Apparatus & Method for Loading an Ammunition Magazine, and Ammunition Magazine Having a Loading Apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus and method for loading an ammunition magazine via an ammunition hold. An ammunition holder is provided for receiving an ammunition body externally of the ammunition magazine in a receiving position. A swivel arm is provided for moving the ammunition holder out of the receiving position, along a lifting path, to a storage position, in the vicinity of the ammunition hold, that is disposed at a level higher than is the receiving position.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for loading an ammunition magazine ( 1 ) via an ammunition hold ( 10 ), comprising:
 an ammunition holder ( 3 ) for receiving an ammunition body ( 9 ) externally of said ammunition magazine ( 1 ) in a receiving position;   a swivel arm ( 4 ) for moving said ammunition holder ( 3 ) out of said receiving position, along a lifting path, to a storage position, in the vicinity of said ammunition hold ( 10 ), that is disposed at a level higher than is said receiving position.   
     
     
         17 . A loading apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said ammunition holder ( 3 ) is pivotably connected with said swivel arm ( 4 ). 
     
     
         18 . A loading apparatus according to  claim 16 , which includes means for coupling movements of said swivel arm ( 4 ) in a parallelogram-shaped manner with movements of said ammunition holder ( 3 ). 
     
     
         19 . A loading apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said swivel arm ( 4 ) is provided with a parallelogram-shaped linkage. 
     
     
         20 . A loading apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said parallelogram-shaped linkage includes an upper connection rod ( 4 . 2 ) and a lower connection rod ( 4 . 1 ), and which includes an intermediate link ( 4 . 3 ) for coupling free ends of said upper and lower connection rods to provide a connection for said ammunition holder ( 3 ). 
     
     
         21 . A loading apparatus according to one of the  claims 16 , wherein said swivel arm ( 4 ) is mounted in the vicinity of said ammunition hold ( 10 ). 
     
     
         22 . A loading apparatus according to  claim 20 , which includes a drive shaft ( 5 ), wherein a foot end of one of said connecting rods ( 4 . 1 ,  4 . 2 ) is connected to said drive shaft ( 5 ). 
     
     
         23 . A loading apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said ammunition holder ( 3 ) is provided with a loading platform ( 3 . 1 ). 
     
     
         24 . A loading apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said ammunition holder ( 3 ) is provided with retaining devices ( 3 . 2 ) to secure a position of said ammunition body ( 9 ). 
     
     
         25 . The ammunition magazine of  claim 16 . (only says this and then period, paragraph). 
     
     
         26 . An ammunition magazine according to  claim 25 , wherein said swivel arm ( 4 ) is disposed on an outer side of said ammunition hold ( 10 ). 
     
     
         27 . An ammunition magazine according to  claim 26 , which includes a drive mechanism ( 22 ) for effecting pivoting of said swivel arm ( 4 ), wherein said drive mechanism ( 22 ) is disposed in an interior of said ammunition magazine ( 1 ). 
     
     
         28 . An ammunition magazine according to  claim 25 , wherein said ammunition hold ( 10 ) includes a hatch opening ( 12 ), and wherein said swivel arm ( 4 ), in the storage position, rests against an outer edge ( 12 . 2 ) of said hatch opening ( 12 ). 
     
     
         29 . An ammunition magazine according to  claim 25 , wherein said ammunition hold ( 10 ) includes a hatch opening ( 12 ), and which includes a hatch cover ( 11 ) for closing off said hatch opening ( 12 ), wherein said hatch cover ( 11 ) covers said swivel arm ( 4 ) and said swivel arm is in the storage position. 
     
     
         30 . A method of loading an ammunition magazine ( 1 ) having an ammunition hold ( 10 ), including the steps of:
 providing a loading apparatus ( 2 ) for loading said ammunition magazine ( 1 ) via said ammunition hold ( 10 );   providing an ammunition holder ( 3 ) for receiving an ammunition body ( 9 ) externally of said ammunition magazine ( 1 ) in a receiving position;   providing a swivel arm ( 4 ); and   moving said ammunition holder ( 3 ) with said swivel arm ( 4 ) out of said receiving position, along a lifting path, and into a storage position, in the vicinity of said ammunition hold ( 10 ) that is disposed at a level higher than I s said receiving position.