초록 ▼

A magazine is provided for housing a predetermined number of rim-fire cartridges in a double column configuration with minimal magazine width and length requirements. The magazine is configured so that the rims of the cartridges are automatically placed in a nested or staggered relationship when the

A magazine is provided for housing a predetermined number of rim-fire cartridges in a double column configuration with minimal magazine width and length requirements. The magazine is configured so that the rims of the cartridges are automatically placed in a nested or staggered relationship when they are inserted and are maintained in that relationship as they move through the housing, so as to prevent cross over of the rims and jamming. The nested, side-by-side positional relationship of the cartridges in the magazine is changed to a single file relationship while the lateral force exerted on the cartridges is controlled and jamming caused by friction or deformation is prevented. A split follower device having two followers which are movable with respect to each other is provided to maintain an upward bias on the cartridges throughout their movement through the magazine.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for use in housing rim-fire cartridges in a side-by-side relationship comprising: first and second side walls; first and second end walls; said first and second side walls and said first and second end walls forming a magazine having a chamber, a bottom end, and an opened end, said cham

An apparatus for use in housing rim-fire cartridges in a side-by-side relationship comprising: first and second side walls; first and second end walls; said first and second side walls and said first and second end walls forming a magazine having a chamber, a bottom end, and an opened end, said chamber including a storage zone and a transition zone, at least said storage zone being curved, said curved storage zone being defined using a radius; a plurality of rim-fire cartridges, each of said rim-fire cartridges having a rim, a body portion, and a nose end, each of said rims of said plurality of cartridges being adjacent to said first end wall, and each of said rims of said plurality of cartridges being in a nested relationship wherein a portion of said rim of each of said cartridges lies between said first end wall and a portion of said rim of a preceding cartridge to prevent crossing of said cartridge rims during movement of said cartridges, at least some of said plurality of rim-fire cartridges being contained in said storage zone in a side-by-side relationship, wherein said rim-fire cartridges in said storage zone include a first rim-fire cartridge, a second rim-fire cartridge and a third rim-fire cartridge, said body portion of said third rim-fire cartridge being contacted by said rim of said first rim-fire cartridge and also by said rim of said second rim-fire cartridge, and wherein said some of said cartridges in said storage zone include a number of each of said first, second and third rim-fire cartridges; and means for producing a force in said transition zone to provide single file cartridges while avoiding jamming of the cartridges.