S Crimping and Closing Cartridge Cases, and Decapping and Recapping Cartridge Cases.
Year: 1886

page_text: Appara
S
Crimping and Closing Cartridge Cases, and Decapping and
Recapping Cartridge Cases.
I WILLIAM LIGHTWOOD of Partridge Works, Price Street, St. Mary's Square,
Birmingham, Gun Implement maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to the turning over of the end of charged paper or card-
board cartridge cases, the crimping and closing of charged metal cartridge cases,
and the decapping and recapping of cartridge cases, and has reference to apparatus
which may be constructed either in the form of a lathe (driven by foot or power)
or in a portable form so as to be operated by the hand.
The principal feature of the Invention consists in the use of a peculiar device for
holding the flanged end of the cartridge case, and moving the case towards the
operating tool in a rectilinear direction, and expelling the case after it has been
operated on. This device consists of a socket having a movable disc or false
bottom, which is provided with pins or projections protruding through the end or
bottom of the socket. The socket is carried by a rod or piston, which passes
through a suitable guide or cylinder, and has connected with it an arm or lever
mounted on a centre or fulcrum in the frame of the apparatus, the said arm or
lever being forked or slotted, if necessary to admit of its proper motion. Or the
arın or lever may be attached to a second rod suitably supported and guided in the
frame of the apparatus, and which second rod is connected to the first rod or piston
or socket carrier by bands or clips or otherwise so that the longitudinal to or fro
motion imparted to the second rod by the act of moving the arm or lever in one
direction or the other will be transmitted to the first rod or piston and thence to
the socket carrying the flanged end of the cartridge case. The socket carrier may
also be arranged telescopically so as to admit of its being adjusted for the same
stroke of the arm or lever to suit different lengths of cartridge cases.
When it is required to turn over the end of charged paper or cardboard cartridge
cases, there is used in conjunction with the device hereinbefore described, an
instrument consisting for example of a socket having at the bottom thereof two
diametrically opposite pins. The charged cartridge case is placed with its flanged
end in the socket of the holding device hereinbefore described, the disc being at

page_text: the bottom of the socket and the pins or projections protruding. The arm or lever
is then moved so as to bring the opposite end of the cartridge case in front of the
Bocket of the turning-over instrument, in which such end is then caused to enter
and there retained. Rotary motion being then imparted to the turning-over
instrument either by a hand lever or (in the case of the lathe form of apparatus)
by a belt or cord, the end of the cartridge case will be turned in with great
rapidity, after which the arm or lever of the holding socket is moved in a direction
the opposite of its previous motion, and the pins or projections which protrude from
the bottom of the socket coming against a stationary portion of the frame, the
disc is forced outwards and the cartridge case accordingly expelled.
When metal cartridges are used, an instrument well known as a metallic car-
tridge case closer and crimper is employed in conjunction with the holding device
herein before described, the said holding device being operated in the same manner
as when used with paper or cardboard cases.
When it is desired to decap spent cartridge cases and recap the same, the motion
of the holding device is utilized in carrying out these operations, auxiliary parts
as hereinafter mentioned being added to adapt the device to the modified functions
to be performed.
For decapping, a small chuck or plate with a hole in its centre is screwed over
the holding device, and in conjunction therewith there is employed a pillar carrying
a needle on which the cartridge case is placed. By moving the arm or lever here-
inbefore referred to in one direction, the chuck or plate is caused to press on the
_head of the cartridge case and the needle of the pillar ejects the cap into the
central hole of the chuck or plate whence it escapes on to the floor. The arm or
lever is then moved back and the cartridge case is withdrawn.
For recapping, the chuck or plate having the central hole is replaced by one
having a projection or stud, and a small cup (hollowed out) is screwed on to the
top of the pillar so as to cover the needle. The cartridge case having been placed
on the pillar as before with a fresh cap inserted therein, by the act of moving the
arm or lever in one direction the projection or stud on the chuck or plate is brought
to bear on the cap which is thus driven home into the case after which the arm or
lever is returned to its original position and the case is withdrawn.
When the apparatus is made in the form of a lathe, the several instruments
herein before referred to are constructed so that any one may be fitted to the lathe
as and when required for use and removed for the introduction of another when a
fresh operation is to be performed.
As advantages resulting from the use of this Invention it may be mentioned
that the holding device prevents any marking of or injury to the head of the
cartridge case, that the pressure is in all cases direct and rectilinear instead of
circular as in the apparatus ordinarily employed, that the cartridge case is auto-
matically ejected after the operation of the turn-over or crimping instrument, and
that all the operations to be performed may be effected on cartridges and cartridge
cases of all bores by one and the same machine, the changing of small parts only
being required for the purpose.

page_text: аци
Recapping Cartridge Cases.
I WILLIAM LIGHTWOOD of Partridge Works, Price Street, St. Mary's Square,
Birmingham, Gun Implement maker, 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 :-
My Invention relates, chiefly, to the turning over of the end of charged paper or
cardboard cartridge cases, and has reference to apparatus which may be constructed
either in the form of a lathe (driven by foot or power) or in a portable form so as
to be operated by the hand.
This
The principal feature of the Invention consists in the use, in the operation of
turning over the end of cartridge cases, of a peculiar device for holding the flanged
end of the cartridge case, and moving the case towards the operating tool in a
rectilinear direction, and expelling the case after it has been operated on.
device consists of a socket having a movable disc or false bottom, which is provided
with pins or projections protruding through the end or bottom of the socket. The
socket is carried by a rod, bar or piston, which passes through a suitable guide or
cylinder, and has connected with it an arm or lever, mounted on a centre or fulcrum
in the frame of the apparatus, the said arm or lever being forked or slotted, if
necessary, to admit of its proper motion. Or the arm or lever may be attached.to
a second rod or bar suitably supported and guided in the frame of the apparatus,
and which second rod or bar is connected to the first rod, bar, piston or socket
carrier by bands or clips or otherwise, so that the longitudinal to or fro motion
imparted to the second rod or bar by the act of moving the arm or lever in one
direction or the other, will be transmitted to the first rod, bar or piston and thence
to the socket carrying the flanged end of the cartridge case. The socket carrier
may also be arranged telescopically so as to admit of its being adjusted for the
samne stroke of the arm or lever to suit different lengths of cartridge cases.
In conjunction with the device herein before described, there is used for turning
over the end of the cartridge cases, a turn-over instrument consisting, for example,
of a socket having at the bottom thereof two diametrically opposite pins. The
charged cartridge case is placed with its flanged end in the socket of the holding
device hereinbefore described, the disc being at the bottom of the socket and the
pins or projections protruding. The arm or lever is then moved so as to bring the
opposite end of the cartridge case in front of the socket of the turn-over
instrument, in which such end is then caused to enter, and there retained. Rotary
motion being then imparted to the turn-over instrument either by a hand lever or
(in the case of the lathe form of apparatus) by a belt, cord or chain, the end of the
cartridge case will be turned over with great rapidity, after which the arm or lever
of the holding socket is moved in a direction the opposite of its previous motion,
and the pins or projections, which protrude from the bottom of the socket, coming
against a stationary portion of the frame, the disc is forced outwards and the
cartridge case accordingly expelled.

page_text: The apparatus may be also used for crimping and closing charged metallic
cartridge cases, and for decapping, and recapping cartridge cases, by substituting
and adding chucks, parts or instruments as hereinafter described.
And in order that the said Invention may be perfectly understood, I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to
the several figures on the accompanying sheet of drawings, the same letters of
reference indicating corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a perspective view of an apparatus
constructed in the form of a lathe for the turning over of the end of charged paper.
or cardboard cartridge cases.
Figure 2 is a perspective view, drawn to a larger scale, of the turn-over
instrument detached. Figures 3 and 4 are longitudinal sections drawn to a larger
scale of the socket for holding the cartridge case during the operation, and
expelling it after it has been operated upon, the two figures respectively shewing
the disc and pins in two different positions.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a similar apparatus to that illustrated in
Figure 1, but constructed in a portable form for attachment to a bench or support
and to be operated by hand.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a crimping tool, which may be substituted for
the turn-over instrument, when it is required to operate on metallic cartridge
cases.
Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 are perspective views of parts or instruments which may
be employed in the lathe or portable apparatus for decapping and recapping
cartridge cases.
Referring to Figure 1, A is the main frame of the apparatus, to the upper or
horizontal portion of which are cast, bolted or otherwise attached, a bracket B and
bearings C, C. The bracket B carries the parts, hereinafter particularly described,
connected with the cartridge case holder,.whilst the bearings C, C, support the
spindle 1 of the turn-over instrument, also to be presently described. The spindle 1
has fast thereon a pulley A¹ over which passes a belt 2, or a cord or chain, for
receiving motion from any suitable prime mover, or from a treadle, which motion
may be imparted either from above, as in the case of steam or other mechanical
power being used, or from below (as shewn in the drawing) either when foot or
steam or other power is applied.
The cartridge case holder consists of a socket D, (see details Figures 3 and 4)
having a movable disc or false bottom a, which is provided with pins or projec-
tions b, b, protruding through the end or bottom of the socket. The socket is
carried by a rod, bar or piston E, which passes through a stationary, but adjustable,
guide or cylinder F, supported in the bracket B, and is connected by a band or clip,
or clips c, or otherwise, to a second rod or bar E', passing through guides F¹, Fl. To
the rod or bar E¹ is attached, by a rotating pin or bolt or small friction pulley d,
an arm or lever G, mounted on a centre or fulcrum e in the frame A, and forked
or slotted at f to admit of its proper motion. By the act of moving the arın or
lever G in an arc of a circle on its centre or fulcrum e, the rod or bar E¹ receives
a longitudinal to or fro motion, which is transmitted to the rod, bar or piston E,
and thence to the socket D carrying the flanged end of the cartridge case.
In conjunction with the socket D herein before described there is used, for turning
over the end of the cartridge cases, an instrument consisting for example of a chuck
or socket H (Figures 1 and 2) having a central boss g and two diametrically
opposite radial pins or spokes h, h. The charged cartridge case is placed with its
flanged end in the socket D as hereinbefore described, the disc a being at the
bottom of the socket and the pins or projections b, b protruding, as shewn in
Figure 3. (The socket D will then be near the inner end of the guide or cylinder F,
although in figure 1 it is shewn at a greater distance therefrom in order to indicate
more clearly the pins or projections b, b.) The arm or lever G is then moved so as
to bring the opposite end of the cartridge case in front of the chuck or socket H,
in which such end is then caused to enter, and there retained. (The holding

page_text: socket D is indicated by dotted lines in its advanced position. The stroke of the
arm or lever G is also represented by dotted lines, but it should be understood that
the stroke is shewn less than actually occurs in practice, in order to avoid confusion
with other parts of the drawing.) Rotary motion being then imparted to the turn-
over chuck or socket H, the end of the cartridge case will be turned over with
great rapidity, after which the arm or lever G is moved, in a direction the opposite
of its previous motion, and the pins or projections b, b, which protrude from the
bottom of the socket, coming against the inner end of the guide or cylinder F, the
disc a is forced outwards, as shewn in Figure 4, and the cartridge case accordingly
expelled. The stationary guide or cylinder F, through which the rod, bar or
piston E passes, is secured in the bracket B, by pins 4 or otherwise, so as to be
capable of telescopic adjustment, and thus adapt the apparatus for different lengths
of cartridge cases with the same stroke of the arm or lever G.
Figure 5 shews the apparatus constructed in a portable form so that it may be
attached to a bench or other support and be operated by hand.
In this case the spindle 1, designed to carry the turn-over chuck H is provided
with a handle O, for the facility of operating it when required. The arm or lever G
is also conveniently attached direct to the rod, bar or piston E which carries the
socket D, and it is slotted or bifurcated at its end where it is attached to the centre
or fulcrum e; and the position of the parts H and D is for convenience reversed.
The guide or cylinder F, in the example illustrated, forms part of the frame A, but
means of longitudinal adjustment may be provided, if desired, as in the arrangement
illustrated in Figure 1.
When metallic cartridges are used, an instrument of the character of the
crimper I, Figure 6, is employed in conjunction with the socket D, which latter is
operated in the same manner as when used with paper or cardboard cases. The
crimper, which is screwed on to the spindle 1 in place of the turn-over chuck or
socket H, consists of as cket of a conical shape in its interior, by introducing the
end of the metal case into which, and applying pressure by means of the arm or
lever G, the case is crimped and closed in the usual and well known manner.
When it is desired to decap spent cartridge cases and recap the same, the motion
of the holding device is utilized in carrying out these operations, auxiliary parts,
as hereinafter described, being added to adapt the device to the modified functions
to be performed.
For decapping, a small chuck or plate K (Figure 7), with a hole in its centre,
is screwed over the socket D, and in conjunction therewith there is employed,
a pillar L, (Figure 8) which is screwed at 3 on to the spindle 1, (in substitution for
the turn-over chuck H or crimping instrument I) and carries a needle k. The
cartridge case is placed over the needle and pillar with its flange opposite the
chuck or plate K. By moving the arm or lever G in one direction, the chuck or
plate K is caused to press on the head of the cartridge case, and the needle k of the
pillar Lejects the cap into the central hole i of the chuck or plate K, whence it
escapes through the slot / on to the floor. The arm or lever G is then moved back
and the cartridge case is withdrawn.
For recapping, there is substituted for the chuck or plate K, a chuck or plate M
(Figure 9) having a projection or stud m; and a small cup N (Figure 10) which is
hollowed out at its end n, is screwed by its end o on to the top of the pillar L, so
as to cover the needle k. The cartridge case having been placed on the pillar L as
before, with a fresh cap inserted therein, by the act of moving the arın or lever G
in one direction, the projection or stud m on the chuck or plate M is brought to
bear on the cap, which is thus driven home into the case, after which the arm
or lever G is returned to its original position, and the case is withdrawn.
It will be obvious, that the instruments H and D may be provided with screw
threads and otherwise constructed so as to be used either in the lathe or in the
portable hand machine as desired, and may be made in any required number of
gauges for operating on cartridges of different sized bores; also that the chucks,
parts or instruments illustrated in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are similarly provided

page_text: with screw threads and constructed of suitable sizes for use in the manner
hereinbefore described.
I wish it to be understood, however, that I do not claim, as of my present
Invention, the turn-over instrument H, or the crimping instrument, or the
decapping and recapping instruments hereinbefore described, otherwise than as
used with the distinctive features of my Invention hereinafter claimed, neither do
I confine myself to the use of the precise construction of turn-over instrument,
or crimping instrument, or decapping and recapping instruments, as any suitable
modification thereof may be employed in carrying out my Invention.
As advantages resulting from the use of this Invention it may be mentioned,
that the holding device prevents any marking of or injury to the head of the
cartridge case, that the pressure is in all cases direct and rectilinear, instead of
circular as in the apparatus ordinarily employed, that the cartridge is automatically
ejected after the operation of the turn-over or crimping instrument, and that all
the operations to be performed may be effected on cartridges of all bores by one
and the same machine, the changing of small parts only being required for the
purpose.
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
I claim is:-
1. In apparatus for turning over the end of cartridge cases, the employment of
an arm or lever, mounted on a centre or fulcrum, and connected to a rod, bar or
piston, which passes through a suitable guide or cylinder, and carries or is connected
with the cartridge case holder, the parts being so arranged that by the motion of
the said arm or lever, the cartridge case holder will be moved in a rectilinear
direction, substantially as herein before described.
2. In apparatus for turning over the end of cartridge cases, the employment of
a socket or holder, having a movable disc or false bottom with protruding pins or
projections, for presenting the cartridge case to be operated on to the operating
instrument, and expelling such case after it has been operated upon, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
3. In apparatus for turning over the end of cartridge cases, the employment of
a socket for holding the flanged end of the cartridge case, such socket having a
movable disc or false bottom with protruding pins or projections, and being carried
by a rod, bar or piston, passing through a suitable guide or cylinder, and operated
with a rectilinear motion, by the movement of an arm or lever working on a centre
or fulcrum, and connected with such rod, bar or piston, for the purpose of moving
the case towards the operating instrument in a rectilinear direction, and expelling
the case after it has been operated upon, substantially as herein before described.
4. A lathe or portable apparatus having attachable and detachable chucks, parts
or instruments, constructed arranged and operated substantially as herein set forth,
so that by changing such chucks, parts or instruments, one and the same lathe or
portable apparatus may be used for turning over the end of or crimping and closing
cartridge cases, and decapping and recapping cartridge cases, of all bores, all
substantially as hereinbefore described.
THB J. HANDFORD,
50, Bedford Row, London, W.C.,
Agent.