Abstract:
This apparatus is small, compact, and light-weight, relatively inexpensive in terms of manufacturing cost, and will substantially improve the quality of a stamped image, also used for repetitive printing on individual sheets of card stock or any flat printable surface, in the same pre-determined location, set be the user, which provides maximum flexibility in arrangement and adjustment to permit the apparatus to be used with various sizes of stamps, and various types of card stock and to be used to make a consistent inked impression at virtually any location on selected card stock.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Prior Art 
       [0001]    Handheld stamps have been used for years to imprint words and images onto paper and have become the mainstay of many greeting card creators. Generally, stamping comprises of three-step process: first, the application of ink via an ink pad or roller to the stamp. Second, the positioning of the stamp in the general area chosen by creator and third, pressing the inked stamp firmly onto paper or specific medium. 
         [0002]    The transfer process generally provides an acceptable image with relatively modest applied pressure. However, several problems are encountered as complexity or size of the transfer image and location of the stamp onto the paper surface. Amongst these problems are ink coverage that may be less-than-complete, resulting in a stamped image that is also incomplete or with varied ink density. Mainly, this issue is attributed to ink pad distribution inconsistencies caused by ink roller unevenness (pressure or ink coverage), or a creator&#39;s own inability to judge the ink coverage of the stamp. 
         [0003]    Furthermore, manually applied pressure to the stamp may be uneven across the total area of a stamp-paper interface, thus resulting in the stamped image density that varies according to local pressure applied. For example, the left side of a stamp image may be lighter than the right side if creator applied more pressure to the right side of the stamp, hence, manually applying proper pressure evenly across a large stamp, often requiring much practice or trial-and-error, thereby requiring large quantities of ink and supplies. 
         [0004]    In addition, the stamp itself may be uneven across its inking surface, thus the density of applied ink may be proportional to the relative height of the stamp surface to paper. For example, an uneven stamp can print an uneven image (with regard to image density). Said problem is exacerbated by the use of large stamps, wherein tight in-plane tolerances must be met over proportionally large area. 
         [0005]    Also, by manually positioning the stamp via measuring the location on the card or print medium using a ruler or other measuring device and marking its location within an area that the image is desired, this is very time consuming. 
         [0006]    Another problem appears when a repetitive operation is required and thus consistency in the image produced. Namely, were a greeting card creator must reproduce numerous amount of identical cards, with the same image, same density, and at the same location on the card or print medium. The present solution to repetitive operation is as follows; the greeting card creator must plot on each card or print medium, the location of the image by measuring its location each and every time the image is required. Again, greeting card creator must address aforementioned problems, which often require much practice or trial-and-error, thereby resulting in the use of large quantities of ink and supplies. 
         [0007]    The aforementioned problems are alleviated, at least in part, by the use of a manually operated printing press wherein a stamp is inked then subsequently placed in a vise-like apparatus that applies heavy pressure to the stamp-paper interface. This method is, of course, hundreds of years old, and the fundamental practice remains unchanged. 
         [0008]    While said printing method works well for professional stamper, many stamping hobbyists cannot afford the often-bulky and precision-made printing press. Although inexpensive versions of printing presses are commercially available, many of these products are prone to image quality issues that are evident with manual stamping methods; i.e., if ink distribution is uneven across a stamp, the resulting stamped image will also be uneven. This problem is compounded by the use of large or complex stamps. 
         [0009]    Some greeting card creators have used a simple fold-over method for manually printing small quantities of greeting cards. This method begins by folding a blank greeting card in half, then applying ink to the stamp, roughly aligning the edges of the paper with the edges of the inked stamp, and finally, subsequently uses fingertips pressure to transfer the inked image to the greeting card front cover. Although this manual method can ameliorate the problems of uneven stamp surface and provide, with practice, a more-consistent image, it does not eliminate them. Several problems still remain. The first lies within the re-inking of a stamp—if required to correct a spotty image—is not practical (paper and stamp would likely be misaligned on second printing). The second is the precise positioning of the stamp in which the stamped image needs to be roughly the size of the greeting card. For example, centering a small image on a large card can be rather difficult. Lastly, the method is still get-it-right-the-first-time technique, in which inadequate pressure may result in the rejection of the finished product. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    In accordance with one embodiment, the traditional manual methods require much practice, and large printing presses are expensive. Many stamping hobbyist simply avoid large and complex stamps. Present embodiment solves the aforementioned stamp problems, by the printing apparatus as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS— 
       Figures 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of a preferred embodiment of this invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a view in detail of portion indicated by the section lines  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a view in detail of portion indicated by the section lines  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a view in detail of portion indicated by the section lines  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a view in detail of portion indicated by the section lines  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0016]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 Bed 
                 11 
                 Grid Lines 
               
               
                 12 
                 Slider Thumbscrew 
                 13 
                 Slider 
               
               
                 14 
                 Slider Nut 
                 15 
                 Vertical Ruler 
               
               
                 16 
                 Vertical T-slot 
                 17 
                 Horizontal Ruler 
               
               
                 18 
                 Horizontal T-slot 
                 19 
                 Boss 
               
               
                 20 
                 Boss Groove 
                 21 
                 Boss Pin 
               
               
                 22 
                 Support Shaft 
                 23 
                 Guide 
               
               
                 24 
                 Guide Groove 
                 25 
                 Plunger 
               
               
                 26 
                 Plunger Cap 
                 27 
                 Guide Pin 
               
               
                 28 
                 Rotator 
                 29 
                 Indicator 
               
               
                 30 
                 Screw 
                 31 
                 Gauge Spring 
               
               
                 32 
                 Gauge Sleeve 
                 33 
                 Reference Ring 
               
               
                 34 
                 Upper Plate 
                 35 
                 Lower Plate 
               
               
                 36 
                 Lever 
                 37 
                 Inner Finger 
               
               
                 38 
                 Outer Finger 
                 39 
                 Shaft Nut 
               
               
                 40 
                 Washer 
                 41 
                 Shaft Spring 
               
               
                 42 
                 Bed Cavity 
                 43 
                 Stamp 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     First Embodiment—FIG.  1   
       [0017]    Referring to the perspective view  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of my invention as comprising of a flat bed  10  adapted to receive and support one sheet of paper stock, or one envelope, or one blank form, or other medium upon which the printed impression is to be made on by means of paper stock alignment and securing it to bed  10 , a plunger  25  by means to make the impression, and means to apply ink to stamp  43 . 
         [0018]    To facilitate accurate positioning of the sheet of paper stock, imprinted on the upper hard smooth surface of the bed  10  are appropriate grid lines  11 . Said grid lines  11 , commencing at four centimeter from bed  10  edge with interval of one-millimeter and parallel to vertical T-slot  16  and horizontal T-slot  18 . Numerical graduation index are imprinted on bed  10  surface, reading horizontally left to right and vertically top to bottom. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , this embodiment requires two of slider  13 , which are constructive identically; hence, one is used for longitude travel in horizontal T-slot  18  and the other travels latitude in vertical T-slot  16 . Vertical ruler  15  is sandwich between slider  13 , which travels latitude in vertical T-slot  16  and the surface of said bed  10 . Horizontal ruler  17  is sandwich between slider  13 , which travels longitude in horizontal T-slot  18  and the surface of said bed  10 . Both sliders and rulers are used to align said paper stock, in the predetermined location and to maintain that position for image transfer. This predetermine location will allow the user to perform repetitive stamping operation on a consecutive sheet of paper stock with out any further alignment of said sliders or rulers. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , as stated, said slides  13  accompanying said vertical ruler  15  and said horizontal ruler  17  are adjustably secured to said bed  10 . The adjustable securing means includes slider thumbscrew  12 , slider  13 , and slider nut  14 . The slider  13  is rectangular form, having width and thickness dimension selected to make a freely sliding fit within the narrow portion of the T-slots. The sliders are made of sufficient length to freely slide within the slot without turning or binding, and are preferably given the length of the eight-millimeter plus the width of said ruler. 
         [0021]    At the center of each slider  13  a threaded slider thumbscrew  12  extends downwardly through appropriate opening in the under side of the slider  13  as illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  to pass through the narrow portion of the T-slot. The slider thumbscrew  12  is received by the slider nut  14  within the bottom cross bar portion of the T-slot. Hence, by manipulation of the slider thumbscrew  12  in a clockwise rotation, the slider nut  14  is drawn upwards to engage with the underside of that portion of the material of the bed  10 , which overhangs the wide part of the T-slot. Hence, the slider and ruler are securely clamped to the upper surface of said bed  10 . By turning slider thumbscrew  12  counterclockwise, this releases said slider, hence allowing said slider to slide freely within the T-slot. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , said horizontal T-slot  18  commencing four centimeters from corner opposite boss  19  and two centimeters parallel along longitude edge of said bed  10  at right angle to the latitude edge. Horizontal T-slot  18  which extending three quarters of the longitude length of said bed  10 . T-slot width will accommodate slider  13 . 
         [0023]    Again, referring to  FIG. 1 , said vertical T-slot  16  commencing four centimeter from corner opposite boss  19  and two centimeters parallel along latitude edge of said bed  10  at right angle to the longitude edge. Vertical T-slot  16  which extending three quarters of the latitude length of said bed  10 . T-slot width will accommodate slider  13 . 
