A Machine for Loading Cartridges.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Apr., 1891
Complete Specification Left. 15th Jan., 1892-Accepted. 14th Apr., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Machine for Loading Cartridges.
EDWARD MONTAGUE REILLY 277 Oxford Street London W. Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention is for a machine for loading cartridges.
I propose in this machine, to load any number of cartridges with gunpowder,
wads, shot and turn them over or close them when filled, all these operations taking
place at the same time.
construct this machine as follows.
On a base of cast iron or other material, erect five or any number of corre
sponding pairs of standards or pillars, near the sides of the base, each pair of corre-
sponding standards or pillars, supports a beam or crosspiece of cast iron or other
material, which bridges over the central space of base of machine, each beam or
crosspiece being parallel to each other, also on one side of the base of the machine
outside the standards, 1 erect cast iron supports or bearings in which runs the main
shaft of the machine, to which are fixed the various cams for working the powder
and shot valves, the wad valves, and also the bevel gear for working the wad counter
shafts, & the mechanism for turning over the cartridge cases.
To this shaft also attach the pulley for working the machine, which will receive
motion from a main shaft, or engine by means of a belt or other gearing.
On the top of the beams or crosspieces, carrying the wad inserting mechanism,
and supported in bearings attached to crosspiece a counter shaft is placed, for
carrying the cams for working the wad adjusters, and the cams for working the
ramrods, forming part of the wad inserting mechanism, this counter shaft is worked
from the main shaft of the machine by means of bevel gear and a vertical shaft.
One of the beams or crosspicces carries the powder hopper, with the valves for
measuring the powder, and allowing the powder to fall into the cartridge cases, one
of the crosspieces carries the shot hopper with the valves for measuring & allowing
the shot to fall into the cartridge cases.
Two or more of the crosspieces carry the wad tubes, and the mechanism for
inserting the wads into the cartridge cases.
One crosspiece carrys the mechanism for turning over or closing the cases when
filled.
The valves for measuring the powder from the hopper to the cartridge cases, I
construct in this way, a tube leads from the powder hopper to the upper orifice of
the measuring chamber in the valve, which measuring chamber consists of a cylin-
drical hole in the valve, which is alternately open to the powder hopper and the
funnell leading to the cartridge cases; when the measuring chamber is full, the
valve being acted upon by a suitable cam, on the main shaft of machine, slides along
and the measuring chamber coming over the funnell the powder falls into the
cartridge cases.
The measuring chamber may be made adjustable to increase or decrease the charge
of powder.
The above describes one powder valve for acting on one cartridge only, two or
more valves may be cast together, so as to be acted on by the one cam on the main
shaft.
I construct the valves & measuring chambers for measuring the shot from the
hopper to the cartridge case in the same way as the powder valves, except I make
an arrangement for not cutting the shot.
The wad inserting mechanism I construct as follows, first ¡ take a narrow plate of

page_text: brass or other material, which I call the wad back plate, and fix it. vertically to the
cross beam, on the lower part of the wad back plate, I fix a horizontal bracket, on
which slides the wad valve. On the wad back plate, I fix two vertical tubes for
containing the wads, each equally distant from centre of wad back plate, underneath
which cartridge case is operated on, these tubes are fixed the thickness of the wad
from the horizontal bracket, or the distance from the bracket may be made
adjustable, the wad valve consists of a flat piece of brass or other material, slightly
less than thickness of the wad, which slides on the horizontal bracket, and has two
holes or receptacles for receiving the wads, as they fall from the wad tubes, so that
one hole or receptacle is always under the wad tube, and one receptacle always over
the cartridge case, when the valve is stationary, on the wad back plate I also fix
the guides for the wad adjuster, the wad adjuster I construct as follows, first I have
an shaped casting, the vertical part of which slides in the guides on the wad back
plate, and a vertical extension of same communicates with the wad adjuster cam,
the lower or horizontal part of the wad adjuster, is made thicker than the vertical
part, and the top of the lower part of wad adjuster comes flush with the horizontal
bracket of wad mechanism, through the centre of which it slides. The lower part of
wad adjuster consists of an upward and a downward funnel, connected by a short
cylindrical hole, slightly larger than the wad, the upward funnell is for the wad
when brought along from the wad tube, by the wad valve, to fall into the cylin-
drical part easily, and the lower or downward funnel is to go over the cartridge
case, and bring the cylindrical hole immediately over the bore of the cartridge case,
50 that the ramrod shall easily force the wad in the cartridge case.
