A STAMPING APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

5 The present invention relates to the field of office appliances.

More particularly, the invention relates to a stamping apparatus.

Background of the Invention

10 The term "stamping apparatus" refers herein to a handheld apparatus for impressing an image on a surface and the like by approaching the apparatus by a user to a contact with the surface.

The term "impression pad" refers herein to the part of a 15 stamping apparatus which comprises regions coming into contact with the surface of an object upon which the impression is carried out.

Usually, an impression pad is soaked with ink, thereby, upon -20- contacting a- surface,-a part- of the: ink -remains-on said- surface. -The regions of the impression pad meant to be in contact with the surface are at a plane, which is referred to herein as the "impression plane".

A rubber stamp is one example of a stamping apparatus. It is a

25 well-known appliance for office use. The major problem regarding rubber stamps is the need to prepare the impression pad in advance.

Some solutions are known in the prior art for this problem. For example, the dater is a stamping apparatus comprising a plurality of

annular rubber straps, each one having etchings of digits. The user thereof selects the desired date by rotating the annular rubber strap until the desired characters are at the impression plane.

Another well-know appliance is the numbering machine, which is based on the same principle. Each time the user uses the numbering machine, the number thereof is advanced.

All the appliances described above have not yet provided satisfactory solutions to the problem of preparing an impression pad.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a stamping apparatus, in which the process of preparing an impression pad thereof is faster than in the prior art.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a stamping apparatus, in which the user may design the image to be impressed.

Other -objects-and_advantages___ofjthe invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods, which are meant to be merely illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other advantages or improvements.

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a stamping apparatus, comprising ^: a stamping pad comprised of a plurality of pins wherein each pin corresponds to a pixel of the image to be impressed, each of the pins having- - a conveyor along which the pins can move from a non- impressing state to an impressing state (i.e., a state where the pin is in contact with a surface to be impressed); and - a first brake, for anchoring the pin at the impressing state.

The-stamping apparatus may-further-- comprise a-secondJbrake,__ for anchoring the pin at the non-impressing state.

In one embodiment, the first brake or the second brake is a depression on the pin. In other embodiment, the first brake or the second brake is a depression on the conveyor.

The contour of a pin may be rectangular, circular, and so forth.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the pins further comprises a pushing mechanism, for pushing the pin from the non-impressing state to the impressing state. The pushing mechanism may be based on a solenoid.

In one embodiment, each of the pins further comprises a pulling mechanism, for pulling the pin from the impressing state to the non-impressing state. Such a pulling mechanism may comprise a solenoid.

The apparatus may further comprise an initialization mechanism, for moving the plurality of pins to the non-impressing state.

The conveyor may be, for example, an aperture in a board.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the initialization mechanism comprises '• a plate positioned in parallel to the stamping pad; - a- conveyor^ - along- which the -plate_is_moved _towards _ the__ pins? ^" and a motor or solenoid, for moving the plate along the conveyor.

In one embodiment, each of the pins is made of elastic material and having a non-linear shape, thereby behaving as a linear spring.

The apparatus may further comprise an appliance comprising- - a magazine platform, for anchoring the stamping apparatus;

- a plurality of pushing mechanisms, each one corresponding to one of the pins, for pushing a corresponding pin of the stamping apparatus from the non-impressing state to the impressing state J - an initialization mechanism, for moving the plurality of pins to the non-impressing state or a puling mechanism, for puling each of the pins from the impressing state to the non- impressing state.

The initialization mechanism may comprise:

- a plate positioned in parallel to the stamping pad;

- a conveyor, along which the plate is moving toward the pins; and

- a motor or solenoid, for moving the plate along the conveyor.

The pulling mechanism may comprise a solenoid.

A computerized mechanism may be employed for designing the impression of the apparatus. Such a computerized mechanism may use a-graphical- editor,- for-the-purpose of_de signing _the_image_to_.be impressed by the apparatus.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the mechanism of the appliance is embedded within the stamping apparatus.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for stamping an image, the method comprising the steps of

- dividing the image into pixels;

- providing a stamping pad comprising a plurality of pins wherein each pin corresponds to one of the pixels;

- for each of the pixels, if a pixel is on, then moving the corresponding pin to outstand from the stamping pad; and - pushing the apparatus towards a surface, thereby causing the image created by the outstanding pins to be impressed on the surface.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein be considered illustrative, rather than restrictive. The disclosure, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures, in which-

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a stamping apparatus, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view which schematically illustrates the structure of the impression pad which impresses the image, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view which schematically illustrates the structure of a mechanism for setting a pin to ON, according to a preferred-embodiment of-the-invention..

Fig. 4 is a sectional view which schematically illustrates the structure of the impression pad which impresses the image, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a pin, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a top view of an impression pad, according to one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the pins are circular.

Fig. 7 is a top view of an impression pad, according to one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the pins are rectangular.

Fig. 8 is a top view of an impression pad, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a top view of an impression pad, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates a programmer, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 11 schematically illustrates a computer to which a programmer is connected via a communication cable, according to one .embodiment.of _the_iny_ention._

Fig. 12 is a block diagram of a method for stamping an image, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements

may be exaggerated relative to other elements for greater clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However,, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail, so as not to obscure the present disclosure.

The term "pixel" refers in the art to the smallest element of an image that can be individually processed in a display system.

The term "matrix" refers herein to a two-dimensional array of pixels.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a stamping apparatus, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The -impression -pad -30 comprises- an - array -of— pins ₇ whose- pixels, i.e., the matrix thereof, form the image to be impressed. A pin 20 is a mechanical element, which has at least two states^ an ON state (marked in the figures as 32) and an OFF state (marked in the figures as 34). In the ON state, the tip of the pin is located on the impression plane of the impression pad 30.

When the impression pad 30 contacts a sheet of paper 70 or other surface, a pin which is currently in the ON state leaves a mark

on the surface 70 (assuming the tip of the pin 30 is soaked with ink), in contrast to a pin in the OFF state, which leaves no marks since it is not in contact with the sheet 70. The ON state is referred to herein also as the impressing state, and the OFF state is referred herein also as a non-impressing state.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view which schematically illustrates the structure of the impression pad 30 which impresses the image, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The conveyer 28 is actually a board which comprises a plurality of "bores" (holes) 36, in which corresponding pins 20 are installed. Each pin comprises a ring 22, which is used as bump. A "bore" 36 has two depressions, an upper depression 24 and a lower depression 26. The pin 20 is designed such that when its ring 22 is located at the lower depression 26, the tip of the pin 20 is located at the level of the surface 70, on which the impression takes place, and when its ring 22 is located at the upper depression 24, the tip of the pin 20 is located above the level of the surface 70, and therefore, in this--case-no-impression.is-carried_out_by_lhe_ .pin. .Prefer ably, _.the_._ rings are made of flexible material.

In the event the matrix 30 has a low resolution, the pins may be set to ON or OFF manually. However, in the event the matrix has a high resolution, it is preferred to employ an automatic mechanism for setting the pins to ON or OFF.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view which schematically illustrates the structure of a mechanism for setting a pin to ON, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an appliance 40 may be used for this 5 purpose, as detailed hereinafter. The appliance 40 is referred to herein also as "programmer", since it "programs" the pins of the stamping apparatus 10 to impress a desired image.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, the rods 50 move 10 within "bores" 58 of the board 56. Thus, each pin 20 is pushed to its ON state by a rod 50, which is a part of - or connected to - the solenoid 52.

The pins 20 may be returned to their OFF state by the

15 initialization plate 62. The initialization plate 62 is connected to the rod 64 of the solenoid 66. Thus, when the solenoid 66 moves the rod

64, the initialization plate 62 pushes the pins 20 which are in the ON state back to their OFF state.

:-2θ -Fig.-4-is-a- sectional -view -whieh -schematically illustrates the- structure of the impression pad 30 which impresses the image, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. According to this embodiment, the pin 20 is not linear, but rather has a form of an arc, as illustrated in Fig. 5. In this embodiment the pin 20 is made of

25 flexible material, thereby behaving like a linear spring.

The conveyer comprises three separate and parallel boards, 28A, 28B and 28C. In this embodiment, each pin has at least two

depressions, a lower depression 16 and an upper depression 14. In the OFF state, the contact between the upper depression 14 and board 28A results with a brake to the pin's movement. In the ON state, the contact between the upper depression 16 and board 28C 5 results with a brake to the pin's movement.

Fig. 6 is a top view of an impression pad 30, according to one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the pins 20 are circular. 10

Fig. 7 is a top view of an impression pad 30, according to one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the pins 20 are rectangular.

15 Fig. 8 is a top view of an impression pad 30, according to one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the pins 20 are rectangular, but in contrast to the arrangement of Fig 7, each pin touches the adjacent pins, as illustrated also in Fig. 4.

^~ 20 ^~ Fig. ^" 9 is a ^~ top ^~ view of-an- impression-pad- 30, -aceording-to one- embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the pins 20 are rectangular, but in contrast to the arrangement of Fig 6, each pin touches the adjacent pins.

25 Fig. 10 schematically illustrates a programmer 40, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. According to this example, the programmer is embodied as an appliance.

Fig. 11 schematically illustrates a computer 80 to which a programmer 40 is connected via a communication cable 82.

The object of the programmer 40 is to set the pins 20 of a

5 stamping apparatus 10 to ON or OFF according to the desired image.

The image may be designed by the computer 80, and transferred to the programmer 40. According to one embodiment of the invention, the programmer 40 stores in its memory a plurality of images, thus allowing a user to select the desired one without connecting the

10 programmer 40 to the computer 80.

The user interface of the programmer 40 may comprise a display 42 and operational buttons 48.

15 After placing the stamping apparatus 10 into a corresponding socket 82 of the programmer 40, the first operation is initialization of the pins 20 of the stamping apparatus 10. This is carried out by pushing the pins back to their OFF state, by the initialization plate 62, as illustrated in Fig. 4 and described hereinbefore. -20—

After the pins 20 have been set to their OFF state, the solenoids 52 which belong to the pins to be set to their ON state are provided with power, thus moving their rods 50, which push the pins 20 towards their ON state. As described hereinabove, when a pin 20 25 reaches its ON state, it is stopped by bump 22 and corresponding depression 24.

A variety of mechanisms may be employed for programming a matrix. For example, the first generation of personal printers, the EPSON FX-80, has used an array of eight pixels installed on a carriage. The pixels have been turned on and off while the carriage moves across a sheet paper. Such a mechanism may also be employed for programming the stamping apparatus 10, i.e., a carriage of 1 or more pins move along the matrix 30 of pins, and sets the desired pins to ON.

According to another embodiment of the invention, each pin 20 has a corresponding solenoid 52 on the programmer 40. Thus, in this case, all the pins may be programmed at the same time.

Of course this is only an example of a programmer, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that other mechanisms may be implemented to this purpose.

Although the examples herein refer herein to a "matrix", i.e., two-dimensional array of pixels, the invention may employ any arrangement of-pins^ not -necessarily reetangular--Furthermore,- t-he- pins do not have to be of the same size, but can be of differing sizes, depending on the desired resolution in a specific region of the impressed area.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the mechanism of the programmer is embedded within the stamping apparatus. In this case, the pushing mechanism (i.e., the mechanism that sets a pin to its ON state) may be used also as a pulling mechanism (i.e.,

the mechanism that sets a pin to its OFF state), e.g., by connecting (or embedding) the pin to the rod of the solenoid thereof.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram of a method for stamping an image, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

At step 100, an image to be impressed is divided into pixels.

At step 110, a stamping pad comprising a plurality of pins is provided, wherein each pin corresponds to one of the pixels.

At step 120, the corresponding pins of the pixel that are ON are moved to outstand from said stamping pad.

At step 130, the apparatus is pushed towards a surface, thereby causing the image created by the outstanding pins to be impressed on the surface.

In the figures and description herein, the following numerals — have -been-used- The -numeral -10 -denotes a stamping --apparatus; 14 -- denotes an upper depression of a pin! 16 denotes a lower depression of a pin; 20 denotes a pin; 22 denotes a ring of a pin which is used a bump; 24 denotes an upper depression; 26 denotes a lower depression; 28 denotes a pin conveyor of the stamping apparatus 10; 30 denotes the impression pad (matrix); 32 denotes a pin in ON state; 34 denotes a pin in OFF state; 36 denotes a "bore"; 40 denotes a programmer (appliance); 42 denotes a display of the appliance 40;

44 denotes the casing of the appliance 405 46 denotes a socket of the

appliance 40 in which the stamping apparatus 10 is placed for programming; 48 denotes buttons of the programmer 40 for controlling the operation of programmer 401 50 denotes a rod of solenoid 52; 56 denotes a board (actually a conveyor for rods 50); 58 denotes a bore within board 561 62 denotes an initialization plate,' 64 denotes a rod connected to the plate 621 66 denotes a solenoid whose rod is denoted as 64; 70 denotes a surface on which the stamping apparatus impresses an image; 80 denotes a computer or computerized machine; and 82 denotes a communication cable between the computer 80 and the appliance 40.

While certain features of the disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, the invention can be embodied in other forms, ways, modifications, substitutions, changes, equivalents, and so forth. The embodiments described herein should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.