         [0024]    The inked impression is made by a conventional stamp, which is available commercially, and comes in different sizes and images, is being illustration in  FIG. 1  indicated generally by reference character  43 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the stamp  43  is supported between movable inner finger  37 , which slides through movable outer finger  38 . Both fingers are of the same thickness. By means of rotating lever  36  clockwise, causing lower plate  35  to be drawing up into upper plate  34 , hence, sandwiching inner finger  37  and outer finger  38  in a vise grip action between plates, hence securing stamp  43  firmly in position. By rotating lever  36  counterclockwise releasing lower plate  35 , allowing inner finger  37 , and outer finger  38  to slide freely apart between upper plates  34  and lower plate  35 , hence releasing stamp  43 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 , rotator  28  is machined from a sold piece of material, which fits partially into plunger  25 , below guide pin  27 . Upper plate  34  is fixed by means of two screws  30  that act as guide pins. The screws  30  pass through the rotator  28  and are allowed to slide freely in the rotator  28  but are secured to the upper plate  34  with a gap of 10 mm between rotator  28  and upper plate  34 . A gauge spring  31  of low straight is placed in between the rotator  28 , upper plate  34  and inside gauge sleeve  32 . Gauge sleeve  32  is constructed from the same material and thickness as guide  23  with a height of 12 mm. The gauge sleeve  32  sits freely around rotator  28  and in contact with upper plate  34 . Reference ring  33  fits snugly around rotator  28  above gauge sleeve  32 . Downwards force that is applied by the user onto plunger cap  26  and at the moment when the stamp  43  comes in contact with ether the ink pad or print stock, gauge sleeve  32  is moved upwards making contact with reference ring  33 , hence moving it up the indicator  29  to indicate desired pressure. 
         [0026]    Once downward force on plunger cap  26  is reversed, plunger spring, (not shown) which sits on guide pin  27  inside said plunger  25  and upper portion of plunger spring is in contact with plunger cap  26  again inside said plunger  25 , provides pressure that will return plunger  25  upwards to its neutral state and the gauge spring  31  between rotator  28  and upper plate  34  will push rotator  28  and upper plate  34  apart. The reference ring  33  will remain in its position as the gauge sleeve  32  is no longer making contact with it and resting on upper plate  34 . Reference ring  37  will indicate on the indicator  29 , the amount of pressure that was applied. 
         [0027]    The rotator  28  can execute a three hundred sixty degree rotation, horizontal to surface of said bed  10 . This allows the stamp  43  to be positioned at the user&#39;s desired angle, relative to both sliders  13 . 
         [0028]    Securing users desired angles by means of turning plunger cap  26  clockwise, drawing up tension rod, (not shown), which will drawing rotator  28  into plunger  25  securing rotator  28  in the predetermined alignment. The tension rod passes through plunger spring, (not shown), and will not interfere with plunger  25  vertical movements. The tension rod is threaded at both ends. One end of the tension rod is threaded into plunger cap  26  and allowed to turn. The other end is threaded into rotator  28  and is secured from movement. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , plunger  25  extends through guide  23  and is held in check by guide pin  27 . Said plunger  25  downward depth movement is pre-set by the length of guide groove  24 . Guide groove  24  has the width of guide pin  27 . There are two grooves opposite each other and there length will allow the stamp  43  to make contact with said bed  10 , once said stamp  43  is secured between inner finger  37  and outer finger  38 . Upward force is provided by plunger spring, (not shown), which sits on guide pin  27  inside said plunger  25  and upper portion of plunger spring is in contact with plunger cap  26  again inside said plunger  25 , hence placing plunger  25  in operational position. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , support shaft  22  extends through boss  19  and bed  10  to bed cavity  42 , but not extending beyond bottom surface of bed  10 . Boss pin  21  is seated into boss groove  20  by shaft spring  41  which is sandwich between washers  40  secured by means of shaft nut  39  to threaded support shaft  22  end. Referring to  FIG. 1 , said support shaft  22  length allows said guide  23  to be center over said bed  10 . 
         [0031]    While various materials are suitable for making said bed  10 , plastic composition has the desired characteristics of strength, rigidity, lightweight, workability, allowing for smooth, hard exterior surface, at a low construction cost. The said bed  10  preferably length and width dimension are larger than the corresponding dimension of a sheet of stock paper to be imprinted by the user of the apparatus. Bed size of approximately twenty-five centimeter by thirty-eight centimeter provides an adequately large bed surface, while at the same time presenting length and width dimensions which are sufficiently small to allow the apparatus to be stored in a small space when not in use. Said plunger  25 , said guide  23 , and said support shaft  22  are preferably made of lightweight aluminum or some other lightweight material that provides straight and ease of manufacture. Slider  13 , inner finger  37 , and outer finger  38  preferably made from lightweight material. 
