Patent Publication Number: US-11385004-B2

Title: Device for securing an ammunition container

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device to secure an ammunition container, such as an ammunition magazine. In some embodiments, the device may be used with ammunition clips or to provide firearm maintenance. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Ammunition magazines traditionally are loaded by hand. One would need to place ammunition into the magazine individually Ammunition loader devices, such as those made by MAGLULA™, (hereinafter known as “ammunition loaders” or “loaders”) also may be used to load the ammunition quicker. Different loaders may be used for different magazines, such as ones for pistol magazines and others for various rifle magazines. Loaders transfer the ammunition to the magazine. Further, magazines do not rest on flat surfaces in a secure manner. They need to be held while loading, which is unwieldy and awkward. The user may not be able to apply the pressure needed to load the magazine. Current devices that address these issues tend to only fit one size of magazine. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed embodiments provide for an ammunition container holder that includes a metal or plastic block that is machined to accommodate a metal or plastic slider. The slider preferably is in one piece, but may be multiple pieces. The slider is slidably engaged in a channel so that it may move in when driven by a thrust bolt. The thrust bolt engages with the metal block through a threaded machine hole. As the thrust bolt is rotated in a clockwise direction, it drives the slider towards a receiving ramp. When the thrust bolt is rotated in the opposite direction, it retreats away from the slider and releases any clamping pressure exerted by the slider on the ammunition magazine. As disclosed below, the ammunition container may refer to an ammunition magazine for a rifle or pistol, or to an ammunition clip. 
     The receiving ramp slopes in a downward manner from the front edge of the metal block towards a rear stop at the far end of the ramp. The channel and the ramp have the same descending slope from front to rear and are contiguous surfaces. The descending ramp is configured to slidably receive various ammunition magazines for reloading. The stop at the back of the metal block may be fabricated as an integral part of the block. 
     At the rear side of the channel and also at the bottom of the stop is a back groove that starts on the bottom of the stop and extends along the back side of the channel. The back groove receives a slider rail of the slider. There also is a front groove which slidably receives a slider rail of the slider. Slider rails engage into the grooves to allow lateral movement of the slider when acted upon by the thrust bolt. Slider rails also prevent the screw force applied by the thrust bolt from twisting or “torqueing” the slider. The slider rails prevent the slider from rising on one end or getting jammed in the channel. 
     In some embodiments, an ammunition magazine slides down the receiving ramp until it engages the stop. Once the magazine engages the stop, the thrust bolt is rotateably driven against the slider to move it against the magazine to clamp the magazine into the device. The ammunition magazine is now secure in the device and ready for loading or unloading. 
     The receiving ramp is configured to descend at such an angle so as to substantially fit the slope of the base of the ammunition magazine and render it in a vertical upright position for loading and unloading ammunition. The bases of ammunition magazines are angled. If one is placed on a table or flat surface, the ammunition angle will tilt forward. The angle of the slope for the receiving ramp approximates the angle necessary to make the ammunition angle so that the ammunition slides backward into the magazine. A magazine loader may be mounted on top of the ammunition magazine. In this manner, a user can easily load or unload ammunition to or from the magazine and do so in a much faster manner than if doing the same operation by holding the magazine manually. 
     A device for securing an ammunition container is disclosed. The device includes a block. The block includes a back edge. The block also includes a front edge opposite the back edge. The front edge includes an opening for a receiving ramp. The block also includes a first side edge between the back edge and the front edge having a machine hole. The block also includes a second side edge between the back edge and the front edge, and opposite the first side edge. The second side edge includes a removable piece that borders the receiving ramp. The receiving ramp descends at an angle from the front edge to the back edge. The device also includes a channel formed between the front edge and the back edge. The device also includes a slider to fit within the channel. The slider extends into an area above the receiving ramp. The device also includes thrust bolt configured within the machine hole to move the slider within the channel. 
     An alternate embodiment of a device for securing an ammunition container is disclosed. The device includes a block. The block includes a back edge. The block also includes a front edge opposite the back edge. The block also includes a fixed side edge between the back edge and the front edge. The fixed side edge has a machine hole therethrough. The block also includes a removable side edge between the back edge and the front edge. The removable side edge includes a removable piece. The block also includes a receiving ramp positioned next to the removable side edge. The receiving ramp slopes at an angle from the front edge to the back edge. The device also includes a channel formed between the front edge and the back edge and adjacent the receiving ramp. The device also includes a slider to fit and slidably move within the channel using a thrust bolt extending through the machine hole through the fixed side edge. The slider is movable into an area above the receiving ramp. The device also includes a shim to fit into the area above the receiving ramp. The shim is narrower than a width of the receiving ramp and having a sloped surface that substantially matches the slope of the receiving ramp. The shim is removable from the block. 
     A system to load ammunition is disclosed. The system includes an ammunition container to hold the ammunition. The ammunition container includes a base. The system also includes a block. The block includes a back edge. The block also includes a front edge opposite the back edge. The front edge includes an opening. The block also includes a fixed side edge between the back edge and the front edge. The fixed side edge includes a machine hole. The block also includes a removable side edge between the back edge and the front edge, and opposite the fixed side edge. The removable side edge includes a removable piece. The block also includes a receiving ramp adjacent the removable side edge and aligned with the opening of the front edge. The receiving ramp descends at an angle from the front edge to the back edge such that the base of the ammunition container rests on the receiving ramp. The system also includes a channel formed between the front edge and the back edge. The system also includes a slider to slidably move within the channel to clamp the ammunition container on the receiving ramp. The system also includes a thrust bolt configured within the machine hole to move the slider within the channel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top plan view of the device according to the disclosed embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a right isometric view of the device according to the disclosed embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a left isometric view of the device according to the disclosed embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a left elevation view of the device according to the disclosed embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded isometric view of the device according to the disclosed embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a left isometric view of the block within the device according to the disclosed embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a left side elevation view of the device with the removable side edge removed according to the disclosed embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a left isometric view of the device using a shim according to the disclosed embodiments. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a right isometric view of the device securing an ammunition magazine according to the disclosed embodiments. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a right isometric view of the device securing an ammunition magazine using the shim according to the disclosed embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments of the present invention. Examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. While the embodiments will be described in conjunction with the drawings, it will be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the present invention to any one embodiment. On the contrary, the following description is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a top plan view of device  1  according to the disclosed embodiments. Device  1  may be known as an ammunition container holder that fits a variety of magazine sizes, as disclosed below. The disclosed embodiments may refer to the ammunition container as an ammunition magazine, but also may apply to clips. Device  1  includes block  2 , which provides stability for loading operations. Block  2  may be comprised of metal, such as aluminum. Alternatively, block  2  may be comprised of plastic or a polymer material. Hereinafter, block  2  may be referred to as metal block  2  even though it is understood that the block also may be comprised of plastic or a combination of metal and plastic components. In some embodiments, block  2  may have a width of about 4.0 inches and a length of about 5.8 inches along with a height of about 1.3 inches. 
     Device  1  also includes slider  3  that moves within channel  6 . Channel  6  is formed within metal block  2  between front edge  4  and back edge  5 . Metal block  2  also includes side edges  102  and  104 . Side edge  102 , also known as the first side edge, includes curved portions  106  that help form channel  106 . Curved portions  106  of side edge  102  accommodate curved portions  108  of slider  3 . The curved portions of side edge  102  and slider  3  allow the slide to move within channel  3  is a smooth manner, as opposed to sharp corners in metal block  2 . Thus, curved portions  106  and  108  avoid the sharp edges associated with sharp corners. 
     Slider  3  also is removable from device  1 . Removable side edge  104 , disclosed below, may be removed to remove slider  3  from channel  6 . With a removable slider  3 , one can access channel  6  and the grooves, disclosed in greater below, that it slides in for cleaning and removing any accumulated debris. Further, slider  3  along with removable side edge  104  provide square surfaces for greater contact with the secured magazine. Slider  3  may include other shapes and possibly could be comprised of a plurality of pieces. 
     Opposite side edge  102  is removable side edge  104 , also positioned between front edge  4  and back edge  5 . Side edge  104  also may be known as the second side edge. Side edge  104  is removable from metal block  2 , as disclosed in greater detail below. When side edge  104  is removed, slider  3  may be removed from channel  6 . Removable side edge  104  also removes the need to form a sharp corner, such as one with approximately a 90° angle, as the removable side edge is constructed separate from back edge  5  and front edge  4 . Sharp corners may require special tools. Magazines tend to have straight and perpendicular lines so removable side edge  104  allows to be implemented in device  1  to have the magazine corner be perpendicular to both the back and side of the device. Removable side edge  104  allows device  1  to have straight lines. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , side edge  102  includes threaded machine hole  204 . Machine hole  204  receives thrust bolt  7 . Thrust bolt  7  includes knob  201  and threaded portion  202  that rotates within machine hole  204 . Thrust bolt  7  drives slider  3  within channel  6  by turning knob  201 . Receiving portion  206  within slider  3  engages an end of threaded portion  202  opposite knob  201  of thrust bolt  7 . As thrust bolt  7  is rotated in a clockwise direction when facing the top surface of knob  201 , threaded portion  202  drives slider  3  towards side edge  104  and away from side edge  102 . When thrust bolt  7  is rotated in the opposite, or counter-clockwise, direction, threaded portion  202  retreats away from slider  3  away and towards side edge  102 . Slider  3  may be moved back towards side edge  102  in channel  6  manually, or by hand. In this manner, slider  3  and thrust bolt  7  may clamp an ammunition magazine within device  1 . Knob  201  should be positioned at a height from a bottom  208  of metal block  2  to allow fingers to turn the knob without hitting a surface upon which device  1  is resting. 
     Front edge  4  includes an opening for receiving ramp  9  within metal block  2 . Receiving ramp  9  slidably receives various ammunition magazines onto device  1  for reloading. Receiving ramp  9  descends at an angle from front edge  4  to back edge  5 . Preferably, this angle is between 15° and 25°. Receiving ramp  9  also borders the interior of side edge  104 . As disclosed below, receiving ramp  9  and channel  6  have the same descending slope from front to back, and may be contiguous surfaces. An opening  110  may be formed between a top surface  112  of front edge  4  and side edge  104  to accommodate receiving ramp  9 . 
     Use of receiving ramp  9  allows device  1  to secure the magazine in a manner that allows use of the ammunition loader in a convenient, efficient, and safe manner. It also allows users having difficulty grasping the magazine to load ammunition. The slope of receiving ramp  9 , or the angle of descent, also allows for the magazine to be tilted back a little. Most magazine are angled in that the bottom of the magazine results in the magazine being positioned to tilt forward on a flat surface. This aspect makes loading ammunition difficult. Receiving ramp  9  approximates the necessary angle that positions the magazine to tilt backwards so that the ammunition slides into the magazine backwards, which makes it easier to load bullets. Further, the slope of receiving ramp  9  allows the user to keep his/her arm in a straight line and avoids bending the wrist awkwardly during loading operations. 
       FIG. 3  depicts another perspective view of device  1  according to the disclosed embodiments. Components of front edge  4 , back edge  5 , side edge  102 , and side edge  104  are disclosed in greater detail. As shown, side edge  104  is removable from metal block  2 . This feature allows the formation of corner  301  where side edge  104  meets back edge  5 , without the need for special machining. This feature also allows a more accurate fit for a magazine received in device  1 , specifically within receiving ramp  9 . 
     Front edge  4  includes top surface  112 . Top surface  112  may be substantially parallel with bottom  208  of block  2 , or with the surface of a table, floor, and the like in which the device is placed. Top surface  112  allows a user to determine the location of front edge  4  and to securely grasp device  1 . 
     Side edge  102  also includes a top surface  302  that descends at an angle from border  312  with top surface  112  of front edge  4 . The angle of descent may be slight, such as between 2-5° toward the back of metal block  2 . Top surface  302  of side edge  102  joins with top surface  304  of back edge  5 . The descending top surfaces of side edge  102  and back edge  5  also allows a user to locate a position for device  1 . The user may understand that the descending top surfaces also border channel  6  and slider  3 . It also may be stated that top surfaces  302  and  304  have a slope with regards to a surface upon which device  1  is resting. 
     Side edge  104  includes top surface  310  that is aligned with top surface  112  of front edge  4 . Side edge  104  also includes sloped surface  308  that is aligned with top surfaces  302  and  304 . In other words, sloped surface  308  also descends from its border  314  with top surface  310  at the same angle as top surfaces  302  and  304  towards back edge  5 . These features keep side edge  104 , which is removable, consistent with the features disclosed above with regard to the other components of metal block  2 . 
     Slider  3  is shown having a top surface  306  as well. Top surface  306  is machined to match the slope or angle of descent of top surfaces  302  and  304 . Again, this feature keeps the look and feel of top surface  306 , or slider  3  as a whole, consistent with the rest of device  1 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a left side elevation view of device  1  highlighting removable side edge  104  of device  1  according to the disclosed embodiments. This view provides a side profile of device  1  to show the consistencies of the various top and sloped surfaces disclosed above. Side edge  104  includes top surface  310 , which is substantially parallel to bottom  208  of device  1 . Top surface  310  also is substantially level with top surface  112  of front edge  4 . Sloped edge  308 , on the other hand, begins to slope downward from border  314  to back edge  4 . Sloped edge  308  is substantially level with top surfaces  302  and  304 , disclosed above. 
     Side edge  104  also may include screws  402 A and  402 B that secure the removable side edge into metal block  2 . Screw  402 A may be positioned towards the back of side edge  104  while screw  402 B may be positioned towards the front of side edge  104 . Screws  402 A and  402 B may fit any type of screwdriver or other tool to secure side edge  104  to metal block  2 . A Philips head is shown for the screws, but they may also include a head to receive a flat head, torx, alien, double square, triple square, or the like utilizing a screwdriver or bit. 
       FIG. 5  depicts an exploded isometric view of device  1  according to the disclosed embodiments. Side edge  104  is removed from metal block  2 . Screws  402 A and  402 B are shown positioned apart from side edge  104  and metal block  2 . Screw holes  501 A and  501 B also are shown in side edge  104 . Screw hole  501 A receives screw  402 A to attach side edge  104  to base  506  of metal block  2  using screw hole  504 A located therein. Screw hole  501 B receives screw  402 B to attach side edge  104  to base  506  using screw hole  504 B located therein. Using these features, side edge  104  may be removed as desired. 
     As noted above, the removable feature of side edge  104  means that a sharp corner does not have to be machined in device  1 . Side edge  104  may be formed separately from the rest of metal block  2  and attached thereto to form corner  301 . It also allows for maintenance of device  1 . Other embodiments may allow for multiple side edges  104  to be attached, with different configurations or shapes to accommodate a variety of ammunition magazines. The user also may clean channel  6  easier with side edge  104  removed. 
     Removal of side edge  104  allows slider  3  also to be removed from device  1 . Slider  3  may need to be removed for cleaning device  1  or other maintenance activities. Further, different sliders may be used in device  1 , such as a slider with a tab or groove within top surface  306  for the user to grasp or use to position the slider. Slider  3  also includes slider rails  502  positioned at a bottom  505  of the slider. The features of slider rails  502  are disclosed in greater detail below. Bottom  505  fits onto the bottom surface of channel  6 . As shown, slider rails  502  may not extend the whole length of slider  3 . This feature allows for removal of slider  3  from metal block  2  in an easier manner and to fit into channel  6 , which includes curved portions  106 . 
     Machine hole  204  shown extends through side edge  102  to channel  6 . Thus, thrust bolt  7  fits through machine hole  204  to engage slider  3 . Thrust bolt  7  also may be removed from device  1  for cleaning and maintenance. 
       FIG. 6  depicts another left isometric view of metal block  2  within device  1  with removable side edge  104  and slider  3  removed according to the disclosed embodiments. This figure provides a better view of channel  6 . Metal block  2  includes stop  602 . Stop  602  is a surface on which an ammunition magazine will rest when secured by device  1 . Stop  602  also slopes outward at an angle from back edge  5 . This slope allows magazines having curved surfaces to be accommodated within receiving ramp  9 . A rear surface of slider  3  also may rest against stop  602  when it is within channel  6 . 
     Side surface  604  of front edge  4  also is shown. Side surface  604  helps to form opening  110  for receiving ramp  9 . 
     Grooves  606  and  608  are shown. Grooves  606  and  608  receive slider rails  502  of slider  3  to keep the slider within channel  6 . This feature allows lateral movement of slider  3  when acted upon by thrust bolt  7 . Back groove  606  is formed underneath stop  602  and extends in channel  6  and receiving ramp  9 . Front groove  608  is formed in front edge  4  to receive the upper slider rail  502 . Slider rails  502  also prevent the twisting or “torqueing” of slider  3  when acted upon by thrust bolt  7 . 
     Channel  6  and receiving ramp  9  may include a pattern  610 . Pattern  610  may be formed by slight ridges on the surfaces of channel  6  and receiving ramp  9 . These ridges keep slider  3  from directly contacting the surfaces of metal block  2  and to allow it to be more engaged when in use. The bottom of slider  3  is not completely against the metal surfaces forming channel  6  and receiving ramp  9 . In other embodiments, pattern  610  may be tooling marks. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a left side elevation view of device  1  with removable side edge  104  removed according to the disclosed embodiments. Slider  3  is shown in use. Slider rails  502  engage back groove  606  and front groove  608 . Slider  3  rests on base  506  and moves within channel  6 . These features allow slider  3  to provide a uniform force across the magazine when it is secured by device  1 . The user turns knob  201  of thrust bolt  7  to move slider  3  within grooves  606  and  608 . As also shown, the profile of slider  3  matches that of metal block  2 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of device  1  using a shim  802  according to the disclosed embodiments. Shim  802  may be used to help with using a loader with “short” single stack magazines. Shim  802  preferably is narrower than the magazine and raises the magazine so that a loader can still slide the length of the magazine. For example, a loader may be 4.25 inches tall but being used with a magazine being 4 inches tall. Stop  602  may be 1 inch in height. Use of such a loader with the magazine with device  1  without shim  802  would be troublesome. The loader will not have enough travel on the magazine if the user does not implement shim  802 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , shim  802  fits within channel  6  or receiving ramp  9 . Shim  802  includes front surface  803  that faces upwards toward opening  110  for receiving ramp  9 . Shim  802  may be slightly longer than slider  3  in order to not get lodged between front edge  4  and back edge  5  in channel  6 . Shim  802  also includes top surface  804  that is substantially flush with top surface  306  of slider  3 . Top surface  804  touches front surface  803 . Shim  802  also includes sloped surface  806  that slopes downward from top surface  803  toward stop  602 . Sloped surface  806  may slope at an angle consistent with receiving ramp  9  so that it acts like the surface of receiving ramp  9 , but elevated therewithin. 
