Patent ID: 7104192

Claim:
A combination comprising: a first die having a first raised male portion projecting outwardly therefrom; a second die having a first recessed female portion formed therein, the first recessed female portion of said second die being sized and shaped to receive therewithin the first raised male portion of said first die for embossing a sheet material located between said first and second dies in response to a compressive force applied thereto; a first backing member carrying said first die; a second backing member carrying said second die and pivotally coupled to said first backing member; an integral hinge by which said first and second backing members are pivotally coupled to one another, said integral hinge establishing a single pivot axis along the interface between said first and second backing members around which said first and second backing members rotate relative to one another; and each of said first and second backing members having a recessed cavity formed therein, and said first and second dies being received within and fixedly connected to respective ones of said recessed cavities, said integral hinge preventing said first and second backing members from shifting relative to one another and the receipt and affixation of said first and second dies within said recessed cavities preventing said first and second dies from moving relative to one another, whereby the first raised male portion of said first die is automatically positioned and accurately aligned for a close tolerance fit within the first recessed female portion of said second die when said first and second backing members are rotated towards one another at said integral hinge therebetween so as to lie one above the other to thereby prevent damage to the first raised male portion and the first recessed female portion when said first raised male portion is received within said first recessed female portion.