Abstract:
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for embossing, debossing, and die-cutting. The apparatus is provided with a first pressure plate, a second pressure plate, a linkage, and a lever arm. The first pressure plate is configured to cooperate with the second pressure plate to selectively emboss, deboss, and die-cut under an applied force. The linkage is linked to the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate and is configured to provide a mechanical advantage between a driver link and a driven link. The lever arm is linked to the driver link of the linkage. The lever arm is configured to provide a mechanical advantage between a distal end of the lever arm and the driver link of the linkage. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method allows a user to emboss large designs in the center of standard sizes of embossable material while applying a relatively small force.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/582,721 entitled “Apparatus, System, and Method for Embossing and Die-cutting” and filed on Jun. 24, 2004 for Lynda Gull, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to embossers and more particularly relates to portable, manual embossers.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Traditionally, portable embossing machines are handheld or comparatively small devices capable of embossing and/or die cutting relatively small designs. In addition, conventional portable embossing tools restrict the positioning of the design and/or cuts to the edges of the embossable medium such as paper.  
         [0006]     Embossing forms a raised relief design in an embossable medium such as paper, plastic, leather, foil papers, or the like. The same designs and devices that emboss are readily used to deboss. Debossing comprises forming a lowered relief design in the embossable medium. Unfortunately, embossing and debossing conventionally require a high level of pressure be applied to the design templates that are forced together by corresponding plates.  
         [0007]     Often users of embossing tools are people who have difficulty in generating such high pressures using conventional embossing devices. Conventional embossing devices require a user to apply up to about thirty-five pounds of pressure directly to a handle of the embossing device in order to produce a satisfactory embossed design. Consequently, traditional embossing devices are kept small and provide only small embossing designs. Certain users may be incapable of producing sufficient pressure with traditional embossing devices to produce satisfactory embossings.  
         [0008]     Conventional portable embossing machines typically consist of opposing plates connected to a single device. The device has a space or neck between the opposing plates for embossable material. The depth of this neck limits the distance from the edge of the embossable material that the device can emboss. Typically, this neck is quite short on conventional portable embossing machines; often, the embossable material is sized such that a significant portion of the center of the material cannot be reached by the conventional embossers.  
         [0009]     From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus, system, and method for an embosser. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would allow a user to emboss large designs in the center or at various positions on standard sizes of embossable material while applying a relatively small force.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available embossers. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus, system, and method for embossing, debossing, and die-cutting that overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art.  
         [0011]     The apparatus to emboss, deboss, and die-cut is provided with a first pressure plate, a second pressure plate, a linkage, and a lever arm. The first pressure plate is configured to cooperate with the second pressure plate to selectively emboss, deboss, and die-cut under an applied force. The linkage is linked to the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate. The linkage is configured to provide a mechanical advantage between a driver link and a driven link of the linkage. The lever arm is linked to the driver link of the linkage. The lever arm is configured to provide a mechanical advantage between a distal end of the lever arm and the driver link of the linkage.  
         [0012]     The linkage, in one embodiment, comprises a four-bar linkage. In another embodiment, the linkage comprises a slider-crank linkage. In a further embodiment, the linkage comprises a cam-follower mechanism. In yet another embodiment, the linkage comprises a gear mechanism.  
         [0013]     The apparatus is further configured, in one embodiment, to generate a mechanical advantage between about 15:1 and about 35:1.  
         [0014]     In a further embodiment, the apparatus may comprise one or more removable templates. The one or more removable templates may be configured to attach to the pressure plates of the apparatus. In another embodiment, the one or more removable templates may be configured to attach to the pressure plates in more than one rotational orientation. In another embodiment, the one or more removable templates may have a surface area between about four square inches and about fifteen square inches.  
         [0015]     The one or more removable templates, in one embodiment, may further comprise orientation marks configured to indicate proper orientation of the one or more removable templates relative to each other. In another embodiment, the one or more removable templates may further comprise rule marks that indicate a position of an embossable material relative to the removable templates.  
         [0016]     In another embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a key and a keyway configured to mate in response to proper attachment of one or more removable templates to the apparatus.  
         [0017]     In another embodiment, the first pressure plate may be integrated with a base of the apparatus.  
