Patent ID: 7743692

Claim:
A reloading machine configured to check the length of a shell case of preselected caliber against a length specification for such preselected caliber, comprising: a tool platform defining a workstation; a workstation tool connected to said tool platform at said workstation, composed of first and second tool subassemblies, wherein: said first tool subassembly defines a substantially vertical bore with open lower end for receiving a shell case; said bore is sized to axially receive a shell case of said preselected caliber with sidewall clearance; the first tool subassembly carries said second tool subassembly for axial movement in said vertical bore between a repose height and an elevated height; during reloading operation the first tool subassembly is set at a substantially constant height with respect to the reloading platform; and said second tool subassembly is sized and positioned to abut an end of a shell case of the preselected size entering the vertical bore from said open lower end thereof; a shell platform spaced below said tool platform by a separation that is variable between a maximum and a minimum distance, carrying a shell case of the preselected caliber with open end up, in longitudinally aligned position to the vertical bore of the first tool subassembly; a drive mechanism operably connected to change the separation between the tool platform and shell platform from maximum to minimum separation, wherein at the minimum separation the shell platform is sufficiently close to said repose height of the second tool subassembly that a shell case of the preselected caliber and length exceeding specification elevates the second tool subassembly by a distance indicative of the length of the shell case; a detection device arranged to sense the elevation of the second tool subassembly to a selected limit and to trigger an output signal in response to sensing elevation to said limit; a remedial device connected to said detection device to receive said output signal and to produce a response to the output signal; and an adjustment device operatively connected to the detection device to adjust the selected limit suitably to indicate a shell case exceeding specification, whereby the detection device triggers a response when a shell case of length exceeding specification elevates the second tool subassembly.