Patent Publication Number: US-2002002891-A1

Title: Corner alignment device for punching sheet materials

Description:
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from Applicant&#39;s co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/215,893 filed on Jul. 7, 2000 entitled “CORNER ALIGNMENT DEVICE FOR PUNCHING SHEET MATERIALS”, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     
       Field Of The Invention  
       [0002] This invention relates to an alignment device. More specifically, this invention relates to an alignment device for use with punching a sheet media with a punch tool.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] This invention relates to the use of manually operated punch tools such as those commonly referred to as “craft punches,” or “corner punches” or “corner rounders” to produce decorative or function holes or edge shapes in the corners of sheet media such as paper or card stock. These punches typically comprise a metal die with a spring loaded metal punch and housing, typically fabricated with plastic, and may include internal guides for the corners of the media being punched.  
       [0004] In the prior art it is necessary to align the corners of the media being punched with the small guides internally disposed within the punch assembly, if so equipped. The guiding edges of the internal guides are not easily visible to the user during use, and it is difficult and time consuming to align the media accurately to the internal guides. Even when the media is carefully aligned, misjudging the material position or movement while punching often occurs resulting in poorly aligned holes or edge shapes. Some punches do not include guides, and they are even more difficult to align accurately. As such, it is the aim of the present invention to overcome these difficulties and provide a means for accurately aligning the media to be punched within the punching slot of the punch tool so as to produce accurately aligned comer punches.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, an alignment device is provided for aligning a punch tool to punch a design into a sheet media. The alignment device is comprised of a base platform with at least one sheet media receiving area. The base platform has at least one punch tool receiving area with at least one punch tool mount positioned therein, with the punch tool mount configured to removably secure the punch tool where a portion of the punch tool mount protrudes into the sheet media receiving area.  
       [0006] The alignment device also comprises first and second guide edges disposed angularly from the punch tool mount with the first guide edge disposed on one side of the punch tool mount and the second guide edge disposed on an opposite side of the punch tool mount, such that when the punch tool is secured in the punch tool mount with the punch tool protruding into the sheet media receiving area and when the sheet media is placed in the sheet media receiving area and along the first and second guide edges, the punch tool is positioned to punch the design into the sheet media.  
       [0007] In another embodiment of the present invention the first and second guide edges define a raised wall relative to the base platform.  
       [0008] In another embodiment of the present invention the punch tool receiving area further comprises a second punch tool mount elevated relative to the first punch tool mount; the punch tool receiving area further comprises a third punch tool mount elevated relative to the second punch tool mount; and the punch tool receiving area further comprises a fourth punch tool mount elevated relative to the third punch tool mount. In this configuration, the punch tool receiving area has a first, second, third and fourth, punch tool mounts disposed therein.  
       [0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, each one of the punch tool mounts support one or more of a plurality of punch tools.  
       [0010] In another embodiment of the present invention the base platform has at least one of the punch tool mounts disposed in a comer of the base platform. The base platform can also have at least one the punch tool mount disposed in each one of four corners of the base platform where at least two of the punch tool mounts share a common sheet media receiving area located in the center of the base platform.  
       [0011] In another embodiment of the present invention the base platform has at least one punch tool mount disposed along a side edge of the base platform. The base platform can also have at least one of the punch tool mounts disposed along each of four side edges where the punch tool mounts have separate sheet media receiving areas.  
       [0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the first and second guide edges that extend away from the punch tool mount are disposed at a 90 degree angle with respect to one another. Additionally, the device maintains first and second sets of guide lines disposed on the surface of the base platform in one of the sheet media receiving areas, wherein the first and second set of guidelines run substantially parallel to corresponding guide edges such that a user can vary the positioning of the sheet media with respect to the punch tool.  
       [0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the base platform further comprises an upper surface comprised of a hard durable surface suitable for craft uses and a lower surface comprised of a non-slip material for use in gripping a working surface during use.  
       [0014] In another embodiment of the present invention the device further comprises a punch cavity disposed within the punch tool receiving area and configured to allow the punch shaft of the punch tool to depress below the surface of the base platform and also to allow refuse from the sheet media to fall through the base platform so as not to hinder operation of the device.  
       [0015] In another embodiment of the present invention a leverage device is provided comprised of a base, an extension arm, a leverage arm button extension and a handle, where the leverage device is configured to provide a user with additional leverage for design punching when using multiple or thicker sheet media.  
       [0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the punch tool mounts are marked with a letter code which corresponds to the design of a punch tool base, so as to provide an easy method of identifying which of the punch tools will work in the punch tool mounts disposed on said platform.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the alignment device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0018]FIG. 1A is a plan view of the alignment device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0019]FIG. 2A is a plan view of several punch tools each disposed in a singularly defined punch tool mount, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0020]FIG. 2B is close up view of a punch tool receiving area, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0021]FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a punch tool, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0022]FIG. 4 is a plan view of an alignment device and a chart, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0023]FIG. 5 is a close up view of a punch tool receiving area with guide edges and guide lines, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0024]FIGS. 6A and 6B are views of an alignment device in use with a leverage device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0025]FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the steps used in operating an alignment device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0026]FIG. 8 is a plan view of the alignment device in use with a sheet media, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0027]FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b  are close up plan views of the alignment device with an alternatively positioned punch tool in the same punch mount, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0028]FIG. 10 is a plan view of the alignment device in use with a sheet media, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and  
     [0029]FIG. 11 is a plan view of the alignment device in use with a sheet media, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0030] Structure of Device  
     [0031] In one embodiment of the present invention and with reference to FIG. 1, an alignment device  10  is configured to provide a means for accurately aligning a sheet media  14  within a punch tool  12  so as to facilitate the use of punch tool  12  in punching a design  16  into sheet media  14 .  
     [0032] To this end, as illustrated in FIG. 1, device  10  is made up of a base platform  18  preferably constructed of sturdy material such as hard polymer. Base platform  18  has an upper surface  20  and a lower surface  22 . Lower surface  22  is preferably coated with a thin layer of a material which will removably grip a working surface and prevent device  10  from moving around during operation and cushion and protect the working surface from damage. Upper surface  20  is preferably a durable surface appropriate for general craft purposes such as a hard polymer, which allows for easy cleaning when device  10  is finished being used. It should be noted that the materials described herein for the construction base platform  18  and the materials used to cover lower surface  22  are intended only as examples of possible materials to be used however, any such material that can adequately support device  10  are within the contemplation of the present invention.  
     [0033] Base platform  18  is preferably substantially square in shape having comer regions  19  and side edges  21 . This is the shape of base platform  18  that will be used to illustrate the salient features of the present invention, however, it should be noted that this square shape is intended only as an example and any shape for base platform  18  that is useful in the construction of device  10  is within the contemplation of the present invention. For example, base platform  18  can be formed in a substantially hexagonal or octagonal formation in order to provide more comer regions to accommodate a wider variety of punch tools  12 .  
     [0034] Located on base platform  18 , punch tool receiving areas  24   a - 24   h  are each configured to support any number of punch tools  12 . Each punch tool receiving area  24  is provided with at least one punch cavity  26  that allows for the punch shaft  28  of punch tool  12  to depress below the surface of a punch mount  30  of base platform  18  as is required by some of punch tools  12  used with device  10 . Punch mount  30  is discussed in more detail below. Also, punch cavity  26  allows for refuse from the punched sheet media  14  to fall to the working surface so that device  10  can be used many times without having to continuously clean out punch tool receiving area  24 .  
     [0035] Punch tool receiving areas  24  are preferably located on the periphery of base platform  18  in comer regions  19  and along side edges  21 . A raised wall  32  which is disposed on the top of and around the periphery of base platform  18  in such a way as to substantially define the limits of punch tool receiving areas  24   a - 24   h.  As such, raised wall  32  is fashioned in such a way as to define punch tool receiving areas  24  by outlining a rear and two side edges leaving an open front side. The open front side of punch tool receiving area  24  is positioned so as to correspond to the media slot  38  in punch tool  12  that accepts sheet media  14 .  
     [0036] As illustrated in FIG. 1 punch tool receiving areas  24  can be located either at comers  19  of base platform  18  or in the middle of edges  21  of base platform  18 . Punch tool receiving areas  24   a,    24   c,    24   e  and  24   g  located at comers  19  of base platform  18  and are configured such that the open front side area faces in towards a central sheet media receiving area  31  located in the center of base platform  18 . On the other hand, punch tool receiving areas  24   b,    24   d,    24   f  and  24   h  located in the middle of edges  21  of base platform  18  preferably are configured such that the open front side faces away from the center of the base platform towards a sheet media receiving area  31 ′, one for each punch tool receiving area  24 . This configuration allows for more punch tool receiving areas  24  to be fit onto a single device  10 .  
     [0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, each punch tool receiving area  24   a - 24   h  has at least one punch tool mount  30  disposed therein. Punch tool mount  30  is formed by a recessed groove cut into upper surface  20  of base platform  18  in punch tool receiving area  24  or by a recessed groove cut into upper surface  20  of base platform  18  at some location along edges  21 . Punch tool mount  30  is preferably shaped in accordance with a base  36  of one or more of a particular kind of punch tool  12  such that when punch tool  12  is placed in punch tool mount  30  it will be held firmly in place during operation of device  10 . It should be noted that any one punch tool mount  30  may provide a fit for multiple bases  36  of punch tools  12 . For example, FIG. 2A depicts 5 separate punch tools  12  that have bases  36  that all fit into a single punch tool mount  30 .  
     [0038] In an alternative design, punch tool mount  30  can be elevated above upper surface  20  of base platform  18  such that punch tool mount  30  is located in raised position relative to base platform  18 . However, for the purposes of illustration of the salient features of the present invention, the punch tool mounts  30  are configured as grooves cut into upper surface  20  of base platform  18 , however it should be noted that this is in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and any configuration of punch tool mounts  30  which can adequately support punch tool  12  during operation is within the contemplation of the present invention.  
     [0039] Punch tool mount  30  is preferably of a depth between {fraction (1/32)}″ and ⅛″ or deep enough to restrain punch tool  12  so that it does not inadvertently move during operation. However, any depth for punch tool recess that properly holds punch tool  12  in place during operation is within the contemplation of the present invention.  
     [0040] Each punch tool receiving area  24   a - 24   h  contains at least one punch tool mount  30 , however it is possible using a multiple punch tool mount  30  layering to allow for more than one punch tool mount  30  to be cut into one punch tool receiving area  24 . Any number of punch tool mounts  30  can be located in a given punch tool slot  24 , so long as it does not interfere with the effectiveness of any other punch tool mount  30 . To this end punch tool receiving areas  24  each maintain any number of punch tool mounts  30 .  
     [0041] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, punch tool receiving area  24   a  maintains four punch tool mounts  30 ( a ),  30 ( b ),  30 ( c ), and  30 ( d ). Punch tool mount  30 ( d ) corresponding to the punch tool with the smallest punch tool base  36  is located farthest from upper surface  20  of base platform  18 . Located at an elevated position from punch tool mount  30 ( d ), punch tool mount  30 ( c ) is located above punch tool mount  30 ( d ) and closer to upper surface  20  of base platform  18 , and configured to support a punch tool  12  having a base  36  slightly larger than that of the punch tool associated with punch tool mount  30 ( d ).  
     [0042] Located at an elevated position from punch tool mount  30 ( c ), punch tool mount  30 ( b ) is located above punch tool mount  30 ( c ) and closer to upper surface  20  of base platform  18 , and configured to support a punch tool  12  having a base  36  slightly larger than that of the punch tool associated with punch tool mount  30 ( d ). Lastly punch tool mount  30 ( a ) is located closest to upper surface  20  of base platform  18  and is configured to support a punch tool  12  having the largest base  36  for use in that particular punch tool receiving area  24   a.    
     [0043] It should be noted that this configuration is only intended to illustrate one sample configuration of the punch tool mounts  30  within a punch tool receiving area  24  and is no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention. For example, in the case of irregular shaped punch tools  12  it is possible that a larger punch tool mount  30  may be located farther from upper surface  20  than a smaller punch tool mount  30 . Any configuration of multiple punch tool mounts  30  within a single punch tool receiving area  24  that allows for the independent function of each punch tool mount  30  is within the contemplation of the present invention.  
     [0044] Multiple punch tool mounts  30  in a single punch tool receiving area  24  is not to be confused with multiple punch tools  12  used in a single punch tool mount. As described above, because in some cases base  36  of punch tools  12  do not vary significantly, a single punch tool mount  30  may accommodate several different punch tools  12 . As such it is within the contemplation of the present invention that a single punch tool receiving area  24  may have several punch tool mounts  30  disposed therein, each one of which is capable of accommodating several punch tools  12 .  
