Electrically heatable selective marking apparatus

Claim 2

A marking device having reciprocating, drive shaft means for lowering and raising piston means for carrying marking means for marking a work piece, reciprocating piston means operatively connected to a lower portion of said drive shaft means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft means said drive shaft means both actuate said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocate to some extent independently of said piston means, said piston means having collar means operatively connected to said piston means and positioned in spaced relationship to an upper portion of said piston means, said collar means having a collar opening for receiving said drive shaft means, said drive shaft means including a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking regulator means including at least one springbiased, laterally slidable, detent pin for actuating said piston means positioned in said drive shaft, and said detent pin being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to its extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly of and through said collar opening when the outer end of said detent pin is so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly to its extended position both below and above at least part of said collar opening by said spring means during the marking operation.

Claim 3

The marking device of claim 1, wherein said drive shaft is an adjustable drive shaft so that the length of said drive shaft can be adjusted as desired.

Claim 4

A marking device having reciprocating, drive shaft means for lowering and raising piston means for carrying marking means for marking a work piece, reciprocating piston means operatively connected to a lower portion of said drive shaft means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft means said drive shaft means both actuate said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocate to some extent independently of said piston means, said piston means having collar means operatively connected to said piston means and positioned in spaced relationship to an upper portion of said piston means, said collar means having a collar opening for receiving said drive shaft means, said drive shaft means including a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins for actuating said piston means positioned in said drive shaft, and said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly of and through said collar opening when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly to their extended position both below and above at least part of said collar opening when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly to their extended position both below and above at least part of said collar opening by said spring means during the marking operation.

Claim 5

A marking device having reciprocating, drive shaft means for lowering and raising piston means for carrying marking means for marking a work piece, reciprocating piston means operatively connected to a lower portion of said drive shaft means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft means said drive shaft means both actuate said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocate to some extent independently of said piston means, said piston means having collar means operatively connected to said piston means and positioned in spaced relationship to an upper portion of said piston means, said collar means having a collar opening for receiving said drive shaft means, said drive shaft means including a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins for actuating said piston means positioned in said drive shaft, and said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly of and through said collar opening when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly to their extended position both below and above at least part of said collar opening when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly to their extended position both below and above at least part of said collar opening by said spring means during the marking operation.

Claim 6

The marking device of claim 3, wherein said drive shaft is an adjustable drive shaft so that the length of said drive shaft can be adjusted as desired.

Claim 7

A marking device having reciprocating, drive shaft means for lowering and raising piston means for carrying marking means For marking a work piece, reciprocating piston means operatively connected to a lower portion of said drive shaft means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft means said drive shaft means both actuate said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocate to some extent independently of said piston means, said piston means having collar means operatively connected to said piston means and positioned in spaced relationship to an upper portion of said piston means, said collar means having a collar opening for receiving said drive shaft means, said drive shaft means including a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins for actuating said piston means positioned in said drive shaft, and said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means positioned between said detent pins, being moved inwardly of and through said collar opening when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly to their extended position both below and above at least part of said collar opening by said spring means during the marking operation.

Claim 8

A marking device having reciprocating, drive shaft means for lowering and raising piston means for carrying marking means For marking a work piece, reciprocating piston means operatively connected to a lower portion of said drive shaft means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft means said drive shaft means both actuate said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocate to some extent independently of said piston means, said piston means having collar means operatively connected to said piston means and positioned in spaced relationship to an upper portion of said piston means, said collar means having a collar opening for receiving said drive shaft means, said drive shaft means including a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins for actuating said piston means positioned in said drive shaft, and said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means positioned between said detent pins, being moved inwardly of and through said collar opening when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly to their extended position both below and above at least part of said collar opening by said spring means during the marking operation.

Claim 9

The marking device of claim 5, wherein said drive shaft is an adjustable drive shaft so that the length of said drive shaft can be adjusted as desired.

Claim 10

A marking device having reciprocating, drive shaft means for lowering and raising piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, reciprocating piston means operatively connected to a lower portion of said drive shaft means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft means said drive shaft means both actuate said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocate to some extent independently of said piston means, said piston means having collar means operatively connected to said piston means and positioned in spaced relationship to an upper portion of said piston means, said collar means having a collar opening for receiving said drive shaft means, marking means operatively connected to and carried by said piston means, said drive shaft means including a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft and marking regulator means for adjustable controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking regulator means including at least one spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pin for actuating said piston means positioned in said drive shaft, and said detent pin being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to its extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly of and through said collar opening when the outer end of said detent pin is so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly to its extended position both below and above at least part of said collar opening by said spring means during the marking operation.

Claim 11

A marking device having reciprocating, drive shaft means for lowering and raising piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, reciprocating piston means operatively connected to a lower portion of said drive shaft means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft means said drive shaft means both actuate said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocate to some extent independently of said piston means, said piston means having collar means operatively connected to said piston means and positioned in spaced relationship to an upper portion of said piston means, said collar means having a collar opening for receiving said drive shaft means, marking means operatively connected to and carried by said piston means, said drive shaft means including a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft and marking regulator means for adjustable controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking regulator means including at least one spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pin for actuating said piston means positioned in said drive shaft, and said detent pin being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to its extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly of and through said collar opening when the outer end of said detent pin is so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly to its extended position both below and above at least part of said collar opening by said spring means during the marking operation.

Claim 12

The marking device of claim 7, wherein said drive shaft is an adjustable drive shaft so that the length of said drive shaft can be adjusted as desired.

Claim 13

A marking device having reciprocating, drive shaft means for lowering and raising piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, reciprocating piston means operatively connected to a lower portion of said drive shaft means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft means said drive shaft means both actuate said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocate to some extent independently of said piston means, sAid piston means having collar means operatively connected to said piston means and positioned in spaced relationship to an upper portion of said piston means, said collar means having a collar opening for receiving said drive shaft means, marking means operatively connected to and carried by said piston means, said drive shaft means including a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins for actuating said piston means positioned in said drive shaft, and said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly of and through said collar opening when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly to their extended position both below and above at least part of said collar opening by said spring means during the marking operation.

Claim 14

A marking device having reciprocating, drive shaft means for lowering and raising piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, reciprocating piston means operatively connected to a lower portion of said drive shaft means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft means said drive shaft means both actuate said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocate to some extent independently of said piston means, sAid piston means having collar means operatively connected to said piston means and positioned in spaced relationship to an upper portion of said piston means, said collar means having a collar opening for receiving said drive shaft means, marking means operatively connected to and carried by said piston means, said drive shaft means including a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins for actuating said piston means positioned in said drive shaft, and said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly of and through said collar opening when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly to their extended position both below and above at least part of said collar opening by said spring means during the marking operation.

Claim 15

The marking device of claim 9, wherein said drive shaft is an adjustable drive shaft so that the length of said drive shaft can be adjusted as desired.

Claim 16

A marking device having reciprocating, drive shaft means for lowering and raising piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, reciprocating piston means operatively connected to a lower portion of said drive shaft means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft means said drive shaft means both actuate said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocate to some extent independently of said piston means, said piston means having collar means operatively connected to said piston means and positioned in spaced relationship to an upper portion of said piston means, said collar means having a collar opening for receiving said drive shaft means, marking means operatively connected to and carried by said piston means, said drive shaft means including a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins for actuating said piston means positioned in said drive shaft, and said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means positioned between said detent pins, being moved inwardly of and through said collar opening by said spring means during the marking operation.

Claim 17

A marking device having reciprocating, drive shaft means for lowering and raising piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, reciprocating piston means operatively connected to a lower portion of said drive shaft means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft means said drive shaft means both actuate said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocate to some extent independently of said piston means, said piston means having collar means operatively connected to said piston means and positioned in spaced relationship to an upper portion of said piston means, said collar means having a collar opening for receiving said drive shaft means, marking means operatively connected to and carried by said piston means, said drive shaft means including a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins for actuating said piston means positioned in said drive shaft, and said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means positioned between said detent pins, being moved inwardly of and through said collar opening by said spring means during the marking operation.

Claim 18

The marking device of claim 11, wherein said drive shaft is an adjustable drive shaft so that the length of said drive shaft can be adjusted as desired.

Claim 19

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means for carrying marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening positioned at the bottom thereof for receiving said drive shaft, said piston means having collar means positioned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to the top of said piston means, said collar means having a drive sHaft opening therein which is aligned with said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including at least one spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pin positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pin being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to its extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer end of said detent pin is so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly during the marking operation to its extended position by said spring means for said detent pin, and said detent pin when in its extended position, serving to actuate said piston means; upon the lowering of said drive shaft, the outer end of said outwardly extended, detent pin is urged against an upper peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening of said collar means, spring means supported in said cup means is compressed, said outwardly extended, detent pin urges said collar means and piston means downwardly, the further downward stroke of said piston means is limited ultimately by the work piece; when the downward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pin is urged inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pin is in an extended position below at least part of the drive shaft opening of said collar means, thereby indicating that the selected, controlled or predetermined, substantially reproducible, marking pressure and marking time have been reached, during the upstroke of said drive shaft, the theretofore compressed spring means supported in said cup means urge said drive shaft, collar means and piston means upwardly with said extended detent pin positioned at a lower peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening of said collar means; and, when the upward movement of said collar means is limited by said stop means and the upward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pin is moved inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pin is reset above said collar means in its initial extended position.

Claim 20

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means for carrying marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening positioned at the bottom thereof for receiving said drive shaft, said piston means having collar means positioned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to the top of said piston means, said collar means having a drive sHaft opening therein which is aligned with said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including at least one spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pin positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pin being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to its extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer end of said detent pin is so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly during the marking operation to its extended position by said spring means for said detent pin, and said detent pin when in its extended position, serving to actuate said piston means; upon the lowering of said drive shaft, the outer end of said outwardly extended, detent pin is urged against an upper peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening of said collar means, spring means supported in said cup means is compressed, said outwardly extended, detent pin urges said collar means and piston means downwardly, the further downward stroke of said piston means is limited ultimately by the work piece; when the downward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pin is urged inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pin is in an extended position below at least part of the drive shaft opening of said collar means, thereby indicating that the selected, controlled or predetermined, substantially reproducible, marking pressure and marking time have been reached, during the upstroke of said drive shaft, the theretofore compressed spring means supported in said cup means urge said drive shaft, collar means and piston means upwardly with said extended detent pin positioned at a lower peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening of said collar means; and, when the upward movement of said collar means is limited by said stop means and the upward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pin is moved inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pin is reset above said collar means in its initial extended position.

Claim 21

The marking device of claim 13, wherein said drive shaft is an adjustable drive shaft so that the length of said drive shaft can be adjusted as desired.

