Patent ID: 12228385

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1illustrates an embodiment of an ammunition reloading system400including a reloading press200coupled to an actuator assembly100. The reloading press200can include a control lever202and/or other control segment which can be actuated to cause operation of the press. As shown, the actuator assembly100can be attached to the reloading press200such that the control lever202of the reloading press200is in operative relation to the actuator assembly100. Attachment of the actuator assembly100to the control lever202will be illustrated in the following examples, but it will be understood that attachment may alternatively be to another control segment of the press200, such as directly to a shaft of the reloading press200or to a linkage bar mechanically coupled to the shaft of the reloading press200. As described in more detail below, one or more components of the actuator assembly100may be configured to be attachable to, and be attached to, the control lever202so as to enable modulation of the control lever202through operation of the actuator assembly100.

The reloading press200may be any type of press usable in a process of ammunition reloading. The reloading press200may be a progressive press capable of producing at least one round of ammunition per pull and/or per press cycle. In other embodiments, a reloading press may be a single press or a turret press. The reloading press200may be any press that is configured for one or more of the steps of positioning an ammunition case, reforming an ammunition case by pressing it within one or more dies, positioning a primer within an ammunition case, adding powder to an ammunition case, positioning or mounting a bullet onto a case, and sealing (e.g., crimping) a bullet in position on a case, for example. The reloading press200may include one or more reloading press components204(e.g., bins, tubes, etc.) configured to store, sort, and/or align cases, primers, powder, bullets, finished rounds, etc.

In some embodiments, the reloading press200is a progressive shotshell press. For example, the reloading press200may be configured to perform one or more of the steps of depriming a shell, reshaping a shell, priming a shell, loading a shell with powder, pressing a wad into a shell, loading shot into a shell, and crimping a shell.

The actuator assembly100can be configured to be in communication with a control system300. In some embodiments, one or more sensors may be joined to the actuator assembly100and/or to the reloading press200and can be configured to be in communication with the control system300. For example, a control lever position sensor302can be positioned on the reloading press200. As described in further detail below, the control lever position sensor302(in communication with the control system300) is configured to detect an extremity position of the control lever202, thereby enabling the control system300to determine an actuation distance of the control lever202(e.g., the distance the control lever202or other control segment must be actuated to provide a full stroke of the reloading press200) and/or a relative position of the control lever202or other control segment. The control system300can then transmit corresponding instructions and/or power to the actuator assembly100(e.g., to control/power a motor of the actuator assembly100) to ensure a full stroke or cycle without the need of further calibration of the system by a user.

Additional or alternative press position sensors may include optical sensors, inductive proximity sensors, mechanical switches, rotary encoders (e.g., associated with the motor), or combinations thereof. Where rotary encoders are included, they may be configured as optical encoders, magnetic encoders, or mechanical contact encoders.

Many reloading presses are designed to “index” when the press is at or near the top of the stroke. Indexing occurs when the shell/case plate has finished rotating to the next position in preparation for the down stroke of the press. Often, it is desirable to slow press movement near the end of shell plate rotation and/or immediately after the shell plate has finished rotating. This allows the cases to be appropriately moved without being jarred out of position and/or allows sufficient time for residual wobbling to stop before being acted on during the down stroke of the press.

As another example, many reloading presses are designed to deliver powder when the press is approaching or at the bottom of the stroke. It may be desirable to slow or even temporarily pause the press during the powder delivery phase of the stroke to ensure effective powder delivery and to ensure that there is sufficient time to deliver the desired amount of powder.

The indexing and powder drop phases of the stroke cycle represent some examples where differential speed during the stroke cycle may be desired. In other applications, it may be desirable for other portions of the stroke cycle to operate with differential speed. For example, in some applications it may be desirable to slow the press immediately after reaching the extent of the downstroke during the initial portion of the upstroke to ensure smooth disengagement of dies and other components from the cases. In some applications (e.g., depending on the type of ammunition being reloaded), it may be desirable to slow the press as the case plate begins to rotate but not necessarily after rotation has started. In other applications, it may be desirable to slow the press as the case plate nears the end of its rotation and/or immediately after rotation, but not necessarily during the initial phase of rotation.

The press position sensors described herein may be used to provide differential press speed within the stroke cycle, such as during those portions of the stroke cycle described by the foregoing and/or at other portions of the stroke cycle.

One or more reloading component sensors304can also be positioned on the reloading press200, and be in communication with the control system. The reloading component sensor(s)304can be configured to detect the level of bullets, powder, primers, cases, and/or other ammunition components in one or more of the reloading components204. For example, a reloading component sensor304can be coupled with a primer bin/tube and configured to detect the absence of primers and to send a corresponding signal to the control system300. Other embodiments may include one or more sensors configured to detect levels of other round components (e.g., bullets, cases), detect reloading press and/or actuator assembly malfunctions, detect other positions of the control lever, etcetera.

The sensors302and304can include optical sensors, magnetic sensors (e.g., Hall effect sensors), mechanical sensors, proximity sensors such as inductive proximity sensors, mechanical switches, and the like. For example, some embodiments include a primer sensor configured to detect the presence of a mis-sized and/or mischaracterized primer through coupling of the sensor with a pin that is sized and shaped to match appropriate primers during the reloading process. The sensor is triggered when the pin is displaced and/or when a predetermined force is applied to the pin. For example, the pin may be held in place within a die of the press, and positioned so that it is pressed away from the direction of die movement upon encountering an obstruction, upon encountering a primer that is sized too small for the pin to fit into, or upon encountering a type of primer that the pin has not been configured to fit into (e.g., a Berdan primer when the pin has been configured to fit into Boxer primers). In another example, a magnetic sensor (not presently shown) is disposed on one or more case tube(s) of the reloading press200. The magnetic sensor is triggered, in such embodiments, upon coming into contact with a steel case and/or upon passage of a steel case through the case tube, for example.

The control system300may be configured to slow the motor when the determined press position corresponds to an indexing portion of the press stroke cycle and/or when the determined press position corresponds to a powder drop portion of the press stroke cycle. The controller may also be configured to stop the motor upon detecting a reloading error (e.g., via one or more of the integrated component or press position sensors described above). The sensors may be configured to sense one or more reloading errors including, for example: a mis-sized component (e.g., mis-sized case, cartridge, bullet, or primer); a malformed component; a missing component; a misaligned component; an improper component type (e.g., wrong primer type, wrong cartridge type, etc.); a component made from an improper material (e.g., determine if case is made of steel, brass, plastic, etc.); a case obstruction; and/or a jam. The motor may optionally include a braking system to assist in stopping the motor.

As illustrated, the actuator assembly100and/or one or more sensors (e.g.,302and304) may be connected to the control system300using a hard-wired connection (e.g., serial, USB, thunderbolt, etc.). Additionally, or alternatively, the actuator assembly100and/or one or more sensors (e.g.,302and304) may be connected to the control system300using a short-range wireless protocol (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, etc.) or through a network (e.g., a Local Area Network (“LAN”), a Wide Area Network (“WAN”), or the Internet).

As described in further detail below, the control system300includes one or more user interfaces (such as the interfaces ofFIGS.7-10) through which a user is enabled to enter instructions to be sent to the actuator assembly100(e.g., to initiate operation, alter the rate of operation, or terminate operation). In some embodiments, the user interface also permits a user to view feedback or information received by the control system (e.g., control lever position, rate of operation, number of cycles or strokes accomplished in the current reloading process, level(s) of round components, etc.). The user interface may include, for example, one or more keyboards, touch screens, joysticks, trackballs, mouse controllers, monitors, speakers, printers, buttons, dials, sliders, light displays, and/or any other input or display components.

The control system300may control any one of, or any combination of, the steps of any of the processes described in this application. In some embodiments, the processes described herein may be performed automatically, or may be invoked by some form of manual intervention. For example, the control system300may include a start switch and/or an emergency kill switch, providing a user with the means to initiate and terminate operations at will. Additionally, or alternatively, the control system300may be configured to terminate operations upon detecting a malfunction (e.g., by receiving a malfunction signal from one or more sensors). The control system300can control operation of the actuator assembly100by selectively controlling power to the actuator assembly100(e.g., sending, restricting or otherwise modifying the flow of current and voltages being sent to the actuator assembly components) and/or by sending signals to the actuator assembly components that cause the actuator assembly to control the current and voltages being utilized at the actuator assembly100.

The ammunition reloading system400can also include a hand-held switch306. Hand-held switch306is in communication with control system300(e.g., through a hard-wired connection, or local wireless connection). Hand-held switch306is configured to send a signal and/or instruction to the control system300upon being actuated by a user. For example, the hand-held switch306is configured, in one embodiment, as an emergency kill switch, allowing a user to observe automated operation of the reloading press200from a safe and/or comfortable distance while maintaining the ability to quickly terminate operation of the actuator assembly100upon observing a malfunction or otherwise desiring termination of operations. In other embodiments, the hand-held switch306includes one or more additional or alternative controls, such as an initiation switch, speed adjustment, etc.

FIGS.2and3illustrate an embodiment of an actuator assembly100including a motor102, a primary shaft104, a primary sprocket106, a primary chain108, a secondary sprocket118, a secondary shaft110, a tertiary sprocket112, a secondary chain114, and a drive plate116. In the illustrated embodiment, the primary shaft104, primary sprocket106, primary chain108, secondary sprocket118, secondary shaft110, tertiary sprocket112, and secondary chain114form a power transmission assembly configured to transmit power from the motor102to the drive plate116. Other embodiments include additional shafts, sprockets, hubs, chains, and/or plates as part of a power transmission assembly. Other embodiments omit one or more of the illustrated components of the power transmission assembly. For example, some embodiments include a single roller chain coupling a sprocket positioned on a shaft of a motor to a drive plate. In some embodiments, a secondary chain114is coupled to a drive plate116with a drive tab134, as shown.

A series of shafts, chains, and sprockets that form the power transmission assembly are configured to adjust the rotary power of the motor to suit a user's needs and preferences, such as by configuring the chain and sprocket system for speed and torque conversion of the rotary power of the motor (e.g., by gearing up or gearing down the motor).

Other power transmission components are also used in the power transmission assembly, in accordance with other embodiments, to move the control lever of an ammunition system press. For example, the power transmission assembly includes one or more belts, pulleys, gears, tracks, rollers, racks (e.g., gear racks), worm gears, worms, clutches, universal joints, bearings, gear boxes, drive shafts, gear trains, right-angle drives, and/or other power transmission components known in the art, according to other embodiments, to convert power from the motor to the control lever of the ammunition system which controls movement of the ammunition system press.

Some alternative embodiments for transmitting power include a hydraulic assembly configured to hydraulically transmit power to the control lever, rather than using the motor and transmission components. The hydraulic assembly may use one or more hoses, fluids (e.g., hydraulic oils), valves, pumps, and the like, to move or otherwise manipulate a piston and/or the control lever connected to the drive plate and/or control lever. Some embodiments alternatively or additionally include a pneumatic assembly configured to pneumatically transmit power using one or more compressors, hoses, regulators, valves, and the like.

The motor102may be any type of motor suitable to a user based on torque, speed, power, and the like, and/or according to a user's other needs and preferences. For example, the motor may be a DC motor, such as a shunt, series, compounded, brushless, or permanent magnet motor, or the motor may be an AC motor such as an induction motor or a synchronous motor. The motor can also comprise a stepper type of motor or other specialized motor type.

The actuator assembly100includes a frame120configured to hold the various components of the actuator assembly in the appropriate spatial relationships relative to one another. The frame120also includes one or more mounting surfaces122configured to receive and/or secure a reloading press. As illustrated, the mounting surface122includes one or more holes132for bolting a reloading press into position on the mounting surface122. In other embodiments, the frame120is attached to a reloading press by welding, clamping, chaining, pinning, riveting, and/or through the use of tie-downs, adhesives, and/or other suitable securing means.

As shown, the actuator assembly100includes a motor plate124configured to hold the motor102to the frame120. The motor plate124can be held to the frame120with one or more bolts, pins, clamps or other adjustable fastener allowing the motor plate124to pivot and/or slide relative to the rest of the frame120(e.g., to enable tightening/loosening of one or more roller chains).

The actuator assembly100also includes a tab126and a tension bolt128allowing the motor plate124to be distanced from the drive plate116(e.g., to enable tightening/loosening of the secondary chain114) by adjusting the position of the tension bolt128within its corresponding nut130. Other embodiments may include other means for adjusting chain tension, as may be known in the art.

The actuator assembly100includes one or more coupling elements configured to join the actuator assembly100to a control segment (e.g., control lever) of a reloading press. For example, as in the illustrated embodiment, a U-bolt136may be positioned at the drive plate116so as to allow the control lever of the reloading press to be secured to the drive plate116by positioning the U-bolt136around the control lever202and through the drive plate116.

FIG.4illustrates the actuator assembly100coupled to a reloading press200. As shown, the drive plate116is positioned upon and/or attached to the reloading press shaft206and is optionally additionally fastened to the control lever202, so as to place the reloading press200in operative relation to the actuator assembly100. In some embodiments, the drive plate116(or other terminal member of the actuator assembly100) is coupled to the control lever202by one or more coupling elements. For example, as shown by the front-view illustration ofFIG.5, the drive plate116is configured to receive the free ends of one or more U-bolts136, such that one or more U-bolts136are positioned and securable around the control lever202and through the drive plate116(where they may be fixedly secured by corresponding nuts, for example). Such a configuration allows the control lever202to be oscillated through an actuation distance through operation of the actuator assembly100(e.g., to rotate the reloading press shaft206of a reloading press, so as to operate the reloading press). In other embodiments, the actuator assembly100is attached to the control lever202via an adhesive, welding, clamping, friction fitting, pinning, and/or other fastening means.

In some embodiments, the drive plate116is coupled to the reloading press200at the reloading press shaft206with one or more fastening elements such as a setscrew or bolt extending from the shaft206and configured in size and shape to pass through the center of the drive plate116. A nut can mate with the setscrew or bolt on the side of the drive plate116opposite the shaft206, thereby tightening the drive plate116against or onto the shaft206.

As shown byFIG.4, the control lever202may be moved to a down position (e.g., corresponding to a closed position of the reloading press200) while connected to the actuator assembly100, corresponding to radial movement of the drive plate116.FIGS.5and6illustrate the control lever202moved to an up position (e.g., corresponding to an open position of the reloading press200) while connected to the actuator assembly drive plate116.FIG.6also illustrates a control lever position sensor302disposed so as to contact the control lever202when the control lever202and reloading press200is brought substantially to the extremity of the up position.

For example, the reloading press200is configured in such embodiments to be moved from a down configuration (as inFIG.4) to an up configuration (as inFIG.6) upon moving the control lever202from a down position to an up position. Actuation of the control lever202causes a corresponding raising/lowering of column208, thereby moving the translating portion212of the reloading press accordingly. The illustrated embodiment also includes a sliding pin210configured to be moved upon raising and lowering of the translating portion212. In one embodiment, movement of the sliding pin210causes actuation of one or more of the reloading press components204(e.g., actuation of a case downtube to move the next case into the press), rotation of a shell plate to move cases to their next respective positions within the press, and/or unloading of a finished case from the press, for example.

In the illustrated embodiment, the reloading press200includes a translating portion212positioned above a stationary portion, with the translating portion212configured to move down to place the reloading press200in a closed configuration and to move up to place the reloading press200in an open configuration. In an alternative embodiment, the translating portion is positioned below the stationary portion, with the translating portion configured to move up to place the reloading press in a closed configuration and to move down to move the reloading press in an open position.

In some embodiments, the control lever202may be positioned in the down position (e.g., by a user manually moving the control lever202). The actuator assembly100may then be operated so as to move the control lever202from the down position to the up position. In some embodiments, a control system (such as control system300shown inFIG.1) can initiate and control operation of the actuator assembly100until the control lever202is moved from the down position to a position contacting the control lever202to the control lever position sensor302. The control system can thereby determine an actuation distance of the control lever202as the distance the control lever202must be moved to deliver a full stroke of the reloading press200. For example, the control system can determine the amount of rotation the shaft of the motor controlled by the control system must provide to the actuator assembly100in order to move the control lever202through the actuation distance. The control system may then control continuous oscillation of the control lever202through the actuation distance, thereby continuously operating the reloading press200.

In other embodiments, movement of the control lever202in order to determine an actuation distance may be reversed. For example, the control lever202may first be moved to an up position, and then actuated to a down position, where a control lever position sensor can be positioned at or near an extremity down position of the control lever202. In some embodiments, one or more control lever position sensors may be disposed at other locations throughout an actuation distance of the control lever, such as at or near each extremity position (e.g., up extremity position and down extremity position) and/or at other positions between extremity positions. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more position sensors may be associated with the shaft206or other portions of the reloading press200(e.g., a cam element) for determining or defining extremity positions and the actuation distance.

As the shaft206is moved (e.g., oscillated), ammunition loading/reloading processes are performed by the ammunition devices connected to the control lever. In some embodiments, the control lever belongs to an existing ammunition loader or reloader in the industry. For example, in one embodiment, the actuation assemblies and components (e.g., control systems), described herein, are mechanically and operably coupled to a reloading press sold under the trade name Dillon Precision Super1050. In other embodiments, the actuation assemblies and components, described herein, are mechanically and operably coupled to other ammunition presses, such as progressive reloading presses sold under the trade names Dillon Precision CP2000, Dillon Precision RL1100, Dillon Precision XL 650, Lee Pro 1000, Lee Load Master, Hornady Lock-n-Load, Mec 8567N Grabber, Mec 9000E, Mec 9001E, and the like. Other ammunition loaders and reloading presses can also be configured with and/or be coupled to the actuation assemblies and other components (e.g., control systems) described herein.

FIGS.7-9illustrate an embodiment of a case removal attachment configured to remove a case from a shell plate of a reloading press upon the detection of a case defect. As shown inFIG.7, a case removal attachment600is attached to a reloading press200by a bracket604. Alternatively, the case removal attachment600is attached to the reloading press200by one or more clamps, bolts, clasps, ties, other fasteners, welding, and/or adhesives. As described in further detail below, the case removal attachment600is positioned relative to the reloading press200such that a case contactor602of the case removal attachment600is able to engage with and dislodge a defective case from a shell plate (not shown in this view) of the reloading press200upon actuation of the case contactor602. In some embodiments, the case removal attachment600is configured to dislodge a case upon user selection (e.g., via a user-selectable control at the control system). Additionally, or alternatively, the case removal attachment600is configured to dislodge a case upon the detection of a defective case (e.g., upon one or more sensors detecting the addition of a mis-sized primer, incorrect amount of powder, and/or other malfunctions or defects as described herein).

FIG.8illustrates a detailed view of the case removal attachment600. As shown, the case removal attachment600includes a bracket604and/or other fastening means for attaching to a reloading press. The case removal attachment600includes a motor610configured to power the case contactor602. The case contactor602is mechanically linked to the motor610by a shaft612. In other embodiments, a case contactor may be mechanically coupled to a motor or other power source via one or more gears, belts, hydraulic assemblies, pneumatic assemblies, chain and sprocket assemblies, or other power transmission means known in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, upon actuation, the motor610rotates the shaft612, and the shaft612is mechanically linked to the case contactor602so as to rotate the case contactor602.

In the illustrated embodiment, the case removal attachment600includes a position switch606configured to control the position and/or orientation of the case contactor602relative to the reloading press. For example, when the case contactor602is in a home position (e.g., a position not obstructing the progression of cases through the reloading press), a cam608is in contact with the position switch606. Upon actuation of the case removal attachment600(e.g., in response to the detection of a defective case, as described above), the motor610drives the rotation of the shaft608and case contactor602, rotating the cam608out of contact with the position switch606as the case contactor602rotates to engage with and dislodge the defective case. In some embodiments, the motor610is configured to rotate until the cam608rotates back into contact with the position switch606. In this manner, the case contactor602is able to rotate through a distance sufficient to dislodge the defective case (e.g., 180 degrees, 360 degrees) and return to the home position where it will not interfere with further operation of the reloading press.

FIG.9illustrates a top view of the case contactor602attached to the shaft612. As shown, the case removal attachment is positioned relative to the reloading press so as to position the case contactor602near the shell plate228. As the reloading press is operated, the shell plate228rotates to progressively move case226through the reloading process (e.g., the case226moves forward one position per stroke of the control lever of the reloading press). As shown, the case contactor602is oriented in a home position that allows the shell plate228to rotate without case contactor602coming into contact with case226. Upon actuation, the case contactor602rotates to engage with and dislodge case226from the shell plate228(e.g., rotates 180 degrees before a position switch terminates further rotation, as described above).

Embodiments of case removal attachments described herein can provide a number of benefits. For example, a reloading press coupled to an actuation assembly that detects a defective case (e.g., through one or more sensors as described herein), can allow the case removal attachment to remove the defective case during automated operation of the reloading press, or with minimal downtime of automatic operation of the reloading press, without the need for manual intervention. In addition, such embodiments can enable an automated reloading process to continue with no or minimal downtime and can reduce or prevent the occurrence of further processing of defective cases, which could otherwise result in higher rates of machine wear, machine damage, and/or safety issues with the reloading press and/or reloaded ammunition.

FIGS.10-13illustrate embodiments of interfaces of the control system300. As shown inFIG.10, the control system300includes one or more interfaces having one or more controls, indicators, and/or displays. For example, as illustrated, the interface inFIG.10includes a home position control308, an automatic operation control310, a reset312, a speed adjustment314, a power indicator light316, a drive indicator light318, and a display screen320.

In some embodiments, the home position control308, upon user selection, enables operation of the actuator assembly so as to bring the control lever from the down position toward the up position (or vice versa) until the control lever reaches an extremity position (e.g., as detected by one or more control lever position sensors). For example, the interface ofFIG.10shows the power indicator light316as on, but the drive indicator light318as off, indicating to a user that the control system300has power, but that the actuator assembly is not yet configured for operation. A user may then position the control lever of the attached reloading press to an extremity position, and may then press the home position control308to operate the actuator assembly and move the control lever toward the opposite extremity position in order to determine the actuation distance of the control lever.

FIG.11illustrates an interface of the control system300after selection of the home position control308and determination of the actuation distance. As shown inFIG.11, the display screen320can display “Home Set” (or “Ready” or the like) indicating to the user that the control system300has determined the actuation distance. Additionally, or alternatively, the drive indicator light318may light up to indicate that the system has been prepared for operation.

The automatic operation control310is selectable to cause operation of the ammunition reloading system, in some embodiments.FIG.12illustrates an embodiment of an interface of the control system upon selection of the automatic operation control310. After selection, the control system300controls the actuator assembly (e.g., by controlling the rotation of a motor of the actuator assembly) so as to oscillate the attached control lever through the actuation distance, so as to automatically operate the reloading press. As shown inFIG.12, the display screen320may display operational information about the automatic reloading process, such as a round production rate (i.e., rounds per hour or RPH), and a round count (e.g., number of strokes completed since initiation of automatic operation and/or since last resetting of the control system300).

The speed adjustment314may be a dial, slide, button combination, or other user selectable control that is configured to, upon manipulation by a user, adjust the oscillation frequency of the actuator assembly (thereby adjusting the oscillation frequency of the control lever and reloading press, when connected). The control system300is configured to provide a plurality of selectable round production rates within predetermined ranges, such as from about 360 to about 5400 RPH, about 720 to about 3600 RPH, or about 1200 to about 1800 RPH.

FIG.13illustrates an embodiment of an interface of the control system300after the control system300has detected a malfunction. For example, upon detecting an absence of primers (e.g., through a reloading component sensor304as shown inFIG.1), the control system300can automatically terminate operation of the actuator assembly and can display “No Primers” or the like on the display screen320. As shown, the display screen320can continue to show a round count indicating the number of rounds completed prior to interruption. Additionally, or alternatively, other embodiments may utilize one or more component sensors to detect the absence of, or low levels of, bullets, cases, powder, and/or other reloading components. The control system300can, for example, automatically terminate operation of the actuator assembly and can display “No Bullets,” “No Cases,” “Low Powder,” and the like. In another example, a reloading system includes a primer size sensor configured to detect the presence or passage of a mis-sized primer for a given application (e.g., primers too small for a 0.45 ACP cartridge reloading application). Upon detection of a small primer, the control system300automatically terminates operation of the actuator assembly and generates a display of “Small Primer” or the like, allowing a user to remove the small primer prior to further reloading.

FIG.14illustrates another embodiment of an interface of a control system500which receives the sensor input to determine a position of the control lever and presence of loading/reloading components, as described above. In this embodiment, the control system500omits a home position control. In this embodiment, for example, a control lever of a reloading press is moved to a position opposite a control lever position sensor (e.g., the control lever can be moved to a down extremity position and a control lever position sensor can be disposed at an up extremity position), and a user can begin an automated reloading process by selecting the automatic operation control510, without the need to select a home position control first.

The illustrated embodiment also includes dual speed control functionality. The control system500includes an up speed control522and a separate down speed control524. The up speed control522is configured to selectively control the actuation speed of the actuator assembly during the upward portion of a control lever stroke (e.g., as the control lever moves from a downward extremity position to an upward extremity position). For instance, the up speed control522can be rotated or otherwise manipulated to controllably adjust the speed of the actuator motor during the upstroke of the control lever (e.g., by controlling an amount of power allowed to pass to the motor through the control box during the up stroke, adjusting a step frequency of a stepper motor, by changing the duty cycle of a pulse width modulated power source, by varying the current and/or voltage directed to the motor, varying the frequency of the power source applied to the motor, and/or by otherwise controlling drive power directed to the motor).

Similarly, the down speed control524is configured to control the actuation speed of the actuator assembly, by adjusting the speed of the actuator motor, during the downward portion of a control lever stroke (e.g., as the control lever moves from an upward extremity position to a downward extremity position). For instance, the down speed control524can be rotated or otherwise manipulated to controllably adjust the speed of the actuator motor during the down stroke of the control lever (e.g., by controlling an amount of power allowed to pass to the motor through the control box during the up stroke, adjusting a step frequency of a stepper motor, by changing the duty cycle of a pulse width modulated power source, by varying the current and/or voltage directed to the motor, varying the frequency of the power source applied to the motor, and/or by otherwise controlling drive power directed to the motor).

Separation of speed control to enable asynchronous actuation speed during separate portions of a stroke cycle can provide a number of benefits. For example, speed can be lowered during the down stroke to enable the motor to provide greater torque to the press, while speed can be increased during the up stroke when there is less power demand. This type of speed configuration can provide the necessary press closing power for a given process while maintaining high overall round production rates. In another example, speed can be lowered during the up stroke in order to allow time for sufficient powder to be introduced to a case, while speed during the down stroke is held relatively higher to increase the overall round production rate.

Embodiments of ammunition reloading systems described herein may provide a number of benefits. For example, one or more embodiments can be configured to be added to an existing reloading press in a simple fashion requiring minimal or no modification to the reloading press. For example, the actuator system of some embodiments of the present invention may simply be bolted on to a reloading press (e.g., by bolting the reloading press to the frame of the actuator assembly and coupling the actuator assembly to the control lever of the reloading press, as described above). The advantages and benefits of the present invention therefore provide for an easily adaptable upgrade to an existing reloading press system. This can beneficially leave the stroke length of the reloading press unmodified, maintaining the ability to use the reloading press for longer and/or larger rounds (e.g., certain rifle rounds) that would otherwise no longer fit within the reloading press upon modification of the stroke length of the press.

In addition, one or more embodiments described herein can beneficially operate a reloading press by oscillating a control lever of the reloading press. This can provide for greater control and accuracy in a reloading operation. For example, the control lever can be continuously moved between opposing extremity positions and/or can be stopped or pulled back (e.g., the stroke length can be cut short) upon detection of an error or malfunction. Further, attachment to a control lever of the reloading press preserves the ability for manual operation and/or adjustment of the reloading press without the necessity of detaching the actuator assembly and/or undoing the modifications of the reloading press.

The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount or condition close to the stated amount or condition that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount or condition that deviates by less than 10%, or by less than 5%, or by less than 1%, or by less than 0.1%, or by less than 0.01% from a stated amount or condition.

In addition, unless expressly described otherwise, all stated amounts (e.g., angle measurements, dimension measurements, etc.) are to be interpreted as being “approximately,” “about,” and/or “substantially” the stated amount, regardless of whether the terms “approximately,” “about,” and/or “substantially” are expressly stated in relation to the stated amount(s).

Further, elements described in relation to any embodiment depicted and/or described herein may be combinable with elements described in relation to any other embodiment depicted and/or described herein. For example, any element described in relation to an embodiment depicted inFIGS.1through3may be combinable with an embodiment described in relation to an embodiment depicted inFIGS.4through10.

The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.