Patent Grant
12146730
The present invention relates to ammunition reloading and more specifically to a novel and useful automatic primer tube filler.
Many professional and amateur shooting competitors and enthusiasts prefer to reload bullets to save money, to improve accuracy, to accommodate specialty ammunition needs, or simply because they enjoy it. Reloading works for most kinds of ammunition, which consists of a cartridge or case, primer, powder, and a bullet. When reloading ammunition, a new primer can be introduced with a dedicated priming tube or with a dedicated station of a reloading press, both of which cooperate with new primers introduced with a standard primer tube.
Standard primer tubes hold 100 primers in sequence. To load the primer tube, primers are either dropped into the top end of the primer tube with an automated primer filler or loaded into the bottom end of the primer tube if picked up manually. Primers must be loaded so that the flat side of the primer faces away from the top end of the primer tube. A removable stopper, pin, or cap sits at the opposite end to prevent the primers from exiting the tube prematurely. Once the tube is loaded with the desired number of primers, it is ready to be attached to the primer tool or to be used to transfer primers to a fixed primer tube that is part of the reloading press. To transfer the primers to a fixed primer tube, the tube is placed over the fixed primer tube and aligned with chamfers. Then, the stopper is removed to allow all of the primers to slide into the fixed primer tube. To dispense primers directly from the moveable primer tube, the tube is placed so that individual primers can be dispensed, and the stopper is removed.
Unfortunately, loading primers into a primer tube is a tedious and time-consuming task. Primers are very small (just 4.4 mm in diameter) and almost impossible to handle by hand, yet it is critical that the primers are loaded correctly, with their Anvil side facing up. In order to facilitate proper loading, several primer filler solutions are commercially available. The simplest solution is to use a flip tray with a serrated surface. The user shakes and slides the tray around to orient all the primers so that they lay anvil-side up. Then, using a lid, the user flips the tray so the primers are oriented anvil-side-down. The anvil-side-down primers can then be manually picked up one-by-one using a pickup tube, which is then flipped over before loaded in a primer tool or reloading machine and eventually pressed into an empty shell case. Unfortunately, shaking the tray and then picking up individual primers remains tedious and slow. Another option is to use a semi-automatic vibrating primer filler after using a flip tray to properly orient the primers. The vibrating primer filler attaches to a flip tray and then, when activated, it vibrates the tray to coax the primers toward an opening that cooperates with the top end of the primer tube. The primers then fall into the tube. Unfortunately, one still must take significant time to shake and flip the tray to orient the primers.
Fully automated primer fillers are also available commercially. In general, such fillers use a vibrating bowl or tray to deliver primers to a ramp. Once the primers are on the ramp, they travel upwards to an output location that cooperates with the top end of a primer tube. If the primers are upside down as they travel along the ramp, they fall off and back into the bowl or tray as they travel over a notched section of the ramp. Unfortunately, currently available automated primer fillers are unreliable, complex, and expensive in part to minimize the dampening impact of a connected primer tube as it fills with primers and thereby changes weight.
Primers often get stuck at the output location, and occasionally upside-down primers make it past the notched section of the ramp and load into the tube incorrectly, which is a costly and time-consuming mistake. When primers are incorrectly oriented in the primer tube, they will be seated the wrong way in the ammunition. Once a primer is seated incorrectly, the entire bullet is lost, or one must spend additional time taking the loaded ammunition apart. In addition to the reliability issues, these commercially available automated systems run on a timer rather than with a counter, and they have an unpredictable output speed.
Because filling a primer tube correctly and efficiently is very useful when reloading ammunition, it would be desirable to provide an automated system that loads a primer tube with greater accuracy. Additionally, it would be desirable to reduce jams when filing the tube and to accommodate many brands and versions of primers and primer tubes. Such a primer tube filler would be a notable advance in the firearm and ammunition arts.
An automated filler for primer tubes that are used when reloading ammunition includes an upper feed assembly, a lower stand assembly, an outer cover partially surrounding the upper feed assembly, and a receiving top that cooperates with the upper feed assembly. The upper feed assembly includes a base, a bowl, a loading subassembly, and a vibration imparting subassembly. The stand assembly includes a stand that supports the upper feed assembly at the proper height for loading primers into a primer tube and a stand base for stability that further includes optional non-slip features.
The upper feed assembly attaches atop the stand preferably at the upper feed assembly base. The base includes several features, preferably integrally connected, to support power components, vibrating components, the optional cover, a plurality of springs, and a primer tube receiver that supports and couples a primer tube with an output adapter and guide that are part of the primer loading subassembly. The leaf springs, which connect at one end to anchors on the base, connect at a second end to the bowl such that the bowl sits directly over the base. Preferably, an electromagnet is housed by or supported by the base and coupled to a power source and controller. Directly above the electromagnet at a spaced distance is a metal disk attached to the bowl. When the electromagnet is powered on, the metal disk and attached bowl vibrate due to the angles at which the leaf springs are anchored and the alternating power, pulsing at about 60-100 Hz, supplying the electromagnet.
The bowl sitting above the base includes a central cavity and bowl floor for receiving primers, an outer wall and a ramp for routing the primers to an exit, and a bowl exit situated at the end of the ramp. The ramp includes features such as notches and a primer reject arm that deflect misoriented primers off of the ramp. A central cone rises from the bowl floor at its center to direct primers falling from above onto the floor and toward the ramp. The central cone also provides a fastening point for the metal disk, which is preferably secured to the underside of the bowl. The bowl exit cooperates with an exit insert and exit lid both of which are components of the primer loading subassembly.
Primer loading subassembly includes one or more interchangeable exit inserts, exit lid, resilient member such as an O-ring, lid fastener, one or more interchangeable output guides, which are springs or other resilient conduits or chutes, one or more interchangeable output adapters, and a magnetic ring. The exit insert fits in and cooperates with the bowl exit such that primers reaching the bowl exit fall into and through the exit insert. The exit lid sits atop the exit insert and is attached to an anchor on the bowl such that it adjustable to accommodate primers of varying height. One end of the output guide fits into the exit or lower end of the exit insert, and the other end of the output guide fits into the output adapter. The output adapter sits on and partially in the primer tube receiver of the base. Output guides and output adaptors come in various sizes and are interchangeable to accommodate large and small primers. A metal ring attaches in a channel formed within the primer tube receiver of the base and cooperates with a primer tube magnetic adapter removably attached to the primer tube such that the metal ring can magnetically hold a primer tube when the automated filler is operational.
When the primer loading subassembly components are selected and installed and the vibration imparting subassembly is activated, primers entering the bowl exit fall into the exit insert, through the output guide, and out the output adapter to land in the primer tube. Because the output guide is a spring or other resilient conduit or chute that allows primers to move from the bowl to the base while eliminating a firm contact between the bowl and base, the changing weight of the primer tube as it fills with primers does not impact the vibration performance of the bowl. Accordingly, the primers fall into the primer tube with little to no interference.
Additional and optional features include a cover that attaches to the base such that it surrounds the base and bowl while still providing access to the area of the base where the primer tube is attached and to the primer loading subassembly components, particularly those that are interchangeable. Optionally, the cover is transparent. A receiving lid can further be placed on the cover. The receiving lid includes a center opening and is shaped to encourage primers poured into it to funnel down through the center opening to the bowl preferably situated directly below it.
For a better understanding of the invention reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which should be taken in conjunction with the above-described drawings.
The present invention, as shown in
As shown in
Positioned near the center of base 110, a central support 112 preferably extends upward and partially surrounds and supports a vibrator or other vibration component such as an electromagnet 156, which is part of the vibration imparting subassembly 150. Surrounding central support 112 are several anchors 114 that cooperate with a plurality of leaf springs 154, which also are part of the vibration imparting subassembly 150. A primer tube receiver 116 and a power connector support 118 are preferably located near the perimeter 110a of base 110. Optionally and preferably, central support 112, anchors 114, primer tube receiver 116, and power connector support 118 are integrally formed such that base 110 is one component. Alternatively, some or all parts are fixedly attached to base 110.
Primer tube receiver 116 of base 110 is sized and positioned to cooperate with an exit point or channel from bowl 130 when bowl 130 is connected to base 110 and operational. For example and as shown in
Vibration subassembly 150 includes any combination of components designed to impart vibrations on a bowl or trough. Preferably, vibration subassembly 150 includes an electromagnet 156, a plurality of leaf springs 154, a power connector 160, and a metal disk 152. Electromagnet 156 preferably has good magnetic conductivity, a flat and clean holding surface, a thickness over 3 mm, and a contact area larger than the holding surface of the magnet. More preferably, electromagnet 156 is a holding type 12V DC solenoid electromagnet with a power of 3.6 W, resistance of 40Ω, and holding force of at least 245 N such as Model H4020 from Landa Solenoid in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, China. Additionally, electromagnet 156 preferably rests partially on or in central support 112 of base 110 and further secures to base 110 with a fastener such as a steel socket head screw. For selective operation optionally controlled by a switch, electromagnet 156 couples to a power source, preferably through an electrical connection with power connector 160, which is configured to receive low-voltage DC power provided from a wall mounted AC-DC converter. The vibration subassembly 150 components work together such that the electromagnet is pulsed at about 60-100 Hz, which creates the vibration needed to drive primers up a bowl ramp 134, which is discussed below, as is known to those skilled in the art. Optionally, power connector 160 is press fit into power connector support 118. Power connector 160 is preferably a barrel socket such a 5.5×2.1 mm DC barrel socket that cooperates with electromagnet 156. Optionally and preferably, power connector 160 also couples to a controller 158 that allows the user to adjust the vibration frequency from 60 HZ-100 Hz. Accordingly, the user can optimize the vibration frequency according to what works best for advancing the particular primers filing in bowl 130. Additionally, the user can use controller 158 to activate and adjust an automatic shut-off feature. For example, it can be set from 30 sec up to 4 min. depending on the time a user needs to run the filler to feed through 100 of the user's preferred brand of primers.
Surrounding electromagnet 156 when installed on base 110 at central support 112 are a plurality of leaf springs 154, preferably positioned at a regular spaced distance from one another. Each leaf spring 154 fixedly attaches at a first end 154a to base 110 at base anchors 114 with fasteners 170 such as six-lobed, star-patterned button head screws. Each leaf spring 154 fixedly attaches at a second end 154b to bowl anchors 139 positioned around the underside of bowl 130. Leaf springs 154 can be any elastic spring or resilient component that is flexible and capable of absorbing vibration. Importantly, leaf springs 154 are angled such that they cause vibrations capable of moving primers up the bowl ramp 134 as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Preferably, leaf springs 154 are angled between 15° and 30° relative a level surface or the horizon. More preferably, leaf springs 154 are angled at 20° relative to a level surface or the horizon. A level surface as used herein should be understood as a surface perpendicular to the force of gravity. Where base 110 is level, leaf springs 154 are similarly oriented relative to vase 110.
Metal disk 152 of vibration subassembly 150 preferably securely attaches to the underside of bowl 130, optionally within guides or extensions 131. More preferably, metal disk 152 attaches to bowl 130 with a steel six-lobed, star-patterned flathead screw (not shown) positioned near the center of metal disk 152 that extends into the underside of a center cone 138 of bowl 130. Metal disk 152 preferably has about a 4 cm diameter and is about 5 cm thick. When installed, metal disk 152 sits above electromagnet 156 at a spaced distance, which is preferably between 0.5 and 0.8 mm. When connected to power and activated, electromagnet 156 pulses at a rate preferably between 60 Hz and 100 Hz causing metal disk 152 to be repeatedly pulled toward electromagnet 156 at the same rate while angled leaf springs force the bowl to rotate slightly with each pull. With each release of the electromagnet, the bowl twists and springs back to its initial position. The electromagnetic pull combined with the twist or rotation of the bowl caused by leaf springs 154 creates the vibratory motion needed to drive the primers up bowl ramp 134.
Positioned at the center of bowl floor 132 is central cone 138, which extends upwards from bowl floor 132. Central cone 138 is configured to encourage primers dropped from above to move away from the center of bowl 132 and toward the outer perimeter of central cavity 130a. Central cone 138 also facilitates connection with metal disk 152, which is connected to the underside of bowl 130. Optionally and preferably, extending from the underside of bowl 130 are supports or guides that further facilitate connection of metal disk 152 to bowl 130. Preferably, and as shown in the Figures, bowl 130 physically connects to base 110 only via leaf springs 154.
Bowl exit 140 is positioned at the highest point of ramp 134. Bowl exit 140 defines a channel 140a that is configured to house components of the primer loading assembly 120. Adjacent bowl exit 140 is primer loading anchor 142, which defines on an upper surface 142c a central bore 142a for receiving a fastener 121 and one or more recesses or an annular channel 142b for receiving a resilient member 129 such as an O-ring, which is discussed further below. Bowl exit 140 and primer loading anchor 142 are preferably configured to support a height-adjustable exit lid 123 of primer loading subassembly 120. Optionally, exit lid 123 also can pivot between two or more positions, which is useful when swapping components, clearing primer jams, and adjusting clearance within the primer path below. For example, exit lid 123 can pivot between an open position exposing the bowl exit and exit channel of the bowl and a closed position wherein at least part of the lid covers the bowl exit and exit channel of the bowl, which is shown in
Primer loading subassembly 120 includes an interchangeable exit insert 122, exit lid 123, resilient member 129, fastener 121, interchangeable output guide 124, interchangeable output adapter 126, metal ring 128, and optional primer tube magnetic adapter 7, all of which are shown in detail in
Exit lid 123 preferably sits atop interchangeable exit insert 122 and is connected to bowl 130 at primer loading anchor 142 by a fastener 121 that cooperates with central bore 142a. Exit lid 123 importantly further prevents primers from accidentally turning onto their sides as they exit bowl ramp 134 and enter the bowl exit 140, which would cause a jam at or in exit insert 122 opening 122a or channel 122c. Preferably, exit lid 123 is height adjustable such that it can increase or decrease the clearance of opening 122a and channel 122c of exit insert 122 to accommodate primers of different heights and more preferably large and small primers. Height adjustability of lid 123 is facilitated by resilient member 129, which is shown in
Positioned at a spaced distance below exit insert 122 and preferably fixedly attached to base 110 at primer tube receiver 116a is a metal ring 128. Metal ring 128 cooperates with primer tube magnetic adapter 7 to hold the primer tube at or within primer tube receiver 116a when the automated filler 10 is operating. Metal ring 128 is preferably made of steel and includes a ring gap 128a that is sized and configured to cooperate with the primer tube receiving slot 116c when the metal ring 128 is installed therein.
Interchangeable output guide 124 preferably is a spring or other resilient chute or connector defining a channel 124a having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the primers it will guide. As discussed above, resilient as used herein refers to materials or components that recoil or spring back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed. Importantly, output guide 124 facilitates a smooth transfer of the primers from bowl 130 to primer tube 5 without adding any undesirable weight. Output guide 124 eliminates the need for the traditional hard contact between an automated primer filler bowl 130, base 110, and primer tube 5, which negatively impacts the vibration of bowl 130, and thereby the movement of the primers, as primer tube 5 fills with primers and becomes heavier. With the present design, bowl 130 simply floats on leaf springs 154, while output guide 154 accurately transfers primers from bowl 130 to primer tube 5. Because the weight of primer tube 5 is carried by base 110, any additional weight due to the added primers does not change the vibration frequency or pattern of bowl 130. Accordingly, bowl 130 continues to operate without interference, eliminating a crucial flaw of currently available automated primer tube fillers.
At a lower end 124b, output guide 124 fits within an upper end 126c of interchangeable guide adapter 126. At its upper end 124c, output guide 124 fits within exit insert 122. Output adapter 126 includes an annular flange 126b at its upper end 126c that rests atop primer tube receiver 116 of base 110 and defines a channel 126a that extends from its upper end 126c to its lower end 126d. When output guide 124 is positioned within output adapter 126 and exit insert 122, a continuous channel is formed between opening 122a of exit insert 122 and a primer tube 5 positioned in primer tube receiver channel 116a via exit insert channel 122c, output guide channel 124a, and output adapter channel 126a.
Because primers come in small and large sizes, exit insert 122, output guide 124, and output adapter 126 are preferably interchangeable and identically configured except for small differences in size such that exit inserts 122, output guides 124, and output adapters 126 of multiple sized can be substituted depending on the size of the primers being loaded into the primer tube.
Preferably, situated around the upper feed assembly is an optional cover 220 that also preferably includes an opening 222 for accessing the primer loading subassembly 120 and an opening 224 for accessing the power connector 160. Cover 220 preferably is transparent and further removably connects to base 110, preferably clicking into place with a bayonet type connection that allows for swift removal and installation. When present, cover 220 operates as a safety shield to protect a user should a primer detonate. Removably connected to and situated atop cover 220 is an optional receiving lid 230. Receiving lid 230 defines an opening 232 at its center, is generally shaped with a concave surface that acts like a funnel, and is optionally transparent. When positioned atop cover 220, it funnels any primers poured into it to bowl 130, which is situated immediately below. Preferably opening 232 is positioned directly above cone 138 of bowl 130.
To use the automated primer tube filler 10, a user first places an empty primer tube 5 preferably one with an optional magnetic adapter 7 in a position to cooperate with the primer loading subassembly by inserting it into the primer tube receiver channel 116a of base 110 through slot 116c preferably so magnetic adapter 7 is held to primer tube receiver 116 by metal ring 128. The user also places the appropriately sized exit insert 122, 162 in the bowl exit 140 and then places the appropriately sized output guide 124, 164 and output adapter 126, 166 into exit insert 122, 162 and primer tube receiver 116 of base 110 according to the size of primer that will be loaded into primer tube 5. The user further adjusts the height of exit lid 123 according to the size of the primers being loaded. After setting up the primer loading subassembly 120, the user activates the electromagnet 156, optionally adjusts the vibration frequency and automatic timer with controller 158 if present, and pours primers into the receiving lid 230. The primers then funnel into bowl 130 through opening 232, where they are vibrated toward the bowl's ramp 134. The primers move along ramp 134, which rejects improperly oriented primers via primer reject arm 144 or ramp notches 135. Properly oriented primers continue along ramp 134 until they reach the bowl opening 14a and opening 122a of exit insert 122. Exit lid 123 prevents primers from turning on their side as they fall into exit channel 122c and fall through tube 124 and adapter 126. The primers then fall into the primer tube 5. When the primer tube is full, it can be removed and replaced by an empty one. The fully loaded primer tube is then ready to used for reloading ammunition.
While in the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that many changes may be made in such detail without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.
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| WO-2023203372 | Oct 2023 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Vibra Prime, Frankford Arsenal, 2020, https://www.frankfordarsenal.com/reloading-tools/priming-and-depriming-tools/primer-tools/vibra-prime/855712.html. |
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