IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTRIDGE LOADING MACHINES
Year: 1886

page_text: I ORLANDO FULLER BELCHER, of Winthrop, County of Suffolk, State of Massa-
chusetts, United States of America, gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTRIDGE LOADING MACHINES," and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:—
My invention which relates to Cartridge Loading Machines, consists in the
peculiar mechanical arrangement of parts, which may be adapted for or applied to
any kind of a cartridge loading machine in which the movable gate or gates;
operating to admit powder or shot to the empty cartridge are connected with and
controlled upon the wad-rammer lever or handle. The peculiar advantages arising
therefrom, being economy in time, and thus greater rapidity in the act of loading,
since the right hand, which is generally employed in actuating the rammer handle
is not removed therefrom during the filling of a cartridge, but controls not only the
admission of both powder and shot, but likewise the insertion of the wads, each of
such acts being accomplished independently of each other and at the will of the
operator. My invention further consists in the present instance of a reciprocating
wad-carriage, provided with apertures or receptacles, adapted to hold the wads,
while the latter are conveyed to a position centrally over the cartridge, within
which they are forced by means of a reciprocating plunger. This carriage is adapted
to move transversely of the path of travel of the rammer and directly beneath it,
and is so connected with the mechanisin for operating the measuring gate, that
both such devices shall move simultaneously at proper intervals of time. Further-
more these wad-receivers, formed in the reciprocating carriage, correspond
respectively with the two positions of the gate for powder and shot; heuce one
receptacle or aperture will always contain and deliver thick spongy or elastic wads,
suitable for covering the powder, instantly upon delivery of the latter in the
cartridge; while the other will deliver a different kind for the shot.
Moreover the carriage is arranged to reciprocate beneath the wad-rammer and
thus cause the apertures formed therein and which contain the wads, to alternately
advance until centrally aligned with respect to the vertical longitudinal axis of the
cartridge-holder and rammer; thus it is evident that each wad is carried centrally

page_text: over the mouth of the shell in process of loading, when the rammer is advanced,
and in its descent passes downward through the aperture and thus discharges the
wad, which it carries and forces ahead of it down into the cartridge.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a machine
for loading cartridges in which the operative parts are shown in the position just
prior to the introduction and filling of a cartridge, while Fig. 2. shows a similar
view with the lever and the actuating gate mechanism and wad-carriage in the
position just after delivering the powder, but prior to the insertion of the wad upon
the latter.
While Figure 3 is a plan of the wad-carriage and Figure 4 is a transverse vertical
section on line xx somewhat enlarged; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the
adjustable plate, which actuates the wad-carriage. In said drawings the frame of
the machine, adapted to be clamped to any suitable table or bench, is represented
at A, as surmounted with a hollow gate-containing chamber B, in which the gate a
reciprocates; this gate controls both the discharge passages leading from the powder
and shot hoppers, shown respectively at C D. These latter are secured to the
circular bosses cast upon the chamber B. At E is represented a passage or duct,
which is common to both hoppers and alternately conveys powder or shot to the
cartridge contained within and supported by the cartridge-holder F.
At L M are shown two converging conductors for directing the wads to the
apertures contained in the wad-carriage, by means of which, the wads to be inserted
in the cartridges are conveyed to the latter. Firmly secured to this shelf is an
upright post or standard b, to the upper end of which is pivoted an oscillating arm
or lever c: this latter extends loosely through an eye or socket d, formed in the
upper extremity of the wad-rammer or plunger e. This plunger, spring-actuated,
is reciprocated by means of the lever c and plays vertically through an extension or
boss 8, formed upon or attached to the frame A.
Hitherto in cartridge loading machines the operation of driving home a wad and
of admitting shot or powder to the cartridge, then in process of loading, was effected
by two distinct levers disconnected; consequently a shifting or change in the
position of the hands was required attendant with much loss of time, and I have
herein endeavored to obviate this difficulty by a combination of parts, which
enable the operator to maintain his right hand continuously upon the lever c to
actuate the rammer e, and yet with the same hand be enabled likewise to operate
the mechanisin serving to open and close the gates admitting either powder or shot.
