Continuous ink stamping systems and methods
OwnerJeffrey M. Winstoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for forming ink impressions. The system comprises a housing, a stamping wheel, and an inking assembly comprising an inking member and a support member comprising a single part and defining at least resilient one arm portion. The housing defines a handle portion and first and bracing portions. The support member deforms to force the inking member against the stamping wheel. The support member may comprise a base portion and an engaging portion, where the engaging portion engages and supports the inking member against the stamping wheel. The at least one arm portion may be arranged between the base portion and the engaging portion.
Claims19
A stamping system for forming ink impressions on a stamping surface of a sheet of material, the system comprising:
- a housing defining a handle portion, a wheel retaining portion, a bracing portion, and at least one guide portion;
- a stamping wheel, where the stamping wheel is rotatably supported by the wheel retaining portion of the housing;
- and
- an inking assembly comprising
- an inking member, and
- a support member comprising a single part and defining at least one arm portion, where the inking member is supported by the support member and the support member is braced by the bracing portion, where the at least one arm portion of the support member is resiliently deformable;
- wherein
- the at least one arm portion of the support member engages the at least one guide portion of the housing to guide movement of the inking member along an inking path towards the stamping wheel;
- when the at least one arm portion of the support member is deformed, the support member forces the inking member against the stamping wheel to apply ink to the stamping wheel;
- and
- when the stamping wheel is brought into contact with the stamping surface and the housing is displaced relative to the sheet of material, ink is deposited on the stamping surface to form the ink impression.
A method of forming ink impressions on a stamping surface of a sheet of material, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a stamping wheel for forming an ink impression;
- providing a housing defining a guide portion;
- supporting the stamping wheel on the housing;
- providing an inking member;
- providing a support member comprising a single part defining a base portion, at least one engaging portion, and at least one resilient arm portion arranged between the base portion and the at least one engaging portion;
- forming an inking assembly by mounting the inking member on the engaging portion of the support member;
- mounting the inking assembly on the housing such that the at least one arm portion of the support member engages the guide portion of the housing to guide movement of the inking member along an inking path towards the stamping wheel, and
- the at least one arm portion of the support member compresses to force the inking member against the stamping wheel such that the inking member applies ink to the stamping wheel;
- bringing the stamping wheel into contact with the stamping surface;
- and
- displacing the housing relative to the sheet of material to roll the stamping wheel along and thereby deposit ink onto the stamping surface to form the ink impression.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.