Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for formulating and delivering emulsion slurry blasting agents in a self-contained, "on-site," movable system, such as a heavy duty truck which houses the necessary apparatus for formulating the emulsion blasting agent. A key part of the apparatus is a blender in which the emulsion phase is formed.

Abstract: A semi-automatic cartridge reloading machine of the type including a lower travelling platen with a rotatable support for sequentially positioning a plurality of cartridges in each of a series of operating stations and including an upper stationary platen with a plurality of tools or dies depending or extending downwardly and spaced circumferentially about the upper stationary platen and centered over the rotatable support defining a plurality of operating stations is provided with mechanisms for automatically rotating the support to reposition the cartridges in subsequent operating stations at the completion of each reloading step or operation, automatically centering cartridges and removing spent primers from cartridges, automatically belling and admitting powder into cartridges, automatically introducing and inserting new primers into cartridges, automatically introducing and inserting bullets into cartridges, and automatically crimping and seating bullets into cartridges simultaneously and in conjunction

Abstract: An ammunition case reloading press is based on an O-frame die cast from a low strength metal. A case carrying ram is driven reciprocably through a bottom member of the O-frame toward and away from a die in a top member. A compound lever system is actuated by a manual operating arm to drive the ram. A stop prohibits the links of the lever system from toggling into dead center position to thereby limit the stress of the O-frame. The operating arm is designed so it will flex to signal the user that unnecessarily great resistance is being offered and that the die should be adjusted relative to the ram to reduce the stress. The operating arm and lever system pivots are askew to a vertical plane passing through the frame so the arm swings clear past the side of the O-frame and so there is a clearer line of sight to the opening in the O-frame where the cases are placed on and removed from the ram.

Abstract: An automatic shell reloader of the type having a fixed platen and a die platen, the die platen having a plurality of dies for performing the reload function and being moveable toward and away from the fixed platen to reload a shell case, the improvements comprising a guard carried by a primer cap slide assembly mounted on the fixed platen to block the force of a detonated primer cap from reaching the die platen, and a primer cap storage assembly mounted on the die platen, the storage assembly including a storage tube having a number of spring biased fingers at the lower end for retaining primer caps in the tube and a cam mounted on the fixed platen in a position to engage the fingers to release one primer cap at a time from the tube.

Abstract: A powder measuring device for use in connection with reloading cartridges has a powder transfer member supported for translating or, alternatively, rotating between a position where at least one cavity in the member is filled with powder from a hopper to another position wherein the powder is discharged through a tube to an empty cartridge. A cartridge to be reloaded is driven upwardly by a manually operated ram. The force for actuating the mechanism that drives the transport member is transmitted through the cartridge which means that unless a cartridge is positioned on the ram for receiving the powder the transport member will not be moved in response to operation of the ram and unintended discharge of powder will be prevented.

Abstract: An ammunition casing reloader die set. The sizer and decapping die employs a decapping rod that is frictionally held in the die body with a collet so it can yield without damage. The decapping pin is press fitted in the rod. The bullet seater die is provided with a capped adjusting screw in which the bullet seater element floats so it adjusts itself into alignment when a bullet on a casing is rammed into it.

Abstract: A reloading device for metallic firearm cartridges, the reloading device incorporating improved means for depriming and resizing a previously fired cartridge, thereafter repriming the cartridge and subsequently seating a bullet in the cartridge to a desired controlled depth and, if desired, crimping the cartridge case, said reloading device comprising in combination a hinged, latched, base and cover portion, defining a longitudinally extending passageway, removably containing at each end, respectively, a cartridge holder means and a resizing and depriming means.

Abstract: A delay charge is filled into a tubular delay charge carrier closed on one end, and the filling height is measured subsequently. Only when the sufficient filling height of the delay charge has been reached, the bottom part of said tubular delay charge carrier is provided with an aperture so that only then the detonating charge of the hand grenade fuze can be ignited.

Abstract: A reloader for a shotgun primer housing, comprising anvil means mounted on a platform for supporting the primer housing in either an upright position for removing the primer from the housing or in an inverted position for inserting a new primer into the housing. A punch is provided having an elongated tip portion which is capable of entering an aperture in the primer housing when it is in the inverted position for removing the primer from the housing and a ram is provided having a flat pressing surface for forcing a new primer into the housing through the upwardly-facing open bottom of the primer housing when the housing is supported on the anvil means in the inverted position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ammunition handling system in which a steel carrier is supported on a chain running along a cruciform track. The carrier has an inner lining (19) (FIG. 1) which is shaped so that when the carrier (10) is tipped from the position shown in FIG. 1, by turning it bodily in an anti-clockwise direction, ammunition contained within the liner will gently and smoothly run out into a receptacle.The opening and closing of the door, the tipping of the carrier and the deposit of its contents are all controlled automatically by ramps and a rack and pinion device located at various points along the track. The carrier can be lowered manually and is then automatically unloaded when it reaches its destination. The shape of the inner liner (19) is such as to provide a gentle and smooth flow for the ammunition and the liner itself is made of brass, or other suitable material.

Abstract: An improved shell reloading machine employing a movable four-position shell plate carried by a single shaft and actuated by a swinging toggle linkage.

Abstract: A bullet seating die for use with an ammunition reloading press, the die including a member having an elongate bore for receiving a cartridge and a bullet seating member mounted in the bore. The bullet seating member is shiftable longitudinally within the bore by operation of a micrometer screw. Coacting grooves and a spring biased member produce a manually and audibly sensed click stop that indicates to the user preselected intervals of adjustment of the bullet seating member in the bore.

Abstract: A lost motion connection structure is provided between an oscillatable reloading press handle and the oscillatable primer arm of the press and is operative to automatically swing the primer arm of the press between primer pickup and primer positioning positions during oscillation of the press handle to reciprocally shift the shell holder of the press between the die sizing and primer press positions thereof. The lost motion connection structure is fully adjustable whereby the position of the primer arm in the primer pickup position thereof may be adjusted according to the positioning of an associated primer tube and includes lost motion structure whereby the primer arm may be swung to the primer positioning position during initial movement of the shell holder from the die sizing position toward the primer press position.

Abstract: An apparatus for reloading spent ammunition shells includes a plurality of tools supported on a shaft above an elevatable carriage which define a plurality of reloading stations spaced circumferentially about the shaft, one of the stations having a priming tool and a power recharging tool, and a shell holder plate supported on the carriage for coincident vertical movement therewith and adapted for rotation about the shaft and to receive a plurality of separate spent ammunition shells and to position these shells simultaneously and sequentially in different reloading stations.

Abstract: A reloading apparatus removes used primer caps and inserts new primer caps into the base of casings substantially automatically. The apparatus includes a ram for holding a casing and for moving the casing relative to a reconditioning means for reconfiguring the casing to a desired, predetermined configuration. The ram carries a primer arm movable automatically between a first, non-priming position during the time the casing is being deprimed and a second, priming position after the casing has been deprimed. The ram is provided with a longitudinally extending slot having a pivot pin. The primer arm includes a first member disposed within the slot and releasably connected to the pivot pin. The primer arm includes a second member extending outwardly of the slot and engageable with a stationary portion of the reloader. A primer cap holder is located at the intersection of the first and second members.

Abstract: This invention relates to some unique mechanical devices, which, when attached in natural sequence to a shotshell reloading press, allows faster, smoother and more compatable performance of said press.Specific devices which are included are, (1) a device designed for more positive reciprocation of a carrying ram, which, when actuated, meters and carries, "either wads of primers to their destination for instillation in a spent shotshell casing". (2) Another unique mechanical device is a miniature leverage system which feeds empty shell casings into the holding slots of the index carrier plate by means of a coordinated swivel mounted lever which forces said casings into holding slots of said carrier index plate upon the acuation of said press. (3) To conclude the unique devices of this application is a holding tray for new primers.

Abstract: An ammunition loader has hoppers for shot and/or powder, and a slideable charge bar for metering shot and powder from the hoppers to the shell. Metering bushings are selectively disposed in the charge bar. A leakage opening in the side wall of the charge bar communicates with the outside of the assembly. The opening is blocked when a bushing is in place, but permits shot or powder to spill therethrough if no bushing is present. The bushings have exposed volume indicating indicia thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a projectile, such as a heavy bazooka projectile or an artillery projectile, and a booster charge case to a shot. The apparatus brings the booster charge cast onto the projectile and fixes the case to the projectile by pressing into a peripheral groove of the projectile by means of hydraulically or pneumatically driven members operated by a preprogrammed control system, thus making the presence of a worker unnecessary during the critical steps of the assembling process.

Abstract: An extractor for removing an ammunition case from a sizer die in which the case is stuck after the gripping rim surrounding the head of the case has been broken. The extractor includes a body portion having a rim which is engaged by the end of a reloading ram. A screw projecting from the opposite end of the body portion is received by a threaded bore formed in the primer pocket of the case. The body portion is preferably hexagonally shaped so that it can be rotated ith a wrench to thread a screw into the primer pocket bore. Movement of the reloading ram away from the sizer die thus draws the case from the sizer die.

