Improvements in Machines for Loading Cartridge-cases.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 30th May, 1899-Accepted, 12th Aug., 1899
UUMI BEIN
Improvements in Machines for Loading Cartridge-cases.
I, JACQUES PIERRE DE BRAAM, of 27, Rue Hamelin, Paris, France, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what mauner the same is
to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
-
The machines that have hitherto been constructed for loading the cases of sport-
ing cartridges have fulfilled only very imperfectly the object for which they have
been intended, which is to effect mechanically the following operations: —
The cases, which are distributed by the operator or are brought to the machine
by an inclined plane, receive successively: (1) a charge of powder, (2) a powder
wad; (3) a charge of shot; (4) a shot wad; finally, (5) the edge of the cartridge
case is crimped or turned over for closing or fastening purposes, and (6) the
finished cartridge is expelled from the machine.
All the existing machines, therefore, finish a cartridge in seven steps, which
correspond to the introduction of a case into a receiving device in which it is
conducted successively under the devices that effect, at each succeeding step,
one of the six operations herein before enumerated.
The essential devices constituting the improved machine hereinafter described
have the same functions as the corresponding parts of the known machines, but
the improvements that I have invented enable the following new effects to be
produced:
-
(1.) The special device intended for receiving and retaining the cases is such
that it will adapt itself to cases of various calibres so that cases of different
calibres can be loaded by one and the same machine;
(2.) The device for retaining the cases automatically throws out of gear all
the devices for distributing powder, shot, and wads, when it is not provided with
a case, the consequence of which is to prevent all loss of material and any injury
to the machine when by inadvertence, by negligence, or from any other cause
the distribution of cases is interrupted;
(3.) The manufactured cartridge is necessarily and exactly in agreement with
the requirements--that is to say, the charges of powder and of shot, as well as
the wads, occupy in the case exactly the space and the place that have been
assigned to them. In order to obtain the best result, the importance of which
is evident I cause a lever for stopping the machine to be acted upon by the wad
driving pistons or presses (hereinafter called presses) and one of the devices of
the wad distributer; it results from this, that if in consequence of an insufficient
charge of powder or of shot, one of the wad presses makes a longer movement than
that assigned to it in order that the cartridge may be regular, the machine is
automatically stopped; the same effect is produced when the provision of wads
runs short.
In order that the particular means that I employ to attain the results that I
have just enumerated may be fully understood I will now describe the machine
represented in detail in the accompanying drawings, whereof Figs. 1 and 2 are

page_text: general views representing the machine reduced to its principal parts respectively
in front elevation and in side elevation, and Fig. 3 is a vertical section drawn to
a larger scale and corresponding to the line A B of Fig. 2.
These figures show that the machine comprises three plates 1, 2, 3, viz. a
plate 3 having an intermittent rotary movement, carrying seven like parts,
which are exactly alike and each of which serves to receive at the first step, and
to retain during the five succeeding steps, a case which is ejected at the seventh
step by an ejector; and two fixed plates 1, 2. The plate 1 carries the cartridge
case distributing and filling devices, and serves, with the plate 2 for supporting
the mechanism for transmitting movement thereto. All these devices operate
whilst the plate 3 is at rest, and vice versa whilst the plate 3 advances the said
devices cease to operate or to produce any useful effect.
The fixed plate 2, is carried by columns s fixed to a frame r, itself carried by
a pedestal t.
At the axis of the machine there is arranged a shaft 8 which passes freely
through the centres of the plates 1, 2 and 3. This shaft 8, by means of which
all the filling devices are actuated, receives an intermittent rotary movement
which alternates with that given to the plate 3.
The movement is given to the driving shaft 4, which carries a fixed pulley P.
and an adjacent loose pulley, either by hand or by a motor; this movement is
transmitted by bevel pinions 5 and to a shaft 7 (Figs. 1 and 3), on which are
keyed, at suitable levels two partially-toothed pinions e and 11, which are shown
in Figs. 3 and 4, the latter figure being a horizontal section corresponding to
the line C D of Fig. 3. The toothed part of the pinion e engages with a toothed
ring a fixed to the plate 3; whilst the toothed part of the pinion 11 engages with
a pinion 10 keyed on the shaft 8.
