Implements, Including Resizing, Reconditioning Patents (Class 86/37)
  • Patent number: 9995563
    Abstract: A cartridge with a drive system and a projectile which is connected to the drive system, wherein the drive system has a propellant case filled with a propellant and has a case bottom containing a substantially axially extending case bottom opening with a T-shaped edge contour. The case bottom opening is closed by a plug which is of T-shaped configuration, receives an ignition cap and is held in position by a safety fuse ring of a rupture disc. The safety fuse ring is arranged between the front side of the head part of the plug and the rear side of an adjoining inner-side projection of the case bottom, with the result that the propellant chamber is delimited by the front surface of the plug neck. An inner edge of the safety fuse ring engages in a positively locking and/or non-positive manner into an outer groove-shaped recess of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Hendrik Redeker, Willi Luebbers
  • Patent number: 9664489
    Abstract: A hand deprimer for removing a spent primer from an ammunition case. The deprimer is universal in that it is readily adjustable to remove spent primers from a wide variety of sizes and types of cases. The deprimer is configured for securing cases of various sizes and types in operative alignment with features that eject the primer from the base of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Battenfeld Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Poehlman, James Tayon, Dennis W. Cauley, Jr., Michael Cottrell, Tim Kinney, Matthew Kinamore, James Gianladis, Adam J. Birk
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130098230
    Abstract: A hand held portable tool to remove primers from spent firearm cartridges comprised of three parts: Depriming rod, lever and handle. Compression of the lever with hand pressure on a cartridge mounted on the depriming rod 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 different calibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Roger Lee Harvey
  • Patent number: 7806034
    Abstract: A safety prime feeding device includes a tray base, a tray cover, a bearing yoke, a priming pin and an elevator pin. The tray base includes a primer tray and an attachment projection that extends from the tray base. Primers are loaded into the primer tray. A primer slot is formed in a top of the attachment projection. The elevator pin pushes a primer to the primer slot above the primer tray for transfer of the primer to the priming pin. The priming pin and elevator pin are retained by the bearing yoke. A primer barrier is formed in the primer tray adjacent the elevator pin. An actuator body includes a tray retaining body, a lever and a connecting rod. The attachment projection is retained by the tray retaining body. Squeezing the lever pushes the connecting rod, which pushes the bearing yoke to push the primer into the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventors: Richard J. Lee, John D. Lee
  • Publication number: 20100095830
    Abstract: An ammunition primer installation device is attachable to an ammunition reloading press and uses a sliding and rotating finger trigger attached to a primer transporting slide to receive a primer from a supply trough and transport the primer to position above a primer cup on an ammunition reloading press and a trigger actuated plunger to push the primer from the device into the primer cup while maintaining the proper primer orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Richard J. Lee
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 5837916
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating the removal of spent primers from a press having a ram is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of punching a primer hole at a specified location, drilling the primer hole to a specified diameter and specified angle, drilling the hole to a larger diameter, inserting a piece of thin wall tubing into the primer hole, attaching a length of plastic tubing to the thin wall tubing and extending a lower end of the plastic tubing into a receptacle of choice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Everett Noakes, Jr.
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 5198606
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for installing primers in ammunition shells, comprising a primer holder having walls defining a pocket opening to an upper surface of the holder for receiving a primer. The pocket has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of a primer so that there is an interference fit between the pocket and the primer sufficient to prevent the primer from being inadvertently dislodged from the holder during shipment, handling or use of the holder. The holder has a hole extending from a bottom of the pocket to a bottom surface of the holder for receiving a pin which pushes the primer out of the pocket and directly into a shell in response to relative movement between the holder and the pin. The holder preferably is disk shaped and has a plurality of pockets. The invention further comprises a shell reloading machine which utilizes the new primer feed system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: David J. Storstad
    Inventors: David J. Storstad, Gary A. Nagy
  • Patent number: 5125316
    Abstract: An improved cartridge case flash hole uniformer having a hardened self-cleaning reaming and chamfering blade for use either as a hand tool or with a power drive for providing the consistent case to case uniforming of flash holes to facilitate the communication of a uniform bloom of detonating primer flash from the primer pocket by way of the flash hole into the cartridge case power chamber in turn for consistently generating uniform propellant charge ignition, and thereby enhance the cartridge factor accuracy of reloaded ammunition from round to round for match and precision bench rest shooting applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Markle
  • Patent number: 5066174
    Abstract: A tool for finishing the aperture in the base of a cartridge case. The typical cartridge case has a cylindrical neck and the aperture is located on the axis that extends from the cylindrical neck. A pilot is provided on the shank of an aperture cutting tool coaxial with a cutter on the tool. A limit stop is provided above the pilot and the combination is adjustable and lockable at a desired position on the shank. The combination pilot and limit stop is positioned relative to the cutter so that as the pilot enters the neck, the cutter is guided into the aperture. The stop limit provides the exact amount of cutter entry for removing burrs but without enlarging the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy L. Smith
  • Patent number: 5025706
    Abstract: A controlled depth primer seating tool and method for use thereof in firearm cartridge loading and reloading operations, which enables the accurate measured depth of seating of a primer within the primer pocket of a center fire cartridge case by accommodating both cartridge case plus primer variations so that the measured depth of primer seating provides for a slight pre-load compression of the anvil head of the primer against the explosive compound contained therein whereby firing pin impact energy is thus optimally expended in effecting consistency of primer ignition with a corresponding enhancement of consistent ballistic characteristics from cartridge-to-cartridge and consequent accuracy from round-to-round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Markle
  • Patent number: 4890534
    Abstract: A die used in a reloading press for reloading spent cartridges. The wall of the die is provided with a reservoir for liquid lubricant. A lubricating pad is provided inside the die mouth and lubricant from the reservoir is channeled to the pad. A primary reloading die feature is provided for the die, e.g. a primer removing rod, and as a cartridge is forced into the die for removal of the primer, it is additionally lubricated ready for resizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter W. Bender
  • Patent number: 4887509
    Abstract: A shotshell die set to facilitate reloading shotgun shells when using a commercially available press. The shotshell die set includes a depriming pin and shell holder adaptor for supporting the spent shell casing in a position to remove the spent primer from the sheel casing by using the depriming pin in association with the press. A priming pin and another shell holder adaptor are utilized with the spent shell casing in order to insert a new primer in the shell casing. A sizing and crimping die together with an additional shell holder adaptor and crimping plug are utilized to enable complete reloading and reshaping of the shell by using existing devices so the shell is then ready for use in a firearm in a conventional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Inventor: Robert F. Hodulik
  • Patent number: 4836078
    Abstract: An ammunition reloading die having a generally cylindrical axially bored body and an external thread for mounting it in a reloading press. In one embodiment, a case sizer element is threaded onto and is removable from the nominally lower end of the die body into which cases are pressed for sizing the outer diameter. A stepped mandrel is insertable in the die body. It has a decapping pin extending from its nominally lower end. A bullet seating plug is screwed into the upper end of a body's bore for backing up the mandrel when a case is being pressed onto the mandrel to expand and flare the mouth end of the case and to expel the spent primer from the case. A new primer is installed and the case is charged with powder and a bullet is set in the mouth after which the case is pressed into the die body while the mandrel is removed but the bullet seating plug is installed in the die body in which case pressing the case into the die body seats the bullet and crimps the case in the bullet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Inventor: Richard J. Lee
  • Patent number: 4807511
    Abstract: A handloader tool for use in the fabrication of cartridge shells. The tool accomplishes uniform flash hole sizing. The tool includes a depth gage section which results in a cutting tool being inserted to a constant uniform depth into the cartridge flash hole. The cutting tool has an angled upper portion to provide a uniform chamfer of, for example, 60 degrees at the flash hole exit area.The overall tool assembly further includes a slidable centering cone to provide means wherein the cutting tool is always inserted at a desired straight angle into the flash hole area.The invention further includes a method of flash hole uniforming using the described handloader tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Markle
  • Patent number: 4766798
    Abstract: To permit automatic ejection of shells in a progressive shell loader, a cam is mounted near the turret holding the shells. As the carriage is raised and lowered, two pawls and an index wheel turn it so that the shells advance toward a final station. Immediately prior to the final station, the cam engages a spring-biased lever to cause it to eject the reloaded shell. The pawls engage camming surfaces formed on the bottom of a single-piece index wheel to turn it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Hornady Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Donald M. David, Melvin R. Holmes, Larry E. Hoback, Ronnie L. Reiber
  • Patent number: 4732073
    Abstract: A primer pocket swaging device for use in cartridge reloading equipment, which is characterized by a cylindrically-shaped collet cover having a hollow, threaded interior for receiving a threaded nipple to enclose an expandable collet. The collet includes four shaped collet segments fitted together in expandable relationship by means of an O-ring and one end of a punch rod projects through the collet and the opposite end seats on the plunger of the reloading equipment by operation of a rod lock nut and an adaptor. The upper end of the collet cover is bevelled and fitted with an opening to receive the base end of an empty shell casing, wherein the base of the shell casing is inserted in the opening and is momentarily seated and held in the collet, while the punch rod extends upwardly and swages the empty primer pocket in the casing base responsive to operation of the reloading apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Inventor: Douglas C. Semon
  • Patent number: 4723472
