Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1100345
This application is divided out of copending Canadian application
No. 308,732, filed August 3, 1978.
This invention relates to cartridge loaders. More particularly,
this invention relates to a novel and improved cartridge loader structure.
Cartridge loaders are, of course, very well known to the art.
Cartridge loaders of one structure or another have been around for many,
many years, and are shown in the early patent art as well as in the recent
patent art. One principal type of cartridge loader structure, in the
commercial marketplace, is particularly designed for use with revolvers.
Revolvers are normally loaded by hand, the five or six chambers of the
revolver's cylinder being manually loaded one cartridge at a time. Basically,
a cartridge loader functions to retain five or six cartridges temporarily
in storage. When reloading of the revolver is required, the cartridge loader
with stored cartridges is interposed in operational relation with the re-
volver's cylinder, and all six or eight cartridges released simultaneously
into that cylinder. Quiteobviously, the concept of a cartridge loader ma-
terially increases the speed with which a revolver can be loaded and re-
loaded, and greatly facilitates the loading of that revolver, by a user.
One type of cartridge loader that has seen significant commercial
success in the marketplace is that structure illustrated in United States
Letters Patent No. 3,722,125, issued March 27, 1973, and invented by the
inventor of the improved cartridge loader of this application. The cartridge
loader illustrated in that patent is basically comprised of a casing and a
star shaped latch structure fixed in place on a centerpost, the centerpost
~and, hence, the latch structure) being rotatable relative to the casing.
The casing is provided with a plurality of cartridge bores aligned parallel
to the centerpost's axis for retaining cartridges in temporary storage in the
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ll()Q345
loader. The casing's bores are of a length shorter than the cartridges to
be stored therein, so the cartridges' nose ends extend beyond one casing end
face when captured therein. The star shaped latch includes a plurality of
star points and a stop groove that cooperate with the casing's bores and the
cartridges' flanges for alternatively capturing and releasing the cartridges
depending on the rotational position of that latch. The rotational limits of
the latch structure (and, hence, of the centerpost) are defined by a spring
biased ball de~ent that cooperates with stop structure for locating the Tota-
tional position of the shaft in either the capturing or releasing position
only. The latch structure (and, hence, the centerpost) is rotated between
capturing and releasing positions by manually gripping a knob fixed to the
centsrpost .
It has been found that, because of the structure of the loader's
latch structure, i.e., the centerpost's star shaped points and stop groove,
the tolerances required to make the 3,722,125 cartridge loader practical and
operable from a commercial standpoint are such that the cartridges may tend
to jiggle substantially once stored or captured in that cartridge loader.
ln other words, cartridges stored in this prior art cartridge loader tend
to rattle within the casing's bores if the cartridge loader is shaken. This
jiggle or rattle obviously generates a noise which, under certain use con-
ditions, may be undesirable. The noise is created from the rattle type
contact of the cartridges' shafts with the casing bores' sidewalls at that
casing face from which the cartridges partially extend.
