Electric magazine loader

A magazine loader for loading cartridges into a magazine includes a base and a housing supported by the base. The base and the housing support a bowl for receiving a plurality of cartridges. A wheel is disposed inside the bowl cavity defined by the bowl. Cartridges are circulated in the bowl upon rotation of the wheel and exit the bowl via an aperture while the cartridges are assuming either a first orientation or a second orientation. A series of cartridges having random orientations are fed to a sorter of the magazine loader. The sorter is operable to receive a first cartridge and rotate the first cartridge clockwise 90 degrees if the random directional orientation of the first cartridge is the first directional orientation and/or rotate the first cartridge counterclockwise 90 degrees if the random directional orientation of the first cartridge is the second directional orientation.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

In order to maintain their proficiency with various types of firearms, military personnel, law enforcement officers and hunters frequently engage in target practice. Target practice is often performed at a shooting range with 300 or more cartridges being fired at each practice session. In the sport of hunting, marksmanship is practiced so that a shot can be carefully placed to ensure a quick, clean and humane kill. For military personnel, good marksmanship may make the difference between victory and defeat in battlefield situations.

Many firearms, including pistols and rifles, are designed to utilize a removable magazine that holds ammunition cartridges. The use of a magazine allows a plurality of cartridges to be easily loaded into the firearm by inserting a single magazine into the firearm. After each cartridge is fired, a manually or automatically operated mechanism moves the bolt of the firearm backward and then forward again. The upper most cartridge in the magazine is pulled off of a stack of cartridges each time the mechanism cycles so that cartridges are fed one-by-one into the firing chamber of the firearm. Each magazine typically has an elongate housing defining a chamber with a spring loaded follower slidably disposed therein. The force of the spring loaded follower urges each cartridge in the magazine toward the upper most position in the where the bolt can push it into the firing chamber. When all of the cartridges have been fired, the empty magazine is removed from the firearm and a new magazine is inserted in its place. The empty magazine may then be refilled with cartridges.

SUMMARY

In embodiments, a magazine loader for loading cartridges into a magazine comprises a circular hopper including a bowl portion defining a bowl cavity. The circular hopper may include a wheel disposed inside the bowl cavity. The wheel having a drive system and rotatable about a rotational axis. The wheel defining a plurality of cartridge receiving pockets at a periphery of the wheel, each pocket being configured to receive an individual cartridge in two directional orientations. The bowl portion may define an exit aperture communicating with the bowl cavity for serially exiting of cartridges received in the pockets. In embodiments, the wheel can have the rotational axis being disposed at an acute angle relative to vertical thereby providing a lifting wheel with the exit aperture at an elevated position of the wheel. In embodiments the rotational axis may be vertical.

In embodiments, the magazine loader includes a chute positioned to receive the series of cartridges exiting the exit aperture. In embodiments, the chute is configured to receive and transfer individual cartridges of the series of cartridges in a horizontal orientation and in either of the two directional orientations and to position the series of cartridges above a pivotable plate of a sorter. The sorter may comprise the pivotable plate and a drive system for the pivotable plate. The pivotable plate may define a shaped opening dimensioned and configured to receive individual cartridges in the two directional rotations. The pivotable plate may be rotatable by the drive system in either of the two directional rotations, clockwise and counterclockwise, for orienting the series of cartridges in a single directional orientation. In embodiments, the sorter has a gravity fed exit slot to a directionally oriented cartridge pathway, the pathway extending to a cartridge loading region adjacent a magazine receiver. The magazine receiver configured to secure a magazine to be loaded therein. A loader mechanism of the magazine loader may be positioned proximate the cartridge loading region, the loader mechanism having a powered pusher for horizontally serially loading individual cartridges in the cartridge loading region into a magazine secured in the magazine receiver.

In embodiments, a method for loading a plurality of cartridges into a magazine comprises receiving an unordered batch of cartridges within a circular hopper defining a bowl cavity. In embodiments, the circular hopper includes a lifting wheel disposed inside the bowl cavity and the lifting wheel rotates about a rotational axis that is disposed at an acute angle relative to vertical. The lifting wheel may be rotated so that a series of cartridges are received in a plurality of cartridge receiving pockets defined by the lifting wheel and each cartridge is lifted to an exit aperture defined by a bowl portion of the circular hopper. A series of cartridges may be dropped through the exit aperture and into a chute. The series of cartridges may slide down the chute in a horizontal orientation to stack against a pivotable plate of a sorter. The pivotable plate may define a shaped opening that is dimensioned and configured to receive an individual cartridge with each individual cartridge assuming a random directional orientation of one of two directional orientations, the random directional orientation being a first directional orientation and an opposite second directional orientation. In embodiments, the method includes determining whether the random directional orientation of each of the series of cartridges received in the shaped opening is the first directional orientation or the second directional orientation. The pivotable plate may be rotated clockwise 90 degrees if the random directional orientation of each of the series of cartridges received in the shaped opening is the first directional orientation and the pivotable plate may be rotated counterclockwise 90 degrees if the random directional orientation of each of the series of cartridges received in the shaped opening is the second directional orientation. Each cartridge may be allowed to fall through an exit slot defined by a stationary plate located below the pivotable plate so that each cartridge drops into the cartridge loading region of a loader mechanism whereby each cartridge is directionally oriented in the same direction. Each of the series of cartridges may be pressed into a captured magazine by a pusher of the loader mechanism.

In embodiments, a magazine loader in accordance with this detailed description may comprise circuitry operatively coupled to a first cartridge tip detector and a second cartridge tip detector. The first cartridge tip detector may be positioned such that the first cartridge tip detector detects the presence of a cartridge tip portion while a particular cartridge is received in the shaped opening and the particular cartridge is assuming the first directional orientation. The second cartridge tip detector may be positioned such that the second cartridge tip detector detects the presence of a cartridge tip portion while a given cartridge is received in the shaped opening defined by the pivotable plate and the given cartridge is assuming the second directional orientation. Each cartridge tip detector can comprise opto sensors, capacitive sensors, mechanical switches, or other proximity/presence sensing sensors. In embodiments, the tip detectors may comprises a light source and a light sensor. The light source and the light sensor may be positioned such that light emitting from the light source illuminates a portion of the cartridge tip and the light sensor provides a signal responsive to light reflected off of the cartridge tip when the cartridge tip is in the closed position. In embodiments, the light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED) and the light sensor comprises a phototransistor.

In embodiments, a magazine loader for loading cartridges into a magazine, comprises a bowl portion defining a bowl cavity configured to receive a plurality of cartridges. In embodiments, a rotatable lifting wheel of the magazine loader is disposed inside the bowl cavity. The lifting wheel may be capable of circulating cartridges in the bowl upon rotation thereof. A chute of the magazine loader may be positioned with a chute entry at an upper region of the bowl. The chute entry may be dimensioned and configured to allow passage of individual cartridges generally in a horizontal orientation there through while each cartridge is assuming a random directional orientation of one of two directional orientations, the random directional orientation being a first directional orientation or a second directional orientation, the first directional orientation being opposite the second directional orientation. A chute body may define a channel, the channel communicating with the aperture, wherein cartridges that have passed through the chute entry pass down the channel in a horizontal orientation. The chute body may defines a channel exit, the channel exit communicating with the channel, wherein cartridges that have passed through the channel pass out the channel exit in a horizontal orientation. The sorter may comprise a feed guide defining a shaped passageway. The shaped passageway may communicate with the channel exit defined by the chute body, wherein cartridges that have passed through the channel exit pass into the shaped passageway and seat therein in a horizontal orientation and in either of two directional orientations. The sorter may further comprise a pivotable plate positioned below the feed guide. The sorter may have a directional orientation detector and the pivotable plate may receive a cartridge from the feed guide and, depending on orientation, may rotate the pivotable plate to orient the cartridges in a common directional orientation and discharge the cartridges to a loader mechanism opposite a magazine receiver for pushing the horizontal cartridges into a magazine secured by the magazine receiver.

In one or more embodiments, a magazine loader for loading cartridges into a magazine includes a base and a housing supported by the base. The base and the housing may support a bowl for receiving a plurality of cartridges. A wheel is disposed inside the bowl cavity defined by the bowl. Cartridges are circulated in the bowl upon rotation of the wheel and exit the bowl via an aperture while the cartridges are assuming either a first orientation or a second orientation. A series of cartridges having random orientations are fed to a sorter of the magazine loader. The sorter receives a first cartridge of the series and rotates the first cartridge from the first orientation to the second orientation if the random orientation of the first cartridge is the first orientation. The sorter allows passage of the first cartridge without rotation if the random orientation of the first cartridge is the second orientation.

A magazine loading apparatus for loading cartridges into a magazine in accordance with some embodiments comprises a base pivotally supporting a gear and a guide defining a shaped lumen. In some embodiments, the shaped lumen is dimensioned and configured to allow passage of cartridges having a random orientation, the random orientation being either a first orientation or a second orientation. The magazine loading apparatus also includes a sorter for selectively allowing a series of cartridges to exit the shaped lumen defined by the guide. In some embodiments, the series of cartridges comprises a first cartridge, a second cartridge, and a third cartridge. The sorter receives the first cartridge and rotates the first cartridge from the first orientation to the second orientation if the random orientation of the first cartridge is the first orientation. The sorter allows passage of the first cartridge without rotation if the random orientation of the first cartridge is the second orientation.

