US3178845A - Rifle - Google Patents

Description

April 20, 1965 1.. J. SULLIVAN RIFLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 29, 1965 INVENTOR.

LEROY J. SULLIVAN ATTORN EYE April 20, 1965 L. J. SULLIVAN RIFLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 29, 1963 m mm a mm W a w Ill... mfi L QQA INVENTOR.

LEROY J. SULLIVAN ATTORNEYS April 20, 1965 L. J. SULLIVAN 3,178,845

Filed April 1963 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. LEROY J. SULLIVAN ATTORNEYS April 20, 1965 L. J. SULLIVAN 3,178,845

RIFLE Filed April 29, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. LEROY J. SULLIVAN %m fd w ATTORNEYS April 20, 1965 L. J. SULLIVAN RIFLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 29, 1963 INVENTOR.

LEROY J. SULLIVAN BY ATTOPNEY5 United States Patent 3,178,845 RIFLE Leroy J. Sullivan, 14542 Cork St., Garden Grove, Calif. Filed Apr. 29, I963, der. No. 276,383 15 Claims. (Ci. 42-17) This invention pertains to an arrangement for automatically supplying a cartridge for each firing cycle of a gun.

The arrangement of this invention is particularly useful in providing an automatic feed arrangement for rifles. There have been numerous previous proposals for cartridge feeding devices of this general character, but generally these have been unreliable in performance and of less capacity than the present invention. Normally, too, the prior cartridge feeding arrangements have been complicated and relatively costly to construct.

The present invention includes an elongated magazine holding a quantity of cartridges standing in substantially an upright position when the gun is in its normal horizontal alignment. A spring in the magazine pushes the cartridges toward a rotatable lifter which is spring loaded to move the cartridges individually into the gun. The cartridges are pivoted onto the lifting device rather than being translated for this movement. This reduces the distance the entire number of cartridges must be moved in feeding to the lifter, reducing inertia effects and speeding up the feed cycle. As the lifter rotates, the rim of the cartridge is guided, while inwardly the cartridge pivots about a fulcrum so that it is caused to rotate 90. The fulcrum is yieldable to permit the bullet ultimately to pass it and enter the gun. Forward movement of the gun bolt drives the lifter down to accept the next cartridge. The return stroke of the bolt releases the lifter so that the feeding cycle is repeated.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an automatic cartridge feeding device.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cartridge feeder of reliable performance yet which can be manufactured at a low cost.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cartridge feeding device compact in size, yet of large capacity.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a cartridge feeder having a magazine that is easily loaded and unloaded.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a cartridge feeding device capable of extremely rapid operation.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the cartridge feeding device of this invention,

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 with a portion of the exterior broken away to illustrate the inner mechanism,

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the gun and one end of the cartridge feeding device,

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating the muzzle of the gun and the outer end of the magazine unit,

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view of the magazine taken along line 55 of FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional View of the magazine taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE 3,

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the end portion of the cartridge feeding device with the lifter in the lowered position,

FIGURES 8 and 9 are end sectional views similar to FIGURE 7 illustrating progressive incremental positions of the lifter,

3,178,845 Patented Apr. 25.), It55 FIGURE 10 is a transverse sectional view taken along line Iii-Ii of FIGURE 9,

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view similar to FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 with the lifter shown progressed through a further increment of rotation,

FIGURE 12 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 12 12 of FIGURE 11,

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged side elevational view of the end portion of the cartridge feeding device,

FIGURE 14 is a top plan view of the arrangement of FIGURE 13,

FIGURE 15 is an end elevational view of the unit of FIGURE 10,

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary perspective view showing how the cartridges are fed into the magazine,

FIGURE 17 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating the insertion of cartridges into the magazine, and 7 FIGURE 18 is a side elevational view of the gun and end portion of the magazine unit showing the manner in which the magazine may be opened for removal of cartridges.

With reference to the drawing, as seen in FIGURES l, 2 and 3, the cartridge feeding device of this invention is illustrated as used with a gun 15 which in this embodiment is a .22 caliber long rifle. The stock, which can be made to cover the cartridge feeding device, has been removed for clarity.

