Patent Publication Number: US-10780509-B2

Title: Crayon carving device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application, is a Continuation application which claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/996,221, filed Jan. 14, 2016, entitled “Crayon Carving Device,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/103,918, filed Jan. 15, 2015, entitled “Crayon Carving Device,” each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the disclosure are defined by the claims below, not this summary. A high-level overview of various features are provided here for that reason, to provide an overview of the disclosure, and to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     This disclosure describes, among other things, devices, kits, and methods for carving a crayon. In particular, one aspect of the disclosure is directed to a device including a carving mechanism, such as a motorized drill, that carves an outer surface of a crayon body in response to interaction with one or more corresponding template features traced by a user. During such carving, a template design and/or feature may be traced with a guide tip on a first portion of a pantograph armature, while a motorized drill tip on a second portion of the armature carves a crayon with a shape that corresponds to the traced template design. A single or multiple carvings may be made with respect to a particular crayon body, at one or multiple depths in the surface of the rayon body. As such, interaction with the one or more template features being traced by the user may directly correlate to the corresponding carved crayon, such as the depth of tracing, amount of pressure applied during tracing, spacing of one or more template features being traced, and the like. 
     A crayon positioning mechanism may be used to secure a particular crayon body in one or more orientations or positions to provide a carving surface for receiving markings from the carving mechanism. In some embodiments, the crayon positioning mechanism, template tracing and/or crayon carving features of the crayon carving device may be coupled to a single unit, such as a base and/or support that is configured to support at least a portion of the crayon positioning mechanism, at least a portion of the pantograph armature, and at least a portion of the template tracing features. In some aspects, the base unit may couple the crayon positioning component and the template tracing features in a parallel orientation, such that the distance between such components and/or relative position during carving provides for synchronized and/or simultaneous contact of the features of a pantograph armature with both the crayon body and the tracing template (i.e., a portion of the pantograph armature contacting the crayon body, synchronized with a portion of the pantograph armature contacting the template tracing feature(s)). 
     In further embodiments, the crayon carving device includes a base, a pantograph armature coupled to the base, a crayon positioner, and at least one guide template parallel to the crayon positioner. In one aspect, the pantograph armature includes a motorized drive shaft with a drill tip for carving a surface of a crayon body, as well as a guide tip for tracing along a guide template that directs where the drill tip carves. In some embodiments, the guide template includes a stationary bridge support and a plurality of removable carving bucks that insert into one of multiple openings on the bridge support. The surface features of each of the carving bucks may be traced by the guide tip to generate a corresponding carving on the surface of a crayon body. 
     In some embodiments, the crayon positioning mechanism may be configured to secure one or multiple different sizes of crayon bodies. For example, a first crayon body size may be secured by the crayon positioning mechanism, while a second, different crayon body size may be secured by the crayon positioning mechanism based on interaction with at least one adapter mechanism. In one aspect, a crayon positioning mechanism may be configured to secure a first crayon body size, such as a larger crayon body (i.e., a “jumbo” sized crayon), without an adapter mechanism, and may be configured to secure a second crayon body size, such as a smaller crayon body (i.e., a regular crayon body) utilizing at least one adapter mechanism. Embodiments of the crayon carving device may be utilized with a first crayon size and/or a second crayon size based on one or more adapters, one or more crayon features configured to mate to one or more features of the crayon positioning mechanism, and one or more crayon body characteristics (i.e., the crayon components, crayon tip arrangement, crayon end arrangement, crayon body surface, crayon composition, crayon orientation, etc.). As such, in some embodiments, the crayon carving device may include a pantograph armature configured to coordinate the carving a variety of crayon bodies using multiple types and/or styles of guide templates, while utilizing a spacing between the crayon positioning mechanism and the desired carved-crayon features of a chosen design template. 