Abstract: A press type ammunition loader in which the casings are sequentially advanced through a series of work stations by means of a shuttle bar which is reciprocated along the line of the work stations and also moved laterally into and out of engagement with the casing series. A simplified shuttle bar operating arrangement is disclosed including a cam actuated hitch-index shuttle cooperating with other shuttle bar operating components operated by reciprocal movement of lower and upper platen plates which also operate the respective loader components at each work station. The shuttle bar advance and return movement is executed while engaged with C-form springs, maintaining an inward bias force. The upper and lower platens are reciprocated by rotation of a crank-link assembly, which also operates a primer feed slide mechanism, by means of a cable and pulley drive moving a primer slide bar between primer pick up and seating positions.

Abstract: A device for feeding primers to a cartridge reloading tool is disclosed. The invention comprises an upright frame having a primer holding tray at its upper end. The frame is hollow and defines a passageway for a chain. The lower end of the frame attaches to the primer inserting device on the reloading tool. Associated with the primer holding tray are two primer feed rolls which are spring loaded and actuated by the chain within the frame. The chain is operatively connected at its lower end to the handle of the reloading tool. As the operator actuates the handle to effect the loading sequence, the primer feed rolls rotate and progressively feed fresh primers into a chute attached to the frame and primer tray.

Abstract: In a system which sizes and lubricates lead bullets, an indexing plate, being chain driven, and having an indexing post, is mounted horizontally and in such a manner that the indexing post engages indexing detents in a transfer plate, having a plurality of bullet receiving holes. The transfer plate also mounted horizontally, and which has circular scallops whose radii and centers of curvature are coincident with the contacting surface of the indexing plate, providing an indexing to the transfer plate and a positive lock in between index positions; and a lubricating mechanism using a harmonic motion thus providing a lubricating piston with a long time in which to exert nearly maximum pressure on the lubricant and thereby optimizing the lubricating stroke; all being properly timed with the proper movement of the punch; so as to provide simultaneous and high speed sizing and lubricating of bullets.

Abstract: An automatically-ejecting shell reloading device is provided for handling spent firearm cartridge shells. The apparatus may include a die assembly mounted to receive an upwardly thrust shell. A cylindrical ram element having an upper C-shaped retainer is adapted to receive and hold a vertically-aligned shell, and the device has means for moving the ram element into an upper position, an intermediate shell-receiving position, and a lower shell-ejecting position. An ejection spring is deflected outwardly by the ram element in the intermediate position and is urged against the shell in the lower position to eject the shell laterally from the ram element. In a preferred embodiment, ejection is achieved after resizing by a leaf ejection spring mounted for lateral deflecting movement by the ram element. The device is useful for handling cartridge cases during swaging, depriming, and priming operations.

Abstract: This invention, relating to the art of resizing and decapping fired cartridge cases, comprises a novel method of and apparatus for automatically and safely resizing spent cartridge cases having primer caps, including means for automatically resizing the cases and clearing the case of the spent primer therein, in a highly efficient, automatic procedure, uniformly restoring cartridge cases for reuse. Pursuant to the invention means are provided which automatically orient the fired cases and feed them to a case receiving station from which they are sequentially advanced to a registration station, where swaging or sizing of the outside dimensions of the case to their original dimensions is effectuated and the case is decapped and reclaimed for reuse; the so resized and decapped case is displaced from the apparatus simultaneously automatically on positioning the next case at the registration station for repetition of the procedure.

Abstract: A tool for mounting a cartridge case to a drill chuck for rotating the cartridge case about its longitudinal axis for the purpose of cleaning and polishing the cartridge case. The tool comprises a body member having a bore extending axially from one end thereof to the other end, with at least a portion of the bore being internally threaded. One end of the body member is provided with an undercut slot extending from the periphery thereof inwardly to encompass the bore therein. The undercut slot is adapted to receive the flanged end of a universal cartridge case shellholders. A shaft, at least a portion thereof having external threads, is positioned within the bore in the body member so that the threads on the shaft engage the threads of the bore. The shaft is of sufficient length to extend through the bore in the body member from said one end thereof to and beyond the other end so as to project outwardly from the other end.

Abstract: An improved shell reloading machine in which a swinging toggle linkage positioned below the tool head and shell carriage permits the incorporation of a swaging operation for the preparation of the primer cavity and the addition of an indexing mechanism for the automatic advance of the shell plate.

Abstract: A method of making a cartridge, in particular a blank or propellant gas cartridge which has a casing of generally tubular form with a telescopically reverse in-folded star-crimp-closed integral tubular end section, and within which is contained a blank propellant powder charge, with a readily rupturable wad of low heat conductivity initial restraining mass formed between the propellant powder charge and the in-folded telescoping star-crimp-closed end of the casing, in which method the cartridge is formed by front loading a propellant charge and the low-heat-conductivity wad, and then star-crimping and telescopically reverse in-rolling the cartridge casing, after which the recessed in-rolled star-crimped casing is heat sealed.

Abstract: A casing feeder device which attaches to and is adapted for use with a shell reloading machine. A casing hopper is mounted on the top of an upright loading tube and has a discharge opening through which casings fall by gravity rim end downwardly to the receiver portion of the reloading machine. An adjustable tube support collar loosely surrounds and supports the loading tube in an upright position, and is attached to a reciprocating link on the reloading machine to provide agitation to the hopper as the link is moved, causing migration of casings within the hopper to the discharge opening.

Abstract: To uniformly load and orient predetermined charges of shot in shotshells having limited volume, an automatic loading machine meters the charges into the shells in a series of successive increments each sufficient to form only a single layer. A shell-supporting rail of the machine is subdivided into segments which are oscillated by cam and lever means to orient each successive increment of shot into a regular, compact layer.

Abstract: For resizing an ammunition cartridge casing, an expandable and contractible collet is surrounded by an axially movable internally tapered sleeve. An axially movable headed shaft for supporting a cartridge casing from its flanged end is in the collet. Shifting the sleeve in one direction opens the collet and simultaneous retraction of the shaft lets the cartridge casing drop into the collet. Shifting the sleeve in the opposite direction causes the collet to contract and resize the cylindrical casing and its flange. Returning the sleeve to its initial position allows the collet to expand and simultaneous elevation of the shaft lifts the resized casing up to the top of a work table in position to be removed by hand or to be moved to a new work station for performance of other steps connected with cartridge reloading if the resizer is built into a reloading device.

Abstract: A manually operable, bench mounted press used to resize the brass on shotgun and small arms ammunition prior to reloading. The shell casing resizer comprises a lever-operated ram which acts simultaneously on a pair of complementary resizing dies and ejector assemblies so as to resize one shell while another is being ejected. The resizing dies are formed at opposite ends of a rotating tubular member within which are also positioned the complementary ejector assemblies. An indexing cam is mounted to the outside of the tubular member so as to pivot therewith between the free ends of a pair of support arms of the press. The substantially simultaneous resizing and ejection actions are both the result of a single downward movement of the lever, and return of the lever to its initial position permits manual indexing of the tubular member until the next shell is aligned for the next resizing/ejection stroke.

Abstract: A magnetically-actuated latching device for use in a powder level inspection system known per se, in which a holding plate slidably supports a number of probes in a pattern similar to an array of ammunition cases in a loading plate, and the holding plate is lowered by an elevator mechanism to insert the probes into the mouths of the cases. The probes signal the level of powder in the cases by rising out of the holding plate to proportionate heights. The improvement involves the use of magnetic probes which, upon encountering low or missing powder charges, actuate magnetic latches to prevent the loading plate from being separated from the holding plate. The operator's attention is forcibly called to the presence of low powder charges by the necessity to release the latches with a hand-held magnet.

Abstract: An ammunition loading machine in which a drive chassis intermittently indexes an annular dial to transport empty shell casings to a series of loading stations, and reciprocates ram means to actuate tooling and fixtures for performing successive loading operations on the shells. The dial, ram means, tooling and fixtures are mounted on a base plate assembly to form a die set which is detachable as a unit from the drive chassis, and is easily replaceable by a different die set when ammunition of changed specifications is to be loaded.The drive chassis includes ram drive rods and a dial indexing mechanism which are readily separable from the ram means and dial to facilitate replacement of the die set. The bearings for the dial comprise roller means which also serve to form a separable driving connection with the indexing mechanism to rotate the dial.

Abstract: A tool for reconditioning and reloading spent shotgun shells is disclosed. The tool has a movable table upon which is mounted a rotating die cage. The cage contains a series of floating dies for sizing the spent shells. A fixed tool head at the top of the apparatus carries a series of filling tubes and crimping dies. Means for rotating the die cage and the operation of the floating dies is described.

Abstract: A shot shell progressive reloading press particularly including a single step crimping device comprising interiorly protruding equally spaced deflectors of mid-upper diameter of die body and downward protruding cooperating deflectors of abutting surface of elongated finalizing compression plunger, of which is maintained and supported by a heavy spring of which allows restricted reciprocal movement of said plunger of which finalizes crimp of which has been initiated by said protruding deflectors of said die body upon actuation of said reloading press, said crimping device having a capability of initiating and finalizing the crimp of new plastic casings, new paper casings, used plastic casings and used paper casings.

Abstract: A crimping die which is movably mounted in one end of a shotgun shell crimping sleeve has a conically shaped side wall which permits the crimped end of the shell to overhang the crimping die to cause ironing of the crimped end of the shell against the rounded crimping corner of the crimping sleeve when the crimping die is withdrawn from the crimped shell.

Abstract: A shot shell reloader of the type including a rotatable support for sequentially positioning a plurality of shot shells in each of a series of operating stations is provided with a mechanism for automatically rotating the support to reposition the shot shells in subsequent operating stations at the completion of each reloading step or operation. The mechanism includes a cam and a cam follower which operate a ratchet pawl that engages the rotatable shot shell support.

Abstract: A machine for disassembling cartridges is provided wherein the inertia of the bullet pulls the bullet from the cartridge case so that the bullet, cartridge case, and powder can be recovered undamaged.

Abstract: A manual cartridge loading machine. The machine has six stations at which cartridges are operated on. Cooperable with the stations is a manually actuatable head carrying dies which execute the operations on the cartridge cases. The operations which are executed at the stations include: feeding the cartridge case; sizing the case and removing the old primer; belling the mouth of the case and seating the new primer; feeding the powder; feeding the bullet in the case; and taper crimping the case. Cartridges are shifted from station to station by a manually actuatable shifting plate which is constrained for quadrilateral movement, that is, in and out with respect to the stations, and right and left in a direction parallel thereto. A safety latch is provided so that the head cannot be manually pulled down unless the cartridges have been shifted by the shift plate.

Abstract: A tool for removing detonated Berdan primers from fired cartridge cases has a sleeve to support an undetonated primer at one end immediately adjacent the inside surface of the closed end of the cartridge against which the end of the sleeve fits snugly. A firing pin longitudinally movable within the sleeve and extending from the other end explodes the primer when tapped sharply, and the explosive force through the small flash holes in the closed end of the case ejects the spent primer from the case. The sleeve is cylindrical an is just slightly smaller than the open end of the case. It has a cylindrical pocket at the end that accepts either a Berdan, Boxer, or other type of primer and has a longitudinal bore that is smaller than the diameter of such primer and guides the end of the firing pin. At the other end of the sleeve is a handle of larger diameter than the sleeve and preferably provided with a reentrant recess.

Abstract: A bench mounted, hand operated press used for resizing the brass on shot gun and small arms ammunition prior to reloading. The shell casing resizer comprises a lever-type press mechanism and two indexing resizing dies and features automatic shell ejection and automatic indexing. The shell ejection mechanisms are positioned within each of the resizing dies so as to effectuate ejection of a shell casing by exerting a force on the inner surface thereof. The two resizing dies are positioned in an end to end cooperating relationship with a lever-actuated ram such that while one shell casing is being pressed within one of the dies, another shell casing, already resized, is being ejected from the opposite die. The substantially simultaneous resizing and ejection actions are both the result of a single downward movement of the lever.

Abstract: A cartridge shell reloading tool for resizing empty cartridge shells and ejecting them from the reloading tool. The tool comprises a housing having a longitudinal bore threaded at one end to receive a resizing die which, in turn, receives the cartridge shell. The other end of the longitudinal bore of the tool housing slidably supports a spindle having one end which is received within the cartridge shell and engages the base of the shell such that the force of a coil spring carried within the housing bore and acting against an enlarged portion of the spindle ejects the shell from within the die bore after the shell has been properly shaped.The upper end of the reloading tool has a threaded member extendable into the housing bore for selected mechanical abutment with the spindle to aid the coil spring in ejecting the shell from the sizing bore of the die in the event the shell is jammed therewithin.

Abstract: A primer tray is mounted on the tool carriage of a shotgun shell reloader and is tilted to urge the primers therein toward a dispenser opening in one corner of the tray. A dispenser arm moves one of the primers over the dispenser opening when the reloading tools on the tool carriage are moved to contact shotgun shells on the reloader's work table. A dispenser tube is attached to the bottom of the primer tray under the dispenser opening and guides the primer to a predetermined primer delivery point on the work table. In one embodiment, the primer dispenser tube is within the ram which seats the primer in the base of the shotgun shell. In another embodiment, the primer dispenser tube is adjacent to the primer seating ram.