Abstract:
A foldable paper padding press for compressing paper and other sheet material, wherein adhesive is applied to the compressed edges of paper for making pads, tablets and books. The components of the press rotate around a base for easy loading, padding and storing.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This patent application is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/758,086, filed Jan. 12, 2006, for Foldable Paper Padding Press, by Hugh M. Lyman, Jr., included by reference herein and for which benefit of the priority date is hereby claimed. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to padding presses, and more particularly to a simple desk top device for padding varying sizes of paper and other sheet material into pads. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Paper padding is a known and frequently used process for making booklets, memo, note and scratch pads. Prior art for padding presses have been known for some time. Plain or printed paper of normally equal dimensions is placed and aligned in the press, clamped tight and then the compressed edges receive a common adhesive padding compound. 
   Prior art presents varying methods and systems common to the process. Exemplary of the padding presses of prior art are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 354,953; 452,898; 796,346; 943,094; 1,024,721; 1,285,914; 1,354,061; 1,928,789; 2,030,353; 2,169,341; 2,494,424; 2,499,744; 2,503,112; 2,641,781; 2,654,932; 2,708,400; 3,986,447; 4,146,942; 4,373,843; and 4,488,845. These all present many complicated mechanisms requiring awkward manipulations for accomplishing the padding process. U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,845 issued to Dupre is a typical example, with complicated clamping mechanisms. It illustrates a major problem with most padding presses, wherein the compressed paper edges are at an awkward angle for applying liquid adhesive with a brush as Dupre requires a drip trough for receiving run-off adhesive. U.S. Pat. No. 1,354,061 issued to Palmer is one of a few that offers means for positioning the paper in a convenient position for applying the adhesive, yet his invention is complicated requiring considerable space. 
   Heretofore, prior art fails to address a desk top paper padding press device for the home and small office that is simple to use, folds to store in a small space, is easy to tilt for positioning a paper stack to a convenient position for applying adhesive and is inexpensive to produce. 
   It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a simple paper padding press for aligning a stack of paper to be padded. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a paper padding press that easily compresses a paper stack after its alignment. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a paper padding press that the alignment back plate is quickly and easily rotated away from the edge of the paper stack. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a paper padding press that can position the paper stack so the edge receiving the adhesive compound is in a horizontal position. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a paper padding press that can be stored in a minimum of space. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a paper padding press that can be used on a table, desk or work top. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a paper padding press that is packaged for shipment and stored in a small container. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a paper padding press that does not require assembly before use or disassembly after use. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a paper padding press that is simple and inexpensive to produce. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a paper padding press that is light in weight for easy portability. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a foldable paper padding press for making paper pads from sheet material, which is simple, compact, inexpensive and easy to operate. The invention includes a base plate assembly, a back plate assembly and a clamp arm assembly. The base plate assembly comprises a flat panel with two leg members attached vertically to the underside of the flat panel. The back plate assembly comprises a flat panel with two cradle shaped supports rigidly attached to the back plate, wherein the back plate assembly is rotatably attached to the base plate assembly. The clamping arm assembly comprises two clamp arms rigidly connected with a cross bar handle and rotatably attached to the base plate assembly. Further provided is a pressure plate, a pressure bar and two wedges to provide one means for compressing a paper stack. The base plate assembly, back plate assembly and clamp arm assembly are rotatable through matching holes with a single axle shaft. The operation consists of placing the paper stack on the base plate assembly; aligning the paper to the back plate assembly; and positioning the clamping assembly. The pressure plate and pressure bar are positioned on top of the paper stack and the pressure wedges are inserted into slots of the clamp arms and tapped inward, forcing the pressure plate down against the paper stack compressing the stack. Once the paper stack is compressed the entire assembly is tilted 90° to position the paper stack edges horizontally for applying padding compound adhesive. The back plate assembly is rotated away from paper stack edges that receive the adhesive. Adhesive compound is applied in this convenient position. After the adhesive is cured and the padded paper removed, the device is folded into a compact size for easy storage. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a isometric expanded front view of the foldable padding press invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a trimetric back view of the assembled foldable padding press invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of the foldable padding press invention taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the foldable padding press invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a isometric process view of the foldable padding press invention illustrating paper being placed on the device; 
       FIG. 6  is a isometric process view of the foldable padding press invention with the clamping assembly being positioned; 
       FIG. 7  is a isometric process view of the foldable padding press invention with a paper stack compressed; 
       FIG. 8  is a trimetric process view of the inventive foldable padding press invention positioned for applying adhesive; 
       FIG. 9  is a isometric process view of the foldable padding press invention illustrating the start of the device being folded; 
       FIG. 10  is a isometric process view of the device fully folded ready for storing; 
       FIG. 11  is a isometric view of the invention with spacer plates included; 
       FIG. 12  is a trimetric view of the invention illustrating clamping with grip clamps to extended pressure bar and flange lug; 
       FIG. 13  is a isometric view of the back plate assembly illustrating notches in the cradle supports; 
       FIG. 14  is a isometric view of the clamp arm assembly with notches in the clamp arms; 
       FIG. 15  is an exploded isometric view of the invention illustrating an alternate clamp arm assembly with screw type clamps; 
       FIG. 16  is a isometric view of the invention, compressing a paper stack with screw type clamps shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a isometric view of the invention folded with screw type clamps shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 ; 
       FIG. 18  is a isometric view of the clamp arm assembly with axle pins; 
       FIG. 19  is a isometric exploded view of the invention illustrating another alternate clamp arm assembly with grip type clamps; 
       FIG. 20  is a isometric view of the invention, compressing a paper stack with grip type clamps shown in  FIG. 19 ; and 
       FIG. 21  is a isometric view of the invention folded with grip type clamps shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 ; 
       FIG. 22  is an isometric process view of the invention illustrating an alternate pressure bar clamping means. 
       FIG. 23  is an isometric view of the alternate pressure bar clamping means wherein, the paper stack is compressed and ready for having the paper edges glued. 
   

   For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures. For purpose of brevity the ‘foldable paper padding press’ will be referred to as ‘device’. 
   The following reference numerals are used to indicate the parts and environment of the invention: 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               20 
               device 
             
             
               22 
               base bed plate 
             
             
               24 
               base leg plate 
             
             
               26 
               shaft hole 
             
             
               28 
               rib 
             
             
               30 
               base leg front edge 
             
             
               32 
               back plate 
             
             
               34 
               cradle support 
             
             
               35 
               notch 
             
             
               36 
               alignment lip 
             
             
               38 
               clamp arm 
             
             
               39 
               rod clamp arm 
             
             
               40 
               clamp arm slot 
             
             
               41 
               flange lug 
             
             
               42 
               handle cross bar 
             
             
               44 
               axle shaft 
             
             
               45 
               axle pin 
             
             
               46 
               pressure plate 
             
             
               48 
               pressure bar 
             
             
               49 
               alternate pressure bar 
             
             
               50 
               pressure bar taper 
             
             
               52 
               pressure wedge 
             
             
               53 
               screw clamp 
             
             
               54 
               paper stack 
             
             
               55 
               grip clamp 
             
             
               56 
               paint brush 
             
             
               58 
               spacer plate 
             
             
               60 
               base plate assembly 
             
             
               70 
               back plate assembly 
             
             
               80 
               clamp arm assembly 
             
             
               90 
               rod clamp arm assembly 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, set forth the preferred embodiment of the present invention in such a manner that anyone with ordinary skill can make and use the invention. The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is the best method envisioned by the inventor for use in a home and office environment, although it should be understood that various modifications can be accomplished within the scope of the present invention. 
   Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , the foldable paper padding press (device  20 ) is for padding paper  54  and other sheet material, comprising three assemblies: a base plate assembly  60  which provides a stationary platform, a back plate assembly  70  which provides for paper alignment, a clamping arm assembly  80  for compressing paper  54 . Other components include a pressure plate  46 , a pressure bar  48 , two wedges  52  and spacer plates, which operate in conjunction with the clamp arm assembly  80 . 
   The base plate assembly  60  comprises a base bed plate  22  with two base leg plates  24  rigidly attached orthogonally to the bottom of the base bed plate  22 . The base leg plates  24  are of a polygon shape so the base bed plate  22  is resting on table or desk top at an inclined angle to horizontal. The base leg plates  24  may also be rectangular whereby the base bed plate  22  will rest parallel to the table or desk top. Each base leg plate  24  has a shaft hole  26  disposed therein, wherein an axle shaft  44  freely rotates. 
   The back plate assembly  70  is the means for aligning the paper stack  54  and other sheet material ( FIG. 2 ). The back plate assembly  70  comprises a back plate  32  with two cradle supports  34 , rigidly attached to the back plate  32 , constructed so that the cradle supports  34  fit outside of the base bed plate  22 . The cradle supports  34  protrude beyond the face of the back plate  32  forming an alignment lip  36 . Each cradle support  34  has a shaft hole  26  disposed therein, wherein the back plate assembly  70  is rotatably attached to the base plate assembly by a single axle shaft  44 . 
   As illustrated the base leg plates  24  and the cradle supports  34  are all rigidly attached to their respective panels by any appropriate method. The cradle supports  34  hold the back plate assembly  70  perpendicular to the base plate assembly  60  when it is positioned for loading paper or other sheet material as shown in  FIG. 5 . The back plate assembly  70  rotates forward and backward from the loading position. 
   The clamp arm assembly  80  comprises two clamp arms  38  and a cross bar handle  42 . The cross bar handle  42  is rigidly connected to the two clamp arms  38 . Each clamp arm  38  has a longitudinal slot  40  disposed therein. The clamp arms  38  are rigidly attached to a single axle shaft  44  in the final assembly of the device  20 . The axle shaft  44  extends through the shaft holes  26  of the back plate assembly  70  and the base plate assembly  60 . The shaft holes  26  are disposed within each assembly  60  and  70  at a position that allows for perfect alignment of the respective assemblies and accommodates proper rotation thereof. A pressure plate  46  fits inside between the clamp arms  38 . The pressure bar  48  can be rigidly attached to the pressure plate  46  or be separate. The pressure bar  48  projects beyond the ends of the pressure plate  46  to fit into the slots  40  of the clamp arms  38 , thus is transversely positioned in the clamp arms  38 . Further, the pressure bar  48  ends can be square or tapered at the top edge, as indicated by numeral  50 . The pressure wedges  52  are polygon shaped thereby they provide pressure between the top of the clamp arm slots  40  and the pressure bar  48  when they are inserted in the clamp arm slots  40  and forced inward toward the center of the assembly. The clamp arm assembly rotates forward and backward around the base plate assembly. 
   The drawing figures refer to the panel components and attachment as if constructed of wood. Anyone ordinarily skilled in the art would know that other types of material such as metal or plastic could be used with appropriate attachments. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates the device  20  with the three assemblies  60 ,  70 ,  80  rotatably attached. Once assembled the single axle shaft  44  is rigidly attached to the clamp arms  38 , wherein the single axle shaft  44  rotates in the respective shaft holes  26  of the base plate assembly  60  and the back plate assembly  70 , allowing the back plate assembly  70  and the clamp arm assembly  80  to freely rotate around the base plate assembly  60 . The clamp arm assembly  80  rotates 360° around the base plate assembly  60  and the back plate assembly rotates approximately 270° from forward to backward on the base plate assembly  60 . 
   An alternate method of rotatably attaching the clamping assembly  80  to the base plate assembly  60  is by individual axle pins  45  rigidly attached to each clamp arm  38  as illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
     FIG. 3  is a side section view of the inventive embodiment taken along lines A-A as shown in  FIG. 2 , excluding the paper stack  54 . The view illustrates the position of a rib  28  rigidly attached to the bottom rear of the base bed plate  22 . This rib  28  minimizes deflection of the base bed plate  22  when under compression. The pressure bar  48  freely traverses up or down in clamp arm slots  40 . 
     FIG. 4  is a front view of the device  20  illustrating the assembled position of the base leg plates  24 , the cradle supports  34 , the clamp arms  38 , the rib  28  and the single axle shaft  44 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the device  20  is shown positioned for loading a paper stack  54 . The clamp arm assembly  80  is rotated back to rest flat on the work top surface where it is out of the way while paper  54  is being stacked on the device  20 . The back plate assembly  70  is positioned with the back plate  32  perpendicular to the base bed plate  22  and maintains that position by the cradle arms  34 . The paper stack  54  is placed on the base bed plate  22  and is aligned between the alignment lips  36  of the back plate assembly  70 . 
   With paper  54  aligned, the clamp arm assembly  80  is rotated so that the pressure plate  46  is parallel to the paper stack  54  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The pressure plate  46  and the pressure bar  48  both slide down to rest on the paper stack  54 . Pressure wedges  52  are inserted into the slots  40  engaging against the compression taper  50  of the pressure bar  48  and the top of the slots  40 . 
     FIG. 7  shows pressure wedges  52  fully inserted in the clamp arm slots  40 , wherein the pressure wedges  52  exert pressure on the pressure bar  48  compressing the pressure plate  46  against the paper stack  54 . The pressure wedges  52  can be tapped into the slots  40  with the palm of the hands. 
   In  FIG. 8  is shown the device  20  rotated to rest on the face edge of the base leg front edges  30 . The back plate assembly  70  is rotated backward and away from the paper stack  54  exposing the compressed paper stack  54  edges. The edges of the horizontally positioned compressed paper stack  54  are ready to be coated with adhesive. This is the best position for applying adhesive compound to the compressed paper stack  54  edges, whereby preventing liquid adhesive from running or dripping. The brush  56  illustrates applying adhesive padding compound. 
   After the adhesive compound has cured the loaded device  20  is returned to the loading position and the pressure wedges  52  are released. This can be accomplished by wiggling the pressure wedges  52  loose. The padded paper  54  is removed and the device  20  is ready for another load of paper  54 , or for storage. 
     FIG. 9  illustrates the process for storing the device  20 . The pressure plate  46  is held to the top of the slots  40  in the clamp arms  38  and is then rotated forward till the edge of the pressure plate  46  rests against the base leg front edges  30  of the base legs  24 . Next the back plate assembly  70  is rotated forward and rests upon the base bed plate  22  of the base plate assembly  60 . 
     FIG. 10  illustrates the device  20  fully folded with the pressure wedges  52  placed in position for storage. Folding the device  20  reduces the space it occupies by approximately two thirds. 
   When varying heights of paper stacks  54  are to be compressed as shown in  FIG. 11 , one or more auxiliary spacer plates  58  are placed between the pressure plate  46  and the paper stack  54 , thereby maintaining the correct spacing between the top of the clamp arms slots  40  and the top of the pressure bar  48  for the insertion of the pressure wedges  52 . 
     FIG. 12  illustrates an alternate method of compressing the paper stack  54 . A flange lug  41  is added to the bottom of the clamp arms  38  and an alternate pressure bar  49  without the taper  50  protrudes beyond the clamp arms  38 , wherein screw or grip clamps  55  can be engaged from the flange lug  41  to the pressure bar  49  and tightened thereon. Another method is to extend the axle shaft  44  beyond the clamp arms  38  in lieu of the flange lug  41 . 
   If it is desirable to remove the back plate assembly  70  and the clamp arm assembly  80  from the base plate assembly  60  at the axle shaft  44 , it can be accomplished by providing a notch  35  to the holes  26  in the cradle supports  34  and a notch  35  to the holes  26  of the clamp arms  38  of the respective assemblies  70  and  80  as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . In this configuration the axle shaft  44  is rigidly connected to the back plate assembly  70  or the base plate assembly  60 . 
   It would be evident to anyone ordinarily skilled in the art that there are different means of compressing the paper stack  54  in the scope of the clamp arm assembly  80 .  FIG. 15  illustrates one such means with an alternate rod clamp arm assembly  90 . This assembly  90  introduces a rod clamp arm  39  rigidly attached to the axle shaft  44 , wherein transversely affixed to the rod clamp arms  39  are screw clamps  53  or grip clamps  55 . Screw clamps  53  or grip clamps  55  are positioned onto the pressure plate  46  and hand tightened, compressing the paper stack  54  as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     FIG. 17  shows the device  20  folded with the rod clamp arm assembly  90 . 
     FIG. 18  illustrates an alternate means of rotatably connecting the clamp arm assembly  80  to the base plate assembly  60  using axle pins  45  rigidly attached to each clamp arm  38 , in lieu of a single axle shaft  44 . 
     FIGS. 19 ,  20 ,  21  illustrations are similar to  FIGS. 15 ,  16 ,  17  wherein the screw clamp  53  is replaced with grip clamps  55 . 
     FIG. 22  shows another alternate means for pressing the paper stack  54 , wherein the alternate pressure bar  49  is used. The pressure plate  46  is placed on the top of the paper stack  54 . The alternate pressure bar  49  is slipped into the clamp arm slots  40  from one side until each end of the alternate pressure bar  49  is engaged in each clamp arm slot  40  of the clamp arm assembly  80 . The alternate pressure bar  49  can be of different widths and used single or in combination with a second pressure bar to accommodate various thicknesses of paper stacks  54 , thereby eliminating the use of spacer plates  58 . 
     FIG. 23  shows the device  20  with the wedges  52  inserted sufficiently to press the paper stack  54 , wherein the paper is ready to have the padding compound applied as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
   Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.