Abstract:
An ammunition management device is disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the ammunition management device includes a hopper, an agitator, a body supporting the hopper and agitator, and one or more actuators. The body defines an opening configured to receive an end of a gun magazine. The agitator is operable to agitate ammunition units in the hopper. The ammunition units are forced into the gun magazine.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/166,269 filed on May 27, 2016, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/597,054 filed on Jan. 14, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,354,008), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/927,431 filed on Jan. 14, 2014. The entire contents of such applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This invention relates in general to firearms, and more particularly to magazine chargers. 
         [0003]    Rifles with detachable magazines are widely used in military, law enforcement, recreational, and hunting activities. Some of these activities involve the use of many rounds of ammunition and therefore require frequent, repeated loading of magazines. While it is possible and common for magazines to be manually loaded, it may be a time consuming and physically demanding activity. 
         [0004]    In some cases, ammunition may be purchased already attached to a carrier commonly known as a stripper clip. When used in conjunction with a loading fixture, the stripper clip allows the ammunition to be rapidly loaded into a magazine. However, stripper clips are typically limited to ten rounds of ammunition, while magazines commonly require thirty rounds or more. Also, ammunition is often purchased loosely boxed and disoriented rather than attached to stripper clips, and in these cases the rounds of ammunition must be handled individually. 
         [0005]    There have been various inventions proposed that address different challenges associated with loading ammunition into detachable magazines. Some are designed to reduce the physical burden of forcing the ammunition into the magazine, and some are designed to reduce the time required to load ammunition into the magazine. However, each proposed solution is limited in some way. In some cases, the physical burden may be reduced but the process remains time consuming. In other cases, the ammunition may be rapidly loaded but only after each round is correctly oriented and aligned into a fixture. In previously proposed solutions for loading loose ammunition into magazines, each individual round must be handled either to be loaded into the magazine or to be staged in a fixture for subsequent loading. 
         [0006]    There remains a need for a magazine loading device capable of loading loose, disoriented ammunition to a magazine, that does not require each individual round to be handled and that orients each round of ammunition correctly before insertion into the magazine. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present invention relates to a magazine loading device which may be manually actuated or actuated by electromechanical or other actuator. 
         [0008]    A magazine loading device may comprise an assembly, which may include an ammunition delivery interface, a shuttle, an orientation gate, a staging gate, a plunger, and a magazine receiver. The shuttle may be replaced by an escapement. 
         [0009]    The ammunition may be supplied to the ammunition delivery interface in a number of ways, including utilization of a hopper. The ammunition may be guided into an opening in the shuttle or escapement, which may then transfer the ammunition to an orientation gate. 
         [0010]    The geometry of the orientation gate may be such that the ammunition will always drop through the orientation gate with the projectile down, which in this case is the desired orientation for loading into the magazine. A plunger may then push the ammunition into the magazine. 
         [0011]    The plunger may be actuated by a cam or lever which may be driven by a manual crank, a manual lever, an electric motor, a linear actuator, or some other driver. The actuation system may be mounted to sliding members, the movement of which may be resisted by spring force. This may allow the actuation system to retract when the magazine is full or if there is resistance from some other source, such as a jammed round of ammunition. Movement of the plunger may be mechanically linked to the shuttle, so that when the plunger is actuated, the shuttle is actuated simultaneously, causing the shuttle and the plunger to act in reciprocal motion, either in phase with one another or opposite one another. Each may be returned from the actuation stroke by mechanical linkage, springs, gravity, or some other return. 
         [0012]    Various advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a magazine loading device with a feed hopper installed and a magazine inserted. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is the magazine loading device of  FIG. 1 , with the feed hopper removed and a magazine removed. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the magazine loading device in  FIG. 2  with a manual actuation lever in a deactivated position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged detail view taken within circle A in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the magazine loading device in  FIG. 2  with the manual actuation lever in an activated position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged detail view taken within circle B in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a shuttle from the magazine loading device in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of a member containing an orientation gate. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is an exemplary round of ammunition oriented with the projectile facing to the right. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is an exemplary round of ammunition oriented with the projectile facing to the left. 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of internal component parts of the magazine loading device, showing a round of ammunition above the orientation gate. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the component parts shown in  FIG. 9  with the round of ammunition entering the orientation gate. 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the component parts shown in  FIG. 10  with the round of ammunition entering the staging gate. 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the component parts shown in  FIG. 11  with the round of ammunition oriented and staged. 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  is a side elevation view of a magazine loading device with a feed hopper installed and a magazine inserted. 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  19 - 19  in  FIG. 18 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 20  is an enlarged detail view taken within the circle C in  FIG. 19 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 21  is a front view of the magazine loading device with no magazine inserted. 
           [0034]      FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  22 - 22  in  FIG. 21 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  23 - 23  in Fig. 
           [0036]      FIG. 24  is an enlarged cutaway view of the magazine loading device in elevation with some components hidden or removed. 
           [0037]      FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  25 - 25  in  FIG. 24 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 26  is an elevation view of the magazine loading device with a magazine inserted, in an unactuated state. 
           [0039]      FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  27 - 27  in  FIG. 26 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 28  is an enlarged detail view taken with the circle D in  FIG. 27 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 29  is an elevation view of the magazine loading device with a magazine inserted, in an actuated state. 
           [0042]      FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  30 - 30  in  FIG. 29 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 31  is an enlarged detail view taken with the circle E in  FIG. 30 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 32  is an elevation view of the magazine loading device with some components hidden or removed. 
           [0045]      FIG. 33  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  33 - 33  in  FIG. 32 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 34  is an elevation view of internal component parts of the magazine loading device, showing a round of ammunition before entering the sorting gate. 
           [0047]      FIG. 35  is an elevation view of component parts of the magazine loading device, showing a round of ammunition after entering the sorting gate. 
           [0048]      FIG. 36  is an elevation view of the component parts shown in  FIG. 35 , showing a round of ammunition before entering the staging gate. 
           [0049]      FIG. 37  is an elevation view of the component parts shown in  FIG. 35 , showing a round of ammunition in position at the staging gate. 
           [0050]      FIG. 38  is an elevation view of internal component parts of the magazine loading device in an unactuated state. 
           [0051]      FIG. 39  is an elevation view of internal component parts of the magazine loading device in a partially actuated state. 
           [0052]      FIG. 40  is an elevation view of internal component parts of the magazine loading device in an actuated state. 
           [0053]      FIG. 41  is an elevation view of internal component parts of the magazine loading device in an actuated state, with a round of ammunition in the staging gate passage. 
           [0054]      FIG. 42  is an enlarged detail view taken with the circle F in  FIG. 41 . 
           [0055]      FIG. 43  is an enlarged-scale elevational view of a leading edge of a component part of the magazine loader. 
           [0056]      FIG. 44  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  44 - 44  in  FIG. 43 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0057]    Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  a magazine loading device  1  for loading of ammunition  4  (shown in  FIG. 12 ), comprising a projectile end  22  with a projectile width  30  and a casing end  23  with a casing width  31 , into a detachable magazine  3 . The ammunition  4  may be delivered to an ammunition delivery interface  5  by a hopper  2 . The ammunition  4  may alternately be delivered by individually manually loading or by some other loading, including an alternate fixed or detachable ammunition delivery system (not shown). 
         [0058]    The magazine  3  shown in  FIG. 1  may be attached to the magazine loading device  1  by inserting the magazine  3  into the magazine receiver  11 , which is shown in  FIG. 3 . Referring still to  FIG. 3 , a magazine retaining pin  13 , which may be shaped to cooperate with a feature in the magazine  3 , may be held in position by pressure from a spring or another source, and may retract as the geometry of the magazine  3  urges the magazine retaining pin  13  into a retracted state during insertion. An indention pocket  75  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) may be present in the magazine  3  with which the magazine retaining pin  13  may interlock after the magazine  3  is fully inserted into the magazine receiver  11 , thus preventing the magazine  3  from being ejected from the magazine receiver  11  until the magazine retaining pin  13  is retracted. Retraction of the magazine retaining pin  13  may be facilitated by actuation of a magazine release lever  12 , as shown, by an alternate magazine release lever, or by some other form of release. The magazine release lever  12  may be mechanically linked to the magazine retaining pin  13 , such as by a cam, linkage, or some other connection so that when the magazine release lever  12  is actuated, the magazine retaining pin  13  is retracted adequately to free the magazine retaining pin  13  from the indention pocket  75  in the magazine  3  so that the magazine  3  can be removed. 
