Stamping apparatus having magnetic supporting means

Apparatus for holding a plurality of stamp members for individually stamping identifying characters of a permanent nature into a tubular metal surface, comprising an elongated frame substantially rectangular in cross-section and having a channel formed in the underside thereof for receiving said stamp members, each of said stamp members comprising a substantially rectangular member having an imprinting character formed on an end face thereof and a transverse groove formed across a side face thereof, and means extending through said groove for retaining said one or more stamp members within said channel while allowing individual movement of each stamp member to stamp the tubular metal surface;

• said frame having a plurality of holes formed therein opposite said channel and aligned therewith;
• first and second plates attached to opposed ends of said frame, first and second support assemblies attached to said first and second plates respectively, a first pair of permanent magnets attached to said first support assembly, and a second pair of permanent magnets attached to said second support assembly;
• each of said support assemblies comprises a pair of spaced-apart, inverted, substantially U-shaped members attached to one of said plates, each of said permanent magnets being received between said U-shaped members and attached thereto adjacent the free ends of the legs thereof;
• each of said magnets is a horseshoe magnet attached to said U-shaped members by means permitting pivotal adjustment of said permanent magnets to allow said permanent magnets to define spaced leg members supporting said frame in a predetermined position on the tubular metal surface and substantially conforming to the shape of said tubular metal surface.