 is planar in this example and surface 243 of the protrusion is curved, in this case outwardly convex at least in part; however, this is not strictly required. The protrusion has a pair of spaced-apart sides 245 and 247 which extend between surfaces 241 and 243 thereof. The sides of protrusion 276.1 are planar and generally triangular in shape in this example.

As seen in FIG. 20, inner surface 291.1 of tang 282.1 is recessed relative to inner end wall 250.1 of channel 248.1. Stopper 272.1 of the second arm of the loader is also a triangular prism in shape in this example; however, here too this is not strictly required.

Catch 274.1 is elongate and rectangular in bottom profile in this example. The catch extends laterally between side surfaces 288.1 and 290.1 of tang 282.1 in this example. Catch 274.1 is outwardly convex in this example; however, this likewise is not strictly required.

FIGS. 22 to 24 show an ammunition loading apparatus, in this example a loader 30.2 according to an additional aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as loader 30 shown in FIGS. 1 to 17 with the addition of decimal extension “0.2”. Loader 30.2 is substantially the same as loader 30 shown in FIGS. 1 to 17 with at least the following exceptions.

As seen in FIG. 22, first end portion 120.2 of base member 76.2 of the loader comprises a shape that is triangular in side profile in this example. Side walls 102.2 and 104.2 are triangular adjacent the first end portion of the base member of loader 30.2. First or upper beveled end surfaces 125.2 extend from top 88.2 of base member 76.2 of the loader to second or lower beveled end surfaces 126.2 and 127.2 in this example. The base member of loader 30.2 may thus be said to include shoulders at first end portion 120.2 thereof which have a triangular shape. The first end portion of base member 76.2 of loader 30.2 is thus tapered, with the base member tapering in a direction 293 extending from end 84.2 of the base member towards end 82.2 of the base member. The length L_LB.2 of each lower beveled end surface 127.2 is greater than the length L_UB of each upper beveled end surface 125.2 in this example. In this case length L_LB.2 is approximately equal to 1.5 times length L_UB.2; however this is not strictly required. Still referring to FIG. 22, upper beveled end surfaces 125.2 extend outwards at an angle ψ relative to lower beveled end surfaces 126.2 and 127.2. Angle ψ is equal to 90 degrees in this example, with the upper beveled end surfaces thus extending perpendicular to beveled end surfaces in this case; however, this is not strictly required.

Tang 144.2 of base member 76.2 has a first or elongate recessed portion 325. The recessed portion extends parallel to longitudinal axis 86.2 in this example. Recessed portion 325 extends from proximal end 146.2 of tang 144.2 towards distal end 150.2 of the tang in this example. The recessed portion is rectangular in bottom profile from the perspective of FIG. 22 in this example. Recessed portion 325 has a first end 327 which coincides and aligns with proximal end 146.2 of tang 144.2 and a second end′ 329 spaced-apart from the first end thereof. The second end of the recessed portion aligns with aperture 152.2 of the tang and axis 154.2 in this example. Recessed portion 325 becomes more shallow or less recessed as the recessed portion extends from proximal end 146.2 towards distal end 150.2 of tang 144.2. Tang 144.2 has a contoured surface 331 which is curved, in this example outwardly concave. The contoured surface extends upwards from bottom 149.2 of the tang and is in fluid communication with recessed portion 325. The recessed portion is in fluid communication with interior recessed portion 156.2 of base member 76.2 of loader 30.2 in this example. Recessed portion 325 may function to facilitate manufacturing/forming of base member 76.2 of loader 30.2 and inhibit shrinkage effects during the injection moulding process, for example; however, this is not strictly required and the loader may be manufactured via other methods in other examples.

As seen in FIG. 23, first arm 78.2 of loader 30.2 has rounded, outwardly concave corners or fillets 326 extending between planar portions 201.2 and 203.2 and bullet channel 175.2 of end wall 174.2 in this example. The fillets may function to reduce stress concentration points on the first arm of the loader.

As seen in FIG. 24, second arm 80.2 of loader 30.2 includes a protuberance, in this example one or more strengthening or stiffening members, in this example a stiffening rib 328. The rib couples to and extends outwards from inner end wall 250.2 of channel 248.2 of the second arm of the loader in this example Rib 328 in this example extends laterally outwards from the inner end wall of the channel. The rib is integrally formed with inner end wall 250.2 of channel 248.2 of second arm 80.2 of loader 30.2 in this example. The rib is longitudinally-extending and centrally-positioned between side walls 268.2 and 270.2 of the channel of the second arm of the loader in this example. Rib 328 extends between proximal end 242.2 and distal end 242.2 of second arm 80.2. The rib is curved at least in part relative to longitudinal axis in this example, in this case outwardly concave relative to longitudinal axis 246.2. Rib 328 is curved at least in part in lateral section in this example, in this case outwardly convex at least in part in lateral section. The rib include sa first tapered end portion 330 adjacent proximal end 242.2 of second arm 80.2 of loader 30.2. Rib 328 includes a second tapered end portion 332 near distal end 244.2 of the second arm of the loader and which aligns with planar member 252.2 in this example. The rib has a contoured shape which mirrors at least in part that of recessed portion 325 of base member 76.2 of loader 30.2 seen in FIG. 22 when the second arm is in a stored or closed position. Rib 328 seen in FIG. 24 is shaped to be received within the recessed portion of the base member of the loader seen in FIG. 22 when the second arm is in a stored or closed position. This enables second arm 80.2 seen in FIG. 24 to fold without and/or while inhibiting interference from base member 76.2 of loader 30.2 seen in FIG. 22.

Referring back to FIG. 24, side walls 268.2 and 270.2 of channel 248.2 of the second arm of the loader are shaped so as to be streamline and be fully received within the base member of the loader when the second arm is folded or in its closed position.

