Abstract:
A bullet puller includes a plastic carrier tube, a metal insert, an annular segmented support, a cap, and a handle. The plastic carrier tube has an opening at its upper end adapted to receive the cartridge and a head at its lower end adapted to be struck against a hard surface. The metal insert resides atop the upper end of the plastic carrier tube thereby protecting the upper end of the plastic carrier tube during use of the bullet puller. The annular segmented support is disposed atop the metal insert for engaging the cartridge. The cap movably secures over the opening at the upper end of the plastic carrier tube for moving the annular segmented support radially inward. The handle connects at one end to the plastic carrier tube for imparting motion to the plastic carrier tube to strike it against a hard surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to kinetic/inertial bullet pullers which are devices utilized to remove bullets from cases of cartridge type rounds of ammunition. Kinetic/inertial bullet pullers operate first by imparting a rapid motion to the cartridge and then bringing the case thereof to a quick stop. When the case slows down, it tries to slow down the bullet too, thereby imposing tension on the connection between the bullet and the case. If the tension force is great enough, the connection parts, which is the desired result. The tension force is proportional to the time rate of change in the momentum of the bullet and for any given bullet mass is proportional to the time rate of change in bullet velocity. The latter depends on the initial velocity of the bullet and upon the length of time required to stop it, which, in turn, depends on a speed of propagation of a kinetic/elastic shock wave through the material carrying the cartridge case. 
     Discussion of the Related Art 
     Related art kinetic/inertial bullet pullers include a rigid cartridge carrier in the form of a transparent, plastic material tube having an opening at a first end adapted to receive a cartridge and provided at its second end with a head portion adapted to be struck against a hard surface. A cartridge support, typically made of metal, is provided at and resides atop the first end of the carrier tube for engaging the cannelure or other portion of the cartridge case. The head end of the carrier tube extends beyond the nose of the bullet and is closed with its interior being tapered at the lower end. A securing cap fits over the cartridge support and engages the carrier tube to hold the cartridge support against the first end of the carrier tube. 
     In use, a cartridge is placed in the carrier tube and supported therein by the cartridge support which engages the cannelure. The securing cap secures the cartridge support to the first end of the carrier tube and further ensures the cartridge support firmly engages the cannelure. The head portion at the end of the carrier tube is struck one or more times against a hard surface such as the top of a table until the bullet pulls free of the case. To facilitate accelerating the carrier to a high velocity and striking it against a fixed hard surface, the carrier tube is provided with a handle extending transversely from the carrier tube. The resulting carrier tube and handle combination has the overall shape of a hammer. 
     While the related art bullet pullers operate satisfactorily, the use of a metal cartridge support residing on top of a plastic cartridge carrier tube provides a less than adequate interface therebetween. The striking of the head portion of the carrier tube against a hard surface imparts a kinetic energy shock wave into the plastic cartridge carrier tube, which is delivered as a force at the first end of the plastic cartridge carrier tube bearing the metal cartridge support. In accordance therewith, the plastic cartridge carrier tube experiences an impact at its first end as the metal cartridge support slams against the first end of the plastic cartridge carrier tube. Repeated use of a related art bullet puller where the plastic cartridge carrier tube absorbs the impact force of the metal cartridge support results in wear of the plastic first end due to its contact with the metal cartridge support. At some point, the wear reaches a level where the related art bullet puller fails to function properly. Consequently, the plastic/metal interface between the carrier tube and the cartridge support shortens the operational life of related art bullet pullers. 
     Accordingly, a bullet puller and insert incorporated therein that improves the plastic/metal interface between the carrier tube and the cartridge support will increase the operational life of new bullet pullers or extend the operational life of existing bullet pullers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a bullet puller separates a bullet of a cartridge separates from a case of the cartridge. The bullet puller includes a carrier tube, an insert, an annular segmented support, a cap, and a handle. The carrier tube includes at its upper end a planar upper surface and an opening adapted to receive a cartridge therein and at its lower end a head adapted to be struck against a hard surface. The carrier tube in the preferred embodiment is constructed from a plastic. The insert is disposed about the upper end of the carrier tube. The insert in the preferred embodiment is constructed from a metal. An annular segmented support is disposed atop the insert for engaging the cartridge. The cap, which includes an opening therethrough, movably secures over the opening at the upper end of the carrier tube in order to move the annular segmented support radially inward. The handle connects at one end to the carrier tube for imparting motion to the carrier tube to strike it against the hard surface. 
