Ammunition Containers and Related Methods

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS

1. Field of the Inventions

The present inventions generally pertain to storage containers, and more particularly to storage containers for ammunition and to methods of using same to transport ammunition.

2. Description Of The Related Art

Ammunition in the form of bullets is typically sold in cardboard or other boxes. It is not unusual for the bullets to be sold in plastic rectangular trays that may include a plurality of holes for holding the bullets. It is not unusual for gun owners to purchase large quantities of bullets, such as 1,000 or more rounds. There is not currently an efficient and manageable means of storing and transporting large quantities of bullets.

As will become apparent from the description and explanation set forth below, the present inventions overcome the above-described problem by providing storage containers and related methods for conveniently and efficiently storing and transporting large quantities of bullets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS

In one aspect, the present inventions may include a stackable ammunition tray comprising: a body member having an internal threaded bore and a plurality of ammunition cavities extending downwardly from an upper surface of the body member; and a removable handle having an outer surface including male threads, the male threads being threadably engageable with the internal threaded bore. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the internal threaded bore includes a central longitudinal axis that is co-axial with a central longitudinal axis of the body member. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the removable handle includes a cap and the male threads are on an outer surface of the cap. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that each ammunition cavity is a cylindrical bore. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that each ammunition cavity is sized to receive a standard caliber handgun or rifle bullet. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that each ammunition cavity is sized to receive a standard size shotgun shell. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the body member includes an annular wall defining a lower recess of the body member, and a lower surface of the annular wall is adapted to rest on an annular support surface on the upper surface of a body member of an adjoining stackable ammunition tray. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the body member is cylindrically-shaped and the plurality of ammunition cavities are disposed in circular patterns.

In another aspect, the present inventions may include a system for storing ammunition comprising: at least one stackable ammunition tray including a body member and a removable handle, the body member having an internal threaded bore and a plurality of ammunition cavities extending downwardly from an upper surface of the body member, and a removable handle having an outer surface including male threads, the male threads being threadably engageable with the internal threaded bore; and a container having a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of the at least one stackable ammunition tray, an interior of the container including a bottom surface, and at least one stackable ammunition tray resting on the bottom surface. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the internal threaded bore includes a central longitudinal axis that is co-axial with a central longitudinal axis of the body member. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the removable handle includes a cap and the male threads are on an outer surface of the cap. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that each ammunition cavity is a cylindrical bore. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that each ammunition cavity is sized to receive a standard caliber handgun or rifle bullet. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that each ammunition cavity is sized to receive a standard size shotgun shell. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the body member includes an annular wall defining a lower recess of the body member, and a lower surface of the annular wall is adapted to rest on an annular support surface on the upper surface of a body member of an adjoining stackable ammunition tray. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the at least one stackable ammunition tray includes a first stackable ammunition tray and a second stackable ammunition tray, each ammunition cavity in the first stackable ammunition tray and the second ammunition tray is filled with a round of ammunition, the lower surface of the annular wall of the body member of the second stackable ammunition tray resting on top of the annular support surface on the upper surface of the body member of the first stackable ammunition tray, and a portion of each round of ammunition in the ammunition cavities in the first stackable ammunition tray extending above the upper surface of the body member of the first stackable ammunition tray and into the lower recess in the body member of the second stackable ammunition tray. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the body member is cylindrically-shaped and the plurality of ammunition cavities are disposed in circular patterns.

In another aspect, the present inventions may include a method of storing ammunition comprising: providing a first stackable ammunition tray including a body member having an internal threaded bore and a plurality of ammunition cavities extending downwardly from an upper surface of the body member; providing a removable handle having an outer surface including male threads; filling the ammunition cavities of the first stackable ammunition tray with ammunition; threadably engaging the male threads on the removable handle with the internal threaded bore of the body member on the first stackable ammunition tray; using the removable handle to lower the first stackable ammunition tray into a container and onto a bottom surface of an interior of the container; and disengaging the removable handle from the body member of the first stackable ammunition tray. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the method may further include providing a second stackable ammunition tray including a body member having an internal threaded bore and a plurality of ammunition cavities extending downwardly from an upper surface of the body member; filling the ammunition cavities of the second stackable ammunition tray with ammunition; threadably engaging the male threads on the removable handle with the internal threaded bore of the body member on the second stackable ammunition tray; and using the removable handle to lower the second stackable ammunition tray into the container and onto the first stackable ammunition tray. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the step of lowering the second stackable ammunition tray onto the first stackable ammunition tray includes positioning a lower surface of an annular wall on the body member of the second stackable ammunition tray on top of an upper annular surface of the body member of the first stackable ammunition tray so that upper portions of ammunition contained within the ammunition cavities in the first stackable ammunition tray are received within a lower recess of the second stackable ammunition tray.

Other features, aspects and advantages of the present inventions will become apparent from the following discussion and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a specific embodiment of an empty ammunition tray constructed in accordance with one aspect of the present inventions, with a handle shown engaged with the tray.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the empty ammunition tray shown in FIG. 1, but with the handle shown separated from the tray.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but with the ammunition tray filled with a plurality of bullets.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the loaded ammunition tray as shown in FIG. 4, but with the handle shown separated from the tray.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the ammunition tray as shown in FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view showing three ammunition trays stacked on top of each other.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing an ammunition tray loaded with ammunition being lowered into a bucket.

FIG. 8B is a perspective view showing the loaded ammunition tray after it has been lowered into the bottom of the bucket.

FIG. 8C is a perspective view showing a second loaded ammunition tray being lowered into the bucket as shown in FIG. 8B.

FIG. 8D is a perspective view similar to FIG. 8C after four more loaded ammunition trays have been lowered and stacked inside the bucket, and further showing a lid being lowered down toward an upper end of the bucket.

FIG. 8E is a perspective view similar to FIG. 8D but with the lid engaged with the upper end of the bucket.

While the inventions will be described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the scope of protection is not intended to limit the inventions to those embodiments. On the contrary, the scope of protection is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals denote identical elements throughout the several views, and referring initially to FIG. 1, an empty ammunition tray 10 is shown with a removable handle 12 engaged therewith. The ammunition tray 10 includes a body member 14 including a plurality of ammunition cavities 16 extending downwardly from an upper surface of the body member 14. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, for example, each ammunition cavity 16 may be in the form of a cylindrical bore, hole or opening. Each ammunition cavity 16 has a size (e.g., diameter and depth) and shape to receive and hold a single bullet, shell, or round of ammunition.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the ammunition tray 10 is shown with the handle 12 separated therefrom. It can be seen from FIG. 2 that the body member 14 may include an internal threaded bore 18. Also, it can be seen that the handle 12 may include a cap 20 having male threads 22 disposed around an outer surface of the cap 20. The male threads 22 on the cap 20 may be adapted for threadable engagement with the threaded bore 18 of the body member 14. When the cap 20 is threadably engaged with the threaded bore 18 as shown in FIG. 1, the handle 12 can be grasped and used to lift the ammunition tray 10, as will be discussed in more detail below. FIG. 2 also illustrates a plurality of bullets 24 that are positioned above the upper surface of the body member 14 and aligned to be lowered into corresponding ammunition cavities 16.

In a specific embodiment, the body member 14 of the ammunition tray 10 may be circular or cylindrical in shape. In a specific embodiment, the internal threaded bore 18 of the body member 14 may be circular or cylindrical in shape, and may also be centrally aligned with a central longitudinal axis of the body member 14. In a specific embodiment, the cap 20 that is attached to the handle 12 may be circular or cylindrical in shape, and the outer surface of the cap 20 where the male threads 22 are located may be circular or cylindrical in shape. As shown for example in FIG. 2, the plurality of ammunition cavities 16 may be disposed in a circular patterns. In a specific embodiment, an inner group of ammunition cavities 16 may be disposed along an innermost circle or ring, in which the ammunition cavities 16 may be evenly spaced therearound. In a specific embodiment, successive groups of ammunition cavities 16 may be disposed in like manner or circular patterns along gradually larger diameter circles or rings and emanate outwardly toward an outer wall surface of the body member 14. In a specific embodiment, the outermost circular grouping of ammunition cavities 16 may not extend all the way to the outer surface of the body member 14, but instead may stop sufficiently short of the outer surface of the body member 14 to allow room for an outer annular support surface 23 on the upper surface of the body member 14 adjacent the outer surface of the body member 14. The purpose of the outer annular support surface 23 will be discussed below.

The ammunition cavities 16 may be sized to fit bullets of various sizes and calibers, such as 0.22 caliber, 0.380 caliber, 9 mm caliber, 0.45 caliber, etc. The ammunition cavities 16 are not limited to any particular size, and can be sized to fit any type of ammunition for any type of firearm, including but not limited to hand guns and rifles. The ammunition cavities 16 may also be sized to fit shotgun shells, for example. The height or thickness of the body member 14 may be sized to accommodate the size of the ammunition to be stored.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the ammunition tray 10 is shown with the handle 12 engaged with the ammunition tray 10 and after the ammunition tray 10 has been loaded with bullets 24. FIG. 5 illustrates the loaded ammunition tray 10 with the handle 12 disengaged from the loaded ammunition tray.

With reference to FIG. 6, which is a perspective view of the bottom of the ammunition tray 10, it can be seen that the ammunition tray 10 may include an annular wall 26 extending downwardly from the body member 14 and having an internal wall surface 28. The annular wall 26 defines a lower recess 30 in the bottom of the body member 14. This is also shown in FIG. 3. In a specific embodiment, when one loaded ammunition tray 10 is lowered down to stack on top of another loaded ammunition tray 10, such as shown for example in FIG. 7, a lower surface of the annular wall 26 on the body member 14 of the upper loaded ammunition tray 10 will rest on top of the outer annular support surface 23 on the upper surface of the body member 14 of the lower loaded ammunition tray 10, and the exposed upper ends of the bullets 24 in the lower loaded ammunition tray 10 will be disposed within the lower recess 30 of the upper loaded ammunition tray 10 without touching an upper surface 31 of the lower recess 30.

In use, the stackable ammunition trays 10 of the present inventions may be adapted for use with a wide variety of containers having various cross-sections. In a specific embodiment, as shown with reference to FIGS. 8A-8D, the stackable ammunition trays 10 may have a circular or cylindrical cross-section or shape and be sized for stacking within a container 32 having a corresponding circular cross-section or shape, such as a 5-gallon bucket, for example. Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a loaded ammunition tray 10 with its handle 12 attached thereto may be lowered down onto a bottom surface 34 of an interior of the container 32. A user grasps the handle 12 to lift ammunition tray 10 and and lower it into the container 32. The handle 12 may then be rotated counter-clockwise to unscrew the handle 12 from engagement with the internal threaded bore 18 of the ammunition tray 10 as it is resting on the bottom surface 34 of the container 32. The handle 12 may then be screwed into engagement with the next loaded ammunition tray 10 to be stored in the container 32. As shown in FIG. 8C, that ammunition tray 10 is then lowered down for stacking on top of the ammunition tray 10 resting on the bottom surface 34 of the container 32. The process of removing the handle 12 and using it to lower successive loaded ammunition trays 10 into stackable engagement with the previously-stacked ammunition trays 10 may continue as desired until the container 32 is full, as shown in FIG. 8D. With reference to FIGS. 8D and 8E, an upper lid 36 may then be engaged with an upper end of the container 32 to enclose the container 32.

In a specific embodiment, for example, when the present inventions are employed to store 9 mm ammunition in a 5-gallon bucket, each ammunition tray 10 may hold approximately 350 rounds of 9 mm ammunition, and filling an entire 5-gallon bucket with these stackable layers would provide the capacity to store close to 3,200 rounds of 9 mm ammunition. Again, as mentioned above, the present inventions may be used to store ammunition of all sizes and types in containers of all sizes and types. Further, while the embodiments shown in the Figures show ammunition trays 10 and containers 32 having a circular cross-section, the present inventions are not limited to any particular shape, but instead are intended to encompass a broad variety of shapes, includes but not limited to square, rectangular, and any other shape.

The stackable ammunition trays of the present inventions and methods of using same as disclosed herein are advantageous with respect to the current state of the art in storage and transportation of ammunition. Benefits and advantages of the present inventions include the provision of a convenient and efficient means of storing and transporting ammunition, including large quantities of ammunition. In one aspect, the present inventions address the problem of efficiently storing large amounts of ammunition, such as 1,000 rounds or more, by providing stackable trays designed specifically for holding bullets securely. In another aspect, the stackable trays may be designed to fit within various containers, such as a standard 5-gallon bucket, which helps optimize storage space. This feature is particularly useful for gun owners or shooting ranges that require high-capacity storage solutions. In another aspect, the present inventions may provide for secure handling and transport of ammunition. The removable handle with a threaded engagement allows for easy and secure lifting of fully loaded ammunition trays, reducing the risk of spills or damage during transport. The trays can be designed to accommodate different sizes and calibers of ammunition, from small handgun bullets to larger rifle rounds and even shotgun shells, making the invention adaptable to a wide range of firearms. In another aspect, by organizing bullets into individual cavities, the trays allow for quick visual identification and access to specific types of ammunition, improving the user's ability to manage their inventory. In another aspect, the present inventions may be designed to ensure that bullets are securely held and protected from physical damage. This can be particularly valuable for preserving the quality and usability of stored ammunition. In another aspect, the present inventions may provide the ability for high capacity ammunition storage in a compact format. For example, the ability to stack multiple trays within a single container (e.g., a 5-gallon bucket) means users can store thousands of rounds in a compact, manageable format, making it ideal for bulk buyers or those who need to transport large quantities. In another aspect, the structured and secure storage feature of the present inventions minimizes loose rounds, which can be hazardous if mishandled, thereby enhancing overall safety during storage and transport. In another aspect, the present inventions have a modular and scalable design. The stackable nature of the trays allows users to scale up or down their storage needs without needing to change their storage setup, providing a modular solution that can grow with the user's requirements. In another aspect, the present inventions may include a theft prevention benefit insofar as the size and shape of the containers are not of the type that are generally known to be used for storing ammunition. For example, a thief burglarizing a house who is looking for ammunicition is not going to be looking for ammunition in a 5-gallon bucket.

It is to be understood that the inventions disclosed herein are not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials or embodiments shown and described. Although specific embodiments of the inventions have been described, various modifications, alterations, alternative constructions, and equivalents are also encompassed within the scope of the inventions. Although the present inventions may have been described using a particular series of steps, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the scope of the present inventions is not limited to the described series of steps. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will be evident that additions, subtractions, deletions, and other modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the inventions as set forth in the claims set forth below. Accordingly, the inventions are therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. None of the claim language should be interpreted pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the word “means” is recited in any of the claim language, and then only with respect to any recited “means” limitation.