FIGS. 25 to 32 show an ammunition loading apparatus, in this example a loader 30.3 according to yet another aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as loader 30.2 shown in FIGS. 22 to 24 with decimal extension “0.3” replacing decimal extension “0.2”. Loader 30.3 is substantially the same as loader 30.2 shown in FIGS. 22 to 24 with the following exceptions.

As seen in FIG. 27, side walls 102.3 and 104.3 of base member 76.3 of loader 30.3 are planar and continuous, with no side slots extending therethrough. Each side wall of the base member of the loader includes a non-smooth texture or grip-promoting exterior surface 111 with in this example stippling 113 thereon. As seen in FIG. 30, side walls 186.3 and 188.3 of channel 172.3 of first arm 78.3 of loader 30.3 are planar and continuous, with no side slots extending therethrough. Each side wall of the first arm of the loader includes a non-smooth texture, or grip-promoting exterior 117 with in this example stippling 119 thereon. Referring to FIG. 25, stippling 113 and 119 is arranged to form a plurality of grip-promoting shapes in this example, in this case in the form of a fish-scale texture or pattern 137. The stippling is shaped to increase grip for the loader 30 such as in adverse conditions, for example. Fish-scale patterns 137 are oriented such that the tips or tapered portions 139 thereof are point in a consistent direction, such as towards the top 88.3, bottom 94.3 or one of ends 82.3 and 84.3: in this case the fish-scale patterns point/taper downwards (as shown by arrow 141 from the perspective of FIG. 25) towards bottoms 94.3 of the base member 76.3 and outer end walls 178.3 and 180.3 of first arm 78.3 of loader 30.3, respectively, in this example; however, this is not strictly required. This may function to enable the user of loader 30.3 to readily determine orientation of the loader in adverse light conditions.

As seen in FIG. 27, tang 144.3 of the base member of the loader includes a second recessed portion, in this example a centrally positioned, upper recessed portion 340. The upper recessed portion extends and tapers from upper surface 148.3 of the tang towards lower surface 149.3 of the tang in this example. Upper recessed portion 340 is positioned between sides 153.3 and 155.3 of tang 144.3. The upper recessed portion is positioned between proximal end 146.3 and distal end 150.3 of tang 144.3 in this example. Upper recessed portion 340 generally encloses a tapered rectangular prism in space in this example; however, this is not strictly required. As seen in FIG. 29, recessed portions 325.3 and 340 of base member 76.3 of loader 30.3 may function to facilitate manufacturing/forming of base member 76.3 of loader 30.3 and inhibit shrinkage effects during the injection moulding process, for example; however, this is not strictly required and the loader may be manufactured via other methods in other examples.

As seen in FIG. 26, loader 30.3 includes a first locking mechanism 341 which selectively promotes positioning of first arm 78.3 of loader 30.3 in the deployed position. As seen in FIG. 27, the first locking mechanism includes as part of base member 76.3 of the loader a first of a detent and a recessed region, in this example a first pair of detents 342 and 344. The first pair of detents laterally align and couple to and extend laterally outwards from sides 153.3 and 155.3 of tang 144.3. Detents 342 and 344 are adjacent upper surface 148.3 of the tang in this example.

As seen in FIG. 30, first locking mechanism 341 includes as part of first arm 78.3 of loader 30.3 a second of a detent and a recessed region, in this example a first pair of recessed regions, in this example apertures 346 and 348; however, this is not strictly required and in other embodiments recesses shaped to receive the detents may be provided. The apertures laterally align and extend laterally through yoke arms 213.3 and 215.3 in this example. Apertures 346 and 348 are co-axial with and smaller than apertures 222.3 and 224.3 in this example. The apertures are adjacent second elongate surfaces 230.3 and 232.3 of yoke arms 213.3 and 215.3 and rivet end seats 223.3 in this example.

When first arm 78.3 is in the deployed position seen in FIG. 26, apertures 348 of first locking mechanism 341 and first arm 78.3 align with and are shaped to receive at least in part detents 342 and 344 (seen in FIG. 28) of the first locking mechanism of base member 76.3. Referring back to FIG. 26, this mechanical engagement provides a resistance force which inhibits inadvertent dislodgement of the first arm of the loader from the deployed position. First arm 78.3 and/or base member 76.3 of loader 30.3, and/or the detents and/or recessed regions thereof, are resilient at least in part and configured to enable movement of the first arm of the loader from the deployed position seen in FIG. 26 to the closed position seen in FIG. 25 upon a threshold force (seen by arrow 302.3) being applied to the first arm to dislodge the detents from the apertures of the first locking mechanism.

As seen in FIG. 25, loader 30.3 includes a second locking mechanism 350 which selectively promotes positioning of first arm 78.3 of loader 30.3 in the closed position. As seen in FIG. 27, the second locking mechanism includes as part of base member 76.3 of the loader a first of a detent and a recessed region, in this example a second pair of detents as seen by detent 352. The second pair of detents laterally align and couple to and extend laterally outwards from sides 153.3 and 155.3 of tang 144.3, respectively. Detents 352 are adjacent lower surface 149.3 of the tang in this example. Detents 342 and 352 and detents 344 align with each other, respectively, and extend parallel with a lateral axis 353 which is perpendicular to longitudinal axis 86.3 in this example. As seen in FIG. 27, detents 342 and 352 align adjacent to and on either side of end 82.3 of base member 76.3 of loader 30.3 in this example.

