# US 4,898,485 A · Method and apparatus for marking on an arcuate surface > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,898,485 A - Document ID: US4898485A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/320,292 - Filed: 1989-03-03 - Granted: 1990-02-06 - Earliest claimed: 1986-11-13 - Assignees: M. E. Cunningham Company - Inventors: Edwin W. Speicher - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4898485A ## CPC - B44B 5/022: {Devices for holding or supporting work} - B44B 5/0061: {characterised by the power drive} - B44B 5/0095: {using computer control means} - B44B 5/026: {Dies (B44B5/028 takes precedence)} - B44B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR TOOLS FOR ARTISTIC WORK, e.g. FOR SCULPTURING, GUILLOCHING, CARVING, BRANDING, INLAYING (processes for producing decorative effects B44C; embossing leather C14B) ## Abstract A marking device includes a plurality of individual marking pin assemblies. Each marking pin assembly is spaced an angular distance from each adjacent marking pin assembly in the marking device to form a generally fan-shaped array. An arcuate object to be marked by the marking device is placed on an object support plate. As the arcuate object is rotated on the object support plate, the plurality of marking pin assemblies in the marking device operate to selectively imprint a plurality of preselected characters in the circumference of the arcuate object. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus for marking on an arcuate surface comprising, marking means for marking the circumference of an object having an arcuate surface with a plurality of characters of preselected height, said marking means including a plurality of marking head assemblies spaced from each other by a preselected angular distance to form a generally fan-shaped array, said plurality of marking head assemblies angularly spaced from a circumference of said object by a preselected degree to control said height of said characters, mounting means for supporting said marking means, object support means for supporting said object having said arcuate surface, said object support means positioned to provide that a longitudinal axis of said object is substantially perpendicular to said plurality of marking head assemblies, positioning means for positioning said arcuate object on said object support means, and means to actuate said plurality of marking head assemblies to selectively imprint a plurality of marks in the circumference of said arcuate object and form said plurality of characters. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Apparatus for marking on an arcuate surface as set forth in claim 1 which comprises, means for moving the surface of said object relative to said marking means while the circumference of said arcuate object is being marked by said marking means, and ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Apparatus for marking on an arcuate surface as set forth in claim 1 in which, said mounting means is replaceable to permit said marking means to mark the circumference of arcuate surfaces of varying diameters. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Apparatus for marking on an arcuate surface as set forth in claim 1 in which, said plurality of marking head assemblies in said marking means are located in the same plane, said plane being angularly spaced from said object support means to maintain said plurality of marking head assemblies in angular relation with a circumference of said arcuate surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Apparatus for marking on an arcuate surface as set forth in claim 1 in which, said mounting means includes a plurality of separate linear guide slots, each said marking head assembly being slidably secured to a separate guide slot to permit individual positioning of said marking head assemblies on said mounting means. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Apparatus for marking on an arcuate surface as set forth in claim 1 in which each said marking head assembly includes, a marking head body, said marking head body having a bore and having an air inlet end portion and a pin outlet end portion, a marking pin assembly having a striking end portion and a drive end portion, said marking pin assembly being slidably retained within said bore with said striking end portion arranged to extend through said pin outlet end portion, valve means positioned in said air inlet end portion, said valve means operable to control the flow of air to said air inlet end portion, solenoid means communicating with said valve means to open and close said valve means and thereby control the movement of said marking pin assembly within said bore, and means communicating with said bore to position said marking pin assembly in said bore at said air inlet portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Apparatus for marking on an arcuate surface as set forth in claim 1, in which, shimming means is provided to angularly space each said marking head assembly from a circumference of said object by a preselected degree to control said height of said characters. ### Claim 8 A method for marking on an arcuate surface comprising the steps of, providing a marking means for marking the circumference of an object having an arcuate surface with a plurality of characters of preselected height, said marking means including a plurality of marking pin assemblies spaced from each other by a preselected angular distance to form a generally fan-shaped array, angularly spacing said plurality of marking pin assemblies from a circumference of said object by a preselected degree to control said height of said characters, positioning said object having said arcuate surface on an object support means so that a longitudinal axis of said object is substantially perpendicular to said plurality of marking pin assemblies, and selectively moving each of said plurality of marking pin assemblies into and out of contact with a circumferential surface of said object to imprint a plurality of marks in said circumferential surface to form said plurality of characters. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A method for marking on an arcuate surface as set forth in claim 8 including, moving said marking means relative to said circumferential surface as said marking means marks said circumferential surface, and controlling the rate of movement of said marking means to control the placement of said marks imprinted in said circumference by said marking means relative to said circumferential surface control means to control the movement of said object relative to said marking means while the circumference of said arcuate object is being marked by said marking means. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A method for marking on an arcuate surface as set forth in claim 8 including, angularly spacing by shimming means each said marking pin assembly from a circumference of said object by a preselected degree to control said height of said characters. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A method for marking on an arcuate surface as set forth in claim 8 including, selecting mounting means to support said marking means the choice of said mounting means determined by the diameter of said object having an arcuate surface to be marked by said markings means.