Abstract: The marking device has a housing supporting a marking head for movement longitudinally and laterally preselected amounts controlled by a pair of stepper motors. The marking head has a plurality of marking pins that are air actuated and controlled by appropriate solenoids. The marking device is arranged to move the head longitudinally in a raster pattern so that each of the pins is actuated to form a portion of a character upon longitudinal movement through a selected distance. The marking head is then moved to a parallel y axis and subsequently moved longitudinally in a reverse direction. During the movement in a reverse direction, all of the pins are actuated to form other portions of the characters in the array. With this arrangement, a plurality of characters are simultaneously formed by impressing dots on an object until the marking head moves forward and backward on different y axes to simultaneously form all of the characters in the array.

Abstract: A rotor supports a plurality of marking devices in spaced relation around the arcuate surface of an object to be marked which is fixed relative to the rotor. The rotor is mounted for rotation about an axis which is coaxial with an axis of the object to be marked. The rotor is also linearly movable on the axis. Each marking device includes a single impact pin positioned to extend and retract relative to the object to impress an identification mark, such as a dot, on the arcuate surface of the object. The impact pins are remotely controlled by a computer to inscribe on the object an array of dots in parallel rows to form desired programmed characters on the object. The impact pins are moved in a raster pattern by rotational and linear movement of the rotor in a preselected direction relative to the object. The impact pins are actuated to impress dots on the surface of the object in a first arcuate row.

Abstract: A plurality of individual marks are imprinted in the surface of an object to form a plurality of substantially linear, rectangular arrays of preselected width in the surface of the object. Each imprinted substantially linear, rectangular array is spaced a preselected distance from each adjacent imprinted, substantially linear, rectangular array to provide a space of preselected width. The preselected width substantially linear, rectangular arrays and preselected width spaces are combined in alternating fashion to provide a bar code message in the surface of the object.

Abstract: Apparatus for movably supporting an object to be marked which includes a fixed member with a table assembly movable reciprocally on the fixed member. The object to be marked is secured to a surface of the table. A marking device is supported on a U-shaped support member and a guide means is movably secured to the support member with the marking device pivotally mounted thereon. A first driving means moves the marking device linearly relative to the fixed member to apply a mark on the object and a second driving means moves the table relative to the fixed member to position the marking device. The support member is mounted either vertically or horizontally so that it can mark a vertical surface or a horizontal surface on the object.

Abstract: A marking device includes a plurality of individual marking pin assemblies. Each marking pin assembly is spaced an angular distance from each adjacent marking pin assembly in the marking device to form a generally fan-shaped array. An arcuate object to be marked by the marking device is placed on an object support plate. As the arcuate object is rotated on the object support plate, the plurality of marking pin assemblies in the marking device operate to selectively imprint a plurality of preselected characters in the circumference of the arcuate object.

Abstract: A marking device includes a plurality of individual marking pin assemblies. Each marking pin assembly is spaced an angular distance from each adjacent marking pin assembly in the marking device to form a generally fan-shaped array. An arcuate object to be marked by the marking device is placed on an object support plate. As the arcuate object is rotated on the object support plate, the plurality of marking pin assemblies in the marking device operate to selectively imprint a plurality of preselected characters in the circumference of the arcuate object.

Abstract: Apparatus for movably supporting an object to be marked comprising a table assembly supported for linear reciprocating movement on a fixed platform. A generally U-shaped support member mounts a marking device for linear movement relative to the support member adjacent the table assembly. A first drive moves the marking device and a second drive moves the table assembly. The U-shaped support member can be arranged in two different positions relative to the table assembly so as to mark either a vertical surface or a horizontal surface of an object.

Abstract: A plurality of individual marks are imprinted in the surface of an object to form a plurality of substantially linear, rectangular arrays of preselected width in the surface of the object. Each imprinted substantially linear, rectangular array is spaced a preselected distance from each adjacent imprinted, substantially linear, rectangular array to provide a space of preselected width. The preselected width substantially linear, rectangular arrays and preselected width spaces are combined in alternating fashion to provide a bar code message in the surface of the object.

Abstract: A portable frame is supported for vertical movement on a pair of posts adjacent the surface of a table for receiving an object to be marked. A traveling plate is supported for movement on the frame in the horizontal plane above the surface of the object on the table. A ball screw drive connects the traveling plate to the frame for imparting longitudinal movement of the traveling plate in the horizontal plane. A marking head assembly is pivotally mounted on the plate and carries a plurality of impact pins which are reciprocated into and out of contact with the object by operation of programmable solenoid valves. An indexing wheel adjusts the angular position of the marking head assembly to control the size of characters formed by the pins impacting the object. The pins are activated as the traveling table is moved in the horizontal plane to inscribe a desired mark of a preselected character size on the plate.