     The insert defines an aperture having a diameter larger than the largest cartridge used in the bullet puller. The insert includes a platform located atop a base whereby, in the preferred embodiment, the platform and the base are constructed integrally from a metal. The metal platform resides atop the planar upper surface of the upper end of the plastic carrier tube such that the metal platform substantially, completely covers the planar upper surface thereby protecting the planar upper surface during use of the bullet puller. The metal base fits within the opening of the plastic carrier tube directly adjacent a portion of an inner surface of the plastic carrier tube at the opening such that the metal base maintains the metal platform atop the planar upper surface in alignment therewith and further protects an entrance into the opening. The metal insert concentrates a kinetic energy shock wave at the annular segmented support, thereby increasing an upwardly directed pushing force of the annular segmented support relative to the cartridge. 
     A method of extending an operational life of a bullet puller includes placing the metal insert of the present invention atop the upper end of the plastic carrier tube. The base of the metal insert fits within the opening of the plastic carrier tube thereby protecting an entrance into the opening during use of the bullet puller. Furthermore, the platform of the metal insert resides atop the planar upper surface of the upper end of the plastic carrier tube thereby protecting the planar upper surface during use of the bullet puller. After placing the metal insert of the present invention atop the upper end of the plastic carrier tube, the annular segmented support is placed atop the metal insert. The cap is secured over the opening at the upper end of the plastic carrier tube. A cartridge is introduced into the upper end of the plastic carrier tube through the opening in the cap until the cartridge resides atop the annular segmented support. The cap is tightened, and the head of the plastic carrier tube is struck against a hard surface using the handle until a bullet of the cartridge separates from a case of the cartridge. 
     A method of extending an operational life of a bullet puller further includes providing multiple metal inserts. Each metal insert includes a different diameter aperture, a differently sized platform, and a differently sized base. A metal insert from among the multiple metal inserts is selected. The platform of the selected metal insert is sized to fit within a space of the planar upper surface of the plastic carrier tube, and the base of the selected metal insert is sized to fit within the opening of the plastic carrier tube. The selected metal insert then is placed atop the upper end of the plastic carrier tube. The base of the selected metal insert fits within the opening of the plastic carrier tube thereby protecting an entrance into the opening during use of the bullet puller, and the platform of the selected metal insert resides atop the planar upper surface of the upper end of the plastic carrier tube thereby protecting the planar upper surface during use of the bullet puller. After placing the selected metal insert of the present invention atop the upper end of the plastic carrier tube, the annular segmented support is placed atop the selected metal insert. The cap is secured over the opening at the upper end of the plastic carrier tube. A cartridge is introduced into the upper end of the plastic carrier tube through the opening in the cap until the cartridge resides atop the annular segmented support. The cap is tightened, and the head of the plastic carrier tube is struck against a hard surface using the handle until a bullet of the cartridge separates from a case of the cartridge. 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a kinetic/inertial bullet puller with a metal insert that protects an upper end of a plastic carrier tube. 
     It is another object of the present invention to extend an operational life of a kinetic/inertial bullet puller through the inclusion of a metal insert disposed over an upper end of a plastic carrier tube. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a metal insert that concentrates a kinetic energy shock wave at an annular segmented support of a kinetic/inertial bullet puller, thereby increasing an upwardly directed pushing force of the annular segmented support relative to a cartridge. 
     Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those skilled in the art in light of the following. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a kinetic/inertial bullet puller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view in partial cross-section illustrating showing a kinetic/inertial bullet puller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view illustrating an insert for a kinetic/inertial bullet puller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view illustrating an insert for a kinetic/inertial bullet puller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view illustrating an insert for a kinetic/inertial bullet puller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating an insert for a kinetic/inertial bullet puller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components or steps. 
     Referring now to the drawings and especially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown a kinetic/inertial bullet puller  5  including a carrier tube  10 . The carrier tube  10  is preferably constructed from a generally tubular plastics material member which has an opening  19  at its first upper end  24  and a second closed lower end  11  providing a head portion  12  for striking against a hard surface. 
     A boss  13  on the side of carrier tube  10  provides a suitable connection to a, preferably, aluminum steel shaft  14 . A fluted plastics material tube  15  forms a handgrip which is suitably secured to the shaft  14 . The boss  13 , shaft  14 , and handgrip  15  together form a handle for the carrier tube  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the shaft  14  is perpendicular to the horizontal plane defined by the boss  13 . Nevertheless, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the shaft  14  may be angled 10 to 15 degrees away from the horizontal plane defined by boss  13  in a direction away from closed lower end  11 . 
     The diameter of an inner surface  17  of the carrier tube  10  is larger than the largest cartridge expected to be used in the bullet puller  5 . The lower end  18  of the inner surface  17  of the carrier tube  10  is preferably tapered to provide a surface tangent to an arcuate nose  20  of a bullet  21  so as to slowly frictionally arrest the downward travel of the bullet  21  when it is freed from its case  22 . 
     The bullet  21  and the case  22 , which are crimped thereto at  23 , form part of a cartridge  25 . A cannelure or annular groove  26  separates the main cylindrical tubular portion of the case  22 , which carries the powder charge, from the head  27  of the cartridge  25  which has a primer/detonator cap (not shown) disposed therein. 
     The first upper end  24  of the carrier tube  10  includes a planar upper surface  41  and is provided with an external helical screw thread  30  correlative to an internal helical screw thread  31  of generally cylindrical cup-shaped screw cap  33 . The cap  33  is preferably made of a plastics material similar to that of the carrier tube  10 . The upper end  36  of the cap  33  has a cylindrical opening or bore  34  which is of slightly larger diameter than the cylindrical inner surface  17  of the carrier tube  10 . A cam surface  35  of the end  36  of the cap  33  is conical and flares toward the open end of cap  33 . Preferably the outer periphery of the closed end of the cap  33  is provided with a bevel  38 . The exterior surface of the sides of the cap  33  may be knurled for easy turning. 
     An insert  40  resides atop the planar upper surface  41  of the carrier tube  10  and extends into the opening  19  of the carrier tube  10 . An annular segmented support  42  includes a plurality of segments  43  and surmounts the insert  40  in order to support the cartridge  25  within the carrier tube  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the annular segmented support  42  includes three segments  43  and is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,533,246 and 5,333,367, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. The cap  33  positively moves the segments  43  of the annular segmented support  42  radially inwardly and holds them in position atop the insert  40  at the opening  19  of the carrier tube  10 . As the cap  33  screws down, the cam surface  35  thereof moves the segments  43  inwardly under an upper side  50  of the cannelure  26  so that the segments  43  fit snugly against the smallest diameter portion of the cannelure  26 . The cap  33  retains the segments  43  in that position on the insert  40  at the opening  19  of the carrier tube  10 . The kinetic/inertial bullet puller  5  is then ready to use. 
     Referring specifically to  FIGS. 3-6 , the insert  40  defines an aperture  54  therethrough and includes a platform  55  located atop a base  56 . The diameter of the aperture  54  of the insert  40  is slightly larger than the largest cartridge expected to be used in the bullet puller  5 . In the preferred embodiment, the platform  55  and the base  56  are constructed integrally from a metal, including but not limited to aluminum, using well known techniques, such as machining or metal injection molding; although one or ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the platform  55  and the base  56  may be made from separate parts. 
     The platform  55  is sized substantially, completely the same as the planar upper surface  41  at the first upper end  24  of the carrier tube  10  such that the platform  55  substantially, completely sits atop and covers the planar upper surface  41  while still allowing the securing of the cap  33  with the carrier tube  10 . The platform  55  protects the planar upper surface  41  of the carrier tube  10  during use of the bullet puller  5 . Although the preferred embodiment discloses the platform  55  sized substantially, completely the same as the planar upper surface  41  at the first upper end  24  of the carrier tube  10 , one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize lesser sizes for the base  56 . 
