Pocket stamp

Abstract

 The problem of providing a self-inking stamp of lightweight, compact and simplified construction, in which accidental inking is prevented, is solved in a pocket stamp which has a stamping member (10), the base of which is adapted to carry a stamping pad (28), and which is removably snugly locatable inside a case member (12). A handle member (14) is secured to the stamping member (10), the base of which carries an inking pad (32), and catch means (16, 24, 26) are provided, to secure the stamping member (10) within the case member (12). Spring means (34) are used to retain the stamping member (10) in a rest position in which it is retained by the catch means (16, 24, 26), whereby the stamping pad (28) is just out of engagement with the inking pad (32), but permitting the stamping member (10) to be pushed from the rest position, against the spring means (34), such that the stamping pad (28) engages the inking pad (32). A stamping pad (28) may be prepared and supplied separately to the user who can then secure it to the base of the stamping member (10), for instance by adhesive.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a self-inking stamp comprising a stamping member, the base of which is adapted to carry a stamping pad; a handle member secured to the stamping member; and an integral inking pad.

[0002] In known stamps of the above type, the inking pad is located behind and in contact with the rear face of the stamping member so that the stamping pad is permanently inked, the stamping member being held, in a recessed position, in a framework which has an open face, which face is laid on the surface to be stamped and through which the stamping pad is brought into contact with that surface. Whilst the stamping member and pad is spring-loaded, this is used only to bring the stamping member and pad into contact with the surface to be stamped, when the stamp is being used. In some instances, a removable cover is used to protect the stamping pad when not in use. In an alternative arrangement, a separate inking pad is provided within the body of the stamp, with the embossed face of the stamping pad normally in contact with the inking pad but, during the course of the stamping operation, being moved away from the inking pad and rotated through 180^o and brought into contact with the surface to be stamped.

[0003] Such devices are made of several different plastics and metal parts which have to be manufactured separately and then assembled. In addition, none is really aimed at the domestic as opposed to the commercial user and intended to be carried around by that user, for instance in a pocket or a briefcase, so no great attention is paid to the prevention of accidental inking or stamping of surrounding items or the provision of a compact, streamlined product. Furthermore, provision of a prepared stamping pad is an involved procedure.

[0004] The invention as claimed is intended to remedy these drawbacks. It solves the problem of the multiplicity of parts by using fewer parts which may all be moulded from plastics materials and which may be easily assembled to give a final product which is compact and lightweight. In addition, accidental stamping or inking is prevented by providing a removable case, to protect the stamping pad. The obtention of a prepared stamping pad is also simplified.

[0005] Accordingly, the present invention provides a stamp of the above type characterised in that the stamp is a pocket stamp and in that it additionally comprises:

(a) a case member, in the base of which is the inking pad, and into which the stamping member is removably snugly locatable, and from which the handle member protrudes when the stamping member is fully located therein;

(b) catch means for removably securing the stamping member within the case member; and

(c) spring means to retain the stamping member, when secured by the catch means, in a rest position whereby the stamping pad is just out of engagement with the inking pad, but permitting the stamping member to be pushed from the rest position, against the spring means such that the stamping pad engages the inking pad.

[0006] One form of pocket stamp according to the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a front view of the pocket stamp;

Fig. 2 shows an end view of the pocket stamp;

Fig. 3 shows a front view of the pocket stamp, with the case member shown in cross-section, to reveal the whole front view of the stamping member;

Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view on the line IV-IV of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 shows a front view of an inking-pad container and spring normally contained within the case member;

Fig. 6 shows an end view of the inking-pad container and spring;

Figs.7A - 7D show perspective views of the pocket stamp illustrating its mode of use; and

Fig. 8 shows an exploded view of the stamping member and the handle member.

[0007] The pocket stamp comprises a stamping member 10 removably snugly locatable within a hollow case 12. A handle member 14 is secured to the stamping member 10 and protrudes from the case 12 when the stamping member is located therein.

[0008] The stamping member 10 includes two opposing wedge-­shaped catches 16 (see Figs. 3 and 4) each located at the end of a respective prong 18, which in turn is centrally located within the respective side wall of the stamping member 10. The top end of each prong 18 co-operates with a respective button 20, each centrally located within the respective side wall of the handle member 14 and hingedly secured thereto by a thin web 22. When the stamping member 10 is secured within the case 12, each wedge-shaped catch 16 is located within a respective recess 24 (see Fig. 4) in the respective inner side wall of the case 12 and engages behind a respective lug 26 above such a recess 24. Depression of the two buttons 20 causes pivoting of the two prongs 18 thus releasing the two wedge-shaped catches 16 from the lugs 26 and enabling the stamping member 10 to be removed from the case 12.