On the wad back plate. I also fix the brackets, for supporting the ram rod which
consists of n steel rod with a metal foot, for pressing the wad into the cartridge case,
and a metal cap for the ram rod cam to act on.
The ramrod is kept in an upward position by a spiral spring acting on a collar
on the ramrod.
The mechanism for turning over or closing the cartridge cases, when filled 1
construct as follows, I cast with one of the crosspieces or beams, or attach thereto
two vertical bearings, running in the upper bearing, and driven from the main shaft
of machine, by means of bevel gear a vertical shaft and spur gear is a socket, sliding
in this socket and driven by the same, through a key fixed in the socket, is the arbor
or shaft carrying the turning over chuck for closing the cases, this arbor runs in
lower bearing on crosspiece, the arbor to which is fixed the turning over chuck is
capable of rising and falling, in the socket and bearing, and is forced down on the
cartridge case whilst revolving, by a suitable lever and cam fixed on a small shaft
running in bearings fixed to base of machine.
The arbor is kept in a upward position by a spiral spring acting on a collar fixed
to the arbor.
To secure the cartridge cases from turning round whilst being acted on by the
turning over mechanism, I construct a slide way in the base of the machine, in this
slides the holder which consists of a strip of metal with vertical projections, through
which screw steel pins with points, for pressing against the lower part of the
enrtridge ense and holding them tight. The holder is actuated by a cam on the
main shaft.
1 construct the carriage, for containing the cartridge eases to be loled in this
way, the carriage consists of a block of perfort for carrying any mal on of
cartridge cases mouth upward, in a single row or two or more breast, the filling
mechanism being made accordingly for one or more rows of cartridge ca
In the lower part of carriage 1 cut out one or more grooves, according to the
number of row of cartridge cases, so as to expose the lower or brass part of the
cartridge en-es, so that the holder may act on them, and also the carriage pass over
the projections of the cartridge holder, from the base of the machine.
On one of the sides of the carriage I fix a ratchet of brass or other material,
which is acted on by a suitable cam on the main shaft, for the purpose of moving
the carriage along the central part of the base of the machine in suitable guides, so

page_text: that when the cases have been operated on by one kind of loading apparatus, they
shall be transferred to the next kind of apparatus.
In the powder and shot filling mechanism, and the wad inserting mechanism,
several of the valves may be cast together, so that one cam on the main shaft will
5 operate several sets of the different mechanisms.
E. M. REILLY.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Machine for Loading Cartridges.
EDWARD MONTAGUE REILLY of 277 Oxford Street London W. 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 invention is designed to supply an improved machine for more rapidly
effecting the loading of cartridges.
I propose in this machine to load any number of cartridges with gunpowder,
wads, and shot, and finally turn them over or close them, when filled, all these
operations taking place simultaneously or inmediately after each other.
I will now describe the machine with referenee to the accompanying drawings
in which
The shot wad
Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of the whole machine, with the exception of the
propelling mechanism, which is fully shewn in Figs. 7 and 11.
inserting mechanism on the central standard b, is shewn partly in section to exhibit
internal parts, some of the front mechanism being omitted. The parts left out are
precisely similar to those shewn in front of standard a, and are shewn in position
in the plan of the machine in Fig. 11.
Fig. 2 shews a front view of the powder wad mechanism which is similar to
the shot wad mechanism, a side view of part of which is shewn partly in section
on standard, Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 shews a front elevation of the turn-over mechanism a side view of which
is shewn on standard e, Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 shews a longitudinal sectional elevation of the powder valve the end of
which is seen at the left side of standard a, Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 shews a plan view of part of the cartridge tray t, withdrawn from under
the machine. The cartridges are shewn in their holes.
Fig. 6, shews a sectional elevation of part of the cartridge tray t, shewing the
position of the cartridges while under the turn-over mechanism. An enlarged
elevation of the stub, is annexed to this figure.
Fig. 7 shews an elevation of the propelling mechanism actuated by the cams,
on the horizontal shaft, the end of which shaft is visible on standard e, Fig. 1
and the position of which is shewn in Fig. 11.
Fig. 8 shows an elevation of the bolt e, which locks the wad valves at the
extreme end of their travel.
Fig. 9 shews a sectional elevation and Fig. 10 a plan of the device for preventing
the shot or grains of powder being cut while passing into the measuring chamber.
Fig. 1 shews a plan of one of my machines with sufficient mechanism to
operate on four rows of cartridges simultaneously. It is broken off near the
middle to denote that it may be extended laterally to take additional rows of
cartridges.
Part of the propelling gear on the right hand of the drawing is broken off
whereby the sliding bolt heads and brackets s, are omitted. These are
precisely similar to those shewn at the back of the machine.
Fig. 12 shews a side elevation and Fig. 12 a plan of the lever for actuating the
turnover spindles.

page_text: Fig. 13 shews a horizontal front view of one of the wad adjusters which are all
similar whether for the powder or the shot wad inserting mechanism.
Fig. 14 shews a plan of the foot d, with its circular cavity.
Reverting to Fig. 1. On the left of standard a, is seen the powder inserting
mechanism. ², is a hopper for receiving the powder, and is attached to the
frame a, inside which frame slides the powder valve a, a longitudinal section of
both of which is shewn in Fig. 4. The measuring chamber a, of the sliding
valve a', first receives the charge of powder from the hopper a², through the
inlet . By the action of the cam m², upon the projecting lip of the valve, the
measuring chamber a³, is pushed along until it arrives over the outlet al, when
the powder falls into the cartridge case beneath. The lip of the valve is pressed
by the coiled spring a, against the cam m², which is keyed on to the main shaft m.
and as this shaft revolves, and the cam rotates with it, the measuring chamber o
again returns to the inlet a', to receive another charge of powder.
On the right of standard a, Fig. 1, is seen a part of the powder wad mechanism,
a front view of the whole of which is seen in Fig. 2. In this latter fig. will be
seen the main shaft m, and the cog-wheel m, which drives the smaller cog-
wheel, on the counter-shaft g, to which is attached the cam g². This cam
operates the powder wad valve d, which has a projecting lip, which is held
against the cam by the coiled spring "The shaft g, is supported by the
standard. The mitred wheel m', on the main shaft m, drives a similar wheel a",
on the shift a', and communicates motion through the pair of mitred wheels a², c¹,
to the powder wad cam shaft, which shaft runs in the bearings, on the top
of the standard a. The shaft a', is supported by the bearings a°. The shaft r,
carries the cam a, which operates the ramrod d, by means of the head d'. This
head, is held against the cam a", by the coiled spring, which presses against
the collar, on the ramrod d.
On the shaft r, is also the cam a, (Fig. 2) which operates the powder wad
adjuster, which latter shewn also separately in Figs. 13 and 14 consists of the
spindle (working in the bearing and pressed upwards by a coiled spring q)
and the vertical guide plate d", having a horizontal foot . In this foot is a
circular cavity consisting of a short cylindrical hole, above and below which are
two small funnel-shaped mouthpieces, one of which receives the wad from the wad
valve, and the other is pressed down over the top of the cartridge case, by the
action of the cam a, on the spindle . d, is a bracket on which the powder
wad valve, slides to and fro, and which has holes to receive the feet do, of the
wad adjusters "
a, a, are backplates on which the brackets, are fixed. The standards a, a,
Fig. 2 are fixed one on each side of the cartridge tray which passes between them.
The following is a description of the mode in which the powder wad mechanism
works.
On revolving the main shaft m, the spur wheel drives the small spur wheel g²,
on the shaft g, to which is fixed the cam 2, which actuates the valve d", which
brings a wad from one of the wad tubes d under the ramrod d, where it falls into
the upper funnel in the foot of the wad-adjuster. The wad-adjuster then descends
by the action of the cam a", on top shaft a The lower funnel in the foot of
the wad-adjuster now comes over the cartridge case, and brings the cylindrical
hole in the foot of the wad-adjuster true with the bore of the cartridge case.
Shault only with the desert of the wed-ljuster, the ramrod d descends, by
action of cam on shaft and as the wal-adjuster rests on the cartridge case,
the rural forces the wad into the ease.
The powder wad shaft is actuated by the shaft, through the mitred
wheels ma" and the shaft al.
Returning to Fig. 1, on the left of standard is seen the shot inserting mechanism,
which is shewn in section. It is exactly similar in form to the powder inserting
mechanism. previously described as visible on the left of standard a. and also
shewn in Fig. 2. In order to shew the details more distinctly, the mitred and

page_text: other cog wheels, and also their supports and guides are omitted in this view of
standard b, (Fig. 1).
In this case represents the shot hopper.
valve
is the outer frame of the shot
which contains the shot measuring chamber 6º.
1 is the inlet, and the outlet, both shewn in dotted lines.
At the top of standard is the shot wad shaft, to which is keyed the cam 6",
corresponding to the powder wad cam a" before described.
The shaft is driven by a similar vertical shaft and set of mitred wheels to
those shewn on standard a. Fig. 2.
At the right of standard, is seen a sectional side view of the shot wad inserting
mechanism. As this is precisely similar to the powder wad inserting mechanisin
before described, similar reference letters are used to denote the various parts.
It will be seen that inside the ramrod head is a coiled spring, the function
of which is to impart elasticity to the stroke of the ramrod. Standards c
support the turnover mechanism which closes the cartridge. A front view of
this mechanism is shewn in Fig. 3. misa mitred wheel keyed to the main
shaft 1. which engages with the mitred wheel which drives the cogwheel by
means of the vertical shaft shewn by dotted lines in Fig. 3. This shaft
revolves in the bracket c'. The cogwheel drives the similar wheel which is
attached to the socket and drives the adjoining socket e by means of the
cranks and connecting rods "elle. One of the sockets is drawn in section,
and shows the top of the spindle, which is driven by the socket by means of a
loose key not shown, which allows the spindle to rise and fall while revolving.
The turnover chucks are fixed to the lower ends of the spindles. One of
these chucks is drawn in section to show internal parts. The spindle is
sustained in the socket by the spring and washer fixed to spindle cas
shewn. is a top crosspiece which carries the bearings for the sockets *.
the lower crosspiece which has holes serving as guides to spindles c". Standard e
(Fig. 1) supports the turnover cam shaft, by means of a forked top and bearing
similar to that shewn on standard b.
is
On this shaft are the turnover cams", which actuate the levers, the ends
of which levers engage with the cams, their opposite ends being pivotted on
projecting pins (see Fig. 12) fixed on a collar y on the crossbar e through
which collar the spindle works.
These levers lower the spindles by pressing down the chucks c", which
revolve on the cartridge cases, thereby turning down the edge of the cartridges.
As one row of the cases is being turned over, a finished row of the cartridges is
being pushed out from their holes in the tray by means of the plugs e fixed to the
rising and falling levers *.
After these operations the levers and spindles are returned to their position
by the springs and washers ", attached to spindles c¹³, this movement being
permitted by depressions in the cams.
The turnover cam shaft is driven by the mitred wheels me and y**, which
receive motion from the main shaft m. The mitred wheels are attached to
the shaft, which at its upper end is guided by a curved bracket e³, fixed to
standard and at its lower end is centred in a socket in the bracket on the same
standard.
Fig. 3 shows a plan view of a part of the cartridge tray t.
denoted by t, are shewn in their holes.
, is the forward step rack.
The cartridges,
*, is another step rack forming a stop or check rack. This rack engages with
the stop bolts ³ (Fig. 7).
, is a strip of brass which engages with the roller to, of the wad-valve-bolt r,
shewn in Fig. 8.
Fig. 6 shows a sectional elevation of part of the cartridge tray t, in which the
cartridge cases rest while being filled.

page_text: P., are the two step racks.
is the brass strip to engage with the ruller, before described.
is a groove cut through the cartridge tray to afford access to the lower end
of the cartridge cases, so that the serew pins 7 in the stubs, may hear against
and hold the cartridges while being turned over. These stubs are attached to
the rod, which at the proper time, when the turnover mechanism is about to
operate is pressed forward by the lever, worked by the cam on the main
shaft m.
13 is a wood bed on which the cartridges rest while being loaded,
and on which the tray slides, and by which it is guided through the machine.
is a cast-iron bed plate.
is a
Fig 7 is an elevation of the propelling mechanism the tray being in section
to show the relative position of the two step racks which as shewn are
alternately elevated and depressed. is the forward rack, and is a stop or
check rack. This latter rack engages with the stop bolts as shewn.
cam keyed to the turnover-cam shaft. This cam engages with the pin and
moves the frame ² to and fro. are pawls which engage with the forward
rack t¹. The frame is guided by slots in the brackets, which brackets also
carry the stop bolts 13.
The backward movement of the frame, lifts the stop bolts by means of
the inclined planes, which engage with the bolt heads, and so raise the bolts
over the step of the rack, and allow the tray to be moved forward. The spiral
springs press the bolts down to engage with the next depressions in the rack.
as to stop the tray in the correct position for loading.
Fig. 8 shews an elevation of the bolt r, which locks the wad valves of the
powder and shot mechanism, at the end of their travel by dropping into a hole
formed to receive it in the wad valve d, and which is released by the contact of
the roller, with the inclined end of the brass strip, Fig. 5, as the tray
progresses.
Figs. 9 and 10 shew respectively a sectional elevation and plan of a special
device for avoiding cutting the shot or grains of powder, during the filling of the
measuring chamber, by the sliding valve cover.
This device consists of a pivotted triangular-shaped piece of brass p, a pivot p
and a spring, to hold p, in position. The pivotted piece p, is let in flush with
the top of the shot or powder valve.
In the event of a shot being caught between the edge of the sliding valve and
that of the measuring chamber, the pivotted piece p, turns back and allows the
valve to pass to the end of its travel without cutting the shot.
Fig. 11 shews a plan view of the machine, broken off near the middle to denote
that it may be extended laterally to take any preferred number of rows of cart-
ridges. This is a complete plan of a machine which fills and delivers four rows of
cartridges simultaneously except that on the right hand part of the front of the
machine I break off part of the propelling gear, thereby omitting one of the sliding
bolt heads and the brackets, which are precisely similar to those shewn at the
right hand part of the back of the machine. The parts thus omitted are situated
before the turnover cam shaft in front of the machine and are shewn in side
elevation in Fig. 7.
As this Figure 11 clearly shows the relative positions of the parts of my machine,
it will be easily understood by the aid of the referee letters, and the description
already given. The main shaft is seen on the left side of the drawing. The
turn-over cam shaft is seen in front. Immediately behind the shaft are the
push out plugs, and behind them follows the turn-over chanism. After that
comes the second wad mechanism which supplies the wads which cover the shot
charge. Then follows the shaft and the shot feeding mechanism. After that
comes the first wad mechanisin which supplies the wads which cover the powder.
Next follows the shaft and the powder feeding incchanism, which is situated at
the back of the machine, in the order shewn by the side elevation in Fig. 1.

page_text: The tray i can be prolonged in the rear of the machine to serve as a receptacle
for cartridge cases, The size of the bedplate is optional and it is not shown in this
figure, nor are the cartridge cases shewn in their holes.
It should be understood that the machine is constructed on a bed plate of cast
iron, or other suitable material, and that the standards which support the loading
mechanism are erected on or near the outer edges of the two sides of this bed-
plate.
Each standard may support a separate set of the mechanism, or two sets may be
attached to one standard."
The machine shewn can be extended laterally by duplicating the working
parts necessary for each row of cartridges, for each additional row of cases added
to the width of the tray.
To the main shaft m, I attach the pulley or other attachment for driving the
machine, which will receive motion in the usual way from a motor of some kind,
by means of a belt or other gearing or coupling, or it may be driven by hand.
The method of using my improved cartridge loading machine is as follows:-
The tray, being filled with empty cases and the hoppers filled with powder and
shot respectively and the wad tubes with wads, the machine is set in motion by the
rotation of the main shaft.
The tray is so placed as to be in contact with the propelling mechanism and
is propelled thereby until the first row of empty cases approaches the powder
funnels when the locking bolt is lifted and the powder valve unlocked and the cases
brought under the powder funnels.
I will now describe the way in which this row of cases passes through the
machine, the others following in regular order.
The powder filling mechanism operates first, charging the measuring chamber aº,
and by automatic action of the powder valves allowing the necessary quantity of
powder to fall into the first row of cartridge cases.
The tray now moves forward one notch on the horizontal rack, whereby the
first row of cases is brought under the wad ramrod d, attached to the powder
mechanism.
While the first row is receiving the wads to cover the powder, the second row
has come under the powder funnels, the tray as it passes unlocking the valves in
Succession, and is being charged just as the first row was.
The tray now moves another notch forward and the first row passes beneath the
shot measuring valves and receives the regulated charge of shot.
The tray again moves forward another notch and the first row of cases receive
the wads which cover the shot charges and complete the loading.
The next forward movement of the tray may or may not bring the first row of
cases under the turnover mechanism, whereby the edge of the case is turned down
over the wad so as to complete the cartridge.
If it does not arrive at the turnover mechanism at the first movement it may do
so at the next or a subsequent one.
After passing the turnover mechanism the cartridges are pushed downwards
through the bottom of the tray by the plugs ², on the levers c', which are operated
by the cams, attached to the turnover-cam-shaft, and they fall through a hole in
the bed-plate into a receptacle beneath.
When all the rows have passed the plug the tray is refilled with empty cases and
taken to the other side of the machine.
If bullets are used instead of shot, they follow the wad over the powder just as
the shot did, but no final wad is required. The bullets are fed in a similar manner
to the wads.
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 a cartridge loading machine, the combination on one base, of the powder

page_text: feeder, shot feeder, one or more sets of wad-inserting mechanism, and the turn-
over mechanism, adapted to load any number of cases simultaneously as herein
explained and set forth.
2. In a cartridge loading machine, the combination of the mechanism described
in Claim with an intermittently moving cartridge tray containing the cases for
filling, as herein described and set forth.
3. In a cartridge filling machine the combination of the intermittently moving
cartridge tray with the turn-over mechanism as herein described and set forth.
4. In a cartridge loading machine, a longitudinal horizontal valve, either solid
or built up of various parts, with measuring chambers for measuring simultaneously
several charges of powder and shot, the said valve being actuated by a single cam
at end of valve, as herein described and set forth.
5. In a cartridge loading machine, a longitudinal valve, either solid or built up
of various parts, for simultaneously conveying and supplying any required number
of wads from the wad tubes to the cartridge cases, as herein described and set
forth.
6. In a cartridge loading machine the combination of two wad tubes with the
reciprocally acting valve, ramrod and wad-adjuster as herein described and set
forth.
7. In a cartridge loading machine, or in a machine for turning-over cartridges,
the combination of two or more rising and falling spindles, fitted with turn-over
chucks, and adapted to turn-over a corresponding number of cartridge cases simul-
taneously, as herein described and set forth.
8. In a cartridge loading machine or machine for turning-over cartridges the
combination of the lowering levers with the rising and falling chuck spindles, as
herein described and set forth.
9. In a cartridge loading machine, or turn-over machine, the combination of the
lowering levers with the rising and falling chuck spindles, and the punches for
removing the cartridges from the tray, as herein described and set forth.
10. In a cartridge loading machine, the slots cut in bottom of tray to expose
lower end of cartridge cases, as herein described and set forth.
11. In a cartridge loading machine the duplicated mechanism for propelling the
cartridge tray, as herein described and set forth.
12. In a cartridge loading machine the automatic holding arrangement for
fixing the cases while being finished by the turn-over chucks, consisting of a
sliding bar with stubs and pointed screws, as herein described and set forth.
13. In a cartridge loading machine, the bolt arrangement for locking the powder
and other valves, as herein described and set forth.
14. In a cartridge loading machine, the arrangement shewn in Figs. 9 and 10
for preventing the cutting of shot or other hard or granular substances, while
being measured as herein described and set forth.
15. In a cartridge loading machine, the general arrangement and combination of
parts as herein described and set forth.
Dated this 15th day of Lanmou 100
S. S. BRONHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, Patent Agent.