US3376781A - Shell reloader - Google Patents

Description

April 9, 1968 B. H. SWANSQN SHELL RELOADER 2 Sheets-Sheet i INVENTOR. BERNARD h. SWANSO/v Flled Feb 1967 3/30 X6 20 6 I A T TORNE YS April 9, 1968 B. H. SWANSON 3,376,781

SHELL RELOADER Filed Feb. 5, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR FI 5 BERNARD SWANSO/v ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,376,781 SHELL RELOADER Bernard H. Swanson, 903 Queens Lane, Anoka, Minn. 55303 Filed Feb. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 613,823 3 Claims. (Cl. 86-25) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The apparatus includes a handle having a frame pivotally mounted thereto with a plurality of tools for performing the various operations in reloading a shotgun shell or the like. The apparatus also includes a base having an anvil mounted thereon for holding the shell while the various operations are being performed, and the means mounting the anvil on the base provide the anvil with a normal position wherein the shell is held firmly in the anvil and a position spaced from the base where the shell may be quickly removed from the anvil.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the inventi'n.This invention pertains to a shell reloader and more specifically to a reloader for shotgun shells and the like which is extremely versatile and simple to operate and is inexpensive to manufacture.

Many shells, such as shotgun shells and the like, are reloaded by avid sportsmen and many people who shoot guns as a hobby. In some instances, reloading the shells provides the shellwith advantages which the sportsmen cannot acquire in a purchased shell, in most cases the reloaded shell is much cheaper than a purchased shell, and in some instances the shells are reloaded as a hobby. Reloading a used shell can be a relatively complicated task and comprises a plurality of operations which include removing the used primer from the used shell, inserting a new primer, resizing the shell, inserting powder, wads and shot, and crimping the end of the shell to retain the material therein. In most cases each of the various operations requires a different tool, and in most cases a variety of shell receiving and retaining anvils are utilized in the various operations.

Description of the prior ark-In the prior art manual shell reloaders include a handle having a fixture attached thereto which is adapted to engage each of the various tools utilized in the reloading process. Also, in general, the anvil or anvils utilized to receive and retain the shells do not include an efiicient means for removing the shell after it is filled and crimped. Therefore, the removal of the reloaded shell requires a large amount of time and patience in these prior art devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention a base having a handle pivotally attached thereto includes means for engaging an anvil having a shell receiving opening therein. The anvil and the receiving means in the base are adapted to provide the anvil with two positions, one of which is the normal position in which the shell is reloaded and the other of which is a position spaced from the base so that the shell may be quickly and easily removed from the anvil. The handle of the reloading apparatus has a frame pivotally attached thereto with a plurality of fingers extending approximately radially therefrom. Each of the fingers has a tool fixedly attached thereto and adapted to perform a different operation in the reloading procedure. Each of the tools is positioned so that it can be quickly and easily pivoted to an operative position above the anvil, and moved to an inoperative position after it has been used. Because each of the vari- 3,376,781 Patented Apr. 9, 1968 ous tools is fixedly attached to the handle, the tools cannot be mislaid, lost, etc. Also a large amount of time can be saved because the tools can be quickly moved to the operative position, rather than requiring the engaging and disengaging of each of the tools to a fixture on the handle after and before each operation. Thus, the present invention is a highly versatile and efiicient tool for reloading shells, such as shotgun shells and the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved shell reloader.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shell reloader which is extremely versatile and efiicient.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shell reloader having the various tools fixedly attached thereto and movable from an inoperative to an operative position during the shell reloading process, so that the correct tool can be quickly and easily moved into its operative position and the next step of the shell reloading process performed.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the accompanying specification, claims, and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the figures:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of the present apparatus, with the anvil removed from engagement with the base;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged side view of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1, some parts broken away and some parts shown in section, and including the anvil in the normal position;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side view of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1, some parts broken away and some parts shown in section, illustrating the anvil in another position;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged bottom view of the various tools attached to the handle of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1 as seen from the line 4-4 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged top view-of the anvil receiving portion of the base of the apparatus illustratedin FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view as seen from the line 66 in FIGURE 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A generally rectangular shaped base 10 has an upwardly extending post 11 fixedly attached to one end thereof. One end of a handle 12 is pivotally attached to the upper end of the post 11 so that the handle 12 normally extends outwardly and upwardly to generally overlie the base 10. In this embodiment the handle 12 is made up of a fiat bar of metal, mounted so the flat sides are generally vertical, and the upper edge of the bar is rounded to provide a smooth grip. The handle 12 is pivotally attached to the post 11 so that it rotates downwardly toward the base 10 and may have a combination of notches therein, such as the notches 13, 14, and 15 illustrated in FIGURE 2, to limit the rotation of the handle 12 relative to the post 11. Also, the handle 12 may be maintained in the normal position, illustrated in the figures, by friction in the pivotal mounting, as illustrated in this preferred embodiment, or by means of a spring, such asa torsion spring, connected between the handle 12 and the post 11.

A pair of flat plates 20 and 21 are fixedly attached to either side of the handle 12 in a spaced apart relationship, by some means such as welding or the like, and form a pivotal mount for a frame 25. The plates 20 and 21 are connected to the handle 12 in overlying relationship to the base so that the frame extends downwardly to ward the base 10. The frame 25 has a plurality of fingers 26, 27, and 28 extending generally radially outwardly from the pivot point. Each of the fingers 26, 27, and 28 is adapted to have a tool attached adjacent the end thereof, each of which tool is provided to perform a different operation in the reloading procedure.

The finger 26 is formed with a generally cross-shaped cross section throughout the major portion of the length thereof, and a circular cross section adjacent the lower end. Thus, the finger 26 has longitudinal rib-like portions extending the length thereof for reinforcement. The lower end of the finger 26 has a circular cross section, the diameter of which is reduced radically to form a nipple-like protuberance 30 at the end thereof. The protuberance 30 has a longitudinal hole therein with an insert 31, having a circular cross section, fixedly engaged therein by some means such as press fitting or the like. The insert 31 has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of a primer utilized in shells so that it can be utilized to force the primer from a used shell. In the present embodiment, the entire finger 26 including the longitudinal ribs and the protuberance 30 is formed as an integral part of the frame 25. However, it should be understood that the mechanism could be constructed in a number of parts and it would still come within the scope of this invention.

The finger 27 is constructed with a cross section similar to that described for the finger 26 except that the lower end thereof is flat and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof. A groove 32 is formed in the end of the finger 27 extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the finger 27. The groove 32 is formed to receive the end of an unused primer as it extends through the brass of a shell casing. Thus, the finger 27 may be utilized to force a shell casing onto a primer without touching the primer.

The third finger 28 is a flat radial extension having an opening formed in the end thereof. A cylindrical crimping plunger 35 has a groove formed in one end for receiving the end of the finger 28 therein. The crimping plunger 35 is pivotally attached to the finger 28 by means of a bolt or the like extending therethrough. The extended end of the crimping plunger 35 is substantially fiat and has a diameter somewhat smaller than the Outer diameter of the particular gauge of shotgun shell which is desired to crimp, so that the crimping plunger 35 can be forced into the open end of a shell to firmly crimp the edges thereof and hold the powder, wadding, and shot firmly therein. The crimping plunger 35 is pivotally attached to the finger 28 so that the force can be exerted longitudinally on the shell and a firm crimp will be formed.

In the present embodiment the base 10' is formed by molding or the like with the central portion thereof hollow to decrease the weight and amount of material utilized. The base 10 has an opening formed therethrough in the upper surface of the end opposite the post 11 and approximately in the transverse center. The opening 40 is positioned so that each of the tools at the ends of the fingers 26, 27, and 28 can be brought into substantial alignment therewith. The diameter of the opening 40 is large enough to allow a used primer to be pushed freely therethrough. The opening 40, adjacent the upper surface of the base 10, is enlarged somewhat at 41 so that it will receive an anvil (not shown) having a flat surface and a shell receiving opening therein. This anvil is utilized in connection with the shell driver at the end of finger 27 to place new primers in the brass of used shells.

A plurality of holes in the upper surface of the base 10 are positioned to circumferentially surround the opening 40, and are radially outwardly spaced therefrom. The holes form two sets 45 and 46 with the holes in set 45 alternately placed between the holes in set 46. In this embodiment, three holes make up the set 45 and three holes make up the set 46, although it should be understood that any convenient number might be utilized and it would still be within the scope of this invention. The holes in the set 45 are formed so they pass completely through the material of base 10, while the holes of the set 46 are formed to pass only partially through the material of the base 10. The holes in the set 45 are much deeper than the holes in the set 46 for reasons which will become apparent presently. The holes 45 or 46 are adapted to receive feet 50 of an anvil 51.

The anvil 51 is generally cylindrical shaped with a shell receiving opening 52 therethrough. The shell receiving opening 52 has a slightly increased radius adjacent the lower surface of the anvil 51 to receive the lip of the brass of a shell therein and prevent the shell from passing completely through the opening 52 in the anvil 51. The feet 50 extend downwardly from the lower surface of the anvil 51 and are spaced apart a sufiicient distance to engage either the set of holes 45 or the set of holes 46. The length of the feet 50 is such that when they are engaged in the holes 46, the bottom of the anvil 51 is spaced from the upper surface of the base It) and when the feet 50 are engaged in the holes 45 the bottom of the anvil 51 is in abutting relationship with the upper surface of the base 10. Thus, when a shell is placed in the shell receiving opening 52, and the feet 50 are placed in the holes 45, the brass of the shell rests against the upper surface of the base 10. In this position the crimping plunger 35 can be utilized to crimp the upper portion of the shell firmly into place. The anvil 51 can then be raised and rotated degrees so the feet 50 are engaged in the holes 46, and thecrimping plunger 35 can be utilized to push the shell out of the shell receiving opening 52 in the anvil 51.

Thus, a shell reloader has been described in which the various tools for performing the operations of reloading are fixedly attached to the tool and may be quickly and easily rotated into operative position. Also, the shell reloader includes at least one anvil for retaining a shell in operative position and means for mounting the anvil wherein the shell can be conveniently operated on and then removed without the use of additional tools or the like.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of this invention, further modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art. I desire it to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular form shown, and I intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A shell reloader comprising:

- (a) A base;

(b) a handle pivotally mounted on said base for vertical movements toward and away from said base;

(c) an anvil having a shell receiving opening therein;

(d) means removably mounting said anvil on said base and providing said anvil with two mounted positions, a first position wherein a lower portion of said anvil is in juxtaposition to said base and a second position wherein the lower portion of said anvil as spaced from said base a predetermined amount;

(e) a frame pivotally attached to said handle having a plurality of fingers extending radially outwardly and positioned so that each of said fingers can be brought into approximate alignment with the opening in said anvil; and

(f) a tool adapted to perform an operation on 'a shell mounted adjacent the end of each of said fingers.

2. A shell reloader as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means removably mounting said anvil includes two sets of holes in the base with the holes in one of said sets having a substantially greater depth than the holes in the other set and said anvil having a plurality of plunger adapted to fit within the shell receiving opening in the anvil and crimp the sides of the shell firmly in place.

No references cited.

BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner. G. H. GLANZMAN, Assistant Examiner.

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