Ammunition loading apparatus

Abstract

There is provided an ammunition loading apparatus comprising a first elongate member, and second and third elongate members pivotally coupled to the first member. The second and third members have a deployed position in which the second and third members extend perpendicular to the first member and receive ammunition therebetween. The second and third members are moveable from the deployed position to a stored position in which the second and third members extend parallel to the first member. The second and third members are foldable or collapsible relative to the first elongate in the stored position. The apparatus is also moveable to a partially open position that is L-shaped and functions as an unloading tool to selectively remove ammunition from a magazine. The apparatus includes an elongate protrusion coupled to one of the elongate members and which functions as a glass breaker or part of a pin punch tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: a first elongate member; and second and third elongate members coupled to the first elongate member and between which ammunition is received, the second elongate member and the third elongate member being collapsible or foldable when not in use. 
     
     
         2 . An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: a first elongate member; and second and third elongate members coupled to and extending outwards from the first elongate member when in use to facilitate passing of respective ammunition through the first elongate member, wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member are movable to extend at least in part along the first elongate member when not in use. 
     
     
         3 . An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: a first elongate member; and second and third elongate members coupled to and extending outwards from the first elongate member when in use to facilitate passing of respective ammunition through the first elongate member, the second elongate member and the third elongate member being contoured to extend along or within the first elongate member when not in use. 
     
     
         4 . An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: first, second and third elongate members each having a longitudinal axis, with the second elongate member and the third elongate member pivotally coupling to the first elongate member about axes of rotation which are perpendicular to the longitudinal axes thereof. 
     
     
         5 . An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: first, second and third elongate members each having a longitudinal axis, with the second elongate member and the third elongate member pivotally coupling to the first elongate member about axes of rotation which are offset from the longitudinal axes thereof. 
     
     
         6 . An ammunition loading apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member are shaped to receive ammunition therebetween in a deployed position and wherein the elongate members are moveable from the deployed position thereof to a stored position thereof when not in use. 
     
     
         7 . An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: a first elongate member; and second and third elongate members pivotally coupled to the first elongate member, the second elongate member and the third elongate member having a deployed position in which the second elongate member and the third elongate member extend perpendicular to the first elongate member and receive ammunition therebetween, and the second elongate member and the third elongate member being moveable from the deployed position to a stored position in which at least one of the second elongate member and the third elongate member extends parallel to the first elongate member. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  7  wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member have longitudinal axes and the first elongate member has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the at least one of the second elongate member and the third elongate member extend parallel with the longitudinal axis of the first elongate member when in the stored position. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  8  wherein the apparatus is u-shaped in lateral profile when the second elongate member and the third elongate member are in the deployed position. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  9 , wherein the apparatus is moveable to a partially open position that is L-shaped for unloading ammunition. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the apparatus includes a planar member that, in the partially open position, functions as an ammunition unloading tool. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  11 , wherein the elongate members are shaped to be compact in the stored position. 
     
     
         13 . An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: first, second and third elongate members pivotally coupled together and movable from a stored position that is compact, to a deployed position that is u-shaped for loading ammunition therein, and to an L-shaped position for unloading ammunition. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  13  wherein the apparatus is substantially a rectangular prism in outer shape when the second elongate member and the third elongate member are in the stored position. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  14 , wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member are rotatable in opposite directions from the stored position thereof to the deployed position thereof, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the second elongate member and the third elongate member in thereafter. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  14 , wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member are rotatable towards a first of a top and a bottom of the first elongate member from the stored position thereof to the deployed position thereof, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the second elongate member and the third elongate member in thereafter, and wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member are rotatable towards a second of the top and the bottom of the first elongate member from the deployed position thereof to the stored position thereof, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the second elongate member and the third elongate member in thereafter. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the second elongate member abuts the first of the top and the bottom of the elongate member when the second elongate member is in the deployed position, and wherein the second elongate member abuts the second of the top and the bottom of the elongate member when the second elongate member is in the stored position. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  14 , wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member are rotatable from horizontally-extending positions to vertically-extending positions, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the second elongate member and the third elongate member in thereafter, and wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member are rotatable from the vertically-extending positions to the horizontally-extending positions, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the second elongate member and the third elongate member in thereafter. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  14 , wherein the second elongate member is moveable in a first direction of rotation from the stored position thereof to the deployed position thereof, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the second elongate member in the first direction of rotation thereafter, wherein the third elongate member is moveable in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first direction of rotation, from the stored position thereof to the deployed position thereof, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the third elongate member in the second direction of rotation thereafter, wherein the second elongate member is moveable in the second direction of rotation from the deployed position thereof to the stored position thereof, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the second elongate member in the second direction of rotation thereafter, and wherein the third elongate member is moveable in the first direction of rotation from the deployed position thereof to the stored position thereof, with the first elongate member being shaped inhibit further rotation of the third elongate member in the first direction of rotation thereafter. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  19  wherein the first elongate member has a first beveled end surface which abuts the second elongate member when the second elongate member is in the deployed position, and wherein the first elongate member has a second beveled end surface which abuts the second elongate member when the second elongate member is in the stored position. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  19  wherein the first elongate member has a first slanted end surface which abuts the second elongate member when the second elongate member is in the deployed position, and wherein the first elongate member has a second slanted end surface which abuts the second elongate member when the second elongate member is in the stored position. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 20  to  21 , wherein the first end surface and the second end surface of the first elongate member are non-perpendicular. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 20  to  22  wherein the first end surface of the first elongate member extends downwards from the top of the first elongate member at an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 20  to  22  wherein the second end surface of the first elongate member extends upwards from the bottom of the first elongate member at an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 20  to  24  wherein the second elongate member in the deployed position abuts the first end surface and the top of the first elongate member, and wherein the second elongate member in the stored position abuts the second end surface and the bottom of the first elongate member. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 20  to  25  wherein the first elongate member includes an end portion that is polygonal in shape, the end portion including the first end surface and the second end surface of the first elongate member. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the end portion of the first elongate member is triangular. 
     
     
         28 . An apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the end portion of the first elongate member is semi-octagonal. 
     
     
         29 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 20  to  28 , wherein the second elongate member includes a pair of spaced-apart yoke arms that extend outwards at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the second elongate member. 
     
     
         30 . An apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein said angle at which the yoke arms extend is non-perpendicular. 
     
     
         31 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 29  to  30 , wherein the yoke arms are shaped to enable the second elongate member to abut either the top or the bottom of the first elongate member. 
     
     
         32 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 29  to  31 , wherein the yoke arms have one or more first slanted surfaces and one or more second slanted surfaces opposite the one or more first slanted surfaces, wherein the one or more first slanted surfaces of the yoke arms abut the first end surface of the first elongate member in the deployed position, and wherein the one or more second slanted surfaces of the yoke arms abut the second end surface of the first elongate member in the deployed position. 
     
     
         33 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  32  wherein the third elongate member is received at least in part within the first elongate member when the third elongate member is in the stored position. 
     
     
         34 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  32  wherein the third elongate member is fully received within the first elongate member when the third elongate member is in the stored position. 
     
     
         35 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  34  including a first locking mechanism which selectively promotes positioning of the second elongate member in the deployed position. 
     
     
         36 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  35  including a second locking mechanism which selectively promotes positioning of the second elongate member in the stored position. 
     
     
         37 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  36  including a third locking mechanism which selectively promotes positioning of the third elongate member in the deployed position. 
     
     
         38 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  37  including a fourth locking mechanism which selectively promotes positioning of the third elongate member in the stored position. 
     
     
         39 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  34 , wherein the first elongate member includes a first of a detent and a recessed region and wherein the second elongate member includes a second of the detent and the recessed region shaped to selectively couple with the first of the detent and the recessed region, the detent and the recessed region being positioned to promote positioning of the second elongate member in the deployed position. 
     
     
         40 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  34  and  39 , wherein the first elongate member includes one of a detent and a recessed region and wherein the second elongate member includes another of the detent and the recessed region shaped to selectively couple with the first of the detent and the recessed region and promote positioning of the second elongate member in the stored position. 
     
     
         41 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  34 , wherein the first elongate member includes a first of a detent and a recessed region and wherein the third elongate member includes a second of the detent and the recessed region shaped to selectively couple with the first of the detent and the recessed region, the detent and the recessed region being positioned to promote positioning of the third elongate member in the deployed position. 
     
     
         42 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  34  and  41 , wherein the first elongate member includes one of a detent and a recessed region and wherein the third elongate member includes another of the detent and the recessed region shaped to selectively couple with the one of the detent and the recessed region and promote positioning of the third elongate member in the stored position. 
     
     
         43 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  34 , wherein the first elongate member and the second elongate member are held in the deployed position via a first detent extending outwards from a first one of the first elongate member and the second elongate member and a first recessed region of a second one of the first elongate member and the second elongate member, and wherein the first elongate member and the second elongate member are held in the stored position via a second detent extending outwards from one of the first elongate member and the second elongate member and a second recessed region of the other of the first elongate member and the second elongate member. 
     
     
         44 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  34  and  43 , wherein the first elongate member and the third elongate member are held in the deployed position via a third detent extending outwards from a first one of the first elongate member and the third elongate member and a third recessed region of a second one of the first elongate member and the third elongate member, and wherein the first elongate member and the third elongate member are held in the stored position via a fourth detent extending outwards from one of the first elongate member and the third elongate member and a fourth recessed region of the other of the first elongate member and the third elongate member. 
     
     
         45 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  44  wherein the second elongate member includes a first of a first set of male and female members, wherein the first elongate member includes a second of the first set of male and female members which couples to the first of the first set of male and female members, wherein the third elongate member includes a first of a second set of male and female members, and wherein the first elongate member includes a second of the second set of male and female members which couples to the first of the second set of male and female members. 
     
     
         46 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  44  wherein the second elongate member couples to the first elongate member via a clevis, a tang and a corresponding pin which extends through the clevis thereof and the tang thereof. 
     
     
         47 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  44  and  46 , wherein the third elongate member couples to the first elongate member via a clevis, a tang and a corresponding pin which extends through the clevis thereof and the tang thereof. 
     
     
         48 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  47 , wherein the first elongate member includes a tang and a clevis spaced-apart from the tang thereof, wherein the second elongate member includes a clevis which receives the tang of the first elongate member and pivotally couples thereto via a first pin, and wherein the third elongate member includes a tang received by the clevis of the first elongate member and pivotally coupled thereto via a second pin. 
     
     
         49 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  48  wherein the second elongate member is foldable or collapsible relative to the first elongate member and wherein the third elongate member is foldable relative to the first elongate member. 
     
     
         50 . An ammunition loading apparatus according to  claims 1  to  49 , wherein the elongate members are shaped to facilitate loading of ammunition into a magazine. 
     
     
         51 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  50  wherein the second elongate member is channel-shaped. 
     
     
         52 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  51  wherein the third elongate member is channel-shaped. 
     
     
         53 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  52  wherein the second elongate member is shaped to receive a first end of the ammunition and wherein the third elongate member is shaped to second end of the ammunition. 
     
     
         54 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  53  wherein the first elongate member has a pair of spaced-apart ends via which the second elongate member and the third elongate member pivotally couple. 
     
     
         55 . An apparatus according to  claim 54 , wherein the first elongate member has a slot extending between the ends thereof, the slot of the first elongate member being shaped to enable the ammunition to selectively pass therethrough. 
     
     
         56 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  55  wherein the first elongate member includes a pair of side walls and has one or more apertures extending through at least one of the side walls thereof. 
     
     
         57 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  56  wherein at least the second elongate member includes a pair of side walls and has one or more apertures extending through at least one of the side walls thereof. 
     
     
         58 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  57  wherein the third elongate member includes an outwardly-extending protrusion shaped to function as a glass breaker. 
     
     
         59 . An apparatus of  claim 58  wherein the third elongate member has a proximal end via which the third elongate member pivotally couples to the first elongate member and wherein the protrusion is adjacent and extends outwards from the proximal end of the third elongate member. 
     
     
         60 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 58  to  59 , wherein the protrusion tapers outwards. 
     
     
         61 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 58  to  59 , wherein the protrusion is conical. 
     
     
         62 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 58  to  59 , wherein the protrusion is a triangular prism in shape. 
     
     
         63 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  62 , wherein the second elongate member includes a channel having a slot which the ammunition is received in part. 
     
     
         64 . An apparatus according to  claim 63 , wherein the slot of the channel of the second elongate member has an enlarged portion to facilitate passage of the ammunition therein. 
     
     
         65 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 63  to  64 , wherein the channel of the second elongate member has a choke point. 
     
     
         66 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 63  to  65 , wherein the second elongate member includes a channel having a slot with a tapered portion. 
     
     
         67 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 63  to  66 , wherein the channel has a pair of surfaces that are outwardly concave. 
     
     
         68 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 63  to  67 , wherein the second elongate member includes one or more end slots extending parallel to the slot of the channel thereof, the one or more end slots being shaped to enable the second elongate member to selectively bias outwards when the bullet end of the ammunition passes therethrough. 
     
     
         69 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 63  to  68 , wherein the second elongate member includes a pair of resilient members shaped selectively bias outwards when the bullet end of the ammunition passes therethrough. 
     
     
         70 . An apparatus of  claim 69  wherein the resilient members include enlarged end portions. 
     
     
         71 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 63  to  70 , wherein the channel of the second elongate member is shaped to promote pivoting of the bullet ends of the ammunition upwards, thereby causing primer ends of the ammunition to pass through the first elongate member first. 
     
     
         72 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  70  wherein the third elongate member includes a channel having a slot via a stripper clip is received. 
     
     
         73 . An apparatus according to  claim 72 , wherein the slot of the channel of the third elongate member has an enlarged portion to facilitate passage of the stripper clip therein. 
     
     
         74 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 72  to  73 , wherein the channel of the third elongate member is shaped to snugly receive the stripper clip therewithin. 
     
     
         75 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 72  to  74  wherein the channel of the third elongate member has a width shaped to correspond with a width of the stripper clip and wherein the channel of the third elongate member has a depth shaped to correspond with a height of the stripper clip. 
     
     
         76 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 72  to  75  wherein the third elongate member includes a stopper shaped to inhibit the stripper clip from passing into the magazine. 
     
     
         77 . An apparatus according to  claim 76 , wherein the stopper has a top shaped to abut a bottom of the stripper clip when the stripper clip is fully inserted into the third elongate member. 
     
     
         78 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 76  to  77 , wherein the stopper has a slanted surface shaped to face the magazine. 
     
     
         79 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 76  to  78 , wherein the stopper is a quadrilateral prism in shape. 
     
     
         80 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 76  to  79 , wherein the stopper is a triangular prism in shape. 
     
     
         81 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  80  wherein the second elongate member pivots about an axis of rotation which is offset from the longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
         82 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  81  wherein the second elongate member pivots about an axis of rotation which is offset from the longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
         83 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  82 , wherein the second elongate member and the third elongate member are guides. 
     
     
         84 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  83 , wherein the first elongate member is a magazine mount. 
     
     
         85 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  84 , wherein the second elongate member is an ammunition guide arm. 
     
     
         86 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  85 , wherein the third elongate member is a stripper-clip holder. 
     
     
         87 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  86 , wherein one or more of the first elongate member and the second elongate member has stippling along one or more exterior surfaces thereof. 
     
     
         88 . An apparatus according to  claim 87 , wherein the stippling is shaped to facilitate gripping of the apparatus. 
     
     
         89 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  86 , wherein one or more of the first elongate member and the second elongate member has a fish scale pattern along one or more exterior surfaces thereof. 
     
     
         90 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  86 , wherein the first elongate member has a plurality of grip-promoting shapes on one or more exterior surfaces thereof, the grip-promoting shapes tapering towards one of the top and the bottom of the first elongate member. 
     
     
         91 . An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: three elongate channels pivotally coupled together, the elongate channels having a deployed position within which ammunition is received and being collapsible or foldable to a stored position when not in use. 
     
     
         92 . An apparatus according to  claim 91 , wherein at least one of: the apparatus is u-shaped when in the deployed position; and the apparatus is a rectangular prism in the stored position thereof. 
     
     
         93 . An apparatus comprising the first elongate member and the second elongate member according to any one of  claims 1  to  92 . 
     
     
         94 . An apparatus consisting of the first elongate member and the second elongate member according to any one of  claims 1  to  92 . 
     
     
         95 . An apparatus comprising the first elongate member and the third elongate member according to any one of  claims 1  to  92 . 
     
     
         96 . An apparatus consisting of the first elongate member and the third elongate member according to any one of  claims 1  to  92 . 
     
     
         97 . An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: a first elongate member shaped to abut to a magazine cartridge and enable ammunition to selectively pass therethrough; and a second member pivotally coupled to the first elongate member and shaped to receive a stripper clip, the first elongate member and the second elongate member being collapsible or foldable when not in use. 
     
     
         98 . An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: a first elongate member; and a second elongate member coupled to and extending outwards from the first elongate member when in use to facilitate passing of respective ammunition through the first elongate member, the second elongate member being contoured to extend along or within the first elongate member when not in use. 
     
     
         99 . An ammunition loading apparatus comprising: first and second elongate members each having a longitudinal axis, with the second elongate member pivotally coupling to the first elongate member about an axis of rotation which is offset from the longitudinal axes thereof. 
     
     
         100 . An ammunition loading apparatus according to any one of  claims 97  to  99 , wherein the second elongate member is shaped in part to receive ammunition therewithin in a deployed position and wherein the elongate members are moveable from the deployed position thereof to a stored position thereof when not in use. 
     
     
         101 . An apparatus according to  claim 100 , wherein the apparatus is L-shaped in lateral profile when the first elongate member and the second elongate member are in the deployed position. 
     
     
         102 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 100  to  101 , wherein the elongate members are shaped to be compact in the stored position. 
     
     
         103 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 100  to  102 , wherein the apparatus is substantially a rectangular prism in outer shape when the first elongate member and the second elongate member are in the stored position. 
     
     
         104 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 100  to  103 , wherein the second elongate member includes a channel with an outer portion and an inner portion in fluid communication with and wider than the outer portion. 
     
     
         105 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 100  to  103 , wherein the second elongate member includes a channel with an inner portion shaped to receive a stripper clip therewithin and an outer portion shaped to receive cartridges therebetween. 
     
     
         106 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 100  to  103 , wherein the second elongate member includes a channel, wherein the channel has an inner portion having a width substantially equal to that of a stripper clip, and wherein the channel has an outer portion having a width substantially equal to that of a cartridge. 
     
     
         107 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 100  to  106 , wherein the second elongate member includes a channel that is T-shaped in lateral section. 
     
     
         108 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  107 , wherein the ammunition comprises a plurality of cartridges for a firearm. 
     
     
         109 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  108 , wherein the apparatus is a magazine loader or magazine charger. 
     
     
         110 . In combination, a stripper clip and an ammunition loading apparatus according to any of one  claims 1  to  109 . 
     
     
         111 . In combination, a firearm and an ammunition loading apparatus according to any of one  claims 1  to  109 . 
     
     
         112 . A combination according to any of  claims 110  to  111 , further including a plurality of cartridges.