Patent Abstract:
A ram with a multi-axis, multi-directional “self-centering shell holder” having predetermined spacing with respect to its engagement with the shell holder so that the shell holder supporting the cartridge case has the ability to deviate from the ram centerline in any direction to re-align with a centerline of the die bore is provided. The present invention also provides a retaining clip with push down tab allowing for quick insertion and removal of the self-aligning shell holder from the ram top.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Background of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to reloading presses for previously fired firearm cartridges, and in particular, to a self-adjusting shell holder for adjusting a die and case alignment on metallic firearm cartridge reloading presses. 
     Metallic reloading presses are used to reload metallic cartridges (straight walled or bottleneck cartridges typically made of malleable brass) commonly used in rifles and pistols. During firearm firing, a primer in the head or end of the cartridge is ignited detonating a mixture used to ignite the powder in the cartridge body. Ignition of the powder within the cartridge case increases the gas pressure within the cartridge case, causing the case to stretch and expand within the gun chamber, sealing the chamber. After firing, the used cartridge case is collected for reloading. Using various interchangeable dies, the reloading presses are used to reform and resize the cartridge case, de-cap the spent primer, re-seat the bullet in the cartridge case, and optionally crimp the metallic cartridge case for re-firing. 
     A sizing die is a particular die used to draw the cartridge case back to pre-firing shape and dimensions so it will fit within the gun chamber and hold the bullet securely. As the case enters the sizing die, the die squeezes the body down while shaping the shoulders of the case to provide a proper wall thickness and case diameter. As the case is withdrawn from the die, the neck passes over an expander ball, which expands the neck to provide the proper neck dimension when the bullet is seated at the mouth of the case. Often concurrent with sizing, a de-capping rod pushes out the spent primer from a primer pocket (located at the center of the end of a centerfire case) so that a new primer may be reseated in the case. After the cartridge cases are charged with powder, a seating die may be used to push or seat the bullet through the mouth of the case and into the neck of the case to achieve a proper overall cartridge length. A crimping die may be used during or after seating the die, with a combination seating/crimping die or a dedicated crimping die, to bend the mouth of the case inward to grip the bullet and provide additional hold between the case and the bullet. 
     The metallic reloading presses typically include a frame interchangeably receiving the various reloading dies. The dies include an inner cavity for receiving the previously fired cartridge cases therein for reforming, resizing and reseating. The frame also supports a ram, typically operated by a hand lever for holding the bottom of the metallic cartridge case so that the metallic cartridge case can be pushed into the die with a significant amount of force. The metallic cartridge case base is held by a shell holder, interchangeable for a particular case cartridge size, and attached to the ram so that the cartridge case may be brought into the inner cavity of the die along a ram centerline for proper reshaping, de-capping, reseating, and/or crimping. 
     Any imprecision in the operation of the reloading press affects the reforming of the cartridge and can adversely affect the accuracy of the resulting ammunition and prematurely degrade the cartridges. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present inventors have recognized that manufacturing tolerances in the press, dies, and shell holders inevitably cause the ram centerline to be slightly misaligned from a centerline of the die bore. The slight misalignment of the cartridge case as it is pressed into the die may be exacerbated over time as the press is repeatedly used. Due to the misalignment of the ram, shell holder, and/or cartridge case into the die, the cartridge case may enter the die at a slight angle, causing the reshaping, de-capping, reseating, and crimping features of the die to be affected. For example, misalignment may cause slight variations in neck wall thickness or misalignment of the seated bullet causing shooting accuracy to be affected. Misalignment may also affect the ability of the de-capping rod to enter the small primer pocket and de-cap the spent primer from the case. This misalignment may be along an arbitrary direction away from the centerline. 
