Abstract:
A method and apparatus for loading cartridges into a gun magazine clip from a tray. The cartridges are arranged in tray cavities that hold each cartridge so the clip can be manipulated with one hand to load each cartridge in succession.

Description:
Applicant hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Provisional Application No: 60/337,260 filed on Nov. 2, 2001, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to loading individual cartridges or shells into a magazine clip of the type used with automatic weapons, particularly automatic and semiautomatic pistols. 
     The known method for loading cartridges into a magazine clip is by manually inserting each shell into the open end of the clip by depressing the slug end of the cartridge with the heel or rim end of the next shell so that entry of each of the shells follows in generally reverse motion to that which the shell will ultimately take as it leaves the magazine clip and enters the firing chamber of the pistol. 
     Such a procedure requires two hands for so loading the magazine clip, a decided disadvantage to those who are capable of firing a pistol once it is loaded, but who are disabled and can only use one hand for this operation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention for loading cartridges into a conventional magazine clip, a tray is provided with cavities or receptacles for holding each of the individual cartridges to be loaded in side by side relationship. Each cavity includes means for centering the cartridges in each of the cavities, and nevertheless provides sufficient clearance on either side of the cartridge to allow the clip to be forcibly pushed downwardly against the cartridge in the cavity at a slight angle to the orientation of the cavity, that is not normally to the tray but rather at approximately a 70-degree angle thereto. The magazine clip is then used to apply pressure from the heel of the follower provided in the magazine clip or a cartridge that has already been loaded to push the cartridge to be loaded from the tray against the rear of its associated cavity, and to thereby move the follower or the cartridges already in the clip further into the clip to allow space for the cartridge to be loaded to enter the clip itself. 
     The tray defining the side-by-side cavities for each of the cartridges to be loaded preferably is of elongated rectangular configuration perpendicular to the axes of the various cavities, and preferably includes a non-slip surface on the back surface plus counter sunk openings receive fasteners for securing the tray to the countertop or the like. This later configuration is especially convenient in the environment of a firing range or the like. 
     It is nevertheless a feature of the present invention that a tray constructed in accordance with the above-described parameters can be conveniently carried about by a disabled marksman who will be able then to load cartridges into his semi-automatic weapon magazine clip using only one hand. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows the prior art manual approach to loading cartridges into a semiautomatic weapon magazine clip. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a tray constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2A is a sectional view taken generally on the line  2 A of FIG.  2  and showing a cartridge in cavity. 
     FIG. 3A is an elevational view showing in vertical section, the initial position assumed by the user to prepare for loading a cartridge into the magazine clip. 
     FIG. 3B is a view subsequent to that of FIG. 3A wherein the cartridge is being driven into the magazine clip as a result of the user continuing to exert downward and in the direction of the arrow to drive the cartridge in the clip. Note that the clip is driven toward the user slightly as indicated generally by the arrow “A” in FIG.  3 B. 
     FIG. 3C shows the cartridge loaded into the clip. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 shows a conventional approach to loading individual cartridges C into a magazine clip M of the type used in present day automatic pistols. The user must grip the magazine clip in one hand, and the cartridge to be loaded in the other, while he applies pressure onto the nose or slug end of a cartridge previously loaded into magazine M by applying a force to that loaded cartridge in an appropriate direction to achieve movement of that cartridge against the bias of an internal spring provided in the magazine until he can slide the cartridge C to be loaded into place. This operation is repeated sequentially until the desired number of cartridges have been loaded into the magazine M. The magazine clip M typically includes a biased follower F that must itself be depressed in the same manner to achieve loading of the first or initial cartridge in accordance with this prior art technique. 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B show the magazine clip M and the spring biased follower F. The clip M is gripped by the user who uses the magazine itself as a sort of a handle in carrying out the method of the present invention using the cartridge tray of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 shows a tray T which is preferably fabricated of a high-density polymeric or plastic/synthetic material of the type that exhibits a degree of lubricity. The tray T is formed with a plurality of cartridge-cavities,  10 , 10  preferably corresponding in number to the number of cartridges to be loaded in the magazine clip M. Each cavity  10  has a forward end  10   a  and a rearward end  10   b,  which are spaced apart from one another, a distance that exceeds the length of the cartridge C to be loaded. 
     Each of the cavities  10  is somewhat greater in width W than the diameter of the cartridge C as best shown in FIG.  2 A. As also shown in FIG. 2A, each of the cavities  10  includes a central groove  10   c  which extends at least approximately the length of the cavity  10  for supporting the cartridges C,C in centered relationship in each of the cavities  10  again as suggested for example in FIG.  2 A. The width W is designed to accommodate the width defined by flanges M 1 , on the clip as suggested in FIG.  3 B. 
     Once the user has placed his cartridges in the cavities  10  of the tray T, he can grasp the magazine clip M and hold it in the position shown in FIG.  3 A. By applying a downward pulling force as indicated by the arrow  12  in FIG. 3A, the user can with one hand push the rear end of cartridge C 1  against the slug end of the cartridge C in the tray T, and thereby displace the cartridge C 1  upwardly against the force of the spring S in the magazine clip M. Further pressure in the rearward direction coupled by a slight forward rocking motion as indicated by the arrow  12  in FIG. 3A will result in the cartridge C ultimately assuming the position for the cartridge C 1  as suggested in FIG.  3 C. 
     This process can be repeated until all of the cartridges are loaded into the magazine clip, and in accordance with the present invention, only one hand is required to complete this operation. 
     In light of the above, it is therefor understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise then as specifically described.