     Similarly, the carving features of a guide template, such as the one or more carving bucks, may correspond to a particular size of crayon, such as a regular-sized carving buck for carving regular-sized crayons, and a jumbo-sized carving buck for carving jumbo crayons. In another aspect, a universal stationary bridge may include a variety of coupling mechanisms, such as openings for inserted pegs or other coupling features, for either jumbo or regular-sized carving bucks. The carving bucks may include various features for replicating on the surface of a carved crayon, such as letters, icons, or other surface alterations directed by the user by virtue of the guide tip. As such, the crayon body may become carved to a user&#39;s specification, upon manipulation of the guide tip by the user, and the corresponding contact of the drill tip with the crayon body in the crayon positioning mechanism. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top, perspective view of a crayon carving device in a first position, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  is a top, perspective view of the crayon carving device of  FIG. 1 , with a user&#39;s hand removed from view, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2B  is a top, perspective view of a portion of the crayon carving device of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a front, perspective view of the crayon carving device of  FIG. 1  in a second position, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a front, perspective view of a carved crayon body, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a side, perspective view of a custom guide template, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a side, perspective view of the custom guide template of  FIG. 5 , in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a top, perspective view of a crayon carving device, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a top, perspective view of the crayon carving device of  FIG. 7 , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the crayon carving device of  FIG. 7 , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the crayon carving device of  FIG. 7 , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the crayon carving device of  FIG. 7 , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded view of various components of the crayon carving device of  FIG. 7 , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged, perspective view of a crayon positioning mechanism, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged, perspective view of a crayon positioning mechanism, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged, perspective view of a crayon positioning mechanism, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged, perspective view of a crayon positioning mechanism, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged, perspective view of a crayon positioning mechanism, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 18  is a top, perspective view of a crayon carving device, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 19  is a top, perspective view of a crayon carving device, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 20  is an enlarged, perspective view of a feature of a crayon positioning mechanism, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 21  is an enlarged, perspective view of a feature of a crayon positioning mechanism, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a crayon wrapper release mechanism, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 23  is a side, cross-sectional view of the crayon wrapper release mechanism of  FIG. 22 , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of select embodiments of the invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different components, steps, or combinations thereof similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described. 
     Devices, kits, and methods are described herein for carving a crayon. In particular, one aspect of the disclosure is directed to a device including a motorized drill that carves an outer surface of a crayon in response to one or more corresponding template features traced by a user. During such carving, a template design and/or feature is traced with a guide tip on a first portion of a pantograph armature, while a motorized drill tip on a second portion of the armature carves a crayon with a shape that corresponds to the traced template design. In embodiments, the crayon positioning, template tracing, and corresponding crayon carving features of the crayon carving device are coupled to a single unit, such as a base. The base unit may couple the crayon positioning component and the template tracing features in a parallel orientation, such that their distancing and position provide for synchronized and simultaneous contact of the features of a pantograph armature with both the crayon body and the tracing template. 
     In further embodiments, the crayon carving device includes a base, a pantograph armature coupled to the base, a crayon positioner, and at least one guide template parallel to the crayon positioner. The pantograph armature includes a motorized drive shaft with a drill tip for carving an outside surface of a crayon body, as well as a guide tip for tracing along a guide template that directs where the drill tip carves. In some embodiments, the guide template includes a stationary bridge support and a plurality of removable carving bucks that insert into one of multiple openings on the bridge support. The surface features of each of the carving bucks may be traced by the guide tip to generate a corresponding carving on the surface of a crayon body. 
     In some embodiments, the crayon positioner may be configured to secure either a regular crayon body size or a larger (i.e., “jumbo”) crayon body size. Similarly, the carving bucks may correspond to a particular size of crayon, such as a regular-sized carving buck for carving regular crayons, and a jumbo-sized carving buck for carving jumbo crayons. In another aspect, the universal stationary bridge may include openings for coupling to either jumbo or regular-sized carving bucks. The carving bucks may include various features for replicating on the surface of a carved crayon, such as letters, icons, or other surface alterations directed by the user by virtue of the guide tip. As such, the crayon body may become carved to a user&#39;s specification upon manipulation of the guide tip by the user, and the corresponding contact of the drill tip with the crayon body in the crayon positioner 
     Accordingly, one exemplary aspect of the invention is directed to a crayon carving device including a base; a pantograph armature coupled to the base, the pantograph armature including a motorized drive shaft and a guide tip; at least one crayon positioner configured to secure at least one crayon body; and at least one guide template corresponding to the at least one crayon body. In embodiments, the motorized drive shaft is configured to alter at least one surface of the at least one crayon body secured by the at least one crayon positioner in response to at least one indication of contact between the cutter guide and the at least one guide template. 
     A further aspect of the invention is directed to a crayon carving device having a base support; a tracing guide coupled to the base, wherein the tracing guide includes a guide tip and a drill tip separated a distance from the guide tip; a crayon positioner coupled to the base at a first position; a mounting bridge coupled to the base at a second position, wherein the second position is parallel to and spaced apart from the first position; and at least one template feature removably coupled to the mounting bridge. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a crayon carving kit includes: a crayon positioner configured to secure a crayon body at a first end and a second end of the crayon body, wherein the crayon positioner includes a tension release for coupling and decoupling the crayon body with the crayon positioner, a stationary tip stabilizer for securing a tip end of a crayon body having a first size, and a crayon adapter configured to secure a tip end of a crayon body having a second size that is smaller than the first size; a carving template parallel to the crayon positioner, said carving template comprising one or more of the following: at least one carving buck corresponding to an exterior surface of the crayon body having a first size, at least one carving buck corresponding to an exterior surface of the crayon body having a second size, and at least one carving totem corresponding to at least a portion of a crayon body; and a carving device comprising a drill bit and a carving guide, wherein the carving device is configured to remove at least a portion of an exterior surface of a crayon body secured by the crayon positioner based on 1) the orientation of the carving guide with respect to the carving template, and 2) the corresponding orientation of the drill bit with respect to the crayon body secured by the crayon positioner. 
     In further aspects of the invention, a crayon carving device include a base; a pantograph armature coupled to the base, the pantograph armature comprising a motorized stylus and a cutter guide; at least one crayon positioner configured to secure at least one crayon body; and at least one guide template corresponding to the at least one crayon body, wherein the motorized stylus is configured to alter at least one surface of the at least one crayon body secured by the at least one crayon positioner in response to at least one indication of interaction between the cutter guide and the at least one guide template. 
     In another embodiment, a crayon carving device includes a base support; a tracing guide coupled to the base support, wherein the tracing guide comprises: a guide tip; and a drill tip separated a distance from the guide tip; a crayon positioner coupled to the base support at a first position; a mounting bridge coupled to the base support at a second position, wherein the second position is parallel to and spaced apart from the first position; and at least one template feature removably coupled to the mounting bridge. 
     In yet another aspect, a crayon carving kit a crayon positioner is configured to secure a crayon body at a first end and a second end of the crayon body, wherein the crayon positioner comprises: a tension release for coupling and decoupling the crayon body with the crayon positioner, a crayon stabilizer for securing a tip end of a crayon body having a first size, and a crayon adapter configured to secure a tip end of a crayon body having a second size that is smaller than the first size. Further aspects include a carving template corresponding to the crayon positioner, said carving template comprising one or more of the following: at least one carving buck corresponding to an exterior surface of the crayon body having a first size; and at least one carving buck corresponding to an exterior surface of the crayon body having a second size; and a carving device comprising a drill tip and a carving guide, wherein the carving device is configured to remove at least a portion of an exterior surface of a crayon body secured by the crayon positioner based on 1) orientation of the carving guide with respect to the carving template, and 2) corresponding orientation of the drill tip with respect to the crayon body secured by the crayon positioner. 
     With reference now to the figures, a crayon carving device, kit, and method of using a crayon carving device is described in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Various embodiments are described with respect to the figures in which like elements are depicted with like reference numerals. 
     With reference initially to  FIGS. 1-6 , and exemplary crayon carving device  10  is shown with embodiments of various features for creating a carved crayon body. In  FIG. 1 , the exemplary crayon carving device  10  includes a base  12 , a pantograph armature  14 , a motorized drive shaft  16  with a drill bit  18 , a guide template  20 , and a cutter guide  22  having a guide tip  24  that directs the carving of crayon body  26 . Additionally, embodiments of the crayon carving device  10  include a crayon positioner  28  having a first mount  30  with a first dial  32 , a protective shield  34  with at least one opening  72 , a second mount  36  with a second dial  38 , a template release tab  40 , and a crayon release tab  42 . 
     In some aspects, a motor of the motorized drive shaft  16  may be controlled by a power switch  44 . The pantograph armature  14  of the crayon carving device  10  may include a guide tip arm  46 , a drive shaft arm  48 , a first support arm  50 , and a second support arm  52 , which may all be coupled together in a parallelogram configuration to produce movement of one portion of the armature that is identical to another portion of the armature, as further described below. The arms of the pantograph armature  14  may be coupled at a first joint  54 , a second joint  56 , a third joint  58 , and a fourth joint  60 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the exemplary crayon carving device  10  is configured to trace the template surface  62  of a guide template  20 , such as the totem guide template  20  in the exemplary embodiment. Template surface  62  includes a three-dimensional (3-D) guide surface  64  that corresponds to the carved 3-D crayon carvings  66  on the crayon body  26 . In some aspects, the crayon carving device  10  includes a tray  68  for catching carvings  70  from the carved crayon body  26 , carved crayon holders  74 , a large crayon tip adapter  76 , a small crayon tip adapter  78 , and a drawer  80  for holding crayon bodies  82 . 
     Using the crayon carving device  10 , in the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , a carved surface  84  may be created on the exterior of the crayon body  26 . In some embodiments, a pivoting mount  86  is used to secure the pantograph armature  14  to the base  12 , providing for shifting of both the first support arm  50  and the second support arm  52  with respect to the base  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , the 3-D guide carvings  66  directly correspond to the 3-D guide surface  64  of the guide template  20 , based on the orientation of both the crayon positioner  28 , the guide template  20 , the guide tip  24 , and the drill bit  18 . Accordingly, the first end A and second end B of the crayon positioner  28  are oriented on an axis that is parallel to the axis between the first end C and the second end D of the guide template  20 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 2B , the pantograph armature  14  may expand or contract to direct travel of both the guide tip  24  and the drill bit  18  based on the orientation of a first end E and a second end F of the guide tip arm  46 , a first end G and a second end H of the drive shaft arm  48 , a first end I and a second end J of the second support arm  52 , and the first end K and the second end L of the first support arm  50 . In embodiments, travel of the cutter guide  22  and/or guide tip  24  along the x and y axis shown in  FIG. 2B  provides for parallel shifting between opposing sides of the pantograph armature  14 , as well as coordinated travel of the guide tip  24  and the drill bit  18  to generate proportionate carvings on a crayon surface. As such, in some embodiments, the pantograph armature  14  includes multiple arms for compressing and extending in an accordion-like fashion. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the pantograph armature  14  is shown in a collapsed position, such that the crayon body  26  may be accessed by a user after carving. In some embodiments, the crayon body  26  may be removed from the crayon positioner  28  using the crayon release tab  42 . Further, a different carving totem, such as a different guide template  20 , may be coupled to the crayon carving device  10  using the template release tab  40  that is biased against the exemplary guide template  20 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 4 , a carved crayon body  102  includes a crayon body  26  having a 3-D carved surface  104 , which was created based on contact from a drill bit  18 , as determined based on a position of the guide tip  24 . In  FIGS. 5-6 , the movement of the guide tip  24  may be determined based on a custom guide template  88  that includes a template base  90 , a first end  92 , a second end  94 , a coupling surface  96 , carving bucks  98 , and coupling mechanisms  100 . In the exemplary embodiment, the carving bucks  98  may be interchanged and/or manipulated to provide any desired content for tracing, such as a series of letters or shapes. As such, based on the coupling mechanism  100  on the bottom side of each carving buck  98 , a top side of the carving buck  98  may be traced by the guide tip  24  during carving. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 7-12 , an exemplary embodiment of a crayon carving device  106  is provided. The crayon carving device  106  includes a base  108 , a cage  110 , a top  112 , a bottom  114 , a front  116 , a back  118 , a pantograph armature  120 , a guide tip arm  122 , a drive shaft arm  124 , a first support arm  126 , a second support arm  128 , and a pivoting mount  130 . In some embodiments, the pantograph armature  120  includes a first joint  132 , a second joint  134 , a third joint  136 , and a fourth joint  138  where moveable features of the pantograph armature  120  are coupled. Additionally, the crayon carving device  106  includes a crayon positioner  140 , a protective shield  142  with an opening  144 , a tension tab  146  for coupling and decoupling a crayon body from the crayon positioner  140 , a guide tab  148  for maneuvering the guide tip arm  122  (and correspondingly maneuvering both the guide tip  150  and the motorized drill and/or motorized stylus  180 ). 
