Magazine for air rifle and air pistol pellets

Abstract

The invention relates to a magazine for air rifle and air pistol pellets, comprising a base (11) on which is arranged a cylinder (5) with a series of first holes (6) in which the pellets are lodged, defining an obverse side (20) which is the face of the cylinder (5) through which the pellets are inserted and a reverse side (21) which is the face of the cylinder (5) through which they exit once fired or to be transferred to the barrel to be fired from there, said cylinder (5) rotating around an X axis, and an elastic element (7) connected to the rotation of the cylinder (5).

Description

[0001] Pellet magazine for air rifles and air pistols.

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] A pellet magazine for air rifles and pistols, of the type comprising a base on which a drum is disposed with a series of first holes in which the pellets are housed, defining the front, which is the face of the drum through which the pellets are inserted, and the back, which is the face of the drum through which they exit once fired or to be transferred to the barrel to be fired from there, said drum rotating around an X-axis, and an elastic element connected to the rotation of the drum, characterized in that: the holes are arranged in at least two curved lines, a first and a second, the second being closer to the X-axis than the first, and said lines being connected by means of second holes arranged in a transition line, defining a continuous line; the drum comprises a guide that follows the continuous line; the base comprises: a slotted hole, a through hole, an end stop, and a fixed guiding element.which in the active position with the rotation of the drum passes through the interior of the guide, and in the rest position is in contact with the ball that is to be fired or is to be transferred to the barrel to be fired from there, comprises a skid, connected to a skid base, said skid being housed in the slotted hole, where the skid base partially covers the reverse of the drum and comprises a window that leaves free a part of the reverse of the drum and that partially fits into the end stop of the base, and comprises first fixing means that join at least the drum, the base and the skid base.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Various pellet magazines are known in the prior art. For example, Patent WO21023906 (ES2964582) “LOADER FOR PELLETS OF AIR RIFLES AND PISTOLS”, from 2020, by the same applicant firm, belongs to the prior art. This patent describes a pellet magazine for air rifles and pistols of the type comprising an outer casing, inside of which is located a drum with housings for the pellets, a through-hole that passes, at least partially, through the drum's axis of rotation, a channel through which a pellet travel stop passes, a seal, and an axis around which the drum rotates. It is characterized in that it comprises: a toothed mechanism arranged on the drum, comprising a set of teeth, tilting means, at least one pawl in contact with at least one of said teeth, and a rotation spring that rotates the drum about the axis of rotation.In its resting position, the stop prevents the rotation of the pellet prepared to be loaded into the air pistol or rifle. Once the pellet is loaded into the pistol or rifle, the locking mechanism blocks one of the teeth. After the pellet is fired, the recoil causes the tilting mechanisms to move and release the locking mechanism from the tooth, freeing the rotating drum. The next pellet is then blocked by the stop, leaving the next chamber ready for loading with a pellet.

[0006] Also known is Patent WO2017 / 125622 “BALLOON LOADING SYSTEM”, from 2016, in the name of the applicant firm, GAMO OUTDOOR, SL, which refers to a pellet loading system for break-barrel rifles, comprising a stock on which the chamber is attached, a barrel where the pellet chamber is located, a pellet magazine and articulation means, characterized in that it comprises: an elastic rod with a central section and two ends that are housed in the chamber, a body in which the central section of the elastic rod is positioned with forward and backward movement within said body and which is fixed to the barrel, and a pusher means, linked to the elastic rod and located between the pellet to be loaded and the elastic rod.It is worth mentioning US Patent 4986251, "AIRGUN MAGAZINE," issued by UTEC BV in 1989, which describes a magazine for an air pistol comprising an outer casing, a drum rotatably mounted to the outer casing for carrying the pellets, and a cover pivotally mounted to the outer casing. A coil spring elastically pushes the drum to a final position. To load the magazine, the cover is rotated to rotate the drum to another final position, and then a pellet is dropped through a hole in the outer cover into the drum.

[0007] Finally, it should also be noted that patents GB2527743 and FR387450 form part of the state of the art.

[0008] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention falls within the sector of pellet magazines for air rifles or air pistols.

[0010] There is a great need in the sector for magazines that hold a greater number of pellets, in order to be able to shoot for longer or even in burst mode without having to constantly reload them with pellets, or having to acquire several magazines to keep swapping once the magazine of the rifle or pistol is exhausted.

[0011] This has led to the development of complex magazines with an increased diameter to accommodate a greater number of pellets. This results in a considerable increase in material, tighter tolerances, and in many cases, requires changing the rifle or pistol to accommodate these magazines.

[0012] All of this means that the user has to make do with carrying several chargers and putting them on as one runs out.

[0013] The present invention solves the aforementioned problem because it allows the pellets to be arranged inside the drum in a line that is wound around the magazine shaft, thus making it possible to occupy a space in the magazine drum that was previously unusable for arranging the pellets.

[0014] At the same time, in order to have a pellet ready to be fired, a slotted hole has been configured with a guide or skid, which is connected to the drum, which in addition to the rotational movement of the drum by means of an elastic means to change the pellet, there is at a given moment a longitudinal translational movement of said drum, which is executed by means of the skid located inside the slotted hole, which allows a pellet of the drum ready to be fired to be placed whether it is in the outermost area of ​​the drum or in the inner part.

[0015] An object of the present invention is a pellet magazine for air rifles and air pistols, of the type comprising a base on which is disposed a drum with a series of first holes in which the pellets are housed, defining the front, which is the face of the drum through which the pellets are inserted, and the back, which is the face of the drum through which they exit once fired or to be transferred to the barrel to be fired from there, said drum rotating around an X-axis, and an elastic element connected to the rotation of the drum, characterized in that: the holes are arranged in at least two curved lines, a first and a second, the second being closer to the X-axis than the first, and said lines being connected by means of second holes arranged in a transition line, defining a continuous line; the drum comprises a guide that follows the continuous line; the base comprises: a slotted hole, a through hole,a limit stop, and a fixed guiding element, which in the active position with the rotation of the drum passes through the inside of the guide, and in the rest position is in contact with the ball that is to be fired or transferred to the barrel to be fired from there, comprises a skid, connected to a skid base, said skid being housed in the slotted hole, where the skid base partially covers the reverse of the drum and comprises a window that leaves free a part of the reverse of the drum and that partially fits into the limit stop of the base, and comprises first fastening means that join at least the drum, the base and the skid base.

[0016] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to facilitate the explanation, this document is accompanied by six sheets of drawings in which a practical embodiment has been represented, which is cited as an example, not limiting the scope of the present invention:

[0018] - Figure 1 is a perspective view of the object of the present invention,

[0019] - Figure 2 is an exploded view of Figure 1,

[0020] - Figure 3 is a bottom view with a transparency of the casing or base, with the skid at one end of the coliseum,

[0021] - Figure 4 is a bottom view with a transparency of the casing or base, like that of Figure 3, but with the skid at the opposite end of the coliseum,

[0022] - Figure 5 is an exploded view of the drum assembly, and

[0023] Figure 6 is a cross-section along line VI-VI of the figure. Specific embodiment of the present invention

[0024] Thus, in Figure 1, a drum 5, a magazine cover 1, a drum cover 2, and a housing or base 11 are illustrated.

[0025] Figure 2 depicts the magazine cover 1, first fixing means 3 to the housing or base 11, clamping means 19, the drum cover 2, a first passage opening 24, an interference seal 4, a second passage opening 25, the drum 5 from its front side 20, first holes 6, second holes 17, a first curved line 15, a second curved line 16, a transition line 18, the third passage opening 26, an elastic means 7, a base of a skid 8 with a window 10, a centering cylinder 27 with a blind hole 28, the housing or base 11, a slotted hole 12, a guiding element 13, a through hole 22 and a stop limiter 23.

[0026] Figure 3 shows the housing or base 11, the first holes 6, the second holes 17, the guide element 13, a guide 14, the drum 5 from its reverse side 21, the transition line 18, the slot hole 12, a skid 9, and the interference joint 4.

[0027] Figure 4 illustrates the housing or base 11, the first holes 6, the second holes 17, the guide element 13, the guide 14, the drum 5 from its reverse side 21, the transition line 18, the slot hole 12, the skid 9, and the interference joint 4.

[0028] Figure 5 shows the drum cover 5, the first curved line 15, the second curved line 16, the transition line 18, the first passage opening 24, some secondary fixing means 31, a delimiting flange 34, an interference joint 4, the second passage opening 25, some grooves 32, the drum 5, some recesses 33, the guide 14, and the third passage opening

[0029] 26.

[0030] Finally, Figure 6 reproduces the drum 5, the drum cover 2, the interference joint 4, the delimiting flange 34, the elastic element 7, the clamping best 19, the centering cylinder 27, a housing 30, the base of the skid 8, the blind hole 28 and a cylinder foot 29.

[0031] Thus, the pellet magazine device of the present invention can be applied to both compressed air rifles and compressed air pistols.

[0032] It comprises a base 11 on which a drum 5 is placed.

[0033] Said drum comprises a series of first holes 6 where the pellets are housed, also defining the front 20 which is the face of the drum 5 through which the pellets are introduced and the back 21 which is the face of the drum 5 through which the pellets come out once fired or to be transferred to the barrel to be fired from there.

[0034] Drum 5 rotates around an imaginary X-axis, allowing a pellet to always be positioned to be fired or transferred to the barrel, as indicated in the previous paragraph.

[0035] It also includes an elastic element 7 connected to the rotation of the drum 5, which facilitates the drum's rotation around the aforementioned X-axis. As will be explained later, this element allows the drum 5 to position a new pellet for firing or transfer to the barrel after the pellet has been fired or transferred. The first holes 6 are arranged in at least two curved lines, a first 15 and a second 16, as can be seen in Figures 2 and 5. The second curved line 16 is closer to the aforementioned X-axis than the first curved line 15, which is closer to the outer perimeter of the drum 5.

[0036] Likewise, these lines 15,16 are connected by means of a second set of holes 17 arranged in a transition line 18, defining a continuous line formed by the first curved line 15, the second curved line 16 and the transition line 18.

[0037] This makes it possible to increase the number of pellets stored in drum 5.

[0038] That is, usually, when the pellets are stored in drum 5, only the space determined by a circular ring is used.

[0039] On the contrary, with this new arrangement of the pellets of the present invention, with the first curved line 15, the second curved line 16 and the transition line 18, much more space is used to store the pellets, since now an interior space of the drum 5 that was not used for any purpose can be used for storing pellets.

[0040] Drum 5 comprises a guide 14 that follows the continuous line. In this embodiment, this guide 14 is located on the reverse side of drum 5. The guide facilitates the rotation of drum 5.

[0041] Base 11 comprises a slotted hole 12, through which the skid 9 will move, as will be explained later. Base 11 also comprises a through hole 22, through which the ball exits the drum 5, either after being fired or to be transferred to the barrel for firing from there.

[0042] It also includes a limit switch 23. This limit switch fits into a base of the skid 8. Its operation and advantage will be explained in more detail later when the base of the skid 8 is explained.

[0043] It has a guide element 13 that moves along the guide 14, guiding the drum 5 in its rotation and movement towards the next hole with a pellet. The guide element 13 is in contact with the pellet that is to be fired or transferred to the barrel to be fired from there. While the pellet is in the respective hole, 6,17, it prevents the guide element 13 from moving thanks to the elastic element 7; that is, the pellet blocks the rotation of the drum 5.

[0044] It also comprises a skid 9, connected to the base of skid 8, said skid 9 being housed in the slotted hole 12 (figures 3 and 4), where the base of skid 8 partially covers the reverse 21 of drum 5.

[0045] Also a window 10 that leaves free part of the reverse side 21 of the drum 5 and that fits partially into the end stop 23 of the base 11.

[0046] Finally, it comprises initial fastening means 3 that join at least the drum 5, the base 11, and the base of the skid 8, allowing the various components of the magazine to remain in their positions despite vibrations during firing. Optionally, in the first row (15) and the second row 16, the spokes (R) are concentric coaxial, facilitating the rotational movement.

[0047] Thus, one of the simplest configuration options involves the continuous line adopting a spiral structure, as it facilitates the use of existing interior spaces to place new holes.

[0048] There is a possibility that the slotted hole 12 occupies, at least partially, the center of the base 11. The inventors have configured it this way because, in this way, the stability of the magazine is facilitated when the combination of the rotational movement occurs, when it is rotated to position the next pellet, next to the linear one, to move from the first curved line 15 to the second curved line 16.

[0049] Alternatively, a drum cover 2 can be fitted to the front 20 of drum 5. This cover has holes that extend the holes 6 and 17 of drum 5. An interference seal 4 is positioned between drum 5 and the cover of drum 2, retaining the pellets within holes 6 and 17 through interference. This interference seal 4 is very useful for accommodating pellets from different manufacturers and types, which may have slight variations. Because the seal 4 is elastic and slightly overlaps the space of holes 6 and 17, it allows the pellet to be retained. Upon contact with the seal 4, the seal deforms and returns to its original shape after the pellet has been fired or placed in the chamber of the firearm.

[0050] Thus, if the embodiment has an interference joint 4, then the elastic element 7 is fixed at one end to the base of the skid 8 and at the other end to the drum cover 2, to better ensure the rotation of the assembly of drum 5, interference joint 4 and drum cover 2.

[0051] To secure the drum 5 to the base of the skid 8, and thus enable the rotational and linear movements of said drum 5, explained above, to be performed optimally, it comprises a fastening element 19, for example, a rivet or a screw, etc., which, through passage openings 24, 25, 26, a first, a second and a third respectively, and the elastic element 7, joins the cover of the drum 2 with the base of the skid 8.

[0052] The loader can also be configured so that the base of the skid 8 comprises a centering cylinder 27 that is at least partially enclosed by the elastic element 7, with a blind hole 28 for the passage and fitting of the clamping element 19. This centering cylinder 27 prevents the elastic element 7 from accidentally coming into contact with the clamping element 19 due to rotation.

[0053] It is also possible to configure the centering cylinder 27 to include a foot of the cylinder 29 on which it rests and which forms part of the base of the skid 8, and it is there that a free end of the elastic element 7 is fixed. This avoids having to fix said free end of the elastic element 7 to the base of the skid 8 directly, which could complicate its handling, since said base of skid 8 is thin and if it is perforated, the free end of the elastic element 7 could interfere with the base 11.

[0054] Thus, in accordance with the previous paragraph regarding preventing the elastic element 7 from creating any type of interference, a housing 30 is optionally defined between the centering cylinder 27, the base of the cylinder 28, the drum, and the interference seal 4. This housing contains the elastic element 7 and prevents it from interfering with other components of the magazine. To facilitate the fitting of the drum cover 2 onto the drum 5, the drum cover 2 includes a delimiting flange 34. When the drum cover 2 is closed onto the drum 5, this flange is positioned inside the second opening 25, maintaining the interference seal 4 in a stable and non-displaced position.

[0055] In a specific instance, the athlete will insert the magazine into a compressed air or gas weapon, for example a sporting carbine or "air rifle".

[0056] The magazine works the same way whether the pellet is fired from the magazine, or whether the pellet is first placed in the chamber and then fired from there.

[0057] Once the pellet has left hole 6, the drum 5 rotates. The fixed guide element 13, in its active position, passes through the guide 14 of the drum 5. The drum 5 stops when the guide element 13 is blocked by a new pellet (rest position of the guide element 13), leaving the pellet ready to be fired or transferred to the barrel for firing.

[0058] Drum 5 rotates thanks to the elastic element 7 which is connected to the foot of cylinder 29 at one end and to the lid of drum 2 at the other. When the magazine is loaded with pellets, the elastic element 7 rotates, which, as the pellets are fired, tends to return to its resting position, and therefore rotates drum 5 as the pellets come out of the interior.

[0059] In this embodiment, it has been planned that the pellets of the first curved line 15 will be emptied first, then the pellets of the transition line 18, and finally the pellets of the second curved line 16. When the pellets of the first curved line 15 have emptied the magazine, the guide 14 will pass the guiding element 13, making a pellet of the transition line 18 ready for the next shot.

[0060] At the same time, as there is a change of direction in the guide 14, approaching inwards, the skid 9 of the base of the skid 8, moves inside the slotted hole 12, allowing the guide element 13 to adapt to the path of the guide 14.

[0061] The same would happen when the balls of the transition line 18 were finished and the second curved line 16 began.

[0062] In other words, the present charger has two movements, one of rotation given by the elastic element 7 and another that is a linear movement given by the skid 9 and the slotted hole 12.

[0063] The present invention describes a new pellet magazine for air rifles and air pistols. The examples mentioned here are not limiting to the present invention; therefore, it may have different applications and / or adaptations, all within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 Pellet magazine for air rifles and air pistols, of the type comprising a base (11) on which a drum (5) is disposed with a series of first holes (6) in which the pellets are housed, defining the front (20) which is the face of the drum (5) through which the pellets are introduced and the back (21) which is the face of the drum (5) through which they exit once fired or to be transferred to the barrel to be fired from there, said drum (5) rotating around an X axis, and an elastic element (7) connected to the rotation of the drum (5) characterized in that: - the first holes (6) are arranged in at least two curved lines, a first (15) and a second (16), the second (16) being closer to the X axis than the first (15), and these lines (15,16) are connected by means of second holes (17) arranged in a transition line (18), defining a continuous line formed by the first curved line (15), the second curved line (16) and the transition line (18), - the drum (5) comprises a guide (14) that follows the continuous line, - the base (11) comprises: • a colliding hole (12), • a through hole (22), • a limit switch (23), and • a fixed guiding element (13), which in the active position with the rotation of the drum (5) passes through the inside of the guide (14), and in the rest position is in contact with the pellet that is to be fired or is to be transferred to the barrel to be fired from there, - comprises a skid (9), connected to a skid base (8), said skid (9) is housed in the slotted hole (12), where the skid base (8) partially covers the reverse (21) of the drum (5) and comprises a window (10) that leaves a portion of the reverse (21) of the drum (5) free and that partially fits into the end stop (23) of the base (11), and - comprises first fixing means (3) that join at least the drum (5), the base (11) and the base of the skid (8). 2.- Charger, according to claim 1, characterized in that in the first line (15) and the second line (16) the radii (R) are concentric coaxial. 3.- Charger, according to claim 2, characterized in that the continuous line adopts a spiral structure. 4.- Charger, according to claim 1, characterized in that the slotted hole (12) occupies, at least partially, the center of the base (11). 5.- Magazine, according to claim 1, characterized in that the front (20) of the drum (5) comprises a drum cover (2) with holes acting as extensions of the holes (6,17) of the drum (5) and in that it comprises an interference seal (4), located between the drum (5) and the drum cover (2), with holes acting as extensions of the holes (6,17) of the drum (5) that holds the pellets inside the holes (6,17) by interference. 6.- Charger, according to claim 5, characterized in that the elastic element (7) is fixed at one end to the base of the skid (8) and at the other end to the drum cover (2). 7.- Charger, according to claim 6 characterized in that it comprises a clamping element (19) which, through passage openings (24,25,26), a first, a second and a third respectively, and the elastic element (7), joins the drum cover (2) with the base of the skid (8). 8.- Charger, according to claim 7, characterized in that the base of the skid (8) comprises a centering cylinder (27) that is enveloped, at least partially, by the elastic element (7), with a blind hole (28) for the passage and fitting of the fastening element (19). 9.- Charger, according to claim 8, characterized in that the centering cylinder (27) comprises a cylinder foot (29) on which a free end of the elastic element (7) rests and is fixed. 10.- Loader, according to claim 9, characterized in that a housing (30) is delimited between the centering cylinder (27), the base of the cylinder (28), the drum and the interference joint (4) in which the elastic element (7) is housed. 11.- Charger, according to claim 6, characterized in that the drum cover 2 comprises a delimiting flange (34) which, when the drum cover (2) is closed on the drum (5), is located inside the second passage opening (25).

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