Etching device for glass or other etchable surfaces

Abstract

A device and method for etching designs on glass or like surfaces by a sand erosion process. The device has a housing with a vibratory motor mounted therein. The motor drives a sharp or tapered carbide engraving blade or tip through a reciprocating axial motion at a high rate of speed. The blade can be used to engrave or chisel outlines or silhouettes of designs on a glass surface. The device is also provided with a sand erosion adaptor which can be removably fixed on the blade providing a more blunt working end. Sand is delivered from a sand supply in the housing through the sand erosion adaptor and onto the glass surface so that the reciprocal motion of the adaptor grinds or pounds sand against the glass surface to produce an etching effect on the surface. Vibration of the motor means helps the delivery of sand through the head by agitating the sand for freer gravity flow. For work on small manipulatable items such as water glasses or the like, the device is provided with a base support having a recessed receptacle for containing spent sand dropping from the work piece. The housing is detachable from the base and can alternatively be mounted on a rocker base so that the housing can be rocked toward and away from a work piece. This facilitates work on larger pieces such as plate glass which cannot be easily handled or held against the work head. Provision is made for adjusting the stroke of the blade and erosion adapter, whether it be during an engraving operation or an etching operation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.