When, in consequence of the continuous rotary movement of the shaft 7, the
teeth of the pinion e engage with the teeth of the ring a, the latter rotates; in
order that the plate 3 may stop precisely at the instant when the smooth part
of the pinion e comes opposite to the teeth of the ring a, a cam c keyed on the
shaft (Figs. 3 and 4) engages in recesses 9, baving outlines of the form of ares
of circles, made in the ring above the toothed part. The absolute stoppage of
the shaft 8 at the moment when the toothed part of the pinion 11 escapes from
the teeth of the pinion 10, is insured by a cam 6 (Figs. 3, 4, and 5) the projecting
part 12 of which engages in a recess 13 of a disc d (Figs. 3, 4, and 6) keyed on the
shaft 8.
Now that I have indicated how the plate 3 (which carries the seven like receiv-
ing devices) receives an intermittent rotary movement, whose periods alternate
with the intermittent movements of the shaft S (which actuates the distributing
and filling devices), I shall describe these devices successively, pointing out the
new elements and arrangements that characterize them and enable them to pro-
duce the new effects herein before mentioned.
The plate 3, of which Fig. 7 is a partial plan, carries seven devices (which are
exactly alike) for receiving and holding the cartridge cases. One of theso
devices is drawn in detail in plan in Fig. 7 and in longitudinal elevation in
Fig. 10. The latter figure shows the device as it is before receiving a case.
the general perspective views, Figs. 19 and 20, are shown a series of these devices
each furnished with a case after their passage under the case distributor.
In
In the recesses 14 of the plate 3 are arranged cups 15. A case received in
one of these cups is retained by spring claws that pinch it when it is engaged
between them and also operate a disengaging lever which acts on the different
filling devices when the claws are not sufficiently spread out-that is to say,
when a receiving cup 15 contains no case; it will be seen immediately that these
new holding devices enable the calibre of the case to be varied and all dis-
tribution of charge (powder, shot, wads) to be stopped automatically when the
machine is not fed with cases. In one with the plate 3 are cast two supports 25
and 26 for two parallel axles 27, arranged on opposite sides of the recess 14. On

page_text: each axle 27 is mounted a bent lever, one arm 28 of which ends in the form of
a fork or claw (Fig. 7), whilst the other arm carries a toothed sector 29; the
teeth of one of the sectors engage with those of the other. Around one of the
axles 27 is coiled a spring 30, which bears with one of its ends on, or is attached
to, the plate 3, whilst its other end bears against the corresponding claw 28,
tending thus constantly to cause the two claws to approach each other-the
toothed sectors cause the claws to move in unison. With one of the claws is
connected a bent lever 31, the short arm of which engages by means of a pin 34
in a receptacle in the form of a bracket, arranged on the claw. The bent lever
is mounted to rock on an axle 32 carried by a support 333, which is cast in ono
with the plate 3. The free end of the long arm of the lever 31 carries a finger 35.
When this finger is lowered, the claws tend to open. When the claws hold a case
between them, the finger 35 is lowered, and is thereby held in a determinate
position. When there is no case between the claws, the finger rises and touches
the plate 2. If the devices for stopping the distribution of powder, shot, and
wads, are arranged in the path of the finger 35 in such a manner that the latter
encounters the said devices when it is in the raised position and passes below them
when it is lowered, the distribution will take place regularly when the claws will
hold a case it will cease, on the contrary, when for any reason whatever, the
feeding of cases stops.
I shall now indicate how the various charging and distributing devices act.
Figs. 2 and 8 show respectively in elevation and in plan, the inclined plane 16
on which the cases are placed by hand or brought mechanically. Fig. 8 is a plan
of the plate 2 and the parts that it carries. This plate carries, on its lower face,
a projection 36 (Figs. 1, 2, and 8), which forms a cam and forms inclined planes
at its ends. As soon as, during the rotary movement of the plate 3, the finger 35
of the lever 31 comes against the said cam the claws commence to open and they
remain open until the moment when the finger has quitted the inclined plane that
terminates the cam. As the claws ought to open to permit the ejector to expel
a filled cartridge as well as to permit the cup 15 after becoming empty, to receive
a new case, the cam 36 is arranged above and opposite to the case distributer and
to the device that actuates the ejector (first and seventh steps).
Fig. 11 shows in detail and in longitudinal sectional elevation, the case dis-
tributer fixed to the plate 2; this distributer will be seen, moreover, in plan in
Fig. 8, in elevation in Figs. 1 and 2, and in perspective in Fig. 19. On the
shaft 8 is keyed a pinion 17 (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 8, and 19) which engages with the
pinion 18 of the distributer, and causes the latter to turn whenever the shaft 8
itself is put into movement; the pinion 18 actuates in its turn the bevel
pinions 19 and 20. The latter is keyed on an axle 21 carrying a bent finger 22,
which, in turning, passes into a recess 23 arranged in the end of the inclined
plane 16 (Fig. 8). The horizontal branch of the finger or lever 22 then
encounters the end case, puts it into an upright position, and brings it into the
guide tube 24, whence it falls into the cup 15 to occupy the position indicated
clearly at 46 in Fig. 11 (first step). To each revolution of the plate 3, correspond-
seven revolutions of the distributer; it follows that each time that a receiving
cup 15 will present itself under the tube 24, a case will fall therein, the claws 28
being opened to allow it to pass, as a result of the action of the cam 36 on the
finger 35. As soon as this finger quits the cam, the claws again press on the
case, the finger 35 still remaining sufficiently lowered in order not to encounter
the disengaging devices.
