US4630537A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Selective embosser with buckling prevention
Assignee: BUFFALO Corp Ltd
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Filing: 1985-08-22
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Granted: 1986-12-23
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Expires: 2005-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for embossing characters on a plate such as a motor vehicle registration plate are provided according to which the blank plate and dies are located between the movable and stationary members of a press, the movable member being contained in a cylinder wherein pressurized fluid can cause it in the nature of a piston to move towards the stationary member in order to effect the embossing operation on the plate.
Inventors
- 👤 David J. Pretorius
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:11
CPC Classifications
B; B44; B44B; B44B5/00; B44B5/008; B44B5/0061; B44B5/02; B44B5/024; B44B5/026; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S72/00; Y10S72/701
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
277 words
Apparatus for embossing characters in a workpiece such as a motor vehicle registration plate, said apparatus comprising: (a) buckling prevention means for preventing buckling of said workpiece during embossing, said buckling prevention means comprising: a pair of cooperating press members reciprocally movable relative to each other and each having an operative face, at least one of said press members being movable and having an elongated configuration defining a piston which is snugly slidably received in a cylinder, said piston having an upper surface defining one of said operative faces, said piston and its operative face remaining substantially within said cylinder during movement of said piston in said cylinder, thereby preventing the operative face of the movable press member from moving out of alignment with the operative face of the other press member during movement of the movable press member relative to the other press member during the embossing operation; at least on die for embossing one or more characters in said workpiece, said at least one die comprising first and second pivotally interconnected die members, said workpiece, during the embossing operation, being trapped between said first and second pivotally interconnected die members to provide a die/workpiece assembly, said die/workpiece assembly being locatable for the embossing operation between said pair of cooperating press members, said operative faces of said press members being of such dimensions that they extend over the whole of the die/workpiece assembly during the embossing operation; (b) at least one die element carried by said first die member; said press members during the embossing operation exerting pressure equally over the entire/workpiece assembly to prevent buckling of said workpiece and to ensure evenly shaped embossed characters.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
277 words
Apparatus for embossing characters in a workpiece such as a motor vehicle registration plate, said apparatus comprising: (a) buckling prevention means for preventing buckling of said workpiece during embossing, said buckling prevention means comprising: a pair of cooperating press members reciprocally movable relative to each other and each having an operative face, at least one of said press members being movable and having an elongated configuration defining a piston which is snugly slidably received in a cylinder, said piston having an upper surface defining one of said operative faces, said piston and its operative face remaining substantially within said cylinder during movement of said piston in said cylinder, thereby preventing the operative face of the movable press member from moving out of alignment with the operative face of the other press member during movement of the movable press member relative to the other press member during the embossing operation; at least on die for embossing one or more characters in said workpiece, said at least one die comprising first and second pivotally interconnected die members, said workpiece, during the embossing operation, being trapped between said first and second pivotally interconnected die members to provide a die/workpiece assembly, said die/workpiece assembly being locatable for the embossing operation between said pair of cooperating press members, said operative faces of said press members being of such dimensions that they extend over the whole of the die/workpiece assembly during the embossing operation; (b) at least one die element carried by said first die member; said press members during the embossing operation exerting pressure equally over the entire/workpiece assembly to prevent buckling of said workpiece and to ensure evenly shaped embossed characters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said operative face of said movable press member has an elongated platform integral with it, one end of said platform extending into an aperture provided in a sidewall of said cylinder and through which said at least one die and said workpiece may be slidably located onto said platform.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said platform contains a longitudinally extending slot and said at least one die has a complementary shaped rib formation adapted slideably to engage said slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus of claim 2, including a work surface which is flush with said aperture in said side wall of said cylinder, said work surface having an elongated slot which is in linear relationship to a similar slot in said platform, said at least one die including an elongated rib formation of complementary configuration to each said slot so that said at least one die can be guided by said slots when said die/work piece assembly is moved from said work surface into said cylinder through said aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus of claim 1, and further including a cutting means for cutting through a layer of material carried on said work piece during the embossing operation, said cutting means including a raised formation on said first die member and a recess in said second die member having a complementary shape and size to said raised formation, said recess having a surrounding wall defining a cutting edge for cutting through said layer of material carried on said work piece as said raised formation is urged into said recess.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second die member includes a recess of complementary shape and size to said die element, said recess being surrounded by a pad of resiliently flexible material which during the embossing operation abuts a part of said first die member surrounding said die element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