         [0018]     Another apparatus of the present invention is also presented to selectively emboss, deboss, and die-cut embossable material. The apparatus comprises a lower pressure plate and an upper pressure plate, a four-bar linkage, and a lever arm. The upper and lower pressure plates are configured to cooperate to selectively emboss, deboss, and die-cut under an applied force. The four-bar linkage may be linked to the upper pressure plate and the lower pressure plate and configured to provide a mechanical advantage between a driver link and a driven link of the four-bar linkage. The lever arm may be linked to the driver link of the four-bar linkage and configured to provide a mechanical advantage between a distal end of the lever arm and the driver link of the four-bar linkage.  
         [0019]     The four-bar linkage may comprise a fixed link, the driver link, a coupler link, and the driven link. The apparatus may further comprise a slider-crank linkage connected to the lever arm. The mechanical advantage generated by the apparatus may increase as the pressure plates move closer together.  
         [0020]     In another embodiment, the apparatus may include a safety latch configured to restrict relative motion of the pressure plates. The safety latch may restrict the motion of the lever arm in response to the lever arm being in an open position. The safety latch may restrict the motion lever arm in response to the lever arm being in a closed position. The safety latch may restrict movement of the lever arm in response to deactivation of the safety latch. In one embodiment, the safety latch is sized and configured such that children are unable to activate the safety latch without difficulty.  
         [0021]     A system of the present invention is also presented to selectively emboss, deboss, and die-cut. The system may be embodied by an embossing apparatus, one or more removable templates, and embossable material. In particular, the system, in one embodiment, includes an embossing apparatus comprising a lower pressure plate and an upper pressure plate, a four-bar linkage, and a lever arm. The upper and lower pressure plates are configured to cooperate to selectively emboss, deboss, and die-cut under an applied force. The four-bar linkage may be linked to the upper pressure plate and the lower pressure plate and configured to provide a mechanical advantage between a driver link and a driven link of the four-bar linkage. The lever arm may be linked to the driver link of the four-bar linkage and configured to provide a mechanical advantage between a distal end of the lever arm and the driver link of the four-bar linkage.  
         [0022]     The one or more removable templates may be configured to attach to the pressure plates of the apparatus. The embossable material may be configured to fit between the pressure plates and receive a design from the one or more templates.  
         [0023]     The system may further include a neck in the fixed link of the four-bar linkage connected to a base of the embossing apparatus. The neck may form an opening having a depth between zero and about eight inches.  
         [0024]     The system may include guides configured to facilitate accurate positioning of the embossable material relative to the lower pressure plate and the upper pressure plate. The guides may be arms attached to the embossing apparatus. The guides may further be configured to move between a storage position and a use position. In one embodiment, the guides are arms rotatably attached to the embossing apparatus. In another embodiment, the guides may further include rule marks configured to indicate distance relative to the one or more removable templates.  
         [0025]     In one embodiment, the embossing apparatus of the system weighs between about five pounds and about twenty pounds.  
         [0026]     An apparatus of the present invention is also presented for a template for selectively embossing, debossing, and die-cutting. The template comprises a body including a face, a design on the face, an engagement mechanism configured to removably engage a pressure plate, and a copy-protection device.  
         [0027]     In one embodiment, the template apparatus is configured to comply with a copy protection device of an embossing apparatus. The template apparatus may be configured to attach to a pressure plate of an embossing apparatus.  
         [0028]     In a further embodiment, the engagement mechanism may be a snap-on mechanism. In another embodiment, the engagement mechanism may be a sliding mechanism. In another embodiment, the engagement mechanism may be a fastener.  
         [0029]     Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.  
         [0030]     Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.  
         [0031]     These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0032]     In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a side view illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section side view illustrating one embodiment of a linkage in an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a cutaway side view illustrating one embodiment of a slider-crank linkage in an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section, cutaway side view illustrating one embodiment of a safety latch in an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is a top view illustrating one embodiment of a guide in an apparatus according to the present invention; and  
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is side view and a bottom view illustrating one embodiment of a template according to the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0040]     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.  
         [0041]     Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.  
         [0042]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of an apparatus  100  according to the present invention. The apparatus  100  comprises a lever arm  102  with a distal end  104  and a proximal end  106 , a base  108 , a linkage  110 , a first pressure plate  112 , and a second pressure plate  114 . In response to an input force  116  (illustrated by the force arrow  116 ) applied to the distal end  104  of the lever arm  102 , the apparatus  100  generates an output force  118  (illustrated by the force arrow  118 ) between the first pressure plate  112  and the second pressure plate  114 .  
         [0043]     In one embodiment, the lever arm  102  is connected to the first pressure plate  112  and transmits the input force  116  to the first pressure plate  112  through the linkage  110 . The lever arm  102  may comprise any material sufficiently rigid and strong enough to transmit an input force  116  to the first pressure plate  112 , such as plastic, steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, and the like.  
         [0044]     The lever arm  102  preferably rotates around a fulcrum  120  at the proximal end  106  in response to an input force  116  applied at the distal end  104 . The linkage  110  preferably connects to the lever arm  102  near the proximal end  106 . The location of the connection with the linkage  110  between the location of the input force  116  at the distal end  104  and the fulcrum  120  at the proximal end  106  results in an output force  118  greater than the input force  116  being applied to the linkage  110 . This increase in force is known as, and referred to herein as a “mechanical advantage.” 
         [0045]     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a variety of types and configurations of lever arm  102  may be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the lever arm  102  may generate a mechanical advantage wherein the fulcrum  120  is between the input force  116  and the connection with the linkage  110 . Preferably, the length of the lever arm  102  is such that the desired mechanical advantage is obtained.  
         [0046]     The base  108 , in one embodiment, provides a stable framework for the lever arm  102 , the linkage  110 , the first pressure plate  112 , and the second pressure plate  114 . The base  108  may be configured to rest on a flat surface  122 . The base  108  may comprise any material strong and rigid enough to sustain the forces generated by the apparatus  100 , such as steel, aluminum, titanium, plastic, carbon fiber, and the like.  
         [0047]     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a variety of types and configurations of base  108  may be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the base  108  may be configured to be hand held. In another embodiment, the base  108  may be configured to me mounted to a surface with one or more fasteners (not shown).  
         [0048]     The linkage  110 , in one embodiment, is linked to the lever arm  102  and the first pressure plate  112 . The linkage  110  transmits the input force  116  from the lever arm  102  to the first pressure plate  112 . The linkage  110  may comprise any material strong and rigid enough to sustain the forces generated by the apparatus  100 , such as steel, aluminum, titanium, plastic, carbon fiber, and the like.  
         [0049]     The first pressure plate  112  is driven toward the second pressure plate  114  by the linkage  110  with an output force  118 . An embossable material between the first pressure plate  112  and the second pressure plate  114  is embossed, debossed, or die-cut in response to the output force  118  between first pressure plate  112  and the second pressure plate  114 . Alternatively, the linkage  110  connects to the second pressure plate  144  and drives the second pressure plate  114  up towards the first pressure plate  112 . The first pressure plate  112  may comprise any material strong and rigid enough to sustain the forces generated by the apparatus  100 , such as steel, aluminum, titanium, plastic, carbon fiber, and the like.  
         [0050]     The second pressure plate  114  opposes the first pressure plate  112  with a normal force equal and opposite to the output force  118 . The second pressure plate  114  cooperates with the first pressure plate  112  to emboss, deboss, or die-cut an embossable material. In one embodiment, the second pressure plate  114  is attached to the base  108 . The second pressure plate  114  may comprise any material strong and rigid enough to sustain the forces generated by the apparatus  100 , such as steel, aluminum, titanium, plastic, carbon fiber, and the like.  
         [0051]     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a variety of types and configurations of second pressure plate  114  may be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the second pressure plate  114  is formed integral with the base  108 . In another embodiment, the second pressure plate  114  is driven toward the first pressure plate  112  by a second pressure plate linkage (not shown).  
         [0052]     The first pressure plate  112  and the second pressure plate  114  are driven together with the output force  118 . In one embodiment, the apparatus  100  generates an output force  118  greater than the input force  116 . The ratio of the output force  118  to the input force  116  is the overall mechanical advantage of the apparatus. In one embodiment, the overall mechanical advantage is between about 15:1 and about 35:1.  
         [0053]      FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of an apparatus  200  according to the present invention. The apparatus  200  comprises a lever arm  102  with a distal end  104  and a proximal end  106 , a base  108 , a linkage  110 , a neck  202 , a top pressure plate  204 , and a bottom pressure plate  206 . The apparatus  200  generates an output force  118  to emboss an embossable material  208  in response to an input force  116 . The lever arm  102 , the base  108 , the linkage  110 , the input force  116 , and the output force  118  are preferably configured in a manner similar to like numbered components described above in relation to  FIG. 1 .  
         [0054]     The apparatus  200  is made up of a variety of components and may comprise a material, or a combination of materials, strong and rigid enough to allow the apparatus to emboss an embossable material  208 . In one embodiment, the materials or composition of materials are selected such that the apparatus weighs between about five pounds and about twenty pounds.  
         [0055]     In one embodiment, the neck  202  forms an open area  210  in the base  108  between the top pressure plate  204  and the bottom pressure plate  206 . The open area  210  allows a user to position an embossable material  208  between the top pressure plate  204  and the bottom pressure plate  206  to allow embossing away from the edge of the embossable material  208 . In one embodiment, the open area  210  has a depth between zero and about eight inches. An open area  210  with a depth of between zero and about eight inches allows a user to emboss embossable material  208  up to about eight inches from the edge of the embossable material  208 .  
         [0056]     The top pressure plate  204  is driven toward the bottom pressure plate  206  by the linkage  110  with an output force  118 . An embossable material  208  between the top pressure plate  204  and the bottom pressure plate  206  is embossed, debossed, or die-cut in response to the output force  118  between the top pressure plate  204  and the bottom pressure plate  206 . The top pressure plate  204  may comprise any material strong and rigid enough to sustain the forces generated by the apparatus  100 , such as steel, aluminum, titanium, plastic, carbon fiber, and the like.  
         [0057]     The bottom pressure plate  206  opposes the top pressure plate  204  with a normal force equal and opposite to the output force  118 . The bottom pressure plate  206  cooperates with the top pressure plate  204  to emboss, deboss, or die-cut an embossable material  208 . In one embodiment, the bottom pressure plate  206  is attached to the base  108 . The bottom pressure plate  206  may comprise any material strong and rigid enough to sustain the forces generated by the apparatus  100 , such as steel, aluminum, titanium, plastic, carbon fiber, and the like.  
         [0058]     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a variety of types and configurations of bottom pressure plate  206  may be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the bottom pressure plate  206  is formed integral with the base  108 . In another embodiment, the bottom pressure plate  206  is driven toward the top pressure plate  204  by a bottom pressure plate linkage (not shown).  
         [0059]     The top pressure plate  204  and the bottom pressure plate  206  are driven together with the output force  118 . In one embodiment, the apparatus  100  generates an output force  118  greater than the input force  116 . The ratio of the output force  118  to the input force  116  is the overall mechanical advantage of the apparatus  200 . In one embodiment, the overall mechanical advantage is between about 15:1 and about 35:1.  
         [0060]     The embossable material  208  receives a design from the apparatus  200  when the design is pressed into the embossable material  208  by an output force  118 . The embossable material  208  may be any material capable of deforming under the output force  118  and retaining that deformation. Examples of embossable material  208  include paper, cardboard, leather, aluminum, plastic, fabric, and the like.  
         [0061]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of an apparatus  200  of  FIG. 2  in cross-section. The linkage  110 , in one embodiment, comprises a four-bar linkage. The four-bar linkage comprises four links connected by revolute joints (Illustrated A-D), the four links include the driven link  302  from joint B to joint C, the coupler link  304  from joint A to joint B, the driver link  306  from joint A to joint D, and the fixed link  308  from joint D to joint C.  
         [0062]     The driven link  302  is connected at joint C to the fixed link  308  and the coupler link  304  at joint B. The coupler link  304  is connected at joint B to the driven link  302  and at joint A to the driver link  306 . The driver link  306  is connected at joint A to the coupler link  304  and at joint D to the fixed link  308 . The driver link  306  may be attached to the lever arm  102 , or may be integral with the lever arm  102 . The fixed link  308  is connected at joint C to the driven link  302  and at joint D to the driver link  306 . The fixed link  308  may be attached to the base  108 , or may be integral with the base  108 .  
         [0063]     The revolute joints A-D at the connections of the four-bar linkage allow the connected links to rotate relative to one another. The assembly of four links into a four-bar linkage using revolute joints creates an output motion at the driven link  302  in response to an input motion at the driver link  306 . The geometry of the four-bar linkage, in one embodiment, results in an output motion at the driven link  302  that is smaller than the input motion at the driver link  306 .  