The sorter may include a toothed plate, a gear and a motor. In some embodiments, the toothed plate defines an opening that is dimensioned and configured to receive cartridges having either the first orientation or the second orientation. The toothed plate includes a plurality of gear teeth in some embodiments. The gear may be pivotally supported by the base at a position such that the gear engages the gear teeth of the toothed plate. In some embodiments, the motor is operatively coupled to the gear, the motor and the gear being capable of selectively rotating the toothed plate between a first position in which the opening defined by the toothed plate is generally aligned with the lumen defined by the guide and a second position in which the opening defined by the toothed plate is not aligned with the lumen defined by the guide.

A magazine loading apparatus in accordance with some embodiments comprises a wheel, a bowl tray, and an aperture defining element received in a tray opening defined by the bowl tray. The bowl tray defines a lower volume. In some embodiments, the bowl tray is positioned so that an upper edge of the bowl tray meets a lower edge of a bowl wall with the bowl tray and the bowl wall cooperating to define a bowl cavity. The bowl cavity is configured to receive a plurality of cartridges in some embodiments.

A wheel is disposed inside the bowl cavity in some embodiments. In some embodiments, cartridges are circulated upon rotation of the wheel and pass through an aperture defined by the aperture defining element while the cartridges are assuming either a first orientation or a second orientation. A chute body is positioned near the aperture defining element in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the chute body defines a channel. The channel communicates with the aperture and cartridges that have passed through the aperture enter the channel in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the chute body defines a channel exit that communicates with the channel and cartridges that have passed through the channel pass into the channel exit. A guide is positioned near the channel exit in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the guide defines a shaped lumen that communicates with the channel exit defined by the chute body and cartridges that have passed through the channel exit pass into the shaped lumen.

In some embodiments, the magazine loading apparatus includes a sorter for selectively allowing a series of cartridges to exit the shaped lumen defined by the guide. The series of cartridges may include, for example, a first cartridge, a second cartridge, and a third cartridge. In some embodiments, the sorter receives the first cartridge and rotates the first cartridge from the first orientation to the second orientation if the random orientation of the first cartridge is the first orientation. The sorter may also allow passage of the first cartridge without rotation if the random orientation of the first cartridge is the second orientation. The sorter comprising a toothed plate defining an opening in some embodiments.

A magazine loading apparatus in accordance with some embodiments comprises a base and a housing supported by the base. In some embodiments, the housing comprises an outer wall, a bowl wall, and a fillet wall disposed between the outer wall and the bowl wall. The fillet wall and the bowl wall define an upper opening and an upper volume fluidly communicating with the upper opening in some embodiments. The magazine loading apparatus may also include a bowl tray defining a lower volume. In some embodiments, the bowl tray is positioned so that an upper edge of the bowl tray meets a lower edge of the bowl wall. The bowl tray and the bowl wall may cooperate to define a bowl cavity. In some embodiments, an aperture defining element is received in a tray opening defined by the bowl tray. The aperture defining element may defining an aperture that is dimensioned and configured to allow the passage of cartridges therethrough while the cartridges are assuming either a first orientation or a second orientation. The magazine loading apparatus may also include a wheel disposed inside the bowl cavity and a motor operatively coupled to the wheel for rotating the wheel about a first axis. Upon rotation, the wheel may circulates cartridges in the bowl cavity whereby, cartridges circulated by the wheel pass through the aperture defined by the aperture defining element while assuming either a first orientation or a second orientation.

A feature and advantage of embodiments of the motorized device is that cartridges are oriented in a horizontal orientation and are maintained in a horizontal orientation until and as the cartridges are loaded into a magazine. Maintaining the cartridges in a horizontal orientation allows for a mechanized sorter of less height as the cartridge pathway does not include pathways for vertical or upright cartridges. Moreover a magazine receiver receives a magazine in a horizontal orientation thereby maintaining the minimal height of the device.

In embodiments, the circular hopper may have a central dome feature to urge cartridges to the periphery of the bowl. In embodiments, the circular hopper has a wheel with a vertical axis of rotation.

A feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention is that gravity is utilized to transfer the cartridges serially from the pockets of the rotating wheel, through the exit aperture, down a chute, and onto a direction orienting rotatable plate, from a seating position in the plate to a loading region at an entrance to a magazine.

A feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention is that cartridges are directionally oriented using automated means and no relying upon gravity, this can minimize equipment jamming issues and reduce the size, particularly the height of the magazine loaders.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 2-6, a magazine loader100for loading cartridges into a magazine comprises a circular hopper190including a bowl portion168defining a bowl cavity122. The circular hopper190may include a lifting wheel126disposed inside the bowl cavity122. The lifting wheel126may have a drive system and be rotatable about a rotational axis AA, the rotational axis AA being disposed at an acute angle relative to vertical. In embodiments, the lifting wheel126defines plurality of cartridge receiving pockets192, each pocket192being configured to receive an individual cartridge in two directional orientations. The bowl portion168may define an exit aperture132communicating with the bowl cavity122.

Referring toFIGS. 6-10, in embodiments, the magazine loader100includes a chute140positioned to receive the series of cartridges exiting the exit aperture132. In embodiments, the chute is configured to receive and transfer individual cartridges of the series of cartridges in a horizontal orientation and in either of the two directional orientations and to position the series of cartridges above a pivotable plate150of a sorter204. The sorter204may comprise the pivotable plate and a drive system206for the pivotable plate150. The pivotable plate150may define a shaped opening152dimensioned and configured to receive individual cartridges in the two directional rotations. The pivotable plate150may be rotatable by the drive system in either of the two directional rotations, clockwise and counterclockwise, for orienting the series of cartridges in a single directional orientation. In embodiments, the sorter204has a gravity fed exit slot166to a directionally oriented cartridge pathway142, the pathway142extending to a cartridge loading region adjacent a magazine receiver202. The magazine receiver202may be configured to secure a magazine to be loaded therein. A loader mechanism200of the magazine loader100may be positioned proximate the cartridge loading region196, the loader mechanism200having a powered pusher for horizontally loading individual cartridges in the cartridge loading region196into a magazine secured in the magazine receiver202.

Referring toFIGS. 2-10, in embodiments, a method for loading a plurality of cartridges into a magazine comprises receiving an unordered batch of cartridges within a circular hopper190defining a bowl cavity122. In embodiments, the circular hopper190includes a lifting wheel126disposed inside the bowl cavity122and the lifting wheel126rotates about a rotational axis AA that is disposed at an acute angle relative to vertical. The lifting wheel126may be rotated so that a series of cartridges are received in a plurality of cartridge receiving pockets192defined by the lifting wheel and each cartridge is lifted to an exit aperture132defined by a bowl portion168of the circular hopper. A series of cartridges may be dropped through the exit aperture132and into a chute140. The series of cartridges may slide down the chute140in a horizontal orientation to stack against a pivotable plate150of a sorter204. The pivotable plate150may define a shaped opening152that is dimensioned and configured to receive an individual cartridge with each individual cartridge assuming a random directional orientation of one of two directional orientations, the random directional orientation being a first directional orientation and an opposite second directional orientation. In embodiments, the method includes determining whether the random directional orientation of each of the series of cartridges received in the shaped opening is the first directional orientation or the second directional orientation. The pivotable plate150may be rotated clockwise 90 degrees if the random directional orientation of each of the series of cartridges received in the shaped opening is the first directional orientation and the pivotable plate may be rotated counterclockwise 90 degrees if the random directional orientation of each of the series of cartridges received in the shaped opening is the second directional orientation. Each cartridge may be allowed to fall through an exit slot166defined by a stationary plate158located below the pivotable plate150so that each cartridge drops into the cartridge loading region196of a loader mechanism200whereby each cartridge is directionally oriented in the same direction. Each of the series of cartridges may be pressed into a captured magazine by a pusher of the loader mechanism200.

Referring toFIGS. 8-10 and 14-17, a magazine loader100in accordance with this detailed description may comprise circuitry170operatively coupled to a sorter motor156, a lifting wheel motor260, and a plurality of sensors186,188. In embodiments, the magazine loader100includes a printed wiring board172supporting the circuitry170. In embodiments, the printed wiring board172comprises a substrate174and the substrate174supports a plurality of conductive paths176of the circuitry170. In the example embodiment shown in the figures, the circuitry170comprises the printed wiring board172and a plurality of electronic components that are electrically connected to the conductive paths176of the printed wiring board172. The plurality of electronic components are mechanically fixed and/or electrically connected to the printed wiring board172to form a circuit card assembly.

Still referring toFIGS. 8-10 and 14-17, the circuitry170may comprise various elements without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the circuitry may comprise combinational logic, a plurality of state machines and a clock that provides a clock signal to the combinational logic and the plurality of state machines. Each state machine may comprise state logic circuitry and a state memory. The state memory may comprise a plurality of memory elements such as flip-flops. The state logic circuitry of the state machine determines the conditions for changing the logical values of bits stored in the state memory. More particularly, the state logic circuitry of the state machine logically combines the binary values of a plurality of inputs with the binary values in the state memory representing the current state to generate a binary number representing the next state. The combinational logic circuitry may comprise various elements without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present description. For example, the combinational logic circuitry may comprise a plurality of discrete electronic components. By way of a second example, combinational logic circuitry may comprise a plurality of electronic components in the form of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Examples of electronic components that may be suitable in some applications include logic gates. Examples of logic gates include, AND gates, NAND gates, OR gates, XOR gates, NOR gates, NOT gates, and the like. These logic gates may comprise a plurality of transistors (e.g., transistor-transistor logic (TTL)).

