System and method for loading clips

A system for loading pellets into clips includes a clip plate defining a plurality of clip openings; a pellet plate with pellet openings; a loading plate with loading pegs; and a base with a base plate surrounded by a base wall, the base plate and base wall defining a base cavity constructed to accept the clip plate, the pellet plate, and the loading plate in more than one axial orientation.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods used for loading clips. In particular, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods used for loading ammunition into clips used in guns.

BACKGROUND

Certain types of guns, such as air guns including air rifles, utilize clips or magazines loaded with a plurality of pellets. The clips typically have a generally round disk shape and include pockets or openings that accept pellets. Loading or reloading clips with pellets can be slow and cumbersome. Various devices have been proposed to make loading the clips easier and faster.

It would be desirable to provide a system and method for loading clips that is faster or more convenient. It would further be desirable to provide a system that is easier and/or cheaper to manufacture and easier to assemble.

SUMMARY

A system for loading pellets into clips includes a clip plate defining a plurality of clip openings and an alignment feature within each clip opening constructed to receive a clip in a fixed alignment; a pellet plate defining pellet openings arranged in a plurality of circles aligned with the plurality of clip openings of the clip plate; a loading plate comprising loading pegs aligned with the pellet openings of the pellet plate; a center axis extending through the clip plate, the pellet plate, and the loading plate when in a stacked configuration; and a base comprising a base plate surrounded by a base wall, the base plate and base wall defining a base cavity constructed to accept the clip plate, the pellet plate, and the loading plate in more than one axial orientation.

A method for loading pellets into clips includes placing one or more clips in clip openings of a clip plate within a base cavity, the clip comprising pockets; placing a pellet plate on top of the clip plate within the base cavity, the pellet plate defining pellet openings aligned with the pockets of the clip; loading pellets into the pellet openings; and pressing a loading plate into the base cavity, the loading plate comprising loading pegs that load the pellets into the pockets of the one or more clips. A center axis extends through the clip plate, the pellet plate, and the loading plate when in a stacked configuration. The base includes a base cavity constructed to accept the clip plate, the pellet plate, and the loading plate in more than one axial orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods used for loading clips. In particular, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods used for loading clips used in guns.

According to an embodiment, the system includes a clip loader that can be used to load ammunition in to a clip. The clip loader may be loaded with one or more clips, up to the number of clip receptacles or openings in the clip loader. Clips placed in the clip loader can be loaded simultaneously with ammunition using the clip loader. Suitable clips include those used with, for example, air rifles. The clips may have a generally round disk shape with a plurality of pockets or openings along the perimeter for accepting the ammunition. The number of pockets in the clip may vary and is typically between 6 and 14, with 8, 10, and 12-round clips being most common. The ammunition may be referred to as pellets, shot, “BB's”, etc. The clip may include a loading side (e.g., a front side) through which the pellets are intended to be loaded into the pockets, and an opposing back side. The clips may have a scalloped outer perimeter around the pockets. Typically, the scalloping generally follows the shape of the pockets on the clip. The scalloping may extend from one side of the clip to a part of the thickness of the clip. For example, the scalloping may extend from the back side to part of the way toward the loading side.

The term “ammunition” is used in this disclosure to describe any projectiles that may be loaded in the clip. Typical ammunition used with the clips may include pellets, shot, “BB's”, and the like, of any suitable caliber.

The term “caliber” is used here to refer to the size of a projectile (e.g., pellet or shot). Caliber may be given as a numeric value (e.g., 0.170 caliber), referring to the diameter of the projectile in inches, unless otherwise specified.

Terms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration.

The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are used interchangeably with the term “at least one.” The phrases “at least one of” and “comprises at least one of” followed by a list refers to any one of the items in the list and any combination of two or more items in the list.

The term “substantially” as used here has the same meaning as “significantly,” and can be understood to modify the term that follows by at least about 75%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or at least about 98%. The term “not substantially” as used here has the same meaning as “not significantly,” and can be understood to have the inverse meaning of “substantially,” i.e., modifying the term that follows by not more than 25%, not more than 10%, not more than 5%, or not more than 2%.

The term “about” is used here in conjunction with numeric values to include normal variations in measurements as expected by persons skilled in the art, and is understood have the same meaning as “approximately” and to cover a typical margin of error, such as ±5% of the stated value.

The recitations of numerical ranges by endpoints include all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc. or 10 or less includes 10, 9.4, 7.6, 5, 4.3, 2.9, 1.62, 0.3, etc.). Where a range of values is “up to” or “at least” a particular value, that value is included within the range.

Referring now toFIGS. 1A and 1B, perspective views of a system according to an embodiment are shown. The system may be referred to as a loader1or clip loader. The loader1includes a base100. The base100includes, at least, a base plate110surrounded by a base wall120. The base plate110and the base wall120define a base cavity130. The base cavity130is constructed to receive a clip plate200, a pellet plate300, and a loading plate400. According to an embodiment, the base cavity130can accept the clip plate200, the pellet plate300, and the loading plate400in more than one axial orientation. The term “axial orientation” is used here to refer to an axially rotational alignment or position. The axial orientation of a plate may be changed by rotating the plate about its center axis A.

As shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, the order of the various parts accepted by the base100is first the clip plate200, then the pellet plate300, and finally the loading plate400. In some embodiments, the clip plate200is integral with the base100.

FIG. 2shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary clip2and pellets8that can be loaded using the loader1. The clip2includes a plurality of pockets3for receiving pellets8. Only six pellets are shown. However, the clip2is typically loaded such that each pocket receives one pellet8. The clip2may have a scalloped outside perimeter surrounding the pockets3that forms indentations31between the pockets3. The clip may include a central protrusion4axially protruding from one or both faces of the clip.

FIGS. 3A-3Cshow various views of the base100. The base100includes a base plate110with an inside surface111. The base plate110is at least partially surrounded by a base wall120. The base wall120has an inside surface121. The inside surface111of the base plate110and the inside surface121of the base wall120define a cavity130inside the base100. In embodiments where the clip plate200is integral with the base100, the top surface (e.g., first major surface201) of the clip plate200and the inside surface121of the base wall120define the cavity130. The cavity is sized and shaped to receive the clip plate200, the pellet plate300, and the loading plate400.

The base wall120may optionally include an indentation or notch123. The notch123is an indentation in the base wall120in an axial direction perpendicular to the plane of the base plate inside surface111. The notch123is an area where the base wall120is lower than in the surrounding areas. The base wall120has generally a height H120. However, at the notch123, the base wall120has a height H123that is lower than the height H120in the areas surrounding the notch123. The height H120may be equal or substantially equal to the combined height of the clip plate200, the pellet plate300, and the loading plate400. The height H123at the notch123may be equal or substantially equal to the combined height of the clip plate200and the pellet plate300. When the clip plate200, the pellet plate300, and the loading plate400are placed in the base100, the top surface (e.g., first major surface301) of the pellet plate300may be level or substantially level with the notch123. The top surface (e.g., first major surface401) of the loading plate400may be level, substantially level, or may extend beyond the outer edge of the wall120.

Some clips include a central protrusion axially protruding from one or both faces of the clip. The base plate110may include indentations113for accepting protrusions on the clips.

The clip plate200is shown inFIGS. 4A-4Cas a separate piece. However, the clip plate200may be provided as an integral part of the base100. The clip plate200includes one or more clip openings210. The clip opening210is preferably a through hole extending through the thickness of the clip plate200. Any suitable number of clip openings210may be selected. For example, the clip plate200may include one, two, three, four, five, six, or even more than six clip openings210. Each clip opening210is constructed to accept a single clip.

The clip opening210includes one or more alignment features220. The embodiment shown has two alignment features220. However, any suitable number of alignment features220may be used. For example, the clip opening210may include a single alignment feature220or up to the number of pockets in the clip (e.g., up to eight alignment features220for a system intended for use with an eight-round clip). The one or more alignment features220may be positioned along the wall212of the clip opening210. The alignment features220cause the clip to be received and to remain in a rotationally fixed alignment inside the clip opening210.

The one or more alignment features220may have any suitable shape that is capable of maintaining the clip in a rotationally fixed alignment. The alignment feature220may be a protrusion extending inwardly from the wall212of the clip opening210. For example, the one or more alignment features220may be protrusions shaped to fit between two scallops on the clip. In the example shown, the one or more alignment features220are generally triangular in shape.

The clip plate200has a first major surface201(e.g., a top surface) and a second major surface202(e.g., a bottom surface). The first and second major surfaces201,202extend to an outer perimeter203of the clip plate200.

The clip plate200has a height or thickness T200defined by the first and second major surfaces201,202. The alignment features220have a height H220. In some embodiments, the height H220of the alignment features220is less than the thickness T200of the clip plate200. In some embodiments, the alignment features220extend from the second major surface202a part of the way toward the first major surface201. The height H220of the alignment features220may be selected based on the type of clip used so that the height H220is no greater than the height of the indentations31between the pellet pockets3on the clip2.

The pellet plate300is shown inFIGS. 5A-5D. The pellet plate300includes a plurality of pellet openings320arranged in one or more circles310. The circles310of pellet openings320are aligned with the clip openings210of the clip plate200when the pellet plate300and clip plate are disposed in the base cavity130. The pellet openings320are aligned so that when a clip is positioned in a corresponding clip opening210and aligned by the one or more alignment features220, the pellet openings320align with the pellet pockets of the clip.

The pellet openings320are through holes extending through the thickness of the pellet plate300. The number and location of circles310of pellet openings320is matched to the number of clip openings210on the clip plate200. For example, the pellet plate300may include one, two, three, four, five, six, or even more than six circles310of pellet openings320. Each circle310of pellet openings320is constructed to match the pellet pockets of a single clip. In some examples, each circle310includes 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 16 pellet openings320. Other numbers are also possible.

The pellet openings320may be sized to accommodate a clip for a specific caliber gun. The pellet openings320may be sized to accommodate pellets being greater than or equal to about 0.103 caliber, greater than or equal to about 0.172 caliber, greater than or equal to about 0.20 caliber, greater than or equal to about 0.224 caliber, greater than or equal to about 0.25 caliber, greater than or equal to about 0.308 caliber, greater than or equal to about 0.338 caliber, greater than or equal to about 0.40 caliber, greater than or equal to about 0.5 caliber, etc. and/or less than or equal to about 0.80 caliber, less than or equal to about 0.58 caliber, less than or equal to about 0.50 caliber, less than or equal to about 0.45 caliber, less than or equal to about 0.357 caliber, less than or equal to about 0.243 caliber, less than or equal to about 0.22 caliber, etc. In one exemplary embodiment, the pellet openings320are sized to accommodate 0.170 to 0.22 caliber shot (e.g., 0.170 to 0.180 caliber, also referred to as BB shot, or 0.20 to 0.21 caliber, also referred to as T shot).

The pellet plate300has a first major surface301(e.g., a top surface) and a second major surface302(e.g., a bottom surface). The first and second major surfaces301,302extend to an outer perimeter303of the pellet plate300.

The pellet plate300has a height or thickness T300defined by the first and second major surfaces301,302. The pellet plate300may include indentations330for accepting a protrusion on the clip. The indentations330are centered within each circle310of pellet openings320. The indentations330may have a depth D330that accommodates the clip intended to be used in the loader1. The indentations330may have a depth D330that is less than the thickness T300of the pellet plate300.

The loading plate400is shown inFIGS. 6A-6D. The loading plate400includes a plurality of loading pegs420arranged in one or more circles410. The circles410of loading pegs420are aligned with the pellet openings320of the pellet plate300when the loading plate400and pellet plate300are disposed in the base cavity130. The loading pegs420are aligned so that when a clip is positioned in a corresponding clip opening210and aligned by the one or more alignment features220, the loading pegs420align with the pellet openings320and the pellet pockets of the clip. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pellet plate300has 12 pellet openings320, the centers of the pellet openings320being separated by an angle α320of 30°, and the loading plate400has 12 loading pegs420, also separated by an angle α420of 30°.

The number and location of circles410of loading pegs420is matched to the number of clip openings210on the clip plate200. For example, the loading plate400may include one, two, three, four, five, six, or even more than six circles410of loading pegs420. Each circle410of loading pegs420is constructed to match the pellet pockets of a single clip. For example, the number and size of, and distance between loading pegs420is constructed to match the pellet pockets of the clip. In some examples, each circle410includes 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 16 loading pegs420. Other numbers are also possible.

The loading plate400has a first major surface401(e.g., a top surface) and a second major surface402(e.g., a bottom surface). The first and second major surfaces401,402extend to an outer perimeter403of the loading plate400. The loading pegs420extend from the second major surface402and are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the second major surface402.

The loading plate400has a height or thickness T400. The thickness T400is understood as the thickness of the plate to which the loading pegs420are attached and does not include the length of the loading pegs420.

The loading pegs420have a length L420extending axially from the second major surface402of the loading plate400. The length L420is such that then the loading plate400is stacked on the pellet plate300(e.g., when the loading plate400and pellet plate300are disposed in the base cavity130), the loading pegs420extend through the pellet openings320and through the thickness of the pellet plate300. In some embodiments, the length L420is at least equal to the thickness T300of the pellet plate300. In some embodiments, the length L420is greater than the thickness T300of the pellet plate300. The loading pegs420may extend through the pellet openings320and into the clip openings210when stacked on the pellet plate300and the clip plate200. For example, the loading pegs420may extend from about 1 mm to about 10 mm, or from about 2 mm to about 6 mm beyond the thickness T300of the pellet plate300.

Each of the base plate110, the clip plate200, the pellet plate300, and the loading plate400has a center axis A110, A200, A300, A400extending perpendicular through the plane of the plate. When the clip plate200, the pellet plate300, and the loading plate400are stacked in the base cavity130, the center axis A110, A200, A300, A400(collectively axis A, as shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B) are coaxially aligned.

In a preferred embodiment, the clip plate200, the pellet plate300, and the loading plate400can be placed in the base100in any axial orientation. The clip plate200, the pellet plate300, and the loading plate400may each include one or more lines of symmetry. In some embodiments the alignment features220of the clip plate200are not symmetrical. In such embodiments, the clip plate200may include one or more lines of symmetry when viewed without the alignment features220. The plates may be placed in the cavity130in more than one axially rotational alignment or position. The plates may be axially rotated from one line of symmetry to another line of symmetry when placing the plates into the cavity130. For example, in the embodiment shown, the plates may be independently rotated 90°, 180°, or 270° about their center axis. Each plate may be individually rotated such that the orientation in which the plate is placed in the cavity does not depend on the orientation of the other plates or the orientation of the base.

The clip plate200, the pellet plate300, and the loading plate400may be considered self-aligning. The term “self-aligning” is used here to refer to an element that does not include alignment features (e.g., protrusions, indentations, or the like) to find its aligned position. An alignment feature is considered to be a feature (e.g., a protrusion or an indentation) that, if removed (e.g., cut off or filled), would leave the primary shape of the article intact. According to an embodiment, the outer perimeters203,303,403of the clip plate200, pellet plate300, and loading plate400are free of alignment protrusions or alignment indentations.

According to an embodiment, the inside surface121of the base wall120is also free of alignment protrusions or alignment indentations. It should be noted that the notch123in the wall120of the base100is not considered an alignment feature because the clip plate200, the pellet plate300, and/or the loading plate400do not extend into the notch123and are not aligned by the notch123when placed in the base100.

The clip plate200, the pellet plate300, and the loading plate400may have a polygonal or rounded polygonal shape (e.g., primary shape) when viewed from a direction normal to the first or second major surface. In other words, the first and second major surfaces of each or the plates200,300,400may define a polygonal or rounded polygonal shape. In the example shown, the first and second major surfaces of each or the plates200,300,400define a rounded square shape. Other polygonal shapes include triangle, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, etc. In one embodiment, the shape is not a circle. In some embodiments, the outer perimeter203,303,403defines a smooth surface. In some embodiments, the outer perimeter203,303,403defines a continuous surface that is free of protrusions or indentations.

The inside surface121of the base wall120is constructed to accommodate the shape of the clip plate200, the pellet plate300, and the loading plate400. Thus, the inside surface121of the base wall120may define a polygonal or rounded polygonal shape when viewed from a direction normal to the base plate. In the example shown, the inside surface121of the base wall120defines a rounded square shape when viewed from a direction normal to the base plate.

When the clip plate200, the pellet plate300, and the loading plate400are stacked in the base cavity130, the second major surface201of the clip plate200faces the base plate110, the second major surface302of the pellet plate300faces the first major surface201of the clip plate200, and the second major surface402of the loading plate400faces the first major surface301of the pellet plate300.

When the clip plate200, the pellet plate300, and the loading plate400are stacked in the base100, at least the clip plate200and the pellet plate300are fully disposed inside the cavity130. The loading plate400may be at least partially disposed inside the cavity130or a part of the loading plate400may extend outside of the cavity130beyond the wall120.

In order to load ammunition (e.g., pellets) into clips, a user places the clip plate200into the base100(this step is skipped if the clip plate is integral with the base100). The user then loads one or more clips into the clip plate, up to the number of clip openings210in the clip plate200. The clips should be oriented with the loading side up. The user then places the pellet plate300into the base100. When the pellet plate300is placed in the base100, at least a portion of the base wall120extends beyond the pellet plate300, providing at least a partial wall around the space above the pellet plate300. The user may place (e.g., pour) pellets onto the pellet plate300. The number of pellets may be at least equal to the total number of pellet pockets on the clips. The user may shake or move the base100sideways, causing pellets to fall into the pellet openings320of the pellet plate300. Falling into the pellet openings320may be further aided by using a finger or a tool. Once the pellet openings320are loaded with pellets, any excess pellets possibly remaining on the pellet plate300may be removed. For example, excess pellets may be removed by pouring through the notch123in the base wall120. The pellets are then loaded into the clips by pressing the loading plate400into the base100with the loading pegs420facing toward the pellet plate300. The loading pegs420are aligned with the pellet opening320and extend into the pellet openings320, pushing the pellets into the pockets of the clips. The loader100can then be disassembled and the loaded clips removed. The loader100may also be used to store the loaded clips for later use.

Various modifications and alterations to this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. It should be understood that this disclosure is not intended to be unduly limited by the illustrative embodiments and examples set forth herein and that such examples and embodiments are presented by way of example only with the scope of the disclosure intended to be limited only by the claims set forth here.