Abstract:
The present invention is a firearm cartridge feeding system to automatically feed firearm cartridges in a successive order one diameter of a firearm cartridge at a time, to the chamber of a bolt action, semi-automatic, or fully automatic firearm until all firearm cartridges in the system are expended. The firearm cartridges are stored in a tight spiral channel side by side to maximize the use of the peripheral space surrounding the area of a magazine well or feed point of a firearm. The housing or body of the firearm feeding system consists of a multiple segment body or housing. The housing contains a spiral channel, clutch mechanism pocket and a spring drive compartment which supports the storage of firearm cartridges and the arrangement of a drive system for feeding the firearm cartridges to the feed lips.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/280,810, filed Nov. 9, 2009. The disclosure of the application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention is directly related to firearms, and the feeding of non-linked cartridges in semi-automatic and automatic small arms. More particularly, the invention expands on the capacity of cartridges that can be fed into a firearm without having to change magazines as frequently. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Since the discovery of gunpowder in the ninth century, and the invention of firearms in the tenth century, firearms have made significant advancements. Single shot, single barreled, muzzle loading flintlock musket firearms of the late 1700&#39;s and early 1800&#39;s were a great advancement in the history of firearms, but they did not offer the marksman with a quick subsequent shot(s). If the target was missed and the marksman wanted to reload, a time consuming process of reloading involved pouring gunpowder down the barrel, and ramming a projectile on top of the powder, followed by priming the breach before being able to fire once again. In a life or death situation, the time to reload was unacceptable. 
         [0004]    The quest for a faster second shot or in reality a faster reload for any number of shots, was found to be a feature that is extremely desirable. In approximately 1860, a single barreled “repeating rifle” (a rifle in which could be reloaded by operating a lever as fast as a marksman could actuate it) using a cartridge was patented. This was the beginning of the multiple cartridge magazine and fast loading/reloading firearms. 
         [0005]    Today, many modern firearms use box magazines containing many cartridges. Most box type magazines stack cartridges that lay horizontal relative to the barrel of the firearm in a rectangular magazine, but in a vertical stack. That is to say that the cartridges are laying on their sides, one stacked on top of another, and feed upward in a channel within a somewhat rectangular-shaped magazine in the position in which they are fed into the chamber of the firearm. 
         [0006]    However, the capacity of box type magazines are limited because they have the physical characteristic of extending significantly below the firearm. Additionally, drum type magazines in some cases offer a higher cartridge capacity in a shallower area below a firearm, but normally offer only one method of loading. Also many drum type magazines become jammed and fail to feed, and it is difficult to correct the jammed drum type cartridges. 
         [0007]    A deviation of the standard box magazine is a “banana” shaped box magazine which does help limit some of the protrusion of the magazine below the firearm, and provides a greater cartridge capacity. The curvature of this type of magazine is generally towards the muzzle of the firearm. 
         [0008]    Additionally, many of these conventional box magazines or drum magazines include one or more springs for applying tension to the cartridges to ensure that the cartridges load transfer from the magazine to the firearm properly. As with a conventional box magazines or drum magazines, when a magazine is stored with cartridges loaded into the magazine, the spring becomes weakened because of the constant tension being placed on the follower spring for long periods of time. The spring has a tendency to take a “set” and become less powerful. 
         [0009]    Accordingly there exists a need for a magazine for use with various types of firearms which overcome the current drawbacks of conventional magazines. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is a firearm cartridge feeding system that feeds non-linked cartridges to semi-automatic and automatic small arms. It is designed to replace the boxed-type magazine and the drum-type magazine in firearms designed to accept boxed-type and drum-type magazines. 
         [0011]    The outward appearance of the feeding system of the present invention is round or somewhat circular in appearance. However, it is within the scope of the invention that the feeding system may be shaped differently to other shapes to meet fastener and other equipment requirements. 
         [0012]    The firearm cartridge feeding system of the present invention is adaptable to any weapon that receives a box or drum type magazine. In one embodiment, the body of the invention has two distinct compartments. One compartment is designed to house the power spring, sometimes called a clock spring, and the second compartment sits behind the spring compartment and is separated by a firewall, which holds the cartridges in a spiral channel. In one embodiment of the present invention, the spiral channel is of the single stack type, and in other embodiments, the spiral channel is a double stack type. 
         [0013]    The firearm cartridge feeding system, when inserted into a weapon with the magazine well opening at the bottom of the firearm, feeds cartridges from the spiral channel into a chamber positioning channel, and then to the feed lips. With the cartridges positioned as to feed into the chamber of a firearm, the cartridges are stripped from the feed lips by the firearm&#39;s loading mechanism. 
         [0014]    The firearm cartridge feeding system of the present invention stores cartridges in a spiral channel or groove within a housing that is optionally offset in an angular direction tangent to the magazine well. This is to compact a greater number of cartridges in an area which is not obstructive or less obstructive to the operation of a firearm, compared to the number of cartridges available in a conventional box magazine or a conventional drum-type magazine. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment of the feeding system of the invention, cartridges are easily loaded into the firearm cartridge feeding system by inserting cartridges at the feed lips, and/or the firearm cartridges are loaded by placing cartridges directly into the spiral channel after removing the spiral cover of the housing. 
         [0016]    Loading the firearm cartridge feeding system by removing the spiral cover of the housing for loading the spiral channel provides a distinct advantage over prior art designs. With some designs of the firearm cartridge feeding system of the present invention, a number of cartridges can be “dumped” into a formed loading bowl (raised lip around the spiral to retain cartridges) around the spiral and then shaken by the user to quickly orientate the cartridges in the spiral. Because of the physical design and shape of some cartridges, they fall into the spiral correctly orientated for use. 
         [0017]    The firearm cartridge feeding system of the present invention includes a cam stop winding knob which allows the user to only wind the power spring in one direction. The winding knob also acts as a pawl to prevent the power spring from unwinding before the user desires the spring tension to be released. This is accomplished by using a set of cam stop bearings disposed in a set of cam bearing pockets formed as part of a cam stop winding knob power spring pocket retainer. 
         [0018]    The spring tension on the spiral following cartridge drive arm, which drives the cartridges through the spiral, is relieved by pressing a clutch release push button, which in turn disengages the power spring drive shaft from the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism. 
         [0019]    The present invention also includes a power spring drive shaft assembly which is incorporated into the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism. When the clutch release push-button is pressed, it disengages a power spring primary drive shaft pin from a set of encapsulated spring clutch mechanism castle cover locking notches, and allows spring tension to be released from the spiral follow cartridge drive arm. 
         [0020]    Once the firearm cartridge feeding system has been loaded and spring tension has been put on the cartridges to feed through the spiral by winding the cam stop winding knob with power spring pocket, the firearm cartridge feeding system is easily unloaded using one of two methods. One method that is used to remove the cartridges is to push the first cartridge exposed at the feed lips in a forward direction as if the cartridge were being stripped from the feed lips by a firearm. A second more expeditious method of unloading the firearm cartridge feeding system is to relieve spring tension on the spiral following cartridge drive arm by pressing the clutch release push button, removing the spiral cover and underlying drive components, and dump the cartridges from the spiral. 
         [0021]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the firearm cartridge feeding system is able to be loaded with cartridges and stored for long periods of time without damaging the power spring because it can be stored with little or no tension on the power spring. The user needs only to wind the cam stop winding knob to place tension on the power spring and to make the firearm cartridge feeding system ready for use. This provides for tension to be applied to the power spring only when necessary, extending the life of the power spring. 
         [0022]    The firearm cartridge feeding system is primarily constructed from composite materials which aid in contributing to the lightweight, weather resistant, and natural lubricity of the space age materials. However, some components such as the springs are made of metals. The metal components are made of materials that resist rust and corrosion. 
