AMMUNITION SHELL HOLDER RETENTION SYSTEM

Abstract

A shell holder assembly and associated components and methods. The assembly includes a shell holder support having a shell holder receiver that receives the shell holder and a shell holder retainer that retains the shell holder in the shell holder receiver. The shell holder retainer applies a force against the shell holder to limit rotation of the shell holder relative to the shell holder support when the shell holder is received by the shell holder receiver. The shell holder retainer is arranged relative to the shell holder receiver to underlie the shell holder when the shell holder is received by the shell holder receiver. The shell holder retainer is moveable relative to the shell holder support. A spring separate and distinct from the shell holder retainer biases the shell holder retainer toward a retaining position to retain the shell holder in the shell holder receiver.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/747,581, filed Jan. 21, 2025, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to presses for manufacturing and/or reloading ammunition, and more particularly for a retention system for retaining an ammunition shell holder on such presses.

BACKGROUND

When loading or reloading ammunition, an ammunition press is commonly used to perform various operations. Ammunition presses can have various configurations. In many instances, a die is mounted on the press, and a lever actuated ram having a shell holder holding an ammunition shell (sometimes called a case) is used to move the shell into engagement with the die to perform an operation on the shell. For example, the shell may be moved into a sizing or resizing die to size the shell to desired dimensions. As another example, the shell may be moved into engagement with a decapping die for pushing a spent primer out of the shell.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an ammunition shell holder holding assembly for holding a shell holder comprises a shell holder support including a shell holder receiver configured to receive the shell holder. A shell holder retainer is configured to retain the shell holder in the shell holder receiver. The shell holder retainer is configured to apply a force against the shell holder to limit rotation of the shell holder relative to the shell holder support when the shell holder is received by the shell holder receiver.

In another aspect, an ammunition shell holder holding assembly for use with a shell holder comprises a shell holder support including a shell holder receiver configured to receive the shell holder. A shell holder retainer configured to retain the shell holder in the shell holder receiver. The shell holder retainer arranged relative to the shell holder receiver to underlie the shell holder when the shell holder is received by the shell holder receiver.

In another aspect, an ammunition shell holder holding assembly for use with a shell holder comprises a shell holder support including a shell holder receiver configured to receive the shell holder. A shell holder retainer is configured to retain the shell holder in the shell holder receiver. The shell holder retainer is moveable relative to the shell holder support. A spring is separate and distinct from the shell holder retainer. The spring biases the shell holder retainer toward a retaining position to retain the shell holder in the shell holder receiver when the shell holder is received by the shell holder receiver.

In another aspect, an ammunition shell holder holding assembly for holding a shell holder comprises a shell holder support including a shell holder receiver configured to receive the shell holder. A shell holder retainer is configured to retain the shell holder in the shell holder receiver. The shell holder retainer is moveable upward to a retaining position to retain the shell holder in the shell holder receiver. The shell holder retainer is moveable downward to a release position to permit removal of the shell holder from the shell holder receiver.

Other objects and features of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective of an ammunition press according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the ammunition press;

