US2763206A - Marking devices - Google Patents

Description

p 18, 1956 A. J'. ALESSI, JR 2,763,206

MARKING nsvzczas Filed June 4, 1953 60 5% 62 24 10 rm! 8 246 .52 s

3 h I I I M 2s 2 za 14.4

1% A IN V EN TOR.

:W4 ATTDR/VEK United States Patent Gottscho, Inc., Hillside, N. J., a corporationof New York "Application June 4, 1953, SerialNo.-3 59,'-576 3 'Claims. ("CL 101-329) The present invention relates generally to -marking devices, and is particularly-directedtoirnprovem'ents in marking-device's wher'ein'a mai'k-ing wheel,"having marking elements supported on the periphery "thereof, is 'rolled on' the surface toj-be marked so that the marking elements apply inked or other impreSsionsto that surface.

An :object of the present invention is to provide a marking device of the described character which is simple and economical top'roduce so-thatit maybesold'at a low'price to findwide-spr'ead' use.

Another object is to provide a marking device of the described character which i is 'forme'd, for the most part, from stamped metal"*parts, L and "wherein at least some of these stam'ped metal parts' are similar 'in con'figtu'ation to permituse 'of a s'ingle set df dies in stamping such similar parts.

A further object is a to provide a marking device of the described character which isarranged and constructed to hold together in its original assembled condition'even after repeatedand extensive-operation.

In accordance with the present invention, "the above, andother objects, features and-advantages, "are achieved by providing amarking device which includesa' stamped U-shap-ed frame formed by two parallel legs'and acrosspiece 1 connecting the 'legsat "one *end and having a 'ha'n'dl'e extending therefrom. An axle extends parallelto the frame' cr'oss-pieee an'd is mounted at its-"opposite ends in the lparallel frame legs at locations "intermediate the ends of the latter. A marking wheel is rotatablymounte'd on the axle and includes*atushingrotatble"on theaxle, two stamped circular end 7 plates carried by the bushing and formed with oppositely facing circularirecesseswhich define annular, radially outwardly directed 'shoulders,".a'nd a cylinder or core of cardboard or the like disposed betweenthe circular endplates andseating "at its "opposite ends on the annular-shoulders of" the end plates. A pair of bolts extend axially between the end plates to draw the latter-together against theopposite end edges'of the cylindrical core. Annular rubber'bearer rims are mounted on the cylindrical core. Annular rubber 'bearer rims are mounted on the cylindrical core adjacent the end platesand extendradially beyond the'latter to frictionally engage "the surface to 'be-ma'rked and cause rotation of the marking wheel as the frame is moved bodily over that surface. Suitable type supporting means is provided on the cylindrical core to"carry"type elements for markingthe surface over which the marking "wheelis rolled, and an inking roll is'removably and rotatably supported between the 'freeends of the parallel frame legs for rolling and ink supplying contact with the type elements on'the marking wheel. In order to return the marking wheel to its original position after each markingoperation, a torsion spring is dis'pose'dwithinthe circular recess of one of the endplates'and has one of its e'nds secured to atabstruck-out of'that end) plate. The other 'end-ofthe torsionspring is secured to a tab struck-out of a" circular adjustmentplate which is rotatable on the axle between the spring and the adjacent leg of the frame, and :1 lockscrew is extended'through that adjacentleg and into a selected "one of a series of circumferentially spaced tapped openings in the adjustment plate. 'In order to "limit the return rotation of the marking wheel under the influence of the torsion spring, a stop member is disposed'within the recess of'the other "of the end plates and is mounted atits opposite ends on the axial bolts which draw'the'en'd plates together. An abutment is struck-out of'the frame leg adjacent that other end -plate and extendsinto the recess of the latter into the path of travel of "the stop member for engagement with the latter when the m'arking wheel has been returned to its original or starting position.

In order that the present invention may be fully understood, a specific embodiment thereof is hereinafter described in detail, merely-by way'of example, and shown in the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of amarking device embodying the present invention;

Fig. .2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view, similar to.Fig. 1, but showing the opposite side of the marking device.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the markingdevice therein illustrated and embodyingthe present invention isgenerally identified by the reference numeral'lt). The marking device 10 includes a U-shaped frame 12 which is made up of two parallel spaced apartlegs 12a and 12b and-a cross-piece 12c connecting the legs 12a and 12b-at one end. The frame 12 is preferably-formedfrom a metal strap which is bent or stamped into the desired configuration. A handle 14 extends from the center of the frame cross-piece 12c in the direction opposed to the legs-12a and 12b. The handle 14 rnayinclude a bolt 14a extending through the cross-piece 12c, .and a suitably shaped outer body 14b which has an axial boretherein, accommodating the bolt 14a,'an d formed with a-counterbore to-receivea nut 140! which secures the body 14b on the bolt 1411.

An axle forming bolt 16 extends through the frame legs 12a'and 12b,:parallel to the cross-piece 12c, and at locationsintermediate the-opposite ends of the-frame legs. A marking wheel, generally identified by the reference numeral 18, isrotatably mounted upon the axle forming bolt 16 and includes a bushing 20 which is rotatable on the bolt 16 between the frame legs 12a and 12b. The opposite end-portions of the bushing 20 are of-slightly reduced diametertodefine radially extending shoulders facing away from each .other at the opposite ends of the bushing. The marking wheel 18 further includes two circular end. plates :22 and 24 which are stamped out'of fiat sheet metal. Thecircular-end plates 22 and-24 are of the samegeneral configuration so that theycan be stamped out and for-med withthe same set of dies. Each of the vendplatesl22 and 24 is formed with a central opening having a narrow-flange therearound 'to receive one of the reduced diameter end portions of the bushing 20. Thus, the circular end plate 22-.is disposed-upon the reduced diameter portion Zita of the bushing, while the end plate 24 is disposed upon the reduced diameter end portion 2% at the opposite end of the bushing 20. Further, the end plates 22 and 24 are formed with circular recesses 22a and 24a, respectively, opening axially away from each other. The circular recesses 22a and 24a are peripherally defined by axially extending portions 221) and24b which provide radially outwardly directed annular shoulders adjacent the peripheral margins of the respective end plates. A cylindrical core 26, formed of cardboard or the like, is disposed between the end plates 22 and 24 and seats at its opposite ends upon the axially extending portions 22b and 24b of the circular end plates. The several parts of the marking wheel 18 described above are held together by two axially extendmg bolts 28 having counter-sunk heads received in countersunk openings in the end plate 24 and threaded end portions which extend through suitable openings in the end plate 22 and receive securing nuts 30. Thus, the bolts 28 are effective to draw together the end plates 22 and 24 against the opposite end edges of the cylindrical core 26 and against the radial shoulders of the bushing 20 defined at the inner ends of the reduced diameter portions 20a and 20b of the bushing 20.

Cast rubber bearing rims 32a and 32b, of circular configuration, are disposed upon the cylindrical core 26 adjacent the end plates 22 and 24, respectively, and extend radially beyond the peripheries of the adjacent end plates. Thus, when the marking device is grasped by the handle 14 and moved bodily over a surface to be marked, the bearing rims 32a and 32b frictionally engage that surface and cause rolling of the marking wheel 18 along the surface to be marked. The marking wheel 18 also has means on the cylindrical core 26, between the bearing rims 32a and 32b, for supporting conventional marking elements. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, such supporting means may be in the form of a rubber sheet 34 adhesively secured to the outer surface of the core 26 between the bearing rims and having circumferentially extending, resilient gripping elements thereon to cooperate with correspondingly shaped gripping elements on the back surface of rubber type elements 36. Since the specific type elements and the means for supporting such type elements upon the marking Wheel are not a part of the present invention, no attempt has been made to either describe or illustrate such means in detail herein. In any event, as the marking wheel 18 is rotated in rolling contact with a surface, the marking or type elements 36 will be brought into marking contact with the surface.

When the marking applied to the surface is to be in the form of an inked impression, the marking device 10 embodying the present invention includes an arrangement for supplying ink to the surfaces of the type elements 36. This ink supplying arrangement preferably includes an axle 38 received at its opposite ends in open slots or notches 40 formed in the free ends of the frame legs 12a and 12b. The axle 38 is retained in the slots 40 by tension springs 42 which at one end are secured to tabs 44 struck out of the related frame legs and at the other end are attached to cotter pins 46 secured to the related ends of the axle 38. A sleeve or bushing 48 is rotatable on the axle 38 between the frame legs 12a and 12b and carries a felt, or other porous, roller 50 which is impregnated with ink. Suitable tubular spacers 52 are provided on the bushing 48 between the ends of the inking roll 50 and the adjacent frame legs 12a and 12b to maintain the inking roll 50 in an axial position effecting contact with the type elements 36, while avoiding contact with the outer surfaces of the bearing rims 32a and 32b. It is apparent that the springs 42, not only act to retain the axle 38 within the notches or slots 40, but also resiliently urge the inking roll 50 against the printing surfaces of the type elements. In order that the handle 14 may be held in a position raised from the surface to be marked without causing contact of the inking roll with that'surface, the frame legs 12a and 12b are preferably bent longitudinally, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, in parallel planes normal to the axis of rotation of the marking wheel 18.

Since it is intended that the marking device 10 will apply only a single marking to the surface over which the marking wheel 18 is rolled, the device 10 includes a return mechanism for repositioning the marking wheel at its original or starting location after the wheel is lifted off a marked surface. This repositioning or return mechanism includes a torsional spring 54, for example, a coiled clock spring, which is disposed within the recess 24a defined by the end plate 24 of the marking wheel. One end of the torsional spring 54 is secured to an axially struck-out tab 56 extending from the end plate 24, while the other end of the torsional spring 54 is suitably secured to an axially struck-out tab 58 formed on a circular plate 60 which is rotatable on axle 16 between the torsion spring 54 and the frame leg 12a. The circular plate 60 is adjustably held against rotation by a locking screw 62 which extends through a suitable opening in the frame leg 12a and is received in a selected one of a series of eircumferentially spaced apart tapped holes 64 formed in the plate 60. Thus, the plate 60 can be rotatably adjusted for increasing and decreasing the torsional force exerted by the spring 54 for the purpose of returning the marking wheel 18 to its original position following the marking of a surface.

In order to limit the return movement of the marking wheel 18 under the influence of the torsional spring 54, and thereby to establish the initial or starting position of the marking wheel, a diametrically extending stop member 66 is disposed within the recess 22a defined by the end plate 22 and is formed with a central opening through which the adjacent and portion 20a of the bushing 20 loosely extends. Adjacent its opposite ends, the stop member 66 is formed with suitable openings through which the bolts 28 extend, and the bolts 28 thereby secure the stop member 66 to the marking wheel. An abutment 68 is struck out of the frame leg 12b and extends axially into the recess 22a and the path of travel of an end portion of the stop member 66. Thus, when the marking wheel is lifted from a marked surface, the torsional spring 54 causes the marking wheel to rotate in the direction opposite to the rotation during marking until the stop member 66 engages the abutment 68 and thereby establishes the initial or starting position of the marking wheel. Since the stop member 66 is supported at its opposite ends by the bolts 28, the engagement of the stop member with the abutment 68 will not produce any turning action of the stop member about either one of the supporting bolts 28, and therefore there will be no tendency to loosen the nuts 30.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the present invention provides a marking device of simple and inexpensive construction, embodying a minimum number of parts for the functions to be performed, and making full use of stamped elements, as distinguished from machined or cast parts. Further, it is apparent that the stamped end plates 22 and 24 of the marking wheel 18 are substantially similar and can be formed with the same set of dies, with the counter-sunk openings and struck out tab 56 of the end plate 24 being formed in a second or further stamping operation.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail and illustrated in the drawing, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise embodiment, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A marking device comprising a portable frame movable bodily over a surface to be marked end including a bent metal strap of U-shaped configuration having two parallel, spaced apart legs and a cross-piece connecting said legs at one end of the latter, an axle extending parallel to said cross-piece and supported in said legs intermediate the ends of the latter, a marking wheel including a bushing rotatable on said axle, two identical, circular stamped metal end plates having central openings receiving said bushing and circular recesses concentric with the axis of the bushing and opening axially in directions facing away from each other, said circular recesses being peripherally defined by axially extending portions of the end plates spaced radially inward from the perimeters of the latter and forming annular, radially outward facing shoulders which are each bounded, at one side, by a radially outwardly directed annular flange, a cylindrical core of relatively rigid fibrous material between said end plates and seating, at its opposite ends, upon said annular shoulders and against said flanges, said core having a thickness less than the radial extent of said flanges so that the latter extend radially beyond the outer surface of said core, and axial bolts extending through said core and end plates and drawing the latter together against the end edges of said core, circumferential bearer rims on said core adjacent said flanges of the end plates and extending radially beyond the latter to frictionally engage the surface to be marked and cause rolling of said wheel in one direction in response to movement of said frame over the surface, marking means on said core between said bearer rims, an inking roll, means supporting said inking roll in said frame in rolling contact with marking means on said core between said rims, means connected between said frame and Wheel and nested Within the recess of one of said end plates to yieldably urge said wheel to rotate in the direction opposed to said one direction, and means extending into the recess of the other of said end plates to limit the rotation of the marking wheel in said opposed direction and thereby to establish the starting position of said marking wheel.

2. A marking device according to claim 1; wherein said means limiting the rotation of the marking Wheel includes a stop member extending diametrically in the circular recess of said other end plate, the opposite end portions of said stop member having openings therein to receive said axial bolts drawing the end plates together so that said axial bolts secure the stop member to said marking wheel, and an abutment struck from the frame leg adjacent said other end plate and extending axially into said circular recess of the latter and into the path of travel of an end of said stop member, and wherein said means yieldably urging said marking wheel to rotate includes a coiled torsional spring in the circular recess of said one end plate, a first tab struck-out of said one end plate and extending axially into the related recess, one end of said spring being attached to said first tab, and rotatably adjustable means securing the other end of said torsional spring relative to said frame.

3. A marking device according to claim 2; wherein said adjustable means securing the other end of the torsional spring relative to the frame includes a circular plate rotatable on said axle supporting the marking wheel between said one end plate and the adjacent one of said frame legs, said circular plate having a struck-out tab extending axially into said recess of said one end plate and secured to said other end of the torsional spring, said circular plate further having a series of circumferentially spaced apart tapped holes therein, and a locking screw extending through said adjacent frame leg and into a selected one of said tapped holes to secure said circular plate in an angularly adjusted position relative to said frame so that said spring exerts a predetermined torsional force on said marking wheel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 52,169 Holt Jan. 23, 1866 314,470 Pierce Mar. 24, 1885 321,223 Keeler June 30, 1885 342,228 Rodgers May 18, 1886 391,228 Burbank Oct. 16, 1888 1,364,301 Paxton Jan. 4, 1921 1,404,417 Wolfe Jan. 24, 1922 1,646,576 Castan Oct. 25, 1927 1,782,792 Pajeau Nov. 25, 1930 2,607,293 McKay Aug. 19, 1952 2,634,676 McKay Apr. 14, 1953

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