Implements, Including Resizing, Reconditioning Patents (Class 86/24)
  • Patent number: 11719521
    Abstract: A bullet seating die for use with an ammunition press to seat a bullet in a case includes a die housing having an ammunition press mount for mounting the bullet seating die on the ammunition press. The die housing defines a bullet receiving space having an open end and a side window in communication with the bullet receiving space. The side window sized and shaped to permit the bullet to be inserted therethrough to position the bullet in the bullet receiving space. A seating stem is supported by the die housing. The seating stem is arranged to engage the bullet to press the bullet into the case when the ammunition press is operated. A spring biases the seating stem away from the open end of the bullet receiving space to permit the bullet to be inserted through the side window and into the bullet receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: AOB PRODUCTS COMPANY
    Inventors: Justin Burke, James Tayon, Michael Lindsay, Matthew Kinamore, Curtis Smith, Jarrod Grove, Michael Cottrell
  • Patent number: 11713951
    Abstract: A bullet-seating die for precisely loading a bullet into a cartridge case is disclosed. In embodiments, the bullet die comprises: a die body; means for controlling seating depth of the bullet in the cartridge case; means for positively centering the bullet in the die body; means for positively centering a front end and base of the cartridge case in the die body; means for seating the bullet by engaging an ogival portion of the bullet that will engage a rifling as the bullet moves into a bore when a loaded cartridge is fired; and means for releasing the seated bullet from the seating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Lee McPherson
  • Patent number: 11609075
    Abstract: An ammunition reloading system is configured to be operatively coupled with an ammunition reloading press to enable automated operation of the press. The reloading system includes a motor and a power transmission assembly that enables rotational power in a single direction from the motor to drive the ammunition reloading press. A controller is communicatively coupled to the motor and to one or more press position sensors to determine a position of the press within a press stroke cycle and increase or decrease the speed of the motor accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventors: Jason T. Carter, Jason D. Pruett
  • Patent number: 11609076
    Abstract: An automatic ammunition reloading system includes an actuation assembly in communication with a control system. The actuation assembly is joined to a reloading press by attaching to a control segment of the ammunition press so as to put the reloading press in operative relation with the actuation assembly. The control system receives input from one or more press position sensors to determine an actuation distance of the control lever for a full stroke of the reloading press. The control system controls operation of the actuation assembly so as to power the reloading press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventors: Jason D. Pruett, Jason T. Carter
  • Patent number: 11435171
    Abstract: The present invention includes a device for determining the force necessary for the separation of a bullet from an ammunition cartridge comprising a chamber housing having central bore extending from a lower housing end to an upper housing end and terminating at a upper aperture, wherein the central bore comprises a chamber diameter adapted to accept an ammunition cartridge and that the bullet partially extends from the upper aperture; a frustaconical shape shoulder in the central bore at the upper housing end to reduce the chamber diameter to mate to an ammunition cartridge shoulder; a neck that connects the upper aperture to the frustaconical shape shoulder adapted to accept an ammunition cartridge neck; a cartridge retention lip within the upper aperture adapted to contact an ammunition cartridge bullet aperture; a chamber mount adapted to connect the chamber housing and a testing device; a bullet securing device comprising a bullet securing end to secure the bullet and a bullet securing device mount adapt
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: True Velocity IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Lonnie Burrow, Tucker Siuts
  • Patent number: 11391553
    Abstract: A precision ammunition cartridge reaming device employs a body die having an interior cavity into which an ammunition cartridge is insertable through a first end. A reaming tool rotationally powered is insertable into the interior cavity through a second end. Rotation of the reaming tool trims the interior of a neck area of the ammunition to form a concentric surface with the exterior thereof. The distal edge of the cartridge may also be trimmed by the reaming tool to form each sequentially inserted cartridge to an equal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventor: Steve Knowles
  • Patent number: 10982937
    Abstract: Disclosed are processes for loading a cartridge such as a shot shell with a shot load and a charge of buffer material. The processes employ a tube that is coaxially aligned with the axis of the cartridge case or shot cup, the tube having an outer diameter that closely fits into the inner diameter of the cartridge case or shot cup. Shot and buffer material are loaded, the leading edge of the tube is inserted to a sufficient depth to cause at least a portion of the shot load and buffer material to rise into the inner volume of the tube, and the tube removed. The insertion-removal cycle effects the efficient mixing of the shot and the buffer material and can be repeated as many times as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Polywad, Inc.
    Inventor: James Y. Menefee, III
  • Patent number: 9103642
    Abstract: An ammunition projectile engagement apparatus and method for manufacturing and using the ammunition projectile engagement apparatus are described. A first arm, a second arm, and a head are disclosed. The first arm and second arm each contain a handle section and a projectile engagement section. The surface of each projectile engagement section includes at least one engagement feature opposite another engagement feature, which when compressed, together form a pair. Each pair, when compressed together, forms at least a partial circumference for engaging a projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: GRIP-N-PULL, LLC
    Inventors: N. Eugene Crandall, Brandon R. Williams
  • Patent number: 8915173
    Abstract: A cartridge retention tool may be used for restraining a spent cartridge during primer pocket cleaning. The tool may have jaws that may be sized to approximately fit the cartridge and secure it from moving during the cleaning process. The tool may employ mechanical leverage to reduce the amount of force required to restrain the cartridge within the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Darton International, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Clinton
  • Patent number: 8827607
    Abstract: An electric case trimmer assembly utilizes an inexpensive case adapter bearing to adapt for each size case. The case trimmer assembly includes an end mill for cutting excess material from the case. The end mill is fixed to a micrometer dial threadedly engaging a barrel. The case adapter bearing is fixed to the barrel. The micrometer dial is rotated to adjust the position of the end mill with respect to the case adapter bearing to precisely adjust the amount of material cut from the case. The case adapter bearing is easily changed to trim different cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventor: Larry Goodman
  • Patent number: 8511213
    Abstract: A hand-held portable tool to remove primers from spent firearm cartridges, comprising a depriming rod, a lever, and a handle. Compression of the lever with hand pressure while a cartridge is mounted on the depriming rod and is trapped inside the handle pushes the primer out of the cartridge without the use or need of any type of springs, dies or shell holders for various calibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Roger Lee Harvey
  • Patent number: 8459163
    Abstract: An action breech assembly features a one-piece action housing movable between a horizontal at rest position and a vertical cocked position to move a cocking plunger rearwardly as a result of a lateral offset between a pivot pin on which the housing is mounted and a plunger stop pin to which the plunger is attached. Pressure relief devices are provided for the powder chamber. An adjustable sizing die permits the amount of material removed from an external portion of a bullet to be adjusted to optimize the performance of the bullet in a particular rifle barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas R Post
  • Patent number: 8408112
    Abstract: A trimming, sizing and decapping device that has a simple, very compact construction and that allows the user to economically and quickly produce, restore or prepare cartridge cases to the utmost precision. The device consistently produces very smooth processing surfaces and has good tolerances with respect to various cartridge case wall sizes and materials. Furthermore, a method is detailed for producing or preparing empty cartridge cases using the trimming, sizing and decapping device that allows efficient preparation of the cartridge cases for subsequent loading or reloading in as few process steps as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Wojtek Keska
  • Publication number: 20120160081
    Abstract: A die for resizing spent straight wall cartridges that is suitable for use in a reloading press. The die contains a pair of spaced apart resizing rings that are arranged to size the bullet chamber of the cartridge casing to a smaller diameter than the charge chamber of the casing to improve the firing performance of the reloaded cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Redding Reloading Equipment
    Inventor: Richard W. Beebe
  • Patent number: 8141467
    Abstract: A bullet sizing and lubrication device for use with reloading presses for improved operation and durability having a sizing die, lube valve, and lube actuator member. The sizing die has a centering portion for centering bullets to be sized and lubricated and at least one lube opening. The lube valve and lube actuator member has a first position where fluid is blocked from entering the at least one lube opening and a second position where fluid is communicated through the at least one lube opening. The principle use is for sizing and lubricating cast bullets, however, other components will benefit from this invention. For example, any number of applications where devices need to be sized and lubricated, such as, shafts and pins will benefit from this application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Todd Anthony Corder
  • Publication number: 20120036984
    Abstract: What is new in the art of the invention is that it will accommodate all sizes of, Boxer style, spent center fire brass pistol and rifle casings faster, safer, more economically, more environmentally sound, with less parts (see Mancini/Galloway), and far better than the use of a media tumbler currently used for this purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Paul D. Calhoun
  • Publication number: 20110232467
    Abstract: A trimming, sizing and decapping device that has a simple, very compact construction and that allows the user to economically and quickly produce, restore or prepare cartridge cases to the utmost precision. The device consistently produces very smooth processing surfaces and has good tolerances with respect to various cartridge case wall sizes and materials. Furthermore, a method is detailed for producing or preparing empty cartridge cases using the trimming, sizing and decapping device that allows efficient preparation of the cartridge cases for subsequent loading or reloading in as few process steps as possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Wojtek Keska
  • Publication number: 20110083546
    Abstract: Bullet feed die assemblies include a die defining an interior passage that encloses a first collet and a second collet. The first collet defines a first bullet passage bore, and the second collet defines a second bullet passage bore. The first collet and the second collet are positioned coaxially within the interior bore of the die. The collets are operably engaged to generate bore expansion of one of the bullet passage bores and bore restriction of the other bullet passage bore upon application of an axial force to the collets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Gregory Lee Palkowitsh
  • Publication number: 20100275762
    Abstract: A bullet feeding device having an expandable collet insertable into a die body. The die body is capable of receiving bullets from a source and directing the bullets to the expandable collet. The expandable collet restricts the passage of the bullet through the die body until the mouth of a cartridge case is inserted into the die body opposite the bullet. The mouth of the cartridge case causes the expandable collet to expand and allow the single bullet to pass through the expandable collet and be placed in the mouth of the cartridge case. As the completed cartridge is drawn from the die body, the expandable collet contracts above the tip of the bullet and prevents the passage of additional bullets until a new cartridge case is inserted. The expandable collet is capable of accepting bullets of different lengths and shapes. In addition, the expandable collet is easily interchangeable with expandable collets of other sizes to be compatible with bullets of different diameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Steven J. Koch, Ronald L. Smith
  • Patent number: 7770503
    Abstract: The present invention refers to equipment, for the recharging firearm cartridges, having four modules that can operate jointly or separately. The equipment includes a calibrating press, that calibrates and removes a deflagrated fuse of the case through the movement of the piston tool ports and a washing turbine having a rotating nucleus that moves angularly between 90 and ?90 degrees to facilitate loading, washing and discharging of the cases. The equipment also includes a fuse press for fuse assembly in the case, with automatic rejection of the defective cases through pneumatic auxiliary cylinders of high sensitivity. The press includes a case feeder system; a rotating disk; and a reservoir feeder of fuses. The press also includes a dosage press for the assembly and packing of the cartridges, with movements synchronized vertically, circular and lineal, with main cylinder and commanded by panel provided with commands for control of the gunpowder dosage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: Celestino Goncalves Missa de Almeida
  • Patent number: 7650825
    Abstract: A case trimmer and chamfer tool preferably includes a trim die, an end cutter, a crank, an outer chamfer blade, an inner chamfer blade and a height adjustment ring. The end cutter is slidably retained in the trim die. The inner and outer chamfer blades are spring loaded. The end cutter trims a length of the cartridge case. The inner and outer wall of the cartridge case are chamfered by the inner and outer chamfer blades. An adjustment boss extends downward from one end of the crank and a rotating knob is retained on the other end thereof. The end cutter is retained in the adjustment boss. The height adjustment ring is retained on the adjustment boss. A second embodiment is adapted for handling straight cartridge cases instead of rifle cartridge cases. The case trimmer and chamfer tool and a cartridge case are retained in a loading press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Inventors: Richard J. Lee, John D. Lee
  • Patent number: 7637193
    Abstract: A bullet sizing and lubrication device for use with reloading presses for improved operation and durability having a sizing die, lube valve, and lube actuator member. The sizing die has a centering portion for centering bullets to be sized and lubricated and at least one lube opening. The lube valve and lube actuator member has a first position where fluid is blocked from entering the at least one lube opening and a second position where fluid is communicated through the at least one lube opening. The principle use is for sizing and lubricating cast bullets, however, other components will benefit from this invention. For example, any number of applications where devices need to be sized and lubricated, such as, shafts and pins will benefit from this application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Todd Anthony Corder
  • Publication number: 20090013859
    Abstract: The present invention refers to equipment, for the recharging firearm cartridges, having four modules that can operate jointly or separately. The equipment includes a calibrating press, that calibrates and removes a deflagrated fuse of the case through the movement of the piston tool ports and a washing turbine having a rotating nucleus that moves angularly between 90 and ?90 degrees to facilitate loading, washing and discharging of the cases. The equipment also includes a fuse press for fuse assembly in the case, with automatic rejection of the defective cases through pneumatic auxiliary cylinders of high sensitivity. The press includes a case feeder system; a rotating disk; and a reservoir feeder of fuses. The press also includes a dosage press for the assembly and packing of the cartridges, with movements synchronized vertically, circular and lineal, with main cylinder and commanded by panel provided with commands for control of the gunpowder dosage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Celestino Goncalves Missa de Almeida
  • Patent number: 7395746
    Abstract: An ammunition manufacturing machine has a frame with a die receptacle, and a reciprocating ram having a free end movable toward and away from the die receptacle. The free end of the die receives a removable shell holder having a recess shaped to receive the base of a casing. The recess has a flat floor portion, and the shell holder is removable along a path lateral to the axis of the ram's motion. A retention element removably encompasses at least part of the shell holder and of the free end of the ram, so that the shell holder is secured by the retention element against lateral removal. The retention element may have a flat upper surface aligned with the floor of the shell holder recess, to provide a guide for sliding the case into the shell holder. The retention element may also have an internal O-ring that compressibly surrounds the end of the ram, to provide a friction fit that holds the retaining element on the ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hornady Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ronald D Bond, Kenneth L Elshof, Greg L Palkowitsh
  • Publication number: 20080053296
    Abstract: Bullet feeder apparatus includes a fixture bounding a bullet-conducting passage therethrough, and a gate mounted to the fixture for movement between a closed position closing the bullet-conducting passage preventing a bullet from passing therethrough, and an open position opening the bullet-conducting passage allowing the bullet to pass therethrough into an open end of a shell. A bias applied to the gate biases the gate into the closed position. A deflector is mounted proximate the fixture for movement between a first position whereby the deflector is disposed away from the gate and the bias applied to the gate biases the gate in the closed position thereof closing the bullet-conducting passage, and a second position whereby the deflector is disposed toward and against the gate overcoming the bias applied thereto deflecting the gate from the closed position thereof to the open position thereof opening the bullet-conducting passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Richard A. Koskela
  • Patent number: 7017466
    Abstract: A method for removing a damaged primer from the primer chamber of a cannon. The method comprises the steps of running a starter tap into a damaged primer, and shaking the damaged primer loose from the primer chamber so that the damaged primer comes out of the primer chamber on the edge of the tap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: The United States Government as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Terry L. Davis
  • Patent number: 6912943
    Abstract: A bullet sizing and lubricating device is mountable in an ammunition reloading press to perform bullet sizing and lubricating in one stage with only a single operation of the press lever by using the force generated by the sizing operation to pressurize lubricant causing the lubricant to flow through ports to lubricate a bullet, the device simultaneously performing the sizing of one bullet and the lubrication and expulsion of a previously sized bullet as the bullets are passed axially through the device, the lubricant being pressurized by a piston engaged by a slidably sizing die while a previously sized bullet is retained within a lubricating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventor: Mehdi Bolhassani
  • Patent number: 6752042
    Abstract: A tool designed to remove a primer cap from a muzzleloader, the cap popper comprises a pair of flat blades joined with a hinge. A first end of the cap popper is wedged between the gun nipple and the primer cap. The other ends of the cap popper blades are then squeezed together by the user, forcing the primer cap off the nipple. A built-in cap holder is supplied to hold fresh primer caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Dawson/Dawson/Biglin Partnership
    Inventor: Phillip R. Dawson
  • Publication number: 20040025677
    Abstract: Reloading apparatus for reloading ammunition shell cases includes a shell case holder having a pair of yieldably biased gripping fingers positioned to engage and hold the rim at the base of the shell case. A resizing die mounted for sliding about a shell case has a lower rim adapted to engage and move the holding fingers away from engagement with the rim and thus provides substantially full length case resizing. Ejector mechanism in the resizing die is operable to urge the shell case out of the die and hold it in position to be regripped by the holding fingers as the die and support are moved away from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Alliant Techsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Jerold Koch, Ronald Leroy Smith
  • Patent number: 6412385
    Abstract: An apparatus for fully resizing the base of belted magnum cartridge cases, which is comprised of a threaded tube that is secured to the head of a reloading press. This threaded tube utilizes a collet that fits over most belted cartridge casings. This collet is then pressed into the bore of the threaded tube so that the outside diameter, at the base of the cartridge casing, can be reduced to the size that it was before being fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Larry A. Willis
  • Patent number: 6397720
