Powder, Shot, and for other similar Purposes.
Year: 1885

page_text: Powder, Shot, and for other similar Purposes.
I WILLIAM PALMER JONES of Bath Street, Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Gun and Rifle Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of said
invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED INSTRUMENT FOR ACCURATELY MEASURING
GUN POWDER, SHOT, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES to be as follows:-
"
My invention has for its object the production of a new or improved instrument
or apparatus, for accurately measuring gun powder, shot, and for other like
charges; or for measuring other powdered materials in determinate quantities for
various purposes, but my said invention is particularly applicable to the measuring
of gun powder charges for the filling of cartridge cases-The instrument or
apparatus is both compact, simple in its construction, efficient in its action, and not
liable to get out of order.
I will describe my invention as applied to an instrument or apparatus for
accurately measuring gun powder charges for the filling of cartridge cases.
The powder supply funnel is mounted and supported upon a platform bracket
consisting essentially of a top fixed plate or disc with an under movable disc,
which latter moves underneath the former upon a central pivot and this movable
under disc I will bereinafter call the charge carrying disc from the fact that it
carries the charge measurer.
The top plate or disc is attached or connected at one end to a clamp pillar and
affixed thereto by a fly or other nut and at the other, or front end standing from
the upper face of this disc is a short tube or ferrule which leads to the charge
measurer and upon the end of this ferrule or short tube the lower end of the
powder supply funnel is screwed or takes.
This tube is situated excentric to the swivelling pin upon which the lower disc
carrying the charge measure turns and upon the off side of the pivot or centre pin
is a second pin attached to the under plate and moving in a quadrant slot cut out
of the top fixed plate this slot determines the throw or movement of the under
plate.
On the under side or face of the movable disc and having the same excentricity
as the supply tube leading to the funnel is a depending tube leading into a second
tube, the latter moving telescopically upon the former, and these combined tubes
constitute the charge measurers, so that by sliding one within the other a greater
or less charge can be determined-The lower tube is provided with a depending
nozzle or funnel end for conducting the charge into a cartridge case, and at the
junction of the funnel end with the lower charge tube, a cutting off lever is
situated; this lever stands out at right angles to the axis of the measurer; and

page_text: situated in front of the cutting off lever is a second lever, turning upon a pivot or
centre and held in position by a spring-The front end of this lever is made into
the form of a disc or thin plate which works within a cutaway slot in the top of
the funnel end-This disc or plate forms a bottom to the charge chamber or
measurer, the other end forms the presser for turning the lever for liberating the
charge and it is at the back of this last named end that the spring is situated for
returning the lever to its normal position with the plate lying across or closing
the bottom of the charge chamber or measurer.
On the underside of the swivelling under disc which forms the cut off to the
charge chamber is a depending guage which slides within a standing out bracket
attached to the sliding part of the charge chamber-This guage is for determining
the exact cubical capacity that should be given to the charge chamber.
The lengthening or shortening of the telescopic measurer for changing its cubical
capacity is effected by a screw depending from the under plate or charge cutting
off disc which carries the charge chamber and parts connected therewith-The
lower end of this screw passes through an eye in a standing out bracket attached
to the sliding portion of the charge chamber-Milled screw nuts taking upon the
screw raises and lowers the said sliding portion of the charge chamber so that to
determine the charge it is only necessary to rotate one or other of the screw nuts
when the cubical capacity of the charge chamber is changed and indicated
accordingly upon the graduated scale-The clamp for fixing the instrument is of
the ordinary kind.
t
The funnel is preferably made collapsible for convenience of transit.
It may
be made pyramidal or angular in form with jointed or hinged sides so that it
should be capable of collapsing or folding up. When the funnel is required to be
circular it is made in three parts or rings varying in diameter and capable of
sliding telescopically one within the other.
The means of adjusting the charge measurer may be effected by a rack and
pinion instead of by screw nuts.
The instrument then consists essentially of a funnel and funnel carrier, a charge
measurer carried by a cutting off plate which has a similar rotation upon a central
pivot for allowing the charge chamber to become concentric or excentric with the
funnel exit aperture for filling or for cutting off the supply from the said funnel,
also a charge liberator or releaser in the form of a false bottom to the measurer;
the measurer being telescopic to allow of adjustment.
In using the instrument the charge measurer is brought under the funnel, that
is, the funnel and the charge measurer become coincident to allow the measurer to
be open to the supply funnel or helper. When in this position the powder then
fills up the measurer, which is cut off from the supply by pulling forward the
cutting off lever thus changing the position of the measurer and parts carried by it
with respect to the funnel and thereby cutting off the charge and bringing the top
of the measurer into an excentric position with respect to the funnel exit. The
entrance to the measure when in this last named position comes opposite to a hole
in the top carrying plate. The end of charge liberating lever is then pressed when
the plate or false bottom which keeps the powder in the measure is removed
thereby allowing the charge to fall through the nozzle end into the cartridge case.
The application of my invention for measuring determinate quantities for other
purposes differs in no essential respect in its application to a powder measurer.
D L
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CT1100

page_text: A New or Improved Instrument for Accurately Measuring Gun
Powder, Shot, and for other similar Purposes.
I WILLIAM PALMER JONES of Bath Street Birmingham in the County of
Warwick Gun and Rifle Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of said
invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED INSTRUMENT FOR ACCURATELY MEASURING
GUNPOWDER, SHOT, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES," and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
My invention has for its object, the production of a new or improved instrument
or apparatus, for accurately measuring gunpowder, shot, and for other like charges;
or for measuring other powdered materials in determinate quantities for various
purposes, but my said invention is particularly applicable to the measuring of
gun-powder charges for the filling of cartridge cases. The instrument or apparatus
is both compact, simple in its construction, efficient in its action, and not liable to
get out of order.
I will describe my invention as applied to an instrument or apparatus for
accurately measuring gun powder charges for the filling of cartridge cases.
The powder supply funnel is mounted and supported upon a platform bracket
consisting essentially of a top fixed plate or disc with an under movable disc,
which latter moves underneath the former, upon a central pivot, and this movable
under disc, I will hereinafter call the charge carrying disc, from the fact that it
carries the charge measurer.
The top plate or disc is attached or connected at one end to a clamp pillar, and
affixed thereto by a fly or other nut, and at the other or front end, standing from
the upper face of this disc, is a short tube or ferrule, which leads to the charge
measurer; and upon the end of this ferrule or short tube the lower end of the
powder supply funnel is screwed or takes.
This tube is situated excentric to the swivelling pin upon which the lower disc
carrying the charge measurer turns, and upon the offside of the pivot or centre pin,
is a second pin, attached to the under plate; and moving in a quadrant slot, cut
out of the top fixed plate. This slot determines the throw or movement of the
under plate.
On the underside or face of the movable disc and having the same excentricity
as the supply tube, leading to the funnel, is a depending tube or measure leading
into a second tube, the latter moving telescopically upon the former, and the upper
portion of these combined tubes constitute the charge measurers, so that by sliding
one within the other, a greater or less charge can be determined, according to the
character of powder being used. The lower tube is provided with a depending
nozzle or funnel end, for conducting the charge into a cartridge case, and at the
junction of the funnel end with the lower charge tube, a cutting off lever is
situated. This lever stands out at right angles to the axis of the measurer; and
situated in front of the cutting off lever, is a second lever, turning upon a pivot
or centre, and held in position by a spring. The front end of this lever is made
into the form of a disc or thin plate, which works within a cutaway slot in the
top of the funnel end. This disc or plate forms a bottom to the charge chamber or

page_text: measurer, the other end forins the lever presser, for turning the lever, for liberating
the charge, and it is at the back of this last named end, that the spring for
returning the lever to its normal position, is situated, with the plate lying across
or closing the bottom of the charge chamber or measurer.
On the underside of the swivelling under disc which forms the cut off to the
charge chamber is a depending gauge which slides within a standing out bracket,
attached to the sliding part of the charge chamber. This gauge is for determining
the exact cubical capacity, that should be given to the charge chamber.
The lengthening or shortening of the telescopic measurer for changing its
cubical capacity, is effected by a screw depending from the under plate or charge
cutting off disc, which carries the charge chamber and parts connected therewith.
The lower end of this screw, passes through an eye in a standing out bracket,
attached to the sliding portion of the charge chamber. Milled screw nuts taking
upon the screw, fix the said sliding portion of the charge chamber, so that to
determine the charge, it is only necessary to rotate one or other of the screw
nuts, when the cubical capacity of the charge chamber, is changed, and indicated
accordingly upon the graduated scale. The clamp for fixing the instrument is of
the ordinary kind.
The funnel is preferably made collapsible for convenience of transit. It may be
made pyramidal, or angular in form, with jointed or hinged sides, so that it should
be capable of collapsing or folding up. When the funnel is required to be circular,
it is made in three parts or rings, varying in diameter, and capable of sliding
telescopically, one within the other.
The means of adjusting the charge measurer, may be effected by a rack and
pinion, instead of by screw nuts.
The instrument, then consists essentially of a funnel funnel carrier and charge
measurer, carried by a cutting off plate, which has a similar rotation upon a central
pivot, for allowing the charge chamber to become concentric, or excentric with the
funnel exit aperture, for filling or for cutting off the supply, from the said funnel,
also a charge liberator or releaser, in the form of a false bottom to the measurer,
the measurer being telescopic to allow of adjustment.
In using the instrument, the charge measurer is brought under the funnel, that
is, the funnel and the charge measurer become coincident, to allow the measurer to
be open to the supply funnel or helper. When in this position the powder then
fills up the measurer, which is cut off from the supply, by pulling forward the
cutting off lever, thus changing the position of the measurer, and parts carried by
it, with respect to the funnel, and thereby cutting off the charge, and bringing the
top of the measurer into an eccentric position, with respect to the funnel exit.
The entrance to the measurer, when in this last named position, comes opposite to
a hole, in the top carrying plate. The end of charge liberating lever, is then
pressed, when the plate or false bottom, which keeps the powder in the measure is
removed, thereby allowing the charge, to fall through the nozzle end, into the
cartridge case.
The application of my invention for measuring determinate quantities, for other
purposes, differs in no essential respect, from its application as a powder measurer.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings,
the manner in which the same is to be performed.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of my new or improved instrument for accurately
measuring gunpowder, shot and for other similar purposes, and is constructed
according to my invention. Figure 2 is the same shown in use, and suspended
over a cartridge filling tray attached to a movable upright secured in a socket,
fixed at the end of the said tray. This last view figure 2 shows how the instru-
ment is worked in filling a number of cartridge cases arranged within a suitable
tray. Figure 3 a side elevation of the same, with the clamp and a portion of the
clamping pillar, and some of the other unimportant parts broken off. The instru-
ment is shown in position for the filling of the charge measure. Figure 4 is a
vertical section of the same, showing the measure filled with powder run from the

page_text: hopper or funnel above it. Figure 5 represents a similar section of the said
instrument with the charge measure removed from under the funnel, and also tho
charge is shown in the act of falling into a cartridge shell. Figure 6 shows a plan
(part in section) of figure 5, and figure 7 is a plan of figure 4. Figure 8 is a
section of the upper portion of the charge measure, showing the carrying plate and
parts carried by it. Figure 9 is a vertical section of a lower portion of the charge
measure, with nozzle end for conducting the charge to the cartridge cases.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in figures 1 to 9 both
inclusive of the accompanying Drawings.
