Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a device for containing and accessing ammunition. Specifically, a shell carrier assembly is presented herein that comprises a shell carrier holder, wherein the shell carrier holder comprises a releasable connector assembly; and a shell carrier, wherein at least a portion of the shell carrier holder and at least a portion of the shell carrier are operably coupled via the releasable connector. This device allows a wearer to quickly remove the shell carrier from the shotgun, allowing a fresh detachable shell carrier to be installed.

Description:
CLAIM TO PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/998,013 filed Jun. 16, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a firearm accessory device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a receiver-mounted shotgun shell carrier. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Side saddles are shell carriers that are semi-permanently attached to a receiver of a firearm to provide quick and easy access to extra ammunition, such as lethal or non-lethal munitions. These carriers are typically commercially available in configurations having four or six shell openings for receiving munitions. Because even “high-capacity” shotguns can typically only hold six to eight shells in their internal tube magazines, a wearer only has immediate access to approximately fourteen rounds of ammunition. For military and law enforcement purposes, this may not be enough, considering many firearms on the market can hold thirty rounds or more. 
         [0004]    There are multiple ways of carrying extra shotgun shells and different types of receiver mounted shotgun shell carriers available. Some methods for carrying individual shotgun shells include attaching the ammunition to a sling or a vest, typically though the use of elastic loops. However, this can add extra weight to a wearer, causing the overall weight of the sling or vest to be unbalanced in certain areas. This arrangement also takes a wearer more time to load a shotgun because the wearer has to retrieve ammunition from these unbalanced areas. Because the side saddle is one of the fastest areas to load from in an emergency, it would be best to refill the side saddle using shells carried on a sling or vest when time and opportunity allow. This is still very time-consuming for the wearer, and the wearer may not have the time or opportunity to safely do this. 
         [0005]    Typical rigid, receiver mounted carriers, usually made from material such as plastic or metal, can comprise a rubber (or “rubber like”) material which allows for a friction retention between the material and the shotgun shells to keep them in place. However, this rubber or rubber-like material has several disadvantages. For instance, it can wear out, causing inconsistent and unreliable shell retention. Additionally, the rubber materials that are used can be affected by temperature changes, which can cause inconsistent and unreliable shell retention. Some plastic carriers are made of a softer, flexible plastic. This can cause the slots for the shells in the carrier to flex open to allow the insertion of shotgun shells, and then securely retract around the shells, thereby providing retention of the shells. The properties that allow this plastic to flex also detract from its impact strength, making it far less durable. Another disadvantage with these types of shotgun shell carriers is that once the wearer reloads the shotgun with the shells in the carrier, there are no other good options for carrying and accessing ammunition. The shell carrier is then empty. 
         [0006]    Another type of receiver-mounted shell carrier comprises elastic and a hook-loop material. Typically, an adhesive backed section of loop material is applied to the shotgun&#39;s receiver. The shell carrier is made of elastic loops, into which the shotgun shells are received, with a hook material on one side of the carrier. The loop portion typically comprises an adhesive to adhere to the shotgun receiver. The carrier has elastic loops into which the shotgun shells are inserted, and the loops are sewn onto hook material. The shell carrier is attached to the shotgun by securing the two pieces of hook and loop material together. This is advantageous because it allows the wearer to carry multiple shell carriers on a vest or belt. After the shotgun is reloaded and the carrier mounted to the shotgun is empty, the wearer can easily tear off the elastic/hook material and install a new fully loaded carrier. This allows the wearer to have access to more ammunition on the side of the shotgun. However, this type of carrier is disadvantageous because the hook/loop material and elastic material can wear out. The adhesive backing of the loop material may deteriorate in high temperatures or it may become detached from repetitive use. If a used shell carrier is dropped in dirt or mud, the hook material could become clogged and not be properly secured to the loop material/shotgun receiver. The elastic can wear out and give inconsistent retention of the shotgun shells. In addition, the carrier could be placed on the receiver in inconsistent locations or angles, thereby causing inconsistency in the positioning of the extra ammunition. 