Accordingly, it is an objective of this invention to provide an
improved cartridge loader in which a novel bore closure member and star
latch structure cooperate to retain stored cartridges in a substantially non-
jiggling attitude for reducing the noise crea~ed by stored cartridges rattling
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0345
in the loader, yet allow nominal unopposed movement of the cartridges' nose
ends relative to the loader's casing for aiding initial cartridge insertion
into a revolver's cylinder when loading the cylinder.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an
improved cartridge loader comprising a generally star shaped latch rotatably
carried within a casing, said latch cooperating with a plurality of cartridge
bores defined by said casing and positioned circumferentially around said
latch, said latch being selectively movable between a capture position at
which cartridges are latched in temporarily stored relation with said loader
and a release position at which cartridges temporarily stored within said
loader are released therefrom, and a bore closure member connected with said
casing, said bore closure member overlying each casing bore and defining a
contact surface out of contact with said cartridges' end flanges when a
cartridge loaded loader is oriented upright and motionless, said contact
surface and said latch and said bores' walls cooperating with said cartridges
to minimize rattling of said cartridges' shafts against said casing bores'
bottom lips when said loader is shaken for minimizing noise, but also coop-
erating with said cartridges to allow a nominal unopposed movement of said
cartridges' nose ends to aid in aligning said cartridges initially with a
gun's chamber prior to releasing said cartridges from said loader into said
chamber.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an
improved cartridge loader comprising a generally star shaped latch on a shaft,
said shaft being rotatably carried within a casing, said latch cooperating
with a plurality of cartridge bores defined by said casing and positioned
circumferentially around said latch, said latch being selectively movable
between a capture position at which cartridges are latched in temporarily
stored relation with said loader and a release position at which cartridges
110(~345
temporarily stored within said loader are released therefrom, and a resilient
bore closure member seated on said shaft and rotatable relative thereto, said
bore closure member being comprised of a plurality of resilient protective
arms each of which is at least partially received within a casing bore, each
of said protective arms including a contact surface adapted to cooperate
with a cartridge's end flange when said loader is loaded with cartridges,
and at least one of said protective arms being of a width that prevents
substantial rotation of said closure member relative to said casing as said
latch moves between said capture and release positions.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided
an improved cartridge loader comprising a generally star shaped latch rotat-
ably carried within a casing, said latch cooperating with a plurality of
cartridge bores defined by said casing and positioned circumferentially
around said latch, said latch being selectively movable between a capture
position at which cartridges are latched in temporarily stored relation with
said loader and a release position at which cartridges temporarily stored
within said loader are released therefrom, and said casing being of a length
such that said cartridges would rattle against the bottom lips of said
casing bores when in stored relation if not prevented from doing so, and a
resilient bore closure member connec.ted with said casing, said resilient bore
closure member being comprised of a plurality of resilient protective arms
each of which overlies a casing bore and defines a contact surface adapted
to cooperate with a cartridge's end flange when. a cartridge loaded loader is
oriented upright and motionless, said contact surfaces and said latch and
said bores' walls cooperating with said cartridges to prevent rattling of
said cartri.dges' shafts against said casing bores' bottom lips when said
loader is oriented upright and lightly shaken, and also cooperating with said
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cartridges to allow nominal movement of said cartridges' nose ends if necess-
ary when loading a gun's chamber.
Further objectives and advantages of the invention will be more
apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with
the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view illustrating a first embodiment
of an improved cartridge loader in accord with the principles of this inven-
tion, the loader being shown with a cartridge load in temporary stored or
captured relation therewith;
Figure 2 is a top view of the loader illustrated in Figure 1, and
taken along line 2-2 of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line
3-3 of Figure 2;
Figure 3A is an enlarged view of encircled portion 3A of Figure 3;
Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3B-3B of
Figure 3A;
Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view similar to Figure
3, but with the cartridges released from temporary stored relation with the
cartridge loader, i.e., with the cartridge loader in the recharging/releasing
position where the loader can be recharged with a new cartridge load;
Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line
5-5 of Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a bottom view of the loader shown in Figure 1, and
taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line
7-7 of Pigure 3;
Figure 8 is a transverse cross-secti al view taken along line
8-8 of Figure 4;
11~034S
Figure 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view similar to Figure
3, but illustrating a second embodiment of an improved cartridge loader in
accord with the principles of this invention, and showing the loader with a
load of cartridges in the cartridge captured or temporary cartridge store
position;
Figure 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view similar to Figure
7, but of the second embodiment, and showing the loader in the cartridge
recharging position;
Figure 11 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line
11-11 of Figure 9;
Figure llA is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line
llA-llA of Figure 9;
Figure 12 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line
12-12 of Figure 10;
Figure 12A is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line
12A-12A of Figure 10; and
Figure 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line
13-13 of Figure 9.
The first embodiment of an improved cartridge loader in accord with
the principles of this invention is particularly illustrated in Figures 1-8.
As shown in those figures, the improved cartridge loader 10 basically comprises
a casing 11, a star shaped latch 12 on a center post 13 rotatably disposed
within that casing, a resilient bore closure member 14, and an over-center
type limit stop device 15 that defines the rotational limits for the center-
post. The casing 11 itself is comprised of six cartridge through-bores
16 as illustrated in Figure 8. The six cylindrical through-bores 16 are each
of the same diameter, and each define a longitudinal center axis 17, the axes
being disposed parallel one to another and parallel to the casing's longit~di-
llOQ345
nal axis 18. The center axes 17 of the bores 16, when viewed from the top or
bottom as shown in Figures 2 and 6, are disposed on a circular locus of points
19 having as its center the center axis 18 of the casing 11. The casing 11
also includes a center or bearing bore 20 adapted to receive the centerpost
13 in rotational relation therewith. Note that the length L of the casing
is significantly less, i.e., about only one-half as long as, the length L'
of the cartridge 21 to be temporarily stored therein, thereby causing the
cartridges' shafts 21a to extend beyond bottom end face 22 of the casing 11,
see Figure 1. Further, the diameter D of each of the casing's bores 16 is
only very slightly greater than the diameter D' of each of the cartridge's
end flanges 21b, e.g., .444 inches for bore diameter D and .437 inches for
cartridge flange diameter D', see Figure 2.
The centerpost 13 is comprised of a bearing shaft 25 portion, a
star shaped latch shaft 26a portion (i.e., a latch shaft portion that is star
shaped in cross-sectional configuration), a latch groove 26b portion above
latch shaft 26a, a washer seat 27 section, and a knob 28, all being rixed
integral one with another and formed from the same material piece, and all
being symmetrically disposed on centerpost axis 29 that is coaxial with the
casing's axis 18. Specifically, the bearing shaft 25 portion is received in
bearing relation with bearing bore 20 of the casing so as to permit rotation
of the centerpost 13. The star ribs 30 of the latch shaft 26 portion are
dimensioned, relative to the location of the bores 16 in the casing 11, so
as to intersect or be positioned in the cartridge bores 16 when the latch 12
(and centerpost 13) is disposed in the capture position shown in Figure 7,
and so as to be removed from or positioned out of those bores 16 when the
latch 12 (and centerpost 13) is in the release attitude illustrated in Figure 8.
Note particularly in connection with the star shaped latch shaft
26a, and as shown in ~igure 3 and 3A that the top ends of the star ribs 30
110(~34S
terminate in latch groove 26b, the ribs 30 and latch groove 26b being par-
ticularly sized and configured to cooperate with the sidewalls of bores 16
for capturing flanges 21b of cartridges 21, thereby temporarily storing the
cartridges 21 within the cartridge loader as discussed in greater detail
below. In this regard, note the depth d of groove 26b is slightly greater
than the thickness of depth d' of a cartridge flange 21b, e.g., .070 inches
for groove depth d and .055 inches for flange thickness d', for cooperation
as discussed in greater detail below to minimize jiggling of cartridges 21
in the bore 16, see Figures 3, 3A and 3B. Also noteparticularly the length
L" of the star shaped latch shaft 26 section, i.e., of the star ribs 30,
which length L" is also for the purpose of minimizing cartridge jiggling in
bores 16 as described in greater detail below. The centerpost 13 also defines
an inverted seat 27 sized to receive the resilient bore closure member 14
in seated relation thereon. The free end of the centerpost shaft includes
knob 28 having a knurled surface, the knob permitting the centerpost 13 and,
hence, the latch 12, to be rotated between capturing and releasing positions
by manually gripping the knurled surface thereof.
The resilient but stationary bore closure member 14 is particularly
illustrated in ~igures 2, 3A and 4, and includes a central bore 33 sized to
permit interengagement of that member with inverted seat 27 on the centerpost
13. The fit between the bore closure member 14 and the centerpost 13 is a
slip fit, and is sized to permit rotation of the centerpost relative to that
member 14. The bore closure member 14 is comprised of a number of resilient
protective arms 34 equal to the number of cartridge bores 16 in the casing
11. The protective arms 34 are defined in the one-piece member 14 to extend
outwardly from washer section 30 so as to permit substantially independent
action of each arm 34 relative to the bore 16 served by that arm, see Figure
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110~34S
2. Note the washer section 36 abuts end face 41 of the casing 11 and is
thereby trapped in inverted seat 27. In this assembly relation, the protec-
tive arms' downturned fingers 35 extend slightly into the bores 16, see Figures
3 and 4. Since the width W of each downturned finger 35 is only slightly less
than the diameter D of its associated bore 16, and since the fingers extend
slightly down into the bores 16, the bore closure member 16 cannot rotate with
the centerpost 13, i.e., the bore closure member is held stationary, when the
latch 12 is rotated between capturing and releasing positions. Note also that
the contact surface 35a of the protective arms' fingers 35 lie in a common
plane 35b transverse to the loader's axis 18 when no cartridges are loaded
therein, see Figure 4. This finger contact plane 35b is spaced above lower
latch groove plane 26b', i.e., above the plane 26b' transverse to loader axis
18 on which cartridge flanges 21b rest, a distance greater than the cartridge
flange depth d' so the finger contact surfaces 35a do not contact the top
surface of the cartridge flanges 21b when the loader 10, with full load of
cartridges, is upright and motionless as shown in Figures 3 and 3A. For
example, and if the cartridge flanges 21b are of a .055 inch depth, the dis-
tance between cartridge flange support plane 26b' and finger contact plane
35b may be .060 inches. Note further that the protective arms' fingers 35
are located on a circular locus of points 38 disposed radially outward
(relative to the center axis 18 of the casing 11) of the circular locus of
points 19 defined by the casing's bores axes 17 when the loader is viewed
from the top or bottom thereof, see Figure 8. This structural relation insures
that no downward force (as represented by phantom force lines 39) will be
presented by the fingers 35 on the flanges 21b of the cartridges 21 temporarily
stored within the loader 10 when the loader is upright and motionless as shown
in Figure 3, and thereby allows a slight drooping of the cartridges' nose ends
21c toward the loader's axis 18, i.e., allows the cartridges' axes 21d to cant
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or cock slightly as shown by axis 21d' position in Figure 3A when the loader
is upright and motionless, see Figures 3 and 3A. The very slight clearance
C between the protective arms' contact plane 35b and the cartridges flanges
21b when the loader is upright and motionless (as shown in Figures 3 and 3A)
is for purposes explained in greater detail below.
The over center limit stop device 15 restrains the centerpost 13,
protective arms 34 and casing 11 in operational relation, and cooperates to
; define the capturing and releasing positions of the star shaped latch 12
relative to the casing, i.e., cooperates to insure that the latch 12 (and,
hence, the centerpost 13) is either disposed in the Figure 7 attitude or the
Figure 8 attitude, respectively. The limit stop device 15 is particularly
illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, and includes a spring 42 loaded ball 43 re-
ceived in longitudinal bore 44 disposed parallel to the casing's axis 18.
The device 15 also includes stop pins 45, 46 embedded in the casing 11, and
disposed on either side of the ball 43, which cooperate with a cross pin 47
fixed to the centerpost 13 and disposed radially therefrom, see Figure 6. The
relation of the cross pin 47, and the stop pins 45, 46, with the ball 43 is
such that, because of the ball's spring 42 loading, the cross pin 47 (and,
hence, the latch 12 and centerpost 13) is disposed in either cartridge capture
position shown in Figures 6 and 7 or in cartridge release position shown in
Figure 8. The spring 42 bias of the detent ball 43 tends to force the cross
pin 47, and thereby rotate the latch 12 and centerpost 13, into either the
capture or release position once the cross pin passes the ball's center upon
manual rotation of the centerpost through use of the knob 2~, thereby estab-
lishing an over-center type structure and function.