a is a hopper or powder supply funnel, supported upon a fixed platform or
disc bracket 6 carried by a clamp upright or pillar c-d is a movable cutting off
plate or disc of the same size as the platform disc b, and which said cutting off
disc or plate carries the depending charge measure e, f. The upper portion e
consists essentially of a hanging tube, secured to the underside of the movable
cutting off plate d, while the lower portion f is capable of sliding telescopically
upon the outside of the tube e, so as to increase or decrease the cubical capacity of
the interior of the charge measure, according to the kind of powder that is
required to be measured. The sliding portion f of the said measure is provided
with a graduated nozzle f2 for conducting the charge from the measure into a
cartridge case; and attached to the lower portion of the said measure is a handle g
with shank g, for rotating the cutting off plate d which turns upon a central
pivot d, concentrically disposed with regard to the plates b and d, but excentric
with regard to the funnel a. Thus by the rotation of the measure carrying
plate d, from the positions figures 3 to 5, the charge in the charge measure bas
been cut off from the supply hopper. h is a lever turning upon a fulcrum h² and
pressed home or in position by a spring h³. The said lever h is provided at one
end with a plate which forms the bottom to the charge measure, while the
end his the free end by which the lever is turned upon its fulcrum.
The fixed platform plate b has a quadrant slot or piercing d¹ wherein a pin 63
carried by the plate d works. This slot determines the movement of the plate and
measure carried by it. b3 is a sight-hole made through the platform plate, so that
the top of the charge in the measure can be viewed when turned from under the
funnel. The instrument is supported by the upright c secured to the upper part b
by a fly nut c². The funnel a is provided with a short neck a² which is screwed
into the fixed top plate b. i is a scale bar depending from and carried by the
cutting off plate b. The said bar is graduated on three or more of its sides for
different kinds of powder, viz;-E C. Schultze, Coopall's and Black powder; and if
necessary, this bar may be made hexagonal or octagonal in order to carry the
scales of six or eight kinds of powder or shot-The scales for EC Schultze and
Coopall's powder are divided into two grain divisions, while the black scule is
divided into quarter drams, and when a shot scale is used, this is divided into ono
eighth ounce divisions.
The scale bar i passes through the eye of a bracket f¹ carried by the movable or
telescopic portion of the charge measure-j is a screw charge chamber regulator,
depending from the underside of the plate d; thus the cubical capacity of the
charge measure is increased or decreased, by lengthening or shortening the distance
between the bottom of the cutting off plate h* and the top of the movable plate d
by means of the screw j, that is, the lower portion of the measure is allowed to
slide over the upper portion to the cubical capacity required, and is there fixed by
lock nuts kk disposed between the bracket f³, through which latter, the screw j
passes; thus, when the capacity of the measure is required to be changed, turn
one or other of the nuts k, when the movable portion f can be changed in position,
when the nuts are screwed up against the bracket f³, thereby securely locking the
charge measure in the position required.
Instead of two lock nuts, a single nut may be disposed between the fork of a
bracket, as represented in figure 9^; so that by rotating the nut or milled head,
the adjustment can be readily effected.

page_text: Instead of the bar j being wormed, it may be left plain, and the bracket f³ split
or divided so as to slightly open out upon the bar when a nip screw on its end is
relaxed, but on the said nut or a wormed pin being screwed up, the divided parts
of the bracket are closed in, and impinge or grip the sides of the plain bar,
thereby holding the movable part of the measure in the determinate position (see
figure 9B.)
To measure a charge, move the handle g which forms a fixture with the
depending measure and carrying the parts in the direction from left to right, or to
the position as represented in figure 4, thus bringing the open mouth of the charge
measure under the delivery neck of the funnel, so that the funnel and charge
chamber become coincident; and when in this position, the powder from the
funnel falls into the measure.
To cut off the powder thus delivered to the measure, turn back the handle g in
the reverse direction, when the turning plate d is moved under the delivery
bottom of the hopper, thereby cutting off the supply. The charge thus cut off is
liberated from the measure, and conducted to a cartridge case by simply pressing
the end of the lever h, when the plate or disc h' (which forms the bottom of the
measure) is withdrawn from the slot f' and the powder allowed to fall and be
delivered as indicated in figure 5.
The instrument or apparatus thus described, may be in the form of that.
represented in figure 2, where no rigid support is used. The instrument is
suspended by an elastic band 8 connected to the hooked turned end of a pillar or
rod support r
Figure 10 shows my new or improved instrument for the filling of a number of
cartridges at the same or at one operation.
a is the supply hopper, b is a fixed plate carried by brackets supported either
from the tray or from a stand. d is a sliding movable plate carrying the
depending telescopic measures e, f. The plate & also carries limiting pins d²
which work in slots 62; and from the underside of the said reciprocating plate d,
the gauge i, screws j, handle g and charge liberator are suspended and carried.
