Multi-shell dispenser for shotgun

A dispenser holds a number of shotgun shells, which a shooter can retrieve quickly one or two at a time, to reload the shotgun. The shells that remain in the dispenser do not rattle around loosely but rather are held in position in the dispenser, from which position they can easily be extracted.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/567,997, filed Dec. 7, 2011, by the same inventor, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to a dispenser for ammunition. In particular, this application relates to a dispenser that holds a number of shotgun shells, which a shooter can retrieve quickly one or two at a time, to reload the shotgun. The shells that remain in the dispenser do not rattle around loosely but rather are held in position in the dispenser, from which position they can easily be extracted. The invention is applicable to other types of ammunition, also.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application relates to a dispenser for ammunition. In particular, this application relates to a dispenser that holds a number of shotgun shells, which a shooter can retrieve quickly one or two at a time, to reload the shotgun. The shells that remain in the dispenser do not rattle around loosely but rather are held in position in the dispenser, from which position they can easily be extracted. The invention is applicable to other types of ammunition, also.

The dispenser includes a container12(FIG. 1) that supports a retainer14and an associated spring16(FIGS. 4 and 7). In the illustrated embodiment, the container12is made from three separate pieces of plastic held together by screws. The three pieces (FIG. 4) include a back piece20and two side pieces22and24. Together, the three pieces20-24form the container12and define, in the container, a shell chamber26. Alternatively, the container can be one piece.

The container12as thus formed includes a back wall30, two side walls32and34, two front walls36and38, and a curved lower end wall40(FIGS. 1-3). The lower end wall40has an opening41that is shorter in width than the length of the shells to be dispensed. The opposite upper end44(FIG. 1) of the container12is open, and the side walls32and34are there spaced apart by a distance sufficient to enable removal of the shells as desired.

The dispenser10includes features, preferably on the outside of the back wall30, to enable attachment of a clip or other device (not shown) to help support the dispenser on, for example, an article of clothing such as a belt or a vest. For example, two locations46(FIG. 3) may be provided for receiving tee nuts (not shown) for this purpose.

Disposed in the shell chamber16are the retainer14and the spring16. The retainer14(FIGS. 4,5and7) is a stiff resilient member that may be made from metal or plastic. The retainer14extends for substantially the entire length of the shell chamber26. The retainer14is secured in the container12in a position overlying but spaced apart from the back wall30of the container. The retainer14has tabs15(FIG. 5) on its long edges. The tabs15fit into slots17(FIG. 3) on the back wall30of the container. The container side pieces22and24have extensions19(FIG. 2) to help hold the retainer14in a position in which the spring16can apply even force.

The container front walls36and38have recessed steps39(FIG. 4) for receiving the radially enlarged end flanges of the shells. This allows the shells to sit flat against the retainer14. Because there are steps39on both front walls36and38, the shells can be loaded in either orientation within the dispenser10, and the dispenser can thus be used by either a right handed user or a left handed user.

The retainer14(FIG. 5) has a wave-like configuration including four crests50a-50dseparated by three troughs52a-52cthat are recessed below the crests. In addition, the longitudinal ends of the retainer14are also recessed below the level of the troughs, to allow the spring pressure to be even across the shells. Thus, when the retainer14is in the container12, four shell positions54a-54dare defined by the crests and troughs of the retainer14, at the location of the troughs. When the retainer14is in the container12, the first shell position54ais located near the open end44of the container12; the second, third and fourth shell positions54b-54dare spaced along the length of the container12.

The spring16(FIGS. 4 and 7) is disposed between the back wall30of the container12and the retainer14. The spring16extends generally parallel to and between both the container wall30and the retainer14. The spring16biases the retainer14in a direction away from the back wall30of the container12. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring16is a flat piece of resilient foam that underlies substantially all the retainer14, between the retainer and the back wall30of the container12. In other embodiments, the spring16could be made differently, or could be formed with or as part of the retainer14. One example is discussed below with reference toFIGS. 8 and 9.

When the shells are loaded in the dispenser12(FIG. 7), they are in the shell positions54a-54ddefined by the retainer14. A first shell60ais located in the first shell position54a, adjacent the open end44of the container12. Second, third and fourth shells60b,60cand60dare then spaced along the length of the container12toward the closed end of the container. The fourth shell60dis located in the fourth shell position54dat the closed end of the container12, adjacent the lower end wall40.

The dimensions and configuration of the container12, retainer14, and spring16are selected to cause the shells60a-60dto be releasably retained in the dispenser10, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 7, with a minimum of (or no) movement or rattling noise

First, the spring16presses the retainer14laterally against the shells60a-60d, which are thereby pressed against the front walls36and38of the container12.

Second, the crests and troughs of the retainer14retain the shells60a-60dlongitudinally in the container12. The shells60a-60dare located in the shell positions54a-54d, between the crests50a-50d. The crests50a-50dprevent the shells60a-60dfrom moving in the shell chamber26in a direction along the length of the container12. The first crest50aof the retainer14prevents the first shell60afrom exiting the dispenser through the open end44.

When the user desires to remove one or more shells60, the user grasps the desired number of shells and pulls them toward the open end44of the dispenser10(upward as viewed inFIG. 5). The force applied by the user is sufficient to overcome the resistance to movement provided by the retainer14and the spring16. As the user pulls out the shells60, they press against the associated crests on the retainer14, pushing the retainer toward the container back wall30(to the left as viewed inFIG. 5), against the bias of the spring16. The spring16is compressed, allowing the end portion of the retainer14that includes the first crest50ato move away from the front walls36and38sufficiently to enable removal of the shells60from the dispenser10.

Thereafter, the spring16pushes the retainer14back into its original position, holding the remaining shells securely in position in the dispenser10. For example, if only the first shell60ais removed, then after it passes over the first crest50athe spring16pushes the retainer14back into its original position, holding the other three shells60b-60dsecurely in position in the dispenser10.

The force of the spring16and the freedom of movement of the retainer14retain the remaining shells in position in the dispenser10, with a minimum of (or no) movement and rattling noise, until the user grasps the next shell. Whenever one shell is removed, each of the other shells is in the same position in the dispenser10as it was before, making it easy for the user, without looking, to reach for and grasp the next shell or shells.

FIGS. 8 and 9illustrate a dispenser100that is another embodiment of the invention. In the dispenser100, the functions of the spring and retainer are performed by portions of the container itself. Specifically, the dispenser100includes left and right front walls102each of which includes a spring104having a wave-like configuration including crests106and troughs108. The shells fit into the troughs108in the springs104. The springs104are resilient and thus maintain the shells in position in the dispenser. When the user applies force to remove one or more of the shells, the springs104flex, allowing the shells to be pulled longitudinally along the walls102and out of the dispenser100.