Claim 22

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means for carrying marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening positioned at the bottom thereof for receiving said drive shaft, said piston means having collar means positioned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to the top of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives Said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer ends off said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly during the marking operation to their extended position for actuating said piston means by said spring means for said detent pins, and said detent pins, when in their extended position, serving to actuate said piston means; upon the lowering of said drive shaft, the outer ends of said outwardly extended detent pins are urged against an upper peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening of said collar means, said spring means supported in said cup means are compressed, said outwardly extended, detent pins urge said collar means and piston means downwardly, the further downward stroke of said piston means is limited ultimately by the work piece; when the downward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pins are urged inwardly toward each other and inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pins are in an extended position below at least part of the drive shaft opening of said collar means, thereby indicating that the selected, controlled or predetermined substantially reproducible, marking pressure and marking time have been reached; during the upstroke of said drive shaft, the theretofore compressed spring means supported in said cup means urge said drive shaft, collar means and piston means upwardly with said extended detent pins positioned at a lower peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening at the bottom of said collar means; and, when the upward movement of said collar means is limited by said stop means and the upward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pins are moved inwardly toward each other and inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pins are reset above said collar means in their intial extended position.

Claim 23

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means for carrying marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening positioned at the bottom thereof for receiving said drive shaft, said piston means having collar means positioned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to the top of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives Said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer ends off said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly during the marking operation to their extended position for actuating said piston means by said spring means for said detent pins, and said detent pins, when in their extended position, serving to actuate said piston means; upon the lowering of said drive shaft, the outer ends of said outwardly extended detent pins are urged against an upper peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening of said collar means, said spring means supported in said cup means are compressed, said outwardly extended, detent pins urge said collar means and piston means downwardly, the further downward stroke of said piston means is limited ultimately by the work piece; when the downward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pins are urged inwardly toward each other and inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pins are in an extended position below at least part of the drive shaft opening of said collar means, thereby indicating that the selected, controlled or predetermined substantially reproducible, marking pressure and marking time have been reached; during the upstroke of said drive shaft, the theretofore compressed spring means supported in said cup means urge said drive shaft, collar means and piston means upwardly with said extended detent pins positioned at a lower peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening at the bottom of said collar means; and, when the upward movement of said collar means is limited by said stop means and the upward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pins are moved inwardly toward each other and inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pins are reset above said collar means in their intial extended position.

Claim 24

The marking device of claim 15, wherein said drive shaft is an adjustable drive shaft so that the length of said drive shaft can be adjusted as desired.

Claim 25

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means for carrying marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening positioned at the bottom thereof for receiving said drive shaft, said piston means having collar means postioned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to the top of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings off said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means positioned between said detent pins, being moved inwardly when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved for actuating said piston means outwardly during the marking operation to their extended position for actuating said piston means by said spring means for said detent pins, and said detent pins, when in their extended position, serving to actuate said piston means; upon the lowering of said drive shaft, the outer ends of said outwardly extended, detent pins are urged against an upper peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening of said collar means, said spring means supported in said cup means are compressed, said outwardly extended detent pins urge said collar means and piston means downwardly, the further downward stroke of said piston means is limited ultimately by the work piece; when the downward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pins are urged inwardly toward each other and inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pins are in an extended position below at least part of the drive shaft opening of said collar means, thereby indicating that the selected, controlled or predetermined, substantially reproducible, marking pressure and marking time have been reached; during the upstroke of said drive shaft, theretofore compressed spring means supported in said cup means urge said drive shaft, collar means and piston means upwardly with said extended detent pins positioned at a lower peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening at the bottom of said collar means; and, when the upward movement of said collar means is limited by said stop means and the upward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pins are moved inwardly toward each other and inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pins are reset above said collar means in their initial extended position.

Claim 26

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means for carrying marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening positioned at the bottom thereof for receiving said drive shaft, said piston means having collar means postioned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to the top of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings off said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means positioned between said detent pins, being moved inwardly when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved for actuating said piston means outwardly during the marking operation to their extended position for actuating said piston means by said spring means for said detent pins, and said detent pins, when in their extended position, serving to actuate said piston means; upon the lowering of said drive shaft, the outer ends of said outwardly extended, detent pins are urged against an upper peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening of said collar means, said spring means supported in said cup means are compressed, said outwardly extended detent pins urge said collar means and piston means downwardly, the further downward stroke of said piston means is limited ultimately by the work piece; when the downward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pins are urged inwardly toward each other and inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pins are in an extended position below at least part of the drive shaft opening of said collar means, thereby indicating that the selected, controlled or predetermined, substantially reproducible, marking pressure and marking time have been reached; during the upstroke of said drive shaft, theretofore compressed spring means supported in said cup means urge said drive shaft, collar means and piston means upwardly with said extended detent pins positioned at a lower peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening at the bottom of said collar means; and, when the upward movement of said collar means is limited by said stop means and the upward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pins are moved inwardly toward each other and inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pins are reset above said collar means in their initial extended position.

Claim 27

The marking device of claim 17, wherein said drive shaft is an adjustable drive shaft so that the length of said drive shaft can be adjusted as desired.

Claim 28

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, marking means operatively connected to and carried by said piston means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening for receiving said drive shaft positioned at the bottom thereof, said piston means having collar means positIoned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to the top of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including at least one spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pin positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pin being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to its extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer end of said detent pin is so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly during the marking operation to its extended position by said spring means for said detent pin, and said detent pin, when in its the extended position, serving to actuate said piston mean; upon the lowering of said drive shaft, the outer end of said outwardly extended, detent pin is urged against an upper peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening of said collar means, said spring means supported in said cup means are compressed, said outwardly extended, detent pin urges said collar means, piston means, and marking means downwardly, the marking means marks the work piece, andd the further downward stroke of said piston means is limited ultimately by the work piece; when the downward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pin is urged inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pin is in an extended position below at least part of the drive shaft opening of said collar means, thereby indicating that the selected, controlled or predetermined, substantially reproducible, marking pressure and marking time have been reached; during the upstroke of said drive shaft, the theretofore compressed spring means supported in said cup means urge said drive shaft, collar means, piston means and marking means upwardly with said extended detent pin positioned at a lower peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening of said collar means; and, when the upward movement of said collar means is limited by said stop means and the upward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pin is moved inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pin is reset above said collar means in its initial extended position.

Claim 29

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, marking means operatively connected to and carried by said piston means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening for receiving said drive shaft positioned at the bottom thereof, said piston means having collar means positIoned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to the top of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including at least one spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pin positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pin being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to its extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer end of said detent pin is so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly during the marking operation to its extended position by said spring means for said detent pin, and said detent pin, when in its the extended position, serving to actuate said piston mean; upon the lowering of said drive shaft, the outer end of said outwardly extended, detent pin is urged against an upper peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening of said collar means, said spring means supported in said cup means are compressed, said outwardly extended, detent pin urges said collar means, piston means, and marking means downwardly, the marking means marks the work piece, andd the further downward stroke of said piston means is limited ultimately by the work piece; when the downward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pin is urged inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pin is in an extended position below at least part of the drive shaft opening of said collar means, thereby indicating that the selected, controlled or predetermined, substantially reproducible, marking pressure and marking time have been reached; during the upstroke of said drive shaft, the theretofore compressed spring means supported in said cup means urge said drive shaft, collar means, piston means and marking means upwardly with said extended detent pin positioned at a lower peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening of said collar means; and, when the upward movement of said collar means is limited by said stop means and the upward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pin is moved inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pin is reset above said collar means in its initial extended position.

Claim 30

The marking device of claim 19, wherein said drive shaft is an adjustable drive shaft so that the length of said drive shaft can be adjusted as desired.

Claim 31

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, marking means operatively connected to and carried by said piston means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening for receiving said drive shaft positioned at the Bottom thereof, said piston means having collar means positioned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to the to of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly during the marking operation to their extended position by said spring means for said detent pins, and said detent pins, when in their extended position, serving to actuate said piston means; for actuating said piston means; upon the lowering of said drive shaft, the outer ends of said outwardly extended, detent pins are urged against an upper peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening of said collar means, said spring means supported in said cup means are compressed, said outwardly extended detent pins urge said collar means, piston means, and marking means downwardly, the marking means marks the work piece, and the further downward stroke of said piston means is limited ultimately by the work piece; when the downward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pins are urged inwardly toward each other and inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pins are in an extended position below at least part of the drive shaft opening of said collar means, thereby indicating that the selected, controlled or predetermined, substantially reproducible, marking pressure and marking time have been reached; during the upstroke of said drive shaft, the theretofore compressed spring means supported in said cup means urge said drive shaft, collar means, piston means and marking means upwardly with said extended detent pins positioned at a lower peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening at the bottom of said collar means; and, when the upward movement of said collar means is limited by said stop means and the upward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pins are moved inwardly toward each other and inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pins are reset above said collar means in their initial extended position.

Claim 32

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, marking means operatively connected to and carried by said piston means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening for receiving said drive shaft positioned at the Bottom thereof, said piston means having collar means positioned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to the to of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly during the marking operation to their extended position by said spring means for said detent pins, and said detent pins, when in their extended position, serving to actuate said piston means; for actuating said piston means; upon the lowering of said drive shaft, the outer ends of said outwardly extended, detent pins are urged against an upper peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening of said collar means, said spring means supported in said cup means are compressed, said outwardly extended detent pins urge said collar means, piston means, and marking means downwardly, the marking means marks the work piece, and the further downward stroke of said piston means is limited ultimately by the work piece; when the downward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pins are urged inwardly toward each other and inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pins are in an extended position below at least part of the drive shaft opening of said collar means, thereby indicating that the selected, controlled or predetermined, substantially reproducible, marking pressure and marking time have been reached; during the upstroke of said drive shaft, the theretofore compressed spring means supported in said cup means urge said drive shaft, collar means, piston means and marking means upwardly with said extended detent pins positioned at a lower peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening at the bottom of said collar means; and, when the upward movement of said collar means is limited by said stop means and the upward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pins are moved inwardly toward each other and inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pins are reset above said collar means in their initial extended position.

Claim 33

The marking device of claim 21, wherein said drive shaft is an adjustable drive shaft so that the length of said drive shaft can be adjusted as desired.

Claim 34

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, marking means operatively connected to and carried by said piston means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said position means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, spring-supporting, Cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening for receiving said drive shaft positioned at the bottom thereof, said piston means having collar means positioned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to the top of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means positioned between said detent pins, being moved inwardly when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly during the marking operation by said spring means for said detent pins, and said detent pins, when in their extended position, serving to actuate said piston means to their extended position for actuating said piston means; upon the lowering of said drive shaft, the outer ends of said outwardly extended, detent pins are urged against an upper peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening of said collar means, said spring means supported in said cup means are compressed, said outwardly extended detent pins urge said collar means, piston means, and marking means downwardly, the marking means marks the work piece, and the further downward stroke of said piston means is limited ultimately by the work piece; when the downward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pins are urged inwardly toward each other and inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pins are in an extended position below at least part of the drive shaft opening of said collar means, thereby indicating that the selected, controlled or predetermined, substantially reproducible, marking pressure and marking time have been reached; during the upstroke of said drive shaft, the theretofore compressed spring means supported in said cup means urge said drive shaft, collar means, piston means and marking means upwardly with said extended detent pins positioned at a lower peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening at the bottom of said collar means; and, when the upward movement of said collar means is limited by said stop means and the upward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pins are moved inwardly toward each other and inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pins are reset above said collar means in their initial extended position.

