Patent ID: 9400149
Filing Date: 2016-07-26
CPC Classification: F41A

Claim Text:
1. A shell feeding system for a top loading shotgun, the system comprising: a barrel defining a longitudinal axis and an axially extending bore forming a projectile pathway; a receiver supporting the barrel; an elongated magazine positioned above the barrel and extending axially forward from the receiver; the magazine including an axially extending cavity configured to receive a plurality of ammunition shells in stacked end-to-end relationship, the shells each having a head and diametrically enlarged rim; a top loading port for loading shells into the magazine; and shell guide grooves formed by a plurality of internal surfaces in the receiver, the guide grooves including a downwardly and rearwardly angled entrance portion, a central portion, and an exit portion; wherein the guide grooves are configured to guide and feed each shell in a path downward and rearward in the receiver from the magazine into the central portion, and downward and forward from the central portion towards the barrel; wherein the central portion has an arcuate shape that engages and rotates the head of the shell upwards.