The invention is particularly adapted for use with a gun that fires from the open bolt position. Hence, the bolt 16 of gun 15 can be pulled rearwardly by means of laterally projecting lever 17, where detent 18 of the trigget 19 holds it in the cocked position. Upon release of the trigger the bolt 16 will be driven forwardly by a spring 28 toward the gun barrel 2i, and will chamber and fire the round 22. The blowback of the gases from the fired cartridge forces the bolt to the rear, returning it to its cocked position. Upon this movement an extractor mounted on the bolt removes the cartridge from the chamber and causes it to be flipped out of the opening 23. These features are of generally conventional construction.

The cartridge feeding arrangement of this invention includes an elongated magazine 24 from one end of which projects a tube 25 (see FIGURE 4). A fitting 26 secures the tube beneath the muzzle of the gun. The magazine includes a longitudinally extending opening 27 which is adapted to receive the quantity of the cartridges 22. In a typical example, the opening 2'7 may be dimensioned to accommodate fifty rounds.

A plunger 28 is slidable in the opening 27 and engages the innermost one of the stack of cartridges 22 in the magazine. The plunger 28 is biased to the left as illustrated by means of a compression spring 29 received in the tube 25. A rod 30 projects from the plunger into the spring and assists in guiding the spring as it enters the magazine. It can be seen, therefore, that with the cartridges 22 in the magazine the spring loaded plunger 28 urges the group of cartridges to the left as the device is illustrated.

The cartridges, of course, are of conventional design which includes an elongated substantially cylindrical central portion 32 with a rounded bullet nose 33 at one end and a rim 34 at the other. Because the latter portion of the cartridge is of the greatest diameter the magazine is contoured so that the cartridges may assume the slightly tilted positions illustrated in FIGURE 5. This allows the cylindrical portions 32 of the cartridges to be brought into engagement with each other, and permits the rectilinear alignment of a considerable number of the cartridges While maintaining them in a firm contacting relationship. To this end, therefore, the central side wall portions and 36 of the opening 27 are convergent toward the top while the upper portion 37 of the opening is enlarged. Base walls 38 and 39 are normal to the walls 35 and 36 respectively, and the side edges 40 and 41 of the magazine extend outwardly from the sides 35 and 36. This gives clearance for the cartridges to tilt, with the rims being received at the base and held by the shoulders between the walls 35 and 40 and 36 and 41. The pressure of spring 29 will cause the cartridges to assurne the relationships shown with alternate cartridges inclining in opposite directions. Thus, in the magazine 24 the cartridges are held beneath the gun barrel substantially but not quite in vertical alignment when the gun is in its normal horizontal position.

At the end 43 of the magazine 24 the outermost rounds 22 are fed between vertical guide walls 44 and 45 as shown in FIGURES 2 and 6. The upper edges 46 and 47 of these walls are arcuate, curving downwardly to the bottom edges where the cartridges enter. This allows the cartridges to be introduced smoothly into the space between the walls 44 and 45 despite their prior slightly angular relationship. The walls 44 and 45 cause the cartridges to be in precise perpendicular alignment with respect to the gun barrel at the end 43 of the magazine. The slots for the rim 34 prevent vertical movement of the round 22 at the end 43 of the magazine.

Immediately adjacent the end 43 of the magazine, and in alignment with the cartridges in the magazine as held between walls 44 and 45, is a rotatable lifter 49. The lifter 49, which acts as a drive member to move the cartridges from the magazine to the gun receiver, is in the form of a flat plate mounted on a cross shaft 50. The latter element is held by a pair of sheet metal members 51 and 52 that project beyond the end 43 of the magazine. Torsion spring 53 is carried on the pin and engages the edge 54 of lifter 4?. This biases the lifter to its upper position seen in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3. A stop tab 55 projects from the side of the lifter adjacent the edge 54 and engages the member 52 to limit the rotational movement of the lifter. With the lifter raised in this mannner corner 56 of the lifter engages the round 22 at the end 43 of the magazine, holding the stack of cartridges against movement from the force of compression spring 29.