         [0059]    Looking now at  FIG. 4 , it may be observed that an actuation lever  6  may be attached to a crank shaft  14 . Rotational movement of the actuation lever  6  may cause the crank shaft  14  to rotate. An actuation cam  15  may also be attached to the crank shaft  14  so that when the crank shaft  14  is rotated, the surface  17  of the actuation cam  15  may engage a cam roller  16 , which may be attached or mechanically linked to a plunger  10 , urging the plunger  10  in the direction of actuation according to the shape of the surface  17  of the actuation cam  15 . Therefore, when the actuation lever  6  is rotationally actuated, the actuation cam  15  may ultimately urge the plunger  10  along a plunger axis  18 . 
         [0060]    It should be noted that  FIG. 4  shows the actuation lever  6  in an unactuated state, while  FIG. 7  shows the actuation lever  6  in an actuated state. 
         [0061]    Looking now to  FIG. 7 , we can see that a shuttle  7  may be mechanically linked to the plunger  10  by a shuttle linkage  19 . The shuttle linkage  19  may drive a shuttle actuation pin  76  (shown in  FIG. 16 ) that may be encased in a shuttle linkage drive slot  20  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). Considering this mechanical linkage, it should be noted that the shuttle  7  may be actuated by actuating the actuation lever, by a mechanical link to the plunger  10 , the actuation of which has been previously described. 
         [0062]    Referring still to  FIG. 7 , we can see that when the shuttle  7  is in its retracted state, a round of ammunition  4  may drop into a shuttle ammunition slot  21 , which may be a profile cut through the shuttle  7 . 
         [0063]    Looking now back to  FIG. 4 , we can see that when the shuttle  7  is in its extended state, the round of ammunition  4  may be positioned above an orientation gate  8 , which may be a profile cut through a member, like the member  24  shown in  FIG. 11 . This change in position of the round of ammunition  4  during actuation of the shuttle  7  may be facilitated by the shuttle ammunition slot  21  containing the round of ammunition  4 , urging it into position. 
         [0064]    It must be understood that orientation terms such as “proximal” and ‘distal” and “top” and “bottom” are for semantic convenience only, and do not limit the orientation of the magazine loading device, as the magazine loading device may be used in various orientations. 
         [0065]    Looking now at  FIG. 11 , we can see the member  24  that may comprise the orientation gate  8 . The orientation gate  8  may comprise a proximal projectile passage  25  and a distal projectile passage  26 , both with a projectile passage width  28 , and a central casing passage  27  with a casing passage width  29 . The profile of the orientation gate  8  may pass completely through the member  24 . It may be noted that the projectile passage width  28  is narrower than the casing width passage  29 , but is wider than the previously described projectile width  30 . It may also be noted that the casing passage width  29  is greater than the previously described casing width  31 . Considering these geometric relationships, it may be concluded that the casing end  23  of the ammunition  4  may not pass through the proximal projectile passage  25  or the distal projectile passage  26 , but that the projectile end  22  of the ammunition  4  may pass through either the proximal projectile passage  25  or the distal projectile passage  26 . Because of this, the projectile end  22  of the ammunition  4  must always pass through the orientation gate  8  first. This should result in each round of ammunition  4  being oriented the same way regardless of its orientation when placed in the hopper  2 . 
         [0066]      FIGS. 14, 15, 16 and 17  demonstrate this concept sequentially.  FIG. 14  shows the start of the orientation process described above and each subsequent Fig. shows the progression of the ammunition  4  as it becomes oriented with the projectile end  22  pointed downwards. These illustrations show ammunition  4  is one orientation, but it must be acknowledged that the same process would take place if it was initially oriented the opposite way. Various components of the invention are hidden in these views in order to clearly represent the orientation process. 
         [0067]    In  FIG. 14 , we see the ammunition  4  positioned above the orientation gate  8 . This position may be achieved by the actuation of the shuttle  7  (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 ). An exemplary actuation is described above. 
         [0068]    Looking now to  FIG. 15 , we can see that the projectile end  22  (not shown) of the ammunition  4  has dropped through the proximal projectile passage  25  of the orientation gate  8 . As a result, the ammunition  4  begins to slide into the central casing passage  27  of the orientation gate  8 . This sliding is facilitated by the angle of the ammunition as the projectile end  22  drops through the orientation gate  8  and by the fact that the casing end  23  cannot fit through the projectile passages  25  and  26 . 
         [0069]    In  FIG. 16 , we can see that the staging gate passage  33  is shaped so that it may guide the ammunition  4  into the staging gate  9 , urging the ammunition  4  into a substantially vertical orientation with the projectile end  22  facing down. The resulting orientation of the ammunition  4  observed in  FIG. 17  is typically the preferred orientation for loading the ammunition  4  into the magazine  3 . 
         [0070]    Referring back to  FIG. 4 , it may be noted that the ammunition  4  shown in the hopper  2  is parallel in orientation but may be oriented with the projectile end  22  and the casing end  23  oriented in either direction. The operation described above ensures that the ammunition is oriented correctly after passing through the orientation gate  8 . 
         [0071]    Referring back to  FIG. 7 , we can see the ammunition  4  pushed into position by the plunger  10  urging the ammunition  4  into position as the plunger  10  is actuated. It must be understood that this urging of the ammunition  4  is adequate in position and in pressure to force the ammunition  4  into the magazine  3 . 
         [0072]    It should also be noted that due to the shuttle  7  being mechanically linked to the plunger  10 , the fully forward stroke of the plunger  10  causes the shuttle  7  to reach the position shown in  FIG. 7  so that another round of ammunition  4  may be received. Due to this relationship, once the magazine  3  is full of ammunition  4 , the shuttle  7  may not reach the position required to accept another round of ammunition  4 . This may prevent overloading of the magazine  3 . 
         [0073]    It should also be noted that the crank shaft  14  and its associated guides and bearings may be affixed to slideable members (not shown), which may be held in place by spring force, thereby allowing the slideable members to retract when subjected to higher force than is required for normal operation. This may prevent excessive force from being applied when the actuation lever  6  is actuated. 
         [0074]    In  FIG. 18 , there is illustrated another magazine loading device  101  for insertion of ammunition  4  into a detachable magazine  3 . The ammunition  4  is illustrated in  FIG. 12  and has been previously described in paragraph 0055, The magazine loading device  101  may comprise an assembly including a proximal housing plate  145 , a distal housing plate  146  (shown in  FIG. 19 ), a hopper  102 , an actuation lever  106 , an actuation lever adapter  137 , a crank shaft  114  (shown in  FIG. 22 ), an actuation cam  115  (shown in  FIG. 22 ), a plunger  110  (shown in  FIG. 22 ), a rocker  140  (shown in  FIG. 24 ), an escapement  142  (shown in  FIG. 20 ), an escapement actuator  143  (shown in  FIG. 22 ), and a plunger interlock  161  (shown in  FIG. 22 ), in addition to various other components. 
         [0075]    Looking now to  FIG. 19  we can observe the ammunition  4  may be delivered to an ammunition delivery interface  105  by means of the hopper  102 . It may alternately be delivered by individually manually loading or by some other delivery, including an alternate fixed or detachable ammunition delivery system (not shown). A hopper  102  may be secured to the magazine loading device with screws or other fasteners (not shown), with hopper release pins  162 , or some other securement (not shown). 
         [0076]    The magazine  3  shown in  FIG. 18  may be attached to the magazine loading device  101  by inserting it into the magazine receiver  111 , which is shown in  FIG. 22 . In  FIG. 21 , we can see a magazine retaining pin  113 , which may be maintained in position with resistible force. This resistible force may be exerted by flex in a magazine retaining pin arm  134 , from an external spring (not shown), or from another source. The magazine retaining pin  113  may retract, resisted by the aforementioned resistible force, as the geometry of the magazine  3  urges it into a retracted state, overcoming the resistible force during insertion of the magazine  3 . An indention pocket  75  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) may be present in the magazine  3  with which the magazine retaining pin  113  may interlock after the magazine  3  is fully inserted into the magazine receiver  111 , thus preventing the magazine  3  from being ejected from the magazine receiver  111  until the magazine retaining pin  113  is retracted. Retraction of the magazine retaining pin  113  may be facilitated by actuation of a release lever  112 , as shown, by an alternative release lever, or by some other release. The magazine release lever  112  may be mechanically linked to the magazine retaining pin  113 , such as by a cam, linkage, by direct mechanical cooperation, or by some other connection, so that when the magazine release lever  112  is actuated, the magazine retaining pin  113  is retracted adequately to free the magazine retaining pin  113  from the indention pocket (not shown) in the magazine  3  so that the magazine  3  can be removed. 
         [0077]    Looking now at  FIGS. 22 and 23 , it may be observed that the actuation lever  106  may be attached to the actuation lever adapter  137 , which may be attached to the crank shaft  114 . Rotational movement of the actuation lever  106  with respect to the crank shaft  114  may be prevented by an actuation lever release pin  135 . Thus, when the actuation lever release pin  135  is in place, as the actuation lever release pin  135  may be for operation of the magazine loading device  101 , rotational movement of the actuation lever  106  may cause the crank shaft  114  to rotate. It must be understood at this point that while this embodiment of a magazine loading device  101  may utilize a limited rotation actuation lever  106 , other forms of actuation could be employed, including but not limited to constant rotation actuation and linear actuation, and that this actuation could be manually actuated or actuated by motors, linear actuators, or other forms of actuation. The specific manner of actuation employed does not limit this invention or specification. 
         [0078]    Still referring to  FIGS. 22 and 23 , the actuation cam  115  may also be attached to the crank shaft  114 . Rotation of the actuation cam  115  with respect to the crank shaft  114  may be resisted by an actuation cam pin  136 , so that when the crank shaft  114  is rotated, the surface  117  of the actuation cam  115  may apply force to the surface  138  of the plunger  110 , urging the plunger  110  towards the magazine receiver  111  along a plunger actuation axis  118 . Therefore, when the actuation lever  106  is rotationally actuated, the actuation cam  115  may ultimately urge the plunger  110  along the plunger actuation axis  118 . When the actuation lever  106  is rotated in the opposite direction, causing the surface  117  of the actuation cam  115  to move away from the surface  138  of the plunger  110 , the plunger  110  may be urged towards the actuation cam  115  along the plunger actuation axis  118  by mechanical linkage (not shown), a plunger return spring  177 , or some other return. 
         [0079]    Moving our attention to  FIG. 24 , we can see an illustration of a rocker actuator  139 . The rocker actuator  139  may be formed into or mechanically fixed with respect to the plunger  110 , but in order to provide the illustration clearly, the plunger  110  is hidden in this illustration. It should be noted that due to the fixed position of the rocker actuator  139  with respect to the plunger  110 , when the plunger  110  is moved along the plunger actuation axis  118 , the rocker actuator  139  is also moved along the plunger actuation axis  118 . 
         [0080]    Still looking at  FIG. 24 , we can see that there is a rocker actuator pocket  144 , which may be formed into the proximal housing plate  145  or distal housing plate  146 , or partially formed into each. The rocket actuator pocket  144  may form a passage for movement of the rocker actuator  139  and may be substantially parallel to the plunger actuation axis  118 . The rocker actuator pocket  144  may terminate in a rocker pocket  147 , which may be shaped to allow some movement of the rocker  140  with respect to the proximal housing plate  145 , while also providing mechanical limits for such movement. It may be observed that when the surface  148  of the rocker actuator  139  is positioned in abutment to the surface  141  of the rocker  140 , the rocker  140  may be urged along the plunger actuation axis  118 , positioning the lower surface  149  of the rocker  140  in abutment to the lower rocker pocket lobe  151  of the rocker pocket  147 . Further movement of the rocker  140  may cause the rocker  140  to pivot in the rocket pocket  147 , guided by the lower rocket pocket lobe  151  on the bottom and the upper rocker pocket lobe  152  on the top. 