Abstract: A portable frame is supported for vertical movement on a pair of posts adjacent the surface of a table for receiving an object to be marked. A traveling plate is supported for movement on the frame in the horizontal plane above the surface of the object on the table. A ball screw drive connects the traveling plate to the frame for imparting longitudinal movement of the traveling plate in the horizontal plane. A marking head assembly is pivotally mounted on the plate and carries a plurality of impact pins which are reciprocated into and out of contact with the object by operation of programmable solenoid valves. An indexing wheel adjusts the angular position of the marking head assembly to control the size of characters formed by the pins impacting the object. The pins are activated as the traveling table is moved in the horizontal plane to inscribe a desired mark of a preselected character size on the plate.

Abstract: A portable frame is supported for vertical movement on a pair of posts adjacent the surface of a table for receiving an object to be marked. A traveling plate is supported for movement on the frame in the horizontal plane above the surface of the object on the table. A ball screw drive connects the traveling plate to the frame for imparting longitudinal movement of the traveling plate in the horizontal plane. A marking head assembly is pivotally mounted on the plate and carries a plurality of impact pins which are reciprocated into and out of contact with the object by operation of programmable solenoid valves. An indexing wheel adjusts the angular position of the marking head assembly to control the size of characters formed by the pins impacting the object. The pins are activated as the traveling table is moved in the horizontal plane to inscribe a desired mark of a preselected character size on the plate.

Abstract: A marking device for printing identification marks on the surface of an object, for example a series of billets conveyed in succession on a roll table, is mounted for vertical and pivotal movement on the end of an upper arm. The upper arm is movable along a first axis in a horizontal plane to extend and retract the marking head assembly into and out of marking position. The upper arm is supported by a carriage which is also movable in a horizontal plane parallel to the roll table along a second axis angularly positioned relative to the first axis. The upper arm is movable relative to the carriage, and the carriage is movable on a beam to carry the upper arm together with the marking device to a preselected position with respect to the objects to be marked on the roll table.

Abstract: Making characters on the periphery of a rotatable marking wheel are selectively rotated into marking position relative to the surface of a billet, ingot, bar, slab or the like by an indexing motor drivingly connected to the marking wheel. The marking wheel is rotatably mounted in a housing that is pivoted toward and away from the billet by an arm structure suspended from a frame. The frame is movable on a support transversely of the pivotal path of the marking wheel housing. The frame is laterally advanced incrementally by an indexing ratchet to move the marking wheel from one marking position to the next marking position to permit the marking wheels to stamp the billet with a series of characters. After the billet is marked with a selected character, the stepping motor rotates the marking wheel until the next desired character is in a position for marking. The frame is then laterally advanced to position the desired character opposite the billet.

Abstract: A marking head rotatably supports a plurality of marking wheels that are supported for rotation by a shaft positioned in the marking head. The marking wheels each include a periphery with a plurality of marking characters positioned thereon for marking plates, name plates, identification plates and the like with a preselected marking character. A preselected marking character for each wheel is positioned in marking position by rotating the respective marking wheel through a preselected angle which is preferably the angle for advancing the next adjacent character into marking position. A plurality of fingers are rotatably positioned on a shaft for engaging a ratchet portion of a respective wheel. Each finger is rotatably supported to selectively move into and out of engagement with the respective ratchet portion by operation of an air actuated plunger abutting the end of the finger.

Abstract: A vertical cylindrical member is supported by a frame adjacent a plurality of rotatable horizontally mounted rollers that support a plate to be marked. A carriage is mounted for vertical reciprocal movement on the cylindrical member. A piston cylinder assembly having an extensible piston rod positioned therein is secured at one end to the upper portion of the cylindrical member. The end of the piston rod is connected to the carriage. A shaft is rotatably supported by and positioned below the carriage. A marking wheel having a plurality of marking elements retained on the surface thereof is secured to the end of the shaft in overlying relation with the surface of the plate to be marked. The piston cylinder assembly maintains a preselected marking pressure on the marking wheel of the plate to be marked.

Abstract: A longitudinal housing includes a bore for slidably receiving a barrel assembly having a bore coaxially aligned with the housing bore. A cartridge receiving chamber is positioned within the barrel assembly, and a firing mechanism actuated by a trigger assembly fires the cartridge. The explosion forwardly propels a piston member positioned within the barrel assembly to strike an anvil end portion of a chase. The chase is retained within the bore of a tool holder that is secured to and movable with the barrel assembly. The chase includes a plurality of marker elements for impressing a mark upon the surface of an object. A pair of safety pawls are pivotally connected to the tool holder within the bore thereof and are arranged to contact a sleeve member surrounding the barrel assembly adjacent the forward end portion of the housing to prevent cocking of the firing mechanism unless marker elements are retained within the chase of the tool holder and the elements are depressed against an object to be marked.