Hand-Operated Rifle Press Crimping Force Indicator

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of finding the optimal load for a rifle cartridge that provides desired characteristics and precision is tedious and time-consuming, requiring multiple combinations of primers, bullets, and powders, and the degree of crimping significantly affects the precision of fired cartridges.

Innovation Solution

A hand-operated press with indicating means, such as a torque wrench or load cell, to consistently apply the same force for crimping, allowing operators to reproduce the same degree of crimping in identical cartridges, ensuring precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual force is applied through the drive mechanism to crimp the cartridge end against the bullet, then the cartridge can be crimped into engagement with the bullet, but the degree of crimping varies and cannot be reproduced consistently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrimping consistencyVSAvoidmanual force control

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by incorporating indicating means (torque wrench or load cell with digital display) that provides real-time visual feedback to the operator about the force being applied during crimping. This allows the operator to adjust their manual force to achieve a target crimping force, ensuring consistent reproduction of the same degree of crimping across multiple cartridges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical manual force application system with an instrumented system that uses torque wrenches or load cells to measure and indicate the actual force being applied. This substitution transforms the crimping process from relying on operator skill and feel to relying on measurable, indicated force values.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If multiple combinations of primers, bullets, and powders are tested to find the optimal load, then the desired precision can be achieved, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshot precisionVSAvoidload development time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by enabling precise control and reproduction of the crimping force parameter. By allowing operators to consistently apply the same crimping force (a critical parameter affecting cartridge performance), the system reduces variability in shot precision that would otherwise require extensive testing of different load combinations to compensate for.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If indicating means such as torque wrench or load cell is added to the press, then consistent crimping force can be applied, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrimping force consistencyVSAvoidpress structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses intermediary devices (torque wrench or load cell) that interface between the operator's manual force application and the crimping action. These intermediaries measure and indicate the force being applied without fundamentally altering the manual operation mechanism, thus adding measurement capability while maintaining relative simplicity of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables consistent crimping of cartridges, improving the precision of rifle shots by allowing precise control over the crimping force, reducing the time and effort required to find optimal load combinations.

Implementation Method 1

indicating means for providing for an operator of the press discrete indications of different forces that can be manually applied through the drive mechanism during use of the press to crimp the second end of a cartridge against a bullet in the cartridge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce measurement: Force

Data Source

PatentUS8904913B2Hand operated rifle cartridge loading press affording a repeatable degree of crimping

Publication Date: 2014.12.09 DUNEMAN SCOTT A

AI summary

A hand operated press for reloading metal rifle cartridges including indicating means for providing for an operator of the press discrete indications of the different forces that can be manually applied through the drive mechanism during use of the press to crimp the second end of a cartridge against a bullet in the cartridge to allow the operator to use one of those indications to manually apply the same force to form essentially the same degree of crimp of the second ends of identical cartridges against identical bullets in the cartridges.