Patent ID: 7207242
Filing Date: 2007-04-24
Classification: A61M,B43L

Abstract:
1. A reciprocating shaft device for marking an article with ink, comprising: a frame having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion, said first end portion having a first opening, said second end portion having a second opening; a motor mounted within said first opening, said motor including a rotatable shaft; a detachable grip tube, one end of said grip tube slideably engaging said second opening, said grip tube including a reciprocal needle bar therein, said needle bar having a proximal and distal end; a drive means for converting rotary motion of said shaft into reciprocating motion of said needle bar, said drive means connected at one end to said shaft, said drive means further connected at the other end to said proximal end of said needle bar; a needle stabilization means for limiting movements of said needle to linear reciprocating motion, said needle stabilization means including a guide means for limiting side to side movement of said needle, said guide means attached to said middle portion of said frame, said proximal end of said needle bar tensioned against said guide means, said needle stabilization means further including tension means for providing a downward tension on said needle bar, said guide means of said needle stabilization means further includes a needle bar guide, said needle bar guide including a top and bottom portion, said needle bar proximal end tensioned against said needle bar guide top portion, said needle bar guide further including a guide frame slideably extending through said needle bar guide, said needle bar guide movable along said guide frame, said guide frame affixed to said middle portion of said frame, said needle bar guide further including tension springs, said tension springs biased downward by said bottom portion of said needle bar guide under force from said tensioned needle bar proximal end.