Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved retail process and apparatuses for putting customized marking devices, commonly called rubber stamps, in the hands of a customer in a convenient period of time such as five minutes after data entry. Prior art processes make stamps in a batch mode, generally forming text on a separate rubber sheet, cutting the sheet, and adhering individual rubber stamps to stamp mounts taken from inventory. The instant process forms text and/or graphics on stamp mounts that are complete except for the marking data on the rubber and an index card. A special purpose one-stamp-at-a-time laser engraver can be used with the process. As an alternative, a multiple cavity fixture can be used in conjunction with existing laser engravers. A further alternative uses a photopolymer method of producing single stamps.

Abstract: An aid for the game of golf for assisting a golfer determine the slope or break of a golf green. The aid is placed on the green and the slope is read in two directions by sighting a level on top of the aid. Contact is made with the green by using contacts with preferred shapes. In particular, one preferred shape is a substantial segment of a golf ball complete with dimples. Additionally, in order to increase accuracy of the aid, its weight and the location of the green contacts are arranged so that each contact weighs on the green with the weight of a golf ball. Three green contacts are deemed preferable. A preferred level is a large area circular bubble level.

Abstract: In a hand stamp mount device especially suitable for a preinked stamp impression member that can give great numbers of imprints, the downstroke distance of a substantially rigid, non-rotatable assembly of a handle, a stem and a platen for carrying the impression member is adjustable precisely by turning with one's fingers an adjuster that correspondingly turns a stroke limiting stop member and causes it upon turning to be displaced proportionately lengthwise of the stem. Several ways of effecting the adjustments are disclosed, including some which eliminate all need for screw-threaded parts by making use of a molded ramp member presenting helical ramp surfaces. The platen and a case enclosing it are stiffened to resist stamping forces by an array of integral radiating ribs protruding upwardly from the platen and another array of such ribs protruding downward from the top of the case; and the ribs of the two sets intercalate to occupy vertical space in common when the platen is in normal upward position.

Abstract: A self-inking stamping device easily grasped and operated in a person's hand is provided by an improved arrangement of an encasing operating member relative to a frame member that supports an ink pad holder and contains an invertable type-carrying platen, with coacting means on the platen, the frame member and the operating member for disposing type of an elastic strip on the platen in inking position at an ink pad in the holder when the operating member is being held in a normal upward position by spring action and causing the type to impress evenly on a surface at the lower end of the frame member when the operating member is pressed downward to stamping position. Bridge members extending inward from an upper portion of an encasement wall of the operating member form a seat for a coiled spring compressed between them and an upper surface of the ink pad holder, and provide a space in-between them to receive and give access to an inking cup formation on the holder when the encasement wall is depressed.

Abstract: An improved self-inking hand stamping device comprises improved arrangements of parts of an encasing operating member relative to a frame member containing an invertible stamp carrying platen, and of an ink pad holder relative to the frame member and other parts inside the operating member; and a new construction of the ink pad holder enables clean and controlled inking of the ink pad in a holder kept in working position.