         [0064]     When the output motion is less than the input motion, the output force generated at the driven link  302  is greater than the input force at the driver link  306 . This resulting mechanical advantage generated by the four-bar linkage is equal to the ratio of the output force to the input force.  
         [0065]     The driven link  302 , in one embodiment, may connect to a second linkage  310 . The second linkage  310  may connect to the top pressure plate  204 . In an alternative embodiment, the driven link  302  may connect directly to the top pressure plate  204  without an intermediate second linkage  310 . The driven link  302  drives the top pressure plate  204  and the bottom pressure plate  206  together, either directly or through the second linkage  310 . As the driven link  302  drives the top pressure plate  204  and the bottom pressure plate  206  together, the ratio of the output motion to the input motion of the linkage  110  may decrease. As the ratio of the output motion to the input motion of the linkage  110  decreases, the mechanical advantage increases. This increase in mechanical advantage, as the top pressure plate  204  and the bottom pressure plate  206  come together, results in quick operation of the apparatus  300  and the application of maximum mechanical advantage as the top pressure plate  204  and the bottom pressure plate  206  apply force to the embossable material  208 .  
         [0066]     As discussed above in relation to  FIG. 1 , the lever arm  102  may also generate a mechanical advantage. The mechanical advantage of the lever arm  102  may be cumulative with the mechanical advantage of the linkage  110 .  
         [0067]     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a variety of types and configurations of linkage  110  may be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In one embodiment, the linkage  110  may comprise any linkage or series of linkages that convert the rotary motion of the lever arm  102  to linear motion of the top pressure plate  204 . In general, devices that convert an input motion to an output motion are known as linkages, and there are several types of linkages known in the art. For example, in one embodiment, the linkage  110  may comprise a gear mechanism. In another embodiment, the linkage  110  may comprise a cam-follower mechanism. In a further embodiment, the linkage  110  may comprise a slider-crank mechanism.  
         [0068]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cutaway view of one embodiment of an apparatus  200  according to the present invention. The apparatus  200  further comprises a crank  302 ,  404 , a connecting rod  406 , a guide  408 , a slider  410 , a top pressure plate  204 , one or more removable templates  412 , a copy protection device  414 , and an engagement mechanism  420 . The apparatus  400  embosses an embossable material  208  (see  FIG. 2 ).  
         [0069]     The second linkage  310 , in one embodiment, transmits force from the linkage  110  to the top pressure plate  204 . The second linkage  310  may comprise a slider-crank linkage  310  comprising a crank  302 ,  404 , a connecting rod  406 , a guide  408 , and a slider  410 . The crank  302 ,  404  is driven by the linkage  110 . In one embodiment, the crank  302 ,  404  may be integral with the driven link  302  of the linkage  110 . The crank  302 ,  404  is connected to the base  108  by a revolute joint C and the connecting rod  406  by another revolute joint B. The crank  302 ,  404  pivots about fixed revolute joint C. The connecting rod  406  is connected to the crank  302 ,  404  at revolute joint B and to the slider  410  at revolute joint E. The slider  410  is connected to the connecting rod  406  by revolute joint E and slides linearly in the guide  408 . The guide  408  is a channel formed in the base  108 . The sliding, linear connection formed between the slider  410  and the base  108  is prismatic joint  
         [0070]     The revolute joints at the connections of the second linkage  310  allow the connected links to rotate relative to one another. The prismatic joint formed between the slider  410  and the base  108  allow the slider  410  to translate linearly. The second linkage  310  creates an output motion at the slider  410  in response to an input motion at the crank  302 ,  404 . The geometry of the second linkage  310 , in one embodiment, results in an output motion at the slider  410  that is smaller than the input motion at the crank  302 ,  404 .  
         [0071]     When the output motion is less than the input motion, the output force generated at the slider  410  is greater than the input force at the crank  302 ,  404 . This resulting mechanical advantage generated by the second linkage  310  is equal to the ratio of the output force to the input force.  