273 words
Apparatus for embossing characters in a workpiece such as a motor vehicle registration plate, said apparatus comprising: (a) buckling prevention means for preventing buckling of said workpiece during embossing, said buckling preventions means comprising: a pair of cooperating press members reciprocally movable relative to each other and each having an operative face, at least one of said press members being movable and having an elongated configuration defining a piston which is snugly slidably received in a cylinder, said piston having an upper surface defining one of said operative faces, said piston and its operative face remaining substantially within said cylinder during movement of said piston in said cylinder, thereby preventing the operative face of the movable press member from moving out of alignment with the operative face of the other press member during movement of the movable press members relative to the other press member during the embossing operation; a die for embossing one or more characters in said workpiece, said die comprising first and second pivotally interconnecting die members, said workpiece, during the embossing operation, being trapped between said first and second pivotally interconnecting die members to provide a die/workpiece assembly, said die/workpiece assembly being locatable for the embossing operation between said pair of cooperating press members, said operative faces of said press members being of such dimensions that they extend over the whole of the die/workpiece assembly during the embossing operation; (b) at least one die element carried by said first die member; said press members, during the embossing operation exerting pressure equally over the entire die/workpiece assembly to prevent buckling of said workpiece and to ensure evenly shaped embossed characters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
273 words
Apparatus for embossing characters in a workpiece such as a motor vehicle registration plate, said apparatus comprising: (a) buckling prevention means for preventing buckling of said workpiece during embossing, said buckling preventions means comprising: a pair of cooperating press members reciprocally movable relative to each other and each having an operative face, at least one of said press members being movable and having an elongated configuration defining a piston which is snugly slidably received in a cylinder, said piston having an upper surface defining one of said operative faces, said piston and its operative face remaining substantially within said cylinder during movement of said piston in said cylinder, thereby preventing the operative face of the movable press member from moving out of alignment with the operative face of the other press member during movement of the movable press members relative to the other press member during the embossing operation; a die for embossing one or more characters in said workpiece, said die comprising first and second pivotally interconnecting die members, said workpiece, during the embossing operation, being trapped between said first and second pivotally interconnecting die members to provide a die/workpiece assembly, said die/workpiece assembly being locatable for the embossing operation between said pair of cooperating press members, said operative faces of said press members being of such dimensions that they extend over the whole of the die/workpiece assembly during the embossing operation; (b) at least one die element carried by said first die member; said press members, during the embossing operation exerting pressure equally over the entire die/workpiece assembly to prevent buckling of said workpiece and to ensure evenly shaped embossed characters.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
306 words
Apparatus for embossing characters in a workpiece such as a motor vehicle registration plate, said apparatus comprising: (a) buckling prevention means for preventing buckling of said workpiece during embossing, said buckling prevention means comprising: a pair of cooperating press members reciprocally movable relative to each other and each having an operative face, at least one of said press members being movable and having an elongated configuration defining a piston which is snugly slidably received in a cylinder, said piston having an upper surface defining one of said operative faces, said piston and its operative face remaining substantially within said cylinder during movement of said piston in said cylinder, thereby preventing the operative face of the movable press member from moving out of alignment with the operative face of the other press member during movement of the movable press member relative to the other press member during the embossing operation; a plurality of dies for embossing one or more characters in said workpiece, each of said dies comprising first and second pivotally interconnected die members said workpiece, during the embossing operation, being trapped between said first and second pivotally interconnected die members of each of said dies to provide a dies/workpiece assembly, said dies/workpiece assembly being locatable for the embossing operation between said pair of cooperating press members, said operative faces of said press members being of such dimensions that they extend over the whole of the dies/workpiece assembly during the embossing operation; a tray for carrying said dies/workpiece assembly, and being locatable for the embossing operation between said pair of cooperating press members; (b) a die element carried by said first die member of each of said dies; said press members, during the embossing operation, exerting pressure equally over the entire dies/workpiece assembly to prevent buckling of said workpiece and to ensure evenly shaped embossed characters.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
306 words