As seen in FIG. 30, second locking mechanism 350 includes as part of first arm 78.3 of loader 30.3 a second of a detent and a recessed region, in this example a second pair of recessed regions, in this example apertures 354 and 356; however, this is not strictly required and in other embodiments recesses shaped to receive the detents may be provided. The apertures extend laterally through yoke arms 213.3 and 215.3 in this example. Apertures 354 and 356 are co-axial with and smaller than apertures 222.3 and 224.3 in this example. The apertures are adjacent first elongate surfaces 226.3 and 228.3 of yoke arms 213.3 and 215.3 and rivet end seats 223.3 in this example. Apertures 346 and 354 and apertures 348 and 356 align with each other, respectively, and extend parallel with an axis 357 in this example. As seen in FIG. 25, axis 357 is slanted and extends at a non-perpendicular angle c relative to longitudinal axis 86.3. Axis 357 and apertures 348 and 356 generally align with upper beveled end surfaces 124.3 of base member 76.3 of loader 30.3 in the closed position of loader in this example. As seen in FIG. 26, axis 357 and apertures 348 and 356 generally align with lower beveled end surfaces 126.3 of the base member of the loader in the deployed position of the loader in this example.

When first arm 78.3 is in the closed position seen in FIG. 25, apertures 356 of second locking mechanism 350 and first arm 78.3 align with and are shaped to receive at least in part detents 352 (seen in FIG. 27) of the second locking mechanism and base member 76.3. Referring back to FIG. 25, this mechanical engagement provides a resistance force which inhibits inadvertent dislodgement of the first arm of the loader from the closed position. First arm 78.3 and/or base member 76.3 of loader 30.3, and/or the detents and/or recessed regions thereof, are resilient at least in part and configured to enable movement of the first arm of the loader from the closed position seen in FIG. 25 to the deployed position seen in FIG. 26 upon a threshold force (seen by arrow 306.3) being applied to the first arm to dislodge the detents from the apertures of the second locking mechanism.

As seen in FIG. 26, loader 30.3 including a third locking mechanism 358 which selectively promotes positioning of second arm 80.3 of loader 30.3 in the deployed position. As seen in FIG. 27, the third locking mechanism includes as part of base member 76.3 of the loader a first of a detent and a recessed region, in this example a first pair of apertures 360 and 362. The first pair of apertures extend laterally through side walls 102.3 and 104.3 of the base member of the loader in this example. Apertures 360 and 362 are co-axial with and smaller than apertures 160.3 and 162.3 in this example. The apertures are adjacent top 88.3 and rivet end seats 163.3 of base member 76.3 of loader 30.3 in this example Apertures 360 and 362 are adjacent and spaced rearwards of flanges 132.3 and 134.3 of the base member of the loader in this example and from the perspective of FIG. 27.

As seen in FIG. 31, third locking mechanism 358 includes as part of second arm 80.3 of loader 30.3 a second of a detent and a recessed region, in this example a pair of detents 364 and 366. The pair of detents laterally align and couple to and extend laterally outwards from side walls 268.3 and 270.3 of channel 248.3, respectively. Detents 364 and 366 are adjacent and spaced from side wall end surfaces 269.1 and 271.1 of second arm 80.3 of loader 30.3 in this example. The detents are adjacent inner surface 291.3 of tang 282.3 in this example. Detents 364 and 366 align with stopper 272.3 in this example. Detents 342, 344, 352, 364 and 366 seen in FIGS. 27, 28 and 31 are partially spherical and outwardly convex in this example.

When second arm 80.3 is in the deployed position seen in FIG. 26, apertures 362 of third locking mechanism 341 and base member 76.3 align with and are shaped to receive at least in part detents 364 and 366 (seen in FIG. 31) of the third locking mechanism and second arm 80.3. Referring back to FIG. 26, this mechanical engagement provides a resistance force which inhibits inadvertent dislodgement of the second arm of the loader from the deployed position. Second arm 80.3 and/or base member 76.3 of loader 30.3, and/or the detents and/or recessed regions thereof, are resilient at least in part and configured to enable movement of the second arm of the loader from the deployed position seen in FIG. 26 to the closed position seen in FIG. 25 upon a threshold force (seen by arrow 304.3) being applied to the second arm to dislodge the detents from the apertures of the third locking mechanism.

As seen in FIG. 25, loader 30.3 including a fourth locking mechanism 368 which selectively promotes positioning of second arm 80.3 of loader 30.3 in the closed position. As seen in FIG. 27, the fourth locking mechanism includes as part of base member 76.3 of the loader a first of a detent and a recessed region, in this example a second pair of apertures 370 and 372. The second pair of apertures extend laterally through side walls 102.3 and 104.3 of the base member of the loader in this example. Apertures 370 and 362 are co-axial with and smaller than apertures 160.3 and 162.3 in this example. The apertures are between top 88.3 and bottom 94.3 of base member 76.3 of loader 30.3 in this example. Apertures 360 and 362 are spaced rearwards of flanges 132.3 and 134.3 of the base member of the loader in this example and from the perspective of FIG. 27. The apertures are adjacent rivet end seats 163.3 in this example. Apertures 360 and 370 and apertures 362 and 372 align with each other, respectively, and extend parallel with a lateral axis 374 that is perpendicular to longitudinal axis 86.3 in this example. Apertures 346, 348, 354, 356, 360, 362, 370, and 372 seen in FIGS. 27 and 30 laterally extend in parallel with each other in this example.

As seen in FIG. 31, fourth locking mechanism 368 includes as part of second arm 80.3 of loader 30.3 a second of a detent and a recessed region, in this example detents 364 and 366, which are also parts of the third locking mechanism 358. However, this is not strictly required and the fourth locking mechanism may include one or more separate detents in other embodiments.

When second arm 80.3 is in the closed position as seen in dotted lines in FIG. 25, apertures 372 of fourth locking mechanism 358 and base member 76.3 align with and are shaped to receive at least in part detents 364 and 366 (seen in FIG. 31) of the third locking mechanism and second arm 80.3. Referring back to FIG. 25, this mechanical engagement provides a resistance force which inhibits inadvertent dislodgement of the second arm of the loader from the closed position, along with first arm 78.3 which also encloses the second arm in the closed position. Fourth locking mechanism 358 is not required and second locking mechanism 350 may used to hold the second arm in place in other embodiments. Second arm 80.3 and/or base member 76.3 of loader 30.3, and/or the detents and/or recessed regions thereof, are resilient at least in part and configured to enable movement of the second arm of the loader from the closed position seen in FIG. 25 to the deployed position seen in FIG. 26 upon a threshold force (seen by arrow 308.3) being applied to the second arm to dislodge the detents from the apertures of the fourth locking mechanism.

Each detent and recessed-region/aperture as herein described may be referred to as a set of male and female members.

FIG. 33 shows a base member 76.4 of an ammunition loading apparatus, in this example a loader 30.4 according to a yet a further aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as loader 30.2 shown in FIGS. 22 to 24 with decimal extension “0.4” replacing decimal extension “0.2” and being added for parts not previously having decimal extensions. Loader 30.4 is substantially the same as loader 30.2 shown in FIGS. 22 to 24 with the exception that side walls 102.4 and 104.4 of base member 76.4 of loader 30.4 are planar and continuous, with no side slots extending therethrough.

FIG. 34 shows an ammunition loading apparatus, in this example a loader 30.5 according to a yet an additional aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as loader 30.3 shown in FIGS. 25 to 32 with decimal extension “0.5” replacing decimal extension “0.3” and being added for parts not previously having decimal extensions. Loader 30.5 is substantially the same as loader 30.3 shown in FIGS. 25 to 32 with the following exceptions.

Loader 30.5 includes only one elongate member pivotally coupled to base member 76.5 thereof, in this example arm 80.5 thereof pivotally coupled to end 84.5 of the base member of the loader. The arm is shaped to receive stripper clip 75.5 in the deployed position thereof seen in FIG. 34. Arm 80.5 is shaped in part to receive ammunition, in this example casings 58.5 of cartridges 32.5 therebetween. Loader 30.5 is L-shaped in lateral profile when the base member 76.5 and arm 80.5 are in the deployed position. The loader is shaped to be compact and generally rectangular in the stored position similar to that shown in FIG. 25 for loader 30.3.

As seen in FIG. 34, flanges 132.5 and 134.5 of the base member of the loader have first or upper sections 376 and 378 extending from end 82.5 towards end 84.5 of the base member of the loader, second or lower sections 380 extending from end 84.5 towards end 82.5 of the base member and shoulders 382 extending therebetween. The shoulders are curved in this example, in this case outwardly concave. End 82.5 of base member 76.5 of loader 30.5 is planar and rectangular in shape in this example.

FIG. 35 shows an ammunition loading apparatus, in this example a loader 30.6 according to a yet another aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as loader 30.3 shown in FIGS. 25 to 32 with decimal extension “0.6” replacing decimal extension “0.3” and being added for parts not previously having decimal extensions. Loader 30.6 is substantially the same as loader 30.3 shown in FIGS. 25 to 32 with the following exceptions.

Loader 30.6 includes only one elongate member pivotally coupled to base member 76.6 thereof, in this example arm 78.6 thereof pivotally coupled to end 82.6 of the base member of the loader. The loader includes only one elongate member pivotally coupled to base member 76.6 thereof, in this example arm 80.6 thereof pivotally coupled to end 84.6 of the base member of the loader. Loader 30.6 is L-shaped in lateral profile when the base member 76.6 and arm 78.6 are in the deployed position. The loader is shaped to be compact and generally rectangular in the stored position similar to that shown in FIG. 25 for loader 30.3.

As seen in FIG. 35, channel 172.6 of arm 78.6 of loader 30.6 includes an outer portion 384 having a width WOP. The width of the outer portion of the channel of the arm of the loader is substantially equal to or greater than, and in this example substantially equal to width WC of casings 58.6 of ammunition, in this example cartridges 32.6. Outer portion 384 of channel 172.6 of arm 78.6 of loader 30.6 is shaped to snugly and slidably receive the casings of the cartridges therewithin in this example. Arm 78.6 is thus shaped in part to receive ammunition, in this example cartridges 32.6 therebetween.

Channel 172.6 of arm 78.6 of loader 30.6 has an inner portion 386 in fluid communication with the outer portion 384 thereof. The inner portion of the channel of the arm of the loader has a width W_IP. The width of the inner portion of channel 172.6 of arm 78.6 of loader 30.6 is substantially equal to or greater than, and in this example substantially equal to width W_SC.6 of stripper clip 75.6. Width W_IP of inner portion 386 of the channel of the arm of the loader is larger than width Wop of the outer portion 384 of the channel of the arm of the loader in this example. Inner portion 386 of channel 172.6 of arm 78.6 of loader 30.6 is shaped to snugly and slidably receive stripper clip 75.6 therewithin in this example. The arm is thus shaped to receive the stripper clip in the deployed position thereof seen in FIG. 35.

Side walls portions 186.6 and 188.6 of channel 172.6 enclose outer portion 384 of the channel, side walls portion 186.6′ and 188.6′ of the channel enclose inner portion 386 of the channel, and shoulders 388 and 390 extend between the side wall portions, respectively, in this example. The side wall portions thus form elongate S and inverse elongate S shapes in this example. Shoulders 388 and 390 may be said to correspond to end walls 178.6 and 180.6, with side wall portions 186.6 and 188.6 coupled to and extending laterally outwards therefrom. The end walls and side wall portions are integrally connected and formed so as to form a unitary whole in this example.

Channel 172.6 of arm 78.6 of loader 30.6 is T-shaped in lateral section in this example; however this is not strictly required.

Many advantages result from the structure of the present invention as herein described. For example, in the fully closed position of the arms seen in FIG. 14, the loader has a form factor that results in a relative small, convenient package compared to a conventional loader which is always erect. In the closed position of the arms, the parts for the essential functioning of the loader which contact the cartridges are protected from external forces. The arms in the closed positions thereof are stored away, thereby inhibiting inadvertent overtorquing and damage to the same. The loader in the closed position of the arms may also be much more resistant to impact forces than a conventional loader.