FIG. 3 is a perspective of a shell holder;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective of a ram and a shell holder retention system of the ammunition press;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-section of the ram, the shell holder, and the shell holder retention system, the shell holder retention system being in a retaining configuration;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-section of the ram, the shell holder, and the shell holder retention system, the shell holder retention system being in release configuration;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-section of the ram and the shell holder retention system, the shell holder retention system being in a configuration different than the retaining and release configurations; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary exploded view of the ram and the shell holder retention system.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure pertains to an ammunition shell holder retention system for ammunition presses for retaining a shell holder. The ammunition shell holder retention system enables toolless installation and removal of a shell holder with the ammunition press while preventing unwanted movement (e.g., rotation) of the shell holder relative to the press during use. It will be appreciated that aspects of the retention system disclosed herein can be used in other types or configurations of shell retention systems without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The retention system disclosed herein can be applied to various types of ammunition presses, such as single stage and turret presses as well as other types and/or configurations of presses.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an ammunition or reloading press according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is indicated generally by 10. The ammunition press 10 can be used to perform various operations on an ammunition shell (also known as an ammunition case or casing), such as sizing the shell to desired dimensions, removing a spent primer out of the shell, inserting a new primer into the shell, and/or inserting a bullet into the shell. The ammunition press 10 includes a frame 12, a die holder 14, a shell holder holding assembly 16, and a driver 18 (e.g., an ammunition shell drive assembly). The ammunition press 10 can also include one or more shell holders 20 for holding ammunition shells. One shell holder 20 is illustrated but it is understood the ammunition press 10 can be used with a plurality of different shell holders (such as shell holders for different sizes (e.g., calibers) of ammunition cases). The frame 12 supports the components of the ammunition press 10. The frame 12 supports the die holder 14, the shell holder holding assembly 16, the driver 18, and the shell holder 20. The die holder 14 holds one or more dies for performing an operation on the ammunition case. The die holder 14 can hold various types of dies. For example, a sizing die (not shown) configured to shape a neck of the ammunition case can be supported by the die holder 14. The sizing die can include a pin configured to eject a spent primer from the ammunition case. Other configurations of the frame and/or other die holder can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

At least one of the die holder 14 or the shell holder holding assembly 16 is moveable (e.g., moveable along an axis) to bring the ammunition shell and the die together to perform the operation on the ammunition shell. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 12 and the die holder 14 remain generally stationary, and the shell holder holding assembly 16 moves with respect to the frame and the die holder for moving the ammunition shell toward a stationary die (not shown) held by the die holder. In another embodiment, the shell holder assembly is generally stationary and the die holder moves with respect to the shell holder assembly. In another embodiment, both the die holder and the shell holder assembly move with respect to the frame.

The driver 18 moves the shell holder holding assembly 16 relative to the die holder 14 (e.g., toward and away from the die holder). The driver 18 includes a lever 22 and a linkage 24 operatively connecting the lever to the shell holder holding assembly 16. The lever 22 is pivotable to move the shell holder assembly relative to the die holder 14 to engage an ammunition shell with the die held by the die holder. In the illustrated embodiment, the linkage 24 includes a first or bottom link or yoke 26 connected to a lower portion of the shell holder holding assembly 16 by a first or bottom pivot connection 28 and a second or top link or yoke 30. The top link 30 is connected to the frame 12 by a second or top pivot connection 32 and connected to the bottom link 26 by a third or intermediate pivot connection 34. The pivot connections 28, 32, 34 can be defined by one or more shafts or fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, rivets, etc.). In operation, from the position shown in FIG. 1, a user rotates the lever 22 downward to pivot the links 26, 30 about the pivot connections 28, 32, 34 to move the shell holder assembly 16 (specifically, the ammunition shell held by the shell holder 20) upward toward a “pressing” position to engage the ammunition shell with the die. After, the lever 22 is rotated in the opposite direction (e.g., upward) back to the position shown in FIG. 1 to move the shell holder holding assembly 16 downward toward a “home” position (shown in FIG. 1). In the illustrated embodiment, the driver 18 moves the shell holder holding assembly 16 moves along an axis A (e.g., a vertical axis) between the pressing and home positions. In other embodiments (as mentioned above), the driver moves the die holder or the die holder and the shell holder assembly together along the axis to perform the operation on the ammunition case. Further details on the ammunition press, including the driver and its operation, are contained in U.S. Pat. No. 11,913,763, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. Other configurations of the driver can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the shell holder 20 holds the ammunition shell. The shell holder 20 is releaseably connectable with the ammunition shell holder holding assembly 16. When the shell holder 20 is connected to (broadly, supported by) the shell holder holding assembly 16, the shell holder 20 (and thereby the ammunition shell held thereby) moves with the shell holder holding assembly as the shell holder holding assembly moves between the pressing and home positions. The shell holder 20 includes a head 36 (e.g., circular head) with a receiving slot 38 (e.g., ammunition shell receiving slot). The receiving slot 38 is sized and shaped to receive the ammunition shell (e.g., a bottom portion thereof) to connect the ammunition shell to the shell holder 20. The receiving slot 38 has an open side and is arranged such that the ammunition shell is generally inserted into and removed from the shell holder 20 by moving (e.g., sliding) the ammunition shell into and out of the open side of the receiving slot. The receiving slot 38 extends generally perpendicular to the axis A. Thus, the ammunition shell is moved by the user in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis A to insert and remove the ammunition shell to and from the shell holder 20. The shell holder 20 includes a neck 40 (e.g., circular neck) extending down from the head 36. The shell holder 20 includes a flange 42 (e.g., retaining flange) connected to and extending radially outward from the neck 40 (e.g., a bottom end thereof). The head 36 also extends radially outward of the neck 40. The neck 40 and the flange 42 form a T-shaped connector (broadly, connector) for connecting the shell holder 20 to the shell holder support 16, as described in more detail below. A bottom 46 (e.g., bottom surface) of the shell holder 20 is formed by the flange 42. The shell holder 20 includes a bore or passageway 44 extending therethrough (from the slot to the bottom of the shell holder). Other configurations of the shell holder can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It is understood the shell holder can be a conventional shell holder. In other words, the present disclosure (e.g., elements disclosed herein) can be used with off-the-shelf shell holders and does not require proprietary shell holders or shell holders specifically constructed to work with the elements of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 4-8, the shell holder assembly 16 includes a shell holder support 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the shell holder support 48 is a ram that is moved by the driver 18 to engage the ammunition shell with the die held by the die holder 14. The shell holder support 48 includes a shaft 50 (e.g., cylindrical shaft). The shaft 50 has an axis (e.g., central axis) that is coextensive with the axis A along which the shell holder support 48 moves. The shaft 50 has a bore or passageway 52. The bore 52 has an open upper end and an open lower end. The ammunition press 10 can include a spent primer receptacle or container 54 (FIG. 1) releaseably attached to the lower end of the shaft 50 (broadly, shell holder support 48) for collecting spent primers (not shown) that fall through the bore 52 (e.g., into the open upper end and out the open lower end of the bore).

The shell holder support 48 includes a shell holder receiver 56 (e.g., coupler) to receive (e.g., couple, connect, etc.) to the shell holder 20. The shell holder receiver 56 is connected to the shaft 50. The shell holder receiver 56 is disposed at the top of the shell holder support 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the shell holder support 48 and the shell holder receiver 56 are an integral, one-piece component. In other embodiments, the shell holder support and the shell holder receiver can be separate components connected together. The illustrated shell holder receiver 56 has a shell holder slot or cavity 58. The shell holder slot 58 is sized and shaped to receive the shell holder 20 to connect the shell holder to the shell holder receiver 56. The shell holder slot 58 has an open side and is arranged such that the shell holder 30 is generally inserted into and removed from the shell holder receiver 56 by moving (e.g., sliding) the shell holder laterally into and out of the open side of the shell holder slot. The shell holder slot 58 extends generally perpendicular to the axis A. Thus, the shell holder 20 is moved by the user in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis A to insert and remove the shell holder to and from the shell holder receiver 56.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shell holder slot 58 has a inverted T-shape for receiving the T-shaped connector of the shell holder 20. The shell holder slot 58 includes a first or upper portion 58A and a second or lower portion 58B. The upper portion 58A is narrower than the lower portion 58B. The shell holder receiver 56 includes a rim or lip 60 that defines the upper portion 58A. The lower portion 58B underlies the upper portion 58A and the rim 60. The upper portion 58A of the shell holder slot 58 is sized and shaped to receive the neck 40 of the shell holder 20 and the lower portion 58B of the shell holder slot is sized and shaped to receive the flange 42 of the shell holder 20. When the shell holder receiver 56 receives the shell holder 20 (FIG. 5), the flange 42 underlies the rim 60, thereby preventing the shell holder from lifting off of the shell holder receiver 56 (due to engagement between an upper surface of the flange and a bottom surface of the rim). Other configurations of the shell holder receiver can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Still referring to FIGS. 4-8, the shell holder assembly 16 includes an ammunition shell holder retention system or assembly 62 (retention system or assembly) for retaining the shell holder 20 with the shell holder receiver 56. The retention system 62 is moveable relative to the shell holder support 48. The retention system 62 is moveable to a first or retaining configuration (FIG. 5) in which the retention system retains (e.g., positively retains) the shell holder 20 with the shell holder receiver 56. The retention system 62 is moveable to a second or release configuration (FIG. 6) in which the retention system permits the shell holder 20 to be connected to and disconnect from the shell holder receiver 56. The retention system 62 is also moveable to a third or home configuration (FIG. 7). In the illustrated embodiment, the retention system 62 includes a shell holder retainer 64, a spring 66 (broadly, biasing member), and a plunger 68. The retainer 64, spring 66, and plunger 68 are shown as separate and distinct parts connected together but it will be understood that one or more of these components could be omitted and/or multiple of these components could be integrated or formed as a single piece without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the plunger could be integrally formed with the retainer.

The shell holder retainer 64 retains the shell holder 20 in the shell holder receiver 56. The shell holder retainer 64 is moveable relative to the shell holder support 48. The shell holder retainer 64 is moveable between a retaining position (FIG. 5), a release position (FIG. 6), and a home position (FIG. 7). The shell holder retainer 64 is in the retaining position when the retention system 62 is in the retaining configuration. The shell holder retainer 64 is in the release position when the retention system 62 is in the release configuration. The shell holder retainer 64 is in the home position when the retention system 62 is in the home configuration. The shell holder retainer 64 is disposed in the lower portion 58B of the shell holder slot 58 and moves within the lower portion between its different positions.

In the retaining position, the shell holder retainer 64 retains the shell holder 20 with the shell holder receiver 56. In particular, the shell holder retainer 64 prevents the shell holder 20 from disconnecting from the shell holder support 48. The shell holder retainer 64 includes a stop or lip 70 that inhibits the shell holder 20 from disconnecting from the shell holder support 48. In the retaining position, the stop 70 is positioned to be engaged by the shell holder 20 (specifically, the flange 42 thereof) should the shell holder move toward the open end of the shell holder slot 58. This engagement stops further movement of the shell holder 20 along the shell holder slot 58, thereby prevent the shell holder from moving out of the shell holder slot via the open end thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop 70 has a curved surface (stop surface) that generally corresponds to the curved perimeter of the flange 42. Other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The shell holder retainer 64 is arranged relative to the shell holder receiver 56 to underlie the shell holder 20 (specifically, the bottom 46 thereof) when the shell holder is received by the shell holder receiver. The shell holder retainer 64 limits or inhibits rotation of the shell holder 20 relative to the shell holder support 48. In other words, the shell holder retainer 64 limits or inhibits rotations of the shell holder 20 about the axis A. In the retaining position (FIG. 5), the shell holder retainer 64 applies a force against the shell holder 20 to limit rotation of the shell holder relative to the shell holder support 48 when the shell holder is received by the shell holder receiver. This force is applied in a direction (e.g., upward direction) that is generally parallel to the axis A. In the retaining position, the shell holder retainer 64 presses or pushes the shell holder 20 against the shell holder receiver 56 (broadly, the shell holder support 48). In particular, the shell holder retainer 64 pushes the flange 42 (e.g., upper surface thereof) into engagement with the rim 60 (e.g., lower surface thereof). As a result, the flange 42 (broadly, shell holder 20) is squeezed between the shell holder retainer 64 and the shell holder receiver. The shell holder retainer 64 engages (and pushes against) the bottom 64 of the shell holder 20. The spring 66 biases the shell holder retainer 64 into engagement with (e.g., against) the bottom 64 (e.g., bottom surface) of the shell holder 20. As a result, the spring 66 biases the shell holder 20 (e.g., the flange 42) against the shell holder receiver 56 (e.g., the rim 60). The shell holder retainer 64 includes an shell holder engagement surface 74 that contacts the bottom surface of the shell holder 20 when the shell holder retainer 65 is in the retaining position.

The contact between the shell holder 20, the shell holder support 48 (e.g., shell holder receiver 56), and the shell holder 20 prevents the shell holder from rotating (e.g., rotating freely) relative to the shell holder support. This secures the shell holder 20 in place after the shell holder has been received by the shell holder receiver 56 (broadly, mounted to the shell holder support 48), thereby preventing the shell holder from rotating during operation, such as when ammunition shells are inserted and removed from the shell holder. This is unlike conventional shell holders, which can generally freely rotate. By preventing rotation of the shell holder 20, the user does not need to relocate the position of the open end of the shell holder slot 58 every time the user inserts and removes an ammunition shell from the shell holder. This makes loading and unloading the ammunition shells faster. Other configurations can be used without departing form the scope of the present disclosure.

As is apparent, in the retaining position, the shell holder retainer 64 contacts two different portions or surfaces (e.g., first and second portions or surfaces) of the shell holder 20. The shell holder retainer 64 (e.g., the engagement surface 74) contacts the bottom 46 (e.g., bottom surface) of the shell holder 20. The shell holder retainer 64 (e.g., stop 70) also contacts a side surface of the shell holder (formed by the flange 42). In other words, two different portions or surfaces of the shell holder retainer 64 contact the shell holder 20.

In the release position, the shell holder retainer 64 permits the shell holder 20 to be disconnected from the shell holder receiver 56. With the shell holder retainer 64 in the release position, the user can manually move the shell holder 20 along the shell holder slot 58 and out the open end thereof to disconnect the shell holder from the shell holder receiver. The stop 70 is arranged relative to the shell holder 20 such that the stop will not be engaged by the shell holder when the shell holder moves along the shell holder slot 58. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop 70 is disposed at an elevation below the shell holder 20 when the shell holder retainer 64 is in the release position. In the illustrated embodiment, the shell holder retainer 64 is able to be moved downward by a distance larger than what is required to permit the shell holder 20 to be disconnected from the shell holder receiver 56 (e.g., for the stop 70 to be out of alignment or clear of the shell holder). It is understood that the release position of the shell holder retainer 64 (broadly, the release configuration of the retention system 62) can be any position of the shell holder retainer in which the shell holder 20 can be disconnected form the shell holder receiver 56. Accordingly, it is understood, the shell holder retainer 64 of the present disclosure can have a plurality of different release positions. In other embodiments, the shell holder retainer may only have one release position.

In the home position, the shell holder retainer 64 is engaged with the shell holder receiver 56, specifically the rim 60 of the shell holder receiver. An upper surface of the shell holder retainer engages the lower surface of the rim 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper surface that engages the rim 60 is formed by the stop 70. In the home position, the shell holder retainer 64 is ready to be moved (e.g., moved downward) by the shell holder 20 as the shell holder is inserted into and moved along the shell holder slot 58 to connect the shell holder to the shell holder receiver. The shell holder retainer 64 is configured to be moved by the shell holder 20 toward (and to) the release position (from the home position, more broadly, from the retaining position) as the shell holder receiver 56 receives the shell holder. The shell holder retainer 64 includes a ramp 72 (e.g., ramp surface) (broadly, an actuator) that is engaged by the shell holder 20 (specifically, the flange 42) when the shell holder is inserted into and moved along the shell holder slot 58. The shell holder 20 slides along the ramp 72. The engagement between the shell holder 20 and the ramp 72 (and the continued movement of the shell holder further into the shell holder slot 58 (e.g., toward the closed end of the shell holder slot)) causes the shell holder retainer 64 to move downward (against the bias of the spring 66) to permit the shell holder to pass the stop 70. The shell holder 20 (the bottom thereof) slides over the upper surface of the shell holder retainer 64 formed by the stop 70. The spring 66 biases the shell holder retainer 64 upward or toward the home position. After the shell holder 20 (specifically, the flange 42) clears the stop 70, the spring 66 moves the shell holder retainer 64 upward into the retaining position. Alternatively, or in addition to, the user can manually move the shell holder retainer 64 to the release position in order to connect the shell holder 20 to the shell holder receiver 56. The user can manually press down on the ramp 72 (broadly, press surface or actuator) to move the shell holder retainer 64 to the release position (from the home position and past the retaining position) to allow the shell holder 20 to be received by the shell holder receiver 56.

To disconnect the shell holder 20 from the shell holder receiver 56, the user moves the shell holder retainer 64 to the release position (from the retaining position). The user manually press down on the ramp 72 to move the shell holder retainer to the release position. After, the user can remove the shell holder 20 by sliding the shell holder out the open end of the shell holder slot 58. As is now apparent, the shell holder retainer 64 (broadly, the retention system 62) enables the shell holder 20 to be connected and disconnected to the shell holder receiver 56 (broadly, shell holder support 48) without the use of any tools. Because of this, the user can quickly switch between or interchange different shell holders (e.g., shell holders for different sizes of ammunition shells).

In the illustrated embodiment, the shell holder retainer 64 (broadly, the retention system 62) moves linearly or in a linear direction between the different positions. In the illustrated embodiment, the linear direction is generally vertical (e.g., upward or downward). The linear direction of the movement of the shell holder retainer 64 between the different positions is generally parallel to the axis A. Thus, the shell holder retainer 64 moves in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction the shell holder 20 moves when being connected and disconnected from the shell holder receiver 56.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 4-8, the plunger 68 is connected to the shell holder retainer 64. In the illustrated embodiment, the plunger 68 and the shell holder retainer 64 are threadably connected together. The upper portion of the plunger 68 has an exterior thread that mates with an interior thread (threaded opening) of the shell holder retainer 64. To facilitate the connecting the plunger 68 and the shell holder retainer 64, the plunger 68 includes a tool receiver 76. The tool receiver 76 is configured to receive a tool, such as a screw driver, used to connect the plunger 68 and the shell holder retainer 64 together. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool receiver 76 comprises two notches or slots on opposite sides of the upper end of the plunger that receive the flathead of a flathead screw driver. Other configurations of the tool receiver are within the scope of the present disclosure.

The plunger 68 is disposed within the bore 52 of the shell holder support 48. The plunger 68 can move along the bore 52 (generally parallel to the axis A) as the shell holder retainer 64 moves between its different positions. The upper portion of the plunger 68 extends upward out of the bore 52 to connect tot he shell holder retainer 64. In the illustrated embodiment, the plunger 68 is disposed in an enlarged portion of the bore 52 (compared to the rest of the bore). The plunger 68 includes a plunger bore or passageway 78. The plunger bore 78 has an open upper end and an open lower end. The open lower end is in open communication with the bore 52 of the shell holder support 48. When the shell holder 20 is received by the shell holder receiver 56, the bore 44 of the shell holder, the plunger bore 78 of the plunger 68, and the bore 52 of the shell holder support 48 are all aligned and in open communication with one another to allow a spent primer removed from the ammunition shell to fall therethrough and into the spent primer receptacle (FIG. 1).

The spring 66 is separate and distinct from the shell holder retainer 64. In other words, the spring 66 and the shell holder retainer 64 are separate pieces. The spring 66 biases the shell holder retainer 64 upward, toward the retaining and home positions and away from the release position. The spring 66 is disposed in the bore 52 of the shell holder support 48. The spring 66 is compressed between the plunger 68 and the shell holder support 48 (specifically, the shaft 50). A first or upper end of the spring 66 engages a lip or shoulder of the plunger 68 and the opposite second or lower end of the spring engages a lip or shoulder of the shell holder support 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring 66 is a coil spring, although springs of other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The plunger 68 extends into (and through) the coil spring 66. Other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In one method of assembly, the spring 66 and the plunger 68 are inserted into the open upper end of the bore 52 of the shell holder support 48. In this embodiment, the spring 66 and the plunger 68 have a width less than the width of the narrower upper portion 58A of the shell holder slot 58 to allow the spring and plunger to be inserted into the bore 52 from the top. After, the plunger 68 is depressed (e.g., pushed downward) and the shell holder retainer 64 is inserted laterally through the open side of the shell holder slot 58. The upper end of the plunger 68 is inserted into the opening (e.g., threaded opening) of the shell holder retainer 64. The tool receiver 76 is engaged by the tool to rotate the plunger 68 relative to the shell holder retainer 64 to threadably connect these two components together.

The retention system 62 is contained within the shell holder support 48, below the shell holder 20 (when the shell holder is connected to the shell holder receiver 56). More specifically, the retention system 62 is contained within a footprint of the shell holder support 48. In other words, the retention system 62 does not extend laterally outboard of the shell holder support 48. This means that each component of the retention system 62 (e.g., the shell holder retainer 64, the spring 66, and the plunger 68) is also contained within the footprint of the shell holder support 48. In the context of this disclosure and in the claims, the footprint of the shell holder support 48 is the plan or top-down footprint of the shell holder support. This configuration limits any potential or inadvertent interference of the retention system 62 with the user and/or other components of the ammunition press 10.

The retention system 62 (e.g., the shell holder retainer 64) does not impart a lateral load to the shell holder 20 when retaining the shell holder with the shell holder receiver 56. As a result, the shell holder 20 is not biased to one side of the axis A of the ammunition press 10. This allows the shell holder 20 to remain centered with the axis A and in alignment with the die of the die holder 14. In one embodiment, the shell holder 20 is free to float to align with a die held by the die holder 14. This can minimize bullet runout. For example, the a clearance or gap can be provided between the rim 60 of the shell holder receiver 56 and the neck 40 of the shell holder 20 and/or between the stop 70 of the shell holder retainer 64 and the flange 42 of the shell holder 20 (when the shell holder is seated against the closed end of the shell holder slot 58) to allow the shell holder to float.

It is appreciated that the person of ordinary skill in the art is readily able to determine the scope of terms of degree such as, but not limited to, “about,” “substantially,” and “generally.” For example, when a term of degree is used in relation to a numeric value, the person of ordinary skill in the art understands that the term of degree covers an inclusive range of plus or minus 10% of the numeric value, unless clearly indicated or stated otherwise.

When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

Claims

1. An ammunition shell holder holding assembly for holding a shell holder, the ammunition shell holder holding assembly comprising:

a shell holder support including a shell holder receiver configured to receive the shell holder; and

a shell holder retainer configured to retain the shell holder in the shell holder receiver, the shell holder retainer configured to apply a force against the shell holder to limit rotation of the shell holder relative to the shell holder support when the shell holder is received by the shell holder receiver.

2. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 1, wherein shell holder retainer is configured to press the shell holder against the shell holder support when the shell holder is received by the shell holder receiver.

3. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 1, wherein the shell holder retainer is configured to prevent the shell holder from disconnecting from the shell holder receiver of the shell holder support.

4. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 1, wherein the shell holder retainer is contained within a footprint of the shell holder support.

5. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 1, wherein the shell holder retainer is moveable between a retaining position where the shell holder retainer is located to retain the shell holder with the shell holder receiver and a release position where the shell holder retainer is located to permit the shell holder to be disconnected from the shell holder receiver.

6. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 5, wherein the shell holder retainer moves in a linear direction between the retaining position and the release position.

7. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 1, in combination with an ammunition press, the ammunition press comprising a frame and a die holder supported by the frame, the die holder configured to hold a die for performing an operation on an ammunition shell;

wherein the shell holder assembly is supported by the frame of the ammunition press, wherein at least one of the die holder or the shell holder assembly is moveable along an axis to bring the ammunition shell and the die together to perform the operation on the ammunition shell; and

wherein the shell holder retainer is configured to apply the force against the shell holder in a direction generally parallel to the axis.

8. An ammunition shell holder holding assembly for use with a shell holder, the ammunition shell holder holding assembly comprising:

a shell holder support including a shell holder receiver configured to receive the shell holder; and

a shell holder retainer configured to retain the shell holder in the shell holder receiver, the shell holder retainer arranged relative to the shell holder receiver to underlie the shell holder when the shell holder is received by the shell holder receiver.

9. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 8, wherein the shell holder retainer is arranged relative to the shell holder receiver to underlie a bottom of the shell holder when the shell holder is received by the shell holder receiver.

10. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 9, wherein the shell holder retainer is configured to engage the bottom of the shell holder when the shell holder is received by the shell holder receiver.

11. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 10, wherein the shell holder retainer is biased upward for engagement with the bottom of the shell holder when the shell holder is received by the shell holder receiver.

12. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 10, further comprising a spring separate and distinct from the shell holder retainer and biasing the shell holder retainer upward for engagement with the bottom of the shell holder when the shell holder is received by the shell holder.

13. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 8, wherein the shell holder retainer is configured to contact a first surface of the shell holder and a second surface of the shell holder different from the first surface when the shell holder is received by the shell holder receiver.

14. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 8, wherein the shell holder retainer is configured to contact a bottom surface of the shell holder and a side surface of the shell holder when the shell holder is received by the shell holder receiver.

15. An ammunition shell holder holding assembly for use with a shell holder, the ammunition shell holder holding assembly comprising:

a shell holder support including a shell holder receiver configured to receive the shell holder;

a shell holder retainer configured to retain the shell holder in the shell holder receiver, the shell holder retainer being moveable relative to the shell holder support; and

a spring separate and distinct from the shell holder retainer, the spring biasing the shell holder retainer toward a retaining position to retain the shell holder in the shell holder receiver when the shell holder is received by the shell holder receiver.

16. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 15, wherein the shell holder retainer is configured to limit rotation of the shell holder relative to the shell holder support when the shell holder is received by the shell holder receiver.

17. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 16, wherein the shell holder retainer is configured to engage a bottom of the shell holder.

18. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 17, wherein the spring is arranged to bias the shell holder retainer upward against the shell holder.

19. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 11, wherein the shell holder support includes a bore, wherein the shell holder assembly includes a plunger connected to the shell holder retainer, the plunger disposed in the bore of the shell holder support.

20. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 19, further comprising a spring disposed in the bore of the shell holder support, the spring biasing the shell holder retainer.

21. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 19, wherein the plunger includes a bore having an open upper end and an open lower end, the open lower end in open communication with the bore of the shell holder support.

22. An ammunition shell holder holding assembly for holding a shell holder, the ammunition shell holder holding assembly comprising:

a shell holder support including a shell holder receiver configured to receive the shell holder; and

a shell holder retainer configured to retain the shell holder in the shell holder receiver, the shell holder retainer being moveable upward to a retaining position to retain the shell holder in the shell holder receiver, and the shell holder retainer being moveable downward to a release position to permit removal of the shell holder from the shell holder receiver.

23. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 22, wherein the shell holder retainer is biased away from the release position.

24. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 22, wherein the shell holder support includes a bore, wherein the shell holder assembly includes a plunger moveable with the shell holder retainer and extending downward below the shell holder retainer, the plunger disposed in the bore of the shell holder support.

25. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 24, wherein the plunger includes a bore having an open lower end in open communication with the bore of the shell holder support for passage of spent primers from the shell holder through the plunger to the bore.

26. The ammunition shell holder holding assembly of claim 22, further comprising a spring disposed in a bore of the shell holder support biasing the shell holder retainer toward the retaining position.