US3620343A

US3620343A - Embossing device with dies mounted on flexible fingers

Info

Publication number: US3620343A
Application number: US784558A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fritz A Deutsch
Original assignee: Multigraphics Inc
Current assignee: DBS Inc
Priority date: 1968-12-18
Filing date: 1968-12-18
Publication date: 1971-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 1988-11-16
Also published as: DE1963310C3; DE1963310A1; GB1292862A; DE1963310B2

Abstract

An embossing device which utilizes a pair of spaced discs. The discs have fingers. At the ends of the fingers of one disc are punch members and at the ends of the fingers of the other disc are corresponding die members. An actuation mechanism is provided which first moves one disc toward the other to close the fingers against the article to be embossed and then after closure generates embossing force against an anvil. The anvil is mounted on a first reaction bar to contain the reaction forces of embossing therebetween; and a second reaction bar is connected to the first reaction bar to contain the drive reaction forces therebetween. Also an interposer is provided for precise positioning of the punches and dies.

Description

United Mates Patet 1 3,620,343

[72] Inventor Frill A- D uls h 3,330,396 7/1967 Jamesw n 197/67 X Euclid, Ohio 3,360,093 12/1967 McDonald.. 197/67 X [211 App]. No. 784,558 3,366,212 l/1968 Mclnnis 197/67 [22] Filed Dec. 18, 1968 3,406,805 10/1968 Goodrich 197/67 [45] Patented Nov. 16, 1971 3,485,335 12/1969 McMahon 197/67 [73] Assignee Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation 947,397 l/1910 Owens 197/6.6

Cleveland, Ohio PrimaryExaminer Edgar S. Burr A!torneysRussell L. Root and Ray S. Pyle [54] EMBOSSING DEVICE WITH DIES MOUNTED 0N FLEXIBLE FINGERS W 1 7 Claims, 19 Drawing Figs.

ABSTRACT: An embossing device which utilizes a pair of aced di cs The di have flnge At the ends of the fingers Cl 1/30 of one disc are punch members and at the ends of the fingers 01' Search of the other disc are corresponding members An actua. 5 1 References Cited tion mechanism is provided which first moves one disc toward the other to close the fingers against the article to be em- UNITED STATES PATENTS bossed and then after closure generates embossing force 2,133,201 10/1938 Krell 197/6.7 against an anvil. The anvil is mounted on a first reaction bar to 197/6.7 contain the reaction forces of embossing therebetween; and a 3,116,820 H1964 Owen l97/6.7 second reaction bar is connected to the first reaction bar to 3,239,048 3/1966 Bogeaus 197/6.7 contain the drive reaction forces therebetween. Also an inter- 3,280,955 10/1966 Brown 197/6.7 poser is provided for precise positioning of the punches and 3,307,673 3/1967 Jackson 197/64 dies.

2,951,571 9/1960 Colyereta1..

PATENTEDuuv 16 um 3.620. 343

sum 1 or 8 1N VEN'TOR FRITZ A. DEUTISCH awns SB/Q PATENTEDunv 1s l97| 3. 620 1343 saw 2 or 8 F INVENTOR.

FfP/TZ A. DEUTSCH A'T'TORNPIY PATENTEDNUV 1s ISII 3, 20,343

sum 5 or a INVENTOR.

FR/TZ A. DEUTSCH PATENTEllunv 1 6 Ian 3.620343 sum 5 or 8 IN Vii. N TOR F #2 A. 050mm BY AT'TO NEIY PATENTEBuuv 16 1911 saw 7 0F 8 INVENTOR. F/WTZ A. DEUTSGH SEQ ATTORNEY EMBOSSING DEVICE WITH DIES MOUNTED ON FLEXIBLE FINGERS This invention relates to embossing machines of the type adapted to produce raised characters on an article, usually a card or plate of metal or plastic.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Application Ser. No. 784,561 entitled Embossing Discs filed Dec. 18, 1968, is directed to specific preferred embodiment of rotatable embosser discs. Application Ser. No. 794,898 entitled Carriage for Embossing Machine filed Jan. 29, 1969, is directed to a specific preferred carriage for placing an embossable plate with respect to embosser discs in the pressure applicator device of this invention. Application Ser. No. 818,005 entitled Registration Alignment For Embossing Machine, filed Apr. 21, 1969 is directed to a specific means to assure proper rotational positioning of the embossing discs before pressure is applied.

Examples of embossing machines of the type which form raised characters on metal or plastic plates are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,973,853 in the name of Freedson; No. 3,029,920 in the name of Seifried; and No. 3,293,691 in the name of Gollwitzer. These machines utilize precision formed, individually mounted punch and die sets.

Machines which have individual punches and dies require complex mounting means and means to select the required punch and die for each embossing operation. Further, the nature of these sets and this mounting has required complicated, complex drive-mechanized machines for applying the embossing force. This complex and precision equipment contributes to a machine that is rapid and accurate, forming precise characters rapidly on a large volume basis. The quality of the product which such machines will produce is unexcelled. Whenever the embossed product will be used to roduce printing which must be machine read, high quality is required. If not, then lesser quality can be accepted. However, this complex mechanism and precision formed dies contribute substantially to the cost of the machine.

When the number of articles to be embossed is sufficiently large or precision is required to justify the cost of the machine, these machines are the preferred choice.

When the number of articles to be embossed is low and high precision is not required, the cost of these machines often cannot be justified. For example, a small local merchant may wish to imprint a limited number of charge account cards or plates and the above described machines may be too expensive for his purpose.

There are small inexpensive hand-operated machines which are suitable for embossing characters on soft plastic ribbon. These are the squeeze-type machines wherein hand pressure is applied by mechanical device to emboss characters on soft plastic ribbon. Such machines are not capable of producing characters on heavy plastic or sheet metal and are suitable only for producing a single continuous line of characters. The soft plastic ribbon upon which these machines operate is not suitable for the printing requirements of credit cards or addressing plates used as printing tokens.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION An advantage of this invention is that it provides a compact, inexpensive embossing machine which is suitable for embossing plastic and metal plates for such purposes as forming credit cards, or address plates.

A further advantage is that it provides a portable, relatively inexpensive embossing machine for embossing metals and hard plastic plates, which utilizes punch and die members formed on a pair ofdiscs.

These and other advantages and objects together with a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embossing device embodying principles according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view, partially in section with parts broken away for clarity, of the embossing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken substantially along line 3- 3 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary side elevational views with portions in section, taken from a position substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of one disc used in the embossing procedure;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane designated by the line 7--7 FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane designated by the line 88 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a mating discs to that shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane designated by the line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 1 l is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane designated by the line llll in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the drive mechanism and portions of the embossing mechanism related to the FIG. 3-5;

FIGS. 13 through 15 are side elevational views of the cabinet showing the various stages of the opening thereof for replacing discs;

FIG. 16, on page I of the drawings, is a partial rear elevational view of a yoke having a slide adjustment for adjusting the effective distance of stroke for selecting the effective embossing force;

FIG. 17, on page 1 of the drawings, is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a section taken along line l8l8 of FIG. 16; and

FIG. 19, on the last page of drawings, is a plan view somewhat diagrammatic showing a motorized embodiment of the drive mechanism to replace the manual drive shown in FIG. 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, an article-embossing device according to this invention is shown. The embossing device includes a case designated generally as 20 having a base section 22 and a cover section 24.

A carriage generally designated as 26 is mounted on the base section 22. The carriage is adapted to support an article such as a plastic card or aluminum alloy plate for embossing, and permits the incremental advancement of the article after each character is formed and also provides for line spacing so that several lines may be embossed on the article.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the embossing mechanism contained within the case 20 is shown in detail. Refer first to FIG. 3. The mechanism includes a shaft 28 secured to extend from a stud 30 formed in the cover section 24. A nut 32 and washer 34 locks the shaft into place to prevent its rotating. A drive pulley 36 is journaled on the shaft 28 and is maintained thereon by a snapring 38. The drive pulley 36 is operable by a knob 40 extending from cover 24, as seen best in FIG. 2. A shaft 41 extends from knob 40 through the cover 24 and is provided with a bevel gear 42 which meshes with gear teeth 44 formed on a hub portion of the pulley 36.

The pulley 36 is used to drive a visible indicia device. A flexible cord 46 is reaved therearound, which cord is also reaved around a pair of guide pulleys 48 and 50 journaled at opposite ends of the cover 24. The cord 46 is attached to a pointer 52, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which cooperates with a linear character designating indicia 54. The pointer and indicia scale indicate the selected character to be embossed.

The two cooperating discs of FIGS. 6 and 9 are grouped as a disc assembly designated generally as 56, see FIG. 3. Assembly 56 is journaled on the shaft 28 and secured thereon by a snapring 57. The disc assembly 56 includes at the top thereof, an annular ring member 58 having a tongue 59 extending upwardly therefrom into a slot 60 formed in the hub of pulley 36. This acts as a keying device to precisely position the disc assembly 56 with respect to the pulley 36 on the shaft 28 and to cause the disc assembly 56 to rotate in union with the pulley 36.

The disc assembly 56 includes an upper embossing disc 62 and a lower embossing disc 64. The upper embossing disc 62 is secured to the ring 58 by plurality of rivets, one of which is shown at 66. The lower embossing disc 64 is secured to a sleeve member 68 by a plurality of rivets one of which is shown at 70. The sleeve 68 is mounted for axial slideable movement on an axial extension 72 of the ring 58 and is retained thereon by a snapring 73. A coil spring 74, around extension 72, operates against a shoulder 76 formed on the extension 72 and against the sleeve 68 nonnally urging the

discs

62 and 64 away from each other, the snapring 73 acting as a stop.

A pilot stud 78 is provided which extends through the ring 58, the upper disc 62 and the lower disc 64, and serves to guide the lower disc with respect to the upper disc to keep the proper character sets in alignment for embossing.

The

discs

62 and 64 are provided with mated punch and die members for performing the embossing operation and are shown in detail in FIGS. 6 through 11. The disc shown in FIGS. 9 through 11 carries the die or female members of the set and the disc shown in FIGS. 6 through 8 carries the punch or male members of the set. If the device is to be used to provide raised human readable characters, the upper disc 62 will be the disc carrying the die members and the lower disc 64 will be thedisc having the punch members; if the device is to be used to provide reverse or printing characters on a plate, the lower disc 64 will have the die members and the upper disc 62 will have the punch members.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 8, the disc has a generally solid central section 80 with a plurality of separate arms 82 extending therefrom. At the end of each of the arms 82 a punch 84 is provided which has a character projecting from the surface thereof. Similarly, in FIG. 9 the disc has a solid central section 80 and a plurality of arms 82' extending therefrom. At the end of each of the arms 82' is a raised pad 84' having a recessed character die. Preferably the discs are manufactured according to the teachings of copending application, Ser. No. 784,561 filed Dec. 18, 1968 entitled EMBOSSING DISCS, although other methods of manufacture may be used.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the

discs

62 and 64 in the disc assembly 56 are so positioned that corresponding punch and die

members

84 and 84 are aligned so as to perform an embossing operation when pressure is applied.

The punch and die sets are rotated to an embossing station by turning the knob 40. This will rotate pulley 36. Since the disc assembly 56 is keyed to the pulley 36, it will rotate therewith. The pointer 52 is driven by the cord 46 along indicia scale 54 to indicate which character set is at the embossing Station.

As shown in FIG. 3, an article A to be embossed is held by the carriage in a plane between the

discs

62 and 64 and in a position to be embossed. An anvil in the form of a yoke member 86 is provided which has a pressure yoke surface 88 formed thereon. The yoke 86 has depending legs 89 at opposite ends which are journaled on a reaction bar shaft 90 which in turn is secured to the base 22 of the case 20.

Refer now to FIGS. 3 and 12. Embossing pressure is generated by means of a cam 92 mounted on the reaction bar 90. Cam 92 operates a lever mechanism, generally designated as 94, to provide the embossing force.

The lever mechanism 94 includes an embossing head 96 mounted on a cam follower 98 which operates against the surface of the cam 92. The embossing head 96 and cam follower 98 are secured to one end of a bifurcated lever 100. The opposite end of lever 100 is joumaled on a shaft 102, mounted on a bracket 104. The bracket 104 is secured to the base section 22 of the case 20. A pair of lost motion link members 106 are provided on opposite sides of the lever 100, each extending from the center of the lever 100 to the midportion of a second bifurcated lever 108. One end of the lever 108 is secured by a shaft 110 to the bracket 104.

See FIG. 3. The lost motion connection of each link 106 is created by use of an elongated slot 1 12 formed in the link 106. A pin 114 on the lever 108 extends through slot 112. A pin 118 connects the other end of the link 106 to the lever 100. A spring 116 is connected between the pin 114 and the pin 118. The bifurcated lever 108 has camming surfaces 120 formed adjacent one end thereof, disposed to operate against the sleeve 68. See FIG. 3.

FIGS. 2 through 5 show the operation of the embossing apparatus when actuated by the cam 92. When the shaft turns in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, the cam 92 raises the cam follower 98. This causes the lever to pivot about the shaft 102, causing the spring I 16 to pivot the lever 108 about the shaft 1 10. When the lever 108 pivots about the shaft 110, the cam surfaces I20 act against the end of the sleeve 68 pushing it upwardly. This will cause the disc 64 to slide axially on the hub extension 72 toward the disc 62. It will be noted that the embossing head 96 is also moving upwardly. However, the profile of the cam 92 and lever mechanism 94 is so designed that the mechanical advantage will prevent the embossing head 96 from coming in contact with the lower disc 64 until closure of the discs has been efi'ected, as shown in FIG. 4. Hence, the initial action of the lever mechanism 94 is to cause the lower disc 64 to move axially toward the upper disc 62 until the punch and die sets 84 and 84' come in contact with opposite sides of the article A. At this point, when closure has been efi'ected, continued movement of the cam 92 in the direction shown by the arrow from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5, will cause the embossing head 96 to close against the punch member 84. Continuing cam rotation will apply embossing pressure against the work surface 88 on the yoke 86. The final surface of cam 92 is a continuously expanding radius. The embossing pressure is selected for a given card material by selecting the rotational stopping point of the cam. After the discs have been closed by drive applied through spring I16, further movement of lever 100 will result only in expansion of spring 116.

The embossing pressure will cause a character to be embossed on the article between the punch and die set at the embossing station. (It will be noted that upon the upward movement of the disc 64 effecting closure, the punch and die

sets

84 and 84 on several arms adjacent the characters at the embossing station will also close against opposite sides of the article. However, the force of closure is not sufficient to cause embossing, the embossing pressure being applied only to the punch and die set at the embossing station by the embossing head 96.)

Once the character has been formed in the article A, movement of the shaft in the opposite direction will release the embossing mechanism to return to the position shown in FIG. 3. A torsion spring (not shown) urges lever I00 to the FIG. 3 position against the urge of cam 92. As the lever I00 returns, the link 106 will drive lever 108 back to its FIG. 3 position. Spring tension is sufficient to close the discs, but positionopening action is required, and assured by link 106. The article A can then be advanced and the knob rotated to select a different character. One upstanding advantage of this invention wherein the discs are closed on parallel planes is that this arrangement allows for precise mating of punch and die members. If embossing is accomplished by flexing the

arms

82 and 82, precise mating of the punch and die is often difficult to obtain because of the arcuate path of travel of the members as opposed to a linear path as accomplished by this invention. Also, the embossing mechanism in the arrangement of this invention permits the embossing discs to be mounted on planes which are spaced adequately for proper clearance with the article to be embossed so the

discs

62 and 64 will rotate freely without scraping against or hanging up on the article. This adequate, wide separation, is possible since the embossing takes place by first moving the lower disc 64 axially toward the upper disc 62 and not applying embossing pressure against the member 84' until closure has been effected. If the embossing pressure were applied directly to the member on the lower disc without first raising it to efiect closure, there would necessarily be a substantial amount of bending of the arm 82 thereof which carries the member 84. Of course, the greater the separation between the

discs

62 and 64, the greater the bending of the arms 82' that would take place. It has been found that when the arms 82' are repeatedly bent over a substantial distance there is a tendency toward failure of the arms due to work hardening of the material. This mechanism, however, overcomes this tendency toward failure by eliminating the repeated flexing of the arms of the discs. Hence, adequate spacing can be maintained between the

discs

62 and 64 to permit proper clearance of the article A when the discs are being rotated to select the character to be embossed.

Also in this device, the yoke or anvil 86 is connected to a reaction bar 90 whereby the reaction forces of the embossing are contained between the yoke and the reaction bar and are not carried by the case. Because of this design, the case can be made of relatively light material, inasmuch as it is not required to contain or withstand the reaction forces of embossing.

Turning now to FIG. 12, the drive mechanism for operating the embossing mechanism is shown. The drive mechanism includes a crank 122 mounted on a second reaction bar or shaft 124. An eccentric collar 126 is also mounted on the reaction shaft 124. Collar 126 is connected by a drive link 128 to a second eccentric collar 130 mounted on reaction bar 90. A return spring 131 surrounding reaction shaft 124 normally urges the reaction shaft 124 in a clockwise direction to the position shown. Rotation of crank 122, counterclockwise, as indicated by the arrow, will cause a counterclockwise rotation of bar 124 which, through the action of the drive link 128, will cause clockwise rotation of the reaction bar 90. As described previously, rotation of bar 90 will first cause a closure of the discs and thereafter the embossing pressure will be applied. When the handle 122 is released, the spring 131 will return the mechanism to its initial position.

It is preferred that the drive link 128 be made adjustable in length, which is accomplished by manufacturing the drive link in two parts with an adjusting screw and nut 132 joining the parts. This adjustment serves several purposes. First adjustment can be made after assembly of the device and, because of this adjustment certain tolerances can be maintained much looser than otherwise would be possible. Also, the adjustment serves to vary the stroke of the link 128 which will vary the rotational position of cam 92 and the embossing pressure applied to the disc 62. Variation in the embossing force is desirable if articles of different material are to be embossed. Also, this adjustment provides the operator with the opportunity to adjust for exactly the right pressure for precision control.

The reaction shaft 90 is interconnected to the reaction shaft 124 by a pair of

rib members

133 and 134 which

journal shafts

90 and 124 opposite ends. This particular construction contains the driving forces between the shaft 90 and the shaft 124 and thus does not transmit any of these driving forces to the case. Hence, this drive device with the driving forces contained between the

shafts

90 and 124 coupled with the yoke 86 mounted on the reaction shaft 90 and containing the embossing reaction forces therebetween provides a drive and embossing mechanism wherein no extreme forces are transmitted to the case.

As was indicated above, the proper character set is positioned by rotation of the disc assembly 56. However, this is merely a rough or approximate setting. Hence, an interposer is provided for precise positioning of the character sets.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 12, the interposer mechanism of this device is shown located adjacent the central area of shaft 124, and generally designated by reference character 136. interposer 136 includes a bracket 138 (see FIG. 3) mounted on the cover section 24 of the case 20. A finger 140 is joumaled on a shaft 142 carried by the bracket 138. An actuating link 144 is connected between the finger 140 and a lever arm 146. The actuating link 164 has a lost motion arrangement similar to the link 106. The lever arm 146 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 148 which, in turn, is carried by the bracket 138. The lever arm 146 is provided with a cam follower 150 which is actuated by a cam 152 mounted on shaft 124. A spring 153 normally maintains the finger in the retracted position shown in FIG. 3.

When the reaction shaft 124 is rotated because of the action of the crank 122, the cam 152 drives the lever arm 146 about shaft 148. Arm 146 drives link 144 to cause the finger 140 to pivot about the shaft 142. Grooves or depressions 154 are formed in the ring member 58. The grooves 154 are located circumferentially about the ring member 58 so that each groove corresponds with a given punch and die member on the

disc

62 and 64 and the grooves are equally spaced. As the finger 140 pivots, it advances into locking engagement with the groove most accurately aligned therewith. This action is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Thus, if disc assembly 56 is not accurately positioned by the operator, the action of the finger 140, in groove 154, will move the disc assembly 56 slightly clockwise or counterclockwise, so that the punch and die members are exactly positioned at the embossing station.

The cam profile of cam 152 and the linkage operated thereby are selected such that the finger 140 engaged the grooves 154 before closure of the

discs

62 and 64 against the article A is effected. This, of course, is to allow for necessary motion of the discs for alignment which could not take place if the discs were engaged with the article. When the drive mechanism is released, the finger 140 will be retracted by the spring 153.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 12, there are additional sets of

cams

156 and 158 mounted on the shaft 90. These cams operate escapement mechanism 160 (FIG. 2) which will advance the carriage 26 one space for each completed cycle of the embossing operation.

FIGS. 13 through 15 show how the embossing machine can be opened for access to the interior thereof for replacement of the discs. As can be seen in these figures, the cover section 24 is hingedly mounted to the base section 22 by hinge pins 162. A latch 164 is pivotally mounted on the yoke 86 and has a groove 165 at one end thereof adapted to engage latch pin 166 formed on the interior of the cover section 24. As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 12, a coil spring 168 is provided around one end of the reaction bar 90, and acts against the yoke 86 normally urging the yoke to rotate in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 12 through 15. The latch 164, when engaged with the latch pin 166, maintains the yoke 86 against this rotation and in a position with the work surface 88 disposed adjacent a member 84' and disc 62 for the embossing operation.

For access to the interior of the case 20, the latch 164 is depressed, releasing it from engagement with the latch pin 166. When this happens the yoke 86 will pivot to the position shown in FIG. 14, due to the action of the coil spring 168. This pivotal movement of the yoke is to provide clearance space so that the yoke will not interfere with the movement of the

discs

62 and 64 when the cover is raised to the position shown in FIG. 15. An articulated hinge member (not shown) may be used to maintain the cover in the open position.

As can be seen in FIG. 15, the disc assembly 56 is readily exposed and accessible and can be easily replaced by merely removing the snapring 57 and then removing the disc assembly 56 from the shaft 28. A replacement disc assembly can be inserted merely by slipping the disc assembly on the shaft, aligning the tongue 59 with the groove 60, pushing the disc assembly 56 into place, and replacing the snapring 57. The cover section 24 can then be closed, the yoke 86 pivoted back, and the latch 164 engaged with the latch pin I66 readying the machine for operation again.

Reviewing the operation of the machine, the proper disc assembly 56 is selected and inserted into the machine. The article to be embossed, which may be a plastic card or an aluminum alloy plate, or other similar article, is placed into the carriage and advanced to the embossing position between the discs. The knob 40 is turned to rotate the disc assembly 56 to move the desired punch and die members 84 and 84' to the embossing station adjacent the work surface 88 on the yoke 86. The indicia on the face of the cover member shows by means of the pointer what character is at the embossing station.

When the proper character is selected, the crank arm 122 is actuated, which rotates the reaction bar 124. The rotation of reaction bar 124 rotates cam 152 which operates the interposer mechanism 136 which precisely positions the disc assembly 56 for embossing. At the same time, rotation of the reaction bar 124 rotates reaction bar 90 and the cam 92 operates the lever mechanism 94 which in turn raises the lower disc 64 toward the upper disc 62 and closes the punch and die members 84 and 84' at the embossing station against the article A. After closure has been effected, the cam 92 continues to move the embossing head 96 to apply embossing pressure against member 84' at the embossing station, forcing the member 84 against the work surface 88 on the yoke 86 to form a character in the article A. The yoke 86 being mounted on the reaction bar 90 causes the reaction forces from the embossing operation to be carried between the yoke and the reaction bar; and the reaction bar 124 being connected to the reaction bar 90 by

ribs

133 and 134 causes the reaction forces of the drive action to be contained between the reaction bars 90 and 124. After the embossing has been completed, the handle is released and the spring 131 will return it to its original position. The bar 90 will rotate, rotating cam 92, which will allow the spring 74 to separate the

discs

62 and 64 and the spring 153 to retract the finger 140. The

cams

156 and 158 will operate the escapement mechanism 160 of the carriage advancing the article to be embossed, a single space and ready it for the next embossing.

It will be apparent that many modifications and variations of the device are possible. For example, as was indicated above, one reason the drive link 128 is made adjustable is to vary the embossing pressure applied. However, if it is desired, the embossing pressure can be varied in other ways. For example, in FIGS. 16 through 18, a sliding wedge mechanism is shown. In this embodiment, a wedge-shaped adjustment plate 170 is secured to the bottom of the yoke 86 by a pair of screws 172 extending through elongated slots 174. The plate 170 is thus slideable laterally on the screws, as shown by the arrows in F I6. 17. A pressure plate 176 is provided which is mounted on a bracket 178 attached to the rear of the yoke by a pair of screws 180. The pressure plate 176 has a lower pressure arm 182 underlying and in contact with the wedge plate 170. Arm 182 is wedge-shaped, complimentary to the wedge shape of the plate 170. Plate 176 has a top extension arm 186. A pair of biasing springs 184 are provided, which act between the bracket 178 and extension arm 186 of the plate 176, normally biasing the arm 176 into tight engagement with the adjustment plate. The biasing force is sufficiently strong enough to bind the plate 170 to prevent lateral movement, when desired. Bottom surface 188 of the arm 182 acts as the work surface against which the embossing pressure is applied. Movement of the plate 170 to the left (as viewed in FIGS. 16 and 17) will cause the arm 182 to move farther away from the underside of the yoke, and movement to the right will cause it to move closer to the yoke. This will change the distance of the work surface from the embossing head 96. Hence, with the proper cam profile, this change in distance will vary the embossing pressure applied, without changing the stroke length of the drive.

If desired, a pointer could be employed with suitable indicia to indicate the position of the plate 170 and relative height of the work surface 188.

Referring now to FIG. 19, a motorized embodiment of the drive mechanism of this invention is shown. In this embodiment, the embossing mechanism, and carriage mechanism, are essentially the same as previously described. But, instead of a hand lever, a motor 190 and motor control and drive components designated generally as 192 are provided to operate the drive means. These components and motor function in a conventional manner to rotate the reaction bars 90 and 124. It will be noted that in this embodiment the drive link 128 is solid, but a connector link 194 connects the motor with the shaft 124, which link has an adjustment screw 196, so that the length thereof may be adjusted, and thereby adjust the length of the stroke of the drive for varying the embossing force.

The components 192 are operable by a switch (not shown) which energizes the motor for a complete revolution of drive eccentric 198 for a completed embossing stroke and then shuts the motor off in a conventional manner.

It is also to be understood that various other adaptations and modifications could be made to the device of the present invention. For example, instead of using a linear scale, a rotary disc-type indicator could be provided extending through the top of the cover and connected directly to the pulley 36 which would rotate with the pulley indicating the character which is being embossed.

While several embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, various adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an embossing machine having carriage means disposed to support an embossable article having opposite spaced apart planar sides, and which carriage means has spacing means for advancing said article incrementally, a set of punch members and a set of die members, the improvement which comprises a first disc carrying one set of members and a second disc carrying the other set of members, said second disc including a central section and a plurality of flexible arms extending radially from said central section and spaced apart around the periphery thereof, a member of said other set of members being fixedly disposed on each of said arms, means mounting said discs for rotation in spaced planes on opposite sides of said plane of said article with corresponding punch and die members in alignment, said mounting means including means mounting at least one disc for axial movement toward and away from the other, means to simultaneously rotate said discs to move selected punch and die sets to an embossing station, work surface means at said embossing station for containing embossing forces generated upon embossing of the article, and operator-controlled actuating means, said actuating means including closure means for moving at least said one disc axially relative to the other disc to first bring punch and die members on opposite sides of said article at the embossing station into contact with the opposite sides of said article by movement of at least said one of said discs as a whole through a distance insufiicient to cause embossing of said article, and pressure-generating means for subsequently flexing one of said flexible arms relative to the central portion to move one of said punch members through a plane of one of the opposite sides of the article after operation of said closure means to apply embossing pressure to the punch and die members against said work surface means at said embossing station by application of pressure to only the punch and die members at the embossing station to emboss the article, said pressuregenerating means including a member which engages and moves an outer end portion of said one of said flexible arms at the embossing station independently of movement of the central section of said second disc to thereby effect the aforesaid embossing of the article, while said central section is stationary.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes cam means disposed to operate said closure means and said pressure-generating means.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein a single cam is disposed to operate both said pressure-generating means and said closure means.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said pressuregenerating means is directly operated by said cam means. and said closure means is operably connected to said pressuregenerating means by link means and operable thereby.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said link means includes lost motion means to permit motion of said pressuregenerating means after closure has been affected by the closure means.

6. In an embossing machine, having carriage means disposed to support an article on a given plane for embossing, said carriage means having spacing means for advancing said article incrementally, a set of punch members and a set of die members, the improvement which comprises:

a first disc carrying one set of members and a second disc carrying the other set of members;

shaft means mounting said discs in spaced relationship on opposite sides of said plane of said article with corresponding punch and die members in alignment;

said first disc being mounted for movement toward and away from said second disc;

a yoke having an embossing station and a work surface at said embossing station;

means to simultaneously rotate said discs to move selected punch and die sets to said embossing station;

an actuating means, said actuating means including means disposed to move said first disc toward said second disc to bring the punch and die members into contact with the opposite sides of said article and apply embossing pressure to the punch and die members against said work surface at said embossing station;

a reaction bar;

means for connecting said yoke to said reaction bar to contain therebetween the reaction forces of embossing pressure;

said actuating means including cam means acting between said reaction bar and said yoke, and

drive means having a crank and drive link means movable between a relaxed position and a full actuated position for transferring drive forces to said cam means and means to adjust the length of the drive link means to adjust the embossing pressure at the full actuated position.

7. In an embossing machine, having carriage means disposed to support an article on a given plane for embossing, said carriage means having spacing means for advancing said article incrementally, a set of punch members and a set of die members, the improvement which comprises;

a first disc carrying one set of members and a second disc carrying the other set of members; shaft means mounting said discs in spaced relationship on opposite sides of said plane of said article with corresponding punch and die members in alignment; said first disc being mounted for movement toward and away from said second disc; a yoke having an embossing station and a work surface at said embossing station; a reaction bar; means to simultaneously rotate said discs to move selected punch and die sets to said station; an actuating means, said actuating means including means disposed to move said first disc toward said second disc to bring the punch and die members into contact with the opposite sides of said article and apply embossing pressure to the punch and die members against said work surface at said embossing station; means for connecting said yoke to said reaction bar to contain therebetween the reaction forces of embossing pressure; said actuating means including cam means acting between said reaction bar and said yoke, and drive means having a crank and drive link means movable between a relaxed position and a full actuated position for transferring drive forces to said cam means and means to adjust the embossing pressure at the full actuated position including slide means having an inclined plane operative to change the position of said work surface.

i t i 0

Claims

1. In an embossing machine having carriage means disposed to support an embossable article having opposite spaced apart planar sides, and which carriage means has spacing means for advancing said article incrementally, a set of punch members and a set of die members, the improvement which comprises a first disc carrying one set of members and a second disc carrying the other set of members, said second disc including a central section and a plurality of flexible arms extending radially from said central section and spaced apart around the periphery thereof, a member of said other set of members being fixedly disposed on each of said arms, means mounting said discs for rotation in spaced planes on opposite sides of said plane of said article with corresponding punch and die members in alignment, said mounting means including means mounting at least one disc for axial movement toward and away from the other, means to simultaneously rotate said discs to move selected punch and die sets to an embossing station, work surface means at said embossing station for containing embossing forces generated upon embossing of the article, and operator-controlled actuating means, said actuating means including closure means for moving at least said one disc axially relative to the other disc to first bring punch and die members on opposite sides of said article at the embossing station into contact with the opposite sides of said article by movement of at least said one of said discs as a whole through a distance insufficient to cause embossing of said article, and pressure-generating means for subsequently flexing one of said flexible arms relative to the central portion to move one of said punch members through a plane of one of the opposite sides of the article after operation of said closure means to apply embossing pressure to the punch and die members against said work surface means at said embossing station by application of pressure to only the punch and die members at the embossing station to emboss the article, said pressure-generating means including a member which engages and moves an outer end portion of said one of said flexible arms at the embossing station independently of movement of the central section of said second disc to thereby effect the aforesaid embossing of the article, while said central section is stationary.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes cam means disposed to operate said closure means and said pressure generating means.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said pressure-generating means is directly operated by said cam means, and said closure means is operably connected to said pressure-generating means by link means and operable thereby.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said link means includes lost motion means to permit motion of said pressure-generating means after closure has been affected by the closure means.

6. In an embossing machine, having carriage means disposed to support an article on a given plane for embossing, said carriage means having spacing means for advancing said article incrementally, a set of punch members and a set of die members, the improvement which comprises: a first disc carrying one set of members and a second disc carrying the other set of members; shaft means mounting said discs in spaced relationship on opposite sides of said plane of said article with corresponding punch and die members in alignment; said first disc being mounted for movement toward and away from said second disc; a yoke having an embossing station and a work surface at said embossing station; means to simultaneously rotate said discs to move selected punch and die sets to said embossing station; an actuating means, said actUating means including means disposed to move said first disc toward said second disc to bring the punch and die members into contact with the opposite sides of said article and apply embossing pressure to the punch and die members against said work surface at said embossing station; a reaction bar; means for connecting said yoke to said reaction bar to contain therebetween the reaction forces of embossing pressure; said actuating means including cam means acting between said reaction bar and said yoke, and drive means having a crank and drive link means movable between a relaxed position and a full actuated position for transferring drive forces to said cam means and means to adjust the length of the drive link means to adjust the embossing pressure at the full actuated position.

7. In an embossing machine, having carriage means disposed to support an article on a given plane for embossing, said carriage means having spacing means for advancing said article incrementally, a set of punch members and a set of die members, the improvement which comprises; a first disc carrying one set of members and a second disc carrying the other set of members; shaft means mounting said discs in spaced relationship on opposite sides of said plane of said article with corresponding punch and die members in alignment; said first disc being mounted for movement toward and away from said second disc; a yoke having an embossing station and a work surface at said embossing station; a reaction bar; means to simultaneously rotate said discs to move selected punch and die sets to said station; an actuating means, said actuating means including means disposed to move said first disc toward said second disc to bring the punch and die members into contact with the opposite sides of said article and apply embossing pressure to the punch and die members against said work surface at said embossing station; means for connecting said yoke to said reaction bar to contain therebetween the reaction forces of embossing pressure; said actuating means including cam means acting between said reaction bar and said yoke, and drive means having a crank and drive link means movable between a relaxed position and a full actuated position for transferring drive forces to said cam means and means to adjust the embossing pressure at the full actuated position including slide means having an inclined plane operative to change the position of said work surface.