       FIG. 9  depicts a right isometric view of device  1  securing an ammunition magazine  902  according to the disclosed embodiments. Magazine  902  may be considered a rifle magazine used with device  1 . Magazine  902  is mounted by sliding base  906  onto receiving ramp  9  to rest the magazine against stop  602 . Slider  3  clamps magazine  902  in place by rotating thrust bolt  7  until the magazine is firmly locked in place in order to load or unload ammunition  904 . As shown, the slope of receiving ramp is able to accommodate base  906  of magazine  902  in order to provide a relatively upright position, which is convenient for loading and unloading ammunition  904 . The vertical, or upright, position is easier to perform these actions then upside down loaders and holding magazine  902  by hand. 
     In order to use device  1  and ammunition magazine  902 , the user would place the ammunition loader on top of the magazine as it is secured. The ammunition loader would then be moved to transfer ammunition  904  from the loader into magazine  902 . The user usually holds the loader by hand. Conventional systems would require the user to also hold magazine  902  or orient it downwards or another uncomfortable position to use the loader. These convention systems do not allow magazine  902  to be oriented in the upright position. Further, metal block  2  provides stability during use of the loader with magazine  902 . Base  906  preferably does not move around while magazine  902  is being loaded. 
     Metal block  2  also includes components to adjust device  1  to secure different types of magazines. Magazine  902  is shown as being narrower than the width of receiving ramp  9 . Another magazine may include a wider base  906  or one with a different slope/curve. Slider  3  may be adjusted using thrust bolt  7  to widen the receiving portion of device  1 . Slider rails  502  provide further stability. As slider  3  is moved by hand using thrust bolt  7 , a user should realize when enough force is applied to prevent possible damage to the magazine. 
     The disclosed embodiments also provide the feature of removable side edge  104 . Should magazine  902  get stuck within device  1 , such as thrust bolt  7  not being able to turn to move slider  3 , then side edge  104  may be removed to release magazine  902 . Thus, magazine  902  is not damaged and can be removed easily, especially if ammunition  904  is loaded therein. 
       FIG. 10  depicts a perspective view of device  1  securing an ammunition magazine  1002  using shim  802  according to the disclosed embodiments. Magazine  1002  may be considered a pistol magazine used with device  1 . As disclosed above, shim  802  may be used when a magazine height would cause problems using the ammunition loader Ammunition magazine  1002  may be smaller and thinner than magazine  902 . Securing base  1006  of magazine  1002  to receiving ramp  9  may cause problems during loading of ammunition  1004  as the loader would butt against device  1 . Metal block  2  could cause damage to the loader as well. 
     Thus, shim  802  is used to raise base  1006  of magazine  1002  within device  1  to avoid possible butting the loader against metal block  2 . Slider  3  still secures magazine  1002  in place. Preferably, shim  802  is narrower than base  1006 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , base  1006  rests against sloped surface  806  of shim  802 . When not in use, shim  802  may be removed from device  1  to allow securement of magazines having the size to be used as normal in device  1 . 
     Alternate embodiments include using device  1  for firearm maintenance. A magazine, such as magazine  902 , may be secured as disclosed above. The firearm also may be stabilized for maintenance in an upright position and without the firearm being laid on a table or other surface that may not be clean or optimal for such maintenance. Alternate embodiments also may include the use of an ammunition clip Ammunition may be loaded into the clip while it is secured in device  1 . Clips are functionally distinct from magazines but both items may be inserted into device  1  for servicing. 
     It should be noted in the disclosed embodiments, means to fixedly attach device  1  to a working surface such as a work bench, table top, or tail gate may be included to directly bolt the device to the surface, which may be horizontal, inclined, or vertical. Further embodiments may utilize hook and loop attachment means between device  1  and the surface. A suction base also may be used that works on any smooth surface including glass. Alternatively, a c-clamping base that attaches to the edge of a table, work bench, or other surface having a well-formed edge. Such fixed mounting will increase the stability and rigidity of the disclosed embodiments for loading and unloading ammunition. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications to the disclosed may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations disclosed above provided that these changes come within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.