Use of the first embodiment of the improved cartridge loader is as
illustrated in Figures 3, 3A, 3B, 4 and 6-~. As shown in Figures 4 and 8,
the improved cartridge loader is in the release position with the latch 12,
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1106)34S
i.e., star shaped centerpost section 26, rotated so that star ribs 30 do not
intersect or pass into the bores 16 of the casing 11. In this release attitude,
therefore, the improved cartridge loader 10 is operationally positioned to
receive cartridges 21 within one or more of the six bores 16 defined in the
casing, i.e., to permit re-charging of the loader 10. The latch 12 and center-
post 13 are restrained in this releasing position by the over-center stop
limit device 15. When it is desired to charge the cartridge loader 10 with
cartridges 21, and with the cartridge loader in the Figures 4 and 8 or release
position, the cartridge loader is inverted and cartridges deposited therein
until the cartridges' flanges 21b abut the protective arms' fingers 35. In
this intermediate loading position, and with the loader 10 still inverted
from the upright position shown in Figures 1 and 3, the centerpost 13 is
manually rotated from that release position shown in Figures 4 and 8 to the
capture position shown in Figures 3 and 7 by use of knob 28. This centerpost
13 ro~ation causes the star ribs 30 on the latch shaft section 26 of the center-
post 13 to pass into bores 16 and under the cartridges' flanges 21b, i.e.,
the cartridge flanges 21b are trapped or captured in latch groove 26b, to
prevent the cartridges 21 from falling out of the casing 11 onc0 the now
charged cartridge loader 10 is reinverted into the normal or upright position
shown in Figure 3.
It is important to note that, with cartridges 21 captured in latch
groove 26b and the loader 10 upright as shown in Figure 3, the cartridges are
free to swing or jiggle radially to only a nominal degree in bores 16 because
of the limited clearance C established between the protective arms' contact
surfaces 35a and the cartridges' flanges 21b. In other words, the cartridges
Zl are free to swing or jiggle radially between inner and outer limits as
illustrated by the ~wo phantom line axes 21d' and 21d" in Figure 3A. The
110(~345
inner limit shown by phantom line cartridge axis 21d', for each cartridge
21, is defined by contact of the cartridges flange 21b with the bores' side
wall at bearing point 48 and with the lower lip 26c of latch groove 26b at
bearing point 49, and by contact of the cartridge's shaft 21a with star rib
30 at bearing point 50, see solid line cartridge 21 position of Figures 3
and 3A. At this inner limit (which constitutes the normal inward drooping
position of the cartridge 21 when the loader is upright and motionless as
sho~n in Figure 3), note particularly that the cartridge shaft 21a cannot
contact the casing 11, i.e., cannot contact the bore's bottom lip 16a, at
the casing's bottom face 22; this eliminates noise arising from cartridge
; shaft 21a rattling into and out of contact with the bore's inner bo~tom lip
16a. The outer limit shown by phantom line cartridge axis 21d", for each
cartridge 21, is defined by contact of the cartridge's flanges 21b with the
bore's side wall at bearing point 48 and with the lower lip 26c of latch
; groove 26b at bearing point 49, and by contact of the cartridge's flange
21b with contact surface 35a of a protective arm's finger 35 at bearing
point 51, see phantom line cartridge position of Figure 3A. At this outer
limit (which constitutes the outer jiggle position of the cartridge when the
loader is upright and being lightly shaken as shown in Figure 3~, note further
that the cartridge shaft 21a contact the casing 11, i.e., cannot contact
the bore's outer bottom lip 16b, at the casing's bottom face 22; this elim-
inates noise arising from the cartridge shaft 21a rattling into and out of
contact with the bore's outer bottom lip 16b. Thus, radial inward to radial
outward jiggle of the cartridges 21 is controlled. Side-to-side swing or
jiggle of the cartridges 21 is similarly controlled through use of the
protective arm's finger 35 as the cartridge swings on an axis at its flange
21b end defined by bearing points 48, 49, see Figure 3B. As the cartridge
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swings side-to-side on bearing point axis 48, 49 between outer limits shown
by phantom line, in Figure 3B and represented by phantom line axes 26d"' and
26d"", the top surface of the cartridges end flange 21b contacts the pro-
tective arm's finger 35 (i.e., abuts finger contact surface 35) before the
cartridges' shaft 21a contacts the bores bottom lip section 16c and 16d,
respectively. This structure cooperates to eliminate noise arising from
the cartridge shaft 21a rattling into and out of contact with the bore's
opposite side bottom lip section 16c and 16d when the fully loaded loader
is lightly shaken. In other words, the width W of each protective arm 34
is such that it tends to keep the cartridges 21 in line with that bore 16
as the wide finger 35 tends to prevent side-to-side movement of the cartridge
within the bore, i.e., tends to return the cartridge to a substantially
vertical center line position 21d within the bore 16 when viewed as shown
in Figure 3B if the cartridge is disturbed. The structure of this invention,
therefore, substantially reduces the rattle noise of lightly shaken fully
loaded loader 10 over the rattle noise that occurs when a fully loaded
loader of the type shown in United States 3,722,125 (referred to earlier) is
lightly shaken.
To release the cartridges 21 from captured relation with casing 11,
the centerpost 13 (i.e., latch 12) is rotated from the capture of latch
position shown in Figures 3 and 7 into the release and recharge position
shown in Figures 4 and 8. When the loader 10 is upright as shown in Figures
1 and 3, and with the latch 12 in the Figures 4 and 8 release position, the
cartridges 21 simply drop downwardly out of the casing due to gravity. This
of course, allows the cartridges 21 to be released from the improved car-
tridge loader into a revolver's cylinder (not shown in Figures 1-8) when
that cylinder is properly aligned beneath the cartridge loader, and when the
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cartridge loader is oriented as shown in Figure 3, simply through manualrotation of the knob 28 (and, hence, of the latch 12) from the Figures 3
and 7 capture attitude into the Figures 4 and 8 release attitude.
One advantage of the multiple protective arms 34 being provided in
operative combination with the loader's casing 11 and lengthened centerpost
latch section 26 is, as previously mentioned, that the cartridges 21 so
loaded are temporarily stored in substantially non-jiggling or noise free
position, yet in a position that allows nominal movement or jiggle. This
is because of the clearance C between the cartridges' end flanges 21b and
the contact surface plane 35b of the protective arms' fingers 35 when the
cartridge full loader 10 is upright and motionless as shown in Figures 3,
3A and 3B, and because of the dimensional relationship between the bore
16 diameter ~, latch groove depth d' and star ribs' length L" that prevents
contact of the cartridge shafts 21a with the bottom lip 16a-16d of the
casing's bores 16. The substantially noise free or non-jiggling function of
this structure, of course, reduces rattling noise which may be undesirable,
while the nominal movement or jiggle function of this structure allows the
cartridges' nose ends 21c to be easily aligned and initially inserted in a
revolver's cylinder even if the radius of the revolver's cylinder's bore
circle is slightly different from the radius of the loader's bore circle
17. An additional advantage of this structure is that the wide W protective
arms 34 provide protection against accidental contact with the cartridges'
firing caps 53 in that those protective arms over-lie the firing caps since
the casing's bores 16 are open at each end. This, of course, prevents
accidental firing of the cartridges if the improved cartridge loader 10 is
dropped or otherwise inadvertently contacted against a sharp pointed object.
In this same vein, the rigid but resilient protective arms 34 also function
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345
as shock absorbers to provide important shock protection if the cartridge
loader lO is cropped or thrown so that it lands against the knob 28 end
thereof. In other words, and if the loader lO is dropped on its knob 28
end when loaded with cartridges, or on the cartridges' nose ends 21c when
loaded, the protective arms 34 of the improved cartridge loader lO tend to
relieve or dampen the shock pressure on the cartridges by virtue of the
resilience function of the arms 34. The resilient but rigid protective arms
34 may be fabricated in a single component part out of, for example, poly-
propybne or the like, to achieve this resilient but rigid function.
A second embodiment 60 of the improved cartridge loader in accord
with the principles of this invention is illustrated in Figures 9-13. In
this second embodiment structure, the cartridge loader's casing 11, protec-
tive arms 34, and limit stop device 15 are identical to those illustrated
in Figures 1-8 for the first embodiment. Further, the latch 12 and center-
post 13 structure of this second embodiment is identical to the latch and
centerpost structure of the first embodiment except for the knob 61 thereof.
In description of this second embodiment, structural components identical
to the same structural components of the first embodiment have been provided
with identical reference numbers for purposes of clarity.
