US2649832A - Ammunition assembling machine - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 25, 1953 w. s. REYNOLDS ET AL 2,649,832

AMMUNITION ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed June 19, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l y" AT TOHNE Aug. 25, 1953 w. s. REYNOLDS ET AL 2,649,832

AMMUNITION ASSEMBLING MACHINE I: Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 19 1951 Sm Y NYN M W F W W M I R 5 M WJ I V. B

Aug. 25, 1953 w, s, REYNOLDS ET AL 2,649,832

AMMUNITION ASSEMBLING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jun 19, .1951

INVENTORS WA fF/PE/V 5. REY/vows BY J0/-//v A. TURNER A 7'70RNE Patented Aug. 25, 1953 AMMUNITION ASSEMBLING MACHINE Warren S. Reynolds, Westport, Conn., and John R. Turner, Glen Mills, Pa., assignors to Remington Arms Company, Inc., Bridgeport, Conn., a corporationof Delaware Application June 19, 1951, Serial No. 232,356

7 Claims.

This invention relates to amrnunition assembly apparatus and contemplates improvements in the speed and accuracy with which bullets may be inserted into shells previously primed and loaded with propellant powder.

This invention is particularly adaptable to use with a continuously operating cartridge loading machine comprising a plurality of separate turret stations interconnected by conveyor chains which serve the dual purpose of driving the several turrets and transferring components being operated upon from one turret to the next. The general arrangement of such a machine is shown in the patent to Johnson, $102,403,286, issued July 2, 1946. A bullet swaging unit intended for this particular machine is shown in the patent to Reynolds et al., No. 2,538,707, issued January 16, 1951, and a shell feed and mouth opening unit intended for this particular machine is shown in the patent to Reynolds et al., No. 2,506,175, issued May 2, 1950. I

The present invention comprises a turret unit designed to be interconnected with the units described in the two Reynolds patents previously mentioned, receiving on one level a chain carrying bullets swaged in the machine of Patent No. 2,538,707 and on another level shells which have been placed in holders in the chain by the machine of Patent No. 2,506,175 and subsequently charged with powder in another unit not material to this invention. The particular function of this invention is to receive and align the bullet and shell and to insert the bullet within the mouth of the shell to a predetermined depth and in accurate alignment therewith.

Accurate alignment of bullet and shell is the result of the use of a reciprocating alignment die which embraces the mouth of the shell and guides the bullet thereinto. The arrangement by which these dies are moved to engage the shell and to receive and guide the bullet forms the major feature of this invention.

The exact nature of the invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will become apparent from consideration of the following specification referring to the appended drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a partial vertical sectional view cutting through one of the turret stations in a location indicated by the line i--l in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a plan View partially in horizontal section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a simplified, partial, vertical sectional view corresponding to part of Fig. 1 taken at approximately the location 33 on Fig. 2.

Figs. 4 through 8' are views similar to Fig. 3 taken respectively at approximately the locations indicated by the lines 4- 3, 55, B6, 'l'l, and 8-8 on Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, it may be seen that the machine comprises a fixed base It on which there is fixedly supported a vertical column H. On the column i I there are provided a pair of suitable anti-friction bearings l2 capable of carrying endwise thrust as well as radial forces. These bearings carry a turret identified generally by the numeral 13, which turret is provided with a pair of annular sprockets l4 and 15.

As best seen in Fig- 2, a transfer and drive chain is wrapped upon each sprocket and has the dual function of carrying components to be assembled into the unit and supplying the driving power for rotation of the turret. The uppermost of these chains, identified generally by the numeral It, may be the same chain as that shown in Patent No. 2,538,707, previously referred to herein, and is provided with a series of spaced transfer fingers ll arranged to carry bullets from the machine of that patent to the present unit.

Most conveniently, the chain and the rubberlike transfer fingers I! are those illustrated in Fig. 8 of the patent.

The lowermost of these chains, identified generally as I8, may be. the same as the chain shown in Patent No. 2,506,175, previously referredto, although we prefer to provide in the transfer plates !9 a bushing 20 of neoprene or other oil resistant rubberlike material to support the cartridge shell.

The sprockets and the positions of the transfer plates on the chains are so related that, when both chains have been wrapped upon the turret, the shell carried by the lower chain and the bullet carried in the upper chain will be substantially in axial alignment.

As in the case of the machines of the patents referred to, each turret is provided with a plurality of work stations which are in axial alignment with the positions to which the chains transfer the successive workpieces. The view shown in Fig. 1 cuts vertically through one of those work stations.

In the upper sprocket a guide bushing 2! is provided at each work station as a guide for a seating punch 22 mounted in a reciprocable punch holder 23. These punch holders 23 are guided for reciprocation in vertical bores in the turret and are attached in pairs to cross-heads 24, each of which is provided with a cam roller 25. The cam rollers run in a cam track 26 formed in a drum 2! fixedly secured to the top of the column H. The cam track is formed to cause vertical reciprocation of the punch holders in a predetermined sequence, to be later discussed in detail, as the turret is rotated relative to the column.

Alignment dies 28 are mounted in pairs in reciprocable carriers 29 which are, in turn, supported on slide rods 30 extending downwardly through the lower sprocket where they are coupled in pairs to crossheads 3|. The lower crossheads, like the upper, each carry a cam roller 32 which follows a cam track 33 in a drum 34 fixedly secured to the base of the machine. As the turret rotates relative to the base, this cam causes the vertical reciprocation of the alignment dies to appropriate positions to be later described.

The series of Figs. 3 through 8, considered with Fig. 1 as part of the sequence, show the major steps in the operating cycle. Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be apparent that the lower chain l8 carrying the upstanding powder filled shell cannot wrap onto the turret sprocket until the seating punch and alignment die are raised clear out of the way. Accordingly, in the region where the lower chain wraps on, both cams have a dwell holding both alignment die and seating punch in their uppermost position. Fig. 3 shows the relationship of these parts just after the lower chain has wrapped onto the turret.

With the lower chain wrapped on, the alignment dies are lowered over the cartridges held in the lower chain descending to a position somewhat lower than that shown in Fig. 1 in order to clear the heel of a bullet held in the upper chain as the upper chain wraps on. Immediately after the upper chain wraps on, the alignment dies are raised into contact with the lower face of the transfer fingers on the upper chain. It is this position which is shown in Fig. 1.

The next step is illustrated in Fig. 4, wherein the punch has been moved down to transfer the bullet from the transfer fingers l1 into the throat of the alignment die, advantage being taken of the flared mouth 35 to correct any slight misalignment in the transfer fingers.

As seen in Fig. 5, the next step is to simultaneously move both punch and alignment die downwardly to seat the bullets in the mouth of the shell in the proper location. Since the alignment die is telescoped snugly over the shell and the bearing band portion of the bullet is seated accurately within the throat of the die, the alignment of bullet and cartridge shell cannot be very far from perfect.

To permit the upper chain to unwrap from the turret, the punch is next retracted as shown in Fig. 6 and the punch is then returned into holding relation with the seated bullet as shown in Fig. '7 while the closely fitted alignment die is raised to the topmost position. In this way, the assembled cartridge is prevented from sticking in the alignment die. Lastly, as shown in Fig. 8, the punch is retracted and the lower chain carrying an assembled cartridge unwraps from the turret to pass to subsequent units for crimping, final inspection, etc.

Thus, as the turret is driven in rotation, the chains wrap onto it and the bullet guide and seating punch at each station are operated by the stationary cams to go through the cycle described above without at any time interrupting the continuity of rotation of the turret. Although a number of Widely separated positions have been shown, it should be evident that the cams are so formed as to gradually slow and reverse the reciprocating punch and bullet guide. The absence of violent reciprocation results in greater accuracy and freedom from vibration.

Although we have here shown and specifically described only one embodiment'of our invention, it will be recognized that equivalent constructions may readily be made. Accordingly, we wish it to be understood that we consider our invention to extend to all such equivalent devices as are included within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

We claim:

1. In a machine for the insertion of a first workpiece into a second cupped workpiece, the combination comprising a separate chain conveyor for each class of workpieces, each conveyor including a plurality of similarly spaced individual workpiece embracing receptacles; a fixed base; a continuously revolving turret mounted on said fixed base, said turret being engaged by and rotatable with said chain conveyors, said conveyors being spaced on said turret in a direction parallel to the axis thereof and so wrapping upon portions of the periphery of said turret having a common diameter as to successively dispose receptacles on one conveyor substantially in axial alignment with receptacles on said second conveyor; a plurality of punches reciprocably mounted on said revolving turret, there being one such punch in alignment with each of said pairs of aligned receptacles; and punch operating means comprising a single cam fixed to said base; and cam followers mounted on said turret and riding on said cam, said followers being coupled to said punches to successively reciprocate said punches through the receptacles carrying said first workpieces to transfer first workpieces into second workpieces.

2. In a machine for the insertion of a first workpiece into a second cupped workpiece, the combination comprising a separate chain conveyor for each class of workpieces, each conveyor including a plurality of similarly spaced individual workpiece embracing receptacles; a fixed base; a continuously revolving turret mounted on said fixed base, said turret being engaged by and rotatable with said chain conveyors, said conveyors being spaced on said turret in a direction parallel to the axis thereof and so wrapping upon portions of the periphery of said turret having a common diameter as to successively dispose the workpiece carrying receptacles on the separate conveyors in longitudinally spaced, substantially axial alignment; alignment dies reciprocably mounted on said turret and movable thereon into position between said workpiece carrying receptacles to guide a first workpiece into a second workpiece; a plurality of punches reciprocably mounted on said revolving turret, there being one such punch in alignment with each of said pairs of receptacles and the die therebetween and punch operating means comprising a. single cam fixed to said base; and cam followers mounted on said turret and riding on said cam, said followers being engaged with said punches to suecessively reciprocate said punches through the receptacles carrying said first workpieces and at least partially through said alignment dies to transfer first workpieces into second workpieces.

3. Apparatus as described in claim 2, said alignment dies being reciprocable on said turret along lines parallel to the axial alignment of said receptacles; die push rods; and die operating means comprising a second cam fixed to said base; and cam followers engaged with said push rods and riding on said second cam, the camming surface on said second cam being so formed as to reciprocate said dies toward said second workpieces and into telescoping engagement therewith only after the conveyor for said second workpieces has wrapped onto said turret.

4. Apparatus as described in claim 3, the conveyor carrying said first workpieces wrapping onto said turret at a location circumferentially spaced in the direction of turret rotation beyond the location in which said conveyor carrying said second workpieces wraps on, said second fixed cam being formed to cause said dies after reciprocating into telescoping engagement with said second workpieces to have a return movement into partial telescoping engagement with said first workpieces after the conveyor carrying same has wrapped upon the turret.

5. Apparatus as described in claim 4, said second fixed cam being also formed, after a dwell in which said die means is in telescoping engagement with both workpieces, to impart a further movement to said die means in a direction away from said second workpieces to return the die means to a position completely clear of the assembly of first and second workpieces to permit the chain conveyor carrying said assembly to unwrap from the periphery of said turret.

6. In a machine for the insertion of a first workpiece into a second cupped workpiece, the combination comprising a separate chain conveyor for each class of workpieces, each conveyor including a plurality of similarly spaced individual workpiece embracing receptacles; a fixed base; a continuously revolving turret mounted on said base, said turret being engaged by and rotatable with said chain conveyors, said conveyors being spaced on said turret in a direction parallel to the axis thereof and so wrapping upon portions of the periphery of said turret having a common diameter as to successively dispose the receptacles on one conveyor substantially in axial alignment with the receptacles on said second conveyor; a plurality of alignment dies mounted on the turret for reciprocation in the space between said aligned receptacles and along the axis of said receptacles; push rods for said dies; a single die cam fixed on said base; cam followers riding on said die cam and operatively engaged with said push rods to successively reciprocate said dies as the turret rotates relative to said fixed base, said cam being so shaped that the reciprocation of each of said dies in turn shall be first into one extreme position to permit the chain carrying one class of workpieces to wrap onto the turret, second, into position telescoped over workpieces of said one class and clear of the path of workpieces of the other class to permit the chain carrying said workpieces of the other class to wrap onto the turret, and third, into partial telescoping relation with both workpieces to guide one class of workpieces into the other class of workpieces; a plurality of punches mounted on the turret for reciprocation on the axes of said aligned receptacles and alignment dies; a punch cam fixed on said base; punch cam followers riding on said punch cam and operatively engaged with said punches to successively reciprocate said punches through the receptacles carrying one class of workpieces and at least partially through said alignment dies as the turret rotates relative to said fixed base, said punch cam being so disposed relative to the die cam and so shaped as to advance the punch to insert one workpiece into the other workpiece during said third period in which the die is in partial telescoping relation with both of said workpieces.

7. The combination described in claim 6, said punch cam being so shaped and so disposed relative to the die cam as to hold the punch in advanced position in engagement with a first workpiece seated in a second workpiece while said alignment die is retracted to the position of said first period.

WARREN S. REYNOLDS.

JOHN R. TURNER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 602,837 Dollfus Apr. 26, 1898 1,302,185 Leming Apr. 29, 1919 1,403,879 Taliaferro Jan. 17, 1922 2,510,568 Fouse June 6, 1950

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