Punches are often used to cut a design into media, such as paper, plastic, or other media. This may be particularly useful in scrapbooking, such as for making customized backgrounds and/or borders. Current punches often form a single, complete pattern with each cut. While such an approach allows for the application of a pattern, this approach is limited to the single, complete pattern.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In at least one example, a media punch includes an outer cutter configured to cut a fractional outer border pattern in a media sheet. The media punch may also include an inner cutter configured to cut a fractional inner pattern in a media sheet. The fractional inner pattern may be interior to the fractional outer border pattern within the media sheet. The media punch may also include a selector configured to move between an outer cut position to engage the outer cutter alone, an inner cut position to engage the inner cutter alone, and a combination cut position to engage both the inner cutter and the outer cutter.
A method of cutting a pattern into a sheet of media may include placing a media sheet into a media punch. Such a media punch may include an outer cutter configured to cut a fractional outer border pattern in the media sheet and an inner cutter configured to cut a fractional inner pattern in the media sheet. The fractional inner pattern is interior to the fractional outer border pattern within the media sheet. A media punch according to such a method may include a selector configured to move between an outer cut position to engage the outer cutter alone, an inner cut position to engage the inner cutter alone, and a combination cut position to engage both the inner cutter and the outer cutter. Such a method includes moving the selector into a first of the outer cut position, the inner cut position, and the combination cut position. A handle is also actuated to perform a first cut according to the position of the selector.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Media punches and methods for forming pattern for media are provided herein. As shown herein, the selector may be selected as desired with each cut. As described herein, media punches are provided herein that allow for selection of a fractional inner cut, a fractional outer cut, or a combination of the two with a single device on a per cut basis. Such a configuration allows for the selection of fractional outer borders, fractional inner borders, complete outer borders, complete inner borders, as well as combinations thereof. Such a configuration allows for the selection of fractional outer borders, fractional inner borders, complete outer borders, complete inner borders, as well as combinations thereof. Such a selection may provide a wide range of customization options for users in a single device.
As shown in
As the outer cutters 150 and/or the inner cutters 160 move in response to the actuation of the lever handle 110, the outer cutters 150 and/or the inner cutters 160 cut corresponding patterns into a media sheet positioned in the media punch 100. In particular, the cutter guide 140 has openings defined therein, including outer pattern openings 142 and inner pattern openings 144 that correspond in position, size, and/or shape to the outer cutters 150 and the inner cutters 160 respectively. As a result, as the inner cutters 150 and/or outer cutters 160 pass into the outer pattern openings 142 and/or inner pattern openings 144 media positioned there between is cut with the pattern of the outer cutters 150 and/or the inner cutters 160.
The cutter guide 140 may be integrated with the alignment guide 130 or the cutter guide 140 may be separate from the alignment guide 130 as shown. The alignment guide 130, the cutter guide 140, and/or other structure provide a base from which the lever handle 110 may be actuated. As introduced, actuation of the lever handle 110 performs the cut selected by the position of the selector 120.
To this point, the cuts performed by the outer cutters 150 and/or the inner cutters 160 have been discussed generally. As will be discussed in more detail hereinafter, the cuts made by media punch 100 may be portions of larger patterns. For example, each cut performed by the media punch 100 may be a fractional portion of a pattern that forms a complete border around a perimeter of the media. Fractional portions shown in the Figs. are ⅛ (eighth) fractional portions, though it will be appreciated that other fractional portions may be implemented as desired. For example, ¼ (quarter) fractional portions may also be provided. Complete border patterns are shown in
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Again the media sheet 300 may be rotated to move the fourth corner 340 into the position shown in
Accordingly, the media punch 100 may be utilized to perform a series of cuts that together form a border pattern around the perimeter of a media sheet, such as a sheet of paper. As previously introduced, the selector switch 120 may be moved between a plurality of positions. At the various positions, actuation of the lever handle 110 engages different cutters to cut different patterns.
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In the example show in
As the outer cutter 450 moves downward, the outer cutter 450 moves into proximity with a cutter guide 440 and into an outer opening 442 in particular. As the cutter 450 thus moves into the opening 442, the outer cutter 450 cuts an outer pattern into any media sheet in position within the media punch 400. In the illustrated example, the pattern is represented schematically as a rectangle, though it will be appreciated that any pattern may be cut.
As the inner cutter 460 moves downward, the inner cutter 460 moves into proximity with the cutter guide 440 and into an inner opening 444 in particular. As the inner cutter 460 thus moves into the opening 444, the inner cutter 460 cuts an inner pattern into any media sheet in position within the media punch 400. In the illustrated example, the pattern is represented schematically as a rectangle, though it will be appreciated that any pattern may be cut.
To this point, a single set of patterns have been described. It will be appreciated, however, that any number of patterns may be provided. In particular,
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.