An Improved Machine for Casting Bullets.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 5th June, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 7th Mar., 1892-Accepted, 5th July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Machine for Casting Bullets.
I, BERNARD RODWELL BANKS, of 22 Elgin Road, Croydon, in the County of
Surrey Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This my invention relates to an improved machine for manufacturing bullets and
it consists in the mechanisms hereinafter described, and in the arrangement and
combinations of the several parts.
In carrying out my present invention I arrange a vertical tubular shaft which is
rotated about a stationary or fixed shaft. Secured to the rotating tubular shaft is
a plate or disc having a series of radial apertures formed therein said apertures
being drilled out of the solid metal disc or the plate may be cast or otherwise
formed with semi-cylindrical and radial grooves covered with a top plate grooved
in a similar manner.
The cylindrical apertures or perforations thus formed provide the moulds in which
the bullets are cast and within said moulds are fitted pistons the outer ends of each
of which are formed with a with a hollow recess corresponding in shape to the
rounded end of the bullet to be produced. The inner ends are provided with
vertical lugs or projections, which are guided in grooves formed in the rotating disc
or plate before mentioned.
Upon the upper end of the stationary shaft is fixed a casting, carrying stationary
cams, for imparting motion to the said pistons. The lower part of the casting is
formed with a cam which draws the pistons back to a definite distance, and, for
pressing forward the pistons after the moulds have been charged with molten metal
as hereinafter described; I provide a second cam also supported upon the casting,
while an eccentric forces out the finished bullets into a suitable receptacle. Means
are provided for preventing the pistons from rising or being displaced in their
respective grooves.
Above the disc or matrix plate before described is a stationary casting which
forms a bed for a sliding bar, operated by means of a traverse screw and hand
wheel.
One end of the sliding bar is provided with a depending arm which is extended
laterally and curved on its inner side concentric to the periphery of the matrix
plate. Through the said depending arm is formed a Hared opening which is
The said
situated opposite to a similar opening in a plate fixed upon the said arm.
plates are adjusted to closely fit the periphery of the matrix plate by means of the
screw and handwheel before described.
The molten metal is supplied to the machine by a pump or other means through
a suitable nozzle which enters the tapered openings in the plates before mentioned.
If desired means may be employed for automatically collecting the bullets
discharged from the machine or they may fall into a receptacle provided for the
purpose.
A water-jacket may be fitted around a portion of the periphery of the matrix
plate for cooling the bullets as they are cast in their respective moulds.
Dated this Fifth day of June 1891

page_text: VOMI JIN DI ITIATION.
An Improved Machine for Casting Bullets.
I, BERNARD RODWELL BANKS, of 22 Elgin Road, Croydon in the County of
Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
This my invention relates to an improved machine for manufacturing bullets and
my invention consists in the construction and combination of the several parts
hereinafter described.
My invention consists of a plate or disc rotating about a suitable axis and having
a series of radial apertures formed in the periphery thereof, the said apertures
forming moulds in which the bullets are cast. Within the said apertures are fitted
plungers or pistons which are operated by means of a stationary cam fixed upon
the framing of the machine.
The molten metal is forced by a pump or other means, through a nozzle or jet
which is arranged in the same plane as the apertures before described and the
apertures as they pass the said nozzle receive a charge of metal variable at the will
of the constructor.
In order that my invention may be more readily understood reference should be
made to the accompanying drawings in which :-
Figure 1 is a view of the casting portion of the machine as seen from the front
of the same.
Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line a in Figure 1, the cam mechanism
and pistons being omitted.
Figure 3 is a detail sectional view showing the arrangement of the cam, mould-
wheel and the upper wheel hereinafter described taken on the line y y in Figure 4.
Figure 4 is a view taken on the dotted line z in Figure 3.
The apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 consist of a suitable framing A of any.
approved design but preferably composed of the side standards a a which are bolted.
to the foundation or bed plate of the apparatus and a bridge a¹ to stiffen and connect
the upper portions and impart rigidity to the structure.
