Patent ID: 7536952

Claim:
A stamping system for forming a continuous image on an image surface, the stamping system comprising: a handle assembly comprising first and second pairs of guide walls, where the first and second pairs of guide walls define first and second cartridge channels, respectively, and at least one of the guide walls defines a latch portion; stamp wheel rotatably attached to the handle assembly, where the stamp wheel defines a stamp surface; and an inking system comprising a cartridge assembly comprising an inking member defining a through-hole and first and second side surfaces, an axle comprising a center portion and first and second flange portions, where axle supports the inking member such that the center portion lies within the through-hole and the first and second flange portions extend at least partly along the first and second side surfaces, and a housing member for supporting the axle for movement relative to the handle assembly, where first and second rails extend from the housing member, and a biasing assembly supported by the handle assembly for applying a force on the housing member; whereby the first and second cartridge channels receive the first and second rails such that the cartridge assembly moves between operational and storage positions relative to the handle assembly; when the cartridge assembly is in the storage position, at least one of the first and second rails engage the latch portion to space the inking member from the stamp wheel against the force of the biasing assembly; and when the cartridge assembly is in the operational position, the first and second rails are disengaged from the latch portion such that the biasing assembly forces the inking member into contact with the stamp wheel.