The shaft 8 remaining at rest, the plate 3 advances by a seventh of a revolu-
tion, and the case 46, held in the cup, presents itself under the powder dis-
tributer (Figs. 12, 19, 21, and 22). The powder escapes through a passage 47
having internally the shape of a conical frustrum. It is placed in a reservoir 37
(Figs. 19, 20, and 21) at the bottoni of which it is agitated by an agitator 48,
which receives its movement from a connecting rod 49, itself actuated by a small
pinion 50 which engages with the toothed wheel 18 of the case distributer

page_text: (Fig. 21). The distribution of the powder and the distribution of the shot are
effected by known means; the charge of powder is regulated between two
palettes 38 and 51 (Figs. 21 and 22) which are alternately opened and closed.
The charge of shot is likewise regulated between two palettes 52 and 53 (Fig. 23)
that are alternately opened and closed. Fig. 24, which is a plan taken from above
the plate 1, shows the means for controlling the two upper palettes 38 and 52.
The rods 39 and 54 of these palettes are provided respectively at their ends with
racks 40 and 55, which engage with the vertical pinion 41 (Figs. 2 and 24). This
pinion receives its movement from a toothed sector 42, pivoted at 43 to the plate 1,
and provided with a roller 44 (Fig. 24) on which acts a cam 45 keyed on the
shaft (Figs. 3 and 24). It is during the passage of the roller 44 in the recess
of the cam that the palettes 38 and 52 are successively opened or closed, and
that the charges of powder and of shot are admitted between the palettes which
limit them. The retaining palettes 51 and 53, the retreat of which allows
the charges of powder and of shot respectively to escape, are actuated as is
indicated in the plan Fig. 24 and in Figs. 22 and 23, which are sections respec-
tively corresponding to the lines I J and K L of Fig. 24. Instead of being con-
nected directly to their operating racks 56 and 57 respectively, which receive
movement from the vertical pinion 58, the palettes are coupled to the said racks
by a coupling which is disengaged when it is actuated by the finger or knob 35 of
the bent lever connected to the case holding claws.
As shown in the detailed plan Fig. 25, the rack terminates in a fork which is
located in the end of the palette. A pin 61 (Fig. 22), carried by a short rod 62,
engages both in a receptacle or recess 63 in the end of the palette and in two
recesses in the fork which terminates the rack. The connecting rod 62 is con-
nected to an axle 64 which is carried by the end of the short arm of the bent
disengaging lever 59. When, in consequence of the absence of a case, the
finger 35 comes, as indicated in Fig. 22, to abut against the lower end of the
bent lever 59, the pin 61 is raised, and the rack 56 and the palette 51 cease to be
in rigid connexion; it follows that the palette remains fixed, whilst the rack
only is displaced and the powder, instead of escaping, remains between the
palettes 51 and 38. A spring 64 automatically brings the palette back into
engagement with the rack as soon as the finger 35 has abandoned the disen-
gaging lever 59. As is indicated in Figs. 23 and 24, an arrangement exactly like
this is used for the lower palette 53 of the shot distributer. The racks 56
and 57 that are coupled with these palettes, engage, moreover, as I have herein-
before indicated, with the same vertical pinion 58. The latter receives its move-
ment from a toothed sector 65, which is pivoted at 66 to the plate 2 (Fig. 8) and
is furnished with a roller 67 actuated by a cam 68 keyed on the shaft 8 (Figs. 3
and 8). The case charged with powder, as indicated at f in Fig. 12, immediately
presents itself under the powder wad distributer. The distribution of
powder wads, as well as that of lead wads, is effected in my im-
proved machine as in the analogous known machines. The wads 9,
arranged respectively in the cylinders 69 and 70 (Figs. 26 and 27) are pushed one
by one by the wad drivers 71 and 72 into the adjacent cylinders 73, 74, whence
they fall into the case to be immediately submitted to the action of a piston,
which forms a wad press (Figs. 28 and 29). Like the palettes 51 and 53 for
retaining the charges of powder and shot, the wad drivers 71 and 72 are not con-
nected rigidly to their operating racks. As shown in plan in Fig. 8, and in
sectional elevation in Figs. 26 and 27, the wad drivers are connected to their
operating racks 75 and 76 by an engaging and disengaging arrangement in every
respect like that which I have herein before described for the palettes 51 and 53
for retaining the charges of powder and of shot, the levers 77 and 78 being always
controlled by the finger or knob 35, when the latter, in consequence of the
absence of a case, is in its raised position. The wads are, therefore, distributed
only when the claws hold a case.
The racks 75 and 76 for actuating the wad drivers, receive their movement from

page_text: the vertical pinion 79 which is integral with the pinion 58, and is actuated, in
consequence at the same time as the latter by the toothed sector 65 (Fig. 8).
The descent of the wads in the cylinders 69 and 70 is facilitated by the rods 80
and 81, which are loaded with a weight at their free ends.
These rods carry
respectively pins 82, 83, each of which slides in a groove in the corresponding
cylinder (Figs. 26, 27, and 20) and comes, when the provision of wads fails, to
act as I will hereinafter indicate on the stopping lever of the machine.
The powder wad g, engaged in the case, as indicated in Fig. 13, is pushed and
compressed by the wad press 84 (Figs. 28 and 30). This wad press carries a
rack 85, the teeth of which engage with a sector 86 which is pivoted to a sup-
port 87 cast in one with the plate 1 (Fig. 19). The free end of the rod of the
sector 86 carries a roller 88 controlled by a cam 89 keyed on the shaft 8. The
shot wad press 90 (Figs. 29 and 31) likewise receives its movement through the
intermediary of a rack 91 and a sector 92 pivoted to a support 93; this sector
carries, at the end of its rod, a roller 94, which is actuated by a cam 95 keyed on
the shaft 8. By the milled dises m (Figs. 19, 20, 30, and 31) there are fixed
respectively to the powder wad press and to the shot wad press, stop pieces 96, 97,
the lower end of each of which, when the corresponding wad press, in conse-
quence of insufficient charge of powder or shot, moves further than normally,
acts upon a lever which in turn releases the belt shifter and throws the machino
out of gear.
The parts for automatic disengagement under the action of the pins 82, 83
and the stop pieces 96, 97 are indicated in detail in Fig. 32 in plan, in Figs. 30,
31, and 33 in side elevation, and in Figs. 34 and 20 in rear elevation.
On the axle 98, which turns in a support 99 fixed to the frame of the machine,
is mounted a stopping fork or belt shifter 100, through which passes the driving
belt of the main shaft 4. A spring 101, coiled round the axle 98, constantly
tends to cause the fork to pivot, so as to bring it opposite to the loose pulley q
The external branch of the fork 100 carries a tooth 102 (Figs. 32 and 33) with
which engages the outer end of the long arm of a two-armed lever 103 pivoted
at 104 to a support fixed to the plate 1. A spring 105 attached by one of its ends
to the long arm of the lever 103, and at its other end to the
plate 2, tends to keep the lever in the position of engagement (Fig. 34)
with the stop 106. It is clear that if the end 107
the short arm of the lever 103 is pressed upon, it pivots, and the
fork 100 escapes, and, under the action of the spring 101, causes the belt to pass
from the fixed pulley upon the loose pulley q This effect is produced auto-
matically in the following way:—
111 contact
of
A shaft 108 (Figs. 30, 31 and 32) is mounted to rotate in pedestals 109 fixed
to the plate 1. At the end of the shaft 108 is keyed an arm 110. Opposite to
each of the stop pieces 96, 97, controlled by the respective wad press, is fixed on
the shaft 108 a ring 111 carrying a projection 112. As soon as the base of one of
the pieces 96, 97 strikes the corresponding projection 112, the shaft 108 rotates
and lowers the arm 110, which comes to bear upon the end 107 of the stopping
lever. The pins 82, 83 each act indirectly on the corresponding projection 112,
through the intermediary of a sleeve 113 represented in detail in Figs. 35 and 36.
This sleeve is mounted loosely on the shaft 108, and arranged at one side of the
ring 111, in such a manner as to cover this latter by a half ring 114 integral
with it; the nose 115 of this half ring strikes the projection 112 when the corre-
sponding pin (82 or 83) comes against a lug 116 of the sleeve 113; a rod 117,
terminated by a small ball 118 forming a counter weight, forms one with the
sleeve 113 and constantly tends to bring the latter back into the position shown
in Figs. 30, 31, and 32. The outer branch of the fork 100 carries a lateral pro-
jecting arm 119 (Fig. 34) which forms an obstacle to the passage of the crank
that is mounted on this shaft 4 when, instead of operating the machine by a
motor, it is desired to operate it by hand. In order to start the machine again

page_text: after it has been automatically stopped, it is sufficient to put the outer branch
of the fork into engagement with the lever 103.
The case 46, after having successively received the charge of shot h (Fig. 14)
proceeding from the receptacle 121 (Figs. 19 and 20) and the shot wad i (Fig. 15)
is brought, by the movement of the plate 3, under the crimper 120. This
crimper has a continuous rotary movement and an intermittent up-and-down
movement as clearly shewn in Fig. 3, and Figs. 37, 38, and 17. Fig. 37 is a
partial plan taken above the plate 1; Fig. 38 is a sectional elevation correspond-
ing to the line M N of Fig. 37; and Fig. 17 is a section corresponding to the
line OP of Fig. 37.
The bevel pinion 122 (Fig. 3) keyed on the main shaft 4 transmits the rotary
movement of the latter through the intermediary of the pinion 123 to a vertical
shaft 124. To the upper end of this shaft is keyed a toothed wheel 125. A
sleeve 126 that can turn freely on an axle 127, carries at its lower end a toothed
wheel 128, which engages with the teeth of the wheel 125. On the sleeve 126,
thus given a continuous rotary movement, is fixed a pinion 129 which engages
with a toothed sleeve 131 fixed to the upper part of the rod 130 of the crimper
(Fig. 17). A lever 132, pivoted at 133 to a support fixed to the plate 2, is fur-
nished at one of its ends with a fork 134, whose branches, between which passes
the rod 130, are held by two collars 135 on this rod. The other end of the
lever 132 carries a roller 136 located in the groove of a cam 137 keyed on the
shaft S. It is this cam which, during the rotary movement of the shaft 8, causes
the return of the crimper after its descent occasioned by the spring 138.
The cartridge case, loaded and crimped, as indicated in Fig. 16, is finally
brought by the plate 3 in front of a stop 139 (Figs. 3, 7, and 18) which acts on
the ejector 140 which the said plate carries opposite to each of the holding
devices.
At this moment, the finger 35 has encountered the projection 36 of the plate 2
(Fig. 9) and the claws 28 are opened out; the case, which has become free, is
pushed away by the punch 141 and falls into a channel 142 (Fig. 18), whence it
can be collected by any suitable means. A spring 143 (Figs. 3 and 7) brings
the piston of the ejector back into its original position as soon as it has escaped
from the action of the stop 139.
On the succeeding movement of the plate 3, the holding device, whose cup 15
is empty and whose holding claws remain opened out whilst the finger 35 remains
under the projection 36, presents itself under the case distributer, and the cycle
of operations described is repeated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A machine for loading cartridge cases in which the device for holding the
cases comprises movable pieces that close upon the cases and throw the dis-
tributing parts out of action when the supply of cases ceases.
2. A machine for loading cartridge cases in which the wad presses and the
rods of the columns of wads automatically operate by their descent a lever for
stopping the machine, when the supply of wads fails or the wad presses move
to an abnormal extent.
3. In a sporting cartridge-case loading machine, a device for receiving and
holding cases adapted to enable cases of different calibres to be loaded and to
insure the stoppage of the distribution of the charges of powder, of shot, and of
wads when the said device is unprovided with a cartridge case and comprising
spring claws 28 mounted on a movable plate 3, and opening under the action of
a cam 36 (arranged on a fixed plate under the case distributer and under the
control of the ejector) on the finger 35 of a lever connected to one of the claws,
the said finger rising when the claws close, in order to effect an uncoupling

page_text: between the distributing parts (holding palettes 51, 53 of the charges of powder
and wad drivers 71, 72) and their actuating racks.
4. In a machine for loading sporting cartridge cases, an arrangement for
insuring regularity in the loading of the cartridge cases by an automatic stop-
ping of the machine in the case of absence of wads or of abnormal movement of
the wad presses, comprising stops 96, 97 fixed to the wad presses 84, 90 and
stops 82, 83 fixed to the compression rods of the wad columns, the said stops
acting through a shaft 108 on a lever 103 in order to disengage the fork 100 of
the driving belt of the machine.
5. A machine for loading sporting cartridge cases constructed, arranged, and
operating as hereinbefore described with reference to and shown in the accom-
panying drawings.
Dated this 30th day of May 1899.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.