         [0007]    Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a device that can address these problems with existing side saddle shotgun carriers, thereby providing an advantage for a wearer for loading and re-loading ammunition. The device described herein provides an advantage for wearers by providing an efficient and easy method of accessing ammunition while operating a firearm. A device is provided herein which allows a user to have greater speed, efficiency, and convenience, without the drawback of a “one and done” re-load device. While traditional side saddles require tools to remove them from a firearm device, the device disclosed herein provides a quick-disconnect design to allow quick removal of an empty side saddle, after the side saddle has been re-loaded. This design is beneficial because extra fully loaded side saddles can be conveniently carried on a duty belt and instantly attached to a firearm, such as a shotgun, for example, thereby enabling the shotgun to be reloaded quickly, easily, and safely. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0008]    Disclosed herein is a device for containing and accessing ammunition. Specifically, a shell carrier assembly is presented herein that comprises a shell carrier holder, wherein the shell carrier holder comprises a releasable connector assembly; and a shell carrier, wherein at least a portion of the shell carrier holder and at least a portion of the shell carrier are operably coupled via the releasable connector. The carrier comprises a first surface, the holder comprises a second surface, and in the assembled state the first surface is positioned in a contacting relationship with the second surface of the holder. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a side saddle carrier assembly. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the side saddle carrier assembly of  FIG. 1 , loaded with ammunition. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 , in a partially disassembled state. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the shell carrier of the assembly of  FIG. 1   
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the shell holder of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is partially exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a portion of the shell holder assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the shell carrier of  FIG. 8 , in an assembled state, comprising an alternative securement means. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the alternative securement means of the shell carrier assembly of  FIG. 9  fully assembled with the carrier device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is cross-sectional view of an alternative securement means of the shell carrier assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative securement means of the shell carrier assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is side view of the assembled side saddle carrier assembly attached to the side of a firearms device. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of a different embodiment of the side saddle carrier of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 14B  is a side view of the carrier of  FIG. 14A . 
           [0024]      FIG. 14C  is a perspective view of the carrier of  FIG. 14A . 
           [0025]      FIG. 15A  is a top view of the carrier of  FIG. 14A . 
           [0026]      FIG. 15B  is bottom view of the carrier of  FIG. 14A . 
           [0027]      FIG. 16A  is a top view of a different embodiment of the shell carrier holder. 
           [0028]      FIG. 16B  is a bottom view of the shell carrier holder of  FIG. 16A . 
           [0029]      FIG. 17A  is a side view of the shell carrier holder of  FIG. 16A . 
           [0030]      FIG. 17B  is a front view of the shell carrier holder of  FIG. 16A . 
           [0031]      FIG. 17C  is a front view of the shell carrier holder of  FIG. 16A . 
           [0032]      FIG. 18A  is a side view of the shell carrier assembly, incorporating the components of  FIGS. 14A-17C . 
           [0033]      FIG. 18B  is a top view of the shell carrier assembly of  FIG. 18A . 
           [0034]      FIG. 18C  is a perspective view of the shell carrier assembly of  FIG. 18A . 
           [0035]      FIG. 18D  is a back view of the shell carrier assembly of  FIG. 14A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    Throughout the present teachings, any and all of the one, two, or more features and/or components disclosed or suggested herein, explicitly or implicitly, may be practiced and/or implemented in any combinations of two, three, or more thereof, whenever and wherever appropriate as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The various features and/or components disclosed herein are all illustrative for the underlying concepts, and thus are non-limiting to their actual descriptions. Any means for achieving substantially the same functions are considered as foreseeable alternatives and equivalents, and are thus fully described in writing and fully enabled. The various examples, illustrations, and embodiments described herein are by no means, in any degree or extent, limiting the broadest scopes of the claimed inventions presented herein or in any future applications claiming priority to the instant application. The term “proximal” means closest to the user, and the term “distal” means farther away from the user. 