Still referring toFIGS. 8-10 and 14-17, the circuitry170may comprise various control elements without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In one or more embodiments, for example, the circuitry170may comprise a processor178, a memory180, an input/output interface, a display, and a bus that communicatively couples the processor178to the memory, the display and the input/output interface. In an embodiment, the processor178may comprise a collection of one or more logical cores or units for receiving and executing instructions or programs. For example, in one or more embodiments, the processor178may be configured to receive and execute various routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on to perform particular tasks. In an embodiment, the memory is a collection of various computer-readable media in the system architecture. In various embodiments, memory180can include, but is not limited to volatile media, non-volatile media, removable media, and non-removable media. For example, in one or more embodiments, the memory180can include random access memory (RAM), cache memory, read only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid state memory, or other suitable type of memory. In one or more embodiments, the memory includes media that is accessible to the electronic circuitry170. For example, in some embodiments, the memory includes computer readable media located locally in the circuitry170and/or media located remotely to the circuitry170and accessible via a network. In some embodiments, the memory includes a program product having a group of one or more logical instructions that are executable by the processor178to carry out the functions of the various embodiments of the disclosure. In an embodiment, the bus comprises one or more of any of suitable type of bus structures for communicatively connecting the electronic elements. In various embodiments the bus may include a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a processor178or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. In some embodiments, the circuitry170includes an I/O interface188coupled to a processor178. The I/O interface188may facilitate communication between the various components and the circuitry170. For example, in one or more embodiments, the I/O interface188may be communicatively coupled with one or more sensors. In certain embodiments the I/O interface188facilitates communication with input and output devices for interacting with a user. For example, the I/O interface188may communicate with one or more devices such, as a user-input device and/or a visual display182, which enable a user to interact directly with the circuitry170. The user-input device may comprise a keypad184, one or more push buttons186, a touch screen, or other devices that allows a user to input information. The visual display182may comprise any of a variety of visual displays, such as a viewable screen, a set of viewable symbols or numbers, and so on.

Referring toFIGS. 8-10 and 14-17, a magazine loader100in accordance with this detailed description may comprise circuitry170operatively coupled to a first cartridge tip detector286and a second cartridge tip detector288. The first cartridge tip detector286may be positioned such that the first cartridge tip detector286detects the presence of a cartridge tip portion while a particular cartridge is received in the shaped opening152and the particular cartridge is assuming the first directional orientation. The second cartridge tip detector288may be positioned such that the second cartridge tip detector288detects the presence of a cartridge tip portion while a given cartridge is received in the shaped opening152defined by the pivotable plate and the given cartridge is assuming the second directional orientation. Each cartridge tip detector comprises a light source256and a light sensor258. The light source256and the light sensor258may be positioned such that light emitting from the light source256illuminates a portion of the cartridge tip and the light sensor258provides a signal responsive to light reflected off of the cartridge tip when the cartridge tip is in the closed position. In embodiments, the light source256comprises a light emitting diode (LED) and the light sensor258comprises a phototransistor. In embodiments other sensors, such as capacitive or inductive sensors may be used. In embodiment mechanical micro switches may be used as the sensor.

Referring toFIGS. 8-10 and 14-17, a magazine loader100for loading cartridges into a magazine, comprises a bowl portion168defining a bowl cavity122configured to receive a plurality of cartridges. In embodiments, a rotatable lifting wheel126of the magazine loader is disposed inside the bowl cavity122. The lifting wheel126may be capable of circulating cartridges in the bowl upon rotation thereof. A chute140of the magazine loader100may be positioned with a chute entry at an upper region of the bowl. The chute entry may be dimensioned and configured to allow passage of individual cartridges generally in a horizontal orientation there through while each cartridge is assuming a random directional orientation of one of two directional orientations, the random directional orientation being a first directional orientation or a second directional orientation, the first directional orientation being opposite the second directional orientation. A chute body140may define a channel142, the channel142communicating with the aperture132, wherein cartridges that have passed through the chute entry pass down the channel142in a horizontal orientation. The chute body140may defines a channel exit134, the channel exit134communicating with the channel142, wherein cartridges that have passed through the channel142pass out the channel exit134in a horizontal orientation. The sorter204may comprise a feed guide144defining a shaped passageway146. The shaped passageway146may communicate with the channel exit134defined by the chute body140, wherein cartridges that have passed through the channel exit134pass into the shaped passageway146and seat therein in a horizontal orientation and in either of two directional orientations. The sorter204may further comprise a pivotable plate150positioned below the feed guide144. The sorter204may have a directional orientation detector and the pivotable plate150may receive a cartridge from the feed guide144and, depending on orientation, may rotate the pivotable plate150to orient the cartridges in a common directional orientation and discharge the cartridges to a loader mechanism200opposite a magazine receiver202for pushing the horizontal cartridges into a magazine secured by the magazine receiver.

