Abstract:
A fingerprint ink dispenser includes a one-piece clamshell pocket sized case including base and pivotal lid that overlies the base. The base holds a fingerprint inkpad and includes provisions for mechanically, frictionally and magnetically mounting the case on a variety of mounting surfaces.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to fingerprinting apparatus, and, in particular, to a fingerprint ink dispenser that may be mounted at site of use on varying substrates. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fingerprinting is commonly employed for identifying individuals in many investigative situations. The situations requiring the procedure may vary from fixed departmental locations to mobile and transient sites. Accordingly, a variety of dispensers have been developed tailored for addressing the multiplicity of conditions. 
     For field use, fingerprint cases adapted to be pocket carried are commonly used. For desk or other permanent locations, brackets are used to fixedly mount the applicator pad and case. For single print and mobile applications, smaller cases and pads are preferred. 
     The resultant variety of dispensers, sizes and mounting techniques result in a multitude of designs, even within a single organization and often at a compromise to the underlying task, i.e. reliably contemporaneously taking the necessary prints, in a quality format. 
     In view of the foregoing limitations, it would be desirable to provide a single fingerprint case and pad design that could be used in all fingerprinting venues and reliably deployed for taking the necessary prints for the investigations at hand. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a fingerprinting apparatus having a one-piece clamshell case carrying a fingerprint pad in a base and having an integrally hinged overlapping lid. The base is provided with plural mounting modes. First, the base includes fastener holes for allowing fixed attachment of the case at a permanent site. The lower surface of the base provides located attachments of magnetic and slip resistant pads allowing the case to be used on a variety of transiently available surfaces. All mounting modes are within the confines of a typical pocket envelop, facilitating convenient carrying to remote and mobile sites, thereby allowing a single design to be utilized for the preponderance of investigative occurrences. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of fingerprint ink dispenser that may be deployed in a plurality of mounting modes. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a fingerprinting pad and case that permits permanent and releasable mounting. 
     A further object is to provide a single format fingerprinting pad and case that may be mechanically, adhesively or frictionally mounted on a working surface for securing fingerprints. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a multiple mount fingerprint ink dispenser, without the finger print pad, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the pad case of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the pad case in the closed position; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the pad case in the open position; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the pad case taken along line  5 — 5  in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating the circled area in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the dispenser showing the three available mounting modes; 
     FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view illustrating the fastener mount mode of the pad case; 
     FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view illustrating the magnetic mount mode of the pad case; and 
     FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view illustrating the slip resistant mount mode of the pad case. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings for the purpose of describing the preferred embodiment and not for limiting same, FIGS. 1 through 3 a multiple mount fingerprint ink dispenser  10  comprising a pocket size case including a one-piece clam shell base  12  and cover  14  interconnected by a integral living hinge  16  permitting movement between the open position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the closed position shown in FIG.  3 . The base  12  includes an upwardly opening rectangular cavity  18  for retaining a fingerprint pad  20  for enabling the inking of fingerprints when the case is positioned in an imprinting position, which as described below is facilitated by mechanical mounting using fastener holes  22  located at the lateral edges, adhesive/magnetic mounting using connector strips  24  located on the lower surface of the base  12 , or frictional mounting using slip resistant pads  26  located at the lower comers or the base, as well as conveniently pocket carried for transient use. 
     The case of the dispenser  10  is an injection molded article preferably a high strength plastic material. The pad  20  comprises a micro reticulated carrier impregnated with fingerprint ink. Plastic and ceramic carriers are generally preferred. A suitable pad is available as model number AFPT268A from Sirche Fingerprint Laboratories Inc., assignee of the present invention. 
     The base  12  includes a generally rectangular top wall  30  circumscribed by a downwardly depending peripheral rim  32  having a lower surface parallel to the top wall  30 . The cavity  18  is generally rectangular and laterally centered in the top wall  30  and defined horizontally by a bottom wall  34 , spaced intermediate the lower surface of the rim  32  and the top wall  30 , and a peripheral sidewall  36 , the inner surface of which conformably frictionally receives and retains the fingerprint pad  20 . 
     The top wall  30  includes lateral flanges  40  extending between the rim  32  and the cavity  18 . A pair of transversely spaced fastener sleeves  42  are formed at the lower surface of each of the flanges  40  as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8. Each sleeve  42  includes a head section  44  and a coaxial shank section  46 . A multiple step fastener hole  22  is formed coaxially in and extends vertically through each sleeve. The holes  22  each include a counterbore  52  for receiving below the top wall  30  the head  53  of a mounting fastener  54  and a bore  56  for receiving the threaded shank  58  for mechanically attaching the base of the case  10  to a mounting surface  60  in a horizontal, vertical or inclined position. 
     Downwardly projecting mounting rings  70  are formed at the lower surface of the cavity bottom wall and terminate at or slightly above the rim. The pads  26  include an adhesive backing  72  and a slip resistant bottom surface. The pads  26  are mounted interior of the rings  70 . The pads  26  allow the case to be mounted on a convenient surface and resist operational movement during application of the fingerprint ink. 
     A pair of rectangular shaped downwardly projecting ridges  80  are formed at the lower surface of the cavity bottom wall inwardly of the rings  70  and oriented transversely between the front and rear walls of the rim  30 . Rectangular flexible magnetic strips  24  having an adhesive backing  82  are attached within the confines of the ridges  80 . The magnetic strips  24  allow the case to be mounted for use on ferrous-based materials regardless of inclination. 
     The cover  14  includes a top wall  100  overlying the top wall of the base  12  in the closed position. The top wall  100  includes a U-shaped lip  102  slidably surrounding the front and sidewalls of the rim in the closed position. In a conventional manner, the hinge section  16  upon initial closure is stressed to establish thereacross a horizontal hinge axis. In the closed position, the exterior surfaces provide a smooth envelope for pocket carrying of the dispenser. 
     The front wall  110  of the lip  102  includes a first pair of laterally spaced slots  112  recessed in the rear surface thereof. The front wall of the rim  30  includes a first pair of laterally spaced, frontally projecting tabs  114  that enter and detent with the slots  112  to maintain the closed position. The front wall of the rim  30  includes a second pair of laterally spaced tabs  116  outwardly of the tabs  114 . A frontally projecting ledge  120  is formed at the lower edge of the front wall of the lip  102 . A user may digitally engage the tabs  116  and the ledge  120  to release the cover  14  from the detented closed position. 
     In preferred format, the case  10  is about 6 inches long, 3 inches wide and 0.5 inches thick, presenting an envelope permitting the case to be transported from site to site, conveniently, in an available pocket or case. For transient site work, the friction and magnetic interfaces permit deployment on a variety of substrates. For stationary use, the mechanical fastening mounting may be employed. Accordingly, rather than relying on a plurality of fingerprinting cases for ordinary use, the present invention provides a single case design useable for all commonly encountered situations within a fingerprinting organization. 
     Having thus described a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will now be appreciated that the objects of the invention have been fully achieved, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the sprit and scope of the present invention. The disclosures and description herein are intended to be illustrative and are not in any sense limiting of the invention, which is defined solely in accordance with the following claims.