         [0037]    One embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 7 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , in this embodiment is illustrated a shell carrier assembly  5  comprising at least two components: a side saddle or shell carrier  10  and a side saddle mag or shell carrier holder  11 . The assembly has a proximal end  47  and a distal end  51  that extend at each end of a longitudinal axis of the assembly  5 . At least a portion of the shell carrier holder  11  and at least a portion of the shell carrier  10  are releasably coupled to each other via a releasable connector assembly  7 . The connector assembly  7  comprises latch  3 , stop portion  9 , spring  33  ( FIG. 7 ) and pin  29  ( FIG. 7 ). 
         [0038]    The shell carrier  10  comprises a substantially rectangular-like housing  54  having at least six outer-facing surfaces. Housing  54  may be made from plastic or aluminum or any other lightweight suitable material in order to be lighter for a wearer. However, one of skill in the art will recognize that other materials may be acceptable. The outer-facing surfaces comprise two sets of outwardly-facing opposing surfaces. Front and back surfaces  73 ,  69 , respectively, extend substantially perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal axis of the carrier  10 , and two additional opposite-facing surfaces extend longitudinally in a substantially parallel position relative to the longitudinal axis of the assembly  5 . Top and bottom opposed surfaces also extend along the longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the axis. The top and bottom surfaces substantially solid, whereas outward facing opposing surfaces are defined by a plurality of openings  15 . 
         [0039]    The top surface of the housing  54  of the carrier  10  comprises a plurality of openings  43  positioned along the top of the assembly  5  in order to allow a wearer to view at least a portion of shells  14  ( FIG. 3 ) that may be positioned within at least a portion of the housing  54  of the carrier  10 . The openings  43  are spaced apart [about how much?]. The openings  43  can be positioned such that they can substantially parallel to each other. These openings  43  are useful because they allow a wearer to quickly and easily identify the type of shells being used. For example, the shells  14  can be identified based on their colors, patterns, or other indicia, for example. In one embodiment the housing  54  can be a solid housing. In yet another aspect, the housing  54  can be at least partially hollow, which enables the housing  54  to be light for a wearer. Although the carrier  10  is illustrated as being a substantially rectangular cuboid, the carrier  10  can also be substantially square shaped, cuboidal, cylindrically shaped, or any shape that is suitable for being attached to a body of a firearm. The housing  54  also comprises an upper lip  18  and a lower lip  31  ( FIG. 4 ), both positioned at the proximal end  47  of the assembly  47 . The overhanging upper lip  18  extends beyond the lower lip  31  and beyond the proximal face  73  toward the proximal end  47  of the assembly  5 . The shell carrier  10  can be approximately 6.5 inches in length along the longitudinal axis, 1.1 inches in height, and about 1.25 inches wide. 
         [0040]    The carrier holder  11  is capable of receiving at least a portion of the shell carrier  10 . The holder  11  has a length that is longer than the length of the carrier  10  to facilitate receiving the carrier  10 . Likewise, the width of the carrier  10  is smaller than the width of the shell carrier holder  11  such that the carrier  10  forms a snug fit with the carrier holder  11 . The carrier holder  11  can be approximately 7.125 inches in length, about 0.125 inches to about 0.5 inches in height, and about 1.5 inches in width. In one aspect, the overall dimensions of the assembly  5  can be adapted to be compatible with any particular shotgun or other type of firearm to which the assembly  5  is coupled. The carrier holder  11  may be comprised of a plurality of different types of extruded aluminum or other materials that are welded together, such as, but not limited to, solid machined aluminum, molded plastic, or any combination of these. One of skill in the art can contemplate that other materials and methods may be used as well. 