Apparatus for embossing characters in a workpiece such as a motor vehicle registration plate, said apparatus comprising: (a) buckling prevention means for preventing buckling of said workpiece during embossing, said buckling prevention means comprising: a pair of cooperating press members reciprocally movable relative to each other and each having an operative face, at least one of said press members being movable and having an elongated configuration defining a piston which is snugly slidably received in a cylinder, said piston having an upper surface defining one of said operative faces, said piston and its operative face remaining substantially within said cylinder during movement of said piston in said cylinder, thereby preventing the operative face of the movable press member from moving out of alignment with the operative face of the other press member during movement of the movable press member relative to the other press member during the embossing operation; a plurality of dies for embossing one or more characters in said workpiece, each of said dies comprising first and second pivotally interconnected die members said workpiece, during the embossing operation, being trapped between said first and second pivotally interconnected die members of each of said dies to provide a dies/workpiece assembly, said dies/workpiece assembly being locatable for the embossing operation between said pair of cooperating press members, said operative faces of said press members being of such dimensions that they extend over the whole of the dies/workpiece assembly during the embossing operation; a tray for carrying said dies/workpiece assembly, and being locatable for the embossing operation between said pair of cooperating press members; (b) a die element carried by said first die member of each of said dies; said press members, during the embossing operation, exerting pressure equally over the entire dies/workpiece assembly to prevent buckling of said workpiece and to ensure evenly shaped embossed characters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said tray includes two parallel spaced-apart longitudinally extending rib formations, said plurality of dies being receivable in a predetermined interrelationship between said rib formations of said tray prior to locating said tray with said dies/work piece assembly between said press members for the embossing operation.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
337 words
A method for embossing characters in a workpiece, such as a motor vehicle registration plate, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an embossing apparatus including buckling prevention means for preventing buckling of said workpiece during the embossing operation, said buckling prevention means comprising a pair of cooperating press members reciprocally movable relative to each other and each having an operative face, at least one of said press members being movable and having an elongated configuration defining a piston which is snugly slidably received in a cylinder, said piston having an upper surface defining one of said operative faces, said piston and its operative face remaining substantially within said cylinder during movement of said piston in said cylinder, thereby preventing the operative face of the movable press member from moving out of alignment with the operative face of the other press member during movement of the movable press member relative to the other press member during the embossing operation, at least one die for embossing one or more characters in said workpiece, said at least one die comprising first and second pivotally interconnected die members, said workpiece during the embossing operation being trapped between said first and second pivotally interconnecting die members to provide a die/workpiece assembly, said die/workpiece assembly being locatable for the embossing operation between said pair of cooperating press members, said operative faces of said press members being of such dimensions that they extend over the whole of the die/workpiece assembly during the embossing operation, and at least one die element carried by said first die member; (b) introducing a workpiece between said first and second pivotally interconnected die members to produce said die/workpiece assembly in which said workpiece is trapped between said first and second pivotally interconnected die members; (c) advancing said die/workpiece assembly between said pair of cooperating press members; (d) urging said press members into contact with said die/workpiece assembly to exert pressure over the entire die/workpiece to prevent buckling of said workpiece and to ensure evenly shaped embossed characters.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
337 words
A method for embossing characters in a workpiece, such as a motor vehicle registration plate, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an embossing apparatus including buckling prevention means for preventing buckling of said workpiece during the embossing operation, said buckling prevention means comprising a pair of cooperating press members reciprocally movable relative to each other and each having an operative face, at least one of said press members being movable and having an elongated configuration defining a piston which is snugly slidably received in a cylinder, said piston having an upper surface defining one of said operative faces, said piston and its operative face remaining substantially within said cylinder during movement of said piston in said cylinder, thereby preventing the operative face of the movable press member from moving out of alignment with the operative face of the other press member during movement of the movable press member relative to the other press member during the embossing operation, at least one die for embossing one or more characters in said workpiece, said at least one die comprising first and second pivotally interconnected die members, said workpiece during the embossing operation being trapped between said first and second pivotally interconnecting die members to provide a die/workpiece assembly, said die/workpiece assembly being locatable for the embossing operation between said pair of cooperating press members, said operative faces of said press members being of such dimensions that they extend over the whole of the die/workpiece assembly during the embossing operation, and at least one die element carried by said first die member; (b) introducing a workpiece between said first and second pivotally interconnected die members to produce said die/workpiece assembly in which said workpiece is trapped between said first and second pivotally interconnected die members; (c) advancing said die/workpiece assembly between said pair of cooperating press members; (d) urging said press members into contact with said die/workpiece assembly to exert pressure over the entire die/workpiece to prevent buckling of said workpiece and to ensure evenly shaped embossed characters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10, and further comprising providing a layer of material on said work piece, and cutting through said layer during the embossing operation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-22 | 1990-06-23 | 1990-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-22 | 1994-06-23 | 1994-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-22 | 1998-06-23 | 1998-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |