Gun powder agitator device

Abstract

A gun powder agitator device includes an elongated shaft having a top end, a bottom end opposite the top end, and a vertical axis extending through a length of the elongated shaft; means for agitating gun powder, said means being disposed about the elongated shaft; a grip coupled to the top end, wherein the grip is configured for causing the elongated shaft to rotate about the vertical axis; and a cap disposed between the top end and the bottom end, wherein the cap is configured for coupling to a top portion of a powder measure. The means for agitating gun powder may include a paddle member projecting outward from the elongated shaft, a helically-shaped auger disposed about the elongates shaft, or a wire disposed about the elongated shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gun powder agitator device, comprising:
 an elongated shaft including a top end, a bottom end opposite the top end, and a vertical axis extending through a length of the elongated shaft;   means for agitating gun powder, said means being disposed about the elongated shaft;   a grip coupled to the top end, wherein the grip is configured for causing the elongated shaft to rotate about the vertical axis; and   a cap disposed between the top end and the bottom end, wherein the cap is configured for coupling to a top portion of a powder measure hopper.   
     
     
         2 . The gun powder agitator device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for agitating gun powder includes at least one paddle member projecting outward from the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The gun powder agitator device of  claim 2 , wherein the paddle member includes an aperture through which a quantity of gun powder may pass when the elongated shaft is rotated about the vertical axis. 
     
     
         4 . The gun powder agitator device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for agitating gun powder includes at least one wire. 
     
     
         5 . The gun powder agitator device of  claim 4 , wherein the wire is helically disposed about the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The gun powder agitator device of  claim 5 , wherein a radial distance to which the wire extends from the elongated shaft decreases from the top end to the bottom end. 
     
     
         7 . The gun powder agitator device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for agitating gun powder includes a helically-shaped auger. 
     
     
         8 . The gun powder agitator device of  claim 1 , wherein the grip is operatively associated with a crank arm. 
     
     
         9 . A method for agitating gun powder within a powder measure hopper, comprising:
 transferring a quantity of gun powder to a powder measure hopper;   positioning at least a portion of an elongated shaft of a gun powder agitator device within the powder measure hopper, the gun powder agitator device comprising the elongated shaft, means for agitating gun powder, said means being disposed about the elongated shaft, a grip coupled to a top end of the elongated shaft, and a cap disposed between the top end and a bottom end of the elongated shaft;   coupling the cap to a top portion of the powder measure hopper; and   altering the grip so as to cause the elongated shaft to rotate about a vertical axis extending through a length of the elongated shaft resulting in displacement of at least a portion of the quantity of gun powder via contact between the quantity of gun powder and the means for agitating gun powder.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the means for agitating gun powder includes at least one paddle member projecting outward from the elongated shaft which passes through the quantity of gun powder as the elongated shaft rotates about the vertical axis. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the means for agitating gun powder includes at least one wire which passes through the quantity of gun powder as the elongated shaft rotates about the vertical axis. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the means for agitating gun powder includes a helically-shaped auger which passes through the quantity of gun powder as the elongated shaft rotates about the vertical axis.