     Accordingly, the present invention provides a ram with a multi-axis, multi-directional “self-centering shell holder” having predetermined spacing with respect to its engagement with the shell holder so that the shell holder supporting the cartridge case has the ability to deviate from the rain centerline in any direction to re-align with a centerline of the die bore. The present invention also provides a retaining clip with push down tab allowing for quick insertion and removal of the self-aligning shell holder from the ram top. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention may provide a shell reloading press providing a vertically extending frame having an upper arm portion for supporting die elements and a lower arm portion supporting an elongate cartridge case to be pressed into the die elements, the press having: a ram supported by the lower arm portion having an upwardly exposed coupling and movable in a vertical direction along a ram centerline between an extended position and a retracted position; a shell holder having a head portion, the head portion providing an inner groove adapted to receive a rim of the elongate cartridge case to prevent separation between the elongate cartridge case and the shell holder along the ram centerline and a downwardly exposed coupling releasably coupling the upwardly exposed coupling to prevent separation between the shell holder and ram along the ram centerline; where a space is provided between the downwardly exposed coupling and the upwardly exposed coupling allowing a shell holder centerline to deviate from the ram centerline in at least two orthogonal axis by at least 0.01 inches. The space may allow the shell holder centerline to deviate from the ram centerline radially in all directions. 
     It is thus a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to allow for positional readjustment of the cartridge case before entering the relatively fixed die mold. The readjustment is made by maneuvering the shell holder within the ram so that re-alignment may take place as the case cartridge is lifted into the die. 
     The upwardly exposed coupling may provide an inner bore. The downwardly exposed coupling may provide a neck portion extending downwardly from the head portion of the shell holder, the neck portion insertable into the inner bore of the ram. The neck portion may include an expanded portion passing through a corresponding T-slot where the expanded portion is retained within the T-slot along the ram centerline. The T-slot may be open at a side of the bore allowing the shell holder to slide perpendicular to the bore centerline such that the neck portion is received within the inner bore. 
     It is thus a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to allow the shell holder and ram top to be fixed in a vertical direction using side entry of the shell holder into the bore top. 
     A spring-biased member provides a stop surface coupled to the ram resisting removal of the shell holder from the ram without applied pressure to the spring-biased member. 
     It is thus a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to secure the self-adjusting shell holder within the ram top when space between the shell holder and ram top allow the shell holder to “float” within the top bore. It is also a feature to enclose the slide entry of the shell holder using a metal clip, which allows the shell holder to be installed and removed from the ram top using one hand flexing the clip and one hand installing the shell holder. 
     The spring-biased member may be an elastic form. 
     It is thus a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention that the spring-based member may be a flexible ring of material extending circumferentially around the ram top, such as an O-ring. 
     The spring-biased member may be a wire form. The wire form may provide first and second wire ends opposite shoulders and the first and second wire ends are received within first and second sockets in the ram so that shoulders of the wire form are depressed from the stop surface with flexure of the wire ends. The wire form may provide a handle portion projecting radially from the shoulders of the wire form to depress the shoulders when pressed. 
     It is thus a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to allow flexure of the wire clip to a downward position to expose the side opening of the ram top while rebounding back to a biased upward position to enclose the side opening of the ram top. The flexure of the wire clip may provide a “ramp” allowing the shell holder to easily slide into the ram bore. 
     The die elements may include a die supported by the upper arm portion and having a die bore adapted to removably receive the elongate cartridge case when the ram is in the extended position. 
     It is thus a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention that the press is used in connection with die elements allowing the cartridge case to be lifted into or pressed into the die. 
     The ram may be movable along the ram centerline between the extended position and the retracted position by a lever arm coupled to the ram by a bolt permitting fixed rotational positioning of the lever arm. 
     It is thus a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to allow a left-handed or right-handed orientation of a lever arm to be rotated for desired use. 
     There may be lateral wings extending from the frame and containing openings adapted to hold one more interchangeable dies. 
     It is thus a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide convenient holders for various press equipment and interchangeable elements. 
     A deflector plate positioned to receive a lower end of the inner bore of the ram and angled downwardly and rearwardly toward a rear of the frame. 
     It is thus a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide capture of the spent primers after the de-capping operation. 
     The present invention may also provide a method of operating a shell reloading press providing a vertically extending frame having an upper arm portion for supporting die elements and a lower arm portion supporting an elongate cartridge case to be pressed into the die elements, the press having a ram supported by the lower arm portion having an upwardly exposed coupling and movable in a vertical direction along a ram centerline between an extended position and a retracted position; and a shell holder having a head portion, the head portion providing an inner groove adapted to receive a rim of the elongate cartridge case to prevent separation between the elongate cartridge case and the shell holder along the ram centerline and a downwardly exposed coupling releasably coupling the first upwardly exposed coupling to prevent separation between the shell holder and ram along the ram centerline, the method including the steps of: moving the spring-biased member to a down state; inserting the neck portion of the shell holder into the inner bore of the ram; inserting the rim of the elongate cartridge case into the inner grove of the head portion of the shell holder; moving the ram to an extended position; and self-adjusting the alignment of the shell holder and cartridge case so that the shell holder centerline may deviate up to or at least 0.01 inches from the ram centerline. 
     These particular objects and advantages may apply to only some embodiments falling within the claims and thus do not define the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cartridge reloading press of the present invention illustrating a frame supporting a lever arm movable downwardly to drive a ram upward toward a die; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a top of the ram of  FIG. 1  coupled to the frame and supporting a retaining clip biased in an upward position to prevent insertion of a shell holder until pressed down and securing the shell holder until pressed down again; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the top of the ram of  FIG. 2  showing the retaining clip having shoulders depressed downward to allow insertion of the shell holder into the ram top; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the top of the ram with the shell holder inserted within the ram top and a radial space provided around a neck of the shell holder allowing radial adjustment of the shell holder within the ram top; 
         FIG. 5  is a side cross sectional view of the shell holder inserted within the ram top; and 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of the cartridge reloading press of  FIG. 1  showing a lower end of the ram received by a deflector plate deflecting spent primer into a collection tray. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a cartridge reloading press  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention may provide a press frame  12  defined by an upper C-shaped frame  14  supported below by a lower table support base  16 . The C-shaped frame  14  has a top plate  20  extending parallel to and mounted opposite a bottom plate  21  along a centerline axis  18  and supported in separation by a pair of vertically extending support beams  23 ,  25  parallel to the centerline axis  18  and connecting corresponding left  28  and right  31  sides of the top plate  20  and bottom plate  21  near a rear  33  of the reloading press  10 . In this way, the edges  35  of the top plate  20  and bottom plate  21  form a C-shape when viewed from a left side  28  providing a gap  37  therebetween free from vertically extending obstruction. 
     In one embodiment, the top plate  20  has a depth of approximately 0.5 to 1.5 inches or 1 inch along the centerline axis  18 , a length of approximately 3 to 4 inches or 3.8 inches measured from front  36  to rear  33 , and a width of approximately 4 to 5 inches or 4.5 inches measured from left  28  to right  31 . The top plate  20  may have rounded cut edges  35  at a front-left  22  and front-right  24  corners to provide a smooth front edge  35 . 
     The bottom plate  21  substantially mirrors the top plate  20  but having a lengthened posterior section  41  providing an elongated base. In one embodiment, the bottom plate  21  has a depth of approximately 0.5 to 1.5 inches or 0.75 inches along the centerline axis  18 , a length of approximately 5 to 6 inches or 5.4 inches measured from front  36  to rear  33 , and a width of approximately 4 to 5 inches or 4.5 inches measured from left  28  to right  31 . The bottom plate  21  may also have rounded cut edges  35  at a front-left  27  and front-right  29  corner of the bottom plate  21  to provide a smooth front edge  35 . 
     The top plate  20  and bottom plate  21  are separated by a pair of vertical beams  23 ,  25  extending between left  28  and right  31  sides of the top plate  20  and bottom plate  21 . The left vertical beam  23  extends downwardly from a rear-left corner  39  of the top plate  20  and is attached to the bottom plate  21  at a left side  28  centered between the front  36  and rear  33 . A right vertical beam  25  extends downwardly from a rear-right corner  43  of the top plate  20  and is attached to the bottom plate  21  at a right side  31  of the bottom plate  21  centered between the front  36  and rear  33 . 
     The vertical beams  23 ,  25  have C-shaped cross-sections (taken perpendicular to the centerline axis  18 ) with the channels  42  opening outward to the left  28  and right  31 . The channel  42  openings of the beams  23 ,  25  provide a grip for a user&#39;s hand. 
     A front portion  44  of the top plate  20  extends anterior to the vertical beams  23 ,  25  and corresponds with a front portion  46  of the bottom plate  21  also extending anterior to the vertical beams  23 ,  25  to form the upper and lower arms of the C-shaped frame  14 , respectively, and defining the gap  37  free from both horizontal extension obstruction and vertical extension obstruction between the plates  20 ,  21 , and interference from the vertical beams  23 ,  25 . 
     The top plate  20  and bottom plate  21  support a die  32  and ram  70 , respectively, which are generally aligned along the centerline axis  18  and driven toward each other during operation of the reloading press  10 . 
     The top plate  20  supports a vertically extending die  32  aligned with the centerline axis  18 . In one embodiment, the die  32  may be cylindrical to fit in sliding relation through a corresponding cylindrical bore  30  through the top plate  20 . The bore  30  may accept any die using ⅞ of an inch diameter with  14  threads per inch. The bore  30  may be centered between left  28  and right  31  sides of the top plate  20 . An upper rim of the die-receiving bore  30  may include an upwardly raised flange  88 . An inner surface of the bore  30  may have internal threads  91  that correspond with external threads  92  of the die  32  to allow the cylindrical die  32  to slide within the bore  30  and be fixed in vertical relation with respect to the bore  30  by the interlocking of the threads  91 ,  92 . 
     In one embodiment, the die  32  may be an elongated cylinder having an inner cavity  40  for receiving a previously fired cartridge case  100  therein. The die  32  may contain a lock ring  38  extending circumferentially around the die  32  and tightened around the threads  92  to prevent further extension of the die  32  into or out of the die-receiving bore  30 . Certain additional features may be found in particular dies  32 , such as a de-capping rod  104  formed within a center of the inner cavity  40  and extending out from the bottom of the die  32  for removing a spent primer of the previously fired cartridge case  100 . 
     In use, the die  32  may be inserted along the centerline axis  18  into the die-receiving bore  30  by twisting or turning the die  32  along the centerline axis  18  to advance or retract the inter-engaging threads  91 ,  92  of the die  32  and bore  30 . 
     The bottom plate  21  supports a vertically extending ram  70  aligned with the centerline axis  18  and thus with the die  32  held by the upper plate  20 . The ram  70  may be moved vertically along the centerline axis  18  by means of a hand lever  48  that will be described below between an extended and retracted state. 
     In one embodiment, the ram  70  may be cylindrical to fit in sliding relation through a corresponding cylindrical bore  62  through the bottom plate  21 . The bore  62  may be centered between the left  28  and right  31  sides of the bottom plate  21 . An inner surface of the ram-receiving bore  62  may be smooth and an inner diameter of the ram-receiving bore  62  may be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the ram  70  to provide clearance allowing the ram  70  to slide within the ram-receiving bore  62  along the centerline axis  18 . 
     In one embodiment, the ram  70  may be an elongated cylindrical shaft having an inner channel  90  running along the cylinder&#39;s length. A length of the ram  70  generally corresponds to a distance between the bottom plate  21  and the top plate  20  of the C-shaped frame  14  and a length necessary to lift a top  74  of the ram  70  to the die  32 . The ram  70  may be approximately 6 to 10 inches or 8.4 inches long and may have an approximately 1 inch diameter. 
     In use, the ram  70  is installed within the bore  62  of the bottom plate  21  such that the ram top  74  is exposed to at a top surface  64  of bottom plate  21  and a ram bottom, opposite the ram top  74 , is coupled to a lifting mechanism  78  that will be described below lifting the entire ram  70  along the centerline axis  18  in the extended state. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-5 , the generally cylindrical ram top  74  provides a coupling mechanism having a first coupling element  50  for attachment to a second coupling portion  52  of a shell holder  72  providing a floating coupling between the shell holder  72  and the ram top  74 . 
     The first coupling element  50  provides a blind slot  56  extending diametrically across the axis  19  of the ram top  74  perpendicular to the centerline axis  18 . This blind slot  56  starts at a first side opening  58  and extends to a location just short of an opposed vertical wall  54  of the ram top  74 . A width  94  of the blind slot  56  perpendicular to its extension along the diameter and hence perpendicular to the centerline  18  is less than the outside diameter  96  of the ram top  74  to provide left and right blind slot side walls  82 ,  84  separated by a space distance  94 . The upper extent of the slot  56  is positioned approximately ⅛ of an inch below an upper face  66  of the ram top  74  and the height of the slot  56  measured along the centerline  18  may be approximately ⅛ inch. 
     An access slot  164  is formed at the upper face  66  of the ram top  74  above and parallel to the blind slot  56 . The access slot  164  also extends diametrically across the axis  19  of the ram top  74  perpendicular to the centerline axis  18  and starts at the first side opening  58  and extends to a location just short of the opposed vertical wall  54  of the ram top  74 . However, the extension of the access slot  164  along the diameter is less than the extension of the blind slot  56 . A width  98  of the access slot  164  perpendicular to its extension along the diameter and perpendicular to the centerline  18  is less than the width  94  of the blind slot  56  to provide left and right access slot side walls  86 ,  87  separated by a smaller space distance. The upper extent of the slot  56  extents through the upper face  66  of the ram top  74  and the height of the slot  56  measured along the centerline  18  may be approximately ⅛ inch. 
     The access slot  164  is smaller in width than the blind slot  56  so that the left and right access slot side walls  86 ,  87  of the access slot  164  extend over the left and right blind slot side walls  82 ,  84  of the blind slot  56  to provide left and right stop undersurfaces  99  at the front ends of the left and right access slot side walls  86 ,  87  restricting upward vertical extension along the front ends of the left and right blind slot side walls  82 ,  84 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , the second coupling portion  52  of the shell holder  72  is coupled to the first coupling element  50  of the ram top  74 , and a receiving slot  181  of the shell holder  72  is coupled to the cartridge case  100  providing a fixed coupling as the case  100  is pressed into the die  32 . Referring specifically to  FIG. 5 , the blind slot  56  and access slot  164  of the ram top  74  work together to define a “T-slot” allowing a corresponding T-slide of the second coupling portion  52  of the shell holder  72  to slide into the T-slot of the ram top  74  and prevent upward vertical movement of the shell holder  72  with respect to the ram top  74 . 
     The shell holder  72  has a broad head  172  supported below by a narrowed cylindrical neck  174  extending downwardly from the head  172 . The head  172  is defined by a cylinder having a receiving slot  181  extending diametrically across the axis  19  of the head  172  perpendicular to the centerline axis  18 . The receiving slot  181  starts at a first side opening  182  and extends to a location just short of an opposed vertical wall  186  of the head  172 . A width of the receiving slot  181  perpendicular to its extension along the diameter and hence perpendicular to the centerline  18  is less than the outside diameter of the head  172  to provide left and right retaining slot side walls  192 ,  194  separated by a space distance. The upper extent of the receiving slot  181  is positioned approximately 1/16 of an inch below an upper face  195  of the head  172  and the height of the receiving slot  181  measured along the centerline  18  may be approximately 1/16 inch. 
     An inner surface of the receiving slot  181  may contain a groove  197  corresponding to a rim  199  formed below an extraction groove cut around the circumference of the cartridge case  100  for receiving and interlocking with the cartridge case  100 . In use, the cartridge case  100  is slid within the first side opening  182  of the receiving slot  181  so that the groove  197  and the rim  199  interlock, preventing vertical separation between the shell holder  72  and the cartridge case  100 . 
     The head  172  of the shell holder  72  has a width  94  corresponding with the width of the blind slot  56  that is larger than the access slot  164  preventing the head  172  from entering the access slot  164 . The neck  174  provides a narrow cylinder extending downward from the head  172  and having a width  95  extending diametrically across the neck  174  that is less than the access slot  164  thus allowing the neck  174  to fit within the access slot  164  through first side opening  58 . In one embodiment, the neck  174  has a width  95  that is 0.01 to 0.03 inches or approximately 0.02 inches smaller than the width  98  of the access slot  164  allowing the centered neck  174  to move radially 0.005 to 0.015 inches or approximately at least 0.01 inches in all radial directions. In certain embodiments, the neck  174  may have a width that is up to or at least 0.02 inches, 0.03 inches, or 0.04 inches smaller than the width  98  of the access slot  164  and/or may allow the centered neck  174  to move up to or at least 0.01 inches, 0.015 inches, or 0.02 inches in all radial directions. A space  188  provided around the neck  174  allows for movement of the neck  174  along at least two orthogonal axes and in any direction from the centerline axis  18 . 
     The neck  174  has a passage  175  extending along a length of the neck  174 . A length of the neck  174  extending along the centerline axis  18  may measure 0.125 inches and slightly longer than the height of the access slot  164  allowing the neck  174  to fit within the access slot  164 . 
     A lower end of the neck  174  contains a retaining flange  180  defined by a projecting collar extending around a bottom end of the neck  174 . The retaining flange  180  has a width that is slightly larger than the width  98  of the access slot  164  preventing the retaining flange  180  from passing through the access slot  164 . The width  95  of the retaining flange  180  is less than the width  94  of the blind slot  56  allowing the retaining flange  180  to fit within the blind slot  56  retaining the connection between the shell holder  72  and the ram top  74  as in a T-slot configuration. 
     In use, the second coupling portion  52  of the shell holder  72  is coupled to the first coupling element  50  of the ram top  74  by sliding the neck  174  of the shell holder  72  into the first side opening  58  of the access slot  164  allowing the neck  174  to sit within the access slot  184  while the retaining flange  180  of the shell holder  72  sits within the blind slot  56 . The head  172  of the shell holder  72  remains above the upper face  66  of the ram top  74 , sitting parallel to and resting on top of the ram top  74 . The positioning of the shell holder  72  may deviate from the centerline axis  18  in all directions to align the shell holder  72  with respect to the die  32 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , a retaining clip  200  may extend circumferentially around the ram top  74  along the outside surface of the left  82  and right  84  blind slot walls. The retaining clip  200  provides a substantially circular form having a rear opening defined by a pair of separated, opposed wire ends  202  canted radially outward from and perpendicular to the centerline axis  18  and inserted within similarly canted retaining holes  204  of the ram top  74 . The wire ends  202  may form an acute angle and may have a space distance between ends of approximately 0.26 inches. 
     The retaining holes  204  extend through the left  82  and right  84  blind slot walls opposite the first side opening  58 . The retaining holes  204  are positioned at a top of the left  82  and right  84  blind slot walls, just below the left  86  and right  87  access slot walls so that the retaining clip  200  abuts the upper stop undersurfaces  99  of the left  86  and right  87  access slot walls. The retaining holes  204  have a depth of approximately 0.26 inches extending through the blind slot walls allowing flexure of the wire ends  202  to deflect the retaining clip  200  to an upwardly biased position abutting the stop undersurfaces  99 . 
     The wire ends  202  extend around the ram top  74  to a front of the retaining clip  200  converging toward the first side opening  58  of the blind slot  56 , and bending inward to form two opposed shoulders  206  abutting the stop undersurfaces  99 . The shoulders  206  are formed inwardly such that the stop undersurfaces  99  overhang the opposed shoulders  206  to prevent upward vertical extension of clip  200 . The retaining clip  200  continues from the shoulders  206  to the front of the first side opening  58  and bending to converge at a U-shaped handle  208  extending radially outward from the ram top  74 . 
     In use, the retaining clip  200  is biased in an upward position such that the shoulders  206  abut the stop undersurfaces  99  of the left  86  and right  87  access slot walls and the front end of the clip  200  containing the U-shaped handle  208  extends across the first side opening  58  of the ram top  74  blocking side entry access to the blind slot  56  (see  FIG. 2 ). Flexing the handle  208  downward presses the shoulders  206  in a downward position toward a bottom end of the blind slot  56  to expose the first side opening  58  and allowing the shell holder  72  to enter the blind slot  56  and access slot  164  by sliding the neck  174  within the access slot  164  and the retaining flange  180  within the blind slot  56  (see  FIG. 3 ). The handle  208  may form a “ramp” allowing the shell holder  72  to slide over the handle  208  and into the hollow channel  90 . Removing downward force on the handle  208  deflects the handle  208  back to its biased state in the upward position (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the ram bottom  76  is attached to a lifting mechanism  78  including a pivot support plate  148  extending downwardly from the front of the bottom plate  21 . The pivot support plate  148  has a front wall  151  having left  153  and right  155  sidewalls extending posterior to the left and right sides of the front wall  151  and having openings  156  receiving a shaft forming a pivot axis  160 . A hand lever  48  pivoting about the pivot axis  160  carries a forward load arm  138  joined at an obtuse angle to a rear load arm  140 . The rear load arm  140  carries the ram bottom with the ram  70  shaft extending upwardly therefrom, and the forward load arm  138  carries a handle  80  with the handle  80  extending upwardly therefrom. In one embodiment, the handle  80  is coupled to the rear load arm  140  by a bolt  141  that allows the handle  80  to be fixed in a certain position to allow the curvature of the handle  80  to be rotated to a left or right side depending on the user&#39;s hand dominance or preference. 
     In use, rotation of the handle  80  by the user in a downward direction  150  rotates the forward load arm  138  downward and the rear load arm  140  upward lifting the co-acting ram  70  vertically along the centerline axis  18  bringing the ram top  74  toward the die  32  and the cartridge case  100  into the die inner cavity  40  in an extended state. Rotation of the handle  80  in an upward direction rotates the forward load arm  138  upward and the rear load arm  149  downward dropping the co-acting ram  70  vertically along the centerline axis  18  and separating the ram top  74  from the die  32  and the cartridge case  100  from the die inner cavity  40  in a retracted state. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment, during a de-capping operation the de-capping rod  104  extends through the primer pocket of the cartridge case  100  and the spent primer falls into and through the channel  90  of the ram  70 . The channel  90  extending through the length of the ram  70  may terminate at a rear exit port  211  formed within a rear sidewall  196  of the ram  70  allowing an uncapped primer from the cartridge cases  100  to exit the ram  70 . A deflector sheet  210  may be positioned proximate the exit port  211  oriented downward and posterior to the ram  70  to deflect the spent primer into a collection plate  212  mounted below and proximate to the deflector sheet  210  to collect the spent primer. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 6 , the C-shaped frame  14  may be supported below by a table support base  16 . The table support base  16  has a generally reversed U-shaped elevated frame having a flattened, horizontally extending top surface  214  supported on left  224  and right  226  sides by vertically extending legs  220 ,  222 . The left  220  and right  222  legs extend along left  224  and right  226  sides of the top surface  214 . The left  220  and right  222  legs may broaden as the legs extend downward to expand a width of the left  220  and right  222  legs contacting a support surface such as a workbench  232 . 
     The bottom plate  21  of the C-shaped frame  14  is mounted forwardly on the top surface  214  so that the front portion  46  of the bottom plate  21  overhangs the front of the top surface  214  providing a space below for the lifting mechanism  78  to extend. The C-shaped frame  14  may be mounted to the top surface  214  by nuts and bolts  236  extending through the bottom plate  21  and top surface  214 . The lower table support base  16  lifts the C-shaped frame  14  allowing the ram  70  and lifting mechanism  78  to extend downward from the bottom plate  21  without obstruction from the workbench  232 . 
     A lower end of the left  220  and right  222  legs may contain outwardly extending mounting flanges  228  providing vertically extending holes  230  allowing the table support base  16  to be mounted to a support surface such as a workbench  232 . 
     Holders  178  may be mounted on outer surfaces of the left  220  and right  222  legs having outwardly extending surfaces containing circular openings  234  for holding various reloading tools and equipment, such as interchangeable reloading dies  32  therein. The top plate  20  of the C-shaped frame  14  may also contain a rectangular tray  34  located behind the bore  30  providing a depression permitting various smaller components, such as cartridge cases and shell holders, to be stored within the tray  34  without rolling out or falling out. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the C-shaped frame  14  may be supported directly on a tabletop or workbench  232  without the table support base  16 . 
     It is also contemplated that the C-shaped frame  14  may take different configurations, such as any “C” frame, “O” frame, “H” frame or turret press configuration known in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. The frames may mount one or more loading dies in an upper portion of the press while supporting the ram in a lower portion thus allowing the ram to move upward toward the die. It is also contemplated that the one or more dies may be mounted in a lower portion of the press while supporting the ram in an upper portion thus allowing the ram to move downward toward the die. The die(s) and rams may also be spaced apart in a configuration that is not characterized as “upper” and “lower” but still allowing the die and ram to move toward each other during the pressing operation. 
     It is contemplated that frame  12  may be constructed of cast iron or aluminum. Various components of the press  10  such as the ram  70  and spring clip  200  may be made of stainless steel or high-carbide alloy steel. 
     It is also contemplated that the present invention may be used with reloading both bottleneck cartridges as well as straight wall cartridges cases. 
     Certain terminology is used herein for purposes of reference only, and thus is not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “above”, and “below” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “front”, “back”, “rear”, “bottom” and “side”, describe the orientation of portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Similarly, the terms “first”, “second” and other such numerical terms referring to structures do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. 
     When introducing elements or features of the present disclosure and the exemplary embodiments, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of such elements or features. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements or features other than those specifically noted. It is further to be understood that the method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
     It is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein and the claims should be understood to include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims. All of the publications described herein, including patents and non-patent publications, are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5