Improvements in Machines for Gauging and Sorting Cartridges and other Articles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left. 28th Aug., 1895-Accepted. 28th Sept., 1895
[Communicated from abroad by DEUTSCHE METALLPATRONENFABRIK, of
Karlsruhe, in the Empire of Germany.]
Improvements in Machines for Gauging and Sorting Cartridges and
other Articles.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to machines for automatically gauging and sorting
cartridges and other articles.
The object of such automatic gauging and sorting machines consists in separating
similar articles into groups according to their different sizes. In these machines
the measuring device must be connected with a distributor which conducts the
measured articles to one or the other of the groups according to their size; for
this purpose the movement of the stamp, slide or other measuring device is
transmitted to the distributor. As however in the case of very small differences in
the size of similar articles to be separated into groups the measuring device makes
only slight movements it is necessary to employ levers or the like for increasing
the movement in order to operate the distributor.
In the customary gauging and sorting machines of this kind the stamp, slide or
other measuring device always makes a simple movement inasmuch as it is moved
against the article to be gauged. A much more sensitive measurement, a greater
adaptability of the construction to the various objects, and especially also a
simple and reliable transmission of the movement to the distributor are achieved
by the machine for gauging and sorting cartridges, cartridge-cases and the like as
hereinafter set forth. Here the measuring device does not simply move forwards,
but it makes at the same time a turning and progressive movement; its several
points move for instance in a helical line or upon a different winding-path according
to the mode of distribution. Thus the measuring device is not moved directly
against the article to be gauged, but is turned for instance by a weight, spring or
the like and is at the same time compelled to move forwards by reason of the
curved guide.
Besides the before-mentioned advantages there is to be considered that solely by
varying the dimensions and shape of the guide any desired increase in the
movement of the distributor may be effected; and for obtaining a new mode of
distribution, that is to say an increase or decrease in the number of groups, it is
only necessary to exchange or modify a few of the parts but not to alter the
leverage.
When the improved machine is employed for instance for checking and sorting
cartridge cases each of these cases is brought by hand or by means of an automatic
feed mechanism to a place where it is clamped between a support and a measuring
stamp. The latter is guided by means of a screw-thread in a nut. By a helical spring
which constantly exerts a traction upon an arm fixed to the said stamp the latter is
turned so that its front end moves against the cartridge case. The length of this
cartridge case therefore determines the turning movement of the stamp and arm.
The turning movement of the measuring stamp also causes the displacement of the

page_text: distributor through the medium of a second arm which forms a prolongation of the
aforesaid arm but may also be secured separately to the stamp.
The machine is arranged for automatic operation. The forward and backward
movement of the stamp is regulated by a cain disc arranged upon a shaft, as this
disc during the turning movement of the shaft will alternately raise or release a
third arm provided with a roller and fixed to the measuring stamp. In the former
case the stamp is turned in the opposite direction to that in which it is turned by
the before-mentioned spring so that the cartridge case becomes free and rolls upon
a channel to the distributor. At the moment when the next cartridge case is to be
clamped, the cam disc will release the third arm so that the spring acts again and
turns the stamp forward.
The distributor is secured upon a second shaft which can be turned by a spring.
This second shaft also carries an arm pressed down more or less by a pin on the
second arm according to the size of the cartridge case to be sorted, and also a
ratchet wheel with which engages a pawl pivoted to the frame. When therefore
the said arm is carried away during the measurement proportionately to the
length of the cartridge case, the distributor and the ratchet wheel will also turn to
a corresponding extent. As the pin then releases the before-mentioned arm on the
second shaft the latter will again be under the action of the spring, but only until
the next tooth of the ratchet wheel strikes against the pawl. In this arrangement
there are as many teeth as there are groups into which the articles are sorted.
After each stoppage of the distributor and after the cartridge case has dropped
into one of the compartments, the distributor must return to the original position.
This may also be caused by the cam disc; for this purpose it carries laterally a pin
which disengages the pawl for a moment when the clamping of the next case takes
place. The initial position of the distributor is that which corresponds to the
discharge of the shortest cartridge cases. It is expedient to make the tooth, which
causes the stoppage in the initial position, somewhat larger than the others so that
it will surely be caught by the pawl also in the disengaged position.
Of course the details of the described machine may be constructed in various
manners. The driving of the first shaft may be effected by any desired means.
The cam disc may be arranged at another place, the striking pin being then
provided on a separate arm; instead of the helical spring a spiral spring may be
arranged on the stamp, and so forth.
Use may be made, in lieu of the helical guide, of another curved guide for the
measuring stainp if particular objects are to be realized; for equal lengths of way
of the stamp turning movements of different amplitudes may be obtained in this
manner during the forward movement of the stamp, which is for example important
in case the number of the groups shall be made larger or smaller within definite
Imits of size than above or below these limits. In such cases a groove is provided
in the stamp, and an immovable pin engages with the said groove, or any suitable
guide may be used which permits of a turning movement and a forward movement
of the stamp at the same time.
It will also be readily seen that the same machine may be employed for various
gauging and sorting operations, if the measuring stamp with its guide and if
necessary also the ratchet wheel is made exchangeable. In order to obviate
friction between the measuring stamp in its turning movement and the articles to
be gauged, the front end of the said stamp may form a special pressing piece which
does not participate in the turning movement of the rod of the measuring stamp.
Dated this 4th day of December 1894.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, Loudon, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Machines for Gauging and Sorting Cartridges and
other Articles.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 relates to machines for automatically gauging and sorting
cartridges and other articles.
The object of such automatic gauging and sorting machines consists in separating
similar articles into groups according to their different sizes. In these machines
the measuring device must be connected with a distributor which conducts the
measured articles to one or the other of the groups according to their size; for this
purpose the movement of the gauge rod, slide or other measuring device is trans-
mitted to the distributor. As however in the case of very slight differences in the
size of similar articles to be separated into groups the measuring device makes only
a slight movement it is necessary to employ levers or the like for increasing the
said movement in order to operate the distributor.
In the customary gauging and sorting machines of this kind the gauge rod, slide
or other measuring device always makes a simple movement, inasmuch as it is moved
against the article to be gauged. A much more sensitive measurement, a greater
adaptability of the construction to various objects, and especially also a simple
and reliable transmission of the movement to the distributor are achieved by the
machine for gauging and sorting for cartridges, cartridge-cases and the like as
hereinafter set forth. Here the measuring device not only moves forward, but it
makes at the same time a turning and progressive movement; its several points move
for instance in a helical line or upon a different winding-path according to the mode
of distribution. Thus the measuring device is not moved directly against the article
to be gauged, but is turned for instance by a weight, spring or the like and is at
the same time compelled to move forwards by reason of the curved guide.
Besides the before-mentioned advantages there is to be considered that solely by
varying the dimensions and shape of the guide any desired increase in the move-
ment of the distributor may be effected; and for obtaining a new mode of
distribution, that is to say an increase or decrease in the number of groups, it
is only necessary to exchange or modify a few of the parts but not to alter
the leverage.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved machine and
Figure 2 is a plan of the same.
In the checking and sorting machine represented in the drawing the cartridge
case is brought by hand or by means of an automatic feed mechanism to the
position indicated in Figure 2 where it is clamped between an abutment m and the
gauge M. The latter is guided by means of a screw-thread in a nut N. By means
of a helical spring F which constantly exerts a traction upon an arm M¹ fixed to
the said gauge M the latter is turned so that its front end moves against the
cartridge-case. The length of this cartridge case therefore determines the turning
movement of the gauge M and arm M' in the direction of the arrow indicated in
Figure 1. The turning movement of the gauge M also causes the displacement of
the distributor V through the medium of the arm M² which forms a prolongation
of the aforesaid arm M but may also be secured separately to the gauge M.
The machine is arranged for automatic operation. The forward and backward

page_text: movement of the gauge is regulated by a cam dise U arranged upon a shaft O, as
this disc during the turning movement of the shaft will alternately raise or
release the arm M³ provided with a roller R and fixed to the gauge M. In the
former case the gauge is turned in the opposite direction to that in which it is
turned by the before-mentioned spring F so that the cartridge case becomes free
and rolls upon a channel W to the distributor V. At the moment when the next
cartridge case is to be clamped, the cam disc U will release the arm M³ so that the
spring Facts again and turus the gauge M forward.
The distributor V is secured upon the shaft B which can be turned by a spring G
in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 2. The shaft B also carries an
arm H pressed down more or less by a pin A Figure 1 on the arm M² according to
the size of the cartridge case to be sorted, and also a ratchet wheel S with which
engages a pawl K pivoted to the frame. When therefore the said arm H. is carried
away during the measurement proportionately to the length of the cartridge case P',
the distributor V and the ratchet wheel will also turn to a corresponding extent.
As the pin A then releases the before-mentioned arm H on the shaft B the latter
will again be under the action of the spring, but only until the next tooth of the
ratchet wheel engages with the pawl K. In this arrangement there are as many
teeth as there are groups into which the articles are sorted. After each stoppage
of the distributor V and after the cartridge case has dropped into one of the
compartments of a receptacle X, the distributor must return to the original position.
This may also be caused by the cam disc U; for this purpose it carries laterally
pin U which disengages the pawl K for a moment when the clamping of the next
case takes place. The initial position of the distributor is that which corresponds
to the discharge of the shortest cartridge cases. It is expedient to make the tooth,
which causes the stoppage in the initial position, somewhat larger than the others
so that it will surely be caught by the paw! K also in the disengaged position.
a
It is evident that the details of construction may be carried out in various
manners. The driving of the shaft O may be effected by any desired means.
The cam disc U may be arranged at another place, the striking pin U³ may then
be provided on a separate arm; instead of the helical spring F a spiral spring may
be arranged on the gauge M, and so forth.
Use may be made, in lieu of the helical guide, of another curved guide for the
gauge M if particular objects are to be realized; for equal lengths of way of the
gauge turning movements of different amplitudes may be obtained in this manner
during the forward movement of the gauge, which is for example important in
case the number of the groups shall be made larger or smaller within definite limits
of size than above or below these limits. In such cases a groove is provided in
the gauge M, and an immovable pin engages with the said groove, or any suitable
guide may be used which permits of a turning movement and a forward movement
of the stamp at the same time.
It will also be readily seen that the same machine may be employed for various
gauging and sorting operations, if the gauge M with its guide and if necessary
alse the ratchet wheel S is made exchangeable. In order to obviate friction
between the gauge M in its turning movement and the articles to be gauged, the
front end of the said gauge may form a special pressing piece which does not
participate in the turning movement of this gauge.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by
ny foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :--
1. A gauging and sorting apparatus, the characteristic leature of which is the
arrangement of an axially moved measuring rod or device M which latter is at
the same time turned in a screw-threaded nut or sleeve or carved guide N, the
said measuring rod or device during its continuous working operation, being
alternately moved back by a lever and pressed forward by means of a spring
against the case to be measured; while the extent of the turning movement of

page_text: the gauge M gives the standard for the displacement or adjustment of the
distributing mechanism.
2. In the apparatus described in the first claim, the stopping of the shaft,
which carries the distributor V, movement to which is transmitted from the
measuring stamp rod or device by means of a lever M2 or the like, in proportion
of the various positions of the distributor, by means of a ratchet wheel S and
pawl K which latter after the transport of the measured body to the respective
group, is thrown out of gear by a projection U¹ thereby enabling the distributor
to recede into its initial position.
Dated this 28th day of August 1895.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.