Stenciling apparatus and identification system

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to the method and apparatus used for stenciling selected indicia upon and into surfaces of structures for identification purposes and more particularly relates to a system of automobile identification marking.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the device of this invention.

#FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective three-quarter rear view of the device of this invention.

#FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view showing the pistol-type compressed air supply member, its nozzle and associated sand pickup pipe.

#FIG. 1 illustrates the embodiment of the stenciling apparatus 10 of the present invention showing stencil holding unit 11, body 12, sand pickup pipe 14 and pistol-type compressed air supply member 16. The body can be comprised of fiberglas or other rigid material with sufficient strength to withstand the air pressure utilized and of sufficient hardness so as not to be worn away by the sandblasting operations carried on within the body. Stencil holding unit 11 can be constructed of a resilient material such as rubber, synthetic plastic or equivalent and is discussed in further detail below. Shown within stencil holding unit 11 are a series of unit stencils 90.

#In FIG. 2 air pressure outlet 18 has air outlet covering member 20 fitted tightly within its opening. Grid 22 has large openings and mesh 24, with fine openings, is located behind the grid. The air outlet and its associated grid and mesh covering are further illustrated in FIG. 5. This mesh must be fine enough to prevent sand or other stenciling medium from escaping, but the openings in the mesh must be large enough to allow air to escape from the body of the apparatus. Further shown in FIG. 2 is rear circular aperture 32 through which pistol-type compressed air supply member 16 is introduced into the body of the apparatus. To seal this pistol-type compressed air supply member and prevent air from escaping through aperture 32, rear gasket member 36 is utilized. This doughnut-shaped gasket has a groove around its outer circumference which fits tightly over the front and rear of the rim of circular aperture 32. The inner circumference of gasket 36 fits tightly around the barrel 37 of pistol-type compressed air supply member 16 and effectively prevents air from escaping while allowing the pistol-type compressed air supply member 16 to have horizontal azimuthal movement. It has been found that an air pressure range of between 60 lbs/square inch and 120 lbs/square inch gives satisfactory results.

#FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of pistol-type compressed air supply member 16. Trigger 40 of handle 38 actuates spring-loaded plunger 42 to allow air to enter from air inlet 44 and pass through first entry chamber 41, barrel entry chamber 43, and proceed down barrel 37 terminating in elongated nozzle 46 which has a diameter less than that of barrel 37. Trigger 40 pivots about axial point 45 to actuate plunger 42. As the air passes through barrel 37 towards outlet 48, it passes over venturi 50 which terminates sand pickup pipe 14. This passage of air over the venturi creates a vacuum causing a suction which draws sand up through sand pickup pipe 14 from stenciling medium holding area 62. The stenciling medium holding area, pickup pipe and venturi are further shown in FIG. 6. The sand is then blown through barrel 37 and the nozzle and forced through the indicia openings of the unit stencils retained within stencil holding unit 11.