Linkage for rimmed ammunition

• US 8,342,072 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2011
• Issued: 01/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magpul Industries
• Original Assignee: Magpul Industries
• Inventors: Abbott, Brian F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, Bret
• Assistant Examiner(s): TILLMAN, JR, REGINALD S
• Application Number:
  US13/176,693
• Publication Number:
  US 20120000351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 33/350.1, 33/350.2, 33/332, 33/331.4, 33/332.5, 33/331.6
• US Class Current: 89/33.2
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 9/29 Feeding of belted ammunition

Abstract

A linking system for rimmed ammunition is disclosed. The linking system features individual links that each encompass one ammunition cartridge while having an arcuate lateral arm which encompasses a neighboring link and associated cartridge. A plurality of collet arms secure the cartridge and separate as the cartridge is forced forward in the delinking process. Angular momenta from the feeding motion and the rotational motion of the de-linking assembly combine to rotate a first link away and apart from the next associated link.

Claims

1. An ammunition link for rimmed cartridges comprising:

a. A cylindrical collar, said cylindrical collar having two edges and an interior wall that is tapered towards a middle of said interior wall from both edges;

b. A securement arm extending from one edge of the cylindrical collar and terminating in a clip suitable for attaching to a rim of an ammunition cartridge;

c. A spacer located along an exterior wall of the cylindrical collar such that a space is defined between the exterior wall of the cylinder and the spacer;

d. An arcuate linking arm, projecting from the spacer, laterally in relation to the cylindrical collar; and

e. A plurality of collet arms projecting from the edge of the cylindrical collar opposite the securement arm.

2. The ammunition link of claim 1, further comprising the collet arms and edge of the link opposite therefrom both having a greater thickness than the wall of the cylindrical collar.

3. The ammunition link of claim 2, further comprising a trench located and positioned to receive a linking arm of a second link, said trench being located above the tapered portion of the interior wall of the cylindrical collar.

4. The ammunition link of claim 1, further comprising a trench located and positioned to receive a linking arm of a second link.

5. A plurality of linked ammunition cartridges, each cartridge contained within a discrete link structure, each link structure further comprising:

a. A cylindrical collar, said cylindrical collar having two edges and an interior wall that is tapered towards a middle of said interior wall from both edges;

b. A securement arm extending from one edge of the cylindrical collar and terminating in a clip suitable for attaching to a rim of an ammunition cartridge;

c. A spacer located along an exterior wall of the cylindrical collar such that a space is defined between the exterior wall of the cylinder and the spacer;

d. An arcuate linking arm, projecting from the spacer, laterally in relation to the cylindrical collar; and

e. A plurality of collet arms projecting from the edge of the cylindrical collar opposite the securement arm.

6. The plurality of linked ammunition cartridges of claim 5, each link structure further comprising the collet arms and edge of the link opposite therefrom both having a greater thickness than the wall of the cylindrical collar.

7. The plurality of linked ammunition cartridges of claim 6, each link structure further comprising a trench located and positioned to receive a linking arm of a second link, said trench being located above the tapered portion of the interior wall of the cylindrical collar.

8. The plurality of linked ammunition cartridges of claim 5, each link structure further comprising a trench located and positioned to receive a linking arm of a second link.