     [0045] As illustrated in FIG. 3 punch tool  12  is of design comprised of punch tool base  36 , media slot  38 , a main body portion  40 , and punch button  42 . Punch tool  12  is configured such that when sheet media  14  is placed within media slot  38  in between punch tool base  36  and main body portion  40 , and punch button  42  is depressed, design  16  is punched into sheet media  14 .  
     [0046] To this end, punch tool mounts  30  are designed to match the shape of base  36  of a particular punch tool  12  and to be of depth such that when a punch tool  12  is inserted into punch tool mount  30 , upper surface  20  of platform  18  will be approximately even with or lower than the upper surface of punch tool base  36  allowing sheet media  14  to slide evenly into media slot  
     [0047] In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4, letter codes  62  can be placed on the varying layers of in a punch tool receiving area  24 , identifying each separate punch tool mount  30 . To this end, punch tool chart  64  is provided to a user which identifies some or all of the punch tools  12  available, that can be accommodated by each of the punch tool mounts disposed on device  10 . Punch tool chart  64  identifies and groups some or all of the punch tools  12  which can be used on device  10  and groups them according to the shape of their base  36 , which is the principle element of a punch tool  12  which determines if it can be used in a particular punch tool mount  30 . As such, a user in possession of a punch tool  12 , using chart  64  can identify which punch tool mount  30  is appropriate for the desired punch tool  12 , provided that particular punch tool  12  is displayed. It should be noted that the organization of punch tools on chart  64  can be based on any number of criteria including but not limited to size, the associated punch tool mounts  30 , thickness of base  36  or manufacturer of punch tool  12 , so long as chart  64  ultimately assists the user in selecting the correct punch tool mount  30  for a particular punch tool  12 .  
     [0048] It should be noted that if a particular punch tool  12  is not shown on chart  64  it does not mean that it will not work in device  10 , chart  10  is simply a listing of all of the known punch tools  12  that work with device  10 , however it is possible that punch tools  12  not listed will fit into one ore more of the punch tool mounts  30 .  
     [0049] Chart  64  and letter codes  62  are intended only as examples of a coding system used to mach punch tool mounts  30  to bases  36  of punch tools  12 . Any similar system used for matching punch tools  12  to punch tool mounts  30  for use with device  10  are within the contemplation of the present invention. It should be noted that although chart  64  and letter codes  62  provide a useful feature to device  10  they are not essential to its operation. Punch tool mounts  30  can be matched with any number of punch tools  12  by the user even in the event that chart  64  or letter codes  62  are not provided, they are included here only as an example of one method of simplifying the operation of device  10 .  
     [0050] In one embodiment of the present invention, raised wall  32  provides device  10  with a guide edge pair  44 , which extend angularly outward from the open front side of punch tool receiving areas  24  so as to provide a means for aligning sheet media  14  within punch tool  12 . Guide edge pair  44  is comprised a first guide edge  45  located on one side of punch tool receiving area  24  and a second guide edge  46  located on an opposite side of punch tool receiving area  24 . First and second guide edges  45  and  46  are preferably between ¼ inch and ¾ inches tall corresponding to the height of raised wall  32  of platform  18 , however, first and second guide edges  45  and  46 , formed by raised wall  32  can be any height which is sufficient to guide sheet media  14  into punch tool receiving area  24  and the corresponding punch tool  12  and yet not so high as to substantially interfere with sheet media  14  that extends beyond the oppositely positioned guide edges.  
     [0051] To illustrate the function of first and second guide edges  45  and  46 , the guide edge pair  44  for one particular punch tool receiving area  24   c  has been used. However, it should be noted that any first guide edge  45  disposed on one side of punch tool receiving area  24  and a second guide edge  46  disposed on an opposite side of that same punch tool receiving area  24  so as to form a guide edge pair  44  is within the contemplation of the present invention. Moreover, the same configuration of first and second guide edges  45  and  46  holds for punch tool receiving areas  24   b,    24   d,    24   f,  and  24   h  located along edges  21  of base platform  18 .  
     [0052] In a preferred configuration, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1 a  and  5 , first and second guide edges  45  and  46  are positioned such that they extend away from punch tool receiving areas  24  extending from the open front edge at a 45 degree angle on each side. First guide edge  45  extends away from punch tool receiving area  24   c  at a 45 degree angle in one direction, and second guide edge  46  extends away from punch tool receiving area  24   c  in an opposite direction. This configuration creates a 90 degree angle between first and second guide edges  45  and  46  disposed on either side of punch tool receiving areas  24   c,  such that when sheet media  14  is butted against first and second guide edges  45  and  46 , sheet media  14  is positioned within punch tool receiving area  24   c  at distance so as to place design  16  at the proper desired location on sheet media  14 . Although first and second guide edges  45  and  46  are preferably disposed at 45 degree angles relative to punch tool receiving area  24   c  and at 90 degrees relative to each other, this configuration is intended only as an example of one possible configuration of first and second guide edges  45  and  46 , however, any such angle other than 90 degrees that will align sheet media  14  properly, such as for use with non square or irregular shaped sheet media  14 , is within the contemplation of the present invention. It should be noted that guide edges  45  and  46  for punch tool receiving areas  24   b,    24   d,    24   f,    24   h  are formed by breaks in raised wall  32  such that sheet media receiving areas  31  ′ are formed, configured to provide first and second guide edges  45  and  46  to align sheet media  14  into punch tools  12 .  
     [0053] In another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 5, guide line pair  48  is provided on upper surface  20  of platform  18  comprised of first guide lines  49  and second guide lines  50 . First and second guide lines  49  and  50  are consist of of parallel lines disposed in front of first and second guide edges  45  and  46  respectively, as defined by a distance farther from the corresponding punch tool receiving area  24 , so as to add versatility to each of punch tool receiving areas  24 . First and second guide edges  45  and  46  are fixed in place because they are formed from the immobile raised wall  32 , thus first and second guide lines  49  and  50  create additional guide markers to manipulate the positioning of sheet media  14  within punch tool  12  so as to allow the user more freedom to alter the location of corner design  16  and its proximity to the edge of sheet media  14 . A more detailed description of the operation of first and second guide lines  49  and  50  will follow in the operation discussion.  
     [0054] In another embodiment of the present invention, a leverage device  51  can be added to alignment device  10  so as to provide additional leverage for the user in order to punch multiple sheet media  14  or thicker sheet media  14 . As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, leverage device  51  is comprised of a base  52 , extension arm  54 , a lever arm  56  a button extension  58  and a handle  60 . In operation, device  10  is placed on base  52  and positioned such that when punch tool  12  is in place button extension  58  falls squarely on punch button  42 . Using the added leverage created by extension arm  54  and lever arm  56 , a user gains added pressure to punch sheet media  14  when punching multiple sheet media  14  or when using thicker sheet media  14 . Leverage device  51  does not alter the operation of device  10  or punch tool  12  but simply adds leverage making the use of device  10  easier for elderly or young individuals or when using thicker or multiple sheet media  14 .  
     [0055] Operation of Device  
     [0056] In one embodiment of the present invention, device  10  is configured to align punch tool  12  with sheet media  14  to stamp design  16  into sheet media  14 . To this end, and as illustrated in FIG. 7, a user begins at step  100 , by placing platform  18  onto a surface whereby lower surface  22  can be frictionally positioned on a work surface so as not to move or slide about during operation.  
     [0057] Next, at step  102 , the user selects a punch tool  12  from any number of punch tools  12  corresponding to the desired design  16  to be used. The only limitation in choosing punch tool  12  is that punch tool base  36  must be compatible with at least one punch tool mount  30  in one punch tool receiving area  24 . This compatibility can be a result of device  10  being specifically designed for use with a particular manufacturer&#39;s punch tools  12 , or alternatively, this compatibility can be a result of the generic design for punch tool mounts  30  such that a variety of mounts  30  are disposed on platform  18  of device  10  in various shapes, sizes and depths corresponding to the more common designs for punch tools  12 . The size of punch tool receiving area  24  is not a limiting factor in a user&#39;s choice for punch tools  12  because raised wall  32  which defines the punch tool receiving areas  24  are at least as accommodating as to punch tools  12  as the largest punch tool mount  30  found therein.  