         [0072]     As the slider  410  drives the top pressure plate  204  and the bottom pressure plate  206  together, the ratio of the output motion to the input motion of the second linkage  310  may decrease. As the ratio of the output motion to the input motion of the second linkage  310  decreases, the mechanical advantage increases. This increase in mechanical advantage as the top pressure plate  204  and the bottom pressure plate  206  come together results in quick operation of the apparatus  400  and the application of maximum mechanical advantage as the top pressure plate  204  and the bottom pressure plate  206  apply force to the embossable material  208 .  
         [0073]     As discussed above in relation to  FIG. 3 , the lever arm  102  and the linkage  110  may also generate a mechanical advantage. The mechanical advantage of the lever arm  102  and the linkage  110  may be cumulative with the mechanical advantage of the second linkage  310 .  
         [0074]     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a variety of types and configurations of second linkage  310  may be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the second linkage  310  may comprise a gear mechanism of one or more gears. In another embodiment, the second linkage  310  may comprise a cam-follower mechanism. In a further embodiment, the second linkage  310  may comprise a four-bar linkage.  
         [0075]     In one embodiment, the one or more removable templates  412  may be attached to, and removed from the apparatus  200  and are forced into the embossable material  208  (see  FIG. 2 ) by the apparatus  200  to impart a design (not shown) on the embossable material  208 . The one or more removable templates  412  attach to the top pressure plate  204  or the bottom pressure plate  206 .  
         [0076]     The copy protection device  414 , in one embodiment, restricts the use of one or more removable templates  412  with the apparatus  200  to those one or more removable templates  412  that comply with the copy protection device  414 . The copy protection device  414  may comprise a protrusion  416  (referred to herein as a key) on the top pressure plate  204  or the bottom pressure plate  206  that mates with a matching opening  418  (referred to herein as a keyway) on compliant one or more removable templates  412 .  
         [0077]     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a variety of types and configurations of copy protection device  414  may be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the re removable template  204  includes the key  416  and the pressure plate  206 , 208  includes the keyway  418 . In another embodiment, the copy protection device  414  comprises a proprietary shape or configuration of compliant keys and keyways.  
         [0078]     In one embodiment, the engagement mechanism  420  removably engages the one or more removable templates  412  with the top pressure plate  204  or the bottom pressure plate  206 . The engagement mechanism  420  may comprise one or more fasteners.  
         [0079]     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a variety of types and configurations of engagement mechanism  420  may be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the engagement mechanism  420  comprises hooks on the one or more removable templates  412  that mate with an edge of the top pressure plate  204  or the bottom pressure plate  206 .  
         [0080]     In another embodiment, the engagement mechanism  420  comprises an interference fit between a lip or one or more tabs and the one or more removable templates  412  and the top pressure plate  204  or the bottom pressure plate  206 . In another embodiment, the engagement mechanism  420  comprises a close tolerance fit between walls of the one or more removable templates  412  and the top pressure plate  204  or the bottom pressure plate  206 . In yet another embodiment, the engagement mechanism  420  comprises a snap on mechanism between the one or more removable templates  412  and the top pressure plate  204  or the bottom pressure plate  206 . In another embodiment, the engagement mechanism  420  comprises a slide on mechanism between the one or more removable templates  412  and the top pressure plate  204  or the bottom pressure plate including guides (not shown) and rails (not shown).  
         [0081]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cutaway view of one embodiment of an apparatus  200  according to the present invention. The apparatus  200  comprises a safety switch  502  coupled to a safety latch  504 . In one embodiment, the safety switch  502  acts on the safety latch  504  to allow rotation of the lever arm  102  relative to the base  108 . The safety latch  504  may be activated by activation of the safety switch  502 . The safety switch  502  may comprise a button on the lever arm  102  near the distal end  104  of the lever arm  102 . The safety switch  502  may be sized such that the switch  502  is difficult for a child to activate.  
         [0082]     The safety latch  504 , in one embodiment, restricts movement of the lever arm  102  when deactivated. The safety latch  504  is preferably connected to the lever arm  102 . The safety latch  504  may comprise a pawl  506  configured to engage one or more stops  508  connected to the base  108 . The pawl  506  may engage the one or more stops  508  when the safety latch  504  is deactivated to restrict motion of the lever arm  102 . The pawl  506  may connect to a biasing member  510  such as a spring  510 . The spring  510  forces the pawl into a stop  508 . Activating the safety switch  502  may retract the safety latch  504  which removes the pawl  506  from a stop  508  and increase bias in the spring  510 . In one embodiment, the stop  508  restricts motion of the lever arm  102  in an open position that separates the pressure plates (not shown). Another stop  508  may restrict motion of the lever arm  102  in a closed position in which the pressure plates have been brought together. The safety latch  504  may be made from any material strong, durable, and rigid enough to restrict motion of the lever arm  102 , such as steel, titanium, aluminum, carbon fiber, and the like.  
         [0083]     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a variety of types and configurations of safety latch  504  may be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the safety latch  504  automatically engages a stop  508  in response to a repositioning of the lever arm  102 . In a further embodiment, the safety latch  504  comprises a pawl  506  on the base  108  that is preferably positionable between the pressure plates (not shown) to restrict the motion of the pressure plates (not shown). In yet another embodiment, the safety latch  504  restricts the motion of the lever arm  102  in response to deactivation of the safety switch  502  regardless of the position of the lever arm  102 .  
         [0084]      FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of a top view of an apparatus  200  according to the present invention. The apparatus  200  includes one or more guides  602 , one or more guide stops  604 , rule marks  606 , a back stop  608 , a back guide  610  and one or more removable templates  412 . The apparatus  600  embosses embossable material  208  (shown in an embossing position by phantom lines).  
         [0085]     The one or more guides  602 , in one embodiment, allow a user to accurately position embossable material  208  relative to the sides of the one or more removable templates  412 . The one or more guides  602  may comprise a planar surface that extends laterally away from the sides of the apparatus  600 . An embossable material  208  may be aligned with the one or more guides  602  to accurately position the embossable material  208 .  
         [0086]     The one or more guides  602  may include one or more guide stops  604 . The one or more guide stops  604  receive the edge of embossable material  208  to assist in accurate and/or consistent positioning of the embossable material  208 . The one or more guide stops  604  may comprise a clip that slides laterally along the one or more guides  602 .  
         [0087]     The one or more guides  602  may include rule marks  606 . The rule marks  606  allow a user to accurately determine the distance of a point along the one or more guides  602  relative to the one or more removable templates  412 . The rule marks  606  may be etched into the surface of the one or more guides  602  or may be printed on the surface of one or more guides  602 .  
         [0088]     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a variety of types and configurations of one or more guides  602  may be employed without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment the one or more guides  602  may be configured such that they have a storage position  612  and a use position  614 . In another embodiment, the one or more guides  602  rotate between the storage position and the use position on pivot  616 . In a further embodiment, the one or more guides  602  are removably connected to the apparatus  600  in the use position  614 . In another embodiment, the one or more guides  602  telescopically extend and/or slide into the use position  614 .  
         [0089]     The back stop  608 , in one embodiment, is connected to the apparatus  600  behind the one or more removable templates  412 . The back stop  608  receives the edge of embossable material  208  to aid in accurate placement of the embossable material  208  relative to the one or more removable templates  412 . The back stop  608  may comprise a clip configured to slide relative to the one or more removable templates  412 .  
         [0090]     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a variety of types and configurations of back stop  608  may be employed without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the back stop  608  may comprise a surface to receive embossable material  208  that is perpendicular to the centerline  618  of the base  108 . A perpendicular surface on the back stop  608  allows for easy positioning of the embossable material  208  along the centerline of the base  108 . In another embodiment, the back stop  608  may comprise a surface at an angle from the centerline  618  of the base  108 . An angled surface on the back stop  608  allows for easy positioning of the embossable material  208  at an angle to the centerline of the base  108 . In another embodiment, the back stop  608  comprises a “V” shaped surface to receive the ninety-degree corner of embossable material  208 .  
         [0091]     The back guide  610 , in one embodiment, allows a user to accurately position embossable material  208  relative to the back of the one or more removable templates  412 . The back guide  610  may comprise a planar surface that extends behind the back of the one or more removable templates  412 . An embossable material  208  may be aligned with the back guide  610  to accurately position the embossable material  208 .  
         [0092]     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a variety of types and configurations of back guide  610  may be employed without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the back guide  610  includes rule marks  620  to allow a user to accurately determine the distance of a point along the back guide  610  relative to the one or more removable templates  412 . The rule marks  620  may be etched into the surface of the back guide  610 , or they may be printed on the surface of back guide  610 .  
         [0093]     In one embodiment, the apparatus  200  is configured to rest vertically on its front end  622  in a storage position. The apparatus  200  may occupy less surface space when resting on a front end  622 . Consequently, the distal end  104  of the lever arm  102  and corresponding portions of the base  108  are configured to suitably balance the apparatus  200  on the front end  622 .  
         [0094]      FIG. 7  illustrates one embodiment of a side view and a bottom view of one or more removable templates  412 . The one or more removable templates  412  may comprise a template body  702 , one or more orientation marks  704 , a keyway  418 , template rule marks  706 , a template face  708 , and a design  710 . The one or more removable templates  412  impart a design on an embossable material  208  under force.  
         [0095]     The one or more removable templates  412  may comprise a matching set of templates, with the design on one template the mirror image of the design on the other template. The matching templates cooperate to impart the design to the embossable material  208 . The one or more removable templates  412  may be made from any material strong, rigid, and durable enough to emboss embossable material  208 . Examples of this type of material include steel, aluminum, and polymers such as Delrin®, PTFE, and the like.  
         [0096]     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a variety of types and configurations of one or more removable templates  412  may be employed without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the one or more removable templates  412  may comprise a matched set of two templates with a design on one template extending from the surface and complementing a design on the other template that projects into the surface. In another embodiment, the one or more removable templates  412  may comprise one template with a design and another template with no design. In a further embodiment, the one or more removable templates  412  may comprise a single template with a design, the template configured to cooperate with a pressure plate to emboss the design on the embossable material  208 . In another embodiment, the one or more removable templates  412  are configured to die-cut wherein the embossable material  208  is cut by the design  710  in response to applied force by the one or more removable templates  
         [0097]     The template body  702 , in one embodiment, provides a foundation for the other elements of the template. The template body  702  may be made from any material sufficiently strong, durable, and rigid to emboss embossable material  208 , such as steel, aluminum, Delrin®, PTFE, and the like.  
         [0098]     The template body  702  may be attached to a pressure plate  208  of an apparatus. In one embodiment, the template body  702  may be attached to the pressure plate  204 ,  206  in one or more rotational orientations with respect to vertical axis  712 . In another embodiment, the template body  702  and the pressure plate  204 ,  206  may be configured such that the template body  702  may attach without a restriction in rotational orientation with respect to vertical axis  712 .  
         [0099]     The one or more orientation marks  704  allow a user to determine the proper orientation of the design  710 . The one or more orientation marks  704  may comprise tabs molded into the template body  702 . In an alternative embodiment, the one or more orientation marks  704  may comprise marks on the template body  702 . The one or more orientation marks  704  may be configured such that when the one or more orientation marks  704  on a top template align with the one or more orientation marks  704  on a bottom template, the designs on the templates are properly aligned relative to one another.  
         [0100]     In addition, the one or more orientation marks  704  may facilitate proper orientation of the design  710 . Proper design orientation can make a difference for designs  710  that are not symmetrical such as those that include lettering or words. For example, a side of the template  204  without marks  704  may always indicate the bottom of the design  710 .  
         [0101]     The keyway  418 , in one embodiment, is part of a copy protection device  414  on an apparatus  200 . In one embodiment, the keyway  418  comprises a cutout on the edge of the template body  702  configured to comply with key  416  (See  FIG. 4 ) on the apparatus  200 .  
         [0102]     The template rule marks  706  allow a user to accurately and consistently position embossable material  208  relative to the one or more removable templates  412 . The template rule marks  706  may comprise marks machined on the side of the one or more removable templates  412 . Alternatively, the template rule marks  706  may be printed on the side or molded into the side of the one or more removable templates  412 .  
         [0103]     The template face  708 , in one embodiment, comprises a surface on the template body  702  configured to contain a design  710 . The template face  708  is forced into an embossable material  208 . The template face  708  may comprise a surface area from about four square inches to about fifteen square inches. This large surface area allows for the use of a large design  710 .  
         [0104]     The design  710  comprises variations in the surface of the template face  708  that raise or lower areas in the embossable material  208  during the embossing process. The design  710  may be formed integrally with the template body  702 .  
         [0105]     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a variety of types and configurations of design  710  may be employed without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the design  710  comprises material affixed to the surface of the template face  708 . In another embodiment, the design  710  comprises material machined from the template face  708 .  
         [0106]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.