Engraving quill holders

Abstract

A cut or slit is provided in the holder generally perpendicular to the actual opening through the holder in which the shaft of an engraving quill is held. The cut or slit completely intersects the opening and divides the cut portion into two sections of unequal thickness. Means are provided for opening or closing the slit to thereby engage and disengage the quill shaft. This means is provided by a pair of set screws; one in the portion of the holder above the slit and one in the portion of the holder below the slit. A polymer insert is provided for smoothly engaging the shaft of an engraving quill when the slit is forced open. It is on the opposite side of the opening from the set screws. Turning a set screw causes the thinner portion of the cut holder to bend locking an engraving quill shaft. An insert is provided on the opposite side of the holder from the screws to counter balance the holder and the hole for the insert is capped by a color coded plastic insert which may be used to identify the type of quill in the holder. Alternatively, the counter balance may be dispensed with and the polymer insert color coded and extended entirely through one side of the holder. An engraving quill having a color coded dot at the end thereof opposite to the engraving tool mounted thereon is also disclosed for identifying the nature of the material to be engraved by the quill.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.