When the bolt 16 is released by trigger 19 and travels to its forward position as seen in FIGURE 7, it rotates the lifter 49 to the lowered position shown in that figure. This is accomplished by means of projecting ram 53 on the forward lower edge of the bolt which contacts the rounded upper surface of arm 59 that is integral with the lifter 49.

When the lifter 49 is rotated downwardly in this manner the cartridge 22 at the end 43 of the magazine is released, being no longer held in the magazine by the edge of the lifter. Therefore, the force of the compression spring 29 acting on the plunger 28 causes the cartridge to assume the position shown in FIGURE 7. It can be seen that the rim 34 at the bottom of the cartridge has been moved into the space between convergent sections 61 and 62 of the sheet metal elements 51 and 52. The bullet end 33 of the cartridge, however, is at this time held by a split wire spring 64. This spring is mounted at the end 43 of the magazine with its spaced end portions 65 and 66 projecting inwardly in front of the bullet 33 of the outer cartridge 22. Accordingly, this arrangement, by holding onto the upper end of the cartridge while the lower end is unrestrained, causes the cartridge 22 to pivot as it is moved out of the magazine.

This is of importance in overcoming the inertia of the stack of cartridges when the magazine is full. It is necessary, of course, to move all of the cartridges at once in shifting the end cartridge out of the magazine. Therefore, with a fully loaded magazine it would require a very strong spring to move the cartridges a sufficient lateral distance in anything less than an appreciable interval of time. In other Words, if the end cartridge were to be moved translationally a sufficient amount to align the rim end with the lifter, the entire mass of the assembled cartridges would have to be moved a distance approximately equaling the diameter of the rim 34. Moving all the rounds of a fully loaded magazine such a distance would require time in overcoming the inertia of the stationary mass. Even with a heavy spring it would be ditficult to achieve the necessary amount of movement in the brief interval permitted when the gun is being fired rapidly. However, by the inclusion of the split spring 64 the end cartridge is caused to rotate as it leaves the magazine rather than shifting it rectilinearly. In this manner the lower and lighter end of the cartridge is moved outwardly an adequate distance to escape the end 43 of the magazine, while the heavier bullet end is retained. For .22 caliber cartridges a movement of only .040 inch of the plunger will kick the lower end of the cartridge outwardly .250 inch to clear the magazine.

As the bolt 16 is moved back toward its cocked position by the gases from the fired cartridge, or from manipulation of the lever 17, the projection 58 of the bolt will retreat so as to allow the lifter to commence counterclockwise rotation about shaft 50. Therefore, the lifter 49 will progress from its lower position of FIGURE 7 to an intermediate position such as seen in FIGURE 8. Here the surface 67 of the lifter is brought into engagement with the bottom end 34 of the cartridge 22 which previously had been pivoted outwardly into the path of the lifter. The lifter then begins to raise the cartridge upwardly, causing the bullet end 33 to engage the outwardly beveled surface 63 at the upper edge of end 43 of the magazine. This surface acts as a cam, forcing the nose of the cartridge outwardly away from the magazine as the cartridge starts its vertical movement. The torsion spring 53 that actuates the lifter 49 readily overcomes the relatively small retaining force offered by the split wire 64. Consequently, while rim end 34 of the cartridge is interposed between the relatively widely spaced sections 61 and 62 of the members 51 and 52, the nose of the cartridge is brought into a passageway defined by additional sheet metal guides 69 and 70 which extend upwardly toward the receiver of the gun. The members 69 and 70 also serve to attach the feed unit to the gun by means of the bolt 71.

As the cartridge continues its upward movement under the impetus of the lifter 49 it is brought into a position as illustrated in FIGURE 9. Here it may be seen that the central portion of the cartridge is engaged on the left by a second split spring member 72 (see also FIGURE 10). The spring 72 is made of spring wire and includes ends 73 and 74 that project through slots 75 and 76 in the guide elements 69 and 70. Preferably these spring ends incline upwardly toward the rear of the gun, and are bent to present smooth arcuate surfaces that extend inwardly of the guide channels 69 and 70.

As the lifter 49 cams the bullet off of the beveled surface 68, the spring 72 assures that the cartridge will not receive a counterclockwise rotation as it approaches the receiver of the gun. In other words, the top portion of the cartridge is prevented by spring ends 73 and 74 from flipping over to a position where the bullet end 33 would be facing toward the rear of the gun rather than the muzzle. Thus, the spring 72 makes certain that the cartridge will be inclined forwardly as it is lifted upwardly toward the gun.

The vertical movement of the cartridge to the position of FIGURE 9 also brings the rim 34 of the cartridge into engagement of the bottom edges 77 and 78 of the guides 69 and 70. The members 69 and 70 are spaced appropriately so that all portions of the cartridge can enter between them except the rim 34. Thus, edges 77 and 78 stop the rim and halt the vertical travel of the cartridge at this point. Consequently, the lifter 49, which now has been rotated to where surface 67 engages the cartridge toward the forward edge of the rim 34, causes the cars tridge to rotate in a clockwise direction. As this occurs, the spring 72 acts as a fulcrum about which the midportion of the cartridge pivots. Hence, while the rim portion 34 is driven to the rear, the cartridge is caused to rotate forwardly about the spring ends 73 and 74.

The convergent portions 61 and 62 of the lower guide members connect to a more closely spaced section defined by parallel sheets 79 and St). The inner walls of these members are spaced apart substantially the same distance as the walls of the guides 69 and 7d. The sections '79 and 89 have rearwardly inclined edges 81 and 82 which are in an opposed spaced relationship with edges 83 and 84- of the guides 62? and 7 3. The edges, therefore, define a guide slot for the rim 34 of the cartridge. Hence, as the cartridge is pivoted about the fulcrum of the spring ends 73 and 74, the rim is trapped between edges 81 and 82 on one end and 83 and 84 on the other so that the cartridge must follow a predetermined path.

Additional rotation of the lifter 49 brings the cartridge to the next position as seen in FTGURE 11. Here the rim is still retained between the edges of the members 69 and 7'9 on one hand, and '79 and 84 on the other. However, at this point the intermediate portion of the cartridge has passed the fulcrum of the spring ends 73 and 74. The force of the lifter causes the cartridge to move the spring ends outwardly through the slots '75 and '76 in members 69 and 7d as the round is moved upwardly. Thus, the spring 72 provides a yieldable fulcrum which acts as a pivot point for the cartridge during only a portion of the movement of it. At the appropriate time the cartridge is forced through the constriction of the fulcrum overcoming the spring '72 to move the ends 73 and 74 outwardly.

deuce, the spring 72 performs more than one function in directing the cartridge in the proper path so as to enter the gun receiver. First it acts as an abutment to prevent the bullet from rotating to face the rear of the gun. Next it serves as a fulcrum about which the round pivots. Finally, the spring 72. yields to allow the cartridge to travel upwardly toward the breech of the gun.

Upon complete retraction of the bolt 16 the lifter reaches its fully rotated position, as previously described, where the stop 55 limits its pivotal movement. Vt'hen this occurs the end 86 of the lifter engages the lower end of the cartridge and prevents it from dropping downwardly. The nose of the cartridge cannot move in that direction because it is adjacent the wall portion 87 of the breech area. 0n the outer side of the lifter at the end there is included an upwardly and laterally directed extension 88. This assists in retaining the cartridge and assures that it cannot fall outwardly through the side opening 18.

It can be seen, therefore, that when the lifter has been rotated to its raised position the cartridge 22 is brought into a position of accurate alignment with the bolt 16 and the chamber 89. Consequently, when the trigger releases the bolt, the cartridge is ready to be chambered and fired. Of course, as the bolt moves forwardly in this manner, the clockwise rotation of the lifter 49 is commenced by the ram 58 so that the end 86 of the lifter moves out of the way in time to permit the bolt to drive the cartridge forwardly.

All of the above described movement takes place with great rapidity as the gun is triggered and fired. The cartridges are successively moved into the feed guides and driven upwardly by the lifter in a brief moment of time. The feeding device operates reliably regardless of what quantity of cartridges there may be stored in the magazine. An entire box of cartridges may be fired in this manner as quickly as the trigger can be pulled. Nevertheless, despite the fact that the feeding action is extremely fast and accurate, the components of the feed unit can be manufactured quite economically. Sheet metal is used extensively and all of the parts can be fabricated and assembled without difficulty. The unit is compact and of light weight which is a matter of considerable imh portance in a hand held gun. The entire unit is adapted to be covered by the gun stock so that it is inconspicuous when installed.

The magazine is loaded very easily by slipping the cartridges individually into the end 43 of the magazine as seen in FIGURES l6 and 17. They are fed in from belov being guided by outwardly flaring flanges 90 and 91 at the lower edges of the members 51 and 52. The flanges form a guide directing the cartridges into the end of the magazine where they are received between the Walls 44 and 45. Each cartridge fed in, of course, forces the remaining cartridges toward the opposite end of the magazine until the magazine is fully loaded. The lifter 49 should be in its raised position as the rounds are pushed into the magazine so that the edge as can retain the cartridges in the magazine.

The magazine 24 is quite easily unloaded by moving the assembly of the litter and the guide members 51 and 52 away from the end 43 of the magazine. The sheet metal elements 51 and 52, which carry the mounting shaft in of the lifter 49, are pivotal relative to the fixed portion of the magazine by means of a transverse pin 93 carried by members 69 and 70. The lower edges of members 51 and 52 also include hook ends 94 and 95 which bear against a second transverse pin 96 when the magazine is in the closed position.

The releasing latch is in the form of a U-shaped member 97 which has apertures complementarily receiving the pin 96. This pin passes through the body of the magazine where it is received in longitudinally elongated slot 93. A longitudinal opening 99 extends into the magazine body and receives a compression spring lltlll. One end of this spring contacts the pin $6 while the opposite end bears against the pin 93. Consequently, the spring 1% biases the elements 51 and 52 to a position where the hook ends 94 and 95 engage and are retained by the pin 96.

For release, the latch member 9? is moved toward the end 33 of the magazine. That is to say, the latch 97 is moved to the left as illustrated. This travel of the latch is permitted by the fact that it includes slots 161 and m2 at the location of the pin 93. When the latch S97 is shifted to the left it moves the pin out of engagement with hooks 94 and 95. As a result, the members 51 and 52 are free to pivot downwardly about the pin 93 to assume the position shown in FIGURE 18. T herefore, the entire front end of the magazine is left open and the compression spring 29, through the plunger 28, then can force all of the cartridges out of the magazine. Hence, it is a very simple matter to empty the magazine whenever it is desired.

From the foregoing it can be seen that I have provided a very simple gun feeding device, but, nevertheless, it is dependable in operation and rapidly moves a large quantity of cartridges successively into the receiver of the gun. All aspects of the operation of the device are quite simple and all of the feeding operation takes place automatically.

The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as given by way of illustration and example only. The spirit and scope of this invention being limited solely by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cartridge feeding device for a gun having a breech and a bolt, said device comprising a cartridge supply means for retaining and holding a plurality of cartridges,

guide means for individually receiving cartridges from said supply means with the bullet ends of said cartridges pointing toward said gun breech,

and drive means for moving a cartridge through said guide means to a gun breech,

said guide means including a first guide passage for rim portions of a cartridge and a second guide passage for portions of the cartridge remote from the rim thereof,

i w l i said second guide passage including a fulcrum means for providing a pivot point during a a portion of the movement of said cartridge through said guide means,

whereby said guide means provides rotation through a substantially 90 are for a cartridge passing therethrough. 2. A cartridge feeding device for a gun having a breech and a bolt, said device comprising a cartridge supply means for retaining and holding a plurality of cartridges, guide means for individually receiving cartridges from said supply means with the bullet ends of said cartridges pointing toward said gun breech, and drive means for moving a cartridge through said guide means to a gun breech,

said guide means including means for rotating through a substantially 90 are a cartridge passing therethrough, said cartridge supply means including an exit apperture for discharging cartridges individually, and further including means for moving rim portions only of a cartridge into said guide means for engagement by said drive means while yieldably retaining within said supply means portions of said cartridge remote from said rim portions. 3. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said cartridge supply means further includes an elongated chamber for receiving and holding a plurality of cartridges in a side-by-side abutting relalationship, said means for yieldably retaining portions of a cartridge including a spring element extending laterally into said exit aperture on either side of the upper portion thereof. 4. A device as recited in claim 3 in which said exit aperture includes a cam surface for deflecting the bullet end of a cartridge into said guide means upon engagement of rim portions of said cartridge by said drive means and movement of said cartridge by said drive means. 5. A cartridge feeding device comprising an elongated magazine,

said magazine having a guide therein adapted to receive a quantity of cartridges in a substantially upstanding aligned side-by-side abutting relationship, resilient means in said channel for biasing said cartridges toward one end of said channel,

said end having an opening therethrough out of Which said cartridges may pass, rotatable means for engaging lower portions of a cartridge forced out of said channel by said resilient means, and guide means for directing a cartridge engaged by said rotatable means toward said gun,

said guide means including arcuate portions and a fulcrum about which such a cartridge is pivotal for rotating such a cartridge through a substantially 90 are,

said fulcrum being yieldable for permitting a cartridge to pass said fulcrum subsequent to pivotal movement about said fulcrum. 6. A cartridge feeding device comprising an elongated magazine adapted for association with a said magazine having a guide channel defining a path adapted to slidably receive a quantity of cartridges in a substantially aligned side-by-side contacting relationship,

said channel having an opening at one end thereof,

resilient means in said channel for forcing said cartridges toward said one end, lifting means for moving a cartridge forced from said channel toward a gun receiver, and guide means for such a cartridge,

said guide means including means for rotating said cartridge through a substantially 90 are for entry into said gun,

said means for rotating said cartridge including a guide channel for rim portions of said cartridge, and fulcrum means for engagement by other portions of said cartridge. 7. A cartridge feeding device comprising an elongated magazine adapted to fit beneath the barrel of a gun,

said magazine having a longitudinal opening extending therein from one end thereof, said opening having lower slot portions dimensioned to slidably receive rim portions of a cartridge, and upper portions adapted to slidably receive the mainder of a cartridge,

whereby said magazine is adapted to receive and hold a quantity of cartridges in an upstanding position in a side-by-side contacting relationship, resilient means in said opening for biasing said cartridges toward said one end of said opening, a drive member adjacent said one end of said cartridge, said drive member having a surface engageable with the rim end of a cartridge forced out of said end of said magazine,

said surface being movable upwardly toward the breech of a gun with which said magasaid magazine is associated, and guide means for controlling the movement of a cartridge so upwardly directed,

said guide means including fulcrum means about which said cartridge is pivotal,

and slot means for engaging the rim portions of said cartridge for imparting to said cartridge a substantially 90 rotation upon said movement by said drive member. 8. A device as recited in claim 7 in which said fulcrum is yieldable upon the exertion of a predetermined force by said cartridge, whereby said pivotal movement about said fulcrum terminates as said cartridge is moved upwardly by said drive memher. 9. A device as recited in claim 7 in which said magazine includes a yieldable retaining means at the upper portion of said one end thereof,

for retaining upper portions of a cartridge at said end and causing said yieldable means to pivot the rim end of said cartridge outwardly for said engagement by said drive member. 10. A device as recited in claim 7 in which said drive member includes a rotatable member pivotal about an axis substantially normal to the longitudinal dimension of said opening. 11. A device as recited in claim 7 in which said drive member includes a rotatable element, means pivotally mounting said rotatable element about an axis substantially normal to the longitudinal dimension of said channel in said magazine, and resilient means biasing said rotatable member toward a raised position,

said drive member including an actuating arm engageable by the bolt of a gun for rotating said rotatable element downwardly for receiving a cartridge from said magazine. 12. In combination with a gun having a barrel, a bolt reciprocative longitudinally with respect to said barrel, and a breech for receiving a cartridge to be fired in said gun, a feeding device for said gun comprising an elongated magazine, means supporting said magazine adjacent said barrel in a longitudinally aligned relationship therewith With one end of said magazine adjacent said breech of said gun,

said magazine having an elongated opening extending inwardly from said one end,

said opening having opposed side slots at the bottom thereof adapted to receive and guide rim portions of cartridges received therein, and having upper portions dimensioned to receive and guide other portions of cartridges received therein, whereby said magazine is adapted to receive and hold a quantity of cartridges in an upstanding position with said cartridges being in abutting side-by-side relationship, cartridge lifting means adjacent said one end of said magazine,

said cartridge lifting means including a surface engageable with the rim end of a cartridge discharged from said magazine for moving said end upwardly toward said breech, said cartridge lifting means including resilient means normally biasing said surface to a raised position adjacent said breech, said cartridge lifting means being engageable by said bolt when said bolt is advanced forwardly toward said barrel,

and movable by said bolt to a lowered position where said surface of said cartridge lifting means is in a position to engage the rim end of said cartridge, and guide means for a cartridge being lifted by said cartridge lifting means,

said guide means including a channel having a slot means for receiving and guiding the rim portions of a cartridge,

10 and fulcrum means about which said cartridge may pivot,

whereby said guide means and fulcrum cooperate with said lifting means to rotate said cartridge through a substantially angle upon movement of said cartridge from a position adjacent said end of said magazine to said breech of said gun. 13. A device as recited in claim 12 in which said fulcrum means includes yieldable means for providing a pivot point for said cartridge during only a portion of the movement of said cartridge toward said breech of said gun,

and yielding in response to the force on said cartridge for allowing said cartridges to pass said fulcrum means. 14. A device as recited in claim 12 in which said magazine includes yieldable means for holding upper portions of a cartridge adjacent said one end thereof,

whereby said resilient means in said opening causes the cartridge adjacent said opening to pivot outwardly at the rim end thereof for engagement by said surface of said cartridge lifting means. 15. A device as recited in claim 14 in which said yieldable means of said fulcrum means includes a pair of opposed spring elements extending into said channel for engagement with opposite sides of the cartridge in said channel,

said spring elements being deflectable outwardly toward the wall of said channel for permitting said movement of said cartridge past said fulcrum means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 855,589 6/07 Punches 4217 2,690,024 9/ 54 Brush 4249 X BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner. FRED C. MATTERN, JR., Examiner,

Claims (1)

1. A CARTRIDGE FEEDING DEVICE FOR A GUN HAVING A BREECH AND A BOLT, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A CARTRIDGE SUPPLY MEANS FOR RETAINING AND HOLDING A PLURALITY OF CARTRIDGES, GUIDE MEANS FOR INDIVIDUALLY RECEIVING CARTRIDGES FROM SAID SUPPLY MEANS WITH THE BULLET ENDS OF SAID CARTRIDGES POINTING FOR MOVING A CARTRIDGE THROUGH SAID AND DRIVE MEANS FOR MOVING A CARTRIDGE THROUGH SAID GUIDE MANS TO GUN BREECH, SAID GUIDE MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST GUIDE PASSAGE FOR RIM PORTIONS OF A CARTRIDGE AND A SECOND GUIDE PASSAGE FOR PORTIONS OF THE CARTRIDGE REMOTE FROM THE RIM THEREOF, SAID SECOND GUIDE PASSAGE INCLUDING A FULCRUM MEANS FOR PROVIDING A PIVOT POINT DURING A A PORTION OF THE MOVEMENT OF SAID CARDTRIDGE THROUGH SAID GUIDE MEANS,

Images