Referring toFIG. 1, a perspective view showing a firearm20, a plurality of cartridges24and a plurality of magazines22for holding cartridges24and feeding the cartridges into the firearm20is presented.FIG. 2is a perspective view showing a plurality of magazines22, a plurality of cartridges24and a magazine loader100for loading cartridges24into the magazines22.

Referring toFIG. 3a perspective view of a magazine loader100is shown. The magazine loader100ofFIG. 3includes a base102and a housing104. The housing104comprises an outer wall106, a bowl wall108, and a fillet wall110disposed between the outer wall106and the bowl wall108. The fillet wall110and the bowl wall108define an upper opening112and an upper volume114fluidly communicating with the upper opening112. A lower edge116of the bowl wall108meets an upper edge118of the bowl tray120. The bowl tray120and the bowl wall108cooperate to define a bowl cavity122. The bowl tray120defines a lower volume194of the bowl cavity122. A wheel126is disposed inside the bowl cavity122. A motor is operatively coupled to the wheel126for rotating the wheel about a first axis AA.

InFIG. 3, an upward direction Z and a downward or lower direction −Z are illustrated using arrows labeled “Z” and “−Z,” respectively. A forward direction Y and a rearward direction −Y are illustrated using arrows labeled “Y” and “−Y,” respectively, inFIG. 3. Also, a starboard direction X and a port direction −X are illustrated using arrows labeled “X” and “−X,” respectively. Various direction-indicating terms are used herein as a convenient way to discuss the objects shown in the figures. It will be appreciated that many direction indicating terms are related to the instant orientation of the object being described. It will also be appreciated that the objects described herein may assume various orientations without deviating from the spirit and scope of this detailed description. Accordingly, direction-indicating terms such as “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “forwardly,” “backwardly,” “portwardly,” and “starboardly,” should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention recited in the attached claims. The port direction may also be referred to as the portward direction. The upward direction may be generally opposite the downward direction. The upward direction and the downward direction may both be generally orthogonal to an XY plane defined by the forward direction and the starboard direction. The forward direction may be generally opposite the rearward direction. The forward direction and the rearward direction may both be generally orthogonal to a ZY plane defined by the upward direction and the starboard direction. The starboard direction may be generally opposite the port direction. The starboard direction and the port direction may both be generally orthogonal to a ZX plane defined by the upward direction and the forward direction. The directions illustrated using these arrows (e.g., arrows X, Y and Z) are applicable to the apparatus shown and discussed throughout this application. These arrows are also shown, for example, inFIG. 2andFIGS. 6-9.

Referring toFIG. 4an enlarged perspective view further illustrating a portion of the magazine loader100shown inFIG. 3is presented. With reference toFIG. 4, it will be appreciated that the bowl tray120defines a tray opening124. In the embodiment ofFIG. 3, the bowl tray120is part of a bowl assembly128. The bowl assembly128also includes an aperture defining element130that is received in the tray opening124defined by the bowl tray120. The aperture defining element130defines an aperture132.

Referring toFIG. 5Aa perspective view further illustrating the bowl tray120shown inFIG. 4is presented. The bowl tray120defines a tray opening124that is dimensioned and configured to receive the aperture defining element130shown inFIG. 5B. With reference toFIG. 5A, it will be appreciated that the bowl tray120also defines a lower volume194.

Referring toFIG. 5Ba perspective view further illustrating the aperture defining element130shown inFIG. 4is presented. In some useful embodiments, the aperture132defined by the aperture defining element130is dimensioned and configured to allow the passage of a cartridge therethrough. In some useful embodiments, the first orientation and the second orientation are oriented approximately 180 degrees from one another. In some useful embodiments, a first half of the aperture132and a second half of the aperture132have shapes that are mirror images of one another.

Referring toFIG. 6a perspective view showing an assembly including the aperture defining element130, the bowl tray120, and the wheel126shown inFIGS. 1 and 2is presented. The assembly ofFIG. 6also includes a chute assembly136comprising a chute body140and a chute lid138. The chute body140defines a channel142and the chute lid138is positioned to cover the channel142in the assembly ofFIG. 6. The assembly ofFIG. 6also includes a guide144and a toothed plate150.

Referring toFIG. 7a perspective view showing an assembly including the guide144and the toothed plate150shown inFIG. 6is presented. The toothed plate150defines an opening152and the guide144defines a lumen146having a shape similar to the shape of the opening152defined by the toothed plate150. The assembly ofFIG. 7also includes a chute body140that defines a channel142. In the embodiment ofFIG. 7, the channel142communicates with the aperture132defined by the aperture defining element130. The channel142also communicates with the lumen146defined by the guide144. The lumen146communicates with the opening152defined by the toothed plate150.

