Abstract:
The invention is an apparatus that facilitates repeatedly aligning and loading a magazine into a magazine-well of a firearm, where the firearm is a barreled weapon, including replicas, novelty firearms, mock firearms, gaming firearms such as paint ball guns, computerized guns, toys guns, pressurized gas propelled guns, and virtual guns that are digital representation. The apparatus includes multi-magazine manifold which can hold a plurality of magazines (clips), where the multi-magazine manifold is mounted to one or more vertical slides that automatically align a magazine with the magazine well. Ejection and reloading is faster and easier, and can be done without visually disengaging from a target because alignment is substantially established by the apparatus. The apparatus is rugged and simple to use, and can be fitted to wide variety of firearms.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to apparatus for loading magazine fed firearms with ammunition, and more particularly to an apparatus that facilitates loading rounds from a magazine from a plurality of magazines bundled by a multi-magazine manifold, where in the invented apparatus facilitates easier change from one magazine to a next magazine without taking eyesight off of a target. 
         [0003]    2. Background 
         [0004]    Magazines for firearms having a magazine well, as exemplified by the AR-15, vary in size depending on the application. In general military AR rifles typically would hold from about 30 rounds of ammunition up to about to about 100 rounds, depending on the caliber. Normally, the rounds are held in a single removable magazine that is secured in the magazine-well of the receiver. A magazine above about 60 rounds becomes very long and weighty, and the magazine is difficult to be effectively manned by most personnel. If the caliber is 45 or higher, the count can be lower, and the ammunition is instead often fed on a belt or mechanically automated. Civilian AR rifles tend to be limited to smaller magazines, typically holding from 5 to 30 rounds. Legislation in multiple states limits the round count to 10 rounds per magazine. 
         [0005]    In the current specification, the term “magazine” is used throughout the specification to be inclusive of the term “clip” and other terms for prepackaged ammunition for firearms. The term “firearm” is used throughout the specification to be inclusive of a barreled weapon, including replicas, novelty firearms, mock firearms, gaming firearms such as paint ball guns, computerized guns, toys guns, pressurized gas propelled guns, and virtual guns that are digital representations. 
         [0006]    A problem with a low round count and an automatic firearm, as exemplified by an AR-15, AR-16, Uzi and AK-47, is that with a short burst of fire the entire magazine can be emptied, and as the firearm fires the recoil tends to lift the barrel, especially if the magazine has a small round count. The recoil must be physically countered by the shooter, and can be actually harder to control than a firearm loaded with a larger heavier magazine, because the weight of the magazine helps to offset the recoil. To be armed, the shooter has to replace an emptied magazine with another magazine that contains rounds of ammunition, and the shooter&#39;s capability of aligning the magazine with the magazine-well is more difficult as the shooter becomes tired. The magazine-well is approximately rectangular, with a closed front side, a closed back side, an open bottom side and a top side that feeds to the firearm&#39;s chamber. The current prior art teaches that magazines can be coupled into groups, not unlike packaging, where the magazines are stacked and sometimes spaced. The prior art is silent on how coupled magazines can be utilized with an apparatus that facilitates their usage. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The invented apparatus makes it much easier to align and chamber a magazine in the magazine-well, so that changing magazines can be performed without visually disengaging from a target, wherein the magazine is one of a plurality of magazines bundled on a multi-magazine manifold, wherein the multi-magazine manifold can rotate and or can be shifted. An aspect of the invention is that the apparatus includes an adapter that is mounted onto a handguard, where the mount can be directly mounted to the handguard, or fitted onto a handguard rail that is mounted to the handguard. Examples of handguard rails include Picatinny and Weaver rails. 
         [0008]    The adapter is made of a durable material, as exemplified as an engineering plastic, a durable plastic, a suitable metal or metal alloy as exemplified by aluminum and steel. The adapter is securely affixed to the handguard rail, nominally to a lower portion of the receiver and forward of the magazine-well. In one variation the adapter includes a beam and fastening elements, as exemplified by one or more locking bolts with hardened steel hex head nuts. The adapter provides a solid platform that won&#39;t slip even under heavy recoil. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the invention is that nominally the multi-magazine manifold is a symmetrical device that has a plurality of mounting faces on a side of one or more polygons, wherein a base of a magazine can be secured to a mounting face on the side of the polygon and the base of another magazine can be secured to an adjacent side or an opposing side, the exact configuration being dependent on the size, shape and number of the polygons. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the invention is that the apparatus includes one or more slide rails in connection with the adapter, where at least one slide rail is a vertical slide rail, and the vertical slide rail has a slidable element with a strut assembly that extends rearward toward the magazine well and provides a supporting connection to the multi-magazine manifold. A position of the strut assembly is determinative as to when the multi-magazine manifold, loaded with magazines, can be changed. When the position of the strut assembly is in a magazine is loaded into the magazine well of the firearm, then the multi-magazine manifold is stationary until released, causing the magazine to be ejected. When the position of the strut assembly is out, the multi-magazine manifold can be rotated and or shifted to a next stopping point where a next magazine is aligned beneath the magazine well. Nominally, the orientation of a firearm being fired is upright, and when a magazine is ejected gravity helps move the magazine, the manifold and other movable elements of the invention downward. 
         [0011]    The strut assembly provides spatial orientation for a magazine to be withdrawn or inserted in the magazine-well, wherein the strut assembly, mounted on a slidable element moves downward when a loaded magazine is ejected from the magazine-well. The strut assembly is nominally raised to insert a next magazine in the magazine-well. 
         [0012]    While in the out position the multi-magazine manifold can be rotated and/or shifted to a predetermined stop, where the next magazine is stopped in spatial alignment with the magazine-well, where the ammunition of the next magazine is properly oriented to be chambered when the next magazine is loaded into the magazine-well. 
         [0013]    Another aspect of the invention is that rotation is either in a plane of a side view of the firearm, or rotation is into the page of a side view of the firearm, or rotation is not required. The orientation of the rotation is largely dependent on the configuration the multi-magazine manifold. 
         [0014]    Another further aspect of the apparatus is that it can include a horizontal slide rail, wherein the horizontal slide rail is mounted at right angles to the adapter. The horizontal slide rail includes a horizontal slidable element having a rigidly attached vertical slide rail assembly, where the vertical slide rail assembly can include piggy backed vertical rails wherein a second vertical slide rail is coupled to a first vertical slide rail with one or more slidable elements. Movement of the horizontal slidable element and the affixed vertical slide rail assembly is in the z plane, which is into or out-of the page of the side view of the apparatus mounted on a firearm. 
         [0015]    Nominally, the horizontal slide rail has two or more z-plane stopping points for shifting the horizontal slidable element. The z-plane stopping points are selected so that at least one of the magazines which is affixed to the multi-magazine manifold is spatially aligned between a right side and a left side of magazine-well. A length of one or more strut elements of the strut assembly is selected so it that extends rearward from the vertical slide rails where the next magazine to be loaded is spatially aligned front-to-back with the magazine-well. Loading does not require that a user visually disengage from a target, as alignment is automatic. 
         [0016]    Another aspect of the invention is that the apparatus can include a slidable grip assembly that is attached to the adapter forward of the at least one vertical slide rail. A strong rod, one that can support recoil, extends downward. A hand grip having an annular slidable element, enabling the hand grip to slide over the strong rod. The hand grip is attached to a brace that is an L shaped bar having a horizontal section and a vertical section, wherein the horizontal section of the L shaped bar provides support for the hand grip and the vertical section provides support for at least one vertical slide element. The horizontal section of the L shaped bar has a foreword opening through which passes the strong rod, extending rearward, wherein the vertical section overlaps at least one vertical slide rail. 
         [0017]    In one variation, when the magazine release button on the firearm is pressed, the magazine is ejected, therein allowing the hand grip to drop to a lowered position. Similarly, the other vertical slidable components and the multi-magazine manifold all move downward when the magazine is ejected from the magazine well. 
         [0018]    Another aspect of the apparatus is that it can include an automatic rotation mechanism to advance the multi-magazine manifold to the next magazine. The automatic rotation mechanism utilizes energy released when an empty magazine is ejected to rotate the multi-magazine manifold to the next magazine. 
         [0019]    The apparatus can include a quick connect mechanism for attaching the multi-magazine manifold to the strut assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The foregoing invention will become readily apparent by referring to the following detailed description and the appended drawings in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1 a   - FIG. 1 d    and  FIG. 2 a   - FIG. 2 d    are a series of conceptual side views of a firearm, which in the illustration is an AR rifle, that is fitted with the invented apparatus, where the apparatus is mounted to the firearm&#39;s handguard rail, forward of the firearm&#39;s magazine-well, therein providing a facile apparatus for loading rounds from magazines bundled on a rotatable multi-magazine manifold, a shiftable semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold or a shiftable multi-magazine manifold, wherein the difference between a semi-rotatable manifold and rotatable manifold, as shown in the drawings, is that the rotatable manifold can rotate 360 degrees through a plane that is orthogonal to the page of the side-view of the firearm, while the semi-rotatable manifold can be flipped through 180 degrees co-planar to the page. Manifolds that are shiftable can be moved in and out-of planes that are co-planar with the page (not shown). In the concept drawings the multi-magazine manifolds have only two magazines to simplify the figure; 
           [0022]      FIG. 1 a    Illustrates the apparatus with a first vertical slide rail projecting downward from an adapter mounted to the handguard rail, a first slidable element with a strut assembly extending from the first slidable element to a semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold, wherein a magazine designated “O”, which is attached to a face of the multi-magazine manifold, is inserted in the magazine-well and a magazine designated “X” is on the opposing face of the multi-magazine manifold; 
           [0023]      FIG. 1 b    illustrates the apparatus wherein the “O” magazine has been ejected from the magazine-well, and the “O” magazine has dropped a distance sufficient to clear a rim of the magazine-well, the movement of the “O” magazine has caused the slidable element to slide to a vertical slide stop, which prevents further drop of the “O” magazine; 
           [0024]      FIG. 1 c    illustrates the apparatus wherein the multi-magazine manifold is rotating in a plane of a side view of the firearm; 
           [0025]      FIG. 1 d    Illustrates the apparatus wherein the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold has been flipped, aligning the “X” magazine with the magazine-well and, and the “X” magazine has been pushed upward into the magazine-well, wherein the rounds can be chambered and the slidable element has been returned to the raised position on the vertical slide rail; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2 a -2 d    are mechanistically similar to  FIG. 1 a -1 d    except that rotation of the rotatable multi-magazine manifold is into the page of a side view of the firearm; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus mounted on a firearm having a handguard fitted with a Picatinny—Weaver-style rail, where the rotatable multi-magazine manifold is a polygonal frustrum having a plurality of planar sides that are tapered, where each tapered side provides a mounting face that can receive a standard issue magazine which nominally has an angled base and an atypical magazine that has a non-angled base; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus mounted on the firearm shown in  FIG. 3 , wherein a magazine that was previously loaded in the magazine-well has been ejected, and the rotatable multi-magazine manifold is rotating to the next magazine; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus mounted on a firearm having multiple Picatinny—Weaver-style rails, wherein the apparatus includes a slidable grip assembly that is mounted to the adapter forward of the vertical slide rail, and the apparatus further includes an automatic rotation mechanism which angularly advances the rotatable multi-magazine manifold to the next magazine; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged elevated perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 5  sans the firearm, wherein the apparatus is in the raised position; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged elevated perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 5  where the slidable grip assembly has a brace that is an L shaped bar with a horizontal section and a vertical section that overlaps a second vertical slide element that is piggy-backed on a first vertical slide rail, where the second vertical slide rail functions as an extension of the first vertical slide rail, wherein the vertical section of the L shaped bar is connected to a second slidable element, where the second slidable element has an automatic rotation mechanism connected to the strut assembly, and when a magazine is ejected the automatic rotation mechanism causes the rotatable multi-magazine manifold to rotate to an alignment position for loading the next magazine; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 6 , where the rotatable multi-magazine manifold is raised and, as shown, an upper magazine would be in the magazine-well; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 6 , where the rotatable multi-magazine manifold is lowered; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a serial view illustrating the action of an automatic rotation mechanism that has a geared cocking round lever on a slide and a spring loaded latch to rotate an axial connection on the strut assembly, where rotation can only occur in one direction, as the illustrated stepped latch induces rotation clockwise, and prevents counter-clockwise rotation; 
           [0035]      FIG. 10 a    is an exploded view of the spring loaded latch, where the spring is a coil that is centered on a pivot pin, a hook on the spring loops around a peg projecting from the second vertical slide rail, and a piercing pin of the spring projects through the latch through a pin opening through the latch, wherein out-board pivoting of the latch winds the coil spring; 
           [0036]      FIG. 11  is an elevated partially exploded view of the apparatus having a slidable grip assembly, wherein a standard 10 round magazine having an angled base is being loaded onto a mounting face of the rotatable multi-magazine manifold which is pentagonal polygonal frustum in shape, and the rotatable multi-magazine manifold is being fitted to the strut assembly of the apparatus, wherein the apparatus has an automatic rotation mechanism mounted on the second slidable element that slides on the second vertical slide rail, wherein when the magazine is ejected from a magazine well the first vertical slidable element starts moving toward a lowered position before the second vertical slidable element causing a delayed action of the automatic rotation mechanism, as shown in  FIG. 10 , in part because the geared cocking round lever on the second vertical slidable element is above the latch on the second vertical slide rail, and additionally the second vertical slidable element can be partially restrained by an indent until the first vertical slidable element is stopped at its lowest position; 
           [0037]      FIG. 11 a    is an elevated partially exploded cutaway view of a quick connect rotatable multi-magazine; 
           [0038]      FIG. 12 a    is an elevated perspective view of a rotatable multi-magazine manifold that is a trigonal polygonal frustum with three mounting faces; 
           [0039]      FIG. 12 b    is an elevated perspective view of a rotatable multi-magazine manifold that is a tetragonal polygonal frustum with four mounting faces; 
           [0040]      FIG. 12 c    is an elevated perspective view of a rotatable multi-magazine manifold that is a pentagonal polygonal frustum with five mounting faces; 
           [0041]      FIG. 12 d    is an elevated perspective view of a rotatable multi-magazine manifold that is a hexagonal polygonal frustum with six mounting faces; 
           [0042]      FIG. 13  is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus mounted on a firearm having a handguard rail, where the apparatus has a semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold with a set of two or more block polygons, wherein each block polygon can be fitted with a pair of opposing magazines, wherein the illustrated semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold can be shifted and the manifold has a set of three block polygons with a common axis and three pairs of opposing magazines, wherein the next magazine having ammunition is loaded into an empty magazine-well ejection by either flipping the semi-rotatable manifold to the opposing magazine or by shifting the vertical rails affixed to a first horizontal slidable element, therein moving the manifold inward or outward to an adjacent magazine, and then shoving the aligned magazine into the magazine-well; 
           [0043]      FIG. 14  is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 13 , wherein one of the two center magazines has been ejected and the apparatus is in the lowered position; 
           [0044]      FIG. 15  is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 13 , illustrating that in the lowered position the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold can be rotated 180 degrees, so that the three magazines on a top-side are rotated to a bottom-side, where the new top-side magazine can be chambered into the magazine-well by shifting the horizontal slidable element on the horizontal slide rail to either a center position or either of the two outer positions, and raising the selected magazine into the magazine-well; 
           [0045]      FIG. 16 a    is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus sans the firearm shown in  FIG. 13 , wherein the semi-rotatable multi-magazine shiftable manifold is in the raised position; 
           [0046]      FIG. 16 b    is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus in  FIG. 14  sans the firearm shown, wherein the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold is centered and in the lowered position; 
           [0047]      FIG. 16 c    is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 15  sans the firearm, wherein the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold is lowered and partial rotated so that the new top-side magazines are upward; 
           [0048]      FIG. 17  is an elevated perspective view illustrating how a standard magazine is attached to a mounting face of a semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold; 
           [0049]      FIG. 18  is an exploded view of an apparatus with a quick connect semi-rotatable strut assembly and a quick connect semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold that has a set of three block polygons with a total of six mounting faces, wherein each mounting face can be fitted with a magazine, and the polygons share a spring loaded quick connect axle, separated by spacers and linked by offset connecting rods; 
           [0050]      FIG. 18 a    is a series of views illustrating how the spring loaded quick connect axle is removed from the semi-rotatable forked strut assembly, where the axle has a pair of slotted sections that can pass through a pair of bearing gaps on the strut assembly only when the slotted sections are springedly pressed into alignment with the bearing gaps, wherein, as shown in the left most drawing, an end of the axle has a spring seated in a hole in the polygon (as shown in  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 18 b   ) that pushes the axle to the left (when the firearm is in the upright-shooting position) where the slotted sections are not aligned with the bearing gaps, in the second view the spring is compressed by depressing a button-like undercut end portion of the axle, forcing the axle to the right, therein aligning the slotted sections with the bearing gaps, in the third view the axle is pulled through the bearing gaps, and in the fourth view the axle has cleared the pair of bearing gaps; 
           [0051]      FIG. 18 b    is an overhead view of the spring loaded quick connect axle (without the polygons) and the strut assembly apparatus, in which is illustrate that the axle is keyed with slots, and that under pressure it can aligned with the bearing gaps for quick release or quick connect; 
           [0052]      FIG. 19  is an elevated perspective view of the illustrated embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 b    without any magazines seated on the multi-magazine manifold; 
           [0053]      FIG. 20  is a diagonal cross-section perspective view of the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold shown in  FIG. 18 , wherein the illustrated assembled manifold is illustrated without the axle to highlight the differences in the block polygons; 
           [0054]      FIG. 21 a    is a block polygonal semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold that has N blocks, where N is 2, and it would be supported by a strut assembly having N−1 struts, where N−1 struts is one. 
           [0055]      FIG. 21 b    is a block polygonal semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold that has N blocks, where N is 3, and it would be supported by a strut assembly having N−1 struts, where N−1 struts is two. 
           [0056]      FIG. 21 c    is a block polygonal semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold that has N blocks, where N is 4, and it would be supported by a strut assembly having N−1 struts, where N−1 struts is three. 
           [0057]      FIG. 21 d    is a block polygonal semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold that has N blocks, where N is 5, and it would be supported by a strut assembly having N−1 struts, where N−1 struts is four. 
           [0058]      FIG. 22  is an cutaway elevated perspective side view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 19 , wherein the apparatus has a horizontal slide rail with a plurality of detent elements positioned at two or more desired stopping points along the horizontal slide rail (only one is shown), wherein a horizontal slidable element has a recessed depression that faces the rearward side of the horizontal slide rail, and when the detent, which is illustrated as a spring loaded intersecting element that is press fitted on rearward side of the horizontal slide rail, will move into the recessed depression, therein stopping the horizontal slidable element at a desired stopping point; 
           [0059]      FIG. 23  is an elevated perspective view of an apparatus fitted on the firearm, wherein the apparatus has a z-plane horizontal slide rail, a horizontal slidable element that can be moved laterally from the illustrated center position, on which is mounted a first vertical slide rail having a first vertical slidable element and the first vertical slide has a piggy-backed second vertical slide rail with a second vertical slidable element on which is mounted a non-rotating strut assembly that supports a clamping multi-magazine manifold with a stack of magazines, wherein a center magazine of a laterally offset stack is shown loaded in the magazine-well; 
           [0060]      FIG. 24  is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 23 , wherein the apparatus has a quick release slide lock (QRSL) that enables attaching and detaching a modified clamping multi-magazine manifold for holding a stack of magazines; 
           [0061]      FIG. 25  is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 24 , wherein the modified clamping multi-magazine manifold is disconnected from the strut assembly fitted with the quick release slide lock (QRSL); 
           [0062]      FIG. 26 a    is a planar view of the quick connection-release mechanism that is a quick release slide lock (QRSL), where the QRSL is in the locked position, which is the default position, wherein a forward bar element on a modified clamping multi-magazine manifold has two or more studs that project toward the QRSL attached to the strut assembly, where each stud has a circular groove (see  FIG. 25 ) that is proximate to an end of the stud, wherein an end of each stud is beveled, and the stud is long enough to extend through the QRSL, which has a spring loaded sliding plate that overlaps and a prong mounted base plate having a set of larger diameter holes, wherein the spring loaded sliding plate has a lower edge that includes a set of smaller diameter semi-circular and larger diameter semi-circular edge components that intersect the studs, wherein taken together the circular edge components of the sliding plate and the set of larger diameter holes of base plate intersect the circular groove locking the stud, and when locked a QRSL button on the spring loaded sliding plate is shifted outboard; and 
           [0063]      FIG. 26 b    is a planar view of the quick release slide lock (QRSL), where the QRSL is in the unlocked—release position, which is produced when the QRSL button is pressed causing the spring loaded sliding plate to move inboard, wherein each of the studs can be disengaged, passing past the set of larger diameter circular edge components, therein enabling the studs on the modified clamping multi-magazine manifold to be removed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0064]    The invention is an apparatus that facilitates repeatedly aligning and loading a magazine into a magazine-well of a firearm, without the need for to visually disengage from a target. The apparatus includes a multi-magazine manifold which can hold a plurality of magazines, where the multi-magazine manifold is mounted to one or more vertical slides that with minimal assistance align a magazine with the magazine well. Ejection and reloading is faster and easier, as alignment is substantially built into the apparatus. The apparatus is rugged and simple to use, and can be fitted to a wide range of firearms. 
         [0065]    The apparatus is conceptually illustrated in  FIG. 1 a   - FIG. 1 d    and  FIG. 2 a   - FIG. 2 d   , which are a series of side views of a firearm  100  fitted with the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  is forward of the firearm&#39;s magazine-well  120  and mounted to the handguard rail  110 . The firearm has a magazine ejection device  130  that releases magazines, causing them to be ejected from magazine-well. The apparatus provides a facile mechanism for repeatedly loading rounds from magazines  80 , 80 ′ bundled on a rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60  or on a semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′, and also a non-rotatable clamped multi-magazine manifold (not shown conceptually). 
         [0066]    In the apparatus  FIG. 1 a   - FIG. 1 d    the apparatus  10  has a semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′. The first vertical slide rail  30  extends downward from the adapter  20 . The first vertical slide rail  30  is mounted to the handguard utilizing a handguard rail  110 . The first vertical slide rail  30  has a first slidable element  40  with a strut assembly  50  extending from the first slidable element  40  to the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′, wherein the magazine  80 ′, designated “O”, is attached to a side with a face  62 ′ of the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′, and the “O” magazine is inserted in the magazine-well  120  of the firearm  100  and a magazine designated “X” is on the opposing side with a face  63 ′ of the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′. 
         [0067]    In  FIG. 1 b    the “O” magazine has been ejected from the magazine-well, and the “O” magazine  80 ′ has dropped a distance sufficient to clear a rim  121  of the magazine-well  120 , the movement of the “O” magazine has caused the first slidable element  40  to slide to a vertical slide full-stop element  32 , which prevents further drop of the “O” magazine; 
         [0068]    The semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′, as shown in  FIG. 1 c   , has turned about 45 degrees of the 180 degrees necessary to flip to the next magazine  80 , which is distinguished by the “X”. The semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′ has been flipped, as shown in  FIG. 1 d   , therein aligning the “X” magazine  80  with the magazine-well  120  and, and the “X” magazine  80  has been pushed upward into the magazine-well  120 , wherein the rounds can be chambered and the first vertical slidable element  40 , the strut assembly  50  and the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′ are back to the raised position on the first vertical slide rail  30 . 
         [0069]    The apparatus  10  with the rotatable multi-magazine manifold is shown in  FIG. 2 a -2 d   . The action is mechanistically similar to  FIG. 1 a -1 d    except that rotation of the rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60  is into the page of a side view of the firearm  100 . The mounting faces are numbered  62  and  63 , dropping the apostrophe, indicating that the manifold is rotatable. 
         [0070]    The rotatable multi-magazine manifold is a polygon having an axial center and having perimeter walls with magazine mounting faces, wherein a magazine mounting face can receive and hold a magazine utilizing a bottom end portion of the magazine, wherein each of the mounting faces can be fitted with one magazine. 
         [0071]    In most cases it is anticipated that the apparatus will be used to align and load more than one magazine, and  FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment where the rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60  has five magazines. The illustrated rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60  is a pentagonal frustum polygon (a.k.a a polygonal frustum). Portions of the mounting faces  62 , 63 , 64  are visible in this perspective view. The two faces  65 , 66  not shown in  FIG. 3  are shown in  FIG. 11 . The magazine-well  120  of the firearm  100  currently is filled with a magazine. 
         [0072]      FIGS. 12 a , 12 b  12 c  and 12 d    illustrate several other, but not all, possible embodiments of rotatable multi-magazine manifolds that are similar suitable polygons. The polygons have an axial center and a plurality of perimeter walls, wherein the perimeter walls have external mounting faces. An external mounting face can receive and hold a magazine by a base portion of the magazine in potential alignment with the magazine-well, and when the manifold is filled the magazines are in radial alignment with the axial center. 
         [0073]    Standard magazines nominally have an angled base to accommodate for the shape of the ammunition, and the illustrated polygonal frustums are similarly tapered to accommodate for the angle of the base of the magazine. For magazines having a substantially non-angled base, the polygon can be modified or selected to mount magazines with non-angled bases (not shown). Each rearward edge  61   r  of the frustum must have a length that is at least as long as a thickness  82   t  of a magazine, and each forward edge  61   f  frustum must be long enough that the taper matches the angled base  82   a  of the magazine, and also long enough to accommodate a width  82   w  of the magazine (see  FIG. 11 ). 
         [0074]    Each of the frustums illustrated in  FIGS. 12 a , 12 b  12 c  and 12 d    is symmetrical, so that all faces on a given frustum are the same. The dimensions of the base and shape of a standard issue magazine was used to determine the size and shape of the manifold. The illustrated frustums are uniquely suitable for providing a multi-faced manifold. The practical range for a rotating manifold is up to six sides, as the frustum becomes overly large and once installed with loaded magazines, would be overly weighty above this for typical firearms. 
         [0075]    Returning to  FIG. 3 , the adapter  20  includes a beam  22  with a set of fastening elements  24 . The adapter provides an ultra-solid platform that won&#39;t slip even under heavy recoil, wherein the adapter is mounted to the handguard rail  110  forward of the magazine-well  120 . The handguard rail is exemplified by a Picatinny and Weaver-style rails. The magazine ejection device  130  is nominally just rear of the magazine-well as shown in the illustrated embodiment. The first vertical slide rail  30  is a rigid structural member, wherein an upper end of the first vertical slide rail is mounted on the adapter  20  perpendicular to the beam  22 . The lower opposing end is terminated with a full-stop element  32 . The vertical slide rail functions as a guiding track to which a carriage can be secured. The first vertical slidable element  40  is supported and guided by the first vertical slide rail  30 , wherein the first vertical slidable element  40  is gripping the first vertical slide rail  30  and functions as the carriage having a low resistance to moving along the first vertical slide rail  30  even when the first vertical slidable element is under stress, wherein the first vertical slidable element has a mountable surface that faces rearward toward the magazine-well  120 . 
         [0076]    The rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60  shown in  FIG. 3  is a symmetrical polygonal frustum with an axial center  68  (see  FIG. 11 ) and has five perimeter walls with magazine mounting faces  62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 . As shown in  FIG. 11  the magazine mounting face can receive and hold a magazine utilizing a bottom end portion  82  of the magazine  80 , wherein each of the mounting faces can be fitted with one magazine. 
         [0077]    The rotatable strut assembly  50  has a strut  52 , a positioning plate  51  with a plurality of set points  54  as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . In  FIG. 3  a detent  55  can be seen that has a slightly protruding spring loaded ball (see  FIG. 11 a   ). The ball is aligned and partially seated in an opposing recess. In  FIG. 4  the detent  55  is not aligned with any of the recesses  54  as the rotatable multi-magazine manifold is being rotated to the next magazine. 
         [0078]    The strut  52  has a length selected to align a front exterior magazine side inside of an interior front magazine-well wall, and the set point for each of the magazine mounting faces is selected so that both magazine exterior side walls are aligned to fit inside the magazine-well. When the magazine ejection device  130  is actuated, the magazine in the well  120  is ejected causing the manifold  60 , the rotatable strut assembly  50  and the first vertical slidable element  40  all to drop to their lowest position. The multi-magazine manifold can be turned to a next set point for the next magazine, and the next magazine is now positioned beneath and in-line with an empty magazine-well, wherein the next magazine can be shoved into the empty well.  FIG. 5  illustrates the position of the next magazine just prior to being shoved into the magazine-well  120 . Raising the magazine raises the manifold  60 , the rotatable strut assembly  50  and the first vertical slidable element  40  to their upper operational position. 
         [0079]    The apparatus  10  shown in  FIG. 5  also illustrates a slidable grip assembly  70  that is mounted to the adapter  20  forward of the first vertical slide rail  30 . The slidable grip assembly  70  includes a strong rod  72  mounted to the adapter  20 . The beam  22  of the adapter  20  is extended to accommodate the slidable grip assembly  70 , and the adapter has additional fastening elements  24  to attach the slidable grip assembly  70  to the handguard rail  110 . The strong rod  72 , which can support recoil, extends downward from the adapter  20 . The slidable grip assembly  70  includes a hand grip  71  having an annular element  75  (shown in ghost as dashed lines), wherein the hand grip can slide over the strong rod  72 . The annular element  75  is a core grip slidable element, for example a nylon bearing or a tubular element or ball bearings. There is a brace, which is an L shaped bar  73  having a horizontal section  73   h  and a vertical section  73   v , wherein the horizontal section  73   h  of the L shaped bar provides support for the hand grip and the vertical section  73   v  provides support for at least one vertical slide rail. The horizontal section  73   h  of the L shaped bar has a forward opening  73   o  through which passes the strong rod  72  and rearward opening  74  that can accommodate the first vertical slide rail  30 , the first vertical slidable element  40 , and the second vertical slide rail  230  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0080]    The L shaped bar  73  extends rearward overlapping the second vertical slide rail  230  and is attached to the second vertical slidable element  240 , therein indirectly providing support for the second vertical slide rail  230 .  FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9  illustrate the overlap of the vertical section  73   v  of the second vertical rail  230 . 
         [0081]    The second vertical slide rail  230 , which is a rigid structural member, is mounted on the first vertical slidable element  40 , and so when extended it only partially overlaps the first vertical slide rail  30 . The second vertical slide rail  230  functions as a retractable extension of the first vertical slide rail  30 . The vertical section  73   v  supports the second vertical slide rail  230  even when it is fully extended. The first and second vertical slide rail can be terminated with a second full-stop element (not shown) to ensure that the first and second vertical slidable elements remain on their corresponding vertical slide rails. 
         [0082]    In  FIG. 7  the illustrated apparatus  10 , which has a second vertical slide rail  230 , also has an adjustable resistance element  236  that prevents the second vertical slidable element  240  from moving as fast as the first vertical slidable element  40 . This is particularly important when the apparatus  10  also has an automatic rotation mechanism  90  that advances the rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60  to the next magazine, as rotation should only commence after an ejected magazine has cleared the rim  121  of the magazine-well  120  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The automatic rotation mechanism  90 , is only barely visible in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 6 , except for a latch  94  and a partial view of a geared cocking round lever  92 . The side view in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  provide more detail. The automatic rotation mechanism is described in greater detail below. 
         [0083]    Recapping, the apparatus in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  had only a single vertical slide rail  30 . In  FIG. 5 , the addition of the grip assembly expanded the number of vertical slide rails to include a second vertical slide rail  230 , where the second vertical slide rail is attached to the first vertical slide rail via first vertical slidable element  40 . When there was one vertical slide rail ( FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ) the strut assembly  50  was mounted on the first vertical slidable element  40 . When there is a second vertical slide rail  230 , the strut assembly  50  is mounted on a second vertical slidable element  240 . In  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8 , and  FIG. 9  illustrate more detail about the apparatus, as the apparatus is not mounted, and further expand on the elements of the automatic rotation mechanism. 
         [0084]    The apparatus is illustrated in  FIG. 8  in the raised ready position, and in  FIG. 9  in the lowered, rotatable position. In the raised position the upright magazine  80  normally is in the magazine-well. In the illustrated embodiment the apparatus  10  includes a slidable grip assembly  70  mounted to the adapter  20  forward of the first vertical slide rail  30 . A strong rod  72  extends vertically downward from the adapter  20 . The fastening elements  24  attach the beam  22  of the adapter  20  to a handguard rail  110  ( FIG. 5 ). Three bolts and nuts are shown for securing the adapter  20  to the to the handguard rail. The slidable grip assembly  70  and the first vertical rail  30  are structurally secured to an underside of the beam  22 . The L shaped bar  73  is a strength element and is vertically slidable. The brace, an L shaped bar has a horizontal section  73   h  and a vertical section  73   v , wherein the horizontal section  73   h  of the L shaped bar provides support for the hand grip and the vertical section  73   v  provides support for at least one vertical slide rail. The annular element  75  provides the grip with a hollow core enabling both the grip and the horizontal section  73   h  it is attached to move vertically. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the forward opening  73   o  can slide over the strong rod  72  and the rearward opening  74  that can accommodate the first vertical slide rail  30  and the first vertical slidable element  40 . 
         [0085]    The second vertical slide rail  230  is fastened to a rearward facing mounting plate of the first vertical slidable element  40 . As previously noted, the horizontal section  73   h  of the L shaped bar of grip assembly  70  has a forward opening  73   o  through which passes the strong rod  72  and rearward opening  74  that can accommodate the first vertical slide rail  30  and the first vertical slidable element  40  as shown in  FIG. 7 . In the fully raised position (see  FIG. 6 ), the first vertical slidable element  40  is located substantially under the horizontal section  73   h . Compare the relative positions of the first vertical slidable element  40  in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  with respect to the horizontal section  73   h . In  FIG. 7  the first vertical slidable element  40  protrudes upward through the opening  74 . 
         [0086]    The strut assembly  50  includes the automatic rotation mechanism  90 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . The automatic rotation mechanism advances the rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60  to the next magazine, when the magazine in the magazine-well is ejected. The automatic rotation mechanism  90  harvests energy released when the magazine is ejected to increment the rotation. The amount of rotation is in a number of degrees as a fraction of a circle, where the number is 360 degrees divided by the number of magazine mounting faces. In the case of a pentagon, an increment of rotation is seventy two degrees (360/5=72). The automatic rotation mechanism harvests most of the energy released when the magazine is ejected to rotate to the next magazine, and as will be seen some this energy is recaptured when the next magazine is loaded into the magazine-well  120  of the firearm  100 . 
         [0087]    A side view of the apparatus  10  is shown in  FIG. 8 , where the pentagonal multi-magazine manifold is raised and, as shown, an upper magazine would be in the magazine-well. The adapter  20  has a beam  22  and additional fastening elements  24 . The grip assembly  70  has a grip  71 , which slides over the rod  72 . Dashed lines suggest the grip&#39;s core annular element  75 . Dashed lines also are used to suggest openings  73   o  and  74 . 
         [0088]    The second slidable element  240  has rearward mounting plate  244  to which is mounted the strut assembly  50 . The strut has an axial plate  51  for mounting the strut to the rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 . Elements of the automatic rotation mechanism (see  FIG. 10 ) are only partially visible. They include a geared cocking round lever  92  on the strut  50  and a latch  94  mounted on the second vertical slide rail  230 . A covering plate  245  protects the many of the elements of the automatic rotation mechanism. 
         [0089]    In  FIG. 9  the apparatus has been lowered. The first vertical rail  30  is extended with a second vertical rail  230 . The second vertical slide rail  230  is capped with an upper stop  237 , and is mounted on the first vertical slidable element  40 . The second vertical slide rail  230  functions as a retractable extension of the first vertical slide rail. The chamber end  81  of the magazine  80  feeds into the magazine-well. The L shaped bar  73  has an opening  74  (indicated by dashed lines) that permit the L shaped bar  73  to move past the first vertical slide rail  30  and the first vertical slidable element  40 . 
         [0090]    Rotation should not begin until the magazine has cleared the rim  121  of the magazine-well (see  FIG. 5 ). The operative elements of one embodiment of the automatic rotation mechanism  90  are described in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 10 a   . It is anticipated that other mechanisms are possible, for example those that use one-way bearings, and in disclosing this embodiment the concept is taught. 
         [0091]    When a magazine is ejected from the magazine-well the first vertical slidable element drops carrying the second vertical slide rail to its extended position. The second vertical slidable element  240  is somewhat restrained, and it slides from its raised position, defined by an upper stop element  239  (see  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 10 a   ) for the second vertical slidable element  240 , and slowed by an adjustable restraint element  236 , for example an adjustable detent, giving enough time for the magazine to clear the magazine rim before activating the automatic rotation mechanism. The automatic rotation mechanism  90  is shown in  FIG. 10  as a series of views from left to right as seen from the manifold  60 . 
         [0092]    When a magazine is loaded into a magazine-well the upper stop element  239  using the slidable grip assembly  70 , the second vertical slidable element is moved upward until it abuts the upper stop element  239 , wherein the second vertical slide rail  230  is raised, collapsing the second vertical slide rail  230  on top of the first vertical slide rail  30 , shortening the overall length of the extendable piggybacked rails. 
         [0093]    The second vertical slidable element  240  starts sliding down the second vertical slide rail  230  almost immediately when the current magazine is released. It is slowed slightly by the adjustable restraint element  236 . The second vertical slidable element  240  has a front protective plate  244 , that is protects the automatic rotation mechanism  90 . An axial rod  92   b  projects rearward from the front protective plate  244 , and it functions as a bearing for a geared cocking round lever  92  and is coaxial with the strut  50 , wherein the strut  50  can rotate on the axial rod  92   b . The geared cocking round lever  92  is mounted on the strut. The geared cocking round lever  92  has scalloped gears  92   a . A spring loaded latch  94  having positively scalloped gears  94   a  and an abutting straight section  94   a ′ is mounted to the second vertical slide rail  230 . The positively scalloped gears  94   a  are selected to mesh with the scalloped gears  92   a , but the gears are skewed so as to induce more tangential force in one direction and slippage in the opposing direction. 
         [0094]      FIG. 10 a    shows detent  250  on the rail side of the second vertical slidable element  240  that is mated with adjustable resistance element  236  when the magazine is chambered inside the magazine well. As shown in  FIG. 10 a    the spring  95  of the spring loaded latch  94  has a coil  95   a  that is centered on the pivot pin  97 , a hook  95   b  that loops around a peg  91  projecting from the second vertical slide rail  230 , and a piercing pin  95   c  that projects through the latch  94  through a pin opening  93 . Rotation of the latch is limited by peg  91  against a start notch  94   d  and a stop notch  94   b . Prior to contact of the geared cocking round lever  92  with the spring loaded latch  94 , the spring loaded latch is nearly upright, with the peg  91  seated in the start notch  94   d . When the lever  92  contacts the latch  94 , it initially is with an abutting straight end section  94   a ′ of the latch as shown in the second of the series of seven views. The meshing produces a tangential force on the on geared cocking round lever  92 , causing it to rotate clockwise. The latch responds by swinging counterclockwise  99 , exposing additional positively scalloped gears  94   a , which cause further clockwise rotation  98  of the lever. Rotation ceases when the stop notch  94   b  rests against the peg  91 , as shown in the last view of the series. The swing action tensions the coiled spring  95 . The next magazine is now aligned, ready to be moved into the magazine-well. Loading is performed by simply raising the slidable grip assembly  70 , if available, or gripping the manifold or a magazine on the manifold to move the aligned magazine into the well. The weight of the apparatus can be used to load the next magazine by lifting the firearm upright or even inverted, as alignment is maintained. 
         [0095]    Raising the geared cocking round lever  92  does not mesh gears as the spring loaded latch just rides over the lever&#39;s gears  92   a , consequently there is no additional rotation.  FIG. 11 a    further clarifies the mechanism. Additionally as shown in  FIG. 11 a   , when the desired rotation is achieved a detent on the second vertical slidable element  240  clicks into place once the cocking round lever  92  has rotated the desired number of degrees. 
         [0096]    In  FIG. 11 a   , frontal face  60   f  of the rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60  has an alignment cog  68   a  along an edge of the axial opening  68  to a central bore  902  of the rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 . The central bore  902  allows axial rod  92   b  to pass into the rotatable multi-magazine manifold&#39;s central bore  902 , and fit into slots (not shown) on the axial positioning plate  51  to ensure proper positioning of rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60  with the magazine well. The rearward face  60   r  of the rotatable multi-magazine manifold has a quick release  900 , which when compressed, retracts retaining balls  901  out of expansion chamber  903  of bore  904  in axial rod  92   b  and allows easy removal of the entire rotatable multi-magazine manifold.  FIG. 11 a    also shows detents  54  in a geared cocking round lever  92  that correspond with adjustable resistance element  54  on the partially cut-away second vertical slidable element  240  so that when geared cocking round lever  92  has rotated the correct incremental number of degrees, the spring decompresses to fill detent  55  and prevent further rotation clockwise or counterclockwise so the magazine is properly aligned with the magazine well. 
         [0097]    The tensioned coiled spring  95  returns the latch  94  to its upright position as shown in the first view and second view of the series. Only, after the next magazine is ejected will rotation again move the next incremental number of degrees. The automatic rotation mechanism  90  harvests the energy released during ejection to power the automatic rotation mechanism, conserving some energy with the coiled spring  95 . 
         [0098]      FIG. 11, 11   a , and  FIGS. 12 a -12 d    have previously been discussed. 
         [0099]    A variation of the apparatus  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 13 , wherein the apparatus has a semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′. The semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′ provides rotation through only 180 degrees. As will become clear, the magazines are mounted on the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′ having a face that is angled when positioned on a semi-rotatable strut assembly  50 ′ to compensate for the angle of the base of the magazine. The magazines are still aligned with the magazine-well, and the manifold  60 ′ rotates in the plane of the paper, as was conceptually described in  FIGS. 1 a -1 d   . The semi-rotatable manifold makes it possible to repeatedly load and eject multiple magazines without visually disengaging from a target. 
         [0100]    In the Illustrated semi-rotatable embodiment of the apparatus the adapter  20  is mounted directly to a handguard or as illustrated to a handguard rail  110  of a firearm  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 13  the apparatus includes an adapter  20 , a mounting block  310 , and a horizontal slide rail  330  that is mounted on the mounting block  310  at right angles to the adapter. The horizontal slide rail  330  has a horizontal slidable element  340  that can slide across a rearward side of the horizontal slide rail  330 . A first vertical slide rail is rigidly attached to the horizontal slidable element  340 . The first vertical slide rail  30  has an overlapping second vertical slide rail  230  that functions as an extension of the first vertical slide rail  30 . The second vertical slide rail  230  is mounted on a first vertical slidable element  40 . The second vertical slide rail  230  has a second vertical slidable element  240 . The vertical slide rails and vertical slidable elements are jointly referred to as a vertical slide rail assembly. Movement of the horizontal slidable element  340 , and the affixed vertical slide rail assembly is in the Z-plane, which is in-to or out-of the page of the side view of the apparatus relative the firearm. 
         [0101]    The horizontal slide rail has one or more Z-plane stopping points that the horizontal slidable element can be moved, where a number Z of stopping points nominally matches the number of blocks included in a semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′. See  FIGS. 21 a -21 d    for examples of semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′ having a plurality of blocks  62 ′. Each Z-plane stopping point is selected so that at least one of the magazines affixed to a block on the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold is spatially aligned between a right side and a left side of a magazine-well. In  FIG. 13  there are three blocks  62   a ′, 62   b ′, 62   c ′, so there are three stopping points on the horizontal slide rail. The stopping points  331   a ,  331   b ,  331   c  are not visible in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , but they are shown in other drawings. The two outboard stopping points  331   a  and  331   c  are shown in  FIG. 18 b   , and the center stopping point  331   b  is shown in  FIG. 22 . 
         [0102]    The semi-rotatable strut assembly  50 ′ is mounted on a rearward face of the second vertical slidable element  240 . The illustrated semi-rotatable strut assembly  50 ′ has two struts a left strut  521 ′, and a right strut  52   r ′. The struts are parallel and have a length that is selected so that the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold has at least one magazine affixed to a block that is spatially aligned front-to-back with the magazine-well  120 . In general the strut assembly  50 ′ has one less strut than there are blocks  62 ′. A maximum of five blocks  62 ′ is anticipated, due to the practicality of size and weight limits for maneuverability of the firearm, so a maximum of four struts are anticipated, however, theoretically, these numbers are not finite. 
         [0103]      FIGS. 21 a -21 d    illustrate semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifolds  60 ′ having a plurality of blocks  62 ′, where the plurality is two to five blocks ( 62   a ′ &amp;  62   b ′) up to ( 62   a ′ &amp;  62   b ′ &amp;  62   c ′ &amp;  62   d ′ &amp;  62   e ′). All the manifolds have a pair of connecting rods  681 ′,  682 ′ and one axle  64 ′. All the blocks of the different manifolds are separated by spacers  691 ′. Each block has opposing mounting faces. For example  FIG. 21 b    has six mounting faces  621 ′ (see  FIG. 18 ) and  622 ′,  623 ′ (see  FIG. 18 ) and  624 ′,  625 ′ (see  FIG. 18 ) and  626 ′. 
         [0104]      FIG. 22  provides an example of a stopping point  331   b ′ on the first horizontal slide rail  330  is. The slidable horizontal slidable element  340  has a recessed depression  341  that can receive a detent  331   b ′ that is press fitted in the horizontal slide rail  330 . The slidable horizontal slidable element  340  could alternately be fitted with the detent, but the downside is that the slidable horizontal slidable element  340  would not move as easily between points, and the change in drag/friction between points is smaller and therefore not as easily detected. In the current embodiment, the horizontal slide rail is fitted with three detents instead of one in the slidable horizontal slidable element  340  provides a more pronounced stop, and there is less wear, therein assuring alignment of a magazine on the manifold with the magazine-well. 
         [0105]    In  FIG. 13 , there is currently a magazine  80  is in the magazine-well  120 . The current magazine is ejected by simply actuating the firearm&#39;s magazine ejection device  130 , which is more clearly seen in  FIG. 14 . In  FIG. 14  the current magazine has been ejected causing the magazine on the semi-rotatable manifold, the semi-rotatable strut assembly and the vertical slide rail assembly to drop. To load the next magazine into the empty magazine-well the semi-rotatable manifold  60 ′ is either flipped to the opposing magazine or the vertical slide rail assembly is shifted to a new stopping point by sliding the horizontal slidable element  340 , therein moving the manifold inboard or outboard, and then shoving the aligned magazine into the magazine-well.  FIG. 14  shows the apparatus immediately following ejection. 
         [0106]      FIG. 15  illustrates the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′ in the process of being flipped. The magazines labelled “R”, “C”, “L” that were previously shown in  FIG. 14  have been turned about 90 degrees. They must be turned a full 180 degrees, so that the three magazines that were on the top-side and righted are rotated to a bottom-side, where they are inverted and reversed. Whether rotation is clockwise or counter-clockwise is determined by the manifold  60 ′ current position, as rotation between the struts is not allowed. As show in  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 , the blocks  62 ′ making up the manifold  60 ′ are held together with connecting rods  681 ′,  682 ′ on opposing sides of a center axle  64 ′. The blocks are separated by spacers  691 ′,  692 ′,  693 , ′ 694 ′. The rods and spacers prevent rotation between the struts, and in fact they act as stopping elements. As shown in  FIG. 18 , the struts  521 ′, 52   r ′ have top-side grooves  591 ′, ′ 593 ′ can only receive the top-side spacers  691 ′, 693 ′, and the bottom-side grooves  592 ′, 594 ′ can only receive the bottom-side spacers  692 ′, 694 ′. So, if the manifold  60 ′ as shown in  FIG. 19  is positioned with the top-side spacers  691 ′, 693 ′ in the top-side grooves  591 ′, ′ 593 ′, then flipping is only possible if the rotation is clockwise. Of course, if the bottom-side spacers  692 ′, 694 ′ are in the bottom-side grooves  592 ′, 594 ′ then only counter-clockwise rotation is possible. 
         [0107]    After flipping potentially all the now top-side magazines can be chambered into the magazine-well, one will be aligned. The other now top-side magazines can be chambered by shifting the horizontal slidable element on the horizontal slide rail to either a center position or either of the two outer positions, where each position is in alignment with the magazine-well  120 . The manifold is raised, loading the selected magazine into the magazine-well. 
         [0108]      FIG. 16 a    illustrates the apparatus shown in  FIG. 13  without the firearm.  FIG. 16 b    Illustrates the apparatus shown in  FIG. 14  without the firearm, and  FIG. 16 c    illustrates the apparatus shown in  FIG. 15  without the firearm. The most notable feature is that while the magazines and the vertical slide assembly are parallel, the blocks  62   a ′, 62   b ′, 62   c ′ are angled so that the face when the standard magazine  80  is mounted it has a vertical orientation. This is easier to see in  FIG. 17 . The angle of block  62   c ′ is selected so that the face  643 ′ compensates for the angle of the base  82 , which is often slopped. The slope angle is  82   a . This is a real advantage, as a user can use standard magazines on the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′, or if the base is not not-angled, the manifold can be selected for a non-angled base. 
         [0109]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 18 a    the left strut  521 ′ and the right strut  52   r ′ each have a bearing  531 ′, 53   r ′ with a gap  541 ′,  54   r ′, wherein the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′ has a quick connect axle  64 ′ (as shown in  FIG. 18   ba  and  FIG. 18 b   ) that can be fitted within the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′. The quick connect axle  64 ′ enables the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′ to be positioned on the struts, with the axle  64 ′ mounted in the bearings  531 ′, 53   r ′. No disassembly of the bearings or the manifold is required. 
         [0110]    Also in  FIG. 18 , all six mounting faces are numbered  621 ′,  622 ′,  623 ′,  624 ′,  625 ′,  626 ′. Three of the faces are marginally visible. Each mounting face can be fitted with a magazine, as shown in  FIG. 17  and others. There are a total of six magazines. In other variations the manifold shown in  FIG. 21 a    could hold four magazines; in  FIG. 21 c    could hold eight magazines; and the manifold in  FIG. 21 d    could hold ten magazines. Typically, the magazines hold twenty or fewer rounds of ammunition. The magazines illustrated in  FIG. 17  are a ten round clip, which is atypical, but gaining in usage. As shown in  FIG. 18  and to a lesser extent  FIG. 20 , the block polygons  62   a ′,  62   b ′,  62   c ′ share a spring loaded quick connect axle  64 ′, and are equally spaced by hollow spacers  691 ′, 692 ′, 693 ′, 694 ′ through which extend connecting rods  681 ′,  682 ′ that are threaded headed pins. As previously discussed, the spacers are positioned to also function as stops, when the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′ is flipped. 
         [0111]    As can be seen in  FIG. 18  the axle  64 ′ is keyed so that when properly positioned slots  641 ′ and  642 ′ can pass through the bearing gaps  54   r ′ and  541 ′ as shown in  FIG. 18 a    and  FIG. 18 b   . As diagrammatically illustrated as a sequence of views in  FIG. 18 a    this is possible only when pressure is applied to axle button  643 ′, compressing the compression spring  65 ′, which aligns the slots  641 ′,  642 ′ with the bearings slots  53   r ′ and  531 ′. As soon as pressure is released, the compression spring expands  65 ′, the axle shifts, the slots and gaps are no longer aligned, and the axle  64 ′ is retained because the bearings see the full diameter of the axle. To achieve this, each of the blocks  62   a ′,  62   b ′,  62   c ′ has certain features. 
         [0112]      FIG. 20  is a diagonal cross-section of the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  60 ′ without the quick connect axle  64 ′ shown in  FIG. 18 . The center block  62   b ′ has a centroid bearing bore  63   b ′. A center section of the axle  64 ′, where the center section is the sectional length between slots  641 ′ and  642 ′ (as shown in  FIG. 18 ) is substantially housed in the centroid bearing bore  63   b ′. The center block  62   b ′ also has a pair of through-block openings  633 ′ and  634 ′ for the connecting rods  681 ′ and  682 ′. The diameter of the opening  633 ′ is sufficiently small to occlude the spacers  693 ′,  694 ′. The right block  62   a  has a partial centroid end-bearing bore  63   a ′ with a floor  64   a ′, wherein a centroid partial bore  63   a ′ can receive the spring  65 ′ and an end of the axle  64 ′. The right block  62   a ′ has threaded holes  631 ′ and  632 ′ the connecting rods  681 ′ and  682 ′ having threaded sections  671 ′, 672 ′ (see  FIG. 18 ). A left block  62   c ′ has a centroid bore  63   c ′ that narrows to a constricted bore  64   c ′ that stops the axle but allows a button  643 ′ (see  FIG. 18 ) to project through and out the side of block  62   c ′. The axle  64 ′ is largely centered in the centroid bearing bore. An exception is when pressure is applied to the button causing the compression spring  65 ′ to be compressed, therein shifting the shaft toward the right block  62   a , aligning the slots  641 ′,  642 ′ with the bearings slots  54   r ′ and  541 ′. Without compression, the manifold is retained by the bearings  531 ′, 53   r′.    
         [0113]    To achieve the desired slope angle is  82   a  angle there are several factors to consider including the distance of the connecting rods from the axle, the proximity of the connecting rods to a block&#39;s face, the diameter of the spacers, and the location of the strut bearings. As shown in  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 , the slope angle is relative shallow, and the bearings  531 ′, 53   r ′ are substantially proximate to a lower side of the struts  521 ′,  52   r′.    
         [0114]    The horizontal slide rail  330  and the horizontal slidable element  340  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 22 . In the embodiment the mounting block  310  is coextensive with the adapter. The horizontal slide rail  330  is fastened to the mounting block with at least two screws  15   a ,  15   b . Only screw  15   a  is shown, as a portion of the mounting block is cutaway to see the horizontal slide rail  330 . In general, the slidable elements are not limited to a specific type of bearing to minimize friction, as multiple factors can enter in the determination. Encapsulated ball bearings and bushings are two types that are commonly employed. In the illustrated horizontal slidable element ball bears are shown, but bushings or self-lubricating systems can be employed. 
         [0115]    The horizontal slide rail  330  has a pair of opposing channels, an upper channel  333   a  and a lower channel  333   b . The horizontal slidable element  340  nominally has a set of race of ball bearings upper race  343   a  and lower race of ball bearings  343   b . The upper race  343   a  is not visible because a portion of the horizontal slidable element  340  is cut away to show the first vertical slidable rail  30 . The vertical slidable rail  30  is fastened to a rear side of the horizontal slidable element  340  using screws  345   b  and  345   a . The top screw  345   a  is not visible as the upper portion of the horizontal slidable element  340  is cut-away. An upper portion of the vertical slidable rail  30  has a threaded hole  36   a  that receives the top screw  345   a  in an upper portion of the horizontal slidable element (not visible). The lower portion of the vertical slidable rail  30  is obscured by the horizontal slidable element  340 , and so a threaded hole  36   b  is not visible. 
         [0116]    The first and second vertical slidable rails  30 , 230  also have a pair of opposing channels  33 ,  233 . The first and second vertical slidable elements  40 , 240  have would similarly have their own set of race of ball bearings. The second vertical slidable element has a plurality of holes  243  for fastening the semi-rotatable strut assembly  50 ′ (not shown). 
         [0117]    An apparatus with a non-rotating strut assembly  150  and a non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  160  is illustrated in  FIG. 23 . There are three higher round count magazines. Several rounds  85  are visible. A higher count magazine holds more than ten rounds, and usually twenty or more rounds. The non-rotating strut assembly  150  has a left prong  152  and right prong  154 . The non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  160  has a forward flat bar  162 , a rearward flat bar  164 , and spacing elements  165 ,  166  between the magazines. The forward clamp  162  is attached to the left prong  152  and right prong  154 . The forward flat bar  162  has a pair of lateral tabs (only left tab  162   l  is shown), and the rearward flat bar  164  has a pair of lateral tabs, where only  164   l  is visible. The width of the spacing elements  165 ,  166  matches distance between stopping points  331   a , 331   b , 331   c  (not visible in this view-see  FIG. 18 b    and  FIG. 22 ). As shown there is a center magazine  180   b , a left magazine  180   c , and a right magazine  180   a . The magazines form a stack  180 . As previously disclosed the apparatus has a horizontal slide rail  330  with a first horizontal slidable element  340  that provides the capability to shift the non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  160  to another stopping point, when the vertical assembly is lowered. The first horizontal slide rail  330  is attached to the adapter  20  via the mounting block  310 . The first vertical slide rail  30  with a piggy-backed second vertical slide rail  230  via a first vertical slidable element  40 . The second vertical slidable element  240  has rearward facing plate to which is mounted the non-rotating strut assembly  150 . A magazine is selected by moving to a stopping point. Magazine  180   b  is shown loaded in the firearm&#39;s magazine-well  120 . 
         [0118]    The apparatus as illustrated in  FIG. 24  has a quick release slide lock (QRSL)  800  that enables attaching and detaching a modified non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  168 , where components of the QRSL  800  are fitted on the non-rotating strut assembly  150  and the non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  160  that provide for changing manifolds. The modified forward flat bar  162  of the non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold is fitted with a plurality of studs  872  that project forward. Three studs are shown, and each has a beveled end and a setback circular groove. A spring loaded sliding plate  835  forwardly overlaps a latch base plate  825 . The spring loaded sliding plate  835  (see  FIG. 26 b   ) has a plurality of elongate holes and each hole has a headed stem  855  that is projecting from the latch base plate  825 . The spring loaded sliding plate  835  has a plurality of semi-circular edges, and the semi-circular edges are abutting the setback circular grooves of the studs  872 , therein latching the non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  160  to the non-rotating strut assembly  150 . 
         [0119]    In  FIG. 25  the modified non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold  168  is disconnected from the strut assembly fitted with the quick release slide lock  800 . A little more detail is viewable. The beveled studs  872 , mounted on the forward clamp bar  162  of the non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold, have a relatively high aspect of bevel  873 , so that they are capable generating a lateral penetrating force, enough force to widen an iris-like opening. The circular groove  874  is substantially at the perimeter of the bevel  873 . The lock  800  is in the default locked position, with openings  837  partially closed, a QRSL button  845  on the spring loaded sliding plate  835  shifted outboard, where it is pushed inboard to open the lock. The a set of headed stems  855  are inboard of a set of two elongate holes (see  FIG. 26 a   ), limiting a distance that the spring loaded sliding plate  835  can move outboard, therein controlling a diameter of the partially closed openings  837 . 
         [0120]    A closer view of the quick release slide lock  800  is shown in  FIG. 26 a   . The QRSL is in the locked position, which is the default position, wherein three beveled studs  872  are projecting through the QRSL, where each stud  872  has a circular groove  874  (see  FIG. 25 ) that is proximate to the perimeter of the bevel  873 , and each stud is long enough to extend through the QRSL, which has the spring loaded sliding plate  835  that forwardly overlaps the latch base plate  825  which has a set of larger diameter holes  838 . The spring loaded sliding plate has a lower edge that includes a curvilinear section of a smaller diameter semi-circular segment  839  contiguous with a larger diameter semi-circular segment  837 , which, when moved laterally outboard, the curvilinear section intersects a stud  872 , and more particularly the circular groove  874  proximate to the perimeter of the bevel  873 . Taken together the curvilinear sections of the sliding plate and the larger diameter holes  838  of the latch base plate lock the stud. The prongs  154 , 152  are shown is ghost by the dashed lines. Fastening holes  854  are for attaching the latch base plate  825  to the prongs  154 , 152 . 
         [0121]    The quick release slide lock (QRSL) is shown unlocked in  FIG. 26 b   . The unlocked—release position is produced when the QRSL button  845  is pressed, causing the spring loaded sliding plate to move inboard, wherein each of the studs  872  will be disengaged, therein enabling the modified non-rotating multi-magazine manifold to be removed. 
         [0122]    Finally, any numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations (for example, by using the term “about”) that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding.