US2887811A - Cartridge clip for loading box magazines - Google Patents

Description

May 26, 1959 8 M. MQJOHNSON, JR

CARTRIDGE CLIP FOR LOADING BOX MAGAZINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 9, 1955 Q mm T H M m] m n Q N May 26, 1959 M. M. JOHNSON, JR 2,837,811

CARTRIDGE CLIP FOR LOADING BOX MAGAZINES Filed June 9, 1955 v I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 4. D a I N (3 Q N N INVENTOR. Me/v/n M fa/m orzf May 26, 1959 'M. M. JOHNSON, JR 8 CARTRIDGE CLIP FOR LOADING BoX MAGAZINES v INVENTOR. Me/wh Mfahnsonjr:

iZZIZIZ 'JI fltiornejs Patented May 26, 1959 ice CARTRIDGE CLIP FOR LOADING BOX MAGAZINES Melvin M. Johnson, In, New Haven, Coma, assignor to Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, New Haven, Conn a corporation of Virginia Application June 9, 1955, Serial No. 514,353

7 Claims. (CI. 42-87) This invention relates generally to the loading of firearms and more particularly to means for and methods of quickly loading firearms of the type embodying a box magazine and designed to function either semi-automatically or fully automatically in respect to transferring cartridges from the magazine to the chamber of the barrel. Customarily such box magazine is detachably mounted on the firearm, and commonly it is manually loaded with cartridges while detached or dismounted from the firearm, after which it is mounted on the firearm and securely held in proper position thereon by suitable catch or lock means. The present invention is concerned with loading firearms of this general type involving the use of clips which hold the multiple cartridge supply.

One expedient heretofore employed has been to use a form of strip clip which releasably holds a column of cartridges and from which the latter may be stripped into the box magazine while it is mounted on the firearm. To this end, the loaded clip is positioned with its delivery end directly over the open receiver of the firearm and in' proper alignment with the mounted magazine thereon, whereupon the cartridges are stripped by hand from the clip and thus introduced in their column formation through the receiver into the magazine against the force of the customary spring-urged follower provided therein. The clip is usually discarded as soon as the cartridges are stripped therefrom. Either the receiver or the magazine is customarily provided with rigid cartridge retaining lips,"between which may be loaded a single column of cartridges, the cartridges sometimes forming double columns after they are loaded in the magazine. When the breech bolt is opened, the retaining lips stop the topmost cartridge in position for chambering by the bolt as the cartridges in the magazine are successively fed by the follower into the receiver in operating the firearm.

In another form of firearm-loading of the above type recourse is had to an en-bloc type of clip which is used in conjunction with the Well-known Garand rifle, for example. In this instance, the clip holds the cartridges in two orderly arranged columns thus loaded, and is inserted into the appropriately formed receiver of the rifle. The clip remains in the receiver until all the cartridges therein have been fed into the chamber and fired, Whereupon it is automatically ejected from the receiver.

While the aforementioned modes of clip-type loading still aiford the quickest loading of firearms with multiple cartridge supplies and up to now have been preferred for that reason, they leave much to be desired in several important respects. Thus, strip clips heretofore used may hold only a single column of rounds or cartridges, ordinarily not more than five in a column. These limitations upon the number of columns of cartridges in such a strip clip and upon the number of cartridges in a column are compelled by the fact that difiiculty is sometimes encountered in stripping even the limited number of cartridges in a single column from the clip when injecting them into the magazine. This difficulty arises because such prior strip clips do not exclude occasional deviations of a cartridge from the orderly column arrangement and consequent blocking of the injection of the entire column into the magazine. This difficulty would simply be multiplied if the number of cart-ridge columns or the number of cartridges in a column were to be increased. On the other hand, the military in particular, as well as civilian law-enforcing bodies, persistently stress the urgent need of being able to quickly load firearm magazines from clips holding a much larger number of cartridges than present-day strip clips, whereby to afiord more rounds for firing before a magazine requires reloading and to permit carrying a larger supply of clip-mounted ammunition of lighter overall Weight and smaller overall bulk than was possible heretofore. Furthermore, the conventional strip clip does not lend itself to the loading of a magazine while the latter is removed from the firearm, because the clip is designed to cooperatively engage the top of the receiver for accurate positioning thereon in proper alignment with the mounted magazine below.