Shafts, preferably three in number, extend across the framing and are carried in
suitable bearings formed therein. The lower or main driving. shaft A carries a
suitable pulley by means of which motion may be imparted thereto from, any con-
venient source. The said shaft also carries a gear wheel B which is keyed or
otherwise rigidly fixed thereon and which meshes with another gear wheel Cupon
the central shaft D. The said shaft D also carries the mould wheel E hereinafter
described which is preferably rigidly secured to the gear wheel C and to the
shaft D in any convenient manner. The upper shaft F carries a gear wheel G of
suitable diameter and has also mounted thereon a wheel or disc H having on; its
periphery a series of depressions corresponding in depth and form to the shape
and size of the bullets to be cast in the machine.
The mould wheel E consists of a disc having an annular recess formed on its face
and in the rim or periphery are formed a number of radial apertures which corre-
spond in diameter to that of the bullets to be cast. Within the said apertures or
moulds are fitted plungers or pistons c the outer end of which are formed so as to
be adapted to form one end of the bullet.
The inner ends of the said plungers are provided with projecting lugs for the
purpose of operating same, the said lugs being adapted to be engaged with the cam
groove in the plate J. The said cam plate is fixed upon the framing and it will
be seen that as the mould wheel revolves the pistons will be alternately drawn in
and out by the action of the cam in the manner illustrated in Figure 3. The mould
wheel rotates in the direction of the arrow f illustrated in the figure and from
this it will be seen that the first portion of the cam from point 1 to point 2 will

page_text: draw in the pistons to their full extent. Opposite to the opening K the apertures b
receive a charge of lead from the supply pipe. The further rotation of the mould
wheel. brings the pistons up to the point 3 where they are forced outward to a
limited extent by the inclined face at this point thereby causing the outer face of
the metal contained in the apertures to project from the face of the mould wheel.
The metal is now compressed between the upper wheel or disc H the depressions
in the said disc forming one end of the bullet and the inner end of bullet is formed
at the same time by the end of the piston. As the mould wheel rotates; as the
pistons arrive at the portion of cam between the points 4 and 5 they will be forced
further outwards until at the latter point the bullet will fall out into a box or
suitable receptacle.
A shield L which is carried upon the framing is fitted to the periphery of the
mould wheel, the inner face being kept in contact therewith by means of suitable
springs upon the bolts . The shield is provided with a flaring opening in the
outer portion of which is inserted the nozzle of the supply pipe M and a passage m
is formed through the same to allow the surplus metal to fall down and return into
the melting tank.
The metal having been reduced to a fluid condition in a suitably heated melting
tank, is drawn from thence and caused to be projected from the discharge nozzle M
by means of a force pump or other means as will be readily understood.
Instead of the upper wheel or disc H before described, I may provide a rising
and falling block or plunger moving reciprocally in suitable guides and operated by
means of an eccentric or cam from the driving shaft.
The mould wheel may be made of a solid casting or it may be built up in any
convenient manner and the bullets cast therein may be shaped as required by
varying the shape of the ends of the pistons and the depression in the disc or die by
which the opposite end is formed.
I wish it to be also understood that I do not propose to confine myself to the
vertical arrangement illustrated in the drawings as the train of wheels hereinbefore
described may be arranged in a horizontal plane without departing from the spirit
of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In an apparatus for casting bullets the combination with a melting tank, a
force pump or other device for drawing the metal therefrom and provided with a
discharge nozzle of a mould wheel having a series of apertures formed in its
periphery, pistons within said apertures, a cam disc for operating the sail pistons,
shield bearing against the mould wheel having an opening formed therein, a wheel
or disc adapted to form one end of the bullet and means for rotating the several
wheels all arranged and operating substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
2. In an apparatus for casting bullets the combination with a melting tank, a
orce pump or other device for drawing the metal therefrom and provided with a
lischarge nozzle, of a mould wheel having a series of apertures formed in its
beriphery pistons within said apertures, a cam disc for operating the said pistons, a
hield bearing against the mould wheel having an opening formed therein, a
eciprocating die adapted to form one end of the bullet the whole being arranged
nd operating substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
Irawings.
Doted thin 5th do 1000
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents.