Device

Abstract

A device for holding cartridge cases comprises a base 8 and a clamping plate 10 arranged to releasably clamp a cartridge case 30 therebetween. The clamping plate 10 is biased towards the base 8 by a b

Description

In this invention there is provided a mechanism for holding and orienting ammunition cartridge cases for the purpose of performing certain processes involved in the preparation and reloading of the cartridge. In one embodiment the mechanism may consist of an assembly of components which perform the following functions. A supporting arm is provided to which all other parts of the mechanism may be attached, and which in turn may provide a means of attaching the clamping mechanism to equipment used to perform various steps of the reloading process. A base part is provided which may feature a flat surface on which a cartridge case may be seated, and against which it may be clamped. The base part may also include a second surface angled downwards relative to the first surface, so creating a ledge. This base part function might be performed by an element of the supporting arm itself, or a separate component seated on and secured to the supporting arm. A clamping part is provided to which a clamping force may be applied by the mechanism. This clamping force may act to cause the base and clamping parts to be forced together. The clamping part may have a cut-out or opening on one side designed to fit into a groove present at the base of a cartridge case such that the clamping part sits on the rim of the case, allowing it to clamp it against the first surface of the base part. This cut-out may be so designed such that opening allows a cartridge case to be inserted into the cut-out in the clamping part from that side. The clamping part may be oriented relative to the base part such that the cut-out in the clamping part is on the same side of the supporting arm as the second surface on the base part. In this way the angle of this same second surface presents a ramp, causing the clamping part to be moved away from the base part by insertion of cartridge case sufficiently for the case's rim to fit between the base and clamping parts. If the base part is provided as a separate component to the supporting arm both it and the clamping part may be assembled with the supporting arm alternatively to suit either insertion of a cartridge case from one side of the arm or the other, for example either from the left- or right-hand side. The cut-out in the clamping part may be designed and positioned relative to the base part such that a cartridge case inserted into the cut-out is positioned with less than half the case's base circumference being supported by the first surface of the base part, whilst more than half of its rim circumference is clamped by the opposing face of the clamping part. By this means the clamped cartridge case is held securely and rigidly aligned to the first surface of the base part. The clamping part may be made available in a range of variants suitable to fit different cartridge case sizes and types. One or more sliding parts are provided which may be used to guide and constrain movement of the clamping part relative to the base part, as well as to connect the clamping part to a mechanism providing the clamping force. The clamping force may be provided using a compression spring, acting for example between the underside of the base part and a spring plate positioned below it and connected to the clamping part via the sliding part or parts. A clamp release part may also be connected to the spring plate to provide a means of releasing a clamped cartridge case by applying force in the opposite direction to the clamping force, and causing the clamping part to move away from the base part. With the clamping part raised the inserted cartridge case is no longer held against the first surface of the base part. Its position relative to the ledge created by the second surface causes the case's centre of gravity to be placed beyond the extent of the supporting first surface, with the result that with the clamping force removed it is released from the mechanism and topples outwards. The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is a schematic of components of the main assembly of the device in one embodiment; Figure 2 is a representation of the main assembly and an attachment in the same embodiment; Figure 3 is a representation of the top detail of one of the attachments; Figure 4 is a representation of the underside of the same attachment; Figure 5 is a schematic showing the insertion of a cartridge case into the device; Figure 6 is a representation of a means of releasing the clamping mechanism. Figure 1 shows the components of the main assembly in one embodiment of the invention. A supporting arm (1) houses a compression spring (2) and pressure plate (3). A release plunger (4) passes through a channel in the supporting arm, the pressure plate and the compression spring. The plunger is secured to the pressure plate by means of a screw-thread but free to slide within the channel in the arm. The compression spring acts between the pressure plate and an opposing face on the supporting arm, causing the plate and plunger to be forced downwards as shown, away from the top face of the arm (5). Two pull-rods (6) pass through other channels in the top of the supporting arm (1) and are also connected to the pressure plate (3) by screw-threads. The pull rods are further secured using two locking nuts (7). A base part (8) is seated on the top face of the supporting arm and secured to the arm by means of two screws (9). Figure 2 shows a means of attachment of a clamping plate (10) to the supporting-arm assembly (11). The clamping plate is connected to the upper ends of the two pull-rods (12), which pass through the base part (8), and secured to the pull=rods by means of two screws (13). The base part (8) and clamping plate (10) are drawn together by the clamping force applied by the pressure plate (3) via the pull-rods (6). The base part (8) features a sloping surface creating an edge near the centreline of its top face. This slope is positioned such that when a cartridge case is inserted between the base part and clamping plate (10) less than half of the case's base is supported by the base part. Figures 3 &4 show details of am embodiment of the clamping plate (10). The clamping plate is designed to fit a specific cartridge case type, and features a cut-out on one side (20) which is sized to fit into the groove around the base of the cartridge case. Around this cut-out a pocket is formed on the underside of the clamping plate, which provides the clamping face (25) acting against the opposing rim of the inserted cartridge case. The size and form of the cut-out (20) allows the clamping face (25) to extend over more than half of the circumference of the rim of a cartridge case inserted into the device. This helps ensure the case remains perpendicular to the base part of the device when clamped. The supporting surface of the base part (8) and the clamping face (25) of the clamping part both act on the same side of the cartridge case rim. Figure 5 shows a means by which a cartridge case (30) may be inserted into the device. The case is inserted into the opening (20) in the side of the clamping plate, and as it contacts the sloped face (14) of the base part the rim (31) is forced against the underside of the pocket in the clamping plate, causing it to move away from the base part and allow the rim to be inserted between the two parts. At this point the case is held securely by the clamping force applied by the clamping plate. Figure 6 shows a means by which a cartridge case may be removed from the device. The release plunger (40) is pushed upwards, in opposition to the clamping force, and the connected clamping plate (10) is caused to move away from the base part (8). Due to the position of the sloped surface (14) of the base part, with the clamping pressure removed from its rim the cartridge case is no longer adequately supported and is allowed to fall out of the device.

Claims

1. A device for holding cartridge cases, consisting of an assembly including a first part (Base Part) and an opposing second part (Clamping Part).

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein a clamping force is applied to the Clamping Part acting in the direction of the Base Part for the purpose of clamping the rim of a cartridge case inserted into the device.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the Base Part includes a surface against which the cartridge case base is clamped by the Clamping Part, causing the case to remain perpendicular to said surface of the Base Part.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the Base Part includes a second surface, angled downwards relative to the first surface with a straight edge occurring between the two faces at their convergence.

5. A device according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the Clamping Part has an opening which is so designed as to fit around the groove directly above the cartridge case rim, whilst being smaller than the outside diameter of the case rim such that the surface of the Clamping Part surrounding said opening can apply the clamping force against the rim of the cartridge case.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein said surface around the opening in the Clamping Part surrounds and acts upon points on the cartridge case rim around more than half of its circumference.

7. A device according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the opening is so designed as to allow a cartridge case to be inserted into the clamping mechanism via the opening in a direction parallel with the plane of the clamping surfaces.

8. A device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 wherein insertion of a cartridge case into the mechanism causes the rim of the case to act against the clamping face of the Clamping Part and the angled second face on the Base part causing the Clamping part to be moved away from the Base Part sufficiently for the case rim to be inserted between the clamping faces.

9. A device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 wherein the clamping force may be removed by moving the Clamping Part away from the cartridge case rim.

10. A device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 wherein the cartridge case is only partially supported by the Base Part such that when the clamping force is removed the case can overbalance causing it to fall out of the holding device.

11. A device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 wherein the cartridge case is positioned on the edge between the first and second surfaces of the Base Part such that the portion of the case supported by the first surface is described by less than half of the case's base circumference.

12. A device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10 or 11 wherein the opening in the Clamping Part is so designed as to present no features or surfaces which would obstruct the path of a falling cartridge case on being released from the clamping mechanism.

13. A device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 wherein the cartridge case may be released by a human operator applying force to the Clamping Part, or to another connected part, in opposition to the clamping force.

14. A device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11 or 12 wherein the cartridge case may be released by another, external part or surface, such as a workbench, being caused to act against the Clamping Part, or to another connected part, in opposition to the clamping force.

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein the external part or surface might be caused to act upon the Clamping Part, or to another connected part, via a sprung element capable of applying force in excess of the clamping force.

16. A device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11,12, 13, 14 or 15 wherein the clamping force is applied using a spring.

17. A device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11,12, 13, 14 or 15 wherein the clamping force is applied using other means, such as electro-mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic or weight-driven mechanisms.IntellectualPropertyOfficeApplication GB2402712.0Search report under Section 17 of the Patents Act 1977Date search completed: 08 October 2025Claims searched: 1 &2 at leastInternational classificationSubclass and subgroup Valid from F42B33 / 10 01 / 01 / 2006Field of searchWorldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC:F42BDatabases used in the preparation of this search report:SEARCH-NPL; SEARCH-PATENTDocuments considered to be relevantPatent literatureCategory Relevant claims Document of relevance X 1-3, 5-7, 9, 10, 12-14 & 17 US 3319511 A MCLEAN, See whole document, note especially figures 1 &3. X 1-3, 5-7, 9, 10, 12 14, 16 &17 US 3818563 A BEAULIEU, See whole document, note especially figures 1-3.Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk / ipoX 1,2, 5, 7-10, 12-14, & 16 US 3896699 A CERRO, See whole document, note especially figures 1-6. X 1-7, 9, 12-14 &17 US 3157407 A AULABAUGH, See whole document, note especially figures 2-8. X 1-3, 5-7, 9, 13, 14 & 16 US 5497539 A BLODGETT, See whole document, note especially figures 3-6.Non-patent literatureCategory Relevant claims Document of relevanceCategories Letter or symbol Description X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step, if combined with another document of the same category. & Member of the same patent family. A Document indicating technological background. P Document published on or after the priority date but before the fling date of the present application. E Earlier application published on or after the filing date of the present application.

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