As to the knob 61 structure of the second structural embodiment,
same is particularly illustrated structurally in ~igures 9 and l3. As
shown in those figures, the cartridge loader's centerpost 13 is provided
with a butt shaft portion 62 that extends upwardly from the top surface 41
of the casing 11. The butt shaft portion 62 of the centerpost 13 is pro-
vided with a cam pin 63 transversely disposed relative to the axis 29 of the
centerpostJ and located in cross bore 64 diametrically formed through that
centerpost. The cam pin 63 is of a length that permits same to extend
- 15 -
1101~345
slightly beyond the side surface 65 of the centerpost at each end, see par-
ticularly Figure 13. The cam pin 63 is fixed in position, i.e., is immovable,
relative to the centerpost 13. The knob 61 structure includes knob 66 which
is of inverted cup shaped configuration. The inverted cup shaped cap 66
defines an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of
the centerpost's butt shaft portion 62, see Figure 13, thereby permitting
the knob 66 to move axially relative to the centerpost 13. The side wall of
the cup shaped cap 66, on opposite sides thereof, is provided with two op-
posed cam slots 67. These cam slots 67 are provided at an angle preferably
of about 40 relative to the horizontal when the loader 60 is in the upright
position shown in Figures 9 and 10. The cam slots 67 are joined in operable
combination with the cam pin 63 carried by the centerpost 13, see Figure 13.
A compression spring 68 is interposed between the top of the center-
post's butt shaft portion 62 and the knob 66, see Figure 13. The compression
spring 68 is oriented in seat 69 defined in the top of the butt shaft portion
62. The compression spring 68 is preferably of a strength that permits the
centerpost 13 (and, hence, latch 12) to be rotated manually back and forth
between the capture and release positions without compression of the compres-
sion spring (i.e., without rotation of knob 66 relative to centerpost 13),
by manually gripping the knob 66 and rotating same relative to axis 18.
However, the compression spring 68 is preferably also of a strength that
permits the spring to be compressed into the Figure 10 attitude from the
Figure 9 attitude in response to an external force directed axially against
the knob 66 toward the casing 11 illustrated by phantom arrow 70. The
significance of the strength of the compression spring is apparent upon
understanding the use of this second embodiment cartridge loader 60 as
described in detail below.
In use of the second embodiment of the improved cartridge loader
- 16 -
110~34S
61, the fully loaded position of the cartridge loader, with cartridges 21
temporarily stored therein, is illustrated in Figures 9, 11 and llA. As
shown in those figures, the cartridges 21 are retained within the loader
casing 11 through cooperation of star shaped centerpost section 26 and
casing bores 16 in the same manner as described above in connection with the
first embodiment of the loader 10. Further, and importantly, in the normal
position the spring 68 loaded knob 66 is biased longitudinally away from
the casing 11 so that cross pin 63 is bottomed out against bottom ends 71
of the cam slots 67. In this attitude of the knob 66, the knob (and, there-
fore, the centerpost 13 and latch 12) is readily manually rotatable into
the capture or latch position from the release position, i.e., counter-
clockwise as shown by arrow 73, until the limit stop device's cross pin 47
abuts that device's stop pin 45 because of the compressive strength of the
compression spring 68 when that spring is of the preferred strength as des-
cribed above. In other words, the knob's cam slots 67 do not ride over the
cam pin 63 in this counter-clockwise rotation because the compressive strength
of the compression spring precludes relative rotation (and relative axial
motion) between the knob 66 and the centerpost 13. Also, the knob 66 (and,
therefore, the latch 12 and centerpost 13) is rotatable in the clockwise
direction as shown by arrow 72 from the capture position (Figures 9 and 11)
to the release position ~igures 10 and 12) by manually gripping the knob
66 and so rotating it clockwise 72 until the limit stop device's cross pin
47 abuts that device's stop pin 45 because the cam pin 63 is bottomed out
against the bottom ends 71 of the cam slots 67 on that knob 66. Thus, and
importantly relative to this second embodiment, the latch 12 ~and centerpost
13) is manually rotatable from the release position (Figures 10 and 12) to
the latch position ~Figures 9 and 11), and is also manually rotatable from
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~10~345
the latch position back to the release position, so as to permit manual oper-
ation of the second embodiment loader 61 in exactly the same manner described
above in connection with the first embodiment loader 10 if desired by the
user.
