Engraving apparatus
AssigneeAxxess Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMichael A. Mueller, Warren W. Stansberry, Bradley D. Carlson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An engraving apparatus for engraving a workpiece selected by a user. The workpieces are contained in storage columns and biased into a shuttle by a spring system mounted externally to each storage column. The shuttle is moved by the engraver between loading, engraving, and dispensing positions. The workpieces are clamped during the engraving process by a piston and cam arrangement, which provides the desired clamping force yet can be disengaged to facilitate movement of the shuttle by the engraver.
Claims23
An engraving apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of workpiece storage columns, each of the storage columns capable of storing a plurality of blank workpieces;
- an anvil having a plurality of bores;
- a plurality of shuttles, one of the shuttles operable to move one of the workpieces from one of the storage columns to a corresponding bore in the anvil;
- and
- at least one piston configured to fit through one of the bores in the anvil to clamp the one workpiece against the corresponding shuttle.
An engraving apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of workpiece storage columns, each of the storage columns capable of storing a plurality of blank workpieces;
- a plurality of shuttles, each of the shuttles operable to move one of the workpieces from each of the storage columns to an engraving location;
- and
- means for selectively clamping a workpiece during an engraving operation, the selective clamping means including at least one piston moveable between a clamping position in which the at least one piston clamps the workpiece against the shuttle and a released position in which the at least one piston does not contact the workpiece.
An engraving apparatus, comprising:
- at least one workpiece storage column, each of the storage columns being configured to hold a plurality of blank workpieces;
- at least one shuttle configured to receive a workpiece to be engraved from the storage columns, the shuttle having a first opening, a bore, and a recess configured to receive the workpiece, the shuttle being movable between a loading position and an engraving position;
- and
- an engraver operable to engage the first opening in the shuttle to move the shuttle from the loading position to the engraving position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.