Thus either of the latter may be admitted at will into the cartridge, and
at the same time the plunger is actuated to drive home a wad, as circumstances
require in the process of loading, each of the above acts being independent
of the other.
To secure the above results I have pivoted to the shelf I, provided for the wad-
carriage, a vertically disposed arm f, which is furnished with two laterally projecting
rods gh, pivoted thereto; the former one g is located about centrally of the arm f
and extends to and is connected with a stud i, projecting from the gate a, which
controls the flow of powder and shot. While beyond at the extremity of the arm f,
I have secured the other rod h, which is attached to a metallic sleeve H, movable
upon the lever handle c. From the disposition of these various parts it will be
readily perceived, that the independent pivotal attachment of the actuating gate-
rod h, enables the lever c to descend in the act of driving a wad and then return
without effecting any change in the position of the cut-off gate; on the other hand,
when movement of the gate is desired a slight thrust of the hand, which always
grasps the movable sleeve H, enables a charge of powder or shot to be quickly
admitted, dependent upon the motion in which the sleeve is directed upon the
lever and this result may be accomplished without moving the lever c. Or in
other words oscillations or vibrations of the gate are effected by a sliding movement
of the sleeve H upon the lever handle c.
Active movement of the rammer e is effected by motion of the lever c, but the
gate continues stationary, since the rod h, operating it, pivots upon the rock-lever f,

page_text: which also remains inactive.
I have thus fully explained the movement and
operation of the rammer e, its actuating lever c, and the measuring gate a; more
particularly the latter, since the wad-carriage or feed operating device, to be herein-
after described, is operated in the same way and simultaneously with said measuring
gate.
In the drawings, see Figure 1. I have shown the wad-feeding device, as composed
of a plate or casting I, horizontally secured to the frame A, and with a portion cut
away at i to permit the introduction of the mouth of the pivoted cartridge holder F,
to a position almost flush with the top of said plate. Upon the latter is disposed
the wad-carriage proper J, which consists of a thin sliding metallic frame, suitably
bored at jk; thus two apertures or receivers are formed, adapted to retain the
wads, thrust therein, and convey then to a position centrally and vertically over
the mouth of the shell, or the cartridge-holder which contains it.
To retain and guide this wad-carriage in proper position and thus secure recipro-
cating. right line movement, I have formed two slots l. m, which cooperate with
corresponding pins or studs o. n; both of them being adjustably disposed, thereby
to limit and alter laterally the position of the wad-carriage J, and thus obtain
proper alignment of the apertures centrally with respect to the bore of the cartridge.
In as much as these receivers j. k, formed in the substance of the wad-carriage, are
to be adapted to hold and retain wads of varying size, I have provided them with
removable bushings p p, and thus the size of the apertures are readily altered to
suit circumstances.
The mechanism by which this wad-carriage is reciprocated at proper intervals
of time, simultaneously with the measuring gate, consists of a plate P, composed of
two arms q. r, preferably at right angles to each other and adjustably connected to
the rock-lever f and the wad-carriage J respectively. Hence it will be understood
that reciprocating movement of such wad-carriage is dependent on the will of the
operator by means of the sleeve H, sliding upon the rammer lever c; and further-
more, movement of the gate by aid of the rods g. h and rock-leverf will similarly
and simultaneously actuate the carriage J to advance and deliver a wad, the quality
of which may depend upon, whether powder or shot was, at such movement then
delivered to the shell in process of loading.
At L M are shown two converging conductors for directing the wads to each
aperture, when in an inactive position; thus by the method, which I have herein
adopted a wad can be introduced with much more facility within the receivers j. k,
since they are not in close proximity to the raminer.-In the practical operation of
this wad-carriage, it is very necessary to provide means by which said carriage or
conveyor may be laterally adjusted, and this is obtained by means of slots t t, cut
transversely in the plate I, as shown in section, see Figure 4. But to a successful
working of the carriage or wad conveyor the end thrusts or travel thereof must
be likewise capable of adjustment in order to bring each aperture, in the act of
delivering a wad, centrally of the bore of the shell, prior to the descent of the
rammer.
To attain this result I have slotted at u the vertical end q of the plate P, which
is thus adjustably connected to the rock-lever f, likewise slotted; furthermore the
extremity of the arm r is slotted or forked at vand secured to the wad-carriage by
the bolt y. Adjustment is secured as follows-the above described parts being
first secured approximately in the right positions; the gate is now thrown to the
right hand, or beneath the hopper D, in which event from the construction of the
various operating parts, the aperture j is or should be central over the bore of
the shell; if not, the bolt y, securing the arm r is loosened and the carriage J
pushed towards the right until said aperture is centered, when the arm and
plate J are again united by the bolt y. These parts, the gate and wad-carriage,
are now reversed to their opposite extremes of movement, which should bring the
aperture central of the bore of the shell; should it fail in so doing, the bolt
uniting the arm g to the rock-lever f is loosened and the wad-carriage advanced
slightly in the same direction, while the bolt must be shifted upward upon the lever

page_text: in order to increase the throw or travel of said carriage; when the aperture k.
becomes centered the bolt is again tightened and the adjustment of the wad-carriage
is completed.
In Figure 1 of the drawings the hopper C is to contain powder and the gate a is
now in such position that the next movement of the sleeve H, by the operator,
along the lever c will deliver a charge of powder within an empty shell, presumably
disposed in the cartridge holder. Since the receiver j is now inactive a wad is
introduced, and thus upon movement of sleeve H and oscillation of the measuring
gate, active motion of the wad-carriage is likewise effected, which produces not
only advance of said aperture, containing a wad, centrally of the bore of the shell,
but removal of the empty receiver k to an inactive position to be refilled.
The rammer lever c then actuates the rammer e to drive the wad, now held in
the aperture j, into its proper position within the shell; this is effected by the
rammer passing directly into and through the aperture in the carriage, dislodging
the wad, and forces the latter in advance of it until the powder or shot is reached.
The rammer is now returned to a raised or inactive position and the sleeve H,
which was pushed out towards the end of the rammer-lever c in order to actuate
the measuring gate and deliver the powder, is now thrust in the opposite direction
along said lever; this movement delivers a charge of shot and at the same time
the wad-carriage now presents a wad, contained within the now filled receptacle k.
The rammer is again moved and this wad driven home, when the cartridge is
loaded.
By this automatic arrangement and operation of the measuring gate and wad-
carriage, each charge of powder and shot is delivered with perfect accuracy and
only at times desired by the operator, while there is no trouble and delay
occasioned by the intermingling of wads, and each one is presented in a proper
position centrally of and at right angles to the axis of the shell, within which it
is to be placed.
It will be seen that the apertures or wad receptacles are slightly smaller than the
wads, then being used; in this way the wad is securely grasped and held over the
mouth of the shell until the movement of the rammer through said aperture, dis-
lodges and carries it down in advance until the proper position is reached within
the shell.
The operation of the machine containing the mechanism above described and
which embodies my invention is as follows;
Premising that the various operative parts are in the positions, as shown in Figure 1,
with the wad-rammer upraised and with it the lever c, while the sleeve H actuating
the gate rods g. h is drawn away from the extremity of the lever bandle c and
similarly the wad-carriage J, stands to the extreme left.
Now supposing an empty shell has been inserted in the cartridge holder F, the
next step is to admit powder, when the operator with his right hand, grasps the
movable sleeve H and thrusts it out towards the extremity of the lever c, this
movement rocks the upright arm f and directs the gate a towards the hopper D,
as shown in the dotted lines, thereby permitting flow of powder from the opposite
hopper C.
Simultaneously with the movement of the gate to admit powder, the wad-
carriage J is likewise actuated by means of the same mechanism and the aperture j,
carrying a ward brought directly over the mouth of the cartridge and in readiness
to be driven down upon the powder, which has immediately preceded it and been
deposited in its proper place.
A second motion or pull of the right hand now compels the plunger e and
lever c to advance downwards, when the wad is forced home; the descent of the
lever c has carried with it the rod h and movable sleeve H into the position shown
by dotted lines in Figure 1, the gate rod g remaining inactive, since the other rod h
pivots upon the arm f and no motion of the latter occurs.
The wad being driven down upon the powder, the operator permits the plunger
to rise by the action of its spring, and when said plunger has withdrawn from the

page_text: shell, he again thrusts the movable sleeve H in direction of arrow 1 see Figure 2;
this action effects an opposite rocking of the arm f to that previously accomplished
and a similar but reverse swinging of the gate a is produced together with the
wad-carriage, when shot is admitted to the cartridge; then without changing the
position of his right hand, after the wad in chamber k is in place over the cartridge,
he pulls the lever c down and the second wad is driven into its proper place; the
cartridge is now completely loaded and only required to be crimped before being
removed.
Upon the driving of the last wad the wad-rammer is permitted to return to its
normal or raised position, carrying the movable sleeve H, which remains inactive or
unmoved thereon, and thus the parts will be seen to have resumed the positions
shown by the full lines in Fig. 1, and ready for the insertion and loading of a fresh
empty cartridge.
It is a well understood principle in the proper loading of cartridges, that it is
very necessary to drive the powder down hard, consequently the wad upon the
latter must be forced down with more force than the wad resting upon the shot.
Moreover it will be noticed in the operation of loading, that the act of opening
the gate to admit powder brings the sleeve H out upon the extremity of the lever
actuating the wad-plunger, hence greater power is obtained at the right time, or at
the moment the wad upon the powder is to be driven home. On the other hand
admission of the shot causes the sleeve to be withdrawn from the end of the lever,
thereby shortening the latter and diminishing the power of said lever.
It is very evident that various modifications may be adopted by which to
accomplish the result produced by the sleeve H, herein shown, and yet not depart
from the spirit of my invention, which I consider consists in gate-operating
mechanism connected with the wad-rammer lever of a cartridge loading machine,
whereby without the removal of the hand from said lever shot or powder may be
admitted to the cartridge, or wads inserted therein; each of such acts being
accomplished separately and independently one of the other at the will of the
operator.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
1st In combination with the measuring gate and loading plunger of a cartridge
loading machine, a lever c actuating said plunger, a sleeve H, sliding on said lever
to operate the gate to admit the powder or shot and mechanism connecting said
sleeve to said gate substantially as stated.
2d The plunger e having a slotted head d in combination with an operating
lever c, which passes through said slot, and connections between said lever and the
measuring gate substantially as set forth.
3d In combination with the measuring gate and plunger, the standard b, the
lever e, pivoted to said standard and in contact with said plunger, the sleeve H
movable on said lever, the measuring gate, the upright pivoted rod f and the
rods g. h, respectively connecting said rod f with the said sleeve and said gate
substantially as set forth.
4th In combinaton with the measuring gate for powder and shot and the lever
which actuates the same, a slide also attached to and operated by said lever, and
provided with wad retaining apertures, a single movement of said lever serving to
actuate both said gate and said slide, substantially as set forth.
5th In combination with the cartridge holder F, rammer e and actuating lever c,
the vibrating measuring gate a and reciprocating apertured wad-carriage J both
pivoted to the rock-lever f and actuated by the sleeve H, all cooperating together,
as and for the purpose herein set forth.

page_text: 6th In combination with a cartridge-holder and its cooperating rammer and
rammer-lever the apertured wad-carriage J, adjustable connection P, its rock-
lever and the rod h uniting the latter with the sleeve H, all substantially as
herein described.
7th In a cartridge filling machine, the bushed apertured wad-carriage, adapted to
reciprocate transversely across the mouth of a cartridge-holder and cooperate with
a rammer entering the latter, in combination with lever f and plate P, the latter
being vertically slotted at u, horizontally slotted at vand connected by bolts
through slots to said slide and lever respectively, substantially as set forth.
Dated at Boston Med TT SA this fast day of Thahnam AD 1886