The second embodiment of the improved cartridge loader 60 is also
usable in semi-automatic fashion when it is desired to unload that loader.
In this semi-automatic use mode, the casing ll of loader lO is so restrained
against rotation. In practice, that casing 11 of loader 10 is so restrained
by positioning the cartridges 21 partially into the chambers 75 of a re-
volver's cylinder 76; the combination of the cylinder 76 and cartridges 21
precludes rotation of the cartridge loader's casing 11 when the cylinder is
manually restrained against rotation. This preliminary step is illustrated
in Figure 9, and after this preliminary step, the cartridges 21 are disposed
above the revolver's cylinder 76 relative to ground level so that same may
drop by gravity into the revolver chamber when released from the cartridge
loader 60. Semi-automatic release of the cartridges 21 from the improved
cartridge loader 60 is achieved by directing an external manual force 70
axially of the cartridge loader against the knob 61 while simultaneously
preventing rotation of the knob 61 and the revolver cylinder 76 ~and, hence,
the casing 113; such is easily accomplished by hand.
The axial force 70, and simultaneous restraint of knob 61 and casing
11 against rotation, causes the latch 12 and the centerpos~ 13 to rotate
relative to the casing 11 as cam pin 63 is forced up cam slots 67 to the
top ends 77 of those cam slots 67. In other words, and as the longitudinal
or axial force 70 is manually exerted externally on the knob 66, and when
that knob 66 and casing 11 (through revolver cylinder 76) is simultaneously
and manually prevented from rotating by the user's hands, the latch 12 and
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centerpost 13 are caused to rotate from the capture attitude illustrated
in Figures 9 and 11 to the release attitude illustrated in Figures 10 and 12.
The release position is defined in this operational mode by cam pin 63
topping out against the top ends 77 of the cam slot 67, and the latch 12
and centerpost 13 are thereafter maintained in that release position after
release of the knob 66 through abutment of the limit stop device's cross
pin 47 with that device's stop pin 45. The length of the cam slots 67 is
controlled so that the knob 66 bottoms out only at bottom end 71 of the slots
67. Without the casing 11 being restrained against rotation, both the center-
post 13 and the casing 11 would rotate in response to axial force 70,
thereby defeating the cartridge release objective. But since the cartridges
21 carried in the casing 11 are partially received in the revolver's cylinder
76 as illustrated in Figure 11, and since the revolver's cylinder is held
stationary by the user's other hand in the gun loading or charging sequence,
the improved loader's casing 11 is thereby also retained in a stationary
attitude relative to the revolver's chamber. This operative sequence permits
the cartridges 21 to drop from the loader 60 into the revolver's cylinder as
the latch 12 is moved from the Figures 9 and ll capture position to the
Figures lO and 12 release position in response to the axial force 70 exerted
on the knob 66, while preventing rotation of the knob and casing 11, so as
to cause functional operation of the cam pin 63 and cam slots 67.
The structure of this second embodiment 61 of the improved cartridge
loader possesses certain advantages over prior art cartridge loader structures
which also provide a semi-automatic unloading step sequence. In the first
instance, if the cartridge loader 61 is inadvertently dropped on the knob
66, the cartridges 21 carried in the loader will not release from the casing
11, i.e., from the loader, because the knob will rotate relative to the center
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shaft 13 as permitted by spring 68. In other words, and because of the
compression spring 68, if the loader 61 is dropped on the knob 66 the
cartridges 21 do not release because the knob is allowed to turn relative to
the centerpost 13 against the bias of the spring 68. Furthermore, it is
impossible to effect release of the cartridges 21 by dropping the cartridge
loader 61 on the cartridges' ends 56, or by subjecting the loader's casing
11 or centerpost 13 to any force on the bottom face thereof, thereby further
enhancing the safety aspect of this cartridge loader embodiment.
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