Modular Tray Grid for Rapid Ammunition Component Counting

Solution Overview

Problem

Reloading ammunition is time-consuming due to the need for individual counting of components such as cases, projectiles, and propellants, especially when handling large batches, as existing methods lack efficient and accurate counting and sorting solutions.

Innovation Solution

A modular tray system comprising a base tray with a grid of beveled holes, adapter trays, spacers, a cover, and a baffle, allowing for quick and accurate counting and sorting of ammunition components by utilizing a grid of holes that accommodate different sizes and shapes of ammunition, with the baffle enabling easy reduction of the tray's size for specific counting needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If individual counting of ammunition components is performed manually, then accuracy of component quantity is improved, but time consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent quantity accuracyVSAvoidcounting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tray is divided into multiple compartments with grid patterns, where each cell can hold a specific number of components. This segmentation allows bulk components to be quickly distributed into predetermined quantities across multiple cells simultaneously, rather than counting each item individually.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tray compartments are pre-configured with grid patterns that define specific容量的容纳空间。Components are poured into the tray and automatically distributed into pre-defined portions, eliminating the need for sequential individual counting and providing immediate visual confirmation of quantities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the tray size is reduced to accommodate smaller batches, then ease of operation is improved, but the system loses versatility for different batch sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetray handling convenienceVSAvoidbatch size flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tray is divided into multiple compartments with grid patterns, where each cell can hold a specific number of components. This segmentation allows bulk components to be quickly distributed into predetermined quantities across multiple cells simultaneously, rather than counting each item individually.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The baffle is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing users to dynamically adjust the effective tray size by repositioning the baffle. This enables the same tray to accommodate various batch sizes from small to large, providing both ease of operation for small batches and versatility for different quantities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a fixed-size tray is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different ammunition component sizes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetray structure simplicityVSAvoidcomponent size accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The baffle is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing users to dynamically adjust the effective tray size by repositioning the baffle. This enables the same tray to accommodate various batch sizes from small to large, providing both ease of operation for small batches and versatility for different quantities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tray grid pattern and movable baffle design allow the same basic structure to serve multiple functions: counting small batches, counting large batches, and accommodating different component sizes. The universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized trays while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11268792B2Modular tray system for counting and/or storing ammunition components

Publication Date: 2022.03.08 OREILLY JOHN M

AI summary

A modular tray system for counting and/or storing ammunition components is described. Embodiments of the modular tray system can include, but are not limited to, a base tray, one or more spacers, one or more adapter trays, and a cover. The one or more spacers and the one or more adapter trays can each be configured to operate in combination with the base tray. The cover can be configured to be placed over outer edges of the base tray.