Speed loader for large caliber multi-shot weapon

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for fast loading a plurality of cartridges into a magazine for holding cartridges, such as the magazine of a large caliber multi-shot weapon. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a cartridge receptacle disposed between a retention wheel and a knob. The knob is rotatably attached to the cartridge receptacle and fastened to the retention wheel. The knob has a locked and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the cartridges placed in the receptacle are engaged by the retention wheel. In the unlocked position, the cartridges are released from the retention wheel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for fast loading a plurality of cartridges into a magazine, the apparatus comprising:
 a cartridge receptacle having cavities for accommodating the plurality of cartridges wherein the cavities surround a central area;   a retention wheel received in the central area and having a shaft extending through an opening in the central area, wherein the shaft defines an axis for rotation of the retention wheel; and   a knob rotatably attached to the cartridge receptacle on a side opposite the cavities by a fastener engaging the shaft, wherein the knob is movable and has a locked and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position cartridges placed in the receptacle are engaged by the retention wheel, and in the unlocked position the cartridges are released from the retention wheel.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the magazine is part of a large caliber multi-shot weapon. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the retention wheel has a plurality of projections extending radially outward therefrom and capable of engaging the plurality of cartridges. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastener engages a complementary receptacle on the shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the end of the shaft engaging with the fastener has a shape that fits into a keyed receptacle formed on the inward facing surface of the knob. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the knob is one or more of notched, fluted, knurled, or textured to enhance a user's grip while rotating the knob. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge receptacle has an upstanding boss on a surface opposite the central area, the upstanding boss received within an aligned, facing, like sized cavity on the knob. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the boss has a central opening for receiving the shaft, and a plurality of openings surrounding the central opening. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of springs, wherein each spring has a proximal and a distal end, and is received into one of the plurality of openings in the boss through the proximal end. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising a detent attached to the distal end of each spring of the plurality of springs, and for each spring of the plurality of springs, first and second recesses configured to selectively and removably receive the detent. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein in the locked position of the knob each detent is received in the first recess and the plurality of projections of the retention wheel engage the plurality of cartridges. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein in the unlocked position of the knob each detent is received in the second recess and the projections of the retention wheel occupy a position between the cavities of the cartridge receptacle out of engagement with the plurality of cartridges. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the detents and the first and second recesses are rounded to facilitate the movement of the detents in and out of the first and second recesses. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising a stopping mechanism limiting the degree of rotation of the knob relative to the cartridge receptacle, the stopping mechanism comprising at least one pin on the knob running in a corresponding arcuate channel on the cartridge receptacle. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the number of cavities in the cartridge receptacle is in the range of 2 to 12. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the number of cavities in the cartridge receptacle is 6. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the cavities of the cartridge receptacle are sized to accommodate ammunition cartridges having a caliber of about 30-40 millimeters. 
     
     
         18 . A method of using the apparatus of  claim 1  for fast loading a plurality of cartridges into a magazine, the method comprising:
 inserting a plurality of cartridges into the cartridge receptacle; 
 turning the knob into a locked position thereby engaging the plurality of cartridges with the plurality of projections of the retention wheel; 
 aligning the plurality of cartridges with a plurality of chambers in the magazine and sliding the plurality of cartridges into the plurality of chambers; and 
 turning the knob to an unlocked position to disengage each of the plurality of cartridges from the plurality of projections of the retention wheel, and moving the cartridge receptacle away from the weapon. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the magazine is part of a large caliber multi-shot weapon. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using the apparatus of  claim 12  for fast loading a plurality of cartridges into a magazine, the method comprising:
 inserting a plurality of cartridges into the cartridge receptacle; 
 turning the knob into a locked position thereby engaging the plurality of cartridges with the plurality of projections of the retention wheel; 
 aligning the plurality of cartridges with a plurality of chambers in the magazine and sliding the plurality of cartridges into the plurality of chambers; and 
 turning the knob to an unlocked position to disengage each of the plurality of cartridges from the plurality of projections of the retention wheel, and moving the cartridge receptacle away from the weapon. 
 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the magazine is part of a large caliber multi-shot weapon. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein turning the knob to the locked position further comprises receiving the detent on the distal end of each of the plurality of springs in the first complementary recesses provided on the knob. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein turning the knob to the unlocked position further comprises receiving the detent on the distal end of each of the plurality of springs in second complementary recesses provided on the knob. 
     
     
         24 . A method for fast loading a plurality of cartridges into a revolver style magazine of a weapon, the method comprising:
 inserting a plurality of cartridges into the cavities of a cartridge receptacle disposed between a turning knob and a rotating wheel, each cartridge having a base end and a tip end, the base end leading the tip end during insertion, wherein the retention wheel is capable of engaging the base end of the cartridge;   turning the knob into a locked position thereby engaging the plurality of cartridges by the retention wheel,   aligning the plurality of cartridges with a plurality of chambers in the magazine and sliding the plurality of cartridges into the plurality of chambers; and   turning the knob to an unlocked position thereby disengaging the cartridges from the retention wheel, and moving the cartridge receptacle away from the weapon.   
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the magazine is part of a large caliber multi-shot weapon. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein engaging the plurality of cartridges by the retention wheel comprises engaging a rim present at the base end of each cartridge of the plurality of cartridges by one of a plurality of projections extending radially outward from the retention wheel.