Abstract:
The invention provides an ammunition storage box that stores and loads multiple successive rows of ammunition cartridges into firearms magazines. The box includes an interior channel and multiple openings that lead into the channel. The channel is configured to host and dispense cartridges into a firearms magazine interfaced with the box via a proximal opening, which leads into the channel. The box also includes cartridge slots, recessed into the box and convergent with the channel, configured to host cartridges. The box also includes an obstruction block configured to selectively engage within the channel and obstruct cartridges hosted within the cartridge slots from moving into the channel. The box also includes a rod, configured to slideably engage within the channel and displace obstruction blocks or cartridges within the channel out from the channel. The rod is also configured to encapsulate the cartridge slots when expanded into the chamber.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to ammunition cartridge storing and loading tools for firearms magazines. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Many contemporary ammunition box designs that are configured to sterily store and also load ammunition cartridges into firearms magazines do not have the ability to store and load more than one row of cartridges. Designs that do allow for the storage and loading of multiple rows of cartridges often require a large number of moving components to facilitate the alignment and urging of successive rows of cartridges into a magazine. Unfortunately, history has revealed time and time again that apparatuses with a large number of moving parts often have reduced reliability in outdoor environments. 
         [0005]    At the moment, there exists no prior art design of ammunition storage and loading apparatuses that can align successive rows of ammunition cartridges for urging into a magazine without the utilization of a large number of moving components. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In light of the limitations of existing ammunition storage and loading apparatuses, it is the object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can store multiple rows of ammunition cartridges and successively align each row of stored cartridges for urging into a firearms magazine using a significantly reduced number of moving components. 
         [0007]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for storing and loading multiple rows of ammunition cartridges comprises an elongated rectangular box having a proximal long end, a distal long end and an adjacent side that lies between the proximal and distal long ends. The rectangular box comprises a linear channel that runs within the rectangular box, initiating at the proximal long end and running to the distal long end. The proximal long end, distal long end and adjacent side comprise a cartridge dispensing opening, rod entry opening and cartridge entry opening, respectively, all of which lead into the linear channel. 
         [0008]    The rectangular box comprises cartridge slots that are recessed into the rectangular box through topside openings on the adjacent side. These cartridge slots are convergent with the linear channel and are configured to receive and host ammunition cartridges via the topside openings. Each cartridge slot extends a partition wall, which segregates the extending cartridge slot from an adjacent cartridge slot. In one embodiment, each cartridge slot extends a partition wall from a portion of the cartridge slot that lies of farthest distance from the dispensing opening. In one embodiment, the cartridge slots are arranged in two independent single file rows whose lengths run parallel with that of the linear channel. In this same embodiment, these two independent rows of cartridge slots are tangent with the linear channel on two opposing sides of the linear channel. Also in this same embodiment, partition walls on both rows of cartridge slots are offset from linear alignment with one another. Cartridge slots are recessed into the rectangular box in such a manner as to leave a height of space between the bottom of the cartridge slot recesses and a linear channel interior wall that lies farthest from the adjacent side, defined as the channel floor. The cartridge slots comprise obstruction walls that are tangent with the linear channel and run from each cartridge slot&#39;s partition wall towards the dispensing opening until within a gap of distance from an adjacent cartridge slot&#39;s partition wall. In one embodiment, the size of this gap of distance is equal to the width of an ammunition cartridge. Each gap of distance defines a slot side opening, configured to facilitate the passage of cartridges from the cartridge slots into the linear channel. 
         [0009]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for storing and loading multiple rows of ammunition cartridges comprises a channel obstruction block shaped in the form of an elongated rectangular block. The obstruction block is selectively engaged within the linear channel of the rectangular box, through either of the rectangular box openings, in order to obstruct cartridges hosted within the rectangular box cartridge slots from passing into the linear channel, via the slot side openings, as the apparatus of the present invention is loaded with cartridges for storage. The apparatus is loaded with ammunition cartridges via the positioning of cartridges into the cartridge slots through the cartridge slot topside openings. 
         [0010]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for storing and loading multiple rows of ammunition cartridges comprises an urging rod. The urging rod is shaped as an elongated rectangular block and extends a planar shaped flat cover that is coupled to the elongated rectangular block in such a manner as to form a T shape. The urging rod is slideably engaged within the rectangular box linear channel, through the rod entry opening, in such a manner as to cause the flat cover to slideably engage with the rectangular box adjacent side. 
         [0011]    The apparatus of the present invention is configured for the sterile storage of cartridges via urging of the urging rod into the linear channel, through the rod entry opening, towards the dispensing opening until the urging rod comes into tangency with the dispensing opening. This action causes the urging rod to displace the obstruction block from the linear channel through the dispensing opening while simultaneously causing the rod to obstruct successive slot side openings, preventing cartridges hosted within cartridge slots with obstructed slot side openings from moving into the linear channel. Simultaneously, as the urging rod moves toward tangency with the dispensing opening, the flat cover is slideably engaged with the adjacent side and moved along with the urging rod to successively encapsulate all of the topside openings leading into the cartridge slots. 
         [0012]    The apparatus of the present invention is interfaced with a firearms magazine for the transfer of cartridges from the apparatus into a firearms magazine. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by coupling a feed opening of a firearms magazine with the apparatus dispensing opening in such a manner that the magazine feed opening is oriented, relative to the dispensing opening, to receive cartridges from the dispensing opening in the same angular orientation by which the firearms magazine properly feeds ammunition cartridges into a firearm. In a preferred embodiment, cartridges are stored within two independent rows of cartridge slots, and cartridges hosted within each row of cartridge slots are successively displaced into the linear channel by canting the apparatus and interfaced magazine in such a manner as to elevate one row of cartridge slots, which hosts the cartridges that are subject for displacement, over an opposing row of cartridge slots. Simultaneously, the apparatus and interfaced magazine are also oriented in such a manner as to cause the rod entry opening to elevate over the dispensing opening. The urging rod is then retracted from the linear channel, through the rod entry opening, causing cartridges hosted in the elevated row  110  to move through the slot side openings  120 , by force of gravity, toward the opposing row  110  until obstructed from further directional movement by the obstruction walls of the opposing row  110  or cartridges hosted within the opposing row. Simultaneous to this point, the displaced cartridges are vectored into the height of space, within the linear channel, that lies between the bottom of the cartridge slots and the linear channel floor, by force of gravity. The displaced cartridges travel down into the height of space until obstructed from further movement by the channel floor. Simultaneously, the displaced cartridges are also vectored towards the dispensing opening, by force of gravity, until obstructed from further directional movement by the coupled magazine feed opening or cartridges stacked in succession leading into the magazine opening. Each successive row of cartridges displaced from the two independent rows of cartridge slots into the linear channel are urged into the interfaced firearms magazine via the urging of the urging rod towards the dispensing opening. This action causes the urging rod to shift cartridges, displaced into the linear channel, through the dispensing opening into the magazine feed opening coupled to the dispensing opening. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1A  is an angle side view of the preferred embodiment elongated rectangular box. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1B  is a front cross-section view of the elongated rectangular box. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1C  is an angled side view of the preferred embodiment cartridge urging rod. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1D  is an angled side view of the preferred embodiment channel obstruction bar. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1E  is an angled side view of a firearms magazine. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1F  is a frontal view of an ammunition cartridge. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2A  is a top down view of the preferred embodiment elongated rectangular box, configured with ammunition cartridges, slideably engaged with the channel obstruction bar. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2B  is an angled side view cross section of the preferred embodiment elongated rectangular box, configured with ammunition cartridges, slideably engaged with the channel obstruction bar. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is an angled side view of the preferred embodiment cartridge urging rod, slideably engaged within the elongated rectangular box, urging out the channel obstruction bar from the elongated rectangular box. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is an angled side view of the preferred embodiment elongated rectangular box, engaged with the cartridge urging rod, interfaced with a firearms magazine and canted. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of the preferred embodiment cartridge urging rod partially retracted from the canted elongated rectangular box. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5B  is a front cross section view of an ammunition cartridge, displaced from a cartridge slot towards an opposing row of cartridge slot, obstructed from movement into the opposing row by an obstruction wall. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5C  is a front cross section view of an ammunition cartridge, obstructed from movement into an opposing row, vectored towards the channel floor. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the preferred embodiment cartridge urging rod urging cartridges within the linear channel into the interfaced firearms magazine. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0028]    In reference to  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1F , an apparatus for storing and loading multiple rows of ammunition cartridges, in its preferred embodiment, comprises an elongated rectangular box  100 . The rectangular box  100  comprises a proximal long end  101  and a distal long end  102  on opposite long ends of the rectangular box  100 . The rectangular box further comprises an adjacent side  103 , which occupies a facet of the rectangular box  100  that lies between the proximal long end  101  and distal long end  102 . The rectangular box  100  further comprises a rectangular linear channel  104  that runs within the rectangular box  100 , starting at the proximal long end  101  and terminating at the distal long end  102 . The linear channel  104  is configured to receive and host ammunition cartridges  300 . In one embodiment, the linear channel  104  hosts cartridges  300  in a single file configuration. 
         [0029]    The proximal long end  101  defines a cartridge dispensing opening  105  that opens into the linear channel  104  and is configured to engage with a feed opening  201  of a firearms magazine  200 . When engaged with the feed opening  201  of a firearms magazine  200 , the dispensing opening  105  facilitates the passage of ammunition cartridges  300 , hosted within the linear channel  104 , from the linear channel  104  into the feed opening  201 . 
         [0030]    The adjacent side  103  of the rectangular box  100  defines a cartridge entry opening  106  that opens into the linear channel  104 . The linear channel  104  defines a channel floor  107  that occupies a wall of the linear channel  104  that lies farthest from the cartridge entry opening  106 . 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the linear channel  104  is shaped in such a manner that cartridges  300  received into the linear channel  104  are arranged into a single file whose length is parallel with that of the linear channel  104 . In one embodiment, cartridges  300  received and hosted within the linear channel  104  are oriented in such a manner that their bullet tips  301  point toward the cartridge entry opening  106  from within the linear channel  104  while their base primer sides  302  are tangent with the channel floor  107 . 
         [0032]    The adjacent side  103  further defines multiple cartridge slots  108  that are individually recessed into the rectangular box  100  through the adjacent side  103 . Each cartridge slot  108  comprises a topside opening  109  that leads into each cartridge slot  108  from the adjacent side  103 . Each cartridge slot  108  is configured to host ammunition cartridges  300  and each topside opening  109  is configured to facilitate the positioning of cartridges  300  into its respective cartridge slot  108 . In one embodiment, cartridge slots  108  are recessed into the rectangular box  100  at a depth equal to the height of an ammunition cartridge  300 . Each cartridge slot  108  is convergent with the linear channel  104  and configured to displace cartridges  300  into the linear channel  104 . In one embodiment, each cartridge slot  108  is sized to host one cartridge  300 . In one embodiment, each cartridge slot  108  is sized to host two cartridges  300 . 
         [0033]    The cartridge slots  108  define slot floors  111 , which are portions of the cartridge slots  108  that are furthest recessed into the rectangular box  100 . In one embodiment, the cartridge slots  108  host cartridges  300  with the base primer sides  302  of cartridges  300  tangent with the slot floors  111 . In one embodiment, the cartridge slots  108  host cartridges  300  with the bullet tips  301  of cartridges  300  tangent with the slot floors  111 . The linear channel  104  defines a non-convergent height of space  112  within the linear channel  104  that lays between the slot floors  111  and the channel floor  107  and is non-convergent with the cartridge slots  108 . This non-convergent height of space  112  is sized to maintain cartridges  300  positioned within the linear channel  104  in a single file configuration. 
         [0034]    Each cartridge slot  108  extends a partition wall  113  that separates each cartridge slot  108  from an adjacent cartridge slot  108 . In one embodiment, each cartridge slot  108  extends a partition wall  113  from a portion of the cartridge slot  108  that lies of farthest distance away from the dispensing opening  105 . In one embodiment, the length of each partition wall  113  runs perpendicular to the length of the linear channel  104 . In one embodiment, the cartridge slots  108  are arranged in two independent single file rows  110  whose lengths run parallel with that of the linear channel  104 . In this same embodiment, these two independent rows  110  of cartridge slots  108  are tangent with the linear channel  104  on two opposing sides of the linear channel  104 . Also in this same embodiment, the partition walls  113  on one row  110  of cartridge slots  108  are offset from linear alignment with the partition walls  113  of the opposing row  110  of cartridge slots  108 . 
         [0035]    Each cartridge slot  108  comprises an obstruction wall  119 , whose length runs parallel with that of linear channel  104 . Each obstruction wall  119  is tangent with the linear channel  104  and configured to obstruct cartridges  300  displaced from an opposing row  110  of cartridge slots  108  from entering the cartridge slot  108  that comprises it. In one embodiment, each obstruction wall  119  is perpendicularly extended from a partition wall  113  and runs in the direction of the dispensing opening  105  until within a gap of distance from the partition wall  113  of an adjacent cartridge slot  108 . In one embodiment, this gap of distance is equal to the width of one ammunition cartridge  300 . The gaps of distance between each obstruction wall  119  and adjacent cartridge slot partition wall  113  each define a cartridge slot side opening  120  that is configured to facilitate the passage of cartridges  300  from each cartridge slot  108  into the linear channel  104 . 
         [0036]    The distal long end  102  of the rectangular box  100  defines a rod entry opening  114  that opens into the linear channel  104  and is configured to facilitate the entry of a cartridge urging rod  115  into the linear channel  104 . 
         [0037]    The apparatus for storing and loading multiple rows of ammunition, in its preferred embodiment, comprises an urging rod  115  that is shaped as an elongated rectangular block with two short sides and four long sides. The urging rod  115  is configured to slideably engage within the linear channel  104 , through the rod entry opening  114 , with two opposing long sides of the urging rod  115  slideably engaged with the non-convergent height of space  112  and one long side slideably engaged with the channel floor  107 . The urging rod  115  comprises a planar shaped flat cover  116  that extends from the one long side of the urging rod  115  that does not slideably engage with the non-convergent height of space  112  or the channel floor  107  when the urging rod  115  is engaged within the linear channel  104 . The flat cover  116  extends from the urging rod  115  in such a manner as to form a T shape with the urging rod  115 . The flat cover  116  runs the length of the urging rod  115  and is sized to encapsulate the rectangular box adjacent side  103 . The urging rod  115  further comprises a pressing surface  117  on a short side of the urging rod  115  that faces foremost towards the dispensing opening  105  when the urging rod  115  is slideably engaged within the linear channel  104  through the rod entry opening  114 . The pressing surface  117  is configured to urge ammunition cartridges  300  and objects hosted within the linear channel  104  out from the linear channel  104  through the dispensing opening  105 . The length of the urging rod  115  is sized so as to cause the urging rod  115  to fully encapsulate the linear channel  104  when the urging rod  115  is slideably engaged within the linear channel  104  and the pressing surface  117  is tangent with the dispensing opening  105 . When the urging rod  115  is engaged with linear channel  104  in such a manner that it fully encapsulates the linear channel  104 , the urging rod  115  obstructs objects from entering into the linear channel  104  via the dispensing opening  105 , cartridge entry opening  106 , the slot side openings  120  and the rod entry opening  114 . Simultaneously, when the urging rod  115  is engaged to fully encapsulate the linear channel  104 , the flat cover  116  encapsulates the adjacent side  103  and obstructs the passage of cartridges  300  and objects into and out from the cartridge slots  108  via the topside openings  109 . 
         [0038]    The apparatus for storing and loading multiple rows of ammunition, in its preferred embodiment, comprises a channel obstruction block  118 . The obstruction block  118  is shaped as a rectangular block and is sized to slideably engage within the linear channel  104 , via the dispensing opening  105 , cartridge entry opening  106  or rod entry opening  114 , and obstruct the slot side openings  120 , preventing cartridges  300  hosted within the cartridge slots  108  from moving into the linear channel  104  via the slot side openings  120 . In one embodiment, the obstruction block  118  is sized to fully encapsulate the linear channel  104 . 
         [0039]    In reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the apparatus for storing and loading multiple rows of ammunition cartridges is configured to receive ammunition cartridges  300  into the cartridge slots  108  with the engagement of the obstruction block  118  into the linear channel  104  via the dispensing opening  105 , cartridge entry opening  106  or rod entry opening  114 . In one embodiment, the obstruction block  118  is engaged within the linear channel  104  in such a manner that the length of the obstruction block  118  fully encompasses that of the linear channel  104 . 
         [0040]    Ammunition cartridges  300  are positioned into the cartridge slots  108  through the adjacent side topside openings  109 . In one embodiment, cartridges  300  are inserted through the topside openings  109  with the base primer sides  302  of cartridges  300  facing foremost towards the slot floors  111 . In one embodiment, cartridges  300  are inserted through the topside openings  109  with the bullet tips  301  of cartridges  300  facing foremost towards the slot floors  111 . The obstruction block  118  maintains the cartridges  300  positioned into the cartridge slots  108  from moving into the linear channel  104  via the slot side openings  120 . 
         [0041]    In reference to  FIG. 3 , the apparatus for storing and loading multiple rows of ammunition cartridges is configured to sterily store ammunition cartridges  300  with the engagement of the urging rod  115  into the linear channel  104  via the rod entry opening  114 . The urging rod  115  is engaged within the linear channel  104  in such a manner that the pressing surface  117  is placed foremost through the rod entry opening  114  while the flat cover  116  slideably engages with the rectangular box adjacent side  103 . Within the linear channel  104 , the pressing surface  117 , and thus the urging rod  115 , is urged through the rod entry opening  114  towards the dispensing opening  105 , causing the pressing surface  117  to urge the obstruction block  118  out from the linear channel  104  through the dispensing opening  105 . While moving toward the dispensing opening  105 , the urging rod  115  and flat cover  116  come into tangency with successive slot side openings  120  and topside openings  109 , respectively. These successive slot side openings  120  and topside openings  109  are subsequently encapsulated by the urging rod  115  and flat cover  116 , respectively, preventing cartridges  300  hosted within the successively encapsulated cartridge slots  108  from moving out from their respective cartridge slots  108 . The pressing surface  117  is eventually brought into tangency with the dispensing opening  105 , which causes the pressing surface  117  to fully displace the obstruction block  118  from the linear channel  104  through the dispensing opening  105 . Simultaneously, the flat cover  116  is shifted to fully encapsulate the adjacent side  103 , and thus all of the topside openings  109 . 
         [0042]    In reference to  FIG. 4 , the apparatus for storing and loading multiple rows of ammunition cartridges is interfaced with a firearms magazine  200  via the engagement of the rectangular box dispensing opening  105  to a feed opening  201  of the firearms magazine  200 . A magazine feed opening  201  is engaged to the dispensing opening  105  in such a manner that the magazine  200  is oriented, relative to the dispensing opening  105 , to receive cartridges  300  from the rectangular box linear channel  104 , through the dispensing opening  105 , in the same angular orientation by which the magazine  200  properly feeds ammunition cartridges  300  into a firearm. 
         [0043]    The apparatus for storing and loading multiple rows of ammunition cartridges is configured to displace successive rows  110  of cartridge slots  108 , hosting cartridges  300 , into the linear channel  104  with the canting of the apparatus and interfaced magazine  200  to such an orientation as to cause a row  110 , containing cartridges  300  that are subject to displacement, to elevate over an opposing row  110  of cartridge slots  108 . The apparatus and interfaced magazine  200  are also oriented in such a manner as to cause the rod entry opening  114  to elevate over the dispensing opening  105 . 
         [0044]    In reference to  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C , the urging rod  115  is retracted from the linear channel  104  through the rod entry opening  114 , clearing a path for successive cartridges  300 , hosted within the elevated row  110  of cartridge slots  108 , to shift out from their respective cartridge slots  108  into the linear channel  104 , via their corresponding slot side openings  120 . In one embodiment, cartridges  300  are shifted through their corresponding slot side openings  120  via the force of gravity. In one embodiment, each cartridge slot  108  hosts multiple cartridges  300  and thus each cartridge  300  hosted within each cartridge slot  108  first shifts toward its respective slot side opening  120 , by means of gravity, prior to passing through it. Each cartridge  300 , upon passing through its respective slot side opening  120 , exits from its cartridge slot  108  and moves toward an opposing row  110  of cartridge slots  108  until obstructed from further directional movement by an obstruction wall  119  of the opposing row  110  or a cartridge  300  hosted within the opposing row  110 . Simultaneous to the point of when each displaced cartridge  300  is obstructed by an obstruction wall  119  or a cartridge  300 , the width of each obstructed cartridge  300  lines up with the width of the linear channel  104 , allowing each obstructed cartridge  300  to enter the non-convergent height of space  112  within the linear channel  104  by means of gravity. Each cartridge  300  proceeds down the non-convergent height of space  112  until obstructed from further movement by the channel floor  107 . Simultaneously, each cartridge  300  also moves towards the dispensing opening  105 , aided by gravity, until coming into tangency with the coupled magazine feed opening  201  or a cartridge  300  that is stacked in succession leading into the feed opening  201 . In one embodiment, cartridges  300  displaced into the linear channel  104  are filed into a single file row, whose length runs parallel with that of the linear channel  104 , by the non-convergent height of space  112 . 
         [0045]    In reference to  FIG. 6 , the apparatus for storing and loading multiple rows of ammunition cartridges urges successive row  110  of cartridges  300 , displaced into the linear channel  104 , into an interfaced firearms magazine  200  with the urging of the pressing surface  117 , and thus the urging rod  115 , towards the dispensing opening  105 . The pressing surface  117 , moving towards the dispensing opening  105 , comes into tangency with an ammunition cartridge  300  that is of closest proximity to it within the linear channel  104 . Upon coming into tangency with a cartridge  300 , the urging rod  115  urges said cartridge  300  towards the dispensing opening  105 , subsequently causing successive cartridges  300  within the linear channel  104  to urge adjacent cartridges  300  towards the dispensing opening  105 . Consequently, the action of urging the rod  115  towards tangency with the dispensing opening  105  causes each cartridge  300  within the linear channel  104  to be displaced from the linear channel  104 , through the dispensing opening  105 , into the feed opening  201  of the interfaced firearms magazine  200 .