To operate the instrument, bring the depending measures e, f coincident with
holes in the bottom of the hopper by sliding collectively the plate and parts carried
by the plate, by simply laying hold of the handle g and pulling or pressing it in
the opposite direction.
After the measures have been filled, pull the handle g in the reverse direction
when the under plate and measures and parts connected therewith are moved
a short distance, bringing the open mouths of the measures opposite to an
unperforated part of the hopper bottom or the plate on which the hopper bottom
rests and slides, thus cutting off the measures and charges contained therein, from
the hopper. By now pressing the tail end of the lever h as in the previously
described arrangement, the charges contained in the measures are allowed to fall
into the cartridge cases placed underneath, or under the nozzles of the respective
measures.
Although I have described that the lower plate and parts carried by it, are the
parts that move, yet the top plate that carries the funnel, may be made to move
instead, by fixing the under plate d to the pillar or upright c, and the handle g to
the top plate b. The lever h has then an independent carrying bracket for its
fulcrum support.
Figure 11 shows in section a collapsable funnel made according to my invention.
It consists simply of three or other number of short taper tubes or rings connected
together (when in use) by screwed upper and lower ends; that is, the upper
segment a is plain at top, and externally screwed at the bottom. The segment b
is internally screwed at top, and externally screwed at bottom. The lower
segment c is internally screwed at top and provided at bottom with a neck or
outlet through which the powder passes.
L
The top of the funnel as represented in the section figure 11, is provided with a
close fitting cap or cover a².

page_text: Although I have shown the funnel made up of three separate segments, yet
more than three may be employed if necessary.
Figure 12 shows the funnel collapsed for convenience of transit.
Figure 13 shows another funnel in which the joint connections are made by plain
socket like ends or parts which fit oue into the other when put together. In the
said figure 13 the upper segment is shown detached. Or instead of socket joints,
a pin on the one part taking into a bayonet slot on the other part, fixes the
segments together, when the funnel is required to be used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First. An instrument or apparatus for measuring gunpowder, shot and other
granular or powdered substances, consisting of two cutting off and carrying plates
working together, (revolving or sliding) so as to bring the outlet end of the supply
funnel or hopper carried by the one, opposite to, or removed from the open mouth
of a depending measure carried by the other; the requisite stop motion of the
plates is determined by a pin and slot, or by pins and slots; and when one or
other of the said plates revolves, the movable one turns upon a pin or pivot as a
centre, substantially as and for the purpose herein-described and set forth.
Secondly. A depending telescopic charge measurer, carried by a rotary or
sliding cutting off plate, and which said measure consists of a depending tube e,
and adjustable and sliding lower tube and nozzle ff which carries gauge and
indicator bracket f1, measure adjustment bracket f³, handle g and is also provided
with slot hole h¹ wherein a bottom or plate h* works, substantially as described
and set forth.
Thirdly. In a scale bar or graduated gauge, the respective sides of which are
graduated with marks indicative of more than one kinds of powder, shot or other
like substances; such as, Schultze, E C, Black or Brown powder, shot and the like;
and which said scale or bar preferably depends from the cutting off portion of the
charge measuring instrument, substantially as described and set forth.
Fourthly. Adjusting and affixing the sliding portion of the charge measurer,
in obtaining greater or less cubical capacity, by means of a screw, plain bar or
other like mechanical equivalent depending from a portion of the instrument, and
passing through an eye of a bracket carried by the movable part. The adjustment
and affixing being effected by a screw nut, or by lock nuts, or by a worm wheel
taking into rack like teeth of a worm or by a nip screw or screw pin and split
bracket, substantially as described and illustrated.
Fifthly. In a collapsable funnel, consisting of cone or taper segments or rings
joined together when in use, by the ends of the one screwing or fitting socket like
into the top edges or parts of the other, substantially as described and illustrated;
also the affixing of the segments together by bayonet like joints of the one, taking
upon pins or studs carried by the other, substantially as described.