As for the aforementioned en-bloc clip used in conjunction With the Garand rifle, one of its drawbacks emphasized by the military is that quick insertion of this clip into the receiver requires considerably greater dexterity than is possessed by many in the Armed Forces. Hence there is a demand for clip-type loading that requires less skill for satisfactory performance. Moreover, while the en-bloc clip holds cartridges in double-column formation, the number it holds falls far short of modern demands. This is due to the fact that the clip takes the place of a magazine and is to be received in its entirety within the limited confines of the receiver, thereby imposing drastic limitations upon the size of the clip, hence also upon the number of cartridges that can be accommodated therein.

It is a primary general object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned limitations and shortcomings of the previous modes of clip-loading of firearms and otherwise to improve the same.

Thus, it is a particular object of the invention to provide a clip which may hold a considerably larger number of cartridges than has heretofore been practicable, Whether in single or multiple column, without giving rise to difiiculty in transferring the cartridges into a firearm.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel method of loading a box magazine from a cartridge clip so that the magazine may be quickly and easily loaded either while it is removed from or when it is assembled in the firearm. According to this loading method, a clip of novel construction, hereinafter sometimes referred to as the pull-type clip, loaded with one or more columns of cartridges, is inserted into the open end of the magazine until the topmost cartridge or cartridges, depending on the number of cartridge columns in the clip, is or are held within the magazine by resilient retaining means. The clip is then simply pulled from the magazine stripping the cartridges from the clip and leaving them in the magazine due to the fact that the cartridges are held by said retaining means.

A further object of the invention is to prevent the cartridges from deviating from their proper column alignment while they are being inserted into the'magazine, especially as they pass the above-mentioned retaining means, thereby permitting quick, easy loading of the magazine with far greater reliability yet with less skill required than has been necessary heretofore in firearms of this type. Moreover, the present invention makes quick loading practical even when the cartridges are arranged in multiple columns in order to substantially increase the number of cartridges capable of being loaded.

Another object of the invention is to provide afire- 3' 7 arm receiver so constructed as to permit the loading a mounted magazine thereon by inserting thereinto said pull-type clip of cartridges in accordance with the abovedescribed loading method.

A further object of the invention is to provide a firearm magazine so constructed as to permit its being loaded by inserting such pull-type clip of cartridges in accordance with the aforesaid loading method; also so to construct such a clip that the same readily lends itself to the loading of a box magazine in accordance with the method above described, regardless of whether the magazine is mounted on or has been removed from the firearm.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pulltype clip which has suitable provision at both ends serving, on the one hand, to restrain the cartridges therein against unintended removal therefrom both when the clip of cartridges is being carried for future magazine loading and also when it is being inserted into a magazine, while on the other hand permitting ready loading of the clip of cartridges into a magazine and pulling the clip from said magazine with little effort and without taking along the cartridges in the magazine, once they are in retaining relation withthe aforementioned retaining provision of the receiver or of the magazine, as the case may be.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pulltype clip so constructed as to provide not only for the reception of cartridges in orderly column arrangement and for easy handling of the clip loaded with cartridges to facilitate inserting the same into a magazine and its subsequent retraction therefrom minus the cartridges, but also for accomplishing insertion of the loaded clip into a magazine with minimum effort and with practically no tilting or other undesired movement of the cartridges as they successively engage and pass the aforesaid resilient retaining means, specifically spring lips.

Further objects and advantages will appear to those skilled in the art from the following, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, in which certain modes of carrying out the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pull clip embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the same pull cliploaded with cartridges;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section through the pull clip as taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front view of the loaded pull clip with a handle thereon in a certain position;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the handle end of the pull clip grasped by an operators hand;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a firearm receiver with an attached magazine, and a loaded pull clip held in position for its insertion through the receiver into the attached magazine;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation, of the firearm receiver with attached magazine, and the pull clip in the process of being pulled from the magazine through the receiver;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary cross-section through the firearm receiver and attached magazine as taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the magazine detached from its firearm receiver;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged transverse section through the magazine and the inserted cartridge-loaded pull clip therein, certain cut-away parts being shown in dot-anddash lines to indicate their coordination with each other and with the magazine and cartridge-loaded clip;

Figs. 11 and 12 are perspective views of certain elements in the firearm receiver of Fig. 6;

Figs. 13 and 14 are fragmentary sections through a firearm receiver showing a modified cartridge retainer lip arrangement therein;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified box magazine which lends itself to loading with cartridges from a pull clip while detached from its firearm receiver;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary front view of a cartridgeloaded pull clip having a modified handle arrangement; and

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 1717 of Fig. 16.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the reference numeral 20 designates a pull clip which forms an important part of the present invention, and comprises a channel-like track 22 having a bottom 24 and opposite sides 26 and 28, and a handle 30. The track 22, which may be made from a relatively light sheet steel or any other suitable material, is adapted to retain cartridges 0 in erect disposition and orderly columnar formation therein and permit their stripping in that formation from the track longitudinally thereof. To this end, the opposite sides 26 and 28 of the track are provided with inwardly projecting guide ribs 32 and 34, respectively, which may conveniently be formed by depressions in the respective track sides, and which register with the extractor grooves 36 in the cartridges and retain the latter in the track against removal therefrom other than their aforementioned longitudinal stripping therefrom (see also Fig. 3).

In accordance with a magazine-loading method, which forms another important part of the present invention, the instant clip 20 is adapted to be inserted with its cartridgeloaded track 22 into a box magazine through the open top thereof, whereupon the clip is retracted from the magazine while the cartridges are retained in the latter and, in consequence, become stripped from the track. To this end, the handle 30 of the clip serves to facilitate the insertion of the cartridge-loaded track 22 into a magazine and its subsequent retraction n'om the latter without the cartridges. Accordingly, it is the end 38 of the track, opposite from the handle 30, from which the cartridges are normally stripped.

In the present instance, the opposite sides 26 and 28 of the track 22 are spaced apart to receive and hold cartridges in two staggered columns and 42, the guide ribs 32 and 34 on the opposite track sides 26 and 28 registering with the extractor grooves 36in the cartridges in the respective columns 40 and 42 (FigsQZ and 3). In order to hold the cartridges in the track 22 in their close double-column formation and prevent their escape from either end of the track, except when they are deliberately stripped from the end 38 thereof in a magazine as aforementioned, the track is at its opposite ends provided with pairs of inwardly projecting retainer ears 44 and 46, respectively, of which the ears of each pair are offset from each other longitudinally of the track so as to engage the adjacent endmost cartridges, respectively, in the staggered double-column in the track in the fashion shown in Fig. 2. The retainer ears 46 at the strip end 38 of the track are conveniently formed by inwardly bent end lengths of slit marginal end portions 48 of the opposite track sides 26 and 28 (Fig. 1). These slit marginal end portions 48 of the opposite track sides 26 and 28 are sufficiently long to lend spring characteristics to the cars 46 so that the latter will yield outwardly and permit the aforementioned stripping of the cartridges in their staggered double-column formation from the end 38 of the track in a magazine without undue effort on the part of an operator, yet will prevent escape of cartridges from the track thereat in normal carrying or handling of the loaded clip. The other retainer ears 44 at the opposite end 52 of the track may similarly be formed by inwardly bent end lengths of slit marginal end portions 50 of the opposite track sides 26 and 28 (Fig. '1). However, these slit marginal end portions 50 of the opposite track sides 26 and 28 are preferably shorter than their counter parts 48 at the strip end 38 of the track so as to leave the ears 44 stifier and less yielding than the ears 46 for a purpose described hereinafter. As shown in Fig. 2, the retainer ears of either pair 44 or 46 are sufficiently spaced apart to admit one cartridge at a time into the track 22 without having to spread the ears of either pair apart. Accordingly, the track 22 may be loaded from either end with cartridges which are compelled into staggered double-column formation therein by the opposite track sides 26 and 28, the last cartridge to be placed in the track being snapped into retaining relation with the adjacent endmost car 44 or 46, as the case may be.

The handle 30 is, in the present instance, linked to the adjacent end 52 of the track. To this end, a typical bail 54 is pivotally connected at one end with a hinge plate 56 on the track bottom 24 and at its other end with the handle 30. The handle 30 itself is, in the present instance, of elongated channel shape of which the opposite sides 58 and 60 terminate in thrust pads 62 and 64, respectively (Figs. 1 and 4). By virtue of its bail connection 54 with the track 22, the handle 30 may be swung into longitudinal alignment with the track 22 for optimum pull effect of the former on the latter (Fig. 5), and may also be swung to one side of the track into end engagement with the double cartridge column 40, 42 therein (Figs. 4 and 6) to serve as a convenient pusher in inserting the cartridge-loaded clip into a magazine. Since the pivot axes of the bail connections with the track 22 and handle 30 are parallel and extend at right angles to the longitudinal track axis, the handle cannot twist relative to the track. The thrust pads 62 and 64 on the handle 30 are offset from each other to the same extent as the adjacent topmost cartridges in a staggered double column in the track 22 (Fig. 4), and since the handle cannot twist, as explained, the thrust pads 62 and 64 will, on swinging the handle against these topmost cartridges, unfailingly engage the latter and assuredly impart equal thrust to them on pressing the handle thereagainst. Preferably, the thrust pads 62 and 64 are of arcuate shape to approximate the peripheries of the cartridges which they are adapted to engage, and are so coordinated as to straddle the adjacent topmost cartridges in a staggered double column in the track 22 in the fashion shown in Fig.4, in order to cooperate with the track in holding the cartridge columns 40 and 42 therein in side-by-side abutment with each other even outside the confines of the track and thereby greatly facilitate their insertion with the track into a magazine, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The bail 54 is pivotally connected with the handle 30 intermediate its ends, and preferably substantially midway of its length, in order to serve as a most convenient puller in retracting the track 22 without its cartridges from a magazine (Figs. 5 and 7). Thus, the lengths of the handle 30 on opposite sides of its pivot connection with the bail 54 may readily be grasped by an operators fingers in the fashion shown in Fig. 5 for pulling the same with maximum effect and least effort. Also, when the handle 30 isused as a puller, the same is preferably swung into the inverted position shown in Fig. 7 in order. that an operators fingers may pull on the relatively smooth bottom 68, of the handle without any discomfort.

stock 74, and threadedly receives in its forward end, as at 76 (Fig. 7), a barrel 78 having the usual projectile discharge bore 80 and rear chamber 82. The inner surfaceQof the receiver-70 is formed in the usual manner to provide suitable guide means for a breech bolt 86 .lock with a notch 108 in the magazine.

.in for better illustration of its construction.

with its firing pin 88. The breech bolt 86 is provided with a handle 90 for itsmanipulation into the retracted position shown in Figs. 6 and 7, andalso into its closed position in which the same is seated in a recess 92 in the rear of the barrel 78 (Fig. 7) and is slightly turned, counter-clockwise as viewed in Fig. 6, so as to bring its handle 90 into interlock with a notch 94 in the receiver. When the breech bolt 86 is locked and it is desired to open the bolt, the handle 90 may be lifted out of the notch 94 turning the bolt 86, whereupon it may be retracted to its open position shown in Fig. 7.

The top of the receiver 70 is provided witha transverse aperture 98 (Figs. 6 to 8) through which the cartridges may be loaded into the magazine and the empty cartridge cases are ejected after the gun has been fired. The magazine 72 is releasably secured within an aperture 99 in the bottom of receiver 70 by a dog 100 which is pivotally mounted at 102 in a recessed lug 104 on the receiver, and is suitably spring-urged into the position shown in Fig. 7 in which its nose 106 is in inter- In order to remove the magazine from the receiver it is merely necessary to pivot the dog 100' out of interlock with the notch 108 in the magazine and retract the latter from the aperture 99 in the receiver.

The instant magazine, which also forms a part of the present invention, has the usual sidewalls 110, endwalls 112, bottom wall 114 and opentop 116 (Figs. 6, 7 and 9). Secured to the opposite sidewalls of the magazine 72 are outer transverse bars 118 and 120, respectively, which serve accurately to locate the magazine on the receiver when being attached thereto and while attached thereto. Thus, the magazine, in order to be attached to the receiver, is inserted with its open top end into the aperture 99 therein until the bars 118 and 120 rest uniformly against adjacent machined surfaces 122 and 124, respectively, on the receiver (Fig. 8), whereupon the depressed. dog 100 is released so as to be spring-urged into interlock with the notch 108 in the magazine (Fig. 7) for secure retention of the latter in the receiver.

Provided in the magazine 72 is the customary springurged follower 126 which is adapted to feed the cartridges thereinprogressively into position for chambering by the breech bolt 86.. The follower spring 128 is in the customary manner interposed between the bottom wall 114 of the magazine and the follower 126 therein. Although the magazine 72 in Fig. 6 is empty, the cartridge follower 126 is shown in depressed position there- Moreover, in Fig. 8 the magazine is shown half empty, while in Fig. 7 the magazine is full.

The magazine 72 is, in the present instance, also provided at its open top .With a pair of opposed cartridge retainer lips 130 and 131 which are formed by spring members 132 that are suitably mounted at 134 on the respective magazine bars 118 and 120 (Fig. 9). The retainer lips 130 and 131 extend beyond the open top 116 of the magazine to the same level disposition and project toward eachother in order alternately to engage the topmost cartridges, respectively, in a staggered double column in the magazine and hold them partly within and partly without the confines of the latter (Fig. 8), as more fully explained hereinafter.

Provided within the receiver 70 are further pairs of opposed cartridge retainer lips 136 and 138 (Figs. 6 to 8) which are formed by spring members 140 and 142 (see also Figs. 11 and.12) that are suitably secured by means of their respective base flanges 144 to the receiver. The cartridge retainer lips 130, 131 and 136, 138 on the magazine 72 and in the receiver 70 are on the same level when themagazine is attached to the receiver (Fig. 6). Thus, the lips 131 and 138 on the magazine and receiver, respectively (Fig. 6) cooperate to engage the presently topmost cartridge 0' in a stag- 7 gered double column in the magazine and hold it partly within and partly without the confines of the latter (Fig. 8), so that the cartridge is in the path of forward travel of the retracted breech bolt 86 into its closed position and, hence, in chambering relation with the same. Of course, the lips 13-1 and 138, by holding the adjacent topmost cartridge 0' in position for chambering as explained (Fig. 8), also retain all other cartridges in the magazine in their staggered double column formation therein. After chambering the cartridge c by closing and locking the breech bolt 86, and firing the chambered cartridge, the breech bolt is retracted whereupon the remaining cartridges in the magazine are in their staggered double column formation advanced by the spring-urged follower 126 toward the open end 116 of the magazine until the then topmost cartridge c (Fig. 8) engages the adjacent retainer'lips 130 and 136 on the magazine and receiver, respectively (see also Fig. 6). The then topmost cartridge 0 is retained by the lips 130 and 136 in position for chambering by the breech bolt 86, and all remaining cartridges in the magazine are again retained therein in their staggered double column formation "by the retained top cartridge 0". In this manner, the lips 131, 138 and the lips 130, 136 alternate in retaining the topmost cartridge in a staggered double column in the attached magazine in position for chambering by the breech bolt'as the spring-urged follower 126 feeds the cartridges in the magazine progressively into position for chatnbering.

Loading of the attached magazine 72 on the receiver 70 with cartridges from the earlier described pull clip 20 is achieved by the aforementioned method, according to which the cartridge-loaded track 22 of the clip is with its strip end 38 inserted through the open receiver into the attached magazine until the topmost cartridges in the track are in retaining relation with the lips 131,- 138 and 130, 136, respectively, in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 8, whereupon the clip is retracted from the magazine through the open receiver in the course of which the lip-retained cartridges in the magazine become stripped from the track 22 in the manner shown in Fig. 7.

Insertion of the cartridge-loaded track 22 of the pull clip 20 through the open receiver 70 into the attached magazine 72 in accordance with the aforementioned method makes it imperative that the spring retainer lips 130, 131 and 136, 138 on the magazine and receiver, respectively, be spread apart to permit the passage of the cartridge-loaded track. To this end, the retainer lips 130,

131 and 136, 138 are provided with inclined extensions 150 and 152, respectively, which in the present instance cooperate with the track 22 and with the cartridges 0 therein, respectively, in camming these retainer lips apart as the cartridge-loaded track is passed through the aperture 98 in the receiver on its way into the attached magazine 72. Since the retainer lips 130 and 131 in their instant location on the magazine 72 will be cammed apart by the track 22 itself as the latter is with its cartridge load inserted through the open receiver into the attached magazine (see also Fig. it devolves upon the remaining lips 136 and 138 in the receiver 70 to retain the inserted cartridges therein and cause them to be stripped from the track 22 as the clip 20 is being withdrawn from the magazine through the receiver. However, the lips 130 and 131 on the attached magazine will, immediately on retraction of the track 22 therebeyond, be urged into their respective normal cartridge-retaining positions (Fig. 6) and cooperate with the respective lips 136 and 138 in the receiver alternately to hold the topmost cartridges in a staggered double column in the magazine in position for chambering by the breech bolt 86.

Fig. 6 shows the attached magazine 72 on the receiver 70 empty, and an operators hand is shown holding a cartridge-loaded pull clip 20 in alignment with the open aperture 98 in thdreceiver, ready for its insertion therethrough into the attached magazine for loading the latter with the cartridges from the clip. To facilitate the insertion of the cartridge-loaded track 22 of the clip' 20 through the aperture 98 in the receiver 70 and past the yelding retainer lips 130, 131, 136 and 138 therein, the handle 39 has been swung against the double cartridge column in the track with its thrust pads 62 and 64 uniformly engaging the adjacent topmost cartridges in the staggered double column. The operator may then with the palm of the hand exert downward thrust simultaneously on the track 22 and handle 30, or merely on the latter, in order to force the cartridge-loaded track through the receiver 70 past the yielding retaining lips 130, 131, 136 and 13%; therein into the attached magazine 72. Downward thrust by the operators hand on the handle 30 alone for the insertion of the cartridge-loaded track 22 through the open receiver 70 past the yielding retainer lips 130, 131, 136 and 138 therein into the magazine is feasible where the resistance offered by the retainer lips and 131 to the passing track is clearly insuflicient to overcome the cartridge-retaining force of the spring ears 46 and such frictional resistance as may be encountered by the cartridges in the track and resists their stripping from the end 38 thereof. In any event, theexe'rtion by an operator on the handle 30 in its thrust position (Fig. 6) of part or all of the thrust requisite for the insertion of the cartridge-loaded track through the open receiver past the yielding retainer lips therein into the attached magazine, will greatly facilitate the latter task, for whatever thrust is imparted by the handle to the adjacent topmost cartridges in the track substantially in line with the median longitudinal axis of the double cartridge column therein will effectively prevent any tilting or skewing tendencies of the latter in the track which, if permitted, might well cause serious jamming of the cartridges in the receiver especially between the retainer lips therein. Moreover, the task of inserting the cartridge-loaded track 22 through the receiver into the magazine is further facilitated by the aforementioned straddling of the topmost cartridges in the track 22 by the thrust pads 62 and 64 on the handle 30 which tends to hold the cartridge columns 40 and 42 in the track in side-by-side abutment with each other and prevent lateral deviation of cartridges therefrom outside the confines of the track and, hence, jamming of cartridges in the receiver when forcing the loaded track thereinto.

Pulling the clip 20 from the magazine 72 through the receiver 70 for stripping the inserted cartridges in the magazine from the track 22, thus to complete the task of loading the magazine, is achieved most conveniently and with comparatively little effort by pulling on the handle 30 in its position shown in Figs; 5 and 7. The retainer ears 46 at the strip end 38 of the track 22 will under the direct pull action of the handle '30 readily yield outwardly and ride over the adjacent retained cartridges in the magazine, and spring back into their normal cartridge retaining positions on clearing the topmost cartridges in the magazine. Each sidewall 110 of the magazine, at a location adjacent the path traveled by retainer ears 46 as the pull clip is being withdrawn from the magazine in the stripping operation, is formed to project outwardly as indicated at (Figs. 9 and 10) a suflicient distance to afilord clearance for said ears 46 when they are forced apart by engagement with the cartridges held stationary in the magazine. The opposed lips 136, 138 in the receiver 70 next to the lips 130, 131 on the magazine 72 are preferably located in close proximity to the track 22 of the inserted pull clip (Fig. 7) in order to prevent canting of the retained cartridges in the magazine upon retraction of the clip therefrom.

While the pull clip 20 has hereinbefore been described in conjunction with the loading of an attached box magazine on a firearm receiver, the same may be used with equal advantage for loading a box magazine while the same is removed or dismounted from a firearm receiver. Thus, the pull clip 20 may be used for loading the nonattached box magazine 170 (Fig. which may in all respects be like the described magazine 72, except that the cartridge retainer lips 172 and 174 on the spring members 176 and 178, respectively, are located out of the region of the track 22 of the clip on its insertion into the magazine, so that these lips will be in retaining relation with the inserted cartridges in the magazine while the track 22 is still in the latter, and will hold the cartridges in the magazine for their stripping from the track when the latter is pulled from the magazine. The retainer lips 172 and 174 have inclined extensions 180 and 182, respectively, which cooperate with the cartridges in the track in camming the lips 172 and 174 apart on the insertion of the cartridge-loaded track into the magazine. The instant magazine 170, modified from the earlier de scribed magazine 72 to the extent indicated above, may, of course, be loaded also while attached to a firearm receiver. Thus, the instant magazine 170 may be loaded with cartridges from a pull clip while attached to the firearm receiver 70 in Figs. 6 and 7, for instance, in which case, however, the retainer lips 136, 138 in the receiver would have to be moved forwardly somewhat in order that the retainer lips 172 and 174 on the instant magazine 170 may be accommodated in the receiver without interfering with the other retainer lips therein.

In order to ensure that the cartridges remain in the magazine when the clip is pulled from the magazine as shown in Fig. 7, the opposed lips 136, 138 must resist both the pressure of the cartridge follower and the stripping force of the retainer ears 46 of the clip on the cartridges. Lips 136, 138 and their spring members 140, 142 are, therefore, made of considerably heavier or stiffer material than the ears 46 of the clip. Likewise,

the retainer lips 172, 174 and spring members 176, 178

of the modified magazine shown in Fig. 15 must of course be made strong enough to retain the cartridges if the magazine is loaded before it is mounted on the gun.

It should be mentioned here that while the retaining lips 136, 138 are preferably mounted in the receiver 70 as shown, it is also possible to mount these lips on the magazine 72 either in place of or in addition to the lips 130, 131 of the magazine shown in Fig. 9 or lips 172, 174 of the magazine shown in Fig. 15. However, if the lips are provided only on the magazine and not in the receiver they may be bent during transportation or in handling. Since these lips guide the cartridge into the chamber during the loading operation, the gun may not function properly if the cartridge retaining lips become damaged in any way. Consequently, it is more desirable to mount the lips 136, 138 in the receiver 70 where they are not so likely to be damaged.

Figs. 16 and 17 show a pull clip 20 which differs from the earlier described clip in the handle arrangement. The modified handle 186 is, as before, connected with the track 22 by a bail 188, and is swingable into longitudinal alignment with the track for pulling purposes, and also to one side of the track with its thrust pads 190 and 192 uniformly engaging the adjacent topmost cartridges in the track (Fig. 16). The opposite sides 194 and 196 of the channel-shaped handle 186 have longitudinal extensions 198 and 200, respectively, the ends of which are so spaced from the pivot connection 202 of the handle with the bail 188 that they bear against the hinge plate 204 on the bottom 206 of the track when the handle is swung into its thrust position in which its thmst pads 190 and 192 bear against the topmost cartridges in the track. The extensions 108 and 200 on the handle are furthermore so arranged that they will, in the thrust position of the handle, bear against the hinge plate 204 between the bail 188 and the topmost cartridges in the track. Accordingly, the handle 186 is in its thrust position effectively locked to the track against turning motion relative thereto clockwise beyond its thrust position in Fig. 17 and, hence, will impart thrust exerted thereon substantially equally to the track as well as to the cartridges therein for ready insertion of the cartridgeloaded track into a magazine.

As has been mentioned hereinbefore, it is essential that the retainer lips in the receiver hold the cartridges in the magazine against the thrust of the cartridge follower and the additional tendency of the clip to withdraw the cartridges when it is pulled from the magazine. To this end, means for positively preventing the opposed lips from being spread apart after the magazine is loaded may be provided. Thus, Figs. 13 and 14 show a modified retainer lip arrangement in a firearm receiver which may be used advantageously in conjunction with the loading of an attached magazine with cartridges from a pull clip. During the stripping of the inserted cartridges in the magazine from the track on retraction of the latter from the magazine through the receiver, the retainer lips in the receiver are called upon to resist ejection of the cartridges from the magazine with maximum force, for it is then that the cartridge-feeding force of the springurged cartridge follower in the magazine is augmented by the cartridge-pulling tendency of whatever resistance against stripping of the cartridges is encountered by them in the track. Hence, provisions are made on at least two opposite retainer lips on the magazine or in the receiver positively to prevent them from giving way, accidentally permitting the escape of cartridges from the magazine. Figs. 13 and 14 show one of these, opposite retainer lips 210 provided with a lock pin 212, it being understood that the opposite companion lip on the magazine or in the receiver may be provided with a similar lock pin performing the same function as the lock pin 212. The pin 212, which is axially slidable in the spring lip 210 and in the outwardly extending flange on the cam extension 216 thereon, is normally urged by a spring 218 into the position shown in Fig. 13 in which a collar 220 on the pin rests against the lip 210 and the top end 222 of the pin is retracted into the flange on the cam extension 216 so that the spring lip may yield into the space 224 within the receiver 226 on the passage of a cartridge-loaded track through the latter into the attached magazine. On the other hand, if the adjacent topmost cartridge 0'' in the attached magazine is urged upwardly toward the spring lip 210 (Fig. 14), either by the action alone of the cartridge follower in the magazine or by this follower action and the added pull on the column of cartridges caused by the stripping of the cartridges in the magazine from the track, the cartridge c'" will depress the pin 212 and bring its upper-end 222 into interlock with a notch 228 in the receiver, thereby locking'the spring lip 210 against yielding into the space 224 in the receiver 226 and, hence, preventing the escape of the cartridge 0" fi'om the magazine past the lip 210 in any event.

While the exemplary pull clip 20 described hereinbefore is constructed to hold a multiple cartridge column, and more specifically a staggered double cartridge column, it is, of course, fully within the scope of the present invention to provide a clip of this pull type which may hold a single column of cartridges, the changes to be made on the disclosed magazine and receiver for the reception of the latter clip being mostly dimensional, as will be readily understood.

The magazine may, if desired, still be loaded manually without the pull clip when it is either inside or outside the receiver of the firearm in the usual manner. However, by the use of the clip, the magazine may be loaded much more quickly, especially when inside the receiver. It is not necessary, therefore, for the soldier using the weapon to carry a number of heavy magazines but only a number of considerably lighter clips, preloaded for insertion in the magazine as required.

What is claimed is:

1. A pull clip for loading a firearm box magazine, comprising an elongated track constructed to retain cartridges aligned in columnar formation thereon and permit stripping them from the track longitudinally thereof; and a handle linked to one end of said track so as to be swingable into longitudinal alignment with the latter for optimum pull efiect of said handle on the track, and also swingable into end engagement with a columnar cartridge formation thereon to serve as a pusher in inserting the cartridge-loaded track into a magazine.

2. A pull clip for loading a firearm box magazine of a double cartridge-column type, comprising an elongated track constructed to retain cartridges aligned in staggered double-column formation thereon and permit stripping them in said formation from the track longitudinally thereof; a handle; and a link pivotally connecting said handle with one end of said track so that said handle is swingable into longitudinal alignment with said track for optimum pull effect of the former on the latter, and is also swingable into end engagement with a double cartridge column thereon to serve as a pusher in inserting the cartridge-loaded track into a magazine.

3; A pull clip for loading a firearm box magazine of a double cartridge-column type as set forth in claim 2, in which said handle is formed to be engageable with both adjacent endmost cartridges in a staggered double column on said track when swung thereagainst.

4. A pull clip for loading a firearm box magazine of a double cartridge-column type, comprising an elongated track constructed to retain cartridges aligned in staggered double-column formation thereon and permit stripping them in said formation from the track longitudinally thereof; a handle; and a link pivotally connected at its ends with said handle and one end of said track, respectively, about parallel axes extending at right angles to the longitudinal track axis so that said handle is swingable into longitudinal alignment With said track for optimum pull effect of the former on the latter, and is also swingable into engagement with a double cartridge column thereon to serve as a pusher in inserting the cartridge-loaded track into a magazine, said handle being provided with offset thrust pads adapted to engage the adjacent endmost cartridges, respectively, in a staggered double column on said track when swung thereagainst.

5. A pull clip for loading a firearm box magazine, comprising an elongated track constructed 'to retain cartridges aligned in columnar formation thereon and permit stripping them from the track longitudinally thereof; an elongated handle having a thrust pad on one side; and a link having its ends pivotally connected with said handle remote from one end thereof and with one end of said track, respectively, so that said handle is swingable into longitudinal alignment with said track for optimum pull effect of the former on the latter, and is also swingable into a thrust position in which its thrust pad is in end engagement with a columnar cartridge formation on the track, said link and handle being so coordinated that the latter will in said thrust position bear with said one end thereof against the track between the pivot connection of said link therewith and a columnar cartridge formation thereon and thus become locked in its thrust position to said track for direct thrust transmission to the latter on inserting said track with cartridges thereon into a magazine.

6. A pull clip for loading a firearm box magazine, comprising an elongated track constructed to retain cartridges aligned in columnar formation thereon and permit stripping them in said formation from the track longitudinally thereof; a link having one end pivotally connected with one end of said track; and an elongated handle pivotally connected intermediate its ends with the other end of said link so as to be swingable into longitudinal alignment with the track for optimum pulling effect of said handle on the latter, and also swingable into end engagement with a columnar cartridge formation thereon to serve as a pusher in inserting the cartridge-loaded track into a magazine.

7. A pull clip for loading a firearm box magazine of a double cartridge-column type, comprising an elongated track constructed to retain cartridges aligned in staggered double column formation thereon and permit stripping them in said formation from the track longitudinally thereof; an elongated handle; and a link pivotally connected at its ends with one end of said track and with said handle intermediate its ends about parallel axes extending at right angles to the longitudinal track axis so that said handle is swingable into longitudinal alignment with the track for optimum pulling effect of said handle on the latter, and also swingable into end engagement with a double cartridge column thereon to serve as a pusher in inserting the cartridge-loaded track into a magazine, said handle being provided with offset thrust pads formed to straddle the adjacent endmost cartridges in a staggered double column on said track when swung thereagainst.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,786,537 Holek Dec. 30, 1930 1,811,093 Neal June 23, 1931 2,197,313 Nomar Apr. 16, 1940 2,265,170 Humeston Dec. 9, 1941 2,275,213 Wise Mar. 3, 1942 2,338,107 Garand Ian. 4, 1944 2,403,012 McPheters July 2, 1946 2,409,568 Johnson Oct. 15, 1946 2,585,738 Chapin et a1. Feb. 12, 1952 2,659,173 Capito Nov. 17, 1953 2,783,570 Kunz Mar. 5, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 80,169 Germany Apr. 1, 1895 304,379 Germany Feb. 15, 1921

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