Indexing reloader of cartridges

Abstract

A reloader for reloading cartridges. A reciprocating plunger carries a turret that rotates around the axis of the plunger. The turret carries a plurality of cartridges for reloading, the cartridges being symmetrically spaced around the turret axis and adapted to be indexed around the axis in a step-by-step sequence. An overhead die holder contains a plurality of dies spaced in a symmetrical pattern similar to that of the cartridges but in fixed positions. A center opening the die holder houses a rotatable bushing. The rotation of the bushing is controlled in part by a one-way clutch. An indexing shaft affixed to the turret extends from the turret axis through the bushing. The shaft has a multi-sided cross section and is slidably fitted to the bushing in a manner that prevents relative rotation. The configured cross section has an axial twist and when forced through the bushing by the reciprocating plunger, causes turning of one or the other of the shaft and turret or the bushing. A secondary invention is the adaptation of this concept to a conventional single stage reloader.

We claim: 
     
       1. A device for reloading cartridges comprising; a support structure, an overhead die holder forming a part of the support structure for holding a plurality of cartridge reloading dies in a symmetrical pattern spaced around a center opening, a rotatable bushing positioned in said center opening and a one-way clutch mechanism permitting rotation of the bushing in one direction and preventing rotation thereof in the other direction,   a plunger slidably mounted relative to the support structure for reciprocal vertical sliding movement from below the die holder toward the center opening therein, and actuating means for actuating said reciprocal movement of the plunger,   a cartridge holding turret rotatably mounted to the top of the plunger for rotation thereof in a horizontal plane, and an indexing shaft fixedly attached to the turret and projected upwardly therefrom through the bushing, said shaft having a configured cross sectional portion and said bushing having a complimentary configuration to allow sliding movement of the shaft therethrough but prohibiting rotation relative to the bushing, the .[.configuration of the shaft.]. .Iadd.configured cross sectional .Iaddend.portion being twisted .[.spiral.]. .Iadd.spirally .Iaddend.around the shaft a determined angle along an indexing section of the shaft, said configured shaft portion and .Iadd.said .Iaddend.indexing section thereof being arranged relative to the reciprocal plunger movement whereby the configured shaft portion and .Iadd.said .Iaddend.indexing section are forced through the bushing during such .Iadd.reciprocal .Iaddend.movement to force indexing rotative movement of the shaft and .Iadd.said .Iaddend.turret by said determined angle of twist .Iadd.while the plunger is moving .Iaddend.in the direction of reciprocating movement wherein the bushing is prevented from rotative movement by the one-way clutch mechanism.   
     
     
       2. A device as defined in claim 1 including alignment means that resists but does not prevent rotative turning of the cartridge holding turret at the position wherein the cartridges in the cartridge holding turret and the dies in the die holder are in alignment, said alignment means sufficiently resisting turning of the turret to force rotation of the bushing as permitted by the one-way clutch means. 
     
     
       3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein the one-way clutch means permits turning of the bushing with the shaft pushed upwardly through the bushing whereby indexing of the turret occurs in a downward stroke of the shaft. .Iadd. 
     
     
       4.  A device as defined in claim 3 wherein the .Iadd.configured cross sectional .Iaddend.shaft .[.configuration.]. .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.is a multi-sided symmetrical polygon and .[.the twist section thereof angularly displaces the polygon configuration by the same angle as exists between the reloader dies in the die holder.]. .Iadd.wherein said reloading dies are angularly spaced apart around the center opening in the die holder to match the determined angle by which the configured cross sectional portion of the shaft is twisted spirally around the shaft. .Iaddend. 
     
     
       5. A kit for converting a single station cartridge reloader to a multiple station reloader, said single station reloader having a single cartridge holding plunger aligned vertically with a center opening of an overhead die holder adapted for receiving a reloading die, said kit comprising; a retrofitting structure including a .[.base.]. .Iadd.support .Iaddend.plate, a secondary overhead die holder having multiple die holder openings symmetrically arranged around a center opening, a rotatable bushing in the center opening .Iadd.of the secondary die holder.Iaddend., and a one-way clutch mechanism permitting rotative movement of the bushing in one direction and preventing rotative movement thereof in the other direction, and support members supporting the .Iadd.secondary .Iaddend.die holder in overhead spaced relation to the .[.base.]. .Iadd.support .Iaddend.plate, and mounting means for mounting the retrofitting structure to the overhead die holder of the single station reloader,   a plunger extension and coupling means for coupling the extension axially of the plunger of the single station reloader whereby the extension is protruded through the center opening in the die holder .Iadd.of the single station reloader.Iaddend., a turret adapted to rotatably mount to the top of the plunger extension, and an indexing shaft fixed to the turret and extended from the rotative axis of the turret for vertical sliding movement of the .[.bushing.].  .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.through the .Iadd.bushing in the .Iaddend.secondary overhead die holder, said shaft having a configured cross section and an indexing portion thereof being twisted spirally around the shaft a determined angle, said bushing .Iadd.having a complementary configuration to allow said sliding and preventing rotation of said shaft relative to the bushing.Iaddend., whereby reciprocal movement of the plunger extension produces sliding movement of the shaft through the bushing and indexing of the turret as dictated by the one-way clutch mechanism.   
     
     
       6. A kit as defined in claim .[.4.]. .Iadd.5 .Iaddend.wherein the mounting means is a mounting nut adapted to replace the die in the center opening of the single station reloader, said mounting nut mounting the .[.base.]. .Iadd.support .Iaddend.plate of the retrofitting structure to the overhead die holder of the single station reloader, and said mounting nut having a center opening for permitting reciprocal movement of the plunger extension therethrough.  .Iadd. 
     
     
       7.  A kit for converting a single station cartridge reloader to a multiple station reloader, said single station reloader having a single cartridge holding plunger aligned vertically with an opening of an overhead die holder adapted for receiving a reloading die, said kit comprising: a support plate,   an overhead die holder member having a center position and multiple die positions symmetrically arranged around the center position,   support means supporting the die holder member in overhead spaced relation to the support plate,   mounting means for mounting the support plate to the overhead die holder of the single station reloader,   a plunger extension,   coupling means for coupling the plunger extension to the plunger of the single station reloader to be protruded through the opening in the die holder of the single station reloader,   a rotatable turret member mountable to the plunger extension, a center position on said rotatable turret member and multiple cartridge holding positions on said turret member symmetrically arranged around the center position of the turret member and corresponding in arrangement to the multiple die openings in the die holder member,   an indexing shaft extending between the center positions of said members, said shaft being axially fixed relative to one of said members, said shaft having a configured cross section and an indexing portion thereof twisted spirally around the shaft a determined angle,   a rotatable bushing mounted at the center position of the other of the members, and   a one-way clutch mechanism permitting rotative movement of the bushing in one direction and preventing said rotative movement in the other direction,   said bushing having an opening complementary to the configuration of said shaft through which said shaft extends to allow axial sliding of the shaft therethrough and preventing rotation of said shaft relative to the bushing, whereby reciprocal movement of the plunger extension produces sliding movement of the shaft through the bushing and indexing of the turret member as dictated by the one-way clutch mechanism. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       8.  A kit as defined in claim 7 wherein the opening of the overhead die holder of the single station reloader is internally threaded to normally receive an externally threaded die, said mounting means of the kit comprising an externally threaded mounting member secured to the support plate and extending into the threaded opening of the overhead die holder of the single station reloader for securing the support plate thereto, said mounting member having a center opening to receive and guide the reciprocal action of the plunger extension. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. An assembly of a single station cartridge reloading structure and a conversion structure converting the single station cartridge reloading structure to a multiple station cartridge reloader; said single station cartridge reloading structure comprising; a support, a plunger slidably mounted to said support for reciprocal up and down movement relative to the support, an overhead die holder fixedly mounted to the support, said overhead die holder having an opening for receiving a die and positioned in alignment with the plunger, said plunger adapted to support a cartridge and to move the cartridge into the die in the typical single station cartridge reloading operation,   said conversion structure comprising; a plunger extension coupled to the plunger, said plunger extension protruded through the overhead die holder opening, a turret rotatably mounted to the plunger extension to be reciprocated up and down with reciprocation of the plunger, a secondary die holder fixedly mounted to the single station cartridge reloader structure in spaced overhead relation to the turret, a plurality of cartridge holding stations on the turret arranged symmetrically around an upright axis, a corresponding plurality of die receiving stations on the secondary die holder similarly arranged around said upright axis, whereby cartridges placed in the cartridge receiving stations are aligned with dies positioned in the die receiving stations, and indexing means permitting indexing of the turret to successive rotative positions of alignment. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. An assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein the conversion structure includes a secondary support supporting the secondary die holder in overhead spaced relationship, and a mounting member secured to the secondary support and threadably secured in the opening of the overhead assembly of the single station reloading structure, said mounting member having a guide opening through which the plunger extension is slidably guided. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. A kit for converting a single station cartridge reloader to a multiple station reloader, said single station reloader having a single cartridge holding plunger aligned vertically with a center opening of an overhead die holder adapted for receiving a reloading die, said kit comprising;   a plunger extension to be coupled to the plunger, with said plunger extension protruded through the overhead die holder opening, a turret mounted to the plunger extension to be reciprocated up and down with reciprocation of the plunger, a secondary die holder to be fixedly mounted to the single station cartridge reloader in spaced overhead relation to the turret, a plurality of cartridge holding stations on the turret arranged symmetrically around an upright axis, a corresponding plurality of die receiving stations on the secondary die holder similarly arranged around the upright axis, whereby cartridges placed in the cartridge receiving stations are aligned with dies positioned in the die receiving stations, and said turret is rotatable about said axis for indexing said cartridges relative to said dies positioned in said die receiving stations. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. A kit as defined in claim 11 including a secondary support supporting the secondary die holder in overhead spaced relationship, and a mounting member secured to the secondary support and threadably secured in the opening of the overhead assembly of the single station reloading structure, said mounting member having a guide opening through which the plunger extension is slidably guided. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. A kit as defined in claim 11 including indexing means responsive to reciprocation of the plunger extension for automatic indexing of the turret. .Iaddend.