     As shown in the example of  FIGS. 7-9 , the cage  110  coupled to the base  108  may include a left side  152 , a back side  154 , a right side  156 , a first support  158 , a second support  160 , a third support  162 , and a fourth support  164 , which collectively engage and/or surround at least a portion of the carving mechanisms and positioners of the crayon carving device  106 . Additionally, the crayon carving device  106  includes a bridge positioner  166  that may be used to secure the bridge template  168 , a top surface  170  of the bridge template  168  that may include a plurality of paired openings  172  and cross-shaped openings  174  for securing one or more of the large carving bucks  176  and/or small carving bucks  178 . As will be understood, the universal bridge template  168  depicted in the embodiments may be used to secure one or more large carving bucks  176  and/or small carving bucks  178  based on one or more features on a bottom surface of each of the carving bucks, such as the exemplary coupling mechanism  100  shown in  FIG. 5 . In some embodiments, the pantograph armature  120  may be used to trace the guide tip  150  of the guide tip arm  122  along one or more features of one or more carving bucks (e.g., the large carving bucks  176  and/or small carving bucks  178 ) to generate a corresponding, synchronized carving on the outer surface of a crayon body  26 . In one aspect, a crayon positioner  140  may be used to secure a large and/or “jumbo” crayon body  26  in a particular stationary orientation with respect to the bridge template  168  that secures one or more of the large carving bucks  176 . In a further embodiment, the crayon positioner  140  may be used to secure a small and/or “regular” crayon body  26  in a particular stationary orientation with respect to the bridge template  168  that secures one or more of the small carving bucks  176 . In one aspect, the crayon positioner  140  may be coupled to an adapter or additional feature for engaging the shape of the smaller, “regular” crayon, such as the small crayon tip adapter  78  of  FIG. 3 . 
     In another embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the crayon positioner  140  may be configured to mate to a size of a larger, “jumbo” crayon without the use of an adapter (e.g., large tip adapter  76 ) based on an interior surface of at least one end of the crayon positioner  140 . Accordingly, in one embodiment, at least one end of the crayon positioner  140  may be coupled to an adapter (e.g., a small crayon tip adapter  78 ) to enable the crayon positioner  140  to secure a smaller crayon into a stationary position for carving. As such, both large and small crayons may be secured in a stationary position by a single crayon positioner  140  having a single tension release tab  146 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 7-12 , in some aspects, the motorized drill  180  may be used to automatically carve an exterior surface of the crayon body secured by the crayon positioner  140  based on tracing of the surface of the corresponding carving bucks coupled to the stationary bridge template  168 . In further aspects, the crayon carving device  106  includes a series of storage detents  182  on at least a portion of the base  108  and/or cage  110  for securing one or more carving bucks based on mating the storage detents  182  to the coupling mechanism  100  of each carving buck. Further, the crayon carving device  106  may include one or more holders  184  on the base  108  for storing small or large crayon bodies, and one or more wrapper releases for removing a crayon wrapper from a crayon body prior to carving, such as a large wrapper release  186  and/or a small wrapper release  188 . In some aspects, the large wrapper release  186  and/or the small wrapper release  188  include an interior flange for contacting at least a portion of the crayon&#39;s exterior wrapper (e.g., a paper crayon wrapper affixed to an exterior of the crayon body) and cutting and/or releasing the wrapper so that the drill bit of the motorized drill  180  may directly contact the surface of the crayon body during carving. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a crayon carving device includes a base coupled to 1) a pantograph armature with a motorized drive shaft and a guide tip, 2) a crayon positioner that secures a crayon body in a stationary position, and 3) a guide template coupled to the base in a position parallel to the crayon positioner and in relation to the pantograph armature such that motion of the guide tip along the guide template corresponds to carving along the crayon body. In some aspects, the guide tip may trace multiple surfaces of multiple different carving bucks to generate multiple different types of carvings and/or markings on the surface of the crayon body. The base of the crayon carving device may include a support cage that encloses at least a portion of the pantograph armature to protect the motorized drill and/or drill tip from damage, such as by dropping of the crayon carving device. 
     Additionally, the guide tip and drive shaft are coupled to the pantograph armature with spacing/positioning that facilitates a particular, proportionate movement for carving both small and large crayon bodies using both small and large carving bucks. In some aspects, one or more adapters may be coupled to the crayon positioner and/or crayon bodies to facilitate the carving of both sizes of crayon bodies. In one embodiment of the invention, a guide template may include a stationary mounting bridge for coupling multiple carving bucks, both large and small, and multiple different carving totems providing a 3-D tracing surface that guide the proportional carving of a crayon body. 
     In further embodiments of the invention, a crayon carving device includes a universal bridge template for securing multiple carving bucks of different sizes, including different surface features for tracing with a guide tip. Further, the crayon positioner includes multiple features for coupling to multiple sizes of crayons corresponding to the carving templates, bucks, totems, and or other carving guides. Additionally, while multiple different sizes of crayons may be carved based on contact with the drill tip of the motorized drill, the tip of the motorized drill may remain protected and/or obstructed from access by a user during drilling. As such, the protective shield may prevent a user from contacting the drill tip while a crayon is being carved. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a safety switch may be provided that enables or disables power to the motorized drill based on the position of the pantograph armature. For example, when the pantograph armature is fully extended beyond the range of the bridge template, the drill may remain inactive and/or without power. In another example, when the pantograph armature is raised vertically to a particular distance above the base, the motor may again cease. In another embodiment, a contact and/or pressure indicator may be coupled to the drill tip that provides an indication to the motor when the pantograph armature is extended or contracted, such that the motor turns off when the armature is returned to a resting position (e.g., a stationary resting mount). 
     Power may be provided to the device from one or more different sources. In one example, a power source for the motorized drill may include a battery, an electrical connection, a wireless connection, a remote control connection, a USB connection, a rechargeable battery connection, and the like. In further aspects, one or more switches and/or electrical connections may be provided to enable or disable one or more features of the crayon carving mechanism. For example, a drill bit of the motorized drill may be enabled upon particular positioning of the drill bit with respect to the crayon body. In further aspects, contact of the drill bit with a surface other than that of the crayon body may disengage the motorized drill, thereby preventing carving of surfaces other than the crayon body. Accordingly, one or more switches may be coupled to one or more features of the crayon-carving device for enabling or disabling one or more features during, before, and/or after crayon carving. 
     Additional embodiments of the invention include one or more accessories or other features for use with the crayon carving mechanism. For example, a debris-removal device may be provided for removing portions of crayon carvings/debris from the surface of a carved crayon and/or a surface of the base. In one embodiment, a debris-removal device may include a brush tool having a bristle head, such as a paintbrush, a makeup brush, a powder brush, a wide bristle paint brush, a stiff bristle paintbrush, a stencil brush, and the like. The base may include one or more features for removably coupling to the debris-removal device, such as a clip mechanism for temporarily securing a paint brush device when not in use. 
     As will be understood, embodiments of the invention may include a variety of different numbers and/or types of template pieces. For example, uppercase letters, lowercase letters, letters in a variety of fonts and/or styles, icons, portions of icons, portions of letters, etc. may be included on one or more different templates for use with the crayon-carving device. In some aspects, a storage location on the base may be provided for securing one or more of the template pieces. Additionally, the template pieces and/or “bucks” may be coupled to one or more adjacent template pieces/bucks for connecting a particular carving pattern. In that example, neighboring bucks may be coupled together to link a design and provide a continuous pattern for carving along a crayon. 
     Turning next to  FIGS. 13-17 , an exemplary crayon positioning mechanism  140  may include a first end  190  with a first coupling feature  192  having a first interior retention feature  196 , a position adjustment mechanism  194  in a first position, a second end  198  with a tension tab  146  in an undepressed position A (as shown in  FIG. 13 ) and a second coupling feature  200  having a second interior retention feature  202 , and a protective shield  142  having an opening  144  adjacent a crayon carving tray  204  having a tray interior  206 . In some embodiments, the positioning mechanism  140  may be used to secure a crayon body in a stationary position along the x axis such that a carving mechanism accessing a crayon body via the opening  144  in the protective shield  142  may apply a threshold amount of force to the crayon body without the crayon body shifting, moving, and/or rotating away from a carving feature, such as a drill bit. 
     In  FIG. 14 , with the tension tab  146  in a depressed position B, a crayon body  212  may be secured between the first end  190  and the second end  198  of the crayon positioning mechanism  140  based on one or more adapter features securing the crayon body  212  along the x axis. In one example, an adapter  208  may be coupled to the crayon body  212  and the first interior retention feature  196  of the first coupling feature  192 . In further aspects, an adapter  210  may be coupled to the crayon body  212  and the second interior retention feature  202  of the second coupling feature  200 . Providing a stabilizing surface for preventing rotation and/or shifting of the crayon body  212 , one or more features on an external surface of the adapter  208  and/or adapter  210  may be configured to interact with at least a portion of the first interior retention feature  196  and/or second interior retention feature  210 . As such, in some aspects, one or more adapter mechanisms may be utilized to secure a crayon body  12  with respect to one or both ends of the crayon positioning mechanism  140 , as the exterior features of a universal adapter mechanism may be configured to fit within either the first coupling feature  192  or the second coupling feature  210 . 
     Crayon positioning component  140  may further be utilized to carve additional portions of the crayon body  212  based on rotation of the position adjustment mechanism  218  into a second position of  FIG. 15 . As such, in the first position of  FIG. 14 , the crayon body  212  having a first surface orientation  214  may be carved with markings  216 . In  FIG. 15 , based on rotation of the second position adjustment mechanism  218 , a different portion of the crayon body may be accessed via the opening  144  of the protective shield  142 , such as the surface of the crayon body  212  corresponding to the second surface orientation  220 . In some aspects, the position adjustment mechanism may move from the first position  194  to the second position  218  based on secured position between one of multiple predefined rotational positions. In one example, the position adjustment mechanism may adjust between one of four positions, providing access from four different locations with respect to the surface of the crayon body. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 16-17 , the crayon positioning mechanism  140  may further include one or more features configured to secure a larger-sized crayon along the x axis, such as a jumbo-sized crayon body  222 , without the use of one or more adapter features. In this example, the crayon positioning mechanism  140  may be configured to receive a first end  224  of the crayon body  222  at the second coupling feature  200 , in the loading position  230 , and upon depressing the tension tab  146  from the undepressed position A to the depressed position B (i.e., moving the second coupling feature  200  from a first position to a second position to facilitate inserting the crayon body  222 ), the first coupling feature  192  may be configured to receive the second end  226  of the crayon body  222  in the stationary position  232 . In this example, the crayon surface  228  of the crayon body  222  may be accessed via the same opening  144  in the protective shield  142  as was utilized for accessing the smaller crayon body  212 . Additionally, the removable and/or universal adapter features may be used to secure both a smaller crayon body  212  and a larger crayon body  222  within the crayon positioning mechanism  140 , stabilizing the body along the x axis to prevent rotation, shifting, or movement during carving, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 18 , a crayon carving device  234  includes a motorized stylus shield  236  that secures one or more features of the motorized stylus  180  at a first height  248  based at least in part on a first motor-coverage position  238 , a first pantograph position  252 , and a first drill exposure position  240 . As such, the first drill exposure position  240  with respect to the flange  262  on the protective shield  142  may provide an indication to at least one power source of the crayon carving device  234  that the motorized stylus  180  is in a non-carving position (i.e., a position corresponding to the first height  248  of the pantograph mechanism). As shown in  FIG. 19 , once shifted into a position at a second height  250 , the stylus shield  236  may shift into a depressed position based at least in part on the second motor-coverage position  242 , the second pantograph position  254 , and the second drill exposure position  244 . In this aspect, the second drill exposure position  244  with respect to the flange  262  may provide an indication to at least one power source associated with the crayon carving device  234  that the carving mechanism of the motorized stylus are in a carving position (i.e., a position corresponding to the second height  250  of the pantograph mechanism). As such, depression of the stylus shield  236  may be used to turn off a drill motor when the pantograph mechanism is not in a position to carve a crayon, and may turn on when the guide tip  150  becomes positioned with respect to a corresponding guide template to direct carving. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 18-19 , one or multiple template features may be provided for carving a crayon body, such as the first template  256  having a first shape  258  with a first depth  260 , and a second template  264  with a second shape  266  and a second depth  268 . As such, based on user interaction with the guide features of the pantograph armature, and hand-manipulated guidance with respect to the various features having various shapes and depths on the guide template(s), a parallel positioning of the carving mechanism may generate various positions and various carved features of the secured crayon body, with a responsive on-off safety mechanism that may include activating or inactivating the drilling features of the crayon carving device based on raising or lowering of the pantograph mechanism, position of the user&#39;s guide tip, spacing of the drill bit away from the intended crayon surface, and the like. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 20-21 , the crayon coupling mechanism  270  may include a conical interior  272  having at least one stepped feature  274  for securing at least one end of a crayon body. For example, the conical interior  272  and/or stepped feature  274  may be configured to secure a crayon tip based on the tapered surface  276 . Similarly, the crayon coupling mechanism  278  may include a shaped interior  280  configured to secure at least one end of a crayon body. To stabilize the crayon body, the shaped interior  280  may include one or more grip features  282  configured to couple to at least a portion of a crayon body and/or at least a portion of one or more flanges  284  on an exterior of an adapter (such as adapters  208  and  210 ) based on one or more adapter plug-in spacers  286 . 
     With reference finally to  FIGS. 22-23 , an exemplary wrapper removal mechanism  186  may comprise a body portion  287  including a shaped interior  288  configured to receive a wrapped crayon body through an aperture  300 , a gripping outer surface  296 , a gripping lower edge  298 , a rib feature  290  having an angled surface  302 . The shaped interior  288  may further comprise a first surface  291   a  and a second surface  291   b , an upper aspect  293   a , and a lower aspect  293   b . In some aspects, the width of the aperture inner wall may be greater than the width of the body portion. In other aspects, a crayon having a wrapper on an outer surface may be passed through the wrapper removal mechanism  186  from a first end  292  to a second end  294 , and vice versa, such that the angled surface  302  engages at least a portion of the crayon wrapper for removal. As such, upon pulling a wrapped crayon through the wrapper removal mechanism  186 , without directly accessing the angled surface  302  and/or rib feature  290 , the user may disengage the wrapper from the outer surface of the crayon body, in preparation for crayon body carving. 
     Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below. Embodiments of the technology have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after and because of reading it. Alternative means of implementing the aforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of the claims below. Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.