     [0058] Next, at step  104 , as illustrated in FIG. 8 the user places the desired punch tool  12  into the corresponding punch tool mount  30  found in the appropriate punch tool receiving area  24 . Two separate possibilities arise at this time, the first is where punch tool  12  fits exactly into punch tool mount  30 . In this case the user simply proceeds to the next step. However, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b,  in some cases, particularly where punch tool base  36  is rectangular, they may be some allowance for the user to adjust the position of punch tool  12  within the confines of punch tool mount  30  such that the final position of design  16  can be adjusted to and away from the corner or edge of sheet media  14  by sliding punch tool  12  closer or farther away from the center of platform  18 . In the latter case, the user must first decide on either the forward position or the setback position before continuing on to the next step. It should be noted at this time if the user intends to use leverage device  51  it should be placed under platform  18  and in contact with push button  42  of punch tool  12 .  
     [0059] Proceeding on to step  106   a,  after the user sets punch tool  12  into the proper position, the user then places sheet media  14  onto device  10  as illustrated in FIG. 7. Sheet media  14  is placed so that the desired corner or edge is positioned between punch tool base  36  and punch tool body  40  within media slot  38 . The edges of sheet media  14  extending away from the desired corner or edge to be punched are aligned against first and second guide edges  45  and  46  which extend away from punch tool receiving area  24 . When sheet media  14  is in place with both edges firmly abutted against the corresponding first and second guide edges  45  and  46 , sheet media  14  is automatically positioned such that when punched, design  16  is punched accurately.  
     [0060] In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention the intended location of design  16  is located substantially equidistant from either edge extending from the desired corner and approximately between ⅛″ and ½″ away from the desired corner point. However, device  10  can be used punch design  16  onto any number of location on sheet media  14 . Therefore, any use of device  10  and the salient features thereof to place design  16  onto sheet media  14  more accurately and consistently is within the contemplation of the present invention.  
     [0061] Alternatively, at step  106   b,  as illustrated in FIG. 10, the user then places sheet media  14  onto device  10 . Sheet media  14  is placed so that sheet media  14  is positioned between punch tool base  36  and punch tool body  40  within media slot  38 . The edges of sheet media  14  are aligned against first and second guide lines  49  and  50  which extend away from punch tool receiving area  24 , positioned substantially parallel to first and second guide edges  45  and  46  respectively. When sheet media  14  is in place with both edges firmly held along the corresponding first and second guide lines  49  and  50 , sheet media  14  is positioned such that when punched, design  16  is punched accurately  
     [0062] In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the intended location of design  16  is located substantially equidistant from either edge extending from the desired corner and approximately between ⅛″ and ½″ away from the desired corner point. Unlike step  106   a,  step  106   b  allows for more user versatility, particularly with punch tools  12  that fit snugly into punch tool recess  30 . However, device  10  can be used punch design  16  onto any number of location on sheet media  14 . Therefore, any use of device  10  and the salient features thereof to place design  16  onto sheet media  14  more accurately and consistently is within the contemplation of the present invention.  
     [0063] Alternatively, at step  106   c,  as illustrated in FIG. 11, sheet media  14  onto device  10 . Sheet media  14  is placed so that it is positioned between punch tool base  36  and punch tool body  40  within media slot  38 . The edges of sheet media  14  are aligned against first and second guide edges  45  and  46 , which extend away from punch tool receiving area  24  and away from the center of platform  18 . When sheet media  14  is in place with both edges firmly abutted against corresponding first and second guide edges  45  and  46 , sheet media  14  is automatically positioned such that when punched, design  16  will be properly positioned relative to the corner of sheet media  14  in accordance with design  16  of punch tool  12 .  
     [0064] Next at step  108 , while holding sheet media  14  in place, the user depresses punch button  42  thereby punching design  16  into sheet media  14 . A user can then repeat steps  106 - 108  until all of the desired corners of sheet media  14  are marked with corner design  16 .  
     [0065] This invention presents advantages over the prior art by securely holding punch tools  12  in place within punch tool mounts  30  during operation. Additionally, by adding external guides, namely first and second guide edges  45  and  46  and first and second guide lines  49  and  50 , a user can position sheet media  14  more swiftly and also attain more accurate and consistently placed designs  16  than are attainable using the methods and devices found in the prior art.  
     [0066] While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that this application is intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention.