Shell case length limit alarm

In a reloading machine configured to reload shell cases of a preselected caliber, an apparatus for checking the length of a shell case of said preselected caliber against a length specification for such preselected caliber, comprising:

• a tool platform;
• a housing connected to said tool platform and defining a substantially vertical bore with open lower end arranged for receiving a shell case from below the tool platform, wherein said vertical bore is sized to axially receive a shell case of said preselected caliber with sidewall clearance;
• a sleeve slidably mounted in the vertical bore for axial movement between a repose height and an elevated height with respect to the tool platform, wherein said sleeve is sized to abut a top end of a shell case of the preselected caliber axially entering the vertical bore with leading open end, whereby the shell case can axially elevate the sleeve with respect to the tool platform;
• an elevator device positioned below the tool platform, carrying a shell case of the preselected caliber with open end facing the lower end of the sleeve and in axial alignment with the sleeve, movable between a distant position to a nearer position of predetermined distance from the tool platform, wherein with respect to said repose height of the sleeve, said predetermined distance is such that a shell case of length exceeding said specification will elevate the sleeve at least by the excess length;
• a detection device arranged to sense the elevation of the sleeve and to send an output signal in response to sensing a predetermined elevation;
• an alarm connected to said detection device to receive said output signal and to produce an alarm signal in response to the output signal.

A reloading machine configured to reload shell cases of a size having a predetermined maximum length specification and to identifies shell cases of a length exceeding said specification, comprising:

• a tool platform carrying a reloading tool formed of at least a first tool subassembly that is substantially stationary with respect to said tool platform and a second tool subassembly that is vertically raisable with respect to the tool platform from a repose height of predetermined distance above the tool platform;
• means located below the tool platform for carrying a shell case with open end facing up in a position substantially vertically aligned with said second tool subassembly;
• means for reciprocating said shell case carrier means between a distant position and a near position to the tool platform, wherein said near position is no greater than the predetermined length specification from the second tool subassembly at repose height, whereby a shell case of greater length than the predetermined length specification will vertically raise the second tool subassembly;
• means for detecting vertical raising of the second tool subassembly and emitting an output signal in response;
• and
• means for emitting an alarm in response to said output signal;
• whereby the reloading machine detects shell cases of length in excess of the predetermined maximum length specification and identifies such cases by issuing an alarm.