     The diameter of the base  56  is slightly less than the diameter of the opening  19  at the first upper end  24  of the carrier tube  10  such that the base  56  fits within the opening  19  directly adjacent the portion of the inner surface  17  of the carrier tube  10  at the opening  19 . The base  56  maintains the platform  55  atop the planar upper surface  41  in alignment therewith and further protects the entrance into the opening  19  of the carrier tube  10  during use of the bullet puller  5 . Although the preferred embodiment discloses the base  56  sized for location directly adjacent the portion of the inner surface  17  of the carrier tube  10  at the opening  19 , one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize lesser diameters for the base  56  as long as the largest cartridges expected for use in the bullet puller  5  pass through the base  56  and thus the aperture  54 . 
     To operate the bullet puller  5 , a user positions the insert  40  at the first upper end  24  of the carrier tube  10  such that the platform  55  substantially, completely sits atop and covers the planar upper surface  41  of the carrier tube  10  and the base  56  fits within the opening  19  directly adjacent the portion of the inner surface  17  of the carrier tube  10  at the opening  19 . The user places the annular segmented support  42  on the platform  55  and then secures the cap  33  with the carrier tube  10  over the annular segmented support  42  and the platform  55 . The user introduces a cartridge  25  into the first upper end  24  of the carrier tube  10  through the opening  34  of the cap  33 . As the user introduces a cartridge  25 , the nose  20  of the bullet  21  wedges the segments  43  of the annular segmented support  42  apart as it passes therethrough. Likewise, the case  22  wedges the segments  43  of the annular segmented support  42  apart as it passes therethrough until the segments  43  contact the upper side  50  of the cannelure  26 . Once the segments  43  engage the upper side  50  of the cannelure  26 , the user tightens the cap  33 , whereby the cam surface  35  thereof moves the segments  43  of the annular segmented support  42  radially inwardly to hold them in position atop the insert  40  at the opening  19  of the carrier tube  10 . Moreover, as the cap  33  screws down, the cam surface  35  thereof moves the segments  43  inwardly under the upper side  50  of the cannelure  26  such that the segments  43  fit snugly against the smallest diameter portion of the cannelure  26  in order to retain the cartridge  25  at the opening  19  of the carrier tube  10  with the case  22  and the bullet  21  disposed interior to the carrier tube  10  above its second closed lower end  11 . 
     The user grasps the handgrip  15 , swings the bullet puller  5  thereby imparting a high speed to the carrier tube  10 , and strikes the head portion  12  at the lower end  11  of the carrier tube  10  against a hard surface with the carrier tube  10  moving such that its axis is perpendicular to the surface at the moment of impact. The carrier tube  10  comes to rest and may bounce off of the hard surface. In any event, the first upper end  24  of the carrier tube  10  and thus the insert  40  come to rest slightly later than the second closed lower end  11  as determined by a speed of propagation of a kinetic/elastic shock wave in the plastic of the carrier tube  10 . The speed of this kinetic/elastic shock wave will determine the increment of time during which the momentum of the case  22  is changed from its initial downwardly directed maximum magnitude just prior to impact of the carrier tube  10  with the hard surface to a zero or upwardly directed magnitude, and this in turn is proportional to the force exerted tending to pull the case  22  and bullet  21  apart. It may be considered that, when the kinetic energy shock wave reaches the annular segmented support  42 , the upwardly moving first upper end  24  of the carrier tube  10  via the insert  40  pushes the segments  43  upwardly relative to the cartridge  25 , and the upper ends of the segments  43  bearing against the upper side  50  of the cannelure  26  pull the case  22  from the bullet  21 . The faster the kinetic energy shock wave moves the faster the first upper end  24  of the carrier tube  10  and thus the insert  40  move relative to the case  22 , or, otherwise expressed, the more quickly the case  22  is brought to rest. Thus, the carrier tube  10  is preferably made of a material that transmits kinetic/elastic shock waves at a high velocity but has a high impact strength so that it will not shatter. A polycarbonate plastics material, having a kinetic/elastic shock wave velocity of 6,000 ft./sec, is a suitable material for the carrier tube  10 . Suitable material may be described as being rigid and tough. 
