Shell retaining assembly

Abstract

A system for retaining a shell casing for trimming or other desired operations. A cutting station is coupled to an end plate by a frame. The cutting station is provided with a rotational driver coupled to a cutting tool. Multiple supports are secured between the cutting station and the end plate. The carriage assembly rides along the supports. The carriage assembly is provided with a shell holder and a case lock to secure a shell casing to the carriage. The carriage is slid along the supports into engagement with the cutting tool of the cutting station. A stop is releasably secured to the supports to prevent the carriage assembly from moving beyond the distance required to cut the shell casing to the desired length.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ammunition manufacturing assembly comprising:
 (a) a cutting station comprising:
 (i) a cutting tool having a cutting edge; 
 (ii) a rotational driver drivably coupled to the cutting tool; 
   (b) a frame coupled to the cutting station;   (c) an end plate coupled to the frame;   (d) a first support coupled between the cutting station and the end plate;   (e) a second support coupled between the cutting station and the end plate;   (f) a carriage slidably supported on the first support and on the second support;   (g) a shell holder removably coupled to the carriage;   (h) a case lock provided on the carriage; and   (i) a stop slidably coupled to the first support.   
     
     
         2 . The ammunition manufacturing assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (a) a third support coupled between the cutting station and the end plate; and   (b) wherein the carriage is slidably supported on the third support.   
     
     
         3 . The ammunition manufacturing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the case lock is an over-center lock. 
     
     
         4 . The ammunition manufacturing assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a handle coupled to the over-center lock. 
     
     
         5 . The ammunition manufacturing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the case lock comprises a threaded base. 
     
     
         6 . The ammunition manufacturing assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first support, the second support, and the third support are shafts. 
     
     
         7 . The ammunition manufacturing assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first support, the second support, and the third support are cylindrical. 
     
     
         8 . The ammunition manufacturing assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a lock plate removably coupling the shell holder to the carriage. 
     
     
         9 . The ammunition manufacturing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the stop is slidably coupled to the second support. 
     
     
         10 . The ammunition manufacturing assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a stop lock coupled to the stop. 
     
     
         11 . An ammunition manufacturing assembly comprising:
 (a) a cutting station comprising:
 (i) a cutting tool having a cutting edge; 
 (ii) a rotational driver drivably coupled to the cutting tool; 
   (b) a base coupled to the cutting station;   (c) an end plate coupled to the base;   (d) a first support coupled between the cutting station and the end plate;   (e) a second support coupled between the cutting station and the end plate;   (f) a third support coupled between the cutting station and the end plate;   (g) a carriage slidably supported on the first support, the second support, and the third support;   (h) a shell holder removably coupled to the carriage;   (i) a case lock provided on the carriage; and   (j) a stop slidably coupled to the first support.   
     
     
         12 . The ammunition manufacturing assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a handle coupled to the case lock. 
     
     
         13 . The ammunition manufacturing assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the case lock comprises a threaded base. 
     
     
         14 . The ammunition manufacturing assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first support, the second support and the third support are shafts. 
     
     
         15 . The ammunition manufacturing assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first support, the second support, and the third support are cylindrical. 
     
     
         16 . The ammunition manufacturing assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a lock plate removably coupling the shell holder to the carriage. 
     
     
         17 . A case trimming assembly comprising:
 (a) a case trimming station comprising:
 (i) a cutting tool having a cutting edge; 
 (ii) a rotational driver drivably coupled to the cutting tool; 
   (b) an end plate;   (d) a first support coupled between the case trimming station and the end plate;   (e) a second support coupled between the case trimming station and the end plate;   (f) a third support coupled between the case trimming station and the end plate; and   (g) a carriage slidably supported on the first support, the second support, and the third support;   (h) a shell holder removably coupled to the carriage;   (i) an over-center lock provided on the carriage; and   (j) a stop slidably coupled to the first support.   
     
     
         18 . The case trimming assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the first support, the second support, and the third support are cylindrical. 
     
     
         19 . The case trimming assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising a base coupling the case trimming station to the end plate. 
     
     
         20 . The case trimming assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the stop is slidably coupled to the second support.