Referring toFIG. 8a top perspective view showing an assembly including the guide144and the toothed plate150shown inFIG. 7is presented. With reference toFIG. 7, it will be appreciated that the toothed plate150includes a plurality of gear teeth148. InFIG. 7, a gear154is shown engaging the gear teeth148of the toothed plate150. A motor156is operatively coupled to the gear154. The motor156and the gear154are capable of selectively rotating the toothed plate150to one or more orientations in which the opening152defined by the toothed plate150is generally aligned with the lumen146defined by the guide144. The motor156and the gear154are also capable of selectively rotating the toothed plate150between a first orientation and a second orientation. In some useful embodiments, the first orientation and the second orientation are oriented approximately 180 degrees from one another. In the embodiment ofFIG. 8, a shroud158is positioned below the toothed plate150.

FIG. 9a side view further illustrating the assembly shown inFIG. 8is presented. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 8 and 9, a linear actuator assembly160is disposed below the shroud158. The linear actuator assembly160includes a linear actuator162and a head164. In some useful embodiments, linear actuator assembly160is capable of urging linear movement of a cartridge in selected direction.

Referring toFIG. 10a bottom perspective view showing an assembly including the shroud158and the toothed plate150shown inFIGS. 8 and 9is presented. With reference toFIG. 10, it will be appreciated that the shroud158defines a hole166. The toothed plate150has a plurality of gear teeth148. InFIG. 10, a gear154is shown engaging the gear teeth148of the toothed plate150. A motor156is operatively coupled to the gear154. The motor156and the gear154are capable of selectively rotating the toothed plate150to one or more orientations in which the opening152defined by the toothed plate150is generally aligned with the hole166defined by the shroud158. The motor156and the gear154are capable of selectively rotating the toothed plate150between a first orientation and a second orientation. In some useful embodiments, the first orientation and the second orientation are oriented approximately 180 degrees from one another Referring toFIG. 11AthroughFIG. 11Felevation and plan views showing six sides of the chute body140are presented. Engineer graphics textbooks generally refer to the process used to create views showing six sides of a three dimensional object as multiview projection or orthographic projection. It is customary to refer to multiview projections using terms such as front view, right side view, top view, rear view, left side view, and bottom view. In accordance with this convention,FIG. 11Amay be referred to as a front view of the chute body140,FIG. 11Bmay be referred to as a right side view of the chute body140, andFIG. 11Cmay be referred to as a top view of the chute body140.FIG. 11AthroughFIG. 11Fmay be referred to collectively asFIG. 11. Terms such as front view and right side view are used herein as a convenient method for differentiating between the views shown inFIG. 11. It will be appreciated that the elements shown inFIG. 11may assume various orientations without deviating from the spirit and scope of this detailed description. Accordingly, the terms front view, right side view, top view, rear view, left side view, bottom view, and the like should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention recited in the attached claims.FIG. 11Dmay be referred to as a rear view of the chute body140,FIG. 11Emay be referred to as a left side view of the chute body140, andFIG. 11Fmay be referred to as a bottom view of the chute body140.

With reference toFIG. 11, it will be appreciated that the chute body140defines a channel142and a channel exit134that communicates with the channel142. In the embodiment ofFIG. 11, the channel exit134has a length, a width and a height. The length of the channel exit134extends in a portward direction and a starboard direction. The width of the channel exit134extends in a forward direction and a rearward direction. The height of the channel exit134extends in an upward direction and a downward direction.

Referring toFIG. 12Aa front view is presented, the front view showing a guide144that defines a lumen146having a shape similar to the shape of the channel exit134defined by the chute body140shown inFIG. 11.FIG. 12Bis a right side view of the guide144andFIG. 12Cis a top view of the guide144.FIGS. 12A-12Cmay be collectively referred to asFIG. 12. In the embodiment ofFIG. 12, the lumen146has a length, a width and a height. The length of the lumen146extends in a portward direction and a starboard direction. The width of the lumen146extends in a forward direction and a rearward direction. The height of the lumen146extends in an upward direction and a downward direction.

Referring toFIG. 13Aa top view is presented, the top view showing a toothed plate150that defines an opening152having a shape similar to the shape of the channel exit134defined by the chute body140shown inFIG. 11and the lumen146defined by the guide144shown inFIG. 12.FIG. 13Bis an elevation view of the toothed plate150andFIG. 13Cis a top view of the toothed plate150.FIGS. 13A-13Bmay be collectively referred to asFIG. 13. In the embodiment ofFIG. 13, the opening152has a length, a width and a height. The toothed plate150may rotate during operation and assume various orientations. In one or more orientations, the length of the opening152extends in a portward direction and a starboard direction. In one or more orientations, the width of the opening152extends in a forward direction and a rearward direction. In one or more orientations, the height of the opening152extends in an upward direction and a downward direction.

Referring toFIGS. 3-6, a magazine loading apparatus for loading cartridges into a magazine comprises a base102pivotally supporting a gear154and a guide144defining a shaped lumen146. In some embodiments, the shaped lumen146is dimensioned and configured to allow passage of cartridges having a random orientation, the random orientation being either a first orientation or a second orientation. The magazine loading apparatus also includes a sorter for selectively allowing a series of cartridges to exit the shaped lumen146defined by the guide144. In some embodiments, the series of cartridges comprises a first cartridge, a second cartridge, and a third cartridge. The sorter receives the first cartridge and rotates the first cartridge from the first orientation to the second orientation if the random orientation of the first cartridge is the first orientation. The sorter allows passage of the first cartridge without rotation if the random orientation of the first cartridge is the second orientation.

Referring toFIGS. 6-10, the sorter may include a toothed plate150, a gear154and a motor156. In some embodiments, the toothed plate150defines an opening152that is dimensioned and configured to receive cartridges having either the first orientation or the second orientation. The toothed plate150includes a plurality of gear teeth148in some embodiments. The gear154may be pivotally supported by the base102at a position such that the gear154engages the gear teeth148of the toothed plate150. In some embodiments, the motor156is operatively coupled to the gear154, the motor156and the gear154being capable of selectively rotating the toothed plate150between a first position in which the opening152defined by the toothed plate150is generally aligned with the lumen146defined by the guide144and a second position in which the opening152defined by the toothed plate150is not aligned with the lumen146defined by the guide144.

Referring toFIGS. 3-6, a magazine loading apparatus in accordance with some embodiments comprises a wheel126, a bowl tray120, and an aperture defining element130received in a tray opening124defined by the bowl tray120. The bowl tray120defines a lower volume194. In some embodiments, the bowl tray120is positioned so that an upper edge118of the bowl tray120meets a lower edge116of a bowl wall108with the bowl tray120and the bowl wall108cooperating to define a bowl cavity122. The bowl cavity122is configured to receive a plurality of cartridges24in some embodiments.

Referring toFIGS. 3-6, a wheel126is disposed inside the bowl cavity122in some embodiments. In some embodiments, cartridges24are circulated upon rotation of the wheel126and pass through an aperture132defined by the aperture defining element103while the cartridges are assuming either a first orientation or a second orientation. A chute body140is positioned near the aperture defining element130in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the chute body140defines a channel142. The channel142communicates with the aperture132and cartridges24that have passed through the aperture132enter the channel142in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the chute body140defines a channel exit134that communicates with the channel142and cartridges24that have passed through the channel142pass into the channel exit134. A guide144is positioned near the channel exit134in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the guide144defines a shaped lumen146that communicates with the channel exit134defined by the chute body140and cartridges24that have passed through the channel exit134pass into the shaped lumen146.

Referring toFIGS. 6-10, in some embodiments, the magazine loading apparatus includes a sorter for selectively allowing a series of cartridges to exit the shaped lumen146defined by the guide144. The series of cartridges may include, for example, a first cartridge, a second cartridge, and a third cartridge. In some embodiments, the sorter receives the first cartridge and rotates the first cartridge from the first orientation to the second orientation if the random orientation of the first cartridge is the first orientation. The sorter may also allow passage of the first cartridge without rotation if the random orientation of the first cartridge is the second orientation. The sorter comprising a toothed plate150defining an opening152in some embodiments.

Referring toFIGS. 3-6, a magazine loading apparatus in accordance with some embodiments comprises a base102and a housing104supported by the base102. In some embodiments, the housing104comprises an outer wall106, a bowl wall108, and a fillet wall110disposed between the outer wall106and the bowl wall108. The fillet wall110and the bowl wall108define an upper opening112and an upper volume114fluidly communicating with the upper opening112in some embodiments. The magazine loading apparatus may also include a bowl tray120defining a lower volume194. In some embodiments, the bowl tray is positioned so that an upper edge118of the bowl tray120meets a lower edge116of the bowl wall108. The bowl tray120and the bowl wall108may cooperate to define a bowl cavity122. In some embodiments, an aperture defining element130is received in a tray opening124defined by the bowl tray120. The aperture defining element130may defining an aperture132that is dimensioned and configured to allow the passage of cartridges therethrough while the cartridges are assuming either a first orientation or a second orientation. The magazine loading apparatus may also include a wheel126disposed inside the bowl cavity122and a motor operatively coupled to the wheel126for rotating the wheel about a first axis. Upon rotation, the wheel126may circulates cartridges in the bowl cavity122whereby, cartridges circulated by the wheel pass through the aperture132defined by the aperture defining element while assuming either a first orientation or a second orientation.

The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes. Components illustrated in such patents may be utilized with embodiments herein. Incorporation by reference is discussed, for example, in MPEP section 2163.07(B).

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including references incorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes.

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects. The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention. The inventors of the magazine loaders described herein are associated with Fred Sparks Design of St. Louis, Mo.