697,570. Cartridge crimping apparatus. ATLAS POWDER CO. Oct. 1, 1951 [Oct. 4, 1950], No. 22810/51. Class 9(i) [Also in Group XXII] Apparatus for crimping simultaneously a plurality of shells includes a crimping plate and driving means for giving the plate, which has a plurality of crimping edges, a translatory motion so that the crimping edges coact with stationary crimping edges in the apparatus to engage and crimp the shells. A driving motor 20 is connected to the machine by a driving belt 23 and pulleys 21, 22, a clutchoperating member 25 being provided to couple the main shaft to the pulley 22 and a brake drum 26 alternatively. A doubleacting pneumatic cylinder 33 moves the member 25 by means of a yoke 34 pivoted on the machine frame. The shaft 24 drives a crimping plate 45 secured to housings 47, which are rotatably mounted on crank pins 49 eccentrically carried by stub shafts 52. The shafts 52 are rotatably and eccentrically mounted in shafts 53, Fig. 5, which are rotatably mounted in the crimper housing 62, the eccentricity of the crank pins 49 relative to the stub shafts 52 being equal to the eccentricity of the shafts 52 in the outer shafts 53. The shafts 52 and 53 are driven at different speeds and at the start of each operation the crank pins 49 are aligned along the longitudinal axes of the shafts 53 so that the crimping plate has a spiral movement of increasing radius. Keyed to the main shaft 24 is a spur gear 64 which drives gears 66 keyed to the outer shafts 53. A second driving gear 68 on the main shaft engages gears 69 rotatably mounted on the shafts 53 and having driving connection with the stub shafts 52. The gear ratio between the driving gear 64 and the gears 66 is greater than the gear ratio between driving gear 68 and gears 69 so that the outer shafts and stub shafts are driven in the same direction but at different speeds. The gears 69 are connected to the shafts 52 by discs 73 slotted to receive blocks 77 carried by pins 75 extending from the gears 69. Secured to the drive shaft 24 is a shaft 79 extending from a gear reduction box 80, Fig. 2, beyond which is a shaft 81 carrying a lever 84 by which a micro-switch 78 is actuated to move the piston 35 and hence apply the brake at the end of a crimping operation. The blasting caps C are held in a frame 115 and inserted into openings 85 in the housing 62. where the crimping is effected by rings 87, 88, 89. A cover plate 90 holding crimping rings 89 has funnel-shaped openings 93 to guide the caps into position. Each ring 88, 89 has a crimping edge 88a, 89a, Fig. 12, and a cylindrical portion 88b, 89b to prevent swelling of the cap beyond the crimp and to roll in the mouth portion. The central ring 87 which is carried by the plate 45, has two crimping surfaces 87a. The rings 88, 89 are stationary, while the ring 87 rotates with the plate 45. Stops 95 extending into the openings 85 are adjustably secured to a frame member 96 and have a head channelled 102. The frame member 96 is adjustable on slides 104 to vary the position of the steps for differing lengths of blasting caps, Fig. 1. Rotatable on the frame member 96 is a shaft 105 carrying bevel gears 106, Figs. 1 and 5, engaging bevel gears 107 on shafts 108 adjustably secured to sleeves 109 (not visible in Figs. 1 or 5) having limited axial movement in the housing 62. The frame 96 may be moved rearwardly to release the caps after the crimping operation, although normally the caps are automatically withdrawn by the carrying frame 115, which is supported on a table 116 having limited movement. Conveyers 117, 118 (not shown) feed the frame to and from the machine, where latch members 122, 123 limit its position on the table 116. The latches are secured to a link system 124, 125, 128, 129 which is connected to a spring 135 to prevent transverse movement of the frame. The latches are released by sliding a second frame on to the table 116. The table rests on a slide 137 which can be moved along guides 138, 139, to bring the caps into engagement with the crimping mechanism, by pneumatic means 146, 150, 153 controlled by a micro-switch 155, Fig. 18. To actuate the switch a lever 156 is pivoted on the framework. Connected to the table 116 is a rod 160 carrying a roller 162 which closes a micro-switch 163, Fig. 2, to actuate the pneumatic cylinder 33 and hence by operating the clutch 38 connect the drive shaft 24 to the pulley 22. By this means when the table 116 is moved to its inner position the crimping operation is started automatically. The pneumatic means 146 is controlled by valves 164, 165, Fig. 18, which admit air to the outer and inner ends respectively of the cylinder. The valves are operated by a rocking beam 166 which moves when solenoids 167, 168 are energized by means of relays 169, 170 which are actuated by relay coils 171, 172. Energizing the solenoid 167 adjusts the valve 164 to move the caps into the crimping posiiton. The roller 162 closes the microswitch 163 simultaneously to operate the cylinder 33 which is controlled by valves 191, 192 operated by a rocking beam 193 when solenoids 194, 195 are energized. On completion of the crimping operation, the lever 84 actuates switch 78 to close the circuit to a relay coil 198 and hence open the circuit for the relay 197. The relay 197 drops and the solenoid 194 is energized to rock the beam 193 and close valve 192, while opening valve 191. The piston of cylinder 33 moves to its left-hand position and the drive shaft is coupled to the brake drum. The piston movement causes a roller 220 to close a micro-switch 221 and energize relay coil 172. The beam 166 is then rocked to close valve 164 and thus bring about withdrawal of the caps from the crimping mechanism.