         [0081]    Remaining on  FIG. 24 , there is illustrated an escapement actuator  143  with a lower end  156  and an upper end  157  (shown in  FIG. 25 ). It may be observed that the face of the lower end  156  of the escapement actuator  143  is in abutment to the rocker pushing surface  158  of the rocker  140 , and the upper end  157  of the escapement actuator  143  is in abutment to the escapement actuator pocket  159  of the escapement  142 . Thus, when the rocker  140  is actuated by the rocker actuator  139 , the actuating surface  158  of the rocker  140  may urge the escapement actuator  143  along an escapement actuation axis  160 . This may cause the upper end  157  of the escapement actuator  143  to push on the escapement  142 , urging it along the escapement actuation axis  160 . When the rocker  140  is actuated in the reverse direction, the escapement actuator  143  and escapement  142  may remain in abutment with one another and move respectively along the escapement actuation axis by gravity, spring force, mechanical linkage, or some other force. Thus, when the actuation lever  106  is rotated in either direction, it may ultimately provide motion to the actuation cam  115 , plunger  110 , and escapement  142 . 
         [0082]    With an understanding of how the actuation cam  115 , plunger  110 , and escapement  142  are actuated, we shall now describe the operation of these components in relation to a magazine loading device  101 . The operation shall be limited with respect to how one round of ammunition  4  travels through the magazine loading device  101  and into the magazine  3 . 
         [0083]    The loading of a round of ammunition  4  into a magazine  3  begins when the ammunition  4  passing through the ammunition delivery interface  105 . 
         [0084]    The ammunition  4  then passes through the escapement  142 . In  FIG. 28 , we can see three rounds of ammunition  4  that have passed through the ammunition delivery interface  105  and are staged, with further movement resisted by the escapement  142 . Looking specifically now at the round of ammunition  163 , we can see that it is being held in position by the escapement release lip  164  and the ammunition staging pocket  165  of the distal housing plate  146 . This is because when the escapement  142  is in an unactuated state, the escapement passage  166  is too narrow for the ammunition  163  to pass through. As previously described, the escapement  142  moves along the escapement actuation axis  160  when the actuation lever  106  is actuated. Note in  FIG. 26  that the actuation lever  106  is illustrated to be in the retracted or unactuated state. 
         [0085]    Moving now to  FIG. 29 , we see the actuation lever  106  in the extended or actuated state. Illustrated in  FIG. 31 , we can see the effect of this actuation on the escapement  142  position. In the actuated position, the alignment of the escapement release lip  164  with respect to the ammunition staging pocket  165  may be arranged so that the escapement passage  166  is wide enough to allow the ammunition  163  to pass through it, while preventing the next round of ammunition  4  from passing through. This enables the escapement  142  to release one round of ammunition  163  with each actuation of the actuation lever  106 , which may be a principle function of the escapement  142 . 
         [0086]    Another function of the escapement  142  may be to provide agitation to rounds of ammunition  4  that are in the hopper  2 , which may improve the flow of the ammunition  4  through the hopper  2 . In  FIG. 27 , we see a hopper agitation lip  167  in its retracted state. In  FIG. 30 , we see a hopper agitation lip  167  in its extended state. We can see that in this embodiment the hopper agitation lip  166  is of a substantially narrow shape that is formed into the escapement  142 , but the hopper agitation lip  167  may exist as an independent member or part of another member and may also be of a different shape. 
         [0087]    After the ammunition  163  is through the escapement  142 , the ammunition  163  is oriented with the projectile facing down. This may be accomplished with an orientation gate  108 . It should be noted that the orientation gate  108  may be substantially similar in size, shape, and function as the orientation gate  8  described in paragraph 0063, but in this embodiment, the orientation gate  108  may be shaped partially by features in the proximal housing plate  145  and partially by features in the distal housing plate  146 , so that when the proximal housing plate  145  and the distal housing plate  146  are assembled, their respective features cooperate to form the orientation gate  108 . 
         [0088]    In  FIG. 33 , there is illustrated a proximal projectile passage  125  and a distal projectile passage  126  both with a projectile passage width  128 , and a central casing passage  127  with a casing passage width  129 . It should be noted that the projectile passage width  128  may be narrower than the casing passage width  129 , but wider than the previously described projectile width  30 . It should also be noted that the casing passage width  129  may be greater than the previously described casing width  31 . Considering these geometric relationships, it may be concluded that the casing end  23  of the ammunition  4  may not pass through the proximal projectile passage  125  or the distal projectile passage  126 , but that the projectile end  22  of the ammunition  4  may pass through either the proximal projectile passage  25  or the distal projectile passage  26 . Because of this, the projectile end  22  of the ammunition  4  should pass through the orientation gate  108  first. This may result in each round of ammunition  4  being oriented the same way regardless of its orientation when introduced to the orientation gate  108  through the ammunition delivery interface  105 . 
         [0089]      FIGS. 34, 35, 36, and 37  demonstrate sequentially the passage of the ammunition  4  through the orientation gate  108 .  FIG. 34  shows the start of the orientation of the ammunition  4  and each subsequent view shows the progression of the ammunition  4  as it becomes oriented with the projectile end  22  pointed downwards. These illustrations show ammunition  4  initially orientated with the projectile end  22  facing to the right when viewing  FIG. 34 , but it must be understood that the same process would take place if the ammunition  4  was initially oriented in the opposite direction (i.e., with the projectile end  22  facing to the left). Various components of the invention are hidden in these views in order to clearly represent the orientation process. 
         [0090]    In  FIG. 34 , we see the ammunition  4  positioned above the orientation gate  108 . The ammunition  4  may reach this position after being release by the escapement  142  as described above. 
         [0091]    Looking now to  FIG. 35 , we can see that the projectile end  22  of the ammunition  4  is starting to drop through the distal projectile passage  126  of the orientation gate  108 . As a result, the ammunition  4  has begun to slide into the central casing passage  127  of the orientation gate  108 . This sliding may be facilitated by the increasing angle of the ammunition as the projectile end  22  drops through the orientation gate  108 , and by the fact that the casing end  23  cannot fit through the projectile passages  125  and  126 . 
         [0092]    In  FIG. 36 , we can see that the staging gate passage  133  is shaped so that it may guide the ammunition  4  into the staging gate  109 , urging it into a substantially vertical orientation with the projectile end  22  facing down. The resulting orientation of the ammunition  4  at the staging gate  109  may be observed in  FIG. 37 , which may be the preferred orientation for loading the ammunition  4  into the magazine  3 . 
         [0093]    Referring back to  FIG. 19 , it may be noted that the ammunition  4  shown in the hopper  102  is parallel in orientation but may be oriented with the projectile end  22  and the casing end  23  oriented in either direction. The invention described above ensures that the ammunition  4  is oriented with the projectile end  22  facing down after passing through the orientation gate  108 . Once the ammunition  4  is in position at the staging gate  109  as shown in  FIG. 37 , the ammunition  4  may be urged or pushed into the magazine  3 . 
         [0094]      FIG. 38  depicts a round of ammunition  4  ready to be inserted into the magazine  3 , and in  FIG. 39 , we can see the ammunition  4  as it is first enters the magazine  3 , being pushed by the plunger  110 , which is ultimately actuated by rotating the actuation lever  106 . It should be noted at this point that the escapement  142  (not shown) did not change positions from  FIG. 38  to  FIG. 39 . The timing of the escapement  142  actuation may be configured by design so that the plunger  110  must be substantially forward before the escapement  142  is actuated, dropping another round of ammunition  4  through the escapement passage  166  and into the orientation gate  108 . This may prevent the escapement  142  from actuating when the magazine  3  is full, because the plunger  110  may not be able to travel far enough to actuate the escapement  142  when the magazine  3  is full. This may prevent staging another round of ammunition  4  after the magazine  3  is full, which may prevent overloading the magazine  3  or having a loose round of ammunition  4  left in the staging gate  109  after the magazine  3  is full. 
         [0095]    Moving now to  FIG. 40 , we see the actuation lever  106  in its fully actuated position. It should be appreciated that, in this position, the escapement  142  is in its actuated position as well. 
         [0096]    Having now described the primary functions of the magazine loading device  101 , we turn our attention to  FIGS. 41 and 42 , where the plunger interlock  161  is illustrated in an interlock guide pocket  170 . In these illustrations, it should be understood that the plunger interlock  161  may be urged back by a dropping round of ammunition  4 , so that the interlock catch  168  may be positioned so that it will interfere with the interlock catch edge  172  if the plunger  110  is actuated while in this state. This may prevent the plunger  110  from pushing a round of ammunition  4  before it is fully positioned in the staging gate  9 , thus preventing damage to the round of ammunition  4 . This function is achieved because the leading edge  173  of the plunger interlock  161  is urged towards the interlock guide pocket stop  174  by the dropping round of ammunition  4 . The plunger interlock  161  and interlock catch guide  171  cooperate to urge the interlock catch  168  into the interlock catch pocket  169 , positioning the interlock catch  168  so that it may not pass by the interlock catch edge  172  if the plunger  110  is actuated. Once the round of ammunition  4  has dropped fully into place, the plunger interlock  161  may return to its normal position by spring pressure, gravity, or some other force. In this position, motion of the plunger  110  is not inhibited, thus allowing loading of a round of ammunition  4 , but only once the round of ammunition  4  is properly positioned at the staging gate  109 . This position is shown in  FIG. 38 . 
         [0097]    It should be appreciated that the plunger interlock  161  may be formed from a lightweight material, such as a polymer. It this case, it may be desirable to add a mass to an end thereof near the interlock catch  168 . The mass may be in the form of a steel pin  175 , or other suitable structure. The mass is intended to function of improve the rate of travel of the plunger interlock  161  back to its normal position under the force of gravity (i.e., to the right when viewing  FIG. 42 ). It should further be appreciated that at least a portion of the plunger interlock  161  near the leading edge  173  may be provided with a chamfered surface  176 , or other suitable structure, as shown in  FIG. 43 . The chamfered surface  176  may interface with the round of ammunition  4  to aid in urging the plunger interlock  161  towards the interlock guide pocket stop  174 . At the same time, the chamfered surface  176  encourages the passage of the round of ammunition  4  to its proper position at the staging gate  109 . The chamfered surface  176  may also aid in preventing the round of ammunition  4  from catching or becoming hung-up on the plunger interlock  161 . 
         [0098]    The magazine loading device may be coupled to a supporting surface to stabilize the device while in use. This may be done in any suitable manner. An exemplary base  183  for coupling the device to a supporting surface is shown in  FIG. 44 . The base  183  may have one or more coupling features  178 , which are configured to mating with complementary coupling features  179  on the bottom of the device. The coupling features  178  on the base  183  may be in the shape of a dovetail. Complementary coupling features  179  may comprise mating dovetail grooves, which may be provided on the bottom of the device. In this instance, the grooves  179  are cooperatively formed by a first fixed member  180  and a second movable member  181 . The moveable member  181  may be in the form of a knob supported on a threaded shaft. As the knob is tightened, the movable member  181  moves to tighten against the dovetail, while drawing the fixed member  180  against an opposite side of the dovetail. In this way, the fixed and movable members  180 ,  181  may form a clamping arrangement. The base  183  may further be provided with holes, such as the counter bored holes  182  shown in  FIG. 44 . These holes  182  are configured to receive threaded fasteners (not shown) suitable for fastening the base  183  to a supporting surface. It should be appreciated that other structure may be suitable for coupling the device to a supporting surface, such as a rail or track. One suitable track is a track sold under the name of GEARTRAK® by YAKATTACK®, in Burkeville, Va. 
         [0099]    In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.