초록 ▼

A punch/emboss tool is provided that accepts interchangeable insert sets. A punch insert set consists of one punch and one die that cooperate to punch out a particular design in sheet material, such as paper. Similarly, an emboss insert set consists of one emboss die and one emboss die counter that

A punch/emboss tool is provided that accepts interchangeable insert sets. A punch insert set consists of one punch and one die that cooperate to punch out a particular design in sheet material, such as paper. Similarly, an emboss insert set consists of one emboss die and one emboss die counter that cooperate to emboss a particular design. Once loaded in the tool, one half of the insert set is fixed relative to the tool. The other half is slidably aligned to the first half by a non-circular bore. The sheet material is inserted into a slit in the tool, between the two cooperating inserts. An actuating lever presses on the sliding half of the insert set with some mechanical advantage to the user. When a user presses the actuating lever, the two halves of the aligned insert set cooperate to form a punched or embossed design on the sheet material.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An improved hand-operated punch/emboss tool, comprising: a frame defining two bore portions that do not move relative to each other and are shaped to hold an interchangeable insert set, the set including two separated parts that cooperate to either punch or emboss a particular design on a thin

1. An improved hand-operated punch/emboss tool, comprising: a frame defining two bore portions that do not move relative to each other and are shaped to hold an interchangeable insert set, the set including two separated parts that cooperate to either punch or emboss a particular design on a thin sheet of material when they are driven into engagement from opposite sides of the sheet of material, and wherein both bore portions are shaped to releasably hold one part of the set, for easy interchange of one set with another, but in a manner so that one part of the set may be driven co-axially within, and guided by the bores portion in which it resides, toward and away from the other part of the set, and a hand-operated lever rotatably connected to the frame for driving the parts of the set together into engagement, the lever having a portion that is shaped to be in driving contact with one part of the set when the lever is in an operative position, and further, the lever being rotatable connected to the frame in a manner so that the lever can be swung open to allow the part of the set that it drives to be inserted in or removed from its respective bore portion. 2. The improvement of claim 1, wherein each frame bore portion includes a non-circular shape for slidingly mating with an outer surface of one part of the insert set, in a manner so as to prevent axial rotation of each part of the insert set within its respective frame bore portion.3. The improvement of claim 2, wherein each bore portion has a square shape.4. The improvement of claim 1, including a spring positioned within one of the bore portions and biased to slide one part of the set away from the other.5. An improved hand-operated punch/emboss tool, comprising: a frame defining two end portions that do not move relative to each other, the end portions being shaped to hold an interchangeable insert set, the set including two separated parts that cooperate to either punch or emboss a particular design on a thin sheet of material when they are driven into engagement from opposite sides of the sheet of material, and wherein the end portions are shaped to releasably hold the set, in a manner so that one part of the set may be driven and guided by the end portion that holds it, to co-axially slide toward and away from the other part of the set, and further, the two end portions of the frame are supported by upper and lower elongated frame beams, the frame beams being of sufficient length such that the interchangeable insert set can reach the middle of a conventional sheet of paper, and still further, a hand-operated lever rotatably connected to the frame for driving the parts of the set together into engagement, the lever having a portion that is shaped to be in driving contact with one part of the set when the lever is in an operative position, and further, the lever being rotatably connected to the frame in a manner so that the lever can be swung open to allow the part of the set that it drives to be inserted in or removed from its respective end portion. 6. The improvement of claim 5, including a spring arranged relative to one of the end portions and biased to slide one part of the set away from the other.