CA1183301A - Staple forming and driving machine and method - Google Patents
Staple forming and driving machine and methodInfo
- Publication number
- CA1183301A CA1183301A CA000408287A CA408287A CA1183301A CA 1183301 A CA1183301 A CA 1183301A CA 000408287 A CA000408287 A CA 000408287A CA 408287 A CA408287 A CA 408287A CA 1183301 A CA1183301 A CA 1183301A
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- staple
- forming
- tool
- belt
- driving
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Abstract
Staple Forming And Driving Machine And Method Abstract A staple forming and driving tool (10) employing a vertical front portion of a staple head base (34), and sheath (40) to provide a space for reciprocating former member (70) and driver (80). Spring (50) urges base (34) toward sheath (40) with spacer lugs (33) maintaining a defined distant between base (34) and sheath (40).
A belt (94) is fed through an opening (100) in base (34) by a cartridge (90) which protrudes into opening (100) and belt advancing means (104, 112) is held inopera-tive by forming tang (75) during a portion of the forming and driving stroke to prevent movement of staple wire (200) during critical periods of such stroke.
The former (70) is moved during the forming and driving stroke through a path which permits former lugs (72) to guide the former staple down to a point adjacent the workpiece (300).
A belt (94) is fed through an opening (100) in base (34) by a cartridge (90) which protrudes into opening (100) and belt advancing means (104, 112) is held inopera-tive by forming tang (75) during a portion of the forming and driving stroke to prevent movement of staple wire (200) during critical periods of such stroke.
The former (70) is moved during the forming and driving stroke through a path which permits former lugs (72) to guide the former staple down to a point adjacent the workpiece (300).
Description
Description Staple Forming And Driving Machine And Me-thod Technical Field This invention relates -to staple formin~ and driving machines of the type that form a staple from a wire staple blank and drive the same. ~ore particularly, this invention relates to such a staple forming and driving machine or stapler and its method of operation, in which the staple is formed and driven in one stroke of the operating mechanism.
Background Art . . _.
Staple forming and driving mechanisms are known in which staples are formed and driven in one stroke.
E~amples of such devices are shown in U.S. patents Nos.
1,757,883, 2,659,885, 3,723,77~ and 3,746,236, in all of which the staple is first cut from a coil of wire or a metal band, and then formed and driven. Furthermore, in all of these four patents separate linkages~ levers, cams and the like connect the former and the driver to the source of power. That is, to say, except for the source of power, the former and driver have separate linkages
Background Art . . _.
Staple forming and driving mechanisms are known in which staples are formed and driven in one stroke.
E~amples of such devices are shown in U.S. patents Nos.
1,757,883, 2,659,885, 3,723,77~ and 3,746,236, in all of which the staple is first cut from a coil of wire or a metal band, and then formed and driven. Furthermore, in all of these four patents separate linkages~ levers, cams and the like connect the former and the driver to the source of power. That is, to say, except for the source of power, the former and driver have separate linkages
2~ due to the fact that the staple must be first ~ormed and then driven. This leads to problems in that it requires a considerable number of moving parts and, fur-ther, the timing can be adversely effected with wear, such that the staple is not properly formed before driving.
In U.S. patents Nos. 3,009,156 and 3,690,537 staple formers and drivers are disclosed which form and drive a staple from a belt of staple blanks and which, moreover, operate the former from the driver which, in turn, is driven by the main drive source. ~ccordingly, 35 in each of these U.S. patents Nos. 3,009,156 and
In U.S. patents Nos. 3,009,156 and 3,690,537 staple formers and drivers are disclosed which form and drive a staple from a belt of staple blanks and which, moreover, operate the former from the driver which, in turn, is driven by the main drive source. ~ccordingly, 35 in each of these U.S. patents Nos. 3,009,156 and
3,690,537 there is no sepa~rate linkage provided for the 33(~
former and the driver but, ra-ther, means is provided between the former and the driver so tha-t af-ter the staple has been Eormed, the former is disconnected from the driver and the driver continues on -to drive the formed staple. Stated otherwise, there i5 a lost motion arrangement between the former and the driver. While these latter two staple formers and drivers do reduce the number of moving parts and the various linkages, they still have a very considerable number Qf moving parts and, in particular, the releasable connection be-tween the former and driver is relatively complex.
Moreover, in all of such above mentioned stapleformer and driver devices, the number of parts with attendant pivots and the like require a relatively large housing even for driving the standard desk-type s-taple.
Accordingly, up to the present time, most desk staplers have been of the type which merely drive pre-formed staples since the complications attendant upon forming as well as driving has heretofore involved a large number of parts, thus increasing costs bo-th for raw materials and for assembly. Such costs have generally not been amenable to priclng such staple former and driving devices into the office market for use on desks by indivi-duals.
Still further, with the complication of forming as well as driving, it will be appreciated that there is a greater tendency to jam the stapler. In all of the above, unjamming of the stapler can sometimes be accom-plished merely by repeated strikes upon the operating knob but, at other times, some disassembly of the mechanism will be required to alleviate a jammed staple or staple blank condition.
Summary of the Invention The present invention is directed to the pro-833~
duction of a relatively small desk-type stapler which both forms and drives the staple from a belt of staple blanks retained in a cartridge. One object of -the inven~
tion is to produce such a stapler with as few moving parts as possible in order to recluce the cost and to greatly increase reliabillty despi-te possible wear of the parts.
Still further, it is another purpose of the invention to provide a staple former and driving device in which any jammed condition of a staple blank or oE
a partially or fully formed staple may be alleviated simply by repeated operation of the stapler.
To this end, the stapler of this invention in-cludes a driver, a former positioned to be driven by the driver, a former block and a sheath, all of which parts are held to a stationary stapler head by means of a single spring.
The driver blade, former, sheath and stapler head have generally planar portions positioned in parallel planes and held in contact with one another by the afore-mentioned single spring. In the event of jamming, the spring may give permitting the sheath to move away from the fixed stapler head, thus providing space for ejection of one or more jammed staples or staple blanks. Upon correction of the jamming, the parts promptly reassume their proper position under the urging of the spring and the device is ready for proper operation once again.
A greatly simplified coupling means is provided between the driver and the former in order to provide the required lost motion. To this end, the driver blade is formed of spring steel or other flexible material and has two driver legs, one on each of the lateral sides thereof which engage laterally extending shoulders on the former in order to transmit to the former the motion of the driver caused by operation of the operating mechanism (manual knob or solenoid)~ Cam faces on the interior of ~1 .
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the sheath are positioned to cam the legs thus springing them outwardly against their natural spring force to dis-engage -the driver legs from the former shoulders after formation of the sta~le, so -tha-t further downward movement 0 F the driver carries the former in fric-tional engagement with the driver until the formex strikes the workpiece.
Brief Descri~tion of the Drawings . ~
Fig, 1 shows a perspective view of the staple former and driver of this invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the stapler of Fig. 1 with certain parts not shown;
Fig. 3 shows the feed fingers for feeding the belt of staple blanks to the stapler former and driver;
Fig. 4 shows a portion of the cartridge includ-ing tne anti-retract mechanism;
Fig. 5 is an enlarged view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, showing the parts at the beginning of a cycle of operation;
Fig. 6 is like Fig. 5, but showing the parts at one point during the cycle of operation;
Fig. 7 is a view taken along the line 7-7 of Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 is a view taken along the line 8 8 of Fig. 6;
Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-section through part of the stapler of Fig. 1, showing the parts at the begin-ning of a cycle of operation;
Fig. 10 is a view like Fig. 9, showing the parts at one point in the cycle of operation;
Fig. 11 is like Figs. 9 and 10, showing the parts after the staple has been driven;
Fig. 12 is a plan view with parts broken away;
Fig. 13 is an enlarged view taken along the 35 line 13-13 of Fig. 11;
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Fig. 14 is-a perspective view similar to Fig~ 1, but showing a modified form of stapler;
Fig. 15 is el view similar to Fig. 12, but show-ing the modified stap]er of Fig. 14;
Fig. 16 shows the former member of the modlfied stapler of Fig. 14;
Fig. 17 is a perspective view similar to Figs 2 and 3 showing a further embodiment of the stapler, Fig. 18 is a side view of the stapler of ~ig.
17;-Fig. 19 is a elevational partial sectionalview of the Fig. 17 stapler;
Fig. 20 is an end view of the modified stapler of Fig. i7;
Fig. 21 is a vertical se~onalview of the stapler of Fig. 17 including the cartridge positioned in opening 100 and showing the wire blank before and after forming;
and Fig. 22 is a plan view of the stapler of Fig. 17 showing the cartridge positioned for operation.
Best Modes for Carrving Out Invention As shown in ;Figs. 1-4, the staple former and driver 10 comprises a base 20 to which is secured a staple head 30. As shown, the staple head 30 comprises a base portion 32 and an upright front portion 34. The base por-tion 32 is welded or otherwise secured at its rearward end to an upright 22 extending upward from the base 20. This securement of the stap:Le head 30 is sho~m merely by way of an example, other means of securing the staple head 30 in fixed relationship to the base 20 may be utilized. A
front sheath 40 is secured to the stapler head 3Q for vertical movement with respect thereto by means of a spring clamp 50. Each end of the spring clamp 50 is bent inwardly to provide inwardly projecting legs 52 which 3~
pass through openings 54 on opposite sides of the front sheath 40. The legs 52 extend -toward each other somewhat, a distance sufficient to engaye behind the rearward edge 36 of the front portion 34 of the staple head 30. Lateral-ly extending ears 38 on either side of the staple head areembraced by U-shaped slots 42 on either side of the front sheath 40. Forwardly e~tending spacer lugs 33 formed integrally with the front portion 34 of the staple head 30 bear against the inner surface 46 of the front sheath ~0 to hold -the same in fixed spaced relationship to the front portion 34 of the staple head 30~
Centrally located in front sheat~ 40 is an elongated rectangular opening 44 which receives the nose portion 62 of a former block 60. The spring clamp 50 has ~5 a downwardly bent generally V-shaped portion 56 which bears against the outer surface of the former block to maintain the same resiliently in position as shown in Fig. l. In the space between the staple head 30 and the front sheath 40 provided by the spacer lugs 33 are positioned a former member 70 for forming a staple from a short piece of wire and a driver 80. The former 70 lies against the inner surface 46 of the front sheath 40 and is positioned between two elongated vertical guideways 48 extending inwardly to-ward the staple head 30 from the front sheath 40. These guideways 48 may be punched or otherwise formed from the same material as the front sheath ~0. The former 70 isof generally inverted U-shape having two downwardly e~tend-ing legs 72 which are generally thicker than the upper por-tion 74 of the former. The outer surfaces 76 of the legs 72 bear against the adjacent facing surface 47 of the guide-ways 48. At its upper end, the former 70 is reduced inwidth in the area of the central member 74, thus providing two lateral upwardly facing shoulders 78. The central portion 74 includes a tang 75 cut from the material of the former 70 and bent rearwardly to extend -through a verti~al ( ~ 33~
slot 82 in -the driver 80.
Xeferring to Fig. 5, the driver includes two lateral pusher elemen-ts 84 separated from the driver blade 86 by ~slots 88. The pusher elements 84 are bent sliyhtly along the lines 89 to extend forward and bear agalnst the inner surface 46 of the front sheath 40. The eclges 85 of the pusher elements 84 are, therefore, normally in align-ment with the upwardly facing shoulders 78 on -the former member 70. The outer portions of the edges 85 are in ali~mnent with sloped cam surfaces 49 on guideways 48, which cam surfaces 49 face toward -the outer portions of the edges 85.
Each of the legs 72 of the former 70 in an area just below the upwardly facing shoulders 78 has a recess portion 79. Each of the legs 72 also has along its inward-ly facing edge a groove 77, which grooves 77 together form a raceway to assist in forming and driving the staple.
The outer lateral edges 87 of the driver blade 86 are convex to fit within the curved cross-section of the race-way forming grooves 77.
In addition to the spacer lugs 33, the frontportion 34 of the staple head has two forwardly projecting combination guide lugs 35 positioned on either side of the driver blade 80 to assist in guiding the same during its vertical movement. These are shown broken away from the front portion 34 in Figs. 5 and 6 in which figures the front piece 34 is not shown. It will be seen that the opposite side edges 83 of the driver blade 80 slidingly engage the inner surfaces of these guide lugs 35.
Extending rearwardly from the surface 46 of the sheath 40 are two stop lugs 43 which engage the~pper edge 81 of the former 70 on the return stroke -to limit its upper movement. I'hese stop lugs 43 also bear against the front face of the driver blade 80 lightly, in order to lend 3~ rigidity thereto during operation.
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The s-tapler is cons-t:ructed to accept a cartridge 90 comprising a housing 92, only portions o which are sh~n (see Fig. 9). The cartridge carries within it a roll 94 of short lengths of wire secured -together in belt fashion and exiting through a chute 96 at the bot-tom of -the housing.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the chute 96 has laterally pro jecting ears 98 engaged beneath inwardly projec-ting lugs 37 on the bo-ttom member 32 of the staple head. This en-gagement between the ears 98 and the lugs 37 insures pro-per alignment of the outlet 102 of the chute 96 with anopening 100 in the front portion 34 of the staple head 30.
Suitable fastelling means, not shown, secures the housing 92 to the staple head 30.
Moun-ted inside front portion 34 is a feed finger plate 104 having laterally extending ears 106 fitting loosely in openings 108 in the front portion 34 (see Figs.
2 and 9). This feed finger plate 104 has two depending members 110, one on either side thereof. A spring steel feed spring 112 is secured to the feed finger plate 104 2~ by means of two rivets 116 passing through two openings 114 in the feed spring 112 and cooperating openings 118 near the bottom of each of the depending members 110 of the feed finger plate 104. Between the depending members 110 is an actuating tongue 120 extending downwardly and somewhat forwardly of the depending members 110. In the assembled condition of the part:s shown in Fig. 9, the rear-wardly extending tang 75 on the former 70 bears against the depending tongue 120 to activate the feed finger plate and feed spring 112 to feed staple wires 200 as hereinafter described. The feed spring 112 terminates in two fingers 121 which bear against the staple wires 200 in the belt 94 as shown in Fig. 9. Loosely mounted in the chute 96 (see Fig. ~) is an anti retraction plate 122 held in place by lugs 124 and positioned largely by gravity and having two depending fingers 126 resting upon the staple wires 200 _ ~, . .. .. . ...
~833q~L
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g in the belt 94. The rearward edge 128 of the anti-retraction plate 122 bears agains-t a portion of the hous-ing 92 in order -to prevent the staple wires 200 from moving backward toward the cartrid~e.
The upper end 130 of the driver blade 80 is secured within the operating knob 132 and a retraction spring 134 extends between the knob 132 and a rearwardly extending Elange 138 is integral with front portion 34.
The retraction spring 134 urges the knob 132 and the upper blade end 130 in the upward direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow 140 i.n Fig. 9.
~ he base 20 has an anvil 21 secured thereto on its upper surface, which anvil 21 has a pair of clinching grooves 23 in alignment with the driver blade 80.
At the beginning of a cycle of operation,the retraction spring 134 is at its rnost fully eY.panded condi-tion, the operating knob 132 is at its upward position as shown in Fig. 9 as is the driver blade 80. Thelead staple wire 200 is positioned in a groove 64 in the nose 62 of the former block 60. The former 70 is in its most extreme upward position with its upper edge 81 engaged beneath the stops 43. Rearwardly extending tang 75 on the formex 70 is close to or lightly bearing against the depending tongue 12~ of the feed finger plate 104 in an area thereof indi-cated at 131 in Fig. 9.
Upon one swift operation of the operating knob132 downwardly, a staple wire 200 is formed and driven while the feed spring 112 and feed fingers 121 are cocked to deliver the ne~t staple wire 200 to the groove 64.
Upon release of the knob 132, the parts rapidly reassume their position as just described and as shown in Fig. 9, and, in doing so, a new staple wire 200 is delivered to the groove 64.
More specifically, the operation is as follows:
1. Vpon initial depression of the knob 132, ~:~83~
the driver blade 80 is moved downwardly in the direction of the arrow 140. Almost immediately after travelling perhaps only 0.001" more or less, the lower edges 85 of the driver legs d4 on the driver blade 80 contact the upwardly facing shoulders 78 on the former 70. Continued movement of the blade 80 under the force applied by the knob 132 now caxries the former blade 70 downwardly as well.
To the rear, promp-tly upon downward movement of the former 70, the tang 75 begins to move along the sloped 10 cam-surface 1~2 on the depending tongue 120 and begins to move the tongue 120 rearwardly about its pivot 108 against the urging of the curved feed finger spring 112.
2. Very shortly after the former 70 begins to move downward under -the force applied thereto by the driver blade 80 through theidriver legs 84, the lower edges of the legs 72 on the former come into contact with the lateral ends of the staple wire 200 being held in the yroove 64 of the former block.
3. Further downward movement of the former 70 as it is driven by the driver blade 80 begins to break the lateral ends of the staple wire 200 loose from the asso-ciated belt 94 of staple wires 200 secured together by an adhesive or other known means such as tape. Simultaneously, the legs 72 of the ormer begin to bend the ~teral ends of the staple wire 200 downwardly.
former and the driver but, ra-ther, means is provided between the former and the driver so tha-t af-ter the staple has been Eormed, the former is disconnected from the driver and the driver continues on -to drive the formed staple. Stated otherwise, there i5 a lost motion arrangement between the former and the driver. While these latter two staple formers and drivers do reduce the number of moving parts and the various linkages, they still have a very considerable number Qf moving parts and, in particular, the releasable connection be-tween the former and driver is relatively complex.
Moreover, in all of such above mentioned stapleformer and driver devices, the number of parts with attendant pivots and the like require a relatively large housing even for driving the standard desk-type s-taple.
Accordingly, up to the present time, most desk staplers have been of the type which merely drive pre-formed staples since the complications attendant upon forming as well as driving has heretofore involved a large number of parts, thus increasing costs bo-th for raw materials and for assembly. Such costs have generally not been amenable to priclng such staple former and driving devices into the office market for use on desks by indivi-duals.
Still further, with the complication of forming as well as driving, it will be appreciated that there is a greater tendency to jam the stapler. In all of the above, unjamming of the stapler can sometimes be accom-plished merely by repeated strikes upon the operating knob but, at other times, some disassembly of the mechanism will be required to alleviate a jammed staple or staple blank condition.
Summary of the Invention The present invention is directed to the pro-833~
duction of a relatively small desk-type stapler which both forms and drives the staple from a belt of staple blanks retained in a cartridge. One object of -the inven~
tion is to produce such a stapler with as few moving parts as possible in order to recluce the cost and to greatly increase reliabillty despi-te possible wear of the parts.
Still further, it is another purpose of the invention to provide a staple former and driving device in which any jammed condition of a staple blank or oE
a partially or fully formed staple may be alleviated simply by repeated operation of the stapler.
To this end, the stapler of this invention in-cludes a driver, a former positioned to be driven by the driver, a former block and a sheath, all of which parts are held to a stationary stapler head by means of a single spring.
The driver blade, former, sheath and stapler head have generally planar portions positioned in parallel planes and held in contact with one another by the afore-mentioned single spring. In the event of jamming, the spring may give permitting the sheath to move away from the fixed stapler head, thus providing space for ejection of one or more jammed staples or staple blanks. Upon correction of the jamming, the parts promptly reassume their proper position under the urging of the spring and the device is ready for proper operation once again.
A greatly simplified coupling means is provided between the driver and the former in order to provide the required lost motion. To this end, the driver blade is formed of spring steel or other flexible material and has two driver legs, one on each of the lateral sides thereof which engage laterally extending shoulders on the former in order to transmit to the former the motion of the driver caused by operation of the operating mechanism (manual knob or solenoid)~ Cam faces on the interior of ~1 .
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the sheath are positioned to cam the legs thus springing them outwardly against their natural spring force to dis-engage -the driver legs from the former shoulders after formation of the sta~le, so -tha-t further downward movement 0 F the driver carries the former in fric-tional engagement with the driver until the formex strikes the workpiece.
Brief Descri~tion of the Drawings . ~
Fig, 1 shows a perspective view of the staple former and driver of this invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the stapler of Fig. 1 with certain parts not shown;
Fig. 3 shows the feed fingers for feeding the belt of staple blanks to the stapler former and driver;
Fig. 4 shows a portion of the cartridge includ-ing tne anti-retract mechanism;
Fig. 5 is an enlarged view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, showing the parts at the beginning of a cycle of operation;
Fig. 6 is like Fig. 5, but showing the parts at one point during the cycle of operation;
Fig. 7 is a view taken along the line 7-7 of Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 is a view taken along the line 8 8 of Fig. 6;
Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-section through part of the stapler of Fig. 1, showing the parts at the begin-ning of a cycle of operation;
Fig. 10 is a view like Fig. 9, showing the parts at one point in the cycle of operation;
Fig. 11 is like Figs. 9 and 10, showing the parts after the staple has been driven;
Fig. 12 is a plan view with parts broken away;
Fig. 13 is an enlarged view taken along the 35 line 13-13 of Fig. 11;
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Fig. 14 is-a perspective view similar to Fig~ 1, but showing a modified form of stapler;
Fig. 15 is el view similar to Fig. 12, but show-ing the modified stap]er of Fig. 14;
Fig. 16 shows the former member of the modlfied stapler of Fig. 14;
Fig. 17 is a perspective view similar to Figs 2 and 3 showing a further embodiment of the stapler, Fig. 18 is a side view of the stapler of ~ig.
17;-Fig. 19 is a elevational partial sectionalview of the Fig. 17 stapler;
Fig. 20 is an end view of the modified stapler of Fig. i7;
Fig. 21 is a vertical se~onalview of the stapler of Fig. 17 including the cartridge positioned in opening 100 and showing the wire blank before and after forming;
and Fig. 22 is a plan view of the stapler of Fig. 17 showing the cartridge positioned for operation.
Best Modes for Carrving Out Invention As shown in ;Figs. 1-4, the staple former and driver 10 comprises a base 20 to which is secured a staple head 30. As shown, the staple head 30 comprises a base portion 32 and an upright front portion 34. The base por-tion 32 is welded or otherwise secured at its rearward end to an upright 22 extending upward from the base 20. This securement of the stap:Le head 30 is sho~m merely by way of an example, other means of securing the staple head 30 in fixed relationship to the base 20 may be utilized. A
front sheath 40 is secured to the stapler head 3Q for vertical movement with respect thereto by means of a spring clamp 50. Each end of the spring clamp 50 is bent inwardly to provide inwardly projecting legs 52 which 3~
pass through openings 54 on opposite sides of the front sheath 40. The legs 52 extend -toward each other somewhat, a distance sufficient to engaye behind the rearward edge 36 of the front portion 34 of the staple head 30. Lateral-ly extending ears 38 on either side of the staple head areembraced by U-shaped slots 42 on either side of the front sheath 40. Forwardly e~tending spacer lugs 33 formed integrally with the front portion 34 of the staple head 30 bear against the inner surface 46 of the front sheath ~0 to hold -the same in fixed spaced relationship to the front portion 34 of the staple head 30~
Centrally located in front sheat~ 40 is an elongated rectangular opening 44 which receives the nose portion 62 of a former block 60. The spring clamp 50 has ~5 a downwardly bent generally V-shaped portion 56 which bears against the outer surface of the former block to maintain the same resiliently in position as shown in Fig. l. In the space between the staple head 30 and the front sheath 40 provided by the spacer lugs 33 are positioned a former member 70 for forming a staple from a short piece of wire and a driver 80. The former 70 lies against the inner surface 46 of the front sheath 40 and is positioned between two elongated vertical guideways 48 extending inwardly to-ward the staple head 30 from the front sheath 40. These guideways 48 may be punched or otherwise formed from the same material as the front sheath ~0. The former 70 isof generally inverted U-shape having two downwardly e~tend-ing legs 72 which are generally thicker than the upper por-tion 74 of the former. The outer surfaces 76 of the legs 72 bear against the adjacent facing surface 47 of the guide-ways 48. At its upper end, the former 70 is reduced inwidth in the area of the central member 74, thus providing two lateral upwardly facing shoulders 78. The central portion 74 includes a tang 75 cut from the material of the former 70 and bent rearwardly to extend -through a verti~al ( ~ 33~
slot 82 in -the driver 80.
Xeferring to Fig. 5, the driver includes two lateral pusher elemen-ts 84 separated from the driver blade 86 by ~slots 88. The pusher elements 84 are bent sliyhtly along the lines 89 to extend forward and bear agalnst the inner surface 46 of the front sheath 40. The eclges 85 of the pusher elements 84 are, therefore, normally in align-ment with the upwardly facing shoulders 78 on -the former member 70. The outer portions of the edges 85 are in ali~mnent with sloped cam surfaces 49 on guideways 48, which cam surfaces 49 face toward -the outer portions of the edges 85.
Each of the legs 72 of the former 70 in an area just below the upwardly facing shoulders 78 has a recess portion 79. Each of the legs 72 also has along its inward-ly facing edge a groove 77, which grooves 77 together form a raceway to assist in forming and driving the staple.
The outer lateral edges 87 of the driver blade 86 are convex to fit within the curved cross-section of the race-way forming grooves 77.
In addition to the spacer lugs 33, the frontportion 34 of the staple head has two forwardly projecting combination guide lugs 35 positioned on either side of the driver blade 80 to assist in guiding the same during its vertical movement. These are shown broken away from the front portion 34 in Figs. 5 and 6 in which figures the front piece 34 is not shown. It will be seen that the opposite side edges 83 of the driver blade 80 slidingly engage the inner surfaces of these guide lugs 35.
Extending rearwardly from the surface 46 of the sheath 40 are two stop lugs 43 which engage the~pper edge 81 of the former 70 on the return stroke -to limit its upper movement. I'hese stop lugs 43 also bear against the front face of the driver blade 80 lightly, in order to lend 3~ rigidity thereto during operation.
