Abstract:
A speed-loading device for loading the multi-chamber firearm, such as a revolver, by placing the axial centerlines of the cartridges over the centerlines of the chambers in the revolver&#39;s cylinder, pulling the fingertab away; thus, rapturing the tear-off portion of the first bracket and releasing the first cartridge into the firearm. By continuously pulling the tab, the sidewalls of the second and then all remaining brackets are getting pulled further apart, their openings widen and the cartridges slide off their brackets and free-fall into their respective chambers.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to firearms, and, more particularly, to a speed-loading device and a method for loading small-arm rimmed cartridges into a multi-chamber firearm, such as a revolver, using one hand. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hand-held firearms have widely been used by the law enforcement and the military for a long time. Aside of many advantages hand-held firearms possess, there is a main disadvantage, to wit: a limited number of shots contained in one load. As a result, hand-held firearms need to be reloaded frequently, and the time spent on reloading significantly reduces the time the firearm can actually be used for firing at targets. Revolvers are particularly prone to this type of deficiency since the cartridges have to be loaded into the revolver&#39;s chambers one cartridge at a time. 
     There have been a number of patents, patent applications and non-patent publications describing various types of loaders for revolver-type firearms, but none has thus far provided a non-complicated, low cost, single-use loading device for revolvers that provides for releasing cartridges into multiple chambers of the gun nearly simultaneously and with one hand. The present invention seeks to lower the cost of production, and improve the loading method through a faster, single-motion loading device and method. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 2,637,930 (“the &#39;930 patent”) describes a reloading clip for revolvers. The device is expensive, bulky, has moving parts and non-disposable. A somewhat similar invention described in the &#39;845 patent is based on the same principles as the present invention, but that device is bulky, contains unnecessary complexity, such as a latch and a knob, and uses a two-hands operation. In addition, the device described in the &#39;845 patent does not secure a rim or a flange of the cartridge, which causes the device to rely on the grasp only, which, in turn, requires the device to be as wide as one-half of the cartridge&#39;s length, comparing to no more than one-third of the cartridge&#39;s length of the devise offered by the present invention. Noteworthy is the U.S. Pat. No. 2,073,436 (“the &#39;436 patent”) as it too offers speed-loading mechanism. This device of the &#39;436 patent, however, has moving parts, made out of metal, and cannot be used with rimmed cartridges. In sum, the prior art devices are complex, non-intuitive in operation, and expensive. Thus, a simple and inexpensive speed loading device is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A speed-loading device comprises a disposable annular body formed by a plurality of integrally linked annular brackets adapted to receive and hold rimmed cartridges by clipping around a partial circumference of each cartridge. The body of each bracket is interrupted by an opening, and the first annular bracket also comprises a finger-pulling tab and a tear-off portion. When loading the multi-chamber firearm, such as a revolver, the axial centerlines of the cartridges are placed over the centerlines of the chambers in the revolver&#39;s cylinder, the fingertab is pulled away; thus, causing the tear-off portion of the first bracket to rapture and release the first cartridge into the firearm. By continuously pulling the tab, the sidewalls of the second and then all remaining brackets are getting pulled further apart, their openings widen, the brackets are pulled out of under the cartridges and the cartridges free-fall into their respective chambers. Once all the cartridges are released, the loading device may be disposed. 
     Each of the plurality of annular brackets has an upper opening, a bottom opening, a diameter necessary to precisely fit a cartridge, a side opening formed by resilient side tabs, and a given width significantly smaller that the length of the cartridge causing a substantial portion of the cartridge to be protruding through the bottom opening of the annular bracket. The upper portion of the annular bracket is adopted to receive and house a rim portion of the cartridge and comprises a spotface area and a plurality of inwardly sloping latching pins that prevent the cartridge from being accidently displaced from the annular bracket. 
     The contour of the annular body, as well as the number and the size of the annular brackets are chosen based on the cylinder of firearm to be loaded. All of the annular brackets comprising a given annular body are of the same shape and dimensions. In addition, the first annular bracket that, unlike the rest of the brackets, also comprises a finger-pulling tab and a tear-off portion. The tear-off portion comprises a tear off means due to a reduced thickness, perforations, or both. The annular brackets are linked one to another by integral links molded from the same material and of substantially the same width as the rest of the annular body. 
     A three-finger method for loading a multi-chamber firearm using the speed-loading device described herein is provided. To be loaded into the annular bracket, a cartridge is pushed into the annular bracket through the upper opening causing the bottom of the cartridge to protrude through the lower opening of the bracket. Once the rim portion of the cartridge reaches the sloping pins, the rim begins moving laterally pressing into said resilient side tabs. Under the pressure of the laterally moving cartridge the side tabs extend outwardly causing the rim of the cartridge to pass the sloping pins and into the space between the spotface and the sloping pins. The resilient side tabs contract inwardly to their original position grasping the cartridge and causing it to move back to the center of the bracket and its rim to rest onto the spotface, at which point the cartridge is considered fully secured in the annular bracket. 