         [0032]    From the foregoing it will be observed that I have provided a stamping apparatus of extremely simple construction which is small, compact, and light-weight, and so arranged as to permit the apparatus to be manufactured at low cost. It will be noted that the stamp  43  may be interchanged with different stamps of different sizes and images, easily by merely releasing the lever  36 , spread the inner finger  37  and outer finger  38  outwards. Attention is directed particularly to the arrangement of vertical T-slot  16 , horizontal T-slot  18  and the mechanism used for adjustable slider  13  to bed  10 , as these features provide maximum flexibility in securing the arrangement that permit the apparatus to be used with various sizes and types of paper stock or other printable stock. Hence, making the inked impression virtually in any location on the selected printable stock that can fit on bed  10 . 
       Operation—First Embodiment—FIG.  1   
       [0033]    The user places paper stock on bed  10  under lower plate  35 . Once desired positioning of said paper stock is located, the user adjusts slider  13  in horizontal T-slot  18  and adjusts horizontal ruler  17  to extend and contact paper stock edge. The user then adjusts slider  13  in vertical T-slot  16  and adjusts vertical ruler  15  to extend and contact paper stock edge, hence, orienting paper stock parallel to bed  10  outer edges. This action secured the paper stock from moving on said bed  10 . 
         [0034]    The user select appropriate designed stamp  43 , said stamp  43  is then held between inner finger  37  and outer finger  38  under lower plate  35 . The user then applies pressure to the outside of said inner finger  37  and outer finger  38 , sandwiching said stamp  43 , then by means of rotating lever  36  this firmly securing stamp  43  in desired position. 
         [0035]    The user selects the desired orientation of said stamp  43  to said printable stock by means of rotating the rotator  28 . Then by turning means of plunger cap  26 , securing rotator  28  to plunger  25 , hence orienting said stamp  43  to printable stock. 
         [0036]    Said stamp  43 , will be understood that ink is applied of appropriate quantity to the stamp  43  image, as applied via an ink pad by two methods. One method is to place the ink pad directly under the stamp  43  on bed  10  surface without moving or disturbing any settings of the sliders and rulers, then applying downward force on plunger cap  26  to make contact of the stamp  43  with ink pad. The second method is by placing ink pad on the turning radius of support shaft  22 . Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , turning radius is accomplished by lifting support shaft  22  upwards against shaft spring  41  pressure, causing the releasing of boss pin  21  out of boss groove  20  located on top of boss  19 . Boss  19  is fixed to bed  10 . By rotating support shaft  22  away from bed  10 , one can align stamp  43  over ink pad. The user exerts downward fingertip force or other mechanical means, on plunger cap  26  causing plunger  25  to travel downwards through guide  23 . The user releases downward force causing plunger spring, (not shown) inside plunger  25  to return plunger  25  to its upward position. The user rotates support shaft  22  over bed  10 , again aligning boss pin  21  over boss groove  20 . Shaft spring  41  then forces boss pin  21  into boss groove  20 , once alignment is made, hence, returning support shaft  22  to original alignment. 
         [0037]    In both inking method, referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 , as stated above, the user will apply downward pressure onto the plunger cap  26 . Once stamp  43  comes in contact with the ink pad, gauge sleeve  32  starts to move up the indicator  29 . This is caused by the collapsing said gauge spring  31  located between rotator  28  and upper plate  34 . This movement causes said gauge sleeve  32  to slide the reference ring  33  upwards along the indicator  29 . Once the desired pressure has been reached, the user slowly releases the downward force and slowly allows the plunger  25  to rise to its neutral state. This causes the reference ring  33  to remain at its current position on the rotator  28 . The user will note the pressure that has been applied by the position of reference ring  33  on indicator  29 . The noted pressure will then be used to repeat the operation of image transfer in a repetitive operation, hence creating the same density by applying the same pressure on the stamp image onto the stock paper and ink pad. It will be understood that the user will manually move the reference ring  33  down the rotator  28  to make contact with gauge sleeve  33  whenever a new setting is required. 
         [0038]    For stamp image transfer, the user then exerts downward force on plunger cap  26  causing plunger  25  to travel downwards through guide  23 , until gauge sleeve  32  comes in contact with the reference ring  33 . At this point the downward forced is ceased and stamp image is transferred to the sheet of printing stock. The user slowly reverses the downward force, which slowly allows the plunger  25  to rise to its neutral state. This operation can be repeated with a new sheet of paper stock without re adjusting sliders and rulers for repetitive stamping. 
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
       [0039]    While in the foregoing a preference has been expressed for certain types of materials and for certain sizes and dimensions, it will be understood that other materials and other sizes and dimensions may be used without departing from the spirit of this embodiment. Accordingly, the reader will see that I have provided at least one embodiment of the stamp press that provides a more reliable, lightweight, yet economical device that can be used by persons of almost any age. While I have shown and described in the forgoing preferred embodiment of my invention, the same is not to be limited to the details illustrated and described, except as defined in the appended claims.