Patent Application
20160084624
The present disclosure relates generally to ammunition reloading systems configured to provide automated reloading of ammunition.
Ammunition reloading, also referred to as handloading, is the process of loading firearm cartridges or shotgun shells by assembling the individual components rather than purchasing pre-assembled or factory-loaded ammunition. Ammunition reloading can make use of entirely newly manufactured components or used components. For instance, typical reloading processes utilize previously fired cartridge cases. Ammunition reloading can be done for hobby, economic savings, increased control over accuracy/performance of ammunition, and to provide ammunition in periods of commercial ammunition shortages.
Typical ammunition components used in a reloading process include bullets, powder, cases, and primers. The reloading process typically follows the steps of resizing the case using one or more dies, seating a new primer in the used case, adding an amount of powder, seating a bullet in the case, and crimping the bullet in place if necessary.
Ammunition components are typically prepared and assembled using an ammunition reloading press. Available presses include single-stage presses, which perform one step on one case at a time, turret presses, which permit mounting of all the dies for one cartridge simultaneously with die switching performed by rotating the turret, and progressive presses, where each pull of the lever performs a single step on all cases in the press at once. Progressive presses can be fitted with all dies needed for a desired cartridge, along with a powder measure and primer feed, and can result in one finished round per pull during operation.
In some embodiments, an ammunition reloading system includes an actuator assembly and a control system. In other embodiments, an ammunition reloading system includes an actuator assembly, a control system, and a reloading press that is joined to the actuator assembly and is in operative relation with the actuator assembly. For example, the actuator assembly may be joined (e.g., detachably) to a control segment of the reloading press, such as a handle, arm, lever, shaft, axle, piston, crank, or other actuation means configured to actuate the reloading press upon the transmission of force or movement (e.g. rotational, torsional, lateral, normal/end-long) to the control segment of the reloading press.
Certain embodiments are directed to an ammunition reloading system including a motor; a frame configured to be attachable to an ammunition reloading press; a power transmission assembly joined to the motor and to the frame, the power transmission assembly including a coupling element configured to couple with a control lever of the ammunition reloading press, the power transmission assembly being configured to transmit power from the motor to the control lever so as to actuate the ammunition reloading press; and a control system in operative communication with the motor and with one or more sensors, the control system being configured to receive input from the one or more sensors, the input including a first extremity position of the control lever, and to send one or more operational instructions to the motor based on the received input.
Certain embodiments are directed to an ammunition reloading system including an ammunition reloading press including a control lever; a motor; a frame configured to be attachable to the ammunition reloading press; a power transmission assembly joined to the motor and to the frame, the power transmission assembly including a coupling element configured to couple with the control lever, the power transmission assembly being configured to transmit power from the motor to the control lever so as to actuate the ammunition reloading press; and a control system in operative communication with the motor and with one or more sensors, the control system being configured to receive input from the one or more sensors, the input including a first extremity position of the control lever, and to send one or more operational instructions to the motor based on the received input.
Certain embodiments are directed to a method of automated reloading of ammunition, including: positioning a control lever of an ammunition reloading press at a first extremity position, the ammunition reloading press being coupled to an ammunition reloading system including a motor, a frame attached to the ammunition reloading press, a power transmission assembly joined to the motor and to the frame, the power transmission assembly including a coupling element configured to couple with the control lever, the power transmission assembly being configured to transmit power from the motor to the control lever so as to actuate the ammunition reloading press, and a control system in operative communication with the motor and with one or more sensors, the control system being configured to receive input from the one or more sensors and to send one or more operational instructions to the motor based on the received input; actuating the control lever to move the control lever from the first extremity position to a second extremity position, the distance between the first extremity position and the second extremity position defining an actuation distance; and operating the ammunition reloading system to provide oscillatory actuation of the control lever through the actuation distance.
To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. Embodiments of the disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
The reloading press 200 may be any type of press usable in a process of ammunition reloading. The reloading press 200 may 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 press 200 may 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 press 200 may include one or more reloading press components 204 (e.g., bins, tubes, etc.) configured to store, sort, and/or align cases, primers, powder, bullets, finished rounds, etc.
In some embodiments, the reloading press 200 is a progressive shotshell press. For example, the reloading press 200 may 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 assembly 100 can be configured to be in communication with a control system 300. In some embodiments, one or more sensors may be joined to the actuator assembly 100 and/or to the reloading press 200 and can be configured to be in communication with the control system 300. For example, a control lever position sensor 302 can be positioned on the reloading press 200. As described in further detail below, the control lever position sensor 302 (in communication with the control system 300) is configured to detect an extremity position of the control lever 202, thereby enabling the control system 300 to determine an actuation distance of the control lever 202 (e.g., the distance the control lever 202 must be moved to provide a full stroke of the reloading press 200) and/or a relative position of the control lever 202. The control system 300 can then transmit corresponding instructions and/or power to the actuator assembly 100 (e.g., to control/power a motor of the actuator assembly 100) to ensure a full stroke or cycle without the need of further calibration of the system by a user.
As another example, a reloading component sensor 304 (in communication with the control system) can be positioned on the reloading press 200. The reloading component sensor 304 can be configured to detect the level of bullets, powder, primers, cases, and/or other ammunition components in one or more of the reloading components 204. For example, a reloading component sensor 304 can be coupled with a primer bin/tube and configured to detect the absence of primers and to send a corresponding signal to the control system 300. 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, etc.
The sensors 302 and 304 can include optical sensors, magnetic sensors, mechanical sensors, or any other types of proximity sensors. 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 (e.g., a decapping die), 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 press 200. 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.
As illustrated, the actuator assembly 100 and/or one or more sensors (e.g., 302 and 304) may be connected to the control system 300 using a hard-wired connection (e.g., serial, USB, thunderbolt, etc.). Additionally, or alternatively, the actuator assembly 100 and/or one or more sensors (e.g., 302 and 304) may be connected to the control system 300 using 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 system 300 includes one or more user interfaces (such as the interfaces of
The control system 300 may 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 system 300 may 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 system 300 may be configured to terminate operations upon detecting a malfunction (e.g., by receiving a malfunction signal from one or more sensors). The control system 300 can control operation of the actuator assembly 100 by selectively controlling power to the actuator assembly 100 (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 assembly 100.
The ammunition reloading system 400 can also include a hand-held switch 306. Hand-held switch 306 is in communication with control system 300 (e.g., through a hard-wired connection, or local wireless connection). Hand-held switch 306 is configured to send a signal and/or instruction to the control system 300 upon being actuated by a user. For example, the hand-held switch 306 is configured, in one embodiment, as an emergency kill switch, allowing a user to observe automated operation of the reloading press 200 from a safe and/or comfortable distance while maintaining the ability to quickly terminate operation of the actuator assembly 100 upon observing a malfunction or otherwise desiring termination of operations. In other embodiments, the hand-held switch 306 includes one or more additional or alternative controls, such as an initiation switch, speed adjustment, etc.
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 motor 102 may 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 assembly 100 includes a frame 120 configured to hold the various components of the actuator assembly in the appropriate spatial relationships relative to one another. The frame 120 also includes one or more mounting surfaces 122 configured to receive and/or secure a reloading press. As illustrated, the mounting surface 122 includes one or more holes 132 for bolting a reloading press into position on the mounting surface 122. In other embodiments, the frame 120 is 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 assembly 100 includes a motor plate 124 configured to hold the motor 102 to the frame 120. The motor plate 124 can be held to the frame 120 with one or more bolts, pins, clamps or other adjustable fastener allowing the motor plate 124 to pivot and/or slide relative to the rest of the frame 120 (e.g., to enable tightening/loosening of one or more roller chains).
The actuator assembly 100 also includes a tab 126 and a tension bolt 128 allowing the motor plate 124 to be distanced from the drive plate 116 (e.g., to enable tightening/loosening of the secondary chain 114) by adjusting the position of the tension bolt 128 within its corresponding nut 130. Other embodiments may include other means for adjusting chain tension, as may be known in the art.
The actuator assembly 100 includes one or more coupling elements configured to join the actuator assembly 100 to a control segment (e.g., control lever) of a reloading press. For example, as in the illustrated embodiment, a U-bolt 136 may be positioned at the drive plate 116 so as to allow the control lever of the reloading press to be secured to the drive plate 116 by positioning the U-bolt 136 around the control lever 202 and through the drive plate 116.
In some embodiments, the drive plate 116 is additionally coupled to the reloading press 200 at the reloading press shaft 206. For example, the reloading press shaft 206 can include a set screw or bolt extending from the shaft 206 and configured in size and shape to pass through the center of the drive plate 116. A nut can mate with the set screw or bolt on the side of the drive plate 116 opposite the shaft 206, thereby tightening the drive plate 116 against or onto the shaft 206.
As shown by
For example, the reloading press 200 is configured in such embodiments to be moved from a down configuration (as in
In the illustrated embodiment, the reloading press 200 includes a translating portion 212 positioned above a stationary portion, with the translating portion 212 configured to move down to place the reloading press 200 in a closed configuration and to move up to place the reloading press 200 in 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 lever 202 may be positioned in the down position (e.g., by a user manually moving the control lever 202). The actuator assembly 100 may then be operated so as to move the control lever 202 from the down position to the up position. In some embodiments, a control system (such as control system 300 shown in
In other embodiments, movement of the control lever 202 in order to determine an actuation distance may be reversed. For example, the control lever 202 may 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 lever 202. 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.
As the control lever 202 is 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 Super 1050. 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 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.
In the illustrated embodiment, the case removal attachment 600 includes a position switch 606 configured to control the position and/or orientation of the case contactor 602 relative to the reloading press. For example, when the case contactor 602 is in a home position (e.g., a position not obstructing the progression of cases through the reloading press), a cam 608 is in contact with the position switch 606. Upon actuation of the case removal attachment 600 (e.g., in response to the detection of a defective case, as described above), the motor 610 drives the rotation of the shaft 608 and case contactor 602, rotating the cam 608 out of contact with the position switch 606 as the case contactor 602 rotates to engage with and dislodge the defective case. In some embodiments, the motor 610 is configured to rotate until the cam 608 rotates back into contact with the position switch 606. In this manner, the case contactor 602 is 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.
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.
In some embodiments, the home position control 308, 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 of
The automatic operation control 310 is selectable to cause operation of the ammunition reloading system, in some embodiments.
The speed adjustment 314 may 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 system 300 is 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.
The illustrated embodiment also includes dual speed control functionality. The control system 500 includes an up speed control 522 and a separate down speed control 524. The up speed control 522 is 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 control 522 can 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 control 524 is 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 control 524 can 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 in
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.
This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority to and the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/053,475, filed on Sep. 22, 2014 and entitled “AMMUNITION RELOADING SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” the entirety of which application is expressly incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62053475 | Sep 2014 | US |
