Abstract:
A loading apparatus for use with a firearm, which may be most suited for use with a bolt-action rifle having an internal magazine. The loading apparatus comprises an arcuate shaped body having a coextensive track, flap member, and access slot, and a guidance element, all of which combine to provide an apparatus that increases the ease and speed of loading the firearm.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Firearms, more specifically, firearms utilizing a bolt-action are well known in the art. There are many benefits of using a bolt-action rifle over rifles using different loading and ejecting mechanisms. For example, certain semi-automatic and automatic firearms expend some of the energy from the charge of the ammunition to ejecting the spent shell and loading a new bullet into the chamber. This may affect muzzle velocity and therefore accuracy. 
     Additionally, bolt-action rifles permit a user to eject a spent cartridge and reload in a single, low-strain manual action, unlike pump-action firearms which require the operator to move the fore-end relative to the barrel, making them harder to use in situations where the user is laying down. However, one potential drawback to using a bolt-action firearm is the inability to load ammunition quickly at various angles without much overall body movement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an ammunition loader, more particularly a speed reloader for a bolt-action rifle. The reloader employs an ammunition alignment pocket which allows for effortless insertion of ammunition into the reloader and fluid transfer of the ammunition from the reloader to the firearm magazine, and an engagement lip to achieve proper alignment of the reloader and to provide directed guidance for the ammunition into the magazine. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a reloader incorporating the ammunition alignment system and engagement lip according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the reloader according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the reloader of  FIG. 1  with a rear aperture. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the reloader of  FIG. 1  but without a rear aperture. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a piece of ammunition. 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the reloader illustrated in  FIG. 1  but with ammunition installed. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-section view of the reloader along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the reloader according to the present invention and showing ammunition in phantom. 
         FIGS. 9A-9H  illustrate a method of using the reloader to reload a bolt-action rifle. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
     With specific attention to  FIGS. 1-3 , a loader  10  according to the present invention may be seen. The loader  10  comprises a body  12  of overall arcuate shape having a base member  20  having an inside surface  22 , at least one coextensive track member  30 , a flap member  36 , an open end  40 , and a closed end  42 ; and a guidance element  46 . 
     The at least one coextensive track member  30  comprises an upstanding member  32  and a flange member  34 . The upstanding member  32  protrudes perpendicularly from the inside surface  22  of one side of the base member  20 . The flange member  34  protrudes perpendicularly from the distal end of the upstanding member  32  and extends partially over the inside surface  22  of the base member  20 . 
     Furthermore, a flap member  36  extends from the inside surface  22  of the base member  20  along the side opposite that of the coextensive track member  30  and partially covers the inside surface  22  of the base member  20  but does not extend to the flange member  34 . 
     The access slot  38  is located in the space between the flange member  34  and the flap member  36 . It extends from the open end  40  towards the closed end  42  and has a width  37  wide enough for at least one finger  72  (shown in  FIG. 9C ) to make active contact with ammunition cartridges  50  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). 
     Moreover, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  illustrates an aperture  24  located in the base member  20 . The aperture  24  may be advantageous when the loader  10  is used to reload a bolt-action rifle employing a top-mounted scope (as shown in  FIGS. 9A-9G ) because it provides a relief in which the scope may enter and not interfere with the loader  10 . The shape of the aperture  24  should only be viewed as illustrative as it may take any shape. Additionally, it also contemplated that the base member  20  may not include the aperture  24 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Moreover, the loader  10  comprises a guidance element  46  extending from the base member  20  at the open end  40 . With reference to  FIG. 8 , the guidance element  46  has an arcuate shape and extends upward and away from the base member  20 . The guidance element  46  may have a width  48  capable of fitting within the opening of a loading/ejection port  64  of a firearm  60  as shown in  FIGS. 9E and 9F . Moreover, the arcuate form of the guidance element  46  acts as a guide for the ammunition to follow as they are introduced into the magazine. It should be noted that any directional reference is purely for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the present invention to any certain orientation. 
     Furthermore, as the width  44  of the body  12  is preferably larger than the width  66  of a loading/ejection port  64  ( FIG. 9A ), the loader  10  is prevented from entering the loading/ejection port  64  too far during the act of loading. This feature also provides tactile feedback to an operator  70 , permitting him to position the loader properly within the loading/ejection port  64 , potentially without looking; thus allowing the operator  70  to keep his eyes down range. 
     An illustrative piece of ammunition, or a cartridge  50 , is shown in  FIG. 5 . The cartridge  50  comprises a rim  52 , a case  54 , and a bullet  56 . Cartridges  50  for use with the present invention may be of varying caliber, such as .270, .30-06, or .300, or any other caliber that may be used with a bolt action rifle loaded in the manner described herein. 
       FIG. 6  shows the loader  10  filled with cartridges  50 . The rims  52  of the cartridges  50  are positioned within the coextensive track  30  and the bullets  56  of the cartridges  50  are located within the flap member  36 . A better view of the positioning of the cartridge  50  within the loader  10  may be seen in  FIG. 7 . 
     It is further contemplated by the invention that the maximum number of cartridges  50  in the loader  10  equals the capacity of the corresponding firearm magazine for quick and easy loading. However, a loader  10  may have a capacity greater than or lesser than the capacity of the respective firearm magazine and remain within the purview of the present invention. 
     The overall arcuate shape of the loader  10  is more easily seen in  FIG. 8 , as is the arcuate shape of the guidance element  46 . Furthermore,  FIG. 8  illustrates how the coextensive track  30  is of a more structured shape because many cartridges have similar diameter rims  52 , while the flap member  36  more or less conforms to the size and shape of the bullet  56  of a cartridge  50  because bullet size and shape may vary for different calibers of ammunition. The flap member  36  may be more flexible to allow it to remain in contact with ammunition of different calibers. 
     The loader  10  is shown in use in  FIGS. 9A-9H . In  FIG. 9A  the loader  10  has already been filled with ammunition cartridges  50 . To fill the loader  10 , the operator  70  inserts an ammunition cartridge  50 , with the rim  52  in the coextensive track member  30  and the bullet  56  under the flap member  36 , and moving the cartridge  50  along the inside surface  22  of the base member  20 , with access to the case  54  of the cartridge  50  through the access slot  38 . The operator  70  may continue to move the cartridge  50  along the inside surface  22  until it abuts the closed end  42  and repeat the filling process with another cartridge  50 , or, alternatively, the operator  70  may load another cartridge  50  into the loader  10  and thereby move the first loaded cartridge  50  towards the closed end  42  with the loading of the following cartridge  50 . 
       FIG. 9B  illustrates the operator  70  opening the loading/ejection port  64  by pulling the bolt  68  back. In  FIG. 9C  the operator  70  is shown taking hold of the loader  10  and moving it into position ( FIG. 9D ) by placing the guidance element  46  in contact with or engaging with the loading/ejection port  64 . Once in position, the operator  70  uses his fingers  72  to guide the ammunition  50  into the magazine (hidden) by applying a downward force to the case  54  of the piece of ammunition  50  positioned nearest the closed end  42  in the direction of the arrow ( FIGS. 9E and 9F ). After the ammunition  50  has been loaded, the loader  10  may be placed to the side where it may be refilled. The operator  70  then reengages the bolt  68  thereby reading the firearm  60  for firing. 
     It should be noted that the loader  10  may be operated with only one hand. This allows the operator  70  to maintain her position with the only movement required being that of her loading arm  74 . This is advantageous as it promotes fast reloading time in addition to reducing the time it takes to go from loading the firearm  60 , back to a ready to shoot position. It also minimizes the amount of body movement, which in some situations may be very important as excessive body movement may draw attention to the operator&#39;s position. 
     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.