The invention relates to a punching apparatus for sheet media, such as a sheet of paper, and more particularly to a punching apparatus for sheet media with a plurality of selectable impression heads that each generate an image-forming pattern.
When working on decorative projects, such as for crafts, scrapbooking, invitations, or the like, a punch may be utilized to form a pattern on sheet media, such as, for example, paper, paperboard, and cardboard, by removing material from the sheet media so that either the material removed from the sheet media may be used for a decorative element, or the remaining sheet media with material removed may be used for a decorative element. Sometimes it is desired to create multiple different patterns or shapes on the sheet media, without having to obtain a separate punch. Thus, a need exists for a layering punch that allows a user to select from a plurality of patterns when forming a pattern on sheet media with a punch.
The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed above and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior punches. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
According to one embodiment, a punching apparatus for a sheet media comprises a base, a handle actuator, and a selector. The base comprises a sheet media receiving surface, a primary impression head, a secondary impression head, and a plurality of impression head protrusions. The primary impression head has a first image-forming pattern. The secondary impression head has a second image-forming pattern. The plurality of impression head protrusions extend upwardly from the base. Each of the plurality of impression head protrusions are spaced at a predetermined distance from the other of the plurality of impression head protrusions. Each of the plurality of impression head protrusions has a height different from the height of the other of the plurality of impression head protrusions. The handle actuator couples to the base. The handle actuator is moveable between an inactive position and a punching position. The selector selectively activates at least one of either the primary impression head and the secondary impression head. The selector is moveable between a plurality of distinct positions. Each of the plurality of distinct positions corresponds to a position adjacent one of the plurality of impression head protrusions. A portion of the selector is configured to engage at least one of the plurality of impression head protrusions when the handle actuator is moved to the punching position.
According to another embodiment, a punching apparatus for a sheet media comprises a base, an impression head holding body, and a handle actuator. The base comprises a sheet media receiving surface, a first impression head protrusion and a second impression head protrusion. The sheet media receiving surface has an opening formed therein. The first impression head protrusion and the second impression head protrusion extend upwardly from the base. Each of the first and second impression head protrusions are spaced at a predetermined distance from the other of the of first and second impression head protrusions. The first impression head protrusions has a height different from the height of second impression head protrusion. The impression head holding body has a first end and a second end and comprises a primary impression head that has a first image-forming pattern defined therein and a secondary impression head that has a second image-forming pattern defined therein. The impression head holding body is disposed generally above the base. The primary impression head and the secondary impression head are generally aligned with the opening of the sheet media receiving surface of the base. The primary impression head and the secondary impression head are moveable relative to the impression head holding body between a first vertical position, a second vertical position, and a third vertical position. The handle actuator pivotally mounts to the first end of the impression head holding body. The handle actuator is movable between an inactive position and a punching position. The handle actuator includes a limiting member movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the limiting member is moved to the first position, the limiting member is aligned with the first impression protrusion of the base, and wherein when the limiting member is in the second position, the limiting member is aligned with the second impression protrusion of the base. The primary impression head and the secondary impression head move to the second vertical position when the travel limiting member engages the first impression protrusion, and wherein the primary impression head and the secondary impression head move to the third vertical position when the travel limiting member engages the second impression protrusion.
According to a further embodiment, a punching apparatus for a sheet media comprises a base and a handle actuator. The base comprises a first impression head that defines a first image-forming pattern and a second impression head that defines a second image-forming pattern. The base further comprises a first impression head protrusion having a first height and a second impression head protrusion having a second height. The handle actuator is hingedly coupled to the base. The handle actuator is movable between a first position, a second position, and a third position. When the handle actuator is moved to the second position, a limiting member contacts the first impression head protrusion, and when the handle actuator is moved to the second position, the first impression head moves to a sheet media forming position wherein the first pattern is formable in the sheet media. When the handle actuator is moved to the third position, the limiting member contacts the second impression head protrusion in the third handle position and the first and the second impression heads are moved to the sheet media forming position wherein a second pattern is formable in the sheet media.
According to yet another embodiment, a punching apparatus for a sheet media comprises a base and a handle actuator. The base comprises a sheet media receiving surface, a primary impression head, and a secondary impression head. The primary impression head has a first image-forming pattern. The secondary impression head has a second image-forming pattern. The secondary impression head is concentrically disposed about a periphery of the primary impression head. The handle actuator couples to the base. The handle actuator is moveable between at least an inactive position, a first punching position, and a second punching position. When the handle actuator is moved to the first punching position, the primary impression head passes through a plane formed by the sheet media receiving surface. When the handle actuator is moved to the second punching position, at least the secondary impression head passes through the plane formed by sheet media receiving surface.
Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
The handle actuator 16 is pivotally connected to the base 12. A pivot pin 24 is utilized to secure the handle actuator 16 to the base 12 and also forms a pivot axis about which the handle actuator 16 rotates.
As shown in
An impression head guide 36 is also provided. The impression head guide 36 has an impression head engaging portion 40. The impression head engaging portion 40 has a complimentary shape to the first impression head 28 and the second impression head 30. The impression head engaging portion 40 is positioned such that the first impression head 28 is disposed interiorly of the impression head engaging portion 40, while the second impression head 30 is disposed exteriorly of the impression head engaging portion 40. The impression head engaging portion 40 helps to guide the first and second impression head 28, 30 during use.
Turning back to
The selector 18 is adapted to move between a first position, as shown in
It is also contemplated that according to another embodiment, the selector 18 may cause only the first impression head 28 to contact the sheet media in a first selector position, only the second impression head 30 contacts the sheet media in a second selector position, and both the first and second impression heads 28, 30 contact the sheet media in a third selector position.
It is contemplated that the first impression head 28 and the second impression head 30 may be a variety of types of impression heads, such as cutting heads, embossing heads, and the like.
While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/353,525 filed Jun. 10, 2010.
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