         [0023]    Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of Figure only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:. 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a first perspective view of a body portion for a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a second perspective view a body portion with an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism installed to full depth in the center of the body portion, used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a third perspective view of a body portion used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a fourth perspective view of a body portion used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism secondary drive shaft used for a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a body portion of a firearm ammunition feeding system with a spiral following cartridge drive arm in a fully extended position, according to the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a body portion of a firearm ammunition feeding system with a spiral following cartridge drive arm in a fully retracted position, according to the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a body portion of a firearm ammunition feeding system with a spiral following cartridge drive arm in a fully retracted position and a cartridge cover plate assembled to the body portion, according to the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9A  is a first perspective view of a spiral following cartridge drive arm used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 9B  is a second perspective view of a spiral following cartridge drive arm used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 10  is a top view of a cartridge cover plate used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a spiral cover attached to a body portion used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 12  is a first perspective view of a body portion having a cam stop winding knob attached to the body portion, used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 13  is a second perspective view of a body portion having a cam stop winding knob attached to the body portion, used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention 
           [0039]      FIG. 14  is a first perspective view of the inner surface of a cam stop winding knob used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged perspective view of a cam stop winding knob and a cam stop bearing disposed in a cam bearing pocket used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 16  is a second perspective view of the inner surface of a cam stop winding knob, with cam stop bearings disposed in respective cam stop bearing pockets used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 17  is a first perspective view of an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism assembly used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism, used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a power spring drive shaft and an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism compression spring assembled to an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism castle cover which are part of an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism, used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0045]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a encapsulated spring clutch mechanism castle cover which is part of an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0046]      FIG. 21  is a first perspective view of a power spring primary drive shaft, which is a part of an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0047]      FIG. 22  is a front view of a body portion having several firearm cartridges loaded in a spiral channel used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0048]      FIG. 23A  is a first perspective view of cartridges being removed from a spiral channel formed as part of a body portion of a firearm cartridge feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0049]      FIG. 23B  is a second perspective view of cartridges being removed from a spiral channel formed as part of a body portion of a firearm cartridge feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0050]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of an ammunition feeding system in an assembled state, according to the present invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of an ammunition feeding system with the fastener for the clutch release push button removed, according to the present invention; 
           [0052]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of an ammunition feeding system with the clutch release push button removed and the clutch release push button return spring exposed, according to the present invention; 
           [0053]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of an ammunition feeding system with the clutch release push button and clutch release push button return spring removed, according to the present invention; 
           [0054]      FIG. 28  is a bottom view of a cam stop winding knob used for an ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0055]      FIG. 29  is a top view of a cam stop winding knob removed from an ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention 
           [0056]      FIG. 30  is a second perspective view of an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism used for a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0057]      FIG. 31  is a second perspective view of a power spring primary drive shaft, which is a part of the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0058]      FIG. 32  is an enlarged top view of a clutch release push button used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0059]      FIG. 33  in an enlarged side view of a clutch release push button used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0060]      FIG. 34  is a perspective bottom view of a clutch release push button used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0061]      FIG. 35  is a first perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup which is part of an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0062]      FIG. 36  is a second perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup which is part of an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0063]      FIG. 37  is a third perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup which is part of an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; and 
           [0064]      FIG. 38  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a housing used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0065]      FIG. 39  is a first perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0066]      FIG. 40  is a second perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0067]      FIG. 41  is a first exploded view of a second alternate embodiment of a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0068]      FIG. 42  is a second exploded view of a second alternate embodiment of a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0069]      FIG. 43A  is a perspective view of a clutch-drive assembly used in a second alternate embodiment of a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0070]      FIG. 43B  is an exploded view of a clutch-drive assembly used in a second alternate embodiment of a firearm ammunition feeding system used in, according to the present invention; 
           [0071]      FIG. 44A  is a perspective view of a feedneck extension used in a second alternate embodiment of a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0072]      FIG. 44B  is an exploded view of a feedneck extension used in a second alternate embodiment of a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0073]      FIG. 45A  is a sectional view taken along lines  45 A shown in  FIG. 45B ; 
           [0074]      FIG. 45B  is a perspective view of a feedneck extension and a double lock latch attached to a body used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, with the feedneck extension inserted into a section of a magazine well, according to the present invention; 
           [0075]      FIG. 46  is a sectional view taken along lines  FIG. 46  of  FIG. 40 ; 
           [0076]      FIG. 47  is an enlarged sectional view of the circled portion shown in  FIG. 46 ; 
           [0077]      FIG. 48  is a side view of a feedneck extension and a double lock latch attached to a body used in a second alternate embodiment of a firearm ammunition feeding system, with the feedneck extension inserted into a magazine well, according to the present invention; 
           [0078]      FIG. 49A  is a perspective view of a cartridge follower assembly used in a second alternate embodiment of a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0079]      FIG. 49B  is a first exploded view of a lead follower, a shell follower, and a bolt stop actuator follower used in a cartridge follower assembly for a second alternate embodiment of a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0080]      FIG. 49C  is a second exploded view of a lead follower, a shell follower, and a bolt stop actuator follower used in a second alternate embodiment of a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0081]      FIG. 49D  is a sectional view taken along lines  49 D of  FIG. 49C ; 
           [0082]      FIG. 50A  is a side view of another alternate embodiment of a firearm ammunition feeding system having a feedneck extension which configures the body to be at an angle of ten degrees relative to the feedneck extension, according to the present invention; 
           [0083]      FIG. 50B  is a side view of a second alternate embodiment of a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0084]      FIG. 51A  is a first perspective view of a ten-degree angled feedneck extension connected to a body portion according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 50A ; 
           [0085]      FIG. 51B  is the ten-degree angled feedneck extension shown in  FIG. 51A  removed from the body portion; 
           [0086]      FIG. 51C  is a sectional side view taken along lines  51 C of  FIG. 51B ; 
           [0087]      FIG. 52A  is a third perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of a housing used in a firearm ammunition feeding system, according to the present invention; 
           [0088]      FIG. 52B  is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of a firearm ammunition feeding system having a feedneck extension which configures the body to be at an angle of forty-five degrees relative to the feedneck extension, according to the present invention; and 
           [0089]      FIG. 52C  is a perspective view of yet another alternate embodiment of a firearm ammunition feeding system having a feedneck extension which configures the body to be at an angle of ninety degrees relative to the feedneck extension, according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0090]    The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
         [0091]    An ammunition feed system is shown in the Figures according to the present invention, generally at  10 . The basic housing or body  12  of the system includes feed lips  14  installed at a neck  16  of the body  12 . Also included is a larger opening or pocket, shown generally at  18 , in the center of the body  12  which is for the insertion of an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism, generally shown at  20 . Also shown in the Figures is a spiral channel  22  which is used to contain a plurality of firearm cartridges, generally shown at  24 . On the outside of the body  12  are projections  26  having threaded apertures  27  used to fasten a spiral cover  28  to the housing  12 . In alternate embodiments, the projections  26  are of different shapes and forms, depending upon the fasteners used. A firewall  30  (best seen in  FIGS. 1-7 ), separates the spiral channel  22  from a power spring drive shaft compartment  48 , and is located opposite spiral channel  22 . The spiral channel  22  does not penetrate the firewall  30 ; however, in alternate embodiments there are penetrations or apertures in the firewall  30  in selected locations to allow fluid draining if the system  10  becomes contaminated with a fluid. In still another embodiment, drain holes are placed in the spiral compartment and housing or body  12  to drain fluid. 
         [0092]    While the housing or body  12  is shown in the Figures, in an alternate embodiment, a slightly raised lip to form a bowl is placed around the spiral channel  22  to prevent cartridges  24  from rolling off of the spiral area when loading the cartridges  24 . Firearm cartridges  24  are loaded directly into the spiral channel  22  with the spiral channel  22  oriented spiral side up and horizontal to the ground, or the cartridges  24  are removed from the spiral channel  22  when the body  12  is placed spiral side down and in a horizontal position. In another alternate embodiment, the system  10  is manufactured with a shortened feed neck  216  to accept multiple feed neck extensions with unique feed lips to mate to different firearms when the caliber of the firearm is in common. 
         [0093]    Also shown in the center of the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism  20  is an opening  32  which receives an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism secondary drive shaft  34 . The secondary drive shaft  34  inserts into this opening  32  and in turn drives a spiral following cartridge drive arm  36 . The secondary drive shaft  34  includes a hex end  52  which mates or inserts into the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism hex drive opening  32 , while a double flat key end  56  extends through an elongated aperture  114  formed as part of the drive arm  36 , and turns the spiral following cartridge drive arm  36  when assembled. The hex drive opening  32  is part of an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup  98 . In an alternate embodiment, the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism secondary drive shaft  34  is integral to the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup  98 , instead of being separate, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0094]      FIGS. 3 and 4  shows the opposite side of the body  12  in relation to the spiral channel  22 . This side of the body  12  houses the power spring assembly  64 , a cam stop winding knob  38  with power spring pocket  40 , a plurality of cam stop bearings  42 , and a power spring drive shaft  50  which protrudes through a power spring drive shaft opening  46  centered in the power spring compartment  48 . The firewall  30  forms part of the power spring compartment  48 . 
         [0095]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism  20 , the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism secondary drive shaft  34 , the spiral following cartridge drive arm  36 , and the spiral following cartridge drive arm pin  58  are shown assembled to the body  12 . The feed system  10  also includes a cartridge cover plate  60  (shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 ), which has been omitted in  FIG. 6  so that the relationship of the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism  20  to the spiral following cartridge drive arm  36  is better understood.  FIG. 6  shows the spiral following cartridge drive arm  36  fully extended and at the end of it&#39;s travel when pushing cartridges  24  out of the system  10 .  FIG. 7  shows the firearm ammunition feeding system  10  having the spiral following cartridge drive arm  36  and spiral following cartridge drive arm pin  58  in the fully retracted position (this position is normal when the system  10  is fully loaded with firearm cartridges  24  or ready to be loaded with firearm cartridges  24 ). 
         [0096]    It should also be noted that in  FIG. 7  the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism  20  is slightly elevated to be seen more clearly, however the normal position for the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism  20  is fully seated in the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism pocket  18 . 
         [0097]    It can be seen in  FIG. 8  that the cartridge cover plate  60  is installed in the correct position under the spiral following cartridge drive arm  36 . Referring again to the Figures generally, the plate  60  includes a cartridge cover plate secondary drive shaft center or central aperture  116  through which the secondary drive shaft  34  extends, and an elongated aperture  118  which the spiral following cartridge drive arm pin  58  extends through when the plate  60  is installed. In this embodiment, the aperture  116  is of the same shape as the cross-section as the hex end  52  of the shaft  34  such that the plate  60  rotates with the shaft  34 . However, in alternate embodiments, the cartridge cover plate secondary drive shaft center  116  is of any desired shape, and does not have to be driven by the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism secondary drive shaft  34 . 
         [0098]    The plate  60  retains firearm cartridges  24  in the spiral channel  22  of the body  12 , while allowing the spiral following cartridge drive arm pin  58  to protrude through the elongated aperture  118  into the spiral channel  22  for pushing firearm cartridges  24  through the spiral channel  22 . The aperture  118  of the drive arm  36  has two bearing surfaces  62  left and right of the longitudinal axis (longitudinally slotted). When placed on and driven by the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism secondary drive shaft  34 , the arm  36  travels outwardly or inwardly (depending on clockwise or counterclockwise rotation) when guided by the spiral following cartridge drive arm pin  58 , as the pin  58  moves in the spiral channel  22  of the spiral housing  12 . 
         [0099]    As previously discussed, a spiral cover  28  is attached to the body  12 . The spiral cover  28  retains the firearm cartridges  24 , the cartridge cover plate  60 , the spiral following cartridge drive arm  36 , the spiral following cartridge drive arm pin  58 , the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism secondary drive shaft  34 , the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism  20 , and feed lips  14  attached and assembled correctly to the housing  12 . The secondary drive shaft  34  is of a length where the shaft  34  contacts with the inner surface of the spiral cover  28  when the system  10  is completely assembled. However, the inner surface of the spiral cover  28  only functions to provide a bearing surface against the double flat key end  56 , and is located to permit free rotation of the shaft  34 , and preventing any binding of the shaft  34 . 
         [0100]    The spiral cover  28  attaches to the housing  12  through the use of a set of fasteners  130 , which in this embodiment are screws  130 , which extend through the spiral cover  28  as shown in  FIG. 11  and into the threaded apertures  27  formed as part of the projections  26 . There are also threaded apertures  132  formed as part of the neck  16 , and more screws  130  are inserted through apertures  134  formed in the spiral cover  28  and into the threaded apertures  132  to further secure the spiral cover  28  to the body  12 . While the spiral cover  28  is shown as a single piece, in an alternate embodiment the cover  28  is split into any number of pieces for functionality or mounting to the housing or body  12 . 
         [0101]    A clutch release push-button  66  is installed in the clutch release push-button pocket  68 , and the clutch release push-button pocket  68  is integral to the cam stop winding knob  38 . The cam stop winding knob  38  is characterized by a knob-like protrusion and is centrally located, so that an operator of the firearm ammunition feeding system  10  easily winds a biasable member or power spring  64  for system  10  use. The depth  122  of the cam stop winding knob  38  being the cam stop winding knob power spring pocket ceiling  72  and the inside circumference being the cam stop winding knob power spring pocket retainer  74 . When the spring mechanism or power spring  64  is installed into the power spring drive compartment  48 , the power spring  64  is captured between the cam stop winding knob power spring pocket ceiling  72  and the firewall  30  of the power spring drive compartment  48 . The spring  64  is contained laterally by the cam stop winding knob power spring pocket retainer  74 . The firewall  30  separates the power spring drive compartment  48  from the portion of the body  12  having the spiral channel  22 . 
         [0102]    In alternate embodiments, the cam stop winding knob power spring pocket retainer  74  is of different sizes to allow power springs  64  of different sizes to be used. In this embodiment, the cam stop winding knob power spring pocket retainer  74  is substantially round in shape and the thickness of the cam stop winding knob power spring pocket retainer  74  is less than the depth  122  of the power spring pocket  40 . The cam stop winding knob power spring pocket retainer  74  includes a slot  140  for receiving a first end or hook end  142  of the spring  64 ; the slot  140  and hook end  142  provide an anchor for the spring  64 . Cam stop winding knob power spring pocket retainers  74  of various sizes along with various power springs  64  of different spring constants are used, depending upon the caliber of the firearm. Alternatively, if a large power spring  64  is used, the slot  140  may be integrally formed as part of the inner wall of the power spring pocket  40 , and there is no need for a cam stop winding knob power spring pocket retainer  74 . 
         [0103]    The power spring  64  also includes a looped portion  144  which during assembly, moves through a groove  146  formed as part of the power spring drive shaft  50 . When assembled, the looped portion  144  abuts and is anchored by a notch  148 , which increases the tension in the spring  64  as the cam stop winding knob  38  is rotated. 
         [0104]    When the cam stop winding knob  38  is inserted into the power spring drive compartment  48  and assembled with the cam stop bearings  42 , the cam stop winding knob  38  turns only in one direction and locks if turned in the opposite direction. This cam configuration acts as a linear, noiseless pawl. The slightly raised narrow race midway between the cam stop winding knob power spring pocket retainer  74  and the outer circumference  76  of the cam stop winding knob power spring pocket  40  is the cam stop friction race  78 . The purpose of the race  78  is to minimize the amount of contact surface between the cam stop winding knob  38  and the firewall  30  of the power spring drive compartment  48 , thereby reducing operating friction. While the race  78  shown in the figures is shown as a continuous race, in alternate embodiments friction may be further reduced by changing the race  78  to a few short intermittent points. 
         [0105]      FIG. 16  shows the cam stop bearings  42  located in a correct position of a respective cam stop bearing pocket  80  formed on an outer wall  81  of the power spring pocket  40 . While one cam stop bearing  42  may be used to create the pawl action, in this embodiment multiple cam stop bearings  42  which are evenly spaced function to distribute forces placed on an inner wall  83  along the diameter  82  of the power spring compartment  48 . In other embodiments, any number of cam stop bearing pockets  80  and cam stop bearings  42  are used. Also shown in  FIG. 16  is the cam stop winding knob outer lip  84 . The lip  84  contacts the body  12  when the system  10  is assembled, and serves as a barrier to prevent large particles and debris from obstruction of the cam stop winding knob  38 , as well as preventing the collection of particles of debris in the power spring compartment  48 . 
         [0106]    In this embodiment, there are three cam stop bearing pockets  80  with three cam stop bearings  42  correctly located on the outer circumference of the cam stop winding knob power spring pocket  40 . The cam stop winding knob  38  also includes a power spring drive shaft push-button opening  86 , which receives the power spring drive shaft  50  when the system  10  is assembled. When the cam stop winding knob  38  is correctly assembled to the housing or body  12  of the power spring compartment  48  side of the system  10 , the power spring primary drive shaft push-button end  88  is seen in the cam stop winding knob push-button pocket  90 . 
         [0107]    The clutch release push-button  66  attaches directly to the power spring primary drive shaft push-button end  88 , with a clutch release push-button return spring  92  directly under the clutch release push-button  66 . The power spring drive shaft  50  includes a first set of flats  150  which are in contact with a second set of flats  152  formed as part of a small diameter portion  154  of the clutch release push-button  66 . The small diameter portion  154  includes a hollowed portion, generally shown at  156 , which is of a corresponding shape to the power spring primary drive shaft push-button end  88 , including having the second set of flats  152 . The small diameter portion  154  also has a bottom surface  158  which is part of a large diameter portion  160 . The bottom surface  158  includes an aperture  162  which extends through the large diameter portion  160 , and when the push button  66  is assembled, the aperture  162  is in substantial alignment with a threaded aperture  164  formed as part of the power spring primary drive shaft push-button end  88 . To attach the push button  66  to the shaft  50 , the button  66  is slid onto the push-button end  88  such that the first set of flats  150  are in sliding contact with the second set of flats  152 , the bottom surface  170  of the small diameter portion  154  contact a set of shoulders  172 , and the push-button end  88  is disposed in the hollowed portion  156 . A fastener in the form of a screw  166  is then inserted through the aperture  162  and into the threaded aperture  164  of the shaft  50 , securing the push-button  66  to the shaft  50 . 
         [0108]    When the clutch release push-button  66  is attached to the shaft  50 , the clutch release push-button return spring  92  is disposed between and is in contact with a lower surface  168  formed as part of the large diameter portion  160  and a contact surface  174  formed as part of the clutch release push-button pocket  68 . When the screw  166  is tightened, the clutch release push-button  66  is disposed in the clutch release push-button pocket  68 . The cam stop winding knob  38  is held attached to the body  12  by the fastener  166  attaching the clutch release push button  66  to the shaft  50 . The return spring  92  then applies a force to the contact surface  174  of the push button pocket  68 , thereby maintaining the assembly of the cam stop winding knob  38  to the body  12 . 
         [0109]    The encapsulated spring clutch mechanism  20  transfers energy from the power spring assembly  94 , or more specifically, the power spring  64 , to the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism secondary drive shaft  34 , which turns the spiral following cartridge drive arm  36 . The encapsulated spring clutch mechanism  20  is shown assembled in  FIGS. 17 and 30 , and disassembled in  FIGS. 18-21 . The encapsulated spring clutch mechanism  20  includes the power spring primary drive shaft  50  having the power spring primary drive shaft push-button end  88 , an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism castle cover  96 , and the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup  98 . When assembled, the power spring primary drive shaft  50  extends through a central aperture  176  formed as part of the castle cover  96 . 
         [0110]    Also included are encapsulated spring clutch mechanism castle cover ear notches  100  which are formed on adjacent sides of the cup  98 , and there are corresponding castle cover ears  124  formed on adjacent sides of the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism castle cover  96 . Also shown in  FIG. 18 , the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism hex drive opening  32  is located approximately in the center of the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup floor  102 . As seen in  FIG. 19 , the power spring primary drive shaft  50 , the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism castle cover  96 , and the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism compression spring  70  are shown in the assembled state, and the cup  98  is removed. 
         [0111]    The encapsulated spring clutch mechanism castle cover  96  mates to the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup  98 . The castle cover ears  124  are selectively received into the ear notches  100 , and screw fasteners extend into apertures  126  formed as part of the cup  98  and threaded apertures  128  formed as part of the castle cover  96 . The encapsulated spring clutch mechanism castle cover locking notches  104  are internal to the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup  98  when assembled. 
         [0112]    In an alternate embodiment, the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism castle cover notches  104  are placed in the floor  102  of the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup  98 . Also, there are many methods of attaching the encapsulated spring clutch drive mechanism castle cover  96  to the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup  98 . An alternate embodiment includes the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism castle cover  96  assembled to the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup  98  by any means that do not interfere with the intended rotation of the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup  98  or clutch action of the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism  20 . The alternate embodiments include a stab lock, glue, pinning, welding, etc in place of a fastener used with the apertures  126 , 128 . 
         [0113]    The power spring primary drive shaft  50  when assembled into the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism  20  engages the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism castle cover locking notches  104  through the use of a power spring primary drive shaft castle pin  106 , and is held in an engaged position by the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism compression spring  70 . When the clutch release push-button  66  is pressed, the power spring primary drive shaft  50  moves to disengage or remove the power spring primary drive shaft castle pin  106  from the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism castle cover locking notches  104 . The compression spring  70  is disposed between the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup floor  102  and the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism castle cover  96 . 
         [0114]    In operation, when it is desired to load and use the system  10  and the system  10  is in an assembled state, the user simply removes the fasteners  130  from the spiral cover  28 , and then removes the spiral cover  28  from the body  12 . The spiral following cartridge drive arm  36  and the cartridge cover plate  60  are removed as well. Firearm cartridges  24  are placed into the spiral channel  22  after the removal of the spiral cover  28 , the spiral following cartridge drive arm  36 , the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism secondary drive shaft  34 , and the cartridge cover plate  60 . While some firearm cartridges  34  self-locate in the spiral channel  22 , other firearm cartridges are easily located in the spiral channel  22  by the user. After completely filling the spiral channel  22  partially or completely with firearm cartridges  24 , the various components are reassembled and the spiral cover  28  attaches to the housing or body  12 . 
         [0115]    Once the feeding system  10  of the present invention has been loaded with cartridges  24 , the cam stop winding knob  38  is rotated. Rotational force is transferred through the cam stop winding knob  38  to the power spring  64  and then to the drive shaft  50 . However, the drive shaft  50  is prevented from rotating because the spiral following cartridge drive arm pin  58  receives a reactionary force from the cartridges  24 , which is transferred through the spiral following cartridge drive arm pin  58 , the spiral following cartridge drive arm  36 , the secondary drive shaft  34 , the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism  20 , and the power spring drive shaft  50 . The power spring drive shaft  50  does not rotate as the cam stop winding knob  38  is rotated, and therefore tension builds in the power spring  64 . The rotation of the cam stop winding knob  38  applies a rotational force to the hook end  142  of the power spring  64  because of the hook end  142  being located in the slot  140 , and the looped portion  144  being adjacent the notch  148  on the power spring drive shaft  50 . As the cam stop winding knob  38  is rotated, it is prevented from rotating in the opposite direction due to the pawl action generated by the cam stop bearings  42  and cam bearing pockets  80  described above. 
         [0116]    Once the user has rotated the cam stop winding knob  38  to generate the desired amount of tension in the power spring  64 , the cam stop winding knob  38  does not move, and the firearm is ready for use. As the user fires the firearm, the cartridges  24  are discharged one at a time, and a new cartridge  24  is fed through the feed lips  14  into the firearm. The cartridges  24  are fed into the firearm because of the tension in the power spring  64 . The tension in the power spring  64  causes the power spring drive shaft  50  to rotate because of rotational force applied to the shaft  50  from the spring  64 . This rotational force is transferred to the power spring primary drive shaft castle pin  26 , to the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism castle cover  96 , the castle cover ears  124 , the castle cover ear notches  100 , the encapsulated spring mechanism cup  98 , the encapsulated spring mechanism cup floor  102 , the hex drive opening  32 , the hex end  52  of the secondary drive shaft  34 , the secondary drive shaft  34 , the spiral following cartridge drive arm  36 , spiral following cartridge drive arm pin  58 , and then to the cartridges  24 . This causes the remaining cartridges  24  to move in the spiral channel  22  as the cartridges  24  moved from the feed lips  14  into the firearm are discharged from the firearm. 
         [0117]    If the user decides to stop using the firearm, but wishes to have the cartridges  24  remain in the feed system  10  for future uses, the user simply presses the clutch release push button  66 . Pushing the clutch release push button  66  also applies a force to the power spring drive shaft  50 . The user must press the push button  66  with enough force to overcome the force of the clutch release push button return spring  92  and the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism compression spring  70 . As force is applied to the power spring drive shaft  50  from the push button  66 , the power spring primary drive shaft castle pin  106  is removed from the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism castle cover locking notches  104 . This allows the clutch release push button  66 , the power spring drive shaft  50 , and the compression spring  70  to rotate relative to the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism castle cover  96  and the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup  98 . The remaining tension in the power spring  64  causes the power spring drive shaft  50  to rotate and relieve the tension in the power spring  64 . This prevents the power spring  64  from permanently deforming, or developing a “set,” improving the life of the power spring  64 . 
         [0118]    If the user decides to use the firearm again, the cam stop winding knob  38  is wound to generate tension in the power spring  64  as described above. If the castle pin  106  is not disposed in one of the notches  104 , there are multiple notches  104  that the pin  106  can be received into such that when the cam stop winding knob  38  is rotated, if the pin  106  is not disposed in one of the notches  104 , then as the cam stop winding knob  38  is rotated, the rotational force applied to the power spring  64  by the cam stop winding knob  38  as described above causes the power spring  64  to rotate the power spring drive shaft  50  until the castle pin  106  is in alignment with one of the notches  104 . The castle pin  106  then slides into the respective notch  104 ; rotational force is then transferred through the various components as described above to build tension in the power spring  64 . 
         [0119]    After the firearm cartridge feeding system  10  has been loaded, and if it is desired to remove the cartridges  24  from the system  10  (for the purpose of long term storage, for example), the system  10  is easily unloaded by removing the spiral cover  28 , the spiral following cartridge drive arm  36 , the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism secondary drive shaft  34 , and the cartridge cover plate  60 . Once the components have been removed from the system  10 , the firearm cartridges  24  are spilled out, best shown in  FIGS. 23A and 23B . 
         [0120]    Another embodiment of the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup  98  is shown in  FIGS. 35-37 , with like numbers referring to like elements. In this embodiment, the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup, generally shown at  180 , is integral with the secondary drive shaft  34 . More specifically, the secondary drive shaft  34  is formed as part of the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup floor  182 . The cup  180  also includes a plurality of cam bearing pockets  184  formed as part of the cup  180 , instead of being formed as part of the cam stop winding knob  38 , as discussed with regard to the previous embodiment. There are also cam stop bearings (not shown) which are received into the cam bearing pockets  184  and operate in substantially the same manner as the cam stop bearings  42  described in the previous embodiment. 
         [0121]    Another embodiment of the housing  12  is shown in  FIG. 38 , with like numbers referring to like elements. This embodiment is similar to the housing  12  shown in the other Figures, with the exception that unneeded material has been removed surrounding the spiral groove  22  to make the housing  12  lighter, thereby reducing the overall weight of the ammunition feeding system  10 . 
         [0122]    It should be noted that the various components of the ammunition feeding system  10  are made of various types of polymers to reduce friction between the various components, as well as prevent any deterioration from exposure to moisture due to various weather conditions. The ammunition feeding system  10  is completely submersible in a liquid, such as water, and is completely operational after being removed from the liquid. The components that are made of the various polymers are the housing  12 , the cam stop winding knob  38 , and the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism cup  98 . 
         [0123]    Another embodiment of an ammunition feed system according to the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 39-52C  generally at  186 , with like numbers referring to like elements. This embodiment includes a body  188 , which is generally similar to the body  12  described in the previous embodiments, but also includes some distinguishable features. The body  188  also includes a spiral channel  190 , and a clutch pocket, generally shown at  192 . This embodiment does not have an encapsulated spring clutch mechanism  20 , but rather includes a clutch assembly, generally shown at  194 , the function of which will be described later. 
         [0124]    The body  188  also includes a sidewall  196  which protrudes outwardly from the sides of the spiral channel  190 , and functions as a loading bowl to facilitate the loading of the cartridges  24  into the spiral channel  190 . Connected to the sidewall  196  is a plurality of pedestal stops  198 . Each of the pedestal stops  198  includes a ledge  200  used for supporting the cartridge cover plate  60  when the ammunition feed system of the present invention is assembled. The cartridge cover plate  60  is substantially the same as described in the previous embodiments, but as shown in  FIGS. 41-42 ,  46 - 47 , and  51 C, also includes a pair of tabs  202 , and the spiral following clutch drive arm  36  is disposed between the tabs  202  when the ammunition feed system  186  is assembled. In this embodiment, the cartridge cover plate  60  is not only driven for rotation by the spiral following clutch drive arm pin  58 , as with the previous embodiment, but is also driven for rotation by the spiral following clutch drive arm  36  applying rotational force to the tabs  202 . The spiral following clutch drive arm pin  58  still extends through the elongated aperture  118  and into the spiral channel  190 , and the elongated aperture  114  is in substantial alignment with the cartridge cover plate secondary drive shaft center  116 . 
         [0125]    This embodiment also includes a spiral cover plate  204  which has an upper flange  206  and a pair of upper locking tabs  208 , each of the upper locking tabs  208  having a tapered surface  210  which is adjacent a shoulder  212 . When connected to the body  188 , each of the upper locking tabs  208  are received into a respective slot  214  formed as part of a shortened neck portion, shown generally at  216 , and the shortened neck portion  216  is formed as part of the body  188 . The upper locking tabs  208  are substantially rigid, but are also biasable in that during assembly, the upper locking tabs  208  are initially inserted into the slots  214 , and as the tabs  208  are pushed further into the slots  214 , the tapered surfaces  210  are in contact with and move along the respective outer surfaces  217  of the slots  214 , and the outer surfaces  217  bias the tabs  208  inwardly until the tabs  208  are pushed far enough into the slots  214  that that tapered surfaces  210  have completely moved through the slots  214 . The bias on the tabs  208  is then relieved, and the tabs  208  return to their initial position, causing the shoulders  212  to be in contact with a ledge  215  adjacent the slot  214 , preventing the removal of the tabs  208  from the slots  214 . Each of the slots  214  is formed as part of a protrusion  218 , with the protrusion  218  being part of the shortened neck portion  216 . 
         [0126]    To remove the tabs  208  from the slots  214 , the user simply applies pressure to the tapered surfaces  210 , thereby moving the tabs  208  in a direction toward one another, to allow the tabs  208  to move back through the slots  214 , the user then pulls on the cover plate  204 . This causes the tabs  208  to move back through the slots  214  in the opposite direction. 
         [0127]    The spiral cover plate  204  also includes a spiral cover retaining strap slot  220  which is able to receive a first portion  222  of a spiral cover retaining strap, generally shown at  224 . The strap  224  also includes a second portion  226  operable for extending into a bottom slot  228  formed as part of the body  188 . The first portion  222  includes a tapered surface  230  which terminates into a shoulder  232 . During assembly, the first portion  222  is pushed through the slot  220 , and the tapered surface  230  contacts the inside of the slot  220 , causing the first portion  222  to deflect. When the first portion  222  is pushed through the slot  220  far enough that the tapered portion  210  of the first portion  222  is completely through the slot  220 , the tapered surface  210  is no longer in contact with the inner surface of the slot  220 , and the first portion  222  returns to its original position. When assembled, the first portion  222  extends through the slot  220  until the shoulder  232  is adjacent and in contact with a ledge  234  to prevent the first portion  222  from being pulled out of the slot  220 . To remove the first portion  222  from the slot  220 , force is applied to the tapered surface  230  such that the first portion  222  moves toward the cover plate  204  until the shoulder  232  is no longer in contact with the ledge  234 , allowing the first portion  222  to be pulled from the slot  220 . 
         [0128]    The second portion  226  also includes a folded portion  236  which terminates into a shoulder  238 . When assembled, the second portion  226  is inserted through the bottom slot  228  until the folded portion  236  is completely through the slot  228 , this allows the shoulder  238  to contact a ledge  240  of the bottom slot  228 . The folded portion  236  does not have a tapered surface as described above with reference to the other tabs  208  or the first portion  222 , and is intended to provide a permanent connection between the strap  224  and the body  12 . 
         [0129]    To further secure the spiral cover plate  204  to the body  188 , the spiral cover plate  204  includes a lower fastening tab  233  which when assembled extends into a bottom fastening tab slot  235 . 
         [0130]    The spiral cover plate  204  also includes a recessed portion  242  which receives at least part of the tabs  202  protruding from the cartridge cover plate  60 , preventing any interference between the rotation of the tabs  202  and the spiral cover plate  204  as the cartridge cover plate  60  rotates. As previously mentioned, the spiral following clutch drive arm  36  and the spiral following clutch drive arm pin  58  transfer rotational force to the tabs  202  and the slot  118 , respectively. The spiral following clutch drive arm pin  58  receives rotational force from the clutch assembly  194 . More particularly, the clutch assembly  194  includes a drive shaft  244  which combines features of both the secondary drive shaft  34  and the power spring drive shaft  50  of the previous embodiments. The drive shaft  244  (similarly to the secondary drive shaft  34  of the previous embodiment) has a double flat key end  246  which extends through the cartridge cover plate secondary drive shaft center  116 , through the elongated aperture  114 , and is in contact with the bearing surfaces  62  for transferring rotational force to the spiral following clutch drive arm  36 . Additionally, the arm  36 , and therefore the pin  58 , travels outwardly (toward the outer diameter of the cartridge cover plate  60 ) or inwardly (toward the cartridge cover plate secondary drive shaft center  116 ), depending on whether there is clockwise or counterclockwise rotation, as the pin  58  moves in the spiral channel  190  of the body  188 . This causes the arm  36  to move across the double flat key end  246  of the shaft  244 , while still receiving rotational force from the shaft  244 . 
         [0131]    The drive shaft  244  also includes a power spring primary drive shaft push-button end, generally shown at  248  (similar to the power spring drive shaft push button end  88  as described in the first embodiment), having a first set of flats  250  which are in contact with the second set of flats  152  formed on the small diameter portion  154  of the clutch release push button  66 . The push-button end  248  also includes a threaded aperture  252 . To attach the push button  66  to the push-button end  248 , the button  66  is slid onto the push-button end  248  such that the push-button end  248  is disposed in the hollowed portion  156 , the first set of flats  250  contact the second set of flats  152 , and the bottom surface  170  of the small diameter portion  154  contacts a set of shoulders  254 . The screw  166  is then inserted through the aperture  252  and into the threaded aperture  164  of the shaft  244 , securing the push button  66  to the shaft  244 . 
         [0132]    The shaft  244  also includes an aperture  256  which receives a drive pin  258 . The drive pin  258  is positioned in the aperture  256  such that a substantially equal amount of the drive pin  258  protrudes out of the aperture  256  on each side of the drive shaft  244 , best shown in FIGS.  43 A and  46 - 47 . When assembled, the drive pin  258  is selectively received into one or more of a plurality of locking notches  260  formed as part of a castle end  262  of a power spring drive sleeve, shown generally at  264 . The castle end  262  is part of a larger diameter portion  266 , and part of the larger diameter portion  266  is adjacent an outer lip  268 . The power spring drive sleeve  264  also includes a small diameter portion  270 , and a power spring eyelet notch  272 . This embodiment also incorporates the same power spring  64  used with the previously described embodiments, and the power spring eyelet notch  272  is used for anchoring the looped portion  144  of the power spring  64  in a similar manner as compared to the notch  148  of the previously described embodiments. 
         [0133]    As best shown in  FIGS. 46-47 , a portion of the drive shaft  244  extends through the drive shaft opening  274  of the body  188  into the pocket  192  such that the double flat key end  246 , the pin  258 , and the castle end  262  are disposed in the pocket  192 , and the drive pin  258  is selectively in contact with a bottom surface  276  of the pocket  192 . The maximum depth  278  of each of the locking notches  260  is in substantial alignment with the bottom surface  276  of the pocket  192  when the feed system  186  is assembled. The large diameter portion  266  of the drive sleeve  264  is selectively in contact with the drive shaft opening  274  because the large diameter portion  266  is of a smaller diameter compared to the drive shaft opening  274 . The large diameter portion  266  is of a size to allow the drive shaft sleeve  264  to rotate as freely as possible within the drive shaft opening  274 , while still maintaining the proper position of the drive shaft sleeve  264  within the opening  274 . This rotation is further facilitated by the small diameter portion  270 . Because the small diameter portion  270  is not in contact with the opening  274 , there is less overall friction between the drive sleeve  264  and the drive shaft opening  274 . The inner surface  280  of the lip  268  is also in contact with the bottom surface  282  of a recess  284  formed in the power spring drive shaft compartment, shown generally at  286 . 
         [0134]    The power spring drive shaft compartment  286  also includes a firewall  288  and a sidewall  290 . The firewall  288  separates the compartment  286  from the spiral channel  190 , essentially performing the same function as the firewall  30  described in the previous embodiments. This embodiment of the invention also includes a cam stop winding knob, shown generally at  292 . The cam stop winding knob  292  of this embodiment is substantially similar to the cam stop winding knob  38  of the previous embodiment, but also has several different features as well. The cam stop winding knob  292  includes the same cam stop bearings  42 , cam stop bearing pockets  80 , outer lip  84 , power spring pocket  40 , and clutch release push button pocket  68 . Also similar to the previous embodiment, the clutch release push button pocket  68  includes the power spring drive shaft push-button opening  86  and the contact surface  174 . 
         [0135]    However, in this embodiment, the cam stop friction race  78  has several hollowed sections  294  where material has been removed, reducing the weight of the cam stop winding knob  292 , and therefore reducing the overall weight of the ammunition feeding system  186 . Also included is a lever portion  296  which provides the user with leverage for rotating the cam stop winding knob  292 . The power spring drive shaft push-button opening  86  also includes a recessed portion  298  having an inner surface  300 . When assembled, part of the large diameter portion  266  of the drive sleeve  264  is disposed in the recessed portion  298  and is adjacent the inner surface  300 . This embodiment also uses the same power spring  64  used for the previous embodiments, but the cam stop winding knob  292  in this embodiment also includes a slot  302  formed as part of the inner wall  305  of the power spring pocket  40  (which in this embodiment performs the same function as the slot  140  and the cam stop winding knob power spring pocket retainer  74  of the previous embodiments). The slot  302  receives the hook end  142  of the power spring  64 , and the looped portion  144  selectively contacts the power spring eyelet notch  272  of the drive sleeve  264 . 
         [0136]    When assembled, the drive sleeve  264  is pushed through the recess  284  of the drive shaft opening  274  until the castle end  262  protrudes out of the pocket  192 . The drive shaft  244  is then inserted through the drive sleeve  264  until the drive pin  258  is positioned in two of the locking notches  260  as shown in FIGS.  43 A and  46 - 47 . The drive pin  258  prevents the drive shaft  244  from being pushed through the sleeve  264  any further. The cam stop winding knob  292  is then assembled to the body  188 , and part of the large diameter portion  266  of the drive sleeve  264  is disposed in the recessed portion  298  and is adjacent the inner surface  300 , best shown in  FIG. 47 . The power spring primary drive shaft push-button end  248  protrudes out of the drive sleeve  264 , through the power spring drive shaft push-button opening  86 , and into the clutch release push button pocket  68 , also shown in  FIG. 47 . The clutch release push button return spring  92  is positioned in the pocket  68  and contacts the contact surface  174 . The clutch release push button  66  is then placed on the push-button end  248  of the shaft  244  such that the first set of flats  250  are in contact with the second set of flats  152 , the bottom surface  170  is in contact with the shoulders  254 , and the clutch button return spring  92  is positioned between the contact surface  174  and the lower surface  168  of the clutch release push button  66 . The screw  166  is then inserted through the aperture  162  of the clutch release push button  66  and into the threaded aperture  252  of the drive shaft  244 , securing the clutch release push button  66  to the drive shaft  244 . The first set of flats  250  and second set of flats  152  to prevent relative rotation between the drive shaft  244  and the clutch release push button  66 . 
         [0137]    When the cam stop winding knob  292  is assembled to the body  188 , the outer lip  84  is in contact with the outer periphery of the sidewall  290 , and the outer wall  81  is adjacent the sidewall  290 , best seen in  FIG. 46 . When the power spring  64  is installed into the power spring drive compartment  286 , the power spring  64  is captured between the cam stop winding knob power spring pocket ceiling  72  and the firewall  288  of the power spring drive compartment  286 . The spring  64  is contained laterally by the inner wall  305 . 
         [0138]    As stated above, the body  188  has a shortened neck portion  216 , instead of being shaped like the neck  16  described in the previous embodiments. The slots  214 , ledges  215 , and protrusions  218  are all formed as part of the shortened neck portion  216 . Adjacent each of the protrusions  218  is a recessed portion  304 , which is where the portion of the locking tabs  208  having the tapered surfaces  210  are located respectively, when the spiral cover plate  204  is attached to the body  188 . The spiral channel  190  is connected to a cartridge channel  306 , which is also formed as part of the neck portion  216 . When in operation, the cartridges  24  are fed from the spiral channel  190  through the cartridge channel  306 , and through a feed neck extension, shown generally at  308 . 
         [0139]    The feed neck extension  308  has a body portion  310  which is correspondingly shaped to be received into a magazine well, shown generally at  312 . Connected to the body portion  310  is a rear flange  314 . Also connected to the body portion  310  and substantially perpendicular to the rear flange  314  is a first side flange  316  and a second side flange  318 . Each of the side flanges  316 , 318  includes a diagonal portion  320  which positions the side flanges  316 , 318  at a wider location relative to the body portion  310 . Also connected to the body portion  310  and the side flanges  316 , 318  is a front flange  322 , and connected to the front flange  322  is a darted feed neck latch, shown generally at  324 . The darted feed neck latch  324  is selectively inserted through an aperture  326  formed as part of a front wall  328 . 
         [0140]    The neck portion  216  includes a first sidewall  330  and a second sidewall  332 . Each sidewall  330 , 332  includes a slot  214 , a recessed portion  304 , and a protrusion  218 . Formed on the inside of the first sidewall  330  is a first feed neck extension channel  334 , and formed on the inside of the second sidewall  332  is a second feed neck extension channel  336 . The first feed neck extension channel  334  is complementary in shape to the first side flange  316 , and the second feed neck extension channel  336  is complementary in shape to the second side flange  318  such that the feed neck extension  308  is operable to be connected to the neck portion  216 . When the feed neck extension  308  is connected to the neck portion  216 , there are a pair of angled surfaces  338  which are in contact with the diagonal portions  320 , best seen in  FIG. 45A , preventing the feed neck extension  308  from becoming detached from the neck portion  216  when assembled together. 
         [0141]    The feed neck extension  308  is also held in place by the upper flange  206  when the spiral cover plate  204  is attached to the body  188 . When assembled, the upper flange  206  is in contact with a feed neck extension guide rail  340  formed as part of the feed neck extension  308 . The feed neck extension guide rail  340  helps to properly position the feed neck extension  308  when connecting the feed neck extension  308  to the firearm, and includes a slot  342  and an aperture  344  which receives a roll pin  346 . The feed neck extension  308  also includes a channel  348  which extends along an outer sidewall  350 . The channel  348  is offset from the center of the slot  342 , and there is a bolt stop actuator  352  having a first flat portion  354 , a second flat portion  356 , and a third flat portion  358 . The first flat portion  354  is connected to the third flat portion  358 , and the second flat portion  356  is also connected to the third flat portion  358 , with the third flat portion  358  being substantially perpendicular to both the first flat portion  354  and the second flat portion  356 . The first flat portion  354  is disposed in the slot  342  and the third flat portion  358  extends through the channel  348 . The second flat portion  356  is positioned along the inner surface of the sidewall  350 . 
         [0142]    When assembled, a portion of the roll pin  346  is disposed in the aperture  344 , and a portion of the roll pin  346  extends into the slot  342 . The portion of the roll pin  346  that extends into the slot  342  also extends into an elongated aperture  360  formed as part of the first flat portion  354 . This limits the range of movement of the bolt stop actuator  352  in the slot  342  to movement between a retracted position (when the actuator  352  is completely disposed in the slot  342 ) and an extended position (when a portion of the actuator  352  protrudes out of the slot  342 ), the function of which will be described later. The range of motion is determined by the length of the elongated aperture  360 , which may be different lengths if desired. 
         [0143]    Also formed as part of one of the sidewalls  362  of the feed neck extension  308  is a release aperture  364  which, when the feed neck extension  308  is correctly inserted into the magazine well  312 , is substantially aligned with the magazine catch channel  366  of the magazine well  312 . The magazine catch channel  366  has a lower ledge  368  which is selectively in contact with a corresponding shoulder surface  370  of a double lock latch hook  372 . 
         [0144]    The double lock latch hook  372  is part of a double lock latch  374 . The double lock latch  374  also has a double latch retainer hook  376 , and the double latch retainer hook  376  is located in a lower channel  378  formed as part of the second sidewall  332 . The double lock latch  374  also has a lower flange  380  in contact with the upper surface of the second sidewall  332  as shown in  FIGS. 45A ,  48 , and  51 A. There is also a double lock latch disassembly opening  382  formed as part of the lower channel  378 . The double latch retainer hook  376  also includes a shoulder surface  384  in contact with an upper surface  386  of the double lock latch disassembly opening  382 , preventing the removal of the double lock latch  374  from the double lock latch disassembly opening  382 . The distance between the lower flange  380  and the shoulder surface  384  provides for a close fit with the upper surface  386  and the upper surface of the second sidewall  332 . 
         [0145]    In order to remove the double lock latch  374 , the feed neck extension  308  must be removed from the magazine well  312 . The end of a screw driver is inserted into the double lock latch disassembly opening  382 , and a force is applied to the portion of the double latch retainer hook  376  exposed in the double lock latch disassembly opening  382 . Then, the double lock latch  374  is moved to the left when looking at  FIG. 45A  such that the shoulder surface  384  is no longer in contact with the upper surface  386 , and the lower flange  380  is no longer in contact with the upper surface of the second sidewall  332 , allowing the double latch retainer hook  376  to be pulled upwardly through the lower channel  378 , and therefore allowing the double lock latch  374  to be removed from the neck portion  216 , if desired. 
         [0146]    The magazine well  312  has an elongated sliding mechanism  388  which is disposed in magazine catch channel  366 , and is selectively in contact with the double lock latch hook  372 . The elongated sliding mechanism  388  is connected to the release mechanism associated with the firearm for releasing a typical magazine from the magazine well  312 . When the body portion  310  of the feed neck extension  308  is disposed in the magazine well  312 , the double lock latch hook  372  provides additional support for preventing the feed neck extension  308  from becoming dislodged from the magazine well  312 . When it is desired to remove the feed neck extension  308  from the magazine well, the release mechanism of the firearm is actuated, the elongated sliding mechanism  388  moves from left to right when looking at  FIG. 45A , and therefore moves in the magazine catch channel  366 , but also applies a force to the double lock latch hook  372 , causing the double lock latch  374  to deflect, and the shoulder surface  370  to no longer be in contact with the lower ledge  368 . The feed neck extension  308  is then removable from the magazine well  312 . 
         [0147]    The elongated sliding mechanism  388  is a commonly known part used with most conventional firearms. The ammunition feeding system  186  of the present embodiment expands on the use of the elongated sliding mechanism  388  by using the elongating sliding mechanism  388  to actuate and release the double lock latch  374  as described above. The use of the double lock latch  374  helps to additionally secure the feed neck extension  308  to the magazine well  312 , but since the double lock latch  374  does not require any additional actuation (other than using the release mechanism), the user of the firearm still uses the release mechanism of the firearm in a known manner. 
         [0148]    The body portion  310  also includes another sidewall  392  which is substantially parallel to the sidewall  350  having the slot  342  and channel  348 , and yet another sidewall  394  which is substantially parallel to the sidewall  362  having the release aperture  364 . The sidewall  394  also includes a pocket, generally shown at  396 , in which is located a cartridge stop assembly, generally shown at  398 . The pocket  396  includes an angled ledge  400  which terminates into an angled wall portion  402 . Adjacent and connected to the angled ledge  400  and the angled wall portion  402  are a pair of pocket sidewalls  404 , each of which has a sidewall lip  406 . There is also an upper gap, shown generally at  408 , and a lower gap, shown generally at  410 . Below the lower gap  410  is a sidewall ledge  412  formed as part of the sidewall  394 , and the sidewall ledge  412  has a lipped portion  414 . 
         [0149]    When looking at  FIG. 45A , to the right of the upper gap  408  is a back wall  416 , and to the left of the upper gap  408  is a beam portion  418  having an inner surface  420 . The back wall  416  is also formed as part of a cartridge stop guide section or feed lip  422  having a first cartridge stop guide surface  424  and an angled cartridge stop surface  426 . The first cartridge stop guide surface  424  is substantially parallel to a second cartridge stop guide surface  428  formed as part of the angled wall portion  402 . 
         [0150]    The cartridge stop assembly  398  includes a stop cover  430 , a biasable member, which in this embodiment is a flat spring  432 , and a cartridge stop  434 . The stop cover  430  has an outer surface  436  which is substantially parallel to the sidewall  394  when the cartridge stop assembly  398  is assembled in the pocket  396 . The stop cover  430  also has an inner surface  438 , and formed as part of the inner surface is a stop cover guide section  440 , which has a spring guide surface  442 . An upper tab  444  is also formed as part of the stop cover  430 , and is substantially parallel to and offset from the inner surface  438 . A lower tab  446  is formed as part of the stop cover  430  and is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface  438 . The lower tab  446  includes a shoulder  448  having a tapered surface  450  and a contact surface  452 . 
         [0151]    The cartridge stop  434  includes a stop ledge  454  which is selectively in contact with the cartridge stop surface  426  when the cartridge stop  434  is in an extended position. The stop ledge  454  is adjacent an outer guide surface  456 , and the outer guide surface  456  is in sliding contact with the first cartridge stop guide surface  424 . The cartridge stop  434  also includes an outer guide surface  458  in sliding contact with the second cartridge stop guide surface  428 , and a biasing surface  460  which is in contact with the flat spring  432 . The flat spring  432  is also disposed in the pocket  396 , and is located between the second cartridge stop guide surface  428  and the spring guide surface  442 . The flat spring  432  is also located on the angled ledge  400 , and the angled ledge  400  is substantially perpendicular to the spring guide surface  442  and the cartridge stop guide surfaces  424 , 428 . 
         [0152]    The cartridge stop  434  is designed to be a width that allows the cartridge stop  434  to fit between the pocket sidewalls  404 . The cartridge stop  434  is shown in the extended position in  FIGS. 39 ,  45 A- 45 B, and  51 B, and when in the extended position, the cartridge stop  434  is designed to prevent the removal of the cartridges  24  from the feed neck extension  308  (other than through the use of the forward stripping action of a firearm slide, bolt, or feeding method; cartridges  24  may also be manually stripped from the lips by the user). The cartridge stop  434  also includes an outer contact surface  462  which is angled in relation to the biasing surface  460 . The outer contact surface  462  is also adjacent an angled outer contact surface  464  formed as part of the cartridge stop guide section  422 . 
         [0153]    To assemble the cartridge stop assembly  398 , the cartridge stop  434  is placed between the cartridge stop guide surfaces  424 , 428 , and the flat spring  432  is positioned in the pocket  396  underneath the cartridge stop  434  such that the flat spring  432  is located between the cartridge stop  434  and the angled ledge  400 . The first cartridge stop guide surface  424  is in contact with the inner guide surface  456 , and the outer guide surface  458  is in contact with the second cartridge stop guide surface  428 . 
         [0154]    To assemble the stop cover  430  to the body portion  310 , initially the upper tab  444  is inserted into the upper gap  408  such that the upper tab  444  is disposed between the back wall  416  and the inner surface  420  of the beam portion  418 , and the stop cover  430  is then pushed towards the pocket  396  such that the tapered surface  450  slides along the sidewall ledge  412  and the lower tab  446  moves into the lower gap  410 . The contact between the tapered surface  540  and the sidewall ledge  412  causes the lower tab  446  to deflect, generating a tension in the lower tab  446 . Once the lower tab  446  has moved far enough into the lower gap  410 , and the tapered surface  540  is no longer in contact with the sidewall ledge  412 , the tension in the lower tab  446  is released, and the lower tab  446  returns to its normal position, causing the shoulder  448  to be in contact with the contact surface  452  of the lipped portion  414 , thereby preventing the removal of the stop cover  430  from the pocket  396 . The lower tab  446  having the shoulder  448  being used in combination with the lower gap  410  and the lipped portion  414  provides for a “snap fit” connection. 
         [0155]    Formed as part of the sidewall  362  having the release aperture  364  is a feed lip or curved section  466 . Cartridges  24  may optionally be loaded into the spiral channel  190  through the feed neck extension  308  by placing the cartridges  24  (one at a time) on the contact surfaces  462 , 464  and in contact with the outer edge  468  of the curved section  466 . Force is applied to the cartridge  24  by pressing on the cartridge  24  in the direction of the arrow  470 , and this force is transferred to the cartridge stop  434 . Once enough force is applied to the cartridge  24 , the force applied to the cartridge stop  434  by the flat spring  432  is overcome, and the cartridge stop  434  retracts and moves in a direction towards the angled ledge  400 . Once the cartridge stop  434  has retracted enough, the cartridge  24  moves down into the feed neck extension  308  and follows the path indicated by the arrow  472 . Once inside the feed neck extension  308 , each cartridge  24  is supported by a cartridge follower assembly, shown generally at  474 . 
         [0156]    The cartridge follower assembly  474  is operable for movement through the spiral channel  190 , the cartridge channel  306 , and portions of the cartridge follower assembly  474  are able to move through the feed neck extension  308 . The cartridge follower assembly  474  has a lead follower  476 , a plurality of shell followers  478 , and a bolt stop actuator follower  480 . While it is shown in the drawings that the cartridge follower assembly  474  has ten shell followers  478 , it is within the scope of the invention that more or less shell followers  478  may be used. 
         [0157]    The lead follower  476  is made up of a lead follower top  482  having a follower top aperture  484  which receives a portion of a lead follower dowel  486 . Another portion of the lead follower dowel  486  is received into a follower bottom aperture  488  formed as part of a lead follower bottom  490 . The lead follower bottom  490  also has a tapered section  492 . 
         [0158]    Each of the shell followers  478  has a shell follower top  494  having a shell follower top aperture  496  which receives a portion of a shell follower dowel  498 . The shell follower dowel  498  is also partially received into a shell follower bottom aperture  500  formed as part of a shell follower bottom  502 . In an alternate embodiment, the construction of the shell followers  478  may be simplified by integrating the shell follower dowel  498  with the shell follower top  494 , and manufacturing them as a single component. 
         [0159]    The bolt stop actuator follower  480  includes an actuator follower top  504  and an actuator follower top aperture  506 . The actuator follower top aperture  506  receives part of an actuator follower dowel  508 , and part of the actuator follower dowel  508  is received into an actuator follower bottom aperture  510  formed as part of an actuator follower bottom  512 . Also received into the actuator follower bottom aperture  510  is a dowel spring  514  and a plunger  516 . The plunger  516  includes a stopper portion or enlarged diameter portion  518  and a shaft portion  520 . The actuator follower bottom aperture  510  also includes a large diameter portion  522  and a small diameter portion  524 , which terminates into a retainer surface  526 . During assembly, the plunger  516  is inserted into the actuator follower bottom aperture  510 , followed by the dowel spring  514 . The actuator follower dowel  508  is then inserted into the aperture  510 , and the spring  514  is therefore positioned between the actuator follower dowel  508  and the enlarged diameter portion  518 . The plunger  516  is movable within the aperture  510  between a retracted position (where the shaft portion  520  is completely retracted into the small diameter portion  524 , and the enlarged diameter portion  518  is not in contact with the retainer surface  526 ) and an extended position (where the spring  514  biases the plunger  516  outwardly, the shaft portion  520  protrudes out of the small diameter portion  524 , and the enlarged diameter portion  518  is in contact with the retainer surface  526 ). 
         [0160]    The followers  476 , 478 , 480  are connected together through the use of a plurality of follower links  528 , each having a first dowel aperture  530  and a second dowel aperture  532 . The follower links  528  are positioned in a staggered fashion, best shown in  FIGS. 41-42 , and  49 A. During assembly, the lead follower dowel  486  is inserted through the first dowel aperture  530  of the first of the plurality of links  528  prior to the lead follower dowel  486  being inserted into one of the apertures  484 , 488 . The shell follower dowel  498  is then inserted through the second dowel aperture  532  as well as the first dowel aperture  530  of a subsequent link  528  prior to being inserted into one of the apertures  496 , 500 . This process is repeated for each of the shell followers  478  and the bolt stop actuator follower  480  until the cartridge follower assembly  474  is assembled as shown in  FIGS. 41-42  and  49 A. 
         [0161]    In operation, and referring generally again to  FIGS. 39-52C , when it is desired to load and use the system  186  of the present invention, and the system  186  is in an assembled state as shown in  FIGS. 39-40 ,  46 - 47 ,  50 A- 50 B, and  52 A- 52 C, the user simply applies a force to the tapered surfaces  210  of each of the locking tabs  208  to remove each shoulder  212  from the respective ledges  215 , allowing the tabs  208  to move through the slots  214  as the user pulls on the cover plate  204 . Because of the strap  224 , the cover plate  204  may be folded away from the body  188 , without being completely disconnected from the body  188 , which helps prevent the cover plate  204  from becoming lost or misplaced. However, if it is desired to completely remove the cover plate  204  from the body  188 , the user simply applies a force to the tapered surface  230  of the first portion  222  of the strap  224 , to allow the first portion  222  to be pulled through the slot  220 . Once the tabs  208  have been pulled through the slots  214  and the first portion  222  of the strap  224  has been pulled through the slot  220 , the cover plate  204  is completely detached from the body  188 . 
         [0162]    Once the cover plate  204  is removed, the spiral following cartridge drive arm  36  and the cartridge cover plate  60  are removed as well. This allows the user to place the cartridges  24  in the spiral channel  190  individually. The cartridge cover plate  60 , spiral following cartridge drive arm  36 , and cover plate  204  are then reassembled to the body  188 . Alternatively, the cartridges  24  may be dumped into the body  188  and surrounded by the sidewall  196 . The cartridge cover plate  60 , spiral following cartridge drive arm  36 , and cover plate  204  are then reassembled to the body  188 ; the body  188  is then shaken, and the cartridges  24  self-locate into the spiral channel  190 . To fully load the spiral channel  190  with cartridges  24 , the cartridge follower assembly  474  and the spiral following cartridge drive arm pin  58  are optimally placed at the centermost part of the spiral channel  190 , which is substantially adjacent to the pocket  192 . Additional cartridges  24  may be loaded into the feed neck extension  308  as described above. 
         [0163]    Once the spiral channel  190  is loaded with cartridges  24 , and the cartridge cover plate  60 , spiral following cartridge drive arm  36 , and cover plate  204  are then reassembled to the body  188 , the cam stop winding knob  292  is rotated using the lever  296 , generating tension in the power spring  64 . As the cam stop winding knob  292  is rotated, the cam stop winding knob  292  is prevented from rotating in the opposite direction because of the cam stop bearings  42  and the cam bearing pockets  80  generating the pawl action in the same manner as described with reference to the previous embodiments. Rotational force is transferred from the cam stop winding knob  292  to the slot  302  formed as part of the cam stop winding knob power spring pocket retainer  305 , the hook end  142  of the power spring  64 , the power spring  64 , the looped portion  144  of the power spring  64 , and then to the power spring eyelet notch  272  of the drive sleeve  264 . 
         [0164]    However, the drive sleeve  264  does not rotate, thereby generating the aforementioned tension in the power spring  64 . The drive sleeve  264  receives a reactionary force from the drive pin  258 . The cartridges  24  are prevented from exiting the feed neck extension  308  by the cartridge stop  434  and the feed lip  466 . This generates the reactionary force that is transferred through the cartridges  24 , the cartridge follower assembly  474 , the spiral following cartridge drive arm pin  58 , the spiral following cartridge drive arm  36 , the double flat key end  246  of the drive shaft  244 , the drive shaft  244 , the drive pin  258 , the locking notches  260  formed as part of the castle end  262  of the drive sleeve  264 , and the drive sleeve  264 . Therefore, the drive sleeve  264  does not rotate when the cam stop winding knob  292  is rotated, and tension builds in the power spring  64 . 
         [0165]    Once the user has rotated the cam stop winding knob  292  to generate the desired amount of tension in the power spring  64 , the cam stop winding knob  292  does not move, and the firearm is ready for use. As the user fires the firearm, the cartridges  24  are discharged one at a time, and the remaining cartridges  24  are sequentially fed through the feed neck extension  308  into the firearm. The cartridges  24  are fed into the firearm by the tension in the power spring  64  because as each cartridge  24  is discharged from the firearm, there is space left in the feed neck extension  308  for the remaining cartridges  24  to move. The tension in the power spring  64  causes the drive sleeve  264  to rotate because of the rotational force applied to the power spring eyelet notch  272  from the spring  64 . This rotational force is transferred to from the castle end  262  of the drive sleeve  264  to the drive pin  258 , the drive shaft  244 , the double flat key end  246  of the drive shaft  244 , the spiral following cartridge drive arm  36 , the spiral following cartridge drive arm pin  258 , the cartridge follower assembly  474 , and then to the cartridges  24 . This causes each of the remaining cartridges  24  to move in the spiral channel  190  as the cartridges  24  moved from the feed neck extension  308  into the firearm by the bolt stop are discharged from the firearm. 
         [0166]    Once all of the cartridges  24  are discharged, at least a portion of the cartridge follower assembly  474  moves into the feed neck extension  308 . However, as the cartridge follower assembly  474  moves into the feed neck extension  308 , the bolt stop actuator follower  480  moves into the feed neck extension  308  as well. The plunger  516  is biased by the dowel spring  514  to move away from the actuator follower dowel  508 , but the plunger  516  is held inside the actuator follower bottom aperture  510  by the cartridge cover plate  60 , a portion of the spiral cover plate  204  near the shortened neck portion  216 , and the sidewall  350  of the feed neck extension  308 . Once the bolt stop actuator follower  480  moves into the feed neck extension  308 , and the small diameter portion  524  of the actuator follower bottom aperture  510  is in alignment with the channel  348 , the shaft portion  520  of the plunger  516  moves into the channel  348  underneath the bolt stop actuator  352  because of the biasing force generated by the dowel spring  514 . 
         [0167]    Once the shaft portion  520  of the plunger  516  is located in the channel  348 , and is underneath the first flat portion  354  of the bolt stop actuator  352 , the shaft portion  520  moves the bolt stop actuator  352  upwardly as the cartridge follower assembly  474  moves upwardly in the feed neck extension  308 . The bolt stop actuator  352  moves upwardly, but is limited in its upward movement by the roll pin  346  contacting the bottom of the elongated aperture  360 . There are also two shell followers  478  between the bolt stop actuator follower  480  and the lead follower  476 . The spacing created by the shell followers  478  between the bolt stop actuator follower  480  and the lead follower  476  is designed as such that when the bolt stop actuator follower  480  is located inside the feed neck extension  308  and the shaft portion  520  of the plunger  516  has moved the bolt stop actuator  352  to it upmost position, the lead follower  476  is positioned against the cartridge stop  434  and the feed lip  466 . The bolt stop (not shown) of the firearm is then only allowed to move until the bolt stop contacts the bolt stop actuator  352 . The limited movement of the bolt stop provides an indication to the user that all of the cartridges  24  have been discharged from the firearm, and the feed system  186  needs to be reloaded. 
         [0168]    If the user decides to stop using the firearm, and there are still cartridges  24  in the system  186 , but wishes to have the cartridges  24  remain in the feed system  186 , the user simply pushes the clutch release push button  66  in the same manner as described in the previous embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the clutch release push button  66  is used to actuate the clutch assembly  194 , instead of the encapsulated spring clutch mechanism  20 , as with the previous embodiment. The user pushes the clutch release push button  66  to overcome the force applied to the clutch release push button return spring  92  in the clutch release push button pocket  68  formed as part of the cam stop winding knob  292 . As the clutch release push button  66  is pressed, the force applied to the clutch release push button  66  is transferred to the drive shaft  244 , and moves the drive shaft  244  axially within the drive sleeve  264  towards the spiral cover plate  204 . The recessed portion  242  formed in the cover plate  204  provides room for the drive shaft  244  to move axially without contacting the cover plate  204 . 
         [0169]    As the drive shaft  244  is moved axially from the force applied to the clutch release push button  66 , the drive pin  258  is moved out of the locking notches  260 . Once the drive pin  258  is moved out of the locking notches  260 , the drive sleeve  264  is allowed to rotate relative to the drive shaft  244 . The tension in the power spring  64  causes the drive sleeve  264  to rotate, and as a result, the tension in the power spring  64  is relieved. As with the previous embodiment, this prevents the power spring  64  from permanently deforming, or developing a “set,” improving the life of the power spring  64 . 
         [0170]    If the user decides to use the firearm again, the cam stop winding knob  292  is rotated to generate tension in the power spring  64  as previously described. However, if the drive pin  258  is not located in one of the locking notches  260 , there are multiple locking notches  260  that the drive pin  258  may be received into. Therefore, when the cam stop winding knob  292  is rotated, if the drive pin  258  is not disposed in one of the locking notches  260 , then as the cam stop winding knob  292  is rotated, the rotational force applied to the power spring  64  also rotates the drive sleeve  264 . The drive sleeve  264  continues to rotate as the cam stop winding knob  292  is rotated until two of the locking notches  260  are in alignment with the drive pin  258 . The clutch release button return spring  92  biases the clutch release push button  66 , and therefore the drive shaft  244 , away from the spiral cover plate  204 ; the drive pin  258  is consequently biased towards the castle end  262  of the drive sleeve  264 . This causes the drive pin  258  to move into whichever of the locking notches  260  come into alignment with the drive pin  258  as the drive sleeve  264  is rotated. Once the drive pin  258  has moved into a pair of the locking notches  260 , the drive sleeve  264  is prevented from rotating, and tension is generated in the power spring  64  as the cam stop winding knob  292  is rotated as described above. 
         [0171]    It should be noted that if the spiral channel  190  were not completely full of cartridges  24  when the cartridges  24  are loaded, when the cam stop winding knob  292  is rotated, the rotational force is transferred through the various components as described above, but the drive sleeve  264 , drive shaft  244 , spiral following cartridge drive arm  36 , and the cartridge cover plate  60  also rotate, and the spiral following cartridge drive arm pin  58  moves the cartridge follower assembly  474  and the cartridges  24  in the spiral channel  190  until the one of the cartridges  24  contacts the cartridge stop  434  and the feed lip  466 . Once a cartridge  24  contacts the cartridge stop  434  and feed lip  466 , the cartridges  24  are prevented from further movement unless the firearm is fired, and therefore, the reactionary force is generated, and tension is generated in the power spring  64  as described above. 
         [0172]    After the feed system  186  has been loaded, if it is desired to remove the cartridge  24  from the system  186 , the system  186  is easily unloaded by removing the spiral cover plate  204 , the spiral following cartridge drive arm  36 , and the cartridge cover plate  60  in the manner previously described. Once these components have been detached from the system  186 , the firearm cartridges  24  are spilled out. 
         [0173]    While it has been shown that the feed neck extension  308  is substantially straight, FIGS.  50 A and  51 A- 52 C show alternate embodiments of the feed neck extension  308  having the sidewalls  350 , 362 , 392 , 394  as well as the rear flange  314 , the side flanges  316 , 318 , and the front flange  322  shaped differently such that when the feed neck extension  308  is connected to the body  188 , the body  188  is angled relative to the feed neck extension  308 . There are some applications where it is preferable for a firearm to be of a reduced height, and when the body  188  of the ammunition feed system  186  is angled as shown in FIGS.  50 A and  51 A- 52 C, the overall height of the firearm is reduced, making the firearm more compact. For example, in FIGS.  50 A and  51 A- 51 B, the body  188  is located at an angle  534  of ten degrees from vertical. In  FIG. 52B , the body  188  is located at an angle  536  of forty-five degrees from vertical, and in  FIG. 52C , the body  188  is located at an angle  538  of ninety-degrees from vertical. It is also within the scope of the invention that the feed neck extension  308  may be manufactured in a manner to position the body  188  at any desired angle relative to the firearm. 
         [0174]    The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the essence of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.