         [0041]    The holder  11  comprises at least one stop portion  9  at the proximal end  47  of the holder  11 . The stop portion  9  can be about 0.5 inches in height. The stop portion  9  can be secured to at least a portion of the shell carrier holder  11  at the proximal end  47  of the carrier assembly  5  as a separate piece, or it can be formed, machine, molded, or extruded as part of the carrier  11 . The stop portion  9  comprises at least three connected wall portions  2 ,  20 , and  200  that together, substantially surround release latch  3 . One wall portion  20  of the stop portion  9  extends along at least a portion of the width of the holder  11  such that it is parallel to the width of the shell carrier  10  and the shell holder  11 . This wall  20  is joined to two walls  2 ,  200  that are each perpendicular to the outer wall  20  of the stop portion  9  and substantially parallel to each other. Each wall  2 ,  200  comprises at least one opening  13  capable of receiving at least a portion of pin  29  ( FIG. 7 ), which is a component of releasable connector assembly  7 . Stop portion  9  can be comprised of three separate wall pieces  2 ,  20 ,  200 , or it can be a unitary component having three walls  2 ,  20 ,  200 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the housing  54  of the shell carrier  10  comprises at least one opening  15  capable of receiving ammunition, such as, but not limited to, shotgun shells, rifle, or pistol rounds, for example. The size of the openings  15  can be adjusted to receive ammunition of different sizes. For example, the openings  15  can be from about 0.2 inches to about 0.5 inches in diameter. The openings  15  could be adjustable openings with adjustable diameters. Such openings  15  could be resiliently displaceable, adjustably sized, and adapted to receive retention mechanisms, such as, but not limited to, bushings or spacers (not shown), for example, to allow the diameters of the openings  15  to be adjustable so that each opening  15  could be customized by a manufacturer or even a wearer to receive at least one shell. This would allow the assembly openings  15  to retain different sizes of ammunition. Other examples of resiliently displaceable retention mechanisms can include, for example, include flexible retaining arms or rings that can be mounted within in inner wall of the opening  15 , such as, for example, retention strips  41 , described herein. 
         [0043]    Although the housing  54  of the carrier  10  herein is illustrated having six openings  15 , in one aspect, the housing  54  can comprise any suitable number of openings  15 , for example from one to ten openings. The openings  15  may be positioned next to each other in parallel positions such that they are equi-distant from each other. In other embodiments the openings  15  may be positioned such that they appear to be “stacked” or positioned in two rows, one row of openings  15  near the bottom face of the carrier  10  and one row of openings  15  near the top face of the carrier  10 . The carrier  10  can be tailored to have a suitable number of openings  15 , based on a wearer&#39;s preference and the size of the firearm to which the carrier assembly will be attached. 
         [0044]    A crevice  25  is defined between each opening  43  on the upper surface of the carrier  10  [is there any other design purpose for the crevice?]. In some embodiments, the crevices  25  can comprise at least one opening which is capable of receiving at least one fastening means, such as, such not limited, to a screw  37 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3, and 5 . The screws  37  are configured to retain components of the shell carrier  10  together, including the housing  54 , base plate  39  ( FIG. 6 ), and any retention means such as retention springs  41 . The retention springs  41  extend along the width of the carrier  10  and partially extend into the openings  15  to provide a partial interference fit with at least a portion of each munition or shotgun shell  14 . Other retention means may be used as well, such as, but not limited, to those illustrated in  FIGS. 10-12  and described below. 
         [0045]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the assembly  5  is shown in a fully loaded state. Retention springs  41  can be positioned within at least a portion of the openings  15  such that they are capable of retaining the shotgun shells  14  securely in place until a user accesses them to reload a firearm  57  ( FIG. 8 ). In the fully loaded state shotgun shells  14  can be at least partially positioned in the openings  15  of the detachable shell carrier  10 . In the fully loaded state each shell  14  can extend through the openings  15  such that the length of at least one of the shells can be wider than the width of the shell carrier  10 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the detachable shell carrier  10 . In the assembled state, the carrier  10  is retained by shell holder  11  via a snug tongue and groove fit. The distal lip  35  of the detachable shell carrier  10  is inserted into a groove that is defined by retaining lip  16  of the shell holder  11 . Proximal lip  31  of the carrier  10  is positioned such that a portion of the lip  31  is secured in place by at least a portion of the releasable latch  3 , which is in a first biased state. In the assembled state, the base plate  39  of the shell carrier  10  and the receiving surface  45  of the holder  11  are in a contacting relationship from the proximal end  47  to the distal end  51  of the assembly  5 . 
         [0047]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , carrier  10  is operably coupled to the carrier holder through the latch assembly  7 . When the proximal lip  31  of the detachable shell carrier  10  is positioned such that the base plate  39  of the shell carrier  10  and the receiving surface  45  of the holder  11  are in a contacting relationship from the proximal end  47  to the distal end  51  of the assembly  5 , the latch  3  moves from an unbiased position to a biased position in which the actuating portion of the latch  3  extends in a proximal direction. The carrier  10  is capable of being released from the carrier holder  11  by actuating latch  3 , more particularly by actuating the actuating portion of the latch  3 . To release the carrier  10  from the holder  11 , a user can actuate the spring-loaded actuating portion of the latch  3  by actuating, pressing, or moving the actuating portion of the latch  3  in a downward direction toward the stop portion  9  and also a proximal direction. While actuating the latch  3 , the detachable shell carrier  10  can be quickly and easily removed by simultaneously manually securing the upper lip  18  of the carrier  10 , and removing the detachable shell carrier  10  away from the shell carrier holder  11 . When the carrier  10  is released and separated from the carrier holder  11 , latch  3  transitions to a second unbiased state. 
         [0048]    The upper lip  18  of the carrier  10  functions as a gripping means for a user and allows a user to efficiently remove the detachable shell carrier  10  from the carrier holder  11 . Upper lip  18  is also a shield that helps to protect the latch  3  from clothing and other gear so it is not unintentionally actuated. This design allows a user to remove an empty or used detachable shell carrier  10  and quickly replace it with a new, fully loaded detachable shell carrier  10 . This can be done when a user actuates or depresses latch  3  such that the bottom portion of the actuating latch contacts the proximal lip  31  and moves the carrier  10  by exerting a force against the proximal lip  31  of the detachable shell carrier  10 , thereby moving the proximal end of the carrier from the carrier holder  11 . During use of a firearm, a user can use a swift motion to apply pressure to the latch  3  of against the proximal lip  31  of the detachable shell carrier  10 , thereby dislodging and removing the used, detachable shell carrier  10  in order to replace it with a fully loaded shell carrier  10 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , an exploded view of the detachable shell carrier  10  is illustrated. In this view the retention springs  41  can be seen in greater detail. In an un-assembled state, the retention springs  41  are unbiased and form a substantially arched configuration defined by an anchoring foot on each end of the arch. Each retention spring  41  is compressible and displaceable. Each of the retention springs  41  is configured to allow a user to insert shotgun shells  14  into each opening  15  from either end of the openings  15 . This can also be seen in  FIG. 13 , which illustrates the loaded assembly  5  attached to the receiver of a firearm  57 , such as a rifle. Each of the retention springs  41  can be comprised of, for example, stainless steel, nickel titanium, nitinol, or other types of flexible or shape memory metals (e.g., Nitinol, TiNi, or NiTi). 
         [0050]    The shell carrier  10  comprises a plurality of openings  59  that are positioned in the base plate  39  of the shell carrier body  54 . In the assembled state, at least a portion of each retention spring  41  extends through an opening  59  such that at least a portion of each of the springs  41  are in a contacting relationship with the shotgun shells  14 . The retention springs  41  are positioned between the shell carrier body  54  and the shell carrier back plate or base plate  59 . The base plate  59  may be made from aluminum or plastic, though other materials could be used. Screws  37  are used to hold together the components of the shell carrier  10 . These screws  37  are positioned though threaded holes in the top of the carrier housing  54 . The base plate  59  comprises a plurality of threaded holes  61 . In the assembled state the threaded holes in the top of the carrier housing extend through the carrier housing  54  and are sealingly mated with complementary threaded holes  61  of the base plate  39 . The base plate  39  and housing  54  may each comprise between two and ten threaded complementary openings, although any number of threaded holes may be contemplated. When the base plate  59  is aligned with carrier  10  such that the base plate is positioned directly underneath the carrier  10 , each of the threaded holes of the carrier  10  is aligned with each of the openings  61  in the base plate  59  to form a single opening for each screw  37 . The screws  37  help to keep the retaining springs  41  at least partially secured between at least a portion of the carrier  10  and at least a portion of the base plate  39 . 
         [0051]    Shells  14  can be positioned in the openings  15  in different orientations. For example, the heads of each shell  14  can face in opposite directions from each other through the openings  15  of the detachable shell carrier  10 . When shells  14  are inserted into at least a portion of the openings  15 , the retention springs  41 , positioned through at least a portion of openings  59 , will come into contact with at least a portion of the outer surface of a shell  14 . When the retention springs  41  come into contact with the shells  14 , the retention springs  41  become compressed from an unbiased position to a biased or substantially biased position. In the substantially biased position, each retention spring  41  exerts a constant pressure against the outer surface of each shotgun shell  14  to secure each shell in place. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , an exploded view of the shell carrier holder  11  is illustrated. As described above, the side saddle holder  11  and the saddle mag or shell carrier  10  are releasably connected by a releasable connector assembly  7 . The assembly  7  comprises a spring-loaded release latch  3 . The latch comprises an opening or through-hole  53  that is mirrored on either side of the latch  3 . Spring  33  comprises a through-hole  55 , a long leg  27 , and a short leg  21 . In the fully assembled state, the through-holes  13 ,  53 , and  55  of the stop portion  9 , the latch  3 , and the spring  33 , respectively, are aligned to receive pin  29 . The spring  33  and the latch  3  are rotatably positioned about the pin  29  to allow for the rotation of the latch  3 . In the assembled state, the torsion spring  33  is positioned relative to the latch  3  such that the through-hole  53  of the latch  3  and the through-hole  55  of the spring  33  are aligned. The latch  3  and torsion spring  33  are positioned relative to stop portion  9  such that the through-hole  13  of the stop portion is aligned with the through-holes  53  of the latch and the through-hold  55  of the spring  33 . When the latch  3 , torsion spring  33 , and stop portion  9  are assembled, the latch pin  29  is inserted through the latch hole  13 , hole  55  of the torsion spring  33 , and the hole  53  of the latch  3  to retain the latch assembly components in place. 
         [0053]    The release latch  3  is positioned adjacent to and is at least partially surrounded by stop portion  9 . The stop portion  9  prevents the latch  3  from over-rotating. The latch  3  is capable of retaining the long leg  27  of the torsion spring  33  in place. The short leg  21  of the torsion spring  23  contacts the inside front wall of the latch  3  that faces the proximal direction of the assembly, and the long leg  27  contacts the stop portion  9 . The torsion spring  33  abuts against stop portion  9 , and the stop portion functions as a spring-board for the spring  33  and sustains the tension of the spring  33 . The connector assembly  7  allows the shell carrier  10  to be detached from the shell carrier holder  11  upon manual actuation of the latch  3  by a user, as described above. In another embodiment, the shell carrier holder  11  can be permanently attached to the receiver of a shotgun or other type of shotgun via at least one screw or other fastener, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The carrier holder has additional features that help to keep the carrier  10  secured relative to the carrier holder  11 . For example, raised edges  81  that extend along the longitudinal axis of the shell carrier holder, lip  16 , and receiving surface  45  help to retain the carrier  10  in place and prevent the detachable shell carrier  10  from moving. 
         [0054]    While  FIG. 7  shows the details of one embodiment of a latch assembly  7 , other methods of accomplishing a mechanical quick-detach design can be contemplated. These other methods may include, but are not limited to, a slidable retaining shelf (not shown) positioned underneath the carrier  10  to allow removal of the detachable shell carrier  10 . In another embodiment, a moveable retaining pin can be positioned through the body  54  of the shell carrier  10  to hold the detachable shell carrier  10  in place. This carrier  10  may be moved by a user. Other embodiments may include any other type of latch or catch or other device or component which is capable of securing the detachable shell carrier  10  in place. 
         [0055]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , referring again to the retention spring design, while the arched design of stainless steel retention springs  41  represent one embodiment, other shapes and types of retention springs may be acceptable as well. These other types of springs may include, but are not limited to, a single retention spring  40  positioned across the entire length of the carrier  11  to provide retention for every shotgun shell  14 . The single retention spring  40  is defined as a unitary arched retention component that extends along substantially the entire length of the carrier  10 . Similar to individual retention springs  41 , the single retention spring  40  is positioned such that at least a portion of each shell  14  comes into contact with at least a portion of the single spring  41 .  FIG. 9  illustrates the carrier  10  with the retention spring  40  assembled within the carrier  10 . In this configuration at least a portion of the retention spring  40  extends into at least a portion of each opening  15 . 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , yet another embodiment of the carrier  10  and holder  11  could comprise compression springs  63  which could be coiled and can be used for retention of the shells  14  in at least a portion of the openings  15 . Such springs  63  could be made of stainless steel, nitinol, or any other suitable material. 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , yet another embodiment can comprise coiled springs  63  that are attached to ball bearings  65  which are positioned between the springs  63  and the shotgun shell  14 . Although the springs  63  described herein can be made of stainless steel, in other embodiments, the springs  63  can be made of other types of metals described herein, plastic, composites, or other any materials. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , in yet another embodiment, the coil springs  63  could be in contact with the shell  14  via a bumper  67  which is attached to the coiled springs  63 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 13  illustrates the assembly  5  described herein attached to a firearm device  57 , such as a rifle. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 14A through 15B  illustrate another embodiment of a shell carrier holder  10 . This embodiment is similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 9 . In these additional embodiments the carrier  10  may have a face  69  that is at least partially rounded. In another aspect, each opening  15  may comprise a reinforcement or rim  71  that substantially completely surrounds at least a portion of the opening  15 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 14B  illustrates the carrier  10  and back plate  39  having a lip  31  that is protected by overhanging lip  18  and lip  35  that is positioned toward the distal end  51  of the carrier  10 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 14C  illustrates in one embodiment the carrier  10  may have vertically extending ridges extending from the back plate  39  to the overhanging lip  18 . The vertically extending ridges  75  may be equi-distant, or they may be spaced apart by different distances. 
         [0063]      FIG. 15A  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 14A-14C . As in previous embodiments, the top of the carrier  10  may have openings  43  through which to view ammunition, such as, but not limited to, shells  14 . In one aspect the upper lip  18  may be ridged, similar to the face  69  described above.  FIG. 15B  is a bottom view of the bottom surface  93  of the carrier  10 .  FIGS. 16A and 16B  illustrate a top and bottom view, respectively, of the carrier holder  11 . Carrier holder  11  comprises a latch assembly  7  which comprises three surfaces  2 ,  20 , and  200 , each of which comprise stop portion  9 . In this embodiment, walls  2 ,  200  can be sloped inwardly toward the latch  3 . Each of the surfaces  2 ,  20 ,  200  substantially surrounds latch  3 . The carrier holder  11  also comprises an opening  77  that is positioned within the carrier holder  11  in the receiving surface  45 . As shown in  FIG. 16B , the carrier holder  11  can also comprise openings  87  and  89 , defined on either side of opening  77 . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 17A through 17C  illustrate the modified embodiment of the carrier holder of  FIGS. 16A and 16B . The lip  16  may comprise a sloped portion  83 , under which a groove can be defined by the lip  16  and the covered portion  83 . The sloped portion  83  may be at least partially sloped. 
         [0065]      FIGS. 18A through 18D  illustrate various views of the carrier  10  of  FIGS. 14A through 14C  and the carrier holder  11  of  FIGS. 17A through 17C . 
         [0066]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
         [0067]    The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many modifications, variations, and alternatives may be made by ordinary skill in this art without departing from the scope of the invention. Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited to the foregoing specification.