US2031850A

US2031850A - Shell reloading machine

Info

Publication number: US2031850A
Application number: US679734A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence R Peterson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1933-07-10
Filing date: 1933-07-10
Publication date: 1936-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 1953-02-25

Description

25, 1936- c. R. PETERSON SHELL RELOADING MACHINE Filed July 10, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 n v en tor 624E120: .zPPfifPSO/ (Ittorneg Feb. 25, 1936.

c. R. PETERSON 2,031,850

SHELL RELOADI NG MACHINE Filed July 10, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Zia.

"ill/11117717 3nventor (Ittorneg Patented Feb. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

My invention relates to shell re-loading machines, and the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a machine of this class which is particularly suited for the sportsman who desires to manufacture or reload his rifle or pistol shells;

Second, to provide a machine of this class which is fool proof in that the machine becomes locked against operation should the shells not be shifted after a charge of powder has been delivered, thus reducing to a minimum the danger of overloaded shells;

Third, to provide a machine of this class which incorporates a simple but novel means of measuring the charge of powder for the shells wherein the means is vibrated with receiving and discharging its load so as'to insure uniform loading of the shell;

Fourth, to provide a machine of this class which simultaneously performs the several functions required in the re-loading process, thus the exploded cap is removed, a new cap is inserted, powder is delivered, the end of the shell is enlarged to receive the bullet and a bullet is positioned with each operation of the machine, the several operations taking place on a series of shells carried bythe machine, thus providing in a simple machine an arrangement whereby the shells may be readily and quickly re-loaded;

Fifth, to provide a machine of this class which is automatically halted in its operation as soon as the supply of caps is exhausted;

Sixth, to provide 'a machine of this class which may be adapted for there-loading of practically every type of .rifie, shotgun or pistol shell in commen use; Seventh, to provide a machine of this class in which all the operations thereof are accomplished by a single movement of a lever and wherein the operating elements are so arranged that they may be carried by a common support; and

Eighth, to provide on the whole a novelly constructed shell re-loading machine which is simple of manufacture, proportional to its functions, durable, efficient in its action, and will not readily deteriorate or get out or order.

With these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this application, in which:

Figure l is afront elevational viewof my shell re-loading machine with the operating elements shown in raised position, Fig. 2 is another side 5 elevational view taken at right angles to Fig. '1 with parts and portions broken away and in section to facilitate the illustration and showing by dotted lines lower position of the operating elements, Fig. 3 is a sectional view through 33 of 10 Fig. 1 looking upwardly towards the operating elements, Fig. 4 is another sectional view. through 4-4 of Fig. 1 looking downwardly, Fig. '5 is a large fragmentary sectional view through 55 of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view 15 through 66 of Fig. 1, and Fig. '7 is a developed View following a peripheral line passing through the centers of the several operating elements.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views 2Q of the drawings.

Base member I table 2, post 3, shell registering plate 4, nut 5, support member 6, end fitting "I, shaft 8, operating handle 9, arms In, pin ll, links l2, pin 13, spring l4, cap inserting meoha- 5 nism l5, cap ejecting member l6, shell centering member l1, cap inserting pin l8, lever l9, connecting pin 29, spring 2|, slide bar 22, cap reservoir stack 23, weight member 24, lever '25, spring 26, cam tongue 21, powder supplying nozi zle 28, powder receptacle 29, slide bar 30, spring 3!, cam bracket 32, spring 33, crimping member 34, bullet spacing screw 35, centering pin 36, stop member 31, bracket 38, spring 39, and catch means 40 constitute the principal parts and portions of my novel shell re-loading machine.

The machine is mounted upon a circular base member I. Centrally disposed upon the base member I is a table 2 substantially in the form of a short cylinder closed at its upper side. Sup- 4 ported from the base member and the table, and extended upwardly therefrom in centered relation therewith, is a post 3.

The closed upper side of the table is flat and pierced by apertures to receive the necessary mechanism, to be described hereinafter. The upper margin of the table 2 is provided with a low rim 2d. J ournaled about the base of the post 3 so as to ride upon the table and fitting within the rim 2a is a shell registering plate 4. The shell registering plate is provided with a series of slots do out radially therein from its periphery. Six of such slots are provided. Between the several slots 4a are apertures 4b, the purpose of which will be brought out hereinafter. The shell registering plate 4 is held in place by a nut 5.

Above the shell registering plate, the post 3 slidably receives a support member 6 which is keyed in a non-rotatable relation therewith. The support member 6 comprises a sleeve portion 6a and a flange Eb at its lower portion.

The upper end of the post 3 is provided with an end fitting l which is provided with a bore traversing the end of the post 3, and adapted to receive a shaft 8. One end of the shaft 8 is provided with an operating handle or lever B. Adja cent the lateral ends of the end fitting l is mounted a pair of arms ill which extend forwardly, that is in the direction of the user, and pivotally ccnnect by means of a pin l! to a pair of links !2. The links l2 extend downwardly to opposite sides of a bearing formed on the side of the sleeve portion 6a with its axis extending horizontally. The bearing 60 receives a pin is which is joined to the links l2 as shown best in Figs. 1 and 2.

The end fitting l is provided with an upwardly extending arm la to the extremity of which is attached a spring i l. The spring it extends downwardly along the rear side of the sleeve 8a and is suitably attached to the flange 62). The spring I l holds the support 6 in its upper posi tion, shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The flange 6b of the support carries a set or series of tools or other devices used in re-loading rifle shells. At some point, preferably at the left hand portion of the front side of the machine, the rim 2a is notched, as indicated by 2b. The several slots 4a are of sufficient size to receive snugly the shank Fl of a shell F. The under sides of the slots 4a are enlarged so as to form with the top of the table 2, shell rim receiving faces 40. Thus when the shell registering plate is rotated, the shells are held in an upright position within the several slots 4a. When any one of the slots la register with the notch-portion 2b, the adjacent hole or aperture db (to the right as viewed in Figs. 1 and '7) is in a registry with an operating bar l5 for the cap inserting mechanism. The operating bar i 5 is carried by the flange Eb and is adapted to operate through the aperture upon the cap inserting mechanism, to be described hereinafter.

Continuing to the right or in a clock-wise direction, the next slot 4a registers with a cap ejecting member I6 which is likewise supported from the flange 6a, as shown best in Fig. '7. The member 16 comprises a relatively deep annular channel a l6a formed in its lower end which is adapted to receive the shank Si of the shells. The inner portion or core formed by the annular channel l6a terminates in a pin l6?) which is adapted to pass through a small aperture S3 formed in the base of the shell and which separates the cap remember performs two functions: one, to aline the shell with the cap inserting mechanism, and the other, to spread the extremity of the shell so that a bullet may be readily inserted therein. For the latter purpose the upper portion of the member I! adjacent its connection with the flange portion I la. This portion engages and spreads the extremity of the shell when the support 6 is lowered to its extreme position, which is slightly downward of the position shown in Fig. 7.

Below and in axial alinement with the shell centering member if is a cap inserting pin l8. The pin it is journaled in a sleeve 2d formed in the under side of the table 2. The pin l8 comprises a smaller diametered portion Illa and a larger diametered portion lfib, and the sleeve 20! is shaped to conform. Said smaller diametered portion is approximately equal in diameter to that of the cap C. The cap inserting pin l8 cooperates with a cap inserting mechanism, which will be described hereinafter. The lower end of the pin it is engaged by one end of a lever 19 which is pivoted intermediate its ends on a horizontally disposed pin 2e extending inwardly from the side wall of the table 2. The other arm of the lever is rests against the under side of connecting pin 29, which is mounted similar to the pin E8 in a sleeve 2;, formed in the under side of the table 2. The sleeve 2 f is in alinement with the operating bar l5, and the upper end of the pin 26 is exposed through the aperture db so as to be engaged by said pin when the support is moved to its lower extreme position. A spring 2| is provided which causes lever 19 to bear upwardly against th pin 26), and allow the pin I8 to assume its lower position, shown in Fig. 7.

At a point radially outwardly from the pin [8, the table 2 is provided with a bracket 29. The bracket 2g is provided with a horizontal upper face having a radially extending channel in which fits a slide bar 22. Mounted over the slide bar 22, outwardly from the shell registering plate 4, is a cap reservoir stack 23, which is in the form of a long upwardly directed tube. The stack 23 is adapted to receive a plurality of caps C, as shown best in Fig. 5; the stack having a bore of suiiicient diameter to snugly receive said caps. A weight member 25 in form of a relatively long pin rests against the upper-most cap C so as to ensure their proper feeding. The slide bar 22 is provided with an aperture 22a therein of suflicient diameter toreceive a cap 0, the thickness of the slide bar being equal to that of the cap 0. The slide bar 22 is adapted to move in such a manner that at one extremity of its movement, the aperture 22:: is opposite the stack 23, and at the other extremity, said aperture is in alinement with the pin 58.

Operation of the slide bar is obtained through a lever 25 pivoted about a vertical axis, at one side of and supported from, the bracket 29. The

lever 25 is in form of a bell crank with one arm 25a engaging a boss 22b protruding upwardly from the slide bar, and the other arm 25b extending substantially radially inwardly towards the table and engageable with a cam tongue 21. The tongue 2'! is secured to the periphery of the rim or flange 5b and extends downwardly therefrom, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 2. One side of the cam tongue 21 is bevelled so that downward movement of the support 6 causes the slide bar to move inwardly the desired distance, and upon rising to the desired position, to remain there until the inserting operationis complete. The cam tongue shifts the lever 25 in one direction while a suitably disposed spring 26 shifts the lever 25 in. the other direction.

When the preceding elements are in alinement, the next shell supported by the shell registering plate is in alinement with a powder sup- 6b is provided with a diverging or frusto-conical plying nozzle 28, as shown best in Figs. 2 and '7.

The powder supply nozzle 28 is also supported from the flange 6b, and is in alinement with an aperture 6d therein. The aperture 6d intersects a laterally extending slot 6e formed within a boss or enlargement protruding upwardly from one portion of the flange 6b. In the laterally offsetrelation with the aperture Ed, said slotfie is intersected by an upwardly directed opening 6! adapted (to receive the lower end of the powder receptacle 29 which extends upwardly along the side of the sleeve portion 6a and the fitting I, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 2. The slot 6e receives a slide bar 30. The slide bar 30 is provided with an aperture 30a therein, the thickness of the slide bar and size of the aperture 30a is such as to meter the proper quantity of powder fora charge; The slide bar is shiftable back and forth so as to register with either the aperture Edor the opening 6 The slide 30 is held with the aperture 300. in registry with the opening 6f by means of a spring 3 I. When the support 6 is moved down, the slide bar is shifted against the action of the spring 3| by means of a vertically disposed cam bracket 32. For this purpose the outer extremity of the slide bar 30 is provided with a roller 3% adapted to engage the bracket 32. Said cam bracket 32 is supported from the base and extends upwardly therefrom. Its upper extremity is provided with a cam face paralleling the axes of the post 3 and provided with a plurality of notches or serrations 32a. Below this portion, the cam bracket slopes inwardly as indicated by 32?) so as to cause the desired movement of the slide bar 30. At the lower extremity of this portion, the cam bracket is provided with a second series of notches 32c engageable by the slide bar when the support is in the lower position, shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. These notches cause vibration of the slide bar and adjacent portions, and thereby ensure complete filling and discharge of the aperture 30a, and uniformity in the quantity of the charge delivered to the shell.

Opposite the slot in alinement with the powder supplying nozzle 28 is a notch 2h similar to the notch 2b. This notch enables the shell to be removed for inspection or other purposes. To prevent accidental removal of the shell at this point, there is provided a leaf spring 33, supported from the cam bracket 32 and engaging the protruding periphery of the shell registering plate 4, as shown best in Figs. 2 and 4.

The next slot 4a registers with a crimping member 34. Before the shell is moved into alinement with the crimping member 34, and after the powder has been supplied, a bullet B is inserted a part way into the upper or open end of the shell, this being easily accomplished by reason of the fact that this end of the shell has been widened or spread by the portion l'la of the centering member I'I. ber 34 is provided with a relatively deep socket 34a extending upwardly from its lower end, the side walls of which are provided intermediate therein with an inwardly curved constriction 34b adapted to engage the extremity of the shell when the support is in its lower position. The socket 34a extends beyond the constriction 34b sufliciently to receive the bullet B. Extending downwardly through the crimping member 34 in screw threaded relation therewith is a bullet spacing screw 35, the lower end of which is adapted to engage the extremity of the bullet and forces it into the she'll a fixed distance.

The next and last slot 4a alines with an aper- The crimping memture 27' provided in the top of the table 2 which slot also alines with a corresponding opening in the base member I. When the re-loaded shell shifts opposite this position, it drops downwardly away from the machine and may be caught in a suitable receptacle. The next adjacent aperture 4b, which is the aperture between the last mentioned slot and the first mentioned slot opposite the notch 21), is adapted to register with a centering pin 36, which is likewise supported from the flange 6b. The centering pin 36 is relatively long and adapted to co-act with an aperture 27c formed in the table 2 which accurately alines the several operating members with the several shells.

In order to prevent more than one operation of the machine, unless the several operating members have shells in registry therewith, and particularly to prevent the introduction of more than one charge of powder into the shell, there is provided a' stop means which limits the action of the support whenever a slot 40: passes into registry with the discharged aperture 27' without carrying a shell. This is accomplished by means of a stop member 31 which is in the form of a plate hinged about a vertical axis on a bracket 38, as shown best in Fig. 4. The plate or stop member 3'! is bifurcated at its extremity forming one arm 311) which fits over the discharge opening 2 on top of the shell registering plate 4, and a second arm 31b which fits over the centering opening 270, thereby preventing entrance of the centering pin 36 therein. However, when a shell engages arm 31a by reason of rotation of shell registering plate 4, the stop member is forced against the action of an over center spring 39 until the stop member shifts to the dotted line position, shown in Fig. 4, in which position a bevelled margin 310 of said arm 31a is in alinement with the pin 36, particularly a bevelled side 36a of its extremity. Thereupon downward movement of the support causes the pin 36 to shift the stop plate back past the center, but allowing the centering pin to pass downward between the arms 31a and 31b as soon as the pin 36 is again raised, the stop member snaps back into its position, shown by solid lines in Fig. 4 so that further action is stopped until the shell registering plate 4 is and in order to facilitate alinement with the various members, there is provided a suitable catch means 40 mounted under the table 2 and engageable with the several slots and apertures of the shell registering plate.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a shell re-loading machine, a table, a shell registering plate revolubly mounted thereon and adapted to carry a plurality of shells, a reelprocable support mounted above said table and plate, a plurality of elements for preparing and re-l-oading shells depending from said support and arranged in a circle so as to register with a plurality of shells held by said registering plate and act in concert thereupon when said support is reciprocated, and stop means including a portion carried by said support, and a portion engageable by a shell when said plate is revolved beyond the position assumed for completion of the re-loading operation, said stop means arranged to require rotation of said registering plate to advance the relation of the shells with respect to said element after each reciprocation of said support.

2. In a shell re-loading machine, a revoluble table adapted to support a plurality of shells, a supporting means mounted in reciprocal relation therewith, tools for preparing and re-loading shells mounted on said supporting means, mechanism for shifting said supporting means and causing simultaneous action of the several tools on the plurality of shells supported by said table, and a stop means for limiting said supporting means against further movement after a reciprocation, said stop means including a portion engageable by a shell when said table is revolved beyond the final re-loading tool and shifted thereby to permit a further reciprocation of said supporting means.

3. In a shell re-loading machine, a revoluble table adapted to support a plurality of shells, a supporting means mounted in reciprocal relation therewith, a cap ejecting element, a centering element, a powder dispensing element, a bullet positioning and securing element all carried by said supporting means, and arranged to act upon a corresponding series of shells carried by said table, a shell cap inserting mechanism carried by said table, including a portion in registry with said centering element, an operating element carried by said supporting means adapted to actuate said inserting mechanism, means for reciprocating said supporting means and causing concerted action of the several elements carried thereby, and a stop means for limiting said supporting means against further movement after a reciprocation, said stop means including a portion engageable by a shell when said table is revolved beyond said bullet positioning and securing element and shifted thereby to permit further reciprocation of said supporting means.

4. The combination with a shell re-loading machine having a table and a tool support carrying the several shell preparing and re-loading tools arranged to act simultaneously upon a plurality of shells carried by said table, of a powder dispenser carried by said tool support including, a receptacle, a duct adapted to discharge into a shell carried by said table, and an apertured slide bar adapted to register with the bottom of said receptacle of said duct, a bracket cam supported from said table for shifting said slide bar upon reciprocation of said tool support, and means associated with said cam for causing vibration of said slide bar when in registry with said receptacle and said duct for facilitating flow of powder into and out of the aperture of said slide bar.

5. In a shell re-loading machine, a table adapted to support a plurality of shells, a supporting means mounted in reciprocal relation therewith, tools for preparing and re-loading shells mounted on said supporting means, and mechanism for shifting said supporting means and causing simultaneous action of the several tools on the plurality of shells supported by said table, said tools including, a powder dispenser comprising, a duct adapted to discharge into a shell carried by said table, and an apertured slide bar adapted to register with the bottom of said receptacle or said duct, a bracket cam supported from said table for shifting said slide bar upon reciprocation of said supporting means, and means associated with said cam for causing vibration of said slide bar when in registry with said receptacle and said duct for facilitating flow of powder into and out of the aperture of said slide bar.

CLARENCE R. PETERSON.