US4229897A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Muzzle loading apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-10-17
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Granted: 1980-10-28
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Expires: 1998-10-17
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for rapid loading of a muzzle loaded rifle with a ball and a premeasured quantity of powder. With use of the device, the powder charge and ball of the muzzle loaded rifle are charged simultaneously and the ball is seated in the rifle barrel. A holder for the percussion cap is provided to ensure ready accessibility under field conditions. The device can be adapted to any muzzle loading rifle of any caliber and is relatively portable, simple and reliable in construction and use, having particular utility in hunting of game.
Inventors
- 👤 Jimmy C. Snowden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:26
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41C; F41C9/00; F41C9/08; F41C9/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
Apparatus for loading a premeasured charge of propellant and a ball in a muzzle loaded firearm, the apparatus comprising a plunger assembly for receiving said charge and said ball, and a mounting and loading assembly attached to the plunger assembly for mounting on the muzzle loaded firearm and depositing said charge and said ball thereinto, said firearm being a rifle, said porpellant being black powder, and said plunger assembly comprising a plunger slidingly contained within a plunger housing, the mounting and loading assembly comprising a platform having release means for acting in cooperation with said plunger to deposit said charge and said ball into said rifle and having a recess for conformingly mounting the apparatus on the barrel of said rifle held in an upright position, said plunger housing comprising an elongated block having a longitudinal bore, said plunger having a handle for manual sliding extension and retraction of the plunger within said longitudinal bore, said platform having a platform bore in register with said longitudinal bore, and said release means separating said longitudinal bore from said platform bore, said platform having a trough extending through said platform bore, said release means comprising a slide cover strip slidable within said trough to separate and close off said longitudinal bore from said platform bore, said apparatus further including holding means for releasably holding a percussion cap for use with said rifle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
Apparatus for loading a premeasured charge of propellant and a ball in a muzzle loaded firearm, the apparatus comprising a plunger assembly for receiving said charge and said ball, and a mounting and loading assembly attached to the plunger assembly for mounting on the muzzle loaded firearm and depositing said charge and said ball thereinto, said firearm being a rifle, said porpellant being black powder, and said plunger assembly comprising a plunger slidingly contained within a plunger housing, the mounting and loading assembly comprising a platform having release means for acting in cooperation with said plunger to deposit said charge and said ball into said rifle and having a recess for conformingly mounting the apparatus on the barrel of said rifle held in an upright position, said plunger housing comprising an elongated block having a longitudinal bore, said plunger having a handle for manual sliding extension and retraction of the plunger within said longitudinal bore, said platform having a platform bore in register with said longitudinal bore, and said release means separating said longitudinal bore from said platform bore, said platform having a trough extending through said platform bore, said release means comprising a slide cover strip slidable within said trough to separate and close off said longitudinal bore from said platform bore, said apparatus further including holding means for releasably holding a percussion cap for use with said rifle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plunger housing has an upper portion and a lower portion attached thereto by pivot means, the upper portion being pivotable about said pivot means to permit loading of said charge and said ball into said longitudinal bore in said lower portion of the plunger housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said pivot means comprises a hinge, and an opposably situated hinge type hasp permits releasable securing of said upper plunger housing to said lower plunger housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said slide cover strip at the end remote from said platform bore has a tab for manual sliding within said trough, said trough having a backstop for limiting the extension of said slide cover strip in the direction away from said platform bore.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said holding means comprises a leather extension attached to said backstop, said backstop, platform, plunger, handle and plunger housing being made of wood, said backstop being attached to said platform, said upper plunger housing and said cover plunger housing being attached to said hinge, said lower plunger housing being attached to said platform, and said handle being attached to said plunger by a wood screw.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
229 words
A method for operation of the apparatus of claim 5 comprising the following steps: (a) manually pushing said tab in the direction of said bore to close off said platform bore from said longitudinal bore; (b) retracting said plunger in said longitudinal bore and releasing said hasp to permit pivotal motion of said hinge of said upper plunger housing, and pivoting the upper plunger housing backwardly and downwardly; (c) placing said premeasured charge and said ball into the longitudinal bore of said lower plunger housing; (d) pivotally moving said upper plunger housing upwardly and forwardly and securing said hasp to bring the longitudinal bore to said upper plunger housing and said lower plunger housing in register; (e) extending said plunger by manual application of force to said handle to move downwardly and then place sufficient pressure on said ball and charge so as to retain said slide cover strip in the closed position until further use is desired; (f) when loading of the rifle is desired, mounting said recess of said platform over the upright barrel of said rifle; (g) manually sliding said slide cover strip toward said backstop; (h) manually extending said plunger downwardly to deposit said charge and ball into said rifle and to seat said ball in the barrel of the rifle; and (i) releasing said cap from said leather extension for use with the rifle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
Apparatus for loading a premeasured charge of propellant and a ball in a muzzle loaded firearm, the apparatus comprising a housing containing a longitudinal bore for receiving said charge and said ball, a plunger having a handle for manual sliding extension and retraction of the plunger within said longitudinal bore, a mounting and loading assembly attached to said housing for mounting on the muzzle loaded firearm and depositing said charge and said ball thereinto, said mounting and loading assembly comprising a platform having a platform bore in register with said longitudinal bore, and release means comprising a strip slidable across the longitudinal bore to separate and close off said longitudinal bore from said platform bore, said platform further including a recess for conformingly mounting the apparatus on the barrel of said firearm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
132 words
Apparatus for loading a premeasured charge of propellant and a ball in a muzzle loaded firearm, the apparatus comprising a housing containing a longitudinal bore for receiving said charge and said ball, a plunger having a handle for manual sliding extension and retraction of the plunger within said longitudinal bore, a mounting and loading assembly attached to said housing for mounting on the muzzle loaded firearm and depositing said charge and said ball thereinto, said mounting and loading assembly comprising a platform having a platform bore in register with said longitudinal bore, and release means comprising a strip slidable across the longitudinal bore to separate and close off said longitudinal bore from said platform bore, said platform further including a recess for conformingly mounting the apparatus on the barrel of said firearm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said platform has a trough extending through said platform bore, said strip comprising a slide cover strip slidable within said trough to separate said longitudinal bore from said platform bore.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said slide cover strip at an end remote from said platform bore has a tab for manual sliding within said trough, said trough having a back stop for limiting the extension of said slide cover strip in the direction away from said platform bore.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 9 including holding means for releasably holding a percussion cap for use with said firearms.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-10-28 | 1984-04-28 | 1984-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-28 | 1988-04-28 | 1988-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-28 | 1992-04-28 | 1992-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |