BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevational perspective view of an edge punch according to the present invention in an operating position;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational perspective view of the present edge punch in an assembly position;
FIG. 3 is a front elevational perspective view of a base of the present edge punch;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the base of the present edge punch;
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the base of the present edge punch;
FIG. 6 is a front elevational perspective view of a cassette of the present edge punch;
FIG. 7 is a front cross-sectional view of the cassette of FIG. 6 taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 8;
FIG. 8 is a top view of the cassette of FIG. 6; and
FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the cassette of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, an edge punch is generally designated 10 and is configured for creating a repeatable pattern on an edge of a target sheet 12. The edge punch 10 includes a base 14 including a floor panel 16, a sidewall 18 projecting generally vertically from the floor panel and a lever actuator 20 disposed on the sidewall. The base 14 is preferably manufactured and integrally formed from a lightweight, durable plastic, but it is contemplated that other materials with similar properties may be suitable, as known in the art. Preferably, the sidewall 18 is arranged generally perpendicular to the floor panel 16, but it is appreciated that other arrangements may be suitable, depending on the application.
The lever 20 is preferably pivotally associated with the sidewall 18. Specifically, the sidewall 18 preferably defines an opening 22 configured for receiving a lever projection 24 extending generally perpendicular to the lever 20 (FIG. 3). The projection 24 is then pivotally connected within the opening by at least one pin (not shown), although it is recognized that other pivotable arrangements may be appropriate. The lever 20 is also preferably sized to accommodate a user's hand, and includes a top side 26 having a depression 28 configured for comfortably receiving the user's palm. However, it is appreciated that other configurations may be suitable, as known in the art.
A cassette 30 having an edge punch assembly 32 is constructed and arranged for being slidably received in the floor panel 16 for lateral sliding movement to a designated operating position “OP” (FIG. 1). The cassette 30 includes an outer housing 31 which is preferably manufactured from a lightweight and durable plastic, but it is recognized that other similar materials may be suitable.
Referring to FIG. 3, the floor panel 16 has an upper surface 34 defining a track 36 arranged along a longitudinal axis “L” of the floor panel for slidably receiving the cassette 30. It is contemplated that the track 36 is spaced apart from the sidewall 18 by a distance “D” in order to fully accommodate the cassette 30 and to prevent the cassette from rubbing against the sidewall, which could cause damage to the cassette and/or the sidewall. It is further contemplated that providing the cassette 30 with lateral sliding movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the floor panel upper surface 34 enables the user to more easily maneuver and utilize the cassette than current punches, where the cassette is generally forcibly inserted or pushed into a corresponding opening.
The upper floor panel surface 34 further includes a window 38 aligned with the track 36 and the operating position. As known in the art, the window 38 is preferably sized to accommodate the cassette 30. Preferably, the window 38 includes at least one ledge 40 constructed and arranged for slidably receiving the cassette 30.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the at least one ledge 40 preferably extends substantially parallel to the upper surface 34. In order to be slidably received in the at least one ledge 40, the assembly 32 includes at least one groove 42 that is sized to accommodate the corresponding at least one ledge. Specifically, when the cassette 30 is placed into the track 36 via an open end 37, the user can laterally slide the cassette along the track and also along the longitudinal axis of the floor panel upper surface 34. Upon reaching the window 38, the at least one groove 42 in the assembly 32 will engage the associated at least one ledge 40, and the cassette 30 can laterally slide relative to the longitudinal axis of the floor panel upper surface 34 to the operating position. Preferably, the cassette 30 is configured for alignment with the window 38 at the operating position, as known in the art.
Referring to FIGS. 6-9, the edge punch assembly 32 includes a biasing compression member 44 constructed and arranged for engagement by a lever compression rib 46 (FIG. 3), a pattern knife 48, a guide plate 50 constructed and arranged for accommodating the pattern knife, and a die bed 52 spaced apart from and generally parallel to the guide plate. Each of the compression member 44, the pattern knife 48, the guide plate 50 and the die bed 52 are preferably arranged substantially parallel to each other, to ensure proper operation of the assembly 32. The at least one groove 42 is preferably located in the die bed 52, but it is appreciated that other locations may be suitable.
As seen in FIGS. 7 and 9, the edge punch assembly 32 is provided with a designated pattern 54 formed by the knife 48, and the guide plate 50 and the die bed 52 each includes at least one aperture 56 aligned with the pattern. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the user laterally slides the cassette 30 along the track 36 to the operating position, the compression member 44 is in alignment with the compression rib 46. Accordingly, when the user presses downward on the lever 20, a vertical force is applied to the compression rib 46, which engages the compression member 44, biasing the pattern knife 48 through the at least one aperture 56 in the guide plate 50 and the die bed 52, punching the designated pattern 54 into the target sheet 12. Such operation is well known in the punching art.
Referring to FIG. 5, the base 14 further includes a receptacle 58 in communication with the window 38 configured for collecting scraps generated during operation of the edge punch 10. The receptacle 58 is preferably an open-bottom of the base 14 having a removable end cover 60 (shown in dashed lines). The end cover 60 is preferably attached to the base 14 by a snap-fit, but it is appreciated that other methods of attachment may be suitable, such as a tongue-and-groove or hinged arrangement, depending on the application. When the receptacle 58 becomes full from repeated use of the punch 10, the user can remove the end cover 60 from the base 14, and empty the receptacle. However, it is appreciated that other ways of collecting and removing the scraps may be appropriate.
Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the base 14 further includes a channel 62 configured for slidably receiving an alignment tab 64 preferably imprinted with the designated pattern 54 and is manufactured from a lightweight, flexible plastic. Preferably, the channel 62 is aligned with the track 36 and the window 38. The base 14 further includes a guide stop 66 configured for aligning the target sheet 12 with the assembly 32 in the operating position. The guide stop 66 is preferably integrally formed with the base 14 and generally extends substantially perpendicular to the base. To enable proper placement of the target sheet 12 during operation, the guide stop 66 is also preferably aligned with the window 38 at a proximal edge 68 of the window, located proximal to the channel 62. It is contemplated that this arrangement will also prevent the target sheet from moving during operation.
During use of the edge punch 10, the user slidably inserts the alignment tab 64 into the channel 62, and slidably inserts the cassette 30 into the track 36 and laterally slides the cassette relative to the longitudinal axis of the floor panel upper surface 34 to the operating position. The user then inserts the target sheet 12 between the guide plate 50 and the die bed 52, aligning an edge 70 of the target sheet against the guide stop 66. As described above, upon compression of the lever 20, the compression member 44 is engaged, biasing the pattern knife 48 through the at least one aperture 56 in the guide plate 50, cutting through the target sheet 12 and then going through the at least one aperture in the die bed 52, ensuring that the designated pattern 54 has been completely punched into the target sheet. The scraps then fall through the window 38 and into the receptacle 58 for storage.
Referring to FIG. 1, to create a repeating and aligned pattern, the user slides the target sheet 12 so that the punched pattern in the target sheet is aligned with the designated pattern 54 on the alignment tab 64. The user then repeats the process of cutting/punching the designated pattern 54 into the target sheet 12 until the desired pattern is achieved. It is contemplated that the alignment tab 64 provides a more efficient and accurate manner for creating a continuous and aligned pattern on the target sheet than current edge punches, which typically utilize a measurement grid of some sort that can be difficult for the user, especially younger children, to understand.
It is also contemplated that the present invention includes a kit 80 for use with the edge punch 10 for creating a repeatable pattern on the edge 70 of the target sheet 12. It is preferred that the kit 80 includes at least one cassette 30 provided with the designated pattern 54 configured for lateral sliding relative to the longitudinal axis of the floor panel upper surface 34 within the track 36, and the corresponding alignment tab 64 provided with the designated pattern and configured for lateral sliding relative to the longitudinal axis of the floor panel upper surface 34 within the channel 62.
By utilizing the kit 80, it is contemplated that the user can use the single base 14 to accommodate several of the patterns 54, bypassing the need to purchase all of the base, cassette 30 and alignment tab 64 each time a different pattern is desired. Accordingly, several of the cassettes 30 can be interchanged into the base 14 as desired by the user, without the need to use a separate edge punch device 10 each time the user wishes to change patterns. Because only the single base 14 is needed, the user can create continuous and aligned patterns using several of the cassettes 30 and alignment tabs 54, without the need to set up an entirely new edge punch device each time the pattern is changed. By providing the kit 80, it is contemplated that the present edge punch 10 is more cost and space efficient than current edge punches that may not offer the possibility of interchangeable cassettes and alignment tabs with a single base.
While a particular embodiment of the present edge punch has been described herein, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that modifications can be made thereto without departing from the invention as set forth in the attached claims.
Patent Application
20080022829
