Speed loader

Abstract

A speed loader has an elongated planar body with opposed major faces, the elongated planar body defining a plurality of cartridge receptacles on one of the opposed major faces, each of the plurality of cartridge receptacles configured to removably retain the head of a cartridge, the plurality of cartridge receptacles arranged along the length of the elongated planar body in an articulated sequence, at least some of the plurality of cartridge receptacles being arranged in at least two obtuse triangular subgroups, each of the obtuse triangular subgroups having three different cartridge receptacles, and each obtuse triangular subgroup having two end cartridge receptacles proximate one major edge of the elongated planar body and an intermediate cartridge receptacle proximate an opposed major edge of the elongated planar body. The obtuse triangular subgroups may face the same major edge or opposite major edges. The obtuse triangular subgroups may each define an arc.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A speed loader for storing and loading cartridges to a revolver cylinder comprising:
 a planar body with opposed major forward and rear faces and having a periphery;   the planar body defining a plurality of cartridge receptacles on the forward face;   each of the plurality of cartridge receptacles configured to removably retain the head of a cartridge; and   the plurality of cartridge receptacles arranged in a regular polygon proximate to the periphery.   
     
     
         2 . The speed loader of  claim 1  wherein each of the cartridge receptacles defines a floor spaced apart from the rear face by a limited floor thickness amount. 
     
     
         3 . The speed loader of  claim 2  wherein the planar body has an overall thickness of a first thickness, and the floor thickness is less than half of the overall thickness. 
     
     
         4 . The speed loader of  claim 1  wherein the rear surface is flat. 
     
     
         5 . The speed loader of  claim 1  wherein the rear surface is free of protrusions. 
     
     
         6 . The speed loader of  claim 1  wherein each receptacle has a selected diameter, and the floor thickness is less than half of the diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The speed loader of  claim 1  wherein each receptacle has a selected diameter, the planar body has an overall thickness, and the overall thickness is less than the selected diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The speed loader of  claim 1  including a tab protruding laterally from the periphery. 
     
     
         9 . The speed loader of  claim 1  wherein the body is a unitary body. 
     
     
         10 . The speed loader of  claim 1  wherein the body is elastomeric. 
     
     
         11 . A speed loader for storing and loading cartridges to a revolver having a revolver cylinder with a rear surface, and a grip having a forward portion opposite the cylinder rear surface and separated by the rear surface by a grip gap, the speed loader comprising:
 a planar body with opposed major forward and rear faces and having a periphery;   the planar body defining a plurality of cartridge receptacles on the forward face;   each of the plurality of cartridge receptacles configured to removably retain the head of a cartridge having a case length;   each of the cartridge receptacles defining a floor surface spaced apart from the rear face by a limited floor thickness amount; and   the case length plus the floor thickness being a limited overall length relative to the grip gap, such that the speed loader and cases may readily be extracted from the cylinder without interference by the grip.   
     
     
         12 . The speed loader of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of cartridge receptacles is arranged in a regular polygon proximate to the periphery. 
     
     
         13 . The speed loader of  claim 11  wherein the cylinder has a cylinder length and the case length plus the floor thickness being less than the cylinder length. 
     
     
         14 . The speed loader of  claim 11  wherein the planar body has an overall thickness of a first thickness, and the floor thickness is less than half of the overall thickness. 
     
     
         15 . The speed loader of  claim 11  wherein the rear surface is flat. 
     
     
         16 . The speed loader of  claim 11  wherein the rear surface is free of protrusions. 
     
     
         17 . The speed loader of  claim 11  wherein each receptacle has a selected diameter, and the floor thickness is less than half of the diameter. 
     
     
         18 . The speed loader of  claim 11  wherein each receptacle has a selected diameter, the planar body has an overall thickness, and the overall thickness is less than the selected diameter. 
     
     
         19 . The speed loader of  claim 11  including a tab protruding laterally from the periphery. 
     
     
         20 . The speed loader of  claim 11  wherein the body is a unitary body.