    Abstract: A cylindrical mandrel is inserted through the neck of an ammunition case coaxially with the body of the case after which a collet is driven axially onto the neck to form the inside diameter of the neck to the outside diameter of the mandrel without changing the diameter of the case body. In another embodiment an annular bushing of elastomeric material is confined in a space around the neck and the bushing is compressed axially to cause it to bulge radially inwardly so as to apply a force for forming the neck to the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Inventor: Richard J. Lee
  • Patent number: 4675958
    Abstract: The process for dimensioning the neck of a used cartridge casing comprising providing an extrusion ram having a head and shank, inserting said head through the aperture of said neck, said head having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of said aperture, applying substantially uniform pressure circumferentially to the outer surface of said neck to reduce the inside diameter thereof to slightly less than the diameter of said head, withdrawing said head through said aperture while retaining said pressure on said outer surface of said neck, thereby causing excess metal in portions of said neck to extrude axially toward the outer end thereof, and thereafter trimming excess of said extruded metal from said outer end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Inventors: Glen E. Rosenbaum, Delmer C. Harrington
  • Patent number: 4637291
    Abstract: A combination ammunition re-loading die having an elongated housing. The housing is externally threaded at both ends to enable entry of either end into the die holder of a reloading press. An expander post is integrally formed at one end of the housing. The other end is provided with a cartridge receiving end opening. A threaded opening in the post receives a threaded shaft projected through to the cartridge receiving end opening. The projected end of the shaft carries a re-loading member, e.g. a bullet seating plug or de-priming pin. The shaft is adjustable within the post opening to adjust the position of the member. The housing can be inserted in the die holder to first present the expander post to the cartridge, and then inverted to present the bullet seating plug or de-priming pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Omark Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Alexander
  • Patent number: 4632008
    Abstract: A method for orienting and stacking primers one on top of another in a vertical upright position inside of a tubular receptacle.An apparatus with a slotted hopper and a gate to orient and stack primers in a removable tubular receptacle one on top of another in a vertical fashion. The apparatus can include a vibrator to facilitate orientation of the primers in the hopper and to speed passage of the primers through the apparatus. The apparatus may further include a handle to allow it to be held in one hand. In an alternative embodiment, the tubular receptacle is not removable from the gate. Another embodiment has a smooth hopper and a tubular receptacle to receive and stack primers one on top of another.An alternative embodiment of the apparatus has a removable gate and a removable receptacle to accommodate different sized primers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Inventor: Larry D. Horner
  • Patent number: 4620472
    Abstract: An improved shell reloading machine incorporating in addition to the essential features of utility convenience and low cost, an effective means for the prevention of primer cap detonation which might otherwise occur due to improper alignment of the primer feed mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Inventor: Stephen M. Dillon
  • Patent number: 4615255
    Abstract: In order to increase the efficiency and reliablility of shotgun shell reloader apparatus of the type in which an empty shell is entered and removed at a single entrance/exit station and the shell is transferred in a circular path from station to station at which the several reloading operations are performed sequentially, an accessory ejection spring is employed to automatically eject a completed shell as it enters the entrance/exit station (thus eliminating the necessity for manually handling a completed shell at the entrance/exit station) and a spring pad including a magnetic member is employed at the priming station to positively receive and emplace a new primer just prior to the repriming operation (thus eliminating instances of incorrect orientation of the new primer with respect to the deprimed shell into which it is to be seated during the priming operation).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignees: J. L. Rice, H. D. Warner
    Inventor: Jack O. Carter
  • Patent number: 4593598
    Abstract: An apparatus for resizing rifle cartridge cases comprising the die fixedly positioned with respect to a frame and a ram operated by a lever mechanism adapted to raise a case into a resizing cavity within the die. A punch is loosely supported in the die and includes an extractor pin at one end for removing the primer from the head of the rifle case. The die is covered by a head cap including a threaded stem adapted to abut against the punch. The head cap includes a lateral flange adapted to be engaged by levers for forcing the punch against the head of the case when the case is to be removed from the die. The punch also includes an expansion sleeve for resizing the neck of the cartridge as the case is extracted from the die and an expanded end of the punch loosely suspends the punch within the die when the case has been removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Inventor: James A. Gunder
  • Patent number: 4590841
    Abstract: The present invention defines a precision primer-reloading assembly to be mounted in and operated by a suitable cartridge-reloading press. The assembly includes a tubular support-body member having a ram rod mounted therein so as to be positioned within the cartridge case at the time the primer is loaded. The support-body member is mounted to the reloading press above and in alignment with a primer-guide assembly which is mounted to the press ram of the reloading press. The guide assembly includes a guide base having a primer-guide pin. A coil spring is positioned on the guide base so as to engage the guide housing that is slidably mounted over the guide base, the guide housing being formed with a closed end having a centrally positioned recess. This recess is provided to support and align the cartridge case with the ram rod, whereby the primer can be loaded in the primer pocket of the case by means of the primer pin as the ram rod is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Inventor: Gregory G. Davis
  • Patent number: 4566366
    Abstract: A hand held cartridge case reloader has a first elongated handle body on which there are spaced apart laterally extending members. The upper member is threaded to receive standard cartridge reloading tools. The lower member is bored to receive a reciprocable ram for holding a cartridge case at its upper end. A second handle body has a pivotal connection to the lower end of the ram and another pivotal connection to the lower end of a link whose upper end is pivotally connected to the lower end of the first handle body adjacent the ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Inventor: Richard J. Lee
  • Patent number: 4549463
    Abstract: A decapping tool includes a pair of holders, one providing a conical seat for the cartridge head, and the second providing a conical center for the cartridge mouth. The holders are spring urged towards each other whereby the cartridge is held and centered irrespective (within limits) of its length or caliber. A punch rod extends through the center, into the cartridge to the region of the primer cap at the flash hole. An anvil attached to the rear end of the punch rod is engaged by a crank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Inventor: Antti P. Raiha
  • Patent number: 4542677
    Abstract: A body having an axial bore is fixed in an ammunition cartridge reloading press which has an actuated ram. The bore contains a punch that is retracted by a spring away from a cartridge that is mounted in a holder and is to have a primer inserted. An open trough conducts primers in a row from a storage tray to a chamber at the upper end of the punch. A pin on the ram of the press drives the punch for it to press a primer into the cartridge in opposition to the spring. The terminal end of the trough is cylindrical and fits into the body's axial bore to allow the trough to pivot and advance primers by vibration. The terminal end has a hexagon bore to provide clearance for the round punch that passes through it so stray propellant dust can sift away safely. In one embodiment a rod extends laterally from the trough and rubs on the press frame during a ram stroke to thereby flex and vibrate the trough and tray to induce advancement of the primers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Inventor: Richard J. Lee
  • Patent number: 4537112
    Abstract: A decapping tool applicable to Berdan style cartridges operative to hydraulically eject primer caps from spent cartridge cases and useful with standard shooter's reloading presses to communicate pressurized fluid via a necked tool sealingly contacting spent cases at the inner surface around the primer cap recess to communicate thereto impulsive fluid pressures generated by a struck piston at a remote end of said tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Inventor: James T. Dabonde
  • Patent number: 4526084
    Abstract: To enable a shell to be automatically primed during operation of a loader, the primers are mounted within a chute to fall by gravity to an opening where a lever is pivoted by a cam as the shell carriage of the loader moves in a vertical direction within the frame of the loader. The motion of the lever moves one of the primers from the chute into position underneath the shell carriage for insertion into the shell casing as the carriage moves downward against the base of the loader frame. The lever arm is spring-biased into position underneath the rim of the holder and contacts a cam mounted to move up and down with the carriage upon the actuating of the loader handle by an operator. The shell is deprived during the upward movement of the carriage and the downward movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Hornady Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Donald M. David, Gene R. Morris
  • Patent number: 4522102
    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
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Inventor: Ralph D. Pickens
  • Patent number: 4512235
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Inventors: Richard J. Lee, John D. Lee
  • Patent number: 4409878
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cartridge primer seating tool which combines a seating tool with a primer feed system and includes a housing provided with a shell holder, in combination with primer stem for loading a primer into a shell and a primer dispenser for placing a primer in the primer stem communicating with a cam drive mounted in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Inventor: Gerald E. McClenning
  • Patent number: 4385545
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1983
    Inventor: Morris J. Duer
  • Patent number: 4222305
    Abstract: A tool for inserting primers in shell casings comprises an elongated body, a carrier element engageable with the body, a primer cap driving pin slideable in the carrier element in opposition to a coil spring surrounding the pin, a shell holder supported in the body, a hand operating lever hooked onto a pin in the body, and a toggle link pivoted on the lever for driving the pin axially wherein all parts are constrained in assembled condition by force derived from the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Inventor: Richard J. Lee
  • Patent number: 4189980
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reloading a centerfire cartridge, the apparatus including a resizing die for resizing the cartridge and a single means for forcing a used primer out of the cartridge and for forcing the cartridge out of the resizing die. A flaring tool is then used to flare the cartridge neck and a priming tool is employed to force a primer into the base of the cartridge. Gunpowder is then placed in the cartridge, a new bullet is forced into the cartridge neck, and the cartridge neck is then crimped against the bullet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1980
    Inventor: Gordon N. Schaenzer
  • Patent number: 4142441
    Abstract: A centerfire cartridge priming tool intended for hand held use and including a one piece molded tool body and a shell casing holder integrally embedded in an end of the tool body. A lever is pivotally attached to the body adjacent the shell casing holder and is functioned to force a new primer into the priming chamber of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1979
    Inventor: Gordon N. Schaenzer