Link type cartridge speed loading device

A speed-loading mechanism for securing and releasing cartridges into a multiple chamber cylinder of a firearm comprises a plurality of links pivotally connected together. The device comprises a plurality of substantially identical intermediate links and a master link and an end link establishing opposite ends of the device. Each intermediate link has first and second disk-like portions. The first disk portion of one link is juxtaposed beneath and rotatably connected to the second disk-like portion of an adjacent link. A flat coil spring sandwiched between the juxtaposed first and second disk portions biasing the link series into a circular configuration matching the revolver chamber pattern to enable simultaneous insertion of the cartridges into the cylinder chambers. In the circular configuration, each cartridge base is supported on the associated second disk portion by means of flanges defining retaining slots for the cartridge rim with a locking detent cooperating with the slots in a locking position to captivate the rim. Upon exertion of a pulling force on the master link causing a serial hyperextension and outward rotation of the individual links from the circular configuration past the state of substantial linear alignment of the links, the respective locking detents unlock the cartridge bases from the second disk portions enabling release of the cartridges into the cylinder chambers.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates generally to loading mechanisms for securing, 
storing and releasing rimmed or rimless cartridges into a multiple chamber 
firearm such as a revolver. More specifically, the invention relates to a 
link type cartridge speed-loading device having a plurality of links 
pivotally secured to each other to secure a cartridge by engaging around a 
partial circumference at the cartridge base, one link per cartridge, with 
the links spring biased together into a rolled configuration corresponding 
in radius to the center lines of the chambers in the revolver's cylinder 
for simultaneous insertion of the cartridges into their respective 
chambers in the rolled configuration, and wherein the links may be pulled 
away to rapidly release the cartridges into the chambers to speed load the 
firearm. 
BACKGROUND ART 
Speed loaders are commonly utilized by law enforcement agencies to provide 
a means for rapidly and simultaneously inserting a plurality of cartridges 
into a multiple chamber firearm such as a revolver. One commercially 
available speed loader is in the form of a cylindrical drum having a 
diameter corresponding to the diameter of the revolver's cylinder. The 
speed-loading drum is formed with circumferentially spaced chambers 
precisely corresponding in both spacing and size to the chambers in the 
revolver's cylinder. The cartridges are stored within the speed loader by 
inserting each cartridge base into a chamber of the speed-loading drum 
until a clicking sound is heard at which time a spring projecting into the 
bottom of the drum chamber captivates the cartridge rim. To release the 
cartridges, they are simultaneously inserted into their respective 
chambers in the revolver's cylinder by grasping the revolver's cylinder 
with one hand and moving the speed-loading drum with the other hand in 
juxtaposed position with the revolver's cylinder. Thereafter, a 
spring-releasing knob on the face of the speed loading drum facing 
upwardly towards the user is manually rotated to bias the springs out of 
the drum chambers, enabling the cartridges to release from the drum and 
fall into their respective chambers in the revolver's cylinder. 
The above-described speed loading drum is uncomfortable to carry in either 
a pocket or clipped to the user's belt, primarily due to the bulkiness of 
the drum, i.e., corresponding in diameter to the revolver's cylinder. The 
speed-loading drum is also somewhat heavy, considering its size and 
overall volume. It is expensive to manufacture as it requires extremely 
fine tolerances. 
It has been proposed to provide link type cartridge speed-loading devices 
such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,053 to Billman, issued Sept. 30, 
1986. This prior art loader consists of a series of links each of which is 
shaped and proportioned so as to secure a cartridge by clipping around a 
partial circumference at its base. These links are joined together to 
provide the proper number of cartridges for a specific firearm. Once 
secured in the loader, the cartridges may be stored or transported in 
either a flat or rolled position. When rolled, the cartridge links clip 
together at the open ends such that the axial center lines of the 
cartridges correspond in radius to the center lines of the chambers in the 
revolver's cylinder. Thus rolled, the cartridges may be simultaneously 
inserted into their respective chambers in the cylinder and the links may 
be pulled away to release the cartridges into the chambers, thus rapidly 
loading the firearm. 
The loader of the '053 patent relies upon individual links made of firm 
elastic materials that are sized and proportioned such that the cartridges 
of a specific caliber will snap or clip into or out of each link. During 
loading, therefore, a large amount of force must be exerted to rotate 
adjacent links about hinge pins (disposed to define rotational axes 
between the adjacent links) so as to spread the elastic cartridge engaging 
portions away from the cartridge base to allow the cartridge to fall into 
the revolver's cylinder. Further, by locating the rotational axes between 
adjacent links, i.e., between adjacent cartridges, an undesirable lateral 
or radial force component tends to act upon the cartridge base as the 
links rotate about the offset axes; this lateral component of force can 
inadvertently cause the cartridge base to `pop out` from its chamber in 
the revolver's cylinder, defeating the basic function of the loader. Of 
course, by locating the rotational axes between adjacent links, additional 
parts in the form of hinge pins are disadvantageously necessary to 
manufacture the speed loader. 
Another disadvantage of the above-identified device is the inability of the 
device to automatically assume a rolled configuration that would enable 
the cartridges projecting from the device to be easily matched and quickly 
inserted into the chambers of the revolver's cylinder. Although another 
rapid speed loader as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,891,437 to Milmore 
utilizes a plurality of springs to bias a series of articulated cartridge 
holders into a rolled configuration, these springs are mounted in a 
vulnerable or exposed position to the links and are therefore easily 
susceptible to damage that would render the loader inoperable. 
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
It is accordingly one object of the present invention to provide a link 
type cartridge speed-loading device having a plurality of links with a 
unique configuration such that each link holds one cartridge by clipping 
to the cartridge base at the rim or rear of the cartridge and which loader 
can be carried or stored in a flat configuration or rolled into a circular 
configuration with the cartridges parallel. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a loader wherein the links 
are capable of automatically and reliably pivoting into the rolled or 
circular configuration to enable rapid simultaneous insertion of the 
cartridges into the open chambers of the firearm. 
Still another object is to provide a speed loader having a link arrangement 
wherein the pulling motion required to strip the loader away from the 
cartridges, allowing all the cartridges to fall into the chambers of the 
firearm, can be accomplished in a quick, reliable and full visible manner 
with a smooth pulling force achieved in part by locating the rotational 
axis of each link substantially coincident with the cartridge axis. 
A further object is to provide a speed-loading device that is easy to 
manufacture from, for example, die-cut and stamped sheet metal. 
A speed-loading device for use on revolver type firearms, in accordance 
with the present invention, comprises an articulated series of links equal 
in number to the number of chambers in a specific revolver cylinder. Each 
link has open sides shaped and sized to retain cartridges by extending 
around a partial circumference of the cartridge base to axially stabilize 
the cartridge retained on the link. The links are spring biased into a 
rolled or circular configuration substantially matching the revolver 
chamber pattern for the simultaneous insertion of the cartridges into the 
chamber cylinders and subsequent release into the chambers through a 
tangential pull on the first link of the series causing a serial 
hyperextension and outward rotation of the individual links to release 
their corresponding cartridges. In the rolled configuration or in a serial 
hyperextended state wherein the links are substantially linearly aligned 
with each other, locking detents provided on each link serve to retain the 
cartridge base in locked engagement with the link. By rotating the links 
slightly past the hyperextension point of linear alignment, the locking 
detents travel a sufficient distance so as to open the sides of the link 
and enable the cartridge to be released therefrom by smooth sliding 
movement. 
In the hyperextension state of substantial linear alignment wherein the 
link system of the invention is unrolled into a linear state but with the 
cartridge base regions remaining locked to the links by the locking 
detents, the speed loader may be stored in a substantially flat state 
within an appropriate holder that may be secured to the user's belt. The 
link system is removed from the holder by pulling upon a handle formed 
with the first or master link; upon releasing from the holder, the links 
are automatically spring biased into the rolled configuration. Thereupon, 
the cartridges are simultaneously inserted into their respective cylinder 
chambers and, by pulling upon the handle, the pulling force acting through 
the first link causes the serial hyperextension and outward rotation of 
the individual links to occur past the linear state of hyperextension so 
as to cause sufficient rotation of the locking detents to release their 
corresponding cartridges from the links. 
In accordance with a preferred feature of the invention, the speed-loading 
device is primarily a series of articulated intermediate links each having 
first and second adjacent disk portions. The first disk portion of one 
intermediate link is located beneath the second disk portion of an 
adjacent intermediate link and rotatably fixed thereto by diametrically 
opposed locking tabs stamped from the second disk portion interfitting 
within a central circular opening formed in the first disk portion of the 
adjacent link. The locking tabs engage the lower surface of the first disk 
portion and slide along the circumferential periphery of the circular 
opening during relative rotation of the adjacent intermediate links. The 
second disk portion of each intermediate link preferably includes a shaped 
flange projecting above the upper surface of the second disk. The flange 
has opposite ends circumferentially spaced from each other that may 
contact the cartridge shell base. Each flange end also has a 
circumferentially extending lower edge defining a retaining slot with the 
upper surface of the associated second disk portion. The cartridge rim 
slidably interfits within the retaining slots to prevent inadvertent 
dislodgement of the cartridge from the loader by axially retaining the 
cartridge on the second disk base. 
The flange ends subtend an angular interval of less than 180.degree. to 
enable the cartridge base to be seated on the second disk portion by 
sliding the base and rim along the upper surface until the rim engages the 
retaining slots with the cartridge shell contacting the flange ends or 
lugs. Thusly seated, the cartridge base having a rim diameter 
approximately equal to the diameter of the second disk portion is locked 
against the upper surface of the first disk portion by means of a detent 
formed on the first disk portion of the adjacent link juxtaposed beneath 
the second disk portion. As a result of relative rotation of the 
juxtaposed first and second disk portions of the adjacent links, the 
detent is movable along the circumferential periphery of the second disk 
portion located opposite the flange from an unlocked position in abutting 
contact with one of the flange ends to a locking position adjacent the 
other flange end and spaced therefrom by a stop projection extending from 
the second disk portion. 
The first and second juxtaposed disk portions of adjacent links are 
normally spring biased into the locking position by means of a flat coil 
spring protectively sandwiched between the juxtaposed disk portions. The 
coil spring wraps around a hub portion defined by portions of the locking 
tabs extending towards the circular opening in the first disk portion. The 
springs thereby respectively define rotational axes respectively 
coincident with the longitudinal axis of each cartridge. In this manner, 
during speed loading, the tangential force applied to hyperextend the 
series of links advantageously acts along the longitudinal axis of each 
cartridge to obtain a smooth release of the cartridge from the second disk 
portion by hyperextension of the links beyond the substantially linear 
state. 
In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the cartridge bases are 
axially retained against the link second disk portions by the retaining 
slots and locking detents. Close tolerances are therefore not critical as 
it is only necessary for the slots and detent to captivate the cartridge 
base rim and not exert a clamping force. 
Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become 
readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed 
description, wherein only the preferred embodiments of the invention are 
shown and described, simply by way of illustration of the best mode 
contemplated of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the 
invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several 
details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all 
without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and 
description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as 
restrictive.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
Referring to the drawing figures, speed-loading device 10 of the present 
invention and in a preferred embodiment thereof comprises a series 11 of 
links pivotally connected together in the unique manner set forth below 
and being equal in number to the number of chambers 12a in a specific 
revolver cylinder 12b of a revolver firearm as depicted in FIG. 9. More 
specifically, the device 10 comprises a plurality of intermediate links 13 
pivotally connected together end-to-end in an extended line with a first 
or master link 14 having a finger gripping loop 15 at one end of the 
series with an end link 17 defining the opposite end of the series 11. 
As will be seen more fully below, each link 13, 14 and 17 is formed with 
locking means for captivating a cartridge shell base region 18 of a 
cartridge 20 when the link series 11 is normally spring biased into a 
circular configuration (FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 9) with the thusly secured 
cartridges constituting an assembly of parallel cartridges matching the 
revolver chamber pattern for the simultaneous insertion of the cartridges 
into the cylinder chambers 12a. The cartridges 20 are sequentially 
unlocked and released from their respective links 13, 14 and 17 to drop 
into the associated cylinder chamber through a radial/tangential pull on 
the finger gripping loop 15 of master link 14 (FIG. 9). This pull causes a 
serial hyperextension and outward rotation of master link 14 and 
thereafter the intermediate links 13 so that the individual links release 
their corresponding cartridges 20. Unlocking of the cartridge shell base 
18 from its associated link 13, 14 and 17 occurs in a direction of 
relative movement (between the cartridge base and mounting surface 21 of 
the links) which is both substantially parallel and coplanar (arrow A) 
with the mounting surface as will be seen more fully below. Unlocking of 
the cartridge base 18 from its associated link 13, 14 and 17 can only 
occur when the locking means discussed below moves a sufficient distance 
to enable the cartridge base to slide off the mounting surface 21 in the 
aforesaid parallel direction. The degree of rotational movement necessary 
to enable unlocking to occur is a degree of sufficient pivotal movement of 
adjacent connected links achieved by serial hyperextension of the 
individual links beyond the point of linear alignment of FIG. 8 as 
discussed infra. 
Each intermediate link 13 includes first and second disk portions 22 and 
24, respectively, formed adjacent each other (and preferably of integral 
unitary construction) with the first disk portion 22 of one intermediate 
link 13 rotatably connected to and juxtaposed beneath the second disk 
portion 24 of an adjacent intermediate link 13, It will be understood that 
the mounting surfaces 21 constitute the upper surface of each second disk 
portion 24. The mounting surface 21 in the preferred embodiment is that 
surface in each link 13, 14 and 17 against which the cartridge shell base 
18 is disposed. 
In a preferred embodiment, each intermediate link 13 and the first and 
second disk portions 22,24 thereof are advantageously formed from sheet 
metal or rolled steel that is die cut and stamped to form the disk 
portions. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the second disk portion 24 
includes a pair of locking tabs 26 extending downwardly through a central 
circular opening 28 formed in the first disk portion 22 of the adjacent 
link 13'. The locking tabs 26 have ends 26a bent outwardly to engage the 
lower surface 29 of the juxtaposed lower first disk portion 22 with 
intermediate portions of the locking tabs extending towards the circular 
opening 28 defining a hub 30 around which a flat, coil spring 32 is 
disposed to bias the links 13, 14 and 17 into the rolled configuration as 
discussed infra. 
In addition to the locking tabs 26, the second disk portion 24 of each link 
13 (and end link 17) also includes a shaped flange 34 projecting above the 
upper or mounting surface 21 of the second disk portion. The flange 34 has 
opposite ends 36 and 38 circumferentially spaced from each other to 
contact the cartridge shell base 18. Each flange end 36 and 38 also has a 
circumferentially extending lower edge 40 defining a retaining or 
captivating slot 42 with the peripheral edge of the upper surface 21 of 
the associated second disk portion 24. The cartridge rim 18' of cartridge 
base 18 slidably interfits within the retaining slots 42 that axially 
retain the cartridge 20 to the mounting surface 21 to prevent inadvertent 
dislodgement of the cartridge from the loader 10. 
In plan view (e.g., FIG. 6), the flange ends 36 and 38 subtend an angular 
interval of less than 180.degree. to define an opening 44 therebetween 
enabling the cartridge base to be seated on the surface 21 of second disk 
portion 24 by sliding the cartridge base 18 and rim 18' along the surface 
21 through the opening 44 until the rim 18' engages the retaining slots 42 
with the cartridge shell contacting the flange ends or lugs 36,38. Thusly 
fully seated, the cartridge base 18 having a rim diameter approximately 
equal to the diameter of the second disk portion 24 is axially retained 
against the mounting surface 21 by the retaining slots 42 and locked 
against the upper surface of the second disk portion by means of a locking 
detent 46 formed on the first disk portion 22, of the adjacent link 13' 
(or master link 14) juxtaposed beneath the second disk portion 24. The 
locking detent 46 projects upwardly above and protrudes inwardly over the 
mounting surface 21 to extend over and captivate the cartridge rim 18' in 
the locking position. 
As a result of relative rotation of the juxtaposed first and second disk 
portions 22,24, the locking detent 46 is movable along the circumferential 
periphery 48 of the second disk portion 24 between the flange ends or lugs 
36,38. In the locked position, the detent is in abutting contact with a 
stop projection extending radially from the second disk portion 22; in 
this locked position, the detent is spring biased into abutting contact 
with the stop projection 50 and the location of the stop projection is 
what limits the relative rotation of adjacent links to obtain the rolled 
configuration of the link series 11. 
Movement of the locking detent 46 away from the stop projection 50 (of an 
adjacent link) into the unlocking position during serial hyperextension of 
the device 10 occurs substantially when the locking detent 46 abuts 
against the flange end 38 located remote from the stop projection 50. In 
this unlocked position, the effective opening or gate width 44 (the 
straight line distance measured between the flange end 36 and locking 
detent 46) is greater than the diameter of the cartridge base 18 to enable 
the cartridge 20 to release from the link by sliding in the direction A 
away from the retaining slots 42 towards the opening 44 parallel to the 
mounting surface 21. 
As mentioned above, the first and second juxtaposed disk portions 22,24 of 
adjacent links 13,13 are normally spring biased into the locking position 
by means of the flat coil spring 32 protectively sandwiched between the 
juxtaposed disk portions. One end 52 (FIG. 4) of the coil spring 32 is 
wrapped around the hub 30 defined by portions of the locking tabs 26 
extending towards the circular opening 28 in the first disk portion 22 as 
mentioned supra. The other end 54 (FIG. 8) of the coil spring 32 is 
anchored between the locking detent 46 and the stop projection 50 
respectively formed on the first and second disk portions of a common link 
13. Each coil spring 32 thereby defines a rotational axis 56 respectively 
coincident with the longitudinal axis 58 of each cartridge 20. In this 
manner, during speed loading, the tangential/radial force B applied to 
hyperextend the series of links tends to act along the longitudinal axis 
58 of the cartridge 20 to obtain a smooth release of the cartridge from 
the second disk portion 24 by hyperextension of the links beyond the 
substantially linear state. 
As mentioned above, the master link 14 formed with finger gripping loop 15 
defines the leading end of the link series 11 and the cartridge 20 stored 
on the master link is the first cartridge unlocked from the link series 
11. The master link 14 comprises finger gripping loop 15 which in the 
preferred embodiment is integrally formed with a first disk portion 22' 
that is substantially identical to the first disk portions 22 of 
intermediate links 13. However, the first disk portion 22' of master link 
14 further includes a spacer projection 60 (FIG. 2) circumferentially 
spaced from the locking detent 46 to contact the stop projection 50 formed 
on the second disk portion 24 of the intermediate link 13 connected to the 
master link 14 in juxtaposed relation to the first disk portion 22' of the 
master link. It is this spacer projection 60 that orients the handle of 
the finger gripping loop 15 so that it is in the tangential position of 
FIG. 4 with the master link 14 formed adjacent the end link 17 to complete 
the circular configuration of the link series 11. The spacer projection 60 
thus moves circumferentially along the peripheral edge 48 of the second 
disk portion 24 of adjacent intermediate link 13 without projecting above 
the plane of the mounting surface 21 of the second disk portion to thereby 
avoid interference with unlocking movement of the cartridge from the 
master link. 
The end link 17 defining the opposite end of series 11 essentially 
comprises a second disk portion 24' substantially identical to the second 
disk portions 24 of intermediate links 13 and a shaped flange end 
(defining the outermost end of the link series 11) in the form of a spur 
64 adapted to contact the outer surface of the cartridge base region 18 of 
the cartridge captivated by the master link 14 as depicted in FIG. 3. The 
spur 64 of end link 17 engaging the cartridge base region of the first 
cartridge in master link 14 enables the first cartridge to provide the 
pivot point essential for the removal of the end link 17 from the last 
cartridge being loaded into the revolver cylinder 12b. Without this pivot, 
the last cartridge would simply rotate with the end link 17 still in 
place, thus preventing the removal of the loader 10. 
As depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, the external spur 64 on the end link 17 is 
spaced from the cartridge rim 18' of the first cartridge on the master 
link 14 by configuring the links 13, 14 and 17 so as to obtain an 
elevational displacement 70 between the bottom 66 on the first disk 
portion 22 juxtaposed beneath end link 17 and the bottom of the first disk 
portion of the master link 14 as depicted in FIG. 2. 
Prior to speed loading, the rolled assembly may be inserted into a 
substantially flat holder 72 in which the link series 11 is maintained in 
substantial linear alignment within the holder. Thus, it will be 
appreciated that the thickness of the holder is substantially equal to the 
cartridge diameter (i.e., disk portions 22 or 24) and in this linear state 
it will be appreciated that the locking detents 46 of each link maintain 
the cartridges 20 in the locked position. A rear surface 74 of the holder 
72 may be formed with a belt loop 76. 
For speed loading, the finger gripping loop 15 projecting upwardly from the 
holder cavity 72' is grasped by the user to remove the speed loading 
device 10 with the cartridges 20 locked thereon. The springs 32 
automatically bias the link series 13, 14 and 17 into the rolled 
configuration. The rolled assembly of cartridges 20 may be inserted into 
the chamber end 12a of an open firearm cylinder 12b, projectile end first. 
For speed loading, a tangential manual force B is then exerted upon the 
finger gripping loop 15 that causes relative rotation of the first disk 
portion 22 of the master link 14 in which the locking detent 46 thereof 
moves circumferentially along the periphery 48 of the juxtaposed second 
disk portion 24 of the adjacent intermediate link 13 until it contacts the 
flange end 38 of the second disk portion to simultaneously release the 
first cartridge from the master link, which cartridge is manually forced 
outward in a radial motion (direction A). At this point, the rim 18' of 
the first cartridge is held up by the external spur 64 of the end link 17. 
The speed loading motion is continued by pulling the master 14 link via 
its finger gripping loop 15 more or less tangentially releasing the 
cartridges in sequence until the loader is pulled free allowing all of the 
cartridges to fall into their respective chamber to complete the loading 
sequence. This process is detailed in FIG. 9 of the drawing about halfway 
through the sequence. As mentioned above, an important function of the end 
link 17 and the external spur 64 thereon is that the first cartridge 
released is prevented from falling completely into its respective chamber 
by the external spur of the end link until the last cartridge is released 
from the end link. 
The feature of biasing adjacent links with planar spiral springs 32 
arranged about each rotational axis 56 permits the juxtaposition of first 
and second adjacent link portions whereby the springs are protected from 
damage by exterior forces. The link series 11 also lends itself for use 
with a different number of cartridges by the interpositioning of 
additional intermediate links within the link series. 
An important feature of the invention relates to the manner in which the 
links hold the cartridges by means of the captivating slots and locking 
detent discussed supra. In other words, the locking structure does not 
rely upon any tight-fitting or locking pressure requiring precise 
machining tolerances of locking parts and, in fact, each cartridge may be 
loosely held in the locking position so long as it is captivated by the 
slots and locking detent. This feature of course minimizes any marring or 
scuffing of the cartridge and also allows the cartridge to be smoothly and 
reliably released from the base during link hyperextension. 
Another important feature of the invention is in the manner in which the 
pivotal or rotational axis of each link coincides with the longitudinal 
axis of the cartridge and the associated planar spiral spring that exerts 
spring pressure through the pivotal axis to maintain the cartridges locked 
within the associated link. In other words, it is the same spring pressure 
that is overcome during pivotal movement of the links into the unlocking 
positions that enables unlocking of each cartridge to occur by application 
of unlocking force along the cartridge axis; the cartridges therefore drop 
into their cylinder chambers as the unlocking forces act along the 
cartridge axis. 
The stop projections, locking detents and flange ends are all suitably 
configured so that unlocking of a cartridge from its associated link 
second disk portion occurs substantially when the locking detent contacts 
the flange end; the flange end thus acts as a pivot point enabling the 
locking detent of the next-in-line link to commence rotation towards its 
unlocking position. 
The design of the preferred embodiment also lends itself to manufacturing 
of the individual links utilizing sheet metal and relatively inexpensive 
punching or stamping techniques. 
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in 
detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration 
and exemplary only and is not intended to be taken as limitative, the 
spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms 
of the appended claims therein.