Apparatus for loading rounds from magazines bundled on a multi-magazine manifold

Abstract

An apparatus that facilitates repeatedly aligning and loading a magazine into a magazine-well of a firearm, where the firearm is a barreled weapon, including replicas, novelty firearms, mock firearms, gaming firearms such as paint ball guns, computerized guns, toys guns, pressurized gas propelled guns, and virtual guns that are digital representation. The apparatus includes multi-magazine manifold which can hold a plurality of magazines (clips), where the multi-magazine manifold is mounted to one or more vertical slides that automatically align a magazine with the magazine well. Ejection and reloading is faster and easier, and can be done without visually disengaging from a target because alignment is substantially established by the apparatus. The apparatus is rugged and simple to use, and can be fitted to wide variety of firearms.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for repeatedly aligning and loading ammunition into a magazine-well of a firearm having a magazine ejection device, said apparatus comprising:
 an adapter comprised of a beam and a set of fastening elements, wherein the adapter provides a strong platform that won't slip even under heavy recoil, wherein the adapter can be mounted onto the firearm forward of the magazine-well;   a first horizontal slide rail with a set of z-plane set-points, wherein the first horizontal slide rail is mounted orthogonal to the adapter and the set of z-plane set-points are positions where a magazine is horizontally aligned with the magazine-well;   a first horizontal slidable element that is supported and guided by the first horizontal slide rail, wherein the first horizontal slidable element has a first horizontal slidable mountable surface that faces rearward toward the magazine-well;   a first vertical slide rail, which is a rigid structural member, wherein an end of the first vertical slide rail is mounted on the first horizontal slidable element, and an opposing end is terminated with a full-stop element, wherein the vertical slide rail functions as a guiding track to which a carriage can be secured;   a first vertical slidable element that is supported and guided by the first vertical slide rail, wherein the first vertical slidable element functions as the carriage having a low resistance to moving along the first vertical slide rail even when the first vertical slidable element is under stress, wherein the first vertical slidable element has a first vertical mountable surface that faces rearward toward the magazine-well;   a second vertical slide rail, which is a rigid structural member, wherein an end of the second vertical slide rail is mounted on the first vertical slidable element with a partial overlap of the first vertical slide rail, wherein the second vertical slide rail functions as a retractable extension of the first vertical slide rail;   a second vertical slidable element that is supported and guided by the second vertical slide rail, where its vertical position on the second vertical slide rail will change either moving downward when the ejection device is actuated to eject a currently loaded magazine from the magazine-well, or moving upward when a next magazine is shoved into the magazine-well, wherein the second vertical slidable element has low resistance to moving along the second vertical slide rail even when the second vertical slidable element is under stress, wherein the second vertical slidable element has a second mountable surface that faces rearward toward the magazine-well;   a non-rotating strut assembly comprised of a pair of strong horizontal prongs that are parallel and projecting rearward from the second vertical mountable surface;   a non-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold for clamping three higher round count magazines in a stacked and spaced configuration, wherein the manifold has a forward flat bar with an end that terminates with a right tab that extends rearward and an opposing end that terminates with a left tab that extends rearward, a rear horizontal flat bar with a right rear tab that extends forward and a left rear tab that extends forward, and a left spacing clamping element that extends from the forward flat bar to the rearward horizontal flat bar and a right spacing clamping element that extends from the forward flat bar to the rearward flat bar;   wherein the non-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold is attached to the pair of strong horizontal prongs of the non-rotating strut assembly, where a center clamped magazine is loaded into the magazine-well when the first horizontal slide rail is positioned in the center of the set of z-plane set-points;   wherein, when the magazine ejection device is actuated, the magazine in the magazine-well, which is attached to the magazine non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold is ejected causing the non-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold, the strut assembly, the second vertical slidable element, the second vertical rail, and the first vertical slidable element all to drop to their lowest position, wherein the non-rotatable multi-magazine clamping manifold can be shifted to the next magazine by moving the first horizontal slidable element to another z-plane set-point, and the next magazine is now positioned beneath and in-line with an empty magazine-well, wherein the next magazine can be shoved into the empty well, which raises the non-rotatable multi-magazine clamping manifold, the strut assembly, the second vertical slidable element, the second vertical slide rail and the first vertical slidable element to their upper operational position.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further includes a quick release slide lock (QRSL) for attaching and detaching a non-rotating clamping manifold. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , where in the QRSL comprises:
 at least two beveled studs mounted to the forward flat bar of the non-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold, wherein each beveled stud has a diameter and an end that has a relatively high aspect amount of bevel, so that when pushed the stud generates a lateral opening force to widen an iris-like opening, and each stud has a circular groove that is adjacent to the perimeter of the bevel;   a spring loaded sliding plate that forwardly overlaps a latch base plate, wherein the latch base plate has at least two base plate holes that are slightly larger than the diameter of the beveled studs, and the at least two base plate holes are spaced liked the at least two mounted studs, at least two fastening holes for attaching the base plate to the ends of at least two prongs on the non-rotating strut assembly, and at least two headed stems projecting from the base plate;   wherein the spring loaded sliding plate has at least two elongate holes through which each elongate horizontal hole projects a headed stem that enable the spring loaded sliding plate have limited lateral movement, a lower edge of the spring loaded sliding plate has at least two sections that partially overlap the holes on the base plate, wherein each partial overlap is a curvilinear section of a smaller diameter semi-circular segment that is contiguous with a larger diameter semi-circular segment, effecting a partially closed opening when the QRSL is in a default position that is locked, where a compression spring is pushing the spring loaded sliding plate outboard, maintaining the default position as locked, where in the default position the smaller diameter semi-circular segments are partially occluding the base plate holes;   wherein the non-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold is connected to the QRSL mounted non-rotating strut when the two beveled studs have been aligned with at least two base plate holes and pressed, causing the spring loaded sliding plate to move inboard widening the partially closed opening as the larger diameter semi-circular segment of the lower edge moves over the beveled studs until each stud has penetrated each opening far enough that the beveled end of each stud is past the spring loaded sliding plate, where upon the spring loaded sliding plate shifts outboard and the smaller diameter semi-circular segment is abutting the circular groove that is adjacent to the perimeter of the bevel, wherein the non-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold is lockedly connected to the QRSL; and   wherein the non-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold can be removed by pushing the spring loaded sliding plate, inboard which fully widens each of the openings of QRSL, and pulling the mounted beveled studs out, away from the base plate of the QRSL.   
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for repeatedly aligning and loading ammunition into a firearm having a magazine-well and a magazine ejection device, said apparatus comprising:
 an adapter comprised of a beam and a set of fastening elements, wherein the adapter provides a strong platform that won't slip even under heavy recoil, wherein the adapter can be mounted onto the firearm forward of the magazine-well;   a vertical slide rail, which is a rigid structural member, comprised of an end that is mounted to the adapter and an opposing end that is terminated with a full-stop element, wherein the vertical slide rail functions as a guiding track to which a carriage can be secured;   a first vertical slidable element that is supported and guided by the first vertical slide rail, wherein the first vertical slidable element functions as the carriage having a low resistance to facilely move along the vertical slide rail even when the vertical slidable element is under stress, wherein the first vertical slidable element has a mountable surface that when the apparatus is mounted on the firearm, the mountable surface of the first vertical slidable element faces rearward toward the magazine-well;   a non-rotating strut assembly comprised of a pair of strong horizontal prongs that are parallel and projecting rearward from the first vertical mountable surface;   a non-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold for clamping at least two higher round count magazines in a stacked and spaced configuration, wherein the manifold has a forward flat bar with an end that terminates with a right tab that extends rearward and an opposing end that terminates with a left tab that extends rearward, a rear horizontal flat bar with a right rear tab that extends forward and a left rear tab that extends forward, and a left spacing clamping element that extends from the forward flat bar to the rearward horizontal flat bar and a right spacing clamping element that extends from the forward flat bar to the rearward flat bar;   wherein the non-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold is attached to the pair of strong horizontal prongs of the non-rotating strut assembly, where a clamped magazine is loaded into the magazine-well when the first horizontal slide rail is positioned in one of the set of z-plane set-points;   wherein, when the magazine ejection device is actuated, the magazine in the magazine-well, which is attached to the magazine non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold is ejected causing the non-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold, the strut assembly, and the first vertical slidable element to drop to their lowest position, and wherein the non-rotatable multi-magazine clamping manifold can be shifted to the next magazine by moving the first horizontal slidable element to another z-plane set-point, and the next magazine is now positioned beneath and in-line with an empty magazine-well, wherein the next magazine can be shoved into the empty well, which raises the non-rotatable multi-magazine clamping manifold, the strut assembly, and the first vertical slidable element and into the upper operational position.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4  further includes a quick release slide lock (QRSL) for attaching and detaching a non-rotating manifold. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , where in the QRSL comprises:
 at least two beveled studs mounted to the forward flat bar of the non-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold, wherein each beveled stud has a diameter and an end that has a relatively high aspect amount of bevel, so that when pushed the stud generates a lateral opening force to widen an iris-like opening, and each stud has a circular groove that is adjacent to the perimeter of the bevel;   a spring loaded sliding plate that forwardly overlaps a latch base plate, wherein the latch base plate has at least two base plate holes that are slightly larger than the diameter of the beveled studs, and the at least two base plate holes are spaced liked the at least two mounted studs, at least two fastening holes for attaching the base plate to the ends of at least two prongs on the non-rotating strut assembly, and at least two headed stems projecting from the base plate;   wherein the spring loaded sliding plate has at least two elongate holes through which each elongate horizontal hole projects a headed stem that enable the spring loaded sliding plate have limited lateral movement, a lower edge of the spring loaded sliding plate has at least two sections that partially overlap the holes on the base plate, wherein each partial overlap is a curvilinear section of a smaller diameter semi-circular segment that is contiguous with a larger diameter semi-circular segment, effecting a partially closed opening when the QRSL is in a default position that is locked, where a compression spring is pushing the spring loaded sliding plate outboard, maintaining the default position as locked, where in the default position the smaller diameter semi-circular segments are partially occluding the base plate holes;   wherein the non-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold is connected to the QRSL mounted non-rotating strut when the two beveled studs have been aligned with at least two base plate holes and pressed, causing the spring loaded sliding plate to move inboard widening the partially closed opening as the larger diameter semi-circular segment of the lower edge moves over the beveled studs until each stud has penetrated each opening far enough that the beveled end of each stud is past the spring loaded sliding plate, where upon the spring loaded sliding plate shifts outboard and the smaller diameter semi-circular segment is abutting the circular groove that is adjacent to the perimeter of the bevel, wherein the non-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold is lockedly connected to the QRSL; and   wherein the non-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold can be removed by pushing the spring loaded sliding plate, inboard which fully widens each of the openings of QRSL, and pulling the mounted beveled studs out, away from the base plate of the QRSL.   
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for repeatedly aligning and loading ammunition into a magazine-well of a firearm having a magazine ejection device, said apparatus comprising:
 an adapter comprised of a beam and a set of fastening elements, wherein the adapter provides a strong platform that won't slip even under heavy recoil, wherein the adapter can be mounted onto the firearm forward of the magazine-well;   a first horizontal slide rail with a set of z-plane set-points, wherein the first horizontal slide rail is mounted orthogonal to the adapter and the set of z-plane set-points are positions where a magazine is horizontally aligned with the magazine-well;   a first horizontal slidable element that is supported and guided by the first horizontal slide rail, wherein the first horizontal slidable element has a first horizontal slidable mountable surface that faces rearward toward the magazine-well;   a first vertical slide rail, which is a rigid structural member, wherein an end of the first vertical slide rail is mounted on the first horizontal slidable element, and an opposing end is terminated with a full-stop element, wherein the vertical slide rail functions as a guiding track to which a carriage can be secured;   a first vertical slidable element that is supported and guided by the first vertical slide rail, wherein the first vertical slidable element functions as the carriage having a low resistance to moving along the first vertical slide rail even when the first vertical slidable element is under stress, wherein the first vertical slidable element has a first vertical mountable surface that faces rearward toward the magazine-well;   a second vertical slide rail, which is a rigid structural member, wherein an end of the second vertical slide rail is mounted on the first vertical slidable element with a partial overlap of the first vertical slide rail, wherein the second vertical slide rail functions as a retractable extension of the first vertical slide rail;   a second vertical slidable element that is supported and guided by the second vertical slide rail, where its vertical position on the second vertical slide rail will change either moving downward when the ejection device is actuated to eject a currently loaded magazine from the magazine-well, or moving upward when a next magazine is shoved into the magazine-well, wherein the second vertical slidable element has low resistance to moving along the second vertical slide rail even when the second vertical slidable element is under stress, wherein the second vertical slidable element has a second mountable surface that faces rearward toward the magazine-well;   a non-rotating strut assembly comprised of at least one strong horizontal prong that are parallel and projecting rearward from the second vertical mountable surface;   a non-rotating multi-magazine manifold that can hold at least two high round count magazines in a stacked and spaced configuration, wherein the manifold has a clamping means;   wherein the non-rotating multi-magazine manifold is attached to the pair of strong horizontal prongs of the non-rotating strut assembly, where one magazine is loaded into the magazine-well when the first horizontal slide rail is positioned using the set of z-plane set-points;   wherein, when the magazine ejection device is actuated, the magazine in the magazine-well, which is attached to the magazine non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold is ejected causing the non-rotating multi-magazine manifold, the strut assembly, the second vertical slidable element, the second vertical rail, and the first vertical slidable element all to drop to their lowest position, wherein the non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold can be shifted to the next magazine by moving the first horizontal slidable element to another z-plane set-point, and the next magazine is now positioned beneath and in-line with an empty magazine-well, wherein the next magazine can be shoved into the empty well, which raises the non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold, the strut assembly, the second vertical slidable element, the second vertical slide rail and the first vertical slidable element to their upper operational position.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the non-rotating multi-magazine manifold has a quick release slide lock (QRSL) for attaching and detaching a non-rotating manifold. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the at least two high round count magazines has a round count that is five or higher.