~1~3;3~
The s-tapler is cons-t:ructed to accept a cartridge 90 comprising a housing 92, only portions o which are sh~n (see Fig. 9). The cartridge carries within it a roll 94 of short lengths of wire secured -together in belt fashion and exiting through a chute 96 at the bot-tom of -the housing.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the chute 96 has laterally pro jecting ears 98 engaged beneath inwardly projec-ting lugs 37 on the bo-ttom member 32 of the staple head. This en-gagement between the ears 98 and the lugs 37 insures pro-per alignment of the outlet 102 of the chute 96 with anopening 100 in the front portion 34 of the staple head 30.
Suitable fastelling means, not shown, secures the housing 92 to the staple head 30.
Moun-ted inside front portion 34 is a feed finger plate 104 having laterally extending ears 106 fitting loosely in openings 108 in the front portion 34 (see Figs.
2 and 9). This feed finger plate 104 has two depending members 110, one on either side thereof. A spring steel feed spring 112 is secured to the feed finger plate 104 2~ by means of two rivets 116 passing through two openings 114 in the feed spring 112 and cooperating openings 118 near the bottom of each of the depending members 110 of the feed finger plate 104. Between the depending members 110 is an actuating tongue 120 extending downwardly and somewhat forwardly of the depending members 110. In the assembled condition of the part:s shown in Fig. 9, the rear-wardly extending tang 75 on the former 70 bears against the depending tongue 120 to activate the feed finger plate and feed spring 112 to feed staple wires 200 as hereinafter described. The feed spring 112 terminates in two fingers 121 which bear against the staple wires 200 in the belt 94 as shown in Fig. 9. Loosely mounted in the chute 96 (see Fig. ~) is an anti retraction plate 122 held in place by lugs 124 and positioned largely by gravity and having two depending fingers 126 resting upon the staple wires 200 _ ~, . .. .. . ...
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g in the belt 94. The rearward edge 128 of the anti-retraction plate 122 bears agains-t a portion of the hous-ing 92 in order -to prevent the staple wires 200 from moving backward toward the cartrid~e.
The upper end 130 of the driver blade 80 is secured within the operating knob 132 and a retraction spring 134 extends between the knob 132 and a rearwardly extending Elange 138 is integral with front portion 34.
The retraction spring 134 urges the knob 132 and the upper blade end 130 in the upward direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow 140 i.n Fig. 9.
~ he base 20 has an anvil 21 secured thereto on its upper surface, which anvil 21 has a pair of clinching grooves 23 in alignment with the driver blade 80.
At the beginning of a cycle of operation,the retraction spring 134 is at its rnost fully eY.panded condi-tion, the operating knob 132 is at its upward position as shown in Fig. 9 as is the driver blade 80. Thelead staple wire 200 is positioned in a groove 64 in the nose 62 of the former block 60. The former 70 is in its most extreme upward position with its upper edge 81 engaged beneath the stops 43. Rearwardly extending tang 75 on the formex 70 is close to or lightly bearing against the depending tongue 12~ of the feed finger plate 104 in an area thereof indi-cated at 131 in Fig. 9.
Upon one swift operation of the operating knob132 downwardly, a staple wire 200 is formed and driven while the feed spring 112 and feed fingers 121 are cocked to deliver the ne~t staple wire 200 to the groove 64.
Upon release of the knob 132, the parts rapidly reassume their position as just described and as shown in Fig. 9, and, in doing so, a new staple wire 200 is delivered to the groove 64.
More specifically, the operation is as follows:
1. Vpon initial depression of the knob 132, ~:~83~
the driver blade 80 is moved downwardly in the direction of the arrow 140. Almost immediately after travelling perhaps only 0.001" more or less, the lower edges 85 of the driver legs d4 on the driver blade 80 contact the upwardly facing shoulders 78 on the former 70. Continued movement of the blade 80 under the force applied by the knob 132 now caxries the former blade 70 downwardly as well.
To the rear, promp-tly upon downward movement of the former 70, the tang 75 begins to move along the sloped 10 cam-surface 1~2 on the depending tongue 120 and begins to move the tongue 120 rearwardly about its pivot 108 against the urging of the curved feed finger spring 112.
2. Very shortly after the former 70 begins to move downward under -the force applied thereto by the driver blade 80 through theidriver legs 84, the lower edges of the legs 72 on the former come into contact with the lateral ends of the staple wire 200 being held in the yroove 64 of the former block.
3. Further downward movement of the former 70 as it is driven by the driver blade 80 begins to break the lateral ends of the staple wire 200 loose from the asso-ciated belt 94 of staple wires 200 secured together by an adhesive or other known means such as tape. Simultaneously, the legs 72 of the ormer begin to bend the ~teral ends of the staple wire 200 downwardly.
4. The force applied through the former legs 72 to the lateral ends of the staple wire 200 is resisted by the inertia of block 60 and sheath 40 and by the pressure applied thereto by spring 50. Accordingly, the lateral ends of the staple wire 200 are bent downwardly smoothly and continuously by the downward movement of the legs 72. Dur-ing this movement, the legs become positioned in the race-ways 77 in the legs 72. Shortly after the staple is formed to its U-shape, the bight or edge 73 of the former comes into contact with the top surface 63 of the nose 62 of the __~._.. _ ._.. _.. .
33~
former block 60. Continued movement of the former 70 downwardly under the force applied thereto by the driver blade 80 now pushes the block 60 downward as well. Since the block 60 is fitted within an opening 44 in the sheath 40, the sheath 40 will be moved downwardly with the block 60. During this movement, the ends 52 of the spring clamp 50 ride downward along the rearward edge 36 of the staple head 30. ~lowever, the resistance to down-ward movement applied by the spring 50 in this arrange-ment is not great and may or may not be suficient to hold the block 60 and sheath 40 in their up position during forming of the staple. To a considerable degree, this will depend on the strenght and stiffness of the staple wire 200~ I~ will also depend in part on how firmly the staple wire 200 is secured to the next succeed-ing staple wire 200 in the belt 94. Accordingly, very little, if any, bending of the ends of the staple wire 200 under the force applied thereto by the legs 72 may take place before this force is transmitted to the block 60 and the front sheath 40 causing them to move downwardly until the front sheath 40 comes into contact with the work-piece 300 resting on the anvil 21. Depending upon the interplay of the various frictional forces, this movement downwardly of the block 60 and front sheath 40 may occur even before there is actually any bending of the lateral ends of the staple wire 200; or it may take place during the ~ending since the frictional forces increase as the lateral ends are formed and come to rest within the race-ways 77 formed in the depending legs 72; or (as is normally the case) it may not occur until the bight 73 comes into contact with the surface 63 of block 60 after formation of .he staple.
To the rear, during downward movement of the former 70, the tang 75 passes along the cam surface 142 of the tongue 120 and over a bend 144 therein to a flat 83~
~12-area 136. Once the tang 75 has reached the area 136, no further backward or cocking movement of the tongue 120 takes place but, rather, the cocked position is maintained.
This cockin~ action of the tongue 120 under the urging of the tang 75 must be completed before -the driver legs 8d on the driver 80 come into contact with the cams 49 on the upper ends of the guide ways 48 as hereinafter described.
If this cocking action were not completed before the bottom edges 85 of the legs 84 reach the cams 49, there would not be enough pressure applied to the former 70 by the driver 80 to insure cocking of the tongue 120 as described. This rearward movement of the tongue 120 carries with it to the rear the depending members 110 and the feed fingers 121 which rest upon the belt 94 of staple wires 200. This move-ment backward is very slight being only approximately thethickness of one staple wire and less than twice such thick-ness. This rearward position is maintained until release of the knob 132 as described hereinaf~er. During this rear-ward motion of the tongue 120, the anti-retraction plate 122 insures that the belt 94 does not retract, thus permit-ting the feed fingers 121 to get a grlp on one additional staple wire 200 rearward of its previous position.
33~
former block 60. Continued movement of the former 70 downwardly under the force applied thereto by the driver blade 80 now pushes the block 60 downward as well. Since the block 60 is fitted within an opening 44 in the sheath 40, the sheath 40 will be moved downwardly with the block 60. During this movement, the ends 52 of the spring clamp 50 ride downward along the rearward edge 36 of the staple head 30. ~lowever, the resistance to down-ward movement applied by the spring 50 in this arrange-ment is not great and may or may not be suficient to hold the block 60 and sheath 40 in their up position during forming of the staple. To a considerable degree, this will depend on the strenght and stiffness of the staple wire 200~ I~ will also depend in part on how firmly the staple wire 200 is secured to the next succeed-ing staple wire 200 in the belt 94. Accordingly, very little, if any, bending of the ends of the staple wire 200 under the force applied thereto by the legs 72 may take place before this force is transmitted to the block 60 and the front sheath 40 causing them to move downwardly until the front sheath 40 comes into contact with the work-piece 300 resting on the anvil 21. Depending upon the interplay of the various frictional forces, this movement downwardly of the block 60 and front sheath 40 may occur even before there is actually any bending of the lateral ends of the staple wire 200; or it may take place during the ~ending since the frictional forces increase as the lateral ends are formed and come to rest within the race-ways 77 formed in the depending legs 72; or (as is normally the case) it may not occur until the bight 73 comes into contact with the surface 63 of block 60 after formation of .he staple.
To the rear, during downward movement of the former 70, the tang 75 passes along the cam surface 142 of the tongue 120 and over a bend 144 therein to a flat 83~
~12-area 136. Once the tang 75 has reached the area 136, no further backward or cocking movement of the tongue 120 takes place but, rather, the cocked position is maintained.
This cockin~ action of the tongue 120 under the urging of the tang 75 must be completed before -the driver legs 8d on the driver 80 come into contact with the cams 49 on the upper ends of the guide ways 48 as hereinafter described.
If this cocking action were not completed before the bottom edges 85 of the legs 84 reach the cams 49, there would not be enough pressure applied to the former 70 by the driver 80 to insure cocking of the tongue 120 as described. This rearward movement of the tongue 120 carries with it to the rear the depending members 110 and the feed fingers 121 which rest upon the belt 94 of staple wires 200. This move-ment backward is very slight being only approximately thethickness of one staple wire and less than twice such thick-ness. This rearward position is maintained until release of the knob 132 as described hereinaf~er. During this rear-ward motion of the tongue 120, the anti-retraction plate 122 insures that the belt 94 does not retract, thus permit-ting the feed fingers 121 to get a grlp on one additional staple wire 200 rearward of its previous position.
5. Since the distance between the top surface 63 of the former block 60 and~the bottom end of the sheath 40 is substantially the same as the distance between the bight 73 and the bottom ends of the legs 72 of the former 70, the sheath 40 and the bottom ends of the legs 72 normally come into contac-t with the workpiece 300 substantially simulta-neously. If, however, the interplay of the frictional forces are such as described above, in which the sheath 40 comes into contact with the workpiece 300 before the former 70 has completed its downward motion, then, once the sheath 40 does contact the workpiece 300, the former 70 will con-tinue to move downwardly forming the staple 200, and then sliding downwardly along the sides of the staple until the bottom ends of the legs 72 also ,, : ";
:,i, 3~
strike the workpiece 300. Just before the ends of the legs 72 come into contact with the workpiece 300, the bottom edges 85 of the dri~er l.egs 84 begin to ride ~lp-wardly on -the cams 4S causing legs 84 to move rearwardly against their natural spring pressure caused by the bend lines 89. This causes legs 8~ -to disengage from the up-wardly faclng shoulders 78 and to slide frictionally along the surface 79 of the legs 72. The thickness of the legs 72 in the area of the surfaces 79 is e~ual to the thickness of the guide ways ~8 so that the driver legs 8 may slide downwardly along the guide ~a:ys 48 while main~
taining contact with the surfaces 79 on the ~ormer legs 72, thus causing the former 70 to complete the last small incre-ment of its movement downward into contact with the work-piece 300.
:,i, 3~
strike the workpiece 300. Just before the ends of the legs 72 come into contact with the workpiece 300, the bottom edges 85 of the dri~er l.egs 84 begin to ride ~lp-wardly on -the cams 4S causing legs 84 to move rearwardly against their natural spring pressure caused by the bend lines 89. This causes legs 8~ -to disengage from the up-wardly faclng shoulders 78 and to slide frictionally along the surface 79 of the legs 72. The thickness of the legs 72 in the area of the surfaces 79 is e~ual to the thickness of the guide ways ~8 so that the driver legs 8 may slide downwardly along the guide ~a:ys 48 while main~
taining contact with the surfaces 79 on the ~ormer legs 72, thus causing the former 70 to complete the last small incre-ment of its movement downward into contact with the work-piece 300.
6. Further movement downwardly of the driver 80 with the bottom edges 85 of the driver legs 84 in frictional engagement with the surface 79, maintains the former legs 72 in contact with the workpiece 300 while -the driver legs 84 move downwardly along the surfaces 79 and also along~ays o~ ribs 48.up until the point where the drive blade 80 be-gins to move downward relative to the stopped former 70, the tang 75 on the former 70 has been positioned in the ~ottom or relatively close to the bottom of slot 82 in driver 80. Now as the blade 80 moves downwardly, the slot 82 moves downwardly relative to -the stopped tang 75. Dur-ing this movement, the bottom edge 180 of the driver blade 80 strikes the bevelled upper corner 66 of the former block 60, ~hus forcing the former block outwardly with respect to the front sheath 40 and against the urging o~ the center portions 56 of the spring 50~ This releases the now formed staple from the former block 60; however, the legs of the staple still reside in the raceways 77 formed by the former legs 72.
7. Promptly upon the former block moving out-wardly, the bottom edge 180 of the driver 80 passes thereby ~83~
and strikes the crown of the now formed staple, driving the same downwardly through the workpiece whereupon the ends are crimped by the grooves 23 in the anvil 21 in known manner. During -this final driving of -the staple, the race-ways 77 guide the staple and the driver 80.
and strikes the crown of the now formed staple, driving the same downwardly through the workpiece whereupon the ends are crimped by the grooves 23 in the anvil 21 in known manner. During -this final driving of -the staple, the race-ways 77 guide the staple and the driver 80.
8. UPOII completion of the downward stroke, the sheath 40 and former legs 72 are in their extreme downward position bearing against the workpiece while the driver blade 80 is bearing against the crown of the now driven staple. Upon release of the operating knob 132, the spring 134 urges the knob 132 upwardly in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow 140. This upward movement of the knob 132 carries with it the driver blade 80.
~uring upward movemen-t of the blade 80, the slot 82 therein also moves upwardly with respect to the tang 75 on the former 70. When the bottom edye of the slot 82 engages the tang 75, further upward movement of the blade 80 under the forces applied by the spring 134 will carry with it the former 70. ~t some point during the upward ~3 movement of the blade 80 and the former 70, the s,heath,~0 and the formex block 60 will begin to move upwardly as well.
The particular point at which the sheath 40 and the former block 60 move upwardly wi~l depend upon the interplay of the various frictional forces. Also due to the frictional engagement of the driver legs 84 against the surfaces 79 of the former legs 72 together with the frictional engage-ment of the edges 87 of the driver blade 80 and raceways 77, the former 70 may begin its upward movement at the same time as the upward movement of the driver blade 80, even though the tang 75 is still positioned at the upper end of the slot 82. It is of no consequence in what sequence the driver 80, former 70, former block 60 and sheath 40 commence their upward movement, or whether they do so simultaneously.
Indeed, as the frictional forces vary, some parts, such as the sheath 40 and block 60, may start to move upwardly and ~ (` ( 3;~
then stop for a time. It ls only necessary tha-t all of the parts resume their initail position and the parts are designed and interfitted, as shown, to accomplish this purpose r For e~ample, if the former 70 continues to move S upwardly with the driver blade 80, eventuall~ it will either be stopped by the internal frictional forces or its upper edge 81 will come up against s~ops 43 on the interior o. the sheath, in which case further upwaxd move-ment carries with it the sheath 40 unless the sheath40 has alr~ady been returned to its normal position by the spring50, in which latter case the stops 43 will arrest further upward movement of the former 70, and further upward move-ment of the driver blade 80 will cause relative movement of the slot 82 upwardly with respect to the tang 75 on the former 70. If, on the other hand, the frictional forces are such as to arrest the upward movement of the former 70 before it reaches its upper limit, then, in that event, upward movement of the blade 80 moves the slot 82 upwardly relative to the tang 75 until the bottom edge of the slot 82 engages the tang 75, whereupon further upward movement of the blade 80 also carries the former 70 upwardly.
~uring upward movemen-t of the blade 80, the slot 82 therein also moves upwardly with respect to the tang 75 on the former 70. When the bottom edye of the slot 82 engages the tang 75, further upward movement of the blade 80 under the forces applied by the spring 134 will carry with it the former 70. ~t some point during the upward ~3 movement of the blade 80 and the former 70, the s,heath,~0 and the formex block 60 will begin to move upwardly as well.
The particular point at which the sheath 40 and the former block 60 move upwardly wi~l depend upon the interplay of the various frictional forces. Also due to the frictional engagement of the driver legs 84 against the surfaces 79 of the former legs 72 together with the frictional engage-ment of the edges 87 of the driver blade 80 and raceways 77, the former 70 may begin its upward movement at the same time as the upward movement of the driver blade 80, even though the tang 75 is still positioned at the upper end of the slot 82. It is of no consequence in what sequence the driver 80, former 70, former block 60 and sheath 40 commence their upward movement, or whether they do so simultaneously.
Indeed, as the frictional forces vary, some parts, such as the sheath 40 and block 60, may start to move upwardly and ~ (` ( 3;~
then stop for a time. It ls only necessary tha-t all of the parts resume their initail position and the parts are designed and interfitted, as shown, to accomplish this purpose r For e~ample, if the former 70 continues to move S upwardly with the driver blade 80, eventuall~ it will either be stopped by the internal frictional forces or its upper edge 81 will come up against s~ops 43 on the interior o. the sheath, in which case further upwaxd move-ment carries with it the sheath 40 unless the sheath40 has alr~ady been returned to its normal position by the spring50, in which latter case the stops 43 will arrest further upward movement of the former 70, and further upward move-ment of the driver blade 80 will cause relative movement of the slot 82 upwardly with respect to the tang 75 on the former 70. If, on the other hand, the frictional forces are such as to arrest the upward movement of the former 70 before it reaches its upper limit, then, in that event, upward movement of the blade 80 moves the slot 82 upwardly relative to the tang 75 until the bottom edge of the slot 82 engages the tang 75, whereupon further upward movement of the blade 80 also carries the former 70 upwardly.
9. At some point during the upward movement of the driver blade 80, the driver legs 84 will pass upwardly along cam sur~aces 49 at the upler end of the ~de ~ibs ~ ays 48, and as soon as the former blade 70 is arrested, ei~her by the frictional forces or the stops 43, the blade 80 will begin to move upwardly with respect to the former 70, - . causing the slot 82 to move relative to the tang 75 and also causing the driver legs 84 to move upwardly along and relative to the surfaces 7g of the former 70 until they pass upwardly beyond the shoulders 78 and resume their posi-tion bearing against the inner surface 46 of the sheath 40.
It will be appreciated that because the driver blade 80 is of spring steel, the driver legs 84 spring back into their initial position as shown in Fig. 5, in which position they are very slightly spaced upwardly from the shoulders 78.
:'' .
-~ 333~
It will be appreciated that because the driver blade 80 is of spring steel, the driver legs 84 spring back into their initial position as shown in Fig. 5, in which position they are very slightly spaced upwardly from the shoulders 78.
:'' .
-~ 333~
10. Ul-timately al] upward movement oE all of the parts is completely arrested when the driver 80 reaches the tab 75 o~ the former 70 and force~ the edge 81 of the former 70 against lugs 43 of fxont sheath 40. Just prior to reachlng this point, the tab 75 moves along -the sloped portion 142 of the depending tongue 120 and onto the flat area 131, whereupon the feed fingers 121 feed another staple blank into the notch 64 in the block 60, the block 60 having shortly prior there-to returned to its normal inward position when the driver blade 80 has passed upwardly past the open-ing 44 in the sheath 40.
When staple wires 200 are fed into block groove 64 the end of wires 200 abut guideways 48 to limit their movement and properly position them in groove 64 (see Fig.
5). The feeding of s~aple wires 200 to block 60 is such that wlres 200 are not urge~ toward block 60 during that portion of the downward stroke when the lead wire 200 is first contacted by former mem~)er 70 and broken away from the belt ~4. This sequence prevents undesired movement of wires 200 at this point in the driving stroke.
In Figs. 14, 15 and 16 there is shown a modified embodiment of the staple former and driver of this inven-tion. Most cf the parts of the staple former and driver 400 shcwn in FigsO 14, 15 and 16 are identical to those for the staple former and driver 10 shown in Figs. 1 through 13 and, as such, similar parts carry th~same reference numerals. The primary difference between the stapler 400 and the stapler 10 is that the stapler 400 is operated by an electrical solenoid 402 positioned generally where the operating knob 132 is positioned in the stapler 10 of Figs.
1 through 13. The solenoid 402 is secured to the stationary frame or stapler head 30 by means of a strap 404 or the like, in order to maintain the solenoid 402 in fixed position.
The driver blade 130 carries at its upp~r end an armature 406 passing through the solenoid 402. ~ccordingly, upon _ _ _ . _ . ~ . ~ ~ _ _ . . .. ... .
~333~
actuation of the solenoid 402 by the switch SW1, -the armature 406 will be drawn downwardly driving the driver blade 130 downwardly to form and drive a s-taple. Spring 134 is mounted in a recess 401 in the armature ~06 for compactness of design.
The solenoid 402 is connected by leads 4Q8 (in one of which there is located an actuator swl-tch (SW1~ -to a suitable electric circuit C. The circuit C, in turn is connected by leads 409 (in one of which is located a main on-off switch SW2) to a source S of electrical power, such as an alternating current source. The circuit C is of known and conventional design and, accordingly, is not detailed here. One suitable circuit is disclosed in U.S.
patent No. 3,971,969, issued July 27, 1976~
In addition to the changes mentioned above, i.e.
the use of solenoid 402, the staple former and driver 400 also differ from the staple former and driver 10, in that the spring 50 has its ends 410 extending through an elong.~t-ed slot 412 in the sheath 40 and then into a snugly itting 2 hole ~4 on either side of the vertical mem~er 34 of the staple head or frame 30~ The elongated slot 412 in the sheath 40 of the stapler of Figs. 14 through 16 differs from the hole 54 in the sheath 40 for the stapler of Figs. 1 through 13 only in being posi~ioned closer to the front face 2 of the sheath. In this position, the ends 410 of the spring 50 fit into the holes 414 in the vertical portion 34 of the staple head 30 rather than being engaged behind the edge 36 of the vertical member 34 of the staple head 30 as in the stapler 10. It will be appreciated that, due to this arrange-3Q ment, the ends 410 of the spring 50 can no longer slide upand down the rearward edge 36 of the vertical member 34 as in the embodiment of Figs. 1 through 13. Accordingly, un-like the embodiment of Figs.l through 13, the sheath 40 of the electrically operated stapler 400 does not move down-3 wardly against the workpiece300 during operatin. Rather,the sheath 40 remains sta~ionary with ., ~
~t respect to the staple head 30 during all phases of normal operation of the stapler 400.
It will be recalled that in the embodimenL of Figs. 1 through 13 during operation, the legs 72 of -the former 70 shape the staple from a s~aple blank 200 in cooperation with the former block 60. Further, it will be recalled that after having Eormed the staple, the bight or edge 73 of the former 70 which extends ~etween the legs 72 comes down upon the former block 60, as shown in Fig.
10, and forces the former block 60 and the sheath 40 down untll the sheath 40 bears against the workpiece 300. Since now in the staple 4~0, the sheath 40 is secured against down-ward movement, the former 70 must be modified. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 16! the former 470 is shown in which the only difference from the former 70 shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6, is that the bight or edge 473 of the former 470 in Fig.
16 is positioned higher than the edge 73 of the former 70.
That is, to say, that the distance from the bottom edge of the legs 472 to the bight or edge 473 of the former 470 of Fig. 16 is greater than the distance between th~ottom edge of the :Legs 72 to the bight or edge 73 of the former 70 shown in Fig. 6. Accordingly, during operation of the device, the Legs 472 may form the staple from the staple wire 200 and continue on until the bottom ends of the legs~
472 come into contact with the workpiece 300 without the edge 473 reaching or contacting the former block 60.
Pusher elements 85 oE driver 80 and recess 79 of former 70 are shaped and proportioned so that upon com-pletion of the forming step the former 70 including legs 72 continue downward due to frictional engagement of element 85 against recesses 79 to carry and guide the formed staple down to and against the workpiece 300.
Fxcept as noted in the immediately preceding paragraphs, the operation of the device of Figs. 14 through 16 is in all essential respects the same as the operation of the modification of Figs. 1 through l3.
-333/~ -In each oE the above described embodiments, the ends 52, 4]0 of the spring 50 fit within elongated holes 54, 41 in the sheath 40. Because of this fitting through the holes 54, 412, the sheath 40 may move outwardly away from the fixed stapler head 30 a short distance, which dis-tance is determined by the elongated holes 54, 412 with respect to the diameter of the ends 52, 410 respectivelY-This elongation. is chosen to be sufficient to permit adequate movement of -the sheath 40 away from the stapler head 30 for the ejection of a malformed staple or staple blank that may jam the machine. ~ccordingly, in oxder to relieve a jammed condition of the stapler, it is only necessary to operate it several times in quick succession until the jammed condition is alleviated. Thereupon, the spring 50 will force the sheath 40 back into its proper position relative to the fixed head 30.
Referring to the further embodiment of Figs. 17-22, employing numerals similar to those earlier used for some parts and new numerals for others, feed spring 112 is connected to depending members 110 through rivets 116.
Depending members 110 swing about bearing 501 which is pivotably mounted on axle 502. Tongue 120 as integrally formed with depending members 110 permits spring 112 to actuate fingers 121.
Cartridge 90 is mounted on cartridge base 503 which includes base plate 504, base side walls 506, ears .98 mounted outboard on plate 504. Extending parallel to base 504 are guide pieces 507 including cartridge e~tensions 508 and belt hold down lips 509 which are insertable in opening 100. The angled ends 511 of extensions 508 guide an-ti-retraction plate 122.
Front sheath 40 carries eight (8) spacer tabs pairs 512~ 513, 514 and 516~ Cartridge 90 is held in its operative position by spring 517.
In the operation of the modified stapler, car-tridge 90 is placed in staplerhead 30 as shown in Fig. 18 33~
in dashed lines with spring 517 also shown in dashed lines in its down position. Cartridge 90 ls then pushed to the left agains-t spring 112, as shown in Fig. 18, until exten-sions 508 pass through opening 100 ancl against sheath ~10.
Opening 100 is substantially larger than staple wire 200.
Extensions 508 are positioned between tabs 514 and 516 with portions of belt held down lips 509 also projecting through stapler head 30 into the space between head 30 and sheath 40~ When the staple belt is advanced into the former 60 the lead staple wire 200 abuts tabs 514 to proper-ly position staple wire 200 in former 60.
Referring to Fig. 21 it is seen that lead staple wire 200 has its ends extending under lips 509 as it is fed into forming block 60. Lips 509 functions to prevent the lead staple wire of belt 94 from being pushed upwardly on the upward stroke of the driver blade 86 and former 70 in the event the lead staple projects in part into the space between staple head 30 and sheath 40. It is thus 20 se~n that extensions 508, lips 509 and openings 100 are s-haped to cooperate among themselves to guide and hold the cartridge in position and to prevent a staple wire from being bent, deflected or removed from belt 94 during the upward return stroke of blade 86 and former 70.
Lips 509 as positioned in opening 100 from part of the border which defines an exit opening from which the lead staple 200 exits the cartridge and enters former block 60.
-
When staple wires 200 are fed into block groove 64 the end of wires 200 abut guideways 48 to limit their movement and properly position them in groove 64 (see Fig.
5). The feeding of s~aple wires 200 to block 60 is such that wlres 200 are not urge~ toward block 60 during that portion of the downward stroke when the lead wire 200 is first contacted by former mem~)er 70 and broken away from the belt ~4. This sequence prevents undesired movement of wires 200 at this point in the driving stroke.
In Figs. 14, 15 and 16 there is shown a modified embodiment of the staple former and driver of this inven-tion. Most cf the parts of the staple former and driver 400 shcwn in FigsO 14, 15 and 16 are identical to those for the staple former and driver 10 shown in Figs. 1 through 13 and, as such, similar parts carry th~same reference numerals. The primary difference between the stapler 400 and the stapler 10 is that the stapler 400 is operated by an electrical solenoid 402 positioned generally where the operating knob 132 is positioned in the stapler 10 of Figs.
1 through 13. The solenoid 402 is secured to the stationary frame or stapler head 30 by means of a strap 404 or the like, in order to maintain the solenoid 402 in fixed position.
The driver blade 130 carries at its upp~r end an armature 406 passing through the solenoid 402. ~ccordingly, upon _ _ _ . _ . ~ . ~ ~ _ _ . . .. ... .
~333~
actuation of the solenoid 402 by the switch SW1, -the armature 406 will be drawn downwardly driving the driver blade 130 downwardly to form and drive a s-taple. Spring 134 is mounted in a recess 401 in the armature ~06 for compactness of design.
The solenoid 402 is connected by leads 4Q8 (in one of which there is located an actuator swl-tch (SW1~ -to a suitable electric circuit C. The circuit C, in turn is connected by leads 409 (in one of which is located a main on-off switch SW2) to a source S of electrical power, such as an alternating current source. The circuit C is of known and conventional design and, accordingly, is not detailed here. One suitable circuit is disclosed in U.S.
patent No. 3,971,969, issued July 27, 1976~
In addition to the changes mentioned above, i.e.
the use of solenoid 402, the staple former and driver 400 also differ from the staple former and driver 10, in that the spring 50 has its ends 410 extending through an elong.~t-ed slot 412 in the sheath 40 and then into a snugly itting 2 hole ~4 on either side of the vertical mem~er 34 of the staple head or frame 30~ The elongated slot 412 in the sheath 40 of the stapler of Figs. 14 through 16 differs from the hole 54 in the sheath 40 for the stapler of Figs. 1 through 13 only in being posi~ioned closer to the front face 2 of the sheath. In this position, the ends 410 of the spring 50 fit into the holes 414 in the vertical portion 34 of the staple head 30 rather than being engaged behind the edge 36 of the vertical member 34 of the staple head 30 as in the stapler 10. It will be appreciated that, due to this arrange-3Q ment, the ends 410 of the spring 50 can no longer slide upand down the rearward edge 36 of the vertical member 34 as in the embodiment of Figs. 1 through 13. Accordingly, un-like the embodiment of Figs.l through 13, the sheath 40 of the electrically operated stapler 400 does not move down-3 wardly against the workpiece300 during operatin. Rather,the sheath 40 remains sta~ionary with ., ~
~t respect to the staple head 30 during all phases of normal operation of the stapler 400.
It will be recalled that in the embodimenL of Figs. 1 through 13 during operation, the legs 72 of -the former 70 shape the staple from a s~aple blank 200 in cooperation with the former block 60. Further, it will be recalled that after having Eormed the staple, the bight or edge 73 of the former 70 which extends ~etween the legs 72 comes down upon the former block 60, as shown in Fig.
10, and forces the former block 60 and the sheath 40 down untll the sheath 40 bears against the workpiece 300. Since now in the staple 4~0, the sheath 40 is secured against down-ward movement, the former 70 must be modified. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 16! the former 470 is shown in which the only difference from the former 70 shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6, is that the bight or edge 473 of the former 470 in Fig.
16 is positioned higher than the edge 73 of the former 70.
That is, to say, that the distance from the bottom edge of the legs 472 to the bight or edge 473 of the former 470 of Fig. 16 is greater than the distance between th~ottom edge of the :Legs 72 to the bight or edge 73 of the former 70 shown in Fig. 6. Accordingly, during operation of the device, the Legs 472 may form the staple from the staple wire 200 and continue on until the bottom ends of the legs~
472 come into contact with the workpiece 300 without the edge 473 reaching or contacting the former block 60.
Pusher elements 85 oE driver 80 and recess 79 of former 70 are shaped and proportioned so that upon com-pletion of the forming step the former 70 including legs 72 continue downward due to frictional engagement of element 85 against recesses 79 to carry and guide the formed staple down to and against the workpiece 300.
Fxcept as noted in the immediately preceding paragraphs, the operation of the device of Figs. 14 through 16 is in all essential respects the same as the operation of the modification of Figs. 1 through l3.
-333/~ -In each oE the above described embodiments, the ends 52, 4]0 of the spring 50 fit within elongated holes 54, 41 in the sheath 40. Because of this fitting through the holes 54, 412, the sheath 40 may move outwardly away from the fixed stapler head 30 a short distance, which dis-tance is determined by the elongated holes 54, 412 with respect to the diameter of the ends 52, 410 respectivelY-This elongation. is chosen to be sufficient to permit adequate movement of -the sheath 40 away from the stapler head 30 for the ejection of a malformed staple or staple blank that may jam the machine. ~ccordingly, in oxder to relieve a jammed condition of the stapler, it is only necessary to operate it several times in quick succession until the jammed condition is alleviated. Thereupon, the spring 50 will force the sheath 40 back into its proper position relative to the fixed head 30.
Referring to the further embodiment of Figs. 17-22, employing numerals similar to those earlier used for some parts and new numerals for others, feed spring 112 is connected to depending members 110 through rivets 116.
Depending members 110 swing about bearing 501 which is pivotably mounted on axle 502. Tongue 120 as integrally formed with depending members 110 permits spring 112 to actuate fingers 121.
Cartridge 90 is mounted on cartridge base 503 which includes base plate 504, base side walls 506, ears .98 mounted outboard on plate 504. Extending parallel to base 504 are guide pieces 507 including cartridge e~tensions 508 and belt hold down lips 509 which are insertable in opening 100. The angled ends 511 of extensions 508 guide an-ti-retraction plate 122.
Front sheath 40 carries eight (8) spacer tabs pairs 512~ 513, 514 and 516~ Cartridge 90 is held in its operative position by spring 517.
In the operation of the modified stapler, car-tridge 90 is placed in staplerhead 30 as shown in Fig. 18 33~
in dashed lines with spring 517 also shown in dashed lines in its down position. Cartridge 90 ls then pushed to the left agains-t spring 112, as shown in Fig. 18, until exten-sions 508 pass through opening 100 ancl against sheath ~10.
Opening 100 is substantially larger than staple wire 200.
Extensions 508 are positioned between tabs 514 and 516 with portions of belt held down lips 509 also projecting through stapler head 30 into the space between head 30 and sheath 40~ When the staple belt is advanced into the former 60 the lead staple wire 200 abuts tabs 514 to proper-ly position staple wire 200 in former 60.
Referring to Fig. 21 it is seen that lead staple wire 200 has its ends extending under lips 509 as it is fed into forming block 60. Lips 509 functions to prevent the lead staple wire of belt 94 from being pushed upwardly on the upward stroke of the driver blade 86 and former 70 in the event the lead staple projects in part into the space between staple head 30 and sheath 40. It is thus 20 se~n that extensions 508, lips 509 and openings 100 are s-haped to cooperate among themselves to guide and hold the cartridge in position and to prevent a staple wire from being bent, deflected or removed from belt 94 during the upward return stroke of blade 86 and former 70.
Lips 509 as positioned in opening 100 from part of the border which defines an exit opening from which the lead staple 200 exits the cartridge and enters former block 60.
-
Claims (19)
1. In a staple forming and driving tool having a reciprocating stroke driving means for forming a staple wire fed from a staple wire belt into a staple and in the same stroke driving such formed staple which staple tool has a base, the improvement characterized by the tool having i) a stationary staple head mounted above the base and spaced therefrom a distance to accommodate the workpiece;
said staple head including a stationary vertical head piece;
ii) a vertical sheath mounted adjacent to the vertical head piece and spaced therefrom by spacer lug means positioned to provide a passageway between said head piece and sheath;
iii) an opening in the vertical head piece for receiving staple wires;
iv) a second opening in the sheath;
v) spring means engaging the vertical head piece and the sheath for urging the vertical head piece and the sheath against the spacer means;
vi) retractable forming block means positioned partially in the passageway and partially in the second opening, said block means being capable of retracting away from the vertical head piece against said spring means;
vii) reciprocating staple forming means positioned in said passageway for reciprocation from the workpiece to a position in the passageway; and viii) driving means for driving the forming means downward in-cluding a) positive drive means for driving the forming means a portion of its downward travel;
b) frictional non-positive drive means for driving the forming means during a later portion of its travel;
ix) driver blade means for driving the formed staple into the workpiece; and x) a staple belt cartridge feed means for feeding one at a time the lead wire of the belt to the forming means which feed means include exit chute guide means to guide the belt in its substantially horizontal movement to prevent vertical movement of that portion of the belt remaining after each staple wire is removed by the forming means.
said staple head including a stationary vertical head piece;
ii) a vertical sheath mounted adjacent to the vertical head piece and spaced therefrom by spacer lug means positioned to provide a passageway between said head piece and sheath;
iii) an opening in the vertical head piece for receiving staple wires;
iv) a second opening in the sheath;
v) spring means engaging the vertical head piece and the sheath for urging the vertical head piece and the sheath against the spacer means;
vi) retractable forming block means positioned partially in the passageway and partially in the second opening, said block means being capable of retracting away from the vertical head piece against said spring means;
vii) reciprocating staple forming means positioned in said passageway for reciprocation from the workpiece to a position in the passageway; and viii) driving means for driving the forming means downward in-cluding a) positive drive means for driving the forming means a portion of its downward travel;
b) frictional non-positive drive means for driving the forming means during a later portion of its travel;
ix) driver blade means for driving the formed staple into the workpiece; and x) a staple belt cartridge feed means for feeding one at a time the lead wire of the belt to the forming means which feed means include exit chute guide means to guide the belt in its substantially horizontal movement to prevent vertical movement of that portion of the belt remaining after each staple wire is removed by the forming means.
2. The tool of claim 1 in which the sheath is held by the spring means in such a manner that it can reciprocate up and down with the downward movement being created by the downward movement of the forming means against the forming block and the upward movement caused by the spring means.
3. The tool of claim 1 in which the sheath is stationary.
4. The tool of claim 1 in which the drive means is moved downward-ly by manual force and moved upwardly by driver means return spring means.
5. The tool of claim 1 in which the drive means is moved downwardly by solenoid armature means and upwardly by return spring means.
6. The tool of claim 5 in which the return spring means is mounted in the solenoid armature means.
7. The tool of claim 1 in which the positive driving means comprises a pusher element on the driving means which abuts a surface on the forming means.
8. A tool of claim 1 in which the frictional driving means comprising a pusher element on the drive means which frictional-ly engages a surface of the forming element, said pusher element being urged against the surface by tension means.
9. The tool of claim 7 in which the pusher element on the drive means abuts the surface on the forming means for a portion of the driving stroke and thereafter the pusher element is posi-tioned to frictionally engage a surface of forming element.
10. The tool of claim 9 in which the pusher element is positioned by riding on cam means mounted on the sheath.
11. The tool of claim 1 in which the sheath carries stop means which stops the staple wires as they are fed seriatim through the first opening.
12. The tool of claim 1 in which the forming block has a horizontal groove in it into which the staple wires are fed seriatim.
13. The tool of claim 1 having means for feeding staple wires com-prising a) a belt cartridge having a belt housing and an exit chute means;
b) lug means on the sides of the chute means;
c) stationary horizontal head means mounted on the stationary vertical head including a horizontal base plate and stand-ing side pieces; and d) lug means on the said standing side pieces positioned and shaped to frictionally engage and abut said lug means on the chute means.
b) lug means on the sides of the chute means;
c) stationary horizontal head means mounted on the stationary vertical head including a horizontal base plate and stand-ing side pieces; and d) lug means on the said standing side pieces positioned and shaped to frictionally engage and abut said lug means on the chute means.
14. The tool of claim 1 in which a) the opening in the vertical head pieces is substantially larger than a staple wire; and b) having a cartridge from which the staple belt is fed, said cartridge in turn having an exit opening defined by border means which border means are positioned in said vertical head opening.
15. The tool of claim 14 in which the border means include car-tridge lip means which protrude through said vertical head opening.
16. In a method of forming and driving staples using reciprocating stroke driving means, a stationary head and a base below said head in which staple wires are fed from a staple belt, the staples are formed during a stroke and thereafter driven in the stroke, the improvement comprising a) urging the belt of staples into a forming means employing urging means which engage with the belt, thereafter;
b) disengaging said urging means from said belt and upon such disengagement;
c) moving a driving means mounted for reciprocation inthe stationary head through a portion of its downward stroke which driving means carries with it a forming means;
d) forming a staple;
e) carrying said formed staple through action of the driving means further downward while said formed staple remains in and is guided by the forming means; and f) striking the formed staple with said driving means to carry said formed staple still further downward out of the head and into the workpiece on the base with said staple being in and guided by the forming means until the staple enters the workpiece.
b) disengaging said urging means from said belt and upon such disengagement;
c) moving a driving means mounted for reciprocation inthe stationary head through a portion of its downward stroke which driving means carries with it a forming means;
d) forming a staple;
e) carrying said formed staple through action of the driving means further downward while said formed staple remains in and is guided by the forming means; and f) striking the formed staple with said driving means to carry said formed staple still further downward out of the head and into the workpiece on the base with said staple being in and guided by the forming means until the staple enters the workpiece.
17. The method of claim 16 in which the staple belt is urged against stop means to position the belt in the forming means.
18. The tool of claim 1 in which the opening in said stationary member is substantially larger than a staple wire and the exit chute on the cartridge which chute is insertable into the opening during operation of the tool is removable from the opening when the cartridge is removed.
19. The tool of claim 1 in which the exit chute guide means in turn comprises a) upper parallel spaced-apart belt guides integrally formed with and extending a selected distance from the housing section of the cartridge for guiding the staple wires of the belt to limit upward movement of such staple wires; and b) lower parallel spaced-apart belt guides positioned below the upper guides and extending less than the said selected distance from such housing for guiding such staple wires to limit their downward movement.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000408287A CA1183301A (en) | 1982-07-28 | 1982-07-28 | Staple forming and driving machine and method |
| CA000467185A CA1195801A (en) | 1980-09-17 | 1984-11-06 | Staple wire belt cartridge |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000408287A CA1183301A (en) | 1982-07-28 | 1982-07-28 | Staple forming and driving machine and method |
Related Child Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000467185A Division CA1195801A (en) | 1980-09-17 | 1984-11-06 | Staple wire belt cartridge |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1183301A true CA1183301A (en) | 1985-03-05 |
Family
ID=4123303
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000408287A Expired CA1183301A (en) | 1980-09-17 | 1982-07-28 | Staple forming and driving machine and method |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1183301A (en) |
-
1982
- 1982-07-28 CA CA000408287A patent/CA1183301A/en not_active Expired
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|---|---|---|---|
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) | ||
| MKEX | Expiry | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20020728 |