[0009] The base of the stamping member 10 carries an embossed stamping pad 28, carrying an embossing of, for example, a name and address. The stamping pad 28 may, for example, be adhesively secured to the base of the stamping member 10.

[0010] Contained in the base of the case 12 is an inking-pad container and spring integral therewith, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The inking-pad container 30 is an open flat rectangular hollow box filled with an inking pad 32 (see Figs. 3 and 4). The spring 34 comprises two opposed, resiliently flexible, arcuate members 36, each centrally secured to a respective side wall of the inking-pad 30 container at 38, with the two arcuate members 36 being joined together at each end by a respective cross-bar 40.

[0011] When the stamping member 10 is secured within the case 12, by means of the catches 16, the spring serves to retain the stamping member 10 in its rest position (see Figs. 1-4), whereby the stamping pad 28 is raised above the inking pad 32 and the catches 16 abut the lugs 26. The stamping member 10 can, however, be pushed against the spring, fully into the case 12, in order to engage the stamping pad 28 with the inking pad 32. During such movement, the arcuate members 36 become somewhat flattened and the catches 16 slide downward within the respective recesses 24. On the release of pressure, the resilient arcuate members 36 will return the stamping member 10 to its rest position, with the catches 16 abutting the lugs 26.

[0012] When not in use, the stamping member 10 is stored within the case 12 in the rest position as described above. To use the stamp, the stamping member 10 is pushed fully into the case 12 (Fig. 7A) in order to ink the stamping pad 28 by pressing it against the inking pad 32. The two buttons 20 are then depressed (Fig. 7B) in order to release the catches 16 from the lugs 26, enabling the stamping member 10 to be removed from the case 12 (Fig. 7C), so that the stamping pad 28 can be pressed onto a sheet of paper to print an impression thereon (Fig. 7D).

[0013] The pocket stamp according to the invention is compact and can readily be carried in a pocket, briefcase, or the like without risk of ink leakage because both the stamping pad and the inking pad are enclosed within the case. The stamp is also of simple construction, comprising only four separate parts: the stamping member 10, the case 12, the handle member 14, and the inking-pad container 30 and integral spring 34, all of which can readily be moulded from plastics materials, and be assembled simply by pushing them together. The pocket stamp can thus be manufactured inexpensively.

[0014] The stamp can be manufactured, and if desired sold, without a stamping pad 28, and a stamping pad 28 prepared according to the user's individual requirements can then be prepared and can readily be adhesively secured to the base of the stamping member 10 by the user. This can be particularly convenient for a domestic user, as the stamp may be displayed in a shop to attract potential users, and a prepared stamping pad 28 then sent directly to the user, via the post, in response to the user's particular requirements, thereby requiring less work by the retailer. In comparison known devices are usually prepared to order, with the whole of the stamp, including the prepared stamping pad 28, having to be then sent to the user.

Claims

1. A self-inking stamp comprising a stamping member (10), the base of which is adapted to carry a stamping pad (28); a handle member (14) secured to the stamping member (10); and an integral inking pad (32); characterised in that the stamp is a pocket stamp and in that it additionally comprises:

(a) a case member (12), in the base of which is the inking pad (32), and into which the stamping member (10) is removably snugly locatable, and from which the handle member (14) protrudes when the stamping member (10) is fully located therein;

(b) catch means (16, 24, 26) for removably securing the stamping member (10) within the case member (12); and

(c) spring means (34) to retain the stamping member (10), when secured by the catch means (16, 24, 26), in a rest position whereby the stamping pad (28) is just out of engagement with the inking pad (32), but permitting the stamping member (14) to be pushed from the rest position, against the spring means (34) such that the stamping pad (28) engages the inking pad (32).

2. A pocket stamp as claimed in claim 1 in which the catch means (16, 24, 26) comprises two opposing wedge-shaped catches (16) each of which is located at the end of a respective prong (18), which in turn is centrally located within the respective side wall of the stamping member (10) and each of which catch (16) is, when the stamping member (10) is secured within the case (12), located within a respective recess (24) in the respective inner side wall of the case (12) and engages behind a respective lug (26) above such a recess (24).

3. A pocket stamp as claimed in claim 2 in which the top end of each prong (18) co-operates with a respective button (20), each centrally located within the respective side wall of the handle member (14) and hingedly secured thereto by a thin web (22).

4. A pocket stamp as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the base of the case (12) contains an inking-pad container (30) and a spring (34) integral therewith.

5. A pocket stamp as claimed in claim 4 in which the spring (34) comprises two opposed, resiliently flexible, arcuate members (36), each centrally secured to a respective side wall of the inking pad container (30) at (38), with the two arcuate members (36) being joined together at each end by a respective cross-bar (40).

6. A pocket stamp as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the stamping member (10) carries a stamping pad (28).

Drawing