    Abstract: A novel resizing die (100/300) for a cartridge case has been provided for efficiently and quickly resizing a cartridge case during a reloading operation. The novel die includes a precise measuring system (122, 124, 108/122, 306, 108) for being able to accurately and precisely adjust the position of the resizing die when already threaded into an internal bore of a reloading press so that after a first resizing process is performed, the resizing die of the present invention may be precisely adjusted by the length that the cartridge's headspace distance is too long or too short so that the next resizing process will yield a cartridge headspace distance that is in substantial accordance with a predetermined length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Fox, Jay Robert Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6397718
    Abstract: A device for machining a cartridge case that has a neck comprising a circular neck wall, a mouth and a primer pocket. The device includes a gripping assembly, adapted to accept and retain a cartridge case and a neck machining assembly, positioned to engage the cartridge case from a first direction and adapted to machine the neck of the cartridge case. Additionally, a primer pocket machining assembly is positioned to engage the cartridge case from a second direction, opposed to the first direction, thereby permitting simultaneous primer pocket and neck engagement, and adapted to machine the primer pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventors: John R. Jamison, Bradley R. Elder
  • Patent number: 6386085
    Abstract: A method for assembling a blast initiation device is provided. The method comprises providing a length of signal transmission line having first and second ends, mounting a tag to the line and mounting a first detonator to the first end of the line wherein all of the steps are each performed at a single operator station by a single operator. Also provided is an apparatus for utilizing the method. The apparatus comprises a tagger device for mounting a tag to a length of signal transmission line having first and second ends. A crimp device is adjacent the tagger device for mounting a first detonator to the first end of the line. A blocker device is adjacent the detonator crimp device for locking a connecting block to the first detonator. The tagger, crimp and blocker devices are spatially arranged adjacent an access position for ease of operation by a single operator. Further provided is a kaizen cell comprising a plurality of workstations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Betty A. Garrett
  • Patent number: 6318226
    Abstract: A device for cutting wads used to reload ammunition. The device is used with an ammunition reloader press and comprises an anvil that threadably attaches to the head of a reloading press, a punch that attaches to a cartridge casing holder connected to the ram of the reloading press, and a guide that threadably engages the anvil and guides the punch into the anvil when the ram is moved toward the head of the reloader press. The anvil and guide have aligned axial bores which receive the punch. The bore of the anvil has a smaller diameter portion with a cutting edge, and a larger diameter portion which retains the cut wads. The guide has a slot for receiving wad material. The slot extends transversely through the guide and intersects the internal bore of the guide. One end of the punch has a sloped cutting face with a peripheral edge which acts with the anvil cutting edge to cut wad material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Swedberg
  • Patent number: 6260463
    Abstract: A hand-held tool for loading a primer into a primer socket of an ammunition cartridge case includes an elongate body with a holder for holding a cartridge case with its primer socket in a target position in a priming station. An elongate track on the tool longitudinally guides a rectilinear primer holding strip through the priming station. A reciprocating advancing member moves in advancing and retracting directions, and in its advancing direction engages the primer strip to sequentially align successive primers in the strip with the target position. A detent holds the primer strip against retraction when the advancing member moves in its retracting direction. A plunger is mounted for shifting longitudinally of the body into and away from the priming station to push a primer out of the primer strip into the primer socket of the cartridge. An elongate operator handle is connected to the body for movement relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Brand, Steven J. Koch, Steven R. Shields, Ronald L. Smith
  • Patent number: 6244154
    Abstract: A seating die for use in a reloading press containing a stationary head and a movable ram. The die is secured in the head of the press and the ram moves a cartridge containing a shell casing and an unseated bullet upwardly into the die. The die further includes an elongated housing having a passage passing axially therethrough. The lower part of the passage forms a guideway that opens into an expanded upper opening to form a shoulder therebetween. A guide having a body that is slidably mounted in the guideway and has a shank mounted at its proximal end that passes upwardly into the upper opening of the passage. A collar is mounted upon the shank that contains a radial flange that seats against the housing shoulder when the guide is in a home position. The distal end of the body section contains a bottom opening chamber for receiving the bullet as the ram moves upwardly whereupon the guide is moved upwardly into contact with an adjustable stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Redding Hunter, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Beebe, Patrick T. Ryan
  • Patent number: 6101915
    Abstract: A case trimming apparatus is provided having a hollow, longitudinally extending housing which is open at both ends, receiving and securing a cutting tool at one end and enclosing the cutting edge of that tool while rotatably receiving the open end of a case at its other end and retaining the case in alignment with the cutting edge. The end of the housing which receives the open end of the case includes a ledge to engage the shoulder of the case rather than engage the case by its diameter. The ledge can be removably mounted in the housing. The housing includes a chamber for retaining shavings and may include an opening from that chamber to remove shavings during trimming. Manual actuation is accomplished by rotation of the case relative to the housing while applying pressure to the case toward the cutting edge. An adapter is provided for connecting the housing to a standard power tool, such as a conventional electric hand drill, in order to provide an alternative rotary power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Eric Sinclair
  • Patent number: 6050169
    Abstract: A fired rifle cartridge is resized in the cartridge neck area for reuse. A first die set is employed to compress the cartridge neck such that the inner surface of the neck fits a standard size bullet. A second die set is used to expand selected areas of the cartridge neck to snugly fit the firing chamber. The resultant ammunition round can be fired with a greater degree of accuracy than ammunition resized by prior art procedures, because the longitudinal axis of the cartridge neck coincides with the bore axis of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Voros
  • Patent number: 5763810
    Abstract: A device for feeding bullets to an ammunition reloading press. A bullet guide member in the device has a vertical bore for allowing bullets to descend by gravity from a stack of bullets in a storage tube one at a time to a small platform. A feeder body is mounted for reciprocating vertically on the guide member and a shuttle is mounted for sliding horizontally relative to the feeder body between a retracted position on the body to a fully advanced position where the bullet picked up from the platform by grippers on the shuttle is aligned with a bullet seating tool and with an ammunition case that is moving upward with the ram of the press. Continuing upward movement of the ram causes the case to be pushed slightly onto the bullet and ultimately the mechanism that moves the shuttle out an in, the feeder body and shuttle rise so the bullet begins to enter the seating die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Lee Precision, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Lee
  • Patent number: 5747718
    Abstract: A device and method for loading components into holders used in cartridge case reloading machinery is disclosed. The loading device includes a tray that receives and orients reloading components such as primers. The tray includes a strip receptacle which receives and positions a component holder while components are oriented by the tray and moved into position into receptacles in the component holder. The components are forced into the component holder by manual pressure, a roller, or a lever actuated bar. After the components are pressed into the component holder, the holder may be removed from the loading device and used in reloading machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene F. Bill, Fred B. Blodgett, Jerry D. Brand, Steven J. Koch, Lester V. Rodriques, Alan D. Schufeldt, Steven R. Shields, Ronald L. Smith
  • Patent number: 5731537
    Abstract: A shell reforming system and method is shown comprising an automatically temperature-controlled and detachable heat mandrel on which a shell may be situated for a predetermined period of time. The system and method further utilize a plurality of detachable cooling mandrels which facilitate cooling the shell and deforming it to a desired shape, such as a generally elongated cylinder shape. The system and method is suitable for handling multiple gauge shells and for maintaining and controlling the temperature delivered to the heat mandrel so that shotshells may be reformed consistently. A method for reconditioning and reshaping the shotshells using the automatically controlled heat source is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: Glenn Eldridge Sassaman
  • Patent number: 5719348
    Abstract: A holder for feeding components, such as primers or bullets, into a reloading machine is disclosed. The component holder is an elongate strip having notched longitudinal margins for indexing the strip as it progresses through the reloading machine. The strip includes a plurality of receptacles for holding components. Each receptacle has an inner surface that is a combination of a cylindrical portion, a prismatical portion, and a transition portion which cooperate, to allow easy loading of the component into the strip and which firmly holds the component in place. The holder also includes an engagement portion so that successive holders may be ganged together to provide a continuous component holder for continuous reloading operations. A tape is applied to at least one side of the holder to cover the component held therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene F. Bill, Fred B. Blodgett, Arthur F. Peters, Kurt Ranft, Lester V. Rodrigues, Ronald L. Smith, Donald A. Zuck
  • Patent number: 5698809
    Abstract: A primer removal tool (10) includes a receiving member (12) pivotally coupled to a guide rod assembly (14). An actuating member (16) is pivotally coupled to the receiving member (12) and the guide rod assembly (14). A first spring (18) is coupled between the receiving member (12) and the guide rod assembly (14). A second spring (20) is coupled between the guide rod assembly (14) and the actuating member (16). Pressure applied between the receiving member (12) and the actuating member (16) compresses the first spring (18) to allow the guide rod assembly (14) to enter the receiving member (12). Additional pressure compresses the second spring (20) to force the guide rod assembly (14) to move toward a press plate (24) of the receiving member (12). The guide rod assembly (14) forces a shell casing (30) against the press plate (24) to allow a de-priming pin (22) of the guide rod assembly (14) to separate a spent primer (32) from the shell casing (30) through an aperture (26) of the press plate (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventor: David D. Holt
  • Patent number: 5649465
    Abstract: An apparatus for resizing the neck of a cartridge case which includes a housing secured to a stationary head of a reloading press. A support sleeve is attached within the housing such that the support sleeve can slide within a bore of the housing. The apparatus utilizes interchangeable bushings, located within the support sleeve, which each have substantially the same outside diameter but which have varying inside diameters. The bushings are marked with their inside diameter and the user selects a bushing with an inside diameter which the user determines will most accurately resize the neck. To change bushings, the top portion of the housing is separated from the bottom portion of the housing and the components inside the housing can then be slid out of the end of the bottom portion of the housing. A different bushing can be substituted for the one that was previously used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Redding-Hunter, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Beebe
  • Patent number: 5635661
    Abstract: An ammunition cartridge case reforming die to be used in reloading operations having a central bore defining the external configuration to which the outer surface of the cartridge case is to be reformed. A mandrel having an outer surface of a configuration to which the inner diameter of the cartridge case neck is to be formed is mounted co-axially in the bore. A stop element adjacent the mandrel has a stop surface which extends radially outwardly from the mandrel toward the bore inner wall. The stop surface is positioned and angled such that it will limit the lengthwise growth of the case neck during resizing and also produce a chamfer on the inner mouth surface of the case neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventor: Edward M. Tuftee
  • Patent number: 5515766
    Abstract: Disclosed is a machine for re-sizing spent ammunition cartridges, such as spent brass cartridges for hand guns. A pair of forming rails which move with respect to one another to roll the cartridge between the rails in order to restore the cartridge to the original cylindrical specifications. The forming surface of one of the forming rails includes an inclined step which lengthens the cartridge as the bulge is rolled out of the cartridge neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Image Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael F. Fleury
  • Patent number: 5501132
    Abstract: Energetic material can be rapidly cut or machined at high speed in the substantial absence of liquid coolant with a cutting tool having a rotating cutting surface by maintaining a portion of the cutting surface out of contact with the energetic material and continuously removing the resulting reduced energetic material from the area of the cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignees: Global Environmental Solutions, Inc., Hercules Incorporated
    Inventors: Clark C. de Nevers, Jeffrey L. Nelson, Steven T. Newsome, Patrick R. Oyler, Robert A. Patterson
  • Patent number: 5394785
    Abstract: A bullet sizing die is releasably positioned at one end of a hollow die body in a bullet reloading press, the die having an internal diameter corresponding to the desired caliber of a bullet to be sized, each bullet being placed on a plunger so that axial advancement of the plunger will force each bullet in succession through the die and eject it from the die body as each next bullet in succession is advanced through the die. In a modified form, semi-spherical dies are interchangeably mounted in facing relation to one another between the plunger and die body for the sizing of lead shot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: William L. Wood
  • Patent number: 5341717
    Abstract: The present invention is an assembly/positioning system and method of use for application in the insertion or placement of tolerance dimensioned first process elements in tolerance dimensioned holes in or with respect to surfaces of second process elements. The system safely, precisely, repeatably and consistently compensates for tolerances in dimensions of process elements assembled therein, and for internal assembly/positioning system element tolerances which result from system stresses or temperature effects etc. during use. The assembly/positioning system also allows positioning process elements for processing and can include process element processing means internally. The assembly/positioning system utilizes mechanical or hydraulic toggle, insertion and tolerance compensation means in conjunction with mechanical transfer means to allow use with any combination of relatively large toleranced process elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Inventor: Richard L. Feldman
  • Patent number: 5309813
    Abstract: A multifunctional cartridge case processing apparatus for use in the handloading/reloading of ammunition. The apparatus resizing the cartridge case, trims the case to its precise standard length, decaps the cartridge case primer pocket, and evacuates the cartridge case trimmings. The apparatus can adapt to a variety of specific cartridge calibers with the proper selection of sizing ring, guide member and cutter height setting. The apparatus can be used as and integral part of a progressive handloading/reloading press or on a conventional single-stage press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventor: Roy J. Henley