     The finger-pulling tab is attached to the first annular bracket near the tear-off portion, so that when a user places protruding portions of the cartridges into the revolver&#39;s chambers and pulls the finger-pulling tab away from the annular body, the tear-off portion raptures opening the annular body and causing the first cartridge to free-fall into its designated chamber. By continually applying the outward pull, the user causes the rest of the brackets to bent outward causing the brackets to slide out and away from under the remaining cartridges, so that the cartridges free-fall into their respective chambers. It is noteworthy that the foregoing operation can be done by only three fingers of one hand. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the unloaded speed-loading device; 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of a conventional rimmed cartridge; 
         FIG. 3  shows the process of loading cartridges into the speed-loading device; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the process of placing the loaded speed-loading device onto the revolver&#39;s cylinder; 
         FIG. 5  shows the initiating step of the three-finger operational method of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  depicts the completing step of the three-finger operational method of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following is a detailed description of the invention provided to aid those skilled in the art in practicing in the field of the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art may make modifications and variations in the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. All publications, patent applications, patents, figures and other references mentioned herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the speed-loading device comprises the disposable annular body  100  formed by the first annular bracket  102 , integrally linked to a plurality of integrally linked consecutive annular brackets  104 - 104 ′; said brackets  102  and  104 - 104 ′ have a diameter adapted to receive and hold rimmed cartridges by clipping around a partial circumference of each cartridge. The device, including its components, is made from pliable yet sufficiently resilient and flexible plastic resins, such as nylon, polyurethane, polypropylene, and others. Each annular bracket comprises an inner portion  106 , and outer portion  108 , an upper opening  110 , an spotface portion  112 , a plurality of latching pins  114 , a lower opening  116  and a side opening  118 . The first annular bracket  102  also comprises a finger-pulling tab  120  and a tear-off portion  122 . 
     Said brackets  102  and  104 - 104 ′ are linked to one another by integral links  122  placed substantially opposite from each other at approximately 90 degrees from the centerline of the side opening  118 . The links  122  preferably have the same width as the brackets they connect, so that the annular brackets remain planar and annular body  100  resistant to twists. 
     In some embodiments, the inner portion  106  of each annular bracket is formed by preferably three cylindrically curved tab members, a back tab  124 , a left tab  126 , and a right tab  128  (collectively, the side tabs), while in others the annular bracket may be in form of a bushing having the diameter sufficient to accommodate and grasp the cartridge  202 ; said bushing further comprises a side opening and a flange section. 
     Said tabs  124 ,  126  and  128  are of substantially equal width and curvature, and each comprises an upper portion, a bottom portion and respective right and left side portions. 
     The back tab  124  is integrally linked by links  130  and  132  with the side tabs  126  and  128 ; thus, forming a partial circumference adapted to fit in the cartridge  202 ,  FIG. 2 . Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the tabs  124 ,  126  and  128  are made of pliable yet sufficiently resilient plastic resin in order to provide sufficient grip of the cartridge placed into the bracket. In some embodiments, the links  130  and  132  may have a reduced thickness comparing to the thickness of the tabs  124 ,  126  and  128 . The side opening  118  between proximate ends of the side tabs  126  and  128  forms a sector of substantially 90 degrees. The links  130  and  132 , and the opening  118  are designed to facilitate bending and opening of the brackets  102  and  104 - 104 ′ when outward pull is applied. 
     In some embodiments, the upper portion of the back tab  124  extending into a skirt  136  is provided for the purposes of preventing axial movement of the rim  204  and accidental extraction of the cartridge  202 ,  FIG. 2 , out of the annular bracket. 
     Back to  FIG. 1 , the upper portions of tabs  124 ,  126  and  128  are flush with one another to form the spotface portion  112  adapted to house the lower portion of the rim  204 ,  FIG. 2 . The plurality of the inwardly sloping latching pins  114  are extended over the spotface portion  112  at a distance sufficient to adapt the width of the rim  204 . In some embodiments, said plurality of pins  114  may be molded into the skirt  136 , while in other embodiments the pins  114  may be extended off of the ribs  138  molded to the outer portion of the back tab  124 . 
     As it applies to the first bracket  102  only, the tear-off portion  122  is located between the proximate ends of the back tab  124  and the left tab  126 , and comprises a tear off means due to a reduced thickness, or perforation, or both. The finger-pulling tab  120  is securely attached to the back tab  124  proximately to the tear-off portion  122 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , when the cartridge  202  is pushed down the upper opening of the brackets  102  or  104 , proximate ends of the side tabs  126  and  128  are spread apart causing the side opening  118  to widen; the rim  204  slides down the sloping latching pins  114 , and cartridge  202  gets secured once the rim  204  is fully rested on the spotface portion  112 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , once the cartridges are loaded into their respective annular brackets, the speed-loading device is positioned over the revolver&#39;s cylinder  402  such that the protruding portion  406  of each cartridge is placed into its corresponding chamber  408 , and the finger-pulling tab  120  is grasped by the thumb and forefinger of the user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the finger-pulling tab  120  is pulled outwardly causing a drum  410  to rotate and the tear-off portion  122  to rapture, which, in turn, breaks the annular body  100  and opens the first annular bracket. At that point, the first bracket loses its grip over the cartridge, the spotface portion releases the rim, and cartridge  202  free falls into its designated chamber  408 . To prevent accidental displacement of the speed-loading device off of the drum  410 , any of the remaining fingers of the same hand can be used to continuously pressing the speed-loading device against the cylinder. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , by continuing the outward pull, the second and all consecutive brackets  104 - 104 ′ are pulled outwardly, which causes the side openings  118  to widen and the bracket  104  to slide out from under the rim  204 , at which point the cartridge  202  free-falls into its designated chamber. The foregoing process is repeating until the last cartridge is released. 
     To reiterate, the embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. Various other embodiments having various modifications may be suited to a particular use contemplated, but may be within the scope of the present invention.