     After striking the head portion  12  of the carrier tube  10  against a hard surface, the bullet  21  falls free of the case  22  into the second closed lower end  11  of the carrier tube  10 . Preferably, the carrier tube  10  is made from a transparent material so that the separation of the bullet  21  from the case  22  may be observed, although the rattling of the loose bullet  21  in the carrier tube  10  will make this known by sound and shock in any event. 
     The user loosens the cap  33 , backing it off sufficiently so that the cam surface  35  is spaced axially from the top surfaces of the segments  43 , far enough so that the segments  43  expand to free the case  22  and allow passage of the bullet  21 . The user inverts the carrier tube  10 , and the case  22 , the bullet  21 , and the powder are shaken out of the carrier tube  10 , with the segments  43  expanding under the force of the moving cartridge components. After the carrier tube  10  has been emptied, the user may insert another cartridge  25  into the bullet puller  5  as previously described. 
     The inclusion of the insert  40  in the bullet puller  5  extends the operational life thereof. Particularly, the platform  55  of the insert  40  protects the planar upper surface  41  of the carrier tube  10 , while the base  56  of the insert  40  protects the entrance into the opening  19  of the carrier tube  10 . The kinetic energy shock wave imparted into the carrier tube  10  creates a force experienced at the first upper end  24  of the carrier tube  10  in the form of an impact of the annular segmented support  42 . However, in accordance with the present invention, the insert  40  substantially, completely absorbs the impact of the annular segmented support  42  and further distributes the impact away from the edges of the planar upper surface  41  and the opening  19  of the carrier tube  10 . The metal insert  40 , therefore, reduces the wear of the plastic carrier tube  10  and further inhibits damage thereto by protecting the plastic carrier tube  10  from the impact force of the annular segmented support  42 . As such, the insert  40  increases the operational life of the bullet puller  5 . 
     The inclusion of the insert  40  in the bullet puller  5  further improves the performance of the bullet puller  5  in separating a bullet  21  from a case  22 . The insert  40  due to its metal construction concentrates the kinetic energy shock wave at the annular segmented support  42 , thereby increasing the upwardly directed pushing force of the annular segmented support  42  relative to the cartridge  25 . As a result of the increased upwardly directed pushing force of the annular segmented support  42 , the upper ends of the segments  43  bearing against the upper side  50  of the cannelure  26  more easily pull the case  22  from the bullet  21 . The concentration of the kinetic energy shock wave at the annular segmented support  42  by the insert  40 , accordingly, increases the pulling power of the bullet puller  5 , thus reducing the effort required to extract a bullet  21  from a case  22 . 
     The insert  40  of the present invention may be employed to extend the operational life of prior manufactured and used bullet pullers. The insert  40  is utilized in a prior manufactured or used bullet puller as previously described. Moreover, multiple inserts  40  may be manufactured wherein each insert  40  includes an aperture  54 , a platform  55 , and a base  56  sized differently than the apertures  54 , the platforms  55 , and the bases  56  of the other inserts  40 . A user selects an insert  40  from the group of multiple inserts  40  whereby the platform  55  of the selected insert  40  is sized to fit within a space of a planar upper surface  41  for the user&#39;s bullet puller  5  and the base  56  of the selected insert  40  is sized to fit within an opening  19  of the user&#39;s bullet puller  5 . The user then employs the selected insert  40  in the user&#39;s bullet puller as previously described. 
     Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing preferred embodiment, such description has been for exemplary purposes only and, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, many alternatives, equivalents, and variations of varying degrees will fall within the scope of the present invention. That scope, accordingly, is not to be limited in any respect by the foregoing detailed description; rather, it is defined only by the claims.