The loader as herein described may be readily repairable and modular. The three-component design (base member, first arm, and second arm) of the loader allows for selective replacement of parts (such as the base member, first arm, and second arm) that have broken. Rivets 234 and 294 of the loader seen in FIG. 1 may be selectively removed in the field with minimal tools, such as via a flat-head screwdriver for example, and may be customized with different colours. Alternatively, instead of rivets, other types of fasteners or connectors which may facilitate a pivotal connection may be used, such as sex bolts (or binding barrels) which may be selectively torqued via a torque wrench.

It will be appreciated that many variations are possible within the scope of the invention described herein.

Where a component (e.g. an apparatus, assembly, device, elongate member etc.) is referred to herein, unless otherwise indicated, reference to that component (including a reference to a “means”) should be interpreted as including as equivalents of that component any component which performs the function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), including components which are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Interpretation of Terms

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims:

• • “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”;
  • “connected”, “coupled”, or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof;
  • “herein”, “above”, “below”, and words of similar import, when used to describe this specification, shall refer to this specification as a whole, and not to any particular portions of this specification;
  • “or”, in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list;
  • the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” also include the meaning of any appropriate plural forms. These terms (“a”, “an”, and “the”) mean one or more unless stated otherwise;
  • “and/or” is used to indicate one or both stated cases may occur, for example A and/or B includes both (A and B) and (A or B);
  • “approximately” when applied to a numerical value means the numerical value ±10%;
  • where a feature is described as being “optional” or “optionally” present or described as being present “in some embodiments” it is intended that the present disclosure encompasses embodiments where that feature is present and other embodiments where that feature is not necessarily present and other embodiments where that feature is excluded. Further, where any combination of features is described in this application this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for the use of exclusive terminology such as “solely,” “only” and the like in relation to the combination of features as well as the use of “negative” limitation(s)” to exclude the presence of other features; and
  • “first” and “second” are used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or indicating the number of indicated technical features.

Words that indicate directions such as “vertical”, “transverse”, “horizontal”, “upward”, “downward”, “forward”, “backward”, “inward”, “outward”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom”, “below”, “above”, “under”, and the like, used in this description and any accompanying claims (where present), depend on the specific orientation of the apparatus described and illustrated. The subject matter described herein may assume various alternative orientations. Accordingly, these directional terms are not strictly defined and should not be interpreted narrowly.

Where a range for a value is stated, the stated range includes all sub-ranges of the range. It is intended that the statement of a range supports the value being at an endpoint of the range as well as at any intervening value to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit of the range, as well as any subrange or sets of sub ranges of the range unless the context clearly dictates otherwise or any portion(s) of the stated range is specifically excluded. Where the stated range includes one or both endpoints of the range, ranges excluding either or both of those included endpoints are also included in the invention.

Certain numerical values described herein are preceded by “about”. In this context, “about” provides literal support for the exact numerical value that it precedes, the exact numerical value ±5%, as well as all other numerical values that are near to or approximately equal to that numerical value. Unless otherwise indicated a particular numerical value is included in “about” a specifically recited numerical value where the particular numerical value provides the substantial equivalent of the specifically recited numerical value in the context in which the specifically recited numerical value is presented. For example, a statement that something has the numerical value of “about 10” is to be interpreted as: the set of statements:

• • in some embodiments the numerical value is 10;
  • in some embodiments the numerical value is in the range of 9.5 to 10.5;
  • and if from the context the person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that values within a certain range are substantially equivalent to 10 because the values with the range would be understood to provide substantially the same result as the value 10 then “about 10” also includes:
  • in some embodiments the numerical value is in the range of C to D where C and D are respectively lower and upper endpoints of the range that encompasses all of those values that provide a substantial equivalent to the value 10

Specific examples of systems, methods and apparatus have been described herein for purposes of illustration. These are only examples. The technology provided herein can be applied to systems other than the example systems described above. Many alterations, modifications, additions, omissions, and permutations are possible within the practice of this invention. This invention includes variations on described embodiments that would be apparent to the skilled addressee, including variations obtained by: replacing features, elements and/or acts with equivalent features, elements and/or acts; mixing and matching of features, elements and/or acts from different embodiments; combining features, elements and/or acts from embodiments as described herein with features, elements and/or acts of other technology; and/or omitting combining features, elements and/or acts from described embodiments.

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any other described embodiment(s) without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Any aspects described above in reference to apparatus may also apply to methods and vice versa.

Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any other order which is logically possible. For example, while processes or blocks are presented in a given order, alternative examples may perform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative or subcombinations. Each of these processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series, these processes or blocks may instead be performed in parallel, simultaneously or at different times.

Various features are described herein as being present in “some embodiments”. Such features are not mandatory and may not be present in all embodiments. Embodiments of the invention may include zero, any one or any combination of two or more of such features. All possible combinations of such features are contemplated by this disclosure even where such features are shown in different drawings and/or described in different sections or paragraphs. This is limited only to the extent that certain ones of such features are incompatible with other ones of such features in the sense that it would be impossible for a person of ordinary skill in the art to construct a practical embodiment that combines such incompatible features. Consequently, the description that “some embodiments” possess feature A and “some embodiments” possess feature B should be interpreted as an express indication that the inventors also contemplate embodiments which combine features A and B (unless the description states otherwise or features A and B are fundamentally incompatible). This is the case even if features A and B are illustrated in different drawings and/or mentioned in different paragraphs, sections or sentences.

It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions, omissions, and subcombinations as may reasonably be inferred. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

1. An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: a first elongate member; and second and third elongate members coupled to the first elongate member and between which ammunition is received, the second elongate member and the third elongate member being collapsible or foldable when not in use.

2. An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: a first elongate member; and second and third elongate members coupled to and extending outwards from the first elongate member when in use to facilitate passing of respective ammunition through the first elongate member, wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member are movable to extend at least in part along the first elongate member when not in use.

3. An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: a first elongate member; and second and third elongate members coupled to and extending outwards from the first elongate member when in use to facilitate passing of respective ammunition through the first elongate member, the second elongate member and the third elongate member being contoured to extend along or within the first elongate member when not in use.

4. An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: first, second and third elongate members each having a longitudinal axis, with the second elongate member and the third elongate member pivotally coupling to the first elongate member about axes of rotation which are perpendicular to the longitudinal axes thereof.

5. An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: first, second and third elongate members each having a longitudinal axis, with the second elongate member and the third elongate member pivotally coupling to the first elongate member about axes of rotation which are offset from the longitudinal axes thereof.

6. An ammunition loading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member are shaped to receive ammunition therebetween in a deployed position and wherein the elongate members are moveable from the deployed position thereof to a stored position thereof when not in use.

7. An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: a first elongate member; and second and third elongate members pivotally coupled to the first elongate member, the second elongate member and the third elongate member having a deployed position in which the second elongate member and the third elongate member extend perpendicular to the first elongate member and receive ammunition therebetween, and the second elongate member and the third elongate member being moveable from the deployed position to a stored position in which at least one of the second elongate member and the third elongate member extends parallel to the first elongate member.

8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 7 wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member have longitudinal axes and the first elongate member has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the at least one of the second elongate member and the third elongate member extend parallel with the longitudinal axis of the first elongate member when in the stored position.

9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the apparatus is u-shaped in lateral profile when the second elongate member and the third elongate member are in the deployed position.

10. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the apparatus is moveable to a partially open position that is L-shaped for unloading ammunition.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus includes a planar member that, in the partially open position, functions as an ammunition unloading tool.

12. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the elongate members are shaped to be compact in the stored position.

13. An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: first, second and third elongate members pivotally coupled together and movable from a stored position that is compact, to a deployed position that is u-shaped for loading ammunition therein, and to an L-shaped position for unloading ammunition.

14. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 13 wherein the apparatus is substantially a rectangular prism in outer shape when the second elongate member and the third elongate member are in the stored position.

15. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member are rotatable in opposite directions from the stored position thereof to the deployed position thereof, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the second elongate member and the third elongate member in thereafter.

16. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member are rotatable towards a first of a top and a bottom of the first elongate member from the stored position thereof to the deployed position thereof, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the second elongate member and the third elongate member in thereafter, and wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member are rotatable towards a second of the top and the bottom of the first elongate member from the deployed position thereof to the stored position thereof, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the second elongate member and the third elongate member in thereafter.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the second elongate member abuts the first of the top and the bottom of the elongate member when the second elongate member is in the deployed position, and wherein the second elongate member abuts the second of the top and the bottom of the elongate member when the second elongate member is in the stored position.

18. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member are rotatable from horizontally-extending positions to vertically-extending positions, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the second elongate member and the third elongate member in thereafter, and wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member are rotatable from the vertically-extending positions to the horizontally-extending positions, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the second elongate member and the third elongate member in thereafter.

19. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein the second elongate member is moveable in a first direction of rotation from the stored position thereof to the deployed position thereof, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the second elongate member in the first direction of rotation thereafter, wherein the third elongate member is moveable in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first direction of rotation, from the stored position thereof to the deployed position thereof, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the third elongate member in the second direction of rotation thereafter, wherein the second elongate member is moveable in the second direction of rotation from the deployed position thereof to the stored position thereof, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the second elongate member in the second direction of rotation thereafter, and wherein the third elongate member is moveable in the first direction of rotation from the deployed position thereof to the stored position thereof, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the third elongate member in the first direction of rotation thereafter.

20. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 19 wherein the first elongate member has a first beveled end surface which abuts the second elongate member when the second elongate member is in the deployed position, and wherein the first elongate member has a second beveled end surface which abuts the second elongate member when the second elongate member is in the stored position.

21. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 19 wherein the first elongate member has a first slanted end surface which abuts the second elongate member when the second elongate member is in the deployed position, and wherein the first elongate member has a second slanted end surface which abuts the second elongate member when the second elongate member is in the stored position.

22. An apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 21, wherein the first end surface and the second end surface of the first elongate member are non-perpendicular.

23. An apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein the first end surface of the first elongate member extends downwards from the top of the first elongate member at an obtuse angle.

24. An apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein the second end surface of the first elongate member extends upwards from the bottom of the first elongate member at an obtuse angle.

25. An apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 24 wherein the second elongate member in the deployed position abuts the first end surface and the top of the first elongate member, and wherein the second elongate member in the stored position abuts the second end surface and the bottom of the first elongate member.

26. An apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 25 wherein the first elongate member includes an end portion that is polygonal in shape, the end portion including the first end surface and the second end surface of the first elongate member.

27. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the end portion of the first elongate member is triangular.

28. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the end portion of the first elongate member is semi-octagonal.

29. An apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 28, wherein the second elongate member includes a pair of spaced-apart yoke arms that extend outwards at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the second elongate member.

30. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said angle at which the yoke arms extend is non-perpendicular.

31. An apparatus according to any one of claims 29 to 30, wherein the yoke arms are shaped to enable the second elongate member to abut either the top or the bottom of the first elongate member.

32. An apparatus according to any one of claims 29 to 31, wherein the yoke arms have one or more first slanted surfaces and one or more second slanted surfaces opposite the one or more first slanted surfaces, wherein the one or more first slanted surfaces of the yoke arms abut the first end surface of the first elongate member in the deployed position, and wherein the one or more second slanted surfaces of the yoke arms abut the second end surface of the first elongate member in the deployed position.

33. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 32 wherein the third elongate member is received at least in part within the first elongate member when the third elongate member is in the stored position.

34. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 32 wherein the third elongate member is fully received within the first elongate member when the third elongate member is in the stored position.

35. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 34 including a first locking mechanism which selectively promotes positioning of the second elongate member in the deployed position.

36. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 35 including a second locking mechanism which selectively promotes positioning of the second elongate member in the stored position.

37. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 36 including a third locking mechanism which selectively promotes positioning of the third elongate member in the deployed position.

38. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 37 including a fourth locking mechanism which selectively promotes positioning of the third elongate member in the stored position.

39. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 34, wherein the first elongate member includes a first of a detent and a recessed region and wherein the second elongate member includes a second of the detent and the recessed region shaped to selectively couple with the first of the detent and the recessed region, the detent and the recessed region being positioned to promote positioning of the second elongate member in the deployed position.

40. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 34 and 39, wherein the first elongate member includes one of a detent and a recessed region and wherein the second elongate member includes another of the detent and the recessed region shaped to selectively couple with the first of the detent and the recessed region and promote positioning of the second elongate member in the stored position.

41. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 34, wherein the first elongate member includes a first of a detent and a recessed region and wherein the third elongate member includes a second of the detent and the recessed region shaped to selectively couple with the first of the detent and the recessed region, the detent and the recessed region being positioned to promote positioning of the third elongate member in the deployed position.

42. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 34 and 41, wherein the first elongate member includes one of a detent and a recessed region and wherein the third elongate member includes another of the detent and the recessed region shaped to selectively couple with the one of the detent and the recessed region and promote positioning of the third elongate member in the stored position.

43. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 34, wherein the first elongate member and the second elongate member are held in the deployed position via a first detent extending outwards from a first one of the first elongate member and the second elongate member and a first recessed region of a second one of the first elongate member and the second elongate member, and wherein the first elongate member and the second elongate member are held in the stored position via a second detent extending outwards from one of the first elongate member and the second elongate member and a second recessed region of the other of the first elongate member and the second elongate member.

44. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 34 and 43, wherein the first elongate member and the third elongate member are held in the deployed position via a third detent extending outwards from a first one of the first elongate member and the third elongate member and a third recessed region of a second one of the first elongate member and the third elongate member, and wherein the first elongate member and the third elongate member are held in the stored position via a fourth detent extending outwards from one of the first elongate member and the third elongate member and a fourth recessed region of the other of the first elongate member and the third elongate member.

45. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 44 wherein the second elongate member includes a first of a first set of male and female members, wherein the first elongate member includes a second of the first set of male and female members which couples to the first of the first set of male and female members, wherein the third elongate member includes a first of a second set of male and female members, and wherein the first elongate member includes a second of the second set of male and female members which couples to the first of the second set of male and female members.

46. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 44 wherein the second elongate member couples to the first elongate member via a clevis, a tang and a corresponding pin which extends through the clevis thereof and the tang thereof.

47. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 44 and 46, wherein the third elongate member couples to the first elongate member via a clevis, a tang and a corresponding pin which extends through the clevis thereof and the tang thereof.

48. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 47, wherein the first elongate member includes a tang and a clevis spaced-apart from the tang thereof, wherein the second elongate member includes a clevis which receives the tang of the first elongate member and pivotally couples thereto via a first pin, and wherein the third elongate member includes a tang received by the clevis of the first elongate member and pivotally coupled thereto via a second pin.

49. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 48 wherein the second elongate member is foldable or collapsible relative to the first elongate member and wherein the third elongate member is foldable relative to the first elongate member.

50. An ammunition loading apparatus according to claims 1 to 49, wherein the elongate members are shaped to facilitate loading of ammunition into a magazine.

51. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 50 wherein the second elongate member is channel-shaped.

52. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 51 wherein the third elongate member is channel-shaped.

53. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 52 wherein the second elongate member is shaped to receive a first end of the ammunition and wherein the third elongate member is shaped to second end of the ammunition.

54. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 53 wherein the first elongate member has a pair of spaced-apart ends via which the second elongate member and the third elongate member pivotally couple.

55. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein the first elongate member has a slot extending between the ends thereof, the slot of the first elongate member being shaped to enable the ammunition to selectively pass therethrough.

56. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 55 wherein the first elongate member includes a pair of side walls and has one or more apertures extending through at least one of the side walls thereof.

57. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 56 wherein at least the second elongate member includes a pair of side walls and has one or more apertures extending through at least one of the side walls thereof.

58. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 57 wherein the third elongate member includes an outwardly-extending protrusion shaped to function as a glass breaker.

59. An apparatus of claim 58 wherein the third elongate member has a proximal end via which the third elongate member pivotally couples to the first elongate member and wherein the protrusion is adjacent and extends outwards from the proximal end of the third elongate member.

60. An apparatus according to any one of claims 58 to 59, wherein the protrusion tapers outwards.

61. An apparatus according to any one of claims 58 to 59, wherein the protrusion is conical.

62. An apparatus according to any one of claims 58 to 59, wherein the protrusion is a triangular prism in shape.

63. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 62, wherein the second elongate member includes a channel having a slot which the ammunition is received in part.

64. An apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the slot of the channel of the second elongate member has an enlarged portion to facilitate passage of the ammunition therein.

65. An apparatus according to any one of claims 63 to 64, wherein the channel of the second elongate member has a choke point.

66. An apparatus according to any one of claims 63 to 65, wherein the second elongate member includes a channel having a slot with a tapered portion.

67. An apparatus according to any one of claims 63 to 66, wherein the channel has a pair of surfaces that are outwardly concave.

68. An apparatus according to any one of claims 63 to 67, wherein the second elongate member includes one or more end slots extending parallel to the slot of the channel thereof, the one or more end slots being shaped to enable the second elongate member to selectively bias outwards when the bullet end of the ammunition passes therethrough.

69. An apparatus according to any one of claims 63 to 68, wherein the second elongate member includes a pair of resilient members shaped selectively bias outwards when the bullet end of the ammunition passes therethrough.

70. An apparatus of claim 69 wherein the resilient members include enlarged end portions.

71. An apparatus according to any one of claims 63 to 70, wherein the channel of the second elongate member is shaped to promote pivoting of the bullet ends of the ammunition upwards, thereby causing primer ends of the ammunition to pass through the first elongate member first.

72. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 70 wherein the third elongate member includes a channel having a slot via a stripper clip is received.

73. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein the slot of the channel of the third elongate member has an enlarged portion to facilitate passage of the stripper clip therein.

74. An apparatus according to any one of claims 72 to 73, wherein the channel of the third elongate member is shaped to snugly receive the stripper clip therewithin.

75. An apparatus according to any one of claims 72 to 74 wherein the channel of the third elongate member has a width shaped to correspond with a width of the stripper clip and wherein the channel of the third elongate member has a depth shaped to correspond with a height of the stripper clip.

76. An apparatus according to any one of claims 72 to 75 wherein the third elongate member includes a stopper shaped to inhibit the stripper clip from passing into the magazine.

77. An apparatus according to claim 76, wherein the stopper has a top shaped to abut a bottom of the stripper clip when the stripper clip is fully inserted into the third elongate member.

78. An apparatus according to any one of claims 76 to 77, wherein the stopper has a slanted surface shaped to face the magazine.

79. An apparatus according to any one of claims 76 to 78, wherein the stopper is a quadrilateral prism in shape.

80. An apparatus according to any one of claims 76 to 79, wherein the stopper is a triangular prism in shape.

81. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 80 wherein the second elongate member pivots about an axis of rotation which is offset from the longitudinal axis thereof.

82. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 81 wherein the second elongate member pivots about an axis of rotation which is offset from the longitudinal axis thereof.

83. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 82, wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member are guides.

84. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 83, wherein the first elongate member is a magazine mount.

85. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 84, wherein the second elongate member is an ammunition guide arm.

86. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 85, wherein the third elongate member is a stripper-clip holder.

87. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 86, wherein one or more of the first elongate member and the second elongate member has stippling along one or more exterior surfaces thereof.

88. An apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the stippling is shaped to facilitate gripping of the apparatus.

89. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 86, wherein one or more of the first elongate member and the second elongate member has a fish scale pattern along one or more exterior surfaces thereof.

90. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 86, wherein the first elongate member has a plurality of grip-promoting shapes on one or more exterior surfaces thereof, the grip-promoting shapes tapering towards one of the top and the bottom of the first elongate member.

91. An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: three elongate channels pivotally coupled together, the elongate channels having a deployed position within which ammunition is received and being collapsible or foldable to a stored position when not in use.

92. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein at least one of: the apparatus is u-shaped when in the deployed position; and the apparatus is a rectangular prism in the stored position thereof.

93. An apparatus comprising the first elongate member and the second elongate member according to any one of claims 1 to 92.

94. An apparatus consisting of the first elongate member and the second elongate member according to any one of claims 1 to 92.

95. An apparatus comprising the first elongate member and the third elongate member according to any one of claims 1 to 92.

96. An apparatus consisting of the first elongate member and the third elongate member according to any one of claims 1 to 92.

97. An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: a first elongate member shaped to abut to a magazine cartridge and enable ammunition to selectively pass therethrough; and a second member pivotally coupled to the first elongate member and shaped to receive a stripper clip, the first elongate member and the second elongate member being collapsible or foldable when not in use.

98. An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: a first elongate member; and a second elongate member coupled to and extending outwards from the first elongate member when in use to facilitate passing of respective ammunition through the first elongate member, the second elongate member being contoured to extend along or within the first elongate member when not in use.

99. An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: first and second elongate members each having a longitudinal axis, with the second elongate member pivotally coupling to the first elongate member about an axis of rotation which is offset from the longitudinal axes thereof.

100. An ammunition loading apparatus according to any one of claims 97 to 99, wherein the second elongate member is shaped in part to receive ammunition therewithin in a deployed position and wherein the elongate members are moveable from the deployed position thereof to a stored position thereof when not in use.

101. An apparatus according to claim 100, wherein the apparatus is L-shaped in lateral profile when the first elongate member and the second elongate member are in the deployed position.

102. An apparatus according to any one of claims 100 to 101, wherein the elongate members are shaped to be compact in the stored position.

103. An apparatus according to any one of claims 100 to 102, wherein the apparatus is substantially a rectangular prism in outer shape when the first elongate member and the second elongate member are in the stored position.

104. An apparatus according to any one of claims 100 to 103, wherein the second elongate member includes a channel with an outer portion and an inner portion in fluid communication with and wider than the outer portion.

105. An apparatus according to any one of claims 100 to 103, wherein the second elongate member includes a channel with an inner portion shaped to receive a stripper clip therewithin and an outer portion shaped to receive cartridges therebetween.

106. An apparatus according to any one of claims 100 to 103, wherein the second elongate member includes a channel, wherein the channel has an inner portion having a width substantially equal to that of a stripper clip, and wherein the channel has an outer portion having a width substantially equal to that of a cartridge.

107. An apparatus according to any one of claims 100 to 106, wherein the second elongate member includes a channel that is T-shaped in lateral section.

108. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 107, wherein the ammunition comprises a plurality of cartridges for a firearm.

109. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 108, wherein the apparatus is a magazine loader or magazine charger.

110. In combination, a stripper clip and an ammunition loading apparatus according to any of one claims 1 to 109.

111. In combination, a firearm and an ammunition loading apparatus according to any of one claims 1 to 109.

112. A combination according to any of claims 110 to 111, further including a plurality of cartridges.