Claim 35

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, marking means operatively connected to and carried by said piston means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said position means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, spring-supporting, Cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening for receiving said drive shaft positioned at the bottom thereof, said piston means having collar means positioned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to the top of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means positioned between said detent pins, being moved inwardly when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly during the marking operation by said spring means for said detent pins, and said detent pins, when in their extended position, serving to actuate said piston means to their extended position for actuating said piston means; upon the lowering of said drive shaft, the outer ends of said outwardly extended, detent pins are urged against an upper peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening of said collar means, said spring means supported in said cup means are compressed, said outwardly extended detent pins urge said collar means, piston means, and marking means downwardly, the marking means marks the work piece, and the further downward stroke of said piston means is limited ultimately by the work piece; when the downward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pins are urged inwardly toward each other and inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pins are in an extended position below at least part of the drive shaft opening of said collar means, thereby indicating that the selected, controlled or predetermined, substantially reproducible, marking pressure and marking time have been reached; during the upstroke of said drive shaft, the theretofore compressed spring means supported in said cup means urge said drive shaft, collar means, piston means and marking means upwardly with said extended detent pins positioned at a lower peripheral region which defines said drive shaft opening at the bottom of said collar means; and, when the upward movement of said collar means is limited by said stop means and the upward axial movement of said drive shaft is continued to a limited extent, independently of said piston means, said extended detent pins are moved inwardly toward each other and inwardly of and through the drive shaft opening in said collar means until said detent pins are reset above said collar means in their initial extended position.

Claim 36

The marking device of claim 23, wherein said drive shaft in an adjustable drive shaft so that the length of said drive shaft can be adjusted as desired.

Claim 37

Rotatable marking means for marking a work piece having elongated, tubular casing means, a marking wheel connected to one end of said casing means, turning means for selectively rotating said marking wheel, electrically heatable, raised marking indicia positioned about the outer periphery of said marking wheel, coiled tubular means positioned within said marking wheel to direct heat tO said marking indicia, said tubular means having therein a resistance-type, wire heating element at least in part surrounded by dielectric insulating material which in turn is at least in part surrounded by said tubular means, each of the two ends of said wire heating element being operatively connected to an insulated conductor wire to complete the electrical circuit through the pair of conductor wires and said wire heating element, said conductor wires being positioned together in side-by-side relationship and being spirally coiled in that relationship within said casing means and extending to and outwardly through an opening of said casing means, said spiral coil reducing mechanical strain placed on said conductor wires and the connection of said conductor wires and wire heating element during rotation of said marking wheel, and said opening of said casing means being of sufficient size to allow said marking wheel to be rotated without twisting said conductor wires within said casing means the same degree of rotation.

Claim 38

Rotatable marking means for marking a work piece having elongated, tubular casing means, a marking wheel connected to one end of said casing means, turning means for selectively rotating said marking wheel, electrically heatable, raised marking indicia positioned about the outer periphery of said marking wheel, coiled tubular means positioned within said marking wheel to direct heat tO said marking indicia, said tubular means having therein a resistance-type, wire heating element at least in part surrounded by dielectric insulating material which in turn is at least in part surrounded by said tubular means, each of the two ends of said wire heating element being operatively connected to an insulated conductor wire to complete the electrical circuit through the pair of conductor wires and said wire heating element, said conductor wires being positioned together in side-by-side relationship and being spirally coiled in that relationship within said casing means and extending to and outwardly through an opening of said casing means, said spiral coil reducing mechanical strain placed on said conductor wires and the connection of said conductor wires and wire heating element during rotation of said marking wheel, and said opening of said casing means being of sufficient size to allow said marking wheel to be rotated without twisting said conductor wires within said casing means the same degree of rotation.

Claim 39

The rotatable marking means of claim 25, wherein said conductor wires extend outwardly beyond the casing means to variable transformer means which control the operating voltage and heat supplied from said wire heating element to said marking indicia.

Claim 40

The rotatable marking means of claim 25, wherein said casing means has heat-insulating means positioned therein.

Claim 41

The rotatable marking means of claim 25, wherein said marking indicia include a repetition of the same characters.

Claim 42

Rotatable marking means for marking a work piece having elongated, tubular casing means, a marking wheel connected to one end of said casing means, turning means for selectively rotating said marking wheel, electrically heatable, raised marking indicia positioned about the outer periphery of said marking wheel, coiled tubular means positioned within said marking wheel to direct heat to said marking indicia, said tubular means having therein a resistance-type, wire heating element at least in part surrounded by dieelectric insulating material which in turn is at least in part surrounded by said tubular means, each of the two ends of said wire heating element being operatively connected to an insulated conductor wire to complete the electrical circuit through the pair of conductor wires and said wire heating element, said conductor wires being positioned together in side-by-side relationship and being spirally coiled in that relationship within said casing means and extending to and outwardly through an opening at the other end of said casing means, said spiral coil reducing mechanical strain placed on said conductor wires and the connection of said conductor wires and wire heating element during rotation of said marking wheel and casing means, and said opening of said casing means being sufficiently larger than said conductor wires to allow said marking wheel and casing means to be rotated together without twisting said conductor wires within said casing means the same degree of rotation.

Claim 43

Rotatable marking means for marking a work piece having elongated, tubular casing means, a marking wheel connected to one end of said casing means, turning means for selectively rotating said marking wheel, electrically heatable, raised marking indicia positioned about the outer periphery of said marking wheel, coiled tubular means positioned within said marking wheel to direct heat to said marking indicia, said tubular means having therein a resistance-type, wire heating element at least in part surrounded by dieelectric insulating material which in turn is at least in part surrounded by said tubular means, each of the two ends of said wire heating element being operatively connected to an insulated conductor wire to complete the electrical circuit through the pair of conductor wires and said wire heating element, said conductor wires being positioned together in side-by-side relationship and being spirally coiled in that relationship within said casing means and extending to and outwardly through an opening at the other end of said casing means, said spiral coil reducing mechanical strain placed on said conductor wires and the connection of said conductor wires and wire heating element during rotation of said marking wheel and casing means, and said opening of said casing means being sufficiently larger than said conductor wires to allow said marking wheel and casing means to be rotated together without twisting said conductor wires within said casing means the same degree of rotation.

Claim 44

The rotatable marking means of claim 29, wherein said conductor wires extend outwardly beyond the casing means to variable transformer means which control the operating voltage and heat supplied from said wire heating element to said marking indicia.

Claim 45

The rotatable marking means of claim 29, wherein said casing means has heat-insulating means positioned therein.

Claim 46

A marking device having selectively rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to supporting means, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said supporting means and horizontally projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means and positioned directly above the work piece to be marked, said marking wheel and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time anD having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, a plurality of raised, heatable marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking wheel and which are heatable at the same time, vertically reciprocating means to bring the work piece and selected, heated marking indicia into heated marking contact with each other during the marking operation of the vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking wheel and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, and said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said supporting means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said supporting means.

Claim 47

A marking device having selectively rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to supporting means, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said supporting means and horizontally projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means and positioned directly above the work piece to be marked, said marking wheel and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time anD having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, a plurality of raised, heatable marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking wheel and which are heatable at the same time, vertically reciprocating means to bring the work piece and selected, heated marking indicia into heated marking contact with each other during the marking operation of the vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking wheel and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, and said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said supporting means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said supporting means.

Claim 48

The marking device of claim 32, wherein said heating means include a resistence-type, wire heating element, and adjustable marking regulator means operatively associated with said vertically reciprocating means for controlling or reproducibly regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece by the heated marking wheel during their marking contact.

Claim 49

The marking device of claim 32, wherein stop means limit the rotational movement of said marking wheel to not more than about one complete rotation either clockwise or counter-clockwise, and adjustable marking regulator means operatively associated with said vertically reciprocating means for controlling or reproducibly regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece by the heated marking wheel during their marking contact.

Claim 50

The marking device of claim 32, wherein said heating means direct heat to all of the marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking wheel is rotatable together, as well as at the same time, with said casing means, adjustable marking regulator means operatively associated with said vertically reciprocating means for controlling or reproducibly regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece by the heated marking wheel during the marking operation, and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 51

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means to and away from a work piece to be marked, selectively rotatable, marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatable heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, raised marking indicia positioned about the outer periphery of said marking wheel, electrical heating means for directing heat to said marking indicia, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for the dissipation of a substantial level of heat from said marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means, turning means for selectively rotating said marking wheel, coiled tubular means positioned within said marking wheel to direct heat to said marking indicia, said tubular means having therein a resistance-type, wire heating element at least in part surrounded by dielectric insulating material which in turn is at least in part surrounded by said tubular means, each of the two ends of said wire heating element being operatively connected to an insulated conductor wire to complete the electrical circuit through the pair of conductor wires and said wire heating element, said conductor wires being positioned together in side-by-side relationship anD being spirally coiled in that relationship within said casing means and extending to and outwardly through an opening of said casing means, said spiral coil reducing mechanical strain placed on said conductor wires and the connection of said conductor wires and wire heating element during rotation of said marking wheel, and said opening of said casing means being sufficiently larger than said conductor wires to allow said marking wheel to be rotated without twisting said conductor wires within said casing means the same degree of rotation.

Claim 52

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means to and away from a work piece to be marked, selectively rotatable, marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatable heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, raised marking indicia positioned about the outer periphery of said marking wheel, electrical heating means for directing heat to said marking indicia, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for the dissipation of a substantial level of heat from said marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means, turning means for selectively rotating said marking wheel, coiled tubular means positioned within said marking wheel to direct heat to said marking indicia, said tubular means having therein a resistance-type, wire heating element at least in part surrounded by dielectric insulating material which in turn is at least in part surrounded by said tubular means, each of the two ends of said wire heating element being operatively connected to an insulated conductor wire to complete the electrical circuit through the pair of conductor wires and said wire heating element, said conductor wires being positioned together in side-by-side relationship anD being spirally coiled in that relationship within said casing means and extending to and outwardly through an opening of said casing means, said spiral coil reducing mechanical strain placed on said conductor wires and the connection of said conductor wires and wire heating element during rotation of said marking wheel, and said opening of said casing means being sufficiently larger than said conductor wires to allow said marking wheel to be rotated without twisting said conductor wires within said casing means the same degree of rotation.

Claim 53

The marking device of claim 36, wherein said conductor wires extend outwardly beyond the casing means to variable transformer means which control the operating voltage and heat supplied form said wire heating element to said marking indicia.

Claim 54

The marking device of claim 36, wherein said casing means has heat-insulating mean positioned therein.

Claim 55

The marking device of claim 36, wherein said casing means is rotatably mounted to said piston means and said marking wheel is rotatable with said casing means.

Claim 56

The marking device of claim 36, wherein said wire heating element directs heat to all of the marking indicia at the same time and during both the downstroke and upstroke of the reciprocating cycle of said reciprocating piston means and rotatable marking wheel.

Claim 57

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle, selectively rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating, drive shaft means which include a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively as well as slidably connected to an upper portion of said piston means by adjustable interconnecting-drive means which selectively provide either a slidable or a positive drive connection between said drive shaft and piston means, so that during both the vertically reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft, said drive shaft both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating and positive drive manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates vertically alone to some controllable but limited extent independently both to and away from the work piece and without reciprocating, positive drive movement of said piston means, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking wheel and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, a plurality of raised marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking wheel and which are heatable at the same time, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotable marking wheel and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, and said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston mean being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means.

Claim 58

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle, selectively rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating, drive shaft means which include a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively as well as slidably connected to an upper portion of said piston means by adjustable interconnecting-drive means which selectively provide either a slidable or a positive drive connection between said drive shaft and piston means, so that during both the vertically reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft, said drive shaft both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating and positive drive manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates vertically alone to some controllable but limited extent independently both to and away from the work piece and without reciprocating, positive drive movement of said piston means, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking wheel and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, a plurality of raised marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking wheel and which are heatable at the same time, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotable marking wheel and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, and said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston mean being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means.

Claim 59

The marking device of claim 41, wherein said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element, and said interconnecting-drive means and drive shaft means include adjustable marking regulator means operatively associated with said vertically reciprocating marking mEans for controlling or reproducibly regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece by the heated marking wheel during the marking operation.

Claim 60

The marking ddevice of claim 41, wherein stop means limit the rotational movement of said marking wheel to not more than about one complete rotation either clockwise or counter-clockwise, and said interconnecting-drive means and drive shaft means include adjustable marking regulator means operatively associated with said vertically reciprocating, marking means for controlling or reproducibly regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece by the heated marking wheel during the marking operation.

Claim 61

The marking device of claim 41, wherein said heating means direct heat to all of the marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle of said reciprocating piston means and rotatable marking wheel, said marking wheel is rotatable together, as well as at the same time, with said casing means, said interconnecting-drive means and drive shaft means include adjustable marking regulator means operatively associated with said vertically reciprocating, marking means for controlling or reproducibly regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece by the heated marking wheel during the marking operation, and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 62

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means to and away from a work piece to be marked, selectively rotatable, marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means, drive shaft means which include a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent independently of said piston means, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, raised marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking wheel, heating means for directing heat to said marking indicia, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for the dissipation of a substantial level of heat from said marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means, said drive shaft means including marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking regulator means including at least one spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pin for actuating said piston means positioned in said drive shaft, and said detent pin being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to its extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer end of said detent pin is so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly to its extended position by said spring means during the marking operation.

Claim 63

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means to and away from a work piece to be marked, selectively rotatable, marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means, drive shaft means which include a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent independently of said piston means, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, raised marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking wheel, heating means for directing heat to said marking indicia, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for the dissipation of a substantial level of heat from said marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means, said drive shaft means including marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking regulator means including at least one spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pin for actuating said piston means positioned in said drive shaft, and said detent pin being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to its extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer end of said detent pin is so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly to its extended position by said spring means during the marking operation.

Claim 64

The marking device of claim 45, wherein said marking indicia include a repetition of the same characters and said heating means include controllable, electrically induced, heating means which can be adjusted as desired to apply a selected level of heat to said marking indicia.

Claim 65

The marking device of claim 45, wherein stop means limit the rotational movement of said marking wheel.

Claim 66

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means to and away from a work piece to be marked, selectively rotatable, marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means, drive shaft means whicH include a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent independently of said piston means, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, raised marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking wheel, heating means for directing heat to said marking indicia, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for the dissipation of a substantial level of heat from said marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means, said drive shaft means including marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins for actuating said piston means positioned in said drive shaft, and said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly to their extended position by said spring means during the marking operation.

Claim 67

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means to and away from a work piece to be marked, selectively rotatable, marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means, drive shaft means whicH include a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent independently of said piston means, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, raised marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking wheel, heating means for directing heat to said marking indicia, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for the dissipation of a substantial level of heat from said marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means, said drive shaft means including marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins for actuating said piston means positioned in said drive shaft, and said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly to their extended position by said spring means during the marking operation.

Claim 68

The marking device of claim 48, wherein said marking indicia include a repetition of the same characters and said heating means include controllable, electrically induced, heating means which can be adjusted as desired to apply a selected level of heat to said marking indicia.

Claim 69

The marking device of claim 48, wherein stop means limit the rotational movement of said marking wheel.

Claim 70

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means to and away from a work piece to be marked, selectively rotatable, marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means, drive shaft means which include a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downwstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent independently of said piston means, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, raised marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking wheel, heating means for directing heat to said marking indicia, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for the dissipation of a substantial level of heat from said marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means, said drive shaft means including regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, springbiased, laterally slidable, detent pins for actuating said piston means positioned in said drive shaft, and said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means positioned between said detent pins, being moved inwardly when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly to their extended position by said spring means during the marking operation.

Claim 71

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means to and away from a work piece to be marked, selectively rotatable, marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means, drive shaft means which include a vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downwstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent independently of said piston means, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, raised marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking wheel, heating means for directing heat to said marking indicia, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for the dissipation of a substantial level of heat from said marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means, said drive shaft means including regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, springbiased, laterally slidable, detent pins for actuating said piston means positioned in said drive shaft, and said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means positioned between said detent pins, being moved inwardly when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly to their extended position by said spring means during the marking operation.

Claim 72

The marking device of claim 51, wherein said marking indicia include a repetition of the same characters and said heating means include controllable, electrically induced, heating means which can be adjusted as desired to apply a selected level of heat to said marking indicia.

Claim 73

The marking device of claim 51, wherein stop means limit the rotational movement of said marking wheel.

Claim 74

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, selectively rotatable, marking means rotatably mounted to and carried by said piston means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, raised marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking wheel, heating means for directing heat to said marking indicia, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for the dissipation of a substantial level of heat from said marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening positioned at the bottom thereof for receiving said drive shaft, said piston means having collar means positioned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to the top of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downwstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extend independently of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including at least one spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pin positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pin being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to its extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer end of said detent pin is so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly during the marking operation to its extended position by said spring means for said detent pin during the marking operation, and said detent pin, when in its extended position, serving to actuate said piston means.

Claim 75

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, selectively rotatable, marking means rotatably mounted to and carried by said piston means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, raised marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking wheel, heating means for directing heat to said marking indicia, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for the dissipation of a substantial level of heat from said marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening positioned at the bottom thereof for receiving said drive shaft, said piston means having collar means positioned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to the top of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downwstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extend independently of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including at least one spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pin positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pin being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to its extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer end of said detent pin is so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly during the marking operation to its extended position by said spring means for said detent pin during the marking operation, and said detent pin, when in its extended position, serving to actuate said piston means.

Claim 76

The marking device of claim 54, wherein said marking indicia include a repetition of the same characters and said heating means include controllable, electrically induded, heating means which can be adjusted as desired to apply a selected level of heat to said marking indicia.

Claim 77

The marking device of claim 54, wherein sto means limit the rotational movement of said marking wheel.

Claim 78

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, said piston means being slidably mounted to said pOst means, selectively rotatable, marking means rotatably mounted to and carried by said piston means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, raised marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking wheel, heating means for directing heat to said marking indicia, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for the dissipation of a substantial level of heat from said marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening positioned at the bottom thereof for receiving said drive shaft, said piston means having collar means positioned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to the top of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with the drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly during the marking operation to their extended position for actuating said piston means by said spring means for said detent pins, and said detent pins, when in their extended position, serving to actuate said piston means.

Claim 79

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, said piston means being slidably mounted to said pOst means, selectively rotatable, marking means rotatably mounted to and carried by said piston means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, raised marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking wheel, heating means for directing heat to said marking indicia, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for the dissipation of a substantial level of heat from said marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening positioned at the bottom thereof for receiving said drive shaft, said piston means having collar means positioned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to the top of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with the drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly during the marking operation to their extended position for actuating said piston means by said spring means for said detent pins, and said detent pins, when in their extended position, serving to actuate said piston means.

Claim 80

The marking device of claim 57, wherein said marking indicia include a repetition of the same characters and said heating means include controllable, electrically induced, heating means which can be adjusted as desired to apply a selected level of heat to said marking indicia.

Claim 81

The marking device of claim 57, wherein stop means limit the rotational movement of said marking wheel.

Claim 82

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, selectively rotatable, marking means rotatably mounted to and carried by said piston means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, raised marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking whEel, electrical heating means for directing heat to said marking indicia, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for the dissipation of a substantial level of heat from said marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means, turning means for selectively rotating said marking wheel and casing means, coiled tubular means positioned within said marking wheel to direct heat to said marking indicia, said tubular means having therein a resistance-type, wire heating element at least in part surrounded by dielectric insulating material which in turn is at least in part surrounded by said tubular means, each of the two ends of said wire heating element being operatively connected to an insulated conductor wire to complete the electrical circuit through the pair of conductor wires and said wire heating element, said conductor wires being positioned together in side-by-side relationship and being spirally coiled in that relationship within said casing means and extending to and outwardly through an opening of said casing means, said spiral coil reducing mechanical strain placed on said conductor wires and the connection of said conductor wires and wire heating element during rotation of said marking wheel and casing means, said opening of said casing means being sufficiently larger than said conductor wires to allow said marking wheel and casing means to be rotated together without twisting said conductor wires within said casing means the same degree of rotation, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening positioned at the bottom thereof for receiving said drive shaft, said piston means having collar means positioned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to an upper portion of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with the said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downwstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates in some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly during the marking operation to their extended position for actuating said piston means by said spring means for said detent pins, and said detent pins, when in their extended position, serving to actuate said piston means.

Claim 83

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, selectively rotatable, marking means rotatably mounted to and carried by said piston means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, raised marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking whEel, electrical heating means for directing heat to said marking indicia, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for the dissipation of a substantial level of heat from said marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means, turning means for selectively rotating said marking wheel and casing means, coiled tubular means positioned within said marking wheel to direct heat to said marking indicia, said tubular means having therein a resistance-type, wire heating element at least in part surrounded by dielectric insulating material which in turn is at least in part surrounded by said tubular means, each of the two ends of said wire heating element being operatively connected to an insulated conductor wire to complete the electrical circuit through the pair of conductor wires and said wire heating element, said conductor wires being positioned together in side-by-side relationship and being spirally coiled in that relationship within said casing means and extending to and outwardly through an opening of said casing means, said spiral coil reducing mechanical strain placed on said conductor wires and the connection of said conductor wires and wire heating element during rotation of said marking wheel and casing means, said opening of said casing means being sufficiently larger than said conductor wires to allow said marking wheel and casing means to be rotated together without twisting said conductor wires within said casing means the same degree of rotation, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means, said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening positioned at the bottom thereof for receiving said drive shaft, said piston means having collar means positioned above said cup means and positioned in spaced relationship to an upper portion of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with the said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downwstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates in some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means, being moved inwardly when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved outwardly during the marking operation to their extended position for actuating said piston means by said spring means for said detent pins, and said detent pins, when in their extended position, serving to actuate said piston means.

Claim 84

The marking device of claim 60, wherein said conductor wires extend outwardly beyond the casing means to variable transformer means which control the operating voltage and heat supplied from said wire heating element to said marking indicia.

Claim 85

The marking device of claim 60, wherein said casing means has heat-insulating means positioned therein.

Claim 86

The marking device of claim 60, wherein said marking indicia include a repetition of the same character.

Claim 87

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, selEctively rotatable, marking means rotatably mounted to and carried by said piston means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and making regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatble marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, raising marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking wheel, heating means for directing heat to said marking indicia, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for the dissipation of a substantial level of heat from said marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening positioned at the bottom thereof for receiving said drive shaft, said piston means having collar means positioned above said cup means and positioned in sapced relationship to the top of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downwstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means positioned between said detent pins, being moved inwardly when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved during the marking operation outwardly to their extended position by said spring means for said detent pins, and said detent pins, when in their extended position, serving to actuate said piston means.

Claim 88

A marking device having vertically reciprocating, piston means which carry marking means for marking a work piece, vertically extending, stationary post means, said piston means being slidably mounted to said post means, selEctively rotatable, marking means rotatably mounted to and carried by said piston means, drive shaft means which include vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and making regulator means for adjustably controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatble marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, raising marking indicia positioned about the periphery of said marking wheel, heating means for directing heat to said marking indicia, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for the dissipation of a substantial level of heat from said marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are mounted to said piston means, spring-supporting, cup means mounted to an upper portion of said post means said cup means supporting resilient spring means therein and having a drive shaft opening positioned at the bottom thereof for receiving said drive shaft, said piston means having collar means positioned above said cup means and positioned in sapced relationship to the top of said piston means, said collar means having a drive shaft opening therein which is aligned with said drive shaft opening of said cup means and receives said drive shaft, said drive shaft being axially aligned with the drive shaft openings of said collar means and cup means and being operatively connected to said piston means so that during the reciprocating downwstroke and upstroke of said drive shaft it both actuates said piston means in a reciprocating manner and after so actuating said piston means reciprocates to some extent without causing the reciprocation of said piston means, stop means operatively associated with said piston means which limit the upward stroke thereof, said marking regulator means including a pair of opposed, spring-biased, laterally slidable, detent pins positioned in said drive shaft, said detent pins being urged laterally outwardly of said drive shaft to their extended position for actuating said piston means by resilient spring means positioned between said detent pins, being moved inwardly when the outer ends of said detent pins are so directed during the marking operation, and being moved during the marking operation outwardly to their extended position by said spring means for said detent pins, and said detent pins, when in their extended position, serving to actuate said piston means.

Claim 89

The marking device of claim 64, wherein said marking indicia include a repetition of the same characters and said heating means include controllable, electrically induced, heating means which can be adjusted as desired tO apply a selected level of heat to said marking indicia.

Claim 90

The marking device of claim 64, wherein stop means limit the rotational movement of said marking wheel.

Claim 91

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation having vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted tosaid piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected tO a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking member and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontAl axes of rotation lying in a common plane, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking member and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, and said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means.

Claim 92

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation having vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted tosaid piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected tO a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking member and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontAl axes of rotation lying in a common plane, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking member and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, and said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means.

Claim 93

The marking device of claim 67, wherein said marking member is rotatable together, as well as at the same time, with said casing means adjustable marking regulator means operatively associated with said vertically reciprocating, marking means for controlling or reproducibly regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece by the heated marking member during the marking operation, said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 94

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation having vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor means positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking wheel and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same tIme and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, a plurality of marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel and which are heatable at the same time, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking wheel and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, and said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means.

Claim 95

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation having vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor means positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking wheel and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same tIme and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, a plurality of marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel and which are heatable at the same time, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking wheel and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, and said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means.

Claim 96

The marking device of claim 69, wherein said marking wheel is rotatable together, as well as at the same time, with said casing means and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 97

The marking device of claim 69, wherein said heating means direct heat to all of the marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle of said reciprocating piston means and rotatable marking wheel, and adjustable marking regulator means operatively associated with said vertically reciprocating, marking means for controlling or reproducibly regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece by the heated marking wheel during the marking opertion.

Claim 98

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation having vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking member and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, vertically extending, and reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation.

Claim 99

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation having vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking member and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, vertically extending, and reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation.

Claim 100

The marking device of claim 72, wherein said marking member is rotatable together with said casing means and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 101

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation having vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking wheel and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation.

Claim 102

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation having vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking wheel and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation.

Claim 103

The marking device of claim 74, wherein said marking member is rotatable together with said casing means and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 104

The marking device of claim 74, wherein said heating means direct heat to all of the marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle of said reciprocating piston means and rotatable marking wheel.

Claim 105

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled manner having vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotaTable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking member and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking member and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and horizontally movable, substantially flat, synchronized, supporting means which carry thereabove work pieces horizontally and in a straight path to and from and directly below the vertically reciprocating path of said piston means in a synchronized, rigidly supportable manner so that said rotatable marking member can mark the individualy, supported work pieces when said heated marking member is lowered to the individual work pieces.

Claim 106

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled manner having vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotaTable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking member and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking member and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and horizontally movable, substantially flat, synchronized, supporting means which carry thereabove work pieces horizontally and in a straight path to and from and directly below the vertically reciprocating path of said piston means in a synchronized, rigidly supportable manner so that said rotatable marking member can mark the individualy, supported work pieces when said heated marking member is lowered to the individual work pieces.

Claim 107

The marking device of claim 77, wherein said marking member is rotatable together, as well as at the same time, with said casing means and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element, and adjustable marking regulator means operatively associated with said vertically reciprocating, marking means for controlling or reproducibly regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece by the heated marking member during the marking operation.

Claim 108

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled manner having vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extending, recirpocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking wheel and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, a plurality of marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel and which are heatable at the same time, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking wheel and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and horizontally movable, substantially flat, synchronized, sUpporting means which carry thereabove work pieces horizontally and in a straight path to and from and directly below the vertically reciprocating path of said piston means in a synchronized, rigidly supportable manner so that said rotatable marking wheel can mark the individual, supported work pieces when said heated marking wheel is lowered to the individual work pieces.

Claim 109

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled manner having vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extending, recirpocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking wheel and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, a plurality of marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel and which are heatable at the same time, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking wheel and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and horizontally movable, substantially flat, synchronized, sUpporting means which carry thereabove work pieces horizontally and in a straight path to and from and directly below the vertically reciprocating path of said piston means in a synchronized, rigidly supportable manner so that said rotatable marking wheel can mark the individual, supported work pieces when said heated marking wheel is lowered to the individual work pieces.

Claim 110

The marking device of claim 79, wherein said heating means direct heat to all of the marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle of said reciprocating piston means and rotatable marking wheel, and adjustable marking regulator means operatively associated with said vertically reciprocating, marking means for controlling or reproducibly regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece by the heated marking wheel during the marking operation.

Claim 111

The marking device of claim 79, wherein said marking wheel is rotatable together, as well as at the same time, with said casing means and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 112

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled manner having vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking member and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, and movable, substantially planar, supporting means which carry thereabove a work piece horizontally to and from and below the vertically reciprocating path of said piston means so that said marking member can mark the work piece when said marking means are lowered.

Claim 113

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled manner having vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking member and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, and movable, substantially planar, supporting means which carry thereabove a work piece horizontally to and from and below the vertically reciprocating path of said piston means so that said marking member can mark the work piece when said marking means are lowered.

Claim 114

The marking device of claim 82, wherein said marking member is rotatable together with said casing means and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 115

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled manner having vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said marking wheel, aNd internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking wheel and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, and movable, substantially planar, supporting means which carry thereabove a work piece horizontally to and from and below the vertically reciprocating path of said piston means so that said marking wheel can mark the work piece when said marking wheel is lowered.

Claim 116

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled manner having vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said marking wheel, aNd internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking wheel and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation, and movable, substantially planar, supporting means which carry thereabove a work piece horizontally to and from and below the vertically reciprocating path of said piston means so that said marking wheel can mark the work piece when said marking wheel is lowered.

Claim 117

The marking device of claim 84, wherein said heating means direct heat to all of the marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle of said reciprocating piston means and rotatable marking wheel.

Claim 118

The marking device of claim 84, wherein said marking wheel is rotatable together with said casing means and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 119

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidably carriage means, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, means operatively connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to release means which restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said carriage means to advance in a controlled, step-wise, incremental manner as a result of each marking operation, vertically reciprocating, piston means which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking member and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking member and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, and said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means.

Claim 120

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidably carriage means, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, means operatively connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to release means which restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said carriage means to advance in a controlled, step-wise, incremental manner as a result of each marking operation, vertically reciprocating, piston means which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking member and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking member and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, and said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means.

Claim 121

The marking device of claim 87, wherein said marking member is rotatable together, as well as at the same time, with said casing means, adjustable marking regulator means operatively associated with said vertically reciprocating, marking means for controlling or reproducibly regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece by the heated markiNg member during the marking operation, and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 122

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, means operatively connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to release means which restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said carriage means to advance in a controlled, step-wise, incremental manner as a result of each marking operation, vertically reciprocating, piston means which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking wheel and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, a plurality of marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel and which are heatable at the same time, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking wheel and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, and said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means.

Claim 123

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, means operatively connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to release means which restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said carriage means to advance in a controlled, step-wise, incremental manner as a result of each marking operation, vertically reciprocating, piston means which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking wheel and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, a plurality of marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel and which are heatable at the same time, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking wheel and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, and said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means.

Claim 124

The marking device of claim 89, wherein said heating means direct heat to all of the marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle of said reciprocating piston means and rotatable marking wheel, and adjustable marking regulator means operatively associated with said reciprocating marking means for controlling or reproducibly regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece by the heated marking wheel during the marking operation.

Claim 125

The marking device of claim 89, wherein said marking wheel is rotatable together, as well as at the same time, with said casing means and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 126

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, means operatively connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to release means which restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said carriage means to advance in a controlled, stepwise manner as a result of the marking operation, vertically reciprocating, piston means which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrOm, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking member and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation.

Claim 127

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, means operatively connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to release means which restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said carriage means to advance in a controlled, stepwise manner as a result of the marking operation, vertically reciprocating, piston means which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrOm, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking member and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation.

Claim 128

The marking device of claim 92, wherein said marking member is rotatable together with said casing means and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 129

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, means operatively connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to release means which restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said carriage means to advance in a controlled, step-wise manner as a result of the marking operation, vertically reciprocating, piston means which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking wheel and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation.

Claim 130

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, means operatively connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to release means which restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said carriage means to advance in a controlled, step-wise manner as a result of the marking operation, vertically reciprocating, piston means which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking wheel and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation.

Claim 131

The marking device of claim 94, wherein said heating means direct heat to all of the marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle of said reciprocating piston means and rotatable marking wheel.

Claim 132

The marking device of claim 94, wherein said marking wheel is rotatable together with said casing means and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 133

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, elongated ratchet means having upwardly extending tEeth, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to the coaction of keeper pawl means with said ratchet means and as a result of the reciprocating marking operation, rotatable, keeper pawl means which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively rotate to coact with said teeth to restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means in a controlled, stepwise, incremental manner as a result of each marking operation, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking member and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking member and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, and said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means.

Claim 134

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, elongated ratchet means having upwardly extending tEeth, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to the coaction of keeper pawl means with said ratchet means and as a result of the reciprocating marking operation, rotatable, keeper pawl means which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively rotate to coact with said teeth to restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means in a controlled, stepwise, incremental manner as a result of each marking operation, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking member and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking member and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, and said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means.

Claim 135

The marking device of claim 97, wherein said marking member is rotatable together, as well as at the same time, with said casing means, adjustable marking regulator means operatively associated with said reciprocating, marking means for controlling or reproducibly regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece by the heated marking member during the marking operation, and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 136

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, elongated ratchet means having upwardly extending teeth, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to the coaction of keeper pawl means with said ratchet means and as a result of the reciprocating marking operation, rotatable, keeper pawl means which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively rotate to coact with said teeth to restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means in a controlled, step-wise, incremental manner as a result of each marking operation, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extendIng, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking wheel and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horziontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, a plurality of marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel and which are heatable at the same time, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking wheel and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, and said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means.

Claim 137

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, elongated ratchet means having upwardly extending teeth, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to the coaction of keeper pawl means with said ratchet means and as a result of the reciprocating marking operation, rotatable, keeper pawl means which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively rotate to coact with said teeth to restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means in a controlled, step-wise, incremental manner as a result of each marking operation, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extendIng, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking wheel and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horziontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, a plurality of marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel and which are heatable at the same time, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking wheel and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, and said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means.

Claim 138

The marking device of claim 99 wherein said heating means direct heat to all of the marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle of said reciprocating piston means and rotatable marking wheel, and adjustable marking regulator means operatively associated with said vertically reciprocating, marking means for controlling or reproducibly regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece by the heated marking wheel during the marking operation.

Claim 139

The marking device of claim 99, wherein said marking wheel is rotatable together, as well as at the same time, with said casing means and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 140

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, elongated ratchet means having upwardly extending teeth, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to the coaction of keeper pawl means with said ratchet means and as a result of the reciprocating marking operation, rotatable, keeper pawl means which are operatively conneted to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively rotate to coact with said teeth to restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means in a controlled, step-wise manner as a result of the marking operation, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking member and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotataBly mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation.

Claim 141

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, elongated ratchet means having upwardly extending teeth, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to the coaction of keeper pawl means with said ratchet means and as a result of the reciprocating marking operation, rotatable, keeper pawl means which are operatively conneted to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively rotate to coact with said teeth to restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means in a controlled, step-wise manner as a result of the marking operation, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking member and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotataBly mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation.

Claim 142

The marking device of claim 102, wherein said marking member is rotatable together with said casing means and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 143

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, elongated ratchet means having upwardly extending teeth, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to the coaction of keeper pawl means with said ratchet means and as a result of the reciprocating marking operation, rotatable, keeper pawl means which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively rotate to coact with said teeth to restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means in a controlled, step-wise manner as a result of the marking operation, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking wheel and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation.

Claim 144

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, elongated ratchet means having upwardly extending teeth, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to the coaction of keeper pawl means with said ratchet means and as a result of the reciprocating marking operation, rotatable, keeper pawl means which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively rotate to coact with said teeth to restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means in a controlled, step-wise manner as a result of the marking operation, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking wheel and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation.

Claim 145

The marking device of claim 104, wherein said heating means dirct heat to all of the marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle of said reciprocating piston means and rotatable marking wheel.

Claim 146

The marking device of claim 104, wherein said marking wheel is rotatable together with said casing means and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 147

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, elongated ratchet means having upwardly extending teeth, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking oPeration, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to the coaction of keeper pawl means with said ratchet means and as a result of the reciprocating marking operation, rotatable, spring-biased, keeper pawl means which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively rotate to coact with said teeth to restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means in a controlled, step-wise, incremental manner as a result of each marking operation, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, said marking member and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking member and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for direction a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and reciprocating actuating means operatively connected to said piston means and which actuate said pawl means to effect rotation thereof.

Claim 148

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, elongated ratchet means having upwardly extending teeth, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking oPeration, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to the coaction of keeper pawl means with said ratchet means and as a result of the reciprocating marking operation, rotatable, spring-biased, keeper pawl means which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively rotate to coact with said teeth to restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means in a controlled, step-wise, incremental manner as a result of each marking operation, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, said marking member and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking member and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for direction a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and reciprocating actuating means operatively connected to said piston means and which actuate said pawl means to effect rotation thereof.

Claim 149

The marking device of claim 107, wherein said marking member is rotatable together, as well as at the same time, with said casing means, adjustable marking regulator means operatively associated with said vertically reciprocating, marking means for controlling or reproducibly regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece by the heated marking member during the marking operation, and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 150

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, elongated ratchet means having upwardly extending teeth, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to the coaction of keeper pawl means with said ratchet means and as a result of the reciprocating marking operation, rotatable, spring-biased, keeper pawl means which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively rotate to coact with said teeth to restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means in a controlled, step-wise, incremental manner as a result of each marking operation, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked durinG the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking wheel and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, a plurality of marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel and which are heatable at the same time, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking wheel and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and reciprocating actuating means operatively connected to said piston means and which actuate said pawl means to effect rotation thereof.

Claim 151

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, elongated ratchet means having upwardly extending teeth, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to the coaction of keeper pawl means with said ratchet means and as a result of the reciprocating marking operation, rotatable, spring-biased, keeper pawl means which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively rotate to coact with said teeth to restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means in a controlled, step-wise, incremental manner as a result of each marking operation, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry horizontally extending, marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked durinG the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, rotatable, horizontally extending, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said rotatable casing means, said marking wheel and casing means being rotatable in the same direction and at the same time and having horizontal axes of rotation lying in a common plane, a plurality of marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel and which are heatable at the same time, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means connected to and positioned in said rotatable marking wheel and rotatable therewith and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire vertically reciprocating, marking cycle, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, and reciprocating actuating means operatively connected to said piston means and which actuate said pawl means to effect rotation thereof.

Claim 152

The marking device of claim 109, wherein said heating means direct heat to all of the marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle of said reciprocating piston means and rotatable marking wheel, and adjustable marking regulator means operatively associated with said vertically reciprocating, marking means for controlling or reproducibly regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece by the heated marking wheel during the marking operation.

Claim 153

The marking device of claim 109, wherein said marking wheel is rotatable together, as well as at the same time, with said casing means and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 154

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, elongated ratchet means having upwardly extending teeth, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to the coaction of keeper pawl means with said ratchet means and as a result of the reciprocating marking operation, rotatable, spring-biased, keeper pawl means which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively rotate to coact with said teeth to restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means in a controlled, step-wise manner as a result of the marking operation, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to sai post mans and which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking member And connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, reciprocating actuating means operatively connected to said piston means and which actuate said pawl means to effect rotation thereof, and vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation.

Claim 155

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, elongated ratchet means having upwardly extending teeth, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to the coaction of keeper pawl means with said ratchet means and as a result of the reciprocating marking operation, rotatable, spring-biased, keeper pawl means which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively rotate to coact with said teeth to restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means in a controlled, step-wise manner as a result of the marking operation, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to sai post mans and which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, a rotatable, heatable marking member connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, marking indicium positioned on said marking member, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking member And connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicium during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking member and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicium to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, reciprocating actuating means operatively connected to said piston means and which actuate said pawl means to effect rotation thereof, and vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation.

Claim 156

The marking device of claim 112, wherein said marking member is rotatable together with said casing means and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 157

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, elongated ratchet means having upwardly extending teeth, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to the coaction of keeper pawl means with said ratchet means and as a result of the reciprocating marking operation, rotatable, spring-biased, keeper pawl means which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively rotate to coact with said teeth to restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means in a controlled, step-wise manner as a result of the marking operation, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking wheel and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, reciprocating actuating means operatively connected to said piston means and which actuate said pawl means to effect rotation thereof, and vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation.

Claim 158

A marking device for marking a work piece during a reciprocating marking operation and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, elongated ratchet means having upwardly extending teeth, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during the marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance subject to the coaction of keeper pawl means with said ratchet means and as a result of the reciprocating marking operation, rotatable, spring-biased, keeper pawl means which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively rotate to coact with said teeth to restrict the movement of said carriage means and allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means in a controlled, step-wise manner as a result of the marking operation, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which selectively carry marking means vertically both to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating marking cycle of said piston means, reciprocating marking means rotatably mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, said marking means including horizontally extending, casing means rotatably mounted to said piston means and projecting therefrom, conductor wires positioned in said casing means, rotatable, heatable marking wheel connected to a projecting portion of said casing means, marking indicia positioned on the periphery of said marking wheel, and internally and centrally disposed, controllable, electrically induced, heating means positioned in said marking wheel and connected to said conductor wires for directing a desired level of heat to said marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle, said marking wheel and the vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means being spaced from each other a distance which allows for dissipation of heat from said heated marking indicia to said vicinity of where said casing means are rotatably mounted to said piston means, reciprocating actuating means operatively connected to said piston means and which actuate said pawl means to effect rotation thereof, and vertically extending, reciprocating drive shaft having a lower portion operatively connected to said piston means and marking regulator means having spring means for controlling or regulating the marking time and the pressure exerted on the work piece during the marking operation.

Claim 159

The marking device of claim 114, wherein said heating means direct heat to all of the marking indicia at the same time during the entire reciprocating marking cycle of said reciprocating piston means and rotatable marking wheel.

Claim 160

The marking device of claim 114, whereiN said marking wheel is rotatable together with said casing means and said heating means include a resistance-type, wire heating element.

Claim 163

The device of claim 117, wherein said leading pawl means and trailing pawl means are separate pawls.

Claim 164

The device of claim 117, wherein said leading pawl means and trailing pawl means are different parts of a single keeper pawl.

Claim 165

The device of claim 117, wherein said spring means connected to said carriage means include a constantforce, extension spring.

Claim 166

The device of claim 117, wherein said ratchet means include a rotatable, horizontally extending, roller with a plurality of separate, horizontally extending, lines of ratchet teeth carried thereby.

Claim 167

The device of claim 117, wherein marking means having heatable marking indicium for marking a work piece are carried by said carriage means.

Claim 170

The device of claim 123, wherein said spring means connected to said carriage means include a constantforce, extension spring.

Claim 171

The device of claim 123, wherein said ratchet means include a rotatable, horizontally extending, roller with a plurality of separate, horizontally extending, lines of ratchet teeth carried thereby.

Claim 172

The device of claim 123, wherein marking means having heatable marking indicium for marking a work piece are carried by said carriage means.

Claim 175

The device of claim 127, wherein said spring means connected to said carriage means include a constantforce, extension spring.

Claim 176

The device of claim 127, wherein said ratchet means include a rotatable, horizontally extending, roller with a plurality of separate, horizontally extending, lines of ratchet teeth carried thereby.

Claim 177

The device of claim 127, wherein marking means having heatable marking indicium for marking a work piece are carried by said carriage means.

Claim 180

The device of claim 131, wherein said spring means connected to said carriage means include a constantforce, extension spring.

Claim 181

The device of claim 131, wherein said ratchet means include a rotatable, horizontally extending, roller with a plurality of separate, horizontally extending, lines of ratchet teeth carried thereby.

Claim 182

The device of claim 131, wherein marking means having heatable marking indicium for marking a work piece are carried by said carriage means.

Claim 183

A marking device for marking a work piece and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, slidable, horizontally extending, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during a marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance to the left, horizontally extending, ratchet means operatively connected to said base means and having upwardly extending teeth, rotatable, spring-biased, double-acting, leading, keeper pawl means and trailing, keeper pawl means which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively coact with said teeth to allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means to the left in a controlled, step-wise manner, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston menas slidably mounted to said post means and which carry marking means to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating cycle, marking means mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, reciprocating actuating means operatively connected to said piston means, each of said leading and trailing pawl means having spring means which tend to urge them to rotate counter-clockwise, said leading pawl means or trailing pawl means being maintained in coacting engagement or obstructing relationship with said teeth during the reciprocating cycle so that said carriage means are advanced an incremental step during each of the downstroke and upstroke of the reciprocating cycle, horizontally extending, rotatable shaft means which extend transversely across said carriage means and are rotatably mounted thereto, front end portion or portions of said shaft means being affixed to and rotating at the same time and in the same direction with said leading and trailing pawl means, rotatable lever means operatively connected to said shaft means and extending radially outwardly thereof; the selected, rotational movement of lever means in a clockwise direction during the downstroke of said actuating means results in said leading pawl means likewise rotating in a clockwise direction thereby allowing said leading pawl mEans to be rotated out of engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means and said trailing pawl means being in engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means, and said spring means of said carriage means to advance said carriage means a controllable distance to the left; the subsequent, selected, rotational movement of lever means for said trailing pawl during the upstroke results in said trailing pawl means likewise rotating thereby allowing said trailing pawl means to be rotated out of engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means and said leading pawl means being in engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means, and said spring means of said carriage means to advance said carriage means an additional controllable distance to the left; and at least one of said leading pawl means or trailing pawl means being in engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means during the step-wise advancement of said carriage means during the downstroke and upstroke.

Claim 184

A marking device for marking a work piece and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, slidable, horizontally extending, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during a marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance to the left, horizontally extending, ratchet means operatively connected to said base means and having upwardly extending teeth, rotatable, spring-biased, double-acting, leading, keeper pawl means and trailing, keeper pawl means which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively coact with said teeth to allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means to the left in a controlled, step-wise manner, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston menas slidably mounted to said post means and which carry marking means to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating cycle, marking means mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, reciprocating actuating means operatively connected to said piston means, each of said leading and trailing pawl means having spring means which tend to urge them to rotate counter-clockwise, said leading pawl means or trailing pawl means being maintained in coacting engagement or obstructing relationship with said teeth during the reciprocating cycle so that said carriage means are advanced an incremental step during each of the downstroke and upstroke of the reciprocating cycle, horizontally extending, rotatable shaft means which extend transversely across said carriage means and are rotatably mounted thereto, front end portion or portions of said shaft means being affixed to and rotating at the same time and in the same direction with said leading and trailing pawl means, rotatable lever means operatively connected to said shaft means and extending radially outwardly thereof; the selected, rotational movement of lever means in a clockwise direction during the downstroke of said actuating means results in said leading pawl means likewise rotating in a clockwise direction thereby allowing said leading pawl mEans to be rotated out of engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means and said trailing pawl means being in engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means, and said spring means of said carriage means to advance said carriage means a controllable distance to the left; the subsequent, selected, rotational movement of lever means for said trailing pawl during the upstroke results in said trailing pawl means likewise rotating thereby allowing said trailing pawl means to be rotated out of engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means and said leading pawl means being in engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means, and said spring means of said carriage means to advance said carriage means an additional controllable distance to the left; and at least one of said leading pawl means or trailing pawl means being in engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means during the step-wise advancement of said carriage means during the downstroke and upstroke.

Claim 185

The marking device of claim 135, wherein said leading pawl means and trailing pawl means are separate pawls.

Claim 186

The marking device of claim 135, wherein said leading pawl means and trailing pawl means are different parts of a single keeper pawl.

Claim 187

The marking device of claim 135, wherein said spring means connected to said carriage means include a constant-force extension spring.

Claim 188

The marking device of claim 135, wherein said marking means include electrically heated, marking indicium for marking a work piece.

Claim 189

The marking device of claim 135, wherein said device includes trip means which provide for the selected movement of said slidable carriage means without requiring any reciprocating movement of said piston means.

Claim 190

A marking device for marking a work piece and advancing it incrementally in a controlled step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, slidable, horizontally extending, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during a marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance to the left, horizontally extending, ratchet means operatively connected to said base means and having upwardly extending teeth, rotatable, front and rear, spring-biased, double-acting, keeper pawls which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively coact with said teeth in leading and trailing relationship with respect to each other to allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means incrementally to the left in a controlled, step-wise manner, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which carry marking means to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating cycle, marking means mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, reciprocating actuating means operatively connected to said piston means and which actuate said pawls clockwise, each of said pawls having spring means which tend to urge said pawls to rotate counter-clockwise and into engagement or obstructing relationship with said teeth, a keeper pawl being maintained in coacting engagement or obstructing relationship with said teeth during the reciprocating cycle so that said carriage means are advanced an incremental step during each of the downstroke and upstroke of the reciprocating cycle, horizontally extending, rotatable tubular sleeve which extends transversely across said carriage means and is rotatably mounted thereto, a front, end portion of said sleeve being affixed to said rear pawl so that said sleeve and rear pawl rotate at the same time and in the same direction, horizontally extending, rotatable rod which is rotatably mounted in said sleeve, rotates independently of said sleeve, and extends through and beyond a front, end portion of said sleeve, a front, end portion of said rod extending through said rear pawl and being affixed to said front pawl so that said rod and front pawl rotate at the same time and in the same direction, lever means operatively connected to each of said sleeve and rod and extending radially outwardly thereof; the selected, rotational movement of said lever means for said leading pawl in a clockwise direction during the downstroke of said actuating means results in said leading pawl likewise rotating in a clockwise direction thereby allowing said leading pawl to be rotated out of engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means and said trailing pawl means being in engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means, and said spring means of said carriage means to advance said carriage means a controllable distance to the left; the subsequent, selected, rotational movement of said lever means for said trailing pawl in a clockwise direction during the upstroke of said actuating means results in said trailing pawl likewise rotating in a clockwise direction thereby allowing said trailing pawl to be rotated out of engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means and said leading pawl means being in engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means, and said spring means of said carriage means to advance said carriage means an additional controllable distance to the left; and said leading pawl or trailing pawl being in engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means during the step-wise advancement of said carriage means during the downstroke and upstroke.

Claim 191

A marking device for marking a work piece and advancing it incrementally in a controlled step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, slidable, horizontally extending, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during a marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance to the left, horizontally extending, ratchet means operatively connected to said base means and having upwardly extending teeth, rotatable, front and rear, spring-biased, double-acting, keeper pawls which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively coact with said teeth in leading and trailing relationship with respect to each other to allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means incrementally to the left in a controlled, step-wise manner, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which carry marking means to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating cycle, marking means mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, reciprocating actuating means operatively connected to said piston means and which actuate said pawls clockwise, each of said pawls having spring means which tend to urge said pawls to rotate counter-clockwise and into engagement or obstructing relationship with said teeth, a keeper pawl being maintained in coacting engagement or obstructing relationship with said teeth during the reciprocating cycle so that said carriage means are advanced an incremental step during each of the downstroke and upstroke of the reciprocating cycle, horizontally extending, rotatable tubular sleeve which extends transversely across said carriage means and is rotatably mounted thereto, a front, end portion of said sleeve being affixed to said rear pawl so that said sleeve and rear pawl rotate at the same time and in the same direction, horizontally extending, rotatable rod which is rotatably mounted in said sleeve, rotates independently of said sleeve, and extends through and beyond a front, end portion of said sleeve, a front, end portion of said rod extending through said rear pawl and being affixed to said front pawl so that said rod and front pawl rotate at the same time and in the same direction, lever means operatively connected to each of said sleeve and rod and extending radially outwardly thereof; the selected, rotational movement of said lever means for said leading pawl in a clockwise direction during the downstroke of said actuating means results in said leading pawl likewise rotating in a clockwise direction thereby allowing said leading pawl to be rotated out of engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means and said trailing pawl means being in engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means, and said spring means of said carriage means to advance said carriage means a controllable distance to the left; the subsequent, selected, rotational movement of said lever means for said trailing pawl in a clockwise direction during the upstroke of said actuating means results in said trailing pawl likewise rotating in a clockwise direction thereby allowing said trailing pawl to be rotated out of engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means and said leading pawl means being in engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means, and said spring means of said carriage means to advance said carriage means an additional controllable distance to the left; and said leading pawl or trailing pawl being in engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means during the step-wise advancement of said carriage means during the downstroke and upstroke.

Claim 192

The marking device of claim 141, wherein said spring means connected to said carriage means include a constant-force extension spring.

Claim 193

The marking device of claim 141, wherein said marking means include electrically heated, marking indicium for marking a work piece.

Claim 194

The marking device of claim 141, wherein said device includes trip means which provide for the selected movement of said slidable carriage means without requiring any reciprocating movement of said piston means.

Claim 195

A marking device for marking a work piece and advancing it incrementally in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, slidable, horizontally extending, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during a marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance to the left, horizontally extending, ratchet means operatively connected to said base means and having upwardly extending teeth, rotatable, front and rear, spring-biased, double-acting, keeper pawls which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively coact with said teeth in leadng and trailing relationship with respect to each other to allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means incrementally to the left in a controlled, step-wise manner, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which carry marking means to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating cycle, marking means mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, reciprocating actuating means operatively connected to said piston means and which actuate said pawls clockwise, each of said pawls having spring means which tend to urge said pawls to rotate counter-clockwise and into engagement or obstructing relationship with said teeth, a keeper pawl being maintained in coacting engagement or obstructing relationship with said teeth during the reciprocating cycle so that said carriage means are advanced an incremental step during each of the downstroke and upstroke of the reciprocating cycle, horizontally extending, rotatable tubular sleeve which extends transversely across said carriage means and is rotatably mounted thereto, a front, end porTion of said sleeve being affixed to said rear pawl so that said sleeve and rear pawl rotate at the same time and in the same direction, horizontally extending, rotatable rod which is rotatably mounted in said sleeve, rotates independently of said sleeve, and extends through and beyond a front, end portion of said sleeve, a front, end portion of said rod extending through said rear pawl and being affixed to said front pawl so that said rod and front pawl rotate at the same time and in the same direction, clutch means operatively associated with said rod at a rear end portion thereof and being disengaged during the downstroke of the reciprocating cycle and providing positive drive means during the upstroke, rotatable, radially extending, lever means operatively associated with said clutch means, spring means operatively connected to said lever means for said trailing pawl and operatively associated with said clutch means so as to tend to urge that lever means to rotate counter-clockwise during the downstroke without rotating said trailing pawl, when said clutch means are engaged during the upstroke, the clockwise rotation of said lever means for said trailing pawl by said actuating means during the upstroke causes said trailing pawl to rotate in a clockwise direction, said lever means for said leading pawl being rotated in a clockwise direction by said actuating means during the downstroke to cause said leading pawl to rotate clockwise, said reciprocating actuating means causing said lever means for said leading pawl to rotate clockwise and downward during the downstroke and causing said lever means for said trailing pawl to rotate clockwise and upward during the upstroke; during the downstroke of the reciprocating cycle, said lever means for said leading pawl rotate clockwise downward, said clutch means are disengaged, said leading pawl is rotated clockwise until it is disengaged from its contiguous, obstructing relationship with said ratchet means, said spring means which are operatively connected to said lever means for said trailing pawl and operatively associated with said clutch means urge that lever means to rotate counter-clockwise without rotating said trailing pawl, and said spring means for said carriage means advance said carriage means and leading and trailing pawls incrementally to the left until further movement of said carriage means to the left is limited by said trailing pawl being urged in a counter-clockwise direction by its spring means towards or into contiguous, obstructing relationship with said ratchet means; and during the upstroke of the reciprocating cycle, said lever means for said trailing pawl rotate clockwise and upward, said clutch means become positively engaged, said trailing pawl is rotated clockwise until said trailing pawl is disengaged from its contiguous, obstructing relationship with said ratchet means, and said spring means for said carriage means advance said carriage means and leading and trailing pawls incrementally to the left the remainder of the incremental movement until further movement of said carriage means to the left is limited by said leading pawl being urged in a counter-clockwise direction by its spring means towards or into contiguous, obstructing relationship with said ratchet means.

Claim 196

A marking device for marking a work piece and advancing it incrementally in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, slidable, horizontally extending, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during a marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance to the left, horizontally extending, ratchet means operatively connected to said base means and having upwardly extending teeth, rotatable, front and rear, spring-biased, double-acting, keeper pawls which are operatively connected to said carriage means and are positioned above and selectively coact with said teeth in leadng and trailing relationship with respect to each other to allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means incrementally to the left in a controlled, step-wise manner, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which carry marking means to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating cycle, marking means mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, reciprocating actuating means operatively connected to said piston means and which actuate said pawls clockwise, each of said pawls having spring means which tend to urge said pawls to rotate counter-clockwise and into engagement or obstructing relationship with said teeth, a keeper pawl being maintained in coacting engagement or obstructing relationship with said teeth during the reciprocating cycle so that said carriage means are advanced an incremental step during each of the downstroke and upstroke of the reciprocating cycle, horizontally extending, rotatable tubular sleeve which extends transversely across said carriage means and is rotatably mounted thereto, a front, end porTion of said sleeve being affixed to said rear pawl so that said sleeve and rear pawl rotate at the same time and in the same direction, horizontally extending, rotatable rod which is rotatably mounted in said sleeve, rotates independently of said sleeve, and extends through and beyond a front, end portion of said sleeve, a front, end portion of said rod extending through said rear pawl and being affixed to said front pawl so that said rod and front pawl rotate at the same time and in the same direction, clutch means operatively associated with said rod at a rear end portion thereof and being disengaged during the downstroke of the reciprocating cycle and providing positive drive means during the upstroke, rotatable, radially extending, lever means operatively associated with said clutch means, spring means operatively connected to said lever means for said trailing pawl and operatively associated with said clutch means so as to tend to urge that lever means to rotate counter-clockwise during the downstroke without rotating said trailing pawl, when said clutch means are engaged during the upstroke, the clockwise rotation of said lever means for said trailing pawl by said actuating means during the upstroke causes said trailing pawl to rotate in a clockwise direction, said lever means for said leading pawl being rotated in a clockwise direction by said actuating means during the downstroke to cause said leading pawl to rotate clockwise, said reciprocating actuating means causing said lever means for said leading pawl to rotate clockwise and downward during the downstroke and causing said lever means for said trailing pawl to rotate clockwise and upward during the upstroke; during the downstroke of the reciprocating cycle, said lever means for said leading pawl rotate clockwise downward, said clutch means are disengaged, said leading pawl is rotated clockwise until it is disengaged from its contiguous, obstructing relationship with said ratchet means, said spring means which are operatively connected to said lever means for said trailing pawl and operatively associated with said clutch means urge that lever means to rotate counter-clockwise without rotating said trailing pawl, and said spring means for said carriage means advance said carriage means and leading and trailing pawls incrementally to the left until further movement of said carriage means to the left is limited by said trailing pawl being urged in a counter-clockwise direction by its spring means towards or into contiguous, obstructing relationship with said ratchet means; and during the upstroke of the reciprocating cycle, said lever means for said trailing pawl rotate clockwise and upward, said clutch means become positively engaged, said trailing pawl is rotated clockwise until said trailing pawl is disengaged from its contiguous, obstructing relationship with said ratchet means, and said spring means for said carriage means advance said carriage means and leading and trailing pawls incrementally to the left the remainder of the incremental movement until further movement of said carriage means to the left is limited by said leading pawl being urged in a counter-clockwise direction by its spring means towards or into contiguous, obstructing relationship with said ratchet means.

Claim 197

The marking device of claim 145, wherein said spring means connected to said carriage means include a constant-force extension spring.

Claim 198

The marking device of claim 145, wherein said marking means include electrically heated, marking indicium for marking a work piece.

Claim 199

The marking device of claim 145, wherein said device includes trip means which provide for the selected movement of said slidable carriage means without requiring any reciprocating movement of said piston means.

Claim 200

A marking device for marking a work piece and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, slidable, horizontally extending, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during a marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance to the left, horizontally extending, ratchet means operatively connected to said base means and having upwardly extending teeth, a rotatable, spring-biased, double-acting, keeper pawl having leading pawl means and trailing pawl means, said keeper pawl being operatively connected to said carriage means and positioned above and selectively coacting with said teeth to allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means to the left in a controlled, step-wise manner, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which carry marking means to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating cycle, marking means mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, reciprocating actuating means operatively connected to said piston means and which actuate said keeper pawl during the downstroke, said keeper pawl having spring means operatively associated therewith which tend to urge said keeper pawl to rotate counter-clockwise so that said leading pawl means engage or are in obstructing relationship with said teeth, said leading pawl means or trailing pawl means being maintained in coacting engagement or obstructing relationship with said teeth during the reciprocating cycle so that said carriage means are advanced an incremental step during each of the downstroke and upstroke of the reciprocating cycle, horizontally extending, rotatable shaft which extends transversely across said carriage means and is rotatably mounted thereto and is actuated clockwise by and during the downstroke of said actuating means, a front, portion of said shaft being affixed to an eccentrically positioned location of said keeper pawl so that said keeper pawl and shaft rotate at the same time and in the same direction, rotatable lever means operatively connected to said shaft and extending radially outwardly thereof; the selected, rotational movement of said lever means in a clockwise direction during the downstroke of said actuating means results in said shaft and keeper pawl likewise rotating in a clockwise direction thereby sequentially causing said leading pawl means to be rotated out of engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means and said trailing pawl means to be rotated into engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means, and said spring means of said carriage means to advance said carriage means a controllable distance to the left; the subsequent, selected, rotational movement of said lever means in a counter-clockwise direction during the upstroke by said spring means operatively associated with said keeper pawl results in said shaft and keeper pawl likewise rotating in a counter-clockwise direction thereby sequentially causing said trailing pawl means to be rotated out of engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means and said leading pawl means to be rotated into engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means, and said spring means of said carriage means to advance said carriage means an additional controllable distance to the left; and at least one of said leading pawl means or trailing pawl means being in engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means during the step-wise advancement of said carriage means.

Claim 201

A marking device for marking a work piece and advancing it in a controlled, step-wise manner having base means for receiving slidable carriage means, slidable, horizontally extending, carriage means slidably mounted to said base means and which can carry a work piece during a marking operation, spring means connected to said carriage means which tend to urge said carriage means to advance to the left, horizontally extending, ratchet means operatively connected to said base means and having upwardly extending teeth, a rotatable, spring-biased, double-acting, keeper pawl having leading pawl means and trailing pawl means, said keeper pawl being operatively connected to said carriage means and positioned above and selectively coacting with said teeth to allow said spring means for said carriage means to advance said carriage means to the left in a controlled, step-wise manner, vertically extending, post means, vertically reciprocating, piston means slidably mounted to said post means and which carry marking means to and away from a work piece to be marked during the reciprocating cycle, marking means mounted to said piston means and which reciprocate therewith, reciprocating actuating means operatively connected to said piston means and which actuate said keeper pawl during the downstroke, said keeper pawl having spring means operatively associated therewith which tend to urge said keeper pawl to rotate counter-clockwise so that said leading pawl means engage or are in obstructing relationship with said teeth, said leading pawl means or trailing pawl means being maintained in coacting engagement or obstructing relationship with said teeth during the reciprocating cycle so that said carriage means are advanced an incremental step during each of the downstroke and upstroke of the reciprocating cycle, horizontally extending, rotatable shaft which extends transversely across said carriage means and is rotatably mounted thereto and is actuated clockwise by and during the downstroke of said actuating means, a front, portion of said shaft being affixed to an eccentrically positioned location of said keeper pawl so that said keeper pawl and shaft rotate at the same time and in the same direction, rotatable lever means operatively connected to said shaft and extending radially outwardly thereof; the selected, rotational movement of said lever means in a clockwise direction during the downstroke of said actuating means results in said shaft and keeper pawl likewise rotating in a clockwise direction thereby sequentially causing said leading pawl means to be rotated out of engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means and said trailing pawl means to be rotated into engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means, and said spring means of said carriage means to advance said carriage means a controllable distance to the left; the subsequent, selected, rotational movement of said lever means in a counter-clockwise direction during the upstroke by said spring means operatively associated with said keeper pawl results in said shaft and keeper pawl likewise rotating in a counter-clockwise direction thereby sequentially causing said trailing pawl means to be rotated out of engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means and said leading pawl means to be rotated into engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means, and said spring means of said carriage means to advance said carriage means an additional controllable distance to the left; and at least one of said leading pawl means or trailing pawl means being in engagement or obstructing relationship with said ratchet means during the step-wise advancement of said carriage means.

Claim 202

The marking device of claim 149, wherein said spring means connected to said carriage means include a constant-force extension spring.

Claim 203

The marking device of claim 149, wherein said marking means include electrically heated, marking indicium for marking a work piece.

Claim 204

The marking device of claim 149, wherein said device includes trip means which provide for the selected movement of said slidable carriage means without requiring any reciprocating movement of said piston means.