Cartridge priming device with safety guard

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tool for inserting primers into ammunition cartridge cases as described in the preamble of claims 1 and 23.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Many gun sportsman load their own ammunition. This allows them to reduce their cost of shooting and to customize their ammunition by selective loading procedures which they adopt.

One of the operations included in reloading ammunition is the step of pressing a primer into the primer receiving port in the head, or base, of a cartridge case. Apparatus is generally known for performing this operation. Such apparatus often includes means for holding a cartridge case in a selected position, positioning a new primer adjacent the primer port in the case, and with plunger mechanism pressing the primer into the primer port of the cartridge case.

For the sake of efficiency, such apparatus often includes a reservoir operable to hold a plurality of primers which are fed in line to a primer receiving station to await pressing into the cartridge case.

A potential risk of injury and damage is inherent in such apparatus. If a primer becomes pinched or otherwise impinged upon it could be activated, or fired, in the apparatus. With primers following in-line from the reservoir to the primer station the activation, or firing, of the primer in the primer station will cause a migration of firing to adjacent primers traveling into the reservoir which can produce damage to equipment and potential injury to the operator.

In the past, various devices have been designed to try to overcome this problem of migration of firing from the single primer in the priming station. However, such prior attempts generally have produced complex, unwieldy and expensive apparatus. Not only have they been complex and expensive, but they may substantially slow the operation of the apparatus.

Prior devices, also have been inapplicable for use in hand-held priming tools. Hand-held priming tools generally are of a size to be held in and permit operation by one hand. Attempts to incorporate previously-known safety devices with a hand-held primer insertion tool would produce a less than desirable device, which would be more complex, heavier and more expensive than is generally desired by the user of a hand-held tool.

US 4,429,610, issued to Mantel, discloses an automatic shell reloader of the type having a fixed platen and a die platen, the die platen having a plurality of dies for performing the reload function and being moveable toward and away from the fixed platen to reload a shell case, the improvements comprising a guard carried by a primer cap slide assembly mounted on the fixed platen to block the force of a detonated primer cap from reaching the die platen, and a primer cap storage assembly mounted on the die platen, the storage assembly including a storage tube having a number of spring biased fingers at the lower end for retaining primer caps in the tube and a cam mounted on the fixed platen in a position to engage the fingers to release one primer cap at a time from the tube. US 4,429,610, discloses an upright tube 42 holds a plurality of primers which are allowed to drop into a sub-tube 43 in which they are held in a stacked position spaced from a primer receiving station and plunger. A sliding shuttle mechanism removes one primer at a time from the stack in sub-tube 43 and shuttles it individually into the receiving station in which it is held prior to being pressed into the ammunition cartridge case base. Moreover, US 4,429,610 does not disclose (1) a passageway extending at a substantial angle relative to the movement of the plunger through which primers may move directly from the reservoir to the receiving station; (2) an elongate arcuate member forming the guard which is attached to the operating handle which is swingable in an arc toward and away from the receiving station to produce movement of the guard; (3) a catch means adjacent one end of the guard for inhibiting withdrawal of the guard from the tool; (4) mirror image receiving parts which have arcuate openings therein which, when mated in contiguous relationship, define a cylindrical primary receiving region aligned with the plunger; etc.

Yet another document, US 4,222,305, discloses a tool for inserting primers in shell casings comprises an elongated body, a carrier element engageable with the body, a primer cap driving pin slidable in the carrier element in opposition to a coil spring surrounding the pin, a shell holder supported in the body, a hand operating lever hooked onto a pin in the body, and a toggle link pivoted on the lever for driving the pin axially wherein all parts are constrained in assembled condition by force derived from the spring.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel tool for inserting primers into a cartridge which includes a simple, inexpensive, and effective guard, or shield, to inhibit migration of the activation, or firing, from one primer positioned for insertion into a cartridge case to adjacent primers in the system. This object of this invention has been solved by the features of the characterising part of claims 1 and 23.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a novel tool which incorporates a sliding member which is shiftable between a first position which permits a primer to move from a primer supply passage to a primer receiving station, and then upon operation of the device to a second position intermediate the primer supply passage and primer receiving station to provide a shield therebetween.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel guard, or shield, for isolating a primer at a primer receiving station of a hand-held priming tool which incorporates an elongate member operatively connected to an operating handle for the tool with the guard being shiftable between shielding and passing positions upon operation of the handle for the tool.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent as the following description is read in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool according to an embodiment of the present invention ready to receive a cartridge case into which a primer is to be inserted;
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tool shown in FIG 1;
• FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tool taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, with the tool actuated to produce insertion of a primer into a cartridge case; and
• FIG. 5 is a view taken generally along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and first more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, at 10 is indicated generally a tool constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The tool includes an elongate body 12 to which an elongate operating handle 14 is pivotally connected adjacent its lower end by a pivot pin 16.

Body 12 has mounted at its upper end a cartridge case receiver 20 which receives and holds the base of a cartridge case. The cartridge case has a projecting rim 22a at its base and a primer receiving port 22b (see Fig. 4) into which a primer is to be inserted by the tool.

The cartridge case receiver has a slot 20a opening to one side producing a U-shaped lip 20b adapted to hold the projecting rim 22a of the cartridge case. A bore 20c extends vertically through case receiver 20. Case receiver 20 also has a depending neck 20d from the lower end of which projects a circular flange 20e.

The tool body 12 has a U-shaped inwardly projecting lip 12a. Neck 20d of the case receiver fits within lip 12a and flange 20e rests against the underside of the lip upon assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, tool body 12 has an elongate bore 26 extending longitudinally therethrough. This bore has a first diameter portion 26a and a second portion 26b of a smaller diameter.

An elongate plunger, or pin, 28 is slidably mounted in bore 26 for shifting longitudinally of the body between the positions illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, as will be described in greater detail below. The plunger has a diameter which allows it to extend slidably through bore portion 26b.

The lower end of plunger 28 is seated in a concavity in the top of a guide member 32 which is slidably mounted in bore portion 26a. A compression spring 34 is interposed between the top of guide member 32 and the top, necked down portion of bore section 26a, such that it urges guide member 32 and plunger 28 to their lowered position as illustrated in FIG. 3. The spring is compressed as the plunger and guide member are shifted upwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 4.

An elongate connecting, or operating, member 38 has a ball joint upper portion 38a which rests in a concave socket at the base of guide member 32, and has a necked down lower end portion 38b.

A cylindrical element 40 has a bore 40a extending into one side thereof which receives necked down portion 38b of connecting member 38. Handle 14 has a concave receiving region 44 formed therein intermediate its ends in which element 40 rotatably and loosely rests.

The interconnection and operation of parts thus described is such that when handle 14 is swung from a first position spaced from body 12 as illustrated in FIG. 3 toward its second position illustrated in FIG. 4, more closely adjacent body 12, connecting member 38 acts to push upwardly on guide member 32 against the urging of spring 34 and to drive plunger 28 upwardly toward cartridge case 22 held in case receiver 20.

If handle 14 is swung outwardly from body 12 to a third position spaced beyond the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 connecting member 38 in the plunger mechanism will fall from its connecting position for disassembly. In such condition the tool is inoperable.

Referring to FIG. 2, a pair of mirror image receiving parts are indicated generally at 50, 52. Since each is a mirror image of the other, only one will be described in detail.

Referring to receiver part 50, it includes a substantially rectangular block-like base portion 50a which extends substantially horizontally in the apparatus. Formed in its inwardly facing side, is a horizontal first passage portion 50b and a second, and somewhat larger, passage portion 50c. Portion 50b has a height slightly greater than the height of a primer to be used in the apparatus and a width slightly greater than half the width, or diameter, of such primer. Passage portion 50c has a greater height and width than portion 50b, for a purpose as will be described below. It should be recognized that passage portion 50c is aligned and joins with passage portion 50b.

Extending vertically through receiver part 50 is an arcuate opening portion 50d which has an upper lip portion 50e projecting above the top of base portion 50a. The arcuate opening portion 50d has a concave cross-sectional configuration slightly larger than one-half of the circular cross-section of a primer to be used in the apparatus. When the two receiver parts are mated in contiguous facing relationship their arcuate opening portions define therebetween a cylindrical primer receiving station 56 having a cross-sectional configuration slightly larger than a primer to be inserted in the apparatus.

Passage portions such as 50b in the mating receiver parts define a passage 58 having a cross-sectional configuration which allows a primer to slide easily therethrough into a primer receiving station 56.

Referring to receiver part 52, a slot 52a extends laterally therethrough, and is aligned with a similar slot extending through part 50 to allow slidable passage therethrough of a guard as will be described in greater detail below.

When the receiver parts 50, 52 are joined in mating, facing contiguous relationship as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, they define between them a primer receiving station 56 which is operable to receive and hold a single primer ready for insertion into a cartridge case. The upwardly projecting lip portions, such as 50e, together form a tube that extends upwardly into bore 20c of the cartridge case receiver.

The mating passage portions, such as indicated at 50b, together define a passage indicated generally at 58 for directing primers to the primer receiving station.

Referring to FIG. 2, body 12 has an opening 60 defined therein which is of a configuration to receive and frictionally hold the bottom flange 20e of the case holder and receiver parts 50, 52 in their mating facing contiguous relationship. A circular wavy spring 54 (see FIG. 2) slips over projections 50e and underlies flange 20e when the parts are assembled. This spring presses receiver parts 50, 52 against the bottom of opening 60 and presses flange 20e against the underside of lip 12a to assist in frictionally holding the parts together.

When in this position, the primer receiving station 56 defined between the two parts is aligned with plunger 28 and the plunger is shiftable along its longitudinal axis between the position illustrated in FIG. 3 adjacent the primer receiving station and the position illustrated in FIG. 4 passing upwardly through the primer receiving station.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, a primer reservoir is indicated generally at 64. The reservoir is a shallow cylindrical hopper having a base 64a and an upwardly extending circular lip 64b. A trough-shaped outlet 64c projects outwardly from one side of the reservoir. A plurality of concentric grooves are defined in base 64a to provide means for properly aligning primers in the reservoir as has been previously known. A cap 66 is removably mounted on the reservoir to hold primers therein.

As is best seen in FIG. 5, outlet trough 64c is configured to extend into and be frictionally held by mating passage portions, such as 50c, previously described in receiver parts 50, 52. Primers 70 having a circular disk-like configuration rest loosely in reservoir 64 and may slide outwardly in single file through trough 64c and passage 58 to primer receiving station 56. A primer 70a held in primer receiving station 56 is aligned between plunger 28 and the primer receiving port 22b.

A protective tab 72 projects outwardly from the top of body 12 over the path of trough 64c to protect against flash from an ignition at the cartridge case level effecting primers in the trough.

As is seen in FIG. 2, a pair of aligned openings 74, 76 extend through opposite sides of body 12 intersecting opening 60 into which parts 50, 52 are inserted. An elongate, arcuate, plate guard member 80 extends through openings 74, 76 and through slots as previously described at 52a in receiver parts 50, 52. As best seen in FIG. 5, guard 80 thus is positioned between primer receiving station 56 and primer passage 58.

In the assembled tool plunger 28 is mounted for shifting along a path, or line, in the direction of its longitudinal axis and the primer passage 58 extends outwardly from the primer receiving station 56 at a substantial angle relative to the path of the plunger. The guard 80 extends and is shiftable along a path in a plane disposed at a substantial angle relative to said passage. The plane of movement of the guard may parallel a plane in which the plunger moves.

One end of guard 80 is connected through a pivot pin 82 to an upper region of handle 14. The opposite end of guard 80 has a bore 80a extending therethrough in which a stop pin 83 is received and held. Stop pin 83 extends laterally of the guard. The stop pin 83 is positioned to abut, or catch on a portion of body 12 to inhibit withdrawing of the guard 80 beyond the position illustrated in FIG. 3. Not only does this prevent withdrawing of the guard beyond the selected position illustrated in FIG. 3, but it also serves to limit the outward movement of handle 14 away from body 12 under the urging of spring 34.

The assembly of the overall tool with the guard is such as to make the tool generally non-functional if the guard is removed. This provides a safety feature, such that a user will not be able to disengage the safety guard 80 and use the tool without it. Explaining further, plunger 28, spring 34, guide member 32, connecting member 38, and element 40 are all held in the tool only so long as handle 14 does not swing away from the tool body 12 much beyond the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Since these parts are all loose within the mechanism, and only rest against each other in a compression mode, if the handle swings further away from the body than that shown the parts thus discussed will fall from the assembly and not be operable. The guard 80, pin 82 connecting one end of the guard to the handle and pin 83 at the opposite end of the guard inhibiting removal from the tool body hold the parts in operating position.

The distal end portion of guard 80 adjacent bore 80a has a reduced cross-sectional area 80b, also referred to herein as an opening. As is best illustrated in FIG. 3, this provides an opening between passage 58 and primer receiving station 56 such that a primer may move from the passage 58 into primer receiving station 56. However, once handle 14 begins its swinging movement toward body 12, remainder portions of guard 80 move into the space between primer receiving station 56 and passage 58 to isolate primer 70a from the remainder of the primers and thus shield the receiving station from the passage. Should primer 70a ignite, or fire, within the primer receiving station such action will be isolated by guard 80 from the other primers in the passage and reservoir and thus will not cause additional damage.

Gas relief orifices indicated generally at 84 are provided extending outwardly from the primer receiving station, such that if a primer does fire in this area gases produced thereby will be relieved to the exterior of the body of the tool.

Describing generally operation of the apparatus thus described, a plurality of primers are properly oriented in reservoir 64 and the reservoir is connected to the tool with its trough portion 64c aligned with the passage 58 in mating parts 50a, 50b. Initially handle 14 is swung to its first portion illustrated in FIG. 3 spaced from body 12, plunger 28 is in its lowered, or first, position with its top end below the primer receiving station, and guard 80 is positioned in a first position with its opening, or reduced portion, 80b aligned with the passage and primer receiving section. Thus, a primer may slide from reservoir 64, through passage 58, and into primer receiving section 56. A cartridge case to have a primer inserted therein is slid into the holding collar of case receiver 20 with its primer receiving port aligned with the primer receiving station 56 and plunger 28.

The operator then begins to swing handle 14 toward body 12. As this occurs, guard 80 moves in the line of its arcuate length into the space between primer receiving station 56 and passage 58 to isolate primer 70a from remainder primers and shield the remainder of the primers therefrom. Plunger 28 is forced upwardly into and through the primer receiving station to carry 70a atop the plunger to be pressed into the primer receiving port in cartridge case 22.

Once the primer has been pressed firmly into the cartridge case, handle 14 is allowed to swing back to its first position under the urging of spring 34, at which time the guard opens up the space between passage 58 and primer receiving station 56 to allow a new primer to move into the primer receiving station.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described herein, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.